Research on adaptive cruise control (ACC) with Stop&Go maneuvers is presently one of the most important topics in the field of intelligent transportation systems. The main feature of such controllers is that there is adaptation to a user-preset speed and, if necessary, speed reduction to keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead in the same lane of the road, whatever the speed. The extreme case is the stop and go operation in which the lead car stops and the vehicle at the rear must also do so. This paper presents the development of an ACC system and related experiments. The system input information is acquired by a real-time kinematic phase differential global positioning system (GPS) (i.e., centimetric GPS) and wireless local area network links. The outputs are the variables that control the pressure on the throttle and brake pedals, which is calculated by an onboard computer. In addition, the car control is based on fuzzy logic. The system has been installed in two mass-produced Citroe/spl uml/n Berlingo electric vans, in which all the actuators have been automated to achieve humanlike driving. The results from real experiments show that the unmanned vehicles behave very similarly to human-driven cars and are very adaptive to any kind of situation at a broad range of speeds, thus raising the safety of the driving and allowing cooperation with manually driven cars.


The more frequent and intense extreme weather events (higher temperatures – the intensity and frequency of heat weaves, more and longer periods of drought) and weather-related diseases and pests, that have caused the greatest damage to olive production in the recent years, are a warning that urgent changes to Slovenian olive culture are needed. Due to the realisation that adaptations of agricultural production to climatic changes can have negative effects on the environment (water, soil), we conducted an experiment to determine the actual effect of adaptations of agro-technical management on the dynamics of nitrate and copper in the soil. The results of the study have shown that irrigation in combination with the technology of soil cultivation have effect on the allocation, migration and content of nitrate and copper in the soil of olive groves. Along with the fact that applied water allows the undisturbed absorption of nutrients into the plant, it can also improve the conditions for mineralisation and decomposition of organic matter, which is heavily dependent on the type of soil cultivation.


This article proposes ESA, a new unsupervised approach to word segmentation. ESA is an iterative process consisting of 3 phases: Evaluation, Selection, and Adjustment. In Evaluation, both certainty and uncertainty of character sequence co-occurrence in corpora are considered as the statistical evidence supporting goodness measurement. Additionally, the statistical data of character sequences with various lengths become comparable with each other by using a simple process called Balancing. In Selection, a local maximum strategy is adopted without thresholds, and the strategy can be implemented with dynamic programming. In Adjustment, a part of the statistical data is updated to improve successive results. In our experiment, ESA was evaluated on the SIGHAN Bakeoff-2 data set. The results suggest that ESA is effective on Chinese corpora. It is noteworthy that the F-measures of the results are basically monotone increasing and can rapidly converge to relatively high values. Furthermore, the empirical formulae based on the results can be used to predict the parameter in ESA to avoid parameter estimation that is usually time-consuming.


This article identifies conditions under which robust predictive modeling results have special epistemic significance—related to truth, confidence, and security—and considers whether those conditions hold in the context of present-day climate modeling. The findings are disappointing. When today's climate models agree that an interesting hypothesis about future climate change is true, it cannot be inferred—via the arguments considered here anyway—that the hypothesis is likely to be true or that scientists' confidence in the hypothesis should be significantly increased or that a claim to have evidence for the hypothesis is now more secure.


The application of a radial basis function network to digital communications channel equalization is examined. It is shown that the radial basis function network has an identical structure to the optimal Bayesian symbol-decision equalizer solution and, therefore, can be employed to implement the Bayesian equalizer. The training of a radial basis function network to realize the Bayesian equalization solution can be achieved efficiently using a simple and robust supervised clustering algorithm. During data transmission a decision-directed version of the clustering algorithm enables the radial basis function network to track a slowly time-varying environment. Moreover, the clustering scheme provides an automatic compensation for nonlinear channel and equipment distortion. Computer simulations are included to illustrate the analytical results.


Proteins belonging to the XPF/MUS81 family play important roles in the repair of DNA lesions caused by UV-light or DNA cross-linking agents. Most eukaryotes have four family members that assemble into two distinct heterodimeric complexes, XPF-ERCC1 and MUS81-EME1. Each complex contains one catalytic and one noncatalytic subunit and exhibits endonuclease activity with a variety of 3'-flap or fork DNA structures. The catalytic subunits share a characteristic core containing an excision repair cross complementation group 4 (ERCC4) nuclease domain and a tandem helix-hairpin-helix (HhH)(2) domain. Diverged domains are present in the noncatalytic subunits and may be required for substrate targeting. Vertebrates possess two additional family members, FANCM and Fanconi anemia-associated protein 24 kDa (FAAP24), which possess inactive nuclease domains. Instead, FANCM contains a functional Superfamily 2 (SF2) helicase domain that is required for DNA translocation. Determining how these enzymes recognize specific DNA substrates and promote key repair reactions is an important challenge for the future.


The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the tolerance and effects of chronic oral clonidine administration on the clinical status, exercise tolerance, and ventricular function of 10 male patients with chronic heart failure. Patients were given either oral clonidine (400 μg/day) or matching placebo for twelve weeks and then tapered off medication over a two-week period. Results are summarized as follows: Profiles over time between groups were significantly different for resting heart rate (p = 0.0005), were different for arterial pressure (p=0.04), were different for left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.006), and were different for mean accumulated workload (p=0.076). Exercise double product at 25 watts changed little in three patients and showed a decrease in 2 patients following six weeks of oral clonidine; after twelve weeks, it decreased in three patients, increased in 1, and changed little in another. After washout, double product returned toward baseline values. In the placebo groups, double product showed little change. Resting of the heart by decreasing heart rate, systemic arterial blood pressure, and venous tone are thought by the authors to be major contributing factors to the observed beneficial effect of chronic oral clonidine in chronic heart failure.


An optimum telemetry system (OTS) has been developed that can be plugged directly into the front-end electronics of a field seismic station to enable large dynamic range (120 dB) data transmission, 60 dB resolution, and three-component seismic recording. This new system is designed to be accommodated within a conventional single ±125-Hz transmission channel. With CMOS microprocessors and a minimum of 64 kB memory, the OTS buffer stores 3.5 min of data for one channel or 1 min of data for three channels at 128 sps. The buffer storage can easily be expanded by an order of magnitude without significant increase in cost, but the present buffer size is sufficient for regional seismic networks of coverage less than 500 km in size; i.e., enough preevent memory is allowed for event trigger and gain-ranging operations. There is no sacrifice on timing accuracy, and to apply corrections to the travel-time delays is simple as the delays are exactly known. To guarantee the 60 dB resolution in a ±125-Hz FM transmission band, a new digital voltage-controlled oscillator has been designed for the OTS which keys the FM center frequency accurate to 0.1 per cent and practically eliminates the drift of the voltage-controlled oscillator center frequency. The OTS offers a practical solution to the severe signal-clipping problem that has plagued many high-performance telemetered seismic networks.


G-rich sequences that contain stretches of tandem guanines can form four-stranded, intramolecular stable DNA structures called G-quadruplexes (termed G4s). Regulation of the equilibrium between single-stranded and G4 DNA in promoter regions is essential for control of gene expression in the cell. G4s are highly stable structures; however, their folding kinetics are slow under physiological conditions. CNBP (cellular nucleic-acid-binding protein) is a nucleic acid chaperone that binds the G4-forming G-rich sequence located within the NHE (nuclease hypersensitivity element) III of the c-Myc proto-oncogene promoter. Several reports have demonstrated that CNBP enhances the transcription of c-Myc in vitro and in vivo; however, none of these reports have assessed the molecular mechanisms responsible for this control. In the present study, by means of Taq polymerase stop assays, electrophoretic mobility-shift assays and CD spectroscopy, we show that CNBP promotes the formation of parallel G4s to the detriment of anti-parallel G4s, and its nucleic acid chaperone activity is required for this effect. These findings are the first to implicate CNBP as a G4-folding modulator and, furthermore, assign CNBP a novel mode-of-action during c-Myc transcriptional regulation.


Factors affecting cotton development present spatial and temporal variability. Plant growth regulators (PGR) are used to control vegetative growth, promote higher yields, better fiber quality, and facilitate mechanical harvest. The optimal rate of PGR application depends on crop height, biomass, and growth rate. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate optical and ultrasonic crop canopy sensors to detect the crop spatial variability in cotton fields, and to develop strategies for using this information to perform variable rate application (VRA) of PGR in cotton. Field trials were conducted in Midwest Brazil during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 crop seasons. Two optical and two ultrasonic active crop canopy sensors were evaluated as tools to detect crop variability. On-farm trials were used to develop and validate algorithms for VRA based on within-field variations in crop response to PGR applications. The overall performance of the sensors to predict crop height and the accumulation of biomass in cotton was satisfactory. Short distance variability was predominant in some fields, reducing the performance of the sensors while making current technology for variable rate application of PGR inadequate. In areas with large scale variability, the VRA led to 17% savings in PGR products and no significant effect on yield was observed. Ultrasonic sensors present can be a low-cost alternative to implement variable rate application of PGR in real time.


Word models (natural language descriptions of molecular mechanisms) are a common currency in spoken and written communication in biomedicine but are of limited use in predicting the behavior of complex biological networks. We present an approach to building computational models directly from natural language using automated assembly. Molecular mechanisms described in simple English are read by natural language processing algorithms, converted into an intermediate representation and assembled into executable or network models. We have implemented this approach in the Integrated Network and Dynamical Reasoning Assembler (INDRA), which draws on existing natural language processing systems as well as pathway information in Pathway Commons and other online resources. We demonstrate the use of INDRA and natural language to model three biological processes of increasing scope: (i) p53 dynamics in response to DNA damage; (ii) adaptive drug resistance in BRAF-V600E mutant melanomas; and (iii) the RAS signaling pathway. The use of natural language for modeling makes routine tasks more efficient for modeling practitioners and increases the accessibility and transparency of models for the broader biology community. Standfirst text INDRA uses natural language processing systems to read descriptions of molecular mechanisms and assembles them into executable models. Highlights INDRA decouples the curation of knowledge as word models from model implementation INDRA is connected to multiple natural language processing systems and can draw on information from curated databases INDRA can assemble dynamical models in rule-based and reaction network formalisms, as well as Boolean networks and visualization formats We used INDRA to build models of p53 dynamics, resistance to targeted inhibitors of BRAF in melanoma, and the Ras signaling pathway from natural language


Tissue Factor (TF) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that complexes with factor VII/activated factor VII to initiate blood coagulation. TF may be expressed on the surface of various cells including monocytes and endothelial cells. Over-expression of TF in human tumor cell lines promotes metastasis. We recently showed that hemoglobin (Hb) forms a specific complex with TF purified from human malignant melanoma cells and enhances its procoagulant activity (PCA). To further study this interaction, we examined the effect of Hb on the expression of TF on human malignant (TF+) cells and KG1 myeloid leukemia (TF−) cells. Human melanoma A375 and J82 bladder carcinoma cells, which express TF at moderate and relatively high levels, respectively, were incubated with varying concentrations (0–1.5 mg/ml) of Hb. After washing, cells were analyzed for Hb binding and TF expression using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Hb bound to the cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and increased both TF expression and PCA. The human A375 malignant melanoma cells incubated with Hb (1 mg/ml) expressed up to six times more TF antigen than cells without Hb. This increase in TF expression and PCA of intact cells incubated with Hb was significantly inhibited by cycloheximide at a concentration of 10 μg/ml (P < 0.01). An increase in total cellular TF antigen content was demonstrated by specific immunoassay. In contrast, Hb (5 mg/ml) did not induce TF expression and PCA on KG1 cells as determined by flow cytometry and TF (FXAA) activity. We conclude that Hb specifically binds to TF-bearing malignant cells and increases their PCA. This effect seems to be at least partly due to de novo synthesis of TF and increased surface expression. However, the exact mechanism by which Hb binds and upregulates TF expression remains to be determined.


Program protection, programming code integrity and intellectual property protection are important problems in embedded systems. Security mechanisms for embedded systems have some specific restrictions related to limited resources, bandwidth requirements and security. In this paper we develop a secret encryption key generation algorithm by using the signature of the embedded system. We explore the qualitative characteristic of the generated keys - the entropy. Experiments showed that the generated secret keys have high entropy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.itc.41.4.1162


The newest installment in Rockport's Architecture in Detail series, Colors looks at how colour plays a role in even the most upscale architectural designs. The series itself examines the role of details in contemporary architecture through the work of many emerging and established practitioners whose projects speak sensitively and energetically on a small scale. Colour is just another one of those details architects use to put their own individual stamps on their creations. Like the preceding books in the series, Materials, Elements, and Spaces, Colors is designed by Oscar Riera Ojeda. Each book presents even the smallest architectural detail in lavish photographs by acclaimed photographer Paul Warchol, and an introductory essay by Mark Pasnick positions the images within a historical and conceptual framework. Architects and those who simply appreciate fine design will want to page through this book time and again.


The c-sis gene encodes the B polypeptide chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and is expressed in a number of normal and pathological conditions. In order to study the control of synthesis of the human c-sis product, we have initiated a study of two regions of this genetic locus which regulate transcription and translation. A clone of the 5' portion of the gene was obtained which included 1361 nucleotides upstream of the RNA initiation site. Transcriptional promoter activity of this region was demonstrated in normal and transformed cells using a plasmid with the sequences upstream of the c-sis RNA initiation site fused to an indicator gene, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase. Experiments were also performed to identify other possible regulatory regions of the c-sis gene. These data demonstrated that a portion of the c-sis first exon encoding the 5' untranslated region of the c-sis mRNA inhibited synthesis of the PDGF B product in vitro. These results define regions of the c-sis gene whose activity may be important in the regulation of transcription and translation under normal conditions and in the pathogenesis several human diseases.


This paper is the outcome of discussions directed at research issues in supporting design coordination. Design coordination is described as a high-level concept of the planning, scheduling, representation, decision-making and control of product development with respect to time, tasks, resources and design aspects. The need and hypothesis for supporting design coordination is given, and major bottlenecks, related research problems and associated questions are presented. The paper concludes that, while the primary objective of concurrent engineering would seem to be directed at considering aspects of design simultaneously, design coordination provides the means of integrating and controlling disparate activities, i.e. design coordination is a vehicle for the realization of concurrent engineering.


The article traces the development of Shakespearean productions inthe Ateneo de Manila University from 1910 to 2012. It narrates how theinitial purpose of early productions during the American Occupationof the 1900s has been transformed from being a colonial pedagogicaltool into a post-colonial theatrical form at the turn of the 21st century,because of the Filipinization movement of the 1960s and the 1970s. Thearticle recapitulates Fr. Miguel Bernad's research on the first productionsdirected by the Spanish Jesuits and accounts of productions directed byFr. Henry Lee Irwin, then narrates the history of Ateneo theater by goingthrough a survey of The Guidon reviews throughout the 1960s and 1970s,then finally recounts theatrical experiences and personal interviews withOnofre Pagsanghan, Salvador Bernal, and Ricardo Abad.


A lip seal is widely used not only to prevent leakage of fluids from an actuator or a rotating shaft but also to exclude outside substances. Recently, TPU(Thermoplastic Polyurethane), which is one of the sealing materials, has been frequently used due to its excellent mechanical properties and wear resistance. The material constants for finite element analysis through the experiment on stress relaxation are presented. The reaction forces of a shaft as well as the contact pressures of a lip seal under condition before and after stress relaxation using finite element analysis were obtained, The results show that stress relaxation has not a little effect on the performance of a lip seal.


Temperature dependence of far-infrared transmission of NbN thin films deposited on MgO and Si substrates was measured at several frequencies from 0.4 to 4.3 THz. Activated exponential increase of relative penetration depth at low temperatures and a peak in transmission near Tc were observed for frequencies below the optical gap. On the other hand, the transmission measured at frequencies above the gap exhibits only flat, almost linear temperature dependence. This behaviour is consistent with the BCS theory of superconductivity. Similar measurements were performed also on YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films deposited on MgO and sapphire substrates. Low-temperature variation of transmission indicates the d-wave symmetry. The peak below Tc predicted by the BCS theory is not observed. Flat temperature dependence of transmission at higher frequencies shows that the photon energy was sufficient for excitation over the optical gap. The s-wave BCS theory is adequate for NbN films but not for the YBa2Cu3O7−δ materials. Using the theoretical BCS model we show that the transmission peak is not correlated to the coherence peak in real conductivity at given frequency and other parameters relevant to experiment.


BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between labor (preterm and term) and umbilical blood serum regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and melanoma growth stimulatory activity/growth-related oncogene-a (MSGA/GRO-alpha) concentration, and to determine whether early sepsis and pneumonia are associated with changes in concentrations of the chemokines (RANTES and MSGA/GRO-alpha) in umbilical blood serum.

METHODS
Umbilical blood was obtained from 67 neonates in the following groups: (i) preterm neonates with early sepsis; (ii) preterm neonates with pneumonia; (iii) non-infected preterm neonates; and (iv) full-term healthy neonates. RANTES and MGSA/GRO-alpha concentrations were determined by use of a commercially available immunoassay kit.

RESULTS
Non-infected preterm neonates had lower RANTES concentrations than healthy term neonates. Preterm infected neonates (pneumonia or sepsis) did not have higher RANTES concentrations than non-infected preterm neonates. In contrast, non-infected preterm neonates had higher MSGA/GRO-alpha concentrations than full-term healthy neonates. And preterm neonates with sepsis had higher MGSA/GRO-alpha concentrations than preterm ones with pneumonia and non-infected preterm ones.

CONCLUSIONS
Preterm neonates had constitutively lower RANTES concentrations than term ones and it seems that during infection RANTES concentrations did not increase. MGSA/GRO-a concentrations were constitutively higher in preterm than term neonates, and septic events further increased its concentrations in preterm neonates.


In this work, graphene was used for dispersive solid-phase extraction of 11 triazine herbicides and 5 neonicotine insecticides from water. The extraction conditions such as the amount of graphene, the desorption solvent and the solution pH were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, high efficient enrichment was achieved for the quantitative analysis of the pesticides. Triazines and neonicotines were determined by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), respectively. The results indicated that graphene was an excellent adsorbent for the adsorption of pesticides. The recoveries of the pesticides were 83.0-108.9% with relative standard deviation (RSD) between 2.4% and 12.3%. The limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.03 μg L-1 to 0.40 μg L-1. Finally, the proposed method was applied for real sample analysis, such as tap and river water.


Despite their outstanding performance in a broad spectrum of real-world tasks, deep artificial neural networks are sensitive to input noises, particularly adversarial perturbations. On the contrary, human and animal brains are much less vulnerable. In contrast to the one-shot inference performed by most deep neural networks, the brain often solves decision-making with an evidence accumulation mechanism that may trade time for accuracy when facing noisy inputs. The mechanism is well described by the Drift-Diffusion Model (DDM). In the DDM, decision-making is modeled as a process in which noisy evidence is accumulated toward a threshold. Drawing inspiration from the DDM, we propose the Dropout-based Drift-Diffusion Model (DDDM) that combines test-phase dropout and the DDM for improving the robustness for arbitrary neural networks. The dropouts create temporally uncorrelated noises in the network that counter perturbations, while the evidence accumulation mechanism guarantees a reasonable decision accuracy. Neural networks enhanced with the DDDM tested in image, speech, and text classification tasks all significantly outperform their native counterparts, demonstrating the DDDM as a task-agnostic defense against adversarial attacks.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Elevated baseline levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with an adverse outcome during coronary stent placement. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether preprocedural CRP levels also are predictive of stroke and death in patients undergoing carotid stent placement (CAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data prospectively collected from 130 patients (97 men, 33 women; mean age, 68.5 ± 10.1 years; range, 43–89 years) who underwent CAS for symptomatic carotid stenosis and from whom preprocedural CRP values had been obtained. A CRP value of >5 mg/L was considered to be elevated. The frequency of stroke and death within 30 days was compared between patients with and without elevated baseline CRP levels using χ2 and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Baseline CRP values were normal in 94 (72.3%) patients but were elevated in 36 (27.7%) patients. The demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in both treatment groups. The 30-day stroke and death rate was significantly higher in patients with elevated CRP values (8/36; 22.2%) than in those without (3/94; 3.2%; P < .01). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, degree of carotid stenosis, and use of cerebral protection devices and/or statin therapy, an elevated CRP value before CAS remained a significant and independent predictor of stroke and death within 30 days after CAS (odds ratio, 7.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.8–32.8, P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline CRP is a powerful predictor of outcome in patients undergoing CAS, which underscores the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of embolic complications during this procedure.


Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Variceal bleeds are significantly more life-threatening than nonvariceal bleeds, with mortality rates of 18% in variceal bleeds (1) versus 5% in nonvariceal bleeds (2). Determining the acuity of the bleed is important to ensure that therapeutic upper endoscopy is performed within a window of time that balances mortality risk against optimal use of a limited resource. Several prediction scores have been proposed to risk stratify patients with upper GI bleeds, including the Rockford and Blatchford scales (3,4). These scores are, however, limited because they do not discriminate between GI bleeds of variceal and nonvariceal origin. This is a crucial distinction because management is different.

In the current issue of the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, Alharbi et al (5) (pages 187–192) investigate preprocedure characteristics of patients ultimately diagnosed with variceal and nonvariceal upper GI bleeds. The patients were enrolled in the REgistry of patients undergoing endoscopic and/or Acid Suppression therapy and Outcomes analysis for upper gastrointestinal bleediNg (REASON) trial, with an aim to identify patient characteristics that distinguish variceal bleeds from nonvariceal bleeds. This multicentre, Canadian study conducted over an 18-month period found 11% of upper GI hemorrhages to be secondary to varices, which is similar to the rate found in the United Kingdom (6). Thirty-day mortality rates were significant for non-variceal bleeds (9.4%) and 14.4% for variceal bleeds. After multivariate analysis, statistically significant risk factors associated with a variceal bleed included a history of liver disease, the presence of any stigmata of liver disease, alcohol abuse, hematemesis and hematochezia. This study also provides a unique snapshot of the management of GI bleeds in a very large geographical area. While outcome comparisons among centres were not reported, as a whole, mortality figures were similar to those reported in other western societies. Somewhat surprisingly, in 42% of cases, a rectal examination appeared not to be performed. In 19% of cases, a fecal occult blood test from a stool sample was performed – a test that has no utility in the context of an upper GI bleed (however, these fecal occult blood tests may have been performed by nongastroenterologists).

Given that definitive management of variceal and nonvariceal upper GI bleeds is different, as are the transfusion goals and adjunct therapy (albumin and antibiotics in variceal bleeding), better methodology to discriminate variceal from nonvariceal bleeding has the potential to improve patient outcomes through earlier recognition. Previous work has investigated predictive factors of who will experience poor outcomes with a GI bleed (ie, the Rockford and Blatchford scales). These scales have been validated in real-world populations of patients presenting with both variceal and nonvariceal bleeding (3,4).

An extension of this concept is to predict which patients are likely to experience variceal bleeds before a potentially life-threatening bleeding episode. This includes measuring liver stiffness through transient elastography (7) and biochemical parameters such as a platelet to spleen ratio (8,9). Unfortunately, a diagnosis of cirrhosis is often made at the time of a variceal bleed, limiting the utility of these techniques, and emphasizing a need for a high index of suspicion for the presence of high-risk varices in outpatient populations. It would be of clinical relevance to incorporate the significant findings of the study by Alharbi et al in an outpatient model of at-risk patients who have yet to experience a variceal bleed.

Two single-centre trials from Thailand have also studied how to differentiate nonvariceal bleeds from variceal GI bleeds. Pongprasobchai et al (10) found an 18% incidence of variceal bleeding in their study, which is higher than the rate found by the REASON investigators. Factors supporting a variceal source include a history of cirrhosis, signs of chronic liver disease, hematemesis and blood from a nasogastric aspirate. Further support was found in the recent study by Rattanasupar (11), which confirmed the predictive value of signs and symptoms of chronic liver disease, as well as a history of cirrhosis. Interestingly, the type of emesis did not appear to be predictive; rather, a low hematocrit of <30% was found to have a significant association with varices. In combination, this study found that all three tests had a specificity of 98.2%, but a poor sensitivity of 59.5%. The best test characteristics were found with clinical signs of chronic liver disease. It is difficult to extrapolate these findings to the Canadian population given the different demographics of the Thai population and a likely higher proportion of patients with cirrhosis due to viral causes (hepatitis B in particular).

The study by Alharbi et al provides us with the largest series investigating a mixed population of patients presenting with upper GI hemorrhage. It confirms some preprocedure patient characteristics that can predict a greater likelihood of GI bleeding due to varices. While consistent, these characteristics are not terribly surprising; however, an important take home message is to have a high index of suspicion for a variceal source of bleeding in patients with a known history of cirrhosis or with clinical signs of chronic liver disease.

Overall, the study by Alharbi et al vindicates bedside examination, confirming that clinical clues, obtained through history and physical examination, can accurately predict which patients are likely to experience upper GI bleeding due to varices. These factors in the clinical assessment should be used in addition to using risk prediction scores such as the Rockford or Blatchford scale. Further validation of predictive factors in a prospective trial, as well as in other countries, might help in the development of a clinical predictive scoring system to be used in combination with history and physical examination.


The popularity of private equity investments has increased during the past decades. The demand for sustainable investment practices has been particularly significant. This study aimed to investigate how private equity fund managers and portfolio companies should organize to ensure effective corporate sustainability practices in their organizations.Data collection was conducted during 2013 through 10 external private equity thought leaders in a grounded theory inspired field study and through 5 Swedish private equity professionals (covering 2 portfolio companies and 2 private equity funds) in a cross case study. By interviewing both fund managers and portfolio companies it was possible to study the same research topic from multiple perspectives. By studying two very similar case objects in the cross case study, key organizational similarities and differences were established.New original theory on organizational success factors was developed through the grounded theory-inspired field study. This framework was applied and refined through the cross case study, resulting in a maturity framework for sustainability practices within private equity organizations.The research suggested that the way fund manager and portfolio company are organized and where decisions on sustainability initiatives are made influence what type of sustainability initiatives are pursued by the organizations.The main academic contribution of this thesis is the developed maturity framework. The framework suggested that mature sustainability practices require the relationship between fund manager and portfolio company to be proximate, frequent, integrated, transferable and supportive, with initiatives being material and quantifiable. It was suggested that the ability for private equity organizations to benefit from corporate sustainability initiatives depends on the maturity level for these dimensions. Future research is suggested.


Computerized tomography (CT) has considerably improved preoperative radiological diagnosis. Localization and extension of pathological findings are determined reliably with CT. Measurements of density in regions of interest enable a differential diagnosis. Moreover the questions about the advisability of surgery and the likehood of cure or palliation can be better answered by CT than by any other noninvasive procedure. With the use of CT in the abdominal region increasing indications for conventional radiological methods have decreased considerably. In this paper, some examples are given of CT diagnoses of the liver, the pancreas, the kidneys, and the retroperitoneal space. As the techniques involved are improved, computerized tomography is certain to replace conventional diagnosis methods.


The crystal and molecular structure of a cobalt(III) ammine complex of 2-amino-4-imino-2-methyl-pentanoic acid, [Co(NH3)3{HN=C(CH3)CH2C(CH3)(NH2)(CO2)}]S2O6, has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data collected by counter methods. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c (C52h, No. 14), with a = 7.576(4), b = 18.209(7), c = 14.068(6) Ǻ, β = 125.25(2)°, Z = 4. The structure was solved by conventional Patterson and Fourier methods, and was refined by block-diagonal least-squares methods to weighted and unweighted 12-factors of 0.041 and 0.040 respectively, for the 1479 unique reflections having I/σ(I) ≥ 3.0. All hydrogen atoms have been located and refined. The complex cation is essentially octahedral about the central cobalt atom with three amine groups occupying mutually cis coordination sites; the three remaining sites at the cobalt atom are occupied by the tridentate 2-amino-4-imino-2-methylpentanoic acid ligand. The Co-O distance is 1.914(4) Ǻ, while the Co-N(imine) distance is 1.924(5) Ǻ. The Co-N(NH3) distances range from 1.968(5) to 1.979(5) Ǻ, and are equal within experimental error. Within the tridentate 2- amino-4-imino-2-methylpentanoic acid ligand, the C=N distance is 1.252(7) Ǻ, while at the carboxyl group the ?free? C-O distance [1.233(6) Ǻ] is significantly shorter than the distance from the carbon to the coordinated oxygen atom [1.270(7) Ǻ]. In the S2O6 counter anion, the S-S distance is 2.112(2) Ǻ, and the S-O distances range from 1.434(6) to 1.457(4) Ǻ, averaging 1.439 Ǻ.


The plasma cell malignancy Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a rare but deadly form of cancer with 5 year survival rates of ∼30%. Epidemiological studies have suggested that MM exacts an especially heavy burden on African American (AA) patients. We examined a multi-ethnic cohort of MM tumors to assess potential differences in the frequency of molecular events in tumors derived from either African American (AA) or European American (EA) patients. The frequency of 14q32 translocation breakpoints at the IgH locus was compared among a series of data from 115 AA MM patients from three studies and EA MM from the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). In addition, we analyzed matching genome-wide copy number and transcriptional data among 45 AA MM tumors and 196 EA MM tumors to determine differences in the frequency of molecular events in tumors from these populations. No differences were found for specific translocation subtypes; however, we detected a statistically significant difference in the overall frequency of IgH translocations between the two groups, which occurred more frequently in EA patients (52% vs. 40%; p = 0.032). When assessing genomic copy number events previously shown to be associated with poor outcome in MM, frequencies of alterations were not significant after correcting for multiple testing. Furthermore, there was not a significant difference in the association of high-risk disease using expression profiling. Our study represents the first comprehensive assessment of the frequency and distribution of molecular alterations in MM tumors from both AA and EA patients and could help shed light on possible biological features associated with population differences in incidence and outcome in MM. Citation Format: Angela S. Baker, Esteban Braggio, Susana Jacobus, Sungwon Jung, Dirk Larson, Terry Therneau, Angela Dispenzieri, Scott A. Van Wier, Gregory Ahmann, Joan Levy, Louise Perkins, Seungchan Kim, Kim Henderson, David Vesole, S. Vincent Rajkumar, Dianne F. Jelinek, John Carpten, Rafael Fonseca. Characterization of myeloma tumors from a multi-ethnic cohort using cytogenetics and genomic analysis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2021. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2021


Objectives: Achieving procedural competency during diagnostic radiology residency can impact the radiologist's future independent practice after graduation, especially in a private practice setting. However, standardized procedure competency training within most radiology residency programs is lacking, and overall procedural skills are still mainly acquired by the traditional "see one, do one, teach one" methodology. We report the development of a simple standardized procedural training protocol that can easily be adopted by residency programs currently lacking any form of structured procedural training. Materials and Methods: An ad hoc resident procedural competency committee was created in our radiology residency program. A procedural certification protocol was developed by the committee which was composed of attending radiologists from the involved divisions and two chief residents. A road map to achieve procedural competency certification status was finalized. The protocol was then implemented through online commercial software. Results: Our procedural certification protocol took effect in September 2014. We reviewed all resident records from September 2014 to December 2016. Eighteen residents of various levels of training participated in our training protocol. About 72% became certified in paracentesis, 11% in thoracentesis, 83% in feeding tube placement, 55% in lumbar puncture/myelogram, and 77% in tunneled catheter removal. Conclusions: Our single-center experience demonstrates that a simple to adopt structured approach to procedural competency training is feasible and effective. Our "certified" radiology residents were deemed capable of performing those procedures under indirect supervision. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Patient care, Medical knowledge, and Systems-based practice.


Carbonized buffer layers were formed on Si (100) nominally oriented substrates with propane diluted in palladium purified hydrogen in a cold wall vertical reactor. Subsequent SiC layers were grown using silane and propane at atmospheric pressure. The growth temperature was ranging from 1150°C to 1350°C. The layers obtained were characterized by LT photoluminescence, IR reflectivity, X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman on cleaved edges, AFM imaging, and optical microscopy. Drastic influence on the layer surface morphology was evidenced depending on the transition step between the carbonization and the SiC epitaxial growth. As a result, we have developed a carbonization process leading to very high quality 3CSiC films grown at 1250°C.


This article examines when deceptive withholding of information is ethically acceptable in research. The first half analyses the concept of deception. We argue that there are two types of accounts of deception: normative and non-normative, and argue that non-normative accounts are preferable. The second half of the article argues that the relevant ethical question which ethics committees should focus on is not whether the person from whom the information is withheld will be deceived, but rather on the reasonableness of withholding the information from the person who is deceived. We further argue that the reasonableness of withholding information is dependent on the context. The last section examines how the context of research should shape our judgements about the circumstances in which withholding information from research participants is ethically acceptable. We argue that some important features of research make it more difficult to justify withholding information in the context of research than elsewhere.


Climate change stands to have a tremendous impact on the world's freshwater ecosystems. To understand how, researchers analyzed 15,289 functional genes related to nutrient cycling and stress processes gathered from bio�lm microbes across mountainside streams in Norway, Spain, and China. With increasing elevation, microbial functional diversity tended to decline, and the composition of functional gene assemblages tended to differ more with greater elevational distances. These variations were more drastic as the environmental differences between the lowlands and the peaks increased. The best predictors of these variations appear to be climatic factors, such as temperature during the growing season. and winter precipitation. Including predictors at the local or landscape level could further re�ne the picture painted by these �ndings and help Eurasian countries anticipate signi�cant alterations to their stream ecosystems amid a changing climate.


Lentiviral vector delivery of anti-HIV elements could provide the basis of alternative therapies against HIV, potentially providing long term protection after a single intervention. Some primate species have evolved restriction factors formed by the fusion of TRIM5α and Cyclophilin A (TRIM5Cyp) following retrotransposition of CypA cDNA into the TRIM5 gene, which provide potent resistance against certain lentiviruses. We have designed humanised versions of these proteins combining both TRIM5 and TRIM21 with CypA, and investigated their potential for use in gene therapy against HIV-1. Both TRIM5- and TRIM21-Cyp fusion proteins provided strong restriction of HIV-1 in all of the systems tested, including primary human T cells. However, TRIM5Cyp was shown to disrupt the antiretroviral effect of endogenous TRIM5α and rescue murine retrovirus infection, whereas TRIM21Cyp caused no interference. In contrast, neither TRIM5CypA nor TRIM21CypA expression affected the antiviral activity of endogenous TRIM21.
In addition to TRIMCyp restriction factors, a second anti-HIV strategy was investigated using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) to knockout the HIV-1 co-receptor, CCR5. ZFNs introduce a double stranded break into the CCR5 gene, which can be restored by homology directed repair. Provision of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) or TRIM21Cyp donor template exploits this repair mechanism to allow site specific integration at the CCR5 locus, although at low efficiency. Using integrating vectors, we have shown that TRIMCyp mediated restriction is so potent that no additional inhibition was conferred by CCR5 knockout.
In conclusion, delivery of TRIMCyp genes using lentiviral vectors could form the basis of an intracellular vaccination strategy against HIV-1, with TRIM21Cyp having benefits by maintaining endogenous TRIM function. With further optimisation to improve efficiency, this could be combined with ZFNs for site specific integration of the transgene and knockout of CCR5 to provide a dual method of HIV-1 inhibition.


A cellular automation model of the "game of Life" on a two-dimensional small-world network is presented in order to count in long-range interactions among living individuals in social or biological systems. The density of the life and its fluctuation are calculated, respectively. The present model exhibits a nonequilibrium phase transition from an "inactive-sparse" state to an "active-dense" one at a certain intermediate value of the network disorder. Employing finite-size scaling analysis, we estimate the location of the critical point with p(c)( infinity ) approximately 0.3685. The transition is of the "second-order" type with power-law diverging length. We obtain the critical exponents 1/nu approximately 1.70, beta approximately 0.50, and beta/nu approximately 0.85. The calculated results indicate that the present model may belong to the universality class of directed percolation.


We examined the effect of magnesium (Mg) on cadmium (Cd) toxicity symptoms, uptake, and sorption to the plasma membrane in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. 'Minorimugi'). Plants were grown in a constant concentration of Cd with variable Mg concentrations. Plants supplied with Cd only had necrotic first leaves, undeveloped emerging leaves, and outgrown lateral buds. The latter may account for greater dry mass accumulation in plants treated with Cd only than plants supplied with Mg. The symptoms of Cd stress were at least partly alleviated by the addition of Mg to the medium. Mg reduced accumulation of Cd in both shoots and roots, although there was a clear dose response in shoots only. We conclude that Mg inhibited Cd accumulation either by competing with Cd for uptake by the root or by inhibiting Cd translocation to the shoot. Cd sorption to plasma membrane vesicles from roots was unaffected by a concentration of Mg similar to that of Cd, but was reduced by high concentrations of Mg. This evidence of only weak ...


Intelligibility of speech at two positions in a large auditorium was compared for the public address system (PA) and two assistive listening systems: Frequency modulation of radio frequencies (FM) and modulation of infrared light waves (IR). Listening groups were: normal-hearing adults, hearing-impaired, hearing aid users, elderly, and non-native. Word-identification scores were obtained with the Modified Rhyme Tests. Analysis of variance indicated that the main effects of systems, groups, and listening position were significant. Also significant were the two-way interactions. For all groups, the assistive listening systems provided better scores than the PA system. The difference between the two systems was statistically significant, but very small. It can be concluded that both listening systems provide improved speech intelligibility for various types of listeners.


Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoon which causes toxoplasmosis, an important zoonotic disease that is endemic worldwide. Common sources of T. gondii infection in humans are food or water contaminated with oocysts and raw or undercooked meat with cysts. In animals, common sources of infection include feed, water, or litter contaminated with oocysts. The diagnosis and molecular characterization of T. gondii infection in humans and animals is crucial due to public and veterinary health importance. Various traditional and serological methods have been used in clinical practice for toxoplasmosis diagnosis, but interpreting the results remains a challenge. Several molecular techniques have also been used for the detection and genetic characterization of T. gondii , but primarily in research settings. In this paper, we review the techniques that are currently used for the diagnosis and genetic characterization of T. gondii in humans and animals, along with their advantages and disadvantages. The techniques reviewed have laid the groundwork for the future development of more effective and precise detection and characterization of T. gondii . These advances will contribute to a better understanding of epidemiology, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis. Thus, this review would be of particular interest to clinical physicians, veterinarians and researchers.


A new clerodane diterpene, 15-hydroxy-16-acetoxy-ent-clerod-3-en-18-oic acid (1), together with three known clerodane diterpenes (2-4) and three known flavones (5-7), were isolated from the aerial parts of Baccharis gaudichaudiana. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 showed enhancing activity of nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC 12D cells.


Designers use drawings to explore alternatives and to test their ideas employing different symbols and configurations for different design concerns, or tasks. We argue that designer's attention to, and interest in, these various tasks can be determined by examining the drawing symbols and spatial arrangements. We have conducted several empirical studies on design and drawing to determine whether, and to what extent, it is possible to infer, interpret, or even guess what a designer was thinking about by looking at the drawings she has made.


A very active and influential parameter in the erosive process is the R factor, called rainfall erosivity. This factor is one of the components of the universal soil loss equation. Studies in spatial variability have been conducted in an attempt to define the spatial distribution of the R factor for a given region. This study aimed to calculate the rainfall erosivity (R factor – EI30) to generate spatial maps. The study was conducted in experimental areas of eucalyptus stands in nine counties of the Rio Doce Valley, Central-Eastern region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Rainfall data from January 2005 to December 2008 were used. Erosivity was spatialized according to geostatistical principles and data interpolation using kriging. The annual rainfall erosivity indexes ranged from 7,970 to 18,646 MJ mm ha -1 h -1 year -1 . The reaching distance of the monthly erosivity index varied from 10 to 177 km, and was 52 km for the annual index.


The street drug "bath salts" are psychoactive mixtures of cathinone derivatives. We report 3 cases of disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infection with cardiac involvement (2 endocarditis and 1 pericarditis), secondary to intravenous bath salts use.


The objective of this study is to make a quick assessment of the psychological resources and emotional distress of the general population locked down during the COVID-19 pandemic (in Catalonia, Spain), and to observe their evolution over the course of two waves during lockdown: at two weeks and at one month (April 1th to 3th and April 17th to 19th). The longitudinal study collected data from 29,231 participants aged 18 or older through an online platform who answered questions which evaluated: optimism, uncertainty, perceived competence, self-efficacy, emotional distress, current job situation, sadness and anger in con-junction with sociodemographic variables. The main results indicated that general beliefs about the future, uncertainty, and optimism, together with beliefs about one's own conduct, such as perceived competence when facing the situation or self-efficacy to maintain routines, could predict the emotional distress expe- rienced by an individual. A clear gender pattern was found. Between the two waves, optimism, perceived competence to manage the situation and self-efficacy to maintain routines decrease, uncertainty grows, and emotional distress remains. Taking these results into account we can prevent possible emotional scars and offer coping strategies to overcome the pandemic and the future situations of confinement in a more efficient way.


According to the Chronic Care Model, outcomes of health care for people with chronic musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases (RMDs) depend, apart from characteristics of the health system and the community, on a productive interaction between the informed, activated patient and a prepared, proactive practice team. A team is defined as a small number of consistent people committed to a relevant shared purpose, with common performance goals, complementary and overlapping skills, and a common approach to their work. A multi-disciplinary team for people with inflammatory RMDs usually comprises the rheumatologist and professionals from other disciplines such as a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, psychologist or podiatrist or other, some with extended scope of practice. However, dependent on the nature and severity of the RMD and local availability of skilled health care providers, the composition of the multi-disciplinary team may vary. Overall, evidence from systematic reviews as well as individual clinical trials supports improved functioning following multi-disciplinary team care for a number of RMDs 1 . However, research also illustrates that multi-disciplinary team care can be effective in several forms, as the multi-disciplinary interventions described in the literature vary largely. This variation does not only include the professionals involved, but also the treatments provided (content, intensity, complexity), the setting (primary care, secondary care and/or community), the method of communication with the patient and among professionals (face-to-face contacts, telephone, videoconferencing or other web-based modes for communication) and many other factors such as funding and the use of process and outcome measures for evaluation. As currently the right care is not consistently delivered to the right person, at the right time, in the right place or by the right team 2 , challenges for the future are to further identify the key components of effective multi-disciplinary team care interventions and how their implementation can be supported across health care services in different health care systems. For that purpose, the consideration of alternative, network-based models of engagement and collaboration for clinicians, consumers and other stakeholders and the optimization of the use of digital technologies, as well as formal evaluations of effectiveness and costs are indispensable 2,3 . References Momsen A-M et al. Multidisciplinary team care in rehabilitation: an overview of reviews. J Rehabil Med 2012;44:901-912. Speerin R et al. Moving from evidence to practice: Models of care for the prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology 2014;28:479-515. Brand CA et al. Chronic disease management: improving care for people with osteoarthritis. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology 2014;28:119-142. Disclosure of Interest None declared


The global distribution of temperature in the stratosphere from 100 to 10 mbar and the total ozone in the atmosphere are remotely sensed from the Nimbus-4 IRIS measurements for a period of about one year. The temperature and ozone data are presented in the form of monthly mean global maps. The standard deviations of temperature and ozone with respect to zonal averages are calculated. The mean and the variable state of the stratosphere are discussed with the help of these observations. The lower stratosphere in the tropical regions reveals a significant wave number one pattern in the circulation. The Arctic and Antarctic stratospheric winter circulation regimes display a different behavior apparently due to the ocean and orographic differences.


Although gold in high-sulfidation epithermal deposits generally occurs as the native metal or electrum, in some deposits, a significant proportion of the gold is hosted in pyrite. Here we use a combination of petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, pyrite chemistry, crystallography, and phase stability relationships to determine how gold was transported and incorporated into pyrite in two relatively young high-sulfidation epithermal deposits, where the gold occurs almost exclusively in solid solution or as nanoparticles in pyrite.

The genetically related Bawone and Binebase Au (Cu-Ag) deposits, located 1 km apart on the volcanic island of Sangihe, northeastern Indonesia, are hosted by andesitic volcaniclastic rocks that were altered to a proximal advanced argillic association of quartz + pyrite (py I) + pyrophyllite + natroalunite + alunite + dickite + kaolinite and a more distal intermediate argillic association of quartz + pyrite (py I) + kaolinite + dickite + illite. The economic mineralization takes the form of multiple generations of auriferous pyrite, the first of which, pyrite I (py I), developed during advanced argillic alteration. Mass balance calculations show that all elements were mobile with the exception of Nb, Ti, some rare earth elements, and possibly Al.

The highest gold concentration is in pyrite II (py II), which occurs in veins that cut pyrite I. This drusy variety of pyrite is characterized by complex growth and sector zoning, and contains as much as 6.0 wt % Cu. The elevated Cu concentrations correlate positively with Au and As concentrations, whereas the Ag concentration correlates strongly with Au but not Cu. Later barite-enargite mineralization exploited py II veins and vugs, and significant concentrations of Ag and Au are hosted by enargite, although the Au concentration in enargite is lower than in py II or py I.

A model is presented in which the fluid responsible for advanced argillic and intermediate argillic alteration and associated stage 1 gold mineralization was a condensed magmatic vapor derived from an oxidized magma. The gold and other metals were transported as hydrated species that ascended through the volcanic pile via fractures and zones of enhanced permeability to a depth between 900 and 1300 m, where the vapor condensed at a temperature between 250 and 340°C to form an acidic liquid with a pH of ~2.5; f o2 ranged up to four log units above the hematite-magnetite buffer. Interaction of this liquid with the host andesites caused advanced argillic and intermediate argillic alteration, including sulfidation of mafic minerals to form py I. During crystallization of py I, Au, Cu and Ag were adsorbed onto the surface of the pyrite and deposited as nanoparticles, or were incorporated in the pyrite structure. Adsorption of Au, Cu, and Ag from the condensed vapor reached a peak during the crystallization of vein-hosted py II, and the uptake of Ag and minor Au continued during later crystallization of enargite. From the distribution of metals among growth and sector zones in py II, incorporation of gold and other metals appears to have been maximized when physicochemical conditions were relatively stable. This is in contrast to the requirement for native gold precipitation, namely that physicochemical gradients be steep to ensure supersaturation of gold in the ore fluid.


The Permian Upper Rotliegend Group in offshore UK Quadrants 42, 43, 47 and 48 comprises a sequence of mixed aeolian/fluvial/playa deposits. These deposits are up to 300 m thick and contain a record of the interaction between desert fluvial systems and adjacent aeolian and playa environments. The relative dominance of water vs. wind transport and deposition in this stratigraphic package was a function of fluctuations in the discharge of ephemeral fluvial systems and changes in water table/playa level driven by a combination of climatic change and syndepositional tectonics. The Rotliegend sedimentary record is punctuated by numerous surfaces recording erosion by wind and water. The origin of these surfaces is mostly climatic, with periods of increased runoff resulting in fluvial incision, especially near active faults. During periods of reduced runoff, wind erosion of fluvial deposits occurred, with fluvially derived sand being reworked into expanding aeolian dune fields. Wind erosion also occurred as a rising water table isolated dunes from their sediment supply, resulting in deflation of dunes down to the water table. These surfaces formed in a basin that was subsiding. Thus, even in a background of overall increasing accommodation space, climatically driven falls in the water table allowed for periods of erosion. The occurrence of significant erosion, especially near syndepositional fault zones, resulted in a sedimentary record that shows pronounced lateral as well as vertical facies variations.


Three patients with cryoglobulinemia have been treated with automated plasma exchange procedures in which the replacement fluid was autologous plasma, obtained at a previous plasmapheresis and incubated in the cold to precipitate abnormal protein. All three responded with a reduction in cryoglobulin level and an improvement in clinical manifestations of cryoglobulinemia. The cost of treatment was less than that of conventional plasmapheresis, even though the quality of the replacement fluid was superior. The term "cryoglobulinpheresis" is suggested for this treatment process.


Japanese is a language rich in verbs representing Path of motion, but it also has verbs representing Manner and Deixis. Examining how they are used can deepen our understanding of some of the interesting properties of the Japanese language.
 In typological literature on motion events descriptions, Japanese has been claimed to be the type of language in which Path is expressed in the main verb position rather than elsewhere in the sentence, with the use of a path verb. However, this view must be qualified in two ways. First, the language exhibits intralinguistic variation, using postpositions and other nonverbal elements to represent Path notions such as FROM, TO, and ALONG. Second, Path is expressed in the main verb position only when Deixis is absent from the sentence.
 One feature of manner verbs in Japanese is that they are not used very often, especially concerning walking events. This phenomenon is accounted for by the "cost" of expressing Manner in Japanese. Another property of manner verbs in Japanese is they are incompatible with a goal phrase, which has been previously accounted for in different ways. A close semantic examination of manner verbs suggests that this restriction can be attributed to the nature of goal marking, rather than the semantics of manner verbs.
 An examination of corpus and experimental data also reveals how Japanese speakers use deictic verbs. Deictic motion verbs are used very frequently, though this tendency is not observed in descriptions of the motion of inanimate entities. Finally, deictic verbs in Japanese are sensitive to the notion of the speaker's interactional space or territory, not just restricted by the spatial location of the speaker.


Abstract This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2006 to determine the prevalence of Pediculosis capitis and some risk factors among primary schoolchildren in 5 schools at the Tanaosri Sub-district, Suan Phung District, Ratchaburi Province, near the Thai-Myanmar border. After hair examination, 695 of 807 (86.1%) were found to be infested with the parasite. Stratified by school, Ban Bo Wi had the highest prevalence, at 88.4% (n = 121), followed by Ban Suan Phung, with 87.4% (n = 127), then Ban Huai Phak with 86.7% (n = 128). Ban Tha Makham (n = 111) had a prevalence rate of 86.5% and Ruchiraphat (n = 319) 84.3%. At least one student in the schools studied had the highest ectoparasite count found: Ban Bo Wi School, with 126 parasites, Ban Tha Makham, 103, Ban Suan Phung, 77, and Ruchiraphat, 50 parasites. The maximum parasite count in Ban Huai Phak School was only 6, which may have been due to the use of Annona squamosa before the survey. Logistic regression analysis showed some variables had a significant relationship with headlouse infestation–age (slope = 0.9; p < 0.05), sharing a bed with parents (OR = 2.4; p < 0.01), and dirty fingernails (OR = 1.9; p < 0.05). The other variables studied showed no statistically significant relationship with infection–knowledge level, attitude, hair length, frequency of hair washing, type of hair cleaning solution, unassisted hair washing, and presence of scalp wound. The head louse remains a public health problem among younger female primary-school students in rural Thai communities. The results of this study can help control head-louse infestations in children. Keywords : head louse, schoolchildren, Pediculosis capitis, Thai-Myanmar, risk factor, prevalence


PipX is a unique cyanobacterial protein identified by its ability to bind to PII and NtcA, two key regulators involved in the integration of signals of the nitrogen/carbon and energy status, with a tremendous impact on nitrogen assimilation and gene expression in cyanobacteria. PipX provides a mechanistic link between PII, the most widely distributed signaling protein, and NtcA, a global transcriptional regulator of cyanobacteria. PII, required for cell survival unless PipX is inactivated or down-regulated, functions by protein–protein interactions with transcriptional regulators, transporters, and enzymes. In addition, PipX appears to be involved in a wider signaling network, supported by the following observations: (i) PII–PipX complexes interact with PlmA, an as yet poorly characterized transcriptional regulator also restricted to cyanobacteria; (ii) the pipX gene is functionally connected with pipY, a gene encoding a universally conserved pyridoxal phosphate binding protein (PLPBP) involved in vitamin B6 and amino acid homeostasis, whose loss-of-function mutations cause B6-dependent epilepsy in humans, and (iii) pipX is part of a relatively robust, six-node synteny network that includes pipY and four additional genes that might also be functionally connected with pipX. In this overview, we propose that the study of the protein–protein interaction and synteny networks involving PipX would contribute to understanding the peculiarities and idiosyncrasy of signaling pathways that are conserved in cyanobacteria.


Purpose : To determine the prevalence and predisposing factors of Neonatal Jaundice in a health-care facility in Delta State. Methods : 272 babies (aged 1 – 30 days) the Neonatal Clinic of the Department of Child Health, Central Hospital, Warri, Delta State between June 2009 and June 2010 were examined daily for evidence of jaundice. Those with serum bilirubin ³15mg/100ml were subjected to additional clinical and laboratory investigations to determine the  predisposing/etiologic factors for jaundice. The socio-demographic data of their mothers were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data generated were analyzed. Results : Of the 160 male and 112 female babies sampled, 56 males (21%) and 33 females (12%) were found to be jaundiced. Majority of the cases (72.4% males, 70.8% females) had known predisposing/etiologic factors. The mothers who were single and divorced had relatively higher cases of jaundiced babies (50% and 35.5%, respectively). The prevalence rate was also higher among mothers with primary (55.1%) and secondary levels (36.8%) of education, than those with tertiary level of education (8.1%). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, ABO incompatibility and low birth weight were found to be major  predisposing/etiologic factors. Conclusion : Neonatal jaundice was common among the babies in the health facility studied and was higher among mothers who had low level of education and babies whose parents had divorced. Keywords : Prevalence, Neonatal, Jaundice Screening.


We propose a performance verification technique for cyber-physical systems that consist of multiple control loops implemented on a distributed architecture. The architectures we consider are fairly generic and arise in domains such as automotive and industrial automation; they are multiple processors or electronic control units (ECUs) communicating over buses like FlexRay and CAN. Current practice involves analyzing the architecture to estimate worst-case end-to-end message delays and using these delays to design the control applications. This involves a significant amount of pessimism since the worst-case delays often occur very rarely. We show how to combine functional analysis techniques with model checking in order to derive a delay-frequency interface that quantifies the interleavings between messages with worst-case delays and those with smaller delays. In other words, we bound the frequency with which control messages might suffer the worst-case delay. We show that such a delay-frequency interface enables us to verify much tigher control performance properties compared to what would be possible with only worst-case delay bounds.


Summary.  We study the model Y=X+ɛ. We assume that we have at our disposal independent identically distributed observations Y1,…,Yn and ɛ−1,…,ɛ−M. The (Xj)1jn are independent identically distributed with density f, independent of the (ɛj)1jn, independent identically distributed with density f. The aim of the paper is to estimate f without knowing f. We first define an estimator, for which we provide bounds for the integrated L2‐risk. We consider ordinary smooth and supersmooth noise ɛ with regard to ordinary smooth and supersmooth densities f. Then we present an adaptive estimator of the density of f. This estimator is obtained by penalization of a projection contrast and yields to model selection. Lastly, we present simulation experiments to illustrate the good performances of our estimator and study from the empirical point of view the importance of theoretical constraints.


The most accepted diagnostic methods of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are the physical examinations and the evaluation of right atrial pressure. However, these methods are not consistently diagnostic, and a "silent" form of TR has been recognized. The current status of noninvasive and invasive diagnostic techniques is reviewed.


Following the production of a series of three and Jurassic (Scalers, assistance of paleogeographical reconstructions for the Paleocene, Cretaceous 1995, 1998), a further reconstruction has been made here for the Triassic period, with the paleomagnetic data. The data provided by mutual fragment positions and paleomagnetic vectors, are best reconciled if the data are treated in an expanding Earth framework, and give credence to the view that this represents the real evolution of the Earth. ln particular a new solution of the case of indian paleoposition is given which could constitute the key to a reinterpretation of the Eurasia paleogeography throughout geological time. The main conclusion of this work is that the unambiguous choice between constant radius and increasing radius geodynamic frameworks (dr/dt = 15 mm/yr on average in this work) can be made on the basis of the possibility to define the paleoposition and kinematics of india from the Triassic to the Paleocene.


BACKGROUND
Clinicians frequently use their experience to determine the pretest probability of pulmonary embolism (PE), although scoring systems are promoted as being more reliable. The Canadian Pulmonary Embolism Score (CPES) combines six objective questions and one subjective question. The CPES has been validated and appears to be useful for risk-stratifying patients. However, research suggests that subjective gestalt performs similarly to the CPES, and the influence of the subjective question on the predictive value of the CPES is not clear.

OBJECTIVES
To determine the test characteristics of the CPES, its subjective question, and the degree to which the predictive value of the CPES is influenced by its individual questions.

METHODS
The authors performed a prospective observational study on a cohort of emergency department patients suspected of having PE. The authors compared patients' CPES results with the diagnosis of PE, calculated the test characteristics of the CPES, and determined the contribution of individual CPES questions to the score's overall predictive value.

RESULTS
Of 607 patients, 61 (10%) had PE. Of low-risk patients (CPES < or =4), 5.54% (n = 449; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 3.64% to 8.11%) had PE. The sensitivity (59.0%; 95% CI = 47.4% to 69.8%) and the negative predictive value (94.4%; 95% CI = 92.8% to 95.9%) of the CPES were similar to the sensitivity (53.2%; 95% CI = 40.2% to 65.8%) and negative predictive value (93.5%; 95% CI = 90.7% to 95.5%) of the subjective question alone. In multivariable analysis, nearly all of the predictive value of the CPES was derived from the subjective question.

CONCLUSIONS
The predictive value of the CPES appears to be derived primarily from its subjective component.


A new species, Floresorchestia xueli Tong Hou, sp. nov. is described from high altitude habitats of Yunnan, China. The species differs morphologically from its congeners by left mandible lacinia mobilis having four teeth; coxal gills complexly lobed and convoluted; epimeral plates IIIII without slits; telson with one slender facial spine and two terminal spines on each lobe. Analysis of DNA barcode sequences and niche distinctiveness support recognition of the new species.


The intense exploitation of coal deposits in Southern Brazil has caused severe degradation problems in extensive areas. In order to recover such areas, the use of revegetation with species adapted to disturbed environments and with the capacity to establish mutual relationships with microorganisms have been of great value. The objective of this study is to characterize plant-root symbioses in two grass-legume (Calopogonium mucunoides with Brachiaria decumbens and Vicia sativa with Brachiaria decumbens) consortia inoculated with soil of the Carboniferous Basin in the state of Santa Catarina. Areas evaluated were at different stages of land reclamation and the influence of those consortia on the occurrence of rhizobia, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and in the community of endophytic bacteria were evaluated. The study was done in two independent experiments in a completely randomized design, with five replications; done under greenhouse condition. There were seven treatments - five inoculated (with soil obtained from areas of 2, 4, 6 and 12 years of recovery, and a reference area) and two control treatments without inoculation (with low and high concentrations of mineral nitrogen). After 50 days of implantation, soil and plant material were collected to characterize root symbioses by nodule counting, nitrogen fixing bacteria isolation, mycorrhizal occurrence (%), and characterization of root endophytic bacterial communities. Only the calopogonium-brachiaria consortium was able to nodulate with rhizobia from the recovering coal mining areas. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and endophytic bacteria occur in the vetch-brachiaria and calopogonium-brachiaria consortia regardless of the time of recovery. The microbial communities present in soils with different stages of recovery are more efficient in promoting plant growth in the calopogonium-brachiaria consortium and this behavior may be associated with the calopogonium's ability to associate with autochthonous rhizobia.

 Key words: Environmental recovery, revegetation, plant-growth-promoting, rhizobia, arbuscular mycorrhiza.


Traffic intersections are prime locations for deployment of infrastructure sensors and edge computing nodes to realize the vision of a smart city. It is expected that the needs of a smart city, in regards to traffic and pedestrian traffic systems monitored by cameras/video, can be met by using state-of-the-art artificial-intelligence (AI) based object detectors and trackers. A critical component in designing an effective real-time object detection/tracking pipeline is the understanding of how object density, i.e., the number of objects in a scene, and image-resolution and frame rate influence the performance metrics. This study explores the accuracy and speed metrics with the goal of supporting pipelines that meet the precision and latency needs of a real-time environment. We examine the impact of varying image-resolution, frame rate and object-density on the object detection performance metrics. The experiments on the COSMOS testbed dataset show that varying the frame width from 416 pixels to 832 pixels, and cropping the images to a square resolution, result in the increase in average precision for all object classes. Decreasing the frame rate from 15 fps to 5 fps preserves more than 90% of the highest F1 score achieved for all object classes. The results inform the choice of video preprocessing stages, modifications to established AI-based object detection/tracking methods, and suggest optimal hyper-parameter values.


We demonstrate that the anisotropy R of the paramagnetic spin fluctuations grows toward Tc at 75As sites in the optimally electron-doped superconductor Ba[(Fe0.92Co0.08)2]2As2, with stronger spin fluctuations along the c-axis. Our finding is in remarkable contrast with the case of high T$_c$ cuprates, where R is independent of temperature above Tc.


In the present study, the exfoliation of natural graphite (GR) directly to colloidal GR/graphene (G) nanostructures using collagen (CL) was studied as a safe and scalable process, akin to numerous natural processes and hence can be termed "biomimetic". Although the exfoliation and functionalization takes place in just 1 day, it takes about 7 days for the nano GR/G flakes to stabilize. The predominantly aromatic residues of the triple helical CL forms its own special micro and nanoarchitecture in acetic acid dispersions. This, with the help of hydrophobic and electrostatic forces, interacts with GR and breaks it down to nanostructures, forming a stable colloidal dispersion. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, fluorescence, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the colloid show the interaction between GR and CL on day 1 and 7. Differential interference contrast images in the liquid state clearly reveal how the GR flakes are entrapped in the CL fibrils, with a corresponding fluorescence image showing the intercalation of CL within GR. Atomic force microscopy of graphene-collagen coated on glass substrates shows an average flake size of 350 nm, and the hexagonal diffraction pattern and thickness contours of the G flakes from transmission electron microscopy confirm ≤ five layers of G. Thermal conductivity of the colloid shows an approximate 17% enhancement for a volume fraction of less than approximately 0.00005 of G. Thus, through the use of CL, this new material and process may improve the use of G in terms of biocompatibility for numerous medical applications that currently employ G, such as internally controlled drug-delivery assisted thermal ablation of carcinoma cells.


Online co-creation is popular due to the easy interaction with large numbers of customers on a global scale; increasingly, online customers are willing to spend time and effort on business innovation processes as a way to influence the development of products and services. Finding and attracting the innovation-minded potential co-creation partners is one of the main challenges of co-creation trajectories; understanding the attitudes and motives of innovation-minded customers is important in order to entice and recruit them as innovation partners. In a survey conducted in the Netherlands and Spain, we examined customers' motives for participating in online co-creation processes. Two co-creator profiles were identified based on high and low degrees of motivation. We found that between twenty-five and thirty percent of on line customers are active co-creators and that Spanish customers are more enthusiastic co-creators than Dutch customers. Financial motivations are not the main reason for co-creation; the main motivations for highly motivated customers are product-related benefits, while hedonic benefits are the most important triggers for less motivated co-creators.


Abstract Let be a field and let Q be a minimal Hopf quiver, i.e. a cyclic quiver or the infinite linear quiver, and let repln(Q) denote the category of locally nilpotent finite-dimensional -representations of Q. The category repln(Q) has natural tensor structures induced from graded Hopf structures on the path coalgebra . Tensor categories of the form repln(Q) are an interesting class of tame hereditary pointed tensor categories that are not finite. The aim of this paper is to compute the Clebsch–Gordan formulae and Green rings of such tensor categories.


Deformation along the Denali fault in the Delta River canyon was determined from geodetic surveys in 1941/1942, 1970, 1975, and 1979. The data were best for the 1975–1979 interval; in that period the average strain accumulation was essentially pure right lateral shear at a rate of 0.6 ± 0.1 μrad/a (a is years) (engineering shear) across a vertical plane striking N87°E. The plane of maximum shear is rotated about 30° counterclockwise from the local strike of the Denali fault but closely coincides with the strike of a major linear segment of the fault that begins 50 km farther west. The deformation between 1941/1942 and 1970 is consistent with a similar rate of strain accumulation if one removes the coseismic strain step contributed by the 1964 Alaska earthquake. The 1970–1975 deformation is poorly defined owing to uncertainties in the 1970 survey, but the strain accumulation during that period is certainly much less than during the 1975–1979 interval. The 1975–1979 strain accumulation is interpreted by means of a dislocation model which suggests that the Denali fault in the vicinity of the Delta River Canyon behaves as a leaky transform fault (i.e., a source of spreading as well as lateral slip). The block south of the Denali fault appears to be moving westward (parallel to the strike of the Denali fault west of the 147th meridian) at the rate of about 20 mm/a relative to the North American plate. Because the linear segment of the Denali fault east of the 147th meridian (along which the geodetic network is located) strikes N63°W, accommodation of the westward motion of the southern block requires some spreading within the fault zone as well as right lateral slip on the fault.


This paper considers the spatial relationship between Victorian Government activity centre (AC) policies between 2001 and 2011, and employment clusters that have formed in the same period. The core inquiry is into whether employment clusters have developed in response to urban spatial plans, and more generally, whether urban spatial planning has been able to guide job growth in Victoria. The alternative is that urban spatial planning has not been successful in directing activity to ACs, nor stimulating the creation of nearby employment clusters. To address this query, we use an innovative clustering analysis tool that we developed for the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN). This tool allows us to identify employment clusters at the intra-urban scale for each census year. We then observe changes in job densities against ACs as they have been defined in government policy across the same period. The analysis both demonstrates the power of the clustering analysis tool and provides spatial evidence to support the efficacy of AC policies.


The ability to learn re-occurring patterns in real-time sensory inputs in an unsupervised way is a key feature of neural networks that can enable them to carry out complex tasks directly, or to simplify the learning process of subsequent layers in powerful deep network configurations. Dedicated neuromorphic computing electronic systems can implement low-power real-time neural network inference engines. However, unsupervised online learning in these systems remains an open challenge. In this paper, we demonstrate spike-based unsupervised learning in a neuromorphic hardware device that has ultra low-power spiking neuron circuits and on-chip plasticity synapse circuits implemented with analog electronics. We configure populations of silicon neurons in a soft winner-take-all (WTA) network configuration, which enables them to learn the classification of different spike-rate input patterns in an unsupervised manner. We demonstrate the ability of this neuromorphic hardware to perform unsupervised learning of the pattern classification in real-time, and characterize its robustness as a function of network parameters and network configuration.


To clarify differences in the incidence and number of nucleoli in the granulopoietic lineage, these nuclear components were studied in human and rabbit granulocyte precursors and granulocytes after visualization by 2 widely employed cytochemical procedures, i.e. a procedure for the demonstration of RNA and the silver reaction for the demonstration of nucleolar silver stainable proteins (SSPs). In early stages of the granulocyte proliferating compartment, substantial differences were not found between specimens in which nucleoli were visualized by both procedures. However, in contrast to specimens stained with the silver reaction, the number of cells without nucleoli was substantially larger in advanced stages of granulocyte development in specimens stained for RNA. The number of nucleoli per cell as expressed by the nucleolar coefficient was generally larger in specimens stained with the silver reaction for nucleolar SSPs. These differences were significant starting with the stage of myelocytes. Moreover, in specimens stained with the silver reaction, most of human mature granulocytes did not contain nucleoli but nucleoli were present in all mature granulocytes of rabbits. Such differences were not observed in specimens stained for RNA in which most granulocytes were without RNA-containing nucleoli. Thus, the evaluation of the presence or absence of nucleoli in specimens depended on the visualization procedure. It is likely that in micronucleoli which are characteristic for terminal differentiation of the granulocytic lineage, RNA-containing structures may be lost or are below the detection limit of the light microscope. In addition, differences in the presence of nucleoli exist apparently between human and rabbit granulocytes in specimens stained for SSPs but not in those stained for RNA.


The evolution of culture is based on natural evolution, but it has important differences that make it a distinct development. At the same time, the evolution of art shows a peculiar logic, different from the evolution of science and society. The aesthetic canons begin and end abruptly for a more or less extended period of time, without gradual transitions, forming a community of representation. Certain immanent qualities of the aesthetic, associated with cognition and the functioning of the mind, can explain this peculiarity better than traditional biological, philosophical and sociological theories. The aesthetic creation is fundamental for the development of the basic symbolic thought, without accumulating either adjustments or a knowledge normalized in successive paradigms.


This studies were designed to elucidate whether inhibitors of topoisomerase regulate function and activity of topoisomerase, and gene expression in HL-60 human leukemia cells. HL-60 cells were treated with 10-hydroxycamptothecin or doxorubicin, total RNA was isolated, and expressed genes were investigated with human oligonucleotide microarray containing 10K gene, respectively. Expression profiles of the human leukemia HL-60 cells treated with 10-hydroxycamptothecin (10-CIT) or doxorubicin associated with signal transduction,. cell adhesion, cell cycle, cell growth, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, transcription and immune response, especially genes related with transcription and cell growth. In HL-60 cells treated with 10-CPT, the expression of topoisomerase III, III and I gene from oligo chip microarray analysis were increased over, but the expression of topoisomerase II and II gene were decreased over. In contrast, the expression of topoisomerase II and II gene were increased over in HL-60 cells treated with doxorubicin, whereas the expression of topoisomerase III and III mRNA remained no significant change. These results suggest that these data may be useful for novel therapeutic markers.


Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit abnormal visual attention, such as diminished attention to eyes and enhanced attention to high-autism-interest objects. We tested whether high-autism-interest objects would modulate the attention to eyes in boys with ASD and typically developing (TD) boys. Twenty-two ASD and 22 TD children were presented simultaneously with human eyes and high/low-autism-interest objects (HAI/LAI) while their eye movements were recorded. We found that visual preference for eyes was influenced by competing objects in children with and without ASD. Specifically, both children with and without ASD showed reduced overall and first looking preference when eyes were paired with HAI objects relative to LAI objects. Children with ASD also showed reduced sustained viewing preference to the eyes after first looking at the eyes and late looking preference to the eyes after first looking at the objects in the HAI condition than the LAI condition, but these effects were absent in the TD group. Our study not only helps us understand some factors that impact attention to eyes, but also has implications for interventions aiming at improving eye contact in children with ASD.


Purpose: To evaluate the 2 years results i.e., 2004-2005 for a group of patients with measles kerato – conjunctivitis who were treated with combined oral and topical vitamin A with antiviral acyclovir and antibiotic fusitek in shot gun therapeutic mode Methods: Patients with measles kerato-conjunctivitis rang in age from 12 years to 215 years treated with topical vitamin A and Acyclovir, fusitek drops some responded dramatically. Results: Of the 11 patients, 7 male and 4 females age ranges 2 to 12 years, 5 completely recovered, 4 patients with residual scarring with leucomatous cornea bilaterally, one with bilateral symblepheron and one with ruptured globe and phthisis bulbi. Conclusion: The timely interference and aggressive therapy in both eyes and sight saving.


CD20, expressed in greater than 90% of B-lymphocytic lymphomas, is a target for antibody therapy. Rituximab is a chimeric therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the protein CD20, allowing it to destroy B cells and to treat lymphoma, leukemia, transplant rejection, and autoimmune disorder. In this work, the binding of rituximab to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of peptide mimotopes of CD20 antigen was systematically characterized. Four peptide mimotopes of CD 20 antigen were selected from the literature and redesigned to allow their SAM immobilizations on gold electrodes through a peptide linker with cysteine. The bindings of these peptides with rituximab and control mAbs (trastuzumab and bevacizumab) were characterized by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Among the four peptide mimotopes initially selected, the peptide designated as CN-14 (CGSGSGSWPRWLEN) was the most selective and sensitive for rituximab binding. The CN-14 SAM was further characterized by ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy. The thickness of the CN-14 SAM film was approximately 32 Å, and the CN-14 SAM is suggested to be stabilized by a salt bridge of Arg-10 and Glu-13 between CN-14 peptides. The CN-14 salt bridge was evaluated by a series of modifications to the CN-14 peptide sequence and characterized by QCM. The CN-14 amide variant produced a better affinity to rituximab than CN-14 without a significant impact on selectivity. As the pKa of the Glu residue of CN-14 increased, the affinity of the SAM to rituximab increased, whereas the selectivity decreased. This was attributed to the weakening of the salt bridge between the CN-14 Arg-10 and Glu-13 at higher pKa values for Glu-13. Our study shows that peptide mimotopes have potential benefits in sensor applications, as the peptide-peptide interactions in the SAMs can be manipulated by the addition of functional groups to the peptide to influence the binding of target proteins.


As a filmmaker, the author felt the need to develop a deep connection with her subject, but was unsure how to do so with the Murray-Darling River. Initially, she saw the river as a system akin to what Pierre Bourdieu calls a field: forces external to the author acting upon each other. She felt that to connect with the river she needed to adjust her habitus (personal dispositions; way of being) to its field. This continued once the author returned to Melbourne, but through the medium of the images of the river. During the edit, she shifted from seeing the river as a field of external forces to seeing it as a habitus, a way of being. This was necessary for the river to become a character, rather than just a location.


This research aimed to analyze the time pressure, the risk of audit, the external locus of control, and turnover intentions to premature Sign-off of audit procedure. The respondent of this research was the auditor working in Public Accountant Firms in Pekanbaru, Padang, Jambi dan Batam. The method of collecting data in the research was survey method with the questionnaire instrument. The data usage in this research was primary data collecting through the questionnaires. The questionnaires proccesed were totaled as many as 67 questionnaires from 85 questionnaires diffused. According to the data quality consisted of he validity test, the reliability test and the normality test indicated that all variables could be valid, reliable, and normal so that for the next, the items of every variable concept was appropriately usd as an indicator. The result of this research indicated that the audit risk variable and turnover intentions have significanly influence to premature sign-off of audit procedure. Whilst the time pressure variable and the external locus of control don't have significantly influence to premature sign-off of audit procedure. Keywords: Premature Sign-Off of Audit Procedure, Time Pressure, Audit risk, Locus of Control, and Turnover Intentions.


Purpose of review The purpose of the review is to discuss recent advances in microRNA (miRNA) regulation of lipid metabolism and highlight the importance of miRNA-mediated gene regulation in dyslipidemia and fatty liver disease. This article reviews examples of miRNAs that bridge disparate metabolic pathways in the liver. For example, we highlight miRNAs that are regulated by the sterol-sensing pathway in the liver that in turn regulate cellular or systemic cholesterol, fatty acid, and glucose levels. Recent findings The most widely studied of these miRNAs are miR-33a/b; however, we recently reported that miRNAs in the miR-183/96/182 cluster are also likely regulated by hepatic cholesterol content and mediate the observed glucose-lowering effects of the bile acid sequestrant colesevelam through the sterol-sensing pathway. In addition, several other hepatic and adipose miRNAs have been recently demonstrated to be key regulators of cellular lipid synthesis, storage, and catabolism, as well as systemic lipid metabolism. Moreover, many of these miRNAs are altered in fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia. Summary miRNAs are not just fine-tuners of lipid metabolism, but critical regulatory factors in lipid homeostasis and health. Loss of these miRNA regulatory modules very likely contributes to the underlying metabolic defects observed in lipid disorders.


The menu provided at restaurant can only be seen from a menu book that is shown by the waiter who shows the menu names in the form of text along with the price. This menu book model is felt to be less effective and less attractive. With a restaurant menu application with technology augmented reality, customers will find detailed information about the menu in restaurant displayed in the form of interesting 3D objects.
The research method used for software development is Waterfall Model. Application development in this study uses the Unity3D, Vuporia, game engine and Blender3D.
The resulting application can be used on Android Smartphones with a minimum operating system of 5.1 (Lollipop). In this case the method used is marker based tracking which is a tracking method using markers or images. From the results of black-box testing, the functional test results show that the application has run as expected, and the results of this application questionnaire get the very good category because it is at a percentage of 87% of the seven statements with likert method and has no problems when run.