We extracted bioactive materials from Codium fragile by enzymatic hydrolysis using four different proteases (Alcalase, Flavourzyme, Neutrase, and Protamex) and seven different carbohydrases (amyloglucosidase (AMG), Celluclast, Dextrozyme, Maltogenase, Promozyme, Termamyl, and Viscozyme), and evaluated their biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and anti-inflammatory effects. All enzymatic hydrolysates showed good DPPH radical scavenging capacities, in particular, Flavourzyme and Promozyme hydrolysates possessed the highest activity. The two hydrolysates also exhibited strong hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, Fe chelating activity, and reducing power in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the two hydrolysates effectively protected DNA damage induced by hydroxyl radical by measuring the conversion of supercoiled DNA to the open circular DNA. All enzymatic hydrolysates also showed high anti-AChE inhibitory activities in a dose-dependent manner, and did not showed any significant cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 cells (p<0.05). In addition, the enzymatic hydrolysates significantly (p<0.05) inhibited lipopolysaccharide inducednitric oxide production on RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that the enzymatic extracts from Codium fragile would be good source as an ingredient of functional foods.


Abstract A simple, sequence-specific DNA detection method, utilizing a fluorescent 2-aminopurine (2-AP) nucleobase analogue-containing split G-quadruplex as the key detection component, is described. In the sensor, the 2-AP-containing G-quadruplex is split into two segments and linked to a target-specific overhang sequence. The separate G-quadruplex sequences form an active G-quadruplex structure only in the presence of a complementary target DNA, which leads to a significant increase in the intensity of fluorescence from the 2-AP fluorophore. This simple, one-step, homogenous assay was successfully employed to detect target DNA with a high selectivity. In addition, the practical applicability of the detection method was demonstrated by its use in analyzing target DNAs in human serum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that an investigation was carried out in which a fluorescent nucleobase analogue was incorporated into a split G-quadruplex structure and this structure was utilized as the foundation for a specific DNA sensor.


The first catalytic asymmetric intermolecular alcohol conjugate addition to o-quinone methides (o-QMs) is disclosed. Due to reversible C-O bond formation and low nucleophilicity of alcohols, catalytic asymmetric oxa-Michael additions with simple alcohol nucleophiles to establish acyclic oxygenated carbon stereocenters remain scarce. The present reaction represents a rare example of this type. With a suitable chiral acid catalyst, the in situ formation of o-QMs and subsequent conjugate addition proceeded with high efficiency and enantioselectivity. The chiral ether products are versatile precursors to other chiral molecules.


IlvY protein binds cooperatively to tandem operator sites in the divergent, overlapping, promoter-regulatory region of the ilvYC operon of Escherichia coli. IlvY positively regulates the expression of the ilvC gene in an inducer-dependent manner and negatively regulates the transcription of its own divergently transcribed structural gene in an inducer-independent manner. Although binding of IlvY protein to the tandem operators is sufficient to repress ilvYpromoter-specific transcription, it is not sufficient to activate transcription from the ilvC promoter. Activation ofilvC promoter-specific transcription requires the additional binding of a small molecule inducer to the IlvY protein-DNA complex. The binding of inducer to IlvY protein does not affect the affinity of IlvY protein for the tandem operator sites. It does, however, cause a conformational change of the IlvY protein-DNA complex, which is correlated with the partial relief of an IlvY protein-induced bend of the DNA helix in the ilvC promoter region. This structural change in the IlvY protein-DNA complex results in a 100-fold increase in the affinity of RNA polymerase binding at theilvC promoter site. The ability of a protein to regulate gene expression by ligand-responsive modulation of a protein-DNA structure is an emerging theme in gene regulation.


Hemodynamic parameters of left ventricular function were assessed in 179 patients with acute myocardial infarction, who were treated with intracoronary thrombolysis during first six hours after the onset of chest pain. Some of them were subjected to coronary angioplasty. Patency of the infarct related artery was controlled between the 2nd and 3rd week after acute myocardial infarction concomitant with evaluation of EF and LVEDP. Reperfusion of the infarct related artery was obtained in 121 patients (67.6%) and also significant increase of EF was observed in those patients. EF rose in patients with a patent coronary artery after 2-3 weeks (not significant) in contrast to patients with obstructed coronary artery in whom there was a fall in EF. The rise of EF was more pronounced in patients with reperfusion reached in 3 hours after the onset of infarct pain and without coronary angioplasty. It was shown that LVEDP is not usefull in estimation of left ventricular function.


A thorough investigation of two novel hybrid materials, namely, (2,2'-Hbpy)3[PW12O40] and (4,4'-H2bpy)1.5[PW12O40]·1.5H2O built from Keggin phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and bipyridine, describes the impact of bipyridine isomers in their formation and physicochemical properties. The hybrids' formation was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, while infrared spectroscopy (IR) proved the polyoxometalate (POM) structural preservation. The stoichiometric composition and thermal stability of the hybrids were solved by thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectrometry, which also revealed newly acquired hydrophobic properties. Raman and IR spectroscopies demonstrated that the POM skeleton units in both hybrids were distorted compared to the POM in PTA, which induced a decrease of their reduction potentials as observed by diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (DR-UV-vis). The hybrids' acidity was assessed by ammonia temperature-programmed desorption, which showed no remaining acid sites compared to the strong acidic character of the pristine PTA. The properties of the hybrids were tested in the epoxidation of cyclooctene in the presence of H2O2. The reaction was boosted when the hybrids were pre-activated with H2O2.


The dairy sector in Tunisia is based on small-scale farms, with 81% of the breeders owning less than five cows. On these farms, milk is stored in plastic containers, resulting in post-production losses estimated at 10% in the studied region. Due to high temperatures, the present paper aims to study the implementation of an innovative solar-powered milk cooling system in Central Tunisia and assess its profitability for dairy farmers. The methodology is based on a comparison of three small-scale farm business models: a farm without any milk cooling equipment, a farm using an innovative milk cooling technology, and a farm using an electrical cooling tank. Results showed the significance of milk cooling in reducing milk rejection to 0%, leading to a total production of 6400 L per cow by the fifth year. Additionally, milk sales were found to increase due to the premium of 0.010 TND/L for cooled milk paid. In addition, farms utilizing solar-powered milk cooling technology exhibited superior profitability in terms of financial indicators. This research offers a sustainable energy solution for milk cooling on small farms, specifically addressing the challenges faced by these farms located in isolated areas where access to electricity is limited and the availability of milk cooling equipment is lacking.


Across the world, at least one out of every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime (UNIFEM, 2003; United Nations Womanwatch, 2003). Most of this abuse is inflicted on women by their current or former partners. Such abuse not only physically and emotionally cripples its victims but also devastates lives, torments children, fractures communities, and stalls development. For example, in Cambodia, 16% of women are physically abused by their husbands; in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the rate climbs to 22%, 29%, and 30%, respectively. The corresponding figure is 52% in the West Bank (UNIFEM, 2003). According to findings from surveys carried out around the world, 50% of all women who are murdered in a given year are killed by their current or former husbands or partners (UNIFEM, 2003). Fortunately—and due to the relentless efforts of feminists, profeminist men, and human rights activists—international laws, agreements, treaties, and conventions have increasingly conceptualized violence against women as a serious violation of human rights (see United Nations, 1981, 1993). Currently, more than 45


The fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju secretes phenol-oxidases that enable the use of recalcitrant compounds as substrates. The residues of paper manufacture contain high lignin levels, which gives the effluents a characteristic brownish colour. To test the potential of P. sajor-caju cultures on reducing these parameters, we used 90% of raw effluents from medium consistency oxygen delignification and bleaching stages plus 10% of mineral solution and different levels of glucose (5–15 g L−1) as substrate. We observed a greater fungal biomass in cultures using effluent than in controls. Cultures containing 10 to 15 g L−1 of glucose resulted in about 42% colour reduction. The polyphenol content was also reduced by 58.9% by the 13th day of culture. In addition, we observed the secretion of laccases (211.44 U mL−1 and 45.98 U mL−1 using ABTS and syringaldazine, respectively) and peroxidases (6.11 U mL−1-ABTS) both peaking at the 7th day of culture and with similar kinetics of production in different glucose concentrations.


Personalized recommendation is implemented by computing the similarity of user's interests and resources. Most of current recommendation systems compute the similarity based on keywords, which is simply implemented but much semantic information are lost. This paper takes the personalized recommendations of digital library as example, proposes a method to implement personalized recommendation service. User profile and resource features are represented by vector space model. And then these keyword vectors are extended in conceptual level by virtue of domain ontology and HowNet knowledge database. So conceptual space vectors of user and resource are generated. Therefore, personalized recommendation service is provided to user according to the similarity of the conceptual space vectors. Experiment data shows that the similarity based on concept is more efficient than similarity based on keyword in personalized recommendation service.


Pressure transient propagation within building services utility systems is an inevitable consequence of any change in the system operating condition. In common with a wide range of pressure surge applications, these conditions may be analysed and modelled by solving the applicable St Venant equations numerically via the method of characteristics. This paper presents the underlying basis for such models and presents applications within building services utility systems that feature trapped or entrained air as a major modifier of either the transient propagation or the system boundary conditions. In particular, surge pressures exacerbated by the effect of trapped or entrained air are considered, including dry riser and sprinkler applications. The role of entrained air in the occurrence of physical injury following the violent fracturing of a w.c. bowl is discussed and explained in terms of a transient analysis.


This paper provides an introduction to the UML in the field of software engineering. The first part gives information about the UML class diagrams. Second part of this paper provides an introduction to the formal specification of UML diagrams using OCL. It also provides a detail about why formalization of UML diagrams is important. It also gives introduction about how constraints are applied to the UML diagrams using OCL. It provides knowledge about different kinds of constraints which any applied on UML class diagram. Last part of this paper shows the source code implementation in java of Bank account example of OCL constraints.


A meta-analytic review of research articles using music to decrease arousal due to stress was conducted on 22 quantitative studies. Results demonstrated that music alone and music assisted relaxation techniques significantly decreased arousal (d = +.67). Further analysis of each study revealed that the amount of stress reduction was significantly different when considering age, type of stress, music assisted relaxation technique, musical preference, previous music experience, and type of intervention. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.


In this paper I discuss the varied contributions of Erminnie Adele Smith (1836–1886), a linguist, ethnologist, and
 geologist, who has a significant but underestimated place in the history of the study of North American languages. Among others,
 Smith was among the first scholars to collaborate extensively with Indigenous consultants and the first woman in the history of
 Western linguistics who published works on grammatical gender. Such achievements point to the need to reconsider her life and work
 in the context of the reception of the first generation of women in American anthropology as well as the study of gender in
 Iroquoian languages since the mid-19th century.


When we snap strings playing with a CMOS camera, the strings seems to vibrate in a wobbly slow motion pattern. Because a CMOS sensor scans one line of video in sequence, fast moving objects are distorted during the scanning sequence. The morphing and distorting are called a rolling shutter effect, which is considered to be an artistic photographic techniques like strip photography and slitscan photography. However, the effect can only be seen on a camera finder or a PC screen; the guitar player and audience are quite unlikely to notice it by the naked eye.


Instagram, as many social media platforms, has been increasingly used by users to shop for goods and products from business or other individuals. Recently, studies have shed lights on acceptance and usage of Insta shopping from users' perspectives by following popular technology models, such as technology acceptance model (TAM) and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). However, more rich and in-depth insights about using Instagram for commercial purposes within a certain context are yet to be discovered. Therefore, this study aims at discovering experiences and interactions with Insta shopping, the factors and the drivers that impact users' acceptance of Insta shopping, the weight of each factor (degree of consensus among participants), and their direction (positive, negative, or both). The study followed a qualitative approach, by creating four homogeneous focus groups (six participants each) of IT students in United Arab Emirates (UAE) universities. The data analysis approach considered is an axial coding technique as part of the grounded theory, which includes open coding, axial coding, and selective coding stages. The results revealed that the time factor, trust in Insta shops (and its drivers such as reviews, word of mouth, trading license, and others), distrust (and its drivers such as fake comments and reviews, extremely low prices, and others), and the associated risks (financial for losing money, security because of online payments, and some privacy issues) can impact users' behaviors toward Insta shopping. Also, the study classified participants' viewpoints and experiences' themes into advantages, disadvantages, and issues that are associated with Insta shopping. The study indicated theoretical and practical implications and suggests future research directions.


This thesis recreates the life and world of a misinterpreted female educator, Yang Yinyu, who is portrayed as a counter-revolutionary villain in contemporary Chinese middle-school textbooks. Little is known about this individual except that she was the target of a radical student movement that aimed to expel her from her position as the president of Beijing Teachers University for Women in 1925. Despite being the first female university president in Chinese history, Yang was accused by the student protesters of being 'feudal' and 'conservative'. The influential left-wing writer Lu Xun, then a professor at the university, criticised Yang as a 'ruthless mother-in-law' and supported the students' violent protest. As Lu was promoted by the Chinese Communist Party as a 'spiritual leader' after 1949, his critiques shaped historians' understanding of the anti-Yang movement and its role in the history of the Republic, in both Chinese and Western academia.

This thesis deconstructs this historical myth-making. By exploring the scattered materials left by Yang in the cities in which she lived, across China, Japan, and the US, it puts the pieces of her world together. It argues that Yang was a dedicated educator, who emphasised both modern pedagogies and moral education. Her goal in creating a national university for teacher training was overshadowed by student radicalism and political struggles in the anti-Yang movement. Furthermore, this journey to reappraise Yang's life on her own terms provides us with a microscopic perspective to understand the less-explored areas in early-twentieth-century educational reforms: the roles of the earliest professional educators whose efforts lay the foundation for the meaning of modern education we perceive today. The degree of educators' involvement or opposition to radical politics should not be the sole standard used in assessing their lives and contributions.


Prevalence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology on DNA extracted from the gills of wild black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon collected from 7 sampling sites in the Philippines. These 7 sampling sites are the primary sources of spawners and broodstock for hatchery use. During the dry season, WSSV was detected in shrimp from all sites except Bohol, but during the wet season it was not detected in any site except Palawan. None of the WSSV-PCR positive shrimp showed signs of white spots in the cuticle. Prevalence of WSSV showed seasonal variations, i.e. prevalence in dry season (April to May) was higher than in the wet season (August to October). These results suggest that WSSV has already become established in the local marine environment and in wild populations of P. monodon. Thus, broodstock collected during the dry season could serve as the main source of WSSV contamination in shrimp farms due to vertical transmission of the virus in hatcheries.


We present a comprehensive system for extracting metadata from scholarly articles. In our approach the entire document is inspected, including headers and footers of all the pages as well as bibliographic references. The system is based on a modular workflow which allows for evaluation, unit testing and replacement of individual components. The workflow is optimized towards processing of born-digital documents, but may accept scanned document images as well. The machine-learning approaches we have chosen for solving individual tasks increase the ability to adapt to new document layouts and formats. The evaluation tests we have performed showed good results of the individual implementations and the entire metadata extraction process.


To be most effective, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) ventilators should synchronize well with patients' breathing. However, the speed with which different ventilators can respond to the transitions between inspiration and expiration may vary, and abnormal respiratory mechanics and mask leaks may exacerbate this problem. This study explored synchronization using a new test lung model designed to simulate acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thirteen ventilators were tested against different combinations of tidal volume (VT), airways resistance (Raw), FRC, and mask leak. These combinations ranged from those of a severe exacerbation of COPD, to a mild condition reflecting the optimal triggering conditions a ventilator is likely to encounter. The triggering delays from the beginning and end of "inspiration" of the test lung, to the appropriate responses from the ventilators were measured. Three of the ventilators had trigger delays less than approximately 120 ms at both the beginning and end of expiration under all conditions. Trigger delays of other ventilators were mainly in the range of 120 to 300 ms, although exceptionally as long as 500 ms. Varying the conditions had a variable but generally small effect on triggering times, suggesting that there is a largely unavoidable element to the triggering delays intrinsic to the design of the ventilators.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the second leading cause of the cancer-related death worldwide. Ongoing clinical trials with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) for HCC have revealed considerable amount of patients do not respond. Hence, to identify the responder is imminent need for immunotherapy in HCC. We aimed to examine the immune landscape of HCC, using the publically available data set The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Clinicopathological and genomic expression data in 371 patients with HCC were obtained from TCGA. CYT was defined by GZMA and PRF1 expression, and CIBERSORT and TIMER were used to evaluate intra-tumoral immune cell composition. Kaplan-Meier curve for overall survival (OS), disease free interval (DFI), progression free interval (PFI), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were obtained and Cox Progression Hazards model was used for multivariable analysis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was also conducted to analyze the gene sets enriched in CYT-High HCC patients. High CYT was associated with high levels of activated CD8+ T cells, gamma-delta T cells, M1 macrophages, and memory CD4+T cells on CYBERSORT. A similar result was also obtained on TIMER. CYT-high HCC patients had significantly improved DFI, PFI, DSS, and OS, compared to CYT-low HCC patients. The levels of immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs), including programmed death-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PD-L2, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), and IDO2, correlated significantly with CYT. High-CYT tumors showed increased somatic copy number alterations (SCNA). Gene expression of APOBEC3 family was significantly higher in high-CYT tumors compared to low-CYT tumors. T-cell and B-cell receptors was more diverse in High-CYT tumors compared to low-CYT tumors. Multivariate survival analysis demonstrated high CYT was an independent protective factor for prognosis in patients with HCC. High CYT is associated with significantly improved survival in HCC, secondary to enhanced immunity and increased cytolytic activity by T cell and M1 macrophage. Additionally, high CYT is associated with ICMs, and CYT can be a potential biologic marker for CPIs. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Tstutomu Kawaguchi, Li Yan, Hideo Takahashi, Qianya Qi, Xuan Peng, Kazuaki Takabe, Eigo Otsuji. Intra-tumor immune activity is linked to genetic diversity of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte and impact clinical outcomes in hepatocellular cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4562.


The patient was a 26-year-old man who was being treated for a hand dermatitis caused by industrial exposure to ethylene diamine. His dermatitis had improved when he was seen 1 month later but it was noticed that his conjunctivae were red, there being no dermatitis of the eyelids. One month earlier the patient had bought soft contact lenses. The lenses were cleaned in the evening in one solution and preserved overnight in another. When he had used the lenses for 2 days he experienced itching of the eyes and observed redness of the eye balls. The optician recommended him to clean the lenses in liquid no. 1 as before and afterwards to heat them in 1 % sodium chloride solution. The eye symptoms disappeared in 2-3 days. Two days before attending for control of the hand dermatitis he again had preserved the lenses overnight in liquid no. 2, and the eye symptoms came back in 6-8 h. The producer of the liquids informed us that the solution for preserving lenses contain disodium edetate 0.02 %, merthiolate 0.001 % and chlorohexidine gluconate 0.005 %. Patch tests with these substances showed a positive reaction to merthiolate 0.1 % in petrolatum. Tests with the chemical solutions were not performed, as he had discarded these. The contact allergy to merthiolate was regarded as the cause of his conjunctivitis. The story shows that he had been sensitized to merthiolate before he had bought his contact lenses. Contact allergy to merthiolate is quite common in Sweden, as shown by Halvor Moller. Because many preserving liquids for contact lenses contain merthiolate, one may expect to see more cases of contact conjunctivitis.


Recently, task requirements have dictated that manipulator payload capacity increase to accommodate greater payloads, greater manipulator length, and larger environmental interaction forces. General tasks such as waste storage tank cleanup and facility dismantlement and decommissioning require manipulator life capacities in the range of hundreds of pounds rather than tens of pounds. To meet the increased payload capacities demanded by present-day tasks, manipulator designers have turned once again to hydraulics as a means of actuation. In order to successfully design, build, and deploy a new hydraulic manipulator (or subsystem), sophisticated modeling, analysis, and control experiments are usually needed. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has a history of projects that incorporate hydraulics technology, including mobile robots, teleoperated manipulators, and full-scale construction equipment. In addition, to support the development and deployment of new hydraulic manipulators, ORNL has outfitted a significant experimental laboratory and has developed the software capability for research into hydraulic manipulators, hydraulic actuators, hydraulic systems, modeling of hydraulic systems, and hydraulic controls. The purpose of this article is to describe the past hydraulic manipulator developments and current hydraulic manipulator research capabilities at ORNL. Included are example experimental results from ORNL`s flexible/prismatic test stand.


To make the right decision in regard to the expression of the value of property, equipment or something else, first for appraiser it is necessary to examine the general economic and other factors that may affect the expression of the value of the company. Especially there is a need to pay attention to devote to the expression value of a public company, because the public companies manage property that stems in part by funds from the budget. This is especially important in the case of a country that aspires to become an EU member. The Republic of Serbia signed the first two chapters with the EU in December 2015. Chapter 32 imperatively requires that the Republic of Serbia begins important application of fair expression of value of the property of public enterprises, because it is a section that requires audit activities of the entire public users, and therefore the company.


Background and Study Aim: Whether from the lower or upper limbs, intersegmental coordination is required at a high level in the blows of various martial arts modalities, with karate being no exception. In karate, precision, high speed, and technique are the hallmarks of attack, counterattack, and defence. The aim of this study was the phase relationship between the proximal and distal joints during the execution of two technique of stroke karate: the punch gyaku tsuki and the kick mae geri. Material and Methods: The study included 14 male athletes, equally divided into 2 subgroups according to their current competitive level: sub-elite (SEG) and elite (EG). The karate stroke performance measure used was the linear velocity peak of the wrist and foot. In order to analyze the intra-segment coordination, it was applied the nonlinear dynamics approach named continuous relative phase (CRP). From the CRP curve it was obtained the peak as well as the time to reach the CRP peak. It was also compared the index of the coordinative patterns' variability, which was obtained by calculating the average of the CRP values and standard deviation. Results: The EG group showed significantly higher values in the linear velocity peak of the wrist and foot when compared to the SEG. With respect to the CRP curve peak and the coordinative patterns variability, the SEG group presented significantly higher values, showing no differences in the time to reach the CRP peak. Conclusions: The EG group presented a better intra-segment coordinative capacity during the execution of strikes. The stability of coordinative patterns seems to have an intimate relationship with the technical refinement. Thus, this variable can be configured also as a predictor of performance.


Emerging virus diseases are a major threat to humans and public health. Over the past two decades, there has been mounting interest in the increasing number of viruses causing unexpected illnesses and epidemics among humans. Emerging diseases also include as yet unrecognisable infections, or a previously recognised infection that has expanded into new ecological niche often accompanied by a significant change in pathogenicity. In the wake of these discoveries, the need for stronger infection prevention measures for personal services such as tattooing and cosmetic tattooing procedures needs to be revisited and re-established through more rigorous measures. This study provides an overview of some of the more common viruses and highlights their covert and sometimes non-symptomatic nature that tattooing practitioners need to be mindful of. It also presents precautionary measures that practitioners must take to protect against cross-contamination through infection prevention protocols. This study also looks at the importance of education and updates in education and the role of mandatory regulations.


ABSTRACT Kang, C.; Lee, W.D.; Kim, T.; Lee, T.K., and Hong, S., 2021. Behavior of multiple blocks mounted underwater using fluid-structure interaction and contact analysis. In: Lee, J.L.; Suh, K.-S.; Lee, B.; Shin, S., and Lee, J. (eds.), Crisis and Integrated Management for Coastal and Marine Safety. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 114, pp. 589–593. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. This study discusses a method for estimating the structural stability of a coastal concrete structure with an emphasis on sliding and overturning due to tidal current or waves. Because of the complexity of fluid flow behavior, a coastal structure was assumed to be a rigid body for structural safety reviews. Namely, the safety reviews assume the stress and strain of a structure insignificant and focus only on the fluid analysis. However, a structural analysis should be considered especially if the structure is not of single, large block construction, such as artificial reef blocks, which are stacked on each other. An artificial reef is normally composed of small concrete blocks stacked together. A section of each block is relatively small and interacts with each other blocks. Macro issues, such as sliding and over-turning as well as micro issues such as stress concentration and contact between blocks must be considered. This study emphasizes the microstructural point of view, such as the stress and strain of each artificial block and the interaction between blocks. ABAQUS 2D fluid-structure interaction analysis was performed where the simultaneous analysis was completed using computational flow dynamics; in addition, the performance of a structural analysis using finite element modeling.


A new algorithm for channel routing is presented which addresses the special problems of bit-slice architectural assembly, namely the broadcasting and cascading of signals through layout slices. This is achieved by end-on abutment of channels. The method, used in the bit-slice assembler Slicesyn, is based on a heuristic approach using graph theory.


Snoring is due to turbulent flow of air through the upper airway, and can arise from transient obstruction at several levels.1–3 This multi-segmental obstruction occurs in different regions of the pharynx in varying proportions in different individuals. In some patients it is predominantly palatal and nasopharyngeal, whereas in others it may be retroglossal or hypopharyngeal. Obstruction occurs because of a failure of the upper airway dilator muscles to stabilize the airway during sleep. Their innervation is complex and subject to reflex control. The trauma to the upper airway tissues during snoring and sleep apnoeas damages either muscle fibres or peripheral nerve fibres and this impairs the stabilizing action of the muscles and increases the tendency of the airway to obstruct. The obstruction is compounded by oedema due to the vibration injury during snoring, and these factors, quite independently of the ageing process and obesity, may account for the progression of snoring into sleep apnoeas in some individuals. Investigative techniques have been developed to predict which patients will benefit from oral appliances or surgery rather than nasal continuous positive air pressure (CPAP), which although effective4 is often difficult to use properly. Nasopharyngoscopy is performed routinely by otolaryngologists to evaluate the upper airway, both during wakefulness and during sleep. 'Sleep' nasendoscopy5 allows dynamic examination of the pharynx during drug-induced sedation which simulates sleep. The level at which the airway obstructs can be visualized and site-specific treatment can then be provided. Acoustic analysis of snoring has indicated that frequencies around 20 Hz are associated with palatal fluttering whereas obstruction at other sites gives a more diffuse frequency range. A limitation is the considerable variation in the frequencies from night to night, and the technique cannot be used to predict which individuals have sleep apnoeas rather than simple snoring. Conventional sleep studies are required for this, but developments in software to analyse the snoring duration, loudness, periodicity and frequency may become of clinical value.6 Mandibular advancement devices or splints fit over the anterior teeth like a gum shield and hold the mandible and tongue forwards. Many are thermoplastic and can be moulded by the patient; others are individually constructed, by dental surgeons for instance. Various designs are in use but there are few data to indicate which is most effective.7 The current indications for these devices are snoring when surgery is not advisable (e.g. when the snoring occurs at the level of the tongue base) and mild to moderate sleep apnoeas, particularly in thin people and those in whom the apnoeas occur predominantly in the supine position. They also have a role in individuals with more severe sleep apnoeas who are intolerant of nasal CPAP treatment. Mandibular advancement devices may affect dental occlusion and the temporomandibular joints. Surgical treatments can be targeted at different anatomical regions in the upper airway. Nasal surgery such as septoplasty, functional endoscopic sinus surgery and turbinate reduction may be effective if there is nasal obstruction, and nasal abnormalities should be looked for in those who develop nasal symptoms during CPAP treatment. Mandibular, maxillary and hyoid surgery are only occasionally performed and tracheostomy is seldom required, because other treatment options are available. Although palatal surgery has been popular since the 1980s, surgical uvulopalatopharyngoplasty carries a high morbidity which may be avoidable by new laser techniques.8,9 The short-term results of these are good in selected patients10 although late recurrence of symptoms has been reported.11 Radiofrequency thermal ablation with somnoplasty12 and with the Celon device (Tatla T, Sandhu G, Kotecha B, unpublished) are less painful than a laser palatoplasty and merit further evaluation. The prevalence of sleep apnoeas in children is around 3%,13 with the highest frequency between the ages of 2 and 5 years. Hypertrophy of tonsils and adenoids is the commonest cause, but craniofacial abnormalities such as arise in Pierre Robin and Down's syndromes may be responsible. Compliance with nasal CPAP may be difficult to achieve14 and surgical intervention is effective in carefully selected cases. Craniofacial surgery should be confined to specialist centres. Although a wide range of treatments is now available for snoring and sleep apnoeas, objective evidence of outcome M E E T IN G


Video-on-demand (VoD) applications place very high requirements on the delivery medium. High-quality services should provide for a timely delivery of the data-stream to the clients plus a minimum of playback disturbances. The major contributions of this paper are that it proposes a multiserver, multi-installment (MSMI) solution approach (sending the document in several installments from each server) to the delivery problem and achieves a minimization of the client waiting time, also referred to as the access time (AT) or start-up latency in the literature. By using multiple spatially distributed servers, we are able to exploit slow connections that would otherwise prevent the deployment of video-on-demand-like services, to offer such services in an optimal manner. Additionally, the delivery and playback schedule that is computed by our approach is loss-aware in the sense that it is flexible enough to accommodate packet losses without interrupts. The mathematical framework presented covers both computation and optimization problems associated with the delivery schedule, offering a complete set of guidelines for designing MSMI VoD services. The optimizations presented include the ordering of the servers and determining the number of installments based on the packet-loss probabilities of the communication links. Our analysis guarantees the validity of a delivery schedule recommended by the system by providing a percentage of confidence for an uninterrupted playback at the client site. This, in a way, quantifies the degree of quality of service rendered by the system and the MSMI strategy proposed. The paper is concluded by a rigorous simulation study that showcases the substantial advantages of the proposed approach and explores how optimization of the schedule parameters affects performance.


Abstract Anthocyanins (ACN), the sub-class of (poly)phenols responsible for the red-blue-purple pigmentation of fruit and vegetables, have gained considerable interest in sport and exercise research due to their potential to facilitate exercise recovery. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL. Thirty nine studies were included and the standardized mean difference (Hedges g) for creatine kinase (CK), anti-oxidative and inflammatory markers, strength, power and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) indices were pooled in separate meta-analyses; meta-regression was also performed on reported ACN dose. Immediately post-exercise there was an increase in antioxidant capacity (g: 0.56) and reduced C reactive protein (g: −0.24) and tumor necrosis factor α (g: −40); p ≤ 0.02. Strength was improved with ACN at all time points (g: 0.45–0.67). DOMS (g: −0.23) was lower 24 hours post-exercise and power was improved 24 hours (g: 0.62) and 48 hours (g: 0.57) post exercise. The CK was lower 48 hours post-exercise (g: −0.31) and there was a trend for a positive association with ACN dose (p = 0.057). This systematic review provides new data showing ACN-rich foods promote functional and subjective recovery likely due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ACN.


The top gym in the nation leads the way in fitness programs for every need and physique Written especially for those with little or no gym experience, "The Gold's Gym Beginner's Guide to" "Fitness "is a cutting-edge, balanced, and straightforward guide to total fitness for the novice exerciser. Readers learn about various training methods, the latest fitness technology, and the most modern exercises for developing target muscle groups such as the upper back, lower back, chest, shoulders, arms, abs, legs, and buttocks. And they get: Expert advice on cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, aerobics, and nutrition Alternative workouts for when they can't get to a gym 175 inspiring and instructive photographs, shot on location at Gold's facilities


Background: Although there is controversy about the mechanism by which endometriosis causes infertility, laparoscopic treatment for endometriosis-associated infertility is becoming popular. However, the optimal modality of energy sources used for dissection and ablation in infertile women remains unexplored. Objective: To study the best available evidence exploring the use of laparoscopic surgery in infertile women with endometriosis, compare various available energy sources, and their effect on surgical outcome and probability of pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective review of literature was done to explore the role of laparoscopic surgery and various energy sources in managing endometriosis-associated infertility, using keywords—endometriosis, laparoscopy, infertility, electrosurgery and ultrasonic energy. Results: Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis using mechanical or electrical technologies was proposed in the 1980s. Later, use of lasers to vaporize endometriosis and to excise adhesions became popular. The invention of ultrasonic generator and tissue response electrosurgical generator has revolutionized laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. Conclusion: No prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial has been conducted to date in this area. Current evidence suggests that laparoscopic excision or ablation, either by electrocautery or laser, improves pregnancy rates. However, the impact of newer energy sources and tissue dissection techniques in this field is yet to be explored.


This article explores ideas of the 'human' in discourses surrounding the AIDS epidemic, from the 1980s to the present. It compares two sequential lines of thought: first, the notion of AIDS as the result of 'unnatural' gender behaviours and queer sexualities; and second, the notion of AIDS and other zoonotics (cross‐species diseases) as the result of non‐western dietary practices and social mores. In the first case, the early years of the AIDS crisis are traced through the languages of sexual perversity utilised by the popular press and the Christian right. In the second case, the later years of the epidemic are traced, once the 'roots' of the virus became tied to Africa, and carriers became bestialised in narratives that located HIV as a consequence of unnatural, or inhuman, interactions with the animal world. The article argues that we have witnessed a paradigm shift in the didactics of the epidemic, from a narrative of sexual impropriety to one that also includes a narrative of dietary impropriety, each of which consistently relies upon a clear dichotomy between the human and the inhuman.


The hair of rats injected with strontium-90 retains a significant amount of the radionuclide. Although the strontium-90 content of hair is variable in these rats and appears to be subject to a variety of influences, determination of the radionuclide content of hair may offer a nondestructive method of estimating strontium-90 in bone.


Porosity and permeability measurements can be used to calculate oil columns trapped by grain-size changes. Calculations can be useful when capillary pressure measurements are not available. Calculations are based on two major assumptions: (1) the rocks are water wet; and (2) mean effective grain size and pore size may be determined from average porosity and permeability. The first assumption is widely applicable; the second assumption has been tested and found to be reliable over a wide range of porosities and permeabilities for sandstones. Important in the calculations is that interfacial tension does not decrease to low values under subsurface conditions of higher temperatures and pressures but remains at a relatively large value of 30 dynes/cm for both gas and oil. Calculations of oil column based on porosity and permeability data are particularly useful in evaluation of hydrodynamic flow as a trapping mechanism. Once hydrostatic or capillary-pressure oil column has been estimated, the effects of hydrodynamic flow can be evaluated as in independent variable. In many simple stratigraphic traps, the amount of oil trapped by hydrodynamic flow greatly exceeds that which can be trapped by capillary-pressure differences alone. Studies of Recluse Muddy and Kitty Muddy fields in the Powder River basin of Wyoming indicate that hydrodynamic flow makes up a major part of the trapping element for the hydrocarbon column. Such examples show that downdip hydrodynamic flow can be an effective trapping mechanism in basins where reservoir systems are subject to recharge by meteoric waters. End_of_Article - Last_Page 900------------


Quoting the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), "the configuration of an information system and its components has a direct impact on the security posture of the system. [..] How those configurations are established and maintained requires a disciplined approach for providing adequate security" [1]. However, fitting the functional user needs is only one product success factor. In order to influence the acceptance of a software system by its target group of users, some factors such as the complexity of the system and its ease of use are also critical. The design approach followed by a user-centered engineering process focuses on the solution as a whole rather than on single components of the system, and on the user interface robustness rather than on system robustness. In this paper, we describe how usability and quality in use concepts, as defined by the standard ISO/IEC PDTR 9126-2/3/4 (Software Quality Metrics) [2], have been introduced in the design phases of the PoSecCo prototype. This paper summarizes the results of the analysis conducted in the PoSecCo project (www.posecco.eu), to group the six different organizational user roles of the project's integrated prototype (auditors and service provider's employees) into three main interface user group profiles: designers group, analytical group and consumers group. These three user group profiles define similar characteristics and requirements for what concern the usage of a graphical interface: visual attractiveness, general interaction with the functionalities offered and with the data managed by the system, reducing the effort and simplifying the subsequent design and implementation phases. The requirements associated to the user group profiles, as well as the task descriptions and information architecture, have been taken into account during the selection of the suitable technologies to implement the PoSecCo user interface, and in the development phases, in order to provide a harmonized and usable user interface for IT auditors and professionals of the security policy and configuration management areas.


Land use activities (LUA) have a significant impact on the level and situation of vegetation characteristics and in turn affect human population as they are considered as the main global environmental changes. This study analyzed land use patterns in three different locations in Khartoum, Sudan: banks of River Nile, Blue and White Nile. The main objective of the present study were 1) to assess the changes in land use and their impact on vegetation cover and sustainable livelihoods of the population, and 2) to identify the factors behind land use changes along the Banks of Niles, Khartoum State. The study data used were field survey (questionnaire) which revealed the existence of five types of land use patterns: roads, human settlements, agricultural and plantations farms, and industrial of brick-kilns making and investment areas. The primary data were collected through social survey (questionnaire) as face-to-face interviews with local communities in the study area and by observations. The secondary records during the field survey were collected from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Forest National Corporation (FNC) documents, scientific papers and annual reports. SPSS was used to analyze the data acquired from questionnaires. Results showed that agricultural land, and industrial and residential areas increased while forests and bare lands decreased as a result of changes imposed by the government and local population with consequent land degradation in terms of environmental value and productivity. Interestingly, it was found that the impact of land use on vegetation cover and livelihood of the population was very complex and dynamic and that the main influencing factors in this process were climate fluctuations and human illegal interference. For instance, vast areas in west bank of White Nile were changed from agriculture to residence and investment. In conclusion, land use requires a clear plan for optimum utilization. Various human activities are behind these changes, which have led to deterioration of forest cover and loss of the source of income of local population. Because of such alarming changes, decision makers should initiate efficient plans and management of forests to minimize changes in land cover, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. We recommend that a sound land use plan should be revised often to ensure rehabilitation, reduce vulnerability to desertification and halt the encroachment by construction of facilities and buildings at the expense of environmental issues.


Pyropia yezoensis (Ueda) M.S.Hwang et H.G.Choi is a popular edible macro-alga that is found mostly in intertidal zones. It is one of the most economically important seaweed species and has been cultivated extensively in the cold waters of East Asia. Various reports have been published on the isolation and characterization of improved strains of Pyropia. However, there are few studies focusing on the molecular basis underlying these mutant strains. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis of whole transcriptomes of wild-type (PyWT) and high-growth (Py500G) strains of P. yezoensis using next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). After sequencing, a total of 167,110,896 paired-end reads with a length of 151 nucleotides, were obtained. De novo transcriptome assembly and redundancy removal generated 19,441 transcripts. The assembly was annotated in NCBI nr, Swiss-Prot, Pfam, KEGG, GO and KOG databases. To unravel the differences in Py500G and PyWT, we mapped Py500G and PyWT reads to the assembly and calculated the expression levels. In total, there were 454 transcripts that were differentially expressed. Among the differentially expressed transcripts, candidate genes were identified with well-known growth and development functions. This study not only identifies candidate genes responsible for the high-growth phenotype of Py500G, but it also provides more comprehensive genomic data for future research on P. yezoensis.


Environmental noise has for decades been a well known problem, especially in urban areas. As noise requirements for vehicles are sharpened, noise reducing concepts are needed in early design stages requiring accurate simulations to support the design. Specifically for optimization of noise treatments, the absorber performance must be simulated correctly.So called noise encapsulations are placed below the powertrain on heavy vehicles to enclose the engine and reduce noise radiation. The attenuation of the absorbers on these shields must be represented correctly in simulations, even in environments with complex sound field, cooling flow and high temperature variations which may affect the absorber performance. This thesis studies the performance variation due to different absorber representations and due to these factors and how to include this in simulations.It is shown that the material representation significantly affects the attenuation performance in the simulations. Assuming locally reacting absorbers neglects the full interaction between the sound field and the material, which was shown to affect the noise reduction considerably. A measurement method to determine the angular dependent surface impedance was evaluated. It was shown sensitive to small samples and a method to improve accuracy was suggested. Including the angular dependence, either by full resolution or an angular dependent impedance, the field-absorber interaction is included in the simulations and more accurate results are obtained. The influence of flow and temperature fields on the absorber performance was also investigated. A method to include these effects was developed and the attenuation performance shown significant, especially for materials with bulk reaction.In conclusion, thorough knowledge of the material behavior and the field in the applications is required to choose appropriate material representation to enable reliable simulation results.


The standard model axion seesaw Higgs portal inflation (SMASH) model is a well-motivated, self-contained description of particle physics that predicts axion dark matter particles to exist within the mass range of 50 to 200 micro–electron volts. Scanning these masses requires an axion haloscope to operate under a constant magnetic field between 12 and 48 gigahertz. The ORGAN (Oscillating Resonant Group AxioN) experiment (in Perth, Australia) is a microwave cavity axion haloscope that aims to search the majority of the mass range predicted by the SMASH model. Our initial phase 1a scan sets an upper limit on the coupling of axions to two photons of ∣gaγγ∣ ≤ 3 × 10−12 per giga–electron volts over the mass range of 63.2 to 67.1 micro–electron volts with 95% confidence interval. This highly sensitive result is sufficient to exclude the well-motivated axion-like particle cogenesis model for dark matter in the searched region.


The increasing oil price, energy demand, and environmental concern are leading to a global switch towards Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). In a PHEV, Li-ion battery is considered as the primary propelling source. Therefore, an accurate battery model is required to predict the I-V characteristic and dynamic behavior of a battery. This paper presents a highly effective thermoelectric model of Li-ion battery developed in Simulink. An algorithm is proposed for estimation of state of charge (SOC) and open circuit voltage (OCV) adaptively to notify the exact SOC level for better utilization of battery power and optimal vehicle performance. Thermal behavior of Li-ion battery is investigated for wide temperature range and its effect on resistance, capacity, and OCV is recorded. The minimum SOC level to which battery can get depleted is calculated using gradient method. The proposed simulation results are analyzed with those of earlier models and found to be better.


The work was performed based on the research undertaken over a period of more than 20 years on the activity of agritourism and rural tourism in Oltenia, aimed at the touristic and agritourist potential of the neighbouring and protected area of Cozia National Park. Through careful research and SWOT analysis, it was concluded that the studied area possesses a very rich and valuable touristic and anthropic potential, which presently has not been sufficiently utilized. Furthermore, a veritable capacity of attracting tourists was discovered through large quasi-virgin areas, of great originality and variability, which have suffered almost no human intervention. These areas enjoy a rich flora and fauna with unique species in Europe and a relatively large number of touristic attractions and monuments of nature, included on the list of UNESCO world heritage. The research clearly underlines the impact of industrial tourism over time, on the natural and anthropic environment, realising that almost all of its components have been reversibly or irreversibly affected. The final conclusion is that the only viable option of agritourism and tourism that can be practiced in the area of National Parks is based on the principle of ecologic sustainability, which would not damage the natural and built environment and would have a favourable impact on the economic and social-cultural life. In this paper, a series of general recommendations are clearly formulated, on the implementation, strategies, policies, directions and objectives of development of this form of tourism.


This is a very interesting and well written paper that examines the response of the Pearl River Estuary (velocity, salinity and salt intrusion) to freshwater inputs, winds and waves. The figures are of a high quality and the tables helpful to the overall study. The approach used was to apply well established models with actual environmental forcing variables to 'with-and-without' simulations. The COAWST system of models was used. The results demonstrate some very interesting (if sometimes intuitively obvious) phenomena that are worthy of publication. However, it is very difficult to quantitatively review an article of this nature, which is so far from 'first principles' and which relies so heavily on the interpretation of model results. The paper is also complicated in that numerous scenarios are explored and quite a lot is expected of the reader. A further complication is that actual environmental conditions are used. It is not easy to compare


Background The needs of people diagnosed with Mental Neurological and Substance-Use (MNS) conditions are complex including interactions physical, social, medical and environmental factors. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach including health and social services at different levels of care. However, due to inadequate assessment, services and scarcity of human resource for mental health, treatment of persons diagnosed with MNS conditions in many LMICs is mainly facility-based pharmacotherapy with minimal non-pharmacology treatments and social support services. In low resource settings, gaps in human resource capacity may be met using layperson health workers. A layperson health working is one without formal mental health training and may be equivalent to community health worker (CHW) or less cadre in primary health care system. Objectives This study reviewed layperson mental health screening tools for use in supporting mental health in developing countries, including the content and psychometric properties of the tools. Based on this review this study proposes recommendations for the design and effective use of layperson mental health screening tools based on the Five Pillars of global mental health. Methods A systematic review was used to identify and examine the use of mental health screening tools among laypersons supporting community-based mental health programs. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and PsychInfo databases were reviewed using a comprehensive list of keywords and MESH terms that included mental health, screening tools, lay-person, lower and middle income countries. Articles were included if they describe mental health screening tools used by laypersons for screening, delivery or monitoring of MNS conditions in community-based program in LMICs. Diagnostic tools were not included in this study. Trained research interviewers or research assistants were not considered as lay health workers for this study. Results There were eleven studies retained after 633 were screened. Twelve tools were identified covering specific disorders (E.g. alcohol and substance use, subcortical dementia associated with HIV/AIDS, PTSD) or common mental disorders (mainly depression and anxiety). These tools have been tested in LMICs including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Ethiopia and Brazil. The included studies show that simple screening tools can enhance the value of laypersons and better support their roles in providing community-based mental health support. However, most of the layperson MH screening tools used in LMICs do not provide comprehensive information that can inform integrated comprehensive treatment planning and understanding of the broader mental health needs of the community. Conclusion Developing a layperson screening tools is vital for integrated community-based mental health intervention. This study proposed a holistic framework which considers the relationship between individual's physical, mental and spiritual aspect of mental health, interpersonal as well as broader contextual determinants (community, policy and different level of the health system) that can be consulted for developing or selecting a layperson mental health screening instrument. More research are needed to evaluate the practical application of this framework.


OBJECTIVE
High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy is frequently applied outside ICU setting in hypoxemic patients with COVID-19. However, safety concerns limit more widespread use. We aimed to assess the safety and clinical outcomes of initiation of HFNO therapy in COVID-19 on non-ICU wards.

DESIGN
Prospective observational multicenter pragmatic study.

SETTING
Respiratory wards and ICUs of 10 hospitals in the Netherlands.

PATIENTS
Adult patients treated with HFNO for COVID-19-associated hypoxemia between December 2020 and July 2021 were included. Patients with treatment limitations were excluded from this analysis.

INTERVENTIONS
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Outcomes included intubation and mortality rate, duration of hospital and ICU stay, severity of respiratory failure, and complications. Using propensity-matched analysis, we compared patients who initiated HFNO on the wards versus those in ICU. Six hundred eight patients were included, of whom 379 started HFNO on the ward and 229 in the ICU. The intubation rate in the matched cohort (n = 214 patients) was 53% and 60% in ward and ICU starters, respectively (p = 0.41). Mortality rates were comparable between groups (28-d [8% vs 13%], p = 0.28). ICU-free days were significantly higher in ward starters (21 vs 17 d, p < 0.001). No patient died before endotracheal intubation, and the severity of respiratory failure surrounding invasive ventilation and clinical outcomes did not differ between intubated ward and ICU starters (respiratory rate-oxygenation index 3.20 vs 3.38; Pao2:Fio2 ratio 65 vs 64 mm Hg; prone positioning after intubation 81 vs 78%; mortality rate 17 vs 25% and ventilator-free days at 28 d 15 vs 13 d, all p values > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
In this large cohort of hypoxemic patients with COVID-19, initiation of HFNO outside the ICU was safe, and clinical outcomes were similar to initiation in the ICU. Furthermore, the initiation of HFNO on wards saved time in ICU without excess mortality or complicated course. Our results indicate that HFNO initiation outside ICU should be further explored in other hypoxemic diseases and clinical settings aiming to preserve ICU capacity and healthcare costs.


Cloud Computing (CC) is reforming many biological communities by furnishing associations with registering assets including simple organization, network, design, Romanization, and adaptability. This change in perspective raises an expansive scope of securi ty and protection issues that must be thought about. Multi-tenure, loss of control, and trust are entering challenges in cloud processing conditions. This paper surveys the current advancements and a wide show of both earlier and frontier extends on cloud security and protection. We classify the current look into as per the cloud reference engineering coordination, asset control, physical asset, and cloud benefit administration layers, in spite of inspecting the current improvements in security safeguarding touchy information approaches in CC, such as, security risk demonstrating and protection upgrading conventions and arrangements.


Epitranscriptomic modification of RNA regulates human development, health, and disease. The true diversity of the transcriptome in breast cancer including chemical modification of transcribed RNA (epitranscriptomics) is not well understood due to limitations of technology and bioinformatic analysis. N-6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant epitranscriptomic modification of mRNA and regulates splicing, stability, translation, and intracellular localization of transcripts depending on m6A association with reader RNA binding proteins. m6A methylation is catalyzed by the METTL3 complex and removed by the specific m6A demethylase ALKBH5, with FTO's role as an 'eraser' uncertain. In this review, we provide and overview of epitranscriptomics related to mRNA and focus on m6A in mRNA and its detection. We summarize current knowledge on altered levels of writers, readers, and erasers of m6A and their roles in breast cancer and association with prognosis. We summarize studies identifying m6A peaks and sties in genes in breast cancer cells.


Passing on two-lane roadways is one of the more difficult movements a driver may perform. Guidance on where passing maneuvers are prohibited is given by the location of no-passing zones. Currently the processes for identifying no-passing zone locations can be daunting and many practices require work crews to operate in the roadway creating potentially hazardous situations. Due to these challenges, new alternatives need to be developed for the safe, accurate, and efficient location of no-passing zones on two-lane roadways. This paper addresses the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates to evaluate sight distance along the vertical profile of roadways to provide an alternative automated no-passing zone location system. A system was developed that processes GPS coordinates and converts them into easting and northing values, smooths inaccurate vertical elevation data, and evaluates roadway profiles for possible sight restrictions which indicate where no-passing zones should be located. The developed automated no-passing zone program shows potential in that it identifies the general location of no-passing zones when compared to existing roadway markings; however, as concluded by the researcher, further evaluation and refinement is needed before the program can be used effectively in the field for the safe, accurate, and efficient location of no-passing zones.


Introduction Many types of research are being carried out in the fields of understanding of the pathogenesis, early recognition, and improving the outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is one of the modalities used in vivo microstructural assessment of SCI. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of DTI imaging and fiber tractography in acute spinal injury with clinical profile and neurological outcome. Methods The study was carried out on twenty-five patients of acute spinal cord injury who presented within 48 hours of injury and completed minimum of six months follow-up. Results The mean age of patients was 37.32±13.31 years and male & female ratio of 18:7. Total MIS score was 91.64±6.0 initially which improved to 96.92±3.68 after 3 months and 99.4±1.35 after 6 months. Total SIS score was similar at all the time intervals i.e. 224±0. Maximum subjects 14(56%) were classified into AIS C and 5(20%) into AIS D whereas only 6(24%) subjects were having no deficit (AIS E). At the end of 6 months, 13(52%) subjects had no deficit (AIS E). Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) initially was 0.451 (± 0.120) but after 6 months, it increased to 0.482 (± 0.097) (p<0.001). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) initially was 3.13 (± 2.68) but after 6 months, it decreased to 3.06 (± 2.68) and this change was found to be statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Mean anisotropy index (AI) initially was 0.420 (± 0.245) but after 6 months, it increased to 0.430 (± 3.41) and this change was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusions DTI is a sensitive tool to detect neurological damage in SCI and subsequent neurological recovery. FA correlated with ASIA impairment scale. It can be useful as an adjunct to conventional MRI for better evaluation and predicting prognosis in SCI patients.


In a large‐scale outdoor mesocosm experiment we studied the effects of salinity on successional patterns, diversity, and relative abundances of Camargue (southern France) temporary pool crustaceans. Eighty mesocosms were inoculated with a mixed resting egg bank and exposed to four different salinity treatments (0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 g L−1) for a period of 7 months. Salinity significantly altered crustacean communities hatching from the resting egg bank through a number of direct and indirect effects. Salinity had a significant negative effect on the establishment of large branchiopods and copepods. Both richness and density of cladocerans, especially chydorids, were positively related to salinity, possibly due to the absence of biotic interactions with large branchiopods at the highest salinity values. We hypothesize that the salinity‐mediated presence of the large branchiopod keystone group can shift the whole wetland regime from a zooplankton‐rich clear‐water state to a zooplankton‐poor turbid state. Crustacean succession was significantly altered by salinity, by slowing down development rates, population growth or maturation rates of some species. This suggests that in addition to salinity changes, any alteration of wetland hydroperiod (e.g., through aridification or inappropriate water management) could have a synergistic effect on community structure and diversity of invertebrate communities, including some keystone species.


We aim to improve anti-ageing drug discovery, currently achieved through laborious and lengthy longevity analysis. Recent studies demonstrated that the most accurate molecular method to measure human age is based on CpG methylation profiles, as exemplified by several epigenetics clocks that can accurately predict an individual's age. Here, we developed CellAgeClock, a new epigenetic clock that measures subtle ageing changes in primary human cells in vitro. As such, it provides a unique tool to measure effects of relatively short pharmacological treatments on ageing. We validated the CellAgeClock against known longevity drugs such as rapamycin and trametinib. Moreover, we uncovered novel anti-ageing drugs, torin2 and Dactolisib (BEZ-235), demonstrating the value of our approach as a screening and discovery platform for anti-ageing strategies. The CellAgeClock outperforms other epigenetic clocks in measuring subtle ageing changes in primary human cells in culture. The tested drug treatments reduced senescence and other ageing markers, further consolidating our approach as a screening platform. Finally, we show that the novel anti-ageing drugs we uncovered in vitro, indeed increased longevity in vivo. Our method expands the scope of CpG methylation profiling from measuring human chronological and biological age from human samples in years, to accurately and rapidly detecting anti-ageing potential of drugs using human cells in vitro, providing a novel accelerated discovery platform to test sought after geroprotectors.


Enterobacter sakazakii is a motile, peritrichous, gram-negative rod that was previously known as a yellow pigmented Enterobacter cloacae. It is documented as a rare cause of outbreaks and sporadic cases of life-threatening neonatal meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis. E. sakazakii has been isolated from milk powder-based formulas, and there is thus a need to investigate whether and where E. sakazakii occurs in these manufacturing environments. For this purpose, a simple detection method was developed based on two features of E. sakazakii: its yellow pigmented colonies when grown on tryptone soy agar and its constitutive alpha-glucosidase, which is detected in a 4-h colorimetric assay. Using this screening method, E. sakazakii strains were isolated from three individual factories from 18 of 152 environmental samples, such as scrapings from dust, vacuum cleaner bags, and spilled product near equipment. The method is useful for routine screening of environmental samples for the presence of E. sakazakii.


The U.K. Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) has shaped our view of the management of type 2 diabetes more than any other trial. It proved that glycemic control limits retinopathy (and probably other microvascular complications) as much for type 2 diabetic patients as had previously been shown for type 1 diabetic patients (1). It defined the progressive natural history of type 2 diabetes, with declining β-cell function over time and a need for progressively more active treatment to maintain glycemic control (2). In addition, it has offered important insights into the effects of several forms of treatment.

For example, newly diagnosed patients entering the UKPDS who did not need immediate insulin therapy received intensive dietary therapy, but only 15% of them were able to reach target levels of glycemic control (fasting blood glucose ≤108 mg/dl) after 3 months, and the results were even worse after a year (3). This disappointing result indicates that lifestyle intervention alone will only occasionally be successful for patients presenting with overt diabetes. The UKPDS also reassured us that insulin and sulfonylureas do not increase cardiovascular mortality, as had been feared. It showed that glyburide caused more hypoglycemia than chlorpropamide and glipizide (1) and that metformin (4) was the one drug used that did not cause weight gain compared with therapy based on lifestyle. These insights have helped us deploy these treatments more effectively.

One of the main conclusions the UKPDS investigators themselves have drawn from their findings is that combinations of treatments will routinely be needed for type 2 diabetes (5). In this issue of Diabetes Care , they report the results of a …


Author(s): Wheat, Rachel E. | Advisor(s): Wilmers, Christopher C | Abstract: The inherent conflict between the economic value of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) to fisheries and their importance to ecological systems has influenced the development of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM), a new management paradigm that addresses the effects of fisheries on non-target species. However, poor understanding of the impacts of human competition with wildlife consumers of fish has hampered implementation of EBFM. While myriad processes may or may not be included in EBFM, no management endeavors will be achievable without a broader scientific knowledge base regarding cross-boundary salmon ecosystem impacts. This dissertation extends the concept of EBFM in Pacific salmon ecosystems to include consideration of ecosystem components in terrestrial habitats. First, I evaluate the extent of regulatory noncompliance with harvest regulations among subsistence fishers. I find that overharvest is correlated with fishers with low incomes and those providing for large households, as well as Alaska Natives adhering to traditional cultural practices. Second, I examine human disturbance and accessibility of salmon to wildlife by exploring how both habituation to and fear of human activity drive the foraging ecology of brown bears. During a study at a heavily used recreational and ecotourism site, non-habituated bears were active almost exclusively at night in human-dominated areas, likely leading to suboptimal foraging. Additionally, I test a novel method for microsatellite genotyping via collection of residual bear saliva on partially consumed salmon carcasses, finding it to be an efficient and effective method for monitoring brown bear populations. Finally, I assess the influence of the heterogeneity of anadromous fish systems on the behavior of bald eagles. Using data from 28 individual eagles tracked with GPS transmitters between May 2010 and January 2016, I find evidence of four distinct movement strategies among eagles in the north Pacific. The highly variable anadromous fish system of the north Pacific coast likely contributes to behavioral plasticity in bald eagles in this region and results in a range of movement strategies in the population.


We present a new approach for obtaining the scaling behavior of the entanglement entropy in fractional quantum Hall (FQH) states from finite-size wavefunctions. By employing the torus geometry and the fact that the torus aspect ratio can be readily varied, we can extract the entanglement entropy of a spatial block as a continuous function of the block boundary length. This approach allows us to extract the topological entanglement entropy with an accuracy superior to that possible for the spherical or disc geometry, where no natural continuously variable parameter is available. Other than the topological information, the study of entanglement scaling is also useful as an indicator of the difficulty posed by FQH states for various numerical techniques.


Paspalum notatum is an important forage species widely occurring in Southern Brazil, consisting of sexual(diploid) and apomitic (tetraploid, occasionally tri and pentaploid) biotypes. This work has the objective to perform an agronomic characterization and persistence analysis of a collection of P. notatum accessions. Fifty two accessions of P. notatum, the commercial cultivar Pensacola and two biotypes of P. guenoarum , Baio and Azulao were evaluated. The assessments were performed in individual plants, in a completely randomized design, with five replicates, during the years of 2008-2009. There was variation for forage production among the different accessions, with the majority of the accessions of P. notatum showing high dry matter yield (ranging from 469 g plant -1 to 109 g plant -1 of total forage dry matter (TFDM)) when compared to the cultivar Pensacola (27 g plant -1 of TFDM). The accessions 48N, 95N, 30N and V4 showed the highest yields (469, 380, 258 and 237 g plant -1 of TFDM) and also persistence to the winter in the region. It was concluded that the collection analyzed can be important in futures studies for P. notatum genetic improvement.


Necrotizing or invasive aspergillary infection of the lungs has previously been considered a rare condition affecting only the debilitated or seriously ill. Four patients with necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis are described, and the mycological and histopathological findings are discussed. The diagnosis in the first patient was not made until necropsy, following death from fulminating pulmonary infection. Of three patients treated with natamycin, two made a satisfactory recovery; the other died later from bronchial carcinoma. Previous multiple antibiotic therapy in each case may have been a contributory factor to infection with Aspergillus fumigatus. We suggest that fungal infection of the lungs should be actively sought in patients with pulmonary disease, especially in those receiving multiple antibiotic or corticosteroid therapy.


Background: Sexual intercourse during pregnancy is a physiological need for pregnant women that is influenced by factors of perception from within oneself and previous experience and gender role factors in the family with the aim of knowing the relationship between gender roles and sexual relations in pregnant women. Methods: Non-experimental research with a population of all pregnant women in the village of Curugsewu in the District of Patean. The total sample of pregnant women receiving antenatal care was 30 with the Kendal statistical test. Results: significance T = 0.022 <0.005 there is a relationship between gender roles and sexual relations of sufficient strength in the negative direction -391*.Conclusion: there is a relationship between gender roles and sexual relations, the husband's role is very dominant but the frequency of sex in early pregnancy is largely not done because it is influenced by cultural factors and a history of previous abortion sex.


Growth kinetics of SV40 large T-antigen-transfected bovine pulp-derived cells on dentin were investigated. These cells were used in a dentin barrier test device, and the system was evaluated by testing a set of dental filling materials. Cells (120 cells/mm2) were seeded on dentin slices and incubated for up to 21 days. Cell proliferation was recorded using MTT assay. For cytotoxicity tests 3500 cells/mm2 were seeded on dentin discs, which were then incorporated into the dentin barrier test device. After 72 h preincubation test materials were applied. After a 24 h exposure with or without perfusion of the pulpal part of the test device, cell survival was evaluated using MTT assay. The cells revealed similar growth kinetics on dentin slices and on tissue culture plates. In cytotoxicity tests the cells were more sensitive toward the test materials than previously used three-dimensional cultures of human foreskin fibroblasts and as anticipated from clinical experience. Further improvement is expected by using three-dimensional cultures of pulp-derived cells.


Trauma has been reported as an infrequent cause of testicular torsion. A case of trauma-induced testicular torsion is reported and literature reviewed. The inclusion of torsion in the differential diagnosis of post-traumatic acute scrotal pain is important to ensure early appropriate management.


We report on the development of a multi-channel all-fiber based laser system for LADAR applications. Two design pathways for the multi-channel laser system were investigated: (i) multiple externally triggered single channel MOPA (SCMOPA) systems and (ii) a single master-oscillator/multiple power-amplifier (SMOMPA) system. We designed and tested a single channel MOPA system that consists of a seed source, two single mode amplifiers and a power amplifier. With this system we were able to achieve up to 195&mgr;J/pulse at 6kHz with a pulse duration of 3ns. For evaluating the SMOMPA approach we built a bread board based on the single channel results with one master oscillator and 4 power amplifiers. With this breadboard we achieved pulse energies from each of the four power amplifiers of 120±4&mgr;J at 6kHz and 78-90&mgr;J at 18kHz. The temporal line-shapes emitted from each power amplifier were identical within the signal-to-noise level of the temporal traces and have a FWHM=2.2ns.


David KC Cooper,1 David Ayares21Thomas E Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; 2Revivicor, Blacksburg, VA, USAAbstract: The transplantation of organs and cells from pigs into humans could overcome the critical and continuing problem of the lack of availability of deceased human organs and cells for clinical transplantation. Developments in the genetic engineering of pigs have enabled considerable progress to be made in the experimental laboratory in overcoming the immune barriers to successful xenotransplantation. With regard to pig organ xenotransplantation, antibody- and cell-mediated rejection have largely been overcome, and the current major barrier is the development of coagulation dysregulation. This is believed to be due to a combination of immune activation of the vascular endothelial cells of the graft and molecular incompatibilities between the pig and primate coagulation–anticoagulation systems. Pigs with new genetic modifications specifically directed to this problem are now becoming available. With regard to less complex tissues, such as islets (for the treatment of diabetes), neuronal cells (for the treatment of Parkinson's disease), and corneas, the remaining barriers are less problematic, and graft survival in nonhuman primate models extends for >1 year in all three cases. In planning the initial clinical trials, consideration will be concentrated on the risk–benefit ratio, based to a large extent on the results of preclinical studies in nonhuman primates. If the benefit to the patient is anticipated to be high, eg, insulin-independent control of glycemia, and the potential risks low, eg, minimal risk of transfer of a porcine infectious agent, then a clinical trial would be justified.Keywords: infection, pigs, genetically-engineered, xenotransplantation, islets, xenotransplantation, organs


Phase angle (PA) is the most established parameter from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for diagnosis of malnutrition and clinical prognosis, both associated with changes on cellular membrane integrity and alterations on fluids balance. PA expresses changes in quantity and quality of soft tissue mass (ie, cell membrane permeability and soft tissue hydration). A large body of clinical trials propose PA as a useful prognostic marker in clinical conditions like liver cirrhosis and breast, colon, pancreatic and lung cancer; positive association between PA and survival was also observed in surgical and HIV infected patients. Several authors suggest that PA can be an important tool in the evaluation of the clinical result or of the progression of the disease, and it can even be superior to other nutritional, biochemical or anthropometric indicators. Lack of reference values has limited its use in clinical and epidemiological situations. The purpose of this review is to describe PA reference values according to different clinical conditions as proposed in published scientific works.


Recent data suggest that CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (T R ) can be generated from CD4+CD25−FOXP3− T cells in the periphery. We studied the induction of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells during the course of immune responses to cytomegalovirus, tetanus toxoid, purified protein derivative and streptokinase. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (CFDA) and stimulated with antigen for 6–7 days. Cells were stained for CD3, CD4, CD25, HLA-DR, CD38, and intracellular FOXP3. Responders to antigens had proliferating (CFDA[dim]) CD4+ T cells expressing CD25 and the activation markers CD38 and HLA-DR. In PBMC from five donors, a median of 37% (range 9–57%) of the proliferating fraction expressed FOXP3 (figure) which mostly co-expressed CD25, HLA-DR and CD38, suggesting that FOXP3 expression is the consequence of cellular activation triggered through the T cell receptor. Since all of these healthy subjects had circulating, pre-existing CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells in the absence of ex vivo antigen stimulation, however, it was possible that these gave rise to the FOXP3+ responder cells. Antigen stimulation of PBMC from three donors aged 69–70 years with no detectable CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells also induced proliferating activated CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells, excluding the possibility that a pre-existing pool of FOXP3+ T cells gave rise to this population. Subsequently, we sorted CD4+ T cells that proliferated in response to antigen by flow cytometry on the basis of FOXP3 expression to sequence the T cell receptor-β CDR3 regions and to establish the T cell clonotype structure of proliferating FOXP3-positive and -negative T cells. These data also indicate that effector CD4+ T cells acquire FOXP3 expression during the course of an immune response. Based on these and previously reported findings, we propose that the acquisition of FOXP3 expression by effector CD4+ T cells is a natural consequence of antigen recognition that serves as a specific regulatory feedback system.


OBJECTIVE
Within the neurosurgical oncology literature, the effect of structural and socioeconomic factors on postoperative outcomes remains unclear. In this study, the authors quantified the effects of social determinant of health (SDOH) disparities on hospital complications, length of stay (LOS), nonroutine discharge, 90-day readmission, and 90-day mortality following brain tumor surgery.

METHODS
The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of brain tumor patients who had undergone resection at a single institution in 2017-2019. The prevalence of SDOH disparities among patients was tracked using International Classification of Diseases Ninth and Tenth Revisions (ICD-9 and ICD-10) codes. Bivariate (Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher's exact test) and multivariate (logistic and linear) regressions revealed whether there was an independent relationship between SDOH status and postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS
The patient cohort included 2519 patients (mean age 55.27 ± 15.14 years), 187 (7.4%) of whom experienced at least one SDOH disparity. Patients who experienced an SDOH disparity were significantly more likely to be female (OR 1.36, p = 0.048), Black (OR 1.91, p < 0.001), and unmarried (OR 1.55, p = 0.0049). Patients who experienced SDOH disparities also had significantly higher 5-item modified frailty index (mFI-5) scores (p < 0.001) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes (p = 0.0012). Experiencing an SDOH disparity was associated with a significantly longer hospital LOS (p = 0.0036), greater odds of a nonroutine discharge (OR 1.64, p = 0.0092), and greater odds of 90-day mortality (OR 2.82, p = 0.0016) in the bivariate analysis. When controlling for patient demographics, tumor diagnosis, mFI-5 score, ASA class, surgery number, and SDOH status, SDOHs independently predicted hospital LOS (coefficient = 1.22, p = 0.016) and increased odds of 90-day mortality (OR 2.12, p = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS
SDOH disparities independently predicted a prolonged hospital LOS and 90-day mortality in brain tumor patients. Working to address these disparities offers a new avenue through which to reduce patient morbidity and mortality following brain tumor surgery.

ABBREVIATIONS
ASA = American Society of Anesthesiologists; ICD = International Classification of Diseases; LOS = length of stay; mFI-5 = 5-item modified frailty index; SDOH = social determinant of health; SVI = social vulnerability index.


The recent occupy movements protested against the unfair distribution of wealth, even if the EU cohesion policy is one of the most innovative, ambitious and visible instruments for redistribution and fighting inequality. We try to find out if and how this policy is connected to the domestic welfare policies. The supranational European policies are inspired from the national welfare state paradigms but they become incentives for the national policies, creating a virtuous circle. The previous crises were tackled by changing the underlying ideologies and paradigms, from neo-corporatism to neoliberalism, and from social control to utilitarianism. The present crisis is provoking a new reform of the EU cohesion policy. We will analyse the interrelation between this reform and trends observed in the European welfare states, specifically, the transition to an anti-oppressive paradigm. Is the cohesion policy becoming more people-centred or it continues to subordinate the social dimension to the economic competitiveness?


Achieving self-consistent convergence for conventional effective-mass approaches at ultralow temperatures (below 4.2 K) is a challenging task, which mostly lies in the discontinuities in material properties (e.g., effective-mass, electron affinity, dielectric constant). In this article, we develop a novel self consistent approach based on cell centered Finite Volume discretization of the Sturm-Liouville form of the effective mass Schrodinger equation and generalized Poisson's equation (FV-SP). We apply this approach to simulate the one dimensional electron gas (1DEG) formed at the Si-SiO2 interface via a top gate. We find excellent self-consistent convergence from high to extreme low (as low as 50 mK) temperatures. We further examine the solidity of FV-SP method by changing external variables such as the electrochemical potential and the accumulative top gate voltage. Our approach allows for counting electron-electron interactions. Our results demonstrate that FV-SP approach is a powerful tool to solve effective mass Hamiltonians.


The binding interactions of simvastatin (SIM), pravastatin (PRA), fluvastatin (FLU), and pitavastatin (PIT) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated for determining the affinity of four statins with BSA through multiple spectroscopic and molecular docking methods. The experimental results showed that SIM, PRA, FLU, and PIT statins quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA through a static quenching process and the stable stains–BSA complexes with the binding constants in the order of 104 M−1 at 298 K were formed through intermolecular nonbond interaction. The values of ΔH0, ΔS0 and ΔG0 in the binding process of SIM, PRA, FLU, and PIT with BSA were negative at the studied temperature range, suggesting that the binding process of four statins and BSA was spontaneous and the main interaction forces were van der Waals force and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Moreover, the binding of four statins with BSA was enthalpy-driven process due to |ΔH°|>|TΔS°| under the studied temperature range. From the results of site marker competitive experiments and molecular docking, subdomain IIIA (site II) was the primary binding site for SIM, PRA, FLU, and PIT on BSA. The results of UV–vis absorption, synchronous fluorescence, 3D fluorescence and FT-IR spectra proved that the slight change in the conformation of BSA, while the significant changes in the conformation of SIM, PRA, FLU, and PIT drug in statin–BSA complexes, indicating that the flexibility of statin molecules plays an important role in increasing the stability of statin–BSA complexes.


This study explored the variations in peer review comments provided by L2 writers of high and low proficiencies. Two sampling procedures were used. First, convenience sampling was used to locate a college essay composition course as the setting of the study. Second, purposeful sampling was used to identify highand low-performing writers as the subjects, from whom the peer review comments were collected and analyzed. An instruction-learning cycle on argumentative essay writing was conducted for 4 weeks. Each student was subsequently provided with the same sample argumentative essay and a peer review form to conduct the review. The rubrics on the review form included introduction, support for position, sequence, refutation, conclusion, voice, and grammar and spelling. Content analysis was conducted to compare the manner in which the comments varied among students of different writing proficiency levels. The results indicate that, although identifying problems was the dominant comment type of both highand low-performing writers, high-performing writers tended to provide more details when explaining the identified problems and offering suggestions for revisions. The findings are discussed regarding the implications to peer review training.


Montchretien was decidedly mercantilist. He praises the ancients, their honour and their self-discipline, but he notes, like Serra, that there was no concept of Political Economy in Antiquity. The words, however, appear for the first time in the pseudoaristotelian Oeconomica II, where the householding by a king, the householding of the governor of a province, the administration of a city (polis) and the household of a private citizen are distinguished; the term applies to the financing of a city economy. The book contains a multitude of prescriptions of how to finance a city by means of varying forms of taxation, gifts, forced loans and by means of manipulating the currency. Especially the latter schemes are of extreme interest for the historian of economic thought, as they reveal a remarkable understanding of metallist and nominalist conception of money. The paper tries to explain the contexts and then goes on to compare these doctrines with cameralism, using the comments published in 1651 by the German cameralist Klock on Oeconomica II. He treats the proposals as if they were made by contemporaries, assessing them from practical and moral points of view in a way that suggests a parallelism of institutions and ideas.


Various scholars have argued that today's multicultural online marketplace necessitates cultural adaptation of Web communications. This argument has largely been based on the assumption that culture, as a source of acceptable norms and behaviors, influences online expectations, preferences, and experiences. Few, however, have questioned the validity of this assumption. Our study aims to fill that gap. It examines whether Internet users' cultural backgrounds are reflected in the attitudes toward Web design elements. A survey of American and Chinese Internet users and a content analysis revealed that cultural backgrounds play a substantial role in determining Web design preferences and attitudes. The findings of this study represent an important step in developing and validating a framework that international marketers can use to customize Web sites and improve targeting in online environment. The findings also suggest that cultural customization of online communication is particularly effective when users have strong ethnic identities.