This paper reports on the survey carried out among consumers on the uses of Indian spinach in Ondo State, Nigeria. Well-structured questionnaires were prepared and one hundred (100) questionnaires were randomly distributed to consumers in each of the 16 local government areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. Result showed that there are more female respondents (59.4 %) than the males (40.6%). This could have resulted from the fact that women make more informed decision on food security in homes. Most consumers are civil servants. Most consumers prefer Indian spinach to other commonly consumed vegetables and their choice is based on availability and taste. Basella, could be cooked sole, mixed with grounded seeds of egusi (Citrillus lanatus) or other vegetables. Respondents noted that Indian spinach contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and nutrient elements. They also noted that all the parts are useful (leaves, stems and roots) and they are useful in treatment of various ailments in folk medicine. This paper documents consumers' knowledge on Basella because information on consumers' knowledge of agriculture products is scarce. The researcher derived information on the genus Basella, uses and future prospect of the genus in the study area.

 Key words: Basella, consumers, ethno-botany, respondents, utilization.


The study sought to find out the effect of guided discovery instructional method on secondary school students' achievement in Social Studies. Two research questions and one null hypothesis were posed to guide the study and were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study employed the pre-test, post-test control group design. Specially, the design of the study is non equivalent control group design. The area of the study was four selected public secondary schools in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select four (4) public secondary schools that have existing intact classes with the sample size of one hundred and fifty-one (151) junior secondary school II (JSS II) students who made up the population of the study in Ikwo Local Government Area. The instrument used for data collection was Social Studies Achievement Test (SOSAT) constructed by the researchers with initially thirty-five (35) multiple-choice items with option A-D. The items of the instrument were validated by two experts from Social Studies Education and one other specialist in Measurement and Evaluation in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki for relevance, clarity, proper wording and adequacy of items in addressing the objectives of the study and were further treated to item analysis of difficulty index and discrimination power. After item analysis, six (6) out of the thirty-five (35) items were dropped, leaving behind twenty-nine (29) question items. The instrument with twenty-nine (29) question items were treated to determination of reliability using thirty-five (35) junior secondary school II (JSS II) students selected from Abakaliki High School in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State who were not part of respondents and were considered equivalent to the targeted population and Kinder Richardson 20 (KR-20) statistics. By this analysis, a reliability coefficient of 0.98 was obtained which showed a high internal consistency; thereby making the instrument suitable for use for the study. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for all research questions while analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses at an alpha 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that students in experimental group performed better than those in the control group, (ii) female students used for experimental group obtained higher mean score (73.053) than their male counterparts who had mean score (71.218), and (iii) there was significant interaction effects between methods and location on the mean achievement of students in Social studied since the value of F-sig (0.134) is less than the value of F-cal (2.261). Based on the findings, some recommendations were made to improve the achievement level of students in Social Studies in schools. Keywords: Social Studies, Guided discovery and Achievement


The article presents the results of long-term clinical, molecular-biological and laboratory studies on combined poly-stage treatment of patients with colon cancer with liver metastases. The cytotoxicity of various chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal carcinoma in the lines of HT 29 and NMG 64/84 cells was studied by analysis of human colony-forming tumor (HTCA). In vitro studies on the suspension of tumor cells from remote liver metastases were carried out to determine the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for intra-arterial hepatic infusion (HAI). Individual choice of the scheme of systemic chemotherapy depends on the level of thymidylate synthetase (TS) in the tumor tissue. Long-term own clinical experience and analysis of world literature allow authors to state that stage resection of the liver (STR) in combination with regional (HAI) and systemic chemotherapy is the method of choice in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases. In comparison with other treatment methods (ALPPS and TSH), STR has the least negative consequences and is beneficial from the tumor-biological point of view.


The landscape of Central Menabe in West Madagascar is characterised by dry deciduous forest, but deforestation puts pressure on this ecosystem. Subsistence slash-and-burn agriculture is considered to be one of the main drivers of deforestation. Its impact on the local ecosystem and livelihoods highlights the need for alternative and hopefully more sustainable cultivation. Research has proven that the inclusion of local knowledge in the design of an intervention seeking to bring about changes in farmers' practices is useful. It reveals factors influencing farmers' decisions that might have been otherwise overlooked by academics, yet might be crucial for changing the local stakeholders' management practices. This study is embedded in a larger project seeking to introduce a compost, made from local trees and combined with ashes in slashand-burn cultivation, that would help maintaining soil fertility and therefore reducing the need for new land from the forest by the farmers. On the side of the soil analysis and field trials, we conducted a survey of the farmers' local ecological knowledge on soil fertility and other soil properties relevant to yield. This study relies on a set of repeated interviews with farmers from a village in the study area. The collected knowledge was recorded in a knowledge base according to the formal grammar of the "Agro-ecological knowledge toolkit" software. Based on the information gathered, we provide an insight into the nature of farmers' knowledge and their perception of the ecological system they live in. This analysis allowed the identification of determining factors that drive their decisions. In spite of the importance of soil fertility, weed management appeared to be the more relevant factor urging farmers to shift their fields and clear new forest patches. As long as the dominating problem of weed management is not addressed, farmers will probably not adopt the compost as a novel technique to ensure longer cultivation periods on the same field. Based on our findings, we argue that future research needs to widen its scope in order to integrate the needs, constraints and aspirations of the local actors, if changes in natural resource management are to be adopted in practice. The elicitation of local knowledge is a good place to begin. (Resume d'auteur)


In order to improve the transparency principle in the arbitral process of the investment treaties, and to enable the public to know how the arbitration case proceeds, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), adopted, at its 46th session (8–26th of July 2013), the UNCITRAL Rules on Transparency in Treaty-Based Investor-State (UNCITRAL, 2014). This raises an important question about the extent to which these rules contribute to strengthening public oversight over arbitration processes. The study assesses these rules through the analytical method, by analyzing those rules, and clarifying the extent of their contribution to expanding the scope of public control over arbitration processes. The study shows that the basic principle in determining confidential or protected information that is withheld from the public and excluded from transparency is the consent of the treaty parties. Whenever the treaty parties agree to consider certain information as confidential, it is considered so and it may not be made available to the public. The study recommends expanding the scope of transparency by granting the arbitral tribunal the right to decide, after consulting with the arbitrating parties, that certain documents or information are confidential or protected.


The hepatoprotective effect of taxiresinol ( 1) and (7' R)-7'-hydroxylariciresinol ( 2), two tetrahydrofuran-type lignans isolated from the wood of Taxus yunnanensis, were investigated on D-galactosamine ( D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic liver injury in mice. Pre-administration of 1 or 2 at doses of 50 and 10 mg/kg ( i. p.) at 12 and 1 h before D-GalN/LPS injection significantly inhibited hepatocyte DNA fragmentation and apoptotic body formation. Pre-treatment of these two lignans further suppressed hepatic necrosis which occur at later stage of D-GalN/LPS intoxication as demonstrated by the significant and dose-dependent reduction in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT) at 8 h after intoxication. The elevation of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- alpha) level by D-GalN/LPS toxication was significantly inhibited by 1 or 2 at doses of 50 and 10 mg/kg. Moreover, both of these lignans significantly protected hepatocytes from D-GalN/TNF- alpha-induced cell death in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. These results suggested that 1 and 2 had protected the hepatocytes from apoptosis via an inhibition of TNF- alpha production by activated macrophages and a direct inhibition of apoptosis induced by TNF- alpha in D-GalN/LPS-treated mice.


Abstract : Military theorists such as David Alberts contend that information technologies will allow for wider and more rapid sharing of information. In order to take advantage of the emerging possibilities presented by information technologies the theorists recommend changes to the structure of information age military organizations and changes to the methods for command and control of military forces. Some of their ideas have implications for the traditional function of command. This monograph asks how contemporary military theorists account for the essence of command in information age theories of warfare. Case studies of Frederick the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Dwight D. Eisenhower demonstrate that the essence of command is the dynamic relationship among nine imperatives. These imperatives include context, action, nerve, presentation, design, intellect, expertise, coherence, and the individual. The monograph contends that the emerging information age theories of warfare are flawed because they are based on a definition of command that does not account for these imperatives. The monograph serves as a warning to those who might seek to optimize an army for network centric warfare.


Emily Dickinson's poetry is known and read worldwide but to date there have been no studies of her reception and influence outside America. This collection of essays brings together international research on her reception abroad including translations, circulation and the responses of private and professional readers to her poetry in different countries. The contributors address key translations of individual poems and lyric sequences; Dickinson's influence on other writers, poets and culture more broadly; biographical constructions of Dickinson as a poet; the political cultural and linguistic contexts of translations; and adaptations into other media. It will appeal to all those interested in the international reception of Dickinson and nineteenth-century American literature more widely.


In the title compound, C8H9NS, the dihedral angle between the aromatic ring and the thioamide fragment is 36.0 (2)°. There are π-stacking interactions between coplanar aryl fragments, with a centroid–centroid separation of 3.658 (2) Å. In addition, there are intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the amino group and the S atoms.


Empirical work about love has primarily considered the love of one individual for another. This work uses a novel method to study estimated types of love for self and others based on passionate and companionate theory, and triangular love theory. Two hundred and fifty participants (161 females and 89 males) rated self-estimates and other's estimates (romantic partners and parents) of global love and several love types. Women self-estimated passionate love, companionate love, intimacy, and commitment more than men did. Gender differences in estimated love types for romantic partners, fathers, and mothers were not evidenced. As regards self-partner differences respondents rated their romantic partners similarly to themselves. Regarding generational differences, children assessed themselves greater in all love types than their parents, except in commitment. Passionate love and commitment significantly predicted global love for self, partners, and parents. Suggestions and limitations are offered.


In this paper are used historical statistical data to track the evolution of the game in the European-wide top-tier level professional basketball club competition (until 2017-2018 season) and also are answered questions by analyzing them. The term basic is referred because of the nature of the data (not available detailed statistics) and of the level of aggregation (not disaggregation to individual level). We are examining themes such as the dominance per geographic area, the level of the competition in the game, the evolution of scoring pluralism and possessions in the finals, the effect of a top scorer in the performance of a team and the existence of unexpected outcomes in final fours. For each theme under consideration, available statistical data is specified and suitable statistical analysis is applied. The analysis allows us to handle and answer the above themes and interesting conclusions are drawn. This paper can be an example of statistical thinking in basketball problems by the means of using efficiently available statistical data.


The Wigner-Ville distribution, the Choi-Williams distribution, and cone-kernel distribution are three time-frequency distributions. We compared the interference attenuation and time-frequency concentration properties of the three TFDs. The properties were then further investigated by studying the results obtained for a chirp signal. We analysed the heart sounds, nonstationary signals, with the three TFDs. The results indicate that the time-frequency signal analysis methods have high time-frequency resolution. The time-frequency signal analysis techniques may be helpful in unveiling the complex mechanisms of heart sound generation and be used in medical research and clinical diagnosis.


Limited research exists assessing problem-solving capabilities among caregivers of individuals with memory loss using a validated instrument. To address this gap, the current study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) using data at baseline and 8 weeks from a randomized controlled trial among caregivers (N = 78) of community-dwelling individuals with memory loss. Participants were mainly White (85.9%), female (71.8%), and on average age 66.5. Cronbach's alphas ranged from 0.84 to 0.92 for the subscales and overall PSI. Test-retest reliability over 8 weeks ranged from 0.44 to 0.56. Five factors were retained through exploratory factor analysis. Spearman's correlations showed convergent validity and discriminant validity between scores on the PSI and Beck Depression Inventory®-II (r = 0.32, p < 0.01), the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale (r = -0.44, p < 0.001), and the Newest Vital Sign questionnaire (r = -0.07, p > 0.05). Findings show that the PSI is reliable and valid in assessing problem-solving capabilities among caregivers of individuals with memory loss. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44(6), 25-32.].


Even though satellite positioning has been used in ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements for years, there are no studies ruling out the influence of modern satellite positioning receivers on the operation of GPR antennas. In order to rule out mutual influence between devices, a field study was carried out to determine the possible influence of a Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receiver on the results obtained from GPR. To this end, several equipment combinations based on two receivers were compared. This was followed by a numerical analysis of selected samples from the recorded data sets. The following were calculated: average values of signal amplitudes, their standard deviations and the signal-to-noise ratio, coefficient of variation, and signal stability parameters. We also suggested using a modified standard deviation based on the properties of the reference signal. Based on the results, we concluded that there were rather significant changes between the data sets for various equipment combinations, which may indicate that a GNSS receiver affects GPR data in some way. However, the influence was not significant enough to result in the qualitative misinterpretation of data.


The global and uneven spread of COVID-19, mirrored at the local scale, reveals stark differences along racial and ethnic lines. We respond to the pressing need to understand these divergent outcomes via neighborhood level analysis of mobility and case count information. Using data from Chicago over 2020, we leverage a metapopulation Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed model to reconstruct and simulate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 at the ZIP Code level. We demonstrate that exposures are mostly contained within one's own ZIP Code and demographic group. Building on this observation, we illustrate that we can understand epidemic progression using a composite metric combining the volume of mobility and the risk that each trip represents, while separately these factors fail to explain the observed heterogeneity in neighborhood level outcomes. Having established this result, we next uncover how group level differences in these factors give rise to disparities in case rates along racial and ethnic lines. Following this, we ask what-if questions to quantify how segregation impacts COVID-19 case rates via altering mobility patterns. We find that segregation in the mobility network has contributed to inequality in case rates across demographic groups.


The purpose of this research is to analyze service quality expectation, affective response and total satisfaction to develop the SERVQUAL model by new dimension. The importance of this research was related to the affective response dimension which influence the customers' overall satisfaction, and this plays important role in case of the development of the SERVQUAL model. The focus was on international airlines operating in South Korea. To investigate the possibility, this research conducted a person-administered survey on a consumer who uses international airline. The findings of the research showed that the previous SERVQUAL model was significantly strong to explain consumer's satisfaction, and affective responses were significant.


In this paper we examine null possessor constructions in Brazilian Portuguese, which display an anaphoric behavior in some contexts but a pronominal behavior in others. We show that in absence of islands separating a null possessor from its antecedent, null possessors display properties of obligatory control and, following Hornstein (2001), we analyze these instances of null possessors as traces of movement to θ-positions. Assuming with Hornstein (2001, 2007) that movement is derivationally more economical than pronominalization, we then argue that null possessors exhibit a pronominal behavior only when they sit in a position from which a licit A-movement operation cannot be launched.


Ca{sub (1+x)/2}Sr{sub (1+x)/2}Zr{sub 4}P{sub 6{minus}2x}Si{sub 2x}O{sub 24} (x {le} 0.37) compositions, which belong to the [NZP] family of low-thermal-expansion materials, were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. The lattice thermal expansion of members of this system was determined up to 1000 C by high-temperature X-ray diffractometry. The bulk thermal expansion and the microcracking during cooling also were investigated. These properties depended on the composition, on the synthesis method, and on the sintering conditions.


Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a heterogeneous, complex genetic disease involving mutations (in combination) in several genes. The differential contribution of rare and common coding and non-coding variants vary in accordance with gender and length of aganglionosis. Major mutations in genes involved in HSCR are also linked to ENS development, and defects in ENCCs migration, proliferation, differentiation and survival display HSCR like phenotype in animal models. Exome sequencing of families with unidentified mutations in known HSCR genes have led in identification of new HSCR genes. Mutations in regulatory elements encompassing the RET locus are associated with HSCR. Detailed epigenome profiling of different cell types and tissues by the Human epigenome atlas project have now provided desired datasets for interrogating the role of epigenetic marks in HSCR. Development of new transgenic models in model organisms such as, zebrafish has also facilitated the validation studies of genomic findings. All these studies identified a large number of genes and loci however they explain only part of the total genetic risk for HSCR.
In this thesis we aim at finding novel genes, mutation within these genes and ENS specific regulatory regions that could explain part of the missing heritability.


OBJECTIVE
In the treatment of chronic hepatitis-B (CHB), although viral replication load is reduced with the use of nucleos(t)ide analogs, the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains. We aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CHB of nucleos(t)ide analogs, which are effective in mortality-morbidity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
In patients who applied to the gastroenterology outpatient clinic between 2021 and 2022, we compared inactive HBsAg-positive patients who did not receive treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs [entecavir (ETV), lamivudine (LAM), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)] and medical treatment. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. Lipid profile, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and HOMA-IR were recorded. The presence of hepatosteatosis was graded ultrasonographically. APRI, Forns Index, and FIB-4 score, which are indicators of non-invasive liver fibrosis, were evaluated.

RESULTS
Of the 265 patients, 55.5% (n=147) were males and 44.5% (n=118) were females. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 80, with a mean age of 46.54±14.03. It was observed that 62.3% (n=165) of the cases received medical treatment. When the drugs used by those receiving medical treatment were examined, 70.3% (n=116) TDF, 6.1% (n=10) TAF, 3% (n=5) LAM, and 20.6% (n=34) ETV, LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol measurement values of those who received medical treatment were lower, while HOMA-IR values were higher compared to those who did not receive the medical treatment. While the HbA1c value of the patients using ETV was found to be high, the liver stiffness indicator scores of those using TDF were found to be significantly higher.

CONCLUSIONS
In this study, in patients with CHB, it has been shown that medical treatment also affects MetS parameters.


The idea of delivery of proangiogenic factors to the ischemic region of myocardium or skeletal muscles was proposed more than 30 years ago and abundant preclinical data validate this concept. However, clinical experience with this approach has generally produced unfulfilled promises. Although reestablishment of functional collateral networks for improvement of blood perfusion in ischemic tissues is an undisputed concept for therapeutic intervention, the molecular mechanism underlying collaterogenesis under tissue hypoxia remains poorly understood. Critical issues including the therapeutic efficacy of monotherapy vs. combination with arteriogenic therapy, drug release, optimal dose, and time scale of delivery remain to be resolved. The aim of this review is to discuss molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis and arteriogenesis, to better design clinical trials, and to improve therapeutic efficacy of proangiogenic and arteriogenic factors for the treatment of ischemic diseases.


Through the analysis of specific policy areas in Scotland and a consideration of key social issues, this work examines devolved policy in a number of specific areas, and the changes wrought by the first decade and more of devolution in those areas. Each chapter considers specific aspects of social policy in Scotland, and the final chapter addresses whether the founding principles of Scottish devolution have transferred from principles to policy. The various ideas and themes all relate to the core ideas that underpinned devolution and the creation of the Scottish Parliament. While policy areas are directly addressed within most chapters, others consider class, equality, and the removal of the democratic deficit. This work judges whether these larger issues, as well as individual areas of social policy, have been better addressed within contemporary Scottish society since devolution took place.


This temple is one of six temples with the status of Sad Kahyangan Jagat. It stands majestically at the southwestern tip of Bali on a steep, high rock platform and protrudes into the sea. This temple is located in the village of Pecatu, South Kuta District, Badung Regency and this temple is easily accessible. Lu hur Uluwatu Temple is divided into three parts; Utama Mandala, Madya Mandala, and Nista Mandala. At Utama Mandala there are prasada and pelinggih in the form of Meru Tumpang Tiga. In Madya Mandala there are no pelinggih. Whereas in the southern Nista Mandala called Dalem B ejuri t, there are among others prasada, where the mokshanya Danghyang Dwijendra is side by side with a monument in the form of two boats used to sail when coming to Bali. Uluwatu Temple is a well-known tourist attraction in all foreign countries, although it is already a place that is very popular with tourists does not necessarily make people forget some things that must be done by visitors (tourists) when it comes to temples. The visitors must use cloth (relapsed) and scarves so that when entering the temple area, harmony, sacred values can be interpreted by visitors. Regulations relating to the ethics of visitors who come to Uluwatu Temple must adhere to the applicable rules made by Bendesa Adat. Keywords: Temple, tourism


Two infants with severe varicella are reported. They received varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) without concurrent information to parents or carers regarding further care. In both these cases there was a three day delay between the onset of symptoms and initiation of aciclovir. This delay was due to lack of awareness of the high risk of varicella in these infants.  Infants born to mothers with onset of chickenpox 4 days before to 2 days after delivery are at risk of fatal varicella, despite the use of VZIG prophylaxis.


Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is associated with an increased mortality risk among males [1] and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients [2]. However, this association is largely based on cross-sectional studies using a single measurement of AHR to predict mortality; inherently ignoring the longitudinal variability of AHR. AHR is variable regardless of disease or medication status, and is linked with changes in smoking habits, seasonal variations and exposure to pollutants [3–5]. Considering this, it remains unclear how changes in AHR affect mortality, specifically from causes such as COPD, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Airway hyperresponsiveness displayed on multiple occasions independently leads to a higher risk of COPD death http://bit.ly/363Wfkg


This Paper is conducted to investigate experimentally the punching shear behavior of hybrid flat plate. Five slab specimens with (1000x1000x70) mm dimensions have been tested, two of which have been made fully with High Strength Concrete and Steel Fiber Reinforced Concreter , while, the others have been made by mixing two types of concrete (Steel Fiber Reinforced Concreter in the critical zone and High Strength Concrete in the other part of slab specimen). The slab dimensions, main reinforcement have been kept constant in all slab specimens. The variables are concrete type and dimensions of critical area. Experimental results show that the use of SFRC improves the punching shear resistance and allows higher forces to be transferred through the slab-column connection. For slab specimen which made fully with SFRC, the ultimate shear capacity increased by (25%) in comparison with the normal slab. While, for slab specimens which made with hybrid concrete the ultimate shear capacity increased by (5%-13%) in comparison with the normal slab.


At present, the studies of cloud computing pricing remain at a single period market, and the change of customer demand as well as carrier strategy has been neglected. In this paper, we discuss the dynamic pricing and marketing strategies of carriers in the two-stage market by adding the factor of discount, compare the pricing models of one-stage market and two-stage market, and analyze the effects of network effects, switching costs and transportation cost to the prices. The result shows that cloud computing carriers usually set a higher price in the first stage and then a lower price in the second stage; carriers set the prices for various types of customers on the basis of switching cost in the second stage of the market; cloud carriers can widen the gap with others and improve their revenue by improving the features of their services and products. Keywords-cloud computing; pricing; two-stage market; Preferential policies


The orientation and view are conceived as the most important factors in residential building. The value of orientation has not been changed, but in recently, the value of view has been soared radically. Unfortunately, providing only one visual axis, the present unit plan type of apartment building can't satisfy the occupants with the orientation and view need at the same time. So it is necessary to read out the value change of view comparing with orientation before developing the new plan type. The purpose of this study is to read out the value-change on orientation through the consciousness investigation of occupants living at apartment. The results of this study could be available as basic data for planning the residential building, especially, when the site condition is not good for both orientation and view. 4 case where located at Shin-Chon river-front, are selected. Questionnaires are distributed to the occupants of the cases and analysed by computer statistic program, Spss Win ver. 12++. The results of this study are as follows ; Firstly, it is conceived that the orientation is functional and practical one but, view is premium or bonus supplemented after orientation is satisfied. Secondly, occupants can be divided by three groups that prefer the orientation than view absolutely, prefer the view than orientation, and can't decide the preference between the two. Thirdly, occupants allot the values as follow sequence : orientation > view > openness. Fourth, visibility, openness, and view target is more affectable to the view than the orientation of living room. moreover, visibility is the most helpful design factor that could meet the occupant's satisfaction on orientation and view. Fifth, the occupants have been lived in residential unit in past can more easily choose the view than the orientation between the two.


OBJECTIVE
To study efficiency and security of the recombinant adenoviral-mediated gene transfer to the donor heart during the heart transplantation.

METHODS
A total of 140 healthy male Wistar rats, aged 10 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were equally divided into the donor group and the recipient group, and then 70 rats in the recipient group were randomly and equally divided into 2 subgroups: the gene transfer group and the control group. The rat model of heterotopic heart transplantation(Abdomen)was developed, the donor hearts were removed and their coronary arteries were perfused with 800 microl of the recombinant adenoviral vectors encoding the beta-galactosidase gene (Ad-LacZ). The grafts were stored in the 4 C cold saline solution for 30 minutes, and then the syngeneic transplant was performed. In the control group, saline of tales doses was perfused. The donor hearts were harvested at 3, 5, 7, 14, and 28 days (n = 7) after transplantation, and the beta-galactosidase activity was assessed by the X-gal staining. At 28 days the major organs of the recipients were tested by the histopathological analysis and the polymerase chain reaction of the adenoviral E1A sequences.

RESULTS
The successful gene transfer of the beta-galactosidase gene was demonstrated in the adenovirus-perfused hearts, with no staining in the control group. The gene expression reached a peak level at 3, 5 and 7 days, and the averaged numbers of the total beta-galactosidase positive staining cells per slice were 66.4 +/- 23.1, 91.3 +/- 32.4 and 68.7 +/- 22.7, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). At 14 days the gene expression gradually declined (32.1+/-13.9), and the significant difference was found when compared with that at 3, 5 and 7 days (P< 0.05). At 28 days the cells positive for beta-galactosidase were sparse (3.9 +/- 3.4), and the gene transfer was significantly less efficient compared with that at 3, 5, 7 and 14 days (P<0.05). The major organs of the recipients were not affected seriously at 28 days. No virus spread to other organs in this experimental protocol.

CONCLUSION
The ex vivo adenoviral-mediated gene transfer intracoronarily to the donor heart during the heart transplantation is feasible and safe.


The classification of firearms from their acoustic signatures has many potential benefits for a variety of military and security operations. Most approaches to acoustic gunshot classification can be characterized as frame based feature classification approaches, where the time-domain acoustic signal is partitioned into a set of frames from which characterizing features are extracted and used to classify the signals. Although this approach can be quite successful, performance is highly dependent upon the relationship between the selected frame size and the signals under consideration. In this work we consider a statistical model for time-domain gunshot signatures which eliminates the need for both data partitioning and the selection of characterizing features. Each class of acoustic signals is modeled as a hidden Markov model (HMM) with autoregressive (AR) source densities. Each AR model specifies a set of spectral and energy characteristics of the signal while the HMM characterizes the transitions between these states. The model is constructed using nonparametric Bayesian techniques to allow model inference to learn the number of states within the HMM and the AR order of each state density. The model thus selects the number of unique spectral components and the complexity of each of these components from the set of training data, limiting model over-fitting and eliminating the need to optimize performance over these parameters. We demonstrate that classification using the proposed statistical model performs comparably to existing techniques without requiring user specified features, thus allowing the same statistical models to be used on future datasets without modification.


It is known that the sound field in a long space is not diffuse, and that the classic theory of room acoustics is not applicable. A theoretical model is developed for the prediction of reverberation time and speech transmission index in rectangular long enclosures, such as corridors and train stations, where the acoustic quality is important for speech. The model is based on an image-source method, and both acoustically hard and impedance boundaries are investigated. An approximate analytical solution is used to predict the frequency response of the sound field. The reverberation time is determined from the decay curve which is computed by a reverse-time integration of the squared impulse response. The angle-dependence of reflection coefficients of the boundaries and the change of phase upon reflection are incorporated in this model. Due to the relatively long distance of sound propagation, the effect of atmospheric absorption is also considered. Measurements of reverberation time and speech transmission index taken from a real tunnel, a corridor, and a model tunnel are presented. The theoretical predictions are found to agree well with the experimental data. An application of the proposed model has been suggested.


Bio-based drug carriers have gained significant importance in Control Drug Delivery Systems (CDDS). In the present work, a new iron-based magnetic nano bio-composite (nano-Fe-CNB) is developed in a one-step dry calcination process (solventless) using a seaweed-based biopolymer. The detailed analysis of the developed nano Fe-CNB is carried out using FE-SEM, HR-TEM, P-XRD, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR etc. and shows that nano-Fe-CNB consists of nanoparticles of 5–10 nm decorated on 7–8 nm thick 2-D graphitic carbon material. The impregnation of nano-Fe-CNB into the calcium alginate (CA) hydrogel beads is found to have good drug loading capacity as well as pH responsive control release behavior which is demonstrated using doxorubicin (DOX) as a model cancer drug. The drug loading experiments exhibit ∼94% loading of DOX and release shows ∼38% and ∼8% release of DOX at pH 5.4 and 7.4 respectively. The developed nano Fe-CNB facilitates strong electrostatic interactions with cationic DOX molecules at pH 7.4 and thereby restricts the release of the drug at physiological pH. However, at cancer cell pH (5.4), the interaction between the drug and nano-Fe-CNB reduces which facilitates more drug release at pH 5.4. Thus, the developed nano-biocomposite has the potential to reduce the undesired side effects associated with faster release of drugs.


I review the classical and quantum dynamics of systems with local world-line supersymmetry. The hamiltonian formulation, in particular the covariant hamiltonian approach, is emphasized. Anomalous behaviour of local quantum supersymmetry is investigated and illustrated by supersymmetric dynamics on the sphere S2.


Background: The formation of the prostate gland requires reciprocal interactions between the epithelial and mesenchymal components of the embryonic urogenital sinus. However, the identity of the signaling factors that mediate these interactions is largely unknown. Results: Our studies show that expression of the prostate‐specific transcription factor Nkx3.1 is regulated by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Using mice carrying a targeted lacZ knock‐in allele of Nkx3.1, we find that Nkx3.1 is expressed in all epithelial cells of ductal buds during prostate organogenesis. Addition of Wnt inhibitors to urogenital sinus explant culture greatly reduces prostate budding and inhibits Nkx3.1 expression as well as differentiation of luminal epithelial cells. Analyses of a TCF/Lef:H2B‐GFP transgene reporter show that canonical Wnt signaling activity is found in urogenital mesenchyme but not urogenital sinus epithelium before prostate formation, and is later observed in the mesenchyme and epithelium of prostate ductal tips. Furthermore, TCF/Lef:H2B‐GFP reporter activity is reduced in epithelial cells of Nkx3.1 null neonatal prostates, suggesting that Nkx3.1 functions to maintain canonical Wnt signaling activity in developing prostate bud tips. Conclusions: We propose that activated canonical Wnt signals and Nkx3.1 function in a positive feedback loop to regulate prostate bud growth and luminal epithelial differentiation. Developmental Dynamics, 242:1160–1171, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Modern laboratory techniques like ultrafast laser excitation and shock compression can bring matter into highly nonequilibrium states with complex structural transformation, metallization and dissociation dynamics. To understand and model the dramatic change of both electronic structures and ion dynamics during such dynamic processes, the traditional method faces difficulties. Here, we demonstrate the ability of deep neural network (DNN) to capture the atomic local-environment dependence of electronic density of states (DOS) for both multicomponent system under exoplanet thermodynamic condition and nonequilibrium system during super-heated melting process. Large scale and time-resolved diagnosis of DOS can be efficiently achieved within the accuracy of ab initio method. Moreover, the atomic contribution to DOS given by DNN model accurately reveals the information of local neighborhood for selected atom, thus can serve as robust order parameters to identify different phases and intermediate local structures, strongly highlights the efficacy of this DNN model in studying dynamic processes.


Tracheophilus cymbius (Trematoda: Cyclocoelidae) is a common tracheal fluke of waterfowl, causing serious loss in the poultry industry. However, taxonomic identification of T. cymbius remains controversial and confused. Mitochondrial (mt) genomes can provide genetic markers for the identification of closely related species. We determined the mt genome of T. cymbius and reconstructed phylogenies with other trematodes. The T. cymbius mt genome is 13,760 bp in size, and contains 12 protein-coding genes (cox 1-3, nad 1-6, nad 4L, cyt b and atp 6), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and one non-coding region. All are transcribed in the same direction. The A + T content is 62.82%. ATG and TAG are the most common initiation and termination codons, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide sequences show T. cymbius grouping in suborder Echinostomata, and clustering together, with high statistical support, as a sister taxon with Echinochasmus japonicus (Echinochasmidae), the two forming a distinct branch rooted to the ancestor of all Echinostomatidae and Fasciolidae species. This is the first report of the T. cymbius mt genome, and the first reported mt genome within the family Cyclocoelidae. These data will provide a significant resource of molecular markers for studying the taxonomy, population genetics and systematics of trematodes.


The Community-based Tourism is a new tourist modality that is developing in the Andean region of Latin America as alternative to the traditional tourism. This tourist typology permits the conservation of the environment and the participation of the local community in the tourist management of the territory. The present document analyzes the importance of the Community-based Tourism in Colca Valley and Colca canyon, both located in the region of Arequipa. To justify the present proposal, the concept of Community-based place, include a review of tourism politics guidelines. Secondly, an analysis of the social-economic features of the region that justify and reinforce its use is carried out; next, the tourism destination is examined from territorial perspective and from a traditional analysis of supply and demand. Finally, the results obtained in the first Community-based tourism project developed in the area, are analyzed.


The article is devoted to the consideration of scripting languages (scripts) used in distance learning. The aim of the research is to assess the satisfaction of distance learning (DL) participants and identify the advantages and disadvantages of the main platforms using scripting languages. Research methods. In the article, based on 3 years of experience in using tools for DL, the positive and negative aspects of the use of various scripting languages (scripts) for organizing distance learning and teleconferences are reviewed. The sample size is represented by a three-year period, during which 5,712 teleconferences were held. The questionnaire responses of 2500 participants were analyzed. The sections of the assessment dealt with the satisfaction of the DL participants and the functionality of the script tools. Results. The majority of participants were satisfied with the use of BigBlue Point, Jitsi, Zoom systems. The interviewees indicated the need for registration (49%) and the mandatory download of the application (42%) as the main shortcomings. It is concluded that absolutely reliable criteria for choosing a platform, which is associated with a large number of specific factors and tasks, have not been identified. It is emphasized that creation of domestic products seems to be a promising area of activity for developers.


By scaling transistor dimensions down into the nanometer realm and scaling manufacturing capabilities up to produce billions of individual chips, the semiconductor industry has achieved economies of scale over the past 40 years that allow what was once mainframe capability to be affordable to everyone in the world in something as small as a cell phone. With many fundamental physical scaling limits still far away, this progress can and will continue if demand for the applications supports the increased investment necessary to get there.


Adsorbed lubricious films composed of biomacromolecules, natively present at articulating interfaces, yield ultralow coefficient of friction to maintain normal physiological function. Biolubrication can be impaired due to disease, e.g. osteoarthritis is associated with alteration in synovial fluid and lamina splendens composition which leads to cartilage damage. Lamina splendens is a conditioning film of synovial fluid molecules on the cartilage surface. Patients with osteoarthritis are always given hyaluronic acid (HA) injection to alleviate pain. Pain relief remains temporary because HA is easily squeezed out of the cartilage-cartilage or cartilage-meniscus sliding interface. Here, we describe how natural lubrication on degraded cartilage surface is restored by a bioinspired muco-adhesive biopolymer chitosan catechol (Chi-C). Catechol grafted chitosan (Chi-C) shows high affinity towards lubricin, a mucin-like glycoprotein PRG4, from synovial fluid. Chi-C increased the softness of lamina splendens through PRG4 recruitment, which improved the lubrication in vitro at nanoscale. Next, on an ex vivo degraded cartilage friction system, Chi-C was able to show lubrication restoration at macroscale. This research provides a new key insight in restoration of biolubrication through the use of muco-adhesive molecules, which can increase the conditioning film softness at the articulating tissue surfaces in living system.


Quarantine diseases comprise a distinct class of plant diseases. In contrast to other plant diseases, direct losses through crop damage are often limited. Yet, quarantine diseases may have serious economic consequences for a country as they threaten the country's export of affected crops. In particular for this category of diseases, it is important to design a control strategy that is optimal from an epidemiological as well as an economic point of view. This chapter presents the development of a bioeconomic model to evaluate control strategies in terms of their cost-effectiveness, specified for brown rot in the Dutch potato production chain. The conceptual model consists of two modules: an epidemiological module, which is a stochastic, spatially explicit simulation model that simulates the spread of potato brown rot over all potato-growing farms and fields in the Netherlands, and an economic module, which calculates the total costs of brownrot prevalence, based on the results of the epidemiological model. The model is applied for two brown-rot policy scenarios, which differ in sampling frequency of harvested potato lots but are otherwise similar. The two scenarios are compared with respect to their effectiveness and efficiency. Concerning the costs of controlling brown rot, a low monitoring level appears to be more cost-efficient; however, when including expected export consequences, a high monitoring level may be preferable. The model presented here strongly facilitates the development of an optimal control strategy as it provides insight into the effectiveness of brown-rot control strategies in relation to their costs. Moreover, the introduced modelling concept can be a useful tool in analysing the epidemiological and economic effects of other (quarantine) diseases


In this paper we present a public dataset to evaluate trackers used for human and robot manipulation tasks. For these tasks both high DOF motion and high accuracy is needed. We describe in detail, both the process of recording the sequences and how ground truth data was generated for the videos. The videos are tagged with challenges that a tracker would face while tracking the object. As an initial example, we evaluate the performance of six published trackers [5], [11], [12], [13], [15], [6] and analyse their result. We describe a new evaluation metric to test sensitivity of trackers to speed. A total of 100 annotated and tagged sequences are reported. All the videos, ground truth data, original implementation of trackers and evaluation scripts are made publicly available on the website so others can extend the results on their trackers and evaluation.


Background Human adenovirus type 54 (HAdV-54) is a novel type of adenovirus that belongs to species D and has thus far been detected only in Japan in patients with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). There was a large nationwide outbreak of HAdV-54 EKC from 2015 to 2016 in Japan. The clinical characteristics of an outbreak of HAdV-54 conjunctivitis treated in a regional ophthalmic clinic in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2016 were analyzed. Patients and methods A consecutive series of 55 cases diagnosed clinically as EKC confirmed by HAdV-54 detection from conjunctival scrapings by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method between 17 June 2016 and 29 August 2016 were enrolled. Viral DNA copies were counted by real-time PCR method. The clinical findings were recorded at the first visit to the clinic and evaluated. Results In the analysis of the relationship between mean clinical score groups and several factors, such as days after onset, sex, HAdV DNA number on a logarithmic scale, and age, most factors did not show a significant difference in clinical score between groups. However, mean clinical score of cases aged <23 years was significantly higher than that of cases aged ≥23 years (P<0.01). The correlation coefficient between DNA copies on a logarithmic scale and clinical score was 0.280, and a significant correlation was observed (P<0.05). Multiple subepithelial corneal infiltrates (MSI) were observed in 24 out of 31 cases (77%). Conclusion These results suggested that the clinical features in the early phase of HAdV-54 keratoconjunctivitis were milder but the rate of MSI observed in the late phase was higher than those in previous epidemics of several HAdV types. The significant difference in clinical severity between age groups might be a virological characteristic of HAdV-54.


The Latin American Public Opinion Project, hosted at Vanderbilt University, has been operating since the 1980s. Surveys are available for various countries for different years and may or may not have English translations.


ABSTRACT Interactive narratives are inextricable from the way that we understand our encounters with digital technology. This is based upon the way that these encounters are processually formed into a narrative of episodic events, arranged and re-arranged by various levels of agency. After describing past research conducted at the iCinema Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, this paper sets out a framework within which to build a relational theory of interactive narrative formation, outlining future research in the area.


Nonfibrous mineral dusts antigorite, basalt, cement, zeolite-klinoptilolite and gamma-alumina were tested for carcinogenic activity in rat experiments. Intraperitoneal injections of zeolite-klinoptilolite and gamma-alumina led to development of peritoneal mesotheliomas, whereas antigorite and cement had no carcinogenic potential. There is no differences in physicochemical and chemical properties between carcinogenically active and inactive nonfibrous dusts. A new class of carcinogenic substances is defined including basalt, zeolite-klinoptilolite and quartz which belong to nonfibrous mineral dusts.


Background: Approximately 21,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. Because inflammation is thought to affect ovarian carcinogenesis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin and ibuprofen, and other medications such as acetaminophen and histamine receptor antagonists, may affect the risk of ovarian cancer. However, existing epidemiological evidence on these associations is mixed. Methods: We assessed the relationship between medication use and risk of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer in the California Teachers Study (CTS), a prospective cohort of former or current female public school teachers and administrators in California. Analysis included 104,184 women, of whom 420 were diagnosed with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer during follow-up through December 31, 2007. Self-reported medication use from the baseline CTS questionnaire (1995-1996) was used to classify exposures. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained using Cox proportional hazards methods. Results: Regular use, defined as at least once a week, of aspirin (RR 0.96; 95%CI 0.76 − 1.19), non-aspirin NSAIDs (RR 1.04; 95%CI 0.80 − 1.30), acetaminophen (RR 1.13; 95%CI 0.85 − 1.50) or histamine receptor antagonists (RR 0.85; 95%CI 0.58 − 1.20) was not associated with ovarian cancer risk. Ovarian cancer risk was not associated with daily use of aspirin (RR 1.04; 95%CI 0.77 − 1.45) or non-aspirin NSAIDs (RR 0.85; 95%CI 0.56 − 1.31) but was associated with daily use of acetaminophen (RR 1.82, 95%CI 1.01 − 2.95), and the latter association persisted after excluding ovarian cancers diagnosed during the first one to five years of follow-up. Two-thirds of the daily acetaminophen users also reported using acetaminophen for more than three years, but there was no association between increasing duration of use and ovarian cancer risk. Conclusion: Our results do not support the hypothesis that these medications reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Conversely, the finding that daily acetaminophen use was associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer differs from previous studies and may warrant further investigation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 855.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate polymorphisms and forensic efficiency of 22 non-binary single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci.

METHODS
One hundred ethnic Han Chinese individuals were recruited from Dongguan, Guangdong. The 22 loci were genotyped with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

RESULTS
Nine loci were found with a single allele, 4 loci were found to be biallelic, whilst 9 loci were found to have 3 alleles. For 13 polymorphic loci, the combined discrimination power and power of exclusion were 0.999 98 and 0.9330, respectively. For the 9 non-biallelic loci, the combined discrimination power and power of exclusion were 0.9998 and 0.8956, respectively. For motherless cases, the combined power of exclusion was 0.6405 for 13 polymorphic SNPs and 0.6405 for 9 non-binary SNPs.

CONCLUSION
Non-binary loci have a greater discrimination power and exclusion power per SNP.


Background : The growing population of elderly people, the changes in life style, the new dietary habits and the HIV pandemic resulted in more exposure to cancer promoting factors in developing countries, including Sudan. Sudan is a large county with different climatic regions and the population has wide diversity of ethnic groups with varying cultures. Nevertheless, the burden of cancer in the different regions of the country is unknown. Objectives : To study the incidence rate and the pattern of cancer at El Obeid Teaching Hospital, Western Sudan. Patients and Methods : The records of all patients admitted with cancer to the wards of El Obeid Teaching Hospital, Western Sudan during 2006 and 2007 were studied. The cancers were classified according to the organs affected and then ranked in their order of relative frequency. The mean age, age range, gender, the incidence rates and the relative frequency rates were calculated. Results : There were 111 new cancer patients in 2006 and 169 patients in 2007. Females were 52.9% of cases. The mean ages were 61.8 and 56.8 years for males and females respectively. Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract is the most common malignancy in both sexes, followed by breast and then cervical cancer in females; while it was followed by leukaemia in males. Hepatocellular, oesophageal, gastric and recto-sigmoid were the main gut cancers. Conclusions : Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract was the commonest malignancy at El Obeid Hospital, Western Sudan. Establishment of a local radiation and isotopes centre is needed in this part of the country to provide oncology services and integrate preventive programs. A regional cancer registry centre supplements the national efforts to evaluate the magnitude of the problem in order to plan further future strategies. Key words : Hepatocellular, malignancies, oesophageal cancer.


Bovine cysticercosis caused by the larval stage of the human tapeworm Taenia saginata is a zoonotic disease of great public health significance especially in developing countries. The present study was conducted on 291 slaughtered cattle at Nyagatare slaughterhouse in Eastern Rwanda between December 2013 and April 2014 to determine prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and its associated risk factors. Nine out of the 291 meat carcasses examined at postmortem were found to be infected with the parasite (3%). The infestation rate was higher in adult cattle than young cattle, where the highest prevalence (66.7%) was detected in older cattle 5 years and above followed by the carcasses of middle aged cattle of 3-5 years. The infestation was lowest in carcasses of cattle of young age (2-3 years). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between breeds of slaughtered cattle, where out of 9 infected animals, 5 were from local breed and 4 were from crosses breed. On the other hand, the infestation rate was higher in female than male carcasses, but there is no significant variation was observed between sexes of cattle (p> 0.05). The infestation was mainly found in the heart muscles (35%, n=9), followed by masseter muscles (29.5%, n=9), tongue muscles (29.5%, n=9) and diaphragm muscles (6%, n=9). However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the distribution rates of the cysticerci in the various organs of the cattle slaughtered at the abattoir.


Apoptosis-based treatment plays an important role in regulating the death of tumor cells (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy). Nevertheless, cancer cells can escape surveillance from apoptosis-associated signaling by bypassing other biological pathways and thus result in considerable resistance to therapies. Significantly, ferroptosis, a newly identified type of regulated cell death that is characterized by iron-dependent and lipid peroxidation accumulation, has aroused great research interest in cancer therapy. Increasing approaches have been developed to induce ferroptosis of tumor cells, including using clinically approved drugs, experimentally used compounds, and nanomedicine formulations. More importantly, the emerging nanomedicine-based strategy has made great advances in tumor treatment because of the promising targeting efficacy and enhanced therapeutic effects. In this review, we mainly overview state-of-the-art research on nanomedicine-mediated ferroptosis targeting strategies for synergistic cancer therapies, such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and photothermal therapy. The potential targeting mechanism of nanomedicine for ferroptosis induction was also included. Finally, the future development of nanomedicine in the field of ferroptosis-based cell death in tumor treatment will be envisioned, aiming to provide new insight for tumor treatment in the clinic.


Abstract Multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis is applied to analyse the degree of disorders, complexity and irregularity based on scaling behaviour of electrocardiogram. Since this method is based on random walk theory, noise level due to imperfect measurement in recording is reduced and it can systematically eliminate trends of different orders. The essence of this method is to extract the fractal features in ECG which can reflect changes in adaptability of physiological processes and to classify the pathological conditions and can lead to successful diagnosis. Fractal analysis is, therefore, a promising diagnostic tool in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and evaluation.


Advanced ICT and social media developments provide possibilities to give more personalized advice and recommendations to tourists. A typical user of a 'smart routing' recommender system is a tourist who is interested in exploring a city and wants to make a tour around. Such a tour comprises a scheduled list of attractions, museums, heritage sites, shops, parks, or other points of specific interest and the trips to travel from one point to the other. To recommend a program for a tour requires knowledge about various needs, preferences and expectations that the tourist may have regarding the content and duration of the tour. Existing choice models have an important limitation in this regard. Existing approaches generally assume that tourists' preferences for activities depend exclusively on static attributes of the person and choice alternatives. This stands in contrast to a central notion of need-based theories of choice behavior which state that individuals' motivations to engage in certain activities are at least partly dependent on needs that change depending on previous activities. D ynamic needs give rise to saturation effects and variety seeking. Process utility emerges from the satisfaction of the needs people have and it generates positive and negative substitution relationships between activities contributing significantly to the value of an overall tourist experience. To obtain a better understanding of the role of dynamic needs, insight is needed in how tourists trade-off dynamic and static preference components . Decision components relate to the various attributes tourists take in consideration when they select points of interests. First, the general attraction value of the point of interest is relevant: the extent to which the point of interest is special, worth a special trip, or even the primary reason to visit the city. For example, in many travel guide books some kind of rating system is used to distinguish a top attraction from attractions of less importance. Second, the extent to which the point of interest matches a person's interest in specific objects is a consideration. For example, some persons may be fascinated by cathedrals whereas others find them boring. Attraction value and personal interest relate to static preferences. In terms of dynamic needs, six dimensions have been found to play a role in leisure activity choice (Nijland et al. 2010). These include needs for entertainment, relaxation, new experiences/-information, socializing, physical exercise, and being in the open air and green environment. A dynamic need determines what the person would like to do currently, given the state s/he is in. Finally, monetary costs, such as entrance fee, and effort to reach the location are relevant. A choice of an activity/point of interest generally requires a trade-off between all these considerations. In this paper, we present the design and results of a stated choice experiment specifically designed to measure the relative impact of dynamic needs and variety seeking on tourists' activity choice. In the experiment respondents are asked to plan the activities they like to participate in during a day trip to a hypothetical large city. They are assumed to travel with a friend/relative with similar interests. In the choice task, respondents choose an activity or point of interest from a set of optional activities. The activity options vary in terms of the considerations discussed above: the extent it matches static needs, the extent it fits current (dynamic) needs, the travel costs and entrance costs. The context description is varied across choice tasks to manipulate the current needs at the time of the choice. In each context description respondents are asked to imagine a situation where particular needs are activated as a consequence of earlier activities. For example, a typical context description could read as: "imagine a situation where, given the previous activities conducted, you currently have a [strong, moderate] need for [entertainment, relaxation ... ]". Both the context and choice tasks are varied independently based on orthogonal designs. By varying the size and nature of the current needs in each choice task the relative importance of dynamic needs for each need dimension separately is identified. A sample of individuals from a national representative on-line panel participated in the experiment and survey. To allow heterogeneity in taste preferences and identify classes of tourists, a latent class model is estimated based on the choice data. Class membership is explained based on background variables including a respondent's rating of importance he or she assigns to each need as a personal predisposition. The LATUS model recently proposed by Arentze (2014) offers a tool to generate optimal activity programs taking into account dynamic needs. In the paper we describe the design and results of the experiment and show how the parameters can be used as part of a personalized recommender system. The system supports tourists in their activity choices during a day tour in a city for the first time taking into account their dynamic needs. References Arentze, T.A. (2014) LATUS: A Dynamic Model for Leisure Activity-Travel Utility Simulation. Paper prepared for presentation at the 94 th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, January 2015, Washington, D.C. Nijland, L., T. Arentze, H. Timmermans (2010) Eliciting the Needs That Underlie Activity-Travel Patterns and Their Covariance Structure: Results of Multimethod Analyses, Journal Transportation Research Record, 2157 / 2010, 54-62.


Water shortage problems are becoming prominent in semi-arid regions, especially when the existing water resources are being polluted by different point and non-point sources. The objectives of this study are modehg the water quality of rivers in time and space: monitor the rate of pollution of the river; and forecast pollution levels with respect to time and space. To meet the objectives of this study, five water quality parameters are to be tested. They are: Nitrates, turbidity, total dissolved solids, EC or salinity, and pH or acidity. Six collection sites that are distributed sequentially along the initial stretch of the Litani River have been subjected to study. Water samples have been collected with a rate twice per month and then analyzed and the levels of the parameters are measured. A Lagrange Interpolating model is constructed which relates the concentration level of each water quality characteristic in time and space. The mean levels are then tested for their sigmficance.


The purpose of the current investigation is to describe the portrait and the teaching behaviours of the ideal teacher. For the inquiry, a number of 76 subjects (high school and faculty students) answered a 40 items questionnaire based on literature. Results evidencing the behaviours of the teacher are presented, emphasizing few significant opinion differences between high school and university students in respect with the behaviours of the ideal teacher.) The respondents appreciate that the ideal teacher promotes the deep learning throughout various strategies and also throughout evaluation.


A large multitemporal set of RADARSAT-1 ScanSAR Narrow 1 images obtained in offshore regions of the Gulf of Mexico enabled the identification of a seepage slick cluster, which is considered to share a common geologic origin. The existence of seepage slick clusters is a positive indicator of present-day hydrocarbon generation and migration. Therefore, their correct location reduces the risk of acquiring piston cores with oil at the sea floor for further geochemical studies. A cluster is interpreted as a group of seepage slick polygons which share the same source point in geographic space. The source point can be tentatively defined as the intersection of overlaying polygons or as the intersection of the forward prolongation of closely spaced and converging polygons. The present study aims to identify quantitatively the origin of a seepage slick cluster at the sea surface using a genetic algorithms (GA). The model employ the Euclidian or the Mahalanobis distance function in order to determine the minimum distance among points within one seepage slick cluster and a population of points randomly generated. We used points in UTM coordinates system generated within a grid cell (x,y) of fifty meters defined in the seepage slick polygons that constitute a cluster In addition, one hundred points are generated randomly as the initial population. The fitness function provides the 10 best ranked points in UTM coordinates system that represent the candidates source point of the seepage slick cluster. The best source point identified using GA (considering both the Euclidian and Mahalanobis distance functions) coincided with a salt dome and fault seismically identified at the sea floor. The methodology have been tested elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, in order to identify with enhanced precision possible source points of seepage slick clusters detected using RADARSAT-1 images


The author of the article made up a didactic complex which can be used to study word formation in a school course of Russian language. The system of drilling, creative and problem tasks with methodological and psycholinguistic comment is presented in the article.


20th Helminthological Days 2013, Programme and Abstracts includes abstracts from the heiminthological conference organized by Biology Centre of the ASCR, Institute of Parasitology, Ceske Budějovice,Czech Society for Parasitology and Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno.


The prevalence of tattoos is increasing and as such every physician must be aware of the potential adverse events associated with tattooing. Here we present a 36-year-old man with a recent history of skin-coloured papules appearing suddenly in a 20-year-old tattoo on the right forearm. Biopsy and histologic examination confirmed a diagnosis of verrucae planae or flat warts. Tattoo-associated human papilloma virus infections develop clinical manifestations after long latency periods and are often difficult to treat. The risk of tattoo-related human papilloma virus infection should be discussed when considering acquiring a tattoo.


The aim of this project was to explore the theme of social innovation for nutrition-sensitive and sustainable agriculture, resulting in examples of improved production and consumption of nutritious food. Social innovation refers to the generation and implementation of new ideas about how people organize interpersonal activities, or social interactions, to meet one or more common goals and in the process change basic routines, resources, and decision-making processes. In the country context of Myanmar, this research aimed to capture a variety of social innovation cases related to processes of agricultural transformation. Through the method of a collaborative case study write-shop, Myanmar-specific social innovations were identified, illustrating various forms of social innovation across the cases with citizen engagement processes. The write-shop method, in combination with the embedded expertise of development practitioners, proved to be a promising approach to identify niche innovations, distil insights, reframe actions, and promote critical thinking among different actors.


One of the most common clinical challenges encountered with facemask therapy for early correction of skeletal Class III malocclusions is the delivery of appropriate direction of force for effecting the pure translation of maxilla. This technical note describes a novel method involving the use of Begg's auxiliary for achieving efficient and predictable delivery of protraction forces. With this modified assembly, effective vector control for facemask can be achieved without the need to remove the bonded Hyrax assembly. This chairside modification is an effective and invaluable method for predictable force delivery in facemask therapy.


Our debaters have agreed to defend positions that appear to be diametrically opposed; nevertheless, they have acknowledged some common ground. Although it was not explicitly stated, they would no doubt agree that workers and the public are adequately protected by our present system of radiation regulations. Our debaters have overtly agreed that it would be desirable to have measurable radiation protection quantities. Whether or not this is advantageous, or even possible, will depend upon which argument swayed your opinion. The ICRP is presently examining its recommendations and will, over the next few years, update those recommendations. Therefore, the contributions of our debaters will surely be relevant to this process.


INTRODUCTION
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complication of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). GVHD may also develop following solid transplants or blood transfusions if white blood cells are transferred. GVHD affects multiple organs, including the oral tissues.

OBJECTIVE
This pictorial review provides a background of GVHD to dental practitioners, describes the most common oral manifestations of GVHD and highlights the main treatment modifications needed to deliver dental care to patients with GVHD.

METHODS
A narrative review enhanced with clinical photographs.

RESULTS
Acute GVHD may manifest in the oral mucosa; however, it often develops immediately following HSCT when routine dental treatment is postponed. Chronic GVHD may manifest in the oral mucosa, the salivary glands and the musculoskeletal compartment. It may indirectly affect the teeth and the oral flora, putting the patient at risk for infections. Importantly, GVHD poses an increased risk for oral cancer.

CONCLUSION
GVHD has a wide range of oral manifestations, some of which may affect dental treatment.


Effective management of urban congestion derives directly from accurate data collection and analysis at intersections. This study reports the outcome of a comparative investigation of the cost and efficiency of electronic and manual methods of collection of traffic delays for an urban rotary with the purpose of selection of the most preferred strategy for measurement at junction delays. The operation of traffic at peak period at Tanke roundabout Ilorin, Nigeria was evaluated with observatory (manual) and video-graphic for the data capture and analysis. A Sony video-graphic digital camcorder, type GIF, and full size image (460×329) was used to collect data on the flow rate and pattern operation at typical morning and evening peak periods, the data were analysed with corresponding cost, accuracy, easiness and convenience. Three improvement options; geometry modification to 2-lane on all the legs, 2-4 phase traffic signalization alone and geometry modification plus 2-phase signalization, were evaluated for a probable level of serviceability for the junction. The roundabout presently operating at LOS F respectively improved to LOS C for the geometry modification, the 2-4 phase fixed traffic signalization; but LOS A for the combined geometry/2-phase signalization strategy. The cost of data capture was ₦8,700 for the time lapse videography and ₦11,000 formanual method which implies that the video-time lapse data capture and analysis was 26% cheaper than the manual observatory counting method, and thus recommended as preference for an urban rotary delay management.


OBJECTIVES
To compare two hematological analyzers-the DxH-800 (DxH; Beckman-Coulter, Miami, FL) and XN-2000 (XN; Sysmex, Kobe, Japan)-with the Cell-Dyn Sapphire (SAPH; Abbott, Santa Clara, CA).

METHODS
We analyzed 4,375 samples. Slide reviews were made in the presence of blast, abnormal lymphocyte, and immature granulocyte (IG) flags or nucleated RBC (NRBC) count.

RESULTS
The analyzers exhibited excellent correlations for CBC and neutrophils but displayed a limit correlation for lymphocytes. The XN did not miss circulating blasts (0.5%-95% in microscopy). For NRBCs, the XN demonstrated a sensitivity of 90%; DxH, 74%; and SAPH, 29%. Only the XN demonstrated a correlation with microscopy, permitting a WBC six-part differential until 15% of NRBCs. The XN and DxH gave useful IG counts with a cutoff less than 5% and a WBC level more than 2,500/mm(3). For abnormal lymphocytes detection, only XN demonstrated sensitivity of more than 95%, but its specificity of 54% requires adaptation.

CONCLUSION
The XN increases the sensitivity of abnormal cell detection compared with the other counters, permitting a seven-part differential between predefined levels, decreasing the slide review from 20% to 9%.


Railway vehicle is very important to implement the effective maintenance in proper to prevent any failure during operation period. Many railway authorities are making efforts to maintain the railway vehicle through scientific and systematic procedure. To achieve this, Reliability Centered Maintenance(RCM) is partially applied. The efficiency of RCM has proven and its terminology was familiar with nuclear power, military and chemical plant etc. since the commercial aircraft's industries has introduced the maintenance program based on the target of reliability. The application of RCM on railway vehicle can be utilized with systematic analysis method to select the best effective maintenance period and action to prevent the failures by selecting the equipment affecting the its safety and reliability. This paper is presented that the procedure of adequate and effective maintenance for railway vehicle by comparing among the related standards in example IEC60300-3,11, MIL-STD-2173, and technical documents or papers. In accordance with above result, RCM procedure is proposed to apply effectively for maintenance of railway vehicle. That is, (1) Analysis of data and Calculation of criticality per equipment (2) Selection of equipment to analyze (3) Analysis of failure mode and effect (4) Evaluation of maintenance method and period (5) Optimization of maintenance program through renewal of maintenance method and period.


For pt.I see ibid., vol.40, no.3, p.525-41 (1993). The circuit performance issues associated with optimizing epitaxial Si- and SiGe-base bipolar technology for the liquid-nitrogen temperature environment are examined in detail. It is conclusively demonstrated that the notion that silicon-based bipolar circuits perform poorly at low temperatures is untrue. Transistor frequency response is examined both theoretically and experimentally, with particular attention given to the differences between SiGe and Si devices as a function of temperature. ECL and NTL ring oscillator circuits were fabricated for each of the four profiles described in pt.I. The minimum ECL gate delay for a SiGe base is essentially unchanged from its room-temperature value. ASTAP models were used to explore circuit operation under typical wire loading. The results indicate that epitaxial-base bipolar technology offers significant leverage for future cryogenic applications. >


ABSTRACT The core histone tail domains play a central role in chromatin structure and epigenetic processes controlling gene expression. Although little is known regarding the molecular details of tail interactions, it is likely that they participate in both short-range and long-range interactions between nucleosomes. Previously, we demonstrated that the H3 tail domain participates in internucleosome interactions during MgCl2-dependent condensation of model nucleosome arrays. However, these studies did not distinguish whether these internucleosome interactions represented short-range intra-array or longer-range interarray interactions. To better understand the complex interactions of the H3 tail domain during chromatin condensation, we have developed a new site-directed cross-linking method to identify and quantify interarray interactions mediated by histone tail domains. Interarray cross-linking was undetectable under salt conditions that induced only local folding, but was detected concomitant with salt-dependent interarray oligomerization at higher MgCl2 concentrations. Interestingly, lysine-to-glutamine mutations in the H3 tail domain to mimic acetylation resulted in little or no reduction in interarray cross-linking. In contrast, binding of a linker histone caused a much greater enhancement of interarray interactions for unmodified H3 tails compared to "acetylated" H3 tails. Collectively these results indicate that H3 tail domain performs multiple functions during chromatin condensation via distinct molecular interactions that can be differentially regulated by acetylation or binding of linker histones.


Aim: There is a growing body of evidence evaluating the outcomes following preterm birth. Continued evaluation is essential to determine the impact of new treatments, which can affect many areas of development. Therefore this review aims to provide an evidence-based update on the ophthalmic sequelae of preterm birth. Methods: A literature search of databases was performed, focusing on publications from the last 3 years. Results: New treatments are being developed to prevent severe vision loss due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), but as they are so new no longterm data are available. The development of new imaging techniques has allowed detailed analysis of the visual pathway, with changes in the posterior visual pathway identified and linked to visual function. Deficits of visual function in the preterm population extend beyond visual acuity, affecting functional ability in many ways, even in the presence of a normal visual acuity response. Strabismus rates continue to be increased but do not appear to have changed in recent years. Overall the literature agrees that preterm birth affects a range of ophthalmic outcomes, but there continues to be a lack of consensus as to what follow-up care is required. Conclusions: Children born preterm are at continued risk of developing a range of ophthalmic sequelae but new techniques are being applied to determine their aetiology. Novel treatments for ROP have shown promise in reducing severe visual impairments, but many questions remain regarding the nature of more subtle deficits of visual functions and how they should be identified.


In times of increasing competition and deliberation of markets, the pressure on companies to examine all of their activities from a cost-benefit perspective has grown extensively. Corporate philanthropy, being one of these activities, is not exempt from this tendency. This is why the concept of strategic corporate philanthropy (SCP), uniting the creation of corporate and social benefits, represents a convenient combination of both aspects. This research aims to explore strategic dimensions and underlying drivers of giving to the arts, as well as the presence of SCP in the corporate supportive activity. The knowledge of strategic dimensions in the field can represent an advantage for both cultural institutions and companies. Understanding the underlying drivers of giving to the arts, cultural institutions can optimize their fundraising processes, whereas companies can combine social responsibility with corporate rational. An exploratory research was conducted with Austrian companies engaging in giving to the arts. Primary data, acquired in qualitative in-depth interviews and secondary data, gathered from media of corporate communication, were used as basis for content analysis.


Through a broad portrayal of character of its development, changing urban patterns, nature of urban economic structure and contents of urban development policies, this paper takes a political economy approach to examine the process of urbanization in India. It narrates as to how since the colonial period labour mobility across space and sectors was caused as well as triggered by marginalization of the peasantry and artisans through agencies of a growing capitalist economy. Instead of taking a systemic view, manifest expression of rural to urban migration in form of overcrowding as well as dense and unhygienic living conditions of the urban poor continued to be viewed as the 'primary' set of urban problems. [CSS Working Paper No. 12].


The nonlinear coupling of a low-frequency electron quasi-mode and a high-frequency electrostatic wave through a high-frequency electromagnetic pump is considered in a dusty plasma, which includes the effect of dust charging. The electron quasi-mode occurs in a dusty plasma whose electron Debye length and electron temperature are much greater than, respectively, the ion Debye length and the ion temperature. The nonlinear dispersion relation has a structure that is much simpler than the nonlinear dispersion relation for the parametric instability in dust-free plasmas. Only a purely growing instability can be excited, and the threshold and growth rate are obtained.


Using the duplication formulas of the elliptic trigonometric functions of Gosper, we deduce some new special values for the first two Jacobi theta functions. At the end of the paper, we show how is it possible to extend our arguments and deduce a wide variety of additional special values for the Jacobi thetas. In addition, an identity is revealed between these functions and the Weber modular function.


Objective To explore the application value of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan combined with serum pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 (PKM2), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) detection in diagnosing endometrial carcinoma (EC). Methods The clinical data of 45 patients with pathologically confirmed EC treated in our hospital from May 2019 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received pelvic MRI scan, serum PKM2, NGAL and sOB-R detection was performed, and the combination of the two was performed so as to analyze the diagnostic application value of the three modalities. Results Compared with the joint detection, the number of true positive cases, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rate obtained by a single application of pelvic MRI or serum PKM2, NGAL, and sOB-R detection were obviously lower; the area under the ROC curve of the joint detection was obviously larger than that of single detection; the results of the joint detection were better than those of single detection (P < 0.05); the combined diagnosis obtained the highest sensitivity. Conclusion Combining pelvic MRI with serum PKM2, NGAL, and sOB-4 detection can effectively promote the diagnostic accuracy for EC, presenting significant clinical diagnostic value.


This section contains summaries of some of the many items of interest from the newsletters and journals of PIA's state and territory divisions. No attempt has been made to be comprehensive, either in reporting items or covering all divisions. The intention is to improve inter‐state communication & information flows. For full articles, contact the relevant division.


indicated by the sub-titles What They Believe, Who They Are, Where They are Changing. Fifty years ago the Scope trial in America seemed to relegate evangelicalism to a reactionary backwater in the life of the churches and the nation, yet recently there has been talk of a resurgence of the evangelical faith marked by such internal changes as a new blossoming of scholarship, a renewal of social concern and a political awareness more flexible and discriminating. It is this development and all that lies behind it in the evangelical heritage that the participants in the symposium discuss in thcir essays. While the majority of the contributors are called evangelicals, a few are not. Differences of opinion and emphasis therefore appear, but all have tried to be objective and balanced in their judgments. A notable feature is that the editors, not wishing to overlook the contribution of the black Christian community, have assigned two essays to authors


We present molecular data to demonstrate that the isochromosome 12p, specific for human germ cell tumors (GCTs), is of uniparental origin. Eight GCT‐derived cell lines, containing one or more copies of i(12p) and/or other 12p anomalies, were analyzed with different 12p‐derived polymorphic markers. The results from Ma‐90, a near‐diploid cell line with only one i(12p) in addition to two copies of a normal chromosome 12, clearly show an allelic 12p ratio of approximately 3:1, indicating that both 12p arms are of identical parental origin. These results were further substantiated by data obtained from the other i(12p)‐positive GCT‐derived cell lines. Therefore, we conclude that the i(12p) in GCTs constitutes a genuine isochromosome with genetically identical arms. The isochromosome most likely originates from a misdivision of the centromere rather than from a translocation or a non‐sister chromatid exchange as proposed by others. We also found that supernumerary 12p copies, as observed in i(12p)‐negative GCTs, are of uniparental origin. These observations seem to point to an important role for certain 12p‐derived sequences in the development of human GCTs. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Attempts were made to apply atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging to the detection and mapping of the sites of base substitutions in DNA molecules. In essence, DNA fragments to be examined for possible base substitutions were mixed with an equal amount of a corresponding DNA standard and subjected to heat denaturation and subsequent annealing. The reassociated DNA was incubated with MutS protein, a protein that recognizes and binds to mismatched base pairs in duplex DNA. Bound MutS protein molecules were then detected by AFM and their positions along the DNA molecules were determined by calculating the distance from one of the DNA termini, which had been tagged with a biotin-avidin complex. Base substitutions present in DNA molecules >1 kb were effectively detected by this procedure, and the positions determined were in good agreement with the actual mutation sites. This method is quite simple, has virtually no limitations on the size of DNA fragments to be examined and requires only a very small amount of DNA sample.


Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are the sixth most prevalent type of malignancy worldwide. Despite recent advances in multidisciplinary treatments, the overall survival and quality of life of patients with advanced HNSCC have not improved considerably over the past decade. Recent reports have demonstrated that tumors contain a small subpopulation of cells called cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which are responsible for tumor maintenance and metastasis. CSCs have the ability to self-renew and are responsible for tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and relapse after treatment. Recent studies demonstrate that even established HNSCC cell lines contain a definite sub-population of CSC providing us with the opportunity to discerning their roles in progression, treatment, and relapse of the disease. In vitro Sphere Forming Assays (using ultra-low attachment plate and serum free media) were employed as the key method of CSC enrichment. qPCR analyses, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, Side Population Phenotype assay (SPP) were used to confirm the results of the primary analyses. To confirm an in vivo CSC phenotype, xenograft tumor formation, through subcutaneous injection in immunocompromised mice was done. In vitro sphere forming assay followed by subsequent passaging of the sphere enriched cells (SECs) have successfully demonstrated the existence and enrichment of a CSC sub-population in HNSCC cell lines. Findings suggest a differential existence of CSCs related to the HPV status of the cell. ALDH assay and SPP assay confirmed the results of sphere formation. qPCR analyses of the SECs have confirmed enrichment in several stemness marker genes (Oct-4, Sox2, Nanog, Bmi-1, cMyc, KLF4, Beta catenin etc.), also following the identical differential pattern. Various EMT markers genes (Vimentin, Fibronectin, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, Slug, Twist, ZO-1 etc.) were also assessed, portraying a significant level of expression in CSC populations. SECs subcutaneously injected in immunocompromised mice formed tumors with as few as 50 cells. We have demonstrated that a definite subpopulation of CSCs exists in HNSCC cell lines. Significant differences were seen between the HPV+ and HPV- subtypes. Analyses of EMT marker genes and other molecular pathways in CSC confirm the differences between HPV+ and HPV- cells too following the similar pattern. In vivo tumor xenograft formation establishes the heightened tumorigenicity of CSCs/SECs. Citation Format: Anirban Chatterjee, Kwangok Nickel, Randall J. Kimple. Characterization and enrichment of head and neck cancer stem cells suggests differences between HPV+ and HPV- subtypes of HNSCC cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3356.


The static balancing of spatial 6-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanisms or manipulators with revolute actuators is studied in this article. Two static balancing methods, namely, using counterweights and using springs, are used. The first method leads to mechanisms with a stationary global center of mass while the second approach leads to mechanisms whose total potential energy (including the elastic potential energy stored in the springs as well as the gravitational potential energy) is constant. The position vector of the global center of mass and the total potential energy of the manipulator are first expressed as functions of the position and orientation of the platform. Then, conditions for static balancing are derived from the resulting expressions. Finally, examples are given to illustrate the design methodologies. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


Fossil woods from Oligocene Rio Leona Formation were studied and described. A new morphospecies of Myrceugenellites with affinity to Myrtaceae was described and a new morphogenus, similar to Schinus (Anacardiaceae), was erected and documents the first fossil wood with this affinity from Patagonia. The diagnosis of Laurelites doroteaensis with affinity to Atherospermataceae and Doroteoxylon vicente-perezii with affinity to Leguminosae were amended. All the described woods resemble the wood of extant species that today inhabit Patagonia with the exception of D. vicente-perezii - the generic affinity of which remains uncertain.


Background: Acute respiratory disorders are a large burden to the acute medical services in any healthcare system. East Yorkshire has high prevalence of respiratory disorders. There are two large teaching hospitals under one institution providing care to a population of around 600,000 people including a mixture of inner city and rural areas. Aim: To retrospectively review the outcomes of a new nurse-led specialist respiratory assessment service supported by respiratory consultants. Methods: We developed an Acute Respiratory Assessment Service (ARAS); a team of 3 specialist respiratory nurses supervised by 2 consultant respiratory physicians. The ARAS team reviewed on a twice daily basis all acute respiratory admissions to the acute medical specialist unit in our hospitals. They were assessing in-patients on medical wards and intensive care and providing early supportive discharges. The ARAS team worked with community-based respiratory, oxygen, dieticians and smoking cessation services. Results: Over 6 months period a total 606 patients were managed through ARAS; 342 had COPD, 50 asthma, 75 pneumonia, 70 lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), and 63 with other respiratory conditions. A large proportion of patients were discharged from hospital within 96 hours; 185 (54%) with COPD, 36 (72%) with asthma, 39 (56%) with LRTI, 34 (54%) with pneumonia. ARAS team also supported discharge of patients with longer hospital stay. 13% of patients with COPD and asthma were readmitted within 30 days. Conclusion: A dedicated specialist service provides high standard of care for patients with respiratory problems and works as a link between the acute hospital and community services resulting in a reduction length of hospital stay with low readmission rates.