OBJECTIVES
This study aims to investigate the characteristic features of tumors and relationship between features in cases who underwent surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) of the head and neck.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between December 2007 and March 2011, 106 lesions of 90 cases who underwent excision of NMSC of the head and neck in our clinic were included. The statistical analysis was performed by evaluating the demographic data, histopathologic type, size and thickness of tumor, location, Clark stage, T stage, risk of recurrence and the presence of recurrence, reconstruction technique and success rate of surgery.

RESULTS
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was approximately two-fold more common than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The most common locations of tumors were the nose and lip. Most of lesions (71.7%) were at high-risk of recurrence. When the relationship of histopathologic type with the size and depth of tumor were analyzed, it was found that the size and thickness of tumor in SCC were relatively higher with a statistically significant difference. The relationship between histopathologic type and the location of tumors was also statistically significant.

CONCLUSION
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common NMSC of the head and neck. Most of these cases have the potential of high rate of recurrence. The size and thickness of SCC are higher than BCC.


The article analyzes international legal acts (American Convention on Human Rights, Inter-American Model Law on Access to Public Information, Model Law on Access to Information for Africa, Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Declaration on Freedom of Expression and Information, Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Model Law on Informatization, Information and Information Protection, Model Inform Codes for the CIS member states, etc.) adopted within the framework of international intergovernmental organizations (Organization of American States, African Union, Council of Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States, etc.) at the regional level regarding the right to information. It is stated that this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media. Attention is paid to the issue of access to public information that is in the use, possession or control of any government agency, including the types of information to be published (organizational structure, functions, responsibilities, procurement procedures, complaint mechanisms, etc.); the article analyzes the procedure for responding to requests for access to public information by public authorities. Attention is drawn to the respect for the right to information in the aspect of use of information and communication technologies. Attention is paid to the activities of specially authorized persons, monitoring institutions, bodies for compliance with international agreements in the field of information (Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, Advisory Committee, The Council of Europe Data Protection Commissioner etc.). It is indicated that these bodies and officials established at the international regional level perform a number of functions, including: general monitoring of freedom of expression and access to information standards, investigation of specific situations of systemic violations of the right to freedom of expression and denial of access to information, cooperation with national authorities and human rights institutions, consulting Member States etc. The relevant conclusions have been drawn.


Two-photon stereolithography based on photopolymerization provides the ability to fabricate real three- dimensional (3D) microstructures beyond the resolution of focal size. In this paper, our recent research focusing on improvement of spatial resolution in two-photon stereolithography is reviewed. The influence of system and fabrication conditions in relation to the spatial resolution is discussed. For small and low aspect ratio voxels, a minimum power and minimum exposure time (MPMT) scheme is introduced. During the two-photon process, an ascending technique, wherein the truncation amount of volumetric pixels is controlled, can be applied to improve the resolution of two-dimensional patterns. 3D microfabrication with less than 100 nm resolution can be realized by using the radical quenching effect. After the two-photon process, the resolution of fabricated patterns can be refined to 60 nm by post-processing of plasma ashing.


Agricultural policy s support to farmers, measured in real terms, differs considerably across Russian regions. What explains these large differences in regional agricultural support? We argue that traditional approaches of agricultural economics cannot fully explain this variation and we draw upon the political eocnomy literature. In particular, we explain allocation and distribution of agricultural subsidies studying the incentives of federal and regional politicians. Electoral pressures arising from competing with other political parties may push federal politicians to target either loyal or easily swayed voters and regional ones to strategically target special interst groups. Vertical organization of the Russian dominant party may generate perverse accountability links between local governors and regional agricultural interest groups. We utlize a unique dataset on the agricultural subsidies in 2008-2015 in order to test the hypotheses. The evidence suggests that federal government targets swing regions in distributing agricultural subsidies and local governments are more likely to allocate larger co-funding shares facing higher political competition in the region. In addition, regions with better organized large-scale agricultural producers and elected governors are more successful in maximizing obtained agricultural subsidies from the federal level. Acknowledgement :


This is an open access article & it is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) Azadirachta indica which is commonly known as neem plant has one of the most promising medicinal properties having a wide spectrum of biological activity. Fresh matured leaves, stem-bark and seeds of A. indica (neem) were collected, air dried and aqueous-extract was used to screen for some active chemical constituents. Phytochemicals of neem plant parts were extracted and screened both qualitatively and quantitatively. The screening of A. indica was carried out at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Paklihawa Campus, Rupandehi in a quest to evaluate the phytochemicals. Among the qualitative tests done for the presence of secondary metabolites; alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids were found to present in all of the tested parts whereas steroids, polyphenols and tannins were present only in leaves and stem-bark. Glycosides and coumarins are absent in all of the tested parts. Quantitative screening was also done by using gravimetric method. Alkaloids were found in all the parts of A. indica with the highest amount of alkaloids were obtained in stem-bark (12.8%) and lowest in leaves (10.67%). Highest flavonoids percentage was revealed in leaves (13.8%) and lowest flavonoids in stem-bark (12.8%). Similarly, seeds (2.53%) contained saponins % while it was lowest in stem-bark (2.50 %). Terpenoids % were similar in both i.e. leaves and stem-bark (13.13%), whereas lowest in seeds (12.77%). More research on secondary metabolites will be helpful to the chemical industries to produce plant-based chemicals and minimize the environment degradation from different synthetic chemicals.


Objective: Analyze the factors involved in the practice of the fourth step of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, from the experience of postpartum women admitted to a Baby Friendly Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive, exploratory study, in which a qualitative approach was used. Data was collected from November 2011 to January 2012, through systematic observation of non-participating deliveries and semi-structured interviews with 16 subjects. For the data treatment, the thematic modality content analysis was applied. Results: The main obstacles to the realization of the fourth step were the priority given to routine care after birth, cesarean delivery and the different work process promoted by the determinations of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Conclusion: We conclude that reflection upon, and (re)construction of, knowledge and practices concerning this step are necessary.


In this article we discuss the propedeutic aspects of alopecia areata, especially those found by dermatoscopy, an invaluable tool for diagnosis of the condition. Dermatoscopy facilitates the early detection of the characteristic changes in alopecia areata hair such as exclamation-point hairs, cadaverous hair, fuzzy hair, vellus type hair and yellow spots.


Carbovir is a novel carbocyclic nucleoside which has been shown to have potent in vitro activity against human immunodeficiency virus, the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Sprague-Dawley male rats were used to investigate the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of carbovir. Six rats received carbovir (20 mg/kg of body weight) through the jugular vein, and blood samples were collected through the femoral vein 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 min after the dose. Four of these rats also received a 60-mg/kg oral dose of carbovir, and a similar blood sampling schedule was followed. Whole-blood samples were prepared by solid-phase extraction, and the carbovir concentration in the samples was analyzed by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The profile of carbovir concentration in blood versus time after the intravenous dose was biexponential, with a very rapid distribution phase. Terminal elimination half-life was 21.4 +/- 4.37 min, and total body clearance was 55.2 +/- 13.8 ml/min per kg, which was within the range of the hepatic blood flow. The volume of distribution at steady state was 1,123 +/- 250 ml/kg. The blood/plasma ratio and the plasma protein binding of carbovir in rat blood were determined in vitro by ultrafiltration. The plasma protein binding of carbovir was only 20% and was not concentration dependent. However, the blood/plasma ratio decreased significantly as concentration increased, indicating saturable binding sites in erythrocytes. After the oral dose, the terminal half-life was 81.0 +/- 67.6 min, indicating that oral carbovir followed "flip-flop" kinetics, with absorption being much slower than elimination of the drug from the body. Oral bioavailability was 0.101 +/- 0.035. Double peaks were present in the concentration-time profile for each rat receiving the oral dose, indicating either a delay in stomach emptying of the drug or slow dissolution of precipitated carbovir in the stomach and upper small intestine.


Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål), is one of the most important insect pests in Saudi Arabia. Cultivated crops and the range lands are heavily affected by desert locust in some regions of Saudi Arabia. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of damage by the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) to the range lands being used for grazing range animals in Gazan and Makkah regions of Saudi Arabia. However, it is very difficult to estimate accurately the total infested areas, which were sprayed with insecticides to control upsurges, outbreaks and plagues over the last five decades. Records of Desert Locust control are kept in the National Desert Locust Control and Research Center in Jeddah. Meteorological data was obtained from the Meteorology and Environmental Protection Administration (MEPA), Saudi Arabia. The data shows that the Desert Locust infestation was associated partially with the rainfall intensity in Gazan and Makkah regions. There was found a good relationship between Desert Locust infestation (Solitary phase), temperature and the relative humidity. The locust infestation was heavy during 1986-88, 1992-95 and 1997-98 and about 1.8 million ha were treated with insecticides. Out of the total breeding/infested area, 43% was treated in winter months (October-February) and the remaining 57% was treated in spring season (March-June). The infested area was sprayed with Marshall, Carbosulfan (20%), Malathion (96%, Clorpyrifos; (48%) Fipronil (12.5%), Sumithion (100%) and Decis (12.5%). The study showed an excellent potential to determine the active locust infestation period in relation to the environmental factors for its effective control with insecticide sprays to minimize crop damage. The study highlighted the needs for further investigations in other locust infested areas with different environmental factors for planning future desert locust control programs.


Describes a monolithic 14-bit DAC which uses a new compensation technique for the DAC linearity, the `self-compensation technique', originated through a new concept. Since this technique automatically compensates for linearity error in the DAC by referring to a ramp function with about 17-bit linearity, a high precision DAC can be produced in monolithic form without the trimming of analog components. An experimental 14-bit DAC chip has been fabricated using analog compatible IIL technology and two-level metalization. A linearity error of less that /spl plusmn/1/2 LSB and a settling time of 1-2 /spl mu/s has been achieved.


A three-dimensional conceptualization or hypothesis-testing research designs A conceptualization of research designs for hypothesis-testing research is proposed in terms of four facets or dimensions, namely, unit of analysis (individuals, households, gangs, riots, journal articles, etc.), the presence or absence of an intervention to elicit the relationship to be studied (experiment or survey), research setting (laboratory or field), and measurement or data collection procedure. When the unit of analysis involvesindividuals, the choice of level of any of the other three facets does not, by definition, restrict the choice of the levels of the remaining two facets. Consequently these facets may be represented graphically by a three-dimensional block. For example, experiments are not necessarily restricted to laboratories in which data are collected by obtrusive measurement Instead of restricting the description and classification of research designs in terms of their typical utilization in the past, this conceptualization has the advantage of facilitating a more complete understanding of various designs and exploiting the full spectrum of possible designs. Factors which thwart or prevent the realization of some combinations of levels of the above facets are indicated.


The development of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different emission spectra is revolutionizing lighting technology and opening up completely new applications and research areas. The spectral irradiance of the sun reaching the Earth's surface is very complex due to radiative transfer processes within the atmosphere and ranges from the shortwave ultraviolet (UV) to longwave infrared (IR) radiation. The simulation of this spectral irradiance by artificial light sources is technically very demanding. It could be realized sufficiently so far by a combination of different light sources, mostly light bulbs, metal halide lamps and fluorescent tubes, in combination of different filters. In the present work, we are presenting a new LED Sun Simulator system, which allows simulating spectral irradiance close to natural solar spectral irradiance from 360 to 800 nm. The system generates the spectral irradiance by a combination of 23 different types of LED. The irradiance of each of the 23 different LED types can be separately controlled by software to modulate the spectra. In total, the system comprises 2,530 high-power LEDs mounted on 100 printed circuit boards (PCBs) / aluminum boards. With this system, an experimental area of one square meter can be homogeneously irradiated (irradiance with a mean variability of 2 % in the integrated range of 360 nm - 800 nm) at the distance of 1.6 m simulating the spectral irradiance of the standard reference spectrum of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM G173-03). At maximum, the LED lighting field can reach an irradiance of 2,500 W m-2, which is more than twice than that of the brightest sunlight in Central Europe. Thus, the new system opens up multiple new applications in many research areas ranging from photobiology to human health and environmental and material sciences.


This paper presents an end-to-end differentiable algorithm for robust and detail-preserving surface normal estimation on unstructured point-clouds. We utilize graph neural networks to iteratively parameterize an adaptive anisotropic kernel that produces point weights for weighted least-squares plane fitting in local neighborhoods. The approach retains the interpretability and efficiency of traditional sequential plane fitting while benefiting from adaptation to data set statistics through deep learning. This results in a state-of-the-art surface normal estimator that is robust to noise, outliers and point density variation, preserves sharp features through anisotropic kernels and equivariance through a local quaternion-based spatial transformer. Contrary to previous deep learning methods, the proposed approach does not require any hand-crafted features or preprocessing. It improves on the state-of-the-art results while being more than two orders of magnitude faster and more parameter efficient.


The cytological organization of three insect visceral muscles has been examined in the electron microscope. In each instance, the fibres were found to be striated, and the striation pattern has been shown to reflect the distribution along the sarcomere of two sets of myofilaments. In transverse sections of the fibre at the level of the A band, these muscles have been found to exhibit an unusual myofilament array in which each thick (myosin) filament is surrounded by twelve thin (actin) filaments rather than six, as in insect flight muscle and vertebrate skeletal muscle. The distribution of T-system tubules and cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in these visceral fibres is described, and compared with the corresponding membrane systems in other striated muscles.


In order to understand and imitate the more complex bio-processes and fascinating functions in nature, protein self-assembly has been studied and has attracted more and more interest in recent years. Artificial self-assemblies of proteins have been constructed through many strategies. However, the design of complicated protein self-assemblies utilizing the special profile of building blocks remains a challenge. We herein report linear and 2D nanostructures constructed from a V shape SMAC protein and induced by metal coordination. Zigzag nanowires and wavy 2D nanostructures have been demonstrated by AFM and TEM. The zigzag nanowires can translate to a 2D nanostructure with an excess of metal ions, which reveals the step by step assembly process. Fluorescence and UV/Vis spectra have also been obtained to further study the mechanism and process of self-assembly. Upon the protein nanostructure, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) could also be detected using fluorescein modified proteins as building blocks. This article provides an approach for designing and controlling self-assembled protein nanostructures with a distinctive topological morphology.


To explore the protective immune effect induced by mucosal delivery heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA)-a candidate vaccine antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Female C57BL/6 mice were between 6 and 8 weeks of age before experimental use. Thirty mice received different immunization strategies and were randomly divided into the control group, the early secreting antigen target-6 (ESAT-6) intranasal immunization group, the HBHA intranasal immunization group, the BCG priming PBS control group, or BCG priming HBHA boost group, 6 mice in each group. In order to analyzed the immune effect, the concentrations of plasma Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and other cytokines were measured by ELISA. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses were performed to detect the relative quantity (RQ) mRNA of IL-17A in the lung. The lung tissue sections were stained to detect the formation of the tertiary lymphoid structures. The chemokines contributed to formation of the tertiary lymphoid structures were also measured. Flow cytometry was used to detect the frequency of Th1 and Th17 cells in the system. Sixty mice in the BCG priming PBS control group and the BCG priming HBHA boost group were sacrificed at different time points after infection to count the lung bacterial burden. The concentrations of plasma IL-17A and relative quantity of lung IL-17A mRNA were highest in the BCG priming HBHA boost group [(14.76±4.73) pg/mL,RQ (12.27±6.71)], which was significantly higher than the control group [(5.57±2.95) pg/mL,RQ (1.30±0.97)] (t=4.213, P<0.001; t=5.984, P<0.001), and also significantly higher than the BCG priming PBS control group [(6.81±2.18) pg/mL,RQ (1.44±1.16)] (t=3.646 P=0.001; t=6.185 P<0.001). Compared with the BCG priming PBS control group (0.38±0.38)% the frequency of spleen Th17 cells were also significantly increased (t=-0.280, P=0.048) in the BCG-primary HBHA boost group (1.02±0.34)%. In addition, HBHA boosting could promote better formation of the tertiary lymphoid structures in the lung, and decrease the bacterial load on the early stage after BCG challenge. Collectively, mucosal delivery of HBHA can effectively enhance the protective effect after BCG vaccination, and it is a potential candidate vaccine component.


ABSTRACT In gammaproteobacteria the Hfq protein shows a great variation in size, especially in its C-terminal part. Extremely large Hfq proteins consisting of almost 200 amino acid residues and more are found within the gammaproteobacterial family Moraxellaceae. The difference in size compared to other Hfq proteins is due to a glycine-rich domain near the C-terminal end of the protein. Acinetobacter baylyi, a nonpathogenic soil bacterium and member of the Moraxellaceae encodes a large 174-amino-acid Hfq homologue containing the unique and repetitive amino acid pattern GGGFGGQ within the glycine-rich domain. Despite the presence of the C-terminal extension, A. baylyi Hfq complemented an Escherichia coli hfq mutant in vivo. By using polyclonal anti-Hfq antibodies, we detected the large A. baylyi Hfq that corresponds to its annotated size indicating the expression and stability of the full protein. Deletion of the complete A. baylyi hfq open reading frame resulted in severe reduction of growth. In addition, a deletion or overexpression of Hfq was accompanied by the loss of cell chain assembly. The glycine-rich domain was not responsible for growth and cell phenotypes. hfq gene localization in A. baylyi is strictly conserved within the mutL-miaA-hfq operon, and we show that hfq expression starts within the preceding miaA gene or further upstream.


OBJECTIVES
Transplant renal artery stenosis is the commonest vascular complication after kidney transplant. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment for patients with clinically significant transplant renal artery stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Electronic patient records of kidney transplant recipients who received transplants from October 1, 2010, to July 31, 2021, at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital were retrospectively reviewedtoidentify thosewhounderwent endovascular treatment for transplant renal artery stenosis. Analysis of variance and paired sample t tests were respectively used to compare serum creatinine and the mean number of antihypertensive medications before and aftertreatment.

RESULTS
During the period of analysis, there were 1211 kidney transplant recipients, with 33 (2.72%) who received endovascular treatment for transplant renal artery stenosis. Mostofthesepatientsweremen(25/33), and the median age was 59 years (range, 27-83 y). The mean follow-up duration was 69.82 months. As primary treatment, 19/33 patients (57.6%) were treated with percutaneous balloon angioplasty and 14/33 (42.4%) received stents. Procedure-related complications occurred in 3 patients (9.1%; 2 had false aneurysms, 1 had renal artery dissection). Significant improvements in mean serum creatinine levels were shown up to 4 years after the procedure (P = .019). A significant difference in the mean number of antihypertensive drugs before and after treatment was noted in those who had resistant hypertension as a presentation for transplantrenal artery stenosis (P = .016). At the end of follow-up, 7 patients (21.1%) had graft failure, with 1 patient (3.0%) having graft failure as a direct consequence of transplant renal artery stenosis. There was no reported incidence of patient mortality.

CONCLUSIONS
Endovascular treatment for transplant renal artery stenosis provides a sustained improvement in graft function and a significant reduction in antihypertensive drug requirement.


CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2008 Abstracts

Abstract #3010

Vascular invasion, encompassing both lymphovascular (LVI) and blood vascular invasion (BVI), influences breast cancer patient prognosis. We have previously shown, using an immunohistochemical approach to distinguish between LVI and BVI in a well characterized group of 177 consecutive paraffin-embedded specimens breast cancer patients (52 LN+ and 125 LN-), that VI was detected in 32% of specimens and that 96% of such VI were invasion of lymphatic vessels. The presence of LVI was significantly associated with the presence of metastasis, recurrence and worse disease free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS). In multivariate analysis, LVI was an independent poor prognostic factor. This original study has been expanded by examining LVI, assessed by podoplanin staining, in 1000 LN-, early stage, breast cancers. In addition to verifying initial results showing the prognostic power of detection of LVI in early stage tumours, it also allowed an examination of LVI in histological and basal phenotypes to determine if the frequency of LVI influences prognosis in different breast cancer phenotypes. LVI was detected in 212 (21% of specimens). The lowest LVI positivity was observed in tubular carcinoma (5.6%), followed by mucinous (7.1%) and atypical medullary (18.5%) types. The highest LVI positivity was detected in invasive carcinoma of no special type (26%). Tumours with basal phenotype were significantly associated with higher LVI (29%) compared with 19% in non-basal tumours P =0.002 . In the LVI-positive specimens; 203 (76%) specimens had peri-tumoural LVIs and 58 (24%) had an LVI in intra-tumoural vessels (9 specimens had LVIs in the intra-tumoural vessels only and 49 specimens had an LVI in both intra- and peri-tumoural vessels). The frequency of LVI ranged from 1 to 79: 167specimens (79%) had 10LVIs. There was no significant difference between the frequency of LVI and development of recurrence or death from the disease. Patients with LVI had a significantly worse prognosis. The 20-year OS rate was 85% in patients without LVI compared with 68% in patients with LVI. In multivariate analysis for OS, tumour size ( P =0.004 ), tumour grade ( P< 0.0001), and LVI ( P <0.0001) retained significance. However, for DFI, only LVI ( P <0.0001) remained significant.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 3010.


The article analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chinese foreign and domestic policies during 2020. The main provisions, approaches, and dynamics of Chinese foreign policy in its key regional directions – towards the United States, European Union, the Asia-Pacific region, Russia, and some developing countries – are considered. Against the background of China's domestic success in suppressing the COVID-19 infection, Beijing also intentionally uses the coronavirus agenda to boost the nation's foreign policy that is increasingly acquiring global character. As the China-U.S. relations remained in poor shape, the Chinese foreign policy has continued to shift its focus towards the EU and the Asia-Pacific region with the purpose of stepping up economic cooperation with these regions. The authors explore in detail the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on China's economy and the key measures taken by the authorities to ensure economic stabilization and steady progress. These measures aim at searching for a new model of development based and centered on the domestic market. The effectiveness of these new approaches has so far allowed China to cope with the pandemic with minimum losses, as compared with other large countries, and to maintain positive dynamics of its development.


Casey's critically acclaimed work is revised here with the latest research and software developments that help you strengthen early literacy through the use of talking computers. Filled with exciting research results and anecdotal proof of the effectiveness of new teaching methods for the twenty-first century, it shows you how to boost literacy, especially among those with learning disabilities or oral/hands-on learning styles, as well as ESL students. Computers are being integrated in early literacy classrooms nationwide and around the world. Learn how you can use computers effectively to boost student learning and achievement in your classroom. Filled with exciting information, this book shows you how your classroom can become a part of meaningful literacy projects with other classrooms throughout the world. It also presents the important global research information needed by political teams, school boards, administrators, superintendents, and all parties involved in the vital decision-making process surrounding technology implementation. This revised edition of Casey's critically-acclaimed work includes data on how computers make a difference in the classroom as well as information on software that has been used successfully with children learning English as a second language.


Rahmstorf et al. [2004], in their "critique" of Shaviv and Veizer [2003], assert that the proposed correlation between cosmic ray flux (CRF) and paleoclimate during the Phanerozoic does not "hold up under scrutiny" because its astrophysical background is based on "questionable assumptions" and circular reasoning, and because the meteoritic and terrestrial databases and statistics are manipulated.

They further claim that the Shaviv and Veizer [2003] treatment of the CO2/climate relationship is not scientifically sustainable, and that the oxygen isotope record is likely a proxy of oceanic pH and not of paleotemperature. They make a host of additional assertions that cannot all be restated here.


Mitochondria within human cells contain vast numbers of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which are small, circular, and double-stranded. The proper functions of mtDNA depend totally on specific proteins that are encoded by the nucleus and then imported into mitochondria. Thus instability of mtDNA can stem from the mtDNA itself, or secondarily from abnormalities in nuclear DNA. In this review, we will first introduce mtDNA, including its characteristics, replication, transcription, translation, and the proteins involved in its metabolism, in particular DNA polymerase gamma (POLG), DNA helicase Twinkle (Twinkle), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Secondly, we will stress the importance of mitochondrial nucleoid structures in the protection and facilitation of mtDNA metabolism, and report on the few known protein components of nucleoid, especially Twinkle, TFAM, and the recently discovered ATAD3. Based on this information, mtDNA instabilities will be categorized in accordance with their molecular etiologies, those that are caused by primary defects of mtDNA, and those by secondary effects from abnormalities in nuclear DNA. The former includes large defects or point mutations of mtDNA. The latter involves the nuclear genes of POLG1, Twinkle, ANT1, TK2, dGK, and TP. With the comprehensive categorization in this review, links are provided between the molecular and clinical aspects of mitochondrial DNA diseases. This report should help medical staff understand the complexity of these diseases and encourage them in further investigations. (


The aim of this study was to assess the lactation, reproductive performance, and disorders of dairy cows in Waliso and Ilu districts. A total of 122 respondents who participated in the production of dairy cattle were chosen at random and proportional to their size. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version20. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results such as overall means, standard error (SE), graphs, tables, frequency, and percentage. Daily milk yield of local breed cow was1.890±0.05liters/per/cow/day, while cross breed dairy cows7.410±0.31liters/ cow/day. Cross breed dairy cows produced (1978.4597±0.98) liters/ lactation/cow and native breed cows produced (429.78±17.10) liters /lactation/cow on average. Results showed that local and cross breed dairy cows had lactations length of 7.58±0.05 and 8.90±0.29 months per lactation per year. The average reproductive performance of local and cross breed dairy cows was (AFS) 44.88±0.57and 24.43±0.29 months, (AFC)53.94±0.56and 33.43±0.29 months, (CI)14.35±0.41) and 14.35±0.41months, (DO)161±0.41 and 140±0.49) days, and (NSPC)1.69±0.06 and1.70±0.10 times, respectively. Daily milk yields, average milk yields, and lactation lengths were significantly (P0.05) different between the two Districts. The overall percentages of stillbirths, dystocia, retained fetal membranes, abortions, and mastitis were 8%, 6.35 %, 6.66 %, 12.15 %, and 11.8%, respectively. In inclusion, it could be concluded that the productive lactation, reproductive performance and disorder are relatively low. Thus, indicating that it is an urgent need for well-coordinated efforts of all concerned bodies to boost the productive and reproductive performance there by enhances the livelihood of the dairy farmers.


Abstract Objective. Various ureteral stents have been developed to reduce ureteral stent-related discomfort. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the efficacy and morbidity of three different ureteral stents. Materials and methods. Between June 2012 and May 2013, patients who underwent ureteral stent insertion after ureteroscopic stone removal were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive three different stents (group 1, Endo-Sof™ double-pigtail ureteral stent, Cook Medical; group 2, Enhanced Durometer loop stent, Bioteq; group 3, Polaris™ Ultra ureteral stent, Boston Scientific). Ninety patients who met the inclusion criteria were administered the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) preoperatively, after 2 weeks with the stent in situ and 4 weeks after its removal. The Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS), presence of gross hematuria and ultrasound for hydronephrosis grade were checked at 2 weeks with the stent in situ and 4 weeks after its removal. Results. After stent insertion, the degree of hydronephrosis was not significantly different among the three groups. Patients in group 3 showed significantly less increase in the total IPSS and storage symptom subscores than did those in the other groups. Mean VAPS after ureteral stent insertion was significantly lower in group 3 than in the other groups. The presence of gross hematuria after ureteral stent insertion occurred more frequently in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3. Conclusions. The Polaris Ultra ureteral stent showed similar efficacy and favorable tolerability in regard to bladder irritation symptoms, stent-related pain and presence of gross hematuria compared with other stents.


A recessive demyelinating subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease called CMT4 is a heterogeneous group of disorders. A relatively frequent form of recessive CMT (CMT4 A) has been mapped to the chromosome 8 q21 and shown to be caused by mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation protein 1 (GDAP1) gene. Twenty mutations in the GDAP1 gene have been reported in patients suffering from the axonal and demyelinating forms of CMT disease. In this study we report two novel mutations in the GDAP1 gene in a patient suffering from CMT2 disease and whose parents were asymptomatic carriers of a Ser130Cys and 3'-splice site (311-1G > A) mutation, respectively.


Two of the most critical requirements for the development of license plate recognition (LPR) systems are a comprehensive database of license plate images and a testing procedure to evaluate the system. This study addresses both issues through the LPR system test (LPRST), which establishes the first performance benchmark for the LPR system. There are three important parts in the study: (i) the comprehensive, structured and labelled license plate image database is established, which is openly available to researchers; (ii) the first technical evaluation protocol for the LPR system is established, in which the testing technology has a corresponding relation to the testing image label; (iii) the LPRST is the first open technical performance evaluation of commercial systems, which identify the strengths and weakness of the existing systems, and the future areas of research in the field of LPR.


After the beginning of the extension of current Web towards the semantics, the annotation starts to take a significant role, since it takes part to give the semantic aspect to the different types of documents. With the proliferation of news articles from thousands of different sources now available on the Web, summarization of such information is becoming increasingly important. We will define a methodological approach to extract the events from the news articles and to annotate them according to the principal events which they contain. Considering the large number of news source (for examples, BBC, Reuters, CNN...), every day, thousands of articles are produced in the entire world concerning a given event. This is why we have to think to automate the process of annotation of such articles.


The purpose of this study was to examine the factors of markers and flexion/extension angle on internal/external rotation and adduction/abduction during knee flexion/extension motion. Circular regression model was used to analyse the model since response variable was angle, directional data. Five subjects were asked to perform as pure knee flexion/extension motion as possible sitting on the table. Cinematographical technique was used to acquire landmark positions. Unfiltered 3-D coordinates of four shank markers with respect to femur coordinate system and flexion/extension angle were selected as explanatory variables for the regression model. The results showed that the markers of TT for z direction, LM for x direction, and MM for x direction significantly affected on internal/external rotation. Even though flexion/extension angle also had effects on internal/external rotation, the direction of rotation varied from one subject to another. Adduction/abduction angle were not effected by the explanatory variables.


Soft Systems is the terminology given to those systems that have a software base at its working side as a primary or secondary support. These systems may include Wireless system such as cellular networks, ad hoc networks or any other software that may be dealing with encrypted information which is meant for particular receiver. These systems are very delicate in terms of working in harsh conditions and one of the major threats to this system is that of Intrusions. Broadly speaking intrusion can b of two types one that intentionally attacks the system and other that might be a bug that is generated because of human error while deploying. We are dealing with black holes and have proposed a model which is equipped with all necessary requirements that can avoid such intrusions in any type of environment. We have divided our strategy in two formats one for Wireless network and other for the client -server applications. For Network based analysis we have used NS-2 simulator and for client–server system we have developed our own software that justifies its use as an intrusion detection system. Keywords--Artificial Intelligence, Intrusion, Ad hoc Networks, Client – Server Model, black holes.


ESSAYS IN ECONOMIC BEHAVIOUR AND INTERACTION Peter Slade University of Guelph, 2015 Advisor: Professor John Cranfield This thesis contains three essays. The first essay explores the phenomena of countersignaling in a model with two di erent audiences: insiders and outsiders. Insiders have private information about the individual (or sender) and provide the individual with a reward if they believe the individual is of high ability. When the individual takes a public action that is associated with having low ability and is still rewarded by insiders, outsiders infer that insiders have favourable private information about the individual. Hence, taking an action commonly associated with low ability may signal to outsiders that the individual is more likely to have high ability by credibly revealing the private information of insiders. The second essay proposes two maximum score estimators for two-sided one-to-one matching models with non-transferable utility: a weighted estimator and an unweighted estimator. The weighted estimator is consistent in the number of markets, based on an identification at infinity argument. Conversely, the unweighted estimator is consistent when preferences are homogeneous. The asymptotics of the unweighted estimator are in either the number of markets or the number of individuals. The third essay examines the impact of gender on the hiring and promotion of academic economists. Past research has shown that females in North America generally experience inferior labour market outcomes, although it remains unclear the extent to which these outcomes are due to employer discrimination or gender di erences in preferences. This essay seeks to answer this question through structural models that allow for the separate estimation of employer and employee preferences. The initial hiring of PhD economists is modelled as a two-sided one-to-one matching market with non-transferable utility. Post-hiring outcomes (job exit and promotion) are estimated using a two-sided probit model. In the initial hiring process, departments exhibit no gender bias. However, significant male bias is found in post-hiring job outcomes; males are more likely to be promoted and less likely to be fired. Significant di erences are also found in gender preferences, with males being more likely to exit their job voluntarily.


Epsin (Eps15 interactor) is a cytosolic protein involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis via its direct interactions with clathrin, the clathrin adaptor AP-2, and Eps15. The NH2-terminal portion of epsin contains a phylogenetically conserved module of unknown function, known as the ENTH domain (epsin NH2-terminal homology domain). We have now solved the crystal structure of rat epsin 1 ENTH domain to 1.8 Å resolution. This domain is structurally similar to armadillo and Heat repeats of β-catenin and karyopherin-β, respectively. We have also identified and characterized the interaction of epsin 1, via the ENTH domain, with the transcription factor promyelocytic leukemia Zn2+ finger protein (PLZF). Leptomycin B, an antifungal antibiotic, which inhibits the Crm1- dependent nuclear export pathway, induces an accumulation of epsin 1 in the nucleus. These findings suggest that epsin 1 may function in a signaling pathway connecting the endocytic machinery to the regulation of nuclear function.


Background: Heavy amounts of menstrual blood loss regularly in three or more consecutive cycles are characterized as menorrhagia which has been shown to be present among in many peri-menopausal and premenopausal women. Aim: To determine the frequency of patients' satisfaction with TBA for the treatment of intractable menorrhagia. Methods: This descriptive study was undertaken in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lady Wallington Hospital Lahore from January to July 2017. A sample size of 200 patients was calculated and informed consent was taken to fill predesigned Performa. Prophylactic dose of 1g Ceftriaxon antibiotic was administered and Foly's catheters were placed simultaneously in uterine cavity of patients after curettage and dilations. The uterine balloon catheter was then entered into the uterus and balloon was filled with sterile fluid. Results: A high number of 157(78.5%) women were found to be satisfied with thermal balloon ablation while different age groups presented an insignificant difference on level of satisfaction. Level of education and BMI had insignificant difference (p >0.05) while a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed among patients suffering from long duration of >6 months as compared to short duration of 3-6 months. Conclusion: Thermal balloon ablation is the method of choice for treatment of women suffering from menorrhagia and high number of patients revealed their trust on this method. Keywords: Menorrhagia, Dysmenorrhea, Blooding, Satisfaction, Endometrium.


We introduce a novel algorithm to transform any generic set of triangles in 3D space into a well-formed simplicial complex. Intersecting elements in the input are correctly identified, subdivided, and connected to arrange a valid configuration, leading to a topologically sound partition of the space into piece-wise linear cells. Our approach does not require the exact coordinates of intersection points to calculate the resulting complex. We represent any intersection point as an unevaluated combination of input vertices. We then extend the recently introduced concept of indirect predicates [Attene 2020] to define all the necessary geometric tests that, by construction, are both exact and efficient since they fully exploit the floating-point hardware. This design makes our method robust and guaranteed correct, while being virtually as fast as non-robust floating-point based implementations. Compared with existing robust methods, our algorithm offers a number of advantages: it is much faster, has a better memory layout, scales well on extremely challenging models, and allows fully exploiting modern multi-core hardware with a parallel implementation. We thoroughly tested our method on thousands of meshes, concluding that it consistently outperforms prior art. We also demonstrate its usefulness in various applications, such as computing efficient mesh booleans, Minkowski sums, and volume meshes.


A 38-year-old man developing slowly progressive left facial paresis was admitted to our hospital. The clinical diagnosis of "adhesive arachnoiditis was made. The first operation was performed in December 1987, and his symptom disappeared postoperatively. Three years later, left facial paresis recurred together with trunkal ataxia. A computed tomography and magnetic resonance image revealed two tumors located at the left cerebellopontine angle region and in the left middle cerebral fossa. These two tumors were thought to arise in the different cranial nerve. Under the clinical diagnosis of acoustic neurinoma associated with facial nerve neurinoma, the two step-operation was designed for total removal of the tumor in December 1990 and January 1991. Intraoperative finding confirmed that these two tumors had the different origin. Pathologic diagnosis was compatible with neurinoma. This patient had no family history of "Neurofibromatosis".


Distamycin A was used as DNA minor groove sequence-selective vector of alkylating functions and led to the synthesis of compounds endowed with relevant cytotoxic and antitumor activity. In particular, tallimustine (Pharmacia), a benzoic acid nitrogen mustard derivative of distamycin, showed excellent antitumor activity against murine transplanted solid tumors and human xenografts, and, in the early 1990s, prompted several groups to search for new cytotoxic agents derived from distamycin. Unfortunately, tallimustine showed severe myelotoxicity and its clinical development was discontinued. Nevertheless this compound has represented an important model for the design of new cytotoxic minor groove binders derived from distamycin and distamycin-like frames. Some recently reported derivatives of distamycin-like frames with high cytotoxicity and antitumor activity also show significantly improved cytotoxicity/myelotoxicity ratio, which promises drugs with clinical efficacy. Distamycin-derived cytotoxics have been extensively reviewed in the recent past. This review will focus on cytotoxics derived structurally from distamycin or distamycin-like frames disclosed between 1997 and the third quarter of 2000.


The accuracy with which the head and spine could be positioned in the frontal and sagittal planes relative to the pelvis was measured and compared in ten healthy adult males. Subjects were tested with eyes closed, while standing with their pelvis externally restrained. The positions of markers, attached to the back of the head and over each of the T1, T6, T11, and L3 spinous processes, were measured to the nearest mm using strain‐gaged flexible beam transducers. Subjects were tested for their accuracy in sensing return of the trunk to an initial neutral position under different test conditions. Results showed that positioning was 16–45% more accurate in the frontal than in the sagittal plane, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. T1 could be centered to within 7 and 10 mm in the frontal and sagittal planes, respectively. No significant differences were found between active and passive positioning accuracies. Presence of an external trunk moment did not significantly affect trunk positioning accuracy, although it systematically caused overshoot of the neutral position. Lastly, lateral trunk shifts exceeding 12 mm may be classified as abnormal in young adults.


We report reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics calculations of the thermal conductivity of isotope substituted (10,10) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at 300 K. (12)C and (14)C isotopes both at 50% content were arranged either randomly, in bands running parallel to the main axis of the CNTs or in bands perpendicular to this axis. It is found that the systems with randomly distributed isotopes yield significantly reduced thermal conductivity. In contrast, the systems where the isotopes are organized in patterns parallel to the CNTs axis feature no reduction in thermal conductivity when compared with the pure (14)C system. Moreover, a reduction of approximately 30% is observed in the system with the bands of isotopes running perpendicular to the CNT axis. The computation of phonon dispersion curves in the local density approximation and classical densities of vibrational states reveal that the phonon structure of carbon nanotubes is conserved in the isotope substituted systems with the ordered patterns, yielding high thermal conductivities in spite of the mass heterogeneity. In order to complement our conclusions on the (12)C-(14)C mixtures, we computed the thermal conductivity of systems where the (14)C isotope was turned into pseudo-atoms of 20 and 40 atomic mass units.


This is the second article in a two-part series on the causes of failure in electromechanical relays. Part I, in the February 2018 issue of EDFA, examines a variety of failures caused by the formation of oxide on contact surfaces. As the author explains, electric arcing in the presence of silicon oil or vapor creates SiO2 deposits in the contact region that build up over time. Here in Part II, the author presents examples of failures caused by nitrous gases, phosphoric acid crystals, and wax, which is often found on enameled copper wires.


Background: Tobacco smoking and tuberculosis (TB) are two major public health problems. It has long been suggested that tobacco smoking may affect rates of TB morbidity and mortality. Methods: To assess the clinical features of tuberculosis in smoker9s patients, we report a comparative study between two groups of 41 patients each with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Mean age in smokers group was 40, 4 ± 15, 7 years vs 40, 19 ±13, 6 years in non smoker9s group. 39 of smokers were men with tobacco intoxication about 33, 7 ± 27, 62 Package per year. In no smoker9s group, there were 21 men and 20 women. Symptoms were no specific in both groups and dominated by cough (80% vs 66%), hemoptysis (19, 5% vs 6%) and chest pain (15% vs 20%). Radiological investigations showed bilateral lesions in 21 cases (51, 2%) versus 10 cases (24%). Nodular infiltration was showed in 22 versus 14 cases, consolidation in 10 versus 3 cases, a mass lesion in 1 case in smoker9s group and cavitary lesions in 8 versus 13 cases. The confirmation of tuberculosis was bacteriogical in 37 cases and histological in the others in smoker9s group. It was bacteriological in all patients in non smoker9s group. Smoking patients presented severe adverse event with antituberculosis treatment. This was not reported in controls. A delay of recovery (time between symptoms and recovery) was longer in smokers than in non smokers patients. Pulmonary sequels such as dyspnea and fibrosis were most frequent in smokers. Conclusion: Tobacco may delay the recovery of pulmonary tuberculosis and may induce pulmonary sequels in spite of correctly antituberculosis treatment. Therefore smoking prevention and cessation should be a priority in TB prevention program.


HIV/AIDS remains a significant health concern in rural communities, which may also experience many disparate issues including reduced access to health services (Department of Health and Human Services, 2015). Community efforts should be increased to improve services to people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA), especially in rural communities. In the state of Tennessee, using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, a needs assessment was conducted to identify gaps, barriers, and strategies for improving HIV-related comprehensive care services for people diagnosed with HIV/ AIDS in 26 rural counties. The paper describes the CBPR partnership and the needs assessment project that was conducted and how the results may support community leaders and health care providers in planning and allocating resources for non-medical services of PLWHA in rural communities, and thus maximizing both individual and community benefit.


Collisions of heavy nuclei at (ultra-)relativistic energies provide a fascinating opportunity to re-create various forms of matter in the laboratory. For a short extent of time (10-22 s), matter under extreme conditions of temperature and density can exist. In dedicated experiments, one explores the microscopic structure of strongly interacting matter and its phase diagram. In heavy-ion reactions at SIS18 collision energies, matter is substantially compressed (2–3 times ground-state density), while moderate temperatures are reached (T < 70 MeV). The conditions closely resemble those that prevail, e.g., in neutron star mergers. Matter under such conditions is currently being studied at the High Acceptance DiElecton Spectrometer (HADES). Important topics of the research program are the mechanisms of strangeness production, the emissivity of matter, and the role of baryonic resonances herein. In this contribution, we will focus on the important experimental results obtained by HADES in Au+Au collisions at 2.4 GeV center-of-mass energy. We will also present perspectives for future experiments with HADES and CBM at SIS100, where higher beam energies and intensities will allow for the studies of the first-order deconfinement phase transition and its critical endpoint.


Purpose- This empirical study aims to measure the sectoral market risk premiums in the Turkish stock market for the period of 2016 and 2021 and also estimate the sectoral market risk premiums for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is the most widely used and popular method in the analysis of investment projects, stock valuation, firm valuation, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and secondary public offerings. The market risk premium in CAPM is defined as the the difference in between expected market returns and interest rates. The determination of market risk premium is one of the most important inputs in the application of the CAPM. This study intends to calculate the market risk premiums and volatilities for the sectors of Borsa Istanbul for the periods of pre-Covid (2016-2017-2018) and in the Covid-19 era (2019-2020-2021).
Methodology- The monthly data from the Reuters Database are collected for the BIST100 and 17 different sectoral indexes and short-term interest rates between the years 2016 and 2021. A total of 1296 observations are obtained. Based upon the historical observations, the market risk premiums are defined as the difference between the market index returns (BIST100 and 17 sectoral indexes) and the average short-term interest rates on monthly basis. Then, using the ARIMA forecasting method, the market risk premiums are estimated for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. A total of 576 data points are forecasted.
Findings- The average risk premium on the BIST100 index is about -2.44% for the pre-Covid era and 14.01% for in-Covid era. The market risk premiums sharply increased from the pre-Covid period to the Covid period. The average volatility on the BIST100 index is about 0.23% for the pre-Covid era while 0.34% in the Covid era. The volatility of the market returns also incresed significantly. Moreover, the Cusum Square Test results point a structural break in the Covid-era. The ARIMA estimates of market risk premiums are 1.87% for 2022, 0.43% for 2023 and 0.42% for 2024. THe ARIMA estimates of volatilities are 0.70% for 2022, 0.72% for 2023 and 0.71% for 2024.
Conclusion- The empirical evidence strongly support a structural change in the Covid era with higher market risk premiums and volatilities. The forecasted market risk premiums for the next three years show a diminishing trend while the forecasted volatilities show high and persistent level.

Keywords: Market risk premium, BIST100, ARIMA forecasting, sectoral market risk premiums, volatility.
JEL Codes: G10, G12, G17


The purpose of this research study was to explore how students of color at predominantly White institutions define and articulate their culture. Additionally the study was concerned with understanding why their culture and cultural engagement is important to them. Of particular interest is how students perceive the effect of cultural experiences on their cultural growth and cultural efficacy development. Qualitative methods were used in this study. The study was methodologically driven by the traditions of phenomenology and portraiture. Data collection included two components. In the first phase, two group interviews of nine students (18 total) were conducted at two large public institutions. The interviews provided a starting point for students to explore their thoughts about culture and to discuss cultural engagement in college. The second component involved students in writing cultural self-portraits. The portraits were personally narrated written reflections sharing students' life stories, ideas about culture, opinions of culture in college, and thoughts on the importance of culture. The data revealed that to college students of color, culture included more functional life tools than ritualistic practices. To the students in this study, culture was defined as a toolkit that included family bonds, life survival strategies, the practical and social functions of art and religion, a value for education, and a sense of legacy. Students indicated that culture was indeed important to them for both institutional and personal reasons. Cultural engagement was expected in college to help them adjust and to feel connected to campus. But more importantly, they saw it as a necessary venue through which they could come to better know and understand themselves. Culture was revealed as an important protector against all of life's challenges including family struggle, community failure, educational isolation, and racial pain. The very personal and intimate views of culture shared in this study offer cultural practitioners in any field a better understanding of how contemporary young people may approach and understand culture. This is particularly relevant for those professionals that develop cultural programs and initiatives aimed at this population. These programs must be framed by viewing culture through the same lens of understanding as the current student population. Therefore, the study offers a contemporary view of culture in communities of color. The study also provides new information on how and why culture is important to college students. This research contributes to the existing base of knowledge on the benefits of cultural diversity within higher education.


Abstract: We report here a case of schizophrenic psychosis with a tendency of systemic ossification. Upon further examinations, she exhibited ossification of the spinal ligament (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, DISH) resulting from a coappearance of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), ossification of the yellow ligament (OYL) and ankylosing spinal hyperostosis (ASH). There have been a very few reports where a tendency of hyperostosis was observed for ossification of the spinal ligaments such as OPLL, OYL and ASH. In addition, she exhibited hyperostosis frontalis interne (HFI). It appears in this case that both DISH and HFI resulted from similar ossification and exhibited respective clinical symptoms. Although it is thought that these diseases resulted from some metabolic abnormality, no abnormality was detected.


Dendritic cells (DCs) are major antigen presenting cells that can efficiently prime and activate cellular immune responses. Delivering antigens to in vivo DCs has thus been considered as a promising strategy that could allow us to mount T cell-mediated therapeutic immunity against cancers in patients. Successful development of such types of cancer vaccines that can target in vivo DCs, however, requires a series of outstanding questions that need to be addressed. These include the proper selection of which DC surface receptors, specific DC subsets and DC activators that can further enhance the efficacy of vaccines by promoting effector T cell infiltration and retention in tumors and their actions against tumors. Supplementing these areas of research with additional strategies that can counteract tumor immune evasion mechanisms is also expected to enhance the efficacy of such therapeutic vaccines against cancers. After more than a decade of study, we have concluded that antigen targeting to DCs via CD40 to evoke cellular responses is more efficient than targeting antigens to the same types of DCs via eleven other DC surface receptors tested. In recent work, we have further demonstrated that a prototype vaccine (anti-CD40-HPV16.E6/7, a recombinant fusion protein of anti-human CD40 and HPV16.E6/7 protein) for HPV16-associated cancers can efficiently activate HPV16.E6/7-specific T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells, from the blood of HPV16+ head-and-neck cancer patients. Moreover, anti-CD40-HPV16.E6/7 plus poly(I:C) can mount potent therapeutic immunity against TC-1 tumor expressing HPV16.E6/7 protein in human CD40 transgenic mice. In this manuscript, we thus highlight our recent findings for the development of novel CD40 targeting immunotherapeutic vaccines for HPV16-associated malignancies. In addition, we further discuss several of key questions that still remain to be addressed for enhancing therapeutic immunity elicited by our prototype vaccine against HPV16-associated malignancies.


Alcohol (ethanol) is one of the most globally abused substances, and is one of the leading causes of premature death in the world. As a result of its complexity and direct contact with ingested alcohol, the intestine represents the primary source from which alcohol-associated pathologies stem. The gut is the largest reservoir of bacteria in the body, and under healthy conditions, it maintains a barrier preventing bacteria from translocating out of the intestinal lumen. The intestinal barrier is compromised following alcohol exposure, which can lead to life-threatening systemic complications including sepsis and multiple organ failure. Furthermore, alcohol is a major confounding factor in pathology associated with trauma. Experimental data from both human and animal studies suggest that alcohol perturbs the intestinal barrier and its function, which is exacerbated by a "second hit" from traumatic injury. This article highlights the role of alcohol-mediated alterations of the intestinal epithelia and its defense against bacteria within the gut, and the impact of alcohol on intestinal immunity, specifically on T cells and neutrophils. Finally, it discusses how the gut microbiome both contributes to and protects the intestines from dysbiosis after alcohol exposure and trauma.


Although we live in a period of many innovations and technology, people's particularities are seen as a differential that can be very promising if well explored and used by organizations. Nevertheless, it is still very common to find in organizations people who feel under-utilized or, on the contrary, exposed to challenges that they believe are not up to overcoming them. In this sense, competency-based management has been identified as one of the most promising models for achieving the much-desired maximum productivity of employees for the benefit of companies and with benefits for employees. However, there are still opponents at different levels of organizations that are based on prejudice or even lack of information. Thus, this research aimed to study people's perception of a likely implementation of Management by Competence. It was concluded that the workers surveyed are very optimistic about this model of people management and that the obstacles to change are found in management. Due to its methodological limitations, the study does not allow generalizing the results, however, it indicates that current employees are more informed and confident about the benefits of competency management than their managers.


Background Tocilizumab (TCZ) as monotherapy (Mono) is nowadays a standard treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for patients in whom methotrexate (MTX) is inappropriate1. Objectives To describe factors influencing the use of TCZ in Mono or in combination with DMARDs (Combo) in real-life practice in RA patients (pts). Methods Analysis: pooled data of 3 prospective, multicentre, observational studies (PEPS n=610, Spare-1 n=307, Act-solo n=577). Patients: RA pts requiring TCZ treatment according to their physician. Treatment: TCZ as prescribed in real life. Endpoint: Evaluation of factors influencing the use of TCZ in Mono or in Combo. Data collected: demographic characteristics, past medical history, RA characteristics and history including previous RA treatments, TCZ treatment strategy (Mono or Combo). Statistical analysis: Pts fulfilling inclusion and non-inclusion criteria and with ≥1 TCZ infusion were analyzed. 1- descriptive analysis 2- Univariate and multivariate analysis to determine factors influencing the use of TCZ in Mono. Variables with more than 20% of missing data were excluded from the multivariate model. Results 1494 pts (3 studies) were analysed at inclusion. Pts' characteristics: 56% of the pts were >55 years old, 79.6% female, mean RA duration 11.1±9.3 years, 83.0% positive for rheumatoid factors and/or ACPA, 77.3% with erosive disease on X-rays, mean ESR 29.9±23.1mm, mean CRP 19.9±26.2 mg/l mean DAS 28-ESR 5.21±1.22, mean HAQ-DI 1.56±0.68, and mean pain VAS 61.5±23.2. Past RA treatment included csDMARDs in 98.5% and biologics in 77.8% (median=2 [1–6]). TCZ was initiated as Mono in 36.4% of pts and in Combo in 63.6%, with MTX in 83.3% of Combo pts (mean dose 15.7±4.4mg/week). Corticosteroids were used in 74% of pts (mean dose 10±7mg/day). Variables associated with a TCZ prescription in Mono were age (≥65 years), number of previous bDMARD, use/dose of steroids, ESR/CRP values, VAS global activity (physician and pt), pain VAS and HAQ-DI. In the multivariate analysis, variables associated with a TCZ prescription in Mono were age ≥65 years (OR=1.71 [1.30 - 2.24], p<0.001), number of previous bDMARD (1 bDMARD, OR=1.35 [0.94 - 1.92], 2 bDMARD OR=1.82 [1.28 - 2.60], ≥2 bDMARD, OR=1.19 [0.82 - 1.71] p=0.006), higher pain VAS (OR=1.09 [1.04 - 1.15], p=0.001), higher ESR value (OR=1.07 [1.02 - 1.12], p=0.013). Conclusions This pooled analysis suggests that physicians preferably prescribe TCZ alone in older patients, heavily treated before, with higher inflammatory markers and higher pain VAS. This use might be explained by physicians' reluctance to prescribe the association in frailer patients and complementary data on comorbidity factors will be analysed to support this hypothesis. References JS. Smolen et al, Ann Rheum Dis doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013–204573. Disclosure of Interest A. Saraux: None declared, A. Cantagrel: None declared, B. Combe Consultant for: Chugai Pharma France, R.-M. Flipo Consultant for: Chugai Pharma France, I. Idier Employee of: Chugai Pharma France, C. Baffie Employee of: Altizem for Roche SAS, J. Tebib: None declared


Martínez, S., Valera, L., Villodre, C., Madrid, J., Orengo, J., Tvarijonaviciute, A., Cerón, J. J. and Hernández, F. 2014. Effect of feeding on hormones related with feed intake in reproductive sows with different energy balances. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 639-646. The different phases that occur during the reproductive life of the sow involve different energy balances, which can affect the levels of hormones that regulate appetite. This study analyzes the behaviour of serum insulin, leptin, ghrelin, cortisol and butyryl-cholinesterase, before and after feeding in pregnant, lactating and post-weaning sows. Hormones were analyzed in blood samples, which were collected after fasting overnight (0 min) and 30 min after feeding at day 109 of pregnancy, at day 9 post-farrowing and at day 3 post-weaning. Before feeding, insulin and leptin levels were not statistically different between reproductive stages. Feeding increased serum insulin and leptin levels of pregnant sows, increased insulin and decreased leptin levels in lactating sows, but had no effect on post-weaning sows. Deacylated ghrelin was higher in pregnant sows and acylated ghelin in post-weaning sows before feeding. Feeding intake did not affect the concentration of deacylated and acylated ghrelin in any group. Cortisol was positively correlated with acylated ghrelin before feeding in pregnant and lactating sows, and negatively with deacylated ghrelin before and after feeding in pregnant sows. There was a negative correlation between deacylated and acylated ghrelin before and after feeding in pregnant and post-weaning sows. So, sows with different energy balances had different insulin, acylated ghrelin and cortisol dynamics before and after feeding, suggesting that these analytes could be used as biomarkers to detect situations resulting in a poor energy balance in order to improve handling programs.


Boron speciation was investigated in soda-lime borosilicate glass containing zirconium. In such compositions, competition between charge compensators (here, sodium and calcium) can occur for the compensation of tetrahedral boron or octahedral zirconium units. 11B MAS NMR is particularly suitable for obtaining data on preferential compensation behavior that directly affects the boron coordination number. In addition to the classical proportions of tri- and tetrahedral boron, additional data can be obtained on the contributions involved in these two coordination numbers. An approach is described here based on simultaneous MAS spectrum analysis of borosilicate glass with variable Zr/Si and Ca/Na ratios at two magnetic field strengths (11.7 and 18.8 T), with constraints arising from MQMAS spectroscopy, detailed analysis of satellite transitions, and spin-echo experiments. New possibilities of 11B NMR were presented for improving the identification and quantification of the different contributions involved in tri- and tetrahedral boron coordination. Both NMR and Raman revealed a trend of decreased tetrahedral boron proportion with the increase of Ca/Na ratio or the Zr/Si ratio. This strongly suggests that zirconium compensation takes preference over boron compensation, and that zirconium and boron are both compensated mainly by sodium rather than calcium.


BACKGROUND
Cervical cancer is a world-wide problem that requires transformative therapeutic strategies. We have previously developed patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) nude-mouse models of this disease. In the present report, we demonstrate that the standard drug, cisplatinum (CDDP), is highly-effective while the new, highly-touted agent, nab-paclitaxel (NAB-PTX) is ineffective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Cervical PDOX tumors were grown on the cervix of nude mice for 4 weeks after surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI). Tumors were treated with CDDP or NAB-PTX.

RESULTS
H&E staining demonstrated that the PDOX tumor recapitulated the original patient tumor. CDDP was highly-effective. One tumor that was treated with CDDP completely regressed. CDDP-treated tumors were smaller (tumor volume ratio: 0.42±0.36) than the control group (tumor volume ratio: 3.47±1.66) (p<0.01). In contrast, NAB-PTX did not show significant efficacy on the cervical cancer PDOX model (tumor volume ratio: 2.85±1.45) (p=0.47). CDDP-treated tumor weight (50±50 mg) was significantly less than control (238±114 mg) (p<0.01). NAB-PTX-treated tumors were not reduced in weight (246±136 mg) compared to control (p=0.91). There were no significant differences in mouse body weight between groups. Histological evaluation demonstrated that CDDP-treated tumors were fibrotic with scattered squamous cell nests compared to control or NAB-PTX-treated tumors.

CONCLUSION
The results of the present study demonstrate the power of PDOX models of cervical cancer to distinguish efficacy of potential therapeutics for individual patients with this disease.


Extracellular self-DNA (esDNA) is produced during cell and tissue damage or degradation and has been shown to induce significant responses in several organisms, including plants. While the inhibitory effects of esDNA have been shown in conspecific individuals, little is known on the early events involved upon plant esDNA perception. We used electrophysiology and confocal laser scanning microscopy calcium localization to evaluate the plasma membrane potential (Vm) variations and the intracellular calcium fluxes, respectively, in Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) and maize (Zea mays) plants exposed to esDNA and extracellular heterologous DNA (etDNA) and to etDNA from Spodoptera littoralis larvae and oral secretions. In both species, esDNA induced a significant Vm depolarization and an increased flux of calcium, whereas etDNA was unable to exert any of these early signaling events. These findings confirm the specificity of esDNA to induce plant cell responses and to trigger early signaling events that eventually lead to plant response to damage.


This paper proposes the use of the style approach to analyse media leaders. Since the information about them is often incomplete and biased, an approach based on behaviour seems helpful. After reviewing the concepts of the style approach, it is suggested that the procedural justice theory can complement it and help to link the two dimensions of the style approach: people- and task-orientation. Hence it is possible to implement the concern for people through fairness in the decision-making process, which in turn will lead to commitment and increased productivity. A framework for the analysis based on the described theory is presented, and then exemplified through the case of Michael Eisner and Disney.


Abstract
Introduction: Sex work is increasingly becoming a feasible option for people to survive and/or participate in urban life in Vanuatu. Research into sex work in Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, has revealed the informal nature of sex work, and the key role peer networks play young people's initial engagement with sex work. Research has also revealed various vulnerabilities sex workers face regarding their health and wellbeing.
Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 participants who were mostly sex workers. These interviews were undertaken by the author over several months in mid-2016 in Luganville, on the northern island of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu.
Findings: Two key reasons people began engaging in sex work was due to financial need, or as a way to participate in the social life of the town. Clients tended to determine how much was given in exchange for sex, what kind of sexual activity occurred, and where it was performed. This research also found an extensive network of (primarily) men involved as facilitators of sex transactions. Overall, the sex workers were severely limited in the decisions they could make regarding their reproductive and sexual health. Harassment, sexual and physical violence at the hands of clients and other community members were also widespread experiences amongst sex workers.
Conclusions: The power and control of clients during sexual transactions significantly limited the ability of sex workers to make decisions concerning their sexual, reproductive health and wellbeing resulting in their suffering extreme and life-changing abuse. Sex workers need access to free, non-judgmental sexual and reproductive health services, and, more broadly, a widespread acknowledgement of their rights as full and complex human beings.
Key words: sex work, sexual/reproductive health, Vanuatu


by the gastrointestinal tract and thus is devoid of any systemic effect. Previous studies have shown that sevelamer does not affect absorption of digoxin, warfarin, enalapril or metoprolol [2,3]. Sevelamer does affect the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin [4]. Recently Guillen-Anaya reported an interaction between sevelamer and cyclosporin A [5]. The primary amine groups of sevelamer are responsible for the phosphate binding. These amine groups become protonated at physiological pH (pKa1⁄4 9.5) [6], are therefore cationic and bind negatively charged phosphate ions. This results in lower serum phosphate concentrations. Furosemide is anionic at physiological pH (pKa1⁄4 3.9) [7] and can therefore bind to sevelamer at physiological pH. We observed that sevelamer can decrease the diuretic action of furosemide when they are administered at the same time. This interaction can be avoided by taking the drugs at different times. If this interaction occurs, the physician may erroneously conclude that the remaining diuresis has declined and may stop the diuretic therapy prematurely. The consequences of this interaction have to be explored further in clinical practice.


Introduction: So far, various models of interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical nursing have been presented, however, yet a comprehensive model is not available. The purpose of this study is to review the evidences that had presented model or framework with qualitative approach about interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical nursing. Methods: All the articles and theses published from 1990 to 10 June 2014 which in both English and Persian models or frameworks of clinicians had presented model or framework of clinical collaboration were searched using databases of Proquest, Scopus, pub Med, Science Direct, and Iranian databases of Sid, Magiran, and Iranmedex. In this review, for published articles and theses, keywords according with MESH such as nurse-physician relations, care team, collaboration, interdisciplinary relations and their Persian equivalents were used. Results: In this study contexts, processes and outcomes of interdisciplinary collaboration as findings were extracted. One of the major components affecting on collaboration that most of the models had emphasized was background of collaboration. Most of studies suggested that the outcome of collaboration were improved care, doctors and nurses' satisfaction, controlling costs, reducing clinical errors and patient's safety. Conclusion: Models and frameworks had different structures, backgrounds, and conditions, but the outcomes were similar. Organizational structure, culture and social factors are important aspects of clinical collaboration. So it is necessary to improve the quality and effectiveness of clinical collaboration these factors to be considered.


A number of problems involve managing a set of optional clauses. For example, the soft clauses in a MAXSAT formula are optional—they can be falsified for a cost. Similarly, when computing a Minimum Correction Set for an unsatisfiable formula, all clauses are optional—some can be falsified in order to satisfy the remaining. In both of these cases the task is to find a subset of the optional clauses that achieves some criteria, and whose removal leaves a satisfiable formula. Relaxation search is a simple method of using a standard SAT solver to solve this task. Relaxation search is easy to implement, sometimes requiring only a simple modification of the variable selection heuristic in the SAT solver; it offers considerable flexibility and control over the order in which subsets of optional clauses are examined; and it automatically exploits clause learning to exchange information between the two phases of finding a suitable subset of optional clauses and checking if their removal yields satisfiability. We demonstrate how relaxation search can be used to solve MAXSAT and to compute Minimum Correction Sets. In both cases relaxation search is able to achieve state-of-the-art performance and solve some instances other solvers are not able to solve.


VIETORIS–RIPS THICKENINGS OF THE CIRCLE AND CENTRALLY–SYMMETRIC ORBITOPES Given a metric space X and scale parameter r > 0, the associated Vietoris–Rips simplicial complex, denoted VR(X; r), has as its simplices all finite subsets of X of diameter less than r. In the case that X is a Riemannian manifold, a result of Jean–Claude Hausmann states that the homotopy type of X is achieved by VR(X; r) for sufficiently small r. However, this approach does not recover metric information about X , and this deficiency motivates the consideration of a related construction, called the Vietoris–Rips thickening of X , defined via the theory of optimal transport. This construction, which does preserve metric information about X , additionally satisfies an analogue of Hausmann's theorem for sufficiently small r. On the other hand, one often encounters such thickenings given instead by increasingly large values of r in applications of persistent homology, and much less is known about the topological behavior of these constructions. A recently established result due to Adams and Adamaszek provides the homotopy type of the Vietoris–Rips complex of the circle for arbitrarily large values of r. Presently, we determine the homotopy type of the Vietoris–Rips thickening of the circle for a range of values of r. Our primary tools will be an embedding of the metric thickening into Euclidean space via a symmetric moment curve and the facial structure of the related Barvinok–Novik orbitope.


there is an exhaustive engagement of packet classifiers in network applications devices such as firewalls and routers. There must be an understanding of the actual accomplishment of endorsed packet classifier. This is essential for algorithm designers and end users. The task is tedious as it requires the evaluation and initiation of each pioneering algorithm from different angles as per diverse theories. The comparison of different algorithms directly is fundamentally impossible without a common establishment the system facilitators are helped to smoothly select the appropriate algorithm for their actual applications. If a feeble algorithm is selected and applied it may entail major expenses as packet classifiers in network firewall have contemporary algorithms created on explicit heuristics and rule set features. The collective success of the network firewalls depends upon the paramount performance of the packet classification subsystem. To offer a comparative evaluation of a number of known classification algorithms that have been deliberated for both software and hardware applications, this study investigates the existing algorithms We have also explained our previously. The proposed DimCut packet classification algorithm, its association with the HiCuts, Hyper Cuts and Woo packet classification algorithms with the comparative evaluation analysis, has been explained after matching principles and design selections from diverse sources, the comparative implementation on applications are created. To obtain performance measurements the implemented classifiers with a large number of random Rules and Packets in an identical test case scenario are fed in. Keywords—Firewalls, Packet Classification, Woo, HyperCuts, HiCuts, DimCut


The simultaneous decomplexation of Cu-EDTA and electrodeposition recovery of Cu(2+) ions was attempted in a photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) system using TiO2/Ti as the anode and stainless steel as the cathode. At a current density of 0.5 mA/cm(2), removal efficiencies of 0.05 mM Cu-EDTA by photocatalysis, electrooxidation, and PEC processes were determined to be 15, 43, and 72% at 3 h, respectively. Recovery percentages of Cu(2+) ions were determined to be 10, 33, and 67%, respectively. These results indicated that a synergetic effect in the decomplexation of Cu-EDTA and recovery of Cu(2+) ions occurred in the PEC process, which favored acid conditions and increased with the current densities. The removal of Cu-EDTA and Cu(2+) ions can be described by a pseudo-first-order kinetics model. Ca(2+) ions significantly increase the removal of Cu-EDTA and recovery of Cu(2+) ions. Intermediates, including Cu-NTA, Cu-EDDA, acetic acid, formic acid, and oxalic acid, were identified, and a decomplexation pathway of Cu-EDTA was proposed. The Cu-EDTA decomplexation at the anode via oxidation of hydroxyl radicals was revealed. On the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectra analysis, a reduction pathway of Cu(2+) ions at the cathode was discussed. The present study may provide a promising alternative for destruction of the metal complex and recovery of metal ions.


Background Gout treatment relies heavily on urate-lowering therapies (ULTs). However, in patients with concurrent chronic kidney disease (CKD), choice of ULT may be complicated by the presence of polychronic disease (PCD), which can limit the utility of standard therapies, increase the risk of drug-drug interactions, and confound outcome evaluation. Objectives To characterize PCD burden in gout patients with CKD initiating on two common ULTs, allopurinol (ALP) and febuxostat (FBX). Methods Patients aged >18 years with gout (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code CM 274.xx) and concurrent CKD (stage 3-4) were selected from the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan® databases (2008-2012) upon initiation of ALP or FBX if they had been continuously enrolled for ≥12 months prior to initiation and had no baseline claims evidence of malignancy, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, or dialysis. PCD was defined as cardiovascular disease (CVD; e.g., ischemic heart or cerebrovascular disease), renal disease (e.g., nephritis, renal failure) and inflammatory arthritis (e.g., psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis), as well as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), liver disease and other conditions. The baseline prevalence of 23 PCDs and 22 medication classes was assessed overall and by line of ULT. Results A total of 5628 patients met eligibility criteria. Mean (SD) age was 68.3 (12.7) years; 63% of patients were male, and 39% were commercially insured. Three quarters had stage 3 CKD. In all, 4015 patients (71%) initiated on ALP, almost all (96.9%) in first-line settings; 1613 patients (29%) initiated on FBX, 49.5% in first-line settings. Mean (SD) number of PCDs per patient was 4.5 (2.5). Eighty-three percent of patients had a diagnosis of CVD, 42.1% had diabetes, 29.2% had dyslipidemia, 16.1% had osteoarthritis, and 12.0% had COPD. The most common cardiovascular conditions were hypertension (69.0%); dysrhythmias/conduction disorders (23.7%); heart failure (22.2%); and ischemic heart (29.6%), cerebrovascular (8.7%), or peripheral vascular disease (8.7%). Among CVD patients, 57% had multiple cardiac conditions. Mean (SD) baseline healthcare expenditure per patient per year was $20,757 ($28,216). Mean (SD) number of baseline medication classes per patient was 7.3 (2.6).Classes (percentage exposed) were antihyperlipidemic agent, diuretic, and glucocorticoid (68% for each), opiate analgesic or agonist (63%), β blocker (62%), calcium channel blocker (44%), angiotensin II receptor blocker (41%), ACE inhibitor (40%), prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (34%), anticoagulant (20%), antiplatelet (18%), antiarrhythmic (7%), and digitalis preparation (6%). Mean medication class count per patient in the 12 months before ULT initiation was significantly (p<0.0001) higher in second-line settings than in first-line settings, as were frequencies of tophi (p<.0001) and gout flare (p<.0001). Conclusions Gout patients with moderate/severe CKD treated with ULT have numerous PCDs and are exposed to multiple medication classes. Clinical profiles and disease burden are more complicated in those treated in second-line settings. Controlling for both line of therapy and PCD should be considered in outcome evaluations. Disclosure of Interest R. Turpin Employee of: Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc, G. Mitri Employee of: Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc, E. Wittbrodt Shareholder of: Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc, Employee of: Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc, B. Tidwell Consultant for: Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc, K. Schulman Consultant for: Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc


SUMMARY

This paper aims to identify sources and variations of crustal anisotropy from shear-wave splitting measurements in the forearc of the Northern Cascadia Subduction Zone of southwest British Columbia. Over 20 permanent stations and 15 temporary stations were available for shear-wave splitting analysis on ∼4500 event-station pairs for local crustal earthquakes. Results from 1100 useable shear-wave splitting measurements show spatial variations in fast directions, with margin-parallel fast directions at most stations and margin-perpendicular fast directions at stations in the northeast of the region. Crustal anisotropy is often attributed to stress and has been interpreted as the fast direction being related to the orientation of the maximum horizontal compressive stress. However, studies have also shown anisotropy can be complicated by crustal structure. Southwest British Columbia is a complex region of crustal deformation and some of the stations are located near large ancient faults. To use seismic anisotropy as a stress indicator requires identifying which stations are influenced by stress and which by structure. We determine the source of anisotropy at each station by comparing fast directions from shear-wave splitting results to the maximum horizontal compressive stress orientation determined from earthquake focal mechanism inversion. Most stations show agreement between the fast direction and the maximum horizontal compressive stress. This suggests that anisotropy is related to stress-aligned fluid-filled microcracks based on extensive dilatancy anisotropy. These stations are further analysed for temporal variations to lay groundwork for monitoring temporal changes in the stress over extended time periods. Determining the sources of variability in anisotropy can lead to a better understanding of the crustal structure and stress, and in the future may be used as a monitoring and mapping tool.


Acute pharyngotonsillitis caused by beta-haemolytic group A streptococcus (GAS) is a common childhood disease. Phenoxymethyl penicillin remains the drug of choice, as no resistance has been reported so far. Nevertheless, the failure of penicillin to eradicate streptococci from the throat occurs in up to 35% of patients with pharyngotonsillitis, and might present clinical concern. Various explanations have been proposed over the years to account for this perplexing phenomenon. Among these are coexistence of oropharyngeal beta-lactamase-producing bacteria that degrade penicillin, growth interference by aerobic and anaerobic commensals, penicillin tolerance, reinfection, and poor antibiotic compliance. Although GAS has been considered an extracellular pathogen, recent studies have demonstrated that strains of this bacterium can internalize epithelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. The intracellular niche may protect the bacterium from penicillin that does not gain high intracellular concentration. In support of this hypothesis, GAS strains were shown to survive 4-7 days inside cultured epithelial cells. In addition, it was found that GAS strains isolated from patients with eradication failure harbour the internalization-associated gene, prtF1/sfbI, in higher prevalence than do strains recovered from patients with successful eradication. Thus, internalization and intracellular survival represent a novel explanation for penicillin eradication failure.


In our society, where the market has become very competitive, the business executives of an organization should be very careful concerning the way they manage their businesses, the policies they abide by and the decisions they take.
Especially, in the banking industry, in our days, things are even more difficult. Banks have many difficulties trying to cope with the market needs and the competition among them is great.
The executives of a bank should be very careful when designing their acts upon their organization. Apart from the administrative skills and the experience that the executives of a bank should have, in order to cope with market needs, they should have an information system that allows them to be informed about their organization's status, know their customers and their needs, but also a system that is functional, concerning the services that they provide.
Such an information system, at first should include all the basic components of a classic banking system, like the following:
- Customer Management System
- Account System (Deposits)
- Loans System
Beyond these basic components, what's needed, as in every modern organization, is a system allows the bank to know their customers and their needs which the organization can satisfy, to be able to design strategies and in general, establish a good relationship between the customer and the organization.
Thus, what a modern bank needs is a banking system that also contains a CRM System (Customer Relationship Management). We can understand what a banking system serves, but what is a CRM system?
In the following few lines, we are going to try to explain what a CRM system is and realize the great benefits that an organization should have, when using such a system.
A successful CRM system is built around the people relationships and aims on improving these relationships. A CRM system helps an organization get more customers, which of course means more profits.
Today, all growing businesses manage customer connections and all information around them, in a variety of ways. Others use note cards, others keep notes on their mobile devices without being able to share them with anybody else. Others use Excel files or online documents (Google Drive, Microsoft SkyDrive etc). These things can help a small business for a certain amount of time, but they don't have any perspective of growing. What they actually need, if they want to have fast growth, is to use a CRM system that is going to help them collect useful information on a central system, which will be available throughout all the system users.
A CRM system is a customer-centric system. If an organization wants to use a CRM system, they should evolve such a philosophy. This philosophy should be adopted by every member of the organization, from the CEO to the last end user. In order to be successful, a CRM system in a business, proper processes should be established, that enhance this philosophy, but also the right technology should be selected, that can support these processes and provide all this data to the end users, in the best way, so that the end users won't hesitate to extensively use this CRM system.
Customer Relationship Management is a strategy used to learn more about customer's needs and behaviors in order to develop stronger business relationships with them. Concluding, we should say that when we think of CRM as something technological, we are wrong. Customer Relationship Management is a process, which will help a business bring together pieces of information about customers, sales, marketing effectiveness, market trends and responsiveness. All these things, will help the business executives to have an overall and updated view of their organization and lead them to better decision making.


Recent researches have made remarkable achievements in fast video style transfer based on western paintings. However, due to the inherent different drawing techniques and aesthetic expressions of Chinese ink wash painting, existing methods either achieve poor temporal consistency or fail to transfer the key freehand brushstroke characteristics of Chinese ink wash painting. In this paper, we present a novel video style transfer framework for Chinese ink wash paintings. The two key ideas are a multi-frame fusion for temporal coherence and an instance-aware style transfer. The frame reordering and stylization based on reference frame fusion are proposed to improve temporal consistency. Meanwhile, the proposed method is able to adaptively leave the white spaces in the background and to select proper scales to extract features and depict the foreground subject by leveraging instance segmentation. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method over state-of-the-art style transfer methods in terms of both temporal coherence and visual quality. Our project website is available at https://oblivioussy.github.io/InkVideo/.