An automated plasma spray apparatus was designed to investigate experimentally the formation of splats (spread and solidified melted particles) by fully controlling key physical parameters (the velocity, temperature and size of the molten droplets impacting a substrate, and the temperature and surface condition of the substrate). The plasma spray apparatus made it possible to obtain a representative set of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) splats deposited on polished metal substrates (stainless steel or polished CoNiCrAlY sub-layers sprayed on nickel alloy substrates by low pressure plasma spraying) with full control of key physical parameters. The set of splats allowed verification of the theoretical characterization of metal oxide splat formation. Even without introducing empirical coefficients to the theoretical equations, quite good agreement between the calculated and experimental diameters and thicknesses of YSZ-splats was obtained over a wide range of various values of the key physical parameters. The results obtained will be first of all interest for optimizing the deposition of thermal barrier coatings and also for optimizing the deposition of the first monolayer of coatings of metal oxides sprayed onto metal substrates.


The DNA sequence of five contiguous open reading frames encoding enzymes for phenazine biosynthesis in the biological control bacterium. Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84 was determined. These open reading frames were named phzF, phzA, phzB, phzC and phzD. Protein PhzF is similar to 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthases of solanaceous plants. PhzA is similar to 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate synthase (EntB) of Escherichia coli. PhzB shares similarity with both subunits of anthranilate synthase and the phzB open reading frame complemented an E. coli trpE mutant deficient in anthranilate synthase activity. Although phzC shares little similarity to known genes, its product is responsible for the conversion of phenazine-I-carboxylic acid to 2-hydroxy-phenazine-I-carboxylic acid. PhzD is similar to pyridoxamine phosphate oxidases. These results indicate that phenazine biosynthesis in P. aureofaciens shares similarities with the shikimic acid, enterochelin, and tryptophan biosynthetic pathways.


This paper proposes a method to design an optimal control system by use of a neural network. Because the normal backpropagation (BP) method cannot be applied to this case, we choose Powell's conjugate direction algorithm for training the neural network. In a regulator problem, the neural network functions as a state feedback controller, and in a servo problem it functions as both feedfoward and feedback controller. The proposed method can be applied to various problem where conventional methods cannot be applied. Simulation results show the effectivity of the proposed method.


OBJECTIVE
To study the therapeutic effect of ventilation tube insertion in the middle ear and the external auditory canal on chronic secretory otitis media in children.

METHODS
A retrospective study on 30 patients (40 ears) with chronic secretory otitis media and who underwent the operation of middle ear exploration and ventilation tube insertion in the middle ear and the external auditory canal was performed. Poor tympanic membrane, even with adhesion, was seen in 23 ears. Ten patients had evidence of bilateral secretory otitis media. From this group one ear was first injected with drugs (dexamethasone, mucosolvin, etc) and then tube insertion into the auditory tube was performed; the other ear only received drug injections into the auditory tube. The remaining 20 patients who had evidence of unilateral secretory otitis media only received drug injections into the auditory tube.

RESULTS
The tubes inserting into the auditory tube all dropped out 5-8 days after operation. None of the ventilation tubes into the middle ear dropped out and the patients' tympanum recovered after the ventilation tubes were removed (6-8 months after operation). The total cure rate was 87.5% (35/40) and the improvement rate was 12.5% (5/40). The operation of inserting tubes into the auditorytube did not improve the therapeutic effects. In the 0.5-2 years postoperative follow-up, middle ear effusions recurred in one ear, and three ears were transferred from type C to type A.

CONCLUSIONS
The surgery of ventilation tube insertion in the middle ear and the external auditory canal for chronic secretory otitis media can prevent the tympanic membrane from damage and dropping out of the ventilation tube and reduce recurrence in children. It is a preferred selection for the patients with poor tympanic membrane or adhesive tympanic membrane. It is no use to insert the tube into the auditory tube for the improvement of therapeutic effects.


Summary An omphalopagus set of female conjoined twins, undiagnosed prenatally, who presented as obstructed labour needing operative delivery is reported. Their anatomic characteristics and clinical features, including overwhelming sepsis in twin II which forced early separation, and those which led to their demise are described. Twelve other cases reported in Nigeria over the past 60 years are reviewed with reference to the aetiology and epidemiology of conjoined twinning and the determinants of successful surgical separation.


Abstract This article provides a complete and comprehensive edition, translation and commentary of KBo 1.51 from Hattuša. It identifies the source as an Akkadian-Hittite list of body parts, some of which are clearly of bovidae, and compares it to two tablets of the same nature: BM 29963 and HS 2944. By doing so, it establishes the existence of a hitherto unknown Akkadian scholarly composition. It discusses the nature of this particular list in relationship with the lexical corpora (Ḫḫ and Uguĝu) and its role as a functional or instructional text in the world of the diviner. The reconstruction of KBo 1.51 also allows us to reconsider some Hittite words and attribute new meanings to them that are otherwise unattested.


The objectives of this research were to find out: (1) whether or not the use of movie is effective in improving the vocabulary achievement of the Seventh grade students of MTs.N 1 Sidenreng Rappang. And (2) whether or not the Seventh grade students of MTs.N 1 Sidenreng Rappang are interested in improving the vocabulary achievement though movie This research applied pre-experimental method. The subjects of the research were the seventh grade students. There were 30 students. The sampling technique in this research was simple random sampling. The data of this reseach were collected by using two kinds of instruments, namely vocabulary test  and questionnare.
The result of data analsis showed that there was significant difference between the students' score in pretest and posttest. It was proven by the mean score of posttest which was higher than pretest (66,8> 37,5). The researcher analyzed the students' vocabulary achievement through SPSS Version 17.0. Then, the researcher analyzed the students' interest through SPSS and Likerd Scale. The analysis indicated that the students were strongly interested to improve the vocabulary achievement through movie. It was proved by interest mean (84.76 %) where 53% students were strongly interested and 47% students were interested. Based on the data  analysis, the researcher concluded that : (1) the use of movie improves students' vocabulary achievement; (2) the use of movie makes the students interested in improving vocabulary.


Most of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) oil and gas (OG) installations have traditionally adopted in situ power generation, which is not only inefficient but also generating about 70% of the offshore CO2 emissions. The offshore wind and energy storage technologies for deep water are developing at a fast pace, enabling great opportunities for the OG installations located in the North Sea. In this paper, a pathway for the UKCS offshore OG installations electrification is introduced. The aim is to provide different power architectures that facilitate the OG installations' electrification, while benefiting from the existing and planned UK offshore wind power. Four hypothetical case studies (based on real data) were created, along the UKCS, where the corresponding power architectures were proposed. The selection of each architecture power component (e.g., transformers, converters and cables), as well as the transmission and distribution technology (e.g., AC or DC), is also provided and justified. Further, an overview cost estimation is carried out to predict the architecture capital cost. It is concluded that the four architectures can be mimicked not only along the UKCS but also worldwide, promoting the UKCS potential for a world-leading offshore energy hub and fostering the UK offshore wind-energy resources.


Ladislaus II Jagiełło (1386–1434). Ladislaus II Jagiełło is the founder of the Jagiellonian dynasty that had ruled over Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (until 1572), Bohemia (1471–1526) and Hungary (1440–1444, 1490–1526). A Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1377, and from 1386 a king of Poland and lord of Lithuania, which he ruled jointly with his cousin Witold (Vytautas), the son of Kęstutis. Five medieval portraits of Jagiełło survive, four of which date from the period of his reign in the Polish–Lithuanian state and one was executed posthumously. The earliest image, on Jagiełło's Great Seal, was made in connection with his coronation as king of Poland (1386). Two portraits in the Holy Trinity Chapel at the Castle of Lublin (1418) are part of a wall paintings scheme commissioned by the monarch and executed by a team of painters brought from Ruthenia. Furthermore, the sumptuous tomb (before 1430) in Cracow was commissioned by the king. Its top slab bears an effigy of Jagiełło with his suggestively rendered countenance, which undoubtedly reflects the actual facial features of the elderly monarch. An image of the king represented as one of the Three Magi in a panel of an altarpiece in the tomb chapel of Casimir IV Jagiellonian, Jagiełło's son and his successor on the Polish throne, dates from 1470. The chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross, erected at Cracow Cathedral, was in all likelihood commissioned by Casimir himself and his consort Elizabeth of Austria.


Land surface temperature (LST) in urban agglomerations plays an important role for policymakers in urban planning. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) is one of the regions with the highest urban densities in the world. This study aims to explore the spatial patterns and the dominant drivers of LST in the PRD. MODIS LST (MYD11A2) data from 2005 and 2015 were used in this study. First, spatial analysis methods were applied in order to determine the spatial patterns of LST and to identity the hotspot areas (HSAs). Second, the hotspot ratio index (HRI), as a metric of thermal heterogeneity, was developed in order to identify the features of thermal environment across the nine cities in the PRD. Finally, the geo-detector (GD) metric was employed to explore the dominant drivers of LST, which included elevation, land use/land cover (LUCC), the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), impervious surface distribution density (ISDD), gross domestic product (GDP), population density (POP), and nighttime light index (NLI). The GD metric has the advantages of detecting the dominant drivers without assuming linear relationships and measuring the combined effects of the drivers. The results of Moran's Index showed that the daytime and nighttime LST were close to the cluster pattern. Therefore, this process led to the identification of HSAs. The HSAs were concentrated in the central PRD and were distributed around the Pearl River estuary. The results of the HRI indicated that the spatial distribution of the HSAs was highly heterogeneous among the cities for both daytime and nighttime. The highest HRI values were recorded in the cities of Dongguan and Shenzhen during the daytime. The HRI values in the cities of Zhaoqing, Jiangmen, and Huizhou were relatively lower in both daytime and nighttime. The dominant drivers of LST varied from city to city. The influence of land cover and socio-economic factors on daytime LST was higher in the highly urbanized cities than in the cities with low urbanization rates. For the cities of Zhaoqing, Huizhou, and Jiangmen, elevation was the dominant driver of daytime LST during the study period, and for the other cities in the PRD, the main driver changed from land cover in 2005 to NLI in 2015. This study is expected to provide useful guidance for planning of the thermal environment in urban agglomerations.


【Background & Objectives: Burn injury mortality and septic complication are frequent and well-known in burned pediatric patients. The overuse of antibiotics is the base for development of wound infection by resistant microorganisms as well as opportunist agents. Methods: We have carried out a study of the bacterial profile and antimicrobial resistance clinically important bacteria isolated from burn wound infections in children patients. The most common isolate from burn wound cultures was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.8%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (25.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii (12.7%), coagulase negative staphylococcus (12.0%), Enterococcus faecium (7.7%), Escherichia coli (4.9%), Enterococcus faecalis (3.7%), Burkholderia cepacia (3.0%), Enterobacter cloacae (2.3%) and Klebsiella pneumonia (2.3%). Colistin was very significantly effective drug in gram negative organism, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Results & Conclusion: The resistance rates were 65% and 98% to piperacillin, 63% and 97% to ceftazidime, 28% and 50% to levofloxacin. The most effective antibiotic in gram positive organism, such as Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococcus were moxifloxacin. The resistance rates were 83% and 64% to ciprofloxacin, 80% and 17% to clindamycin.】


The invention relates to a combination which comprises a DPP-IV inhibitor (preferably NVP LAF237 (vildagliptin) or NVP-DPP728) and at least one further antidiabetic compound, preferably selected from the group consisting of insulin signalling pathway modulators, like inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases), non-small molecule mimetic compounds and inhibitors of glutamine-fructose-6-phopshate amidotransferase (GFAT), compounds influencing a dysregulated hepatic glucose production, like inhibitors of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), inhibitors of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (F-1,6-BPase), inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase (GP), glucagon receptor antagonists and inhibitors of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) inhibitors, insulin sensitivity enhancers, insulin secretion enhancers, ±-glucosidase inhibitors, inhibitors of gastric emptying, insulin, and ± 2 -adrenergic antagonists, for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the prevention, delay of progression or treatment of conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting plasma glucose, metabolic acidosis, ketosis, arthritis, obesity and osteoporosis.


The paper presents an exploration by numerical means of the problem of finding the optimum section of a beam designed to have given torsional (J0) and flexural rigidity (I0). The section is defined by its conformal transformation on to a unit circle and the corresponding equations for the optimization problem are derived. The special case when the conformal transformation is given as a truncated power series (N terms of the form 3n - 2, n = 1, 2,...), leads to a problem of nonlinear programming. This is solved numerically for 1.2 < J0 / I0 < 2, between the extremes of J0 / I0 = 1.2, which is known to give an equilateral triangle and J0 / I0 = 2, which is solved by a circle. Results for N = 24 give solutions that are convex for 1.5 < J0 / I0 < 2, but show concavity for J0 / I0 = 1.4 and lower values. Results for N = 36 give confirmation and almost eliminate concavity at J0 / I0 = 1.4. However, because this last result required 18 h of computer time, it was not possible to extend the calculations to larger values of N. The results obtained are satisfactory down to J0 / I0 = 1.5 and suggest that the solutions may be convex shapes for the complete range. An approximate solution based on the lines of shearing stress for the torsion of an equilateral triangle is shown to give close agreement with the numerical results and thus to constitute a good practical upper-bound solution of the problem.


The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of Islamic work ethics (IWE) on job performance (JP) and intrinsic motivation (IM). In this study also tries to examine intrinsic motivation as a mediating role among IWE and JP. Non-probability sampling technique was used. Questionnaires were distributed among teaching staff of different universities located in Malaysia. Data is processed using SPSS for statistics analysis. The outcome of this study shows that there was positive relationship between IWE, JP and IM. The result founding state that the idea of IWE as a therapy for the emergent ethical crisis of Malaysian education sector which should be saturated in culture of organization for sustainable growth and JP. Also result funding indicate that IM was playing positive mediating role among IWE and JP. In the conclusion, implication of the study and future study are also discussed.


The centering force of a plain, annular, liquid seal in a centered position has a pronounced effect on the rotordynamic behavior of pumps due to the Lomakin Effect. In centrifugal injection compressors, the centering force for a hole-pattern-stator/smooth-rotor for a balance-piston seal in a straight-through design or a division-wall seal in a back-to-back design has an impact on the rotordynamic behavior of high-pressure injection compressors. Annular seals for pumps and compressors are designed to operate in a nominally centered position. Previous test results show that the direct (centering) stiffness for liquid seals and hole-pattern-stator seals remain relatively constant out to eccentricity ratios of 0.5. For liquid seals, tests have shown positive centering capability at eccentricity ratios on the order of 0.7.New test results are presented for annular gas seals with smooth and hole-pattern stators, moving from centered to fully eccentric (contact) positions. The test fluid is air. The tests are for non-rotating conditions with a supply pressure up to 70 bars and pressure rations (PRs) of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6. The exit Mach numbers for the tests are on the order of 0.33, so compressibility effects are not pronounced.Test results are presented for the net reaction force for a smooth seal and a hole-pattern-stator gas annular seal in moving from centered to fully eccentric positions. Comparisons are made between measurements and predictions from a bulk-flow code.The smooth seal creates significantly larger de-centering forces than the HP seal. Its measured de-centering force increases steadily as the stator approaches the wall. The negative slope of the reaction force also increases, indicating a steadily increasing negative stiffness. The de-centering force increased with decreasing PR, increasing ΔP, and is much larger than predicted.The HP seal de-centering reaction force is bi-linear with an approximate constant slope out to e0 ≅ 0.5, and then a much steeper slope out to wall contact. The model does not predict the bilinear behavior but does a reasonable job of predicting the force magnitude at contact.The de-centering forces measured here have not previously been reported and emphasize the importance of concentric assembly of annular seals in pumps and compressors. Unanticipated eccentricities that create negative stiffness will lead to over prediction of critical speeds and overly optimistic stability calculations.© 2013 ASME


Pair programming promotes immediate, informal collaboration over coding activities. The driving developer writes the code and controls the keyboard and mouse; the navigating developer checks the code as it is written by the driver; the developers swap their roles frequently. In agile development, programmers often code in pairs, in order to detect errors faster, produce higher code quality and discover better solutions. There is substantial research providing evidence of enhanced self-confidence and programming and communication skills if pair programming is used in teaching. However, the use of pair programming in higher education is mostly in co-located settings at campus-based universities. Our overall objective is to investigate how the benefits of pair programming can be brought to students learning to program online at a distance. This paper presents two initial studies looking at remote pair programming (RPP) also called distributed pair programming, in a part-time distance education setting, where students typically follow an unscheduled self-study style, have little interaction with each other, and have little time for extra activities. We investigated: whether readily available generic communication tools, instead of purpose-built academic prototypes, were sufficient for RPP; whether student pairs 'jelled' (learned to function well together) quickly; whether the ways in which the partners interact, or existing programming experience, affected jelling; and whether students felt positive about, and saw benefits in RPP, despite the overhead on their limited study time. In the paper, after describing particular challenges encountered, we present and discuss our findings and make recommendations for future implementation. The findings support the use of remote pair programming in teaching, with the majority of students considering it to be beneficial.


Verification activities, such as inspection, testing, analysis, and demonstration, improve one's confidence in the system meeting the system requirements during the development process. Frequent verification is often advocated as a strategy that minimizes costs of rework over the entire design process, where frequent verification involves verifying after any change in the design. However, this strategy is yet to be validated. In this paper, we develop a belief‐based model of verification in systems design to determine the conditions under which frequent verification is an optimal strategy for a vertically integrated organization. Our model uses belief distributions to capture the organization's dynamic confidence in the system design meeting a requirement of interest during the development process. It also captures the organization's dynamic confidence in the correctness of its development activities (or design process) as a function of past verification activities and current system maturity. The analysis of our model shows that frequent verification is a cost‐minimizing strategy for any level of belief in satisfying the requirement only when the organization has high confidence in the correctness of its design activities and the expected cost to rework a faulty design is greater than the costs to set up the verification activities throughout the development process. Otherwise, strategies with infrequent verification are superior. Our work contributes to the growing body of literature on the theoretical foundations of systems engineering and engineering design and seeks to provide practitioners with a means to determine optimal verification strategies.


SUMMARY
Chronic infection by several "high-risk" human papillomavirus (HPV) types has been causally implicated in several forms of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Now, HPV42, which is usually classified as a "low-risk" type, can be listed as the main cause of digital papillary adenocarcinoma, an uncommon malignant tumor of the fingers and toes. See related article by Leiendecker et al., p. 70 (3).


Background and Aims Alcohol-associated liver disease is exhibiting an increasing disease burden. In terms of pathogenesis, inflammation is closely related to alcohol-induced liver injury. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker. Here, we aim to evaluate the role of the NLR and other biomarkers in predicting short-term mortality in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. Methods This was a retrospective study that included 459 male alcoholic cirrhosis patients. Among them, 345 patients completed follow-up. Based on their 30-day mortality information, patients were separated into surviving and nonsurviving groups. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical features were collected for further analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with short-term mortality, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to establish the predictive value of these factors. Results The prognostic scores were significantly higher in the nonsurviving group than in the surviving group: NLR: 5.5 vs. 3.2 (P < 0.001), model for end-stage liver disease (MELD): 15.4 vs. 7.9 (P < 0.001), Maddrey's discriminant function (MDF): 39.8 vs. 12.7 (P < 0.001), and the integrated MELD (i-MELD): 37.9 vs. 28.4 (P < 0.001). Logistic regression demonstrated that albumin (ALB), NLR, and i-MELD values were significantly correlated with patient death in 30 days. On ROC analysis, the diagnostic accuracy for 30-day mortality of the NLR (area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of 0.72, P < 0.001) was similar to that of the MELD or i-MELD (AUROCs of 0.71 and 0.74, respectively, P < 0.001). The new biomarker, NLA, calculated as 100 × NLR/ALB, had the best prognostic value. The cutoff values of the NLR and NLA for predicting 30-day mortality were 4.2 and 19.6, respectively. Conclusions The NLR and its related biomarker NLA are simple and robust predictors of 30-day mortality in alcoholic cirrhosis patients.


Aim. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of different anthropometric parameters of the upper dentition on esthetic parameters of the smile in patients with dentomaxillary anomalies accompanied by the narrowing of the upper dentition. Materials and methods. Forty eight patients underwent clinical examination with facial photometry and anthropometric study of plaster model of the upper jaw. Five parameters were taken into consideration: transverse size of the upper dentition in the regions of canines, first premolars and first molars, buccal corridors, visible dentition width. Results. All five parameters were compared with each other by means of scatter diagram. No correlation between the parameters was observed. Four clinical cases, confirming absence of correlation between the studied parameters, were described. Conclusions. There is no correlation between the narrowed upper dentition and the size of buccal corridors, visible while smiling. It is necessary to study these parameters in patients before, in the course of and after treatment.


This paper deals with measurements, performed using dynamic light scattering (photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and Raman spectroscopy) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS), on solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in water and heavy water. The joint employment of these techniques allows us to carry out a side by side comparison between the PEO/H2O and the PEO/D2O systems. The coil conformation dependence on temperature and concentration is studied; in particular, the hydrodynamic radius, as evaluated from the diffusion coefficient at infinite dilution using PCS, and the gyration radius, evaluated by SANS, are determined at different temperatures, i.e. as a function of the solvent quality. On the other, the study of the Raman D-LAM spectral contribution furnishes valuable information on the structural arrangement of the molecules. The experimental findings clearly show from the different diffusive properties of polymer chains that the isotopic substitution affects the hydrodynamic radius behaviour with temperature, and from the Raman scattering results that it induces a lowering of the conformational order degree. Such findings provide evidence of the different behavioural properties of macromolecules in H2O and D2O, and could be relevant for the areas of research in which the deuterium labelling technique is commonly employed.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

Placental growth factor play (PLGF) is a homolog of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and binds to VEGF receptor-1. Previous studies have indicated its synergistic role with VEGF in angiogenesis, while a recent study suggested its independent role in promoting growth and metastasis of VEGF-inhibitor-resistant tumors. In order to further investigate the role of PLGF in tumor angiogenesis in relationship to VEGF, we have generated a novel PLGF-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb). Hybridomas secreting PLGF-specific mAbs were obtained by fusing splenocytes from mice immunized with yeast-derived recombinant human PLGF protein with Sp/20 myeloma cells; the mAb clone that showed highest binding affinity, designed as P16, was selected for further study. This P16 mAb recognizes human PLGF, in both native and denatured forms, but not VEGF-A, VEGF-B or VEGF-D. P16 mAb is of IgG1-kappa type. Sequence analysis of cDNA encoding the heavy and light chains of P16 mAb showed novel variable regions. Using P16 mAb in immunohistochemical staining assay, increased levels of PLGF protein were found in a number of human tumors from lung, breast and colon. PLGF proteins were also detected in a wide variety of normal human tissues including lung, stomach, colon and kidney, contrary to previous reports. Importantly, P16 mAb blocked the binding of PLGF to VEGFR-1 in a dose-response manner, and inhibited the PLGF-mediated endothelial cell line growth in vitro. Treatment of human tumor xenografts (A673 rhabdomyosarcoma) in nude mice with P16 mAb resulted in marked inhibition of tumor growth, which is similar in degree to the tumor inhibition by VEGF-specific antibody Bevacizumab. A humanized form of P16 mAb was constructed and showed similar inhibition of tumor growth in xenograft nude mice model. In conclusion, P16 mAb is a novel mAb specifically recognizing human PLGF but not VEGF and blocks the binding of PLGF to its receptor. It inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth, suggesting an important and independent role of PLGF in tumor growth. Further studies on its mechanisms of action and its clinical applications are under way.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2453.


Abstract. We analysed the biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) emissions from rapeseed leaves litter and their potential to create secondary organic aerosols (SOA) under three different conditions i.e., (i) in presence of UV light irradiation; (ii) in presence of ozone, and (iii) with both ozone and UV light. These experiments have been performed in a controlled atmospheric simulation chamber containing leaves litter samples, where BVOC and aerosol number concentrations have been measured for 6 days. Our results show that BVOC emission profiles were affected by UV light irradiation, which increased the summed BVOC emissions compared to the experiment with solely O3. Furthermore, the diversity of emitted VOCs from the rapeseed litter increased also in presence of UV light irradiation. SOA formation was observed when leaves litter were exposed to both UV light and O3, indicating a potentially large contribution to particle formation or growth at local scales. To our knowledge, this study investigates for the first time the effect of UV irradiation and O3 exposure on both VOC emissions and SOA formation for leaves litter samples. A detailed discussion about the processes behind the biological production of the most important VOC is proposed.


This brief review of modern interferometric methods of surface measurements describes basic techniques, typical applications and common performance specifications. Recent developments include model based methods, analysis of surface structures that include transparent films and optically unresolved features, and systems designed specifically to be compatible with industrial environments and international standards.


ASC/PYCARD is a common adaptor for a diverse set of inflammasomes that activate caspase-1, most prominently the NLR-based inflammasome. Mounting evidence indicates that ASC and these NLRs also elicit non-overlapping functions, but the molecular basis for this difference is unclear. To address this, we performed microarray and network analysis of ASC shRNA knockdown cells. In pathogen-infected cells, an ASC-dependent interactome is centered on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) ERK and on multiple chemokines. ASC did not affect the expression of MAPK but affected its phosphorylation by pathogens and Toll-like receptor agonists via suppression of the dual-specificity phosphatase, DUSP10/MKP5. Chemokine induction, DUSP function, and MAPK phosphorylation were independent of caspase-1 and IL-1β. MAPK activation by pathogen was abrogated in Asc−/− but not Nlrp3−/−, Nlrc4−/−, or Casp1−/− macrophages. These results demonstrate a function for ASC that is distinct from the inflammasome in modulating MAPK activity and chemokine expression and further identify DUSP10 as a novel ASC target.


Ultrasonic Lamb waves are a widely used research tool for nondestructive structural health monitoring. They travel long distances with little attenuation, enabling the interrogation of large areas. To analyze Lamb wave propagation data, it is often important to know precisely how they propagate. Yet, since wave propagation is influenced by many factors, including material properties, temperature, and other varying conditions, acquiring this knowledge is a significant challenge. In prior work, this information has been recovered by reconstructing Lamb wave dispersion curves with sparse wavenumber analysis. While effective, sparse wavenumber analysis requires a large number of sensors and is sensitive to noise in the data. In this paper, it extended and significantly improved by constraining the reconstructed dispersion curves to be continuous across frequencies. To enforce this constraint, it is included explicitly in a sparse optimization formulation, and by including in the reconstruction an edge detection step to remove outliers, and by using variational Bayesian Gaussian mixture models to predict missing values. The method is validated with simulation and experimental data. Significant improved performance is demonstrated over the original sparse wavenumber analysis approach in reconstructing the dispersion curves, in synthesizing noise-removed signals, in reducing the number of measurements, and in localizing damage.


Three new series of analogues related to 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine derivative 1a were synthesized and evaluated for their potassium channel activating activity. In the first series I, where the 6,7-positions were disubstituted, it was found that an electron-withdrawing substituent was preferable at the 6 position, but either an electron-withdrawing or releasing substituent without bulkiness was tolerated at the 7 position. In the second series II, where several heterocycles were introduced into the 6,7-positions, the oxadiazole derivative 6 showed more potent activity than cromakalim. In the third series III, where the benzene ring was replaced by a pyridine ring, borane complex 16 had equivalent activity to cromakalim. Especially, compound 6 showed a potent hypotensive effect with a long duration of action in the spontaneous hypertensive rat and had a lesser increasing effect on intracranial pressure in dogs than 1a and levcromakalim, showing a good profile as an antihypertensive agent.


Helper T cells are critical for protective immunity, CD8 T cell memory, and CD4 recall responses required for effective vaccines. Despite the importance of CD4 T cells in immune responses, studies examining T cell responses to Listeria monocytogenes have focused primarily on CD8 T cells. We have developed two CD4 T cell transgenic mouse lines specific for an immunodominant L. monocytogenes epitope, providing a novel means of examining CD4 T cell activation and memory formation. These mice, called LLO118 and LLO56, differ by only 14 amino acids in their TCR sequences and have identical responses to peptide and L. monocytogenes infection in vitro. Comparison of the in vivo CD4 T cell responses to L. monocytogenes infection revealed LLO118 T cells proliferate much more strongly in a primary infection and cause a more robust CD8 response to secondary infection than LLO56. Surprisingly, we found that LLO56 has a superior CD4 recall response to secondary infection. CD5 expression and TCR downregulation correlate with the discordant primary and secondary responses. CD5 is higher in LLO56 prior to infection whereas LLO118 TCR levels downregulate more after the primary infection. Thus, a strong initial proliferation results in a better CD8 recall response, but a decreased CD4 recall response due to downregulated TCR levels. These findings imply that there are two populations of helper T cells: one that works best in primary responses and another in the secondary response.


Twenty-seven neonate piglets (range from 0.35 to 1.17 kg) were evaluated for the effectiveness of blunt force trauma as a method of on-farm cull. Brainstem function, brain injury and haemorrhage scores (increasing from 0 to 3) were assessed after striking the head against a concrete floor. Electroencephalograms (EEG) from a subset of 15 piglets were recorded prior to and after blunt force trauma for electrophysiological assessments. Blunt force trauma was performed by a single experienced farmer in a commercial farm by holding the piglet by its both hind legs and striking the head against the concrete floor. All piglets remained recumbent and did not show brainstem reflexes. Only one piglet did not presented tonic/clonic physical activity. The mean time to onset of persistent isoelectric EEG was 64.3 ± 7.3 (range 18 - 115) s. Total power, theta, alpha and beta power decreased to approximately 45%, 30%, 20% and 15% from pre-treatment power, respectively by 15 s post-impact. There were no periods of normal-like EEG after the culling. Bruises in the neck and shoulder were found in 67% and 70% of piglets, respectively. All piglets presented skull fractures with 20% having the nasal bone(s) fractured. Brain damage was found in all piglets, mainly in the frontal lobe(s). The occipital lobe(s) presented the greatest frequency of severe damage. The analysis of the radiographs also found a high frequency of fractures in this region. Haemorrhage was most frequent in the frontal, parietal, occipital lobes and midbrain. When performed correctly with the appropriate weight class, blunt force trauma can be used as an effective method for on-farm killing of nursing piglets resulting in death. However, this method should not be promoted over more reliable and repeatable cull methods such as captive bolt gun (CBG). As with blunt force trauma there is significant potential for animal welfare harm associated with inappropriate practice, lack of accuracy, issues with repeatability and operator fatigue.


AIM
To investigate the incidence of oculocardiac reflex (OCR) with two anesthetic regimens and its prevention using topical anesthetics in a rabbit model, and to explore the effect of topical anesthetics on corneal healing.

METHODS
Forty-eight clinically healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits of either sex were divided into two groups (Group A and B) and anesthetized with either ketamine (Group A, n =24) or propofol (Group B, n =24). he incidence of OCR was recorded in each group with a variety of ocular manipulation with or without the use of topical anesthetics (40g/L lignocaine, 5g/L proparacain, 5g/L bupivacaine). Corneal toxicity and healing following the use of each topical anesthetic was assessed one day after surgery and up to 7 days postoperatively by clinical examination of the eye, histopathology and collagen staining and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS
No incidence of OCR was recorded with ocular manipulation under ketamine anesthesia, whereas significant reduction in heart rate (P<0.01) was recorded under propofol anesthesia. Topical anesthetics could successfully prevent the OCR without affecting the corneal healing.

CONCLUSION
Topical anesthetics may be recommended for prevention of OCR without any local adverse effect.


This study explored the hemodynamic effects of amrinone, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in association with intravenous fluids, in the treatment of endotoxin shock. Mongrel dogs were anesthetized with pentobarbital and mechanically ventilated with room air. Treatment was started 30 min after slow intravenous administration of 3 mg/kg of E. coli endotoxin. In the first part of the study, ten dogs were resuscitated for 30 min with intravenous saline alone (10 ml/kg) and for the next 3 h by saline (10 ml/kg/h) and amrinone 40 micrograms/kg/min. During this latter period, arterial pressure remained stable while cardiac output significantly increased from 3.1 +/- 0.5 to 5.2 +/- 0.7 l/min (P less than 0.01), and oxygen delivery increased from 616 +/- 92 to 983 +/- 156 ml/min (P less than 0.01). Comparison with control animals revealed that amrinone infusion prevented the decrease in left ventricular stroke work and markedly increased oxygen delivery. In the second part of the study, 18 dogs were treated by saline infusion titrated to maintain pulmonary artery balloon-occluded pressure at baseline level. In ten dogs, amrinone was added 60 min after endotoxin administration at a dose of 40 micrograms/kg/min. Total amount of fluids infused averaged 87 +/- 14 ml in the amrinone-treated dogs and 64 +/- 15 ml in the control dogs (differences nonsignificant). Oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption increased significantly in the amrinone-treated dogs (from 541 +/- 36 to 1063 +/- 176 ml/min, P less than 0.01, and from 145 +/- 23 to 202 +/- 38 ml/min, P less than 0.01, respectively) but not in the control dogs. The amrinone-treated dogs had lower PaO2 and higher venous admixture than the control dogs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Background:Engineers, planners and economists model electricity system to forecast the demand and energy mix scenarios on the basis of different factors including economic, environmental and other aspects. The present study specifically concentrates on long-term electrical power sector planning for Pakistan up to 2040 while considering the effect of economic, technical, political and social factors.Methods:In this research, Long-range Energy Alternative Planning system (LEAP)® software is used to determine future electrical power demand and generation plan. Three different models are developed to predict the electricity demand of Pakistan including empirical model, econometric model and econometric model with linear regression. Generation plan is developed based on current government policies under baseline scenario. Baseline scenario has compared with alternate scenarios including delay in hydro, green energy source maximization and energy conservation for period from 2018-2040. Economic analysis has been performed by comparing different scenarios to investigate and quantify their economic benefits.Results:Electricity demand projected from the three models are found to be 470 TWh, 530 TWh and 230 TWh for 2040 which was 57.35 TWh in the base year 2004 and 94.47 TWh in 2017. Electricity generation projected for 2040 for Pakistan with econometric model with linear regression estimated to be 270 TWh which was 80.5 TWh in 2004 and 119.35 TWh in 2017. From the economic analysis, delay in hydro scenario was found to be the most expensive scenario with a total loss of 88 billion US dollars up to 2040. Green energy scenario and energy conservation scenario saves around 13 billion US dollar and 91 billion US dollar respectively. Cost based optimization scenario saves a huge cost of 461.7 billion US dollar compared to baseline scenario because of less running cost and negligible fuel import cost. Conclusion:The most suitable pathway for meeting the demand- supply gap of Pakistan is the energy conservation policy scenario in which generation plan target could be well achieved by targeting 20% energy conservation strategy by using energy efficient devices. Government should make an energy security plan to recognize the energy conservation policy to cater demand and supply deficit with sustained economic growth.


Coarctation of the aorta can be recognized in most instances by simple findings of physical examination. The anomaly is one which carries a variable prognosis. The condition may be tolerated through a long life with little incapacitation or may be accompanied by early and serious complications in the form of cardiac failure, aortic rupture, or intracranial hemorrhage. In a high percentage of patients it is possible to remove the aortic block and establish a pathway of satisfactory size. A series of cases shows that there is an excellent chance of relieving hypertension by such surgery. Mortality rates for these operations have not been unduly high. Certain complicated types of cases carry too high a risk and should not be accepted for surgery.


This study was carried out to know about the experiences of two Brazilian families with the birth of extremely premature infants up to five years of age. Participant observation and open interview were used as qualitative methodology. Tertiary teaching hospital, residences, schools and churches families attended. Fathers and mothers of two extremely premature infants assisted to Neonatal Unit, January/December 2001. There were 21 meetings, 14 for observation (30 hours, 90 field diary's pages); seven for interviews (eight hours, 117 pages transcribed). The analysis is by semiotic model. This report is presented as two narratives. Four great themes were identified by narratives: healthcare, parents' stress, communication and support network. Gestational hypertension was a risk factor for extreme prematurity, prolonged neonatal care and families-neonates' separation; mothers' assistance at delivery room and first entry in Neonatal Unit had disrespected humanized care; parents' stress was present at delivery room, first sight of the newborn at Neonatal Unit, at home, as child's caregivers, with child' s morbidity, fear of death has always been present; communication was both positive and negative; nuclear/extended families, friends, health team and religion were the social support network's elements. The narrative brought to debate relevant issues.


This article examines for the first time the property tax compliance behavior of homeowners who rent out part of their own home to tenants. This increasingly popular occupancy arrangement typically arises due to the financial constraints of homeowners. Currently little is known about the property tax compliance behavior of homeowners in this shared occupancy arrangement, relative to homeowners who fully occupy their properties. Using granular administrative-level data on occupancy characteristics from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in Ghana, we find that owner-and-tenant-occupied dwelling units have a higher probability of being in tax arrears, as compared to owner-occupied units. Their non-compliance is more sensitive to increases in property tax rates and is greater for those located farther away from local public amenities (suburban police stations and hospitals). Overall, our findings provide new insights for policy-makers on the tax compliance of owner-and-tenant-occupancy arrangements in a weak regulatory environment.


Introduction: Introduction of bipolar prosthesis was basically made for the treatment of fresh fracture neck of femur in elderly, but with advancement in design and techniques its use has been increased to various non-traumatic hip pathologies.Objective: To assess clinical and radiological outcome of BHU bicentric bipolar hip prosthesis in treatment of non-traumatic hip pathology.Methodology: This longitudinal study was done in 30 cases of various hip conditions, during the period of March 2002 to March 2012. All patients had secondary osteoarthritis of hip with abnormal acetabulum following advanced tubercular arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and avascular necrosis of femoral head. Primary bipolar hemi-replacement arthroplasty was done in all the cases using Banaras Hindu University (BHU) bicentric bipolar hip prosthesis. Each patient was assessed radiologically for movement and fraction of it occurring at various components of prosthesis and clinically for functional outcome using modified Harris hip score for the maximum of 10 years.Results: There were 17 males and 13 females (n=30), aged between 31-60 years. Three and half years following surgery, (n=12) 100% patients were able to squat and sit crossed legged. At four and half years follow-up, (n=7) 100% patient had excellent result when assessed by modified Harris hip score. Radiologically, by the end of 10 years (n=1) all the movements of hip occurred at inner bearing while the outer bearing was fixed to acetabulum.Conclusion: This intermediate term follow-up study suggests that the use of BHU bicentric bipolar hip prosthesis for bipolar hemireplacement is associated with be


With the development of Internet and the use of digital pedagogy, the production of open educational resources grows very quickly. Sharing these resources has become a major challenge both from an economic point of view, but also for the dissemination and sharing of practices among teachers. The problematics are psychologic (help for learning), ergonomic (usability, acceptability) but also documentary (reuse resources) and editorial (enhancement of digital archives). Based on an ontology developed by University of Oxford and translated in French, we developed a digital archive of open educational resources for teaching statistics. We present and discuss ebook enrichment scenarios in undergraduate statistics courses. We present how this ontology-based approach allows thinking enriched ebooks as an adaptive and collaborative learning device.


BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to clarify the molecular regulatory mechanism of c-Met up-regulated expression and elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which c-Met overexpression and activation drive progression and sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS
The resistance index was calculated. Bioinformatic techniques were applied to predict the transcription factors that bind and their binding sites on the c-Met promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were implemented to verify the prediction results. To determine the regulatory mechanisms and effects of c-Met on sorafenib resistance in HCC, c-Met expression and activation were down-regulated by siRNA and inhibitor in in vivo and vitro experiments, while a parental cell line (Huh-7) was transfected with the adenovirus that upregulated c-Met expression.

RESULTS
c-Met expression was increased in HCC sorafenib-resistant cells. Functional findings suggested that c-Met overexpression and activation drive HCC tumor progression and sorafenib resistance by promoting cell proliferation, migration, and stopping apoptosis. Molecular mechanism findings demonstrated that the MEK/ERK signaling pathway activated the expression and activity of ETS-1 mediated by p-ERK, which led to its binding to the c-Met gene promoter and upregulation of c-Met transcriptional expression. The activation of the HGF/c-Met pathway drives sorafenib resistance in HCC cells by activating the Ras/Raf/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, which regulate biologic processes, including cell proliferation, migration and anti-apoptosis.

CONCLUSION
c-Met overexpression and activation is an essential mechanism of sorafenib resistance in HCC. Combination therapy of sorafenib plus c-Met inhibitor overcame the resistance of sorafenib-targeted therapy for HCC.


BACKGROUND
Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the eighth most common cancer worldwide with a relatively high rate of metastasis (~40%). Previously, we showed that microRNA-138 serves as a functional tumor suppressor and plays an important role in oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. However, to date, microRNA-138 expression has not been examined in this tumor tissue. Herein, we demonstrated that microRNA-138 expression is downregulated in metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens using tissue microarray technology with in situ hybridization.

METHODS
The study included 254 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients from two centers (160 from the Chengdu center and 90 from the Guangzhou center) and four healthy volunteers.

RESULTS
Multivariate analysis showed that microRNA-138 expression was independent of tumor stage, age, gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Interestingly, patients that expressed lower levels of microRNA-138 (determined by in situ hybridization) were more prone to regional lymph node metastasis and exhibited poorer outcomes. These findings support the role of microRNA-138 as a tumor suppressor in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSION
In summary, the expression level of microRNA-138 is negatively correlated with oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis; the lower the expression of microRNA-138, the higher the rate of metastasis and the poorer the prognosis of the patients. Therefore, our study confirms that microRNA-138 serves as a tumor suppressor and plays a functional role in oral squamous cell carcinoma tumor metastasis; microRNA-138 constitutes a promising prognosis biomarker and therapeutic target for oral squamous cell carcinoma with metastasis potential. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


Inhibition of protein synthesis by streptomycin was tested in extracts from a strain of Escherichia coli sensitive to streptomycin. Three kinds of messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) were employed: endogenous cellular RNA, extracted cellular RNA, and phage R17 RNA. Protein synthesis directed by extracted cellular RNA was inhibited three- to fourfold more than protein synthesis directed by endogenous RNA. With R17 RNA as messenger, nearly total inhibition of protein synthesis at initiation was again observed. The greater inhibition of function of extracted RNA, which must initiate new polypeptide chains in vitro, is in accord with the observation that in whole cells streptomycin blocks ribosomes at an early stage in protein synthesis. When streptomycin was added at successively later times during protein synthesis, the subsequent inhibition was progressively less. This was observed with either extracted cellular RNA or phage R17 RNA. A model is presented that can explain the less drastic inhibition by streptomycin of messenger RNA that is already functioning on ribosomes.


Systems, methods, and devices for providing interactive striking objects (e.g., drumsticks) and performing actions in response to striking motions of the striking objects are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide an interactive drumstick, which includes a lighting display located at a tip portion of the interactive drumstick, a motion detector contained at least partially within the drumstick, a processor and memory contained at least partially within the drumstick, and an interactive system stored within the memory of the drumstick. The interactive system includes a striking motion module that determines striking motions of the drumstick with respect to a virtual percussion instrument based on accessing information measured by the motion detector, and a display module that causes the lighting display to present a certain type of illumination based on the striking motions determined by the striking motion module.


Food safety and traceability are at the forefront of government and industry considerations around the world. To address domestic food safety and quality issues and retain their comparative advantage in the global market, U.S. grain producers and handlers must implement a system that can trace grain back to the farm. Research has recently been conducted for developing a global tracing system to rapidly identify the origin of grain in a bulk shipment, enabling trace-back all the way to individual farm fields. One of the key elements in the research is the development of a tracer that carries identity of the grain. This paper reported the development of two types of tracers for the grain tracing system. Starch-based tracer was made of starch and powdered sugar, and the sugar-based was made of processed sucrose powder with dextrins. Both types of tracer are food-grade and no protein is included in their ingredients. They will not contaminate the grain and will not introduce food allergens. Hardness of the tracers is adequate to resist breakage during mechanical delivery into the grain, as it is transferred from the combine to a truck, and as it flows along with the grain. The surface texture of the tracers allows marking identification codes which can be identified by electronic devices. These tracers have great potential for application in the grain tracing system.


Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV) is a well-known and explored topic. It is a quite complex phenomenon as it is part of different disciplines including fluid mechanics, structural mechanincs, vibrations and computational dynamics. It can be found in many engineering applications such as bridges, industrial chimneys, transmission lines, marine risers in petroleum production and in other hydrodynamics applications. Despite it is a well-known and widely explored topic, the modelling of vortex induced vibrations for engineering purposes still presents a lot of issues due to the complexity of the phenomena involved. These oscillations are of great interest for structural engineers, not only because of the large oscillation amplitude but also due to the long term cyclic loads which can cause significant fatigue damage to the wind turbine towers. In this thesis the phenomenon of VIV on wind turbine towers is examined. Before the commissioning of the towers in the offshore wind farms, there is a number of different load cases when these structures are susceptible to VIV. These cases are summarized in the following: (i) towers standing on the quay-side, (ii) on the vessel during their transportation offshore and (iii) as installed towers on the foundation (e.g. monopile or jacket) before the installation of the rotor-nacelle assembly (RNA). The main objective is to formulate a realistic model for the prediction of wind turbine towers response due to VIV. The tower geometry includes a tapered section at the top of the structure complicating the phenomenon. The thesis approach starts with a literature study and continues with investigating the different approaches proposed from the Standards (e.g. Eurocode) and the researchers over the years. Investigation of the theoretical background of each analytical model, sensitivity analysis of the main influencing parameters and comparison of the computed vibration amplitudes contributed to the identification of advantages and limitations of these approaches. Consequently, knowledge gained from this research and data extracted from forced oscillation experiments performed in a wind tunnel contributed to the development of a more accurate, reliable and realistic model for the prediction of the tower response due to VIV. The recommended design procedure models the fluid structure interaction through a negative aerodynamic damping and takes into account the tapered section of the tower, the effect of turbulence intensity and the shear exponent factor of the wind. Finally, fatigue analysis of the wind turbine towers is performed in order to assess the effect of VIV on the lifetime of these structures. Concluding, through the literature study and the review of the approaches proposed by the design codes and various researchers, a design procedure for the prediction of the tower response over a range of wind velocities is developed. Simplifications of existing methodologies proposed by the Standards limit their accuracy for design purposes. Finally, further experimental investigations and CFD simulations regarding the effect of group arrangements of the towers and the effectiveness of suppression measures are proposed for future research.


Summary To develop an alternative anaesthetic regimen for cats with cardiomyopathy, the cardiopulmonary effects of three different premedication‐induction protocols, followed by one hour maintenance with isoflurane in oxygen: air were evaluated in six cats. Group I: acepromazine (10 pg/kg) + buprenorphine (10 pg/kg) IM, etomidate (1–2 mg/kg) IV induction. Group II: midazolam (1 mg/kg) + ketamine (10 mg/kg) IM induction. Group III: medetomidine (1.5 mg/m body surface) IM, propofol (1–2 mg/kg) IV induction. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gases, respiration rate, and temperature were recorded for the duration of the experiment. In group I the sedative effect after premedication was limited. In the other groups the level of sedation was sufficient. In all groups premedication resulted in a reduced blood pressure which decreased further immediately following induction. The reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) reached statistical significance in group I (142±22 to 81±14 mmHg) and group II (153±28 to 98±20 mmHg) but not in group III (165±24 to 134±29 mmHg). Despite the decrease in blood pressure, MAP was judged to have remained within an acceptable range in all groups. During maintenance of anaesthesia, heart rate decreased significantly in group III (from 165±24 to 125±10 b.p.m. at t=80 min). During anaesthesia the pCO2 and pO2 values increased significantly in all groups. On the basis of the results, the combination acepromazine‐buprenorphine is preferred because heart rate, MAP, and respiration are acceptable, it has a limited sedative effect but recovery is smooth.


Overnutrition and undernutrition during pregnancy are closely related to pregnancy outcome as well as neonatal and perinatal outcomes. This and more, from various published data it seems that the effect of maternal nutrition during fetal life stretches far beyond the neonatal period, and influences health issues in adulthood, from cardiovascular and metabolic disorders through mental illnesses. The purpose of this review is to update about overnutrition and undernutrition during pregnancy and their effect on noncommunicable adulthood diseases, and about leading theories on the subject.


The t distribution was first introduced by W.S. Gosset in 1908. Many environmental processes are modeled by t instead of Gaussian distributions in order to incorporate uncertainties fully. Successful applications of this kind include air pollution, health impact and epidemiology. A random variable that possesses a t distribution can be represented as a ratio of an independent normal and the square root of a χ2 random variable divided by its degrees of freedom. The degrees of freedom of the χ2 distribution represent the uncertainty one has about the location of the distribution. In sampling theory, a t distribution can be derived from a sample mean and sample variance.


A simple method for the extraction of tea samples and conditions of HPLC analysis of pheophorbide-a (PB-a) and its related chlorophyll derivatives was developed. Tea samples were extracted with 85% acetone (v/v) with this solution injected directly into the HPLC column. The modified HPLC procedure developed included a gradient solvent system in which solvent A (95% ethanol (v/v) containing 0.005 M sodium chloride) and solvent B (80% ethanol (v/v) containing 0.005 M sodium chloride) were the mobile phase. PB-a, its derivatives and their C-10 epimers could be clearly separated and determined within 35 min. This analytical method could be routinely used to determine low levels of PB-a content (<10 mg/100g) and its related individual chlorophyll derivatives in green teas. Hence, it is applicable to the safety and quality control of green teas.


To the Editor: —Recently, there has come to the attention of this committee a paper wherein convulsions are described as a complication of the use of pertussis vaccine. We are asking the readers of the American Journal of Diseases of Children to apprise us if they hear of incidents of such convulsions. Specifically, we wish to ask the following questions: Did the convulsion occur while the patient was ill with something other than pertussis? Was the patient given the injection regardless of whether he was ill at the time? Did the convulsion occur after the first, second or third injection? How long after the injection did the convulsion occur? Did the child have a prior convulsion for which he was, or was not, treated? Did the convulsions occur after injection of: A toxoid? An alum-precipitated toxoid? A multiple vaccine: Pertussis vaccine


In a study of 55 electrical engineering students, Yadav, et al., found learning gains among students in Project-Based Learning (PBL) to be twice the gains of those taking traditional lecture courses. Du and Kolmos indicate groupbased PBL is more supportive and appealing to women than traditional lecture formats. Savin-Baden posits that female and minority students are more likely to ask questions in non-competitive PBL environments. This study interrogates the claim that PBL is particularly supportive to female and minority students. This work-in-progress uses a phenomenological research methodology to investigate how collaborative learning (in formal as well as non-formal settings) influences women's experiences of engineering education. Our intention is to help teachers and educational leaders create environments and policies that effectively support women and diverse groups of students.


Background Serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels are useful conventional markers of synovitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ultrasonography (US) has recently become more popular as a method of evaluating joint synovitis. Objectives To determine the significance of grey scale ultrasonography (GSUS) and power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) scores by comparison with serum biomarkers and clinical disease activity assessment. Methods We selected 124 consecutive patients with RA who attended our hospital outpatient clinic. The patients underwent musculoskeletalultrasonography at 26 synovial sites in the following joints: bilateral first to fifth MCP (dorsal recess), first IP and second to fifth PIP (dorsal recess) joints and the wrists (dorsal radial, dorsal median and dorsal ulnar). The GS and power PD signals were scored in each joint using a scale from 0 to 3. The GSUS and PDUS scores are the sums of the scores obtained for the 26 synovial sites. Correlations among serum CRP, ESR and MMP-3 values and disease activity evaluated using the DAS-28 were analyzed along with the PDUS positive ratio in DAS-28 in patients in remission and in patients with normal MMP-3 values. Results The clinical characteristics of the 124 patients (102 females and 22 males; mean age, 60.8±12.8 years) with RA were as follows. They received only DMARDs (n=62), and biological DMARDs (n=62). The mean number of tender (TJCs) and swollen (SJCs) joints and the ESR, CRP, DAS-28 and MMP-3 values were 7.0, 3.7, 28.5, 0.68, 4.38 and 110.7, respectively. The GSUS and PDUS scores were significantly and positively correlated with DAS-28, ESR, CRP and MMP-3. The PDUS score was positive in 19 (90.5%) of 21 patients in remission with DAS-28 (DAS-28 <2.6) and in 45 (84.9%) of 53 with normal serum MMP-3 values. Conclusions Both GSUS and PDUS scores were closely correlated with clinical disease activity and serum biomarkers. These results indicate that US findings accurately reflect the pathogenesis of RA. However, patients in remission according to DAS-28 withnormal serum MMP-3 values also had a high rate of positive PD scores. We considered that US is more accurate for clinically evaluating patients with RA. References Kawashiri SY, Kawakami A, Iwamoto N, Fujikawa K, Satoh K, Tamai M, Nakamura H, Okada A, Koga T, Yamasaki S, Ida H, Origuchi T, Eguchi K. The power Doppler ultrasonography score from 24 synovial sites or 6 simplified synovial sites, including the metacarpophalangeal joints, reflects the clinical disease activity and level of serum biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2011;50:962-5. Naredo E, Moller I, Cruz A, Carmona L, Garrido J. Power Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring of response to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2008;58:2248-56. Backhaus M, Burmester GR, Gerber T, Grassi W, Machold KP, Swen WA, Wakefield RJ, Manger B. Guidelines for musculoskeletal ultrasound in rheumatology. Ann Rheum Dis. 2001;60:641-9. Disclosure of Interest T. Okano: None Declared, T. Koike Grant/Research support from: Takeda Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Abbott Japan, Teijin Pharma, Banyu Pharmaceutical and Ono Pharmaceutical, M. Tada: None Declared, Y. Sugioka: None Declared, K. Mamoto: None Declared, S. Wakitani: None Declared, H. Nakamura Grant/Research support from: Chugai Pharmaceutical, Astellas Pharma Inc.,Janssen Pharmaceutica, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Inc. and Daiichi Sankyo, INC., Speakers Bureau: Ono Pharmaceutical


Background : The use of complementary medicines in addition to medical prescription by patients with hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases presents a challenge for healthcare providers in Nigeria and globally. There is very little data on the clinical outcomes in these patients. Objectives : To evaluate clinical outcomes in hypertensive or diabetic patients who use complimentary medicines in Lagos Nigeria . Design : Observational cross-sectional study. Setting : Lagos University Teaching Hospital Medical Outpatient Clinics. Subjects : Five hundred patients attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital Medical out-patient clinics with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or hypertension or diabetic hypertensive were studied. Main outcome measures : The effect of complementary medicines use on blood pressure and blood glucose control were evaluated. Results : The mean arterial blood pressure of non-users of complementary medicine was 115.329 mmHg and that of users was 105.138mmHg. Also the mean fasting blood sugar of non-users was 129.515mg/dl and that of users was 131.453mg/dl. (P>0.05). Conclusion : Although not statistically significant, complimentary medicines were found to be of advantage to hypertensive patients but not diabetic patients.


We have studied the quasiparticle transport in quantum-wire /ferromagnetic-insulator/d wave superconductor Junction (q/FI/d) in the framework of the Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwijk model. We calculate the tunneling conductance in q/FI/d as a function of the bias voltage at zero temperature and finite temperature based on Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. Different from the case in normal-metal/insulator/d wave superconductor Junctions, the zero-bias conductance peaks vanish for the single-mode case. The tunneling conductance spectra depend on the magnitude of the exchange interaction at the ferromagnetic-insulator.


Alkyne-bearing deazapurine triphosphates were prepared and successfully incorporated into DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The obtained alkyne-labeled DNA was successfully used in a click reaction with galactose azide.


Background: Phoebe bournei is a potential medicinal plant whose essential oil (EO) from leaves has potential inhibitory activities against some bacterium, tumor, and has a certain potential for hypoglycemic activity. Fertilization is a common and effective method to increase plant biomass, which can increase the raw material of essential oil, but has a certain impact on the composition and biological activity of plant essential oil. Results: The main components are sesquiterpenes in the essential oils from leaves and twigs. The yield of the essential oils and the content of their main components can be modulated by compost and compound fertilizer, to different degrees, and minor differences were registered among the categories of the components in essential oils. However, changes were strongly mirrored in some main components of essential oils. The content of the primary (+) - calarene in the leaf EO were strongly increased by compost, but the opposite happened by compound fertilizer. On the contrary, the effect of compound fertilizer was more significant on the main components of twig essential oil than compost. The transcriptome sequencing results of P. bournei showed that the total number of DEGs in twigs and leaves treated with compost were significantly more than that with compound fertilizer. No change was found in the expression of genes regulating principal components. However, the expression of several key genes regulating the upstream substrates for the synthesis of the sesquiterpenes was significantly changed: the expression of two key speed limiting enzymes genes (DXS and HMGR) and two important branch-point enzyme genes (FPPS and GGPPS) was significantly down regulated, while the expression of gene (HMGS) was significantly up-regulated.Conclusion: The expression levels of genes (DXS2, HMGR, FPPS and GGPPS) were significantly down regulated in leaves treated with compost, resulting in the changes of the yield and main components of the leaf essential oil. The effect of compost was more significant on the synthesis of the essential oil from P. bournei leaves than that of compound fertilizer.


Here ye, here ye! Ye olde Gray metter is exercised in this review of the economy of sixteenth century England. Ms. Gray takes testimony from commentators as diverse as Shakespeare, sustainable developmentalist Douthwaite, and historian Outhwaite, who illustrate the behavioural ramifications arising out of the inflation crisis. In her quest to find the cause of this inflation, Rowena probes into farm enclosures, drunkenness, piracy, monopolistic middlemen, and militarism. She concludes that the most plausible cause was population growth and in so doing lays bare the continued relevance of economic history.


This paper describes a high-performance WLAN 802.11a/b/g radio transceiver, optimized for low-power in mobile applications, and for co-existence with cellular and Bluetooth systems in the same terminal. The direct-conversion transceiver architecture is optimized in each mode for low-power operation without compromising the challenging RF performance targets. A key transceiver requirement is a sensitivity of -77 dBm (at the LNA input) in 54 Mb/s OFDM mode while in the presence of a GSM1900 transmitter interferer. The receiver chain achieves an overall noise figure of 2.8/3.2 dB, consuming 168/185 mW at 2.8 V for the 2.4/5GHz bands, respectively. Signal loopback and transmit power detection techniques are used in conjunction with the baseband modem processor to calibrate the transmitter LO leakage and the transceiver I/Q imbalances. Fabricated in a 70 GHz fT 0.25-mum SiGe BiCMOS technology for system-in-package (SiP) use, the dual-band, tri-mode transceiver occupies only 4.6 mm2


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US. We have previously demonstrated that the RNA binding protein RBM3 is oncogenic when overexpressed in NIH 3T3 cells. Furthermore, several studies have shown that RBM3 expression increases in high grade cancer compared to lower grade cancer or normal adjacent tissues. While a correlation between RBM3 expression and the progression of malignancies is apparent, the evidence implying a causative link is lacking. Here we investigate the effects of exogenous RBM3 overexpression on the phenotype of colon cancer cell lines HCT 116 and DLD-1. We developed cells with stable doxycycline (Dox) inducible RBM3 overexpression. Upon RBM3 overexpression, there was an increase in the percentage of Hoescht 33342 effluxing side population cells and spheroid formation capacity, both of which are populations with increased capacity to self-renew and differentiate. Additionally, we observed that RBM3 overexpression increases CD44 protein levels. These studies imply that RBM3 overexpression increases colon cancer stem cell phenotype. To elucidate the mechanism by which RBM3 overexpression increases the stem cell phenotype, we next investigated the β-catenin signaling pathway. The majority of colon cancers initiate their malignant transformation with an activating mutation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway which is critical in maintaining the stem cells within the intestinal epithelium. The small pool of cytoplasmic β-catenin is normally degraded, however, upon inhibition of the destruction complex, it translocates to the nucleus and induces transcriptional changes within the cell. RBM3 overexpression showed increase in both total and nuclear β-catenin in the two cell lines. To demonstrate directly that β-catenin is transcriptionally active, we used the TOPFlash luciferase reporter system. There was a significant increase in luciferase activity in RBM3 overexpressing cells confirming the increased nuclear β-catenin levels. Furthermore, there was increase in the expression of c-Myc, CD44 and LGR5 mRNA, all transcriptional targets of β-catenin. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that RBM3 induces the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-8, both of which can act through AKT to inhibit GSK3β, a member of the β-catenin destruction complex. Therefore, we next investigated effects of RBM3 overexpression on GSK3β activity. There was a significant increase in activating phosphorylation at Akt at Ser473, and inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK3β at Ser9. Additionally, β-catenin phosphorylation at Ser33/37/Thr41, targets of GSK3β was marked lower. Taken together, these data suggest that when overexpressed, RBM3 induces β-catenin signaling to increase stem cell features in colon cancer cells. Additionally, these data show a novel causative link between RBM3 levels and the progression of colon cancer.

Citation Format: Anand Venugopal, Julia Balmaceda, Deep Kwatra, Dharmalingam Subramaniam, Shahid Umar, Shrikant Anant. RBM3 overexpression increases β-catenin signaling activity to induce a cancer stem cell phenotype. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1937. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1937


In this paper, we investigate the impact of multiple correlated antennas on the performance of transmit antenna selection with receive maximal ratio combining (TAS/MRC) model. Multiple correlated antennas are considered at the primary and secondary users in dual-hop underlay cognitive radio system. The transmit power condition of our proposed spectrum-sharing system is governed by interference temperature limit on the primary networks and the maximum transmission power at the secondary network. An exact expression for the outage probability of the proposed system is derived. To gain further insights, simple asymptotic expression for the outage probability is provided to obtain the achievable diversity order and coding gain of the system. All derived analytical results are corroborated by simulation results to show the correctness of our derived results.


Pathological abnormalities observed in cells or tissues obtained from the uterine cervix of women are collectively referred to as cervical lesions. The condition is gradually becoming a menace as it can affect different category of women. It is more worrisome as religious women particularly are not spared from the deadly scourge. This study was to investigate cervical lesion and human papillomavirus in relatively healthy religious women attending Pentecostal churches in Benin City, Nigeria. A cross-sectional investigation of the participants using structured questionnaire and the liquid-based cytology from January to July 2017 was used as the data and sample collecting tools. Majority of religious women that participated in the survey (n=429) cut across 47 Pentecostal churches. The mean age of the respondents was 48.46years (±2SD) with the highest number of participants being age group (36-45years) 131/429(31%), and ≥66years 13/429(3%). HPV infection was 9/429(2.1%), and the worst hit was among age group (26-35years) 5/429(1.2%) followed by 3/429(0.7%) amongst age group 36-45years, and 1/429 (0.2%) from age group 46-55years. 51/429(11.89%) was cervical lesion positive, while cytopathology revealed inflammatory smears (acute and chronic cervicitis), atypical glandular cells (AGC), low-grade squamous cell intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). Cervical lesion and subsequent HPV infections are prevalent within the study population. However, to avert the impending dangers (cervical cancer) posed by cervical lesions in the society, modesty in sexual exploitation and decent lifestyles are highly imperative.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, Cervical lesion, Uterine cervix, Uterine infections, Religious women.


Iron is an essential element vital for growth and development. The severe effects on the body due to iron deficiency or overload have prompted sustained research into accurate in vivo iron measurement techniques for the past several decades. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of iron in the body has been investigated in this work because of the non-invasive nature of the technique. A system has been designed using a silicon drift detector to measure the low-energy iron K α x-rays excited in the samples by the silver x-rays from 109Cd of energy 22 keV and 25 keV. The source is contained within a tantalum shielding cap designed to reduce the spectral background. The system was calibrated against 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) phantoms filled with solutions of iron at various concentrations. The iron x-ray signals were normalized to a nickel x-ray signal which improved the system's reproducibility. The 3D phantoms and normalisation resulted in a linear calibration line (p < 0.001 and r2 > 0.999). For a real-time measurement of 1800 s, the minimum detectable limit for the system was measured to be 1.35 ± 0.35 ppm which is achieved with a low radiation dose of 1.1 mSv to the skin surface. This low detection limit and low dose mean the system is feasible for application to human measurements in both iron deficiency and overload disease. The system will proceed to post-mortem validation studies prior to in vivo system efficacy testing.


The method of least squares is developed for the design and optimisation of a novel two-way high-power divider with arbitrary power division and impedance matching of the input to output ports over a desired frequency bandwidth. The even- and odd-mode analysis is used for the evaluation of scattering parameters (such as output port isolations and transmission coefficients), which are then used for the construction of an error function; its minimisation provides the geometrical dimension of the divider. Two examples of design and optimisation are presented and then fabricated and measured. Together with the full-wave simulation by commercial software, the proposed method is validated. By increasing the number of sections of the divider from one to two sections, the measured -15-dB isolation bandwidth has increased from 40 to 50-. The ripple amplitude of transmission coefficient in the passband has decreased and the out-of-band rejection has increased to more than -10-dB.


Zn wires have been electrically exploded in methanol or distilled water using the pulsed power technologies. The nanopowders produced by the explosions have been observed by using SEM and TEM, and analyzed its phase by using EDS and XRD. The nanopowders produced in distilled water showed ZnO phase only. On the other hands, the nanopowder produced in methanol showed mixed phases with Zn and ZnO. The HR-TEM images of the nanopowders produced in methanol showed that the some particles have been coated with carbon like materials. It is considered that the carbon coatings could be depended on the positions of the particles during the plasma state formed by explosion.


This report describes how multiple community constituents came together with university researchers to develop a shared agenda for studying young indigenous people in five international circumpolar communities. The paper focuses on the setup and process of an initial face-to-face methodological planning workshop involving youth and adult community members and academics. Members of Yup'ik, Inupiat, Eveny, Inuit, and Sámi communities from Siberia to Norway participated in the workshop and engaged in negotiations to arrive at shared research interests. This was essential since the ultimate goal of the research is translational and transformative, spurring social action in communities. Describing the beginning stage of this project and the underlying participatory methodology offers insight into how the approach engaged community members with varying degrees of sustained interest and practical success. It, therefore, articulates a methodological approach for international community-based participatory research.


This study examined the influence of language contact and vocabulary knowledge on the speaking performance of 73 Japanese students in English language schools in New Zealand. The participants completed a language contact pro- file questionnaire and a vocabulary test, and were administered a story retelling task (which constituted the measure of speaking performance). The results revealed that vocabulary knowledge correlated with fluency, accuracy, complexity, and global impression aspects of speaking performance. Time spent on the following were also found to correlate posi- tively with various aspects of speaking performance: studying English, staying in English-speaking countries, speaking English outside of school, speaking English with non-native English speakers, and reading. In contrast, time spent watch- ing television was found to negatively correlate with speaking accuracy.


A fuseless, small-bore, two-stage railgun system particularly suited to accelerating frozen hydrogen pellets for fueling magnetically confined plasmas is described. This railgun system is a two-stage accelerator, with the first stage consisting of a combination of a hydrogen pellet generator and a gas gun, while the second stage is a railgun. It is a fuseless railgun in that the plasma armature is formed by electrically breaking down the propellant gas immediately behind the pellet. It has a bore size in the range of a few millimeters in diameter. Results are presented on hydrogen pellet acceleration, indicating that it is feasible to use a railgun to accelerate hydrogen pellets to high velocities; however, to achieve the highest hydrogen pellet velocity, one must reduce gun wall ablation (to minimize inertial and viscous drag) and deterioration of pellet integrity. Using a prototype system, hydrogen pellet velocities exceeding 2.8 km/s were achieved on a 2 m-long railgun for a cylindrical pellet of 3.2 mm diameter and 4 mm length. >


Background Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust is a part of Transforming End of Life Care in Acute Hospitals. The Transform programme advocates the use of tools and enablers to standardise good evidence based care for patients that are nearing end of life. The AMBER care bundle is one of the 5 key enablers, used to support communication with patients and family and promote good planning when recovery is uncertain. Aim To Embed the tool through facilitation on selected wards throughout the trust and measure and record the impact on patient care, to continue to improve end of life care, in the acute setting. To audit the use of the AMBER care bundle in relation to improvement in the length of stay, hospital readmission, coordination of care, medical planning and communication when recovery is uncertain. Method A sample audit of notes for inpatients that had died where their care had been supported using the AMBER care bundle. A sample of patients summary care records when patients had been discharged from hospital following a stay where care was supported using the AMBER care bundle. The audit proforma included quality of the completion of the bundle itself, documentation of Preferred Place of Care, length of stay, communication, decision making and readmission into hospital. A retrospective audit of case notes for in patients that had died that had not been supported using the AMBER care bundle used as a comparison. Results The audit did show that there was a significant difference in quality of documentation, planning and the recording of preferred priorities for care for those patients that had been supported using the AMBER care Bundle, than not. Health professionals were able to identify the correct patients as suitable for support using the bundle. Conclusion The AMBER bundle improved the documentation in patient's case notes of escalation decisions, and the documentation of conversations with patient and or their family at a time of uncertainty.


In this paper, we introduce the \textbf{C}hinese \textbf{AI} and \textbf{L}aw challenge dataset (CAIL2018), the first large-scale Chinese legal dataset for judgment prediction. \dataset contains more than $2.6$ million criminal cases published by the Supreme People's Court of China, which are several times larger than other datasets in existing works on judgment prediction. Moreover, the annotations of judgment results are more detailed and rich. It consists of applicable law articles, charges, and prison terms, which are expected to be inferred according to the fact descriptions of cases. For comparison, we implement several conventional text classification baselines for judgment prediction and experimental results show that it is still a challenge for current models to predict the judgment results of legal cases, especially on prison terms. To help the researchers make improvements on legal judgment prediction, both \dataset and baselines will be released after the CAIL competition\footnote{this http URL}.


The lobster genus Parribacus contains six living and one fossil species (Holthuis 1991; Chan 2010; Nyborg & Garassino 2017). In the Atlantic Ocean, only one living species is known, Parribacus antarcticus (Lund, 1793); it has been recorded in the western Atlantic from Florida to Brazil and recently also from the mid-Atlantic island of Ascension (Brown et al. 2016). It is nocturnal and is often found hiding in crevices during daytime (Holthuis 1991). We here note the presence of Parribacus antarcticus at the Cabo Verde Islands, the first record of the species from the eastern Atlantic.


This study had the aim to assess the level of knowledge of 150 Odontology and Physical Education undergraduation students concerning mouth guards in the city of Belem, Brazil. Besides that, we tried to provide further information to these future professionals through speeches and distribution of folders in which the main focus was the mouth guards, their indications, types as well as hygienization and storage. The participants in the research were in the last year of their specific undergraduation courses. The analysis of the results showed that 68% of the interviewed students still do not have suitable information on the mouth guards, but despite of that, in their majority they are aware of the risks many athletes face in sports which have physical impact. The authors believe the spread of the information on the use of mouth guards in sportive practice is relevant and aims to prevent trauma and promote health of general population.


Students of democratic theory have watched the dramatic transformation of Eastern Europe from communism to various forms of democracy in the last two decades. With her unique blend of theory and empirical analysis, veteran observer Sabrina P. Ramet offers clear insight into the processes, challenges, and accomplishments of this area. Drawing on a classical understanding of "liberalism" based on a philosophy of Natural Law, she probes the issues of capitalism, national sovereignty and self-determination, gender inequality, and political legitimacy in the context of Eastern Europe's particular experience. She also explores the limitations of classical liberalism and argues for the extension of liberal principles to encompass the rights of women and protection of all species as well as the environment. Political theorists, political scientists, students of Eastern Europe, and those interested in the larger questions of political philosophy will be richly rewarded in their reading of this volume by a renowned scholar of Eastern European politics.


: Thymolipoma is a rare mediastinal tumour. We report two cases of thymolipoma. Our first case, a woman of 60 years, presented with an extremely rare association of myasthenia gravis with thymolipoma. Second case presented with dyspnoea productive cough in a male of 62 years. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.


Generic affinities of Gogia Walcott, 1917, and Eocrinus Jaekel, 1918, are evaluated. Because of newly discovered morphological characters, it is proposed here that Eocrinus be suppressed as a subjective junior synonym of Gogia. The new species, G. spiralis and G. granulosa, are described; three other species, G. prolifica Walcott, G. multibrachiatus (Kirk), are redescribed; and the generic concept of Gogia is revised. Lectotypes are designated for G. prolifica and G. longidactylus, and casts of both are illustrated with photographs for the first time. Paleoecological data indicate that representatives of Gogia lived on a muddy substrate in a low-energy marine environment.


This study sought to determine the correlation between a health plan's Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) score for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) control in patients with diabetes and its utilization of analog insulin, human insulin, and oral drug therapy as determined by the share of prescriptions of each therapy. Prescription volumes were tracked for four categories of diabetes drug therapy: (1) analog insulin, (2) human insulin, (3) single-source brand oral products, and (4) multisource generic oral products, for the three months ending January 2005 and January 2006 and matched to the 2004 and 2005 HEDIS scores. A correlation analysis conducted between the HbA1c-based HEDIS score and the prescription share of each drug category found a favorable and statistically significant (P < .0001) correlation between plan HbA1c HEDIS score and plan prescription share of analog insulin in both 2004 and 2005. The correlation between HEDIS scores and human insulin was not statistically significant. Unfavorable correlations were found between HEDIS scores and both the single-source brand and the multisource generic oral category prescription shares, although these correlations were found to be significant only for the single-source products in 2005.


Cross sections, both experimental and theoretical, are reported for electron scattering from 1-pentene (C5H10) molecules. Absolute grand-total cross sections (TCSs) were measured at electron impact energies ranging from 1 to 300 eV, using a linear electron-transmission technique. The dominant behaviour of the experimental TCS energy function is a distinct asymmetric enhancement with the maximum located around 6.5 eV. Discernible are also three weak TCS structures: a small peak in the vicinity of 1.8 eV and two broad shoulders located between 10 and 30 eV. The additivity rule was employed to calculate the elastic cross section (ECS) from 20 to 3000 eV, while the binary-encounter-Bethe approach was used for the computation of the ionization cross section (ICS), from the threshold up to 3000 eV. Within 30 and 300 eV, the sum of computed cross sections (ECS+ICS) quite reasonably reproduces the experimental TCS values. Comparison is also made between the experimental TCS energy curve for 1-pentene (H2C=CH–(CH2)2CH3) and those measured for the ethylene (H2C=CH2) molecule and its substituted derivatives: propene (H2C=CH–CH3) and 1-butene (H2C=CH–CH2CH3).


Optical activation of Si nanowires (Si-NWs) using sol-gel derived Er-doped silica is investigated. Si-NWs of about 100 nm diameter were grown on Si substrates by the vapor-liquid-solid method using Au catalysts and H 2 diluted SiCl 4 . Afterwards, Er-doped silica sol-gel solution was spin-coated, and annealed at 950 °C in flowing N 2 /O 2 environment. Such Er-doped silica/Si-NWs nanocomposite is found to combine the advantages of crystalline Si and silica to simultaneously achieve both high carrier-mediated excitation efficiency and high Er 3+ luminescence efficiency while at the same time providing high areal density of Er 3+ and easy current injection, indicating the possibility of developing sol-gel activated Si-NWs as a new material platform for Si-based photonics.