The complexity of the technological innovation process in knowledge intensive activities has led to the emergence of new collaborative arrangements and new business models to deal with research, development and innovation (RD) activities. This article presents an evaluation of the Pratica Centros e Redes de Excelencia Petrobras/Coppe (PCREX) in the light of the following research topics: Triple Helix, Open Innovation, University-Industry Relations and Innovation Networks. The PCREX model proposes the establishment of new permanent interorganizational agencies aimed at the development of specific knowledge areas. The study of the method is based on the case study of the Petrobras Center of Excellence in Geochemistry (Cegeq), the prototype of the application of the method set up in 1996. The research revealed the fine alignment of the PCREX with the Triple Helix and the Open Innovation models of innovation, which confirms its high potential to leverage the innovation process. However, it also highlighted Cegeq's difficulties to fully realize this potential. The case study identified the need to improve the capacity of engaging and coordinating networks and to advance in the development of an institutional environment which favors the practice of collaboration in the PCREX mode. The research also revealed that the adoption of the PCREX model for the management of RD activities is a strategic decision and therefore must the aligned with the corporate strategy.


Circulatory diseases such as the myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction are often caused by the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque. For diagnosis of the vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaque, it is important to characterize tissue components, which compose the atherosclerotic plaque, because the vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaque relates to the amount of lipid and thickness of the fibrous cap. For characterization of tissue components in the atherosclerotic plaque, we have developed a new method, namely phased tracking method, to measure the regional elastic modulus of the atherosclerotic plaque using the transcutaneous ultrasound. For diagnosis of the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques, the knowledge of the elastic moduli of tissues such as the fibrous tissue and lipid provides useful clinical information. Based on elastic moduli of these tissues, thickness of the fibrous cap and the amount of lipid will be supposed from the in vivo measurement of the elasticity distribution. In this paper, elastic moduli of tissues in the atherosclerotic plaque are investigated from in vitro experiments using the phased tracking method.


Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is an uncommon autosomal dominant inherited disorder with high penetrance and variable expressivity. It affects multiple organ systems, including the stomatological, skeletal, skin, eye, reproductive, and central nervous systems. It is caused by mutations in the patched tumor suppressor gene, PTCHI, located in the 9q22.3-q31 chromosome. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with unusual radiological features, i. e. dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis, in conjunction with common features including multiple keratocystic odontogenic tumors, bifid ribs, palmar and plantar pits, bridging of the sella turcica and calcification of the falx cerebri. We examined whether these genetic conditions were associated, as both involve ciliary dysfunction.


This work comprises the development of a technique for the capture of single-stranded DNA on a solid support combined with in situ quantification. The capture is based on the strong and selective interaction between biotinylated DNA and streptavidin-coated agarose beads. Sequential Injection in the lab-on-valve format allows for automated manipulation of all components including the building and disposal of bead columns. Detection was accomplished using the OliGreen fluorescent dye and optimization of the assay achieved a limit of detection of 111 pg ssDNA, with a total assay time of roughly 2.5 min per sample.


Researchers agree that perfect algorithms are an interesting new topic in the field of cryptography, and system administrators concur. Given the current status of adaptive communication, cyberinformaticians famously desire the emulation of DHTs, which embodies the compelling principles of complexity theory. My focus in my research is not on whether the seminal readwrite algorithm for the deployment of the memory bus by Qian [22] is maximally efficient, but rather on constructing new pervasive


Abstract Plasma-initiated free radical polymerization was used to engineer carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) with tailored chemical and physical properties. Following surface modification, CNPs were loaded with a highly effective anti-infection agent called metal-free Russian propolis ethanol extract (MFRPEE), thus, creating nano-based drug delivery systems (NBDDSs). The loading of MFRPEE onto grafted CNPs occurred naturally through both electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. When constructed under optimal experimental conditions, the NBDDSs were stable under physiologic conditions, and demonstrated enhanced anti-biofilm activity when compared with free MFRPEE. Mechanistic studies revealed that the enhanced anti-infectious activity of the NBDDSs was attributed to the modified surface chemistry of grafted CNPs. More specifically, the overall positive surface charge on grafted CNPs, which stems from quaternary ammonium polymer brushes covalently bound to the CNPs, provides NBDDSs with the ability to specifically target negatively charged components of biofilms. When studying the release profile of MFRPEE from the modified CNPs, acidic components produced by a biofilm triggered the release of MFRPEE bound to the NBDDS. Once in its free form, the anti-infectious properties of MFRPEE became activated and damaged the extracellular polymeric matrix (EPM) of the biofilm. Once the architecture of the biofilm became compromised, the EPM was no longer capable of protecting the bacteria encapsulated within the biofilm from the anti-infectious agent. Consequently, exposure of bacteria to MFRPEE led to bacterial cell death and biofilm inactivation. The results obtained from this study begin to examine the potential application of NBDDSs for the treatment of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Graphical Abstract


The present study discusses the role of salt-cured meat in dietetics, medicine and gastronomy demonstrated mainly in ancient and Byzantine medical (Galen, Oribasius, Aetius of Amida, Anthimus, Alexander of Tralles and Paul of Aegina) and agronomic (Cato, Varro, Columella, Palladius, Geoponica) sources written between 2nd and 10th century A.D. The part dealing with culinary application was also based on De re coquinaria. The article consists of three parts. In the first one, concerning ham, there are presented places in Europe and Asia Minor, were best cured meats were produced. Next, there in an outline of different methods of salting pork, dietetic properties of this kind of food, as well as, the way of using ham in medical treatment. There are also quotations of some recipes for ham that were presented in De re coquinaria. The second, sets forth the importance of bacon in ancient and Byzantine diet and medicine, especially among inhabitants of Gaul. The authors describe also the way it was utilized in by Byzantine physicians in fighting parasites. The last part is devoted to tuccetum – a meat dish, that was only mentioned in few Latin sources and has not yet been researched in detail. Moreover there is a presentation of different ideas for translations of this Latin term given by translators, linguists and historians.


The authors discuss a self-consistent evaluation of the effective potential for a lambda Phi 4 theory, non-minimally coupled to an Einstein background geometry. This method takes into account the contribution from multi-loop Feynmann diagrams with non-overlapping bubbles. It results that, even if the classical potential is double-well shaped, the vacuum expectation value of the scalar field is always vanishing because of a finite size effect, and no phase transitions can occur. A similar result can be obtained also in the de Sitter S4 space, where the present approach holds as well. The implications of these results on the dynamics of the early Universe are briefly discussed.


This article examines how physicians and patients interactionally accomplish the transition from the activity of history taking to that of physical examination. Prior research focuses on participants' reliance on overt verbal resources (e.g., physicians' requests for permission to examine patients or explanations that foreshadow examination). Using the methodology of conversation analysis, this article draws on a corpus of 40 primary-care encounters to demonstrate that: (a) In addition to verbal behavior, nonverbal behavior is integral to the accomplishment of transitions; and (b) patients' understandings of physicians' verbal and nonverbal behavior as communicating transitions are achieved through situating those behaviors in other contexts of embodied action, talk, activity, and social structure (i.e., the phase structure of encounters). Findings have implications for: (a) the theoretic relationship between verbal and nonverbal behavior in terms of social meaning, (b) what it means to explain transitions and reduce patients' uncertainty, (c) the organization of physician-patient interaction, and (d) the relationship and interface between macro- and microconceptualization of context.


We report a case of recurrent internal iliac artery aneurysm previously treated with a combination of stent graft placement and coil embolization in an 85 year-old male patient. The patient was scheduled for the direct puncture embolization of the superior gluteal artery. The patient was placed in a prone position under general anesthesia. An 18G-PTC needle was inserted into the superior gluteal artery under ultrasonographic guidance. A 2.2F microcatheter was inserted through an outer needle and advanced to the aneurysmal sac. Coil embolization was successfully performed without endoleaks. This approach is technically feasible when other treatment options fail or are deemed unsuitable.


On 17 June 2022, the U.S. FDA authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines for emergency use (EUA) in children ages 6 months–4 years. Seroprevalence has increased during the current Omicron variant wave for children under 5 years, and the burden of hospitalization for this age group is similar or exceeds other pediatric vaccine-preventable diseases. Research following the October 2021 EUA for vaccines for children 5–11 indicates a high prevalence of parental vaccine hesitancy and low uptake, underscoring the urgency of understanding attitudes and beliefs driving parental COVID-19 vaccine rejection and acceptance for younger children. One month prior to FDA approval, in the present study 411 U.S. female guardians of children 1–4 years from diverse racial/ethnic, economic, and geographic backgrounds participated in a mixed method online survey assessing determinants of COVID-19 pediatric vaccine hesitancy. Only 31.3% of parents intended to vaccinate their child, 22.6% were unsure, and 46.2% intended not to vaccinate. Logistic regression indicated significant barriers to vaccination uptake including concerns about immediate and long-term vaccination side effects for young children, the rushed nature of FDA approval and distrust in government and pharmaceutical companies, lack of community and family support for pediatric vaccination, conflicting media messaging, and lower socioeconomic status. Vaccine-resistant and unsure parents were also more likely to believe that children were not susceptible to infection and that the vaccine no longer worked against new variants. Findings underscore the need for improved public health messaging and transparency regarding vaccine development and approval, the importance of community outreach, and increased pediatrician attention to parental concerns to better improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake for young children.


The diffusion of biomolecules in plasma membranes is the key mechanism of their transportation. Lipid rafts, which are diffused on a plasma membrane, carry receptors and proteins. Receptors become the passages where viruses invade, and proteins play an important role in signaling and controlling functions of cells. If we know the characteristics of biomolecular motility and structural differences between normal cells and diseased cells, we could find out how to treat the disease. So, it is very important to develop the method which analyzes the dynamic biomolecular movement in the cell membrane.© 2010 ASME


In the majority of Amazonian low fertility soils of the, the nutrients deficiency resource limits the productivity of the plants, affecting economically the majority of small farmers. One of the cultivated species is the acerola (Malphigia punicifolia L.). This research aimed to evaluate acerola plants macro and micronutrients contents in response to fertilization on yellow oxisol located in the Brasileirinho Agricultural Community, Manaus. The experimental design was randomized blocks with a 3 x 9 split plot scheme with three collect times, nine treatments and five repetitions, with chemical, foliar and organic fertilization. There were significant variations in the acerola foliar contents in different treatments. The plants that received the treatments with chemical fertilization showed higher Ca, Mg, K, P and N leaf contents. The plants that received foliar fertilization showed the highest Fe, Mn and Zn leaf contents. Keys-words: Amazonian fruit species, foliar fertilization, plant nutrition Resposta da aceroleira a adubação orgânica, química e foliar num Latossolo da Amazônia Central Acerola response to organic, foliar and chemical fertilization on an Ultisoil from


We investigate and map out the non-equilibrium phase diagram of a generalization of the well known Aubry-Andr\'e-Harper (AAH) model. This generalized AAH (GAAH) model is known to have a single-particle mobility edge which also has an additional self-dual property akin to that of the critical point of AAH model. By calculating the imbalance, we get hints of a rich phase diagram. We find a fascinating connection between single particle wavefunctions near the mobility edge of GAAH model and the wavefunctions of the critical AAH model. By placing this model far-from-equilibrium with the aid of two baths, we investigate the open system transport via system size scaling of non-equilibrium steady state (NESS) current. Current is calculated by fully exact non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism. The critical point of the AAH model now generalizes to a 'critical' line separating regions of ballistic and localized transport. Like critical point of AAH model, current scales sub-diffusively with system size on the 'critical' line ($I\sim N^{-2\pm0.1}$). However, remarkably, the scaling exponent on this line is distinctly different from that obtained for the critical AAH model (where $I\sim N^{-1.4\pm0.05}$). All these results can be understood from the above-mentioned connection between states near mobility edge of GAAH model and those of critical AAH model. A very interesting high temperature non-equilibrium phase diagram of the GAAH model emerges from our calculations.


The assessment of aerobic endurance is important for training prescription in soccer, and is usually measured by straight running without the ball on a track or treadmill. Due to the ball control and technical demands during a specific soccer test, the running speeds are likely to be lower compared to a continuous incremental test. The aim of the present study was to compare the heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and speeds corresponding to 2.0 mmol∙L-1, 3.5 mmol∙L-1, lactate threshold (Dmax method) and peak lactate determined in the laboratory and in the Hoff circuit soccer-specific test. Sixteen soccer players (16±1 years) underwent two incremental tests (laboratory and Hoff circuit tests). The speeds were significantly higher in the treadmill test than on the Hoff circuit (2.0 mmol∙L-1: 9.5±1.2 and 8.1±1.0 km∙h-1; 3.5 mmol∙L-1: 12.0±1.2 and 10.2±1.1 km∙h-1; Dmax: 11.4±1.4 and 9.3±0.4 km∙h-1; peak lactate: 14.9±1.6 and 10.9±0.8 km∙h-1). The HR corresponding to 3.5 mmol∙L-1 was significantly higher on the Hoff circuit compared to the laboratory test (187.5±18.0 and 178.2±17.6 bpm, respectively; P <0.001), while the RPE at the last incremental stage was lower on the Hoff circuit (P < 0.01). The speeds during the Hoff specific soccer test and the HR corresponding to 2.0 mmol∙L-1, 3.5 mmol∙L-1 and Dmax/threshold were different compared with the laboratory test. The present study shows that it is possible to assess submaximal endurance related variables specifically in soccer players.


Background Intracellular folate hemostasis depends on the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Because 5,10-MTHFR 677TT homozygosity and tobacco smoking are associated with low folate status, we tested the hypothesis that smoking in mothers with 5,10-MTHFR C677T or A1298C polymorphisms would be independently associated with lower birth weight among their offspring. Methods We assessed 1784 native Japanese mother-child pairs drawn from the ongoing birth cohort of The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health. Data (demographic information, hospital birth records, and biological specimens) were extracted from recruitments that took place during the period from February 2003 to March 2006. Maternal serum folate were assayed by chemiluminescent immunoassay, and genotyping of 5,10-MTHFR C677T/A1298C polymorphisms was done using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Results The prevalence of folate deficiency (<6.8 nmol/L) was 0.3%. The 5,10-MTHFR 677CT genotype was independently associated with an increase of 36.40 g (95% CI: 2.60 to 70.30, P = 0.035) in mean infant birth weight and an increase of 90.70 g (95% CI: 6.00 to 175.50, P = 0.036) among male infants of nonsmokers. Female infants of 677TT homozygous passive smokers were 99.00 g (95% CI: −190.26 to −7.56, P = 0.034) lighter. The birth weight of the offspring of smokers with 5,10-MTHFR 1298AA homozygosity was lower by 107.00 g (95% CI: −180.00 to −33.90, P = 0.004). Conclusions The results suggest that, in this population, maternal 5,10-MTHFR C677T polymorphism, but not the 5,10-MTHFR A1298C variant, is independently associated with improvement in infant birth weight, especially among nonsmokers. However, 5,10-MTHFR 1298AA might be associated with folate impairment and could interact with tobacco smoke to further decrease birth weight.


This investigation is part of a systematic survey to determine the efficacy of current and newly developed methods of treating chemical corneal injuries. From the gamut of drugs available for use in chemical burns, calsulfhydryl (Hydrosulphosol) was selected for early evaluation because of its relative newness as a therapeutic agent, and because of the wide difference of opinion as to its clinical value. Either chemical or mechanical rupture of cell membranes increases the oxidative activity of the damaged tissue. Supply of a supplementary reducing agent tends to counteract this effect and to restore a more nearly normal oxidation-reduction balance in the aerobic enzyme systems of the corneal epithelium. Free sulfhydryl groups, which contain readily available hydrogen and sulfur, theoretically provide the necessary reductive power. Calsulfhydryl, which contains a fairly high concentration of free sulfhydryl groups, has been recommended in the treatment of almost all types of corneal lesions on the


The STECF Calibration Enhancement effort for the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) aims to improve data calibration via the application of physical modelling techniques. As part of this effort we have developed a model of the STIS CCD readout process. The model itself is described in some detail in earlier ISRs. Here we consider the application to STIS photometric data. We demonstrate that this approach can successfully remove the trails typically seen in CTE affected data and go on to ask whether this charge is being restored to the cores of detected objects in the correct quantities. We find good agreement between the simulation derived corrections and empirical corrections for a range of background and source levels. Moreover we find that, where the two differ, it is because only the simulation properly accounts for the charge distribution in the array.


One case of chronic non-obstructive cardiomyopathy diagnosed clinically died suddenly. Post-mortem examination established the diagnosis of endomyocardial fibroelastosis. It was insisted upon the extreme rarity of this form, on the criteria of clinical diagnosis, the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy being one of exclusion, and on the peculiar anatomical characteristics.


STUDY OBJECTIVES
To assess the utility of Mallampati class, a simple grade of oropharyngeal appearance used to assess difficulty of intubation, to predict severe obstructive sleep apnea and absence of OSA (rule in severe OSA and rule out OSA).

METHOD
Retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic polysomnography in a tertiary referral sleep disorders center. Modified Mallampati class and other simple patient characteristics (age, gender, body mass index) were compared to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The sensitivity, specificity, and the positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-) were calculated for Mallampati class IV to detect an AHI > 30 (rule in severe OSA) and Mallampati class I to detect an AHI < 5 (rule out OSA).

RESULTS
A total of 953 consecutive patients (619 male) undergoing diagnostic polysomnography were included. The age of the cohort was 50.0 ± 6.4 years, with a BMI of 33.8 ± 8.6 kg/m² and AHI of 26.1 ± 25.1 /h (95% CI 1.4-78.8). Mallampati class was significantly associated with AHI (r = 0.13, p < 0.001), but there were no differences in AHI between Mallampati classes. A Mallampati class IV had a sensitivity of 40%, specificity of 67%, LR+ of 1.21, and LR- of 0.90 for an AHI > 30. A Mallampati class I was only 13% sensitive but 92% specific for an AHI < 5, with LR+ of 1.63 and LR- 0.90.

CONCLUSIONS
Mallampati class is associated with AHI but does not significantly modify likelihood of severe OSA or absence of OSA. As such, it is of limited use to "rule in" severe OSA or "rule out OSA" in the sleep clinic population.


The quantitative (or fuzzy qualitative) assessment of directional spatial relationships (such as "to the right of", "above", "south of"...) between two areal objects often relies on the computation of a histogram of angles, which provides a representation of the relative position of the objects. In a recent paper, the notion of the histogram of forces was introduced. Here, we show that this powerful tool of representation lends itself, with great flexibility, to the definition of directional spatial relations. Indeed, any family of directional relations that relied on the construction of angle histograms can be advantageously redefined using force histograms. Moreover, the notion of the histogram of forces enables radically new families to be conceived: definitions which correspond to a coherent and rational perception of the world, but non-realizable by


The effects of 5'-(para-R-phenylene)vinylene (PV) substituents on the emission properties of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) are analyzed using steady-state and time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopies in addition to quantum chemical calculations. All members in the series of PVHBOs are capable of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) with a solvent sensitivity that is typical of a HBO derivative to produce a normal (aka enol) emission and an excited-state tautomer (aka keto) emission. These two emission bands of the neutral dyes are discussed in the current paper. The intermolecular proton transfer, i.e., the deprotonation, of a PVHBO results in the third band of the triple emission, which is described in the succeeding paper. The placement of an electron-withdrawing substituent R on the PVHBO scaffold increases the intensity of the keto emission relative to the enol emission in hydrogen-bonding solvents. The R substituents do not significantly alter the wavelengths of the enol and keto emission bands, which are located in the blue and green regions, respectively, of the visible spectrum. The ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopies and quantum chemical calculations offer explanations on how the R group and the solvent affect the enol and keto emission properties (i.e., wavelength, lifetime, fluorescence quantum yield, and relative ratio of their emissions). The key findings include the following: (1) the emission energies of both enol and keto forms are not sensitively dependent on the R substituent and (2) the solvent-engaged enol excited state is quenched more efficiently as the R substituent becomes more electron-withdrawing. A PVHBO acts as a fusion of HBO and stilbenoid that intersect at the hydroxyphenyl moiety. Depending on the solvent and other environmental conditions, PVHBOs may exhibit the ESIPT property of HBO or the substituent-dependent emission of stilbenoid. This paper and the succeeding article provide a photophysical model of PVHBOs to explain the wavelengths and relative abundances of the three emission bands (enol, keto, and anion) that these compounds are able to produce. Judicial selection of the environmental factors may drive the emission of a PVHBO into the spectral regions of blue, green, and, in a couple of cases, orange or red.


Dehydratases catalyze the cleavage of a carbon–oxygen bond yielding an unsaturated product via α,β-elimination of water. The α-hydrogen (pK ∼ 8) to be removed as proton is activated by an adjacent electron-withdrawing group, and the hydroxyl group leaves from the β-position. In contrast, anaerobic organisms possess 2- or 4-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratases that use radicals to lower the pK of the unactivated β-carbons by 26 units. An example is 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydratase (4-BUDH) from Clostridium aminobutyricum that interconverts 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA to crotonyl-CoA. 4-BUDH is functional as a homotetramer with two active sites per dimer and displays a distinctive active site architecture with the [4Fe–4S]2+ cluster, coordinated by three cysteine and one histidine residues, located 7 A from the Re-side of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Albeit requiring the cluster and an oxidized FAD for catalysis, the overall reaction occurs with no net redox change. The unexpected structural relation of 4-BUDH with medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenases suggests a radical-based mechanism for both flavoproteins. The biochemical and structural characterization of 4-BUDH is an important step toward a detailed study of the structural bases how enzymes regulate the generation and reactivity of radical species at a molecular level, which is a fundamental but still poorly understood problem.

3D Structure

Keywords:

dehydratase;
radical;
hydroxybutyryl-CoA;
iron–sulfur;
Fe–S cluster;
Fe–S center;
FAD;
flavin


Abstract A vittarioid fern from the Solomon Islands, which has long been treated as Antrophyum semicostatum, is described here as a new species, Antrophyum solomonense. A description, illustration, and distribution of the new species are presented. Boot-shaped paraphysal apical cells, rounded stipe in cross section, and thin rhizome scale cell walls are the diagnostic characteristics of A. solomonense. A molecular phylogeny inferred from four chloroplast markers further supports its systematic uniqueness.


Visceral Leishmaniasis is becoming a major public health problem both in terms of geographical spread and incidence in Ethiopia although failed to attract the attention it deserves. Magnitude,public health impact and dynamics of the disease in Ethiopia are not well studied. Hence,this study was conducted in Welkait district to determine public awareness about the disease. Wekait is a highly productive area having a conducive environment for the spread of the parasite. A cross sectional study was employed in purposively selected sub-districts in which house to house survey was carried out using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 288 participants (264 household heads and 24 health professionals) were interviewed to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards visceral leishmaniasis. Overall score of the participants showed that 59%, 95% and 53% of them were knowledgeable have positive attitude and good practice on visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. Sex, educational status and history of travel profile showed significant association with the knowledge of participants. The study also revealed a gap in the knowledge and practices of health professionals about the disease. The present study highlighted an overall positive attitude regarding the disease. However, the gap in knowledge and poor practice calls for an intervention to improve the public awareness regarding visceral leishmaniasis in the study area.


A nonunitary Lorazo transformation of the space of the one-particle states is generalized to isospin-dependent transformations. The generators of the ten-dimensional quasispin algebra for protons and neutrons depend on two sets of the dynamical parameters. This algebra is spectrum generating for the generalized pairing and quadrupling Hamiltonian. We suggest a new fourth operator based on the quadrupling interaction, which-in the special case of the definite weights of the T = 0 and T = 2 quadrupling forces-is essentially equivalent to the one introduced by Hemenger and Hecht. However, our definition has physical motivation.


Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions affecting the elderly males1, as the elderly constitute the major proportion of the population. This results in a major impact on the medical practice nowadays.2


The duration of the residual effect of sesbania (Sesbania sesban) fallow on subsequent crops will determine the interval at which sesbania must be grown to replenish N in a planted fallow–crop rotation cycle. An experiment was conducted from 1995 to 1998 (seven cropping seasons) on two farms in western Kenya, an area subject to a bimodal annual rainfall pattern. The aim was to compare the effect of a single-season sesbania fallow with continuous annual cropping with and without phosphorus fertilizer, on a P-deficient soil. Phosphorus was applied at a rate of 500 kg ha−1 in a single application to meet the phosphorus needs of subsequent crops for the next five to ten years. Sesbania was established simultaneously with maize by direct seeding in the first rainy season of 1995 and allowed to grow as a pure fallow through the second rainy season. Following the harvest of this fallow crop, sole maize in the first post-fallow season and maize-bean intercrops in the subsequent four seasons were grown with and without nitrogen at a rate of 100 kg ha−1. Added phosphorus on average increased maize yields by 3.7 times over the control, indicating that phosphorus fertilizer is essential for good yields. The amount of phosphorus recycled by sesbania fallow was inadequate to meet the crop needs in P-deficient soils. While continuously cropped maize in the presence of phosphorus responded to nitrogen in all seasons, the crop following sesbania responded only from the third season. In the first post-fallow season, sesbania increased maize grain yields over continuous maize by 1.4 t ha−1 with phosphorus fertilizer and by 1.3 t ha−1 without phosphorus fertilizer. The residual effect of sesbania with phosphorus fertilizer lasted for two seasons, while without phosphorus it lasted for only one. In these Kenyan highlands, farmers who can afford fertilizer should buy phosphorus fertilizer and rely for nitrogen on planted fallow with species such as sesbania grown for one season every two years. For farmers who cannot afford fertilizer, one-season fallow every year may be more attractive because of labour savings and the firewood produced by sesbania.


Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been considered to be one of the most promising energy storage devices in the next generation. However, the insulating properties of sulfur and the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) seriously hinder the practical application of Li–S batteries. In this paper, a novel porous organic polymer (HUT3) was prepared based on the polycondensation between melamine and 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate. The micro morphology of HUT3 was improved by in situ growth on different mass fractions of rGO (5%, 10%, 15%), and the obtained HUT3-rGO composites were employed as sulfur carriers in Li–S batteries with promoted the sulfur loading ratio and lithium-ion mobility. Attributed to the synergistic effect of the chemisorption of polar groups and the physical constraints of HUT3 structure, HUT3-rGO/S electrodes exhibits excellent capacity and cyclability performance. For instance, HUT3-10rGO/S electrode exhibits a high initial specific capacity of 950 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C and retains a high capacity of 707 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 1 C. This work emphasizes the importance of the rational design of the chemical structure and opens up a simple way for the development of cathode materials suitable for high-performance Li–S batteries.


Clustering is defined as the classification of patterns into groups (clusters) without supervision. The clustering of similarities of data is a complex process that can not be done with human hands. There are various clustering algorithms based on different principles in the literature. The SNN (Shared Nearest Neighborhood) algorithm is a density-based clustering algorithm that identifies similarities between the data by looking at the shared nearest neighbors by two data. The SNN algorithm uses parameters specifying the radius (Eps) that a user enters when clustering, a radius that limits a neighborhood of a point, and the minimum number of points (minPorts) that must be in an eps-neighborhood. This leads to clustering performans has dependency of user experience. A rule-based automatic SNN algorithm has been proposed to remove this dependency from the user. In this study, the performance of the rule-based automatic SNN algorithm over the data sets with 2000 and over sample numbers is examined and presented.


This work presents a rigorous sensitivity analysis of silicon nitride on silicon dioxide strip waveguide for virus detection, focusing on COVID-19. In general, by functionalizing the waveguide surface with specific antibodies layer, we make the optical sensor sensitive only to a particular virus. Unlike conventional virus detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), integrated refractive index (RI) optical sensors offer cheap and mass-scale fabrication of compact devices for fast and straightforward detection with high sensitivity and selectivity. Our analysis includes a wide range of wavelengths from visible to mid-infrared. We determined the strip waveguide's single-mode dimensions and the optimum dimensions that maximize the sensitivity to the virus layer attached to its surface at each wavelength. We also compared the strip waveguide to the widely used slot waveguide. Our study shows that silicon nitride strip waveguide working at lower wavelengths is the optimum choice for virus detection as it maximizes both the waveguide sensitivity (Swg) and the figure of merit (FOM) of the sensor. Furthermore, the optimized waveguide can work for a range of viruses. Balanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) sensors were designed at different wavelengths showing high FOM at λ = 450nm ranging from 500 RIU-1 up to 1231 RIU-1 with LMZI=500 µm. Different MZI configurations were also studied and compared. Finally, edge coupling from the fiber to the sensor was designed, showing insertion loss (IL) at λ = 450nm of 4.1 dB for the design with FOM = 500 RIU-1. The obtained coupling efficiencies are higher than recently proposed fiber couplers.


The large-scale integration of intermittent distributed energy resources has led to increased uncertainty in the planning and operation of distribution networks. The optimal flexibility dispatch is a recently introduced, power flow-based method that a distribution system operator can use to effectively determine the amount of flexibility it needs to procure from the controllable resources available on the demand side. However, the drawback of this method is that the optimal flexibility dispatch is inexact due to the relaxation error inherent in the second-order cone formulation. In this paper we propose a novel bi-level optimization problem, where the upper level problem seeks to minimize the relaxation error and the lower level solves the earlier introduced convex second-order cone optimal flexibility dispatch (SOC-OFD) problem. To make the problem tractable, we introduce an innovative reformulation to recast the bi-level problem as a non-linear, single level optimization problem which results in no loss of accuracy. We subsequently investigate the sensitivity of the optimal flexibility schedules and the locational flexibility prices with respect to uncertainty in load forecast and flexibility ranges of the demand response providers which are input parameters to the problem. The sensitivity analysis is performed based on the perturbed Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) conditions. We investigate the feasibility and scalability of the proposed method in three case studies of standardized 9-bus, 30-bus, and 300-bus test systems. Simulation results in terms of local flexibility prices are interpreted in economic terms and show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.


Abstract. Facing the monitoring needs of emergency responses to major disasters, combining the disaster information acquired at the first time after the disaster and the dynamic simulation result of the disaster chain evolution process, the overall plan for coordinated planning of spaceborne, airborne and ground observation resources have been designed. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of major disaster observation tasks, the key technologies of spaceborne, airborne and ground collaborative observation project are studied. For different disaster response levels, the corresponding workflow tasks are designed. On the basis of satisfying different types of disaster monitoring demands, the existing multi-satellite collaborative observation planning algorithms are compared, analyzed, and optimized.


Digital subscriber line (DSL) systems transport high-bandwidth data, such as multimedia, to service subscribers over ordinary twisted pair copper wire telephone lines. One of the important components of the DSL system is the line driver (LD) or the power amplifier (PA). The linearity of the LD is crucial to have a high-speed internet. Any non-linearity in the LD will create intermodulation distortion and spectral regrowth that will become an obstacle to increase DSL data rate. Digital predistortion (DPD) is a known technique that can be used in order to linearize the LD and hence suppressing any nonlinear distortion. This paper considers direct predistortion of DSL-LD that is modelled using Volterra series by connecting in tandem an adaptive Volterra predistorter. The coefficients of the predistorter is recursively estimated using the Prediction Error Method (PEM). Simulation study on a LD which is modelled as 5 th order Volterra system shows that the Nonlinear Filtered-x Prediction Error Method (NFxPEM) algorithm can significantly suppress spectral regrowth and converge much faster than the well-known Nonlinear Filtered-x Least Mean squares (NFxLMS) algorithm.


Stacked chip scale packaging has many good properties, such as higher packaging density, smaller signal delaying and better interconnection, which becomes one important technique of realizing 3D packaging. In this paper, the warpage and thermal stress of a three-chip stacked package which use wire-bonding connection and C4 connection during process was respectively analyzed and compared each other.


Mobile energy resources (MERs) have received increasing attention due to their effectiveness in boosting the power system resilience in a flexible way. In this letter, a novel mobility model for MERs is proposed, which can support the routing of MERs to provide various services for the power system. Two key points, the state transitions and travel time of MERs, are formulated by linear constraints. The feasibility of the proposed model, especially its advantages in model size and computational efficiency for the routing of MERs among many nodes with a small time span, is demonstrated by a series of tests.


This paper presents a systematic approach for validation of digital missile simulations which has evolved through usage on numerous threat simulations over the past 20 years. The validity-of a given simulation is assessed by direct comparison of missile performance parameters between the simulator (i.e., simulation to be validated) and a "reference standard" simulation. First, the standard is verified by comparison to observed and measured system performance at both the overall system and subsystem levels. Then the fidelity of the simulator is determined with respect to the standard. In order to fully assess the compliance of simulator with the standard, performance data from a battery of overall system and subsystem tests are used to isolate the cause(s) of any differences. Once the cause(s) have been identified, the impacts of the-resulting differences on simulator usage can be estimated, based on a comprehensive understanding of the system design. Although the specific application which is addressed below is missile software simulation validation, the general methodology which is presented is applicable to any software verification, validation and accreditation (VV&A) project. This validation process is practiced by the U.S. Air Force Simulation Validation (SIMVAL) branch of the National Air Intelligence Center (NAIC).


Electrocardiography (ECG) signal is a bioelectrical signal which depicts the cardiac activity of the heart. It is a technique used primarily as a diagnostic tool for various cardiac diseases. ECG provides necessary information on the electrophysiology and changes that may occur in the heart. Due to the increase in mortality rate associated with cardiac diseases worldwide despite recent technological advancement, early detection of these diseases is of paramount importance. This paper has proposed a robust ECG feature extraction technique suitable for mobile devices by extracting only 200 samples between R-R intervals as equivalent R-T interval using Pan Tompkins algorithm at preprocessing stage. The discrete wavelet transform (DWT) of R-T interval samples are calculated and the statistical parameters of wavelet coefficients such as mean, median, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, energy and entropy are used as a time-frequency domain feature. The proposed hybrid technique has been tested by classifying three ECG beats as normal, right bundle branch block (Rbbb) and paced beat using the signals from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Beth Israel Hospital (MIT-BIH) arrhythmia database and processed using Matlab 2013 environment. Classification has been performed using neural network backpropagation algorithm because of its simplicity. While equivalent R-T interval features gives average accuracy of 98.22%, the proposed hybrid method gives a promising result with average accuracy of 99.84% with reduced classifier computational complexity.


Even though there are studies which look at the motivations and trends of charitable giving and donations among Millennials, there is little empirical evidence which discusses how Gen Z perceive charitable donations and philanthropic work. As this generation moves into full employment, it is worth considering what influences they perceive as important for them to invest money, time and effort in when it comes to charitable giving, especially at the aftermath of COVID-19 which has shaped perceptions of community, charity and donation behaviour. Our paper draws from focus groups with participants in the age range of 21–24, all based in the southeast of the UK. We explore the influences of peers, social media and personal interests in how Gen Z chooses which charitable causes to support during and after COVID-19, a formative time in young people's lives. Our study shows that Gen Z are a generation who want to feel personally connected to the charities and causes they support. Social media and its influences are also a major driver in what Gen Z perceive to be pivotal in their expressions of charitable giving. Peer influences are important since recommendations by friends are likely to be authentic and genuine, something which is essential for Gen Z who do not want to be perceived as jumping on the bandwagon when they support causes but want to see long-lasting impact. Our findings show that Gen Z prefer to be approached online rather than in person and feel empowered in their choices. We conclude by recommendations to marketers and those who are looking to engage Gen Z in their charitable endeavours and make them espouse their goals, especially in a (post) COVID-19 world in a UK context. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.


The metabolic syndrome--the cluster of obesity, impaired fasting glucose, elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypertension--may not be a "real" syndrome in the strict sense. It can, however, still be a useful concept if it prompts a physician to look for and treat additional risk factors when a patient is found to have one risk factor, or if it helps persuade patients to undertake healthy lifestyle changes before they develop overt diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease.


PURPOSE Despite more than a decade of endorsement from multiple international cancer authorities advocating all women with ovarian cancer be offered germline breast cancer (BRCA) gene testing, British Columbia Cancer Victoria was not meeting this target. A quality improvement project was undertaken with the aim of increasing completed BRCA testing rates for all eligible patients seen at British Columbia Cancer Victoria to > 90% by 1 year from April 2016. METHODS A current state analysis was completed, and multiple change ideas were developed, including education of medical oncologists, referral process update, initiating a group consenting seminar, and engagement of a nurse practitioner to lead the seminar. We used a retrospective chart audit from December 2014 to February 2018. On April 15, 2016, we initiated our Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles and completed them on February 28, 2018. We evaluated sustainability through an additional retrospective chart audit from January 2021 to August 2021. RESULTS Patients with completed germline BRCA genetic testing climbed from an average of 58%-89% per month. Before our project, patients waited on average 243 days (± 214) for their genetic test results. After implementation, patients received results within 118 days (± 98). This was sustained with an average of 83% of patients per month having completed germline BRCA testing almost 3 years after project completion. CONCLUSION Our quality improvement initiative resulted in a sustained increase in germline BRCA test completion for eligible patients with ovarian cancer.


Using cross-sectional data and employing probit models, the paper investigates child school attendance and labour in Morocco. Results indicate that education is a luxury good which can be purchased more easily by the non-poor. Moreover, a child is more likely to be in school if he/she is residing in an urban area and is the son/daughter of the head of the household. However, the Body Mass Index (BMI) used to account for the impact of proper nutrition status on attendance probability deters school attendance. More detailed empirical evidence is obtained by estimating the same type of models on gender based subsamples. Poverty status, household size and the provincial average of time taken to travel to school in minutes lessen the probability of female school attendance. If a female child lives in a household headed by a female, the pupil should have higher likelihood of school attendance. Besides being a quite common result, this occurrence can be employed to devise a policy initiative of disbursing to the female head a monetary or in-kind transfer devoted to pupils' education which can be most cost-effective in closing the gender gap as required by the second Millennium Development Goal (MDG). The probability of a male going to school is limited by the significant role of some regional location dummies and living with an aged household head. The variables which are significant in both single-genders models generate higher probabilistic effects for females compared to males. As expected, the child labour models estimate coefficients which are most of the time opposite in sign to the ones in the educational. The variable which is consistently associated with a negative influence on the dependent variable is the age of the household head. The significance of the yearly per capita expenditure in the child labour investigations might be driven by some endogeneity or the inclusion of asset variables. Besides the econometric problem, it undermines the confidence attached to the implementation of a cash/in-kind transfers devoted to curb child labour and promote school attendance. Industry localization effects and complementarity in within-household labour choices are present. The investigation carried out on gender-specific samples finds a inverted U shaped female trajectory in age probably due to early pregnancy. Moreover, poverty condition improves males probability of working while it diminishes female's school participation. Acknowledgements. This paper is the development of my master thesis at the University of Sussex. I thank Dr. Michael Gasiorek for providing the data, Dr. Barry Reilly for guidance on the econometrics, Mohamed Doudich for providing additional documentation related to the data. External help has come from Giovanni Vecchi, William Greene, Sonia Bhalotra and Anu Rammohan. I acknowledge the advisory role of the participants to the MA in Development Economics 2006-07 at Sussex University (UK). A special recognition goes to Dr. Jeffery Round for invaluable improving comments, Francis Wasswa, Nigussie Tefera and Silvia Platoni for carefully reading several preliminary versions and to Riccardo Grazioli for editorial solutions. The financial and logistic support of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is gratefully acknowledged. All the remaining errors and omissions are mine. © Mario Veneziani, 2008. Address for correspondence: Mario Veneziani, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italy. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


We examined carbohydrate metabolism and endocrine responses during elective abdominal surgery in nondiabetic and in insulin-treated diabetic patients. The diabetic patients were divided into two groups: those receiving preoperative subcutaneous (s.c.) insulin and those receiving continuous, low dose intravenous (i.v.) insulin infusions. Glucose, glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone, and insulin levels were measured preoperatively, intraoperatively, and for up to 6 h postoperatively. In the nondiabetic subjects glucose levels rapidly rose at initiation of surgery and continued to increase slowly, reaching a peak of 269 ± 26 (SEM) mg/dl at 60 min into the recovery period. Insulin levels also slowly increased throughout surgery, peaking at 103 ± 32.6 (SEM) uU/ml at 60 min into the recovery period, which was followed by a prompt decline in glucose levels. Glucagon levels remained relatively stable during surgery, but increased steadily during the recovery period to 300 ± 59 (SEM) pg/ml at the end of the observation period. Both cortisol and growth hormone rose during surgery, with growth hormone reaching a peak at 45 min [31.1 ± 13.8 (SEM) ng/ml], while cortisol continued to increase, plateauing during the recovery period at about 30 μg/dl. In the diabetic patients there were no differences in preoperative glucose, glucagon, cortisol, and growth hormone levels between the two treatment groups, and only the glucose level was different from the nondiabetic group. During surgery, there were trends toward lower plasma glucose levels in the early intraoperative phase in the diabetic patients receiving the continuous, low dose i.v. insulin infusion compared with those who received conventional preoperative s.c. insulin. There was no difference in the timing or magnitude of the rise of the measured hormones between the two groups. We conclude that a continuous, low dose i.v. insulin infusion at the dose used (1 U/h) is as effective in the treatment of the diabetic surgical patient as conventional preoperative s.c. insulin administration. Endocrine and metabolic responses to surgery are not different in the two forms of insulin administration.


We propose a novel reinforcement learning-based approach for adaptive and iterative feature selection. Given a masked vector of input features, a reinforcement learning agent iteratively selects certain features to be unmasked, and uses them to predict an outcome when it is sufficiently confident. The algorithm makes use of a novel environment setting, corresponding to a non-stationary Markov Decision Process. A key component of our approach is a guesser network, trained to predict the outcome from the selected features and parametrizing the reward function. Applying our method to a national survey dataset, we show that it not only outperforms strong baselines when requiring the prediction to be made based on a small number of input features, but is also highly more interpretable. Our code is publicly available at \url{this https URL}.


This report is the second part of the final report of Sustainable refurbishment of building facades and exterior walls (SUSREF). SUSREF project was a collaborative (small/medium size) research project within the 7th Framework Programme of the Commission and it was financed under the theme Environment (including climate change) (Grant agreement no. 226858). The project started in October 1 2009 and ended in April 3


The Low Power & Shutdown (LPSD) PRA Standard (ANS-58.22) is currently being drafted by a Writing Group under the auspices of the Risk Informed Standards Committee of the American Nuclear Society. The Writing Group includes representatives from nuclear utilities, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, national laboratory, university, and consultants with substantial experience producing LPSD PRAs. This draft standard is scheduled to be released for public comment in the second quarter of 2004, with publication by the end of 2004. This paper presents the current status of this standard in preparation for its public release.Copyright © 2004 by ASME


This paper uses a combination of approaches to evaluate the viscoelastic phenomenon in high-molecular-weight polymers (24–28 M Daltons) used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. Rheological data were cross-analyzed with single- and two-phase polymer flooding experiments in outcrop cores and micromodels, respectively. First, the impact of semi-harsh conditions (salinity, hardness, and temperature) was evaluated. Second, the impact of polymer degradation (sand face flow), focusing on the viscoelastic properties, was investigated. Finally, polymer viscoelastic properties were characterized, proposing a threefold rheological approach of rotational, oscillatory, and elongational behavior. Data from the rheological approaches were cross-analyzed with core flooding experiments and performed at a room temperature of 22 °C and at a higher temperature of 55 °C. The change in polymer viscoelastic properties were analyzed by investigating the effluents from core flooding experiments. Oil recovery experiments in micromodel helped our understanding of whether salinity or hardness has a dominating impact on in situ viscoelastic polymer response. These approaches were used to study the impact of mechanical degradation on polymer viscoelasticity. The brines showed notable loss in polymer viscoelastic properties, specifically with the hard brine and at higher temperature. However, the same polymer solution diluted in deionized water exhibited stronger viscoelastic properties. Multiple flow-behaviors, such as Newtonian, shear thinning, and thickening dominated flow, were confirmed through pressure drop analysis against interstitial velocity as already reported by other peer researchers. Turbulence-dominated excessive pressure drop in porous media was calculated by comparing core flood pressure drop data against pressure data in extensional viscometer–rheometer on a chip (eVROC®). In addition, a significant reduction in elastic-dominated flow was confirmed through the mechanical degradation that happened during core flood experiments, using various approaches. Finally, reservoir harsh conditions (high temperature, hardness, and salinity) resulted in a significant reduction in polymer viscoelastic behavior for all approaches.


This study was conducted with objectives to assess satisfaction of Thai Traditional Medicine students toward the developed eucalyptus balm and to investigate the efficiency of using the balm for reducing muscular pain. The sample consisted of 71 third-year students of Thai Traditional Medicine Major, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan. This study was an extension of the previously developed eucalyptus extract by making eucalyptus balm from it. The balm was tested with the sample by letting them apply it to painful areas or any required places on their body. The assessment on their satisfaction toward the balm was made by using the paired t-test as the statistical analysis procedure. The results can be concluded that, among the sample of 71 students, most of them were female (87.3%), 21 years of age (84.5%), and all of them were undergraduate students (100.0%). The mean satisfaction scores of the students toward smell, color, and viscosity of the balm were 3.56, 3.46, and 3.39 points, respectively. Most of them felt relaxed after inhaling the balm (64.8%), followed by those who felt fresh (16.9%), those who felt dizzy (8.4%), and those who felt enchanted (7.0%). Most students perceived that the balm's color matched the smell (80.5%), its sticky level was at an appropriate level (84.5%), and the oily feeling on the skin was at a proper level (73.2%). None of the sampled students encountered any abnormalities on the skin from using the balm. Most students (63.3%) had intention to buy the eucalyptus balm when it is available on the market.


In the paper, the DSRC/WAVE (Dedicated Short Range Communication/Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments) systems are applied to control the lamps along a street or highway so that the safety of driving and efficiency of power consumption can be addressed at the same time. It would consume a lot of energy if there are few mobile vehicles passing through the streetlamps in the late night and apply the minimum light needs for the safety of the vehicles. According to the standards of the DSRC/WAVE, the demonstration system uses WAVE short message protocol (WSMP) to send message from V2V or V2I. The system uses the information from GPS on OBU to measure and predict the current position and speed of the mobile vehicles and then controls the process of the streetlamps. In the paper, DSRC/WAVE devices are explored to achieve energy conservation and safety with the extensive covered range, high speed rate link and mobility. The system demonstrates an example to show the inherent advantages of combining communication techniques and control techniques in realizing a safer and more energy-efficient transportation environment.


The Human Ear is a new class of relatively stable Biometrics that has drawn researcher's attention recently. Human ear is a perfect data for passive person identification, which can be applied to provide security in the public places. In this article, we overview the proposed Pattern extraction algorithms from 2D and 3D Ear images.


Drought is a very complex natural hazard and has a negative impact on the global ecosystem as a whole. Recently Bangladesh has been experiencing by different degree of dryness as a consequence of high climate variability, affecting the crop production to a great extent in the last couple of decades. In this context, the present study was made an effort to assess and analyse drought characteristics based on two drought indices, i.e., Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and model agricultural drought risk with Fast-and-frugal decision tree (FFT) model in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2016. We identified drought occurrence and its dynamics with three-time scale, i.e., SPI3J (November-January), SPI3A (February-April) and SPI6A (November-April), and three rice-growing seasons, i.e., Aus (March-July), Aman (June-November), and Boro (November-May) from TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. The results demonstrate that TRMM had good consistency with rain gauge measurement compared to CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data) and PERSIANN-CDR (Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record) data to derive SPI3J, SPI3A and SPI6A. Overall results confirmed that more drought frequency observed in SPI6A than SPI3J and SPI3A time scale, representing moderate to severe drought throughout the country. Regarding agricultural drought resulting from VCI demonstrated Boro rice-growing season as more vulnerable crop growing season affected by severe to extreme drought event. Validation results of VCI exhibited a high correlation with rice yield data than in-situ soil moisture data. Results of the FFT model show that out of ten predictor variables SPI3J and SPI6A caused agricultural drought with SPI value less than −1.08 and −1.21 respectively. Additionally, the model characterized SPI3J and SPI6A as the most critical driving factors with the highest balanced accuracy triggering agricultural drought risk in Bangladesh.


The authors have used four years of Global Positioning System (GPS) data to study the amount of integrated water vapor (IWV) in the atmosphere. They find that the presence of certain radomes at some sites highly affects the water vapor estimates at other sites. These effects are eliminated by using a technique in which data from each station are processed individually.


The metacognition as a self-regulatory strategy presents itself as an essential element in the whole process of learning. Lead students to reflect on their way of learning and their strategies, promotes in them this self-awareness and this ability of self-regulation that are very important to help them become "expert learners". It was with this aim that we structured a course prior to the start of students' academic activities, entering for the first time in a degree at university. This work seeks to describe the aims, the structure, and the development of this same course entitled "learn how to learn", as well as with some thoughts on how it took place.


Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a lethal complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). As a complex immunopathology, aGVHD depends on the recognition of host antigens by donor T cells and induces augmented response of alloreactive T cells. Despite considerable achievements in the treatment of aGVHD, it remains a major clinical problem for the patients undergoing allo-HSCT. Therefore, it is necessary to further illustrate new mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies of aGVHD. Previously we reported LYG1 (Lysozyme G-like 1) as a novel classical secretory protein promoted antitumor function of T cell. In this study, the role of LYG1 in aGVHD was investigated. Firstly, we examined whether LYG1 affected the alloreactivity of CD4+ T cells in vitro by MLR assay and discovered that LYG1 deficiency reduced the activation of CD4+ T cells and Th1 ratio, but increased Treg ratio. Then we confirmed these observations using a major MHC mismatched aGVHD model by transferring T cells sorting from WT B6 or Lyg1-/- mice with bone marrow cells from WT B6 mice into lethally irradiated BALB/c mice. The alloreactive CD4+ T cells and the proportions of Th1 cells decreased whereas the proportions of Treg cells increased in spleens and livers in mice receiving Lyg1-/- T cells. LYG1-deficient T cells attenuated aGVHD severity, inhibited the expression of CXCL9 and CXCL10 and restrained CD4+ T cells infiltrating in livers. Furthermore, administration of recombinant LYG1 protein intraperitoneally aggravated aGVHD by promoting IFN-γ production. More importantly, LYG1 deficiency did not affect GVT (graft-versus-tumor) effects. In summary, we demonstrate LYG1 regulates aGVHD via modulating the alloreactivity of CD4+ T cells and differentiation of Th1/Treg cells. Our study indicates that LYG1 may be a novel target in aGVHD by mitigating aGVHD without impairing GVT function. The therapeutic effect of targeting LYG1 is required in future investigations.
 Funding
 This study was supported by grant from The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant Number 81600144) and grant from Research Foundation of Peking University First Hospital.

 No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Abstract Spatial and temporal dynamics of bark beetles in single tree trunks of Pinus armandi were studied in Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province, China. Ten species of engraver bark beetles attacked from healthy to withered Chinese white pines, but seven species were commonly detected every year in Qinling forest ecosystem. Dendroctonus armandi and Hylurgops longipilis were common species at the lower of trunks, and Ips acuminatus, Polygraphus sinensis, and Pityogenes japonicus primary distributed in the middle of trunks, whereas population densities of Cryphalus lipingensis and C. chinlingensis centralized at the upper trunks and branches of Chinese white pines. On the time series, D. armandi, as a dominant species in Chinese white pines of Qinling forest ecosystem, mainly attacked healthy and weakened trees and cooperated with blue stain fungus that resulted in the declining abruptly resistance and triggered the secondary bark beetles to attack the infected or withered host trees. Attacking and colonizing phenology of bark beetles in Qinling forest ecosystem are caused by complex interactions among spatial and trophic competition and cooperation and exhibit particular spatial and temporal patterns. Our results support the view that competition and cooperation within bark beetles are a critical factor to influence bark beetles spatial and temporal distribution, and stability of bark beetles' ecosystem, D. armandi, I. acuminatus, P. japonicus, P. sinensis, C. lipingensis, C. chinlingensis, and H. longipilis in Chinese white pine of Qinling forest ecosystem.


In response to inflammation stimuli, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) induces expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in endothelial cells (ECs). Studies have suggested that the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and the p38 MAP kinase (p38) signaling pathways play central roles in this process, but conflicting results have been reported. The objective of this study is to determine the relative contributions of the two pathways to the effect of TNF‐α. Our initial data indicated that blockade of p38 activity by chemical inhibitor SB203580 (SB) at 10 µM moderately inhibited TNF‐α‐induced expression of three types of CAMs; ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin, indicating that p38 may be involved in the process. However, subsequent analysis revealed that neither 1 µM SB that could completely inhibit p38 nor specific knockdown of p38α and p38β with small interference RNA (siRNA) had an apparent effect, indicating that p38 activity is not essential for TNF‐α‐induced CAMs. The most definitive evidence to support this conclusion was from the experiments using cells differentiated from p38α knockout embryonic stem cells. We could show that deletion of p38α gene did not affect TNF‐α‐induced ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 expression when compared with wild‐type cells. We further demonstrated that inhibition of NF‐κB completely blocked TNF‐α‐induced expression of ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that NF‐κB, but not p38, is critical for TNF‐α‐induced CAM expression. The inhibition of SB at 10 µM on TNF‐α‐induced ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin is likely due to the nonspecific effect of SB. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 477–486, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Wind-generated electricity has grown from a niche enterprise in the late 20th century to become a major energy source globally and nationally, and Kansas has played a significant role. Kansas wind power expanded more than six-fold between 2008 and 2018. Among states, Kansas now ranks fourth for total wind generating capacity (>6 GW) and second for combined wind and solar electricity production as a fraction of electricity consumption (47%). Kansas is virtually tied with Iowa for the highest amount of wind energy as part of the electric grid mix (>41%). From early development in the High Plains, wind farms and energy complexes have expanded into nearly all regions of the state. The drainage divide between the Missouri River and Arkansas River basins is a geographic focus for recent development of wind farms in eastern Kansas. Generation of electricity in Kansas mirrors overall energy trends in the United States during the past two decades. Coal, petroleum, and nuclear have declined, hydroelectric has been stable, natural gas has grown, and renewable (wind, solar) energy has expanded dramatically. These shifts in energy sources are reflected likewise in significant declines of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen emissions. Kansas reflects the international character of the wind-energy industry. Installed wind turbines are mainly of Danish, German, and/or Spanish origin with some components manufactured in Kansas and other nearby states.


We discuss a framework (based on non-relativistic operators) and a self-contained set of numerical tools to derive the bounds from some current direct detection experiments on virtually any arbitrary model of Dark Matter elastically scattering on nuclei.


A series of [60]fullerenes covalently functionalized with the polymer poly(ethylene glycol) is presented. These new [60]fullerene-based materials have been incorporated as additives in CH3 NH3 PbI3 (MAPbI3 ), the most common organic-inorganic perovskite used in perovskite solar cells. The extensive photovoltaic study performed by using these materials shows several beneficial effects on the performance of these cells, including a reduction in hysteresis and an increased stability against moisture, whereby the solar cells retain up to 97 % of their initial power conversion efficiency in an ambient atmosphere.


We give a direct proof for the analyticity of the Stokes semigroup in spaces of bounded functions. This was recently proved by an indirect argument by the first and second authors for a class of domains called strictly admissible domains including bounded and exterior domains. Invoking the strictly admissibility, our approach is based on an adjustment of a standard resolvent estimate method for general elliptic operators introduced by K. Masuda (1972) and H. B. Stewart (1974). The resolvent approach in partic-ular clarifies the sectorial region, Re z > 0 for z ∈ C for which the Stokes semigroup has an analytic continuation in spaces of bounded functions.


A nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of allylic alkyl ethers with organoboron compounds through the cleavage of the inert C(sp3)-O(alkyl) bonds is described. Several types of allylic alkyl ethers can be coupled with various boronic acids or their derivatives to give the corresponding products in good to excellent yields with wide functional group tolerance and excellent regioselectivity. The gram-scale reaction and late-stage modification of biologically active compounds further prove the practicality of this synthetic method.


A stable virulent donor strain (EA 178R1-99) of Erwinia amylovora can transfer, by conjugation during a 3-h mating period, the gene or genes which determine(s) plant virulence to avirulent recipient strains (EA178-M64S1 and EA178-M173S1) of Escherichia amylovora. The virulence of over 200 recombinant clones was tested; they all were as virulent on immature Bartlett pear fruits (and, in the smaller series of strains tested, also, on Pyracantha twigs) as was the parent donor strain. Although the avirulent recipeint strains are amino acid auxotrophs, addition of the required amino acids to the inocula in plant virulence trials does not of itself restore virulence. Two small series of prototrophic revertant clones were selected from the auxotrophic avirulent recipient strains; only nine of the 21 prototrophic revertant clones regained virulence, whereas the other 12 prototrophic revertant clones remained avirulent, again suggesting a lack of parallelism between nutritional status and virulence in this system. Preliminary interrupted mating trials, carried out at 15-min intervals over 3 h, show that ser is transferred during the first 15 min, that pro starts entering at about 75 min (and with a higher frequency later), and that lac (originating from an integrated Escherichia coli F'lac) enters toward the end of the 3-h mating period and at a reduced frequency compared to the other markers. The gene or genes which determine(s) plant virulence in this Escherichia amylovora donor strain appear(s) to be transferred readily and seemingly completely to recipient strains during the first 15 min of a 3-h mating period. Exposure of the virulent donor strain to acridine orange or ethidium bromide does not result in loss of virulence, suggesting (but, of course, not proving conclusively) that the determinant(s) of virulence in Escherichia amylovora might be chromosomal rather than extrachromosomal.


Formal methods are usually used for computer system specification, production and verification. In this paper, a new direction for the use of formal methods is proposed, namely formalization of the regulatory requirements for software of safety-critical real-time control systems. Formal regulatory requirements, as opposed to formal specifications for a concrete system, have a generic nature, are applied for a wide range of safety-critical control systems, and are the basis for a licensing process. The use of formal regulatory requirements could help to eliminate ambiguity or misunderstanding of informal definitions, to allow rigorous assessment of satisfaction with respect to requirements and finally to increase the safety level of a system. As a formal method for describing the regulatory requirements, the Z notation is proposed. To demonstrate the proposed approach, requirements for protection against common mode software failures and requirements for protection against unauthorized access are considered. Z schemas for these requirements are presented.


Urgency of the research is the need to improve the actual national legislature as to the problems of ecology taxation.
Target setting. Ecology taxation in Ukraine is one of the components of the management financial and legal mechanism in the field of natural resources consumption.
Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Both specialists in jurisprudence and economy devote their works to solving the problems of improving legal regulation of natural resources consumption, environment protection and ensuring ecology safety.
Uninvestigated parts of general matters defining. The ecology taxation in extending the number of ecology payments, introducing favourable ecology taxation for some categories of natural resources consumers, whose activity is directed at solving ecology problems.
The research objective. The task is to show the draw-backs of legal regulation of ecology taxation in Ukraine and to prove the conception aspects as to its improvement.
The statement of basic materials. Ecology tax is the state compulsory payment made of real pollution amounts in the air, water, waste materials arrangement, real amount of radioactive waste materials that are temporarily kept by their producers, real amount of new radioactive waste materials and real amount of radioactive waste materials accumulated till April, 1, 2009.
Nowadays there is a need to improve the mechanism of costs distribution that are formed at the expense of ecology taxation depending on their assignment.
Conclusions. Ecology taxation is an important financial and legal institute that provides the efficient management in the field of ecology and environment protection. Ukraine, aspiring to become an equal member of the European Union is to make effective steps in ecologically-oriented development.


The optimization of operations of subway systems has critical importance in terms of energy efficiency and costs. Therefore, driving management of subway vehicles has been gaining more importance day by day. Optimal Driving Management (ODM) is the optimization of the velocity trajectory of a subway vehicle by considering operating conditions and travel time. In this study, the driving of a subway vehicle has been modeled dynamically with all parameters that affect driving. So, a realistic model has been prepared. Then, a new objective function has been proposed to reduce energy consumption by using the subway vehicle's acceleration and braking forces parameters for ODM. The Artificial Bee Colony algorithm (ABC) and Genetic algorithm (GA) have been used on the prepared model to determine the driving dynamics of the subway vehicle. The performance of the algorithms has been evaluated in the real line network, which has multiple stations with different characteristics. The energy consumption has been reduced by 10.47% in GA and 8.92% in ABC compared to the actual driving values. Moreover, the results of the study has been analyzed in terms of passenger comfort, cost, and emission values.


The spinning of time the wheel has seen a lot; but the best gift of mankind to mankind is the discovery of Information and Communication Technologies, the tool that gave birth to the big bang theory of electronic-Governance in the universe of countries and nations. The explosive ingress of technology into every facet of life has changed how people exist, how they work, how companies do business and how governments serve their communities. e-Governance has given new dimensions to the system of governing nations and enhancing citizen services by making the process of governance and public administration much more efficient and effective. e-Government reveals the ultimate visions for public administrations and governments to undergo a huge modernization and reorganization. E-governance has played an essential role in improving governmental processes (e-administration), connecting citizens (e-citizens and e-services) and building external interactions (e-society). With the inclusion of e-governance in governing process came the concept of Single Entry National Portal i.e. One Stop Government which efficiently integrates public services from a citizen's point of view. Such Portals help the citizens and other stakeholders to have a 24 × 7 × 365 access to public service authorities and the services being provided by them at a single point. The various Government Departments at Central, State and Local level collect, use and manage large volumes of information/services and to ensure effective access to government policymaking and operations as well as to ensure government accountability, the public needs consistent, predictable access to government information. One Stop Government Portals step in here and provide full entree to its citizens making their lives easy and smooth. This paper discourses the significance of One Stop Government accentuating india.gov.in, The National Portal of India. The National Portal of India is a huge and comprehensive repository of information and data regarding the citizen services available in India. india.gov.in, is a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), of the country implemented with an objective to provide a single window access to the information and services of the Indian Government at all levels, from Central to the State Government, from the District Administration and to the village Panchayats, all for the citizens and other stakeholders. The National Portal india.gov.in, acts as a front end to various e-Government initiatives and a gateway to over 6000 websites providing a variety of information and services being provided by different Indian government departments at multiple levels. It is a reservoir of resources and provides in-depth information about the India and its various aspects. india.gov.in plies valuable information to a wide variety of target audience encompassing the citizens, government, business strata and overseas Indians. The National Portal of India is one stop portal for all those who need information on anything related to India, from paying utility bills to accessing information on welfare schemes in different economic sectors, from obtaining licenses/certificates to apply for Indian passport india.gov.in has it all!


Background Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is one of the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths, more especially in old people, and this causes a substantial clinical and economic burden to the government. Using risk prediction models to accurately understand the dynamics of survival patterns amongst patients with CHF conditions would provide guidance to health care professionals in decision making on how to improve delivery of care. However, prediction models used in medical research often fail to accurately predict health outcomes due to methodological limitations. These models particularly perform poorly when predicting narrowly targeted subgroups of patients. We explore the role of latent class regression (LCR) analysis to model the survival of patients with CHF. We seek to show that using LCR improves the modelling of health outcomes as it accounts for unobserved heterogeneity that exists naturally within the patient data. Methods LCR generally involves identifying hidden latent classes within data and uses patient's demographic characteristics and other covariates to predict class membership and separate regression models for each class. These latent classes may correspond to subgroups of patients with specific characteristics that affect their survival. The rationale is that one class will be more susceptible to deaths compared to another. The United Kingdom Heart Failure Evaluation and Assessment of Risk Trial (UK-HEART) recruited patients with signs and symptoms of CHF between July 2006 and December 2014. A total of 1802 records were available on patient characteristics as well as medications. We used some of these variables to model survival of patients within a latent class framework by estimating a single regression model for both latent classes. We increased complexity of our model by allowing each class to have a separate survival model. Results We used the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to assess the performance of these two class models. Overall, our novel approach performed better than the traditional one-model-fits-all approach. Our model gave an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87 while the traditional model yielded an AUC of 0.68. Conclusion Ignoring the natural heterogeneity that exists within the patient data affects the accuracy of estimates in prediction models. Researchers can utilise the available data to identify hidden latent classes within the data. Fitting a regression model to each latent class improves the accuracy of the prediction estimates.


Abstract The authors sought to decompose the covariance between seven dimensions of religiosity and two internalizing psychiatric disorders (major depression and phobia) and two externalizing substance use disorders (alcohol dependence and nicotine dependence). Significant negative correlations, accounted for by shared additive genetic effects, were found between alcohol dependence and six of the seven religiosity factors. Additive genetic effects accounted for significant negative correlations between nicotine dependence and one religiosity factor, social religiosity, and between phobia and unvengefulness. Common environmental effects accounted for a significant positive correlation between phobia and the factor God as judge. No statistically significant covariance due to genetic or environmental effects was found for major depression and any of the seven religiosity factors. Overall, although several statistically significant bivariate relationships were found, the estimates of covariance due to additive genetic effects were modest.


A recently developed apparatus is described that allows continuous microscopic monitoring of bacteria grown in anaerobic conditions. Four species of Bacteroides were tested using this equipment and normal and reproducible growth rates were obtained in all cases.


The article considers network interaction of Russian universities to solve strategic problems of macroregions development. Network interaction is a common model of cooperation between universities abroad, and in recent years, in connection with the new challenges facing Russian education, it has become relevant for Russian universities. The article briefly presents the main forms of organization and methods of managing network interaction, its advantages over traditional types of joint activities of universities. Based on the four years of work in the framework of the Association "National Arctic Research and Education Consortium" (NAREC), the authors analyze the experience of cooperation between universities in the interests of the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Four key areas of activity are considered: 1) expert and analytical support of personnel training and research; 2) Arctic-focused educational programs and projects; 3) support and promotion of scientific research on Arctic topics among students; 4) creation of joint information space. The article demonstrates the significant results of their implementation for each of these directions. These include monitoring the state of training of personnel with higher education and developing professional standards, developing educational products, including network programs and mass open online courses on Arctic topics, participating in international projects, conducting a national competition for student papers, as well as accumulating information related to training and research on Arctic topics. Based on the best practices of the Association "NAREC" and the difficulties encountered in the implementation of the network interaction model, the authors formulated practical recommendations for the development of interregional scientific and educational cooperation.


There is a natural tendency for untrained scouting bees to associate certain perfumes with food (e. g. those of the flowers of Crataegus oxyacantha and Trifolium repens) whereas the perfume of some other flowers (e. g. Spirea arguta) are unattractive to the honeybee. If the perfume of a new crop of flowers is sufficiently strong it will sometimes attract scouting bees when they are still unable to see the flowers. It is often necessary for a bee to approach within an inch or so of a flower before she can discern any perfume it may possess. When a bee approaches an object closely enough any attractive perfume it may possess tends to act as a stimulus to further exploration which involves settling upon the object and possibly seeking food in any small crevice in or around it. Thus the perfume of the individual flower plays an important part in stimulating a nectar-seeking bee to enter it, whether she has learned to associate its perfume with food or not. Normal visitation of a flower which has previously been worked is suspended when the bee's olfactory sense is disturbed. This can be caused either by mutilation or by the presence of a strong foreign perfume. In general the results obtained from experiments with untrained bees support the conclusions reached by von Frisch (1919) in his work with trained bees, and indicate that both these categories of bees behave in a similar manner when seeking food.


Effects on serum lipids were examined in a double blind placebo controlled trial including 111 male and females with cholesterol values higher than 7.0 mmol/l. The patients were treated with 6 g Almarin capsules consisting of the highly concentrated fish-oil EPAX 6000 EE in a daily dose corresponding to 2.1 g eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.5 g docosahexaenoic acid, or olive oil control for 12 weeks. We registered the effects on serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Compared with baseline values a 19.5% median reduction in serum triglycerides could be observed in the n-3 treated group. This reduction was significantly different from control and baseline values. We also observed a favourable trend towards lower total serum cholesterol and higher serum HDL cholesterol.


Introduction: Several factors, including diabetes and smoking, increase the risk of and predisposition for complications of foot and ankle surgeries; however, studies assessing the effects of obesity remain scarce. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of obesity on functional outcomes of flexor hallucis longus (FLH) tendon transfer surgery in patients with chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Methods: A retrospective study was performed with patients aged 18 years or older who underwent FHL tendon transfer between March 2010 and May 2015. The characteristics recorded were sex, age, body mass index (BMI), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion strength, assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results: The sample had 24 participants (13 women and 11 men) with a mean age of 55.7 years; among them, 13 were obese (BMI>=30), and 11 were nonobese (BMI<30). After a mean follow-up time of 66 months, the FAOS of the sample increased from 28 to 91 points (p=0.000). No significant difference in the postoperative AOFAS score or FAOS was found between the subgroups (p>0.05), with values of 83 and 86.7 points (AOFAS) and 92.72 and 90 points (FAOS) for obese and nonobese patients, respectively. The comparison of the strength of each motion revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) between subgroups. There was no association between BMI and postoperative functional outcomes (AOFAS score and FAOS) (p>0.05) or correlation between BMI and the strength of the operated ankles. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer surgery in Achilles tendinopathy is effective for obese and nonobese patients based on the AOFAS and FAOS scores and dynamometry results.


143 AmeriCorps volunteers (30 men; 113 women) and 127 college student volunteers (43 men; 84 women) completed the Volunteer Functions Inventory to assess whether monetary compensation was associated with choice to volunteer to provide educational services, e.g., tutoring, mentoring. Based on Snyder's 1993 theory of functionalism, motives of paid (AmeriCorps participants) and nonpaid (college students) volunteers were expected to differ. It was also predicted that the motives of female and male volunteers would differ. Multivariate analysis of variance confirmed these assumptions. In general, paid male participants reported perceiving numerous benefits associated with volunteering and reported stronger beliefs about such benefits. Female participants reported motives for volunteering, in contrast, which were not linked with monetary compensation. The women reported recognizing the benefits of volunteering and engaging in this activity for egoistic reasons. Their reported motives had little relation to compensation.


A micromagnetic simulation of switching behavior in submicron nickel bars is presented. The bars were discretized into elements 10 nm by 10 nm by 30 nm deep. The switching field and switching mechanism were found to have a strong dependence on the edge roughness of the bars. By including a rough edge, the switching held of the bars was reduced as much as 40% and produced agreement with experimental determined values.


Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum), a medicinal herb with potent antihyperglycaemic and hypoglycaemic effects, is used to treat diabetes. This study is aimed to explore the interaction of fenugreek seed extract (FSE) and HPT (hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid) axis in context of leptin secretion which have important role in normal and type-1 diabetic subjects. FSE (confirmed to contain trigonelline, diosgenin, 4 hydroxyisoleucine) was gavaged (0.25 gm/kg body weight/day) to normal and alloxan-induced type-1 diabetic rats for 4 weeks. Expression of hypothalamic prepro-TRH (Thyrotropin releasing hormone) mRNA, serum levels of TRH, TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone), fT3, fT4, insulin, leptin, glucose; thyroperoxidase activity and growth of thyroid gland, food intake, adiposity index were also studied FSE significantly down regulated prepro-TRH mRNA expression; decreased serum TRH, TSH, fT3, fT4 levels, and regressed thyroid gland in FSE-fed normal and diabetic rats than those observed in normal diet-fed control and diabetic rats. FSE decreased (p<0.005-0.001) adiposity index and leptin secretion, increased food intake and body weight in all FSE-fed rats. FSE improved insulin secretion, decreased glucose level but impaired HPT axis in diabetic rats, indicating insulin-independent central hypothyroidism. Results suggested that the dominant signal to hypothalamus suppressing HPT axis is the fall in leptin level which i resulted from decreased adiposity index following FSE feeding. Fenugreek simultaneously having hypoglycaemic and hypothyroidal actions raises questions whether it can be safely used to treat diabetes and/or hyperthyroidism as was suggested by many workers.


Introduction—Executive dysfunction (ED) is a prominent and often disabling feature of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD). Few studies have examined treatments. Given the role of noradrenergic pathology in ED, atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor indicated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may be a potential treatment for PD-related ED. Methods—12 patients with PD and disabling ED completed an 8-week pilot open-label, flexible dose (25 to 100 mg/day) trial of atomoxetine. Results—On primary outcome measures, atomoxetine was associated with improved ED based on the Clinical Global Impression-Change Scale (75% positive response rate; 95% CI: 43%-95%, p<. 05) and behavioral measures of ED [Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBE) Executive Dysfunction and Connors Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) inattention/memory subscales]. Adverse effects included sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances and hypomania.


Technological change represents one of the clearest areas in which criminology has had to work hard to keep-up. In this chapter Webber and Yip provide a cutting edge analysis of a particular kind of cybercrime, carding, and use online forums as a means of investigating the mechanisms and culture of hackers working in this illicit economy. Using this data they develop ideas taken from criminological theory to suggest that hackers operate within disorganised fields in which association with others allows hackers to learn how to operate effectively. In contrast to the sterility of much web crime analysis the authors use their data to highlight some of the more complex aspects of hacker identity and the conflicts that sometimes emerge around the relative morality of their actions.


Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of Bethesda categories III, V, and VI with the clinical and pathological features of thyroid nodules surgically confirmed as conventional papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Methods We analyzed 1,990 consecutive patients diagnosed with conventional PTC at surgery with preoperative Bethesda categories III, V, or VI. We determined the odds ratio (ORs) of the clinical and pathological variables associated with categories III and V, using category VI as the reference. Results Category III and V PTCs had a smaller pathological tumor size (OR, 0.934 and OR, 0.969, respectively) and less frequently had central lymph node metastasis (OR, 0.487 and OR, 0.780, respectively) than category VI PTCs. Category III PTCs less frequently showed suspicious ultrasonographic features (OR, 0.296) than category VI PTCs, and category V PTCs less frequently had gross extrathyroidal extension, with borderline significance (OR, 0.643; P=0.059). Conclusion Conventional PTCs with a preoperative Bethesda category of III or V may less frequently exhibit poor prognostic factors than those with malignant cytology.


The Arctic featured the strongest surface warming over the globe during the recent decades, and the temperature increase was accompanied by a rapid decline in sea ice extent. However, little is known about Arctic sea ice change during the Early Twentieth Century Warming (ETCW) during 1920–1940, also a period of a strong surface warming, both globally and in the Arctic. Here, we investigate the sensitivity of Arctic winter surface air temperature (SAT) to sea ice during 1875–2008 by means of simulations with an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) forced by estimates of the observed sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice concentration. The Arctic warming trend since the 1960s is very well reproduced by the model. In contrast, ETCW in the Arctic is hardly captured. This is consistent with the fact that the sea ice extent in the forcing data does not strongly vary during ETCW. AGCM simulations with observed SST but fixed sea ice reveal a strong dependence of winter SAT on sea ice extent. In particular, the warming during the recent decades is strongly underestimated by the model, if the sea ice extent does not decline and varies only seasonally. This suggests that a significant reduction of Arctic sea ice extent may have also accompanied the Early Twentieth Century Warming, pointing toward an important link between anomalous sea ice extent and Arctic surface temperature variability.