Background Cartilage loss is irreversible progress, so physicians have to catch the detection of joint space narrowing as early as possible. It is stated that physical disability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with joint space narrowing rather than erosion [1], so early detection of progressive joint damage is the most important. But in DICOM which is the international standard for medical images, 1 pixel on radiographic images is 0.15mm, so the detection of the change which is lower than that is impossible. Objectives To solve a limitation associated with the resolution, we used radiographic images reconstructed by super-resolution system by utilizing total variation filter combined a shock filter, which is a non-linear filter, to emphasize the edges in images [2]. Theoretically image resolution becomes four times (Fig. 1). We measured the distance between joint space of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint and confirmed the validity of the new measurement procedure of the distance between joint space by using super resolution image. Methods We prepared the super resolution-radiographic images processed by total variation filter and a shock filter and cropped the images of MCP joint. We measured the distance between joint space by three methods, 1) conventional measurement; distance between two points, 2) measurement by using normal vector from the top of joint surface of phalanx bone, 3) measurement using joint space area calculated by integration method (Fig. 2). Each method processed on MATLAB®. The 2), 3) methods were processed by curve fitting method which create parabolic curve by choosing some points of joint surface. We performed measurement five times by each method to confirm the accuracy by using super resolution image and standard DICOM image. Results We measured Lt 3rd MCP joint with 49 y.o. female, rheumatoid arthritis patient by each measurement on super resolution image and standard DICOM image. The measurement results are shown in Table 1. It was significantly different between super resolution and normal resolution by two points measurement with f-test. Although it was not significantly different on condition about resolution by the measurement using curve fitting methods with f-test, the value with super resolution image tended to be smaller than that with normal resolution. Conclusions The accuracy of measuring the joint space distance of MCP joint was improved by using super-resolution image. Curve fitting method was also supposed to be useful about the evaluation of joint space narrowing. This result suggested that it is possible to detect the change less than 0.1mm beyond the limitation of DICOM image. References Ann Rheum Dis. 2011 May;70(5):733-739. IEEE Global Conference on Consumer Electronics (GCCE2013) 2013;: 447-448. Disclosure of Interest K. Funahashi: None declared, T. Kojima Grant/research support from: Takeda Pharma Corporation, Janssen Pharmaceutical, and Astellas Pharma Corporation., Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharma Corporation, Eisai Pharma Corporation, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Chugai Pharma Corporation, Janssen Pharmaceutical, and Astellas Pharma Corporation, N. Takahashi Speakers bureau: Abbvie Japan Co. Ltd, Eisai Co. Ltd, UCB Japan Co. Ltd,Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Pfizer Co. Ltd, Chugai PharmaceuticalCo. Ltd, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., T. Goto: None declared, M. Shimizu: None declared, N. Ishiguro Grant/research support from: Daiichi Sankyo, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical, Kaken Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Japan, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharmaceutical, Astellas Pharma, and Pfizer Japan, Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical, Kaken Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Japan, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharmaceutical, Astellas Pharma, and Pfizer Japan.


Background: Glioblastoma is one of the most common malignant brain tumors with high recurrence and mortality. The first choice for treatment is surgical resection under general anesthesia. Previous studies have demonstrated that general anesthetics are correlated with the prognosis of patients with malignant tumors, but the mechanisms remain unclear.Methods: In this study, surgical specimens were analyzed with gene microarray to explore the influences of propofol and sevoflurane on the expression of prognostic-related genes in glioblastoma. Through the construction of gene regulatory network and analyzing the network properties, we screened out the core genes related to the prognosis of glioblastoma and perform survival analysis to elucidate the potential effects of propofol and sevoflurane on the prognosis of glioblastoma patients.Results:In this study, 16 Hub genes (NDUFA4, NDUFA6, NDUFV2, CYCS, NDUFB2, MGST2, CYC1, ATP5G1, MRPS2, PPP2R1A, GSTM3, GSTK1, MAPK3, NDUFB7, ATP5D and MGST3 ) related to the prognosis of glioblastoma were screened out and their expression was down-regulated. GO and KEGG pathway analysis showed the Hub genes were closely related to mitochondrial function and oxidative phosphorylation pathway (has 00190). The down-regulated expression of NDUFB2 and MGST2 genes after propofol treatment may be associated with better prognosis of glioblastoma.Conclusions: General anesthetics can alter the expression of prognostic-related genes in glioblastoma. Changes in NDUFB2 and MGST2 gene expression levels can affect the overall survival of patients with glioblastoma, and other Hub genes may affect the prognosis of glioblastoma patients by interfering the energy metabolism process of tumor cells.Trial registration:Registration number: ChiCTR-IOR-16010180Date of registration: 18th, December, 2016


Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often associated with cryoglobulinaemia (CG). Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a comparatively common complication of CG associated with HCV infection and it is thought to be attributable to nerve ischaemia. Only few HCV CG patients with PN have been reported. The recent finding of HCV RNA in nerve biopsy specimens has suggested a possible direct role of HCV in the pathogenesis of PN. The authors studied 51 HCV patients to determine the prevalence of CG and to clarify the possible mechanism by which HCV determines the PN. Methods: All the patients were studied clinically, by laboratory tests and electrophysiologically. Twenty eight patients underwent sural nerve biopsy where both morphological and morphometric evaluation of the biopsy specimen was performed, as well as statistical analysis. Results: CG was found in 40 of 51 cases (78%). Polyneuropathy was significantly prevalent in CG+ patients compared with CG− (18 of 40 compared with 1 of 11 patients; p=0.01). HCV CG− patients more frequently developed well defined mononeuropathy or multiple neuropathy when compared with HCV CG+ (10 of 11 compared with 22 of 40; p<0.03). HCV CG+ patients showed significantly higher proportion of rheumatoid factor positivity (p<0.001) and low C4 levels (p=0.001). Nerve biopsy was performed in 25 of 40 HCV CG+ patients and in 3 of 11 HCV CG− patients: epineurial vasculitis was present in 8 of 25 HCV CG+ (32%) and in 2 of 3 HCV CG−. Differential fascicular loss of axons was found in 10 of 25 CG+ (40%) and 1 of 3 CG−, signs of both demyelination and axonal degeneration were present in 7 of 25 CG+ (28%). No significant difference was found in neuropathological features, while histometrical analysis disclosed more severe involvement in CG+ patients. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the presence of CG is a negative predictive factor for the associated PN. Morphological findings in the sural nerve from HCV CG− and CG+ are consistent with an ischaemic mechanism of nerve damage and are against a direct role of the virus in causing the associated PN.


This paper builds on earlier work by the same authors to derive expressions for the time-averaged acoustic energy density in the frequency domain using the auto- and cross-spectral densities of multiple microphone elements. Expressions for the most common three-dimensional geometric arrangements are derived. Simplified expressions for use with two channel spectrum analysers are also presented.


The objective of this research is to find out the impact of personality type of an employee on his job productivity. A survey of 10,000 individuals was conducted from different cities to elucidate the associations between organizational goals and a number of intra-organizational variables. In this research, author found that there are many factors which affect the employee performance and which are either affected by employee's performance or employee's performance is affected by them. Among those factors, personality of an employee plays an important role. The findings of the study also have numerous implications for practitioners. At a strategic level, the study suggests that executives should acknowledge in their change processes that decisions at an organizational level regarding the personality of an employee could have a profound effect on the productivity of an employee. Further, managers of functions may find it beneficial to manipulate a range of intra-organizational variables to enhance employee productivity.


Chromatin was isolated from SV40 transformed mouse cells (SV3T3) and transcribed with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. The SV40 specific transcripts were analyzed by annealing the RNA to the minus strands of purified fragments of SV40 DNA produced by cleavage of the DNA with a restriction enzyme isolated from Hemophilus aegyptius. Quantitation of the frequency of transcription from the region (fragments A and D) was transcribed five to ten times more frequently than the remaining regions. These results are in good agreement with the transcription pattern observed in the transformed cell. In contrast, transcription of purified SV3T3 DNA by E. coli polymerase produced roughly equal frequencies of transcription from all regions of the integrated SV40 DNA. Comparison of the results with the known distribution of initiation sites for E. coli RNA polymerase on linear SV40 DNA indicates that the major initiation site is relatively unavailable in SV3T3 chromatin whereas other sites are available. This restriction is not observed when purified SV3T3 DNA is used as a template and must therefore result from the association of protein or other macromolecules with the DNA of the chromatin.


Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is involved in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer (PCa), which is the most frequently diagnosed nonskin cancer and remains a leading cause of cancer‐related death in men. Further investigation of the involvement of AR signaling in PCa progression is urgently needed. In the present study, we performed a yeast two‐hybrid screen and demonstrated that SERTA domain‐containing protein 1 (Sertad1) is a novel AR‐binding protein that binds to the AR ligand binding domain (LBD). The binding between AR‐LBD and Sertad1 was confirmed by glutathione S‐transferase (GST) pull‐down assays and immunoprecipitation (IP) and confocal immunofluorescence co‐localization experiments. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DHT inhibited Sertad1 protein degradation in prostate cancer cell lines and that Sertad1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells in vitro. In human PCa tumor tissues, Sertad1 expression is positively correlated with AR expression and the Gleason score. Taken together, this report is the first to show that Sertad1 is a novel AR‐LBD‐binding protein, and DHT‐liganded AR‐LBD inhibits Sertad1 degradation. Thus, Sertad1 may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of AR‐positive PCa.


Livestock farming is, in most cases in Europe, unsupervised, thus making it difficult to ensure adequate control of the position of the animals for the improvement of animal welfare. In addition, the geographical areas involved in livestock grazing usually have difficult access with harsh orography and lack of communications infrastructure, thus the need to provide a low-power livestock localization and monitoring system is of paramount importance, which is crucial not for a sustainable agriculture, but also for the protection of native breeds and meats thanks to their controlled supervision. In this context, this work presents an Internet of things (IoT)-based system integrating low-power wide area (LPWA) technology, cloud, and virtualization services to provide real-time livestock location monitoring. Taking into account the constraints coming from the environment in terms of energy supply and network connectivity, our proposed system is based on a wearable device equipped with inertial sensors, Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and LoRaWAN transceiver, which can provide a satisfactory compromise between performance, cost, and energy consumption. At first, this article provides the state-of-the-art localization techniques and technologies applied to smart livestock. Then, we proceed to provide the hardware and firmware co-design to achieve very low energy consumption, thus providing a significant positive impact to the battery life. The proposed platform has been evaluated in a pilot test in the northern part of Italy, evaluating different configurations in terms of sampling period, experimental duration, and number of devices. The results are analyzed and discussed for packet delivery ratio, energy consumption, localization accuracy, battery discharge measurement, and delay.


The paper presents a vector representation for simulated annealing problems in separation. The approach enables the use of rigorous models in the optimization. The representation accounts for the development of moves with ease and efficiency. The vector co-ordinates the perturbations and the evolution of states, and is combined with operational moves with adjustable controls. The representation applies to separation related problems and the paper illustrates applications in separation sequencing and reaction-separation systems.


Remimazolam, a novel and ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine, has been available for general anesthesia in Japan. The administration of remimazolam does not induce injection pain, has been reported to have less cardiovascular depressant effects during general anesthesia, and flumazenil can antagonize the effects of remimazolam. However, in clinical trials, no patient who is complicated with severe heart failure or undergoes cardiac surgery was included. We present anesthetic management with remimazolam for MitraClip® implantation in a patient with severe mitral regurgitation and advanced heart failure. Remimazolam was administered both in anesthetic induction and maintenance with less cardiovascular depressant effects. After surgical procedures were completed, the patient smoothly recovered from anesthesia and the tracheal was extubated just after administration of flumazenil. Remimazolam may be able to achieve appropriate anesthetic management in patients complicated with severe cardiovascular diseases.


The integration of computational and mathematical approaches is used to provide a key insight into the biological systems. Here, we seek to find detailed and more robust information on Leishmanial metabolic network by performing mathematical characterization in terms of Forman/Forman-Ricci curvature measures combined with flux balance analysis (FBA). The model prototype developed largely depends on its structure and topological components. The correlation of curvature measures with various network statistical properties revealed the structural-functional framework. The analyses helped us to identify the importance of several nodes and detect sub-networks. Our results revealed several key high curvature nodes (metabolites) belonging to common yet crucial metabolic, thus, maintaining the integrity of the network which signifies its robustness. Further analysis revealed the presence of some of these metabolites in redox metabolism of the parasite. MGO, an important node, has highly cytotoxic and mutagenic nature that can irreversibly modify DNA, proteins and enzymes, making them nonfunctional, leading to the formation of AGEs and MGO●-. Being a component in the glyoxalase pathway, we further attempted to study the outcome of the deletion of the key enzyme (GLOI) mainly involved in the neutralization of MGO by utilizing FBA. The model and the objective function both kept as simple as possible, demonstrated an interesting emergent behavior. The nonfunctional GLOI in the model contributed to 'zero' flux which signifies the key role of GLOI as a rate limiting enzyme. This has led to several fold increase production of MGO, thereby, causing an increased level of MGO●- generation. Hence, the integrated computational approaches has deciphered GLOI as a potential target both from curvature measures as well as FBA which could further be explored for kinetic modeling by implying various redox-dependent constraints on the model. Designing various in vitro experimental perspectives could churn the therapeutic importance of GLOI. Author Summary Leishmaniasis, one of the most neglected tropical diseases in the world, is of primary concern due to the increased risk of emerging drug resistance. To design novel drugs and search effective molecular drug targets with therapeutic importance, it is important to decipher the relation among the components responsible for leishmanial parasite survival inside the host cell at the metabolic level. Here, we have attempted to get an insight in the leishmanial metabolic network and predict the importance of key metabolites by applying mathematical characterization in terms of curvature measures and flux balance analysis (FBA). Our results identified several metabolites playing significant role in parasite's redox homeostasis. Among these MGO (methylglyoxal) caught our interest due to its highly toxic and reactive nature of irreversibly modifying DNA and proteins. FBA results helped us to look into the important role of GLOI (Glyoxalase I), the enzyme that catalyses the detoxification of MGO, in the pathway that, when non-functional, has resulted into increased level production of free radicals and AGEs (advanced glycation end products). Thus, our study has deciphered GLOI as a potential target which could further be explored for future in vitro experiments to design potential GLOI inhibitors.


Efforts to unravel the pathophysiological mechanisms of type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been traditionally trapped into a metabolic perspective. However, T2D is a phenotypically and pathophysiologically heterogenous disorder, and the need for a tailored approach in its management is becoming increasingly evident. There is emerging evidence that irregular immune responses contribute to the development of hyperglycemia in T2D and, inversely, that insulin resistance is a component of the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes. Nevertheless, it has not yet been fully elucidated to what extent the presence of conventional autoimmune markers, such as autoantibodies, in subjects with T2D might affect the natural history of the disease and particularly each response to various treatments. The challenge for future research in the field is the discovery of novel genetic, molecular, or phenotypical indicators that would enable the characterization of specific subpopulations of people with T2D who would benefit most from the addition of immunomodulatory therapies to standard glucose‐lowering treatment. This narrative review aims to discuss the plausible mechanisms through which the immune system might be implicated in the development of metabolic disturbances in T2D and obesity and explore a potential role of immunotherapy in the future management of the disorder and its complications.


In this paper we consider solutions to the dictionary problem on AC 0 RAMs, i.e. random access machines where the only restriction on the nite instruction set is that all computational instructions are in AC 0. Our main result is a tight upper and lower bound of (p log n= log log n) on the time for answering membership queries in a set of size n when reasonable space is used for the data structure storing the set; the upper bound can be obtained using O(n) space, and the lower bound holds even if we allow space 2 polylog n. Furthermore, the lower bound holds even for static dictionaries, while the upper bound holds also for dynamic dictionaries; insertion and deletions can be accommodated in expected amortized time (p log n= log log n). Several variations of this bound is also obtained, including tight upper and lower bounds on the storage space if the query time must be constant and bounds valid for non-AC 0 RAMs if the execution time of an instruction computing a function is measured as the minimal depth of a polynomially sized unbounded fan-in circuit computing the function. We refer to this model as the Circuit RAM. As an example of the latter, we show that any RAM instruction set which permits a linear space, constant query time solution to the static dictionary problem must have an instruction of depth (log w= log log w), where w is the word size of the machine (and log the size of the universe). This matches the depth of multiplication and integer division, used in the two level hashing scheme of Fredman, Komll os and Szemer edi.


Some aspects of the structure of solids in which adsorption occurs on two different components have been studied using the method of comparison plots. As the samples under study were prepared by different methods (introducing the platinum dispersion into a faujasite matrix by ion-exchange followed by autoreduction, physical mixing or kneading two components with or without a binder) and consisted of very different components (zeolites, oxides) their structure types differed widely. Considering the complex nature of these materials it was necessary to choose a suitable reference isotherm for each individual catalyst or precursor with respect to the information which was to be obtained. With two-component materials it is advisable to use a model reference adsorption isotherm calculated on the assumption of additive adsorption on the individual components. On materials consisting of components of considerably different adsorption properties the adsorption on the dominating single component should be taken as the reference variable.


Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a well-known and rapidly advancing method, especially in the manufacturing of high-strength and lightweight microstructures. Utilizing AM, it is possible to fabricate any structure as complicated as it is. For an efficient and cost-effective printing, a critical parameter is the infill, which can be characterized from an easy 2D shape to high complexity. At the same time, Topology Optimization (TO) is an appropriate method to create high-strength and mass optimized microstructure lattices. In the current study, TO starts from a solid cubic volume of 15 × 15 mm, and different boundary conditions of two new cellular microstructures designed with 0.4 and 0.1 relative density are applied, respectively. The adopted TO method was Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP), which predicts an optimal material distribution within a given design domain. TO methods do not check other characteristics of the structure, such as anisotropy. To evaluate and characterize the optimized microstructure, a general purpose homogenization method is utilized to calculate the Zener ratio and the elastic modulus. Using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), which is a material extrusion 3D printing method, lattice structure samples are fabricated and then tested in compression and tensile strength tests. The comparative results from the homogenization study showed that both microstructures have anisotropic behavior and an accepted response in the stress test similar to the homogenized material. The experimental results show that the mechanical behavior of the lattice structure changes significantly when the cell mapping angle differs.


Health literacy related to prescribed medications instructions is the ability to read, understand and carry out medication instructions as directed. Being generally literate does not automatically make one to be health literate. In most cases, a person's health literacy is overlooked based on their good general literacy. A convergent parallel mixed method design was used to explore and describe the practices of diabetes mellitus patients regarding prescribed medications instructions. The results showed failure to interpret medications instructions which leads to non-adherence unaware. On the other hand, non-adherence led to complications. Enhancing health literacy includes explanation of the medication instructions in details including the exact times for medication consumption. This could be achieved through peer teaching, health talks with patients and workshops.


The reliability of compliance detection methods and practical strategies for improving patient compliance with drug therapy are reviewed. Detection of noncompliance is a necessary prerequisite for adequate treatment. Noncompliance can be detected by indirect methods (e.g., self-report, interview, therapeutic outcome, pill count, computerized compliance monitors) or direct methods (e.g., biologic markers, tracer compounds, biologic assay of body fluids). In general, the direct methods of detection have a higher sensitivity and specificity than the indirect methods. Computerized compliance monitors are the most recent and reliable of the indirect-detection methods. Strategies for improving compliance involve identification of risk factors for non-compliance; development, with the patient's participation, of an individualized treatment plan that simplifies the regimen as much as possible; education of the patient, including information about his or her illness, instructions on how to take the prescribed medication correctly, and an explanation of the benefits and possible adverse effects of the therapy; and, if necessary, use of compliance aids such as medication calendars, special containers, caps, and dispensing systems, or compliance packaging. The patient should be taught to monitor his or her own treatment regimen. Follow-up monitoring by health-care professionals, including pharmacists, will also help ensure that the patient is complying with the treatment regimen. Health-care practitioners need to understand factors that contribute to noncompliance and to use effective methods for assessing and monitoring compliance in conjunction with strategies aimed at increasing compliant behavior.


Objective Single-head gamma camera renography has been used for decades to estimate kidney function. An estimate of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be obtained using 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA). However, because of differing attenuation, an error is introduced when the kidney depth or kidney size is unequal. This error can be reduced using geometric mean data obtained from dual-head renography. The aim of this study was to compare single-head versus dual-head assessment of single kidney function. Methods Thirty-four patients were examined with (a) single-head renography, acquiring counts from the left ventricle and kidneys from a posterior projection, and simultaneously with (b) dual-head renography, acquiring counts from the left ventricle from an anterior projection and kidneys from both anterior and posterior projections using geometric mean values. Single kidney GFR from both models was estimated (GFRcam1 and GFRcam2, respectively) and compared with GFR determined with plasma samples of 99mTc-DTPA (GFRps). Results The prediction intervals of GFRcam1 and GFRcam2 compared with GFRps did not differ significantly (SD of GFRcam1-GFRps=17.6 ml/min and SD of GFR2-GFRps=15.5 ml/min; P=0.48). The corresponding coefficients of variation were 16.5 and 14.7%, respectively. Conclusion There is no difference in variance between GFR estimated from single-head renography and that estimated using dual-head renography. Hence, dual-head camera renography might be useful in daily practice with the potential to provide a better estimate of absolute function in each kidney and the relative kidney function in patients with differing kidney depths and/or malformed kidneys.


Evidence-based approaches and modalities for targeting and treating the cognitive impairments of schizophrenia have proliferated over the past 15 years. The impairments targeted are distributed across the cognitive spectrum, from elemental perception, attention, and memory, to complex executive and social-cognitive functioning. Cognitive treatment is most beneficial when embedded in comprehensive programs of psychiatric rehabilitation. To personalize comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, practitioners and participants must select from a rapidly expanding array of particular modalities and apply them in the broad context of the participant's overall recovery. At present, no particular treatment, cognitive or otherwise, can be considered more important or primary than the context in which it is applied. Persistent difficulty in dissemination of new technology for severe and disabling mental illness compounds the significance of the context created by a full treatment array. In this article, a case-study of a mental health service system is described, showing the broad-ranging effects of degrading the rehabilitative context of treatments, obviating the benefits of cognitive treatment and other modalities. To realize the promise of cognitive treatment, the problems that prevent dissemination and maintenance of complete psychiatric rehabilitation programs have to be addressed.


The Author reviews Michele Goodwin's book Black Markets: The Supply and Demand of Body Parts, published by Cambridge University Press, 2006. The book discusses the shortage of cadaveric organs available for transplantation. It argues that the shortage disproportionately impacts racial minorities. It then analyzes existing organ procurement laws and proposed alternatives, with a focus on market solutions.Black Markets is impeccably researched and persuasively argued, though some of its points are certainly controversial. The book is aimed at and very accessible to a general audience, but it will also prove interesting and informative to legal, medical and public health academic audiences. Even those readers who disagree with its proposals for reform of the organ procurement and allocation system will find the book informative and helpful in strengthening their understanding of the ethics, law and policy that affect organ transplantation in the United States. The book provides provocative and insightful material with which to continue the conversation about transplant policy.


This article looks at massive open online courses (MOOCs) and the opportunities that they offer for higher education in the Netherlands. We look at what a MOOC actually is, the context of "open education", and the discussion of the possibly disruptive impact of MOOCs on higher education.


Measurements of milk yield (MY), somatic cell score (SCS), percentage of fat (FP), protein (PP), lactose (LP), casein (CP) and percentage of palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1), total saturated (SFA), unsaturated (UFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in milk from 5,224 Holstein cows were evaluated as a function of a temperature and humidity index (THI). Legendre orthogonal polynomials from second to seventh order were tested. The best fit order for MY, PP and C18:0 was the third, whereas the second for all other traits. The heritability estimates decreased for MY (0.31 to 0.14), FP (0.28 to 0.16), LP (0.43 to 0.30), SCS (0.14 to 0.09), SFA (0.33 to 0.22) and C16:0 (0.31 to 0.26), whereas increased for CP (0.32 to 0.42), MUFA (0.08 to 0.13), UFA (0.07 to 0.11) and C18:1 (0.07 to 0.11) as the THI level increased. For PP, heritabilities (0.26 to 0.39) presented larger values in intermediate THI. For PUFA and C18:0, heritabilities were approximately constant (0.13 to 0.14 and 0.15, respectively). However, the greatest variations may have been the result of the limitations of Legendre polynomials at the extreme points of the curve, and the pattern of heritabilities curves was approximately constant for the evaluated traits. Spearman's rank correlations between breeding values in extreme THI levels were greater than 0.80 for all traits considering all animals, only cows and only bulls. When considering the top 1% and the top 50% animals (only cows, only bulls and all), Spearman correlations smaller than 0.70 were found, suggesting reranking of the animals. Although there was little variation in the variance components over THI, it is possible that there is no heat stress in the animals studied, because, on average, there was no great impact of the thermal load on the traits. One possible explanation is the use of herds with little climatic difference among herds, as well as the use of fans and sprinklers into the barns. However, the THI levels may be important factors in the selection process, as reranking of animals was verified.


Modern applications such as web knowledge base, network traffic monitoring and online social networks have made available an unprecedented amount of network data with rich types of interactions carrying multiple attributes, for instance, port number and time tick in the case of network traffic. The design of algorithms to leverage this structured relationship with the power of computing to assist researchers and practitioners for better understanding, exploration and navigation of this space of information has become a challenging, albeit rewarding, topic in social network analysis and data mining. The constantly growing scale and enriching genres of network data always demand higher levels of efficiency, robustness and generalizability where existing approaches with successes on small, homogeneous network data are likely to fall short. We introduce MultiAspectForensics, a handy tool to automatically detect and visualize novel sub graph patterns within a local community of nodes in a heterogenous network, such as a set of vertices that form a dense bipartite graph whose edges share exactly the same set of attributes. We apply the proposed method on three data sets from distinct application domains, present empirical results and discuss insights derived from these patterns discovered. Our algorithm, built on scalable tensor analysis procedures, captures spectral properties of network data and reveals informative signals for subsequent domain-specific study and investigation, such as suspicious port-scanning activities in the scenario of cyber-security monitoring.


In the last years Public Health Service has been trying to find out solutions in order to improve its health value added creation capacity. The implementation of the Day-surgery division mainly aims to follow that direction, since it enables the improvement of the ratio between efficacy, quality and healthcare suitability and on the other hand efficiency, costs and modality of better resources utilization. The centralization of Day-surgery activities proposes some innovative characteristics, concerning that it introduces an organizational model focused on needs and it performs the separation of the clinic and therapeutic activities from the ones involving the assistance. Both economic and qualitative advantages deriving from the changes stand out in term of: - high possibility of activities' scheduling; - improved customer satisfaction; - rationalisation of day-hospital recovery, with positive effects on the inpatients; - improved hospital economic stability. This study was carried out with the support of the multiple-skill group composed of doctors, nurses, administrative staff as well as experts in the field of organisation with an aim to provide the full outline of the necessary competences. The proposed discussion reflects the multidisciplinary view of the problem and different perspectives. Each of them regards particular aspects and implications indicated as following: - clinical perspective, related to the possibility of day-surgery interventions both from the medical and the anaesthetic point of view; - organisational perspective, which refers to the possible day-surgery models in conjunction with the organisational model and their peculiarities; - operative perspective, which consist of the analysis of the ideal structural dimension, flows of activities among all services involved and the analysis of the productive capability; (number of necessary beds, staff dimension and a relapse of the operation activities needs); - economic perspective, focused mainly to provide the final valuation on the capacity of the project to contribute to the improvement of the hospital.


This is the first study which examines the images of Asian American women as presented by prominent Asian American women writers such as Maxine Hong Kingston, Amy Tan, Monica Sone, Mary Paik Lee, Wakao Yamauchi, Hisaye Yamamoto, Yoshiko Uchida, Jade Snow Wong, Kim Ronyoung, Ruthanne Lum McCunn, and Kathy Wong. By creating new images of mothers, daughters, children, wives, madwomen, prostitutes and pariahs, these writers have written their stories as a way of self-confirmation and a way to correct their stereotypical images. From these images we discover new meaning and assign new significance to Asian American women.


Valvometry techniques used to monitor bivalve gaping activity have elucidated numerous relationships with environmental fluctuations, along with biological rhythms ranging from sub-daily to seasonal. Thus, a precise understanding of the natural activity of bivalves (i.e., not exposed to stressful environmental variations) is necessary as a baseline for detecting abnormal behaviors (deviations). This knowledge is also needed to reliably interpret observations of bivalve gaping behavior and associated biological processes (e.g., respiration, nutrition) acquired over time-limited periods. With this in mind, we investigated the natural daily gaping activity of the great scallop (Pecten maximus) by continuously monitoring 35 individuals in several individual tanks and in situ (Bay of Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, France) using fully autonomous Hall effect sensors. Our results revealed a circadian cycle (τ = 24.0h) in scallop gaping activity. Despite significant inter-individual variability in mean opening and cycle amplitude, almost all individuals (87.5%) exhibited nocturnal activity, with valves more open at night than during the day. A shift in light regime in the tanks triggered an instantaneous change in opening pattern, indicating that light levels strongly determine scallop activity. Based on the opening status of scallops, we also identified several gaping behaviors deviating from the regular daily pattern (lack of rhythmicity, high daytime opening), potentially reflecting physiological weakness. While further long-term studies are required to fully understand the natural activity of scallops, these findings pave the way for studies focused on the scallop response to external factors and introduce further research into the detection of abnormal behaviors. Coupling observations of diel valve gaping cycles with other daily variations in organismal and environmental parameters could help explain mechanisms driving the growth patterns of scallops observed in their shell striations. From a technical perspective, our field-based monitoring demonstrates the suitability of autonomous valvometry sensors for studying mobile subtidal bivalve activity in remote offshore environments.


Background Plant leaves, as the main photosynthetic organs and the high energy converters among primary producers in terrestrial ecosystems, have attracted significant research attention. Leaf lifespan is an adaptive characteristic formed by plants to obtain the maximum carbon in the long-term adaption process. It determines important functional and structural characteristics exhibited in the environmental adaptation of plants. However, the leaf lifespan and leaf characteristics of urban forests were not studied up to now. Methods By using statistic, linear regression methods and correlation analysis, leaf phenological characters of main tree species in urban forest of Shenyang were observed for five years to obtain the leafing phenology (including leafing start time, end time, and duration), defoliating phenology (including defoliation start time, end time, and duration), and the leaf lifespan of the main tree species. Moreover, the relationships between temperature and leafing phenology, defoliating phenology, and leaf lifespan were analyzed. Findings The timing of leafing differed greatly among species. The early leafing species would have relatively early end of leafing; the longer it took to the end of leafing would have a later time of completed leafing. The timing of defoliation among different species varied significantly, the early defoliation species would have relatively longer duration of defoliation. If the mean temperature rise for 1°C in spring, the time of leafing would experience 5 days earlier in spring. If the mean temperature decline for 1°C, the time of defoliation would experience 3 days delay in autumn. Interpretation There is significant correlation between leaf longevity and the time of leafing and defoliation. According to correlation analysis and regression analysis, there is significant correlation between temperature and leafing and defoliation phenology. Early leafing species would have a longer life span and consequently have advantage on carbon accumulation compared with later defoliation species.


A series of benzimidazole containing isoxazoline-5-one and pyrazoline-5-one compounds were computationally designed and optimized with the Auto Dock 4.0.1 to investigate the interactions between the target compounds and the amino acid residues of the Escherichia coli PDF enzyme and Escherichia coli heptosyltransferase WaaC. In this study, the docking studies were done using auto dock between computationally designed benzimidazole derivatives and peptide deformylase (PDF) and also with heptosyltransferase WaaC. The free energies of binding (∆ G) and inhibition constants (Ki) of the docked ligands were calculated by the Lamarckian Genetic Algorithm (LGA). These values suggested that the designed benzimidazole derivatives are excellent inhibitor of both Escherichia coli PDF enzyme and heptosyltransferase WaaC.


Neuroblastoma accounts for 15% of paediatric cancer deaths and there is an urgent need for improved therapeutic strategies. Phosphotyrosine signalling, regulated by the opposing actions of protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), is critical for virtually all aspects of cell behaviour, and is commonly perturbed in cancer. We have previously shown that pan-inhibition of PTPs using oxidovanadium induces cytotoxicity in a panel of neuroblastoma cell lines. We therefore hypothesise that there exist specific PTPs that promote tumour cell survival, and that their specific or pan-inhibition may be beneficial for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Whilst promising preclinical data using vanadium-derived compounds in in vitro and in vivo models of cancer has been reported, clinical trials have been prevented in part due to concerns surrounding off-target tissue toxicity. I have taken several approaches to harness the cytotoxic properties of oxidovanadium, and PTP inhibition, with the aim to develop new therapeutic strategies for neuroblastoma. The tumour-promoting roles of specific PTPs were investigated using loss-of-function approaches including RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout. The dual specificity phosphatase CDC14B was identified as a potential candidate, although further validation studies need to be considered for this enzyme to be taken forward as a potential therapeutic target. In a parallel study, the first genome-wide transcriptomic analysis in neuroblastoma cells treated with oxidovanadium has revealed a potential role for cAMP signalling in bismaltolato oxidovanadium (BMOV)-induced cytotoxicity. This pathway and others that are affected by oxidovanadium may be a source of useful therapeutic targets for neuroblastoma in the future. Finally, I have shown for the first time that hydrophobic oxidovanadium can be packaged into liposomes and maintains its cytotoxicity when delivered to neuroblastoma cells. This presents a novel opportunity to deliver vanadium with potentially fewer safety concerns, whilst retaining its broad activity and high levels of anti-cancer efficacy.


In connection with IPGR participation in various national and international projects during the recent years, investigations have been conducted, in order to create a database of available old plant materials of grain legumes of Bulgarian origin. Different areas throughout Bulgaria with diverse relief, soil and climatic conditions have been visited. From the literature review and collected from previous studies data we identified the specific areas these crops occupy traditionally in the home garden and are sentimentally linked to family traditions. Questionnaires were developed, which intended to complement and update the existing information about location, farmer's name, number cultivated species, usage, cooking recipes and storage. In this respect, numerous interviews with local people were conducted and were visited community centers, museums, schools and other organizations and institutions.


Introduction 1. Introduction: Families, Communication, and Family Communication Families Communication Family Communication Why Communication is Central to Families Summary Key Terms Questions for Application 2. Family Forms in Our Changing Society Introduction - The Family Context Societal Influences on the Family Form Family Forms Summary Key Terms Questions for Application 3. Theoretical Approaches to Understanding Communication in the Family Introduction of Theory Roles Theory Family Systems Theory Rules Theory Summary Key Terms Questions for Application 4. Forming the New Family Pairing - Two Become One Social Psychological Bases of Attraction Psycho-Analytic Bases of Attraction Relational Stages of Development Summary Key Terms Questions for Application 5. Communication in the Newly Formed Family - Adding Children The Effects of Pregnancy on Communication Addition of the Child and Changes in Communication Communication in Sibling Relationships Adding Children Through Remarriage: Communication in the Step-Parent-Step-Child Relationship Summary Key Terms Questions for Application 6. Nurturing and Controlling Communication: Raising Socio-Emotionally and Intellectually Competent Children Control - Providing Discipline and Guidance through Communication Nurturing - Providing Support and Love Summary Key Terms Questions for Applications 7. Nurturing Communication in Marital Relationships: Encouraging Closeness, Stability, and Satisfaction through Communication Introduction Maintaining Closeness in Marital Relationships The Communication of Closeness in the Marital Relationship Factors Related to Marital Satisfaction which May Affect Marital Communication Summary Key Terms Questions for Application 8. Control in Marital Relationships and the Family Introduction The Nature of Conflict Models of Conflict Conflict Styles Conflict Strategies (Interpersonal Influence Strategies) The Nature of Violence Summary Key Terms Questions for Application 9. Nurturing and Controlling Communication Surrounding Undesirable Behavior in the Family Introduction Undesirable Behavior in the Family The Potential Role of Communication and Problematic Behavior in Families Family Systems Theory Coercion Theory Inconsistent Nurturing as Control Theory Key Terms Questions for Application 10. Family Communication: Providing Nurturing and Control in a Changing World Introduction - What We Have Learned The Current Configuration of Families: Nurturing and Controlling Communication Improving Family Communication Summary Key Terms Questions for Application


The objective of this paper is the identification of the main systemic and organizational barriers to the improvement of the quality of services provided by local government administration with special emphasis on the processes of administrative services provision. The article is based on the results of literature analysis as well as the results of audits conducted in local government offices (in the process system). The research indicates that there exist a number of barriers connected with the functioning of quality management systems. The most significant ones include the following: absence of identified customer requirements, neglect of quality requirements reviews, absence of proper supervision over external processes, limited awareness of the importance of preventive and corrective measures, misinterpretation of ISO standard criteria, performance of activities which do not create added value, mistaking quality audits for inspections. The main organizational barriers comprise the following: absence of the process approach and absence of knowledge of the so-called key processes, which is visible in the incorrect designing of organizational structures and an excessively developed bureaucratic document circulation system.


Rationale: Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare but lethal complication of carcinoma, defined as non-occlusive pulmonary tumor embolism complicated by fibrocellular intimal proliferation of the small pulmonary arteries, with eventual occlusion of the pulmonary arteries. Hemodynamic deterioration caused by this condition leads to high mortality. Patient concerns: A 46-year-old woman who had undergone radiation therapy for anaplastic oligoastrocytoma and who was taking temozolomide presented with cough and palpitations. Diagnoses: A 12-lead electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia and SIQIII TIII, with negative T in V1–3. Ultrasound cardiography showed a distended right ventricle. Enhanced chest computed tomography showed no significant thrombus in the major pulmonary artery. The patient's condition deteriorated the next morning, with her blood pressure decreasing to 40 mmHg and her SpO2 unmeasurable. She suffered cardiac arrest. Interventions: We initiated venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and her blood pressure increased to 80 mmHg. Her hemodynamic status stabilized and she was weaned off VA-ECMO on intensive care unit (ICU) day 3. Outcomes: Gastroesophageal endoscopy on ICU day 4 revealed gastric cancer (Borrman type IV), and she arrested again and died on ICU day 5. Autopsy confirmed gastric cancer and PTTM. Lessons: VA-ECMO rapidly stabilized the hemodynamic status of this patient with PTTM, and may thus be a possible bridging therapy for deterioration of PTTM prior to initiating imatinib.


Efficient methods have been developed for fault simulation of linear analog circuits. However, DC fault simulation of nonlinear analog circuits-a more practically-relevant problem-remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we propose an one-step relaxation approach to nonlinear DC fault simulation. In this approach, only one Newton-Raphson iteration is performed for the faulty circuit with the DC solution of the good circuit as the initial point, and the results are used to approximate the actual results of exact fault simulation. With one-step relaxation implemented using Householder's formula, the proposed approach is numerically stable, and computationally efficient. It has a very simple circuit interpretation: the nonlinear circuit under test is modeled by a linearized circuit at its operating point, and faults are modeled as faults in the linearized circuit. Experiment results have demonstrated that the proposed approach achieves almost the same fault coverage as exact fault simulation for 29 MCNC Circuit Simulation Workshop benchmark circuits.


ABSTRACT Background: Personal and social factor play role in individual behavior, including women choice toward contraceptive uptake. Age, education, religious beliefs, knowledge of fertile days, and culture were factors that significantly predicted contraceptive use. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between age, occupation, income, and contraceptive uptake in women of reproductive age in Indonesia. Subjects and Method: This was a cross sectional study. A sample of 49,627 women of reproductive age was selected for this study. The dependent variable was contraceptive uptake. The independent variables were age, occupation, and income. The data were obtained from Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) year 2017. The data were analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: Contraceptive uptake in Indonesia was 59.7%. Contraceptive was used by women aged 15-49 years. Contraceptive uptake decreased with age <35 or ≥35 (OR= 0.52; 95% CI= 0.50 to o.55; p= 0.001), employed (OR= 0.72; 95% CI= 0.68 to 0.75; p<0.001), low education (OR= 1.77; 95% CI= 1.54 to 2.05; p<0.001), and low income (OR= 0.98; 95% CI= 0.94 to 1.02; p= 0.474). Conclusion: Age, employment, and education are associated with contraceptive uptake in women of reproductive age. Keywords: contraceptive uptake, Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey Correspondence: Lailatul Rohmah. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com. Mobile: +6289691804847. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.03.108


Purpose To explore the role of computed tomography (CT)-based deep learning and radiomics in preoperative evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in gastric cancer. Materials and methods The clinical data on gastric cancer patients were evaluated retrospectively, and 357 patients were chosen for this study (training cohort: 249; test cohort: 108). The preprocessed enhanced CT arterial phase images were selected for lesion segmentation, radiomics and deep learning feature extraction. We integrated deep learning features and radiomic features (Inte). Four methods were used for feature selection. We constructed models with support vector machine (SVM) or random forest (RF), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was used to assess the performance of these models. We also constructed a nomogram including Inte-feature scores and clinical factors. Results The radiomics-SVM model showed good classification performance (AUC, training cohort: 0.8069; test cohort: 0.7869). The AUC of the ResNet50-SVM model and the Inte-SVM model in the test cohort were 0.8955 and 0.9055. The nomogram also showed excellent discrimination achieving greater AUC (training cohort, 0.9207; test cohort, 0.9224). Conclusion CT-based deep learning radiomics nomogram can accurately and effectively assess the HER2 status in patients with gastric cancer before surgery and it is expected to assist physicians in clinical decision-making and facilitates individualized treatment planning.


This research examines the relationship between the facets of organizational justice namely; distributive justice and procedural justice on turnover intention and determining the mediating role of job satisfaction among IT professionals. The social exchange theory is reviewed in this paper as the theoretical perspectives which guide the development of hypotheses. 550 IT professionals were sampled and survey from the ICT industry in Thailand. Using both SPSS and AMOS packages, the collected data was analyzed using a multivariate technique. This study found a statistically significant relationship between distributive justice, procedural justice and employee turnover intention through the mediating effect of job satisfaction of IT professionals in Thailand. The findings of this study offer a constructive contribution to the understanding of psychological processes of job satisfaction using the paradigm of social exchange theorists (Blau, 1964). The implications of the findings are discussed in details in the study and constructive recommendations are proffered for future researchers.


ABSTRACT Antibiotic-induced alterations in the gut ecosystem increases the susceptibility to Candida albicans, yet the mechanisms involved remains poorly understood. Here we show that mice treated with the broad-spectrum antibiotic cefoperazone promoted the growth, morphogenesis and gastrointestinal (GI) colonization of C. albicans. Using metabolomics, we revealed that the cecal metabolic environment of the mice treated with cefoperazone showed a significant alteration in intestinal metabolites. Levels of carbohydrates, sugar alcohols and primary bile acids increased, whereas carboxylic acids and secondary bile acids decreased in antibiotic treated mice susceptible to C. albicans. Furthermore, using in-vitro assays, we confirmed that carbohydrates, sugar alcohols and primary bile acids promote, whereas carboxylic acids and secondary bile acids inhibit the growth and morphogenesis of C. albicans. In addition, in this study we report changes in the levels of gut metabolites correlated with shifts in the gut microbiota. Taken together, our in-vivo and in-vitro results indicate that cefoperazone-induced metabolome and microbiome alterations favor the growth and morphogenesis of C. albicans, and potentially play an important role in the GI colonization of C. albicans.


Enhancing haptic sensing allows more efficient control of interaction with unstructured and changing environments. Meanwhile, rich haptic information obtained during the interaction is useful for recognizing the environment. The haptic information contains distinctive physical features like friction, surface texture, local geometry, etc. However, how to combine these features for recognizing the environment is underexplored. Our previous work demonstrated that with accurate estimation of contact locations, and the direction and magnitude of the normal and tangential forces, a finger can follow unknown surfaces even with large changes in curvature while keeping a desired normal force. In this letter, we propose an object recognition method, using a multivariate Gaussian–Bayesian classifier that collectively combines the haptic information, including friction coefficients and surface roughness, with the local geometry to recognize the object after surface haptic exploration. Eighteen objects with different materials and shapes were tested, and results show that the method achieved a recognition accuracy of 92.3% on an average. In addition, we compared the method with six other classifiers, and concluded that it is easier to use while having high accuracy. Most importantly, it can show the levels of similarities between the features of different objects and provide a causal explanation of the recognition accuracy. This paves a way toward active and adaptive exploration where highly efficient recognition can be realized by selectively probing the most distinguishable features.


The host-preference and parasitic capacity of four local Trichogramma spp. towards four species of stored product moth eggs were investigated in laboratory experiments in order to select new candidate species for inundative releases against lepidopterous pests in storages. Experiments were carried out by offering a single parasitoid female to eggs of the Indianmeal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, the warehouse moth E. elutella (Hubner), and the almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker) in choice and no-choice assays. The Trichogramma species were collected from arid and semi-arid areas in Egypt. These were T. bourarachae, T. cordubensis, T. euproctidis, T. cacociae, and their efficacy was compared with the common wasp used commercially for biological control of stored product pests (T. evanescens).The bioassay for host-preference of Trichogramma was carried out by offering a single wasp female the choice between equal numbers of host eggs on square cards "Petri dish tests" and /or strip cards "strip card tests". In Petri dish tests, E. kuehniella was a highly acceptable host species for T. bourarachae, euproctidis, and cacociae wasps. While elutella and cautella eggs were more acceptable for evanescens and cordubensis, respectively. In strip card tests, E .kuehniella eggs were highly acceptable for bourarachae, cacociae and evanescens. Eggs of elutella and cautella were more acceptable for euproctidis and cordubensis, respectively. Also,the comparative study of parasitic capacity of the Trichogramma spp. was carried out under 'no choice conditions' by exposing a freshly emerged single wasp to an unlimited number of host eggs. Significant differences were found among the parasitic capacity of the tested Trichogramma spp.: T. borarachae showed a good parasitic potential against S. cerealella and E. kuehniella; T. evanescens and T. cacociae against S. cerealella; T. cordubensis against S. cerealella and P. interpunctella and T. euproctidis against P. interpunctella. However, dissection of host eggs with wasp-emergence holes showed that all tested wasps had a propensity to superparasitize the host eggs. T. cordubensis, T. euproctidis and T. borarachae showed promise for further investigation into selecting new biological control agents against stored product lepidopterous pests.


Background: Intimate partner violence is a major human rights problem, that affects all sexes of all ages in all societies. Men are the primary perpetrators, and women are more likely to get injured since the violence against women also tends to be more severe. The majority of the perpetrators of violence are in an intimate relationship and in many of the cases, alcohol is a significant contributor to the abuse. Aim: To investigate which societal factors drive and maintain the alcohol-related violence towards women and what coping strategies these women use to handle this form of violence in Livingstone, Zambia. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 16 Zambian women who had experienced violence by alcohol abusive male partners was conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The results in this study shows that poverty is the source of this form of violence. It is not only the absence of money but also the presence thereof and the way in which this challenges the traditional gender roles. These traditional gender roles are changing because men do not take their responsibilities as providers. Women used emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies to cope with these stressful situations. Conclusion: This study concludes that poverty and the challenging of traditional gender roles perpetuate violence. These women, who are exposed to this violence are reaching out for help but are not getting the help they need, which is partly due to the society's view of the importance of marriage.


Objective: This study aimed to analyze the rate of failure, patterns of failure, and prognostic factors for patients who remain intubated after head and neck surgery and then undergo delayed extubation. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all otolaryngology patients who remained intubated after head and neck surgery and then underwent delayed extubation between 2006 and 2013. The incidence and patterns of extubation failure were analyzed. Univariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for postextubation failure. Results: Fifteen of the 129 patients (12%) who remained intubated after head and neck surgery and underwent delayed extubation subsequently failed and required either repeat intubation or an emergency surgical airway. The most common reasons for failure were hemorrhage (47%) and upper airway edema (33%). Failure typically occurred within 6 hours of extubation. Twenty-seven percent of the patients who failed extubation (4/15) required an emergency surgical airway. On univariable logistic regression analysis, ligation of a major neck vessel predicted extubation failure (odds ratio = 5.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-18.23). Conclusion: Postextubation failure in carefully selected patients undergoing delayed extubation after head and neck surgery is infrequent and most commonly due to postoperative bleeding. Prospective data are required to facilitate safe and quality care for these patients.


Previous studies have suggested that the H haplome in Elymus could originate from different diploid Hordeum species, however, which diploid species best represent the parental species remains unanswered. The focus of this study seeks to pinpoint the origin of the H genome in Elymus. Allopolyploid Elymus species that contain the StH genome were analyzed together with diploid Hordeum species and a broad sample of diploid genera in the tribe Triticeae using DMC1 sequences. Both parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses well separated the American Hordeum species, except Hordeum brachyantherum subsp. californicum, from the H genome of polyploid Elymus species. The Elymus H-genomic sequences were formed into different groups. Our data suggested that the American Horedeum species, except H. brachyantherum subsp. californicum, are not the H-genomic donor to the Elymus species. Hordeum brevisubulatum subsp. violaceum was the progenitor species to Elymus virescens, Elymus confusus, Elymus lanceolatus, Elymus wawawaiensis, and Elymus caninus. Furthermore, North American H. brachyantherum subsp. californicum was a progenitor of the H genome to Elymus hystrix and Elymus cordilleranus. The H genomes in Elymus canadensis, Elymus sibiricus, and Elymus multisetus were highly differentiated from the H genome in Hordeum and other Elymus species. The H genome in both North American and Eurasian Elymus species was contributed by different Hordeum species.


Objectives. To identify predictors of institutionalisation among Hong Kong Chinese elderly persons after hip fracture. Methods. This was a prospective observational study. Chinese elderly persons who sustained a hip fracture and who were residing at home prior to hospital admission were eligible. The study period was between 18 November 2003 and 17 April 2004. Univariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with institutionalisation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of institutionalisation from the selected variables, including: age, marital status, living conditions, cognitive function, mobility, as well as an ability to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Results. Twenty-six (24%) of 109 patients were discharged to an old-age home. Older age, dementia, low mental and mobility scores, and low basic and instrumental activities of daily living scores were associated with institutionalisation. The risk increased 1.6-fold for every 10-year increase in age. The most significant predictor of institutionalisation was living alone (odds ratio=6.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-25.1). Higher Lawton (instrumental activities of daily living) and mental scores measured at baseline were protective against institutionalisation (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.48, 0.26-0.88 and 0.79, 0.64-0.98, respectively). Conclusion. A number of patient factors were found to be predictors of institutionalisation after hip fracture. Future studies should investigate the caregiver side, in order to have a more comprehensive assessment on the need for institutionalisation.


Iznik is ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine city of Nicaea with natural and cultural landscape values on the south east of Marmara Region in Turkey. It was one of the main important cities Hellenistic kingdom of Bithynia, Byzantine and Ottoman periods respectively. The area is also reputable with its lake, historical walls and gates, ceramic tiles, agricultural activities, ancient churches and early periods mosques, hence part of it was declared as different type of protected areas. However, recently, there are number of unsuitable management and economic activities proposed for the area such as villa settlement, changes of protection status, unplanned construction of lake areas, uncontrolled immigration from Istanbul and unsuitable tourism strategies. The basic premise of this research was that ecotourism could be a more sustainable activity for Iznik. Ecotourism is a well-known sustainable tourism strategy for providing balance between ecology and economy in the ecologically and culturally rich landscapes that have also tourism potential. The aim of this research was to define ecotourism criteria for Iznik and offers ecotourism strategies for ecologically and culturally sensitive landscape areas. To reach our aim, SWOT and multi-criteria decision-making method was used by derived from the surveys and interviews with locals and experts. This research proposed a framework by using priority-ranking method for development ecotourism strategies of Iznik. The findings can be an example for sustainable tourism development for other ecologically and culturally areas in Turkey and other countries.


Yang, D-Y. The Analysis of the transfer of angular momentum on upper extremity during Fee Throw Motion in Basketball. Korean Journal of Sport Biomechanics, Vol. 13, No. 1, 185-204 The purpose of this study was to obtain the data stable and accurate techniques of the free throw in basketball. The subjects of this study were seven male basketball player consisted of college students athletes. Free throw motions were taken by video camera. the three-dimensional coordinates was processed by DLT. The variables were the velocity, the angular velocity of the upper extremity segments, degree, and angular momentum. The result of analysis in summarized as follows. 1. The velocity and angular velocity of the upper extremity segment was showed an gradual increase and a smooth velocity transfer, transferring from proximal segment to distal segment at free throw motion in basketball. 2. The local term and remote term angular velocity momentum of the proximal segment showed larger than that of the distal segment in X, Y, Z axis component all. 3. The remote term angular momentum was showed larger than that of the local term angular momentum in X, Y, Z axis component all. 4. The angular motion of the upper trunk and upper arm, upper arm and forearm was showed in opposite direction and symmetrical angular momentum in local term angylar momentum of the Y and Z axis component. 5. All the segments of upper extremity segment was showed left rotation in remote term angular momentum of the Y axis component and right rotation in remote term angular momentum of the Z axis component.


The demand for quality software system is increasing day by day because quality defines the capability of the software systems. Software systems are root of any developing systems. They are always checked on the basis of their quality. The quality characteristics are considered as very important aspects by development of software system. The evaluation of quality also plays important role in this context. Fuzzy logic is the new emerging technology for evaluating the efficiency of various systems. This paper presents various quality models and evaluation of quality models by using fuzzy logic technique. The present study may serve the purpose of reference for investigating evaluation of software quality models with their analytical description.


"The shared goal of the Illinois plan is the development of practical and effective nutrient standards based on identified causes and thresholds of water body use impairment due to nutrient enrichment."

In 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) published ambient water quality criteria recommendations for rivers and streams, and directed states to set water quality standards "to protect the physical, biological and chemical integrity of their waters. "The recommended criteria were developed for different ecoregions, and reference conditions were proposed for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a and turbidity. Since the reference conditions were based on the 25th percentile for all nutrient data, they did not account for local site conditions that may have significant impacts on water quality. For example, the Middle Fork of the Vermillion River is a high quality stream in Illinois, and is the only stream designated as a national wild and scenic river in the state. Although it supports a rich diversity of aquatic species, it would exceed the proposed nutrient criteria for phosphorus by 25 percent.

As a result, developing water quality standards for nutrients is a challenge facing Illinois and many other states. The USEPA did allow …


Public and political discourse around the 2016 US Presidential election constructed it as a time of crisis for America. Yet, while over 80% of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump, religion's role in this crisis has been marginalized. Analyzing Trump's support among premillennial dispensationalists, this article explores connections between dispensationalist discourses of divine providence and constructions of Trump's election as a "turning point" for America. Charting links between conflicts over domestic cultural homogeneity and attempted impositions of US power over global "deviants" (terrorists, rogue states), it argues that the crisis of American identity figured by Trump's election is tied to religious and secularized soteriologies emerging from notions of American exceptionalism and empire inaugurated by the end of the Cold War.


BACKGROUND
Always raising attention has been devoted to sexual victimization of the juveniles and to its consequences lately. This report was aimed for learning frequency of the phenomenon in our country.

METHODS AND RESULTS
Twenty-two men (mean age 22-45 years, mean year 37), are accused of sexual victimization of their step-daughters were examined. Contrary to other groups of sexual delinquents, their mean intellect was slightly above average, their sexual development was accelerated, sexual activity elevated. Three quarters of them were already previously prosecuted. Attention is drawn to the necessity to the evaluate "incestogenic families as a whole. In all instance it is necessary to make a considerate but detailed somatic and psychiatric examination of the victim with documentation which can be used also for criminal proceedings and psychiatric and sexuological assessment of the accused, incl. phallography. Accusations which indicate always grossly pathological relations are not necessarily always true.

CONCLUSIONS
Incest and sexual victimization of children seem to be a little fashionable but even so a major affair we will probably face more frequently in next years.


Drying of moist porous media, such as paper and pulp, is an extremely energy-consuming process. Traditional drying techniques are primarily associated with convection, conduction, and thermal radiation. It is desirable to develop innovations in non-thermal and high-efficiency drying techniques. In the previous study, a novel drying technology, making use of the Dielectrophoresis (DEP) mechanism, has been experimentally proved to be an energy-efficient method to enhance the drying rate of moist porous media. DEP is a translational motion of neutral matter caused by the polarization effects in a diverging electric field. During the drying process, in the presence of the DEP force, the vapor phase is extracted away from the porous medium, which results in an increase of the evaporation rate and a decrease of the sample surface temperature. This paper extends previous experimental studies by including analysis of the heat-transfer characteristics. Specifically, the heat flux rate underneath the moist paper is monitored during the drying process. The sample surface temperature is monitored through an Infrared (IR) camera. Moreover, the convection heat transfer coefficients are estimated, and the sample's initial moisture content is studied as a function of drying time. The experimental results show an up to 132% increase of the heat flux rate and a 242% increase of the convection coefficient due to the application of an electric field, as compared to conventional drying process. The experimental results also illustrate that the DEP effects diminish at low moisture levels. The detailed heat transfer analysis provides a foundation for the enhancement of moist porous media using the DEP mechanism for drying fragile products.


A Supply Chain Process involves variant departments and organizations and has its specialties distinguishing it from other business processes. To implement it in a SOA framework, unified service description is required. Nevertheless, the work of deriving service description from process models is arduous and inaccurately. To solve the problem, a novel approach is proposed. Firstly, meta-data for process model is extracted from SCOR (Supply Chain Operation Reference model), which provides standardized terminology and definitions for supply chain management. Thereafter, XML-Nets, a high-level Petri-Net, is employed for description of such process models and relevant characteristics of supply chain, as well for the following mapping models to service description. Finally, with aids of mapping rules, general description for service interface and orchestration can be smoothly derived, which comprehensively describe supply chain process and well support further IT development, analysis and improvements of supply chain management.


The adaptive social learning paradigm helps model how networked agents are able to form opinions on a state of nature and track its drifts in a changing environment. In this framework, the agents repeatedly update their beliefs based on private observations and exchange the beliefs with their neighbors. In this work, it is shown how the sequence of publicly exchanged beliefs over time allows users to discover rich information about the underlying network topology and about the flow of information over the graph. In particular, it is shown that it is possible (i) to identify the influence of each individual agent to the objective of truth learning, (ii) to discover how well-informed each agent is, (iii) to quantify the pairwise influences between agents, and (iv) to learn the underlying network topology. The algorithm derived herein is also able to work under non-stationary environments where either the true state of nature or the graph topology are allowed to drift over time. We apply the proposed algorithm to different subnetworks of Twitter users, and identify the most influential and central agents by using their public tweets (posts).


ABSTRACT Introduction Evidence is emerging of complex interactions occurring between gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of ruminants and the resident gut flora, with likely implications for the pathophysiology of worm infection and disease. Similarly, recent data point toward the occurrence of a GI nematode (GIN)-specific microbiota, with potential roles in worm fundamental physiology and reproduction. Parasite-microbiota relationships might represent potential targets for the development of novel parasiticides. Areas covered In this article, we review current knowledge of the role(s) that host- and helminth-associated microbiota play in ruminant host-parasite relationships, and outline potential avenues for the control of GIN of farmed ruminants via the manipulation of resident microbial species with putative functions in infection establishment, host-immune modulation, and/or parasite fitness and survival. Expert opinion In order for this knowledge to be translated into practical applications, we argue that several aspects of the nematode-microbiota cross-talk must be addressed, including (i) the causality of interactions between the parasite, the gut microbiota, and the host immune system, (ii) the modes of action of dietary prebiotics and probiotics, (iii) the mechanisms by which diet supplementation aids the development of resistance/tolerance to GI helminth infections and (iv) the composition of the GIN microbiome and its role(s) in parasite biology and physiology.


This research was conducted at STIKes Tuanku Tambusai Bangkinang which is located on street of Lenan Boyak No.69 Bangkinang. STIKes Tuanku Tambusai Bangkinang is one of higher education in the field of health problem formulation in this research is whether leadership communication has an effect on employee job satisfaction at STIKes Tuanku Tambusai Bangkinang. The research aims to know how leadership communication to employee job satisfaction at STIKes Tuanku Tambusai Bangkinang. The result of the research shows that in descriptive analysis, leadership communication on Tuanku Tambusai STIkes is categorized either where the employee's response that the leader communicates directly or indirectly is good enough with the amount of job satisfaction response as much as 32 people or 41.6%. While the influence of communication between employee job satisfaction is moderate and positive where the correlation coefficient nnnnnnnnnnnnR = 0.375 meaning leadership communication affect job satisfaction of 37.5% while the remaining 62.5% influenced by other factors not examined in this study.


The article discusses the extension to an existing object-oriented implementation for B-ISDN signalling. After a brief overview of the existing implementation it is shown where changes in the existing software were made to meet the new requirements (in particular, features for intelligent networks), what mechanisms were available or introduced to make this adaptation as easy as possible, and what experiences in software reuse resulted in this proceeding. The conclusions confirm the predictions concerning extendibility stated in an earlier article, giving reasons for emphasizing again the values and merits of the Call Model and an object-oriented approach.


We reproduce an article first published in 1910 that describes in detail engineering projects, that were not only being developed but widely discussed. Those projects were dedicated to development of rapid, and particularly high-speed transportation in Berlin. The developments of that time reflected broad engineering views. It seems to be an attempt to integrate into a single project all the promising ideas regarding technical advancements as well as optimal transport modelling, routing schemes, traffic organisation, urban spatial planning. The discussion touched upon radial and ring traffic system, integration of the urban transportation system into national and even global one, splitting of passenger and freight traffic and infrastructure, and engineering decisions have reminded about contemporary monorail, elevated railways, light metro, and even personal rapid transit systems… The article attracted attention in Germany, as well as in other countries, and was reproduced in Zheleznodorozhnoe Delo [Railway Business] journal. Probably, many described aspects besides historical ones might be of interest today as well.


A consequence of Seymour's characterization of binary clutters with the Max Flow Min Cut property is that the minimum cardinality of a T-cut is equal to the largest number of edge-disjoint T-joins in every graph that cannot be T-contracted to an odd K2,3. We give a simple "graphic" proof of this fact.


Plasma cholesterol was measured in 10,672 participants of a cholesterol screening program in Atlanta, Georgia. The participants were typically health conscious, as evidenced by the low prevalence of current cigarette smoking (13%), but more than 21% of the men and 33% of the women over age 50 had cholesterol levels in excess of 240 mg/dl, placing them at moderate to high risk for coronary artery disease. Results revealed a pronounced dose response relationship between cigarette smoking and cholesterol in men of all age groups and in women of premenopausal age, whereas levels were similar in ex-smokers and those who had never smoked. Risk analysis revealed a strong positive association between cholesterol and the prevalence of nonfatal myocardial infarctions. Notably, patients with newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemia reduced their cholesterol an average of 36 mg/dl under care of physicians. These results indicate that cholesterol screening coupled with physician follow-up and treatment can have a substantial impact in lowering cholesterol and its attendant risk of cardiovascular disease.


A region of about 435 bases from the 5' noncoding region of foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA directs internal initiation of protein synthesis. This region, termed the internal ribosome entry site (IRES), is predicted to contain extensive secondary structure. Precise deletion of five predicted secondary structure features has been performed. The mutant IRES elements have been constructed into vectors which express bicistronic mRNAs and assayed within cells. Each of the modified IRES elements was defective in directing internal initiation when assayed alone. However, coexpression of an intact foot-and-mouth disease virus IRES complemented four of these defective elements to an efficiency of up to 80% of wild-type activity. No complementation was observed with the structurally analogous element from encephalomyocarditis virus. The role of RNA-RNA interactions in the function of the picornavirus IRES is discussed.


The plasma levels of tissue-specific microRNAs can be used as diagnostic, disease severity and prognostic biomarkers for chronic and acute diseases and drug-induced injury. Thereby, the combination of diverse microRNAs into biomarker signatures using multivariate statistics seems especially powerful from the perspective of tissue and condition specific microRNA shedding into the plasma. Although next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology enables one to analyse circulating microRNAs on a genome-scale level, it suffers from potential biases (e.g., adapter ligation bias) and lacks absolute transcript quantitation as well as tailor-made quality controls. In order to develop a robust NGS discovery assay for genome-scale quantitation of circulating microRNAs, we first evaluated the sensitivity, repeatability and ligation bias of four commercially available small RNA library preparation protocols. The protocol from RealSeq Biosciences was selected based on its performance and usability and coupled with a novel panel of exogenous small RNA spike-in controls to enable quality control and absolute quantitation, thus ensuring comparability of data across independent NGS experiments. The established microRNA Next-Generation-Sequencing Discovery Assay (miND) was validated for its relative accuracy, precision, analytical measurement range and sequencing bias and was considered fit-for-purpose for microRNA biomarker discovery. Summarized, all these criteria were met, and thus, our analytical platform is considered fit-for-purpose for microRNA biomarker discovery from biofluids in the setting of any diagnostic, prognostic or patient stratification need. The established miND assay was tested on serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid (SF) and extracellular vesicles (EV) extracted from cell culture medium of primary cells and proved its potential to be used across different sample types.


Analytical formulae for the contribution of two-particle Breit-Pauli operators to the total energy of the atom are derived. The (partial) cancellation between the two-body Darwin and the spin-spin-contact terms is discussed, yielding a simple general result. SL-coupled matrix elements required to find projections of the operators on an orthogonal basis are given.


MR thermometry based on the water 1H signal provides high temporal and spatial resolution, but it has low temperature sensitivity (∼0.01 ppm/°C) and requires monitoring of another weaker signal for absolute temperature measurements. The use of the paramagnetic lanthanide complex, thulium 1,4,7,10‐ tetraazacyclo‐dodecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraac‐ etate (TmDOTMA−), which is ∼60 times more sensitive to temperature than the water 1H signal, is advanced to image absolute temperatures in vivo using water signal as a reference. The temperature imaging technique was developed using gradient echo and asymmetric spin echo imaging sequences on 9.4 Tesla (T) horizontal and vertical MR scanners. A comparison of regional temperatures measured with TmDOTMA− and fiber‐optic probes showed that the accuracy of imaging temperature is <0.3°C. The temperature imaging technique was found to be insensitive to inhomogeneities in the main magnetic field. The feasibility of imaging temperature of intact rats at ∼1.4 mmol/kg dose with ∼1‐mm spatial resolution in only 3 min is demonstrated. TmDOTMA− should prove useful for imaging absolute temperatures in deep‐seated organs in numerous biomedical applications. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


A systematic procedure that takes exponential time to synthesize protocol converters from formal specifications is presented. The algorithm proceeds in two steps: compute the largest common subset of services provided by the two mismatched protocols, and reduce the converter, retaining common services, without traversing the entire machine that represents the composition of the two mismatched protocols. In a number of cases, the converter can be constructed by a memoryless translation of messages from one protocol to another. Conditions under which such stateless conversion is possible are given. Two examples are presented to illustrate the techniques. In the first example, a converter that interconnects a half-duplex protocol with a full-duplex protocol from their formal specifications is computed. In the second example, the polynomial procedure is applied to computation of a converter for interconnecting the SNR and TCP protocols. >


Yun Lee Too offers a sustained reading of the social function of the body of texts we identify as 'ancient literary criticism' with major implications for how we understand this discourse and also modern criticism and literary theory. The author argues that when Greek and Roman authors discuss what and how to read in works, they are attempting to create and maintain the political community and its identity by regulating the languages available to it. Literary criticism is a process of discrimination between competing discourses, serving as a strategy by which certain forms of speech or writing may be pronounced legitimate at the expense of others. The volume traces ancient criticism from its origins in archaic Greek poetry through to the early Christian era. As well as reading the familiar texts of ancient criticism - Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Poetics, [Longinus] On the Sublime, amongst others - it shows how ancient law, history, and rhetoric participate in the critical process.


Karl Kahlbaum defined catatonia in cases of schizophrenia that had firstly ecopraxia, fluctuating stupor, negativism, posturing, stereotypy, automatic obedience, and mannerism. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and benzodiazepines (BZ) are the effective treatment options in catatonia. Vertebral and long-bone fractures were common in ECT and ECT had a relative contraindication in patients with bone disease before the routine usage of muscle relaxants in ECT. Despite a reduction of the risk with modern ECT procedures psychiatrist's concerns and fears about this issue are ongoing. ECT has been successfully performed in bone fractured and damaged patients. In this case report we presented a patient who had a clavicle fracture due to a traffic accident and simultaneously diagnosed with catatonia and had successfully treated with ECT and BZ.


Traditionally redatuming algorithms disregard amplitude information carried by seismic reflections, they focus just on traveltime information. Properly processing amplitude information requires much more computing resources. We develop an algorithm for redatuming that aims to preserve amplitude information. We aim to observe energy conservation while undoing the propagation effects between the actual acquisition level on the surface, the original datum, and a hypothetical acquisition level buried in the subsurface, the new datum. Conventional redatuming amounts to correlation of the reflection measurements with the up and down going transmission responses of the medium between the original datum and the new datum, the overburden. Even using exact Green's functions, conventional redatuming distorts amplitude information. Energy lost in transmission through the overburden, that is the energy reflected by the overburden, is not accounted for. In terms of flux normalized one-way wave fields in laterally varying media, C.P.A. Wapenaar derived a correction for these transmission losses. Chapter 5 describes an optimized implementation of this correction. Chapter 6 shows how to estimate the reflection response of the overburden from the measured reflections. In Chapter 7 we extend flux normalized wave field decomposition to curvilinear coordinates. This allows redatuming between curved datums.


Although Vector Autoregressive models are commonly used to forecast prices, specification of these models remains an issue. Questions that arise include choice of variables and lag length. This article examines the use of Forecast Error Variance Decompositions to guide the econometrician's model specification. Forecasting performance of Variance Autoregressive models, generated from Forecast Error Variance Decompositions, is analyzed within wholesale chicken markets. Results show that the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition approach has the potential to provide superior model selections to traditional Granger Causality tests.


Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) are non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) that are often added to infant formula to replace the functionalities of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). It is not known if combining GOS and 2′-FL will affect their fermentation kinetics and subsequent immune-modulatory effects such as AhR-receptor stimulation. Here, we used an in vitro set-up for the fermentation of 2′-FL and GOS, either individually or combined, by fecal microbiota of 8-week-old infants. We found that GOS was fermented two times faster by the infant fecal microbiota when combined with 2′-FL, while the combination of GOS and 2′-FL did not result in a complete degradation of 2′-FL. Fermentation of both GOS and 2′-FL increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, which coincided with the production of acetate and lactate. Digesta of the fermentations influenced dendritic cell cytokine secretion differently under normal conditions and in the presence of the AhR-receptor blocker CH223191. We show that, combining GOS and 2′-FL accelerates GOS fermentation by the infant fecal microbiota of 8-week-old infants. In addition, we show that the fermentation digesta of GOS and 2′-FL, either fermented individually or combined, can attenuate DC cytokine responses in a similar and in an AhR-receptor dependent way.


The effects and synergies of intellectual and cultural influence are the features undeniable in various nations and civilizations from ancient times until the present day. Schools of thought, ideas and theories of philosophical and mystical in human life, have seen many changes and passed through a development and evolution. Plotinus, one of the philosophers of ancient Greece and founder of the Neo-Platonic philosophy, expressed intellectual and philosophical statements about the existence of human and relationship between man and the Creator of man and the universe. In the culture of Persian mysticism, the thinkers were inspired by the ideas of this Greek scholar and created many works. In this regard, Attar and Rumi as two figures in Islamic-Iranian mysticism affected by the ideas of this outstanding thinker. In this article, we are to distinguish similarities and differences of these three thoughtful ideas with each other in eleven categories: celibacy of spirit, spiritualism, world-aversion and so on.


We present results from several projects aimed at enabling the real-time understanding of crowds and their behaviour in the built environment. We make use of CCTV video cameras that are ubiquitous throughout the developed and developing world and as such are able to play the role of a reliable sensing mechanism. We outline the novel methods developed for our crowd insights engine, and illustrate examples of its use in different contexts in the urban landscape. Applications of the technology range from maintaining security in public spaces to quantifying the adequacy of public transport level of service.


PURPOSE
Fluorescence-guided surgery using tumor-targeted contrast agents has been developed to improve the completeness of oncologic resections. Quenched activity-based probes that fluoresce after covalently binding to tumor-specific enzymes have been proposed to improve specificity, but none have been tested in humans. Here, we report the successful clinical translation of a cathepsin activity-based probe (VGT-309) for fluorescence-guided surgery.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
We optimized the specificity, dosing, and timing of VGT-309 in preclinical models of lung cancer. To evaluate clinical feasibility, we conducted a canine study of VGT-309 during pulmonary tumor resection. We then conducted a randomized, double-blind, dose-escalation study in healthy human volunteers receiving VGT-309 to evaluate safety. Finally, we tested VGT-309 in humans undergoing lung cancer surgery.

RESULTS
In preclinical models, we found highly specific tumor cell labeling that was blocked by a broad spectrum cathepsin inhibitor. When evaluating VGT-309 for guidance during resection of canine tumors, we found that the probe selectively labeled tumors and demonstrated high tumor-to-background ratio (TBR range: 2.15-3.71). In the Phase 1 human study, we found that VGT-309 was safe at all doses studied. In the ongoing Phase 2 trial, we report two cases in which VGT-309 localized visually occult, non-palpable tumors (TBRs= 2.83 & 7.18) in real-time to illustrate its successful clinical translation and potential to improve surgical management.

CONCLUSIONS
This first-in-human study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of VGT-309 to label human pulmonary tumors during resection. These results may be generalizable to other cancers due to cathepsin overexpression in many solid tumors.