BACKGROUND
Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a common condition in which sinusitis develops as an IgE-mediated response to common sinonasal fungal organisms. If that response leads to blockage of sinus ostia, bone expansion and erosion by expansive cysts containing dense inspissated debris may occur with the potential for critical neurovascular compression including damage to the anterior visual pathway.

METHODS
Review of clinical and imaging features of 2 patients who sustained catastrophic clinical outcomes.

RESULTS
The first patient had pansinusitis with massive mucocele-like cysts expanding the sphenoid sinus and cranial base and causing compression of the anterior visual pathway that led to persistent severe vision loss despite extensive sinus surgery. The second patient developed sphenoethmoidal expansion with a marked inflammatory response and presumed conversion to invasive fungal sinusitis that caused anterior visual pathway vision loss, bilateral ocular motor palsies from extension into the cavernous sinuses, and death from a large middle cerebral artery stroke.

CONCLUSIONS
Although AFRS is most often benign and treatable, it may rarely produce catastrophic outcomes, especially if the sphenoid sinus is involved. Irreversible vision loss may occur from compression, and ocular motor palsies and death from conversion to invasive fungal disease. Close ophthalmologic and imaging monitoring is necessary in patients with expanded sinuses, and prophylactic sinus surgery may be indicated in certain cases.


Sweating of human volunteers immersed to the neck in hot water declined markedly after reaching a peak in the 1st hr of exposure. This decline always occurred in fresh water regardless of level of thermal stress. Sweating in the 3rd hr of exposure was about the same whether the water was hot in the 1st 2 hr (sweat glands active) or cool (sweat glands inactive). Thus "fatigue" was not responsible for the decline. It is suggested that observations of decline of sweating in warm-humid air environments, attributed to "sweat gland fatigue," in reality may have been owing to soaking of the skin with sweat. The mechanism of suppression appears more complex than blockage of the sweat ducts by swelling of the corneum. Rather, there is an association between the amount of decline and conditions favoring diffusion of water to deeper strata of the skin. For example, adding salt to the water reduced the decline; no decline occurred in 15% NaCl.

Submitted on March 6, 1961


This work has been carried out to study the dynamics of reactive distillation process used for the production ofcis-2- butene and cis-2-hexene from the metathesis reaction of cis-2-pentene. The dynamics was investigated using the 2 x 2 transfer function model of the process developed, with the aid of System Identification Toolbox of MATLAB, from the data generated, through the use of Parametric Utility, by employing the prototype plant of the process modelled with the aid of Aspen HYSYS. The input parameters of the process transfer function model were reflux ratio and reboiler duty while the output parameters were top stage and bottom stage temperatures of the column, which were the temperatures of the products obtained from the reactive distillation column. In order to study the dynamics, step changes of 1 and 0.1 units were applied to the reflux ratio and the reboiler duty respectively, both separately and simultaneously, and the dynamic responses of the output variables were recorded and plotted. The results obtained revealed that both the top and the bottom stage temperatures were able to respond to the step changes applied to the input variables. The response given by the bottom stage temperature upon the application of a unit step change to the reflux ratio was found to be slower than that of the top stage temperature, but both of them were able to get to their steady states within the simulation time used. In addition, the two output variables were found to respond very well in a smooth manner to the simultaneous application of step changes to the input variables, indicating that the chosen input variables were actually having effects on the selected output variables


AIMS
The substudy was performed to evaluate the acute and eight-month follow-up effect of final kissing balloon dilatation (FKBD) on fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the side branch (SB) after main vessel (MV) stenting.

METHODS AND RESULTS
We included 75 patients in the Nordic-Baltic Bifurcation Study III FFR substudy: 42 in the FKBD group and 33 in the no-FKBD group. Complete angiographic and FFR eight-month follow-up was obtained in 25 (60%) patients in the FKBD group and 21 (63%) patients in the no-FKBD group. In the FKBD group the post-PCI mean SB FFR was significantly higher compared to the no-FKBD group (0.92 vs. 0.85, respectively; p=0.011). No significant difference in FFR value between treatments was detected at eight-month follow-up (0.91 vs. 0.87; p=0.19). There were no significant changes in mean SB FFR during the follow-up period (0.92 vs. 0.91; p=0.80) in the FKBD group and (0.87 vs. 0.87; p=0.91) in the no-FKBD group.

CONCLUSIONS
FKBD in simple stenting of bifurcation lesions improved acute functional outcome in SB compared to leaving the SB jailed. No significant difference was detected at follow-up. In both groups there was no significant functional late loss during follow-up. Thus, both strategies were equally effective in ensuring that side branch jailing would not cause ischaemia in the long term.


: Academically, the study of Japan in Indonesia has developed through a number of relatively distinct periods: Japanese language education (1950s and 60s), Japanology (1960s and 70s) and Japanese studies (1970s to the present). As an academic field, Japanese studies can be seen as a kind of area studies. Theoretical approaches in Indonesia start from a mono-disciplinary perspective, and have evolved towards inter-disciplinary perspectives. These individual disciplines cover the study of culture, literature, linguistics, history, economics, politics, sociology, as applied to Japan on its own and also to comparative studies of Japan alongside other places, in particular in comparison with Indonesia. In Indonesia, the approach taken in Japanese studies, especially in Japanese studies programs, originates from the theory of nihonjinron, which is an approach originating in Japan itself, from cultural anthropology or ethnography and intercultural studies.


In this study we have used the so-called flow-flash technique to investigate electron and proton transfer during the reaction between cytochrome bo3 with bound ubiquinol (QH2) and dioxygen. The results are compared to those from the well-characterized mitochondrial cytochrome alpha alpha3. Qualitatively, the same type of absorbance changes associated with electron transfer were observed in both enzymes whereas the protonation reactions were markedly different. In the bacterial QH2-bound enzyme, three kinetic phases with time constants of approximately 45 micros, approximately 700 micros, and approximately 4 ms associated with electron-transfer reactions were observed. The first phase is attributed to oxidation of hemes b and o3 and formation of the "peroxy" intermediate. The second and third phases were not observed after addition of the herbicide HQNO, which displaces QH2 from its binding site. They are attributed to electron transfer from QH2 to heme b and from heme b to the binuclear center, respectively. In both enzymes, the initial electron transfer was followed by a slower uptake of 0.9 +/- 0.3 proton per enzyme molecule (tau approximately 90 micros), previously attributed to protonation of a group near the binuclear center. Only in the bacterial enzyme, the second electron-transfer reaction was accompanied by a net release of 1.1 +/- 0.3 H+, which is attributed to proton release during oxidation of QH2. It was followed by a slower uptake of 1.2 +/- 0.4 H+ during transfer of the fourth electron to the binuclear center. The two slowest protonation reactions were not observed in the presence of HQNO.


Abstract Faced with an increasing level of disruption from natural disasters, terrorist attacks or internal failures, organisations need to ensure their business continuity. Ensuring this continuity depends, among other things, on the continuous assessment, monitoring, and management of their resilience based on the variations of the functionalities. Resilience-assessment methodologies are nowadays used to (1) prepare stakeholders for future crisis management situations and (2) help stakeholders assess past levels of resilience in the aftermath of the crisis. However, continuous, real-time monitoring and assessment of resilience is generally either outside the scope of such methods or limited to raw data representation, lacking effective filtering, interpretation, or integration in the evolving context of the organisation's activities. This paper enhances previous works on resilience assessment. The result is a complementary methodology for continuous, real-time resilience assessment and monitoring based on multiple data-sources and stakeholders. The novelty is (1) in the context of use of the methodology, (2) in the way the functionality analysis model is obtained and (3) in the way the resilience is continuously assessed.


Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal) is a medicinally important plant with withanolides as its major bioactive compounds, abundant in the roots and leaves. We examined the influence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on direct organogenesis, adventitious root development, withanolide biosynthetic pathway gene expression, withanolide contents, and metabolites during vegetative and reproductive growth phases under in vitro and ex vitro conditions. The highest shooting responses were observed with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (2.0 mg L–1) + Kinetin (KIN) (1.5 mg L–1) supplementation. Furthermore, BAP (2.0 mg L–1) + KIN (1.5 mg L–1) + gibberellic acid (GA3) (0.5 mg L–1) exhibited better elongation responses with in vitro flowering. Half-strength MS medium with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (1.5 mg L–1) exhibited the highest rooting responses and IBA (1.0 mg L–1) with highest fruits, and overall biomass. Higher contents of withaferin A (WFA) [∼8.2 mg g–1 dry weight (DW)] were detected in the reproductive phase, whereas substantially lower WFA contents (∼1.10 mg g–1 DW) were detected in the vegetative phase. Cycloartenol synthase (CAS) (P = 0.0025), sterol methyltransferase (SMT) (P = 0.0059), and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductase (DXR) (P = 0.0375) genes resulted in a significant fold change in expression during the reproductive phase. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis revealed metabolites that were common (177) and distinct in reproductive (218) and vegetative (167) phases. Adventitious roots cultured using varying concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.5 mg L–1) + IBA (1.0 mg L–1) + GA3 (0.2 mg L–1) exhibited the highest biomass, and IAA (0.5 mg L–1) + IBA (1.0 mg L–1) exhibited the highest withanolides content. Overall, our findings demonstrate the peculiarity of withanolide biosynthesis during distinct growth phases, which is relevant for the large-scale production of withanolides.


Azotobacter is bacterium that has the ability to fix nitrogen and produce hormone IAA, thus potentially acts as biofertilizer agent. There are differences in chemical, biological and other characters of Azotobacter strains. Some strains have higher ability to fix nitrogen than the others. Exploration and characterization are important to be done because the bacteria that provide nutrients and live free rhizosphere regions, possible have different abilities.  In addition to N2 fixing, growth hormone production, phosphate dissolving, they are also tolerant to a certain temperature and pH. The purpose of the research was to obtain information and the latest data on indigenous Azotobacter that potential as a source of biofertilizer, and triggering factor for upland rice growth on marginal lands in Southeast Sulawesi.  Exploration from several locations has selected 21 Azotobacter isolates. The test results indicated that the 21 Azotobacter isolates have the ability to produce IAA, dissolve phosphate and stable at pH 5.0-7.0. All 21 isolates tested had the ability to survive at 40oC, eight isolates i.e. LT2D1, LT2d2, LU2c, RG4c, MP1f, LT2d3, ML1j, and RR8awere able to survive at a temperature of 45 o C, and LT2d1 isolate survived at temperatures 50 o C. The results of the evaluation of the wet weight of upland rice seedlings selected 10 isolates that were: KU6e, MS3e, RG4c, RR8b1, LU2c, RB4b, MS3f, LU2c1, RJ5e, RR8b2 and evaluation of seedling dry weight selected 5 isolates that were: RB4b, LU2c, RJ5e, RR8b2, LT2d1. Keywords:      exploration, characterization, indigenous Azotobacter, local upland rice


Traditional market is a place that is able to bring together sellers and buyers to transact directly, which provides daily needs. When compared to super markets or other large stores that also provide basic needs, traditional markets have advantages that can be seen from the availability of much more complete materials at prices that are certainly more affordable. When viewed from an Islamic perspective, the application of business ethics is a key or important point for traders to be successful. But unfortunately, not many people know about the proper application of business ethics based on Islamic law. Seeing these problems is certainly a great interest to study more deeply about the application of Islamic business ethics in buying and selling transactions that take place in traditional markets. The place that will later become the location of data collection is the Leuwiliang market. The lack of public understanding, especially traders, regarding the existence of business ethics and Islamic business ethics in the world of trade is certainly a big one. This could be based on several factors. Starting from selfishness or self-greed, the influence of the surroundding environment, and the lack of literacy from traders. Some people may already understand that it is not only office workers who have the rules, but also traders. Especially if the world of trade is with Islamic values. This study uses a qualitative method by conducting interviews with traders and buyers in the Leuwiliang Traditional market. The results show that certain traders and buyers already know about Islamic Business Ethics, but in practice there are still a handful of perpetrators who commit fraud such as lacking scales, hoarding goods, and monopolizing trade in the market. So it means, the application of Islamic Business Ethics has not been fully implemented in the Leuwiliang Traditional market.
 Keywords: Traditional Markets, Islamic Business Ethics, Traders, Buyers.


The plant hormone auxin is involved in numerous growth and developmental processes. These processes all depend on differences in local auxin concentrations that are established by polar auxin transport. In their Perspective,
 Kaplinsky and Barton
 discuss new work that identifies a serine-threonine kinase called PID as a switch that regulates auxin flow by redirecting the cellular localization of auxin transport facilitator (PIN) proteins (
 Friml
 et al .).


Background: Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is related to a complex life situation, and quality of life (QOL) is shown to decrease due to respiratory symptoms and fatigue. However, studies describing well-being in COPD, as the subjective description of QOL are rare. Aim: To describe experiences of well-being among people living with COPD. Methods: In the years of 2012-2013, ten participants with moderate to very severe COPD, from the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden (OLIN) study were interviewed about their experience of well-being. A qualitative latent content analysis was used to analyse data. Results: To achieve well-being, the participants had to adapt to their limitations and live forward. They created a balance between breathing and viability by adjusting to a lifelong limitation, handling variations in illness, relying on self-capacity and accessibility to a trustful care. They adjusted to lifelong limitations through acceptance and replacement of former activities. The participants handled variations in illness by taking advantage of the good days and using emotional adaption strategies worse days. They relied on their own self-capacity, feeling that smoking cessation, physical activity and breathing fresh air increased their well-being. They requested accessibility to a trustful care and highlighted the need for continuous care relationships and access to medications. Conclusion: Knowledge of the patient9s personal experiences is important for healthcare professionals when performing person-centred care. These results can enhance healthcare professionals9 understanding of factors important for increased well-being among people living with COPD.


PURPOSE
Although studies have shown health benefits for moderate-intensity physical activity, there is limited evidence to support beneficial effects for high amounts of vigorous activity among middle-age and older men. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between vigorous-intensity physical activity, compared with moderate-intensity activity, and risk of major chronic disease in men.

METHODS
We prospectively examined the associations between vigorous- and moderate-intensity physical activity and risk of major chronic disease among 44,551 men age 40-75 yr in 1986. Leisure-time physical activity was assessed biennially by questionnaire. During 22 yr of follow-up, we documented 14,162 incident cases of major chronic disease, including 4769 cardiovascular events, 6449 cancer events, and 2944 deaths from other causes.

RESULTS
The HR of major chronic disease comparing ≥ 21 to 0 MET.h.wk(-1) of exercise was 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81-0.91) for vigorous-intensity activity and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.80-0.90) for moderate activity. For cardiovascular disease (CVD), the corresponding HRs were 0.78 (95% CI, 0.70-0.86) and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.72-0.88), respectively. When examined separately, running, tennis, and brisk walking were inversely associated with CVD risk. Furthermore, more vigorous activity was associated with lower disease risk; the HR comparing >70 to 0 MET.h.wk(-1) of vigorous-intensity exercise was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.68-0.92; P < 0.0001 for trend) for major chronic disease and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.56-0.96; P < 0.0001 for trend) for CVD.

CONCLUSIONS
Vigorous- and moderate-intensity physical activities were associated with lower risk of major chronic disease and CVD. Increasing amounts of vigorous activity remained inversely associated with disease risk, even among men in the highest categories of exercise.


This paper analyses representations of non-binary bodies in the animated television series Knights of Sidonia. For some time, posthumanist and gender studies have used the gendered body of the future in television series and other media as a framework to reflect on contemporary human bodies. How are bodies imagined and experienced in this animated TV series, and how is our understanding formed by these representations? I argue that the bodies in Knights of Sidonia can be understood as "post-gendered", which I analyse in relation to understandings of future gender representations drawn from science fiction. The main case study is the character Izana who, in the first episode, proclaims an agender identity that is biologically sexed as neither male or female. Izana's biological gender is presented throughout the series as relational: it changes in response to the character they are in love with. A close viewing and analysis of the two seasons released so far shows that, although Izana is initially presented as a character with an alternative third gender, their transition to female reinforces a heteronormative view of sexuality, as their attraction to a male character, Nagate, pushes them to develop female genitalia. This biological sex change prompts Izana to also develop a female gender identity, which I conceptualise as "relational gender". Although it initially represents gender in a novel manner, the anime partly reinforces traditional gender norms.


Small populations are facing a particular risk of extinction due to a lack of appropriate genetic diversity and associated negative effects, factors dealt with in the discipline of conservation genetics. Many orchid species exhibit characteristics that make them a perfect study object in the scope of conservation genetics. The aim with this thesis was to investigate genetic structure at different levels in two orchid species Gymnadenia conopsea, geographically widespread, although diminishing and G. odoratissima with a long history of being rare. Microsatellite markers, developed in and used in studies of G. conopsea were also used in the study of G. odoratissima.Populations of G. conopsea expressed high levels of genetic variation and a certain amount of gene flow, although investigated mating pattern in a small population indicated non-random mating among individuals, with the majority of pollen exchange between near neighbours, and noticeable levels of geitonogamous pollinations. Further a pronounced year to year variation in flowering frequency among individuals was found. It was also discovered that flowering time variants (early and late) within the species G. conopsea were highly differentiated and seem to have had a more ancient historical separation than the separation between the two different species, G. conopsea and G. odoratissima. Levels of genetic variation in the rare congener, G. odoratissima differed between island and mainland populations where the more numerous island populations expressed larger levels of genetic variation and were less differentiated compared to the few remaining and genetically depauperated mainland populations.Uppsala University Library, Box 510, 75120, Uppsala, Sweden


In T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) alternative t(5;14)(q35;q32.2) forms effect leukemic dysregulation of either TLX3 or NKX2-5 homeobox genes at 5q35 by juxtaposition with 3′-BCL11B at 14q32.2. Putative regulatory sequences underlying ectopic homeobox gene activation in t(5;14), and their mode of action have remained poorly understood mainly because breakpoints at 14q32.2 are widely scattered over the ~1 Mbp genomic desert region. We pooled cytogenetic data from t(5;14) cell lines together with published clinical data to refine the BCL11B downstream breakpoint cluster region (bcr). Ectopic homeobox gene dysregulation was investigated by DNA-i(nhibitory-treatments) with 26-mer double-stranded DNA oligo(nucleotide)s directed against putative enhancers using NKX2-5 expression as endpoints. Enhancer targets were provisionally identified from orphan T-cell DNase-I hypersensive sites (DNaseI-HS) located between 3′-BCL11B and VRK1. NKX2-5 downregulation in t(5;14) PEER cells was almost entirely restricted to DNAi targeting enhancers within the distal bcr and was dose- and sequence-dependent. Interestingly, enhancers near 3′-BCL11B regulated that gene only. These data imply that enhancer-promoter distances and/or locations are important for long-range gene regulation. Chromatin immunoprecipation assays showed that the four most effectual NKX2-5 ectopic enhancers were hyperacetylated. These enhancers clustered ~1 Mbp downstream of BCL11B, within a region displaying multiple regulatory stigmata, including a TCRA-enhancer motif, and abyssal sequence-conservation ("5-Way Regulatory Potential"). Paradoxically, although TLX3/NKX2-5 promoter/exon-1 regions were hypo-acetylated, their expression decreased after TSA treatment, implying extrinsic regulation by factor(s) subject to acetylation-control. PU.1 is known to get transcriptionally repressed by TSA and potentially binds TLX3/NKX2-5 upstream promoter regions. Knockdown of PU.1 effected downregulation of both homeobox genes. Moreover, genomic analysis showed preferential enrichment near validated ectopic enhancers of binding sites for the PU.1-cofactor HMGA1, knockdown of which also inhibited NKX2-5 in PEER cells. Analysis of nuclear matrix attachment (NMA) in PEER cells showed enhanced attachment near to the most effectual enhancer cluster which was alleviated by TSA-treatment. Interestingly, the juxtapositional genomic regions of "active" ins(14;5) rearrangements driving NKX2-5 expression exhibited tight NMA, forming structures reminiscent of "active chromatin hubs". These findings lead us to propose that HMGA1 and PU.1 co-regulate ectopic homeobox gene expression in t(5;14) T-ALL by interactions mediated at the nuclear matrix, possibly mediated by SATB1 binding. Our data document homeobox gene dysregulation by a novel regulatory region at 3′-BCL11B responsive to HDAC-inhibition and highlight a novel class of potential therapeutic target amid "junk" DNA.


Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), immunohistochemically characterized by c-kit protein (CD117) expression, is known to be resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy when it is malignant. Recently, Gleevec (STI571) has been introduced for the therapy of metastatic GISTs, and appropriate evaluation of c-kit protein has thus been clinically relevant to confirm the indication of Gleevec therapy. However, we often experienced the instability of immunohistochemical staining for c-kit protein. The aim of the present study is to establish a reproducible immunohistochemical procedure for c-kit protein detection in paraffin sections. Regarding the fixation period, formalin fixation for 24 to 72 hours gave the best result among several fixation conditions. For the purpose of epitope retrieval, hydrated heating in EDTA solution, pH 8.0, employing a pressure cooker gave the most reproducible immunostaining result. For visualization of the reaction products, diaminobenzidine solution available from DakoCytomation Co. was the most sensitive. Under these conditions, c-kit protein immunoreactivity was clearly observed in 20 (95%) of 21 GISTs, routinely processed for histologic preparation. Two tumors were proven to be false negative by the routine diagnostic procedure.


Malaria, especially Plasmodium falciparum malaria is one of the main causes of
mortality and morbidity worldwide. Yemen is an Eastern Mediterranean country where
68% of its population is at risk of malaria. In 2013, it was estimated that there were
150,000 cases recorded in Yemen with 55 malarial deaths, compared to 900,000 cases
in 2000. The anti-malarial treatment policy in Yemen was changed from chloroquine
(CQ) to artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) in 2005.The present study is the first in
Hadhramout, Yemen which aimed to assess the epidemiology of malaria parasites and
to determine the frequency of mutant alleles and genotypes associated with antimalarial
drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum isolates. Blood specimens were collected
from seven villages in two different districts of the Hadhramout governorate by houseto-house visits from July 2011 to May 2012. A total of 735 individuals aged 1 to 75
years with a median of 16 years and 22 interquartile range participated in the study. A
pre-tested questionnaire was used to gather demographic, socioeconomic and
environmental data. Plasmodium species were first identified by microscopy
examination and subsequently genomic DNA was extracted from dried archive blood
spots of P. falciparum isolates and analyzed using nested PCR. Mutation-specific nested
polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism
(PCR–RFLP) methods were used to investigate the mutations in the Pfmdr1 (codons 86
and 1246) and Pfcrt (codons 76, 271, 326, 356 and 371) genes. DNA was also amplified
using nested PCR and subsequently sequenced for Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes. Sequences
were analyzed for mutations in Pfdhfr at codons 51, 59, 108, and 164 and in Pfdhps at
codons 436, 437, and 540. Results of the overall prevalence of malaria parasites in
Hadhramout governorate, Yemen via microscopy was 18.8% (138 of 735) with
Plasmodium falciparum being the predominant species (99.3%; 137 of 138), followed
by Plasmodium vivax (0.7%; 1). Nested PCR detected P. falciparum in four samples
iv
that were previously negative using microscopy. The combination of microscopy and
nested PCR detection resulted in three samples being identified as mixed infections of
P. falciparum and P. vivax. The infection rate was higher in Al-Raydah-Qusyer district
(21.8%) compared to Hajer district (11.8%). Fifty two percent of those positive for
Plasmodium were asymptomatic with low parasite density. The adults had a higher
infection rate as compared to children. Univariate analysis identified those whose
household's heads are fishermen (OR = 11.3, 95% CI: 3.13–40.5) and farmers (OR =
4.84, 95% CI: 1.73–13.6) as high-risk groups. A higher number of positive rates were
observed in people living in houses with uncemented brick walls (OR = 2.1, 95% CI:
1.32–3.30), without access to toilets (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.05–2.32), without a fridge
(OR = 1. 6, 95% CI: 1.05–2.30), or without TV (OR = 1. 6, (95% CI: 1.05–2.30).
People living in houses with water collection points located less than 200 meters away
were also at higher risk of acquiring malaria (OR = 1.6, 95% CI:1.05–2.30). Knowledge
about the importance of using insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor
residual spraying (IRS) for prevention of malaria was 7% and 2%, respectively. The
prevalence of Pfcrt mutations at codons 76, 271, 326 and 371 were 50.4%, 58.7%,
54.3% and 44.9%, respectively. All isolates had wild-type Pfcrt 356 allele. The majority
of Pfmdr1 86 alleles (83.3%) and all Pfmdr1 1246 (100%) alleles were also wild type.
There was no association between Pfcrt mutations and symptomatology, gender and age
groups. For Pfdhfr/Pfdhps mutations, each Pfdhfr mutant allele (I51 and N108) in P.
falciparum isolate had a frequency of 84%. Pfdhfr R59 mutant allele was detected in one
isolate. Pfdhps at codon G437 mutant allele was detected in 44.7% of Plasmodium
falciparum malaria isolates. Frequencies of Pfdhfr double mutant genotype
(I51C59N108I164) and Pfdhfr/Pfdhps triple mutant genotype (I51C59N108I164-S436G437K540)
were 82.8% and 40.6%, respectively. It is important to note that there was one isolate
each which harbored Pfdhfr triple mutant genotype (I51, R59, N108, I164) and
v
Pfdhfr/Pfdhps quadruple mutant genotype (I51R59N108I164-S436G437K540). In conclusion,
several environmental, socioeconomic and behavioral issues were discovered to be the
contributing factors to the high prevalence of malaria in this southeast Yemen
governorate. High frequencies of point mutations in codons 76, 271, 326 and 371 of P.
falciparum, suggested a sustained high CQ resistance even after 6 years of shifting to
ACTs. High frequencies of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps mutant alleles and genotypes in P.
falciparum isolates from Hadhramout, Yemen, highlight the risk of decreasing efficacy
of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine antimalarial drugs. Novel strategies adapted to local
situations need to be established in order to improve the effectiveness of malaria
control. The current study findings necessitate continuous monitoring of the efficacy of
malaria treatment.


The fluorescence intensity of 1.8-aniline naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) and 2.6-toluidine naphthalene sulfonate (TNS) introduced into irradiated rat thymocytes reached maximum 15 min and 4 h following irradiation (1-20 Gy). The parameters of 1.8-ANS binding to membranes did not contribute markedly to the effect observed.


Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks provide an ideal means to reach the goal the European Union has set to provide 50 % of the households with a broadband connection faster than 100 Mb/s. Deployment of FTTH networks, which is still costly today, could be significantly boosted by novel ferrule-less connectors which don't require highly skilled personnel and allow installation in the field. We propose a ferrule-less connector in which two single-mode fibres (SMFs) are aligned and maintain physical contact by ensuring that at least one fibre is in a buckled state. To this end, we design a cavity in which a fibre can buckle in a controlled way. Using finite element analysis simulations to investigate the shape of the formed buckle for various buckling cavity lengths, we show that it can be accurately approximated by a cosine function. In addition, the optical performance of a buckled SMF is investigated by bending loss calculations and simulations. We show a good agreement between the analytical and the simulated bending loss results for a G.652 fibre at a wavelength of 1550 nm. Buckling cavity lengths smaller than 20 mm should be avoided to keep the optical bending loss due to buckling below 0.1 dB. In this case the cavity height should at least be 2 mm to avoid mechanical confinement of the fibre.


The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is a non‐native defoliating insect that continues to expand its range in North America and undergo periodic outbreaks. In management efforts to suppress outbreaks, slow its spread and eradicate populations that arrive outside of the invaded range, aerial deployments of mating disruption tactics and pesticides are generally used. However, in some cases, such as in heavily urbanized areas or other landscapes where aerial deployments are not feasible or permitted, ground applications are required. Ground applications tend to be labour‐intensive to ensure adequate coverage. To better inform optimal deployment of ground applications of mating disruption, we measured the effectiveness of a pheromone formulation designed for ground application, SPLAT® GM, in forested areas of Virginia from 2011 to 2014 using different dosages and number of point applications. We observed that SPLAT® GM applied to the tree trunks at the dosages of 49.4 and 123.6 g AI/ha in 11 × 11 systematic grids (i.e., every 11 m) reduced male trap catch by >90% relative to untreated control plots, which based on previous studies corresponds to >95% reduction in gypsy moth mating success. Our observations suggest that ground applications of gypsy moth mating disruption can be a successful management tool when circumstances require it.


The scattering matrix formulation for complex right-circular activities is extended to coaxial circuits with variable inner radii. The modified eigenvectors, which include the TEM wave, and the modified boundary conditions are presented. The properties of several configurations are examined and transmission measurements are shown to be in good agreement with theory. >


This licentiate thesis explores how digitalization has transformed firms in the legal industry. Based on a qualitative study of 22 law firms I explore what digitalization has entailed for firms and its wider effects. The aim is to understand the digital transformation of the industry as well as the effects for individual law firms. The analysis targets changes to the distinctive characteristics of law firms as well as the implications for their practices. The key finding is that digitalization has caused massive changes to their previous characteristics of high knowledge intensity, low capital intensity and a professionalized workforce, which in turn has altered the competitive context and triggered a variety of business responses. For instance, many new firms are challenging the logic of hourly billing and are creating alternatives to this practice. This suggests that we are approaching the last hour for the hourly dominance among law firms. However, the data show a split between firms, where it is mainly new players that employ new practices while incumbents remain largely the same. By applying a lens of institutional theory, I uncover why and argue that the dominant logic of law firms makes it difficult for incumbents to adapt to digitalization, whereas new firms use the institutional complexity introduced by digitalization to exploit new opportunities by adapting or creating new practices. These changes have resulted in a heterogeneity among law firms making one single categorization of them impossible. Therefore, this thesis propose that we update our existing assumptions about law firms in particular, and professional service firms in general, in order to explain and forecast their behavior moving forward.


Esophagin/SPRR3 is one of the cornified‐envelope structural precursor proteins, which is expressed during epithelia cell differentiation. In 1996, another research group discovered, and our own laboratory subsequently confirmed, frequent and dramatic decreased Esophagin/SPRR3 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the role of Esophagin/SPRR3 in tumorigenesis of esophageal epithelium remains undetermined. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of Esophagin/SPRR3 is frequently downregulated in ESCC. In contrast, no correlations between downregulation of Esophagin/SPRR3 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics were observed. Diminished Esophagin/SPRR3 expression was present in dysplastic epithelia, suggesting that Esophagin/SPRR3 alteration could represent an early event in squamous carcinogenesis of the esophagus. Exogenous expression of Esophagin/SPRR3 significantly suppressed the ability of ESCC cells to form colonies in plastic and soft agar, as well as tumor formation in vivo. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end label assay and immunofluorescence analysis of the active form of Caspase 3 indicated that dysregulated apoptosis might contribute to reduced tumorigenicity. In particular, upregulation of CDK11p46 protein was observed in ESCC cells expressing Esophagin/SPRR3, but not in control cells, indicating that Esophagin/SPRR3‐induced apoptosis may be due, at least in part, to increased expression of CDK11p46 protein. These findings suggest that Esophagin/SPRR3 may play a role in the maintenance of normal esophageal epithelial homeostasis, and that aberrant expression of Esophagin/SPRR3 may contribute to the tumorigenesis of ESCC. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


A shift is underway in high performance computing (HPC) towards heterogeneous parallel architectures that emphasize medium and fine grain thread parallelism. Many scientific computing algorithms, including simple finite-differencing methods, have already been mapped to heterogeneous architectures with order-of-magnitude gains in performance as a result. Recent case studies examining high-resolution shock-capturing (HRSC) algorithms suggest that these finite-volume methods are good candidates for emerging heterogeneous architectures. HRSC methods form a key scientific kernel for compressible inviscid solvers that appear in astrophysics and engineering applications and tend to require enormous memory and computing resources. This work presents a case study of an HRSC method executed on a heterogeneous parallel architecture utilizing hundreds of GPU enabled nodes with remote direct memory access to the GPUs for a non-trivial shock application using the relativistic magnetohydrodynamics model.


Abstract In neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), apoptosis results in the loss of valuable neurons. A key mechanism in apoptosis is the activation of caspase-3. Caspase-3 activity first becomes detectable early in apoptosis, continues to increase as cells undergo apoptosis, and rapidly declines in late stages of apoptosis. Its activity is an early marker of cells undergoing apoptosis. Caspase-3 catalyzes the formation of β-amyloid peptide, a hallmark of AD. The purpose of the study was to determine whether dietary aged garlic extract (AGE), with known antioxidant properties and neuroprotection against Alzheimer's β-amyloid cytotoxicity, inhibits the caspase-3 activity in vitro. Caspase-3 activity was assayed according to the prescribed protocol and incubated overnight at ambient temperature. We report that AGE inhibits caspase-3 in dose dependent manner. Caspase-8 was not inhibited by AGE. As a caspase-3 inhibitor, AGE may be effective in reducing apoptotic death of neurons since caspase inhibitors have been shown to inhibit neuronal cell death. We propose a scheme for the ameliorative effect of AGE on deleterious effects of β-amyloid and possibly uncontrolled caspase-3 activity.


Combining classical scholarship with recent archeological discoveries, Scullard recreates what life was like in Roman Britain, detailing merchants' activities, the mixing of pagan and Christian religions, and the emergence of the city.


The Tarim Basin is one of the most important hydrocabon-bearing evaporite basins in China. Four salt-bearing sequences, the Middle and Lower Cambrian, the Mississippian, the Paleogene, and the Neogene, have various thickness and areal distribution. They are important detachment layers and intensely affect the structural deformation in the basin. The Kuqa depression is a subordinate structural unit with abundant salt structures in the Tarim Basin. Salt overthrusts, salt pillows, salt anticlines, salt diapirs, and salt-withdrawal basins are predominant in the depression. Contraction that resulted from orogeny played a key function on the formation of salt structures. Growth strata reveal that intense salt structural deformation in the Kuqa depression occurred during the Himalayan movement from Oligocene to Holocene, with early structural deformation in the north and late deformation in the south. Growth sequences also record at least two phases of salt tectonism. In the Yingmaili, Tahe, and Tazhong areas, low-amplitude salt pillows are the most common salt structures, and these structures are commonly accompanied by thrust faults. The faulting and uplifting of basement blocks controlled the location of salt structures. The differences in the geometries of salt structures in different regions show that the thickness of the salt sequences has an important influence on the development of salt-cored detachment folds and related thrust faults in the Tarim Basin. Salt sequences and salt structures in the Tarim Basin are closely linked to hydrocarbon accumulations. Oil and gas fields have been discovered in the subsalt, intrasalt, and suprasalt strata. Salt deformation has created numerous potential traps, and salt sequences have provided a good seal for the preservation of hydrocarbon accumulations. Large- and small-scale faults related with salt structures have also given favorable migration pathways for oil and gas. When interpreting seismic profiles, special attention needs to be paid to the clastic and carbonate interbeds within the salt sequences because they may lead to incorrect structural interpretation. In the Tarim Basin, the subsalt anticlinal traps are good targets for hydrocarbon exploration.


Peptides were synthesized with very high purity and yield on a highly solvating copolymer of 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate cross-linked polystyrene support (PS-BDODMA). The polymer was synthesized by radical aqueous suspension polymerization using toluene as the diluent and 1% polyvinyl alcohol as the suspension stabilizer. The supports were highly resistant to various chemical reagents and solvents that are frequently used in polypeptide synthesis. The peptides synthesized on this support were designed from the core (C), envelope (E1 and E2) and nonstructural protein (NS1-NS5) regions of the prototype hepatitis C viral (HCV) polyprotein, and were used to develop a peptide-based immunoassay (PBEIA) for the detection of HCV antibodies. The purity of these peptides was tested by HPLC. Peptide identity was confirmed by amino acid analysis and MALDI-TOF-MS. A single peptide chosen from a conserved area (E2/NS1) at the C-terminus of the hypervariable region (HVRI) was found to be sufficient for effective and reliable diagnosis of HCV infection in infected individuals, as well as also apparently healthy individuals. The CD spectrum of the peptide shows no preference for any ordered secondary structure. When used, peptide mixtures from various protein regions of HCV reduced the sensitivity and reliability of the diagnosis partly because of epitope masking.


This study was conducted to compare the VER characteristics of schizophrenics (41 pre-drung and 47 on-drug patients) with those of 38 normal controls by using a recovery function technique, and to detect possible correlations between the recovery curve and some clinical symptoms of schizophrenics. The results were as follows: 1) There were no significant differences between the amplitude and age or sex, and between the amplitude and clinical types or presumptive onsets of schizophrenics. 2) The mean amplitudes of R1 and R2 were consistently lower in the predrug group and higher in the on-drug group than in the normal group. As to the distribution of the greatest amplitude, the pre-drug group also showed significantly higher percentage of cases with lower amplitude below 10 μV as compared to the remaining groups. 3) The mean recovery curves indicated a nearly identical pattern in all groups. But somewhat meaningful difference between controls and schizophrenics was found at 140 and 160 msec intervals. The latter presented higher value than the former. 4) In regard to the distribution of the greatest value of R2 : R1 ratio in each subject, the higher ratios above 2.0 were found in the schizophrenics more than in the controls. But the on-drug group showed significantly higher percentage of cases with the ratios above 4.0 in comparison to the pre-drug group. 5) The most important results in this study were the findings that 80 percent of the patients with the maximal supernormal peak at the 140 msec interval, had manifested hallucination, and on the contrary, 50 percent of the patients with hallucination showed the maximal supernormal peak at the 140 msec interval, whereas the majority of non-hallucinatory groups presented the peak at the interval of 100 msec. These findings were highly suggestive of the correlation between the increased responsiveness of the R2 at the 140 msec interval and the presence of hallucination. And relationship of these findings with the facilitation of the fundamental driving responses of EEG to 7 c/s flickering light was briefly discussed.


Abstract This paper reviews the original Walsh design method used for designing slabs on expansive soil and describes how the method has been implemented from its earliest use in the 1970s up to current practice. The focus of the paper is solely on the Walsh design method and, because the Walsh design method has been the instrument for the deemed-to-comply solutions for raft slab designs within the Australian StandardAS 2870, no comparison is made with alternative approaches used either within or outside Australia for designing residential footings. The paper presents previously unpublished changes to the original the Walsh method made as part of its inclusion in the two most recent editions of the Australian StandardAS 2870 and broadly discusses some of the impacts of these changes. A new adaptation of the Walsh method, written by the first named author, is introduced in which new parameters have been adopted to model more accurately the soil-footing interaction than previous adaptations. These changes still achieve residential footing designs comparable to those obtained using existing versions of the Walsh design method and are in keeping with the spirit of the Standard and Walsh's original intentions for the implementation of his program.


This paper outlines a new model of pedestrian behaviour in which pedestrians make choices between different objectives when they choose when and where to cross roads and railway lines. These objectives involve minimising walking distance, minimising delay and minimising the chance of being hit. Drawing on detailed video based studies of many thousands of pedestrians at rail and road crossings the authors explain why pedestrians behave in ways signal designers find mystifying or stupid. It asserts that the common practice of showing a red signal to pedestrians when most pedestrians find it safe to cross leads to disrespect for the signal. Several hundred interviews of pedestrians administered just after they crossed roads and rail lines provide insight into their perceptions. Many pedestrians find that they can minimise delay and minimise walking distance by ignoring signals. This signalling practice leads to greater danger, rather than less danger because pedestrians will ignore red signals when it is really unsafe to cross. It concludes by calling for new designs of crossings of roads and rail lines that recognise the wide range in pedestrians' abilities.


The qualities and effectiveness of working groups are determined by the goals of the group and the motives of its members. In Motives and Goals In Groups, Alvin Zander studies the effects of group goals and the reasons why particular group goals are chosen. He examines the origins of such goals, determines their value in terms of the work of the group, and analyzes how goals are affected by members' aspirations to achieve success. Zander assumes the idea that the motives of members are not merely dispositions to obtain personal satisfaction, but are also inclinations to achieve group success. Earlier studies defined and clarified concepts about group achievement. They report on work in the laboratory, using high school students as subjects. In later investigations, these concepts were tested in groups outside the laboratory--classrooms, executive boards, industrial crews, and business departments. In the new introduction, Zander brings his book up to date by analyzing members' motives and groups' goals from 1971 to the present day. He examines how current findings amplify results reported in the original book. Among the topics covered are: measurability of a group's objective; the degree of members' confidence in attaining the group's goal; the importance of a group's purpose; external pressures on a group's aspirations; and the reaction of members to their group's performance. Motives and Goals in Groups brings together earlier research for the first careful, scientific study of goals In groups. It is of continuing importance to psychologists, educators, social workers, executives, therapists, and all others who work either in or with groups.


An MPEG-4 based space-time (ST) coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) audio transceiver is proposed. The high-quality MPEG-4 audio codec is operated at bit rates between 16 and 64 kbit/s per channel and combined with turbo channel codes as well as space-time codes. As expected, the space-time coding scheme, using two transmitters and one receiver, outperformed the conventional one transmitter, one receiver arrangement by about 4 dB in channel SNR terms, when maintaining an error-free audio quality.


A liquid-hydrogen-cooled discharge tube similar to that formerly used in the investigation of the fine structure of the a-line of heavy hydrogen has now been used to reduce the Doppler width of the components of the line n = 4 ->n = 3 in the spectrum of He+. The resolving power necessary to separate some components was obtained without sacrificing spectral range by using two Fabry-Perot etalons in series mounted externally to a prism spectrograph. For other components a single etalon was used. Eight components were resolved and their separations measured, and a ninth partially resolved. The positions of certain band lines of hydrogen and helium which lie close to the He+ complex and overlap it in different orders of interference were also measured. The relative intensities of the components were broadly in agreement with the relative transition probabilities calculated from the Dirac theory, but some anomalies were observed. From the measurements it is deduced that some of the energy levels are displaced from the positions predicted by the Dirac theory: the 3S1/2 level upwards by 0.140±0.005 cm-1, the 4S1/2 level upwards by 0.056 + 0.003 cm-1 and the 4P1/2 level downwards by 0.011 ±0.003 cm-1. These displacements of the S1/2 levels are in good agreement with the predictions of the new theory of quantum electrodynamics, but the theory does not predict a displacement of the 4P1/2 level by this amount. The Stark effect could account for part of the discrepancy, but there remains a disagreement with the theory which exceeds the estimated experimental error.


Computer-assisted earlier detection and diagnosis of breast cancer are possible by analyzing morphological features in histopathology images. In this article, we propose computer-aided tool for accurate detection of the abnormal cells using shapes and morphological based features extracted from the segmented region of the input image. Different segmentation techniques have been performed and their performance is compared to find out the best segmentation algorithm for further processing ie., classification. Morphological descriptor such as major and minor-axis length, cell area, perimeter and eccentricity are extracted from the segmented region of the image. By analyzing the cell mass and contour of cells in the given input image, cells are classified as cancerous and non-cancerous. The results are validated using benchmark dataset images taken from Mitosis Atypia14 grand challenge in which 180 images are taken for training and 120 images for testing. The proposed method provides improved F-score of 94.12% compared with other previously proposed frameworks.


A rat hepatoma cell line was established from primary culture using RPMI 1640 without supplements. Hepatomas were induced in rats by 0.06% 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene. An established cell line, FF101, has been maintained as a monolayer for longer than 34 months and subcultured for 42 passages. The population-doubling time was 78 h. The modal chromosome number was 66. FF101 was transplantable, and morphological examination of the transplanted tumors revealed a mixed type of hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma. FF101 retained the ability to express tyrosine aminotransferase and glucose-6-phosphatase. Also, FF101 synthesized alpha-fetoprotein. FF101-conditioned medium stimulated DNA synthesis and proliferation of several cell lines such as AH66, K562, and BALB/c3T3. The growth-promoting activity of FF101-conditioned medium was abolished by protease, dithiothreitol, acidic treatment, and heating. Gel filtration of conditioned medium on Sephacryl S-200 disclosed the growth-promoting activity at the molecular size of approximately 60,000 Da, and the isoelectric point (pI) was between 5.5 and 6.5. These results suggest that FF101 synthesizes a novel growth factor which has little specificity in both species and organs.


The determination of murabaha margin in Islamic banks' financing still refers to the Indirect Competitors Market Rate (ICMR). It is the interest rate of conventional banks that the implementation is based on Islamic law with the prohibition of using a system of interest (usury). The high margins are set by Islamic banks in anticipation of the rise in market interest rates or inflation, and then the margin murabaha will be greater than the interest rate of a conventional bank. In general, Islamic banks are also using market interest rates as a benchmark. How determination of margin like this is a step astray and can damage the reputation of Islamic banks. Based on the background of the problem, and then propose the problem into the following questions: What level of Indirect Competitors Market Rate (ICMR)? How murabaha margin in PT Bank BRI Syariah? In addition, how is the effect of Indirect Competitors Market Rate (ICMR) in determining the level of margin murabaha of PT Bank BRI Syariah. The research method is descriptive; the research outlined the existing conditions and provided an analysis of the phenomenon. Engineering studies using quantitative data analysis techniques. This quantitative data is used to measure the effect of Indirect Competitors Market Rare (ICMR) in determining the level of margin murabaha. This study aims to determine the effect of Indirect Competitors Market Rate (ICMR) in setting the Tertiary margin murabaha. This research was conducted at PT Bank BRI Syariah central Jakarta 2012-2014. The results of this study that the Indirect Competitors Market (ICMR) have significant influence in determining the level of margin murabaha PT. BRI Syariah Bank headquarters in Jakarta with the R-square of 72% and the remaining 28% is another factor. Partially Indirect Competitors Market Rate (ICMR) have significant influence 0,000 or below 0.05.


Although invasive aspergillosis is recognized as an increased concern for immunosuppressed patients, establishing an early diagnosis remains a challenge. Current methods for diagnosis, including sensitive radiography and invasive procedures to identify organisms in affected tissues, provide an early diagnosis for only a small proportion of patients infected with Aspergillus species. The availability of a standardized assay to detect circulating Aspergillus galactomannan, the BioRad Platelia Aspergillus galactomannan enzyme immunoassay, should be considered as a valuable tool. However, at present, clinical utility is hampered by controversies surrounding the performance of the test and an apparent lack of definitive data. These controversies emphasize the complexity inherent in analyzing diagnostic tests for aspergillosis. The widespread availability of a standardized assay may now allow us to address the multiple sources of variability and bias via large, cooperative studies.


Abstract Supply chain management (SCM), for the past two decades, has been identified by manufacturing industries as a new way of doing business. Construction, similar to manufacturing and other services industries, is experiencing emerging trends that are aimed at giving ultimate satisfaction to the end user. Lean construction is a way to design production systems in order to minimize waste of materials, time and efforts which generate maximum possible amount of value. This research looked into how SCM can benefit the Ghanaian building construction industry through the application of lean concept. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of collaboration and coordination in planning of activities among construction industry players and investigate into the sources of waste in construction. The study, employing survey and case study approaches, collected data through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews and direct observation of ongoing projects on KNUST campus. One sample t-test was used to analyse the data. The findings pointed out that the level of coordination and collaboration in planning among industry players were very appreciable though there still exist room for improvement.


Physico-chemical parameters and zooplankton were assessed Lal Diggi pond from January to December, 2008. Four groups of zooplankton were recorded. Rotifera constituted the main dominant group in this pond contributing 44.89% of the total zooplankton population followed by Cladocera (30.41%), Copepoda (15.51%) and Ostracoda (4.68%). The highest density of zooplankton was recorded during January and February being 197 and 182 no l(-1) respectively, while the lowest density was recorded during May and June being 64 no l(-1) each could be due to the negative and significant value of correlation between zooplankton and water temperature (r = -0.700). These data is supported by similarity indices which recorded high values during January and February while the lowest values recorded during June and July.


Creating realistic images is a computationally expensive process, but it is very important for applications such as interior design, product design, education, virtual reality, and movie special effects. To generate realistic images, state-of-art rendering techniques are employed to simulate global illumination, which accounts for the interreflection of light among objects. In this document, we formalize the global illumination problem into a eight-dimensional integral and discuss various methods that can accelerate the process of approximating this integral. We focus on the direct lighting computation, which accounts for the light reaching the viewer from the emitting sources after exactly one reflection, Monte Carlo sampling methods, and light source simplification. Results include a new sample generation method, a framework for the prediction of the total number of samples used in a solution, and a generalized Monte Carlo approach for computing the direct lighting from an environment which for the first time makes ray tracing feasible for highly complex environments.


Protests against affirmative action articulate the concern that qualified white males will be subordinated to less qualified women and minorities. To examine the possibility that the reversal of traditional status relationships rather than competence inequity underlies resistance to affiimative action, a study was conducted in which subjects interacted with a male or female who was introduced as their supervisor or subordinate and as either higher or lower in ability than themselves. The results indicate that status, not ability, influences the frequency of helping women, whereas ability, not status, primarily influences helping behavior toward men. Specifically. female subordinates were helped more than females supervisors, regardless of ability, while high-ability males elicited more help than low-ability males, independent of status. Subsequent ratings revealed that although subjects acknowledged the greater competence of high-ability males, they did not evaluate high-ability females as more competent than themselves.


Purpose of review The state of research in psychiatry of different countries can be assessed using a database of the Institute for Scientific Information, which includes publications and citations taken from the peer-reviewed journals that are indexed. The aim of this paper was to comment on the international trends that result from a citation analysis of the psychiatric field. Recent findings The US and the UK were the leading countries both in terms of the number of papers and impact. However, in recent years, several European countries have displayed an impressive growth. Summary Citation analysis discloses very different patterns in the growth of research in psychiatry between different countries. Substantial differences in performances may reflect a number of phenomena, such as the efficiency of academic or research institutions and priorities in investments.


BACKGROUND
The protective role of intraischemic mild hypothermia on brain injury associated with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was investigated using a localized, no-flow cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model in rats in vivo.

METHODS
Male Wistar rats weighing 250-350 g were anesthetized lightly with halothane. All rats were randomly allocated into two series experiments the first of which was for study of infarct volume and the second of which was for study of NO (nitric oxide) content, and then subjected to various time intervals of focal ischemia followed by reperfusion. The intraischemic mild hypothermia was induced by feedback-regulated semiconductor cooling block in a group of these rats. Normothermia groups were considered as the control groups. The infarct volume and the NO content of rat brain were measured in different groups and hours respectively.

RESULTS
The infarct volume of mild hypothermia group was significantly different from that of normal control group within the time window of 10 min (P < 0.05), infarcted brain volumes in hypothermic rats were significantly smaller than in normothermic rats, for the time window of 1 h there was no significant difference in the infarct volume between mild hypothermic group and normothermic control group (P > 0.5). Furthermore, increased tissue levels of NO, a potential mediator of cerebral injury in the brain following focal ischemia were depressed by mild hypothermia.

CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that localized mild hypothermia may be a protective against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and that the decreased nitric oxide production in the brain may serve as the protective mechanism of hypothermia.


By computer simulation of the electron spin resonance spectra of even and odd isotopes of Mo5+ in WO3-BaO-P2O5 glasses of various compositions, the characteristics of the distributions of g values and hyperfine structure parameters have been deduced. Using these data, the characteristics of the distributions of energy level splittings and bonding parameters of Mo5+ are separately determined. Variations of these parameters in relation to the glass composition are discussed. The magnitudes of the relative distribution widths, approximately 10% for the energy level splittings and a few per cent for the bonding parameters, reflect the degree of short-range disorder in the environment of Mo5+ ions.


In this paper, six mathematics curriculum changes in Iran are reviewed, spanning from 1900 to 2021. Change of forces, barriers, and the main features of each reform are represented. Specifically, the first five curriculum changes are described briefly and the sixth and most recent one is elaborated upon, with more detail as contemporary school mathematics curriculum change. This recent curriculum reform will be then analyzed using an application and modeling approach, followed by reflections from five teachers of mathematics' voices about how they implemented recent curriculum reform after passing modelling course in their master's program. These teachers shared their professional beliefs about the role of the modelling course in shaping their classroom practices. We believe that the practical aspects of this paper can have enormous implications for other mathematics teachers in developing countries.


Objectives. To evaluate the effectiveness of conducting medication management reviews (MMRs) and home medication reviews (HMRs) on improving undergraduate pharmacy students' pharmaceutical care skills and clinical knowledge. Design. Fifth-year bachelor of science in pharmacy students were enrolled in a structured course in which MMR cases based on real patient scenarios were completed, findings were discussed in groups, and comprehensive feedback was provided by course instructors. Each student was then asked to recruit a real patient through a community pharmacy and conduct an HMR. Assessment. Students' pre- and post-course scores on the same MMR case improved significantly, with 84.6% of students passing the post-course assessment. Students also completed a new post-course MMR case and 74.8% received a passing score. Students' answers on a post-course self-assessment showed a significant improvement in their scores regarding knowledge and skills in conducting MMRs and HMRs. Conclusion. Medication management reviews and home medication reviews are excellent tools for educating pharmacy students and providing them with needed actual clinical practice experience.


Plastic waste is harmful to the environment due to its long-term decomposition process. Plastic waste is made out of hydrocarbon polymers, its chain bonds do not naturally decompose physically, chemically, or biologically. The plastic waste generated in Indonesia reaches up to 175,000 tons per day, in the long term effect this will cause environmental problems when not managed properly. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a plastic waste pyrolysis reactor with a zeolite catalyst as an appropriate technology in producing kerosene. The samples are plastic bottles waste from the Cimahi campus' area. The results of kerosene production from the first, second, and third treatment were 122 ml, 137 ml, and 160 ml respectively. Based on ANOVA bivariate test, a p-value of 0.00 was obtained, meaning there was a significant average difference in the amount of kerosene produced between each treatment. Based on The LSD Post-Hoc Test, the significance value of the mean between each group was 0.000 (p <0.05), meaning there was a significant difference in the average amount of kerosene produced between every treatment group, most significant difference is within the third treatment by 35.67.


Opinion retrieval has established itself as an important part of search engines ratings, opinion trends and representative opinions enrich the search experience ofusers when combined with traditional document retrieval by revealing more insights about a subject.In the past years we have witnessed Sentiment Analysis and OpinionMining becoming increasingly popular topics in InformationRetrieval and Web data analysis.With the rapid growth of the user-generated content on the Web.Opinion retrieval is a document retrieving and ranking process, a relevant document must be relevant to the query and contain opinions toward the query. Opinion polarity classification is an extension of opinion retrieval; it classifies the retrieved document as positive, negative or mixed, according to the overall polarity of the query relevant opinions in the document. In this study, we review the development of opinion search and retrieval during the last years, and also discuss the evolution of a relatively newresearch directionand we try to layout the futureresearch directions in the field.


ObjectiveCatecholamines are frequently used in critically ill patients to restore stable hemodynamics and to improve organ perfusion. One effect of short-term or long-term administration of catecholamines may be inhibition of propulsive motility in the intestine. We therefore analyzed the effect of dopexamine, dobutamine, and dopamine on ileal peristalsis and compared their action with that of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which have long been known to suppress intestinal peristalsis. DesignIn vitro study on excised guinea pig ileum segments. SettingLaboratory for experimental studies at the University. SubjectsIsolated guinea pig ileum. InterventionsSegments of ileum excised from guinea pigs were mounted in a tissue bath in Krebs-Henseleit solution and bubbled with 95% oxygen/5% CO2. Luminal perfusion with the same solution was performed at a rate of 0.35 mL/min. The bath temperature was kept at 36.5°C. Peristalsis was recorded via changes in the intraluminal pressure. The drugs under investigation (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dobutamine, and dopexamine) were added to the tissue bath. Measurements and Main ResultsLow concentrations of each catecholamine, except epinephrine, caused a decrease in the pressure threshold, which reflects a stimulatory effect on peristalsis. Higher catecholamine concentrations caused a concentration-related increase in the threshold, cumulating in a complete block of peristalsis. The rank order of inhibitory potency was epinephrine > norepinephrine > dopamine > dobutamine ∼ dopexamine. Dobutamine and dopexamine were about 500-fold less active than epinephrine in suppressing peristalsis. ConclusionsThis study shows that dobutamine and dopexamine have the least potential to block propulsive motility in the intestine, whereas epinephrine demonstrates the most adverse inhibitory effect. Because at low concentrations dobutamine and dopexamine even stimulate peristalsis, these drugs appear to be superior compared with other catecholamines with regard to their direct effects on intestinal motility.


Background/Aim: Kidney dysfunction is an established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases including stroke. The study aimed at assessing the frequency of kidney dysfunction in patients with acute stroke and to evaluate the relationship to the type, severity and outcome of stroke. To establish a relationship, which has not been explained in past studies. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study on acute stroke patients and matched controls, evaluating for kidney dysfunction using both estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the spot urine protein creatinine ratio. The type of stroke was observed by neuroimaging. The National Institute of Health Stroke Score was used to assess the severity of stroke at presentation and outcome after 7 days. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) application version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Ninety-eight patients and 100 controls were recruited, with a mean age of 64.7 ± 15.5 and 64.8 ± 15.1 years, respectively. The patients with stroke had a statistically significant higher frequency of kidney dysfunction compared to the controls (85.9% vs. 62.0%, P ≤ 0.001). Patients with haemorrhagic stroke had a higher frequency of kidney dysfunction compared with those with ischaemic stroke (93.8% vs. 77.3%, P = 0.048). The proportion of patients with kidney dysfunction was seen to increase from those with mild to those with severe stroke symptoms, both at presentation and after 7 days. Estimated GFR was seen to be an independent predictor of poor outcome in patients with stroke (odds ratio 0.955, 95% confidence interval 0.924 – 0.986, P = 0.005). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that in patients with acute stroke there is a high frequency of kidney dysfunction. Haemorrhagic stroke, increasing stroke severity and poor outcome were seen to be associated with kidney dysfunction. Thus, recommending the need for kidney care as an important part of stroke management.


Aims: Accurate astrometry is required to reliably cross-match 20th-century catalogues against 21st-century surveys. The present work aims to provide such astrometry for the 625 entries of the Bohannan & Epps (BE74) catalogue of H$\alpha$ emission-line stars. Methods: BE74 targets have been individually identified in digital images and, in most cases, unambiguously matched to entries in the UCAC4 astrometric catalogue. Results: Sub-arcsecond astrometry is now available for almost all BE74 stars. Several identification errors in the literature illustrate the perils of relying solely on positional coincidences using poorer-quality astrometry.


Import prices in the U.S. have not responded as expected to large fluctuations in the exchange rate. This paper analyzes the response of Japanese and U.S. steel prices to changes in the yen-dollar exchange rate (the exchange rate pass-through, or percentage change in import prices as a result of changes in the exchange rate or the exporter's cost of production). It concludes that: (a) the magnitude of elasticity of the pass-through depends on the elasticity of import demand, the convexity of the demand curve, and the elasticity of the marginal cost of production output; (b) in a competitive pricing market the pass-through is equal to 1 only if marginal costs are constant; (c) if marginal costs are increasing, the pass-through is less than 1; (d) the pass-through can be greater than 1 for both competitive and noncompetitive pricing markets if marginal costs are declining and the import demand curve is very convex; (e) if marginal costs are declining fast enough when production is increasing, the pass-through can be greater than 1 even if the demand curve is not convex; and (f) the yen-dollar exchange rate is not fully passed through in steel prices. When the exchange rate changes, both U.S. and Japanese steel prices change; U.S. producers adjust prices immediately, whereas Japanese are conservative. One implication is that devaluation may lead to a shift of resources within the export sector, from higher pass-through sectors to lower pass-through sectors.


Key components and architecture options are being actively investigated to realize next generation transport technology in optical networks. Serial transmission systems using a single wavelength have, so far, provided cost effective solutions and therefore remain desirable. For 100 Gbit/s Ethernet, this option will, however, depend on the availability of the electronic and optical components. Due to its high speed and high breakdown voltage, the InP double-heterojunction bipolar transistor (DHBT) technology is particularly suited for signal processing and high-speed communication systems. This contribution describes our InP DHBT based integrated circuit (IC) technology developed for 100 Gbit/s class mixed-signal ICs. Using this technology, we fabricated and succeeded in 112 Gbit/s testing of key electronic components, including a multiplexer (MUX), a distributed amplifier, and an integrated clock and data recovery (CDR)/1:2 demultiplexer (DEMUX), with very clear eye waveforms. These high-speed building block ICs are described and the main results are presented.


Abstract Real-time target localization with ultrasound holds high potential for image guidance and motion compensation in radiosurgery due to its non-invasive image acquisition free from ionizing radiation. However, a two-step localization has to be performed when integrating ultrasound into the existing radiosurgery workflow. In addition to target localization inside the ultrasound volume, the probe itself has to be localized in order to transform the target position into treatment room coordinates. By adapting existing camera calibration tools, we have developed a method to extend the stereoscopic X-ray tracking system of a radiosurgery platform in order to locate objects such as marker geometries with six degrees of freedom. The calibration was performed with 0.1 mm reprojection error. By using the full area of the flat-panel detectors without pre-processing the extended software increased the tracking volume and resolution by up to 80%, substantially improving patient localization and marker detectability. Furthermore, marker-tracking showed sub-millimeter accuracy and rotational errors below 0.1°. This demonstrates that the developed extension framework can accurately localize marker geometries using an integrated X-ray system, establishing the link for the integration of real-time ultrasound image guidance into the existing system.


Oral tolerance is a long recognized method to induce peripheral immune tolerance. The primary mechanisms by which orally administered antigen induces tolerance are via the generation of active suppression or clonal anergy. Low doses of orally administered antigen favor active suppression whereas higher doses favor clonal anergy. The regulatory cells that mediate active suppression act via the secretion of suppressive cytokines such as TGF beta and IL-4 after being triggered by the oral tolerogen. Furthermore, antigen that stimulates the gut-associated lymphoid tissue preferentially generates a Th2 type response. Because the regulatory cells generated following oral tolerization are triggered in an antigen-specific fashion but suppress in an antigen nonspecific fashion, they mediate "bystander suppression" when they encounter the fed autoantigen at the target organ. Thus it may not be necessary to identify the target autoantigen to suppress an organ-specific autoimmune disease via oral tolerance; it is necessary only to administer orally a protein capable of inducing regulatory cells that secrete suppressive cytokines. Orally administered autoantigens suppress several experimental autoimmune models in a disease- and antigen-specific fashion; the diseases include experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), uveitis, and myasthenia, collagen- and adjuvant-induced arthritis, and diabetes in the NOD mouse. In addition, orally administered alloantigen suppresses alloreactivity and prolongs graft survival. Initial clinical trials of oral tolerance in multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and uveitis have demonstrated positive clinical effects with no apparent toxicity and decreases in T cell autoreactivity.


This paper proposes a small-signal modeling in synchronous reference frame for hierarchical control structures applied to the parallelism of three-phase UPS where all the control loops are included. It considers the inner current and voltage loops, virtual impedance, droop control and secondary control loops for amplitude and frequency restorations, as well as for active and reactive power equalizations. The presented modeling is developed in the state-space and consists of the linearization around an equilibrium point. The obtained models are validated through simulation results, which correspond precisely to the average values of the analyzed waveforms. Hardware-in-the-loop results confirm the functionality of the proposed modeling in the definition of the hierarchical control structure controllers gains, as well as its performance.


The morphofunctional state of neutrophils of the palatine tonsils and peripheral blood was studied by means of the lysosomal-cationic test (LCT) in 73 patients with primary streptococcal angina. It is concluded that the LCT test may be used for objective evaluation of the severity of angina and its treatment efficacy.


In subjects with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome an intense physical activity or the practice of sports may not only trigger off cardiac arrhythmias but also worsen their consequences and become life-threatening. A full electrophysiological study, including measurement of the anterograde refractory period of the accessory pathway, induction of atrial fibrillation and study of the effects of isoprenaline, seems to be indispensable to detect those patients who are most at risk. When the risk of potentially serious arrhythmia appears to be confirmed, catheter ablation of the accessory pathway may be the ideal solution, as it may cure the disease without the sequelae inherent in surgery. The results obtained in 19 athletes or subjects with intense physical activity (19) successes without preventive anti-arrhythmic treatment and at the cost of a single case of asymptomatic atrioventricular block) suggest that the catheter ablation technique will greatly benefit such patients.


funnelcompar computes data and plots a funnel plot as defined by Spiegelhalter 2005. A scatter plot of an indicator values value is plotted against a measure of their precision pop, typically the sample size, together with a target line and control limits (contours), that narrow as the sample size gets bigger. The plot graphically tests whether each value of the indicator is extracted from a target distribution specified by the options.


Have you ever tried to reanalyze a set of someone else's data? If so, then you know how hard it is to do so. You have to find the data set, figure out what the variables are and how they are labeled, do the analysis, make sense of it, and so on. Many people who do a reanalysis decide never to do another. It is like someone else trying to read your computer output: You know what it means; they usually do not. Imagine, then, undertaking the reanalysis of 477 data sets. That is ~~at Jack Carroll did for Human Cogmtlve Abilities: A Survey of Factor-Analytic Studies. This tour de force represents the result of a massive undertaking that probably no one else would have the sheer persistence to finish, much less to start. Carroll obtained "reasonable" solutions for 461 of the data sets. The data sets, representing analyses of human abilities, are diverse with reo spect to country of origin (most being from the United States, but others coming from England, Canada, Germany, and Australia, as well as fewer from non· English-speaking countries), date of original publication (ranging from 1927 to 1987), age levels of subjects (ranging from 6 months to 71 years), genders of subjects (totals of 55,746 males in allmale samples, 10,357 females in a~l female samples, and 65,468 people In mixed sainples), and types of samples (students, military personnel, infants, prisoninmates, people in variou.s occ~· pations, etc.). They also vary Widely In types of abilities measured. Most of the data sets were correlation matrices, but others were various types of factor matrices.


Jabon (A. cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.) is one of forestry plants that be developed widely nowadays in planted forest or public forest. Jabon included in fast growing species with straight and cilindris stem. It can make Jabon is very intrested for raw material of wood industry. However rapid development of jabon have not been followed with land usage with agroforestry system. Land usage with agroforestry system with appropiate pattern can increase economical revenue and also can realize conservation activity of soil and water below the stand. setting of good planting pattern is affected by root system of plants. It is related with competition of nutrient absorption between main plant and agricultural plant. Beside that, root system also affect crown growth that continually affect on sun light availability, temperature, and humidityfor agricultural plants. This research aims to examine the length and depth of lateral root of jabon on mixture pattern and monocultural pattern. benefit of this research is for giving reference of agricultural species that is appropiate with root condition. The result showed that root system on mixture pattern has longerand deeper root than root on monocultural system. Setting of appropiate planting spaces between main plant with agricultural plant is very needed for avoiding nutrient copetition, water, and light.


Taking a frequency of 1 in 20,000–25,000 males, De la Chappelle syndrome (46, XX male) is a rare syndrome which exists in different clinical categories with ambiguous genitalia or partially to fully mature male genitalia, in combination with complete or incomplete masculinization. A case of SRY-negative XX male is reported with complete masculinization but with infertility. The patient was mature enough to have full genitalia with descended but small testes and no signs of undervirilization. There were 14 markers in the quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR): amelogenin gene, presented on X and Y chromosomes allows for the determination of the Y/X ratio (AMEL marker), TAF9B gene presented on chromosomes X and 3 permits the determination of X/chromosome 3 ratio (TAF9B marker or T3 marker), ten non- polymorphic Y-specific markers (SRY, sY84 and sY86 in AZFa region, sY127 and sY134 in AZFb region, sY254, sY255, sY1191, sY1192 and sY1291 in AZFc region), and co-amplification of DAZ/DAZL and CDY2/CDY1 fragments that permit determination of the DAZ, CDY1 and CDY2 gene copy number. The study resulted that there were only two peaks of markers: AMELX/Y marker produced a peak area ratio of 1:0 and T3 with the ratio of 2:2, indicating the presence of two X chromosomes in this case. The absence of the Y chromosome was confirmed when repeating peripheral blood culture for chromosome: there are 46 chromosomes with XX constitution. The first reported case in Mekong Delta, Vietnam is reported of a SRY-negative 46, XX male with normal male phenotype and infertility.


ABSTRACT Kristian Hanggara Wibisono. D0111052. The Performance of Market Management Service of Surakarta in managing the infrastructure of Pasar Nongko. Thesis. State Administration Studies Program. Faculty of Social and Political Science. Universitas Sebelas Maret. Surakarta. 2015. Market Management Service of Surakarta in charge of the quality management of the facilities and infrastructure markets. This research examines the management and infrastructure Pasar Nongko conducted by Market Management Service of Surakarta. The research of the performance of Market Management Service of Surakarta in managing infrastructure Pasar Nongko using three components effectiveness, responsiveness and accountability. This research using descriptive qualitative method. The data were collected by using interviews, observations, and documentations and the writer chose the interviewees purposively. The validity of the data in this research used triangulation data technique. The writer analysed the data by using interactive analysis model and the data are presented in a matrix. The finding of this research is that in general the performance of Market Management Service of Surakarta in managing the infrastructures of Pasar Nongko goes well as it can be seen from the three indicators which were used by the writer. First, from the effectiveness it can be seen that the activity of managing the infrastructure of Pasar Nongko has run effectively because the sellers in the market have handarbeni sense (sense of belonging). Second, from the responsiveness, Market Management Service of Surakarta is yet responsive with Pasar Nongko traders, it is seen with a large number of complaints is still a people. And the last one is the accountability, Market Management Service of Surakarta makes a report regularly which is about regular activity report, repairing the infrastructures or adding some infrastructures for the market. There are some obstacles that have to be faced by Market Management Service of Surakarta in managing the infrastructures of the market. Those obstacles are like the general public who litter, its less market traders took care of the infrastructure market, funds, infrastructure market is incomplete and damaged and the employee attitude were not discipline. Some efforts that have been done like cooperation between agency, coordinating with the community of the sellers, requests the CSR and doing socialization are expected to improve the performance of Market Management Service. Keywords : performance, traditional market, effectiveness, responsiveness, accountability.


Homophonic sequence substitution is the name given in this paper to the technique which consists of substituting one-to-one a given finite (or semi-infinite) sequence of symbols by another finite (or semi-infinite) sequence over the same alphabet but having a higher entropy rate. The output sequence of a given discrete stationary and ergodic source is encoded with a binary lossless source code C. A concatenation of codewords of C is then conveniently parsed and reencoded with a binary lossless source code. By iterating the latter step a number of times, it is proved that the entropy rate of the binary sequence at the output of the last encoder approaches the value 1 asymptotically, therefore performing optimum homophonic sequence substitution. The remaining redundancy, after k consecutive encodings, is 1- H_k(S) bits per binary digit, where H_k(S) is the entropy rate of the binary sequence resulting after the k-th encoding. A Markov source model is presented to describe the binary encoded sequences and to compute their entropy rate.


The influence of (-)-hydroxycitrate on in vitro rates of fatty acid synthesis in chicken and rat liver and in rat adipose tissue was investigated. Following acute and chronic administration of (-)-hydroxycitrate to chickens and rats, changes in rates of fatty acid synthesis in vivo and in lipogenic enzyme activities were also determined. Addition of 1 mM (-)-hydroxycitrate to a buffer containing 10 mM glucose and liver slices from chickens or rats depressed the rate of 3H2O incorporation into fatty acids. Acute administration of (-)-hydroxycitrate to chickens and rats also depressed in vivo rates of fatty acid synthesis in the livers of these species. Chickens appeared to be more sensitive to the inhibitory effects of (-)-hydroxycitrate than did rats. (-)-Hydroxycitrate was incorporated into the diets fed to the chickens and rats. Hepatic citrate cleavage enzyme activities were increased several fold in livers of chickens and rats fed (-)-hydroxycitrate. However, the rates of fatty acid synthesis in chicken and rat livers were depressed when expressed per g liver. Livers of chickens fed (-)-hydroxycitrate for 14 days were enlarged. Dietary (-)-hydroxycitrate did not depress rates of fatty acid synthesis per liver in these birds. Consumption of (-)-hydroxycitrate did not alter liver weight in rats. In vivo rates of fatty acid synthesis in rat adipose tissue were not influenced by consumption of a diet containing 52.6 nmoles (-)-hydroxycitrate/kg diet. Plasma triglyceride levels were increased two-fold in chickens, but unchanged in rats, fed (-)-hydroxycitrate for 2 to 3 weeks. There are species-specific as well as organ-specific responses to (-)-hydroxycitrate.


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

Objective: There is growing recognition of the important role of metronomic chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Based on their unique anti-angiogenic effects, we tested the efficacy of dual albumin-bound paclitaxel (ABP), which stimulates Thrombospondin-1, and topotecan, which inhibits Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α, chemotherapy at metronomic dosing in ovarian carcinoma.

Methods: We examined the effects of ABP and topotecan in vitro (MTT) and in vivo using SKOV3ip1, HeyA8 and HeyA8-MDR orthotopic mouse models of ovarian cancer. We also examined effects on proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (TUNEL), and angiogenesis (MVD) in tumor samples obtained at necropsy.

Results: In vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed similar effects (IC50=20-60 nM) of maximum tolerated dosing (MTD) and metronomic dosing of ABP on HeyA8 tumor cells (p<0.05). In vivo therapy experiments using the SKOV3ip1 and HeyA8 tumor models demonstrated that treatment with metronomic ABP alone and in combination with metronomic topotecan resulted in significant reductions in tumor weight, 62% and 96% respectively as compared to controls (p<0.01). Combination treatment with metronomically dosed ABP and topotecan further reduced tumor growth by 82% compared to topotecan alone (p<0.01). In the chemoresistant tumor model, HeyA8-MDR, metronomically dosed monotherapy with either cytotoxic agent had a modest effect on tumor growth however, combination therapy decreased tumor burden by 74% when compared to controls (p<0.01). Metronomic ABP monotherapy resulted in reduced cell proliferation (p<0.001), reduced tumor angiogenesis (p≤0.01), and increased apoptosis (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Metronomically-dosed albumin-bound paclitaxel and topotecan offer a highly effective and novel therapeutic approach in ovarian carcinoma that merits further clinical development.

Citation Format: Ashley N. Davis, Yvonne G. Lin-Liu, Rebecca A. Previs, Heather J. Dalton, Behrouz Zand, Justin Bottsford-Miller, Robert Coleman, Anil K. Sood. Metronomic albumin-bound paclitaxel and topotecan has potent antitumor activity in ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2995. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2995


The vast amount of completion options for hydrocarbon reservoirs calls for fast productivity evaluation tools. We present a calculation method that can perform this task. It is a semi-analytical method that fully acounts for the 3D flow near the well. A superposition of analytical functions is tuned to approximate the boundary conditions by adjusting a finite number of free parameters. The method can be applied to multi-layer, multi-well reservoir completions with, optionally, finite conductive fractures. Gas reservoirs are approached with a linearization of the pressure equation.


Real-world control problems are often modeled as Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) with discrete action spaces to facilitate the use of the many reinforcement learning algorithms that exist to find solutions for such MDPs. For many of these problems an underlying continuous action space can be assumed. We investigate the performance of the Cacla algorithm, which uses a continuous actor, on two such MDPs: the mountain car and the cart pole. We show that Cacla has clear advantages over discrete algorithms such as Q-learning and Sarsa, even though its continuous actions get rounded to actions in the same finite action space that may contain only a small number of actions. In particular, we show that Cacla retains much better performance when the action space is changed by removing some actions after some time of learning.


Radiation therapy is the most effective therapy for cervical cancer in advanced stages. p53 plays a critical role in the cellular response to radiation-induced DNA damage. However, p53 function is often impaired in the presence of the oncoprotein E6 from human papillomavirus, which is often associated with the development of cervical cancer. p73, a p53 family member, is highly similar to p53, but is resistant to the degradation by human papillomavirus E6. In this study, we investigated the role of p73α in relation to cellular radiosensitivity in the p53-impaired cervical cancer cells. Radiosensitivity and irradiation-induced apoptotic cell death were examined in the exogenous overexpressed p73α- and p53-impaired cells. Our results showed that the endogenous p73α expressed only in the radiosensitive cervical cancer C4-1 cells, but not in the radioresistant SiHa, Caski, and HeLa cells. Overexpression of exogenous p73α by transfection in the radioresistant cells resulted in a significant increase of cellular sensitivity to radiation. Enhanced radiosensitivity in p73α-transfected cells was attributed by increase of cellular apoptosis. Coactivation of p21 was also observed in the p73α-transfected cells upon radiation treatment. In summary, our findings suggested that p73α is an important determinant of cellular radiosensitivity in the p53-impaired cervical cancer cells. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(5):1209–15]


Out of five children with hypercalciuria, four had nephrocalcinosis and one recurrent bladder calculi. Two out of four patients with nephrocalcinosis (patients 1 and 2) had the "hyperprostaglandin E syndrome" and the other two (patients 3 and 4, siblings) had the Royer syndrome (osteopathy, dwarfism, secondary hyperparathyroidism). Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide is effective in patients without increased urinary excretion of prostaglandin, whereas patients with increased prostaglandin excretion respond better to indomethacin therapy.


AIMS To develop criteria to prevent unnecessary rectal biopsies in constipated children. METHODS A retrospective review of 186 rectal biopsies from 141 children, comparing the age at onset of symptoms with the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease. RESULTS All of the 17 children with Hirschsprung's disease had the onset of symptoms before the age of 4 weeks. Twenty seven children had delayed passage of meconium (more than 48 hours) of whom 10 had Hirschsprung's disease. Three children with Hirschsprung's disease were referred after the neonatal period (2 months, 11 months, and 3 years) but all had the onset of symptoms before 4 weeks of age. CONCLUSION If the age at onset of constipation is after the neonatal period, a rectal biopsy is unnecessary.


M HATTI GOPAL passed away on February 17. Born on October 3, 1904 in Mysore, he came from a family of scholars who served the royal family of Mysore. Two of his brothers were historians, one of them more distinguished was professor of history and director of archaeology in the state government. After his early education in Mysore, Gopal went to the Bombay University for post graduate studies and then to the London School of Economics for doctoral work. He also studied law in Bombay and at Lincoln's Inn, London.