Two specific areas are addressed: (1) The necessity for effective estimates of infiltration rates in buildings; and (2) The dependence of vapor compression air conditioning systems on refrigerant charge. It is shown that the estimate of air infiltration rates through simple tests such as blower-tests are not applicable. In addition, there may be measurable drops in the capacity of air conditioning systems (on the order of up to 10%) for non-insignificant variations in the refrigerant charge from the optimum value.


Our life is a foremost asset and life insurance is one the most significant form of insurance at the time of unfamiliar risks or loss which provides financial safety to an individual and his loved ones. In its essence, life insurance is imperceptible hence majority of the Indian people cannot understand its importance. Despite more than two hundred years of presence in India, life insurance industry is still very lesspenetrated with 27 per cent coverage. Life insurance provides individuals with security and safety, and also helps people to save money. The current study is embarked upon to identify factors which affects the customers' decision to select among different Life Insurance policies. For this, primary data is directly collected from the citizens via a questionnaire. The study area is bounded to Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh and sample size is 118 policyholders of different age group and the selection technique that has been uses is purposive sampling method. The insurance industry is an important component of the Indian financial system, and has seen strong growth in recent periods of time. Thanks to economic liberalization and privatization in India, the insurance market is expanding rapidly with respect to new products and better facilities and added value. Consumers thus have a wide variety of changing options and prefer the right one that fits their needs and criteria and different factors influencing the array of products that life insurance firms sell. Premium rates, product quality, accessibility and promotions, credibility of the business have an important and positive effect on consumer's buying decisions for life insurance company policy. Kruskal - Wallis test and Mann-Whitney tests were used to examine the responses got from the respondents via the questionnaire.


In this paper we review some preliminary results from the Harvard College Observatory Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroheliometer on ATM that pertain to solar activity. The results reviewed here are described in more detail in other papers referred to in the text. In the following paragraphs we first describe the instrument and its capabilities, and then turn to results on active regions, sunspots, flares, EUV bright points, coronal holes, and prominences.


We present first heavenly equation of Pleba\'nski in a two-component evolutionary form and obtain Lagrangian and Hamiltonian representations of this system. We study all point symmetries of the two-component system and, using the inverse Noether theorem in the Hamiltonian form, obtain all the integrals of motion corresponding to each variational (Noether) symmetry. We derive two linearly independent recursion operators for symmetries of this system related by a discrete symmetry of both the two-component system and its symmetry condition. Acting by these operators on the first Hamiltonian operator $J_0$ we obtain second and third Hamiltonian operators. However, we were not able to find Hamiltonian densities corresponding to the latter two operators. Therefore, we construct two recursion operators, which are either even or odd, respectively, under the above-mentioned discrete symmetry. Acting with them on $J_0$, we generate another two Hamiltonian operators $J_+$ and $J_-$ and find the corresponding Hamiltonian densities, thus obtaining second and third Hamiltonian representations for the first heavenly equation in a two-component form. Using P. Olver's theory of the functional multi-vectors, we check that the linear combination of $J_0$, $J_+$ and $J_-$ with arbitrary constant coefficients satisfies Jacobi identities. Since their skew symmetry is obvious, these three operators are compatible Hamiltonian operators and hence we obtain a tri-Hamiltonian representation of the first heavenly equation. Our well-founded conjecture applied here is that P. Olver's method works fine for nonlocal operators and our proof of the Jacobi identities and bi-Hamiltonian structures crucially depends on the validity of this conjecture.


Background Analysis of copper and zinc in serum is commonly performed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS); however, these methods are often not readily available in smaller laboratories. Randox colorimetric assays for copper and zinc in serum were evaluated on the Thermo Electron Data Pro analyser against flame AAS methods. Methods Copper and zinc were measured in 48 serum samples using the Randox colorimetric copper (CU2340) and zinc (ZN2341) assays on the Data Pro analyser and the results compared with those from a Varian Spectra 880 atomic absorption spectrometer. A smaller set of samples (n = 15) were also analysed colorimetrically for zinc on the Roche Cobas Mira. Results Linear regression analyses of Bland and Altman plots from the Data Pro – AAS comparison gave the following results for copper: correlation r = 0.6669 (P < 0.01), slope = −0.2499 (P < 0.01), intercept = 3.219 (P < 0.01). For zinc, results were as follows: correlation r = 0.1976, slope = 0.1807, intercept = −1.922. For the smaller set of samples, the Cobas Mira – AAS comparison for zinc gave correlation r = 0.4379, slope = 0.5294, intercept = −4.074. The results indicated significant systematic and fixed bias between the colorimetric copper and the AAS method. Conclusion Performances in comparison to AAS methods indicated the colorimetric methods, as used, are unsuitable for the accurate determination of copper and zinc in human serum.


(BEDT-TTF )jPtcl<, CôH~CN is a tt-pha~e exhibiting a fir~t-order tran~ition ai 250 K. The crystal structure of this sali contains two different donor loyers before the transition but only one after the tran~ition. Every layer contains two different BEDT-TTF donor molecules. Our tight binding band structure study suggests that this i~ the first BEDT-TTF Salt containing BEDT-TTF in three different oxtdation states j0, +1/2 and + Ii. One of the layer~ j.-i) contains [BEDT-TTF'' and [BEDT-TTF"]~ dimers whereas the other layer l'A contains two different ]BEDT-TTF~ '~]j dimers. We suggest that the first-order transition i~ msociated with the disproportionation of the two [BEDT-TTF''~]~ dimers of layer SA in ]BEDT-TTF'' ]_ and [BEDT-TTF")~ dimers. Thi~ process is associated with a conformational change in one of the dimers which apparently optimizes the donor-accepter interaction~ in thi~ x-phase. According to the present results ii would be worthwhile to reexamine the transport properties of this sait. Among the many charge transfer salis presently known, the sa called «-phases hâve not only led to the highest superconducting transition temperatures Il (excluding fullerenes) but have also given a seemingly endless serres of electronic surprises. The transport properties of these softs seem to be extremely dependent on small changes in pressure, temperature, disorder or chemical environment [2, 3]. For instance, whereas at ambient pressure «-BEDT-TTF~CU[N(CN[]Br [4] and «-BEDT-TTF~CU[N(CN)~]Cljj~Brjj~ [5] (where BEDT-TTF means bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene, 1) are superconductors, = 1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~s~~ ~~s~


Nickel-based oxides are highly active, cost effective materials for the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline conditions. Recent experimental studies have revealed the importance of surface deprotonation and alkali metal cation adsorption on the activity of Ni oxide surfaces, in contact with aqueous alkaline electrolyte. As a first step to elucidate the role of the alkali adsorption for the activity, we performed first-principles electronic structure calculations to address the stable surface structures of beta-NiOOH(0001) as a function of the operating conditions in an electrochemical environment. We present a grand-canonical approach to compute the surface Pourbaix diagram of the beta-NiOOH/water interface for the processes of deprotonation and alkali metal cation adsorption. The results of this study emphasize the importance of double layer effects, including the adsorbate-induced change of surface dipole moments and the rearrangement of water molecules due to their strong interaction with the adsorbed species, for the most stable interface structure.


Naturally occurring waters at the Maiduguri depot and Port-HarcOurt refinery in
Nigeria have been collected to study the. effect on discharge of pettoleum product
in the enviromuents. TI1e solutions were analysed for the elenlental contents.
The values have been used in computer programme, to calculate fhe distribution
of the species. The resu!ts show Zn and Pb rati? of 4.1 in Maidu~uri sample and
average of 1.54 to 2.75 m PortlJarCourt. Chem1cal compounds a1)d subsequently
seconda1y minerals are possibly able to crystallize from the solution with the
higher ratio.


In the pursuit to exploit a new application for conducting electroactive polymers, polyaniline membrane has been successfully employed to separate two acidic mixtures (H,SO,M,PO, and HNO,./H,SOJ . The ability of the membrane to electrochemical control of the selectivity factor, and the flux values have been demonstrated using three different methods of dialysis, electrodialysis and electrodynamic. Using dialysis method the acids have been separated. An electrical gradient (electrodialysis) has been applied across both sides of the membrane and separation is also achieved with the increase of the flux value but the selectivity factor slightly decreases . When the separation of acids is carried out using the new method of "electrodynamic', in which an oxidative potential is applied directly to the polymer membrane, the selectivity factor increases significantly . This is a method that offers the possibility of selective and controllable transport and separation of acids.


The present situation in livestock production and production of meat is
 presented in this paper, as well as directions for future work aimed at
 bringing changes to this branch of economy. In the last decade, a drop in
 the number of animals was recorded of approx. 2 to 3% at annual level. Also,
 drop in production of meat was recorded from 444.000 tons (1990) to 384.000
 tons (2010). In order to have planned progress in production of meat it is
 necessary to define more clearly breeding goals with precise determination
 of all economically relevant and indicator traits. In addition to growth and
 body development traits which have so far been in focus of selection work,
 for production of meat also maternal traits are important, food conversion
 and quantity and quality traits of carcasses and meat.


The influence of temperature on the extraction kinetics of Cyclosporin A (CyA) from the mycelia of Tolypocladium inflatum was examined in this study. The extraction of CyA from mycelia was performed in a 2‐L stirred, baffled vessel using 30% v/v aqueous methanol. The temperature range used was from 5 to 45°C. A linear relationship was found between the extraction yield of CyA and temperature. As the temperature increased, the yield of CyA increased with a maximum CyA yield of 18.3% obtained at 45°C, which is 21.3% higher than the yield at 25°C. The activation energy for the extraction of CyA from T. inflatum was found to be 36.7 kJ/mol, which indicates that the extraction of CyA from T. inflatum is controlled by both solubilization of CyA and diffusion of CyA through the solid phase of mycelia. The overall mass transfer coefficient, kLaS, was found to increase from 1.02 × 10−3 to 1.34 × 10−2 s−1 as the temperature increased from 5 to 45°C. The effective diffusivity of CyA in the solid matrix of mycelia was found to increase from 1.05 × 10−15 to 1.43 × 10−14 m2/s as the temperature increased from 5 to 45°C. A mathematical diffusion model was developed and was used to fit the experimental kinetic data of CyA extraction and determination of CyA effective diffusivities at different temperatures. This is the first time CyA diffusivities as a function of extraction temperature are reported in the literature. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96:945–955. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


A chip layout design technique for a high-speed Josephson LSI circuit using an automatic placement and routing technique with a standard cell method has been developed. A chip layout design of a Josephson LSI circuit with 1500 gates for examining high-speed operability with a 1 GHz clock frequency has been successfully obtained. Related to high-frequency power on a high-speed Josephson LSI circuit, a dividing method for a circuit and a balancing method for power loads are proposed.<<ETX>>


Life prospers despite adverse conditions in many unpredictable dimensions. This requires that cellular processes work reliably, that is they are robust against many kinds of perturbations. For example, a cellular decision to differentiate should be stable despite changes in metabolic conditions and stochasticity due to thermal noise. For evolutionary stability, the same differentiation switch should function despite mutations or the evolution of further regulatory inputs. We asked how cellular decision making responds to these three forms of perturbation, expressed in chemical terms as rate parameters, stochasticity, and reaction topology. Remarkably, we found that there was no correlation between noise robustness and either of the others and only a weak correlation between robustness to parameters and topology. Thus, a given chemical switch could be robust to noise yet sensitive to parametric or topological changes. However, we found families of reaction topologies derived from a common core bistable with symmetric feedback loops, which retained bistability despite the removal of reactions or substantially changing parameters. We propose that evolution involving chemical switches must navigate a complex landscape involving multiple forms of robustness, and the only way for a given switch to have a systematic advantage in robustness is to come from a 'good family' of mirrorsymmetric topologies. Significance Statement Life endures despite metabolic fluctuations and environmental assaults. For the thousands of cellular decisions to continue to work, they must be robust to these perturbations. Many cellular decisions are made and stored by chemical switches, which like light switches retain their state – on or off – even after the trigger is gone. We computationally explored what makes chemical switches robust. It turns out that some are robust to thermal noise, others to mutations that disable part of the switch, or to changes in chemical conditions. Surprisingly, these different forms of robustness are mostly independent. However, chemical switches come in families built around core reactions, and these families tend to score high or low on several measures of robustness.


This study was carried out to investigate the effect of sucrose solution of different concentrations on the overall quality of mango slices, packed in glass jars and stored at ambient temperature (30-35oC) for 90 days. The treatment were T0 (mango slices + mango juice (control) T1 (mango slices + 20obrix sucrose solution) T2 (mango slices + 30%brix sucrose solution) T3 (mango slices + 40obrix sucrose solution) T4 (mango slices + 50obrix sucrose solution) T5 (mango slices + 60obrix sucrose solution). These samples were studied physicochemically for ascorbic acid content, %acidity, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), sugar-acid ratio, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and organolaptic evaluation. The ascorbic acid content decreased from 35.43 to 21.70 mg/100 g, Titratable acidity increased from 1.207 to 1.333%, pH decreased from 4.058 to 3.657, TSS increased from 26.60 to 31.50obrix, sugaracid ratio increased from 21.93 to 23.52, reducing sugar increased from 8.735 to 9.820%, non-reducing sugar decreased from 15.29 to 13.52%, during storage. In organoleptic evaluation, samples T2 and T3 were found the most acceptable to the panel. Statistical analysis showed that storage intervals and treatment had a significant (P<0.05) effect on physico–chemical and sensory analysis of mango slices.


A detailed mapping of the Zufia Formation near Estella-Lizarra (Navarra) has led to the discovery of a shallow-water marine carbonate-terrigenous unit of early Cenomanian age. The Aramendia unit consists basically of calcarenites. Facies analysis, lateral and vertical distribution are used to build a sedimentary model of a carbonate shoal. The calcarenitic shoal separates two principal domains: 7/ to the south, a back-shoal trough with calcarenitic material exported from the shoal and terrigenous input derived from the terrestrial hinterland, and 2/ a deeper fore-shoal trough with marly sedimentation and occasional intercalation of shoal derived beds. This fore-shoal area is devoid of terrigenous input after the shoal-barrier effect. A tectonic control influenced the foundation of the shoal on a structural paleohigh


Introduction: The main goals of treatment of Paget's disease of the bone (PDB) are to restore normal bone metabolism, relieve bone pain and prevent future complications. Bisphosphonates have been used for several decades, as the class of choice for the treatment of PDB. Oral alendronate and risedronate are used in higher doses than those used for osteoporosis that is 30mg/day and 20 to 40mg/day for 2 and 6 months respectively. Pamidronate (60-180mg), ibandronate (2mg) and zolendronate (5mg) can also be used intravenously. There is no data on the treatment of PDB with oral ibandronate. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory response of the treatment with oral ibandronate (150mg/month) for 6 months in 12 patients with PDB. Methods: We evaluated the intensity of bone pain, the alkaline phosphatase (AP) and serum ß-cross-links-C telopeptide (sCTX) in 12 patients with PDB, mean age 68.6 ± 11,2 years-old, serum AP 1.49 ± 0,98 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). sCTX was elevated in 10 patients (mean 2,13 ± 1,2 times ULN), before treatment. Results: After 6 months of treatment, the mean reduction in sCTX was 65,24 ± 28,9%, reaching 80% in 7 patients. The mean reduction of sAP was 49,21 ± 37,9%, with all patients having normal values in sAP after treatment. There was a significant clinical response in all patients, with marked improvement in bone pain. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate high efficacy of oral ibandronate in the treatment of PDB at equivalent doses used in the treatment of osteoporosis.


There appeared not long ago a Reduction Formula for derived Hochschild cohomology, that has been useful e.g., in the study of Gorenstein maps and of rigidity w.r.t. semidualizing complexes. The formula involves the relative dualizing complex of a ring homomorphism, so brings out a connection between Hochschild homology and Grothendieck duality. The proof, somewhat ad hoc, uses homotopical considerations via a number of noncanonical projective and injective resolutions of differential graded objects. Recent efforts aim at more intrinsic approaches, hopefully upgradable to "higher" contexts--like bimodules over algebras in infinity-categories. This would lead to wider applicability, for example to ring spectra; and the methods might be globalizable, revealing some homotopical generalizations of aspects of Grothendieck duality. (The original formula has a geometric version, proved by completely different methods coming from duality theory.) A first step is to extend Hom-Tensor adjunction--adjoint associativity--to the infinity-category setting.


The preparation of 21,24-dioxacorroles by condensation of dipyrromethane-5,5′-dicarboxylic acids with 5,5′-diformyl-2,2′-bifuryl or bis-(5-formyl-2-furyl) sulphide is described. It is suggested that the latter reaction involves a non-aromatic meso-thia-macrocyclic intermediate which loses sulphur by a disrotatory cyclisation to a thiiran intermediate followed by cheletropic loss of sulphur. Some evidence for this proposal is provided by the preparation of meso-thiaphlorins and a study of their thermolyses to give corroles. Further examples of sulphur extrusion from a meso-dithiaphlorin, to give a meso-thiacorrole, are given and rate enhancements, in the sulphur extrusion process, which are observed in metal complexes are discussed. Some electrophilic deuteriation studies on the 21,24-dioxa-corroles are reported.


This paper examines how oil market shocks affect Asian stock prices using the structural vector autoregression (VAR) approach. Global oil supply and demand shocks are disentangled using sign restrictions and elasticity bounds. Oil price increases are bad news only if the source is from oil-market-specific demand shifts. Northeast Asian stock markets are more resilient as investors' expectation of continued economic growth outweighs the adverse effect of higher oil prices. Increased global economic activity also stimulates stock prices. Global oil shocks are more important in explaining variability in Asian stock returns compared with the United States, suggesting different dynamics in Asia.


Growing evidence implicates the immune system as a critical mediator of cardiovascular disease progression and a viable therapeutic target. Increased inflammatory cell activity is seen in the full spectrum of disorders from early-stage atherosclerosis through myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and chronic heart failure. Although therapeutic strategies to modulate inflammation have shown promise in preclinical animal models, efficacy in patients has been modest owing in part to the variable severity of inflammation across individuals. The diverse leukocyte subpopulations involved in different aspects of heart disease pose a challenge to effective therapy, wherein adverse and beneficial aspects of inflammation require appropriate balance. Noninvasive molecular imaging enables tissue-level interrogation of inflammatory cells in the heart and vasculature to provide mechanistic and temporal insights into disease progression. Although clinical imaging has relied on 18F-FDG as a nonselective and crude marker of inflammatory cell activity, new imaging probes targeting cell surface markers of different leukocyte subpopulations present the opportunity to visualize and quantify distinct phases of cardiac and vessel wall inflammation. Similarly, therapies are evolving to more effectively isolate adverse from beneficial cell populations. This parallel development of immunocardiology and molecular imaging provides the opportunity to refine treatments using imaging guidance, building toward mechanism-based precision medicine. Here, we discuss progress in molecular imaging of immune cells in cardiology from use of 18F-FDG in the past to the present expansion of the radiotracer arsenal and then to a future theranostic paradigm of tracer-therapy compound pairs with shared targets. We then highlight the critical experiments required to advance the field from preclinical concept to clinical reality.


Patients undergoing major intra-abdominal operations were randomly allocated to receive either 100 mg indomethacin (n = 26) or placebo (n = 20), both given as suppositories, 3 times a day for 3 days. The analgesic effect of indomethacin was measured during the first 5 post-operative days by grading the experience of pain on a closed visual analogue pain scale and further by registration of the amount of narcotics requested. Patients receiving indomethacin had significantly lower pain scores and received significantly fewer doses of narcotics (p less than 0.01). There were only minor side effects which were equally frequent in the 2 groups. These results indicate that indomethacin is an effective analgesic drug in the early post-operative period.


The cleanroom in great demand lately shows high energy
consumption than general building because of its strict
indoor environmental conditions. So, energy saving in
cleanroom is very important thing.
In this study, the heating and cooling coil load of air
-conditioning system in cleanroom is predicted, and compared
with experimental data. Then, the propriety of simulation
made for the optmum design of air-conditioning system in
cleanroom is evaluated.


Top-absorbing organic solar cells with a light incoupling layer allowing the exposure of harmful UV irradiation have been fabricated. Short-wavelength light is absorbed by the down-shifting system Alq3:DCM located in the light incoupling layer of top-absorbing organic solar cells and is converted into longer wavelengths. This red light is then absorbed by a ZnPc:C60 bulk heterojunction solar cell, showing a total power efficiency increase by more than 10% related to additional photocurrent generated by this architectural concept.


Ultrathin Ge films with thickness of about 15 nm at different deposition temperatures were prepared by electron beam evaporation. Spectral measurement results showed that as the deposition temperature increased from 100°C to 300°C, the transmittance of the films in the wavelength range from 350 nm to 2100 nm decreased. After annealing in air at 500°C, the transmittance significantly increased and approached that of uncoated fused quartz. Based on the Tauc plot method and Mott–Davis–Paracrystalline model, the optical band gap of Ge films was calculated and interpreted. The difference in optical band gap reveals that the deposition temperature has an effect on the optical band gap before annealing, while having little effect on the optical band gap after annealing. Furthermore, due to oxidation of Ge films, the optical band gap was significantly increased to ∼5.7 eV after annealing.


Autophagy, a catabolic process, degrades damaged and defective cellular materials through lysosomes, thus working as a recycling mechanism of the cell. It is an evolutionarily conserved and highly regulated process that plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Autophagy is constitutively active at the basal level; however, it gets enhanced to meet cellular needs in various stress conditions. The process involves various autophagy-related genes that ultimately lead to the degradation of targeted cytosolic substrates. Many factors modulate both upstream and downstream autophagy pathways like nutritional status, energy level, growth factors, hypoxic conditions, and localization of p53. Any problem in executing autophagy can lead to various pathological conditions including neurodegeneration, aging, and cancer. In cancer, autophagy plays a contradictory role; it inhibits the formation of tumors, whereas, during advanced stages, autophagy promotes tumor progression. Besides, autophagy protects the tumor from various therapies by providing recycled nutrition and energy to the tumor cells. Autophagy is stimulated by tumor suppressor proteins, whereas it gets inhibited by oncogenes. Due to its dynamic and dual role in the pathogenesis of cancer, autophagy provides promising opportunities in developing novel and effective cancer therapies along with managing chemoresistant cancers. In this article, we summarize different strategies that can modulate autophagy in cancer to overcome the major obstacle, i.e., resistance developed in cancer to anticancer therapies.


Aiming at resolving membrane fouling problem of MBR technology applying in water recycle, two-stage sequencing batch membrane bioreactor (TSBMBR) was presented. Comparing with the one-stage aerobic membrane bioreactor, the mechanism of how sequencing batch operating mode reducing membrane fouling was shown. The results showed that external pollution resistance (Ref+Rp) of one-stage aerobic membrane bioreactor, taking up 75.39% of total resistance, was much higher than that of TSBMBR. The most obvious factor was external deposition resistance Ref, which of TSBMBR was just 6.5% of that of one-stage aerobic membrane bioreactor. And then was the gel polarization resistance Rp, which of TSBMBR was about 33.12% of that of one-stage aerobic membrane bioreactor. Gel polarization resistance Rp of the two systems occupied the major proportion, values of SMP of the two system accumulated with time, and SMP value of TSBMBR is lower than that of one-stage aerobic membrane bioreactor. SMP value of the former was more stable and increased slowly, while that of the latter increased rapidly in late experiment period. Reduction rate of SBMBR2 specific membrane flux was much lower than that of one-stage aerobic membrane bioreactor. Comparing with initial operation, specific membrane flux fell by 42% and 75% respectively. This showed that sequencing batch mode membrane suction and idle aeration operation mode could help improving degradability of hard-biodegradable organics, mitigating polarization, and effectively reducing sediment and gel layer pollution on membrane surface. Comparing with one-stage membrane bioreactor, TSBMBR could enable the system to keep high trans-membrane flux, low membrane fouling rate and high system stability.


We report the rational design and synthesis of a supramolecular gelator based on a Zn(II)–salophen derivative functionalized with L-valine residues. This compound is able to gelate acetonitrile by self-assembly into helical long fibers that further aggregate into bundles. The fibers are stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions established by gelator units stacked one on the top of another. The gel is responsive to the presence of anions. Moreover the zinc center remains available for the coordination of an external guest without causing gel disruption.


Accidents in gas stations may cause injury or even death to people. Moreover, an accident in a gas station might halt its operation for some time. When an accident takes place in a region with scant amount of gas stations, it may lead to fuel scarcity in the area, affecting the economy and sparking other issues. Therefore, safety climate and safety performance in gas stations need to be evaluated. Safety climate has been used as a tool to assess the safety performance of an organization at a given time. The aim of this study was to understand the influence of safety climate on safety performance in gas stations in Indonesia. A total of 129 gas stations were selected. To assess safety climate, a safety climate questionnaire was used, while the safety performance was captured by conducting on site structured observations. The assessment shows that gas stations have a good level of safety climate, especially when it is compared with other industrial sectors in Indonesia, such as construction. The study findings also show that safety climate has a significant positive impact on safety performance. Three safety climate dimensions with significant positive influence on safety performance are management commitment, communication, and personal accountability. Therefore, improvement efforts should focus more on these dimensions to boost safety performance in gas stations.


The late Mesozoic to mid-Tertiary depositional history of an autochthonous block in southwest Turkey is outlined in relation to the direction of emplacement of adjacent allochthonous units. In this area, a lively debate persists as to whether the Antalya Complex, located along the Mediterranean coast, should be correlated with the Lycian Nappes, sited to the northwest in central western Anatolia. Both allochthonous bodies include Mesozoic ophiolites and similar shallow- to deep-water sedimentary facies. Correlation of the Antalya Complex and the Lycian Nappes requires transport over the adjacent autochthon, the Bey Daglari. Here field data from the southern part of the Bey Daglari are used to trace the depositional history of the autochthon from Late Cretaceous to late Miocene time. A pattern of late Mesozoic pelagic carbonate deposition giving way to more heterogeneous sedimentation in the early Tertiary is documented. By early Miocene, the autochthon was blanketed by a thick sequence of Miocene elastics, mostly derived from an ophiolite. Evidence from sedimentary structures shows that transport was from the east and northeast. Depositional models are advanced which involve an early Miocene delta-submarine fan giving way in later Miocene times to an alluvial fan. Demonstration that in this area the ophiolite material was derived from the east provides additional important evidence of the existence of a southerly Mesozoic oceanic basin, distinct in origin from the Lycian nappes to the north.


This chapter introduces the legal context in which religious education (RE) takes place, not only according to the letter of the law but in the sometimes complex ways that accepted practice departs from the law. It explores the different kinds of schooling in England, different arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the various influences on policy in these contexts. The chapter discusses some of the differences between religious education in different types of schools in the United Kingdom (UK) state system. It explores the role played by different organisations in setting and implementing religious education policy. The chapter focuses on awareness of some of the contemporary debates and challenges in religious education. The place of RE in the curriculum is dependent on legislation, faith groups, local organisations, professional networks, inspectors and examiners.


Congestion games are a classical type of games studied in game theory, in which n players choose a resource, and their individual cost increases with the number of other players choosing the same resource. In network congestion games (NCGs), the resources correspond to simple paths in a graph, e.g. representing routing options from a source to a target. In this paper, we introduce a variant of NCGs, referred to as dynamic NCGs: in this setting, players take transitions synchronously, they select their next transitions dynamically, and they are charged a cost that depends on the number of players simultaneously using the same transition.
We study, from a complexity perspective, standard concepts of game theory in dynamic NCGs: social optima, Nash equilibria, and subgame perfect equilibria. Our contributions are the following: the existence of a strategy profile with social cost bounded by a constant is in PSPACE and NP-hard. (Pure) Nash equilibria always exist in dynamic NCGs; the existence of a Nash equilibrium with bounded cost can be decided in EXPSPACE, and computing a witnessing strategy profile can be done in doubly-exponential time. The existence of a subgame perfect equilibrium with bounded cost can be decided in 2EXPSPACE, and a witnessing strategy profile can be computed in triply-exponential time.


To provide clinical guidance to rheumatology providers who treat children with pediatric rheumatic disease (PRD) in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic.


Abstract In this article, ratio estimators for the population mean have suggested using the robust covariance estimation under the simple random scheme. Zaman and Bulut have developed a class of ratio-type estimators for the mean estimation by utilizing robust regression coefficients. In this paper, we extend the estimators presented in Zaman and Bulut by using minimum covariance determinant (MCD) robust covariance estimation. The mean square error (MSE) equation for the new estimators is obtained. These theoretical results are supported with the aid of numerical example and simulation based on dataset that include outliers.


Abstract Environmental forensic analysis has evolved significantly from the early days of qualitative chemical fingerprint evaluations. The need for quantitative rigor has made the use of numerical methods critical in identifying and mapping contaminant sources in complex environmental systems. Given multiple contaminant sources, the environmental scientist is faced with the challenge of unraveling the contributions of multiple plumes with overlapping spatial and temporal distributions. The problem may be addressed through a multivariate statistical approach, but there is a mind-boggling array of the available "chemometric" methods. This paper provides an overview of these methods, along with a review of their advantages, disadvantages, and pitfalls. Methods discussed include principal component analysis and several receptor-modeling techniques.


Degradation of crop and grazing lands is a pervasive problem that negatively impacts agricultural productivity and livelihoods of crop-livestock farmers in the Blue Nile basin of Ethiopia. Area enclosure together with a cut and carry livestock feeding system is often advocated as an approach for the regeneration of degraded grazing lands. This paper reports the results of a two-year farmer participatory study conducted to assess the effects of infiltration trenches (ITs) and Chloris gayana Kunth (Rhodes grass; cultivar Masaba; tetraploid; C4 grass species) reseeding on restoration of degraded grazing lands. A split plot design was used with IT as the main plot and C. gayana reseeding as a sub-plot on 28 private grazing plots under enclosure. The results showed that IT alone increased soil moisture content and prolonged the growing period. IT and C. gayana reseeding together significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased herbage dry matter yield and improved soil chemical properties. The highest mean herbage dry matter yield (21 Mg ha per cut) was recorded for plots treated with IT and reseeded with C. gayana. The higher herbage dry matter yield was attributed to increased soil moisture and the resultant prolonged growing period induced by the trenches coupled with the ability of C. gayana to effectively utilize the retained water. The results suggest that an integrated land management approach involving enclosure, in-situ water conservation and C. gayana reseeding can rapidly increase biomass productivity on degraded grazing lands while also enhancing soil quality with concomitant livelihood benefits for farmers.


Abstract Numerous instruments to assess doctor-patient communication have been developed to date. The Measure of Patient Centred Communication (MPCC)1 was created for use in primary care and measures three components of communication (1) Exploring the disease (2) Understanding the whole person (3) Finding common ground. In ongoing research we are exploring the suitability of the MPCC for assessing chemotherapy review consultations. Here we present our preliminary experiences of using this coding framework. Methods Between October 2009 and November 2010, 496 outpatient consultations with 124 patients were audio-recorded at St James' Institute of Oncology, Leeds. All patients were receiving chemotherapy for either advanced colorectal (n=49), gynaecological (n=48) or breast cancer (n=27). A team of eight coders are analysing recordings using both the MPCC and content analyses. Results Preliminary findings suggest the MPCC can be applied to oncology consultations. The coding team have reached agreement on how to code key issues discussed by patients and doctors including symptoms of the cancer, side effects of treatment, questions about prognosis, treatment decision making and the doctors' explanations about cancer status throughout chemotherapy cycles. Conclusions The MPCC may be a useful tool for examining patient-centredness in oncology. Future work will explore the value of the MPCC in assessing the impact of routinely collecting and feeding back patient reported outcome (PRO) data to oncologists. The MPCC will be used to assess if training oncologists to interpret and use the PRO data improves patient-centred care in consultations.


Background. Cancer immunotherapies are designed to work in conjunction with a patient9s immune system to increase native anti-tumour responses, and immunotherapeutic approaches to treating cancer have been evaluated during the last few decades with limited success. An understanding of the checkpoint signaling pathway involving the programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligands (PD-L1/2) has focused efforts in targeting tumour-induced immune suppression to advance immunotherapeutic drug development, with the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway being shown to be a promising therapeutic target. Early clinical experience has shown encouraging activity of these agents in a variety of human tumours, with further results awaited from completed and ongoing studies. One of the most important aspects in anti cancer drug development is the availability of robust preclinical models which allow the efficacy of novel therapies to be examined. Conventional xenograft models lack relevance in this area due to the immunocompromised status of the strains used. Several Humanised mouse models have been developed, but these can be difficult to manage and expensive to run. Syngeneic mouse models (murine cancer growing in a mouse) however can provide an effective mechanism for studying of cancer therapy in the presence of a fully functional immune system. As they retain intact immune systems, syngeneic mouse models representing a variety of hematological and solid tumors (including leukemia, melanoma, lung, colon and breast cancer) can be particularly relevant for studies of immunologically-based targeted therapies, either used alone or in combination with other drugs that modulate the immune system9s ability to seek out and destroy cancer cells. As well as allowing the evaluation of tumour burden and tumour growth delay, these models allow the assessment of immune-modulatory phenotypes. Here we discuss the response of syngeneic tumours to the checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 using the colorectal syngeneic tumour model CT26, and outline the development of strategies to optimise tissue disaggregation and FACs analysis of relevant markers in this and other syngeneic tumour models. Materials and Methods. Female BalB/C mice aged between 6-8 weeks were inoculated sub cutaneously with CT26 cells at a variety of concentrations between 1 × 106 to 5×106 cells per mouse. Tumours were allowed to grow to 100mm3 and then animals were administered with vehicle control or anti PD-L1 at a variety of doses and schedules. At sacrifice, spleen and tumour were collected, and tissues were processed using a variety of conditions to provide single cell suspensions which were then labelled for FACs analysis using a panel of markers including CD3, CD4, CD8, Foxp3, CD11b, B220 and CD44 to evaluate the influence of anti-PD-L1 treatment on immune cell populations such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), and effector T cells. Conclusion.CT26 syngeneic tumours grow well as a sub cutaneous model, with palpable tumours forming within one week of implantation. Administration of anti PD-L1 shows some efficacy in the model. Careful attention must be paid to the methodology of tumour disaggregation and cellular staining, to retain the viability of all cell populations within the tumour for subsequent FACs analysis, and so as not to bias results. These methods can be readily used to examine the influence of immunotherapy in syngeneic tumour models. Citation Format: Michael A. Batey, Saba Alzabin, Sarah Hoyle, Sarah Otto, Emma Bowden. The Eevaluation of syngeneic animal models for the development of immunotherapeutics in cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr A12.


The clinical courses of patients with Takayasu arteritis vary especially when aortic regurgitation is involved. The clinical features and outcomes of Takayasu arteritis were studied in 78 patients to clarify the influence of aortic regurgitation on the natural history, especially the earlier stages of aortic regurgitation after onset of Takayasu arteritis. During the average 12.7-year follow-up period, 7% (3/43) of patients without aortic regurgitation died, but 17% (6/35) of patients with aortic regurgitation died. Mortality was low (6%; 1/16) in patients with mild (grade II or less) regurgitation, but high (26%; 5/19) in patients with severe (greater than grade III) regurgitation. Predictors indicating patients likely to die of severe aortic regurgitation were age at onset (mean age of 30.0 years), C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and presence or absence of involvement of major branches of the aortic arch. Mortality was 33% (2/6) in patients without involvement of the major branches, which was significantly higher than that of patients with such involvement (17%; 2/12). From the initial consultation, most patients with mild regurgitation remained stable, but younger patients with severe regurgitation due to acute pathological processes of the ascending aorta from the early stage and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate showed deterioration in their clinical courses. Younger patients with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, intact major branches of the aortic arch, no signs of classical pulseless disease, and severe aortic regurgitation due to Takayasu arteritis have a poor prognosis.


The first aim of this paper was the determination of the inertial and vibrational characteristic of paddle rackets, locating the center of percussion (CP), and the node of the fundamental mode of vibration (NVL). A second aim was the location of the frequent impact areas on the racket face to contrast these areas with the CP and NVL.
The inertial characteristics of the rackets were determined using the classic pendulum method. The oscillation periods were measured with a precision of 0.001s using a high-speed video camera (180 Hz), given a standard error equal to 1 mm for the location of the CP. Accelerometer techniques were used to determine the natural frequency of the rackets with an error of 2 Hz and to locate the NVL with a precision of 1 mm. A field study was done with advanced paddle players to locate the areas of the racket face that they use for the different type of shots; this was done using rackets sensitized with carbon paper.

The average location of the CP of 20 paddle rackets was mm 115 = CP l from the top of the racket, with a standard deviation of mm 3 = CP s indicating a small variability in the position of the CP among the different rackets. The average location of the NVL for these same rackets were mm 109 @ NV l with mm 4 = NV s , so the average distance between the CP and the NVL is only 6 mm, and therefore the locations of these points are not critical for the performance of the paddle rackets.
The results of the field study show that advanced paddle players use different areas of the racket face for the drive, smash and volleys shots, mm 128 = d l , mm 83 = s l and mm 146 = v l being their average location, respectively, with standard errors of mm 22 = d s mm 14 = v s mm 11 = s s . A t-test was used to determine whether the differences among the locations are statistically significant, the results being 6 , 2 - = t and 014 , 0 = p between drive and volley ; 4 , 11 - = t and 11 10 . 2 , 1 - = p between volley and smash and 2 , 6 - = t and 6 10 . 4 , 1 - = p between drive and smash.
These results indicate the existence of statistically significant differences between the impact locations used in the different type of shots.
The paddle rackets have CP and NVL locations between 100 and 120 mm from the top of the racket, so that impacts in this region do not transfer much vibration and force to the player's arm. The impacts between this region and the CM of the racket have a high apparent coefficient of restitution (ACOR), as has been shown in another paper. Impacts near the top of the racket (as in the smash) have lower ACORs and lack the advantages of the CP and the NVL, transferring more vibration and force to the player's arm.


ABSTRACT Radiocesium (RCs) discharged by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.) accident has extensively contaminated agricultural land in Fukushima Prefecture and its neighboring areas. Many studies have demonstrated that Cs (RCs and 133Cs) uptake of plants is affected by the exchangeable K (Ex-K) concentration in soil. However, the precise plant–soil interaction in relation to Cs uptake is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate Cs uptake of plant in field by focusing on xylem exudate and roots because nutrients in xylem exudate reflect medium (soil) conditions and affect nutrient accumulation in shoots. Two varieties of amaranth, K4 (Amaranthus caudatus L.) and Mexico type (A. hypochondriacus L.), which have different Cs uptake abilities, were grown in four fields and in pots (750 to 3440 Bq kg−1 of RCs) in Fukushima Prefecture. Cs concentrations in xylem exudate, shoot, and soil; Ex-K concentration in soil; and root distribution in soil were determined. RCs concentration in xylem exudate varied from 0.04 to 164 Bq kg−1 and 133Cs concentration in xylem exudate ranged from 0.01 to 33.7 μg kg−1. The Cs concentrations were decreased by the high Ex-K concentration and the large amount of 2:1 type clay minerals in soil. The average of the ratios of Cs concentration in shoot to Cs concentration in xylem exudate for all samples was 127 ± 112 (mean ± standard deviation), although no clear correlation was found between them. The correlations betwee\n RCs and 133Cs concentrations in xylem exudate and shoot were strong in pot and in the field with low Ex-K concentration. Eighty-five percent of the total root length was distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm soil layer). The positions where roots take up Cs were estimated from the differences in the vertical distribution of RCs and 133Cs concentrations in soil. The estimated Cs uptake ratios of topsoil to total soil layer ranged from 7% to 91% and varied with the concentration and the vertical distribution of Ex-K in soil.


Youth are the strength of a nation. They are productive population of any society.  Education, employment opportunities and scope for their overall development can evolve them to be productive population of our country. But the youth in the recent days are falling prey to various addictions thereby causing a setback to their overall development and progress. Deviance of any kind is not tolerated by society and any institutions. Youth generally are prone to various forms of addictions such as smoking, consuming alcohol, drugs and mobile addictions. Most of the deviant acts such as murder, theft, kidnapping, various forms of abuses in society are performed under the influence of addictions. The study focusses on the various addictions among adolescents in the Pre-university colleges in India. Objectives- 1. To examine the various types of addictions that are associated with the students in the Pre-university colleges. 2.To examine the involvement of mobile or gadget addiction among the students. Sample – Sample consisted of 300 students selected from 30 Pre-university colleges of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. The age group of the sample was 16 to 18 years, the adolescents. Structured questionnaire was the adopted tool to collect primary data from the sample. Results- 91% of the sample were into one or the other form of addictions, out of which only 9% of them have reported that they were not into any form of addictions. 39% of the sample were addicted to watching porn and adult movies. 27% were addicted to smoking, 21% were addicted to alcohol consumption and 13% were addicted to drugs. Out of the above-mentioned addictions, the students were more addicted to watching porn and adult movies. 75% of the sample were addicted to gadgets and video games Conclusion: Among various forms of additions that are seen in the adolescents, there is a higher level of addiction to gadgets and games played using internet among the Pre-university students of Dakshina Kannada district. There is relatively a higher level of addiction in watching porn and adult movies on the internet, followed by smoking and alcohol consumption. In the sample very few of the students have been reported who are not addicted to any form of addictions.


Introduction: Adverse drug reaction generally occurs on re-exposure to a specific antigen and requires the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, but it can also occur on first exposure, because there is cross-reactivity among many commercial products and drugs. Thus present study was aimed to study the incidence of adverse drug reactions, and to identify common drugs, that causes adverse drug reaction. Methodology: Patients included in study were all age groups undergoing different types of surgery under anaesthesia from June 2006 to October 2008 at civil hospital, Ahmedabad. Total 77 patients included in the study were examined preoperatively and history noted in proforma. Perioperatively any type of localized or generalized reactions of any organ system involved also noted. Results: Majority of the patients had reactions due to muscle relaxants (20.77%) followed by colloids (19.48%). Haemacele was most common 9.09%, among all colloids causing ADR. Among IV induction agent thiopental (6.49%) was most common followed by Propofol (5.19%). Bronchospasm was the most common reaction occurring about (37.66%) of the patients. Urticaria (23.37%), Rigors (12.98%), Hypotension (9.09%) and others like rash, itching, collapse, convulsion etc, occur in (16.78%). Conclusion: Drugs involved in adverse drug reactions were Muscle relaxants, Colloids, I.V induction agents, Antibiotics, BT, Rantac, Emset and other drugs like local anesthetics, methyl methacrylate cement used in replacement surgeries causes reaction. Muscle relaxants, IV induction agents, colloids are the most common anesthetic drugs or substances that may lead to anaphylaxis.


Animals and humans maintain a definite body orientation in space during locomotion. Here we analyze the system for the control of body orientation in the lamprey (a lower vertebrate). In the swimming lamprey, commands for changing the body orientation are based on vestibular information; they are transmitted to the spinal cord by reticulospinal (RS) neurons. The aim of this study was to characterize the sensory-motor transformation performed by individual RS neurons. The brainstem–spinal cord preparation with vestibular organs was used. For each RS neuron, we recorded (1) its vestibular responses to turns in different planes and (2) responses in different motoneuron pools of the spinal cord to stimulation of the same RS neuron; the latter data allowed us to estimate the direction of torque (caused by the RS neuron) that will rotate the animal's body during swimming. For each of the three main planes (roll, pitch, and yaw), two groups of RS neurons were found; they were activated by rotation in opposite directions and caused the torques counteracting the rotation that activated the neuron. In each plane, the system will stabilize the orientation at which the two groups are equally active; any deviation from this orientation will evoke a corrective motor response. Thus, individual RS neurons transform sensory information about the body orientation into the motor commands that cause corrections of orientation. The closed-loop mechanisms formed by individual neurons of a group operate in parallel to generate the resulting motor responses.


OBJECTIVE
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant bone tumor that poses a serious threat to the health of adolescents or children. A large number of studies have proposed the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OS, except for miR-1247. Therefore, this research was designed to explore the molecular mechanism of miR-1247 in OS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) or Western blot analysis was used to measure the expressions of miR-1247 and genes. The function of miR-1247 was investigated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays. The Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was used to explore the relationship between miR-1247 and neuropilin-1 (NRP1).

RESULTS
MiR-1247 was downregulated in OS, which was related to the aggressive behavior of OS patients. Moreover, miR-1247 inhibited cell viability and metastasis in OS. At the same time, miR-1247 promoted apoptosis and inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in OS. Furthermore, it was confirmed that NRP1 was a direct target of miR-1247. Upregulation of NRP1 attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-1247 in OS.

CONCLUSIONS
MiR-1247 played a suppressive role in OS by suppressing cell viability and metastasis.


Religious property owners have both successfully and unsuccessfully challenged historic preservation ordinances as burdens on the free exercise of religion. Courts considering this conflict typically rely on Employment Division v. Smith, in which the United States Supreme Court held that neutral laws of general applicability that incidentally burden religion are not subject to strict scrutiny. Ambiguities in Smith, however, have left courts free to use their own interpretive discretion and have made attempts to apply free exercise precedent particularly difficult in the historic preservation context. This Note reviews the historic preservation movement and free exercise jurisprudence, then analyzes cases that have attempted to balance these two often conflicting interests. The Note argues that the strictures of Smith are too rigid, producing results either overor under-inclusive of free exercise rights. Only through the application of a case by case balancing test can courts adequately adjudicate inevitable free exercise/historic preservation conflicts.


Heat transfer, pressure loss, and thermal performance assessment in a circular tube heat exchanger with modified-twisted tapes are reported. The rectangular holes are punched out from the general twisted tape to reduce the pressure loss. The influences of the hole sizes (, LR = 0.30, 0.44, 0.78, and 0.88) and twisted ratios (, TR = 1, 1.5, 2, and 4) for the single and double twisted tapes are investigated with a numerical method at turbulent regime, Re = 3000–10,000. The finite volume method and the SIMPLE algorithm are used to investigate for the current research. The numerical results are reported in terms of flow structure and heat transfer behavior and compared with the smooth tube and the regular twisted tape. It is found that the modified-twisted tape provides higher heat transfer rate than the smooth tube due to the longitudinal vortex flows, created by the twisted tape. The longitudinal vortex flows help to increase fluid mixing. The rectangular punched holes of the twisted tape can reduce the pressure loss of the heating system. In addition, the maximum thermal enhancement factor is around 1.39 and 1.31 for the double twisted tape and single twisted tape, respectively, at Re = 3000, LR = 0.78, and TR = 1.


Anthrax is a disease of humans and animals caused by the encapsulated, spore-forming Bacillus anthracis. In Italy, anthrax is normally a sporadic disease. During the summer 2004, anthrax broke out in the Basilicata, in southern Italy, a region with a low prevalence of anthrax in which vaccination had been suspended since 1998. The disease involved several animals in few weeks and in a large area. Over 41 days, 81 cattle died, as well as 15 sheep, 9 goats, 11 horses and 8 deer. The Multiple-locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeats Analysis (MLVA) showed that all the 53 isolates belonged to the Cluster Ala, genotype 1. The results of the Single Nucleotide Repeats (SNRs) Analysis showed that 48/53 B. anthacis strains belonged to a single clonal lineage, the sub-genotype sgt - eB. Two sporadic mutants, sgt - eB,m1 and sgt - eB,m2, were isolated, only one managing to infect other herds. Factors that could have contributed to the spread of infection, such as the transmission of spores by insect vectors and the favourable weather conditions were evaluated.


The expression levels of microRNA‑21 (miR‑21) are increased in a number of types of solid tumors. However, the association between miR‑21 expression and clinical features of patients with gastric carcinoma, and gastric cancer proliferation, invasion and migration remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the effect of miR‑21 on the clinical features, proliferation, invasion and migration of gastric cancer and the underlying mechanisms associated with Noxa. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) was performed to detect the expression levels of miR‑21 and Noxa in samples of gastric cancer tissue and matched, adjacent, non‑tumor tissue. The association between miR‑21 expression and the clinical features of patients with gastric carcinoma, as well as the correlation between the mRNA and protein expression levels of miR‑21 and Noxa were analyzed. SGC‑7901 gastric cancer cells were cultured in vitro and transfected with an miR‑21 mimic. The effect of miR‑21 upregulation on proliferation and the cell cycle was determined using the MTT assay and flow cytometry. In addition, migration and invasion of SGC‑7901 cells were observed using the Transwell assay. The target gene of miR‑21 was identified using bioinformatics software and a dual luciferase reporting system. The effect of miR‑21 upregulation on Noxa expression levels in SGC‑7901 cells was also analyzed by RT‑qPCR and western blotting. Increased levels of miR‑21 expression and decreased levels of Noxa expression were observed in gastric cancer tissue samples when compared with the adjacent non‑tumor tissue samples. An increased miR‑21 expression level was identified as a risk factor for advanced stage gastric cancer, lymph node metastasis and larger primary tumors. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR‑21 inhibited Noxa expression levels in SGC‑7901 cells. Therefore, high levels of miR‑21 expression may induce gastric cancer migration and invasion via the downregulation of Noxa expression.


Colorectal cancer's (CRC) ability to invade local tissues and lymph nodes and generate distant metastases is the key for TNM classification. Aspartate-β-hydroxylase (ASPH), a transmembrane protein that catalyzes Notch receptors and ligand activation, is involved in tumor invasion. Because Notch is involved in gut homeostasis, it could be a target for CRC therapy. ASPH mRNA and protein expression, promoter methylation and gene copy numbers were evaluated using the TCGA and CPTAC human CRC datasets. Using digital pathology, ASPH was scored in the luminal area (LM), center tumor (CT) and invasive margin (IM) of 100 human CRCs. The effect of ASPH targeting on invasiveness and viability was tested by siRNA knockdown and small molecule inhibitors (SMI). Bioinformatics analysis showed increased expression of ASPH mRNA and protein in CRC, paired with a decreased methylation profile. ASPH genetic gain or amplification was frequent (56%), while deletion was rare (0.03%). Digital pathology analysis showed that ASPH exerted its pathological activity in the invasive margin of the tumor, affecting invasive front morphology, tumor budding and patients' overall survival. In vitro, ASPH targeting by siRNA or SMI reduced cell invasion and growth and caused Notch-1 downregulation. This study demonstrates that ASPH targeting by specific inhibitors could improve CRC treatment strategies.


This work examines how the grammarian Herodian (2nd Century) treated the so-called τρίτος τύπος of comparative adjectives. This class includes βράσσων, πάσσων, γλύσσων, βάσσων, µάσσων, ϑάσσων and ἐλάσσων, whose root vowels are δίχρονος, i.e. their length is not indicated in the orthography. Nor is their length ascertainable from metrical evidence. Herodianic doctrine regarding these vowel lengths is investigated and shown to conflict with modern etymologies in some instances. The question arises whether we should trust Herodian or the etymologies.These contradictions are best resolved by reviving, in modified form, Wackernagel's idea that Herodian reports specifically Attic root vowel lengths in exactly the instances where a suitable Attic form existed; Attic comparatives often differ from those in other dialects due to well-established vowel lengthening processes. But Herodian's citation of forms with non-Attic -σσ- rather than -ττ- is unexpected and suggests a more fundamental explanation: Herodian's account of these formations is probably based on the relevant Koine forms, where these existed. This conclusion may offer insights into the sources of Herodian's linguistic judgements more generally.


Deep sequencing is used to broadly characterize mammalian B cell repertoires. DNA from these libraries might be used to produce monoclonal antibodies in vitro, but current methods do not amplify paired heavy and light chain immunoglobulin (Ig). We have developed a method that combines microfluidics and DNA amplification to produce repertoire-wide single-cell linked Ig DNA libraries. We encapsulate hundreds of thousands of single B cells into aqueous-in-oil picoliter droplets. Inside droplets, we perform overlap extension reverse transcriptase PCR, which reverse transcribes and amplifies heavy and light chain Ig separately in early cycles. In later cycles, a linker DNA sequence drives synthesis of a fusion product containing both heavy and light chain Ig. The fusion products encode fragments of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We spiked immortal B cell lymphocytes into peripheral blood at several concentrations. Previously, we sequenced the immunoglobulin kappa (IgK) and heavy (IgH) chain variable regions of each cell line. Then, we produced linked Ig repertoire DNA libraries using a set of primers targeting the full variable regions (CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3) for the full IgK and IgH repertoires. We were able to recover expected IgK and IgH pairings for each of the spike-ins, with <5% background. Affinity-selected mAbs from linked repertoire libraries could eventually be used as therapeutics in autoimmunity or cancer, and may have higher efficacy than artificially derived mAbs.


Causal discovery seeks to recover cause‐effect relationships from statistical data using graphical models. One goal of this paper is to provide an accessible introduction to causal discovery methods for climate scientists, with a focus on constraint-based structure learning. Second, in a detailed case study constraintbased structure learning is applied to derive hypotheses of causal relationships between four prominent modes of atmospheric low-frequency variability in boreal winter including the Western Pacific Oscillation (WPO), Eastern Pacific Oscillation (EPO), Pacific‐North America (PNA) pattern, and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The results are shown in the form of static and temporal independence graphs also known as Bayesian Networks. It is found that WPO and EPO are nearly indistinguishable from the cause‐ effect perspective as strong simultaneous coupling is identified between the two. In addition, changes in the state of EPO (NAO) may cause changes in the state of NAO (PNA) approximately 18 (3‐6) days later. These results are not only consistent with previous findings on dynamical processes connecting different low-frequency modes (e.g., interaction between synoptic and low-frequency eddies) but also provide the basis for formulating new hypotheses regarding the time scale and temporal sequencing of dynamical processes responsible for these connections. Last, the authors propose to use structure learning for climate networks, which are currently based primarily on correlation analysis. While correlation-based climate networks focus on similarity between nodes, independence graphs would provide an alternative viewpoint by focusing on information flow in the network.


This study evaluated the impact of didactic videos and service user testimonial videos on mental illness stigma among medical students. Two randomized controlled trials were conducted in Nepal. Study 1 examined stigma reduction for depression. Study 2 examined depression and psychosis. Participants were Nepali medical students (Study 1: n = 94, Study 2: n = 213) randomized to three conditions: a didactic video based on the mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), a service user video about living with mental illness, or a control condition with no videos. In Study 1, videos only addressed depression. In Study 2, videos addressed depression and psychosis. In Study 1, both didactic and service user videos reduced stigma compared to the control. In Study 2 (depression and psychosis), there were no differences among the three arms. When comparing Study 1 and 2, there was greater stigma reduction in the service user video arm with only depression versus service user videos describing depression and psychosis. In summary, didactic and service user videos were associated with decreased stigma when content addressed only depression. However, no stigma reduction was seen when including depression and psychosis. This calls for considering different strategies to address stigma based on types of mental illnesses. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03231761.


Based on coupled networks, taking node load, capacity and load redistribution between two networks into consideration, we propose functionally identical coupled networks, which consist of two networks connected by interlinks. Functionally identical coupled networks are derived from the power grid of the United States, which consists of many independent grids. Many power transmission lines are planned to interconnect those grids and, therefore, the study of the robustness of functionally identical coupled networks becomes important. In this paper, we find that functionally identical coupled networks are more robust than single networks under random attack. By studying the effect of the broadness and average degree of the degree distribution on the robustness of the network, we find that a broader degree distribution and a higher average degree increase the robustness of functionally identical coupled networks under random failure. And SF-SF (two coupled scale-free networks) is more robust than ER-ER (two coupled random networks) or SF-ER (coupled random network and scale-free network). This research is useful to construct robust functionally identical coupled networks such as two cooperative power grids.


Background:Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with daily oral emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may select for drug resistance if there is low adherence. Methods:Plasma viral HIV-1 RNA level, CD4+ T-cell counts, and drug resistance were evaluated among seroconverting women in the FEM-PrEP trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT00625404) using standard clinical tests, allele-specific PCR (ASPCR), and by deep sequencing. Tenofovir, FTC, and their intracellular metabolites were measured in plasma and cells. Results:There was no difference in plasma HIV-1 RNA level or CD4+ cell count among seroconverters in the active arm versus those receiving placebo. Tenofovir resistance was not observed. FTC resistance was detected using clinical assays in five seroconverters (four in the active arm and one in the placebo arm); two in the active arm occurred among women having moderate concentrations of PrEP drugs in the blood. The first evidence of infection occurred at the first postenrollment visit in three of the four with FTC resistance, although none had detectable viral nucleic acids at enrollment. FTC-resistant minor variants were detected in an additional four seroconverters (one in the active arm and three in the placebo arm). Conclusions:Drug resistance detected during ineffective PrEP use had characteristics suggesting transmitted infection or incubating infection prior to starting PrEP.


NICE guidelines state that adults experiencing a first episode of psychosis should access psychological input within two weeks of referral (NICE, 2016). In the Mid-Essex Early Intervention Psychosis Team, clients can book up to four sessions of assessment and brief intervention when first referred and feel ready to access the Early Psychological Intervention Clinic (EPIC). Following this, clients can be referred for further psychological intervention should they want or require this. This service evaluation aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of EPIC sessions by comparing the CORE-OM (Evans et al., 2009) outcome measure pre- and post-EPIC and collecting qualitative feedback using a structured interview with open-ended questions. The results showed clinically significant improvements for 45 per cent of clients. Paired T-Tests revealed statistically significant improvement in the overall clinical score and all subsections of the CORE, suggesting EPIC sessions are effective in improving wellbeing, functioning, symptoms and reducing risk. Furthermore, qualitative feedback showed that clients who completed EPIC tended to have good experiences and be motivated to work psychologically. The results of the service evaluation suggest EPIC sessions are beneficial to clients and help improve overall wellbeing, producing clinically and statistically significant outcomes. Clients also reported them being a helpful experience. Therefore, EPIC provides favourable outcomes to the service which suggests it should continue to be offered to clients. Limitations and ideas for service improvement are discussed.


A canine model of intubation has been established to further investigate the laryngeal injury occurring from an indwelling endotracheal tube. Ulcerations are produced by the shaft of the tube as it rubs and presses against the contact points in the cricoarytenoid region. This injury results in a progressive soft tissue inflammatory response in the posterior larynx. The injury and the associated tissue response leads to a limited arytenoid excursion which manifests functionally as alrway compromise and aspiration in the postex‐tubntion phases.


Abstract: This article proposes an alternative program logic model based on the concepts of learning organizations and systems theory. The piece redefines time from a space or duration in which the preset program activities take place, to time as an evolutionary process in which the implementation of the program stimulates learning and adaptation. The latter concept of time was embedded into an alternative logic model, titled Temporal Logic Model. It provides a space for stakeholders to record changes in program context, interim assessments, and program modifications in a format that requires periodic updates. The documentation of how and why the program changes over time should enhance the program's accountability as well as learning.


Data stream classification methods demonstrate promising performance on a single data stream by exploring the cohesion in the data stream. However, multiple data streams that involve several correlated data streams are common in many practical scenarios, which can be viewed as multi-task data streams. Instead of handling them separately, it is beneficial to consider the correlations among the multi-task data streams for data stream modeling tasks. In this regard, a novel classification method called double-coupling support vector machines (DC-SVM), is proposed for classifying them simultaneously. DC-SVM considers the external correlations between multiple data streams, while handling the internal relationship within the individual data stream. Experimental results on artificial and real-world multi-task data streams demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms traditional data stream classification methods.


A single-mode laser noise model driven by quadratic colored pump noise and biased amplitude modulation signal is proposed. The analytic expression of signal-to-noise ratio is calculated by using a new linearized procedure. It is found that there are three different typies of stochastic resonance in the model: the conventional form of stochastic resonance, the stochastic resonance in the broad sense, and the bona fide SR.


Efficient power distribution management is very crucial for satellites to navigate their orbits and achieve their mission objectives. The Satellite Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) is responsible for power supply in satellites for housekeeping operations. This research project is aimed at the design of a microcontroller-based Intelligent Power Distribution Management System (IPDMS) for application in the efficient coordination of power savings and distribution to satellite system payloads. In the IPDMS design, 8-bits microcontroller was used to implement system intelligence. In addition, Java Programming Language was used to achieve a simulation model for virtual test for system reliability and efficiency. The IPDMS provided intelligence for real-time power storage. It managed power distribution through load shedding and power-cycling and actuated fault protection mechanism in the events of power emergencies very quickly and autonomously during eclipse and sunlight orbit periods. It monitored the battery temperature threshold levels to control destructive exothermic reaction. The IPDMS achieved an improvement over the conventional satellite power management and control systems in terms of system's size reduction, self-contained intelligence, flexibility and improved system response to power emergencies.


Patients with visual snow suffer from pan-field, dynamic visual disturbance. Proposed diagnostic criteria require at least two additional visual symptoms from: palinopsia, entoptic phenomena, photophobia and nyctalopia. Little is known regarding useful pharmacological treatments for patients. The aim of this study was to gain knowledge on the effect of a number of commonly used medications on visual snow. A questionnaire was prepared in collaboration with the patient group Eye-on-Vision and sent to subjects who had expressed an interest in research. It required to select from a list of drugs, including antiepileptics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines, the treatments that caused a change in symptoms, with either an improvement or a worsening. The study was approved by KCL Research Ethics Panel. For a total of n=182 patients, the effect of ninety-six drugs was recorded in 514 reports. Antidepressants and antiepileptics were the most commonly used drugs; they showed no effect on visual snow in 53% of reports. Visual snow is a highly disabling syndrome, for which there is no widely accepted treatment. More effort needs to be made in understanding its pathophysiology to allow focused treatment strategies.


Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is fast becoming a key concern in every sector today. Since the 1990s, ERM is a method for managers to identify threats and select the best solution to solve the threats within an organisation. This research paper wishes to develop a conceptual framework of drivers of ERM and the impact of ERM on performance among Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs) in Malaysia. Data were collected from 217 PHEIs listed in the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) website through a survey. The respondents were top management of the PHEIs. The data were collected within six months and were analysed using SmartPLS 3.2.1 software. The analysis shows both internal factors (Chief Risk Officer, Top Management, Training and Education), and size and types of institutions were impact of ERM on performance (Management, Financial, Marketing), and external factors (Law and Regulation, Corporate Governance, External Auditor) were not impact of ERM on performance. Thus, hypotheses 1 and 2 were accepted and hypotheses 3 was rejected.


PURPOSE
Adiponectin is a fat derived hormone, which enhances insulin sensitivity. In experimental studies adiponectin was shown to have antiatherogenic properties by suppressing endothelial expression of adhesion molecules. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate plasma adiponectin and E-selectin concentrations in patients with coronary artery disease and impaired glucose metabolism and evaluation of their relationship with selected anthropometric, biochemical and clinical parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study group consisted of 62 patients with coronary heart disease, without previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (mean age 48.6 +/- 6.0 years; mean BMI 28.6 +/- 3.13 kg/m2). In the studied group the OGTT with glucose and insulin estimation was performed and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. In the fasting state, the plasma adiponectin, soluble form of E-selectin, HbA1c and lipid parameters were estimated.

RESULTS
Adiponectin concentration was not different in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (n = 36) in comparison to the group with normal glucose tolerance (n = 26). There was also no difference in adiponectin concentration in relation to atherosclerosis progression. There was no significant correlation between adiponectin and calculated insulin resistance index, while there was marked inverse correlation between adiponectin and BMI (r = -0.30; p = 0.018), body weight (r = -0.33; p = 0.008), E-selectin (r = -0.263; p = 0.039), TG concentration (r = -0.27; p = 0.036), duration of coronary heart disease (r = -0.33; p = 0.009) and borderline significance with ejection fraction (r = -0.268; p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS
Our study supports the hypothesis that adiponectin could be recognised as a protective protein for the development of atherosclerosis.


The rate of synthesis gas consumption over a cobalt FischerTropsch catalyst was measured in a well-mixed, continuous-flow, slurry reactor at 220 to 240[degrees]C, 0.5 to 1.5 MPa, H[sub 2]/CO feed ratios of 1.5 to 3.5 and conversions of 7 to 68% of hydrogen and 11 to 73% of carbon monoxide. The inhibiting effect of carbon monoxide was determined quantitatively and a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-type equation of the following form was found to best represent the results: -R[sub H[sub 2+Co]] = (a P[sub CO]P[sub H[sub 2]])/(1 + b P[sub CO])[sup 2]. The apparent activation energy was 93 to 95 kJ/mol. Data from previous studies on cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts are also well correlated with this rate expression.


This consumer survey conducted by senior baccalaureate students in a family and community nursing course developed as a result of student recognition of the need for direct consumer input in identification of community health needs. The format was developed, pretested and revised by faculty. The door-to-door survey was carried out by pairs of students during clinical time over a six-week period. Through a written summary of the experience and class discussion students indicated an increased awareness of the community as a dynamic reality and a heightened awareness of their caseload families' relationships to the community. Students also demonstrated an appreciation for consumer representation in health planning and for some of the strengths and weaknesses of surveying as a method for consumer involvement.


Soft soils are usually treated to mitigate their engineering problems, such as excessive deformation, and stabilization is one of most popular treatments. Although there are many creep models to characterize the deformation behaviors of soil, there still exist demands for a balance between model accuracy and practical application. Therefore, this paper aims at developing a Mechanistic-Empirical creep model (MEC) for unsaturated soft and stabilized soils. The model considers the stress dependence and incorporates moisture sensitivity using matric suction and shear strength parameters. This formulation is intended to predict the soil creep deformation under arbitrary water content and arbitrary stress conditions. The results show that the MEC model is in good agreement with the experimental data with very high R-squared values. In addition, the model is compared with the other classical creep models for unsaturated soils. While the classical creep models require a different set of parameters when the water content is changed, the MEC model only needs one set of parameters for different stress levels and moisture conditions, which provides significant facilitation for implementation. Finally, a finite element simulation analysis of subgrade soil foundation is performed for different loading levels and moisture conditions. The MEC model is utilized to predict the creep behavior of subgrade soils. Under the same load and moisture level, the deformation of soft soil is largest, followed by lime soil and RHA–lime-stabilized soil, respectively.


For example, no doctor faced with the management of a patient with acute leukaemia would end up knowing what to do if he consulted this book. Details of treatment are sketchy, and there are virtually no references to recent important work which he could consult. Similarly in the section on Hodgkin's disease, much is made of single agent treatment which is now virtually a thing of the past, but the MOPP protocol is only mentioned in passing and no reference to it is given. The section on solid tumours is rather better than that on leukaemia and lymphoma, but again any clinician referring to it would be hard put to end up knowing what to do about some of the tumours which are described. In contrast, Greenwald's book on 'Cancer chemotherapy' is an excellent short description of the state of the art at present. It is really quite remarkable for the amount of information which it contains and the bibliography is extensive and up to date. The physician consulting this book should have no difficulty in obtaining enough information adequately to manage most malignancies with chemotherapy. It is probably the best short book on the subject for the occasional chemotherapist, and is highly recommended.


As the COVID-19 pandemic begins, the perception of online lectures according to students needs to be researched, to find out whether students have positive or negative sentiments regarding online lectures so far. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on sentiment analysis about online lectures taken according to student comments via tweets on the Twitter platform. The extracted tweets data will then be analyzed using machine learning to predict student sentiment about online lectures. The multilayer perceptron algorithm is used in research because it can solve non-linear problems well and is easy to implement without complicated parameter settings. However, multilayer perceptron is a supervised learning algorithm so it requires data that has been labeled/classified. So that to label the data of online lecture tweets, lexicon-based sentiment analysis is used. A total of 2,391 Indonesian-language tweets were successfully extracted. The results of the study using lexicon-based showed that as many as 63.9% gave negative sentiments towards online lectures, and 29% gave positive sentiments while the remaining 7.1% gave neutral sentiments. Meanwhile, the prediction ability of the multilayer perceptron algorithm for tweets data in this online lecture produces an accuracy of 71%.


of its reflexivizing option. Informing students (as a warning tucked away in the notes does) that some of the forms generated may be rarely or never employed, is at best pedagogically dubious. Utilising precious computer resources to display entire reflexive paradigms based on the likes of se dejeuner, se dormir, etc. certainly merits reconsideration. Assuming the proposed purging of the database were to happen, the question of what might be added to it then arises. Without a doubt, the single most effective enhancement would be the addition of a teacher controllable on-line lexicon. Even the existence of a modest 100 item modifiable glossary would substantially increase the range of language learners and materials with which Systeme-D could be used. In the absence of such a facility, just reducing the memory requirements of the program would be beneficial. Preliminary experimentation (in a 640 kb environment) has shown Systeme-D to be tolerant of the presence of the MTX driven on-line Harrap's English-French and bilingual Collin's dictionaries. However, though Systeme-D continues to operate, the external lexifiles can eventually cease to function for want of available RAM.


Obesity and aging represent major health burdens to the global adult population. Both conditions promote the development of associated metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance. The visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a site that becomes dysfunctional during obesity and aging, and plays a significant role during their pathophysiology. The changes in obese and aging VAT are now recognized to be partly driven by a chronic local inflammatory state, characterized by immune cells that typically adopt an inflammatory phenotype during metabolic disease. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the immune cell landscape of the VAT during lean, obese, and aged conditions, highlighting their similarities and differences. We also briefly discuss possible linked mechanisms that fuel obesity- and age-associated VAT dysfunction.


Cancer vaccines with optimal tumor-associated antigens show promise for anti-tumor immunotherapy. Recently, nano-sized vesicles, such as exosomes derived from tumors, were suggested as potential antigen candidates, although the total yield of exosomes is not sufficient for clinical applications. In the present study, we developed a new vaccine strategy based on nano-sized vesicles derived from primary autologous tumors. Through homogenization and sonication of tumor tissues, we achieved high yields of vesicle-bound antigens. These nanovesicles were enriched with antigenic membrane targets but lacked nuclear autoantigens. Furthermore, these nanovesicles together with adjuvant activated dendritic cells in vitro, and induced effective anti-tumor immune responses in both primary and metastatic melanoma mouse models. Therefore, autologous tumor-derived nanovesicles may represent a novel source of antigens with high-level immunogenicity for use in acellular vaccines without compromising safety. Our strategy is cost-effective and can be applied to patient-specific cancer therapeutic vaccination.


Purpose To evaluate the influence of pupil dilation on predicted postoperative refraction (PPR) and recommended intraocular lens (IOL) power to obtain target postoperative refraction calculated by using the third- and fourth-generation IOL power calculation formulas with a new optical biometer. Methods This retrospective study included 162 eyes with cataract that underwent uneventful phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. PPR, recommended IOL power, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and lens thickness (LT) were measured pre- and post-pupil dilation. The change in PPR detected by using third-generation (Hoffer Q and SRK/T) and fourth-generation formulas (Haigis and Holladay 2) and the changes in ACD and LT were evaluated pre- and postdilation. The influence of dilation on the recommended IOL power calculated by each formula was analyzed. Result ACD and LT significantly changed from pre- to postdilation. The mean absolute change in PPR between pre- and postdilation was significantly higher for fourth-generation formulas compared with third-generation formulas. The change in PPR between pre- and postdilation showed a significantly positive correlation with change in ACD and a significantly negative correlation with change in LT with fourth-generation formulas, but not with third-generation formulas. The discrepancy rate of recommended IOL power between pre- and postdilation calculated by fourth-generation formulas was significantly higher than that calculated by third-generation formulas. Conclusion ACD and LT significantly changed by dilation. PPR and recommended IOL power significantly changed more by dilation when using fourth-generation formulas compared with third-generation formulas. Given the significant correlations of the change in PPR (between the pre- and postdilation) in the fourth-generation formulas and the changes in ACD and LT, the latter changes may be key in influencing dilation in the fourth-generation power calculation. Knowledge of the influence of dilation on fourth-generation formulas could help improve IOL calculation.


edu Background: Treating neuropsychiatric problems in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains challenging. Only rivastigmine has US Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of PD dementia. Some studies have shown that atypical neuroleptics adequately improve hallucinations while others suggest that side effects and increased mortality negate benefit. We utilized a chart review to assess the tolerability and efficacy of commonly used agents for neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD. Methods: We reviewed patients with a PD diagnosis in our clinic database who were being treated with antidementia agents (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, memantine) or atypical neuroleptics (quetiapine, olanzapine, clozapine) by two PD specialists over 13 years. We determined tolerability by therapy retention in comparison with the accepted gold standard, ie, rivastigmine for dementia and clozapine for hallucinations. Clinician documentation of patient/ caregiver or personally perceived clinical improvement was recorded to define therapeutic response. Secondary outcome measures were death, treatment-limiting side effects, and weight change. Results: A total of 171 PD patients met criteria for study inclusion. All medications were similarly retained in comparison with the standard, with the exception of donepezil which was significantly better ( P , 0.02) than rivastigmine. Using the documentation metric, no medication was statistically superior to its standard. Olanzapine approached significance because it was inferior to the clozapine standard (P , 0.08). Secondary outcome measures were similar among medications. Conclusion: We conclude that, as a group, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, atypical neuroleptics, and memantine are well tolerated in treating either cognitive difficulties or hallucina tions in PD. They appear to offer variable levels of clinical benefit, as well per documented therapeutic responses. Side effects, death, and weight change were not significantly different


Motivation: Sequencing-based assays such as ChIP-seq, DNase-seq and MNase-seq have become important tools for genome annotation. In these assays, short sequence reads enriched for loci of interest are mapped to a reference genome to determine their origin. Here, we consider whether false positive peak calls can be caused by particular type of error in the reference genome: multicopy sequences which have been incorrectly assembled and collapsed into a single copy. Results: Using sequencing data from the 1000 Genomes Project, we systematically scanned the human genome for regions of high sequencing depth. These regions are highly enriched for erroneously inferred transcription factor binding sites, positions of nucleosomes and regions of open chromatin. We suggest a simple masking procedure to remove these regions and reduce false positive calls. Availability: Files for masking out these regions are available at eqtl.uchicago.edu Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com; firstname.lastname@example.com; firstname.lastname@example.com; email@example.com Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.


Author(s): Kramer, Wesley William | Advisor(s): Heyduk, Alan F | Abstract: The overarching theme of the work presented in this dissertation is the to develope a better understanding of the factors which govern the properties of donor-acceptor (D-A) LL'CT transition metal complexes. Chapter 2 describes a series of (catcholate)Ni(diimine) D-A LL'CT complexes. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties can be tuned independently through variations in donor or acceptor ligand electronics. Chapter 3 describes the Group 10 series of (cat-tBu2)M(bdi) complexes (M = Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II); cat-tBu2 = 3,5 di-tert-butylcatecholate; bdi = N,N'- bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-butane-2,3-diimine). A combination of experimental and computational analyses revealed that the influence of the metal atom in these complexes is limited to the ability of metal ions to participate in pi interactions with the bdi ligand. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis and characterization of (bdt)M(bdi) and (bds)Pt(bdi), (M = Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II); bdt = 1,2-benzenedithiolate, bds = 1,2-benzenediselinolate). In this chapter experimental results are supplemented by computational analysis of the Group 10 series of both donor-acceptor ligand combinations. The results of these investigations indicate that substitution of oxygen for sulfur as the donor ligand heteroatom lowers the donor-localized molecular orbitals and dramatically decreases the variations observed between complexes of different metal ions. Substitution of sulfur for selenium however cause almost no change spectroscopic and electrochemical behavior of the (bds)M(bdi) complexes from the analogous (bdt)M(bdi) complexes. Chapter 5 provides a thorough computational analysis in to the LL'CT behavior of a series of (donor)Rh(phdi)X2 complexes. These complexes are a rare example of directional LL'CT in an octahedral complex. It was found that alterations of the donor ligand produced predictable changes in the energy of the donor-localized HOMO of these complexes that mirror similar behavior displayed in more traditional square-planar (donor)M(acceptor) LL'CT complexes.


Techniques for water balance are methods of solving major theoretical and practical hydrological problems. The main objectives of this research are analyzing climatic parameters and the climatic conditions to be used in the water balance technique applied in Pirmam area, northern Iraq. The meteorological data of the Pirmam meteorological station during the period 1992–2017 were used to assess the climatic conditions of the study area. The average annual rainfall is 689.2 mm and the evaporation is 1665.9 mm, mean monthly relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and sunshine were 52.25%, 21.36 oC, 2.26 m/sec, and 8.28 hr/day, respectively. Thornthwait method was used to determine potential evapotranspiration, water surplus and deficit, soil conservation method was used to determine surface runoff, and groundwater recharge based on water balance method. The results indicate that total potential evapotranspiration, water surplus and deficit are 1451.5 mm, 389.84 mm, and 1152.23 mm respectively, and annual runoff equal to 209.6 mm/year. The standardized precipitation index was calculated to characterize meteorological drought on a range of timescales, the average value of is -0.012. Groundwater recharge of the area equal to 209.6 mm/year and groundwater budget is 2.34*105 m3/year. Different methods were like Mather, Unep, and Al-Kubaisi, the results of these classifications show that climate is dry-sub humid according to the first classification, semi-arid according to the second classification, and humid to moist according to the third classification.