Nitrous Oxide is a very important greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances. Due to the limited observations, there are still many uncertainties to quantitatively describe the role of nitrous oxide played in both cases. We can retrieve the methane and carbon dioxide gas using thermal infrared satellite data AIRS, but it is rarely for the nitrous oxide retrieval. Therefore, this paper retrieves nitrous oxide profiles from the AIRS data with an Optimal Estimate Method for the first time in China. The issue of the a priori and channels election is discussed. Comparison of the retrieved AIRS profiles with HIPPO profiles show the retrieved profiles are in good agreement with the smoothed HIPPO profiles, and a notable improvement in this algorithm than the eigen vector regression algorithm. For pressures between 300 and 900 hPa, we got the most accurate profiles and the relative error is only 0.1%, which is consistent with the jacobian peaks of the selected channels.


There is scarce information in forensic medical practice allowing to reliably diagnose injuries inflicted by arrows from a universal crossbow. The arrows with specific constructional properties cause characteristic morphological changes in non-biological targets, such as mock clothing (coarse calico and plasticine) and homogeneous tissues of the human body. It is concluded that the data obtained in the present study can be used for objective differential diagnostics of crossbow wounds.


This paper develops a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), which is robust to disturbance variability, by using the total variation distance as a metric. The robust LQR problem is formulated as a minimax optimization problem, resulting in a robust optimal controller which in addition to minimizing the quadratic cost it also minimizes the level of disturbance variability. A procedure for solving the LQR problem is also proposed and an example is presented which clearly illustrates the effectiveness of our developed methodology.


Mutations in the valosin‐containing protein (VCP) gene cause hereditary inclusion body myopathy (IBM) associated with Paget disease of bone (PDB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). More recently, these mutations have been linked to 2% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases. A knock‐in mouse model offers the opportunity to study VCP‐associated pathogenesis.


Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), an etiological agent is a key pathogen responsible for devastating disease Tuberculosis (TB). Development of drug resistant strains and failure of BCG vaccine prompts us to develop a new therapeutic regimen. Moreover, Mtb practices a variety of machineries for avoiding its eradication by an infected host; and therefore, practical substitutions for inhibiting the host-pathogen interaction are thus required regularly. As an essential cell wall component, this manuscript updates our basic existing knowledge of Rv3632 gene, a transmembrane protein and a probable contributor of biosynthesis of the mycobacterial cell wall. The methodology used for updating the information was purely bioinformatic analysis which includes its sequence annotation, structure modelling and validation, molecular docking with already existing cell wall inhibitor and finally mutational analysis. Results showed that Rv3632 comprise of several transmembrane helices that range with different amino acid chains. Ab initio modelling was used for structure prediction which was validated by SAVES metaserver and data confirms 88.5% residues presence in the allowed region. Cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors were used to target Rv3632 due to its prediction in involved in cell wall synthesis. The docking score was as Ethionamide (-4.4), Thioacetazone (-4.4), Prothionamide (-4.3), Cycloserine (-3.7), Secnidazole (-3.4), Ethambutol (-3.4) and Metronidazole (-3.2). The study was ended by mutation analysis at TRP (W31) and TYR (Y71) and the result shows that substitution by glycine at both places decreases protein stability the most. This study enlightens the fact that mycobacterial cell wall targeting drug tolerance is majorly due to internal point mutations at specific residues. Thus, this report enhancing the understanding of molecular mechanism and components involved in mycobacterial cell wall synthesis and help in targeting those components and opens the way to novel therapeutic development.


Second-order blind deconvolution of single input multiple output (SIMO) finite impulse response (FIR) channels is considered. A major drawback of several blind diversity techniques using antenna arrays/temporal-oversampling is high sensitivity to the choice of the model order. In this contribution, a robust method using only the second-order statistics is described. It provides high and robust estimation accuracy even for a limited sample size and an unknown model order. In contrast to other suggested approaches, that often exploit properties valid only in the large sample case, the proposed method is applicable both in the large sample and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) scenario.


In this paper, a swing up control scheme for a serial double inverted pendulum system is proposed. The pendulum system is cart-type and the swing upcontrol includes a position control of the cart. The control scheme is to swing up the pendulum in three steps, Step 1 : to swing up the first pendulum. Step 2 : to swing up the second pendulum while stabilizing the first pendulum at the upright position, and Step 3 : to stabilize the two pendulums around the unstable equilibrium state. In each step a control scheme and a switching rule from a step to the next step are given. And the position control of the cart by using feedback stabilization control is included in the controller of each step. For the controller of Step 1, the energy control method based on Lyapunov method is applied to swing up the first pendulum and the feedback stabilization controller of a cart position is added so as to satisfy the condition of Lyapunov method of the first pendulum. For the controller of Step 2, the proposed method combines a stabilization control method of the first pendulum and the cart position using sliding mode control method, and a swing-up control method of the second pendulum using energy control method. And for the controller in Step 3, the sliding mode controller stabilizing both of the pendulums and the cart position is used. A numerical simulation and an experimental result are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme


Abstract Transport of fine sediments depends mainly on the efficiency of flocculation. Flocculation, understood as the result of simultaneous processes of aggregation of particles and floc break-up, is a common phenomenon in marine environments. It is typical of fine sediments. This study presents a mathematical model of fine sediment transport. A model of flocculation is an important part of this model. Its main assumption is that flocculation is governed by turbulence. The model was qualitatively tested in a simplified theoretical waterbody. Such factors as the wind direction, wind speed, river discharge and concentration of suspension in the river were investigated. The results show that the proposed model describes reasonably well the lithodynamic processes characteristic of fine flocculating sediments. Thus it seems possible to apply it for description of fine sediment transport under real wave–current conditions that occur in many marine waterbodies near river mouths.


Oral rehydration solution is not widely used in Hong Kong for treatment of acute diarrhoea despite its well proven efficacy. Hypotonic oral rehydration solutions with osmolarity of 200 to 250 mmol/L and containing sodium of 60 mmol/L are safe in developed countries with the added effects of decreasing stool output and the duration of diarrhoea. Rice-based oral rehydration solutions are well tolerated in infants y ounger than 6 mont hs of age. M ore ev idence is re quired to justify its re placement of the glucose-based hypotonic oral rehydration solutions. Rehydration should be achieved within 4 hours. Breast feeding should be continued in acute diarrhoea. Resumption of lactose-containing normal diet immediately after rehydration does not result in worsening of diarrhoea, increased lactose intolerance and prolongation of the duration of diarrhoea but results in significantly better weight gain. Routine dilution of milk and rout ine use of lactose-free milk are unnecessary in most cases. Anti- diarrhoeal agents should not be used to treat acute diarrhoea in children.


The influence of parietal cell vagotomy (PCV) on esophagogastric high pressure zone (HPZ) (pressure and length) was studied in 30 dogs. The animals were divided in 3 groups: group 1, 10 dogs submitted to PCV with gastric denervation until the esophagogastric junction; group 2, 10 dogs submitted to PCV with gastric denervation into esophagogastric junction and 3 cm above this; group 3 (control), 10 dogs submitted to laparotomy only. In the postoperative period (immediate and later) it wasn't observed any alteration of pressure and length of esophagogastric HPZ in three studied groups.


We present some new results on incorporating quasi-Monte Carlo rules into Markov chain Monte Carlo. First, we present some new constructions of points, fully equidistributed LFSRs, which are small enough that the entire point set can be used in a Monte Carlo calculation. Second, we introduce some antithetic and round trip sampling constructions and show that they preserve the completely uniformly distributed property necessary for QMC in MCMC. Finally, we also give some new empirical results. We see large improvements in sampling some GARCH and stochastic volatility models.


Objective: To observe the impact of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia on the maternal and fetal outcome. Study Design: A cross-sectional prospective study. Place and Duration of the Study: The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Bakhtawar Amin Trust Teaching Hospital, Multan, Pakistan from July 2020 to June 2021. Material and Methods: During the study period, a total of 121 women with either pre-eclampsia or severe pre-eclampsia were included. Age, parity, period of gestation, maternal vitals, fetal viability, findings of clinical examination, associated complications, mode of delivery and immediate maternal and fetal outcomes were recorded. SPSS version 26.0 was used for the statistical analysis. Results: During the study period, a total data of 121 patients was collected. There were 97 (80.2%) women with pre-eclampsia and 24 (29.8%) with severe pre-eclampsia. Overall, mean age was 25.4+4.1 years. Significantly more primigravida women had severe pre-eclampsia (35.1% vs. 66.7%, p=0.011). It was noted that 11 (11.3%) of the fetuses from patients with pre-eclampsia and 6 (25.0%) of the fetuses among women with sever pre-eclampsia had already intra-uterine death by the time these patients were hospitalized. Significant association of fetal status was found among women with pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia (p=0.011). The overall mean APGAR scores were significantly low for the babies born to the mothers with severe pre-eclampsia vs. pre-eclampsia (p<0.05). Significantly more women with severe pre-eclampsia were shifted to ICU following delivery in comparison to those with pre-eclampsia (75.0% vs. 19.6%, p<0.001). All 3 deaths were reported among women with severe pre—eclampsia (p<0.001). Conclusion: Primigravida women were significantly more prone to have severe pre-eclampsia. Large majority of the women with pre-eclampsia or sever pre-eclampsia delivered preterm newborns. Increased perinatal morbidity and neonatal mortality is found among women with pre-eclampsia or sever pre-eclampsia. Keywords: Per-eclampsia, primigravida, preterm, outcome.


The incidence of brain metastases in breast cancer (BMBC) patients has increased in the last years and represents the major life-limiting problem for metastatic breast cancer (BC) patients. However, the knowledge about tumor cell invasion in the brain is still very limited and new markers for brain metastasis incidence are urgently needed in order to early detect high risk patients. In a recent study based on cDNA microarray data of primary breast tumors, we could show that mRNA expression of certain glycosylation enzymes significantly correlates with an organ-specific metastatic spread. Interestingly, hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) and hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL1), both genes involved in hyaluronan (HA) metabolism, showed an independent prognostic value and a significant correlation with brain metastasis formation. In order to corroborate the role of these enzymes at protein level, we examined the expression of HYAL1 and HAS2 on a tissue microarray including 200 primary BC samples. Here, the prognostic impact of HAS2 could not be validated, whereas for HYAL1 shorter disease free survival (DFS) was observed for patients with high HYAL1-expression levels. This trend could be additionally verified in a second cohort of 107 BC samples, using western blot analysis. Moreover, significantly higher HYAL1 expression was detected among primary tumors with subsequent brain metastases compared with those without brain metastases using immunohistochemistry (IHC). No impact of HYAL1 expression on disease progression of BCBM patients could be observed after analysis of 87 brain metastasis samples. Here, quantification of tumor-associated HA revealed a significant positive correlation with triple negative tumors and a trend towards shorter progression-free survival. Taken together, our data suggest a role of the enzyme HYAL1 for progression and especially for the development of brain metastases in breast cancer patients. Citation Format: Oliveira-Ferrer L, Anna M, Wickman H, Matschke J, Schumacher U, Milde-Langosch K, Muller V, Witzel I. Relevance of the hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL1) in brain metastasis formation of breast cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-17-06.


We use a computable overlapping generations model economy, which matches the stylized facts con- cerning retirement behavior, to analyze the consequences of three reforms designed to reduce tax rates on the labor supply of older workers. We nd that these reforms increase the participation rates of the elderly and show that the gains, in terms of old age work hours, are non-trivial. However, we also nd that the total labor supply response to the reforms is not so much an increase in total lifetime hours as it is a reallocation of hours over the life cycle. Finally, we show that these reforms, designed to increase the length of the working life of individuals, may not increase output.


This study proposes an index for automatically measuring the ease of listening materials to be understood (hereafter, listenability) based on the normalized edit distance between reference sentences and learners' transcription sentences (hereafter, NED). Listenability should be examined in order to maintain the motivation of learners or increase the learning effect. However, unlike the measurement of the ease of reading materials to be understood in terms of readability, little attention has been paid to listenability, and when it has been studied, it was determined by learners' subjective judgment, which is affected by learners' bias. This study found that NED was more reliable and valid than subjective judgments in an experiment done with 50 learners of English as a foreign language. Furthermore, the accuracy of the listenability measurement was acceptable, because the listenability measured with the multiple regression analysis had a strong correlation (r = 0.77) with the observed listenability in a leave-one-out cross validation test.


Mt. Bromo is geographically located in eastern of Java Island at 112°57'30'' longitude and 7°56' latitude, with a large area of caldera ~10 Km2. The land over the volcano is a perfect area for farming, one of the important factor affects the level of soil fertility is the most mineral rich soils. Volcanic activities at Mt. Bromo has been recorded in 1775 which characterized by small eruptions with cycles ranging from one to five years. Regarding this evidence, we tried to investigate the surface changes over the Mt. Bromo by using Time-Series InSAR with TimeFun algorithm. TimeFun is an extension of SBAS to allow incorporating various functions such as seasonal oscillations, polynomials, and step functions as generally it estimates DEM errors as well and allows missing observation. The maximum allowed baseline value is defined and used to constrain the interferogram pair by selecting manual after differential InSAR processing in single face working. The proposed analysis is based on 27 SAR data sets acquired by the ALOS/PALSAR sensors during the 2007–2017 time interval. The result shows us deformation occurred up to ~10 cm at summit of Mt. Bromo during the eruption period. Time-series monitoring of surface deformation to infer volume changes, geometries and locations of sources of deformation involved in the future eruption


Research in the field of behavioral economics indicates that humans stumble in their decisionmaking in predictable ways that can often be corrected by a gentle nudge from the appropriate regulatory authority. Two new books -- Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational and Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's Nudge -- recount the findings of behavioral research on predictable patterns in human decisionmaking and lay the foundation for regulation through choice architecture that recognizes these human stumbles. In this Review Essay, we provide a critical account of remaining gaps in behavioral economics research and suggest that some types of behavioral insights may be better translated into law and policy reforms than others. We further argue that Nudge's concept of libertarian paternalism both understates and exaggerates the jurisprudential and policy implications of regulatory innovation. While key insights from the behavioral field may lead to effective regulation systems with minimal intervention, these systems entail costs, have distributional effects, solve macro coordination problems, and are inevitably value driven. Moreover, policy nudges serve merely as a first stage of sequenced regulation where, inevitably, more coercive measures are required in later stages. The idea of choice architecture is then related to the growing body of regulatory studies collectively termed new governance. We conclude with a call for a more nuanced account of the range of mechanisms as well as the limits, costs, and consequences of applying lessons from the field of behavioral economics to law.


The support vector machine (SVM) is an algorithm based on structure risk minimizing principle, having high generalization ability. In the course of multi-sensor information fusion of industrial control, sensor has bigger nonlinearity and fuzzy relation between coefficient and relevant parameter. A kind of model and algorithm of multiple sensor information fusion based on the support vector machine are proposed. The model offered a kind of effective way for little sample, non- linear, high dimension.


Sirenomelia is an extremely uncommon congenital deformity in which neonate has fused lower limbs associated with various visceral malformations including urogenital and gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary hypoplasia, and potter's facies. The prevalence is 0.8 to 1 per 100,000 newborns. About 300 cases were recorded till date. We describe a case of 31-year G4P1L1A2 with previous lower segment caesarean section with gestational age of 22 weeks 5 days with anomaly scan suggestive of single live intrauterine pregnancy of 21 weeks 5 days with bilateral renal agenesis with placenta previa and no demonstrable amniotic fluid pocket seen. Her pregnancy was uneventful without any medical disorder, drug history, and no congenital anomaly in the family. Termination of pregnancy done by emergency hysterotomy and delivered anomalous foetus with fused lower limb with absent toes, low set ears, absent left ear ostium, imperforate anus, and absent external genitalia. Sirenomelia is fatal congenital anomaly with unclear etiology. Early antenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy is the treatment.


The caregiver's experience in caring for the elderly with Rheumatoid Arthritis is a complex feeling felt by caregivers in meeting the needs of elderly self care with various factors experienced by each caregiver. This study aims to explore in depth the factors of experience of caregivers in caring for the elderly with Rheumatoid Arthritis at Nursing Home in Banda Aceh State. This study uses qualitative methods of transcendental phenomenology with in-depth interview methods. Participants in this study were the main caregivers of rheumatoid elderly who were obtained by purposive sampling technique. The data collected in the form of interviews and field notes were analyzed by applying the Miles and Huberman techniques. This study identified four themes, namely supporting factors within the caregiver, supporting factors outside the self-caregiver, inhibiting factors within the caregiver, and inhibiting factors from the outside of the caregiver. Researchers suggest to avoid the risk of mistreatment in the elderly so that the LKS managers can facilitate routine refreshment of knowledge and caregiver skills in responding to various factors in caring for the elderly with chronic diseases, especially rheumatism.


ABSTRACT: Evolutionary debunking arguments (EDAs) claim that evolution has influenced our moral faculties in such a way that, if moral realism is true, then we have no positive moral knowledge. I present several popular objections to the standard version of this argument before offering a new EDA that has clear advantages in responding to these objections. Whereas the Standard EDA argues that evolution has selected for many moral beliefs with certain contents, this New EDA claims that evolution has selected for one belief: belief in the claim that categorical reasons exist. If moral realism is true, then this claim is entailed by all positive moral claims, and belief in it is defeated due to evolutionary influence. This entails that if realism is true, then we have no positive moral knowledge. While there may be objections against this New EDA, it is much stronger than the Standard EDA, and one realists ought to worry about.


New York City sits at the epicenter of an extraordinary criminal justice phenomenon. While employing aggressive policing tactics, such as "stop and frisk," on an unprecedented scale, the City dramatically reduced both violent crime and incarceration – with the connections between these developments (if any) hotly disputed. Further clouding the picture, in August 2013, a federal district court ruled the City's heavy reliance on "stop and frisk" unconstitutional. Popular and academic commentary generally highlights isolated pieces of this complex story, constructing an incomplete vision of the lessons to be drawn from the New York experience. This Article brings together all of the strands – falling crime, reduced incarceration and aggressive policing – analyzing the hazy historical and empirical connections between them, and evaluating the legal implications of a crime-fighting policy that might "work" to reduce both crime and incarceration precisely because of the factors that render it unconstitutional.


The aim of this study was to evaluate the process which Glycine max (soybean) uses in the phytoremediation of crude oil contaminated soil. A screen house experiment was conducted with different amounts (25g, 50g and 75g) of crude oil-contaminated soil for 110 days. The initial and final total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) contents of the contaminated soils and that in the plant tissues were measured and the bacterial loads and types in the soil samples were determined at the end of the study. The soil pH, moisture and organic matter contents were also determined every 21 days for 110 days. Soil samples for the above analyses were obtained from the soils treated with the various amounts of crude oil with and without G. max (which served as the control). The investigation revealed that the initial TPH values of the soils were higher than the final TPH values and that there were lower TPH values in the soils with G. max compared to soils without G. max. The growth of G. max led to 52.48% reduction against 50.15% reduction in non-vegetated soil, 66.93% reduction against 44.57% reduction in non-vegetated soil and 49.04% reduction against 44.31% reduction in soil contaminated with 25g, 50g and 75g crude oil respectively The bacterial load, pH, moisture content and the organic matter contents of the crude oil contaminated soil were significantly affected by the growth of G. max at different levels of significance (P<0.05; P<0.01; P<0.001). The results of this study have shown that the growth of G. max on crude oil contaminated soil reduces the TPH level, enhances bacterial growth, improves the soil pH and improves the moisture content (for high level contamination). Thus, it is suggested G. max is a good candidate for remediating crude oil contaminated soil and that it remediates crude oil contaminated soils through rhizospheric effect.


AbstractIn this paper the authors study the interactions of additive noise and nonlinear dynamics in a quasigeostrophic model of the double-gyre wind-driven ocean circulation. The recently developed framework of dynamically orthogonal field theory is used to determine the statistics of the flows that arise through successive bifurcations of the system as the ratio of forcing to friction is increased. This study focuses on the understanding of the role of the spatial and temporal coherence of the noise in the wind stress forcing. When the wind stress noise is temporally white, the statistics of the stochastic double-gyre flow does not depend on the spatial structure and amplitude of the noise. This implies that a spatially inhomogeneous noise forcing in the wind stress field only has an effect on the dynamics of the flow when the noise is temporally colored. The latter kind of stochastic forcing may cause more complex or more coherent dynamics depending on its spatial correlation properties.


The transdermal route of administration of drug substances allows clinicians to obtain a therapeutic effect bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, where the active substance could be inactivated. The hormonal substance used in the study-corticotropin (ACTH)-shows systemic effects. Therefore, the study of the effect of the type of ointment base and drug concentration on the release rate and also permeation rate in in vivo simulated conditions may be a valuable source of information for clinical trials to effectively optimize corticotropin treatment. This goal was achieved by preparation ointment formulation selecting the appropriate ointment base and determining the effect of ACTH concentration on the release and permeation studies of the ACTH. Semi-solid preparations containing ACTH were prepared using Unguator CITO e/s. The release study of ACTH was tested using a modified USP apparatus 2 with Enhancer cells. The permeation study was conducted with vertical Franz cells. Rheograms of hydrogels were made with the use of a universal rotational rheometer. The dependence of the amount of released and permeated hormone on the ointment concentration was found. Based on the test of ACTH release from semi-solid formulations and evaluation of rheological parameters, it was found that glycerol ointment is the most favourable base for ACTH. The ACTH release and permeation process depends on both viscosity and ACTH concentration. The higher the hormone concentration, the higher the amount of released ACTH but it reduces the amount of ACTH penetrating through porcine skin.


This study aims to analyze the level of digital literacy of millennial generation and how it affects their abilities in their learning process (self-regulated learning). Data were obtained through an online questionnaire distributed to students at several universities in Yogyakarta. The number of questionnaires that can be processed is 100 questionnaires. Furthermore, the collected data is then analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that the level of digital literacy of female students could be said to be higher than that of male students. However, both male and female students have not so high scores on the dimensions of critical understanding as one dimension of digital literacy. The results of this study also show that digital literacy has a positive effect on self-regulated learning.


A new family of exactly solvable models is introduced. These models are generalizations of the XXZ chain where the distance among spins up (σ z-basis) cannot be smaller or equal to t (t = 0, 1, 2, ...). The case t = 0 recovers the standard XXZ chain. The coordinate Bethe ansatz is applied and the phase diagram is calculated. Exploring the finite-size consequences of conformal invariance the critical exponents are evaluated exactly at the critical regions of the phase diagram.


The equations of motion, boundary conditions and stress-strain relations for a highly elastic material can be expressed in terms of the stored-energy function. This has been done in part I of this series (Rivlin 1948 a), for both the cases of compressible and incompressible materials, following the methods given by E. & F. Cosserat for compressible materials. The stored-energy function may be defined for a particular material in terms of the invariants of strain. The form in which the equations of motion, etc., are deduced, in the previous paper, does not permit the evaluation of the forces necessary to produce a specified deformation unless the actual expression for the stored-energy function in terms of the scalar invariants of the strain is introduced. In the present paper, the equations are transformed into forms more suitable for carrying out such an explicit evaluation. As examples, the surface forces necessary to produce simple shear in a cuboid of either compressible or incompressible material and those required to produce simple torsion in a right-circular cylinder of incompressible material are derived.


It has been shown that the triphasic theory [1] is capable of describing many mechano-electrochemical phenomena observed in charged hydrated soft tissues or cells, such as free-swelling, stress-relaxation, streaming potential, diffusion potential, and electro-osmosis [e.g., 1–3]. The theory is useful for the study of signal transduction mechanisms at both tissue and cellular levels. This is important to understanding tissue physiology and pathology. To facilitate applications of the triphasic theory to many practical problems, it is necessary to develop a numerical method for quantitatively investigating tissue behaviors. Thus, the objective of this study is to develop a finite element formulation for the triphasic theory. A free-swelling problem was studied using this finite element method to investigate effects of inhomogeneity of fixed charge density (FCD) on ion concentration, tissue deformation, fluid flow and streaming potential etc.


Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have been keeping improving the performance on ImageNet classification since it is firstly successfully applied in the task in 2012. To achieve better performance, the complexity of CNNs is continually increasing with deeper and bigger architectures. Though CNNs achieved promising external classification behavior, understanding of their internal work mechanism is still limited. In this work, we attempt to understand the internal work mechanism of CNNs by probing the internal representations in two comprehensive aspects, i.e., visualizing patches in the representation spaces constructed by different layers, and visualizing visual information kept in each layer. We further compare CNNs with different depths and show the advantages brought by deeper architecture.


Groundwater simulation modeling, mathematical programing, and decision theory are combined to plan and manage an irrigated farm, subject to variation in economic factors such as pumping costs and crop prices, in hydrologic factors such as transmissivity and storage coefficient, and in physical factors such as the choice of a physical model of the groundwater system. Those factors that are most critical to planning and managing the farm are identified and analyzed. The results of the analysis are a decision on cropping and pumping patterns over a design period, a choice of a physical model of the groundwater system that meets the needs of the farm, a ranking of data by the worth to the farm (worth being related to the regret incurred by the farm when an undesirable decision is made), and a ranking of data by priority for further data collection activities.


The 192Hg nucleus has been produced via the 36S(160Gd, 4n) reaction at a beam energy of 159 MeV. The γ-rays have been detected with the multi-detector array EUROGAM phase 1. The level scheme has been extended up to 10.4 MeV excitation energy and spin 34. Two new structures, composed of competing ΔI = 1 and ΔI = 2 transitions, have been observed and, for the first time in Mercury isotopes, some links with the previously known low-lying states have been established. These experimental results are discussed in terms of mean-field Hartree-Fock plus BCS calculations and the new bands are proposed to originate from deformation-aligned quasi-proton excitations. π(i13/2 * h9/2)kπ=11 and π(h9/2)2kπ=8+ coupled to rotation-aligned quasi-neutrons v(i13/2)n and quasi-proton π(h11/2)2 excitations.


Patients undergoing chest X-rays (CXR) often endure multiple lung diseases. When evaluating a patient's condition, due to the complex pathologies, subtle texture changes of different lung lesions in images, and patient condition differences, radiologists may make uncertain even when they have experienced long-term clinical training and professional guidance, which makes much noise in extracting disease labels based on CXR reports. In this paper, we re-extract disease labels from CXR reports to make them more realistic by considering disease severity and uncertainty in classification. Our contributions are as follows: 1. We re-extracted the disease labels with severity and uncertainty by a rule-based approach with keywords discussed with clinical experts. 2. To further improve the explainability of chest X-ray diagnosis, we designed a multi-relationship graph learning method with an expert uncertainty-aware loss function. 3. Our multi-relationship graph learning method can also interpret the disease classification results. Our experimental results show that models considering disease severity and uncertainty outperform previous state-of-the-art methods.


In this paper, it is shown that non-periodic sampling systems may be modeled in the time domain by a difference matrix equation which may be manipulated in the same way as in the case of periodic sampling, the output sequence may be computed by means of finite combinations of previous inputs and outputs by using a finite set of time-varying parameters which are dependent on the parameters of the continuous transfer matrix and on a finite set of previous sampling periods equal to the order of the system.


The marine planktonic diatom genera Rhizosolenia, Proboscia, Pseudosolenia and Neocalyptrella have been studied with emphasis on morphology and phylogeny. Material was collected October 2008—January 2011 at seven localities in the four provinces of the marine coastal waters of Thailand: Rayong, Chonburi, Chumphon and Phuket. Fifty strains were established in culture and used for morphological and phylogenetic analyses, complemented with morphological studies of field material. Morphological studies were done using light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Ten species and two varieties of Rhizosolenia were identified and described in detail: R. styliformis, R. acuminata, R. bergonii, R. clevei var. clevei, R. clevei var. communis, R. formosa, R. hyalina, R. imbricata, R. ostenfeldii, R. aff. pungens, R. setigera and R. loanicola sp. nov. Pseudosolenia calcaravis was also found, and detailed studies indicated that this taxon formed a species complex. Proboscia was represented by P. indica and P. siamensis sp. nov., but more species probably exist. Neocalyptrella was represented by N. robusta. The molecular studies supported Pseudosolenia, Proboscia and Neocalyptrella as separate genera. Culturing and molecular analyses were often difficult or unsuccessful. The data show that Rhizosolenia can be a monophyletic genus if R. pungens and R. setigera, which are distantly related to the remaining Rhizosolenia species, are described as a new genus. This will be done in a companion study of the type material of R. setigera.


Objective:To study the methylation pattern of calcitonin gene (CT gene) in acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL ),myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and its implication. Methods:Restriction endonuclease and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used. Results:The hypermethylation pattern was found in 72%(18/25) of ANLL and 60%(6/10) of MDS patients.In CML,23.8%(5/21) samples in chronic phase and 80%(8/10) samples in blast crisis were positive ( P 0. 05) . And the sensitivity of this method was at least 3 logs (1 in 1000). Conclusion:This findings indicated that the hypermethylation of CT gene was a common molecular marker for the tumor cells in ANLL,MDS and the progression and blast crisis of CML.The hypermethylation of CT gene might be associated with the transformation to increase blastic cells in MDS and might have prognostic value in MDS.


The use of solar cell as the moving force for the ship's tour seems to be an important theme in action to create a sea transportation that is environmentally friendly as contribution of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for the decrease of pollutant levels. The electrical energy produced by solar cell is not as much energy from fuels so that the solar energy powered ship that can only be followed with a limited range and speed. This type of multi hull design like catamaran that has two symmetrical hull which is possible to have an more expansive main deck, small boat boundaries and good stability. The ship deck shape is going to contribute the extension of solar panels that can be used as a generator of power needed at the time of calculation of powering the ship. The analysis of the stability of the ship carried out numerically bu using references from the IMO regulations which require minimum value stability arm at certain angles. Load cases are definitely varied in 2 (two) conditions and compared in full and light load. The goal of this research is catamaran fishing vessel that have battery, solar panel, electric motor and all of supporting solar energy moving with speed 5 knots.


Gorteria diffusa has elaborate petal spots that attract male bee-fly pollinators through sexual deception but the genetic basis of G. diffusa petal spot development is currently unknown. Here we investigate the regulation of pigmentation during spot formation. We used UHPLC-MS/MS to determine the anthocyanin composition of spots and background pigmentation in G. diffusa. Combining gene expression analysis with protein interaction assays we characterised three R2R3-MYB genes regulating anthocyanin production in G. diffusa spots. We found that cyanidin 3-glucoside pigments G. diffusa ray floret petals. Unlike other petal regions, spots contain a high proportion of malonylated anthocyanin. We identified three paralogous subgroup 6 R2R3-MYB transcription factors that activate the production of petal spot pigmentation. The corresponding genes are upregulated in developing spots and induce ectopic anthocyanin production upon heterologous expression in tobacco. EMSAs and dual luciferase assays suggest that these transcription factors regulate genes encoding three anthocyanin synthesis enzymes: anthocyanidin synthase (GdANS), dihydroflavonol reductase (GdDFR) and malonyl transferase (GdMAT1), accounting for the spot-specific production of malonylated pigments. Here we provide the first molecular characterisation of G. diffusa spot development, showing that the elaboration of complex spots begins with accumulation of malonylated pigments at the base of ray floret petals, positively regulated by three subgroup 6 R2R3-MYB transcription factors.


BACKGROUND
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are increasingly utilized in both industrial and medical applications. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the effect one of green nanoparticle complex (green tea extract/ zinc oxide nanoparticles complex, GTE / ZnO NPs) on oxidative stress induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the liver of rats.

METHODS
Wistar male rats (n=64) weighing between 200-250 g were divided randomly into eight groups: control that was given physiological saline (1 mg/kg), two groups were treated with two different doses of MSG (MSG-LD, MSG-HD; 6 and 17.5 mg/Kg, respectively), GTE was given 1 mg/mL, 5th group was treated with ZnO NPs and 6th group was treated with GTE/ ZnO NPs complex while, 7th and 8th groups were treated with MSG-LD + GTE / ZnO NPs complex and MSG-HD + GTE / ZnO NPs complex, respectively. All substances were given orally for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the study, the liver was homogenized for measurement of the oxidative stress status and anti-inflammatory biomarkers as well as histological and transmission alternations.

RESULTS
Results showed that the antioxidant enzymes activity and glutathione level were significantly decreased in MSG groups than control in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, the malondialdehyde and inflammatory cytokines levels were significantly increased in MSG groups than to the control group. The liver indicated no evidence of alteration in oxidative status, anti-inflammatory and morphological parameters in GTE, ZnO NPs and GTE / ZnO NPs complex groups.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, MSG at both doses caused oxidative stress and inflammation on liver after 28 days of exposure that supported histological analysis and transmission view of hepatic parenchyma. GTE / ZnO NPs act as partial hepato-protective against MSG.


As the size and complexity of modern computing systems keep increasing to meet the demanding requirements of High Performance Computing (HPC) applications, manageability is becoming a critical concern to achieve both high performance and high productivity computing. Meanwhile, virtual machine (VM) technologies have become popular in both industry and academia due to various features designed to ease system management and administration. While a VM-based environment can greatly help manageability on large-scale computing systems, concerns over performance have largely blocked the HPC community from embracing VM technologies. In this paper, we follow three steps to demonstrate the ability to achieve near-native performance in a VM-based environment for HPC. First, we propose Inter-VM Communication (IVC), a VM-aware communication library to support efficient shared memory communication among computing processes on the same physical host, even though they may be in different VMs. This is critical for multi-core systems, especially when individual computing processes are hosted on different VMs to achieve fine-grained control. Second, we design a VM-aware MPI library based on MVAPICH2 (a popular MPI library), called MVAPICH2-ivc, which allows HPC MPI applications to transparently benefit from IVC. Finally, we evaluate MVAPICH2-ivc on clusters featuring multi-core systems and high performance InfiniBand interconnects. Our evaluation demonstrates that MVAPICH2-ivc can improve NAS Parallel Benchmark performance by up to 11% in VM-based environment on eight-core Intel Clover-town systems, where each compute process is in a separate VM. A detailed performance evaluation for up to 128 processes (64 node dual-socket single-core systems) shows only a marginal performance overhead of MVAPICH2-ivc as compared with MVAPICH2 running in a native environment. This study indicates that performance should no longer be a barrier preventing HPC environments from taking advantage of the various features available through VM technologies.


The low-temperature phase diagram of polycrystalline UCu5 has been determined from magnetization and magnetoresistance measurements. This system undergoes two magnetic transitions at low temperatures. The lower-temperature phase transition at T2=1.16 K, which manifests itself as a sudden jump in the magnetization and electrical resistance with decreasing temperature, shows a temperature hysteresis of about 40 mK for fields up to 12 T. The magnetic properties of this low-temperature phase show irreversible and metastable behaviour, which becomes more dramatic at the lower fields. The critical temperature T2 is observed to increase proportionally with the square of the magnetic field. Our results are discussed in comparison with available specific heat, neutron scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance data, with the aim of determining the actual nature of the low-temperature magnetic phase transition.


The enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes with alpha-methylene lactones and cyclic ketones gave various chiral spirocyclic compounds. The reaction proceeded with high enantioselectivity when the rhodium-xylylBINAP complex was used as a chiral catalyst. Not only exo-methylene cyclic compounds but also exo-methylene acyclic compounds could be used as coupling partners for diynes. The present protocol provides access to a new chiral library possessing a quaternary carbon center, including a spirocyclic system.


In this work, a label-free and highly sensitive fluorescence assay was constructed for microRNA detection. Nicking-enhanced rolling circle amplification (RCA) induced by G-quadruplex formation is coupled with inner filter effect (IFE)-based quenching effects of MoS2 quantum dots (MoS2 QDs). The padlock probe contains a recognition sequence to target microRNA and an accessible nicking site. The padlock probe is cyclized upon hybridization with target microRNA. Sequentially, amplification initiates a production of a long-concatenated sequence of circular probes. Abundant G-quadruplex sequences are produced via nicking process and then used as the trigger to initiate the next rolling circle amplification. In the presence of hemin, numerous hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzymes are formed, which catalyze the oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) into the colored product 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP), resulting in quenching of the fluorescence of MoS2 QDs. This sensing strategy enables detection of microRNA let-7a with high selectivity and a detection limit of 4.6 fM. The as-prepared sensor was applied for detecting microRNA let-7a in dilute human serum samples and achieved a satisfactory recovery rate, demonstrating its potential in clinic diagnosis of microRNA-associated disease and biochemical research.


Research Literature: The lasting misery faced by much of the world's population, which can be the reason for and the consequence of poverty and disenfranchising remains one of humanity's greatest challenges (Chambers, 1983; Margolis and Walsh, 2003; Hulme and Mosley, 1996). One result is increased interest by donors and enterprises in using market-based strategies to enfranchise the poor micro-entrepreneurs and link them to the financial system (Ivatury and Mas, 2008; Hulme and Arun, 2009; UNCTAD, 2011). Despite the growing trend toward these approaches, critiques are still rising and convincing (Copestake, 2007; Karnani, 2007; Morduch et.al, 1999 & 2009; Walsh and Kress et al., 2005). The Donor-Led Value Chain Initiatives (DLVIs) and Enterprise-Led Value Chain Initiatives (ELVIs) operate relatively independently of one another, as the goals of generating profits and alleviating poverty are often seen as irreconcilable and sometimes conflicting (Yunus et.al, 2010; London and Anupindi, 2011). Getting both approaches compatible may contribute to achieving sustainable development with wider outreach (London, 2011). A candidate business strategy, the "Base of the Pyramid" (BoP), offers insights into how this could occur (Prahalad, 2004; Prahalad and Hammond, 2002). In this article, we examine DLVIs and ELVIs and explore how the use of a BoP perspective based on collaborative interdependence can enhance the integration of these efforts. DLVIs are development programs specifically targeting poor microentrepreneurs. In these initiatives, the donor-funded Implementing Partner (IP) plays the role of network orchestrator. In executing this role, the IP remains outside the value chain and focuses on facilitating, as opposed to directly implementing, any changes. This facilitation may include improving demand for specific products/services as well as increasing the supply of higher performing smallholders. In ELVIs, the enterprise acts as the network orchestrator. These enterprises operate within the value chain and look for growth strategies and opportunities for competitive advantage (London and Anupindi, 2011). Investments are viewed through an economic lens of benefits and risks and require building business intimacy and transferable capabilities (Simanis and Hart, 2009). In this research we analyze both DLVIs and ELVIs uses the Participatory Value Chain model (PVC) (Kaplinsky and Morris, 2000) which conceptualizes enterprises as parts of chains of varying (but linked) production and exchange activities operating in different areas. The PVC explains how value is allocated at different levels of the chain and the varying interests and power relations which shape this allocation (Mayoux, 2003). In this way it enables a more complex exploration of alternative strategies for financing microentrepreneurs and provides "a sophisticated model of the positive and negative impacts, whether direct, indirect or unintended, of different interventions" (Mayoux, L., 2003). The majority of development initiatives including the DLVIs and ELVIs pass through design, implementation, and sustainability stages: (a) During the design stage, the initiative is prototyped, and initial goals and performance metrics are developed. It also shows how feasible the implementation will be; (b) If the initiative proceeds, the implementation stage involves launching the proposed business model. (c) In the sustainability stage, the initiative assesses the opportunity to sustain and scale the activities implemented. By the end of 2011, the rate of donor-led financial institutions reached to 73% around the world (MicroRate, 2011). These institutions are mostly founded by mega donors such as the United States Agency for International Development, the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, Swiss Aid organization, The World Bank, International Finance Corp and a variety of other development agencies and foundations (Bauchet et.al, 2011). Such donors struggled to develop their existing value chains for integrating microentrepreneurs into the domestic and international financial markets, as well as providing a wide range of financial services for them (Helms, 2006; Mas, 2011). Enterprise-led Financial Service Providers (FSPs) in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere, seeking innovative sources of finance via new value chains, are also exploring non-traditional opportunities to include the unbanked poor in these value chains (Karlan and Zinman, 2010; Mas, 2011). With little prior knowledge and experience in this market environment, these EVCIs face challenges in identifying opportunities and developing scalable business models that generate competitive advantage (Valadez and Buskirk, 2011). Advancing the BoP strategy created a crossroad for business strategy and poverty alleviation (Prahalad and Hammond, 2002; Simanis & Hart 2009). The BoP represents four billion people live with less than $3,000 per capita purchasing power and primarily run their microenterprises in the informal economy (Hammond et.al, 2007). The BoP literature provides a convincing argument for business-minded leaders for viewing the poor as an untapped market of consumers, producers, and entrepreneurs (Akula, 2008). It also, offers insight into the mindsets, capabilities, and partnerships that enterprises need to develop viable business models (Seelos & Mair, 2007). More recently, a second generation of BoP strategies has emerged. Rather than an emphasis on "finding a fortune at the BoP," this work suggests that BoP initiative benefits from "creating a fortune with the BoP" (Arora and Romijn, 2009 & 2011; London & Hart, 2011). A fortune-creating approach involves identifying and enhancing what is "right" in BoP markets, co-creating and piloting business models in deep dialogue with the poor, and establishing competitive advantage based on the capability to become socially embedded in the local context and to assess and enhance mutual value creation (London, 2009). Collaborative interdependence, a partnering strategy premised on "how we can help each other," provides the foundation for establishing and maintaining the necessary relationships (Margolis & Walsh, 2003; Simanis & Hart, 2009). The BoP literature on partnering, however, has primarily focused on strategies for interdependence collaboration between the poor community (the grassroots), donors, private enterprise and other non-traditional partners such as the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and state organizations. What insights, then, does the BoP perspective offer for enhancing the integration of donor and enterprise investments? To address this research question, the present article focuses first on comparing DLIs and ELIs and then examines the opportunity to use the BoP perspective to better integrate these efforts. We see this effort as an important step toward addressing the broader question of "how to make market-based approaches work better for the poor." Research Methods: We developed this article based on an extensive review of the literature combined with an analysis of our fieldwork in the case of e-MASARY for mobile money and microfinance services in Egypt. The most appropriate method seemed to be the case study, since the objective was to highlight the process of value creation through interdependence collaboration among stakeholders (Yin 1994). As the literatures on both "BoP" and "mobile financial services for the poor" were emerging, a qualitative approach provided the best methodological fit.Combining semi-structured interviews, focus groups, archival studies and field visits, we then developed ethnographic account of the research inquiries. A convenient sample of participants has been selected from different stakeholder organizations (MASARY, Mobile telecoms, NGO-MFIs and client microentrepreneurs) and from different levels in the value chain. This sample helped provide a detailed account of the social interaction among stakeholders along different stages of the value creation process. The data analysis was an iterative exploratory, back and forth process between the literature and the field process. Coding have been conducted using NVivo and narrowed down to the following themes (catalyze investment, performance metrics and incentives, business intimacy and innovation, skills transfer, competitive advantage, governance). Then a separate code has been developed in context-related data to show how other codes can be prioritized in relation to the Egyptian market as well as the mobile telecommunication industry. Findings & Contribution: The key inquiry of our research is not whether the market-based approaches work or not, but rather how to integrate them to get a sustainable impact. Both the donors and enterprises have adopted the value chain approach to finance the poor microentrepreneurs. However, each has its advantages and disadvantages as they go along the stages of design, implementation, and sustainability. Using the BoP perspective, we argue that the Interdependence-Based Collaboration (IBC) mixes up the relatively high start up capabilities of DLVCIs with the relatively wider impact of ELVCIs. It also requires that the partners develop a balanced scorecard to collect relevant and up-to-date information about economic returns, social benefits and local impact. In addition, partners have to balance between the balanced scorecard and staff incentives to sustain their engagement with the poor microentrepreneurs. We also found that BoP initiatives need to be more flexible in fulfilling long term financial commitments and building innovation value chain. For financial commitments during the introduction stage, donors may rely on building business intimacy with a larger set of enterprises and focus on sharing knowledge and resources. Then in later stages (long run) they may select a smaller number of partners who have access to more resources and willingness to provide greater financial support, ext


UNLABELLED
In order to analyse efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of several depression secondary prevention programs, three group interventions were developed in Primary Care Centres: cognitive-behavioral therapy, promotion of one's coping resources therapy (just paying attention to abilities, without training) and social support. The sample was composed by 60 people with from-mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms, who were randomly assigned either to any of the treatments or to a control group (waiting list). Psychopathology, quality of life and attendance to mental health services variables were assessed at pretest, posttest and two follow-up evaluations, 6 and 12 months afterwards.

OUTCOMES
both therapies had more efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency compared to the social support group, and this one was better than the waiting list.


Growth of ZnO nano and microstructures were carried out by low temperature hydrothermal method on glass and silicon substrates without seed layer. Crystallographic orientation and morphology of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The transmittance measurements were done by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and a Raman spectrometer was also deployed to understand the vibrational properties of ZnO nanocrystals. XRD and Raman studies showed the formation of hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO on both the substrates. Cactus and needle like nanostructures forming rosette superstructure were observed for ZnO on glass substrate. On Si(100), nanorods, tetrapods and multipodes were found with smaller crystallite size. More preferential growth and crystalline nature of ZnO on silicon substrate is discussed on the basis of lattice compatibility between ZnO and Si. The role of interface SiO2 layer, the effective growth mechanism and properties of these nanostructures are also discussed.


Background: Previous research suggests that estrogen plays a role in increased ligamentous laxity observed within the female population. Whereas many studies have sought to evaluate the impact of exogenous estrogen on anterior cruciate ligament injuries, research has not yet explored its impact on the medial patellofemoral ligament. Furthermore, less is known about the role of exogenous progesterone on ligamentous structures. Purpose: To determine whether women prescribed systemic estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) or progesterone (norgestimate or etonogestrel) hormonal contraceptives had an increased risk of undergoing reconstruction surgery for patellar instability compared with women without a prescription for systemic hormonal contraceptives. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The TriNetX Research Network database was queried using International Classification of Disease and Common Procedural Terminology codes for women aged 15 to 26 years who underwent reconstruction procedures for patellar instability between 2012 and 2022. Women were grouped according to whether they had a coded prescription for a systemic hormonal contraceptive containing either ethinyl estradiol or etonogestrel; controls were matched by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. The relative risk (RR) of undergoing reconstruction for patellar instability was determined for each contraceptive. Results: After 1-to-1 propensity score matching, 0.054% (525/980,878) of women prescribed a systemic contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol underwent reconstruction procedures for patellar instability compared with 0.043% (417/980,878) of controls (RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4; P = .0004). Likewise, 0.058% (67/116,260) of women prescribed a form of systemic contraceptive containing only etonogestrel underwent reconstruction procedures for patellar instability compared with 0.026% (30/116,260) of controls (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5-3.4; P = .0002). Conclusion: Female patients prescribed systemic contraceptives containing estrogen or progesterone had an increased rate of reconstruction procedures for patellar instability.


Partnerships create a way forward when no clear solution exists and no single entity can claim the necessary expertise, authority, or resources to bring about change. Cross-sectoral partnerships are needed to mobilize community action and improve population health.

The Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) articles in this issue of Preventing Chronic Disease reveal compelling themes, issues, and recommendations for improving population health. These include many challenges, such as how to scale up successful partnership efforts (1,2), determine if and how partnership activity can be correlated with changing health metrics (1-5), expand the use of incentives for improvement (1,3,4,6), and strengthen groups' distributive leadership and governance (1,2,4-6).


Recently, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) research has been focusing on strengthening the hamstring muscles, as previous studies have found there to be a significant stabilizing effect by the hamstrings in those subjects with anterior cruciate deficiencies. Research has primarily focused on whether differences existed between the strength (Moore & Wade, 1989; Seto, Wino, Morrissey, Medeiros & Mason, 1988), the electromyographical (EMG) output (Tibone & Antich, 1988), or the muscle activation patterns between the quadriceps and hamstrings. (Beard, Kyberd, Fergusson & Dodd, 1993; Jennings Seedhom, 1994). A key factor in hamstring co-contraction during gait is that of timing. Should hamstring cocontraction occur near to heelstrike, where the greatest anterior shear force is applied to the knee during a normal gait, or occur too far behind heelstrike, muscular strength is rendered useless. In such an event, stabilization cannot occur if the joint has already been displaced, or counteracting force has already been exhausted. This pilot study proposed to determine if latency exists between injured and uninjured knees, examining only temporal data relative to heelstrike. Similar studies involving static positions with an applied shear force have been performed and have had contradicting results. (Beard, Kyberd, Fergusson & Dodd, 1993; JeMings & Seedhom, 1994). To date, no temporal measures have been examined in dynamic movement. This may affect results as most joint receptors require motion for proprioception. Data collection procedures involved using a 3-channel EMG monitor to track the time heelstrike, hamstring contraction and quadriceps contraction during a 5-second period of normal walking/jogging on a treadmill. Speeds of 5 km/h and 7 km/h were used on incline, decline and flat surfaces. Data was collected at three randomly selected times for each condition and each leg. Differences found between injured and uninjured legs represent an area of concern for those in the field of rehabilitation. Research into variations in treatment methods to correct for latency in the hamstrings could provide a level of stability not before seen in non-surgical or even surgical patients. The next step to further this research will involve an eight-channel EMG monitor to track bilateral timing. A thorough patient history including Cincinnati and Lysholm scales of subjective functional ability will be included in the patient selection process.


Rapid population growth and increasing economic activities have resulted in unsustainable exploitation and rapid decline in the spatial extent of forest reserves in Nigeria. Studying land use dynamics of these forest reserves is essential for analysing various ecological and developmental consequences over time. Land use/land cover mapping, change detection and prediction are essential for decision-making and implementing appropriate policy responses relating to land uses. This paper aims at assessing and predicting changes in land use/land cover at Gambari forest reserve, Nigeria using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The study determined the magnitude, rate and dynamics of change in the spatial extent of the forest reserve between 1984 and 2014 using multi-temporal datasets (Landsat TM 1984 and 2000 and OLI/TIRS 2014). The imageries were classified using ArcGIS 10.0 version with support of ground truth data and Land use Change Modeller (LCM) and Markovian processes were employed to analyse the pattern and trend of change. Prediction of 2044 scenario carried out using neural network, which is a built-in module in the Idrisi. The study revealed dramatic decline in the extent of the forest reserve as both the plantation of exotic tree species (Tectona grandis and Gmelina) and the indigenous stands have been logged in several places for timber and to make way for cultivation of crops. In addition, pressures from other land uses like settlements have also led to increased non-forest uses particularly bare grounds. The study concluded that increasing loss of the indigenous forest and plantation would continue thus having implications for biodiversity conservation in the study area. There is the need for participation of different stakeholders and sectors to solve conflicting demands on limited forest resources and ensure ecosystem integrity.


Micro-masonry is a route to microassembly that involves elastomeric-stamp-based micromanipulation and direct bonding. This paper presents the assembly of MEMS mechanical sensors and actuators using micro-masonry, demonstrating its capability of constructing 3-D microdevices that are impossible or difficult to realize with monolithic microfabrication. Microfabrication processes for retrievable MEMS components (e.g., combs, spacers, and flexure beams) are developed. As micromanipulation tools, microtipped elastomeric stamps with reversible dry adhesion are also designed and fabricated to pick up and deterministically place those components. After the manipulation, the components are permanently bonded together via rapid thermal annealing without using any additional intermediate layers. The assembled MEMS device is modeled and analyzed in consideration of the microassembly misalignment. The sensing and actuating capabilities of the assembled MEMS devices are experimentally characterized.


In spite of intensive efforts, the cause and pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) remain elusive. In a recent publication, Lipton and colleagues suggest that MS is due to a single viral pathogen. Although we agree that there are sufficient reasons to question the validity of the hypothesis that an autoimmune process underlies MS and that infectious causative agents need to be reconsidered, the "one virus, one disease" model is likely to be constraining. The criteria required for MS diagnosis provide a large roof to host an extremely broad clinical spectrum, but they ignore the erratic mode of presentation and the unpredictable course and prognosis. These variable clinical parameters may reflect diverse etiopathogenetic entities that have a differential impact on brain tissue and hence clinical progression. The likelihood that MS is indeed a heterogeneous condition, that is, a syndrome, caused by different processes such as inflammation, infection, and degeneration is promoted by the variable clinical course and by the study that identified four different pathological entities in MS patients. There are theoretical, epidemiological, and clinical reasons that favor a possible infectious causative agent of MS. However, the possibility that the similar chronic and progressive clinical picture and the comparable radiological and histological pathology is not mediated by a single pathogen but is rather due to several different infectious agents is also recognized in other systemic and neurological disorders. Viral infection of the liver with different pathogens can lead to acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatic carcinoma. Infectious granulomatous lung disease may require immunohistochemistry, culture, in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of certain fungal and bacterial infections, including Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and tuberculosis, that might share similar clinical and histopathological features. A similar chronic peripheral neuropathy might be due to either human immunodeficiency virus or cytomegalovirus in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients. The nervous system has a limited repertoire of clinical and pathological responses to tissue damage. The spectrum of inflammation, cellular reaction, and tissue repair is restricted and, in many instances, stereotyped. Viral infections of the brain share certain pathological features that enable, just morphologically, to infer the viral cause even without clinical or serological data. It appears therefore reasonable to suspect that different infective agents may converge into a similar clinicopathological presentation and course with identical radiological and pathological findings compatible with MS diagnosis.


Hyperaccumulators have exceptional phloem translocation capability for heavy metals. This study aims at quantifying the mobility and accumulation of Ni and Co via the phloem in the model hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens. 'Phloem loading capability (PLC)', which is calculated by the 'Metal content in phloem sap/Metal content in leaves', was introduced to evaluate the metal phloem mobility, while 'Phloem mobility value (PMV)' was used for the normalization of PLC, which set the PLC of Sr as PMV 0 and that of Rb as 100. The results showed that the PMV of Ni and Co were 63 and 47, respectively. And the phloem mobility of Rb, Ni, Co and Sr could be graded as highly mobile, mobile, intermediate and immobile accordingly. The phloem stream can supply up to 19.1% and 16.0% of the total Ni and Co accumulated in the young leaves, respectively, whilst for Rb and Sr, the phloem contributes to 29% and 1.4% of the total Rb or Sr, indicating phloem contribution of certain metal is directly linked with its mobility. The results of this study raise the importance of phloem translocation on metal accumulation in shoots and provide insights on the metal cycling process in hyperaccumulators.


This guide will provide information about library services and research assistance for students in Texas State University classes at a distance


Objective: Sauna bath is a form of dry heat exposure. The physiological responses of a single session of sauna are well described but less information is available on the effects of repeated sauna exposure. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of five sessions of sauna on body weight, rectal temperature and body composition. Design: Experimental study with same subject design. Setting: Study was conducted in the Health Department of Guru Nanak Dev University. Subjects: 20 healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. Intervention: Participants were exposed to the dry heat of sauna at (70±2°C) for 15 minutes for a period of 5 consecutive days. Pre and post recording of body weight, rectal temperature and body composition parameters were done after each sauna exposure on all the days. Outcome measures: Body weight, rectal temperature and body composition parameters. Results: After each sauna exposure there was a significant decrease in body weight and a significant elevation in rectal temperature (p


The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar uses surface reference method to estimate the attenuation encountered in the observation of radar reflectivity. The cumulative attenuation estimated from the surface reference method can be distributed along the radar range using a power law relation between the specific attenuation (k) and reflectivity factor (Z). A physical interpretation of the variability in the k-Z relation can be provided with the normalized drop size distributions. This paper describes an algorithm to estimate the drop size distribution (DSD) parameters from the measured attenuation and reflectivity values obtained from TRMM precipitation radar observations. Coincident data collected with ground polarimetric radar during the TRMM field campaigns is used to cross-validate the estimates of drop size distribution parameters obtained from the TRMM precipitation radar. The results of cross validation show fairly good agreement with the drop size distribution parameters retrieved from TRMM precipitation radar and the ground-radar-based estimates. The algorithm is subsequently used to generate monthly global maps of DSD. The global distribution of DSDs is critically important for development of retrieval algorithms used by the Global Precipitation Mission Radiometers.


We study the propagation and stability of kink waves in a twisted magnetic tube with the flow. The flow velocity is assumed to be parallel to the magnetic field, and the magnetic field lines are straight outside the tube. The density is constant inside and outside of the tube, and it monotonically decreases from its value inside the tube to that outside in the transitional or boundary layer. The flow speed and magnetic twist monotonically decrease in the transitional layer from their values inside the tube to zero outside. Using the thin tube and thin boundary layer (TTTB) approximation, we derived the dispersion equation determining the dependence of the wave frequency and decrement/increment on the wavenumber. When the kink wave frequency coincides with the local Alfvén frequency at a resonant surface inside the transitional layer, the kink wave is subjected to either resonant damping or resonant instability. We study the properties of kink waves in a particular unperturbed state where there is no flow and magnetic twist in the transitional layer. It is shown that in a tube with flow, the kink waves can propagate without damping for particular values of the flow speed. Kink waves propagating in the flow direction either damp or propagate without damping. Waves propagating in the opposite direction can either propagate without damping, or damp, or become unstable. The theoretical results are applied to the problem of excitation of kink waves in spicules and filaments in the solar atmosphere.


Influence of some sulfhydryl reagents on kinetics of acid hemolysis has been investigated. The results obtained indicate that the mechanism of acid hemolysis includes aggregation of some denatured membrane integral proteins, following the intermolecular disulfide bond formation. A suggestion is made that in this hemolysis-inducing aggregation free SH-groups containing proteins only take place.


Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the effects on remineralization of a novel iontophoresis device called 'Fluorinex', conventional (acidulated phosphat fluoride) APF gel treatment, and conventional ionthophoresis device comparatively by laser fluorescence measurements. Study Design: Artificial incipient carious lesions were created on immature, 60 intact premolar and molar teeth with no defects. The specimens were randomly allocated to four groups. In the first group 1.23% APF gel was applied to specimens by conventional method for 4 minutes and in the second group 2% (sodium fluoride) NaF solution applied by conventional iontophoresis device for 4 minutes. In Fluorinex group specimens were pretreated with (copper chloride) CuCl2 for 1 minute and then treated for 4 minutes with 1.23% APF gel in a Fluoritray. Control group was placed in distilled water for 4 minutes. After these applications all specimens were included to a pH cycling. DIAGNOdent pen measurement were obtained in three different time intervals; after incipient carious lesions, after fluoride treatments and after pH cycling. Specimens were studied by SEM(scanning electron microscopy) after artificial caries lesions and fluoride treatments. Results: Alterations on DIAGNOdent pen measurements before and after treatment, the Fluorinex group was statistically different from conventional APF gel (p=0.011), conventional NaF iontophoresis (p<0.001) and control group (p<0.001). As the DIAGNOdent pen measurements before treatment and after pH cycling were compared, differences were statistically significant in Fluorinex and conventional APF gel groups (p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of this in vitro study has shown that fluoride application by Fluorinex was superior to the conventional APF gel application and NaF iontophoresis on incipient carious lesions. Key words:Fluoride, iontophoresis, remineralization.


Since implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) with smaller configurations became available for bridge-to-transplant or even destination therapy in patients with end-stage heart failure, an increasing number of patients with these devices are receiving home medical management. However, these patients may be anxious about potential complications such as pump failure, thromboembolism, and infections that may occur during home management. To provide a sense of security during home management of patients with LVAD and to establish an ideal shared-care system, we developed a patient-centered cloud-based home management system for patients with LVAD. In this case report, we describe this system and report a trial of it in a 64-year-old patient with an LVAD.


This paper deals with two separate but related subjects: linguistic taboos and linguistic stigmatization illustrated through French and Bosnian languages and slangs (Paris versus Sarajevo). Through these two universal categories, we will try to illustrate their linguistic issues in substandard language where they are well visible. Since the slang is a linguistic form which deals with social taboos and stigmatized categories of people, these topics are present and explicit in its forms while they are normally hidden in standard language forms. The theoretical frame for our stigmatization analysis is especially Erving Goffman's book Stigma, while our taboo analysis comes out partially from our PhD thesis work on the comparison of French and Bosnian slangs, published in France. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multicultural country, taboo and stigmatization sometimes appear in the very complex patterns but these categories are nevertheless present even in French language and society in the very similar way. The subject itself deals also with cultural identity. The sacred and neuralgic topics are very similar in these societies which are visible by used linguistic stereotypes in many expressions. Nevertheless, while in French the religious taboo is a little bit more visible, religious taboos but also the taboo of family relationships are more present in Bosnian culture, where the place of mother as a central figure of the family stays as the sacred one. We will try to prove these claims by examples from substandard language where especially vulgarisms show this aspect of universal linguistic expressions. In this paper we shall try to prove in which way our language reflects our unconscious part and in which way it reflects and betrays our most hidden impulses. We shell also try to enrich the paper with some examples/equivalents from the English slang and this might be interesting from the perspective of the contrastive analysis approach.


Abstract Irish is characterized by a process of lenition, by which (among other changes) the coronals t, d, s become h, ɣ, h under certain morphosyntactically determined circumstances. Lenition of coronals is blocked (i.e., t, d, s remain unchanged) after other coronal consonants in certain domains, a phenomenon known as coronal blocking (CB). In a subset of CB domains s changes to t rather than remaining s, a phenomenon known as s-Fortition. In this article, it will be shown that the domain of CB and s-Fortition is the (recursive) prosodic word, as these two processes are found in right-headed as well as left-headed compounds, but not in other (noncompound) left-headed complex NPs. An optimality-theoretic analysis reveals that CB and s-Fortition are motivated by the same constraint ranking: the phonological requirement that coronal consonants be followed by other coronal consonants is more important than the selection of the morphologically correct mutation grade of a word.


A patient with a blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg under triple drug therapy, including a diuretic, has a resistant hypertension. Management mandates the following steps: to identify antihypertensive treatments previously prescribed (doses, efficacy, side effects); to evaluate blood pressure levels outside the medical office; to inquire about poor compliance; to search for secondary hypertension. In most cases, tailoring of treatments improves the care of such patients.


This research examines the competitive niche positions of 36 sports and fitness activities reported in an American Sports Activities 1993 tracking study. The article discusses the advantages of viewing competition from an ecological niche perspective and presents a measure of competitive resource overlap (CRO) used in marketing for measuring niche breadth and niche overlap. The empirical study presents an intuitive mapping of the sports market and calculates the niche breadth and niche overlap for each sport. Managerial implications for sporting goods manufacturers, advertising agencies, corporate sponsors, fitness consultants, and other professionals interested in participant sports markets are given.


Background As herpes zoster progresses via postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) to well-established PHN, it presents its recalcitrant nature to the treatment. At this point, the well-established PHN is fixed as a non-treatable, but manageable chronic painful neuropathic disorder. This study evaluated the incidence of complete relief from PHN according to PHN duration at their first visit, and the other factors influencing it. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with PHN at a university-based pain clinic over 7 years. The responders were defined as patients who had complete relief from pain after 1 year of active treatment. Age, sex, PHN duration at their first visit, dermatomal distribution, and underlying disorders were compared in the responder and non-responder groups. Responders were also compared according to these factors. Results Among 117 PHN patients (M/F = 48/69), 35 patients (29.9%) had complete relief from PHN. Mean ages were 64.3 ± 10.6 and 66.9 ± 10.7 years, numbers of male to female patients were 11/24 and 37/45, and mean durations of PHN at their first visit were 8.5 ± 6.3 and 15.3 ± 10.7 months in the responder and non- responder groups, respectively. In addition, PHN patients who visited the clinic before 9 months showed a better result. Dermatomal distribution and underlying disorders did not show significant differences. Conclusions Almost 30% of PHN patients received complete relief. Those who sought treatment in a pain clinic before 9 months received a better result.


Theoretical frameworks highlight the importance of threat-related information-processing biases for understanding the emergence of anxiety in childhood. The psychometric properties of several tasks measuring these biases and their associations with anxiety were examined in an unselected sample of 9-year-old children ( N = 155). In each task, threat bias was assessed using bias scores reflecting task performance on threat versus non-threat conditions. Reliability was assessed using split–half and test–retest correlations of mean reaction times (RTs), accuracy and bias indices. Convergence between measures was also examined. Mean RTs showed substantial split–half and test–retest correlations. Bias score reli- ability coefficients were near zero and non-significant, suggesting poor reliability in children of this age. Additionally, associations between bias scores and anxiety were weak and inconsistent and perfor- mance between tasks showed little convergence. Bias scores from RT based paradigms in the current study lacked adequate psychometric properties for measuring individual differences in anxiety-related information-processing in children.


Su-Deok Shon Seung-Jae LeeAbstractWith the development of quantum computer, the development of the quantum-inspired search method applying the features of quantum mechanics and its application to engineering problems have emerged as one of the most interesting research topics. Thisalgorithm stores information by using quantum-bit superposed basically by zero and one and approaches optional values through the quantum-gate operation. In this process, it can easily keep the balance between the two features of exploration and exploitation,and continually accumulates evolutionary information. This makes it differentiated from the existing search methods and estimatedas a new algorithm as well. Thus, this study is to suggest a new minimum weight design technique by applying quantum-inspired search method into structural optimization of planar truss. In its mathematical model for optimum design, cost function is minimum weight and constraint function consists of the displacement and stress. To trace the accumulative process and gathering process ofevolutionary information, the examples of 10-bar planar truss and 17-bar planar truss are chosen as the numerical examples, andtheir results are analyzed. The result of the structural optimized design in the numerical examples shows it has better result in minimum weight design, compared to those of the other existing search methods. It is also observed that more accurate optional values can be acquired as the result by accumulating evolutionary information. Besides, terminal condition is easily caught by representing Quantum-bit in probability.Keywords : Quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm, Quantum-bit, Quantum gate, Evolutionary information, Planar truss, Minimum weight design


Abstract A genetic and physical map has been developed for the loculoascomycete Leptosphaeria maculans, a pathogen of oilseed Brassicas. The genetic map was constructed from 58 F(1) progeny and comprises 155 amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) markers, three random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, the mating type locus and a host specificity locus conferring the ability to form lesions on Brassica juncea. Twenty-one linkage groups, 5 pairs, and 18 unlinked markers were assigned, and the genome size was 1520 cM. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis experiments showed that the parental isolates each had 16 chromosomes and a genome size of about 33.5 Mb. Attempts to anchor a large number of markers to chromosomes were hampered by difficulties in converting AFLPs into RFLP markers, and because many markers bound to every chromosome, indicating that L. maculans has a high level of dispersed repetitive sequences. This fungus displays chromosomal length polymorphisms, but in the cross examined, the linkage and physical maps were essentially congruent and there was no evidence of translocations. The host specificity locus is 18 cM from the nearest AFLP marker and is located on a chromosome sized 1.85 Mb in the virulent parent. The mating type locus is on a chromosome sized 2.6 Mb and coincident on an AFLP marker amplified from the virulent parent. The derived amino acid sequence of part of this marker has some conserved amino acids present in the High Mobility Group DNA binding domain of MAT-2 mating type genes of other ascomycetes.


OBJECTIVE The goals of this study were to examine trajectories of blood pressure (BP) in adults with diabetes and investigate the association of trajectory patterns with mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A nonconcurrent longitudinal design was used to monitor 3,766 Medicare patients with diabetes from 2005 through 2008. Data were extracted from a registry of Medicare beneficiaries, which was developed by a large academic practice that participated in the Physician Group Practice Medicare Demonstration. The relationship between BP trajectories and all-cause mortality was modeled using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression. RESULTS During the 4-year study period, 10.7% of the patients died, half of whom were aged ≥75 years. The crude and adjusted models both showed a greater decline in systolic and diastolic BP in patients who died than in those who did not die. In a model adjusted for age, sex, race, medications, and comorbidities, the mean systolic BP decreased by 3.2 mmHg/year (P < 0.001) in the years before death and by 0.7 mmHg/year (P < 0.001) in those who did not die (P < 0.001 for the difference in slopes). Similarly, diastolic BP declined by 1.3 mmHg/year for those who died (P < 0.001) and by 0.6 mmHg/year for those who did not die (P < 0.001); the difference in slopes was significant (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS Systolic and diastolic BP both declined more rapidly in the 4 years before death than in patients who remained alive.


Abstract The pulsatile organ, or "accessory heart," in the tibia of Triatoma consists of a membrane which divides the femur and tibia into a series of sinuses, a pulsatile muscle which propels the haemolymph through the sinuses, and a valvular membrane, which imposes unidirectional flow on the system. A possible innervation of the muscle is described, and simple experiments involving nerve stimulation demonstrate that the pulsatile muscle is under nervous control. Using partially isolated preparations of the pulsatile organ, it has been shown that the organ responds to dopamine and serotonin, but fails to respond to acetylcholine. The pulsatile muscle therefore resembles visceral muscle rather than skeletal muscle.


This article focuses on the policy development and program implementation of CAMPUS Asia, a policy jointly initiated by the governments of Japan, China, and Korea. It illustrates that internationalization efforts bring opportunities for university practitioners to apply non-traditional types of teaching and learning in Japan, such as experiential, active, and collaborative learning models. The program implementation is a learning process for students as well as teaching and administrating staff.  The 'East Asia Leaders' program identifies the following indicators for the further development and implementation of meaningful multicultural joint programs: (1) the quality in teaching and coordinating staff in terms of pedagogical understandings, (2) the development of outcome measurement schemes for intercultural learning in the East Asian context, and (3) the examination of differences in pre-knowledge and social/personal expectations of students.


Background With the associations between investigators and funding sources becoming increasingly complicated, conflicts of interest may arise that could potentially cause biases in the reporting of results. Objective To determine the number of published plastic surgery articles that lack reporting of disclosures. Methods An online review of four major North American plastic surgery journal publications from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007, was performed. For identification and to provide anonymity, journals were assigned a letter from A to D. Results Of the 1759 articles reviewed, 726 (41%) were included. Disclosure was not reported in 368 (51%) articles: Journal A (n=10, 3%), Journal B (n=153, 85%), Journal C (n=193, 93%) and Journal D (n=12, 32%). Journals differed significantly in their reporting of disclosure (P<0.01). Conclusion In the plastic surgery journals reviewed, the lack of documentation of disclosures was frequent. To ensure identification of bias in plastic surgery publications, a section dedicated to disclosure statements is recommended for each published article.


Four field experiments conducted to evaluate the efficacy of cartap hydrochloride @ 1 kg a.i./ha in comparison with check insecticide carbofuran during 1999 (I crop season), 2000 (I crop season) and 2001 (I and II crop seasons) showed that cartap hydrochloride treatment in nursery five days before pulling rice seedlings had reduced incidence of dead hearts (35.6 %) and white ear (28.4 %) caused by yellow steniborer, Scirpophaga incertulas Walker and reduced leaf damage by leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee by 47.7 percent with increased grain yield in comparison with check insecticide (carbofuran) drenched seedlings. The cartap hydrochloride drenched seedlings supported higher population of natural enemies like spiders ( Tetragnatha sp.) while other natural enemies like damselflies ( Agriocnemis sp.), green mirid bugs ( Cyrtorhinus lividipennis ) and larval parasitoids ( Stenobracon sp.) were on par with the untreated plots.


Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) is a vulnerable factor that could lead to liver damage, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, despite the high prevalence of NAFLD, the genetic factor determining the disease progression remains poorly understood. CISD2 is a previously uncharacterized novel gene located within the overlapping region of HCC critical region and human longevity region on chromosome 4q. We have recently demonstrated for the first time that Cisd2 is a mitochondrial outer membrane protein which mediates mitochondrial integrity and lifespan in mammals. Surprisingly, we have observed phenotype similar to NAFLD in the liver of Cisd2 heterozygous (+/−) knockout mice. Cisd2 haplo-insufficiency led to abnormal lipid metabolism accompanying with fatty liver, cell death, severe inflammation and fibrosis in the liver. Moreover, there was a low incidence (1/18; 5.6%) of HCC developed at 16-18 months of age in the Cisd2+/− mice. Interestingly, our results revealed a significant increase of the Srebp1c which is the master regulator of lipogenesis; the increase in Srebp1-c seems to further up-regulate the expression of its target gene, fatty acid synthase (Fas), in the Cisd2+/− livers. In addition, we found that liver fibrosis was associated with activation of hepatic stellate cells, as revealed by increased expression of α-ΣMA, in the Cisd2+/− livers. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Cisd2 haplo-insufficiency promoted hepatocarcinogenesis and accelerated HCC development by 4-6 months in the transgenic mice expressing HBV X protein. In summary, our results suggested that Cisd2 is likely to be a haplo-insufficient tumor suppressor gene for HCC. Heterozygous deficiency of Cisd2 led to NAFLD, and accelerated the progression of HBV-associated HCC. Our data suggest that Cisd2 is a molecular target for the development of chemoprevention and therapeutic strategy for NAFLD. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1332. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1332


The presence of loan words in a language is an indication of the introduction of a foreign word and of a new reality. Here I will discuss how the presence of loan words in languages is a sign of the plurality of the real world. For this, I follow from the thesis put forward by Lewis (1986) on the plurality of worlds and introduce examples of Muisca and Spanish, as proof that the world, as a unique place where everything is included, carries within it the plurality of the real world because there is often another that is unknown and therefore cannot be within its possible worlds.


[reaction: see text] The cis and trans diastereoisomers of 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-4-phenylpyrroline N-oxide (4-PhDEPMPOt 8 and 4-PhDEPMPOc 9) were prepared stereoselectively and used as spin traps for hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. The spin adduct formed by reaction of the cis stereoisomer 9with superoxide radical anion exhibited an 8-line ESR spectrum, showing only a reduced alternating line width phenomenon. This spectrum is simpler than the 12-line spectrum of DEPMPO-OOH, which exhibits a strong alternating line width phenomenon. The half-life times of the 4-PhDEPMPOc-OOH and DEPMPO-OOH adducts were of the same order: 14.5 and 15.5 min, respectively.