Background: S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease; inhibition of SAH hydrolase (SAHH) results in SAH accumulation and induces endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. However, the effect and mechanism of SAHH in atherosclerotic calcification is still unclear. We aimed to explore the role and mechanism of SAHH in atherosclerotic calcification. Methods: The relationship between SAHH and atherosclerotic calcification was investigated in patients with coronary atherosclerotic calcification. Different in vivo genetic models were used to examine the effect of SAHH deficiency on atherosclerotic calcification. Human aortic and murine vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were cultured to explore the underlying mechanism of SAHH on osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs. Results: The expression and activity of SAHH were decreased in calcified human coronary arteries and inversely associated with coronary atherosclerotic calcification severity, whereas plasma SAH and total homocysteine levels were positively associated with coronary atherosclerotic calcification severity. Heterozygote knockout of SAHH promoted atherosclerotic calcification. Specifically, VSMC-deficient but not endothelial cell–deficient or macrophage-deficient SAHH promoted atherosclerotic calcification. Mechanistically, SAHH deficiency accumulated SAH levels and induced H19-mediated Runx2 (runt-related transcription factor 2)-dependent osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs by inhibiting DNMT3b (DNA methyltransferase 3b) and leading to hypomethylation of the H19 promoter. On the contrary, SAHH deficiency resulted in lower intracellular levels of adenosine and reduced AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) activation. Adenosine supplementation activated AMPK and abolished SAHH deficiency–induced expression of H19 and Runx2 and osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs. Finally, AMPK activation by adenosine inhibited H19 expression by inducing Sirt1 (sirtuin-1)-mediated histone H3 hypoacetylation and DNMT3b-mediated hypermethylation of the H19 promoter in SAHH deficiency VSMCs. Conclusions: We have confirmed a novel correlation between SAHH deficiency and atherosclerotic calcification and clarified a new mechanism that epigenetic upregulation of H19 and AMPK inhibition concurrently contribute to SAHH deficiency–promoted Runx2-dependent atherosclerotic calcification.


In order to assess whether the steep increase of house prices in several industrial countries in the last ten years constitutes a house price bubble as often mentioned in the press and public debate we analyse the key fundamental determinants of residential house prices. We argue that the often used historic comparisons of simple ratios like the house price/ rent ratio, the house price/ income ratio or the house price/ construction cost ratio are inadequate measures of over- or undervaluated markets. Instead models should be used that capture the interaction of several fundamental determinants and include the impact of interest rates on house prices. We present three such models: In the Dividend Cash Flow Model (DCF) house prices equal the discounted cash flow of all expected future cash flows. Hence, they result from the interplay between current rent levels, expected future growth of rents, risk free interest rates and risk premia for real estate investments. The Affordability Model shows that house prices developments result from the interaction of nominal income growth and changes of real or nominal interest rates. As a third model we use an econometric approach. Using panel regression technics we show that real house prices depend on real construction cost, real rents, real income, real interest rates and the output gap. We apply all three models for ten industrial countries. For each approach we calculate a range of plausibel estimates of under- respectively overvaluation using several plausible assumptions. Overall we come to the conclusion that in most countries house price developments can be explained to a large degree by fundamental factors. However, a significant overvaluation is shown for UK and slight overvaluations result for the US, the Netherlands and Australia. The German and the Japanes house markets appear undervaluated.


Programmed cell death plays a crucial role in limb morphogenesis of amniote. So far, there has been no biochemical evidence found to support the fact that embryonic cell death is apoptosis. In this report, we show the oligo-nucleosomal ladder pattern of DNA obtained from interdigital tissues of chick leg buds, indicating that programmed cell death has some features that are common to those involved in apoptosis. Furthermore, cells exhibiting DNA fragmentation were detected by using a method of in situ end labeling of DNA breaks. The distribution pattern of those cells corresponded well to those of programmed-dead cells situated within the interdigital mesenchyme of the leg bud.


The connection between under-nutrition and HIV is bidirectional. It affects the quality of life, as well as the survival of affected people. While this is the case, there are various nutritional challenges, which are faced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), and which hamper the fight against the scourge. This study therefore sought to map literature on the nutritional challenges among PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa and guide future research in nutritional management to improve health outcomes for PLWH. A systematic search was done from the following sources: PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBSCOhost (CINAHL and Academic Search Complete), Web of Science, and Google Scholar. In addition, information was obtained both from unpublished studies, which included book chapters, reference lists, theses and conference papers. Eleven (11) studies met the inclusion criteria, and were used for data extraction. The studies were based in different countries, which form part of the Sub Saharan Africa. One of the studies was carried out in Senegal, two studies were carried out in various West African countries, one study was carried out in Burkina Faso; one study was carried out in Ethiopia and one of the studies was carried out in different countries forming part of the Sub Saharan Africa. Two of the studies were carried out in Zambia, one in Zimbabwe, one in Cameroon, and one in Ghana. Most of the studies established the main nutrition challenge facing PLWH to be food insecurity. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that some of the main nutrition challenges include food insecurity, lack of nutritional support among PLWH, late detection of HIV, huge cost of treating severe acute malnutrition, and lack of feeding supplementations.


Renewed interest in molluscum contagiosum virus has been stimulated by the availability of the entire genomic sequence and the identification of more than 160 putative genes, some of whose functions are now under analysis. Important findings have been generated by the recognition that certain viral proteins have anti-chemotactic and anti-apoptotic properties. Other advances include the characterization of two recombinant immunoreactive proteins, and the publication of the first seroepidemiological survey of the general population. Recent clinical studies indicate that some of the newer antiviral agents and physical treatment modalities offer significant benefits for the treatment of recalcitrant infections in the immunosuppressed.


Clonal cultures in semisolid medium have proved invaluable in analyzing hemopoietic subpopulations and in detecting their specific growth regulators. However, they can be subject to certain deficiencies that an investigator must take care to exclude. These include inabilities of the particular culture system to detect the true stem cells under study or to allow self-generation of clonogenic cells or a full expression of their differentiation potential. Clonal cultures, like conventional cultures, can be subject to significant cell-cell interactions, complicating attempts to characterize the action of a test regulatory molecule. Culture data need to be supplemented by a variety of other data before they can be regarded as valid evidence that a regulatory molecule detected in vitro is likely to function in a similar manner in vivo.


Abstract Female poeciliid fish of the sister genera Xiphophorus and Priapella share a mating preference favouring a sword, despite phylogenetic evidence that the sword arose in Xiphophorus . This conclusion is based on the presence of a preference favouring a sword in three unsworded species and one sworded species. Here I investigate the response to a sword in the poeciliid fish Heterandria bimaculata by testing females with conspecific males that differ in the presence or absence of a sword. Female H. bimaculata were found to prefer unsworded males, thus sworded males were discriminated against. I also tested the strength of female response; females did not show a differential response to males based on sword length. The preference for unsworded males could indicate that when new male traits arise, biases might oppose trait evolution, even in cases in which similar male traits in related taxa are favoured. Explanations for the female preference for unsworded males are discussed.


PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The authors present a prospective and mono-operator study of 91 gleno-humeral arthroscopies for post-traumatic antero-inferior instability of the shoulder. The aim of the study was to obtain a dynamic understanding of the relationship between the anatomic lesions to allow the integration of all the described lesions into literature and to produce a natural history of lesions in antero-inferior shoulder instability.

MATERIALS
91 endoscopies for post-traumatic instability of the shoulder were performed by the same surgeon. Revision chart comprised 67 purely descriptive items. For the purpose of the study, the patients were divided into 4 groups of dislocation (first dislocation: 9 cases, 1 to 2 recurrences: 12 cases; 3 to 5 recurrences: 23 cases; more than 5 recurrences: 32 cases) and 1 group of subluxation (15 cases).

METHOD
The statistical evaluation of each individual data item gathered value allowed the selection of the most significant lesions and to regroup them into "lesions families", relations to the same physiopathological mechanism (traumatic or degenerative). The correlation between each lesion in terms of evolution, age and number of recurrences was studied.

RESULTS
The first and most constant lesion is the periosteal avulsion of the antero-inferior labrum ("single lesion": healing potential of +/- 30 per cent, in ectopic position in +/- 90 per cent). With recurrences, the avulsion of the gleno-humeral ligament adds this "single lesion" ("double lesion". Healing potential of +/- 50 per cent, in ectopic position in +/- 90 per cent). Continuing the recurrence, we also noted a degenerative and plastic deformation under the level of the glenoid rim ("triple lesion": infra-glenoid degenerescence) then over the glenoid rim ("quadruple lesion": supra glenoid degenerescence). The age factor and duration of evolution were not negligible and one must associate the "labro-ligament complex" studies with the avulsion lesions of the long head of the biceps (SLAP lesions) in which the frequency varies from 15 per cent to 30 per cent and which was consistently present in patients above 35 years of age.

DISCUSSION
The authors believe that recurrences give rise to a progressive worsening of the lesions by the sum of the separate lesions. They propose a physiopathological classification in 4 stages where each lesions has its own healing potential, which explains the apparent large variation in endoscopic aspects of antero-inferior shoulder instability.

CONCLUSION
This classification should permit a precise therapeutic strategy in post-traumatic anterior instability, according to the most recent techniques of endoscopic reattachment of the labro-ligament complex.


ABSTRACT The dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans is continually exposed to several types of stress in the oral biofilm environment. Oxidative stress generated by reactive oxygen species has a major impact on the establishment, persistence, and virulence of S. mutans. Here, we combined fluorescent reporter-promoter fusions with single-cell imaging to study the effects of reactive oxygen species on activation of genetic competence in S. mutans. Exposure to paraquat, which generates superoxide anion, produced a qualitatively different effect on activation of expression of the gene for the master competence regulator, ComX, than did treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which can yield hydroxyl radical. Paraquat suppressed peptide-mediated induction of comX in a progressive and cumulative fashion, whereas the response to H2O2 displayed a strong threshold behavior. Low concentrations of H2O2 had little effect on induction of comX or the bacteriocin gene cipB, but expression of these genes declined sharply if extracellular H2O2 exceeded a threshold concentration. These effects were not due to decreased reporter gene fluorescence. Two different threshold concentrations were observed in the response to H2O2, depending on the gene promoter that was analyzed and the pathway by which the competence regulon was stimulated. The results show that paraquat and H2O2 affect the S. mutans competence signaling pathway differently, and that some portions of the competence signaling pathway are more sensitive to oxidative stress than others. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus mutans inhabits the oral biofilm, where it plays an important role in the development of dental caries. Environmental stresses such as oxidative stress influence the growth of S. mutans and its important virulence-associated behaviors, such as genetic competence. S. mutans competence development is a complex behavior that involves two different signaling peptides and can exhibit cell-to-cell heterogeneity. Although oxidative stress is known to influence S. mutans competence, it is not understood how oxidative stress interacts with the peptide signaling or affects heterogeneity. In this study, we used fluorescent reporters to probe the effect of reactive oxygen species on competence signaling at the single-cell level. Our data show that different reactive oxygen species have different effects on S. mutans competence, and that some portions of the signaling pathway are more acutely sensitive to oxidative stress than others.


New evidence is presented on the cost of adverse selection in individual annuity markets using Singapore data. The Singapore annuity market is an interesting setting to examine the cost of adverse selection for three reasons. First, unlike many Western countries, the Singapore government provides very limited public financial assistance for retirees. Second, while social security contributions mandated under the Central Provident Fund (CPF) result in a high forced savings rate, a large proportion of CPF savings, are used up for housing. Third, to ensure that retirees have sufficient funds to meet basic needs, individuals who reach age 55 are required to set aside a minimum amount of their CPF savings, which can be withdrawn at age 62. The CPF Board allows various options for investing the minimum sum, but the most attractive option is to purchase an annuity. The institutional setting in Singapore in effect provides insurers with a large captive market for annuities. It is conjectured that this should be reflected in a significantly lower cost of adverse selection for annuities sold in Singapore as compared with other countries. The results herein, using data for CPF-approved insurers, are strongly consistent with this conjecture. On average, money's worth of annuities is higher than annuities sold to a similar age-gender mix in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Adverse selection accounts for less than 13 percent of the cost of longevity insurance compared to 30-50 percent documented in many previous studies. These results suggest that one way to resolve the adverse selection problem is to adopt a universal individual defined contribution pension scheme that mandates or provides strong incentives for retirees to purchase annuities.


The potential for using suspended sea cages for the aquaculture of juvenile spiny lobsters was assessed for Jasus edwardsii in New Zealand. Lobsters were grown for a year in sea cages at three sites starting from pueruli and regularly fed on opened mussels. Larger juvenile lobsters of two size classes were also held in sea cages with small live mussels for food. Pueruli grew at rates that were close to or greater than those previously recorded from tank experiments. At the most northern site, lobsters grew most quickly to an average of 42.1 mm CL ± 0.4 s.e. and 36.9 g wet weight ± 1.0 s.e. in a year. The mortality of lobsters differed with site, but at one site was lower (14%) than was recorded in a previous tank-culture experiment (25%). The differences in growth and mortality among sites appear to be related to differences in ambient water temperatures. Larger juvenile lobsters were found to be unable to feed on the small live mussels. These results indicate that suspended sea-cage culture has considerable potential for the aquaculture of spiny lobster juveniles but will require the careful selection of sites and the development of effective feeding arrangements.


A systematic study about the effect of the heating of a modified version of the so-called Torch Integrated Sample Introduction System (TISIS) has been performed. The results showed that when working at liquid flow rates of 20–40 µl min−1, it was possible to raise the chamber wall temperature up to 100 °C without degradation of plasma thermal characteristics. Furthermore, a sheathing gas stream was added to the spray chamber so as to improve the aerosol transport towards the plasma. Under these conditions, sensitivity enhancements ranging from 8 to 15 with regard to those found under standard conditions (i.e., with neither chamber heating nor sheathing gas inlet) were reached for the different ionic and atomic emission lines studied. As a result, limits of detection at 20 µl min−1 were improved by a factor between 2.5 and 13. These LODs were only 1.7 to 2 times lower than for a cyclonic spray chamber at an uptake rate of 1 ml min−1. Two direct injection nebulizers were used for comparison: the conventional direct injection high efficiency nebulizer (DIHEN) and its demountable version (d-DIHEN). When TISIS was used under standard conditions quite similar results were found as those provided by d-DIHEN, although at low nebulizer gas flow rates (i.e., 0.1 l min−1), the DIHEN gave rise to higher sensitivities. However, by heating the TISIS chamber at 100 °C, sensitivities were enhanced by a factor up to one order of magnitude with respect to both the DIHEN and d-DIHEN. The result was ascribed both to the production of a finer tertiary aerosol and to the improved plasma excitation conditions. Furthermore, lower limits of detection were encountered for the hot chamber as compared to direct injection nebulizers. Hence, the developed system could be considered to be very promising for the analysis of very low liquid sample volumes through ICP techniques.


In presence of hydrodynamics phenomena occur surrounding propeller evidently affects on accuracy's prediction of thrust, torque and its efficiency. To achieve the objective, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations approach is then proposed to obtain a reliable prediction of the thrust (K T ), torque (K Q ) and efficiency (η) coefficients in open water condition. The effect of various blade numbers associated with constant propeller revolution (RPM=1320) and pitch ratio (P/D=1.0); are performed within the range of advance ratio from 0.1 J 1.0. The results revealed that the increase of blade number from Z=3 to 5 was proportional with the increase of thrust (K T ) and torque (K Q ) coefficients; meanwhile, it was reduced the maximum efficiency (η) that possibly lead to downgrade the propeller performance. It should be noted here, the propeller with three blade numbers (Z=3) provide the highest efficiency (η) up to 78.8% at J=0.9. These CFD simulation results are very useful as a preliminary study of propeller characteristics.


The study aimed to evaluate the antiradical and antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) potentials of ethanol mycelial extracts of selected Ganoderma species and strains and to define interand intraspecies diversity among Ganoderma species and strains. Ganoderma lucidum strains were good DPPH• scavengers (neutralizing up to 57.12% radicals), contrary to G. applanatum (20.35%) and G. carnosum (17.04%). High correlations between the activities and contents of total phenols in the extracts showed that these compounds were carriers of the activity. Results obtained by both discdiffusion and microdilution methods indicated that the extract of G. lucidum BEOFB 433 was the most potent antibacterial agent that inhibited growth of almost all bacterial species at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL. Salmonella typhimurium was the most sensitive species to the mycelium extracts. Extracts of G. lucidum BEOFB 431 and BEOFB 434 showed the best antifungal activity since in concentration of 0.5 mg/mL inhibited the growth of Aspergillus glaucus (BEOFB 431) and the growth of A. glaucus and Trichoderma viride (BEOFB 434). Extracts of G. applanatum and G. lucidum BEOFB 431 had the strongest fungicidal effects, with lethal outcomes for A. glaucus and T. viride, respectively, being noted at a concentration of 1.17 mg/mL. Aspergillus niger was proved as the most resistant species.


ABSTRACT This paper reviews recent research on take-up with a view to identifying the most promising lines of further enquiry. In the late 1970s take-up research seemed to be foundering in the face of the complexity of the factors affecting claiming decisions. Progress came via the development of models of the claiming process. The most influential postulated a series of thresholds which claimants must pass in a set sequence on the way to claiming a benefit. One question for future research is whether this model is still the best starting point or whether there are others which capture the key factors and their interaction more fully and accurately. Another approach is to look at claiming decisions indirectly by applying multivariate techniques to continuous survey data to examine the relationship between variables such as age, income and housing tenure and differing probabilities of claiming. A second question is what the two approaches can offer each other. Overhanging all the issues facing take-up research is the problem of sampling a population—eligible non-recipients—for which, almost by definition, no suitable sampling frame exists. The paper concludes by examining various options for identifying this elusive group.


We review recent progress in understanding non-perturbative instanton corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space in type II string compactifications on Calabi-Yau threefolds.


Abstract Electroplasticity in metals has been controversial since it is extremely hard to decouple the electron-induced heating in experiment. To illustrate the origin of this phenomenon, we applied density-functional theory (DFT) calculations to examine the response of injecting electrons and holes to face-centered-cubic metal, Rh, under finite shear deformation. We firstly examine the single crystal and find that single-crystal Rh can become more ductile/stronger with the electron/hole injection due to the less/more charge distribution between the sheared bonds cross the slip plane under deformation. Then the nanoscale twins are introduced to illustrate microstructure effect, and the simulation results indicated that nanoscale twins weaken the Rh, leading to a softening effect. With injected electron/hole, the nanotwinned structure displays the same more ductile/stronger effects as the single-crystal Rh. The origin of these effects arises from the weakened/enhanced bonding along twin boundaries. This study provides some insights on the origin of electroplasticity in metals. Graphic abstract


AVINASH G MULKY: Marketing to the Bottom of the Pyramid and subsistence markets – A research agenda. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 2, pp. 9–14 The concepts of Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) and subsistence markets have attracted substantial academic and managerial attention in recent years. The BOP thesis states that there are opportunities for multinational companies to achieve signifi cant revenues and profi tability by designing and implementing marketing programs aimed at people who occupy the lowest tier in the world's economic pyramid. The number of people in this segment has been estimated to be between 2.7 billion and 4 billion. This paper reviews the academic literature on BOP and subsistence markets and identifi es important issues related to marketing to these consumers. The review is based on journal articles that have appeared in peer-reviewed journals and on case studies published by reputed academic institutions. The literature review fi rst identifi es a number of business issues like size of BOP market, motivations for undertaking BOP initiatives, ethics and linkages. Then specifi c marketing issues related to the BOP segment such as consumer analysis, company analysis, collaborators, competition and context, segmentation and positioning and issues relating to marketing program design and implementation are analyzed. Based on this analysis, the paper develops a research agenda for future research on BOP and subsistence markets. marketing, bottom of the pyramid, subsistence markets, poor consumers, literature review, marketing research agenda


X-ray microscopy is an invaluable tool for the characterization of life and materials science samples on the submicron length scale. Particularly in case of hard X-rays, it combines high penetration power with elemental, chemical, and magnetic specificity. However, contrast decreases drastically at higher photon energies, and imaging modalities beyond mere absorption measurements become increasingly attractive. We discuss the use of a fully pixelated detector for hard X-ray scanning microscopy of a biological specimen in absorption, phase contrast, and dark-field imaging mode.


As the latest member of the multiple access family, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been recently proposed for 3GPP LTE and is envisioned to be an essential component of 5G mobile networks. The key feature of NOMA is to serve multiple users at the same time/frequency/ code, but with different power levels, which yields a significant spectral efficiency gain over conventional orthogonal MA. The article provides a systematic treatment of this newly emerging technology, from its combination with MIMO technologies to cooperative NOMA, as well as the interplay between NOMA and cognitive radio. This article also reviews the state of the art in the standardization activities concerning the implementation of NOMA in LTE and 5G networks.


they were analysed separately. Although making a difference in the control group, in the iv heparin group giving sc heparin (eight patients) or not (13 patients) made no difference and therefore the results of these two groups were combined in the table. The results on drip life were analysed by the Student's t test, and the comparisons between rates of spontaneous stoppage and elective removal by x2 with Yates's correction. Both sc and iv heparin prolonged the life of a drip (see table), there being significant differences between the control group and both the heparin groups, and also between the two heparin groups themselves. In the iv heparin group there was a significant increase in elective removals, with a parallel decrease in spontaneous stoppages as compared with control patients.


The tensile properties of sulfonated polyoxadiazoles were studied as a function of molecular weight and sulfonation level. All sulfonated polyoxadiazoles synthesized through a polycondensation reaction of the hydrazine sulphate salt and a dicarboxylic acid in poly(phosphoric acid) exhibit rigid-ductile behavior with high Young's modulus (3–4 GPa) and with larger elongations at break (up to 120%). Sulfonated polyoxadiazoles with maximum reproducible tensile strength (190 6.9 MPa) could be synthesized in the frame of time of 4–5 h.


Stress-based nonlocal model, Damage, Rate dependency, Dynamic crack-branching Abstract. In concrete often complex fracture and fragmentation patterns develop when subjected to high straining loads. The proper simulation of the dynamic cracking process in concrete is crucial for good predictions of the residual bearing capacity of structures in the risk of being exposed to extraordinary events like explosions, high velocity impacts or earthquakes. As it is well known, concrete is a highly rate dependent material. Experimental and numerical studies indicate that the evolution of damage is governed by complex phenomena taking place simultaneously at different material scales, i.e. micro, meso and macro-scales. Therefore, the constitutive law, and its rate dependency, must be adjusted to the level of representation. For a proper phenomenological (macroscopic) representation of the reality, the constitutive law has to explicitly describe all phenomena taking place at the lower material scales. Macro-scale inertia effects are implicitly simulated by the equation of motion. In the current paper, dynamic crack propagation and branching is studied with a new rate-dependent stress-based nonlocal damage model. The definition of rate in the constitutive law is changed to account for the inherent meso-scale structural inertia effects. This is accomplished by a new concept of effective rate which governs the dynamic delayed response of the material to variations of the deformation (strain) rate, usually described as micro-inertia effects. The proposed model realistically simulates dynamic crack propagation and crack branching phenomena in concrete.


Abstract Several correlations have been reported between men's testosterone (T) and other characteristics. Stalwart findings are a decline in T during the day, decline with obesity, and decline with advancing age. Here seven previously reported correlations are tested among older American men in the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP), their salivary T measured by enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Few significant correlations are found, with most tests producing weak or null results. These findings, overall, suggest that T does not "work" much among older men. However, a threat to this conclusion is raised by Welker et al. namely that EIA of salivary T may contain large errors, invalidating the tests. To check this possibility, these correlations from the literature were tested among older British men whose salivary T was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS), a technique noted for its specificity. Not all could be tested, but the relationships of T with age, obesity, and health are significant among British men, indicating that T remains active in older men, and throwing doubt on the adequacy of EIA for measuring salivary T.


This paper discusses the field emission of electrons from a wire surrounded by a coaxial cylindrical shell at a very high potential with respect to the wire. It is seen that, for many cases of interest, the results are at considerable variance with the plane surface case.


Title of dissertation: ESSAYS ON THE WELFARE IMPLICATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION Jingting Fan, Doctor of Philosophy, 2017 Dissertation directed by: Professor Nuno Limão Department of Economics The unprecedented international economic integration in the past few decades, in the form of global trade and activities of multinational corporations, has spurred heated discussions among policy makers and academics on the costs and benefits of globalization. Despite active research in this area, however, many aspects of globalization and its consequences are still not well understood. This dissertation examines the welfare implications of globalization, focusing on two specific aspects. The first part of this dissertation studies the determinants and welfare implications of multinational corporations' decisions to perform R&D outside their home countries, or offshore R&D. In the first chapter, I develop a quantitative model that incorporates two motives for offshore R&D: the talent-acquisition motive, and the market-access motive. I calibrate the model and perform counterfactual experiments to understand the welfare implications of offshore R&D. I find that offshore R&D increases countries' gains from global integration by a factor of 1.2 on average, with much larger increases for developing than for developed countries. I also find that incorporating offshore R&D has important implications for understanding the welfare impact of traditional forms of global integration, namely trade and offshore production. In the second chapter, I test the key implications of the two offshore R&D motives using firm-level data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The evidence supports the theory. The second part of this dissertation, the third chapter, studies the effect of international trade on income and inequality of a country characterized by large domestic trade costs and migration restrictions. I develop a multi-region general equilibrium model featuring domestic trade and migration, both of which are subject to spatial frictions. Quantifying the model using data from China, I find that the trade between China and the rest of the world increases China's real income, but at the same time exacerbates the inequality in China. More than half of the rise in inequality comes from between-region inequality, while the rest comes from the skill premium. Moreover, there is an interaction between the spatial and the skill dimension of the effect of trade on inequality. Both results underscore the importance of incorporating domestic geographic frictions in understanding the welfare impacts of trade. As an additional contribution, I construct a city-level panel of the Hukou policies in China, and use it to quantify the interaction between Hukou reforms with China's international trade integration. ESSAYS ON THE WELFARE IMPLICATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION


Gas injection has become an important means of enhancing oil recovery (EOR) in clastic reservoirs, the Donghe Oilfield, Tarim, has been undergoing gas injection to enhanced oil recovery. During the gas injection, dynamic justification of gas injection was the most severe challenges, which needed to monitor the pressure profile, temperature profile and gas injection profile. Therefore, monitoring gas injection profile has becoming an important part of gas drive reservoirs.
 Donghe Oilfield was characterized by ultra-deep (>6000m), high temperature (>140°C) and high content of carbon dioxide, conventional manometer and thermometer cannot meet the downhole condition of ultra-deep and high temperature. To continuously monitor gas injection well, permanent fibre-optic surveillance technique featured with outstanding conformance, nice corrosion resistance and long-life span was developed, and a program was developed to use real-time fiber-optic Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and Distributed Acoustic sensing (DAS) to identify the gas injection profile (gas channeling).
 Monitoring principle and system assembly of the fibre-optic was demonstrated in detail, the DTS utilized Joule - Thompson cooling principle as the gas injected into formation through screen pipe, while the DAS captured the amplitude and frequency of acoustics from the gas flow. DTS and DAS data obtained at the same time by using fiber wireline outside the gas injection string during gas injection.
 There was a field application in gas injection well of DH1-H3 and gas injection profiles derived from DTS and DAS had the extremely high consistency to radioactive tracer profiles run at about the same time and under similar injection rates and pressure. The success of the fibre-optic surveillance in DH1-H3 exhibited great potential of fiber-optic sensing in gas injection EOR projects, which could provide a new and effective tool in identifying gas channeling.


The flux synthesis, solid state synthesis, and characterization of a new aluminate, Cs2(UO2)Al2O5, are reported. Cs2(UO2)Al2O5 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I41/ amd with lattice parameters a = 7.3254(2) and c = 30.9849(7) and is constructed from edge-sharing chains of UO7 pentagonal bipyramids that are connected to [Al2O5]4- two-dimensional sheets. The cesium cations, which are heavily disordered, occupy small channels in the a and b directions in the framework structure. The optical properties and ion exchange behaviors are reported along with DFT calculations that support the observed results of the ion exchange experiments.


Abstract The available aerial gamma-ray spectrometric data of Ar-Rassafeh Badyieh area (Area-2) are used herein for geological interpretations and mapping purposes. Those data are interpreted by the concentration-number (C-N) fractal modelling technique, with the use of log-log graphs. According to C-N model, different radioactive ranges of TC, eU, eTh, and K have been isolated. Those ranges are thereafter used to characterize the lithological outcrops in the study area. The radioactive signatures of all the outcrops in Area-2 have been discussed and documented through establishing the C-N maps of TC, eU, eTh, and K, and benefiting of the available geological map. The C-N fractal modelling technique proves its efficacy, where radioactive and lithological boundaries of outcrops are in concordance. The case study presented in this paper shows the importance and the role of airborne gamma-ray spectrometric and fractal modelling techniques to support the geological mapping and the interpretations in geological context, particularly when the study region is rugged and difficult to be accessed.


A 24-year-old woman with acute multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy in both eyes had no signs or symptoms other than the impaired vision. Visual evoked potentials demonstrated prolonged latency. Lumbar CSF showed inflammatory changes. Serum antibody titres against Borrelia burgdorferi were markedly elevated. Cortisone treatment was without success, but intravenous penicillin quickly brought about improvement in vision. Borrelia infection may thus have been the cause of the multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy.


Brotchie, A., Bruwer, M., Freeman, C. & Presta, P. (2017, Oct 12). Collaborative effort needed to address the 'reproducibility crisis'. Poster presented at the Professionalising Research Management Conference 'Connect & Collaborate: Working Together Innovatively', Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.Description:The 'reproducibility crisis' is an emerging issue that has resonated with the scientific community and beyond. The best prospects for positive change can be found in a unified approach. This includes efforts and advocacy by funders, publishers, researchers and institutions. Librarians and research services staff can help by raising awareness of key tools, rigorous research practices, reporting guidelines, and funder and publisher requirements.


Pott's disease (PD), also known as tuberculosis spondylitis, is a rare disease of the spine which is typically caused by extraspinal infection. The basic lesion in Pott's disease is a combination of osteomyelitis and arthritis, usually affecting more than one vertebra. The anterior aspect of the vertebral body adjacent to the subchondral plate is commonly involved. Spinal TB can include any of the following: progressive bone destruction leading to vertebral collapse and kyphosis, cold abscess formation (due to extension of infection into adjacent ligaments and soft tissues), spinal canal narrowing by abscesses, granulation tissue or direct dural invasion resulting in spinal cord compression and neurologic deficits. (1) Although the incidence of PD has recently increased in Europe and the United States, mainly due to immigration and an epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, it is still a rare disease. Here we present a patient who immigrated from India a few months ago who presented to the emergency room with mid back pain and was found to have Pott's disease confirmed by biopsy and PCR testing.


Purpose

Vacation rental homes, in general, have different energy usage characteristics than traditional residential homes mainly because of the occupancy pattern that changes on a weekly basis. These homes, predominantly larger in size, offer a greater scope for energy savings also because of the wasteful habits of their seasonal occupants. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of energy inefficiencies prevalent in these homes so that appropriate retrofit choices can be offered to homeowners.

Design/methodology/approach

This research presents a case study of a vacation rental home whose energy consumption was investigated in depth and energy inefficiencies identified through modeling using energy modeling software, eQUEST. Simulations were performed to identify viable retrofit scenarios.

Findings

While improvement in the building envelope such as providing shades/overhangs on the windows, reducing infiltration and increasing insulation of the exterior wall did not show promising results for savings on energy cost, other improvements such as use of highly efficient lamps, tank-less water heater system and occupancy sensors showed viable investment options with shorter payback periods. It was also found that energy use intensity of sampled houses was about half of the average of US residential buildings, which could primarily be attributed to the seasonal nature of occupancy of these houses.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of literature pertaining to energy efficiency-related retrofits of coastal vacation homes. This research fills that gap to some extent by addressing this issue with an ultimate aim of assisting homeowners in retrofit decision-making.


Previous studies have investigated sports activity related shoulder dysfunction, such as scapular dyskinesis and glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD), mainly in high-level tennis players. The prevalence of these dysfunctions in comparatively low to moderate level tennis players, such as those at the high school level is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of scapular dyskinesis and GIRD at the high school level and identify some of the factors that makes a high school tennis player more susceptible to developing shoulder dysfunction. A survey related to sports-related shoulder dysfunction was developed in collaboration with physical therapists and was completed by twenty-seven high school level tennis players. The results show that players who have more years of experience, played tennis more often on a weekly basis, and were on the varsity team are more likely to develop shoulder pain and dysfunction. The average number of symptoms increased with years of playing experience and a higher frequency of playing tennis every week, with more than 40% of players on the varsity team reporting a decrease in the velocity, control, and arm motion during their serve. While male players reported more symptoms related to pain, decreased performance and strength, female players reported almost three times more occurrence of lower shoulders compared to male players. Players who consistently did workouts for shoulder and back muscles were less likely to develop shoulder pain and dysfunction, regardless of their level of experience and gender.


Abstract Purpose Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disease characterized by hepatic venous outflow tract obstruction. The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of ultrasound in confirming the diagnosis of BCS and to provide an overview of the clinical picture. Materials and method In this retrospective single-center study, patients with an initial diagnosis of BCS were included. The files were analyzed concerning the ultrasound images and compared to computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Main clinical signs of BCS were collected. Results Data of 25 patients were analyzed. Doppler sonography showed the highest sensitivity (78.9%) with the highest specificity 97.4 (%) in confirming the correct diagnosis of BCS. Main imaging signs were obstruction in the hepatic veins (68.0%, 17/25 thrombotic), collaterals (91.7%, 11/12 intrahepatic), inhomogeneous liver parenchyma (7/21), and a hypertrophied lobus caudatus (18/21) (p < 0.01). All imaging signs could be detected with sonography. Hypertrophied lobus caudatus was seen exclusively in BCS. Furthermore, portal hypertension (9/25), liver cirrhosis (9/25), and ascites (19/25) can be diagnosed as non-specific signs of BCS (p < 0.01). The main clinical findings were elevated γ-GT levels in the laboratory (92.0%, 23/25, p < 0.01) and esophageal varices in endoscopy (12/25 p < 0.01). An association with myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) was frequently seen (10/25) (p < 0.01). Conclusion The present study demonstrates that sonography is an appropriate tool for the diagnosis of BCS and should be used as the first imaging procedure.


The possible number of extra-terrestrial civilizations is estimated by the Drake-equation. Many articles pointed out that there are missing factors and over-estimations in the original equation. In this article we will point out that assuming some axioms there might be several limits for a technical civilization. The key role of the energy use and the problem of the centres and periphery strongly influence the value of the Llifetime of a civilization. Our development have several edifications of the investigations of the growth of an alien civilization.


It has been well known that a sedimentary precious opal is composed of closely packed uni-size silica spheres with voids filled by an air or water, and that an interference among reflections from the boundaries of those spheres and filler yields play-of-colour (iridescence). So, occurrence of a play-of-colour means occurrence of natural selection in size of spheres, or suppression of further nucleation after initial outburst of spheres, during its formation process. We had been exploring the possibility if we can regard a Stöber process as an analogue of the formation process of precious opal. The key is the reason why variation in size is rarely found on both precious opal and Stöber colloid. To give a clue, we examined the internal structure of Stöber particles and how those particles were formed at very initial stage of the process. The answers for evenness in shape and size are a quick supersaturation of reactive silica species, consecutive formation of large and loose polymers by fast dehydration, and their quick aggregation as the initial burst of silica spheres in highly diffusive medium. These can be achieved in nature by quick but continuous decrease in temperature on "basic" (high pH) geothermal hot water moving upward through cracks in rocks. Sedimentary precious opal can thus be formed when such naturally occurring colloid is filtered by a permeable bed.


The electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) of a novel mixed surfactant system consisting of oppositely charged surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and n-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), was investigated. The chromatographic characteristics of large liposome-like spontaneous vesicles and rodlike mixed micelles formed from the mixture were explored and compared with those of SDS micelles. Separations of a series of n-alkylphenones showed that the spontaneous vesicles provided about a 2 times wider elution window than SDS micelles. Both vesicle and mixed micelle systems were found to provide larger methylene selectivity than SDS. The different elution order of a group of nitrotoluene geometric isomers with DTAB/SDS spontaneous vesicles and SDS micelles pseudostationary phases suggested the possibility of different separation mechanisms with these two systems. Comparisons of polar group selectivity, retention, and efficiency were made between vesicles, mixed micelles, and SDS micelles. The correlation between the logarithms of the retention factors (log k') and octanol-water partition coefficients (log P(ow)) for a group of 20 neutral compounds was also studied with DTAB/SDS vesicles. Spontaneous vesicles have great potential as a pseudostationary phase in electrokinetic chromatography.


Abstract In this study, the synergistic effects of 2-mercaptobenzotiazole molecules and zinc nitrate on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel were investigated using electrochemical techniques in 3.5% NaCl solution. The experimental results revealed that combination of 2-mercaptobenzoimidazole (MBT) and zinc nitrate with ratio of 100 ppm : 100 ppm, resulted in the least corrosion current (1.03 lA cm-2) and the highest corrosion inhibition efficiency. Polarization results showed that the inhibition mechanism of inhibitor was mixed-type (anodic and cathodic mechanism) corrosion inhibition which was predominantly influenced by a reduction in dissolution rate of the substrate (decrease in anodic current density). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis yielded more accurate results about the formation mechanism and stability of the inhibitor film over prolonged time. The precipitation of chelate from inhibitor molecules and zinc cations on steel surface was found to be the main mechanism for increasing the corrosion resistance of steel substrate.


A radiant heating system is described which is capable of raising the temperature of a test specimen to C in approximately 10 s, while the apparatus remains at room temperature. The system uses two infrared lamps which are controlled with an electronic timer to within a resolution of 0.1 s. The radiant heaters reach 90% of their maximum power in approximately 3 s. The radiant heating system has been used to heat tensile specimens prior to impact loading using the tensile split-Hopkinson pressure bar. Impact tensile tests at a nominal strain rate of and initial temperatures of 20, 200, 400 and C were performed on the titanium alloy 90% Ti-6% Al-4% V. A sharp reduction in yield stress and an increase in elongation at fracture were noted in the high-temperature tests. The implicit finite element code ABAQUS has been used to model the radiant heating and thermal diffusion in the tensile specimen and loading bars. The modelling has been used to determine the thermal distribution in the test specimen prior to loading and the validity of the calibration technique.


According to previous clinical studies, the neurological manifestations observed in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are considered to be transient. The introduction of plasma therapy in 1977 as major treatment modality for TTP has changed the prognosis of the disease. In a clinical survey of 38 patients with TTP who received plasma therapy, we have observed five patients who developed permanent neurological deficits despite their prompt recovery from TTP. In this study, we describe the new complication of TTP and summarize the neurological manifestations observed in these patients during their first episode of TTP and during the relapses, which occurred in 12 of them.


Abstract This study reports the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles coated onto polyurethane foam (CPU), fused into polyurethane foam (FPU), and glass beads in a fixed bed column for removal of pesticide "Chlorpyrifos." Silver nanoparticles coated on substrates were synthesized in laboratory using hibiscus leaf extract (SNP) and was compared with commercial silver nanoparticles (CNP). Characterization of silver nanoparticles and its interaction with the substrate were probed using XRD, TEM, and FTIR, respectively. Experiments were conducted by varying flow rate (20–40 mL/h) with a fixed bed height and pesticide concentration. The maximum removal of pesticide was obtained as 92% and 94% for CPU; 90% and 96% for FPU; 81% and 72% for glass beads with SNP and CNP, respectively, at 20 mL/h flow rate. A decrease in removal efficiency and breakpoint time was observed with an increase in flow rate of pesticide-laden water. The outcome of the study reveals that the polyurethane foam as substrate for silver nanoparticles is more effective for the removal of pesticide from the aqueous solution, which can be further developed into continuous portable modules at commercial scale.


The Spanish population completed its nutritional transition in the 1960s and 1970s, when it overcame the problems of malnutrition. Among the initiatives that made this possible, the Food and Nutrition Education Programme (Edalnu) (1961–1986) stands out. In addition to correcting the negative influence exerted by ignorance to nourish oneself correctly, it was intended to prevent the problems of overfeeding that most developed countries showed. The objective of this research addresses, in this context and from the parameters of applied history, the condition of the complementary pedagogical instrument that the Edalnu awarded to the school canteen in the fight against malnutrition, as well as the nutritional, dietetic, culinary and gastronomic criteria used for its operation. The results show that the school canteens sought to reinforce the food knowledge acquired in the classroom. Based on the dialogue between chefs and experts in nutrition and dietetics, balanced meals adapted to regional gastronomic diversity were prepared, which helped to promote, in line with current criteria, healthy and sustainable eating habits through traditional plant-based recipes, with a predominance of seasonal and local products, and with a complementary contribution of ingredients of animal origin.


Recently online streaming platforms have facilitated the circulation of audiovisual products. Among these, Netflix reaches more than 130 million viewers around the world. In addition to a variety of American movies, TV shows, and documentaries, Netflix has started to offer local original series from Spain, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. In December 2018, Netflix released its first original series in Turkish entitled "The Protector". Though Turkish soap operas have been drawing great interest around the world lately, a Turkish series produced for Netflix means reaching considerable number of viewers from different cultural backgrounds. The following descriptive study aims to examine English subtitles of "The Protector" in terms of cultural references to determine if the 'source cultural tone' is preserved or the meaning is brought closer to target culture for the sake of providing an audience friendly subtitling and whether the Timed Text Style Guide offered to subtitlers by Netflix affects the subtitling process. Results showed that cultural references were highly domesticated by the subtitler for the international audience and Timed Text Style Guide provided by Netflix was also seen to have a target language oriented approach while requiring improvements in certain translation choices. Future studies focusing on a comparative analysis of subtitles of this show in other languages and the subtitling of other local Netflix original series in other languages may provide a fruitful platform for the exchange on the issues discussed.


The results of the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by neurovascular decompression or partial sensory rhizotomy in a personal series of 220 patients are presented. Microvascular decompression was performed in 178 patients and partial sensory rhizotomy in 42. The mean follow-up was 5.2 years. Immediate pain relief was achieved in 94% of all patients, but the rate dropped to 84% during the follow-up period. The recurrence rate in the microvascular decompression group was 6% and in the PSR 49%. Permanent sequelae occurred in 4 patients (loss of hearing, 1; loss of corneal reflex, 1; lesion of the portio minor, 2), but transitory complications (impaired hearing caused by hematotympanum and diplopia) were more frequent, especially in the beginning of the series. Elderly patients tolerated the procedure very well and the percentage of complications was evenly distributed in all age groups. Three patients died. No patient developed painful dysesthesias or anesthesia dolorosa. There were no differences in the outcome, considering sex and age. The duration of symptoms did not influence the prognosis. Patients with severe compression did better than those with a mild one, and patients with an arterial compression did better than those with a venous one. Trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis is seldom relieved by microvascular decompression. The experience of the surgeon reduces the number of negative findings considerably.


A prediction method for variable bit rate video traffic based on source information is presented. By analysing the source before encoding, any changes in the source traffic are detected and the bit rate of the current frame is predicted. In addition, a new channel rate for renegotiated constant bit rate service can be determined for future frames using the predicted bit rate and a bit rate updating algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed method achieves a better prediction and requires a smaller buffer than the conventional approach.


Although novel therapeutic agents targeting PD-L1 and PD-1 have emerged, our understanding of the complex interaction between the tumor microenvironment and this checkpoint receptor-ligand axis remains incomplete. PD-L1 protein expression has been demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in several solid tumors including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, the prognostic significance of PD-L1 overexpression in HNSCC remains inconclusive. Furthermore, the interaction between human papillomavirus (HPV) positive tumors, PD-L1 on tumor cells and PD-1 on immune cells has yet to be demonstrated in an architecturally intact tumor environment. Here we demonstrate PD-L1 expression in a large cohort of mixed HPV+ and HPV-, surgically treated HNSCC using immunohistochemistry. Our findings confirm that more HPV+ tumors express PD-L1 compared with HPV- tumors (72% compared with 44%). Clinically, this correlates with improved overall and disease-free survival in in patients with HPV+ PD-L1+ tumors compared with HPV- PD-L1- tumors. By examining the intact tumor, we visualized distinct patterns of PD-L1 staining, either peripherally, at the tumor front or non-peripherally. Tumors with a peripheral staining pattern showed a trend towards decreased overall and disease-free survival, compared to those with a non-peripheral pattern of staining. By double staining PD-L1 and PD-1, we analyzed the co-expression of the ligand on tumor cells and its receptor on neighboring immune cells. Interestingly, patients whose tumors displayed co-localization of PD-1 and PD-L1 showed a trend towards improved disease-free survival compared to tumors where there was no co-localization of PD-1 and PD-L1. In conclusion, out data suggest that the presence of PD-L1 and PD-1 alone may not be sufficient to guide clinical treatment rather; careful examination of the intact tumor microenvironment may inform more targeted therapy. Citation Format: Sumita Trivedi, Raja R. Seethala, Robert L. Ferris. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis and clinical outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 5138.


Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a notorious phytopathogenic, Ascomycota fungus with a host range of over 600 plant species worldwide. This homothallic, Leotiomycetes species reproduces sexually through a multicellular apothecium which produces and releases ascospores. These ascospores serve as the primary inoculum source for disease initiation in the majority of S. sclerotiorum disease cycles. The regulation of apothecium development for this pathogen and other apothecium-producing fungi remains largely unknown. Here, we report that a C2H2 transcription factor SsZFH1 (zinc finger homologous protein) is necessary for the proper development and maturation of sclerotia and apothecia in S. sclerotiorum and is required for the normal growth rate of hyphae. Furthermore, ΔSszfh1 strains exhibit decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in hyphae, increased melanin deposition and enhanced tolerance to H2O2 in the process of vegetative growth and sclerotia formation. Infection assays on common bean leaves, with thin cuticles, and soybean and tomato leaves, with thick cuticles, suggest that the deletion of Sszfh1 slows the mycelial growth rate, which in turn affect the expansion of leaf lesions. Collectively, our results provide novel insights into the fungal factor mediating maturation of apothecia with additional effects on hyphae and sclerotia development.


BACKGROUND
Considerable concern has been raised about the effects of restricted duty hours on surgical training. However, to our knowledge, the effect of the 80-hour resident workweek on operative outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been well studied.

OBJECTIVE
To compare the rates of bile duct injury and overall complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy before and after the institution of the duty-hour restriction.

DESIGN
Retrospective review of patient medical records to determine morbidity and mortality before (January 1, 2000, to June 30, 2003; period 1) and after (July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2006; period 2) implementation of duty hour limitations.

SETTING
Major public teaching hospital.

PATIENTS
A total of 2470 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Bile duct injury and overall complication rates as determined using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS
Overall, 2470 laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures were performed, including 1353 in period 1 and 1117 in period 2. In period 2, more patients had acute cholecystitis as the indication for surgery (49% vs 35% in period 1, P < .001), and a higher percentage of patients were male (22% vs 18%, P = .01). The incidence of bile duct injury and total complications decreased in period 2 from 1% to 0.4%(P = .04) and from 5% to 2% (P < .001), respectively. Mortality was unchanged. Multivariate analysis revealed that period 2 was protective for bile duct injury (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.96; P = .04). For complications, both female sex (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.9) and surgery during period 2 (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.75) were protective, whereas older age (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.05) was associated with complications.

CONCLUSION
At a major public teaching hospital, the bile duct injury rate and the overall complication rate decreased after implementation of the 80-hour workweek.


To find a suitable solution to the problem of early sexual maturation and unwanted reproduction during grow-out, the present study was aimed at production of sterile or monosex population of Amur carp through endocrine manipulation. In this investigation, 24-day-old Amur carp fry were fed with diets containing 17α-methyltestosterone (17α-MT) at dosages of 200-1000 ppm for 30 d. While 17α-MT incorporation at 400 ppmresulted in complete masculinization, 600 ppm induced 100% sterilization. 17α-MT at 200 ppm induced the production of intersex and sterile fish. At 800 ppm, it produced 8.33% male, 8.33% female and 83.34% sterile fish, whereas 1000 ppm yielded 63.63% male, f9.10% female and 27.27% sterile fish. After 168 d post-treatment rearing, increase in fish weight was 16.01- 233.15%, over control. Loss of weight due to evisceration was 8.75-12.43% in control, while it was 7.31-9.78% in sterile fish, indicating the availability of more edible meat in the latter. MT-treated carp showed a slight variation in survival, gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerosomatic index (VSI) and condition factor. The histology of gonads revealed normal development of ovary and testis in control fish, but in 17α-MT treated fish the gonadal development was either normal or abnormal in male and slightly suppressed in female. Intersex fish had both ovarian and testicular tissues, while sterile fish possessed mostly connective tissue.


Tropical peatland ecosystems are known as large carbon (C) reservoirs and affect spatial and temporal patterns in C sinks and sources at large scales in response to climate anomalies. In this study, we developed a satellite data-based model to estimate the net biosphere exchange (NBE) in Indonesia and Malaysia by accounting for fire emissions (FE), ecosystem respiration (Re), and gross primary production (GPP). All input variables originated from satellite-based datasets, e.g., the precipitation of global satellite mapping of precipitation (GSMaP), the land surface temperature (LST) of the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), the photosynthetically active radiation of MODIS, and the burned area of MODIS fire products. First, we estimated the groundwater table (GWT) by incorporating LST and precipitation into the Keetch–Byram Drought Index (KBDI). The GWT was validated using in-situ measurements, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 24.97 cm and an r-squared (R2) of 0.61. The daily GWT variations from 2002 to 2018 were used to estimate respiration (Re) based on a relationship between the in situ GWT and flux-tower-observed Re. Fire emissions are a large direct source of CO2 from terrestrial ecosystems into the atmosphere and were estimated by using MODIS fire products and estimated biomass. The GPP was calculated based on the MODIS GPP product after parameter calibration at site scales. As a result, averages of long-term (17 years) Re, GPP, FE, and NBE from whole peatlands in the study area (6°N–11°S, 95–141°E) were 66.71, 39.15, 1.9, and 29.46 Mt C/month, respectively. We found that the NBE from tropical peatlands in the study area was greater than zero, acting as a C source. Re and FE were influenced by El Niño, and the value of the NBE was also high in the El Niño period. In future studies, the status of peatland degradation should be clarified in detail to accurately estimate the C budget by applying appropriate algorithms of Re with delineations of types of anthropogenic impacts (e.g., drainages and fires).


Compound semiconductor electronic devices have the capability to provide high-speed operation as they have higher mobility than Si. At present, compound semiconductor devices are popular as parts of consumer electronics such as wireless communication devices or satellite television. Introduction of wide bandgap compound semiconductors has increased the use of compound semiconductor devices in base stations of cellular phone systems and as replacements for vacuum tubes. More recently, the research on InGaAs MOSFET has been directed towards realization of its potential as an alternative for silicon. This review explains the present commercialization of compound semiconductor devices in consumer electronics, and its state-of-art results such as the 529-GHz dynamic frequency divider using InGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors, the 1-THz amplification provided by the InGaAs high– electron-mobility transistor (HEMT), and the power of 3Wmm−1 provided by the GaN HEMT at 96GHz. The InGaAs MOSFET as the next candidate for logic circuit components, is also explained.


The rabbit appendix is organized structurally into multiple B cell follicles separated, at their sub-apical regions, by well-defined T cell areas. We found, by RNA in situ hybridization, that the B cell chemoattractant CXCL13 (B-lymphocyte chemoattractant, or BLC) is highly expressed in the B cell follicles. In addition, we found that the T cell chemoattractant CCL21 (secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine, or SLC) is highly expressed in the T cell areas. The localized expression of these chemoattractants likely organizes the B and T cell areas of the appendix. Surprisingly, however, we found that the localized expression of CXCL13 and CCL21 differs dramatically in early neonatal appendix. At two days after birth, CXCL13 expression was confined to the appendix domes and CCL21 expression was localized in a continuous layer significantly beneath the domes. Over subsequent days, as B cells accumulated in the domes and began proliferating, developing follicles gradually distended downward through the layer of CCL21 expression, ultimately generating the characteristic organization of B and T cell areas seen in the adult appendix. This developmental process might be important in establishing an environment supportive of B cell proliferation and antibody repertoire diversification, which occur in the rabbit appendix between 3 and 6 weeks of age.


Though the multilinear maps have many cryptographic applications, secure and efficient construction of such maps is an open problem. Many multilinear maps like GGH, GGH15, CLT, and CLT15 have been and are being proposed, while none of them is both secure and efficient. The construction of some multilinear maps is based on the Graded Encoding Scheme (GES), where, the necessity of announcing zero-testing parameter and encoding of zero has destroyed the security of the multilinear map. Attempt is made to propose a new GES, where, instead of encoding an element, the users can obtain the encoding of an associated but unknown random element. In this new setting, there is no need to publish the encodings of zero and one. This new GES provides the actual functionality of the usual GES and can be applied in constructing a secure and efficient multilinear map and a multi-party non-interactive key exchange (MP-NIKE) scheme. We also improve the MP-NIKE scheme of \cite{Access20} and turn it into an ID-based MP-NIKE scheme.


Background. Long span is seen in many clinical situations. Treatmentplanning options of these cases are difficult and may require FPD, RPD or ISP. Each option has its own disadvantages, including mechanical problems, patient comfort and cost. This article will evaluate the stress distribution of a different treatment option, which consists of adding a single sup-porting implant to the FPD by using 3D finite element analysis. Methods. Three models, each consisting of 5 units, were created as follows: 1. Tooth Pontic Pontic Pontic Tooth; 2. Tooth Pontic Implant Pontic Tooth; 3. Tooth Pontic Pontic Implant Tooth. An axial force was applied to the prostheses by using 3D finite element method and stresses were evaluated. Results. The maximum stress was found in the prostheses in all the models; the highest stress values in all the shared components of the models were almost similar. Stress in implants was lower in the second model than the third one. Conclusion. Adding a supporting implant in long-span FPD has no advantages while it has the disadvantages of complicating treatment and the complications that may occur to the implant and surrounding bone.


Background and objectives: Bronchial asthma is a heterogeneous, multifactorial pulmonary disease characterized by variable airway obstruction caused by chronic inflammation. Our study investigates the clinical relevance of MBL plasma levels in accordance with IgE values in children who attended a pediatric consult for respiratory symptoms with bronchial asthma. Materials and Methods: The study population consists of patients <18-years-old and included 43 patients with bronchial asthma and 64 age-matched healthy subjects as a control group. We used the ELISA Human MBL Immunoassay kit and the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) kit for IgE determination. Results: Our results show significantly different distributions of patients in the bronchial asthma group and control group. The measured values were within the normal range for most controls, while the bronchial asthma patients displayed higher values of plasma MBL and IgE levels. We observed a wider heterogeneity in MBL concentrations in bronchial asthma patients when compared to the healthy age-matched controls. Our results also suggest a potential clinical usefulness of plasma MBL concentrations in accordance with IgE and eosinophil cells levels in the diagnosis of bronchial asthma, and our results may suggest a prognostic role of MBL in the evolution of asthmatic disease; however, further studies are necessary to confirm these findings. Conclusions: We can say that plasma MBL concentrations present a relative diagnostic role for bronchial asthma in pediatric patients and may suggest a more severe disease progression; however, further studies are needed to elucidate the role played by MBL in the determination and evolution of this disease.


Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is a liquid chromatography technique in which the stationary phase is also a liquid. The solute separation is based on partitioning between the two immiscible liquid phases: the mobile phase and the support-free liquid stationary phase. Octanol-water partition coefficients (Po/w) of 17 βblockers and 17 sulphonamides were determined by CCC. Some of the Po/w coefficients of the molecular forms disagreed with the theoretical and experimental values from literature. The Po/w coefficients of the ionic forms and the acidity constants were also calculated using a theoretical model. Relationships between biological properties and hydrophobicity are also discussed. On the other hand, the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was used for the first time in CCC to estimate the distribution constants of different aromatic solutes, including bases, acids, and neutral compounds, between the ionic liquid-rich phase and the aqueous phase. The resulting distribution constants were compared with the corresponding literature octanol–water partition coefficients.


Abstract Physical processes and biological data were collected and analyzed at five sand resource areas offshore Alabama to address environmental concerns raised by potential sand dredging for beach replenishment. Nearshore wave and sediment transport patterns were modeled for existing and post-dredging conditions, with borrow site sand volumes ranging from 1.7 to 8.4 × 106 m3. Wave transformation modeling indicated that minor changes will occur to wave fields under typical seasonal conditions and sand extraction scenarios. Localized seafloor changes at borrow sites are expected to result in negligible impacts to the prevailing wave climate at the coast. For all potential sand excavation alternatives at borrow sites offshore Alabama, maximum variation in annual littoral transport between existing conditions and post-dredging configurations was approximately 8 to 10%. In general, increases or decreases in longshore transport rates associated with sand mining at each resource area amounted to about 1 to 2% of the net littoral drift, distributed over an approximate 10 km stretch of shoreline. Because borrow site geometries and excavation depths are similar to natural ridge and swale topographic characteristics on the Alabama Outer Continental Shelf, infilling rates and sediment types are expected to reflect natural variations within sand resource areas. Impacts to the benthic community are expected from physical removal of sediments and infauna. Based on previous studies, levels of infaunal abundance and diversity may recover within 1 to 3 years, but recovery of species composition may take longer. Western areas can be expected to recover more quickly than eastern areas because of opportunistic life history characteristics of numerically dominant infauna west of Mobile Bay.


Signals involved in protection against apoptosis by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) were investigated. Using U937 monocytoid cells as an experimental model, we have demonstrated that HSV-1 rendered these cells resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis promptly after infection. UV-inactivated virus as well as the envelope glycoprotein D (gD) of HSV-1, by itself, exerted a protective effect on Fas-induced apoptosis. NF-κB was activated by gD, and protection against Fas-mediated apoptosis by gD was abolished in cells stably transfected with a dominant negative mutant I-κBα, indicating that NF-κB activation plays a role in the antiapoptotic activity of gD in our experimental model. Moreover, NF-κB-dependent protection against Fas-mediated apoptosis was associated with decreased levels of caspase-8 activity and with the up-regulation of intracellular antiapoptotic proteins.


Bioactive compounds isolated from plants have gained a lot of attention in recent years. Among them flavonoids, which consist of a large group of polyphenolic compounds, are at the forefront in the treatment of various diseases including cancer. Flavonoids possess anti-cancer properties and they exert their curative effect by modulating different cell-signalling pathways like the Nf-kB pathway, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and the JAK/STAT pathway. Flavonoids also possess anti-oxidant activity and they regulate the redox status and prevent damage caused by oxidative stress. Chemokines and cytokines play a key role in mediating the inflammatory response in a cell. Consequently, more inflammatory markers are recruited to the site of inflammation that leads to increased ROS and cause damage at the site of accumulation. The present review covers the recent studies, in vitro and in vivo , that highlight the promising potential of flavonoids in treating cancer.


Recent changes in higher education have increased pressure on institutions to engage students in more reflective learning, alongside increased involvement in the assessment process through effective use of feedback and feedback opportunities. The paper presents the results of a technology transfer study where an innovation aimed at enhancing assessment practices through the qualitative analysis of tutor's feedback, Open Mentor, is deployed in two higher education institutions. The study involved a first-round deployment of Open Mentor, followed by evaluation, a development phase and a second-round deployment, with a final evaluation of the technology focusing on the pedagogical potential of Open Mentor. The interest raised by Open Mentor provides a clear direction for future technologies to support tutors in the creation and delivery of quality feedback. It also shows the demand from tutors for support in this vital component of the teaching/learning transaction. Finally, theoretical and practical contributions from tutors offer a development path for Open Mentor, which promotes transfer of Open Mentor across institutions and academic departments


The multihadron production in nucleus-nucleus collisions and its interrelation with that in (anti)proton-proton interactions are studied by exploring the charged particle mean multiplicity collision-energy and centrality dependencies in the measurements to date. The study is performed in the framework of the recently proposed effective-energy approach which, under the proper scaling of the collision energy, combines the constituent quark picture with Landau relativistic hydrodynamics counting for the centrality-defined effective energy of participants and relating different types of collisions. Within this approach, the multiplicity energy dependence and the pseudorapidity spectra from the most central nuclear collisions are well reproduced. The study of the multiplicity centrality dependence reveals a new scaling between the measured pseudorapidity spectra and the calculations. By means of this scaling, called the energy balanced limiting fragmentation scaling, one reproduces the pseudorapidity spectra for all centralities. The scaling elucidates some differences in the multiplicity and midrapidity density centrality dependence obtained at RHIC and LHC. These findings reveal an inherent similarity in the multiplicity energy dependence from the most central collisions and centrality data. A new regime in heavy-ion collisions to occur at about a TeV energy is indicated, similar to that observed in the earlier studies of the midrapidity densities. Predictions are made for the mean multiplicities to be measured in proton-proton and heavy-ion collisions at the LHC.


Objective: The aim was to determine the prevalence and types of the allergies present among dental professionals in Costa Rica. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 664 dentists who completed a self-reported questionnaire. A descriptive cross-sectional study with inferential analysis was carried out. Results: Dentists reported allergies prior to studying dentistry in 39% of cases, 36% reported chronic illnesses, and 61% of the dentists reported first-degree relatives with some type of allergic reaction. Different allergies had  a similar prevalence among the dental professionals (ranging between 19%-26%), all allergic manifestations occurred  within the first 120 minutes after exposure. The average time of exposure to dentistry-related environments was 16 years (95% CI) among all the dentists surveyed. Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between the presence of a chronic illness and the predisposition to develop allergic reactions among dentists. In addition, there is a directly proportional relationship between age, time of exposure to dental environments, and the risk of developing allergic conditions to dental materials. The main adverse reactions reported due to exposure to dental materials, medicines and/or food were gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory problems.


Stream channel restoration can increase flow storage and energy dissipation of passing flood waves. Elements of restoration design that can enhance attenuation include remeandering, which reduces channel slope and increases channel length relative to the floodplain; restoring channel-floodplain connectivity; and revegetating banks and the floodplain. Reestablishment of floodplain hydraulic function is increasingly a goal of restoration programs, yet the approximate magnitude of possible change to attenuation due to reach-scale restoration remains poorly quantified. We examined the efficacy of channel restoration on flood attenuation using restored reaches and synthetic reaches representing median dimensions of channel restoration projects in North Carolina e.g., 1 km in length. We applied an industry standard dynamic flood routing model UNET in HEC-RAS to route floods in impaired and restored reach models. Floods routed through field-based reach models either exhibited very small increases in attenuation, largely due to assumed increases in flood- plain roughness, or a decrease in attenuation. Analysis demonstrated that attenuation of peak discharge is overall most sensitive to channel and valley slope, channel and floodplain roughness, and channel and valley length in decreasing order, but is dependent on flood magnitude. Restoration most impacted floods of intermediate magnitude between 2- and 50-year return interval, particularly those confined to the channel under the impaired morphology but able to access the floodplain under the restored morphology. Restoration may rehabilitate a channel's ability to attenuate small to intermediate floods by augmenting flood access to the floodplain, changing channel geometry, and enhancing channel and floodplain roughness over time. However, our study shows that the predominantly small scale of current channel restoration will provide minimally quantifiable enhancement to flood attenuation.


This paper aims to enrich the discourse about the reintegration of urban planning and public health. The community of planning practitioners and academics in the USA is a relative latecomer to the reintegration discussion, and is talking about it in a more constrained fashion than are counterparts in Canada and Europe – focusing on a narrowly framed research agenda about how characteristics of the built environment adversely impact human health, such as how sprawl and urban design influence physical activity and obesity. Moreover, those discussing the recently re‐emerged connections, while noting the joint origins of the two fields in the late nineteenth century, miss the significance of a set of discourses involving planners, architects, urban designers and health specialists that occurred during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, which influenced the evolution of the reintegration efforts then underway, under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) generally and the World Health Organization in particular. We call particular attention to mid‐twentieth century discussions, publications and programmes – notably the Harvard Urban Design Conferences, the Delos Symposia orchestrated by the Greek planner Constantinos Doxiadis and disseminated in the journal Ekistics, and efforts by the Ford Foundation, UN, and US government agencies – to deal with poverty, urban development and health. We illuminate their importance in shaping a holistic, ecological view of healthy urban planning in a global context.


Patients with ileal conduits frequently have bacteruria, and some have pyelonephritis with associated renal deterioration. We attempted to find a noninvasive technique that could be used to define the source of the bacteria in such patients. Neither the antibody-coated bacteria test nor the selective immunofluorescent antibody studies made this distinction. Quantitative immunoglobulin determinations performed on urine from ileal conduits containing either less or greater than 10(5) bacteria per ml showed IgA to be the predominant immunoglobulin. Urine from patients with permanent nephrostomy drainage who had known chronic upper urinary tract infection contained predominantly IgG. Inasmuch as several studies have shown that both normal urine and urine from patients with pyelonephritis contain more IgG than IgA, we conclude that the conduit added IgA to the urine. However, even this quantitative immunoglobulin technique is unable to identify the source of the bacteria. To do so would have required an invasive collection of upper tract urine. The occurrence of acute symptomatic pyelonephritis was rare during the 18 months of the study, but the urine of the one ileal conduit patient with acute pyelonephritis studied contained more IgG than IgA.


Aim: This study analyzed the profit efficiency and poverty status of rice farmers in selected rice growing communities in Cross River State, Nigeria.
Methodology: The multistage random sampling was used to select rice farming households in the study area. Primary data were collected by means of questionnaire. The mean per capita household expenditure (MPCHHE) and the P-alpha measures of poverty were used for the measurement of poverty while the Stochastic Profit Frontier (SPF) was used to obtain the efficiency estimates and determinants among the rice farming households. The logit regression model was also used to show the effect of some factors on poverty status of the rice farmers.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that, out of the 64.32% of the farmers who were generally poor, 40.85% and 23.47% of them were assessed to extremely and moderately poor respectively. The incidence, depth and severity of poverty were 65.32%, 27.84% and 16.38% respectively. The study further showed that profit efficiency ranged between 0.34 and 1.0 with mean efficiency of 0.73, suggesting that there are opportunities for rice farmers in the State to increase their farm income with a view of reducing their poverty levels. The result indicate that educational level, farm size and efficiency negatively influenced poverty while sex, age, educational level, farm size, household size and farming experience were the main determinants of profit efficiency. Inadequate credit access, capital and supply of farm inputs; high cost of labour, poor marketing outlets, and near absence of modern processing facilities were the rice production constraints.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The study has shown that rice farmers in the State were majorly poor and relatively efficient with opportunities for improvement. To improve the profit efficiency of rice farmers and reduce their household poverty status would require addressing some vital policy indicators that influenced them. Such policies should encourage experienced rice farmers to remain in production, the raising of the level of education of the poor through adult education, and provision of single digit interest loans and input subsidies to enable the farmers increase their farm sizes.


This study aims to examine the relationship between emotional regulations, stress, and job security concern towards and self-efficacy among academic leaders in Amman Arab University. The presented sample for analysis included 30 questionnaires distributed among academic leaders. The study instrument is a questionnaire that consists of four parts: demographic information, emotional regulations' items, stress items, job security concern items, and self-efficacy items. The study found that emotional regulations and stress as main study factors significantly impact on self-efficacy; while it is found that job security concern has no significant relationship with self-efficacy. In addition, it is also found that the following dimension of emotional regulation (rumination) significantly affects self-efficacy. On other hand, it is found that self-blame, receptivity, and re-evaluation have no significant impact on self-efficacy. This study provides further insights for organizations on how to adapt such factors to fit different national and cultural contexts. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effect of these factors on context with looking at the effect of unexpected event such as COVID 19.


Cellular telephones save power by switching to a low power or dormant mode when there is no active traffic. In dormant mode, the telephone periodically checks for a beacon, and if the beacon indicates that the phone has moved to a new paging area, the telephone performs a paging area update. Paging area update signaling requires considerably less power than is required to move an active traffic channel. When a call comes in, the network pages the telephone by flood signaling the paging area on a special channel, and the telephone brings up an active traffic channel. Recent work has attempted to extend paging to IP networks, in particular, networks running the Mobile IP mobility management protocol. In this paper, we compare mobile IPv6 and IP paging for dormant mode location updating. Simulations are presented for a typical macrocellular scenario and a hotspot scenario, where broadband microcells supplement the narrowband macrocells. The results show that Mobile IPv6 dormant mode location management is roughly comparable to IP paging.


The purpose of this paper is to describe a clinical case, which highlights the role of Operative Dentistry in the treatment of Dento-alveolar Disproportion in an impoverished tropical environment. The patient had a diastema located between tooth 24 and tooth 25 due to an atypical position of his tongue while swallowing. The patient had been referred to because he could not afford Orthodontics. We suggested a conservative bridge compounded of 2 resin veneers and pontic bounded by the composite tetric ceram. The 0.5 mm teeth reduction concern lingual and proximal faces with retention form, starting at 0.3 mm from the incisal edge to 0.5 mm from the gingiva was performed with diamond burs (Shoulder and finishing). The result was satisfactory and leads us to conclude that Operative Dentistry is a good alternative to Orthodontics in a very specific social context.


Because size is a major controlling factor for indoor airborne particle behavior, human particle exposure assessments will benefit from improved knowledge of size-specific particle emissions. We report a method of inferring size-specific mass emission factors for indoor sources that makes use of an indoor aerosol dynamics model, measured particle concentration time series data, and an optimization routine. This approach provides--in addition to estimates of the emissions size distribution and integrated emission factors--estimates of deposition rate, an enhanced understanding of particle dynamics, and information about model performance. We applied the method to size-specific environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) particle concentrations measured every minute with an 8-channel optical particle counter (PMS-LASAIR; 0.1 m 2+ w m diameters) and every 10 or 30 min with a 34-channel differential mobility particle sizer (TSI-DMPS; 0.01 m 1+ w m diameters) after a single cigarette or cigar was machine-smoked inside a low air-exchange-rate 20 m 3 chamber. The aerosol dynamics model provided good fits to observed concentrations when using optimized values of mass emission rate and deposition rate for each particle size range as input. Small discrepancies observed in the first 1-2 h after smoking are likely due to the effect of particle evaporation, a process neglected by the model. Size-specific ETS particle emission factors were fit with log-normal distributions, yielding an average mass median diameter of 0.2 w m and an average geometric standard deviation of 2.3 with no systematic differences between cigars and cigarettes. The equivalent total particle emission rate, obtained by integrating each size distribution, was 0.2-0.7 mg/min for cigars and 0.7-0.9 mg/min for cigarettes.


In the following pages arguments in favor of the view that hemoglobin pigment is produced and decomposed in the liver are presented. This view was suggested by work which has already been published from this laboratory, and to some extent the evidence in favor of it is drawn from that source. New work has been started on the basis of this hypothesis along several lines, but there are so many questions raised, which circumstances prevent us from attempting to answer, that it seemed better to present what evidence we have at present. It is claimed that those data which we already possess are harmonized and rendered intelligible by the adoption of this view, and that there is sufficient evidence to justify its acceptance as a working hypothesis. As it was in the hope that applications to clinical medicine might be found that the subject was approached, special stress


Background/Aims Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients commonly experience psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety. This meta-analysis sought to compare depression and anxiety levels between IBS patients and healthy controls. Methods We searched major electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane library) to find comparative studies on IBS patients and healthy controls. The primary outcome was a standardized mean difference (SMD) of anxiety and depression levels; sub-group analyses were conducted according to IBS-subtypes. Results In total, 2293 IBS patients and 4951 healthy controls from 27 studies were included. In random effect analysis, depression and anxiety levels were significantly higher in IBS patients (pooled SMD = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62–0.90; P < 0.001; I2 = 77.2% and pooled SMD = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.67–1.01; P < 0.001; I2 = 85.6%, respectively). Both analyses' funnel plots showed symmetry. In meta-regression analysis, heterogeneity was due to the studied region and questionnaire type for both depression and anxiety. In sub-group analyses of IBS-subtype, the pooled SMDs of depression and anxiety levels (IBS with predominant constipation: 0.83 and 0.81, IBS with predominant diarrhea: 0.73 and 0.65, and IBS with mixed bowel habits: 0.62 and 0.75; P < 0.001, respectively) were significantly higher in all IBS-subtypes. Conclusions The present meta-analysis showed depression and anxiety levels to be higher in IBS patients than in healthy controls, regardless of IBS-subtype. However, the gender effect on psychological factors among IBS patients could not be determined and should be evaluated in prospective studies.


This paper reassesses Canada's "coalition crisis" of 2008 though a rhetorical analysis of the national addresses of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Opposition leader Stéphane Dion. Focusing especially upon the classical rhetorical categories of ethos (the speaker's self-identification and positioning relative to the audience) and logos (the use of reason in argument), it explores how Harper and Dion construct divergent "legitimacy principles" in defence of their positions, arguing that Dion's speech failed, not merely because of the poor production values which dominated commentary at the time, but because of an inferior ethos appeal marked by a mishandling of the key rhetorical icon of nationhood. When we consider argumentative substance, however, we find that Harper's address was marred by a misrepresentation of key principles of parliamentary government. Because the crisis represented a potentially significant moment of political socialization – thus involving "constitutive" rather than "ordinary" political rhetoric – the paper argues that it is consistent with a realistic model of rhetorical ethics to condemn this misconstrual as a violation of the trust reposed in democratic leadership.