The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of IoT on the logistics industry sector globally especially to provide positive contributions to Indonesia's development. Through a study of Logistics Performance Index data and information technology trends, a proposed logistics business model based on Artificial Intelligent is obtained. In order to maintain corporate sustainability many factors that influence it to include internal and external factors, so that the use of the Internet of Things is needed that increasingly penetrates various business lines can be used in tracking with the use of electronic devices based on Artificial Intelligent and Robotics as operational support for the logistics industry


Theory and experimental data are given on the properties of discharges confined to small holes, such as the pores of a naturally porous material. The characteristics of these discharges are such that they are well suited for utilization in a valve type lightning arrester.


In order to sustain a competitive edge in this global manufacturing era, enterprises need to adopt appropriate improvement schemes. Two widely-used tools have been Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Business Process Reengineering (BPR). ERP is identi® ed as the most applicable information system for the modern manufacturing industry. In addition, many BPR practitioners have identi® ed the use of information technology (IT) as a critical factor for the success of BPR. Nevertheless, research into IT for BPR and hence ERP is limited. One of the major reasons why the ERPsystem has not been implemented successfully is the inappropriate use of design and implementation methodology employing the modern BPR concept. Accordingly, in this paper, the authors propose a conceptual model called the Hierarchical Design Pyramid (HDP), to implement ERP under an enterprise re-engineering (BPR) context, using an integrated structured and object-oriented tool to design a novel manufacturing system in a total quality environment. The proposed model aims to provide a basis for manufacturers to implement ERP in a systematic manner.


Males in many species invest substantially in structures that are used in combat with rivals over access to females. These weapons can attain extreme proportions and have diversified in form repeatedly. I review empirical literature on the function and evolution of sexually selected weapons to clarify important unanswered questions for future research. Despite their many shapes and sizes, and the multitude of habitats within which they function, animal weapons share many properties: They evolve when males are able to defend spatially restricted critical resources, they are typically the most variable morphological structures of these species, and this variation honestly reflects among-individual differences in body size or quality. What is not clear is how, or why, these weapons diverge in form. The potential for male competition to drive rapid divergence in weapon morphology remains one of the most exciting and understudied topics in sexual selection research today.


There is an observed limitation in the number of electric vehicles using batteries as power sources (e.g., plug-in electric vehicles) in Indonesia. While the number of said electric vehicles is increasing in response to the government's commitment to shift the transportation energy source towards electric energy for a more sustainable environment, this change is followed by an inevitable impact on the current electric network and infrastructure. Indonesia's government predicted that there will be around 20 million 2-wheelers and 4 million 4-wheelers ICE by the year 2030 with an additional load of 29.300 MW to be expected. Lessons learned from other countries have shown that the abrupt changes in the supply-demand energy for the electric vehicle, such as the deficit/surplus of energy or the duck curve phenomena, create an urgency to prevent the said phenomena and the potential financial loss that might have cross-sectoral impacts. Through an analysis of the Jawa-Madura-Bali system, an independent system that can produce 30.970 MW by the year 2020 [1], the paper focuses on the impact of this system in developing an adaptive infrastructure to address increased power needs for electric vehicles in Indonesia. Literature review and data analysis shows that the impact of Electric Vehicles on the Energy Reliability of the Jawa-Madura-Bali Electrical Power System is very pronounced. The amount of energy needed for the grid to be reliable in the EV transition is significantly higher than the natural growth of the grid energy supply. It is feasible that the increasing electricity demand from EVs could be offset by adding more renewable energy sources to the grid. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, (both centralized and decentralized) can help to offset the insufficient total energy supply growth from the conventional power producer. One approach to address these challenges is to continue the development of mixed renewable and non-renewable energy sources, allowing the grid to draw on a variety of sources as needed to meet demand. This development can help to ensure a reliable and stable supply of electricity to meet the needs of electric vehicles and other customers. A supply-demand simulation and prediction, which could be a very helpful tool in the conceptualization of a management plan for the energy system to mitigate the imbalance of supply and demand of electric energy supply should be developed.


This research paper entitles the Impact of black magic and witchcraft in a Muslim community. An effort has been made to explore how the black magic and witchcraft penetrate in the societies, why these are used and influence the masses. Since, the entire creature living under the oceans over the land and in the skies is created and controlled by the Lord and their destiny and fate is controlled by God therefore, it is forbidden to practice black magic and witchcraft so that the people may not lose their faith on God. Black magic is a knowledge which was acknowledged and practiced in ancient people who were the firm believer of this craft, but now it has being used for misleading innocent people by doing different tricks and making people believe that this is the only resurrection for their frustrations but, the repercussions are always dire. The main purpose of this research was to highlight and discuss the negative impact of black magic and witchcraft in the social framework. An attempt has been made to explore how Muslim community is affected by this kind of evil craft. This research focuses on many important aspects which include frustration, the existence of black magic, fake magician, opposite effect of black magic, unawareness of people, media impact and waste of time because of black magic. Now a day's black magic and witchcraft are increasing day by day and people are trying to solve their problems through short cuts by adopting wrong ways and methods and keep their eyes away from the realities and repercussions. This research was conducted in Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad Pakistan. The qualitative anthropological research methods were used to collect empirical data.


The dielectric constant and loss of poling/non-poling was measured in the Pb 1-3x/2 La x [(Mg 1/3 Ta 2/ 3 ) 0.66 Zr 0.34 ]O 3 samples. The addition of La 3+ to the Pb 1-3x/2 La x [(Mg 1/3 Ta 2/3 ) 0.66 Zr 0.34 ]O 3 did not cause a large change in grain size. But the addition of La 3+ did show transition temperature, which shifted toward low temperature in the Pb[(Mg 1/3 Ta 2/3 )Zr]O 3 systems. In addition, the dielectric and pyroelectric properties (Ɛ~20000, p~0.03 C/m 2 K) of this system using La 3+ have been greatly improved. Pyroelectrics Pb 0.97 La 0.02 (Mg 1/3 Ta 2/3 ) 0.66 Zr 0.34 ]O 3 system was found to have a relatively high ferroelectric FOMs (F V ~0.035 m 2 /C, F D ~0.52 × 10 − 4 Pa − 1/2 ) at room temperature. Spontaneous polarization showed a value of 0.27~0.35 C/m 2 in the composition added to La 3+ . The piezoelectric constant (d 33 =350~490 pC/N) and electromechanical coupling factor (k P =0.25~0.35) are obtained in Pb 1-3x/2 La x [(Mg 1/3 Ta 2/3 ) 0.66 Zr 0.34 ]O 3 compositions with La 3+ dopant.


Background The World Health Organisation estimates a global deficit of approximately 4.3 million health workers, particularly doctors, nurses and midwives. Guinea-Bissau is among the 36 countries that suffer from a critical need for human resources (less than 23 health professionals per 10.000 inhabitants). The present research investigates the impact of clinical trials on health worker's capacity and training. Methods This is a qualitative study. I interviewed health professionals who assisted in clinical trials during the past five years and obtained assistance to attend health-related courses. The interviews collected data about the professional's technical capacity, clinical practices, work conditions, their qualification for their work and socio-economic variables. Additionally, documents about clinical trials conducted in Guinea-Bissau through North-South cooperation, were analysed. Results Interviews were held with 35 health professionals (21 female, 14 male) who participated in clinical trials with the Bandim Health Project (Guinea-Bissau) as research assistants and who received subsidies to realise undergraduate or graduate degrees. Among those interviewed, 28 (80%) received support to realise an undergraduate degree in nursing, 4 (11%) a laboratory course, and 3 (9%) a postgraduate course. Twenty-four (24; 69%) stated that they experienced significant improvements in their working conditions within the institutions where they worked after their clinical trials; 7 (20%) declared that they have progressed in their career after being placed in a health center or a hospital; 29 (83%) stated that the participation in clinical trials significantly strengthened their technical capacity and had a positive impact on their careers. Conclusion I observed a positive impact of the involvement in clinical research on the development of health professionals' capacity. However, the quantity of clinical research in Guinea-Bissau is insufficient to train all health practitioners in this area.


According to many numerical literary sources, the modern direction of provision of dental care involves an individual approach to the patient, in particular, based on his gender, age and nationality. This calls for the creation of its own regulatory bases for the population of different countries and ethnic groups, taking into account all possible criteria. The purpose of the study is to establish and analyze the cephalometric parameters by the method of E.P. Harvold in young men and women of Podillia region of Ukraine with orthognathic bite. Primary lateral teleroentgenograms of 38 young men and 55 women with normal occlusion close to orthognathic bite, obtained using the Veraviewepocs 3D device, Morita (Japan), were taken from the data bank of the research center of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya. Cephalometric measurements were performed according to the recommendations of E.P. Harvold. Statistical processing of the obtained results was carried out in the license package "Statistica 6.0" using nonparametric methods of estimating the results. When comparing teleroentgenographic indices between boys and girls of the Podillia region of Ukraine with orthognathic occlusion, significantly higher values of the length of the upper and lower jaw, lower facial height and interjaw differences in young men were established, and Ap1uAp1l-DOP angle was significantly higher in young women. When comparing these data with the results obtained by E.P. Harvold, the boys and girls of the Podillia region of Ukraine with orthognathic bite have significantly lower values of the length of the upper and lower jaw and lower facial height. In addition, Ukrainian young women have significantly higher values of the Ap1uAp1l-DOP angle and a tendency to lower interjaw differences, while in young men, the tendency towards higher values of the cross-sectional angle than the value of these parameters obtained by E. Harvold is established. The results of the study confirm the need to create a normative basis for teleroentgenographic indices by the method of E.P. Harvold for the population of different regions of Ukraine, taking into account both sexual and age affiliation.


The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different substrates on the production and quality of sibipiruna seedlings. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with six treatments and eight replications. The treatments tested were: (T1): 5% organic compounds + 80% soil + 15% sand; (T2): 10% organic compounds + 75% soil + 15% sand; (T3): 15% organic compounds + 70% soil + 15% sand; (T4): 20% organic compounds + 65% soil + 15% sand; (T5): 100% commercial substrate (H. Decker®); (T6): 100% organic compounds. To determine the effect of the substrates on the production of sibipiruna seedlings, the shoot height, stem diameter, root length, dry mass of roots, dry mass of shoots, total dry mass and Dickson quality index were evaluated. In general, T2 and T3 showed the best responses with respect to the characteristics analyzed, providing better quality seedlings. Through the Dickson quality index performed at 120 days after transplanting, it is possible to conclude that with the exception of T6, the sibipiruna seedlings present satisfactory levels of quality for commercialization and field planting, and the best results are found with the use of different combined materials.


Despite the significant research efforts devoted to the microgrid and smart grid areas, numerous problems related to real world implementations still remain unsolved. The present special issue was announced with the objective of addressing and disseminating state-of-the-art R&D results on microgrids to bring together researchers from both academia and industry with the goal of fostering interactions among stakeholders. In response, 190 two-page extended abstracts were received and considered for the first round of reviews. Authors of about 60 selected abstracts were then invited to submit the full papers in the second round and out of them 27 high-quality manuscripts were ultimately approved and included in this special issue. These papers are organized according to the following four topics: 1) Microgrid dynamic performance, control/operational strategies, and voltage/frequency regulation. Here, 14 papers deal with the dynamic modeling and performance ofmicrogrid or its building blocks and propose appropriate control/operational strategies or voltage/frequency regulation approaches. 2) Reliability and power quality aspects of microgrids, where seven papers about the microgrid reliability assessment techniques, impact of distributed energy resources on microgrid reliability indices, and the microgrid power quality analysis are presented. 3) Fault modeling and protection schemes. This section consists of four papers focusing on series fault modeling in dc microgrids, overvoltage protection of photovoltaic generators, and protection schemes tailored for the microgrid operational characteristics. 4) Others: Two practical papers about the impact of microgrids on the planning of the medium-voltage distribution networks and characterization of the Vanadium Redox battery are presented.


Background Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or one year after is a relatively rare disease and hence considerable controversy exists regarding its prognosis compared to non-pregnancy-related breast cancer. Methods: Two of the authors independently performed a literature search on MEDLINE and Cochrane Library with no date or language restrictions. Eligible studies were control-matched, population-based and hospital-based studies that have addressed the outcome of patients diagnosed during pregnancy or one-year afterwards. The control group was defined as patients diagnosed with breast cancer not related to pregnancy. The primary and secondary end-points were overall and disease-free survival respectively. Pooling of data was done using the random effect model. To control for potential differences between the two groups in systemic treatment and clinico-pathological features (e.g. tumor size, nodal status, ER, etc …) that could affect prognosis, we performed a sensitivity analysis by pooling the hazard ratios (HRs) of the adjusted multivariate models within each study. We also analyzed differences according to time of diagnosis (during pregnancy or post-partum), type of study and year of reporting the study. Finally, we communicated with the authors of the eligible studies to collect unpublished statistics relevant to our analysis to further refine our findings. Results: 29 studies were included in this meta-analysis (2903 cases and 36, 512 controls). Women diagnosed with PABC had a significantly higher risk of death compared to those diagnosed with non-pregnancy-related breast cancer (pooled hazard ratio (pHR): 1.47 [95% CI: 1.30−1.65]). A sensitivity analysis including 11 studies (1222 PABC cases, 19231 controls) adjusted for differences in tumor size, nodal status and systemic treatment showed the same result (pHR: 1.44 [95% CI: 1.17−1.77]). These findings were consistent in patients diagnosed either during pregnancy (pHR: 1.30 [95% CI: 1.01−1.67]) or in the post-partum period (pHR: 1.56 [95% CI: 1.08−2.26]) with no heterogeneity observed (p=0.43). Sensitivity analyses according to the type and year of study showed the same findings. Regarding the secondary end-point, only ten studies (531 cases, 1842 controls) provided sufficient information to estimate disease-free survival, and indeed PABC patients had a higher risk of relapse compared to breast cancer controls [pHR: 1.59 (95%CI: 1.23−2.07)]. Collection of unpublished data is currently ongoing and further analyses will be presented at the meeting. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest analysis addressing the prognosis of PABC. Our results confirm that PABC is independently associated with a worse prognosis whether diagnosis is made during pregnancy or in the post-partum period. This underscores the possible impact of pregnancy on breast cancer biology. In this regard, we are currently interrogating potential biological differences between PABC patients and matched breast cancer controls at the gene expression level to elucidate the biology of this relatively rare, yet very challenging disease. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-11-03.


High‐mobility polymer field‐effect transistors (PFETs) are being actively explored for applications in soft electronic skin and low‐cost flexible displays because of their superior solution processability, mechanical flexibility, and stretchability. However, most of high‐mobility PFETs often deviate from the idealized behavior with variable mobility, large threshold voltage, and high off‐state current, which masks their intrinsic properties and significantly impedes their practical applications. Here, it is first revealed that interface strain between polymer thin film and rigid substrate plays a crucial role in determining the ideality of PFETs, and demonstrate that various ideal conformable PFETs can be successfully fabricated by releasing strain. It is found that strain in film can be released by one‐step peeling strategy, which can reduce π‐π stacking distance and suppress generation of oxygen doped carriers, thereby obtaining linearly injected charge carriers and decreased carrier concentration in channel, eventually realizing ideal PFETs. More impressively, the fabricated ideal conformable PFET array displays outstanding conformability to curved objects, and meanwhile showing excellent organic light‐emitting display driving capability. The work clarifies the effect of the interface strain on the device ideality, and strain can be effectively released by a facile peeling strategy, thus offering useful guidance for the construction of ideal conformable PFETs.


Indian literatures mention the use of plants in the treatment of various human ailments. Leaf, flower, fruit, bark root or pltablant as whole been claimed to possess medicinal properties. Though ample literature on therapeutic application of medicinal plants is available but data on the proximate composition of medicinal plants is very scarce. The study was undertaken to investigate the compositions of some common medicinal plants. The medicinal plant samples (seeds/steams/leaves) were analyzed for crude fiber, fat, moisture, protein, acid soluble and total ash content. The energy content of the samples was obtained using Atwater factors. The obtained data were evaluated using multivariate methods: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA).


Price control is often perceived as a convenient tool to protect consumers' interest as it is simple and visible. However, when the state sets a maximum price of a product or service in a potentially competitive market, it may unintentionally undermine competition in the market and may even facilitate tacit price collusion. This paper illustrates such regulatory fallacy in the case of the electronic interbank credit transfer service in Thailand, where the Bank of Thailand sets the maximum rates that a commercial bank may charge its customers. It also provides a follow-up of the central bank's regulatory amendments following the findings of the report.


Many factors that affect the flame resistance of the modified BMI system were studied, including the effect of different content of P4, C24H29Cl21/ZnO3B2O3·5H2O and C24H29Cl21/MoO3 on Oxygen Index of the modified Bismaleimide resin. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of the cured BMI resin were also measured. It showed that this new kind of modified bismaleimide resin had nice fire resistance , excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties.


This paper deals with advanced 3D computer-aided technologies used for modelling and simulation for decommissioning purposes. Within the A-1 NPP decommissioning process a set of activities is needed to perform successful dismantling and decontamination of rooms and equipment. Optimal process of performance of D&D of underground storage tanks and auxiliary rooms were used on the base of simulation outputs. The mockup tests were performed before using remotely controlled manipulators. The human presence during decontamination and dismantling is case by case excluded due to the radiation safety and ALARA approach. Within Bohunice A-1 Decommissioning Project an advanced computer-aided technologies were/are developed and used. Modelling software packages EUCLID and 3Dipsos together with 3D-laser scanner SOISIC are used for creating of 3D models and also for the verification of as-built state of selected systems and facilities. Software IGRIP is used for computer simulations of all D&D tasks. The 3D modelling and simulation of selected rooms and technological equipment of the A-1 NPP are used consequently in the process of decommissioning preparation and implementation. 3D modelling for the verification and simulation of operating steps is presented in the paper and its contribution to avoiding of collisions and non-optimal interventions into the building and technological parts during performing particular works is evaluated. The application of 3D models for the verification and simulation of operating steps significantly contribute to the optimal planning of D&D procedures. Minimisation of occupation doses of realisation personnel is main reason why the 3D modelling and simulations are used. The paper also presented 3D models of rooms chosen to simulate specific operations (decontamination, handling of radioactive wastes and/or dismantling by remote controlled manipulators) without risk accident, high dose rates of personnel etc. Process of selection of optimal operating procedure for decontamination and dismantling is presented as well as achieved experiences and recommendations for further work.© 2003 ASME


Small medical teams and disaster mitigation personnel in the field need robust and simple communication means to handle their jobs. Learning from major disaster such as last year Tohoku earthquake, we cannot depend on modern communication means. Modern communication such as mobile phone usually will be malfunction during disaster time due to traffic congestion and direct disaster impacts. In this paper we proposed a simple and robust means. We created the specified low-power radio repeater with solar power system that supports the citizens and grassroots disaster relief team's activities at the municipal level in the event of a disaster. The Specified low-power radio in Japan covered in this study is a simplex telephone FM analog voice band 400 Mhz. The radio equipments have already license under the laws of Japan, so personal use is not necessary to obtain a license. However the original radio specification has a very limited transmit power of only 10 mW. It means that the communication distance is extremely short. However, we had solved this problem by using the repeater. In our experiments, the system was able to cover enough of the municipality. It should be placed in the appropriate location to achieve its objective. In addition, we also found that the use of radio wave propagation simulation software is important in order to grasp the area can communicate and to find the location of the repeater.


This article takes issue with influential views in Brazil that depict the Movement of Landless Rural Workers (MST), the largest popular movement in this country, as a threat to democracy. Contrary to these assessments, it argues that a sober review of the MST's actual practice shows that it is far from an antistate or antidemocratic organization. Quite to the contrary, the MST demands that the state play an active part in reducing the nation's stark social inequities through the institution of an inclusive model of development. The MST's contentious edge has contributed to Brazil's ongoing democratization process by (1) highlighting the role of public activism in building political capabilities among the poor and catalyzing downward redistribution policies; (2) facilitating the extension of basic citizenship rights, broadening the scope of the public agenda, and strengthening civil society through the inclusion of groups representing the most vulnerable strata of the population; and (3) fostering a sense of hope and utopia through the affirmation of ideals imbued in Brazil's long-term, complex, and open-ended democratization process.


A modification of the canonical quantization procedure for systems with time-dependent second-class constraints is discussed and applied to the quantization of a relativistic particle in a plane wave. The time dependence of constraints appears in the problem in two ways. The Lagrangian depends on time explicitly by origin, and a special time-dependent gauge is used. Two possible approaches to the quantization are demonstrated in this case. One is to solve directly a system of operator equations, proposed by Tyutin and Gitman (1990) as a generalization of Dirac canonical quantization in the non-stationary case, and another is first to find a canonical transformation, which makes it possible to describe the dynamics in the physical sector by means of some effective Hamiltonian. Quantum mechanics in both cases proves to be equivalent to the Klein-Gordon theory of a relativistic particle in a plane wave. The general conditions for unitarity of the dynamics in the physical sector are discussed.


Although Giardia lamblia trophozoites were first described by Von Leeuwenhoek in his own diarrheic stool, relatively little is known of the basic biology of this common parasite or the pathophysiology of giardiasis. In particular, there is little specific information about trophozoite properties that cause diarrhea, as neither toxins nor conventional virulence factors have been identified. Therefore, parasite adaptations that promote cyst survival in the external environment and infection and trophozoite persistence in the small intestine, may be viewed as key virulence properties. This review focuses on unusual surface structures of the trophozoite and cyst forms that enable Giardia to be such a successful parasite.


Deep overbite as one of the most common malocclusion that can occur along with other associated malocclusions can be treated with several mechanisms. One such mechanics is true intrusion of anterior teeth. Deep overbite correction by intrusion of anterior teeth affords a number of advantages and is the desired treatment option for gummy smile correction, esthetics improvement as well as correction of mandible rotation in order to improve vertical dimension and to correct Class II malocclusion. This case report describes the orthodontic treatment of a 17-year-old patient diagnosed as severe Angle's Class II malocclusion with maxillary prognathism and skeletal deep bite, dental Class II division 1 malocclusion associated with 4 mm overbite, an increased overjet and excessive gingival display on smiling. After the analyses and due to the fact that the patient avoided surgical method for her malocclusion correction, our treatment plan in this case was alternative (camouflage) with upper premolars extraction. In the first phase we did 9 mm canine retraction with preserved vertical dimensions of upper incisors. In the second phase of our treatment we did incisor intrusion and en masse retraction of the incisors. Intrusion of upper incisors was done using a 0.017 × 0.025 Connecticut intrusion arch and 0.019 x 0.025 stainless steel as base archwire was used. Outstanding results were achieved with an improved facial profile, smile harmony and stable occlusal relationships. Through case report we highlight the efficiency of Connecticut intrusion arch as а clinically manageable biomechanical system to optimize the orthodontic treatment. The use of good biomechanical principles helped us to achieve all treatment goals and objectives with minimal side effects.


This paper discussed the building of post market risk analysis method in hemodialysis device from the point of government supervision. By proposing practical research methods for post market risk identification and estimation on hemodialysis device, providing technical guidance for government to put risk management of hemodialysis device into effect, and offering reference for enterprises to carry out post market risk evaluation on their products as well.


It is commonly accepted that hypothalamic dopamine has an inhibitory role not only on prolactin but also on TSH secretion. To study the hypothalamic dopaminergic participation in TSH secretion in various hypothalamo-pituitary disorders, we examined the effect of sulpiride, a dopamine antagonist. Using a commercially available human TSH radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit and improving it, we developed a high sensitivity RIA for human TSH (assay sensitivity: 0.15 micro Units/ml, 50% B/B0 values: 3.47 micro Units/ml). In 18 normal controls, plasma TSH increased significantly after intramuscular injection of sulpiride of 1.01 +/- 0.17 micro Units/ml (Mean +/- SEM). In 61 patients with pituitary adenoma, plasma TSH responses to sulpiride were significantly greater than those of normal controls, and the mean maximal increments were as follows: 1.65 +/- 0.24 micro Units/ml in acromegaly (n = 21), 2.63+/- 0.55 micro Units/ml in non-functioning pituitary adenoma (n = 23), and 4.49 +/- 0.70 micro Units/ml in prolactin producing pituitary adenoma (n = 17), respectively. The maximal TSH responses to sulpiride in prolactin-producing pituitary adenoma were significantly greater than those in non-functioning pituitary adenoma (p less than 0.05) and those in acromegalic patients (p less than 0.001). On the other hand, we could observe no TSH responses to sulpiride in 9 cases of hypothalamic tumor with hyperprolactinemia. These results suggest that the dopaminergic inhibitory influence on TSH secretion is increased in patients with pituitary adenoma, and that it is especially dominant in patients with prolactin producing pituitary adenoma. It is concluded that hypothalamic dopaminergic tone can be evaluated indirectly by the sulpiride test, and that the test is useful in the differential diagnosis of hypothalamo-pituitary disorders.


In this study, the effect of the museum experience on brand image and loyalty was investigated. Furthermore, the differences between males and females, participants with a positive and negative visitor experience, and the identity-related profiles Explorers and Facilitators were investigated. Two studies were performed to answer the research question and to measure the differences between parents visiting the museum on their own versus as a family. The museum experience includes everything that is connected to the museum. In order to measure the museum experience, three models for measuring the impact of the environment on consumers were used. This led to a new museum experience model consisting of the physical, social, and socially-symbolic dimension.
Results of this study show that the experience of a museum visitor changes their perceived brand image and creates a specific and content related brand image. Also, this study revealed that most participants associated educational and intellectual related traits with the museum. Loyalty is influenced by the museum experience as well. Participants with a positive museum experience were significantly more loyal to the museum than participants with a negative museum experience. This study also shows that the socially-symbolic dimension is a predictor of loyalty.
This study provides new insights in the influence of the museum experience on brand image and loyalty, and shows that the socially-symbolic dimension is an important new aspect of the museum experience.


In this paper, we have considered the new extendable modular multi-DOFs link to have a larger reachable workspace and more dexterous manipulability, as compared to a typical link. As a part of the extendable modular robot (EMR), our link is implemented to allow free motion when performing required tasks. In addition, this paper deals with a function of adjusting the link's length (within 25% of the nominal length). Our investigation also focuses on the dynamics of a multi-DOFs link and the nonlinear controller for a given trajectory. The simulation results show the effectiveness of this control approach.© 2012 ASME


The administration of thiol-containing drugs decreases taste acuity in man and animals. Copper (II) and zine (II) administration returns taste acuity to normal levels. The results suggest that (1) thiols and metals are in dynamic equilibrium in the metabolic net, (2) regulation of taste acuity occurs through changes which thiols and/or metals bring about in the conformation of a protein which lines the pore of the taste receptor and its membrane, and (3) thiols normally play an inhibitory role in taste.


In the search for new synthetic routes toward greener and more facile syntheses of conjugated polymers, C-H functionalization provides a promising solution by minimizing the production and processing of aryl halide monomer precursors used in traditional organometallic coupling reactions. In this paper, we investigate the use of Au(I) and its ability to directly C-H activate 2-bromo-3-hexylthiophene to form a reactive monomer species, bypassing the typical Grignard monomer formation from a dihalogenated thiophene. Addition of Pd-PEPPSI-iPr as a palladium catalyst source in the presence of the resultant aurylated thiophene monomer yielded poly(3-hexylthiophene) as observed by both NMR and GPC. Studies on the growth of these polymers show linear dependence between Mn and monomer conversion, low dispersities, as well as Mn predicted by catalyst loading, which is supportive of a living-type chain growth mechanism. This Au-Pd system represents a novel methodology for incorporating C-H activation into the synthesis of P3HT with control over Mn.


We have developed a direct method for the synthesis of cis-substituted cyclopropanes from a cyclopropanecarboxamide through stereocontrolled metalation and Negishi coupling. Under the optimized reaction conditions, various substituents, including di/trisubstituted alkenes and aryl groups, were introduced in a stereoselective manner using a simple amide directing group that could subsequently be converted into an ester. Furthermore, this method was applicable to the synthesis of all- cis-substituted cyclopropanes bearing three different substituents, which are highly congested and strained molecules.


The hair cycle is divided 3 phases into anagen, catagen and telogen. Hair loss is the result of premature catagen caused by apoptotic signal. The process of apoptosis is controlled through the activation of many factors, such as inflammatory cytokines, p53, Bax and Bcl-2 family gene. Vitex rotundifolia has been used frequently as an indigenous medicine for curing headaches, colds, migraine, eye-pain, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and gastrointestinal infections. Recent studies have shown that the extracts from Vitex rotundifolia contain iridoids, flavonoids, and compounds with biochemical properties. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were treated topically on the depilated dorsal skin with Vitex rotundifolia extract dissolved in 70% EtOH. Moreover, treatment of Vitex rotundifolia extract onto hair cells induced more 20% growth of proliferation compared only control treated group. Also, the ratio of follicle number of anagen phase/total was increased. This result explains that Vitex rotundifolia extract has effect on prolong of anagen phase, so Vitex rotundifolia might be a potential new therapeutic source for the hair growth promotion.


INTRODUCTION
The complete histological response represents the goal of neo-adjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer. This objective is a real challenge requiring the research of predictive factors for this response, from the perspective of targeted therapeutic strategies. The results of the various studies focused on these predictive factors are discordant.

AIM
To seek a correlation between 7 prognostic factors tested in pre-therapy and the histological response to neo-adjuvant treatment.

METHODS
A retrospective study involving 44 patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma who received neo-adjuvant radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. The 7 prognostic factors studied were clinical (age and sex), radiological (tumor size and parietal invasion) and histological (histological grade, vascular and nerve invasion) features. The complete histological response was defined by Bateman's tumor grade m-RCRG 1 and the absence of lymph node metastases.

RESULTS
A complete histological response was observed in 25% of cases (n = 11). In multivariate analysis, age> 60 years (OR: 1.14 and p = 0.028), male sex (OR: 21 and p = 0.045) and radiological wall invasion exceeding the subserosa (OR: 11 , 5 and p = 0.008) were significantly associated with the histological response. In contrast, none of the 3 histological factors tested were correlated with this response's intensity.

CONCLUSION
Age, gender, and pre-therapeutic parietal invasion could be used to select "good" and "poor" responders to neo-adjuvant treatment in locally advanced rectal cancers.


Production of concrete products, namely, applied technological equipment, the initial state of the raw materials used in the currently inefficient dust cleaning system, everything contributes to the emission into the atmosphere of gas-air mixtures with a high content of dust. The research process, identifying bottlenecks, which are characterized by dusting, analysis of existing dedusting systems, their efficiency, performance, operation features in various media is an important step of the time-processing activities to improve the effectiveness of work aspiration systems, to reduce dust emissions in the atmosphere. An analysis of the characteristics of the released dust, its properties and, especially, the particulate composition is optional and a prerequisite when choosing a construction of dust collector. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of ICIE 2016.


AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA

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The role of NFκB in regulation of mitochondrial structure and function in cancer cells.

Roman A. Eliseev, Randy N. Rosier

NFκB is a ubiquitous transcription factor that is involved in a wide range of cellular responses to stimuli such as cytokines, UV and ionizing radiation, stress, and viral and bacterial antigens. NFκB modulates cell proliferation in many eukaryotic cells. Activation of NFκB has been shown in many types of cancer and is believed to render cells resistant to pro-apoptotic signals.

Our data suggest that certain types of human malignant cells, such as Saos2 osteosarcoma, PC3 prostate cancer and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer, demonstrating constitutive up-regulation of NFκB signaling also exhibit characteristic morphologic, molecular, and physiologic abnormalities in their mitochondria. When compared to non-malignant counterparts, mitochondria in these cells are fragmented, express higher amounts of proteins and contain higher number of copies of mtDNA, an indication of high proliferative status of mitochondria. These mitochondria are less functional as indicated by slower respiration rates and diminished membrane potential.

Constitutive inhibition of NFκB signaling achieved with overexpression of the NFκB super-repressor mIκB in these malignant cells restores morphologic integrity and functionality of mitochondria. Mitochondria in mIκB expressing cells form a network, decrease number of copies of mtDNA and respire more effectively. We here examine the molecular mechanisms of regulation of mitochondrial structure and function by NFκB and possible effects on cancer cell sensitivity to apoptosis.


phire laser will also be presented, as well FTPL and PLE spectra from 0.1 wt.% Tb-doped glass. This work has been supported by the NSF under the Engineering Research Centers (ECD-89-43166) and the Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (DMR-8920538) Programs, and by ARPA under the Center for Optoelectronic Science and Technology (Grant #MDA972-94-1-0004) Program. *Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61 801


Policymakers have little experience regarding designing the right levels of pricing for plastic bags. Prices for bags are generally set low and are largely a symbolic reminder to consumers of the environmental concerns attributed to plastic bag use. The ineffectiveness of charging for bags in the long term, in countries such as South Africa, makes it imperative that we map the demand curve. Getting the price "right" depends on the size of the externality. Charging for plastic bags is therefore an effective nudging policy. Moreover, charging the right price levels could alleviate the adverse effects associated with the use of substitute carrier bags. To address this issue, a survey was developed using the Contingent Behaviour (CB) approach to generate the stated preference (SP) data necessary to estimate the price level that is likely to lead to a reduction in bag use over time. Thus, the aim of this study is to estimate the bag-use demand function for reusable plastic shopping bags in South Africa. The current price of $0.03 was found to be too low, and highly inelastic. Our analysis suggests that the price for plastic bags should be set at $0.13. This price will reduce unnecessary plastic use and is still much lower than the price of alternatives; therefore, there is no danger of consumers shifting to alternatives that may cause more harm.


North Pacific Humpback Whales breed on winter grounds at Hawaii, Mexico and Okinawa, and summer on feeding grounds in northern Temperate and sub-Arctic waters. Re-sighting records of photographically identified individual humpback whales suggest that breeding grounds are not isolated. Later genetic studies by Palumbi & Baker (1994) and Baker et al. (1998) inferred male-mediated gene flow between wintering breeding in Mexico and Hawaii. The result was based upon a 10-fold higher rate of gene flow estimated from bi-parentally inherited nuclear markers compared to the rate of gene flow estimated from maternally transmitted mitochondrial nucleotide sequences. In this study we re-test the notion of male-based gene flow among North Pacific winter breeding areas. We sequenced the mitochondrial control region and genotyped 6 hyper-variable microsatellite loci in 342 North Pacific Humpback whales; 109 samples from Hawaii, 77 from Alaska, 84 from Mexico and 74 from Japan. The preliminary estimates of standard population genetic divergence indices are similar to those reported by Baker et al. (1998), and analyses are on progress to determine if those are due to male-biased gene flow.


Foreword, by Pat de Mare. Foreword, by Malcolm Pines. Introduction: Why group psychotherapy? Part One: Perspectives on group analytic theory. 1. A view of psychotherapy. 2. Models of therapeutic systems. 3. The group as open system. 4. Aspects of the group relationship. 5. The individual and the group. Separateness and belonging. 6. The group and perception. 7. The view from different perspectives. 8. The person of the therapist. Part Two: Special kinds of groups. 9. Groups with psychotic and borderline personalities. 10. The multiple family therapy group. 11. The case for the Therapeutic Community. 12. The couples group. 13. The median group. Part Three: Ethics and the group. 14. Towards ethical relating. References. Index.


Abstract Cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease caused by the accumulation of somatic mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In the last decade, rapid advances in sequencing and bioinformatic technology led to an explosion in sequencing studies of cancer genomes, greatly expanding our knowledge of the genetic changes underlying a variety of tumor types. Several of these studies of cancer genomes have focused on pancreatic neoplasms, and cancers from the pancreas are some of the best characterized tumors at the genetic level. Pancreatic neoplasms encompass a wide array of clinical diseases, from benign cysts to deadly cancers, and the genetic alterations underlying neoplasms of the pancreas are similarly diverse. This new knowledge of pancreatic cancer genomes has deepened our understanding of tumorigenesis in the pancreas and has opened several promising new avenues for novel diagnostics and therapeutics.


Introduction: malaria is one of the most frequent hematological diseases worldwide. Because the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum develops mainly in red blood cells (RBC), splenic retention of infected and uninfected RBC is likely a key player in the variable susceptibility of humans to malaria. Age and ethnicity are important determinants of the manifestations of malaria in Africa (Reyburn JAMA 2005, Dolo Am J Trop Med Hyg 2005; Greenwood Ann Trop Med Parasitol 1987; Torcia PNAS 2008), Asia (Price Am J Trop Med Hyg 2001), and in travelers (Seringe Emerg Infect Dis 2011). We had speculated that variations in the splenic sensing of RBC contribute to the innate protection/susceptibility of infants against distinct forms of severe malaria and to the pathogenesis of chronic malaria (Buffet Curr Opin Hematol 2009; Buffet Blood 2011). Here, we explore the deformability and morphology of circulating RBC in populations living in a malaria-endemic area. Materials and methods: experiments were embedded in an integrated study driven by Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, which aims at the identification of genetic, epidemiologic and anthropologic determinants of susceptibility to malaria. IRB approval was obtained from Institut des Sciences Biomedicales Appliquees, Benin. Clinical and biological data were collected at the beginning of the rainy season from 627 individuals, belonging to 4 different ethnic groups living in sympatry in Atakora, North Benin and included age, gender, ethnicity, body temperature, presence and grade of splenomegaly, rapid diagnostic test for malaria (RDT), thick film and rapid hemoglobin determination with HemoCue©. Venous blood was collected for determination of RBC morphology and deformability. Using microsphiltration, a RBC filtering method that uses microsphere layers to mimic the mechanical retention of RBC in the splenic red pulp (Deplaine Blood 2011) we quantified the ability of a mix of labeled and non-labeled RBCs to squeeze between calibrated slits, results being expressed as retention or enrichment rates (RER) of subject9s RBC compared to normal RBC (from a single French O-positive donor) stored in blood bank conditions. Microsphiltration has been adapted to high-throughput experimentation using microplates (Duez AAC 2015). Experiments were performed in a field laboratory established on site; microplates were prepared in Paris and brought to North Benin in luggage with constant care to avoid shocks during transportation. All RBC samples were filtered in triplicate less than 8 hours after blood collection. Up- and downstream samples were brought back to France at 4°C in sealed micro-well plates and analyzed for individual RER calculation in the next 2 weeks by flow cytometry. Results: over 10 days, 262 adults and 249 children were included, 31% Bariba, 17% Gando (genetically related to Bariba), 24% Otamari, 27% Peulhs. Prevalences of splenomegaly, positive RDT, and fever were 13%, 27%, and 2%, respectively. Of 629 blood samples collected, 511 could be analyzed. RER of controls remained stable with time and across 17 microfiltering plates, with a median (IQR) retention rate of 12% (5% - 21%). Ethnicity and age were the only two factors associated with statistically significant differences in RER (figures 1 and 2). Infants (less than 2 year-old) had a more important enrichment than older children and adults (median in 2 years old or less 287%; 3 to 5 years 103%; 6 to 10 years: 64%; more than ten years: 91%; p=0.0161). Peulhs and Otamari also had higher median enrichment rates than Bariba and Gando (RER: 122% and 118%, 75%, 64%, respectively; p=0.0246). Conversely, splenomegaly, gender, positivity of RDT or anemia at the time of sampling were not associated with RER. Discussion: higher averaged enrichment rates in specific ethnic subgroups, namely Peulhs and Otamari, likely result from a more stringent splenic retention, leaving more deformable RBC in circulation. An innate spleen-RBC interaction process was also observed in infants, which is consistent with the higher incidence of severe malarial anemia and splenomegaly observed in this population (Reyburn JAMA 2005; Price Am J Trop Med Hyg 2001). Our results show that innate factors (e.g. ethnicity and age) tend to influence the deformability of RBC, and therefore the phenotypic expression of malaria in Africa. Ongoing experiments aim at deciphering the mechanisms responsible for these differences. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


SummaryThe confluence of enhanced attention to primary care and palliative care education presents educators with an opportunity to improve both (as well as patient care) through integrated teaching. Improvements in palliative care education will have benefits for dying patients and their families, but will also extend to the care of many other primary care patients, including geriatric patients and those with chronic illnesses, who make up a large proportion of the adult primary care population. In addition, caring for the dying, and teaching others to carry out this task, can be an important vehicle for personal and professional growth and development for both students and their teachers.


In this study, we investigated the possible use of novel lipidated sorbitol-based transporters as functional devices for the improvement of non-viral gene delivery. These transporters are composed of a sorbitol scaffold bearing 8 guanidine moieties that mimic the arginine residues of well-known cell-penetrating peptides. In addition, the transporters carry different lipid groups to aid DNA condensation and facilitate lipid vesicle-binding. We found that the transporters described in this study have the potential to function as plasmid DNA/siRNA-condensers and surface ligands for the enhancement of cellular uptake of lipid vesicles. Shorter lipid chains were found to be better for condensation, whereas longer chains were superior surface ligands. The differential activity of different cores might be explained by facilitated decondensation of cores prepared with transporters comprised of shorter lipid chains. However, we suggest that there is an optimum value of decondensation to achieve higher transfection activities. The proper use of the transporters presented in this study enabled us to prepare a highly efficient non-viral gene delivery system based on a core-shell structure, in which a condensed DNA core is encapsulated by a lipid envelope. A multifunctional envelope-type nano-device prepared with an optimal surface ligand favorably competes with commonly used transfection systems. Published In: Journal of Controlled Release , Vol. 136 , pp. 140 147 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) page 1 / 1


and colleges? Who started the fust hospitals? Paradoxically enough, it was only the coming of skilled people from outside that indirectly laid the foundations of the Assamese 'national identity which is bandied about so freely by the Assamese leaders of the movement. The immigrant Muslim peasants from Eastern Bengal brought under the plough thousands of acres of swampy and uncultivable land, left fallow by the Assamese for generations. The uader from outside had helped in MARGARET THATCHER and her lot are trying to show their teeth


The literature on how autism spectrum disorders (ASD) impact the family unit primarily focuses on the negative experiences of parents and neurotypical (NT) siblings. This unintentional focus may impact the therapist's ability to identify strengths within the family unit and further perpetuate the misconception that ASD is only a 'problem.' This paper reviews NT siblings' experiences of living with an ASD sibling. A solution-focused brief therapy framework is used in order to alter the covert message that an ASD diagnosis is a 'problem' for the families. Recommendations are provided to assist family therapists in focusing on the positive experiences reported by the NT sibling in ASD families, especially the relationship with his or her diagnosed sibling and primary caregivers.


Different classes of solvents such as mineral acids and ionic liquids have proved to be capable of disrupting hydrogen bonds among different polysaccharide chains. Recently, a specific family of proticionic liquids (PILs) has been developed with functionality in various industrial applications, adding to the benefits and advantages of their use, since they are absent of aromatic or halogenated molecular structure, making them structurally free of toxicity. This work aimed to verify the influence of proticionic liquids 2-HDEAS, 2-HEACi, 2-HEAL impregnated in the Prosopis juliflora (mesquite) biomass, through the thermogravimetric analysis of macrocomponents hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin. Tests were performed in a simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis equipment under inert atmosphere, 100 mL/min of nitrogen, and 10 °C/min heating rate. It was verified that all PILs present great potential in the degradation and dissolution of the macrocomponent structure of Prosopis juliflora.


ON THE FORMATION OF THE DIAMOND IN THE TERTIARY DRIFTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES, ETC. After referring to the recent artificial production of the diamond by Mr. Hannay, the writer adds: " When examining the New England and Mudgee Districts in New South Wales, I came to the conclusion, as did Mr. Norman Taylor also, that the diamonds (of which hundreds were found in the gold and tin drifts) had been chemically formed in the Miocene and Pliocene Cements, which are very ferruginous and sometimes siliceous, the waterworn pebbles being found coated with a film of silica. The recent alluvium only where derived from the Tertiary drifts is diamond-bearing; and the Tertiary drifts themselves contain diamonds ; but the older rocks, Silurian, Devonian, or Carboniferous, do not contain them, or rather, the recent alluvium derived from them does not, although the Tertiary drifts themselves have also been derived from the same Palaeozoic rocks ; therefore, we can only conclude that the diamonds have been formed in the drifts. "These drifts are nearly always capped with basalt. I believe from the nature of the rocks that water containing some carbonate in solution, and also silica, was present, a chemical reaction taking place and setting free the carbon in a crystallized form. In the same way, I believe, the minute scales or crystals of graphite have been formed in our Hawkesbury Sandstone (Triassic). This sandstone consists of (originally) rounded grains of quartz sand, coated now with silica in a crystallized state, and with the scales of graphite scattered through it. The sandstone, when broken, has quite a glittering appearance, from the silica coating the rounded grains of sand with the graphite occurring at intervals through the mass. I mentioned this to Prof. A. Liversidge, but he thinks the scales of graphite were deposited with the sand; I think not, however, for the sandstone, so false-bedded, etc., bears evidence of deposition by strong and variable currents of water, which would have destroyed the small graphite grains by attrition. On this account 1 think the graphite must have been chemically formed during the slow transmutation which the sandstone has undergone. We shall be much interested to hear of Mr. Hannay's process for making the diamond." C. S. WILKINSON, F.G.S., Government Geologist for N. S. Wales.


Recent years have seen great progress in the purification and characterization of cholinesterases. Investigation has indicated the existence of two principal groups: a fairly homogeneous group of acetylcholinesterases and a group of enzymes that utilize butyrylcholine, propionycholine, or benzoylcholine as substrates and that differ widely in their properties.This paper reviews the different types of cholinesterase and their sources, the importance of a proper choice of substrate in cholinesterase studies, methods for the purification of cholinesterases, and some of the properties of these enzymes.


A critical question is whether the same decision-making processes underlie task performance with hypothetical and real money as rewards. Across two studies, we administered the Balloon Analogue Risk Task to healthy young adults under these two reward conditions. We found that participants displayed greater risk aversion during trials immediately after the balloon exploded in the previous trial in case the reward was real money, than if the reward was hypothetical money and exhibited greater subjective ratings of regret following losing trials. Moreover, subjective regret ratings after the balloon exploded in the previous trial with real money correlated with risk-taking behavior changes in the current trial, whereas we did not observe this correlation with hypothetical monetary rewards. In addition, when we manipulated the real money amounts to be large or small, participants were more risk averse in the large real money condition compared to the real money amount, whereas we did not observe these differences with varying amounts of hypothetical money.


The work described in this thesis concerns the integration of push-pull class B amplifier and antenna modules. Push-pull class B is well-known with its fruitful advantages of using differential feeding technique, resulting in low distortion, reasonably high efficiency and high output power. Meanwhile, the antenna module in this work is adapted from the aperture-coupled antenna structure due to its degree of freedom to control the variables which provide the best possible topology that could be realised in system on chip or system in package. More generally, the variables allow good coverage of the Smith Chart so that a wide range of odd-mode matching requirements could be met, for different devices and bias condition of a given transistor. The approach also offers additional filtering up to 3rd harmonic in that it comprises identical harmonic traps on both sides of the aperture using resonant stubs to form bandstop filters, which reduce the ripples at the output waveforms, giving them a significant advantage of neat and tight integration of a push-pull transmitting amplifier.


Oncolytic viruses (OLVs) including measles and mumps viruses (MeV and MuV) have a potential to serve as a therapeutic option for cancers. We have previously shown that the combination of MeV and MuV synergistically kills various human haematological cancer cells. This study aims to investigate the anti-tumor activity of MeV, MuV and MeV-MuV combination (MM) against human solid malignancies in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that MeV, MuV and MM combination targeted and effectively killed various cancer cell lines of human solid malignancies but not normal cells. Notably, MM combination demonstrated a greater anti-tumor effect and prolonged survival in a human prostate cancer (PC3) xenograft tumour model compared to MeV and MuV. MeV, MuV and MM combination significantly induced the expression of immunogenic cell death (ICD) markers and enhanced spleen-infiltrating immune cells such as macrophages, natural killer and dendritic cells. Our study demonstrated that MM combination is a promising option for treatment of human solid malignancies and suggested that MM could induce immunogenic cell death of malignant cells and activate immunity against cancers.


A couple of enantiomeric chiral cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes [Pt((−)-L1)(Dmpi)]Cl ((−)-1) and [Pt((+)-L1) (Dmpi)]Cl ((+)-1) [(−)-L1 = (−)-4,5-pinene-6′-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine, (+)-L1 = (+)-4,5-pinene-6′-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine, Dmpi = 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide] were synthesized. Two polymorphs (Form-Y and Form-R) of the complex (−)-1 were obtained. The crystallographic studies of both forms revealed that the emission and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of these complexes at solid state were sensitive to the intermolecular effects and to the molecular surrounding environments. The yellow forms (Form-Y) of the complexes (−)-1 and (+)-1 were found to undergo crystal-to-amorphous transformation upon mechanical grinding, resulting in luminescent and chiroptical switching behaviours as evidenced by emission and ECD spectra. The mechanochromic process can be reversed repeatedly by the addition of a few drops of dichloromethane. When the counteranion Cl− in 1 was replaced with trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf−), complexes [Pt((−)-L1)(Dmpi)]OTf ((−)-2) and [Pt((+)-L1)(Dmpi)]OTf ((+)-2) were obtained. Complexes (−)-2 and (+)-2 showed a more pronounced luminescent switching behaviour, suggesting that the switching properties can be tuned by the counteranions.


Introduction The malarial mortality rate remains highest in African infants and children. The purpose of this audit was to review our clinical practice and to assess our compliance with the WHO guideline for the management of severe malaria. Method A retrospective chart review of malaria cases over 14 weeks was undertaken. 43 cases of malaria in paediatric inpatients were identified. Data extraction included duration and nature of presenting symptoms, clinical signs recorded, time to diagnosis, time to anti-malarial treatment and fluid management. Results There were 43 cases of malaria, 20 males, 23 females, median age 3 years (3 mths - 12 years), median length of stay 4.3 days (1–11 days). 35/40 (80%) of these cases were classified severe malaria by WHO criteria. The overall mortality rate was 16.3%. 29/40 (73%) were diagnosed prior to admission: only 22(55%) received a first dose of anti malarial drug within 4 h of presentation. 12% experienced significant diagnostic delays. No child received either normal saline or albumin bolus. 12% received a bolus of dextrose. 10 patients (25%) received blood transfusions. 30 patients (75%) received intravenous quinine, as artesunate, the WHO recommended first line for the treatment of severe malaria, is not currently available in our hospital. Discussion Children hospitalised with malaria in rural Zambia continue to have unacceptably high mortality. This audit highlights the importance of urgent medical review, need for earlier diagnosis and prompt initiation of better antimalarial agents. Late diagnosis and lack of availability of artesunate were identified as potential significant contributors to the high mortality rates in this audit.


In Venezuela, Bothrops colombiensis is responsible for about 80% of the bites by venomous snakes. The aim of this study was to determine the testicular ultrastructural changes produced by the toxic aggression of Bothrops colombiensis venom. Ten mice were inoculated intramuscularly with crude venom (2.5 mg /kg weight). Groups of 5 mice were sacrificed at 1 and 48 hours after venom inoculation (the control group was inoculated with saline solution). Samples of testicular tissue were extracted and immediately fixed by routine procedures and then processed for observation in a Hitachi H-300 transmission electron microscope. Ultrastructural changes in testicular tissue showed mitochondria changes of Sertoli cells, acrosomal membranes of the spermatids, and spermatozoids in their different stages. Comparing mitochondria from exposed animals versus control group oedematous mitochondria with lysis of the cristae, presenting a poor electronics density were evidenced. Mitochondria were inserted in a cellular debris environment. Lesions of the acrosomes were characterized by alterations of the external acrosomal membrane, intense separation of the internal acrosomal membrane and nuclear band, severe alterations at sperm tail level, characterized by a large submembranal space in contrast with controls, where the close vicinity between the membrane and mitochondria of the tail of spermatide was evident. The mitochondrial swelling in other biological systems is related to an ionic deregulation (Ca²+), which in this particular case could be assumed that the venom interact with the membrane, altering architecture and losing function as barrier.


Two approaches to treat solvent polarization and reorientation effects for excited states of molecules and surfaces have been implemented in the recently developed MSINDO‐sCIS method (Gadaczek, Krause, Hintze, Bredow, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2011, 7, 3675). They allow for an efficient calculation of analytical energy gradients and hence open the opportunity to investigate fluorescence effects or photochemical reactions in solution for large molecules that are difficult to treat with high‐level methods. Both approaches are based on the conductor‐like screening model (COSMO) (Klamt and Schüürmann, J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1993, 2, 799) in combination with the configuration interaction singles (CIS) method (Foresman, Head‐Gordon, Pople, and Frisch, J. Phys. Chem. 1992, 96, 135). The paper gives a brief outline of the theoretical background. As a first application, solvent shifts of three well‐studied, environment‐sensitive fluorescent dyes (Kucherak, Didier, Mély, and Klymchenko, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2010, 1, 616) have been calculated and compared with experimental results and standard time‐dependent density functional theory. A statistical evaluation of MSINDO‐COSMO‐sCIS is provided for a set of 39 molecules suggested recently by Jacquemin et al. (Jacquemin, Planchat, Adamo, and Mennucci, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2012, 8, 2359). Calculated vertical and adiabatic excitation energies and fluorescence energies are compared to experimental data. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Continuous-time systems can be converted to discrete-event descriptions using the Quantized State Systems (QSS) formalism. Hence it is possible to simulate continuous-time systems using a discrete-event simulation tool, such as a simulation engine based on the DEVS formalism. A new Dymola library, ModelicaDEVS, was developed that implements the DEVS formalism. DEVS has been shown to be efficient for the simulation of systems exhibiting frequent switching operations, such as flyback converters. ModelicaDEVS contains a number of basic components that can be used to carry out DEVS simulations of physical systems. Furthermore, it is also possible with some restrictions to combine the two simulation types of ModelicaDEVS and Dymola (discrete-event and discrete-time simulation) and create hybrid models that contain ModelicaDEVS as well as standard Dymola components.


Informed MCMC methods have been proposed as scalable solutions to Bayesian posterior computation on high-dimensional discrete state spaces. We study a class of MCMC schemes called informed importance tempering (IIT), which combine importance sampling and informed local proposals. Spectral gap bounds for IIT estimators are obtained, which demonstrate the remarkable scalability of IIT samplers for unimodal target distributions. The theoretical insights acquired in this note provide guidance on the choice of informed proposals in model selection and the use of importance sampling in MCMC methods.


Reactive processing combines melt mixing process and chemical reaction simultaneously. TPVs are produced by such reactive processing. Polymer modification with high energy electrons is based on generation of excited atoms or mol- ecules and ions for subsequent molecular changes via radical induced chemical reactions. In the present study, electron induced reactive processing is used for the development of TPVs. A 1.5 MeV electron accelerator was directly coupled to an internal mixer in order to induce chemical reactions by energy input via high energy electrons under dynamic conditions of melt mixing of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM). The influence of absorbed dose (25 to 100 kGy) as well as electron energy (1.5 and 0.6 MeV) and electron treatment time (15 to 60 s) have been stud- ied. Increased values of both tensile strength and elongation at break of the TPVs indicate in-situ compatibilisation of PP and EPDM as well as cross-linking in the EPDM phase upon electron induced reactive processing. Dynamic mechanical analyses showed a decrease in value of glass transition temperature peak of EPDM in tangent delta curve with increasing dose. This also indicates higher degree of cross-linking in EPDM phase, which is further supported by a gel content that is higher than the EPDM content itself in the blend.


Objective To evaluate the image quality and lesion detectability of pancreatic phase thin-slice computed tomography (CT) images reconstructed with a deep learning–based reconstruction (DLR) algorithm compared with filtered-back projection (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms. Methods Fifty-three patients who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced CT including pancreatic phase were enrolled in this retrospective study. Pancreatic phase thin-slice (0.625 mm) images were reconstructed with each FBP, hybrid IR, and DLR. Objective image quality and signal-to-noise ratio of the pancreatic parenchyma, and contrast-to-noise ratio of pancreatic lesions were compared between the 3 reconstruction algorithms. Two radiologists independently assessed the image quality of all images. The diagnostic performance for the detection of pancreatic lesions was compared among the reconstruction algorithms using jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results Deep learning–based reconstruction resulted in significantly lower image noise and higher signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio than hybrid IR and FBP (P < 0.001). Deep learning–based reconstruction also yielded significantly higher visual scores than hybrid IR and FBP (P < 0.01). The diagnostic performance of DLR for detecting pancreatic lesions was highest for both readers, although a significant difference was found only between DLR and FBP in one reader (P = 0.02). Conclusions Deep learning–based reconstruction showed improved objective and subjective image quality of pancreatic phase thin-slice CT relative to other reconstruction algorithms and has potential for improving lesion detectability.


In this paper we propose a mechanical structure with 5 degrees of freedom, designed to be used for induction hardening of metallic profiles which are used in building framed structures. All 5 joints of the proposed mechanical structure are prismatic, required to move a metallic profile through the inducer. The simulation was achieved using Unity3D software which provides the virtual environment needed for our purposes. To use the virtual simulation of the structure, we have had to build software components to help us gain access to the simulated components during the simulation. More components were added to implement the user interface and also the management backbone of the entire simulation. All of the software components which are used to interact with the mechanical system or its joints have been configured individually, supplying environment or physical variables for each component.


Old Delhi - known as Shahjahanabad - can be considered a living historic city, where the built heritage shows often a lack of maintenance and preservation throughout the ages. Studying what heritage and conservation area in India and understanding what it has been done until now in this field, I chose to focus my attention on a traditional courtyard mansion type constructed during the Mughal period, called "haveli". Analyzing a neighborhood called Dharampura, I tried to better understand the urban reality, with its main features, and to meet people living/working there. So, my final goal is thinking of the reuse of an haveli in Old Delhi– thanks to an adaptive reuse design project - that would like to be a pilot project showing a common path and tangible action to revitalize all the havelis of the historic city.


Objective. To investigate the exact mechanism of melatonin to prohibit the apoptosis of neural cells induced by various kinds of cytotoxic agents. Methods. We used the methods of phase contrast microscopy, MTT assay and hoechst dye staining to check this mechanism in SKNSH and U251 cell lines. Results. Both 2mmol/L H2O2 and 0. 5 μmol/L amyloid β- protein (Aβ) induce these two cell lines die via apoptosis. Either melatonin or glutathione can significantly protect both cell lines. The protective effect of 10 μmol/L melatonin is as same as that of 60μmol/L glutathione. Conclusion. Melatonin can partly inhibit the cytotoxicity of H2O2 and Aβ through its role as a free radical scavenger.


Social networks are ubiquitous, with online networks garnering a large portion of Web traffic. Both online and offline, social networks structures are an interesting data source whose importance has been recognized for over a hundred years. Research on social network analysis has dealt with properties of entire networks, in addition to properties of nodes or sets of nodes. A user queries a social network in pursuit of a desired outcome, such as an expert on a specific medical condition, a set of influential people to promote a new product, or a well-balanced group of database experts to form a program committee. The user may know what the desired outcome is, and may even be able to express it in a formal query language, given the right abstract predicates to represent typical social-network measures (e.g., the importance of a node or its relevance to some keywords). However, choosing the best implementations for these predicates, as well as optimal ranking functions for the results, will often be beyond the abilities of a standard user. In fact, even an expert may experience difficulty with such a task, as the quality of solutions may depend on the precise query at hand, the user preferences, and the nature of the network. This paper suggests a novel vision of a social network database system. This system incorporates abstract predicates relevant to social networks as primitive building blocks in the query language, and uses machine learning, as an integral part of the query processor, to select and improve upon the predicate implementations. The paper discusses the main features of such a system, as well as the implementation challenges.


This study proposes and applies a comprehensive learning particle swarm optimization (CLPSO) fuzzy Petri net (FPN) algorithm, which is based on the CLPSO algorithm and FPN, to the fault diagnosis of a complex motor. First, the transition confidence is replaced by a Gaussian function to deal with the uncertainty of fault propagation. Then, according to the Petri net principle, a competition operator is introduced to improve the matrix reasoning. Finally, a CLPSO-FPN model for motor fault diagnosis is established based on the motor failure mechanism and fault characteristics. The CLPSO algorithm is used to generate the system parameters for fault diagnosis and to improve the adaptability and accuracy of fault diagnosis. This study considers the example of a three-phase asynchronous motor. The results show that the proposed algorithm can diagnose faults in this motor with satisfactory adaptability and accuracy compared with the traditional FPN algorithm. By establishing the system model, the fault propagation process of motors can be accurately and intuitively expressed, thus improving the fault treatment and equipment maintenance of motors.


Ethyne was probably first made in the laboratory by Edmund Davy in 1836. It was rediscovered nearly a quarter of a century later by Berthelot who gave it the name acetylene. Since that time ethyne has become a cheap raw material for the synthesis of organic materials and an important industrial fuel. A summary of the available solubility data for ethyne was published by Miller in 1965 [S. A Miller, Acetylene—Its Properties, Manufacture, and Uses (Academic, New York, 1965), Vol. I]. Many more data are now available in a wide range of research papers and patent applications. These data vary in their reliability. In the current work the data for systems included in Miller's book have been reassessed and complemented by data published more recently. Literature has been surveyed to 1999. Data for a system may be unreliable unless two or more groups of workers have published values in close agreement. Where possible values of the mole fraction solubility at a partial pressure of 101.3 kPa have been tabulated. Equations have been given for the variation of mole fraction with temperature in cases in which values over a temperature range are available. The greater the number of independent sources of the data the more the reliance which can be placed on the utility of the resulting equation. Extrapolation of such equations beyond the temperature range of experimental measurements can lead to errors. In many of the systems it may be assumed that approximate values of the mole fraction solubility,x1, at a partial pressure of 101.3 kPa may be obtained by linear extrapolation of values for lower partial pressures,p1, on the assumption that x1/p1 is approximately constant. However a similar linear extrapolation of solubilities at pressures appreciably higher that 101.3 kPa to give mole fraction solubilities at 101.3 kPa can lead to gross errors. For the purpose of evaluation of data use has been made of the Krichevsky–Il'inskaya equation to obtain approximate values of solubilities at 101.3 kPa from measurements at higher pressures. These values were then compared with measurements made at or near to 101.3 kPa.


This study was designed to address the protective effects of Zingiber officinale on the toxic outcomes of prenatal Cadmium administration on pregnancy outcome. Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (eight rats/each), control group received distilled water, 2nd group treated with 8.8 mg of CdCl2/kg b. wt, 3rd group treated with 250 mg of Zingiber officinale/kg b. wt, and 4th group treated with 250 mg of Zingiber officinale/kg b. wt, followed by 8.8 mg of CdCl2/kg b.wt. Daily body weight of pregnant was recorded from GD1-GD20, and then pregnant rats were sacrificed at GD20. Samples of maternal and fetal livers and kidneys were processed for histological examination. Administration of Cd to pregnant rats showed adverse effects on pregnant mothers and their fetuses; reduced maternal weight gain, reduced absolute organ weights, reduced fetal growth parameters and placental weights together with altered histological appearance of the maternal and fetal livers and kidneys. While co-administration of Zingiber officinale showed an improvement of these toxic alterations. Zingiber officinale through its antioxidant activity could be beneficial against toxic outcomes of Cd exposure during pregnancy.


Introduction: Tram (transverse abdominal rectum flap) has remained the most used autologous breast reconstruction method over the last 30 years. First described by Holmström, the flap allows breast reconstruction with analogous tissue, providing natural appearance and consistency and lasting results. Reconstruction of the abdominal wall of the defect installed after flap transposition is a major challenge, and there is no consensus on the form for elevation or closure of the abdominal wall flap. The article aims to present a practical method for abdominal wall reconstructions to reduce morbidity in patients undergoing breast reconstruction with TRAM. Methods: This is a descriptive work of a systematic abdominal wall reconstruction technique using propylene mesh. Result: Once the technique is applied, we have an abdominal wall covered with polypropylene fabric, fully fixed and well adapted. The systematization of abdominal wall reconstruction after reconstruction with TRAM was performed, which is characterized by being easy to reproduce and applicable. Conclusion: The technique is a good alternative in abdominal wall reconstructions for the surgeon, systematizing polypropylene mesh adaptation. ■ ABSTRACT


A mouse endometrial cell population has been isolated by mild tryptic digestion of the uterine lining. The cells were morphologically similar to endometrial gland cells in the intact mouse endometrial gland. The endometrial cells had a modal chromosome number of 66. The cells were adherent to glass as well as plastic and contained numerous large refractile, osmophilic, non‐membrane‐limited granules which stain with periodic acid‐Schiff reagent but do not stain with oil red O, Sudan black, or Alcian blue. Cell growth was responsive to 17β‐estradiol; cell number increased 1.34‐fold in 4 days in the presence of 10−8 M estradiol. The cells are not tumorigenic. The cells showed induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity when 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) was added to the growth media for 24 h. AHH activity and its induction were investigated with cells grown in the presence and absence 10−8 M estradiol. Cells grown in media containing estradiol exhibited a 6.2‐fold induction by TCDD; cells grown without estradiol gave an 8.4‐fold induction of AHH activity. AHH activity and its induction by TCDD were demonstrated in cells grown with fetal calf serum that had been pretreated with dextran‐coated charcoal to remove endogenous steroids. Benzanthracene failed to induce AHH activity significantly.


Natural products of higher plants may possess a new source of antimicrobial agents with possibly novel mechanisms of action. They are effective in the treatment of infectious diseases while simultaneously mitigating many of the side effects that are often associated with conventional antimicrobials. A method using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to study the morphology of the bacterial and fungal microbes and thus determining antimicrobial activity is presented in the chapter.


[1] We present an overview of the spatial distributions of nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and halocarbons observed over the western north Pacific as part of the NASA GTE Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific (TRACE-P) airborne field campaign (February–April 2001). The TRACE-P data are compared with earlier measurements from the Pacific Rim during the Pacific Exploratory Mission-West B (PEM-West B), which took place in February–March 1994, and with emission inventory data for 2000. Despite the limited spatial and temporal data coverage inherent to airborne sampling, mean levels of the longer-lived NMHCs (including ethane, ethyne, and benzene) were remarkably similar to our results during the PEM-West B campaign. By comparison, mixing ratios of the fire extinguisher Halon-1211 (CF2ClBr) increased by about 50% in the period between 1994 and 2001. Southern China (south of 35°N), and particularly the Shanghai region, appears to have been a substantial source of Halon-1211 during TRACE-P. Our previous analysis of the PEM-West B data employed methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3) as a useful industrial tracer. However, regulations have reduced its emissions to the extent that its mixing ratio during TRACE-P was only one-third of that measured in 1994. Methyl chloroform mixing ratio "hot spots," indicating regions downwind of continuing emissions, included outflow from the vicinity of Shanghai, China, but particularly high emission ratios relative to CO were observed close to Japan and Korea. Tetrachloroethene (C2Cl4) levels have also decreased significantly, especially north of 25°N, but this gas still remains a useful indicator of northern industrial emissions. Methyl bromide (CH3Br) levels were systematically 1–2 pptv lower from 1994 to 2001, in accord with recent reports. However, air masses that had been advected over Japan and/or South Korean port cities typically exhibited elevated levels of CH3Br. As a consequence, emissions of CH3Br from Japan and Korea calculated employing CH3Br/CO ratios and scaled to CO emission inventory estimates, were almost as large as for all of south China (south of 35°N). Total east Asian emissions of CH3Br and CH3Cl were estimated to be roughly 4.7 Gg/yr and 167 Gg/yr, respectively, in 2001.


The effect of intestinal wall temperature variations on the digestive motility has been studied in the non anaesthetized dog. The results show the presence of a linear relation between the basic electrical rythm frequency and the intestinal wall temperature; the frequence of spikes potentials emission is an exponentiel function of intestinal wall temperature.


This research is to find out and examine the "Analysis of the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in SDIT Citra Insani Driving School, Cikarang. This research was conducted using a phenomenological approach. This type of research is qualitative research that looks and hears more closely and in detail an individual's explanation and understanding of his or her experiences. The phenomenological approach is based on the interest of researchers to study more deeply about the phenomena experienced by key informants. The research was conducted at SDIT Citra Insani, Cikarang. The informants in this study were teachers, principals, supervisors. Data collection is carried out by several techniques, namely; (a) observation; (b) interviews; and (c) documentation studies To ensure the validity of the data is carried out with several efforts as follows: (a) extending the data collection period, (b) making continuous and earnest observations, (c) triangulating, and (d) involving colleagues to discuss. From the results of the study in this study, it was found that there is an independent curriculum that is a reference in driving schools, which produces students who believe and are devoted to the One God and have noble morals, Global diversity, mutual assistance, independence, creativity, and critical reasoning. The driving principals encourage a wide variety of participatory, unique and innovative programs. Fostering cooperation with teachers who support their leaders in participating in realizing mobilizing schools.


The measurement of regulatory T cells (Treg) by flow cytometry provides important information in the assessment of new anti-tumor drug candidates, particularly in regards to an immuno-oncology mechanism of action. An assay was validated using a fit-for-purpose approach to characterize an optimized multi-parameter flow cytometry protocol for the identification and quantification of Treg from whole blood for use in global clinical trials, using standardized central laboratory sample testing. The method established at ILS-New York detects Treg by using fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies which bind the cellular surface marker proteins CD45, CD3, CD4, CD25, and intracellular FOXP3. This method was determined to yield low non-specific labeling and increased Treg resolution with limited cell loss. Validation of the Treg assay included titration of monoclonal antibodies, assessment of stability of collected samples, inter- and intra- assay precision determinations, and analyst-to-analyst and instrument-to-instrument comparisons. In addition, global harmonization of the procedure was conducted across three ILS laboratories in New York, Dublin and Singapore. Samples were acquired on a BD FACSCanto II flow cytometer and results averaged across five donors. Samples, assessed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours post-collection, were stable up to 72 hours post-collection. The percent coefficient of variation calculated for intra- and inter- assay precision assessments, in the measurement of the percentage of CD25+FOXP3+ cells, was found to be In conclusion, in clinical trials analyzing cancer immunotherapy candidates that modulate lymphocyte immune responses, it is informative to have an established method for Treg analysis that is robust and reproducible. This is especially important as Treg are a low frequency subpopulation, ranging from 1% to 7% of CD4+ T lymphocytes in normal peripheral blood, and assessment of differences between low frequency populations can lead to increased variability. Despite the low frequency of these cells, our data indicate that a validated Treg assay allows for clinical trials to be carried out with multiple subjects that can be assessed at multiple time points. Importantly, this method has been validated at different sites around the world, with the ability to obtain comparable data from North America, Europe, and Asia. Applying complex scientific techniques such as multicolor flow cytometry, in a globally harmonized manner, will provide important data for drug development of immuno-oncology therapeutic candidates and ultimately serve to accelerate new therapeutic options to patients. Citation Format: Li Zhou, Krista D. Buono, Christina D. Swenson, Michelle Brien, Thomas W. Mc Closkey. Validation of an assay to identify regulatory T cells by flow cytometry in global clinical trials. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A026.


The authors propose a method for integrity checking in the context of temporal deductive databases. A temporal deductive database is a deductive database that supports some aspect of time, in our case valid time, in which valid time is the time when the fact is true in the modelled reality. Their method augments a database with a set of transition and event rules, which explicitly define the insertions and deletions by database update. Standard SLDNF resolution can then be used to check satisfaction of integrity constraints. A temporal deductive database has to be consistent, that is, after performing an update the database must satisfy its set of integrity constraints. Using their method the temporal deductive database is always consistent because if a retroactive or proactive update violated some integrity constraint the update would be rejected.


The present study investigates solid–liquid separation behaviors in centrifugal sedimentation for concentrated bidisperse colloidal suspensions containing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles of two di erent submicron sizes with equal densities, using an analytical centrifuge. The sedimentation coe cient for describing the settling rate of the interface separating the dispersion from clear liquid was determined from the sedimentation curve drawn based on the measurements of near-infrared light transmission. It was found that the sedimentation coe cient decreased with decreasing porosity and increasing ratio of the volume of small particles to volume of total particles, while it was little in uenced by the initial height of suspension and the angular velocity of the rotor. A model was developed for describing the relation between the sedimentation coe cient and porosity in a suspension in the centrifugal sedimentation of a bidisperse suspension. In the low concentration region, the sedimentation coe cient was determined from the settling rate of small particles because small particles settled independently from large particles in the upper zone. In contrast, the sedimentation coe cient in the high concentration region was obtained based on the mean speci c surface area size of small and large particles determined using the mixing ratio, since small and large particles settled collectively. In addition, the critical porosity determining the boundary between low and high concentration regions was well described by the model developed. The validity of the model was con rmed by comparing the calculations with experimental data.


This paper examines the category C^k_{d,n} whose morphisms are d-dimensional smooth manifolds that are properly embedded in the product of a k-dimensional cube with an (d+n-k)-dimensional Euclidean space. There are k directions to compose k-dimensional cubes, so C^k_{d,n} is a (strict) k-tuple category. The geometric realization of the k-dimensional multi-nerve is the classifying space BC^k_{d,n}.
At the end of the paper we construct an infinite loop map to Waldhausens K-theory. \Omega BC^1_{d,n}-> A(BO(d)), We believe that the map factors through \Omega^\infty\Sigma^\infty(BO(d)_+) and that the composite B{Diff}(M^d)\to A(BO(d)) is homotopic to the map considered by Dwyer, Williams and Weiss.


We carried out a genome-wide association study in Latin Americans and identified novel face morphology loci.. To characterize the genetic basis of facial features in Latin Americans, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of more than 6000 individuals using 59 landmark-based measurements from two-dimensional profile photographs and ~9,000,000 genotyped or imputed single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We detected significant association of 32 traits with at least 1 (and up to 6) of 32 different genomic regions, more than doubling the number of robustly associated face morphology loci reported until now (from 11 to 23). These GWAS hits are strongly enriched in regulatory sequences active specifically during craniofacial development. The associated region in 1p12 includes a tract of archaic adaptive introgression, with a Denisovan haplotype common in Native Americans affecting particularly lip thickness. Among the nine previously unidentified face morphology loci we identified is the VPS13B gene region, and we show that variants in this region also affect midfacial morphology in mice.


In order to reduce postoperative opioid requirement, extrapleural local anaesthetic infusion dosing recommendations and guidelines for extrapleural catheter insertion were developed in our institution for 'extubatable' neonates requiring short-gap neonatal tracheo-oesophageal fistula/oesophageal atresia repair (via thoracotomy) and audited prospectively. Data audited included patient characteristics, analgesia details and ventilation duration. We divided patients into two groups: group 1 – term patients (>36 weeks gestational age) with birth-weights >2.5 kg; group 2 – pre-term patients (<36 weeks gestational age), with birth weights <2.5 kg and those with co-morbidities. There were 26 neonates in group 1 and 11 in group 2. All received extrapleural infusions of bupivacaine or levobupivacaine: the majority (90%) <300 μg.kg−1.hour−1 (median duration 43 hours, range 1.5 to 72 hours); 36% required morphine infusion and 39% were ventilated (median duration 34 hours, range 3 to 140 hours). In group 1, 24% required morphine infusion compared with 64% in group 2. Most group 1 patients (77%) were extubated immediately postoperatively; 20% had short duration ventilation (median 15 hours, range 11 to 37 hours); one required longer-term ventilation (231 hours). 82% of group 2 were ventilated for a median of 72 hours (range 3 to 140 hours). Review of patients' co-morbidities facilitated guideline revision. These now specify use in neonates requiring short-gap tracheo-oesophageal fistula/oesophageal atresia repair who are term at >36 weeks gestational age and >2.5 kg birth-weight, anticipated as ready for extubation either immediately or shortly after surgery.


Soybean is among the important pulse crops grown in different parts of Ethiopia as stable food and income generation source. Market continue to be seen as the means for ensuring that smallholder farmers of agricultural products are effectively integrated into the mainstream of national economies. The study was conducted in Chewaka district of Buno Bedele zone. Both primary and secondary data were used for this study. A three stage of sampling technique was employed to select appropriate sample household heads. Descriptive statistics and costs and margins analysis methods along the value chains were employed for the study. The core functions in soya bean value chain of the study area include: input supply, production, marketing, processing and consumption. Under this core functions, actors are broadly classified into three, namely inputs suppliers, direct market actors and chain supporters. The study result indicated that there is fair producers' share of final price among all major marketing channels and market actors obtained fair selling price of net margin in five major marketing channels, but traders obtained low net marketing margin. Major constraints that influence the development of soya bean value chain in the study area were identified and prioritized. Access market information, linkage, farmers-cooperatives contractual and others issues need attention. Keywords : Soya bean, marketing margin and value chain