We demonstrate the transient parity-time (PT) symmetry in electronics. It is revealed by equivalent circuit transformation according to the switching states of electronic systems. With the phasor method and Laplace transformation, we derive the hidden PT-symmetric Hamiltonian in the switching oscillation, which are characterized by free oscillation modes. Both spectral and dynamic properties of the PT electronic structure demonstrate the phase transition with eigenmode orthogonality. Importantly, the observed transient PT symmetry enables exceptional-point-induced optimal switching oscillation suppression, which shows the significance of PT symmetry in electronic systems with temporary responses. Our work paves the way for breakthroughs in the PT symmetry theory and has essential applications such as anti-interference in switch-mode electronics.


It is a pleasure to review the second, thoroughly revised edition of Dr Morison's popular book on the use of light in the treatment of skin disease. Compared with the first edition published in 1983, the current version has been updated with new recommendations for the phototherapy of psoriasis and expanded with detailed information on photochemotherapy protocols using retinoids and other systemic drugs. There are also chapters on photopheresis and laser therapy. The first five chapters of this book provide a concise and quite readable review of the basic principles of photobiology and the history of phototherapy and therapy with psoralen and UVA (PUVA). One who is interested in an in-depth discussion of the fundamentals of photobiology, however, should seek additional information in other texts. The next section, consisting of four chapters, covers the management of psoriasis. This section addresses the essential elements of the patient workup with clarity and


The reflectance of evaporated rhenium (Re) and tungsten (W) was measured in the wavelength region from 300 to 2000 A. Re and W of 99.99% purity were evaporated with a 6-kW fine-focused electron gun and deposited on glass and fused-quartz plates of various temperatures ranging from 40 to 500°C. With Re, films of highest reflectance were obtained by evaporation onto unheated substrates, whereas with W, heating of the substrate greatly increased the reflectance of the deposited films. Both materials showed higher reflectances as rather thin, semitransparent films than as opaque ones. With coatings produced under optimum conditions, Re films had a reflectance maximum of 36% at 630 A and tungsten films had two reflectance maxima, at 630 and 970 A, of about 33% each. This is higher than that of any mirror coating presently used at these wavelengths. For both metals, the reflectance losses during extended exposure to air remained rather small, indicating that the oxide films formed on both film materials at room temperature were very thin. Re is a particularly useful coating material for replica gratings that cannot be heated during the deposition, because highest reflectance is obtained with unheated substrates.


Control barrier functions have been widely used for synthesizing safety-critical controls, often via solving quadratic programs. However, the existence of Gaussian-type noise may lead to unsafe actions and result in severe consequences. In this paper, we study systems modeled by stochastic differential equations (SDEs) driven by Brownian motions. We propose a notion of stochastic control barrier functions (SCBFs) and show that SCBFs can significantly reduce the control efforts, especially in the presence of noise, compared to stochastic reciprocal control barrier functions (SRCBFs), and offer a less conservative estimation of safety probability, compared to stochastic zeroing control barrier functions (SZCBFs). Based on this less conservative probabilistic estimation for the proposed notion of SCBFs, we further extend the results to handle high relative degree safety constraints using high-order SCBFs. We demonstrate that the proposed SCBFs achieve good trade-offs of performance and control efforts, both through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations.


Amylases are one of the most important industrial enzymes produced worldwide, with their major application being in ethanol manufacturing. This work investigated the production of amylases by solid-state fermentation of babassu cake, using the filamentous fungus Aspergillus awamori IOC-3914. Lab-scale experiments were carried out to generate input data for simulations of an industrial plant for amylase production. Additionally to the target enzymes, other hydrolases (cellulases, xylanases, and proteases) were also produced, enriching the final product. The most suitable fermentation time was 144 hours, when exoamylase and endoamylase activities of 40.5 and 42.7 U g−1 were achieved, respectively. A first evaluation showed a large impact of the inoculum propagation medium on production costs. Therefore, five propagation media were compared, and PDA medium presented the best cost-benefit ratio. The credits obtained from sales of fermented cake as a coproduct enabled a significant decrease in the production cost of the enzyme product, down to 10.40 USD kg−1.


We present results of the evolution of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars of 3 and 5 M ○. with solar metallicity calculated with the Eggleton stellar evolution code (STARS), which has a fully implicit and simultaneous method for solving for the stellar structure, convective mixing and nuclear burning. We introduce the concept of a viscous mesh in order to improve the numerical stability of the calculations. For the 5-M ○. star, we evolve through 25 thermal pulses and their associated third dredge-up events. We obtain a maximum helium luminosity of 1.7 x 10 9 L ○. and significantly deep dredge-up after the second pulse. Strong hot-bottom burning is observed after the fifth pulse. The 3-M ○. model is evolved through 20 thermal pulse events, and we find third dredge-up after the seventh pulse. During the 14th pulse, sufficient carbon has been brought to the surface to produce a carbon star. We find that dredge-up and the transformation into a carbon star occur at significantly smaller core masses (0.584 and 0.608 M ○. , respectively) than in previous calculations for 3 M ○. .


Catecholamines regulate white adipose tissue function and development by acting through beta- and alpha2-adrenergic receptors (ARs). Human adipocytes express mainly alpha 2A- but few or no beta 3-ARs while the reverse is true for rodent adipocytes. Our aim was to generate a mouse model with a human-like alpha2/beta-adrenergic balance in adipose tissue by creating transgenic mice harbouring the human alpha 2A-AR gene under the control of its own regulatory elements in a combined mouse beta 3-AR-/- and human beta 3-AR+/+ background. Transgenic mice exhibit functional human alpha 2A-ARs only in white fat cells. Interestingly, as in humans, subcutaneous adipocytes expressed higher levels of alpha2-AR than perigonadal fat cells, which are associated with a better antilipolytic response to epinephrine. High-fat-diet-induced obesity was observed in transgenic mice in the absence of fat cell size modifications. In addition, analysis of gene expression related to lipid metabolism in isolated adipocytes suggested reduced lipid mobilization and no changes in lipid storage capacity of transgenic mice fed a high-fat diet. Finally, the development of adipose tissue in these mice was not associated with significant modifications of glucose and insulin blood levels. Thus, these transgenic mice constitute an original model of diet-induced obesity for in vivo physiological and pharmacological studies with respect to the alpha2/beta-AR balance in adipose tissue.


A novel maximum power point (MPP) search algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) array power systems is introduced. The proposed algorithm determines the maximum power point of a PV array for any temperature and solar irradiation level using an online procedure. The method needs only the online values of the PV array output voltage and current, which can be obtained easily by using just current and voltage transducers. The algorithm requires neither the measurement of temperature and solar irradiation level nor a PV array model that is mostly used in look-up table based algorithms. Satisfactory results were obtained with the proposed algorithm in a laboratory prototype implementation scheme consisting of a PV array computer emulation model, a chopper controlled permanent magnet DC motor, and a DT2827 data acquisition board with the ATLAB software drivers for interfacing.


This paper quantitatively addresses two issues concerning cyber security economics that prior efforts have not. The first involves cyber security and its effect on a company's reputation. In this case, we focus on the levels of investment companies make related to reputation and how they implicitly reveal their views on cyber security risks. The second involves cyber security regulations. This analysis compares different strategies for choosing companies to regulate and the corresponding levels of risk reduction. This analysis can be used by companies and government policy makers to address cyber security investments decisions. A company's reputation is fundamental to their economic future. An advertisement, or article containing a security breach, can effect their reputation. This paper assumes the rate of advertising is indicative of the value they place on their reputation; hence, this is related to the value they place on cyber security. Comparing spending practices will provide insight into the value a company places on cyber security in regard to preserving their reputation. Early results show some difference in spending among banks, as well as sharper differences between banks and retail sectors in evaluating cyber security. In addition, an expected consequence analysis is performed to compare alternative investment strategies for cyber security components focused on reputation, as measured by the likelihood of a possible cyber attack resulting in media coverage. Historical data provides the basis for results that reveal the consequences implicitly being avoided by companies as a function of their level of investment and other economic variables. The second part of our analysis involves the macroeconomic effects of cyber attacks and their relationship to government regulations. Since cyber attacks have the potential for large indirect economic effects, the need for regulation is apparent. Although cyber security regulations requiring reporting of events currently exist, most security measures are the result of private industry decision-making rather than government influence. This analysis will determine the firms that provide the most economic influence from a risk reduction viewpoint. This analysis explores alternative methods to select firms for possible regulation and compares the level of risk reduction for these choices by using input-output modeling


Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the pain experienced by individuals during the first days of fixed orthodontic treatment.
Methodology: One hundred and twenty patients (65 female; mean age: 18 ± 21 years) were given fixed orthodontic treatment, including the placement of a 0.014 Ni-Ti conventional arch wire (American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA) after the bonding procedure with maxillary and mandibular rear 0.022" slot Roth brackets (Mini Master Series, American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA). A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the level of pain the patients experienced on the first, second, and seventh days of the treatment. The mean VAS scores of the male and female patients were compared using the student's t-test, ANOVA, and the chi-square test.
Results: Males were found to have higher mean VAS scores on the first and second days of the treatment compared to the females (p = 0.001 and p = 0.038, respectively). A greater proportion of the patients (33.33%) experienced pain on the first day of the treatment compared to the second and seventh days (p <0.05).
Conclusion: It was determined that the patients experienced the highest level of pain on the first day of fixed orthodontic treatment. The male patients experienced a higher level of pain than the females on the first and second days of the treatment.

How to cite this article: Topal R. Perception of pain during initial fixed orthodontic treatment. Int Dent Res 2021;11(2):62-6. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2021.vol11.no2.2

Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.


Highly loaded compressors, resulting from high pressure ratios and as few compressor stages as possible, need not only stators with variable stagger but furthermore with variable camber. By this means the blading can be adapted to the velocity triangles at off-design engine power setting leading to less sacrifice of the cycle efficiency and thus better engine power and improved fuel consumption.Stators with variable stagger and camber can be accomplished by a tandem stator design where both stator blades can be adjusted independently from each other. In this investigation the usable range of such a tandem arrangement is measured and it is shown how the interference between the two blades can decrease losses in comparison with the two single blades of the tandem arrangement. Furthermore an inviscid flow calculation with a 2D-Euler-code shows the influence of this interference on the whole flow field.Copyright © 1993 by ASME


Novel phenotypes are increasingly recognized to have evolved by co-option of conserved genes into new developmental contexts, yet the impact of co-option on existing developmental programs remains obscure. Here we provide insight into this process by characterizing the consequences of doublesex co-option on wing color pattern development in Papilio swallowtail butterflies. doublesex is the master regulator of insect sex differentiation but has been co-opted to control the switch between discrete mimetic and non-mimetic, male-like color patterns in Papilio polytes and its close relatives. Here we show that development of the mimetic color pattern in P. polytes is caused by a pulse of dsx expression early in female wing development that results in a corresponding pulse of differential expression that both alters color pattern development and quickly becomes decoupled from dsx expression itself. Differentially expressed genes were enriched in canonical Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathway genes, but case studies of key genes using RNAi and antibody stains suggested opposing, novel roles for the two pathways in mimetic color pattern development. The pulse of Dsx expression caused Engrailed, the key transcription factor effector of Hh signaling, to gain anterior expression in early pupal wing development. However, Dsx and En became decoupled by mid-pupal development when En pre-figured melanic and red patterns and Dsx pre-figured white patterns. In contrast, Wnt signaling antagonizes Dsx in restricted regions of the wing to refine the mimetic color pattern. Our results therefore provide strong experimental evidence that dsx co-option significantly altered spatiotemporal activities of conserved wing patterning pathways to promote and refine the development of a novel adaptive color pattern. Altogether, our findings provide strong evidence for how co-opted genes can both cause and elicit changes to established gene regulatory networks during the evolution and development of novel phenotypes.


In this paper, effect of the process parameters variation on response characteristics such as threshold voltage (VTH) in 32nm p-channel Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) device was investigated. An orthogonal array, signal-to noise (S/N) ratio and analysis of variance were employed to studythe performance characteristics of the p-channel device. The control factors were used in this research are oxide growth temperature, VTH implant energy, Source/Drain (S/D) implant dose and compensation implant energy. The fabrication of the transistor device was performed using TCAD simulator, consisting of a process simulator, ATHENA and device simulator, ATLAS. The results were then subjected to the Taguchi method to determine the optimal process parameters and to produce predicted values. In pchannel device, VTHimplant energy (57%) was identified as one of the control factor that has the strongest effect on the threshold voltage.The result shows that the VTHvalue has least variance and percent different from the target value (-0.289V) for this device is 3.11% (-0.280V). As conclusions, setting up design of experiment with the Taguchi Method of L9 orthogonal arrays and TCAD simulator, the optimal solution for the robust design recipe of 32nm p-channel device was successfully achieved.


This paper explores the relationship between divination and charming in twentyfirst century Canada. Drawing upon my ongoing research with Canadian divination practitioners, primarily in the province of Alberta, I focus on the ways in which these connections are created and utilised within contemporary divinatory acts. Doing so provides insights into how and why these practices are being adapted to new contexts, the individuals who undertake them, and the communities that they serve. By recognising this ongoing process of integration, it is possible to gain insights into the needs that these combined acts meet within modern communities and identify the gaps in current social structures, particularly in relation to health and healing, that lead individuals to seek out and adapt these traditional practices for a modern audience.


To improve the solubility of a kind of plant polysaccharide derivative (SJ) in drilling fluid system, it was modified by sulfonation with sodium 3-chloride-2-hydroxy-propyl sulphonate (CHPS) as sulfonating reagent. The reaction conditions were investigated by orthogonal designed experiments, and the optimized conditions were as follows: the mass ratio of CHPS to SJ is 0.6g/1g with pH 12 at the temperature of 90℃. The viscosity of sulfonated SJ (SJS) drilling fluid system was greatly improved and the temperature had a slight effect on rheological properties below 120℃. The inhibitive property of SJS is evaluated by clay-swelling tests and the mud ball immersing tests, which is obviously stronger than SJ and even more effective than 4wt% KCl solution.


In this article, Healthy Housing is discussed as a potential field of knowledge and practices to be applied in the Health Promotion strategy and as an instrument in a larger discussion of problems in health and living standards. The development and consolidation of Health Promotion is presented focusing the discussion on two fields of action: healthy public policies and the establishment of healthy environments. The concepts of habitability and ambience are presented as a path conducive to reflection and the development of closer ties between Health Promotion and Healthy Housing.


Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) have been shown to mediate various functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems. These include modulation of exocrine glandular secretion, vasodilatation and smooth muscle contraction, cell proliferation or survival, neural development and synaptic plasticity. mAChRs are activated by both endogenously produced acetylcholine and exogenously administered muscarinic compounds. Pharmacological, anatomical and molecular studies have demonstrated the existence of five muscarinic receptor subtypes, denoted as muscarinic M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5, which belong to class I family of heptahelical, transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).
Each receptor subtypes are characterized by a distinct selectivity for heterotrimeric G protein coupling. Thus, M1, M3 and M5 are coupled to Gq/11 proteins and stimulate phospholipase C activity, resulting in the generation of the second messengers inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG), the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). On the other hand, M2 and M4 are coupled to Gi/0 proteins, which results in the inhibition of adenilate cyclase, as well as prolonging potassium channel, non-selective cation channel, and transient receptor potential channel opening. By means of this differential set of G protein partners, mAChRs can initiate distinct signalling pathways within a same cell in order to trigger diverse, even opposed, functional outcomes in response to the same stimuli. It has been proven as well that mAChRs regulate a baste network of signalling intermediates, including small GTPase Rho, phospholipase D, phosphoinositide-3 kinase, non-receptor kinases and mitogenactivated protein kinases.
Although the first proteins found to have functional interactions with mAChRs were, of course, G proteins, an increasing amount of evidence in the field suggests that this simplistic model defined as "one receptor -one G protein -one effector no longer exists. A great number of proteins have been identified as interacting with mAChRs, including GPCRs, kinases, and scaffolding proteins such as arrestin. Determining in part the signalling efficiency/specificity for mAChRs. Thus, receptors are now considered as complex signalling units, or signalosomes, that dynamically couple to multiple G proteins or other molecular entities or scaffold proteins in a temporally and spatially regulated manner, and even can form homodimers or heterodimers with distinct GPCRs or other non-GPCR membrane receptors, resulting in pharmacologically and functionally distinct receptor populations.
In this work "Human M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor protein-protein interactions: roles in receptor signalling and regulation", it is discuss novel mAChRs interacting partners that link the receptors to alternative signalling pathways beyond G proteins. Emphases on explaining how mAChRs regulate signal transduction pathways mediated by these proteins, including receptor dimerization have been putting out.
It has been demonstrated by different approach (from resonance energy transfer to tandem affinity purification and mass spectrometry) the active role of interacting protein in mAChRs regulation and signalling. We shown that a particular complex is not necessarily of invariable composition, nor are all its building blocks uniquely associated with that specific complex. One complex may be the result not only of physical interaction between the receptor and the partners' protein, but also of the participation of many non-"direct" associations resulting in the formation of a network that interconnects the receptor with a number of other pathways, determining receptor specificities. This allows us to address some fundamental questions concerning the importance of molecular mechanisms hidden behind the pharmacology properties for each receptor subtype.


Smith chart conversion of complex numbers from rectangular form to polar form, and vice versa, often involves the construction of one or more constant magnitude circular arcs. If the magnitude is being sought, it is frequently necessary to resort to graphical interpolation between the arcs. In any event, should the magnitude, given or desired, be between approximately one-fourth and four, the centers of the constant magnitude arcs inconveniently lie off the conventional Smith chart. This paper presents geometric methods with brief proofs for keeping all magnitude constructions on the commercial chart and for increasing the accuracy of results by referring interpolations to the accurately printed scalings on the horizontal axis.


The distribution of organic matter in the surface and bottom waters of the Vellar Estuary, Tamil Nadu, India at different locations was determined during the post-monsoon season (1980) from UV-absorption spectra. The integrated UV-absorption spectra of the surface water at 250 and 350 nm revealed high values (1161 units) at the marine zone and low values (860 units) in the fresh water zone indicating that the DOM originates from both areas. The bottom water showed higher integrated UV-absorption only in the middle region of the estuary. Higher UV-absorbance was noticed at 225 than at 250 nm. Further the ratio between 225, 250, 300 and 350 nm revealed an increase towards the short wavelength (225 nm) without much alterations in the values at 250, 300 and 350 nm. The relationship between salinity and UV-characteristics was studied to assess the sources of dissolved organic matter. The nature of UV-absorbance of the culture medium of Unialgal Aphanocapsa sp. Oscillatoria sp. and Phormidium sp. was also investigated for comparison


As U.S. courts temporarily shut down President Donald Trump9s ban on immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries last week, graduates and postdoctoral students now in the United States weighed their options and tried to plan rationally in an unpredictable situation. Many are on student visas, which, depending on what the courts decide, may not be renewable. Others are part of a post-Ph.D. program, Optional Practical Training, which appears to be threatened by yet another Trump executive order that was leaked to the media last week. It is not clear whether or in what form the president will sign this draft executive order, which also targets for examination the H-1B visa program that allows skilled scientists to work in the United States for up to 6 years.


In the framework of a gauge approach the problem of an electron localization in elastic materials with disclinations is investigated. The straight wedge disclinations, both topologically stable and unstable, as well as the disclination monopole, are considered. It is shown that for the topologically stable wedge, a disclination strongly localized in the core region electron states appears. For the topologically unstable negative wedge disclination and disclination monopole, the localization process is found to depend essentially on the depth of the deformation potential. The levels of localized electrons as well as the exact form of the normalized wavefunctions of the ground state are obtained numerically.


We present an abstraction technique for multi-agent systems preserving temporal-epistemic specifications. We abstract a multi-agent system, defined in the interpreted systems framework, by collapsing the local states and actions of each agent in the system. We show that the resulting abstract system simulates the concrete system, from which we obtain a preservation theorem: If a temporal-epistemic specification holds on the abstract system, the specification also holds on the concrete one. In principle this permits us to model check the abstract system rather than the concrete one, thereby saving time and space in the verification step. We illustrate the abstraction technique with two examples. The first example, a card game, illustrates the potential savings in the cost of model checking a typical MAS scenario. In the second example, the abstraction technique is used to verify a communication protocol with an arbitrarily large data domain.


Background: The emergency department (ED) has emerged as the primary portal for entry to the hospital for most patients with health care problems, including hypertension. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for heart disease. Disparities may exist in access to hospitalization across race/ethnicity. Our objective was to estimate how the likelihood of hospital admission based on blood pressure (BP) was modified by race/ethnicity. Methods: We used data from the 2014 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a representative sample of non-federal, U.S. emergency department visits. We plotted probability of admission by blood pressure stratified by race/ethnicity to assess for a linear relationship. We then fit logistic regression models that adjusted for other potential confounders including patient-, visit-, and hospital-level factors. All analyses were conducted with relevant SURVEY functions in SAS to account for design. Results: Just over 21,000 visits were included in the study, representing approximately 1.4 million U.S. ED visits. We included the range of systolic blood pressure from 110 to 180 mmHg based on the linear relationship with probability of admission. We found the odds ratio for admission was 1.11 [95% CI: (1.06, 1.18)] for each 10 mmHg rise in systolic blood pressure in the unadjusted analysis. In the final adjusted model accounting for confounders, we found that the relationship between BP and admission was no longer significant 0.96 [0.91 to 1.01]. Whites were substantially more likely to be admitted compared to Blacks and Hispanics at odds ratio 1.5 [1.2 to 2]. Conclusions: The relationship between BP and hospital admission is complicated. Blacks and Hispanics appear less likely to be admitted to the hospital from the ED at a given level of blood pressure even after accounting for triage severity, and other individual and hospital level factors. Further research is needed to better understand this disparity.


Abstract The influence of the rf field inhomogeneity on the NQR nutation spectra of spin / = 3/2 nuclei in powder samples is investigated. To eliminate the rf field inhomogeneity effects, a method of reconstruction of the NQR nutation spectra, based on finding the deconvolution of the Fourier nutation spectrum with a function of the rf field distribution, is used. The method is successfully demonstrated for simulated and experimental NQR nutation spectra of 35C1 in TiCl4 . The lineshape analysis of reconstructed nutation spectra allowing the determination of the EFG asymmetry parameter is given. The real advantage of the proposed method is that the high-resolution nutation spectrum may be obtained for a sample filling up the entire coil.


The focusing of the Total quality management practices is the most important for any organization to increasing level of individual readiness for change regarding TQM implementation, and improve efficiency as well as productivity, a result of that lead to improve performance in all. The total quality management in organizations in Yemen still a lack with issues in implementation of TQM. In this research is aimed to attempt to significant attention on the most important factors that foster the success of change initiative such as TQM implementation at Oil Units in Yemen. The study examines the association between total quality management practices (Human resource management, process management, customer focus & satisfaction, top management commitment, supplier partnership and learning & Training) with individual readiness for change for TQM implementation. This article is focusing on critical success factors who are always association with TQM in work. The collected data analysis showed that three of TQM practices, such as Customer Focus & Satisfaction (CFS), Supplier Partnership (SP) and Human resource management (HRM) are the most supportive TQM practices for increasing IRFC regarding implementation of TQM. Consequently, in this study makes a unique contribution by providing an advanced and deeper comprehension of the relationship between TQM practices and IRFC for TQM implementation at Petroleum Exploration and Production Authority in Yemen.


This work reports the design and construction of a novel potentiostat which features an integrator transimpedance amplifier as a current-monitoring unit. The integration approach addresses the limitations of the feedback resistor approach used for current monitoring in conventional potentiostat designs. In the present design, measurement of the current is performed by a precision switched integrator transimpedance amplifier operated in the dual sampling mode which enables sub-pA resolution. The potentiostat is suitable for measuring very low currents (typical dynamic range: 5 pA-4.7 μA) with a 16 bit resolution, and it can support 2-, 3- and 4-electrode cell configurations. Its operation was assessed by using it as a detection module in a home-made capillary electrophoresis system for the separation and amperometric detection of paracetamol and p-aminophenol at a 3-electrode microfluidic chip. The potential and limitations of the proposed potentiostat to implement fast potential-scan voltammetric techniques were demonstrated for the case of cyclic voltammetry.


Ground tire rubber (GTR) with crosslinked structure has hardly any plasticity and processability, which makes its property very poor. Thermal-mechanical shearing devulcanization method can effectively destroy the crosslinked structure and restore GTR a certain extent of plasticity and processability. This article investigated the characteristic and reprocessing performance of reclaimed rubber prepared through thermal-mechanical shearing devulcanization. The relationship between the devulcanization level (indicated by gel fraction and crosslink density) and the mechanical property was analyzed by sufficient experiments. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analyzer studies revealed the chemical structure of GTR changed and many complex reactions occurred after devulcanization. The gel permeation chromatography indicated the specific changes of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution in devulcanization process. The differential scanning calorimetry revealed various vulcanized abilities and vulcanized structures of reclaimed rubber. The scanning electron microscope further confirmed the recovery of plasticity after devulcanization and the distinct vulcanized structures between revulcanizates. The determination of devulcanization level and mechanical properties verified that mechanical properties especially tensile strength reached to the optimum value only at an appropriate devulcanization level. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013


Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The overall prevalence of BCC is 3 times higher than that of SCC, but this can vary when looking at specific locations such as the hand, where SCC is much more common than BCC. Carcinoma (or epithelioma) cuniculatum is a rare variant of SCC. It was originally described as a verrucous carcinoma of the soles. Exceptionally, it can arise in other parts of the skin. We report a rare case of carcinoma cuniculatum of the right thenar region with bone and lymph node involvement.


Internet of Things (IoT) has gradually become one of the most important platforms across different disciplines, by enabling dedicated physical objects to communicate with other Internet-enabled things. With this trend, more devices in medical environments are capable of connecting with each other, named Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). It aims for improving efficiency and reducing communication delay, e.g., monitoring the status of patients and notifying abnormal events. However, due to the distributed nature, insider attacks are still one of the major threats to such IoT environment. How to improve the trust management in IoMT remains a challenge. Motivated by the popularity of blockchain technology, in this paper, our general goal is to investigate the performance of blockchain-based trust management. In particular, we focus on a particular type of IoMT, named medical smartphone networks (MSNs), because of the wide adoption of smartphones in the medical domain. Then, we apply blockchains for enhancing the effectiveness of Bayesian inference-based trust management to detect malicious nodes in MSNs. In the evaluation, we explore the performance of our approach in two different healthcare environments, and experimental results demonstrate that blockchain technology can help improve the detection efficiency of detecting malicious nodes with reasonable workload.


Objectives To evaluate pneumococcal (PV) and influenza (IV) vaccination status in patients (pts) on biotherapies by researching influencing factors. Methods Pts on biotherapies seen between February and July 2013 were questioned about PV and IV status. Variables analysed: age, sex, disease, treatment, immunisation status, reason for non-vaccination and history of pulmonary infection on biotherapy. Percentage comparisons were performed using chi-square and McNemar's tests. Results 594 pts were analysed (406 F + 188 M): 307 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (51 M +256 F, mean age 59 years); 277 spondyloarthritis (SpA) (135 M +142 F, mean age 48 years); and 10 other diseases. In the RA group, 189 pts were treated with anti-TNFs: 115 with etanercept (Etn); 37 with adalimumab (Ada); 19 with infliximab (Inf); 13 with certolizumab (Cer); and 5 with golimumab (Gol). 118 other pts were treated with another biotherapy, including 42 with rituximab (Rtx); 38 with tocilizumab (To); 24 with abatacept (Aba); and 14 with anakinra (Ana);151 pts had at least 2 biotherapies. One DMARD was combined in 60% and cortisone in 35%. In the SpA group, 271 were treated with anti-TNFs (Ada 121, Etn 85, Inf 46, Gol 14, Cer 5) and 6 with other biotherapies, 86 pts had at least 2 biotherapies. One DMARD was combined in 28% and cortisone in 5%. The 2012-2013 winter IV (recommended for 37% by the general practitioner [GP]; 45% for RA and 28% for SpA), and in 63% after age 65, and in 79% by the rheumatologist (including 82% for RA and 75% for SpA, and in 93% after age 65) was given to 260 pts (43.77%; including 44% for RA and 43% for SpA and in 62% of pts >65 years). Pts having refused were 47%, (55% were RA and 39% were SpA), generally because of fear (45% RA and 32% SpA). PV over the last 5 years (recommended in 14% by the GP, including 16% for RA and 12% for SpA, and in 24% after age 65, and in 78% by the rheumatologist in RA and SpA, and in 86% after age 65) had been done for 370 pts (62.29%; including 60% in RA and 65% in SpA, and in 70% over age 65). Pts having refused were 25% (31% RA and 17% SpA). In total, 37% had two vaccinations (53% after age 65): 33% one of two; 30% neither of the two. 67 pts (48 RA) had an infection (11%), including 20 hospitalisations. Variables selected for a better vaccination: a prior IV; the recommendation by the GP and the rheumatologist (p<0.001); age >65 years (IV p<0.001, PV p=0.02). The other parameters were not influencing (type and number of biotherapies, DMARDs, cortisone, disease). Infections were not lower in those vaccinated compared to those non-vaccinated (number of pts too low). The PV was up-to-date more frequently than the IV (p<0.001) in the two diseases. Fear of side effects was one of the causes of non-vaccination. Conclusions The rate of IV was 44% compared to 62% for PV. Age influences the vaccination status, as well as the information given to the patient. This should be repeated with pts and physicians in order to improve protection. Disclosure of Interest : None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1935


Scholars have viewed Agile Project Management APM as a prominent solution for software and nonsoftware innovative institutions to cope with its unstable environment. APM has been tested in the software field and proven to be successful. Since 2015, there is ongoing war in Yemen that negatively affects most sectors including the business and microfinance sectors. Social Fund for Development SFD, the microfinance industry leader in Yemen, sought solutions for enhancing the Microfinance Institutions MFIs capabilities during the current environment turbulence. This research investigates any possible advantages in adopting APM in the microfinance sector, out of software domain. A qualitative method was used to conduct the research. three microfinance pioneers were selected and 11 professionals from all management levels were interviewed. In addition, three workshop discussions with 22 members of product development teams were held. The study found that adopting APM would help these MFIs to enhance their resilience by bridging the identified gaps and challenges


A review of currently available data on mortality in Tanzania is presented, with particular reference to data reliability and gaps in data availability. Consideration is given to mortality differentials by sex, age, geographic area, rural or urban area, and socioeconomic status.


We report the experimental generation of narrow-band paired photons through electromagnetically induced transparency and spontaneous four-wave mixing in a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT). By controlling the optical depth of the 2D MOT from 0 to 40, the temporal length of the generated narrow-band paired photons can be varied from 50 to 900 ns. The 'transition' between damped Rabi oscillation and group delay is observed undisputedly. In the damped Rabi oscillation regime, a violation factor of the Cauchy—Schwartz inequality as large as 6642 is observed. In the group delay regime, sub-MHz linewidth (~ 0.65 MHz) paired photons are obtained with a generation rate of about 0.8 × 105 s−1.


Causal discovery automates the learning of causal Bayesian networks from data and has been of active interest from their beginning. With the sourcing of large data sets off the internet, interest in scaling up to very large data sets has grown. One approach to this is to parallelize search using Markov Blanket (MB) discovery as a first step, followed by a process of combining MBs in a global causal model. We develop and explore three new methods of MB discovery using Minimum Message Length (MML) and compare them empirically to the best existing methods, whether developed specifically as MB discovery or as feature selection. Our best MML method is consistently competitive and has some advantageous features.


Air and water are two important factors of life. During the course of evolution these two factors play important role.
 A suitable air and water quality is course point of life. Now a days air and water qualities affected by Solid waste
 pollution problem. We started our day to night with these problems. Solid waste causes various types of pollution
 which leads to disturb our daily life. It not only causes the hazard to humans and animal daily life but also causes
 ecological imbalance. Solid waste is a source of pathogenic microbial development. Their main impact lies on water,
 soil and air. Thus in these condition human as well as animals life become so difficult that put question on survival.
 The amount of garbage increasing daily and the dumping area increases so heavily that it can cover our safe zone
 and also lead to sewage problem. Both factors ultimately resulted into various severe diseases. In presented review
 the major problems of garbage or solid waste is concern regarding air and water pollution and its impact.


Brain pericytes regulate diverse aspects of neurovascular development and function, including blood‐brain barrier (BBB) induction and maintenance. Primary brain pericytes have been widely employed in coculture‐based in vitro models of the BBB, and a method to generate brain pericytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) could provide a renewable, genetically tractable source of cells for BBB modeling and studying pericyte roles in development and disease. Here, we describe a protocol to differentiate hPSCs to NG2+PDGFRβ+αSMAlow brain pericyte‐like cells in 22‐25 days through a p75‐NGFR+HNK‐1+ neural crest intermediate, which mimics the developmental origin of forebrain pericytes. The resulting brain pericyte‐like cells have molecular and functional attributes of brain pericytes. We also provide protocols for maintenance, cryopreservation, and recovery of the neural crest intermediate, and for molecular and functional characterization of the resulting cells. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.


Heme oxygenase (HO) catalyzes the degradation of heme to produce bilirubin. Because excess bilirubin production can lead to the development of jaundice, use of HO-inhibiting drugs, such as metalloporphyrin analogs of heme, may be a promising treatment strategy for the prevention of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. We and our collaborators reported that imidazole dioxolanes also can inhibit in vitro HO activity with selectivity for the inducible HO-1 isozyme and do not affect NOS or sGC, in contrast to metalloporphyrins. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the imidazole dioxolane Azalanstat (AZA) toward inhibiting in vivo HO enzyme activity in newborn mice. AZA (500 μmol/kg) or vehicle (7.9% cyclodextran) was administered to 7-day-old FVB mice via intraperitoneal injections. At 0.25, 0.5, 2, 3, and 24 hours after administration, mice were sacrificed and liver, spleen, and brain harvested. Tissues were then sonicated in buffer. HO activity was quantitated by gas chromatography and calculated as pmoles of carbon monoxide (CO) produced/h/mg fresh weight. Percent inhibition (mean ± SD) of tissue HO activity from treated versus control mice at each time point is shown below (n ≥ 3 for each tissue, *p ≤ .05): HO activity was maximally inhibited (in bold) in the spleen (54%) and brain (40%) within 30 minutes and in the liver (27%) within 3 hours after AZA treatment. HO activity in the spleen and liver returned to control levels within 24 hours in contrast to the brain, where significant inhibition remained. At 0.25 to 3 hours after AZA treatment, the spleen was most effectively inhibited, followed by the brain and then the liver. We conclude that AZA effectively inhibits HO activity, and its action is immediate and short acting as well as tissue dependent. Thus, imidazole dioxolanes may be attractive alternative compounds for use in the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Further study is required to identify more potent derivatives and to elucidate their particular mechanism of inhibition. This work was study was supported in part by National Institutes of Health grant #HL68703, the Mary L. Johnson Research Fund, and the Christopher Hess Research Fund.


A 38-year-old man was admitted under Dr. Michael Ashby at the Whittington Hospital in December, 1956. In 1938 he had been an in-patient at the Middlesex Hospital, where a diagnosis of cerebellar neoplasm was made on account of ataxia, diplopia, and vertigo. At that time he showed nystagmus to the right and bilateral papilloedema. In 1956 he presented the picture of the nephrotic syndrome in addition to the signs in the C.N.S. which had persisted over the 18 years. He also showed multiple small angiomata in the skin of his trunk and limbs, together with a macroglossia. He was hypertensive (B.P. 170/110) and showed poor renal function. His urea clearance was 23% of normal, and the urine contained protein++ together with red blood cells and granular casts. Blood urea was 45 mg. per 100 ml. The diagnosis then was angiomata of skin, angioma of brain-stem, and ? Type II nephritis. Over the next year his renal function deteriorated. The blood urea rose to 280 mg., and an intravenous pyelogram prior to this failed to demonstrate any excretion of the dye. He was readmitted in coma in November, 1957, having signs of a spastic paraplegia, and died 11 days later. Necropsy revealed no more in the brain than a large rightsided occipital blood clot. In the kidneys there was the nakedeye appearance of chronic nephritis, which was reported on histologically as showing nephritis repens with severe secondary hypertensive changes and ischaemic fibrosis.


Objectives: To study the relationship between psychopathology and characteristics of offenders with schizophrenia. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 70 consecutive offenders with schizophrenia (aged 18-65) admitted to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta within a six-month period were studied. Subjects' psychopathology was assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results: Offenders against person group received treatment at later age (p=0.043) compared to against property and drug or firearm-related offenders groups. Offenders in drug or firearm-related group had significantly higher PANSS negative scores (p=0.015). Unsound mind at the time of offense was significantly associated with high PANSS positive scores (p=0.011) and offenders against person or property groups (p=0.004). Conclusion: Offenders against person had a significantly later age of treatment and probably onset of illness. Unsoundness of mind was significantly associated with positive symptoms and more frequently reported among offenders against person or property. Offenders in drug or firearm-related group were significantly associated with negative symptoms. Keywords: Mentally Ill Offender, Schizophrenia, Positive Symptoms, Negative Symptoms, Unsound Mind


Abstract An X-ray absorption study of anodic films formed on aluminium in chromate electrolytes has been undertaken to investigate the nature of the incorporated chromium species. From the shift in chromium edge position, due to change in valency state, and from the observation of a pre-edge peak, or shape resonance, associated with Cr(VI) in tetrahedral coordination, it is evident that the anodic alumina contains both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) states. More specifically, the Cr(VI) state is probably associated with chromate and dichromate anions initially adsorbed at the film/electrolyte interface and incorporated under the field into the thickening alumina film. There is an approximately uniform uptake of chromium species, with thicker films being associated largely with the Cr(III) state. In order to explain the outward mobility of chromium species during film growth, it is evident that a field-induced transformation proceeds whereby chromate and dichromate anions are transformed to outwardly mobile Cr3+ caton...


We investigate the band structure of ABCA-tetralayer graphene (ABCA-TTLG) subjected to an external potential $V$ applied between top and bottom layers. Using the tight-binding model, including the nearest $t$ and next-nearest-neighbor $t'$ hopping, low-energy model and two-band approximation model we study the band structure variation along the lines $\Gamma-M-K-\Gamma$ in the first Brillouin zone, electronic band gap near Dirac point $K$ and transmission properties, respectively. Our results reveal that ABCA-TTLG exhibits markedly different properties as functions of $t'$ and $V$. We show that the hopping parameter $t'$ changes the energy dispersion, the position of $K$ and breaks sublattice symmetries. A sizable band gap is created at $K$, which could be opened and controlled by the applied potential $V$. This gives rise to 1D-like van Hove singularities (VHS) in the density of states (DOS). We study the relevance of the skew hopping parameters $\gamma_3$ and $\gamma_4$ to these properties and show that for energies $E\gtrsim6$meV their effects are negligible. Our results are numerically discussed and compared with the literature.


Powdered magnesium (Mg) carbon dioxide (CO2) combustion is examined as a potential in situ propellant combination for Mars propulsion. Although this particular combination has relatively low performance in comparison to traditional bipropellants, it remains attractive as a potential basis for future martian mobility systems, since it could be partially or wholly manufactured from indigenous planetary resources. As a means of achieving high mobility during long-duration Mars exploration missions, the poorer performing in situ combination can, in fact, become a superior alternative to conventional storable propellants, which would need to be entirely transported from Earth. Thus, the engineering aspects of powdered metal combustion devices are discussed including transport/injection of compacted powder, ignition, combustion efficiency, combustion stability, dilution effects, lean burn limits, and slag formation issues. It is suggested that these technological issues could be effectively addressed through a multiphase research and development effort beginning with basic feasibility tests using an existing dump configured atmospheric pressure burner. Follow-on phases would involve the development and testing of a pressurized research combustor and technology demonstration tests of a prototypical rocket configuration.


Dr. Christine Schnittka is an assistant professor in the College of Education and the Department of Curriculum and Teaching with a joint appointment in the College of Engineering. Her current research involves developing and evaluating engineering design-based curriculum units that target key science concepts and environmental issues through the contextual lens of problem-based learning. Prior to receiving her Ph.D. in science education at the University of Virginia, Dr. Schnittka was a middle school teacher and administrator for 10 years, and prior to that, worked as a mechanical engineer. She has published her work in journals such as the International Journal of Science Education, the International Journal of Engineering Education, Advances in Engineering Education, The Science Teacher, and Science Scope.


Introduction. Prefibrotic myelofibrosis (pre-PMF) is a unique entity in the 2016 WHO classification of myeloproliferative neoplasms with distinct clinical phenotype and outcome [Guglielmelli P, Blood 2017]. Compared to essential thrombocythemia (ET), pre-PMF is characterized by more pronounced disease manifestations, adverse mutation profile and worse outcome. Previous studies [Rumi E, Oncotarget 2017] showed that patients (pts) with pre-PMF present a risk of vascular events similar to ET. However, no studies performed a comprehensive assessment of risk factors for thrombosis in pre-PMF. The current study aimed to identify risk factors for thrombosis and bleeding in a large series of pre-PMF pts and explore the effectiveness of contemporary prognostic models developed specifically for ET.
 Patients and Methods. The study included 382 pre-PMF pts, diagnosed by 2016 WHO criteria, referred by 4 Italian Centers. Previously published methods were used to genotype JAK2, MPL, CALR, EZH2, ASXL1, IDH1/2 and SRSF2; a high molecular risk (HMR) category was defined according to Vannucchi A, [Leukemia 2013]. Thrombosis‐free survival (TFS) was determined from diagnosis to the first thrombotic event. Pts were grouped according to the conventional risk stratification system [Barbui T, JCO 2011], IPSET‐thrombosis [Barbui T, Blood 2012] and revised IPSET‐thrombosis [Barbui T, BCJ 2015]. Cox-regression model was used for univariate analysis. Harrell's concordance (C) statistic was calculated to measure the incremental accuracy of multivariable models sequentially adjusted for new predictors of thrombotic risk. A P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
 Results. At diagnosis, 65 pts (17%) experienced major thrombotic events which included 35 (9%) arterial and 31 (8%) venous thromboses. With a median follow-up of 6.9 y (range 0.08-32.6), 56 (15%) pts developed an arterial or venous thrombotic event, with a total incidence rate of 1.99% pts/year (pt-y); 30 (8%) were arterial and 28 (7%) venous events with incidence rate of 1.00% pt-y and 0.95% pt-y, respectively. Splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) represented the most frequent venous events before/at diagnosis (26%). During the follow-up, 16% and 8% of pts experienced myelofibrotic or leukemic progression, and 105 (27%) died, with incidence rate of 2.05% pt-y, 0.95% pt-y and 3.41% pt-y, respectively.
 In univariate analysis, factors significant for arterial thrombosis after diagnosis were age >65y (HR 2.88; P=0.005), WBC>10x109/L (HR 2.43; P=0.026), presence of >1 generic CV risk factor (HR 2.16; P=0.047), JAK2V617F (HR 3.35; P=0.027) and HMR status (HR 13.1; P=0.027). Conversely, only history of previous thrombosis (HR 3.06; P=0.005) and previous venous event (HR 5.53; P<0.0001) retained significance for predicting venous thrombosis. Pts were effectively stratified according to IPSET and conventional risk model. The risk of thrombosis in IPSET low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories was 0.67%, 2.05% and 2.95% pt-y, and 1.47% pt-y and 2.71% pt-y in 2-tiered thrombotic risk model. (Figure 1); in revised-IPSET, 0.54%, 2.23%, 2.44% and 2.69 %pt-y in the very low, low, intermediate- and high-risk category. When WBC>10x109/L or HMR variables were incorporated into IPSET model, the C-statistic increased significantly for the prediction of arterial events: from baseline value of 0.68 to 0.74 adding WBC and 0.91 HMR status.
 The proportion of pts who experienced major bleeding was 3% prior/at diagnosis,and 7% during follow-up, with total incidence rate of 0.94% pt-y. In univariate analysis, predictors for major bleeding during follow-up were age >75y (HR 3.34; P=0.011), WBC>13x109/L (HR 2.33; P=0.035), presence of >1 generic CV risk factor (HR 2.41; P=0.035), particularly hypertension (HR 2.63; P=0.016) and grade-1 fibrosis (HR 2.28; P=0.05). High platelet count and treatment, including antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs, did not reach statistical significance.
 Conclusions. Overall, this study identified independent risk factors for major thrombosis and bleeding in pre-PMF. Of interest, we report that HMR status predicted for arterial thrombosis during the follow-up. Pre-PMF pts showed remarkably high rate of venous thrombosis, mostly represented by SVT. The 3-tiered IPSET prognostic model for thrombosis reliably predicted occurrence of thrombotic events in pre-PMF and should be considered as standard reference.
 Figure 1

 Rumi: novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Thiele:Shire: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Remuneration, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Remuneration; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Remuneration, Research Funding; AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding. Vannucchi:Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Italfarmaco: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CTI BioPharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.


A study was conducted to assess the substance abuse potential of pharmacists, nurses, and primary care physicians, as well as the relationship between perceived job stress and substance abuse potential. Data was collected via a questionnaire mailed to 2,951 health professionals randomly selected from across the United States; a 42.1% response rate was achieved. Responses to the Hoffmann-Lumry substance abuse screening scale indicated that 17.2% of the actively practicing health professionals would be classified as high likelihood substance abusers. For all three professions studied, substance abuse potential was significantly related to scores on the Health Professions Stress Inventory.


Promotional efforts of pharmaceutical industries on prescribing pattern of antibiotics among doctors in Nepal" has been chosen as a topic for research to resolve certain queries among physicians' behavior, particularly drug prescribing patterns as the influence of promotional approaches of pharmaceutical industry. The main objective of this research is to ascertain the various promotional activities of pharmaceutical industries of Nepal and find out its effects on prescribing pattern among physician in case of antibiotics along with rationality of prescription.For this study, data are collected both from primary as well as secondary sources. 225 sample size is taken from 4 districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kavre) to represent the country and convenient quota sampling is used to select the sample. The data are collected manually as the questionnaire is designed. From the data analysis, it is found that there is significant relationship between promotional efforts towards qualification of doctors and cost of antibiotics is considered as prioritized reason as well. And there is no significant relationship between patient compliance/ better quality among alternatives/ obligation (as a compensation of efforts)/ availability/ appearances as prioritized reason and promotional activities on qualification of doctors. Furthermore, there is significant relationship between influence of detailing/ gift/ monetary incentives/ trip and tours on prescribing pattern and rational prescription of antibiotics and no significant relationship between influence of samples and bonus on prescribing pattern and rational prescription of antibiotics.Journal of Business and Social Sciences Research, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 201-214


The recruitment and subsequent polarization of inflammatory monocytes/macrophages in the perivascular regions of pulmonary arteries is a key feature of pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the mechanisms driving macrophage polarization within the adventitial microenvironment during PH progression remain unclear. We previously established that reciprocal interactions between fibroblasts and macrophages are essential in driving the activated phenotype of both cell types although the signals involved in these interactions remain undefined. We sought to test the hypothesis that adventitial fibroblasts produce a complex array of metabolites and proteins that coordinately direct metabolomic and transcriptomic re-programming of naïve macrophages to recapitulate the pathophysiologic phenotype observed in PH. Media conditioned by pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblasts isolated from pulmonary hypertensive (PH-CM) or age-matched control (CO-CM) calves were used to activate bone marrow derived macrophages. RNA-Seq and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analyses were performed. Fibroblast conditioned medium from patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension or controls were used to validate transcriptional findings. The microenvironment was targeted in vitro using a fibroblast-macrophage co-culture system and in vivo in a mouse model of hypoxia-induced PH. Both CO-CM and PH-CM actively, yet distinctly regulated macrophage transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles. Network integration revealed coordinated rewiring of pro-inflammatory and pro-remodeling gene regulation in concert with altered mitochondrial and intermediary metabolism in response to PH-CM. Pro-inflammation and metabolism are key regulators of macrophage phenotype in vitro, and are closely related to in vivo flow sorted lung interstitial/perivascular macrophages from hypoxic mice. Metabolic changes are accompanied by increased free NADH levels and increased expression of a metabolic sensor and transcriptional co-repressor, C-terminal binding protein 1 (CtBP1), a mechanism shared with adventitial PH-fibroblasts. Targeting the microenvironment created by both cell types with the CtBP1 inhibitor MTOB, inhibited macrophage pro-inflammatory and metabolic re-programming both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, coordinated transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming is a critical mechanism regulating macrophage polarization in response to the complex adventitial microenvironment in PH. Targeting the adventitial microenvironment can return activated macrophages toward quiescence and attenuate pathological remodeling that drives PH progression.


In his fourteen years as Yale's chief investment officer, David Swensen has revolutionised management of the university's investment portfolio. By relying on nonconventional assets, including private equity and venture capital, Swensen has achieved a remarkable annualised return of 16.2 percent, which has added more than $2 billion to Yale's endowment. With his exceptional performance record prompting many other institutional portfolio managers to emulate his approach, Dr. Swensen has long been besieged by professionals in the field to write a book articulating his philosophy and strategies of portfolio management. Pioneering Portfolio Managementprovides a road map for creating a successful investment programme. Informed by Swensen's deep knowledge of financial markets, and ranging from the broad issues of goals and investment philosophy to the strategic and tactical aspects of portfolio management - such as handling risk, selecting investment advisers, and negotiating the opportunities and pitfall in individual asset classes - the book provides a vital source of information for anyone involved in institutional investments.


Psychoimmunomodulating action of phenotropil has been shown on the model of experimental hyperthyroidism. It has been found that the drug (14-days i.p. injection in a dose of 25 mg/kg) is capable of restoring the cellular and humoral immunoreactivity and improve psychoemotonal state of animals by eliminating disturbances in the behavior reactions that appear as a result of the induced hyperthyroidism.


Biomedical text mining promises to assist biologists in quickly navigating the combined knowledge in their domain. This would allow improved understanding of the complex interactions within biological systems and faster hypothesis generation. New biomedical research articles are published daily and text mining tools are only as good as the corpus from which they work. Many text mining tools are underused because their results are static and do not reflect the constantly expanding knowledge in the field. In order for biomedical text mining to become an indispensable tool used by researchers, this problem must be addressed. To this end, we present PubRunner, a framework for regularly running text mining tools on the latest publications. PubRunner is lightweight, simple to use, and can be integrated with an existing text mining tool. The workflow involves downloading the latest abstracts from PubMed, executing a user-defined tool, pushing the resulting data to a public FTP, and publicizing the location of these results on the public . This shows a proof of PubRunner website concept that we hope will encourage text mining developers to build tools that truly will aid biologists in exploring the latest publications.


Introduction: In epidemiological studies, 15% of lung cancers in men and 5% in women are linked to occupational exposure to carcinogens. However, there is a clear under-reporting of occupational lung cancer in Belgium: in 2006, only 67 cases were recognized by the Professional Disease Fund whereas 500 were attended. Aim: To appreciate the frequency of occupational lung cancer in newly diagnosed lung cancer in a Belgian oncologic hospital. Material and method: Since 01/09/2009, all new patients with lung cancer were sent to a dedicated consultation where a physician trained in professional disease asked information about job history and look for known or suspected lung carcinogenic exposure. Results: 73 job stories have been recorded, 23 patients (32%) were certainly or probably exposed to a lung carcinogenic agent (known or suspected). All the patients were men (mean age 62 years), 22 workmen, 21 were smokers. Asbestos was the most common carcinogenic agent found (25%). Ten claims for occupational disease were made; 3 recognized and 7 are pending. Conclusion: This study shows the utility of a physician with knowledge in occupational pathology into a clinical department to reduce the under-reporting of occupational primary lung cancer and then to ensure that the victims receive the appropriate medico-legal benefits.


Budgetary agreements may be thought of as collective action problems in which the problem at hand is maintaining group cohesion by controlling free riders. The standard solution to the free rider problem includes monitoring group behavior and imposing sanctions. This article analyzes the collective action problem present in the budgetary provisions of the Maastricht Treaty, which created the Economic Monetary Union, by focusing on the four stages of budgetary compliance that are evident in all budgetary agreements and treaties.


Background: Leprosy was eliminated from India in December 2005 imprinting a prevalence rate of <1/10,000 population. Still some endemic pockets exist in India where the new cases of leprosy continue to occur at a constant rate. It means the active transmission of leprosy is still continuing. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the transmission pattern of Mycobacterium leprae using three microsatellite loci. Methods: Slit-skin samples from 36 newly diagnosed multi-bacillary leprosy cases from Ghatampur, Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, were collected in a sterile centrifuge tube containing Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer. DNA was isolated, and the microsatellite loci, namely, (GT)6, (TA)18, and (TA)8CA3 were amplified using the in-house designed primers. The amplified products were recovered through polymerase chain reaction cleanup kit and sequenced by Sangers method in a 16 capillary genetic analyzer. Results: Sequences were searched by Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, and phylogenetic analysis was done to trace out the transmission pattern of M. leprae. Out of the three microsatellite loci, (TA)18 was unable to define the transmission pattern while (GT)6 and (TA)8CA3 were endowed with distinct signature for transmission of M. leprae in the study segment of the population. Conclusions: We found that nine types of M. leprae strains were circulating in the Ghatampur area and the same type of strains were found in the same villages or in neighboring villages. To conclude the study, we accentuated that (TA)8CA3 is a better microsatellite locus for strain typing of M. leprae.


Considerable uncertainty attends the concept of determining paleogeotherms from xenolith suites in alkaline basalts and kimberlites. Until further experimental studies are made on complex systems, it is not possible to specify pressures and temperatures of equilibration for these natural samples with sufficient precision to make such interpretations. Furthermore, it can be argued that xenolith suites cannot be used to define valid geotherms, because the processes of magma generation and xenolith formation involve perturbations of the very geotherms to be measured.


Proponents of computer graphics foresee them having a dramatic impact on decision maker productivity. The availability of inexpensive graphic computer technology permits organizations to rely extensively on graphics for standard information presentations.

Despite the claims of the proponents, however, there is little substantial evidence linking the use of graphics with increased management productivity and/or higher quality decisions. Moreover, the use of powerful graphics capabilities by end users, unskilled in graphics design, presents the likelihood that information presentations will suffer rather than improve as computer generated graphics grow in popularity.

This article discusses typical and atypical applications of computer graphics for presenting business information. Existing evidence relating the use of graphics with improvements in user productivity is discussed. Much of the article is focused on computer graphics design within the organization including: who should do design, the conceptual foundations of good graphics design, and a set of guidelines and cautions applicable to the design of quality graphics. The article concludes with a list of suggested research topics.


The apposition of new bone to polished solid implants and to implants with surfaces that had been blasted with one of three methods of grit-blasting was studied in a rabbit intramedullary model to test the hypothesis that blasted implant surfaces support osseous integration. Intramedullary titanium-alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) plugs, press-fit into the distal aspect of the femoral canal, were implanted bilaterally in fifty-six rabbits. Four surface treatments were studied: polished (a surface roughness of 0.4 to 0.6 micrometer) and blasted with stainless-steel shot (a surface roughness of five to seven micrometers), with thirty-six-grit aluminum oxide (a surface roughness of five to seven micrometers), or with sixty-grit aluminum oxide (a surface roughness of three to five micrometers). Localized attachment of new bone to the surfaces of the blasted implants was present radiographically at twelve weeks. The total bone area was significantly affected by the level of the section (the diaphysis had a greater bone area than the proximal part of the metaphysis and the proximal part of the metaphysis had a greater bone area than the distal part of the metaphysis; p < 0.001) and the quadrant within each section (the posterior and anterior quadrants had greater bone area than the medial and lateral quadrants; p < 0.00001). The length of the bone-implant interface was significantly affected by the surface treatment (the length of the bone-implant interface for the implants that had been blasted with sixty-grit aluminum oxide was greater than the length for the polished implants; p = 0.02), the time after implantation (the interface was longer at six and twelve weeks than at three weeks; p < 0.00001), and the level of the section (the interface was longer at the diaphysis than at the proximal part of the metaphysis and longer at the proximal part of the metaphysis than at the distal part of the metaphysis; p = 0.004). Blasting of the surface of titanium-alloy implants did not have an effect on the area of bone formation around the implants, but it did significantly affect the area of bone formation on the implant and the shear strength at the bone-implant interface. The two effects were not necessarily parallel, as significantly less (p < 0.05) bone formed on implants that had been blasted with stainless-steel shot than on those blasted with aluminum grit, whereas their interface shear strengths were similar.


A mass screening of 600 diabetic revealed 240 (190 female and 50 male) with urinary infections. The comparative antibiotic efficacy (elimination) and tolerability of Cinoxacin and Norfloxacin were assessed in the treatment of these patients. The traditional protocol (2 daily doses for 10-20 days) was supplemented in every case by chronic prophylaxis (a single daily dose for 10 days each month for 6 months) that was designed to prevent recurrences and the development of chronic urinary infections. Cinoxacin was always found to be faster acting in antibacterial terms than Norfloxacin (at 10 days x2 = p less than 0.01; at 2 degrees, 4 degrees, and 6 degrees month x2 = p less than 0.05) providing a more complete and faster remission of the subjective symptoms, as well as being considerably better tolerated a both locally and systematically than Norfloxacin.


A lot of similar features can be observed in the development of the Eastern and Western European statistical systems during the past 20 years, but there are also a lot of differences. While after the collapse of the Communist Block the CIS countries started to co-ordinate statistical activities, the other group of countries followed the goal of acceding to the European Union. For this reason the development of statistical systems in these countries was almost completely focused on taking into use the shaped and continuously developing practice of the European Statistical System. The transition experience of these countries was of great value. For its small size and compactness, Estonia can be looked upon as a laboratory where new undertakings can be implemented more easily compared to large systems. Transition experiences can be observed from different aspects. A new legal-institutional framework had to be established, sample-based survey methodologies and new classifications had to be put into use, collection of entirely new type of data (e.g. the intra-Community foreign trade statistics) had to be prepared, and statistical registers had to be established. As the resources of transition society are scarce, the organisation and processes had to be organised as effectively as possible in order to cope with a large-scope statistical programme of the EU. Estonia has the IT-state image but swift implementation of opportunities arising from the IT development in the production of statistics has not proved easy. Nevertheless, during the last decade, the data collection, processing and publication have undergone great development. One of the most important aspects ensuring successful transition is a change in the mentality of statistical organisation. The transition period has proved that encouraging the younger generation specialists to stay at Statistics Estonia has been a real challenge and in several spheres we have managed to fulfil time- and energy-consuming tasks due to the great devotion of our specialists who are known for their long-term experience.


In this comment, we review the work by Xie [Phys. Status Solidi B 246, 2257 (2009)] on electric field effects and nonlinear optical properties of excitons confined in spherical quantum dots. We find an inconsistency in the calculation of the dipole moments, which lead to vanishing nonlinear optical results. For the same set of parameters studied by Xie, we obtain new and reliable optical rectification coefficients via a finite element approach.


Public safety and security (PSS) coomunications involve a unique application of a set of principles, a combination of technologies, and integration of processes to provide assured communications support for deployed emergency responders. Among other things, interoperability, reliability and scalability are key requirements for such systems. This paper discusses possible alternatives to enhance PSS communication network capabilities by implementing dynamic spectrum access. Possibilities for dynamically acquiring additional spectrum for PSS systems are discussed. A set of techniques introduced in the cognitive radio domain is discussed and their potential value in the PSS context is evaluated. The issue of using free spectrum spaces is particularly targeted, and the associated technical challenge, such as spectrum sensing, is studied. The matter is discussed from the point-of-view of European Commission Security initiative funded Euler project, where WiMAX based interoperable backbone networking waveform is designed, implemented and demonstrated in SDR platforms.


Saudi Genome program is a revolutionary nationwide transformation initiative of Saudi Vision 2030. The program goals are to recognize and reduce the incidence of genetic diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Accordingly, the program will establish the foundation for personalized and genomic medicine in the KSA. Epilepsy has a high prevalence in KSA reaching around 6.54 of 1000 individuals with a subsequent massive financial burden. One of the main risk factors for this high prevalence and associated with increased risk of epilepsy development is consanguinity marriage, which is traditional in KSA. In this review, we executed a comprehensive state-of-art literature review regarding epilepsy genetics to offer a perception into the genes associated with epilepsy recognized in Saudi epileptic patients. Several genes' mutations were incorporated in this review including AFG3L2, ASPM, ATN1, ATP1A2, BMP5, CCDC88A, C12orf57, DNAJA1, EML1, ERLIN2, FRRS1L, GABRG3, NRXN3, MDH1, KCNJ10, KCNMA1, KCNT1, KIAA0226, OPHN1, PCCA, PCCB, PEX, PGAP2, PI4K2A, PODXL, PRICKLE1, PNKP, RELN, SCN2A, SCN1B, SLC2A1, SLC19A3, SLC25, SIAH1, SYNJ1, SZT2, TBCK, TMX2, TSC1, TSC2, TSEN, WDR45B, WWOX, UBR, UGDH, and YIF1B. For each of these genes, we tried to explain a little about the gene associated proteins and their roles in epilepsy development.


The liver is the largest internal organ, accounting for approximately 2-3% of the average body weight, and is involved in a variety of important functions such as digestion, metabolism, detoxification, production of vital proteins, coagulation, and immune response. Understanding the complex anatomy and physiology of the liver has been a long-standing challenge for scientists and physicians who struggle to identify underlying causes for many types of liver disease. There are over 100 types of liver disease with different risk factors that can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. To better understand the physiology of the liver and the pathogenesis of various types of liver disease, I have applied novel systems biology approaches to investigate the mechanisms of liver regeneration and pathologies.In Chapter 1, I investigated the priming phase of liver regeneration in the complement-knockout mice. The complement system, part of the innate immune system, has been recently shown to successfully promote the early phase, or priming phase, of liver regeneration, during which complex regulation of signaling pathways and other molecular events occur. To better understand the role of the complement system in this complex biological process, I analyzed transcriptomic and metabolomic measurements during the several time points of the priming phase of liver regeneration to identify novel biomarkers and relevant biological pathways. I also supplemented the results with protein-protein interaction network, correlation analysis, and literature knowledge to derive a comprehensive mechanism. In Chapters 2 and 3, I investigated the complex pathogenesis of biliary atresia, a rare disease of the liver and the bile ducts. Biliary atresia has unknown etiologies and multiple disease forms based on the heterogeneous phenotypes that are difficult to diagnose. To better elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease, I analyzed different high-throughput molecular data such as genome-wide association study, mRNA sequencing, target genome sequencing, and whole exome sequencing. I also integrated novel biomarkers from these datasets with a protein-protein interaction network to reconstruct a disease specific network that is both highly interpretable and enriched in important biological functions, including inflammation, immunity, fibrosis, and development.


In populations that are small and asexual, mutations with slight negative effects on fitness will drift to fixation more often than in large or sexual populations in which they will be eliminated by selection. If such mutations occur in substantial numbers, the combined effects of long-term asexuality and small population size may result in substantial accumulation of mildly deleterious substitutions. Prokaryotic endosymbionts of animals that are transmitted maternally for very long periods are effectively asexual and experience smaller effective population size than their free-living relatives. The contrast between such endosymbionts and related free-living bacteria allows us to test whether a population structure imposing frequent bottlenecks and asexuality does lead to an accumulation of slightly deleterious substitutions. Here we show that several independently derived insect endosymbionts, each with a long history of maternal transmission, have accumulated destabilizing base substitutions in the highly conserved 16S rRNA. Stabilities of Domain I of this subunit are 15-25% lower in endosymbionts than in closely related free-living bacteria. By mapping destabilizing substitutions onto a reconstructed phylogeny, we show that decreased ribosomal stability has evolved separately in each endosymbiont lineage. Our phylogenetic approach allows us to demonstrate statistical significance for this pattern: becoming endosymbiotic predictably results in decreased stability of rRNA secondary structure.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: While brain MR imaging is routinely performed, the MR imaging assessment of spinal cord pathology in multiple sclerosis (MS) is less frequent in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether measurements of medulla oblongata volume (MOV) on routine brain MR imaging could serve as a biomarker of spinal cord damage and disability in MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 45 patients with MS with both head and cervical spinal cord MR imaging and 29 age-matched and sex-matched healthy control subjects with head MR imaging. Disability was assessed by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and ambulation index (AI). MOV and upper cervical cord volume (UCCV) were manually segmented; semiautomated segmentation was used for brain parenchymal fraction (BPF). These measures were compared between groups, and linear regression models were built to predict disability. RESULTS: In the patients, MOV correlated significantly with UCCV (r = 0.67), BPF (r = 0.45), disease duration (r = −0.64), age (r = −0.47), EDSS score (r = −0.49) and AI (r = −0.52). Volume loss of the medulla oblongata was −0.008 cm3/year of age in patients with MS, but no significant linear relationship with age was found for healthy control subjects. The patients had a smaller MOV (mean ± SD, 1.02 ± 0.17 cm3) than healthy control subjects (1.15 ± 0.15 cm3), though BPF was unable to distinguish between these 2 groups. MOV was smaller in patients with progressive MS (secondary- progressive MS, 0.88 ± 0.19 cm3 and primary-progressive MS, 0.95 ± 0.30 cm3) than in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (1.08 ± 0.15 cm3). A model including both MOV and BPF better predicted AI than BPF alone (P = .04). Good reproducibility in MOV measurements was demonstrated for intrarater (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.97), interrater (0.79), and scan rescan data (0.81). CONCLUSION: MOV is associated with disability in MS and can serve as a biomarker of spinal cord damage.


After two years of promises, and a few disappointing postponements along the way, on December 27, 2011, the FDA finally delivered its highly anticipated guidelines on the use of social media by the pharmaceutical industry.1 And they couldn't have come soon enough. For years, while other businesses have jumped full force into Facebook, blogs, and other online venues, drug manufacturers have been treading lightly in cyberspace amid strict regulatory restrictions and requirements. So, has their patience paid off?

For those who were expecting a comprehensive set of rules for engaging in social media, the answer is probably no. The title of the 15-page draft document, Guidance for Industry: Responding to Unsolicited Requests for Off-Label Information About Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices,1 makes it clear that the content addresses exclusively off-label usage of pharmaceuticals—a narrow, albeit critical, issue—and does not even focus solely on social media. It seems, at least at first glance, that the guidance is a bit underwhelming after such a long wait and falls short of what the pharmaceutical industry so urgently needs.

With that said, the development of these guidelines does represent a step forward by the FDA, which began the process with a two-day public hearing in 2009 to gather input from the pharmaceutical and medical device industries on Internet marketing. The agency solicited written comments from all interested parties, including consumers, patients, caregivers, health care professionals, patient groups, Internet vendors, advertising agencies, and the regulated industry.

The guidance also takes into account a citizen petition filed with the FDA in July of 2011 by seven of the nation's largest drug companies, which urged the agency to come up with "comprehensive, clear, and binding regulations" for the industry concerning communicating off-label drug information to phy sicians and payers.2

According to the FDA, this is the first of multiple guidances that the agency plans to issue in response to the suggestions and comments. Following are some of the document's key highlights:

The guidance clarifies the difference between unsolicited and solicited requests in the social media realm. For example, a question about off-label use posted on a pharmaceutical company's Web site, whether directed to the drug maker or others visiting the site, is an unsolicited request. On the other hand, if a drug manufacturer encourages people to post videos on YouTube about using one of its products and the content prompts questions about off-label use, this would be a solicited request. The FDA may consider solicited requests evidence of a firm's intent that a drug be used for off-label purposes.

The guidance also distinguishes between non-public and public unsolicited requests and recommends appropriate responses. For example, a telephone call to a company's medical affairs department is a non-public (private) request, and the response should be provided only to the individual who made the request in a one-on-one communication. A question about off-label use that is posted on an Internet discussion board is considered a public request, and if a company chooses to respond, it should give contact information only; anything else could be misinterpreted by others in the forum as off-label promotion. The FDA is also concerned about publicly posted drug information, such as product risks, that might reside on the Internet indefinitely even after the information becomes outdated.

The guidance encourages drug companies to respond to unsolicited requests that are made in a public forum because other forum participants might not provide or have access to the most accurate, up-to-date information.

Companies should respond to unsolicited requests only if they pertain to that company's own named product.

Responses to unsolicited requests should not be promotional in nature or tone, and they should not provide links to promotional content.

Notably, according to the guidance, if a company responds to an unsolicited request for off-label information as per the FDA's recommendations, the company's response will not be used as evidence of its intent to support the product for an unapproved use. Conversely, responses to unsolicited requests that are not in accordance with the guidance may be considered evidence of a new intended use of the product.

Initially caught off guard by the release of the guidance, the blogs instantly became abuzz with reaction to the FDA's first-ever attempt at forming social media policy. Reviews were mixed, with some bloggers expressing disappointment that the document does not cover more ground and others giving kudos to the agency for starting to incorporate social media into its thinking. Many commented that the FDA's mention of YouTube and Twitter in one of its guidances was ground-breaking in and of itself, given the agency's image of not being up to speed on issues regarding social media marketing. Still others remain skeptical that the FDA will be able to keep pace with these constantly evolving platforms and technologies.

Pharmaceutical companies seem to have maintained a more reserved, wait-and-see response. On its corporate blog, AstraZeneca "applaud[s] the FDA for providing guidance and look[s] forward to the evolution of health care conversation in digital media."

A spokesperson for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which has been using its own internal social media guidelines, says the company is examining the impact the guidance has on its current business practices and online activity but welcomes the idea.

"Industry guidelines, including the latest guidance from FDA, offer Boehringer Ingelheim additional considerations on how to provide a responsible, educational service to patients, physicians and the community to enable them to make informed decisions about their health through increased knowledge of diseases and treatment options."

Novartis, one of the companies that filed a citizen petition asking for clarity on off-label use, thinks that the guidance "is a step in the right direction in that regard." According to a spokesperson for Novartis, the companies are currently evaluating the content of the guidance, "but the larger question of FDA's policies regarding social media must await further communications from the agency." The six other petitioners are Allergan, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi-Aventis.

Comments on the draft guidance must be submitted to the FDA by March 29, 2012, in order to be considered in the preparation of the final version. In the meantime, drug manufacturers will probably have to start looking more closely at the way they currently respond to requests for off-label information, particularly through social media.


This report explains what the Social Security trust funds are and how they work. It describes the historical operations of the trust funds and the Social Security trustees' projections of future operations. It explains what could happen if Congress allowed the trust funds to run out. It also analyzes two scenarios that assume Congress waits until the moment of insolvency to act, showing the magnitude of benefit cuts or tax increases needed and how such changes would affect beneficiaries.


Integration into the world community confronts the Russian education system purpose - education of the individual, having planetary thinking, able to see themselves not only as the representative of the native culture, living in a particular country, but also a citizen of the world, perceiving himself as the carrier and its foreign-language cultures. An important component of the socio-political development of multicultural education is the desire of both Russia and other countries integrate into the global European socio-cultural and educational space, while retaining their national identity. These processes contribute to the transformation of both Europe and Russia as a multilingual space where different languages have equal rights. There is an urgent social need for the organization of purposeful work on the formation of a tolerant person of the student, the system combines knowledge of different cultures, the desire and the willingness to intercultural Polylog. This era of social order urgently requires development of the younger generation of universal values, acculturation of other nations, which increases the motivation to learn foreign languages, associated with the desire to establish and develop contacts with foreign countries. It is English as a language of international communication acts as the major means to realize this idea in a multi-ethnic educational environment of the university. The article presents the results of a study conducted at the Kazan Federal University.


Abstract. Water uptake abilities of organic aerosol under sub-saturated conditions play critical roles in direct aerosol radiative effects and atmospheric chemistry, however, field characterizations of organic aerosol hygroscopicity parameter κOA under sub-saturated conditions remain limited. In this study, a field campaign was conducted to characterize κOA at relative humidity of 80 % with hourly time resolution for the first time in the Pearl River Delta region of China. Observation results show that during this campaign secondary organic aerosol (SOA) dominated total organic aerosol mass (mass fraction >70 % on average), which provides us a unique opportunity to investigate influences of SOA formation on κOA. Results demonstrate that the commonly used organic aerosol oxidation level parameter O / C was weakly correlated with κOA and failed in describing the variations of κOA. However, the variations in κOA were well reproduced by mass fractions of organic aerosol factor resolved based on aerosol mass spectrometer measurements. The more oxygenated organic aerosol (MOOA) factor, exhibiting the highest average O / C (~1) among all organic aerosol factors, was the most important factor driving the increase of κOA and was commonly associated with regional air masses. The less oxygenated organic aerosol (LOOA, average O / C of 0.72) factor, revealed strong daytime production, exerting negative effects on κOA. Surprisingly, the aged biomass burning organic aerosol (aBBOA) factor also formed quickly during daytime and shared a similar diurnal pattern with LOOA, but had much lower O / C (0.39) and had positive effects on κOA. The correlation coefficient between κOA and mass fractions of aBBOA and MOOA in total organic aerosol mass reached above 0.8. The contrasting effects of LOOA and aBBOA formation on κOA demonstrates that volatile organic compound (VOC) precursors from diverse sources and different SOA formation processes may result in SOA with different chemical composition, functional properties as well as microphysical structure, consequently, exert distinct influences on κOA and render single oxidation level parameters (such as O / C) unable to capture those differences. Aside from that, distinct effects of aBBOA on κOA was observed during different episodes, suggesting that the hygroscopicity of SOA associated with similar sources might also differ much under different emission and atmospheric conditions. Overall, these results highlight that it is imperative to conduct more researches on κOA characterization under different meteorological and source conditions, and examine its relationship with VOC precursor profiles and formation pathways to formulate a better characterization and develop more appropriate parameterization approaches in chemical and climate models.


Intensifiers in English have potential to be a challenge for tertiary level EFL learners especially at times if or when these intensifiers have synonymous meanings and the EFL learners have mixed attitudes towards their prosodic features in use. Having knowledge towards the semantic prosodic nature of the English maximizers is important since, according to Sinclair (1996, p. 86), "the initial choice of SP is the functional choice which links meaning to purpose; all subsequent choices within the lexical item relate back to the prosody". Thus, it becomes inevitable that the selection of the right lexical items to make meaningful sentences is what is of vital importance for the EFL and ESL learners alike and failure to consider the prosodic nature of these items may result in communication breaks. The aim of this study is to compare the intensifiers such as "absolutely, completely, entirely, fully, perfectly, totally and utterly" in terms of their semantic prosodic nature with 1R adjectives in native and non-native corpora. Although these adverbials are generally regarded as near-synonym words, there are some semantic minor differences among their usages in context. Each of the lexemes creates different collocations positively, negatively and neutrally, and they are associated with various levels of subjectivity. The study focused on these variations, differences and restrictions as well as the collocational ranges of the intensifiers based on two learner corpora named as KTUCALE (Karadeniz Technical University Corpus of Academic Learner English) and BAWE (British Academic Written English), which contain academic essays in nature. In the study, a corpus-based methodology was used, and the use of adverbials in academic essays of university students in KTUCALE was compared to those of native speakers with reference to BAWE and their usage patterns were investigated in terms of semantic prosodic awareness. The findings indicated significant overuses and underuses in the number of the adverbials in KTUCALE and that tertiary level Turkish EFL learners seemed to have produced a limited number of intensifiers with less variety and complexity. Keywords: KTUCALE, BAWE, Collocation, Semantic prosody, Maximizers, Learner corpus.