Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been a widely used vertebrate animal model in developmental biology and behavioral neuroscience, but knowledge about some of its basic behaviors, for example, light/dark preference, is still controversial. Appropriate preference for light or dark environments can be crucial for an animal's survival, so we hypothesize that zebrafish may have its light/dark preference varied with the circadian clock. In this present work, we tested the hypothesis by recording the light/dark preference in a two-compartment tank continuously for over 60 h. We found that the light avoidance of fish generally increases with time from morning (8:00am) to midnight (2:00am), and then decreases with time from midnight (2:00am) to morning (8:00am), exhibiting a clear circadian-like trend in the light/dark preference. As melatonin can mediate circadian clock output and promote sleep in zebrafish, by adding extra melatonin at around 9:00am on the third day, the mean proportion of time fish spent in the dark area was increased significantly. Our results demonstrate that the circadian clock plays a significant role in regulating the light/dark preference in zebrafish, which provides valuable insights into understanding the metabolism mechanism underlying the neurobehavior, and facilitate further studies related to the neurobiology of normal and pathological behavior.


ΒΒΓΕ112Ν2, trigonal, R3m (no. 166), a = 4.0728(3) Â, c = 26.589(3) A, V= 382.0 Â, Ζ = 3, Rgt(F) = 0.029, wRntfF) = 0.072, T= 293 K. Source of material Eu2[BN2]Br was synthesized from the mixture of EuN, J/-BN and Ε11ΒΓ2 in the molar ratio 2 : 1 : 1 : 1 . The finely ground reaction mixture transferred into a niobium ampoule, arc-welded and sealed in an evacuated silica tube was heated up to 1023 Κ within 8 h. After 24 h of annealing, the reaction ampoule was cooled down to room temperature during 8 h. Eu2[BN2]Br forms orange to pale yellow plate-like crystals, which are very sensitive to air and moisture. Therefore, all manipulations were performed under inert conditions in a glove box. For the single crystal investigation the specimens were encapsulated in glass capillaries. Experimental details The structure refinement with full occupancy factors for all atoms resulted in Äi = 0.036 and wR2 = 0.085 (Tables 2,3). While the equivalent atomic displacement parameters (ADP) for Eu and Br * Correspondence author (e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com) atoms showed reasonable values of about 0.013(1) and 0.016( 1 ) Â, respectively, those for the boron position were unrealistically small, indicating the presence of stronger scattering power in this site. The nitrogen atom also revealed a slightly increased ADP value of 0.015(2) Â indicating a smaller contribution. Upon releasing of ADPs and site occupancies for both mentioned positions one obtained Ri = 0.032; w/?2 = 0.074 with ADPs of 0.010(4) Â and 0.013(2) Â and occupancies of 1.69(2) and 0.90(3) for Β and N, respectively. The results are compatible with a partial mutual substitution of [N-B-N] dumbells and the spherical Br units since both anions are possessing practically identical cationic environments (see crystal structure description). In the separate cycles of the refinement, the Β position was constrained to be mixed occupied by boron and bromine atoms (Tables 4,5). Utilizing the constrained values, the degree of disorder was estimated to be 5(2) %. Attempts to apply the same constraint for the Br position failed due to the large difference between the electron contribution of the heavy bromine and the light boron atoms in this site. Thus, we were not able to adapt completely the structure model describing the mutual replacement of Br~ and [BN2] units to our experimental data. However, the yellow color of the compound indicates that europium is still in its Eu state and the total composition of the compound has still to be regarded as Eu2[BN2]Br. Therefore, this model explains all structural pecularities, charge distribution, magnetic properties etc. in a satisfactory way. For the structure description we employed the ideal occupancy factors for Br, Β and Ν sites, as required by the ideal chemical composition Eu2[BN2]Br. Discussion The structure of the title compound is isotypic to Sr2[0-Cu-0]Br [1] and can be interpreted as a filled variant of the <znft°-NaCrS2 type of structure (S2CrNa) [2] with Eu, Br and Β at S, Cr and Na positions, respectively. The structure is characterized by layers of edge-sharing [N-B-N] @Eu6 and [Br]@Eu6 trigonal antiprisms (in other words distorted octahedra), which are alternately stacked along [001]. The bond lengths for the strictly linear [BN2]^ anions are d(B—N) = 1.354(8) Â, corresponding well with those observed for the other known isostoichiometric dinitrido-borate halides [3-5]. As for the hitherto known nitridoborate halides, the two differently shaped anions (rod-like [BN2]" and spherical Br~ in the crystal structure of Eu2[BN2]Br should be spatially well seperated from each other. The crystal structure refinement indicates, however, that a mutual replacement of the two moieties is possible. The disorder (ca. 5 %) appears to be reasonable since both units are embedded in the same cationic matrix built up by the condensed Eue trigonal antiprisms with the edge length within the triangle bases of4.073 Â and marginal differences of the antiprism heights: 4.381 Â ([BN2]) and 4.481 Â (Br"). Unauthenticated Download Date | 5/30/19 8:18 AM


Introduction: HNSCC is an immunosuppressive disease, with multiple functional and quantitative defects contributing to immune evasion and tumor escape. One of the identified areas for therapy development is the Programmed Death-1 (PD-1)/Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway, as this pathway has been hypothesized to allow cancer cells to evade the immune system by promoting T cell anergy and apoptosis. Pembrolizumab, a PD-L1 inhibitor, has recently been approved for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. As regulation of PD-L1 expression could play an important role in the effectiveness of therapy, we further explored the regulation of PD-L1 expression in HNSCC cells. Specifically, we targeted our investigation by evaluating the effects on expression of one of the most frequently mutated genes in HNSCC, PIK3CA. We evaluated this with and without interferon-γ, which has previously been shown to affect PD-L1 expression, possibly through activation of the STAT1 pathway. Methods: HPV+ and HPV- HNSCC cell lines were grown in cell culture and treated with selective and non-selective PI3K inhibitors, in combination with interferon-γ. After 72 hours, cells were harvested and flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of PD-L1. Protein expression of various pathway intermediaries was evaluated via western blot to better delineate the mechanism of PD-L1 upregulation. Results: Treatment with selective PI3K inhibitors in combination with interferon-γ in several cell lines significantly increased expression of PD-L1, beyond the increase noted after treatment with interferon-γ alone. Maintenance of STAT1 phosphorylation correlated with upregulation of PD-L1 expression, while total STAT1 expression remained stable. The majority of the cell lines maintaining STAT1 phosphorylation were HPV+, but a few HPV- cell lines also maintained this phosphorylation with a correlating upregulation in PD-L1 expression. Additionally, mutation in PIK3Ca despite HPV- status was noted to maintain phosphorylation of STAT1 with upregulation of PD-L1 expression. Conclusions: Treatment with PI3K inhibitors in combination with interferon-γ significantly upregulated PD-L1 expression in several cell lines, suggesting a possible synergistic effect. Since PD-L1 expression correlated with maintenance of phosphorylation of STAT1, these results suggest a pivotal link between PIK3CA signaling, STAT1 activity and PD-L1 expression in PIK3CA aberrant HNSCC. Citation Format: Rebecca C. Hoesli, Nicole L. Michmerhuizen, Vivek Nair, Chloe Matovina, Elizabeth Leonard, Matthew E. Spector, Carol R. Bradford, Mark E. Prince, Andrew C. Birkeland, J Chad Brenner. Mechanistic link between phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) activity and PDL1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3712. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3712


Synopsis Ultrabasic igneous breccias, associated with streakily-laycred and locally slumped allivalites (plagioclase–olivine cumulates) of the Central Series component of the Rum Layered Complex, consist of assorted peridotite and allivalite fragments in a matrix of feldspathic peridotite. The fragments vary considerably in size, shape, texture and concentration, while the matrix is relatively homogeneous. At least three generations of igneous veins have also been identified. The main components of the breccias have been characterized in terms of their olivine compositions. The peridotites (Fo84.5–89) are consistently more magnesian than the allivalites (Fo82–84.5), while the matrix (Fo84–85) is bracketed by both. The field, textural and mineralogical evidence indicates that the fragments have been derived from older parts of the Rum Layered Series as intra-formational debris accumulations, perhaps associated with submagmatic faulting in a central graben, whereas the matrix represents plagioclase–olivine crystal cumulates precipitated directly from the contemporary magma. Away from the breccia zones these cumulates grade into more normal layered allivalites, but even these show abundant evidence of instability associated with steep depositional dips and repeated disturbance.


Abstract Fiscal adjustments consisting of spending cuts or tax increases are generally presented as the unavoidable way for achieving public finance sustainability in the long term. However, this view of fiscal consolidation processes is limited as it leaves out other aspects related to public sector performance which are relevant not only from the macroeconomic but also from the microeconomic perspective. This paper models Public Sector Performance (PSP) by proposing a theoretical framework that integrates the conventional methodology for measuring its productive efficiency and the monetary assessment of social welfare changes linked to public policy reforms. Two equivalent measures of social welfare change generated by improving (or worsening) productive efficiency are deduced using duality theory. The first is obtained from the cost function, while the second arises directly from the production function. The results reveal that taking advantage of budgetary savings obtained from this approach constitutes a valuable tool for designing welfareenhancing fiscal consolidation packages, meanwhile promoting sound fiscal balances and growth prospects over the long term.


The numerical approximation of the mixed velocity-pressure-stress formulation of the Stokes problem using spectral methods is considered. In addition to the compatibility condition between the discrete velocity and pressure spaces, a second condition between the discrete velocity and stress spaces must also be satisfied in order to have a well-posed problem. The theory is developed by considering a doubly constrained minimization problem in which the viscous stress tensor is minimized subject to the constraint that the viscous forces are irrotational. The discrete problem is analyzed and error estimates are derived. A comparison between the mixed approach and the standard velocity-pressure formulation is made in terms of the condition number of the resulting systems.


The available data concerning rapid identification of fish bacteria via commercial phenotypic tests demonstrate that there is no agreement regarding the choice of the tests. However, API 20E, an identification system for Enterobacteriaceae and other non-fastidious Gram-negative rods developed for clinical specimens, seems to be increasingly used for the identification of fish pathogens. In this review, adaptation of API 20E for fish bacterial isolates and its distinctiveness for fish bacteria was assessed. Some strains are wrongly identified because they are not included in the database of API 20E system. API 20E reactions should be compared with the diagnostic schemes based on reactions in conventional phenotypic tests. Due to their significance for fish health and impact on the aquaculture, and because of the need for their rapid identification, some important fish bacteria should be included in the API 20E system, such as Yersinia ruckeri, Edwardsiella ictaluri, Vibrio anguillarum.


In this paper, we study the synchronization between different motifs. First, the synchronization between two networks with different topology structures and different dynamical behaviours is studied. With the open-plus-closed-loop(OPCL) method, conditions for two different networks to realize synchronization are given. Then based on the theoretical results achieved, the synchronization between different motifs is studied, which verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the synchronization scheme.


This paper presents the results of energy characteristics calculations of a combined power plant (PP) based on a hydronic chemical current source (CCS) with an aluminum anode, as a hydrogen generator for an oxygen-hydrogen electrochemical generator (О2/Н2 ECG). Calculations based on current-voltage characteristics (CVC) of sources. It has been shown that the hydronic CCS over the entire operating time of the О2/Н2 ECG increases its CVC and power characteristic by 30% at the beginning of work and by 20% at the end of the 24hour resource when using pure nickel cathodes in the hydronic CCS. Using cathodes with a MoS2 catalytic coating in a hydronic CCS increases CVC of the ECG by 50% at the beginning of work and by 40% at the end of a 24-hour resource. At the same time, the hydronic CCS provides the О2/Н2 ECG with hydrogen in full volume during the whole period of operation.


The current invention reports a method for concentrating an immunoglobulin solution by tangential flow filtration wherein the transmembrane pressure and the cross-flow are variable.


This paper analyses that other variables besides the economical ones affect the productivity of factors. The document attempts to determine the incidence of violence and the instability in the Colombian economic growth during the last 50 years. The general statement of work makes reference to the importance of economic policies and the political, social and institutional forces in addition to other socio-political variables of unsteadiness on the determination of the growth path of the country. In order to incorporate these factors we fall back on a determined growth model, additionally to the traditional productive factors, by a component directly associated to productivity. Throughout the estimation of this component for the Colombian case we propose to determine the influence of variables such as the rates of homicides, kidnapping, terrorism, drug smuggling, among others, on the behavior of productivity of factors. The Estimations carried out in this work indicate that this last factor is affected by political forces, institutional agreements and social and economic instability.


Heritage Norwegian in the American Midwest is documented through a corpus of recordings collected and compiled over a time span of 80 years, from Einar Haugen's recordings in the 1940s via the CANS corpus up to the present-day in the authors' own recordings. This gives an unprecedented opportunity to study how a minority language changes in a language contact situation, over several generations and under gradually changing circumstances. Since we also have thorough historical knowledge of the institutions and societal texture of these communities, this privileged situation allows us to trace the various sources of input available to the heritage speakers in these communities in different relevant time slots. We investigate how the quality and quantity of input at different times are reflected in the syntactic production of heritage speakers of the corresponding generational cohorts, focusing on relative ratios of specific word orders (topicalization and verb second, prenominal and postnominal possessive noun phrases) and productive morphosyntactic paradigms (tense suffixes of loan verbs). Utilizing a model of relations between input and output, receptive and productive competence, to show how input–output effects will accumulate throughout the cohorts, we explain the observed linguistic change in individuals and society.


The fungal pathogen Alternaria radicina causes pre- and post-emergence damping off, leaf and umbel blight and black rot of carrot. It is seed and soil-borne, and in mid-Canterbury, soil populations ranging from 33-223 colony forming units (CFU)/g soil have been recorded. How long A. radicina remains viable in New Zealand soils was not known. Fields which had last produced a carrot seed crop from twelve down to one year previously were identified and their A. radicina population determined. The pathogen was still present six years after a carrot seed crop had been harvested, but was absent from soils where a carrot seed crop had been harvested seven or more years previously, suggesting that a seven to eight year gap between carrot seed crops in the same field would be required to avoid disease problems from this source. In a pot trial, A. radicina inoculum was reduced by 29% (from 240 CFU/g) after four and a half months in the presence of wheat plants, and was also significantly reduced in the presence of barley and faba bean, but not perennial ryegrass or pea. It is possible that root exudates contain antifungal compounds, but this was not determined. Whether growing the non-host crops wheat, barley or faba bean after carrot can reduce A. radicina soil-borne inoculum requires further investigation.


Articles documenting the effectiveness of clinical pharmacy services were reviewed and categorized. A list of articles describing clinical pharmacy services published in the primary pharmacy literature or presented at ASHP Midyear Clinical Meetings was prepared. Selected articles were evaluated further for documented evidence of the impact of these services on patient care. Impact was defined as any one of the following outcomes: decreased morbidity (side effects, toxicity, or adverse drug reactions), decreased mortality, improved prescribing or monitoring practices, improved therapeutic outcome, and increased compliance. Ongoing clinical pharmacy services were described in 144 meeting abstracts and 117 published papers. Of the 33 papers suitable for further review, 16 provided documentation of probable or definite impact on patient care as a result of clinical pharmacy services. Three types of clinical services were provided: patient education and counseling, pharmacokinetic monitoring, and clinical drug monitoring and information. Nine studies involved ambulatory patients; eight of these involved adult patients, while one used pediatric patients. Seven of the nine studies demonstrated increased compliance through patient education and counseling. Seven studies involved adult hospitalized patients. More well-designed studies documenting the effects of clinical pharmacy services on patient outcome are needed.


Graph neural networks have achieved significant success in representation learning. However, the performance gains come at a cost; acquiring comprehensive labeled data for training can be prohibitively expensive. Active learning mitigates this issue by searching the unexplored data space and prioritizing the selection of data to maximize model's performance gain. In this paper, we propose a novel method SMARTQUERY, a framework to learn a graph neural network with very few labeled nodes using a hybrid uncertainty reduction function. This is achieved using two key steps: (a) design a multi-stage active graph learning framework by exploiting diverse explicit graph information and (b) introduce label propagation to efficiently exploit known labels to assess the implicit embedding information. Using a comprehensive set of experiments on three network datasets, we demonstrate the competitive performance of our method against state-of-the-arts on very few labeled data (up to 5 labeled nodes per class).


The impact of COVID-19 vaccines on the pandemic will depend upon several factors. These include factors like the effectiveness of the vaccines; how quickly they're approved, manufactured, and delivered; and the way many of us get vaccinated. Most scientists anticipate that, like most other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines won't be 100% effective. WHO is functioning to assist make sure that any approved vaccines are as effective as possible, in order that they can have the best impact on the pandemic. Nevertheless, critical lessons are often learned for the event of vaccines against rapidly emerging viruses. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are going to be essential to reducing morbidity and mortality if the virus establishes itself within the population.


Combined effect of ciprofloxacin (Ci) and amoxycillin (Ax) has been studied in vitro against 12 clinical isolates of S. typhi that showed Ci minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of > or =1 microg/ml. By agar dilution method, MIC values of Ax were 10-16 microg/ml for 11 isolates and 0.5 microg/ml for the remaining one isolate. The isolates, when treated with Ci and Ax in combination, showed fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) of 0.004-0.256 microg/ml for Ci. FIC of Ax ranged from 6-10 microg/ml, except for a single isolate that showed Ax FIC of 0.25 microg/ml. Thus Ci was more efficacious in combination with Ax against S. typhi than Ci alone. The antibiotic combination exhibited an additive effect for all the isolates showing FIC index 0.504-0.832.


The RNAs of oncornaviruses may be separated into two major components (Duesberg, 1968; Biswal & Benyesh-Melnick, 1969; Erikson, 1969), a rapidly sedimenting 60 to 70 S component and a slowly sedimenting 4 S component. Under conditions of mild denaturation, the 60 to 70 S RNA dissociates to subunits of 30 to 40 S (Duesberg, 1968; Biswal & Benyesh-Melnick, 1969; Erikson, 1969) and a distinct 4 S subunit (Erikson & Erikson, 1971; McCain, Biswal & Benyesh-Melnick, 1971). In this report we show that the 69 S RNA of murine sarcoma-leukaemia virus (MSV-MLV) is composed of at least three physico-chemically distinct subunits.
MSV-MLV was isolated from the culture medium of transformed 78A1 rat cells, which continuously produce virus (Biswal et al. 1968).


Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) have an essential function of preventing autoimmune disease in man and mouse. Foxp3 binds to forkhead motifs of about 1,100 genes and the strength of binding increases upon PMA/ionomycin stimulation. In Foxp3-expressing T-cell hybridomas, Foxp3 promoter binding does not lead to activation or suppression of genes which becomes only visible after T-cell activation. These findings are in line with observations by others that Foxp3 exerts important functions through association with Tcell receptor (TCR)-dependent transcription factors in a DNAbinding complex. Tregs can be generated when developing T cells encounter TCR agonist ligands in the thymus. This pro - cess requires costimulatory signals. In contrast, extra thymic conversion of naive T cells into Tregs is inhibited by costimulation. In fact, DC-derived retinoic acid (RA) helps the conversion process by counteracting the negative impact of costimulation. Since AP-1 is produced after costimulation and appears to interfere with Foxp3-NFAT transcription complexes, it is of interest to note that RA interferes with AP-1-dependent transcription. Thus, RA may interfere with the negative impact of costimulation on Treg conversion by interfering with the generation and/or function of AP-1.


Translated by Anton Hieke
 Little defines human life more than the biological sexes. The concept of the binary sexes greatly affects our choices given in society, our income, and our visibility. Moreover, it is also the root for profound discrimination. Today, the idea that the binary sexes are nature-given is so intrinsically woven into the fabric of human life that we tend to forget just how modern the concept is. We also tend to forget that it does not have to be more than a bump on the path to a just society.
 Drawing from philosophical, historical, and biological perspectives, the author challenges existing beliefs in the inevitability of the binary nature of the human sexes. The study compellingly argues for the existence of many biological sexes, not merely two. It also outlines just how otherwise overcome assumptions still shape our seemingly modern understanding of the most basic classification of our societies: that of the biological sexes and the attributes piled upon them.


Iatrogenic subclavian arteriovenous fistula is rare and has not been reported as a complication of plate osteosynthesis of clavicle fracture. This article describes the first case of iatrogenic subclavian arteriovenous fistula caused by plate osteosynthesis. A 36-year-old man sustained a right middle clavicle fracture in an injury and underwent open reduction and internal fixation with clavicular compression plate 3 days later in a local hospital. On the second postoperative day, a pulsatile mass and thrill were detected at the right supraclavicular region. The patient was discharged 3 days postoperatively with no extra inspection. Three months later, he was admitted to our institution because the mass was getting bigger and weakness was felt in his right upper limb. Digital subtraction angiography confirmed a subclavian arteriovenous fistula. Vascular surgeons treated the patient successfully using endovascular techniques. The subclavian arteriovenous fistula was eliminated with a fully expanded stent graft, and the plate was removed simultaneously. The result was satisfactory, and the postoperative course was uneventful. This case demonstrated that subclavian arteriovenous fistula could be an iatrogenic complication of screw-and-plate osteosynthesis of clavicle fracture. The operative manipulation in the process of fracture reduction and hole drilling should be meticulous, and the screw length must be accurate. Orthopedic surgeons should be aware of this uncommon complication with plate osteosynthesis of clavicle fracture. We recommend using an endovascular surgical technique for treatment of this complication.


Background: Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have unmet needs. Oncologists play a central role in their supportive treatment. This study aims to describe Iranian oncologists' perceptions in terms of priorities in supportive care needs for nonmetastatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methods: We conducted this study using a descriptive, exploratory qualitative approach with a purposive sampling method. Interviews were conducted from July to October 2016 with medical oncologists (mean age: 47.5 years) who had a mean work experience of 15.8 years. Data saturation was achieved with 15 participants. Interviews were semi-structured. Graneheim and Lundman's qualitative content analysis approach and MAXQDA software were used to analyze the data.Results: There were two main categories obtained from data analysis: 1. continued comprehensive support in the disease continuum from diagnosis to rehabilitation (education and consultation, social and treatment support for patients, consideration of family support, addressing cultural conditions, psychological support, and financial support) and 2. Prerequisites in the preparation of the care system (the need for creating multidisciplinary teams, development and improvement of health care settings to provide services, and empowering the healthcare team to provide quality care).Conclusion: Comprehensive care for these patients and integration of these supports are essential in routine care. Major needs which must be addressed more seriously in the Iranian care system include the need for continued comprehensive support in the disease continuum from diagnosis to rehabilitation and prerequisites in the preparation of the care system.


Our study to evaluate the aetiological and clinical spectrum of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) in North-west India showed malignant cause (54.9%) was more common than benign (45.1%). Common causes of malignancy were gall bladder (37.5%), gastric (31.8%) and pancreatic carcinoma (19.6%); commonest benign causes were opioid abuse (29%), peptic ulcer disease (21.6%), ingestion of corrosives (20.2%) and chronic pancreatitis (12.3%).


Astronomical observations in the far-infrared are critical for investigation of cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation and the formation and evolution of planets, stars and galaxies. In the case of space telescope receivers, a strong heritage exists for corrugated horn antenna feeds to couple the far-infrared signals to the detectors mounted in a waveguide or cavity structure. Such antenna feeds have been utilized, for example, in the Planck satellite in both single-mode channels for the observation of the CMB and the multi-mode channels optimized for the detection of foreground sources. Looking to the demands of the future space missions, it is clear that the development of new technology solutions for the optimization and simplification of horn antenna structures will be required for large arrays. Horn antennas will continue to offer excellent control of beam and polarization properties for CMB polarisation experiments satisfying stringent requirements on low sidelobe levels, symmetry, and low cross polarization in large arrays. Similarly for far infrared systems, multi-mode horn and waveguide cavity structures are proposed to enhance optical coupling of weak signals for cavity coupled bolometers. In this paper we present a computationally efficient approach for modelling and optimising horn character-istics. We investigate smooth-walled horns that have an equivalent optical performance to that of corrugated horns traditionally used for CMB measurements. We discuss the horn optimisation process and the algorithms available to maximise performance of a merit parameter such as low cross polarisation or high Gaussicity. A single moded horn resulting from this design process has been constructed and experimentally verified in the W band. The results of the measurement campaign are presented in this paper and compared to the simulated results, showing a high level of agreement in co and cross polarisation radiation patterns, with low levels of integrated cross polar power. For future Far IR receivers using waveguide bounded bolometers and absorbers, an optimisation of the waveg-uide structures and absorber location within the integrating cavity is critical to maximise coupling performance particularly for multimoded systems. We outline the benefit of using multi-moded horns in focal plane arrays and illustrate the increased optical sensitivity associated with a many-moded approach, which may be optimized for coupling to particular incident beams.


micronutrient and a toxicant in marine and fresh water systems [1-8]. This element is needed by plants at only very low levels and is toxic at higher levels. At these levels, copper can bind to the cell membrane and hinder the transport process through the cell wall. Copper at nearly 40 ng.mL-1 is required for normal metabolism of many living organisms [9, 10]. On the other hand, copper is an important element in many industries. Thus, the development of new methods for selective separation, concentration and determination of it in sub-micro levels in different industrial, medicinal and environmental samples is of continuing Int. J. Bio-Inorg. Hybd. Nanomat., Vol. 1, No. 2 (2012), 105-114


Recently, optically reconfigurable gate arrays (ORGAs), which consist of a gate array VLSI, a holographic memory, and a laser array, have been developed to achieve a huge virtual gate count that is much larger than those of currently available VLSIs. Consequently, exploitation of the storage capacity of a holographic memory produces ORGAs with more than tera-gate capacity. However, comparison of conventional ORGAs with current field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) reveals one important shortcoming: they are not reprogrammable after fabrication: to reprogram an ORGA, a holographic memory must be disassembled from its ORGA package, reprogrammed outside of the ORGA package using a holographic memory writer, and again implemented onto the ORGA package with high precision beyond the capability of manual assembly. Therefore, to remove that shortcoming, a programmable ORGA has been proposed. However, since previously proposed programmable ORGA configurations used a beam splitter, its alignment was complicated. Furthermore, the alignments of lasers were also limited. This paper presents a multi-context programmable optically reconfigurable gate array that uses no beam splitter. Furthermore, this paper presents discussions of the availability of this architecture and future plans based on experimental results.


Abstract. Coating enhancement of black carbon (BC) light absorption (Eabs)
is a large uncertainty in modelling direct radiative forcing (DRF) by BC.
Reported Eabs values after atmospheric aging vary widely and the
mechanisms responsible for enhancing BC absorption remain elusive. Here, we
report on the direct field measurement of size-resolved mixing state,
Eabs, and aerosol single-scattering albedo (SSA) at
λ = 532 nm at a rural site in east China from June to July 2016.
Strong diurnal variability of Eabs, SSA, and
Ox
(Ox = NO2 + O3, a proxy for
atmospheric photochemical aging) was observed. A method that combined
Eabs and SSA was developed to retrieve the fraction contribution
of BC absorption (fBC), lensing-driven enhancement
(fLens), as well as the fractional contribution of coating
absorption (fraction absorption contribution (fShell), the coated
shell diameter (DShell) and the imaginary part of the complex
refractive index (CRI) of the shell (kShell)). Parameterization
of Eabs and SSA captures much of the influence of BC coating and
the particle absorption. In our measurements at this site, the results showed
that the absorption amplification depended on the coating thickness and the
absorption of coating materials, and photochemistry plays a role in modifying
the absorption of BC-containing particles. The lensing-driven enhancement was
reduced by light absorption of the shell. One implication of these findings
is that the contribution of light-absorbing organic compounds (brown carbon,
BrC) at a longer aging time should be included in climate models.


Introduction Idiopathic acquired aplastic anemia (AAA) is a rare and life-threatening disease, characterized by pancytopenia. Its immune-mediated physiopathology is not yet fully understood. However, important associations have been reported in AAA, which include the association with certain HLAs, the presence of a PNH clone in 40-50% of cases, occurrence of a hepatitis associated variant in about 5-10% of cases, the occurrence of interferon gamma (IFN- g ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) producing T cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow cells. Not much is known about cytokine gene polymorphisms in AAA and its relationship with HLA alleles. The IFN- γ +874 A/T gene polymorphism, and specially the +874TT genotype, have been associated with elevated levels of IFN- γ production. The individuals can present 3 different phenotype (TT, TA or AA). Some groups have demonstrated that the TT (the IFN-gamma "hyper-producer type") is possibly overrepresented in AA patients and correlates with susceptibility to the disease. In order to better understand the relationship between these immune parameters, we investigated the associations between IFN-g gene polymorphism in AAA patients and its relationship with the presence of HLADR15 (identified as of greater importance in our local patients).

Materials and methods In this study we analyze the variations of the gene polymorphism at position +874 interferon in 30 consecutive patients with confirmed diagnosis of AAA,in 2012 and 2013, at the Federal University of the State of Bahia Hospital/Brazil. Diagnosis of AAA was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. Patients also had their HLA typing and were tested for the IFN-gamma gene polymorphism at +874 T/A position using the ARMS methodology described by Pravica. As controls, 116 healthy individuals from the same population (Bahia/Brazil) were tested for these polymorphism. The analysis of the association between the gene polymorphism and the chances of developing AAA, and the polymorphism and the HLA-DR15, were performed using qui-square/exact fisher test. The results were expressed as OR.

Results We have found genotypic frequency of the A allele in 65%(n=39/60) in the aplastic patients (control 64.2%, n = 232, OR 1.05, p=0.87). The T allele was found in 35%(n =21/60)of the cases (control 34.6%, OR 0.95, p=0.87). Thus, there was no difference between the genotypic frequency of the alleles among patients with aplasia and the control group.

In addition, there was NO difference between the frequency of the phenotype (TT, AT or AA) between patients with AAA and control group, respectively 16,5%, 36,5%, 46% (AAA, n =30) versus 18.1% , 35.3%, 46.6% (n = 116 control) (p=n.s.). The association of the polymorphism was tested and compared to the HLA-DR15. There was NO association between the IFN-gamma gene polymorphisms and the presence of HLADR15 (p =,90).

Conclusion In our brazilian cohort, the +874 T/A IFN-gamma gene polymorphism was Not associated with the onset of AAA. Also, there was No association between IFN-gamma gene polymorphism and the antigen HLA-DR15. TT phenotype, possibly the predisposing one for disease, was expressed only in 15% of patients with AAA. These findings corroborate the presence of a much more complex pathogenesis in AAA ,and that, regional differences in genetic and immune mechanisms may co-exist.

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Abstract Satisfying clinical information needs remains a major challenge in medicine, underscored by recent studies showing high medical error rates and suboptimal physician adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines. Advanced clinical decision support systems can improve practitioner performance and patient outcomes. Similarly, integrating online information resources into electronic health records (EHRs) shows great potential for positively impacting health care quality. This paper explores the evolution and current status of knowledge-based resource linkages within EHRs, including the benefits and drawbacks, as well as the important role librarians can play in this process.


Fatigue of asphalt mixtures is a complex subject. In phenomenological fatigue models, the shift factor between laboratory fatigue tests and field data is huge. A significant portion of the shift factor is due to healing of microdamage, and the major contributor to healing is the asphalt cement and/or mastic component of the mixture. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) offers an efficient and reliable means of assessing both the fatigue and healing of binders and mastics. In this study cylindrical, sand asphalt samples are tested in the DMA. Several candidate fatigue failure parameters are considered to assess fatigue life and the effect of rest periods on the extension of fatigue life through healing. The effects of rubber modification and aging are also evaluated. DMA not only allows a repeatable and accurate assessment of healing but also provides insight into the mechanism of fatigue damage.


Pulmonary lobar transplantation provides a clue to the acute donor shortage. To examine the experimental and clinical applicability of lobar transplantation, the authors observed the extent of lung expansion and infiltrate in the allografted lobe through the sequential analysis of the early chest roentgenograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty two mongrel dogs weighting 17 kg on average were used. Donor lung bloc was taken and flushed with Euro-Collins solution. The left lower lobar bloc was procured and implanted in the pneumonectomized recipient dog. The anastomosis was performed in the order of the pulmonary vein, artery, and bronchus. To assess the radiological pattern in the lobar allograft, a grading system was designed according to the extent of lung expansion and infiltrate. RESULTS: A) Expansion pattern: Good to excellent lung expansion was seen on postoperative day 0 in 6 out of 10 dogs; on day 1, 4/7; day 2, 3/12; day 3, 1/1; and day 4, 1/3, respectively. Radiographs on day 6, 7, and 12 also showed good expansion in one dog. B) Lung opacity pattern: Clear to minimal infiltrates were seen on day 0 in 8 out of 10 dogs; day 1, 7/17; day 2, 2/12; and day 4, 1/3. The same appearances were detected in a single dog on day 6, 7, and 12. C) Expansion-opacity correlation pattern: Radiographs on postoperative day 0 showed good expansion with mild infiltrates, and excellent expansion with minimal infiltrates were observed on day 1 in 3 out of 17 dogs, day 2, 1/12; and day 4, 1/3, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Recurrent and chronic pulmonary infection is still the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis. Although respiratory viruses are responsible for some of the acute exacerbations of the pulmonary disease, bacteria, and in some patients Aspergillus fumigatus, are the most important pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae are the most prevalent pathogens in cystic fibrosis of childhood, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in some centres also Pseudomonas cepacia predominate in older children and adult patients. The chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is peculiar, since it is predominantly an endobronchial infection in small bronchioles caused by mucoid, alginate producing strains which gradually lose most of the O-antigenic determinants of the lipopolysaccharide. Although P. aeruginosa produces a number of other toxins which may play a role initially, most if not all of the pathology is caused by immune complex mediated chronic inflammation. The bacteriological results of antipseudomonas chemotherapy are disappointing, as these bacteria are virtually never permanently eliminated. The clinical results of repeated maintenance chemotherapy every 3 months are, however, good, since it is possible to preserve lung function for years and keep the patients alive. Antiinflammatory treatment with steroids for years is used in some patients with benefit.


This research is motivated by the students' lacking ability in performing science process skills especially on aspect of observing, asking questions, classifying, making conclusions, and communicating. It's because students are less invited to be active in learning process. The purposes of this research are to describe: (1) Lesson plan by implementing brain based learning model to increase science process skills on forth grade students. (2) Learning process by implementing brain based learning model to increase science process skills on forth grade students. (3) Increasing science process skills on forth grade students by implementing brain based learning model. Based on problem, a classroom action research which adapts Kemmis and Mc.Taggart model was conducted; which consisted of two cycles. The location of research was conducted in one of elementary schools in Bandung. Participants were 27 students. The research instruments are implementation of learning process observation sheet, science process skills observation sheet, test sheet, and documentation data. The result of research shows the improvement in each cycles from "Good" to "Very Good" category. Thus, from the result of research conducted, it can be concluded that the implementation of brain based learning model can increase science process skills on forth grade students.


Background Retturn to play decisions are complex. Pathways considering effective communication should be considered. High correlations between sports medicine/management communication and athlete injuries have been reported. Objective Design and implement a pratical sports medicine/management communication tool with UCD Athletic Football Club's (AFC) Premier division team for an 8 week trial. Design Prospective Exploratory study. Setting UCD Physiotherpy Hub- physiotherapists, supported by students provide sports physiotherapy services. UCD AFC's top tier team competes in the Irish Premier Division. Patients (or Participants) UCD AFC team selected through puposive sampling. Coaches approached seeking qualitative feedback regarding the communication tool. Only de-identified data reported. Main outcome measurements 'Traffic Light System': Model chosen based on sports medicine and management staff consensus. Players were categorised as Green-fit to play, Yellow-fit to play with caution, Amber-fit for light training only or Red-not fit to play. Classification was based on combining return to play criteria/outcome measures and clinical decision making by the Physiotherapist. Player availability (group and individual) in pie chart and table format was shared with management prior to training sessions/games. Qualitative Feedback Management feedback gathered through a survey at the end of the 8 week trial. Results Descriptive results Twenty seven UCD Soccer athletes of mean age 20.26±1.3 years monitoried over an 8 week mid-season period. Sixteen initial Physiotherapy clinical sessions completed. Average availability 69% Green 8.6% Yellow 9.3% Amber 13% Red. Qualitative results Surveys were completed by 3 AFC Management staff. Key themes: i) Ease of interpretation ii) Application to training session/game planning iii) Improving availability and transparency Conclusions The 'Traffic light System' was time efficient, low cost, and has received positive preliminary feedback. Trialling the system over a full season is needed to guage long term utility.


Important life-cycle events in Kyrgyz society are marked by the staging of large, informal feasting celebrations, known collectively as toi . This article discusses continuity and change in the materiality and spirituality of toi making, specifically in urban Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Organized on a larger scale and with more expenses than elsewhere in the country, Bishkek toi demonstrate material and spiritual reciprocities that are crucial in the reproduction of social solidarity and exclusion, as well as poverty, prestige, and power in the post-socialist context.


Application of Artificial Immune System (AIS) evolves as a key Artificial Intelligence concept for detecting misbehavior, ensuring security, detecting faults and performing data mining in Mobile ad hoc Networks (MANETs). Recognition of misbehaving nodes is a must for proper functioning of a MANET. AIS approach has a unique feature of learning which is absent in other techniques (e.g. reputation system). Danger Signal and Clonal Selection are the key techniques of AIS for misbehavior detection. Different types of misbehavior occur in MANETs, and then at different network layers-Physical, Data Link, and Network. In this paper we investigate and detect misbehavior at Network Layer. We performed experiment using the concepts of danger signal and clonal selection of AIS. Result of the misbehavior detection system depends on the way we use the danger signal for misbehavior detection. We propose an enhancement in the misbehavior detection using proper handling of danger signal. We compare our proposed concept of misbehavior detection with existing concepts. We show the experimental results showing the improvement in performance of AIS for misbehavior detection.


Multimechanistic flow occurs in reservoirs when the fluid transport is influenced by both, pressure and concentration gradients. In this research, we investigate the dynamics of multi-mechanistic gas-water transport in fractured systems. To achieve this objective, we have developed a two-phase, two-dimensional dual-porosity, dual-permeability simulator. The details of the simulator development are presented in a previous paper. Our studies indicate the presence of higher flowrates and cumulative production at early times in systems experiencing multimechanistic flow. This is attributed to the higher draw- downs experienced by such systems. At late times, a {open_quotes}choking effect{close_quotes} is hypothesized to be responsible for higher cumulative production. In this paper, we investigate the physics underlying this multimechanistic flow behavior. We do this by carefully analyzing a fractured system which clearly displays multi-mechanistic flow characteristics.


Nowadays, with the unprecedented penetration of renewable distributed energy resources (DERs), the necessity of an efficient energy forecasting model is more demanding than before. Generally, forecasting models are trained using observed weather data while the trained models are applied for energy forecasting using forecasted weather data. In this study, the performance of several commonly used forecasting methods in the presence of weather predictors with uncertainty is assessed and compared. Accordingly, both observed and forecasted weather data are collected, then the influential predictors for solar PV generation forecasting model are selected using several measures. Using observed and forecasted weather data, an analysis on the uncertainty of weather variables is represented by MAE and bootstrapping. The energy forecasting model is trained using observed weather data, and finally, the performance of several commonly used forecasting methods in solar energy forecasting is simulated and compared for a real case study.


STUDY OBJECTIVES
Clinical studies comparing fatty acid and glucose metabolism in relation to functional recovery of ischemic myocardium after coronary revascularization are scarce. This study evaluated the recovery of regional and global left ventricular function after coronary revascularization in relation to uptake patterns of beta-methyl-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients with ischemic myocardial dysfunction.

METHODS
Patients with ischemic regional wall motion abnormality underwent baseline viability imaging with (18)F-FDG, (123)I-BMIPP, and (99m)Tc- methoxyisobutylisonitrile, and the regions with evidence for maintained tissue viability were revascularized. Mismatch of uptake score between two different single-photon emission CT (SPECT) images in the same myocardial region was graded as low or high mismatch. Regional and global left ventricular functional changes after revascularization were analyzed in relation to mismatch severity and difference of total uptake score in each SPECT image pair. A total of 33 vessels in 30 patients related to the asynergic regions were revascularized, and a total of 100 myocardial segments perfused by the revascularized vessels were analyzed.

RESULTS
Segments showing high metabolic mismatch (FDG/BMIPP) had lowest regional wall motion score at baseline, representing the most severely impaired ischemic myocardium, and had highest improvement in regional wall motion score after revascularization. Difference of total uptake score between FDG and BMIPP showed a significant positive correlation with difference of ejection fraction between pre- and postrevascularization (r = 0.774, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS
Combined metabolic SPECT imaging with FDG and BMIPP has the potential to identify severely impaired ischemic myocardium leading to more efficient therapeutic management of patients with coronary artery disease.


The exponent of a word is the ratio of its length over its smallest period. The repetitive threshold r(a) of an a-letter alphabet is the smallest rational number for which there exists an infinite word whose finite factors have exponent at most r(a). This notion was introduced in 1972 by Dejean who gave the exact values of r(a) for every alphabet size a as it has been eventually proved in 2009.
The finite-repetition threshold for an a-letter alphabet refines the above notion. It is the smallest rational number FRt(a) for which there exists an infinite word whose finite factors have exponent at most FRt(a) and that contains a finite number of factors with exponent r(a). It is known from Shallit (2008) that FRt(2)=7/3.
With each finite-repetition threshold is associated the smallest number of r(a)-exponent factors that can be found in the corresponding infinite word. It has been proved by Badkobeh and Crochemore (2010) that this number is 12 for infinite binary words whose maximal exponent is 7/3.
We show that FRt(3)=r(3)=7/4 and that the bound is achieved with an infinite word containing only two 7/4-exponent words, the smallest number.
Based on deep experiments we conjecture that FRt(4)=r(4)=7/5. The question remains open for alphabets with more than four letters.
Keywords: combinatorics on words, repetition, repeat, word powers, word exponent, repetition threshold, pattern avoidability, word morphisms.


In thefifth-generation and beyond era, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) and dynamic metasurface antennas (DMAs) are emerging metamaterials keeping up with the demand for high-quality wireless communication services, which promote the diversification of portable wireless terminals. However, along with the rapid expansion of wireless devices, the electromagnetic (EM) radiation increases unceasingly and inevitably affects public health, which requires a limited exposure level in the transmission design. To reduce the EM radiation and preserve the quality of communication service, we investigate the spectral efficiency (SE) maximization with EM constraints for uplink transmission in hybrid RIS and DMA assisted multiuser multiple-input multiple-output systems. Specifically, alternating optimization is adopted to optimize the transmit covariance, RIS phase shift, and DMA weight matrices. We first figure out the water-filling solutions of transmit covariance matrices with given RIS and DMA parameters. Then, the RIS phase shift matrix is optimized via the weighted minimum mean square error, block coordinate descent and minorization-maximization methods. Furthermore, we solve the unconstrainted DMA weight matrix optimization problem in closed form and then design the DMA weight matrix to approach this performance under DMA constraints. Numerical results confirm the effectiveness of the EM aware SE maximization transmission scheme over the conventional baselines.


PURPOSE
To clarify the points to be considered when QFT-2G tests are used in the contacts examination by public health center.

OBJECT & METHOD
We analyzed the results of contacts examination on 43 workplace colleagues (39 y/o and younger) of a pulmonary tuberculosis patient (bII2, Gaffky 9, cough for 1.5 months).

RESULTS
After two months of the last contact with the index case, tuberculin skin tests, QFT-2G tests and chest X-rays were undertaken. After 6 months, chest X-rays were taken, and after 9 months, QFT-2G tests and chest CT scans were also undertaken. The tuberculin skin tests after two months showed a bimodal distribution, and 10 were QFT-2G positive and 2 showed doubtful reaction. The latter 12 persons underwent chemoprophylaxis. After 6 months, however, out of 31 QFT-2G negative persons, 2 developed pulmonary tuberculosis. Moreover, after 9 months, chest CT scans revealed 5 pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Three out of 7 new patients showed positive or doubtful reactions in QFT-2G tests undertaken after 9 months.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The sensitivity of QFT-2G tests is reported to be 80 to 90%, and the possibility of false negative is not negligible. We propose measures for public health center to conduct the contacts examination as follows; In case of high QFT-2G positive (including doubtful reaction) rate and/or a bimodal distribution of tuberculin skin test result, many infected persons are likely to be included in the group; and the following measures are recommended; 1) Necessity of chemoprophylaxis should be judged considering both tuberculin skin test results and the situation of contact with the index case, and not only by QFT-2G test results. 2) QFT-2G negative persons also need to be followed with chest X-rays.


ORCA is a concurrent and parallel garbage collector for actor programs, which does not require any STW steps, or synchronization mechanisms, and that has been designed to support zero-copy message passing and sharing of mutable data. ORCA is part of a runtime for actor-based languages, which was co-designed with the Pony programming language, and in particular, with its data race free type system. By co-designing an actor language with its runtime, it was possible to exploit certain language properties in order to optimize performance of garbage collection. Namely, ORCA relies on the guarantees of absence of race conditions in order to avoid read/write barriers, and it leverages the actor message passing, for synchronization among actors. In this paper we briefly describe Pony and its type system. We use pseudo-code in order to introduce how ORCA allocates and deallocates objects, how it shares mutable data without requiring barriers upon data mutation, and how can immutability be used to further optimize garbage collection. Moreover, we discuss the advantages of co-designing an actor language with its runtime, and we demonstrate that ORCA can be implemented in a performant and scalable way through a set of micro-benchmarks, including a comparison with other well-known collectors.


We record here 2 cases of Schistosomiasis hematobium infection found in northern Michigan. The widespread migration resulting from conditions associated with the war will introduce into the United States and Canada diseases endemic in foreign countries. Unless possible occurrence of tropical disease is considered, wrong or missed diagnoses will be inevitable. People who have spent much time in the tropics are apt to be more familiar with some tropical diseases than many physicians in this country. Schistosomiasis is endemic chiefly in the Mediterranean countries, the Near East and over most of Africa and nearby islands. A review of the etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology and treatment would appear superfluous at this time, since they are adequately described in all modern textbooks of tropical medicine. The majority of reported cases in this country have been well advanced and diagnosed relatively late in the course of the disease. As far as we have been


Background: The aim of this study is to determine the indication, timing, and administration of extracorporeal therapies such as total plasma exchange and continuous renal replacement therapy in children with acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure. Methods: This study is conducted as a retrospective, single-center study. Between January 2016 and December 2021, pediatric acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure patients for whom total plasma exchange and/or continuous renal replacement therapy was performed were included in this study. Results: Thirty-four children with acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure were included during the study period. The children comprised 14 (41.1%) males, and the median age of the patients was 54 months (5-21). Twenty-four patients (70.6%) had pediatric acute liver failure, and 10 patients (29.4%) had acute-on-chronic liver failure. Patients' median model for end-stage liver disease and pediatric end-stage liver disease scores were 24.7/23.5, respectively. Total plasma exchange therapy was performed on all patients whereas continuous renal replacement therapy was performed on 13 patients (38.2%). The median duration of continuous renal replacement therapy was 2.5 days (2-24). The median number of the total plasma exchange sessions was 3 (1-20). The median length of stay in pediatric intensive care unit was 4.5 (2-74) days. Eleven (32.5%) patients had 1 or more improvements in hepatic encephalopathy scores after extracorporeal therapy. Eleven (32.5%) patients died. There was a significant difference between the survivors and non-survivors with respect to levels of albumin, ammonia, pediatric risk of mortality scores, and pre-hepatic encephalopathy scores. Liver transplantation was performed in 4 of 24 pediatric acute liver failure patients, and all of them survived. Conclusion: Total plasma exchange and continuous renal replacement therapy are life-saving, and both methods may reduce morbidity and mortality, also bridging to liver transplantation.


The present invention relates to a NAND flash memory device and its program way can increase the program speed during MLC program operation. NAND flash memory device in accordance with the present invention performs a program operation using incremental step pulse program (ISPP) method. NAND flash memory device according to the invention comprises a program voltage controller to control the program voltage generation circuit for generating a memory cell storing multi-bit data, a program voltage to be provided to the memory cell, and the starting level of the program voltage . NAND flash memory device according to the invention provides the LSB start voltage to the word line selected when the LSB program operation, and provides a high starting voltage higher than the LSB MSB start voltage to the selected word line during the MSB program operation. According to the present invention can increase the program speed at the time of program operation.


Despite recent advances in data-independent and deep-learning algorithms, unstained live adherent cell instance segmentation remains a long-standing challenge in cell image processing. Adherent cells' inherent visual characteristics, such as low contrast structures, fading edges, and irregular morphology, have made it difficult to distinguish from one another, even by human experts, let alone computational methods. In this study, we developed a novel deep-learning algorithm called dual-view selective instance segmentation network (DVSISN) for segmenting unstained adherent cells in differential interference contrast (DIC) images. First, we used a dual-view segmentation (DVS) method with pairs of original and rotated images to predict the bounding box and its corresponding mask for each cell instance. Second, we used a mask selection (MS) method to filter the cell instances predicted by the DVS to keep masks closest to the ground truth only. The developed algorithm was trained and validated on our dataset containing 520 images and 12198 cells. Experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm achieves an AP_segm of 0.555, which remarkably overtakes a benchmark by a margin of 23.6%. This study's success opens up a new possibility of using rotated images as input for better prediction in cell images.


We present a novel and computationally simple prediction stage in a Daubechies 5/3 - like lifting structure for lossless image compression. In the 5/3 wavelet, the prediction filter predicts the value of an odd-indexed polyphase component as the mean of its immediate neighbors belonging to the even-indexed polyphase components. The new edge adaptive predictor, however, predicts according to a local gradient direction estimator of the image. As a result, the prediction domain is allowed to flip + or -45 degrees with respect to the horizontal or vertical axes in regions with diagonal gradient. We have obtained good compression results with conventional lossless wavelet coders.


This paper describes an impact of magnetic-tunnel-junction (MTJ)-device-based nonvolatile circuit techniques and its application to energy-efficient and compact binary-neural-network hardware design. Two specific properties of the MTJ-based nonvolatile-circuit style serve as key technologies to improve energy efficiency and ensure operational reliability. The former is a nonvolatile memory function that can reduce memory-access cost by holding intermediate data close to the logic circuit in nonvolatile manner, and the latter is a variable resistance function that enables compensation for accuracy degradation due to process variation after chip fabrication. As a typical example, a circuit structure performing multiply-accumulate operation and activation function is considered. Performance evaluation based on circuit simulation shows that the circuit designed with a 40 nm MOS/MTJ-hybrid process technology can reduce energy-delay product and circuit area by 99% and 52%, respectively, compared to the conventional logic-memory-separated circuit configurations.


Semiconductor photodetectors, as photoelectric devices using optical–electrical signal conversion for detection, are widely used in various fields such as optical communication, medical imaging, environmental monitoring, military tracking, remote sensing, etc. Compared to the conventional photodetector materials including silicon, III–V semiconductors and metal sulfides, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a metal-free polymeric semiconductor, has many advantages such as low-price, easy preparation, efficient visible light response, and relatively good thermal stability. In the meantime, the polymer characteristics also endow the g-C3N4 with good mechanical properties. Apart from being used for photo(electro)catalysts during the past decades, the potential use of g-C3N4 in photodetectors has attracted great research interests very recently. In this review, we first briefly introduce the structure and properties of g-C3N4 and the key performance parameters of photodetectors. Then, combining the very recent progress, the review focuses on the active materials, fabrication methods and performance enhancement strategies for g-C3N4 based photodetectors. The existing challenges are discussed and the future development of g-C3N4 based photodetectors is also forecasted.


BACKGROUND
Out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement using home BP (HBP) or ambulatory BP (ABP) monitoring is often necessary for the accurate evaluation of hypertension. These methods have several similarities but also have major differences. Therefore, they are regarded as complementary, and there is uncertainty on how they should be applied in clinical practice. This study compared hypertension management based on clinic and ABP measurements or on HBP measurements alone.

METHODS
Untreated subjects with elevated BP were randomized to treatment initiation and titration based on clinic and ABP measurements or on HBP measurements alone. Target organ damage was assessed at baseline and after 1 year of treatment with echocardiographic left ventricular mass index (primary endpoint), pulse wave velocity, and urinary albumin excretion.

RESULTS
A total of 145 subjects were randomized, and 116 completed the study (mean age = 50.7±10.5 years; 69 men (59%); mean follow-up = 13.4±1.4 months). There was no difference between the 2 arms in treatment-induced change in left ventricular mass index (mean difference = 0.50±1.11 g/m2; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -1.70 to 2.70). Moreover, there was no difference between the 2 arms in treatment-induced changes in pulse wave velocity (mean difference = -0.16±0.42 m/s; 95% CI = -0.99 to 0.66), urinary albumin excretion (mean difference = -0.85±4.28 mg/dl; 95% CI = -9.37 to 7.66), HBP and ABP levels, and hypertension control rates.

CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that HBP monitoring alone is as reliable as combined clinic and ABP measurements in monitoring the effects of antihypertensive drug treatment on BP and preclinical target organ damage.


In the field of industrial production automation, wireless networks support highly flexible manufacturing processes and enable technologies to set-up new production chains and future software businesses. The IO-Link Wireless (IOLW) protocol is an already established energy-efficient and cost-effective communication standard for smart sensor devices on the industrial shop floor, whereas the mobile communication standard 5G will be mainly applied for medium and long-range wireless communication applications promising low latency times and high reliability. Therefore, 5G with the coming enhancement of deterministic ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (uRLLC) is combined with the robustness and low-latency performance characteristics of IO-Link Wireless. Features of both technologies are highly beneficial to realize even highly demanding safety-related applications. The presented testbed shall qualify wireless functional safety communication with respect to its Residual Error Probability (REP) and quantify the Probability of Failure per Hour (PFH).


LST1 is a small adaptor protein expressed in leukocytes of myeloid lineage. Due to the binding to protein tyrosine phosphatases SHP1 and SHP2 it was thought to have negative regulatory function in leukocyte signaling. It was also shown to be involved in cytoskeleton regulation and generation of tunneling nanotubes. LST1 gene is located in MHCIII locus close to many immunologically relevant genes. In addition, its expression increases under inflammatory conditions such as viral infection, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease and its deficiency was shown to result in slightly increased sensitivity to influenza infection in mice. However, little else is known about its role in the immune system homeostasis and immune response. Here we show that similar to humans, LST1 is expressed in mice in the cells of the myeloid lineage. In vivo, its deficiency results in alterations in multiple leukocyte subset abundance in steady state and under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, LST1-deficient mice show significant level of resistance to dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) induced acute colitis, a model of inflammatory bowel disease. These data demonstrate that LST1 regulates leukocyte abundance in lymphoid organs and inflammatory response in the gut.


We introduce an energy-efficient distributed opportunistic interference alignment (OIA) scheme that greatly improves the sum-rates in multiple-cell uplink networks while reducing the transmit power consumption compared to the conventional OIA scheme. In the proposed scheme, each user employs optimal transmit vector design and power control strategy in the sense of minimizing the amount of generated interference to other-cell base stations while satisfying a given required signal quality. Our main result indicates that owing to the reduced interference level, the proposed OIA method attains larger sum-rates than those of OIA with no power control (i.e., with full transmit power) for almost all signal-to-noise ratio regions, thus resulting in improved energy efficiency.


Abstract The phylogenetic relationship between Pezicula, Dermea and Neofabraea species (Dermateaceae, Leotiales) was investigated using sequence analysis of part of the 18S ribosomal DNA, the internal transcribed spacer 1, the 5.8S ribosomal DNA and the internal transcribed spacer 2. DNA was isolated from 44 CBS-strains (7 Dermea, 3 Neofabraea and 34 Pezicula species). Parsimony analysis confirmed the morphology-based hypothesis that Ocellaria ocellata should be considered as a true Pezicula species. Furthermore, the position of two taxa (Pezicula malicorticis and Pe. alnicola) was found to be outside the Pezicula main cluster.


ABSTRACT Background: Although alcohol and nicotine are often used together, the biological consequences of these substances are not well understood. Identifying shared targets will inform cessation pharmacotherapies and provide a deeper understanding of how co-use of alcohol and nicotine impacts health, including biomarkers of stress and inflammation. Objective: We examined the effects of nicotine exposure and withdrawal on alcohol self-administration (SA), stress and inflammatory biomarkers, and a G-protein coupled receptor subunit (Gβ) in brain areas associated with drug use. Methods: Male rats were trained to SA alcohol and then received a nicotine pump (n = 7–8 per group). We assessed alcohol intake for 12 days during nicotine exposure and then following pump removal to elicit withdrawal. After the behavioral studies, we assessed plasma leptin, corticosterone, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and Gβ protein expression in the amygdala, nucleus accumbens (NAc), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Results: Nicotine exposure or withdrawal did not alter alcohol intake (p > .05). Alcohol and nicotine withdrawal elevated corticosterone levels (p = .015) and decreased Gβ levels in the PFC (p = .004). In the absence of nicotine, alcohol SA suppressed IL-1β levels (p = .039). Chronic exposure to nicotine or withdrawal during alcohol SA did not alter leptin levels or Gβ expression in the amygdala or NAc (p's > .05). Conclusions: The combination of alcohol SA and nicotine withdrawal produced a persistent increase in stress biomarkers and a suppression in Gβ expression in the PFC, providing an important first step toward understanding the common biological mechanisms of alcohol/nicotine misuse.


Satellite-tracked drifting buoy data and altimetry data are used to study the active vortex field to the west of Big Island. A pair of vortexes were observed at the trajectory of buoy in 1995. The westward propagation of the vortex pair is studied in detail by reproducing the loops of each vortex. The orbital period and radius of the pair of vortex are determined to be 10-11 d and 58-68 km. Two arrays of contra-rotating vortices are displayed in the average sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) field to the west of Big Island. Based on the calculation of the fluid dynamical parameter, the "von Karman vortex street" is proved to be generated to the west of Big Island as the North Equatorial Current impinges upon Big Island from the east. Finally, the analysis of the buoy trajectories in a decade contributes to the conclusion of the pattern of VKVS in a statistical view.


Interference fringes have been observed in X-ray double-crystal rocking curves from a two layer epitaxial structure consisting of 920 AA GaxIn1-xAs1-yPy grown on InP and capped by 0.38 mu m of InP. It is shown that the fringes can be used to measure the InP cap thickness to a precision of about 100 AA. The effects on the fringe spacing of variations in layer thickness and lattice mismatch are investigated by simulation. The fringe spacing is independent of the lattice parameter difference between cap and substrate. Simulations reveal that the fringes are modulated with a periodicity equal to the Bragg case Pendellosung period for a layer of thickness equal to that of the confined quaternary layer. This modulation is shown to be independent of cap thickness and layer mismatch. The fringe spacing and the modulation period thus provide an easy and non-destructive method for the determination of layer thicknesses to a precision of 100 AA for two-layer hetero-epitaxial structures.


Deficiencies in the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway have been assocd. with various cancers, and many commonly used
chemotherapeutics have decreased effectiveness against MMR- deficient cancers. Rhodium metalloinsertors are octahedral
complexes that bind DNA mismatches with high affinity and specificity through metalloinsertion, a binding mode through which
the compds. insert into the DNA duplex from the minor groove and eject the mismatched bases. These compds. also exhibit
unique cell- selective cytotoxicity, preferentially inducing necrosis in mismatch repair (MMR) - deficient cells over MMR- proficient
cells. This chemotherapeutic activity, which has been confirmed across multiple assays and in different systems for
comparing MMR deficiency to proficiency, has been found to be the result of specific targeting of the metalloinsertors to
nuclear DNA mismatches. Most recently, a new generation of metalloinsertors with enhanced potency and selectivity has
been discovered which display Rh- O coordination and a possible different binding disposition in the mismatch site as compared
to earlier generation metalloinsertors.


ABSTRACT A plan for national education to train outstanding engineers has been put into practice at Henan Polytechnic University (HPU). Practical education is a basic characteristic of engineering education. This paper proposed ideas and models to reform the mineral processing engineering education system and also described the discipline and the objective of cultivating students for careers in mineral processing engineering. On the basis of a survey and analysis of the quality of graduate student cultivation, we established a practical teaching system of 'four levels, seven categories' and the effect of this system was initially apparent.


This paper focuses on analyzing the classification of knowledge for thematic data generalization. And production-rule method in artificial intelligence is employed in representing generalization knowledge as generalization rules and a framework describes the whole process to build the rule system for thematic data generalization. A case study shows two different results after generalization with and without rules.


Mammalian glucagon is thought to be highly conserved. Glucagons from pig, cow, human, rat, and hamster have identical amino acid sequences, whereas the amino acid contents of rabbit and camel glucagons are consistent with this 29-amino acid sequence. It had earlier been reported that guinea pig (GP) glucagon contains 40 amino acids. In the current study, glucagon was purified from two GP pancreata by a series of three HPLC steps after acid-alcohol extraction and acetone precipitation. GP glucagon is a 29-amino acid peptide that differs from other mammalian glucagons by substitution of Gin for Asp in position 21, Leu for Val in position 23, Lys for Gin in position 24, Leu for Met in position 27, and Val for Thr in position 29. In view of the marked changes in the COOH-terminal of GP glucagon, receptor binding studies were performed using both rat and GP liver membranes. Labeled synthetic porcine glucagon has similar binding in the two systems and its binding is inhibited to a similar degree by synthetic porcine glucagon, whereas GP glucagon is 10-fold less potent at inhibiting binding in both systems. This suggests that glucagon receptor binding sites in the GP are evolutionarily more conserved than is GP glucagon.


A method of evaluating cloud-seeding operations is available in Oregon by the use of previously typed storm conditions. If cloud-seeding is effective in general, it must show similar departures under normal storm conditions. Thus previously typed storms are compared with similar storm types that passed through the Tillamook Burn area during the seeding operation of the summer of 1951.


Tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine (RM) are rapidly evolving fields that are often obscured by a dense cloud of hype and commercialization potential. We find, in the literature and general commentary, that several of the associated terms are casually referenced in varying contexts that ultimately result in the blurring of the distinguishing boundaries which define them. " TE " and " RM " are often used interchangeably, though some experts vehemently argue that they, in fact, represent different conceptual entities. Nevertheless, contemporary scientists have a general idea of the experiments and milestones that can be classified within either or both categories. Given the groundbreaking achievements reported within the past decade and consequent watershed potential of this field, we feel that it would be useful to properly contextualize these terms semantically and historically. In this concept paper, we explore the various definitions proposed in the literature and emphasize that ambiguous terminology can lead to misplaced apprehension. We assert that the central motifs of both concepts have existed within the surgical sciences long before their appearance as terms in the scientific literature.


The effect of a Hungarian made and applied insecticide, organophosphate (Dichlorvos) on antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative and redox parameters of two different fish species, carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) was studied. The two fish species have different ways of life. From antioxidant enzymes, changes in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and, in the case of carp, acetylcholinesterase activities were studied in tissue homogenates. Other parameters studied: changes of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathion and two radicals, which are superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Our results showed that the organophosphate tested, besides its inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase-or together with it-induces changes characteristic of "oxidative stress".


This work shows the study of the methods and techniques for the development of a virtual vision VRML 3D included in an "Digitally-integrated knowledge base" with interactive interphases of a significantly revitalized fragment of a central area of the city of Rosario, Province of Santa Fe, Argentina, that includes an emblematic heritage for the Argentineans: the National Monument to the Flag. Digital models that partly allow the development of a hypothesis of integration between the digitized information and information technology—new digital proximity— to the effects of being able to investigate the generation of multimedia database that includes three-dimensional and dynamic models of the mentioned type, in this case, urban, architectonic, and cultural heritage. Different views and research on heritage have been developing. Nevertheless, the use of these new 3D non-immersive technologies and inter-phases are opening a new field of vision and understanding of the subject.


The article covers a comparative analysis of the instrumental capabilities of various communication media (television, printed and electronic newspapers and magazines, news portals, radio and social networks) on the formation of public opinion in the youth regional sub-socium. Empirical basis — the result of the author's questionnaire survey of youth in the Republic of Mordovia. The choice of young people become an object of empirical research because of the fact that today it is at the intersection of information consumption from both traditional and fundamentally new means of communication media. The obtained data indicate that the level of influence of the CM in the structure of the regional youth sub-socium is differentiated. At the moment, the leading positions belong to television. After comparing the results with those of other authors, was made a conclusion about the gradual loss of the monopoly on controlling the flow of information from the traditional media. The observed convergence of media can be one of the factors shaping the the development of civil society institutions.


The after-set type prestressing tendon is newly developed for post-tensioning of concrete. Without grouting, this tendon has the same structural properties as the grouted tendon. This paper presents the properties of after-set type prestressing tendon and the flexural behavior of concrete beams using the new tendon.After-set type prestressing tendon is composed of prestressing steel coated with a cold setting epoxy resin in a corrugated polyethylene sheath. The hardening time of the resin can be controlled by the amount of curing catalyst that hardens after stressing and then bonding with concrete occurs through the sheath. The concrete specimens embedding the tendon and the beams reinforced with the tendon were prepared. The pull-out test, fire resistance test and flexural test of the beams were carried out. In conclusion, the bond strength of after-set type prestressing tendon is equal or superior to that of the prestressing steel with cement grout. The concrete cover of after-set type prestressing tendon needs about 55mm, 65mm and 75mm for 30 minutes, 1 and 2 hours of fire resistance periods respectively. The concrete beams using the after-set type tendon show the flexural behavior similar to the concrete beams using the prestressing steel with cement grout.


Universities, like many major public institutions, have embraced the notion of 'diversity' virtually uncritically – it is seen as a moral good in itself. But what happens to those who come to represent 'diversity' – the black and minority ethnic groups targeted to increase the institutions' thirst for global markets and aversion to accusations of institutional racism? Drawing on existing literature which analyses the process of marginalisation in higher education, this article explores the individual costs to black and female academic staff regardless of the discourse on diversity. However, despite the exclusion of staff, black and minority ethnic women are also entering higher education in relatively large numbers as students. Such grass-roots educational urgency transcends the dominant discourse on diversity and challenges presumptions inherent in top-down initiatives such as widening participation. Such a collective movement from the bottom up shows the importance of understanding black female agency when unpacking the complex dynamics of gendered and racialised exclusion. Black women's desire for education and learning makes possible a reclaiming of higher education from creeping instrumentalism and reinstates it as a radical site of resistance and refutation.


The effect of dextran nanoparticles on the conformation and compaction of single DNA molecules confined in a nanochannel was investigated with fluorescence microscopy. It was observed that the DNA molecules elongate and eventually condense into a compact form with increasing volume fraction of the crowding agent. Under crowded conditions, the channel diameter is effectively reduced, which is interpreted in terms of depletion in DNA segment density in the interfacial region next to the channel wall. Confinement in a nanochannel also facilitates compaction with a neutral crowding agent at low ionic strength. The threshold volume fraction for condensation is proportional to the size of the nanoparticle, due to depletion induced attraction between DNA segments. We found that the effect of crowding is not only related to the colligative properties of the agent and that confinement is also important. It is the interplay between anisotropic confinement and osmotic pressure which gives the elongated conformation and the possibility for condensation at low ionic strength.


An autonomic manager for enterprise server hardware management, called AMP, is described. AMP is designed to handle multiple aspects of hardware management and to work in conjunction with other management components, in particular application managers, in a way that reduces energy waste, protects server health, and preserves a high degree of autonomy both for itself and for the managers with which it works. AMP interacts with other managers in two ways: (1) exchange of nominal control over individual servers; and (2) provision of a synthetic cost function giving AMP's assessment of relative desirability of using different servers. The high-level architecture of AMP is discussed, with particular focus on the way it effects a natural decomposition of the combined hardware-and-application management problem, and on initial versions of the algorithms it uses to manage server power states and determine the cost function. AMP's viability in practice is demonstrated via prototype implementation in which it operates on real servers in collaboration with a state-of-the-art application manager. The overall system behavior is investigated via simulation.


This work proposes a method to interpret a scene by assigning a semantic label at every pixel and inferring the spatial extent of individual object instances together with their occlusion relationships. Starting with an initial pixel labeling and a set of candidate object masks for a given test image, we select a subset of objects that explain the image well and have valid overlap relationships and occlusion ordering. This is done by minimizing an integer quadratic program either using a greedy method or a standard solver. Then we alternate between using the object predictions to refine the pixel labels and vice versa. The proposed system obtains promising results on two challenging subsets of the LabelMe and SUN datasets, the largest of which contains 45, 676 images and 232 classes.


Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for crop growth. The rapid and non-destructive monitoring of N nutrition in crops through remote sensing is important for the accurate diagnosis and quality evaluation of crop growth status. Leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC), which has been widely utilized in remote sensing, serves as a crucial indicator for the monitoring of crops growth status. In this study, the first-derivative fluorescence spectrum (FDFS) based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) was proposed for LNC estimation in paddy rice. First, the correlation between the LNC and FDFS at each wavelength was analyzed in detail using different excitation light wavelengths (ELWs; 355, 420, and 556 nm). Then, FDFS was used as an input parameter to train a back-propagation neural networks (BPNN) model for LNC estimation. The coefficients of determination (R2) of the linear regression analysis between the measured and predicted LNC were 0.823, 0.743, and 0.837, corresponding to 355, 420, and 556 nm ELWs, respectively. Second, the principal components analysis was performed for the extraction of the main characteristics of FDFS, and the calculated variables were used for LNC inversion. The R2 values were 0.891, 0.815, and 0.907 for 355, 420, and 556 nm ELWs, respectively. In addition, the correlation between the ratio of FDFS and LNC was also analyzed, which can provide a reference for the selection of optimal wavelengths for LNC monitoring. The experimental results exhibited the promising potential of FDFS combined with multivariate analysis for LNC monitoring, which can allow additional fluorescence characteristics to improve the accuracy of LNC monitoring.


In this present work, coal combustion fly ash from a power plant in Turkey was used in combination with a traditional raw material in terracotta production with the aim of having a product with improved physico-mechanical properties and lower production cost. Several compositions were prepared by adding different amounts of fly ash (ranging from 0 to 20 %) in a yellow firing terracotta formulation and shaped by wet pressing. Following firing at a suitable temperature, some of the physical properties of the resultant tiles were determined as a function of the fly ash content. A combination of XRD, SEM and EDX techniques were also employed to correlate the properties with the phase composition. The results indicated that fly ash could be utilized easily in certain amounts in such an application.


Abstract Silver and copper borate nanostructures were mechanistically synthesized for novel boron-containing antibacterial applications. Different concentration, temperature, time parameters were varied for obtaining hierarchical formulations. Metal borate nanostructures showed interesting crystalline and optical properties since temperature and concentration adjustments provided correlated shape and surface properties with around 300 nm size. Chemical analysis and crystallinity of both copper and silver formulations were conducted with X-ray diffraction and unveiled that especially temperatures ranging from 40 to 90 °C has a huge impact on the formation of nanostructures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis comprehensively provided all atomic compositions especially about boron atom at 191–192 eV range. Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis with scanning electron microscope measurements revealed the morphological properties of the nanostructures and showed the purity of the obtained materials. Finally, metal borate-containing glazes were obtained on 1 × 1 cm samples for antibacterial tests against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms.


A 13-YEAR-OLD Korean boy had a 1-month history of recurrent fever, leukopenia, and bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. One month prior to presentation, he had a 10-day illness: sore throat, abdominal pain, and daily fever spikes to 40°C. White blood cell count at that time was 2.2× 10 9 /L (polymorphonuclear cells, 0.24; band forms, 0.37; lymphocytes, 0.32; and monocytes, 0.07). Throat culture for group A β-hemolytic streptococcus was negative, as were a slide agglutination test for heterophil antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus and testing for IgG- and IgM-specific serum antibodies to Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen. For 6 days prior to admission, temperature to 40°C and sore throat recurred; anorexia and fatigue developed. He had lost 2.2 kg in the last month. On examination, his oral temperature was 39.0°C. He appeared tired but not acutely ill. He had bilateral anterior and posterior cervical lymphadenopathy; these soft, mobile, nontender lymph nodes were 0.5 to


Variational data assimilation technique is applied to a simple bidi-mensional wave equation that simulates propagation of internal gravity waves in the ocean in order to control grids and numerical schemes. Grid steps of the vertical grid, Brunt-Vaisala frequency and approximation of the horizontal derivative were used as control parameters either separately or in the joint control. Obtained results show that optimized parameters may partially compensate errors committed by numerical scheme due to insufficient grid resolution.


This study had the purpose of exploring the possible association between the work exposures of professional drivers and their reproductive health, by studying a group of 201 taxi drivers in the city of Rome. Data on work and reproductive history were collected by interviews. Biological markers examined in 72 subjects included salivary testosterone levels, sperm quality (i.e., sperm concentration, sperm morphology, and motility), and fertility experience, including time to pregnancy. Their spermatologic profile was compared with that of a control group of 50 healthy subjects of similar age and smoking habits. The results showed that taxi drivers, compared to the controls, had a significantly lower prevalence of normal sperm forms (45.8% vs. 64.0%); this was particularly true for those with a longer time on this job. This result was confirmed by a multivariate analysis in which confounders such as age, smoking, and alcohol consumption were controlled. The other sperm parameters did not differ in the study and the control groups. Among the life-style factors, we found smoking to be associated with poorer sperm morphology. Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a better seminologic profile, while the pattern in respect to coffee intake was inconclusive. Subjects with poor semen quality also more frequently exhibited longer time to pregnancy of their partner. The results suggest that prolonged urban automobile driving might be a risk factors for sperm quality, and particularly for sperm morphology, but the finding needs further confirmation.


This article "revisits" the old Uruguayan party democracy - the eldest and one of the few in Latin America-reviewing wellknown contributions as well as my own proposals, to point out persistence and changes during the last century. Trying to avoid "exceptionalism", the text interweaves comparative references, which provide a framework for the originality of the Uruguayan case and make it possible to further highlight its potential for Comparative Politics. The first part reviews the genetic model and the typical features of the Uruguayan regime, explaining its comparative advantages: the historical background and the polyarchy origins, pluralist presidentialism, and a sui generis consociational democracy, made up by political parties and not of social cleavages. The second part deals with the great transformation following the democratic transition of the 1980, arising from the changes in the party system, which do not prompt its breakdown but instead reshape its plural and competitive structure. This section reviews the liberal transition of the 1990 and the 1996 constitutional reform, the decline of the traditional two-party system and the Frente Amplio's development into a predominant party, including its debut with a social democratic government, which echoes the "late" social democracies in Southern Europe. Through all this, the renewed Uruguayan party democracy which at the time could not avoid the dictatorship 1973-1984 - continues to make a difference and at the end of a long and gradual process, forges a new political norm.


The aim of this paper is to describe and evaluate the benefits of epidural anesthesia in major surgery neonatal. We have performed a matched case-control (2:1) study of patients undergoing neonatal major surgery (NMSs) who received intra-and postoperative epidural anesthesia (EA) and controls with conventional general anesthesia. The matching criteria were age, weight and baseline pathology. EA was administered by caudal puncture and epidural catheter placed with ultrasound support. Levobupivacaine was selected as anesthetic drug. The time to extubation, intestinal transit time, type of analgesia and complications were studied. This study is based on 11 cases (2 esophageal atresia, 2 diaphragmatic hernias, 1 necrotizing enterocolitis, 3 intestinal atresia, 2 anorectal malformation and 1 bladder exstrophy) and 22 controls. We observed statistically significant differences in time to extubation (95% CI OR 12 1.99 to 72.35; Chi2 p = 0.004, Mann U Whytney p = 0.013) and intestinal transit time (Mann Whitney U p < 0.001, 100 Or, 95% CI 8.06-1 239; Chi2 p < 0.0001). There were no complications from epidural analgesia. Therefore we believe that the intra-and postoperative EA helps improve postoperative management in neonates and should be preferred in centers where this technique is available.


The features of the surface electrical conductivity of a series of LiNbO3 crystals of different compositions are studied. It is shown that when the crystals are cooled, H2O molecules are adsorbed and dissociated on their polar surfaces, and the intensity of this process depends on the unipolarity of the sample.