BACKGROUND
Rapid growth is related to adverse respiratory outcomes although possibly confounded or limited by growth modelling methods. We investigated the association of infant and pubertal growth with lung function, wheezing and asthma in a non-Western setting.

METHODS
In Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' Chinese birth cohort (n = 8327), weight during infancy and weight, height and body mass index (BMI) during puberty were modelled using a super-imposition by translation and rotation model to identify (larger or smaller) size, (earlier or later) tempo and (slower or faster) velocity. Sex-specific associations with forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC (Global Lung function Initiative z-score) and self-reported wheezing and asthma at ∼17.5 years were assessed.

RESULTS
For each fraction higher than average weight growth velocity during infancy, FVC was higher in boys (0.90 SD, 95% CI 0.35; 1.44) and girls (0.77 SD, 95% CI 0.24; 1.30), FEV1/FVC was lower (-0.74 SD, 95% CI -1.38; -0.10) and wheezing was higher (odds ratio 6.92, 95% CI 1.60; 29.99) in boys and an inverse association with FVC was observed for tempo but not for size. Associations for weight growth velocity in puberty were similar but weaker. Greater size and higher velocity of BMI growth was associated with higher FVC, lower FEV1/FVC and higher asthma and wheezing risk.

CONCLUSION
Accelerated infant and pubertal weight growth were associated with disproportionate lung size and airway growth, and higher risk of asthma; optimizing early-life growth patterns could be important.


This paper describes an integrated current-mode buck converter with reliable hysteretic mode controller and modulators for fast dynamic voltage scaling (DVS). The proposed mode controller and modulators enable the DC-DC buck converter to perform its smooth mode transitions at optimal points. The continuous current-limiting and DCM controls drive the DVS to track the reference at the maximum speed in both PWM and PFM modes. The DC-DC buck converter is implemented in a 90-nm 3.3V CMOS process. The maximum efficiency reaches 94.5%. The hysteretic mode controller keeps its efficiency always at more than 75% for any load conditions. During a mode transition, the output voltage has no overshoots, and it can track the reference voltage instantly.


Benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid esters, also known as phthalates, are commonly used in the productions of plastics such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastics, non-polymers and adhesives. Phthalates are ubiquitous compounds which are difficult to measure in drinks and foods containing trace level. Phthalates have been associated with developmental alteration and endocrine disruption. This study was aimed at identifying and quantifying concentrations of four different phthalates namely; Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diphenyl phthalate (DPhP), in plastic Coca-Cola soft drink purchased from five different strata or locations of University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane was used for the extraction of the phthalates, followed by cleaned up in a silica gel column. This was followed by high performance liquid chromatographic analysis (HPLC) for quantification. The linear range of the HPLC calibration curve was 0 mg/L to 10 mg/L with a mean correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.998 and the percentage recovery was between 56 and 106%. This result indicated that DEHP had the highest concentration of 11.52±3.31 μg/mL. Heat and longer storage of plastic soft drinks increased the content of leached phthalates in the drinks; therefore consumers of plastic packaged drinks should desist from frequent intake to avoid chronic toxicity of phthalate esters.


Electromyography (EMG) and nerve-conduction studies (NCS) are subject to artefacts. In the context of these investigations, an artefact is defined as any electrical signal not originating from nerve or muscle.1 Erroneous interpretation of results may occur in electrodiagnostic studies if artefacts distort or obliterate the genuine response.1 Common causes of artefact include power lines (50 Hz UK, 60 Hz USA), radiofrequency interference, defective needle insulation and stimulus artefact. Artefact can also be caused by any intracorporeal or intracranial device which produces a potential difference (voltage) significant enough to be recorded during NCS or EMG studies. Artefacts caused by devices such as cardiac pacemakers2 and vagus nerve stimulators3 are well documented in the literature.

More recent advances in the treatment of conditions such as Parkinson's disease, benign essential tremor, cerebellar tremor and other movement disorders have led to an increasing number of patients having deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices implanted. These devices can produce …


Context: Family structures can affect the oral health of the child. However, little is known about the impact of the family structure on oral health of children in Africa. Aims: To determine the association between family structure, twice daily toothbrushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, caries, and oral hygiene status of 5–12-year-old children resident in semi-urban Nigeria. Settings and Design: Secondary analysis of the data of 601 children recruited through a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: The association between dependent variables (presence of caries, good oral hygiene, use of fluoridated toothpaste, and twice daily toothbrushing) and the family structure (parental structure, number of siblings, and birth rank) was determined. Statistical Analysis Used: Simple and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association. The regression models were adjusted for age and gender. Results: Children who were not primogenitor had significantly reduced odds of using fluoridated toothpaste (AOR: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–0.97; P = 0.01) when compared with children who were primogenitors or only children. Furthermore, having 0–2 siblings significantly reduced the odds of having caries (AOR: 0.46; CI: 0.28–0.78; P < 0.001) when compared with children who had three or more siblings. Children who used fluoridated toothpaste had significantly increased odds of having good oral hygiene (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.18–2.28; P < 0.001). Conclusions: For this study population, the number of siblings and the birth rank increased the chances of having caries and use of fluoridated toothpaste, respectively.


A developmental single-element induction range appliance with a smooth-surface ceramic cooktop is described. The appliance demonstrates the versatility of induction cooking and characteristic features of safety, cleanliness, high efficiency, and rapid response. Tests indicate that performance surpasses that of conventional range elements of equal power input. The circuit is designed to achieve minimum cost. A self-excited SCR inverter operates near 22 kHz to produce a sinusoidal magnetic field for heating. Full rectified line voltage is applied at all power levels to avoid the need for dc-to-dc conversion. Power is stepwise controlled over a wide range by switching capacitance in the RF circuit. Contact arcing is prevented by turning off power between switch positions. Full load power is 1600 W at a line voltage of 120 V. Input power decreases to a low standby level when no cooking utensil is on the cooktop. The appliance includes a pan temperature control. Infrared (IR) energy emanating from the pan bottom passes through the cool IR transmissive cooktop to a simple detection system which actuates the inverter to hold pan temperature within a few percent of a selected level from 70°C to 175°C.


We analyse the role of health in determining the difference between desired and actual hours of work in a sample of German men using the Socio-Economic Panel Data for years 1996-2007. The effects of both self-assessed health and legal disability status are examined. About 60% of employees report working more than they would wish with the mean difference of -3.9 hours/week. We estimate static and dynamic model specifications allowing for auto-regressive nature of the dependent variable and testing for the role of lagged health status. Important differences are found between east and west German Lander. In the west we find statistically significant role of general health measures in determining the disequilibrium. Employees in bad health want to work on average by about 0.4 hour/week less according to the static specification, and by about 1 hour/week less if dynamics of health and of the disequilibrium are taken into account. This is respectively 10% and 25% of the mean difference. We find no effects of legal disability status on the disequilibrium which we interpret as a reflection of stronger legal position of disabled employees. In both east and west we find significant state dependence in the hours disequilibrium.


There is a need to control the intestinal colonization of broiler chickens by salmonellae in order to reduce the contamination of poultry products. A two-step treatment of broiler chicks with a mucosal competitive exclusion culture (MCE) was tested, in which the MCE was first sprayed on chicks in the hatchery followed by administration in the first drinking water. Three commercial flocks were treated and compared with parallel, untreated control flocks. Customary husbandry practices were employed. Environmental, hatchery, skin with feathers, and cecal samples were analyzed at 3 and 7 wk for the presence of salmonellae. Carcass rinse samples of fully processed birds were analyzed similarly. The results indicated that initial feed, water, and litter contamination was at a low frequency (< 10%). Eggshell fragments and chick paper pads were frequently contaminated (> 50%). After 3 wk growth, contamination of litter, skin with feathers, and ceca were significantly (P < .05) reduced in treated flocks as compared with control flocks. Salmonellae prevalence in ceca and in processed carcass rinses was also significantly (P < .05) reduced from 41% in control flocks to 10% in treated flocks. The study showed that treatment of chickens in a commercial setting with MCE cultures can serve as a useful means to reduce salmonellae contamination.


The establishment of a market for CO2 emission rights in Europe leads oil-refining companies to add a cost associated with carbon emissions to the objective function of linear programming models used to manage refineries. These models may be used to compute the marginal contribution of each finished product to the CO2 emissions of the refinery. Babusiaux (Oil. Gas Sci. Technol. , 58, 2003, 685-692) has shown that, under some conditions, this marginal contribution is a relevant means of allocating the carbon emissions of the refinery. Thus, it can be used in a well-to-wheel Life Cycle Assessment. In fact, this result holds if the demand equations are the only binding constraints with a non-zero right-hand side coefficient. This is not the case for short-run models with fixed capacity. Then, allocating CO2 emissions on a marginal basis tends to overvalue (or undervalue) the total volume of emissions. In order to extend the existing methodology, we discuss two distinct solutions to this problem, inspired by economic theory: adapting either the Aumann-Shapley cost sharing method (Values of non-atomic games, 1974, Princeton University Press) or the Ramsey pricing formula (Econ. J. , 37, 1927, 47-61; J. Econ. Theory , 3, 1971, 219-240). We compare these two solutions, with a strong argument in favour of Ramsey prices, based on the determination of the optimal environmental tax rate to which imported finished products should be subject.


In Photosystem II (PSII), a high number of plastid encoded and membrane integral low molecular weight proteins smaller than 10 kDa, the proteins PsbE, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, Tc, Z and the nuclear encoded PsbW, X, Y1, Y2 proteins have been described. Here we show that all low molecular weight proteins of PSII already accumulate in the etioplast membrane fraction in darkness, whereas PsaI and PsaJ of photosystem I (PSI) represent the only low molecular weight proteins that do not accumulate in darkness. We found by BN‐PAGE separation of membrane protein complexes and selective MS that the accumulation of one‐helix proteins from PSII is light independent and occurs in etioplasts. In contrast, in chloroplasts isolated from light‐grown plants, low molecular weight proteins were found to specifically accumulate in PSI and II complexes. Our results demonstrate how plants grown in darkness prepare for the induction of chlorophyll dependent photosystem assembly upon light perception. We anticipate that our investigation will provide the essential means for the analysis of protein assembly in any membrane utilizing low molecular weight protein subunits.


A technique for displaying the dispersion effect of surface waves in terms of energy contours on a frequency-velocity diagram is described. Preliminary results from analysis of data from an earthquake in Chile as recorded in Sweden show that predominant Rayleigh phases occur at periods of 16 and 25 sec and the corresponding velocities are 2.9 and 3.5 km/sec respectively. A Love phase of period 40 sec and velocity 4.1 km/sec is also noticed. Spectral analysis and coherence studies confirm the formation of these phases. The results are preliminary and tend to illustrate the usefulness of the technique for analysis of surface waves from earthquakes.


Background & Objectives: The new, more effective antibiotic sources are urgently needed now

to overcome the multi-drug resistance (MDR) in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by

pathogenic microorganisms. This study was aimed to find out the bioactivity of the

hexadecanoic acid isolated from hydroid AglaopheniacupressinaLamoureoux with inhibition

mechanisms or lethal to Salmonella typhi that frequently contaminate food materials.

Methods: This study was an experimental study with the following treatment steps: Isolation

and characterization of the compounds from hydroid A. cupressinaLamoureoux by

chromatography. Hexadecanoic acids and the isolates from hydroid A. cupressinaLamoureoux

were then tested against S. typhi at various concentrations (10 ppm, 20 ppm, and 30 ppm).

Result: Study findings indicated that: (1) hexadecanoic acid at the concentration of 30 ppm is

bactericidal against S. syphi.Interpretation & Conclusion: From the study findings, it can be

concluded that hexadecanoic acid (30 ppm) has antibacterial activity by damaging the cells

wall of S. typhi.


Fear of breast cancer has been inversely associated with participation in screening. However, investigators have generally used only one item or global scales to measure fear. This report describes development of a fear scale specific to breast cancer. Data from a large study involving mammography adherence were used to test the breast cancer fear scale for validity and reliability. Construct validity was verified through factor analysis and regression analysis predicting mammography. All items loaded on a single factor and theoretical relationships were verified by linear and logistic regression. The Cronbach alpha for the scale was .91.


When considering mathematical realism, some scientific realists reject it, and express sympathy for the opposite view, mathematical nominalism; moreover, many justify this option by invoking the causal inertness of mathematical objects. The main aim of this note is to show that the scientific realists' endorsement of this causal mathematical nominalism is in tension with another position some (many?) of them also accept, the doctrine of methodological naturalism. By highlighting this conflict, I intend to tip the balance in favor of a rival of mathematical nominalism, the mathematical realist position supported by the 'Indispensability Argument' – but I do this indirectly, by showing that the road toward it is not blocked by considerations from causation.


Primary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PPH) is a rare disorder with a predilection for young subjects (most commonly of 20-40 years) and of the female sex. The prognosis is very poor because the average life expectancy is of the order of two to three years from the time of diagnosis. Since the epidemic of PPH observed in Switzerland, Austria and Germany in the years between 1968 and 1970, following the arrival of a derivative of amphetamine, Aminorex, it was realised that certain medications, notably appetite suppressants, might play an initiating role. More recently, fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine have been incriminated: in a significant statistic of A-beclere's team, around 20% of cases of PPH were observed in patients who had taken fenfluramine or dexfenfluranime for more than three months. A very recent case-control study has shown that any use of anorexic drugs (mainly fenfluramine derivatives) was associated with an increased risk of PPH (odds ratio: 6/1), and particularly when the duration of treatment exceeds 3 months. Outside the group of appetite suppressants few medications are capable of favouring the development of PPH, the cases are sporadic and the relationship between cause and effect is hardly established.


The mechanical efficiency of a plant to resist external forces such as gravity (biomass), wind and rain water depends on the characteristic relationship between its form (morphology), material structure (anatomy) and function. Previous studies have shown that this relationship for coconut palms (monocotyledonous plant) significantly differs from hardwood or softwood (dicotyledonous plants) and even from other palm species. The coconut stem tissue (also referred to as "cocowood") has a non-uniform orientation of fibrovascular bundles and density distribution, likely influencing the coconut palm's mechanical properties and capacity to withstand extreme weather conditions without failure. The present study aims at quantifying and characterising the compressive strength and stiffness within the stem green tissue of senile coconut palms (80 to 100 year old) cut from the Pacific islands of Fiji and Samoa. This paper presents results gained from 69 compressive tests carried out on 54 green cocowood small-clear samples. Furthermore, this paper analyses the relationships between the measured mechanical properties and basic density.


Existing theory of consumer demand does not contain a body of theorems purporting to explain the consumption behavior of individuals when their preferences are changed, either autonomously or by advertising and other forms of selling effort. In view of the importance of advertising in the modern economy, it is desirable that such a body of theorems be worked out. The objective of this study is the formulation of a theory of consumer demand with variable preferences; the governing criterion is that the theory be applicable in econometric demand analysis;The assumption that the individual consumer has only one ordinal utility function is replaced by the assumption that he has a whole family of ordinal utility functions; advertising expenditures by sellers of commodities are assumed to determine which one of these ordinal utility functions is maximized. From these assumptions are derived a number of a priori restraints on measurements defining advertising elasticities of demand. It is shown that advertising elasticities are weighted averages of elasticities of substitution between goods in consumption, the weights being measurements defining advertising elasticities of marginal utilities;Estimates of empirical advertising elasticities of demand for tobacco are presented along with estimates of the elasticity of marginal utility of tobacco with respect to advertising expenditure. The computation of these estimates serves as an example of the application of the theory to problems of econometric demand analysis.


Analyzing large graphs are crucial to a variety of applications domains, like personalized recommendations in social networks, search engines, communication networks, computational biology, etc. In these domains, there is a need to process aggregation queries over large graphs. Existing approaches for aggregation are not suitable for large graphs, as they involve multi-way relational over gigantic tables or repeated multiplication of large matrices. In this report, we consider the top-K aggregation queries that involve identifying top-K nodes with highest aggregate values over their h-hop neighbors. We propose algorithms for processing such queries over large graphs in a shared nothing environment. We propose a hybrid algorithm that minimizes network loads is shuffling data across the processing nodes. The algorithm partitions the graph across the processing nodes, and uses Floyd-Warshall algorithm within each nodes. The nodes shuffles updates among themselves in iterative phases; such incremental iterative processing is similar to route discover in a large network. The algorithm needs only a few iterations to converge to an equilibrium state.


Sugars are not only metabolic substrates: they also act as signals that regulate the metabolism of plants. Previously, we found that glycolysis is induced in transgenic tubers expressing a yeast invertase in the cytosol but not in those expressing invertase in the apoplast. This suggests that either the low level of sucrose, the increased formation of cytosolic glucose or the increased levels of metabolites downstream of the sucrose cleavage is responsible for the induction of glycolysis in storage organs. In order to discriminate between these possibilities, we cloned and expressed a bacterial sucrose phosphorylase gene from Pseudomonas saccharophila in potato tubers. Due to the phosphorolytic cleavage of sucrose, formation of glucose was circumvented, thus allowing assessment of the importance of cytosolic glucose - and, by implication, flux through hexokinase - in glycolytic induction. Expression of sucrose phosphorylase led to: (i) a decrease in sucrose content, but no decrease in glucose or fructose; (ii) a decrease in both starch accumulation and tuber yield; (iii) increased levels of glycolytic metabolites; (iv) an induction of the activities of key enzymes of glycolysis; and (v) increased respiratory activity. We conclude that the induction of glycolysis in heterotrophic tissues such as potato tubers occurs via a glucose-independent mechanism.


The bioavailability of isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide in 2 combined formulations of the 3 drugs (Rifater) for use primarily in the short-course chemotherapy of tuberculosis has been studied in Chinese patients in Singapore and Hong Kong. One formulation, containing 50 mg isoniazid, 120 mg rifampin, and 300 mg pyrazinamide per tablet is suitable for daily use, whereas the other, containing higher proportions of isoniazid and pyrazinamide, is designed for intermittent treatment, each tablet containing 125 mg isoniazid, 100 mg rifampin, and 375 mg pyrazinamide. Appropriate dosages for the Chinese patients, whose average weight was approximately 50 kg, were 5 and 6 tablets, respectively. Plasma concentrations of the 3 drugs after giving such dosages of the 2 combined formulations were compared in 16 patients, 8 in Singapore and 8 in Hong Kong, by means of a crossover study, with the concentrations obtained when identical doses of the 3 drugs were given using standard separate drug formulations. The concomitant urinary excretions of the drugs and their major metabolites were also estimated. Very similar results were obtained whether the drugs were given as the combined preparations or in their standard separate formulations, demonstrating the excellent bioavailability of all 3 drugs in each of the 2 combined formulations.


In the province of Lecce (southern Italy), a higher incidence of lung cancer (LC) among men compared to regional and national data was reported. In a sub-area in the center of the province (cluster area), the incidence and mortality for LC was even higher. PROTOS is a case–control study aimed at investigating possible risk factors for LC in the province area. A total of 442 patients with LC and 1326 controls matched by sex and age living in the province of Lecce for at least 10 years were enrolled and georeferenced; they filled in a questionnaire with their personal information and exposures. For each risk factor, an Odds Ratio adjusted for all the other variables was calculated. The risk of LC increased with excessive use of alcohol in women, for those subjects with a family cancer history, for each increase in pack/year of cigarettes, for men more exposed considering the industrial district in the cluster area, and for those using pesticides in agriculture without wearing personal protective equipment. The higher incidence of adenocarcinoma in both sexes suggests that, in addition to cigarette smoking, concurrent exposures to other environmental, occupational, and life-style factors may play a role in increased cancer risk and should be more deeply explored.


The prevalence of differential equations as a mathematical technique has refined the fields of control theory and constrained optimization due to the newfound ability to accurately model chaotic, unbalanced systems. However, in recent research, systems are increasingly more nonlinear and difficult to model using Differential Equations only. Thus, a newer technique is to use policy iteration and Reinforcement Learning, techniques that center around an action and reward sequence for a controller. Reinforcement Learning (RL) can be applied to control theory problems since a system can robustly apply RL in a dynamic environment such as the cartpole system (an inverted pendulum). This solution successfully avoids use of PID or other dynamics optimization systems, in favor of a more robust, reward-based control mechanism. This paper applies RL and Q-Learning to the classic cartpole problem, while also discussing the mathematical background and differential equations which are used to model the aforementioned system.


In this article, we review a dynamic covalent gel system developed as a high temperature well construction fluid. The key gel/fluid phase changes and related materials properties are addressable via the constitutional and coordination dynamics of the equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular species comprising the material. The interplay between these species and external stimuli leads to material adaptability. Specifically, the introduction of metal ions into a non-equilibrium hemiaminal gel reverts this phase into a non-equilibrium liquid. When heated, this liquid transforms itself catalytically into the thermodynamically favoured closed-ring polyhexahydrotriazine (PHT) gel product. The temperature stability of different PHT gel formulations is evaluated as a function of the inclusion of various salts. It is possible to revert this thermodynamic PHT gel back into a liquid. This pH dependent transformation depends on the R groups linking the hexahydrotriazines (HTs) to one another. While polyethylene glycol (PEG) based PHT gels revert to liquids with water and mild protonation conditions, in comparison, polypropylene glycol (PPG) based gels require stronger acid conditions with heat, or a different more nucleophilically driven ring-opening mechanism by, for example, phosphines. The covalent dynamic chemistry in this chemical system gives way to many possible applications in addition to the high temperature solution-gelation (sol-gels) for which it has been primarily designed.


As one major part of the Internet of Things, the perception layer plays an important role in cognizing, sensing and controlling the physical environment. It is a fundamental task to design a compatible and extensible IoT perception layer network framework, which could ensure reliability of IoT perception layer. In this paper, based on thorough investigation on perception layer network topology, a new framework of perception layer based on convergence and cooperation is presented. The heterogeneity of network topology in perception layer based on scenarios and applications is analyzed thoroughly. Then a cooperative and converged framework and one information security framework as example are carefully described, which shows that the proposed framework could simplify the perception layer design in heterogeneous networks and facilitate application functionality extension. Finally, some conclusion and future work is presented.


ABSTRACT This paper contributes to the debate on the level and trajectory of welfare at the Cape of Good Hope during the 18th century. Recent scholarship (for example, Allen 2005) has calculated and compared the levels and evolution of real wages in various European and Asian economies since the early modern period. To this literature we add evidence for unskilled and skilled workers of the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope during the 18th century, following De Zwart (2009; 2011), who recently presented evidence for unskilled workers in the Cape for the latter half of the 17th century and the 18th century. We calculate job-specific real wages in a three-step argument; from the narrowest international comparison of wage rates in terms of silver content to one based on a basket of widely consumed goods. This paper adds to this literature by adapting the consumption basket for local circumstances (due to both diet and relative prices) and the comparison for local demographics. We also provide a broader range of comparative statistics on real wages. Finally, we add the real wages of skilled workers to the comparison of unskilled workers offered in the literature to date. While the paper is based on real wages for VOC officials the mechanism we identify as the cause of this rising prosperity (sustained lower prices of consumption goods) would have raised the prosperity of all colonists at the Cape.


The properties of a lumped loaded wire array as a means for near field focusing using phase conjugation is studied. The constructive role of phase conjugation in the near field image formation is justified both analytically and numerically. The generation of phase conjugated energy and how this is influenced by lumped impedance loading of the wires constituting the lens is discussed. In particular it is shown that inductive loading of the constituent lens wire elements is essential for subwavelength focusing since this leads to the creation of a phase conjugated near field predominantly determined by a convolution of the array current distribution with the real part of the Greens function which oscillates at a subwavelength scale. The characteristic resolution of the lens in terms of the full width at half maximum is shown to be ~ λ/7 for a single source and better than λ/4 for two dipole sources at λ/10 source-lens separation distance.


The ninth KpnI fragment (about 4.0 kb) of broad bean chloroplast DNA contains the entire chloroplast atpE gene and atpB gene. This fragment was inserted into the pUC18 polylinker region, yielding plasmid pUK1. Southern hybridization using atpE gene from maize chloroplast as probe revealed that atpE gene encoding epsilon subunit of broad bean chloroplast was localized in 0.9 kb ClaI fragment of pUK1. The whole sequence of atpE gene of broad bean chloroplast was determined by using primer F and primer R of the polylinker region of pBluescript KS (+) DNA. The entire atpE gene of broad bean chloroplast was inserted into the polylinker region of vector pJLA505 to form recombinant plasmids pJLA505-atpE. The expression plasmid was transformed into E. coli DH5alpha cells which were then induced at 42 degrees. By analysis with SDS-PAGE, the product of interest accounted for more than 38% of total E. coli cell proteins. Identification of the expressed product by Western blot analysis demonstrated that it can react specifically with anti-epsilon serum of maize chloroplast CF(1). The expressed product aggregated to form insoluble inclusion bodies and was purified. The purified product had the same function as that of the native epsilon subunit.


To investigate the relationship between cortisol levels, pain intensity, and negative mood in chronic pain patients participating in a multidisciplinary pain management program. Eighteen chronic pain patients collected saliva samples over several days both directly before and after attending a 4-week multidisciplinary pain management program. Saliva samples were assayed for their cortisol concentration. Participants also completed self-report measures of pain intensity and depression.Usual pain intensity and waking cortisol levels changed in parallel following treatment, as did changes in depression and cortisol levels late in the morning and in the evening. Depression did not mediate the association between cortisol and usual pain intensity; neither did pain intensity moderate the association between cortisol and depression. Changes in cortisol secretion may provide a useful biological marker of treatment outcome in chronic pain patients after their participation in a multidisciplinary pain management program.


By constructing two aneroid barometers which could be compared with an instrumental precision equivalent to 0.3 foot of elevation difference, it was possible to obtain a measure of the errors of barometric surveying which originate solely from atmospheric disturbances. It was found that in fairly level country, under average weather conditions, the contribution of atmospheric disturbance to the probable error of a single elevation observation is 0.96 foot when two aneroids are 3 miles apart. Practical applications and methods of carrying out elevation surveys are discussed.


During anuran metamorphosis, larval cells of the tadpole are completely eliminated and replaced by adult cells in the corresponding tissues of the frog for the adaptation to terrestrial life from an aquatic life. Before the metamorphic climax, most of the cells have already transformed from larval cells into adult-type cells, but the tail cells remain as larval cells even at the climax stages of metamorphosis. In our previous works, we demonstrated that larval skin grafts are rejected by an inbred strain of adult Xenopus and that the larval cells are recognized and made apoptotic by splenocytes obtained from adults and/or metamorphosing tadpoles in vitro (Y. Izutsu and K. Yoshizato, 1993, J. Exp. Zool. 266, 163-167; Y. Izutsu et al., 1996, Differentiation 60, 277-286). In the present study, it was found that there were two types of larval epidermal cells, classified according to the presence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC); one is the apical cell expressing both MHC classes I and II, and the other is the skein cell, which expresses no MHC. By a Percoll gradient, we were able to separate these two types of cells and examined the proliferative response of adult T cells to each of them. It was revealed that the apical cells (MHC-positive) were recognized directly by adult splenic T cells, whereas the skein cells (MHC-negative) were recognized by the T cells via the antigen presentation by adult splenocytes. Both of these proliferative responses were restricted to MHC class II. This is the first report showing how the larval-specific antigens present in different forms in epidermal cells are recognized as immunological targets by syngeneic adult T lymphocytes.


Objective:Tidal volume (VT) and volume of gas caused by positive end-expiratory pressure (VPEEP) generate dynamic and static lung strains, respectively. Our aim was to clarify whether different combinations of dynamic and static strains, resulting in the same large global strain, constantly produce lung edema. Design:Laboratory investigation. Setting:Animal unit. Subjects:Twenty-eight healthy pigs. Interventions:After lung computed tomography, 20 animals were ventilated for 54 hours at a global strain of 2.5, either entirely dynamic (VT 100% and VPEEP 0%), partly dynamic and partly static (VT 75–50% and VPEEP 25–50%), or mainly static (VT 25% and VPEEP 75%) and then killed. In eight other pigs (VT 25% and VPEEP 75%), VPEEP was abruptly zeroed after 36–54 hours and ventilation continued for 3 hours. Measurements and Main Results:Edema was diagnosed when final lung weight (balance) exceeded the initial weight (computed tomography). Mortality, lung mechanics, gas exchange, pulmonary histology, and inflammation were evaluated. All animals ventilated with entirely dynamic strain (VT 825 ± 424 mL) developed pulmonary edema (lung weight from 334 ± 38 to 658 ± 99 g, p < 0.01), whereas none of those ventilated with mainly static strain (VT 237 ± 21 mL and VPEEP 906 ± 114 mL, corresponding to 19 ± 1 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure) did (from 314 ± 55 to 277 ± 46 g, p = 0.65). Animals ventilated with intermediate combinations finally had normal or largely increased lung weight. Smaller dynamic and larger static strains lowered mortality (p < 0.01), derangement of lung mechanics (p < 0.01), and arterial oxygenation (p < 0.01), histological injury score (p = 0.03), and bronchoalveolar interleukin-6 concentration (p < 0.01). Removal of positive end-expiratory pressure did not result in abrupt increase in lung weight (from 336 ± 36 to 351 ± 77 g, p = 0.51). Conclusions:Lung edema forms (possibly as an all-or-none response) depending not only on global strain but also on its components. Large static are less harmful than large dynamic strains, but not because the former merely counteracts fluid extravasation.


Three most commonly used primary models (Gompertz, Baranyi and three-phase linear models) to describe the microbial growth curves were applied to three different isothermal growth data of Listeria monocytogenes. Further Monte Carlo analysis was performed with 100, 1000 and 10000 simulations. The results indicated that there was no reason to use higher number of simulations since the simulations produced almost identical means of the model parameter values for all models. Moreover, the models had similar coefficient of variation values for the initial (log10N0) and maximum (log10Nmax) number of bacteria. On the other hand, the Gompertz model had the highest coefficient of variation for the growth rate (µmax) and the Baranyi model had the highest coefficient of variation for the lag time (λ). Correlations between the parameters log10N0 and λ, and µmax and λ could be easily observed after the Monte Carlo analysis for all models. Deviation from normal distribution for the parameter λ for the three-phase linear model was evident, other than that all parameters for all models had normal distribution. It was concluded that Monte Carlo analysis can be used as a simple yet an effective method to describe the uncertainty in model parameters and correlation between the parameters as well as the spread of the possible parameter values.


Recent advances in programmable metasurfaces, also dubbed as software-defined metasurfaces (SDMs), are envisioned to offer a paradigm shift from uncontrollable to fully tunable and customizable wireless propagation environments, enabling a plethora of new applications and technological trends. Therefore, in view of this cutting edge technological concept, we first review the architecture and electromagnetic waves manipulation functionalities of SDMs. We then detail some of the recent advancements that have been made towards realizing these programmable functionalities in wireless communication applications. Furthermore, we elaborate on how artificial intelligence (AI) can address various constraints introduced by real-time deployment of SDMs, particularly in terms of latency, storage, energy efficiency, and computation. A review of the state-of-the-art research on the integration of AI with SDMs is presented, highlighting their potentials as well as challenges. Finally, the paper concludes by offering a look ahead towards unexplored possibilities of AI mechanisms in the context of SDMs.


This study was an attempt to evaluate the impact of a health educational program on Body Mass Index, Physical Activity and nutritional habits as lifestyle variables in military personnel in 2011. Methods: In this study, 93 military active duty personnel in Tehran (with an age range of 25 to 59) completed the questionnaire. Those with a body mass index of 24.99 and above (55 participants) were assigned to the intervention group. Instructions were given using booklets and lectures on the effects and consequences of an inappropriate lifestyle. Three months later, they were evaluated in the same manner as in the pretest. Results: 48.4% of the participants were overweight and 10.7% of them were obese. 51.6% had unfavorable nutritional habits, and 79.6% had an unfavorable lifestyle regarding physical activity. After training, the indices altered to 49.5%, 3.2%, 49.5% and 41.9% respectively Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of overweight, obesity and high BMI in the military personnel and inappropriate nutritional and physical activity habits in them on one hand, and the effectiveness of educational programs in improving their lifestyle on the other hand, having such educational programs seems necessary.


Piptoporus betulinus has been used in folk medicine for millennia. However, no data currently exist regarding its potential cardiovascular activity. In this work, the crude ethanolic extract and fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, and water) with increased polarity from the partitioning process, as well as stigmasterol (the major metabolite isolated from P. betulinus), were administered orally at different doses to normotensive male Wistar rats an hour before recording mean arterial pressure, heart rate, renal blood flow, renal vascular conductance, arterial blood flow, and arterial vascular conductance. The acute oral administration of crude ethanolic extract and all fractions did not alter mean arterial pressure when compared with the control group, which received a vehicle. In addition, subchronic (14 days) oral administration of crude ethanolic extract, fractions, and stigmasterol did not alter cardiovascular parameters. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that oral administration of organic extracts of P. betulinus did not induce cardiovascular alterations.


A problem with augmenting predatory bugs through mass release is the logistical difficulty of delivering nymphs onto the foliage of field crops. In this paper we examine postrelease establishment and dispersal of the nymphs of the predatory bug Pristhesancus plagipennis on soybean, cotton and sunflower in an effort to devise an appropriate strategy for field release. The effects of predator stadia and release rates on field establishment and within-crop-canopy dispersal after hand release were recorded in soybean, cotton and sunflower. Field establishment improved with the release of more-developed nymphs, with third instars providing the most appropriate compromise between field hardiness and rearing cost. Increased nymphal density at the point of release had little effect on nymphal dispersal throughout the crop canopy. The patterns of nymphal dispersal observed on the three crops suggest that crop-canopy architecture may have an effect on the ability of nymphs to spread out postrelease, as nymphs dispersed poorly in cotton and sunflower compared to soybean. To overcome poor dispersal of nymphs after release, a mechanical release method, where nymphs were mixed with vermiculite and delivered onto a target crop through a spinning disk fertiliser spreader, was tested, and provided similar nymph establishment rates and dispersal patterns as releasing nymphs individually by hand. The implications of nymph dispersal and field hardiness in regard to inundative field release techniques are discussed.


Voltage scheduling is an essential technique used to exploit the benefit of dynamic voltage-scaling processors. Though extensive research exists in this area, current processor limitations such as time and energy transition overhead and voltage-level discretization are often dismissed as insignificant. We show that for hard real-time applications, disregarding these details can lead to suboptimal or even invalid results. We propose two algorithms to account for these limitations. The first is a greedy approach, while the second is more complex, but can significantly reduce the system's energy consumption. Through experimental results on both real and randomly generated systems, we show the effectiveness of both algorithms and explore what conditions make it beneficial to use the complex algorithm over the basic one.


We present a study of the anisotropic transport properties (electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power, Hall coefficient, and thermal conductivity) of a single-crystalline ${\mathrm{Al}}_{80}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{15}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{5}$ complex metallic alloy that is an excellent approximant to the decagonal quasicrystal with six atomic layers in one periodic unit. Temperature-dependent electrical resistivity along the $b$ and $c$ crystalline directions shows a nonmetallic behavior with a broad maximum, whereas it shows a metallic positive temperature coefficient along the $a$ direction perpendicular to the $(b,c)$ atomic planes. Ab initio calculations of the electronic density of states reveal that the nonmetallic transport occurs in the presence of a high density of charge carriers. The very different temperature-dependent electrical resistivities along the three crystalline directions can all be treated within the same physical model of slow charge carriers due to weak dispersion of the electronic bands, where the increased electron-phonon scattering upon raising the temperature induces transition from dominant Boltzmann (metallic) to dominant non-Boltzmann (insulatinglike) regime. The temperature dependence of the resistivity is governed predominantly by the temperature dependence of the electronic diffusion constant $D$ and the transition has no resemblance to the Anderson-type metal-to-insulator transition based on the gradual electron localization. Structural considerations of the ${\mathrm{Al}}_{80}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{15}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{5}$ phase show that the anisotropy of the transport properties is a consequence of anisotropic atomic order on the scale of nearest-neighbor atoms, suggesting that the role of quasiperiodicity in the anisotropic transport of decagonal quasicrystals is marginal. We also present a relaxed version of the ${\mathrm{Al}}_{4}(\mathrm{Cr},\mathrm{Fe})$ structural model by Deng et al. [J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 16, 2283 (2004)].


The Research entitled "The Conservative Processes of Bailan Scriptures (Scriptures on Palm Leaf) with the Participation of People in Khonkean Province" is of qualitative type of study. The research has three main objectives. They are: 1) To study the processes of conserving Bailan Scriptures in Khonkean Province; 2) To study the forms of the participation of people in Khonkean Province in conserving of Bailan scriptures; and 3) To study the conservation of Bailan scriptures with the participation of people in Khonkean Province. The data-analysis of this type of research has been made with the inductive methodology.
 The Results of research are as follows:
 1. The processes of the conservation of Bailans criptures in Khonkean Province
 The conservation of Bailan scriptures in khon Kean province has fixed steps, that is, survey Bailan scriptures scattered in various places, collecting and dividing them into several sections for proving convenient searching, for instance, religion and philosophy, folk literatures, history and chronicle, and so on. However, the conserving of Bailan scriptures has no, in the first phase, fixed format. But, at present, after surveying, collecting and grouping
 them in several sections, there are many types of keeping Bailan scriptures through modern tools, for example, transmitting them from original copies to microfilms, and keeping on websites and other electronic Medias. In addition, the spreading of Bailan scriptures has been made through various ways, for instance, through giving sermon by monks on the occasion of making traditional merit, academic exhibition, conducting research, and integrating them with learning and teaching, including the spreading of knowledge from Bailan scriptures in the forms of multimedia, i.e., radio, television and website, etc. 2. The Forms of the participation of people in Khonkean province in conserving of Bailan scriptures The result of research is found that forms of participation of people in Khonkean province in conserving of Bailan scriptures have been made through cultivating awareness for the conservation of Bailan scriptures, for example, through giving correct knowledge and letting people be aware of the value of Bailan scriptures as the sources of all areas of knowledge passed down to them right now from their own ancestors. For the promotion of conserving of Bailan scriptures, it should be made with the collaboration of three important pillars of society, that is, temple, village and government office (school). Of those, there should be promotion of conserving Bailan scriptures through learning and teaching with short courses emphasized in writing and reading dhamma-script, through showcase in the learning places, and there should be academic seminars participated by monks, folk-wise persons and scholars as well. And more importantly, there should be the promotion of conserving Bailan scriptures by publishing knowledge obtained by seminar as the new set of knowledge in order to spread Bailan scriptures in various online-medias. In addition, there should be activity praising several persons and associations being able to read and write dhamma-script correctly.
 3. The conservation of Bailand scriptures with the participation of people in Khon Kean Province
 The conservation of Bailan scriptures should have been supported budget from many organizations both government and private sector, including monks who are as the main coordinators with many organizations for fund-aid aiming at organizing activities in conserving Bailan scripture by letting all section of society to take part in supporting of fund and setting plan for conserving of Bailan scriptures, and there should have been personnel who take charge on this matter in order to make good effect to the project as well. Besides, there should have continuously been system of assessment in order to improve and develop the conservation of Bailan scriptures, and in addition to apply this result of the research for the conserving of Bailan scriptures in the future.


Millennial-scale records of forest fire provide important baseline information for ecosystem management, especially in regions with too few recent fires to describe the historical range of variability. Charcoal records from lake sediments and soil profiles are well suited for reconstructing the incidence of past fire and its relationship to changing climate and vegetation. We highlight several records from western North America and their relevance in reconstructing historical forest dynamics, fire-climate relationships, and feedbacks between vegetation and fire under climate change. Climatic effects on fire regimes are evident in many regions, but comparisons of paleo-fire records sometimes show a lack of synchrony, indicating that local factors substantially affect fire occurrence, even over long periods. Furthermore, the specific impacts of vegetation change on fire regimes differ among regions with different vegetation histories. By documenting the effects on fire patterns of major changes in climate and vegetation, paleo-fire records can be used to test the mechanistic models required for the prediction of future variations in fire.


Ancient literature preserves two accounts of the death of Honi the Circle Maker. One is in Josephus, where Honi is murdered by Jews after failing to participate in the Hasmonean civil war; the other is found in B. Ta. 23a, where Honi prays for death when nobody recognizes him after he awakes from sleeping for seventy years. While these two accounts seem to have no relation to each other, upon comparing the Bavli story to other tales of saintly long sleepers it appears that the Bavli story is a negative twist on the classic plot. The Bavli story is now understood as an aggadic version of the Josephus story, in the same category as the Bar Kamtza story and other similar explanatory narratives meant to highlight the reasons for tragedies in Jewish history.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and characteristics of food insecurity among female collegiate athletes.

PARTICIPANTS
NCAA Division I female athletes attending a public university located in East Texas in 2018.

METHODS
A prospective cross-sectional online survey was employed to gather quantitative and qualitative data regarding food security status. Participants were instructed to complete the 26-item questionnaire, including the six-item USFSSM.

RESULTS
Participants (N = 78) were 18-22 years of age, largely white (75%). Despite most (89.74%) receiving some form of scholarship and 80% reporting provision of some meals, 32.10% were classified as food insecure. Barriers to food intake were two-fold higher among the food insecure (88% vs 43%, p < .001); limited time (43.6%) and finances (23.1%) were the most frequently reported barriers.

CONCLUSIONS
Despite university support, food insecurity exists in female collegiate athletes. Outcomes warrant screening for food insecurity, referral to support resources throughout matriculation, and tailored intervention programs.


Heterogeneous supernova debris formed the solar system. Cores of inner planets formed in the central iron rich region. The Sun formed on the collapsed supernova core. Lighter elements and the lighter isotopes of each element are enriched at the solar surface. The most abundant nuclide in the Sun is Iron 56, the decay product of doubly magic Nickel 56. Doubly magic Oxygen 16 is next most abundant. The least abundant elements, Li, Be, and B, have loosely bound nucleons. Abundance is linked with nuclear stability, except for an over abundance of H from neutron emission and neutron decay near the core. The main elements in the Sun, Fe, Ni, O, Si, S, Mg, and Ca, comprise 99 percent of meteorites. Neutron emission from the SN core triggers a series of reactions that produce solar luminosity, solar neutrinos, excess H, and an annual outpouring of 2.7 E 43 Hydrogen atoms in the solar wind.


In this study, nano-scale copper powders were reduction treated in a hydrogen atmosphere at the relatively high temperature of 350 o C in order to eliminate surface oxide layers, which are the main obstacles for fabricating a nano/ultrafine grained bulk parts from the nano-scale powders. The changes in composition and microstructure before and after the hydrogen reduction treatment were evaluated by analyzing X-ray diffraction (XRD) line profile patterns using the convolutional multiple whole profile (CMWP) procedure. In order to confirm the result from the XRD line profile analysis, transmitted electron microscope observations were performed on the specimen of the hydrogen reduction treated powders fabricated using a focused ion beam process. A quasi-statically compacted specimen from the nano-scale powders was produced and Vickers micro-hardness was measured to verify the potential of the powders as the basis for a bulk nano/ultrafine grained material. Although the bonding between particles and the growth in size of the particles occurred, crystallites retained their nano-scale size evaluated using the XRD results. The hardness results dem-onstrate the usefulness of the powders for a nano/ultrafine grained material, once a good consolidation of powders is achieved.


A common strategy to train deep neural networks (DNNs) is to use very large architectures and to train them until they (almost) achieve zero training error. Empirically observed good generalization performance on test data, even in the presence of lots of label noise, corroborate such a procedure. On the other hand, in statistical learning theory it is known that over-fitting models may lead to poor generalization properties, occurring in e.g. empirical risk minimization (ERM) over too large hypotheses classes. Inspired by this contradictory behavior, so-called interpolation methods have recently received much attention, leading to consistent and optimally learning methods for some local averaging schemes with zero training error. However, there is no theoretical analysis of interpolating ERM-like methods so far. We take a step in this direction by showing that for certain, large hypotheses classes, some interpolating ERMs enjoy very good statistical guarantees while others fail in the worst sense. Moreover, we show that the same phenomenon occurs for DNNs with zero training error and sufficiently large architectures.


Writing requirements is a two-way process. In this paper we use to classify Functional Requirements (FR) and Non Functional Requirements (NFR) statements from Software Requirements Specification (SRS) documents. This is systematically transformed into state charts considering all relevant information. The current paper outlines how test cases can be automatically generated from these state charts. The application of the states yields the different test cases as solutions to a planning problem. The test cases can be used for automated or manual software testing on system level. And also the paper presents a method for reduction of test suite by using mining methods thereby facilitating the mining and knowledge extraction from test cases.


Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) computations of direct current (DC) helicity injection for tokamak‐like configurations show current drive with no ''loop voltage'' in a resistive, pressureless plasma. Self‐consistently induced, hollow current profiles are unstable to resistive modes that partially relax the profile through the MHD dynamo mechanism. The resulting current profiles remain quite hollow, however, and tokamaks are not generated. The current driven by the fluctuations leads to closed contours of average poloidal flux, but the 1% fluctuation level is large enough to produce a region of stochastic magnetic field. A limited Lundquist number (S) scan from 2.5×103 to 2×104 indicates that both the fluctuation level and current profile relaxation increase with S. A simple quasilinear power scaling is consistent with these results at low S and suggests that at larger S, the fluctuation level decreases.


The water-energy-food nexus is a concept increasingly being used with reference to integrated decision-making across sectors. Action in one area will impact one or both of the other areas. Sustainable development and growth can be achieved by better management of the world's ecosystems and a more strategic use of water, land and other natural resources. Water, energy and food resources are not spread evenly across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) resulting in an imbalance in endowments. Opportunities exist in sharing the benefits of particular resources across international boundaries for the benefit of the region and to optimize resource use. This paper considers each sector, investigating the current institutional support for integration and evidence of such integration taking place. Broadening the lens of integrated and regional resources planning in SADC may increase the resilience of the region and optimize the use of limited natural resources. Barriers to using the nexus at a regional scale tend to include the power of sovereignty over regional policies in addition to the physical challenges of managing resources over a large area. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of Stockholm International Water Institute.


Camelina sativa is early maturing and possesses characteristics that make it a good fit as a rotation crop in dryland wheat cropping systems. Nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) play very important roles in oilseed production, including camelina. This study was conducted over 3 years to determine N and S rates necessary for optimum camelina production in west central Kansas. The experiment was set up as randomized complete blocks with four replications in a split-plot arrangement. Treatments were two sulfur rates (0 and 18 lb/a) as the main plots, and four N rates (0, 20, 40, and 80 lb/a) as the sub-plot. Sulfur application did not affect stand count, biomass yield, harvest index, seed yield, oil and protein content. However, stand count, biomass yield, seed yield, and protein content were affected by N application (P < 0.05). Average oil and protein content were 28.1% and 33.9% respectively. The optimum N rate for yield was 20 lb N/a, which produced around 680 lb/a seed yield. Based on soil test levels of 25 lb N/a, N requirement for camelina production is 45 lb N/a.


In circular colliders, as well as in damping rings and synchrotron radiation light sources, beam halo is one of the critical issues limiting the performance as well as potentially causing component damage and activation. It is imperative to clearly understand the mechanisms that lead to halo formation and to test the available theoretical models. Elastic beam-gas scattering can drive particles to large oscillation amplitudes and be a potential source of beam halo. In this paper, numerical estimation and Monte Carlo simulations of this process at the ATF of KEK are presented. Experimental measurements of beam halo in the ATF2 beam line using a diamond sensor detector are also described, which clearly demonstrate the influence of the beam-gas scattering process on the transverse halo distribution.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the MSI phenotype of urothelial bladder cancer (BC) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and to assess its relationship to the prognostic factors of the disease and PD-L1 status of BC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Using the surgical and biopsy materials obtained from 50 patients with BC during examination and treatment, the investigators studied the MSI phenotype by IHC. A system was proposed to assess the IHC expression of MSI proteins, by taking into account the intensity of nuclear staining and the area occupied by tumor cells with stained nuclei.

RESULTS
An analysis of the results of an IHG study of MSI protein expression revealed a high direct correlation between the nuclear staining intensity of tumor cells and the percentage of tumor area occupied by the latter. The lack/decrease of the expression of the studied proteins was associated with the stage (T) and the presence of a high-grade tumor. The heterogeneous expression of the studied proteins (PMS2, MLH1, and MSH6) was noted to be 10, 30, and 40%, respectively.

CONCLUSION
A high direct correlation was observed between the nuclear staining intensity of tumor cells and the percentage of the area occupied by the latter. There was a relationship between the lack and/or decrease of the expression of MSI proteins (mainly PMS2 and MLH1 and to a lesser extent MSH6) and the grade of BC, as well as stage T; there was a tendency to decrease the expression of the studied proteins in the area of invasive tumor growth, which confirms the prognostic role of MSI proteins. The most pronounced heterogeneity of IHC expression was noted with MSH6; the least one was seen with PMS2. There was a predominance of high-grade surface carcinomas (T1) among the heterogeneously stained tumors. In the case of positive PD-L1 status, there was decreased PMS2 and MLH1 expression and pronounced MSH6 expression; no significant relationship was found due to the small number of these cases. The authors consider it necessary to conduct further studies of the relationship between the MSI phenotype and the PD-L1 status of BC.


05Sb5Tb9, tetragonal, PAI η (no. 85), a = 9.862(1) Â, c = 8.838(2) Â, V = 859.5 À \ Ζ = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.030, wÄreffF; = 0.049, T= 296 K. Source of material TbçSbsOs has been synthesized from terbium metal, antimony, and Sb203. Stoichiometric amounts of the starting materials were mixed and sealed in a tantalum ampoule. The following temperature profile was applied: 298 —• 1923 Κ (50 Kh, subsequent annealing for 12 h); 1923 -> 1673 Κ (20 KIT, subsequent annealing for 48 h); 1673 -> 298 Κ (20 KIT). Discussion Tb9Sb5C>5 crystallize in the LaçSbsOs type of structure [ 1,2], The atoms Tb2, Tb3 and Sbl, Sb2 are aranged in a corrugated double layer [TbSb], which can be regarded as a two-dimensional slab analogous to NaCl. Each [TbSb] fragment is sandwiched between two layers built from Tbl and Ol, 02. The NaCl-like double sheet is also a feature common to the structures of EutStaO [3] or Sc2Sb [4], In the latter compound the interlayer exclusively consists of Sc atoms. In the case of TbeSbsOs this layer is composed of Tb and O atoms with the composition TTmOs, and only 4/5 of the possible metal positions are occupied by terbium. Therefore, the structure can be regarded as a defect variant of Sc2Sb, stuffed with oxygen: TbçDSbsOs = ScioSbsDsFrom the originally square Ses pyramids, with their tips alternating up and down along the [001] direction, 4/5 transform into tetrahedra and 1/5 remain unchanged. All tetrahedral and square-pyramidal holes are filled with O atoms. The partial structure (TbçSbs) also corresponds to the inverted HfsSte type of structure [5]. The buckling of the NaCl-like slabs is one way to fit the dimensions of their meshes to the sandwiched sheets inbetween [6]. Here in Tb9SbsOs, the present of vacancies in the Tb4DOs sublattice, allows an additional adjustment, which is needed because of d(Tb—Sb) = 3.143 Â < 2 ¿(Tb—O) = 3.325 Â. Table 1. Data collection and handling. Crystal: dark silver block, size 0.01 χ 0.02 χ 0.02 mm Wavelength: Mo Ka radiation (0.71073 Â) μ· 441.78 cm" Diffractometer, scan mode: SMART APEX Π, Broker AXS, ω 2θααχ· 74.4° N(hki)matsuaá, W^Ainique: 16398,2211 Criterion for /obs, N(hkl) /obs > 2 a(Iobs), 1615 N(param)nfiaat 47 Programs: SHELXS-97 [7], SHELXL-97 [8], ATOMS [9] 0@Tb 0@Tb * Correspondence author (e-mail: email@example.com)


A parallel combinatorial synthesis of azo dyes experiment was developed that uses distinct colors to illustrate the concept of diversity and structure–function relationships. This experiment is suitable for undergraduate laboratories and has been used by both chemistry majors and nonmajors undergraduates in Miami University. Azo dyes can be prepared easily in one laboratory period and were chosen to illustrate the concept of diversity oriented synthesis. In the experiment, the positions of the laboratory are divided into a grid. Each student produces a unique azo dye, whose structure is coded according to his or her lab bench position. At the end of the experiment, a multifiber strip is dyed using the student's own synthetic dye. A colorful spectrum of azo dyes are produced collectively by the class.


Technology is one of the ways to improve education and now it is not something strange in the world.This research aimed in describing students' perception in a blended learning, the combination of face to face classroom and online class by using Schoology for speaking skill. The study was conducted with twenty-six students of second semester in Bandar Lampung University. The data colleted by using questionnaire,the questionnaire was posted after the materials have been done by students. The questionnaire was posted in Schoology through Google forms website. The finding of the research revealed that blended learning is categorized as a something new for the students but this environment makes easier in students understanding.


Providing a favorable and quality nursing care for patients who are members of the community has made patient safety a very important issue in improving the quality of health care in the country, and the nursing profession is full of interactions, especially in terms of the emotional dimension. Therefore, nurses must be able to recognize and manage their own and patients' emotions in order to make better decisions based on the situations and provide quality care. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and patient safety culture among emergency nurses of selected hospitals in Shiraz in 2017. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 150 emergency nurses of selected hospitals in Shiraz in 2017. To measure the four components of emotional intelligence, Bradberi and Greaves' questionnaire were used and the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) standard questionnaire was used to measure the safety culture of the patient. The data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and regression analysis. The results of this study showed that the mean of emotional intelligence and safety culture was higher than the average level of theoretical society. The results also showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the dimensions of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-management, social consciousness and relationship management) and the patient safety culture (P <0.05). There is a direct relationship between emotional intelligence and patient safety culture. Therefore, comprehensive planning in the field of growth and development of emotional intelligence in nursing staff can lead to their personal and professional growth and enhance the status of patient safety culture. This increases the productivity of nurses and satisfaction of patients as a whole and ultimately improves the health of the community.


New and interesting science drivers have triggered a renewed interest in radio astronomy at ultra long wavelengths. However, at longer wavelengths (beyond 10 meters) ground-based radio astronomy is severely limited by earths ionosphere, in addition to man-made interferences and solar flares. An unequivocal solution to the problem is to establish a space based observatory for ultra low frequency (0.3MHz-30MHz) observations. In ground-based radio astronomy, interferometers comprising of widely spaced antennas are employed to enhance the sensitivity and angular resolution of the observations. The signals received from the antennas are pre-processed, phase corrected independently and then cross correlated with one another using a centralized correlator to estimate the coherence function. However, a space based array, in addition to several other obstacles, presents new challenges for both communication and processing. In this paper, we discuss various conventional correlator architectures, such as XF, FX and HFX. In addition, the importance of a distributed correlator is emphasized for a space based array, in particular Frequency distributed correlator. We compute transmission, reception and processing requirements for both centralized and distributed architecture. Finally, as a demonstration, we present 2 projects were these signal processing estimates are applied.


Acupuncture is an ancient therapy with a variety of different explanatory models. A cascade of physiologic effects has been reported, both in the peripheral and the central nervous system, following the insertion of a needle. Clinical trials testing the specific claims of acupuncture have generally tried to focus on testing the efficacy of applying specific techniques and/or specified points. However, different conditions may respond differently to different modes of stimulation. Also, insertion of needles into the body can stimulate effects not dependent on the locations of stimulation. Recently, it was demonstrated that both superficial and deep needling (with de qi/Hibiki) resulted in amelioration of patellofemoral pain and an increased feeling of wellbeing. One area in the brain that is affected by acupuncture stimulation is the limbic system. The limbic system consists of a group of brain structures, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and their interconnections, and connections with the hypothalamus, septal area, and portions of the tegmentum. It contains many of the centres related to emotion and reward. The pleasurable aspect of the acupuncture experience has largely been ignored as it has been considered to be part of its antinociceptive effects. It has previously been reported that physical exercise and electroacupuncture in animals result in modulation of the peptidergic content in limbic structures. These results are supported by recent animal studies in Japan that have clearly demonstrated that acupuncture results in the activation of the reward system. These findings are supported by positron emission tomography studies in patients, which showed that the insula ipsilateral to the site of needling was activated, as well as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate and the midbrain. Taken together, these results suggest that acupuncture, as well as the patient's expectation and belief regarding a potentially beneficial treatment, modulate activity in the reward system.


Moisture sorption characteristics of agricultural and food products play important roles in such technological processes as drying, handling, packaging, storage, mixing, freeze-drying and other processes that require the prediction of food stability, shelf life, glass transition and estimation of drying time and texture and prevention of deteriorative reactions. They are useful in the computation of thermodynamic energies of moisture in the products. An understanding of moisture sorption phenomena in products, moisture sorption isotherm (MSI) determination techniques and moisture sorption isotherm model evaluation procedures would be useful in the development or selection, modeling and controlling as well as optimization of appropriate processes to make for enhanced efficiency. The phenomena addressed in this chapter are equilibrium moisture content (EMC)-water activity (aw) relationships and MSI types, temperature influence on isotherms and occurrence of moisture sorption hysteresis. MSI measurement techniques highlighted are the gravimetric, vapor pressure manometric (VPM), hygrometric and inverse gas chromatographic and the use of AquaLab equipment. Commonly used moisture sorption isotherm models (BET, GAB, modified GAB, Hailwood-Horrobin, modified Hailwood-Horrobin, modified Halsey, modified Henderson, modified ChungPfost and modified Oswin) were selected, and their evaluation procedures using moisture sorption data were outlined. Static gravimetric technique involving the use of saturated salt solution appears to be the most widely used and recommended method of determining the EMC of agricultural and food products. Most of the MSI models can be fitted to moisture sorption data thorough linearization by logarithmic transformation, while others can be solved using such expression as second-order polynomial. Model goodness of fit can be determined using standard (SE) error of estimate, coefficient of determination (R), mean relative percentage deviation (P) and fraction explained variation (FEV). The acceptance of a model depends on the nature of its residual plots. A model is considered acceptable if the residual plots show uniform scatter around the horizontal value of zero showing no systemic tendency towards a clear pattern. A model is better than another model if it has lower SE, lower P, higher R and higher FEV. Although it appears as if a generalized MSI model is yet to exist, it is recommended that the Ngoddy-Bakker-Arkema (NBA) model should be given thorough going and extensive testing on the MSI of different categories of food as it could prove true to its generalized model posture due to the fundamental nature of its derivation.


Ante Partum Fetal Surveillance Is The Corner Stone Of Preventive Obstetric
Management Aimed At Reducing Maternal And Perinatal Mortality And Morbidity.
Ante Partum Detection Of Fetus At Risk Of Death Or Compromise In Utero Remains
The Major Challenge In Modern Obstetrics. Specific And Accurate Methods For
Detection Of Fetus At Risk Can Result In Early Appropriate Intervention And Hence
Reduce Fetal Loss. Antenatal Test Of Fetal Well Being Depends Indirectly On
Changes In Fetal Physiology, An Aspect Of Fetus, Which Until Recently, Has Been
Relatively Inaccessible To Study By The Paucity Of Techniques To Measure The
Placental Function - The Critical Organ Through Which The Transfer Of Nutrients
Occur. New Technologies Have Now Become Available In The Clinical Assessment
Of Placental Function. Doppler Measurement Of The Pulsatile Blood Velocity In
Umbilical Artery Gives Direct Information On Feto-Placental Circulation And
Hence Identifies Placental Circulatory Failure.
Diagnostic Ultrasound Is The Main Stay In The Evaluation And
Management Of Obstetric Patients. Fetal Growth And Development Rely On
Normal Uteroplacental And Fetoplacental Circulation To Supply Oxygen And
Nutrients From The Maternal Circulation. Doppler Sonography Offers A Unique
Tool For The Noninvasive Evaluation Of Physiological Hemodynamic
Fetoplacental Blood Flow Information. There Are Specific Abnormalities In
Doppler Parameters In Asymmetric Intrauterine Growth Retardation.
Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR), Otherwise Known As Intrauterine
Growth Restriction Is Defined As A Pathologic Decrease In The Rate Of Fetal
Growth. Here The Fetus Does Not Achieve Its Inherent Growth Potential, Thereby
Increasing Perinatal Morbidity And Mortality. Small For Gestational Age (SGA)
Is Conceptually Not The Same Entity As FGR. It Is Defined As Fetus Which Has
Failed To Achieve Specific And Arbitrary Anthropometric Measurements Or Weight
Threshold By A Specific Gestational Age, Whereas In FGR, The Infant Has Not
Achieved Its Genetic Growth Potential In Utero (Rajan. R. 2001).
All FGR Fetuses Don't Suffer From In Utero Compromise In Terms Of
Hypoxia Or Acidemia. Fetal Growth Restriction Only Means That The Fetus Has Not
Grown Appropriately For The Corresponding Gestational Age, And Does Not
Necessarily Mean It Is A Situation Of Uteroplacental Respiratory Insufficiency
Causing Fetal Hypoxia Or Acidemia. But Many IUGR Fetuses Could Sooner Or
Later Become Hypoxemic, Hypoxic And Acidotic As A Progressive Event Of The
Pathophysiology.
Diagnosis Of IUGR Is Based On B-Mode Ultrasound. Estimation Of Fetal
Weight In Utero Using Multiple Ultrasound Parameters Remains The Mainstay In
Screening For FGR. Use Of Various Fetal Morphometric Ratios And/Or
Measurements Of Other Fetal Parameters May Provide Additional Useful
Information. Serial Evaluation To Assess Interval Growth May Be Necessary To
Clarify The Diagnosis.
Doppler Velocimetry Has Poor Sensitivity In Detecting IUGR, Whereas It
Is Helpful In Assessing The Hemodyanmic State. Doppler Indices Change If The
Fetus Is Compromised Due To Hypoxemia.
Doppler Flow Velocimetry, Particularly Of The Middle Cerebral And
Umbilical Arteries Is An Earlier Predictor Of Hypoxemia, When Compared To BPP
Or NST. Ductus Venosus Flow Study Is An Accurate Predictor For Acidemia.
The Relationship Between The Size Of Fetal Abdominal Circumference And
Fetal Head Is Used To Characterize The Pattern Of FGR As Being Either Symmetric
Or Asymmetric. Symmetric IUGR Refers To A Growth Pattern In Which The
Growth Of Both The Fetal Abdomen And Head Are Decreased Proportionally.
Asymmetric IUGR Refers To The Growth-Retarded Fetus In Which A
Disproportionate Decrease In The Size Of Fetal Abdomen With Respect To The Fetal
Head Is Seen.
Symmetric IUGR May Result From An Early Insult Such As Genetic Or
Infective Pathology That Impairs Fetal Cellular Hyperplasia And Therefore Causes
A Proportionate Decrease In Size Of All Fetal Organs. By Contrast, Asymmetric
IUGR May Be Caused By A Later Insult That Impairs Cellular Hypertrophy, Causes
A Disproportionate Decrease In The Size Of Fetal Abdomen In Relation To That Of The
Fetal Head. Progressive Uteroplacental Insufficiency May Be Associated With This
Asymmetric Growth Pattern.
Nearly 70% Of Patients With IUGR May Be Classified As Having An
Asymmetrical Growth Pattern. These Cases May Be At Greater Risk For Perinatal
Hypoxia And Neonatal Hypoglycemia. However, Their Long-Term Prognosis With
Appropriate Management Is Good.
Symmetric IUGR Results From An Early Insult And Is Characterized By A
Long Period Of Subnormal Growth. These Infants Usually Do Not Have Perinatal
Hypoxia, But They Are At Risk Of Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Dysfunction,
Resulting From A Deficit In The Total Number Of Brain Cells.


Watt level yellow emitting lasers are interesting for medical applications, due to high hemoglobin absorption, and for efficient detection of certain fluorophores. In this paper we demonstrate a compact and robust diode based laser system in the yellow spectral range. The system generates 1.9 W of single frequency light at 562.4 nm, by cascaded single pass frequency doubling of the 1124.8 nm emission from a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) tapered laser diode. The absence of a free space cavity makes the system stable over a base-plate temperature range of 30K. At the same time the use of a laser diode enables modulation of the pump wavelength by controlling the drive current. This is utilized to achieve a power modulation depth of >90% for the second harmonic light, with a rise time <40 µs.


Background: The Oxford and Swedish indexes were developed to predict in-hospital colectomy in acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC), but not long-term prediction, and all these indexes were based on Western data. Our study aimed to analyze the predictors of colectomy within 3 years of ASUC in an Indian cohort and derive a simple predictive score. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary health care center in South India over a period of 5 years. All patients admitted with ASUC were followed up for a period of 24 months after the index admission, to look for progression to colectomy. Results: A total of 81 (47 male) patients were included in the derivation cohort. Fifteen (18.5%) patients required colectomy during a follow-up period of 24 months. On regression analysis, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum albumin were independent predictors of 24-month colectomy. The CRAB (CRP + AlBumin) score was obtained by multiplying coefficient of beta to albumin and CRP (CRAB score = CRP x 0.2 – Albumin x 0.26). The CRAB score demonstrated an AUROC of 0.923 and a score of >0.4 with a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 92% for the prediction of 2-year colectomy following ASUC. The score was validated in a validation cohort of 31 patients, and at >0.4, the score had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 96% in predicting colectomy. Conclusion: CRAB score is a simple prognostic score that can predict 2-year colectomy in ASUC patients with high sensitivity and specificity.


COVID-19 also designated as SARS-CoV-2 is a beta-coronavirus which is now a pandemic disease with no current treatment except some therapies with low quality of evidence or without clinical support study specifically for COVID-19. Extant literature signifies that polyherbal solutions are one of the reliable alternative solutions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with topically applied two ployherbal oil blends; viz. SAV and WMB along with standard treatment in patients having 'COVID-19 like symptoms' (COVID-19 status unknown) and 'COVID-19 positive' patients. SAV with 13 anti-viral compounds (identified through GC-MS) and WMB with anti-inflammatory action for pulmonary/respiratory relief (supported with GC-MS) are found effective to provide treatment for COVID-19 to 44 'COVID-19 positive' patients and 1238 patients having 'COVID-19 like symptoms'. It is identified that SAV and WMB polyherbal blends can be an effective remedial measure for COVID-19, which can be further proven with advanced lab-testing or clinical trials.


Recent developments in natural language generation (NLG) using neural language models have brought us closer than ever to the goal of building AI-powered creative writing tools. However, most prior work on human-AI collaboration in the creative writing domain has evaluated new systems with amateur writers, typically in contrived user studies of limited scope. In this work, we commissioned 13 professional, published writers from a diverse set of creative writing backgrounds to craft stories using Wordcraft, a text editor with built-in AI-powered writing assistance tools. Using interviews and participant journals, we discuss the potential of NLG to have significant impact in the creative writing domain--especially with respect to brainstorming, generation of story details, world-building, and research assistance. Experienced writers, more so than amateurs, typically have well-developed systems and methodologies for writing, as well as distinctive voices and target audiences. Our work highlights the challenges in building for these writers; NLG technologies struggle to preserve style and authorial voice, and they lack deep understanding of story contents. In order for AI-powered writing assistants to realize their full potential, it is essential that they take into account the diverse goals and expertise of human writers.


[reaction: see text] In the reaction of p-chlorophenyl alkyl sulfides with IF(5), polyfluorination reaction took place on the alkyl chain with the migration of the arylthio group. Consequently, p-chlorophenyl polyfluoroalkyl sulfides, having 3-7 fluorine atoms depending on alkyl chain length, could be obtained selectively.


This paper focuses mainly on the stability analysis of two-lane traffic flow with lateral friction, which may be caused by irregular driving behavior or poorly visible road markings, and also attempts to reveal the formation mechanism of traffic jams. Firstly, a two-lane optimal velocity (OV) model without control signals is proposed and its stability condition is obtained from the viewpoint of control theory. Then delayed-feedback control signals composed of distance headway information from both lanes are added to each vehicle and a vehicular control system is designed to suppress the traffic jams. Lane change behaviors are also incorporated into the two-lane OV model and the corresponding information about distance headway and feedback signals is revised. Finally, the results of numerical experiments are shown to verify that when the stability condition is not met, the position disturbances and resulting lane change behaviors do indeed deteriorate traffic performance and cause serious traffic jams. However, once the proper delayed-feedback control signals are implemented, the traffic jams can be suppressed efficiently.


On the basis of the ideal-magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium code VMEC (Hirshman et al 1986 Comput. Phys. Commun. 43 143) supplemented by transformation of its results into magnetic coordinates, it is shown how current sheets, radially widened by the finite grid size, at rational values of rotational transform in 3d toroidal equilibria can be removed by variation of the equilibrium geometry.


The efficacy of cisapride, as compared with cimetidine, in the treatment of erosive esophagitis was studied in a double-blind trial. One hundred and twenty-nine patients were assigned to one of four dosage schedules: cisapride 10 mg b.i.d. (20 mg group) or q.i.d. (40 mg group), or cimetidine 400 mg b.i.d. (800 mg group) or q.i.d. (1600 mg group). Treatment lasted 8 to 12 weeks. The degree of esophagitis and the severity of diurnal and nocturnal heartburn and regurgitation were significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced in the four treatment groups. Endoscopy did not show any significant differences among the four groups, although cisapride tended to be more effective in moderate to severe esophagitis, in which cases mucosal healing (i.e. absence of erosions and ulcers) was observed in 69%, 64%, 55% and 55% of the patients treated with cisapride 40 mg, cisapride 20 mg, cimetidine 1600 mg and cimetidine 800 mg. Improvement in reflux symptoms in the two cisapride groups was not significantly different from that in the cimetidine 1600 mg group, but was better (p less than 0.05) than that in the cimetidine 800 mg patients. The severity score for all reflux symptoms had decreased by 79%, 74% (cisapride 40 mg and 20 mg), 69% and 57% (cimetidine 1600 mg and 800 mg) by the end of treatment. These results show that cisapride is at least as effective as acid-suppressing therapy in patients with reflux esophagitis, and is therefore a valuable alternative to it.


Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of death among women with an estimated 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer expected to be diagnosed this year. Of the different subtypes, 15-20% are classified as triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) because they lack three key receptors; progesterone, estrogen and HER2. These receptors are considered essential for "targeted therapies". Thus, systemic chemotherapy is the only TNBC drug treatment option. In this study, two clinical monoclonal antibodies; Herceptin® and Avastin® were covalently labeled with redox selenium and used to treat two TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468) in culture. TNBC cell lines were treated with vehicle control, increasing concentrations of selenium as Selenite (ranging from 2 to 20 µg); Se-Herceptin® or Se-Avastin® and compared to native antibodies with equal concentrations of protein. Cell counts and viability were analyzed using Beckman ViCell Counter and Trypan Blue exclusion over a seven day period. Selenite, Se-Avastin® and Se-Herceptin® were observed to be more cytotoxic over dose and time to both TNBC cell lines in comparison to control cells and cells treated with native antibodies alone. Morphological changes were observed under phase contrast microscopy in all selenium treated cell lines. In contrast, visible alterations in morphology were absent in native Herceptin® and Avastin® treated cells compared to control cells. We believe this is the first report of selenium Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) being demonstrated as cytotoxic to these TNBC cell lines, suggesting a potential strategy to design more effective treatments of TNBC resistant to chemotherapy. Citation Format: Soni Khandelwal, Lauren Gollahon, Julian Spallholz, Mallory Boylan, Maria Del Mar Garcia-Hernandez. Cytotoxicity of selenium trastuzumab and bevacizumab immunoconjugates against triple negative breast cancer cells [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 4613. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4613


Two congeneric cyprinids, the introduced species Chondrostoma nasus and native (protected and endemic) species C. toxostoma live in sympatry and form a hybrid zone in the Durance River (South France, Mediterranean Sea drainage). Both species are well morphologically and ecologically differentiated. The bidirectional gene introgression was demonstrated between two Chondrostoma species. Such situation is not found commonly in hybridizing species. The direction of mitochondondrial introgression is density-dependent in favor of the rarer species and the sexual selection seems to explain the asymmetry of introgression. The aims of this study were to investigate the composition of metazoan parasite communities in two pure species, C. nasus and C. toxostoma, and their respective hybrids. A total of 65 Chondrostoma individuals (from five populations in the rivers of South France) were collected and genotyped for mtDNA (cyt b) and 41 microsatellite loci. Five populations differ in the proportion of two pure species. A very low frequency of hybrids was found in four localities studied. The hybrids were absent in one locality. A total of 7 monogenean species, 8 trematodean species, 3 crustacean species, 1 acanthocephalean species and larval stages of Mollusca were determined on Chondrostoma individuals investigated. Monogenea and Trematoda were the most abundant parasite group. Among them, Dactylogyrus and was the most abundant parasite genus.


New ground-based measurements of the cosmic-ray induced neutron flux and its energy distribution have been made at several locations across the United States using an extended-energy Bonner sphere spectrometer. The data cover over twelve decades of neutron energy, from meV to GeV. An expression to scale the flux to other locations has been developed from a fit to the altitude dependence of our measurements and an expression from the literature for the geomagnetic and solar-activity dependence of neutron monitor rates. In addition, an analytic expression is provided which fits the neutron spectrum above about 0.4 MeV. The neutron flux is important for estimating the soft-error rate in computer memories and recent computer logic devices.


Materials such as Si3N4, SiC and SrTiO3 can have grain boundaries characterized by the presence of a thin intergranular amorphous film of nearly constant thickness, in some cases (e.g. Si3N4) almost independent of the orientation of the bounding grains, but dependent on the composition of the ceramic. Microscopy techniques such as high‐resolution lattice fringe imaging, Fresnel fringe imaging and diffuse dark field imaging have been applied to the study of intergranular glassy films. The theme of the current investigation is the use of Fresnel fringes and Fourier filtering for the measurement of the thickness of intergranular glassy films. Fresnel fringes hidden in high‐resolution micrographs can be used to objectively demarcate the glass–crystal interface and to measure the thickness of intergranular glassy films. Image line profiles obtained from Fourier filtering the high‐resolution micrographs can yield better estimates of the thickness. Using image simulation, various kinds of deviation from an ideal square‐well potential profile and their effects on the Fresnel image contrast are considered. A method is also put forth to objectively retrieve Fresnel fringe spacing data by Fourier filtering Fresnel contrast images. Difficulties arising from the use of the standard Fresnel fringe extrapolation technique are outlined and an alternative method for the measurement of the thickness of intergranular glassy films, based on zero‐defocus (in‐focus) Fresnel contrast images is suggested. The experimental work is from two ceramic systems: Lu‐Mg‐doped Si3N4 and SrTiO3 (stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric). Further, a comparison is made between the standard high‐resolution lattice fringe technique, the standard Fresnel fringe extrapolation technique and the methods of analyses introduced in the current work, to illustrate their utility and merits. Taking experimental difficulties into account, this work is intended to be a practical tool kit for the study of intergranular glassy films.


OBJECTIVE
Twenty-seven of 40 Khmer adolescent youths who had survived the horrors of the Pol Pot regime (1975-1979) as children and 4 of 6 who had escaped this war were reinterviewed for the fourth time, during the summer of 1996, to determine their diagnostic status for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression and their functional status with regard to occupational and/or educational pursuits. They had been interviewed initially in 1983-1984 and again 3 (1987) and 6 (1990-1991) years later.

METHOD
PTSD was determined using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents, and depression was assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children.

RESULTS
The point prevalence rates of PTSD were comparable with those found 6 years earlier, and rates of depression were much lower but had increased somewhat over the ensuing 6 years. The onset of PTSD was quite variable, with 18% of subjects (7/40) developing PTSD at least 5 years after cessation of the Pol Pot hostilities. Subjects with PTSD were more likely to recall specifically traumatic war memories, whereas those without PTSD were more likely to recall memories of loss and/or displacement. Most subjects were functioning well, regardless of diagnostic status.

CONCLUSIONS
Although its onset is quite variable, PTSD persists in war-traumatized Cambodian refugee youths. PTSD and depression appear to follow different pathways over time. PTSD need not be associated with major functional impairment.


Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by demyelination and necrosis of the corpus callosum. The non-specific signs and symptoms associated with MBD including dysarthria, impaired walking, pyramidal signs, primitive reflexes, seizures, incontinence, sensory symptoms, gaze palsies, and altered mental state result in a challenging diagnosis. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old female presenting with dizziness, gait ataxia, and a history of recurrent falls for several months. Initial blood tests indicated anaemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and mildly elevated inflammatory markers. Her presentation was initially attributed to a multifactorial aetiology, including a urinary tract infection, orthostatic hypotension, and electrolyte imbalances; however, on correction of reversible causes, her symptoms persisted. Moreover, further examination revealed right-hand dysdiadochokinesia. Subsequent brain MRI revealed fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity within the corpus callosum and a right-sided pericallosal white matter hyperintensity. Neuro-radiology multidisciplinary team reported these findings consistent with MBD. Management with vitamin B supplementation was promptly initiated alongside alcohol cessation advice. She was also reviewed by physiotherapy teams. This case adds to the paucity of literature on MBD.


We present a refined model for multi-section lasers, introducing an additional equation for material polarization in the well-known traveling wave model. We investigate the polarization-induced changes in the spectral properties of the optical waveguide. Finally, we show the relevance of this model for a more realistic simulation of the complicated dynamical behavior of multi-section distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, such as fast self-pulsations, multi-stability, and hysteresis effects due to mode competition.