Pyoderma Gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative cutaneous condition with distinctive characteristics, and the aetiology is not clear yet. PG is commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease). The features of PG are not specific histopathologically and for this reason diagnosis is based on clinical feature. There is no single successful treatment for PG. In fact certain type of lesions respond more readily to some therapies than others. Local treatments (advanced wound care, local corticosteroids, local immunomodulator agents) may be sufficient for some clinical features, while others may be required systemic therapy (corticosteroids, immunosuppressive therapy, intravenous immune globulins, TNF-alpha blocking agents). We present four cases of PG associated with inflammatory bowel diseases treated with different therapeutic approaches.


Au nanorods and Au nanogap split-ring (SR) structures were fabricated to investigate the ability of wet etching and Ar ion milling processes to remove an underlying Au electrode layer on shapes of electrodeposited Au structures. A reactive-monolayer-assisted thermal nanoimprint lithography process involving Au electrodeposition was used to make 100 nm × 500 nm Au nanorods and Au nanogap SR structures with widths of 125 nm and two 20 nm gaps. Individual Au bump structures were successfully demonstrated on transparent silica substrates by Ar ion milling and subsequent Cr wet etching. Au nanorod and nanogap SR structures were obtained almost uniformly over a 100-μm square area, which was sufficient to investigate their optical properties. The array comprising electrodeposited Au nanorods showed an anisotropic absorption band, attributable to a transverse plasmon band at wavelengths ranging from 500 to 700 nm when an incident light was linearly polarized perpendicular to the long axis of Au nanorods.


In humans, the perception of vertical is provided by input from various sensorineural organs and pathways: vision, eye-movements, and proprioceptive and vestibular cues, particularly from the otolithic organs and graviceptive pathways. Well known in several types of brainstem lesions, subjective visual vertical (SVV) abnormalities may also be observed after peripheral vestibular lesions, such as surgical deafferentation, with a deviation directed toward the operated ear. Subjective visual vertical abnormalities are presumably related to a lesion of the otolithic organs and/or to changes in the afferent graviceptive pathways. The goal of this prospective study was to measure the SVV and to define the influence of the otolithic organs in patients suffering from various types of peripheral vestibular diseases: unilateral sudden cochleo-vestibular loss, so-called "viral labyrinthitis" (VL), sudden idiopathic unilateral peripheral vestibular loss, so-called "vestibular neuritis" (Ne). Data were compared with findings after unilateral surgical deafferentations such as vestibular neurectomy (VN) and labyrinthectomy (Lab). Subjective visual vertical was measured with a binocular test (vertical frame) and a monocular test (Maddox rod). In all patients, after VN and Lab, the SVV showed a 10-30 degrees tilt with the vertical frame (N: 0 +/- 2 degrees), 5-15 degrees with the Maddox rod (N: 0 +/- 4 degrees). With the vertical frame, SVV was tilted > 2 degrees in VL (47%) and in Ne (37%); the Maddox rod showed a > 4 degrees tilt in VL (41%) and in Ne (42%). The tilt was directed toward the affected ear. Our results demonstrate that SVV is frequently tilted in acute peripheral vestibulopathies such as VL and Ne. These findings suggest that otolithic function is implicated in the deficit depending on the extent and/or the localisation of the peripheral vestibular lesion.


A theoretical modeling of the diffusion of self-interstitials in silicon and germanium crystals both at normal and high hydrostatic pressure has been carried out using molecular mechanics, semiempirical (PM3, PM5) and ab-initio (SIESTA) methods. According to the simulation for the Si and Ge neutral interstitials (I0) both in silicon and germanium crystals more stable configuration is <110> split interstitial. T is the stable configuration for the double positive interstitial I++, but the interstitial is displaced from the high-symmetry site. Stability of <110> splitinterstitial is not changed under hydrostatic pressure. The activation barriers for the diffusion of interstitials were determined and equal to ΔEa(Si)(<110> -> T1)=0.69 eV; ΔEa (Ge)(<110> -> T1)=1.1 eV. For mixed interstitials the calculated activation barriers equal Si Emix = 1.06 eV, Ge Emix = 0.86 eV. Hydrostatic pressure decreases the activation barriers ΔEa(Si), ΔEa (Ge).


This article describes the content of the author's speech at the conference «Act of detention as evidence in criminal proceedings: Pros and Cons» (September 26, 2018, Samara National Research University, Faculty of Law). The author analyzes the reasons for the discussion «Tarasov vs Rossinskiy» between him and professor A. A. Tarasov about the nature of detention of a person suspected of committing a crime. The author concludes that detention actually remains a «police» act, which is used for maintaining proper investigation. And the procedural decision to detain does not have a «high» legal meaning, which is found in other resolutive acts of preliminary investigation.


We have studied the effect of gamma-radiation on the small signal gain and on the noise figure of several EDFAs with similar characteristics and based on special highly Er-doped fibers. Those fibers were fabricated using direct nanoparticle deposition technology, with different Er 3+ doping levels. The results show that the use of this technology allows improving the EDFA's radiation tolerance by increasing the concentration of Er3+ ions provided this is not accompanied with higher concentrations of other dopants, which influence the radiation sensitivity of the fiber.


Analysis of the light-induced changes of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in photoreceptor cells has been taken a step further with two recently published studies. In one, changes in [Ca2+]i were measured in single detached rod outer segments from Gecko in response to various light intensities. The advances of the other are embodied in its employment of transgenic Drosophila, whose photoreceptors express a visual pigment that is insensitive to the wavelength of light used in the fluorescence imaging of [Ca2+]i. These studies provide a better basis for understanding the regulation of Ca(2+)-mediated events in photoreceptor cells.


How will generative AI pay for itself? Unless charging users for access, selling advertising is the only alternative. Especially in the multi-billion dollar web search market with ads as the main source of revenue, the introduction of a subscription model seems unlikely. The recent disruption of search by generative large language models could thus ultimately be accompanied by generated ads. Our concern is that the commercialization of generative AI in general and large language models in particular could lead to native advertising in the form of quite subtle brand or product placements. In web search, the evolution of search engine results pages (SERPs) from traditional lists of ``ten blue links'' (lists SERPs) to generated text with web page references (text SERPs) may further blur the line between advertising-based and organic search results, making it difficult for users to distinguish between the two, depending on how advertising is integrated and disclosed. To raise awareness of this potential development, we conduct a pilot study analyzing the capabilities of current large language models to blend ads with organic search results. Although the models still struggle to subtly frame ads in an unrelated context, their potential is evident when integrating ads into related topics which calls for further investigation.


The authors of these original essays - emerging architectural and cultural critics and practitioners - are engaged in the act of writing back at architecture, heralding the prospect of new conditions, possibilities, and purposes of practice. Tying their work together is the idea that architecture and architectural thinking are inextricably cultural in construction and effect.The essayists suggest that the once supposed autonomy of architecture is an illusion, at best a suspect quality, at worst a mask on a series of transactions and false stabilities that architecture ensures in a culture. Each writer depicts certain operations of power in architecture, aiming the line of a text against it or threading the written line through architecture.The Essays: Architecture Gender Philosophy, "Ann Bergren. "Minor Architectural Possibilities, "Jennifer Bloomer. "Intimacy and Spectacle, "Beatriz Colomina. "Inscribing the Subject of Modernism: The Posthumanist Theory of Ludwig Hilbersiemer, "Michael Hays. "The Burdens of Linearity, "Catherine Ingraham. "Forms of Irrationality, "Jeffrey Kipnis. "Spatial Narratives, "Mark Rakatansky. "Frank Lloyd Wright at the Midway, "Robert Segrest. "Do You See What I Mean? "John Whiteman. "Translations of Architecture: The Production of Babel, "Mark Wigley. "Body Troubles, "Robert McAnulty. "Architectural Theory is No Disciplines, "Mark Linder. ""Being and Nothinness," Doug Graf.


We define a proof system a la Hoare for a common kernel of existing data-parallel languages. It includes conditioning constructs and non-local control transfers such as data-parallel break and continue. Assertions are usual predicates and manipulations of the extent of parallelism are translated into explicit assignments. Therefore, proofs reuse the classical assertional setting of sequential Hoare Logic.


Cloud services are increasingly available through containers due to their scalability, portability, and reliable deployment, particularly in microservices and smart vehicles. The scheduler component of cloud containers plays a crucial role in optimizing energy efficiency and minimizing costs due to the diversity of workloads and cloud resources. The growing demand for cloud services poses a challenge in terms of energy consumption. Optimizing energy consumption in servers is possible by utilizing live migration technology. This study aims to propose a hybrid model that facilitates the migration of containers from one server to another using Gradient Descent Namib Beetle Optimization (GNBO) algorithms, thereby reducing the energy consumption of cloud servers. The work is carried out through cloud simulation using Physical Machines (PM), Virtual Machines (VM), and Containers. Tasks are allocated to VMs in a round-robin manner. The Actor-Critic Neural Network (ACNN) is employed to predict the load of PMs, and overloading and underloading conditions are determined based on the load. The proposed GNBO hybrid optimization calculates the optimal solution considering predicted load, migration costs, resource utilization, energy consumption, and network bandwidth. This approach achieves a load of 0.177 MIPS, migration costs of 10.146 J, and optimizes energy consumption to 0.068 W.


Drosophila steroid receptors and related receptor-like proteins show remarkable conservation of structure and function relative to vertebrate homologues. While those proteins are involved in numerous embryonic and post-embryonic developmental processes, a striking number of receptor-like proteins are clustered in regulatory hierarchies under the control of the insect molting hormone ecdysone. This has suggested a number of models based on competitive, cooperative and inter-regulatory interactions between these proteins.


The therapeutic rationale for using implanted disulfiram is possible inhibition of the liver enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, producing an acetaldehyde-mediated aversive reaction after intake of ethanol. Several studies using volunteers and patients in a double blind controlled study produced no evidence that a disulfiram implant (1 g) has any significant pharmacological or clinical action, except for a higher frequency of local surgical complications.


For many years clinicians thought that damage to the microvasculature is the underlying cause of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic retinopathy. Now studies have provided considerable epidemiologic, pathologic, pathophysiologic, and molecular evidence to support this long-held clinical hypothesis. Molecular studies have elucidated the sequence of events in microvascular damage and identified several key pathways (eg, protein kinase C [PKC], advanced glycation end products, polyol, and hexosamine) that lead to endothelial cell dysfunction and death and, ultimately, to tissue damage in the retinas, kidneys, and nerves. These pathways, therefore, are potential therapeutic targets. Structural abnormalities in resistance vessels are preceded by functional abnormalities, which are driven by oxidative stress. Superoxide levels are increased and maximal vasodilation is decreased in the streptozotocin diabetic rat. In addition, there is a significant shift in vascular endothelial sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the shift is even more pronounced in those patients with diabetes and hypertension. Impaired vasodilation and an abnormal myogenic response provide no protection to downstream vessels, thus setting the stage for basement membrane thickening and microvascular sclerosis. There is evidence that basement membrane thickening, a hallmark of diabetic microangiopathy, is present in late-stage diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, recent studies have shown that it is also present in patients with diabetic peripheral impaired glucose tolerance and early stage diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Angiotensin II receptor blockade for the treatment of vascular dysfunction partially restores the blunted vasodilatory response and normalizes the shift in blood vessel sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Similarly, angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibition results in significant and meaningful electrophysiologic improvements in nerve conduction velocity, M-wave amplitude, and F-wave latency in patients with mild diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Encouraging data from recently completed studies of the PKC-β inhibitor ruboxistaurin show that it improves symptom scores and nerve function scores in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. (Adv Stud Med. 2005;5(3A):S144-S149)


The treasury of Qur'anic interpretation in Indonesia, from the early generation of its emergence to the present generation, has been always a relevant object of research to discuss. This is because the works of tafsīr in Indonesia possess their own characters, which differ from that of the similar work in other places. It can be found, among others, in the work of Tafsir al-Ibrīz written by Bisri Mustofa in 1960. This work possesses a distinctive characteristic of Nusantara such as the use of Javanese language as its main presentation language and the use of Arabic-Pegon letter. Another distinctive feature is the element of Javanese-Indonesian local wisdom contained in the work. This article will examine the background of the preparation of this work and the extent of its locality. The writing of al-Ibrīz, instead of a means of worship and seeking God's pleasure, can also be seen as an attempt to "promote" the local wisdom of Islam Nusantara which is reflected, among others, in the culture of Javanese mysticism, the pilgrimage of awliyā' tombs, and the Javanese ancestor's potion.


Three-dimensional cfd analysis to study the thrust and efficiency of a biologically-inspired marine propulsor Aquatic animals, which are the result of many millions of years of evolutionary optimization, are very quick, efficient, robust, and versatile. Accordingly, biologically-inspired mechanisms which emulate the movement of animals have recently become very popular. For the efficient design of a propulsion system it is very important to analyze the fluid flow in detail. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) has become a powerful technique to understand the phenomena because it gives extensive information about the fluid flow characteristics. In the present work, a propulsion system consisting of an undulating fin which emulates the fish swimming was built. In order to optimize the mechanism, several undulating configurations were studied using a 3D turbulent CFD model. The thrust, drag, efficiency and hydrodynamic characteristics were analyzed. Furthermore, it was shown that the efficiency and thrust depend strongly on the oscillation frequency, amplitude and wavelength. In order to validate this CFD model, the numerically obtained thrust was successfully compared with experimental results from the laboratory mechanism.


Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical trials in cancer patients on the basis of their effect on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis demonstrated in vitro. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of an HDAC inhibitor, valproic acid (VA), on proliferation, androgen-sensitivity, androgen receptor levels and E-cadherin (E-cad) expression in human prostate cancer cells. The effects of VA were evaluated in androgen-sensitive, LNCaP and -insensitive PC-3 human prostate cancer cell lines. Proliferation was assayed by cell counts and protein expression by Western blot analysis. Morphological changes were analysed under an inverted phase contrast microscope. High VA concentrations (1-25 mM) induced a very strong reduction in cell numbers ( approximately 90% with respect to control) of the two cell lines due to drug cytotoxicity. A low concentration (0.45 mM VA) slightly reduced (14%) LNCaP cell proliferation and abolished the response to androgen. In the PC-3 cells, the same concentration of VA had a more pronounced (40%) inhibitory effect and induced a response to dihydrotestosterone in terms of an enhancement in cell growth. These events were associated with morphological changes, an absence of cytotoxicity, an increase in androgen receptor levels, and, in PC-3 cells, an enhancement in E-cad expression which may be ascribed to VA differentiative action. Our findings, obtained with a VA dose (0.45 mM), which is consistent with plasma concentrations reached under oral administration of therapeutical doses in patients treated for different diseases, suggest that VA might have clinical value in prostate cancer therapy in androgen-sensitive and -insensitive tumors.


Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious disease of the human respiratory tract, which is caused by Bordetella pertussis. Reemerge of pertussis in some highly immunized populations and divergency in gene order among several B. pertussis strains promoted this research to study the change of pertussis toxin (PT) and lipopolysacharide levels in response to the different environments. This study conducted an extensive investigation of antigenic modulation of B. pertussis strain 134 in the presence of different chemicals. One of the findings of this research, for the first time, was that barium ion has growth inhibitory role on B. pertussis 134, when added in high concentration to CBA plates. Nicotinic acid, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium chloride have shown the significant modulating effect on the basis of reduction of PT levels. Our data demonstrated quantitatively that the modulation of B. pertussis yields high levels of LPS. Our results have showed the strong modulatory effects of FeCl3 on reduction of PT levels. In general, this study provided collective data which are strongly applicable to explain modulation of B. pertussis, and also introduces new modulators which promote more study on gene order of B. pertussis.


This review covers some epidemiological aspects that allow Brucella to survive, spread, and maintain itself in the environment. Because the success of maintaining Brucella-free herds is determined by the efficiency of the serological tests to detect a single infected animal the limitations of the traditional serological tests are emphasized. Serological tests cannot differentiate between cattle infected with Brucella and cattle infected with microorganisms that serologically cross-react with B. abortus antigen. These cattle and cattle with 'natural' antibodies jeopardize the Brucella-free status of a herd. Likewise, infected cattle with serologically inconclusive test results or which elude detection are also a hazard to Brucella-free herds. Since cattle that elude detection with serological tests and the presence of non-specific serum antibodies in healthy cattle have long been recognized as problems, it is opportune to reconsider the procedures currently used to diagnose brucellosis in individual animals. Use of the skin delayed-type hypersensitivity test in addition to serological tests will significantly improve the diagnosis of brucellosis. This will limit the financial loss incurred by outbreaks of brucellosis.


Objective The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of the far lateral and the paramedian disc herniations. Methods The 88 patients who underwent an operation for lumbar disc herniations were reviewed. Visual analogue scale of leg and back pain, occurrence of sensory dysesthesia and motor deficit before and after operations were used to compare the far lateral with the paramedian disc herniations. Results Statistically, the far lateral herniations had more severe radicular leg pain and showed more frequent occurrence of sensory dysesthesia than paramedian herniations before operation (p<0.05). In the far lateral herniation group, preoperatively, 15 patients (75%) had sensory dysesthesia and among them, 4 patients (27%) showed improvement. In the paramedian herniation group, preoperatively, 25 patients (37%) had sensory dysesthesia and among them, 21 patients (84%) showed improvement. The degree of improvement in sensory dysesthesia was statistically higher in paramedian herniation group (p<0.05). In the far lateral herniation group, preoperatively, 11 patients (55%) had motor deficit and among them, 10 patients (91%) showed improvement. In the paramedian herniations, preoperatively, 29 patients (43%) had motor deficit and among them, 25 patients (86%) showed improvement. The degree of improvement in motor deficit was not statistically significant between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion Preoperatively, the far lateral herniations had more severe radicular leg pain and frequent occurrence of sensory dysesthesia. Postoperatively, the sensory dysesthesia was less improved and back pain was more severe in the far lateral herniations.


Abstract Atherosclerosis (AS) has emerged as one of the prevalent arterial vascular diseases characterized by plaque and inflammation, primarily causing disability and mortality globally. Drug therapy remains the main treatment for AS. However, a series of obstacles hinder effective drug delivery. Nature, from natural micro-/nano-structural biological particles like natural cells and extracellular vesicles to the distinctions between the normal and pathological microenvironment, offers compelling solutions for efficient drug delivery. Nature-inspired nanocarriers of synthetic stimulus-responsive materials and natural components, such as lipids, proteins and membrane structures, have emerged as promising candidates for fulfilling drug delivery needs. These nanocarriers offer several advantages, including prolonged blood circulation, targeted plaque delivery, targeted specific cells delivery and controlled drug release at the action site. In this review, we discuss the nature-inspired nanocarriers which leverage the natural properties of cells or the microenvironment to improve atherosclerotic drug therapy. Finally, we provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities of applying these innovative nature-inspired nanocarriers.


Background. Psychotherapy's equivalence paradox is that treatments have equivalently positive outcomes despite non-equivalent theories and techniques. We compared the outcomes of contrasting approaches practised in routine care. Method. Patients (n=1309) who received cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), person-centred therapy (PCT) and psychodynamic therapy (PDT) at one of 58 National Health Service (NHS) primary and secondary care sites in the UK during a 3-year period completed the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) at the beginning and end of their treatment. Therapists indicated which treatment approaches were used on an End of Therapy form. We compared outcomes of six groups: three treated with CBT, PCT or PDT only, and three treated with one of these plus one additional approach (e.g. integrative, supportive, art), designated CBT+1, PCT+1 or PDT+1 respectively. Results. All six groups averaged marked improvement (pre–post effect size=1·36). Treatment approach and degree of purity ('only' vs. '+1') each accounted for statistically significant but comparatively tiny proportions of the variance in CORE-OM scores (respectively 1% and 0·5% as much as pre–post change). Distributions of change scores were largely overlapping. Conclusions. Results for these three treatment approaches as practised routinely across a range of NHS settings were generally consistent with previous findings that theoretically different approaches tend to have equivalent outcomes. Caution is warranted because of limited treatment specification, non-random assignment, lack of a control group, missing data and other issues.


35-year-old male patient presented with gradually increasing painful swelling of the right shoulder, which was incised and drained and wound persisted as a discharging sinus on the anterolateral aspect of the deltoid region with seropurulent discharge. A clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis of the shoulder was made. Plain skiagram of the right shoulder revealed multicystic lesion involving the entire scapula and upper third of the humerus with loss of joint space and pathological fracture at the junction of upper one-third and lower two-thirds of the humerus. A clinico-radiological diagnosis of hydatid disease was made. In view of the extensive involvement of the scapula with stiff shoulder and an active sinus, a two-stage surgical procedure was performed. Stage 1 consisted of en bloc excision of the scapula, upper half of the humerus and lateral end of the clavicle. Stage II surgery, consisting of fibular bone grafting. Tablet albendazole (400 mg, thrice daily) was given as systemic scolicidal agent. This case is reported in view of it's rarity and to highlight the management.


In this work, a methodology to perform rheological studies on smoothed dissipative particle dynamics under arbitrary flow configurations is introduced. To evaluate the accuracy and flexibility of the proposed methodology, viscometric studies for Newtonian fluids under pure shear, pure extension, and arbitrary flows in bulk or near walls are introduced. The applicability of this methodology to obtain viscoelastic properties of non-Newtonian fluids, such as polymer solutions, is also presented. The new computational approach offers relevant advantages in a variety of applications ranging from multiscale simulations to the rheological characterization of complex flows.


Introduction: Pseudomonas is widely distributed in nature. Intrinsic resistance to numerous antibiotics contribute to their virulence. Aims & Objectives: To isolate the Pseudomonas species from different clinical specimens and to study their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Material & Methods: Study was conducted in Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Govt. Medical College, Nagpur from August 2011 August 2013. Pseudomonas isolates were processed to species level by standard procedures and antibiotic susceptibility was done according to CLSI guidelines 2011. Observations & Results: A total of 210 Pseudomonas strains were isolated and maximum 44% were from pus. Amongst them, 95% were P. aeruginos ,2.4% were P. putida, 1.4% were P.stutzeri and 0.95% were P. fluorescens. Amongst the 200 P . aeruginosa, least resistance was found to colistin (2.5%) and imipenem (21%) followed by piperacillin-tazobactum (25%) and amikacin (27%). Resistance to cephalosporines, aminoglycosides, tobramycin and netillin was in the range of 30 – 35%. Ciprofloxacin was 52% and norfloxacin was 67% resistant. Metallo-betalactamase (MBL) production was observed in 12% isolates. The Pseudomonas isolates other than P. aeruginosa, were more sensitive as compare to P. aeruginosa. They were 100% sensitive to colistin and imipenem followed by 80% sensitivity to piperacillin tazobactum, 70% to amikacin & gentamycin, 60% to tobramycin & netillin and 50% to cephalosporines, quinolones and aztreonam.


Nowadays, one of the metal forming processes that are widely used in industries is sheet hydroforming. Because of high complexity and sensitivity, this process needs precise calculations in the die and method to control metal flow correctly and prevent defects. Therefore recently, new processes were combined to this process to increase precision and effectiveness. For example, ultrasonic vibration assistance forming. Using hydroforming and ultrasonic vibration as new methods were studied in several research types separately, and each of them redounded to different analyses and improvements in the process. Even synchronic use of these two methods was studied in some metal forming processes such as tube hydroforming, but it has not been studied in sheet hydroforming. Therefore the aim of this research is the experimental study of St14 sheet hydroforming ultrasonic vibration assistance. For this purpose, ultrasonic vibration (with 20 KHz frequency and 4μm amplitude) was applied to a hydromechanical deep drawing die into punch radial in the hydroforming process. Then process parameters consisting of LDR, maximum height, forming force, safe working zone, and thickness distribution were determined and compared in four case states conventional deep drawing(CDD), hydroforming deep drawing(HDD), ultrasonic vibration assistance deep drawing(UDD) and ultrasonic vibration assistance hydroforming deep drawing(UHDD). Results indicated that applying ultrasonic vibration into the sheet hydroforming process increases LDR and the maximum height of the cup, decreases forming force and develops a safe working zone. Also was very effective in thickness distribution and decrease of sheet thinning in critical sections.


Operators have deployed Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) in the Internet for over a decade. However, its impact on Internet topology measurements is not well known, and it is possible for some MPLS configurations to lead to false router-level links in maps derived from traceroute data. In this paper, we introduce a measurement-based classification of MPLS tunnels, identifying tunnels where IP hops are revealed but not explicitly tagged as label switching routers, as well as tunnels that obscure the underlying path. Using a large-scale dataset we collected, we show that paths frequently cross MPLS tunnels in today's Internet: in our data, at least 30% of the paths we tested traverse an MPLS tunnel. We also propose and evaluate several methods to reveal MPLS tunnels that are not explicitly flagged as such: we discover that their fraction is significant (up to half the explicit tunnel quantity) but most of them do not obscure IP-level topology discovery.


Abstract Paper describes the continuous quality improvement procedures used by the author to keep the General Engineering program at Penn State Hazleton aligned to the needs and expectations of industry. The paper addresses the procedure for the development of program educational objectives which are the goals of the program. The goals of the program are defined jointly by industry leaders and former Engineering graduates as well as the Engineering faculty. The paper also focuses on the development of the student outcomes which is the body of knowledge that every graduate should have at the day of graduation. The paper also explains the process for collecting data for the purpose of assessing the level of attainment of program objectives and student outcomes. Based on the data which is being collected on an ongoing basis, the necessary corrective actions are implemented. This is happening on the program level as well as the course level. The necessary changes on the course level are happening every semester. The adjustments to the Engineering curriculum are being made yearly usually during the summer months. The paper focuses on the constant need for revising the curriculum in order to stay current with technology.


This report provides the first bottom-up assessment of countries' articulated demands over climate risk insurance in their climate policy pledges as part of the Paris Agreement. It is the result of a collaboration between the Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII) and the German Development Institute (GDI/DIE). In conjunction with the launch of this report, the NDC Explorer – the leading interactive online visualization tool on countries' commitments to the Paris Agreement – is to be updated to capture countries' intended policies on climate risk insurance. In a first section, the report elaborates on what climate risk insurance means for resilience; the main part consists of an analysis of climate risk insurance and how it is featured in the NDCs; and lastly, the report concludes with policy recommendations.


This study was conducted for developing the emission factors of nitrogen oxide(NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) from the combustion boilers burning liquefied natural gas (LNG). These emission factors were compared with those of U.S. EPA and European Environment Agency (EEA). NOx and CO concentration in the flow gas were measured using Kane-May, KM9106 and Thermo Environmental Instruments Inc., 42C-HL. Measurement were conducted at thirty industrial and commercial LNG boilers. Emission factors were calculated on the basis of fuel consumption (kg-pollutant/㎥-fuel burned). NOx concentration at industrial boiler was 14~125 ppm and it was measured as 35~125 ppm at commercial boiler. NOx emission factors of industrial boiler and commercial boiler were 1.84kg/ and 2.09kg/, respectively. NOx emission factor of commercial boiler was higher than that of industrial boiler. The NOx emission factors estimated in this study were lower than those of U.S. EPA and higher than those of EEA. Average CO emission factor of industrial boiler was 0.65 kg/ and at commercial boiler it was 0.70kg/, CO emission factor at industrial boiler was lower than that at commercial boiler.


Lifestyle - set of habits and traditions formed and enhancedunder the influence of socialization, work, cultural and other activityprocesses throughout a whole individual life. The aim: to indentifythe most important factors which affect healthy lifestyle of peoplepracticing different living styles. Methods: the instantaneous surveyof 600 working respondents of 25-64 years with not less than 5working years was done of which 220 were seafarers and 380-different onshore workers. In order to determine lifestyle and factorweight of seafarers and citizens factor analysis was done. Results:according to the factorial weights the same lifestyle featuresof seafarers and citizens slightly regrouped forming identicalbut with different significance living styles. Representatives ofdifferent living styles- seafarers and onshore workers-had thesame factors forming healthy lifestyle: stress at work (0,652 and0,753) and life stress (0,577 and 0,684), mental fatigue (0,462 and0,684), feeling at work (0,485 and 0,609), duration of duty threatto security (-0,719 and -0,630), education (0,484 and 0,718) andharmful habits (smoking frequency - 0,407 and 0,711, numberof cigarettes - 0,466 and 0,781, consumptions of alcohol at work(0,603 and 0,507) and at home (0,741 and 0,578) and alcoholamount (0,634 and 0,788); specific factors only for seafarers areworking hours per day(0,795), working hours per week (0,435)and salary (0,462), while onshore workers lifestyle is influencedby marital status (0,695) and physical fatigue (-0,619). Differentcommon latent factors means and correlations between healthrisk and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were establishedamong groups. Conclusions: stress at work and life related stress,mental fatigue, feeling at work, duration of duty threat to security,education and harmful habits are important for factors for formingthe healthy lifestyle for both different living styles; differences inliving styles are determining other important health factors: forseafarers- working conditions and salary, for onshore workersmaritalstatus and physical fatigue. Mean of latent risk factor inseafarers is significantly higher than in onshore workers (0,456and -0,371, p<0,001), and mean of cognitive factor - less (-0,278and 0,226, p=0,003). Primary prevention through behavioral andenvironmental interventions- lifestyle- is the most cost-effectivealternative for the prevention of chronic diseases.


BACKGROUND:Real-time convection-enhanced delivery (RCD) of adeno-associated viral vectors by co-infusion of gadoteridol allows T1 magnetic resonance imaging (T1 MRI) prediction of areas of subsequent gene expression. The use of T2 MRI in RCD is less developed. In addition, the effect of flushing a dead-space volume on subsequent distribution of a therapeutic agent is not known. OBJECTIVE:The value of T2 MRI in RCD was investigated by comparing distribution volumes of saline with immediately after T1 RCD of gadoteridol and by comparing T2, T1, and transgene distribution patterns after viral vector RCD. METHODS:Adult nonhuman primates underwent saline infusion/T2 acquisition, immediately followed by gadoteridol infusion/T1 acquisition in the putamen and brainstem. Distribution volumes and spatial patterns were analyzed. Gadoteridol and adeno-associated virus encoding human aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AAV2-hAADC) were co-infused under alternating T2/T1 acquisition in the thalamus, and hyperintense areas were compared with areas of subsequent transgene expression. RESULTS:Ratios of distribution volume to infusion volume were similar between saline and gadoteridol RCD. Spatial overlap correlated well between T2 and T1 images. The second infusate followed a spatiotemporal pattern similar to that of the first, filling the target area before developing extra-target distribution. Areas of human l-amino acid decarboxylase expression correlated well with areas of both T1 and T2 hyperintensity observed during RCD. CONCLUSION:Accuracy of cannula placement and initial infusate distribution may be safely determined by saline infusion without significantly altering the subsequent distribution of the tracer agent. T2 RCD provides detection of intraparenchymal convection- enhanced delivery in the uninjured brain and may predict subsequent distribution of a transgene after viral vector infusion.


Large debris flows have destroyed the infrastructure and caused the death of people living in the Moxi Basin (Sichuan Province, Southwestern China). Inhabitants of the Moxi Basin live on the flat surfaces of debris-flow fans, which are also attractive for farming. During the monsoon season debris flows are being formed above the fans. Debris flows can destroy the houses of any people living within the fan surfaces. In order to prevent the adverse effects of flows, people plant alder trees (Alnus nepalensis) at the mouths of debris flow gullies running above debris flow fans. Alders are able to capture the debris transported during flow events. Trees are well adapted to surviving in conditions of environmental stress connected with abrupt transport and deposition of sediment from debris flows. Numerous wounds, tilting and bending of alder trees caused by debris flows only very rarely cause the death of trees. By dating scars and dating the time of alder tilting (through the analysis of annual rings), we have determined the frequency of debris flows occurring at the mouth of the Daozhao valley. In 1980–2012 within the studied debris-flow fan and the Daozhao gully, 2 large debris flow events occurred (1996, 2005) and some smaller events were probably recorded every 2–3 years.


The intense use of herbicides for weed control in agriculture causes selection pressure on soil microbiota and water ecosystems, possibly resulting in changes to microbial processes, such as biogeochemical cycles. These xenobiotics may increase the production of reactive oxygen species and consequently affect the survival of microorganisms, which need to develop strategies to adapt to these conditions and maintain their ecological functionality. This study analyzed the adaptive responses of bacterial isolates belonging to the same species, originating from two different environments (water and soil), and subjected to selection pressure by herbicides. The effects of herbicide Callisto and its active ingredient, mesotrione, induced different adaptation strategies on the cellular, enzymatic, and structural systems of two Bacillus megaterium isolates obtained from these environments. The lipid saturation patterns observed may have affected membrane permeability in response to this herbicide. Moreover, this may have led to different levels of responses involving superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and enzyme polymorphisms. Due to these response systems, the strain isolated from water exhibited higher growth rates than did the soil strain, in evaluations made in oligotrophic culture media, which would be more like that found in semi-pristine aquatic environments. The influence of the intracellular oxidizing environments, which changed the mode of degradation of mesotrione in our experimental model and produced different metabolites, can also be observed in soil and water at sites related to agriculture. Since the different metabolites may present different levels of toxicity, we suggest that this fact should be considered in studies on the fate of agrochemicals in different environments.


OBJECTIVE
Nucleic vaccine of pVVP3IL-18HN expressing apoptin gene, Newcastle disease virus HN gene and IL-18 gene were constructed to observe the combinative antitumor effect of the above three genes.

METHODS
Eukaryotic expression plasmid pVVP3IL-18HN was constructed by inserting apoptin gene and fragment comprising fused IL-18HN gene and IRES promoter into the downstream of CMV promoter of vector pVAX1. The expression of inserted gene was identified by RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence and Western-blot. The recombinant plasmid was introduced into Hep-2 cells by liposome, then suppression rate of Hep-2 of different time and different quantity was calculated according to MTT results.

RESULT
The recombinant plasmid of pVVP3IL-18HN suppressed Hep-2 successfully and its suppression rate was up to 61.9% with 20 microg/ml, incubation of 72 hours.

CONCLUSION
The nucleic vaccine constructed pVVP3IL-18HN had antitumor effect on Hep-2. It may can be used to the therapy and research of laryngeal carcinoma.


A series of alpha-amino-3-(phosphonoalkyl)-2-quinoxalinepropanoic acids was synthesized and evaluated for NMDA receptor affinity using a [3H] CPP binding assay. Functional antagonism of the NMDA receptor complex was evaluated in vitro using a stimulated [3H]TCP binding assay and in vivo by employing an NMDA-induced seizure model. Some analogues also were evaluated in the [3H]-glycine binding assay. Several compounds of the AP-6 type show potent and selective NMDA antagonistic activity both in vitro and in vivo. In particular alpha-amino-7-chloro-3-(phosphonomethyl)-2-quinoxalinepropanoic acid (1) displayed an ED50 of 1.1 mg/kg ip in the NMDA lethality model. Noteworthy is alpha-amino-6,7-dichloro-3-(phosphonomethyl)-2-quinoxalinepropanoic++ + acid (3) with a unique dual activity, displaying in the NMDA receptor binding assay an IC50 of 3.4 nM and in the glycine binding assay an IC50 of 0.61 microM.


The problems linked to global warming imply the reduction of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. There are three pillars for decarbonizing energy systems, including the use of renewable energy. These are often assimilated to the electrical energy produced by the sun, wind, hydraulics or biomass. However, this electrical energy does not allow a deep decarbonization of all consumption sectors. The use of gas produced from these renewable energies and called "green gas" can overcome this by substituting fossil gas. The study of the penetration of these "renewable gases" is the subject of this thesis. To analyse the contribution of green gas to the decarbonization of energy sectors, the work carried out uses the long-term prospective model POLES (Prospective Outlook on Long-term Energy Systems). A module was created in the model to include a detailed representation of the green gas production system, linking resources to uses. The technologies of anaerobic digestion, gasification of biomass and the transformation of electricity into gas called power-to-gas have been modelled and their contributions in the energy consumption of consumption sectors estimated. The results show that renewable gas technologies play a role in the energy transition by doubling the production of fossil gas in the second half of the XXIst century. This gas allows the decarbonisation of the transport, industry and agriculture sectors. Nevertheless, the deployment of technologies is directly linked to the technical progress expected in the future because, at present, these technologies are for the majority too expensive to be competitive with the use of natural gas without carbon tax. In addition, development stems from the availability of local potential in terms of the biomass resources mobilized. Development trajectories are therefore quite different depending on local contexts, both in terms of resource availability and in terms of the political incentives to promote the deployment of green gases.


Statement of purpose We provide thorough description of Teen Dating Violence (TDV) policies' variation to position future research efforts to understand what is driving policy variation and how policy components impact outcomes. Methods/Approach We developed and applied an abstraction form to measure 7 TDV policy components: (1) definitions, (2) requirements for district policy, (3) guidelines for review, (4) district policy content, (5) student dating violence curricula, (6) staff dating violence training, and (7) protections for victims. Descriptive figures and statistics were generated on all policy scores, and on individual policy score changes. Results Krippendorff's alpha for inter-rater reliability was 0.88. Sixty-one related policies of 30 states were identified and abstracted. Thirty of these were original policies, 31 were revisions of previous policies enacted by 17 states. Out of a possible 63, the mean score of original policies was 15.4 (0.86 SE), median 16.1, range 4.0- 23.0. Of the 31 policy updates/revisions, 13 improved the state policy score, 3 reduced it, 15 were score neutral. The mean score of the currently active policies was 16.9 (0.71 standard error), median of 17.0. All section scores improved slightly relative to original policies except for section (5). Conclusions While there has been slight collective improvement since the origin of TDV policies in 1992, there remains tremendous opportunity for improvement policy presence and component caliber amongst all TDV policies of US states. Significance Despite TDV's status as a public health co, it is not understood why only select states have implemented supportive policy, why existing policies vary in terms of composition, nor what relationship exists between TDV policy presence/quality and outcomes. The findings of this work are necessary to position future research efforts to elucidate what is driving policy variation and what policy levers exist for promoting successful prevention of and response to instances of TDV.


CONTEXT
Inflammation plays an important role in albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The vitamin D receptor (VDR) has potent anti-inflammatory activities.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between VDR expression and albuminuria in T2DM.

DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS
Renal biopsies from T2DM patients with albuminuria (n = 8) and nondiabetic subjects (n = 4) were compared for VDR expression by immunohistochemistry. Recruited T2DM patients (n = 242; estimated glomerular filtration rate > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) were divided into three groups based on urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR): normal albuminuria (uACR < 30 mg/g; n = 85), microalbuminuria (30 mg/g ≤ uACR < 300 mg/g; n = 84), and macroalbuminuria (uACR ≥ 300 mg/g; n = 73), with healthy individuals (n = 72) as controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from these subjects were analyzed for VDR mRNA (n = 314), TNF-α mRNA (n = 314), microRNA (miR)-346 (n = 120; 30 for each group), and VDR protein (n = 80; 20 for each group). PBMCs from randomly selected subjects (n = 6 for each group) were cultured ex vivo to evaluate the effect of TNF-α on miR-346 and VDR, and miR-346-mediated VDR suppression was further explored in HK2 cells.

RESULTS
VDR expression was down-regulated in PBMCs and renal tubular epithelial cells from T2DM patients with albuminuria. VDR mRNA and protein levels were both negatively correlated with uACR, and VDR mRNA was inversely correlated with TNF-α and miR-346 in PBMCs from T2DM patients. TNF-α reduced VDR while inducing miR-346 in cultured PBMCs. TNF-α suppressed VDR by up-regulating miR-346 in HK2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS
VDR down-regulation in PBMCs is independently associated with the severity of albuminuria in T2DM. TNF-α suppression of VDR in PBMCs and HK2 cells is mediated by miR-346.


Retrograde intramedullary nailing of the hindfoot and ankle is an established procedure for salvage of severe foot and ankle deformity, arthritis, tumor, and instability. In the present study, retrograde hindfoot (tibiotalocalcaneal) arthrodesis nailing was performed using a standardized technique on 7 cadaver specimens by trained senior surgeons. The specimens were then dissected to determine the distance of the subcalcaneal structures at risk from the insertion point of the nail. The findings showed that the distance of the lateral neurovascular bundle from the edge of the nail was 6.5 (range 3.5 to 8, 95% confidence interval 5.9 to 7.1) mm. No neurovascular bundle was compromised, and all were within a previously described "safe window."


The major aim of this research is to investigate the changing role of the state in South Korea (henceforth Korea) after the financial crisis of 1997. Considering the complexity of Korean dynamics in this period, the change in financial systems and the country's developmental state will be the main points of focus. In order to analyse the main focus of thesis, the research will be simply the process of answering to the questions of, "What has been essential to both state definition and finance in Korea?" and, therefore, "How essential is the state's definition and the role of the state in finance when examining how far Korean state has changed in the aftermath of the 1997 financial crisis?"
In this thesis the core question is this: "How has the Korean developmental state changed since the 1997 financial crisis? And has this change influenced the role of the state in finance as well as the structure of the state bureaucracy?" In Korea, as a representative structure of developmental states, the financial system was a kernel of the state-leading developmental plans; in other words, it is how the state could control over 'capital' and execute 'industrial policy' for the state's aim of economic development. Two subordinate issues therefore need to be raised to figure out the outline of the process of the changing role of the state before and after the financial crisis: "Whether state's purpose to reinstate its crucial role by restoring the attributes of a developmental state through the public fund after the 1997 crisis was successful or not" and "what was the direction of the financial supervision system reform after the 1997 financial crisis in Korea? And was the direction matched the goal pursued by the state?"
Before the 1997 crisis, Korean developmental state had already been changing in many ways; the success of economic development raised the issue of different roles of the state to previous 'strong', 'economy-centred' and 'coercive' role of the state. However, it is true that the financial crisis accelerated this issue as a crucial subject of the developmental state theory. As Korea has been transformed to different types of state, changing roles of the state has been inevitably required after the financial crisis.
Under this situation, this thesis will conduct some empirical researches to find answers to the main question and subordinate questions.


In this study, bismuth-doped fiber lasers operating at the wavelength of 1179 nm with an optical efficiency of up to 28% are realized. The fiber gain upon 1-¿m pumping declines, while the unsaturable absorption increases with increasing the small-signal absorption. We conclude that up-conversion and excited-state absorption are responsible for limiting the efficiency of such lasers.


This paper is a study of almost contact statistical manifolds. Especially this study is focused on almost cosymplectic statistical manifolds. We obtained basic properties of such manifolds. It is proved a characterization theorem and a corollary for the almost cosymplectic statistical manifold with Kaehler leaves. We also study curvature properties of an almost cosymplectic statistical manifold. Moreover, examples are constructed.


There is a fierce ideological struggle between two warring camps: those who rally against expansive government and those who support it. Clearly, the correct balance must be struck between the extremes of legislative over-invasiveness and the frightening total absence of legal structure. This paper articulates a framework that allows for legislative parsimony — a way to scale back state law in a way that avoids lurching to unnecessary extremes. I assume the libertarian premise that law should strive to encroach as minimally as possible upon social order, yet I argue that we must do this in a highly selective fashion, employing a range of legislative techniques. I call this approach legislative minimalism. The strength of legislative minimalism is its pragmatic flexibility: different situations will allow for different degrees of minimalism. The paper creates a taxonomy of legislative strategies, outlining five distinct strategies. This taxonomy provides a conceptual foundation to help guide policymakers faced with the question of how best to legislate — or more accurately, how much to legislate.


The issue of monitoring surface motions in post-mining areas in Europe is important due to the fact that a significant number of post-mining areas lie in highly-urbanized and densely-populated regions. Examples can be found in: Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, as well as the subject of this study, the Polish Walbrzych Hard Coal Basin. Studies of abandoned coal fields show that surface deformations in post-mining areas occur even several dozen years after the end of underground coal extraction, posing a threat to new development of these areas. In the case of the Walbrzych area, fragmentary, geodetic measurements indicate activity of the surface in the post-mining period (from 1995 onward). In this work, we aimed at determining the evolution of surface deformations in time during the first 15 years after the end of mining, i.e., the 1995–2010 period using ERS 1/2 and Envisat satellite radar data. Satellite radar data from European Space Agency missions are the only source of information on historical surface movements and provide spatial coverage of the entirety of the coal fields. In addition, we attempted to analyze the relationship of the ground deformations with hydrogeological changes and geological and mining data. Three distinct stages of ground movements were identified in the study. The ground motions (LOS (Line Of Sight)) determined with the PSInSAR (Persistent Scatterer Interferometry) method indicate uplift of the surface of up to +8 mm/a in the first period (until 2002). The extent and rate of this motion was congruent with the process of underground water table restoration in separate water basins associated with three neighboring coal fields. In the second period, after the stabilization of the underground water table, the surface remained active, as indicated by local subsidence (up to −5 mm/a) and uplift (up to +5 mm/a) zones. We hypothesize that this surface activity is the result of ground reaction disturbed by long-term shallow and deep mining. The third stage is characterized by gradual stabilization and decreasing deformations of the surface. The results accentuate the complexity of ground motion processes in post-mining areas, the advantages of the satellite radar technique for historical studies, and provide information for authorities responsible for new development of such areas, e.g., regarding potential flood zones caused by restoration of groundwater table in subsided areas.


The structural geology and tectonic setting of hydrothermal gold deposits are paramount for understanding their genesis and for their exploration. Strong structural control on mineralization is one of the defining features of these deposits and arises because the permeabilities of crustal rocks are too low to allow the formation of hydrothermal deposits on realistic timescales unless rocks are deformed. Deformation zones and networks of deformation zones are the fundamental structures that control mineralization. Systematically analyzing deposit geometry, kinematics, and dynamics leads to the most thorough comprehension of a deposit. Geometric analysis relates orebody shape to controlling structures, and networks of deformation zones can be analyzed using topol-ogy to understand their connectivity and mineralizing potential. Kinematic analysis determines the location of permeability creation and mineralization. New views of shear zone kinematics allow for variable ratios of pure to simple shear, which change likely directions of mineralization. Multiple orientations of mineralized deformation zones may form simultaneously and symmetrically about the principal strain axes. Dynamic analysis is necessary for a mechanical understanding of deformation, fluid flow, and mineralization and can be achieved through numerical modeling. The relationship between deformation (kinematics) and stress (dynamics) constitutes the rheology; rheological contrasts are critical for the localization of many deposits. Numerous gold deposits, especially the largest, have evidence for multiple mineralizing events that may be separated by tens to hundreds of millions of years. In these cases, reactivation of structures is common, and a range of orientations of preexisting structures are predicted to be reactivated, given that they are weaker than intact rock. Physical and chemical processes of mineralization can be integrated using a nonequilibrium thermodynamics approach. Hydrothermal gold deposits form in contractional, strike-slip, and extensional tectonic settings. However, there may be great variation in the spatial scale over which the tectonic setting applies, and tectonic settings may also change on rapid timescales, so that it is inadvisable to infer local tectonics from deposit-scale patterns, and vice versa. It is essential to place mineralizing events within a complete geologic history in order to distinguish pre-and postmineralizing structures from synmineralization deformation features.


Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: Underage Category: M/M Fandom: Teen Wolf (TV) Relationship: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski, Isaac Lahey/Scott McCall Character: Stiles Stilinski, Derek Hale, Scott McCall, Melissa McCall, Sheriff Stilinski, Coach, Original Male Character(s), Isaac Lahey Additional Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Alpha/Omega, Omega Verse, Omega Stiles Stilinski, Alpha Derek, Alternate Universe, Underage Kissing, Stiles Stilinski in Heat, Gender Roles, Consensual Underage Sex Stats: Published: 2015-06-18 Updated: 2016-10-16 Chapters: 13/? Words: 40493


Complications of celiotomy incisions were evaluated retrospectively in 274 horses that survived at least 1 month after surgery, or died or were euthanatized within 1 month of surgery, as a direct result of these complications. Horses were divided into four groups; group A, a ventral median celiotomy for intestinal disease; group B, ventral median celiotomy for nonintestinal disease; group C, repair of an umbilical hernia; and group D, celiotomy in a region other than the midline. Specific incisional complications were peri-incisional edema, drainage, incisional abscess, suture sinus, and dehiscence. Incision-related complications occurred in 30% of the horses (group A, 40%; group B 18%; group C, 7%; and group D, 88%). Complications occurred more frequently in group D than group A (P = .009), which were higher than in groups B and C (P < .00001). Incisional hernia occurred in 28 of 256 (11%) horses that survived at least 4 months and were available for follow-up. Hernia formation was more common P < .00001) in horses that had other incisional complications (23 horses) than those without (5 horses). Serous or purulent incisional drainage, were more likely to be associated with hernia formation than was serosanguineous drainage or other incisional complications.


Application of lipases (preferentially Candida antarctica Lipase B, CALB) for melt polycondensation of aliphatic polyesters by transesterification of activated dicarboxylic acids with diols allows to displace toxic metal and metal oxide catalysts. Immobilization of the enzyme enhances the activity and the temperature range of use. The possibility to use enzyme-catalyzed polycondensation in melt is studied and compared to results of polycondensations in solution. The experiments show that CALB successfully catalyzes polycondensation of both, divinyladipate and dimethylsuccinate, respectively, with 1,4-butanediol. NMR spectroscopy, relative molar masses obtained by size exclusion chromatography, MALDI-TOF MS and wide-angle X-ray scattering are employed to compare the influence of synthesis conditions for poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). It is shown that the enzymatic activity of immobilized CALB deviates and influences the molar mass. CALB-catalyzed polycondensation of PBA in solution for 24 h at 70 °C achieves molar masses of up to Mw~60,000 g/mol, higher than reported previously and comparable to conventional PBA, while melt polycondensation resulted in a moderate decrease of molar mass to Mw~31,000. Enzymatically catalyzed melt polycondensation of PBS yields Mw~23,400 g/mol vs. Mw~40,000 g/mol with titanium(IV)n-butoxide. Melt polycondensation with enzyme catalysis allows to reduce the reaction time from days to 3–4 h.


Background: Africa has had poor returns from integration with world markets in globalisation, has experienced worsening poverty and malnutrition and has high burdens of HIV and communicable disease, with particular burdens on women. It is therefore essential to describe the impact of globalisation on women's health. Indicators such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are presented as having a major role in measuring this impact, but an assessment of the adequacy of aggregate national indicators used in monitoring the MDGs for this purpose is lacking. Methods: The Millennium Development Goals' panel database 2000 to 2006 was used to investigate the association between globalisation and women's health in Sub-Saharan Africa based on various determinants of heath. Out of the 148 countries classified as developing countries, 48 were in Sub-Saharan Africa. Results: Results suggest that developing countries are becoming more integrated with world markets through some lowering of trade barriers. At the same time, women's occupational roles are changing, which could affect their health status. However, it is difficult to measure the impact of globalisation on women's health from the MDG database. First, data on trade liberalization is aggregated at the regional level and does not hold any information on individual countries. Second, too few indicators in the MDG database are disaggregated by sex, making it difficult to separate the effects on women from those on men. Conclusions: The MDG database is not adequate to assess the effects of globalisation on women's health in Sub-Saharan Africa. We recommend that researchers aim to address this research question to find other data sources or turn to case studies. We hope that results from this study will stimulate research on globalisation and health using reliable sources.


An efficient technique is presented for obtaining dense stereo correspondence using a new adaptive block matching technique. First, one of the color stereo images (e.g., the left) is segmented into chromatic and achromatic regions using perceptual attributes in the HSI color space. Then the block matching technique is applied to the stereo images using adaptive similarity measures. The results have been compared to the results of the gray value algorithm. The precision of the matching results always improved by 25 to 30% when using the adaptive color algorithm instead of the gray value algorithm.


The DigiLit Framework suggests criteria for digital text and tool selection (content accuracy, intuitiveness, interactivity, quality) and integration (model a literacy skill or strategy, guide a literacy skill or strategy, model digital feature use, guide digital feature use) in literacy lessons. Using survey research, we explored which DigiLit criteria literacy professors prepared preservice teachers to use in K-12 settings. Participants included 199 literacy professors (194 from USA and one each from Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Middle East and Europe). We used a multivariate outcome logit/probit model to analyze how this was related to (a) professor characteristics, (b) institution characteristics, and (c) time. Findings showed that certain professor characteristics (e.g., interest in integrating technology, being knowledgeable about digital literacies), institution characteristics (e.g., access to equipment, professional development, technical support, incentives), and time to plan and practice integration were related to literacy professors' increased preparation of preservice teachers to use digital text or tool selection and integration. These findings provide specific ways to improve literacy teacher preparation by providing specific kinds of supports.


During past years Dragomir, Taneja and Pranesh kumar have contributed a lot of work providing different kinds of bounds on the distance, information and divergence measures. These are very useful and play an important role in many areas like as Sensor Networks, Testing the order in a Markov chain, Risk for binary experiments, Region segmentation and estimation etc. In this paper, we have established an upper and lower bounds of new f-divergence measure in terms of Relative J-divergence measure. Its particular cases have also considered using a new f-divergence and inequalities.


City branding was established as an endogenous development strategy – the need to build the city's own identity. This identity is reached through the study of the history, culture, economy, trajectory, products and potential development as well as the design of symbolic structures to attract investors and tourists and to create specific demands. The participation of a government entity is expected for these purposes thus encouraging those contributions from academic areas, entrepreneurs, cultural representatives including those community traditions. On the other hand, this participation should be supplemented with studies focused on the reality of the population, its history, and the actions that promoted city development. Cities and strategic associates should accompany these above mentioned entities in the purpose of designing their city branding, by building a model of participatory planning, a symbolic representation and a media plan guaranteeing that recognition as a territory with competitive values and advantages is a reality. To contribute to these goals, a methodological proposal with key elements for the design of the city brand using a research focused on quality review of documentation and grounded theory is presented. This study used Atlas Ti and VOSViewer software to analyze data. The research resulted in the precise definition of specific city branding and established strategic planning, management environment, and fundamental branding structure as those key founding elements for any particular city branding


This study aimed to analyze the preference of subfertile women for forest therapy programs depending on their emotional characteristics, and to provide basic data for the development of forest therapy programs in order to promote the mental health of subfertile women. Among the surveyed emotional characteristics of subfertile women, the level of emotions including pressure to become pregnant, impatience and frustration were high, while that of emotions including anxiety and fear; depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness and sadness tended to be medium. The level of emotions including shame and guilt tended to be low. The top six forest therapy programs preferred by subfertile women include a deep breath of air /phytoncide, forest bathing/wind bathing/sun bathing, self-esteem recovery program, eating organic foods, low body bathing/foot bathing/hot spring bathing, and breathing/breathing exercises. Subfertile women highly pressured to become pregnant showed significant differences in the preference of the self-esteem recovery program, Domar 's relaxation therapy, NLP therapy, and sleeping in the woods, while women with anxiety and fear showed significant differences in the preference of walking barefoot in forests, mountain walking in silence, listening to water sounds/ hand and foot soak, self-esteem recovery program, NLP therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, aroma therapy, integrated art therapy in forests, forest bathing/wind bathing/sunbathing, a deep breath of air/phytoncide, and observing stars. Women with depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, and sadness showed significant differences in eating organic foods, self-esteem recovery program, counseling/coaching, and cognitive behavior therapy. The significance of this study was to analyze the preference of subfertile women, as subjects, for forest therapy program. The results of this study are expected to be used as basis data for developing forest therapy programs for subfertile women.


As one of the first American journalists to enter the newly liberated concentration camps in the closing days of the Holocaust, Meyer Levin wished the world to know of the horror he had found. Seizing upon Anne Frank's Diary as a poignant voice to tell the tale, he helped to arrange for its American publication and secured from Anne's father the right to adapt it for the theater. But Levin's overtly "Jewish" treatment was rejected in favor of a play with a universal message, conceived by Lillian Hellman and others in her circle. Anne's thoughts about her Jewishness were distorted, omitted, and reworded in this new version, and Levin was convinced that a conspiracy existed to delete the Jewish elements from the diary. He spent the rest of his life protesting this suppression of Anne's legacy and fighting for the right to produce his own play. Now Ralph Melnick draws on material never used before - including papers of Lillian Hellman, Otto Frank, and other key players - and substantiates Levin's claims.


Valley-axis distribution maps, or paleodrainage maps can be constructed in several ways: 1) by making a structural contour map of the erosion surface at the base of the valley fill; 2) by making a number of stratigraphic cross-sections which intersect the valley trends - valley axes are approximated by connecting consecutive valley low-points which have been plotted on a map; 3) by making a paleogeologic map of the surface at the base of the valley-fill - valley axes are drawn in the middle of the areas where the oldest rocks are represented; 4) by isopaching the interval between the valley floor and some datum - valley axes are where the valley floor is farthest from or closest to the datum depending on whether the datum is above or below the valley floor; and 3) by making an isopach map of the valley-fill - valley axes are where the fill is thickest. Knowledge of paleodrainage patterns in a given area allows the geologist to conclude the direction of paleoslope, local paleotopography, the approximate direction of the source area from the study area, the character of the surface into which the valleys were cut, and whether or not there was any structural activity in the study area during the time of valley carving.


OBJECTIVES
1. To compare the protective antibody titres on day 14, 30 and 90 after giving intramuscular (IM) injections of PCECV and subcutaneous injections of Nervous Tissue Vaccine. 2. To compare the immunogenicity and safety of PCECV and NTV.

METHODS AND MATERIALS
The study enrolled cases in three groups. Group 'C' or control group: (n = 38) : This group comprised of 38 normal healthy volunteers without dog-bite. Group 'A' (n = 102): This group included cases of dog-bite fulfilling inclusion/exclusion criteria. Each one of Group A and C were given PCECV as post exposure treatment (PET) on day 0-3-7-14-30 and 90. Group 'B' (n = 50): This group included 50 cases of dog-bite who received NTV. The rabies virus neutralizing antibody titres were estimated by RFFIT (Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test) on day 0, 14, 30 and 90 days. 45 recipients of PCECV were re-tested for persistence of Protective Antibodies at the end of 1 year.

RESULTS
Of these 37, 91 and 45 cases were evaluable in Groups C, A and B respectively. The antibody titres in Groups A, B, C were 13.4, 3.2, 22.8 IU/ml respectively; the protective titre being 0.5 IU/ml.5% PCECV recepients had delayed response on day 30.14% of NTV recepients did not seroconvert.

CONCLUSIONS
The Immunogenicity, Reactogenicity and safety of PCECV is well established. 5% of PCECV receipients showed a delayed sero conversion. 14% of NTV receipients did not sero convert at all. Therefore it is desirable to estimate antibody titres on day 14 after vaccination. If difficult, then all the cases of animal bite must receive passive immunization with rabies immunoglobulins.


Based on ab initio calculations, we predict that a carbon clathrate compound (hexagonal ${\mathrm{C}}_{40})$ is suitable to be n doped by Li insertion and p doped by substitutional boron. This material represents an example of n- and p-type tetrahedral carbon semiconductor, alternative to the n-doped diamondlike films whose realization is still in progress. Although this compound has not been synthesized so far, its study can also provide insights into the properties of nanostructured carbon thin films, grown by supersonic cluster beam deposition techniques that display local morphologies similar to the channels and fullereniclike cages present in the system here investigated.


The author discusses the need for a laboratory exercise that verifies the relationship between the potential energy and the force field. Since he found that none of the existing experiments were entirely satisfactory for this purpose, he introduced a modified version of one of them. He reports on this modified version, as it is currently performed by his students.


Abstract The ideas of Luo schoolchildren about worms and their role in the body were studied. Worms were found to be prominent in the children's body‐image and ideas about illness. To give meaning to their bodily experiences, children made use of both a 'traditional' and a 'biomedical' model, providing different views on the relationship of worms and the body. The children learned about the traditional model from older people and about the biomedical model in school. They made use of both models in their talk, in drawings of the body and in written compositions. They maintained the basic idea that worms were an unavoidable part of the body, but tried to integrate biomedical and traditional notions. The findings show that children, moving at the interface of 'traditional' knowledge conveyed informally in the family and 'modern' ideas, mainly conveyed in formal institutions, are creatively contributing to the integration of old and new and actively shaping the ideas about health and the body of a future gen...


The aim of the study was to compare two methods of micropropagation of mulberry: single-node culture ("SNC"), and axillary-branching ("AxB"). The experiments were carried out on in vitro cultures for 6 successive passages. The "AxB" cultures were propagated on modified MS medium (+ 25% Ca2+ and Mg2+), supplemented with WPM vitamins, sucrose (30 g L−1), and BA (1.5 mg l-1). The "SNC" cultures were grown on cytokinin-free 1/2 MS (macro- and micronutrients) medium supplemented with WPM vitamins, IBA (0.05 mg l-1), and sucrose (15 g l-1). Both media (pH 5.8) were solidified with agar (7.0 g l-1). Initiation of in vitro cultures from explants taken from adult trees and young, potted plants was feasible on both media. Cultures were established from about 1 cm long nodal explants. Generally "SNC" cultures formed one well rooted, significantly longer axillary shoot with bigger leaves than "AxB" cultures, which developed significantly more shoots and big callus at the explant base. All shoots collected from "SNC" and "AxB" cultures rooted in vivo in peat mixture and developed into similar plantlets. The single-node method based on application of cytokinin-free medium is a good alternative for the axillary-branching method for micropropagation of mountain mulberry (Morus bombycis) 'Kenmochi"'.


Objective: The aim of this paper was to review all randomized published trials and unpublished conference presentations on the neurofeedback (NF) treatment of pediatric ADHD, and their relevance, strengths, and limitations. Method: Via PsychInfo and Medline searches and contacts with NF researchers 14 studies were identified and reviewed. Results: The majority were conducted from 1994 to 2010, with 5- to 15-year-olds, usually male and White with the combined type of ADHD. Most studies used theta/beta NF with a unipolar-electrode placement at Cz and demonstrated, where reported, an overall ADHD mean effect size of d = 0.69, a medium effect. Main study strengths, within some studies, include use of randomization, treatment control conditions, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria, evidence-based assessment of ADHD, standard treatment outcome measures, multidomain assessment, and, for some studies, moderate sample size, some type of blind and the identification of medication as a concomitant treatment. Main study limitations (and directions for future research) include the lack of adequate blinding of participants, raters and NF trainers, a sham-NF/blinded control treatment condition, posttreatment follow-up, generalizability, specific details about delivery of NF, identification and control of comorbidity, and the identification, measurement, and control of concomitant treatments and potential side effects. Conclusion: Based on the results and methodologies of published studies, this review concludes that NF for pediatric ADHD can be currently considered as "probably efficacious."


In weakly collisional space plasmas, the turbulent cascade provides most of the energy that is dissipated at small scales by various kinetic processes. Understanding the characteristics of such dissipative mechanisms requires the accurate knowledge of the fluctuations that make energy available for conversion at small scales, as different dissipation processes are triggered by fluctuations of a different nature. The scaling properties of different energy channels are estimated here using a proxy of the local energy transfer, based on the third-order moment scaling law for magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. In particular, the sign-singularity analysis was used to explore the scaling properties of the alternating positive-negative energy fluxes, thus providing information on the structure and topology of such fluxes for each of the different type of fluctuations. The results show the highly complex geometrical nature of the flux, and that the local contributions associated with energy and cross-helicity nonlinear transfer have similar scaling properties. Consequently, the fractal properties of current and vorticity structures are similar to those of the Alfv\'enic fluctuations.


In order to ameliorate the degree of trustiness and, high security, we have presented a new approach to hand signature verification applying data glove. Data glove is a new-fangled dimension in the field of virtual-reality environments, originally designed to satisfy the stringent requirements of modern motion capture and animation professionals. In our research, we attempt to change over the carrying out of data glove from motion animation towards signature substantiation problem, making use of the offered multiple degrees of freedom for each finger as well as for the hand. Our proposed approach is tested in context of highly skilled forgeries with a large number of glove-based signature data sets and obtained a significant level of accuracy in signature verification.


We read Mohan et al.'s paper on interpretation of magnetic anomalies using Hilbert transforms and the discussion raised on it by Pauls (1985) and the authors' reply (Mohan et al., 1985). While critically going through the authors' reply (Mohan et al., 1985), we noticed a serious error in the subject paper related to the incompatibility of its equations (1) and (2).


Purpose: : The aim of the study was to investigate the image quality of dual-energy computed tomography angiography (DECTA) using the selective photon shield (SPS) technique to diagnose intracranial aneurysms. Materials and Methods: : Eighty patients with a suspected intracranial aneurysm were randomly assigned to undergo DECTA with SPS (ie, SPS-DECTA) or DECTA without SPS (ie, DECTA). The objective image quality of these 2 groups was compared with digital subtraction angiography and surgical results as the reference. The location, number, and morphology of the aneurysms were evaluated between the 2 groups. The display degree and the size of aneurysmal neck and the diameters (ie, long and short axis) of the aneurysm were compared between the 2 groups. Results: : The signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of SPS-DECTA were significantly higher than those of DECTA (P < 0.05). The difference between the 2 groups in intracranial vascular subjective scoring was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In 30 of the 40 patients in the SPS-DECTA group, an aneurysm was detected without misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. The aneurysm location, aneurysm number, and measurements by the 2 methods were closely correlated without significant statistical differences (the R values were 0.953, 0.982, and 0.974, respectively; P = 0.000). The detection rate was 93% (26/28 patients). In the DECTA group, 2 patients were misdiagnosed. Mean long and short diameter and neck size by three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography were 5.82 ± 3.27, 4.67 ± 3.31, and 3.29 ± 1.38 mm, respectively. Aneurysm locations, number, and neck size by the 2 methods were closely correlated without a significant statistical difference (R values were 0.964, 0.968, and 0.856, respectively; P = 0.000). Conclusions: : The SPS-DECTA is very accurate for diagnosing intracranial aneurysms and could be a routine noninvasive screening method.


A Coulomb sum rule is derived for the response of nuclei to ([ital e],[ital e][prime]) scattering with large three-momentum transfers. Unlike the nonrelativistic formulation, the relativistic Coulomb sum is restricted to spacelike four-momenta for the most direct connection with experiments; an immediate consequence is that excitations involving antinucleons, e.g., [ital N[bar N]] pair production, are approximately eliminated from the sum rule. Relativistic recoil and Fermi motion of target nucleons are correctly incorporated. The sum rule decomposes into one- and two-body parts, with correlation information in the second. The one-body part requires information on the nucleon momentum distribution function, which is incorporated by a moment expansion method. The sum rule given through the second moment (RCSR-II) is tested in the Fermi gas model, and is shown to be sufficiently accurate for applications to data.


Electro-osmotic flow (EOF), where ions in the electric double layer (EDL) next to the wall are driven by an electric field, is commonly used in microfluidics. Experimental observations of the velocity deficit in the EDL within 250nm of the wall in EOF of a monovalent aqueous electrolyte solution are reported and validated by analytical predictions. Unlike other techniques for probing the EDL in quiescent solutions, this nonintrusive time-resolved technique is suitable for quantifying changes in wall potential in flowing electrolyte solutions, e.g., due to surface adsorption, in a microfluidic device.


Endometrial cancer (EC) is the sixth most common malignant tumor in women worldwide, and its morbidity and mortality are on the rise. The purpose of this study was to explore potential tumor microenvironment (TME)-related biomarkers associated with the clinical features and prognosis of EC. The Estimating Stromal and Immune Cells in Malignancy Using Expression Data (ESTIMATE) algorithm was used to calculate TME immune and stromal scores of EC samples and to analyze the relationship between immune/stromal scores, clinical features, and prognosis. Heat maps and Venn maps were used to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The ESTIMATE algorithm revealed immune score was significantly correlated with overall survival and tumor grade in patients with EC. A total of 1448 DEGs were screened, of which 387 were intersecting genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the biological processes (BP) related to intersecting genes mainly included T cell activation and regulation of lymphocyte activation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the intersecting genes were closely related to immune-related signaling pathways. Thirty core genes with more than 7 nodes were identified using protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Six independent prognostic genes of EC were identified using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox analysis, namely CD5, BATF, CACNA2D2, LTA, CD52, and NOL4, which are all immune-infiltrating genes that are closely related to clinical features. The current study identified 6 key genes closely related to immune infiltration in the TME of EC that predict clinical outcomes, which may provide new insights into novel prognostic biomarkers and immunotherapy for patients with EC.


The latest robust estimators usually take advantage of density estimation, such as kernel density estimation, to improve the robustness of inlier detection. However, the challenging problem for these systems is choosing the suitable smoothing parameter, which can result in the population of inliers being overor under-estimated, and this, in turn, reduces the robustness of the estimation. To solve this problem, we propose a robust estimator that estimates an accurate inlier scale. The proposed method first carries out an analysis to figure out the residual distribution model using the obvious case-dependent constraint, the residual function. Then the proposed inlier scale estimator performs a global search for the scale producing the residual distribution that best fits the residual distribution model. Knowledge about the residual distribution model provides a major advantage that allows us to estimate the inlier scale correctly, thereby improving the estimation robustness. Experiments with various simulations and real data are carried out to validate our algorithm, which shows certain benefits compared with several of the latest robust estimators.


Live spermatozoa of the Japanese quail were observed as they swam in highly viscous salines. Under these conditions, torsions of the flagellum were readily seen. The torsions had a characteristic magnitude (nominally 180 degrees) and pattern of incidence. As a cycle of bending propagated over it, each position on the flagellum experienced first a sinistral torsion and, later, a restoring dextral torsion. The two zones of torsion were each associated with bending; between them was a torsion-free zone that tended to be straight. The amount of interdoublet sliding needed to generate the torsions may be as little as 10 nm. These dynamic propagating torsions have been detected by following the angular displacements of individual (swollen) mitochondria lying adjacent to the axoneme. It is suggested that torque generation is a primary outcome when the unconstrained '9 + 2' axoneme is activated.


Inversion of sucrose by bakers' yeast follows the same course as inversion catalyzed by yeast invertase. Rate of inversion increases exponentially with temperature; the temperature characteristic in the Arrhenius equation is 10,700 below 13–17°C., and 8,300 above that temperature. Temperature inactivation occurs above 40°C. The effects of temperature upon rate of inversion were the same using Fleischmann's yeast cake, the same yeast killed with toluene, and a pure strain (G. M. No. 21062) of bakers' yeast. The last differed from the other two only in the fact that its critical temperature was 13°C. as compared with 17°C. for the others. The catalytic inversion is associated with enzyme activity inside the cell, not in the medium, and is independent of any vital processes inside the cell such as respiration and fermentation. Since invertase activity is the same inside the cell as it is after extraction, it appears possible to relate the temperature characteristics for physiological processes to the catalytic chemical systems which determine their rate. At least two enzymes are capable of inverting sucrose in the yeast cell. The familiar yeast invertase (µ = 10,700) is active below 13–17°C. while a second enzyme (M = 8,300) plays the dominant role above that temperature.


In contrast to lower eukaryotes, most vertebrate cells are characterized by a moderate efficiency of homologous recombination (HR) and limited feasibility of targeted genetic modifications. As a notable exception, the chicken DT40 B cell line is distinguished by efficient homology-mediated repair of DNA lesions during Ig gene conversion, and also shows exceptionally high gene-targeting efficiencies. The molecular basis of these phenomena is elusive. Here we show that the activity levels of Ubc13, the E2 enzyme responsible for non-canonical K63-linked polyubiquitination, are critical for high efficiency of Ig gene conversion and gene targeting in DT40. Ubc13+/− cells show substantially lower homology-mediated repair, yet do not display changes in somatic hypermutation, overall DNA repair or cell proliferation. Our results suggest that modulation of the activity of K63-linked polyubiquitination may be used to customize HR efficiencies in vertebrate cells.


Author(s): Le, PhuongThao Dinh | Advisor(s): Kagawa-Singer, Marjorie | Abstract: This study employs qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine the psychosocial issues among women survivors of trafficking who have returned to Vietnam. The quantitative study examines the relationship between trafficking abuse and psychological symptoms among a pilot sample of trafficked women who accessed a post-trafficking project at the Vietnam-China border. The results are consistent with the existing literature suggesting that greater trafficking-related abuse is associated with worse mental health. The study also reveals that trafficking experiences and mental health symptoms may be varied between women trafficked for different types of exploitation - in particular, between sex work, marriage, domestic servitude, and other trafficking types.The qualitative study illustrates the experiences and coping responses among survivors of trafficking interviewed at both the Vietnam-China and the Vietnam-Cambodia borders. Themes of being uprooted, understanding "new realities," and facing the "new normal" emerged to characterize the pre-, peri-, and post-trafficking stages, respectively. Throughout the stages, these women also exhibited a process of navigating to a renewed sense of self by employing coping strategies such as regulating emotional expression and thought, creating opportunities within constraints, and relating to cultural schemas. The synthesis study triangulates the qualitative and quantitative findings, and presents the development of an Ecological-Transitional Framework of human trafficking and health. The public health Framework posits that both human trafficking and health are influenced by multiple, interconnected ecological system levels and that there are transitional processes that affect the timing and trajectories of events and conditions as well as their significance within developmental and socio-cultural pathways. These principles are applied in the triangulation of findings from both methodological approaches in order to contextually analyze the multitude of psychosocial issues among a group of survivors of trafficking, and to identify the knowledge gaps as well as the potential solutions to address the needs of these women. The proposed Framework is the first to holistically assess the social-cultural forces that interact to contribute to the vulnerabilities and impact of human trafficking on individuals as well as their surroundings. This study contributes unique findings of the psychosocial issues associated with a group of survivors of trafficking in Vietnam. The findings, as well as the methodological and conceptual contributions, suggest some future directions for more targeted and effective public health efforts to address the causes and consequences of human trafficking in Vietnam, and potentially in other populations who face similar issues.


Eight potato cultivars i.e. Cardinal, Ultimus, Cosima, Mansur, Monaliza, Ajax, Diamant and Desiree were screened for their relative antibiosis in the potato field to peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Among all the tested cultivars, Cardinal showed comparatively high resistance and showed the lowest r_m, followed by Ultimus. The r_m for Cardinal was 1.6 times lower than that of r_m on Desiree, which was found consistently the most susceptible cultivar.


Since the approval of nevirapine, the first HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) in 1996, NNRTIs have helped play a critical role in maintaining viral suppression in people living with HIV. The many positive attributes of the class, including potency and long plasma half-life make them attractive drug discovery targets. Given the availability of multiple once-daily integrase based treatments for HIV-1 infection, the challenge to develop a new antiretroviral agent that addresses the needs of today's patients is formidable. However, with the increased availability of antiretrovirals for treatment and new pre-exposure prophylaxis guidelines, which should globally expand the use of antiretrovirals in prevention, it will be increasingly important to have access to multiple regimens with options from different classes that are well tolerated and convenient to ensure a sustained impact on the global epidemic. Many attempts to improve upon the NNRTI class have failed to deliver a desirable clinical profile consistent with current landscape of treatment options. Doravirine is the only NNRTI to successfully advance through phase 3 clinical development and approval in recent years. Learning from the liabilities of approved NNRTIs, as well as past development failures, facilitated a rational approach to the discovery of doravirine by focusing on addressing the known safety/tolerability issues of commonly prescribed NNRTIs, such as central nervous system toxicity with efavirenz and potential cardiotoxicity due to off target effects on cardiac ion channels with rilpivirine, using structural biology and characterization of resistance in vitro to address resistance liabilities, and concentrating on the metabolic profile to limit the potential for drug-drug interactions. These preclinical efforts were critical to the design and selection of doravirine as a novel NNRTI that possessed the desired next-generation profile, with the ultimate proof that these attributes translate to patients derived from clinical trials.


Pathogenesis, diagnostic procedures and therapy of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) and hypothyroidism (AIH) are briefly discussed. Diagnosis of AIT and AIT is based on the classical signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, although oligosymptomatic cases may occur, and on laboratory tests such as TSH, fT4 und fT3. In AIT, radioiodine therapy usually is no option due to the high iodine content of amiodarone. Besides withdrawal of amiodarone, medical and surgical treatment remain the only modalities. If arrhythmia can be controlled by an alternative treatment, amiodarone should be discontinued although this will not immediately restore normal thyroid function. For medical treatment, thionamides, perchlorate (not available in Switzerland), steroids (mainly for type II and mixed forms of AIT) and lithium (only for severe cases) are available. Surgery is a valid therapeutical option for severe forms of AIT which cannot be controlled adequately by medical treatment. The main advantage of surgical therapy of AIT is the rapid correction of thyrotoxicosis combined with the possibility to continue amiodarone, if it is necessary and effective. With AIH, amiodarone does not have to be stopped, if indicated and effective, and L-thyroxine is the therapy of choice.


The results which have been presented by Bregliano (1973) and Bregliano et Fleuriet (1975) in this "Annales" are discussed. The author's conclusion is that there are two distinct mechanisms for contamination of the cysts of non-stabilized females (in stabilized females, all cells, including oogonial cells, are infected in carrier state by sigma). Hypotheses are discussed.