OBJECTIVE
Congenital intracranial cysts account for a significant portion of intracranial lesions in the pediatric population. The efficiency of surgical treatment in a pediatric cohort with intracranial arachnoid cysts (ACs) at different locations regarding clinical symptoms and mass effect was evaluated.

METHODS
A retrospective study of all children who underwent surgical treatment of an intracranial AC during an 11-year period (2007-2018) was performed. Demographics, clinical symptoms, and radiological cyst size pre- and postoperatively, as well as the reoperation rate and possible treatment complications, were analyzed.

RESULTS
A total of 116 intracranial cysts at 8 different anatomical locations were surgically treated in 113 children (median age 5 years and 10 months) predominantly by endoscopic technique (84%). The complication rate was 3%, and the reoperation rate was 16%. Preoperative cyst enlargement was significantly more common in infants (p < 0.0001), as was the need for reoperation (p = 0.023). After a median radiological follow-up of 26 months, > 50% reduction of cyst volume was seen in 53 cysts (46%), and 47 cysts (40%) showed a 10%-50% reduction. Acute clinical symptoms improved: nausea and vomiting, accelerated head growth, and headaches improved at 100%, 92% and 89%, respectively. However, chronic symptoms responded less favorably after a median clinical follow-up of 26 months.

CONCLUSIONS
The strategy of predominantly endoscopic treatment with navigation planning is efficient to alleviate clinical symptoms and to significantly reduce the mass effect of pediatric intracranial cysts at different anatomical locations. The subgroup of infants requires close pre- and postoperative monitoring.


In previous studies, a new (improved) turboroundabout design approach based on the rules of the design vehicle movement geometry was proposed, and the optimal design of elements of standard turboroundabouts for various design vehicle scenarios, circulatory roadway radii, and approach leg positions was defined. Within the scope of this research, the applicability of the current Dutch calculation model for fastest-path vehicle speed analyses at standard turboroundabout schemes designed by a previously described procedure was examined. Research results have shown that this Dutch calculation model does not apply to standard turboroundabouts whose approach legs are aligned under various angles and translatory shifted regarding the roundabout geometric center, and therefore, should not be used for speed analyses at this roundabout type until a new calculation model, which corresponds to the real traffic situation, is developed.


Measuring the performance of any financial portfolio is only relevant if compared relative to another similar portfolio. Over the years the norm in the industry has been to use market capitalisation indices as benchmarks to measure performance. Market capitalisation indices, such as the FTSE/JSE ALSI, create a natural return drag because of the overweighting of overvalued stocks and the underweighting of undervalued stocks. It is this return drag that led to the creation of the Fundamental Indexing concept by Research Affiliates in 2005. Fundamental Indexing weights stocks based on their economic footprint in the market rather than their market capitalisation. The Fundamental Indexing approach uses four metrics, namely sales, book values, dividends and cash flows to calculate this economic footprint. The Fundamental Index is referred to as the RAFI (Research Affiliates Fundamental Index) Index The Fundamental Index concept delivered very good results when applied to the South African stock market. The South African RAFI Composite Index outperformed the FTSE/JSE All Share Index by 5.55% p.a. compounded annually during the period 1995 to 2006. This return was achieved with a similar risk profile as the FTSE/JSE All Share Index. This index also had similar turnover rates relative to the FTSE/JSE All Share Index. The South African RAFI Composite Index also outperformed the FTSE/JSE All Share Index by 5.48% p.a. compounded during the measurement period when investment income is included. The Fundamental Index outperformance clearly disproves the efficient market hypothesis. According to modern portfolio theory it is impossible to earn abnormal profits in excess of a market capitalisation index. The success of Fundamental Indices proves that market capitalisation indices are not optimal and deliver sub-optimal returns. Specifically, it can be seen that the South African market is inefficient and that the FTSE/JSE All Share Index is not the best tool for measuring the performance of the financial markets in South Africa.


Complex courtship signals can be dissected into distinct components that can either function independently or via interactions with one another. Male Rabidosa rabida wolf spiders use courtship displays that couple a seismic signal with the waving of an ornamented foreleg. While previous studies suggest that female R. rabida exhibit mate choice and that both the seismic and visual modalities are important in mating interactions, it remains unclear how variation in each component influences female mating decisions. To investigate this, we ran two separate experiments in which we manipulated (1) male diets, to induce variation in the seismic courtship signal, and (2) male foreleg color, to artificially induce variation in visual foreleg ornamentation. To determine the influence of variation in each component independently, females were paired with males in environments that allowed the detection of only the manipulated signal component (e.g. seismic signal only and visual signal only). Variability in the seismic signal alone influenced female mate choice, but variability in visual ornamentation alone did not. In a third experiment, we manipulated foreleg color and allowed it to interact with the seismic signal to determine whether inter-signal interactions influence female mating decisions. When females were able to detect both signal components, variation in visual ornamentation did influence mate choice ‐ females preferred ornamented males. Together, these results suggest that the seismic signal of male R. rabida is integral for female mate choice and that the components of the courtship display interact to influence female mating decisions.


Personal air formaldehyde (air-FA) was measured as risk factor of airways inflammation and oxidative stress (SO) induction. Overall, 154 police officers were enrolled from two differently urbanised Italian cities, Turin and Pavia. Urinary F2t-isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP), a prostaglandin-like compound, was quantified as a biomarker of general OS in vivo and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) was measured for monitoring local inflammatory processes. Urinary cotinine was quantified as a biomarker of tobacco smoking exposure. Traffic police officers living in Turin showed an increased level of log air-FA (p < 0.001), equal to +53.6% (p < 0.001). Log air-(FA) mean values were 3.38 (C.I. 95% 3.33–3.43) and 2.84 (C.I. 95% 2.77–2.92) in Turin and Pavia, respectively. Log (air-FA) was higher in "outdoor workers" (3.18, C.I. 95% 3.13–3.24, p = 0.035) compared to "indoor workers", showing an increase of +9.3%, even controlling for sex and city. The analyses on 15-F2t-IsoP and FeNO, both adjusted for log air-FA, highlighted that OS and inflammation were higher (+66.8%, p < 0.001 and +75%, p < 0.001, respectively) in Turin traffic police officers compared to those from Pavia. Our findings suggest that even low exposures to traffic-related emissions and urbanisation may influence both general oxidative stress levels and local inflammation.


Abstract The Ukraine crisis and subsequent tensions in relations with Russia urged the European Union to diversify its energy suppliers and integrate the energy markets of member states. However, the EU does not seem to have a clear strategy to strengthen its energy security. Member states are reluctant to relinquish control over their energy policy. Moreover, the diversification of fossil fuel suppliers may lead to new dependencies on authoritarian states, while the emphasis on unconventional energy sources may delay the development of renewables. A coordinated focus on renewable energy, coupled with investments in energy efficiency, appears to be the most forward-looking and climate-friendly way of reducing external dependencies.


INTRODUCTION
In the last ten years or so, there has been a steady increase in the number of patients with chronic kidney disease and those with end-stage renal failure who require some form of renal replacement therapy. Anemia is a well-known consequence of chronic kidney disease; its prevalence increases with the progression of renal failure and occurs in up to 95% of patients in the final stages of chronic kidney disease. In recent years, the greatest advance in the treatment of renal anemia has been made by the introduction of erythropoietin preparations, the application of which has significantly improved the patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the treatment of renal anemia in chronic kidney disease patients not treated by dialysis affects the outcome of their treatment, reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, delays the need of dialysis, reduces morbidity and mortality, and reduces the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
The study included patients with chronic kidney disease presenting for regular outpatient follow up at Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, Rijeka University Hospital Center. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included patients whose renal anemia was treated with erythropoietin and group 2 patients whose anemia of chronic kidney disease was treated in any other way, regardless of the reason for the exclusion of erythropoietin. Each group included 31 patients with chronic kidney disease. During two years, each patient's laboratory parameters of chronic renal disease and renal anemia treatment were monitored at intervals not longer than six months. In addition, each patient's number of hospitalizations was recorded, taking into account the cause of hospitalization and the number of days spent in hospital.

RESULTS
During the two-year period, 62 patients with chronic kidney disease were analyzed (31 patients in the groups receiving and not receiving erythropoietin each). The mean age was 66 +/- 13.5 in the group receiving erythropoietin and 68 +/- 13.6 in the group not receiving erythropoietin. There were 70% of men and 30% of women in the former group, and 53% of men and 47% of women in the latter group. Examination for comorbid conditions (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia and previous stroke) revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients. There were no statistically significant differences in changes of biochemical parameters (Fe, ferritin, CRP, albumin, calcium, phosphorus) between the two groups of patients during the two-year period either. There was no statistically significant between group-difference in the glomerular filtration rate after two years, but a tendency of slower progression of renal failure was observed in patients having received erythropoietin as compared to those who did not receive erythropoietin. Moreover, the number of hospitalizations due to adverse cardiovascular events was statistically significantly lower in patients that received erythropoietin, while there was no statistically significant difference in the total number of hospitalizations, hospitalizations for other indications (infection, bleeding, and worsening of renal failure), or total number of days spent in hospital, regardless of indication.

CONCLUSION
The number of patients with chronic kidney disease and those with end-stage renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy is increasing. Renal anemia, which occurs as a consequence of chronic kidney disease, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and with a reduced quality of life in these patients. Consequently, it is necessary to recognize this condition and apply appropriate treatment early in order to prolong life and improve the quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease.


Polyetox, a medicinal form of high-molecular-weight poly(ethylene oxide) (HMWPEO) improved peripheral blood supply, normalized the overall oxygen consumption, decreased erythrocyte aggregation, and reduced blood viscosity at low shear rate, and restored the antiturbulent properties (hydrodynamic index) of blood in the experiments on rats with crush syndrome. In rats with low resistance, polyetox increased the cardiac output.


In this article we present a method for the design of fully free-form reflectors for illumination systems. We derive an elliptic partial differential equation of the Monge--Ampere type for the surface of a reflector that converts an arbitrary parallel beam of light into a desired intensity output pattern. The differential equation has an unusual boundary condition known as the transport boundary condition. We find a convex or concave solution to the equation using a state of the art numerical method. The method uses a nonstandard discretization based on the diagonalization of the Hessian. The discretized system is solved using standard Newton iteration. The method was tested for a circular beam with uniform intensity, a street light, and a uniform beam that is transformed into a famous Dutch painting. The reflectors were verified using commercial ray tracing software.


An episod e The spontaneity of ideas for which young children are w e l l known brings many a precious moment in scientific investigations . F or this reason I record an episode of learning first, t h en I sha ll discuss how a class of eight and nine year aids embarked on a project about 'Flight' . A group of ten children, six girls and four boys were set the task of making our plastic lemonade bottle airship 'fly' . My contibution was to provide the prototype body, pose the initia l question, then stand back and see what they came up with to solve the pro b lem. The group had spent two mornings observing a mounted pigeon wing, some feathers (with a microscope), and a pigeon skeleton. They had modelled a feather; built a model wing with real feathers, glue and plastic straws, and folded and f l own paper aeroplanes.


Seeds are complex biological structures and the primary dispersal units of higher plants. They consist of nutrient reserve storage tissue(s), an embryo and encapsulating structures designated for protection and that may also regulate germination. Seeds have developed mechanisms of withstanding desiccation without losing the ability of immediate reactivation of embryo growth upon rehydration. The arrest and reactivation of cell cycle related events appear to be intimately linked to the arrest of growth during seed development and reactivation of growth during germination. In this thesis, DNA synthesis,β-tubulin accumulation and appearance of microtubular cytoskeleton are studied in relation to morphological and physiological events that are involved in seed development and germination. Biochemical techniques are used to study the relation between DNA replication andβ-tubulin accumulation in embryonic cells of germinating seeds (Chapters 2 and 3). Then, immunocytochemical techniques are applied for the detection and visualisation of DNA synthesis activity and appearance of microtubular cytoskeleton in seed tissues during development and in embryos during germination (Chapters 4, 5 and 6). The results obtained in this study show a general pattern of tomato seed development and germination based on the quantitation and distribution of nuclear DNA synthesis activity,β-tubulin accumulation and microtubular cytoskeleton appearance in cells of the seed tissues. The pattern in embryos during seed germination appeared as a "mirror image"of that during development (Chapters 4 and 5). Cell cycle activities are intense during early stages of seed development and then arrest as seeds become mature. Embryonic DNA synthesis activity, together with the presence of mitotic microtubular cytoskeleton arrays and cell divisions define the period of embryo histodifferentiation. Therafter, the presence of cortical microtubular cytoskeleton and absence of DNA synthesis acitvity defines the phase of embryo growth and completion of morphogenesis. Finally, the microtubular cytoskeleton is degraded as seeds become quiescent, defining the maturation phase. The roles of GA and ABA in seed development are evaluated in the differing developmental patterns observed for the GA-deficient ( gib1 ) and ABA-deficient ( sit w) mutants. Upon imbibition in water, the cell cycle is reactivated and becomes intense as germination is completed. Initially, the cortical microtubular cytoskeleton appears and DNA synthesis is initiated in meristematic cells of embryonic radicle tip region. Thereafter, replicated nuclear DNA is detected together with mitotic microtubular cytoskeleton arrays and cell divisions, prior to radicle protrusion through the seed coat. Both primary and secondary dormancy are characterised by a very low cell cycle activity. The depth of dormancy appears to be related to the progression of the cell cycle prior to the induction of dormancy (Chapter 6). Finally, in the form of a descriptive model, it is proposed to modify the current notion of the different phases in tomato seed development and germination.


Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are the most common skin tumors in dogs. Laboratory diagnosis of MCTs has been established by many techniques. The dyes generally used for tissue staining, including MCTs, are synthetic dyes, however, the global interest in using eco-friendly natural dye has become a significant matter. We focused on the butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) which is locally available. Limited studies are known about their efficacy as a tissue stain. The aim of this study was to investigate the staining ability of butterfly pea flower extract in cytological canine MCTs. The dried petals were ground into powder and dissolved in acidified ethanol to obtain the crude extraction. After filtration, this was added with mordant, 2.5% aluminium chloride, before staining. The methanol-fixed cytological samples of diagnosed MCTs were stained with the dye extract for 30 minutes, washed with distilled water and observed under light microscope initially, and after the counterstaining, with hematoxylin. The slides were stained with Giemsa, Toluidine blue and Diff-Quick stains to compare with the dye extract. The other round cell tumors including canine transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) and melanoma were also stained with the dye extract to compare with the MCTs. The results revealed a bright pink color specifically stained in the MCT granules. However, Giemsa, Toluidine blue and Diff-Quick staining shown their specific stain colors in the granules in larger numbers. The dye extract staining was not detected in either TVT or melanoma. Improvement of the dye extraction and staining conditions may provide additional staining outcomes, thus it may be possible to serve as an alternative natural dye for future application in cytological canine MCT diagnostics.


ABSTRACT The insulin receptor (IR) exists as two isoforms, IR-A and IR-B, which result from alternative splicing of exon 11 in the primary transcript. This alternative splicing is cell specific, and the relative proportions of exon 11 isoforms also vary during development, aging, and different disease states. We have previously demonstrated that both intron 10 and exon 11 contain regulatory sequences that affect IR splicing both positively and negatively. In this study, we sought to define the precise sequence elements within exon 11 that control exon recognition and cellular factors that recognize these elements. Using minigenes carrying linker-scanning mutations within exon 11, we detected both exonic splicing enhancer and exonic splicing silencer elements. We identified binding of SRp20 and SF2/ASF to the exonic enhancers and CUG-BP1 to the exonic silencer by RNA affinity chromatography. Overexpression and knockdown studies with hepatoma and embryonic kidney cells demonstrated that SRp20 and SF2/ASF increase exon inclusion but that CUG-BP1 causes exon skipping. We found that CUG-BP1 also binds to an additional intronic splicing silencer, located at the 3′ end of intron 10, to promote exon 11 skipping. Thus, we propose that SRp20, SF2/ASF, and CUG-BP1 act antagonistically to regulate IR alternative splicing in vivo and that the relative ratios of SRp20 and SF2/ASF to CUG-BP1 in different cells determine the degree of exon inclusion.


Current searches for gravitational waves from compact-binary objects are primarily designed to detect the dominant gravitational-wave mode and assume that the binary components have spins which are aligned with the orbital angular momentum. These choices lead to observational biases in the observed distribution of sources. Sources with significant spin-orbit precession or unequal-mass-ratios, which have non-negligible contributions from sub-dominant gravitational-wave modes, may be missed; in particular, this may significantly suppress or bias the observed neutron star -- black hole (NSBH) population. We simulate a fiducial population of NSBH mergers and determine the impact of using searches that only account for the dominant-mode and aligned spin. We compare the impact for the Advanced LIGO design, A+, LIGO Voyager, and Cosmic Explorer observatories. We find that for a fiducial population where the spin distribution is isotropic in orientation and uniform in magnitude, we will miss $\sim 25\%$ of sources with mass-ratio $q>6$ and up to $\sim 60 \%$ of highly precessing sources $(\chi_p>0.5)$, after accounting for the approximate increase in background. In practice, the true observational bias can be even larger due to strict signal-consistency tests applied in searches. The observation of low spin, unequal-mass-ratio sources by Advanced LIGO design and Advanced Virgo may in part be due to these selection effects. The development of a search sensitive to high mass-ratio, precessing sources may allow the detection of new binaries whose spin properties would provide key insights into the formation and astrophysics of compact objects.


We identified CD8+ CD122+ regulatory T cells (CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells) and reported their importance in maintaining immune homeostasis. The absence of CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells has been shown to lead to severe systemic autoimmunity in several mouse models, including inflammatory bowel diseases and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The T‐cell receptors (TCRs) expressed on CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells recognize the target cells to be regulated. To aid in the identification of the target antigen(s) recognized by TCRs of CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells, we compared the TCR diversity of CD8+ CD122+ T cells with that of conventional, naive T cells in mice. We analysed the use of TCR‐Vβ in the interleukin 10‐producing population of CD8+ CD122+ T cells marked by high levels of CD49d expression, and found the significantly increased use of Vβ13 in these cells. Immunoscope analysis of the complementarity‐determining region 3 (CDR3) of the TCR β‐chain revealed remarkable skewing in a pair of Vβ regions, suggesting the existence of clonally expanded cells in CD8+ CD122+ T cells. Clonal expansion in Vβ13+ cells was confirmed by determining the DNA sequences of the CDR3s. The characteristic TCR found in this study is an important building block for further studies to identify the target antigen recognized by CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells.


ABSTRACT The cellular response to oncogenic Ras depends upon the presence or absence of cooperating mutations. In the absence of immortalizing oncogenes or genetic lesions, activation of the Ras/Raf pathway results in a p21Cip1-dependent cellular arrest. The human papillomavirus oncoprotein E7 transforms primary cells in cooperation with Ras and abolishes p21Cip1-mediated growth arrest in the presence of various antimitogenic signals. Here we have utilized a conditional Raf molecule to investigate the effects of E7 on p21Cip1 function in the context of Raf-induced cellular arrest. E7 bypassed Raf-induced arrest and alleviated inhibition of cyclin E-CDK2 without suppressing Raf-specific synthesis of p21Cip1 or derepressing p21Cip1-associated CDK2 complexes. Activation of Raf led to nuclear accumulation of p21Cip1, and we provide evidence that this effect is mediated by inhibition of Akt, a regulator of p21Cip1 localization. Loss of Akt activity appears to be an important event in the cellular arrest associated with Raf-induction, since maintenance of Akt activity was necessary and sufficient to bypass Raf-induced arrest. In agreement, expression of E7 sustained Akt activity and reduced nuclear accumulation of p21Cip1, resulting in decreased association between p21Cip1 and cyclin E-CDK2. Taken together, these data suggest that E7 inhibits p21Cip1 function in the context of Raf signaling by altering Raf-Akt antagonism and preventing the proper subcellular localization of p21Cip1. We propose that E7 elicits a proliferative response to Raf signaling by targeting p21Cip1 function via a novel mechanism.


Two human platelet storage pool deficiencies (SPD), Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome and Chediak-Higashi syndrome, are recessively inherited and characterized by hypopigmentation, prolonged bleeding, and normal platelet numbers accompanied by a reduction of platelet dense granules. Seven independent and unique mouse pigment mutations regulated by separate genes have been proposed as animal models for SPD. Mice homozygous for the recessive mutations have diluted pigmentation, prolonged bleeding times, normal platelet concentrations, and reduced numbers of platelet dense granules. Reciprocal bone marrow transplantations were carried out between normal C57Bl/6J mice and five of these mutants, pearl, light ear, pale ear, ruby-eye, and maroon, to test whether the platelet defects are due to platelet progenitor cells or to humoral regulatory factors. Recipient mice were transplanted with marrow after 950-rad whole body irradiation. The prolonged bleeding time and low serotonin concentrations of the five mutants were converted to normal values after transplantation with normal marrow. Normal mice displayed characteristics of platelet SPD when transplanted with mutant marrow. This study demonstrates that in each of five independent mouse models the thrombopathy of SPD is due to a platelet progenitor cell defect correctable by bone marrow transplantation. These findings suggest that in severe cases human SPD may be amenable to treatment by bone marrow transplantation.


Literature in finance and neurosciences shows that male and female differ on many relevant issues concerning financial decision investment. Here, we studied the EEG activity recorded while volunteers were playing a stock trading game to investigate these gender differences. 20 males and 20 females made 100 trading decisions using a portfolio of 200 shares of 7 different companies. Males and females were equally successful in earning above the market. sLORETA was used to identify sources of EEG recorded 2 seconds before trading decision. Results showed that male and female use different sets of neuron to make equally successful financial decisions.


It is suggested that the science requirements for passive geostationary microwave observations be met by near- and far-term sensors for each of two overlapping bands, with each band covering no more than a decade in frequency. The low-frequency band includes channels near 6, 10, 18, 22, 31 to 37, and possibly 50 to 60 GHz. The high-frequency band includes channels near 220 to 230, 183, 166, 118, 90 to 110, and possibly 50 to 60 and 31 to 37 GHz. The precise channel specifications will have to comply with international frequency allocations. The near-term goal is a high-frequency sensor based on a filled-aperture solid reflector antenna, which should rely on currently existing technology. The most critical issues for the near-term sensor are momentum compensation and the design of the feed assembly; these issues are coupled through the desired scan rate. The successful demonstration of the near-term (high-frequency) sensor will be essential for the continued development of far-term sensors satisfying the ideal science requirements. The far-term goal includes both a high-frequency sensor which meets the ideal science requirements, and a low-frequency sensor whose design will depend on advances in large antenna technology. The low-frequency (far-term) sensor might be based on one of several concepts: a deployable mesh reflector antenna of diameter at least 20 m, which shows promise for use at frequencies up to 30-GHz, a synthetic aperture interferometer of maximum baseline from 100 to 300 m, or a deployable phased-array bootlace lens, of diameter from 100 to 300 m. The first of these, a deployable mesh reflector antenna, will satisfy only the adequate spatial resolution requirements. The last two concepts meet the ideal spatial resolution science requirements, although they present significant structural and meteorological challenges.


Featured are devices for delivering a treatment medium to an eye as well as methods related thereto. Such devices and methods allow a desired amount of the treatment medium to be delivered in a controllable manner over a predetermined time period. In particular embodiments, the delivery device is configured and arranged so the treatment medium is eluted from one portion of the delivery device and so that another portion thereof is removably secured within a natural opening or orifice in or proximal to the eye. In specific embodiments the another portion is configured and arranged so as to be removably secured within the natural opening comprising at least one punctum of an eye.


The spinal cord, at least in higher animals, almost exclusively plays the role of a conductor with regard to sensation. The thalamus and the cerebral cortex are the essential integrating sensory mechanisms, and it is with these two mechanisms that I shall deal. Knowledge of the functions of the thalamus began in the middle of the nineteenth century with Luys, Todd and Carpenter, who conceived of the thalamus as the subcortical center to which the sensory pathways and impulses converge. This was established anatomically by von Monakow, and it is generally accepted today. I think that all the various impulses, segregated in the spinal cord, finally reunite in the thalamus. There the final, thalamocortical neurons begin, which end in the somatic sensory cortex. Modern neurology of the thalamus dates from the clinical investigations of Dejerine, Long and Roussy and the experimental work of Roussy. These investigations established that destruction of


The article presents an overview of the complex of pottery originating from the basement (CK2) from the settlement Zavetnoe 5 at the Eastern Crimea (fig. 1–2). The chronological boundaries of a series of transport amphorae fit within the interval from the 70s to the 2nd quarter of the 3rd cent. BC. (fig. 3–7). By the same period are dated groups of table uncovered (fig. 9–11), kitchen (fig. 12) and hand-made pottery (fig. 13). There are no specimens of the III cent. BC among the black glaze vessels from the complex (fig. 8). Such vessels were used in everyday life longer than other groups of pottery. The «delay» of the black-glaze pottery in this case, is not less than a quarter of a century. The exception in this case is only the lamps whose dating coincides with the group of transport amphorae (fig. 14). The obtained data are consistent with the stratigraphy of the complex, indicating that the filling of the basement, connected with the construction of one of the premises of the Hellenistic manor, was made in the 1st half of the 3rd cent. BC.


NMR spectroscopy is an emerging analytical tool for measuring complex drug product qualities, e.g., protein higher order structure (HOS) or heparin chemical composition. Most drug NMR spectra have been visually analyzed; however, NMR spectra are inherently quantitative and multivariate and thus suitable for chemometric analysis. Therefore, quantitative measurements derived from chemometric comparisons between spectra could be a key step in establishing acceptance criteria for a new generic drug or a new batch after manufacture change. To measure the capability of chemometric methods to differentiate comparator NMR spectra, we calculated inter-spectra difference metrics on 1D/2D spectra of two insulin drugs, Humulin R® and Novolin R®, from different manufacturers. Both insulin drugs have an identical drug substance but differ in formulation. Chemometric methods (i.e., principal component analysis (PCA), 3-way Tucker3 or graph invariant (GI)) were performed to calculate Mahalanobis distance (DM) between the two brands (inter-brand) and distance ratio (DR) among the different lots (intra-brand). The PCA on 1D inter-brand spectral comparison yielded a DM value of 213. In comparing 2D spectra, the Tucker3 analysis yielded the highest differentiability value (DM = 305) in the comparisons made followed by PCA (DM = 255) then the GI method (DM = 40). In conclusion, drug quality comparisons among different lots might benefit from PCA on 1D spectra for rapidly comparing many samples, while higher resolution but more time-consuming 2D-NMR-data-based comparisons using Tucker3 analysis or PCA provide a greater level of assurance for drug structural similarity evaluation between drug brands.


This paper proposes a novel multiscale estimator for the integrated volatility of an Ito process, in the presence of market microstructure noise (observation error). The multiscale structure of the observed process is represented frequency-by-frequency and the concept of the multiscale ratio is introduced to quantify the bias in the realized integrated volatility due to the observation error. The multiscale ratio is estimated from a single sample path, and a frequency-by-frequency bias correction procedure is proposed, which simultaneously reduces variance. We extend the method to include correlated observation errors and provide the implied time domain form of the estimation procedure. The new method is implemented to estimate the integrated volatility for the Heston and other models, and the improved performance of our method over existing methods is illustrated by simulation studies.


OBJECTIVE
Seeking an inexpensive, readily available, clinical, screening, and field surveillance test of airway obstruction, we determined the validity of current dogma that forced expiratory time (FET) is a good clinical test of airway obstruction yet is of no epidemiologic use given excessive intrasubject variability.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Two hundred twenty-nine white male plumbers and pipefitters were evaluated by spirometry, chest roentgenography, and a standardized respiratory questionnaire during a union-sponsored asbestos screening program. Subjects were classified as having large airway obstruction (LAO), small airway obstruction (SAO) alone, or no obstruction, on the basis of standard spirometric prediction equations. Two physicians, blinded to clinical and spirometric data, independently measured FET while auscultating the trachea with a stethoscope. The FET was defined as the time taken for an individual to forcefully exhale through an open mouth from total lung capacity until airflow became inaudible. Five such times were recorded for each subject. The mean of the three times having the narrowest range was deemed the FET for calculating test sensitivity and specificity. Based on previous literature, an FET greater than or equal to 6 s was considered abnormally prolonged.

RESULTS
Two hundred five subjects completed both spirometry and FET testing; 67 had LAO, 5 SAO, and 133 no obstruction. A total of 83 percent had three FETs reproducible within a range of less than or equal to 1 s. The sensitivity and specificity of FET for LAO were 92 and 43 percent, respectively, while for SAO alone, 60 and 44 percent, respectively. Overall, FET misclassified 56 percent of nonobstructed subjects. Adjusting the normal-abnormal cutoff points for both FET and SAO minimally improved the performance of FET.

CONCLUSION
Although FET is a simple, inexpensive, sensitive, and fairly reproducible clinical test of LAO, it cannot be recommended as a clinical or an epidemiologic tool because of its extremely low specificity.


In this paper, we investigate the existence and uniqueness of solutions for second order nonlinear fractional differential equation with integral boundary conditions. Our result is an application of the Banach contraction principle and the Krasnoselskii fixed point theorem.


Eriocheir sinensis, the Chinese mitten crab, is a native of east Asia and predominantly lives in freshwater but migrates seawards to breed. In 1912 a specimen was collected in the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser, Germany and now this exotic species has a European distribution from Finland to the Atlantic coast of southern France. In the UK, the mitten crab has been reported from the Humber, Medway and Thames catchments. Although the population in Thames had remained low, recent evidence suggests it is increasing, which has potential environmental implications.


We show that the spectral fluctuations of the two-body random ensemble exhibit 1/f noise. This result supports a recent conjecture stating that chaotic quantum systems are characterized by 1/f noise in their energy level fluctuations. After suitable individual averaging, we also study the distribution of the exponent alpha in the 1/ f(alpha) noise for the individual members of the ensemble. Almost all the exponents lie inside a narrow interval around alpha=1, suggesting that also individual members exhibit 1/f noise, provided they are individually unfolded.


In this paper we have considered the thermodynamics of a Born-Infeld $AdS$ black hole using inputs from the dual boundary field theory. Here, we have varied the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ and the Newton's gravitational constant $G$ along with the Born-Infeld parameter $b$ in the bulk. A novel universal critical behaviour of the central charge (occurring in the boundary conformal field theory) in extended black hole thermodynamics for charged black holes has been recently observed \cite{mann1}, and we have extended this study to Born-Infeld $AdS$ black holes. The Born-Infeld parameter has the dimension of inverse length, therefore, when considered in the first law of thermodynamics of the bulk in the mixed form which includes the central charge of the boundary conformal field theory, it modifies the thermodynamic volume and the chemical potential (which are conjugate to pressure and central charge respectively). We observe that due to this inclusion of the Born-Infeld non-linearity in this analysis, the universal nature of the critical value of the central charge observed in \cite{mann1} breaks down. We also observe an interesting behaviour of the free energy of the black hole with Hawking temperature due to the variations in both the central charge and the Born-Infeld parameter. It is also observed in our analysis that for a sufficiently small value of the Born-Infeld parameter (small value of this parameter has more prominent non-linear effects), there exists a critical value of the temperature below which no black hole can exist.


The destruction of character and moral values significantly influence the progress and degeneration of a country's civilization. Therefore, evaluating and examining a concept of civilized character from the past for a future development is essential, especially related to the intellectual aspects that form the character. This study aimed at examining the thought of Al-Ghazali and Ibn Miskawayh in character concept; Moreover, this study also looks at the similarities and differences of both character concepts in the intellectual aspect to be applied in Islamic education. The methodology used in this study is inquiry approach through philosophical analysis with interpretation analysis, inductive, deductive, and comparative. A checklist for analyzing texts concerning character aspect has been created in order to know the concept of character in accordance with intellectual aspect. The text analysis of al-Ghazali's thought refers to Ihya' Ulum al-Din, Mizan al-Amal dan Ayyuha al-Walad books. While the analysis of Miskawayh's thought refers to Tahdhib al-Akhlaq, The Refinement of Character and The Ethical Philosophy of Miskawayh books. The result reveals that in general alGhazali and Ibn Miskawayh's thought discuss the noble character (ummahat al-akhlaq). Both figures view that there is a power of knowledge inside the human soul that controls anger, appetitive faculties and completes the power of justice to distinguish between good and evil. The difference is that Al-Ghazali presents intellectual aspects internally and he groups it under gharizi sense (instinct) and muktasab sense (effort). On the other hand, Ibn Miskawayh explains those aspects externally from processes of thought and objects of thought. Based on the comparison of the two figures, the concept of character includes applicable intellectual aspects of Islamic education based in the mind ('aql) which produce wisdom (hikmah) to determine good and true choices and to implement them in teaching and learning in Islamic education.


The binding selectivity of 18-membered azacrown ethers (monoaza- N1, diaza- N2, triaza- N3, tetraaza- N4, pentaaza- N5, and hexaaza-18-crown-6 N6) with Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+ have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The complex binding selectivity was analyzed in term of interaction energies, thermodynamic properties, second order interaction energies, and charge transfer effects. The geometrical study shows that Ca2+ and azacrown complexes acquire envelope like structure, leading to shorter bond lengths. As a result, these complex systems have the highest interaction energies. Theoretical study also showed that N6 complex with alkaline earth metal ion were shown to be more stable complex than those ligand with lower nitrogen number. The interaction energy order is N0 < N1 < N2 < N3 < N4 < N5 < N6. This trend shows that the presence of more nitrogen on the crown ether cavity increases the interaction energies by approx. 7.3 % in going from N0 to N6. It is clearly showed that the contribution of the number of nitrogen play a dominant role in the binding selectivity of these systems.


In the US, the incidence of depression and suicide have followed escalating trends over the past several years. These trends call for greater efforts towards identifying their underlying drivers and finding effective prevention strategies and treatments. One social determinant of health that plausibly influences the risk of depression is income inequality, the gap between the rich and poor. However, research on this association is still sparse. We used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and the US Census to investigate the multilevel lagged associations of state-level income inequality with the individual-level odds of depression in middle-aged adults, controlling for state- and individual-level factors. We also examined the independent associations of county-level social capital with depression and explored whether it mediated the income inequality relationship. Higher income inequality at the state level predicted higher odds of individual-level depression nearly 2 decades later [OR for middle vs. lowest tertile of income inequality = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.76), OR for highest vs. lowest tertile = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.78)]. This association was stronger among men than women. Furthermore, there was evidence that county-level social capital independently predicted depression and that it mediated the income inequality association. Overall, our findings suggest that policies attenuating levels of income inequality at the US state level and that leverage social capital may protect against one's likelihood of developing depression.


Frequent cortical arousal is associated with cardiovascular dysfunction among people with sleep-disordered breathing. Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) can represent pathological conditions associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Previous studies showed changes in cardiac activity due to cortical arousals. However, few studies have examined the instantaneous association between cortical arousal and HRV in an ethnically diverse population. In this study, we included 1,069 subjects' full night ECG signals from unattended polysomnography in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis dataset. An automated deep learning tool was employed to annotate arousal events from ECG signals. The etiology (e.g., respiratory, or spontaneous) of each arousal event was classified through a temporal analysis. Time domain HRVs and mean heart rate were calculated on pre-, intra-, and post-arousal segments of a 25-s period for each arousal event. We observed that heart rate and HRVs increased during the arousal onsets in the intra-arousal segments, regardless of arousal etiology. Furthermore, HRVs response to cortical arousal occurrence differed according to gender and the sleep stages in which arousal occurred. The more intense HRVs variation due to arousal in females can contribute to a potentially stronger association between arousal burden and long-term mortality. The excessive abrupt sympathetic tone elevation in REM caused by arousal may provide insights on the association between sleep and sudden cardiac death.


This paper is not intended to present a case either for or against industrial generation of electric power. It is intended only as a guide to objectivity in determining the true merits of any such proposal. An attempt has been made to point out some of those factors which are too often neglected or insufficiently weighed in economic evaluations of by-product electric power generation projects, and to indicate a method which will, if properly used, automatically avoid any such inaccuracies. The conclusions drawn in this paper are those of the author and not necessarily a statement of the views of his company.


Formation of the Stromgren sphere by a massive star in the early universe after the recombination is studied. The quasi-stationary Stromgren sphere is formed in the stages of z> 102 for typical parameters of the universe model. The electron temperature Te in the HII region is kept equal to the cosmic background radiation temperature Tr by the Compton process. After this epoch, the ionisation front expands continuously and the quasi-stationary Stromgren sphere is not formed. Te can increase above T, in this later stage. Transition feature is investigated in an analytic manner. In the case of the quasi-stationary Stromgren sphere, the HII region may generate a dense shell by the expansion due to pressure unbalance and a fragmentation of this shell could trigger further structure formation. This process occurs only for the small HII region.


The study of labile carbon fractions (LCF) provides an understanding of the behavior of soil organic matter (SOM) under different soil management systems and cover crops. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different soil management systems with respect to tillage, cover crop and phosphate fertilization on the amount of the LCF of SOM. Treatments consisted of conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) with millet as the cover crop and a no-tillage system with velvet bean at two phosphorus dosages. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for organic carbon (OC), C oxidizable by KMnO4 (C-KMnO4), particulate OC (POC), microbial biomass carbon and light SOM in the 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m soil layers. The Carbon Management Index (CMI) was calculated to evaluate the impacts of soil management treatments on the quality of the SOM. The different LCFs are sensitive to different soil management systems, and there are significant correlations between them. C-KMnO4 is considered the best indicator of OC carbon lability. In the soil surface layers, the CT reduced the carbon content in all of the labile fractions of the SOM. The use of phosphorus led to the accumulation of OC and carbon in the different soil fractions regardless of the tillage system or cover crop. The application of phosphate fertilizer improved the ability of the NTsystem to promote soil quality, as assessed by the CMI.


The design of the present study permits to analyse the efficacy of thymopentin treatment in seasonal prophylaxis of chronic bronchitis in elderly patients. The immunologic and symptomatic responses were observed and evaluated. The elderly female patients, observed in the present study, were followed for six months after treatment with thymopentin.


In metastatic brain lesions treatment, stereotac-tic radiation therapy represents a valid alternative to surgery, which indication is limited to single lesions, in accessible brain sites and in patients presenting an optimal performance status. The aim of this study was to develop a novel method for delivering fractionated stereotactic in-tensity-modulated radiotherapy. We present treat-ment parameters, dosimetry analysis, and prelimi-nary clinical outcome. The method incorporates high-precision invasive fixation and reduced dimen-sion pencil beams. In our hospital, since January 2008 Hypofraction-ated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy is performed using Serial Tomotherapy with Nomostat® System, connected to a 6 MV Linac. This system realizes an IMRT with dynamic gantry and a beam modulation by a binary multileaf collimator (MIMiC® multi-vane intensity-modulating collimator) attached to the Linac head. During gantry rotation, collimator automatically modifies its morphology following target shape. In treatment of lesion smaller than 1,5cm, a post-collimation device called Beak® pro-vides leaves opening limitation to 4mm, allowing an high dose conformation around the target and an high dose fall-off in surrounding healthy tissues. For stereotactic radiation therapy in brain malignan-cies, we use Talon® immobilization device, a mini-mally invasive system which consists in two tita-nium screws fixed in patient scalp; this device, making the patient in solidarity with the couch, pro-vides high accuracy in his positioning during radio-therapy sessions. In our experience, the technique has proven to be easy in implementation and highly reliable, allow-ing accurate repositioning in the hypofractionated treatments.


It has been reported about the energy saving performance of UFAD(under floor air distribution) system and NPC(night purge cooling) system respectively which are applied for commercial buildings. However, when two systems are used at the same time, the effect of heat transfer from floor plenum to slab may vary depending on the operating conditions of NPC. In this study, cooling energy demands were analyzed for building models with UFAD and NPC by using TRNSYS 17 program. UFAD was applied as a cooling system of the base building model, and the cooling energy demands were compared for 64 cases in which the operating time, supply airflow rate, and outdoor air temperature(To) of NPC. As a result, it was confirmed that the cooling energy demands were reduced to 30 ~ 80% level compared to UFAD alone, and in particular, the energy demand was reduced in proportion to the supply airflow rate or the operating time while To was 16 ~ 20°C. However, when To was 22°C, the increase in the supply airflow rate or the operating time results in a disadvantage in terms of cooling energy demands. In addition, the cooling energy demands for UFAD+NPC model were analyzed by applying weather data from three regions with different average outdoor air temperatures. As a result, the cooling energy demand of operating NPC only when To was below 20°C was reduced by 27% compared to that of operating NPC continuously for 8 hours.


The aim of the research is to provide an extensive literature review on reading fluency. Articles were located through publish or perish software and the Google scholar database. Scanning by scimagojr.com (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4). We analyzed 60 articles from 2016 to 2021. Mendeley software was used to manage and resume the references. We have reviewed this database and attempted to classify articles using VOSviewer software. Four clusters are identified. Cluster 1 consisted of ten items (disability, elementary students, fluency intervention, impact, intervention, reader, reading fluency, reaped reading, student, and teacher), Cluster 2 consisted of seven items word (child, effect, fluency, language, present study, reading, and word), cluster 3 consisted of five items word (comprehension, oral reading fluency, relationship, research, and vocabulary), and cluster 4 consisted of 4 items word (accuracy, development, relation, and study).


Secondary forests play a central role in recovering earlier lost carbon and biodiversity viadeforestation and degradation, yet little data is applicable to the magnitude of numerous successionphases. Such information is considered a priority in tropical regions with elevated past and currentdisturbance rates; however, regrowth in the area is rapid. Focusing on Kuala Krai district, Kelantanstate, Malaysia, this paper offer a new fusion algorithm by using the clustering method (fuzzy k-means(FKM)) and Vector Supporting Machines (SVM) procedures. The methodology scheme applied wassplit into two phases, a clustering map firstly was acquired using FKM from the Sentinel-2A MSI (10 m)image; at the same time, the initial image used to extract Green Normalized Vegetation Index (GNDVI)layer. Using SVM classifier, the classification map was created. Second, SVM and FKM fusion as ahybrid classifier were tested, verified and compared to MLC-parametric and SVM-nonparametricclassification algorithms. The study results reveal the effectiveness of the GNDVI layer and FKMsegmentation map to enhance SVM classification through applying the Sentinel-2A MS image byapproximately 8 % and 14 %, respectively, as opposed to SVM and MLC. Thus this study is inspiringas it is extremely difficult to generate a reliably map land cover in heterogeneous areas, especially intropical areas, and yet this job is crucial for conservation projects, climate change mitigation strategies,and expansion plans and regional development policies. doi: https://doi.org/10.23953/cloud.ijarsg.456


'Prefigurative politics' refers to how activists embody and enact, within their activism, the socialities and practices they foster for broader society. Inspired by anarchist principles, the core practices characterising prefiguration include participative democracy, horizontality, inclusiveness, and direct action. Gaining visibility with the social movements that blossomed after 1968, and again with the post-1999 movements opposing neoliberal globalisation, prefigurative politics involve deploying political practices that are in line with the activists' envisaged goals. These, in turn, tend to encompass the construction of a democratic and horizontal society, which must be enacted through egalitarian relationships between activists who refrain from resorting to authoritarian, sexist, and exclusionary means to reach political goals. Yet, what are the origins of this concept? What kind of politics are referred to as prefigurative? Since the concept's consolidation, anthropologists have been at the forefront of answering these questions, as both researchers and activists. They look at how prefigurative politics intersect with themes dear to the discipline, such as social organisation, globalisation, social change, community-building, and everyday ways of inhabiting the world. This entry explores how prefigurative politics as a concept and as a series of practices have become relevant among those who build horizontal political and social relations, oppose representative democracy, and embody alternative lifestyles. Exploring prefigurative politics leads scholars to question the seemingly straightforward divide between the New Left and 'old lefts'. Additionally, asking whether right-wing movements can also engage in prefigurative politics helps us better understand the pervasive practices that transform non-institutionalised activism into laboratories from where people foster change and experiment with new socialities.


Cyanobacteria are having the potential for the development of effective adaptive mechanism during their three billion years of evolution. They are capable of performing oxygenic photosynthesis which is similar to eukaryotic algae and plants. They are considered to be a good model system for studying plant responses to environmental stress. The strain Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 which is a salt sensitive mutant was used as a model organism in many laboratories to study the salinity adaptations. The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.PCC 6803 was grown in BG 11 medium as a batch culture with different concentration of NaCl. The results of analyzed various biochemical parameters were conform that the accumulation of chlorophyll a and proline content in salt adopted cells. Furthermore in the fatty acid composition, out of 11 fatty acids eight were saturated and three of them were unsaturated fatty acids in gas chromatography. In salt adopted cells the modification of fatty acid composition was understand in this studies.


The population of older people is growing rapidly worldwide, so it is necessary for all governments to provide them more services in order to improve their quality of life. In a digital era, most of these services can be provided by information technologies. However, older people have a very limited computer use due to economical, physical, sensory and cognitive barriers. In addition, few efforts have been dedicated to the design of specialized computer interfaces for them despite the fact that they have computer interaction problems with the WIMP standard (Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointers). Recently, some researchers have shown that older people have a better computer interaction with the use of directmanipulation devices such as digital pens than with indirect-manipulation devices such as the mouse. This research goes one step further, proposing and analyzing a pen-based interface for older people in order to explore the usability of gesture paradigm for them.


The goal of this paper is a thorough investigation of the quality of the software tools widely used nowadays in the field of planar-antenna analysis and synthesis. Six simulation tools - five well-known commercial tools and one developed in-house - are compared with each other for four different planar antennas. It is crucial to point out that all possible efforts have been made to guarantee the most optimal use of each of the software packages, to study in detail any discrepancies between the solvers, and to assess the remaining simulation challenges. The study clearly highlights the importance of understanding EM simulation principles and their inherent limitations for antenna designers. Finally, some designing guidelines are provided that also can simplify the initial selection of EM solvers.


The Lake Allyn M. Herrick watershed is about 131 ha and covers portions of the University of Georgia's East campus, the Oconee Forest and residential and commercial land use. Lake Herrick, a 6-ha water body established in 1982 on the University of Georgia campus, was closed in 2002 for recreation due to fecal contamination. Subsequent monitoring confirmed cyanobacterium blooms on the surface of the lake and elevated nutrient concentrations, especially phosphorus. Previous studies showed that phosphorus and fecal coliform were the main contaminants. In our study, two inflow tributaries (sites Birdsong and Armadillo) and the outlet stream (site Below Dam) were monitored for discharge, E. coli, forms of nitrogen and phosphorus, and other water quality parameters during baseflow and storm conditions from February 2016 to October 2017. Our results showed that total phosphorus was significantly higher during stormflow compared to baseflow and total nitrogen remained the same. E. coli results indicated that most of the bacteria entered the lake through the tributaries during stormflow. Microbial source tracking methods were used to detect the bacterial source in the samples specific to a dog, ruminant or human host. We found that dogs are a more likely source of this bacteria than humans or deer. The fact that human sources were uncommon in the Lake Herrick watershed indicated that there was reduced risk for human source contamination. Lake Herrick was reopened for limited recreation in October 2018. INDEX WORDS: water quality, nutrients, eutrophication, urban streams, fecal contamination, microbial source tracking TRACKING AND MANAGING NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION AT LAKE HERRICK WATERSHED, ATHENS, GEORGIA


Azarov et al. (1), using our experimental data (2), resimulated the mechanism of slower NO uptake by RBCs and hemoglobin (Hb)-encapsulated vesicles. We inferred the contribution of the intracellular diffusion barrier and the absence of the membrane barrier. Although acknowledging an intracellular diffusion barrier, they insisted on the presence of a membrane barrier and a major contribution of an extracellular diffusion barrier. That presents some problems.

First, the membrane permeability of NO they used, 9 × 105 μm s−1, originated from Subczynski et al. (3), who clarified that the permeability is equivalent to or greater than that of a water layer of equal thickness. This supports the absence of a membrane barrier.

Second, the diffusion constant of NO they used, 3300 μm2 s−1 (37 °C) (4), is much higher than that in other papers (2, 3) and our intracellular diffusion constants (25 °C), which they used for simulation (2). The positional relation between a nanoparticle and an extracellular phase is fixed, in spite of the rapid motion of nanoparticles by the stopped-flow method. Accordingly, they might overestimate the extracellular barrier.

Third, they suggest a cytoskeleton barrier. However, it is difficult to imagine the existence of more NO-binding and -reacting sites in a thin cytoskeletal layer than the abundant sites of the adjacent intracellular Hb solution. To measure the NO-binding rate constant, they used the gentle "competition method," which presents the possibility of slow motion and sedimentation of RBCs. Therefore, the extracellular and membrane barriers might be overestimated.

Their simulation requires corrections to improve its reliability.


Constitutions around the world have overwhelmingly been the creation of men, but this book asks how far constitutions have affirmed the equal citizenship status of women or failed to do so. Using a wealth of examples from around the world, Ruth Rubio-Marín considers constitutionalism from its inception to the present day and places current debates in their vital historical context. Rubio-Marín adopts an inclusive concept of gender and sexuality, and discusses the constitutional gender order as it has been shaped by debates such those around same-sex marriage and the rights of trans persons. Covering a wide range of themes, from reproductive rights to political gender quotas and violence against women, this book offers a comprehensive feminist account of constitutional law. Truly international in scope and ambitious in subject matter, this is an invaluable resource for students and scholars working on gender within multiple disciplines.


In a county courthouse in Grand Marais, Minnesota, there hangs a framed corduroy jacket. This jacket was worn by a public defender named James Sommerness, a lawyer who practiced in this courthouse for decades. Known for his informality of dress, the memorial is a celebration of access. It is also seemingly unique among courthouse plaques in its confrontation of the reality that resources can affect justice and the corresponding need to provide legal assistance to the poor (372-75). This is one of the many stories of how we celebrate and perceive the role of courts throughout the world in Representing Justice, by Judith Resnik and Dennis Curtis. The book contains an extensive collection of images alongside its text and is a visual treat, rare among works of legal academia. But beyond the art historical contributions provided by tracing images of justice throughout time and geography lies a deeply relevant exploration of the role of courts in a democracy and contemporary threats against both institutions. The book's main premise treats justice, and specifically the development of the modern court system, as part of a triptych (alongside the postal service and the press) of modern developments that sustain democratic governance. These three developments share the commonality of communication, and so it is through communication that democracy is sustained. As Jeremy Bentham put it, courts, the press, and the postal service created a "tribunal of public opinion" (14).1 All three developments are currently facing profound structural challenges (33536).2 Drawing on recurring themes of participation, voice, the power of public perception, and access to courts, the authors catalog visual portrayals of


This paper presents an experimental investigations of influence of temperature and time on the structure and properties of molybdenum strengthened by dispersion particles. These experiments allowed ascertaining regularities of disability of structure and properties dispersion-strengthened molybdenum.


Abstract. A technique for the selective measurement of atmospheric HO2 and RO2 using peroxy radical chemical amplification coupled to laser-induced fluorescence NO2 detection (PERCA-LIF) is demonstrated. By pulling the air through a filled pre-inlet advantage can be taken of the higher heterogeneous loss rate of HO2 relative to CH3O2. Pre-inlet conditions have been found where ca. 90% of HO2 was removed whereas the comparable CH3O2 loss was 15%. The dependence of loss rate on humidity and peroxy radical concentration has been investigated. When using glass beads as the surface for peroxy radical removal, the influence of the relative humidity on the removal efficiency becomes negligible. It may therefore be possible to apply this technique to the measurement of absolute concentrations of solely RO2 as well as the sum of HO2 and RO2. The practical utility of the PERCA-LIF coupled to a denuder has been demonstrated with atmospheric measurements.


The aim of this paper is to derive the principal components (PCs) in variations of (i) the solar background magnetic field (SBMF), measured by the Wilcox Solar Observatory with low spatial resolution for solar cycles 21–23, and (ii) the sunspot magnetic field (SMF) in cycle 23, obtained by SOHO/MDI. For reduction of the component dimensions, principal component analysis (PCA) is carried out to identify global patterns in the data and to detect pairs of PCs and corresponding empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). PCA reveals two main temporal PCs in the SBMF of opposite polarities originating in opposite hemispheres and running noticeably off-phase (with a delay of about 2.5 yr), with their maxima overlapping in the most active hemisphere for a given cycle. Their maximum magnitudes are reduced by a factor of 3 from cycle 21 to 23, and overlap in the Northern hemisphere for cycle 21, in the Southern one in cycle 22 and in the Northern one again in cycle 23. The reduction of magnitudes and slopes of the maxima of the SBMF waves from cycle 21 to cycle 23 leads us to expect lower magnitudes of the SBMF wave in cycle 24. In addition, PCA allowed us to detect four pairs of EOFs in the SBMF latitudinal components: the two main latitudinal EOFs attributed to symmetric types and another three pairs of EOFs assigned to asymmetric types of meridional flows. The results allow us to postulate the existence of dipole and quadruple (or triple-dipole) magnetic structures in the SBMF, which vary from cycle to cycle and take the form of two waves travelling off-phase, with a phase shift of one-quarter of the 11 yr period. Similar PC and EOF components were found in temporal and latitudinal distributions of the SMF for cycle 23, revealing polarities opposite to the SBMF polarities, and a double maximum in time or maxima in latitude corresponding to the maxima of the SBMF PC residuals or minima in the SBMF EOFs, respectively. This suggests that the SBMF waves modulate the occurrence and magnitude of the SMF in time and latitude.


The history of biopsy taking and examination as well as all the technology of biopsy processing is reviewed. All the parts of this chain are considered from the practical point of view with recommendations acceptable for the majority of pathomorphological laboratories.


The routine use of intracoronary stents to reduce acute complications and improve the clinical outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention is now well established, with a reduction in the complications of acute closure, myocardial infarction, and emergency surgery, as well as the six month restenosis rate by up to 50%.1-3 However, with the continued incidence of subacute stent thrombosis and the fact that a six month clinical restenosis rate of 10–20% still exists, this suggests that stenting, particularly in "non-Benestent" lesions,4 is less than perfect. Initial experience with coronary stent deployment was characterised by a high thrombosis rate despite aggressive anticoagulant regimens, which increased the risk of early vascular complications.5 6 Improvements in clinical outcomes followed from the use of antiplatelet rather than anticoagulant drugs,7 better stent designs, and the evidence from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of suboptimal stent expansion with lower pressure deployment. Studies using the latter technique showed that full stent expansion, complete apposition to the vessel wall, and full lesion coverage significantly reduced the incidence of stent thrombosis.8

Most interventionists are confident in deploying intracoronary stents using angiographic guidance alone, given the small incidence of acute stent related problems. However, suboptimal stent deployment after final balloon dilatation has been observed in the majority of cases with IVUS despite a satisfactory angiographic appearance,9 10 which has implications for a higher restenosis rate at follow up. For this reason, several recent trials have investigated the use of IVUS to guide stent deployment to see whether its adjunctive use leads to better clinical outcomes at follow up compared to using angiography alone.11-17

The MUSIC trial was a prospective non-randomised observational study designed to examine the additional value of IVUS in determining optimal stent deployment in vessels with a reference segment larger than 3.0 mm, with the …


Sennoside A (SA), the main purgative constituent of Daiokanzoto (da-huang-gan-cao-tang; DKT), is generally regarded as a prodrug that is transformed into an active metabolite by β-glucosidase derived from Bifidobacterium spp. It has been suggested that antibiotics would promote dysbiosis, and thereby inhibit the purgative activity of DKT. In this study, ampicillin was administered to mice for 8 d, and the changes in the SA metabolism of SA alone and of DKT were investigated. The results showed that the SA metabolism of SA singly continued to be inhibited by ampicillin, but that of DKT was activated from day 3 under the same conditions. In order to investigate the mechanism of SA metabolism activated by DKT in the mice administered ampicillin, changes in the SA metabolism were observed in the presence of rhein 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (RG) in rhubarb and liquiritin in glycyrrhiza, both of which accelerated the SA metabolism. In fact, RG achieved an activation of SA metabolism similar to that by DKT. The purgative action of DKT, which was continued treatment of the ampicillin, was significantly greater than that by SA alone, and it was shown that RG was involved in this effect. We also analyzed changes in the intestinal microbiota before and after administration of ampicillin. No Bifidobacteria were detected throughout the treatment, but the population of Bacteroides was significantly increased after 3 d under the same conditions. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that the RG in DKT changed the function of Bacteroides and thereby allowed DKT to metabolize SA.


ABSTRACT In scholarship on cancer survivorship, "normality" is discussed as a strategy to restore and maintain continuity of identity for the person with cancer. I interrogate the strategic deployment of "normality" in what I define as ritual-like practices by drawing on 20 narrative interviews and 455 photographs produced by study participants. The findings explore normality as outcome (being normal), practice (doing normality), and ethical standard (aspiring to normality). They indicate how sociocultural scripts such as the cancer survivor identity and authentic selfhood inflect what it means to be a "normal" person with cancer with repercussions for recognition in lived experience. Video Abstract Read the transcript Watch the video on Vimeo


The benefit of short pulse width stimulation in patients suffering from essential tremor (ET) refractory to thalamic deep brain stimulation remains controversial. Here, we add to the minimal body of evidence available by reporting the effect of this type of stimulation in 3 patients with a persistent and severe intention tremor component despite iterative DBS setting adjustments. While a reduction in pulse width to 30 μs initially showed promise in these patients by improving tremor control and mitigating cerebellar side effects arguably by widening the therapeutic window, these benefits seemed to dissipate during early follow-up. Our experience supports the need for measuring longer-term outcomes when reporting the usefulness of this mode of stimulation in ET.


Recent studies of the effects and Modified Mercalli (MM) intensities of New Zealand earthquakes have established criteria that will improve the reliability of intensities assigned using a number of effects, particularly the incidence of chimney damage and a wide range of environmental phenomena. The proportions of brittle chimneys which were damaged at intensities MM5–MM10 have been counted from the very detailed database of the 1968 Mw 7.2 Inangahua earthquake, and are shown to relate well to the proportions of chimneys which fell in 10 other earthquakes. Criteria based on environmental effects at intensities MM5-MM10 have been extended based on detailed studies of 22 earthquakes. These criteria have been adopted in an international intensity scale for environmental effects.
It was also found that the stopping of clocks should be a criterion for MM3, not MM5, and similarly the disturbance of liquids should be used at the threshold intensity of MM3 rather than MM4, as in the present MM intensity scale.
With the probable saturation of intensity at MM10, the criteria for MM12 have been omitted.


This study examines the emissions impacts of adding wind and energy storage to a market-based electric power system. Using Texas as a case study, we demonstrate that market power can greatly effect the emissions benefits of wind, due to most of the coal-fired generation being owned by the two dominant firms. Wind tends to have less emissions benefits when generators exercise market power, since coal-fired generation is withheld from the market and wind displaces natural gas-fired generators. We also show that storage can have greater negative emissions impacts in the presence of wind than if only storage is added to the system. This is due to wind increasing on- and off-peak electricity price differences, which increases the amount that storage and coal-fired generation are used. We demonstrate that this effect is exacerbated by market power.


In the present paper fundamental changes in monetary policy strategy, especially in leading industrialized countries, from concentrating on development of the quantity of money to focusing strictly on developments of interest rates and interest rate levels is analysed in the case of the European Central Bank. The goal of research is to show that this change in monetary policy is one important reason for expansions of the European debt crisis since 2010. Within this new monetary policy regime, interest rate levels on the one hand and the transmission of interest rate policy measures to the interest rates of the other financial markets on the other hand, have become a very important role in central banking policies of today. For example to guarantee a sure and strict transmission of interest rate policy measures, which have its starting point on the short-term money market, and which should radiate to long-term interest rates on the capital market the ECB, if necessary, uses outright monetary transactions in secondary markets for sovereign bonds in the euro area. The main reason for acting in that manner is to avoid rising of long-term interest rates and to guarantee low levels of interest rate in the sovereign bonds markets. It is argued in the present paper that in focusing to guarantee low interest rate levels especially to overcome economic crisis you can find one important reason for expansions of the European debt crisis. This is so, because in view of current European economic policy rising interest rates in the European bonds markets above a level of 6 or 7 percent have become an unmistakeable proof of a severe debt problem.


This article is devoted to the photovoltaic system simulation. Photovoltaic systems operate in different conditions such as changing solar irradiance and environmental temperature. Analysis of the existing methods for photovoltaic system simulation was carried out in this paper. The formal model of the electricity consumption system was developed, which included the photovoltaic system and the electrical storage system. The expediency of using simulation modeling tools in the design of solar panel optimization tools was shown by application of maximum power point tracking methods. The developed software provides the ability to build current-voltage and high-voltage characteristics of solar cells at different values of the intensity of solar radiation and temperature.. The voltage and load current differ up to 50% from the voltage and current of the operating point of the solar panel, which is set to the optimal value using maximum power point tracker. The architecture of the software extends the capabilities of simulation modeling of systems based on solar panels. The optimizer model block along with the implementation of the maximum power point tracking algorithm can be further refined by using more sophisticated algorithms. The developments are innovative and their practical implementation will have a significant impact on the energy security of countries


Abstract. A population freed from a constraining interspecific interaction (e.g., competition or predation) may experience niche shifts and expansions. This phenomenon, termed ecological release, is an eco-evolutionary process driven by individual behaviors and interindividual interactions. However, empirical studies of these interactions seldom observe them directly, instead inferring process from pattern. Here, we set up experimental conditions for ecological release of the lizard Anolis carolinensis (green anole) from constraining interactions with its congener, Anolis sagrei (brown anole), by constituting populations of lizards on small islands. We monitored individual and population habitat use along three niche axes (perch height, perch diameter, and lateral movement between perches) on one experimental (one-species) and one control (two-species) island, for three time periods: 1) preremoval, when both islands had both species; 2) postremoval, shortly after A. sagrei were cleared from the experimental island; and 3) delayed postremoval, 7 months later, when long-lived lizards were joined by a second generation born in the intervening months. We found that green anole perch height decreased on the one-species island and increased on the two-species island. These shifts did not occur during postremoval but were evident by delayed postremoval, when both generations on the one-species island were perching nearly 130 cm lower than their counterparts on the two-species island. We also documented correlated changes in perch diameter at both the individual and population level but no changes in the extent of individuals' lateral movement. Lastly, changes in population-level niche width (i.e., perch height and diameter variances) occurred without detectable changes in niche overlap among individuals. Our results demonstrate that that the dynamics of ecological release in nature need not be inferred, because experiments can observe them directly in individuals, across generations, and along multiple niche axes.


Dietary restriction extends life span across a vast diversity of taxa, but the key nutritional components driving this process and how they interact remain uncertain. In Drosophila, while a substantial body of research suggests that protein is the major dietary component affecting longevity, recent studies claim that carbohydrates also play a central role. To clarify how nutritional factors influence longevity, nutrient consumption and lifespan were measured on a series of diets with varying casein and sugar content. Increased dietary carbohydrate or protein concentration does not always result in increased longevity. Our study indicates that the combination of carbohydrate and protein has certainly experiences significant effects with increased values rather than only carbohydrates nor only protein for the life history traits recorded. Thus the media enriched with the rich sources of food composition as resulted with enhanced mating activity, productivity and longevity in Drosophila melanogaster.


Recent advances have shown increasing designs of nucleic acid organizations via controlling the thermodynamics and kinetics of oligonucleotides. Nevertheless, deeper understanding and further applications of these DNA nanotechnologies are majorly hampered by the lack of effective analytical methodologies that are competent enough to investigate them. To deliver a potential solution, here we developed an innovative exploration that employed the emerging nanopore technique to characterize DNA organization at the single-molecule level and in completely homogeneous condition without covalent modification. With the help of counting and profiling the translocation-induced current drop of a DNA assembly structure passing through a conical glass nanopore (CGN), we have directly verified the formation of the individual double-helix concatemer generated from our model, hybridization chain reaction (HCR). Due to the ultrasensitivity of the nanopore technology, those concatemers that were difficult to observe on a conventional electrophoresis image were brought to light. The translocation duration time also provided the approximate length and folding information for the concatemers. These advantages were proven also applicable to structures with more sophisticated folding behaviors. Eventually, when coupling with an upstream reaction, CGN was further turned to a universal detector that was capable of even detecting other nucleic acid organization behaviors as well as targets that were unable to generate huge products. All of these results are expected to promote deeper study and applications of the nanopore technique in the field of nucleic acid nanotechnology.


Abstract. Severe storms (Dst) and Forbush decreases (FD) during cycle 23 showed that maximum negative Dst magnitudes usually occurred almost simultaneously with the maximum negative values of the Bz component of interplanetary magnetic field B, but the maximum magnitudes of negative Dst and Bz were poorly correlated (+0.28). A parameter Bz(CP) was calculated (cumulative partial Bz) as sum of the hourly negative values of Bz from the time of start to the maximum negative value. The correlation of negative Dst maximum with Bz(CP) was higher (+0.59) as compared to that of Dst with Bz alone (+0.28). When the product of Bz with the solar wind speed V (at the hour of negative Bz maximum) was considered, the correlation of negative Dst maximum with VBz was +0.59 and with VBz(CP), 0.71. Thus, including V improved the correlations. However, ground-based Dst values have a considerable contribution from magnetopause currents (several tens of nT, even exceeding 100 nT in very severe storms). When their contribution is subtracted from Dst(nT), the residue Dst* representing true ring current effect is much better correlated with Bz and Bz(CP), but not with VBz or VBz(CP), indicating that these are unimportant parameters and the effect of V is seen only through the solar wind ram pressure causing magnetopause currents. Maximum negative Dst (or Dst*) did not occur at the same hour as maximum FD. The time evolutions of Dst and FD were very different. The correlations were almost zero. Basically, negative Dst (or Dst*) and FDs are uncorrelated, indicating altogether different mechanism.


In the study of the roentgenograms of the chest of patients who have had a bismuth or barium meal for gastro-intestinal study, one occasionally encounters a startling picture of the bronchi outlined by barium. This accident is due to a fistulous tract caused by ulceration of the esophagus into the trachea. It has been noticed in these patients that fits of coughing occur during the swallowing of the barium. We have learned to look for ulceration of the esophagus in patients who suddenly begin to cough during a gastro-intestinal examination. Jackson 1 of Philadelphia introduced bismuth subcarbonate in finely powdered form through a bronchoscope into the lobe of the lung that he wished to study. He obtained excellent roentgenograms by this method. Owing to the fact that bronchography through a bronchoscope requires the greatest skill, it was natural that such a practice did not become popular. Since the introduction of


Abstract Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) has become a conservation focus for both protected area management and local communities in many parts of the world. The incidence and mediation of HWCs are rooted in coupled environmental and socioeconomic contexts. A systematic analysis of HWCs was undertaken in 2016 in the Wolong Nature Reserve located in Sichuan Province, southwestern China. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 201 local households to understand the occurrence of wildlife damage, the wildlife species involved, the typical losses incurred, and the mitigation measures employed. The results revealed that local HWC has increased rapidly in recent years due to effective biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration policies. Despite the widespread occurrence of HWCs, with nearly all respondents stating that they had suffered a financial loss, appropriate compensation schemes are lacking. Local respondents' expected compensation amount and style were investigated, and it was concluded that integrated compensation and community development plans are needed to mediate and resolve HWC. In particular, greater attention should be given to reduce local households' dependence on agriculture and transform local livelihood strategies to alternative economic activities not related to farming, such as ecotourism development and migrating employment.


Non drug treatment of hypertension is being given increasing attention. In this article the role of salt restriction is evaluated.


: This paper suggests novel sensorless speed estimation for an induction motor (IM) based on a stator current model reference adaptive system (IS-MRAS) scheme. The IS-MRAS scheme uses the error between the reference and estimated stator current vectors and the rotor speed. Observing rotor flux and the speed estimating using the conventional MRAS technique is confronted with certain problems related to the presence of the pure integrator and the rotor resistance causing offsets at low speeds, as proved by the most recent publications. These offsets are disastrous in sensorless control since these signals are no longer suitable to calculate of park angle (θ s ). This paper discusses the new MRAS approach (IS-MRAS) for on-line identification of the rotor resistance suitable for compensating offsets and solving problems of ordinary MRAS at low speed. This new MRAS approach used to estimate the components of the rotor flux and rotor speed without using the voltage model with on-line Setting parameters (K p , K 1 ) based on Type-2 fuzzy Logic. The results of the simulation and the experimental results are presented and show the effectiveness of the proposed technique.


Several emerging areas, such as sensor networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), and distributed networks are gaining traction where resource-constrained devices communicate by sharing privacy-preserving information. Due to heavy cryptographic components, standard cryptographic algorithms do not fit these IoT devices. In this article, we propose an efficient zero-knowledge blockchain-based privacy-preserving decentralized healthcare finance system that is suitable for lightweight computer devices. The proposed design mainly focuses on noninteractive zero-knowledge proof, which substantially reduces the cost of communication between two devices. We explain the system framework and its use case for a healthcare financial system at a micro-level. However, it can also be extended easily to more general financial systems. Our system framework is efficient and lightweight, using more efficient zero-knowledge-based proofs; validation of the transactions is done in milliseconds. As an advancement to our work, the proposed healthcare financial system for lightweight computer devices is also auditable without leaking any extra information than required.


A nursery experiment was conducted to study the effects of seed collection times and pretreatment methods on the germination of Terminalia sericea Burch. ex DC. (Combretaceae). T. sericea is a multipurpose tree species occurring in the miombo woodlands whose seedling production is hampered by very low seed germination rate. Seeds were subjected to four treatment methods each at four different duration of exposure; soaking in hot water, immersion in concentrated sulphuric acid (95%), nicking and soaking in cold water and fire scorching. First collection was done when 60% of the fruits were deep-green to brown while second collection was done when all fruits were purple-brown to pinkpurple. Nicking and soaking in cold water for 12 h gave the highest cumulative germination percentage (51%) for the first collection and appears to be the most feasible and suitable pretreatment method for small scale farmers than use of sulphuric acid. Soaking in hot water for 15 and 20 min and immersion in concentrated sulphuric acid (95%) for 3 and 4 h gave poorest germination (0%). However, in the second collection, use of concentrated sulphuric acid for 2 h gave highest germination (14%) followed by nicking and soaking in cold water for 24 h (12%). Sulphuric acid is expensive, requires proper handling techniques; therefore nicking and soaking in cold water for 12 h is being recommended as a cheaper and less hazardous pretreatment method to improve germination in T. sericea.


Chinese households have overinvested in risk-free financial assets, resulting in a single structure of financial assets. However, this proportion declined as digital finance developed. By combing the data from the China Household Finance Survey Data and the Peking University Digital Financial Inclusion Index of China, we find that digital finance significantly promotes household participation in risky financial markets. Further mechanistic analysis unveils that digital finance mainly affects households' participation in risky financial markets by reducing the lack of investment channels, promoting households' access to financial information and increasing the possibility of household risk appetite. In addition, the heterogeneity analysis suggests that digital finance effectively reduces the deterrent effect of wealth and cognitive thresholds on all households, reflecting the inclusive nature of financial development. Our findings provide an empirical basis for the mainstream positioning of digital finance in the development of inclusive finance, and display its positive impact on social welfare.


We established a new culture method of mouse gallbladder epithelial cells. Explantation of a tiny fragment of the mouse gallbladder (microexplant) on the collagen gel allowed the epithelial cells to proliferate on the collagen gel for more than 4 weeks. The epithelial cells spread in a monolayer sheet from the microexplant and extended onto the surface of the collagen gel 0.31 +/- 0.02 mm per day. Whereas, contaminated stromal cells proliferated under the epithelial cell layer and into the collagen gel. At the peripheral zone of epithelial sheet, the shape of the epithelial cells was squamous, and the cells were frequently positive for BrdU immunostaining, indicating the high proliferative activity. In contrast, the cells in the central part of epithelial sheet were cuboidal or low columnar in shape and showed well cell-polarity and mucus-secretory activity similar to the gallbladder epithelia in vivo. It was indicated that the cultured epithelial cells in this system preserved the morphological and functional differentiation to the physiological gallbladder epithelia. This newly established culture method has the characteristics of both the organ and the cell culture, and might be useful for the morphological and functional studies of the gallbladder epithelia in vitro.


Purpose To analyse the pregnancy outcome of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): by comparing the outcome of prospectively–followed pregnancies (PFP) and anamnestic pregnancies (AP); by comparing the outcome of PFP with the general obstetric population (GOP); by evaluating the disease features, maternal risk factors and treatment of pregnancies with adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) in PFP. Methods A monocentric, retrospective and observational study of 94 SLE patients with a total of 135 pregnancies followed prospectively by multidisciplinary team. In addition, 33 AP in the same SLE patients and 3939 pregnancies among GOP were evaluated. Clinical and serological data were obtained from medical records. Results The comparison between PFP and AP showed lower frequency of premature miscarriage (6,7% vs 27,3%, p value 0,0021) and fetal death (3,7% vs 36,4%, p value<0,0001) and higher frequency of live birth (88,9% vs 36,4%, p value<0,0001) in the first group. As compared with GOP, SLE-PFP displayed similar rate of early miscarriage (9,0% vs 6,7%) and fetal loss (5,0% vs 3,7%) but higher frequency of preeclampsia (1,0% vs 5,0%, p value 0,0029), preterm birth (7,0% vs 18,4%, p value<0,0001) and Caesarian section (31,0% vs 41,7%, p value 0,0288). APO occurred in 17 (12.6%) of the 135 PFP. Despite the lack of statistical significance, there was a tendency toward higher frequency of anti-dsDNA positivity (84,6% vs 62,6%), history of lupus nephritis (52,9% vs 33,0%) and triple anti-phospholipid antibody (aPL) positivity (23,5% vs 11,8%) in pregnancies with APO (table 1). Analysing treatment during pregnancy, the group with APO received higher doses of prednisone (without significant p value) and required higher use of immunosuppressants (64,7% vs 31,3%, p value 0,032). Conclusions The outcome of PFP in SLE has dramatically improved as compared to AP, thanks to pregnancy planning, multidisciplinary management and close monitoring during pregnancy. The occurrence of APO was restricted to a minority of PFP (12,6%). SLE-PFP had similar rates of pregnancy losses as compared to GOP, but there are still open issues on some pregnancy complications that affect SLE patients more frequently.Abstract PS4:82 Table 1 General and SLE-correlated risk factors in 'APO' and 'without APO' groups


Abstract: In "Formations of World Literature(s) and Shaw's The Man of Destiny in Chinese and Japanese Translation" Shunqing Cao and Xin Chen expand Franco Moretti's dictum that "world literature is not an object, it's a problem"
 to elaborate that the concept of world literature(s) is in some sense a problematic one, which is itself under a process of problematization. Cao and Chen discuss how variation and heterogeneity contribute to a more in-depth understanding of formations of world literature(s). Taking the Bernar
 Shaw's The Man of Destiny they discuss the writer's presence in world literature from a bi-lateral perspective: Shaw's work in the Englishspeaking West and Shaw in Asia. For the former, Shaw stands in a specific place in recent postcolonial Irish Studies and thus raise
 problems for their research paradigm. For the latter, Cao and Chen present an analytical comparison between a Chinese and a Japanese translation of The Man of Destiny. Cao and Chen argue that by such a bilateral approach we may recognize the importance of heterogeneity so as to obtain
 further reflections on present discussions of world literature(s).


In the later phases of selecting candidate chemicals for drug development, pharmacological experiments are conducted using animal organs or human peripheral blood cells. In these experiments, data analysis is often performed on the basis of mixed-effect models so that the individuality effect can be incorporated in the dose-response relationship. This paper studied the influence of the incorporation of random effects on parameters in a logistic model intended for analysis, with the assumption that the dose-response relationship is really described by a four-parameter logistic model. Using Monte-Carlo simulation experiments, we compared the performances of eight models in which various mixed-effects were incorporated. In each of the eight analysis models, five methods of calculation, namely, the standard two-stage method (STS), first-order approximation method (FOA), Laplacian approximation method (LAP), Monte Carlo integration method (MCI), and Gaussian quadrature method (GAU), were applied to the simulation data. The eight analysis models and five estimation methods were compared, using estimability and the deviation of estimates from the true value as the criteria. The results revealed the analysis model incorporating the random effect on only the maximum response to be the best. The results also indicated that the FOA, LAP, MCI, and GAU methods had almost the same performances for this analysis model. The authors recommend LAP as the preferred method because of the simplicity of its calculation.