Although adipose tissue appears to be a target organ for glucocorticoid hormones, previous studies have failed to detect glucocorticoid receptors in this tissue. In the present study, the addition of thioglycerol and trasylol to the homogenization medium provided an enuironment in which receptors were successfully demonstrated. [3H]Dexamethasone binding studies were carried out at 0 C in cytosol from various adipose tissues of adrenalectomized rats and bound hormone was separated from free by Sephadex chromtography. Despite the presence of protein protective agents, receptor binding decayed significantly over 24 h but appeared stable from 1 to 5 h. Epididymal fat pad cytosol had an apparent Kdiss at 0 C for dexamethasone of approximately 6 nM and a binding capacity of approximately 200 fmol per mg protein. To prove that the receptors were located in fat cells and not in surrounding connective tissue, isolated adipocytes were prepared by collagenase digestion and receptors were demonstrable in the cytosol from these cells as well. The affinity of series of steroids for the receptor was in the sequence: dexamethasone greater than corticosterone greater than progesterone greater than aldosterone greater than cortexolone greater than testosterone greater than estradiol. Receptors of roughly the same affinity but somewhat fewer binding sites on the basis of cytosol protein were also found on other fat depots including peri-renal, peri-scrotal and popliteal. Of interest is the fact that interscapular brown fat and human subcutaneous fat also possessed similar these receptors, the higher competitive capacity of dexamethasone indicated that the binding was to glucorticoid rather than mineralocorticoid receptors. The data suggest that fat cells contain glucocorticoid receptors which are similar to those seen in other glucocorticoid targets. Presumably these receptors mediate the effects of glucorticoids on adipose tissue.


BACKGROUND
Survival analysis is a standard methodology to assess progress in oncology disease treatment. However, survival analysis commonly only measures survival during the treatment period (and the period immediately afterwards), and does not provide an estimate of life expectancy, which is often of more interest to patients and to health policy makers. In this paper we propose a method to estimate childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) life expectancy through the integration of traditional survival analysis and life expectancy tables.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
The study included 305 incident cases registered by the Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont in 1979-1991. Vital status on 30 June 2004 was known for 304 cases. Survival analyses were carried out using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Gompertz model, according to the time period of diagnosis and gender.

RESULTS
Cumulative survival at 5 years increased from 58.6% (95% CI 48.9-68.3) for cases diagnosed in March 1979-July 1982 to 79.1% (95% CI 70.8-87.5) in March 1987-February 1991 (P = 0.002). Average life expectancy increased from 46.1 years for boys and 42.6 years for girls diagnosed in March 1979-July 1982 to 58.3 and 69.1, respectively, in March 1987-February 1991.

CONCLUSIONS
These analyses show an improvement over the time period of diagnosis of life expectancy for children with ALL.


J-PARC Main Ring (MR) is a high intensity proton synchrotron which accelerates protons from 3 GeV to 30 GeV. In J-PARC MR, the current ripple of their main magnet power supplies adversely affects the temporal flatness of slowly extracted spills. This is because these magnetic field errors vary the betatron tune, which must be precisely controlled to maintain the flatness of the spills. To solve this problem, we have proposed and built a system that corrects the betatron tune using the measured output current of the magnet power supplies. We measured the betatron tunes and the intensity of the extracted spills using the system. The results shows that the system can reduce the ripple of the betatron tune and the spill intensity especially at the frequencies around 100 Hz. In this paper, the details of the system and the experimental results are reported.


ABSTRACT Background: Brimonidine and dorzolamide are intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications most commonly used in second-line treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Scope: An evidence-based review of comparative clinical trials of brimonidine and dorzolamide was undertaken to determine the relative efficacy and safety of these drugs in reducing IOP. Using the keywords 'brimonidine' and 'dorzolamide', all articles describing such trials from September 1966 to July 2007 were found in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Findings: In all identified studies, brimonidine and dorzolamide were both found to provide significant IOP reduction from treated or untreated baseline levels. Results of eight trials reported to date indicate that brimonidine produced either a lower treated IOP or greater pressure reduction from baseline than dorzolamide at one or more measured timepoints, and provided comparable IOP lowering over all other measurements. Differences between the IOP reductions provided by brimonidine and dorzolamide were more pronounced when the medications were used adjunctively with other classes of drugs. Six other trials showed similar efficacy, and one additional monotherapy study showed lower IOP with dorzolamide treatment. Ocular burning was noted with dorzolamide more than any other adverse event with either drug. Trials ranged widely in duration of therapy and the time of day IOP measurements were taken, and many were too small for sufficient statistical power. Conclusion: Brimonidine and dorzolamide are both efficacious and reasonably well tolerated. Possible overall distinctions in efficacy were obscured by differences in study designs and treatment regimens, but adjunctive therapy with brimonidine may reduce IOP as effectively or more effectively than adjunctive or fixed combination dorzolamide therapy. In certain patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension brimonidine may be a better choice than dorzolamide for second-line treatment.


This paper discusses the goals, progress, and future plans of the TACOM/Cummins Adiabatic Engine Program. The Adiabatic Engine concept insulates the diesel combustion chamber with high temperature materials to allow hot operation near an adiabatic operation condition. Additional power and improved efficiency derived from this concept occur because thermal energy, normally lost to the cooling and exhaust systems, is converted to useful power through the use of turbomachinery and high-temperature materials. Engine testing has repeatedly demonstrated the Adiabatic Engine to be the most fuel efficient engine in the world with multi-cylinder engine performance levels of 0.285 LB/BHP-HR (48% thermal efficiency) at 450 HP representative. Installation of an early version of the Adiabatic Engine within a military 5 ton truck has been completed, with initial vehicle evaluation successfully accomplished. Design and procurement of long lead time items for the next generation of Adiabatic Engine in the 600-750 HP power range is continuing. Work on the minimum-friction Adiabatic Engine version continues.


The management of weeds and diseases that are caused by phytopathogenic fungi is important for preventing the loss of agricultural products. The aim of the present study was to identify phytotoxic and antiphytopathogenic agents from the Thai Alpinia galanga rhizome. Extracts of the dried rhizomes of A. galanga (Zingiberaceae) were separated and tested for phytotoxic activity against lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Great Lakes) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. Wasefudou) and for antiphytopathogenic activity against Alternaria porri, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora nicotianae. 1′-Acetoxychavicol acetate (1) was identified as one of the main components, together with trans-p-coumaryl acetate (3) and trans-p-acetoxycinnamyl acetate (2). 1′-Acetoxychavicol acetate (1) was solvolyzed with 2% EtOH to yield trans-p-coumaryl ethyl ether (6), trans-p-coumaryl acetate (3) and trans-p-coumaryl alcohol (5). 1′-Acetoxychavicol acetate (1) completely inhibited the root growth of the lettuce seedlings at 50 μg mL–1, but had a weaker inhibitory effect on the growth of Italian ryegrass. 1′-Acetoxychavicol acetate also inhibited the growth of P. nicotianae and A. porri, with minimum inhibition concentration values of 15.6 and 31.5 μg mL–1, respectively. The plant growth-inhibitory activity and fungal growth-inhibitory activity of trans-p-coumaryl acetate (3), trans-p-coumaryl ethyl ether, trans-p-coumaryl alcohol (5) and trans-p-acetoxycinnamyl acetate (2) were lower than those of 1′-acetoxychavicol acetate. A structure–activity relationship suggested that the strong phytotoxic and antiphytopathogenic activity of 1′-acetoxychavicol acetate relied on the 1′-acetoxyl group.


Four amphibian species occur in the Yukon: Western Toad ( Bufo boreas ; first verified record in 1961), the Boreal Chorus Frog ( Pseudacris maculata , first record in 1995), the Columbia Spotted Frog ( Rana luteiventris , first record in 1993), and the Wood Frog ( Rana sylvatica ; first record in 1933). The Western Toad is restricted to the Liard Basin in five geographically separated areas. Breeding sites have been located on the lower Coal River and vicinity. The Boreal Chorus Frog has been documented from a small area of the lower La Biche River valley near the Yukon-British Columbia-Northwest Territories border. The Columbia Spotted Frog occurs in two widely separated areas, at Bennett Lake in the southwest and in the Liard Basin in the southeast. The Wood Frog is widespread below treeline. Limited survey efforts continue to hinder our knowledge of amphibian distribution. Erratum included.


This book is helpful to those readers who are willing to know about mobile agents. This book elaborates the concepts of fault tolerance in mobile agent systems that how a system continues to perform its task even in case of occurrence of any fault. This book discusses the various existing fault tolerant approaches in mobile agent systems. Along this readers will also find a novel approach for fault tolerance in mobile agent systems. This Novel approach suites well for both read as well as write applications too.


How can the trust drawn from the common law take shape within a civilian context? Fiduciary ownership is not unthinkable within a civilian context. It may be considered as purposive ownership or, to be more precise, as a modality of ownership. Quebec's legislator, imagining the fiducie as a patrimony by appropriation, has impressed this purposive character within the very heart of the concept of patrimony, which emerges as a renewed concept. However, the question arises of discerning the extent to which Quebec's fiducie has severed all ties to ownership, and of the theoretical limits and challenges presented by a conception of this kind. Who is this "other" whose property is administered by the trustee? From whom does one acquire property when it has been held in a fiducie? Should Quebec's fiducie be analyzed as a modality of ownership or as an interlude in ownership?


The article presents the study of some areas of educational space transformation under the COVID-19 pandemic influence. The focus of attention is on such problems as the cognitive well-being of the student, the tutor model of teacherstudent relations in the digitalising educational space, the functioning of academic mobility institution in a pandemic and post-pandemic world. Cognitive well-being of students implies mastering digital literacy with strict adherence to the norms of digital ethics. A tutor in modern education plays the role of not only a developer of an individual educational trajectory, but also a controller and educator. For the successful implementation of tutoring functions, the teaching staff of universities needs additional training. The main trends in academic mobility are internal and virtual mobility. The authors conclude that educational organisations need for adequate infrastructural policy, and educational space – inevitable transformations in budget financing. The results of the article can be used in further research on the higher education transformation problems, in the development of proposals and recommendations for specialists in the of higher education management field for use in practice.


Purpose of review The gradual replacement of inactivated whole cell and live attenuated vaccines with subunit vaccines has generally reduced reactogenicity but in many cases also immunogenicity. Although only used when necessary, adjuvants can be key to vaccine dose/antigen-sparing, broadening immune responses to variable antigens, and enhancing immunogenicity in vulnerable populations with distinct immunity. Licensed vaccines contain an increasing variety of adjuvants, with a growing pipeline of adjuvanted vaccines under development. Recent findings Most adjuvants, including Alum, Toll-like receptor agonists and oil-in-water emulsions, activate innate immunity thereby altering the quantity and quality of an adaptive immune response. Adjuvants activate leukocytes, and induce mediators (e.g., cytokines, chemokines, and prostaglandin-E2) some of which are biomarkers for reactogenicity, that is, induction of local/systemic side effects. Although there have been safety concerns regarding a hypothetical risk of adjuvants inducing auto-immunity, such associations have not been established. As immune responses vary by population (e.g., age and sex), adjuvant research now incorporates principles of precision medicine. Innovations in adjuvant research include use of human in vitro models, immuno-engineering, novel delivery systems, and systems biology to identify biomarkers of safety and adjuvanticity. Summary Adjuvants enhance vaccine immunogenicity and can be associated with reactogenicity. Novel multidisciplinary approaches hold promise to accelerate and de-risk targeted adjuvant discovery and development. Video abstract


The aim of this work was to determine whether the acute administration of alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH) advances the time of vaginal opening (VO) by modifying the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, growth hormone (GH), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2) and/or testosterone (T). Female rats received a subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate (EB; 10 micrograms/100 g body weight) on day 26 and 27 postnatal (PN). On day 28 PN, a third dose of EB was given together with either intraperitoneal alpha-MSH (treated group) or 0.1 ml saline (control group). On day 32 PN, the animals were inspected for VO and groups of rats were decapitated at hourly intervals between 12:00 and 18:00 hours. Serum concentrations of the hormones listed above were measured by radioimmunoassay. Acute administration of alpha-MSH significantly advances (P < 0.001) the day of VO compared to the control group, as well as increased serum LH levels (P < 0.001) in the period under study, in comparison to controls, but had no significant effect on any of the others hormones analyzed. LH profiles were determined in more detail beginning on the day after alpha-MSH administration (day 29 PN) to VO (day 33 PN). Blood samples were collected from the cannulated external jugular vein at 20 minutes intervals daily between 14:00 and 18:00 hours. alpha-MSH treatment did not significantly modify plasma LH levels on days 29 and 30 PN, although treated animals showed a sustained increase in LH on day 31 PN. On this day, mean LH levels of treated animals was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Background: Due to the low incidence of pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), the survival analysis for comparing lobectomy and sublobar resection (SLR) for stage IA LCNEC remains scarce. Methods: Patients diagnosed with pathological stage IA LCNEC between 1998 and 2016 were extracted from the Survenillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The oncological outcomes were cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox multivariate analysis were used to identify the independent prognostic factors for OS and CSS. Furthermore, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between SLR and lobectomy to adjust the confounding factors. Results: A total of 308 patients with stage IA LCNEC met the inclusion criteria: 229 patients (74.4%) received lobectomy and 79 patients (25.6%) received SLR. Patients who underwent SLR were older (P<0.001), had smaller tumor size (P=0.010) and fewer lymph nodes dissection (P<0.001). The 5-year CSS and OS rates were 56.5% and 42.9% for SLR, and 67.8% and 55.7% for lobectomy, respectively (P=0.037 and 0.019, respectively). However, multivariate analysis did not identify any differences between SLR group and lobectomy group in CSS (P=0.135) and OS (P=0.285); and the PSM also supported these results. In addition, age at diagnosis and laterality of tumor were identified as significant predictors for CSS and OS, whereas the number of lymph nodes dissection was a significant predictor for CSS. Conclusions: Although SLR is not inferior to lobectomy in terms of oncological outcomes for patients with stage IA LCNEC, more lymph nodes can be dissected or sampled during lobectomy. Lobectomy should be considered as a standard procedure for patients with early-stage LCNEC who are able to withstand lobectomy.


This study analyzed the existing Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Curriculum of the Bukidnon State University. The analysis started with the review followed by the proposed revision considering the internal and external factors. Internal factors included the level of difficulty, teachers, and facilities. The external factors considered the employability of the graduates, salary, and upward mobility in the position. It formulated three possible curricula with ascending variations from the existing one. Using the Total Probability Theorem (TPT), it came up with a model considered to be the most feasible curriculum of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) and Outcomes- Based Education framework were used to revise the existing curriculum.


Dehalococcoides ethenogenes strain 195 dechlorinates tetrachloroethene to vinyl chloride and ethene, and its genome has been found to contain up to 17 putative dehalogenase gene homologues, suggesting diverse dehalogenation ability. We amended pure or mixed cultures containing D. ethenogenes strain 195 with 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzofuran, 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorobiphenyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrachloronaphthalene, various chlorobenzenes, or a mixture of 2-, 3-, and 4-chlorophenol to determine the dehalogenation ability. D. ethenogenes strain 195 dechlorinated 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin to a mixture of 1,2,4-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 1,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. 2,3,4,5,6- Pentachlorobiphenyl was dechlorinated to 2,3,4,6- and/or 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 2,4,6-trichlorobiphenyl. 1,2,3,4-Tetrachloronaphthalene was dechlorinated primarily to an unidentified dichloronaphthalene congener. The predominant end products from hexachlorobenzene dechlorination were 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene. We did not detect dechlorination daughter products from monochlorophenols, 2,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. D. ethenogenes strain 195 has the ability to dechlorinate many different types of chlorinated aromatic compounds, in addition to its known chloroethene respiratory electron acceptors. Remediation of sediments contaminated with aromatic halogenated organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins could require billions of dollars in the coming years. Harnessing microorganisms such as Dehalococcoides spp. that detoxify these compounds via removal of halogens may lead to cost-effective biotechnological approaches for remediation.


With rapid development in product globalization and just-in-time production over the last two decades, area-specific reliable, responsive and customer- oriented rail freight services are in demand and are of increasing interest. Having a proper understanding of underlying factors in the evaluation of the quality of rail freight services is a key challenge in the short-term and long-term regional and metropolitan freight mobility planning, particularly within the context of a competitive rail freight market as in Australia. Among the fundamental attributes of rail freight services, transit time and reliability/punctuality are of utmost importance, which also tend to be inevitably correlated. This paper discusses the potential opportunities for service improvement in the Australian non-bulk interstate network through managing the underlying factors. The paper also addresses the conditions under which these factors can be combined to enhance the utilisation and efficiency of rail freight services in the national rail infrastructure.


A case is described with recurrent arthritis and skin rash confined to the right lower limb and exacerbated on each occasion by exercise. Investigation established this to be due to a mycotic aneurysm of the right common femoral artery. Treatment with excision and grafting and antibiotics resulted in full recovery. Mycotic aneurysm and the unusual presenting features in this case are discussed.


A 55-year-old man with a history of erosive, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and interstitial lung disease presented with shortness of breath. Echocardiography showed new-onset severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with an ejection fraction (EF) of 15% and moderately increased mean aortic valve gradient of 20 mmHg in a trileaflet aortic valve with severe sclero-calcific degeneration. Coronary angiography revealed no significant obstructive coronary disease. Invasive hemodynamic studies and dobutamine stress echocardiography were consistent with moderate aortic stenosis. Guideline directed medical therapy for heart failure with reduced EF was initiated; however, diuretics and neurohormonal blockade (beta-blocker and angiotensin receptor blocker) provided minimal improvement, and the patient remained functionally limited. Of interest, echocardiography performed 1 year prior to his presentation showed normal LV EF and mild aortic leaflet calcification with moderate stenosis, suggesting a rapid progressing of calcific aortic valve disease. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgical aortic valve replacement and demonstrated excellent postsurgical recovery of LV EF (55%). Calcific aortic valve disease is commonly associated with aging, bicuspid aortic valve, and chronic kidney disease. Pathophysiological mechanism for valvular calcification is incompletely understood but include osteogenic transformation of valvular interstitial cells mediated by local and systemic inflammatory processes. Several rheumatologic diseases including RA are associated with premature atherosclerosis and arterial calcification, and we speculated a similar role of RA accelerating calcific aortic valve disease. We present a case of accelerated aortic valve calcification with (only) moderate stenosis, complicated by a rapid decline in LV systolic performance. Guidelines for AVR in moderate stenosis without concomitant cardiac surgery are not well established, although it should be considered in selected patients.


This paper investigates the relationships between language learning strategies and consecutive interpretation (CI) scores (E-C) of 120 English major students in China through a quantitative study. The analysis shows that there exist significant differences of using meta-cognitive strategy and cognitive strategy between high-score group and low-score group, sub-CI scores are positively correlated with the two strategies, and meta-cognitive strategy can positively predict the total scores. This indicates that the use of language learning strategies does have an impact on interpreting study.


ABSTRACT Although employees suffer from negative effects of value incongruence, the way employees deal with it has rarely been explored. Combining person–environment research and conservation of resources theory, we predicted that the relationship between value incongruence and work-related outcomes would be moderated by three individual coping strategies: facades of conformity, positive reframing, and self-disclosure. We conducted one multilevel team study with 50 teams (N = 145) and one time-lagged study with two measurement occasions (N = 177). As expected, findings of our (multilevel) path models showed that person–group (PG) and person–organization (PO) value incongruence negatively related to the outcomes; however, our results suggest that the effects of PO value incongruence were stronger (Study 2). As hypothesized, self-disclosure and low facades of conformity mitigated the effect of PO value incongruence on absenteeism (Study 2). Additionally, self-disclosure buffered the effect of PG value incongruence on affective commitment (Study 1).


Background Osteoporosis is a well-known comorbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A high percentage of patients with RA have low bone mineral density in axial and peripheral skeleton, which confers an increased fracture risk. In its further development, other risk factors such as age, menopause, disease activity and, especially, some of the drugs used for RA treatment, are involved. Objectives To study the prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures (MVF) in a cohort of patients with RA and to identify demographic, analytical, densitometric and RA-related risk markers for vertebral fractures. Methods A cross-sectional cohort study in routine clinical practice conditions was designed. All patients fulfilled the ACR 2010 classification criteria for RA. We performed a questionnaire of fracture risk factors, an analytical study including serological bone markers (Procollagen Type I Intact N-terminal Propedtide and b-Cross Laps) and a hip and thoracolumbar spine bone densitometry. Patients filled out the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and DAS28 was calculated. MVF was defined as a reduction of at least 20% in vertebral body height. A univariate analysis was performed using the presence of MVF as the dependent variable. Statistical significance was established by t-Student (parametric variables) and Mann-Whitney (nonparametric variables) tests. We considered significant a p <0.05. Results We included 78 patients (77% women, mean age 59 years, duration of RA: 10 years). Vertebral fractures were found in 11 patients (14%). The presence of MVF was associated with a higher mean age (74 vs. 56, p <0.05) and a long-term disease (17 vs. 9 years, P = 0.013). Bisphosphonate therapy was associated with MVF, probably reflecting an indication bias. No association with HAQ score, DAS28 or its individual components was found. We did not find any association with serological bone markers. however, vitamin D levels were significantly higher among patients with fracture (60 nm / l vs. 47 nm / l, P = 0.032) and in patients who were receiving vitamin D supplements (23% vs. 6%, p <0.05). Densitometric osteopenia and osteoporosis at lumbar spine or femoral neck were significantly associated with vertebral fracture. Conclusions Around 15% of patients with RA may develop MVF. Age, duration of RA, densitometric osteoporosis, vitamin D levels, vitamin D supplements and bisphosphonates are associated with such fractures. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


ABSTRACT Italian wolf howls are described for the first time from observations between 2003–2008 of a population living in eastern Tuscany, central Italy. A sample of 37 howls selected among single responses and 128 howls included in the choruses of 7 free ranging packs was recorded and analysed. The mean fundamental frequency of the howls ranged between 274–908 Hz. Two main structures recognised by means of multivariate explorative analysis, in particular Principal Component and Cluster Analysis, were ascribed to breaking and flat howls. Discriminant Function Analysis was applied to the recognised groups with the aim to find a general rule for classification. Howls with different features were correctly assigned to the groups obtained by explorative analysis in 95.8% of cases. The analysis of the variables characterising the structure of the howls suggests that maximum frequency and range of fundamental frequency are the most important parameters for classification, while duration does not appear to play any significant role.


The fields and characteristic parameters of nonradiating modes of a dielectric-coated wire with an intervening airgap are derived using a surface impedance dyadic method. This method shows several advantages and provides a straightforward method for working out the characteristic equation, cutoff conditions, far-from-cutoff conditions and field coefficients. Important results about the hybrid nature of these modes are shown, and some of them are common to any cylindrical surface waveguide.


ABSTRACT SAMHD1 is a host protein responsible, at least in part, for the inefficient infection of dendritic, myeloid, and resting T cells by HIV-1. Interestingly, HIV-2 and SIVsm viruses are able to counteract SAMHD1 by targeting it for proteasomal degradation using their Vpx proteins. It has been proposed that SAMHD1 is a dGTP-dependent deoxynucleoside triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase) that restricts HIV-1 by reducing cellular dNTP levels to below that required for reverse transcription. However, nothing is known about SAMHD1 posttranslational modifications and their potential role in regulating SAMHD1 function. We used 32P labeling and immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies to identify SAMHD1 as a phosphoprotein. Several amino acids in SAMHD1 were identified to be sites of phosphorylation using direct mass spectrometry. Mutation of these residues to alanine to prevent phosphorylation or to glutamic acid to mimic phosphorylation had no effect on the nuclear localization of SAMHD1 or its sensitivity to Vpx-mediated degradation. Furthermore, neither alanine nor glutamic acid substitutions had a significant effect on SAMHD1 dNTPase activity in an in vitro assay. Interestingly, however, we found that a T592E mutation, mimicking constitutive phosphorylation at a main phosphorylation site, severely affected the ability of SAMHD1 to restrict HIV-1 in a U937 cell-based restriction assay. In contrast, a T592A mutant was still capable of restricting HIV-1. These results indicate that SAMHD1 phosphorylation may be a negative regulator of SAMHD1 restriction activity. This conclusion is supported by our finding that SAMHD1 is hyperphosphorylated in monocytoid THP-1 cells under nonrestrictive conditions.


(Short communication)

Introduction Seven K-bentonites were described by Trewin (1968) from the E1—E2b2 Namurian beds of Staffordshire and Derbyshire and correlated with those in the Ashover boreholes (Ramsbottom et al. , 1962). The three K-bentonites recorded here lie above those previously described, the lower two adjacent to the Cravenoceras holmesi faunal band (E2b2), the uppermost one adjacent to the Eumorphoceras rostratum horizon (E2b3). No further bentonites have been detected between the lowest described here and the highest of Trewin (1968).

Stratigraphy and Mineralogy The section in which the three K-bentonites were found is in a tributary of the Oakenclough Brook, Staffordshire (SK 05046368), and is the locality from which Holdsworth (1965) described specimens of Nuculoceras stellarum (Bisat); the measured section is given in Table 1. Almost complete exposure at this locality shows a small thickness of thinly-bedded cherts and cherty shales overlain by the N. stellarum bed and underlain by a horizon of limestone bullions with Cravenoceras holmesi. The fauna of the chert beds is poorly preserved but Eumorphoceras rostratum has been identified, associated with specimens of Cravenoceratoides , probably representing Ct. nititoides.

Mineralogically the three K-bentonites consist of mixed layer mica-montmorillonite with a basal spacing 001/001 ranging from 11.3A to 12.1A for untreated material. The three beds also contain kaolinite and the lowest bed is highly pyritic. All three bentonites are identical in mineralogical composition to those from lower in the succession and behave in the same way with glycolation, K-saturation and heat treatments (see Trewin, 1968, for details and ...


Near wall measurements have been performed in a zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer at low to moderate local Reynolds numbers using Laser-Doppler Anemometry in order to investigate how accurately the wall shear stress can be determined. Also, scaling problems are particularly difficult at low Reynolds numbers since they involve simultaneous influences of both inner and outer scales and this is most clearly observed in the near-wall region. In order to fully describe the zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer at low to moderate local Reynolds numbers it is necessary to accurately measure a number of quantities. These include the mean velocity and Reynolds stresses, and their spatial derivatives all the way down to the wall (y+ ∼1). Integral parameters that need to be measured are the wall shear stress and boundary layer thickness, particularly the momentum thickness. Problems with the measurement of field properties get worse close to a wall, and they get worse for increasing local Reynolds number. Three different approaches to measure the wall shear stress were examined. It was found that small measurement errors in the mean velocity close to the wall significantly reduced the accuracy in determining the wall shear stress by measuring the velocity gradient at the wall. The constant stress layer was found to be affected by the advection terms. However, it was found that taking the small pressure gradient into account and improving on the spatial resolution in the outer part of the boundary layer made the momentum integral method reliable.Copyright © 2002 by ASME


Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been shown to broadly affect access to care, there is little data examining the change in insurance status with regard to nonelective spinal trauma, infection, and tumor patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in insurance status before and after implementation of the ACA in patients who present to the emergency room of a single, level 1 trauma and regional spinal cord injury center. Patient demographic and hospital course information were derived from consult notes and electronic medical record review. Spinal consults between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015, were initially included. Consults between January 1 and December 31, 2014, were subsequently removed to obtain two separate cohorts reflecting one calendar year prior to ("pre-ACA") and following ("post-ACA") the effective date of implementation of the ACA on January 1, 2014. Compared with the pre-ACA cohort, the post-ACA cohort had a significant increase in insurance coverage (95.0% versus 83.9%, P < 0.001). Post-ACA consults had a significantly shorter length of stay compared with pre-ACA consults (7.94 versus 9.19, P < 0.001). A significantly greater percentage of the post-ACA cohort appeared for clinical follow-up subsequent to their initial consultation compared to the pre-ACA cohort (49.5% versus 35.3%, P < 0.001). Spinal consultation after the implementation of the ACA was found to be a significant positive predictor of Medicaid coverage (odds ratio = 1.96 [1.05, 3.82], P = 0.04) and a significant negative predictor of uninsured status (odds ratio = 0.28 [0.16, 0.47], P < 0.001). Increase in overall insurance coverage, increase in patient follow-up after initial consultation, and decrease in hospital length of stay were all noted after the implementation of the ACA for spinal consultation patients presenting to the emergency department.


This paper is concerned with the relationship between material culture and spatiality. Through the example of the ceramics collection in the City Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, England, an analysis is made of the topological character of space that is folded around certain objects on display. Ozzy the Owl, a 17th-century slipware owl jug, who was discovered on BBC TV's Antiques Roadshow in 1990 and subsequently bought by the museum, is seen as an agent that is constituted by the folding together of preface and afterword in the museum display, unsettling its (Euclidian) geometry, (Kantian) aesthetic and discourse of improvement (organized around Wedgwood). Ozzy brings complexity and connection; his contingent location within the museum's heterogeneous material network reveals the functional blankness of objects and the effect this can have in performing new topological arrangements in a space, revealing the friability and partial connectedness of its narrativity.


The administration of growth factors may potentially accelerate recovery during critical illness by reducing body protein catabolism, enhancing wound healing, and improving skeletal muscle function. The purpose of this phase 1 study was to evaluate the safety and initial efficacy of a recombinant growth factor, human growth hormone (GH), combined with nutritional support in a critical care unit. Following an initial control week, 11 individuals received GH (10 mg/day) daily for 1-6 consecutive weeks. Near constant nutrient intake was provided via parenteral and/or enteral feedings throughout the study period. Vital signs and other clinical parameters, blood values, and nutrient excretion were monitored daily. GH administration was not associated with clinically significant adverse effects. During the first 2 weeks of study, nitrogen excretion decreased from 1356 +/- 157 mmol/day (19.0 +/- 2.2 g/day) during control to 899 +/- 107 mmol/day (12.6 +/- 1.4 g/day) with growth hormone (p less than 0.002) in association with markedly reduced urea generation. Significant reductions in potassium excretion (control 100 +/- 11 mmol/day vs 69 +/- 6 with GH; p less than 0.01) and phosphorus excretion (31 +/- 5 mmol/day vs 18 +/- 3; p less than 0.025) also occurred during GH. The protein-conserving effects of GH were sustained during several weeks of treatment. Growth hormone enhanced the efficiency of administered protein and facilitated nitrogen retention without clinically significant adverse effects in this small patient group. Controlled trials are indicated to determine whether use of this anabolic hormone reduces hospitalization time and improves other clinical outcomes in severely injured patients when combined with appropriate nutritional support.


This study describes the cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities of the crude extract of Heliotropium strigosum and its resultant fractions. In brine shrimp toxicology assays, profound cytotoxicity was displayed by ethyl acetate (LD50 8.3 μg/ml) and chloroform (LD50 8.8 μg/ml) fractions, followed by relatively weak crude methanolic extract of H. strigosum (LD50 909 μg/ml) and n-hexane fraction (LD50 1000 μg/ml). In case of phytotoxicity activity against Lemna acquinoctialis, highest phytotoxic effect was showed by ethyl acetate fraction (LD50 91.0 μg/ml), while chloroform fraction, plant crude extract and n-hexane, respectively, caused 50%, 30.76 ± 1.1% and 30.7 ± 1.1% inhibitory action at maximum concentration used, that is, 1000 μg/ml. These data indicates that H. strigosum exhibits cytotoxic and phytotoxic potential, which explore its use as anticancer and herbicidal medicine. The ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions were more potent for the evaluated toxicity effects, thus recommended for isolation and identification of the active compounds.


This paper presents a method to automatically detect atrial fibrillation (AF) based on the scatter plot of R-R interval signal. R-R intervals of AF are absolutely irregular, which are different from those of normal ECG. Scatter plot of R-R interval signal is illustrated here and characteristic indexes are extracted from the plot, i.e. VAI, VLI, SD1, and SD2. Algorithm test using AF Termination Challenge Database and clinical ECG data shows that these four indexes have high sensitivity and specificity to classify AF from normal ECG. Then a conjoint analysis method to combine these four indexes is proposed to detect AF with more high sensitivity and specificity.


Suppose that there are n jobs and n machines and it costs c/sub ij/ to execute job i on machine j. The assignment problem concerns the determination of a one-to-one assignment of jobs onto machines so as to minimize the cost of executing all the jobs. The average case analysis of the classical random assignment problem has received a lot of interest in the recent literature, mainly due to the following pleasing conjecture of Parisi: The average value of the minimum-cost permutation in an n /spl times/ n matrix with i.i.d. exp(1) entries equals /spl Sigma//sub i=1//sup n/ 1/(i/sup 2/). D. Coppersmith and G. Sorkin (1999) have generalized Parisi's conjecture to the average value of the smallest k-assignment when there are n jobs and m machines. We prove both conjectures based on a common set of combinatorial and probabilistic arguments.


Diabetic nephropathy is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease. Apoptosis of tubule epithelial cells is a major feature of diabetic nephropathy. The mechanisms of high glucose (HG) induced apoptosis are not fully understood. Here we demonstrated that, HG induced apoptosis via upregulating the expression of proapoptotic Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3)-only protein Bim protein, but not bring a significant change in the baseline level of autophagy in HK2 cells. The increase of Bim expression was caused by the ugregulation of transcription factors, FOXO1 and FOXO3a. Bim expression initiates BAX/BAK-mediated mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Silence of Bim by siRNA in HK2 cells prevented HG-induced apoptosis and also sensitized HK2 cells to autophagy during HG treatment. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA increased the injury in Bim knockdown HK2 cells by retriggering apoptosis. The above results suggest a Bim-independent apoptosis pathway in HK2 cells, which normally could be inhibited by autophagy. Overall, our results indicate that HG induces apoptosis via up-regulation of Bim expression in proximal tubule epithelial cells.


Amid a resurgence of domestic craft, this article contends that everyday creative practices of women are part of placemaking processes in the creative city. Specifically, the research focuses on Liverpool in the Northwest of England, the so-called (and self-proclaimed) 'centre of the creative universe'. This article utilized in-depth semi-structured interviews with members of knitting groups and the city centre Women's Institute to explore how women use craft practice to create a sense of self and attachment to place. The idea of women gathering to craft is enduring, and is examined here to understand affective labour and the role that creativity plays in the urban experience of women. It is argued that the groups demonstrate a lack of engagement with the wider market and official placemaking processes, but instead demonstrate an element of self-valorization. The article challenges thinking around culture-led placemaking in cities like Liverpool, where discourses of creativity have been used as a driver for regeneration by shifting the emphasis onto seemingly banal settings on the edges of the so-called creative city. While urban placemakers have been more recently concerned with developing hubs of creative industries, the role of these groups that are not producing a profitable 'product' should not be underestimated or exploited.


We read with great interest the article by Kohno et at published in the December, 1992, issue of Chest concerning the comparison of ofloxacin and ethambutol in the treatment of pulmonary beos' We wish to supplement and reiterate on several issues concerning the potential role of ofloxacin for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. As referenced by the authors, ofloxacin has distinct activity against intracellular Mycobacterlum tuberculosis.2 It is also well known that ofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolones are well concentrated within alveolar macrophages.' Thus it is likely that ofloxacin like pyrazinamide has sterilizing capacity, which is a drug characteristic that contributes to the success of short-course chemotherapy. Indeed, this issue has been explored in another study, though comparing ciprofloxacin (rather than ofloxacin) with pyrazmnamide.4 In that study, all patients received 6 months of daily rifampicin and isoniazid with either 2 months of ethambutol and pyrazinamide or 4 months of ciprofloxacin. There has been a rapid fall in culture positivity in the standard regimen group and a more gentle decline in the ciprofloxacin group. However, this does not reach statistical significance. The other aspects that warrant investigation are the early bactericidal effects and the prevention of emergence of resistance.4 Concerning adverse reactions, from the finding of Kohno and coauthors, it does seem that ofloxacin is as well tolerated as ethambutol with particular reference to the liver. We have lately reported the relatively good tolerance of ofloxacin in 29 patients with hepatic dysfunction and pulmonary tuberculosis.' This property might be unique to ofloxacin because it is normally handled almost exclusively by renal clearance though changes secondary to hepatic dysfunction have not been completely unraveled.6 We also concur with Kohno and ca-authors that ofloxacin might have a place in the treatment of multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition to our earlier report,7 we have treated another 12 patients with bacilli resistant to at least streptomycin, isoniazid, and rifampicin In vitro with ofloxacin. Two patients received 400 mg ofloxacin once daily. Ten patients received 600 mg to 800 mg ofloxacin once daily. Other accompanying drugs used include kanamycin, ethionamide, cycloserine, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide depending on guidance provided by in vitro susceptibilities. All 12 patients achieved culture conversion within 4 months of commencement of chemotherapy.


Beef cattle farming has become a vital sub-sector in the agriculture industry in supplying protein for the populations. The self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) of beef is not encouraging, and the import value is kept increasing for many years. Meanwhile, innovation adoption in beef cattle farming is believed to improve beef production if used correctly. However, inefficient financial management has led to improper farming practices. This study aims to identify the farm financial difference in adopting such innovations. This study involves 233 beef cattle farmers from Johor, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan using stratified and simple random sampling. It is found that integration and silage show more significant profit changes with more than 60%, while artificial insemination and vaccination show 33% and 42% profit changes, respectively. Hence, regular meetings conducted by the extension agents are essential to ensure that adopting innovation is successful besides good cooperation among all stakeholders, including the farmers, government agencies, farmers' associations and private sectors.


Background: Growth hormone (GH), Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and exercise play a crucial role in female reproductive function. At the perimenopausal age, there is a decrease in GH, estrogen, and testosterone levels. In previous studies, the impact of physical activity on serum IGF-1 levels in geriatric was inconsistent and needed further investigation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to look into the effect of GH and exercise on serum IGF-1 levels in perimenopausal Wistar rats. Methods: It is an experimental study with a randomized posttest-only control group design using 24 perimenopausal Wistar rats aged 14 months as the sample. The control rats (C) were given 0.1 ml of distilled water subcutaneously every day for 30 days. Treatment group 1 (T1) rats swam for 30 minutes at a time five times per week. Meanwhile, rats of T2 were given 0.016 IU/0.1ml GH daily injection subcutaneously only for 30 days and T3 were given combination both of GH injection in same dose and swam for 30 minutes at a time 5 times a week for 30 days Data analysis used One-Way ANOVA.Results: The finding revealed that the mean serum IGF-1 levels in the T3 (588.50 84.04 ng/mL) were significantly higher than the control (242.03 ± 46.08 ng/mL), T1 (334.23 ± 75.90 ng/mL) and T2 (428.69 ± 95.10 ng/mL). Conclusion: Our study shows that GH administration and exercise combination increases levels of IGF-1 serum higher than only administrated GH or exercise.


The influence of electron–phonon (EP) scattering on spin polarization of current output from a mesoscopic ring with Rashba spin–orbit (SO) interaction is numerically investigated. There are three leads connecting to the ring at different positions; unpolarized current is injected to one of them, and the other two are output channels with different bias voltages. The spin polarization of current in the outgoing leads shows oscillations as a function of EP coupling strength owing to the quantum interference of EP states in the ring region. As temperature increases, the oscillations are evidently suppressed, implying decoherence of the EP states. The simulation shows that the magnitude of polarized current is sensitive to the location of the lead. The polarized current depends on the connecting position of the lead in a complicated way due to the spin-sensitive quantum interference effects caused by different phases accumulated by transmitting electrons with opposite spin states along different paths.


Hungarian is widely considered as a language without any productive morphological passive, while some linguists insist on the idea of a Hungarian analytical stative passive. This paper examines the use of genuine morphosyntactic word formation means and alternatives which express passive contents, focusing mainly on the clause level. According to the mainstream definition of passive in cognitive linguistics, passive is defined as a reversal of the focal participants (trajector and landmark). After an overview of the most important functions of the usage of passive, the paper discusses Hungarian means of expression for passive content andpassive-equivalents known and described in the Hungarian literature.
The theoretical part is followed by the presentation of an empirical survey concerning the means of expression of passive in Hungarian. The first analysis investigates the constructions expressing passive contents in a corpus consisting of scientific texts in an explorative way. Afterwards, the investigation of the dia-chronic development of the construction Verb + -va/-ve + lenni/van in several corpora is presented, providing evidence that this construction is more and more productive in the sense of a stative passive. Finally, an analysis of derivations with the inherently middle suffix -ódik/-ődik shows that the use of this construction as a means of expression for passive contents is (still) quite restricted.


One's name is an inalienable part of one's identity; it is the essence of self and it is a means by which one is known to one's fellows. An assault on one's name is treated as comparable with, or even worse than, an assault on one's body. So names are tabooed in many communities. Calling a name risks malevolence falling on the name-bearer and the caller. Proper names are chosen with care and many communities have constraints on giving names, such that they render the individual identifiable with the community. Consequently, a person is stigmatized by their name, a fact that has both positive and negative consequences. We discuss styles of naming and addressing as they are affected by the speaker's attitude and by the perceived role and status, within the context of the talk exchange, of the speaker and the person addressed or named. Inappropriate naming, name-calling and addressing is subject to censoring and censorship. Why names are tabooed Personal names are (or have been) taboo among some peoples on all the inhabited continents, and on many of the islands between them. The taboo on names is a fear-based taboo. In the same way that malevolent magic can be wrought with one's person, bodily effluvia or shadow, so can it be wrought when another person is in possession of one's true name. 'The name of a person … is associated with the "essence" ( to ʔofungana ) of that person.


Congress is renewing its interest in facilitating the immigration of foreign professional workers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields. The STEM workforce is seen by many as a catalyst of U.S. global economic competitiveness and is likewise considered a key element of the legislative options aimed at stimulating economic growth. "STEM visa" is a shorthand for an expedited immigration avenue that enables foreign nationals with graduate degrees in STEM fields to adjust their immigration status to legal permanent residence (LPR) without waiting in the queue of numerically-limited LPR visas.


A temperature insensitive refractive index sensor with a core-offset polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber interferometer (PMPCF) interferometer is demonstrated. The cladding modes can be effectively excited by core-offsetting one splice joint between the single mode fiber (SMF) and PMPCF in a SMF-PMPCF-SMF structure. When the cladding modes propagate to the other splice joint of the interferometer, an inter-modal interference between the excited cladding modes and the core modes can be constructed. As ambient refractive index changes, the transmission spectrum will experience corresponding wavelength shift. Experimental results show that a wavelength shift of 42.824nm is observed when the RI changes from 1.36 to 1.428. The sensor exhibits the advantages of simple structure, small size, high sensitivity, and temperature insensitiveness.


The effects of premixedness degrees on combustion instabilities of separated stratified swirling flames have been investigated experimentally in the Beihang Axial Swirler Independently-Stratified (BASIS) burner. The degree of premixedness is modulated by the fuel split between two injection positions in the outer stream. In the spectra of pressure oscillations, both the dominant frequency and amplitude of partially premixed flames are positively correlated with fuel split ratios. The partially premixed flame is found to feature a large-scale periodic convective motion based on CH* chemiluminescence images, which have been analyzed under different fuel split ratios by a point-to-point Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method. The development of above convective motion is explained by combining the variation of pressure and heat release in the oscillation period. Local Rayleigh index maps show that the driving factor of combustion instability for the partially premixed flame mainly comes from the upstream of the combustor. Finally, thermoacoustic network analysis is applied to predict observed frequencies under both perfectly and partially premixed conditions. The supposed additional convective time due to equivalence ratio fluctuations and the elongated flame region for the partially premixed flame is validated by its longer time delay in the sensitivity analysis of the n-τ flame model.


A secondary aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is a direct communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the aorta in a patient who has undergone major surgery on the aorta, often an aorta graft operation. We experienced a patient who had undergone graft interposition for abdominal aortic aneurysm and was admitted due to three episodes of hematemesis and following hamatochezia. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and radioactive iodine scan failed to identify the bleeding site in the patient. He was diagnosed with AEF by double balloon enteroscopy and recovered after surgical intervention.


The AML1/CBFbeta transcriptional complex is essential for the formation of definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Moreover, development of the hematopoietic system is exquisitely sensitive to the level of this complex. To investigate the effect of AML1 dosage on adult hematopoiesis, we compared the hematopoietic systems of AML1+/- and AML1+/+ mice. Surprisingly, loss of a single AML1 allele resulted in a 50% reduction in long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (LTR-HSCs). This decrease did not, however, extend to the next level of hematopoietic differentiation. Instead, AML1+/- mice had an increase in multilineage progenitors, an expansion that resulted in enhanced engraftment following transplantation. The expanded pool of AML1+/- progenitors remained responsive to homeostatic mechanisms and thus the number of mature cells in most lineages remained within normal limits. Two notable exceptions were a decrease in CD4(+) T cells, leading to an inversion of the CD4(+) to CD8(+) T-cell ratio and a decrease in circulating platelets. These data demonstrate a dosage-dependent role for AML1/CBFbeta in regulating the quantity of HSCs and their downstream committed progenitors, as well as a more restricted role in T cells and platelets. The latter defect mimics one of the key abnormalities in human patients with the familial platelet disorder resulting from AML1 haploinsufficiency.


DR Delbanco: Mrs X is a 36-year-old left-handed woman recuperating from left hemiparesis that occurred in late December 1996. Married and the mother of 4 children, Mrs X has a large, caring extended family. Prior to the stroke, she worked in a warehouse in a job requiring physical labor. She is enrolled in a commercial managed care program. At the time of her stroke, she did not have a primary physician. Prior to her stroke, the patient had been in good health. She has never smoked and had 4 uneventful pregnancies and deliveries. There was no prior history of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, rheumatic fever, or known rheumatic heart disease. There was no family history of vascular disease or stroke. The week before the stroke, Mrs X had symptoms of a mild upper respiratory tract infection. While shopping, she suddenly slumped to the ground, unable to move her left side. At a


This paper presents an experimental evaluation of bit-error-rate (BER) performances for adaptive training algorithms and obtaining matched filter bound in real-time WiMax (3.5 GHz) radio channels. Without involving with any modified or improved versions, two conventional adaptive equalizer training methods, the least mean squares (LMS) and recursive least squares (RLS), are implemented in a C code running over sampled received sequence and their performances are compared in different modulation techniques before and after coding. In experimental trails the obtained channel impulse responses were generally non-minimum phase and the obtained BER performance of receiver using LMS training has been quite close to whom using RLS particularly after coding, in real-time channel conditions.


Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) is a rare genetic disorder induced by deficiency in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), an enzyme of the purine salvage pathway. This leads in early age to hyperuricemia and severe neurobehavioral disturbances, including dystonia, spasticity and compulsive self-injury. To date, no treatment is available for these neurological symptoms and no animal model recapitulates all the defects observed in LND patients. Here we studied LND-related mechanisms in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We confirmed that no HGPRT activity is expressed in this organism, where the only purine-recycling enzyme is adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (Aprt). This enzyme is also present in humans but its deficiency does not trigger neurological defects. In contrast, we observed that Drosophila Aprt mutants showed both metabolic and neurobehavioral disturbances, including increased uric acid levels, locomotor reactivity impairments, sleep alterations, seizure-like behavior, reduced lifespan, and reduction of adenosine signaling and content. Locomotor defects could be rescued by neuronal Aprt re-expression in mutant context and reproduced by knocking down Aprt selectively in the protocerebral anterior medial (PAM) clusters of dopaminergic neurons, the mushroom bodies and glia subsets. Ingestion of allopurinol normalized uric acid levels in Aprt mutants but not their neurological defects, as is the case in LND patients, whereas feeding adenosine or N6-methyladenosine during development fully rescued the epileptic behavior. Intriguingly, pan-neuronal expression of an LND-associated mutant form of human HGPRT (I42T), but not the wild-type enzyme, resulted in early locomotor defects and seizure in flies, similar to Aprt deficiency. Overall, this shows that Drosophila can be used as a new model in different ways to better understand LND and seek a cure for this dramatic disease.


In lung cancer patients tumor markers are used for disease monitoring. The goal of this study was to improve diagnostic efficiency in the detection of tumor progression in lung cancer patients by using fuzzy logic modeling in combination with a tumor marker panel (Tumor M2-PK, CYFRA 21-1, CEA, NSE and SCC). Thirty-three small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and 69 consecutive inoperable patients (40 squamous and 29 adenocarcinomas) were included in a prospective study. The changes of blood levels of tumor markers as well as their analysis by fuzzy logic modelling were compared to the clinical evaluation of response vs. non-response to therapy. Clinical monitoring was evaluated according to the standard criteria of the WHO. Tumor M2-PK was measured in plasma with an ELISA (ScheBo Biotech, Germany) and all other markers in sera (Roche, Germany). At a 90% specificity, the respective best single marker found the following fraction of all patients who had tumor progression clinically detected: in SCLC with NSE 52%, in adenocarcinoma with CYFRA 21-1 89% and in squamous carcinoma with SCC 65%. A fuzzy logic rule-based system employing a tumor marker panel increased the sensitivity in small cell carcinomas to 73% with the marker combination NSE/CEA and to 63% with the marker combination NSE/Tumor M2-PK, respectively. In squamous carcinomas an improvement of sensitivity is also observed using the marker combination of SCC/Tumor M2-PK (Sensitivity: 81%) or SCC/CEA (Sensitivity: 71%). By using the fuzzy logic method and the marker combination CYFRA 21-1/CEA as well as CYFRA 21-1/Tumor M2-PK, the detection of lung cancer progression was possible in all adenocarcinomas. With the fuzzy logic method and a tumor marker panel (including the new marker Tumor M2-PK), a useful diagnostic tool for the detection of progression in lung cancer patients is available.


The synthesis of ultrafine gold nanoparticles in presence of maltose-modified hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimines) (PEI) is described. The polymer acted as both a reducing and stabilising agent in the particle formation process. The nanoparticles were characterized by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The mechanism of nanoparticle formation can be described in two steps. The reduction process of the Au3+ ions located in the inner coil region of the hyperbranched PEI led to the formation of a compact gold core, and is accompanied by a collapse of the polymer coil. Therefore, in the subsequent reduction process a gold-polymer hybrid shell is formed. By using the PEI of higher molar mass, core-shell gold nanoparticles of about 3.6 nm size with a more narrow size distribution and special fluorescence behavior could be synthesized.


Beginning with Darwin's theory of sexual selection, evolutionary psychology has been dominated by the view that women are the "choosy sex" and, through intrasexual competition, males the "aggressive sex". This view was supported by seminal works (e.g. Buss et al., 1990; Clark & Hatfield, 1989), which formed the basis of a considerable body of work. Moreover, they lent credence to the popular view that women are less interested in the sexual side of human relationships, instead being focused on protection and stability. Combined with the notion that males are the dominant/aggressive sex, the literature has therefore insufficiently examined female aggression. When female aggression does occur, it is often viewed as a retaliation against male aggression (i.e. self-defence), rather than an as active strategy used by a small, but not insignificant proportion of women. The focus on male aggression and female self-defence not only deprives women of agency, it also means that their victims are not taken as seriously, and rehabilitation programmes for female offenders are scarce. This paper will discuss evidence that women act aggressively, focusing on why and when women engage in sexual harassment and domestic abuse. It will seek to establish the underlying mechanisms for such strategies (e.g. the personality traits associated with increased aggression in women), which future research should explore. Moreover, because, historically, the evolutionary literature has taken a heteronormative approach, female aggression will be examined in the context of diverse human relationships.

Keywords: Evolution, Women, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Harassment


PURPOSE
To illuminate user experiences of schizophrenia, reasons for receiving antipsychotic medication, and encounters with mental health services.

DESIGN AND METHODS
24 semistructured qualitative research interviews with schizophrenia patients treated with 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate across Scandinavia were synthesized in qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS
Participants describe considerable challenges in everyday functioning. Simultaneously, they rate their current mental and physical well-being high and seem satisfied with their lives. These pathways indicate personal recovery.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
The participants emphasize the importance of trustful relations with healthcare professionals, therapeutic conversations, antipsychotic medication in a 3-monthly formulation, and support from relatives.


Sinomenium acutum is widely used in East and South Asia for the treatment of many diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The chemical research on Sinomenium acutum led to the isolation of a new alkaloid compound (1). On the basis of chemical evidences and spectral analysis, 1 was identified as N-(1, 7-dimethoxylphenanthren-2-yl)acetamide.


This study investigated influence of principals" leadership styles on students" academic achievement in secondary schools. Descriptive survey design research was employed in the analysis. A simple random sampling technique was used to select twenty secondary schools in Osun state fifty school principals from the randomly selected schools formed the participants for the study. Three research questions were generated and tested at 0.05 significant levels. Data for the study were collected using a self developed questionnaire on Influence of Principals" Leadership Styles on Students Academic Achievement (IPLSAA) and data generated was analysed using Pearson chi-square statistical analysis. The findings of the study revealed that autocratic leadership style had a negative influence on students" academic achievement, while democratic leadership styles however had a positive influence on students" academic achievement. Laissez-faire leadership style had no significant influence on student academic achievement. Based on the findings of the study the following recommendations were made: that the teaching service commission in collaboration with state ministry of Education should be organizing seminars and workshops for school Principals on effective style for school management.


The present study aimed the evaluation of allelopathic effect of hydroalcoholic extract from the roots of Mikania scandens (L.) Willd. (Asteraceae); against the germination and radicle growth of Cicer arietinum and Triticum aestivum seeds. The extract at different concentrations was incubated in controlled conditions with the surface sterilized seeds of C. arietinum and T. aestivum and observed periodically for seed germination and radicle growth to assess the allelopathic behaviour. The extract mainly at higher concentrations demonstrated promising allelopathic potential by significantly affecting seed germination and radicle elongation of both C. arietinum and T. aestivum in a concentration dependent manner. C. arietinum was found to be more sensitive than T. aestivum. The present study demonstrated remarkable allelopathic potential of M. scandens root against the test seeds. The effect was plausibly due to the alkaloids and polyphenols present in the root of M. scandens.


We demonstrate for the first time a relatively simple fibre laser system with a passively Q-switched master oscillator and a polarised output pulse energy of up to 110 μJ at 1080 nm. The system is pumped by a single 12-W multimode cw source at 980 nm. Depending on the pump power, the pulse duration varies from 280 ns to 1.8 μs and the pulse repetition rate, from 45 to 140 kHz. The maximum average output power is 5 W. The system has been tested for its performance in metal and glass processing.


Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have developed rapidly in the last decades due to their potential for providing cost-efficient, low-energy consumption, and environmentally friendly renewable energy sources. Some research reports have focused on the device physics of organic photovoltaics that governs open circuit voltage (Voc) and short circuit current (Jsc) to improve their performance. In this review, we focus on the third parameter, fill factor (FF), that is equally important in determining the power conversion efficiency. We discuss the mathematical calculation of the FF and the relationship between the FF and equivalent circuit model elements, namely, shunt resistance, series resistance, and diode ideal factor. In order to provide a strategy toward a high FF for OPVs from the viewpoints of device design and material synthesis, we review important device features and BHJ features that have a large impact on the device FF, including preventing shorting, buffer layer design, domain size or purity, gradated BHJ structures, π–π stacking distance or direction, etc. We hope this article can provide a comprehensive insight into elements controlling the FF of OPVs and give a valuable direction for better device and material design.


A legal counsel has been given by a body of fit scientists in the preceding era of tradition to prohibit the assiduity for those who are capable of it, and to obstruct the topic, and this is what augmented in its devoting at the emphasis at the conditions of assiduity after the fourth hegira century; until this statement of obstructing the topic of assiduity led to a lot of damages, of which the least of importance are: lagging behind from it, interruption of the natural abilities and the knacks that are capable of it, after the inclusion of the imperfection upon the body of Islamic law (Shari'a) by then hampering the pillar of assiduity in which the knowledge of the new development governance is to be found, and upon its brain trust the path would be available for the endurance of its perfection and validity for every period of time and place. Upon this statement of obstructing the topic of assiduity, it encountered the senior and contemporary scientists who denied it and saved it, and revealed to people its incorrectness, which was mentioned in this brief research -subsequently- to confirm it after scrutinizing it, with the result of the right evidentiary fact according to what is true of these two statement which is more meritorious with the correctness than others.


Problem: A Polish company produces heaters wants to enter the Swedish market. The decision maker needs information about the Swedish market both the general information about Sweden and specific information about the Swedish heater market. And some specific questions are asked by the firm in order to get a deeper view of the present heater market in Sweden. Purpose: If Swedish market 'right' (a farsighted choice)? Suppose the answer is 'yes', then how to enter and operate on the Swedish market within the environmental context of Sweden and the present Swedish heater market? Then suppose the answer is 'no', should the Polish firm leave or fix the problems? To achieve the goal, information of environmental context (ecological, sociocultural, technological, economic, political/legal and competitive) about Sweden should be collected. And according to the firm's specific questions, answers should be collected by means of exploratory research. Suggestions about entering steps and future operation are to be fulfilled. Method: Qualitative Research Results: In all, this thesis provides information to evaluate the chances and challenges, and proves Sweden is a 'right' choice -- the firm can win market share (reasons will be stated in following chapters) despite of the competition from present competitors. Further applications of entering and operating on the Swedish heater market are available. General information about Sweden combined with detailed information of the present heater market were collected, analyzed and discussed. The presentation of the information helps evaluate the attractiveness of the Swedish market. Further study applies procedures of entering Sweden and operation after entering, which will be of vital importance for competing on the Swedish heater market when the decision maker determines to choose Sweden.


Liberal multiculturalist theories argue for adopting group-specific policies as a means of securing properly liberal ends. Religious groups rarely, if ever, qualify on these accounts. This article suggests that such exclusion is unwarranted in the case of confessional religious schooling, which is meant to inculcate in students a specific set of religious beliefs and behaviors.


Polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs) have been measured in the infrared for the first time by the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE). PMC extinctions retrieved from measurements at eight wavelengths show remarkable agreement with model spectra based on ice particle extinction. The infrared spectrum of ice has a unique signature, and the HALOE‐model agreement thus provides the first physical confirmation that water ice is the primary component of PMCs. PMC particle effective radii were estimated from the HALOE extinctions based on a first order fit of model extinctions.


The current article tries to interpret the deep doctrinal meanings derived from the visual and textual metaphors related to the ray of light, the Sun, and other light elements. underlying the symbol of the beam of light depicted in the images of the Annunciation of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. To undertake this goal, we will follow two methodological strategies based on comparative analysis. Firstly, we will analyze some texts through which many Greek-Eastern Church Fathers interpret several biblical terms, such as Sol iustitiae, lux mundi, and other similar expressions as metaphors that symbolize God the Son incarnate. Secondly, we will analyze eight images of the Annunciation from the 14th and 15th centuries that include a ray of light emitted by God the Father towards the Virgin Mary. From the comparative analyzes between both sets, texts and images, we will conclude that this ray of light represented in such Annunciations is a visual metaphor that illustrates the textual metaphors deciphered by the Greek-Eastern Fathers from the Biblical expressions mentioned, as a symbol of Christ, "Sun of Justice" and" light of the world", which is incarnated to redeem Humanity from the darkness of error and sin.


Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary fibrosis are major causes of morbidity and death in systemic sclerosis. Recent progresses have been achieved in the treatment of PAH with the development of therapies targeting dysfunctional endothelial cells (prostacyclin derivatives, endothelin receptor antagonists and type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors). These approaches have led to the approval of several agents worldwide, an outstanding result for a rare and devastating condition. However PAH remains a devastating disease in the modern management era and PAH drugs are less efficacious in the setting of systemic sclerosis. There is thus a need for novel therapies targeting new pathways. Pulmonary vascular remodeling and growth factors including Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) are believed to play a significant role in PAH. Pioneer authors have attempted to treat experimental and human pulmonary hypertension with nonselective inhibitors of the PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase such as imatinib, which also inhibits abl and kit (thus improving outcomes in chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumours). This novel approach was efficacious in animal models, and interesting results were reported in rare case reports of either compassionate off label use of the drug or treatment of PAH patients with comorbid chronic myelogenous leukemia. Enthusiasm was tapered by the publication of the phase II and phase III studies showing that imatinib is poorly tolerated in some patients and that it improves cardiac output and walk distance at the expense of increased morbidity. Are we witnessing the twilight of kinase inhibitors in the treatment of PAH? Only time will tell. There is little doubt, however, that overall risks conferred with most, if not all, kinase inhibitors (imatinib, nilotinib, sorafenib, sunitinib, etc…) that have recently been proposed as treatments for PAH outweigh any potential benefits. Yet there is a signal of a potential hemodynamic effect from this therapeutic class that should be further evaluated. In addition, a better description of the pathobiology of pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH ought to help with the designing of new drugs exclusively blocking PAH-specific pathways. A better understanding of the pathways involved in the efficacy and safety aspects of imatinib will be paramount in order to design more targeted and better tolerated agents in the field of personalized PAH medicine. Until then, healthcare professionals should be discouraged to offer compassionate imatinib therapy to PAH patients. Disclosure of Interest M. Humbert Consultant for: Actelion, Aires, Bayer, BMS, GSK, Novartis, and Pfizer


High resolution T2-weighted dark blood (HR-T2W-DB) imaging is not always robust for clinical use because of low SNR and long scan time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel deep learning (DL) based reconstruction method in T2W-DB sequence that achieves higher spatial resolution and same scan duration compared with traditional reconstruction method. Quantitative and qualitative image assessment demonstrated that DL based HR-T2W-DB sequence showed better CNR in region of edema and LV free wall visibility, which might help detecting myocardial edema.


With increasing usage of thrombolysis in the treatment of acute ischemic strokes within 4.5- hour window, it is becoming more important to recognize stroke mimics. Though the incidence of stroke mimics being thrombolysed is less than 3%, it is essential to diagnose them so as to avoid wrong thrombolytic treatment which carries potential complications of bleeding. We describe the case of a 17 year old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who developed stroke like episodes on two consecutive challenges with a chemotherapeutic regime which included intravenous and intrathecal methotrexate. She had MRI changes consistent with acute ischemic stroke on both occasions. Her deficits recovered completely and spontaneously, as did the MRI changes. She did not have any further episodes when methotrexate was excluded from the chemotherapeutic regime.


Nuclei of Cygnus A type radio sources are characterized by relativistic ejections. Observations of two-sided VLBI jets allow the determination of the cosmological parameters. If the bulk Lorentz factor is >or=3 and the ratio of the apparent velocities of the two opposite jets is <or=2, the mean of their velocities is approximately=c within 6%. From existing data, the authors obtain H0 approximately=100 km s-1 Mpc-1 and q0<or=1. If the age of the globular clusters is tau approximately=15 Gyr, the cosmological constant Lambda 0 cannot be equal to 0.


Background: Lung cancer is a major global threat to public health for which a novel prognostic nomogram is urgently needed.Patients and methods: Here, we designed a novel prognostic nomogram using a training dataset consisting of 178 pulmonary nodules for design and 124nodules for external validation. The R 'caret' package was used to separate patients for design into two groups, including a training cohort (n=126) for model construction and an internal validation cohort (n=52). Optimal feature selection for this model was achieved using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) model. C-index values, calibration plots, and decision curve analyses were used to gauge the discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility, respectively, of this predictive model. Validation was then performed with the validation cohort.Results: A predictive nomogram was successfully constructed incorporating hypertension status, plasma fibrinogen levels, serum uric acid (SUA) levels, triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, density, spicule sign, ground-glass opacity (GGO), and pulmonary nodule size. This model exhibited good discriminative ability, with a C-index value of 0.795 (95% CI: 0.720–0.870), and was well-calibrated. When we used the validation cohort to evaluate the model, the C-indexes were 0.886 (95% CI: 0.800–0.972) and 0.817 (95% CI: 0.747–0.897) for internal validation and external validation, respectively. Decision curve analyses indicated the clinical value of this predictive nomogram when used at a lung cancer possibility threshold of 9%.Conclusion: The nomogram constructed in this study, which incorporates hypertension status, plasma fibrinogen levels, SUA, TG, HDL, density, spicule sign, GGO status, and pulmonary nodule size was able to reliably predict lung cancer risk in this Chinese cohort of patients presenting with pulmonary nodules.


"Diversity Management in Spain: New Dimensions, New Challenges." Ricard Zapata-Barrero. Manchester University Press. July 2013. --- In Diversity Management in Spain, Ricard Zapata-Barrero argues that Spain represents a context of "multiple diversity", where two frameworks interact: an old, unresolved one, arising from democratic transition, and a new one due to immigration in the twenty-first century. This book reminds us that historical languages and identities also need to be addressed in debates about integration and diversity management, writes Verena Wisthaler.


Novel observations of surface grain-size distributions are used in combination with intra-wave modeling to examine the processes responsible for the sorting of sediment grains on a relatively steep beach (slope?=?1:7.5). The field observations of the mean grain size collected with a digital camera system at consecutive low and high tides for a 2 week period show significant temporal and spatial variation. This variation is reproduced by the modeling approach when the surf zone flow-circulation is relatively weak, showing coarse grain sizes at the location of the shore break and finer sediment onshore and offshore of the shore break. The model results suggest that grain size sorting is dominated by the wave-breaking-related suspended sediment transport which removes finer sediment from the shore break and transports it both on-shore and offshore. The transport capacity of wave-breaking-related suspended sediment is controlled by the sediment response time scale in the advection-diffusion equation, where small (large) values promote onshore (offshore) transport. Comparisons with the observed beach profile evolution suggest a relatively short time scale for the suspended sediment response which could be explained by the vigorous breaking of the waves at the shore break.


*Corresponding author: Kumarss Amini Email: email@example.com Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a common cause of nosocomial infections, has an intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics. Among all the multidrug efflux pumps involved in P. aeruginosa drug resistance, MexAB-OprM is the first efflux pump detected to target different classes of antibiotics. The present study aimed to determine the antibacterial effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and probiotic bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) on MexA gene expression, as an important component of the MexAB-OprM multidrug efflux system, in P. aeruginosa isolates of the patients referred to major hospitals in Tehran, between 2018-2017. Materials and Methods: In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 60 isolates of P. aeruginosa were isolated from patients admitted to major hospitals of Tehran, Iran. After bacterial identification via biochemical tests, all strains were evaluated for the presence of MexA of MexAB-OprM multidrug efflux pump in P. aeruginosa using PCR method. After treatment, broth microdilution method and Real-time PCR were used to assess the antimicrobial activity of IONPs and probiotic BB and the gene expression level of MexA component, respectively. Changes in MexA gene expression were analyzed using the -2 ΔΔCT method and independent t-test. Results: In the present study, 10 isolates (%16.6) of P. aeruginosa harbored MexA gene. The result of MIC testing and gene expression assay showed that IONPs and probiotic BB did not exhibit any inhibitory activity against clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and no change was observed in MexA gene expression. Conclusion: Considering the chromosomally encoded MexA, it can be used as markers for identification of drug resistance of P. aeruginosa as essential elements of an effective infection control program. In the view of the inhibitory activity of IONPs and probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidium on bacterial growth and the low inhibitory effect of the elements on activity of the MexAb-OprM efflux pump, the study of other contributing factors for the development of multi-drug resistance phenotype, including various other efflux pumps and mechanisms influencing maintenance of resistance should not be ignored.


D. V. is a full black, a laborer by occupation, 30 years of age. His family history has no bearing on the case. Previous to April last he had had no disease of any importance save an attack of dysentery six years ago. He has used alcoholics, but not in excess. In April, 1899, he began suffering from chills and fever of an irregular type, for which he took calomel and quinin without effect; his bowels were constipated at this time. On July 6, the man was admitted to the hospital, under the care of Dr. Jules Lazard. There was high temperature, with enlarged and tender liver. Exploration in the mammary and in the mid-axillary line brought out blood only. Blood examinations made by the pathologist of the hospital, Dr. O. L. Pothier, excluded malaria and typhoid fever. Examination of the lungs by Dr. Lazard revealed dulness, bronchial breathing, moist


Aim. To study the possibilities of early diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) using biostarers: cystatin C, nephrine and lipocalin-2.
Materials and methods. he study included 84 patients who received PCI for the first time. Before the PCI, the risk of CIN on the R. Mehran scale was assessed, and also modern biomarkers of renal damage were determined before and after the procedure for 3 days. All patients were divided into two groups: 1). patients with type 2 DM (n = 44 people); 2) patients without DM (n = 40 people). By sex, age, the duration of the disease group were comparable.
Results. The parameters of the functional state of the kidney before and after PCI in patients with type 2 DM, taking into account the criteria of KDIGO (2012) and elevated levels of modern biomarkers, indicated the development of CIN. In the control group, this was observed in 35 of 40 (87.5%) patients. In both groups, there was an increase in serum creatinine levels of blood, urea, new biomarkers, and a decrease in GFR after administration of contrast agents. Normalization of only urea and blood creatinine against the background of adequate hydration was detected on day 2-3 after contrasting procedures. The GFR remained still reduced despite ongoing therapy.
Conclusions. Cystatin C, nephrin, lipocalin 2 have high sensitivity and specificity. The determination within 3 days of these biomarkers allows us to objectively judge the dynamics of contrast-induced nephropathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus in surgical interventions on the coronary arteries with the introduction of contrast and the effectiveness of protective measures.


This writing explored about the poverty. In Islamic perspective, the poverty is resulted from; natural disaster, structured system, human and nature exploitation, political and economic system. The poverty is a real picture of social life, both in village and urban society. There is no guarantee that modernism leads to prosperity. It depends on some factors influencing as mentioned above. Commonly hadis speaking about al-faqr refers to those who have nothing either materally or immaterially. Islam comes to give solution among other by ordering its adherents to pay tax (alms) or infaq


The purpose of this study was to conduct two meta-analyses. The first examined social support from parents in relation to adolescent hope, and the second examined social support from friends in relation to adolescent hope. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for the literature reviewed, nine published studies or doctoral dissertations completed between 1990 and 2014 met the inclusion criteria. Using meta-analytic techniques and the mean weighted r statistic, the results indicated that social support from friends had a stronger mean effect size (ES = .31) than social support from parents (ES = .21); there was a statistically significant difference between the two ESs. Two of the four moderators for the parent social support–adolescent hope relationship were statistically significant. They were quality score and health status. Implications for school nurses and nurses in all settings are addressed, and conclusions are drawn based on the findings.


Geitonogamy is inevitable in hermaphrodite and monecious. Even for self-incompatible species, the negative effects of self-pollen are unavoidable when geitonogamous or self-mating occurs. However, the influence of self-pollen on consecutive development of flowers (e.g., fruiting and seeding) was seldom evaluated. Here, the self-incompatible monecious species, Akebia quinata, was used to estimate the influence of self-pollen deposition. We evaluated the extent of pollen limitation and geitonogamous mating under natural conditions by count of stigmatic pollen load and pollen tracking experiment. Hand pollination with different amount and combinations of self vs. cross pollen grains was applied to detect the response of fruit and seed set. The results showed that geitonogamy and pollen limitation occurred under natural conditions in A. quinata. Carpel numbers, ratio of self- and cross-pollen, and the interactive effect of ratio of self- and cross-pollen and total mixed pollen numbers, and not total pollen grain number, determined the effect of self-pollen on female reproductive success. The effect of self-pollen depended on its intensity. In general, the transfer of self-pollen significantly affected young fruit set. However, a little self-pollen together with cross-pollen did not reduce young fruit production. Although self-incompatible plants have evolved physiological mechanisms that reduce self-fertilization, our results provide new insights into the effects of self-pollen and the adaptive significance of self-incompatible monecious species.


Abstract Context. Supplemental feeding of large mammalian herbivores is a common management tool mainly aimed at promoting healthy populations and at increasing productivity and trophy sizes. Such management measure may indirectly affect herbivore effects on plant communities through altered foraging patterns. The quantification of the ecological effects of large herbivore management is important for designing holistic management and conservation programs. Aims. Here we aimed at quantifying the ecological effects of supplemental feeding of Iberian red deer, Cervus elaphus hispanicus, on the composition of and on the browsing effects on Mediterranean woody plant community. Methods. An experiment was set up in a hunting rangeland located in central Spain, where female deer were kept in enclosures with either exclusive access to natural forages or with additional ad libitum access to a nutritionally rich concentrate. The experiment also included a control area where deer were absent. Key results. We observed significant differences in browsing impacts among the supplemented, non-supplemented and control areas, and such effect varied for the different plant species. Plant species which nutritional content complemented that of fodder were more highly consumed, for instance, Erica spp., which digestible fibre content is higher and N content lower than that of provided fodder. The presence of deer and the concentrate supplied, instead, did not influence the relative abundances of shrub species. Conclusions. Artificial supplemental feeding provided to ungulates led to increased browsing on plant species which nutritional composition complemented that of the supplement provided. Implications. So as to alleviate herbivory impact on all shrubs, we suggest that composition of supplemental feeding should adjust both to the natural forage availability and quality and to ungulate requirements across seasons.


Polarimetric signatures and related polarimetric properties of microwave ocean backscatter are analyzed for both the ambient ocean and for ocean features such as those associated with the Gulf Stream. Interpretation of the polarimetric signatures for the ocean surface is accomplished using a tilted-Bragg theoretical model. This model is used to calculate the EM fields, to second order, which is necessary to compute the full Stokes matrix and, ultimately, the polarimetric signature. The polarimetric studies lead to a technique for potentially improving the visibility of all azimuthally traveling waves in real-aperture radar (RAR) images and very long waves in synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images. This technique utilizes linear polarization signatures to maximize the instrument sensitivity to azimuthally traveling waves. Wave tilts create a modulation of the cell polarization orientation which, in turn, modulates the backscatter. Critical to the success of this technique is that the ocean polarimetric signatures be sharply peaked (i.e., returns be highly polarized). The polarimetric contribution to the overall modulation transfer function is evaluated. >


In this study, the removal properties of two anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals namely diclofenac and paracetamol through the adsorption by activated sludge were investigated in a batch system. Each pharmaceutical was found to be adsorbed by the activated sludge. It was found that the adsorption took place substantially at the first 20 to 40 minutes of the contact time and reached steady-state for both pharmaceuticals tested. Results obtained from the equilibrium experiments fitted to Freundlich isotherm model and Freundlich isotherm constants Kf and n were found 0.16 L mg-1 ve 0.87 for diclofenac and 0.56 L mg-1 ve 1.24 for paracetamol respectively. Sorption coefficient Kd, and octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) were also calculated for each pharmaceutical and compared with similar studies. Results showed that both pharmaceuticals exhibited moderate adsorption potential by activated sludge.


Metaheuristics has grown and continues to grow steadily. Seen both from the technical point of view and from the application-oriented side, these optimization tools have established their value in a remarkable story of success. Researchers have demonstrated the ability of these methods to solve hard combinatorial problems of practical sizes within reasonable computational time. Highlighted in METAHEURISTICS: Progress in Complex Systems Optimization are the recent developments made in the area of Simulated Annealing, Path Relinking, Scatter Search, Tabu Search, Variable Neighborhood Search, Hyper-heuristics, Constraint Programming, Iterated Local Search, GRASP, bio-inspired algorithms like Genetic Algorithms, Memetic Algorithms, Ant Colony Optimization or Swarm Intelligence, and several other paradigms. In addition, a series of tutorials on developing areas in Metaheuristics are presented in the volume. Giving these tutorials are some of the top researchers in Metaheuristics: Edmund Burke, Reuven Rubinstein, Eric Taillard, Gilles Pesant, Pierre Hansen, and Stefan Vo. Applications addressed are anticipated to include production planning, machine and project scheduling, the traveling salesman and vehicle routing, packing, knapsack and location problems with layout design, portfolio selection, network-design, health care, energy and environmental planning, data mining, pattern classification and biotechnology, among others. The aim of this book is to provide several different kinds of information: a delineation of general Metaheuristics methods, a number of state-of-the-art articles from a variety of well-known classical application areas as well as an outlook to modern computational methods in promising new areas. Therefore, this book may equally serve as a textbook in graduate courses for students, as a reference book for people interested in engineering or social sciences, and as a collection of new and promising avenues for researchers working in this field.