Background: Shear stress (SS) affects the morphology, proliferation, differentiation and migration of endothelial cells, and regulates protein expression.Methods: This study aims to conduct a proteomic analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under low SS. HUVECs were cultured on glass slides (test group n=30; control group n=30) and transferred to parallel-plate flow chamber. The test group was subjected to low SS at 4.58 dyne/cm2 for 2 hours, and the control group was maintained under static conditions. Approximately 2×107 cells were collected from each group and analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The protein from each spot were identified by mass spectrometry. The biological functions and processes associated with the identified proteins were evaluated using the NCBInr, SwissProt, and DAVID databases. The protein expression of 14-3-3 proteins, annexin I, annexin II, zyxin, filamin A, filamin B, Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran), and talin were assessed by Western blotting.Results: A total of 234 proteins were analyzed; 14 proteins were upregulated and 78 were downregulated in the test group compared with the control group. The expression of 14-3-3 proteins, annexin I, annexin II, zyxin, filamin A, and filamin B was significantly decreased, whereas the expression of Ran and talin was significantly increased in the test group.Conclusion: The current results provide evidence that SS changes the protein profile of HUVECs.


Divergence in the PBu3-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of phenacylmalononitriles with allenoates, controlled by the γ-substitution on allenoates, offers a tunable synthesis of multifunctionalized cyclopentene carboxamides and cyclopentenols. An unprecedented formation of cyclopentene carboxamide was observed when allenic esters bearing a substitution at the γ-position were employed, while unsubstituted allenoates produced cyclopentenols. The former reaction likely involves a Michael/aldol/nucleophilic cyclization sequence in a domino manner.


Abstract: Heavy metal pollution of farmland soils is a serious environmental problem. The accurate estimation of heavy metal pollution levels of farmland soils is very crucial for sustainable agriculture. Concentrations of heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in farmland soils at 186 sampling sites in the Baghrash Lake Basin, NW China, were determined and analyzed based on the pollution index (Pi), the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the enrichment factor (EF), the ecological risk index (ER), and the environmental risk index (Ier). The results of these five different estimation methods were compared and discussed. The obtained results indicated that the average concentrations of all the heavy metals in the farmland soils of the study area were lower than the Soil Environmental Quality of China (GB 15168–2018) levels, but the average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn exceed the corresponding background values. Significant differences in estimation results existed between the five estimation methods. Based on the identified concentrations, the average Pi, Igeo, and EF values of the heavy metals in farmland soils decreased in the order of: Zn > Pb > Cd > Cr > Ni > Cu > As, whereas the average ER values decreased in the order of: Cd > As > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Zn, and the average Ier values decreased in the order of: Cd > Cu > Zn > As = Pb > Cr > Ni. The pollution class values with different estimation methods were ranked as: Pi > Igeo = EF > ER = Ier. The obtained results suggest that the most appropriate estimation method and soil background values of farmlands should be used for better understanding the environmental quality of farmland soils. Overall, the EF and ER methods are recommended for assessing heavy metal pollution risks of farmland soils.


ABSTRACT Research Findings: This study used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to examine barriers to teachers' implementation of a supplemental academic language curricula. Despite high satisfaction with this scripted curriculum, three past studies indicated heterogeneity in teachers' fidelity of implementing the curriculum as well as difficulty going off script. Thus, our goal was to identify barriers to fidelity of implementation and map these onto possible behavior change techniques. Participants included 175 teachers from pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms. We used mixed-method approaches that included surveys, focus groups, and interviews with teachers and their coaches. The most salient barriers to fidelitious implementation were: competing priorities for instructional time as well as limited teacher knowledge and skills. For some teachers, other barriers included difficulty changing habits, challenges with memory and attention processes, or lack of fit when the curriculum was used with populations beyond the designed scope. Practice or Policy: To understand why teachers may not consistently implement evidence-based curricula with fidelity, we explain steps other education researchers can use to apply the TDF and insights from the field of implementation sciences. We provide sample TDF survey questions and suggestions to help educators and researchers systematically revise the theory of change for curricular interventions.


BPE tokenization merges characters into longer tokens by finding frequently occurring contiguous patterns within the word boundary. An intuitive relaxation would be to extend a BPE vocabulary with multi-word expressions (MWEs): bigrams (in\_a), trigrams (out\_of\_the), and skip-grams (he . his). In the context of Neural Machine Translation (NMT), we replace the least frequent subword/whole-word tokens with the most frequent MWEs. We find that these modifications to BPE end up hurting the model, resulting in a net drop of BLEU and chrF scores across two language pairs. We observe that naively extending BPE beyond word boundaries results in incoherent tokens which are themselves better represented as individual words. Moreover, we find that Pointwise Mutual Information (PMI) instead of frequency finds better MWEs (e.g., New\_York, Statue\_of\_Liberty, neither . nor) which consistently improves translation performance.We release all code at https://github.com/pegasus-lynx/mwe-bpe.


BACKGROUND
By law, oncological databases are required in Germany since 1999. These databases can be used for epidemiological or other scientific studies and quality control.

METHODS
Based on ACCESS software a newly developed database is introduced, which is optimized for head and neck tumor patients. The database acquires epidemiological data, surgical and medical treatment protocols, histological and tumorbiological data, clinical data of speech, swallowing, breathing and general health, and examinations used for tumor staging and clinical outcome.

RESULTS
Per patient less than 20 minutes are required to fill the data sheets and the data for the national cancer registry can be extracted as a table sheet. This database can also be used for scientific protocols and for multicenter studies.


X-ray analysis is one of the most robust approaches to extract quantitative information from various materials, and is widely used in various fields ever since Raimond Castaing established procedures to analyze electron-induced X-ray signals for materials characterization 70 years ago. The recent development of aberration-correction technology in a (scanning) transmission electron microscopes (S/TEM) offers refined electron probes below the Å level, making atomic-resolution X-ray analysis possible. In addition, the latest silicon drift detectors (SDDs) allow complex detector arrangements and new configurational designs to maximize the collection efficiency of X-ray signals, which make it feasible to acquire X-ray signals from single atoms. In this review paper, recent progress and advantages related to S/TEM-based X-ray analysis will be discussed: (1) progress in quantification for materials characterization including the recent applications to light element analysis, (2) progress in analytical spatial resolution for atomic-resolution analysis and (3) progress in analytical sensitivity toward single atom detection and analysis in materials. Both atomic resolution analysis and single atom analysis are evaluated theoretically through multislice-based calculation for electron propagation in oriented crystalline specimen in combination with X-ray spectrum simulation.


This paper presents the modeling, simulation and practical implementation of an inverter-based diesel generator emulator. The main purpose of this emulator is for the study of frequency variations in diesel-based autonomous power systems in a laboratory environment where the operation of a real diesel generator is not possible. The emulator basically consists in a voltage source inverter with a second order output filter which voltage references are given by the model of the diesel generator. The control of the emulator is based on the digital signal processor TMS320F2812, where the mathematical models of the diesel generator and the control of the inverter are computed in real-time. Parameters for the model were obtained from commercially available components. Experimental results for different values of speed droop showed that the emulator achieves a satisfactory performance in the transient and stationary response. For the stationary response, the measured frequency deviates from theoretical values with a mean absolute error of: 0.06 Hz for 0% droop, 0.037 Hz for 3% droop, and 0.087 Hz for 5% droop. For the transient response, the measured frequency nadir deviates from simulations in: 0.05 Hz for 0% droop, 0.02 Hz for 3% droop, and 0.1 Hz for 5% droop.


A novel fast method for transient stability prediction is proposed based on phasor measurement unit(PMU) measurements and perturbed trajectories fitting of rotor angle. In this method, the system is simulated off-line and rotor angle trajectories are recorded under different disturbances, and the characteristic of trajectories are extracted by cluster analysis. The perturbed trajectory standard pattern database (PTSPD) is thus obtained. The Euclidean distance between the real-time measured rotor angle trajectories and the central trajectory of one mode in PTSPD are calculated, and the rotor angle trajectories are forecasted by using a modified expression, thus transient stability is predicted quickly. Taking the New England test system for example, the effectiveness and advanced property of the presented method are proved.


Abstract. Meltwater runoff from the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) is an important contributor to global sea level rise, but substantial uncertainty exists in its measurement and prediction. Common approaches for estimating ice sheet runoff are in situ gauging of proglacial rivers draining the ice sheet and surface mass balance (SMB) modeling. To obtain hydrological and meteorological data sets suitable for both runoff stage characterization and, pending the establishment of stage–discharge curves, SMB model evaluation, we established an automated weather station (AWS) and a cluster of traditional and experimental river stage sensors on the Minturn River, the largest proglacial river draining Inglefield Land, NW Greenland. Secondary installations measuring river stage were installed in the Fox Canyon River and North River at Pituffik Space Base, NW Greenland. Proglacial runoff at these sites is dominated by supraglacial processes only, uniquely advantaging them for SMB studies. The three installations provide rare hydrological time series and an opportunity to evaluate experimental measurements of river stage from a harsh, little-studied polar region. The installed instruments include submerged vented and non-vented pressure transducers, a bubbler sensor, experimental bank-mounted laser rangefinders, and time-lapse cameras. The first 3 years of observations (2019 to 2021) from these stations indicate (a) a meltwater runoff season from late June to late August/early September that is roughly synchronous throughout the region; (b) the early onset (∼ 23 June to 8 July) of a strong diurnal runoff signal in 2019 and 2020, suggesting minimal meltwater storage in snow and/or firn; (c) 1 d lagged air temperature that displays the strongest correlation with river stage; (d) river stage that correlates more strongly with ablation zone albedo than with net radiation; and (e) the late-summer rain-on-ice events appear to trigger the region's sharpest and largest floods. The new gauging stations provide valuable in situ hydrological observations that are freely available through the PROMICE network (https://promice.org/weather-stations/, last access: 14 September 2023).


A 34 year old lady reported to casualty OPD with complaints of pain abdomen of one day's duration. She gave H/O irregular menstrual periods and had her last menstrual period one month back. Obstetric history – P2L2A2. MTP and abdominal tubectomy done 7 years back. On per abdominal examination, there was tenderness all over abdomen. Patient was admitted with provisional diagnosis of UTI with APD. Antibiotics and other supportive measures were started. Relevant investigations were ordered for. Patient was referred to Gynaecologist for C/O pain lower abdomen and irregular menstrual periods. On per abdominal examination done by Gynaecologist, there was mild rigidity over right side of umbilical region. Urine pregnancy test was weakly positive. Ultrasound revealed mobile internal echoes in urinary bladder, minimal fluid in endometrial cavity and Pouch of Douglas. Serum Beta HCG was sent. Patient's general condition remained stable. Review scan done on next day revealed features suggestive of right adnexal ectopic gestation with minimal fluid in pelvis. It was decided to take her up for laparotomy. Abdomen was opened by Pfannesteil incision. Omentum was partially adherent to parietal peritoneum. Blood clot with some tissue (? Products of conception) was seen adjacent to fimbria of right fallopian tube. Same removed along with right sided salpingooopherectomy and left sided tubectomy. Beta hCG levels after surgery showed decreasing trend and remained normal when done 70 days after surgery. Histopathology report of right fallopian tube along with some tissue fragments was suggestive of Partial hydatidiform mole.


Over the next decade, climate changes may cause an increase in precipitation in some areas of Canada, including Ontario. In such areas, moisture damage can be one of the major causes of premature degradation of asphalt pavements. Failure of asphalt pavements due to moisture damage causes a considerable expenditure of funds for repair and rehabilitation every year. Traditionally moisture damage of the asphalt mixtures is evaluated by tensile strength ratio between dry and wet condition, which is not sufficient to conclude the moisture damage performance. Also, the results from the majority of conventional tests do not correlate well with the observed field performance. In order to overcome these difficulties, the varying effects of moisture damaged on wax modified asphalt mixture properties were investigated by using Superpave IDT creep, resilient modulus and strength tests. Moreover, fracture mechanics approach has also been utilized to characterize the moisture susceptibility of the asphalt mixture performance. In recent years, with the increasing concerns of global warming and increasing emissions, the asphalt industry has been using commercial waxes in asphalt mixtures to lower its emissions by reducing the mixing and compaction temperatures. Thus, in this study, PG 58-22 asphalt binder was modified by two types of commercial waxes (FT-paraffin and Asphaltan B) and mixed with two types of crushed granite aggregates, which were used to investigate the moisture damage potential of the wax modified asphalt mixtures. This paper provides a summary of the evaluation test set up and obtained results. It was found that the warm mix asphalt mixtures have a higher moisture damage ratio (MDR) of Energy Ratio compared to unmodified mixtures, clearly indicating the higher fracture resistance than the control mixtures. Moreover, the results obtained from moisture damage ratio in terms of the number of load repetition required to grow a fixed crack (MDRN); also confirms the wax modified mixtures have a better crack initiation and growth resistance even after conditioning. The analyses of the obtained results, thus, indicate that warm mix asphalt could be a greener solution to the climate change and towards a durable pavement infrastructure.


Nanotechnology-based nanomedicine offers several benefits over conventional forms of therapeutic agents. Moreover, nanomedicine has become a potential candidate for targeting therapeutic agents at specific sites. However, nanomedicine prepared by synthetic methods may produce unwanted toxic effects. Due to their nanosize range, nanoparticles can easily reach the reticuloendothelial system and may produce unwanted systemic effects. The nanoparticles produced by the green chemistry approach would enhance the safety profile by avoiding synthetic agents and solvents in its preparations. This review encompasses toxicity consideration of nanoparticles, green synthesis techniques of nanoparticle preparation, biomedical application of nanoparticles, and future prospects.


Cleavage of the hemagglutinin (HA) molecule by proteases is a prerequisite for the infectivity of influenza A viruses. Here, we describe a novel mechanism of HA cleavage for a descendant of the 1918 pandemic strain of human influenza virus. We demonstrate that neuraminidase, the second major protein on the virion surface, binds and sequesters plasminogen, leading to higher local concentrations of this ubiquitous protease precursor and thus to increased cleavage of the HA. The structural basis of this unusual function of the neuraminidase molecule appears to be the presence of a carboxyl-terminal lysine and the absence of an oligosaccharide side chain at position 146 (N2 numbering). These findings suggest a means by which influenza A viruses, and perhaps other viruses as well, could become highly pathogenic in humans.


In a case-control study aimed at locating autosomal disease variants for a disease of interest, association between markers and the disease status is often tested by comparing the marker minor allele frequencies (MAFs) between cases and controls. For most common allele-based tests the statistical power is highly dependent on the actual values of these MAFs, where associated markers with low MAFs have less power to be detected compared to associated markers with high MAFs. Therefore, the popular strategy of selecting markers for follow-up studies based primarily on their p-values is likely to preferentially select markers with high MAFs. We propose a new test which does not favor markers with high MAFs and improves the power for markers with low to moderate MAFs without sacrificing performance for markers with high MAFs and is therefore superior to most existing tests in this regard. An explicit formula for the asymptotic power function of the proposed test is derived theoretically, which allows for fast and easy computation of the corresponding p-values. The performance of the proposed test is compared with several existing tests both in the asymptotic and the finite sample size settings.


How do women who seek psychosocial support on the Internet by participating in cancer peer support groups respond to the process of coping with cancer? The current study examines whether older women with cancer have different perceptions about and are influenced to a different extent by online peer support than younger women. The study also explores age-based variations in outlook on coping with cancer as a result of using online support. Separate multivariate regression models estimated the effects of covariates on (1) positive coping affect (PCA) (2) positive coping affect-hopeful (PCA-H), and (3) positive coping affect-proud (PCA-P). A stratified analysis examined variations within age-based subsamples (≥51 and ≤50). Positive coping affect includes feeling proud about coping with cancer from a position of strength and empowerment rather than being a victim and being hopeful for a healthier future postdiagnosis. Online support was found to increase PCA significantly. This finding is consistent across age groups but was more pronounced for older patients. The only exception is that younger women perceive more benefit from using online support in terms of feeling proud. As severity of the symptoms increased, though the younger women increased the amount of time they were online, the older women increased the number of groups they participated in. The study concludes that the Internet might be particularly helpful for older adults who feel helpless to cope with cancer in old age. Online peer support services may help improve the patients' outlook on fighting with cancer and help them to feel more in control of their health.


This paper presents an attempt towards design quality improvement by incorporating of self-testability features during data path (high-level) synthesis. This method is based on the use of test resource sharing possibilities to improve the self-testability of the circuit. This is achieved by incorporating testability constraints during register assignment. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed data path synthesis for BIST approach.


In the study, a surface plasmon resonance-based (SPR-based) competitive assay was performed to analyze different compounds' inhibitory activity to TNF-α, an important pro-inflammatory cytokine in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, the single mass spectrometry (MS) detection method was coupled with an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system for the routine quality control (QC) of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The above quality control strategy was evaluated with Lonicera japonica Thunb. Analytes were firstly separated on a Waters ACQUITYTM UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1 × 50 mm; particle size = 1.8 μm) using a 0.1% formic acid gradient elution, then detected by negative ESI mass spectrometry. The limits of quantification (LOQ) for analytes reached 0.005–0.56 μg/mL. The LOD of the QDa detector was lower than that of the PDA detector, indicating its wider detection range. The QDa detector was also more suitable for the analysis of the complex matrix of TCM. The method showed excellent linearity, with regression coefficients higher than 0.9991. The average recoveries of the investigated analytes were in the range of 98.78–105.13%, with an RSD below 3.91%. The inter-day precision range (n = 3 days) was 2.51–4.54%. Compared to other detectors, this strategy could be widely applied in the quantitative analysis of TCM. In addition, the chemically latent data could be revealed using chemometric analysis. Importantly, this study provides an efficient screening method for small-molecule inhibitors targeting the TNF-α pathway.


Present piece of research is an attempt to investigate and access the political awareness among rural women through their own view point. The study was conducted in the Eastern division of Himalayan state of Uttarakhand (India). Keeping in view the vast ecological variation, the study area is divided into four ecological zones named as Shiwaliks, Lesser Himalaya, Great Himalaya and Trance Himalaya. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 25 villages from study area giving due representation to each ecological zones. Descriptive statistical techniques were used for the analysis of the data. It was found that all women cast their vote in village body elections (Gram sabha and Gam Panchayet) but this enthusiasm of participation sinks down for higher election of state assembly (MLA) and Parliament (MP), 56.82 and 46.46 percent respectively. Though almost half of the women cast their vote for higher elections yet only one-forth to one-fifth women know the name of their elected MLA and MP respectively, which depicts that they don't have much interest in these higher body elections and casting vote is just the execution of the family decision taken by the males of the family. Further it was found that only 27.33 percent women know about the political parties and affiliation to the parties is limited to 4.68 percent women only. However 86.33 percent women were aware about the duties and functions of village bodies and more than two-third supported the higher reservation for women in these bodies. A clear cut zonal variation in all parameters of awareness and action were observed under different zone, ranging highest in Siwaliks followed by Trans Himalaya and Lesser Himalaya and the lowest at Great Himalaya. Besides drudgery and illiteracy, lack of access to the information was one of the major factors for poor awareness of politics. Only 22.79 percent women listen daily news through radio and Television; just 6.06 percent read newspaper every day. Besides these the socio economic setup, poverty, accessibility, proximity to the cities and plain areas and less importance given to the rural women by political parties and candidates are the other major factors for their poor awareness. Keywords: political consciousness, elections, rural women, Kumaon hills, Himalaya,


AIMS
Although programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) typically serves as a target for immunotherapies, a few recent studies have found that PD-1 is expressed in the nervous system and that neuronal PD-1 might play a crucial role in regulating neuronal excitability. However, whether brain-localized PD-1 is involved in seizures and epileptogenesis is still unknown and worthy of in-depth exploration.

METHODS
The existence of PD-1 in human neurons was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, and PD-1 expression levels were measured by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Chemoconvulsants, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and cyclothiazide (CTZ), were applied for the establishment of in vivo (rodents) and in vitro (primary hippocampal neurons) models of seizure, respectively. SHR-1210 (a PD-1 monoclonal antibody) and sodium stibogluconate (SSG, a validated inhibitor of SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 [SHP-1]) were administrated to investigate the impact of PD-1 pathway blockade on epileptic behaviors of rodents and epileptiform discharges of neurons. A miRNA strategy was applied to determine the impact of PD-1 knockdown on neuronal excitability. The electrical activities and sodium channel function of neurons were determined by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. The interaction between PD-1 and α-6 subunit of human voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.6) was validated by performing co-immunostaining and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments.

RESULTS
Our results reveal that PD-1 protein and mRNA levels were upregulated in lesion cores compared with perifocal tissues of surgically resected specimens from patients with intractable epilepsy. Furthermore, we show that anti-PD-1 treatment has anti-seizure effects both in vivo and in vitro. Then, we reveal that PD-1 blockade can alter the electrophysiological properties of sodium channels. Moreover, we reveal that PD-1 acts together with downstream SHP-1 to regulate sodium channel function and hence neuronal excitability. Further investigation suggests that there is a direct interaction between neuronal PD-1 and Nav1.6.

CONCLUSION
Our study reveals that neuronal PD-1 plays an important role in epilepsy and that anti-PD-1 treatment protects against seizures by suppressing sodium channel function, identifying anti-PD-1 treatment as a novel therapeutic strategy for epilepsy.


This article provides an overview and initial findings of the LExDis project which is exploring the e-learning experiences of disabled learners within a UK university in order to increase understanding of the many complex issues and interactions introduced by disabled learners' requirements for accessible e-learning, compatible assistive technologies and effective learning support. The LExDis project is relatively unique in that it is using participatory methods to enable the disabled learner's voice to be heard. By giving voice to their experiences it is hoped that authentic, rich and meaningful examples, stories and illustrations can be created that help to inform the practices of lecturers and support staff.


The vocal score for Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppaea). First performed at the Teatro Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice during the 1643 carnival season, it was one of the first operas to use historical events and people. It tells the story of Poppaea, mistress of the Roman emperor Nero, and her desire to be crowned empress. Written when the genre of opera was only a few decades old, the music for L'incoronazione di Poppea has been praised for its originality, its melody, and for its reflection of the human attributes of its characters. The work helped to redefine the boundaries of theatrical music and established Monteverdi as the leading musical dramatist of his time. This edition has been realised by British conductor Raymond Leppard following his production of the opera at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1962.


Acanthocytosis, tongue-biting, denervation of the peripheral nerves, and increased levels of serum creatine phosphokinase were common in four cases, three familial and one sporadic, of choreoacanthocytosis, but were not seen in eight cases of Huntington's disease. Mental deterioration was minor and serum beta-lipoprotein levels were normal in this syndrome. Autosomal recessive inheritance is likely in choreoacanthocytosis, if it is a genetic disease.


The otolith organs were modeled mathematically as a 3-element system consisting of a viscous endolymph fluid in contact with a rigid otoconial layer that is attached to the skull by a gel layer. The gel layer was considered to be viscoelastic solid, and was modeled as a simple Kelvin material. The governing differential equations of motion were derived and nondimensionalized, yielding 3 nondimensional parameters: nondimensional density, nondimensional viscosity, and nondimensional elasticity. The equations were solved using finite difference techniques on a digital computer. By comparing the model's response with previous experimental research, values for the nondimensional parameters were found. The results indicate that the inclusion of viscous and elastic effects in the gel layer are necessary for the model to produce otoconial layer deflections that are consistent with physiologic displacements. Future experimental data analysis and mathematical modeling effects should include viscoelastic gel layer effects, as this is a major contributor to system damping and response.


Abstract To formulate economically viable foods and achieve high performance in guinea pig production, it is important to know the nutritional value of the feeds, which requires determining their chemical composition, availability of nutrients, and energy content. Chemical analysis, digestibility tests, and digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of 63 feeds were determined using male guinea pigs of 4–5 mo of age. The test feeds were fodder, agricultural residues, agro-industrial and kitchen waste, energy flours, and protein flours of animal and vegetable origin. The result showed wide variability in the chemical composition and energy density of the feeds evaluated. In the case of forages, the main feed source for the guinea pigs, the average contents ± SD of crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), organic matter (OM), DE, and ME were 18.06 ± 6.50%, 23.08 ± 7.14%, 89.95 ± 2.62%, 2963.71 ± 442.68, and 2430.24 ± 363.00 kcal/kg; for the agro-industrial and kitchen waste, the values were 11.52 ± 4.72%, 22.80 ± 14.61%, 91.37 ± 4.74%, 3006.31 ± 554.01, and 2465.18 ± 454.29 kcal/kg; for protein feeds, the values were 55.18 ± 22.87%, 5.11 ± 5.72%, 91.18 ± 6.92%, 3681.94 ± 433. 24, and 3019.19 ± 355.26 kcal/kg; for energy feeds, the values were 12.73 ± 3.22%, 5.46 ± 1.96%, 95.33 ± 3.32%, 3705.41 ± 171.78, and 3038.43 ± 140.86 kcal/kg. The ME content is directly associated with CP content (R2 = 0.19) and OM digestibility (R2 = 0.56) and inversely with CF (R2 = 0.40) and ash (R2 = 0.13) content (P < 0.01). The results of this study can be used to design feeding programs for family and commercial guinea pig production for meat.


The Transportation problem is one of the most colorful and demanding problems in the history of Operations Research. Many researchers have paid attention to solve the problem using different approaches. In certain approaches focused on finding an initial basic feasible solution and the other to find the optimal solution. It can be noticed that these methods have advantages and disadvantages. Out of all the methods that can be found in the literature, Northwest, Least Cost and Vogel's Approximation methods are the most prominent and renowned methods in finding an initial basic feasible solution. Also, the Modified Distribution (MODI) Method and Stepping Stone Method are the most acceptable methods in finding the optimal solution to the transportation problem. In this research paper, we propose an alternative method that finds the optimal or nearly optimal solution to the transportation problem. This method which is based on an iterative algorithm can be applied to balance as well as unbalanced transportation problems. It is also to be noticed that this method requires a minimum number of iterations to reach the optimality as compared to the other existing methods. Also, we have developed a new method of finding an optimal solution for both balanced and unbalanced transportation problems.


Recent work investigating the microphysical and kinematic relationship between a storm's updraft, its total lightning production, and manifestations of severe weather has resulted in development of tools for improved nowcasting of storm intensity. The total lightning jump algorithm, which identifies rapid increases in total lightning flash rate that often precede severe events, has shown particular potential to benefit warning operations. Maximizing this capability of total lightning and its operational implementation via the lightning jump may best be done through its fusion with radar and radarderived intensity metrics. Identification of a mesocyclone, or quasisteady rotating updraft, in Doppler velocity is the predominant radarinferred early indicator of severe potential in a convective storm. Fused lightningradar tools that capitalize on the most robust intensity indicators would allow enhanced situational awareness for increased warning confidence. A foundational step toward such tools comes from a better understanding of the updraftcentric relationship between intensification of total lightning production and mesocyclone development and strength. The work presented here utilizes a sample of supercell case studies representing a spectrum of severity. These storms are analyzed with respect to total lightning flash rate and the lightning jump alongside mesocyclone strength derived objectively from the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Mesocyclone Detection Algorithm (MDA) and maximum azimuthal shear through a layer. Early results indicate that temporal similarities exist in the trends between total lightning flash rate and low to midlevel rotation in supercells. Other characteristics such as polarimetric signatures of rotation, flash size, and cloudtoground flash ratio are explored for added insight into the significance of these trends with respect to the updraft and related processes of severe weather production.


This article proposes a model for integrating equity theory, a framework for studying the psychology of the legal process, with some tenets of attribution theory. Attempts to restore equity and redress an injustice are viewed as being related to how responsible the victim and the harmdoer are for causing or contributing to the inequitable situation. Judgments of responsibility rest on causal attributions concerning the locus of causation, intentionality, stability, and controllability of the injustice. Some implications for future theorizing in equity are discussed along with some possible connections between the present attributional analysis and problems in dispute resolution.


Introduction: infective endocarditis (IE) is rather unusual in children, being morbimortality rates high. Variations determining modifications in the therapeutic approach have been described in terms of their epidemiology and etiology. Objective: to describe the clinical characteristics and evolution of children with IE in two reference centers in Uruguay: Pereira Rossell Hospital Center (CHPR) and Child Cardiology Institute (ICI), from 2000 through 2010. Method: observational, descriptive, retrospective study. Risk factors were analysed along with clinical characteristics, etiology, echocardiographic and necropsy findings, and complications in children between 0 and 14 years old with IE. Duke criteria were used to define cases. Results: 25 children were identified, 15 boys, average age was 48.2 months. Sixteen children evidence structural heart disease: congenital heart disease (15), and rheumatic heart disease (1). Ten of the children with congenital heart disease had undergone cardiac surgery or invasive vascular procedures. Bacterial etiology was confirmed in 23 cases, being Staphylococcus aureus isolated in 9. Twenty children evidenced valve vegetations and 17 children underwent surgery. Five of them suffered embolic complications. Five children died. Necropsy was performed in one patient. Conclusion: timely blood cultures enabled the identification of the etiological agent in most cases. Staphylococcus was the most frequent etiology and thus, empirical antibiotic therapy needs to consider this finding. The high rate of IE in children without heart disease is pointed out. In this series, serious complications were observed, requiring surgery. Mortality was 20%.


In the first edition (1974) of Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC), the taxonomic criteria for LFH organic horizons allowed application to any soil and land use developed under imperfectly to well-drained conditions. However, in the third edition (1998) of CSSC, the narrower taxonomic criteria for LFH horizons restricted application to only forest soils. A limited survey was conducted of some soil scientists across Canada to ask them if they had observed LFH horizons in nonforest soils. Distinct LFH horizons were observed across Canada under agriculture such as in no-till fields, tame and native pastures, and in reclaimed soils. They have also been observed in urban areas such as golf courses and grass-recreation fields. LFH horizons could also potentially develop under other nonforest land uses across Canada. Since no-till and native and tame pastures are most dominant in the prairies, the potential for LFH horizons is greatest in this region than elsewhere. However, they may occur anywhere in Canada where accumulation exceeds decomposition of organic material and they contain more than 17% organic carbon by weight or 30% organic matter. Therefore, we propose that the taxonomic criteria for applying LFH horizons be revised and broadened to include nonforest soils and be applicable to any soil order (where relevant) within Canada, and be at the discretion of the field pedologist. It is critical to identify and monitor LFH horizons over time because they are important for soil health, climate change, greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, soil erosion, and hydrology.


Measuring fitness with precision is a key issue in evolutionary biology, particularly in studying mutations of small effects. It is usually thought that sampling error and drift prevent precise measurement of very small fitness effects. We circumvented these limits by using a new combined approach to measuring and analyzing fitness. We estimated the mutational fitness effect (MFE) of three independent mini-Tn10 transposon insertion mutations by conducting competition experiments in large populations of Escherichia coli under controlled laboratory conditions. Using flow cytometry to assess genotype frequencies from very large samples alleviated the problem of sampling error, while the effect of drift was controlled by using large populations and massive replication of fitness measures. Furthermore, with a set of four competition experiments between ancestral and mutant genotypes, we were able to decompose fitness measures into four estimated parameters that account for fitness effects of our fluorescent marker (α), the mutation (β), epistasis between the mutation and the marker (γ), and departure from transitivity (τ). Our method allowed us to estimate mean selection coefficients to a precision of 2 × 10−4. We also found small, but significant, epistatic interactions between the allelic effects of mutations and markers and confirmed that fitness effects were transitive in most cases. Unexpectedly, we also detected variation in measures of s that were significantly bigger than expected due to drift alone, indicating the existence of cryptic variation, even in fully controlled experiments. Overall our results indicate that selection coefficients are best understood as being distributed, representing a limit on the precision with which selection can be measured, even under controlled laboratory conditions.


—Human texture perception is a weighted average of multi-sensory inputs: visual and tactile. While the visual sensing mechanism extracts global features, the tactile mechanism complements it by extracting local features. The lack of coupled visuotactile datasets in the literature is a challenge for study- ing multimodal fusion strategies analogous to human texture perception. This paper presents a visual dataset that augments an existing tactile dataset. We propose a novel deep fusion architecture that fuses visual and tactile data using four types of fusion strategies: summation, concatenation, max-pooling, and attention. Our model shows significant performance improve- ments (97.22%) in surface roughness classification accuracy over tactile only (SVM - 92.60%) and visual only (FENet-50 - 85.01%) architectures. Among the several fusion techniques, attention-guided architecture results in better classification accuracy. Our study shows that analogous to human texture perception, the proposed model chooses a weighted combination of the two modalities (visual and tactile), thus resulting in higher surface roughness classification accuracy; and it chooses to maximize the weightage of the tactile modality where the visual modality fails and vice-versa.


An investigation is made of the transmission characteristics of wafer-scale interconnection lines which are modeled by weakly coupled lossy transmission lines. Laplace transform techniques and numerical methods are used to solve the coupled transmission-line equations in the weak coupling approximation. The authors obtain transient responses and crosstalk noise waveforms in the time domain. The modification of the coupling resulting from the losses is examined. The analysis indicates that while there is some increase in coupling resulting from the losses, the rise-time-dependent part of this coupling (which is a more severe component at high frequencies) is still suppressed for homogeneous dielectrics as is the case for lossless lines. However, other results seen in terminated lossless lines such as the absence of any coupling at the far end are degraded by the losses. A guide for determining the design parameters of the interconnection is presented along with some experimental results measured with actual fabricated wafer-scale test structures. >


The major causes of licence loss among pilots during 1965-81 are discussed in relation to the effect of recent changes in licensing practices, such as permission to use beta-blockers. Mental disorders comprised the second highest cause of licence loss during 1965-77 (13.0%) and remained at a high level during 1977-81 (14.7%). The age-related incidences of alcoholism, psychoses and neuroses, and idiopathic and reactive flight phobia are detailed.


It has been found that the FWHM of energy spectra of secondary electrons from a Be layer evaporated on Cu becomes smaller initially with increase of the Be film thickness, and then becomes broader as the thickness increases beyond a certain level. This feature has been simulated by a Monte Carlo calculation of secondary electron emission with satisfactory agreement.


The Mie scattering properties of a homogeneous, isotropic spherical particle, moving at a constant velocity and illuminated by two intersecting coherent plane waves having the same polarization direction, have been analyzed based upon an exact solution to Maxwell's equations. The solutions are in a form suitable for the calculation of the time varying scattered signal integrated across a detector aperture of variable size that is centered on either the forward or backward scattering direction. This problem is of importance in defining the scattered signal in a cross beam laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV). Results obtained from calculating the integrated scattered signal indicate a strong dependence upon the following physical parameters: particle size, index of refraction, cross beam angle, and collection solid angle.


The European Community has launched a project to develop a standard communications protocol for computerized electrocardiography (SCP-ECG). Within this project, compression and encoding of ECG data for transmission and storage has been investigated. A compression scheme with well-specified error limits was developed. Compression ratios for resting ECGs achieved by this method are as high as 20. The reconstruction root mean square (RMS) error can be maintained below 10 mu V. The method provides fully reproducible measurements and allows reliable visual rhythm analysis of the reconstructed ECG. For verification of errors introduced by compression and decomposition a standard test data set from the CSE database has been specified. For digital transmission a general protocol (SCP-Protocol) has been defined which allows communication between ECG carts and hospital information systems.<<ETX>>


In an in vitro study on six knees from cadavers, the effect of bone-patellar tendon-bone graft twist on anterior knee laxity was measured at different knee flexion angles. A motion and loading rig was used to prescribe the flexion angle, to restrain axial rotation, and to apply 100 N anterior force to the tibia. Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis was used to measure the relative anteroposterior position of the tibia and femur. The tibial bone block was cemented in a cylinder that allowed rotation in the bone tunnel. The anterior cruciate ligament was transected and reconstructed with neutral, 90°, and 150° internal twists and 90° and 150° external twists. External and internal graft twists in the reconstruction resulted in significant reductions of anterior laxity, however, at the cost of a more posterior position of the unloaded tibia relative to the femur (anteroposterior-error). The results are explained by the anterior relocation of the graft insertion by twisting the tibial bone block. The inclination angle of the graft in the anteroposterior direction flattens, which could improve the anterior laxity. A consequent side effect is the increase of posterior shift of the tibia relative to the femur.


Abstract. The World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) data have been used to perform a lightning climatology in the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO) region from 2005 to 2011. Maxima of lightning activity were found in the Maritime Continent and southwest of Sri Lanka (>50 fl km−2 yr−1) but also over Madagascar and above the Great Lakes of East Africa (>10–20 fl km−2 yr−1). Lightning flashes within tropical storms and tropical cyclones represent 50 % to 100 % of the total lightning activity in some oceanic areas of the SWIO (between 10° S and 20° S). The SWIO is characterized by a wet season (November to April) and a dry season (May to October). As one could expect, lightning activity is more intense during the wet season as the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is present over all the basin. Flash density is higher over land in November–December–January with values reaching 3–4 fl km−2 yr−1 over Madagascar. During the dry season, lightning activity is quite rare between 10° S and 25° S. The Mascarene anticyclone has more influence on the SWIO resulting in shallower convection. Lightning activity is concentrated over ocean, east of South Africa and Madagascar. A statistical analysis has shown that El Nino–Southern Oscillation mainly modulates the lightning activity up to 56.8% in the SWIO. The Indian Ocean Dipole has a significant contribution since ~49% of the variability is explained by this forcing in some regions. The Madden–Julian Oscillation did not show significative impact on the lightning activity in our study.


Failure analysis of fiber optic cables, components and devices from manufacturing operations, installation and field deployment has been important in reliability assurance for fiber optic communications networks. In this overview presentation, we consider optical fiber transmission failures in fiber optic cables and optical transmission impairments accompanied by mechanical failures in cable assemblies and interconnecting devices. In either case, failure analyses involve detailed characterization of optical and/or mechanical performance under varying environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. In the case of optical transmission failures of fiber optic cables, we show that the environmental history of the cables and the thermomechanical response of buffer tube materials are of critical importance in understanding low-temperature transmission loss due to thermally-induced fiber microbending. In optical transmission impairments accompanied by fiber mechanical failures of cable assemblies and interconnecting devices, the environmental history along with manufacturing practices used in the production of cable assemblies determine the performance and reliability in the field. For cable assemblies with fiber mechanical failures, fiber break source analysis (fractography) has many challenges in the analysis of fiber breaks where fiber fracture surfaces are readily accessible. However, it has been practically impossible to perform break source analyses in cases where fiber fracture surfaces are not accessible within cables and interconnecting devices. Thus, in this presentation, we review a series of failure analyses performed to identify the cause(s) of high insertion loss and reflectance failures of cable assemblies. An essential component of these failure analyses was the development of new methods for accessing fracture surfaces of broken fibers within connectors. These new methods involve chemical and thermal treatments to preserve all features of fracture surfaces and, therefore, evidence of failure origins.


OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of Panax notoginseng on the transdifferentiation of the cultured human fibroblasts from hypertrophic scar in vitro, and explore its anti-fibrosis mechanism.

METHODS
The fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar were cultured in vitro. Different amount of Panax notoginseng was added into the medium, respectively (400 microg/ml and 800 microg/ml). A culture without addition of the drug served as control. The fibroblast-populated collagen lattice method was used to detect the gel contraction, and contraction ratio was calculated. The immunocytochemistry staining method was used to detect the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. The flow cytometry method was used to detect the positive rate of alpha-smooth muscle actin.

RESULTS
The contraction degree of the fibroblasts after PNS administration was ameliorated at each time-point, with contraction index lower than that of controls (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Scattered distribution of alpha-SMA positive granules were observed in the cytoplasma, and the positive rate of alpha-SMA expression in 400 microg/ml (31.52%) and 800 microg/ml (24.28%) PNS groups were obviously lower than that in control group (45.74%, P < 0.05). The staining intensity of positive cells in 400 microg/ml and 800 microg/ml PNS groups was also obviously lower than that in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION
Panax notoginseng can inhibit the transdifferentiation of the cultured human fibroblasts from hypertrophic scar, and it exhibits an anti-fibrosis effect on hypertrophic scar in vitro.


We introduce a method for segmenting surfaces of three-dimensional objects using two images of the object obtained from the same viewpoint under different illumination conditions. The method allows surface spectral reflectance to vary from point to point and requires only weak conditions on the uncalibrated illumination configuration. The algorithm is based on the local recovery of an illumination change matrix that depends on surface geometry but not on the spectral reflectance of the surface. We show that for typical sensor noise levels, this technique can be used for the reliable detection of surface orientation changes of a few degrees. This approach can be generalized using a calibrated setup to recover a dense set of surface orientation estimates from two images. We present a set of experiments demonstrating the capability of the algorithm for the segmentation of planar surfaces in the presence of spatially varying spectral reflectance.


PURPOSE
To prospectively assess the behaviour of primary sporadic (not FAP associated) desmoid fibromatosis (DF) managed by active surveillance (AS).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
This is an Italian prospective, multicenter, observational study (NCT02547831) including patients {greater than or equal to}16 years with primary sporadic DF at any site. Patients were assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) version 1.1 . Primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS) at 3 years. Treatment-free survival (TFS) was also analyzed. PFS and TFS were calculated by Kaplan-Meier plots and compared by log-rank test Cox proportional-hazard multivariable regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS
From 2013 to 2018 108 consecutive patients were included (82% female); median age was 39-yr; median size was 51 mm. CTNNB1 mutations were: T41A (50%); S45F (12%); other (19%); WT (19%). At 32.3-month median-FU, 42/108 (39%) showed RECIST progression. Spontaneous regression (SR) was initially observed in 27/108 (25%), while it followed dimensional progression in other 33/108 (31%). PFS at 36 months was 54.5% (95% CI, 44.9%-66.1%). Thirty-five/108 (32%) patients received active treatments, 18/108 (17%) after RECIST progression and 17/108 (15%) after symptomatic progression. TFS at 36 months was 65.9% (95% CI, 57.3%-75.9%). Larger tumor size and extremity location were associated to shorter TFS and a trend for S45F mutation was also observed (p=0.06), while none of the above variables was significantly associated to PFS.

CONCLUSIONS
In primary DF, AS can be proposed, since disease stabilization and SR frequently occur. However extra care should be taken for patients with tumors of larger size, extremity location and S45F mutation.


Fifteen years into South Africa's democratic experience, the African National Congress (ANC)-led government is faced with protest action associated with a perceived lack of basic service delivery and systemic corruption at the sphere of local government. Since 2004, many communities have resorted to violent riots, destroying schools, libraries and houses of underperforming local government councillors. This article focuses on the mandate of the Zuma administration and the key challenge of service delivery at the sphere of local government. The intention of the article is to provide, in the context of the developmental state, an overview of the challenges the Zuma administration faces in delivering basic services at the local government sphere.


Aim: Ibuprofen is an older agent, but its intravenous form is a very new drug. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intravenous form of ibuprofen has protective effect against renal ischemia reperfusion injury at two different doses such as 10-30 mg/kg. Material and Methods: Thirty-two Wistar Albino type female rats were divided into 4 groups as sham, control, IBU-10, IBU-30. In the control group, 60 minutes renal ischemia and 60 minutes reperfusion were performed. In the ibuprofen groups, at the 45th minute of ischemia, ibuprofen was administered in different doses at 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg through intraperitoneally. After 60 minutes of ischemia, the clamps were opened. Renal tissue and blood samples were collected from the rats at the end of the reperfusion period. Serum TAS, TOS and prolidase enzyme levels were analyzed in plasma samples. Both histopathological and biochemical evaluations were performed with kidney tissue. Results: In the groups given intravenous ibuprofen, less cellular damage was always detected. Cellular damage indicators were significantly lower in the treated rats than in the control group. Serum and tissue prolidase values were different between groups (p<0.001, p<0.001). Serum TAS and TOS levels were also different between groups (p=0.001, p=0.003). Serum OSI levels were also different between groups (p=0.017). Conclusion: The biochemical and pathological results obtained in our study suggest that intravenous ibuprofen, has a protective effect against kidney damage. We believe that our study will shed light on future clinical prospective studies.


Ionic liquid (IL) has been shown to affect cellulose crystalline structure in lignocellulosic biomass (LB) during pretreatment. This research was carried out with two different experimental design involving IL to observe the effect of dissolution in IL on: (A) the crystallinity of cellulose and (B) the dissolution efficiency of LB. For experiment A, the types of IL used in this research were 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate [EMI[A, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [AMI[C, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [BMI[C and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [EMI[C. The crystallinity degree of LB was investigated before and after pretreatment with IL. The microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was used as the simulated LB (cellulose content) was dissolved in IL and the crystallinity after the dissolution was analyzed. The temperature (70°C, 80°C, 90°C, 99°C) and concentration ratio of IL with volume/volume (v/v: 10%, 25%, 50%) were varied while the dissolution time remained constant. The crystallinity was analyzed by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the dissolution temperature and IL concentration ratio affects the intensity of the FTIR peaks. In experiment B, the dissolution of LB with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [BMI[C and 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride [EMI[C as ILs were investigated. Four types of LB involved were Elaeis guineensis species of Oil Palm Trunk (OPT) and Oil Palm Frond (OPF) and Pennisetum purpureum species (elephant grass) originated from Taiwan and India. From the results obtained, the [BMI[C gave better dissolution to biomass.


There is great interest in developing colloidal delivery systems to enhance the water solubility and oral bioavailability of curcumin, which is a hydrophobic nutraceutical claimed to have several health benefits. In this study, a natural emulsifier was used to form sophorolipid-coated curcumin nanoparticles. The curcumin was loaded into sophorolipid micelles using a pH-driven mechanism based on the decrease in curcumin solubility at lower pH values. The sophorolipid-coated curcumin nanoparticles formed using this mechanism were relatively small (61 nm) and negatively charged (-41 mV). The nanoparticles also had a relatively high encapsulation efficiency (82%) and loading capacity (14%) for curcumin, which was present in an amorphous state. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that the curcumin nanoparticles had an appreciably higher bioavailability than that of free curcumin crystals (2.7-3.6-fold), which was mainly attributed to their higher bioaccessibility. These results may facilitate the development of natural colloidal systems that enhance the oral bioavailability and bioactivity of curcumin in food, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical products.


Author(s): Chen, Carol G. | Advisor(s): Alliston, Tamara N. | Abstract: The unique material properties of skeletal matrices are critical for musculoskeletal tissue function. For example, bone matrix material properties (BMMPs) - including elastic modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness - reflect the ability of bone matrix to resist deformation and catastrophic failure. However, the mechanisms by which these properties are established remain unclear. Many reports support a role for TGF-abeta and Smad3 in regulating the skeletal matrix. Thus, we hypothesized that Smad3 is essential for maintaining the extracellular matrix in bone, cartilage, and tendon.Previously, our lab determined that TGF-abeta regulates BMMPs in development by signaling through its intracellular effector, Smad3. Here, we showed that BMMPs could also be regulated by pharmacologically disrupting TGF-abeta signaling. To further dissect the mechanism of BMMP regulation, we identified the downstream targets of TGF-abeta signaling. In vitro studies showed that TGF-abeta inhibits osteoblast differentiation by Smad3 repression of Runx2 function. Using nanoindentation, we found that TGF-abeta regulation of BMMPs through Smad3 is also Runx2-dependent. We further show that osteopontin, a matrix protein regulated by both TGF-abeta and Runx2, is essential for normal bone matrix material properties. Our results establish a mechanism through which TGF-abeta regulates BMMPs to maintain healthy bone. This suggests a paradigm in which matrix material properties are established by growth factors through their regulation of lineage-specific transcription factors. Indeed, our further studies in cartilage and tendon indicate an essential role for TGF-abeta/Smad3 signaling in regulating cell lineage-specific transcription factor expression and activity as well as matrix structure and composition. We anticipate that our research will lead to the identification of novel diagnostic strategies and therapeutics for the prevention or treatment of skeletal diseases, as well as aid in the development of improved biomaterials for tissue regeneration.


IN this chapter we consider the role of the locale system in an animal's response to unpleasant, or threatening, situations, where a threatening situation is taken as one which predicts the possibility of pain. We first consider the various forms of threat and the ways in which animals identify and subsequently cope with these threats. Particular emphasis will be given to the distinction between threatening places and cues. Following this we discuss the effects of hippocampal lesions upon behaviour in threatening situations. It will be shown that animals with such lesions retain an appreciation of threat when it relates to cues and respond appropriately to such threats, but fail either to apprehend or adequately to respond to threatening places. 8.1. Behaviour under threat The most powerful current theory of how an animal learns to cope with threat is traditional two-factor theory This theory postulates two basic processes: (1) the Pavlovian or classical conditioning of fear to certain stimuli; (2) the instrumental learning of an adequate response. Traditional theory assumed that the appropriate response was maintained by the reinforcement involved in the reduction of fear. We return to a fuller discussion of this and other, more recent, theories later. Here, we wish to reformulate the two-process model in order to bring it into line with the cognitive approach of this book. We shall postulate that two processes are involved when an animal is confronted with a threatening situation: (1) the identification of the threat; (2) the choice of a particular hypothesis to cope with this threat. 8.1.1(a). Types of threat. There are several ways in which different threats could be classified, and the scheme one chooses obviously reflects the bias of the investigator. Thus, one could separate threats on the basis of the role of learning in their establishment, the possibility of escape, the availability of prediction and/or control, and so on. Within the present framework we consider a separation based on places and cues as most


: Menstrual irregularities are believed to often follow the tubectomy operation, possibly because the ovarian blood supply is altered and horm onal imbalance results. This study was designed to determine, with the help of hormonal colpocytology and endometrial histology, whether hormon al imbalance occurs after tubectomy. Subjects were 100 women attending the tubectomy follow-up clinic. All had been tubectomized 2 or more years earlier. On the 5th and 6th days of their menstrual cycles, a group was treated with an antibiotic vaginal pessary consisting of .25 gm of Chloramphenicol. From the 8th to the 24th day, serial vaginal sme ars were taken. The maturation index (MI), maturation value (MV), and k aryopyknotic index (KI) were evaluated. Endometrial biopsies were taken on Day 24 of the menstrual cycles. Of the 100 women, 98 had ovulatroy c ycles as shown by endometrial biopsy. The 2 having anovulatory cycles w ere in the treated group. Their MVs and KIs were low. None showed evid ence of hyperestrogenism either in their colpocytogram or endometrial hi stology. Disturbed ovarian function was not shown. Prior anitbiotic tr eatment is essential for hormonal cytology, as in the majority of untrea ted women the presence of Doderlein bacilli, debris, and leukocytes in the follicular phase renders preparations unsatisfactory for hormonal ev aluation. Chloramphenicol has no direct effect on the vaginal epitheliu m but tetracyclines cause massive desquamation.


ABSTRACT RUNX1 plays opposing roles in breast cancer: a tumor suppressor in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) disease and an oncogenic role in ER-negative (ER−) tumors. Potentially mediating the former, we have recently reported that RUNX1 prevents estrogen-driven suppression of the mRNA encoding the tumor suppressor AXIN1. Accordingly, AXIN1 protein expression was diminished upon RUNX1 silencing in ER+ breast cancer cells and was positively correlated with AXIN1 protein expression across tumors with high levels of ER. Here we report the surprising observation that RUNX1 and AXIN1 proteins are strongly correlated in ER− tumors as well. However, this correlation is not attributable to regulation of AXIN1 by RUNX1 or vice versa. The unexpected correlation between RUNX1, playing an oncogenic role in ER− breast cancer, and AXIN1, a well-established tumor suppressor hub, may be related to a high ratio between the expression of variant 2 and variant 1 (v2/v1) of AXIN1 in ER− compared with ER+ breast cancer. Although both isoforms are similarly regulated by RUNX1 in estrogen-stimulated ER+ breast cancer cells, the higher v2/v1 ratio in ER− disease is expected to weaken the tumor suppressor activity of AXIN1 in these tumors.


Background: Epigenetic silencing of genes has been documented in AML. This phase I trial evaluates the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of two schedules of administration of the hypomethylating agent decitabine in combination with the pan-selective histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat. Methods: Patients receive escalating doses of oral vorinostat administered either sequentially [100 mg bid (n=4), 200 mg bid (n=4), or 200 mg tid (n=8) Days 6–21] or concurrently [100 mg (n=3) or 200 mg (n=6) bid Days 1–21 or 200 mg tid (n=2) Days 1–14] with decitabine (20 mg/m2/d IV Days 1–5) every 28 days. Results: Twenty-seven patients with AML have been treated. Median age was 67 years (range, 32–82 years). Median ECOG status 1 (range, 0 to 2). Eighteen patients (67%) had received prior therapy (median, 1 regimen; range, 0 to 4 regimens); 3 had received a prior allogeneic stem cell transplant. A total of 85 cycles have been administered, with a median of 2 cycles (range, 1 to 13 cycles); 10 patients (37%) have received 3 or more cycles of therapy. One of 7 patients treated at dose level 3 of the sequential schedule developed dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), consisting of grade 3 fatigue, weakness, and mucositis. Therefore, the MTD was not reached in the 3 planned dose levels of the sequential schedule. One DLT (grade 3 fatigue) occurred in 6 patients treated at dose level 2 of the concurrent schedule. Most common drug-related non-hematological toxicities of any grade (all CTCAE grades 1 or 2) were nausea (71%), fatigue (54%), diarrhea (54%), vomiting (42%), anorexia (25%), constipation (13%), abdominal pain (13%), dehydration (13%), and headache (13%). No other non-hematological grade 3 or 4 toxicities were observed. Of the 25 evaluable patients, one patient achieved an incomplete CR (without neutrophil recovery), one a morphologic leukemia-free state (without blood count recovery), and three partial remissions (1 achieved red cell transfusion independency and a second normalization of platelet counts). Seven of these patients remain on study for 2.7 to 13.5+ months. Correlative studies examining histone acetylation and gene promoter methylation in leukemic cells at baseline and after treatment, as well as plasma pharmacokinetic levels for both decitabine and vorinostat are being evaluated. Conclusions: The combination of decitabine and vorinostat is safe, well-tolerated, and has clinical activity in patients with AML. Enrollment is ongoing.


A large number of technologies are available to reduce the carbon footprint of retail refrigeration systems. These can either save carbon through reducing energy usage (indirect effects) and/or through reducing refrigerant leakage (direct effects). The work carried out in this publication covers available carbon saving technologies and evaluates their potential in supermarket refrigeration systems. The aim of the work was to review and assess each technology from published information and to provide the reader with an unbiased view on the potential use and benefits of each technology. In many cases, varied benefits were observed for the technologies which greatly depended on the specific method of application. Also, the evidence presented by authors of the documents reviewed varied in their depth and level of robustness. In all cases, the authors have attempted to provide a balanced overview of each technology and to quantify evidence of the level of savings that can be achieved.


We extend an existing points-to analysis for Java in two ways. First, we fully support .NET which has structs and parameter passing by reference. Second, we increase the precision for calls to nonanalyzable methods. A method is non-analyzable when its code is not available either because it is abstract (an interface method or an abstract class method), it is virtual and the callee cannot be statically resolved, or because it is implemented in native code (as opposed to managed bytecode). For such methods, we introduce extensions that model potentially affected heap locations. We also propose an annotation language that permits a modular analysis without losing too much precision. Our annotation language allows concise specification of points-to and read/write effects. Our analysis infers points-to and read/effect information from available code and also checks code against its annotation, when the latter is provided.


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Background: Among the cells that are disseminated from a malignant tumor some are capable of resettling in distant organs and growing into life-threatening metastases. Therefore, the question arises how and whether such cells which have the potential to grow into metastases can be detected.

Materials and Methods: Using a nondissipative approach with only one enrichment step of red blood cell lysis, cells were cultured under conditions favoring the growth of epithelial cells. At 7, 14 and 21days the cell cultures were inspected for the appearance of spheroids staining with anti-EpCAM, anti-CD24 and anti-CD44 antibody and.expressing ALDH1.

Results: Tumorspheres from peripherally circulating cells from patients with malignant tumors in different stages of disease could so far be grown from 79% of 100 patients in whom more than 1000 epithelial tumor suspect cells per ml were detected. Numbers of tumorspheres correlated with the aggressiveness of the tumor and were highest in patients after surgery who had not yet received any systemic therapy. The size of the spheres increased from day 7 to day 21. They were negative for CD24 and positive for CD44. They highly express ALDH1 and thus exhibite typical features of stem cells.

Conclusion: Here, we demonstrate that the circulating tumor cells, detected in our approach contain a subpopulation with stem cell-like properties capable of growing into tumorspheres.

The frequency in peripheral blood of cells capable of forming tumor spheres seems to be dependent on the aggressiveness of the primary tumor.

Citation Format: Katharina Pachmann, Monica Pizon, Dorothea Zimon. Tumor spheres growing from circulating tumor cells exhibit stem cell features. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1931. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1931


In this article, we present a stochastic shortest path problem that we refer to as the Most Likely Path Problem (MLPP). We demonstrate that optimal solutions to the MLPP are not composed of optimal subpaths, which limits the computational tractability of exact solution methods. On series‐parallel networks, we produce analytical bounds for the MLPP's optimality indices, the probabilities of given paths in the network being shortest, and compute these bounds efficiently via numerical integration. These bounds can also be used independently of the MLPP to gain further understanding for paths of interest that are identified by other stochastic shortest path frameworks, e.g., robust shortest paths or expected shortest paths. Additionally, we present a heuristic method that uses dynamic programming and ordinal optimization to identify an MLP on series‐parallel networks. Our computational study shows our bounds to be tight in a majority of test networks and shows our heuristic to be both efficient and highly accurate for identifying an MLP in all test networks. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 58(1), 68–80 2011


The impact of soil moisture on the forecast of a small-scale convective system, and sensitivity of results to the convective parameterization used, are investigated through Eta Model simulations (run in an operationallike setting) of a convective system occurring on 27 May 1997 in Texas. The event was influenced by a southwestward-propagating gravity wave from early morning convection in Arkansas that intersected a slowmoving cold front, releasing extreme conditional static instability. Isolated heavy rainfall, over 100 mm, occurred in some regions. A control simulation with 22-km horizontal resolution reasonably simulated the event, even though mesoscale influences such as the gravity wave important to this event are often poorly captured by numerical models. A series of sensitivity tests were performed to examine the impact of soil moisture on the simulations. Two different convective parameterizations were used for the tests. Although domain average precipitation is found to generally vary in a straightforward way with soil moisture, peak precipitation in the regions of intense convection shows more complex behavior. Sensitivity of precipitation amounts to soil moisture differs significantly among runs having different convective parameterizations. For instance, with the Kain‐Fritsch convective scheme, relatively dry soil is found to result in stronger convective outflows that converge with stronger ambient flow to greatly enhance the precipitation in the region where heaviest rainfall occurs. With the Betts‐Miller‐Janjic scheme, drier soil generally results in less precipitation than in the control run, although some enhancement in peak amount does occur within a narrow range of drying. The differences between the peak quantitative precipitation forecasts in the runs is primarily due to the inclusion of a convective downdraft in the Kain‐Fritsch parameterization, and its impact on secondary convective development. Additional sensitivity tests find limited impact from prescribed vegetation coverage. A final sensitivity test shows that precipitation amounts are even more strongly affected by the vertical resolution of the data used to initialize the shallow but moist boundary layer than by variations in the soil moisture or vegetation fraction.


The performance of an airborne wind energy system crucially depends on the aerodynamic, structural dynamic and flight dynamic properties of the tethered wing. In the scope of this paper, flight dynamic properties are determined against reproducible steering inputs. Current design methods for highly flexible membrane wings have achieved a mature product level by combining iterative testing with empirical and intuitive variation of wing parameters. However, for significant further improvements, experimental data of high quality is indispensable. We have developed a tow test setup for reproducible mea5 surement of the dynamic properties of different types of tethered membrane wings. The test procedure is based on repeatable automated maneuvers with the entire kite system under realistic conditions. By measuring line forces and line angles, we determine the aerodynamic coefficients and the lift-to-drag ratio as functions of the length ratio between power and steering lines. This non-dimensional parameter characterizes the angle-of-attack of the wing and is varied automatically by the control unit on the towed test bench. During each towing run, several test cycles are executed such that mean values can be determined and 10 errors can be minimized. We can conclude from this study that an objective measurement of specific dynamic properties of highly flexible membrane wings is feasible. The presented tow test method is suitable for quantitatively assessing and comparing different wing designs. The method represents an essential milestone for the development and characterization of tethered membrane wings as well as for the validation and improvement of simulation models. On the basis of this work, more complex maneuvers and a full degree of automation can be implemented in subsequent work. It can also be used for aerodynamic 15 parameter identification.


As telecommunications networks and services are getting larger and more complex, telecommunication service providers around the world are desperately looking for solutions to manage and control them. A telecommunications management network (TMN) has been envisioned to provide a framework for the operation, administration, maintenance and provisioning (OAM&P) of telecommunications networks and services in today's open, multi-vendor environment. Due to the inherent distributed nature of managing systems and managed systems, supporting distributed processing is an essential requirement in TMN. This paper examines the general requirements for supporting distributed processing for the purpose of open distributed management in TMN and proposes a solution which is based on the integrated use of two distributed processing technologies: the X.500 Directory Service and the ODP (Open Distributed Processing) Trader.


Abstract Fitted Mössbauer spectra are presented for a set of anthophyllites and gedrites. Despite their complexity it is possible to obtain fits for gedrite spectra and the Mössbauer parameters are consistent with results for anthophyllites from this and previous studies. At least three doublets are required to fit the Fe2+ absorption in gedrites; there is no single model at present to explain the behaviour of the spectra. Fe3+ absorption is also resolved.


In this paper, we discuss the use of ontologies for semantic business process management. In particular, we address system and process integration challenges encountered in the real world, based on the example of the telecom domain: Internet-based telephony service (Voice over IP). Various aspects of ontology development are covered including relations to industry standards, ontology creation methodology and practice determined by telecom-specific aspects. Based on the use case example and the YATOSP framework, we ar-gue that the economical justification of the development of domain ontologies, due to their complexity and numerous dependencies, is not straightforward.


Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) hold great potential for modelling text, as they could in theory separate high-level semantic and syntactic properties from local regularities of natural language. Practically, however, VAEs with autoregressive decoders often suffer from posterior collapse, a phenomenon where the model learns to ignore the latent variables, causing the sequence VAE to degenerate into a language model. Previous works attempt to solve this problem with complex architectural changes or costly optimization schemes. In this paper, we argue that posterior collapse is caused in part by the encoder network failing to capture the input variabilities. We verify this hypothesis empirically and propose a straightforward fix using pooling. This simple technique effectively prevents posterior collapse, allowing the model to achieve significantly better data log-likelihood than standard sequence VAEs. Compared to the previous SOTA on preventing posterior collapse, we are able to achieve comparable performances while being significantly faster.


D-penicillamine induced status dystonicus is a unique but serious drug related complication in a subset of patients with Wilson disease. Patho-physiological basis of its occurrence is not known. It often responds poorly to anti dystonia medications. We present three patients with Wilson disease who developed severe paroxysmal dystonic spells after receiving D-penicillamine treatment. All three patients responded well to gabapentin after failing to respond to other anti dystonia drugs.


This research re-examines whether there are differences in the forecast accuracy of financial analysts by comparing their annual earnings per share forecasts. The comparison of analyst forecast accuracy is made on both an ex post (within sample) and an ex ante (out of sample) basis. Early examinations of this issue by O'Brien (1990), Richards (1976), Brown and Rozeff (1980), O'Brien (1987), Coggin and Hunter (1989), Butler and Lang (1991) were ex post and suggest the absence of analysts who can provide relatively more accurate forecasts over multiple years. Contrary to the results of prior research, and consistent with the belief in the popular press, we document that differences do exist in financial analysts' ex post forecast accuracy. We show that the previous studies failed to find differences in forecast accuracy due to inadequate (or no) control for differences in the recency of forecasts issued by the analysts. It has been well documented in the literature that forecast recency is positively related to forecast accuracy (Crichfield, et al, 1978; O'Brien, 1988; Brown, 1991). Thus, failure to control for forecast recency may reduce the power of tests, making it difficult to reject the null hypothesis of no differences in forecast accuracy even if they do exist.


This article describes the external AGC circuit algorithm based on EPLD and the VHDL program, designs digital AGC circuit in the front of the microwave receiver RF to extend the dynamic range of the receiver. After A/D conversion, the RF signal detector voltage designs VLSI, and outputs TTL signal which control digital attenuator. Constitute a closed loop AGC, to adjust the gain of the RF signal into the required dynamic range.


The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of tannin sources and levels in rations, on the productive performance and body lipid deposition of Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) during the finishing phase. Three hundred and forty-two fishes were distributed in 18 tanks. Rations were prepared using corn, sorghum varieties, with low and high tannin content, and tannic acid at 0.08, 0.34, and 0.60%. Weight gain, apparent feed conversion and protein efficiency rate were not influenced by the treatments. The highest body lipid deposition was observed for the tannic acid treatment (14.39%), while the diet containing sorghum with high tannin content yielded leaner body (12.01%) than that of sorghum with low tannin content (13.31%). Diets containing sorghum provided lower levels of visceral fat. Rations with tannin contents did not harm the productive performance of Nile tilapia.


Until recently, bats have not been well surveyed or studied in the Yukon. The little brown bat was known to range north to Mayo and Dawson City in the summer, but little was known of its biology or natural history, or if other species occurred. In this article we report from studies conducted between 1997 and 2008, funded in part by the Northern Research Institute. Current studies are answering questions about bat species that occur in the Yukon, their daily and seasonal activity patterns, foraging and roosting habitats, and population dynamics within roosts and roosting areas. We studied bats by detecting and interpreting ultrasonic echolocation calls (acoustic surveys) and by live capture. Acoustic surveys were conducted at over 100 sites across the little brown bat's range in the Yukon, where over 7,000 bat passes were recorded. Most of them were little brown bats but we also recorded northern long-eared and big brown or silver-haired bats. We have banded 1,043 little brown bats at twelve maternity colonies in buildings, bat houses, and rock crevices. Locations of hibernating sites remain unknown, but the bat species that occur in the Yukon are migratory and may hibernate a great distance from their summer range. The annual timing of birth of the little brown bat in the Yukon, at the northern edge of their range, is typical for the species. Recaptures of banded bats has documented roost fidelity and the use of multiple roosts within a larger foraging area. We have also documented cohesive movements of colonies during roost switching, long distance dispersal to new roosts, and survival for at least twelve years. Further research is needed to address the substantial gaps in our knowledge about bats in the Yukon.


This project attempts to redefine an augmented reality (AR) architectural concept of traversing the filmic space as a method in a new remote navigational interfacing. Through Panohaptic tiontiontion one is invited to experience a soft architectural space in an improvisational manner, connecting the physical optic world to the haptic through AR and digital filmic media. The main goal is to be able to use this interface in a real-time environment controlling film's time and space in order to manifest a new imaginative architectural situation. Remote physical interaction is achieved using optical tracking and multi-touch control through LED gloves, i.e. visual arts and performance events. This interface is creating a new topology that exists in the cinematic architecture realm attempting to bridge haptic and optic vision.


Background In the recent years, controversy has emerged regarding the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the potential effects it could have on glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). This study investigates the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in pediatric patients with T1D from a single, large volume practice. Methods This was a retrospective chart review that collected clinical/demographic data as well as serum 25(OH) D levels from medical records of 395 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years with T1D followed at Nemours Children's Hospital. This data was compared to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. A Pearson's Chi-square test was used between group associations. All statistical tests were two-sided and p < 0.05 was used for statistical significance. Results Of the 395 children included in these analyses, 4% were vitamin D deficient and 60% were vitamin D insufficient. There were no significant associations of vitamin D deficiency based on sex and age. Vitamin D deficiency was more common among White children when compared to Hispanic children and African American children (42% vs 29%; p < 0.001). Of those that were vitamin D insufficient (n = 235), most were Hispanic (51%), 36% White and 13% African American. There was a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.035). In the summer, children were less likely to be vitamin D deficient (3% vs 6% in winter) and less likely to be vitamin D insufficient (55% vs 71% in winter) (p = 0.007). Conclusions Vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent among pediatric type 1 diabetics of Central Florida and statistically significant correlation was found between vitamin D status and ethnicity, BMI as well as seasonal variation.


According to a Keynesian view, short term output fluctuations are normally demand side led. Since prices reflect demand, they should mirror output fluctuations. Thus, prices and output are expected to move in the same direction in the short run. The present paper investigates the historical co-movements of output and prices for a small open raw material based economy, in this case Norway 1830-2006. We find little evidence of a positive relationship. On the contrary, we rather find negative correlations between the two variables, indicating that supply side shocks through the foreign sector were more important for historical business cycles in Norway than assumed hitherto.


One thousand orthopedic procedures in 924 patients given spinal or epidural anesthesia were prospectively studied to determine the risk of hemorrhagic complications associated with regional anesthesia.A history of excessive bruising or bleeding was elicited in 115 (12%) patients. Preoperative antiplatelet medications were taken by 386 (39%) patients. Aspirin was the most frequently reported antiplatelet drug and was taken by 193 patients. Subcutaneous heparin was administered to 22 patients before surgery on the operative day. One patient of 774 tested had a preoperative platelet count less than 100,000/mm.3 In addition, 26 of 171 preoperative prothrombin times and 10 of 115 preoperative activated partial thromboplastin times were longer than normal. Only 31 preoperative bleeding times were performed; five were prolonged. There were no documented spinal hematomas (major hemorrhagic complications). Blood was noted during needle or catheter placement (minor hemorrhagic complication) in 223 (22%) patients, including 73 patients with frank blood in the needle or catheter. Preoperative antiplatelet therapy did not increase the incidence of minor hemorrhagic complications. However, female gender, increased age, a history of excessive bruising/bleeding, surgery to the hip, continuous catheter anesthetic technique, large needle gauge, multiple needle passes, and moderate or difficult needle placement were all significant risk factors. The lack of correlation between antiplatelet medications and bloody needle or catheter placement (producing clinically insignificant collections of blood in the spinal canal or epidural space) is strong evidence that preoperative antiplatelet therapy is not a significant risk factor for the development of neurologic dysfunction from spinal hematoma in patients who undergo spinal or epidural anesthesia while receiving these medications. (Anesth Analg 1995;80:303-9)


We review recent developments in space mapping techniques for modeling of microwave devices. We present a surrogate modeling methodology that utilizes space mapping combined with radial basis function interpolation. The method has advantages both over the standard space mapping modeling methodology and the recently published space mapping modeling with variable weight coefficients. In particular, it provides accuracy comparable or better than the latter method and computational efficiency as good as the standard space mapping modeling procedure. A comparison between the space mapping modeling methodologies as well as application examples of optimization and statistical analysis of microwave structures is presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Using the Klimontovich method (1982) of microscopic phase densities, a relativistic stochastic Boltzmann equation leading to a fluctuating energy-momentum tensor is derived. Via Einstein's equations the metric quantities themselves become random. They fulful relations of the type of fluctuation-dissipation theorems as is demonstrated for fluctuations of the cosmic scale factor of a flat Friedman universe.


A new species of Praxelis (Eupatorieae—Asteraceae) of Cerrado in Brazil, P. macrocarpa , is described and illustrated. It is very similar to P. capillaris but differs in involucral bracts number, involucre size, concrescence of involucral bracts, fruit size, flower size, and apical anther appendages. A description of pollen characters of the new species and a new key to the species of Praxelis in Brazil are included.


Digitalized video and audio system has become the trend of the progress in multimedia, because it provides great performance in quality and feasibility of processing. However, as the huge amount of information is needed while the bandwidth is limitted, data compression plays an important role in the system. Say, for a 176 x 144 monochrornic sequence with 10 frames/sec frame rate, the bandwidth is about 2Mbps. This wastes much channel resource and limits the applications. MPEG (moving piciure ezperi group) standardizes the video codec scheme, and it performs high compression ratio while providing good quality. MPEG-i is used for the frame size about 352 x 240 and 30 frames per second, and MPEG-2 provides scalibility and can be applied on scenes with higher definition, say HDTV (high definition ielevision). On the other hand, some applications concerns the very low bitrate, such as videophone and video-conferencing. Because the channel bandwidth is much limitted in telephone network, a very high compression ratio must be required. For the channel bandwidth as low as 28.8 Kbps (V.42), full-duplex is necessary, and 4Kbps is reserved for one-way speech, the effective bandwidth available is only about 10Kbps. As a result, the digital video signal should be compressed 200 times. For conventional codec scheme, such as 11.261, the performance is poor when the bit-rate is about 64Kbps. Therefore, MPEG-4 is being developed to satisfy the demand. In order to encode video signal, MC (motion compensated) method was widely used in standard systems, in which fix-block based algorithm was applied. However, there are some disadvantages such as block-effect that degrades the performance. To fit these applications, there are many approaches. For instance, model-based coding2 and analysis-synthesis coding.4 Model based coding is a very popular topic of survey in very low bit rate system. Though the encoded pictures are much constrained only in slow-moving of human face, the transmitted information is very little because only some parameters of motion of models must be sent. However, the technique is still at beginning because how to analyze and extract the parameters in a moving sequence is very difficult and complex. Besides, the moving sequence is much limitted in specific patterns. That is, if an unexpected pattern existed in the picture, say, a raising hand, the system may cost even much more both in complexity and bit-rate. And as a commercial consideration, most customers may not accept an "synthesized" countenance of his friend or relative in the screen. The other branch is "object-oriented analysis-synthesis coding" . In the approach, the contents in the picture is classified into background, model compliance object, and model failure object. The model-compliance object is coded by its motion and shape; while the model-failure object is coded by its color (including luminance and chrominance) and shape. The coding of background is unnecessary. Head and shoulder usually belong to the model-compliance objects and the details in face such as eyes and mouth are model-failure objects. This method immunes from the variety of picture patterns compared with the model-based approach, however, the performance is not good enough to fit the practical demand. Besides, the complex analysis is also a major burden. There are many researches about this topic recently and lots of modifications and adaptive schemes were proposed. As mentioned above, object-oriented coding is block-effect free. Besides, it is an efficient approach for coding the scene in video-conferencing application because only simple head and shoulder occupies the major part. In the view of image analysis, object-oriented approach contains much direct information than conventional waveform coding thus it can satisfy the requirements. In this paper, a pseudo object-oriented coding system is proposed. It is based on a pel-wised motion estimation and arbitrarily shaped transform. Instead of block matching scheme, the motion estimation is realized by a modified optical flow algorithm (MOFA). Because ofthe quasi-homogeneous property of motion field, the objects can be extracted by simpler segmentation. These objects are applied with arbitrarily shaped transform (AST). Briefly speaking, MOFA reduces temporal redundancy while AST reduces spatial redundancy. Since AST is applied on motion field rather than color field, it is quite different from conventional coding system.


Roentgenological measuring methods applicable to the vertebral column are reviewed on the basis of the roentgenological and orthopaedic literature, and described in the form of sketches and instructions regarding their application. The measuring methods reviewed in this article are used by radiologists and clinicians to assess the extent and severity of diseases of the spine, as well as to keep a watch on the course of such diseases.