The dielectric spectrum of pressboard, (i.e. its complex permittivity as a function of frequency), is related to its moisture content and to its temperature. Consequently it is possible to use dielectrometry measurements to measure a pressboard sample's moisture content. The complex permittivity of pressboard is measured in two different ways. The first method places the sample between two parallel metal plates, in effect creating a lossy lumped capacitor, whose complex impedance can easily be measured. The complex permittivity thus calculated is effectively averaged across the sample's bulk. The other method involves interdigitated electrodes, applied only to one surface of the sample. Since the electric field's depth of penetration is dependent on the spatial wavelength of the electrodes, different sensors can obtain information from different depths in the material, making it possible to measure spatial distributions of the dielectric properties. This can allow the study of the diffusion of water in pressboard.


We summarize Jang's architecture of employing an adaptive network and the Kalman filtering algorithm to identify the system parameters. Given a surface structure, the adaptively adjusted inference system performs well on a number of interpolation problems. We generalize Jang's basic model so that it can be used to solve classification problems by employing parameterized t-norms. We also enhance the model to include weights of importance so that feature selection becomes a component of the modeling scheme. Next, we discuss two ways of identifying system structures based on Jang's architecture: the top-down approach, and the bottom-up approach. We introduce a data structure, called a fuzzy binary boxtree, to organize rules so that the rule base can be matched against input signals with logarithmic efficiency. To preserve the advantage of parallel processing assumed in fuzzy rule-based inference systems, we give a parallel algorithm for pattern matching with a linear speedup. Moreover, as we consider the communication and storage cost of an interpolation model. We propose a rule combination mechanism to build a simplified version of the original rule base according to a given focus set. This scheme can be used in various situations of pattern representation or data compression, such as in image coding or in hierarchical pattern recognition. >


In recent years virtual reality, augmented reality, wearables, and deep learning became more and more widely used. Thus emerged a new challenge for human-computer interface design: understanding the human user. In the current work, I describe four areas of understanding, which are human behavior, human limits, human needs and human cognition. These together form the basis of a new way of interaction between computers and us. A way where collaboration replaces commands; where respect of each other's limits is emphasized over limitless freedom; user interfaces become - dynamic and responsive instead of static and unaware; and self-explaining design instead of user guides. I will discuss how these factors are dependent on each other and work as an integrated whole to revolutionize interfaces. I'm presenting this work from a cognitive scientific point of view, which focuses on the human factor in information and communications technology and uses quantitative methods to analyze behavior, limits, needs, and cognition.


Abstract Aim: To gauge the level of preparedness of health system of Pakistan in the wake of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The global COVID-19 outbreak and its subsequent repercussions and implications, after being declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), exposed all the inherent, lingering, and acute shortcomings of the health systems in many developing countries and Pakistan was no exception. Methods: A detailed literature review was done which included peer-reviewed articles on COVID-19 and health system, published in local and international journals, WHO and World Bank's publications, and the documents and official reports of the government. Focus was to glean and cite strategies adopted by the developing countries in response to COVID-19 and to see the applicability of those which are feasible for Pakistan. Findings: Level of preparedness was minimal and the response to manage the outbreak was weak. Based on toll of the cases and number of deaths, this public health threat turned out to be a catastrophe beyond the controlling authority and capacity of the health system, and hence other sectors and agencies had to be engaged for devising a concerted and integrated response to deal with the emergency. Governance was disorderly, financing was inadequate, human resources were not trained, supplies and logistic were not stocked, information system was patchy, and research capacity was limited, and most of all the service delivery was in a biggest chaos of times. COVID-19 demanded to re-configure the health system of Pakistan. Conclusion: Improving the emergency preparedness of the hospitals is the foremost and an urgent need. A strong national public health system in Pakistan is needed to rapidly investigate and analyze the reports, assess the magnitude of the public health risk, share real-time information, and implement public health control measures in a concerted and systematic demeanor.


Abstract In 19th-century Poland — under Russian, Prussian and Austrian rule at the time – the main goal of music was to promote revival and to stimulate patriotic feelings. Patriotic Polishness drawing on the country's glorious past was to be the essence of music; modernity of the composer's language was of secondary importance. Karol Szymanowski unceremoniously criticised this patriotic music as turned towards the provincial Polish tradition. According to Szymanowski, the criterion of Polish and at the same time "civilised musical art" was met only by Chopin. With the regaining of independence Polish art should free itself from patriotic didacticism and pay attention to aesthetic qualities, which was to eliminate the discrepancy between Polishness and Europeanness, between what was national and what was international, universal and European. The figure of Karol Szymanowski links our musical present, symbolised by the Warsaw Autumn International Festival of Contemporary Music, with the first years of independent Poland, for Warsaw Autumn realized Karol Szymanowski's vision of modern Polish music. In this vision Polish music was a rightful element of European culture.


Explaining the black-box predictions of NLP models naturally and accurately is an important open problem in natural language generation. These free-text explanations are expected to contain sufficient and carefully-selected evidence to form supportive arguments for predictions. Due to the superior generative capacity of large pretrained language models, recent work built on prompt engineering enables explanation generation without specific training. However, explanation generated through single-pass prompting often lacks sufficiency and conciseness. To address this problem, we develop an information bottleneck method EIB to produce refined explanations that are sufficient and concise. Our approach regenerates the free-text explanation by polishing the single-pass output from the pretrained language model but retaining the information that supports the contents being explained. Experiments on two out-of-domain tasks verify the effectiveness of EIB through automatic evaluation and thoroughly-conducted human evaluation.


Four unusual cases of primary mammary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma composed predominantly of tall columnar cells with abundant intracytoplasmic mucin are reported; they were multicystic and appeared virtually identical to mucinous cystadenocarcinomas of the ovary and pancreas. Three of the women were white and one was black, they ranged in age from 49 to 67 years (average 58), and they had tumors that ranged from 0.8 to 19 cm in diameter. Microscopically, the tumors were characterized by cystic spaces lined by predominantly bland-appearing columnar mucinous cells with stratification, tufting, and papillary formations. Varying degrees of cytologic atypia were focally evident, with gradual loss of the intracytoplasmic mucin and transformation to an eosinophilic squamoid cell population. Multifocal invasion generally emanated from these eosinophilic, squamoid areas in all cases. All four tumors displayed immunoreactivity for MIB-1 (Ki-67) in a relatively high percentage of cells and failed to show immunoreactivity for estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors. All four stained positively with cytokeratin 7 (CK7) but were negative with cytokeratin 20 (CK20). Mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were performed in three cases and lumpectomy with lymph node dissection in the remaining case. Lymph node metastases, identified in only one patient, retained the distinctive morphology. Three of the patients are alive without evidence of disease 11, 22, and 24 months after the diagnosis; the fourth is a recent case. These tumors are a rare, clinicopathologically distinct type of primary breast carcinoma that should be distinguished from typical mucinous (colloid) carcinomas of the breast and, more importantly, metastases from other sites.


Using principles of social psychology to structure learning experiences in the foreign language classroom can provide the language teacher with a workable design for instruction. Strategies for increasing student-student interaction through a variety of small-group activities from preparation of oral compositions to more ambitious intra- and cross-level teaching and tutoring projects allow for fuller student participation in classroom life. Attention to practical matters of organizing, sequencing, and evaluating activities as well as considerations of administrative issues ground the strategies in the reality of the school setting. A sample of group products achieved through the group process testifies to the feasibility of implementing such strategies in the foreign language classroom.


Most animal societies are non-clonal and thus subject to conflicts. In social insects, conflict over male production can be resolved by worker policing, i.e. eating of worker-laid eggs (WLE) or aggression towards reproductive workers. All workers in a colony have an interest in policing behaviour being expressed, but there can be asymmetries among workers in performing the actual behaviour. Here, we show that workers of the ant Pachycondyla inversa specialize in policing behaviour. In two types of behavioural assays, workers developed their ovaries and laid eggs. In the first experiment, reproductive workers were introduced into queenright colonies. In the second experiment, WLE were introduced. By observing which individuals policed, we found that aggressive policing was highly skewed among workers that had opportunity to police, and that a similar tendency occurred in egg policing. None of the policing workers had active ovaries, so that policing did not incur a direct selfish benefit to the policer. This suggests that policing is subject to polyethism, just like other tasks in the colony. We discuss several hypotheses on the possible causes of this skew in policing tasks. This is the first non-primate example of specialization in policing tasks without direct selfish interests.


BACKGROUND
Aneurysms of the ascending aorta present a special challenge to primary care physicians, internists, and cardiac surgeons because they remain asymptomatic until they present with either dissection or rupture.

METHOD
This review article is based on a selective search of the literature.

RESULTS
In the elderly, aneurysms of the ascending aorta are mainly caused by atherosclerosis. In younger patients, the most common cause is Marfan syndrome; less commonly, younger patients may have Loeys-Dietz syndrome, non-syndromic familial aortic aneurysms, or aortic valve malformations. Genetic variants predisposing to the development of sporadic aortic aneurysms have recently been identified. The risk of rupture and dissection depends on the aortic diameter: when the diameter exceeds 55 mm, surgery improves the outcome, as the risk of surgical complications is lower than the mortality due to rupture or dissection. A more accurate prognosis can be obtained by normalizing the aortic diameter to the body surface area. For patients with Marfan syndrome or a bicuspid aortic valve, the indications for surgery should be determined on an individual basis, depending on additional risk factors. Randomized treatment trials are lacking. The medical management of aneurysms of the ascending aorta consists of monitoring the size of the aneurysm, controlling blood pressure, and treating any cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with Marfan syndrome benefit from preventive treatment with beta-blockers. Advances in the pathophysiological understanding of aortic aneurysms have led to the testing of new types of treatment, e.g., with AT1 antagonists.

CONCLUSION
With the aid of a risk-based treatment strategy, surgery can be properly timed to prevent dissection, which is usually lethal when it occurs. More research is needed on the pathogenesis of this condition so that better preventive treatments can be developed.


The recent articles by Tepljaschin ( Arch. Ophth. , Vol. xxvi, p. 74) and by Barbacheff (review in Ophth. Rec. , Vol. vi, p. 88) have stimulated interest in the rare anomalies of corneal transparency of congenital origin. The point of practical interest is to determine whether such a case is due to arrested development or to an inflammatory process, especially interstitial keratitis of syphilitic origin in utero. My case was that of a boy seen Nov. 14, 1896, at that time 8 years old. The case had also been seen by my colleague Dr. W. G. Smith in January, 1890, who noted as follows: "Total opacity of left cornea, said by parents to have been present from birth. The parents also stated that opacity would sometimes clear up so that the outline of the pupil could be seen. V.=Pl." There was no record made of nystagmus, but a concomitant convergent squint was


Strawberry cultivation depends on environmental factors, making its cultivation in the greenhouse a challenge in the winter. This study investigated the most appropriate greenhouse cladding material and thermal screen configuration for strawberry production in the winter by considering greenhouse air temperature, relative humidity (RH, vapor pressure deficit (VPD, and solar radiation (SR). Two gothic greenhouses with different cladding materials and thermal screen configurations, namely, the single-layer greenhouse and double-layer greenhouse, were used for strawberry cultivation. The greenhouse microclimate was controlled by natural ventilation aided with circulating fans and boilers. Strawberries were planted on 5 greenhouse benches, 660 stands per greenhouse. Daily environmental parameters were recorded and processed into daytime and nighttime. The impacts of cladding material-thermal screen configurations on temperature, RH, VPD, and SR, and the subsequent effect on strawberry yield in both greenhouse systems, were evaluated. Comparing the environmental parameters recorded in the single-layer and double-layer greenhouse showed that VPD and SR were significantly different in the daytime, whereas RH and VPD were significantly different in the nighttime. The post hoc test further showed that RH, VPD, and SR in both greenhouses were significantly different. The significant difference in RH and VPD can be attributed to the inner layer of polyethene in the double-layer greenhouse, which sealed up the pores of the thermal screen, resulting in humidity buildup, causing a lower VPD than in the single-layer greenhouse. The single-layer greenhouse yield was 14% greater than the double-layer greenhouse yield and can be attributed to the higher daytime VPD and lower RH achieved in the single-layer greenhouse at night. The study established that though the single-layer greenhouse system was cost-effective regarding construction, the operating cost of the single-layer greenhouse was higher than that of the double-layer greenhouse.


This paper proposes that the syndrome of mania rather than mood swings is the central distinguishing feature of bipolar disorder, which may be more appropriately viewed as manic disorder. The theoretical consequence of this change in perspective is to regard the depressive mood states as being a co-morbid condition. This may lead to a more profound and broader understanding of the variety of states of depression that complicate manic disorder. The paper also reviews diagnostic issues relating to bipolar depression. A broader approach may extend therapeutic choices, and open innovative research avenues.


This book demonstrates that even though Africa has strong and virile traditional conflict mediating techniques, its non application has left the continent bedevilled by intractable conflicts. This book examines joking relationship a traditional conflict mediating technique used for the maintenance of social cohesion in traditional Africa. Generally, this book demonstrates that rituals performed during joking relationship are important tools for mediating conflicts in Africa societies. The book argues that round table negotiations and signing of paper agreements have no efficacy within the traditional and cultural conflict situations in Africa because socially, Africa is communal in nature; that is, everyone is involved in most of the decisions undertaken within the community. For any conflict to be properly resolved, the entire community should be involved so that the agreement undertaken by the group will be meaningful, and conflicting communities will certainly respect them. The book suggest the inclusion of traditional mediating principles such as ceremonies, festivals that involve emotional displays such as communal eating, drinking and dancing in conflict resolution in Africa.


The characteristics of droplet impact on hydrophobic surfaces can be altered by introducing surface oscillations. The contact duration, spreading, retraction, and rebounding behaviors of the impacting water droplet are examined at various sonic excitation frequencies of the hydrophobic membrane. Membrane oscillation and droplet behavior are analyzed by utilizing a high-speed camera. The restitution coefficient and membrane dynamics are formulated and the findings are compared with those of the experiments. It is found that the mode of membrane oscillation changes as the sonic excitation frequency is changed. The droplet spreading and retraction rates reduce while the rebound height and restitution coefficient increase at a sonic excitation frequency of 75 Hz. However, further increase of the excitation frequency results in reduced rebound height because of the increased energy dissipation on the impacted surface. The droplet contact (transition time) duration reduces as the excitation frequency increases. Increasing droplet Weber number enhances the droplet contact period on the membrane, which becomes more apparent at low frequencies of sonic excitation.


We report findings from the survey "School Visits Post-Lockdown" by the School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester. We surveyed museum educators and other museum professionals who are involved in the planning and/or delivery of school visits. The survey aimed to understand the new contexts in which schools and museums are called to continue their educational synergies, the challenges that these contexts present, and the potential uses of digital technologies and tools in responding to these challenges.


Rapid developments in mobile networks and wireless information systems nowadays are researched and adopted. Innovative business models are continually performing and could become a major benchmark in the electronic business field. Understanding them and attempting to design them are important issues. The differentiation of mobile business aspects from electronic business dimensions are a set of the parameters that set mobile business services to leading positions. One of the biggest partitive attributes between electronic mobile business applications is the working options of the user. Electronic business environment constrains the user work at the stationary position. Mobile business applications allow the user work in total mobility conditions. Also new network-based options can handle many of the services features, which can add value to mobile business services. Mobile business is the result of the electronic business and information technologies evolution. For the value adding, mobile business services should take real advantage of electronic business services, with the opportunities of creating, configuring, integrating, upgrading, troubleshooting, and maintaining new business models. A variety of mobile business service offerings that could take advantage of electronic business are presented. A treatment is suggested to add value and differentiate mobile business services, so that they continue to remain profitable.


The basic principle of safety grounding for the protection of workmen must be complemented by adequate grounding devices. Because of the great importance of these devices their adequacy should be proved by tests whenever 1) their design is changed although the change supposedly is an improvement; 2) system condition changes have accumulated beyond previously established limits; and 3) the slightest doubt about the reliability of a particular design has arisen.


Although an analog technology, many DJs still value the turntable as an irreplaceable performance tool. Digital vinyl systems combine the distinct haptic nature of the analog turntable with the advantages of digital media. They use special records containing a digital timecode which is then processed by a computer and mapped to properties like playback speed and direction. These records, however, are generic and, in contrast to traditional vinyl, do not provide visual cues representing the structure of the track. We present a system that augments the timecode record with a visualization of song information such as artist, title, and track length, but also with a waveform that allows the DJ to visually navigate to a certain beat. We conducted a survey examining the acceptance of such tools in the DJ community and conducted a user study with professional DJs. The system was widely accepted as a tool in the DJ community and received very positive feedback during observational mixing sessions with four professional DJs.


Due to the oil depletion and global climate change, sustainable manufacturing of fine chemicals from renewable feedstocks has gained an increasing attention in the scientific community. In the present study, we attempted to engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae towards de novo synthesis of (S)- or (R)-phenylethanediol, an important pharmaceutical intermediate. More specifically, the biocatalytic cascades contain: L-phenylalanine undergoes deamination/decarboxylation to styrene by using phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and ferulic acid decarboxylase (FDC), followed by S-selective epoxidation of styrene to give (S)-styrene oxide with styrene monooxygenase (SMO); regioselective hydrolysis of (S)-styrene oxide with epoxide hydrolase from Sphingomonas HXN-200 (SpEH) or from potato (StEH) gives rise to (S)- or (R)-phenylethanediol. In this work, we found the artificial enzyme cascades could be functionally expressed in the heterologous host of S. cerevisiae. Small-scale shake flask studies revealed that the engineered yeast cell factories produced approximately 100~120 mg/L of (S)- or (R)-phenylethanediol after 96 h cultivation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to explore an artificial route with styrene as an intermediate for producing phenylethanediol in S. cerevisiae. We envision that our engineering strategy will open a new research field for synthesizing other vicinal diol derived chemicals in yeast.


The National Research Institute for Prescriptions and Consumption of medicines which was founded under the authority of the Minister of Health, is charged with the following missions: improved evaluation of the therapeutic needs of the population; more precise knowledge of therapeutic management; the identification of possible deviations in relation to systems of reference; recommendations in favor of correct use of medicines; and the optimization of patient management. Its first report concerned the antibiotic therapy of respiratory infections. In France, the average annual increase rate of the frequency of antibiotics consumption was in the region of 3.7%, between the periods 1980-1981 and 1991-1992. It essentially concerned cephalosporins and quinolones. Between 1991 and 1996 antibiotics sales increased on average by 2.1%, in units, per year. The increase of this consumption, which was not justified by any epidemiological evolution, is partly explained by the high frequency of antibiotic prescriptions during respiratory or ENT affections presumed to be of viral etiology: in 40% of rhinopharyngitis, 80% of acute bronchitis and more than 90% of anginas, whatever the age. Moreover the antibiotic treatments were not prescribed optimally: too long duration, insufficient dosages. Such phenomena are disturbing with regard to their consequences on the evolution of bacterial resistances. A comparison between French practices and those of Germany and the United Kingdom suggests that recourse to treatment is more frequent in France for the infectious diseases mentioned above, with more intensive utilization of antibiotics, in particular broad-spectrum penicillins. Recommendations have been made in favor of a rationalisation of practices.


We investigate the possibility that the amplitude of quantum wave can have a deeper physical meaning other than the probabilistic interpretation base on Born's postulate. We find that the probabilistic nature of a quantum system can be explained if matter has fluctuations in space and time. The basic properties of a zero spin bosonic field (e.g., Schrödinger's equation, Klein-Gordon equation, probability density, second quantization) are derived. In addition, the properties of this system with fluctuations in space and time can be applied to explain the wave packet collapse in quantum measurements.


Summary During the last decade, the potential of the dominant five-factor personality model to describe the personality structure was questioned. It has been found that at least six factors are needed for the explication of personality structure (Jackson et al., 1996). Lexical research as well as factor analysis of translated five-factor questionnaires repeatedly revealed that six factors as opposed to five should be used in different languages (Ashton et al., 2004). As a result, the six-factor model providing a better insight into a personality was developed. It consists of the following factors: Honesty–Humility (H), Emotionality (E), Extraversion (X), Agreeableness (A), Conscientiousness (C), and Openness to Experience (O), represented by the acronym HEXACO (Lee and Ashton, 2004). This model, as compared with the five-factor model, has an advantage in psycholexical, theoretical as well as practical terms (Ashton and Lee, 2007). The HECAXO PI-R questionnaire (Ashton and Lee, 2009) is an empirical means of the six-factor model. Different items of the personality questionnaire based on introspection should be accurately translated into the identical meaning in different cultures. Like any other personality structure assessment tool, the HEXACO PI-R questionnaire depends on the language and cultural context, so it is necessary to evaluate the psychometric properties as well as to perform standardisation of the questionnaire in a country in which the questionnaire is applied. The article covers particular psychometric properties of the Lithuanian version of the HE XACO PI-R. 369 students (aged between 19 and 28, including 278 women and 91 men) voluntarily agreed to fill in the HEXACO PI-R questionnaire and participate in this research. The results of the questionnaire have shown that the internal consistency of all the scales that assess personality dimensions is very good while the internal consistency of the subscales that assess subdimensions is sufficient, except for two subdimensions, one of which has a low reliability also in other counties, while the other can be explained by cultural differences. Factor analysis confirmed the relevance of the theoretical model of the six-factor personality model and revealed a very good structural validity of the questionnaire: all subdimensions have the biggest weight in the factors that compose these subdimensions. Also, statistically significant differences were found between men and women in the Honesty–Humility, Emotionality and Conscientiousness scales. The mean scores of women were statistically significantly higher than those of men in all scales. The study showed that the Lithuanian version of HEHEXACO PI-R can be applied in scientific research. Keywords: personality traits, Six Factor Model, HE XACO PI-R.


The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological predictors of social media addiction among undergraduates in Rivers state, in terms of some variables such as depression, and loneliness. Survey method was used in the study. The population of the study was 13,810 comprising 5649 (University of Port Harcourt undergraduate), 3650 (Rivers State University undergraduate), and 4511 (Ignatius Ajuru University undergraduates). A sample 389 undergraduate students were used for the study. The sample was drawn using multi-stage sampling procedure. A validated instrument titled social media usage scale (SMUS) with a reliability coefficient of 0.87 was used for data collection. Simple linear regression coefficients, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while ANOVA associated with simple linear regression and independent sample z-test were used for testing the null hypotheses.The study found that depression and loneliness independently predicts social media addiction. It was therefore concluded that social media addiction is a psychological behavioural problem that need to betackle by all academic stakeholders. And are positively predicted by loneliness and depression. The study recommended among others that; school authorities should endeavor to regulate the level of utilization of social networking sites as well as encourage positive use of social networking sites by students; government school authorities and parents should endeavor to health behaviours that reduces depression and loneliness among the students; and students should rather engage in social healthy relationship than become engrossed in the use of social media sites which retards their academic progress.


In this paper, we use the optimization formulation of nonlinear Kalman filtering and smoothing problems to develop second-order variants of iterated Kalman smoother (IKS) meth-ods. We show that Newton's method corresponds to a recursion over affine smoothing problems on a modified state-space model augmented by a pseudo measurement. The first and second derivatives required in this approach can be efficiently computed with widely available automatic differentiation tools. Further-more, we show how to incorporate line-search and trust-region strategies into the proposed second-order IKS algorithm in order to regularize updates between iterations. Finally, we provide numerical examples to demonstrate the method's efficiency in terms of runtime compared to its batch counterpart.


New stable frictional materials based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are greatly desired for applications in self-powered systems. This work reports an ionic MOF material with efficient charge separation mediated by charge induction. ZUT-iMOF-1(Cu) is chemically stable and its triboelectric output performance surpasses those of traditional MOF materials. The short-circuit current of the iMOF triboelectric nanogenerator is 73.79 μA at 5 Hz. The output performance remains stable over 50 000 cycles of continuous operation. The charge and power densities peak at 123.20 μC m-2 and 3133.23 mW m-2. Owing to its high output performance, ZUT-iMOF-1(Cu) effectively prevents metal corrosion in cathodic-protection systems. Theoretical calculations show that increasing the charge-separation effect promotes the frictional electricity generation behaviour. This study provides research suggestions for ionic MOF frictional materials and will promote their application in self-powered electrochemical cathodic-protection systems.


section. X Annual Meeting of the Mexican Association of Hepatology. , 2015; 14 (4): 579-610 580 Background. The extracts of medicinal plants, are assessed increasingly models hepatoprotection. Select the appropriate model and the experimental conditions for assessing the biological activity of natural products is a guideline to follow. Aim. To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Silymarin, Silibinin and Silifos in vitro and in vivo in induced liver damage by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or acetaminophen (APAP). Material and methods. Hepatotoxicity of CCl4 and APAP at different concentrations and times in HepG2 was evaluated. Viability by MTT, AST, ALT, LDH and mediators of oxidative stress (total antioxidants, TBARS, SOD and GSH), to select the best model of hepatotoxicity was determined. Cytotoxic activity of Silymarin, Silibinin and Silifos at 10, 100 and 150 μg/ mL for 12 h through the afore mentioned parameters were evaluated. The hepatoprotective activity of these agents was assessed in the damage induced by the best hepatotoxic agent in HepG2 and Wistar rats, which were pre-treated orally every 12 h for 3 days before intoxication (intraperitoneal injection) and 24 h after sacrificed. At least 3 replicates were performed. Results. Regarding hepatotoxicity, the CCl4 was better than APAP. Silymarin, Silibinin and Silifos showed no cytotoxicity at the doses tested and the best of these compounds hepatoprotective activity in HepG2 cells and Wistar rats was shown by silibinin followed by silymarin. Conclusions. 1. The best hepatotoxic agent for bioassay-guided fractionation bioassays during CCl4 conditions was evaluated. 2. The hepatoprotective agents were not toxic, based on the evaluated parameters. 3. Pre-treatment of HepG2 cells with 150 μg/mL and Silibinin pretreatment Silibinin Wistar rats at 70 mg/kg reduced the damage induced by CCl4, indicative of its hepatoprotective activity. This work has been fully sponsored by CONACYT Convocatoria Científica Básica 2012-180977. 004 EFFECT OF HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR IN CELLS INFECTED WITH HCV I T O S VI BO BAUT S ASORIO E, LOZANO-SEPÚLVEDA SA, ALASLLALO S T , B T L RIVAS-ES IL A AM LABORATORIO DE INFECTOLOGÍA MOLECULAR, DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOQUÍMICA Y MEDICINA MOLECULAR, FACULTAD DE MEDICINA, UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE NUEVO LEÓN, MONTERREY, NUEVO LEON, MEXICO. Background. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects the liver by increasing the oxidative stress in hepatocytes. It has demonstrated the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in hepatic regeneration, decrease of oxidative stress and the viral load in infected patients, however there are not information about the molecular mechanisms implicated in the effect of HGF in modulating of HCV replication. Aim. Evaluate the modulation of genetic expression of antioxidants proteins in the presence of HGF in cells infected with HCV. Material and methods. Transient transfection assays to overexpress the viral structural and non-structural proteins of HCV were performed in presence and abscence of HGF. The Huh 7 cells were transfected with 250 ng of each plasmid: pFK1-VHC, pNS5A-HCV and pE2-HCV. Then transfected cells were treated with 50 ng/μl of HGF 24 h. Later, the total RNA was extracted to quantify the mRNA by real-time PCR of superoxidase dismutase 1 and 2 (SOD1 and SOD2), methionine adenosyltransferase 1 and 2 (MAT1 and MAT2), catalase (CAT), thioredoxin (TRX), and 18S ribosomal RNA. The levels of HCV-RNA were quantified using TaqMan probes of the IRES region of each plasmid. Simultaneously the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in transfected cells were assessed by the DHCF-DA assay. Results. The genetic expression of SOD1, SOD2, MAT2A, TRX and CAT were decreased in parental Huh7 cells with HGF compared to untreated control at 24 h. Cells with pFK1 showed higher mRNA levels of those proteins compared to pE2 and pNS5A and decreased with HGF treatment at 24 h. MAT1A was not detected because is often silenced in hepatocellular carcinoma. The levels of ROS were reduced 14, 10 and 40% in pFK1, pNS5A and pE2 with HGF respect to untreated control. Conclusions. The HGF significantly reduces the levels of SOD1, SOD2, MAT1A, MAT2A, TRX and CAT in cells expressing the HCV proteins. The HGF alters the mRNA of antioxidant proteins and the ROS levels, demonstrating the antiviral activity mediated by modulation of the oxidative stress. No conflicts of interest between the authors. This work was subsidized by CONACYT/CB-2010-01-I0017 awared to PhD. Rivas-Estilla AM. 005 SPIRONOLACTONE EFFECT ON SECONDARY DAMAGE BY HEPATIC ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION IN WISTAR RATS C JIMÉNEZ PÉREZ J ,1 T PERALES-QUIN ANA MM,1 R CASILLASAMÍREZ , A 2 Ñ L MU OZ ESPINOSA E,1 ES O L Z TORR G N Á EZ L,1 A A P A R Z AT CH VI A A H ,1 R P CO DERO PÉREZ 1 1UNIDAD DE HÍGADO, HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO "DR. JOSÉ E. GONZÁLEZ", UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE NUEVO LEÓN, MONTERREY, NUEVO LEON, MEXICO. 2HOSPITAL REGIONAL DE ALTA ESPECIALIDAD DE CIUDAD VICTORIA "BICENTENARIO 2010", CIUDAD VICTORIA, TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO Background. Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) involves the formation of reactive oxygen species and an excessive inflammatory response. Recent studies have shown that spironolactone (SPI) reduces the damage induced by IR in brain, heart and kidney, but has not been reported its effect on the liver. Objective. To evaluate the effect of SPI during injury induced by IR in rat liver. Material and methods. The study was performed with 15 male Wistar rats (200-250g) and divided into 3 groups (n = 5). After anesthesia with Fentobarbital (60 mg/kg): in SHAM group was operated without ischemia, the group with IR was underwent to 20 min of hepatic ischemia (occlusion hepatoduodenal ligament, which contains the hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct) followed by 60 min of reperfusion, and ESP group received 2.6 mg/ kg orally 20 h before IR and the same process of IR group was performed. For this Project were measured the degree of hepatic lesion morphology and serum concentrations of ALT, AST, LDH, TNFα, IL-6, IL-1a, total antioxidant, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and catalase activity. The data were analyzed in a statistical software program SPSS 15.0 using ANOVA test with Tukey contrasting. Results. After the IR liver tissue damage was evident, characterized by widespread acute inflammatory infiltrate, and disorganization of hepatic hemorrhage trabeculae, and presence of apoptotic bodies. Likewise, serum levels of liver enzymes, cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, levels of MDA and catalase were increased in IR group compared with SHAM group, but only showed significantly increase in AST, ALT, MDA and catalase (P < 0.05). Histologically the group level with pretreatment SPI present cellular architecture preserved, isolated pockets of inflammation and apoptotic bodies isolated. The evaluated mediators are shown in the table 1. Conclusions. SPI prevented the liver damage induced by IR, characterized by decrease of histological changes, liver transaminase levels and increase antioxidant enzyme catalase. 581 Abstract section. X Annual Meeting of the Mexican Association of Hepatology. , 2015; 14 (4): 579-610 006 GDF11 INDUCES AN ANTITUMORIGENIC EFFECT IN HEPG2 CELLS U ST O D N AR E MÍ U GER DO-RAMÍREZ M, PÉR Z AG ILAR B, PALE IN O G EZ M, Ñ , R M , , U U É C EZ NU O N MIRANDA RU BUCIO L, SO ZA V G TI RR UIZ , G L ÓMEZ-QUIROZ E LABORATORIO DE FISIOLOGÍA CELULAR. DEPARTAMENTO DE CIENCIAS DE LA SALUD. UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA METROPOLITANA. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO Background. Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) is a member of the TGFβ family, which has been characterized as a potent player in development and differentiation. It has been reported that GDF11 content diminish with longevity, the restoration of levels of this protein was associated to muscle tissue repair, at the same time it has been observed that GDF11 can antagonize the effect of canonical growth factors such as EGF and FGF, inducing cell cycle arrest and even apoptosis. Taking in consideration this evidence, the aim of the present work was to address the effect of GDF11 in a well-characterized cancer cell line HepG2, as a first approach of GDF11 in liver cancer. Material and methods. The human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2 was cultured in standard conditions, cells were treated or not with 100 ng/mL GDF11. Wound healing and Spheroid forming assays were performed. Protein content was measured by Western blotting. Results. Data show that GDF11 induced a decrease in the number and size of the spheroid, in comparison with not treated cells at seven days of treatment, in addition wound healing assays revealed a better repair process in not treated cells, when comparing with GDF11 treated plates at three days of treatment. These data were correlated with a decrease in Akt activation, which lead a signaling pathways associated to proliferation and survival. In conclusion our results suggest that GDF11 could have an antitumorigenic effect in the hepatoblastoma cell line, supporting that GDF11 could be considered as a possible therapeutic target. Grant from Conacyt and UAM. 007 THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF THE HGF AGAINST THE TOXICITY INDUCED BY ISONIAZID AND RIFAMPICIN IN A MOUSE MODEL OF PROGRESSIVE TUBERCULOSIS M O BELLOONROY ,1 N I ENRÍQUEZ-CORT A C,1 O , R R SALES-C UZ DP 1 U E Á Z J ÁREZ-HERN ND U,2 AM R R OSOBLES B,2 , D MIRAN A RU 1 L BUCIO ,1 O A V S UZ ,1 O D MATA-ESPIN SA ,2 R SJ, BAR IO PAYÁN 2 Q IN MAR U AL O CASTI L B,2 Á Z A E N N R H RN DE -P DO ,2 ÉR I GUT REZ-RUIZ MC,1 GÓMEZL QUIROZ E1 1LABORATORIO DE FISIOLOGÍA CELULAR. DEPARTAMENTO DE CIENCIAS DE LA SALUD. UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA METROPOLITANA. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO. 2DEPARTAMENTO DE PATOLOGÍA. INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE CIENCIAS MÉDICAS Y NUTRICIÓN "SALVADOR ZUBIRÁN". MEXICO CITY, MEXICO. Background. Tuberculosis is a disease that is responsible of two million of deceases every year worldwide, this fact is mainly associated to an increase of the number of infections with multidrug resis


We report resistivity and calorimetric measurements on two single crystals of CePd2Si2 pressurized up to 7.4 GPa. A weak uniaxial stress induced in the pressure cell demonstrates the sensitivity of the physics to anisotropy. Stress applied along the c-axis extends the whole phase diagram to higher pressures and enhances the superconducting phase emerging around the magnetic instability, with a 40% increase of the maximum superconducting temperature, Tc, and a doubled pressure range. Calorimetric measurements demonstrate the bulk nature of the superconductivity.


In this paper, we describe SOTIS, a speech-operated on-board traveler information system that allows users to find their position in cities and to ask for information about places of interest; SOTIS can guide users to the places they want. The user can communicate with SOTIS either by means of speech input or via a touch screen. SOTIS automatically decides whether to respond through the integrated speech synthesis or display messages. SOTIS is currently available for the city of Changchun. It was designed to run on embedded computers, e.g. the x 86 families, and is available in Windows XP embedded.


In this paper, a novel readout approach for the Hamiltonian path problem (HPP) in DNA computing based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is proposed. Based on this approach, real-time amplification was performed with the TaqMan probes and the TaqMan detection mechanism was exploited for the design and development of the proposed readout approach. The readout approach consists of two phases: real-time amplification in vitro using TaqMan- based real-time PCR, followed by information processing in silico to assess the results of real-time amplification, which in turn, enables the extraction of the Hamiltonian path. In this paper, instead of using manual clustering of two different reactions in real-time PCR, a computer system is developed such that the clustering can be done automatically. This clustering process can be done quickly based on the number of nodes in the HPP problems and the TaqMan reactions and the data obtained previously is used to extract the correct Hamiltonian path.


Introduction Coronavirus pneumonia not only severely affects the lung tissue but is also associated with systemic autoimmune inflammation, rapid overactivation of cytokines and chemokines known as "cytokine storm", and a high risk of thrombosis and thromboembolism. Since there is no specific therapy for this new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), searching for an effective and safe anti-inflammatory therapy is critical.Materials and methods This study evaluated efficacy and safety of pulse therapy with high doses of glucocorticosteroids (GCS), methylprednisolone 1,000 mg for 3 days plus dexamethasone 8 mg for another 3-5 days, in 17 patients with severe coronavirus pneumonia as a part of retrospective comparative analysis (17 patients in control group). The study primary endpoint was the aggregate dynamics of patients' condition as evaluated by an original CCS-COVID scale, which included, in addition to the clinical status, assessments of changes in the inflammation marker, C-reactive protein (CRP); the thrombus formation marker, D-dimer; and the extent of lung injury evaluated by computed tomography (CT). Patients had signs of lung injury (53.2 % and 25.6 %), increases in CRP 27 and 19 times, and a more than doubled level of D-dimer (to 1.41 µg/ml and 1.15 µg/ml) in the active therapy and the control groups, respectively. The GCS treatment group had a more severe condition at baseline.Results The GCS pulse therapy proved effective and significantly decreased the CCS-COVID scores. Median score difference was 5.00 compared to the control group (р=0.011). Shortness of breath considerably decreased; oxygen saturation increased, and the NEWS-2 clinical status scale scores decreased. In the GCS group, concentration of CRP significantly decreased from 134 mg/dl to 41.8 mg/dl (р=0.009) but at the same time, D-dimer level significantly increased from 1.41 µg/ml to 1.98 µg/ml (р=0.044). In the control group, the changes were nonsignificant. The dynamics of lung injury by CT was better in the treatment group but the difference did not reach a statistical significance (р=0.062). Following the GCS treatment, neutrophilia increased (р=0.0001) with persisting lymphopenia, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, a marker of chronic inflammation, increased 2.5 times (р=0.006). The changes in the N/L ratio and D-dimer were found to correlate in the GCS pulse therapy group (r =0.49, p=0.04), which underlined the relationship of chronic autoimmune inflammation with thrombus formation in COVID-19. No significant changes were observed in the control group. In result, four patients developed venous thromboembolic complications (two of them had pulmonary artery thromboembolism) after the GCS pulse therapy despite the concomitant antiplatelet treatment at therapeutic doses. Recovery was slower in the hormone treatment group (median stay in the hospital was 26 days vs 18 days in the control group, р=0.001).Conclusion Pulse therapy with high doses of GCS exerted a rapid anti-inflammatory effect but at the same time, increased the N/L ratio and the D-dimer level, which increased the risk of thromboembolism.


ABSTRACT:Owing to its colonial past, the Subcontinent Asia inherited diversified heritage and vibrant culture. Pakistan, being central part of the subcontinent, offers the provision of numerous traditional heritage sites and sense of belongingness. The heart of Pakistan and second largest city, Lahore, is selected as the focal region for the purpose of this study. Historically speaking, it is believed to be 2000 years old city and thus many of its ancient places are characterized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Over the last several decades, many of world heritage sites of Pakistan have come under increasing pressure, as a result of a growing human population and urbanization. Considering these dynamics, the study of its urban conservation and heritage management practices are of paramount importance. The study aims to analyze the effect of attachment and perception on the sense of belongingness, with mediating effect of involvement of residents in world heritage sites (WHS) programs. The data is obtained from 256 respondent living in the areas of the Walled city of Lahore, and stepwise multiple regression models were used to test hypotheses. The results depicts that perception, both positive and negative, does not affect the involvement of residents in WHS programs, and it also does not affect the sense of belonging. People and place attachment has a significant relationship with both involvements of residents in WHS programs and a sense of belonging. Involvement of residents in WHS programs also has a significant partial mediating effect on the relationship between attachment and perception on a sense of belonging. Research can be helpful to conduct more effective conservation programs, by involving the public of the specific area. Tourism industry has a unique and critical role to play in the sustainable development of Pakistan, and offers solutions to many of its problems. There is high need to sustain the tourism attraction and preserve the heritage. Putting the tourism industry at low priority has led to no development in tour industry and historical sites. The conservation of cultural heritage and the objective of sustainable tourism development can only be realized if stakeholders take care of the issues faced by the sector in a coordinated manner. The major challenge for the policy makers is to stimulate tourism in a sustainable fashion, with minimal negative impacts on local culture and natural environment.


INTRODUCTION In legal matters, cases are re-opened when new evidence is forth‐coming, with the implied assumption that no case should be regarded as settled until it is settled right. In scientific affairs such a procedure is even more important because an error not soon corrected may eventually result in a mass of misinformation due to its inclusion in text-books and other books of reference. In geology, where no one is able personally to investigate more than a few of the localities described in the voluminous literature and much of our work must be built on the published investigations of previous workers, it is highly important to re-open cases, supposedly settled, whenever any new evidence appears or new interpretations are suggested. With this principle in mind, the author brings to the attention of his fellow geologists matters that seem to him to call for the reconsideration of some phases of the . . .


Background Monocyte maybe a dual role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development, because of differentiation to macrophages in joint and osteoclasts in bone so, blocking of monocyte differentiation maybe effective target in RA treatment. Objectives In this study, we interrupted monocyte differentiation to macrophages and osteoclasts via SIRT1 blocking and proposed pioneering treatment of RA. Methods In this study, monocytes from synovial fluid of RA patients (RAMCs), THP-1 monocytes, bone marrow–derived monocytes (BMDCs) from mice and RAW 264.7 cells were studied. PMA-induced expression of macrophages surface markers (CD11b, CD14 and CD36), proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) secretion and differentiation of BMDCs from SIRT1 TG mice were measured after administration of resveratrol, which was reversed by sirtinol, an inhibitor of sirtuin proteins. In addition, RANKL [receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) ligand]-induced RANK expression in bone marrow–derived monocyte/macrophage precursors (BMMs) and RAW 264.7 cells were treated cilostazol and this was blocked by sirtinol (a SIRT1 inhibitor) in vitro and in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Results PMA-induced expression of macrophages surface markers (CD11b, CD14 and CD36) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) secretion was inhibited by resveratrol. BMDCs from SIRT1 TG mice were inhibited differentiation by PMA than control BMDCs from C57BL/6 mice. These effects were associated with decrease in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) secreation by decreasing mRNA expression in BMDCs from SIRT1 TG mice. Further, resveratrol suppressed the PMA-induced PU.1 activation, which is critical transcription factor for macrophages differentiation. SIRT1 inhibits monocytes to macrophages differentiation through the down-regulates PU.1 activity and cilostazol elevated SIRT1 mRNA and protein levels in 12–24 h and increased SIRT1 activity, and these effects were also inhibited by sirtinol. Furthermore, the RANKL-induced nuclear expression of PU.1 was suppressed by cilostazol. In addition, marked RANKL-induced RANK immunofluorescence staining in Raw264.7 cells was strongly attenuated by cilostazol and by rSIRT1, and these attenuations were prevented by sirtinol. Extensive RANK staining of knee synovial tissues in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was also markedly reduced by cilostazol (30 mg/kg/day), and in BMMs both RANKL- and M-CSF-induced differentiation of BMMs to multinucleated TRAP+ giant cells and resorption pit formation were inhibited by cilostazol in association with a decrease in TRAP (a marker enzyme of osteoclasts) activity. Conclusions SIRT1 have dual a role in anti-osteoclast formation BMMs of RA bone and inhibiting differentiation monocyte to macrophage in RA synovium. so, SIRT1 maybe a perfect strategy for RA treatment. References Scott DL, Wolfe F, Huizinga TWJ (2010) Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 376(9746):1094–1108 Scott DL, Wolfe F, Huizinga TWJ (2010) Rheumatoid arthritis.Lancet 376(9746):1094–1108. Disclosure of Interest None declared


Background: Caregivers play an important role in the support, management, recovery and care of schizophrenia patients throughout life. Caregivers not only manage the patient in home situation but also help in improving the condition and prevent from further relapse. While supporting the patients emotionally, financially and socially it often results in feelings of burden in caregivers. This affects the caregiver's overall life and specifically their quality of life adversely. Objective: The present study is an attempt to explore the quality of life in the caregivers of inpatient and outpatient schizophrenia patients. Method: A total of 40 schizophrenia patients, 20 inpateint and 20 outpatient, along with their caregivers were selected by using purposive sampling technique from PGIBAMS, Raipur (C.G). Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was administered on the patient to assess the severity of the symptoms and WHO-Quality of Life-Bref was administered on the caregivers to assess the quality of life. Results: Caregivers of inpatient schizophrenia patient showed disturbances in social functioning in terms of impaired interpersonal relationships and poor social support than caregivers of outpatient schizophrenic patients. Severity of symptoms has been found to be negatively correlated with physical health area of the caregivers indicating lack of energy, fatigability, impaired work performance, disturbed sleep and inability to get relaxed. Conclusion: The study highlights that the caregivers of inpatient schizophrenic patients face problems in the social functioning area, personal relationships and support system in comparison to the caregivers of outpatient schizophrenic patients. Caregivers also exhibited problems in their physical health as the severity of symptoms in schizophrenic patients increase.


Clouds exert a strong influence on the distribution of heating and cooling at the Earth's surface and within the atmosphere. This has long been recognized in climate studies and in the development of General Circulation Models'2 (0CM), much less in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), until the extension of useful forecast length and the diversification in the products range has given new impulse to the development of more accurate parametrizations of diabatic processes3. When the new ECMWF prognostic cloud scheme becomes operational, the ECMWF model will acquire some capability to assimilate cloud-related information. To prepare further development, calibrated and earth located, or raw, Tiros-N Operational Yertical Sounder (TOYS) radiances are used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the ability of sequences of short range forecasts, from different models, to simulate some of the features in the measured data. The present exercise is therefore quite different from the diagnostics which employ long term integrations of a model to test its average properties against some independent data set. The main difference between the raw TOYS radiances used in the present exercise and the radiances used operationally at ECMWF is the cloud clearing process, whose aim is to identify and eliminate the data affected by clouds. Other differences will be discussed in section 2. Since the signature of clouds on upwelling atmospheric radiance is quite marked at visible and infrared wavelengths, inadequacies in model representations of the three dimensional structure of cloud cover and cloud liquid water are easily identified. One can therefore make a detailed examination of aspects of the hydrological cycle and energetics in current NWP models and in GCMs. Although the importance of clouds in NWP lies mainly in their radiative effects, it is common practice to compare model cloud properties, such as cloud amount (either total or for thick layers) with "equivalent" quantities retrieved from data sets which are independent of the model, and are frequently derived from satellite radiance data68. In such a comparison the same name (for example total cloud amount) may be given to quite distinct quantities, obtained using different underlying assumptions9. Great care is needed when comparing these satellite products among themselves and with model products'°. On the other hand when simulated radiances, obtained using all pertinent model information, are compared to measurements, one needs to be aware of the assumptions used in the simulations themselves. The evaluation of the errors is in both cases a delicate procedure, but the error estimation is particularly difficult for retrieved products such as total cloud cover. In the following the results of a comparison between a selected set of raw TOYS radiances and simulations using the required model output fields is presented.


Popular music is a key cultural expression that has captured listeners' attention for ages. Many of the structural regularities underlying musical discourse are yet to be discovered and, accordingly, their historical evolution remain formally unknown. In this contribution we use tools and concepts from statistical physics and complex networks to study and quantify the evolution of western contemporary popular music. In it, we unveil a number of patterns and metrics characterizing the generic usage of primary musical facets such as pitch, timbre, and loudness. Moreover, we find many of these patterns and metrics to be consistently stable for a period of more than fifty years, thus pointing towards a great degree of conventionalism in this type of music. Nonetheless, we prove important changes or trends. These are related to the restriction of pitch transitions, the homogenization of the timbral palette, and the growing loudness levels. The obtained results suggest that our perception of new popular music would be largely rooted on these changing characteristics. Hence, an old tune could perfectly sound novel and fashionable, provided that it consisted of common harmonic progressions, changed the instrumentation, and increased the average loudness. Source URL: https://www.iiia.csic.es/en/node/54546 Links [1] https://www.iiia.csic.es/en/staff/joan-serr%C3%A0 [2] https://www.iiia.csic.es/en/bibliography?f[author]=187 [3] https://www.iiia.csic.es/en/bibliography?f[author]=190 [4] https://www.iiia.csic.es/en/bibliography?f[author]=185 [5] https://www.iiia.csic.es/en/staff/josep-lluis-arcos


This study assesses the nature of networking between youth and agricultural policy-makers – given youth disillustionment with agricultural livelihoods. Using the Malawi case, a mixed-methods approach shows, first, that local government departments which are mandated to work on youth issues are the main hubs of information for youth in agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture plays a secondary role. Second, the study shows that youth in agriculture have little or no direct interactions with each other. Therefore, youth remain on the periphery of agricultural policy-making and their role in shaping agricultural policy dialogue is negligible. This is attributable to both lack of a deliberate government policy to include the youth and lack of a unified youth platform. The onus is therefore on the youth to ensure that they are effectively engaged in agricultural policy dialogue. The study concludes with policy recommendations relevant for countries with a 'youth/agriculture' problem like Malawi.


Genetic improvement of milk quantity, of the milk fat and of prolificacy greatly depends on the phenotypic and genetic variability, heritability and correlation between wanted traits, as well as the production level within the population. The research was done on 3.461 first calving cows of Simmental breed under control with lactations concluded within one year. All first calving cows were reared by individual producers – farmers on the territory of Republic of Serbia. Genetic correlations were calculated using the equation of mixed model which included bull-sire, breeding region and calving year and season: Y ijklm =


Head morphology is known for being a good predictor of diet characteristics in lizards. Head height and width are considered to be the most important head dimensions being related to a higher bite force, which allows certain lizards to consume different prey items. In this study head dimensions are compared between four species of the South American lava lizard genus Microlophus , which were paired considering their main diet (herbivorous and insectivorous). Head height, width and length were measured for each species and compared between them independently of body size. It was found that head height and width were strongly related with the diet of each species, as the ones with a semi-herbivore diet showed bigger values for these traits. Additionally, the head was longer in insectivorous species, which is a result not reported before. The different morphologies of the study species support a possible case of adaptive evolution, since both types of diet and head morphology arose from different clades in the Microlophus phylogeny. Consequently, the results of this study give evidence of a strong link between species and their constraints on specific diets. Further ecomorphological studies are needed to enrich the knowledge about this subject which is relatively understudied in South American desert lizards.


Abstract The generation of synthetic populations represents a substantial contribution to the acquisition of useful data for large scale agent based microsimulations in the field of transport planning. Basically, the observed data are available from various sources, i.e. censuses (microcensus) in which the data is available in terms of simple summary tables of demographics, such as the number of persons per household for census-block-group-sized areas. Nevertheless, there is a need of more disaggregated personal data, and thus another type of data source is considered. The Public Use Sample (PUS), often used in transportation studies, is a 5% representative sample of complete census records, including bad records, for each individual, excluding ad-dresses and unique identifiers. The problem is, to generate a large number of individual agents (~1Mio.) with appropriate characteristic values of the demographic variables for each agent, interacting in the mi-crosimulation. The main techniques used to generate the agents are IPF and simple MC. In this paper we present further results of our effort to disaggregate the available census data. First, we present agents with age and sex as the sociodemographic characteristics for all mu-nicipalities in Switzerland using data from census 2000 and microcensus 2000. Second, we added more sociodemographic variables like driver licence ownership, car availability, em-ployment, accessibility of halbtax and GA periodic tickets to obtain more realistic agents for all of Switzerland. Third we made some effort to disaggregate the data to a hectare based level for employment, age, and sex of the agents. The current state of this work will be pre-sented.


This article addresses the subject of the first well-attested outbreak of bubonic plague in the history of the Mediterranean world – the so-called 'Justinianic Plague' of the sixth century. The African origin of the disease is examined and contextualized, whilst recent revisionist arguments in relation to the scale of the depopulation caused by the plague are responded to with reference to the numismatic, legal, and papyrological sources. The numismatic evidence in particular points to a major crisis in imperial finances for which large-scale depopulation would be the most likely cause. The legal and papyrological sources record how both landowners and the imperial authorities responded to this situation.


'Options for Lebanon' aims at an in-depth examination of the policy options available to help overcome the multi-faceted political, economic, and social crisis that continues to engulf Lebanon nearly fifteen years after the conclusion of the Taif agreement in 1989. Though remarkable in ending the cycles of violence that had ravaged this country since 1975, Taif dramatically failed to put Lebanon on the track of state-building. Politics in Lebanon are still dominated by parochial concerns and sectarian interests, neither the successive governments nor most of the opposition groups have been seriously engaged in formulating national policies capable of confronting the new, and often structural, problems of post-war Lebanon. Therefore, this book purports to show that credible policy options to deal with these problems do exist and that change is possible provided that the political will to do so exists as well.


The uptake, distribution, and anabolism of the nucleoside analog 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl) guanine (acyclovir) were compared in herpes simplex virus-infected and uninfected mice. Analyses of tissue distribution and the concentration of acyclovir after either a single dose or multiple doses failed to reveal significant differences between drug levels in infected and uninfected animals. Extracts of tissues from [8-14C] acyclovir-treated animals were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography to detect the presence of any phosphorylated forms of the drug. The sensitivity of this method did not allow a reproducible demonstration of acyclovir anabolism in herpes simplex virus-infected tissues owing to the low numbers of infected cells per organ.


Nearly a decade after the appearance ofcryptocurrencies, they have grown, both in number and in market, being areality of our day, and in the last year the media has constantly written aboutthem. Yet they continue to be a mystery. Normal, on the one hand, because notall of us are computer scientists, many are just computer users, but few arethe ones who are good at cryptography. Unfortunately, so too few of thefounders and users of cryptocurrencies are good at the economy. Maybe that'swhy they exaggerate when they call their crypto "coins" creations.These creations are not and probably will not be coin for a long time.Cryptocurrency there is something that few are good at, but many want it,because it brings them some wealth. Cryptocurrency and their evolution in thepast year have enriched their founders and, being unregulated, we should countthe days until we are impoverished. Cryptocurrencies have emerged and developedas a result of a sense of frustration among many who believe that people in theleadership of states and authorities live on their backs, banks steal them,states discriminate against them, judges and lawyers are not right. It is theworld of the Internet, the world where people are free and have no bosses andno laws. Cryptocurrencies also mean many personal pride, but also the right toopinion and a social democracy. Or maybe anarchy. How could we justify morethan 1500 such assets in less than 10 years.


Martin Weitzman has written a serious book about the chronic problem of stagflation that has plagued the United States economy for the past twenty years. As discussed below, I have grave reservations both about the underlying microeconomic model on which Weitzman relies and about the basic policy proposal that he advances. Neither, in my judgment, is sufficiently microanalytic to come to terms with the fundamentals of contracting in the labor market-the key market in Weitzman's analysis of stagflation. Of books that work within the firm-as-production-function tradition,' however, Weitzman's treatment of stagflation is the best of its kind. It has justifiably attracted wide attention and received high praise. Weitzman traces the macroeconomic problem of stagflation to a microeconomic flaw in the private sector of the economy-the fixed-wage labor contract. Because firms and labor strike wage bargains of a fixed rather than variable wage kind, variations in demand for a firm's product give rise to a fluctuating level of employment (at a fixed wage), rather than a stable level of employment (at an adjusted wage). Weitzman maintains that shifting from a fixed to a variable wage system-where "a worker's compensation is directly and automatically adjusted by some index of the firm's well-being," such as product price, revenue per worker,


Once there was a Korean postdoctoral researcher who was an outstanding student, kind to his peers, and even practiced conversation in English all year long before moving to the United States. On the first day he moved to the US, he went to McDonald's to eat. Little did he know, that was the last day of his life. He was allegedly shot by the cashier after an argument between them. During the investigation for the shooting, the cashier said that he was ridiculed by the student. He asked the student "Here or to go?" and the student repeatedly said, "Yes!" The thing is, the researcher has learned English for many years but he never learned the phrase "Here or to go?" This is a famous urban legend for Koreans who are planning to move to the US for the first time. Although this is only an urban legend, in Korean language Institutes, they started teaching the phrase on the first day of the class because such a simple phrase could determine a person's life. In the past, despite the excellent quality of Korean child and adolescent psychiatry papers, they have not adequately recognized due to lack of understanding of western academia, such as SCI, Scopus, and SSCI. Like the misunderstanding between the McDonald's cashier and the student, the issue was a mere lack of understanding between the two cultures. Now that we are aware of this problem, the new challenges we face are: are we going to publish papers written in English that meets the Western academia standards? There is no simple solution. Even if we publish only English papers, not all would be accepted in SCI journals. Since 2016 as I became the editor of the official Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JKACAP), editorial committee have decided that the best solution for now would be to publish only English papers in January and July, and only Korean papers in April and October. For our first journal this year, we published three review articles related to the Academy of Violence and Abuse (AVA) with the help of Professor Un-Sun Chung, Kyungpook National University, Korea, and Professor David Corwin. Dr. Corwin is a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, an internationally well-known expert of long-term impact of child violence and abuse on health, the vice president of American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and the board chair of the AVA. The first paper was submitted by Susie Wiet entitled "Origins of addiction predictably embedded in childhood trauma: a neurobiological review", and the author investigated the pathways of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disturbances related with chronic stress and childhood adversities. Brooks Keeshin and Jeffrey R. Strawn sent "Pharmacologic considerations for youth with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder". Authors reviewed the assessment modalities and pharmacologic interventions in post-traumatic stress disorder. And Joan E. Durrant and Ron Ensom submitted "Twenty-five years of physical punishment research: what have we learned?" This article is an update of "Physical punishment of children: lessons from 20 years of research". These review articles have never been published before in other journals and has originality. In this volume, there are three original articles submitted by members of KACAP as follows: Woo Hyun Kim et al's "Comparing intelligence test profiles to assess Tourette's disorder with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder", Yooli Lim and Bongseog Kim's "Body mass index, body weight perception, and depressed mood in Korean adolescents", and Geon Ho Bahn et al's "Is sorting hat in Harry Potter identity identifier for adolescents?" I would like to thank all the international and Korean colleagues who sent their papers to JKACAP. Also I kindly ask KACAP members to fully utilize http://www.jkacap.org/main. html to study and cite. I hope that the choice to take the "road not taken" instead of taking "the one already traveled by" is beneficial and be helpful for everyone.


Porous metal membranes have recently received increasing attention, and significant progress has been made in their preparation and characterisation. This progress has stimulated research in their applications in a number of key industries including wastewater treatment, dairy processing, wineries, and biofuel purification. This review examines recent significant progress in porous metal membranes including novel fabrication concepts and applications that have been reported in open literature or obtained in our laboratories. The advantages and disadvantages of the different membrane fabrication methods were presented in light of improving the properties of current membrane materials for targeted applications. Sintering of particles is one of the main approaches that has been used for the fabrication of commercial porous metal membranes, and it has great advantages for the fabrication of hollow fibre metal membranes. However, sintering processes usually result in large pores (e.g., >1 µm). So far, porous metal membranes have been mainly used for the filtration of liquids to remove the solid particles. For porous metal membranes to be more widely used across a number of separation applications, particularly for water applications, further work needs to focus on the development of smaller pore (e.g., sub-micron) metal membranes and the significant reduction of capital and maintenance costs.


Among several nucleosides and nucleotides, which showed strong inhibition of growth of HL-60 cells, only adenosine (Ado) specifically induced typical apoptotic death of the cells, accompanying double-strand cleavage of DNA into nucleosomal size fragments, and subsequent apoptotic body formation. A marked enhancement of endogenous poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity in the cell was detected at a relatively early stage of cell death, whereas other nucleosides and nucleotides tested were ineffective on poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity, suggesting that the enzyme activation is closely related to apoptosis. The observed Ado effect was not mediated by Ado receptors, in contrast to the Ado-induced apoptotic death of thymocytes, judging from the facts that all of the receptor agonists tested did not substitute for Ado and that a receptor antagonist did not inhibit the effect of Ado. Ado transport into the cell seemed to be essential for the induction of apoptosis, since an inhibitor of Ado transport (dipyridamole) strongly suppressed apoptosis. Cytochalasin B blocked Ado-induced apoptotic body formation without affecting activation of endogenous poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity in the cell. Thus, the process of apoptosis in HL-60 cells induced by Ado seems to be separated into at least two steps, an initial step of DNA degradation and a following morphological change. While the adenine moiety of Ado was essential for its apoptosis-inducing activity, the sugar was replaceable, and various analogs with modified sugar were inducers of apoptosis, although they were less efficient than Ado.


MLEM and related algorithms are rapidly becoming the standard for reconstruction in emission computed tomography, but 'such algorithms require arbitrary stopping criteria, have severe noise artifacts, and require accelerated implementations that may not work well for all imaging situations. We have investigated several new approaches with likelihood-based objective functions that use the concepts of statisticallyadaptive subsetting and spatially-adaptive updates. The resulting statistically regulated EM (StatREM) algorithms are closely related to OSEM with the following exceptions. They apply spatially-adaptive regularization and use statisticallyadaptive subsets to accelerate convergence in a controlled manner. Projection data are processed sequentially, and intemal statistically-adaptive subsets are formed. When accumulated statistical power merits an update, e.g. determined by paired sample t-test, then spatially-adaptive updates are applied and the corresponding test statistics and subsets accumulations are reset. Reconstruction continues iteratively until no fiirther statistically-significant errors remain. The following properties were observed for clinical, phantom, and simulated data: (i) user-defined test levels can provide statistically-based stopping criteria; (ii) recovery of spatial resolution is accelerated in high-count regions while low-count regions are regulated to reduce noise artifacts; (iii) notable acceleration is achieved for large, sparse datasets (such as fully-3D PET); and (iv) resolution and contrast are superior to conventional OSEM at much lower noise levels. Statistically regulated EM algorithms may potentially provide a new archetype for PET and SPECT reconstruction.


A significant asymmetry in the distribution of faint blue stars in the inner Galaxy, Quadrant 1 (l = 20°–45°) compared to Quadrant 4 was first reported by Larsen & Humphreys in 1996. Parker et al. greatly expanded the survey to determine its spatial extent and shape and the kinematics of the affected stars. This excess in the star counts was subsequently confirmed by Jurić et al. using Sloan Digital Sky Survey data. Possible explanations for the asymmetry include a merger remnant, a triaxial thick disk, and a possible interaction with the bar in the disk. In this paper, we describe our program of wide field photometry to map the asymmetry to fainter magnitudes and therefore larger distances. To search for the signature of triaxiality, we extended our survey to higher Galactic longitudes. We find no evidence for an excess of faint blue stars at l ⩾55° including the faintest magnitude interval. The asymmetry and star count excess in Quadrant 1 is thus not due to a triaxial thick disk.


An almost full-length cDNA coding for pre-uteroglobin from hare lung was cloned and sequenced. The derived amino acid sequence indicated that hare pre-uteroglobin contained 91 amino acids, including a signal peptide of 21 residues. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of hare pre-uteroglobin cDNA with that previously reported for the rabbit gene indicated five silent point substitutions and six others leading to amino acid changes in the coding region. The untranslated regions of both pre-uteroglobin mRNAs were very similar. The amino acid changes observed are discussed in relation to the different progesterone-binding abilities of both homologous proteins.


Glaucoma leads to permanent vision disability by damaging the optical nerve that transmits visual images to the brain. The fact that glaucoma does not show any symptoms as it progresses and cannot be stopped at the later stages, makes it critical to be diagnosed in its early stages. Although various deep learning models have been applied for detecting glaucoma from digital fundus images, due to the scarcity of labeled data, their generalization performance was limited along with high computational complexity and special hardware requirements. In this study, compact Self-Organized Operational Neural Networks (Self-ONNs) are proposed for early detection of glaucoma in fundus images and their performance is compared against the conventional (deep) Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) over three benchmark datasets: ACRIMA, RIM-ONE, and ESOGU. The experimental results demonstrate that Self-ONNs not only achieve superior detection performance but can also significantly reduce the computational complexity making it a potentially suitable network model for biomedical datasets especially when the data is scarce.


Aim: Administration of vaccine via nasal route has many merits including induction of cross-protective IgA on the surface of respiratory mucosa. However there is little information about IgA producing cells in the nasal mucosa. We examined role of B-1 cells in nasal vaccination because B-1 cells are responsible for production of natural antibodies which possess wide reactivity to various pathogens. Results: B-1 cell deficient BtkKO mice and control were anesthetized and intranasally administrated with influenza HA vaccine with poly(I:C) as an adjuvant twice in 2-week interval. 2 weeks later, BtkKO mice showed significantly reduced anti-HA nasal IgA response compared to control. In contrast, when splenocytes from vaccinated mice were re-stimulated with inactivated influenza virus, cells from BtkKO mice showed same or higher response than controls in the terms of Th1 cytokine production and IFN-γ secreting cell number. Further, reconstitution of B-1 cells in the BtkKO mice resulted in partial recovery of Ig response to vaccination. Discussion: Although Btk is expressed not only in B cells but also in myeloid cells including dendritic cells, defect of B-1 cells should be responsible for the reduced nasal Ig response in the BtkKO mice because T cells in these mice were properly activated. Thus B-1 cells and their unknown regulators will be good target of potent nasal vaccine adjuvant.


Plasma Cell Dyscrasias (PCD) by definition are represented by excessive proliferation of a single clone
of cells producing entire immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin fragments, heavy chains or light chains.
These encompass a wide range of disorders. In this study we try to discuss the clinical and pathological
characteristics of this rare but important group of hematological malignancies.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in a tertiary care centre retrospectively for a period
of four years. All the cases diagnosed with Plasma Cell Dyscrasias were selected. They were re-evaluated
taking into consideration clinical aspects, radiological findings and blood and bone marrow examinations.
These were further categorized using Salmon Durie Staging system.
Results: During this study a total of 41 cases fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of Plasma Cell Dyscrasias.
Among them 33 were newly diagnosed cases of Multiple Myeloma, 4 cases were of relapse and 4 were
of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia's. Males outnumbered females in our study. The most common
complaint was anemia (seen in 90% of cases) followed by lytic bone lesions and presence of M Band
on electrophoresis. Deranged Renal Function Test were seen in 45.94 % of cases and hypercalcemia 54
% cases. Maximum cases were of stage III Multiple Myeloma (14) and 9 among them showed renal
involvement as well.
Conclusion: Plasma Cell Dyscrasias are rare group of disorders, the diagnosis of which requires a
systematic approach. The clinicopathological characteristic of different types of Plasma Cell Dyscrasias
has varied presentations but Salmon Durie classification if applied carefully can help us to identify each
type, evaluate and manage patients in a better way.

Keywords: Multiple myeloma, Plasma cell dyscrasia, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.


Indonesia's Ministry of Finance stated that in a two-month period, the number of poor people grew by 1.1 to 3.78 million as an impact of Covid‐19 pandemic, which is a threat to the resilient society in Indonesia. To deal with the problem, the Government issued Bantuan Sosial Covid‐19 (Bansos Covid‐19), a social aid programme for the population impacted by the pandemic. The implementation of Bansos Covid-19 and its effects are reported and discussed in several online news media in Indonesia. This study aims to present the issues of Bansos Covid-19 implementation as reported by the online news media from the perspective of the concept of resilient society suggested by Patel, Rogets, Amlot, and Rumin (2017). Using a content analysis method, this study analysed news items containing keywords Bantuan Sosial Covid‐19 published between 1 April and 30 June 2020. Textual data analysis was conducted by using the N‐Vivo program, software dna.20 ‐ beta2.5, and visualisation of results with visone 2.18. This study found that there are some issues arising from the implementation of Bansos Covid‐19, including the problems of data validity, the overlapping regulations, the distribution management, and the disposition of the program implementer. This study also identifies some positive effects including the support of the business sector and various community groups. This study concludes that the Bansos Covid‐19 policy has potential to impact the elements of a resilient society. Keywords: Resilient society, Covid‐19, online news, poor population, Indonesia.


After ligation and cutting of the inferior epigastric vessels and retroperitoneal mobilization, the left testicle was anchored satisfactorily in the scrotum and attached to the thigh, as in Case I. However, the right testicle could only be brought just through the scrotal neck, where it was anchored in a manner similar to that of the other organ. A post-operative check at six months showed the left testicle to be lying within the scrotum and to be freely mobile. The right testicle remains high and will require a further staged orchiopexy.


Bioinspired hierarchical structures on the surface of vertical light-emitting diodes (VLEDs) are demonstrated by combining a self-assembled dip-coating process and nanopatterning transfer method using thermal release tape. This versatile surface structure can efficiently reduce the total internal reflection and add functions, such as superhydrophobicity and high oleophobicity, to achieve an antifouling effect for VLEDs.


The cross section of the reaction Am(n, 2n), has been measured by the activation method in the range from 9.6 to 11.4 MeV, at the Tandem accelerator facility of NCSR Demokritos. Statistical model calculations in the framework of the HauserFeshbach theory have been performed, and the first results are presented. Experimental data on the neutron induced fission cross section of Am, have been used as a constraint for the calculations. The results of the investigation are presented in comparison with experimental data and previous theoretical evaluations.


This paper discusses two ways to shape the 1.7-m-diameter primary mirror of the T-170M telescope of the Spectrum-UV Project. Various versions of the unloading of the primary mirror in a processing mount at its fabrication stage are analyzed. Finite-element modeling is used to obtain the strains of the optical surface of the mirror for different versions of process unloading. The influence of residual strains of the mirror's optical surface on the image quality is estimated.


IL-11, a less identified cytokine, possesses some overlapping functions with IL-6 that are able to facilitate the growth and antibody secretion of B lymphocyte hybridomas. In this report, a DNA fragment encoding human IL-11 was transduced into fusion partners (mouse myelomas Ag8.653 and SP2/0, and human lymphoblastoid cell line HF2) mediated by lipofection. The transfected cells selected with G418 secreted IL-11 constitutively over the range of 32.4 +/- 10.5 units/ml to 76.6 +/- 18.4 units/ml, which could be inhibited by an IL-11 neutralizing MAb up to 80%. The fusion frequency of PBMC doubled, while that of LCLs displayed a 2.4- or 3.3-fold increase, when fused with the transfected fusion partners, respectively. The derived hybridomas from IL-11 secreting fusion partner secreted 3 or 4 times as many immunoglobulins as that from its ancestor. Our data indicate that IL-11 gene transfected fusion partners are improved cell lines for generation of human B lymphocyte hybridomas, and IL-11 may contribute to the increased fusion frequency and antibody secretion of B lymphocyte hybridomas.


The reaction of n-BuSn(O)(OH) with various substituted benzoic acids affords hexameric organostannoxane drums, [n-BuSn(O)OC(O)R]6, where R = 2,6-(CH3)2−C6H3 (1), 4-CH3−C6H4 (2), 4-NH2−C6H4 (3) and 2-NH2−C6H4 (4). The central stannoxane motif (Sn6O6) is similar in all these compounds and is surrounded by six substituted benzoate groups. All the drums show an extensive supramolecular organization in the solid state. Accordingly, drum 1 forms a one-dimensional supramolecular assembly mediated by noncovalent interactions such as C−H···O and π···π interactions. Similarly, drums 2−4 form interesting three-dimensional supramolecular assemblies mediated by C−H···O, N−H···N, C−H···π, and π···π interactions in the solid state. The role of the peripheral aromatic substituents in determining the final course of the supramolecular assembly is discussed.


The UK has a publicly funded health care system with open access to all. In the past, demand for services overwhelmed the resources available. Recent government initiatives have attempted to address this. To achieve shorter waiting times (and guaranteed waiting times), access to additional services has been purchased from the private sector under short-term initiatives, often at sites firth of the home health board. There has been a suspicion that patients from higher socioeconomic groups have benefited differentially from this by rapid access to private health care facilities, due to ease of transport. The aim of this study was to analyse whether a patient's socioeconomic group influenced their access to, and place of, surgery. Patients undergoing a primary total hip or knee arthroplasty in a single health region over a three-year period were identified and their social group was determined by postcode address. Analysis of 3888 patients operated on in four different treatment centres comparing the distribution of patients according to their social group, revealed no bias in the provision of treatment. The study group was comparable to the control population in that health region. In conclusion, the introduction of health policies to reduce time to orthopaedic treatment within one health board area has not resulted in patient bias.


A Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) protocol that incorporates co-contraction of the quadriceps and hamstrings may provide greater functional benefits for knee rehabilitation. It is unclear if the addition of a co-contraction will affect the desired torque outputs of one or two of the involved muscle groups. Due to the proposed functional benefits of co-contraction, it may be beneficial to test the addition of a co-contraction electrical muscle stimulation. In this study we recruited 14 participants with whom we compared two NMES protocols; isolated quadriceps contraction (k-NMES) versus co-contraction of quadriceps and hamstrings (co-NMES). We examined peak knee extension evoked torque, current intensities required to produce given torque outputs, and self-reported discomfort levels at given torques. At maximum tolerable intensity peak torque output was similar in k-NMES versus co-NMES. To achieve specific submaximal levels of torque output as percentages of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), a higher current intensity was required for co-NMES yet with no greater level of discomfort. Results suggest that clinicians who wish to achieve a co-contraction of quadriceps and hamstrings as part of a rehabilitation programme can use co-NMES without having to sacrifice the strength of contraction achieved in the quadriceps. This could lead to better functional outcomes, though more work is required to confirm this.


Background & Objectives: Congenital heart diseases are neglected especially in world's poorest nations and appear to be ignored and unexplored dimension of health. The exact prevalence and spectrum of congenital heart diseases in Nepal is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the local experience on the magnitude and the pattern of congenital heart disease in order to increase the awareness of the public and health policy makers on its burden in Nepal. Materials & Methods: This is an observational hospital based study carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Nepal. The duration of this study was from April 2015 to July 2016. The echocardiography reports of all patients clinically suspected of having congenital heart disease were retrieved, and their diagnostic details were extracted. Only patients of day one of life to 14 years of age were included. Congenital heart diseases like bicuspid aortic valve, mitral valve prolapse and various inherited cardiomyopathies were excluded. Results: A total of 330 echocardiograms were performed for clinically suspected congenital heart disease.  The mean age of study population was 22.31±34.08 months with male to female ratio of 1.2:1. 23% of clinically suspected congenital heart disease cases turned out to have normal echocardiography. Acyanotic congenital heart disease was most common (81.5%) followed by cyanotic congenital heart disease (14.2%) and obstructive congenital heart disease (4.3%). Atrial septal defect was found to be the most common form of acyanotic congenital heart disease (52%) which was followed by ventricular septal defect (28.8%) and patent ductus arteriosus (14.8%). Tetralogy of Fallot and double outlet right ventricle were the most common form of cyanotic CHD representing 44.4% of all cyanotic patients. Pulmonary stenosis was the most common obstructive congenital heart disease observed in this study population (63.6%). Rarer entities, like d-transposition of great arteries, congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries, various types of total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, double inlet left ventricle, interrupted aortic arch, Shone complex, etc. were also observed, however represented only the minority of the study population. Conclusion: The spectrum of congenital heart disease seen in this study very likely and only represents the tip of the iceberg. Public awareness programmes and training of health care personnel needs to be emphasized in order to facilitate its early diagnosis and improve its outcome.


We present a rare case of costohumeralis muscle, an accessory slip originating from the sixth rib near costochondral junction and running along the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle, inserting onto the medial epicondyle of the humerus on the right side. The occurrence of this costohumeralis muscle also showed a coincidental loss of the classical twisting of the tendinous insertion of the pectoralis major muscle, which proves that this muscle is variable in its development and attachment. Clinical considerations of such a variation include ulnar nerve entrapment and functionally limited abduction of humerus. © IJAV. 2009; 2: 35–37.


The carbon footprint of academia has become a pressing concern and an emerging research area, with a particular focus on greenhouse gas emissions from research travels. Mitigation strategies often revolve around encouraging virtual communication and adopting more sustainable transportation modes over short distances. However, these approaches are rarely subjected to rigorous quantitative assessments or meaningful comparisons. This study analyzes a unique database of about 130,000 travel segments by car, train and plane in 159 research units across diverse disciplines and locations in France. We investigate the patterns and associated carbon footprint of these research travels and explore a diversity of mitigation options, including existing institutional guidelines. Our analysis shows that air travel overwhelmingly outweighs the carbon footprint of research travel, representing more than 96% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Intercontinental flights are infrequent (less than 10% of all plane trips) but dominate GHG travel emissions, accounting for over 64% of total emissions. In contrast, domestic and continental flights are the most common but their mitigation potential by modal shift to train is limited (e.g., less than 15% for trips under 1,000 km). Similar reductions can be achieved by targeting a small subset of travels, for example by modulating the frequency of conference attendance. The greatest mitigation potential lies in moderating air mileage, for instance by reducing the number of flights. Strategies focusing on electrification or modal shifts for cars are found to have negligible impact. In the absence of low-carbon alternatives for long-haul flights, we contend that only comprehensive strategies and policies aimed at moderating air travel distance or frequency can achieve a significant reduction in the GHG emissions from academic travel.