Founded in London in 1844, the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) has spread across the world, becoming integrated into state programmes of social reform and driving a development discourse that links socially productive youth into economic moralities of transformation. I trace the circulation of these ideas through a multi-sited, cross-cultural ethnographic study of Young Men's Christian Associatin (YMCA) centres in the UK and The Gambia, focussing on YMCA programmes that operate transnationally, implementing global youth-oriented policy in local centres linked by bilateral partnerships. I follow these transnational linkages from Sussex Central YMCA (based in Brighton and Hove, England) where I have strong links as worker and volunteer, to a similarly sized centre in Banjul, Gambia, creating a cross-cultural analytical framework through which to explore the experiences of young men participating in their programmes. Using these contrasting contexts, I focus on the lives, narratives and practices of young men and YMCA staff in each location, analysing how YMCA programmes foster a version of transnational masculinity that combines economic rationality with the spiritual principles derived from Protestant Christianity. I explore this in reference to an often implicit, idealised form of YMCA masculinity based around strenght of 'mind, body and spirit', known as the 'Whole Man'. I suggest that the 'Whole Man' operates as an idealised motif of manhood within YMCA centres, fostering notions of self-sacrifice, empathy and embodied dynamism that is reproduced at the YMCA through 'secular rituals'. I trace how these masculine subjectivities interact with localised conceptions of manhood and youth in each location, focussing on the interplay of differing versions, conceptualisations and practices of masculine behaviour in each location. This thesis is generated by the friction between self-help models and actual lived realities, frictions which I hope to show represent the limitations of totalising models of coherent subjectivity based on moral principles.


TheDiplocuccus intracellulariswas identified as the specific excitant of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis by Weichselbaum in 1887. The procedure of lumbar puncture as a means of obtaining cerebrospinal fluid and attaining an etiologic diagnosis in cases of meningitis was introduced by Quineke in 1891. The studies of meningitis made possible by this means have established beyond question the relationship of the meningococcus to the epidemic type of meningitis which has presented itself in various parts of the world during the last decade. As this relationship has been made clear, the problem of the control of this dreaded disease has focused itself about the life of the specific organism, its distribution in the body of those affected by the disease, its paths of exit from the body, its viability, and the mode by which the infection might be conveyed to others. Most of the points of interest and importance in these


Numerous high-angle faults are recognizable within the autochthonous Middle Ordovician (Trenton Group) shelf sequence in southern Quebec. These faults were active during deposition of the Trenton limestones, as evidenced by rapid thickness changes over short distances on the shelf, abrupt facies changes between fault blocks, and associated slump-fold zones. Syndepositional block faults have been described recently from the Trenton Group of central New York. The times of movement were documented by use of the numerous interbedded bentonite beds. Bentonites, although present in the Trenton Group in southern Quebec, are not abundant enough to correlate fault blocks. Instead, the syndepositional nature of the fault blocks can be seen by examining the facies distribution of th Deschambault Limestone. The Deschambault Limestone represents a skeletal buildup on the Trenton shelf, similar to those described from the southern Appalachians. The core facies of the buildups is exposed in the Pont Rouge region. Flank facies are present to the west, near Joliette. The buildup facies are absent both downshelf and upshelf. Using the buildup facies as marker beds, at least one period of movement can be recognized. Fault blocks were primarily active after the Deschambault deposition. The Trenton in southern Quebec can be compared to that in New York and southern Ontario. The facies changes among these areas can be shown to be controlled by proximity to or position within the Taconic foreland basin. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1924------------


OBJECTIVE
To determine the characteristics and outcome of transferred trauma patients in a rural setting.

METHODS
We conducted a case-control study of all trauma admissions to a rural Level I trauma center to examine a 3.5-year (1993-1996) comparison of trauma patients admitted directly with those transferred (RTTP) after being initially stabilized at an outlying hospital. We used prehospital times, Injury Severity Score (ISS), LD50ISS (the ISS at which 50% of patients died), Revised Trauma Score, probability of survival, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, and observed survival as main outcome measures.

RESULTS
RTTPs (39.4%) spent an average of 182+/-139 minutes at the outlying hospital and 72+/-42 minutes in transport to the trauma center. Proportionately more head/neck and patients with multiple injuries composed the RTTP group. The RTTP were more severely injured (ISS 11.1+/-8.5; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II 16.2+/-5.8; Revised Trauma Score 7.44+/-1.1) than the trauma patients admitted directly (ISS 7.9+/-5.3; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II 13.1+/-6.3; Revised Trauma Score 7.8+/-0.4; p < 0.05). However, both groups had the same LD50ISS (ISS = 35). When logistic regression was applied with death as the dependent variable, both ISS and age contributed significantly (p = 0.0001) but transfer status did not (p = 0.473).

CONCLUSION
Rural trauma centers admit a high percentage of RTTP. These RTTP have a higher injury severity and acuity than their trauma patients admitted directly counterparts. Trauma care in rural areas that involves initial stabilization at outlying hospitals does not adversely affect mortality.


This paper describes the growth of lead selenide (PbSe) thin films on glass and on ITO-covered glass substrates at room temperature under normal pressure utilising the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. Aqueous precursor solutions, lead acetate complexed with triethanolamine and sodium selenosulfate, were used for lead and selenide, respectively. The films were found to be metallic and adherent. The properties of the films were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford back-scattering spectrometry (RBS), nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).


To facilitate the design of high-T c sintered superconductor pipe lenses (Supertrons), we suggest a so-called Supertron number Su which is numerically found to be a similarity number. The Supertron number Su is computed as a function of the accelerating voltage U of charged particles travelling through the Supertron. Using this dependence Su(U), the focal length of Supertrons having given dimensions can be estimated.


To examine the utility of nocturnal urine collections in the estimation of dietary sodium intake in children, 29 families who agreed to lower their dietary sodium intake to less than 65 mEq/d were studied. A total of 58 adults and 95 children collected urine specimens weekly or biweekly before and after being instructed in a dietary sodium restriction regimen. Urine collections were fractionated into a diurnal and nocturnal portion. Sodium was measured directly, and estimated by measuring chloride excretion with a chloride titrator stick. Nocturnal chloride and 24-hour sodium excretion were highly correlated in adults (r = .75), and slightly less so (r = .56) in children. The slopes of the relationships were not different. Discriminant analysis showed that two or more chloride estimates permitted classification of both adults and children into the low sodium intake category with 100% accuracy, and into the normal sodium intake category with 75% accuracy. It was concluded that nocturnal chloride estimates are as useful in estimating compliance to a reduced sodium intake in children as in adults.


Acute kidney failure is a disorder that occurs suddenly in the ability of the kidneys to infiltrate blood, which is characterized by increased levels of ureum and creatinine within a few days or weeks. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the tread (Catharanthus roseus L.) on the levels of ureum and creatinine in male wistar strain models of acute kidney failure. The object of the study were 30 male Wistar strain rats aged 2-3 months with a weight of 180-200 grams per rat. The study was divided into three groups, namely the treatment group, positive control group, and negative control group. Each group consisted of 10 male rats. Tread leaves taken as much as 5.2 grams are boiled in 300 cc of water until the remaining 100 cc of boiled water. The treatment group and positive control group induced gentamicin 12 mg intra peritoneal / rat / day for the second 7 days. The treatment group was given boiled water for as much as 3.6 cc / day orally for 7 days. Giving a gentamicin injection to damage the kidneys. Data collection on urea and creatinine levels was calculated using the SPSS program version 24 One Way ANOVA test to compare creatinine urea levels. The results showed that there were significant differences in creatinine urea levels between the treatment group and the positive control group (p <0.05). This study concludes that the boiled water of the tread (Catharanthus roseus L.) is effective in reducing the level of ureum and creatinine of male rats in the Wistar strain model of acute kidney failure.


Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) simulation tools are finite-element based programs which have promoted the development of bulk Silicon technology, by 1) exploring new device concepts, 2) providing physical insight of experimental data, and 3) allowing for sensitivity study of device characteristics. However, in the recent years the shrinkage of the sizes has been rapidly taking the MOSFET to its physical limit, where quantum effects have to be taken into account. To push MOSFETs to their limits and to explore devices that may complement or supersede them, calibrated and trustworthy TCAD simulations of these devices are indispensable in order to fully assess their benefits and limitations. In this talk, two case studies will be examined, dealing with different aspects of TCAD modeling of nanoscaled devices Her research is focused on implementing TCAD models for MOSFET architectures where quantum effects are not negligible. In particular, her work has dealt with 1) quasi-ballistic effects in short channel double-gate III-V MOSFETs, 2) mobility of strained In0.53Ga0.47As channel ultra-thin-body double gate MOSFETs, 3) self-heating effects in carbon nanotube FETs. Dr. Carapezzi has obtained her PhD at the Department of Physics, University of Bologna, in 2014. 10:30-11:30 Nanomaterials for Sensing and Mechanical Energy Harvesting: Towards Autonomous Wearable Sensors Abstract: Wearable systems and flexible electronics have gained significant interest recently because of the wide range of applications they enable which includes health monitoring through tattoo-like sensory skin patches, foldable displays or communication devices, and tactile skin in robotics or prosthetics, etc. The reliable real-time operation of myriad sensors and electronics on such systems pretty much depend on the energy, which is currently supplied through conventional batteries having drawbacks such as bulky, non-flexible, limited lifespan, chemical hazard, and the periodic replacement etc. For wearable systems to be effective enabler of an application, especially where portability is necessary, energy autonomy is critical. The present talk delivers the concept of low-temperature processable organic / inorganic hybrid systems for the realization of inexpensive electronic devices including field-effect transistors (FETs), piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs), and resistive sensors on various polymeric substrates such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), etc. The developed devices will contribute in designing next-generation of wearable smart sensing systems to accurately collect data from the human body which relates to the individual's specific health conditions.. His research focus on the synthesis of metal oxide nanostructures and fabrication of nanodevices such as field-effect transistors, source gated transistors, mechanical and gas sensors, and piezoelectric energy harvesters. 11:30-12:30 Carbon Nanotube Yarn Electrical Transport Study from Experiments to Semi-Empirical Modeling Abstract: This work aims to develop new materials to replace metals in electrical wiring. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are a good alternative as they show a high electrical conductivity as well as they can be assembled into yarns. However, CNT yarns have not yet reached the electrical conductivity of individual CNTs preventing them from competing with metals. All the published works on CNT yarns spun from CNT arrays reveal that their resistivities are limited above 1 mΩ.cm. In order to understand this apparent limitation, we present an extensive study of the CNT yarn electrical transport by measuring the yarn resistance from 3 K to 300 K. We show that the CNT yarn electrical transport is dominated by the CNT-CNT contact resistance below 70 K and by the intrinsic CNT resistance above. The CNT yarn electrical conductivity was improved by improving the CNT structural quality and by doping. The CNT structural quality improvement allows reaching a resistivity record of 0.76 mΩ.cm. From all our experimental studies and the literature data analysis, we developed a new electrical transport model that perfectly fits resistance from 3 K to 300 K for every CNT materials. At very low temperature, the transport follows the Luttinger Liquid theory whereas at higher temperature it depends on both the intrinsic CNT wall electrical transport (metallic or semi-conducting) and the CNT arrangement (bundled or individualized).


Ray tracing efficiently models complex illumination effects to improve visual realism in computer graphics. Typical modern GPUs use wide SIMD processing, and have achieved impressive performance for a variety of graphics processing including ray tracing. However, SIMD efficiency can be reduced due to the divergent branching and memory access patterns that are common in ray tracing codes. This paper explores an alternative approach using MIMD processing cores custom-designed for ray tracing. By relaxing the requirement that instruction paths be synchronized as in SIMD, caches and less frequently used area expensive functional units may be more effectively shared. Heavy resource sharing provides significant area savings while still maintaining a high MIMD issue rate from our numerous light-weight cores. This paper explores the design space of this architecture and compares performance to the best reported results for a GPU ray tracer and a parallel ray tracer using general purpose cores. We show an overall performance that is six to ten times higher in a similar die area.


: The competition among health care industries in Indonesia is rapidly developing. UNEJ Medical Center (UMC) is a health service unit provided by the University of Jember, Indonesia. UMC's improvement of service quality is a must to fulfill the customer expectation and compete with other health care providers. This study aims to improve UMC's service quality by using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Kano Model. The type of research is the quantitative descriptive method. The Lemeshow formula was performed to determine the number of samples. Forty-two patients and five staff were selected as respondents using accidental sampling. Primary data and secondary data were used to answer the research question. The data collected were analyzed by performing the QFD analysis, including the House of Quality and Kano model. Based on the analysis result, there were eight attributes recommended for improvement. These attributes are the accuracy of prescription, a friendly doctor, the accuracy of doctors' diagnoses, obtaining the correct information, a rapid examination, a medical ward, friendly UMC staff, and a well-ordered queue.


Cardiac cell therapy has the potential to revolutionize treatment of heart diseases, but its success hinders on the development of a stem cell therapy capable of efficiently producing functionally differentiated cardiomyocytes. A key to unlocking the therapeutic application of stem cells lies in understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern the differentiation process. Here we report that a population of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) cells derived from mouse multipotent germline stem cells (mGSCs) were capable of undergoing cardiomyogenesis in vitro. Cells derived in vitro from PDGFRA positive mGSCs express significantly higher levels of cardiac marker proteins compared to PDGFRA negative mGSCs. Using Pdgfra shRNAs to investigate the dependence of Pdgfra on cardiomyocyte differentiation, we observed that Pdgfra silencing inhibited cardiac differentiation. In a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model, transplantation of a PDGFRAenriched cell population into the rat heart readily underwent functional differentiation into cardiomyocytes and reduced areas of fibrosis associated with MI injury. Together, these results suggest that mGSCs may provide a unique source of cardiac stem/progenitor cells for future regenerative therapy of damaged heart tissue.


The regional wars in the Caucasus were frozen by the Russia's initiatives in the early 1990s. Yet, given the developments in the last twenty years and the widespread dissatisfaction among the region's people, one can argue that a just, equal, and stable peace has never been established in the region. Power transition theory puts forward a substantial perspective to analyze the regional peace in the Caucasus. The theory defines an international hierarchical order that can be symbolized as a power pyramid; peace is guaranteed when the dominant power preserves its preponderance against possible challengers dissatisfied with the status quo. The multiple hierarchy model applies this argument to regional subsystems, and defines regional hierarchies that function similarly to the international one, though they are open to external interventions. This article analyzes the status quo, peace and war in the South Caucasus from a power transition perspective. Three periods are defined: The establishment of the status quo (1991-1994), external involvement and regional competition period (1994-2008) and the aftermath of the Georgia war. Lastly future prospects will be discussed regarding Azerbaijan's growing power against Armenia and the likelihood of renewed conflicts based on dissatisfaction with the status quo.


Paracetamol is a widely used medication as it is an effective analgesic and antipyretic. Because of the absence of gastro-intestinal side effects, it has been used as the analgesic of choice for alcoholic patients. Hepatotoxicity is dose-related and generally occurs in patients who absorb more than 125 mg/kg/j. However, cases of severe liver damage have been reported after absorption of therapeutic doses of paracetamol in alcoholics. We report 2 cases with a fatal outcome and discuss the mechanisms of toxicity, the prognostic factors and treatment of such event.


Numerous studies evaluate the effects of oil price shocks on the stock market. However due to it being a recent phenomenon, models about alternative energy source related companies are relatively rare. In this study, the effects of oil price shocks on the performance of alternative energy companies, including renewable sources, are explored. The study also evaluates the effects of 'carbon market' on renewable alternative energy stocks. We found using Vector Auto Regression analysis that oil prices have a significant effect on the performance of alternative energy firms both renewable and nonrenewable types, including some of the newly emerging alternative energy sources. In line with past results, this paper also finds natural gas stocks to be most sensitive to oil shocks, whereas, alternative energy stocks are found to be very responsive as well. This study creates a hierarchical view of how each alternative reacts to fluctuations in oil prices in order to aid investors in market anticipation and portfolio diversification.


A novel negative-stranded (ns) RNA virus tentatively named "Yunnan manyleaf paris rhizome negative-stranded virus 1" (YMPrNSV1), was isolated from a Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis plant exhibiting leaf chlorosis and mosaic symptoms in Yunnan. Its complete genome sequence was determined using Illumina and Sanger sequencing. The genomes composed of three RNA segments (L, M and S) with each one containing a single open reading frame. Based on sequence identity and the presence of typical bunya-like domains/motifs, the proteins encoded by YMPrNSV1 were predicted to be: RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), putative movement protein (MP), and nucleocapsid protein (NP). Sequence comparison analyses showed that the RdRp, MP and NP of YMPrNSV1 are highly similar to those of watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 2 (WCLaV-2), with 69.1%, 50.4% and 60.9% amino acid sequence identities respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on deduced amino acid sequences of RdRp and NP suggested that YMPrNSV1 clustered with coguviruses in a clade, and that WCLaV-2 is the known closely related species to YMPrNSV1. Base on the above results, YMPrNSV1 should be regarded as a new member of genera Coguvirus, within the family Phenuiviridae.


The rifting between Arabia and Somalia, which started around 35 Ma, was followed by oceanic accretion from at least 17.6 Ma leading to the formation of the present-day Gulf of Aden. Bathymetric, gravity and magnetic data from the Encens-Sheba cruise are used to constrain the structure and segmentation of the oceanic basin separating the conjugate continental margins in the eastern part of the Gulf of Aden between 51 degrees E and 55.5 degrees E. Data analysis reveals that the oceanic domain along this ridge section is divided into two distinct areas. The Eastern area is characterized by a shorter wavelength variation of the axial segmentation and an extremely thin oceanic crust. In the western segment, a thicker oceanic crust suggests a high melt supply. This supply is probably due to an off-axis melting anomaly located below the southern flank of the Sheba ridge, 75 km east of the major Alula-Fartak transform fault. This suggests that the axial morphology is produced by a combination of factors, including spreading rate, melt supply and the edge effect of the Alula-Fartak transform fault, as well as the proximity of the continental margin. The oceanic domains have undergone two distinct phases of accretion since the onset of seafloor spreading, with a shift around 11 Ma. At that time, the ridge jumped southwards, in response to the melting anomaly. Propagating ridges were triggered by the melting activity, and propagated both eastward and westward. The influence of the melting anomaly on the ridges decreased, stopping their propagation since less than 9 Ma. From that time up to the present, the N025 degrees E-trending Socotra transform fault developed in association with the formation of the N115 degrees E-trending segment #2. In recent times, a counter-clockwise rotation of the stress field associated with kinematic changes could explain the structural morphology of the Alula-Fartak and Socotra-Hadbeen fracture zones.


3 Abstract: This study was performed with broiler chickens to evaluate the effects of adding beta-glucanase on bird performances and digestive organs weights. A total of 1600 1-day-old broilers (Arbor Acres) were divided into 2 groups and fed either a control diet (group C) based on corn, wheat and barley or a control diet supplemented with beta-glucanase preparation (Safizym GP 40, Lesaffre Feed Additives, France) at the dose of 40 mg per kg of diet (group G). Body weight, feed intake were recorded at 40 days of age. The same day, 8 chickens from each group were slaughtered for carcass yield and digestive organs weights. Experimental data were statistically analyzed by using the ANOVA procedure of Stat View programme. Throughout the whole trial period (1-40 days of age), body weight was significantly (p<0.05) increased (+2.9%) in birds of group G (1723 g) compared to those of group C (1674 g). Moreover, there was no significant difference in feed intake between broilers consuming the control diet supplemented or not with beta-glucanase activity (4052 g). However, the feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced by 4% when the basal diet was supplemented with beta-glucanase (p<0.05). The addition of beta-glucanas e reduced (p<0.05) the small intestine weight related to the body weight compared to C group (5.40 vs.6.98%, respectively). Thus, it is possible to introduce in the broiler diet up to 35% of barley when beta-glucanase is used at th e recommended dose of 40 mg per kg of diet.


The mechanisms of relaxation to nitric oxide (NO)-independent soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activator BAY 41-2272 [5-cyclopropyl-2-[1-(2-fluoro-benzyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-yl]pyrimidin-4-ylamine] were investigated in isolated ovine pulmonary artery. BAY 41-2272 (1 nM-10 μM) produced concentration-dependent relaxation of endothelium-denuded pulmonary artery rings (pD2 = 6.82 ± 0.16; Emax = 92.30 ± 2.31%; n = 8), precontracted with 1 μM 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). 1-H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 10 μM), an inhibitor of sGC, partially inhibited (Emax = 57.10 ± 3.10%; n = 6) the relaxation response of BAY 41-2272. In comparison with ODQ, sodium pump inhibitor ouabain (1 μM) produced a greater decrease in the vasodilator response of BAY 41-2272 (Emax = 20.17 ± 4.55%; n = 6). K+-free solution also attenuated (Emax = 39.97 ± 3.52%; n = 6) BAY 41-2272-induced relaxation. ODQ (10 μM) plus 1 μM ouabain abolished the relaxant response of BAY 41-2272 (Emax = 12.09 ± 3.76%, n = 6 versus vehicle control dimethyl sulfoxide; Emax = 15.83 ± 1.72%, n = 6). KT-5823 [1-oxo-9.12-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3-fg:3′,2′,1′-kl]pyrrolo[3,4-I][1,6]benzodiazocine-10-carboxylic acid methyl ester (2 μM), a specific inhibitor of protein kinase G had no effect on 10 μM ODQ-insensitive relaxation evoked by BAY 41-2272. BAY 41-2272 (10 μM) inhibited Ca2+-induced contractions in K+-depolarized preparations. BAY 41-2272 (10 μM) caused about a 14-fold increase in the intracellular cGMP over the basal level, which was completely inhibited by 10 μM ODQ. BAY 41-2272 (0.1, 1.0, and 10 μM) significantly (P < 0.05) increased ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. BAY 41-2272 (10 μM) also stimulated sarcolemmal Na+-K+-ATPase activity. However, 10 μM ODQ had no significant effect on either basal or BAY 41-2272-stimulated 86Rb uptake/Na+-K+-ATPase activities. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence of sodium pump stimulation by BAY 41-2272 independent of cGMP as an additional mechanism to sGC activation in relaxation of ovine pulmonary artery.


Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo constitutes an area where the East African Highland bananas (Musa-AAA-EA) and plantains (Musa-AAB) meet. However, Musa diversity in this region has never been characterized nor represented in national or international collections, yet increasing human activities and build-up of pests and diseases, especially Xanthomonas wilt of banana and banana bunchy top disease, could negatively affect this diversity. This study assessed, collected and morphologically characterized on-farm Musa diversity in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Musa accessions collected were added to the UCG-Butembo in situ field collection. A total of 90 and 150 farms were assessed, respectively, in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces. High Musa variability was observed in both provinces. Forty-one cultivars (six presumed new) were identified in Ituri Province compared to 38 cultivars (13 presumed new) in North Kivu Province. Nineteen cultivars occurred in both provinces. Beni and Lubero territories in North Kivu and Mambasa territory in Ituri Province had greater Musa diversity, varying between 27 and 38 cultivars, approximately double of the number of cultivars observed in the other territories. Twenty-three of the 34 Musa descriptors contributed more to the discrimination of the cultivars identified across the provinces and were therefore used for grouping the cultivars using principal component analysis (PCA). The Morisita index of similarity between Ituri Province and North Kivu Province territories was less than 0.5, suggesting dissimilarity in diversity between these sites. Six cultivars: 'Kirisirya', 'Pakuma', 'Nziravahima', 'Vuhindi', 'Tundu' and 'Kisubi musa' were reportedly at risk of genetic erosion.

 Key words: Banana, conservation, cultivars, ex-situ, genetic erosion, genotypes, plantain.


Reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms have proven transformative in a range of domains. To tackle real-world domains, these systems often use neural networks to learn policies directly from pixels or other high-dimensional sensory input. By contrast, much theory of RL has focused on discrete state spaces or worst-case analysis, and fundamental questions remain about the dynamics of policy learning in high-dimensional settings. Here, we propose a solvable high-dimensional model of RL that can capture a variety of learning protocols, and derive its typical dynamics as a set of closed-form ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We derive optimal schedules for the learning rates and task difficulty - analogous to annealing schemes and curricula during training in RL - and show that the model exhibits rich behaviour, including delayed learning under sparse rewards; a variety of learning regimes depending on reward baselines; and a speed-accuracy trade-off driven by reward stringency. Experiments on variants of the Procgen game"Bossfight"and Arcade Learning Environment game"Pong"also show such a speed-accuracy trade-off in practice. Together, these results take a step towards closing the gap between theory and practice in high-dimensional RL.


This study develops a non-contact vibro-acoustic detection technique for measuring the defect quantity and determining the imperfection orientation surrounding a bone-implant interface. Acoustic excitation through a miniature loud speaker and vibration response measurement using a capacity-type displacement sensor are applied to accomplish this task to prevent the mass loading effect on the structure to be examined. The proposed non-contact excitation-response measurements are verified using a series of designated in vitro defect models, and the measured resonance frequencies (RFs) are used to discriminate interfacial structure variations. A finite element modal analysis is conducted to validate the measured RFs. Additionally, a prototype device is developed and applied to assess the osseointegration between dental implants and tibia in an in vivo animal model. A comparison of in vitro experimental results with numerical simulations shows that the RFs in the defective orientation are significantly smaller than those in the complete direction (p < 0.05), and that the values decrease with increasing defect quantity (p < 0.05). Moreover, the defect depth affects RF variation. In the in vivo experiments, the RF levels in the lateral direction of the tibia are much higher than those in the axial direction (p < 0.05) of the tibia. The RF values in the axial direction for two implants have no significant difference (p = 0.552), but the RFs in the lateral direction for implant 2 are higher than those for implant 1 (p < 0.05). The RF changes can be compared to assess osseointegration development. The proposed technique is promising for assisting dentists in the assessment of implant stability after surgery.


This book evolved out of a workshop hosted by the University of Oslo in 2009. As a result, it is a bit uneven, but there are many standout chapters overall. The book contains eleven chapters, distributed into three sections: Part I discusses nationalism, Part II focuses on militarism, and Part III examines Buddhist justification theories. The chapters feature an impressive roster of authors from around the world. The book aims to rectify the common Western misperception that, unlike the Abrahamic traditions, violence is foreign to Buddhism. Many of the writers accomplish this goal, especially the chapters that focus on ongoing conflicts in Thailand and Sri Lanka. However, despite the title of Buddhism and Violence, readers seeking discussion about physically aggressive Buddhist monks actually committing violent acts will likely come away disappointed. Instead, the scholars in this book mostly focus on how and why Buddhism in modern Asia is often swept up in nationalist rhetoric and campaigns. Buddhist monks are rarely on the front lines of these campaigns--though they are targets of violence--but they are often essential supporting voices for nationalist agendas. A few scholars note that even acquiescent Buddhist leaders who are not mouthpieces for their respective countries tacitly condone militarism and violence by not speaking out against it. The book is a welcome contribution to the field, and should benefit scholars teaching upper-level courses on religion and violence as well as those seeking information about how Buddhism and nationalism are so closely aligned in Modern Asia. The book begins with an introduction by one of the editors, Vladimir Tikhonov. Instead of beginning with a discussion of modern Buddhism, Tikhonov points to the confluence of religion and statecraft around the world and throughout history. Examples from Christianity, Daoism, Confucianism, Hellenistic religion, and others are given to demonstrate how these religions wrestle with the prevalence of violence. Tikhonov recognizes the distinction in their philosophies between "illicit and licit violence." While these traditions frowned upon the former, they recognized the necessity and inevitability of the latter. The recognition of the necessity and legitimacy of licit violence in conjunction with statecraft required theories that explained, codified, and most importantly, justified violent action. Tikhonov most often uses Christianity to demonstrate this process, going so far as not to even mention Buddhism until more than halfway through the Introduction. He begins his discussion of Buddhism by noting how Buddhist notions of violence are remarkably similar to the Christian stance: "On one hand, violence is seen as an endemic evil of the profane world bound by ignorance of truth, attachments, and cravings.... On the other hand, the early adepts of Buddha's Law, very much like their Christian counterparts, prided themselves on being different from the fallen world" (6-7). He moves forward providing brief examples of how early Buddhism interacted with violence, most notably mentioning how the Buddha himself did not preach non-violence to the Kings of his day due to the belief that it was a king's duty to strengthen and defend his kingdom. In other words, even the Buddha recognized the occasional necessity of violence. Tikhonov moves to the modern era in his conclusion. He points out how "post-Kantian modern intellectuals" who sought religious philosophies that espoused their modern peaceful ideals latched onto Buddhism, choosing to believe it was different (i.e., more rational) than other religions. This misperception of Buddhism is still alive and well in the West, and all the following chapters work to dismantle that notion. In the first chapter, "Sinhala Ethno-nationalisms and Militarization in Sri Lanka," Mahinda Deegalle displays the role of the Sinhalese Buddhist community in "one of the most violent and militarized societies on the planet" (15). …


Hypertonic saline (HS) resuscitation after hemorrhage and sepsis has been shown to markedly reduce the development of lung injury in animals, compared with traditional resuscitation with lactated Ringer's (LR). These experiments examined the effect of HS on lung injury after hemorrhage without sepsis. The effects of HS and LR resuscitation on neutrophil trafficking, neutrophil adhesion, and neutrophil oxidative burst were studied. Methods: BALB/c mice were hemorrhaged to a mean arterial pressure of 40 torr for 1 h. Animals were resuscitated with shed blood and either 4 mL/kg of 7.5% HS or LR in twice the volume of the shed blood. Lung histology was examined 24 h after hemorrhage. Lung myeloperoxidase content and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophil counts were obtained. Peripheral blood smears were obtained to determine the neutrophil percentage. Peripheral blood neutrophil CD11b expression and neutrophil H2O2 production were assayed by flow cytometry. Results: HS animals had less lung injury than LR animals. The mean myeloperoxidase activity in HS versus LR animals was 1.79 ± 1.33 U/100 mg versus 3.0 ± 1.33 U/100 mg, respectively. The percentage of neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of HS animals (3.8% ± .8) was significantly less than that of LR animals (10.8% ± 2.1). This corresponded to a significantly higher peripheral blood neutrophil count in HS animals compared with LR animals, 41% vs. 20%, respectively. There was no difference in neutrophil expression of the CD11b integrin between the HS and LR groups. The neutrophils of LR animals had basal H2O2 production that was 107% greater than that of controls; HS suppressed this hemorrhage-induced activation by > 60%. HS resuscitation after hemorrhagic shock protects against the development of lung injury. This protection is due, in part, to suppression of the hemorrhage-induced neutrophil oxidative burst. HS resuscitation offers immunomodulatory potential after hemorrhagic shock.


OBJECTIVES
To determine the prevalence of rabies in free roaming mongooses and domestic rats in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, and determine the different species of mongooses and domestic rats that could be reservoirs of rabies infection.

DESIGN
A descriptive cross-sectional study during the period July-September 1999.

SETTING
The Southern Province of Sri Lanka.

STUDY POPULATION
Fifty mongooses roaming in gardens (excluding the wildlife protected zones), and 100 domestic rats found inside houses from the Divisional Secretariats in Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts. SAMPLE COLLECTION AND TESTING: The animals were trapped and speciated. After decapitation, the head was cooled immediately and brought to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) with minimum delay. The fluorescent antibody test (FAT) was done on the dissected brains at the Department of Rabies, MRI.

RESULTS
Of the mongooses caught, 32 were brown mongooses and 18 ruddy mongooses. Eleven mongooses were found to be positive for rabies antigen. All domestic rats examined (common Sri Lankan house rats 76, Indian house mice 17, brown rats 7) were found to be negative for rabies antigen.

CONCLUSIONS
Rabies exists in mongooses in the Southern Province. Both brown and ruddy mongooses were found to be reservoirs. The domestic rats were unlikely to be reservoirs of rabies infection in this province.


We review entomological aspects of the rearing of muga silkworms ( Antheraea assamensis ) and eri silkworms ( Samia ricini ) from egg to adult in northeast India with the aim of harvesting cocoons for silk. Rearing of the latter species, ericulture, is also practiced to provide pupae for human consumption among tribal peoples in rural villages. Muga silkworms are reared outdoors and are subject to a large number of biotic and abiotic challenges such as parasitoids and predators, resulting in major losses of the crop. Eri silkworms are reared indoors and suffer far fewer losses. Based on our recent observations and early literature, many of the practices we observed in these two forms of sericulture have not changed in more than two hundred years. The notion of peace silk (silk production without killing the pupae) is discredited, but we conclude that the production of eri silk is environmentally friendly.


Optical blurring in the eye prevents conventional physiological techniques from revealing the fine structure of the small parvocellular receptive fields in the primate fovea in vivo. We explored the organization of receptive fields in macaque parvocellular lateral geniculate nucleus cells by using sinusoidal interference fringes formed directly on the retina to measure spatial frequency tuning at different orientations. Most parvocellular cells in and near the fovea respond reliably to spatial frequencies up to and beyond 100 cycles/° of visual angle, implying center input arising mainly from a single cone. Temporal frequency and contrast response characteristics were also measured at spatial frequencies up to 130 cycles/°. We compared our spatial frequency data with the frequency responses of model receptive fields that estimate the number, configuration, and weights of cones that feed the center and surround. On the basis of these comparisons, we infer possible underlying circuits. Most cells had irregular spatial frequency–response curves that imply center input from more than one cone. The measured responses are consistent with a single cone center together with weak input from nearby cones. By exposing a fine structure that cannot be discerned by conventional techniques, interferometry allows functional measurements of the early neural mechanisms in spatial vision.


HCI is a field of study that is no longer confined to European or North American usability labs. HCI is practiced all over the world, and within Euro-American contexts, HCI research is also increasingly turning its attention to real world settings, outside of the controlled environments of the usability lab. One increasingly popular approach to designing and evaluating new technologies in real-world settings is called 'in the wild' research. We find this terminology uncomfortable from an African perspective as it evokes negative connotations of the contexts in which we study and the people we study with. Our intention is not to discredit this approach but rather to start a conversation around the terminologies we use to describe our research approaches and contexts. We consider it an ethical imperative to be conscious of the words we use to describe people and places, not only as HCI research expands its empirical focus to real world settings, but equally importantly to support HCI research beyond its traditional centres in Europe or America.


Introduction 8 A brief history of the development of Judo throughout the world and an introduction into the world of the judoka Getting started 14 A look at the basic elements of judo, including attire and behaviour, and the underlying principles and philosophy Falling 24 An explanation of one of the key disciplines of judo and how this may be executed safely and effectively Groundwork 34 Learning the fundamental elements of grappling, pinning and strangulation techniques executed on the mat Standing and Throwing 58 Understanding the basic requirements for balance and stance, throws and reaps, sweeps and drops Advanced Techniques 74 Mastering the technical combinations required in advanced judo and in the competitive arena Self-defence 88 Learning to defend yourself against an attack by applying specific judo techniques Useful Contacts 92 Glossary 94 Index 95 Photographic Credits 96


PURPOSE
To determine the effect of intravenous (IV) low-osmolality iodinated contrast material (LOCM) on the development of post-computed tomography (CT) acute kidney injury (AKI), stratified by pre-CT estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), in patients with stable renal function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Institutional review board approval was obtained and patient consent waived for this HIPAA-compliant, retrospective study. CT examinations performed over a 10-year period on unique adult inpatients with sufficient serum creatinine (SCr) data and stable renal function (difference between baseline and pre-CT SCr within 0.3 mg/dL and 50% of baseline) were identified. A 1:1 propensity score matched cohort analysis with multivariate analysis of effects was performed with post-CT AKI as the primary outcome measure (8826 nonenhanced and 8826 IV contrast agent-enhanced CT studies in 17 652 patients). Propensity matching was performed with respect to likelihood of receiving IV contrast material (19 tested covariates). Post-CT AKI with Acute Kidney Injury Network SCr criteria was the primary endpoint. A stepwise multivariate conditional logistic regression model was performed to identify the effect of IV LOCM on post-CT AKI.

RESULTS
After 1:1 propensity matching, IV LOCM had a significant effect on the development of post-CT AKI (P = .04). This risk increased with decreases in pre-CT eGFR (≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2): odds ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval: 0.86, 1.16; 45-59 mL/min/1.73 m(2): odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval: 0.82, 1.38; 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m(2): odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 1.97; <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2): odds ratio, 2.96; 95% confidence interval: 1.22, 7.17).

CONCLUSION
IV LOCM is a nephrotoxic risk factor in patients with a stable eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2), with a trend toward significance at 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m(2). IV LOCM does not appear to be a nephrotoxic risk factor in patients with a pre-CT eGFR of 45 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or greater.


The current study examined concordance and discordance between a measure of bullying and measures of peer aggression with respect to the number of students identified as victims. Swedish adolescents (N = 1,760) completed a web-based questionnaire. A measure of bullying and measures of peer aggression were compared in order to elucidate the unique contribution of each measure as well as the overlap: 13% of students who experienced peer victimization reported only bullying, 44% reported only repeated peer aggression, and 43% reported both. Concordance was further elucidated by phi-square coefficient tests revealing that 18% of the variance in either measure was accounted for by the other measure. Given recent research showing similar associations with mental health for bullying and peer aggression victimization, it is suggested that questions about peer aggression as well as bullying should be used simultaneously in order to capture the prevalence and full magnitude of peer victimization.


We discuss the parallel implementation of numerical solution methods for linear and quadratic matrix equations occuring frequently in control theory. In particular we consider equations related to analysis and synthesis of continuous-time, linear time-invariant control systems. These are the Sylvester equation, the Lya-punov equation, and the continuous-time algebraic Ric-cati equation. We assume the coeecient matrices to be dense and the state-space dimension to be roughly of order 10 3 {10 4. For such problem classes, methods based on the sign function and related methods prove to be very eecient and usually outperform methods based on the QR or QZ algorithms even in sequential computing environments. We discuss the implementation of these methods on distributed memory parallel computers employing MPI and ScaLAPACK.


Services on WWW have enabled development of the e-learning systems which are considered to be direct application of the information and communication technology. The xTEx-Sys system is a Web-based authoring shell with adapted environment to each actor of the system. A formal representation of the course material in the xTEx-Sys involves ontology driven knowledge description. Student' s knowledge evaluation in the xTEx-Sys is realized by using dynamic quizzes. This paper describes the ontology' s role of the xTEx-Sys knowledge evaluation process.


Since the end of the Cold War, peacebuilding efforts and international environmental law have developed independently and in very different manners. Experiences in managing natural resources to support post-conflict peacebuilding in dozens of countries over the past twenty years, however, highlight the critical role that natural resources often play. The 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) provides an opportunity to consider the lessons from these experiences and provide a vision for future consolidation of approaches. This article reviews the development of peacebuilding, highlighting the importance of natural resources. It then surveys the status of international law governing post-conflict peacebuilding, including international environmental law. Looking forward, it considers the likely directions of international law in governing post-conflict peacebuilding, concluding with thoughts on how to capitalize on Rio+20 to advance more effective approaches.


The internet is becoming increasingly more valuable in the field of architectural design that what we conventionall y called CAD might soon be changed to iAD (internet Aided Design) (Zhou and Krawczyk 2000). In order to have a clear vision of what iAD will be or could be, we should first examine what is currently available. This research focuses on an investigation of selected web vendors, which are typical and most influential in providing internet related services for the AEC industry. Our purpose for doing this survey is: to understan d the progress and development of internet application in AEC industry, identify the technology used in this area, determine the advantages and deficiencies of current practice and develop a base for future research in proposing a evolutionary model of internet Aided Design for architecture.


Nontargeted circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) whole-genome sequencing is a novel strategy for genomic characterization of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Changes in ctDNA levels are a sensitive indicator of disease burden with an average lead time of 6 months to clinical progression. This presents a unique opportunity to identify pathways driving progression as molecular vulnerabilities for clinical drug development. See related article by Paracchini et al., p. 2549


Remitances are an important source of external financing in low- and middle-income countries. This paper uses the gravity model to analyze remittance flows in Russia and Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries. Standard gravity determinants, such as GDP in sending and recieiving countries, bilateral distance, existence of common borders and common official language, fit remittance flows well. Remittances also react to inflation and exchange rate movements in recipient countries to sustain their purchasing power. In line with the altruism hypothesis, remittances flow to countries with higher age dependency ratio. Remittances are countercyclical and help stabilize outputs in recipient countries. However, global shocks resulting in sharp output losses of sending countries would lead to large volatility and decline of remittance inflows in recipient countries. The results of the analysis can be used to assess the impact of the COVID-19 shock on projected remittance flows into CCA.


The outer Löwner-John method is widely used in sensor fusion applications to find the smallest ellipsoid that can approximate the intersection of a set of ellipsoids, described by positive definite covariance matrices modeling the quality of each sensor. We propose a distributed algorithm to solve this problem when these matrices are defined over the network's nodes. This is of particular significance as it is the first decentralized algorithm capable of computing the covariance intersection ellipsoid by combining information from the entire network using only local interactions. The solution is based on a reformulation of the centralized problem, leading to a local protocol based on exact dynamic consensus tools. After reaching consensus, the protocol converges to an outer Löwner-John ellipsoid in finite time, and to the global optimum asymptotically. Formal convergence analysis and numerical experiments are provided to validate the proposal's advantages.


Thermodynamic effect on cavitation appears in cryogenic fluids. The thermodynamic effect is considered to suppress the development of cavitation. The cavitation performance of inducer of liquid rocket turbopump with liquid hydrogen and oxygen is improved by the thermodynamic effect. The authors have conducted experimental studies about thermodynamic effect on cavitation around single hydrofoils in hot water in previous study, where sheet cavity and sheet/cloud cavity occurs. However, cavitation in inducer is not sheet cavity which is separation type but tip leakage cavity which is vortex type. Therefore, in the present study, experiment is conducted about tip leakage cavitation in order to clarify the intensity thermodynamic effect on vortex type cavitation. In the present study, cavitation experiments is conducted with high temperature and high pressure cavitation tunnel, NACA 0009 hydrofoil is chosen for a test body. In the experimental results, development of the pattern of the tip leakage cavitation did not change by the change of freestream temperature from room temperature up to 90°C. The result of sheet cavitation is in our previous study. The effect of freestream temperature on a temperature reduction inside the cavity is investigated by the direct measurement technique of temperature inside the tip leakage cavity.


In this article we examine the scientific identity formation of two young women of color who attend an urban vocational high school. One young woman lives in an urban setting, while the other lives in a suburban setting. We describe how these young women's identities influence and respond to experiences in school science. In particular, we describe how the experience of marginalization can make membership in a school science community impossible or undesirable. We also describe the advantages that accrue to students who fit well with the ideal identities of an urban school. Finally, we describe some of the difficulties students face who aspire to scientific or technological competence yet do not desire to take on aspects of the identities associated with membership in school science communities. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 965–980, 2001


Unlike earlier attempts to theorize Israeli women's peace activism in civil society, this article examines the involvement of women in backstage roles of formal negotiations during the Oslo Process. On the basis of a qualitative analysis of the organizational structure and gender division of labor in Israeli negotiating bodies, I find that women were placed as midlevel negotiators and professional and legal advisors, and also served as spokeswomen and secretaries. This pattern of participation reveals 1) that the "security logic," developed by Israeli negotiators led to, and reinforced, a structured gendered division of labor, providing a rational justification for gender inequality; 2) that the ability to control administrative capacities and women workers generated symbolic masculine power and assisted in maintaining asymmetries between Israeli and Palestinian delegations; 3) and that midlevel Israeli negotiators' narratives reveal the extent to which conceptual confusion and self-contradictory approaches toward the Oslo Accords reinforced women's overall invisibility. I conclude that patterns of rigid gender roles in official negotiating structures not only minimize women's meaningful inclusion in peace negotiations but also affect the production of public historical narratives about gender, peace, and war.


Viral news is defined as networked news stories that spread online mostly through social media in a much faster and wider manner than other news stories, and this study investigates the elements that make news viral on two social media platforms. The goal is to fill a gap in the literature on viral news especially on social media news as previous communication studies mostly focused on news sharing habits on the news organizations' websites as well as editors' news selection criteria. The top 50 news stories are selected for this study by examining the most viewed videos on the Guardian, the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal's YouTube channels as well as their most retweeted news stories. The study introduces a mixed model to examine viral news, borrowing from previous studies on emotions and others that focused on news worthiness. The results indicate that social media news readers prefer to read and share overwhelmingly positive news, while social significance and unexpectedness in news stories are the most appealing viral news elements.


The renal response to arginine vasopressin was investigated with and without the simultaneous administration of the kallikrein inhibitor, aprotinin, in conscious Brattleboro homozygous rats with hereditary diabetes insipidus. Arginine vasopressin caused a marked antidiuretic response (urinary osmolality increased from 118 to 739 mosmol/l) which was accompanied by a significant increase in urinary prostaglandin excretion (prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha excretion increased by 182 and 441%, respectively). Kallikrein excretion remained unchanged after arginine vasopressin infusion. The infusion of aprotinin diminished urinary kallikrein activity to undetectable levels, decreased potassium excretion significantly and caused a slight fall in urinary prostaglandin excretion. However, aprotinin failed to modify the arginine vasopressin‐induced enhancement in prostaglandin excretion (prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha excretion increased by 168 and 442%, respectively), and the antidiuretic response was also similar to that observed under control conditions. These results indicate that the kallikrein‐kinin system is not involved in the renal response to vasopressin in the Brattleboro rat.


Quality of Service (QoS)-based service selection is the key to large-scale service-oriented Internet of Things (IOT), due to the increasing emergence of massive services with various QoS. Current methods either have low selection accuracy or are highly time-consuming (e.g., exponential time complexity), neither of which are desirable in large-scale IOT applications. We investigate a QoS-based service selection method to solve this problem. The main challenges are that we need to not only improve the selection accuracy but also decrease the time complexity to make them suitable for large-scale IOT applications. We address these challenges with the following three basic ideas. First, we present a lightweight description method to describe the QoS, dramatically decreasing the time complexity of service selection. Further more, based on this QoS description, we decompose the complex problem of QoS-based service selection into a simple and basic sub-problem. Finally, based on this problem decomposition, we present a QoS-based service matching algorithm, which greatly improves selection accuracy by considering the whole meaning of the predicates. The traces-driven simulations show that our method can increase the matching precision by 69% and the recall rate by 20% in comparison with current methods. Moreover, theoretical analysis illustrates that our method has polynomial time complexity, i.e., O(m 2 × n), where m and n denote the number of predicates and services, respectively.


The present study investigated the effects of the endophytic fungus, Penicillium pinophilum EU0013 on fruit phytochemical indices and essential trace elements in five tomato cultivars. In a completely randomized design, inoculated and uninoculated seedlings of tomato cultivars (Momotaro, Rodeo, Anaya, Reika, and Cherry) were raised for sixteen weeks in a greenhouse. Fruit fresh weights and root colonization by P. pinophilum were significantly higher in the Rodeo cultivar than in the other cultivars tested. Significant effects of the cultivar, inoculation, and interaction on fruit dry weights were observed with higher values in Anaya inoculated with P. pinophilum. Cultivar and inoculation effects were significant for ascorbic acid and soluble sugars in four cultivars, with increases being observed due to the P. pinophilum inoculation. Lycopene levels increased in Rodeo and decreased in Anaya, while β-carotene levels increased in four cultivars due to the inoculation. Manganese concentrations were significantly increased in Cherry, while iron concentrations were increased in Reika and Cherry. Increases due to the inoculation were observed for gibberellic acids (GA1 and GA4) in Reika and Anaya, whereas decreases were detected in Cherry and Rodeo. Similar results were obtained for abscisic acids (ABA) with increases in Reika and Anaya due to the inoculation. P. pinophilum EU0013 demonstrated the ability to improve the nutritive value of tomato fruits via modulations to phytochemicals in addition to increases in Mn and Fe concentrations, particularly in Cherry and Rodeo. Cultivar responses to the P. pinophilum inoculation are a factor that need to be considered for its use in increasing fruit quality indices in tomato.


Demand for surfactant chemicals for household cleaning products, personal care sectors, agriculture,
food, pharmaceutical, and environmental industries is steadily increasing. According to 2013
Acmite Market Intelligence report [1], the world markets of surfactants reached US$26.8 billion in
2012, experiencing 10% increase since 2010. These figures are predicted to increase by 3.8% annually
in the coming years and by 2016, the market is expected to reach US$31.1 billion. However, due
to the potential hazard of synthetic surfactant toward human health and the increasing consumer
demand for chemical product, both effective and environmentally compatible, it is natural to turn to
the microbial world to fulfill this demand by means of biosurfactant utilization. Microbial-derived
surfactants are produced on living surface, mostly microbial cell surface or excreted extracellularly
and contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties capable of reducing surface tension and interfacial
tension between individual molecules at the surface and interface. Such properties exhibit
excellent detergency, emulsifying, foaming, and dispersing traits, which can be applied in various
industries. It is also commercially promising alternatives to chemically synthesized surfactants due
to their inherent biodegradability, lower toxicity, better foaming properties, and greater stability
toward temperature and pH [2].
However, large-scale production of biosurfactant is still at its infancy due to expensive raw material,
low production yield, and high purification cost. Selection of inexpensive and nutrient-rich
raw materials is crucial to the economics of the process because they highly influence the overall
production cost. Recently, several renewable substrates, especially from oily-based agroindustrial
wastes, have been extensively studied for microbial surfactant production as it confers cost-free or
low-cost feed stocks [3]. Mercade et al. [4] reported use of olive oil mill effluent for rhamnolipid production
by Pseudomonas sp. Soap stick oil has been used for rhamnolipid production with P. aeruginosa
[5]. Mulligan and Cooper used water collected during drying of fuel grade peat [6]. Raza
et al. [7] evaluate waste frying oil from canola, corn, and soybean as a substrate for rhamnolipid
production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant EBN-8. Several studies with water-immiscible raw
material such as plant-derived oils and oil wastes have shown that they can act as effective and cheap
raw materials for biosurfactant production. Biosurfactant products obtained by using water-soluble
carbon sources such as glycerol, glucose, mannitol, and ethanol are reported to be inferior to that
obtained with water-immiscible substrate such as n-alkanes and olive oil [8,9]. Banat [10] observed
little biosurfactant production when cells were grown on a readily available carbon sources. The
production of biosurfactant was triggered only when all the soluble carbon was consumed and when
a water-immiscible hydrocarbon was available. Rapeseed oil [11], canola oil, babassu oil, and corn
oil [12,13] are plant-derived oils that have been used as raw material for biosurfactant production.
Similarly, vegetable oils such as sunflower and soybean oils [14,15] were used for the production of
rhamnolipid, sophorolipid, and mannosylerythritol lipid biosurfactants by various microorganisms.
Despite ongoing research using unconventional sources, selection of appropriate waste substrate
is still a challenge. Researchers are facing the problem of finding a waste with the right balance of
carbohydrates and lipids to support optimal growth of microorganisms and maximum production of
biosurfactant [16]. Search for new strains for high productivity is also a challenge for the widespread
application of microbial surfactants. In addition, process conditions improvement through statistical
optimization can be implemented as one of the effective approaches to increase the production yield
of biosurfactant. Enhanced product yield, closer conformance or the process output to target requirement
and reduced process variability, development time, and cost can be realized by the application
of statistical experimental design techniques in bioprocess development and optimization [17].
Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to demonstrate investigation and results on an inexpensive
raw material derived from palm oil refinery waste for biosurfactant production by potential isolated
strain as well as enhancing the development process through series of optimization studies of nutritional
requirement for maximum biosurfactant production. For this, a lab research was conducted
by the authors.


The case of a 75 year old woman with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease is presented. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was consistent with CD8+ cell alveolitis, and computerized tomography revealed features of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). The patient had been on clomipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant) for 9 months prior to the onset of disease. Cessation of the drug and very short-term oral corticosteroid treatment (prematurely terminated by the patient) resulted in complete resolution of clinical symptoms, morphological and physiological findings, which remained stable without treatment over the following year. A possible drug reaction to clomipramine presenting as BOOP is discussed.


We report a photoelectron spectroscopy and computational study of two simple boron oxide species: BO- and BO2-. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained at several photon energies (355, 266, 193, and 157 nm) for the 10B isotopomers, 10BO- and 10BO2-. In the spectra of 10BO-, we observe transitions to the 2Sigma+ ground state and the 2Pi excited state of 10BO at an excitation energy of 2.96 eV. The electron affinity of 10BO is measured to be 2.510+/-0.015 eV. The vibrational frequencies of the ground states of 10BO- and 10BO and the 2Pi excited state are measured to be 1725+/-40, 1935+/-30, and 1320+/-40 cm-1, respectively. For 10BO2-, we observe transitions to the 2Pig ground state and two excited states of 10BO2, 2Piu, and 2Sigmau+, at excitation energies of 2.26 and 3.04 eV, respectively. The electron affinity of 10BO2 is measured to be 4.46+/-0.03 eV and the symmetrical stretching vibrational frequency of the 2Piu excited state of 10BO2 is measured to be 980+/-30 cm-1. Both density functional and ab initio calculations are performed to elucidate the electronic structure and chemical bonding of the two boron oxide molecules. Comparisons with the isoelectronic AlO- and AlO2- species and the closely related molecules CO, N2, CN-, and CO2 are also discussed.


The Random Dot Test was used for a screening of the visual acuity of children of 6 to 10 years of age. The testing time is reduced by 50% as compared with the examination by means of illiterate E images on cardboard charts. Children with refractive errors of up to 3 delta but normal visual acuity after correction are not detected at the examination distance of 1.30 m used in this study. None out of 672 children with severe eye diseases gave false negative results with the Random Dot Test. Disturbances of the binocular vision could also be detected with the Random Dot Test.


This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in treating patients with cycloplegic hyperopia from +1.00 to +7.00 diopter using Allegretto wave Eye Q 400. This study was conducted on 25 patients with cycloplegic astigmatism ≤1 diopter and cycloplegic hyperopia between +1.00 and +7.00 diopters in 47 eyes, who successively entered into the study within 6 months and underwent PRK. Prior to PRK surgery, all the patients were examined for cycloplegic refraction (astigmatism and hyperopia), slit lamp, keratometry, fundus, and best-corrected (BCVA) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) testing. These examinations were repeated after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The mean preop UCVA of patients was 0.76±0.28 (ranging from 0.00 to 1.3), which reached 0.19±0.22 (ranging from 0.00 to 0.78) one year after the surgery (P=0.000). There was a significant correlation between increasing astigmatism and preop cycloplegic hyperopia >5 diopters (P=0.000), corneal ring haziness at 12th months (P=0.000), and 12 months cycloplegic residual hyperopia ≥2.00 diopters (P=0.000). 53.2% of the eyes (with a mean grade of 2.34) were detected with corneal ring haziness at 12th months, which was significantly correlated with 12 months residual cycloplegic hyperopia of ≥2.00 diopters (P: 0.000) and cycloplegic sphere above 5 diopters (P=0.006). Although the use of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with Allegretto Eye Q 400 is associated with a decrease in the mean cycloplegic and improved UCVA and BCVA, its use is not recommended in cases with preop cycloplegic hyperopia above 5 diopters due to the high rate of induction of astigmatism, corneal haziness, and regression of hyperopia.


Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a new computerized neu romuscular electric stimulation system (Handmaster™) in improving selected im pairments and functional measures of patients who survived stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Survivors of stroke (n = 13) and TBI (n = 7) with chronic paralysis lasting 6.8 ± 7.8 years (range 1 to 29 years) participated in a home program of elec trical stimulation. The device is a hybrid of a hand-forearm splint that incorporates five surface electrodes and a computerized electrical stimulator. The patterned stimu lation elicits finger flexion and extension, lateral pinch, and grasp of the paralyzed hand. Patients practiced daily for 3.4 ± 0.5 hours over a mean duration of 13.1 ± 6.6 weeks. Assessment included goniometric measurements of wrist and elbow rest ing posture, passive and active joints motion, linear distance of fingers to palm, Ash worth scale, and the ability to hold a 1 kg load in the affected hand. The Frenchay arm test represented hand function. Results : ANOVA tests and Wilcoxon signed rank test were employed. There were significant improvements (p = 0.01) in elbow, wrist, and fingers posture; Ash worth scale; volitional active elbow flexion (32.5 ± 12.7°); wrist extension (12.7 ± 11.1°) and flexion (9.03 ± 4.5°). Passive wrist extension improved 13.7 ± 3.6°. Thir teen patients (65 percent) had active wrist extension post stimulation compared with only three (15 percent) before study commencement. Partial completion of the Fren chay tasks were observed before stimulation in only three patients compared with partial completion of tasks by nine patients at study conclusion. Post stimulation, 16 of 20 patients were able to hold a 1 kg weight with the NESS system active, com pared with only three patients without it. Conclusions: Application of the NESS system for three to four hours daily im proves selected impairments and may help to restore partial hand functions of patients with chronic stroke or head injury. Key Words: Chronic—Stroke—Brain injury— Electrical stimulation—Motor recovery.


ABSTRACT As 'Eurobarometer' surveys indicate, European populations are increasingly sceptical about further EU enlargement, especially as far as Turkey is concerned. Austria's rejection of negotiations with Turkey has been remarkable. While the Austrian government has been in line with European council resolutions, policy makers of different parties have reiterated their claim for alternatives to full membership for Turkey. Furthermore, opinion polls have shown that the Austrian population's refusal of Turkey is above EU average. Embedded in the popular arguments why Turkey should stay outside the EU, we find what Ralf Grillo has called 'cultural anxiety': essentialist views of 'our' and 'their' culture cause fears about a fast growing and predominantly Muslim population that would flow into EU labour markets and threaten 'us', in particular 'our' democracy, equality and human rights. Against this backdrop my interest will neither be focused on a further analysis of whether Turkey is sufficiently prepared for EU accession nor on the European Union's absorption capacity. In this paper I will rather focus on the emergence of hegemonic and counter-hegemonic cultural practices of selfing and othering in order to better understand the extensive refusal of Turkey's EU accession in Austria.


Presented on 13th September 2011 at the ceremony of awarding the Honorary Doctorate of the Poznan University of Life Sciences : The challenges for the next 50 years are to increase the productivity of major livestock species to address the food needs of the world, while at the same time minimizing the environmental impact and the loss in genetic diversity. This paper describes on a number of contributions of animal breeding to meet these challenges of the future. First it is discussed how to incorporate environmental impact in the breeding objective, i.e. the goal of an animal breeding program. Over the last two decades, breeding in poultry, pigs and dairy cattle has not only resulted in increased productivity but also in decreased emission of greenhouse gases per ton of animal product. Opportunities are discussed to further reduce the impact on the environment. Subsequent sections describe the impact of genomics, social interactions, and product quality on animal breeding programs. The final section deals with opportunities to use animal breeding in developing countries. The completion of genome sequences has generated the tools for whole-genome selection programs for a wide spectrum of traits which are now being applied in practise. Furthermore, research is increasing our understanding of the underlying biology of important traits such as animal welfare. Developments in the area of quantitative genetics and in recording of phenotypes are required to fully exploit the wealth of genomic information. For the developed world, new tools and techniques are now being implemented to increase the genetic gain from breeding programs. These techniques, however, also offer opportunities to better characterize and use indigenous breeds in developing countries. Through international collaboration in training, research and implementation, animal breeding can help in meeting the challenges for the next 50 years.


The polymer composites of polyaniline (PANI) with PVDF have been synthesized by polymerization method. The different composites of PANI with PVDF are obtained by adding 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 N solutions of PVDF during the polymerization to get the PANI/PVDF composites. The synthesized samples of PANI and composite of PANI with PVDF polymer were characterized by using X-Ray diffraction (XRD). The dielectric properties such as dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity for the composites of PANI/PVDF at different weight percentages are studied as a function of frequency in the range 5 Hz–35 MHz at ambient temperature. It is found that the dielectric permittivity decreased exponentially at lower frequency region up to 300 Hz and then the dielectric permittivity remains constant at higher frequency region as the frequency increased. It is also observed that the dielectric permittivity increased as the concentration of PVDF in the polymer composite increased as compared to PANI. Further, it is observed that the dielectric loss increased as a weight percentage of PVDF increased in the composite of PANI. In case of AC conductivity as the frequency increased the AC conductivity remains constant up to 6.75 MHz and afterwards it increases as frequency increased. This is due to the increase in charge carriers through the hopping mechanism in the polymer composites. It is also observed that as a weight percentage of PVDF increased the AC conductivity is also increased


Abstract:The story of "poor Joanna" in Sarah Orne Jewett's Country of the Pointed Firs exemplifies "idiorrhythmic regionality": a conception of regionalism as a transcultural, transnational, and irreducibly cosmopolitan relationality. It juxtaposes fictional Shell-heap Island with its real-life model, the Whaleback shell heap—a large deposit of oyster and clam shells created by many generations of Native American peoples. The Whaleback heap preserves intact the matter lodged within it—including vestiges of natural, prehistoric, and Native American life accumulated over a millennium. In this way, it figures as a unique archival mechanism that assembles in a single place seemingly incongruous temporalities and forms of life whose spatiotemporal coexistence disrupts evolutionary distinction, ontological priority, and historical linearity. Embedding Joanna in the scientific debates and corporate decisions surrounding the Whaleback's constitution and destruction reformulates traditional definitions of literary regionalism, and postulates idiorrhythmic relationality as a novel theory of region.


A universal response to changes in cellular oxygen tension is governed by a family of heterodimeric transcription factors called hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Tumor hypoxia, as well as various cancer-causing mutations, has been shown to elevate the level of HIF-1alpha, signifying a critical role of the HIF pathway in cancer development. The recently identified third member of the human HIF-alpha family, HIF-3alpha, produces multiple splice variants that contain extra DNA binding elements and protein-protein interaction motifs not found in HIF-1alpha or HIF-2alpha. Here we report the molecular cloning of the alternatively spliced human HIF-3alpha variant HIF-3alpha4 and show that it attenuates the ability of HIF-1 to bind hypoxia-responsive elements located within the enhancer/promoter of HIF target genes. The overexpression of HIF-3alpha4 suppresses the transcriptional activity of HIF-1 and siRNA-mediated knockdown of the endogenous HIF-3alpha4 increases transcription by hypoxia-inducible genes. HIF-3alpha4 itself is oxygen-regulated, suggesting a novel feedback mechanism of controlling HIF-1 activity. Furthermore, the expression of HIF-3alpha4 is dramatically down-regulated in the majority of primary renal carcinomas. These results demonstrate an important dominant-negative regulation of HIF-1-mediated gene transcription by HIF-3alpha4 in vivo and underscore its potential significance in renal epithelial oncogenesis.


Induced draft fan plays an important role to pull out the flue gas. However, there are some failures regarding ID fan operation. In this case, it is found out that the industry has a long maintenance interval to overcome the failures. This research is conducted to search for maintenance intervals optimally for each failure mode using RCM (Reliability Centre Maintenance) method. To maintain the reliability of the ID fan remains in the expected value, it needs appropriate maintenance strategies. The results obtained on the fan bearing with the failure mode, damage to the bearing (resulting in high vibration) has a maintenance interval every 79.582 h, damage to the bearing (resulting in high temperature) has an interval every 35.887 h, unbalance has a maintenance interval every 46 hours, misalignment has a maintenance interval every 46.9575 hours. While on the impeller with the failure mode, dirty impeller has a maintenance interval every 97.1575 hours. On the motor bearing with the failure mode, in the form of quality and quantity of motor bearing grease, that has maintenance interval every 66.8465 hours. Then, for the inlet guide vane bearing with the failure mode, jammed/damaged bearing has a maintenance interval every 61.79 hours. Thus, this proposed maintenance interval has a shorter interval than existing interval in power plant industry. With shorter maintenance interval, hope it can decrease the failures in the following day, so the industry will get fewer losses due to the failures.


Analyses of the California flora involving nearly 2,500 taxa are presented which show that there are correlations between the weights of individual seeds and environmental conditions in which their producers normally grow. These differences in seed weight appear to be adaptive and result from compromises between increased nutrition of the seedling which would result from larger food reserves in heavier seeds and increased dispersibility and increased reproductive output which are provided when smaller seeds are produced in larger numbers. Literature and experiments show a general positive correlation between seed weights and rates of shoot and root growth, at least within species. Herbs (annual and perennial), shrubs and trees are necessarily treated separately in the calculations in this paper (for seed weights increase progressively in a series from annual herb to tree when to California flora or any particular community type within it are considered). Raw seed weights are reduced to a series of classes (on a logarithmic basis) before means for floras or community types are calculated. Generalizations arrived at from considerations of "native" species in "natural" plant communities are confirmed by their applicability to "introduced" species now forming various kinds of "weed" communities in California. Finally, species lists from actual stand analyses, including both "native" and "introduced" species, are utilized to provide the data for more precise analyses. For herbaceous plants, seed weights are higher, on the average, for taxa whose seedlings are exposed to the risk of drought soon after establishment (giving faster root—development). Such a relationship can be demonstrated for species of a single genus or, on a combination basis, for community types as a whole and can be put on a quantitative basis by subjectively ordinating community types (in relation to the likelihood of drought stress hitting the seedlings) and making rank correlations with mean seed weight for each community type. The relation holds even for desert communities (where large—seeded perennials produce large root—systems but small—seeded ephemerals complete at least their seedling development in temporarily mesic conditions). In coastal communities, the importance of wind—dispersal of the seeds of species whose seedlings become established in rock crevices outweighs any droughtiness of the habitat in favoring smaller seeds than typify the community types generally. Correlations of herb seed—weight with likelihood of seedlings becoming established in shade or in conditions of severe competition are less marked for California than Salisbury found them to be in England. For shrubs, shading and competitive stress appear to be more influential factors in promoting increased mean seed weight but for trees moisture availability again appears to be most important. Another kind of correlation is established; between mean seed weight and altitude at which the plants occur. With decreasing length of the growing season as Californian mountains are ascended the mean seed weight (whether measured on a subspecies, species or community type basis) also decreases. This appears to represent the selection of a strategy in which a reduction in the availability of photosynthate is reflected in smaller seeds rather than in reduced output as found in Ranunculus by Johnson and Cook. Although taxa introduced to California have fitted with the rules holding for native plants, they tend to have slightly heavier seeds than native species growing in climatically similar habitat types. This difference may be particularly related to human influence in making such habitats somewhat more xeric. Improved methods of analysis are suggested and further correlations which might be sought are discussed.


Crude oil was subjected to extrography to obtain various acid compounds in multiple subfractions. Negative-ion electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were used to determine the acid compounds in the crude oil subfractions. Isoprenoidyl phenols with molecular formulas of C27H48O and C28H50O, which were previously deduced as sterol-type compounds, were highly enriched in a subfraction and confirmed by GC–MS. The mass peak with a molecular formula of C27H46O2 was identified as δ-tocopherol. The eluting sequence of the various compounds in crude oil was N1 carbazoles, followed by O1 class acid compounds, then O2 class acid compounds, and finally, N1O2, O3, and O4 class acid compounds. The results show that extrography is an adequate separation technique for partitioning crude oil acid compounds into various subfractions.


Abstract Biomechanical reflections suggest that lizards that have specialized in running should differ in parts of their morphological design from lizards that have specialized in climbing. Moreover, adaptation in one direction may conflict with performance in the other. We tested this assumed trade-off by measuring climbing and running performance in two subspecies of the Mediterranean lizard Podarcis hispanica . One subspecies, P. h. atrata , inhabits a number of small islets near the Spanish coast. It is mainly ground dwelling. The other subspecies, P. h. hispanica , was sampled on the mainland of Spain. It frequently occupies vertical elements within its habitat. Our data do not support the notion of a trade-off between both types of locomotion. Individuals of P. h. hispanica both run and climb faster than those of P. h. atrata . There is no difference between subspecies in ability to cling onto tilted substrates. Predictions on the morphology of both subspecies, inspired by biomechanical arguments, are not supported by our measurements.


This article is aimed at increasing teacher awareness of the most relevant issues involvcd in motivation. It examines the importance of motivation in Lj learning, its types and sources, as well as detailing the various factors which influence it. Its focus is twofold, in that it concentrates not only on the student but also on the teacher, using authoritative sources to back up its line of argument. It aims at both clarifying the role of teachers in student motivation and the importance of motivating teachers themselves: «I do not regard motivation as an additive but as the fuel . . . 1 oz. motivation = 1 ton pedagogy» (Foldberg 15-23). If one wants to understand better the behaviour and reactions of students to methods, materials, situations, teachers and so on, it is imperative to have an insight into the nature and real significance of the affective factors (attitudes, motivation) that enter into play in the learning of an L,.


The bundengan, a folk zither instrument from Indonesia, has a unique timbre because its strings are added with small bamboo clips. The non-homogeneous mass distributions allow the strings to imitate the sound of metal percussions in the gamelan ensemble. Moreover, the clever design of the bamboo clips allow the bundengan timbre to be controlled easily by sliding the clips along the strings. Using computer simulations, we have systematically varied both the position and the mass of the bamboo clips, resulting in a rich catalogue of vibration spectra. In these spectra, we have observed peculiar patterns in the graphs of vibration-frequency -vs- clip-position. These patterns, which occur across different vibration modes, evolve as the mass of the bamboo clips are increased. In the extreme case where the bamboo clips are very heavy, these patterns can be explained by a modified version of the Mersenne's Law.


The serum gastrin content in patients with ulcerous duodenal bleeding was studied in the process of surgical treatment. A significant decrease in the hormone concentration with increase in the volume of acute blood loss was noted.


Modern production-decline analysis is a robust technique for analysis of production data from a well under variable operating conditions. It uses production rates and flowing pressures to provide reliable estimates of recoverable reserves and fluid in place. The mathematics behind this technique is similar to that of pressure-transient theory; however, the focus is different. It deals with long-term variable production data instead of short-term constant-rate transient data. Using modern decline analysis for two-phase-flow conditions (e.g., gas/condensate reservoirs) is under question because of the single-phase-flow assumption in the development of the "material-balance time" function. This is a time function that converts any decline (e.g., exponential decline) to harmonic decline to account for variable operating conditions. The purpose of this work is to develop a model to use the concepts of modern techniques for analyzing production data of single-porosity gas/condensate reservoirs. For this purpose, the governing flow equation is linearized, using appropriately defined pseudopressure and pseudotime functions. Then, the solution is obtained for constant-well-rate condition. This is followed by employing the superposition theorem to account for variable well pressure/rate conditions, resulting in definition of two-phase material-balance pseudotime. The solution developed here is coupled with an appropriate material-balance equation and used to estimate the average reservoir pressure and original gas in place from analyzing production data. The dependency of relative permeability on capillary number and non-Darcy flow is included in the formulation. Verification of the proposed method is obtained with the analysis of synthetic production data using a series of fine-grid compositional numerical simulations over a typical range of gas/ condensate-reservoir parameters.


Acquired resistance to standard chemotherapeutic agents, such as cytarabine, is a major challenge in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we hypothesized that development of resistance to one chemotherapeutic agent may lead to increased sensitivity to other drugs. Hence, we sought to identify novel drug vulnerabilities that arise during the development of cytarabine resistance using both cytarabine resistant AML cell lines and samples from AML patients who had relapsed during cytarabine containing chemotherapy. We developed resistant variants of AML cell lines MOLM-13 and SHI-1 by long-term drug treatment with increasing doses of cytarabine. Profiling data from the in vitro generated cytarabine resistant cell line variants were systematically compared with corresponding data from 31 chemorefractory AML patient samples. All samples were subjected to genomic and transcriptomic profiling and high-throughput drug sensitivity and resistance testing with a panel of 250 chemical compounds (each in five doses). Cytarabine resistant AML cell line variants and patient samples showed co-resistance to other nucleoside analogues, such as cladribine, clofarabine and gemcitabine. Genomic profiling showed deletion of the deoxycytidine kinase gene DCK, a well-known genetic lesion related to cytarabine resistance, in both MOLM-13 and SHI-1 cytarabine resistant cell lines and in one chemorefractory AML patient. Importantly, comprehensive drug testing revealed that cytarabine resistant SHI-1 cell variants developed increased sensitivity to glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone and prednisolone when compared to parental cells. This was accompanied by up-regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor NR3C1. We also observed acquisition of glucocorticoid sensitivity in paired samples from two AML patient cases who had relapsed after cytarabine containing chemotherapy. Systematic ex vivo drug testing of 31 relapsed and chemorefractory AML patient samples showed high sensitivity to dexamethasone in five (20%) and to prednisolone and methylprednisolone in four (13%) patient samples. In conclusion, our results from both cytarabine resistant AML cell lines and chemorefractory patient samples indicate that a subset of AML samples develop sensitivity to glucocorticoids. This novel finding indicates the need of detailed investigation of glucocorticoid efficacy in the clinic. Citation Format: Disha Malani, Astrid Murumagi, Bhagwan Yadav, Mika Kontro, Samuli Eldfors, Ashwini Kumar, Krister Wennerberg, Caroline Heckman, Kimmo Porkka, Maija Wolf, Tero Aittokallio, Olli Kallioniemi. Acquisition of cytarabine resistance leads to increased glucocorticoid sensitivity in AML. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4679.


Although auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are a cardinal symptom of schizophrenia, they are frequently described on a continuum, ranging from patients diagnosed with a psychotic disorder to non-clinical populations. A key difference between these groups, however, is the absence of additional symptomatology as well as medication use in the group of non-clinical individuals, thus providing an excellent opportunity to study voices in relative isolation. However, this relies on the rather challenging assumption that AVH in clinical and non-clinical individuals can be considered the same phenomenon resulting from a common neurobiological substrate. Studies comparing voices between these groups might provide support for or against this assumption. Furthermore, increasing knowledge about AVH in non-clinical individuals might help eliminate ideas that AVH are always related to a need for care and could hence help to put voices in a more positive light. The aim of this review was therefore to review and summarize studies on AVH in non-clinical individuals with a main focus on the comparison between non-clinical individuals with AVH and individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. Both groups displayed similar brain activation during the experience of AVH, showed aberrant brain connectivity and an increased rate of childhood traumas.


Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a common practice for long-term nutrition of patients who are unable to take oral food. We report of an 85-year old man with a history of recurrent larynx carcinoma and hemicolectomy many years ago due to unknown reason. Laryngectomy was indicated. Preoperatively a PEG was inserted endoscopically after an abdominal ultrasonography without abnormal findings. Few months after PEG insertion, the patient was evaluated for diarrhea and insufficient feeding without signs of infection or peritonism. An upper endoscopy and computed tomography scan confirmed a buried bumper syndrome with migration of the PEG tube into the colon as a rare complication. He underwent successful colonoscopic removal of the internal bumper and closure of the colonic orifice of the fistula with the over-the-scope-clip system (OTSC). OTSC is an endoscopic device for treatment of bleeding, perforation, leak and fistula in the gastrointestinal tract. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of OTSC for colonoscopic closure of a gastrocolocutaneous fistula due to a buried bumper syndrome with transcolonic PEG tube migration.


Global changes in the world enforce to undertake various transformations also in the area of higher education. The aim of academic
education is not more preparing to work in particular occupation, but rather to form appropriate abilities which are useful at the labour
market. This kind of education must embody overall, multi-aspect character, because it prepares to lifelong learning. Therefore creating
"learning society" one should make an effort into axiological dimension of scientific-technical advance. One ought to take heed of human
elements of education and first of all of ethical issues. Practise shows that human relations bereft of transcend and ethic dimension,
but concentrating only on financial economical goods, on profit, market and competition, don't bring anyone happiness. Hence there
is an enormous demand in the academic community an ethical reflection. Thanks to it human being is not only improved in anthropological
dimension, but also in social-economical aspect.