Background: Researching the topic of glycemic variability (GV) has been very interesting due to the possible relationship that exists between this phenomenon and the development of micro- and macrovascular complications. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect that metformin had on the GV in pre-diabetic patients.
Materials and methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 20 subjects, both male and female participants were chosen. These subjects where then divided into 2 groups; 10 subjects received metformin (500 mg) while the remaining 10 subjects received a placebo, twice daily, before breakfast and dinner over the course of 90 days. Metabolic screening, which included glycated hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h oral glucose tolerance test with 75 g of dextrose and GV [area under the curve of glucose, mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE)], were measured for all patients at baseline and at the end of the study. Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Mann-Whitney test were performed as part of the statistical analysis.
Results: Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. There was a significant decrease of FPG levels in the metformin group as compared to placebo (6.3 ± 0.7 vs. 5.6 ± 1.0 mmol/L, p=0.047). There were no significant differences in the GV parameters in either of the two study groups.
Conclusion: Pre-diabetic subjects treated with metformin for 3 months showed a significant decrease in FPG when compared to placebo.


We define the notion of a $\Lambda$-system of $C^*$-correspondences associated to a higher-rank graph $\Lambda$. Roughly speaking, such a system assigns to each vertex of $\Lambda$ a $C^*$-algebra, and to each path in $\Lambda$ a $C^*$-correspondence in a way which carries compositions of paths to balanced tensor products of $C^*$-correspondences. Under some simplifying assumptions, we use Fowler's technology of Cuntz-Pimsner algebras for product systems of $C^*$-correspondences to associate a $C^*$-algebra to each $\Lambda$-system. We then construct a Fell bundle over the path groupoid $\Gg_\Lambda$ and show that the $C^*$-algebra of the $\Lambda$-system coincides with the reduced cross-sectional algebra of the Fell bundle. We conclude by discussing several examples of our construction arising in the literature.


The usual assumption made of elliptical symmetry in the shape of the correlation functions for deriving algorithms to determine the "true" velocity of a time-changing random pattern is relaxed. We start, instead, by stating that in the frame of reference moving with the medium, the space-time autocorrelation function of any state parameter of the medium is invariant under an r = −r transformation, where r is the displacement vector. With no further assumptions, a simple formula for the velocity of the medium is found for statistically isotropic patterns and for anisotropic patterns when the sensors are aligned along the axis of symmetry. The simplicity of the derivation and the formula contrast with previous derivations under more restrictive conditions. For the case of unknown elongation direction, previously known algorithms for determining the velocity under the assumption that the locus of equal correlation in r space are elliptical are revised. They are derived as Taylor expansion approximations of the functions specifying the shape of equal correlation shells. Furthermore, the assumption of fixed elliptical elongation parameters is relaxed. Three-dimensional cases are considered throughout, with one- and two-dimensional applications included as special cases.


Organisms respond to variations in hormonal, metabolic, and nutritional signaling by altering the expression of their genetic information, allowing metabolic adaptation. Transcriptional control is achieved through an interwoven and redundant molecular circuitry that involves individual transcription factors, the basal transcriptional machinery, and multiprotein coregulator complexes, which fine-tune metabolic homeostasis. Most of the coregulators interact directly with transcription factors and can either repress or enhance their transcriptional activities. Aberrant signaling by coregulators is known to generate abnormalities of cellular metabolism, and hence can contribute to abnormalities of systemic metabolic pathways and to the pathogenesis of several common disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. We first demonstrated that an in vivo pharmacological activation of SIRT1, a member of the evolutionary conserved family of NAD-dependant deacetylases named sirtuins, protects the mice against the development of obesity and linked pathophysiologies, through an increased energy expenditure. At the molecular level, the in vivo effects of the sirtuinactivating compounds were associated with an induction of the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation in metabolic tissues such as the skeletal muscle and the brown adipose tissue and were explained by a the SIRT1-mediated deacetylation, and subsequent activation, of PGC-1α, a master regulator of mitochondrial function. In parallel, through a genetical approach, we demonstrated that not only deacetylases but also acetyltransferases impact in a major fashion on energy homeostasis. In fact, we have shown that, through promoting the expression the PGC-1α acetyltransferase GCN5, SRC-3 facilitates PGC-1α acetylation in muscle and brown adipose tissue and consequently inhibits PGC-1α activity. Interestingly, the expression levels of SIRT1, the major PGC-1α deacetylase, mirror those of SRC-3 and GCN5 in various physiological situations such as fasting and high fat feeding. This results in a convergent regulation of PGC-1α acetylation by both acetyltransferases and deacetylases and lead us to consider theses enzymes as members of coregulator network that informs PGC-1α about the cellular energy status, which then adapts cellular energy production through its commanding role of master regulator of mitochondrial function. It is therefore tempting to speculate that this converging cofactor network, including SRC-3, GCN5 and SIRT1 can be exploited to design new preventive and therapeutic strategies to combat obesity and associated metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.


Pressure intensifiers are used in specific areas of a hydraulic circuits, where increased pressure is needed, while the rest of the circuit (up to the pump) run on lower level of a working pressure. That could lead to a cheaper design of the components, while just one high pressure branch is designed on high pressure. Using pressure intensifier could also mean energy cost reductions. Rotary flow divider can be also used as a pressure intensifier. This area started to be developed in Jihostroj a.s. This paper describes specific tests, which has been running to precisely parameterize limits of use of a divider as an intensifier without design changes to follow with a development of a designs to maximize intensifier's parameters. Development also leads to compact solutions compatible with LS signals or with other hydraulic components to create compact assembly comparable to some areas of use of a piston pumps or inexpensive flow control drive. These development opportunities are also described in this paper.


Photograph of two men on the front steps of a building with sign that reads, "Velkommen". The man on the left wears a powder blue blazer, striped tie and light blue shirt, and black pants. He holds a folder on his left hand. The man on the right wears a three-piece suit over a light blue shirt and striped tie. They stand on a green carpet that covers the front steps leading to a set of double doors behind them. They seem to be in the process of speaking, as two women in the foreground are facing away from the camera and looking at them. Above them to the left, there are two flags hanging from the top trim of a window; one of them is decidedly an American flag.


We consider the calibration of flux densities of radio bursts from decametric to kilometric wavelengths using ground-based and space-based data. The method we derive is applicable to low-frequency radio telescopes where galactic background radiation is the principal contribution to system temperature. It can be particularly useful for telescopes of low angular resolution observing spectra of radio bursts from the Sun and the planets because absolute calibration of these telescopes is very difficult with conventional techniques. Here we apply the method to observations from about 7 to 47 MHz that were made on the ground with the Bruny Island Radio Spectrometer located in Tasmania, Australia, and those from about 20 kHz to 13.8 MHz were made with the radio experiment WAVES on the WIND spacecraft. The spectrum of the galactic background radiation from $ 30$ MHz has been carefully measured with low-resolution telescopes, starting more than a decade ago. We use this known spectrum to calibrate both BIRS and WAVES on an absolute scale. The accuracy we achieve is about a factor of two, whereas the flux densities of solar and planetary radio sources vary by many orders of magnitude. Our method permits inter-calibration of ground-based and space-based observations, and allows corrections to be made for instrumental uncertainties on both radio experiments. In addition, on the ground, it allows the spectra to be corrected for ionospheric absorption and partial ground reflections. As an application we show the spectrum of a solar type III burst observed from 47 MHz to 20 kHz. Its flux density was largest, $S\approx 10^{-17}$ W m -2 Hz -1 , at about 3 MHz, while at 60 kHz and at 47 MHz it was lower by a factor of about 300.


A decline in the Danish population of red foxes Vulpes vulpes due to an outbreak of canine distemper (CDV) in 2012 gave us the opportunity to test the hypothesis that the reproductive performance of foxes increases when the population density declines. The reproductive performance of 280 female foxes from two periods (mainly shot or road killed) in 1997-2000 and 2012-16, were compared. Game Bag Records of Jutland (GBRJ) were used as an estimate of population density. After a drop in GBRJ in 2013 due to the CDV epidemic, the mean litter size (based on dark placental scars from partum to oestrus) became significantly larger than in previous years; F=4.3, p>0.03, Hc=8.1, p<0.02. In 2015-2016, after population decline the mean litter size was 8.2 (±2.5 SD) and in the breeding seasons before population decline in 1997-1999 and 2012-2013 the mean litter size was 5.6 (±2.1 SD) and 5.7 (±2.0 SD), respectively. During the period 1997-1999, barrenness was relatively high especially in yearlings, and the reproducing yearling foxes made up only 6% of the breeding females compared to 2012-13 and 2015-16 where breeding yearling females made up 53% and 61%, respectively. Age related differences in litter size and productivity were found in years with a relatively high population density, when older females in their third and fourth breeding seasons had the largest litter sizes and highest productivity. This was in contrast to the years with low population size, when no age-related reproduction was found, and when young females had relatively large litter sizes and high productivity. Rump fat thickness (RFT) of the breeding females was significantly higher in breeding females than in barren females, and the RFT was positively correlated to the number of embryos (R=41%). This study confirms that the number of barren females drops, and the proportion of yearling females and litter size increase with reduced population density. Hence, culling or epidemics in fox populations increase production, most probably due to reduced competition among foxes, but will not change population size permanently. The present level of culling and traditional hunting in Denmark has no long-term effect on population size.


The mammalian heart is a complex multicellular organ which undergoes many critical changes during development and under pathological conditions. Cardiac fibroblasts (cFBs) represent the predominant non-myocyte population in the adult heart and play essential roles in heart muscle development and homeostasis. The mechanisms how cFBs communicate with cardiomyocytes (CMs) in contributing to the formation of a cardio-instructive environment remain unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that the mechanical and paracrine effects of cFBs and its secreted extracellular matrix (ECM) influence cardiac tissue formation and CM maturation. We utilized the 3D Engineered Heart Muscle (EHM) model of heart muscle development to investigate the role of cFBs in cardiac muscle formation in mouse and human systems. As collagen type I produced by cFBs comprises the main ECM protein in the heart, we furthermore investigated the influence of the collagen-specific molecular chaperone Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP47) on CM maturation and assembly into functional syncytia, utilizing HSP47 knockout (KO) mouse FBs on 2D and 3D EHM culture platforms. By use of genetically engineered mouse and human embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines, we were firstly able to successfully generate by directed differentiation highly purified CMs to exclusively define the cellular constituents (CMs to non-myocytes) in EHMs. The generation of mature compact cardiac tissue with organotypic morphology and functionality was only feasible with the supplementation of FBs to EHMs. These observations can be explained by several identified mechanisms: FBs facilitate (1) cardiac tissue formation via integrin mediated signalling, (2) the secretion of a cardio-instructive ECM environment, important in mediating heart muscle maturation. Utilizing HSP47 KO FBs, we demonstrated the absence of HSP47 in FBs impairs both ECM-collagen deposition and CM morphology and functionality in both 2D and 3D EHM mouse culture systems. We were able to furthermore recently establish the generation of two mutant HSP47 human ESC lines via the CRISPR/Cas9 system. In conclusion, FBs play a prerequisite role in controlling and inducing cardiac tissue formation and maturation. Furthermore, we identified HSP47 to be an important regulator of cardiac tissue maturation.


Agricultural research has fostered productivity growth, but the historical influence of anthropogenic climate change on that growth has not been quantified. We develop a robust econometric model of weather effects on global agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) and combine this model with counterfactual climate scenarios to evaluate impacts of past climate trends on TFP. Our baseline model indicates that anthropogenic climate change has reduced global agricultural TFP by about 21% since 1961, a slowdown that is equivalent to losing the last 9 years of productivity growth. The effect is substantially more severe (a reduction of ~30-33%) in warmer regions such as Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. We also find that global agriculture has grown more vulnerable to ongoing climate change.


Employment protection (EPL) has a well known negative impact on labor flows as well as an ambiguous but often negative effect on employment. In contrast, its impact on capital accumulation and capital-labor ratio is less well understood. The available empirical evidence suggests a non-monotonic relation between capital-labor ratios and EPL: positive at very low levels of EPL, and then negative. We explore the theoretical effects of EPL on physical capital in a model of a firm facing labor frictions. Under standard assumptions, theory always implies a motononic negative link between capital-labor ratios and EPL. For a positive link to arise, a very specific pattern of complementarity between capital and workers protected by EPL (senior workers, as opposed to unprotected new entrants, or junior workers) has to be assumed. Further, no standard production technology is able to reproduce the inverted Ushape pattern of the data. Instead, endogenous specific skills investment leads to an inverted U-shape pattern: EPL protects and therefore induces investments in specific skills. We develop such a model and calibrate the returns to seniority by using estimates from the empirical literature. Under complementarity between capital and specific human capital, physical capital and senior workers having accumulated specific human capital are de facto complement production factors and EPL may increase capital demand at the firm level. The paper concludes that labor market institutions may sometimes favor physical and human capital investments in second-best environments.


This paper presents convergence results for the Box Gaussian Mixture Filter (BGMF). BGMF is a Gaussian Mixture Filter (GMF) that is based on a bank of Extended Kalman Filters. The critical part of GMF is the approximation of probability density function (pdf) as pdf of Gaussian mixture such that its components have small enough covariance matrices. Because GMF approximates prior and posterior as Gaussian mixture it is enough if we have a method to approximate arbitrary Gaussian (mixture) as a Gaussian mixture such that the components have small enough covariance matrices. In this paper, we present the Box Gaussian Mixture Approximation (BGMA) that partitions the state space into specific boxes and matches weights, means and covariances of the original Gaussian in each box to a GM approximation. If the original distribution is Gaussian mixture, BGMA does this approximation separately for each component of the Gaussian mixture. We show that BGMA converges weakly to the original Gaussian (mixture). When we apply BGMA in a Gaussian mixture filtering framework we get BGMF. We show that GMF, and also BGMF, converges weakly to the correct/exact posterior distribution.


Peptide metabolism by rumen microorganisms was investigated by gel filtration using Sephadex G-25 with water as eluant. Protein hydrolysates containing a mixture of peptides were used to calibrate the column. Total peptide in each fraction was estimated from its A206, and free peptide amino groups were analysed by fluorescamine, thus enabling the average peptide Mr to be calculated. Three different protein hydrolysates produced similar, nearly linear, relations between log Mr and elution volume for peptides between 300 and 2000 Da. Trypticase, a pancreatic hydrolysate of casein, was metabolised rapidly in rumen fluid in vitro. Hydrolysis appeared to be complete after 6 h, leaving a small residual peptide concentration which persisted up to 24 h, equivalent to about 15% of the original peptide concentration of 2 g litre−1. Residual peptides from casein hydrolysis were 0.05 g litre−1 at 24 h. Peptides accumulated in rumen fluid of sheep receiving dietary ionophores. Two hours after feeding, the accumulation with monensin appeared to be of peptides of a wide Mr range, while tetronasin caused an accumulation mainly of smaller, <570 Da, peptides. Treatment of Trypticase with acetic anhydride afforded 76% protection of its peptides from degradation to ammonia in a 6-h incubation. When Trypticase was fractionated by gel filtration then acetylated, none of the fractions was protected significantly better than others.


Purpose of review The aim is to review imaging advances in invasive fungal pneumonia in cancer and transplant recipients and how their use can help guide treatment. Recent findings Early chest computed tomographic (CT) imaging of immunocompromised patients with neutropenic fever leads to improved survival. Some of the typical CT findings of invasive fungal pneumonia are transitory and are most common during the first week of symptoms. The reversed halo sign, an early sign of disease, is more common in mucormycosis. During the first 10 days of infection, invasive fungal pneumonia nodules may grow on follow-up CT scans, but this does not necessarily equate to worsening disease. Because of the excessive radiation of chest CT and because pulmonary nodule size typically expands during the first few weeks of treatment, follow-up CT scans should be ordered only when therapy changes are dependent on imaging findings. Summary Early chest CT imaging in immunocompromised patients suspected of having invasive fungal pneumonia can help identify disease early, leading to improved outcome.


Background The COVID-19 pandemic required rapid implementation of virtual antenatal care to keep pregnant women safe. This transition from face-to-face usual care had to be embraced by patients and professionals alike. Objective We evaluated patients' and professionals' experiences with virtual antenatal clinic appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine satisfaction and inquire into the safety and quality of care received. Methods A total of 148 women who attended a virtual antenatal clinic appointment at our UK tertiary obstetric care center over a 2-week period provided feedback (n=92, 62% response rate). A further 37 health care professionals (HCPs) delivering care in the virtual antenatal clinics participated in another questionnaire study (37/45, 82% response rate). Results We showed that women were highly satisfied with the virtual clinics, with 86% (127/148) rating their experience as good or very good, and this was not associated with any statistically significant differences in age (P=.23), ethnicity (P=.95), number of previous births (P=.65), or pregnancy losses (P=.94). Even though 56% (83/148) preferred face-to-face appointments, 44% (65/148) either expressed no preference or preferred virtual, and these preferences were not associated with significant differences in patient demographics. For HCPs, 67% (18/27) rated their experience of virtual clinics as good or very good, 78% (21/27) described their experience as the same or better than face-to-face clinics, 15% (4/27) preferred virtual clinics, and 44% (12/27) had no preference. Importantly, 67% (18/27) found it easy or very easy to adapt to virtual clinics. Over 90% of HCPs agreed virtual clinics should be implemented long-term. Conclusions Our study demonstrates high satisfaction with telephone antenatal clinics during the pandemic, which supports the transition toward widespread digitalization of antenatal care suited to 21st-century patients and professionals.


Obesity as a disease remains poorly understood by key stakeholders. Here, in people living with severe obesity, perceptions and beliefs relating to obesity as a disease and obesity causality were examined. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a tertiary care obesity clinic. 23 people with obesity (10 males, 13 females) volunteered. An overall agreement that obesity is a disease was present. Perceptions related to why obesity is and is not a disease were diverse: Lack of control and addiction, biological determinism, and personal responsibility. For weight loss maintenance, the perceptions and beliefs were heterogeneous with biological factors not considered a determinant of success. Instead, exercise, support, and willpower were described as associated with success. Barriers related to remaining in a weight-reduced state included the following: Emotional eating, sustainability of diet, occupational impact, and defeatism due to misaligned expectation and outcome. In conclusion, people living with obesity tend to agree obesity is a disease yet an incomplete understanding of the disease is present.


The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular signature of Alzheimer's disease-associated amyloid pathology. We used the double APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mouse, a widely used model of cerebral amyloidosis, to compare changes in proteome, including global phosphorylation and sialylated N-linked glycosylation patterns, pathway-focused transcriptome and neurological disease-associated miRNAome with age-matched controls in neocortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb and brainstem. We report that signalling pathways related to synaptic functions associated with dendritic spine morphology, neurite outgrowth, long-term potentiation, CREB signalling and cytoskeletal dynamics were altered in 12 month old APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice, particularly in the neocortex and olfactory bulb. This was associated with cerebral amyloidosis as well as formation of argyrophilic tanglelike structures and microglial clustering in all brain regions, except for brainstem. These responses may be epigenetically modulated by the interaction with a number of miRNAs regulating spine restructuring, Aβ expression and neuroinflammation. We suggest that these changes could be associated with development of cognitive dysfunction in early disease states in patients with Alzheimer's disease.


The risk associated with managing water resources (flood or drought) depends on the adequate operation of infrastructure facilities (e.g., dams) with in the river basins. However, one of the major challenges to develop and operate infrastructures to meet stakeholder's goal is to generate accurate hydrologic information (e.g., streamflow) for ungagged (limited data/data scarce) river basins. This process usually requires spatiotemporal hydroclimatic information, such as precipitations, streamflow, and groundwater storage. Hydrological models are useful tools for investigating hydrological processes in data scarce river basins with limited hydrological measurements. The overall objective of this dissertation is to develop a modeling framework to improve surface and groundwater resources management in data scarce river basins, located in different parts of the world. This dissertation examines the improvements of the estimations, simulation, and evaluation of various spatiotemporal hydroclimate data for a river basin located in a semi-arid climate zone and poorly represented by actual observations. First, a modeling framework is developed and applied to investigate multiple bias removal techniques to improve the use of available gridded precipitation products in poorly gauged river basins; secondly, the study is extended to investigate hydrologic processes and to simulate streamflow for ungagged river basins using different precipitation data sources; and finally an integrated surface and groundwater modeling framework


Abstract. The paper discusses the issue of spatial visualisation within the topic of cultural and creative industries. Phenomenons such as spatial distribution, spatial evaluation of influence cultural subjects to the city environment, brain-drain and brain-gain of actors involved in the creative industries are demonstrated on the example of the Olomouc region, Czech Republic. It is based on spatial mapping of the creative industries in the region during the last decade. Based on the identification and collection of spatial data, over 1200 active subjects were identified in both spatial and non-spatial database. The general goal of the research is the find out the motivations of actors and talents within creative industries to leave from (brain-drain) or to come into (brain-gain) Olomouc region. The article focuses on the proposal of a strategy for strengthening the segment especially by spatial analysis and visualisation of the phenomenons. It aims to identify brain drain – talent and capital exodus with a purpose to propose stable position of creative industries within the region. The set of proposed measures and recommendations are primarily based on geographic and geoeconomic analyses supported by cartographic outputs. It offers to municipalities applicable tools to reduce side effects and identification of creative hubs, it enables systemic measures for recruitment and improvement of conditions for human capital development and acquisition. The presented paper describes the cartographic methods, procedures, spatial analyzes and map outputs achieved during the research.


A technical condition for the reaction of preparing superabsorbent is investigated. The results indicates that reaction temperature is 30 °C, reaction time is 2 h, the ratio of monomer and starch (RMS) is 5.5, pH of solution is 6.1, the ratio of initiator and starch (RIS) is 0.01 and crosslinker concentration is 0.0013 g. The maximum of distilled water absorbency is 387 times, the maximum of 0.9% saline water absorbency is 45 times. Analysis from FTIR and SEM showed that starch grafting with acrylic acid was success, and a three-dimensional network structure was formed in superabsorbent.


This is a report on the first detailed geomorphologic investigation of the Saylorville Lake area in the central Des Moines River Valley, Iowa. The purpose of this study is to identify, map, and date the landforms making up the valley landscape as well as the deposits below those landforms, in order to provide archaeologists and managers with a physical framework in which the cultural resources of the area can be evaluated. Detailed stratigraphic studies were undertaken throughout the noninnundated portions of the Saylorville Lake area. Numerous radiocarbon and thermoluminescence dates were used to provide a chronologic framework for the alluvial stratigraphic units. The highest and oldest fluvial deposits and alluvial landforms are late Wisconsinan-age benches and terraces. These developed as the late glacial Des Moines River downcut rapidly between 12,600 and 11,000 B.P. Eive Holocene-age landform/sediment assemblages were identified and mapped throughout the area. These include: alluvial fans, colluvial slopes, the High Terrace (TH), the Intermediate Terrace (TI), and Low Terrace (TL). Alluvial fans, colluvial slopes and TH accumulated concurrently between about 10,500 and 4,000 years ago. TI accumulated between 4,000 and about 700 years ago, while TL accumu lated after 700 years ago. Limited investigations of the deposits preserved in tributary valleys suggest that the major period of tributary development was during the latest Wisconsinan and early through middle Holocene. Deposits preserved in the tributaries are time-equivalent to those in alluvial fans. Younger, late Holocene deposits are also present in the tributaries. Maps of the landform/sediment assemblages were constructed in order to delineate the areas where deposits from the various culture periods could be preserved. Area and volume estimates of the landform/sediment assemblages provide the baseline information necessary to derive valid samples of the deposits for buried archaeological deposits. These maps and volume estimates also demonstrate that there are gaps in the remaining record. These need to be considered when reconstructing the culture history of the area. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Mo ABSTRACT i TABLE OF CONTENTS iii LIST OF FIGURES v LIST OF TABLES vi i LIST OF APPENDICES vii GLOSSARY ix


It has been shown that certain mucinous substances which are weakly positive with the periodic acid/Schiff technique stain more strongly after treating them with a solution of sodium hydroxide. The deepening of the staining reaction is produced by making available, for aldehyde production by periodic acid, more .CHOH.CHOH., .CHOH.CHNH 2 ., or .CHOH .CHNHR. groups. This is done without affecting those sulphate or metaphosphate groups responsible for metachromasia.


AbstractThe aim of the study is to investigate if the fat content of the liver and pancreas may indicate impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 83 subjects (34 men; aged 46.5 ± 13.5 years) were characterized as T2DM, IGT, or normal glucose tolerant (NGT). NGT individuals were stratified as <40 or ≥40 years. Standard laboratory tests were conducted for insulin resistance and &bgr;-cell dysfunction. The magnetic resonance imaging Dixon technique was used to determine fat distribution in the liver and pancreas. Correlations among liver and pancreatic fat volume fractions (LFVFs and PFVFs, respectively) and laboratory parameters were analyzed. Among the groups, fat distribution was consistent throughout sections of the liver and pancreas, and LFVFs closely correlated with PFVFs. LFVFs correlated more closely than PFVFs with insulin resistance and &bgr;-cell function. Both the LFVFs and PFVFs were the highest in the T2DM patients, less in the IGT, and least in the NGT; all differences were significant. The PFVFs of the NGT subjects ≥40 years were significantly higher than that of those <40 years. The fat content of the liver and pancreas, particularly the liver, may be a biomarker for IGT and T2DM.


The application of machine learning to aerospace problems faces a particular challenge. For successful learning, a large amount of good quality training data is required, typically tens of thousands of cases. However, due to the time and cost of experimental aerospace testing, these data are scarce. This paper shows that successful learning is possible with two novel techniques: The first technique is rapid testing. Over the last 5 years, the Whittle Laboratory has developed a capability where rebuild and test times of a compressor stage now take 15 min instead of weeks. The second technique is to base machine learning on physical parameters, derived from engineering wisdom developed in industry over many decades. The method is applied to the important industry problem of predicting the effect of blade damage on compressor operability. The current approach has high uncertainty, and it is based on human judgement and correlation of a handful of experimental test cases. It is shown using 100 training cases and 25 test cases that the new method is able to predict the operability of damaged compressor stages with an accuracy of 2% in a 95% confidence interval; far better than is possible by even the most experienced compressor designers. Use of the method is also shown to generate new physical understanding, previously unknown by any of the experts involved in this work. Using this method in the future offers an exciting opportunity to generate understanding of previously intractable problems in aerospace.


Germ line mutations in the Adenomatous polyposis coli tumor suppressor gene cause a hereditary form of intestinal tumorigenesis in both mice and man. Here we show that in Apc(Min/+) mice, which carry a heterozygous germ line mutation at codon 850 of Apc, there is progressive loss of immature and mature thymocytes from approximately 80 days of age with complete regression of the thymus by 120 days. In addition, Apc(Min/+) mice show parallel depletion of splenic natural killer (NK) cells, immature B cells, and B progenitor cells in bone marrow due to complete loss of interleukin 7 (IL-7)-dependent B-cell progenitors. Using bone marrow transplantation experiments into wild-type recipients, we have shown that the capacity of transplanted Apc(Min/+) bone marrow cells for T- and B-cell development appears normal. In contrast, although the Apc(Min/+) bone marrow microenvironment supported short-term reconstitution with wild-type bone marrow, Apc(Min/+) animals that received transplants subsequently underwent lymphodepletion. Fibroblast colony-forming unit (CFU-F) colony assays revealed a significant reduction in colony-forming mesenchymal progenitor cells in the bone marrow of Apc(Min/+) mice compared with wild-type animals prior to the onset of lymphodepletion. This suggests that an altered bone marrow microenvironment may account for the selective lymphocyte depletion observed in this model of familial adenomatous polyposis.


Of 19 patients with renal cell carcinoma diagnosed by ultrasound, nine already had symptoms of the tumor at the time; in the other ten it was discovered by chance during an upper-abdominal ultrasound screening. The latter group differed from the former by a lower average age (52.7 compared with 63.1 years), lower mean tumor size (4.5 and 7.0 cm, respectively), less advanced tumor stage, further course with fewer complications, and higher survival rate. The findings underline the great importance of routine abdominal ultrasound screening in the early diagnosis of tumors.


This research aims to provide a further understanding on the matter of (1) the condition of tax compliance of income tax and VAT on foreign services, (2) contingent liabilities arising after a review of tax obligations. The data used in this research are primary data such as interviews about the general description of the company and tax obligations, while secondary data in the form of general ledgers, commercial financial reports, reported tax return and other tax supporting documents. The method used for this research is qualitative method as a case study. The tax review performed is a review of the income tax article 21, income tax article 23, income tax article 4 paragraph 2, income tax article 26, corporate income tax and VAT on foreign services. The conclusion of this research are (1) the condition of tax compliance on PT BCL was still classified as under comply both in accordance with national and international assessment standards; (2) contingent liabilities arise marked by a discrepancy between the value of the reported tax object and the value of the tax object based on the review until the delay in payment and reporting tax obligations.


This paper consists of an introductory survey of two fundamental questions regarding the link between entrepreneurship and economic growth. The first one deals with the endogenous relationship between entrepreneurship and growth. In particular, we suggest that, while more entrepreneurship could mean more economic growth, economic growth in turn could affect the individual arbitrage between different professional occupations (including entrepreneurship) and expected payoffs. The second question is concerned with the types of activities to which the individual directs his talents. We distinguish between entrepreneurship and rent-seeking. The impact on economic growth is assessed in static and dynamic frameworks. JEL-classification: O12, J23


as near normal as possible; when complications have developed maintenance of normal metabolism is the treatment essential to prevent further degeneration of tissue. It has been found that the average diet of Europeans consists of six parts of carbohydrate, two parts of protein, and one part of fat. If we assume that insulin is the only substance which the patient suffering from pancreatic diabetes fails to make in sufficient quantity, his metabolism should be normal when he consumes a diet approximating to this ratio and is provided with adequate insulin. In


The authors are to be congratulated for the systematic review ''Are there patterns of bruising in childhood which are diagnostic or suggestive of abuse?''. It is an extremely valuable piece of work, providing data for paediatricians working in the field of child protection. Results show that non-abusive bruises are generally small, sustained over bony prominences, and found on the front of the body. Abusive bruises are away from bony prominences, and the commonest site is the head and neck (particularly face), followed by buttocks, trunk, and arms. The paper highlights that children with significant motor delay would not be expected to have the same bruising pattern as their peers, but points out that most studies in the literature exclude children with neurodisability or diseases that predispose to bruising, to a varying degree. Locally a small pilot study examining the bruising pattern in 14 children with a variety of disabilities aged 15 months to 4 years who attend two preschool special needs opportunity groups has shown interesting results. Thirteen of the 14 children (where there were no concerns about abuse) had bruises, the child with no bruises being the only child in the study who was unable to crawl. The other children were all cruising or walking, although onewore piedro boots, another had splints, and some had an unsteady gait. The average number of bruises was 5.7 (range 0–20) and size varied between 0.5 cm and 2.0 cm in diameter. Five children (35.7%) had bruising on their buttocks/bottom, four (28.6%) had bruising on their arms, and two (14.3%) had bruises on their face or neck—all areas usually associated with abusive bruising. Bruising patterns in children with disabilities or special needs may be very different to bruising patterns in their peer group. Further research is needed.


Zilber constructed a class of exponential�fields CFSK,CCP whose models have exponential-algebraic properties similar to the classical complex field with exponentiation Cexp. In this thesis we study this class and the more
general classes ECFSK, also defined by Zilber, and ECF, studied by Zilber and Kirby. We investigate stable-like behaviour modulo arithmetic in these classes by developing a unique independence relation for each class, and in ECF we use this relation to examine types.
We provide an exposition of exponential fields that is more model theoretic and type-oriented than preceding work. We then investigate the types in ECF that are orthogonal to the kernel. New ideas presented include a
characterisation of these types, and the definition of a grounding set; these results allow us to�find su�fficient conditions to prove that a type over a set uniquely extends to a type over the smallest strong ELA-sub�field containing
that set.
For each class we define a ternary relation on subsets, and prove that these relations are independence relations, with properties akin to non-forking
independence in first order theories. Applying work of Kangas, Hyttinen and Kes�al�a, we prove that in ECFSK our independence notion is the unique independence relation for this class, and that our independence notion in ECFSK,CCP is exactly the canonical independence relation for this class derived from the pre-geometry. Assuming the conjecture known as CIT, we use our independence relation in ECF to prove that types orthogonal to the kernel are exactly the generically stable types.


Private information characteristics like resolve and audience costs are powerful influences over strategic international behavior, especially crisis bargaining. As a consequence, states face asymmetric information when interacting with one another and will presumably try to learn about each others' private characteristics by observing each others' behavior. A satisfying statistical treatment would account for the existence of asymmetric information and model the learning process. This study develops a formal and statistical framework for incomplete information games that we term the Bayesian Quantal Response Equilibrium Model (BQRE model). Our BQRE model offers three advantages over existing work: it directly incorporates asymmetric information into the statistical model's structure, estimates the influence of private information characteristics on behavior, and mimics the temporal learning process that we believe takes place in international politics.


Mouse uterine horns from 4 states (estrogen-primed and early-, mid-, and late-pregnancy) were used to study the effect of endothelin-1 (ET) vs carboprost (Car) and oxytocin (Oxy). In K(+)-Krebs (KCl 40 mmol.L-1) solution, ET (1-300 nmol.L-1), Car (0.002-20 mumol.L-1), and Oxy (0.6-60 nmol.L-1) evoked concentration-dependent increases in tension of the uterine horns from 4 different states. Emax for ET were 1.12 +/- 0.26, 1.27 +/- 0.18, and 1.49 +/- 0.13 g in early-, mid-, and late-pregnancies, respectively. Emax for Car in mid- was twice that in late-pregnancy, whereas Emax for Oxy in late- was thrice that in mid-pregnancy. EC50 for ET were 9.6, 5.8, and 6.3 nmol.L-1 in early-, mid-, and late-pregnancies, respectively, and were only 2% to 7% of that for Car and 3-15 times of that for Oxy in various gravid stages. The results suggest that the contractile activity of pregnant mouse uterus to ET is more potent than that of Car while slightly weaker than that of Oxy.


Co-operative housing in Sweden and Norway are true success stories of civil society housing in terms of market shares. This stands in stark contrast to some other European countries, where attempts to promote co-operative housing have consistently met with difficulties, both politically and in the market. The paper explores the history of co-operative housing in Sweden and Norway since 1945 through the lens of path dependence. Notably, co-operative housing changed gradually in both countries between the 1950s and the 1990s, when co-operative companies went from being civil society organisations espousing the ideals of self-help, democracy, non-profit and solidarity, towards becoming more market oriented and profit seeking. We argue that two drivers, 'the logic of conflicting member interests' and 'the logic of competition and growth', contributed decisively to this development. These drivers may also be good candidates for general mechanisms of civil society housing based partly on collective or individual ownership – if they are not kept at bay. In our view, there seems to be some trade-off between the pursuit of civil society objectives and market success. This should serve as a marker for advocates of civil society housing.


Background. Law enforcement officers routinely conduct psychophysical tests to determine if an impaired driver may be intoxicated or in need of medical assistance. Testing includes assessments of eye movements, using the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), and Vertical Gaze Nystagmus (VGN) tests, which are conducted at roadside by patrol officers. Law enforcement officers trained as Drug Recognition Experts (DREY's) use the HGN and VGN test along with an additional test to assess drug impairment known as the Lack of Convergence (LOC) test. LOC will be present with intoxication due to certain drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. The HGN and VGN tests previously also have only been validated when the subject is placed in a standing posture with head upright. The LOC test previously has been validated in the same posture with head upright, but with a high number of false positives. However, certain conditions require that the subject be tested while seated or supine. The goals of the current study are to confirm the validity and reliability of HGN and VGN in the standing posture and to establish their validity and reliability in the seated and supine postures. It is also a goal to determine a criterion distance that reduces the number of false positives, and to establish the validity and reliability of the LOC test for standing, seated and supine postures. Methods. The study was conducted at alcohol workshops in the Pacific Northwest. Ninety-six volunteer drinkers were tested when sober and three times after drinking alcohol by 40 volunteer officers experienced in administering the tests. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was measured objectively with a calibrated breath analysis instrument each time a subject was tested. Results. The number of eye movement clues observed during the HGN test at any posture increase with increasing BAC. The presence of VGN at any test posture occurs only at high levels of intoxication, as defined for the individual subject. The presence of LOC at any test posture increases with increasing BAC. A criterion distance of 3 in (8 cm) from the bridge of the nose reduces the number of false positives observed. Conclusions. The HGN test administered in t'he standing, seated, and supine postures is able to discriminate intoxication at criterion BAC's of 0.08 and 0.10%. The HGN test also is able to discriminate intoxication at BAC's below 0.08%. The VGN test is able to identify high levels of intoxication at any test posture. Therefore, these tests can be used by an officer to determine if a driver is intoxicated regardless of whether the driver is standing, seated, or supine. With the new criterion distance, the LOC test administered in the standing, seated, and supine postures aids in the discrimination of intoxication at criterion BAC9s of 0.08 and 0.10%, as well as at BAC's below 0.08%. The LOC test should, therefore, be able to aid in the detection of intoxication due to drugs other than alcohol that have similar effects on convergence. This test can be used by a DRE to determine if a driver is intoxicated regardless of whether the driver is standing, seated, or supine.


Purpose. To develop a screening test to identify community dwelling elderly people who are in need of assistive care but whose activities of daily living (ADLs) can be improved by appropriate rehabilitation intervention, so-called 'quasi-in-need-of-care state (QUINOCS)'. Method. A total of 32 persons (mean age 77.3 years) from the metropolitan area and 51 persons (mean age 82.7 years) from a rural area were enrolled. Two physiatrists examined them and judged whether they could benefit from rehabilitation intervention while visiting nurses evaluated their ADLs using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM™). A screening test to identify the QUINOCS was created using a seven-item subset score of the FIM™ (feeding, bathing, dressing lower-body, bladder management, bed/chair/wheel chair transfer, walking/wheel chair, stairs). Results. Fourteen in the metropolitan and 19 in the rural inhabitants were judged as the QUINOCS by the physiatrists. Persons whose subset scores included or ran across the intermediate range of independent levels (scores 3 and 4 of the FIM™) showed tendency to be judged suitable for rehabilitation intervention. This finding was applied for screening algorism to identify the QUINOCS. Sensitivity and specificity of this test were 0.71 and 0.78 for the metropolitan, and 0.74 and 0.78 for the rural groups, respectively. Conclusion. The screening method using the 7-item subset of the FIM™ can be used for identification of the QUINOCS among elderly people efficiently.


In order to predict the dynamic characteristics, the piezoelectric valve-less diffuser micropump is equivalent to the hydraulic model which consists of several hydraulic components. Using finite element analysis (FEA) method, the static analysis and the natural frequency calculation of the diaphragm are carried out. The mathematical model and the simulation method using AMESim are developed. Simulation results show the pressure and flow rate characteristics of the micropump, as well as the diaphragm stiffness influence. The agreement between the simulation results and those published previously indicates that the method combining FEA with the hydraulic analogue model provides a relatively simple and effective tool to study the dynamic characteristics of micropumps.


The compliance with standards calls for proper designed EMI filters. EMI typically comprises common mode (cm) and differential mode (dm) noise. A systematic optimization of EMI filters requires the knowledge of the contribution and distribution of these two noise sources. The paper discusses different methods that allow the independent measurement of cm and dm noise. One suitable method described in detail integrates the separation set-up into the Line Impedance Stabilization Network (LISN). However, a correct interpretation of the measured results requires a characterization of the unavoidable modal conversion of the complete set-up - i.e. the measured level at the dm output in case of pure cm excitation and vice versa. As shown in this paper, the implementation of a standard LISN introduces a high amount of imperfections causing the undesired modal conversion. Thus, for the first time, this paper describes the characterization of the whole set-up including the LISN.


In this paper we will study how to use model reduction in system identification. We propose an identification algorithm based on the least squares identification method and either of the three model reduction techniques: Frequency weighted L2 model reduction, model reduction via a frequency weighted balanced realization or frequency weighted optimal Hankel-norm model reduction. The frequency weighted L2 model reduction is optimal in a minimum variance sense, while the advantage of the two other model reduction techniques is that a consistent identification algorithm with closed form solution is obtained.


in the form of dissecting aortic aneurysm and aortic and arterial dilatation at a young age.3 There are no obvious associated physical features, and the basic defect underlying this condition is unknown. As with the Marfan syndrome, surgical intervention has the potential to prolong life expectancy. I suggest that, in the light of two deaths from aortic dissection in separate generations of one family, the diagnoses of Erdheim's cystic medial necrosis and the Marfan syndrome should be considered in first degree relatives.


Epichlorohydrin rubber is synthesized by a ring opening polymerization of epoxides. Epichlorohydrin, ethylene oxide and allyl glycidyl ether are used as epoxides. Industrial production was history of development of a polymerization catalyst. Epichlorohydrin rubber is utilized for automotives and industrial rubber using its performance. On the other hand, new applications continue to be developed with a polymer of epoxides (except epichlorohydrin).


This study was conducted to investigate the effects of transient treatment with propylthiouracil (PTU) on some reproduction traits and live weight of quails. The trial lasted 8 weeks. To accomplish this goal, 700 1-day-old quail chicks were used, randomly divided into 8 groups. PTU was added to feed by 0.1% and 0.5% /wt. The first 4 groups had 0.5% PTU at the age of 2-4, 4-6, 6-8 and 2-8 wk., respectively. The 5 th, 6 th and 7 th groups had 0.1% PTU at the age of 2-4, 4-6 and 6-8 wk., respectively, and the 8 th group was the control with no PTU. Quails were bled at 60 days of age. Then right and left testes were taken out and weighed. At the end of the trail, least square means of the live weight of the treatment groups were higher than the control (p<0.05). Similar results (p<0.05) were observed for testis weight, testis diameter and fertility rate. As a result, it can be said that the inclusion of PTU in quail rations positively affects the live weight and reproduction traits of quails.


Tropical forests host at least two-thirds of the world's flora and fauna diversity and store 25% of the terrestrial above and belowground carbon. However, biodiversity decline due to deforestation and forest degradation of tropical forest is increasing at an alarming rate. Biodiversity dynamics due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances are mainly monitored using established field survey approaches. However, such approaches appear to fall short at addressing complex disturbance factors and responses. We argue that the integration of state-of-the-art monitoring approaches can improve the detection of subtle biodiversity disturbances and responses in changing tropical forests, which are often data-poor. We assess the state-of-the-art technologies used to monitor biodiversity dynamics of changing tropical forests, and how their potential integration can increase the detail and accuracy of biodiversity monitoring. Moreover, the relevance of these biodiversity monitoring techniques in support of the UNCBD Aichi targets was explored using the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) as a framework. Our review indicates that although established field surveys were generally the dominant monitoring systems employed, the temporal trend of monitoring approaches indicates the increasing application of remote sensing and in -situ sensors in detecting disturbances related to agricultural activities, logging, hunting and infrastructure. The relevance of new technologies (i.e., remote sensing, in situ sensors, and DNA barcoding) in operationalising EBVs (especially towards the ecosystem structure, ecosystem function, and species population classes) and the Aichi targets has been assessed. Remote sensing application is limited for EBV classes such as genetic composition and species traits but was found most suitable for ecosystem structure class. The complementarity of remote sensing and emerging technologies were shown in relation to EBV candidates such as species distribution, net primary productivity, and habitat structure. We also developed a framework based on the primary biodiversity attributes, which indicated the potential of integration between monitoring approaches. In situ sensors are suitable to help measure biodiversity composition, while approaches based on remote sensing are powerful for addressing structural and functional biodiversity attributes. We conclude that, synergy between the recent biodiversity monitoring approaches is important and possible. However, testing the suitability of monitoring methods across scales, integrating heterogeneous monitoring technologies, setting up metadata standards, and making interpolation and/or extrapolation from observation at different scales is still required to design a robust biodiversity monitoring system that can contribute to effective conservation measures.


Background: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration into tumor is a positive prognostic factor in breast cancer. High tumor mutational burden (TMB) is also considered as a predictor of tumor immunogenicity and response to immunotherapy. However, it is unclear whether the infiltration of functional CTL simply reflects the TMB or represents an independent prognostic value. Methods: Utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) breast cancer cohort, we established the Functional Hotness Score (FHS). The associations of FHS and breast cancer patient prognosis as well as distinct immunity markers were analyzed in a total of 3011 breast cancer patients using TCGA, METABRIC and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) cohort GSE110590. Results: We established FHS, based on CD8A, GZMB and CXCL10 gene expression levels of bulk tumors, which delivered the best prognostic value among some gene combinations. Breast cancer patients with the high-FHS tumors showed significantly better survival. FHS was lower in the MBCs. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) showed the highest FHS among subtypes. FHS predicted patient survival in hormone receptor (HR)-negative, especially in TNBC, but not in HR-positive breast cancer. FHS predicted patient prognosis independently in TNBC. The high-FHS TNBCs showed not only higher CD8+ T cell infiltration, but also enhanced broader type-1 anti-cancer immunity. The patients with the high-FHS tumors showed better prognosis not only in high-TMB tumors but also in low-TMB TNBCs. The combination of high-TMB with high-FHS identified a unique subset of patients who do not recur over time in TNBC. Conclusion: TNBCs with high FHS based on the expression levels of CD8A, GZMB and CXCL10 showed improved prognosis with enhanced anti-cancer immunity regardless of TMB. FHS constitutes an independent prognostic marker of survival, particularly robustly when combined with TMB in TNBC.


Assessment is a driver of learning and shapes the approach and the depth of learning that takes place. When a programmatic approach to assessment is adopted, that includes a formative assessment strategy, what can result is enhanced skills and competencies on the part of students.  Presented in this paper is part of a larger research study into the assessment practices in the education of undergraduate Medical Scientists in the Irish context. Ireland boasts three Institutes that each offer a level 8 degree programme in Medical Science. To fully understand the assessment practices of these programmes an insight into the reflections of the students involved is required. The aim of this phase of the study is to report the student experiences and attitudes with respect to assessment on these three programmes. All students registered in the programmes during 2017 2018 academic year were invited to complete an online anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire containing both open and closed questions, sought information on: the types of assessment students had experienced, their assessment preferences, their familiarity with linguistic terms associated with assessment, and their attitudes on feedback.  One hundred and seventy two students responded to the questionnaire, with an equal distribution for each year of study. The result analysis showed a diverse range of assessments have been experienced by the students in each institute. Students prefer short answer questions with the higher year students displaying an understanding of the depth of learning involved.  There is a gap in feedback practice between what students receive and what they would prefer. The investigation of the understanding of assessment terminology demonstrated low levels of assessment literacy in this student population.  Students recognise the benefit of assessment as a driver of engagement but referred negatively to the scheduling and weighting accompanying some assessment activities.


Distributed cache technology is being more and more considered to apply in distributed system to solve the system's data access performance bottleneck. Because there are some defects in distributed cache system such as the data backup strategy, we designed and implemented the partition replication-based distributed cache system. Partition replication method reduced the network data transmission load during replication and improved overall system performance.


Accurate representation of stratospheric trace gas transport is important for ozone modeling and climate projection. Intermodel spread can arise from differences in the representation of transport by the diabatic (overturning) circulation vs. comparatively faster adiabatic mixing by breaking waves, or through numerical errors, primarily diffusion. This study investigates the impact of these processes on transport using an idealised tracer, the age-of-air. Transport is assessed in two state-of-the-art dynamical cores based on fundamentally different numerical formulations: finite volume and spectral element. Integrating the models in free-running and nudged tropical wind configurations reveals the crucial impact of tropical dynamics on stratospheric transport. Using age-budget theory, vertical and horizontal gradients of age allow comparison of the roles of the diabatic circulation, adiabatic mixing, and the numerical diffusive flux. Their respective contribution is quantified by connecting the full 3-d model to the tropical leaky pipe framework of Neu and Plumb (1999). Transport by the two cores varies significantly in the free-running integrations, with the age in the middle stratosphere differing by about 2 years primarily due to differences in adiabatic mixing. When winds in the tropics are constrained, the difference in age drops to about 0.5 years; in this configuration, more than half the difference is due to the representation of the diabatic circulation. Numerical diffusion is very sensitive to the resolution of the core, but does not play a significant role in differences between the cores when they are run at comparable resolution. It is concluded that fundamental differences rooted in dynamical core formulation can account for a substantial fraction of transport bias between climate models.


The Nuclear Protein Database (NPD) is a curated database that contains information on more than 1300 vertebrate proteins that are thought, or are known, to localise to the cell nucleus. Each entry is annotated with information on predicted protein size and isoelectric point, as well as any repeats, motifs or domains within the protein sequence. In addition, information on the sub-nuclear localisation of each protein is provided and the biological and molecular functions are described using Gene Ontology (GO) terms. The database is searchable by keyword, protein name, sub-nuclear compartment and protein domain/motif. Links to other databases are provided (e.g. Entrez, SWISS-PROT, OMIM, PubMed, PubMed Central). Thus, NPD provides a gateway through which the nuclear proteome may be explored. The database can be accessed at http://npd.hgu.mrc.ac.uk and is updated monthly.


Background: Controversy surrounds treatment for localized prostate cancer (LPC). Objectives: To assess men's localized prostate cancer (LPC) knowledge and its association with decision-making difficulty, satisfaction and regret. Methods: Population-based sample of 201 men (104 white, 97 black), ≤ 75 years with newly diagnosed LPC completed a self-administered survey. Results: Mean age was 61(±7.6) years; two-thirds had less than a Bachelor's degree. Mean LPC knowledge was low, 5.87 (±2.53, maximum score 11). More than a third of men who received surgery or radiation did not know about serious long-term treatment side effects. Fewer than half of the men correctly answered comparative side effect and survival benefit questions between surgery and radiation. Knowledge gaps were greatest among black men, men with lower education, single men. Tumor aggressiveness (i.e. PSA level, Gleason score) and treatment choice were not associated with knowledge. Knowledge was not associated with decisional satisfaction or regret. However, greater knowledge was associated with greater decision-making difficulty (P = .018). Conclusions: Significant LPC knowledge gaps existed across groups, with greater knowledge gaps among black men. The association of decision-making difficulty with knowledge was independent of race. Better patient education is needed, but may not alleviate men's decision-making difficulty due to inherent scientific uncertainty.


This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of having students reflect upon their experiences of learning and use of critical thinking in their first year of study at University. Specifically, it responds to the debate on whether teaching a general course on critical thinking skills constitutes a 'syntax or semantic' for the students. McPeck (1990) initiated this debate, claiming that teaching general courses on critical thinking skills do not improve students' processes of reasoning. He believes that such courses are not meaningful to students and their learning, stating that the thinking skills the students require, must instead be derived directly from the subjects that they are studying. Educators such as Paul (1991; Siegel 1990) disagree with McPeck and argue that these courses improve students' reasoning processes at University level. In responding to this debate, I designed an introductory critical thinking skills course entitled the Process of Learning. This course was implemented with first year students enrolled on a design and media management course at a University in the United Kingdom. This case study was evaluated using an action research methodology. The findings of this research are discussed within the framework of student learning theory and the learning environment. The data includes student and staff interviews conducted over 18 months, triangulated findings from the course sessions and analysis of related assignments. This research found that students can benefit from first year introductory critical thinking courses in several ways. Students become sensitised or aware of the critical thinking skills that they use in first year. The subsequent application of these skills can lead to improvement in learning quality outcomes in subsequent studies. Students with a higher level of competency discuss these thinking skills more coherently and recognise their personal responsibility in learning. Students achieve insights into their own personal perception of learning and begin to assess objectively the implications of what they have learnt from this. Wide ranging feedback from students discussing critical thinking skills and learning activities can provide a medium for staff committed to improving both pedagogy and the curriculum. Better understanding of critical thinking skills can improve the students' confidence in learning. Further insights are presented in this research that help us to further understand the nature of `confidence' in learning. Students identified a number of difficulties with the Process of Learning. This would appear initially to support McPeck's belief that such courses arc not helpful to students in the first year of study. However, four key findings are presented in this thesis which explain why these difficulties arose. Consequently, this research supports educators who advocate the teaching of general critical thinking skills courses in higher education, due to the benefits for students and staff. It concludes that the 'syntax versus semantic' dichotomy is an oversimplification of the debate and explains why this is so. Finally, suggestions are made for future research directed at integrating critical thinking skills courses across the degree level at University.


As part of providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS services, the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and Ministry of Health (MOH) in Ghana recommend that HIV/AIDS patients receive psychosocial support and follow-up visits that ensures medical and drug adherence assistance. However, the successful implementation of these support services requires that patients have stable and quality housing. Yet, studies that examine associations between housing, psychosocial support, and adherence/treatment counseling among HIV/AIDS patients in Ghana and subSaharan Africa are limited. We use data collected from 605 HIV positive persons attending check-p and receiving anti-retroviral therapy from both Atua Government Hospital and St. Martin's de Porres Hospital, located in the Manya Krobo district, to examine these important links. Results show that respondents with stable homes, and quality housing structure and environment were significantly more likely to receive these support services compared to those without stable and quality housing. Policy makers need to consider housing as an important element of HIV prevention and care.


One of the most intriguing aspects of Chern-Simons-type topological models is the fractional statistics of point particles which has been shown essential for our understanding of the fractional quantum Hall effects. Furthermore these ideas are applied to the study of high Tc superconductivity. We present here an recently proposed model for fractional spin with the Pauli term. On the other hand, in D=4 space-time, a Schwarz-type topological gauge theory with antisymmetric tensor gauge field, namely B U F model, is reviewed. Antisymmetric tensor fields are conjectured as mediator of string interaction. A dimensional reduction of the previous model provides a (2+1) dimensional topological theory, which involves a 2-form B and a 0-form f. Some recent results on this model are reported. Recently, there have been thoughts of generalizing unusual statistics to extended objects in others space-time dimensions, and in particular to the case of strings in four dimensions. In this context, discussions about fractional spin and antisymmetric tensor field are presented.


Volkov et al. claim that significant conclusions about the total number of species (S) cannot be made because different abundance models cannot be distinguished and the sensitivity of the chi-square measure to changes in estimates of S is low. We point out that currently available data do not support these claims.


A challengeable environment of semiconductor industry can be characterized by uncertain demands, the long manufacturing lead-time, the expensive capacity cost and relatively short life cycle, all of which means significant capital and big risk. It is critical to design a simple and useful approach for yield planning. Since system dynamics (SD) is an approach to understanding the behaviors of complex systems, this paper presents a system dynamic model to determine the optimal yield of the semiconductor manufacturing system. In the paper, we introduce customer lifetime value (CLV) as a measure of revenues to achieve the long-term profits, rather than decisions on maximum short-term profits. The results show that SD is an effective simulation approach, and several interesting and useful insights are found.


Purpose – This paper seeks to examine the predictive ability of disaggregated earnings in forecasting future profitability conditional on keiretsu affiliation in the context of Japan. Design/methodology/approach – Industry-adjusted future profitability measure is regressed on current profitability measures and on interaction terms of keiretsu affiliation and profitability measures. Out-of-sample forecasting test is conducted by regressing future profitability on current profitability measures for keiretsu-affiliated and independent firms. Findings – Disaggregated earnings improve out-of-sampling forecasting for firms not affiliated with keiretsu networks. For the keiretsu-affiliated firms industry adjustments actually diminish the out-of-sample forecasting accuracy. Research limitations/implications – The boundary between keiretsu-affiliated and independent firms is not so obvious. Originality/value – Examining industry competitiveness in Japan using accounting information is a significant contribution to the literature.


Background/Aim: Adult outpatients with symptomatic COVID-19 treated with fluvoxamine, compared with placebo, had a lower likelihood of clinical deterioration over 15 days. Fluvoxamine strongly binds to the sigma-1 receptor (S1R) that regulates inflammation by inhibiting the production of cytokines, believed to be responsible for severe COVID-19. We evaluated the S1R locus on chr 9p13.3 in subjects tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. We focused on SNP rs17775810 that has been previously identified by examining loss-of-function mutations in the S1R gene associated with distal hereditary motor neuropathy. Patients and Methods: We utilized UK Biobank (UKB) data. Data processing was performed on Minerva, a Linux mainframe with Centos 7.6, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Results: The effect of rs17775810 genotype on survival was significant (p=0.036, 2 tailed Fisher exact test). The minor allele homozygotes (TT) had the lowest death rate (0%), whereas the non-TT genotypes (i.e. CT and CC) had the highest death rate (16.2%). Conclusion: The rs17775810 analysis corroborates the favorable effect of fluvoxamine on COVID-19 survival.


Osteocyte apoptosis has been reported to play a central role in bone remodeling. In addition to apoptosis, other mechanisms may be involved in osteocyte loss. This study aimed to investigate the effect of necroptosis on osteocytes in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Ninety-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into an OVX group and a sham group. At 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery, specimens from each group (n = 12 each) were harvested. Bone mineral density (BMD) and body weight were measured. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro-CT were used to observe the changes in cellular morphology and bone microarchitecture induced by estrogen deficiency. Osteocyte apoptosis and necroptosis were evaluated via TUNEL and immunofluorescence staining for active caspase-3. At 8 weeks after ovariectomy, a greater number of osteocytes with typical necrotic morphological features were TUNEL positive but negative for active caspase-3. Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence assessments demonstrated that the levels of receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (RIP1) and RIP3 in osteocytes were significantly increased at 8 weeks after ovariectomy. These data are the first to suggest that necroptosis accelerates osteocyte loss under conditions of estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis in OVX rats. These findings provide evidence of a potential mechanism through which osteocyte necroptosis is associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis.


Laser deposition method was used for growing ferromagnetic semiconductor and half-metal compound layers. GaMnAs and InMnAs layers were grown by alternating laser ablation of solid targets (semiconductor and Mn) in hydrogen and arsine flow. The layers exhibited ferromagnetic properties (detected by Hall effect measurements) from 10 K to room temperature (for InMnAs). Half-metal compound layers were deposited by the techniques of reactive laser deposition (MnAs, MnP) and alternating laser deposition (MnSb). The half-metal layers exhibit ferromagnetism at temperatures up to 300 K.


A prospective study that review the types of congenital diaphragmatic defects in pediatric age groups in Basra and their outcome, to describe the demography of diaphragmatic defects and to assess their mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted at the neonatal intensive care unit and surgical ward of the Basra children specialty hospital. The medical records of 67 diaphragmatic defects patients, admitted to the hospital from July 2013and July 2015. Data for patient demographics, associated congenital anomalies, and mortality were collected in this study in addition to the types of diaphragmatic defects. In this study Bochdalek hernia is the commonest type of diaphragmatic defects in all age groups (64.2%), followed by diaphragmatic event ration (13.4%), hiatus hernia (11.9%), Morgagni hernia (4.5%), congenital central hernia (4.5%), and finally absent hemi diaphragm (1.5%). Male is affected more than female in all age groups. Shortness of breath is the presenting feature in all age groups with predominance in neonates. Vomiting is the second presenting feature, especially in infant and older children. Associated anomalies occur in about 19.4%. Overall complication rate was 24.1 and the survival rate was 80.3%. It may not reflect the real survival because many fetal and post-delivery deaths occurred and not registered in our society.One should have a high index of suspicion regarding diaphragmatic defects especially those neonates presenting with shortness of breath. Most neonates with diaphragmatic defects are diagnosed by plain chest x-rays (88.2%) so that we should avoid injudicious use of contrast study or CT scan for the diagnosis of diaphragmatic defects. High survival rate may not reflect the real event because many patients died before, during, or just after delivery so that prenatal diagnosis and management of diaphragmatic defect must be encouraged.


In this paper we describe a set of algorithms for handling substrate-coupled switching noise in an iterative placement framework. Our model for switching noise uses a coarse resistive grid method for analyzing the coupling of digital switching noise into the analog macros on the chip. The noise effects determined through these models are incorporated into a constrained, simulated annealing based macro cell placement flow. Our results indicate that these substrate-aware algorithms support efficient mixed signal placement optimization.<<ETX>>


Steel arch-rectangular support has a wide range of applications in Polish coal mines due to its asymmetrical shape. The frame has an arched outline on one side of the side wall, while on the opposite side it is rectangular. As a result, the support is ideal for securing set up room and recovery room. It can also be successfully used to secure three-way intersections of underground workings. To a large extent, however, the importance of these advantages is diminished by relatively low load-bearing parameters, resulting from a partially straight canopy, as well as the asymmetrical distribution of the load acting on the support in underground conditions. In order to ensure the proper and optimal operation of such frames, in addition to the standard requirements for roof supports, additional conditions must be met. The basic requirement is to support the end of the canopy on the corner of the excavation. This article presents examples of arch-rectangular supports, their applications as well as laboratory tests and strength analysis of the frames and its elements. These tests allowed the requirements regarding the construction of the frame, the selection of the support and the conditions of building in the excavation to be specified.


Alloxan-diabetic male rats were used to test effects of pinealectomy (PX) and of sham-pinealectomy (SPX) on blood glucose levels at mid-dark in the daily light-dark (LD 12:12) cycle. Animals received a diabetogenic dose of alloxan 10 days postoperatively. Blood glucose was measured on days -1,1,2,3,4,5,7,10 and 15 after 8-hour fasts. Pinealectomized (PX) and non-operated (C) animals were equivalent in their hyperglycemia following alloxan. SPX animals contrastingly showed significantly less response to alloxan than did animals of the other two groups. This difference of the SPX animals was in terms of lower hyperglycemia, better maintenance of body weight and of survival. It is concluded that intracranial surgery alone (SPX) and without visible brain damage can affect mechanisms of glucose homeostasis, and that at least in some circumstances such a surgical effect is not only different from effects of surgical pinealectomy (PX), but is also probably not pineal-dependent.


Abstract Background: We compared the analgesic efficacy of a transdermal diclofenac patch 100 mg (NuPatch® 100, Zydus Cadila, Ahmedabad, India) and intramuscular diclofenac sodium 75 mg (Voveran®, Novartis, India) for postoperative analgesia, and the associated side-effects of the transdermal diclofenac patch. Method: Sixty participants in the study were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 each, by a computer-generated randomisation table. The anaesthetic procedure was standardised. A transdermal diclofenac patch 100 mg was applied to the participants in the study group at the beginning of the surgery. In the control group, 75 mg of diclofenac sodium was given intramuscularly half an hour before the end of surgery. Pain was assessed postoperatively at two-, six-, and 12-hour intervals using a visual analogue scale (VAS). An injection of tramadol 2 mg/kg was administered intramuscularly as rescue analgesia. The study ended when the patients asked for rescue analgesia, or when the VAS score was > 5. Results: The mean duration of analgesia in the control group was 7 hours 28 minutes, and in study group, it was 8 hours 6 minutes, which was comparable (p-value < 0.341). Conclusion: Intraoperative application of a single dose of 100 mg transdermal diclofenac patch is as effective as a single dose of intramuscular diclofenac (75 mg) for acute postoperative pain, without any significant side-effects.


As users turn to large scale social media systems like Twitter for topic-based content exploration, they quickly face the issue that there may be hundreds of thousands of items matching any given topic they might query. Given the scale of the potential result sets, how does one identify the 'best' or 'right' set of items? We explore a solution that aligns characteristics of the information space, including specific content attributes and the information diversity of the results set, with measurements of human information processing, including engagement and recognition memory. Using Twitter as a test bed, we propose a greedy iterative clustering technique for selecting a set of items on a given topic that matches a specified level of diversity.
 In a user study, we show that our proposed method yields sets of items that were, on balance, more engaging, better remembered, and rated as more interesting and informative compared to baseline techniques. Additionally, diversity indeed seemed to be important to participants in the study in the consumption of content. However as a rather surprising result, we also observe that content was perceived to be more relevant when it was highly homogeneous or highly heterogeneous. In this light, implications for the selection and evaluation of topic-centric item sets in social media contexts are discussed.


We identify the drivers of the movements in the euro-dollar exchange rate during the sovereign debt crisis. In particular, we show that the announcement of outright monetary transactions (OMT) by the Governing Council of the ECB during the summer of 2012 played a major role in the euroi?½s subsequent appreciation. OMT and the reform efforts undertaken by governments at national and European level saw off the risk of a euro-area break up and prompted net capital inflows. We estimate two models. The first is a reduced form high-frequency model, in which the exchange rate is explained by the differentials between interest rates in euros and dollars at both short- and long-term horizons, the sovereign spread in euro-area countries and an index of volatility. The second is a vector autoregressive (VAR) model including GDP growth differentials, short-term nominal interest rate differentials and inflation differentials between the euro area and the U.S., an average of the sovereign spreads of selected euro-area countries, the bilateral trade balance and the euro-dollar nominal exchange rate. Both approaches suggest that the evolution of the sovereign spread supported the value of the euro following the announcement of OMT in the summer of 2012.


The synthesis of a series of 2′-deoxyuridine analogues modified at the 5-position and a series of 2′-deoxypurines modified at the 8-position is described. Ultraviolet melting studies have been used to assess the stability of DNA duplexes 12- and 8-residues in length that contain these modifications. Of those modified residues which have been incorporated into oligonucleotides, 5-(prop-1-ynyl)-2′-deoxyuridine is found to impart the greatest increase in stability on the DNA duplexes studied.Thermodynamic analyses show that the reason for this increase in stability arises from a decrease in enthalpy which is related to the DNA base stacking process. We suggest that the degree of stabilisation imparted by the propyne moiety may be sequence dependent.


Analgesic effect of amygdalin (AM) in mice was observed in hot plate and acetic acid-induced writhing tests. AM did not induce tolerance as morphine did, and did not cause morphine-characteristic tail-erecting response in mice. Mice given AM and then challenged with nalorphine showed no jumping response. AM could not substitute for morphine in morphine-addicted rats in relieving withdrawal syndrome. No antiinflammatory activity was found with AM.


Student attrition within higher education is a growing
concern of institutions, governments and prospective students. In an expansive
and competitive marketplace, institutions are enrolling students of
unprecedented diversity, with differing levels of prior academic achievement.
Universities are focussed on student attrition partly because of its rising
financial and reputational costs. Resources are allocated to learning
analytics, mentoring, and pedagogy, to ensure that any students 'at risk' of
withdrawing are promptly managed and supported. For governments, the costs of
attrition include sectoral reputation and economic inefficiencies. Governments
still underpin higher education funding across the Anglo-American world, and
their priorities are moving further towards outcomes beyond mere enrolments.
Performance-based funding reflects a demand of accountability from institutions
for student outcomes, including degree completion and graduate employment
rates. Equally, governments are providing sectoral outcome data to prospective
students to inform enrolment decisions. Prospective university students are
themselves considering this comparative institutional retention data in a
context of rising tuition fees and costs of living. As data continues to
suggest that what matters is not only commencing, but completing a university
degree (Tinto, 2012), relative attrition data is likely to influence student
enrolment decisions, especially as retention rates become more embedded within
national and international institutional rankings.


ABSTRACT Intimins are outer membrane proteins expressed by enteric bacterial pathogens capable of inducing intestinal attachment-and-effacement lesions. A eukaryotic cell-binding domain is located within a 280-amino-acid (Int280) carboxy terminus of intimin polypeptides. Polyclonal antiserum was raised against Int280 from enteropathogenicEscherichia coli (EPEC) serotypes O127:H6 and O114:H2 (anti-Int280-H6 and anti-Int280-H2, respectively), and Western blot analysis was used to explore the immunological relationship between the intimin polypeptides expressed by different clinical EPEC and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) isolates, a rabbit diarrheagenic E. coli strain (RDEC-1), andCitrobacter rodentium. Anti-Int280-H6 serum reacted strongly with some EPEC serotypes, whereas anti-Int280-H2 serum reacted strongly with strains belonging to different EPEC and EHEC serotypes, RDEC-1, and C. rodentium. These observations were confirmed by using purified Int280 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by immunogold and immunofluorescence labelling of whole bacterial cells. Some bacterial strains were recognized poorly by either antiserum (e.g., EPEC O86:H34 and EHEC O157:H7). By using PCR primers designed on the basis of the intimin-encoding eae gene sequences of serotype O127:H6, O114:H2, and O86:H34 EPEC and serotype O157:H7 EHEC, we could distinguish between different eae gene derivatives. Accordingly, the different intimin types were designated α, β, δ, and γ, respectively.


Mineral oils have been successfully used as insecticides to control insect pests on several crops such as cotton in many parts of the world. Such work is yet to be reported in Nigeria. This study assayed the effectiveness of three mineral oils - premium motor spirit (PMS), dual purpose kerosene (DPK) and automotive gas oil (AGO) at 0.4% concentration in the management of four major insect pests of cowpea, namely the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, legume bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab. and pod sucking bugs. It also assessed influence of pests control on cowpea yield. The field trials were carried out during the early and late seasons on a public land about half kilometre to Campus 2 of Delta State University, Abraka, Southern Nigeria. The results indicated that all the tested mineral oils effectively controlled M. sjostedti damage in the early season. Similarly, AGO controlled M. vitrata and pod sucking bugs. DPK equally controlled coreid bugs. In the late season, A. craccivora and coreid bugs were reduced by all the mineral oils. In the early season, grain yields were high as follows: 1,342.90 kg ha-1, 963.30kg ha-1, 836.70 kg ha-1 and 917.80kg ha-1 for DPK, PMS, AGO and control respectively. In the late season, yields were 763.30kg ha-1, 634.60kg ha-1, 578.00kg ha-1 and 375.00kg ha-1 for AGO, PMS, DPK and control respectively. Grain yields were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the early than late season. Delay and reduced flowering were observed in the field. Elimination of these factors could improve the use of mineral oils in the cultivation of cowpea. The information given here can be used to strengthen the integrated pest management programme in the control of cowpea insect pests.


There have been significant breakthroughs over the past decade in the development and use of pluripotent stem cells as a potential source of cells for applications in regenerative medicine. It is likely that this methodology will begin to play an important role in human clinical medicine in the years to come. This review describes the plasticity of one type of pluripotent cell, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), and their potential therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine and male infertility. Normally, SSCs give rise to sperm when in the testis. However, both human and murine SSCs can give rise to cells with embryonic stem (ES) cell-like characteristics that can be directed to differentiate into tissues of all three embryonic germ layers when placed in an appropriate inductive microenvironment, which is in contrast to other postnatal stem cells. Previous studies have reported that SSCs expressed an intermediate pluripotent phenotype before differentiating into a specific cell type and that extended culture was necessary for this to occur. However, recent studies from our group using a tissue recombination model demonstrated that SSCs differentiated rapidly into another tissue, in this case, prostatic epithelium, without expression of pluripotent ES cell markers before differentiation. These results suggest that SSCs are capable of directly differentiating into other cell types without going through an intermediate ES cell-like stage. Because SSCs do not require reprogramming to achieve a pluripotent state, they are an attractive source of pluripotent cells for use in regenerative medicine.


: On-board sensors in vehicles are able to capture real-time data representations of variables conditioning the traffic flow. Extracting knowledge by combining data from different vehicles, together with machine learning algorithms, will help both to optimize transportation systems and maximize the drivers' and passengers' comfort. This paper provides a summary of the most common multivariate outlier detection methods and applies them to data captured from sensor vehicles with the aim to find and identify different abnormal driving conditions like traffic jams. Outliers detection represents an important task in discovering useful and valuable information, as has been proven in numerous researches. This study is based on the combination of outlier detection mechanisms together with data classification methods. The output of the outlier detection phase will then be fed into several classifiers, which have been implemented to assess if the multivariate outliers correspond with traffic congestion situations or not.


A new solvation model, called VBSM, is presented. The model combines valence bond (VB) theory with parameters determined for the SM6 solvation model (Kelly, C. P.; Cramer, C. J.; Truhlar, D. G. J. Chem. Theo. Comp. 2005, 1, 1133-1152). VBSM, like SM6, is based on the generalized Born (GB) approximation for bulk electrostatics and atomic surface tensions to account for cavitation, dispersion, and solvent structure (CDS). The solvation free energy of VBSM includes (i) a self-consistent polarization term obtained by using VB atomic charges in a GB reaction field with a VB self-consistent field procedure that minimizes the total energy of the system with respect to the valence bond orbitals and (ii) a geometry-dependent CDS term to account for deviations from bulk-electrostatic solvation. Test calculations for a few systems show that the liquid-phase partial atomic charges obtained by VBSM are in good agreement with liquid-phase charges obtained by charge model CM4 (Kelly, C. P.; Cramer, C. J.; Truhlar, D. G. J. Chem. Theo. Comp. 2005, 1, 1133-1152). Free energies of solvation are calculated for two prototype test cases, namely, for the degenerate S(N)2 reaction of Cl(-) with CH(3)Cl in water and for a Menshutkin reaction in water. These calculations show that the VBSM method provides a practical alternative to single-configuration self-consistent field theory for solvent effects in molecules and chemical reactions.


Despite primary schooling being universally recognized as a public good, with a direct impact on economic growth, one billion people in the world – on in six – are illiterate, and 104 million of the world"s children were out of school in the year 2013 (United Nations Economic, Social, and Cultural Organization [UNESCO] 2013). Over third of the world"s illiterates are in India. India"s population of illiterates is larger than that of any other country in the world – at least 350 million people, according to 2011 Census of India. In other words, more than one in three illiterate persons on the planet is an Indian and India"s population of illiterates in 2010 was larger than the total population of the country in 1947.Well-designed and effectively implemented social protection programmes are essential for ensuring access to food and comprehensively addressing the problem of malnutrition. These programmes are non-contributory and sharply targeted programmes that focus on the poor and vulnerable sections of the population. Among many social protection programmes in India there are two broad categories specifically targeted for the poor and closely related to food security and nutrition. These are (i) Public Distribution System and Supplementary Nutrition Programmes and (ii) Rural Wage Employment Programme. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) are two major initiatives for improving the level of nutrition.


The electrochemical oxidation of wastewater from DDNP production was investigated using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) thin film electrode. The effects of operating factors such as cell voltage, interelectrode distance and additive NaCl have been studied. This study showed that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction is most influenced by the applied cell voltage. Higher current densities resulting from higher cell voltages increase the formation of oxidative reagents resulting in an increased COD removal rate. The maximum COD removal was 57% after 210 min, with an energy consumption of 14.90 KWh·kg-1 COD when cell voltage was 12V, interelectrode distance was 3cm and additive NaCl concentration was 1g·L-1. The use of BDD thin film electrode for the treatment of DDNP production wastewater appears commercially feasible.


This study concerns effects of two main variables on hydrodynamics and mass transfer in the liquid-liquid two-phase slug flow regime. The influence of size of square and rectangular microchannels and presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are investigated. Three microchannels with dimensions 600×600 (MC600), 400×400 (MC400) and 600×300 (MC300) μm were used with hydraulic diameters of 600, 400 and 400 μm respectively. The results revealed that decreasing the hydraulic diameter improved the interfacial area due to slug length enlargement in both phases. Furthermore, mass transfer resistance was reduced because of enhanced internal circulations, leading to considerable enhancement of the overall mass transfer coefficient KL. It was also found that the enhancement of KL was greater in the square MC400 microchannel than in the rectangular MC300, as compared to the MC600. The enhancing benefit from internal circulations in organic slugs in rectangular microchannels decreased at higher aqueous flow rates due to enlarged stagnant liquid film flow between the organic slug and the microchannel wall.
 The presence of SDS slightly increased the interfacial area by reducing the slug length in both phases. However, there was a significant decrement in KL, due to a greater mass transfer resistance.