In this paper, a new type fault current limiter (FCL) topology is put forward for Micro-Grid (MG) system fault, which mainly consists of limiting inductance, bypass inductance and series compensation capacitors. The switching circuit is used to change circuit structure through the power diode bridge and FGCT, in the event of a fault the current limiting inductance is switched to limit short-circuit current. The topology has the advantages of switch quickly, simple control, and series compensation effect. Establishes a equivalent model of MG system with FCL, discusses the impact of FCL installation location to system short-circuit protection, and proposes the installation location program. Matlab is used for system modeling and simulation results show that the effect of the current limiter, which is installed on the outlet of the MG system power for three-phase short-circuit protection, is obvious, and has the function of inhibiting voltage sag.


Abstract Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) studies of TANOL/water-glycerol solutions were per-formed at 1.53 mT. The samples have either various water-glycerol ratios at constant concentration or various concentrations at a constant water-glycerol ratio. The low field EPR spectra were recorded, the DNP parameters(enhancement factors, coupling constant, leakage factor) were determined, electronic relaxation times were measured. Depending on the values obtained, the interactions between nuclei and electrons are discussed.


The development of any country is regarded as the function
of the availability, organisation and utilization of its resources.
Information has come to be w idely recognised as a resource as valuable
as other resources of matter, energy and human skill. This recognition
is evident through the attention given by the countries in the developed
areas of the world to the collection, organisation and utilization of
information. The result as one can witness now is the establishment and
maintenance in these countries of advanced library and information
services, where sophisticated technology (e. g. computers and other electronic
devices) is being applied. Since developing countries like Iraq,
with which we areespecially concerned,, are undergoing a development process
and almost all of them have been adopting a planning procedure as an
instrument of policy in their own development, the availability, organisation
and utilization of information is essential for them. The only way
to meet this is by ensuring the availability of efficient infrastructures
that perform the functions of collecting, organising and retrieving
information on a nationwide basis. Therefore developing countries need
to: recognise information as an essential component in the individuals,
and society1development, question the deficient and fragmented state of
their library and information services, recognise the deficiencies of these
services and take the measures necessary for their development.
This study demonstrates the value of information in development,
reviews the activities concerned with collecting, organising and retrieving
information, questions the present state of library and information
services in developing countries with special reference to Iraq, highlights
their deficiencies and the, factors contributingýto these deficiencies, and
provides guidelines for solution. This study was based on an
extensive literature survey, personal interviews, visits and on-site
observations.


Despite the importance of monitoring and correlating neurotransmitter concentrations in the brain with observable behavior and brain areas in which they act, in vivo measurement of multiple neurochemicals in the brain remains a challenge. Here, we propose an alternative solid phase microextraction-based (SPME) chemical biopsy approach as a viable method for acquirement of quantitative information on multiple neurotransmitters by one device within a single sampling event, with multisite measurement capabilities and minimized invasiveness, as no tissue is removed. The miniaturized SPME probe developed for integrated in vivo sampling/sample preparation has been thoroughly optimized with respect to probe shape, desorption solvent, and extracting phase tailored for extraction of small hydrophilic molecules via synthesis and functionalization of the SPME coating. Experimental evaluations of sampling time and storage strategy led to achieving appropriate temporal resolution versus recovery balance as well as little or no analyte loss, respectively. Validation of the developed SPME-HPLC-MS/MS protocol in a surrogate brain matrix yielded satisfactory accuracies of 80-100%, precision below 17%, as well as linear dynamic range and limits of quantitation suitable for determining neurochemicals at physiologically relevant levels. Finally, we present a proof-of-concept in vivo application in macaque brain, where several target neurotransmitters were extracted simultaneously from three brain areas. The developed probe and protocol are herein presented as a potential powerful addition to the existing in vivo toolbox for measurements of local levels of neurochemicals in multiple brain systems implicated in the neuropathology of psychiatric disorders.


The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC)'s Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) project aimed to categorize somatic and germline variations in both coding and non-coding regions in over 2,800 cancer patients. To provide this dataset to the research working groups for downstream analysis, the PCAWG Technical Working Group marshalled ~800TB of sequencing data from distributed geographical locations; developed portable software for uniform alignment, variant calling, artifact filtering and variant merging; performed the analysis in a geographically and technologically disparate collection of compute environments; and disseminated high-quality validated consensus variants to the working groups. The PCAWG dataset has been mirrored to multiple repositories and can be located using the ICGC Data Portal. The PCAWG workflows are also available as Docker images through Dockstore enabling researchers to replicate our analysis on their own data.


Despite 30 years of Hox gene study, we have a remarkably limited knowledge of the downstream target genes that Hox transcription factors regulate to confer regional identity. Here, we have used a microarray approach to identify genes that function downstream of a single vertebrate Hox gene, zebrafish hoxb1a. This gene plays a critical and conserved role in vertebrate hindbrain development, conferring identity to hindbrain rhombomere (r) 4. For example, zebrafish Hoxb1a, similar to mouse Hoxb1, is required for the migration of r4-derived facial branchiomotor neurons into the posterior hindbrain.We have screenedmicroarrays carryingmore than 16,000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for genes that are differentially regulated in normal versus Hoxb1a-deficient r4 tissue. Using this approach, we have identified both positively and negatively regulated candidate Hoxb1a target genes. We have used in situ hybridization to validate twelve positively regulated Hoxb1a targets. These downstream targets are expressed in a variety of subdomains within r4, with one gene, a novel prickle homolog (pk1b), expressed specifically within the facial branchiomotor neurons. Using morpholino knock-down and cell transplantation, we demonstrate that the Hoxb1a target Prickle1b functions cell-autonomously to control facial neuron migration, a single aspect of r4 identity. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


The potential benefits of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were investigated on carob tree Ceratonia siliqua , a Mediterranean legume in Morocco. The parameters under study were the effect of an inoculation on growth, mineral nutrition and roots mycorrhizal colonization of the plant under nursery conditions. C. siliqua growth was measured after six months of culture in plastic bags arranged in a randomised complete block under greenhouse conditions. Fungal inoculation consisted of a mixture of native AM fungi propagated on Zea mays roots. Results show that the fungal symbionts were effective to improve the growth of C. siliqua , confirming the requirement of mycorrhizal symbiosis for the successful establishment of C. siliqua in a degraded soil. The approach used with indigenous AM fungi complex isolated under C. siliqua appeared to be effective in promoting growth and nutrition of C. siliqua . After 6 months of culturing in nursery conditions, height, shoot and root biomass, total biomass, phosphorus and nitrogen foliar contents of the plants inoculated with native AM fungi were significantly higher than in the control. Glomus spores were extracted from the soil under C. siliqua and were observed on permanent slides under a microscope connected to a computer with digital image analysis software. Seven spore morphotypes were detected under C. silqua in the Ourika Valley, Morocco. Five Glomus species were classified as Glomus aggregatum, Glomus intraradices and Glomus constrictum, whereas, two other Glomus species were not identified. The analysis of this spore community revealed the presence of two other species belonging to Gigaspora genera. The use of a mixture of native AM fungi as fungal inoculum improves clearly growth, nutrition and roots colonization of C. siliqua seedling. Key words : Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, diversity, growth, soil microbial activity, Ceratonia siliqua .


Blackberry bushes have increasingly drawn producers' and consumers' interest since they find their cultivation characteristics, production and nutraceutical qualities advantageous. Both chemical and mineral characteristics, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity found in blackberries are extremely relevant factors to be considered when cultivars are chosen. Chemical analyses of the nutritional composition of fruit is important, since they can help studies of quality genotypes. Besides, fruit with high nutritional values contribute to human health when they are often consumed. This study aimed at evaluating chemical and mineral characteristics, besides bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, of different blackberry bush genotypes grown in an organic farming system in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. Production, soluble solid content, hydrogenionic potential, total titratable acidity, SS/TA ratio, minerals, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of six blackberry bush genotypes – 'Tupy', 'BRS Xingu', Selection Black 178, Selection Black 128, Selection Black 112 and Selection Black 145 – were evaluated. It was a randomized block design with three replicates of every plant. Selection Black 178 yielded fruits with the highest value of SS/TA ratio and had the highest accumulated production. The highest anthocyanin content was found in 'BRS Xingu'. Selection Black 112 had the highest total contents of phenolic compounds and the highest antioxidant activity, whereas 'Tupy' exhibited their lowest values. Selection Black 178 adapted well to the organic farming system, a fact that did not happen to Selection Black 128.


Parties in patent infringement lawsuits frequently must choose a witness to explain complex or scientific technology behind an invention or an accused product that sits at the heart of a claim or a defense. Often, the parties select an employee witness such as an engineer, scientist, or a named inventor of the patent-in-suit who can testify based on first-hand experience with the technology in question rather than a hired expert, who must prepare an expert report and who may not share the same incentives and goals as the litigant. Because these employee witnesses testify regarding technical or scientific issues, but they do so from first-hand knowledge, courts have struggled over whether such witnesses must be designated as experts under the Federal Rules of Evidence. This has created a growing conflict among courts over how far a lay witness may go in testifying about technical and scientific matters before crossing the boundary into expert testimony. This Article addresses these conflicting cases and proposes an approach that courts can use to determine which topics in patent cases are appropriate matters only for expert witnesses and which topics may be addressed by highly skilled and knowledgeable lay witnesses.


Background:
Hepatitis C virus infection represents a serious epidemic problem in Egypt, it has the highest presence of the infection globally. Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is mainly resultedfromchronic infection with Hepatitis C virus. Many direct antiviral agents have been utilized for treatment, but the hepatotoxicity of those drugs still rarely recorded.
Objectives:
We conducted this study to evaluate the drug-induced toxicity of sofosbuvir and ribavirin.
Methods:
Thirty two female albino rats were divided into four equal groups; Group one included rats which were administered orally with sofosbuvir (0.01 mg/kg body weight/day) suspended in distilled water. Group two included rats which were administered orally with ribavirin (0.0227 mg/kg body weight/day)suspended in distilled water. Group three included rats which were administered with a combination of sofosbuvir and ribavirin (0.01 and 0.023 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively)suspended in distilled water. Group 4 consisted of untreated animals and were served as control group.
Results:
The present study found a significant decrease in mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin values and a significant elevationofred blood corpuscles distribution width percentage in groups treated with ribavirin. Moreover, a significant elevation of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, ammonia, total bilirubin and malondialdhyde were found in the treated groups as well.
Conclusions:
Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin can induce some hepatotoxicity in normal rats characterized by elevations in aminotransferases and microcytic hypochromic anaemia.


1. The Gram-positive bacterium Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB13259 is able to grow on styrene, which it assimilates via a meta-cleavage pathway. This bacterium also contains a catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase that carries out intradiol-cleavage of aromatic substrates. 2. A rapid and reliable method for the purification of catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase was developed which involved chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel and phenyl- Sepharose. This procedure yielded at least 10 mg of protein from 15-20 g (wet weight) of cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of the final preparation showed that catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase was virtually homogeneous. The enzyme was stable and could be stored at -20°C with little loss in activity. 3. The enzyme was crystallised using 15% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 4 000, 0.33 M CaCl2, 0.25 mM Tris/HCl, pH 7.5, using sitting drop vapour diffusion. A microseeding technique was then used to obtain single, diffraction quality rectangular plates, which reached a size of 0.5 mm down the longest axis. A preliminary X-ray crystallographic characterisation showed that the crystals are in space group C2 with unit cell dimensions (A) a=111.9, b=78.1, c=134.6, ?=100°, with four subunits in the asymmetric unit. 4. A subunit Mr value of 39 800 was obtained with SDS-PAGE, which is approximately 20% more than the value of 31 558 which was obtained with electrospray mass spectroscopy. Similar overestimates by SDS-PAGE have also been obtained for other catechol 1, 2-dioxygenases. The native Mr value of 120 0(X) obtained by gel-peimeation chromatography indicated that catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase is a tetramer, however, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase which had been chemically cross- linked, showed only two bands upon analysis with PAGE, indicating that the enzyme is a dimer, with a calculated native Mr value of 63 000. Considerable evidence accrued by other workers with several non-haem intradiol-cleavage enzymes, indicates that the overestimate could be due to the catechol 1,2- dioxygenase being more elliptical than the protein standards, causing it to move anomolously through gels. 5. The absorbance spectrum of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase had maxima at 220 and 280 nm. At higher concentrations of the enzyme another maximum at 426 nm was also evident. This is good evidence that the Rhodococcus enzyme is iron dependent, since in several non-haem iron intradiol-cleavage enzymes a broad absorption band at about 440 nm is due to an Fe3+ cofactor. 6. Iron quantitation using colorimetry and atomic absolution spectroscopy found significantly less than the expected one mole of iron per subunit (0.60-0.85 atoms per subunit). 7. The activity and stability of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase as a function of pH were investigated. Enzyme activity increased approximately four-fold from pH 5 and reached an optimum value at approximately pH 9. Incubation of the enzyme for 30 min in solutions which ranged from pH 5 to 9, resulted in no significant loss of activity. At pH 11.2 however, the enzyme was rapidly inactivated. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).


Importance
The risk of postoperative pulmonary embolism has been reported to be highest during the first 5 weeks after surgery. However, how long the excess risk of postoperative pulmonary embolism persists remains unknown.

Objective
To assess the duration and magnitude of the late postoperative risk of pulmonary embolism among cancer-free middle-aged patients by the type of surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants
Case-crossover analysis to compute the respective risks of pulmonary embolism after 6 types of surgery using data from a French national inpatient database, which covers a total of 203 million inpatient stays over an 8-year period between 2007 and 2014. Participants were cancer-free middle-aged adult patients (aged 45 to 64) with a diagnosis of a first pulmonary embolism.

Exposures
Hospital admission for surgery. Surgical procedures were classified into 6 types: (1) vascular surgery, (2) gynecological surgery, (3) gastrointestinal surgery, (4) hip or knee replacement, (5) fractures, and (6) other orthopedic operations.

Main Outcomes and Measures
Diagnosis of a first pulmonary embolism.

Results
A total of 60 703 patients were included (35 766 [58.9%] male; mean [SD] age, 56.6 [6.0] years). The risk of postoperative pulmonary embolism was elevated for at least 12 weeks after all types of surgery and was highest during the immediate postoperative period (1 to 6 weeks). The excess risk of postoperative pulmonary embolism ranged from odds ratio (OR), 5.24 (95% CI, 3.91-7.01) for vascular surgery to OR, 8.34 (95% CI, 6.07-11.45) for surgery for fractures. The risk remained elevated from 7 to 12 weeks, with the OR ranging from 2.26 (95% CI, 1.81-2.82) for gastrointestinal operations to 4.23 (95% CI, 3.01-5.92) for surgery for fractures. The risk was not clinically significant beyond 18 weeks postsurgery for all types of procedures.

Conclusions and Relevance
The risk of postoperative pulmonary embolism is elevated beyond 6 weeks postsurgery regardless of the type of procedure. The persistence of this excess risk suggests that further randomized clinical trials are required to evaluate whether the duration of postoperative prophylactic anticoagulation should be extended and to define the optimal duration of treatment with regard to both the thrombotic and bleeding risks.


The article presents a research objective relevant to the subject matter of bone marrow transplantation. This study aimed at providing the rationale for locating the designed research in the field of health pedagogy. Such 'assigning a research identity to this project will assist in perfecting it even further. The subject matter undertaken in this article is relevant to the actual experiences of bone marrow donors from the period of undergoing the procedure of transplantation. This subject matter seems to be constituting a terra incognita from the point of view of scientific research, and this supposition is confirmed by the conducted library and sources search. The author attempts to refer, in a succinct form, to certain theoretical conceptions and methodological approaches, which may be used within the frameworks of exploring the thus-defined field of research. The final part of this text is composed of brief comments made by actual bone marrow donors and relevant to their experiences. These comments constitute a sui generis recapitulation of, and a rationale for, the need to conduct the research described in this article.


This paper explains the occurrence of low human rights equilibria as the result of a collective choice, where individuals take into account the prevailing consensus in society. This consensus is based on specific cognitive models and the related conceptions of justice. Modern societies are structured by debtor-creditor relationships in a monetary economy, while traditional societies are dominated by a safety-first principle rooted in the subsistence economy. Modern society requires a system of rights, including human rights, to ensure protection of the individual against interference by the collective. By contrast, the subsistence ethics of traditional societies privilege a holistic approach in which the collective guarantees the survival of the individual. In this context, the validity of human rights is less apparent. A collective choice of low human rights can be seen as an adverse selection by risk-averse agents, or as an insurance premium against individual precarity. These conclusions were derived from an analysis of Burma's society and economy. In general, the transition to a sustainable democratic regime with better respect for human rights would require a profound restructuring of the economy with a properly functioning monetary economy.


Because only some states now require hospitals to report their healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates, while others don't, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is considering helping states develop policies to obtain this information. Lending support to this initiative is consumer demand for the public disclosure of HAI data.


Abstract The secretive nature of snow leopards (Uncia uncia) makes them difficult to monitor, yet conservation efforts require accurate and precise methods to estimate abundance. We assessed accuracy of Snow Leopard Information Management System (SLIMS) sign surveys by comparing them with 4 methods for estimating snow leopard abundance: predator:prey biomass ratios, capture–recapture density estimation, photo-capture rate, and individual identification through genetic analysis. We recorded snow leopard sign during standardized surveys in the SaryChat Zapovednik, the Jangart hunting reserve, and the Tomur Strictly Protected Area, in the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan and China. During June–December 2005, adjusted sign averaged 46.3 (SaryChat), 94.6 (Jangart), and 150.8 (Tomur) occurrences/km. We used counts of ibex (Capra ibex) and argali (Ovis ammon) to estimate available prey biomass and subsequent potential snow leopard densities of 8.7 (SaryChat), 1.0 (Jangart), and 1.1 (Tomur) snow leopards/100 km2. Photo capture–recapture density estimates were 0.15 (n = 1 identified individual/1 photo), 0.87 (n = 4/13), and 0.74 (n = 5/6) individuals/100 km2 in SaryChat, Jangart, and Tomur, respectively. Photo-capture rates (photos/100 trap-nights) were 0.09 (SaryChat), 0.93 (Jangart), and 2.37 (Tomur). Genetic analysis of snow leopard fecal samples provided minimum population sizes of 3 (SaryChat), 5 (Jangart), and 9 (Tomur) snow leopards. These results suggest SLIMS sign surveys may be affected by observer bias and environmental variance. However, when such bias and variation are accounted for, sign surveys indicate relative abundances similar to photo rates and genetic individual identification results. Density or abundance estimates based on capture–recapture or ungulate biomass did not agree with other indices of abundance. Confidence in estimated densities, or even detection of significant changes in abundance of snow leopard, will require more effort and better documentation.


This paper traces the common history of European legal scholarship from its beginning in the late 12th century to the development of national codifications which started some six centuries later. During this period, Roman law was of great importance in the universities, and Justinian's Corpus Iuris Civilis was the central text for legal studies. We will look at the different approaches to this body of text that legal scholarship has taken over the years. Still, Roman law did not have a complete monopoly: we will have a look as well at Canon law and Moral Theology, which also developed a system of legal norms, but on an entirely different basis. They paved the way for Natural law, which – in a critical dialogue with Roman law – paved the way for modern codifications.


The present investigation deals with the synthesis, characterization and EL of new copolymers, CzCNPFV1, CzCNPFV2 and CzCNPFV3 by Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The CzCNPFVs was synthesized for promoted efficiency of reported CNPFV. The PL emission spectra of the CzCNPFVs in chloroform solution show maximum peaks at 476 ~ 479 nm. In thin films, maximum peaks of the CzCNPFVs appeared at 501 ~ 504 nm, red-shifted around 25 nm as compared to that in solution. The more negative energy of the LUMO of CzCNPFV1 or CzCNPFV2 indicates the electron injection process is easier than in CNPFV. From this result, higher quantum efficiency of CzCNPFV1 or CzCNPFV2 as compared to that of CNPFV can be expected due to its improved electron injection ability from the cathode.


We report the effect of acid treatment on porous carbon materials on their double layer capacitance and electrosorption of ions in capacitive deionization systems. The as-received activated carbon cloth (ACC) had the capacitance value of 210 F/g and was markedly (∼175%) improved when treated with acid solution. Surface functional groups such as hydroxyl, quinines, lactones and ethers on carbon after modification were increased by 40% and 29% with HNO 3 and H 2 SO 4 respectively. In capacitive deionization test of NaCl solution, the ACC treated with HNO 3 had more than two times removal efficiency when charged with a 1.5 V current than the untreated one. This is attributed to activation and changes of surface functional groups when charged with a current.


* Equal contributors. Received December 12, 2014; Accepted February 28, 2015; Epub March 15, 2015; Published March 30, 2015 Abstract: Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate effects of 2% minocycline-HCl paste root conditioning on periodontal surgery. Materials and methods: In vitro, cementum slices affected by periodontitis were randomly conditioned with 2% minocycline-HCl paste, 2% minocycline-HCl liquid, and 0.9% saline. NIH3T3 cells were cultured and attached to the each slide, and the viability and proliferation of cells were observed; In vivo, 21 deep periodon- tal pockets were treated by periodontal surgery, and the exposed root surfaces were randomly conditioned with 2% minocycline-HCl paste or 0.9% saline. The periodontal parameters were measured at baseline, after 3 and 6 months of periodontal surgery. Results: In vitro, NIH3T3 cell showed better viability and proliferation at 3, 5, and 7 day in groups conditioned with minocycline-HCl than the group conditioned with 0.9% saline (at 3 day (P < 0.05); at 7 day (P < 0.01)) Minimal differences were found between minocycline-HCl paste and liquid groups; In vivo, 3 months after periodontal surgery, the greater CAL reduction was found in the minocycline-HCl treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The similar results were found for both CAL and PD (P < 0.05; P < 0.05) between two groups at 6 months after surgery. PI and SBI variations showed no statistical differences between two groups after periodontal surgery. Conclusion: Our results suggested that root conditioning with minocycline-HCl paste during periodontal surgery improve the periodontal healing, which may be associated with the promotion of the periodontal cell attachment and growth onto the root surfaces.


Proliferation of traded derivatives that relate to the same underlying—such as stocks, bonds, and credit default swaps (CDS) all tied to the value of an underlying firm—raises questions about which instrument leads the adjustment to a new equilibrium when information enters the market. In this article, the authors explore the issue of using CDS, bonds, and stocks of 10 financial firms before and during the crisis of 2008. Using a cointegration framework, they calculate each security's contribution to overall price discovery. They find the stock market to be the most informative, followed by the CDS market, with the bond market least of all. Before the crisis period, about two-thirds of price discovery occurred in the equity market and about one-quarter in the CDS market. From fall 2007 through 2008, however, the influence from stocks dropped to about 50%, while the CDS market's contribution increased to close to 40%.


Backgrounds and objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common rheumatic disease affecting all joint tissues and Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) pathway dysregulation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been proposed to be involved in OA physiopathology. Based on secretome analysis of MSCs, we identified several TGFβ family members and focused our attention on Transforming Growth Factor β-Induced (TGFβI), a poorly studied extracellular matrix (ECM) component. Materials and methods Human bone marrow MSCs were isolated from OA patients (OA-MSCs) and healthy donors (H-MSCs) while chondrocytes were isolated from OA patients (OA-CH). Chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs was induced in micropellet for 21 days. TGFβI expression was analysed by RT-qPCR and ELISA. Murine articular chondrocytes were isolated from 3 days old C57/BL6 mice and OA-like murine chondrocytes were obtained by addition of 1 ng/mL IL1β for 24 hour. Transfection of siRNA directed against TGFβI (siTGFβI) was performed using oligofectamine. The collagenase-induced murine model of OA was used for immunohistochemical analysis of cartilage and RNA extraction with TRIzol and acid phenol. Results In humans, TGFβI mRNA expression was 2.5 fold lower in OA-MSCs than in H-MSCs and 10 fold lower in OA-MSCs than in OA-CH. We also found out that TGFβI was highly induced (by a 10 fold factor) during the first three days of chondrogenic differentiation but decreased to reach levels similar to those found in MSCs. In the mouse, immunohistochemical analysis revealed high expression of TGFβI in healthy cartilage as compared to OA cartilage. In murine MSCs, expression of TGFβI is 3.8 fold lower than in chondrocytes. In OA-like chondrocytes, characterised by reduced expression of anabolic markers and increased levels of catabolic markers, TGFβI mRNA levels were significantly lower than in healthy chondrocytes. Rapid decline of TGFβI expression was also observed in OA-like dedifferentiated chondrocytes. Finally, transfection of siTGFβI in murine chondrocytes resulted in alteration of their metabolic activity. Conclusion Altogether, our results indicate that expression of TGFβI is higher in articular cartilage than in MSCs, and loss of TGFβI is associated with OA phenotype. TGFβI might be a key regulator of joint homeostasis involved in chondrogenesis and ECM integrity.


Commentary on : Gerber JS, Ross RK, Bryan M, et al . Association of Broad- vs Narrow-Spectrum Antibiotics With Treatment Failure, Adverse Events, and Quality of Life in Children With Acute Respiratory Tract Infections. JAMA. 2017 Dec 19;318:2325–2336.

Antimicrobial prescribing is associated with higher levels of resistance; a linear trend by nation has been presented.1 Large variations in antimicrobial prescribing between countries have been demonstrated, the USA is in line with top EU countries like Greece and France, using three times more per inhabitant than the Nordic countries.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in primary care are frequently viral, and a large proportion of bacterial infections such as otitis media, sinusitis and sore throat have little benefit from antibiotic treatment.

Another important focus for avoiding increased antimicrobial resistance is to reduce the proportion of broad-spectrum antibiotics prescribed. Internationally most focus is on cephalosporins, macrolides and quinolones …


There is a widespread use of Internet technology in the present times, because of which universities are making investments in Mobile learning to augment their position in the face of extensive competition and also to enhance their students' learning experience and efficiency. Nonetheless, Mobile Learning Platform are only going to be successful when students show acceptance and adoption of this technology. Our literature review indicates that very few studies have been carried out to show how university students accept and employ Mobile Learning Platform. In addition, it is asserted that behavioral models of technology acceptance are not equally applied in different cultures. The purpose of this study is to develop an extension of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by including four more constructs: namely, content quality, service quality, information quality and quality of the system. This is proposed to make it more relevant for the developing countries, like the United Arab Emirates (UAE). An online survey was carried out to obtain the data. A total of 221 students from the UAE took part in this survey. Structural equation modeling was used to determine and test the measurement and structural model. Data analysis was carried out, which showed that ten out of a total of 12 hypotheses are supported. This shows that there is support for the applicability of the extended TAM in the UAE. These outcomes suggest that Mobile Learning Platform should be considered by the policymakers and education developers as being not only a technological solution but also as being new e-learning platform especially for distance learning students.


submission deadline: 31 March 2005 Further details: INTERCONGRESS GmbH, Martin Berndt, Düsseldorfer Str. 101, 40545 Düsseldorf-Germany. Tel: +49 211 58589780; fax: +49 211 585897-99; email: martin. email@example.com; website: www. osteoint2005.de 4th European Sports Medicine Congress 13215 October 2005, Lemesos, Cyprus Further details: Email: pyrgos.com@cytanet. com.cy BASEM Conference 2005 10212 November 2005, Edinburgh, Scotland Further details: Email: basemoffice@ compuserve.com BASEM Conference 2006 527 October 2006, Oxford, UK Further details: Email: basemoffice@ compuserve.com UK Radiological Congress 2005 (UKRC 2005) 628 June 2005, Manchester, UK The UK Radiological Congress (UKRC) meeting will encompass the medical, scientific, educational, and management issues that are of interest and relevance to all those involved in the diverse fields of radiological sciences and oncology. The UKRC provides a forum in which to bring together clinicians, scientists, radiographers, technicians, and other professionals to present and discuss the latest developments and challenges in diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy, and allied radiological sciences. Key subjects to be covered include: diagnostic radiology; ultrasound; nuclear medicine; interventional radiology; veterinary radiology; emerging technologies; image analysis; computer applications; PACS; radiobiology; radiological physics; management PostScript 49 www.bjsportmed.com on Jauary 9, 2021 by gest. P rocted by coright. htt://bjsm bm jcom / B r J S prts M d: frst pulished as 10.36/bjsm .200.008789 on 23 D ecem er 204. D ow nladed fom


In standard fMRI analysis all voxels are tested in a massive univariate approach, that is, each voxel is tested independently. This requires stringent corrections for multiple comparisons to control the number of false positive tests (i.e., marking voxels as active while they are actually not). As a result, fMRI analyses may suffer from low power to detect activation, especially in studies with high levels of noise in the data, for example developmental or single-subject studies. Activated region fitting (ARF) yields a solution by modeling fMRI data by multiple Gaussian shaped regions. ARF only requires a small number of parameters and therefore has increased power to detect activation. If required, the estimated regions can be directly used as regions of interest in a functional connectivity analysis. ARF is implemented in the R package arf3DS4. In this paper ARF and its implementation are described and illustrated with an example.


Abstract. In the last few years, Robust Satellite data analysis Techniques (RST) have been proposed and successfully applied for monitoring major natural and environmental risks. Among the various fields of application, RST analysis has been used as a suitable tool for satellite TIR surveys in seismically active regions, devoted to detect and monitor thermal anomalies possibly related to earthquake occurrence. In this work, RST has been applied, for the first time, to thermal infrared observations collected by MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) – the sensor onboard EOS (Earth Observing System) satellites – in the case of Abruzzo (Italy) earthquake occurred on 6 April 2009 (ML~5.8). First achievements, shown in this work, seem to confirm the sensitivity of the proposed approach in detecting perturbations of the Earth�s emission thermal field few days before the event. The reliability of such results, based on the analysis of 10 years of MODIS observations, seems to be supported by the results achieved analyzing the same area in similar observation conditions but in seismically unperturbed periods (no earthquakes with ML≥5) that will be also presented.


America is experiencing a new wave of immigration that many say will be larger than the one beginning just before 1900. But this immigration is more global in origin and will result in making many states so diverse that there is no "majority" culture. Immigration will fuel the economy and will be particularly advantageous to those businesses that can recognize and respond to the needs of the new immigrant groups.


Background: There is a lack of proper health care in rural Himachal Pradesh. Our hospital had been organizing medical camps where a team of doctors, nurses, and technicians attended the camp. There was no or minimal involvement of local panchayats, NGOs, and other professionals. Though patients attended the camp the number was less and very few patients visited the hospital for follow-up. Objectives: To find out whether organizing these camps with interprofessional collaboration improves the camp outcomes and benefits the rural patients in terms of health outcomes. Methods: These camps were held with interprofessional collaboration in the same villages where medical camps were held earlier. The interprofessional team was formed. During camp along with medical checkups, healthy living and hygiene were emphasized. Post camp follow-up was done and data compared with earlier only medical camps. Statistical data for quantitative analysis was mean, average, range, median, and percentage and for qualitative analysis, information was gathered from interviews and feedbacks. The improvement of health outcomes concerning certain chronic disorders was evaluated. Results: A total of 18 camps were held and the mean of 571 patients attended which is higher than the mean of 426 patients who attended only medical camps. The percentage of referred patients attending the hospital was also higher. There was greater patient satisfaction. Regarding the disease outcomes, there was significant cure/control of some chronic disorders like Diabetes, Hypertension, Cataract, CSOM, and Allergies. Conclusion: These camps are more effective in terms of the number of patients attending, percentage of referred patients visiting the hospital, and patient satisfaction. This collaboration benefits the rural population in terms of health outcomes.


Women entrepreneurs, in particular, may not be able or wish to reveal increases in their income resulting from a project intervention such as training. This article describes an evaluation method evolved to assess the effectiveness of the Grassroot Management Training programmes run by the ILO in three African countries. The method involves assessing changes in attitudes towards relevant learning among the participants of the training seminar, compared with the changes in attitudes of a control group over the same period. Participants are also asked how much they would be prepared to pay for another seminar of a similar type, as a proxy measure of the estimated benefits accrued by the participants. From this a cost-benefit ratio can be derived.


Abstract. Lichen heaths are declining in abundance in alpine and
Arctic areas partly due to an increasing competition with shrubs. This shift
in vegetation types might have important consequences for the microclimate
and climate on a larger scale. The aim of our study is to measure the
difference in microclimatic conditions between lichen heaths and shrub
vegetation during the growing season. With a paired plot design, we measured
the net radiation, soil heat flux, soil temperature and soil moisture on an
alpine mountain area in southern Norway during the summer of 2018 and 2019. We
determined that the daily net radiation of lichens was on average 3.15 MJ
(26 %) lower than for shrubs during the growing season. This was mainly
due to a higher albedo of the lichen heaths but also due to a larger
longwave radiation loss. Subsequently, we estimate that a shift from a
lichen heath to shrub vegetation leads to an average increase in atmospheric
heating of 3.35 MJ d −1 during the growing season. Surprisingly, the soil
heat flux and soil temperature were higher below lichens than below shrubs
during days with high air temperatures. This implies that the relatively
high albedo of lichens does not lead to a cooler soil compared to shrubs
during the growing season. We predict that the thicker litter layer, the
presence of soil shading and a higher evapotranspiration rate at shrub
vegetation are far more important factors in explaining the variation in
soil temperature between lichens and shrubs. Our study shows that a shift
from lichen heaths to shrub vegetation in alpine and Arctic areas will lead
to atmospheric heating, but it has a cooling effect on the subsurface during
the growing season, especially when air temperatures are relatively high.


150 rats and 100 mice were treated subcutaneously (once weekly) and orally (2-5 times a week) with single doses of phenacetin (300-1,000 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg suspended in sunflower oil, respectively). 100 rats and 100 mice in control received sunflower oil alone. Tumor incidence in rats after subcutaneous treatment was 14% and 20%--after oral treatment; in control rats--5 and 5.1%, in experimental mice--33 and 34% and in control mice--5 and 7%, respectively. Mean latent period of tumor induction was noted to be shorter in experimental animals than in controls. Whatever the route of administration, the rats developed precancerous lesions and tumors in the urethra and bladder, hyperplastic changes in the bronchi and adenocarcinoma in lungs as well as single tumors of mammary gland, skin and subcutaneous fat. Hepatocellular hyperplasia, single liver and kidney tumors were observed in mice. Increased tumor incidence in lungs, hemopoietic system and lymphoreticular tissue was higher in experimental mice than in controls. Experimental results evidence weak carcinogenic activity of phenacetin for rats and mice.


Written by a veteran police officer turned college professor, this modern-day study of American policing covers hot-button issues including police use of deadly force against and bias toward minorities. Grounded in research of historical and current events, this text examines police practices and the psychological impact that those practices have on minority communities. Author David J. Thomas, a retired police officer and associate professor of criminal justice, looks at and beyond historical perspectives to address many of today's most controversial issues central to minority communities. Topics covered include the repeated failure to convict officers for fatally shooting unarmed subjects, the rise of heated debates between the Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter movements, the militarization of police agencies, and police response to protests by NFL players. The text also offers insight into the psychology of race, police culture, implicit bias, and the decision to use deadly force. Thomas additionally examines possible solutions to these problems. College students, researchers, academics, and readers interested in politics will find this work informative and thought-provoking.


Rating: General Audiences Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Rape/NonCon, Underage Category: F/F, F/M, Gen, M/M, Multi, Other Fandom: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Naruto Relationship: Uzumaki Boruto/Mitsuki, Akimichi Chouchou/Uchiha Sarada, Uchiha Sasuke/Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikadai/Yamanaka Inojin, Kaminarimon Denki/Yuino Iwabee, Namida Suzumeno/ Wasabi Izuno, Kakei Sumire & Mitsuki, Kakei Sumire/Kawaki, Uchiha Sasuke & Uzumaki Naruko Character: Mitsuki, Nara Shikadai, Uzumaki Boruto, Uchiha Sarada, Yamanaka Inojin, Kaminarimon Denki, Yuino Iwabee, Metal Lee, Mitsuki (Naruto), Akimichi Chouchou Additional Tags: Fluff and Angst, Here we die like men, Men Crying, Fluff, Fluff and Humor, Fix-It, Felix Is Suffering With So Much To Fix, Don't Always Proof Read, Pack Feels, Much Gay Very Soft, It's A Big Gay Love Story Lads, Boruto! Lightning! Sarada! ____ (Heavy Spoilers)! Mitsuki! Protective!, Statue Of Liberty Impressed W/ Liberties I Took, Motivation Is No Longer A Flighty Bitch, Cuddling & Snuggling, Enemies You Love, Enemies to Lovers, Platonic Relationships, Sibling Love, Strong Female Characters, This Is Not Going To Go The Way You Think, looking for editor, Updates Friday Stats: Published: 2018-01-18 Updated: 2019-05-09 Chapters: 46/150 Words: 155033


Ferula communis is a kind of plant believed to have curative properties in many diseases. A 19-year-old boy presented with cutaneous vesiculobullous lesions on erythematous base and he was diagnosed as phytophotodermatitis caused by F. communis. To our knowledge, there is no any other case of contact dermatitis due to Ferula spp. in the literature. We have reported this phytophotodermatitis case to discuss the probable harmful results of traditional medicine because the plant is widely used in our country.


The United States Federal Government has repeatedly put the people of Vieques, Puerto Rico in harm's way due to the injurious after-effects of air-to-ground weapons testing. Most of the harm happened during the Navy's 70 years on the island. Yet, the harm continues today considering that aspects of the cleanup count as continued acts of environmental injustice, viewed within the context of the island's colonial history. Usually, this harm deals with public health issues, but the remediation protocols do not account for considerations such as cultural identity and heritage. This paper shows how the procedures for environmental remediation in Vieques qualify as a case of environmental injustice according to Robert M. Figueroa's 'environmental justice paradigm.' The aim of employing this kind of approach is to pinpoint the underlying reasons why this is a case of environmental injustice.


This qualitative research with a phenomenological approach searches to understand the meaning of care in the highly technical world of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), viewed from the nurses' perspective. It was developed in a University Hospital in Porto Alegre, RS, between 1998-2000, with seven nurses as participants. The instruments used to gather information were observation and semi-structured interviews. The analysis was based on the proposal of Martins and Bicudo, using the phenomenological modality or structure of the situated phenomenon, with two stages. The phenomenon emerged under the aspect of sixteen propositions revealing care in the ICU from the nurses' perspective.


Ionic liquids (ILs) are room-temperature molten salts that possess unique properties, such as negligible vapour pressure, good thermal stability and non-flammability, together with high ionic conductivity and a wide window of electrochemical stability. Combining ILs with polymer electrolytes offers the prospect of new applications e.g. in batteries and fuel cells, where they surpass the performance of conventional media such as organic solvents (in batteries) or water (in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells), giving advantages in terms of improved safety and a higher operating temperature range. However, the most important challenge is how to immobilize ILs in polymer matrices while retaining their sought-after properties. Our goal in this review is to survey the recent developments and issues within IL research in polymer electrolytes.


HYPOTHESIS
The recovery of osteoporosis or bone mineral density (BMD) after parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation can be improved in patients with symptomatic secondary hyperparathyroidism.

DESIGN
Case series.

SETTING
Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS
Forty-five patients with symptomatic secondary hyperparathyroidism who underwent total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation were included. They were divided into an osteoporotic group (n = 20) and a nonosteoporotic group (n = 25) according to preoperative T scores less than -2.5 at either the lumbar spine (L1-L4) or the femoral neck (FN).

INTERVENTIONS
Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and intact parathyroid hormone were checked before surgery and 1 day, 1 week, and 3 months after surgery. The BMDs of the FN and L1-L4 were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry before surgery and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS
Patients with osteoporosis were older (mean +/- SD, 50.2 +/- 14.0 years) than those without osteoporosis (42.7 +/- 9.1 years) (P =.04). Except for bone fractures found in 2 women in the osteoporotic group, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in sex, clinical manifestations, duration of dialysis, weight of removed parathyroid tissue, and types of dialysis. Also, serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and intact parathyroid hormone were similar in both groups. Both 1 day and 1 week after total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation, serum levels of calcium and intact parathyroid hormone decreased rapidly and then gradually increased 3 months later; however, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase increased rapidly and then gradually decreased 3 months later. Six months after parathyroidectomy, BMD, T score, and Z score at L1-L4 and the FN increased significantly (P<.001). The increment was much better in the osteoporotic group than in the nonosteoporotic group (P<.001). Also, osteopenia or osteoporosis improved significantly after parathyroidectomy at both L1-L4 and the FN (P<.001 for both).

CONCLUSION
Parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation can improve BMD of symptomatic secondary hyperparathyroidism at L1-L4 and the FN.


This research work was carried out to determine the bioadsorption of heavy metals from produced water using Mango (Mangifera indica) Peel and Corn (Zea mays) as bioadsorbents. The bioadsorbents were categorized into biomass and biochar and where characterized by determining the iodine number (microspore), Methylene Blue Number (specific surface area), % organic matter (loss in ignition), Ash Content, Moisture content, pH, TDS and TSS. The isothermal analysis showed that the experimental data are best fitted on the Langmuir model. The contact time, adsorption capacity and removal efficiency was determined through the Adsorption analysis and digestion. The absorbance and concentrations were recorded. Data were examined using the Langmuir isotherm and Chi-square. It was revealed that the biochar of corn cob and mango peel are viable materials for the removal of heavy metals from produced water with corn cob having the highest adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of 20.8% and 97.3% respectively. Their adsorption rate in heavy metal removal and reduction was within the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) regulatory standard and norm. The biomass is poor bioadsorbents which tends to dissolve their metallic nutrients back into the produced water solution. It was revealed that the highest rate of adsorption takes place at shorter contact time below the 30 mins experimented. Also, increasing pH results yields increasing rate of adsorption. The biochar of the bioadsorbents can be applied to larger scale industrial waste water replete with heavy metals.


excimer laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) may avoid the disadvantages of conventional DALK in case of conversion for young keratoconus patients. Femtosecond laser application is always performed with a mechanical coupling and induces deformation of the cornea due to suction. Therefore, results of femtosecond laser supported keratoplasty results in more decentration, donor-host disparity and higher amount of astigmatism and topographic irregularity – especially in advanced keratoconus. Nevertheless, it is considered state-of-the-art for LASIK flaps and indispensable for intrastromal ring segments in keratoconus. Recently, the picosecond infrared laser (PIRL) a new promising technology for applanation-free corneal trephination has been introduced. In the future a "non-contact" femtosecond laser system for corneal trephination might be considered.


We prove that the matrix elements of four fermion operators mediating the decays B macro (0)-->D(+)pi(-) and B--->D(0)pi(-) factor into the product of a form factor describing the B-->D transition and a convolution of a short distance coefficient with the nonperturbative pion light-cone wave function. This is shown to all orders in alpha(s), with corrections suppressed by factors of 1/m(b), 1/m(c), and 1/E(pi). It is not necessary to assume that the pion state is dominated by the qq macro Fock state.


The pathology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of acute cholecystitis are outlined with reference to 311 cases out of a total of 631 patients treated for gallstones over a 15-year period. Operative procedures and the choice of antibiotics are discussed.


Background: Leishmaniasis manifests as visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL) or a dermal sequel of VL, known as Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical and laboratory features of cases diagnosed with leishmaniasis. Methods: This hospital-based retrospective study included all cases of VL, PKDL, and CL diagnosed between Jan 2011 to Jan 2016 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Clinical and laboratory profile of the diagnosed cases were analyzed in detail. All diagnosed cases were mapped according to the state and the district from which the cases originated. Results: A total of 91 VL cases and 4 PKDL cases were reviewed. Only one case of CL (1 female) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (1 female) were observed during the study period. Majority of the cases of VL (75/91) originated from Bihar. The most common presenting symptoms in all our patients were fever (97.8%), weight loss (40.6%) and abdominal discomfort (17.6%) while the most common presenting signs were hepatosplenomegaly (45.8%), isolated splenomegaly (23.1%) and skin pigmentation (11%). The most common laboratory abnormality was anaemia followed by thrombocytopenia and leucopenia. Conclusion: VL is globally recognized as a neglected tropical disease. Even after continued effort to bring down its transmission in India, it continues to affect the endemic states with reports from new pockets.


In this study, we examined the ability or wortmannin to modulate chlorambucil (CLB) cytotoxicity in lymphocyte samples from patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). It has been suggested previously that enhanced cross-link repair is a primary mechanism of resistance to nitrogen mustards (NMs) in B-CLL. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is involved in the repair of double-strand breaks and in rejoining steps in recombination mechanisms. Mutants defective in this process are hypersensitive to alkylating agents. We have recently demon strated that the activity of DNA-PK is a determinant in the cellular response of B-CLL to CLB. The DNA-PK gene has homology to the PI 10 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K). Wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI 10 PI 3-K, also inhibits DNA-PK activity in vitro. We investigated the effect of wortmannin on DNA-PK activity and CLB toxicity in the lymphocytes from 11 patients with B-CLL. Our results demonstrate that DNA-PK activity is decreased after exposure to wortmannin in a dose-dependent manner. Wortmannin, at nontoxic concentrations, synergistically sensi tized B-CLL lymphocytes to the effects of CLB. Moreover, we observed a significant correlation when we compared the fold decrease in DNA-PK activity and the synergistic value (/), obtained when wortmannin was used at 0.1 /IM. In the resistant B-CLL lymphocyte samples, there was a highly significant correlation between the ability of wortmannin at 0.1 and 0.25 /UMto decrease the level of DNA-PK activity and to increase CLB sensi tivity. In a model of primary human tumor cells, our findings suggest that the inhibition of DNA-PK activity may be a powerful way to overcome resistance to NMs such as CLB and point to new possibilities to improve the effectiveness of NM therapy.


One of the last decisions of the Rabuka Government was to return the ownership of customary marine tenure (CMT) areas to indigenous Fijian resource owners. This decision, if legalised, would rectify one of the points of contention regarding the transition in resource ownership rights in Fiji after Cession to Britain in 1874: i) The decision would return the ownership of CMT areas to indigenous Fijians who under previous constitutions had only the right to fish as opposed to ownership rights; ii) The decision would formalise the empowerment of resource owners under the integration of the traditional system of resource management and more contemporary arrangements; iii) The decision would also highlight the important role that resource owners can play in the management and use of marine resources within their realm. The CMT system in Fiji offers useful lessons to the world on the empowerment of resource owners. The Government has recorded, demarcated and registered customary fishing grounds. The people, through their chiefs, decide on the use of their fishing areas. In recent times, owners of CMT areas have banned commercial fishing and the use of certain fishing gear. In other places, the resource owners have taken up resource management exercises such as monitoring, the replanting of mangroves and declaration of marine conservation and protected areas. These are good signs but a lot is still needed to be done to ensure that the full potential of the measures to empower the resource owners, that are being pioneered in Fiji, are fully realised.


We study $d$-wave superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene and reveal new phenomena that arise due to the moir\'e superlattice. In the $d$-wave pairing, the relative motion (RM) of two electrons in a Cooper pair can have either $d_+$ or $d_-$ symmetry with opposite angular momenta. Due to the enlarged moir\'e superlattice, the center-of-mass motion (COMM) can also carry a finite angular momentum while preserving the moir\'e periodicity. By matching the total angular momentum, which has contributions from both the RM and the COMM, Cooper pairs with $d_+$ and $d_-$ RMs are intrinsically coupled in a way such that the COMM associated with one of the RMs has a spontaneous vortex-antivortex lattice configuration. Another new phenomenon is that the chiral $d$-wave state carries spontaneous circulating supercurrent in the bulk. The chiral $d$-wave superconductors are gapped and also topological as characterized by quantized Chern number. Nematic $d$-wave superconductors, which could be stabilized, for example, by uniaxial strain, are gapless with point nodes.


This Note recommends federal policy reform and local implementation in order to decrease the immigration backlog and protect the rights of non-citizens in immigration proceedings. Although non-citizens hold many of the fundamental rights and freedoms enumerated in the Constitution, several core rights— including due process and the right to counsel—are not rigorously upheld in the context of immigration proceeding. By carefully regulating expanded access to representation and ending unnecessary immigration detention, the Executive Office of Immigration Review and Congress will ensure the swift administration of justice and protect non-citizens under the federal government's jurisdiction.


This study sets out a novel method to determine dispersal distances in lichens. Direct measurement of dispersal often remains difficult for lichens and other small inconspicuous species because of the need to track microscopic reproductive propagules, which even if they can be captured, cannot be identified using traditional morphological approaches. A low‐cost device (<£200) was developed to trap the reproductive propagules of lichens, capable of sampling around 0.1 m3 of air per minute. In parallel, molecular techniques were developed to enable species‐specific detection of propagules caught by the devices, with identification using novel species‐specific primers and optimization of a standard DNA extraction and nested PCR protocol. The methods were tested for both their sensitivity and specificity against a suite of lichen epiphytes, differing in their reproductive mechanisms, dispersal structures and rarity. Sensitivity tests showed that the molecular techniques could detect a single asexual propagule (soredium or isidium), or as few as 10 sexual spores. As proof of concept, propagule traps were deployed into a wooded landscape where the target epiphytes were present. Extractions from deployed propagule traps were sequenced, showing that the method was able to detect the presence of the target species in the atmosphere. As far as we are aware, this is the first attempt to use mechanized propagule traps in combination with DNA diagnostics to detect dispersal of lichens. The tests carried out here point the way for future dispersal studies of lichen epiphytes and other passively dispersed microscopic organisms including fungi or bryophytes.


We consider the problem of cooperative precoding for controlling interference in the downlink of a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) interference channel. A model for the multicell, multiuser, MIMO system is analyzed, and a criterion to simultaneously maximize the SINRs of users sharing a common spectral resource is provided. An asymptotically optimal solution is then proposed as the number of users per sector (U) and the number of resources (B) in the system become large, within a specific framework for scheduling co-channel users in interfering cells. Based on this, a heuristic algorithm for distributed cooperative precoder selection (CPS) is proposed for application in practical systems with finite B and U values. System performance gains measured in terms of mean cell throughput and cell-edge spectral efficiency values are estimated using numerical simulations. The proposed technique takes into account practical constraints such as limiting the information exchanged from the user equipments to the serving base stations, and amongst the cooperating base stations, to a modest level.


Synovial fluid cells in Reiter's syndrome were studied by cell subset specific monoclonal antibodies and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex staining. Mean leucocyte count was 9842/mm3 (9.842 X 10(9)/l), and 71% of all cells were polymorphonuclear leucocytes. 26 +/- 11 (SEM)% and 47 +/- 5% of all mononuclear cells in synovial fluid were M1+ monocytes and Ia+ cells, respectively. T11+ T lymphocyte was the predominant synovial fluid mononuclear cell (61 +/- 8%) but, in contrast to the inflammatory joint effusions in rheumatoid arthritis, T4+ cells clearly outnumbered T8+ cells in Reiter's syndrome. Thus the synovial fluid in Reiter's syndrome contains the immunocompetent and accessory cells required for immune response, which in fact is activated as suggested by lymphocyte Ia expression. Furthermore, in contrast with rheumatoid arthritis inducer/helper cells with T4 phenotype seem to be involved preferentially in the local pathogenetic mechanisms in Reiter's syndrome.


Grazing incidence X‐ray scattering (GIXS) is used to characterize the morphology of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)–phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) thin film bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blends as a function of thermal annealing temperature, from room temperature to 220 °C. A custom‐built heating chamber for in situ GIXS studies allows for the morphological characterization of thin films at elevated temperatures. Films annealed with a thermal gradient allow for the rapid investigation of the morphology over a range of temperatures that corroborate the results of the in situ experiments. Using these techniques the following are observed: the melting points of each component; an increase in the P3HT coherence length with annealing below the P3HT melting temperature; the formation of well‐oriented P3HT crystallites with the (100) plane parallel to the substrate, when cooled from the melt; and the cold crystallization of PCBM associated with the PCBM glass transition temperature. The incorporation of these materials into BHJ blends affects the nature of these transitions as a function of blend ratio. These results provide a deeper understanding of the physics of how thermal annealing affects the morphology of polymer–fullerene BHJ blends and provides tools to manipulate the blend morphology in order to develop high‐performance organic solar cell devices.


PURPOSE
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the fourth leading cancer for women in the United States. Understanding of the biology and clinical behavior of DCIS is imperfect. This article highlights the current knowledge base and the scientific roadmap needed to advance the field.

METHODS
This article is based on work done by and consultations obtained from leading experts in the field over a 6-month period that culminated in a full-day symposium designed to systematically review the most pertinent MEDLINE published reports and develop a roadmap to elucidate the molecular steps of carcinogenesis, reduce the extent or prevent the need for therapies, eliminate recurrences, and reduce morbidity.

RESULTS
Expression profiling of pure DCIS will help elucidate the molecular characteristics that distinguish high-risk lesions from clinically irrelevant lesions. The development of new methods of extracting RNA from processed tissues may provide opportunities for research. Mammography often underestimates the pathologic extent of DCIS; other imaging methods need to be investigated for detection and monitoring of disease stability or progression. Novel biologic agents are being delivered in neoadjuvant clinical trials, and alternative methods for breast irradiation are being studied. Future trials of treatment versus no treatment for biologically selected cases of DCIS should be developed.

CONCLUSION
There is a critical need for a concerted international effort among patients with DCIS, clinicians, and basic scientists to conduct the research necessary to improve fundamental understanding of the biology and clinical behavior of DCIS and prevent development of invasive breast cancer.


The global agricultural sector consumes a large amount of fresh water for irrigation. Less than half of agricultural wastewater is properly treated before discharging to environment or recycling. Treatment of agricultural wastewater for reuse in irrigation can alleviate burden on water resources as well as protect the environment from detri-mental effects caused by various organics, pesticides, and soluble ions in the wastewater stream. This work reviews several current membrane technologies that are applied at removing the pollutants in agricultural wastewater. Subsequently, several strategies to further improve membranes' performance are highlighted. The advancement of materials science at the nanometer scale can assist the fabrication of membranes with higher selectivity of pollutant removal, higher permeate flux, and lower membrane fouling.


We report on the enhanced performance of polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells composed of an iridium complex with pendant sodium cations (pqIrpicNa) as an energy donor, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as an energy acceptor, polyethylene oxide (PEO) as an ion channel, and PCBM as an electron acceptor. With the iridium complex and PEO as additives, we observe a 20% increase in the current density, from 8.57 mA cm−2 to 10.24 mA cm−2, and a photoconversion efficiency of up to 3.4%. The observed enhancement in current density comes primarily from an efficient triplet–singlet energy transfer from the iridium complex to P3HT. Transient photoluminescence studies reveal triplet–singlet energy transfer efficiency from pqIrpicNa to P3HT of over 99%. Because of this high energy transfer efficiency, an enhancement is observed in the incident photon-to-conversion efficiency spectrum between 350 and 550 nm, which overlaps with the absorption range of the iridium complex. We also observe enhanced nanophase segregation of the active layer with pqIrpicaNa and PEO by atomic force microscopy. We propose that the observed enhancement in the current density stems not only from the enhancement in the morphology with the iridium complex, but also from the enhanced mobility of the sodium cations toward the metal electrodes through the ion channel of PEO under sunlight, which results in an increased charge collection at the electrodes.


Recently, fault tolerant secure multicast services have received much attention among researchers. The fundamental challenge revolves around developing a selfstabilized, fault tolerant secure multicast model. In this paper, the fault tolerant nature of different secure multicast models are evaluated and analyzed. Also the recently proposed LeaSel model [Z] is implemented, experimentally tested and analyzed to determine its fault tolerance behavior. The results show that for different numbers of members in the group, the LeaSel model exhibits selfstabilization propetty and proves to be absolutely fault tolerant.


To investigate the mechanisms of iron acquisition in avian haemophili, strains of Haemophilus paragallinarum and H. avium were tested for siderophore production and utilization of transferrin iron for growth. No evidence of siderophore production was detected in either of these species using a functional screening assay. H. paragallinarum, but not strains of H. avium, was able to acquire iron from 30% saturated chicken and turkey transferrins but not from human, porcine, or bovine transferrins. In response to iron limitation, H. paragallinarum expressed four iron-regulated outer-membrane proteins of 53, 62, 66, and 94 kilodaltons (kDa). Only the 53- and 94-kDa proteins were detected in the H. avium strains. Using affinity methods, the 94- and 53-kDa proteins were isolated specifically by chicken or turkey transferrin, indicating that they may be equivalent to transferrin binding proteins (TBP1 and TBP2, respectively) isolated from other bacterial species. The isolation of the 62- and 66-kDa proteins in association with TBP1 and TBP2 under less stringent washing conditions only in H. paragallinarum implicates these proteins in the iron acquisition process.


This article represents a vision about how DNA might act as a topological quantum computer (tqc). Tqc means that the braidings of braid strands define tqc programs and M-matrix (generalization of S-matrix in zero energy ontology) defining the entanglement between states assignable to the end points of strands define the tqc usually coded as unitary time evolution for Schodinger equation. One can ends up to the model in the following manner.

a) Darwinian selection for which the standard theory of self-organization provides a model, should apply also to tqc programs. Tqc programs should correspond to asymptotic self-organization patterns selected by dissipation in the presence of metabolic energy feed. The spatial and temporal pattern of the metabolic energy feed characterizes the tqc program - or equivalently - sub-program call.

b) Since braiding characterizes the tqc program, the self-organization pattern should correspond to a hydrodynamical flow or a pattern of magnetic field inducing the braiding. Braid strands must correspond to magnetic flux tubes of the magnetic body of DNA. If each nucleotide is transversal magnetic dipole it gives rise to transversal flux tubes, which can also connect to the genome of another cell. As a matter fact, the flux tubes would correspond to what I call wormhole magnetic fields having pairs of space-time sheets carrying opposite magnetic fluxes.

c) The output of tqc sub-program is probability distribution for the outcomes of state function reduction so that the sub-program must be repeated very many times. It is represented as four-dimensional patterns for various rates (chemical rates, nerve pulse patterns, EEG power distributions, ...) having also identification as temporal densities of zero energy states in various scales. By the fractality of TGD Universe there is a hierarchy of tqcs corresponding to p-adic and dark matter hierarchies. Programs (space-time sheets defining coherence regions) call programs in shorter scale. If the self-organizing system has a periodic behavior each tqc module defines a large number of almost copies of itself asymptotically. Generalized EEG could naturally define this periodic pattern and each period of EEG would correspond to an initiation and halting of tqc. This brings in mind the periodically occurring sol-gel phase transition inside cell near the cell membrane. There is also a connection with hologram idea: EEG rhythm corresponds to reference wave and nerve pulse patters to the wave carrying the information and interfering with the reference wave.

d) Fluid flow must induce the braiding which requires that the ends of braid strands must be anchored to the fluid flow. Recalling that lipid mono-layers of the cell membrane are liquid crystals and lipids of interior mono-layer have hydrophilic ends pointing towards cell interior, it is easy to guess that DNA nucleotides are connected to lipids by magnetic flux tubes and hydrophilic lipid ends are stuck to the flow.

e) The topology of the braid traversing cell membrane cannot be affected by the hydrodynamical flow. Hence braid strands must be split during tqc. This also induces the desired magnetic isolation from the environment. Halting of tqc reconnects them and make possible the communication of the outcome of tqc.

The model makes several testable predictions about DNA itself. In particular, matter-antimatter asymmetry and slightly broken isospin symmetry have counterparts at DNA level induced from the breaking of these symmetries for quarks and antiquarks associated with the flux tubes. DNA cell membrane system is not the only possible system that could perform tqc like activities and store memories in braidings: flux tubes could connect biomolecules and the braiding could provide an almost definition for what it is to be living. Even water memory might reduce to braidings.

The model leads also to an improved understanding of other roles of the magnetic flux tubes containing dark matter. Phase transitions changing the value of Planck constant for the magnetic flux tubes could be key element of bio-catalysis and electromagnetic long distance communications in living matter. For instance, one ends up to what might be called code for protein folding and bio-catalysis. There is also a fascinating connection with Peter Gariaev's work suggesting that the phase transitions changing Planck constant have been observed and wormhole magnetic flux tubes containing dark matter have been photographed in his experiments.


Nowadays, the concern of vehicle manufacturers towards improving engine performance, reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions that can cause the pollution of the atmosphere, concerns of strict emission pollution control regulations. Intercooler heat exchanger devices are used for engine charge air temperature improving for engine performance and emissions reduction. This paper introduces a new add-on technology of intercooler heat exchanger- (IHE) developed for utilizing in intake charge air density enhancement in engine combustion for better performance. Presenting a challenge in contributing a framework process for geometry designing development procedure for accurate and reliable scale design size of an air-vapour gas shell-and-tube IHE type, used refrigerant coolant medium. The process presents effective IHE in design time consumption, accurate in scale with higher performance and reliability operation in all environment weather due to reversibility system. A selected design geometry of 60 bunches of tubes with 7.53 mm inner diameter and 150 mm long placed. Effectiveness and design parameter geometry calculation are conditions of the IHE dependent relations of the shell size to tube length in condition of engine space availability control. Pressure drop and cooling capacity of IHE configuration design are proportional to the availability of design space or pressure drop control by the engine. Numerical and simulation results expressed a significant ability of IHE of 2–13 kW cooling load and process applicability for qualified design geometry configuration for selected IHE type. The developments present significant geometry flexibility design with the ability of cooling load or heating effect if reversible system, which offered multipurpose use in widely all vehicle types.


Abstract We study how unconventional monetary policy affects the shape of the yield curve and, conversely, the predictive power of short-run yield curve dynamics for the policy event. Two types of unconventional monetary policy measures are analysed: i) announcements and actions related to extension of central bank liquidity and ii) secondary market purchases. We find that ex-post effects on the shape of the yield curve differ substantially both in size and direction. Specifically, sovereign debt purchases are found to instantaneously lower and flatten the curve, while liquidity related actions steepen the curve, albeit mildly and for a very limited time. Further to that, the predictive power of yield curve dynamics in relation to policy implementation is supportive only for the latter signal. These findings broadly align both with the design of unconventional policy measures and with the horizon in which they are deemed to become effective.


Video games have evolved to become a pervasive format which is beyond entertainment, enjoyed by a broad group of people rather than as a niche activity by hardcore gamers. However, to date, academic studies focusing on game localization and accessibility are few and far between, despite the fact that further research in localization and accessibility would be beneficial to all. The different contributions in this pioneering volume address the emerging fields of Game Accessibility and Game Localization from different angles, providing insightful information about these relatively unexplored academic areas with such close tights to the industry. The volume is divided in two sections: the first section includes four contributions on Game Accessibility, dealing with issues such as universally accessible games and guidelines for promoting accessibility. The second section of the book includes nine contributions focussing on different issues affecting game translation and localization, such as case studies, culturalization, fan translation, and terminology management for the game localization industry.


It is well known that flow plays an important role in the formation, transportation, and dispersion of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. What was heretofore not known was that the formation of tower structures in these biofilms is strongly shear stress dependent; there is, in fact, a narrow range of shear stresses in which the phenomenon occurs. This work quantifies the observed shear dependence in terms of cell growth, distribution, and fluid mechanics. It represents an important first step in opening up a line of questioning as to the interaction of fluid forces and their influence on the dynamics of tower formation, break-off, and transportation in biofilms by identifying the parameter space in which this phenomenon occurs. We have also introduced state-of-the-art flow measurement techniques to address this problem. ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus bacteria form biofilms and distinctive microcolony or "tower" structures that facilitate their ability to tolerate antibiotic treatment and to spread within the human body. The formation of microcolonies, which break off, get carried downstream, and serve to initiate biofilms in other parts of the body, is of particular interest here. It is known that flow conditions play a role in the development, dispersion, and propagation of biofilms in general. The influence of flow on microcolony formation and, ultimately, what factors lead to microcolony development are, however, not well understood. The hypothesis being examined is that microcolony structures form within a specific range of levels of shear stress. In this study, laminar shear flow over a range of 0.15 to 1.5 dynes/cm2 was examined. It was found that microcolony structures form in a narrow range of shear stresses around 0.6 dynes/cm2. Further, measurements of cell density as a function of space and time showed that shear dependence can be observed hours before microcolonies form. This is significant because, among other physiologic flows, this is the same shear stress found in large veins in the human vasculature, which, along with catheters of similar diameters and flow rates, may therefore play a critical role in biofilm development and subsequent spreading of infections throughout the body. IMPORTANCE It is well known that flow plays an important role in the formation, transportation, and dispersion of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. What was heretofore not known was that the formation of tower structures in these biofilms is strongly shear stress dependent; there is, in fact, a narrow range of shear stresses in which the phenomenon occurs. This work quantifies the observed shear dependence in terms of cell growth, distribution, and fluid mechanics. It represents an important first step in opening up a line of questioning as to the interaction of fluid forces and their influence on the dynamics of tower formation, break-off, and transportation in biofilms by identifying the parameter space in which this phenomenon occurs. We have also introduced state-of-the-art flow measurement techniques to address this problem.


Agriculture is responsible for 5% to 10% of the global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Livestock contribute about 65% of agricultural GHG and enteric fermentation accounts for 90% of this. The global warming potential of CH4 is known to be 23 times more than that of carbon dioxide, resulting in it being a significant role player in the greenhouse gas family. The laser methane detector (LMD) is an instrument that has the potential to measure enteric CH4 emission from livestock under normal husbandry activities. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficiency and results, when using the LMD to measure CH4 production under normal production conditions. Twelve heifers, four each from the Bonsmara, Nguni and Jersey breeds, were subjected to grazing natural veld, forage sorghum under irrigation, oats pasture under irrigation or a total mixed ration. Measurements were taken late afternoon (18:00) when the animals were ruminating. Four repeated measurements, lasting 60 seconds each, were taken on 10 consecutive days on each of the production systems. The animals were adapted for a period of 14 days on the specific feed, before the measurements were taken. The Jersey heifers produced significantly less CH4 than the Bonsmara and Nguni on natural veld, with no significant differences between breeds on the forage sorghum. On natural veld the heifers generated 48% more CH4. These results thus indicate that the LMD produce sensible and repeatable measurements that can be interpreted in respect of CH4 production by cattle. The next step will be to increase the number of breeds, numbers per breed, and feeding strategies over all seasons in order to validate and build up a baseline data set on the use of the LMD to measure CH4 emissions from cattle under different grazing conditions. Keywords : Heifers, methane emission, pastures, total mixed ration


Several analogs of the cytotoxic thiopeptide IB-01211 or Mechercharmycin A (1) have been synthetized. The cytotoxicity of 1 and the synthetized analogs was evaluated against a panel of three human tumor cell lines. Thiopeptide 1 and the most active derivatives, 2 and 3c, were chosen for further studies like effects on cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis. Interestingly, the inhibition of cell division and activation of a programmed cell death by apoptosis was detected.


The article presents a methodography of a collaborative design workshop conducted with national and international statisticians. The workshop was part of an ethnographic research project on innovation in European official statistics. It aimed to bring academic researchers and statisticians together to collaborate on the design of app prototypes that imagine citizens as co-producers of official statistics rather than only data subjects. However, the objective was not to settle on an end product but to see if relations to citizens could be re-imagined. Through a methodography composed of two ethnographic narratives, we analyse whether and how a collaborative design workshop brought about imaginings of citizens as co-producers. To retrospectively analyse the workshop, we draw on feminist and material-semiotic takes on 'friction' as characteristic of collaboration. 'Friction', we suggest, can enlarge the repertoire of collaborative speculative practice beyond notions of rupture or consensus. Finally, we suggest that this analysis demonstrates the potential of methodography for opening up and reflecting on method in STS through eliciting the possibilities of collaboration.


Abstract Our study area is located in northwestern Argentina. It is a semiarid valley in which developed agricultural pre-Columbian settlements were located. The objectives of our research were to establish the geomorphological characteristics of the area, its relative chronological development, and the relationships between geomorphological development and pre-Columbian settlements. Pre-Quaternary lithologies are represented by a metamorphic basement that is commonly exposed on slopes and belongs to the Precambrian and Cambrian periods. Tertiary sediments from several formations are exposed over an extensive surface forming cuesta relief landforms. Quaternary landscape units were classified according to their genesis into structural–denudational landforms (denudational slopes and structural scarps), denudational landforms (covered glacis), fluvio-alluvial landforms (alluvial fans, fluvial fans, and fluvial terraces) and aeolian forms (stabilized dunes). Archaeological sites belonging to the Formative (500 BC–AD 1000) and Regional Development (AD 1000–1500) periods were identified. The main archaeological sites are located on the surfaces of debris-flow deposits and some covered glacis. They are characterized by the presence of residential units together with agricultural structures (terraces and irrigation channels). The earlier settlements (Formative period) are restricted to alluvial fan landforms (debris-flow deposits), where present hydrological supply is lower than in the rest of the study area. Later settlements (Regional Development period) are juxtaposed with earlier settlements in the south of the area, where present hydrological supply is higher owing to larger river catchments and moisture-laden winds from the SE.


In Griffiths and De Vries 2013 (G&dV), we offer an argument in favor of treating appositive relative clauses (ARCs) as syntactically integrated into their hosts, an argument that revolves around the distribution of ARCs in clausal ellipsis environments. In a reply, Ott (2016) counters this specific argument, rejects the more general integration analysis adopted in G&dV on conceptual grounds, and contends that an orphanage analysis of ARCs provides a more parsimonious explanation for the data introduced there. In this rejoinder, we demonstrate that, while Ott presents some relevant data and provides welcome discussion, his specific counterargument does not withstand scrutiny. We also defend the integration approach to ARCs on conceptual and empirical grounds and examine the orphanage analysis of ARCs, arguing that such an approach has conceptual and empirical inadequacies that no integration approach exhibits.


Aspirin (ASA) beside inhibiting platelet thromboxane A2 (TxA2) can suppress the formation of renal prostacyclin (PGI2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which play a crucial role in the control of renal hemodynamics. Previous studies based on urinary PG measurements have suggested that p.o. ASA can spare renal cyclooxygenase. We wanted to establish by direct measurement whether p.o. ASA has a renal sparing effect and to establish to which extent changes in renal cyclooxygenase activity can be predicted measuring urinary excretion of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2. Our results showed that in normal rats 10 mg/kg of ASA given p.o. partially inhibits platelet TxA2 formation (measured as serum TxB2) and does not inhibit glomerular and medullary PGI2 and PGE2 synthesis. Higher doses of ASA (30-200 mg/kg) effectively and completely inhibit platelet TxA2 independently if given p.o. or i.v., and also inhibit glomerular and medullary PG synthesis. The kinetics of the effect of ASA on platelet vs. renal cyclooxygenase is different: the inhibition being irreversible in platelets, but rapidly reversible in glomeruli and medulla. Six hours after the administration of 10 and 30 mg/kg i.v. and 30 mg/kg p.o., kidney cyclooxygenase activity recovers completely. This transient inhibition of renal cyclooxygenase is not reflected by urinary excretion of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 (6- and 24-hr collection periods). In conclusion our present results indicate that doses of ASA enough to inhibit platelet TxA2, transiently inhibit glomerular and medullary PGI2 and PGE2. Although the inhibitory effect on platelets is long lasting, the effect on renal cyclooxygenase is transient and rapidly reversible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Perceptron-like learning rules are known to require exponentially many correction steps in order to identify boolean threshold functions exactly. We introduce criteria that are weaker than exact identification and investigate whether learning becomes significantly faster if exact identification is replaced by one of these criteria: probably approximately correct (PAC) identification, order identification, and sign identification. PAC identification is based on the learning paradigm introduced by Valiant (1984) and is known to be easier than exact identification. Order identification uses the fact that each threshold function induces an ordering relation on the input variables that can be represented by weights of linear size. Sign identification is based on a property of threshold functions known as unateness and requires only weights of constant size. We show that Perceptron-like learning rules cannot satisfy these criteria when the number of correction steps is to be bounded by a polynomial. We also present an exponential lower bound for order identification with the learning rules introduced by Littlestone (1988). Our results show that efficiency imposes severe restrictions on what can be learned with local learning rules.


Biochemical signals, such as growth factors, cytokines, and transcription factors are known to play a crucial role in regulating a variety of cellular activities as well as maintaining the normal function of different tissues and organs. If the biochemical signals are assumed to be one side of the coin, the other side comprises biophysical cues. There is growing evidence showing that biophysical signals, and in particular mechanical cues, also play an important role in different stages of human life ranging from morphogenesis during embryonic development to maturation and maintenance of tissue and organ function throughout life. In order to investigate how mechanical signals influence cell and tissue function, tremendous efforts have been devoted to fabricating various materials and devices for delivering mechanical stimuli to cells and tissues. Here, an overview of the current state of the art in the design and development of such materials and devices is provided, with a focus on their design principles, and challenges and perspectives for future research directions are highlighted.


The ontology used by most card catalog and bibliographic systems is based on a now outdated assumption that users of the systems would be looking for books on shelves, and therefore only books were first-class objects, with people, organizations, etc. as simple attributes. This limited the ability of a user to browse. A new ontology for card catalog systems is proposed that suggests that persons, organizations, conferences, etc., should be first-class objects with attributes and relations of their own, creating a rich space of background information that helps users find what they are looking for. This new ontology has been implemented in a knowledge-based system called Untangle, which demonstrates two key advantages of this rich information space: it enables automatic augmentation of the data through reasoning, and it enables a new paradigm for search that combines querying and browsing.


To define the receptor binding site of retinol-binding protein (RBP) we have generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to human RBP and examined their ability to interfere with the receptor binding. MAbs to two conserved regions efficiently blocked the binding. No major conformational changes in the protein occurred upon mAb binding, since the mAbs could co-immunoprecipitate the RBP-transthyretin (TTR) complex. One blocking mAb showed reactivity to a synthetic peptide corresponding to one entrance loop of the retinol-binding pocket (amino acid residues 60-70). Thus, our results show that at least one of the entrance loops of the barrel of RBP is located in or close to the receptor binding site. It can also be concluded that the receptor and TTR binding sites involve different regions of RBP.


To solve the existing shortage of cutting drill, a multi-function excavator drill with hydraulic rotary cutting and pneumatic impact was invented on the base of market investigation, which is suitable for different rocks because of combining hydraulic rotary cutting with pneumatic impacting. If working on the soft rock, the new drill will turn off the pneumatic rock drill, replace the drill bit and only operate with the rotary power head, while on the hard rock it will operate efficiently with the rotary power head and the pneumatic rock drill. The new drill has many features, such as compact structure, the capacity of meeting a variety of drilling requirements, wider operating range, lower energy consumption, higher drilling efficiency, comfortable and flexible operation, and lower cost.


Technically useful hybrid micro- and nanocomposite materials might be prepared by solgel processing. Inorganic dopants (acids, metal salts) and organic modifiers (polyols, polyionens) as well as fillers (metal oxides, detonation diamond) were involved into the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)- derived sols to modify sol-gel system properties. Influence of the above mentioned additives on parameters xerogels and films prepared (covering capacity, surface morphology, phase compositions, fractal parameters, and some others physicochemical properties) has been shown. Simultaneous use of dopants, organic modifiers and fillers has allowed preparing new hybrid nanocomposite materials. for microelectronics, electrical and power engineering.


OBJECTIVE
Comparison of psychoactive medication prescribing and Medicaid expenditures before (1987 through 1988) and after (1989 through 1990) institution of the New York State triplicate benzodiazepine regulations.

DATA SOURCES
The National Prescription Audit (IMS America, Plymouth Meeting, Pa), New York State Medicaid, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield fo the Rochester (NY) Area.

RESULTS
From 1988 to 1989, New York State benzodiazepine prescribing decreased by 44%, 60%, and 30% as assessed by IMS America, Medicaid, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, respectively. Prescribing of the following alternative sedative-hypnotics increased in New York State compared with decreases nationally (IMS America data): meprobamate, +125% vs -9%; methyprylon, +84% vs -15%; ethchlorvynol, +29% vs -18%; butabarbital, +31% vs -15%; hydroxyzine, +15% vs -1.1%; and chloralhydrate, +136% vs -0.4%. Increased prescribing of alternatives was also seen in the Medicaid and Blue Cross/Blue Shield data. Medicaid benzodiazepine expenditures decreased 52% from 1988 to 1989 ($21.7 million to $10.4 million). Alternative sedative expenditures increased 115% ($3.9 million to $8.4 million). Total Medicaid psychoactive medication expenditures remained nearly constant ($46.7 million to $45.6 million).

CONCLUSION
Although the triplicate regulations have decreased benzodiazepine prescribing, an undesirable increase has occurred in the prescribing of less acceptable medications. The wider public health, patient care, and financial implications of triplicate benzodiazepine regulations are of concern and require further study before other jurisdictions undertake similar programs.


Immunogenomics![Figure][1]

Seven progenitor cells lead to a variety of blood cells

PHOTO: ANDREW SYRED/SCIENCE SOURCE

There are many different types of blood cells that originate from a single progenitor cell, but their developmental pathways are not well understood. Applying single-cell sequencing to mouse bone marrow cell populations, Paul et al. identify seven myeloid progenitor states indicating developmental heterogeneity among these cells. Characterizing cellular in vivo functions, they find clusters of cells that express previously well-characterized transcriptional profiles in both rare and common cell types, as well as novel profiles helping demarcate different cellular lineages.

Cell 163 , 1663 (2015).

 [1]: pending:yes