BACKGROUND & AIMS
Two genes (MAT1A and MAT2A) encode for methionine adenosyltransferase, an essential enzyme responsible for S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) biosynthesis. MAT1A is expressed in liver, whereas MAT2A is widely distributed. In liver, increased MAT2A expression is associated with growth, while SAMe inhibits MAT2A expression and growth. The role of MAT2A in colon cancer in unknown. The aims of this study were to examine whether MAT2A expression and SAMe and its metabolite methylthioadenosine (MTA) can modulate growth of colon cancer cells.

METHODS
Studies were conducted using resected colon cancer specimens, polyps from Min mice, and human colon cancer cell lines RKO and HT-29. MAT2A expression was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and cell growth by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.

RESULTS
In 12 of 13 patients and all 9 polyps from Min mice, the MAT2A messenger RNA levels were 200%-340% of levels in adjacent normal tissues, respectively. Epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, and leptin increased growth and up-regulated MAT2A expression and MAT2A promoter activity in RKO and HT-29 cells. SAMe and MTA lowered the baseline expression of MAT2A and blocked the growth factor-mediated increase in MAT2A expression and growth in colon cancer cell lines. Importantly, the mitogenic effect of these growth factors was inhibited if MAT2A induction was prevented by RNA interference. SAMe and MTA supplementation in drinking water increased intestinal SAMe levels and lowered MAT2A expression.

CONCLUSIONS
Similar to the liver, up-regulation of MAT2A also provides a growth advantage and SAMe and MTA can block mitogenic signaling in colon cancer cells.


Iron overload disease due to mutations in ferroportin has a dominant inheritance and a variable clinical phenotype, such that some patients show early Küpffer cell iron loading and low transferrin saturation, while others show hepatocyte iron loading and high transferrin saturation. Studies expressing ferroportin mutant proteins in cultured cells have shown that mutant proteins fall into two main classes; proteins that do not localize to the cell surface and are unable to export iron, and those that localize to the cell surface but are unable to respond to the antimicrobial peptide hepcidin. Patients with mutant ferroportin proteins that do not localize to the cell surface show typical ferroportin disease with low transferrin saturation and early Küpffer cell iron loading, while patients with mutant proteins unable to respond to hepcidin show high transferrin saturation and early hepatocyte iron loading similar to classic hereditary hemochromatosis. The dominant genetic transmission of ferroportin-linked disorders is explained by the in vitro data, which suggest that ferroportin is a multimer and that the behavior of the mutant protein can affect the behavior of the wild type protein.


Clay based ceramic is one of the most used materials in the form of construction blocks, bricks and tiles. Sintering of clay powders is recommended to be carried out above 900°C to benefit from fluxing phase consolidation. However, solid state consolidation of clay bodies made with mixture of powders may occur bellow this temperature by surface diffusion within the nanopores of the layered silicate particles. The objective of this work was to characterize the activation energy for the sintering of plastic clay at temperatures bellow 900°C. Cylindrical samples of sintered kaolinitic clay powders were tested by diametrical compression at 500, 600, 700 and 800°C in the time interval from 5 minutes to 50 hours. The results showed that the value found for the activation energy could be related to the diffusion of the mineral species that compose the clay. Moreover, this activation value corroborates the efficiency of lower sintering temperature for practical fabrication of clay based ceramics.


A method for an adequate visualization of a microwave intense noise spectrum envelope in a wide frequency range (several octaves), measurement of its power parameters, and detection of a narrow-band signal with unknown frequency and power against the noise background is presented. This method is based on an application of a nonheterodyne principle of microwave frequency (and power) conversion using a gyromagnetic converter, which operates in two regimes in turn: the resonance detection and the cross-multiplication. A block scheme and an operation of a two-channel measuring device combining the mentioned functions are discussed.


Human error remains a major cause of several accidents in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. While human error has been analysed in several industries and has been at the centre of many debates and commentaries, a detailed, systematic and comprehensive analysis of human error in the O&G industry has not yet been conducted. Hence, this report aims to use the Technique for Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors (TRACEr) to analyse historical accidents in the O&G industry. The study has reviewed 163 major and/or fatal O&G industry accidents that occurred between 2000 and 2014. The results obtained have shown that the predominant context for errors was internal communication, mostly influenced by factors of perception. Major accident events were crane accidents and falling objects, relating to the most dominant accident type: 'Struck by'. The main actors in these events were drillers and operators. Generally, TRACEr proved very useful in identifying major task errors. However, the taxonomy was less useful in identifying both equipment errors and errors due to failures in safety critical control barriers and recovery measures. Therefore, a modified version of the tool named Technique for the Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors for the Oil and Gas Industry (TRACEr-OGI) was proposed and used. This modified analytical tool was consequently found to be more effective for accident analysis in the O&G industry.


The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between dimensions of intellectual capital and performance of banks in Malaysia. The dimensions studied are human capital, relational capital and structural capital. A quantitative survey method was employed and data were collected using questionnaires. The sample was the branch managers of commercial banks in Malaysia, and they were chosen because they are responsible for strategic decisions at the corporate as well as the strategic business unit levels. A total of 1844 questionnaires were mailed to the respondents, and 345 usable responses were received, giving a response rate of 18.70 percent. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the characteristics of the respondents including frequency, mean, and measures of reliability, while multivariate technique employed was multiple regressions. The findings revealed that significant relationships exist between human and structural capitals and bank performance, while no significant relationship was found between relational capital and bank performance. These findings may be of help to banks to utilize more of their internal resources to compete and survive the intensely competitive business environment.


Objective: Medtronic Mio™ 30 infusion set (M30IS) is a single-use consumable for pump users with pre-loaded inserter, utilizing a 30° insertion angle, and labeled for 3-day use. The M30IS wear duration is impacted by initial local trauma caused by insertion & cannula and sustained inflammation mostly by insulin infusion (especially insulin aggregates and other impurities in the infusate) , with the latter being predominant. Recently, a 7-day Medtronic Extended Infusion Set (MEIS) based on 3-day Mio™ Advance IS with a 90° soft cannula was developed and commercialized in Europe, by improving insulin formulation stability in the fluid path. This study is focused on applying the extended wear (EW) technology from MEIS to the M30IS to develop an EW set with angled cannula (the EM30IS) .
 Method: This is a cross over study of M30IS and EM30IS on drug-induced Type 1 diabetic Yucatan pigs. Each animal wore both sets multiple times with one each time on the abdomen that was continuously infused with Novolog™ subcutaneously via a pump for 1-week or until failure. Blood glucose were measured 5 times/day. Physical examination and serum panel tests were conducted for safety evaluation.
 Result: Fourteen wears were completed for each device. No significant safety concern was identified. Compared to the 90° cannula sets tested on the same model having occlusion alarm rate of 0∼20% for MEIS and ∼40% for 3-day sets at 7 days, no occlusion alarm was detected in either M30IS or EM30IS. Survival rate of EM30IS (86%, similar to MEIS) trended higher than that of M30IS (71%) . Average total daily dose of insulin increased with time for M30IS (Day 1: 14.4 U, Day 6: 18.1U) , whereas remained nearly unchanged for EM30IS (Day 1: 14.9 U, Day 6: 15.6 U) .
 Conclusion: The data indicated that the EM30IS is safe and efficacious on the diabetic porcine model for subcutaneous insulin infusion for 7 days. The EW technology is equally safe and effective on extending the wear duration of M30IS. The EM30IS is moving to the next phase of product development.

 G.Zhang: Employee; Medtronic. E.Anselmo: Employee; Medtronic. J.L.Ortigoza: Employee; Medtronic. S.Chattaraj: Employee; Medtronic.


SUMMARY Radioactive acid-soluble nuclear proteins (histories) of a variety of tumors and of regenerating liver and embryonic tissue have been chromatographed and separated into a number of peaks by gradient elution from carboxymethylcellulose adsorbent with formic acid as the eluting agent. In the tumors studied, including the Jensen sarcoma, Flexner-Jobling carcinoma, Ehrlich ascites tumor, and Sarcoma 180, as well as a human malignant melanoma, 33-45 per cent of the radioactive lysine in the acid-soluble nuclear proteins was found in a peak (RP2-L), which previously was reported to be present in the Walker tumor but not in nontumorous tissues. The peak, RP2-L, was not found in samples of regenerating rat liver or rat embryonic tissue. These data suggest that a qualitative difference exists between tumors and other tissues in bio synthesis of nuclear proteins.


The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources is a key challenge to their integration into the electricity grid. The aim of this paper is to introduce an advanced concept of Power-to-Gas (PtG) plant, which is designed to bring a closed-loop solution able to absorb electricity surplus and to restore it later, via the transient storage of energy carriers. After a brief conceptual overview of the studied unit and its individual components, the paper proposes a steady state model that is used to assess process flowsheets as well as operating conditions of the industrial scale unit. The results indicate that during the storage phase, a 200 MW power supply to the electrolysis process leads to a corresponding 155 MW of SNG produced in a methanation process with an efficiency of 83%. The stored SNG can be burned in pure oxygen during the recovery phase to produce up to 480 MW electric power as well as CO2 rich product gas.


We build up the mathematical connection between the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm and gradient-based approaches for maximum likelihood learning of finite gaussian mixtures. We show that the EM step in parameter space is obtained from the gradient via a projection matrix P, and we provide an explicit expression for the matrix. We then analyze the convergence of EM in terms of special properties of P and provide new results analyzing the effect that P has on the likelihood surface. Based on these mathematical results, we present a comparative discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of EM and other algorithms for the learning of gaussian mixture models.


Hybrid concatenated code is a combination of parallel and serial concatenated codes. In this paper, two hybrid concatenated super-orthogonal space-time trellis code (SOSTTC) applying iterative decoding is proposed for flat fading channels. The encoding operation is based on the concatenation of convolutional codes, interleaving and super-orthogonal space-time trellis codes. The first concatenated scheme consists of a serial concatenation of a parallel concatenated convolutional code with a SOSTTC while the second consist of parallel concatenation of two serially concatenated convolutional and SOSTTC codes. The decoding of these two schemes is described and their bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER) performance evaluated by computer simulation in Rayleigh fading channels. The proposed topologies are shown to perform better than existing concatenated schemes with constituent code of convoluntional and space time codes in literatures.


Abstract. Radiation belt electron flux dropouts are a kind of drastic variation in the Earth's magnetosphere, understanding of which is of both scientific and societal importance. Using electron flux data from a group of 14 satellites, we report multi-satellite simultaneous observations of magnetopause and atmospheric losses of radiation belt electrons during an event of intense solar wind dynamic pressure pulse. When the pulse occurred, magnetopause and atmospheric loss could take effect concurrently contributing to the electron flux dropout. Losses through the magnetopause were observed to be efficient and significant at L ≳ 5, owing to the magnetopause intrusion into L ∼ 6 and outward radial diffusion associated with sharp negative gradient in electron phase space density. Losses to the atmosphere were directly identified from the precipitating electron flux observations, for which pitch angle scattering by plasma waves could be mainly responsible. While the convection and substorm injections strongly enhanced the energetic electron fluxes up to hundreds of keV, they could delay other than avoid the occurrence of electron flux dropout at these energies. It is demonstrated that the pulse-time radiation belt electron flux dropout depends strongly on the specific interplanetary and magnetospheric conditions and that losses through the magnetopause and to the atmosphere and enhancements of substorm injection play an essential role in combination, which should be incorporated as a whole into future simulations for comprehending the nature of radiation belt electron flux dropouts.


for them at a rate of around £250 per week. No mention is made of the dialysis of the solitary parent and the care of children involved if thiis ceases. The third fault is an ethical one, that if a treatment is available (and we have plenity of evtidence that the public at large want to support this sort of treatment in machine and kidney donation), then the decision should not be in the hands of adninistrators or social scientists or even the Department of Health and Social Security, but be put very frmly before the relatives of the patients and the public. Regular dialysis was helped in Britain by public pressure, and if the social policy makers concentrated their efforts in getting the public to increase the falling 4 90° of the gross national product directed towards health ithe need for selection would go and we could concentrate on efficiency. No mention is made of the responsibility of society to care 'for patients, whatever their income or potential for prodiuctivity. Part of our social concern in this country is to continue and to be seen to care for those who can no longer add to its financial wealth. If this is not the case then such costAbenefit analyses should be directed towards the geriatric population and those with severe deformities. The authoirs mention nothing of the advantages that large-scale dialysis programmes have brought to research in the prevention of renal disease, bone disease, and hypertension. Finally, the weakest part of the article is its exclusion of transplantation. We now have as many patients transplanted, living active and productive lives, as we have patients on home dialysis. A unit in our own region has reached the situation where the dialysis unit's work load has been reduced in the past two years by one-half because of the activity of successful transplantation. Costly compassion never was approved of by those who "held the bag," but if you stop caring with the skills ithat you have, true poverty will have begun.-We are, etc.,


: Soil has high spatial variability. Under the change of water level, soil nutrient element content and enzyme activity do not show regular changes. Therefore, the effects of biological metabolism on soil nutrient element content and enzyme activity in the adult stage of Metasequoia glyptostroboides were proposed. The characteristics of the soil were extracted, the irreversibility, accumulation, concealment and refractory rationality of the nutrient element content in the soil were expounded. According to the soil characteristics, the relationship between the nutrient element content and enzyme activity in the soil was analysed. The pH value, organic matter, lead and manganese contents of the soil were determined, and the effects of biological metabolism of M. glyptostroboides on the nutrient content and enzyme activity of the soil were studied. The results showed that the content of nutrient elements in soil was relatively high after the biological metabolism of M. glyptostroboides in the adult stage, the infiltration rate of seedling soil changed, and the effects of different Metasequoia glyptostroboides roots on soil enzyme activities were different.


Biofilms are complex bacterial structures in which bacterial cells thrive as a community. Many bacterial species, including pathogens, form biofilms of high complexity and adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions. One example of these is Streptococcus mutans, a gram-positive bacterium that has been associated with caries. Cannabigerol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, has been shown to affect S. mutans biofilms. In order to better characterize the effect of cannabigerol on biofilms of S. mutans, this paper provides a series of computational assays for biofilm analysis, applied on confocal images of S. mutans biofilms treated with cannabigerol. Confocal images are ubiquitous in biofilm analysis—they are often used to visualize the complex structure and molecular composition of biofilm macrocolonies. In this article, we demonstrate how confocal imaging data can be used to reveal more comprehensive insights into biofilm structure and measure specific anti-biofilm effects. This is accomplished by a series of computational assays, each focusing on a different aspect of biofilm structure.


Glucokinase–maturity-onset diabetes of the young (GCK-MODY), also known as MODY2, is caused by heterozygous inactivating mutations in the GCK gene. GCK gene mutations are present in ∼1 in 1,000 of the population, but most are not diagnosed. They are common causes of MODY (10–60%): persistent incidental childhood hyperglycemia (10–60%) and gestational diabetes mellitus (1–2%). GCK-MODY has a unique pathophysiology and clinical characteristics, so it is best considered as a discrete genetic subgroup. People with GCK-MODY have a defect in glucose sensing; hence, glucose homeostasis is maintained at a higher set point resulting in mild, asymptomatic fasting hyperglycemia (5.4–8.3 mmol/L, HbA1c range 5.8–7.6% [40–60 mmol/mol]), which is present from birth and shows slight deterioration with age. Even after 50 years of mild hyperglycemia, people with GCK-MODY do not develop significant microvascular complications, and the prevalence of macrovascular complications is probably similar to that in the general population. Treatment is not recommended outside pregnancy because glucose-lowering therapy is ineffective in people with GCK-MODY and there is a lack of long-term complications. In pregnancy, fetal growth is primarily determined by whether the fetus inherits the GCK gene mutation from their mother. Insulin treatment of the mother is only appropriate when increased fetal abdominal growth on scanning suggests the fetus is unaffected. The impact on outcome of maternal insulin treatment is limited owing to the difficulty in altering maternal glycemia in these patients. Making the diagnosis of GCK-MODY through genetic testing is essential to avoid unnecessary treatment and investigations, especially when patients are misdiagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.


My previous experiences and some preliminary studies of the relevant technical literature allowed me to identify several reasons for which the current state of the database theory seemed unsatisfactory and required further research. These reasons included: insufficient formalism of data semantics, misinterpretation of NULL values, inconsistencies in the concept of the universal relation, certain ambiguities in domain definition, and inadequate representation of facts and constraints. The commonly accepted 'sequentiality' principle in most of the current system design methodologies imposes strong restrictions on the processes that a target system is composed of. They must be algorithmic and must not be interrupted during execution; neither may they have any parallel subprocesses as their own components. This principle-can no longer be considered acceptable. In very many existing systems multiple processors perform many concurrent actions that can interact with each other. The overconcentration on data models is another disadvantage of the majority of system design methods. Many techniques pay little (or no) attention to process definition. They assume that the model of the Real World consists only of data elements and relationships among them. However, the way the processes are related to each other (in terms of precedence relation) may have considerable impact on the data model. It has been assumed that the Real World is discretisable, i.e. it may be modelled by a structure of objects. The word object is to be interpreted in a wide sense so it can mean anything within the boundaries of this part of the Real World that is to be represented in the target system. An object may then denote a fact or a physical or abstract entity, or relationships between any of these, or relationships between relationships, or even a still more complex structure. The fundamental hypothesis was formulated stating the necessity of considering the three aspects of modelling syntax, semantics and behaviour, and these to be considered integrally. A syntactic representation of an object within a target system is called a construct A construct which cannot be decomposed further (either syntactically or semantically) is defined to be an atom. Any construct is a result of the following production rules: construct ::= atom I function construct; function ::= atom I construct. This syntax forms a sentential notation. The sentential notation allows for extensive use of denotational semantics. The meaning of a construct may be defined as a function mapping from a set of syntactic constructs to the appropriate semantic domains; these in turn appear to be sets of functions since a construct may have a meaning in more than one class of objects. Because of its functional form the meaning of a construct may be derived from the meaning of its components. The issue of system behaviour needed further investigation and a revision of the conventional model of computing. The sequentiality principle has been rejected, concurrency being regarded as a natural property of processes. A postulate has been formulated that any potential parallelism should be constructively used for data^rocess design and that the process structure would affect the data model. An important distinction has been made between a process declaration considered as a form of data or an abstraction of knowledge and a process application that corresponds to a physical action performed by a processor, according to a specific process declaration. In principle, a process may be applied to any construct including its own representation and it is a matter of semantics to state whether or not it is sensible to do so. The process application mechanism has been explained in terms of formal systems theory by introducing an abstract machine with two input and two output types of channels. The system behaviour has been described by defining a process calculus. It is based on logical and functional properties of a discrete time model and provides a means to handle expressions composed of process-variables connected by logical functors. Basic terms of the calculus are: constructs and operations (equivalence, approximation, precedence, incidence, free-parallelism, strict-parallelism). Certain properties of these operations (e.g. associativity or transitivity) allow for handling large expressions. Rules for decomposing/integrating process applications, analogous in some sense to those forming the basis for suuctured programming, have been derived.


Background: The gateway hypothesis posits that the use of sport supplements by athletes can lead to the use of banned and possibly harmful performance-enhancing drugs. Previous data suggest that athletes implicitly exposed to a placebo intervention and/or explicitly informed about the role of placebo effects in sport may be less likely to use sports supplements, and therefore - in line with the gateway hypothesis - less likely to progress to drugs. Methods: Participants (n=629) completed the Sports Supplements Beliefs Scale (SSBS), Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS) and a Likert-type scale measuring intention to use sports supplements. They were then randomised to Placebo (n=263), Nocebo (n=209) and Control (n=157). All participants completed a performance trial (see Hurst et al., this conference). Placebo and Nocebo participants subsequently received the results of the trial as well as a brief educational session describing the role of placebo/nocebo effects in sports performance. Controls received no information. All participants re-completed the questionnaires. Results: Analyses indicated that following the intervention, beliefs (P=0.009, Cohens d [d]=0.43), attitudes (P=0.047, d=0.29) and intentions (P=0.020, d=0.33) relating to the use of drugs and sport supplements were significantly lower in the Placebo and Nocebo group compared to Controls. Conclusions: Implicit exposure to a placebo/nocebo intervention and explicit exposure to a brief educational intervention about placebo effects influenced athlete's beliefs, attitudes and intentions about drugs and sport supplements. Given the gateway hypothesis, experience of, or education about the placebo and nocebo effect may prevent athletes transitioning towards doping.


This extensive study examines repetitions in English (L2) which are considered as indicators of speech disfluency as well as a communication strategy. The participants of this study were 101 first-year undergraduate students of technical studies who received nine years of formal instruction of English. The results revealed that the speakers tend to repeat shorter speech fragments, that is, the absolute majority of all repetitions comprised up to one syllable. Consequently, even shorter repetitions generally provide sufficient additional time for linguistic planning or retrieving a particular linguistic unit. The former conclusion refers to both L1 and L2 repetitions. However, the comparison with the results obtained for L1 in a previous study confirmed that the speakers in L2 employ considerably more repetitions compared to L1. This points to the conclusion that repetitions as a communication strategy in L2 are used in order to give the speaker the opportunity to hold the floor, namely, it prevents breakdowns in communication. Even though repetitions are considered as forms of speech disfluency, they are indeed a resource learners can use in order to engage in a conversation despite their limited language resources.


Background The beneficial effects of acute exercise on executive function have been well-documented, but the influence of cardiorespiratory fitness on this effect requires further investigations, especially using imaging technique. This study aimed to examine the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on acute exercise-induced changes on behavioral performance and on functional brain activation. Method Based on their cardiorespiratory fitness level, 62 participants ranked in the top and bottom of the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) were finally selected and allocated to high-fit group or low-fit group. Both groups were asked to complete the Stroop task after 30 min of aerobic exercise and chair-seated rest (control session). Among them, 26 participants were randomly selected and asked to undergo the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Results Behavioral results showed that individuals responded significantly faster after exercise than those in the control session. The fMRI results revealed a significant interaction effects of Group by Session in brain regions including anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and bilateral dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). For the ACC, activation in the high-fit group was significantly decreased after aerobic exercise compared to those in the control session; whereas an increased activation was noticed in the low-fit group. Regarding to the bilateral DLPFC, activation in high-fit group was significantly decreased after exercise compared to those in the control session, while no significant differences were found in the low-fit group. In addition, for the post-exercise session, a significant positive correlations between activation of the ACC and left DLPFC in the high-fit group was observed. There was a significant negative correlation between activation of the ACC and reaction time in the congruent condition after exercise in the low-fit group. Conclusion Findings further clarify the neurophysiological processes of acute exercise-induced changes in cognitive performance as they suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness is an important factor which influences changes in brain activation patterns in response to acute aerobic exercises.


Named constants are used heavily in operating systems code, both as internal flags and in interactions with devices. Decision making within an operating system thus critically depends on the correct usage of these values. Nevertheless, compilers for the languages typically used in implementing operating systems provide little support for checking the usage of named constants. This affects correctness, when a constant is used in a context where its value is meaningless, and software maintenance, when a constant has the right value for its usage context but the wrong name. We propose a hybrid program-analysis and data-mining based approach to identify the uses of named constants and to identify anomalies in these uses. We have applied our approach to a recent version of the Linux kernel and have found a number of bugs affecting both correctness and software maintenance. Many of these bugs have been validated by the Linux developers.


Unassisted childbirth is a topical subject that has sparked ethical and legal debate. Although there are little data surrounding unassisted birthing practice, concerns over consent, procedural intervention and loss of the birthing experience may be driving women away from formal healthcare. The healthcare system needs to work toward understanding this practice and, perhaps with the support of legislation, address the concerns of mothers in order to ensure optimal childbirth outcomes.


Vegetational composition and the origin of surface water were studied during 2007 and 2008 at two small (< 3 ha) wetlands in Ellis County in west central Kansas. Methods used to analyze plant community composition included line transects, point intercepts, and frequency quadrats. Data were recorded at standard locations along four transects that transverse each wetland; sampling occurred at four times during the 2007 growing season. Water origins were identified by using deuterium isotope compositions from water samples collected in 2007 and 2008 at six locations from each wetland. Eighty-one plant species were observed at wetland study site 1, which had a floristic quality index of 28, and sixty-four species were observed at wetland study site 2, which had a floristic quality index of 20. The floristic quality index indicated that study site 1 was of a higher quality than study site 2 and is best explained by the larger area and the presence of a fen at study site 1. Both study sites were similar in species composition and forb frequency during the first two sample periods (May and June) and during the last two sample periods (July and August), reflecting an overall change in the flora from cool season to warm season plants. At study site 1, water ´2H became higher as it flowed downstream during the 2007 season with ´2H values that ranged from -19.8 to -48.2%. Groundwater contributed 50 to 100% of the water at study site 1. Water ´2H at study site 2 during 2007 and 2008 was not enriched or depleted as it moved downstream with ´2H values that ranged from -19.8 to -29.8%.


A series of earthquakes has forced Christchurch to re-plan and rebuild. Discussions about rebuilding strategies have emphasized the intention of making it a city for the future, sustainable and vibrant. This paper discusses the relationship between microclimate and urban culture in Christchurch based upon the concept of urban comfort. It explores the relationships between environment, people and culture to help understand the local requirements for urban landscape design. In this paper we claim that cultural requirements also should be taken into account when looking for sustainable strategies. A distinctive feature of this research is its focus on the way people are adapting to both surviving pre-quake and new post-quake environments.

Preliminary findings from the first year of field work using participant observation and 61 in-depth interviews with Christchurch residents are presented. The interviews were carried out in a variety of urban settings including: established sites (places sustaining relatively little damage) and emerging sites (those requiring rebuilding) during 2011-2012. Evidence from the interviews highlight future challenges regarding sustainability and urban comfort issues.

Post-quake Christchurch presents a remarkable opportunity to design an urban landscape which provides environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability. However, to achieve successful outcomes it is fundamental to respond to the local culture. Field data suggest that the strong connections between urban and rural settings present in local culture, lifestyle and landscape generate a particular aesthetic and recreation preference for urban spaces, which should be considered in the urban landscape design strategies.


Objectives in this research were to examine contextual differences in correlates of substance use among high school students. The focus was on two broad categories of adjustment indices: personal psychopathology (internalizing and externalizing problems) and behaviors reflecting social competence (academic achievement, teacher-rated classroom behaviors, and peer acceptance or rejection). Associations between drug use and each of these constructs were examined in two sociodemographically disparate groups: teens from affluent, suburban families (n = 264), and low socioeconomic status adolescents from inner-city settings (n= 224). Results indicated that suburban youth reported significantly higher levels of substance use than inner-city youth. In addition, their substance use was more strongly linked with subjectively perceived maladjustment indices. Comparable negative associations involving grades and teacher-rated behaviors were found in both groups, and among suburban males only, substance use showed robust positive associations with acceptance by peers. Results are discussed in terms of developmental perspectives on adolescent deviance, contextual socializing forces, and implications for preventive interventions and treatment.


Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGB) is more frequent than upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) with a better course and a more difficult diagnosis. We reviewed retrospectively 8544 cases from patients who were admitted at the Coloproctology Unit of Hospital de la Princesa. Those with the diagnosis of LGB with visible blood in stools (2646-31%) were outpatients, with a mean age of 43 years (range 9-91). Males represented 56.4% and females 43.6. All of them underwent at least sigmoidoscopic examination. The more frequent disorder was hemorrhoids (48.5%) and the bleeding source was found in the anus in 61%. Most of lesions (86%) could be reached with the short colonoscope and 92.7% of the bleeding sources were found with total colonoscopy. In 7.3% colonoscopy was not diagnostic and fiber gastroscopy identified the bleeding spot in 1.5% of the total. Barium studies were diagnostic in 0.5%, arteriography in 0.25% and radionuclide bleeding scan in 0.1%. Finally in 130 patients the bleeding source could not be found. We conclude that most of hemorrhagic lesions occur in the descending colon and that total colonoscopy can localize more than 92%. When total colonoscopy fails only 33% of the lesions can be found (2.35% from total) and 19% (1.5% from the total number) with UGB are identified with the fiber gastroscopic examination.


This study investigated the dietary intake of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their beliefs relating to the consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) and sugary foods and drinks. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 239 pregnant women with GDM in Cape Town. Dietary intake was assessed using a quantified Food Frequency Questionnaire and beliefs relating to food choices were assessed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The mean energy intake was 7268 KJ, carbohydrate was 220 (±104.5) g, protein 60.3 (±27.5) g and fat 67.7 (±44.2) g. The macronutrient distribution was 55% carbohydrates, 14.5% protein and 30.5% fat of total energy. The majority of the sample had inadequate intakes of vitamin D (87.4%), folate (96.5%) and iron (91.3%). The median (IQR) amount of added table sugar and sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) was 4.0 (0.00–12.5) g and 17.9 (0.0–132.8) mL per day, respectively. Only 31.4% met the recommendation (400 g per day) for F&V. Beliefs that it was not easy to exclude sugary foods/drinks and that knowing how to control cravings for sugary foods/drinks are areas to target messages on the sugar content of SSBs. In conclusion, the dietary intake of these women was not optimal and fell short of several nutritional guidelines for pregnant women with hyperglycaemia. The strongly held beliefs regarding sugary foods/drinks may contribute to poor adherence to nutritional guidelines among pregnant women with GDM in South Africa.


Versified historiography as a style of historiographycame into being in 6th/12th century Iran through imitating Ferdowsi'sShāhnāma and reached its height in Mongol era. Consequently, in less than a century, more than ten versified histories were composed including one of the most famous one, Ẓafar-nāma ofḤamd-AllāhMostawfi. But it was ZojājiTabrizi who composed the first versified history, Homāyun-nāma, in early Ilkhanid period. These versified histories in general and Homāyun-nāma in particular have been ignored mostly in Ilkhanid historiography and scholarship. Besides remaining unknown, there are some misunderstandings in few observations which have been done about Homāyun-nāma, including its recent edition. This article begins with a brief introduction about the work and its composer, investigates some historical misunderstandings about it and throws light on its importance in Persian literature and historiography


Background The trend in psoriasis therapy in recent years has been to combine different agents in the hope that the combination will deliver better results. Topical corticosteroids are frequently used along with PUVA (Psoralen+ ultraviolet A) therapy in the treatment of psoriasis. But there is no consensus whether they enhance the therapeutic response of phototherapy. Our aim was to assess the effect of topical corticosteroids in combination with bath PUVA therapy on psoriasis with respect to time of clearance & duration of remission. Methods It was a double blind randomized placebo controlled study. Twenty patients were divided into two groups by block randomization. One group was treated with bath PUVA and betamethasone propionate cream in (30/70) dilution cream while the other group was treated with PUVA and placebo cream. Bath PUVA was given for 15 treatments or until 90% clearance of disease whichever is earlier.The assessment was done by PASI TUL scoring at the baseline, 3 rd , 6 th , 9 th , 12 th and 15 th sittings. Results Complete remission was achieved in all patients of steroid group and 8 patients of placebo group. The mean baseline PASITUL score decreased from 19.7 to 0.4 in steroid group and from 23.9 to 1.5 in placebo group. The mean cumulative UVA dose used in steroid and placebo groups were 32.85 Joules/cm2 and 40.60 Joules/cm2 respectively. The median number of UVA exposures used for >90% clearance in steroid group was 11 and for placebo group was 14 (p=.035). Out of 10 patients of steroid group 7 patients relapsed within six months while only 1 out of 8 patients who cleared completely in placebo group relapsed before 6 months (P=.023). Conclusion While there was tendency of early clearance in steroid group, there was no statistically significant difference in overall clearance and mean cumulative dose of UVA used. There were early relapses in steroid group which was statistically significant.


: A new class of antihypertensive agents has emerged for clinical consideration in the initial treatment of hypertension. These calcium antagonists are rapidly absorbed and reduce arterial pressure very promptly by antagonizing the pathophysiologic hallmark of the disease: an increased vascular resistance. Moreover, in reducing arterial pressure by means of arteriolar dilation, these agents do so without expanding intravascular volume and without inordinately stimulating the heart through reflex mechanisms. Vascular resistance is reduced in each of the major target organs of the disease: the heart, brain, and kidney. Reduction of coronary vascular resistance should be of particular value in patients with increased myocardial oxygen demands (e.g., with coronary arterial disease or with ventricular hypertrophy). Reduction of renal vascular resistance should be especially valuable for patients with renal functional impairment as a result of hypertensive vascular disease or with associated renal parenchymal diseases. In this respect, these agents reduce renal vascular resistance while maintaining glomerular filtration rate and reducing renal filtration fraction; these changes should reduce glomerular hyperfiltration and may inhibit promotion of glomerulosclerosis. Diltiazem may be of particular value because it may produce these effects while increasing renal blood flow. Clearly these agents reverse cerebral constriction and might be expected to improve blood flow to the brain; however, further study is anticipated and necessary.


The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, LITAF, iNOS, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP1-s), and K60 were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs). The PMBCs were isolated from the chicken blood and in vitro exposed to the probiotic strains E. faecium AL41, E. faecium H31, L. fermentum AD1, and infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE147). The PMBCs were evaluated for mRNA expression levels at 24 h and 48 h post infection (p.i.) using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The level of expression of IL-1s and MIP1-s was upregulated (P < 0. 001) in the EFAL41+SE (S. Enteritidis + E. faecium AL41) group 48 h p.i. compared to 24 h p.i. Similarly, expression of LITAF was upregulated (P < 0.001) in the EFAL41 + SE group compared to the control (C - no infected) and S. Enteritidis (SE) group 48 h p.i. In PMBCs treated with E. faecium H31 and S. Enteritidis expression of IL1s (P < 0.01) and chemokines K60 and MIP1-s was upregulated (P < 0.001) in the EFH31 + SE group 24 h p.i. The iNOS showed upregulated expression (P < 0.001) in the EFAL41 + SE group compared to the control 24 h p.i. and to the C and SE groups 48 h p.i. The results showed that E. faecium AL41 demonstrated the highest immunostimulatory effect on expression of selected cytokines by chicken PMBCs after Salmonella infection. It is supposed that the differences in cytokine induction within SE groups are related to lymphocytes isolated from different animals. mRNA, RT-PCR, immune system, Enterococcus faecium, in vitro


Introduction. CT (Chlamydia trachomatis) is among the most common pathogens leading to sexually transmitted diseases. Considering the uncertain mechanism by which HLA polymorphisms influence the CT infection, reinfection, comorbidities or evolution and because there is no consensus regarding the alleles involved in the pathogenesis of the infection, we considered necessary to perform a review to summarize the current knowledge of HLA related to CT.
Methods. Pubmed was researched using key terms. Out of the 198 results found, we analyzed articles of all types which describe how the MHC, through HLA alleles, participates in the different stages of CT penetration in the body, including studies about cells or other molecules involved in the process.
Results. Almost 40% of the variation in the clinical course of CT infection depends on host genetic factors. There are haplotypes that influence the infection susceptibility/resistance, haplotypes that are involved in the recurrence of the infection, haplotypes that are related to tubal infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease development or trachoma. Antibody to Chsp60 (influenced by MHC genes) has been observed to correlate with late tissue-damaging sequelae. Toll-like receptors were found to increase the susceptibility to CT. The association of HLA-B27 creates susceptibility of reactive arthritis in the organisms infected by CT, but does not influence the carriage of CT.
Conclusion. We identified HLA haplotypes belonging both to MHC class l and ll, which influence different stages of CT infection. Genetic risk factors still need research, especially on Caucasians. Studies are moving towards designing a safe and effective vaccine.


The frequency, nature and tissue distribution of localized amyloid deposits in articular cartilage of young and elderly patients, with and without evidence of arthritic disease, was determined. Localized amyloid deposits in articular cartilage were not found in young patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or chondromalacia/osteoarthritis of the patella. However, in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, amyloid deposits were commonly found, although at no greater frequency than in elderly patients with no evidence of arthritis. Amyloid deposits were commonly present (in 95% of cases) in osteoarthritis of the knee joint and in the articular cartilage of all joints containing pyrophosphate deposits. Similar deposits of amyloid were also found in the articular cartilage of 40–45% of rheumatoid joints. These findings indicate that localized amyloid deposits in the articular cartilage are largely age‐related and not due to specific pathological alterations affecting articular cartilage.


This article introduces this special issue of the journal, dedicated to research into the psychology of playing computer games. The interdisciplinary character of gaming-activity research is emphasized by the example of ethnographic, culturological and psychological works. The characteristic view of ethnographic science, which sees gaming as entertainment and a way of spending spare time, is dominant in research practice, including psychological and pedagogical practice. This is connected with studies on gaming activity and the psychological qualities of computer gamers. 25 years of psychological research in computer game-related activity in Russia are reviewed. The article refers to such lines of conducted research as the study of personality traits and cognitive characteristics of gamers, their implicit beliefs, and the psychological addictions of gamers. However, the frontline of foreign research is significantly wider and some trends of these works are insufficiently represented in home scientific literature. Among them is the disputed issue about whether or not aggressive computer games cause an escalation in aggression among gamers, as well as about the specifics of cognitive processes in gamers. Contemporary approaches to finding solutions for these questions are explored on both analytical and empirical levels in the articles that constitute this special issue. In one analytical article the argument is put forward that contemporary multi-user games encourage not only gaming activity, but communicative activity as well, and to some extent represent something like a "club".


Golgi fractions isolated from rat liver homogenates have been resolved into membrane and content subfractions by treatment with 100 mM Na2CO3 pH 11.3. This procedure permitted extensive extraction of content proteins and lipoproteins, presumably because it caused an alteration of Golgi membranes that minimized the reformation of closed vesicles. The type and degree of contamination of the fractions was assessed by electron microscopy and biochemical assays. The membrane subfraction retained 15% of content proteins and lipids, and these could not be removed by various washing procedures. The content subfraction was contaminated by both membrane fragments and vesicles and accounted for 5 to 10% of the membrane enzyme activities of the original Golgi fraction. The lipid compositions of the subfractions was determined, and the phospholipids of both membrane and content were found to be uniformly labeled with [33P]phosphate administered in vivo.


Hypotheses of differences in genetic control on duration of vernalization for winter wheat have been considered. It has been shown that differences in this character are controlled by independent Vrd gene system. Monogenic dominant near-isogenic lines have been created. They differ in two non-allelic Vrd1 and Vrd2 genes with unequal expression. The response of created lines to photoperiodic changes and Vrd genes effects on various agronomic traits have been characterized. Vrd genotypes have been identified in a number of winter common wheat cultivars.


Purpose Agency theory (AT) offers opportunities to examine how the risk of opportunism can be prevented or minimised along supply chain organisations using incentives to achieve goal alignment.
Methodology The study presents evidence of how members of such organisations achieve goal alignment through the use of incentives by empirically examining two complete supply chain organisations, including final customers, within the UK agri-food industry using a case study methodology.
Findings The findings show that contractual goals can be divided into two different categories, shared supply chain organisational goals, and independent goals of each individual participant. In addition to monitoring ability, incentives can also be classified into short term financial and long term social incentives. Product attributes, in particular credence attributes, are also identified as having implications for both goals and incentives.
Research limitations The supply chain perspective and case study methodology mean that the research findings cannot be generalised to other supply chains. A further limitation of the research is the use of different methods of data collection at the final customer point.
Practical Implications Managers must ensure that appropriate incentives for all departments and individuals are designed to deliver the strategic goals of the supply chain organisation.


In this project we evaluated the effects of sub-chronic (2 months) and chronic (6 months) exposure to 900 MHz GSM radiofrequency (SAR = 1.5 and 6 W/kg) on the spatial memory and attention in rats and on the biomarker Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP). No adverse effect was observed on spatial memory performances, while a decrease of attention was obtained after the 6W/kg chronic exposure. Both exposures induced a reversible increase of GFAP expression. This study suggests a lack of persistent chronic effect at a 1.5 W/kg- SAR and a persistent effect after a chronic 6 W/kg exposure in rats


Since its introduction in Madagascar in 1998, African swine fever (ASF) has severely affected national pig production and persists as a common disease in that country. Two of its natural hosts in the African continent, the bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) and tick vectors of the Ornithodoros moubata complex, are reported in west and central regions of the island. However, their role in the maintenance and transmission of the virus has been insufficiently studied. In this work, we tried to assess their potential role in the epidemiology of the disease in Madagascar, by assessing the levels of interaction between (i) ASF virus (ASFV) and bushpigs and (ii) between soft ticks and domestic and wild suids in north-western Madagascar. Twenty-seven sera and 35 tissue samples from bushpigs were collected and analysed for the presence of anti-ASF antibodies and viral DNA. In addition, the sera from 27 bushpigs and 126 domestic pigs were analysed with an ELISA test for the detection of antibodies against salivary antigens from Ornithodoros ticks. No circulation of ASFV or anti-ASFV antibodies nor anti-tick antibodies were detected in bushpigs. However, seven of the domestic pig sera (5.6% of the total sample population) were antibody positive for O. moubata antigens. The probability of freedom from ASFV in the bushpig population using Bayesian statistical methods ranged between 73% and 84%. The probabilities of absence of anti-tick antibodies in domestic and wild pigs were estimated at 63% and 71%, respectively. These preliminary results suggest that bushpigs are unlikely to play a significant role in the maintenance and transmission of ASFV in Madagascar. Nevertheless, further ASFV surveys are needed on that species to confirm this assumption. In addition, the presence of antibodies against O. moubata in domestic pigs suggests that soft ticks may be able to maintain ASFV within a domestic pig cycle in areas of Madagascar where they remain present.


ObjectivesTo assess the influence of individual methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and methionine synthase A2756G polymorphisms on the change of serum folate concentration in response to different dosages and durations of folic acid (FA) supplementation in hypertensive Chinese adults. MethodsA total of 480 patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: (a) enalapril only (10 mg, control group); (b) enalapril FA tablet [10 : 0.4 mg (10 mg of enalapril combined with 0.4 mg of FA), low-FA group]; (c) enalapril FA tablet (10 : 0.8 mg, high-FA group), once daily for 8 weeks. Individual serum folate levels were measured at baseline, and at 4 and 8 weeks posttreatment. ResultsAfter 4 or 8 weeks of treatment, increases in serum folate were seen across all genotypes and FA dosage groups. However, compared with patients with 677CC genotype, those with CT or TT genotype in the low-FA group and TT genotype in the high-FA group still had significantly lower folate concentrations, particularly women. In the low-FA group, patients with CT or TT genotype showed an attenuated response compared with those with CC genotype (median ratio of folate at week 8 to that at baseline: CC,1.953 vs. CT,1.755 or TT,1.637, P<0.01 for both). Such an attenuated response was not observed in the high-FA group. Yet, only in the high-FA group did serum folate appear to reach a plateau after 4 weeks of treatment in all three MTHFR 677 genotypes and the methionine synthase 2756 AG/GG genotype. ConclusionWe demonstrated that MTHFR C677T polymorphisms can not only affect serum folate levels at the baseline and post-FA treatment, but also therapeutic responses to various dosages and durations of FA supplementation.


In the present study, high temperature properties of Ir-modified and Ir-Hf-modified aluminide coatings on Ni-based single crystal superalloy TMS-82+ were discussed. They were prepared by depositing pure Ir and Ir-Hf alloys on TMS-82+ using magnetron sputtering and EB-PVD, followed by a conventional Al-pack cementation process. The effects of Hf addition on the oxidation resistance and top-coat spallation resistance were investigated. Cyclic oxidation test at 1423K for 1h as one heating cycle revealed that while there is a small difference in oxidation kinetics and spallation lives between Ir and Ir-Hf coatings, drastic difference in surface morphology was observed. After 50 oxidation cycles the Ir-modified aluminide coating showed surface rumpling whereas the Ir-Hf modified aluminide coatings kept the flat surface. It was also revealed that excessive addition of Hf promoted the internal oxidation, resulting in the deterioration of substrates. These results agree with the conventional Pt-modified aluminide coatings and Ni-Al-Hf alloys.


The quality traffic-planning process is an important tool for achieving sustainable traffic. The modern platform for modeling and simulating traffic relations has also begun to be utilized in Slovakia. The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Zilina uses German software PTV VISION. The complex multi-modal traffic model for Zilina town was created with PTV VISION modules (Visem, Visum, Vissim). The article presents the process of formation, calibration and practical utilization of a traffic model for city traffic problem solution. The micro simulation of critical zones amends the traffic model. The classic four-stage disaggregate process was applied for Zilina transport modeling. The town was split into 108 traffic zones. The traffic zones were classified by social and demographic characteristics. Six groups of population were classified within the study area. The matrices of interzonal transport relations were used as output data of the VISEM module and the matrices were used for assignments of the traffic network. Parameters in the infrastructure network and traffic zones were defined in the VISUM module. The result of many years experience in the field of traffic engineering was inserted in the traffic model. The authors have used our large database of traffic surveys and the results of transport-sociological analyses. The data were useful for the setting and calibration of the traffic model. The authors have set up new local parameters for a distribution function. The impact of new developing areas and induced traffic relations on the central part of Zilina was also observed. Next, the new transport relations and traffic problems were analyzed. This chosen part of the transport network was imported into a microsimulation model in the VISSIM. New alternative transport solutions and the impact on the infrastructure loading were explored in microscopic models. The quality of traffic load depends on the input data in the microsimulation. The best way is by using the complex macroscopic point of view.


Sleep is considered vital for the health and quality of life of individuals. Recently, studies have suggested that sleep disturbances are common in people with Crohn's disease (CD) and in the majority of cases are related to disease activity.The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of insomnia in patients with CD and to identify the influencing factors.

 A prospective cross-sectional study including patients with CD followed in the department between July and August 2020 was carried out. Epidemiological and clinical data have been collected. Self-report questionnaires were given to patients. Insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) which provides a valid index of the overall severity of insomnia. A score between 0 and 7 indicates the absence of insomnia; between 8 and 14 a mild infra-clinical insomnia; between 15 and 21 moderate clinical insomnia, and between 22 and 28 severe insomnia. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire which is a scale of 14 items rated from 0 to 3. Seven questions are related to anxiety and seven to depression. Fatigue was screened for using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) which has 9 questions rated from one to seven. Significant fatigue was defined by a score greater than or equal to 5.5. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 21 software (p significant if less than 0.05).

 Thirty two patients with a mean age of 38.28 years [18–60 years] and a sex ratio equal to 1 were enrolled. Mean duration of the disease was 10.56 years [1–40 years]. At the time of inclusion, the average Harvey Bradshaw (HAB) score was 5.14 [1–14].
 Mean insomnia score was 12.62 [0–26]. The insomnia severity index showed mild insomnia in 4 patients (12.5%), moderate insomnia in 7 patients (22%) and severe insomnia in 8 patients (25%).
 The HADS score revealed obvious depression in 19% of patients, doubtful depression in 25% of patients. 56% of patients had no symptoms of depression. Likewise, anxiety was objectified in 22% of patients and doubtful anxiety in 37% of patients. 41% of patients had no symptoms of anxiety. The mean fatigue score was 3.75 ± 1.9 [range 1–9]. A fatigue score greater than or equal to 5.5 was observed in 3 cases (9%).
 A significant positive correlation was found between the insomnia severity score and the depression score (r = 0.4, p = 0.035) as well as the fatigue severity score (r: 0.36, p = 0.04).

 Our study shows that insomnia is very common in patients with CD. The factors associated with these sleep disturbances were depression and fatigue. Gastroenterologist and psychologist should join forces to evaluate emotional as well as sleep disturbances for a better global CD management.


Multiple new agents to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have become available in recent years; however, the appropriate timing and sequencing of these agents have yet to be elucidated. Until accurate biomarkers become available to allow more focused therapeutic targeting for this population, treatment selection for men with mCRPC will continue to be driven largely by close assessment of patient-related factors and symptoms. Pain, as the predominant symptom of mCRPC, is often the focus when assessing progression and the need for a change in treatment. A myriad of other symptoms, including fatigue, impact on activities of daily living, sleep, and lower urinary tract symptoms, also affect men with mCRPC, and assessment of the composite of these symptoms provides an earlier signal for the need to adjust treatment. A number of tools are available for assessing symptoms in patients with advanced prostate cancer, but they are not used routinely used, given their complexity and length. A new simplified questionnaire is proposed for the assessment of symptoms, beyond pain, to inform treatment decisions for men with mCRPC.


Two titanium silicalite-1 samples with different crystal sizes were synthesized in the tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr) and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) hydrothermal systems. The small-crystal TS-1 with a size of 600 nm was then treated with different organic bases. These TS-1 samples were evaluated in the epoxidation of propene, and characterized by ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance (UV-vis), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and Raman spectroscopies. The Ti L-edge absorption spectra show that a new Ti species, pentahedrally coordinated Ti, appears in some of the samples. This pentahedrally coordinated Ti species is correlated with the catalytic oxidation activity of TS-1, closely. Tetrahedrally coordinated Ti in TS-1 is the primary active center for selective oxidation reactions, but the existence of a small amount of pentahedrally coordinated Ti can further improve the catalytic activity. A high molar ratio of Si/Ti (n(Si/Ti)) in the synthesis process (n(Si/Ti) = 92.78) was beneficial for the generation of pentahedrally coordinated Ti. The improved catalytic activity of the TPAOH treated TS-1 is mainly due to the increasing amount of pentahedrally coordinated Ti, besides the elimination of diffusion limitation. Slowing down the crystallization rate can also increase the content of pentahedrally coordinated Ti.


While people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are at increased risk of developing
mental health problems, they are disadvantaged when accessing mental health
services. The aims of this thesis are threefold: 1) to evaluate the efficacy of
psychological therapies for people with IDs who experience mental health problems,
2) to improve the suitability of adults with IDs for cognitive behavioural therapy
(CBT), and 3) to explore the acceptability of computer programmes in therapy as a
reasonable adjustment to improve therapy accessibility.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature were conducted and
identified CBT and individual therapies as the most efficacious treatment for anger
and depression. Although adults with IDs and concurrent mental health problems
appear to benefit from psychological therapies, clinical trials need to make use of
improved reporting standards and larger samples.
Next, in two subsequent single-blind mixed experimental designs the efficacy of
computerised training programmes in improving CBT skills in people with mild to
moderate IDs is evaluated. Training programmes focused on linking situations to
feelings and discriminating between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. When
compared to an attention-control condition, training improved cognitive mediation
skills, as assessed by the ability to link situations and mediating beliefs to feelings,
and improved the ability to differentiate between thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
In a concluding qualitative study, the perspectives of service users with IDs and
clinicians on using computers in therapy were explored. Both service users and
clinicians were positive about the potential functions and benefits of using computers
in therapy, but also drew attention to potential challenges and barriers.
Together, these studies show that computers can be used to improve the suitability of
people with IDs for CBT and meanwhile encourage further exploration into the
possibilities that these technologies can open up for improving the accessibility of
psychological therapies.


There is a growing empirical literature on the effects of the global financial and economic crisis on intergovernmental relations. This paper contributes to this literature by focusing on conventional budgetary aggregates and institutional indicators of subnational authority in policymaking and fiscal-financial management. The empirical analysis is carried out for a large set of advanced and emerging-market/developing economies between 1990 and 2015 and shows that the crisis has been associated with an increase in the subnational shares of general government spending and revenue. The findings for subnational authority over policy and fiscal-financial management are more nuanced and suggest that increases in government indebtedness (spending) since the crisis have been associated with greater (weaker) subnational authority. It is possible that the need to deliver debt reductions through medium-term fiscal consolidation calls for greater intergovernmental coordination, which enhances the bargaining power of the subnational jurisdictions to broaden their prerogatives in fiscal matters and influence national policymaking.


Sargodha is one of the most important cities of Pakistan. Located in the center of Pakistan, it is the hub of the Pakistan Air Force. Rapid urbanization in the city has caused it to expand it farther from its center. Sargodha is 11th most populated metropolitan city in Pakistan. Currently, it has 0.7 million population and covers an area of 52 km2. The objective of this study was to measure the spatial variability of urban heat island (UHI) in different areas of the city in comparison with the temperature of the urban center. The meteorological data was measured by installing digital weather stations at four sites, 3 within the city by considering the areas as urban highly dense, urban less dense and urban periphery and one at rural site almost 10 km away from the city center. The result highlighted that difference in temperature between urban densely built area and rural site was highest. The difference in temperature increased as one moved away from the city center where urban areas were found warmer than the sites comparatively away from the city center. It was observed that the UHI intensity is not same in different areas of the city. The highest intensity of UHI is observed on Sunday where it was measured 5.7 °C.


Embedding 3D morphable basis functions into deep neural networks opens great potential for models with better representation power. However, to faithfully learn those models from an image collection, it requires strong regularization to overcome ambiguities involved in the learning process. This critically prevents us from learning high fidelity face models which are needed to represent face images in high level of details. To address this problem, this paper presents a novel approach to learn additional proxies as means to side-step strong regularizations, as well as, leverages to promote detailed shape/albedo. To ease the learning, we also propose to use a dual-pathway network, a carefully-designed architecture that brings a balance between global and local-based models. By improving the nonlinear 3D morphable model in both learning objective and network architecture, we present a model which is superior in capturing higher level of details than the linear or its precedent nonlinear counterparts. As a result, our model achieves state-of-the-art performance on 3D face reconstruction by solely optimizing latent representations.


We investigated at the ultrastructural level, by different cytochemical and immunocytological approaches, the behavior of interchromatin granules (IGs) during interphase and mitosis in two cell lines (HEp-2 and Ehrlich tumor cells). Identical results were found in all two cell types. In interphase cells, IGs group into irregular clusters of varying size. They are frequently associated with coiled bodies and homogeneous fibrillar bodies. Analysis of serial sections reveals that IG clusters occupy distinct regions within the nucleoplasm. During prophase, the aggregation of granules in these clusters gives rise to compact, spherical, granular structures. These disperse in the mitotic cytoplasm at the breakdown of the nuclear envelope. At early telophase, some of them come into close contact with the periphery of reforming nuclei. IG clusters reappear in the daughter nuclei only after the chromosomes have decondensed during late telophase. Concomitantly, the cytoplasmic granular structures disappear. During the cell cycle, IG are silver-stainable and EDTA-positive. They are also constantly labeled by the polyadenylate nucleotidyl transferase-immunogold technique for detecting RNA. These results support the view that IGs persist throughout the whole cell cycle.


Regulation of ovarian activity is an integrated process involving extra-ovarian signals and intrafollicular factors. Positive effects of nutrition on reproduction have been described in sheep, particularly as related to ovulation rate. However, interactions between nutrition, metabolic hormones and reproduction have not been sufficiently described. This paper addresses the response of the reproductive axis to nutritional changes and metabolic status in the light of recent studies. The interaction between nutrition and reproduction has important implications for the reproductive development of sheep. Nutrition stimulates folliculogenesis and can also affect mRNA expression of the ovarian IGF system to regulate follicle sensitivity and response to gonadotropins. These changes are associated with intrafollicular alterations of glucose-insulin, IGF, and leptin metabolic system. Intrafollicular activation of these systems allows to suppress follicle estradiol production. Metabolic hormones also regulate steroidogenesis: glucose and insulin infusions decrease it, while IGF-I infusion increases it. Leptin antagonizes the stimulating effect of insulin on steroidogenesis of theca cells, allowing decreased estradiol secretion. In conclusion, these data suggest that local ovarian nutrients play a role in folliculogenesis.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of and parental attitudes toward the usage of complementary medicine among the paediatric population of a large regional public hospital in Victoria. Relationships between complementary medicine usage and sociological or medical data of the surveyed families are explored.

DESIGN
One hundred and twenty surveys were handed out and returned from parents of nonsurgical inpatients of the children's ward of the Bendigo Base Hospital. Survey data was supplemented by information available from the hospital medical record.

RESULTS
Thirty-three percent of respondents indicated they used complementary medicine for their inpatient child, and 41% for at least one of their children. Vitamins were more popular and acupuncture less popular than complementary medicine modalities used by their parents. Complementary medicine use was not correlated with: the patient's age; presenting complaint; duration of inpatient stay; or number of previous admissions. Families with children using complementary medicine were more likely to have skilled or professional parents who also used complementary medicine. There was a correlation between children using complementary medicine and inadequate vaccination.

CONCLUSION
A significant proportion of children are exposed to complementary medicine. Parent, rather than child, characteristics were most strongly correlated with complementary usage.


Industry 4.0 revolution, with its cutting-edge technologies, is an enabler for businesses, particularly in reducing the cost and improving the productivity. However, a large number of organizations are still too in their infancy to leverage the true potential of Industry 4.0 and its technologies. This paper takes a quantitative approach to reveal key insights from the companies that have implemented Industry 4.0 technologies. For this purpose, 238 technology companies in Malaysia were studied through a survey questionnaire. As technology companies are usually the first in line to adopt new technologies, they can be studied better as leaders in adopting the latest technologies. The findings of this descriptive study surfaced an array of insights in terms of Industry 4.0 readiness, Industry 4.0 technologies, leadership, strategy, and innovation. This research paper contributes by providing 10 key empirical insights on Industry 4.0 that can be utilized by managers to pace up their efforts towards digital transformation, and can help the policymakers in drafting the right policy to drive the digital revolution.


AIM
To evaluate the effects of paclitaxel-octreotide conjugates on the growth of cultured non-small cell lung cancer cells.

METHODS
RT-PCR was performed to detect mRNA for the subtypes of the human somatostatin receptor (SSTR) using specific primers. MTT-based cytotoxicity assay was used to evaluate the cell viability after treatment with paclitaxel and the conjugates. Cell cycle perturbations were determined using a Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorter.

RESULTS
Non-small cell lung cancer A549 and Calu-6 cells expressed mRNA for SSTR2 and SSTR5. Paclitaxel and the conjugates effectively inhibited the growth of A549 and Calu-6 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In SSTR-negative fibroblasts, the conjugates were less cytotoxic than paclitaxel. The conjugates and paclitaxel could induce the increase of G(2)/M phase ratio in A549 cells.

CONCLUSION
The paclitaxel-octreotide conjugates can be used as selective-targeted chemotherapeutic agents for treating non-small cell lung cancer.


Legitimate protests of police killings have led to greater levels of violence across the nation. As people have felt less secure, applications for gun licenses have surged. This essay reflects on this intertwining of the need for protest and the need for self-defense and thus the connection between the First and Second Amendments. It argues based on new evidence that James Madison, the key architect of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, understood the First Amendment and Second Amendment similarly as protecting the individual's natural right to speak and the individual's natural right to self-defense respectively.

The similar nature of the First and Second Amendments support making doctrinal analogies between them. The First Amendment helps judges gauge the strength of the public interest justification needed to set a natural right aside. It also can bring to bear a comprehensive body of neutral First Amendment principles to help guide a Second Amendment law that is still in its infancy and to which judges may not be as well-disposed because of professional and social position.

This analogy can help answer a pressing Second Amendment issue arising from the unrest in the wake of legitimate protests. Some jurisdictions facing an upswing in violence have delayed the licenses for purchasing or carrying guns for more than month. While the First Amendment permits states to require licenses for demonstrations (for reasons of externalities that also underlie licensing requirements for guns), such licenses cannot be unreasonably delayed as that delay effectively undermines the right of free speech. Delays in licensing guns for self-defense during unrest would make the Second Amendment right of self-defense as ineffective as would delays in licensing for demonstrations to protest recent events.


Introduction Recently, diabetes prevalence has soared in South Asians making it a global public health priority. However, there are suggestions from the PODOSA trial and elsewhere that pre-diabetes, including impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), may not be increasing. We conducted a systematic review to assess secular trends in pre-diabetes in South Asian populations worldwide. Methods We searched electronic databases from inception to June 2009 for cross-sectional studies providing prevalence of pre-diabetes (using WHO criteria) in South Asian adult populations. Two reviewers independently screened articles, performed data extraction, quality appraisal and study classification with any discrepancies resolved by consensus. Repeated cross-sectional studies, categorised by pre-specified criteria, were used for the primary analysis. Results 16 cross-sectional data-sets resulting in four sets of repeated cross-sectional studies were identified. Repeated studies conducted in Chennai, rural Tamil Nadu, Mauritius and Singapore (n=30 399), provided time-trend information. Three showed a statistically significant increase in diabetes prevalence (p<0.001) while IGT prevalence fell significantly in two (p<0.05), and was stable in the remainder. Conclusion This novel systematic review is the first to assess secular trends of pre-diabetes in any population. The data shows diabetes prevalence is rising in South Asians while IGT prevalence is either stable or falling. Recent environmental or lifestyle changes could favour an increased rate of conversion from IGT to diabetes or for individuals to progress directly from normal glycaemic status to diabetes. While the natural history of diabetes remains unclear, these findings have implications for health systems planning future treatment for diabetes and pre-diabetes.


Objectives: Wide variations exist in how physicians manage the nutritional aspects of children affected by acute pancreatitis (AP), acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP), and chronic (CP) pancreatitis. Better consensus for optimal management is needed. Methods: This consensus statement on nutrition in pediatric pancreatic diseases was developed through a joint ESPGHAN-NASPGHAN working group that performed an evidence-based search of the literature on nutrition in AP, ARP, and CP with a focus on pediatrics. The literature was summarized, quality of evidence reviewed, and expert recommendations developed. The authorship met to discuss the evidence and statements. Voting on recommendations occurred over 2 rounds based on feedback. A consensus of at least 75% was required to approve a recommendation. Areas requiring further research were identified. Results and Discussion: The literature on nutrition in pediatric pancreatitis is limited. Children with mild AP benefit from starting an early nutritional regimen in the course of the attack. Early nutrition should be attempted in severe AP when possible; enteral nutrition is preferred over parenteral nutrition. Children with ARP are likely to tolerate and benefit from a regular diet. Children with CP need ongoing assessment for growth and nutritional deficiencies, exocrine and endocrine insufficiencies. Conclusions: This document presents the first authoritative recommendations on nutritional considerations in pediatric pancreatitis. Future research should address the gaps in knowledge particularly relating to optimal nutrition for AP in children, role of diet or dietary supplements on recurrent attacks of pancreatitis and pain episodes, monitoring practices to detect early growth and nutritional deficiencies in CP and identifying risk factors that predispose children to these deficiencies.


A heuristic algorithm, based on the criterion of having nets with larger cut numbers assigned to inner tracks and nets with smaller cut numbers assigned to outer tracks, for single row routing problem has recently been proposed by Tarng et al. It has been reported that this algorithm has always been able to produce the optimal solutions for all the examples tested so far. In this paper, we have proved that algorithms based on the heuristic criterion of cut numbers produce optimal solutions for instances in which all nets cover at least one common node (i.e., form a single group). However, the algorithm proposed by Tarng et al. may not produce optimal solutions for instances of multiple net groups. Thus, several possible heuristic algorithms based on the same criterion, but also taking into consideration the net grouping situation have been proposed. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithms are faster and often generate better results than the one proposed by Tarng et al. A tighter lower bound on the number of tracks required is also obtained in this paper.


Double perovskite manganite Y2MnCrO6 ceramic is synthesized and its multiferroic properties are investigated.Novel multiferroic properties are displayed with respect to other multiferroics, such as high ferroelectric phase transition temperature, and the coexistence of ferrimagnetism and ferroelectricity. Moreover, the ferroelectric polarization of Y2MnCrO6 below the magnetic phase temperature can be effectively tuned by an external magnetic field, showing a remarkable magnetoelectric effect. These results open an effective avenue to explore magnetic multiferroics with spontaneous magnetization and ferroelectricity, as well as a high ferroelectric transition temperature.


Abstract We find the complete Euler characteristics for the categories of definable sets and functions in strongly minimal groups. Their images, which represent the Grothendieck semirings of those categories, are all isomorphic to the semiring of polynomials over the integers with nonnegative leading coefficient. As a consequence, injective definable endofunctions in those groups are surjective. For infinite vector spaces over arbitrary division rings, the same results hold, and more: We also establish the Fubini property for all Euler characteristics, and extend the complete one to the eq-expansion of those spaces while preserving the Fubini property but not completeness. Then, surjective interpretable endofunctions in those spaces are injective, and conversely. Our presentation is made in the general setting of multi-sorted structures.


The attachment system is thought to facilitate relationship goals by motivation seeking and bonding activities with significant others, particularly under times of stress (Bowlby, 1982). Attachment theory has also contributed to further understanding the marital relationship in terms of profound psychological and physiological interdependence. It is perhaps this interdependence that causes damage to the quality of attachment relationship. Hence, attachment injury is defined as "a specific incident or event in which one partner is unresponsive and inaccessible when one partner cries out for help in extreme need�? (Johnson & Makinen, 2001). Therefore, marital distress or breakup in couple's relationships does not happen suddenly, so understanding of attachment injury in relation to individual's marital quality and attachment style would help practitioners to be equipped for appropriate and effective inventions. Further it would also help counsellors and mental health professionals to be familiar with the complexities of the topic by dealing with consequences of an attachment injury ethically and competently, Therefore our study aimed at examining the prevalence and nature of attachment injury and its effect on marital quality, in a group of married heterosexual couples. It also attempted to associate attachment styles with and without attachment injury in couples. The study employed cross-sectional exploratory design with a set of self-administered measures. The sample comprised of 400 married individuals from urban Bangalore. Statistical results showed those individuals who were experiencing attachment injury are associated with poor marital quality. It was also seen that attachment injury was found to be associated with gender and insecure attachment style. Therefore our findings suggest that poor marital quality with insecure attachment style plays an important role in attachment injury over time. Based on the attachment style, further intervention strategies and effective programs should be designed for marital counselling. And marital enrichment programs may be useful to enhance marital quality to prevent the marital distress or breakups.


Crotalaria verrucosa(C. verrucosa) has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant in Bangladesh for treating inflammation, skin diseases as well as heart diseases etc. Extracts of the various parts of this plant also possess therapeutic effects such as antipyretic, anti-diabetic, CNS depressant, antifertility and many more. Leaf extract of this plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, phytosterols, steroids and resins. The objective of this study was to evaluate In vitro cytotoxic and antibacterial activity of methanol extract of this plant. In this study, cytotoxic activity study was performed by MTT assay at different concentrations (2.5 mg/mL, 0.25 mg/mL, 0.025 mg/mL, and 0.0025 mg/mL) of plant extract to determine its cytotoxic effect using HeLa cell line. The cytotoxicity test revealed that the highest cell growth inhibition (93.2%) was shown at the highest concentration of 2.5mg/mL of this methanol extract whereas the lowest cell growth inhibition was shown at the two lowest concentrations of 0.0025 mg/mL and 0.025 mg/mL extract of this plant. The IC50 value of C. verrucosa methanol extract was 0.83 mg/mL. This test finding showed that the cell growth inhibition was concentration dependent. With increasing concentration of plant extract, cytotoxic activity also increases gradually. The antibacterial activity of this plant extract was determined by disc diffusion method against 3 bacterial strains such as, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Shigella dycenteriae.A standard antibacterial drug, Kanamycin was used. The inhibitory zones were recorded in millimeters. The highest concentration 350 μg/disc of this plant extract showed a significant result against Bacillus cereus and the zone of inhibition was 17 mm whether kanamycin showed an inhibiting zone of 31mm. The leaf extract contains alkaloids, flavonoid, glycosides and tannins which may exhibit the potential cytotoxic and antibacterial activity in this experiment.These findings indicate the possibility of using traditional plant extracts in the treatment of bacterial infections as well as in cancer treatment and the results of this study was encouraging, to be sure the need for pre-clinical and clinical studies to determine of the real effectiveness and potential toxic effects. Investigation of in-vitro Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activity of Methanol Extract of Crotalaria verrucosa Leaves


ABSTRACT GeoLink has leveraged linked data principles to create a dataset that allows users to seamlessly query and reason over some of the most prominent geoscience metadata repositories in the United States. The GeoLink dataset includes such diverse information as port calls made by oceanographic cruises, physical sample metadata, research project funding and staffing, and authorship of technical reports. The data has been published according to best practices for linked data and is publicly available via a SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language (SPARQL) end point that at present contains more than 45 million Resource Description Framework (RDF) triples together with a collection of ontologies and geo-visualization tools. This article describes the geoscience datasets, the modeling and publication process, and current uses of the dataset. The focus is on providing enough detail to enable researchers, application developers and others who wish to leverage the GeoLink data in their own work to do so. The dataset is available at http://hdl.handle.net/1912/9524.


A novel approach to the tricyclic core of bullataketals A and B, natural benzannulated 2,7-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes, was developed via a domino reaction including a formal decarbonylation of 3-acyl-4-(o-hydroxyaryl)-substituted 4,5-dihydrofurans followed by spontaneous assembly of the methanobenzodioxepine skeleton. This operationally simple method provides ample opportunities for variation of substituents in the fused benzene moiety as well as at the bridgehead ketal C9 atom of the final products. The successful conversion of both 3-keto- and 3-ester-substituted dihydrofurans into functionalized methanobenzodioxepines pointed toward a substrate-controlled mechanism. This was supported experimentally and by computational studies. While 3-ester-4,5-dihydrofurans are transformed via ring opening/ring closure with further decarboxylation of the generated γ-lactone, 3-keto-4,5-dihydrofurans undergo stepwise CC bond cleavage including intramolecular hemiketalization and retro-aldol reaction as the key steps.


The American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative endorses in their core measures that providers should discuss the goals of care (GOC) at the time of chemotherapy consent. GOC refers to chemotherapy treatment intent: cure versus noncure. In this study, the authors sought to determine whether attributes of patients and initial patient‐physician encounters were associated with patients' understanding of their GOC.


Crocetin is an aglycon of carotenoid extracted by saffron stigmas (Crocus sativus L.) and known to have a potent anti-oxidative
effect. Amyliod β (Aβ), hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, is
reported to have neurotoxicity partly via oxidative
stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of crocetin on hippocampal
HT22 cell death induced by Aβ1-42.
Furthermore, to clarify the mechanism underlying the protective effects of
crocetin against Aβ1-42- induced cell death, we measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) production
by CM-H2DCFDA kit assay. Crocetin at 1 -10 μM protected HT22
cells against Aβ1-42-induced
neuronal cell death and decreased ROS production increased by Aβ1-42. These results that crocetin has the potent neuroprotective effect against
Aβ1-42-induced cytotoxicity
in hippocampal cells by attenuating oxidative stress, suggest that crocetin may provide a useful therapeutic strategy against Aβ-related disorders.


The case for learning patterns as a design method for accessible and adaptable learning objects is explored. Patterns and templates for the design of learning objects can be derived from successful existing learning resources. These patterns can then be reused in the design of new learning objects. We argue that by attending to criteria for reuse in the definition of these patterns and in the subsequent design of new learning objects, those new resources can be themselves reusable and also adaptable to different learning contexts. Finally, if the patterns identified can be implemented as templates for standard authoring tools, the design of effective, reusable and adaptable resources can be made available to those with limited skills in multimedia authoring and result in learning resources that are more widely accessible.


The paper presents oxidation experiment with clad layers made of the cobalt base powder and prepared by the multi overlapped tracks and sublayers fabricated by means of plasma transferred arc (PTA) and laser cladding technologies. The oxidation processes were carried on at 1100 deg. C for 200 hours. In the course of investigation it was demonstrated that there were no evidence of influence of the fabrication method on the corrosion resistance of cobalt clad layers. The phase compositions of the scale were the same – generally Cr2O3 and similar tendency for cracking and spalling. In both cases changes in the layer under the scale also exhibited similar tendency – decomposition of the carbides from the interdendritic regions and severe internal corrosion along the dendrite boundaries.


Viewing capitalism as emerging primarily from within the framework of empire rather than the nation state, this essay considers the relationship between capital, conversion, and settler colonialism in Samuel Butler's Erewhon, or Over the Range (1872). It looks, first, at the novel's critique of Wakefieldian organized settlement schemes as systems sustained by various forms of capital accumulation and free/unfree labour; and second, at its over-arching evangelical conversion narrative, which both frames and structures the main body of the text. The essay argues that, far from directing its satire wholly or even primarily towards metropolitan Britain, the novel enacts two circulating mid-nineteenth-century settler colonial anxieties: concerns about a perceived crisis of diminishing industriousness and economic exhaustion in colonial Australia and New Zealand, and concerns about the efficacy of British humanitarianism and missionary conversion. It considers the former in the context of the disruptions to settlement caused by the gold rushes in Australia and New Zealand in the 1850s and 1860s, and the latter in the context of missionary and humanitarian efforts to ameliorate conditions for Indigenous peoples from the 1830s onwards. The essay's larger claim is that Erewhon presents capital and conversion as structurally interconnected mechanisms of an evolving Anglo-settler state in New Zealand. Radicalizing a tradition of economic critique of empire beginning with Adam Smith, Butler satirizes the idea of colonialism as an essentially liberal system by showing how much it is intertwined with exploitative practices of territorial expansion, dispossession, capital accumulation, unfree labour, missionary conversion, and racial assimilation.


Purpose: To assess and quantify the improvement in stability and reproducibility of Deep‐Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) for left breast irradiation when using video‐based visual coaching and 3D surface imaging.Method and Materials: Ten volunteers were asked to perform a series of four 20‐second DIBHs without coaching followed by a series of 4 DIBH with visual coaching. A 3D surface imaging system (Vision RT Ltd, London) was used to track the motion of the breast surface. Visual coaching was performed with the aid of video goggles which displayed the surface‐based respiratory signal tracked by the surface imaging system. During the non‐coached DIBHs a window level was identified for each volunteer at their DIBH level. When coached, the volunteers were asked to maintain their DIBH respiratory signal within the window level identified before. Reproducibility and stability of DIBH were measured for each volunteer. Reproducibility is defined as the standard deviation of the different DIBH levels. Stability is measured as the average standard deviation of the breathing signals within each individual DIBH. Results: With visual coaching all the volunteers improved reproducibility of the DIBH with respect to un‐coached DIBH, and 9 of the volunteers improved stability of the DIBH. The volunteer that did not improve stability had a very stable DIBH even without coaching. On average, reproducibility improved from ±1.6mm to ±0.3mm, while stability improved from ±1.3mm to ±0.6mm. Conclusion: This work indicates that gated radiotherapy of the left‐breast cancer will benefit from visual coaching of the patient. Visual coaching greatly improves reproducibility and stability of the DIBH, both properties that need to be guaranteed for an accurate and efficient treatment. A future study will be performed for left‐breast cancer patients. Conflict of Interests: Research sponsored by Vision RT Ltd.


Cascaded nonlinearities have attracted much interest, but ultrafast applications have been seriously hampered by the simultaneous requirements of being near phase matching and having ultrafast femtosecond response times. Here we show that in strongly phase-mismatched nonlinear frequency conversion crystals the pump pulse can experience a large and extremely broadband self-defocusing cascaded Kerr-like nonlinearity. The large cascaded nonlinearity is ensured through interaction with the largest quadratic tensor element in the crystal, and the strong phase mismatch ensures an ultrafast nonlinear response with an octave-spanning bandwidth. We verify this experimentally by showing few-cycle soliton compression with noncritical cascaded second-harmonic generation: Energetic 47 fs infrared pulses are compressed in a just 1-mm long bulk lithium niobate crystal to 17 fs (under 4 optical cycles) with 80% efficiency, and upon further propagation an octave-spanning supercontinuum is observed. Such ultrafast cascading is expected to occur for a broad range of pump wavelengths spanning the near- and mid-IR using standard nonlinear crystals.