Despite the persistence of the fraternal form of association in guilds, trade unions, and political associations, as well as in fraternal social organizations, scholars have often ignored its importance as a cultural and social theme. This provocative volume helps to redress that neglect. Tracing the development of fraternalism from early modern western Europe through eighteenth-century Britain to nineteenth-century America, Mary Ann Clawson shows how white males came to use fraternal organizations to resolve troubling questions about relations between the sexes and between classes: American fraternalism in the 1800s created bonds of loyalty across class lines and made gender and race primary categories of collective identity.British men had symbolically become stone masons to express their commitment to the emerging market economy and to the social value of craft labor. Clawson points out that American fraternalism fulfilled similar purposes, as fraternal organizations reconciled individualism and mutuality for many who were discomfited by the conflict of egalitarian principles and capitalist industrial development. Fraternalism's extraordinary appeal rested also on the assertion of masculine solidarity in the face of feminine claims to moral leadership. Nevertheless, visions of solidarity were contradicted when fraternal organizations became increasingly entrepreneurial, seeking to maximize their own growth through systematic marketing of membership.Originally published in 1989.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.


In 14 thyrotoxic patients and 5 persons with endemic euthyroid goiter the blood plasma prolactin content was studied under the action of an acute oral load of levodopa in a dose of 0.5 g. It was found that the basal prolactin level was significantly higher in the blood of patients of both sexes with thyrotoxicosis and endemic euthyroid goiter than that in the control group (10 healthy humans). The blood plasma prolactin content markedly decreased in thyrotoxic patients under levodopa effect, regardless of the sex, whereas in patients with endemic euthyroid goiter the drug exhibited no considerable action on the prolactin level. A possible mechanism of hyperprolactinemia in the thyroid hyperfunction is discussed.


Conventional supply chains, involving several stages and various intermediaries, are affected by some wellknown forms of inefficiencies and drawbacks. Besides the increase of market price consequent to multiple marginalization, such supply chains generally suffer of significant post-harvest losses and product waste. In this context, short food supply chains have been recently proposed as different systems capable of delivering higher quality products while promoting sustainability and efficiency. Across the EU, a growing number of consumers choose to buy food products on local farmers' markets, associating local products with higher quality standards (freshness, nutritional value), healthy eating, more environment-friendly production methods and lower carbon footprint. Such elements seem to confirm a higher performance of short food supply chains (SFSCs) compared to traditional (long) chains in terms of sustainability and quality of products. Nevertheless, the performance of SFSCs is significantly affected by the local contexts and the market situations in which they operate. In particular, although SFSCs are localized in relatively small geographical areas, the elimination of intermediaries, such as distributors/packagers, and quality preserving processes generally results in shorter shelf-life of products. The management of such systems, hence, is focused on the problem of ensuring superior quality of local product at reasonable costs, without the possibility of employing advanced packaging solutions. Therefore, due to their peculiarities, SFSCs require proper logistic policies to cope with these problems, taking into account the variability of demand and the effects of seasonality. This paper in particular focuses on the logistics of SFSCs and proposes a methodology for optimal inventory management, with the aim to preserve the shelf-life of the products, and to ensure supply chain efficiency. The methodology developed is based on a multi-objective approach to inventory management in a serial two-echelon system. A numerical application is proposed in order to prove the effectiveness of the model.


Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. In the United States, it is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, next only to breast and lung. It is the second most common cause of cancer-related death both in the USA and in the UK. (www. cancer. org, O'Connell et. al. 2004a, Leff et. al. 2007). Its incidence has risen rapidly in Asia to pose a problem (Yuen et. al. 1997, Huang et. al. 1999, Mohandas et. al. 1999, Yiu et. al. 2004, Goh et. al. 2005,Gupta et. al. 2010). Sung et. al. (2005) in a review on CRC in Asia stated that many Asian countries, e. g., China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore have experienced an increase of two to four times in CRC incidence during the past few decades. In Hong-Kong CRC is the second most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer death (Yuen et. al. 1997). Tamura et. al. (1996) in a Japanese study reported that age adjusted incidence for CRC per 100,000 population were 12. 6 and 8. 7 for males and females respectively in 1974, 20 and 13. 6 in 1980, 42. 5 and 25. 6 in 1991. Bae et. al. (2002) estimated on the basis of Korean data, that the expected number of cancer deaths in Korea showed an increasing trend for CRC, although the same did not hold for all cancers. In Iran, age adjusted CRC incidence per 100,000 population per year increased from 1. 61 in 1970-80 to 4. 2 in 19902000 in men and 2. 35 to 2. 72 for women (Hosseini et. al. 2004). The rising trend is more striking in affluent than in poorer societies and differs substantially amongst ethnic groups. Changes in dietary habits and lifestyle are recognized causes. Genetic characteristics of a population mediate the effect of life style change into disease propensity (Lin et. al. 2010). Although the common perception is that it is a disease of an older person, there have been many reports from different parts of the world on CRC in the young adults (Bulow 1980, Denmark; Ohman 1982, Sweden;Jarvinen and Turunen 1984, Finland; Ibrahim and Karim 1986, Lebanon; Adloff et. al. 1986, France; Isbister and Fraser 1990, New Zealand; Yuen et. al. 1997, Hong-Kong; Fante et. al. 1997, Italy; Ashenafi 2000, Ethiopia; deSilva et. al. 2000, Srilanka; Paraf and Jothy 2000, Canada; Turkiewicz et. al. , 2001, Australia; Singh et. al. 2002a, Nepal; Kam et. al. 2004, Malayasia; Frizis et. al. 2004, Greece; Guraya and Eltinay2006, Saudi Arabia; Fazeli et. al. 2007, Iran; Karsten et. al. 2008, USA; Gupta et. al. 2010, India). O'Connell et. al. (2004a) have reviewed the literature. The proportion of patients in the young group in a population of CRC patients was significantly larger in reports from Asia and Africa, as compared to the Western reports.


In recent years, social media platforms have become a popular tool for feminist activists and the main medium of communication for new feminist organizations to gain higher visibility. However, along with opportunities, they also bring a reshaping of communication forms and challenges in the modes of organization of these groups, which seek to transform the prevailing individualist logic of the mediated social media landscape into a collective identity. Through the findings of qualitative, semi-structured interviews and the analysis of the content published online, this article looks at the structures of interactions and organizing processes in the social media accounts of new Spanish feminist groups. The findings show that although the committees are aware of the importance of an online presence, they face many obstacles in the creation of collective profiles due to the lack of guidelines, having no clear organized steps on how to post content with consensus within each committee, and the many demands of the speed-driven nature of social media platforms.


Background: Knowledge of how the HIV virus is transmitted and how we can protect ourselves against it will lead individuals to adopt appropriate sexual behavior, thus preventing transmission of HIV. An evaluation of this knowledge in a young population of reproductive age is fundamental when drawing up and assessing health education programs.Goal: Assessing the knowledge of students at the health care departments of the Athens ΗΤEΙ on AIDS transmission and prevention.Material and Method: 249 students of health care professions at the Athens ΗΤEΙ participated in the study, their average age being 21.1±2.45 years. An anonymous, structured questionnaire comprising 61 questions was used, which subjects filled out themselves.Results: 96.1% of the population stated that they had been informed about AIDS and the overwhelming majority (94.2%) was aware of the hematogenous transmission of AIDS, while a large percentage answered that there is no cure, though this reply was influenced by how many years the respondents had studied. 90% of sexually active students thought that those afflicted should say so openly, and they were also better informed about the lack of a cure for the disease.Conclusions: The population studied seemed to be aware of quite a few details concerning AIDS. The quantity and accuracy of this knowledge was influenced by various parameters, i.e. how many years respondents had studied and whether they were sexually active. In general, the sample population seemed open to information, as respondents' attitudes changed progressively in the course of their studies as a result of the knowledge imparted to them. We believe that by drawing up and implementing appropriate Health Education Programs we can contribute to the adoption of more conscious attitudes and safer behavior.


To provide the foundation for a freshwater conservation plan for KwaZulu-Natal, three-level hierarchical river and wetland type classifications, based on spatio-temporal scaling relationships, are proposed. This resolution of classification is appropriate for regional- or provincial-scale conservation planning. The hierarchical structure of the classifications provides scope for finer resolution, by the addition of further levels, for application at a sub-regional or municipal scale. The proposed classifications include 74 river and 16 wetland types. River typing incorporating a classification based on intra-annual flow patterns from 40 gauging weirs could not be accurately represented spatially. Research on testing the strengths of the relationships among environmental surrogates for biotic diversity is proposed.


St. Peter sandstone is a soft loosely bonded rock that disintegrates readily when subjected to flowing water. This type of foundation, encountered in the St. Anthony Falls project, called for careful geological investigating and testing. De-watering excavated areas required special precautions for the control of subsurface seepage. Deep seated steel sheet piling, wellpoint system and chemical grouting were adopted as essential construction safety measures. A type of structure was selected in order to assure that the foundation under and adjacent to the completed locks and dams would not be disturbed. Meticulous regulations of the pool levels within the metropolitan areas requires the use of control gates that will minimize interference with the operation of existing structures and utilities. Radiant heating and low pressure bubbler systems were adopted to keep the gates operable during cold weather periods. Railway bridge alterations made under sustained traffic required the coordination of planning and execution by the contractor, the operating agency, and the designing engineer.


Uncertainty  about  the  level  of  demand  is  thought  to  influence  irreversible  capacity decisions. This paper examines some implications of the theory literature on this topic in an  empirical  study  of  the US  cement  industry  between  1994  and  2006.  Firms  in  this sector have the ability to deliver cement either from domestic plants or from  imports. Since  cement  is  costly  to  transport  via  land,  the difference  in marginal  cost between local production and imports varies across local markets. The marginal cost of imports is lower  in areas with access  to a  sea port, decreasing  the  relative value of  investing  in local  capacity  sufficient  to  supply  positive  local  demand  shocks.  In  the  presence  of uncertain  demand,  firms  may  choose  to  serve  these  markets  via  both  domestic production  and  imports.  Consistent with  the  theory, we  find  a  negative  relationship between  the  average  level  of  excess  capacity  and  demand  volatility  only  for  coastal areas. An increase in demand volatility is associated with an increase in excess capacity only  in  landlocked  areas. More  generally,  the  paper  shows  that  the  cost  of  imports relative to the cost of domestic production affects the relationship between uncertainty and domestic capacity decisions. The results suggest that a unilateral climate policy  in the  US may  induce  a  partial  international  relocation  of  capacity  in  carbon  intensive industries, such as cement, by increasing the relative cost of domestic production.


Life can get frustrating sometimes. Losing a glove on a cold winter day, or opting not to bring an umbrella because the forecast said it would be dry – and it wasn't – or as has been in the news lately, waiting for hours to clear security at the airport, are all such events that can make you see red. Some events go beyond frustrating and become worrisome. Being told that you might be the victim of a data breech and knowing that you'll need to constantly worry if identity theft might be the result. It can feel even more frustrating or worrisome when the you know that if the other party had a responsibility to act in a certain way or take certain steps and failed to do so, resulting in the frustration. Even if nothing really bad happens, the frustration remains and can be heightened by knowing that it's that other party's fault.
That happened to Thomas Robins. He learned about a report created by the "people search engine" Spokeo.com that that contained inaccurate information about himself. Interestingly, the inaccurate information wasn't harmful in the sense that it generally ascribed positive attributes to Mr. Robins, describing him as married, employed, with a graduate degree and is "relatively affluent." None of this information turned out to be correct. While most would find these inaccuracies either neutral or even amusing, Mr. Robins was concerned that they might impact his then ongoing job hunt – by suggesting to prospective employers that he was already employed with a high salary – or could impact his credit.


With the increased use of human-machine interaction via voice enabled smart devices over the years, there are growing demands for better accuracy of the speech analytics systems. Several studies show that speech analytics system exhibits bias towards speaker demographics, such age, gender, race, accent etc. To avoid such a bias, speaker demographic information can be used to prepare training dataset for the speech analytics model. Also, speaker demographic information can be used for targeted advertisement, recommendation, and forensic science. In this research we will demonstrate some algorithms for age and gender prediction from speech data with our custom dataset that covers speakers from around the world with varying accents. In order to extract speaker age and gender from speech data, we've also included a method for determining the appropriate length of audio file to be ingested into the system, which will reduce computational time. This study also identifies the most effective padding and cropping mechanism for obtaining the best results from the input audio file. We investigated the impact of various parameters on the performance and end-to-end implementation of a real-time speaker age and gender information extraction system. Our best model has a RMSE value of 4.1 for age prediction and 99.5% for gender prediction on custom test dataset.


Antibody-free analysis is a potential method for glycoprotein analysis, but the development of this method has been limited by its unfavorable selectivity in recent years. Magnetic molecular imprinting, which integrates the fast separation of magnetic materials with high selectivity towards templates in molecular imprinting, was expected to be an effective sample pretreatment in antibody-free analysis for glycoproteins. However, the aggregation of magnetic imprinted nanoparticles and thick molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) shells on the surface of magnetic carriers caused an unfavorable adsorption capacity, and unsatisfactory rebinding and elution rates, and has limited its application in glycoprotein extraction. Thus, highly dispersed magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (MMINs) with a well-defined thin film for the selective extraction of glycoprotein HRP were developed in this work. A solvothermal method was used in this work to improve the dispersity of Fe3O4 NPs (nanoparticles) and the MMINs. The thickness of the MIP film was optimized to provide the optimum extraction efficiency. Thus the adsorption capacity of the MMINs, the rebinding rate and the elution rate of the templates were greatly improved. As a result, the prepared MMINs not only exhibited excellent selectivity and high adsorption capacity to HRP, and an outstanding tolerance for interference, but also showed excellent rebinding and elution rates for extraction application. Furthermore, this method provided a reliable way to improve conventional magnetic molecular imprinting, and showed great potential for the analysis of glycoprotein tumor biomarkers in clinics in the future.


Learning-based methods for robotic grasping have been shown to yield high performance. However, they rely on expensive-to-acquire and well-labeled datasets. In addition, how to generalize the learned grasping ability across different scenarios is still unsolved. In this paper, we present a novel grasp adaptation strategy to transfer the learned grasping ability to new domains based on visual data using a new grasp feature representation. We present a conditional generative model for visual data transformation. By leveraging the deep feature representational capacity from the well-trained grasp synthesis model, our approach utilizes feature-level contrastive representation learning and adopts adversarial learning on output space. This way we bridge the domain gap between the new domain and the training domain while keeping consistency during the adaptation process. Based on transformed input grasp data via the generator, our trained model can generalize to new domains without any fine-tuning. The proposed method is evaluated on benchmark datasets and based on real robot experiments. The results show that our approach leads to high performance in new scenarios.


Workpiece damage generated during conventional drilling (CD) of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) (such as delamination, matrix cracking, fibre pull out etc.) results in reduced fatigue strength, poor assembly tolerance and compromised structural integrity of the component. Avoidance of such damage during drilling of CFRP is a challenge for the aircraft and aerospace industries. At present, it requires a lot of resources and huge cost in order to generate damage free holes in CFRP in the industries. Therefore, the industries (such as BAE Systems) are looking for alternative hole producing processes for damage free drilling. It has been reported that thrust force during drilling should be reduced in order to reduce exit delamination. Ultrasonic assisted drilling (UAD) has been found to reduce the cutting and thrust forces during drilling of metals when compared to CD. Although limited attempts employing UAD indicate a reduction in thrust and cutting forces and damage when machining CFRP, this process has not been examined in detail with respect to optimising machining parameters in relation to machining theory. In addition, there has been limited research regarding the effect of the UAD process on overall workpiece damage as a result of drilling of CFRP. The focus of this research was the identification of the mechanism responsible for thrust force reduction in UAD in comparison to CD during drilling of CFRP which would help in selecting the machining parameters resulting in minimum workpiece damage. Consequently, the cutting speeds resulting in reduced forces and damage were investigated.

As a fundamental concept in machining theory, higher rake angles result in lower cutting forces and improved surface roughness. Calculations of effective normal rake angle at the cutting edge of a twist drill in UAD revealed a maximum of 62° and 49° effective rake angle at 10 and 100 m/min (40160 Hz, 7.3 μm peak-to-peak amplitude) respectively for a new tool. Employing knowledge of the effective rake angle, experiments were performed at specific cutting speeds in order to examine the effects of UAD on forces and damage during drilling of CFRP and compared to CD. Further work employed a pilot hole to remove the contribution of chisel edges so that influence of effective rake angles at the cutting edges could be examined. Through-hole drilling tests, comparing UAD and CD, employing a constant feed rate of 0.05 mm/rev and two cutting speeds (10 and 100 m/min) were carried out. At 10 m/min, there was a reduction in thrust force and torque of 55 % and 45 %, respectively when utilising UAD with a new tool. 40 % reduction in thrust force and 46 % in torque with 52 μm of tool wear corresponded to 36 % reduction in entrance delamination and 22 % reduction in exit delamination at 10 m/min. At 100 m/min, 20 % reduction in thrust force and 30 % in torque was obtained respectively; however, this did not yield a significant reduction in entrance or exit delamination. Analysis of internal damage did, however, reveal a 55 % reduction in internal damage (i.e. fibre pull-out and fibre disorientation) at 100 m/min. Thus, the key contribution of this research is that low cutting speed is required in UAD in order to achieve the greatest reduction in machining forces (and hence, delamination) at entrance and exit of a hole in comparison to CD. The reason for this was discovered to be higher effective rake angle at low cutting speed in UAD causing the reduction in thrust force and torque. Furthermore, reduction of internal damage in a hole required higher cutting speed in UAD. The results imply that the cutting speed should be varied during drilling a hole in CFRP. In UAD, the cutting speed should be lower at entrance and exit of a hole and higher for drilling the intermediate part. Whereas in CD, the cutting speed should be higher at entrance and exit and lower during drilling of intermediate part keeping the feed rate constant in order to achieve the minimum workpiece damage during drilling of CFRP. The proposed variation of cutting speed during drilling of a hole is possible in the machine used in the present research.


In vitro embryo production (IVP) has provided insights into early embryogenesis in the murine model, however our current understanding of embryogenesis in the bovine model is less complete. A crucial event in mammalian embryonic development is the first lineage specification, where the trophoblast (TB) and the inner cell mass (ICM) are formed. The formation of these distinct cellular lineages is governed by various cell signaling pathways, foremost among which is the Hippo signaling pathway. The Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is a key effector of Hippo signaling and has been shown to be involved in the regulation of mouse cellular lineage fates. The manipulation of this molecular pathway will provide information on whether Hippo pathway-dependent or Hippo pathway-independent mechanisms are involved in the regulation of YAP1 localization and first lineage specification in cattle.Currently, there is limited research regarding the role of Hippo signaling in the establishment of polarity in the bovine embryo. We found that upon RHOA inhibition via C3-transferase, polarity factors EZRIN and AMOT exhibit reduced expression at the apical domain. Although it was not determined whether impaired embryo compaction and polarization was associated with YAP1 activity, it is evident that RHOA signaling is required for normal bovine compaction.This research illustrated that RHOA facilitates YAP1 intracellular distribution in bovine embryos as RHOA inhibition activates the Hippo signaling pathway and shuts down YAP1 activity. In contrast, LATS1/2 inhibition via Lats-ln-1 resulted in unexpected YAP1 expression, hence the exact involvement of LATS1/2 in YAP1 nuclear localisation remains unclear. Furthermore, we concluded that RHOA and thereby YAP1 activity is involved in blastocyst formation as inhibition of RHOA may impair cell properties required for development beyond the morula stage.Bovine embryos have a longer pre-implantation period than murine embryos, emphasizing that a complex network of mechanisms are involved in the establishment of the first lineages. In this thesis, RHOA inhibition was not linked to the second lineage determination and its role in the first lineage commitment was negligible. We showed that YAP1 modulation via LATS inhibition may impact the localisation and expression of first lineage markers. However, misexpression of 2 lineage markers in LATS1/2 inhibited blastocysts suggests that Lats-ln-1 may have a deleterious effect on bovine embryos.In summary, we proved that Hippo signaling is involved in cell polarity and blastocyst establishment in the bovine embryo. Due to the complexity of bovine blastocyst formation, it is apparent that an extensive network of effectors and mechanistic pathways must also be involved in lineage determination independent of the Hippo signaling pathway.


The epidemiological data of 502 mycetomas studied in the Department of Mycology, "Centro Dermatológico Pascua", Mexico City, were analysed. Mycetomas prevail in males (79.7%), they are more frequent between 16 and 45 years of age (75%) and among rural workers (62.5%); they preferentially affect lower limbs (62.5%); these data are generally similar to the known publications on the matter. Actinomycetomas are the most frequent with 97.2% of the cases, distributed as follows: Nocardia: 85.6% among which 71.9% are N. brasiliensis, Actinomadura madurae: 9.6%, Streptomyces somaliensis: 1.6%, Actinomadura pelletieri: only one case: 0.2%. Eumycetomas, a total of 9, are due to Madurella mycetomi (2), Madurella grisea (2), an undetermined black grain (1), Acremonium sp. and Fusarium sp. (1), Fusarium, sp. (1), Pseudallescheria boydii (1), and an undetermined white grain (1).


I find reading Cajal as rewarding as reading Darwin. One finds the same eager search for discovery, as these true pioneers navigate a new world using their tremendous skill for observing nature and interpreting what they see. If in Darwin we find the first, labored but clear, glimpses of evolution as the fundamental principle of biology, in Cajal we watch the emergence of the neuronal doctrine as the basis of modern neuroscience. The idea against which Cajal fought, one in which all neurons were interconnected through cytoplasmic bridges and thus constituted a single cell miasma, is as incompatible with the development of basic and clinical neuroscience as creationism is inconsistent with genomic data, and astronomy with the similarly intuitive belief that the sun revolves around the earth. However, for the busy professional reader, there were three obstacles to enjoying Cajal's work: the first is that one would like to be certain that the information acquired has not been corrected along the development of neuroscience during the 20th century. The second is that the quality of the illustrations in most currently available editions is, to put it kindly, abysmal. The third is that Cajal's work was originally published in Spanish and French, and many current workers in basic and clinical neuroscience are not familiar with these languages. The edition of Pasik and Pasik addresses all three problems. It is much more than a modern translation. It provides NEURONAL SUBSTRATES OF SLEEP AND EPILEPSY. 2003. By Mircea Steriade. Published by Cambridge University Press. 522 pages. C$170 approx.


This edited volume is the first to present a cohesive account of adaptation to chronic pain from a motivational perspective. Across the 15 chapters, scholars from diverse domains of psychology explore the multileveled and bidirectional nature of pain and motivation, drawing from a broad array of constructs, including self-regulation, goal systems, cognitive control, attention, conflict, interpersonal processes, coping, conditioning, and stress reactivity. Also addressed is the relation between pain and psychopathology, the nature of pain-affect dynamics, and the neural mechanisms underlying the pain experience. Applied considerations are presented in chapters on Motivational Interviewing, ACT, Internet-based methods, and related clinical topics. Our volume provides an up-to-date compendium of cutting-edge research and interventions that collectively illustrate the utility of viewing chronic pain as neither a "disease" nor an imposed lifestyle, but as the emergent and potentially flexible product of a complex transactional system that is bounded by sociocultural factors, on the one hand, and by biogenetic and neural moderating forces on the other. The chapters capture the vibrancy of current theory, research, and practice while pointing toward unexplored new directions. Students and seasoned pain researchers will find within the motivation-centered framework a host of intriguing ideas to complement extant formulations. And those engaged in treating/training persons with chronic pain will discover the unique, integrative value of motivational models.


Aim: This study was designed with the aim of determining and comparing the two year survival rate of patients who had, and had not received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.
Methods: This analytical study, approved by the ethical committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences, evaluated esophageal cancer patients who had undergone surgery in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Urmia, between the years 2011 and 2016. Subjects were analyzed as two groups: those who were treated with neoadjuvant methods (n=168) and those who had not received this treatment (n=112).
Results: The most common symptom in patients was dysphagia in each group (90.4% versus 87.5%) and also the most common types of esophagus cancer in our study was SCC in each group (88% versus 91.07%). A significant variation concerning survival rates between the two groups were observed (P=0.031). According to the Kaplan Meier survival analysis, the average survival rate of the first group (received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy) was 42.96 ± 2.74 months and that of the second group (untreated) was 41 ± 3.12 months. It is revealed that a significant variation is present between the two year survival rates of the two study groups (P=0.03). A significant variation was observed between the two groups concerning two year survival rates (P=0.01).
Conclusion: Considering the gathered results, our study reveals that pre-operational neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is beneficial for the survival rates of patients suffering from esophageal cancer, therefore we recommend that prior to performing invasive treatments, such as surgery, it is beneficial to provide chemoradiotherapy for these patients.


It is well known that genes and environment interact to produce behavioral phenotypes. One environmental factor with long-term effects on gene transcription and behavior is maternal care. A classic paradigm for examining maternal care and genetic interactions is to foster pups of one genetic strain to dams of a different strain ("between-strain fostering"). In addition, fostering to a dam of the same strain ("within-strain fostering") is used to reduce indirect effects, via behavioral changes in the dams, of gestation treatments on offspring. Using within-and between-strain fostering we examined the contributions of genetics/prenatal environment, maternal care, and the effects of fostering per se, on adult aggressive behavior in two inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (DBA). We hypothesized that males reared by dams of the more aggressive DBA strain would attack intruders faster than those reared by B6 dams. Surprisingly, we found that both methods of fostering enhanced aggressive behavior, but only in B6 mice. Since all the B6 offspring are genetically identical, we asked if maternal behavior of B6 dams was affected by the relatedness of their pups. In fact, B6 dams caring for foster B6 pups displayed significantly reduced maternal behaviors. Finally, we measured vasopressin and corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA in the amygdalae of adult B6 males reared by foster or biological dams. Both genes correlated with aggressive behavior in within-strain fostered B6 mice, but not in mice reared by their biological dams. In sum, we have demonstrated in inbred laboratory mice, that dams behave differently when rearing their own newborn pups versus pups from another dam of the same strain. These differences in maternal care affect aggression in the male offspring and transcription of Avp and Crh in the brain. It is likely that rearing by foster dams has additional effects and implications for other species.


Reflective leadership plays a key role in successfully maintaining the operation in organizations and in achieving their far and near objectives. In order to enable this success in school organizations, each employee in the school should make an effort for development and effective operation of the school organization. A reflective school leader is effective in enabling and sustaining this success by utilizing their reflective leadership traits. The aim of this research is to determine the reflective leadership levels of school principals by science and math teachers' viewpoints. Sample of the research is composed of a total of 147 volunteer teachers 68 of whom serve as science teachers and 79 as math teachers in high schools in Corum city center. Data have been collected through "reflective leadership" scale adapted to Turkish language by Ersozlu and Castelli (2016). According to the research findings, it is understood that science and math teachers consider school principals' reflective leadership traits to be at middle level. With regard to gender, age, branch and years of experience; no difference is found in teachers' perceptions on reflective leadership of school principals.


To investigate the mechanism of selection of individual human CD8 (cid:1) T cell clones into long-term memory following primary infection with a persistent human virus (human CMV (HCMV)), we undertook a longitudinal analysis of the diversity of T cell clones directed toward an immunodominant viral epitope: we followed this longitudinally from early T cell expansion through the contraction phase and selection into the memory pool. We show that following initial HCMV infection, the early primary response against a defined epitope was composed of diverse clones possessing many different TCR V (cid:2) segments. Longitudinal analysis showed that this usage rapidly focused predominantly on a single TCR V (cid:2) segment within which dominant clones frequently had public TCR usage, in contrast to subdominant or contracted clones. Longitudinal clonotypic analysis showed evidence of dispro-portionate contraction of certain clones that were abundant in the primary response, and late expansion of clones that were subdominant in the primary response. All dominant clones selected into memory showed similar high functional avidity of their TCR, whereas two clones that greatly contracted showed substantially lower avidity. Expression of the IL-7R is required for survival of murine effector CD8 (cid:1) T cells into memory, but in primary HCMV infection IL-7R was not detected on circulating Ag-specific cells until memory had been established. Thus, the oligoclonal T cell repertoire against an immunodominant persistent viral epitope is established early in primary infection by the rapid selection of public clonotypes, rather than being a stochastic process. The Journal of Immunology, 2007, 179: 3203–3213.


The focus in this chapter is on the component steps of PAS (see Figure 5.1 and Figure 5.2). CRE alignment is achieved, as has been shown in chapter 4, if stakeholders can use PAS successfully. PAS is successful if the stakeholders are able to perform each step of PAS. I assume that the stakeholders can perform steps 1 (specifying decision variables), 3 (assigning weights) and 4 (determining design constraints) because these type of steps are part of other multi criteria decision analysis as well. However, it is not known if stakeholders are able to perform the new step 2 (determining preferences) and step 5a (design alternatives) and are willing to select the alternative with the highest overall preference score in step 6. Preferably, this new alternative has a higher overall preference score than the overall preference score in the current situation. However, if the boundary conditions are strict this is not always possible. PAS has been tested in three pilots.
This chapter has the following structure:
–– TU Delft pilot for the food facilities in paragraph 5.1;
–– TU Delft pilot for lecture halls in paragraph 5.2;
–– Oracle's pilot for office locations in paragraph 5.3;
–– Pilot study comparison and conclusion in paragraph 5.4.


Archetypal analysis and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) are staples in a statisticians toolbox for dimension reduction and exploratory data analysis. We describe a geometric approach to both NMF and archetypal analysis by interpreting both problems as finding extreme points of the data cloud. We also develop and analyze an efficient approach to finding extreme points in high dimensions. For modern massive datasets that are too large to fit on a single machine and must be stored in a distributed setting, our approach makes only a small number of passes over the data. In fact, it is possible to obtain the NMF or perform archetypal analysis with just two passes over the data.


A critical stage of the macroeconomic events and Italian economic policy in the 1960s is outlined by examining two important contributions from the decade in question. In coordination with the works by Binotti and Ghiani and by Marinelli, in this issue, attention focuses on the role of Modigliani (particularly in Modigliani and La Malfa 1966) in highlighting the importance of supply conditions for determination of macroeconomic equilibrium, and on the economic policy implications of a clear conceptual distinction between sustainable equilibrium and full employment Walrasian equilibrium. The paper argues, firstly, that by applying the results of his 1963 model to the Italian case, Modigliani prompted a debate that foreshadowed many important themes linked to the notion of nairu. A second argument put forward here is that Modigliani definitively showed that the distributive outcome of a realwage shock cannot be influenced by monetary policy and depends only on the relative flexibility of prices and wages and the role of the exchange rate, thus demonstrating the ineffectiveness of the attempt to replace incomes policy by monetary policy. Finally, the work by Izzo, Pedone, Spaventa, Volpi, published in 1970, is discussed as an example indicating that definitive awareness of the macroeconomic role of supply and the related policies had by then been attained in Italy.


Abstract Tree-based models are among the most efficient machine learning techniques for data mining nowadays due to their accuracy, interpretability, and simplicity. The recent orthogonal needs for more data and privacy protection call for collaborative privacy-preserving solutions. In this work, we survey the literature on distributed and privacy-preserving training of tree-based models and we systematize its knowledge based on four axes: the learning algorithm, the collaborative model, the protection mechanism, and the threat model. We use this to identify the strengths and limitations of these works and provide for the first time a framework analyzing the information leakage occurring in distributed tree-based model learning.


In the course of a single generation, the British empire was transformed from being a network of selfgoverning Atlantic communities into a cluster of largely Asian territories acquired, for the most part, through conquest. As countless historians note, the second half of the eighteenth century saw an 'epochal shift in world power'. For many scholars it was this period which saw the 'foundations of modern colonial empires' (p. 2). For some, it marks the beginning of forms of imperial domination which continue into our present.


This study discusses the visual characteristic illustrated in a painting inspired from the traditional Malay batik design, called "Pakai Semutar Kain Lepas" created by Mohd Nor Mahmud. Visual analysis approach was chosen and highlighted through the application of line, shape, texture, balance, repetition and space. Indeed, the analysis discovered that the artwork expended with varieties of motifs design, which harmonized a unique pattern. The results also stated about seventeen motifs that were formed from the floral and pucuk rebung (bamboo shoots) motif. In fact, the composition was significantly composed based on five vertical panels within the landscape format. This painting was one of the artworks that was created through batik methods. This approach is actually an option in how batik was explored into fine art practice and was displayed in a gallery.


BACKGROUND
In the United States, most mothers who initiate breastfeeding will either stop or begin supplementing with formula before their infants are 3 months old. Routine breastfeeding education and support following hospital discharge are critical to breastfeeding success. The purpose of this article is to identify this critical period for supporting and reinforcing breastfeeding.

METHODS
We will use data from participants enrolled in the Maryland State Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This cross-sectional study will explore whether breastfeeding patterns during the period between birth and postnatal WIC certification differ by participation in a local WIC agency that provides breastfeeding peer counselor support (PC) versus two comparison groups, the lactation consultant (LC) and standard care (SC) groups.

RESULTS
During 2007, 33,582 infants were enrolled in the Maryland State WIC program. Infant breastfeeding status was categorized as exclusively breastfeeding, partially breastfeeding, or not breastfeeding. At certification, 30.4% of infants were breastfeeding, 25.3% had been breastfed but had stopped before certification in WIC, and 44.3% never breastfed. The breastfeeding initiation rate was higher for the PC group compared with the LC and SC groups (61.6% vs. 54.4% and 47.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). Participants in the PC group were more likely to certify as exclusively and partially breastfeeding compared with the LC and SC groups (36.0% vs. 24.8% and 25.3%, respectively; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION
Our analysis identifies a window of opportunity during which targeted contact with breastfeeding mothers could enhance longer-term breastfeeding rates.


The integration of robust perception in a heavy-duty manipulation control system is an enabler for autonomous mining. This paper aims to analyze performance and robustness of clustering methods for object recognition during the secondary breaking stage of mining. Secondary breaking refers to breaking over-sized rocks into smaller pieces for the purpose of grinding and extraction of valuable ores and minerals. Therefore, recognition of rock pieces is the detection of unstructured targets within a structured environment. The clustering methods are experimentally evaluated by several sets of scenes of point clouds as outputs of a Time-of-Flight camera (ToF). The challenges of rock detection from sparse 3D point cloud data are addressed. In outdoor conditions, ToFs generally provide coarse but robust output in short sample times. Therefore, some clustering methods can be prone to numerical and statistical errors. This paper highlights the weaknesses and strengths of three methods for the secondary breaking application. We propose an algorithmic method for exploiting the existing clustering and segmentation methods efficiently in the detection loop to determine a suitable contact point and approaching angle for a hydraulic jack hammer. The results verify effectiveness of the proposed approach for scattered outputs of low-cost ToFs.


This study was carried out to clarify the effect of temperature and time of wetness on corrosion of carbon steel under insulation. The specimen used was carbon steel SS400. In this test, the specimen was covered with calcium silicate insulation and heated in a temperature range from 40 to 200 ℃ by an electric heater. Corrosion test was conducted by pouring deionized water of 25 to 50 ml into the insulation. The time of wetness on the steel surface under the insulation was evaluated using the ACM sensor. The results of the corrosion test showed that corrosion was not found at temperatures above 100 ℃ . On the other hand, corrosion occurred locally at temperatures between 40 ~ 90 ℃ and the corrosion depth became deeper with decreasing steel surface temperature. The time of wetness of the steel surface measured with the ACM sensor increased with decreasing steel surface temperature. This indicates that the increase in time of wetness on the steel surface has more significant effect on corrosion of the steel under insulation than the increase in the corrosion reactivity with increasing temperature.


The value of perishable products is most affected by the time delays in a supply chain. A major issue is how to integrate the existing practices in production, inventory holding and distribution, besides considering the perishable nature of the products, so as to deliver an optimised policy for the perishable commodities. Standard inventory control models are often not adequate for perishable products and there is a need for a new integrated model to focus on consolidation of production, inventory and distribution processes. We develop such a mathematical model to search for an optimal integrated inventory policy for perishable items in a multi-stage supply chain. We specifically assume the exponential deterioration rate so as to be consistent with the growth rate of the micro-organisms responsible for deterioration. We propose and analyse some general properties of the model and apply it to a three-stage supply chain. We show that this integrated model which includes inventory control and fleet selection can be optimised with an evolutionary technique like genetic algorithm. A novel genetic algorithm that avoids revisits and employs a parameter-less self-adaptive mutation operator is developed. The results are compared with those obtained with CPLEX for small-sized problems. We show that our model and optimisation approach gives near optimal results for varied demand scenarios.


&NA; Vasomotor symptoms (VMS; or hot flashes) plague millions of reproductive‐aged men and women who have natural or iatrogenic loss of sex steroid production. Many affected individuals are left without treatment options because of contraindications to hormone replacement therapy and the lack of equally effective nonhormonal alternatives. Moreover, development of safer, more effective therapies has been stymied by the lack of an animal model that recapitulates the hot‐flash phenomenon and enables direct testing of hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology underlying hot flashes. To address these problems, we developed a murine model for hot flashes and a comprehensive method for measuring autonomic and behavioral thermoregulation in mice. We designed and constructed an instrument called a thermocline that produces a thermal gradient along which mice behaviorally adapt to a thermal challenge to their core body temperature set point while their thermal preference over time is tracked and recorded. We tested and validated this murine model for VMS by administration of a TRPV1 agonist and a neurokinin B receptor agonist, capsaicin and senktide, respectively, to unrestrained mice and observed their autonomic and behavioral responses. Following both treatments, the mice exhibited a VMS‐like response characterized by a drop in core body temperature and cold‐seeking behavior on the thermocline. Senktide also caused a rise in tail skin temperature and increased Fos expression in the median preoptic area, a hypothalamic temperature control center. This dynamic model may be used to fully explore the cellular and molecular bases for VMS and to develop and test new therapeutic options.


ABSTRACT Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ‰) is negatively correlated with water use efficiency (WUE) in several C3 species and was proposed as a selection criterion for improving WUE. Tomato (Lycopersion esculentumL.), cv. Improved Apollo, was exposed to soil moisture levels, saturated, field capacity (FC) and deficit soil moisture conditions, in a container experiment in a screenhouse. The objective was to test for: (1) difference between soil moisture levels as they affect water use efficiency, biomass production, and distribution; (2) evaluate the relationship between various measures of WUE and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ‰), between biomass production and Δ‰, and between stem diameter (SD) and WUE and, the use of SD as an alternate surrogate; and (3) discern the physiological processes associated with changes in WUE and Δ‰ with respect to different soil moisture levels in a heavy clay soil. Tomato plants responses were quantified in terms of biomass and fresh fruit yield, plant morphology, leaf gas exchange properties, WUE of biomass, and fruit, as well as Δ‰ by leaves. While number of leaves and nodes, and leaf area were least in the saturated treatment and greatest at FC; stem diameter at harvest was greatest under saturated conditions. Stem diameter was positively correlated with Δ‰, indicating the possibility of using stem diameter as a surrogate of WUE based upon dry weight of biomass or fruit, and for negative relationships between Δ‰. Midday leaf water potential and relative water content decreased with increasing moisture stress (deficit or saturated conditions). However, leaf chlorophyll concentration decreased as soil moisture content increased from deficit to FC to saturated. Fresh fruit yield was significantly greater at FC (4.476 kg/plant) compared with saturated (2.617 kg) and deficit (1.985 kg) treatments, as aresult of greater mean weight/fruit rather than more fruit/plant. As fresh fruit yield and dry matter content of fruit were negatively related, the WUE of fresh fruit was not inversely related to Δ‰. The data indicate that in tomato, where marketable yield consists of fresh produce, the established negative relationship between WUE and Δ‰ does not hold true, and benefits of using Δ‰ as a surrogate for fresh yield WUE may not be effective while the strong negative correlation between SD and WUE suggests possibility of employing SD as surrogate of WUE.


Abstract Although lying is a classical topic in philosophy, and certainly is very important in everyday life, there is a lack of genuine linguistic analyses of lying. In this article, lying is viewed as a speech act of insincere assertion. The liar misrepresents truth in order to deceive. While definitions like this are fairly common, consequences for the semantics/pragmatics interface, and, more importantly, for the ongoing debate about minimalism versus contextualism, never have been worked out in detail. This is what the article aims at, concentrating on three relevant issues, namely intentionality, implicature, and imprecision. It takes a moderate contextualist stand by showing that the possibility of lying is built into the language, thus allowing speakers to manipulate the representation of truth according to certain social goals. A case in point would be lying while saying the truth; in this case, the risk of being caught in the act of lying is reduced.


BACKGROUND: There is ongoing debate regarding the optimal first-line thrombectomy technique for large-vessel occlusion. PURPOSE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies on stent retriever–first and aspiration-first thrombectomy. DATA SOURCES: We searched Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE from 2009 to February 2018. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently selected the studies. The primary end point was successful reperfusion (TICI 2b/3). DATA ANALYSIS: Random-effects meta-analysis was used for analysis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Eighteen studies including 2893 patients were included. There was no significant difference in the rate of final successful reperfusion (83.9% versus 83.3%; OR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.62%–1.27%) or good functional outcome (mRS 0–2) at 90 days (OR = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.80–1.44) between the stent-retriever thrombectomy and aspiration groups. The stent-retriever thrombectomy–first group achieved a statistically significant higher TICI 2b/3 rate after the first-line device than the aspiration-first group (74.9% versus 66.4%; OR = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.14%–2.05%) and resulted in lower use of a rescue device (19.9% versus 32.5%; OR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.14%–0.90%). The aspiration-first approach resulted in a statistically shorter groin-to-reperfusion time (weighted mean difference, 7.15 minutes; 95% CI, 1.63–12.67 minutes). There was no difference in the number of passes, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, vessel dissection or perforation, and mortality between groups. LIMITATIONS: Most of the included studies were nonrandomized. There was significant heterogeneity in some of the outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: Stent-retriever thrombectomy–first and aspiration-first thrombectomy were associated with comparable final reperfusion rates and functional outcome. Stent-retriever thrombectomy was superior in achieving reperfusion as a stand-alone first-line technique, with lower use of rescue devices but a longer groin-to-reperfusion time.


: The effectiveness and side-effects of various chemotherapy (CT) regimens were compared in 157 patients (74 males and 80 females, aged 23-79) with disseminated skin melanoma (DSM). Most cases had multiple metastases to the skin and subcutaneous fat tissue, regional lymph nodes (59-69%), lung (14-38%) and liver (13-36%); to other sites--82 (52%). Total response in the dacarbazine (DTIC) group was 18% (complete--5, partial--13 and stabilization--29%). DTIC was employed as first-line treatment in 71%. DBDT (cisplatin, DTIC, BCNU, tamoxifen) was used in 42 patients: as first-line--13 (31%), second-line--21 (50%) and third-line (following the first two regimens in cases refractory to treatment or those with response-based evidence of tumor progression)--8 (19%). In DBDT-treated patients, total response was 29% (complete--7, partial 22 and stabilization--38%). Similar results were recorded in the group where 69% were given CT as second- and third-line treatment. The effect of CVD (cisplatin, vinblastin, DTIC) was much the same as that of DTIC alone but was followed by a higher incidence of myelodepression and anemia. Combined treatment with prospidin+ CCNU + BCNU seems to offer more advantage.


This paper deals with charging and persistent-current mode operating characteristics of BSCCO magnet load using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) power supply. The HTS power supply consists of two heater-triggered switches, an iron-core transformer with the primary copper winding and the secondary BSCCO solenoid, and a BSCCO magnet load. The magnet load was fabricated by double pancake winding and its inductance is about 21 mH. A hall sensor was installed at the middle of the magnet load to measure the current in the load. In order to investigate the efficient pumping characteristics, operating tests of heater-triggered switch with respect to dc heater current were carried out, and the electromagnet current was determined by considering saturation characteristics of its iron core. The saturation characteristics of charged current in the magnet load were observed with respect to various pumping periods: 12 s, 14 s, 24 s and 32 s. After charging the magnet load, the persistent current was measured. The operating characteristics of the persistent current mode were mainly determined by joint resistance and magnet load.


The aim of this study was to develop a reliability and validity instrument to assess Omani parents' involvement in reading. The items of the instrument were built from different recourses such as, literature rives, philosophy of educational system in Oman, in additional to Omani culture and the researchers; experience. 219 Omani parents participated in this study. A factor analysis was conducted and reveled two dimensions: the parents' role in encouraging their children to read, and their role in modeling positive attitudes toward reading. The final draft of questionnaire of parental involvement in reading included 24 items that employed five Likert responses (5=very much/ 4= much/ 3= slightly/ 2= little/ 1= very little). The Alpha coefficients for this questionnaire ranged from .85 to .92, The Questionnaire ready for implementation.


Previously, we found that interleukin 22 (IL-22) inhibits intracellular growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). In the current study, we determined the mechanisms underlying these effects. We found that W7, a phagolysosomal fusion inhibitor, abrogates IL-22-dependent M. tuberculosis growth inhibition in MDMs, suggesting that IL-22 acts through enhanced phagolysosomal fusion. Our microarray analysis indicated that recombinant IL-22 (rIL-22) enhances the expression of an intracellular signaling molecule, calgranulin A. This was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and confocal microscopy. Calgranulin A small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated rIL-22-dependent growth inhibition of M. tuberculosis in MDMs. IL-22 enhanced Rab7 expression and downregulated Rab14 expression of M. tuberculosis-infected MDMs, and these effects were reversed by calgranulin A siRNA. These results suggest that M. tuberculosis growth inhibition by IL-22 depends on calgranulin A and enhanced phagolysosomal fusion, which is associated with increased Rab7 and reduced Rab14 expression.


A detailed assessment of employment trends in the public sector from 1979 to 2001 is provided. Particular attention is paid to the relative level of public sector employment is Wisconsin . The analysis also examines the relationship between the size of state and local government and overall employment growth from 1979-2001. Results suggest that growth in total employment and employment in the public sector are highly correlated; higher shares of total employment in the public sector in the beginning of the period are not correlated with subsequent growth rates; but a state that sees the public sector grow faster then overall employment growth tends to be associated with slower overall growth. In addition, when measuring the size of the public sector in terms of employment, Wisconsin does not appear to be out of balance when compared to other states. Employment growth in state government over the period 1979-2001 is one of the lowest in the country and employment growth at the local government level is slightly above the national average. Detailed changes in employment by category are also examined for the US and Wisconsin from 1993 to 2002. These data suggest that there has been significant disinvestment in several areas that contribute to the overall quality of life in Wisconsin which may in turn hinder the future potential for economic growth and development.


An efficient implementation of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) is presented for the estimation of target range, radial velocity and acceleration when the radar waveform consists of a wideband linear frequency modulated (LFM) pulse train. Analytic properties of the associated wideband ambiguity function are derived; in particular the ambiguity function, with acceleration set to zero, is derived in closed form. Convexity and symmetry properties of the ambiguity function over range, velocity and acceleration are presented; these are useful for determining region and speed of convergence for recursive algorithms used to compute the MLE. In addition, the Cramer Rao bound is computed in closed form which shows that the velocity bound is decoupled from the corresponding bounds in range and acceleration. A fast MLE is then proposed which uses the Hough transform (HT) to initialize the MLE algorithm. Monte Carlo simulations show that the MLE attains the Cramer-Rao bound for low to moderate signal-to-noise depending on the a priori estimates of range, velocity and acceleration.


Specially designed as a quick reference for all care givers, including nurses, dieticians and students, "Pocket Guide to Nutrition and Diet Therapy" provides clinically related nutritional context for all client age groups. The book is subdivided into three sections: nutrition through the life cycle, nutrition and clinical care and obesity and eating disorders. Contents feature disorder-specific interventions and health promotion, with an emphasis on performing a thorough assesment as the basis for interventions and client teaching. Extensively revised and updated, this second edition includes recommendations on AIDS, pregnancy, heart disease and diabetes.


Abstract Background Meningiomas express high levels of somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2). SSTR2-targeted PET imaging with [68Ga]-DOTATATE can aid with distinguishing residual meningioma from reactive changes in the postoperative setting. We present initial dosimetric analyses, acute events, and local control data utilizing [68Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MRI-assisted target delineation for prospectively-treated intermediate-risk meningiomas. Methods Twenty-nine patients underwent DOTATATE PET/MRI meningioma evaluation in 2019. Eight patients with 9 postoperative meningiomas met RTOG 0539 intermediate-risk criteria (recurrent WHO grade I, 1/9; WHO grade II, 8/9). Target volumes were created using DOTATATE PET/MRI to determine residual disease and received a nominal dose of 35.0 Gy over 5 fractions. For comparison, cases were recontoured and planned with MRI alone per RTOG 0539 guidelines. Mean and maximum equivalent 2 Gy doses were generated for target volumes and organs at risk (OAR) within 1 cm of the PTV and compared using Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test. Results DOTATATE PET/MRI-guided planning significantly reduced mean PTV (11.12 cm3 compared to 71.39 cm3 based on MRI alone, P < .05) and mean and max dose to the whole brain, optic nerves, and scalp. PET/MRI plans resulted in at least 50% reduction of mean and max doses to the lens, eyes, chiasm, cochlea, brainstem, and hippocampi. One patient experienced focal alopecia. There were no local recurrences at 6 months. Conclusion Incorporating DOTATATE-PET/MRI for postoperative target delineation in patients with intermediate-risk intracranial meningiomas results in PTV reduction and decreased OAR dose. Our findings warrant larger studies evaluating DOTATATE-PET/MRI in the radiotherapeutic planning of postoperative meningiomas.


The method of preparation and the spectral characteristic of the crystalline free radical of chlorpromazine are described. Two absorption maxima at 770 and 860 nm concomitant with those at 530 and 277 nm were found. The highest rate of dismutation of the radical was 4-4.10(-1) M. sec-1 at pH 7-2. The mechanism of luminescence during the decay of the peroxide form of th radical is discussed.


Arctic rivers are known to export large quantities of carbon by discharge of dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC, POC), and in a warming and progressively moister Arctic, these exports may increase resulting in a reduction of arctic continental carbon stocks. These rivers have highly variable discharge rates with a pronounced maximum during the spring freshet associated with highest concentrations of DOC and POC. Most studies investigating the isotopic composition and quality of carbon exported by Arctic rivers rely on samples taken in summer during base flow, which is due to the logistical challenges associated with sampling in the remote Arctic permafrost regions. Here we present a record of δ13C and ∆14C of DOC and POC collected between late May during the freshet and late August 2014 in the Lena River Delta. POC ∆14C shows an initial trend towards older values in the spring samples, which is reversed in summer, associated with a shift towards more depleted δ13C values. We interpret this aging trend as reflecting progressive thawing throughout the ice-free season, resulting in mobilization of progressively older carbon from deeper thawed layers. The summer reversal indicates admixture of aquatic organic matter. DOC ∆14C, in contrast, remains at relatively modern levels with rather constant δ13C values throughout the sampling period. We furthermore analysed the biomarker composition of Lena Delta particulate OM collected in spring and summer. From spring to summer, we observe trends in abundance of individual leaf-wax derived biomarkers indicating higher abundance of algal biomass in the summer particles. Trends in soil microbial biomarkers and compound-specific δD of leaf-wax lipids suggest a shift in sources towards higher contributions from the southern catchment in summer. DOC composition investigated with FT-ICR-MS changes from spring with higher abundances of compounds with high H/C and low O/C ratios to late summer, when fewer compounds were found. Our results illustrate the seasonal variability in composition and sources of organic matter discharged by the Lena River. Paired with the strong seassonality of the hydrograph, this implies that total annual discharge of organic matter contains a disproportionally high contribution from the northern part of the catchment.


Three Quarter-horse stallions were surgically thyroidectomized at 18 months of age. Weekly semen collections were made from these and three control stallions from 25 to 39 months of age. Although the induced state of hypothyroidism in young stallions has a depressing effect on libido and general animation and can be corrected by thyroprotein supplementation, semen characteristics, testicular histology and fertility are not affected by the operation.


When an RBD is required, Failure distribution and Outage distribution are requested as inputs for each block.Should field data exist, the two distributions can be obtained by managing data in the most appropriate manner. While the Failure distribution is often a right censored data set, the outage distribution is always a time-to-failure distribution obtained through the RRX interpolation. Moreover, being the reliability approach conservative, the weibull 3P assumption is welcome, because the gamma value, in this particular circumstance, guarantees a minimum outage duration. However it has been noticed that while the 2P sometimes could be not-conservative enough, the 3P could result too much conservative with the risk of declaring a lower target than the actual one and hence with the consequence of not being commercially competitive. The proposed approach applies and develops the mixed weibull application, where each subpopulation distribution comes out from a single dataset, which represents a step forward after the traditional 2P and the more conservative 3P.Copyright © 2014 by ASME


Complex software packages, particularly systems software, often require substantial customization before being used. Small mistakes in configuration can lead to hard-todiagnose error messages. We demonstrate how to build a map from each program point to the options that might cause an error at that point. This can aid users in troubleshooting these errors without any need to install or use additional tools. Our approach relies on static dataflow analysis, meaning all the analysis is done in advance. We evaluate our work in detail on two substantial systems, Hadoop and the JChord program analysis toolkit, using failure injection and also by using log messages as a source of labeled program points. When logs and stack traces are available, they can be incorporated into the analysis. This reduces the number of false positives by nearly a factor of four for Hadoop, at the cost of approximately one minute's work per unique query


Polyurethane resins are largely used in high performance Surface Coatings, Paints and Inks. Fast reduction of petroleumstockpile and increase in their cost, puts limit to their use in future for invention of petroleum based resins. As a result, the need for consumption of biomass resources as a replacement to petrochemicals products is vital. In the present work, the utilization of biomass resources is done in the preparation of polyurethane coatings. Lignocellulosic waste comprising ofMast Seed andWater Hynth wastewere liquefied usingPEG(200,400 and 600) in presence of acidCatalyst. The various lowmolecular weight liquefied waste biopolyols obtained were evaluated for their characterization like hydroxyl value, viscosity and FTIR. The series of Polyester biopolyols were prepared from these different low molecular weight liquefied waste biopolyols by reacting them withAdipic acid and propylene glycol, andwere characterized for their Physico-chemical properties. Polyurethane coating systems were formulated by reacting Polyester biopolyols and aromatic diisocynate adduct. Coated films of PU are found to have best Physico-chemical and performance properties.


Nonintelligective factors inducing scenario, as a new teaching paradigm of teaching model, compared with the traditional teaching model is a kind of innovation and development, which is a more effective teaching model. This paper is based on scenario cognitive theory, which put forward the dynamic relationship model of the nonintelligective factors inducing scenario teaching paradigm, and emphasizing the teaching of both dynamic learning and the non-intellectual factors in learning, in order to stimulate strong interest of learners' and increase participation. In the teaching process, it emphasizes more on the creation of scenarios, learning motivation and feedback behavior of learners', in order to improve teaching effect.


Early in this decade a set of programming practices began to appear that seemed to offer a way out of the software difficulties accompanying the development of large systems. These practices, developed by Brooks,1 Baker,2 Dijkstra,3 Mills,4,5 and others, included structured programming, top-down development, chief programmer teams, HIPO (hierarchy/input-process-output) documentation, development support library, and structured walk-throughs. But despite the increasing amount of software development ment and its rising cost relative to the defense budget, corporation expenditures, and even the gross national product, the new programming techniques have not been adopted by acclamation. McClure,6 surveying the scene at COMPCON '76 Spring, saw "the great masses of programmers conducting their business exactly as they did five years ago." Nor was there the slightest sign in McClure's 5-year projection of "strong winds of change." His intuition was later supported by a survey of major Los Angeles area corporations,7 which concluded that, for all the fanfare, "the techniques are simply not widely used."


Background: The nocturnal pulse oximetry is used as a validated screening method in the diagnostic approach of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS). Aim: To assess the role of nocturnal pulse oximetry as a screening method in subjects with morbid obesity (BMI>40 kg/m2), knowing that the basal nocturnal saturation is lower in this patients due to hypoventilation in supine position during sleep. Method: 87 obese (BMI>40 kg/m2) patients with high pre-test clinical suspicion of SAS (Epworth sleepiness scale >10, snoring, witnessed apneas) were prospectively evaluated by respiratory polygraphy (pulse oximetry, nasal airflow, thoraco-abdominal movements, body position and snoring). We assessed the correlation between the values of Desaturation Index (DI) and Apneea Hypopnea Index (AHI). The cut-off for independent desaturation was 3%. Results: 82 patients (94.2%) were diagnosed with SAS (AHI>5/hour); mean age: 53.1 ± 11.5 years (range 28-79 years); mean BMI: 45.07±5.1 kg/m2 (range 40-68 kg/m2). The mean DI was 45±26.4 / hour and the mean AHI: 44.2±26.1 / hour. Mean lowest SaO2 was 67.8±13% and mean average SaO2 was 87.9±7.1%. There was a significant correlation between DI and AHI (p Conclusion: Desaturation Index assessed by nocturnal oximetry maintains its utility in the recognition of SAS in morbid obese patients with high clinical pre-test suspicion.


BACKGROUND
TESE-ICSI has been used very successfully in the treatment of the patients with non-obstructive azoospermia but its indication is still controversial. We performed retrospective study concerning parameters to predict successful recovery of testicular sperm from the patients and outcomes of ICSI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
44 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia who underwent TESE-ICSI from July, 1997 to September 1999 were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS
1) Testicular sperm were retrieved from 32 patients (72.7%). ICSI was performed in 29 patients and the partner of 15 patients (46.9%) got pregnant. From 10 patients with histology of Sertoli-cell-only, we could retrieve sperm in 3 patients (30%). 2) Testicular volume, Johnsen's score count (JSC), and FSH were significant parameter to predict the recovery of testicular sperm from the patients, but if we see only the patients with JSC less than 7, there were no significant parameter. Chromosomal abnormality was not a significant parameter. 3) The partner's age, motility of recovered sperm and testicular volume correlated with fertilization rate. Chromosomal abnormality was not significant parameter to predict fertilization.

CONCLUSIONS
There was no absolute parameter to predict the recovery of testicular sperm from the patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. All patients with non-obstructive azoospermia can be the indication of TESE-ICSI.


: Metabolism and function of mouse phagocytes were studied experimentally under conditions of immunosuppression with biologically active substances. It was shown by the cytochemical methods with the use of cytophotometry that strong immunosuppression with azathioprin, prednisolone, especially with their combination induced inhibition of the enzymatic systems responsible for synthetic and energy processes in macrophages. Prodigiosan, a bacterial lipopolysaccharide, and lysozyme promoted elimination of the unfavourable effect of the immunosuppressors on macrophage metabolism, normalizing the decreased activity of certain enzymes and markedly activating the enzymes involved in detoxification and phagocytosis. The lysozyme effect did not depend on the type of drug immunosuppression. The efficiency of prodigiosan was the highest after administration of prednisolone or its combination with azathioprin. Its effect was lower after immunosuppression with azathioprin alone. During allotransplantation, prodigiosan also promoted the recovery of the leukocyte adsorption and digestive capacity impaired by prednisolone and tis combination with azathioprin. The differential use of the biologically active substances is a promising trend in control of complications due to immunosuppression therapy.


Gas sensing is a powerful tool for detecting the leakage of some hazardous gases and monitoring human health. However, most of the sensors based on metal oxide semiconductors can only function at elevated operating temperatures, which leads to high power consumption and poor durability. Here, Au nanoparticle decorated In2O3 nanofibers (IO-Au NFs) have been successfully synthesized by one-step coaxial electrospinning for efficient sensing of ethanol gas at low temperature. The temperature and gas concentration effects on the sensing properties of the IO-Au NFs confirm that the Au decoration can remarkably improve the response, reduce the detection limit down to 1 ppm, and lower the sensors' optimal operating temperature down to 175 °C. The IO-Au-0.42 sensor with the optimized Au concentration presents a superior response of 116.13 to 100 ppm ethanol at 175 °C, which is six times larger than that of the pristine In2O3 sensor. Moreover, the IO-Au-0.42 sensor exhibits a much shorter response/recovery time of 2 s/152 s to 100 ppm ethanol gas at 175 °C than the pristine In2O3. Surprisingly, even at room temperature, the IO-Au-0.42 sensor still presents a high response of 11.12 to 100 ppm ethanol, which is 5.4 times larger than that of the pristine In2O3 sensor, and shows a short response/recovery time of 47 s/351 s. This enhanced sensing performance at low temperature can be mainly ascribed to the synergistic action of the catalytic effect, spillover effect, electronic sensitization effect, and deficient oxygen concentration.


OBJECTIVE
The onset of parenthood has been identified as a critical risk period for physical inactivity, yet limited research has examined the correlates of physical activity (PA) using theoretical models in longitudinal designs with comparison groups of couples without children. The purpose of this study was to predict PA across 12 months among cohorts of couples with and without children using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

METHOD
Participants were 314 adults (102 not expecting a child, 136 expecting first child, and 76 expecting second child) who completed baseline demographics, measures of the TPB, and 7-day accelerometry, followed by assessments at six and 12 months.

RESULTS
Hierarchical linear modeling showed some TPB relationships were moderated by parental status and gender. Most notable, time-varying covariate analyses showed perceived behavioral control and intention decreased for new mothers compared to women without children across time. PA was predicted by intention for all cohorts, and intention was predicted by affective and instrumental attitudes and perceived behavioral control for husbands and wives, whereas subjective norm predicted intention only in husbands. For wives, the relationship between intention and instrumental attitudes and perception of behavioral control varied by parental status, and was larger for couples without children compared to second-time parents. Overall, there was considerable coordination in slopes and intercepts among couples, yet individual cognitions were better predictors than partner cognitions.

CONCLUSION
The findings provide helpful information for targeting PA interventions among young adults, and suggest that interventions for new mothers may require greater effort to raise the absolute values of control when compared to women without children.


The objective of this study is to compare the differences between Virtual Communities in Bangladesh and the USA in terms of website usability, marketing, languages and norms. The two countries were compared because the USA is a more advanced country compared to Bangladesh. Studying their differences would identify possible gaps which can be bridged to improve Virtual Communities of Bangladesh and perhaps other developing countries. Thirty-three Virtual Communities sites from both countries were randomly selected and evaluated based on a set of criteria relating to the above aspects. The data were analyzed using statistical tests to determine any significant difference between Virtual Communities of the two countries. The study found significant differences in the website usability aspects i.e. the use of multimedia; in marketing aspects i.e. the use of electronic catalogs and Web advertisements; and in languages and norms i.e. the inclusion of language options and the use of religious, collectivistic, and structured messages. As a conclusion, useful recommendations were given to Web developers, marketers, and Bangladeshi government to improve Web usability, marketing, and cultural environment of Bangladeshi Virtual Communities. Future studies can be conducted by replicating the study to other developing countries such as China and India.


This article investigates the dynamic of the volatilities and the conditional correlations among the four world stock markets of the U.K., France, Germany, the U.S. and eight Middle East and North African (MENA) stock markets from Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Muscat, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. Using the GARCH, TGARCH models that account for asynchronous data, conditional heteroskedasticity, asymmetric volatility responses, and the joint dynamics of each country's index with the world-market returns. Our results show that shocks originating in world-market conflicts and the associated uncertainty have increased the volatility of MENA equity markets. Secondly, regardless of its impact on volatility spillover transmission, there is little evidence to suggest that MENA markets have become more integrated with world markets since the financial crisis. Finally, these results are robust to model specification and consistent with the notion that uncertainty contributes to financial volatility spillover. It is worth mentioning that the findings from this article will have a significant implication for investors, managers, market regulators, decision makers, and scholars interested in the equity markets of MENA region in particular and other developing nations in general.


A heat pipe exchanger was adopted to recover the engine exhaust energy and its internal gas pressure. Velocity and temperature distribution were obtained with the computational fluid dynamics software called 'FLUENT'. Based on the simulation results, the structure of the exchanger was improved, and its working performance was verified by experiments. The experiments showed that the pressure loss of the exchanger is only about 850 Pa, which has less influence on engine performance and is in good agreement with the simulation, as this is a more homogeneous internal air temperature distribution with better exchanger's efficiency. And by measuring the output power under the temperatures 335 K, 355 K, 375 K and 395 K, respectively, at the cold end of the semiconductor thermoelectric generator, it was found that it had the same cold end temperature and the temperature difference was over 100 K. The output power increases rapidly at first and then continues to grow but at a decreasing rate, and the largest output power is 75.6 W when the cold end temperature is 335 K with the temperature difference of 380 K, and in addition to this it was observed that under the same temperature difference, the lower cold end temperature is the larger the output power.


Iron oxide nanoparticles offer a feasible tool for combined imaging and delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to tumors, stimulating active interest in exploring different imaging and delivery platforms suitable for detection by a variety of modalities. In this study, we describe the synthesis and testing of a tumor-targeted nanodrug (MN-EPPT-siBIRC5) that is designed to specifically shuttle siRNA to human breast tumors. The nanodrug binds the tumor-specific antigen uMUC-1, which is found in >90% of human breast adenocarcinomas. MN-EPPT-siBIRC5 consists of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles [for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)], the dye Cy 5.5 (for near-IR optical imaging), peptides (EPPT) that specifically target uMUC-1, and a synthetic siRNA that targets the tumor-specific antiapoptotic gene BIRC5. Nanodrug uptake by human breast adenocarcinoma cells resulted in a significant downregulation of BIRC5. Following i.v. delivery into subcutaneous mouse models of breast cancer, the nanodrug showed a preferential tumor uptake, which could be visualized by MRI and near-IR optical imaging. Furthermore, MRI could be used to quantitatively monitor nanodrug bioavailability in the tumor tissue throughout the course of treatment. Intravenous injection of the agent once a week over 2 weeks resulted in the induction of considerable levels of necrosis and apoptosis in the tumors, translating into a significant decrease in tumor growth rate. Our strategy permits the simultaneous tumor-specific delivery of siRNA to tumors and the imaging of the delivery process. More generally, it illustrates the potential to apply this approach to many human cancer studies, including for basic tumor biology and therapy.


"This paper focuses on the changes in women's [status in Brazil] due to the transition from the regime of colonato to wage labor in Sao Paulo's agriculture. This analysis of the constraints on woman tries to uncover the different capacity of systems of labor organization to accomodate high fertility. It argues that the subordination to a pre-established [structure] makes it very difficult to combine female productive and reproductive roles." (SUMMARY IN ENG)


The extreme complexity of the brain naturally requires mathematical modeling approaches on a large variety of scales; the spectrum ranges from single neuron dynamics over the behavior of groups of neurons to neuronal network activity. Thus, the connection between the microscopic scale (single neuron activity) to macroscopic behavior (emergent behavior of the collective dynamics) and vice versa is a key to understand the brain in its complexity. In this work, we attempt a review of a wide range of approaches, ranging from the modeling of single neuron dynamics to machine learning. The models include biophysical as well as data‐driven phenomenological models. The discussed models include Hodgkin–Huxley, FitzHugh–Nagumo, coupled oscillators (Kuramoto oscillators, Rössler oscillators, and the Hindmarsh–Rose neuron), Integrate and Fire, networks of neurons, and neural field equations. In addition to the mathematical models, important mathematical methods in multiscale modeling and reconstruction of the causal connectivity are sketched. The methods include linear and nonlinear tools from statistics, data analysis, and time series analysis up to differential equations, dynamical systems, and bifurcation theory, including Granger causal connectivity analysis, phase synchronization connectivity analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), independent component analysis (ICA), and manifold learning algorithms such as ISOMAP, and diffusion maps and equation‐free techniques. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2016, 8:438–458. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1348


Trees are arguably one of the most important data structures widely used in information theory and computing science. Different numbers of intermediate nodes in wireless broadcast trees may exert great impacts on the energy consumption of individual nodes, which are typically equipped with a limited power supply in a wireless sensor network; this limitation may eventually determine how long the given wireless sensor network can last. Thus, obtaining a deep understanding of the mathematical nature of wireless broadcast trees is of great importance. In this paper, we give new proof of Cayley's well-known theorem for counting labeled trees. A distinct feature of this proof is that we purely use combinatorial structures instead of constructing a bijection between two kinds of labeled trees , which is in contrast to all existing proofs. Another contribution of this work is the presentation of a new theorem on trees based on the number of intermediate nodes in the tree. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to present a tree enumeration theorem based on the number of intermediate nodes in the tree.


In the Lower Cretaceous (Urgonian) limestones of the Provence region (South France) shallow-water scleractinian corals are very common. This paper concentrates on corals from the suborder Microsolenina. They represent 34 taxa (including 5 new species) belonging to 14 genera from two families: Microsolenidae and Latomeandridae. This coral assemblage is representative for the late Early Cretaceous Tethyan realm but also shows some endemism. Its characteristic feature is the abundance of hydnophoroid specimens from the genus Hydnophoromeandraraea Morycowa. The Barremian–Early Aptian age of the studied corals is based on forami- nifera (mainly orbitolinids), dasycladale algae and rudists, and agrees with that of the whole studied coral fauna.


Abstract The manifestations of semiconductor depletion and depolarizing effects in switching and fatigue are studied and compared. It is shown that these effects play important but quite different roles in switching. The depletion effect strongly influences the values of the coercive field, Ec, and is responsible for its filmthickness dependence. The depolarizing effect influences significantly other parameters of the hysteresis loops. It is shown that the inverse thickness dependence of Ec can not be attributed to the presence of a non-switching layer. Contribution of the effects in question to fatigue of the loop parameters is discussed.


Fusarium graminearum is the most common toxic fungal species affecting grains in Uruguay. Since 1977, due to favorable climate conditions, there have been harvests with prominent Fusarium Head Blight in wheat. This were in 1984, 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2001.Natural Toxin Department of Technological Laboratory of Uruguay as National Reference Laboratory, is continuously improving the analytical methods in order to have a good response to the industry requirements and to the monitoring programs for import and exports commodities. The objective of this work was to compare different clean up methods in order to select the best one for routine determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat (grain and flour).  Charcoal-alumina-celite (7+5+3),  immunoaffinity columns DONPREP R-Biopharm Rhone and Strata X 33 m polymeric sorbent  Phenomenex columns were used to perform the study. Considering as reference analytical method the internal protocol  PEC.TOX.063 accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)  following the ISO 17025 requirements, and  based on AOAC method 986.17( chapter 49, 2002) for extraction and clean-up  and on J.AOAC 70(3), 1987:479-483 for the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detection, two more clean up methods were evaluated. In all of them PEC.TOX.063 detection procedure was carried out. PEC.TOX.063 used for the clean up an in house column chromatography prepared with charcoal-alumina-celite (7+5+3) . Extraction was performed using acetonitrile- water (84+16) and an aliquot of the extract was passed through the column. Extract was dryed under vacuum and DON detected by HPLC using photodiode array detector. For the method that used immunoaffinity columns, water was the extraction solvent, and manufacture protocol was followed up. An aliquot of the extract was passed through the column. Column was washed using water and DON eluated using methanol 100%. For the method that used Strata X column for the clean up, the extraction solvent was acetonitrile- water (84+16). Column was conditioned with methanol 100% and water. Prior to pass an aliquot of the extract through the column it was necessary to reduce the acetonitrile to 10% using vacuum. Column was washed using methanol 15 %, and DON eluated using methanol 100%. An internal reference flour material (2010  g/kg) was analysed following the three procedures. For PEC.TOX.063 the historical recovery percentage of 91% was maintained, for immunoaffinity column protocol 84 % average was obtained, and for Strata X column 101% was obtained. Chromatograms and spectrums showed appropriated results. As the recoveries were acceptable it was decided to start with wheat samples analysis. Taking approval of the reference material and the IAC, the reuse of the columns was also estimated. Columns were regenerated with phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and storage in the fridge for 24 hours. At least three uses were undertaken with accepted recovery results (91, 69 and 104%) respectively. A total of 21 samples including wheat and reference internal material were analysed following PEC.TOX.063 (charcoal-alumina-celite) and immunoaffinity column method (first, second and third use) . Nine samples from the 21 were also analysed using Strata X columns. PEC.TOX 063 and the immunoaffinity method showed appropriate chromatograms. This didn't occur with Strata X columns method. Chromatograms presented interferences at DON retention time. Due to chromatograms and results obtained no more samples were passed through Strata X columns. As conclusion charcoal-alumina-celite (7+5+3), as well as immunoaffinity column would be a good option to analysed wheat samples by HPLC. For the Strata X Phenomenex columns more studies need to be done in order to optimize the elution solvent.


early stages, 20.28% in advanced stages, 35.02% was in-situ, and 20.28% unknown, without statistically significant differences between the sexes. Conclusions: During the period, there were no differences in the ASIR by sex. Stage distribution was similar in women and men. However, the frequency of cases in early stages was lower compared to the reported in other geographic settings. Therefore, early diagnosis strategies must be strengthened to achieve better results.


Swine influenza presents a substantial disease burden for pig populations worldwide and poses a potential pandemic threat to humans. There is considerable diversity in both H1 and H3 influenza viruses circulating in swine due to the frequent introductions of viruses from humans and birds coupled with geographic segregation of global swine populations. Much of this diversity is characterized genetically but the antigenic diversity of these viruses is poorly understood. Critically, the antigenic diversity shapes the risk profile of swine influenza viruses in terms of their epizootic and pandemic potential. Here, using the most comprehensive set of swine influenza virus antigenic data compiled to date, we quantify the antigenic diversity of swine influenza viruses on a multi-continental scale. The substantial antigenic diversity of recently circulating viruses in different parts of the world adds complexity to the risk profiles for the movement of swine and the potential for swine-derived infections in humans. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.12217.001


T cell apoptosis represents a common mechanism of T cell depletion in HIV-1-infected individuals reflecting maturational and functional T cell abnormalities either directly or indirectly induced by the virus. In the present study, the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the spontaneous apoptosis of distinct T cell subsets were investigated during a 6-month follow-up in a cohort of HIV-1-infected individuals with CD4(+) cell counts between 100 and 500 cells/microliter and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels >/=10, 000 copies/ml. We determined that the rapid and sustained increase of both naive (CD45RA(+)CD62L(+)) and memory (CD45R0(+) and CD45RA(+)/CD62L(-)) CD4(+) and, to as lesser extent, CD8(+) T cells in peripheral blood was associated with a significant decrease of apoptotic CD4(+) and CD8(+) as well as CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells. Among CD4(+) lymphocytes, at enrollment, the highest frequency of apoptotic cells was observed within the memory compartment, as defined by CD45R0 expression. During HAART, however, the frequency of CD4(+)CD45R0(+) apoptotic T cells progressively decreased in association with a significant downregulation of surface activation markers that indicated decreased levels of systemic immune stimulation. These results indicate that effective viral suppression can contribute to progressive normalization of maturational and functional T cell abnormalities responsible for the high levels of T cell apoptosis in HIV-1-infected individuals. This, in turn, may contribute to a reduced rate of T cell loss and immune reconstitution during HAART.


For studying populism in a hybrid and high-choice media environment, the comparison of various media channels is especially instructive. We argue that populism-related communication is a combination of key messages (content) and certain stylistic devices (form), and we compare their utilization by a broad range of political actors on Facebook, Twitter, and televised talk shows across six countries (CH, DE, FR, IT, UK, and US). We conducted a content analysis of social media and talk show statements (N = 2067) from 31 parties during a nonelection period of 3 months in 2015. We place special emphasis on stylistic devices and find that they can be grouped into three dimensions—equivalent to three dimensions used for populist key messages. We further find that political parties are generally more inclined to use populism-related communication on Facebook and Twitter than in political talk shows and that both new challenger parties and extreme parties use higher amounts of populist key messages and style elements.