OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential role of miRNA-517-5p in preeclampsia and its underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Placenta samples were obtained from 20 women with preeclampsia and 20 women with normal pregnancies. Expression level of miR-517-5p in placenta samples and JAR cells was detected. MiRNA-517-5p mimics or inhibitor was transfected in JAR cells, followed by detection of proliferative and invasive abilities of JAR cells. In addition, the expressions of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in JAR cells were evaluated by Western blot. Meanwhile, the mRNA level of MMP-2 was evaluated by Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The luciferase assay was applied to identify the target gene of miRNA-517-5p.

RESULTS
Increased level of miR-517-5p was detected in placenta samples of preeclampsia patients compared with normal pregnancies. MiRNA-517-5p could regulate proliferative and invasive abilities of JAR cells. Furthermore, miRNA-517-5p could regulate ERK/MMP-2 pathway in JAR cells, which would contribute to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. The luciferase assay showed MMP-2 was the target gene of miR-517-5p. Further studies showed that MMP-2 was dysregulated in preeclampsia.

CONCLUSIONS
MiR-517-5p is highly expressed in placenta samples of preeclampsia pregnancies, which could promote proliferative and invasive abilities of JAR cells by inhibiting ERK/MMP-2 pathway.


We present a first experimental demonstration of melting of light pulses and freezing of lightwave modes by applying external noise which acts like temperature, verifying our recent theoretical prediction (Gordon and Fischer [1]). The experiment was performed in a fiber laser passively mode-locked by nonlinear rotation of polarization. The first order phase transition was observed directly in time domain and also by measurement of the quartic order parameter (RF power).


The research question we wish to investigate is the degree to which different Asian countries with differing levels of NSI strength and weakness cope in mitigating some of the adverse impacts of the recession. What we mean by mitigating capability is the ability of NSI to deal with and respond to unforeseen or foreseen crisis that could be induced internally or externally or by the combination of both domestic and internationals factors. In our previous research (Baskaran and Muchie, 2009), using descriptive comparative data, we examined how far the relative strength or weakness of NSI within the transition economies of the BRICS (Brazil, India, China, and South Africa; excluding Russia) is capable of mitigating the adverse impact of the recession. The early evidence emerging from these case countries suggested that the nature and degree of impact of the recession in these economies are different. We attempted to show that these differences are mainly due to the nature and distinct characteristics of the NSIs in these economies other things being equal. We would like to add new insights relating NSI to coping with the impact of current recession of the global economy through further research into selected Asian economies and comparing them. For this, we employ a heuristic conceptual framework which presents a taxonomy of NSIs as: (i) developed/matured; (ii) transitional/learning; and (iii) nascent/weak; and also identifies 6 major sets of NSI components: (i) General investment climate and economic policy framework; (ii) Market, per capita income, and domestic savings; (iii) Industrial structure; (iv) Financial Institutions; (v) Foreign Trade; and (vi) Skills, R&D and Technology development. The degree of strength of these NSI components and interaction between them will make an NSI as either developed/matured, transitional/learning, and nascent/weak. The important issue we are highlighting here is that although there are many similarities between systems of innovation, there are also differences related to the stage of development, characteristics of NSI evolution, path dependency, institutions, laws, policies, and incentives. These in turn are likely to have either strong, relatively strong or weak mitigating impact on recession. We attempt to show this by selecting two case countries to represent each type of NSI in our conceptual framework and comparing these three sets of economies (in all, 6 countries). We are contributing by adding to the existing body of NSI literature by linking NSI framework to its potential mitigating impact on recession in national economies.


Adult animals from a known negative and an infected herd were vaccinated with reduced-dose Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine. Since some of these animals developed elevated post-vaccinal blood titres, it is suggested that, when adult vaccination is decided on, such herds should be bled and tested about 4 months after vaccination and thereafter at 2 month intervals. Reactions with complement fixation titres of 392 IU ml-1 or higher on the first test should be taken as positive. During the 2nd and 3rd tests, positive reactions should be taken as less than 98 IU ml-1 and 49 IU ml-1, respectively. After vaccination, an overkill of up to 5%, due to vaccination reactions could be expected. Positive cases might occur up to 9 months after vaccinating an infected herd. On farms selected for adult vaccination suitable calving facilities in isolation, largely facilitate eradication. Lochia samples for the early diagnosis of brucellosis should be collected. Adult vaccination with a reduced dose S 19 vaccine, should be practised on selected, problem herds only, where the owner is fully aware of the consequences of this procedure.


The world literature covering the coincidence of Addison's disease and either diabetes mellitus and/or thyroid aberration has been reviewed. In addition, ten new patients, eight with idiopathic and two with tuberculous Addison's disease, thyroid dysfunction and diabetes mellitus were studied. Five of the eight patients with idiopathic Addison's disease showed significant titers ofantiadrenal antibody and six of these eight showed significant titers of thyroid antibodies. However, neither of the two patients with tuberculous Addison's disease showed evidence of antiadrenal antibody, but one exhibited thyroid antibodies. Patients with idiopathic rather than tuberculous Addison's disease showed a higher coincidence of diabetes mellitus and/or thyroid dysfunction.


Abstract Pain is modulated by social context. Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that romantic partners can provide a potent form of social support during pain. However, such studies have only focused on passive support, finding a relatively late‐onset modulation of pain‐related neural processing. In this study, we examined for the first time dynamic touch by one's romantic partner as an active form of social support. Specifically, 32 couples provided social, active, affective (vs active but neutral) touch according to the properties of a specific C‐tactile afferent pathway to their romantic partners, who then received laser‐induced pain. We measured subjective pain ratings and early N1 and later N2‐P2 laser‐evoked potentials (LEPs) to noxious stimulation, as well as individual differences in adult attachment style. We found that affective touch from one's partner reduces subjective pain ratings and similarly attenuates LEPs both at earlier (N1) and later (N2‐P2) stages of cortical processing. Adult attachment style did not affect LEPs, but attachment anxiety had a moderating role on pain ratings. This is the first study to show early neural modulation of pain by active, partner touch, and we discuss these findings in relation to the affective and social modulation of sensory salience.


Terrestrial laser scanners are becoming more familiar in the surveying industry due to the significant technological advances in equipment over the past 10 – 20 years introducing many new types of equipment and methods for the capture of point data in a variety of environments.
The introduction of the terrestrial laser scanner in the surveying industry has been slowed by a lack of understanding in comparison with traditional surveying methods. This poses the question to the surveying industry of whether the relative accuracies and potential uses of terrestrial laser scanning systems can be of significant value to the surveying industry much like GPS has become over the last decade.
For this project I have conducted testing on various facets of terrestrial laser scanning operation, specifically confirmation of specifications and the ability to establish a method providing legal traceability of measurements obtained from these systems. This project utilised the RIEGL LMS-Z620 terrestrial laser scanner and a Trimble S8 total station.
The results from the various scan sessions were then analysed to compare the obtained data to the specified accuracies published by the manufacturer as well as extracting information that members of the surveying industry can use to evaluate the capabilities of this instrument for traditional and non-traditional scanning applications.
Terrestrial laser scanning is a relatively new concept for surveyors, with scanners capable of capturing large amounts of three-dimensional coordinated data quickly and very accurately without having to physically access objects and / or environments that may be hazardous or impractical to access. In Australia surveyors have not embraced the technology as quickly as other countries due to the unknown capabilities and questions about the accuracies that can be achieved, when compared to existing equipment


From harmonic compensation to interface with renewable energy sources, active filters are capable to improve power quality, increase the reliability of the power grid, and contribute to make feasible the implementation of decentralized microgrids. In this scenario, this chapter provides a discussion involving new trends on distribution power grids, with active power filters playing an important key role. Considering the afore- mentioned explanation, part of the chapter covers active filter applications for power grids. In sequence, we discuss time domain control algorithms to identify power quality disturbances or other problems that may compromise the power grid reliability, with simulation results to evaluate the performance of the active filters for compensating power quality problems under transient- and steady-state conditions. Next, we discuss the integration of active filters with renewable energy sources (RENs) including a brief explanation of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms and other controllers considering a decentralized microgrid scenario with several active filters connected at the same grid circuit.


This article investigates the evolution of a customer involvement concept and how Web 3.0 technology can contribute to it. We intend to answer the questions how do manufacturing companies involve customers into innovation processes, how they can benefit from Web 3.0 technology and we also rather general look upon adoption process of new tools. Information was obtained through executing intervention experiments in three manufacturing companies in the bathroom industry operating at the web 3.0 platform. The main part of the experiment includes 'educational session' by which we intend to create awareness about new Web 3.0 technology and observe changing perception of managers towards its possible use. We found out, first, that manufacturing companies mainly get ideas for new products from information deriving from their retailers, market surveys and fairs participation. Second, that Web 3.0 technology might be a complementary and alternative solution to traditional marketing research tools. Further, we drew conclusions and implications for both manufacturing companies and Web 3.0 technology providers. It was concluded that besides advantages of Web 3.0 technology over other customer involvement tools, Web 3.0 provides constant interaction between company and customers which is a valuable source for innovative ideas, thus, creating innovation in general. However, currently the process of new technology adoption is rather slow which is determined by a number of barriers discussed in the research.


Purpose of review Abbreviated pathways for the approval of biosimilars have been established in the European Union (EU), the United States, and other countries. Biosimilar TNF inhibitors have been available in South Korea and the EU since 2012 and 2013, respectively, and the first biosimilar infliximab was introduced to the clinic in the United States in November 2016. Five TNF inhibitor biosimilars have now been approved, and many other biosimilars to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases are in development. Recent findings Over the last 18 months, published results of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have shown equivalent efficacy and comparable safety and immunogenicity of biosimilars with their reference products. 'Real world' experience with biosimilars in the EU continues to increase and provides evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of using biosimilars in the clinic and of switching from bio-originators to their biosimilars. Summary Cost implications of using biosimilars and extrapolation of their use to treat diseases in which they were not tested in RCTs are of great interest. We review the results of RCTs and available experience with biosimilars in the clinic.


This article argues that the international financial markets' massive involvement in Russia had at best a limited basis in developments in the real economy, while financial inflows from the West both enabled and encouraged Russia to avoid the restructuring which lies behind the economic recovery elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe. The best hope for a positive future for Russia is to allow many Russian banks and firms to go bankrupt and to change the nature of foreign financing. Liberal reforms could then be pursued with a clean slate. However, the author sees little likelihood of either of these happening.


Summary form only given. This article realizes the vision of mobile grid computing by proposing a fair pricing strategy and an optimal, static job allocation scheme. Mobile devices has not yet been integrated into grid computing platforms mainly due to their inherent limitations in processing and storage capacity, power and bandwidth shortages. However, millions of laptops, PDAs and other mobile devices remain unused most of the time and this huge resource repository can be potentially utilized in the grid environment. Here, we propose a game theoretic pricing model, to address load balancing issues in mobile grids. In particular, by drawing upon the Nash bargaining solution (NBS), we show that we can obtain an unified framework for addressing such issues as network efficiency, fairness, utility maximization, and pricing. The advantage of this framework is that we have a precise mathematical characterization of the solutions and their properties. Our current endeavor characterizes a two-player alternating-offer bargaining game between the wireless access point (WAP) server and the mobile devices to determine the pricing strategy. This pricing strategy is then made use of to effectively distribute jobs to the mobile devices. Our job allocation scheme maximizes the revenue of the grid user, and yet is comparable to the overall system response time of other load balancing schemes.


In this study, nanocomposites based on unsaturated polyester cured by ultra-violet (UV) radiation were prepared using Kenaf bast fibre and Montmorillonite (MMT) as reinforcing agent at different percentages. MMT was modified using an ion exchange process by replacing the sodium ions with alkyl ammonium ions from Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB). From the results obtained, the microstructure of MMT modified with CTAB (MMT-CTAB) showed the interlayer spacing of MMT-CTAB was increased and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that cation exchange between CTAB and MMT was evident. As for the composites prepared from untreated MMT-CTAB, it showed higher mechanical properties as compared to those prepared from untreated MMT. On the other hand, the percentage of Kenaf fiber in the nanocomposites system also plays a crucial role in determining the nanocamposites properties.


We have combined hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ; Sendai virus) with liposomes for efficient in vitro and in vivo fusion-mediated gene delivery. The HVJ-liposome was a highly efficient vehicle for the introduction of oligonucleotides into cells in vivo as well as for the transfer of genes <100 kbp without damaging cells. By coupling the Epstein-Barr (EB) virus replicon apparatus with HVJ-liposomes (virosomes), transgene expression was sustained in vitro and in vivo. When we added cationic lipids, the HVJ-cationic liposomes increased gene delivery 100 to 800 times in vitro compared with the conventional anionic virosomes and were also more useful for gene expression in restricted areas of organs and for gene therapy of disseminated cancers. We further discovered that the use of anionic virosomes with a virus-mimicking lipid composition (artificial viral envelope; AVE type) increased transfection efficiency approximately 10 fold in vivo, especially in the heart, liver, kidney, and muscle. Most animal organs were found to be suitable targets for the fusigenic virosomes, and numerous gene therapy strategies using this system were successful in animals. The combination of suicide gene therapy with radiation was very effective for killing hepatomas in a mouse model. Arteriosclerosis obliterans in animal models was cured by the transfer of hepatocyte growth factor.


The tribology of linear tape storage system including Linear Tape Open (LTO) and Travan5 was investigated by combining X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Optical Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) technologies. The purpose of this study was to understand the tribology mechanism of linear tape systems then projected recording densities may be achieved in future systems. Water vapour pressure or Normalized Water Content (NWC) rather than the Relative Humidity (RH) values (as are used almost universally in this field) determined the extent of PTR and stain (if produced) in linear heads. Approximately linear dependencies were found for saturated PTR increasing with normalized water content increasing over the range studied using the same tape. Fe Stain (if produced) preferentially formed on the head surfaces at the lower water contents. The stain formation mechanism had been identified. Adhesive bond formation is a chemical process that is governed by temperature. Thus the higher the contact pressure, the higher the contact temperature in the interface of head and tape, was produced higher the probability of adhesive bond formation and the greater the amount of transferred material (stain). Water molecules at the interface saturate the surface bonds and makes adhesive junctions less likely. Tape polymeric binder formulation also has a significant role in stain formation, with the latest generation binders producing less transfer of material. This is almost certainly due to higher cohesive bonds within the body of the magnetic layer. TiC in the two-phase ceramic tape-bearing surface (AlTiC) was found to oxidise to form TiO2.The oxidation rate of TiC increased with water content increasing. The oxide was less dense than the underlying carbide; hence the interface between TiO2 oxide and TiC was stressed. Removals of the oxide phase results in the formation of three-body abrasive particles that were swept across the tape head, and gave rise to three-body abrasive wear, particularly in the pole regions. Hence, PTR and subsequent which signal loss and error growth. The lower contact pressure of the LTO system comparing with the Travan5 system ensures that fewer and smaller three-body abrasive particles were swept across the poles and insulator regions. Hence, lower contact pressure, as well as reducing stain in the same time significantly reduces PTR in the LTO system.


Reinforced concrete frame buildings have become common form of construction with masonry infills in urban and semi urban areas in the world. The term infilled frame denotes a composite structure formed by the combination of a moment resisting plane frame and infill walls. The infill masonry may be of brick, concrete blocks, or stones. In the current practice of structural design in India infill walls are considered as non-structural elements and their strength and stiffness contribution are neglected. The effect of infill panels on the response of reinforced concrete frames subjected to seismic action is widely recognized and has been subject of numerous experimental and analytical investigations over last five decades. The framed building behaves differently as compared to a bare framed building (without any infill) or a fully infilled framed building under lateral load. A bare frame is much less stiffer than a fully infilled frame; it resists the applied lateral load through frame action and shows well-distributed plastic hinges at failure. In this study high rise buildings of regular and irregular geometry with 200 mm cement infill thickness under earthquake zones-V with different infill positions are considered so as to evaluate the efficient building frame. These are achieved by comparing the result with different parameter like moment, shear force, peak displacement and drift.


Helicobacter pylori (HP) chronic gastritis can lead to precursor stages of gastric cancer. New biological markers have been proposed to study the gastric mucosal state. We evaluate biological results in comparison with histological ones in a dyspeptic population. Forty nine dyspeptic patients underwent endoscopy with gastric biopsies for histological examination. Blood samples were obtained to measure levels of gastrin 17 (G17), pepsinogen 1 (PG1), pepsinogen 2 (PG2) and the rate of anti-HP IgG antibodies. Four patients have a healthy gastric mucosa and 45 have a gastritis (32 have a nonatrophic gastritis and 13 an atrophic one). An increase in the level of PG2 and a decrease of the PG1/PG2 ratio were noticed in the group of subjects with a nonatrophic gastritis compared to the healthy mucosa group. The decrease of the PG1/PG2 ratio was more important in the corpus atrophic gastritis group than in the antrum restricted atrophic gastritis one. In conclusion, in front of dyspeptic patients, we advice to practice in first intention the measurement of the serological level of G17, PG1, PG2 and anti-HP IgG antibodies.


One way to deal with the traffic and associated environmental problems in urban areas is the promotion of Public Transport. This can be achieved, among other things, through the implementation of bus priority measures. Bus lanes comprise the most widespread measure worldwide and their success mainly depends on the efficiency of the enforcement. The international experience shows that enforcement is mainly based nowadays on stationary and bus mounted cameras. Within the framework of this paper the existing situation, as far as the bus lanes violators in the city of Thessaloniki are concerned, is presented. Results are based on a survey that was carried out in December 2005 and these results were compared to the ones obtained from previous surveys in the same area. The vast majority of violators concern the drivers of two-wheel cycles followed by taxi drivers. In some cases drivers of the two-wheel cycles can legally enter the bus lanes (something which is foreseen in the Greek Highway Code under certain circumstances), then taxi drivers consist of more than half of the violators of the bus lane network.


We report a case of multiple spontaneous arteries dissection in a 52-year-old female; the patient had a relevant family history of vascular complications and typical features so we hypothesized vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) that was confirmed by genetic analysis of COL3A1 gene. We adopted a conservative approach: the patient was treated with heparin in the acute phase followed by aspirin and then celiprolol was started on the basis of a recent trial that demonstrates a reduction in arterial events in EDS patient treated. A careful follow-up was done with Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography scan, as non-invasive diagnostic techniques are preferred in these patients, and no other vascular symptomatic events have occurred. We tested all living relatives: half of them had COL3A1 mutation, they were referred to another center specialized in rare diseases and EDS for long-term follow-up and genetic counseling. This case demonstrates as a careful evaluation of clinical signs, clinical history of the patient and his family has allowed a definitive diagnosis, proper management of the patient during the acute event and in terms of prophylaxis of recurrence.


In the last fifty years management has become a significant factor in the development of sectors that have no profit characteristics. The culture and arts organisations are aware of the need for management. However, various specific aspects of the artistic practice are the key issue regarding the implementation of management in culture and arts. The main problem in obtaining positive outcomes is the correct adjustment of management and art functions having in mind the relationship between the two. The management functions need to be implemented and applied in such a manner that art activities should not be compromised. Due to project orientation, lack of funding and environment changes, entrepreneurship has assumed a significant role in achieving the goals of culture and arts organisations. In less developed countries, the functions of management are not implemented in arts and culture to their full potential. One reason is the importance a given society assigns to arts and culture. Still, implementation of management is the fundamental assumption of faster development of artistic, organisational and technical modernization and financial stabilisation of culture and arts organisations.


Loss of function of NFI transcription factors in hypothalamic tanycytes generates diverse subtypes of functional neurons. Hypothalamic tanycytes, radial glial cells that share many features with neuronal progenitors, can generate small numbers of neurons in the postnatal hypothalamus, but the identity of these neurons and the molecular mechanisms that control tanycyte-derived neurogenesis are unknown. In this study, we show that tanycyte-specific disruption of the NFI family of transcription factors (Nfia/b/x) robustly stimulates tanycyte proliferation and tanycyte-derived neurogenesis. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) analysis reveals that NFI (nuclear factor I) factors repress Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Wnt signaling in tanycytes and modulation of these pathways blocks proliferation and tanycyte-derived neurogenesis in Nfia/b/x-deficient mice. Nfia/b/x-deficient tanycytes give rise to multiple mediobasal hypothalamic neuronal subtypes that can mature, fire action potentials, receive synaptic inputs, and selectively respond to changes in internal states. These findings identify molecular mechanisms that control tanycyte-derived neurogenesis, which can potentially be targeted to selectively remodel the hypothalamic neural circuitry that controls homeostatic physiological processes.


Receptive language is the occurrence of an appropriate response to the spoken language of another individual. This is a key element of development, especially in regard to the acquisition of spoken language (Grow & LeBlanc, 2013). While this appropriate responding is a skill generally acquired by typically developing children via interactions with their caregivers, in most situations it must be explicitly taught to children with developmental delays (Charlotte L. Carp, Sean P. Peterson, Amber J. Arkel, & Anna I. Petursdottir, 2012). An absence or delay of this skill will result in a child missing many important learning opportunities, leading to further delays in overall development. The goal of the present study was to teach receptive identification, a key part of receptive language, to a 3-year-old female with developmental delays. An Alternating Treatments Design (ATD) with three conditions was used to teach this skill. These conditions included an Antecedent Picture Prompt (APP), a Consequence Picture Prompt (CPP), and a Least-to-Most Physical Prompt (LTM) which were rotated randomly each session. The participant was required to reach at least an 88% for correct identification for three of five consecutive sessions in order to meet mastery criterion. It was expected that this procedure would result in an acquisition of the receptive identification skill for the presented stimuli which would aid the participant in acquiring more advanced receptive skills later on.


Many studies have shown the ability of media--television, movies, and virtual reality (VR) experiences--to elicit emotions. Nevertheless, it is still unclear how the different factors involved--user related and medium related--play a role in producing an emotional response during a VR experience. We investigate this issue, analyzing the role played by the cultural and technological backgrounds of the users in the emotional responses to VR. Specifically, we use the "core affect" model of emotions developed by Russell (2003) to explore how these factors influence the way in which participants experience virtual worlds. Our sample includes 20 Mexican participants: 8 living in El Tepeyac, a small rural and isolated Mexican village characterized by a very primitive culture, and 12 high civilized inhabitants of Mexico City. The "Green Valley," a noninteractive, relaxing immersive environment showing a mountain landscape around a calm lake, was used to induce relaxation in the two groups during an ambulatory surgical operation. To investigate the effects of VR on the relaxation process, we measured participants' physiological (heart rate) and emotional (VAS-A) responses before, during, and after the operation. The results show that VR significantly modified the core affect (reduced arousal) in all participants but that the final emotional response produced by this change was influenced by the attribution process: the civilized inhabitants of Mexico City, who were able to attribute the reduced arousal to the VR experience, reported a significant reduction in the self-reported level of anxiety, while people from El Tepeyac showed a reduction in their physiological reactions but not in their perceived anxiety.


The viva examination has two parts: the clinical and the viva voce. This article presents practical advice on how best to approach what is rightly felt by many to be the most hazardous part of the MRCOG Part Two examination.


This paper follows on from the editorial in the previous edition entitled, 'The changing face of student nurse education and training programmes' (Ousey, 2011), which discussed how nurse education has progressed from the historical image of 'doctors' handmaidens' to competent nurses, equipped with skills of problem-solving and critical thinking with the move towards an all-graduate profession. Within the current pre-registration nursing curricula, nursing students are required to complete 2300 hours theory and 2300 hours practice over a three-year period (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC], 2010). However, exactly how these theory hours are structured within nursing curricula is open to interpretation. The approximate amount of face-to-face teaching contact that nurse lecturers have with students is fifty percent of the total theory hours. The remaining fifty percent is non-contact time, often referred to on timetables within nursing curricula as 'directed study'.


We describe the main structure and outcomes of the new probabilistic seismic hazard model for Italy, MPS19 [Modello di Pericolosità Sismica, 2019]. Besides to outline the probabilistic framework adopted, the multitude of new data that have been made available after the preparation of the previous MPS04, and the set of earthquake rate and ground motion models used, we give particular emphasis to the main novelties of the modeling and the MPS19 outcomes. Specifically, we (i) introduce a novel approach to estimate and to visualize the epistemic uncertainty over the whole country; (ii) assign weights to each model components (earthquake rate and ground motion models) according to a quantitative testing phase and structured experts' elicitation sessions; (iii) test (retrospectively) the MPS19 outcomes with the horizontal peak ground acceleration observed in the last decades, and the macroseismic intensities of the last centuries; (iv) introduce a pioneering approach to build MPS19_cluster, which accounts for the effect of earthquakes that have been removed by declustering. Finally, to make the interpretation of MPS19 outcomes easier for a wide range of possible stakeholders, we represent the final result also in terms of probability to exceed 0.15 g in 50 years.


Joan Acker's theory on gendered organizations offers important tools for understanding subtler forms of inequalities and gendered practices in the workplace. According to Acker, invisible mechanisms in organizations such as the symbolic and material/structural aspects of organizations reproduce gendered inequalities. My application of Acker's theory demonstrates how imagery itself assigns value to collaborative practices in gender stereotypical ways. In an institutional context that devalues international research collaboration among faculty, gendered images of exploiter, patronizing helper, partner, or friend ultimately serve to construct glass fences ‐ obstacles to international collaborative engagement ‐ particularly for women. The reflection and potential recreation of gendered inequalities among academics simultaneously reconstructs inequalities between the U.S. and abroad, as institutional reward structures attach gendered symbolic and material values that (re)shape (international) collaborations themselves. Together, these processes construct the gendered organization of global science and academia.


Background Early diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) may improve prognosis but there are no proven biomarkers. Objective To investigate changes in faecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as potential biomarkers for NEC. Design Multicentre prospective study. Settings 8 UK neonatal units. Patients Preterm infants <34 weeks gestation. Methods Daily faecal samples were collected prospectively from 1326 babies of whom 49 subsequently developed definite NEC. Faecal samples from 32 NEC cases were compared with samples from frequency-matched controls without NEC. Headspace, solid phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was performed and VOCs identified from reference libraries. VOC samples from cases and controls were compared using both discriminant and factor analysis methods. Results VOCs were found to cluster into nine groups (factors), three were associated with NEC and indicated the possibility of disease up to 3–4 days before the clinical diagnosis was established. For one factor, a 1 SD increase increased the odds of developing NEC by 1.6 times; a similar decrease of the two other factors was associated with a reduced risk (OR 0.5 or 0.7, respectively). Discriminant analyses identified five individual VOCs, which are associated with NEC in babies at risk, each with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.75–0.76, up to 4 days before the clinical diagnosis was made. Conclusions Faecal VOCs are altered in preterm infants with NEC. These data are currently insufficient to enable reliable cotside detection of babies at risk of developing NEC and further work is needed investigate the role of VOCs in clarifying the aetiology of NEC.


Globally, 1.2 billion people are extremely poor surviving on less than one dollar a day and three-quarters live in rural areas. Poverty is predominantly a rural phenomenon. Extremely poor people spend more than half of their income to obtain (or produce) staple foods, which account for more than two-thirds of their caloric intake. Most suffer from nutritional deficiencies, and many go hungry at certain times of the year. Rural poverty and hunger fell sharply between 1975 and 1990, but the rate of poverty reduction has since slowed. The paper analyzes the features of an emerging model on managing risks and designing products for agricultural microfinance. Agricultural finance has been one of the most prominent elements of the rural development strategies used by development agencies and national governments. The renewed international emphasis on poverty reduction has put rural populations, particularly agricultural households, back in the spotlight of development efforts. Yet, agriculture is widely considered more risky than industry or trade. Thus, it is not surprising that agricultural lending projects have had poor repayment performance. The paper offers a model, termed agricultural microfinance, for providing financial services to poor, rural farming households. This model combines the most relevant and promising features of traditional microfinance, traditional agricultural finance, and other approaches including leasing, area-based insurance, use of technology and existing infrastructure, and contracts with processors, traders, and agribusinesses into a hybrid defined by 10 main features. While the paper does not suggest that there is broad consensus on a potential model for agricultural microfinance, it does identify features that have worked well in various combinations, on the frontier of rural finance in agricultural regions, with many poor families. Hopefully, this paper will trigger a more comprehensive discussion of what features such a model should further include.


In order to elucidate the role of ascorbate-glutathione (ASC-GSH) cycle to drought stress, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of molecules involved in the ASC-GSH metabolism were studied in Trifolium repens seedlings subjected to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced water deficit. Compared to the control, the contents of ascorbate (ASC), dehydroascorbate (DHA) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) increased in PEG-treated seedlings, whereas the glutathione (GSH) content kept constant during the drought period. Further more, the values of ASC/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios decreased in the presence of PEG. Except for that of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) were upregulated during water deficit, and the increases of APX and DHAR activities were much higher than that of GR activity. These data indicated that fluctuations of the ASC-GSH metabolism resulted from PEG may have a positive effect on drought stress mitigation in T. repens, and the antioxidant protection in ASC-GSH cycle can be attributed mainly to ASC, APX and DHAR.


Cells of the oral bacterium Streptococcus oralis CN3410 produce lateral tufts of cell-surface fibrils of two lengths. Treatment of cells with trypsin resulted in loss of the tufts and release of longer fibrils intact. SDS-PAGE analysis of trypsin extracts containing fibrils revealed two groups of high molecular mass polypeptides which were denoted group A (molecular mass 227-246 kDa) and group B (molecular mass 175-208 kDa). Antibodies were raised to these two groups of trypsin-extracted polypeptides (TEPs) and to purified fibrils, and the reactivities of the three different antisera were found to be similar both on nitrocellulose blots of cell-surface polypeptides and in ELISA with whole cells. Similar patterns of TEPs were obtained from cells of a spontaneously derived mutant strain, KP34V, which lacked the short fibril components of tufts. Cells of strain KP34V had similar cell-surface hydrophobicity to strain CN3410 cells, and adhered to the same extent to parotid salivary pellicle or human buccal epithelial cells (BECs) as the wild-type cells. Trypsin treatment of strain CN3410 cells abolished their surface hydrophobicity and ability to adhere to BECs, but did not affect streptococcal cell binding to experimental salivary pellicle. Antibodies to TEPs or fibrils had no effect on cell adhesion to BECs or salivary pellicle. The results imply that the short fibril components of tufts are not involved in the cell adhesion properties tested. It is suggested that the TEPs are components of long fibrils, but they are not determinants of streptococcal cell adhesion to pellicle or to epithelial cells.


New e-participation services are heralded as an important means to achieve "citizen-centric government". The project "Citizen-centric e-Participation" is a trilateral collaboration project between Sweden, Estonia and Iceland, combining research with networking to enhance e-participation in three countries. The project network includes partners from local governments, experienced researchers in the field as well as software companies that are exploring new possibilities and markets. The project, which is running between 2012-14, is funded by Vinnova, Rannis, Nordforsk & Estonian Ministry for Economic Affairs and Communications. The main partners include Örebro University, Praxis Center for Policy Studies, Citizens Foundation, imCode Partner, the City of Reykjavik and Haparanda and Borås municipalities. Engaging citizens in policy-making is an important aspect of the design and delivery of better public policies and a core element of what is sometimes called "good government" or "citizen-centric government". Using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to gather and analyze public input is expected to stimulate public deliberation. The project explores links between standardized eparticipation models and the particularities of local contexts. This report presents case studies of the e-participation policy development in Sweden, Estonia and Iceland. The case studies give readers a background to the political context and policy as well as technological development in each country and present analyses of important e-participation initiatives in each country.


Based on the authors' finding that congenital nystagmus (CN) could be suppressed by contact lenses, they investigated the effects on the CN waveform of cutaneous stimulation of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. Significant (> 500/0) damping of the CN was found for each of the following stimuli: touching the upper eyelid; rubbing the forehead lightly; pressing on the forehead; vibration on the forehead at both 30 and 110 Hz; and both supraand sub threshold electrical stimuli to the forehead. T hese robust responses suggest that proprioception is important in both the suppression (and possibly generation) of CN and normal ocular motor con


Background and Hypothesis: In patients with Atrial fibrillation (AF), the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) is the most common site of thrombus formation. The LAA occlusion procedure using the WATCHMAN device implant is an alternative for stroke prevention in AF patients. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and Computed tomography (CT) scans aid in measuring the LAA to predict implant device sizes. However, due to varying LAA anatomy and limited spatial resolution, the current imaging techniques often predict one of two sized devices. The objective of this retrospective study is to compare the accuracy of measurements made preoperatively of the LAA with those on 3D models to determine if they can be used in preoperative planning. We hypothesize 3D models will be more accurate in predicting device size and any anatomical impediments than traditional TEE planning.
Project Methods: There were 21 subjects selected who underwent the WATCHMAN FLX procedure at Parkview Heart Institute in 2021. 3D models of LAA were created from CT scans using a Form 2 3D printer. The device sizes predicted for the procedure were determined from Boston Scientific FLX guidelines based on the maximum LAA orifice diameter from TEE, CT, and 3D models.
Results: Two-proportion z-test between the 3D model predicted sizes to the actual size deployed demonstrated no statistical significance (p=0.298) demonstrating no difference between 3D model predicted sizes and actual size deployed. Two-proportion z-test between TEE vs actual size and CT vs actual size demonstrated statistical significance, suggesting a difference between the group's predictions. 3D models predicted the accurate device size for 20/21(95%) subjects. TEE measurements of maximum orifice diameter were, on average, lower compared to CT and 3D model measurements.
Conclusion and Potential Impact: 3D printed models provide the most accurate device size predictions and can be used to optimize presurgical planning while reducing intraoperative complications.


PlanetLab and Globus Toolkit are gaining widespread adoption in their respective communities. Although designed to solve different problems - PlanetLab is deploying a worldwide infrastructure testbed for experimenting with network services, while Globus is offering general, standards-based, software for running distributed applications over aggregated, shared resources - both build infrastructures that enable federated, extensible, and secure resource sharing across trust domains. Thus, it is instructive to compare their resource management solutions. To this end, we review the approaches taken in the two systems, attempt to trace back to starting assumptions the differences in these approaches, and explore scenarios where the two platforms can cooperate to the benefit of both user communities. We believe that this is a key first step to identifying pieces that could be shared by the two communities, pieces that are complementary, and how Globus and PlanetLab might ultimately evolve together.


Motivated by the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), we consider dynamic wireless fading networks, where each incoming flow has a random service demand and leaves the system once its service request is completed. In such networks, one of the primary goals of network algorithm design is to achieve short-term fairness that characterizes how often each flow is served, in addition to the more traditional goals such as throughput-optimality and delay-insensitivity to the flow size distribution. In wireline networks, all of these desired properties can be achieved by the round-robin scheduling algorithm. In the context of wireless networks, a natural extension of round-robin scheduling has been developed in the last few years through the use of a counter called the Time-Since-Last-Service (TSLS) that keeps track of the time that passed since the last service time of each flow. However, the performance of this round-robin-like algorithm has been primarily studied in the context of persistent flows that continuously inject packets into the network and do not ever leave the network. The analysis of dynamic flow arrivals and departures is challenging since each individual flow experiences independent wireless fading and thus, flows cannot be served in a strict round-robin manner. In this paper, we overcome this difficulty by exploring the intricate dynamics of TSLS-based algorithm and show that flows are provided round-robin-like service with a very high probability. Consequently, we then show that our algorithm can achieve throughput-optimality. Moreover, through simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed TSLS-based algorithm also exhibits desired properties such as delay-insensitivity and excellent short-term fairness performance in the presence of dynamic flows over wireless fading channels.


The new Basel Capital Adequacy Accord (Basel III) is an agreement among countries' central banks and bank supervisory authorities on the amount of capital banks must hold as a cushion against losses and insolvency. Basel III is of concern to Congress mainly because it could put U.S. financial institutions at a competitive disadvantage in world financial markets. This report follows the basic elements of the Basel III documents on the types of capital requirements and their phase-in schedule, which were approved by the Basel member central bank governors on September 12, 2010. The elements are the new definition of Tier 1 capital, the minimum common equity capital, the capital conservation buffer, countercyclical capital buffer,
liquidity coverage ratio, global leverage ratio, and wind-down government capital injections. The report concludes with some implications drawn from its content.


The goal of magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) is to produce a tomographic image of a conductivity distribution inside an electrically conducting object. Injecting current into the object, we measure a z-component Bz of an induced magnetic flux density using an MRI scanner. Based on the relation between the conductivity and measured Bz data, we may reconstruct cross-sectional images of the conductivity distribution. In a two-dimensional imaging slice, we can see that conductivity changes along equipotential lines are determined by the measured Bz data. Since the equipotential lines themselves depend nonlinearly on the unknown conductivity distribution, it is not possible to recover the conductivity distribution directly from measured Bz data. Conductivity image reconstruction algorithms such as the harmonic Bz algorithm utilize an iterative procedure to update conductivity values and in each iteration we need to solve an elliptic boundary value problem with a presumed conductivity distribution. This iteration is often troublesome in practice due to excessive amounts of noise in some local regions where weak MR signals are produced. This motivated us to develop a non-iterative reconstruction algorithm which does not depend on a global structure of the conductivity distribution. In this paper, we propose a new MREIT conductivity image reconstruction algorithm, called the non-iterative harmonic Bz algorithm, which provides a conductivity image directly from measured Bz data. From numerical simulations, we found that the new method produces absolute images of a conductivity distribution with a high accuracy by maximizing the use of reliable Bz data. It effectively reduces adverse effects of excessive noise in some local regions of weak MR signals by restricting the influences within them.


Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a hypersensitivity disease of the lungs which occurs as a result of allergic late phase reactions of an inflammatory response to Aspergillus fumigatus antigenes. Asthma, peripheral blood eosinophilia, antibody reaction to aspergillus, positive skin tes,t elevated total serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E, specific IgE and IgG and proximal bronchiectasis are major diagnostic criteria. A 48 year old woman who showed no response to antibiotic drug treatment for pneumonia for 6 months, was admitted for a mediastinal lymph node (MLN) biopsy which had been observed on further examination. Laboratory findings showed elevated eosinophils in CBC 2100/ mm, elevated IgE levels 205.1 IU/ml and specific IgE to aspergillus antigen 0.35 IU/ml. The thorax CT scan showed a chain of mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MLA) with the largest having a short diameter of 6-7 mm, probably due to a reactive response, proximal bronchiectasis and large bronchi almost filled with dense material. The Prick skin test was positive with 3x3 mm for Aspergillus. The patient was diagnosed as ABPA due to prior asthma disease, eosinophilia, elevated serum IgE levels, central bronchiectasis and positive reaction to skin Prick test for Aspergillus antigens. For this reason she was not scheduled for MLN biopsy. Although MLA had not been included in the radiological findings criteria for ABPA, it is possible to see MLA in ABPA as in our case. In the differential diagnosis of MLA diseases, ABPA should be considered as a possibility. The patient should be assessed thoroughly to avoid needless invasive intervention. (Tur Toraks Der 2011; 12: 114-6)


Legislators in modern democracies (a) accept bribes that are small compared to value of the statutes they pass and (b) allow bans against bribery to be enforced. In our model of bribery, rational legislators accept bribes smaller not only than the bene ̄t the briber receives but than the costs the legislators incur in accepting the bribes. Rather than risk this outcome, the legislators may be willing to suppress bribery altogether. The size of legislatures, the quality of voter information, the nature of party organization, and the structure of committees will all in°uence the frequency and size of bribes.


Oxygen isotope ratios have become an indispensable tool in elucidating past climates. In recent years the chitinous remains of chironomid larvae (Insecta: Diptera: Chironomidae), which are abundant in most lacustrine sediments, have received increasing attention as a proxy for reconstructing the oxygen isotope composition of past lake waters (δ18Olakewater). The interpretation of stratigraphic changes in the oxygen isotopic composition of chironomid remains (δ18Ochironomid) is underpinned by the fundamental assumption that δ18Ochironomid is primarily reflective of δ18Olakewater, which itself is intimately associated with climate. In this investigation a series of laboratory and field-based calibration studies were conducted, with the aim of contributing to the development of δ18Ochironomid as a tool in palaeoclimate reconstructions. All analyses were performed on purified chironomid remains using a high temperature conversion elemental analyser (TC/EA) coupled, via a ConFlo III open split interface unit, to a Delta V Advantage isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). Compositional heterogeneity and exogenous contamination are known to have a deleterious influence on δ18O determinations from chitinous remains, including chironomids. In order to produce meaningful δ18Ochironomid measurements, non-amino polysaccharide impurities present in chironomid samples were eliminated through a series of liquid solvent-based extractions (2:1 DCM: MeOH, 0.25M HCl, 0.25M NaOH) performed at 20°C for 24 hours. The chosen reaction conditions were based on the results of a systematic study evaluating the influence of chemical pre-treatments on the δ18O of contemporary chironomid head capsules isolated from commercially grown larvae. To date the absence of a standardised pre-treatment procedure has hindered inter-laboratory comparisons, therefore it is recommended that analysts employ a similar protocol in the future. Laboratory and field-based calibration studies indicate that the interpretation of δ18Ochironomid is not straightforward, with signals influenced to varying degrees by δ18Olakewater, temperature and secondary factors (e.g. diet). The findings of these calibration studies were used to construct a novel chironomid-carbonate palaeothermometer, which was applied to δ18Ochironomid and δ18Obulk_carbonate records obtained from a Late-glacial sediment sequence (Hawes Water, UK). Although the general climate trends reported by this approach are generally in good agreement with other palaeoclimate reconstructions from the region, absolute temperature estimates were unrealistically low (ranging between −9 and +11°C). Based on the limited available data the spurious temperature estimates were attributed to diagenetic alteration. The strong correlation observed between the two independent δ18O records indicates that diagenetic alterations are likely to have retained some of the original isotopic signature. Despite the efforts of this investigation it is clear that this approach remains in its infancy, with further extensive calibration studies necessary. However, the results presented in this thesis demonstrate that in suitable limnological settings δ18Ochironomid has great potential for elucidating past climates.


Let $G$ be a finite group and $S$ be a symmetric generating set of $G$ with $|S| = d$. We show that if the undirected Cayley sum graph $C_{\Sigma}(G,S)$ is an expander graph and is non-bipartite, then the spectrum of its normalised adjacency operator is bounded away from $-1$. We also establish an explicit lower bound for the spectrum of these graphs, namely, the non-trivial eigenvalues of the normalised adjacency operator lies in the interval $\left(-1+\frac{h(G)^{4}}{\eta}, 1-\frac{h(G)^{2}}{2d^{2}}\right]$, where $h(G)$ denotes the (vertex) Cheeger constant of the $d$-regular graph $C_{\Sigma}(G,S)$ and $\eta = 2^{9}d^{8}$. Further, we improve upon a recently obtained bound on the non-trivial spectrum of the normalised adjacency operator of the Cayley graph $C(G,S)$.


Infection with Trichomonas vaginalis is common in women and also occurs in men. It is probably often transmitted by sexual intercourse. Often it causes no symptoms, but when it does treatment is necessary. For many years only topical treatment was available, and many different applications have been used in women. There is no clear evidence that any one of these is more effective than the others, and even a simple cleansing douche, such as a vinegar douche (2–3 tablespoonfuls to a quart of warm water) often relieves symptoms. However, in women the organism commonly inhabits the lower urinary tract and both protozoa and symptoms may persist despite topical vaginal treatment; in men organisms are harboured in the prostate and other inaccessible sites. The introduction of metronidazole (Flagyl - M&B), an effective systemic trichomonacide, was therefore an important advance. The drug is an imidazole, and is active by mouth.


In a company, stock is extremely important and must exist. This is due to
inventories that have a role in sustaining the operational functions of the company
concerned. Inventory is one of the post valuable and greatly affect the continuity and
effectiveness of the company.
With good control of the inventories are expected to reduce the occurrence of
problems such as damage, loss, and expired. Based on that reason, the company has
a separate control in protecting inventories. The problem now is how the company is
to maintain and improve the effectiveness of controls over inventory. There emerged
a view that takes an important role in improving the effectiveness of internal control
over inventory and in this case is considered an internal audit unit to perform the
role in question.
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of the role of internal
audit unit in an effort to improve the effectiveness of internal control pharmaceutical
inventory at Immanuel Hospital in Bandung. In this study the writer uses case study
method with a descriptive approach to the analysis. The results of research and
observation prove that the effectiveness of internal control of pharmaceutical
supplies in Immanuel influenced by the internal audit unit of 83.70% and the
remaining 16.30% is influenced by other factors (consistency of the work of the
employee and the company's financial condition).


The paper assesses the effect of economic sentiment when combined with the fiscal surplus offered on a Tiebout like migration process, taking place among potential southern European migrants in times of crisis. With an extended sample to incorporate the latest data available and by focusing on the region that was, and still is most heavily affected by the economic crisis, we employ a conditional logit model to find that locational choices are determined by public policies as those are offered to potential migrants in the form of public spending and taxes, the perception of economic opportunities as they are expressed through economic sentiment indicators, while the effect of labor market conditions is consistent and highly relevant. As most of the countries of Southern Europe have entered fiscal adjustment programmes, the discussion becomes particularly relevant as it adds a new dimension to the on-going and heated debate of a significant brain drain from the south to the north of Europe.


Abstract Over the last two decades, the shifts brought about by the emergence of Asia as a key player in global capitalism have led to countless Africans opting for Asian destinations as part of their trade and migration strategies. The implications of the constant ebb and flow of African entrepreneurs in Southern China and the transnational trajectories, connections, and practices they enable have been relatively understudied. This article focuses on place-making practices and structures of belonging surrounding those Africans living in (and circulating through) Guangzhou. Drawing on my fieldwork, I locate possibilities for place-making and belonging within transnational multiethnic microcommunities and highlight practices that have emerged from the assembling of transnational and translocal flows in residential clusters, community organisations, and religious congregations. I contend that the presence and intermingling of diverse transient subjects (both African and Chinese) nurtures "alternative imaginations" of self, place, home, and belonging that alter extant notions of national and cultural identity, ethnicity, and race in twenty-first century Asia.


Many types of microsystems and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices exhibit improved performance characteristics when operated below room temperature. However, designers rarely pair such devices with integrated cooling solutions because they add complexity to the system and often have power consumption which far exceeds that of the microsystem itself. We report the design, fabrication, and testing of both one- and six-stage thermoelectric (TE) microcoolers that target MEMS applications through optimization for low-power operation. Both coolers use thin-film Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3 as the n-and p-type TE materials, respectively, and operate in a planar configuration. The six-stage cooler has demonstrated a ΔT = 22.3 °C at a power consumption of 24.8 mW, while the one-stage cooler has demonstrated a ΔT = 17.9 °C at a lower power consumption of 12.4 mW.


Phase unwrapping techniques remove the modulus ambiguities of wrapped phase maps. The present work shows a first-order feedback system for phase unwrapping and smoothing. This system is a fast sequential unwrapping system which also allows filtering some noise because in deed it is an Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) low-pass filter. In other words, our system is capable of low-pass filtering the wrapped phase as the unwrapping process proceeds. We demonstrate the temporal stability of this unwrapping feedback system, as well as its low-pass filtering capabilities. Our system even outperforms the most common and used unwrapping methods that we tested, such as the Flynn's method, the Goldstain's method, and the Ghiglia least-squares method (weighted or unweighted). The comparisons with these methods shows that our system filters-out some noise while preserving the dynamic range of the phase-data. Its application areas may cover: optical metrology, synthetic aperture radar systems, magnetic resonance, and those imaging systems where information is obtained as a demodulated wrapped phase map.


Aims/Hypothesis Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a frequent and severe complication of diabetes. As Matrix-gla-protein (MGP) is expressed in several components of the nervous system and is involved in some neurological disease, MGP could play a role in peripheral nervous system homeostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with sensitive diabetic neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes, and, in particular, dephospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP), the inactive form of MGP. Methods 198 patients with Type 2 Diabetes were included. Presence of sensitive diabetic neuropathy was defined by a neuropathy disability score (NDS) ≥6. Plasma levels of dp-ucMGP were measured by ELISA. Results In this cohort, the mean age was 64+/-8.4 years old, and 80% of patients were men. Peripheral neuropathy was present in 15.7% of the patients and was significantly associated (r = 0.51, p<0.0001) with dp-ucMGP levels (β = -0.26, p = 0.045) after integrating effects of height (β = -0.38, p = 0.01), insulin treatment (β = 0.42, p = 0.002), retinopathy treated by laser (β = 0.26, p = 0.02), and total cholesterol levels (β = 0.3, p = 0.03) by multivariable analysis. Conclusions The association between diabetic neuropathy and the inactive form of MGP suggests the existence of new pathophysiological pathways to explore. Further studies are needed to determine if dp-ucMGP may be used as a biomarker of sensitive neuropathy. Since dp-ucMGP is a marker of poor vitamin K status, clinical studies are warranted to explore the potential protective effect of high vitamin K intake on diabetic peripheral neuropathy.


Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and behavioral comorbidities frequently develop after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Aberrant neurogenesis of dentate granule cells (DGCs) after TBI may contribute to the synaptic reorganization that occurs in PTE, but how neurogenesis at different times relative to the injury contributes to feedback inhibition and recurrent excitation in the dentate gyrus is unknown. Thus, we examined whether DGCs born at different postnatal ages differentially participate in feedback inhibition and recurrent excitation in the dentate gyrus using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of TBI. Both sexes of transgenic mice expressing channelrhodopsin2 (ChR2) in postnatally born DGCs were used for optogenetic activation of three DGC cohorts: postnatally early born DGCs, or those born just before or after CCI. We performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from ChR2-negative, mature DGCs and parvalbumin-expressing basket cells (PVBCs) in hippocampal slices to determine whether optogenetic activation of postnatally born DGCs increases feedback inhibition and/or recurrent excitation in mice 8-10 weeks after CCI and whether PVBCs are targets of ChR2-positive DGCs. In the dentate gyrus ipsilateral to CCI, activation of ChR2-expressing DGCs born before CCI produced increased feedback inhibition in ChR2-negative DGCs and increased excitation in PVBCs compared with those from sham controls. This upregulated feedback inhibition was less prominent in DGCs born early in life or after CCI. Surprisingly, ChR2-positive DGC activation rarely evoked recurrent excitation in mature DGCs from any cohort. These results support that DGC birth date-related increased feedback inhibition in of DGCs may contribute to altered excitability after TBI. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Dentate granule cells (DGCs) control excitability of the dentate gyrus through synaptic interactions with inhibitory GABAergic interneurons. Persistent changes in DGC synaptic connectivity develop after traumatic brain injury, contributing to hyperexcitability in post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). However, the impact of DGC neurogenesis on synaptic reorganization, especially on inhibitory circuits, after brain injury is not adequately described. Here, upregulation of feedback inhibition in mature DGCs from male and female mice was associated with increased excitation of parvalbumin-expressing basket cells by postnatally born DGCs, providing novel insights into underlying mechanisms of altered excitability after brain injury. A better understanding of these inhibitory circuit changes can help formulate hypotheses for development of novel, evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic epilepsy by targeting birth date-specific subsets of DGCs.


Effects of pretreatment of Brassica napus leaves with ascospores of Leptosphaeria biglobosa or chemical defence activators [acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) or menadione sodium bisulphite (MSB)] on infection by ascospores of Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) and development of disease were studied in controlled-environment (phoma leaf spot) and field (phoma leaf spot and stem canker) experiments. In controlled-environment experiments, pretreatment of oilseed rape leaves (cv. Madrigal) with L. biglobosa, ASM or MSB delayed the appearance of L. maculans phoma leaf spot lesions. These pretreatments also decreased the phoma leaf spot lesion area in both pretreated leaves (local effect) and untreated leaves (systemic effect). In winter oilseed rape field experiments in the 2002/03 and 2003/04 growing seasons, pretreatment with L. biglobosa or ASM in October/November decreased not only the number of phoma leaf spot lesions per leaf caused by L. maculans in autumn/winter, but also the severity of phoma stem canker in the subsequent spring/summer. Effects were greater in 2002/03 (when natural L. maculans ascospore release began in September 2002) than in 2003/04 (when ascospore release began in December following a period of dry weather in August/September 2003). These results suggest that pretreatment with biological or chemical defence activators can induce local and systemic resistance to L. maculans, with both short-term effects on the development of phoma leaf spotting and long-term effects on the development of stem canker 8 months later.


ABSTRACT The article discusses selected works by the Western Canadian writer Robert Kroetsch (1927–2011) within the context of the biography battles which peaked during the 1990s. Kroetsch played a critical role in the formation and honing of a distinctive Prairie literary tradition in Canada, and we discuss a series of his poetic and other works published from the 1970s to 2010 which resonate with concerns raised within life-writing and life-writing criticism in the nineties. We focus on the almost obsessive concern with the relationships between self and other, and the seemingly contradictory denial of a stable self which mark the life writing debate of the decade; both evident in all of Kroetsch's writing. Raising the relation between space and selfhood to the fore, the article argues that Kroetsch's work not only questions our ability to know another through writing, but even to know the self. At the same time, we argue that the glimpses of a seemingly stable, autobiographical self that emerge in his writings speak to the seductiveness of gaining insights into the machinations of another person's mind, tempting Kroetsch again and again to ponder writing "an autobiography in which I do not appear".


Mean-variance criteria remain prevalent in multi-period problems, and yet not much is known about their dynamically optimal policies. We provide a fully analytical characterization of the optimal dynamic mean-variance portfolios within a general incomplete-market economy, and recover a simple structure that also inherits several conventional properties of static models. We also identify a probability measure that incorporates intertemporal hedging demands and facilitates much tractability in the explicit computation of portfolios. We solve the problem by explicitly recognizing the time-inconsistency of the mean-variance criterion and deriving a recursive representation for it, which makes dynamic programming applicable. We further show that our time-consistent solution is generically different from the pre-commitment solutions in the extant literature, which maximize the mean-variance criterion at an initial date and which the investor commits to follow despite incentives to deviate. We illustrate the usefulness of our analysis by explicitly computing dynamic mean-variance portfolios under various stochastic investment opportunities in a straightforward way, which does not involve solving a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman differential equation. A calibration exercise shows that the mean-variance hedging demands may comprise a significant fraction of the investor's total risky asset demand.


This research is a case study that consists of explanation or relevant data from research result of its object who tries to find out and solve the company problem. This study took a title An Analysis of Capital optimalizing in PT Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk. This research purposes to find out the capital optimizing in PT Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk. This study will be useful for this company as information to evaluate benefit and risk of each stockholder to avoid losses. The data analysis technique used capital circles which some steps as follow: calculate circle of capital element in multiple, calculate the period of the element per day, calculate circle of capital, modal optimizing and calculate increasing and decreasing the capital. Based on calculation of cash circle, it shown that in 2004 there were 32.49 days, in 2005 there were decreasing about 62.16 times compared with year of 2006 with 2.96 times, and in 2006 there were increasing about 17.39 times compared with 2007 with 20.35. In 2007 it shown that there were increasing with the highest cash period in 2006 about 121.621 days and the lowest in 2005 about 5.528 days. Based on the result of stock circle calculation, there was fluctuation on stock circle in PT Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk from 2004 to 2007. The analysis result shown that the level of company ability in manage or change credit to cash indicated fluctuation and the highest on happened in 2005 and the highest period was 134.831 days in 2006. In general, the management of capital in this company considered to be optimal. Some suggestion to PT Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk. is: the company needs to increase capital management by increasing its assets and decreasing its obligation in order to optimally its capital to support the company activity. PT Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk. should increase its capital circle, because it will result in shorter fund period and benefit for the company.


An asynchronous binary DS-CDMA system using random spreading sequences is considered when communicating over various fading channels. New closed-form expressions are derived for the conditional characteristic function (CF) of the multiple access interference. A unified analysis is provided for calculating the exact average bit error rate (BER) expressed in the form of a single numerical integration based on the CF approach. The numerical results obtained from our exact BER analysis are verified by our simulation results and are also compared to those obtained by the standard Gaussian approximation (SGA), confirming the accuracy of the SGA for most practical conditions, except for high signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and for a low number of interferers.


Hereditary nonspherocytic hemolysis associated with abnormal erythrocyte phosphofructokinase activity was demonstrated in a young man. Enzyme activity in the propositus, his mother, and maternal grandmother was approximately 60% of normal controls. There was markedly increased lability of enzyme activity on in vitro storage. Kinetic studies revealed increased sensitivity to adenosine triphosphate inhibition. Erythrocyte adenosine triphosphate levels were depressed. The absence of muscle disease and the presence of normal in vivo lactate production following ischemic exercise differentiated this kindred from those with Type VII glycogen storage disease.


Experimental results are presented from a traverse over the ice sheet of north western Greenland in 1964, during which a continuously recorded profile of ice thickness was obtained for the first time. Interpretation of data from this traverse is consistent with results of subsequent work to December 1967. The parameters of the apparatus are presented briefly, while the details of electronic circuits are being published separately. Theoretical problems of radio wave propagation in an ice sheet and, in particular, the factors affecting accuracy are discussed. The uncertainty in depth, over a small area, is ±5 m ±1.5% and this is verified by comparison with the seismic results for a range of depths up to 1.5 km. It is found that the only real uncertainty arises in irregular terrain. The effectiveness of the radio echo technique is dependent on the absorption of radio waves in ice. Temperature, and to a lesser extent the impurity content of ice, appear to be the main variables affecting field performance. Earlier laboratory results on the variation of absorption with temperature for ice cores from northwest Greenland, together with theoretically predicted temperature distributions throughout the ice mass, have provided estimates of the total loss by absorption. These estimates are reasonably consistent with the observed echo strengths over most of the traverse. Consequently, it is predicted that echoes can be obtained over considerable areas of the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica, as has been verified by subsequent observations. The reflexion coefficient at the ice/rock interface is of the order of —15 dB. It could rise to 0 dB for an ice/water interface and one area was found in Greenland where it appeared to fall to — 30 dB. Results from this traverse have shown that local surface slopes on the ice sheet are largely controlled by variations of longitudinal stress along the line of flow. Regional slopes over several kilometres vary with the velocity of movement of the ice, but appear to be less dependent on basal ice temperatures than laboratory results would suggest. The velocity of ice movement increases in proportion to the square or cube of the basal shear stress, but the stress itself shows no obvious dependence on basal ice temperature. Partially reflecting layers discovered within the ice mass are discussed mainly in terms of small density variations between adjacent layers of ice. One particularly prominent layer is calculated to be about 1000 years old and its variation of depth with position provides evidence in favour of the steady state model of the ice sheet.


For Indigenous communities, protecting traditional lands and waters is of the utmost importance. In the U.S. context, scholars have documented an unfortunate neglect of water quality on tribal lands. Treatment as a State (TAS) provisions, adopted in the 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act, and tribal Water Quality Standards (WQSs) programs are intended to address such problems. Importantly, tribal WQSs may be more stringent than neighboring state standards, and can be used to influence pollution levels coming from upstream, off-reservation users. Tribes can also develop WQSs that support unique tribal values, including ceremonial and cultural uses of native waters. Yet scholarly debates question whether tribal environmental self-determination strategies can fully succeed within dominant regulatory structures. Based on a synthesis of the published literature, this article examines tribal WQSs as a case of tribal environmental self-determination. The author discusses how U.S. tribes pursue WQSs under TAS, program outcomes, and why so few tribes have established WQSs to date. Because most scholarship was found within the legal literature, the author focuses on the legal and political outcomes that arise from tribal WQSs, and analyzes specific opportunities and constraints for program participants. The author also considers how some tribes use WQSs as a "third space" strategy—simultaneously working inside and outside of dominant government structures to advance tribal sovereignty (Bruyneel 2007). Additional research is needed to understand the diversity of tribal environmental self-determination strategies that occur through federal regulatory frameworks and under tribal law.


BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to describe inequalities in mortality in the cities of Logroño and Pamplona, using a socioeconomic privation index by census tract.

METHODS
Deaths were geocoded using the mailing address of the Death Statistics Bulletin and, in its absence, that of the Spanish Municipal Register or the Spanish Health Card. The socioeconomic variables used to construct the deprivation index were obtained from the Spanish Population and Housing Census of 2001. Census tracts were grouped by socioeconomic deprivation quintiles. In each quintile, age-adjusted mortality rates were computed by sex and age group (0-64, ≥ 65).

RESULTS
In both cities, higher mortality rates were observed in the geographical areas with higher socio-economic deprivation. This was particularly evident among men under 65 for whom a positive gradient between mortality and the deprivation index was observed. The areas with higher deprivation reached a relative risk (RR) of 1.61 (CI 95%, 1, 33-1, 92) and 1.77 (CI 95%, 1, 55-2 01) in Pamplona and Logroño respectively. Among women under 65, a RR of 1.44 (CI 95%, 1, 18-1, 74) and 1.48 (CI 95%, 1, 10-1, 95) were shown for the most depressed areas of Pamplona and Logroño respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
The study highlighted inequalities in mortality associated with socioeconomic deprivation in the cities of Logroño and Pamplona. Also showed was the utility of analysing socio-economic indicators and mortality by small areas in order to identify inequality in health.


Abstract Due to their unique properties, nano-sized carbon materials are predicted to have numerous applications in industry, but significant evidence exists to suggest their potential to cause toxicity. To determine if pre-exposure to side-stream cigarette smoke (SSCS) influences their toxicity, we examined the pulmonary response of smoke-exposed mice to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Female A/J mice were exposed to SSCS in a whole body exposure chamber at approximately 40 mg/m3 for 4 weeks (6 h/d, 5 d/wk) and challenged with a single dose of MWCNT (40 µg) by the pharyngeal aspiration technique. A total of four groups were compared: air/phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-control, SSCS/PBS, air/MWCNT, and SSCS/MWCNT. At days 1 and 3 post-MWCNT treatment, lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected and analyzed. In comparison with controls, significantly higher levels of total BAL cells were obtained from mice exposed to SSCS and MWCNT alone or combination. Influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) into BALF greatly increased in MWCNT alone and SSCS/MWCNT groups at both days 1 and 3 compared with controls. However, pre-exposure to SSCS significantly suppressed PMN response to MWCNT on day 1 but not day 3. Total BALF protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and mucin were significantly elevated in MWCNT and SSCS/MWCNT groups but not in the SSCS group, except mucin at day 3, when compared with controls. These results demonstrate that MWCNT markedly increases pulmonary toxicity in mice and SSCS pre-exposure plays a minor role in modulating MWCNT-induced lung toxicity at the concentrations and time points selected in the present study.


BACKGROUND
Despite several studies that evaluated the effects of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors on postoperative renal function in cardiac surgery patients, no final conclusions are available. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of RAS inhibitors on renal function following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

METHODS AND RESULTS
Among patients who underwent OPCAB, perioperative characteristics, postoperative renal function and incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) were compared between those who received RAS inhibitors for at least 2 weeks (RASI group, n=296) and those not treated with RAS inhibitors (Control group, n=176). AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine >0.3 mg/dl or >50% from baseline. Preoperative comorbidities were more frequent in the RASI group. Operative data were similar. Incidence of postoperative AKI (19.9% vs 20.9%, P=0.815) and of postoperative renal function was comparable between groups. In the adjusted multivariate logistic regression model for propensity scores between groups, diabetes mellitus, preoperative creatinine level and perioperative transfusion were significant risk factors for postoperative AKI, whereas preoperative treatment with RAS inhibitors did not increase the risk.

CONCLUSIONS
Chronic preoperative use of RAS inhibitors did not affect postoperative renal function or increase the risk of postoperative AKI in patients undergoing OPCAB.


This report is a synthesis of six case studies on street vending in Africa. The case studies re drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire and South Africa. The synthesis of the case studies arose out of a World Bank invitation to Women In Employment Globalising and Organising (WIEGO) to contribute to its forthcoming World Development Report (WDR) focusing on the theme Investment Climate. The main interest of the World Bank is the assessment of constraints to business growth in the informal economy. Those working in the informal economy work in unregulated and unprotected environments that are not conducive to business. The synthesis of the six case studies assesses the business/environment constraints for street vendors and the responses made by various stakeholders including the vendors themselves.


Approximately unbiased tests based on bootstrap probabilities are considered for the exponential family of distributions with unknown expectation parameter vector, where the null hypothesis is represented as an arbitraryshaped region with smooth boundaries. This problem has been discussed previously in Efron and Tibshirani [Ann. Statist. 26 (1998) 1687–1718], and a corrected p-value with second-order asymptotic accuracy is calculated by the two-level bootstrap of Efron, Halloran and Holmes [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93 (1996) 13429–13434] based on the ABC bias correction of Efron [J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 82 (1987) 171–185]. Our argument is an extension of their asymptotic theory, where the geometry, such as the signed distance and the curvature of the boundary, plays an important role. We give another calculation of the corrected p-value without finding the "nearest point" on the boundary to the observation, which is required in the two-level bootstrap and is an implementational burden in complicated problems. The key idea is to alter the sample size of the replicated dataset from that of the observed dataset. The frequency of the replicates falling in the region is counted for several sample sizes, and then the p-value is calculated by looking at the change in the frequencies along the changing sample sizes. This is the multiscale bootstrap of Shimodaira [Systematic Biology 51 (2002) 492–508], which is third-order accurate for the multivariate normal model. Here we introduce a newly devised multistep-multiscale bootstrap, calculating a third-order accurate p-value for the exponential family of distributions. In fact, our p-value is asymptotically equivalent to those obtained by the double bootstrap of Hall [The Bootstrap and Edgeworth Expansion(1992) Springer, New York] and the modified signed likelihood ratio of Barndorff-Nielsen [ Biometrika 73 (1986) 307–322] ignoring O(n −3/2 ) terms, yet the computation is less demanding and free from model specification. The algorithm is remarkably simple despite complexity of the theory behind it. The differences of the pvalues are illustrated in simple examples, and the accuracies of the bootstrap methods are shown in a systematic way.


Investigation of possible presence of soft X-ray levels from Computer Screens at distances of 0.5m and 1.0m was carried out within Benue State University, Makurdi, using ten different monitor models. Radiation measurement was carried out using a portable digital radiation meter, INSPECTOR 06250 (SE international Inc. Summer Town, USA) which is optimized to measure alpha, beta, X-rays and gamma radiation. On the basis of 8 working hours a day for 6 days a week, results obtained in count per minute (CPM) were converted to dose equivalent rate in mSv/week using a calibration factor of the meter. The average radiation levels from the screen was (1.92 ± 0.41) 10-3mSv/week and (6.86± 0.37) 10-4mSv/week at the distance of 0.5m and 1.0m respectively. These results show that computer operators using these models were working within recommended safety radiation limits of 0.02mSv/week as prescribed by the international commission on radiological protection. Keywords : radiation monitoring, computer monitors Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 17, 2005: 46-49


The description of the environmental conditions of an area is often done by using modeling programs. Its validation requires a significant number of background values, representative of the real state. These data are also necessary for the proper management of environmental issues in relation to different causes of present pollution. The sampling of these values, moreover, requires the execution of measurements characterized by a burden of cost and time. For this reason the possibility to take in advantage the existing background's environmental data, collected from studies conducted in the past, is a great resource base for the qualification and land management. However, historical data are characterized by heterogeneity in format and content and are liable to risk of obsolescence due to changes over time in the context. This research proposes a methodology of processing the historical documentation (when present) in order to obtain homogeneous data, comparable with one another and representative of the current conditions of the territory. These results, jointly with the analysis of the environmental context, are also aimed to the design of additional measures necessary for the completion of the scoreboard. The method was applied to the noise and airborne particulates risk factors


Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common and complicated chronic kidney disease around the world. To elucidate and find effective therapies of DN is of vital importance. In this paper, we have discovered that Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), which is one of the anthocyanins, could alleviate high glucose induced podocytes dysfunction. MTT, flow cytometry assay and western blot analysis showed that C3G could reverse the increase of cell apoptosis under high glucose treatment in MPC5 cells by up-regulation of Bcl2 and down-regulation of Bax and cleaved-caspase 3. Moreover, C3G improved the autophagy decrease that was induced by high glucose through regulating the expression level of LC3 II/LC3 I, Beclin1 and p62. In addition, C3G inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by increasing E-cadherin and reducing Vimentin. By further mechanisms study, we found C3G activated the SIRT1 and AMPK which were inhibited in high glucose condition. Silencing SIRT1 blocked the effect of C3G on regulating cell apoptosis, autophagy and EMT. In summary, our current findings suggest the protective effect of C3G against high glucose induced podocytes dysfunction is by improving autophagy and reducing apoptosis and EMT via activating SIRT1/AMPK pathway. It might be a new insight for the treatment of DN.


OBJECTIVE
Evidence of an increased dementia risk with insulin use in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is weakened by confounding by indication and disease severity. Herein we reassess this association, while accounting for confounding through design and analysis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using administrative healthcare data from British Columbia, Canada, we identified patients diagnosed with T2DM in 1998-2016. To adjust for confounding by diabetes severity through design, we compared new users of insulin to new users of a noninsulin class, both from a restricted cohort of those who previously received two noninsulin antihyperglycemic classes. We further adjusted for confounding using 1) conventional multivariable adjustment and 2) inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on the high-dimensional propensity score algorithm. The hazard ratio [HR] (95% CI) of dementia was estimated using cause-specific hazards models with death as a competing risk.

RESULTS
The analytical comparative cohort included 7,863 insulin versus 25,230 non-insulin users. At baseline, insulin users were more likely to have worse health indicators. A total of 78 dementia events occurred over a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.9 (5.9) years among insulin users, and 179 events occurred over 4.6 (4.4) years among noninsulin users. The HR (95% CI) of dementia for insulin use versus non-insulin use was 1.68 (1.29-2.20) before adjustment and 1.39 (1.05-1.86) after multivariable adjustment, which was further attenuated to 1.14 (0.81-1.60) after IPTW weighting.

CONCLUSIONS
Among persons with T2DM previously exposed to two noninsulin antihyperglycemic medications, no significant association was observed between insulin use and all-cause dementia.


Space-based radiometric observations of key hydrological parameters (e.g., soil moisture) at the spatial and temporal scales required in the post-2002 era face significant technological challenges. These measurements are based on relatively low frequency thermal microwave emission (at 1.4 GHz for soil moisture and salinity, 10 GHz and up for precipitation, and 19 and 37 GHz for snow). The long wavelengths at these frequencies coupled with the high spatial and radiometric resolutions required by the various global hydrology communities necessitate the use of very large apertures (e.g., >20 m at 1.4 GHz) and highly integrated stable RF electronics on orbit. Radio-interferometric techniques such as Synthetic Thinned Array Radiometry (STAR), using silicon germanium (SiGe) low power radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC), is one of the most promising technologies to enable very large non-rotating apertures in space. STAR instruments are composed of arrays of small antenna/receiving elements that are arranged so that the collecting area is smaller than an equivalent real aperture system, allowing very high packing densities for launch. A 20-meter aperture at L-band, for example, will require >1000 of these receiving elements. SiGe RFIC's reduce power consumption enough to make an array like this possible in the power-limited environment of space flight. An overview of the state-of-the-art will be given, and current work in the area of SiGe radiometer development for soil moisture remote sensing will be discussed.


In this chapter, we investigate a way of improving solar cells performances. By focusing studies on optimizing the structural, the opto-electrical and electronic properties of materials that constitute the layers and interfaces of a solar device, such as electrical susceptibility, doping concentration, mobility of charge carriers and crystallographic structure, it is possible to improve the output parameters of a solar cell. Working on a CIGSe-based second-generation ultra-thin solar cell model, and using Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) as a window layer, and based on recent studies, vital information are found on the optimal values of these properties that may enhance the efficiency of the cell. A correct modeling of the device with a trusted software such as SCAPS and an appropriate set of the exact conditions and parameters of simulation allow to obtain very promising results. In particular, for nanoscale and microscale thicknesses of buffer and absorber layers materials respectively, and with an appropriate choice of other materials properties such as intrinsic doping concentration, electrons and holes mobilities, it is possible to record efficiencies and fill factors of more than 26% and 85% respectively. These values are very promising for solar energy harvesting technologies development through CIGSe – ZnS based solar devices.


and the Shakespearean character of that name become inextricably entangled. Even in 1647 Buck' was quoting earlier authorities denying the existence of any skeletal deformity other than shortness of stature. More's description of the "left shoulder being much higher than the right"2 is not confirmed by the portrait in the National Portrait Gallery, which appears to show the right shoulder as the higher one -as Professor Rhodes reports.


Formal methods (FM) are mathematically based techniques that provide a rigorous basis for software development: the application of FMs makes it possible to achieve provable correctness and reliability in the various steps of system design and implementation. Generally, Formal methods need the support of formal description technique (FDT). Because the FDL has strict syntax and semantics. It is the realization of the abstract to the concrete, strictly, can be symbolic execution, unambiguous. E-LOTOS formal description is an important technology. This paper describes the design and the implement of the editor that support syntax highlighting of E-LOTOS. The editor is implemented using java Swing and JFlex.


In this study we have investigated the suitability of silicagels from four companies (Merck, Sigma-Aldrich, Nissan Chemical and Alfa Aesar) as emission activators for ionisation of lead in thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS). We have tested U and Pb blank levels, ionisation efficiency, signal stability, degree of fractionation, and reproducibility and accuracy of the Pb isotopic ratios measured with these emitters. Further tests were undertaken to evaluate the dependency of ionisation efficiency on the particle size and concentration of silicagels and the mixing ratio of silicagel and phosphoric acid. Mass fractionation, reproducibility and stability of the ion beam were monitored using 300 pg of the lead isotopic standard SRM-981. The Merck and Sigma-Aldrich silicagels have the best performance as Pb ion emitters. They yielded accurate Pb isotopic ratios with precisions of ∼0.05% (2SD) for 207Pb/206Pb. We find that the ionisation efficiency does not depend on the particle size, but on silicagel concentration and proportion of silicagel to phosphoric acid. The highest ionisation efficiency (9.2 ± 2.2%, 2SE) was obtained using 0.004 ml of a silicagel from Sigma-Aldrich at a concentration of 0.4 wt% of SiO2 loaded with 0.05 ml of 0.02 N phosphoric acid. These results clearly indicate that the Sigma-Aldrich emitter is an excellent alternative for Pb isotopic measurements to the widely used, but no longer produced Merck silicagel. The silicagels from Alfa Aesar and Nissan Chemical have a high U background concentration compared to the Merck and Sigma-Aldrich gels, and produce less accurate Pb isotopic ratios.


Hybrids between two parental lines of somatic cells have been observed in various genomic multiplicities by ourselves and others. Possible explanations for the higher multiplicities include the fusion of cells in a 1:1 ratio with one genomic set undergoing an asynchronous replication either before or after fusion or the fusion of two or more cells. We now provide evidence for multiple genomic hybrids arising from the fusion of more than two cells in a mixture of three different cell lines. This proof is based on unique chromosomal and biochemical markers characteristic of the three parental cell lines. The distinctive phenotypes of all three lines are expressed in a clonally derived hybrid. Thus, we conclude that long-term, proliferating somatic cell hybrids can arise from the fusion of three or more cells.