We study the adsorption of carbon dioxide at a graphite surface using the new Small System Method, and find that for the temperature range between 300 K and 550 K most relevant for CO2 separation; adsorption takes place in two distinct thermodynamic layers defined according to Gibbs. We calculate the chemical potential and the activity coefficient of both layers directly from the simulations. Based on thermodynamic relations, the entropy and enthalpy of the CO2 adsorbed layers are also obtained. Their values indicate that there is a trade-off between entropy and enthalpy when a molecule chooses for one of the two layers. The first layer is a densely packed monolayer of relatively constant excess density with relatively large repulsive interactions and negative enthalpy. The second layer has an excess density varying with the temperature, an activity coefficient, which also indicates repulsion, but to a much smaller degree than in the first layer. Results for activity coefficients, entropies and enthalpies can be used to model transport through and along graphitic membranes for carbon dioxide separation purposes.


Based on the electron's radial force equilibrium, the profiles of radial electric field in OH and LHCD phase are calculated by using a simulation code. The dependences of radial electron field on electron density and its profile and different current ratio, Irf/Ip, are given. The connections between the improvement of plasma confinement and the modified radial electric field by LHCD are discussed by comparing the calculated results with the experimental results.


Recent advances in deep reinforcement learning methods have attracted a lot of attention, because of their ability to use raw signals such as video streams as inputs, instead of pre-processed state variables. However, the most popular methods (value-based methods, e.g. deep Q-networks) focus on discrete action spaces (e.g. the left/right buttons), while realistic robotic applications usually require a continuous action space (for example the joint space). Policy gradient methods, such as stochastic policy gradient or deep deterministic policy gradient, propose to overcome this problem by allowing continuous action spaces. Despite their promises, they suffer from long training times as they need huge numbers of interactions to converge. In this paper, we investigate in how far a recent asynchronously parallel actor-critic approach, initially proposed to speed up discrete RL algorithms, could be used for the continuous control of robotic arms. We demonstrate the capabilities of this end-to-end learning algorithm on a simulated 2 degrees-of-freedom robotic arm and discuss its applications to more realistic scenarios.


This study identifies and analyzes nursing literature on clinical reasoning and critical thinking. A bibliographical search was performed in LILACS, SCIELO, PUBMED and CINAHL databases, followed by selection of abstracts and the reading of full texts. Through the review we verified that clinical reasoning develops from scientific and professional knowledge, is permeated by ethical decisions and nurses values and also that there are different personal and institutional strategies that might improve the critical thinking and clinical reasoning of nurses. Further research and evaluation of educational programs on clinical reasoning that integrate psychosocial responses to physiological responses of people cared by nurses is needed.


Epidemiological studies have reported that smoking is associated with a lower incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD), leading to theories that smoking in general and nicotine in particular might be neuroprotective. Recent studies suggested cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway‐regulating microglial activation through α7 nicotinic receptors. In the present study, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced in vitro and in vivo inflammation models to investigate whether nicotine has a protective effect on the dopaminergic system through an anti‐inflammatory mechanism. Nicotine pretreatment considerably decreased microglial activation with significant reduction of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α mRNA expression and TNF‐α release induced by LPS stimulation. In co‐cultures of microglia and mesencephalic neurons, nicotine pretreatment significantly decreased the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase‐immunopositive (TH‐ip) cells, approximately twice more than the LPS‐only treatment. α‐Bungarotoxin, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit‐selective blocker, considerably blocked the inhibitory effects of nicotine on microglial activation and TH‐ip neuronal loss. Chronic nicotine pretreatment in rats showed that TH‐ip neuronal loss induced by LPS stimulation in the substantia nigra was dramatically decreased, which was clearly accompanied by a reduction in the formation of TNF‐α. The present study demonstrated that nicotine has a neuroprotective effect on dopaminergic neurons via an anti‐inflammatory mechanism mediated by the modulation of microglial activation. Along with various neuroprotective effects of nicotine, the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of nicotine could have a major therapeutic implication in the preventive treatment of PD.


Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important food crop for more than half the world's population. It grows best under shallow flooded conditions. For establishing a healthy rice stand in a flooded field, the seedlings of the crop are first grown in nurseries and then transplanted into the field. At a specific location, transplanting dates determine how growing conditions later in the season will affect the rice crop. Dry conditions after ripening, favorable to maintaining the quality of rice through harvest, may be more or less likely to occur, depending on the transplanting date selected. The objective of this study was to determine optimum transplanting dates for rice at five locations in Kerala, a monsoon-affected state in southern India. Optimal transplanting dates were derived based on two approaches: (i) probabilities of rainfall events using ClimProb, a PC-based software package, and (ii) target yields simulated by the CERES-Rice v3.0 crop growth simulation model. Under rainfed conditions, the optimum transplanting dates were from the 23rd to 26th week for multiple cropping in a year, and from the 26th to 32nd week for a rainfed monocrop. The ClimProb approach used here can be adopted for use elsewhere if climate data are available, and the model approach can also be adopted if specific weather, soils, and crop information is available.


On 29th of April 1997 the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction was entered into force. This act is one of the key international documents in the area of non-proliferation of weapon of mass destruction. In this paper we report on (i) the genesis of this document, meaning historical background of use of chemical weapons and subsequent attempts of their prohibition, (ii) development of Organization of prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW) and its tasks, which is defined by the Convention, (iii) implementation of this international law to Czech legal system and (iv) activities of Czech National Authority (State Office for Nuclear Safety) in connection with the obligation originated from the Convention or OPCW.


: Thirty unstable fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine were treated surgically with Harrington distraction instrumentation supplemented with sublaminar wiring. The angulation was reduced from 26.8 degrees preoperatively to 4.9 degrees postoperatively, on average. The patients were mobilised and vigorously rehabilitated, starting 10 days after operation, without the support of orthoses or casts, and were followed up for a period of 9-30 months postoperatively. The angulation at the last follow-up averaged 5.4 degrees. Five neurologically intact patients remained intact, and 16 patients with total paraplegia remained unchanged. All 9 patients with incomplete neurological lesions improved on average through 1.7 grades (Frankel's grading). No neurological deterioration occurred in any patient.


: A study was made of late biological effects of radioactive carbon (14C-glycine) applied in acute doses. The course of radiation sickness, at its acute stage, is similar to that of acute radiation sickness caused by external gamma-irradiation. The recovery is slow, and the disease becomes chronic exhibiting metabolism disturbances and early death of animals. Radioactive carbon has a pronounced blastomogenic action.


Leila Zhianfar Haidar Nadrian Abdolreza Shaghaghi 1 1Health Education & Promotion Department, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; 2Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Objective: To systematically retrieve and condense the best possible evidence on the successful interventions that targeted enhancement of therapeutic and lifestyle recommendations adherence in hemodialysis patients (HDPs). Design: An umbrella review of interventional studies. Data Sources: A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and Web of science databases to identify relevant publications in 2000–2018 (June) timeframe. Study Selection: Two reviewers independently applied inclusion criteria to select potential systematic reviews assessing the successful interventions that targeted enhancement of therapeutic and lifestyle recommendations adherence in HDPs. Data were summarized for information about the first author(s)' names, year of publication, type(s) of the intervention and output variables, main findings and also the applied quality appraisal tools in the retrieved research evidence. Data Extraction: Eligible studies were selected and data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI)'s critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews was used to assess the quality of the identified publications, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus with a third reviewer. Data Synthesis: Thirteen systematic reviews (12 solely systematic reviews and 1 systematic review with meta-analyses) were eligible to be enrolled in the study. The range of interventions that had been reported to boost therapeutic and lifestyle recommendations adherence in HDPs' included psycho-educational programs, physical activity enhancement initiatives, information technology (IT)-based interventions and aromatherapy. Depression, diet biomarkers and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) were among the myriad of output variables that had been measured as proxies to assess impacts of the implemented interventions. Psycho-educational interventions were among the prevalent initiatives to boost therapeutic and lifestyle recommendations adherence among the HDPs. Conclusion: This umbrella review revealed that various intervention approaches and strategies can be used for HDPs' better therapeutic and lifestyle recommendations adherence with considerable methodological heterogeneity. The pinpointed research evidence is also supporting application of multifaceted interventional modalities to reach an improved acquiescence form the patients' side and their families. Further studies are recommended to address the interactions across various interventions in discordant socio-cultural contexts.


A theoretical modelling is proposed to describe the shock response of foam materials. This model is based on micromechanical and energetic arguments, and takes into account the contribution of microscale inertia. Within this framework, an analytical expression of the Hugoniot stress-strain curve is proposed for elastic-plastic cellular materials. The predictions derived from the proposed model are in excellent agreement with experimental data for open-cell aluminium foams. The case of viscoplastic foams is also considered.


Introduction. The purpose of this study is to compare characteristics and features of user-supplied tags and search query terms for images on the Flickr Website in terms of categories of pictorial meanings and level of term specificity.
Method. This study focuses on comparisons between tags and search queries using Shatford's categorization schemes and the level of specificity based on the basic level theory.
Analysis. Frequency distributions and chi-squared analyses were performed on the data. The results of statistical analyses demonstrated that there were significant differences in categories among tags and different stages of search query terms. The overall distributions of the levels of term specificity also had similar pattern in both tags and search query terms, but statistically significant differences were found between tags and search query terms.
Results. The results of this study demonstrated that Flickr tags have their own unique features compared to users' queries for image searching. The findings suggest that image tags should not be generally applied to other image collections although they have been considered as useful data in developing a user-centered indexing system.
Conclusions. When utilizing user-supplied tags for user-centered indexing systems, it is desirable to consider the functions and users' tasks applied in tags rather than depending on statistical features merely obtained from the tag analysis.


S Lactoferrin – L.Plantarum L.Reuteri GI J Med Microbiol. 2017 Oct;66(10):1416-1420. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.000591. Epub 2017 Sep 13. Isolates of Lactobacillus plantarum and L. reuteri display greater antiproliferative and antipathogenic activity than other Lactobacillus isolates. Hasannejad Bibalan M, Eshaghi M, Rohani M, Esghaei M, Darban-Sarokhalil D, Pourshafie MR, Talebi M. PURPOSE: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been associated with many beneficial effects in human digestive physiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate such effect, including attachment, antiproliferation and antipathogenic/antibacterial/antimicrobial properties of LAB isolated from healthy humans. METHODOLOGY: Thirteen isolates, obtained from fecal samples of healthy individuals, were identified by phenotypic and molecular methods. Human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 and the cell proliferation kit II (XTT) assay were used for examination of the Lactobacillusadherence and antiproliferative activity, respectively. In addition, the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus isolates against pathogenic bacteria was examined. RESULTS: Out of 13 Lactobacillus isolates, 5 (38 %) isolates were non-adhesive, 4 (31 %) were adhesive and 4 (31 %) were strongly adhesive. Amongst the isolated lactobacilli, L. reuteri showed the highest degree of inhibitory effect against the attachment of the enteropathogens. The XTT assay showed that 3 different isolates had the strongest antiproliferative activity with the maximum effect observed by L. plantarum isolates. CONCLUSION: Our results described that different Lactobacillus species isolated from normal fecal samples had different degrees of antiproliferative and anti-pathogenic/antibacterial/antimicrobial activities. However, no isolates showed all of the examined properties concurrently, suggestive that a combination of Lactobacillus species is needed for an active biological defense system.


Matrix and cellular alignment are critical factors in the native function of many tissues, including muscle, nerve, and ligaments. Collagen is frequently a component of these aligned tissues, and collagen biomaterials are widely used in tissue engineering applications. However, the generation of aligned collagen scaffolds that maintain the native architecture of collagen fibrils has not been straightforward, with many methods requiring specialized equipment or technical procedures, extensive incubation times, or denaturing of the collagen. Herein, we present a simple, rapid method for fabrication of highly aligned collagen scaffolds. Collagen was assembled to form a fibrillar hydrogel in a cylindrical conduit with high aspect ratio and then frozen and lyophilized. The resulting collagen scaffolds demonstrated highly aligned topographical features along the scaffold surface. This presence of an initial fibrillar network and the high-aspect ratio vessel were both required to generate alignment. The diameter of fabricated scaffolds was found to vary significantly with both the collagen concentration of the hydrogel suspension and the diameter of conduits used for fabrication. Additionally, the size of individual aligned topographical features was significantly dependent on the conduit diameter and the freezing temperature. When cultured on aligned collagen scaffolds, both rat dermal fibroblasts and axons emerging from chick dorsal root ganglia explants demonstrated elongated, aligned morphology and growth on the aligned topographical features. Overall, this method presents a simple means for generating aligned collagen scaffolds that can be applied to a wide variety of tissue types, particularly those where such alignment is critical to native function.


Despite numerous international commitments to promote transfer of climate-change related technologies to developing countries, such transfers are not occurring at a sufficient rate to aid these nations in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. The impact of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on transfer of these technologies is discussed through a detailed examination of relevant TRIPS provisions. The paper also addresses options for improving technology transfer through exploitation of existing TRIPS flexibilities, modification of the Agreement, and other public and private legal and policy avenues.


The potential effects of implementing longer and heavier vehicles (LHVs) in road freight transport have been studied in various countries, nationally and internationally, in Europe. These studies have focused on the implementation of LHVs on certain types of commodities and the experience from countries like Finland and Sweden, which have a long tradition of using LHVs, and in which LHVs used for all types of commodities have not been widely utilised. This study aimed to assess the impacts of long and heavy vehicles on various commodities in the United Kingdom based on the Finnish experiences in order to estimate the possible savings in road freight transport vehicle kilometres, costs, and CO2 emissions in the United Kingdom if LHVs would be introduced and used similarly to in Finland in the transport of various commodities. The study shows that the savings of introducing longer and heavier vehicles in the United Kingdom would be 1.5–2.6 billion vehicle kms, £0.7–1.5 billion in transport costs, and 0.35–0.72 Mt in CO2 emissions. These findings are well in line with previous findings in other countries. The results confirm that considerable savings in traffic volume and emissions can be achieved and the savings are very likely to outweigh possible effects of modal shift from rail to road.


The limited force or torque outputs of miniature magnetic actuators constrain the locomotion performances and functionalities of magnetic millimeter-scale robots. Here, we present a magnetically actuated gearbox with a maximum size of 3 millimeters for driving wireless millirobots. The gearbox is assembled using microgears that have reference diameters down to 270 micrometers and are made of aluminum-filled epoxy resins through casting. With a magnetic disk attached to the input shaft, the gearbox can be driven by a rotating external magnetic field, which is not more than 6.8 millitesla, to produce torque of up to 0.182 millinewton meters at 40 hertz. The corresponding torque and power densities are 12.15 micronewton meters per cubic millimeter and 8.93 microwatt per cubic millimeter, respectively. The transmission efficiency of the gearbox in the air is between 25.1 and 29.2% at actuation frequencies ranging from 1 to 40 hertz, and it lowers when the gearbox is actuated in viscous liquids. This miniature gearbox can be accessed wirelessly and integrated with various functional modules to repeatedly generate large actuation forces, strains, and speeds; store energy in elastic components; and lock up mechanical linkages. These characteristics enable us to achieve a peristaltic robot that can crawl on a flat substrate or inside a tube, a jumping robot with a tunable jumping height, a clamping robot that can sample solid objects by grasping, a needle-puncture robot that can take samples from the inside of the target, and a syringe robot that can collect or release liquids.


This research seeks to identify the factors that account for the variation in development levels across nations by focusing on the institutional components of development, especially the effects of financial market development on economic and political development. I argue that financial market institutions are critical to economic and political development, and provide a partial explanation for the variation in development observed across nations. Financial market development affects political development indirectly through greater economic efficiency and growth and directly by reducing poverty, increasing economic equality, strengthening the middle class and increasing political participation. Increased financial market development also produces more efficient institutions and eliminates certain perverse incentives in government that result in corruption. The action mechanisms rest largely on the idea that increasing access to financial services allows the lower and middle- income segments of society to smooth their income and invest in high return activities that can lift people out of poverty. These improvements distribute both economic and intellectual resources throughout society and provide greater opportunities for political entrepreneurship from all societal groups. This, along with greater ability to participate either through monetary means or greater time, increases political participation and democratic development. Using a variety of econometric techniques to analyze data on 190 countries over 28 years (1975-2003), I show that financial market development has a significant effect in several areas of development. Specifically, I find that financial market development reduces poverty and income inequality and reduces the level of corruption. Increasing financial market development also increases political competition and civil rights protection in addition to increasing the effectiveness of government and regulatory levels. Ultimately, I assert that while financial market factors have not been previously targeted as sources for development, they may provide an effective policy tool for fostering equitable development in a variety of economic and political situations. I further argue that the state must have a greater role in development than the prevailing neoliberal paradigm prescribes, and must actively seek to develop institutions that support financial market development.


Objective: To investigate the prevalence and establish the profile of the consumption of dietary supplements among Brazilian athletes. Methods: A total of 182 athletes of both genders from 20 different sports participated in this study. The athletes answered a questionnaire containing sociodemographic and sports-related questions and were interviewed about the consumption of dietary supplements. Results: Forty seven percent of athletes reported having consumed at least one type of dietary supplement and 38% said they use more than three different types of supplements concurrently. Whey protein was the most commonly consumed supplement, and the most frequently mentioned reason for its consumption was performance improvement. The main source of information was coaches, and individual sport athletes were the greatest consumers and the most likely to seek dietary supplement. Conclusion: Approximately half of the participants used dietary supplements, which on most occasions were recommended by coaches. The consumption profile also revealed multiple supplementation practice and showed that nutrition education is essential for this specific population.


The article's first challenge encapsulates the elements of theoretical models despite the complexity of the FinTech sector. Qualitative data provides a conceptual representation for business models of new types of financial services. The models are original and intuitional but based on a series of events and case studies. The second focal point of the paper will help to demystify the creative disruption arena and the widespread presence of digital platforms within the financial community. It sheds light on the ecosystem of financial services and expounds on the development of new business models. Special attention is paid to the various business models of an astonishing sector: crowdfunding. Ultimately, the research paper will shed new light on FinTech and propose an ambitious research agenda.


Notwithstanding China's endorsement of investor-state arbitration more than a decade ago, few investor claims have been initiated against it and none has concluded with an award. This does not necessarily mean that foreign investors will not make such claims in the future, but rather that proceeding against China, from an economic rationalist perspective, is likely to be contentious, costly and dilatory. However, these concerns are not peculiar to China. Economically and politically powerful states, not least of all the United States, are less frequently subject to investor-state arbitration than poorer states for much the same reason.What is increasingly likely is that China is preparing itself and its investors abroad for investor-state proceedings in the future. This is evident, for example, in China's growing interest in the functioning of the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes ('ICSID'), among other institutions, in its inclusion of investor-state arbitration in its Model Bilateral Investment Agreement and in various regional and bilateral agreements it has concluded.China is also aware that the price of attracting global investment is the prospect that investor claims will inevitably be lodged against it in the future. However, China is also aware that the benefits may well outweigh the costs. After all, China has grown into the second largest economy in the world. It is the second largest recipient of foreign investment. It is sixth in outward direct foreign investment. It appreciates the economic rationalist reasons for promoting foreign direct investment, as well as the risks.This paper has three primary purposes. The first purpose is to explore these developments primarily in relation to China's history and practice in concluding bilateral investment agreements ('BITs') with foreign countries. The second purpose is to examine China's limited experience with investor-state arbitration under such BITs. The third purpose is to identify how China is likely to develop its investor-state agreements and dispute resolution regime through strategic investment alliances with other states without sacrificing its distinctive national interests including those of its investors abroad.


In a series of five experiments, a number of similar operant classes, consisting of keystroke sequences on a computer keyboard, were learned and practiced in succession by human subjects. Each experiment consisted of learning sessions spread over several days, separated by either elapsed time or interpolated sessions in which unrelated but similar operant classes were performed. The learning sessions were followed by a final test session in which the subjects were required to choose and perform one from presented sets of three operant classes. The test was designed to be stressful by the imposition of time pressure and certain other contingencies. In the test session, preference was commonly shown for operant classes from the firstand/or last-learned groups—termed primacy and recency effects respectively—with minimal preference for the middle groups. Most subjects showed either primacy or recency effects, and relatively few showed both; the subjects that showed mainly recency effects also made the largest number of errors during initial learning of the last set of operant classes. In addition, certain noncriterial characteristics of these operants were measured. These revealed other effects, in particular the association of performance errors with both greater resurgence of older behavior patterns and greater numbers of new behavior patterns.


Background: Globally, tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease. TB treatment outcome is an indicator for the effectiveness of a national TB control program. This study aimed to assess treatment outcomes of TB patients and its determinants in Batkhela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was designed using all TB patients who were enrolled at District Head Quarter (DHQ) Hospital Batkhela, Pakistan, from January 2011 to December 2014. A multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with successful TB treatment outcomes defined as the sum of cure and completed treatment.
Results: A total of 515 TB patients were registered, of which 237 (46%) were males and 278 (53.98%) females. Of all patients, 234 (45.44%) were cured and 210 (40.77%) completed treatment. The overall treatment success rate was 444 (86.21%). Age 0-20 years (adjusted odds ratio, AOR= 3.47; 95% confidence interval, CI)= 1.54-7.81; P= 0.003), smear-positive pulmonary TB (AOR)= 3.58; 95% CI= 1.89-6.78; P= <0.001), treatment category (AOR= 4.71; 95% CI= 1.17-18.97; P= 0.029), and year of enrollment 2012 (AOR= 6.26; 95% CI= 2.52-15.59; P= <0.001) were significantly associated with successful treatment outcome.
Conclusions: The overall treatment success rate is satisfactory but still need to be improved to achieve the international targeted treatment outcome. Type of TB, age, treatment category, and year of enrollment were significantly associated with successful treatment outcomes.


(1) We have constructed a model of a predator-prey system which persists in a patchy environment by balancing a high rate of local extinction with an equally high rate of recolonization of unoccupied patches. (2) Our model focuses attention only upon the presence or absence of each species on a given patch and not on population numbers. We assume: (a) that colonization and extinction are random processes which may be described by `transition probabilities'. (b) that the probability per unit time of the prey species colonizing a particular empty patch is simply proportional to the fraction of patches occupied by prey. (c) that the predator species can only colonize patches already occupied by prey, and that the probability per unit time that a particular suitable patch will be so colonized is determined by the proportion of patches occupied by predators. (d) that prey extinction occurs only through over-exploitation by the predator and that the prey population of a patch occupied by both species has a constant probability per unit time of suffering this fate. (e) that predator extinction only occurs through starvation and thus that the population of a patch occupied only by predators has a constant probability per unit time of becoming extinct. We thus construct a representation of our model couched in terms of three coupled stochastic differential equations. (3) We obtain estimates of the intensity of the fluctuations in the numbers of occupied patches which arise as a result of the `filtering' of noise (associated with randomness in the processes of migration and local extinction) by an apparently deterministic dynamical system. The intensity of these fluctuations is controlled by the same combinations of parameters as determine the average number of occupied patches and we can therefore derive experimentally testable relationships between the intensity of fluctuations and the average number of occupied patches. (4) We find that the fluctuations in the numbers of predator-occupied patches (E) and of prey-occupied patches (F) are small and non-cyclic if the average values of E and F are comparable with the total number of patches in the system (N), while if E and F are small compared to N the fluctuations are large and cyclic. (5) In systems containing hundreds (rather than thousands) of patches the fluctuations which accompany cyclic behaviour are sufficiently large to guarantee the global extinction of one or both species within a relatively short time. (6) Our model successfully predicts the relationship between the average number of occupied patches and the intensity of fluctuations in patch occupancy observed in Huffaker's laboratory studies of the predator-prey interaction of Typhlodromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Eotetranychus sexmaculatus (Riley) in an experimental `universe' composed of a regular array of oranges.


Benthic foraminifera are single‐celled eukaryotes that make a protective organic, agglutinated or calcareous test. Some agglutinated, single‐chambered taxa, including Psammophaga Arnold, 1982, retain mineral particles in their cytoplasm, but the selective mechanism of accumulation is not clear. Here, we report the ability of a foraminiferal species to select and accumulate zircons and other heavy minerals in their cytoplasm. In particular, the use of Scanning Electron Microscope coupled with an Energy Dispersive X‐ray microanalysis system (SEM–EDS) enabled a representative overview of the mineral diversity and showed that the analysed Psammophaga zirconia sp. nov. individuals contained dominantly crystals of zircon (51%), titanium oxides (27%), and ilmenite (11%) along with minor magnetite and other minerals. The studied specimens occur in the shallow central Adriatic Sea where the sediment has a content of zircon below 1% and of other heavy minerals below 4%. For that reason we hypothesize that: (i) P. zirconia may be able to chemically select minerals, specifically zircon and rutile; (ii) the chemical mechanism allowing the selection is based on electrostatic interaction, and it could work also for agglutinated foraminifera (whether for ingestion, like Xenophyophores, or incorporation in the test as in many other described taxa). In particular, this aptitude for high preferential uptake and differential ingestion or retention of zircon is reported here for the first time, together with the selection of other heavy minerals already described in members of the genus Psammophaga. They are generally counted among early foraminifera, constructing a morphologically simple test with a single chamber. Our molecular phylogenetic study confirms that P. zirconia is a new species, genetically distinctive from other Psammophaga, and occurs in the Adriatic as well as in the Black Sea.


While regional‐ to hemispheric‐scale oscillations in oceanographic and atmospheric variables have long been known to have teleconnective impacts on the surface weather at distant locations, the impacts of these teleconnections and their interactions on multivariate weather types (WTs) are relatively under‐researched. Using a recently developed gridded weather typing classification (GWTC) and a self‐organizing maps‐based clustering of five different teleconnection indices, this research aims to explore the impacts of teleconnections on surface weather in the United States and Canada. Individual teleconnections have a predictable impact on GWTC WTs, with the Pacific/North American pattern, the Western Pacific (WP) pattern and the North Atlantic Oscillation showing the most widespread significant correlations with cool and warm WTs, in agreement with previous research. While many teleconnection clusters are dominated by one teleconnection's WT correlations, certain clusters reveal surprising regional‐ to continental‐scale impacts considering many teleconnections are in a relatively neutral phase. Furthermore, some expected impacts of the Southern Oscillation Index and WP are offset when considered in tandem with neutral phases of the other teleconnections examined. Overall, the clustering results highlight the importance of examining multiple teleconnections simultaneously when researching teleconnection impacts on surface weather and making statistically based monthly‐ to seasonal‐range climate projections.


The Intervertebral disc (IVD), comprised of two distinct regions, namely the fibrous annulus fibrosus (AF) and the gelatinous nucleus pulposus (NP), is a fibrocartilage pad located between adjoining vertebrae of the spine. The function of the IVD is to provide stability to the spine, while maintaining movement. IVD degeneration, also known as degenerative disc disease (DDD), is the process whereby the IVD tissue degrades, resulting in loss of function to the disc. Low back pain (LBP) is associated with the degeneration of the IVD, making it important to investigate the pathogenesis of DDD, as this could lead to novel therapies for the prevention and/or treatment of LBP. Mechanical stimuli (MS) are known to be important for IVD cell matrix homeostasis, with cells of the AF and NP responding to physiological forces with a trend towards increased matrix anabolism, while non-physiological forces lead to matrix catabolism. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that IVD cells derived from degenerate tissue may have lost their ability to respond to physiological MS in the ?normal? anabolic manner, potentially leading to the progression of DDD. It is therefore important to investigate the response of IVD cells derived from both non-degenerate and degenerate tissue to MS, to ascertain whether there is a difference with degeneration. If the response is found to be altered with degeneration, then elucidation of the potentially altered mechanotransduction pathway utilised by degenerate cells could lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of DDD. To date, the majority of IVD MS studies have concentrated on the response of NP cells to hydrostatic pressure, with only a limited number of AF studies available. Thus, the first aim of this PhD was to investigate the response of human AF cells derived from non-degenerate and degenerate IVDs to the physiologically relevant mechanical stimulus of cyclic tensile strain (CTS), to ascertain whether the response (regulation of matrix protein and matrix degrading enzyme gene expression) was frequency-dependent or altered with IVD degeneration. Using an in vitro mechanical loading system (Flexcell� Tension Plus? system, Flexcell International) capable of delivering a CTS of 10% strain, 0.33Hz or 1.0Hz for 20 minutes, the response of AF cells derived from non-degenerate IVDs was found to be frequency-dependent (reduced catabolism at 1.0Hz, with decreased MMP -3 and ADAM-TS -4 gene expression; and catabolic at 0.33Hz, with decreased types I and II collagen and increased MMP -9 gene expression). Furthermore, the response of AF cells to 1.0Hz CTS was shown to be altered with IVD degeneration, depicted by a switch from reduced catabolism (decreased MMP -3 and ADAM-TS -4) in non-degenerate AF cells, to reduced anabolism (decreased aggrecan and type I collagen gene expression) in degenerate AF cells. Subsequently, the second aim of the PhD was to attempt to elucidate the mechanotransduction pathways operating in human AF cells derived from non-degenerate and degenerate IVDs, to ascertain whether the mechanotransduction pathway was altered with IVD degeneration. An identical mechanical stimulation regime was used (1.0Hz CTS) in parallel with functional inhibitors against the cytokines interleukin (IL) -1 and -4, and the cell surface receptors, RGD-recognising integrins. Additionally, the involvement of the cytokine associated transcription factors, nuclear factor kappa beta (NF?B) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) -6, as well as the integrin ? associated kinase, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was investigated in 1.0Hz CTS ? treated non-degenerate AF cells. The response to 1.0Hz CTS (reduced catabolism) of AF cells derived from non-degenerate IVDs occurred in an IL -1, IL -4 and RGD-recognising integrin ? dependent manner, with FAK being phosphorylated. Of significant interest, the altered response of AF cells derived from degenerate IVDs to 1.0Hz CTS (reduced anabolism) occurred independently of either cytokine and independently of RGD-recognising integrins, suggesting an altered mechanotransduction pathway in operation and warranting further investigation.


The first example of catalyst-free aerobic oxidation of aldehydes in water under respective acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions was developed. The sole oxidant is molecular oxygen of 1 atmosphere and reactions can proceed under extremely mild conditions. This procedure covers a wide range of aldehydes, and operates easily. No additives and catalysts were required for this purpose, and most of the aldehydes can be converted to their corresponding carboxylic acids with good to excellent yields, in addition, no side-product formation could be observed during or after the reactions. To well illustrate why the oxidation rate becomes fast firstly and then slows with increased temperatures, five control reactions were carried out and a Fe3+/Fe2+ recycling system was introduced to facilitate the aldehyde oxidation rate. The generality of this method offers the potential for industrial aldehyde-containing waste water treatment.


ASEAN is expected to be a facilitator to overcome the human rights problems in Myanmar. by providing moral and political pressures to the Government of Myanmar. Unfortunately, ASEAN does not have a proper mechanism to receive complaints or objections from other members of states or individuals regarding the alleged human rights violations acted by ASEAN countries. ASEAN does not provide a Commission like other regional organizations established in Europe, Africa and America, to oversee the implementation of all international agreements done within ASEAN and to adjudicate states governments that do not comply with the approved agreements. ASEAN countries do not have a strong commitment to honor human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals since such violations of tenly occur within these countries, eventhough the obligations of protection individual rights and freedoms are explicitly written in their Constitutions.


Background The use of place conditioning procedures and drug vapor exposure models can increase our understanding of the rewarding and aversive effects of vaped cannabis products. Currently there are limited data on the conditioned rewarding effects of vaporized Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis in rats, and no studies to date examining sex differences. Methods Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (N=96; 12 per sex/group) underwent place conditioning sessions immediately after exposure to THC or vehicle (propylene glycol, PG) vapor. Locomotor activity was measured by beam breaks during conditioning sessions. THC vapor-conditioned rats received one of three THC vapor exposure amounts (low: 5 puffs of 100 mg/ml THC, medium: 5 puffs of 200 mg/ml THC, or high: 10 puffs of 200 mg/ml THC) and matched vehicle vapor (PG) exposure on alternate days for 16 daily sessions. A 'no THC' control group of vehicle-conditioned rats received only PG vapor exposure each day. After the 8th and 16th conditioning sessions, untreated rats were tested for conditioned place preference (CPP) or avoidance (CPA). Next, extinction tests and a THC vapor-primed reinstatement test were conducted. Results THC vapor produced CPP and locomotor effects in an exposure dependent manner, and some sex differences were observed. Low THC vapor exposure did not produce CPP in males or females. Medium THC vapor exposure produced CPP in males, but not females. High THC vapor exposure produced CPP in both males and females. Medium and high THC vapor exposure amounts produced hyperactivity in female rats, but not male rats. CPP was more resistant to extinction in females than males. THC vapor re-exposure (i.e., drug-prime) after extinction did not result in reinstatement of CPP for either sex. Conclusion This study demonstrates conditioned rewarding effects of THC vapor in both male and female rats and provides evidence for sex differences in amounts of THC vapor that produce CPP and in time to extinction. CPA was not observed at any of the THC vapor exposure amounts tested. These data provide a foundation for future exploration of the conditioned effects of cannabis constituents and extracts using vapor exposure models.


Background: The herbicide 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) can cause moderate to lethal poisoning. Although urine alkalization has been recommended as the main treatment, hemodialysis (HD) may be more effective in severe cases. Case: On 24 th June 2014, a 53- year-old man ingested a high amount of 40% 2, 4-D. He suffered from mouth and epigastric burning sensation, vomiting and nausea. He was treated, in Emam Reza's Hospital of Mashhad University Of Medical Sciences, Mashhad , Iran, with maintenance daily fluid infusion plus 10 meq/L NaHCO3. Up to 9 hours after exposure, he became progressively stuporous. He developed diarrhea and hypotension, BP=100/60, unresponsive to volume replacement therapy. He received regular hemodialysis (HD) with bicarbonate for three hours. At the end of HD, his blood pressure rose to 110/70 and the level of consciousness began to improve. Four hours later, he was fully conscious with stable blood pressure (130/80 mmHg). Conclusion: HD may be an effective, safe and fast method for 2, 4-D high dose intoxication induced coma.


We study the inviscid dyadic model of the Euler equations and prove some regularizing properties of the nonlinear term that occur due to forward energy cascade. We show every solution must have 3/5 L^2-based (or 1/10 L^3-based) regularity for all positive time. We conjecture this holds up to Onsager's scaling, where the L^2-based exponent is 5/6 and the L^3-based exponent is 1/3.


Polyaniline-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PANI-g-MWNTs)/epoxy composites were prepared by solution blending and mould casting. Transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, electrical conductivity measurement, and tensile and flexural measurements were used to characterize the morphology, thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of the composites. The results showed that MWNTs were encapsulated by conducting dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid-doped PANI forming a core (MWNTs)–shell (PANI) nanostructure. PANI coatings swelled in tetrahydrofuran and MWNTs were homogenously dispersed in epoxy matrix. With PANI-g-MWNTs introducing into epoxy resin, curing reaction was promoted and thermal stability of the composites was enhanced. Because of conducting PANI chains wrapping on the surface of MWNTs and well dispersion of MWNTs in epoxy matrix, electrical conductivity at room temperature of the composites was increased by seven orders of magnitude compared with neat epoxy. In the PANI-g-MWNTs/epoxy composites, terminal amino groups of PANI coatings reacted with epoxy matrix during curing reactions, which guaranteed interfacial adhesion between MWNTs and epoxy resin. Mechanical properties including tensile strength, Young's modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of the composites were increased by 61%, 43%, 78%, and 49% compared with neat epoxy, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012


Technical communicators can and should play an important role in the development of information systems to improve the usability of the systems. Besides writing user guides and training material, technical communicators can engage in four other tasks to add value to information systems development: acting as user advocate, writing online help, writing system and error messages, and providing advice on interface design. We assert that technical communicators' involvement in systems development should not be tied to a particular development methodology. Instead, they should be associated with four general tasks in systems development: system investigation, analysis, design, and implementation. We then discuss some notable human factors and their impacts on the tasks performed by technical communicators. Three cognitive mapping techniques-causal mapping, semantic mapping, and concept mapping-are introduced as a means to elicit an individual's belief system regarding a problem domain. These cognitive mapping techniques have great potential for overcoming some behavioral and cognitive problems as well as facilitating understanding among stakeholders in the development of information systems. We discuss how technical communicators can apply various cognitive mapping techniques to improve the usability of the resulting information systems. The use of these techniques is illustrated using a case study.


The article analyzes the work of the famous American film Director, one of the pioneers of the postwar film avant-garde Kenneth Anger. At first, Anger's creative path is systematized, its main milestones are highlighted and the principles of directing techniques and basic elements of his film aesthetic are analyzed in detail. Then the religious roots of Anger's creativity is revealed. The article analyzes in details three films that bear the obvious influence of the ideas of Allister Crowley esotericism ("Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome", "Invocation of My Demon Brother" and "Lucifer Rising"), considers the direct connections of Crowley and Anger. In the final part of the article, there is a complete reconstruction of Anger's aesthetic. According to this analyses there are several key ideas which help to understand the language of Anger: Crowley's idea of the Higher Self, the symbolism of light and the doctrine of the Aeon of Horus. In the conclusion author proposes the hypothesis that Anger deconstructed Crowley's thought, raising it to Christian origins, and recreated the aesthetics of Christianity, without realizing it.


In object-oriented (OO) programming, variables do not contain objects directly but addresses of objects on the heap. Thus, several variables can point to the same object; we call this aliasing. Aliasing is a central feature of OO programming that enables efficient sharing of objects across a system. This is essential for the implementation of many programming idioms, such as iterators. On the other hand, aliasing reduces modularity and encapsulation, making programs difficult to understand, debug and maintain. Much research has been done on controlling aliasing. Alias protection schemes (such as Clarke et al.'s influential ownership types) limit which references can exist, thus guaranteeing the protection of encapsulated objects. Unfortunately, existing schemes are significantly restrictive and consequently have not been widely adopted by software developers. This thesis makes three contributions to the area of alias protection. Firstly, it proposes aliasing contracts, a novel, dynamically-checked alias protection scheme for objectoriented programming languages. Aliasing contracts are highly flexible and expressive, addressing the limitations of existing work. We show that they can be used to model many existing alias protection schemes, providing a unifying approach to alias protection. Secondly, we develop a prototype implementation of aliasing contracts in Java and use it to quantify the run-time performance of aliasing contracts. Since aliasing contracts are checked dynamically, they incur run-time performance overheads; however, our performance evaluation shows that using aliasing contracts for testing and debugging is nevertheless feasible. Thirdly, we propose a static analysis which can verify simple aliasing contracts at compile time, including those contracts which model ownership types. Contracts which can be verified in this way can subsequently be removed from the program before it is executed. We show that such a combination of static and dynamic checking significantly improves the run-time performance of aliasing contracts.


This thesis investigates twenty bilingual and twenty monolingual 6-year-old preschool children's discourse strategies and narrative styles. It is theoretically based on an interdiciplinary framework combining theories of narration with discourse theories. Methodologically, the study draws on micro-analyses of children's spontaneous sharing time narrations, on the one hand, and elicited retellings of a fable, on the other. A new method was developed for analysing Labovian story points from a collaborative perspective: differentiating between child contributions, teacher contributions, and joint contributions. Moreover, all children were interviewed about their literary repertoires and about narrative practices at home. It was found that children's vocabulary was closely linked to their literary repertoires and cultural habits. By calculating the repair:error ratio, the present study shows that there is a linear development in children's repair work, instead of an inverted U-curve as previously suggested. Language repairs were rare in both groups. The children primarily focused on meaning, not on linguistic form. However, there were more language errors in the bilingual group. Moreover, the bilingual group had a more restricted vocabulary. Yet, the findings reveal that narrative coherence was comparable in the monolingual and bilingual groups. In an analysis of participation during sharing time sessions, it was found that peer comments and child initiatives were more frequent in the monolingual group, and in specific preschool settings. Collaboration was investigated both in terms of teacher support, co-narration, and in  terms of indirect ways of collaborating, like the employment of communication strategies and self-repairs. It was found that bilingual children received  more collaborative support and employed more communication strategies than their monolingual peers.


The analysis tools used to determine the performance and health level of both banks are used the CAMEL analysis, there are: Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Classified Productive Assets Ratio of Productive Assets, Ratio of Allowance on Earning Assets (PPAP), which was formed by the
bank against PPAP shall be created by the bank, net profit margin (NPM), Return on Assets (ROA), ratio of operating expenses of operating income (BOPO), ratio of loans granted to the funds received by the bank (LDR).
Result of performance of both banks using CAMEL ratios for three-year overall PT BRI has a better performance than BMI for three years, amounting to 76.31, 76.18, and 75.80, while the value BMI net owned for three years amounted to 69.88, 73.60, 65.73.
From the calculation above, it can be concluded that, firstly, the performance of BMI during the three-year decline in 2007 and 2008 are located on the predicate "HEALTHY ENOUGH" to "LESS HEALTHY" in the year 2009. Second; PT BRI for three years has a good performance
because of the health level calculations yield a stable predicate that is "ENOUGH HEALTHY".
Third, the performance of CAR, KAP I, KAP II, NPM, ROA, and LDR owned by PT BRI for three years has a better good performance resulted than PT BMI. Whereas PT BMI only have a
better ratio of BOPO than PT BRI. Overall performance by PT BRI healthier than BMI.


Summary Tyrian purple is a well-known colourant that can be obtained from the hypobranchial glands of muricids. Here we investigate the presence of purple and related pigments in the hypobranchial glands, reproductive glands and egg capsules of three Rapaninae, three Ocenebrinae and one Muricinae species. Observations on the dissected specimens revealed the presence of purple pigmentation in the hypobranchial glands of all species. All of the Rapaninae and the Muricinae, but only some species of Ocenebrinae, appear to transfer the pigment precursors to their egg capsules. This provides evidence that the precursors of Tyrian purple are not produced for the sole purpose of protecting the egg masses as has been previously suggested. In all the subfamilies, the hypobranchial and reproductive (capsule and prostate) glands lie adjacent to one another. Colour changes in the reproductive glands, indicating the presence of dye precursors, were observed in two species of Rapaninae. In Dicathais orbita, colour changes could be seen in both the capsule glands of females and prostrate glands of males. The final colour was more red in the reproductive glands than the purple observed in the hypobranchial glands. Preliminary observations of detached hypobranchial gland sections in both D. orbita and Pterynotus triformis indicate a different suite of colour reactions occur when compared to sections that are intact and attached to the reproductive glands. This demonstrates that the reproductive glands can influence the chemical conversions of dye precursors synthesized by these species. Further studies on the secondary metabolism occurring within the hypobranchial glands and reproductive organs of Muricidae are ongoing, including histological sectioning and confirmation of the chemistry behind the colours observed and functional analysis of Tyrian purple precursors.


The focus of the compositional approach presented in this folio is the sounding environment. The term sounding environment is used in this context to refer to the whole of our living experience in the world which we might register as relating to sound. It might include everything that is sounding, seemingly sounding, imagined sounding, remembered sounding, sensed as sounding, composed to sound. It includes thus the actual sound environment, all that is sensed or interpreted as sound and imaginary sounds. This dissertation accompanies the seven acousmatic and the two sound installation works included in the folio. It is divided into two parts. In the first part relevant ideas and theories both from the literature of electroacoustic music composition and soundscape composition are discussed while in the second the compositional approach to the sounding environment is presented as applied to the works.


Monitoring the global state of an overlay network is vital for the self-management of peer-to-peer (P2P) systems. Gossip-based algorithms are a well-known technique that can provide nodes locally with aggregated knowledge about the state of the overlay network. In this paper, we present a gossip-based protocol to estimate the global distribution of attribute values stored across a set of nodes in the system. Our algorithm estimates the distribution both efficiently and accurately. The key contribution of our algorithm is that it has substantially lower overhead than existing distribution estimation algorithms. We evaluated our system in simulation, and compared it against the state-of-the-art solutions. The results show similar accuracy to its counterparts, but with a communication overhead of an order of magnitude lower than them.


This issue of Injury Prevention presents injury surveillance activities spanning a range of available methods from paper data collection systems to machine-learning techniques. We have been invited to share thoughts on future opportunities for injury surveillance and public health in general. Our perspective is focused on electronic information and its capacity to transform public health surveillance and provide opportunities for improved targeted interventions. Public health surveillance risks becoming irrelevant if it does not take advantage of electronic information. This includes contextual data that defines the circumstances of an event or outcome and allows for a more complete and informed response to public and population health problems.

In considering the future of public health surveillance, we see opportunities in electronic data sources that can be grouped into three categories. We consider electronic sources to be 'big data', which is defined by volume, velocity, variety and veracity.1 The definition provides a framework when evaluating big data. For example, veracity, which can range from inadequate to high quality, is critical for determining usability. Big data is repurposed for public health surveillance and will require tools and methods such as machine learning and quality metrics that may improve veracity. The categories are electronic health records (EHRs), sources of electronic information that describe context such as weather, crime, environmental conditions and emergency medical services data, and social media and internet-based data. These data may allow for a level of granularity critical to designing interventions relevant to specific settings, and pose both challenges and opportunities for public health agencies.

EHRs are a potential source of public health surveillance data. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 was enacted to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology and has resulted in programmes to improve quality, safety and efficiency …


Abstract Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth.) is a climbing plant known for its ornamental properties and ease of cultivation in temperate climates. Quality and colour of flowers and leaves, especially in the production of ornamentals, are important parameters both for producers and for customers. This study aimed to investigate the changes in photosynthetic pigment, protein and dry matter content of in vitro-propagated I. purpurea following chitosan treatment with different polymerization degrees (DP) and to determine the indirect effect of this biopolymer on leaves of the plant. Nodal explants of I. purpurea were cultured in medium supplemented with 5, 10 and 20 mg L−1 concentrations of a chitosan oligomers mixture with a variable degree of polymerization (DP) ranging from 2 to 15 or chitosan polymer with DP of 70. It was found that both oligomeric and polymeric chitosan treatments increased chlorophyll-a contents in the leaves when compared to the chitosan-naïve control group. Polymeric chitosan stimulated chlorophyll-b and carotenoid synthesis more effectively than the oligomer mixture. Also, 10 mg L−1 polymeric chitosan better triggered total protein production and plant dry matter content in I. purpurea. The results of this study showed that, due to their stimulatory effects on photosynthetic pigment, protein and plant dry matter production, chitosan oligomers at low concentration and polymers at moderate concentration might be considered as safe and natural biostimulants for ornamental plants which could affect the plant's attractiveness and commercial success.


An H-soft-switched cell is proposed to obtain soft switching in single-switch nonisolated DC-to-DC converters. The proposed cell provides constant-frequency loss-less switching. It may be regarded as a soft switch with a similar control circuit to that used in conventional PWM converters. Based on an equal area concept, a unified method for steady-state analysis is also proposed. The concept of equivalent effective duty is introduced to simplify the design of the converters. Experimental results of an H-soft-switched boost converter are presented to verify the proposed topologies and the analytical methods.


Applying stereological principles, we recently demonstrated a matrix-vesicle distribution between the zones of the epiphyseal growth plate that is at variance with the generally accepted distribution. In the present study of strontium-induced rickets we demonstrated a similar bimodal distribution, the highest matrix-vesicle volume fraction being found in the resting and hypertrophic zones and the lowest, in the proliferative zone. These volume-fraction differences are due to differences in the number of vesicles between zones, the variation in mean diameter being rather small. The disturbed mineralization in strontium-induced rickets is associated with a diminished reduction of the matrix-vesicle volume fraction in the lower part of the growth plate compared with normal animals. The findings may indicate that matrix-vesicle removal is a part of the mineralization process, but a causal connection cannot be proved on the basis of our results. Our findings are, however, compatible with the earlier-posed cell-debris theory for matrix-vesicle origin and distribution.


Iron metabolism was studied in patients with chronic diffuse diseases of the liver. A sharp increase of ferritin content at the expense of its release from affected hepatocytes, and formation of antibodies to ferritin of the splenic type have been recorded in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The observed growth of ferritin content in red blood cells can be explained by functional deficiency of red blood cells and by the presence of hemolytic process (twofold decrease of haptoglobin level). A conclusion has been made that ferritin content in the blood serum does not correlate with the total iron reserves, and serum ferritin level should be considered not as a sign of the pathologic process, but as an index of iron reserves capable of participating in metabolic processes.


Background: Androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPCA) is a difficult disease to treat. Fulvestrant has shown activity inhibiting estrogen receptor dimerization, and the androgen receptor has been shown to stimulate growth in prostate cancer cell lines. Case Report: A 79-year-old metastatic prostate cancer patient with AIPCA was treated with fulvestrant acetate with a loading dose strategy. Without recording any significant side effects, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level decreased from 154 ng/ml to 0.45 ng/ml 8 weeks after the first treatment administration. Conclusion: Fulvestrant was able to reduce the PSA level in this AIPC patient without any toxicity.


Object Movement disorders in Parkinson disease patients may require functional surgery, when medical therapy isn't effective. In Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) electrodes are implanted within the brain to stimulate deep structures such as SubThalamic Nucleus (STN). This paper describes successive steps for constructing a digital Atlas gathering patient's location of electrodes and contacts for post operative assessment. Materials and Method 12 patients who had undergone bilateral STN DBS have participated to the study. Contacts on post-operative CT scans were automatically localized, based on black artefacts. For each patient, post operative CT images were rigidly registered to pre operative MR images. Then, pre operative MR images were registered to a MR template (super-resolution Collin27 average MRI template). This last registration was the combination of global affine, local affine and local non linear registrations, respectively. Four different studies were performed in order to validate the MR patient to template registration process, based on anatomical landmarks and clinical scores (i.e., Unified Parkinson's disease rating Scale). Visualisation software was developed for displaying into the template images the stimulated contacts represented as cylinders with a colour code related to the improvement of the UPDRS. Results The automatic contact localization algorithm was successful for all the patients. Validation studies for the registration process gave a placement error of 1.4 +/- 0.2 mm and coherence with UPDRS scores. Conclusion The developed visualization tool allows post-operative assessment for previous interventions. Correlation with additional clinical scores will certainly permit to learn more about DBS and to better understand clinical side-effects.


In November last year the government, under the banner of the NHS's Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) strategy, published something that may appeal to readers who like maps (cartophilicas? cartographophiliacs?). The NHS Atlas of Variation in Healthcare—Reducing unwanted variation to increase value and increase quality (http://www.rightcare.nhs.uk/atlas) is 100 pages long, has 34 separate maps of England and aims to complement Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS , the government white paper published in the summer of 2010. The latter, among many things—some very controversial—commits to improving the value the taxpayer gets from the NHS budget.

The Atlas aims to 'put variations in activity expenditure, quality, outcome, value and equity firmly on the health service agenda for the next decade, and to stimulate the NHS to search for unwarranted variation and, by extension, to tackle the causes and drivers of that variation'. The authors wisely state that "some variation is not only inevitable but also necessary in both clinical practice and healthcare commissioning. However, unwarranted variation is cause for concern". The Atlas also aims to complement the individual Primary Care Trust (PCT) Health Investment Packs, available …


The central paradigm of today's successful Internet is to keep the network core simple and move complexity towards the network end points. Unfortunately, this very paradigm limits network management and control capabilities, and creates opportunities for attacks such as worms, viruses, and spam that often seriously disrupt and degrade Internet and user performance. The thrust of this paper is that such problems cannot be effectively solved unless a paradigm shift is adopted. Towards a more secure and manageable Internet, we propose "virtualization" of the Internet, by carefully balancing its scalability and programmability properties. Our objective is to provide a programmable virtual Internet to users and to let them manage, control, and optimize it based on their individual needs.


Abstract The Aztec fauna is one of the most diverse fossil vertebrate faunas from Antarctica, with over 30 taxa belonging to the four major groups of jawed fishes (acanthodians, placoderms, osteichthyans, chondrichthyans), and one group of agnathans (thelodontids). Biogeographically the strongest affinity is with eastern Australia, as part of the East Gondwana Province. Biostratigraphically the Aztec succession includes probably the youngest known non-marine thelodont agnathans at the base, and the oldest known phyllolepids at the top. This transition, and an association of species of Turinia and Bothriolepis, is not seen in any other sequence. Most or all of the Aztec sequence is regarded as Givetian (late Middle Devonian) in age. The Aztec fauna contains older and/or more primitive representatives of several groups typical of younger (late Palaeozoic) strata in Euramerica, suggesting a biotic dispersal episode between Gondwana and Euramerica in the Late Devonian. Centres of origin and dispersal hypotheses in Palaeozoic biogeography can be related to disappearance of faunal barriers as manifested in different stratigraphic ranges in different areas. The change for Devonian vertebrates from the endemic patterns seen in the Early Devonian to the close similarity of Famennian faunas between East Gondwana and Euramerica suggests disappearance of a major faunal barrier in the Late Devonian, presumably the ocean between Gondwana and Euramerica.


Appropriate transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) signaling is required to preserve homeostasis of diverse tissues during development. At the cellular level, one function of TGF-beta1 that is critical for preserving homeostasis is the ability to arrest cell growth. TGF-beta1 arrests growth by blocking the function of the c-myc proto-oncogene. c-myc function is determined by the level of c-myc expression relative to other Max-interacting transcription factors, and TGF-beta1 has been shown to inhibit c-myc expression by inhibiting c-myc transcription. However, whether TGF-beta1 might also increase the expression of a Max-interacting factor that blocks myc function by competing with myc for Max binding is not known. Therefore, we determined the effect of TGF-beta1 on the expression of Max-interacting transcription factors in Balb/MK cells. We found unexpectedly that Balb/MK cells express both N-myc and c-myc. The pattern of N-myc expression during the cell cycle differs from that of c-myc, indicating that mRNA accumulation is controlled by mechanisms specific to each gene. TGF-beta1 rapidly inhibits N-myc mRNA expression; thus N-myc is a novel target of TGF-beta1 in Balb/MK cells. More importantly, we found that TGF-beta1 induces the expression of the putative tumor suppressor genes Mad4 and Mxi1 in both the Balb/MK and Mv1Lu cell lines. Mad4 and Mxi1 are novel targets of TGF-beta1, known to inhibit cell growth by antagonizing the interaction of Myc with Max. Thus, our results suggest that the induction of Mad4 and Mxi1 may function in tandem with the inhibition of N-myc and c-myc to mediate the growth inhibitory function of TGF-beta1.


Introduction: Osteocalcin has been shown to have an inverse relationship with blood glucose, insulin resistance and adiposity. Objective: To determine osteocalcin normal serum concentration in Mexican healthy adults and compare it with values reported in other populations. Method: Carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin serum concentrations were determined in 100 healthy adults by means of enzyme immunoassay; osteocalcin total concentration was calculated. A descriptive comparison was made with other populations' values reported in the literature. Results: Carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin median concentrations were 3.22 ng/mL and 1.61 ng/mL, respectively. Mean total osteocalcin was 7.40 ± 5.11 ng/mL. There was no significant difference between the osteocalcin values in our population and those of populations where similar quantification methods to ours were used. Conclusion: Osteocalcin total serum concentration mean in the analyzed population was 7.40 ng/mL. There are subtle variations between populations that are attributable to genetic and population factors; however, the quantification method was the only variable that was shown to significantly influence on osteocalcin levels in healthy populations.


Summary: A new bacteriocin, megacin C, was recognized in certain strains of Bacillus megaterium; it was initially observed as the agent responsible for killing sensitive organisms in mixed culture. The bacteriocin was liberated during growth of cultures; but later, after reaching a maximum value, it disappeared from the culture media. Megacin C was produced by strains already known to produce another bacteriocin, megacin A. The activity spectra of the two megacins differed markedly and non-megacin A (MA
-) mutants still produced megacin C. A preliminary grouping of megacin types is proposed. Megacin A is comparable to the original megacin first studied by Ivanovics & Alfoldi (1954). Megacin A produced inhibition zones surrounding colonies on solid medium but its formation in liquid medium required induction with ultraviolet (u.v.) radiation. Megacin B, whose activity spectra differed from those of megacins A and C, can be detected only on a solid medium; it is not formed in liquid culture even after u.v.-irradiation. Megacin C can be detected only on a particular solid medium and its formation in liquid media is not induced by u.v.-irradiation.


To test the hypothesis that amino acid residues in band 3 with titratable positive charges play a role in the binding of anions to the outside-facing transport site, we measured the effects of changing external pH (pH(O)) on the dissociation constant for binding of external iodide to the transport site, K(O)(I). K(O)(I) increased with increasing pH(O), and a significant increase was seen even at pH(O) values as low as 9.9. The dependence of K(O)(I) on pH(O) can be explained by a model with one titratable site with pK 9.5 +/- 0.2 (probably lysine), which increases anion affinity for the external transport site when it is in the positively charged form. A more complex model, analogous to one recently proposed by Bjerrum (1992), with two titratable sites, one with pK 9.3 +/- 0.3 (probably lysine) and another with pK > 11 (probably arginine), gives a slightly better fit to the data. Thus, titratable positively charged residues seem to be functionally important for the binding of substrate anions to the outward-facing anion transport site. In addition, analysis of Dixon plot slopes for L inhibition of Cl- exchange at different pH 0 values, coupled with the assumption that pH(O) has parallel effects on external I- and Cl- binding, indicates that k', the rate-constant for inward translocation of the complex of Cl- with the extracellular transport site, decreases with increasing pH(O). The data are compatible with a model in which titration of the pK 9.3 residue decreases k to 14 +/- 10% of its value at neutral pH(O). This result, however, together with Bjerrum's (1992) observation that the maximum flux J(M)) increases 1.6- fold when this residue is deprotonated, makes quantitative predictions that raise significant questions about the adequacy of the two titratable site ping-pong model or the assumptions used in analyzing the data.


PURPOSE
To assess the stability, safety, predictability, and efficacy of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in high myopia.

METHODS
The study was conducted as a retrospective noncomparative analysis of the records of 495 eyes of 270 patients treated by the ReLEx SMILE technique for a mean spherical myopic error of -12.84 ± 2.47 D (range: -10.0 to -14.0 D) combined with a mean astigmatism of -1.17 ± 1.34 D (up to -4.0 D). The mean LogMAR corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.2 ± 0.6. In this study, 225 patients had the bilateral SMILE procedure, whereas 45 patients had a single eye treated with SMILE.

RESULTS
One month after surgery, the mean refractive error was 20.72 ± 0.88 D (range: +1 to 21.5 D), and the mean postoperative astigmatism was -0.83 ± 1.04 D. The mean LogMAR UDVA was 0.2 ± 0.34. In the last follow-up visit, 3 years after surgery, all the before mentioned parameters were the same or within minimal changes with no statistically significant difference from the earlier results. However, the spherical error demonstrated a significant change from -0.72 ± 0.88 D at 1 month to -1.17 ± 1.01 D at the end of the follow-up. However, this change had an insignificant visual impact. At the end of the follow-up period, approximately 94% of patients had unchanged CDVA or gained one or more lines, 6% lost one line of CDVA, and 1% lost 2 lines.

CONCLUSIONS
SMILE may be effective and safe, with a stable and predictable outcome for correction of very high myopia.


SUMMARY Kingella kingae is a bacterium that colonizes the upper respiratory tract. Despite its low pathogenicity in this location, previous respiratory pathological processes may favor its systemic spread causing bone and joint infections, mainly in children under five years. It can be considered an emerging pathogen in osteoarticular infection in pediatric patients. We report the case of a two-year-old girl with hips pain and limitation of both abduction and extension, and fever. Radiography and ultrasonography were compatible with transitory synovitis; showed scintigraphy inflammatory pathology of the right hip. Articular puncture was performed. The material showed altered biochemical parameters. Microbiological culture yielded isolation of a strain of K. kingae susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics, azithromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Blood cultures were negative. The patient was treated empirically with cloxacillin and cefotaxime iv. and continued with amoxicillinclavulanate orally with osteoarticular improvement.


The widespread post harvest maize losses experienced in Malawi have been mostly attributed to the Larger Grain Borer (LGB) (Prostephanus truncates). The government of Malawi introduced various maize storage technologies to minimize the post harvest maize losses. However, the adoption of the modern maize storage technologies remains low. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to analyze factors influencing the adoption of maize storage technologies in Malawi. Binary logit model was fitted to data obtained from household survey conducted in 2010 in Zomba District, Malawi. Regression results indicated that adoption of the modern gas hermetic bag (and related modifications) was significantly influenced by location of farmer, distance to the market, farmer field school training, off farm income, extension and perceptions about the efficacy of the storage technology regarding security against maize theft. The results also showed that when compared with farmers using traditional maize storage technologies, farmers using modern gas hermetic bag realized higher gross margins. The study recommended that, among other things, government should promote development of maize storage technologies taking into account location of farmers. Extension service delivery should be prioritized. Farmer perceptions on technology attributes should be given proper attention when designing maize storage technologies. Farmers should be encouraged to use modern technologies in view of their (modern technologies) economic superiority over traditional technologies.


Abstract The aim of the work was to develop a mathematical model for computing the steady-state voltage – current characteristics of a planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and to determine the performance of a new SOFC design. The design involves cross-flow bipolar plates. Each of the bipolar plates has an air channel system on one side and a fuel channel system on the other side. The proposed model was developed using the ANSYS-Fluent commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software supported by additional Fuel Cell module. The results confirm that the model can well simulate the diagonal current path. The effects of temperature and gas flow through the channels and a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) structure were taken into account. It was shown that a significant increase of the MEA temperature at high current density can lead to hot spots formation and hence electrode damage.


We previously reported that human peripheral blood neutrophils express CD28 and interact with macrophage B7 to generate CD28 signaling through PI-3 kinase. Here, we demonstrate that crosslinking of CD28 on neutrophils results in the release of IFN, which restricts amastigote growth and modulates CD4 T cells cytokine secretion. CD28 crosslinking also induces a T-cell chemotactic factor (TCF) that induces chemotactic migration of CD4 T cells. Based on our previous and the current set of data, we propose an operational model explaining how neutrophils are involved in Leishmania infection and how the reported effect of neutrophils on the control of infection is mediated by alteration of T-cell function. Human Immunology 64, 38–43 (2003). © American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, 2003. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.


: The advent of several new antibiotics able to counter drug-resistant bacteria, the problems in carrying out well-controlled clinical trials and the occasional disparity between in vitro and in vivo activity of antimicrobials compel us to resort to experiments using animal models in order to evaluate different therapeutic regimens. We wish here to discuss the prerequisites of a reliable animal model for the therapy of experimental infections and to analyze the influence of combined antimicrobial therapy on the outcome of non-human infections. The interaction between antibiotics and infected tissues will also be considered. Finally, we shall examine the interrelations between host defenses and antibiotics in models for experimental infections.


Background : We planned to raise public awareness and decentralize directly observed tuberculosis treatment at village level using volunteer community members in order to reduce prolonged delays in seeking care and improve compliance to tuberculosis treatment. We do not know the magnitude of tuberculosis knowledge gap and preferred modality of tuberculosis treatment supervision among the public in Tigray. Objectives : To assess knowledge of pulmonary tuberculosis and to determine level of acceptance regarding villagebased tuberculosis treatment using volunteers among the general public. Method : A cross sectional survey was conducted among 838 adults (915 years) in 8 districts of Tigray region. Respondents selected from 70 villages using a multistage cluster sampling technique were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire in July 2002. Result : The mean and median knowledge score of respondents about pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was 5.24 and 6.67 (maximum score of 10) respectively. Female respondents (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=1.86; 95% Confidence interval (CI)=1.39-2.47), illiterates (AOR=1.64; 95% CI=1.1-2.47) and rural residents (AOR=1.95; 95% CI=1.37- 2.76) were more likely to have a low level of knowledge score. Among respondents who had prior knowledge of PTB (n=717), 599 (83.5%) accepted the idea of tuberculosis (TB) treatment by volunteer community members. Illiterates, rural residents, married and respondents with large family size were more likely to support supervised TB-treatment using volunteers. Respondents' preferred treatment supervisors were: volunteer community health workers (60%), public health staff (16.5%) and family members (12.7%). Conclusion : There is a wide knowledge gap among the public regarding PTB. The idea of organizing directly observed TB treatment using volunteers appears to be accepted. The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 19 2005: 21-27


Denis Byrne's Surface Collection is a finely written philosophical travelogue, taking the reader on an archaeological tour of South Asia that is also a personal quest and a critique of heritage conservation. Its closely organised structure, reminiscent of baroque music, begins with an investigation of the modes of erasure or preservation of the recent past in South East Asia, shifts to an ironic narrative of futile quests for historical traces, and concludes with reflections on the clash of popular Buddhist relic worship with the values of heritage conservation. Byrne stages the latter conflict as between magical and rationalistic worldviews. Mildly dissenting, this essay suggests that although heritage conservation deploys scientific meanss, it is based on the sacralisation of the past. This motivation brings it closer to magic than to core tenets of Enlightenment, either of the Rational or the Buddhist kind.


We give a short overview on our work on ancestral lineages in spatial population models with local regulation. We explain how an ancestral lineage can be interpreted as a random walk in a dynamic random environment. Defining regeneration times allows to prove central limit theorems for such walks. We also consider several ancestral lineages in the same population and show for one prototypical example that in one dimension the corresponding system of coalescing walks converges to the Brownian web.


Serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) is significantly increased in diabetic patients, prompting expanded investigation of the correlation between OPG production/release and glycemic levels. Serum levels of OPG, but not of its cognate ligand receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), were significantly increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients compared with healthy blood donors. Serum OPG was also significantly elevated in a subgroup of recently diagnosed diabetic patients (within 2 years). The relationship between serum OPG and diabetes mellitus onset was next investigated in apoE-null and littermate mice. Serum OPG increased early after diabetes induction in both mouse strains and showed a positive correlation with blood glucose levels and an inverse correlation with the levels of free (OPG-unbound) RANKL. The in vitro addition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha to human vascular endothelial cells, but not human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, markedly enhanced OPG release in culture. In contrast, high glucose concentrations did not modulate OPG release when used alone or in association with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Moreover, the ability of soluble RANKL to activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase pathways in endothelial cells was neutralized by preincubation with recombinant OPG. Altogether, these findings suggest that increased OPG production represents an early event in the natural history of diabetes mellitus, possibly contributing to disease-associated endothelial cell dysfunction.


In the very near future, as pervasive computing takes root, there will be an explosion of everyday objects that are uniquely identifiable and wrapped by a computational layereffectively bringing the object to life. An important component of this system is the mechanism that will allow humans to interface with the objects. Menu Based Natural Language Interfaces ( MBNU) seem like a good candidate for this job because of the intuitive way in which they allow the user to build commands. However, the MBNLI system will have to scale with the number of objects in the system. This project describes context free grammar modules which are small grammar files that can be composed to formalargergrammar. Grammarmodulescanthenbeassociated with individual objects, and in this way allow the MBNU to scale according to the size of the system.


World History- 1st Semester. From 5,000 B.C. to 1500 A.D and Includes Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Mongols, China, Middle Ages and the Renaissance.


We demonstrate the recording of 100 planes of digital images in a page-oriented two-photon memory and characterize the images in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and bit error rate. Possible error sources in the recording are discussed, and methods for compensating for some of these effects are presented. Looking at the distributions of the normalized bit intensities, we are able to estimate the minimum achievable bit error rate for this system.


Current methods for planning wireless networks rely on a mixture of on-site measurements and predictive modeling. Unfortunately, such methods can be expensive and time-consuming when it comes to planning for venues of large dimension, or those with a vast number of wireless devices.In this short paper, we focus on an important aspect of scalable network planning: estimating the number of source devices (e.g., access points, base stations) needed to meet traffic demands. We propose a coarse-grained approach that models aggregate demands and interference sources. Minimizing the number of source devices is shown to be NP-complete. However, our coarse-grained approach permits an integer linear program that solves for the optimum while remaining tractable; an approximation result is also derived. Preliminary experiments using QualNet and Ekahau support our approach.


In this case study we discuss an interactive feature tracking system and its use for the analysis of chromatin decondensation. Features are described as points in a multidimensional attribute space. Distances between points are used as a measure for feature correspondence. Users can interactively experiment with the correspondence measure in order to gain insight in chromatin movement. In addition, by defining time as an attribute, tracking problems related to noisy confocal data can be circumvented.


Hofstede's framework for understanding national cultural differences is used to interpret differences when a large U.S. manufacturer implemented Collaborative Planning Forecasting and Replenishment processes and systems with retail partners in the U.S., Germany, China, and Poland. The research suggests that cultural differences impact the rollout life cycle. Our work suggests that (1) implementation strategies should match national culture, (2) implementation timing can be a function of national culture, and finally (3) customer readiness assessments for CPFR rollout should include an assessment of national cultural differences.


The civil structures during their useful life are subjected to different loads (environmental and mechanical), that cause progressively deterioration and that consequently requires maintenance efforts to keep them safe and operative. In this work, a novel alternative is proposed based in the development of a smart material with multifunctional characteristics that allow the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)without requiring external sensors. This was possible by developing cement matrix compounds with the addition of carbon nanotubes. The manufacturing of this material began with an experimental design (DOE) that allowed to determine the mixturestype with which the sensor was manufactured, additionally repeatability and reproducibility was guaranteed. To measure the piezoresistive behavior of the samples, we used an INSTRON 5582 universal testing machine, a data acquisition equipment to obtain the variation in voltage and Micron Optics SM130 optical sensing interrogator for measuring deformations. Once the rheological and mechanical behavior of the material were characterized, mechanical tests of the material were carried out without exceeding the maximum deformations of the material in order to acquire data on the resistive behavior of the structure and find the gauge factor. The results of this development offer a part of the solution to the growing needs in the field of civil engineering against the early warning of damages caused by both natural phenomena and human causes (use of inappropriate materials, wrong calculations, overloads).


The organizational boundaries that have traditionally constrained applications are giving way to the opportunities inherent in electronic commerce and networked operations. Today, the geography of an application can extend far beyond an organization's boundaries, literally into consumers' homes. It is possible to think of an Internet application needing to handle literally millions of users. The argument for responding to these changes with three-tiered component computing is deceptively simple: partitioning applications cleanly into presentation, application logic and data components enhances scalability, reusability, security and manageability. Yet, even with new Web front ends, most companies have not taken full advantage of multi-tiered architectures. The Windows DNA (Distributed interNet Applications) architecture creates a seamless environment for developing multi-tier distributed computing applications. Windows DNA does this by unifying PC, client-server and Web-based application development around a common, component-based application architecture. Large and small organizations alike can improve their effectiveness by creating a new class of business solutions. Unless such an architecture is ubiquitous and accessible to virtually any organization, a broad shift to three-tier Web-enabled computing cannot occur.


: This investigation was apt at studying the effect of a mild dose of X-rays on the normal and shock administered rats. Administration of stress brought about a marked depression in the contents of DNA, RNA and protein in the brain. On the other hand, total body exposure to X-rays was found to increase the levels of DNA, RNA and protein in the brain. Thus, the use of a mild dose of X-rays in stressed animals seems to be stimulatory to the diminished levels of DNA, RNA and protein in the brain. There were rising levels of 5-hydroxy indol acetic acid and Vinyl mandelic acid in the urine of stress administered rats and the enhanced levels of these urinary metabolites appeared to be refractory to the application of X-rays.


It is well established that oestrogens can stimulate prolactin (PRL) secretion as well as the expression of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) gene whose product is also a potent PRL secretagogue. Previous evidence has supported both an autocrine and a paracrine role for pituitary VIP in PRL release in vitro; however, the cellular origin of VIP in pituitary tissue still remains poorly defined. In these studies, we have demonstrated by in situ hybridisation that VIP RNA is detected in the anterior pituitaries of chronically hyperoestrogenised rats, but not in those of untreated animals. Using a double-probe labelling procedure, VIP RNA has been shown to be present in a subpopulation of PRL-producing cells, while colocalisation of VIP and GH RNA was not observed. VIP gene expression in the rat anterior pituitary gland was characterised by the presence of two alternatively polyadenylated transcripts, 1.7 kb and 1.0 kb in size. We have generated a probe specific for the 1.7 kb transcript and double-labelling studies also showed definitive colocalisation with PRL mRNA. Our results demonstrating the presence of VIP RNA in PRL-producing cells thus suggest that VIP may play an autocrine role in PRL hypersecretion under conditions of oestrogen-induced hyperplasia.


This paper is an attempt to answer the question on the role of the social support in the process of coping with stress within a group of Polish students in an acculturative stress situation. The research had two primary goals. The first goal was to show the differences between students of Polish nationality enrolled at foreign universities and students of Polish universities in terms of social support, coping with stress and the depression level. The second goal was to examine relations between those three variables. In order to select groups with high and low social support the scale of social support by Kmiecik-Baran has been used. In order to define styles of coping with stress, preferred by the cured drug addicts, the Polish version of The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations has been used. Both groups responded to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), consisting of a self-evaluated scale of 21 items, each with four assertions corresponding to increasing levels of depressive symptoms. The obtained results indicate that students of Polish universities were characterized by a lower level of social support and they reported higher levels of depression than the control group of Polish students living abroad. The groups did not differ significantly with respect to the measures of coping styles. According to the results of the study, the stronger preference for the emotion-oriented coping style, the higher level of depression, which indicates that this coping style was ineffective in dealing with stressful life events in both groups of students. In addition, the level of received social support was negatively correlated (r = –0,589) with the task-oriented coping style in a group of students in Poland.