The main topic of the preserved letters of Robert "King" Carter were commercial issues – shipments of tobacco, and the consignment of goods from England. The correspondence is full of his complaints about the quality of crops, the price of tobacco in England, ridiculously exorbitant prices of English goods, and imprecations against the Scots, whose dishonest competition was, in his opinion, the most important cause of the deterioration of the Atlantic tobacco trade. Commercial issues were dominant not only because merchants were the addressees of the largest number of his letters. At the time tobacco trade was the way of life of all wealthy planters of the Old Dominion. In addition to this, we can €find frequent remarks on issues related to the domestic and foreign policy of England and its colonies, descriptions of danger from buccaneers and pirates, the matters concerning the administration of the estates of omas Fairfax, as well as problems of upbringing and education of children in England. On the occasion of the suering resulting from gout attacks and toothache, we also, though very rarely, have an insight into his private life. The importance of Carter's letters for the study of the mentality of the 18th century Virginia elite is invaluable, especially due to the fact that there is not much correspondence of the Virginia elite members preserved from the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.


The 70th anniversary of the Cotton Improvement Conference (CIC) was celebrated at the 2018 annual meeting. The CIC was organized in 1948 at a meeting held in conjunction with the Southern Agricultural Workers in New Orleans, LA. The structure of the CIC was informal with the purpose of allowing state, federal, and other cotton workers to report on research, exchange ideas and facilitate research program planning. The first meeting was held in Baton Rouge, LA in 1949. Few records remain of the early years of the conference even though mimeograph proceedings were produced. In 1956, the CIC joined the Beltwide Cotton Production Conference and has continued to meet annually with this group. In 1956, the Beltwide Conferences consisted of the Cotton Disease Council, founded in 1936, Cotton Defoliation – Physiology, established in 1942, Cotton Insect Control (1947), and CIC. Through the years members of the CIC have played key roles in the Joint Cotton Breeding Policy Committee, National Cotton Variety Test Program, and the Cotton Winter Nursery. The reporting of research, exchanging of ideas, and cooperation among public and private cotton workers has persisted throughout the 70 years of the CIC and these activities have benefitted the cotton industry. The Cotton Genetics Research Award was established in 1961 by the commercial cotton breeders to recognize scientific achievement in basic research in cotton genetics, cytogenetics and breeding.


Adequate stratification of cardiovascular (CV) risk is one of the major points of interest in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A task force of the European League Against Rheumatism has proposed to adapt CV risk management calculated in RA patients according to the systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) function by application of a multiplier factor of 1.5 in those patients with two of the following three criteria: disease duration >10 years, rheumatoid factor (RF) or anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody positivity, and presence of severe extra-articular manifestations. However, a major concern when using the modified SCORE is to know whether the effect of chronic inflammation on the CV risk of RA patients can be fully determined using this tool. As increased carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques have been proved to predict the development of CV events in RA, the authors suggest performing carotid ultrasound when SCORE does not yield results indicating high CV risk in RA patients with extra-articular manifestations, RF or anti-CCP positivity as well as in patients with 10 years disease duration or longer. The presence of abnormal carotid IMT (>0.90 mm) or carotid plaques would lead to these patients being considered as having high CV risk regardless of the results derived from the modified SCORE.


In an imperfectly competitive market, input tariff reduction may induce importers to partly pass-through the cost reductions and consequently increase their markups. Such effect is heterogeneous across industries, depending on the market structure. We utilize an unprecedented liberalization episode in China, namely its WTO accession, to estimate such heterogeneous impact of trade reform on firm markup. The results show that input tariff reduction increases firm markup, but only for importers. Furthermore, market structure matters: importers' markups increase more due to input tariff reduction in less competitive industries. Finally, in contrast to output tariff, input tariff reduction increases industry markup dispersion.


RICHARD STANFORD. Matchmaking projects with communities: Analysing whether livelihood improvement initiatives meet the needs and constraints of poor fishers in West Sumatra (Proyek-proyek terkait dengan kebutuhan masyarakat nelayan: Apakah kegiatan peningkatan mata pencaharian sesuai dengan kebutuhan nelayan miskin di Sumatra Barat?). Dibimbing oleh JOHN HALUAN, BUDY WIRYAWAN, DIETRIECH BENGEN and RUDI FEBRIAMANSYAH. Despite a fast growing economy, many Indonesians still live in poverty or are vulnerable to falling into poverty. Fishing is an economic sector closely associated with poverty and there has been a range of initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing poverty amongst poor fishers. Concerns remain that these initiatives have failed to target the right people in the right way. In response to this concern, this research based in the province of West Sumatra uses interviews in 25 fishing communities, coupled with secondary data, to evaluate; 1) the sectors of the fishing industry that the poor operate in and what the relationship is between poverty and fishing, 2) the factors that enable or constrain their livelihoods and 3) whether livelihood improvement programs address these factors. The analysis highlights that poor fishers are growing in number and are mainly labourers, small boat owners and small-scale processors/traders. Poverty in fishing is not significantly correlated with fishing dependency but is significantly correlated with poverty in the agricultural sector. Fishing is a poor economic sector, but incidences of poverty are less when other economic sectors, for example the service and financial sector, are strong. Thirty one enabling and constraining factors were identified and grouped according to six asset categories. Interviews with 151 households from a variety of backgrounds in two fishing communities were analysed using multi-dimensional scaling. Vessel owners possess higher physical, financial and human capital than crew members but that there was no difference in the natural, social and institutional fields. Institutional support across all sectors scored poorly. Government programs tend to bridge the gap between crew members and owners by providing physical capital without necessarily addressing the underlying financial and human capital limitations that labourers face. The research concludes with an explanation of the main routes out of poverty for a poor fisher and recommendations and how future livelihood improvement programs can better address the needs and constraints of the poor.


For the development of future nuclear fission applications and for a responsible handling of nuclear waste the a-priori assessment of the fission-fragments' heat production and toxicity is a fundamental necessity. The success of an indispensable modelling of the fission process strongly depends on a good understanding of the particular mechanism of scission, the mass fragmentation and partition of excitation energy. Experimental observables are fission-fragment properties like mass- and energy-distributions, and the prompt neutron as well as γ-ray multiplicities and emission spectra. The latter quantities should preferably be known as a function of fragment mass and excitation energy. Those data are highly demanded as published by the OECD-NEA in its high priority data request list. With the construction of the double (v, E) spectrometer VERDI we aim at measuring pre- and post-neutron masses directly and simultaneously to avoid prompt neutron corrections. From the simultaneous measurement of pre- and post-neutron fission-fragment data the prompt neutron multiplicity may then be inferred fully correlated with fragment mass yield and total kinetic energy. Using an ultra-fast fission event trigger spectral prompt fission γ-ray measurements may be performed. For that purpose recently developed lanthanum-halide detectors, with excellent timing characteristics, were coupled to the VERDI spectrometer allowing for a very good discrimination of fission γ-rays and prompt neutrons due to their different time-of-flight.


This Article challenges the conventional narrative on fundamental rights adjudication in India. The narrative goes like this: The Indian judiciary, led by the Supreme Court, produced several transformational decisions in the 1980s. These decisions, among other things, loosened procedural rules to permit fundamental rights petitions on behalf of poor and marginalized groups and also recognized an array of socioeconomic rights, such as rights to work and shelter. In the 1990s, however, the Court retrenched its fundamental rights jurisdiction. It has since been limited to ensuring good governance and adjudicating within neoliberal economic constraints. The Article calls this narrative into question in two ways. First, by providing a forum for civil society activism toward greater socioeconomic justice, it shows how the Court played a pivotal role in leading the Indian Parliament to pass comprehensive socioeconomic legislation that, inter alia, entrenched the rights to food and education in India. Second, though the Court issued fewer landmark judgments on socioeconomic rights, it would be mistaken to equate this with a lesser judicial role. To the contrary, the Article demonstrates how the Court took on a more substantial, governance role in which it dictated how large-scale public schemes would operate. The Court's interventions led to numerous interim orders – as opposed to a few landmark judgments – that contained detailed policy instructions to state and national governments. The Article acknowledges that some of the Court's interventions on the rights to food and education have been heavy-handed and ineffective. However, it also argues that the Court can still play a useful monitoring and enforcement role if it reorients its approach in a few ways.


Many black shales, phosphorites, and cherts that formed at low paleolatitudes on the North American continent during the late Paleozoic were a direct consequence of equatorial upwelling and an equatorial undercurrent in an ocean that spanned much of the globe. In equatorial parts of modern oceans, wind stress divergence leads to high surface productivity. Sinking organic matter is remineralized in the strong, eastward-flowing equatorial undercurrent. The undercurrent thus acts as a "nutrient-trap" that becomes progressively oxygen poor and nutrient rich as it moves eastward. The late Paleozoic global ocean was 60% to 80% wider than the modern Pacific Ocean ∼24 000 km total width). The nutrient-trapping equatorial current system of this globe-encircling ocean was probably anoxic and may have been sulfate reducing. Nutrient-rich, anoxic water from the undercurrent would have had direct consequences for the genesis of black-shale facies in Devonian and Pennsylvanian epicontinental seaways as well as possibly providing the source water for coastal upwelling in settings such as the Phosphoria sea.


X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) scanning has been widely used for medical diagnosis. This technique is now attracting increasing interest as a tool in non-destructive testing in engineering. This book reports the early results of research into this application, with particular reference to deformation and failure of geomaterials. Presenting papers of the International Workshop on X-CT for Geomaterials at Kumamoto, Japan in 2003. The book is intended for researchers and professionals in the fields of geotechnical engineering, soil, rock and concrete engineering, and geology.


The three-dimensional structure of omega-amino acid:pyruvate aminotransferase from Pseudomonas sp. F-126, an isologous alpha 4 tetramer containing pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor, has been determined at 2.0 A resolution. The diffraction data were collected with a newly developed Weissenberg camera with a Fuji Imaging Plate, using synchrotron radiation. The mean figure-of-merit was 0.57. The subunit is rich in secondary structure and comprises two domains. PLP is located in the large domain. The high homology in the secondary structure between this enzyme and aspartate aminotransferase strongly indicates that these two types of enzymes have evolved from a common ancestor.


In August 2016, a monsoon gyre persisted over the western North Pacific and was associated with the genesis of multiple devastating tropical cyclones (TCs). A series of hindcast simulations were performed using the nonhydrostatic icosahedral atmospheric model (NICAM) to reproduce the temporal evolution of this monsoon gyre. The simulations that were initiated at dates during the mature stage of the monsoon gyre successfully reproduced its termination and the subsequent intensification of the Bonin high, whereas the simulations initiated before the formation and during the developing stage of the gyre failed to reproduce subsequent gyre evolution even at a short lead time. These experiments further suggest a possibility that the development of the Bonin high is related to the termination of the monsoon gyre. The high predictability of the termination is likely due to the predictable midlatitudinal signals that intensify the Bonin high.


Substantial open-ocean phytoplankton blooms in the Antarctic Zone to the northwest of South Georgia, South Atlantic are described. Chlorophyll a, nutrient and physical oceanography data, collected between 2 and 5 January 1994 and again 1 mo later between 2 and 4 February along a 450 km transect comprising 14 stations, are presented. The transect crossed the Subantarctic and the Polar Front. During the January transect survey, in 2 locations to the south of the Polar Front, average surface mixed-layer chlorophyll a concentrations were >8 and >13 mg m(-3), and were associated with silicate, nitrate and phosphate depletions ( 0.3 and >1.4 mmol m(-3) respectively). One of the phytoplankton blooms was associated with the nearby Polar Front, but the origin of a bloom further south, well within the Antarctic Zone, was not clear. Phytoplankton production predicted by nutrient drawdown was far greater than the observed biomass on both surveys. If a common Antarctic Zone origin is accepted for the southern bloom, a decline in biomass of similar to 2.7 mol C m(-2) occurred in the upper 50 m of the water column between the 2 surveys, which cannot be accounted for by zooplankton grazing. If the bloom had originated in Subantarctic water advected to the south of the Polar Front, initial nutrient concentrations would have been lower and consequently predicted production was closer to the observed biomass values. Nevertheless, the area may be one of intense but local carbon export.


Overseas imports of soybeans from Brazil, the US and Argentina to Europe are increasing every year. Simultaneously, GMO farming in these countries is being expanded ever further. European farming of protein crops especially soybeans is being pushed by organizations and protein initiatives for economical and ecological reasons. In 2015 soybean acreages expanded drastically due to the additional Greening political measures which came into force. Therefore it is worth asking about the potential of a European non-GMO soybean market.
The aim of this thesis was to work out the principal chances and limitations of a European soybean market under the current agricultural political conditions. Moreover, it should be discussed how many of the imported soybean commodities, of which more than 85% are from overseas, could be replaced by soybeans planted in Europe.
In order to get to the bottom of the interests in this market from the perspective of the market actors, ten interviews were carried out. The result made it clear. European soybeans cannot yet compete with the overseas soybeans in terms of quantity (homogenous commodity lot sizes), price and even quality (mainly protein content). Thats why European non-GMO soybeans are not yet of high importance on the most important consumer market, which is the feed market, as large processors favor homogeneous lots and a reliably supply of commodities as to avoid volatile qualities in production.
The greatest constraint comes from the limited availability of arable land in Europe as well as from a lack of early maturing soybeans that are well adapted to the European growing conditions. The restricted availability of arable land lead to a competitive situation with other cash crops such as corn, but according to the results of this thesis, soybean growing's result in lower revenues and are therefore economical less competitive than corn. Thus, output (income) optimizing farmers under today's conditions decide not to replace corn by soybeans.
Furthermore, a limited practice experience in less experienced relatively new soybean growing regions slow down the development of a competitive European soybean market. Moreover, an insufficiently established non-GMO soybean industry hinder the market development due to difficulties of coexisting GMO and non-GMO commodities. Separated product flows in non-GMO processing plants, wholesale and collection points, are segments within the value chain which need to be further promoted for this market development. The zero tolerance regarding GMO traces in seed has been analyzed as a market barrier especially in the plant breeding industry. Thus, the thesis argued to establish a feasible GMO threshold value for seed as is already legal for food and feed.This is mentioned as a political constraint primarily, as well as too little effort towards specifically promoting a regional protein strategy, if more independence from overseas imports will be achieved.
On the other hand, chances for the European soybean market are expected, as long as added value can be generated through special marketing programs, particularly trademarks. This means marketing products at higher prices according to regionality and non-GMO labelling. Therewith, a distribution of additional costs for testing and separation along the value chain could be achieved. Especially the Danube Soya Association is being described as a driving force. They mobilize market agents along the value-added chain, help to create uniform standards, test and monitors soybean commodities to be non-GMO and are finally labeled as such. In this way the non-GMO separation needs to be extended by European regulation to simplify the process to reach a European non-GMO soybean market.
The consumers demand for local or organic products is constantly increasing. Consequently, non-GMO soybean components are being asked for in animal feed. A significant market opportunity for soybeans is that they are not really replaceable (in terms of quality) by any other protein crop without needing to reduce the economic efficiency of animal production. Therefore, the potential for demand is there principally. The analysis of the application of non-GMO feed shows that this is only of importance in smaller amounts in a few countries within Europe. Significant animal producing countries such as the Netherlands and Spain have no interest in non-GMO products.
Thus, the intentions behind the European non-GMO soybean market, such as more independence from overseas imports, are likewise limited to specific regions of Europe. The European soybean production possibilities are economical and geographical limited and would not be able to do much more than satisfy certain consumer niches who are willing to pay the added value for non-GMO products.


Descartes is often regarded as the founder of modern philosophy, and is credited with placing at centre stage the question of what we know and how we know it. Descartes: Belief, Scepticism and Virtue seeks to reinsert his work and thought in its contemporary ethical and theological context. Richard Davies explores the much neglected notion of intellectual virtue as it applies to Descartes' inquiry as a whole. He examines the textual dynamics of Descartes' most famous writings in relation to background debates about human endeavour from Plato down to Descartes' own contemporaries. Bringing these materials together in a novel format, Davies argues for a new approach to Descartes' ideas of scepticism and the sciences. The book also offers fresh interpretations of key passages of the Meditations . Descartes: Belief, Scepticism and Virtue offers an original reassessment of some of the most important bodies of work in Western Philosophy.


High fertility levels as is the case in Nigeria, has negative implications on women's health due to the health risks it poses. Several studies have shown that labour participation could reduce fertility. This paper examined the relationship between fertility and maternal labor participation in Nigeria. Despite the negative fertility-employment relationship established in Western countries, arguments for the case of developing countries exist. Estimating a simultaneous equation model using a two-stage estimation method, fertility and maternal labor participation were found to have a bicausal relationship. A negative relationship was seen to exist which supported the incompatibility hypothesis in both formal and informal sectors of urban and rural locations only when the effect of maternal labor participation on fertility is considered. However, when the effect of fertility on maternal labor participation is examined, the negative relationship was only consistent in the rural informal sector. A positive relationship was obtained in the formal sector of both urban and rural locations. Thus whether some compatibility or incompatibility exist in the relationship, depends on the direction of causality.


The German Constitution guarantees the Churches the right of self-governance, a right that includes the autonomous regulation and administration of their own affairs. In recent years, the Churches have issued new norms on labour relations, and have reorganised their own labour tribunals. Still it is possible for there to be divergences between the ecclesiastical and civil legal orders, to which the solutions are not yet definitively clear.


A twenty-eight-year-old female was referred from a district hospital with suspected carcinoma of the breast. She had a painless lump in the right breast with bilateral axillary swellings. A discharging sinus in the left anterior axillary region was also present. The surgical residents and a consultant surgeon at the hospital where she was treated concurred with the diagnosis of the referring medical officer. However, histopathological reporting showed that the swelling was in fact due to tuberculosis of the breast.


The first essay investigates the participation of an IT-central bank in the exchange rate market, as a supplemental tool for monetary policy. It presents a way of modeling a hybrid IT-regime with a managed float for a small open economy. The strategy followed, differs from most approaches that combine IT with partial control over the exchange rate, in that it uses the exchange rate as an operational target and interventions as instrument. The analysis is done in a general equilibrium setting, considering a financial system dominated by commercial banks, who solve an optimization problem giving rise to a premium in the UIP condition; Central bank's behavior is described by two rules: a policy rate in a Taylor-type rule and another one describing the accumulation of international reserves. The model suggests that, when shocks affecting the economy are supply shocks, intervention in forex market can render better results than just re-setting the policy rate, in the sense that it reduces volatility of inflation, keeping it closer to its long run-level. For other type of shocks, intervention exacerbates inflation volatility.The second essay explores the effectiveness of forex interventions within an IT- contex using Guatemalan daily data from 2008 to 2012, as a case study. In a first stage, I estimate the central bank reaction function, using a friction model a la Rosett. In a second stage, I use the conditional expectation of intervention, generated with estimates of the reaction function, as an instrument for actual interventions in a reduced form model of the exchange rate daily-returns, allowing for GARCH effects in the conditional variance. Results show statistical evidence of the existence of threshold effects in the reaction function, and indicate that intervention operations during the sample period, influenced the variance, but not the level of exchange rate. The central bank reacted systematically to previous-day exchange rate changes, when deciding the amount of intervention, and also to deviations from a short-term trend. Despite intervention had a dampening effect over the daily exchange rate return's volatility, they do not appear to be the main cause of the remarkable stability of the nominal exchange rate in Guatemala.The final essay deals with the fact that emigrant remittances have been growing around the world since 1970, but in the past few years, their growth rate has enlarged significantly. In Guatemala, remittances have increased their nominal value in about 142 percent over the last decade and there is concern with the idea that large and sustained remittance inflows can provoke an appreciation of the real exchange rate, making the production of tradable goods less profitable; a Dutch-Disease-like phenomenon. This essay explores how remittance flows affect the real exchange rate in the Guatemalan economy using a stochastic, dynamic general equilibrium model. The model generates a real exchange rate appreciation, a tradable sector contraction, and a non tradable expansion, similar to those that are observed in national accounts data; within the model, capital adjustment costs and heterogeneous labor play a predominant role in mimicking the dynamics of the observed real exchange rate appreciation. In addition, the results suggest that, in Guatemala, economic agents perceive the observed shift in the remittances flow as permanent.


Abstract The application of a sequence stratigraphic approach to the study of the Middle and Upper Jurassic of the Moray Firth has enabled the stratigraphy of disparate onshore and offshore successions to be linked and clarified. The results allow for the construction of regional correlation panels, chronostratigraphic diagrams and palaeogeographic maps which illustrate the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the basin and importantly show a new flooding history for this arm of the North Sea rift system. It is now demonstrable that the Inner Moray Firth (IMF) and Outer Moray Firth (OMF) were separated by a topographic high centred around the Ross Granite area (UKCS blocks 13/28 and 13/29) from the Bajocian until the latest mid-Oxfordian. New biostratigraphic results demonstrate that the first marine influx into the Buchan Trough area of the OMF was Callovian in age (significantly earlier than previous models) and probably marked connection with the South Viking and/or North Central Grabens. Similar marine depositional systems are envisaged to have developed in the geographically isolated IMF basin and Buchan Trough area of the OMF basin during the Callovian, early and mid-Oxfordian. The unification of these marine basins occurred during the latest mid-Oxfordian via the South Halibut Trough, with a subsequent early Kimmeridgian connection via the Halibut Platform. The new flooding model suggests that the drowning of the rift arm was more rapid than previously believed and that within the rift itself any relief associated with a Mid-Jurassic doming episode, which created 'the Mid-Cimmerian Unconformity' had effectively diminished by this time. Although the deflation of a triple junction-centred dome remained an important process in the basin's Mid-Jurassic evolution it was not the sole causal control on rift-arm stratigraphy. Instead the complexities of the Mid- and Late Jurassic flooding of the Moray Firth are interpreted to be the result of both short- and long-term regional sea-level changes superimposed upon a complex evolving rift topography.


The aim of these experiments was to determine the effects of combining high levels of vitamin E and lipoic acid supplementation on myocardial performance and arrhythmias during in vivo ischemia and reperfusion (I-R). Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4 months old) were randomly assigned to either a control diet group or a vitamin E and lipoic acid supplementation group. The control diet was made to AIN-93M standards which contains 75 IU vitamin E/kg diet. The supplemented diet contained 10,000 IU vitamin E/kg diet and 1.65 g lipoic acid/kg diet Following a 10-12 week feeding period, animals in each experimental group (control n=9; supplemented n=11) were subjected to an in vivo ischemia-reperfusion protocol. Animals were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and coronary occlusion was achieved by a ligature around the left coronary artery. Occlusion was maintained for 25 minutes followed by a 10 minute period of reperfusion. Cardiac rhythm disturbances were monitored via standard limb (lead II) ECG. Myocardial performance was analyzed by measuring 1) peak arterial pressure development and 2) the rate of change of pressure development by a catheter placed in the arch of the aorta. During ischemia-reperfusion, no significant differences (P>0.05) existed between control and supplemented animals in either ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac performance. These data suggest mat myocardial performance and rhythm disturbances are not affected by vitamin E and lipoic acid supplementation during in vivo ischemia-reperfusion in the rat heart.


The age at menarche in relation to ABO blood group phenotypes and haemoglobin-E genotypes has been studied among 290 girls belonging to Mongoloid ethnic stock in the North Eastern region of India. The study shows that the age at menarche is influenced by the abnormal haemoglobin E genotype as well as ABO blood group phenotype. Thus, the genetic markers play a pivotal role in the growth and development of an individual.


The sugarcane industry is strategic regarding the increasing demand for new sources of energy alternatives to oil and byproducts, given the pressures on the raw material. Due the future scenario that is taking shape, the ethanol produced from the sugarcane has advantages to conquer new markets, but since it has an efficient production and that makes a good use of existing resources. Therefore, the study analyzes the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and their components for 17 mills in the Center-Southern region in Brazil during the period from 2001 to 2008. The sample is considered significant because the volume of cane crushed represents 11.5% of the total in Brazil. The methodology is based on Coelli et al. (1998), from Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), using the Malmquist index, which assesses the productivity levels over time, decomposing them into indices that capture variation of the technical efficiency and technological changes. The paper concludes that the sample is composed mostly of followers, ie, the plants do not create and adopt radical innovations. They just follow a set move toward technologies already tested in the market and proven by other plants.


Purpose: Inhibition of the function of the bcl-2 protein has been postulated to sensitize cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and thus provides an attractive target for investigative therapies. G3139, a phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide targeted to the initiation codon region of the bcl-2 mRNA, is currently being evaluated in several Phase II and Phase III clinical trials. However, the mechanism of action of this molecule appears to depend on a combination of antisense plus nonantisense events. Indeed, the very idea that bcl-2 is a critical target is, at least in part, an extrapolation from experiments in which intracellular bcl-2 protein concentrations have been dramatically increased, yielding chemoresistant cells. Experimental Design: In this work, we down-regulated the expression of bcl-2 protein by 80–90% by two different antisense RNA strategies (antisense RNA and small interfering RNA) in DU145 prostate cancer cells. Results: Even after down-regulation of bcl-2 protein expression by either one of these strategies, the cellular phenotype induced by subsequent G3139 treatment (inhibition of cellular growth and the generation of reactive oxygen species) was essentially identical to that induced in mock-infected or wild-type DU145 cells in which bcl-2 protein expression had not been down-regulated previously. Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that bcl-2 expression in DU145 cells is not strongly associated with the prolife phenotype and that the mechanism by which G3139 produces its cytostatic effects in this cell line is bcl-2 independent.


Background
A process to facilitate nursing students to have more ownership of their final placement was introduced for this academic year by inviting them to apply for a specific placement they felt most appropriate. Whilst there has been significant research into preparing students for practice (Woods et al, 2015) and to explore the transition from student to graduate nurse (Kumaran and Carney, 2014), there is little to explore the effect of gaining preference for their final placement or for the development of employability skills. Morrell and Ridgway (2014) explored student's views on their preparedness for final placement finding 8 themes, one of which was 'Lack of support, and stress'. They suggested a "factor that can inhibit transition include a lack of support from the university with job applications...".

Aim
The aim of this study is for students to work within the 'student as producer' ethos and evaluate the new process to explore its effectiveness and review the perceived benefits of the students. With this information, they are refining and developing the process for their cohort. It is vital that we are evaluating its outcomes to enable a positive impact on the student experience. Partners are supportive of this project and the possible impact it may have on their recruitment process and rates. The process will help embed graduate attributes into our students which aims to increase their employability including application skills and CV building. With students producing an application form, they are reflecting on their learning and experiences, increasing their awareness of the skills they have gained and articulating this to the placements team.

Implementation
This project will be implemented by
1. Creating a robust application process that has been trialled, evaluated and developed by students
2. Engaging partners with the process and to help aid the transition to registered nurse
3. Using the results to inform and shape future developments in placement allocation and rolling the process out toi the next cohort.

Methods
Evaluation is being conducted by distributing a questionnaire (co-designed by students) to the current final year students which is then collated by the students. 3 focus groups or interviews (preference of students) are to be held with 5 people from 3 categories (gained their chosen placement, gained a chosen preference, gained a placement outside of their preferences). These groups will focus on their perceived advantages and disadvantages of the process and suggestions for improvement. Quantitative data (from the applications and questionnaires) is being conducted using SPSS. Qualitative data from the focus groups will be evaluated using the framework methods whereby transcripts are coded and themes identified.

Key findings
All research and analysing of data in terms of the benefit of this process will be completed and written ready for presenting at the conference. We will have a research paper outlining the findings of the evaluation and perceived benefits including possible future developments.


THIS STUDY investigated the size of the visual region within which adults use visual information to distinguish among letters as they read. Fifteen college students read passages from a cathode-ray tube as their eye movements were monitored. On occasional fixations, letters in specified regions were replaced by other letters. The effects of this manipulation were observed on their eye movement patterns. Erroneous letters lying four or more letter positions to the left of the fixated letter, or eight or more to the right, had no discernible effect on reading. There was no evidence to indicate that prior research in which letters were replaced on every fixation had underestimated the size of the perceptual span. The fact that the present study yielded a smaller estimate of the perceptual span and showed smaller effects from letter replacement than have previous studies is explained by methodological differences in the aspect of the text stimulus being studied.


Below about 50 kHz the level of ambient noise in the sea increases continuously towards lower frequencies. In the infrasound range the spectral slope is particularly steep. This low-frequency noise may propagate long distances with little attenuation, causing a directional pattern of infrasound in the sea. Using a standing-wave acoustic tube, we have studied the sensitivity of cod to infrasound down to 0.1 Hz by means of the cardiac conditioning technique. The threshold values, measured as particle acceleration, showed a steady decline towards lower frequencies below 10 Hz, reaching a value close to 10(-5)ms-2 at 0.1 Hz. The spectrum level at 0.1 Hz in the sea ranges between 120 and 180 dB (re 1 microPa), with corresponding particle accelerations from less than 10(-6) to more than 10(-4)ms-2. The sensitivity of cod is thus sufficient to detect the highest levels of ambient infrasound, and we put forward the hypothesis that fish may utilize information about the infrasound pattern in the sea for orientation during migration, probably in addition to an array of other sensory inputs.


SUMMARY: Two aerobic mesophilic species of a new genus belonging to the family Actinoplanaceae are described under the name Microellobosporia (M. cinerea type species). The new genus is characterized by the production of small club-shaped sporangia on the aerial mycelium. Similar stuctures are also formed on the substrate mycelium. The non-motile sporangiospores are few in number and arranged in a single straight row inside the sporangium.


Abstract. While optical cameras or laser systems are widely used for mobile mapping low attention was payed for radar systems. Due to new semiconductor technologies, compact and leight weight SAR systems based on the Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) principle in the millimeter wave domain can serve for mobile radar mapping on cars. For mapping of long stripes along roads in close range a special strategy for focusing of SAR images was developed. Hereby local adapted planes for processing are used considering the IMU data of the sensor. An experimental system was designed for high resolution radar mapping of urban scenes in close range geometry. This small and leight weighted system has a bandwidth of 30 GHz (5 mm resolution) and operates with 300 GHz in the lower terahertz domain. Experiments with a van in an urban scenario were carried out for proof of applicability of an operating SAR system resolving objects in the subcentimeter domain. The results show that narrow cracks in the asphalt of the road are visible and the measuring of small metallic objects placed in the scene is possible. Based on this mobile mapping techniques a first result from an acquisition of vertical facade structure is shown.


The increasing number of wind farms installed in the North Sea has an impact on the downstream wind speed. This has been hypothesized as well for sea state properties. Wave effects can be expected in particular in fetch-limited conditions with offshore wind directions. With systematic flights deploying an airborne laser scanner, these impacts are shown directly for the first time. The flights were conducted perpendicular to the main wind direction upstream and downstream of the cluster of the offshore wind parks Amrumbank West, Nordsee Ost, and Meerwind Sud/Ost. The flight legs covered the area potentially influenced by the wind parks and the undisturbed area next to the wind parks. The analysis of the spectral energy distribution shows a re-distribution of the wave energy in the downstream area with enhanced energy at smaller wavelengths. The effect is still clearly visible at a distance of 55 km. As the sea surface constitutes the link between the atmosphere and the ocean, it is very likely that wind parks modify the properties of the water column as well.


Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) detection of antiamoebic antibodies in the patients' sera, has been carried out and correlated with the routine diagnostic microscopic examination of stool and pus samples. The clinically suspected amoebiasis cases were divided into two main groups, (i) proved positive for Entamoeba histolytica as detected by microscopic examination of samples, and (ii) negative for the parasite. A total 153 cases of intestinal amoebiasis were studied. CIE was positive in 27 of the 84 proved cases, and in 12 out of 69 unproved cases showing negative microscopy. A total of 59 cases of amoebic liver abscess (ALA) were studied, of which CIE was positive in 20 of the 30 proved cases of ALA and in 4 of the 29 unproved cases. Sera from patients with non-amoebic illness (n = 48) gave negative results with CIE. Similarly sera from normal healthy controls (NHC) (n = 100) and asymptomatic cyst passers (n = 75) were negative by CIE.


Background: Adequate cure of the photo activated polymer and sufficient light intensity is important for optimalmechanical properties, polymerization and strength of the composite material. This study establishes the relationship between the light intensities produced by 2 different light curing systems - a Light emitting diode (LED) and a Halogen light curing system, the distance of the curing tip to the composite and its effect on the surface microhardness changes at various depths of 2 dental composite systems. Methodology: Ten samples each of 2 posterior composite materials were prepared at 2 depths using customized moulds and cured at 0mm and 2mm distance from the light source. The Knoop hardness number of the top and bottom surfaces of the blocks were assessed following their respective treatments and subjected to statistical analysis using the paired and unpaired T test (p<0.01).Conclusions: Proximity of light source to the photo-activated material influenced the surface hardness of the light activated restorative material. LED produced superior surface hardness than the halogen light curing system, though significant variations werenÂ't observed.


The widespread use of personal communication technologies PCTs for commercial message dissemination necessitates understanding that PCTs might lead to better commercial performance in different situations. Building primarily on apparatgeist and social construction theories, this research proposes that consumer responses to PCT-disseminated commercial messages are jointly influenced by the PCT i.e., technology that carries general symbolic meanings about its nature and purpose its "spirit", and the context culture i.e., the cultural milieu in which it is used. We began with focus groups' assessments of two commonly utilized PCTs---email and short message service---which revealed their comparative symbolic meanings in terms of intimacy or formality of communication---to be in line with extant literature. Then, in a commercial setting where retailers leverage PCTs to disseminate product discount coupons, we examined the difference between two distinct environments that differed in their context-cultural dimensions their cultural milieus of social interaction and communication---i.e., China an environment of high context-cultural dimension and Switzerland an environment of low context-cultural dimension. To do so, we first validated the context-cultural differences through a survey study 1 and conducted two matching field experiments in the two countries involving more than one thousand consumers study 2. Results support our propositions, demonstrating favorable commercial performance for SMS use in the high context-cultural environment and for email use in the low context-cultural environment. Follow-up surveys study 3 corroborated the results and provided deeper insights into how both PCTs' general meanings and pertinent values in the cultural milieus we studied led to consumer responses. Besides presenting empirical evidence to inform the selection of appropriate PCTs for commercial communications, this research contributes to the theoretical development of apparatgeist and social construction theories via its joint examination of technologies and consumers' environments.


This paper examines the proliferation of border walls in the context of identity formation. Walls are largely ineffective preventative measures at keeping immigrants out, nevertheless, their presence provides a symbolic effect in favour of preserving ideas about how we perceive ourselves. This paper argues that border walls are the apogee of liberal markets, which despite the evocation of global mobility and economic prosperity, the state has ceded control to multinational corporations and thus turned its focus to sustaining economic conditions in which capital might thrive. Amid growing global insecurity, in particular after September 11, 81 border walls or security fences have been erected worldwide. The refugee crisis in Europe has further justified the erection of an ever-increasing number of electrified barbed wire fences equipped with high-tech surveillance systems, drones and weaponry, presenting an image of division many hoped had disappeared at the end of the Cold War. Today, walls reinforce borderlines all over the globe demarcating boundaries that were once cartographic in nature as closed, solid barriers.


Legal regulations concerning wildlife damage in Germany are totally different from regulations in the United States. In certain cases German game laws provide the right to compensation for wildlife damage to forests for forest owners. But not everyone has to be compensated. Liability exists only for damage caused by hooved game, rabbits, and pheasants, and only to important local tree species (Hauptholzarten). If, for example, red deer damage an afforestation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) by browsing, normally the shooting tenant has to compensate for the damage. The most important types of damage to forests in Germany are browsing and debarking by red deer (Cervus elaphus) and browsing and rubbing by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). For a forest owner to gain compensation, a special procedure is prescribed in the game laws. If no amicable agreement between shooting tenant and forest owner can be reached, a forest expert has to evaluate the economic damage. Therefore, in Germany, several methods of economic assessment of damage to forests caused by wildlife have been developed. Two methods in use are presented and discussed.


T-cell death, which occurs either for ontogenic T-cell selection or for activated T-cell elimination, is normally induced through binding of a specific ligand to cell-surface T-cell receptor for crosslinkage. Heavy metals and carbonyl compounds that bind to protein-reactive groups such as cysteine sulfhydryl groups and lysine epsilon-amino groups may also induce crosslinkage of cell-surface proteins, in part replacing or modifying the ligand-mediated action. This chemical event has been found to accompany clustering of membrane rafts, to which signal-transducing elements such as glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins and Src family protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are attached, and to trigger the signal transduction for apoptotic T-cell death, inducing mitochondrial membrane potential reduction, caspase activation and DNA fragmentation. As signals potentially upstream of this signaling, activations of PTKs and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) family kinases and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were induced following the cell-surface event, and crucial roles of activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 by a redox-linked mechanism in the cell-death signaling were demonstrated. Intriguingly, ROS production as well as PTK/MAP family kinase activation occurred in a membrane raft integrity-dependent manner. The redox-linked and cell surface-oriented signal delivery pathway demonstrated here may play an important role in induction of immune disorders by protein reactive group-binding chemicals.


Here, we review the use of actin-based motors, (myosins; e.g., the molecular motor of muscle) in nanotechnology. The review starts from the viewpoints of the molecular motors as being important devices responsible of cargo transportation in the cell and end in discussions about their employment in nanotechnological applications. First, we describe basic biophysics of the myosin motors with focus on their involvement in cargo transportation in the living cell, leading us over into a discussion about in vitro motility assays. These are biological test systems where the myosin-induced translocation of actin filaments is studied on an artificial surface outside the cell. Then follows a review about modified motility assays for production of ordered motion. Here, we discuss ours and others' work with regards to making micro- and nanostructured surfaces and channels where the position and direction of movement produced by molecular motors is controlled. In this section, we consider the role of the channel size in promoting unidirectional myosin-induced motion of actin filaments. Furthermore, we consider the usefulness of surface modifications, e.g., various silanization procedures in order to promote and hinder molecular motility, respectively. Particularly, we describe our latest test system being both morphologically and chemically nanostructured giving us unsurpassed possibilities to perform functional studies as well as extremely good spatio-temporal control. Then follows a section about nanotechnological cargo transportation systems based on the actomyosin motor system. For instance, we present results of attaching fluorescent quantum dots as cargoes to the actin filaments. In this section, we also discuss the possibilities of having cargo attachment and detachment being performed on demand. Finally, we consider the usefulness of molecular motors for lab-on-a-chip applications and the requirements for incorporating these motors in commercially viable devices. In this context, the significant potential of the actomyosin motor system to overcome traditional limitations of micro- and nanofluidics is stressed.


Despite the blooming success of architecture search for vision tasks in resource-constrained environments, the design of on-device object detection architectures have mostly been manual. The few automated search efforts are either centered around non-mobile-friendly search spaces or not guided by on-device latency. We propose MnasFPN, a mobile-friendly search space for the detection head, and combine it with latency-aware architecture search to produce efficient object detection models. The learned MnasFPN head, when paired with MobileNetV2 body, outperforms MobileNetV3+SSDLite by 1.8 mAP at similar latency on Pixel. It is both 1 mAP more accurate and 10\% faster than NAS-FPNLite. Ablation studies show that the majority of the performance gain comes from innovations in the search space. Further explorations reveal an interesting coupling between the search space design and the search algorithm, for which the complexity of MnasFPN search space is opportune.


This chapter studies games played on fixed networks. These games capture a wide variety of economic settings including local public goods, peer effects, and technology adoption. We establish a common analytical framework to study a wide game class. We unearth new connections between games in the literature and in particular between those with binary actions, like coordination and best-shot games, and those with continuous actions and linear best replies. We review and advance existing results by showing how they tie together within the common framework. We discuss the game-theoretic underpinnings of key notions including Bonacich centrality, maximal independent sets, and the lowest and largest eigenvalue. We study the interplay of individual heterogeneity and the network and we develop a new notion - interdependence - to analyze how a shock to one agent affects the action of another agent. We outline directions for future research.


Placenta accreta is a life-threatening obstetrical condition. Prenatal prediction of placenta accreta helps to minimize clinical complications. Placenta previa is one of the most important factors associated with placenta accreta. In our prospective cohort study, ultrasound finding of loss of the retroplacental hypoechoic clear zone was found to be a single predictor of placenta accreta in women with placenta previa (odds ratio, 15.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–114.6; p < 0.01). In addition, we have devised a novel scoring system for predicting placenta accreta in pregnancy with placenta previa, yielding 91.3% sensitivity, 98.0% specificity, 87.5% positive predictive value, and 98.7% negative predictive value. Planned preterm cesarean hysterectomy with the placenta left in situ is generally recommended for women with suspicion of placenta accreta. If the women have a desire for future fertility, conservative approach may be considered.


A monoclonalantibody(66C7) was preparedthat specifically binds human salivary amylase (EC 22.214.171.124); it cross reacts with human pancreatic amylase by less than 1%. Two procedures are described for determination of isoamylases in human serum with this antibody: an enzyme immunoassay for determining amylase of salivary origin, and a routine method in which this amylase is immunoprecipitated and the remaining(pancreatic)amylase activity is assayed. Results by the two methods correlate well.


Cold outer debris belts orbit a significant fraction of stars, many of which are planet hosts. Radiative forces from the star lead to dust particles leaving the outer belts and spiralling inwards under Poynting-Robertson drag. We present an empirical model fitted to N-body simulations that allows the fate of these dust particles when they encounter a planet to be rapidly calculated. High-mass planets eject most particles, whilst dust passes low-mass planets relatively unperturbed. Close-in, high-mass planets (hot Jupiters) are best at accreting dust. The model predicts the accretion rate of dust on to planets interior to debris belts, with mass accretion rates of up to hundreds of kilograms per second predicted for hot Jupiters interior to outer debris belts, when collisional evolution is also taken into account. The model can be used to infer the presence and likely masses of as yet undetected planets in systems with outer belts. The non-detection of warm dust with the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) around Vega could be explained by the presence of a single Saturn mass planet, or a chain of lower mass planets. Similarly, the detection of warm dust in such systems implies the absence of planets above a quantifiable level, which can be lower than similar limits from direct imaging. The level of dust detected with LBTI around β Leo can be used to rule out the presence of planets more massive than a few Saturn masses outside of ~5au.


X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectra of C 7 8 isomers have been generated using density functional theory with inclusion of the full core-hole potentials. Strong isomer dependence has been found in absorption, but not in the photoelectron spectra. C 7 8 isomers can be thought to be formed by inserting 18 carbon atoms into an opened C 6 0 . We have shown how the different local arrangements of these 18 carbon atoms are responsible for the significant isomer dependence observed. Our calculated spectra are in excellent agreement with the experimental counterparts.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate immunohistochemical staining of hepatocyte paraffin-1 (HepPar1), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), polyclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (pCEA), monoclonal CEA (mCEA), MOC-31 and CD10 for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from metastatic adenocarcinoma (MA) on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).

STUDY DESIGN
Fifty-one archival, paraffin-embedded FNAB cell blocks, representing 18 HCCs and 33 MAs, were immunostained with antibodies for AFP, CD10, pCEA, mCEA, HepPar1 and MOC-31.

RESULTS
HepPar1, AFP, canalicular pCEA and CD10 were positive in 78% (14 of 18), 28% (5 of 18), 72% (13 of 18) and 35% (6 of 17) of cases of HCC, respectively. The 33 MAs were negative for immunostaining of the above antibodies except for one AFP-positive MA. Ninety-seven percent (31 of 32) of the MAs and 6% (1 of 17) of the HCCs were positive for MOC-31. Monoclonal CEA was immunoreactive on 82% (27 of 33) of the MAs and negative on all the HCCs.

CONCLUSION
HepPar1 was the most sensitive marker for HCC, followed by canalicular staining for pCEA. For MA, MOC-31 was the most sensitive marker; mCEA was slightly less sensitive but more specific. We suggest using HepPar1, pCEA, CD10, MOC-31 and mCEA as a panel for distinguishing HCC from MA in liver FNAB.


This paper argues that productivity puzzles like the Solow Paradox arise, in part, from the omission of an important dimension of the debate: the resource cost of achieving a given rate of technical change. A remedy is proposed in which a new parameter, defined as the cost elasticity of producing capital with respect to the rate of technical change, is introduced. This parameter is shown to be latent in the Hall-Jorgenson user-cost of capital, as well as in the Solow residual. It is also shown that an increase in the rate of embodied technical change may actually cause a decrease in the Solow residual, in the short run, if the parameter is greater than the ratio of the user cost to the corresponding asset price. Different values of the new parameter also correspond to different theories of technological innovation: the Solow-Swan and Cass-Koopmans assumption of costless technical change is consistent with a zero value of the cost elasticity parameter, while the model of endogenous growth with R&D externalities implies a larger value. Finally, the appropriate investment-good price deflator is shown to be a function of the cost-elasticity. When the parameter equals zero, no quality adjustment should be undertaken, but values greater than zero lead to a partial adjustment for quality change, and a value of one leads to a full correction.


This paper investigates power quality issues in a wind-powered offshore oil and gas platform operating in island mode. Topics of interest are the negative effects that load and wind power variability have on the electrical system frequency and voltage; and how those influence the gas turbine operation. The authors discuss how smart load management together with energy storage can mitigate those effects, and propose a control algorithm for that. Simulations in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate that the proposed energy storage controller reduces frequency and voltage variations in a case study. Moreover, the paper presents a methodology to derive a simplified model of the hybrid energy system that reduces simulation time in at least two orders of magnitude. The latter can be a useful tool for optimization algorithms evaluating a huge number of scenarios, especially those dealing with economical dispatch of generators or sizing of energy storage systems.


OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the importance of BCG as adjuvant treatment for superficial bladder tumors. To suggest the best dosage and treatment scheme for patients with this severe disease. To emphasize treatment-associated toxicity in our study with endovesical BCG. To evaluate relapse and progression rates of superficial bladder tumors. To describe histological grade and tumor location in our sample. To offer an economic and social benefit to both patient and our Country, improving the quality of life of our patients. METHODS: We performed a descriptive research in a series of cases, both retrospectively and prospectively, and a review of published advances in BCG adjuvant treatment for superficial bladder tumors. Between 1996 and 2000, 90 ambulatory patients were selected at the "Hospital Docente Clinico Quirurgico 10 de Octubre" to receive endovesical treatment with BCG in two different programs of treatment, 6 and 12 months long respectively, using statistical methods such as the homogeneicity test, chi-square test and the test for independence in selected tables and graphics. 45 controls were randomly selected from a group of patients to whom BCG was not administered between 1992 and 1996; their clinical records were retrospectively analyzed selecting the same variables of the 90 cases sample, being their results presented in tables and graphics. RESULTS: We evaluate and review a technology applied to patients with superficial bladder tumors. They were treated with Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) after endoscopic resection (TUR) of bladder tumors and we observe that long-term treatment over 12 months is better than short-term over 6 months, improving quality of live with longer survivals. Using low doses of 50 mg/ml of a nationally produced BCG, economic savings were obtained for both patient and Country with fast patient's return to work, achieving the introduction and maintenance of the treatment in Cuba with relevant results during the "special period". Comparisons between both treatment groups and control group showed greater benefits with the first two. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with superficial bladder tumors stage I, the use of low dose (50 mg/ml) Bacillus Calmette Guerin is an effective treatment with minimal side effects (cystitis). Most tumors were located in the bladder trigone; histological grade 1 was predominant. Long-term treatment for 12 months was more effective than the short-term one, offering a social and economic benefit to patient and to our Country, by delaying or preventing tumor recurrences and progression, so that we recommend this modality of treatment should be part of the therapeutic armamentarium of the urologist in his fight against this severe health problem.


This paper deals with the contributions of a language teacher education model by Kumaravadivelu (2012) known as KARDS (knowing, analyzing, recognizing, doing, and seeing) to Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL) university teachers" professional identity reconstruction. The researchers used purposive sampling to select participants. A KARDS questionnaire designed, constructed, and validated by the researchers was used to group twenty teachers into a more KARDS-oriented group and a less-KARDS oriented group. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the questionnaire was both reliable and valid. Pre-course interview, post-course interview, teacher educator"s and teachers" reflective journals, and class discussions were used to collect data. After the pre-course interview, there was a treatment during which teachers were familiarized with KARDS. Then, Grounded Theory was used to analyze the data. Findings indicated that there were two big shifts from "uncertainty of practice to certainty of practice" and "the use of fewer macro-strategies to the use of more macro-strategies" in teachers" professional identities in both groups. The changes were similar and/or the same in nature but not in quantity, and they should be emphasized and included in teacher education programs. The findings may drive teacher education programs, teacher educators, and teachers to welcome and embrace uncertainty and confusion in classrooms. Suggestions to reduce "uncertainty of practice" by teacher education programs and teacher educators are presented in this paper.


this article represent a review explaining a environmental change of strong business its influence to use organization, which all changes in will bring the impact which significant for company. Environmental change of business will bring the change impact at business strategy. This change progressively instructs the company to clarify the company direction. Change which is in the form program of community development related to company responsibility by commitment is corporate world for the contribution of to quality development lives the society. Corporate Social responsibility viewed as by compulsion to develop build the trustworthy and good image for company. Executing practices which deranging reply environmentally and social will improve the stockholder value, affecting at make-up of finance achievement and also guarantee the going concern success.


Description: Faster, cheaper and environmentally friendly, these are the criteria for designing new reactions and this is the challenge faced by many chemical engineers today. Based on courses thaught by the authors, this advanced textbook discusses opportunities for carrying out reactions on an industrial level in a technically controllable, sustainable, costeffective and safe manner. Adopting a practical approach, it describes how miniaturized devices (mixers, reactors, heat exchangers, and separators) are used successfully for process intensification, focusing on the engineering aspects of microstrctured devices, such as their design and main chracteristics for homogeneous and multiphase reactions. It adresses the conditions under which microstructured devices are beneficial, how they should be designed, and how such devices can be integrated in an existing chemical process. Case studies show how the knowledge gained can be applied for particular processes. The textbook is essential for master and doctoral students, as well as for professional chemists and chemical engineers working in this area.


Advances in plasmonic nanoparticle synthesis afford new opportunities for biosensing applications. Here, we apply a combination of a new type of plasmonic nanomaterial – stellated nanoparticles, and polarization-sensitive darkfield microscopy for detecting molecular assemblies and tracking of individual epidermal growth factor receptors within single live cells with high signal-to-background ratio. Depolarization of linear polarized light by stellated nanoparticles is over 15-fold more efficient than similarly-sized spheroidal nanoparticles. This efficient light depolarization allows robust detection of molecules labeled with stellated nanoparticles in cross-polarized imaging where the intrinsic light scattering from cells is significantly reduced. The imaging can be carried out with single molecule sensitivity for essentially unlimited time with no signal degradation.


Rationale: Constitutive activation of the NF-κB signalling pathway plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of activated B cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (ABC-DLBCLs), the most aggressive and chemoresistant form of DLBCL. In ABC-DLBCLs, the CARMA1-BCL10 (CB) complex forms a filamentous structure and functions as a supramolecular organizing centre (CB-SMOC) that is required for constitutive NF-κB activation, making it an attractive drug target for ABC-DLBCL treatment. However, a pharmaceutical approach targeting CB-SMOC has been lacking. Here, we developed Bcl10 peptide inhibitors (BPIs) that specifically target the BCL10 filamentation process. Methods: Electron microscopy and immunofluorescence imaging were used to visualize the effect of the BPIs on the BCL10 filamentation process. The cytotoxicity of the tested BPIs was evaluated in DLBCL cell lines according to cell proliferation assays. Different in vitro experiments (pharmacokinetics, immunoprecipitation, western blotting, annexin V and PI staining) were conducted to determine the functional mechanisms of the BPIs. The in vivo therapeutic effect of the BPIs was examined in different xenograft DLBCL mouse models. Finally, Ki67 and TUNEL staining and histopathology analysis were used to evaluate the antineoplastic mechanisms and systemic toxicity of the BPIs. Results: We showed that these BPIs can effectively disrupt the BCL10 filamentation process, destabilize BCL10 and suppress NF-κB signalling in ABC-DLBCL cells. By examining a panel of DLBCL cell lines, we found that these BPIs selectively repressed the growth of CB-SMOC-dependent DLBCL cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, by converting the BPIs to acquire a D-retro inverso (DRI) configuration, we developed DRI-BPIs with significantly improved intracellular stability and unimpaired BPI activity. These DRI-BPIs selectively repressed the growth of CB-SMOC-dependent DLBCL tumors in mouse xenograft models without eliciting discernible adverse effects. Conclusion: We developed novel BPIs to target the BCL10 filamentation process and demonstrated that targeting BCL10 by BPIs is a potentially safe and effective pharmaceutical approach for the treatment of ABC-DLBCL and other CB-SMOC-dependent malignancies.


INTRODUCTION The twentieth century saw dramatic changes in the nature of national and global competition in many industries. In the past transportation costs, trade barriers, and communication limitations meant that most industries were organized on a national basis with minimal cross-border activity. Now, many industries have been transformed, and firms compete globally in industries where most national boundaries are transparent. These trends have been captured in research studies (Bartlett & Ghoshal, 1998), and popularized in the trade press (Friedman, 2005). While globalization happened faster in some industries than others, and competition evolved in unique ways as a result differing structural characteristics, few industries have been unaffected by globalization. One industry that has remained very much influenced by national boundaries is public accounting. The recent development of international accounting standards, the trend towards listing equities on multiple exchanges, and the increasing prevalence of electronic accounting data, are among the factors that are now facilitating a globalization of the accounting industry. Although the largest accounting firms have operated across many countries for decades, in practice local partnerships have been semi-autonomous entities that focused on the domestic market while facilitating the audit, tax, and consulting needs of multinational companies. In many ways this was similar to how IBM, other computer companies, and software consulting firms operated prior to the development of the internet. In these industries, local sales, service, support, and software development teams worked closely with local companies to develop specific solutions for each client's unique needs, even if they were part of a multinational corporation. Similar to other industries, the accounting industry may experience changes in competition, organizational form, and distribution of work in the coming decade. More specifically, national offices are likely to become less autonomous, and certain tasks will be performed by employees or contractors who might be located anywhere in the world. HOW GLOBAL IS THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTING INDUSTRY? Large companies operating in multiple countries have responded to the increasing flatness of the global economy in many ways (Friedman, 2005). In the world of financial reporting, however, a variety of regulatory forces seem to have constrained responses by large public accounting firms. While the largest public accounting firms, known as the "big four," are global organizations, they are organized as networks of national affiliates rather than as truly integrated global firms. One reason for this organizational form has been the national regulatory environments within which public accounting firms operate. Historically, national accounting standards, auditing standards, and security regulations made it difficult or impossible for public accountants from one country to have the appropriate expertise and/or mandated certifications to effectively function in other countries. Hence the structure of the worldwide accounting industry was one where there were a number of individual nationally-based industries, each with its own unique characteristics, competitors, and regulatory structure. As their clients (corporations) expanded internationally, however, accounting firms began to affiliate with independent accounting firms in other countries. Gradually these firms came to operate under similar "brand names," and evolved into network structures of interdependent, yet fairly autonomous entities. Nevertheless, there are signs that public accounting firms are now shifting their organizations and human resource management approaches. For some time, U.S. corporations have outsourced a number of functions to lower cost environments such as India. Work that is commonly outsourced offshore includes service work such as customer service, bookkeeping, information systems management, and accounting. …


The diversification and early evolution of neosauropod dinosaurs is mainly recorded from the Upper Jurassic of North America, Europe, and Africa. Our understanding of this evolutionary stage is far from complete, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. A partial skeleton of a large sauropod from the Upper Jurassic Canadon Calcareo Formation of Patagonia was originally described as a 'cetiosaurid' under the name Tehuelchesaurus benitezii. The specimen is here redescribed in detail and the evidence presented indicates that this taxon is indeed a neosauropod, thus representing one of the oldest records of this clade in South America. A complete preparation of the type specimen and detailed analysis of its osteology revealed a great number of features of phylogenetic significance, such as fully opisthocoelous dorsal vertebrae, the persistence of true pleurocoels up to the first sacral vertebra, associated with large camerae in the centrum and supraneural camerae, and an elaborate neural arch lamination, including two apomorphic laminae in the infradiapophyseal fossa. The phylogenetic relationships of this taxon are tested through an extensive cladistic analysis that recovers Tehuelchesaurus as a non-titanosauriform camarasauromorph, deeply nested within Neosauropoda. Camarasauromorph sauropods were widely distributed in the Late Jurassic, indicating a rapid evolution and diversification of the group.

© 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163, 605–662.


The aim of this study was to determine the effect of burrowing by natural populations of Trypaea australiensis on benthic metabolism, nutrient flux, denitrification and irrigation rates using in situ benthic chambers and exclusion nets to minimise disturbance and associated artefacts. The burrows of T. australiensis enhanced total sediment porewater exchange rates 5-fold compared to uninhabited sediments. Calculated single-burrow flow rates were <0.456 l h -1 , and active burrow irri- gation appeared to be linked to tidal movement; as such, ex situ studies (i.e. mesocosm or laboratory incubations) may underestimate burrow irrigation rates. The presence of T. australiensis increased sediment oxygen demand by 81% as compared to unoccupied sediments. Approximately 15% of this additional consumption was used by T. australiensis for respiration, with the remaining 85% con- sumed within the burrows by oxidation reactions and microbial respiration. The proportion of smaller sediment particles, porosity and organic matter content was increased in the presence of T. australi- ensis, and sediment surface chl a concentrations were ca. 50% lower than uninhabited sediments. Net denitrification rates were 4 times greater in the presence of active T. australiensis burrows and at den- sities of 22 burrows m -2 were responsible for approximately 76% of total denitrification in the study site sediments. NH4 + efflux was higher in the inhabited sediments and NO3 - and NO2 - effluxes were lower, suggesting that increased NH4 + mineralisation may have enhanced denitrification via the close coupling of nitrification-denitrification in the inhabited sediments. As such, T. australiensis appears to contribute significantly to net sediment N2 efflux in lower subtropical estuarine environments.


Ruy Díaz de Guzmán marked a milestone in the colonial history of the Río de la Plata, being the first in this region of America to narrate with historical and evocative sense the events that occurred in the so-called Giant Province of the Indies. In the work Annals of Discovery, Population and Conquest of the Río de la Plata, one can observe the idealisation of the conqueror archetype, permanently extolling the 'heroic' work of the Spanish in the process of conquest, as opposed to the indigenous, always presented as unruly and treacherous. The article seeks to address the way in which Ruy Díaz de Guzmán presents the conquest of the Río de la Plata through the analysis of the discourse exhibited in the aforementioned work.


We have used competitive reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) to compare the levels of erythropoietin (Epo) mRNA in the liver and kidneys of the sheep fetus at 60, 80, 100, 130, and 140 days of gestation (term = 145 to 150 days). The effect of dexamethasone infusion in the ewe on Epo gene expression in the 60-day fetus was also investigated. Epo mRNA levels were highest at 60 days of gestation, the earliest age studied, in both liver and kidney. In the liver, Epo mRNA expression declined as gestation proceeded. Kidney Epo mRNA was maintained at a high level until 100 days of gestation, declining significantly in the 130-day fetus (P < .01). Treatment of ewes carrying 60-day fetuses with 0.76 mg/h dexamethasone for 48 hours resulted in a significant decrease in fetal plasma Epo values and Epo mRNA levels in both the liver and kidney. In the dexamethasone-treated fetuses, Epo mRNA in the liver was 52% of control values (P < .05), and in the kidney, 33% of control (P < .001). The results suggest that the kidney may play a more important role as a site of Epo synthesis in the early gestation sheep fetus than previously thought. Glucocorticoids may have a role in the regulation of Epo gene expression.


Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammation of the pancreas and, according to the 2013 Revised Atlanta Classification, the majority of cases have only a mild clinical course without organ dysfunction. The primary objectives in the treatment of acute pancreatitis are essentially relief of pain, electrolyte and fluid support and energy intake other than removal of the causal agent. Even if in Italy gallstones especially are the predominant etiological factor, there are also less frequent causes associated with acute pancreatitis and we believe that the case of acute pancreatitis associated with massive incarcerated paraesophageal hernia involving the presence of the body and tail of the pancreas in the thorax is worth reporting.


Upper surface flaps commonly referred to as spoilers or drag brakes can increase maximum lift, and improve aerodynamic efficiency at high, near-stall angles of attack. This phenomenon was studied experimentally and computationally using a 0.307626 m chord length NACA 2412 airfoil in six different configurations, and one baseline clean configuration. A wind tunnel model was placed in the Ryerson Low Speed Wind Tunnel (atmospheric, closed-circuit, 3 ft × 3 ft test section) at a Reynold's number of approximately 780,000 and a Mach number of 0.136.
The wind tunnel study increased the lift coefficient by 0.393%-2.497% depending on the spoiler configuration. A spoiler of 10% chord length increased the maximum lift coefficient by 2.497 % when deflected 8º, by 2.110% when deflected 15º, and reduced the maximum lift coefficient by 2.783% when deflected 25º. A spoiler of 15% chord length produced smaller maximum lift coefficient gains; 0.393% when deflected 8º, by 1.760% when deflected 15º, and reduced the maximum lift coefficient by 4.475% when deflected 25º. Deflecting the spoiler increased the stall angle between 37.658% and 87.544% when compared with the clean configuration. The drag coefficient of spoiler configurations was lower than the clean configuration at angles of attack above 18º. The combination of the increased lift and reduced drag at angles of attack above 18º created by the spoiler configurations resulted in a higher aerodynamic efficiency than the clean configuration case. A 10% chord length spoiler deflected at 8º produced the highest aerodynamic efficiency gains.
At low angles of attack, the computational study produced consistently higher lift coefficients compared with the wind tunnel experiment. The lift-slope was consistent with the wind tunnel experiment lift-slope. The spoiler airfoil stall behaviour was inconsistent with the results from the wind tunnel experiment. The drag coefficient results were consistent with the wind tunnel experiment at low angles of attack. However, the spoiler equipped airfoils did not reduce drag at high angles of attack. Therefore, the computational model was not valid for the spoiler configurations at high angles of attack.


Purpose
Neurolisteriosis is caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes (LM) and is associated with a high mortality rate in humans and ruminants. Listeria brainstem encephalitis is the most common form in ruminants, and its neuropathology is strikingly similar to that in humans.1 Although immune reactions to LM have been studied in detail1, little is known about metabolic changes associated with neurolisteriosis in particular and inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) in general2. High resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy is an established technique to study small molecule metabolites of tissue biopsies and has given valuable biochemical insight in neoplastic CNS diseases.2 The purpose of our study was to investigate metabolic changes associated with listeria brainstem encephalitis in small ruminants as a model for an inflammatory CNS disease.
Methods
Bilateral brainstem and thalamus biopsies (4.2-13.9mg) were obtained from 7 healthy control animals (6 sheep, 1 goat) and 8 spontaneously diseased animals (4 sheep, 4 goats) diagnosed with listeria brainstem encephalitis by post mortem histopathological examination. After minimally invasive stereotactic brain biopsy under general anesthesia, all animals were euthanized. The biopsies were immediately snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C, before being placed in a 12 μl MAS rotor with D2O-based phosphate-buffered saline. 1H HR-MAS NMR experiments with water presaturation applying the 1D Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequence (cpmgpr1d) were performed on a Bruker Avance II spectrometer (500.13 MHz) at 4 kHz MAS and 285 K. After postprocessing of spectra using TopSpin (3.1, Bruker Biospin GmbH), chemometric analysis to determine differences between diseased and control groups was performed using Matlab (R2011b, The MathsWorks Inc.). For multivariate analysis by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS), 35 buckets of variable size according to peak width were defined after exclusion of areas of pure noise, lipids and the contaminant ethanol (aseptic skin preparation). Sections of the brain at the area of biopsy were investigated histopathologically using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining, inflammatory infiltrates were graded as mild, moderate or severe. Experiments were performed in agreement with the local ethics regulations.
Results
Histopathologically, all animals of the diseased group showed moderate to severe inflammatory changes in the brainstem. In contrast, in the thalamus of diseased animals no inflammatory infiltrates were observed in 2 animals bilaterally and in 3 animals unilaterally. Mild changes were detected in 2 animals bilaterally and 3 animals unilaterally, and moderate changes in 1 animal bilaterally. Chemometric analysis of the brainstem biopsies achieved near complete separation of the diseased and control group in unsupervised PCA (Fig.1A), and a complete separation in PLS (Fig.1B) with >95% explained variance by the first two principal components. According to the loading plots, important discriminators were N-acetylaspartate, choline, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine and lactate. In contrast, for the thalamus biopsies no separation between the control and diseased group could be achieved by PCA (Fig.2A). However, taking the grade of histopathological changes into account, a trend towards a clustering of the control and diseased group can be observed in PLS (Fig. 2B).
Discussion
Even though only a small data set was available for analysis, differences in the metabolic profile in the primarily affected location, the brainstem, could be identified by NMR spectroscopy and multivariate analysis, and will be used to build a model to be tested on a second data set. Not surprisingly, in the commonly unaffected or mildly affected thalamus no separation between the groups could be achieved without the use of prior knowledge by PCA. However, the trend towards a clustering of the control group and more wide distribution of the diseased group predominantly showing no or mild histopathological changes with the use of prior knowledge by PLS may indicate the high sensitivity of NMR spectroscopy to detect metabolic changes, even before histopathogically observable inflammatory infiltrates occur.
Conclusion
HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy identified differences in the metabolic profile of brainstem biopsies in small ruminants diagnosed with listeria brainstem encephalitis and has the potential to be used as a model to improve the molecular characterization of inflammatory CNS diseases. Further investigation is needed to support these preliminary results and assess the underlying molecular pathways.
Acknowledgement Support by Swiss National Science Foundation SNF grant #320030-138150 and CRSII3_147692.
References 1. Oevermann et al., Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis, 2010. 2. Lindon et al., Prog Nucl Mag Res Sp, 2009. 55(2), 79-100.


The cerambycid beetles comprise a diverse family that includes many economically important pests of living and dead trees. Pheromone lures have been developed for cerambycids in many parts of the world, but to date, have not been tested in Australia. In this study, we tested the efficacy of several pheromones, identified from North American and European species, as attractants for cerambycids at three sites in southeast Queensland, Australia. Over two field seasons, we trapped 863 individuals from 47 cerambycid species. In the first season, racemic 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one was the most attractive compound among the eight pheromones tested. Subsequently, we aimed to optimize trapping success by combining this compound with other components. However, neither the addition of other pheromone components nor host plant volatiles improved the efficacy of 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one alone. We also tested a generic pheromone blend developed for North American cerambycids, and found that only the combination of this blend with host plant volatiles improved trapping success. The Australian cerambycid fauna is not well known, and effective lures for use in trapping beetles would greatly assist in the study of this important group. Effective semiochemical lures would also have implications for biosecurity through improved monitoring for invasive species.


Background: In general population studies, obesity has been associated with risk of high-grade prostate cancer, but little is known about obesity and future prostate cancer risk among men with an initial benign biopsy of the prostate; a high-risk population. Methods: Within a cohort of 6,692 men followed up after a biopsy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with benign findings, a nested case–control study was conducted of 494 prostate cancer cases and controls matched on age, race, follow-up duration, biopsy versus TURP and date of procedure. Body mass index at the time of the initial procedure was abstracted from medical records, and initial biopsy specimens were reviewed for the presence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Results: Obesity was associated with the presence of PIN in the initial benign specimen [OR = 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–4.11]. After adjustment for the matching variables, family history of prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at the initial procedure, the number of PSA tests and digital rectal examinations during follow-up, obesity (OR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.07–2.30) at the time of the initial procedure was associated with prostate cancer incidence during follow-up. Risk associated with obesity was confined to cases with follow-up less than 1,538 days, the median duration of follow-up among cases (OR = 1.95; 95% CI, 1.09–3.48). Conclusions: Obesity is associated with the presence of PIN in benign specimens and with future prostate cancer risk after an initial benign finding. Impact: Obesity may be a factor to consider when planning clinical follow-up after a benign biopsy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(5); 898–904. ©2013 AACR.


Cervical cancer is widely preventable through screening, but little is known about the duration of protection offered by a negative screen in North America. A case–control study was conducted with records from population‐based registries in New Mexico. Cases were women diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2006–2016, obtained from the Tumor Registry. Five controls per case from the New Mexico HPV Pap Registry were matched to cases by sex, age and place of residence. Dates and results of all cervical screening and diagnostic tests since 2006 were identified from the pap registry. We estimated the odds ratio of nonlocalized (Stage II+) and localized (Stage I) cervical cancer associated with attending screening in the 3 years prior to case‐diagnosis compared to women not screened in 5 years. Of 876 cases, 527 were aged 25–64 years with ≥3 years of potential screening data. Only 38% of cases and 61% of controls attended screening in a 3‐year period. Women screened in the 3 years prior to diagnosis had 83% lower risk of nonlocalized cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.12–0.24) and 48% lower odds of localized cancer (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.38–0.72), compared to women not screened in the 5 years prior to diagnosis. Women remained at low risk of nonlocalized cancer for 3.5–5 years after a negative screen compared to women with no negative screens in the 5 years prior to diagnosis. Routine cervical screening is effective at preventing localized and nonlocalized cervical cancers; 3 yearly screening prevents 83% of nonlocalized cancers, with no additional benefit of more frequent screening. Increasing screening coverage remains essential to further reduce cervical cancer incidence.


Objectives. We explored whether excesses in influenza severity can be detected by combining respiratory syndromic hospital and mortality data with data on influenza-like illness (ILI) cases obtained from general practitioners. Methods. To identify excesses in the severity of influenza infections in the population of the Netherlands between 1999 and 2005, we looked for increases in influenza-associated hospitalizations and mortality that were disproportionate to the number of ILI cases reported by general practitioners. We used generalized estimating equation regression models to associate syndromic hospital and mortality data with ILI surveillance data obtained from general practitioners. Virus isolation and antigenic characterization data were used to interpret the results. Results. Disproportionate increases in hospitalizations and mortality (relative to ILI cases reported by general practitioners) were identified in 2003/04 during the A/Fujian/411/02(H3N2) drift variant epidemic. Conclusions. Combined surveillance of respiratory hospitalizations and mortality and ILI data obtained from general practitioners can capture increases in severe influenza-associated illness that are disproportionate to influenza incidence rates. Therefore, this novel approach should complement traditional seasonal and pandemic influenza surveillance in efforts to detect increases in influenza case fatality rates and percentages of patients hospitalized. (Am J Public Health. 2010;100:2248‐2254. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.168245)


the salary of our less privileged Black colleagues (Africans) to our level. With the assistance of Black doctors, mainly G.P.s, in the Transvaal Study Circle we started the Salary Equalization Fund. To publicize this fund we wrote a letter to the South African Medical 7ournal. An altered version was published. "African" was replaced with "Bantu" in all sentences. Response to this letter from White doctors was negligible. When we made our first payments to the Africans in December 1972 less than 20% of the contributions had come from Whites.-I am, etc., FAROUK DINDAR Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada


Mitochondrial sirtuins regulate biochemical pathways and are emerging drug targets for metabolic and age-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. Yet, their functions remain unclear. Here, we uncover a novel physiological role for the C. elegans mitochondrial sirtuins, sir-2.2 and sir-2.3, in lifespan regulation. Using a genetic approach, we demonstrate that sir-2.2 and sir-2.3 mutants live 28-30% longer than controls when fed the normal lab diet of E. coli OP50. Interestingly, this effect is diet specific and is not observed when animals are fed the strain HT115, which is typically used for RNAi experiments. While decreased consumption of food is a known mechanism for lifespan extension, this does not account for the increased lifespan in the mitochondrial sirtuin mutants. sir-2.2 and sir-2.3 mutants display altered expression of genes involved in oxidative stress response, including increased expression of the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase sod-3 and decreased levels of catalases ctl-1 and ctl-2. Like their extended lifespan phenotype, these alterations in oxidative stress gene expression are diet dependent. The mitochondrial sirtuin mutants are more resistant to the lifespan extending effects of low levels of superoxide, suggesting that their increased lifespan involves a hormetic response. Our data suggest that sir-2.2 and sir-2.3 are not completely redundant in function and may possess overlapping yet distinct mechanisms for regulating oxidative stress response and lifespan.


Most humans are in the nonfasting or postprandial state in the majority of a 24 hour cycle; however, lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins are usually measured in the fasting state. Recent studies demonstrate that these values at most change minimally in response to normal food intake, changes that are clinically unimportant. Also, elevated levels of nonfasting triglycerides as a marker of elevated remnant lipoprotein cholesterol associate strongly with increased risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and early death. The mechanism behind these findings likely involves entrance of remnant lipoproteins into the arterial intima with subsequent retention leading to atherogenesis, while low HDL cholesterol levels may be an innocent bystander. Finally, nonfasting levels of total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 all associate with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These new data open the possibility that nonfasting rather than fasting lipid profiles can be used for cardiovascular risk prediction. If implemented, this would simplify blood sampling for lipid measurements for millions of patients worldwide. Furthermore, the results also highlight the need for randomized double-blind trials of new and established drugs to reduce nonfasting triglycerides and remnant lipoprotein cholesterol, with the ultimate aim of reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and early death.


Abstract The stability of axisymmetric vortices to inertial perturbations is investigated by means of linear stability analysis, taking into account stratification, vertical eddy viscosity, as well as finite depth of the flow. We consider different types of circular barotropic vortices in a linearly stratified shallow layer confined with rigid lids. For the simplest case of the Rankine vortex we develop an asymptotic analytic dispersion relation and a marginal stability criterion, which compares well with numerical results. This is a further generalization to the well-known generalized Rayleigh criterion, which is only valid for non-dissipative and non-stratified eddies. Unlike the Rayleigh criterion, it predicts that intense anticyclones may be stable even with a core region of negative absolute vorticity, and that the dissipation and stratification work together to stabilize the flow. Numerical analysis reveals that the stability diagrams for various types of vortices are almost identical in the Rossby, Burger and Ekman parameter space. This allows extension of our analytical solutions for the Rankine vortex to a wide variety of vortices. Furthermore, we show that a more suitable parameter for the intensity of the vortex is the vortex Rossby number, while for the inviscid case it is the local normalized vorticity. These predictions are in agreement with laboratory experiments presented in part 2 (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 732, 2013, pp. 485–509).