Sustainable wood production requires appropriate management of commercial forest plantations. Establishment of industrial eucalypt plantations on poor sandy soils leads to a high loss of nutrients including nitrogen (N) after wood harvesting. An ecological intensification of eucalypt plantations was tested with the replacement of half of the Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis by Acacia mangium in the eucalypt monoculture to sustain soil fertility through enhancement of the N biological cycle. A randomised block design was set up on ferralitic arenosol in the Congolese coastal plains to assess differences in soil N mineralisation, N fluxes in litterfall, and N stocks in forest floor litter and soil between pure acacia (100A), pure eucalypt (100E) and mixed-species treatments (50A50E). Soil N mineralisation was enhanced under acacia, reaching on average 0.17 and 0.15 mg kg−1 soil d−1 in 100A and 50A50E, respectively, compared with 0.09 mg kg−1 soil d−1 in 100E. Higher amounts of N returning to the soil through harvest residues and litterfall were observed under acacia than under eucalypt. However, N stock in mineral soil was not increased in 100A and exhibited a limited increase only in the top soil layer of 50A50E. Our results suggest a much faster N turnover under acacia than under eucalypt. Although A. mangium is an exotic N2-fixing tree in central Africa, it appears to be well adapted to the climatic and edaphic conditions of the Congo, showing an efficient growth strategy. Eucalypt trees could benefit from the increase in soil N availability in mixed-species stands.


In Africa, electrification of rural areas are low and off-grid power supply is needed. Often diesel generators are used to provide local electricity supply. However, the tremendous decrease in the costs of photovoltaics provides an attractive option to substitute existing diesel generation or to build up a new electricity supply in those locations, lowering power costs and environmental impact. Photovoltaics (PV) hybrid system combines photovoltaics with diesel generators and batteries. The design of PV hybrid systems requires an in-depth analysis of load, solar resources and the interaction between PV, diesel generator and storage for the appropriate sizing of components. The team at CIRE TH Cologne has undertaken several projects to examine the feasibility of such PV hybrid systems in different African locations, e.g. a generic Senegalese village in the Thies region. In addition, a modelling tool was developed to analyze the benefits and optimum setup of PV hybrid systems. Furthermore, hands-on experience was gained by installing a PV hybrid system in Ghana, proving the local benefits of this rather new energy source.

 Key words: Photovoltaic hybrid system, load profiles, energy system modelling, photovoltaics project planning, installation.


A cDNA clone encoding a human fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor was isolated from a hepatoma cell line cDNA library. The cDNA encodes a three immunoglobulinlike-domain FGF receptor that is similar to a human placental FGF receptor cDNA but lacks two amino acids. The variation observed at these two amino acids, also seen in the two immunoglobulinlike-domain FGF-receptors, can be explained by an alternate splicing mechanism. We have used a baculovirus expression system to produce high levels of a soluble, extracellular domain form of the FGF receptor (EC-FGF receptor). Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells infected with recombinant EC-FGF receptor viruses synthesized and secreted an EC-FGF receptor of apparent Mr = 58,000. The EC-FGF receptor purified from conditioned media of infected Sf9 cells by lentil lectin affinity chromatography was shown to bind basic FGF with high affinity (Kd = 1-5 nM), to inhibit the binding of radioiodinated basic FGF to its high affinity receptor and to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. Furthermore, binding of basic FGF to the EC-FGF receptor was shown to be significantly enhanced by heparin. The availability of biologically active FGF receptors will allow an analysis of their interaction with members of the FGF family of proteins and viruses of the herpes family that have been shown to use the FGF receptor system for cell entry.


Economists engaged in the debate on worker management have often complained of vague background information on the institutional context each author refers to. Actually, some theorists have clarified that self-management should reverse the customary capital-labour relation, in terms that all such business activities as are traditionally run by capitalists should instead be run by workers, but this bare statement does not convey the exhaustive information required for a full comprehension of the institutional background against which their theoretical approaches are being developed. Accordingly, the aim of this article is to illustrate an organisation mode that might ensure the efficient running of self-managed firms. The author offers arguments in support of his contention that well-organised cooperative firms do not come in for most of the criticisms levelled against them in today's economic literature. Lastly, the paper criticises a well-known opinion by Jensen and Meckling.


Although the function of nectar is to attract and reward pollinators, secondary metabolites produced by plants as anti-herbivore defences are frequently present in floral nectars. Greater understanding is needed of the effects of secondary metabolites in nectar on the foraging behaviour and performance of pollinators, and on plant–pollinator interactions. We investigated how nectar-feeding birds, both specialist (white-bellied sunbirds Cinnyris talatala) and generalist (dark-capped bulbuls Pycnonotus tricolor and Cape white-eyes Zosterops virens), respond to artificial nectar containing the alkaloid nicotine, present in nectar of Nicotiana species. Preference tests were carried out with a range of nicotine concentrations (0.1–300 μM) in two sucrose concentrations (0.25 and 1 M), and for bulbuls also in two sugars (sucrose and hexose). In addition, we measured short-term feeding patterns in white-bellied sunbirds that were offered nicotine (0–50 μM) in 0.63 M sucrose. Both nicotine and sugar concentrations influenced the response of bird pollinators to nicotine. The birds showed dose-dependent responses to nicotine; and their tolerance of high nicotine concentrations was reduced on the dilute 0.25 M sucrose diet, on which they increased consumption to maintain energy intake. White-bellied sunbirds decreased both feeding frequency and feeding duration as the nicotine concentration in artificial nectar increased. Of the three species, bulbuls showed the highest tolerance for nicotine, and sugar type (sucrose or hexose) had no effect. The indifference of bulbuls to nicotine may be related to their primarily frugivorous diet. However, the response of white-eyes to nicotine in the dilute sucrose solution was very similar to that of sunbirds, even though white-eyes are generalist nectar-feeders. Additional testing of other avian nectarivores and different secondary metabolites is required to further elucidate whether generalist bird pollinators, which utilise dilute nectars in which secondary metabolites have stronger deterrent effects, are more tolerant of 'toxic' nectar.


This article describes a process for customizing instruction for students with profound multiple disabilities that has been used to design instructional programs and maximize the attainment of functional outcomes for students. The process focuses on collaborative teamwork and problem solving to design and implement instructional programs by ensuring that the 5 components of the process are included. Team members determine (a) prepositioning handling procedures; (b) overall body positioning for instruction; (c) hand, arm, and head positioning; (d) instructional adaptations and materials; and (e) handling procedures to combine with systematic instructional strategies.


Loss of foliage in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] crop through leaf eating insects and diseases is common in tropical and sub-tropical countries where farmers do not protect their crops adequately. Experiments were carried out with eight levels of defoliations (0, 25, 50 and 75% either from top or from base of the canopy, and 100%) to investigate the growth, reproductive characters, and yield attributes in two high and two low yielding mungbean genotypes. Results revealed that degrees of defoliations parallely decreased leaf area and total dry matter (TDM) production irrespective of seasons and genotypes. Defoliation not only reduced source sizes but also decreased total sink (flower) production resulting in lower pod and seed yields. However, basal 25% defoliation did not significantly decrease TDM and seed yield plant-1 indicating the fact that the mungbean plant, in general, can tolerate 25% basal leaf loss of the canopy. Furthermore, the high yielding genotypes showed higher compensatory mechanism of source loss than the low yielders. Exceeding this threshold limit (> 25%) either from the base or from the top of the canopy defoliation significantly reduced TDM and seed yield. Reduction in yield was higher with top defoliation than basal defoliation. Implication of the results in relation to pest management is also discussed.


Individuals who experience personal plight legal issues face several barriers to justice. Lowand medium-income earners are especially disadvantaged, given the high financial, temporal, and emotional costs associated with accessing justice. Simultaneously, law schools are graduating more law students than jobs available. The imbalance leaves many young lawyers, with mounting debt, no means with which to pay off the debt. The purpose of this study is to assess the viability of a legal services reverse auction platform as a solution to the access to justice and lawyer oversupply problems. The feasibility study examines the characteristics of the business models of twenty-one Internetbased reverse auctions. Commonalities between the eight successful legal services reverse auction platforms were compared to those of the thirteen unsuccessful legal services reverse auctions to draw inferences about whether or not a future legal services reverse auction would be feasible as a new venture and, if so, how to implement the basic strategy and structure of the new venture. The study revealed that a legal services reverse auction new venture would be feasible, pending further study. The study analysis identified that supporting on-platform collaboration between lawyer and client, making various nontraditional billing methods available, maintaining lawyer profitability, and offering business or entrepreneur legal services in addition to personal plight are likely critical to the success of a future legal services reverse auction new venture.


This Ph.D. thesis investigates capital structure decisions in Dutch firms. Firms are faced with the choice from a variety of sources of financing for the funding of their activities. These choices determine the firms' capital structures. Building on the well known theorems of Modigliani and Miller, theoretical contributions provided many potential explanations for the choice between debt and equity. Early studies involve taxation and bankruptcy costs. Recently, theoretical contributions are based on agency oblems, which are caused by asymmetric information and divergent interests. This thesis consists of three studies that aim to test the empirical relevance of a selection of theories for Dutch exchange-listed firms. In the third study, a novel empirical a roach on the basis of questionnaires is advocated and implemented. The results of the tests show the relevance of theories of bankruptcy costs and tax benefits that are associated with debt. No evidence is found for the existence of a relation between cap al structure and the manifestation of agency problems between the providers of debt and equity. On the contrary, agency problems between managers and providers of equity are found to play a prominent role in the Netherlands.


This article explores the relationship between theology and sociology on two levels. The first is in terms of the general disciplinary closure that has marked much of their coexistence, despite the many topics on which they potentially meet. The second level is more specific and concerns the tension in Britain between religious sociology, in which sociology is put to serve faith, and the secular sociology of religion, where religion is studied scientifically. This tension has been addressed before with respect to the history of sociology in France and the United States, but the British case, hitherto relatively unknown, illustrates the potential there was for a more fruitful relationship between sociology and theology in Britain that went undeveloped as the secular sociology of religion eventually replaced early religious sociology. The existence of religious sociology has been written out of the history of the discipline in Britain, such that when theology and sociology began a more serious engagement in the 1970s in Britain and elsewhere, particularly as biblical studies discovered sociology and as theologians and sociologists first met jointly, this earlier dialogue was entirely overlooked.


Rationale and relevance: the collection and analysis of objective information about the success service graduates institutional schools at the initial stage of professionalization allows you to define promising directions in system of professional training of employees of law-enforcement field and to adjust the educational process in accordance with the needs of operational activities. Objective: to study the satisfaction with the quality of educational services by their consumers (graduates) and employers (managers). The research method is a questionnaire survey of managers and graduates, including four sections. The first section assessed the readiness of graduates to carry out professional activities. The second section assessed the General cultural, business and personal qualities of graduates. The third and fourth sections identified shortcomings and advantages in the training of specialists. the article describes the results of a survey of managers and graduates regarding satisfaction with the quality of educational training. Description of research procedure and sampling: the survey was conducted a year after graduation from educational organizations, it took part 319 of the heads of the expert, investigative and operational units of the Moi of Russia in Volgograd region and 348 graduates of the Volgograd Academy of the MIA of Russia. Among 204 interviewees and evaluate the graduate of the specialty "Legal national security", 53 "Judicial expertise" and 91 "law Enforcement" 2008–2012 set. Results of the study: a high level of professional training was revealed in 59% of graduates of police operatives, 61% — investigators, 60% — experts. The average level of training by mentors was observed in 39% who graduated from the Academy with a degree in "Forensic examination", "Legal support of national security" and 40% — "law Enforcement". The results of the comparative analysis of the expert evaluation of managers and self-assessment showed that graduates are able to adequately assess the level of formation of the necessary competencies. This conclusion is confirmed by the results of the correlation analysis (the lowest correlation coefficient was 0.55). In conclusion, taking into account the results indicated the need for a systematic analysis of the effectiveness of educational and psychological training, the effectiveness of professional activities of graduates of educational institutions of the Ministry of internal Affairs of Russia.


the growth of internet popularity and its importance for the business applications staying permanent online becomes a key requirement. Commonly, the broadband access and enterprise networks involve devices with dynamic NAPT(NAT) and statefull firewalls functionality. Keeping open connection behind such an intermediate device is not a trivial task, since the communication participants are not notified for NAPT/Firewall status changes. Until detaching the change at intermediate device and reestablishing the connection, all send packets get lost. To overcome these issues most applications involve deed-peer-detection(updates) mechanisms, which verify the host availability, thus if the connection is active. The fast detection of connection lost is vital for the application and therefore short constant dead-peer-detection intervals are used. The interval value is set based on the general network experience and application requirements. The update interval is a tradeoff between the network resources and fast detection of disconnection. In this paper is suggested a framework for dynamic optimization of the update intervals in respect of fast disconnection detection and low network resources. The key idea is to make the update interval proportional to the probability of connection drop. The main issue is that the time point of disconnection can only be narrowed down to certain update interval, the exact time point can not be determined by the hosts. The proposed solution is based on adaptive Fuzzy Logic. It is relevant for wide spectrum of applications like VoIP, routing, security protocols etc.


The recent interest in the plankton structures and dynamics in tropical and subtropical lakes has revealed important trends that set these lakes apart from temperate lakes, and one of the main differences is the enhanced importance of the microbial food web with respect to net plankton. Ciliates are a key component of subtropical and tropical microbial webs because of their role as dominant picoplankton grazers and their ability to channel picoplankton production to the uppermost trophic levels. Plankton ciliates have been found to play a crucial role in the survival of fish larvae in lakes that share several features with Lake Catemaco, a eutrophic tropical Mexican lake. Therefore, the plankton ciliate composition, abundance, and biomass of Lake Catemaco were studied to assess their role in the microbial food web. The data were obtained from surface and bottom water samples collected at eleven points during three surveys in 2011 and an additional survey in 2013, with the surveys covering the local climatic seasons. The most abundant components of the plankton ciliate assemblages were small prostomatids (Urotricha spp.), choreotrichs (Rimostrombidium spp.), cyclotrichs (Mesodinium and Askenasia), and scuticociliates (Cyclidium, Cinetochilum, Pleuronema, and Uronema). Other important ciliates in terms of abundance and/or biomass were haptorids (Actinobolina, Belonophrya, Monodinium, Paradileptus, and Laginophrya), Halteria, oligotrichs (Limnostrombidium and Pelagostrombidium), Linostomella, Bursaridium, Cyrtolophosis, and Litonotus. The ciliate abundance averaged 57 cells mL(-1) and ranged from 14 to 113 cells mL(-1). The mean ciliate biomass was 71 mu g C L-1 and ranged from 10 to 202 mu g C L-1. Differences were not detected in ciliate abundance or biomass between the sampling points or sampling depths (surface to bottom); however, significant differences were observed between seasons for both variables. Nano-sized filamentous cyanobacteria were the most abundant component of the plankton, and their abundance was assessed through epifluorescence microscopy counts. The autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton abundance was measured through epifluorescence, and their abundance and biomass were higher at the study site relative to other shallow freshwater ecosystems. The total ciliate biomass distribution patterns were similar to those of filamentous cyanobacteria and autotrophic or heterotrophic picoplankton, although the nanociliate biomasses peaked when the picoplankton and filamentous cyanobacteria were least abundant. The consequences of this increased importance of ciliates on the structure of the plankton at Lake Catemaco will be discussed along with the probable causes.


As part of on-going efforts to use eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides, ethanolic extract of dried leaves of Dracaena arborea (Willd.) Link (Dragon tree; Dracaenaceae) dissolved in distilled water and partitioned between equal volumes of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol was assessed in the laboratory against infestation by Sitophillus zeamais Motsch. and Callosobruchus maculatus Walp. in stored maize and cowpea, respectively. One hundred grams each of maize grains and cowpea seeds were treated with 400 mg kg(-1) of each extract fraction to evaluate contact toxicity, damage assessment, effect on eggs and immature stages and progeny production in both insect species. Contact toxicity by topical application, toxicity upon filter paper application and repellency using area preference method were carried out on the two insect species. Results showed that the extract fraction caused significant (p < or = 0.05) mortality of both insect pests with a high residual contact activity against S. zeamais. Grain damage was significantly (p < or = 0.01) reduced, while progeny production and development of eggs within grains were inhibited. The extract fractions evoked a strong repellent action against S. zeamais but moderate action against C. maculatus. The full potentials of using extract fractions of D. arborea as grain protectant against infestation by insect pests is discussed.


Root-associated microbial communities influence plant phenotype, growth and local abundance, yet the factors that structure these microbial communities are still poorly understood. California landscapes contain serpentine soils, which are nutrient-poor and high in heavy metals, and distinct from neighboring soils. Here, we surveyed the rhizoplane of serpentine-indifferent plants species growing on serpentine and non-serpentine soils to determine the relative influence of plant identity and soil chemistry on rhizoplane microbial community structure using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. Additionally, we experimentally examined if locally adapted microorganisms enhance plant growth in serpentine soil. Plant species, soil chemistry, and the interaction between them were important in structuring rhizoplane bacterial communities in both the field and experimental soils. In the experiment, rhizoplane microbial community source influenced seedling survival, but plant growth phenotypes measured were largely invariant to microbial community with a few exceptions. Results from the field sampling suggest that plant species associate with specific microbial communities even across chemically distinct soils, and that microbial communities can differentially influence seedling survival on harsh serpentine soils.


The emergence of SARS/MERS drug-resistant SARS-CoV2 comes with higher rates of transmission and mortality. Like all coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 is a relatively large virus consisting of several enzymes with essential functions within its proteome. Here, we focused on repurposing approved and investigational drugs by identifying potential drugs that are predicted to effectively inhibit critical enzymes. We targeted seven proteins with enzymatic activities known to be essential at different stages of the viral multiplication cycle including PLpro, 3CLpro, RdRP, Helicase, ExoN, NendoU, and 2'-O-MT. For virtual screening, the energy minimization of a crystal structure of the modeled protein was carried out using the Protein Preparation Wizard(Schrodinger LLC 2020-1). Following active site selection based on data mining and COACH predictions, we performed a high-throughput virtual screen of drugs (n=5903) that are approved by worldwide regulatory bodies. The screening was performed against viral targets using three sequential docking modes (i.e. HTVS, SP, and XP). Our in-silico virtual screening identified ~290 potential drugs based on the criteria of energy, docking parameters, ligand, and binding site strain and score. Drugs specific to each target protein were further analyzed for binding free energy perturbation by molecular mechanics (prime MM-GBSA) and pruning the hits to the top 32 candidates. The top lead from each target pool was further subjected to molecular dynamics simulation using the Desmond module. Herein we report the evaluation of in-vitro efficacy of selected hit drug molecules on SARS-CoV-2 inhibition. Among eight molecules included in our evaluation, we found inhibitor of protein kinase C isoforms, Bisindolylmaleimide IX (BIM IX), as the potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 in-vitro. Further, in-silico predicted target validation through enzymatic assays confirmed 3CLpro to be the target. Therefore, our data support advancing BIM IX for clinical evaluation as a potential treatment for COVID-19. This is the first study that has showcased the possibility of using bisindolylmaleimide IX to treat COVID-19 through this pipeline.


The coefficient of variation CV (%) is widely used to measure the relative variation of a random variable to its mean or to assess and compare the performance of analytical techniques/equipments. A review is made of the existing multivariate extensions of the univariate CV where, instead of a random variable, a random vector is considered, and a novel definition is proposed. The multivariate CV obtained only requires the calculation of the mean vector, the covariance matrix and simple quadratic forms. No matrix inversion is needed which makes the new approach equally attractive in high dimensional as in very small sample size problems. As an illustration, the method is applied to electrophoresis data from external quality assessment in laboratory medicine, to phenotypic characteristics of pocket gophers and to a microarray data set.


Purpose: This article aims to analyze the level of financing of cancer control programs in European Union countries. There is a rationale behind selecting this particular research topic. Firstly, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Europe. Moreover, cancer concerns affected individuals and national healthcare systems, welfare systems, national budgets, and economic efficiency and growth. Design/Methodology/Approach: This article analyses literature on national cancer control programs in Europe. The source materials used in this article include websites of the European Commission and the national cancer control programs of selected countries (Belgium, the UK, Estonia, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway), as well as reports and studies compiled by research institutes, cancer societies, and peer-reviewed journals. This article analyses the level of direct cancer-related expenditure in European Union countries defined for this research as expenditures within the health care system. Graphical and tabular methods were used to present the estimated expenditures. Findings: The conducted comparative analysis of direct cancer-related expenditure showed a significant variation between countries, which is indicative of the necessity of creating national cancer control programs which have their budgets and correspond to the specificity of a given country, enabling not only their monitoring in terms of medical, epidemiological and economic effectiveness and efficiency. Practical implications: Although most European countries have cancer control programs, many of them lack or insufficiently address resource allocation, management, evaluation of the quality of outcomes, and financing, which are the critical elements for the efficiency of a health system and the effectiveness of each such program. Originality/Value: The issues presented in this article regarding the level of financing of cancer control programs and their components may constitute an argument in a discussion on the need to improve the quality of such programs.


Summary An adrenocortical tumor originating in a female Osborne-Mendel rat was transplanted to intact and adrenalectomized males and to female rats of the same strain. The transplanted tumor grew best in intact males, less in intact females, and least in adrenalectomized males. The following changes characterized the animals bearing this tumor: atrophy of zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex; a sharp reduction in urinary sodium excretion, both in intact and adrenalectomized rats; increased urinary potassium excretion; hypernatremia and hypokalemia. These findings suggest mineralocorticoid secretion by this tumor. Atrophy of the vagina and uterus, and anestrus are among the nonspecific changes due to the presence of the tumor. Polyuria in these rats and its relief with pituitrin may indicate pituitary dysfunction.


Abnormal sternal angles are unique anatomical variations of major clinical significance. For instance, misplaced sternal angles may cause inaccurate numbering of ribs and thus complicate intercostal nerve blocks and needle thoracostomies. They are also associated with increased risk of sternal fracture in blunt chest trauma. Additional sternal symphyses can be misinterpreted as fracture or lytic lesion in cross-sectional imaging of the sternum. These variations are rarely reported in Africans and lacking in the Kenyan population. We therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal sternal angles in a Kenyan population. 80 cadaveric adult sterna were studied at the Department of Anatomy, University of Nairobi, after ethical approval. The size of the angle was measured using a sliding protractor (CCKL, U.K). Results were analyzed by SPSS 18.0. The sternal angle was located at the level of the third costal notch in 7 cases (8.8%). It was un-ridged in 8 cases (10%). The angle measured 161.7° ± 4.7 in males and 159.9° ± 4.9 in females (p=0.165). In 9 cases (11.25%), the angle measured less than 150°. An additional sternal symphysis was present in 6 specimens (7.5%). Over 35% of sternal angles in Kenyans showed an abnormality in location, palpability or size. These variations may influence intercostal nerve blocks, interpretation of sternal images and evaluation of chest trauma. Further research is needed to correlate these findings.


Introduction Continuous antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses HIV plasma viral load (pVL) to very low levels, which allows for some immune recovery. Discontinuation of ART leads to pVL rebound from reservoirs of persistence and latency, and progressive immunodeficiency. One promising but controversial strategy targeting CD4+ T lymphocytes with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against α4β7 integrin has shown promise through sustained virological remission of pVL (SVR) in SIV239-infected rhesus macaques. We propose to assess the safety and tolerability of vedolizumab, a licensed humanised mAb against human α4β7 integrin, in healthy HIV-infected adults on ART. This study will also assess, by analytical treatment interruption (ATI), whether vedolizumab treatment can induce SVR beyond ART and vedolizumab treatment. Methods and analysis The HIV-ART-vedolizumab-ATI (HAVARTI) trial is a single-arm, dose-ranging pilot trial in healthy HIV-positive adult volunteers receiving ART. Twelve consenting persons will be enrolled in sequential groups of 4 to each serial dosing vedolizumab regimen (300 mg, 150 mg, 75 mg). The primary outcomes are: (1) to assess the safety and tolerability of seven serial infusions of vedolizumab at each of three doses; (2) to identify the immunovirological measures, including pVL and T-cell kinetics, that characterise HIV/ART cases before, during, after vedolizumab treatment and ATI; and (3) to seek SVR of pVL after ATI. Secondary outcomes will include immune reconstitution and pVL suppression as well as immune reconstitution and long-term safety following re-initiation of ART in the absence of SVR. Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was approved by the Ottawa Health Science Network-REB and by the Health Canada Therapeutic Products Directorate. A Data Safety Monitor will review safety information at regular intervals. The final manuscript will be submitted to an open access journal within a year of study completion. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03147859; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03147859


Second-order optimization methods, such as natural gradient, are difficult to apply to highdimensional problems, because they require approximately solving large linear systems. We present FActorized Natural Gradient (FANG), an approximation to natural gradient descent where the Fisher matrix is approximated with a Gaussian graphical model whose precision matrix can be computed efficiently. We analyze the Fisher matrix for a small RBM and derive an extremely sparse graphical model which is a good match to the covariance of the sufficient statistics. Our experiments indicate that FANG allows RBMs to be trained more efficiently compared with stochastic gradient descent. Additionally, our analysis yields insight into the surprisingly good performance of the "centering trick" for training RBMs.


SUMMARY 1. Freshwater conservation has received less attention than its terrestrial or marine counterparts. Given the accelerated rate of change and intensive human use that freshwater ecosystems are submitted to, it is urgent to focus more attention on fresh waters. Existing conservation planning tools – such as Marxan – need to be modified to account for the special nature of these systems. Connectivity plays a key role in freshwater ecosystems. Threats are mediated along river corridors, and the condition of the entire catchment influences river biodiversity downstream. This needs to be considered in conservation planning. 2. The probabilities of occurrence of nine native freshwater fish species in a Mediterranean river basin, obtained from Multivariate Adaptive Regression SplinesGeneralized Linear Model (MARS-GLM) models, were used as features to develop spatial conservation priorities. The priorities accounted for complementarity and spatial design issues. 3. To deal with the connected nature of rivers, we modified Marxan's boundary length penalty, avoiding the selection of isolated planning units and forcing the inclusion of closer upstream areas. We introduced 'virtual boundaries' between nonheadwater stream segments and added distance-weighted penalties to the overall connectivity cost (CP) when stream segments upstream of the selected planning units are not selected. 4. This approach to prioritising connectivity is concordant with ecological theory, as it considers the natural and roughly exponential decay of upstream influences with distance. It accounts for the natural capacity of rivers to mitigate impacts when designing reserves. When connectivity was not emphasised, Marxan prioritised natural corridors for longitudinal movements. In contrast, whole sub-basins were prioritised when connectivity was emphasised. Changing the relative emphasis on connectivity substantially changed the spatial prioritisation; our conservation investment could move from one basin to another. 5. Our novel approach to dealing with directional connectivity enables managers of freshwater systems to set ecologically meaningful spatial conservation priorities.


Soil water, a key hydrological factor, controls the fate and transport of nutrients and pollutants in soil as well as emission of green house gases from soil. Inherent spatial variability of soil water requires multiple monitoring sites for soil water which is expansive in terms of money, time and labour. The objective of this study was to identify the hydrologically time stable location (benchmark point) and spatial pattern of soil water storage in a hummocky landscape in semiarid climate. Soil water was measured in field for consecutive two years (11 measurements) by Neutron Moisture Meter (NMM) along a 128 point transect established at St Denis National Wildlife Area, Saskatchewan, Canada. Soil water measurements were taken at every 20 cm up to the depth of 1.2 m at every 4.5 m on the transect. The NMM was calibrated for this site and the calibration equation was used to calculate the soil water storage at different depths. High Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between different dates of measurements indicated the spatial similarity of soil water storage pattern over time. Similar environmental events showed more persistent spatial pattern between measurements than different environmental events. The stability or the similarity of the rank of individual observations in the probability distribution functions over time indicated temporal stability of soil water storage pattern. While, 22 point from the origin of the transect maintained the rank of soil water storage overtime for 0-20 cm with very low measurement variability, 4 point maintained the rank for 0-60 cm and 0-120 cm depth. The similarity or persistency of rank in water storage pattern and the mean water content over field at multiple times helped in identifying representative moisture benchmark site, which can be used for environmental monitoring and modelling, irrigation scheduling, nutrient recommendations and predicting green house gasses.


How do we ReTool school to make it engaging, empowering and success making for all? At the same time how do we guarantee equity and access so that what our government calls "priority learners", have the same opportunities for 3rd millennium citizenship as everybody else?

When vast tracts of what is now the Developed World, were opened up by the provision of roads, bridges and railroads, people moved from subsistence and achieved effective citizenship, locally, nationally and globally. The infrastructure that enables access to the new platform for citizenship, the internet, is analogous to the roads, bridges and railroads of yesteryear. The business of retooling requires this infrastructure as a baseline, but real efficacy and agency will only be achieved when environments are enriched by innovation on top of the essential infrastructure.

Retooling School requires a Change Pedagogy Imperative:
When essential aspects of learning are amalgamated and new media are used for the reception and delivery modes, the learner experience is completely different. It is more than possible to develop new learner agency, efficacy and leadership in learning. This journey to genuine citizenship will have three major hallmarks:

ubiquity

anywhere, anytime, any pace, any people learning

agency

the power to act -informed/empowered/enabled learners

connectedness

edgeless education, connected minds

We need to:
Provide the essential infrastructure and enrich the environment for: local, national and international citizenship of all learners.


Background and Objective Recently, multiple randomized trials have demonstrated that early endovascular recanalization of emergent large vessel occlusion results in better outcomes than medical therapy alone. However, the majority of patients in these studies were treated with a stent retriever as a first line approach to thrombectomy. COMPASS was designed to assess the viability of an alternate, aspiration first, approach to thrombectomy. Materials and Methods COMPASS is a multi-center prospective randomized trial of up to 270 patients designed to evaluate whether patients treated with a direct aspiration first pass (ADAPT) approach have non-inferior functional outcomes to those treated with a stent retriever as first-line (SRFL) approach. These data are expected by December of 2017. However, it is anticipated that initial angiographic reperfusion results will be available for presentation at the 2017 SNIS meeting. Results Angiographic results will be made available upon completion of enrollment. Conclusions Conclusions will be provided based upon the angiographic results presented. Disclosures J. Mocco: 1; C; Receives grant support from Penumbra to run this study. A. Siddiqui: 1; C; Receives grant support from Penumbra to run this study. A. Turk: 1; C; Receives grant support from Penumbra to run this trial.. C. Investigators: None.


Quorum sensing (QS) is a complex bacterial intra and interspecific communication system that is regulated by signaling molecules produced by cell density-dependent mechanisms. QS may regulate different phenotypes such as virulence, motility and biofilm production. The aim of this research was to investigate the existence of a QS system in Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa). Psa lacks the canonical QS system based on N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) production and detection. However, at least three signal receptors (PsaR1, PsaR2, PsaR3) were recently identified. The present study was conducted in order to clarify the effects of different cell densities on the intraspecific communication in Psa cultures, and the interspecific interaction between Psa and other bacteria associated with the plant host (i.e. in the phyllosphere) or known to have an active QS system. A bioinformatic research was conducted for the identification of genes putatively involved in Psa QS system. About 30 genes were selected due to their involvement in influencing specific phenotypes such as virulence, density perception, biofilm formation and motility. Motility and biofilm formation are crucial phenotypes in the early stages of host colonization under the control of QS circuitries. The experiments conducted demonstrated Psa ability to produce biofilm in LB liquid media depending on population density. Psa motility resulted particularly enhanced in the supernatants of bacteria with a AHL-based QS system, such as Pseudomonas fluorescens, or an AHL-overproducing strain of Pseudomonas putida. Quantitative expression of QS-related genes was analyzed by qPCR. In conclusion, from our preliminary studies we observed that QS-phenotypes seem to be influenced not only by the cell density, but also by the microbial community that may share the same environment with Psa. Presumably, only by considering the multiple interactions with both the plant host and other bacterial species, the functionality of Psa QS-system will be fully elucidated.


Abstract The cercaria of Bucephalus minimus infects the digestive gland and gonads of its first intermediate host, the edible cockle, Cerastoderma edule. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the cercaria showed a tail formed by a central stem, with 2 long contractile arms presenting distinct morphological surfaces. The encysted metacercaria naturally infected the flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus. The cysts found in the heart, liver, and spleen were shown to be identical by the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) sequence and morphological features and were associated with encapsulation, recruitment of cell infiltrates, and presence of melanomacrophages and adipose tissue. To establish the life cycle, we compared the ITS1 sequence in an adult from the known definitive host, Dicentrarchus labrax; encysted metacercariae from the liver, heart, and spleen of M. cephalus; and a cercaria from C. edule. With this comparison, we determined that they had a 100% similarity. Therefore, the ITS1 sequence data clearly indicate that these 3 parasitic stages belong to the same species, i.e., B. minimus.


Based on the assumption that the time evolution of a sample observed by computed tomography requires much less parameters than the definition of the microstructure itself, it is proposed to reconstruct these changes based on the initial state (using computed tomography) and very few radiographs acquired at fixed intervals of time. This paper presents a proof of concept that for a fatigue cracked sample, its kinematics can be tracked from no more than two radiographs in situations where a complete 3D view would require several hundreds of radiographs. This two order of magnitude gain opens the way to a " computed " 4D tomography, which complements the recent progress achieved in fast or ultra-fast computed tomography, which is based on beam brightness, detector sensitivity, and signal acquisition technologies.


BACKGROUND
We have developed a three-dimensional model for tissue engineering of cartilage. Chondrocytes were isolated and first multiplied in conventional monolayer cultures. Then the cells are seeded with or without agarose on special absorbable scaffolds that provided stability and enabled three-dimensional cell distribution of the tissue-engineered cartilage. The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of avoiding agarose in tissue engineering because of the potential risk of causing an inflammatory process in later human implantation.

METHOD
For the first time we investigated cell distribution combined with vitality directly in the cell carrier under the conditions described by using confocal laser-scanning microscopy. Working with unfixed cells, this method enables the reconstruction of three-dimensional cell cultures with suitable cell markers that closely simulates the physiologic situation, thereby exceeding each other method.

RESULTS
It was evident that agarose had no positive effect on cell distribution and vitality.

CONCLUSION
Further experiments concerning the effect of agarose on synthesis of cartilage-specific matrix are in progress.


Recombinant DNA technology has made adequate quantities of human interferons available for both in vitro and in vivo testing. In the clonogenic assay, RPMI-8226 myeloma cells were tested with recombinant interferon alfa-2b (Intro& A), melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone. Prednisone used as a single agent had the least cytotoxic effect. Concentrations of alfa-2b as low as 1 unit/ml (international antiviral activity) showed a reduction in colony number of <30% of the untreated controlled cultures. Melphalan and cyclophosphamide showed measurable cytotoxic activity, expressed in terms of 50% inhibition of colony growth, at doses of 0.15 pg/mL and 0.4 pg/mL, respectively. Additive antiproliferative effects were noted with combinations of alfa-2b plus cyclophosphamide and alfa-2b plus prednisone. However, the alfa-2b-melphalan combination had a synergistic effect on tumor-cell colony reduction. Even greater cytotoxic activity was seen with the three-drug combination of alfa-2b, melphalan, and prednisone. Clinical trials have shown that alfa-2b may be effective in patients with relapsing and refractory multiple myeloma. Of 38 patients evaluated, seven responded to treatment. Three of the seven responders have continued to respond for over 33 months, with monoclonal proteins approaching undetectable levels. A pilot study of the feasibility of combining alfa-2b with melphalan and prednisone in previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma has been completed. Although response was not the primary objective of this study, an overall response rate of 78% was achieved using criteria established by the Chronic Leukemia Task Force. Phase II trials conducted thus far have established tumor responsiveness to interferons in human myeloma. To clearly define the role of these agents in the treatment of myeloma, well-planned multicenter studies are needed.


For language tests to be in tune with the target context, a constant attention to the shifting characteristics of real-world language use is required. This holds particularly true for language tests in the occupational domain since domestic labor market demands are continuously changing and increasingly met through the recruitment of foreign workers. This paper describes how subject experts were involved in the cyclical validation process of a test of Dutch for the professional domain. A survey of recruitment agents, employers, policy makers, language instructors, examiners, and former test takers indicated that a task-based test targeting the language skills involved in service-oriented work settings such as administration and health care at level B2 of the CEFR was favored. The involvement of subject specialists recruited among the test's various stakeholders proved to be of vital importance throughout the development and validation process to ensure content validity and avoid biases.


Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate whether optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) metrics are related to retinal vessel geometry parameters in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods In total, 119 eyes (119 patients) were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Retinal vessel geometry parameters were analyzed using semi-automated software. OCTA metrics were analyzed using automated manufacturer-provided algorithms. Associations between the severity of DR and retinal vessel geometry parameters and OCTA metrics were evaluated. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between retinal vessel geometry parameters and OCTA metrics after adjusting for clinical characteristics and DR severity. Results DR severity was negatively associated with the following: arteriole–venular ratio (P = 0.039), arteriolar network fractal dimension (FDa; P = 0.003), arteriolar junctional exponent deviation (P = 0.037), venular junctional exponent deviation (P = 0.036), vessel area density (VAD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP; P < 0.001, both), vessel length density (VLD) of the SCP and DCP (P < 0.001, both), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) circularity (P < 0.001). DR severity was positively associated with the central retinal venular equivalent caliber (P = 0.005), arteriolar branching coefficient (BCa; P = 0.010), venular branching coefficient (P = 0.007), and FAZ size (P = 0.002). In multivariable regression analyses, the following retinal vessel geometry parameters and OCTA metrics were associated: FDa with VAD of the SCP (β = 0.40, P < 0.001), FDa with VLD of the SCP (β = 0.01, P < 0.001), and BCa with FAZ circularity (β = −1.02, P = 0.001). Conclusions In DR, changes in retinal arteriolar geometry parameters were significantly associated with OCTA metrics, which reflect DR pathophysiology.


1. Lung pressures, buccal pressures, lung volumes, and EMGs from respiratory muscles were measured in unrestrained Xenopus laevis to analyse their roles in the lung ventilation cycle. 2. Lung pressure was always maintained above atmospheric levels and a buccal pumping mechanism was used to fill the lungs in Xenopus , as in other Amphibia. 3. Xenopus , unlike other amphibians, does not ventilate the buccal cavity between lung ventilations. 4. Expiration of gases from the buccal cavity is aided by muscles which decrease buccal cavity volume. Other anurans increase buccal cavity volume during expiration. 5. The buccal phase of inspiration occurs after expired air has passed from the lung and buccal cavity, in comparison to the ranids and bufonids which inspire fresh air into the buccal cavity before expiration.


ABSTRACT Insertional mutagenesis by viral vectors is a problem in gene therapy. We recently reported that lentiviral vectors with an intact HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) caused insertional gene activation by transcripts from the 5′ LTR splicing to an adjacent gene. Here we demonstrate that the level of transcription from the 5′ LTR, and also insertional gene activation, is dependent on the internal promoter in the vector. We also show that there are more transcripts originating from the 5′ LTR than from, or reading through, the 3′ LTR. This study will allow the design of safer lentiviral vectors for applications in which an intact HIV LTR is required.


alpha-Phosphono lactone derivatives of the nucleosides cytidine and cytosine arabinoside have been prepared from the corresponding nucleoside aldehydes. The stereochemical outcome of allylation reactions with these aldehydes was found to be dependent upon both the choice of protecting groups for the 2'- and 3'-hydroxyl groups and, to some extent, the nature of the Lewis acid catalyst employed. Ultimately, conditions were found that favored either the 5'R or 5'S diastereomer from different cytidine aldehydes, and gave some stereoselectivity in additions to an aldehyde derivative of ara-C. The resulting homoallylic alcohols were used as substrates in attempted Knovenagel and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons condensations, but elimination was found to predominate over lactone formation under the conditions employed. The desired alpha-phosphono lactones could be prepared through a reaction sequence that included ring-closing metathesis on acrylate esters of the homoallylic alcohols, followed by reduction of the resulting alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones and carbon-phosphorus bond formation on enolates generated from the saturated lactones.


The inactive X chromosome (Xi) serves as a model to understand gene silencing on a global scale. Here, we perform "identification of direct RNA interacting proteins" (iDRiP) to isolate a comprehensive protein interactome for Xist, an RNA required for Xi silencing. We discover multiple classes of interactors-including cohesins, condensins, topoisomerases, RNA helicases, chromatin remodelers, and modifiers-that synergistically repress Xi transcription. Inhibiting two or three interactors destabilizes silencing. Although Xist attracts some interactors, it repels architectural factors. Xist evicts cohesins from the Xi and directs an Xi-specific chromosome conformation. Upon deleting Xist, the Xi acquires the cohesin-binding and chromosomal architecture of the active X. Our study unveils many layers of Xi repression and demonstrates a central role for RNA in the topological organization of mammalian chromosomes.


In the Pacific, customary marine tenure-ship and management has been practised for centuries. Community based marine resource management (CBMRM) initiatives have seen governments, local communities and non-government organisations adopt various management tools to improve coastal fisheries. Despite these efforts, there are growing concerns over the decline of fisheries resources and the subsequent social-ecological problems that affect coastal communities.  In the last three decades, Fiji, has implemented various forms of CBMRM initiatives with varying social-ecological successes. Marine management and conservation efforts across the 410 qoliqoli areas (fishing grounds) are predominantly driven by Indigenous Taukei communities and non-government conservation organisations (NGOs). Over the past two years local communities, NGOs, and government have led and supported new management efforts to improve fisheries sustainability in the country.  Non-Indigenous resource users are limited by social and political policies to access and participate in coastal resource management. Fijians of Indian descent (Indo-Fijians) represent the second-largest ethnic group in Fiji and are engaged in both subsistence and artisanal fisheries. Their involvement and participation within the broader socio- economic and socio-political aspects of coastal fisheries is considerable, however, remains hidden. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores the issues, challenges, and opportunities that Indo-Fijian communities experience in the coastal fisheries sector in Ba Province, Fiji.  Findings from the research illustrate the informal yet complex nature of socio-economic and socio-cultural community relationships between customary Taukei qoliqoli owners and Indo-Fijian people. The role of Indo-Fijian women within the coastal fisheries sector is notable. The success of contemporary CBRMN in Fiji is dependent upon a re- imagined, re-adapted, diverse approach. Most importantly, this research provides an opportunity to foster discussion within contemporary community based marine management and conservation efforts currently in place by customary Taukei qoliqoli owners, conservation organisations and the government.


The absence of clear clinical criteria for diagnosing psychogenic seizures and the abundance of vegetative symptoms in their structure raise the question of how to differentiate these states from panic attacks (PA). Clinical symptoms of paroxysm were compared in a group of 32 patients with PA and in a group of 15 patients with psychogenic seizures. It was found that the symptoms classified as panic ones according to DSM-III R criteria are equally observed in both groups. These states are differentiated only by the symptom "fear of dying", observed in 20% of patients with psychogenic seizures and in 90% of patients with PA, and by the number of conversion symptoms (5.9 in patients with psychogenic seizures and 2.2 in patients with PA). It is suggested that in both types of paroxysms panic associated symptoms are not specific and these symptoms only reflect affective distress. The latter is specifically expressed in the form of the symptom "fear of dying" during panic attacks and in the form of conversion symptoms during psychogenic seizures.


Background Approximately 200,000 incisional hernias are repaired annually in the United States. The high incidence (11-20%) and recurrence rate (24-54%) for incisional hernias have not changed appreciably in 75 years. Mechanical advances in suture material, incision orientation, and closure technique have failed to eliminate this common surgical complication. A biological approach to acute wound failure may offer a new strategy. Methods. A rodent incisional hernia model was used. Seventy rats underwent 5-cm midline celiotomies and were closed with fine, fast-absorbing sutures to induce intentional acute wound failure. Group 1 received no other treatment. The midline fascia in groups 2 and 3 was injected immediately prior to incision with 100 μl of vehicle alone or vehicle containing 1 μg of transforming growth factor β 2 (TGF-β 2 ). Necropsy was performed on Postoperative Day 28 and the wounds were examined for herniation. Results. Incisional hernias developed in 88% (35/40) and 79% (11/14) of untreated incisions and those treated with vehicle alone. No hernias formed in the TGF-β 2 -treated incisions (0/16, P < 0.05). Standard histology and immunohistochemistry demonstrated enhanced macrophage, lymphocyte, and fibroblast chemotaxis and increased collagen I and III production in TGF-β 2 treated incisions. Conclusions. Treatment of abdominal wall fascial incisions with TGF-β 2 prevented the development of incisional hernias in this rat model. TGF-β 2 stimulated fascial macrophage and fibroblast chemotaxis as well as acute wound collagen production. A biological approach such as this may reduce the incidence of incisional hernia formation in humans.


Trypanosomosis is a vector-borne, tropical disease that causes mortality and morbidity in livestock and humans. In this study we investigated the risk factors for trypanosome infection in cattle in the Maasai Steppe of northern Tanzania. We assessed the influence of age, sex, herd size and history of treatment against trypanosomosis as risk factors of trypanosome infection. Cattle blood samples were collected from 150 cattle in three villages in the vicinity of Tarangire National Park, which acts as a reservoir of tsetse flies, the trypanosome vector. Parasite species were identified using a nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (n-PCR). Smaller herd sizes, young age (1-2 years), and male sex significantly increased the risk of trypanosome infections. Efforts to control trypanosome infection should be strategically based on location and season while considering age, treatment and herd size as risk factors.


The text, problems and cases address issues of concern not only to litigators but also to transactional lawyers who structure transactions to allocate duties and risks in order to avoid litigation. The materials provide explanations for students unfamiliar with either international sales transactions or domestic sales law. Teachers using the book themselves need not be specialists. The authors have maintained most of the Problem exercises from the first edition, but have added the leading cases of the past decade to enrich the fabric of the current law. The Teacher's Manual suggests ways the materials may be taught and supplemented.


A series of arsenate substituted chlorapatite was directly prepared through aqueous precipitation method. Characterization studies from elemental analysis, XRD, FT-IR spectra and SEM confirmed the forming of the arsenate/phosphate chlorapatite solid solutions. The XRD analysis indicated the typical solid solution phase of the apatite-type structure. In FT-IR spectra, the area of the phosphate peak was gradually suppressed and the arsenate peak increased as the proportion of the arsenate increased. The solids with As/(As+P) molar ratio of 0.49~1.0 were needle-like crystals; those with As/(As+P) molar ratio <0.19 were large tabular.


Our groups in Brazil, France and Italy have been active, among others in the world, in performing experiments on physical-chemical effects induced by fast ions colliding with solids (frozen gases, carbonaceous and organic materials, silicates, etc.) of astrophysical interest. The used ions span a very large range of energies, from a few keV to hundreds MeV. Here we present a summary of the results obtained so far on the formation of oxidants (hydrogen peroxide and ozone) after ion irradiation of frozen water, carbon dioxide and their mixtures. Irradiation of pure water ice produces hydrogen peroxide whatever is the used ion and at different temperatures. Irradiation of carbon dioxide and water frozen mixtures result in the production of molecules among which hydrogen peroxide and ozone. The experimental results are discussed in the light of the relevance they have to support the presence of an energy source for biosphere on Europa and other icy moons in the outer Solar System.


Histologic, electron-microscopic and morphologic methods were employed to study the cells of the infiltrate and lymphocytes in dysplasia and early cancer of the stomach. Less numerous plasma cells and more numerous lymphocytes and macrophages were observed in the infiltrate in severe dysplasia and cancer than in mild and moderate dysplasia, no dysplasia. With growing severity of the dysplasia, cooperative activity of immunocompetent cells is on the increase, the proportion of intermediate and large lymphocytes appeared elevated. Adenocarcinoma versus severe dysplasia demonstrated reduced lymphocytic magnitude with predominance of small lymphocytes. Contrary to dysplasia, there was a macrophage cytotoxic effect observed also for large granular lymphocytes in all histologic variants of cancer, in line with stromal presentation of myofibroblasts. This can provide additional criteria by ultrastructure in differential diagnosis between severe dysplasia and initial cancer.


NGC 5850 is a nearby (z=0.0085) early type spiral galaxy classified as LINER. It is considered as a prototype double-barred system. Our optical Integral Field Spectroscopic (IFS) data of the central 21x19 arcsec^2 of NGC 5850 show extended LINER-like emission which we ascribe to the presence of a hot and evolved stellar population, possibly together with a faint AGN. Additionally NGC 5850 shows extended `composite' ionization patterns, likely to stem from a mixture of LINER-like ionization and photoionization by star formation. The kinematics of the gas deviates strongly from a simple rotational structure.


This article reveals interesting structural differences in private equity fundraising in Asia compared with developed markets. Exit opportunities and the amount of credit provided by the banking sector are found to be strong determinants of new funds raised. Unlike in developed markets, however, emerging markets are negatively impacted by the amount of credit provided by the banking sector: Funding of transactions stands in direct competition with banks in these markets as more credit is provided by the banking sector. Fewer investment opportunities remain for private capital. The negative relationship with credit provided by the banking sector is reflected in different business approaches. In developed markets, banks financially leverage private equity transactions to a substantial degree to magnify returns to investors. In emerging markets, private equity transactions use less leverage. Differentiating along investment stages, economic growth and research and development (R&D) expenditures are found to be of particular importance to venture capital. For later-stage leveraged buyouts, the degree of recent deals negatively impacts funds raised. As competition for attractive deals among private equity funds intensifies, investor return expectations deteriorate and fundraising is reduced as a consequence.


Bi2Te3 based solid solutions, are widely utilized as thermoelectric(TE) materials in peltier modules, in order to attain higher figure of merit(Z) a fraction of weight at different percentage of Sb is added. The compound Bi-Te-Sb prepared by unidirectional solidification techniques such as melting accompanied with oscillating the melted compound followed by, crystallizing by zone growth method. This work is focused on, the preparation and characterization of the samples with formula Bi2Te3 and(Bi0.25 Sb0.75)2 Te3.(Bi0.25 Sb0.75)2 Te3 are known as p-type TE pellet, this compound has a higher Z compared with other solid solutions of the Sb-Bi , which have been tested as p-type pellet. The major aspects of TE such as electrical and thermal conductivities and seebeck coefficient, which directly affect the figure of merit were measured. X-ray powder diffraction analysis of(Bi0.25 Sb0.75)2 Te3 compared with Bi2Te3 suggests that the grown crystals are stoichiometric for(Bi0.25 Sb0.75)2 Te3. It should also be noted that there is a strong relation between Z, balancing charge carriers and phonons of the compound, but they will not be discussed here. From experimental results Zi'»2.7i'´10-3K-1 was obtained, this is the same value which was reported in the previous work.


A general and robust subgrid closure model for two‐material cells is proposed. The conservative quantities of the entire cell are apportioned between two materials, and then, pressure and velocity are fully or partially equilibrated by modeling subgrid wave interactions. An unconditionally stable and entropy‐satisfying solution of the processes has been successfully found. The solution is valid for arbitrary level of relaxation. The model is numerically designed with care for general materials and is computationally efficient without recourse to subgrid iterations or subcycling in time. The model is implemented and tested in the Lagrange‐remap framework. Two interesting results are observed in 1D tests. First, on the basis of the closure model without any pressure and velocity relaxation, a material interface can be resolved without creating numerical oscillations and/or large nonphysical jumps in the problem of the modified Sod shock tube. Second, the overheating problem seen near the wall surface can be solved by the present entropy‐satisfying closure model. The generality, robustness, and efficiency of the model make it useful in principle in algorithms, such as ALE methods, volume of fluid methods, and even some mixture models, for compressible two‐phase flow computations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The 'newcomer' Alina Bronsky in context of Russian-German contemporary literature and its reception in German feuilletonThis contribution presents the author Alina Bronsky and examines the role and significance of Russian culture in her works, focusing on both their production and their reception. To this end, the first part of the study analyzes Bronsky's debut novel, Scherbenpark (2008; "Broken Glass Park"), and places it in relation to the texts of other (male and female) authors of Russian origin. It can be observed that Scherbenpark – and this holds true, as well, for Bronsky's second novel, Die scharfsten Gerichte der tatarischen Kuche (2010; "The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine") – avails itself of similar subject material as the texts of other Russian-German authors (e.g. family, identity, migration and origin), but sets a new emphasis. While Bronsky does trace the difficult identity development of an adolescent girl from an immigrant background, questions of national and cultural identity, central to the production of other authors, are markedly less prominent in hers.All the same, these latter aspects of her works are the ones generally highlighted by German literary journalism – and that is the focus of the second part of this contribution. The examination of a part of the reception documents discussing Bronsky's works shows the strategies by which the author is marketed to the public and the aspects that literary reviews in prominent German periodicals choose to focus on – the foreign and Russian-connoted exotic, which are, however, as the first part of the analysis reveals, not central to her texts.


Neuroinflammation and neurite degeneration are contributing factors leading to the
progression of neuronal loss and age-related neurodegenerative diseases e.g
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Current drug therapy for neurodegenerative
diseases is ineffective with many side effects and it is palliative and manages only the
symptoms of the diseases. In recent years, the attention of researchers has been inclined
towards the alternative and complementary approaches, such as dietary
supplementations and functional foods which have minimal side effects. Numerous
neuroactive substances from natural sources as preventive and therapeutic agents for
neurodegenerative diseases by promoting anti-neuroinflammatory and neuritogenic
stimulatory potential have received extensive attention. Among the natural sources
explored for anti-neuroinflammatory and neuritogenic stimulatory properties, medicinal
mushrooms have shown huge potential. In the present study, four medicinal mushrooms
were evaluated for cytotoxic, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production and
neuritogenic stimulatory activities in murine BV2 microglial and rat
pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells. The preliminary results showed that the hot aqueous
extract of Lignosus rhinocerotis sclerotium significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited NO
production (75.57%) in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia and
stimulated 20.99 ± 1.01% of neurite bearing cells in PC-12 cells that comparable to the
positive control, 50 ng/ml of nerve growth factor (NGF). The hot aqueous extract of L.
rhinocerotis sclerotium was not cytotoxic to BV2 and PC-12 cells after 48 hours of
exposure. The hot aqueous extract of L. rhinocerotis sclerotium was further fractionated
into three solvent fractions: ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions. The antineuroinflammatory
and neuritogenic stimulatory effects of the solvent fractions and the
underlying mechanisms were investigated. The results demonstrated that ethyl acetate
and n-butanol fractions (125 and 250 μg/ml) inhibited the production of proinflammatory
mediators and cytokines, including NO, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor
necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and the expressions of inducible
nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in
LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia. The anti-neuroinflammatory effects of ethyl acetate and
n-butanol fractions are mediated through the suppression of the toll-like receptor 4
(TLR4), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (extracellular signal-regulated
kinases1/2 (ERK1/2), stress-activated protein kinases/jun amino-terminal kinases
(SAPK/JNK) and p-38 MAPK), protein kinase B (AKT) and nuclear factor-kappaB
(NFκB) signaling pathways with the inhibition of the transcription factors, cyclic
adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB), activator
protein 1 (AP-1) and NFκB. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions (10 μg/ml)
significantly (p < 0.05) stimulated a higher percentage of neurite bearing cells compared
to NGF (50 ng/ml) without stimulating the production of NGF in PC-12 cells. The ethyl
acetate and n-butanol fractions mimicked the neuritogenic activity of NGF by targeting
the tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) receptor and activated the mitogen-activated
protein kinase kinase (MEK)/ERK1/2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase
(PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways with the
phosphorylation of CREB, and leading to the increased expressions of neuritogenesis
biomarker, the growth associated protein 43 (GAP43), tubulin alpha 4A (TUBA4A) and
tubulin beta 1 (TUBB1) in PC-12 cells. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrated
that L. rhinocerotis sclerotium mitigated neuroinflammation and stimulated
neuritogenesis in BV2 and PC-12 cells, respectively.


The concept of "poverty poisons the brain" has become a major area of research in neuroscience and the health sciences, and an increasingly utilized metaphor to argue for the importance of addressing inequality and poverty in the United States. This article systematically presents the research behind poverty poisons the brain, which includes the impact of socioeconomic status on human development, the developmental models used to understand how poverty impacts children, and the proximate social factors and brain mechanisms that represent the core causal model behind this research. This overview examines the uses of this research for neuroanthropology, highlighting the impact of inequality and how experience becomes embodied. Nevertheless, a simplistic cause–effect approach and the reduction of the social to the biological often hamper this type of research. A critical approach to how poverty poisons the brain provides the basis for making the shift to a more robust neuroanthropological approach to poverty. Neuroanthropology can utilize social embodiment, the dynamics of stress, and the production of inequality to transform research on poverty and children, and to make policy recommendations, do applied research, and craft and test interventions to deal with the pernicious impact of poverty.


Cancer cells are accumulation of numerous genetic alteration that contribute to tumorigenesis, tumor progression and chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Most of these alteration affect the regulation of the cell cycle. In normal cells, a balance is achieved between proliferation and cell death by tightly regulating the progression through the cell cycle with cell cycle with cellular checkpoints. The accumulation of genetic alterations also contributes to enhanced chemoresistance, resulting from the loss of the ability to respond to DNA damage. The detection of DNA damage is governed by tumor suppressor p53.  Following DNA damage, p53 arrest the cell to allow time for repair, or if the damage is extensive enough, p53 initiates programmed cell death or apoptosis. Loss of these various molecular checkpoint has been found to underlie the development of many tumors because cell cycle progression becomes dysregulated. Therefore a major strategy in gene therapy for cancer has focused on replacing the tumor suppressors in cancer cells. p53-gene therapy remains the most important tumor suppressor strategy being developed and its combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy may prove to be even more beneficial. However, p53 may not represent the ideal choice for gene therapy in all cancers. In tumor that overexpress MDM2 or have HPV16 E6, other tumor suppressors such as p21 may be more desirable targets of gene therapy because they can bypass the inactivation of p53. Several problem still need to be resolved. First, an efficient vector needs to be designed that cause prolonged high expression of the transduced gene while only targeting cancer cells. Second, further criteria need to be established in scheduling the decision about which tumor suppressor to employ for gene therapy. Key words: Tumor suppressor gene (p53), gene therapy, cancer


The authors submit a method of viewing Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT images of the brain based on the principles of the myocardial bullseye or polar mapping. Commercially available software for the production of a myocardial bullseye display is suitable for the preparation of a bullseye display of regional perfusion image of the brain. This display facilitates the detection of cerebral cortical perfusion defects by displaying all SPECT oblique slices concentrically from base to vertex in a single image.


Each year about 795 000 people in the USA will experience a new or recurrent stroke. About 600 000 of these events are first attacks, and 185 000 are recurrent attacks. Of all the strokes, 87% are ischemic, 10% are intracranial hemorrhage and 3% are subarachnoid hemorrhage. On average, every 40s someone in the USA has a stroke. Significant disparities exist within the US population: each year women have 55 000 more strokes than men, blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever stroke compared with whites and Mexican Americans have an increased incidence of intracranial hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage compared with non-Hispanic whites, as well as increased incidence of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) at younger ages. In 2005, stroke accounted for about one of every 17 deaths in the USA or 143 579 individuals. Stroke ranks at number three among all causes of death, behind cardiovascular disease and cancer and is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the USA. The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke for 2009 is $68.9 billion.1

Since the approval of intravenous tPA in 1995, a number of key initiatives supported by evidence-based medicine have led to the national, regional and local organization of previously fragmented stroke care into more specialized hospital-based and stroke systems of care. These initiatives in organized stroke care have dramatically altered the landscape for stroke patients and providers.

Many factors are driving the centralization of acute stroke care in the USA. The recent development of formal certification for stroke centers is both a cause and an effect of this push. The certification process is still in evolution, and many different organizations, including state legislatures, are involved. In addition, the relationship between primary stroke centers (PSCs, essentially intravenous tPA-capable facilities) and comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs, generally endovascularly capable facilities) is …


NW Sabah is dominated by numerous structural trends of tightly folded and thrusted Miocene to Pleistocene sediments forming the Sabah deepwater fold-thrust belt, resulting from the complex interaction between gravitational forces and compressional tectonics. The timing of structuration and deformation of most of the toe-thrust features is recorded by the Shallow-Regional Unconformity (SRU), which separates the preand post-kinematic phases of the structural development. A good understanding of the timing of the structural development is paramount in the analyses of sedimentary fairways and depositional patterns. The pre-kinematic phase is likely to result in an unconfined depositional setting, while structurally influence synand post-kinematic depositional phases tend to deflect turbidite sand fairways, and trap turbiditic sand in between ridges forming ponded turbidites. This study aims to provide further support for the semi-qualitative understanding of the various deformational episodes experienced in the "L-B-P" structural trend, from the oldest studied sequence, the Kinarut interval to the seabed, in a temporal and spatial framework. A quantitative analysis of the deformation profiles was conducted to observe the 3D structural evolution and its effect on the sedimentary patterns, supported by amplitude analysis and spectral decomposition mapping. The basic principal of line balance restoration is employed to unravel the deformation history of the "L-B-P" structures, with the fundamental assumption that a geological section will restore at any particular moment in time to an unstructured section according to the law of superposition and horizontality. Structures are examined by calculating the rate of shortening at different geological times over a number of line-sections. This quantitative analysis has shown that the structuration and deformation history of the "L-B-P" structures are varied along the structural trend. These variations in turn play a significant role in controlling sediment fairway distribution patterns and impact on the selection of exploration reservoir objectives.


Abstract Celastrus orbiculatus is a non-native, invasive liana that was introduced to the United States in the 1860s and has spread rapidly throughout the Northeast. Several attributes contribute to the invasiveness of C. orbiculatus, including tolerance to a wide range of light levels and habitat types. We compared soil characteristics in seven sets of adjacent, paired plots, spanning a range of habitats and soil types, with and without C. orbiculatus. The paired plots were similar other than the presence or absence of Celastrus. Plots with C. orbiculatus had significantly higher soil pH, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels. Furthermore, nitrogen mineralization and litter decomposition rates were higher in plots with C. orbiculatus. Phosphorus levels were not significantly different between the paired plots. The results of this study contribute to the growing body of research of the effects of invasive species on ecosystem processes.


The Kafka streaming platform has at its heart a distributed commit log. This resembles the change log that exists in every relational database system. It has been suggested that Kafka be viewed not just as a messaging system, but as the core of a database. The database is in effect "turned inside out" as the normally hidden change log becomes the first class entity of the system, while what is normally considered primary, i.e. the table, view, indexes etc. are just derived from this log. This is appealing as a vision, but raises challenges when applied within an actual enterprise system. The challenges arise from the conflicting interests and requirements of analytics and transactional systems. Running everything on a single system leads to tradeoffs; our intentions here is to identify some of the practical problems with using Kafka as a single data store within an enterprise and to describe our initial approach to resolving them. In particular we present preliminary approaches to ensure consistency and coherence of data from multiple database tables when distributed over Kafka and how to address compliance by encrypting/decrypting data at the Kafka producers and consumers.


The purpose of this study is to identify the factors influence readiness towards the organizational changes at Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) managing services departments. In addition, three factors are identified which is new technology, motivation to change and staff attributes. These three factors were examined whether having an impact towards a readiness to organization changes as well. This study has used a questionnaire to collect the data from Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) service department and lots of sources of articles to give asupport the variety of influence towards a readiness to organizational changes. The respondent which is involved in this study is four divisional departments which are Human Resources, Administration, Finance, and Property and Facilities. There are 60 respondents involved in this study. The researcher used Statical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 to analyse the data. From the finding as well, analysis showed that there were positive impact for three variables which is new technology, motivation to change and staff attributes towards a readiness to organizational changes.


AIM
The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the add value provided by [(111)In]DTPA-octreotide single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (Octreo-SPECT/CT) with respect to [(111)In]DTPA-octreotide SPECT (Octreo-SPECT) in terms of diagnostic accuracy and localization of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

METHODS
Eighty-one consecutive patients with known or suspected NET underwent [(111)In]DTPA-octreotide scintigraphy using an integrated SPECT/low-energy-CT system (Infinia & Hawkeye; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, USA). SPECT and fused SPECT/CT images were interpreted separately and a lesion-by-lesion analysis was performed with regard to classification (probability of NET graded on a 5-point scale) and localization of each abnormal focal tracer uptake. A subgroup analysis, distinguishing between abdominal and thoracic lesions, and a patient-by-patient analysis for likelihood of NET in each patient was also performed. Standard of reference for confirming presence or absence of NET was either histopathology or clinical/imaging follow-up data. The value of SPECT/CT imaging was assessed by ROC analysis and McNemar test.

RESULTS
A final diagnosis of NET was achieved in 43 out of 81 patients and a total of 169 areas (138 NET and 31 benign/physiological) with focal tracer uptake were included in the final lesion-by-lesion analysis. SPECT/CT imaging led to a significantly higher proportion of patients (75/81=92.6% vs 64/81=79%) and lesions (163/169=96.4% vs 138/169=81.1%) correctly classified vs SPECT alone. ROC analysis confirmed that Octreo-SPECT/CT performed significantly better than Octreo-SPECT for the detection of NET on both patient- and lesion-based analysis, improving especially evaluation of abnormal tracer uptake in the abdomen. Moreover, Octreo-SPECT/CT accurately localized 160/169 (94.7%) lesions, significantly higher than SPECT alone (77/169= 45.6%).

CONCLUSIONS
Octreo-SPECT/CT allows more accurate detection and localization of NETs than simple Octreo-SPECT, with major benefits for lesions located in the abdomen.


This brief note discusses the search for spirituality in post-modern societies, mainly with reference to the Japanese context. It will become clear that the study of contemporary dynamics needs to take the religious/spiritual aspect into account, by recognizing what is happening on the border between the material and the spiritual world and what needs are being met by the various new spirituality movements.


Recent attempts to build microactuators have centered on electrostatic actuators made of silicon. Three arguments have been repeatedly presented for favoring electrostatic approaches over magnetic: The stored energy densities are comparable or higher on micron scales, the efficiency can be higher, and the approach can be made compatable with semiconductor fabrication. In the work presented here, the arguments favoring electrostatic microactuators are reexamined and found to be flawed. In particular, magnetic fields are shown to be potentially greater than electrostatic fields even down to submicron scales, while the actuator efficiency is shown to be determined by the powering electronics rather than the actuator itself. Further, the need for a monolithic device based on semiconductor fabrication techniques is called into question by the incompatibility of most micromachining (3‐D) and VLSI (2‐D) processing steps. Other factors, such as robustness, suggest that the case for magnetic approaches to microact...


Coal mining had destructed and polluted precious groundwater resources of Cool water Wells coal mine. To more accurately assess the groundwater resources and forecast coal mine groundwater systems status and change trend under state of development and utilization is the foundation work of mining area environment protection and treatment. The paper established the groundwater numerical simulation model in the study area using Visual MODFLOW software, calculated and evaluated the groundwater resources of study area by identification and examination.There are important practical significance to protection preciou water resource of mining area.


As Ayurvedic and Siddha Preparations had thrown light around global market, many formulas are still untapped where standardization of those preparations makes it more valid for regulatory maintenance. In present study the anti-gastric formula of Ayurvedic text Shatapatrayadi churna available in market were compared with the churna prepared in-house lab for the standards. The microscopic feature of the ingredients used, fluorescence analysis, physicochemical constants and qualitative phytochemical screenings for the market and in-house preparation was studied. The ingredients were found authentic and the constants were equating almost with the in-house prepared churna as per API text.


This paper attends to the large and heterogenous array of people and things that come together in the making of a medicinal plant, Sutherlandia frutescens (Lessertia frutescens) as an African medicine through clinical trials. It is a messy, contested and ambiguous process and is constantly being revised and is always open to surprises and the possibility of failure. I use Sutherlandia to introduce some of the issues that complicate the landscapes of knowledge in South Africa in relation to phytomedicines and pharmaceuticals.


Loss of dispersal typifies island biotas, but the selective processes driving this phenomenon remain contentious. This is because selection via, both indirect (e.g. relaxed selection or island syndromes) and direct (e.g. natural selection or spatial sorting) processes may be involved, and no study has yet convincingly distinguished between these alternatives. Here, we combined observational and experimental analyses of an island lizard, the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis, the world's largest lizard), to provide evidence for the actions of multiple processes that could contribute to island dispersal loss. In the Komodo dragon, concordant results from telemetry, simulations, experimental translocations, mark-recapture, and gene flow studies indicated that despite impressive physical and sensory capabilities for long-distance movement, Komodo dragons exhibited near complete dispersal restriction: individuals rarely moved beyond the valleys they were born/captured in. Importantly, lizard site-fidelity was insensitive to common agents of dispersal evolution (i.e. indices of risk for inbreeding, kin and intraspecific competition, and low habitat quality) that consequently reduced survival of resident individuals. We suggest that direct selection restricts movement capacity (e.g. via benefits of spatial philopatry and increased costs of dispersal) alongside use of dispersal-compensating traits (e.g. intraspecific niche partitioning) to constrain dispersal in island species.


New machine architectures and new programming languages are always appearing, and thus the need for new compilers continues unabated. Even experimental languages and machines need compilers. Compiler writers developing new and/or experimental compilers face competing pressures when designing their large-scale structure. On the one hand, a more modular structure will make it easier to maintain, modify or reuse pieces of the compiler. A more modular compiler is more likely to be correct, and reusable compiler components lead to consistent semantics among the compilers using them. On the other hand, a highly modular structure may lead to inefficiencies in implementation. Suppose one uses an intermediate representation and divides up the compiler into two parts, one which compiles the source to the intermediate representation and another which translates a program in the intermediate representation to the target machine language. Doing so may make the compiler easier to understand, and furthermore, a well-chosen intermediate representation may prove a suitable target for other source languages, or a suitable source for translating to other machines. On the other hand, the need to create and then traverse this intermediate representation may slow a compiler significantly. If the two parts are described in a high-level declarative formalism, descriptional composition can be used to combine the two parts automatically so as to avoid creating and traversing the intermediate structure. This dissertation presents a declarative compiler description language, APS, and a new method for descriptional composition. The language, based on a variant of attribute grammars, contains a number of features that aid compiler writers in factoring descriptions so that each concept can be expressed separately. Both a compiler for Oberon2 and a front-end for APS itself have been written in APS. The back-end of the Oberon2 compiler consists of a translation to a form of the ``GCC tree'''' intermediate representation. Another module gives the translation from this form to source-level C text. A prototype compiler has been developed for APS that supports descriptional composition. The descriptionally composed version of the Oberon2 back-end with the translation to C text is no larger than the sum of the sizes of the modules from which it is composed, yet it runs almost twice as fast. The Oberon2 compiler is the first successful use of descriptional composition for a realistically complex system, and demonstrates the effectiveness of combining the new APS description language and the new algorithm for descriptional composition presented in this dissertation.


Abstract. Tropical savannas and grasslands are estimated to contribute significantly to the total primary production of all terrestrial vegetation. Large parts of African savannas and grasslands are used for agriculture and cattle grazing, but the carbon flux data available from these areas are limited. This study explores carbon dioxide fluxes measured with the eddy covariance method for 3 years at a grazed savanna grassland in Welgegund, South Africa. The tree cover around the measurement site, grazed by cattle and sheep, was around 15 %. The night-time respiration was not significantly dependent on either soil moisture or soil temperature on a weekly temporal scale, whereas on an annual timescale higher respiration rates were observed when soil temperatures were higher. The carbon dioxide balances of the years 2010–2011, 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 were −85 ± 16, 67 ± 20 and 139 ± 13 gC m−2 yr−1, respectively. The yearly variation was largely determined by the changes in the early wet season fluxes (September to November) and in the mid-growing season fluxes (December to January). Early rainfall enhanced the respiratory capacity of the ecosystem throughout the year, whereas during the mid-growing season high rainfall resulted in high carbon uptake.


FITC-doped silica nanoparticles (NPs) was successfully synthesized via sol-gel
method.' Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was incorporated on the silica.
nanoparticles using crosslinker agent of 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES)
Based on this method, ethanol, aqueous ammonia, water, tetraethyl orthosilicate
 (TEOS) and APTES were served as constant variables while the concentration of
dye was taken as manipulated variable. Six experiment trials were made where the
first sample was used as a control sample with no addition of dye while the
remaining five sample with different 'dye concentration.; The particle
characterization was carried out using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS),
Photoluminescence Spectrometer (PLS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and
Ultraviolet-visible Spectroscopy (UV-vis). XRD result shows an amorphous
structure with broad band of 22°. SEM confirms the size of particles were within
the range of nanoscale of average size of 81.25 nm. EDS denote the element present
in the nanoparticles which are Si, O, N, C and S. Meanwhile, the PLS analysis
illustrate the optical properties of FITC-doped silica NPs which result in decreasing
fluorescent intensity as dye concentration increased. Finally, FTIR and UV-vis
shows the presence of silica and carbonyl group based on the incorporation of dye


In this paper, I first retrace the filiations and the history of digital literature in France, emphasizing the various literary and aesthetic tendencies and the corresponding structures (groups, reviews). Then I focus on French digital literature communities. I notably give an account of a study that I did in 2004-2007 for the Centre Pompidou in Paris: I analyzed a socio-technical device (discussion list and website) called e-critures, dedicated to digital literature, with the hypothesis of the co-construction of a socio-technical device, a field and a community. I conclude on the possible characteristics of digital literature in France.


Case Presentation: A 59-year-old man on anticoagulation therapy with warfarin complained of sudden, progressive and severe pain and tenderness around right gluteus muscles and all the way down to the calf muscles of right leg. Two days earlier he slipped and suffered a trauma to gluteal region and both lower limbs. Over the past couple of days, he complained of debilitating pain and wasn't able to sit, sleep or move. His past history was unremarkable apart from the diagnosis of primary antiphospholipid syndrome.
On physical examination, the patient was fully conscious with stable vital signs, and no abnormality was detected other than large ecchymosis and bruises all over right gluteal, quadriceps and calf muscles with similar but to a much lower extent on left side. Laboratory investigations showed elevated international normalized ratio (INR) of 4.8 (prescribed ratio 2-3), hemoglobin dropped from 14.5 gm/dl down to 11.3 gm/dl.
Lumbar and Pelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sections demonstrated a big right sided collection extending in between the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius measures 20 × 2.3 × 11 cm presented as low to iso signal in T1 sections and high signal in T2 sections, associated with completely abnormal high signal of the gluteus medius muscle in T2 sections with lobulated collection inside having fluid- level measures about 8 × 4.5 cm in keeping with intramuscular hematoma with extra muscular blood spillage (Figures 1-4).


Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the readiness of the Swedish manufacturing industry to implement dynamic, data-driven preventive maintenance (PM) by identifying the gap between the state of the art and the state of practice. Design/methodology/approach An embedded multiple case study was performed in which some of the largest companies in the discrete manufacturing industry, that is, mechanical engineering, were surveyed regarding the design of their PM programmes. Findings The studied manufacturing companies make limited use of the existing scientific state of the art when designing their PM programmes. They seem to be aware of the possibilities for improvement, but they also see obstacles to changing their practices according to future requirements. Practical implications The results of this study will benefit both industry professionals and academicians, setting the initial stage for the development of data-driven, diversified and dynamic PM programmes. Originality/Value First and foremost, this study maps the current state and practice in PM planning among some of the larger automotive manufacturing industries in Sweden. This work reveals a gap between the state of the art and the state of practice in the design of PM programmes. Insights regarding this gap show large improvement potentials which may prove important for academics as well as practitioners.