This study explores the experiences of first and second generation immigrant youth within community youth programming in mainstream, multicultural and ethno-specific organizations. Through interviews with nine youth and three youth program staff this study reveals how youth view the community based programming they attend as well as how their experiences reflect social inclusion or exclusion. Young people's positive experiences are that youth programs are spaces that generate positive feelings, contribute to growth, assist in developing meaningful relationships and connect youth to their community. However, youth also disclose experiences which negatively impact their inclusion in youth programming. Using a lens of social inclusion, this study demonstrates the central role of community youth programming in creating socially inclusive or exclusive environments. These young people's recommendations for change provide solutions for making community youth programs more inclusive.


The term viral hepatitis refers to the diseases produced by at least three, and perhaps four or five aetiologic agents that differ in their virologic characteristics, ecologic mechanisms, epidemiologic patterns, and long term consequences. These divergences are now well-defined for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). HAV is an RNA virus dependent upon consecutive transmission in childhood, and is not associated with long term sequelae. In contrast, HBV is a DNA virus capable of producing a reservoir of chronic human infection from which spread to adults as well as children can periodically occur by a variety of methods. Chronic HBV disease is not only a continuing source of potential viral transmission in the community, but also sometimes results years later in very serious consequences. Continuing destruction of the liver leads to cirrhosis and hepatic failure; in addition, integration of viral DNA into that of the hepatocyte is probably responsible for the high incidence of carcinoma of the liver associated with HBV infection in many areas of the world. The 'third' form of viral hepatitis is termed 'non-A, non-B' (NANB), because it is identified only by serologic exclusion of HAV and HBV infection. Its epidemiologic and clinical characterization are difficult because variations in behaviour in groups of cases suggest that more than one virus is responsible for this negatively defined entity. One or more of the agents leads to chronic infection, but the relative frequency with which it causes chronic active hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma cannot yet be stated.


The concanavalin A (Con A)‐induced proliferation of lymph node lymphocytes is dependent on the presence of macrophages. When lymphocytes are depleted of macrophages, Con A is no longer mitogenic. Either 12‐0‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetae (TPA), interleukin 1 (IL1), or macrophages in combination with Con A can restore proliferation. To establish where the proliferation process is blocked in the absence of macrophages, an early step in the signalling pathway, the activation of protein kinase C, was examined. It was found that although Con A caused translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosol to the membrane of lymph node cells, when the lymph node cells were depleted of macrophages and exposed to Con A, this translocation of protein kinase C did not occur. Instead, protein kinase C activity decreased in the membrane fraction and increased in the cytosol. On the other hand, TPA caused translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) from the cytosol to the membrane regardless of the presence of macrophages. However, the macrophage product, IL1, alone or in combination with Con A did not cause translocation of protein kinase C. In a reconstitution experiment, in which lymph node cells were depleted of macrophages and then macrophages were added back, the addition of Con A again lead to translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosol to the membrane. This combination also restored cell proliferation. Therefore, the Con A induced PKC translocation in T lymphocytes is macrophage mediated. TPA overcomes the macrophage requirement by directly activaing PKC, while IL1 appears to act at a different step in proliferation.


NMR experiments and tools for the characterization of the structure and dynamics of paramagnetic proteins are presented here. The focus is on the importance of C direct-detection NMR for the assignment of paramagnetic systems in solution, on the information contained in paramagnetic effects observed both in solution and in the solid state, and on novel paramagnetism-based tools for the investigation of conformational heterogeneity in protein–protein complexes or in multi-domain proteins.


Background: Caregiving to patients with schizophrenia is burdensome for family caregivers and has profound effects on them. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the impacts of informal caregiving among the family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on a purposive sample of 12 family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and 3 health-care providers. Semi-structured interviews were held for data collection, and conventional content analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Four main subthemes were developed during data analysis, namely threatened health, helplessness, patient abandonment, and personal growth. Together with their eight subcategories, these subthemes were grouped into the main theme of the "Consequences of caregiving burden." Conclusion: Caregiving to patients with schizophrenia imposes heavy burden on family caregivers and has different consequences for them. The findings of this study can improve the knowledge and awareness of mental health and psychiatric nurses about schizophrenia and its consequences for family caregivers and can help them identify family caregivers who are at risk for negative consequences and design proper family-based interventions to reduce the effects of these negative consequences.


Abstract Background: Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism is essential for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation. Perturbations in associated biomarkers have been implicated in increased risk of colorectal cancer. Inflammation, especially related to inflammatory bowel disease, is also implicated as a risk factor for colorectal cancer, and one-carbon nutrients, particularly vitamins B6 and B12, may directly affect inflammatory processes. A concurrent investigation of these two interrelated pathways could yield new information regarding relationships between inflammatory processes and one-carbon metabolism. Objective: To investigate correlations between nutritional, inflammatory, and one-carbon metabolism biomarkers. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to explore correlations between biomarkers of nutrition, inflammation and one-carbon metabolism in 1,976 women selected from the 93,676 participants in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Nutritional biomarkers included vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5'-phosphate [PLP]), vitamin B12, plasma folate, and red blood cell (RBC) folate. C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were used as biomarkers of inflammation. Homocysteine and cysteine levels were measured as integrated biomarkers of one-carbon metabolism. All biomarkers were measured using established methods from samples obtained at baseline. SAS 9.2 was used to perform Student's t, Chi-squared, and Spearman rank correlation tests, along with multivariate linear regressions adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI), to explore the relationships between the biomarkers, with statistical significance at p<0.05. Results: Plasma PLP was the only nutritional one-carbon metabolism biomarker to show significant inverse correlations with both CRP and SAA (r=-0.22, -0.12 respectively; p<0.0001). A similar result was also observed when PLP [nmol/L] was regressed on CRP [mg/L] and SAA [mg/L] (adjusted regression coefficient [β]=-1.41, -0.89 respectively; p<0.0001). While cysteine [μmol/L] was significantly correlated with PLP and plasma folate, and showed a significant association with CRP (β=-2.19, p<0.0001), homocysteine [μmol/L] showed significant inverse correlations with all nutritional biomarkers, and was significantly associated with both CRP (β=19.86, p=0.003) and SAA (β=25.62, p<0.0001). Conclusions: Biomarkers of inflammation are associated with concentrations of PLP, cysteine and homocysteine. While these associations between the biomarkers of inflammation, diet, and one-carbon metabolism are promising, determining causality is an important next step. Citation Format: Michael J. Paskow, Clare Abbenhardt, Joshua W. Miller, Xiaoling Song, Elissa C. Brown, Ting-Yuan David Cheng, Mark H. Wener, Yingye Zheng, Adetunji T. Toriola, Marian L. Neuhouser, Shirley A. A. Beresford, Karen Makar, Lynn B. Bailey, David R. Maneval, Ralph Green, JoAnn Manson, Linda Van Horn, Cornelia Ulrich. Relationships between biomarkers of diet, one-carbon metabolism, and inflammation within the Women's Health Initiative observational study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Post-GWAS Horizons in Molecular Epidemiology: Digging Deeper into the Environment; 2012 Nov 11-14; Hollywood, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(11 Suppl):Abstract nr 34.


Background: Hemithyroidectomy is one of the most common procedures performed. It is used to treat patients with benign unilateral nodules. Hemithyroidectomy results in fewer risks of hypothyroidism and the need for thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The present study was designed to identify potential clinicopathologic risk factors associated with the onset of biochemical hypothyroidism. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy between 2004 and 2019. Hypothyroidism was defined as a serum thyrotropin level greater than 5 mIU/L. The patients were analyzed for age, sex, preoperative and postoperative thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), state, side, and volume of the remaining lobe, and histologic diagnosis. Results: Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 30.8% of 214 patients. This complication appeared in the first year in 83.3% of the cases. A preoperative TSH level greater than 1.32 mIU/l, a remaining volume of the lobe less than 3 ml, and the presence of thyroiditis were associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing hypothyroidism (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in age, sex, state, and side of the remaining lobe. The mean thyroxine dose was 57 ± 26 micrograms. Conclusions: The risk of hypothyroidism after hemithyroidectomy should be assessed prior to surgery. Close monitoring is recommended in patients at high risk of developing this complication. However, all patients who undergo hemithyroidectomy should be monitored at least for the first year.


In the last five years, organo lead halide perovskites have emerged as a new and efficient player in the field of photovoltaics, jumping in a short time to an advanced front position. This class of materials has also shown proficient light emission capabilities, and perovskite-based light emission devices have been demonstrated as well. Therefore, the optical characterization of these materials has been widely used to explain and evaluate their light absorption/emission characteristics. Despite their remarkable success, they also have shown severe intrinsic sensitivity to their surrounding conditions, e.g. UV light, oxygen, and moisture. This thesis is composed of three studies on the optical characterization of perovskites. The thesis starts with an introductory chapter on organo lead halide perovskites, which includes a literature review on the possible origins of perovskite phase instability. Next, the first study of this work presents a detailed investigation on the photovoltaic and spontaneous emission properties of FAPbBr3 perovskite films (FA = Formamidinium). The study first introduces the absorption/emission detailed balance equilibrium in a working perovskite solar cell, based on which the device characteristics are calculated under different ideal/non-ideal conditions. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) is shown to be a good measure for evaluating the maximum possible open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the device. Perovskite solar cells were fabricated, using two differently prepared FAPbBr3 perovskite films, and the results were correlated with TRPL measurements. A record Voc of 1.42 V that is higher than the value of the built-in potential (as reported in the literature) developed by the device contacts was achieved, and consequential insights about charge separation dynamics are discussed. Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) was successfully demonstrated for the same perovskite films. Bandgap renormalization (BGR) was observed as a red-shift in the ASE peak, and the gain behavior is shown to allow the estimation of BGR values directly from the ASE peak position. A value of 5-7 × 10-9 eV.cm was obtained for the BGR constant. The second study in this work addresses the UV-induced damage on MAPbI3 perovskite (MA = Methylammonium). The study reports that UV degradation can occur in the perovskite bulk, and is not only associated with the presence of oxygen or TiO2 surface, as reported by some recently published works. UV degradation is found to switch off when the sample is cooled below 200 K, which indicates the presence of a thermally activated process. Based on that, the direct bond dissociation in the thermally liberated MA cations is proposed to be a first UV-induced degradation step, which can be accompanied/followed by other degradation processes. The third study demonstrates cathodoluminescence (CL) mapping of MAPbI3-xBrx microcubes. An abnormal CL intensity contrast between the center and edge of single microcubes is observed, where the CL emission is highly reduced in the centers at room temperature, and almost vanishes at 4 K, while the edges have prominent CL emission. The observed behavior is correlated, with the help of STEM-EDX maps, with a noticeable deficiency of MA ions in the centers. The CL maps are also correlated with Monte Carlo simulations under different e-beam acceleration voltages, and the enhanced edge CL emission is explained as a result of diffusion assisted carrier recombination.


The purpose of this study is to examine the relative importance of media coverage and physician advice on the decision of women 40 years and older to obtain a mammogram. Five theoretical models, by which media coverage and physician advice may interact to affect individual health behavior, are presented. These models are tested with time-series regression analysis based on national-level data on mammography utilization and physician advice from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and content analysis of mammography-related national news coverage. Results suggest that although physician advice plays a key role in women's decisions to have mammograms, media coverage of mammography screening also contributes to mammography utilization by women. In particular, media coverage seems to be important for women who do not have regular contact with a physician or access to physicians. A possible conclusion is that mass media and physician advice complement one another in persuading individuals to adopt preventive health behavior.


Human teeth and dental restorations have proven to remain stable during a long time as well as in extreme situations such as fire. Therefore, forensic odontology can play an important part in the identification of severe mutilated bodies of unknown persons. The essence of the identification procedure is comparing the post mortem remains with the ante mortem records. In this issue several authors describe the importance of forensic odontology by means of the use of dental records in mass disasters. Another aspect of forensic odontology is the examination of bite marks, which can be seen in some criminal cases.


Author(s): McArthur, Scott George | Advisor(s): Lavallo, Vincent | Abstract: The discovery of polyhedral boranes in the early 1900's by Alfred Stock and coworkers opened the door to an entirely new realm of structural chemistry. Boron's rather unique property of catenation, the ability to build molecules of unlimited size by covalently bonding to itself, has been exploited to develop the field of polyhedral borane chemistry. In 1960 the first icosahedral carborane was synthesized, B12H122- dianion, by Pitochelli and Hawthorne. Aside from the interesting structure and bonding of the cluster it was found to be incredibly thermally stable, withstanding heats above 800 °C, and chemically inert to almost all reagents. These properties have led to the B12H122- being called the most stable molecule known. The isoelectronic analogues of this structure where one or more BH has been replaced by a CH+ are known as carboranes. The first of this family was prepared in the industrial setting in the 1950's but went unreported until 1963. The post-World War II government programs (ZIP and HEF) were purposed with developing borane-based rocket fuel that would utilize the higher energies generated by the combustion of boron hydrides in contrast to hydrocarbons. In 1957 ortho-carborane, 1,2-C2B10H12 was isolated by Reaction Motors Inc, however this ground-breaking work on the o-carborane wasn't published until 1963 when the groups at Thiokol and Olin-Mathieson released a series of papers. Years later, the monoanionic cluster HCB11H111- was synthesized by Knoth in 1967. The related closed 10-vertex anion HCB9H91- was also prepared by Knoth in 1971 and displays many of the same characteristics as the 12-vertex mono-anion. These monoanionic closed cluster carboranes have found application most notably as weakly coordinating anions but are also used in medicine, material science, electrochemistry, and transition metal catalysis. It is these monoanionic carborane clusters that will be the primary focus of this thesis.A major part of this work is directed at functionalizing these carborane clusters and incorporating them into imidazolium salts. The imidazoliums bearing functionalized carboranes can then converted into the corresponding N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) to be used as ligands for transition metal complexes. This thesis will also contain work in the area of electrolyte development exploiting the weakly coordinating nature of the carborane anion. Both the 10- and 12-vertex carborane clusters can be paired with various cations for their implementation in secondary batteries. Magnesium electrolytes were developed and tested in collaboration with the Guo lab at UC Riverside. Solid-state electrolytes were also developed for various cations and tested by our collaborators at Sandia National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.


A number of clinical findings suggested HDL-raising as a plausible approach to treat residual risk of CVD. However, lack of CVD risk reduction by elevated HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) through cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition and enhanced risk reduction in apolipoprotein A-I Milano (apoAI-M) individuals with low HDL-C shifted the focus from HDL-C level to HDL function. In the present study, we investigated correlations between HDL-C, HDL function, fecal cholesterol excretion, and ex vivo plasma cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) in animal models using two HDL modulators, LXR and PPAR-α agonists. In C57Bl mice, LXR agonist, T1317, raised HDL-C by 30%, while PPAR-α agonist, fenofibrate, reduced HDL-C by 30%, but fecal cholesterol showed twofold increase in both cases. CEC showed a 30–40% increase. Combination of LXR and PPAR-α agonists showed no changes in HDL-C, but, interestingly, fecal cholesterol increased by 4.5-fold, and CEC by 40%, suggesting existence of additional pathway for fecal cholesterol excretion. Regression analysis showed a lack of correlation between HDL-C and fecal cholesterol and CEC, while fecal cholesterol showed significant correlation with CEC, a measure of HDL function. ABCA1 and G1, the two important players in RCT showed greater induction with LXR agonist than PPAR-α agonist. HDL-C increased by 40 and 80% in LXR and PPAR-α treated apoA-I transgenic mice, respectively, with 80% increase in fecal cholesterol. A fivefold increase in fecal cholesterol with no correlation with either plasma HDL-C or CEC following co-treatment with LXR and PPAR-α agonists suggested existence of an HDL-independent pathway for body cholesterol elimination. In hyperlipidemic diabetic ob/ob mice also combination of LXR and PPAR-α agonists showed marked increases in fecal cholesterol content (10–20-fold), while HDL-C rise was only 40%, further suggesting HDL-independent elimination of body cholesterol in mice treated with combination of LXR and PPAR-α agonists. Atherosclerosis attenuation by LXR and PPAR-α agonists in LDLr-deficient mice was associated with increased fecal cholesterol, but not HDL-C. However, fecal cholesterol counts showed inverse correlation with aortic cholesteryl ester content. These data suggest: (a) lack of correlation between HDL-C and fecal or aortic cholesterol content; (b) HDL function (CEC) correlated with fecal cholesterol content; (c) association of reduced aortic lipids in LDLr−/− mice with increased fecal cholesterol, but not with HDL-C, and (d) existence of an HDL-independent pathway for fecal cholesterol excretion following co-treatment with LXR and PPAR-α agonists.


Introduction: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), like other joints, is exposed to a variety of injuries and, as a result it affects the DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease). DJD is the most common disease associated with joints, which is diagnosed by observation of some clinical symptoms associated with bone changes using computer tomography imaging (CT). CBCT is one of the most suitable methods for dental purposes. Considering the occurrence of condylar morphological changes in DJD and its observation in CBCT images, in this study, the mean of horizontal condyle angle in the axillary plane in TMJ was investigated using CBCT images.

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 80 CBCT images of 40 patients with bilateral DJD (group A) and control patients with no DJD-affected (group B) choose from the archives of CBCT images of patients referred to the private radiology center. The CBCT images of the patients were evaluated by on demand software in the axial view, the coronal plane was drawn perpendicular to the midsagittal plane, and angle between the long axis of the condylar and the coronal plane was considered as the horizontal condyle angle. The mean of angles in both control and patient groups was compared using t-test.

Results: The results of this study showed that there is no significant difference between the horizontal angle of the right and left condyles in group A (patients who are affected by DJD disorder) and B (people who are not affected by DJD disorder). It was also shown that the mean of horizontal condyle angle between the groups A (DJD) and B (Non-DJD) was not significantly different between men and women on both sides. In the present study, the mean of horizontal condyle angle in both sides was investigated in the age group of 18 years-34 years and 35 years-74 years. The results showed that the mean of horizontal condyle angle was not significantly different between the age groups.

Conclusion: The horizontal condyle angle was not significantly different between the two groups with DJD and the nonaffected group. Additionally, there was no significant difference between patients and non-patients in any of the sex and age groups.


Open source software is not something to be afraid of! It's software that you can modify, fix, add to, and distribute to others. Benefits are numerous, including having the ability to create good software that works for you and your library, all while paying a fraction of the cost that you might spend on proprietary software. The website introduces librarians to using open source software and provides tips for implementing and evaluating your transition, ideas for funding, and suggestions for open source software to use in your library. Website can be viewed online at http://slis.uiowa.edu/~slochhaas/osslibraries/


Context. Since the discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995 around a solar-type star, the interest in exoplanetary systems has kept increasing. Studying exoplanet host stars is of the utmost importance to establish the link between the presence of exoplanets around various types of stars and to understand the respective evolution of stars and exoplanets. Aims. Using the limb-darkened diameter (LDD) obtained from interferometric data, we determine the fundamental parameters of four exoplanet host stars. We are particularly interested in the F4 main-sequence star, θ Cyg, for which Kepler has recently revealed solar-like oscillations that are unexpected for this type of star. Furthermore, recent photometric and spectroscopic measurements with SOPHIE and ELODIE (OHP) show evidence of a quasi-periodic radial velocity of ∼150 days. Models of this periodic change in radial velocity predict either a complex planetary system orbiting the star, or a new and unidentified stellar pulsation mode. Methods. We performed interferometric observations of θ Cyg, 14 Andromedae, υ Andromedae and 42 Draconis for two years with VEGA/CHARA (Mount Wilson, California) in several three-telescope configurations. We measured accurate limb darkened diameters and derived their radius, mass and temperature using empirical laws. Results. We obtain new accurate fundamental parameters for stars 14 And, υ And and 42 Dra. We also obtained limb darkened diameters with a minimum precision of ∼1.3%, leading to minimum planet masses of M sini = 5.33 ± 0.57, 0.62 ± 0.09 and 3.79 ± 0.29 MJup for 14 And b, υ And b and 42 Dra b, respectively. The interferometric measurements of θ Cyg show a significant diameter variability that remains unexplained up to now. We propose that the presence of these discrepancies in the interferometric data is caused either by an intrinsic variation of the star or an unknown close companion orbiting around it.


Cardiovascular drugs are abundantly prescribed to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment with these (and other) drugs is often ineffective, and/or is accompanied by adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This can partially be explained by factors such as gender, age, concomitant drug use and environmental factors. To a certain extent, genetic variability may contribute to the variability in response to cardiovascular drugs as reviewed in chapter 2.1. Aside from some well established examples (e.g. coumarins and CYP2C9, VKORC1), several genetic markers have been identified that were shown to affect cardiovascular drug response in more than one study, but many more genetic markers have been proposed, but not replicated. Numerous explanations have been proposed to contribute to the lack of reproducibility of many findings. In chapter 2.2, we described some of the methodological and statistical issues within study design, gene and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selection and data analysis that should be considered in future pharmacogenomic research. We elaborate on some of the pros and cons of a study that uses a candidate gene approach versus a study that uses a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach. Furthermore, we discussed both conventional data analysis and several innovative approaches that deal with testing many variables and the human biological complexity. We contributed to the knowledge about genetic determinants of the effectiveness of statins in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in chapter 3, chapter 4, and chapter 5. We collected data for an observational retrospective case control study enriched with genetic information. The advantages of this study design were the relatively low costs and efforts, the feasibility to include a large amount of cases, and that it reflects everyday clinical care. Different methodological approaches were used for the studies described. Chapter 3 focuses on one or two SNPs within a candidate gene for modification of statin effectiveness, whereas chapter 4 describes studies that consider all common variability in candidate genes within a certain pathway for the pharmacogenetics of statins. SNPs from a cardiovascular gene-centric 50K SNP array were tested for their influence on statin responsiveness in chapter 5. The most promising findings include interactions found between statin treatment and SNPs in the ADAMTS1 and PCSK9 gene. In addition, SNPs in other genes such as SCARB1, ABCB1, SLCO1B1, F5, F7, and GNB3 require additional investigation. Although statins are generally well tolerated, muscular side effects are often experienced by patients and may be related to genetics as reviewed in chapter 6.1. The SLCO1B1 T521C variant was subject of a study on discontinuation in two independent populations, an event that is in line with suffering from ADRs. Compatible with previous findings we found a small increase in risk of statin discontinuation for variant allele carriers in one, but not the other study. Finally, chapter 7 provides a general discussion of our findings in a broader perspective, including the implications for clinical practice and recommendations for future research. We advocate that randomized clinical trials should not be the golden standard that warrants clinical implication of a pharmacogenetic interactions when conclusive evidence from observational research is already available


The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the steroid receptor superfamily that binds to the androgen response element to regulate target gene transcription. AR may need to interact with some selected coregulators for maximal or proper androgen function. Here we report the isolation of a new AR coregulator with a calculated molecular mass of 267 kDa named the androgen receptor-associated protein 267-α (ARA267-α). ARA267-α contains 2427 amino acids, including one Su(var)3-9,Enhancer-of-zeste, and Trithorax (SET) domain, two LXXLL motifs, three nuclear translocation signal (NLS) sequences, and four plant homodomain (PHD) finger domains. Northern blot analyses reveal that ARA267-α is expressed predominantly in the lymph node as 13- and 10-kilobase transcripts. HepG2 is the only cell line tested that does not express ARA267-α. Yeast two-hybrid and glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays show that both the N and C terminus of ARA267-α interact with the AR DNA- and ligand-binding domains. Unlike other coregulators, such as CBP, which enhance the interaction between the N and C terminus of AR, we found that ARA267-α had little influence on the interaction between the N and C terminus of AR. Luciferase and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays show that ARA267-α can enhance AR transactivation in a dihydrotestosterone-dependent manner in PC-3 and H1299 cells. ARA267-α can also enhance AR transactivation with other coregulators, such as ARA24 or PCAF, a histone acetylase, in an additive manner. Together, our data demonstrate that ARA267-α is a new AR coregulator containing the SET domain with an exceptionally large molecular mass that can enhance AR transactivation in prostate cancer cells.


The Akt family of serine‐threonine kinases integrates a myriad of signals governing cell proliferation, apoptosis, glucose metabolism, and cytoskeletal organization. Akt affects neuronal morphology and function, influencing dendrite growth and the expression of ion channels. Akt is also an integral element of PI3Kinase‐target of rapamycin (TOR)‐Rheb signaling, a pathway that affects synapse assembly in both vertebrates and Drosophila. Our recent findings demonstrated that disruption of this pathway in Drosophila is responsible for a number of neurodevelopmental deficits that may also affect phenotypes associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, a disorder resulting from mutations compromising the TSC1/TSC2 complex, an inhibitor of TOR (Dimitroff et al., 2012). Therefore, we examined the role of Akt in the assembly and physiological function of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a glutamatergic synapse that displays developmental and activity‐dependent plasticity. The single Drosophila Akt family member, Akt1 selectively altered the postsynaptic targeting of one glutamate receptor subunit, GluRIIA, and was required for the expansion of a specialized postsynaptic membrane compartment, the subsynaptic reticulum (SSR). Several lines of evidence indicated that Akt1 influences SSR assembly by regulation of Gtaxin, a Drosophila t‐SNARE protein (Gorczyca et al., 2007) in a manner independent of the mislocalization of GluRIIA. Our findings show that Akt1 governs two critical elements of synapse development, neurotransmitter receptor localization, and postsynaptic membrane elaboration. © 2013 The Authors. Developmental Neurobiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 73: 723–743, 2013


OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this analysis was to evaluate the impact of pre-existing drug resistance by next-generation sequencing (NGS) on the risk of treatment failure (TF) of first-line regimens in participants enrolled in the START study.

METHODS
Stored plasma from participants with entry HIV RNA >1000 copies/mL were analysed using NGS (llumina MiSeq). Pre-existing drug resistance was defined using the mutations considered by the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database (HIVDB v8.6) to calculate the genotypic susceptibility score (GSS, estimating the number of active drugs) for the first-line regimen at the detection threshold windows of >20%, >5%, and >2% of the viral population. Survival analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between the GSS and risk of TF (viral load >200 copies/mL plus treatment change).

RESULTS
Baseline NGS data were available for 1380 antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve participants enrolled over 2009-2013. First-line ART included a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) in 976 (71%), a boosted protease inhibitor in 297 (22%), or an integrase strand transfer inhibitor in 107 (8%). The proportions of participants with GSS <3 were 7% for >20%, 10% for >5%, and 17% for the >2% thresholds, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio of TF associated with a GSS of 0-2.75 versus 3 in the subset of participants with mutations detected at the >2% threshold was 1.66 (95% confidence interval 1.01-2.74; p = 0.05) and 2.32 (95% confidence interval 1.32-4.09; p = 0.003) after restricting the analysis to participants who started an NNRTI-based regimen.

CONCLUSIONS
Up to 17% of participants initiated ART with a GSS <3 on the basis of NGS data. Minority variants were predictive of TF, especially for participants starting NNRTI-based regimens.


Abstract Predicting the effects of small-scale faults and fractures on reservoir behaviour requires a definition of their spatial distribution, orientation and mode. Elastic dislocation (ED) theory can predict the distribution of displacement, strain and stress in the rock volume surrounding major faults, from mapping of fault geometry and slip distribution in 3D seismic-reflection datasets. The intensity of small-scale faulting can be related to the predicted local strain, or the degree to which the shear stresses exceeded the rock failure envelope. We illustrate the methodology with three case studies: (i) a relatively-simple thrust anticline from Venezuela, where hydrocarbons are trapped in Pliocene sandstones within the faulted hanging wall anticline; (ii) the Gull-faks Field and of the North Sea; and (iii) the Miskar Field, offshore Tunisia, where large seismically mapped normal faults are forward-modelled to predict small-scale fault characteristics for comparison with detailed interpretation and seismic attribute analysis. Key requirements for the development of a robust predictive model of the small-scale fault and fracture network are a geometrically consistent framework model, judicious choice of mechanical properties, and a reasonable estimate of regional background strain.


Purpose. Hospital practices in academic medical centers have fewer medical residents available to provide hospital care, necessitating alternative models for patient care. This article reports a new model for care of inpatients with cardiovascular diseases. Method. In 1998, a new nonresident cardiovascular patient care (Cardiology IV) service was implemented that used a team approach of staff attending cardiologists, cardiovascular fellows, midlevel practitioners (nurse practitioners and physician's assistants), and nurses to evaluate and treat patients. Standard dismissal information was collected for all patients dismissed in 1998 to compare diagnosis-related group, length of stay, in-hospital mortality, and 30-day readmission rates for Cardiology IV. These characteristics were compared with those for the remaining resident teaching services. Patients' satisfaction surveys from 1997 and 1998 were compared. Attending physicians' and internal medicine residents' satisfaction before and after the implementation of the new service was also compared. Results. Staff and resident physicians were more satisfied with their hospital rotations after this intervention was introduced. Optimal patient care was maintained, and efficiency enhanced. Patients on Cardiology IV had a shorter length of stay compared with patients on the resident teaching service. Conclusions. This new hospital model has provided an alternative to patient care without the need for residents and protects education on the conventional teaching services. This model maintains optimal patient care and has resulted in enhanced satisfaction of attending staff and residents.


This Doctorate research study has aimed to critically review the concepts of risk and risk assessment processes of sex offenders within the Probation Service. It has sought to critically examine the uses and application of the risk assessment tools of the Offender Assessment System and Risk Matrix 2000 in relation to sexual offenders, and examine practitioners opinions and perspectives regarding the effectiveness of these tools for aiding in understanding and managing the risks posed of sexual offenders. It has also aimed to critically examine the level of practitioners experience and training as well as the support available to Probation staff and how this impacts upon their use of clinical and actuarial approaches to assessing the risk that sex offenders pose. Lastly it has aimed to critically discuss these aims in light of the changes that have taken place due to the Transforming Rehabilitation policies implemented by the coalition Government. The research has been undertaken using qualitative methods of semi structure interviews and quantitative data in the form of questionnaires.
This Doctorate research has identified there is an increasing trend to focusing on actuarial risk assessments, and these being used to determine intervention / allocation of resources. The clinical assessment skills of Probation Officers can be very valuable, and further attention needs to be given in terms of ensuring that these are developed. This research has identified that there was a lack of formal training available, and there was not consistent levels of support available to Probation Officers.
This Doctorate has contributed to academic knowledge, and has provided a frontline perspective on the risk assessment tools used by Probation Officers to assess the risk that sex offenders pose. It provided an investigation of the use of Offender Assessment System and Risk Matrix 2000 as part of the risk assessment process and there has been limited coverage of this previously within academic circles. It was written at a time when the Probation Service was undergoing radical reforms, and provides a critical examination of how these reforms have impacted on the assessment and management of sex offenders.


Regional unemployment rates in Great Britain have narrowed dramatically in recent years. However, significant differences still remain in terms of both employment and economic inactivity rates, which may now better reflect relative labour market performance. This paper examines these differences in labour market outcomes using a unified empirical framework that decomposes regional differences in employment, economic inactivity and unemployment into components due to either structural or composition effects. The analysis highlights the important role that ill health and structural deficits currently play in accounting for regional differences in both employment and economic inactivity rates.


Translation of the sigma factor RpoS is activated by DsrA, RprA and ArcA, three small non-coding sRNAs (sRNA) that expose the ribosome-binding site (RBS) by opening up an inhibitory loop. In the RpoS network, no sRNAs have been found to pair with the RBS, a most common sRNA target site in bacteria. Here, we generate Ribo-0, an artificial sRNA, which represses rpoS translation by pairing with the RBS. Ribo-0 bypasses the RNA chaperon Hfq but requires the RBS to be loosely blocked. Ribo-0 interacts with DsrA and reshapes the RpoS network. Specifically, in the intact RpoS network, DsrA activates rpoS translation by freeing up the RBS. In the modified RpoS network where Ribo-0 is introduced, the DsrA-caused RBS exposure facilitates Ribo-0 binding, thereby strengthening Ribo-0 inhibition. In other words, Ribo-0 changes DsrA from an activator to an accomplice for repressing rpoS translation. This work presents an artificial mechanism of rpoS regulation, reveals mutual effects of native and synthetic players and demonstrates genetic context-dependency of their functions.


Abstract. Alcala AA, Delos Angeles MD, Buot Jr IE. 2019. Fern species diversity across various land use types of Mt. Makiling, Luzon Island, Philippines. Biodiversitas 20: 2437-2445. Mt. Makiling of Luzon Island, Philippines is home to many living organisms including ferns and fern allies which are one of the important understory vegetation in many forest communities and having various economic uses like food, medicine and ornamentation. This study identified fern species found in various land use types across the northeastern slope of Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Philippines. The plot technique was employed using a 20x20 meter quadrat. Three (3) 5x2 subquadrats were randomly distributed within the established quadrat. Fern specimens were identified (sensu PPG, 2016) and measured. Samples were collected for herbarium voucher deposited in the PBDH. A total of 28 fern species with 22 genera from 14 families were found across land use types. Identified land use types were: i) Mahogany (341 m asl.); (ii) Agriculture (355 m asl.); (iii) Buffer zone (365 m asl.); (iv) Agroforest (368 m asl.); (v) Roadside (455 m asl.), and (vi) Forest (482 m asl.). The most represented fern families were found out to be Thelypteridaceae (5 spp), Dryopteridaceae (3 spp), Polypodiaceae (3 spp.), Pteridaceae (3 spp), Aspleniaceae (2 spp), Dennstaedtiaceae (2 spp), Selaginellaceae (2 spp.) and Tectariaceae (2 spp.). On the other hand the families Schizaeaceae, Lindsaeaceae, Davalliaceae, Nephrolepidaceae, and Marratiaceae are comprised of one species only. Pteris blumeana C. Agardh and Tectaria crenata Cav. were found only in buffer zone area. Dennstaedtia philippinensis Copel., Lygodium circinnatum (Burm. f.) Sw. and Microlepia sp., were found only in agroforest area; Sphaerostephanos unitus (L.) Holttum found only in agricultural; Bolbitis heteroclita (C. Presl) Ching and Microsorum membranifolium (R. Br.) Ching were found in roadside while Asplenium tenerum G. Forst. , Christella sp., Lindsaea fissa Copel. and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl were found in forest area. Pneumatopteris nitidula (C. Presl) Holttum. is a dominant fern species found in agriculture and mahogany plantation area. There is a need to document fern species along with its population across land use types in order to utilize ferns as plant indicators due to their vulnerability to changes in environmental conditions. These results can shed light on the appropriate strategy for the conservation and management of ferns in Mt. Makiling.


A pellet injector suitable for the injection of lithium and other low-Z pellets of varying mass into plasmas at precise velocities from 5 to 500 m/s is being developed for use on NSTX. The ability to inject low-Z impurities will significantly expand NSTX experimental capability for a broad range of diagnostic and operational applications. The architecture employs a pellet-carrying cartridge propelled through a guide tube by deuterium gas. Abrupt deceleration of the cartridge at the end of the guide tube results in the pellet continuing along its intended path, thereby giving controlled reproducible velocities for a variety of pellets materials and a reduced gas load to the torus. The planned injector assembly has four hundred guide tubes contained in a rotating magazine with eight tubes provided for injection into plasmas. A PC-based control system is being developed as well and will be described elsewhere in these Proceedings. The development path and mechanical performance of the injector will be described.


The AECOO (architects, engineers, contractors, operators, owners) industry is moving toward increased digitalization. This unstoppable process requires a clear understanding of the important elements required to reach the defined objectives. The change of process—how we work and interact— is often highlighted as one of the most important objectives for the AECOO industry. BIM; which can stand for building information model, modelling, or management, is one of the enablers and most highlighted initiatives in digitalisation, but there is no joint understanding of BIM. However, our understating of BIM, and especially the M, will directly influence our actions related to implementing BIM with objectives that can be documented. This study is based on a literature review of scientific papers, the buildingSMART Norway newsletter, an overview of BIM-related ISO standards and BIM guidance, and experiences with the digital implementation of BIM guidance. Integrated design and delivery solutions (IDDS) focus on the integration of collaboration between people, integrated processes, and interoperable technology. It has therefore been used as a framework for exploring the dominating understanding of BIM. The findings from this study indicate that BIM primary is understood as the use of software programs. Activities for implementation are related to solving the technical aspect of the development of software as well as the exchange of files. Software skills and the use of software are used as indicators of the degree of BIM implementation. Activities related to the development of skills for information management were hard to identify, except in large projects. The understanding of BIM revealed in this study stands in contradiction to numerous statements claiming BIM as a process for changing the AECOO industry. An increased awareness of our real understanding and how this influences our activities can contribute to more targeted activities for implementing BIM to realize objectives for improving the AECOO industry.


The design of concurrent programs is error-prone due to the interaction between concurrently executing threads. Traditional automated techniques for finding errors in concurrent programs, such as model checking, explore all possible thread interleavings. Since the number of thread inter-leavings increases exponentially with the number of threads, such analyses have high computational complexity. In this paper, we present a novel analysis technique for concurrent programs that avoids this exponential complexity. Our analysis transforms a concurrent program into a sequential program that simulates the execution of a large subset of the behaviors of the concurrent program. The sequential program is then analyzed by a tool that only needs to understand the semantics of sequential execution. Our technique never reports false errors but may miss errors. We have implemented the technique in KIS, an automated checker for multithreaded C programs, and obtained promising initial results by using KIS to detect race conditions in Windows device drivers.


Purpose The integrin αvβ3 is differentially expressed on neovascular endothelial cells. We investigated whether a novel intravenously injectable αvβ3 integrin-ligand coupled nanoparticle (NP) can target choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) for imaging and targeted gene therapy. Methods CNV lesions were induced in rats using laser photocoagulation. The utility of NP for in vivo imaging and gene delivery was evaluated by coupling the NP with a green fluorescing protein plasmid (NP-GFPg). Rhodamine labeling (Rd-NP) was used to localize NP in choroidal flatmounts. Rd-NP-GFPg particles were injected intravenously on weeks 1, 2, or 3. In the treatment arm, rats received NP containing a dominant negative Raf mutant gene (NP-ATPμ-Raf) on days 1, 3, and 5. The change in CNV size and leakage, and TUNEL positive cells were quantified. Results GFP plasmid expression was seen in vivo up to 3 days after injection of Rd-NP-GFPg. Choroidal flatmounts confirmed the localization of the NP and the expression of GFP plasmid in the CNV. Treating the CNV with NP-ATPμ-Raf decreased the CNV size by 42% (P<0.001). OCT analysis revealed that the reduction of CNV size started on day 5 and reached statistical significance by day 7. Fluorescein angiography grading showed significantly less leakage in the treated CNV (P<0.001). There were significantly more apoptotic (TUNEL-positive) nuclei in the treated CNV. Conclusion Systemic administration of αvβ3 targeted NP can be used to label the abnormal blood vessels of CNV for imaging. Targeted gene delivery with NP-ATPμ-Raf leads to a reduction in size and leakage of the CNV by induction of apoptosis in the CNV.


ABSTRACT The organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst Molassedinium bicornutum gen. et sp. nov. described in this paper is recorded in the Oligocene (Rupelian) organic-rich sediments of the Eggerding Formation from the North Alpine Foreland Basin (Molasse Basin), Austria. It was discovered within a diverse and well-preserved dinoflagellate cyst assemblage. It is a gonyaulacacean (leptodinioidean) holocavate cyst with distinctive apical and antapical ectophragmal horns and an apical archaeopyle. The current stratigraphic range of the taxon is restricted to the Rupelian. It may constitute a potentially important regional stratigraphic marker for high-resolution age control. It is associated with a dinoflagellate cyst assemblage indicating inner–outer neritic and nutrient-rich environments.


Recently, the author facilitated a particularly difficult organization development (OD) intervention with a private non‐profit organization. It was an organization whose staff and governing board were deeply divided by interpersonal conflict. Although he tried to avoid it, the author found himself pulled into the politics of this organization. This intervention caused him to ask the question: Who is the client in an OD intervention? Is it the person who hired him? The entire organization? The organization's board? OD practitioners, as reflected in the academic literature, either provide conflicting views on this point or ignore the question altogether. Citing quotations from many prominent OD practitioners, including Golembiewski, Bennis, Burke, French and Bell, and Weisbord, the author searches for a definitive answer in the literature. In this paper, which is part literature review and part case study, he takes a critical look at the OD literature on this topic; ties OD to Jean Jacques Rousseau's concept of the general will; writes an in‐depth case study; and provides his reflections on this issue. The author concludes that within a highly politicized and contentious organization, it can be highly problematic for the OD practitioner to work for the organization as a whole, since he/she may, at times, be forced to take sides.


: Purpose: The study econometrically investigates the misperceived connection between improved firm performance (measured through scale efficiency and cost discipline) and Tobin's Q for 51 manufacturing sector firms of Pakistan. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using firm-level data, panel least squares regression estimator is employed to test if the firms' improved operating efficiency (measured through (i) scale efficiency, and (ii) cost discipline) bears statistically significant impact on Tobin's Q. To gauge the sustainability and robustness of acquired results, cross-section regression estimator is also applied. Findings: With high statistical significance, we tend to reject our hypothesized relationship between firm performance and Tobin's Q. Subject to the relative importance of scale decisions versus cost disciplines of firms, their declining performance (in terms of under-investments) is found to be either bearing no impact or inflating Tobin's Q. Practical Importance: Inflating values of Tobin's Q raise importance of poor scale decisions. Therefore, scale efficiency, reflected in firm's managerial decisions, holds substantial importance in determining Tobin's Q. The analysis also confirms ignorable role of cost discipline in describing Tobin's Q, thus negating the much-advocated contribution of cost disciplines in determining firm performance. Originality/Value: To the best of authors' knowledge, no study has been done so far on Pakistani firms, empirically investigating how effectively firms' performance can be reflected through Tobin's Q. The paper makes novel contribution to the existing research works on the subject as (i) advance econometric procedures are applied, and (ii) robustness of results are not only verified across two different econometric estimators but also against alternative measures of Tobin's Q, scale efficiency and cost discipline, highlighting their relative importance. variance-consistent panel regression estimator, cross-section regression estimator.


Almost all the people are having a strong desire to conceive a child at some point during their reproductive lifetime. Understanding what defines normal fertility is crucial to help a person or couple to know when it is time to seek help. Factors like advanced maternal age, weight, diet, smoking, other medical conditions, ovulation disorders, hormonal disturbances, psychological factors, environmental pollutants, medications that hamper the ovulation, positive family history and infections might have an effect on conception in couples. Infertility can arise from either of the partners. But inadequate knowledge regarding fertility, misconceptions, myths have sometimes cause fatal incidences. In maximum cases of infertility the female partner is being always accused for the case. But practically both partners are equally responsible. That's why here an attempt has been made to describe the cause and responsible factors for fertility particularly in female cases from the lens of Ayurveda, discussing the Ayurvedic concepts and practices that are followed in case of infertility in females.


Background: The elbow is the second most commonly dislocated joint in adults and up to 20% of dislocations are associated with a fracture. These injuries can be categorised into groups according to their mechanism and the structures injured. Methods: This review includes a literature search of the current evidence and personal experiences of the authors in managing these injuries. Results: All injuries are initially managed with closed reduction of the ulno-humeral joint and splinting before clinical examination and radiological evaluation. Dislocations with radial head fractures should be treated by restoring stability, with treatment choice depending on the type and size of radial head fracture. Terrible triad injuries necessitate operative treatment in almost all cases. Traditionally the LCL, MCL, coronoid and radial head were reconstructed, but there is recent evidence to support repairing of the coronoid and MCL only if the elbow is unstable after reconstruction of lateral structures. Surgical treatment of terrible triad injuries carries a high risk of complications with an average reoperation rate of 22%. Varus posteromedial rotational instability fracture-dislocations have only recently been described as having the potential to cause severe long-term problems. Cadaveric studies have reinforced the need to obtain post-reduction CT scans as the size of the coronoid fragment influences the long-term stability of the elbow. Anterior dislocation with olecranon fracture has the same treatment aims as other complex dislocations with the added need to restore the extensor mechanism. Conclusion: Complex elbow dislocations are injuries with significant risk of long-term disability. There are several case-series in the literature but few studies with sufficient patient numbers to provide evidence over level IV.


To evaluate probable allelopathic effect of water extract originated from different parts of russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens L.) on growth of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at greenhouse condition in 2011. Treatments were water extract concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 percent) obtained from different part of russian knapweed (aerial part, flower and root). Results showed the significant effect of extract type on seedling length, and extract concentration on shoot length, root length and seedling length. Interaction effect between extract type and concentration on the ratio of root/shoot length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight and germination percentage was significant, too. Means comparison indicated that the longest root (3.55 cm), shoot (4.65 cm) and seedling (8.20 cm) were obtained from control treatment, reducing with higher concentration of extract. The longest shoot (6.95 cm) belonged to extract originated from russian knapweed flowers. The highest ratio of root/shoot length (0.73), seedling fresh weight (0.61g) and seedling dry weight (0.044 g) belonged to control treatment. In general, increasing of extract concentration caused in reduction of germination and seedling traits. Meanwhile, extracts of aerial part had more sever reducing effect than root and flower extracts.


A price-setting seller faces a buyer with unknown reservation value. We show that if the buyer is sufficiently risk averse, the seller can benefit from employing a Possibly-Final Offer (PFO) strategy. In a PFO, if the buyer rejects the seller's initial offer the seller sometimes terminates the interaction. If the seller does not terminate, he follows up with a subsequent, more attractive offer. As the buyer's risk aversion increases, the seller's expected profit under the optimal PFO approaches the full-information profit. These results extend to contexts with endogenous commitment, multiple types of buyers, multidimensional objects, and nonseparable utility functions.


Experience is a principal source of knowledge and an important antecedent to organizational capabilities. At the same time however, the accumulation of experience increases an organization's confidence in its own abilities and confidence and competence may develop asymmetrically over time. We argue that when this occurs, the magnitude of the stock of accumulated experience is likely to correlate negatively with performance as the organization finds itself in a competence trap. We develop a contingency model in which perceived task characteristics (and task homogeneity in particular), act as important determinants of how confidence evolves relative to competence. They are thus moderators of the experience-performance relationship. We empirically test the corresponding theoretical argument in the context of a sample of 1,134 leveraged buyouts and find strong evidence that perceived task homogeneity determines whether experience benefits or hurts the performance of these types of acquisitions.


The Shu'aiba Formation consists of six depositional sequences. The first five sequences make up a 2nd order supersequence, while the sixth sequence is the lowstand sequence of the next supersequence. The sequence is deposited within the Bab basin as a set of prograding clinoforms. This sequence is here called the Bab Sequence and is equivalent to the "ap6", "sequence 6", and the "Upper Shu'aiba sequence 3" of other authors. The sequence boundary at the base of the Bab sequence coincides with the supersequence boundary and is characterized by a major exposure across the Shu'aiba platforms and down-stepped deposition. The onset of clay deposition marks the beginning of the Bab Sequence. Internally the Bab Sequence consists of nine clinoforms (high-frequency sequences) that prograded into the Bab Basin in a series of clinoforms over more than 30km. The most striking observation is the extremely regular and seaward progression of the clinoforms, sub-linear along the southern margin and concentric around the eastern isolated platforms, resulting in a series of almost perfectly parallel clinoforms. The prograding clinoforms can be grouped into three sets. The 4 clinoforms in the first set are relatively wide, with mounded topsets at the margin. They reach a thickness of 120 meters. The top surface of these first clinoforms lies 30 to 40 meters below the top of the previous shelf break (sequence ap5). The 3 clinoforms of the second set are relatively narrow, reach 115 m in thickness and have a slightly steeper slope than the first set of clinoforms. The last two clinoforms (third set) are broader and thinner (75 meters in thickness) and have a very low angle slope. The almost perfect parallel geometry of clinoforms is likely the result of the regular distribution of clay and carbonate mud along the margins by long-shore currents. The lithologic content of the clinoforms varies within the three sets. The topsets of the first set of clinoforms tops are rudist-bearing wackestone – rudstone, the foresets are composed of burrowed argillaceous wackestone, and the bottomset of calcareous shale. In the topsets of the second set of clinoforms the rudist facies is missing and replaced by marl-limestone alternations with occasional skeletal packstone layers. The third set is dominated by clay and marl-limestone alternations. The rudist-bearing topsets form the main reservoirs in the Bab sequence, whereas the clay-rich intervals may provide seals for a stratigraphic play.


BACKGROUND
The provision of specialist non-transplant hepatobiliary services in the UK is fragmented and there is little consensus on the manpower and resource requirements to meet the needs of defined populations.

METHODS
We report our experience with a hepatobiliary service established 5 years ago in Sheffield to provide a tertiary referral service to the population of the North Trent health area and attempt to provide estimates of resource requirements based on patterns of current use.

RESULTS
A total of 615 patients with hepatobiliary conditions requiring specialist treatment were referred to the service during 1997-2002. The majority of patients (69%) were referred for consideration of liver resection for colorectal liver metastases. In all, 251 resections were performed in 240 (39% of all referred) patients. The current operation rates for colorectal metastases are about 4 per 100,000 population per year and for other complex hepatobiliary procedures are also 4 per 100,000 population per year giving a total "need" of 8 procedures per 100,000 population per year. For the current population in England and Wales, this would mean 25 specialist hepatobiliary centres performing in total approximately 2000 hepatic resections for colorectal cancer metastases and 2000 other tertiary hepatobiliary procedures each year.

CONCLUSIONS
Our experience supports the model of centralisation of non-transplant hepatobiliary surgical services and indicates the extent of hitherto unmet demand in our geographical area. We estimate that a minimum of two full-time specialist hepatobiliary surgeons with appropriate ancillary support are required for a typical population of 2 million people in the UK.


Abstract. Zoning which is to divide the study area into different zones according to their geographical differences at the global, national or regional level, includes natural division, economic division, geographical zoning of departments, comprehensive zoning and so on. Zoning is of important practical significance, for example, knowing regional differences and characteristics, regional research and regional development planning, understanding the favorable and unfavorable conditions of the regional development etc. Geographical environment is arising from the geographical position linkages. Geographical environment unit division is also a type of zoning. The geographical environment indicators are deeply studied and summed up in the article, including the background, the associated and the potential. The background indicators are divided into four categories, such as the socio-economic, the political and military, the strategic resources and the ecological environment, which can be divided into more sub-indexes. While the sub-indexes can be integrated to comprehensive index system by weighted stacking method. The Jenks natural breaks classification method, also called the Jenks optimization method, is a data classification method designed to determine the best arrangement of values into different classes. This is done by seeking to minimize each class's average deviation from the class mean, while maximizing each class's deviation from the means of the other groups. In this paper, the experiment of Chinese surrounding geographical environment unit division has been done based on the natural breaks (jenks) method, the geographical environment index system and the weighted stacking method, taking South Asia as an example. The result indicates that natural breaks (jenks) method is of good adaptability and high accuracy on the geographical environment unit division. The geographical environment research was originated in the geopolitics and flourished in the geo-economics. The main representatives of the geopolitics are German geographer Friedrich Ratzel, British geographer Mackinder and American geographical politician Nicholas John Spykman etc. The main representative of the geo-economics is American geographical economist Edward Luttwak. China has the most neighboring countries in the world, and its geographical environment is extremely complex. With the continuous development of globalization, China's relations with neighboring countries have become more complex and more closely. So it is very meaningful to have depth research on geographical environment unit division of China.


This article presents the results of an interdisciplinary research work on the emergence and impact of virtual technologies on the valorization of cultural experience. After reviewing the literature on immersive museography and the concepts of immersion, interaction and social interaction within a cultural experience, we focus our analysis on the drivers of the users' satisfaction through a three-step research path. Firstly, we realized a preliminary qualitative overview of users' reactions to virtual environments in a series of selected cultural experiences. Secondly, we designed a model focusing on immersion and social interaction as the two potentially critical drivers of satisfaction. Thirdly, we realized a quantitative study of a project concerning an intangible cultural asset. The results of this study give evidence to the link between immersion and emotion and emphasize the essential mediating role of social interaction. These conclusions are consistent with present technological and market trends, concerning the integration of virtual reality and social networks.


The continually increasing demands for higher-speed and lower-operating-power devices have resulted in the continued impetus to shrink photonic components. We demonstrate a primitive nanophotonic integrated circuit element composed of a single silver nanowire and single-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) flake. Using scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy, we find that nanowire plasmons can excite MoS2 photoluminescence and that MoS2 excitons can decay into nanowire plasmons. Finally, we show that the nanowire may serve the dual purpose of both exciting MoS2 photoluminescence via plasmons and recollecting the decaying exciton as nanowire plasmons. The potential for subwavelength light guiding and strong nanoscale light–matter interaction afforded by our device may facilitate compact and efficient on-chip optical processing.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To systematically review published qualitative reports of descriptions of fatigue by patients with cancer and how cancer-related fatigue (CF) affects their lives.

DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE®, CANCERLIT®, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature.

DATA SYNTHESIS
Two researchers conducted independent reviews of 667 patient quotes found in 154 articles published from 1996-2009 to identify concepts and language used to describe CF.

CONCLUSIONS
CF is more intense than the tiredness patients recalled from before diagnosis or treatment. Published patient quotes fail to adjudicate whether CF should be approached as a single symptom or a more complex symptom cluster.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
Systematic study of patients with different cancer types and stages is needed to identify effective, valid, and reliable self-reported assessments of CF for clinical practice and trials.


Science, engineering, medicine, biology, and many other areas deal with signals acquired in the form of time series from different dynamical systems for the purpose of analysis, diagnosis, and control of the systems. The signals are often mixed with noise. Separating the noise from the signal may be very difficult if both the signal and the noise are broadband. The problem becomes inherently difficult when the signal is chaotic because its power spectrum is indistinguishable from broadband noise. This paper describes how to measure and analyze chaos using Lyapunov metrics. The principle of characterizing strange attractors by the divergence and folding of trajectories is studied. A practical approach to evaluating the largest local and global Lyapunov exponents by rescaling and renormalization leads to calculating the m Lyapunov exponents for m-dimensional strange attractors either modeled explicitly (analytically) or reconstructed from experimental time-series data. Several practical algorithms for calculating Lyapunov exponents are summarized. Extensions of the Lyapunov exponent approach to studying chaos are also described briefly as they are capable of dealing with the multiscale nature of chaotic signals. The extensions include the Lyapunov fractal dimension, the Kolmogorov--Sinai and Re/spl acute/nyi entropies, as well as the Re/spl acute/nyi fractal dimension spectrum and the Mandelbrot fractal singularity spectrum.


Data obtained with a questionnaire instrument from managerial employees (N = 200) in Singapore were used to examine some antecedents of subjective career success. The choice of antecedents was informed by recent calls to place research on career issues in the context of an individual's life roles. Confirmatory factor analysis (LISREL VII) was used to examine the one-factor and three-factor models hypothesized to underlie the subjective career success data. The results revealed a three-factor model to have adequate fit statistics - financial and hierarchical success, and career satisfaction. The antecedent sets of human capital, work values, family and structural or work variables accounted for over 40% of the explained variance in each career success dimension. While the career success dimensions were influenced by different variables, individual-organizational value congruity, quality of parental role and internal labor market emerged as consistent antecedents of the career success dimensions. The pattern of significant antecedents of the career success dimensions was interpreted as providing support for the approach that underpinned the study. The limitations of the study, and practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.


The majority of studies related to the needs of individuals with psychiatric disabilities focus on their meeting with, and use of, the traditional mental health system. Environmentally relative conceptions of disability have only shown limited success in expanding the views of the field of community psychiatry to include social and organizational contexts. Swedish disability policy emphasizes the individual's ability to participate in community life and may therefore be said to reflect a social approach to disability, in contrast to an exclusively medical perspective that focuses on deficits and the individual's need for psychiatrically defined services. In this study, inventories of need for people with psychiatric disabilities, a legislated responsibility of the social service system in Sweden, were completed for three municipalities. Results indicated that these individuals resist psychiatrically defined categories as they seek supports based on their own experience of need in the community.


The present work is aimed at optimizing the parameters of micro Wire Electric Discharge Machining (µ-WEDM) process by considering the simultaneous effects of input parameters viz: gap voltage, capacitance and feed rate. Experiments were planned and conducted using DoE techniques. ANOVA was performed to find out the significance of each factor. Regression models were developed for the experimental results of surface roughness and overcut of the micro slots produced on aluminium. Then Genetic Algorithm (GA) was employed to determine the values of optimal process parameters for the desired output value of micro wire electric discharge machining characteristics.


Submerged ceramic membrane bioreactors (SCMBRs) are more efficient combinations of traditional activated hazardous sludge and new membrane separation processes in wastewater treatment. Suspended solids are separated from hazardous effluent using microfilter ceramic membranes in SCMBRs. A high loaded wastewater was treated using an SCMBR employing a homemade tubular ceramic membrane in laboratory scale. Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) was 32 h and COD range was varied from 2000 to 5000 mg/l. COD removal was evaluated to be more than 90% after a week and the lab scale SCMBR showed desired performance for the wastewater treatment. Mixed Liquor Suspended Solid (MLSS) was increased from 2000 to 4000 mg/L during the SCMBR operation time.


Abstract. Maps are a powerful medium for communicating research. Tools for analysing geospatial data and preparing maps are now readily available and widely used in research. Despite this, concerns are being raised over the quality of maps produced with online and desktop mapping products. As academics and supervisors of postgraduate students, we conducted an exploratory study to determine if and how these concerns apply to maps in PhD dissertations. We reviewed just over 1,000 dissertations published in 2015 and 2017 at three universities. Maps for indicating locations or study areas were used in a diverse range of topics, confirming our reliance on maps to communicate information about geographic space. Maps that communicated scientific results were prevalent in the natural sciences and in the humanities, and in these cases, the dissertations included a large number of maps. We provide a qualitative description of problems identified in the dissertations, which highlight challenges with the accurate and responsible presentation of scientific results in maps. The accumulation of minor inaccuracies on maps, especially if one result is based on another, can have serious consequences for scientific knowledge production. Future work could review maps in PhD dissertations to inform guidelines for preparing and evaluating maps to be included in dissertations.


PURPOSE
Attempts to improve survival of patients with esophageal cancer have been made using induction chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery. A large single-center experience was reviewed to determine which treatment-related variables could predict survival and recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
All patients undergoing esophagectomy between January 1994 and December 2002 were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using log-rank and Cox proportional hazards models, and survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS
Of 171 patients with invasive cancer, 131 (77%) underwent preoperative CRT. The average age was 60 years, and most patients were male (85%). Operations performed included Ivor-Lewis (60%), transhiatal (8%), three-hole (23%), or left thoracoabdominal (8%) esophagectomy. Perioperative mortality rate was 5%. Median overall survival (OS) of the entire group was 33 months, and the 5-year OS rate was 26%. Induction CRT was associated with a 33% 5-year survival rate compared with 11% for surgery alone (P = .43). Patients downstaged to pathologic stage 0 or I had an improved OS and disease-free survival (DFS) compared with those patients who were not downstaged (P = .022). Additionally, the ability to perform an R0 resection was a significant factor for OS and DFS (n = 130; P < .0001 and P <.0002, respectively).

CONCLUSION
Response to CRT and the ability to perform an R0 resection are associated with significantly improved survival in patients with esophageal carcinoma.


Questions
How do species richness and composition of fern assemblages change with elevation and, within elevational belts, in differently impacted forest habitats? Is there a relationship between fern assemblages and microclimate, both along gradients of elevation and disturbance? Which species are most sensitive to habitat disturbance and microclimatic changes?

Location
The transect starts at sea level close to the Gulf of Mexico and ends 81 km away in a direct line on the eastern slopes of the Cofre de Perote at 3500 m, in central Veracruz, Mexico.

Methods
We studied the richness and composition of fern assemblages in 120 study plots at eight elevations at 20-3500 m in three forest types: natural forest (NF), disturbed forest (DF) subjected to timber extraction and grazing, and secondary forest (SF) regrown after total clearance 15-20 years ago. In addition, we measured microclimatic conditions in the three forest types at five elevations over a year.

Results
Fern richness peaked in humid montane forests at mid-elevations and was low in the dryer habitats at the ends of the gradient. Humid montane forests were most sensitive to disturbance, showing increases in mean annual temperatures by about 1°C and reduction in relative air humidity by about 20% in DF and SF compared to NF. This went along with a reduction of fern species richness by 5-60% and marked changes in species composition. In contrast, drought-deciduous forests at low elevations and coniferous forests at high elevations already had low humidity and high light intensity in NF and were less affected by human impact: Their microclimatic conditions and fern assemblages did not change markedly in DF and SF.

Conclusions
The conservation of much of the humidity-dependent biota (ferns and presumably also groups such as bryophytes and amphibians) in humid montane forests depends on the protection of natural fragments without human disturbance. In contrast, the naturally open forests at the ends of the gradient can be subjected to some exploitation while conserving much of their fern flora as long as a general forest structure is maintained.

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The formation of some volatile sulfur compounds in Greek white wines was investigated in relation to various vinification parameters. Hydrogen sulfide, methionol, 3-methylthiopropionic acid, ethyl 3-methylthiopropionate, 2-methylthioethanol, 2-methyltetrahydro-thiophenone-3, cis- and trans-2-methylthiophan-3-ol were the compounds examined. The parameters examined were bisulfite addition to the must, must turbidity, fermentation temperature, inoculation with different yeast strains, and period of contact of sulfited wines with their yeast sediment and pressings during must preparation. Analysis of hydrogen sulfide was carried out colorimetrically, whereas the volatile organic sulfur compounds were analyzed by GC/MS. The results indicate that the formation of these substances during and after fermentation are directly influenced by the investigated vinification parameters. Furthermore, the higher alcohols, fatty acids, and their ethyl esters, which constitute the fermentation aroma, were also demonstrated to be negatively affected by the same treatments which lead to the production of the off-flavor sulfur compounds.


One type of crime segmentations is divided in terms of the severity of the crime and punishment "Tazirat" together with 'Hodoud" are kinds of Islamic punishment created from beginning of Islam's manifestation. But "Tazirat" are in a lower grade of severity of the crime and punishment than "Hodoud". After Islamic revolution in Iran the "Taziry" and "Haddi" crimes entered in to legislations of Islamic Republie of Iran for the first time; and had been subject of much evolution till now. Over the years of 1368 and 1370 the deterrent punishment are recognized too alongside "Tazirat". But in the Islamic punishment law 1392, the title deterrent punishment is totally eliminated and "Tazirat" is divided to two categories of "mansous" (means provided) and "qair-e-mansous" (means non-provided). This new repartition has made lots of ambiguities in Iranian criminal law. Such that whether "Tazirat-e-mansous-sharei" (means provide Islamic lower punishment) are the same with deterrent punishments or not? By studying the sources of Islamic jurisprudence (fegh) understood that "Tazirat-e-mansous-e-sharei" we understood that both of instance and punishment sorts of "Tazirat-e-mansous-e-sharei" are specified in "shariat" (means Islam's law) and in this respect are the same with "Hodoud". After surverying the regulations we entered to consequence of these two kinds of "Tazirat" crimes is this field. And second, the famous jurisconsults (Foqaha) mostly recognize the consequences of "Tazirat-e-qair-e-mansous" are different. For example repentance, time laps and the rule of prohibition of retrial are not allowed to apply in "Tazirat-e-mansous-sharei" but could be applied in "Tazirat-e-gire-e-mansous-e-sharei"


Excessive development of methane and water pressures were believed to be a contributory cause of roof fall in a coal mine in the Eastern Transvaal Coalfield. Accordingly, a laboratory investigation of the primary permeability of the strata enclosing the coal seam concerned was undertaken. The principal aim of the investigation was to see if there was a relationship between the various facies of the coal bearing strata and changes in permeability. In this way it may be possible to determine likely zones of pressure build-up. Permeability testing was carried out on drillholesamples using modified versions of the Ohle cell, the Bernaix cell and the Hoek triaxial cell. The use of the Hoek cell allowed testing to be carried out under different stress conditions. Nitrogen, methane and water were used as the permeating fluids. The liquid equivalent permeability of each sample was determined for the two gases. The permeability tended to decrease with increasing pressure when the two gases were used as the permeating fluid but not when water was used. In addition, the permeability was influenced by the grain size of the material tested and by the direction in which it was tested, that is, along or across the bedding. Hydraulic fracturing occurred in some specimens when tested at high water pressures in divergent flow in the Bernaix cell. An increase in hydrostatic pressure, confining pressure or axial pressure gave rise to a reduction in permeability in triaxial testing, the former giving rise to the greatest and the latter the least decrease. Staged loading showed that the greatest reduction in permeability occurred during initial loading. On cyclic loading the liquid equivalent permeability decreased with increasing applied stress and then increased with subsequent reduction in stress.


This report is a review of the properties and performance of autoclaved aerated concrete. The material has a relatively low thermal conductivity combined with load-bearing capacity for use in structural and non-structuralapplications. This feature may make its use attractive for energy-conserving applications. The review addressed an overview of the manufacturing process, uses of autoclaved aerated concrete in building constructions, properties, energy considerations, the availability of code-related documents, and standards. Uses include block and panel construction in load-bearing and non-load-bearing applications for walls, floors, and roofs. Many properties are reviewed including density, fire resistance, moisture expansion and shrinkage, strength, structure, and thermal conductivity. With regard to energy considerations, the review points out that, for energy-efficient applications under severe climatic conditions, the autoclaved aerated concrete unit alone may be insufficient to provide the targeted minimum value of thermal resistance. In these cases, autoclaved aerated concrete has to be used together with additional thermal insulation. In contrast, autoclaved aerated concrete alone may satisfy insulation needs in areas having mild climates.


The purpose of the research presented in this study is to examine the relationship of price dispersion to search costs, store choice, and market power in the food-retailing sector. The study used consumer level demographic information and brand level fluid milk consumption data from 33 U.S. metropolitan areas. Overall, the study found strong evidence of search cost related strategic firm and consumer behavior. Our results show that purchase frequency has a negative and significant relationship with price dispersions and with measures of price cost margins. We also find that the price of fluid milk was an important factor in explaining whether or not consumers return to the same store. Demographic factors such as income and race were important in explaining price dispersions, which suggest different willingness to search across population sub-groups.


China and India have attracted the attention of the world in the last two decades as powerhouses of economic growth. However, scholarly studies comparing the development of two aviation markets and the market outcomes for the two countries are lacking. This paper offers the first such comparative study, with a focus on the efficiency and productivity of airlines of the two countries. The study reviews the evolution of the air transport industry in China and India, and then assesses the efficiency performances of the state-owned and privately-owned airlines in the two markets. It is found that Indian carriers tend to be more efficient than their Chinese counterparts, and that Air India and Spring Airlines are the leaders in terms of achieving technical efficiency. The dominant status of the private airlines in the Indian market does not come by chance. The analysis shows that China's aviation policy has long been hostile to the private carriers and various obstacles to their expansion and growth still remain. In contract, Indian private airlines, especially the low-cost carriers, have enjoyed more freedom and received support from a comprehensive air liberalization program.


Shale has been a major destination for unconventional hydrocarbon resources for its wide stratigraphic coverage as well as high volumetric hydrocarbon potential. Contemporary success in North American shale plays has intrigued operators worldwide in shale exploration. Organic richness has been a key factor to determine the potential of shale as it is proportional to the amount of hydrocarbon likely to be generated and stored in available spaces within the shale. The other important factor in this context is shale brittleness as it indicates how fracable the potential shale is. Attempts are made here by strategically using standard wireline logs in order to evaluate potential of Eocene Vadaparru Shale in Krishna Godavari Basin, India qualitatively and quantitatively.

 The technique used in this study involves identification of organic lean 'clean shale' interval and establishing a 'clean shale' relation of resistivity as a function of compressional sonic transit time in the study wells, as both the logs respond comparably to shale and its organic content. Using this relation a proxy 'clean shale' resistivity log is generated in shale and compared with measured wireline resistivity. A positive separation between calculated and measured resistivity is then assessed as proportionate shale organic richness, owing to the presence of relatively less dense (corresponding to longer sonic transit time) and more resistive organic content. Shale brittleness is predicted from Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio using compressional, shear and Stoneley wave velocities obtained from sonic measurements, assuming transversely isotropic nature of Vadaparru Shale.

 The Eocene marine transgressive Vadaparru Shale is a dominant stratigraphy in KG basin as evident from seismics and drilling. Petrophysical analyses in study wells indicated appreciable brittleness within Vadaparru Shale. The organic richness i.e. amount of positive separation between calculated and measured resistivity combined with brittleness quantitatively indicate fair to excellent unconventional potential of Vadaparru Shale. Considerable thickness, Type-II, III kerogen content and geochemical measurements support the study and highlight it as a promising 'shale reservoir' destination. In the context of rapidly growing energy demand of India Vadaparru Shale can be considered as serious unconventional player.

 Overall this study presents quick strategy for shale potential quantification, thus allowing operators to focus spatially in the quest of unconventional hydrocarbon resources.


The plane wave expansion method was implemented in modeling and simulating the band structures of two dimensional photonic crystals (PhCs) with square, triangular and honeycomb lattices with circular air holes in dielectric or circular GaAs rods in air. The eigen value equation of TE and TM modes will presented. The Fourier transform of dielectric constant will analyzed and the effects of lattice type will discussed. The eigenvalue equations of TE and TM modes will solved using Matlab environment. Our results show that the first type of PhCs is more flexible than the second type in controlling the band widths and the achieved frequency positions, and the triangular lattice showed the greatest flexibility. On the other hand, this work showed the significant effect of the dielectric constant and the lattice constant on the achieved bandwidth.


In this article, the nonlocal biaxial buckling load and bending analysis of polymeric piezoelectric nanoplate reinforced by carbon nanotube (CNT) considering the surface stress effect is presented. This plate is subjected to electro-magneto-mechanical loadings. Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka approach is used for defining the piezoelectric nanoplate material properties. Navier's type solution is employed to obtain the critical buckling load of polymeric piezoelectric nanoplate for classical plate theory (CPT) and first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The influences of various parameters on the biaxial nonlocal critical buckling load with respect to the local critical buckling load ratio () of nanoplate are examined. Surface stress effects on the surface biaxial critical buckling load to the non-surface biaxial critical buckling load ratio () can not be neglected. Moreover, the effect of residual surface stress constant on  is higher than the other surface stress parameters on it. increases by applying the external voltage and magnetic fields. The nonlocal deflection to local deflection of piezoelectric nanocomposite plate ratio () decreases with an increase in the nonlocal parameter for both theories. And for FSDT, decreases with an increase in residual stress constant and vice versa for CPT.


PURPOSE:  To compare auto and manual keratometer to find the accuracy between these two instruments in order to measure K-reading for IOL calculation METHODS:  200 eyes of 100 normal Patients (50 males and 50 females) visiting Mayo Hospital and College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences Lahore, of all age groups above 14 years, were examined. RESULTS : On auto-keratometer mean K was 7.72 ± 0.35 mm (SE = 0.02) and on manual keratometer mean K was 7.75 ± 0.35 mm (SE = 0.02). Auto keratometer measured 0.0273 ± 0.0858 mm less than manual keratometer but Mann Whitney-U test showed no statistically significant difference between auto and manual keratometer (p=0.36). CONCLUSION:  Auto-keratometer measures 0.0273 mm less than manual keratometer. However, there was no significant difference between auto and manual keratometry (p>0.05). KEYWORDS : Cataract, Auto-keratometer, Manual-Keratometer, corneal curvature.


Within the nematode class Chromadorea, the suborder Tylenchina is an ecologically and morphologically diverse assemblage of nematodes that includes free‐living microbivores, fungivores and various types of plant parasites. A recent nematode classification system based largely on SSU rDNA phylogenetic trees classified suborder Tylenchina to include four infraorders: Panagrolaimomorpha, Cephalobomorpha, Tylenchomorpha and Drilonematomorpha, and phylogenetic relationships among species of these infraorders have not always been robustly supported. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of three Tylenchina species (Aphelenchus avenae [Aphelenchidae, Tylenchomorpha], Halicephalobus gingivalis, Panagrellus redivivus [Panagrolaimomorpha]) and the partial genome sequence of Acrobeles complexus (Cephalobomorpha) and used these sequences to infer phylogenetic relationships among representatives of the Tylenchina and other nematodes. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences for 12 protein‐coding genes of 100 nematode species supports monophyly of: Chromadorea, Spiruromorpha, Oxyuridomorpha, Ascarididae + Toxocaridae + Anisakidae, Meloidogynidae + Pratylenchidae + Heteroderidae and Aphelenchoidea. Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood analyses also show the nested position of Diplogasteromorpha within Rhabditomorpha, and Rhigonematomorpha within Ascaridomorpha. These analyses also show non‐monophyly of: clade III, Ancylostomatidae, Panagrolaimomorpha, Tylenchina and Tylenchomorpha. Reconstructed mitochondrial genome phylogeny also revealed that among two main Tylenchomorpha groups, the monophyletic group representing Aphelenchoidea species was sister to the large clade consisting of Ascaridomorpha, Diplogasteromorpha, Rhabditomorpha and Rhigonematomorpha and some Panagrolaimomorpha species, whereas Tylenchoidea species were sister to the most inclusive assemblage containing all infraordinal groups of Chromadorea, except for P. redivivus (Panagrolaimomorpha) and Acrobeles complexus (Cephalobomorpha). The monophyly of Aphelenchoidea (i.e. sister relationship between Aphelenchidae and Aphelenchoididae) recovered in this study indicates that similarity in certain aspects of pharyngeal structure between these two families appears best explained by common ancestry, rather than convergent evolution.


A patient with known prostatic cancer presented with bilateral orbital masses. On CT there was a bulky soft-tissue mass in the cranial aspect of each orbit. An open biopsy revealed undifferentiated tissue that stained strongly positive for prostatic-specific acid phosphatase, confirming the diagnosis of metastatic prostate carcinoma.


The objective of this work is to apply the Finite Element Methodology (F.E.M.) to several piping systems, using an incompressible working fluid, in order to calculate the volumetric flow on each element and the piezometric load on each node of the network. To accomplish this goal a computational code was designed using Fortran Computational Language. Such a code consists of a main program and six subroutines. The input variables are general data of the network including the number of pipes, the number of nodes, the piezometric load values on nodes where they are constant (tanks for example), demanding flows in those nodes where the fluid is removed from the system, a connectivity table indicating the assumed flow direction in each pipe, and the number of pumps with respective parabolic curve coefficients. Program data also included both the maximum number of iterations and tolerance allowed. Fluid properties such as kinematic viscosity, density and pipe features such as length, diameter and absolute rugosity are also required. The output data include pipe volumetric flows and piezometric load on variable static pressure nodes.In this work, three different network systems were analyzed: 51-, 63- and 65-element networks. All were examples taken from the bibliography. The Finite Element Methodology results were first validated with real data, and then compared with the other results coming from the Hardy-Cross, Newton-Raphson and Linear Methods. The comparison was based on convergence speed and numerical stability. It is concluded that the methodology called Finite Element Methodology requires a smaller number of iterations than the Hardy-Cross, Linear and Newton-Raphson Methods. Another advantage of the Finite Element Methodology is that there is no need to assign the flow initial values that satisfy the Continuity Equation on each node of the piping network before running the program. Also, no loops establishing is needed. In addition, the designed code permits calculations for networks that present both booster and feed pumps. The importance of this work rests on the fact that nowadays it is necessary for piping network flow analysis to use computational simulation in order to design systems more efficiently and economically. Furthermore, this work is important for network construction as well as the satisfaction of consumer demand on a local community level, taking into account prevailing normative requirements. This paper, consequently, aims to contribute to progress in these areas.Copyright © 2013 by ASME