Curcumin, an active yellow pigment of turmeric and curry, possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and anticarcinogenic properties. Analysis of its structure revealed the presence of beta-diketone moiety and phenolic hydroxy groups that were believed to contribute to antioxidation. And vanillin, ferulic acid and a dimer of curcumin were identified as the curcumin-derived radical reaction products. In addition to antioxidation, curcumin could also induce apoptosis by targeting mitochondria, affecting p53-related signaling and blocking NF-kappaB activation. To further dissect its anticarcinogenic mechanisms, a number of curcumin targets were identified. These included the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferase, serine/threonine kinases, transcription factors, cyclooxygenase, ornithine decarboxylase, nitric oxide synthase, matrix metalloproteinases and tyrosine kinases. This review will summarize our current knowledge on how these important proteins are affected by curcumin, and hopefully, may provide a whole picture illustrating how the chemopreventive and antitumorigenic effect of curcumin is achieved.


This paper presents a simple, robust, and fast synchronization method to detect the phase angle of the positive sequence of a three-phase ac system. The algorithm was derived from a standard phase-locked-loop (PLL) circuit based on the pq theory, but a feedforward action is implemented to guarantee high dynamic performance in conjunction with a modified feedback action to reduce the phase-angle estimation error to zero. The result is a fast tracking system that improves the start-up stage and rapid input variations. It guarantees accurate phase locking and is robust with respect to ac distortions such as harmonics, subharmonics, and voltage imbalance. The control model for the proposed PLL system was based on the standard qPLL structure. A linear analysis was performed to show the benefits of the proposed solution, and recommendations are given for tuning its parameters. The proposed technique was tested and compared with other algorithms by means of simulations. The experimental and simulation results are shown and compared.


The ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has the potential to change almost every line of work. As AI capabilities continue to improve in accuracy, robustness, and reach, AI may outperform and even replace human experts across many valuable tasks. Despite enormous efforts devoted to understanding AI's impact on labor and the economy and its recent success in accelerating scientific discovery and progress, we lack a systematic understanding of how advances in AI may benefit scientific research across disciplines and fields. Here we develop a measurement framework to estimate both the direct use of AI and the potential benefit of AI in scientific research by applying natural language processing techniques to 87.6 million publications and 7.1 million patents. We find that the use of AI in research appears widespread throughout the sciences, growing especially rapidly since 2015, and papers that use AI exhibit an impact premium, more likely to be highly cited both within and outside their disciplines. While almost every discipline contains some subfields that benefit substantially from AI, analyzing 4.6 million course syllabi across various educational disciplines, we find a systematic misalignment between the education of AI and its impact on research, suggesting the supply of AI talents in scientific disciplines is not commensurate with AI research demands. Lastly, examining who benefits from AI within the scientific workforce, we find that disciplines with a higher proportion of women or black scientists tend to be associated with less benefit, suggesting that AI's growing impact on research may further exacerbate existing inequalities in science. As the connection between AI and scientific research deepens, our findings may have an increasing value, with important implications for the equity and sustainability of the research enterprise.


Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency and early surgical intervention is seen to improve outcomes. Jaundice has been associated with appendicitis and studies have shown hyperbilirubinemia to be a useful predictor of appendiceal perforation. Elevated serum bilirubin will help in early and accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis. This study aims to evaluate the role of serum bilirubin as a marker in acute appendicitis. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted in the department of surgery, Dayanand medical college and hospital, Ludhiana on patients of acute appendicitis. Routine investigations including bilirubin total and bilirubin direct were done and the mean value of bilirubin total and liver enzymes in cases of acute appendicitis was calculated. The p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 27.29±16.4 years. There were a total of 59 patients with 47 males and 12 females. The total bilirubin levels in cases with acute appendicitis and complicated appendicitis were 0.71±0.29 and 1.46±0.66 respectively. Conclusion: Increase in serum bilirubin levels were seen in patients of complicated appendicitis and it can be added in the list of routine investigations at the time of admission in suspected cases of appendicitis.


BACKGROUND Given current evidence, the effect of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation on pulmonary function tests remains controversial. AIM To better understand the factors contributing to the changes seen on pulmonary function testing and the correlation with pulmonary hemodynamics after LVAD implantation. METHODS Electronic databases were queried to identify relevant articles. The summary effect size was estimated as a difference of overall means and standard deviation on a random-effects model. RESULTS A total of four studies comprising 219 patients were included. The overall mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion lung capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) after LVAD implantation were significantly lower by 0.23 L (95%CI: 0.11-0.34, P = 00002), 0.18 L (95%CI: 0.03-0.34, P = 0.02), and 3.16 mmol/min (95%CI: 2.17-4.14, P < 0.00001), respectively. The net post-LVAD mean value of the cardiac index was significantly higher by 0.49 L/min/m2 (95%CI: 0.31-0.66, P < 0.00001) compared to pre-LVAD value. The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly reduced after LVAD implantation by 8.56 mmHg (95%CI: 3.78-13.35, P = 0.0004), and 0.83 Woods U (95%CI: 0.11-1.55, P = 0.02), respectively. There was no significant difference observed in the right atrial pressure after LVAD implantation (0.61 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.00 to 3.32, P = 0.65). Overall findings appear to be driven by studies using HeartMateII devices. CONCLUSION LVAD implantation might be associated with a significant reduction of the spirometric measures, including FEV1, FVC, and DLCO, and an overall improvement of pulmonary hemodynamics.


Implantation, trophoblast development and placentation are crucial processes in the establishment and development of normal pregnancy. Abnormalities of these processes can lead to pregnancy complications known as the great obstetrical syndromes: preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal demise, premature prelabor rupture of membranes, preterm labor, and recurrent pregnancy loss. There is mounting evidence regarding the physiological and therapeutic role of heparins in the establishment of normal gestation and as a modality for treatment and prevention of pregnancy complications. In this review, we will summarize the properties and the physiological contributions of heparins to the success of implantation, placentation and normal pregnancy.


Previous success in improving the CO2 capacity of physical solvents for pre-combustion carbon capture by imparting poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) functionality led us to compare tributyl phosphate (TBP), tri-isobutyl phosphate (TiBP) and three analogous organophosphate solvents in which the length of PEG-substitution was varied. The PEG-substituted solvents proved to have acceptable densities and viscosities for the application of interest, but all three solvents showed poorer CO2 absorption than TBP or TiBP. Inclusion of hydrophilic PEG groups in solvents (1) – (3) also led to the undesired absorption of larger amounts of water from humidified N2 compared to TBP and TiBP. Computational studies of the analogous organophosphate solvents revealed that all solvents had the lowest partial negative charges, closest CO2 interaction, and largest CO2 interaction energy at the double bonded phosphoryl O atom. The fractional free volumes were computed and was found to be largest for TiBP and grew progressively smaller as the length of the PEG group grew longer in solvents (1) – (3). Although introducing PEG groups to these molecules increased the number of interaction sites with CO2, solvents (1) – (3) showed poorer CO2 absorption than TBP and TiBP due to their decreased solvent fractional free volume.


A recently developed pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) method which utilizes an unmodified household espresso machine to facilitate natural products research has also found applications as an effective teaching tool. Specifically, this technique has been used to introduce second- and third-year undergraduates to aspects of natural products chemistry in the laboratory. In this report, two experiments are presented: the PHWE of eugenol and acetyleugenol from cloves and the PHWE of seselin and (+)-epoxysuberosin from the endemic Australian plant species Correa reflexa. By employing PHWE in these experiments, the crude clove extract, enriched in eugenol and acetyleugenol, was obtained in 4-9% w/w from cloves by second-year undergraduates and seselin and (+)-epoxysuberosin were isolated in yields of up to 1.1% w/w and 0.9% w/w from C. reflexa by third-year students. The former exercise was developed as a replacement for the traditional steam distillation experiment providing an introduction to extraction and separation techniques, while the latter activity featured guided-inquiry teaching methods in an effort to simulate natural products bioprospecting. This primarily derives from the rapid nature of this PHWE technique relative to traditional extraction methods that are often incompatible with the time constraints associated with undergraduate laboratory experiments. This rapid and practical PHWE method can be used to efficiently isolate various classes of organic molecules from a range of plant species. The complementary nature of this technique relative to more traditional methods has also been demonstrated previously.


The evolution of influenza viruses results in (i) recurrent annual epidemics of disease that are caused by progressive antigenic drift of influenza A and B viruses due to the mutability of the RNA genome and (ii) infrequent but severe pandemics caused by the emergence of novel influenza A subtypes to which the population has little immunity. The latter characteristic is a consequence of the wide antigenic diversity and peculiar host range of influenza A viruses and the ability of their segmented RNA genomes to undergo frequent genetic reassortment (recombination) during mixed infections. Contrasting features of the evolution of recently circulating influenza AH1N1, AH3N2 and B viruses include the rapid drift of AH3N2 viruses as a single lineage, the slow replacement of successive antigenic variants of AH1N1 viruses and the co-circulation over some 25 years of antigenically and genetically distinct lineages of influenza B viruses. Constant monitoring of changes in the circulating viruses is important for maintaining the efficacy of influenza vaccines in combating disease.


Three dimensional(3D) displacements, which can be translated further into 3D strain, are key parameters for design, manufacturing and quality control. Using different optical setups, phase-shift methods, and algorithms, several different 3D electronic speckle pattern interferometry(ESPI) systems for displacement and strain measurements have been achieved and commercialized. This paper provides a review of the recent developments in ESPI systems for 3D displacement and strain measurement. After an overview of the fundamentals of ESPI theory, temporal phase-shift, and spatial phase-shift techniques, 3D deformation measurements by the temporal phase-shift ESPI system, which is suited well for static measurement, and by the spatial phase-shift ESPI system, which is particularly useful for dynamic measurement, are discussed. For each method, the basic theory, a brief derivation and different optical layouts are presented. The state of art application, potential and limitation of the ESPI systems are shown and demonstrated.


The manuscript discusses the design of an integrated DC-DC power converter in digital 0.18 mum CMOS technology for fuel cells and portable applications. By means of a combined boost and switched-capacitor architecture and design optimization a suitable efficiency has been achieved without resorting to special process options and with a limited number of passive external components. The achieved results enable the implementation of a power-converter system for fuel-cell featuring low-cost and small size, as required by the market of portable devices.


TiO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated in the electrolyte containing 0.25wt% NH4F, 2.5vol% water and the ethylene glycol for various hours at room temperature by anodization of Ti foil in this paper. Some anodized specimens were annealed at 450°C for 3 hours. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to measure electrochemical parameters of anodized specimens. The morphology and crystalline structure of anodized products were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electronic Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM). A non-tube layer appears on nanotube arrays with the increase in anodization time. Anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays have an amorphous structure, which transfers to anatase structure after annealing at 450°C. A new equivalent circuit R(CR(R(QR)(CR))) was proposed to fit EIS data. The results show that the charge transfer resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface controls the electrochemical process of TiO2 nanotubes.


Hormonal replacement therapy in women following primary treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri is harmless. In case of adenocarcinoma of the cervix, guidelines for hormonal replacement therapy according to those valid for endometrial cancer are recommended. In women treated for ovarian cancer, a combined cyclic or continuous estrogen/gestagen substitution - the latter also in hysterectomized women - is to be favored. Signs of androgen deficiency are to be respected. Short-term clinical, sonographical, and biochemical control investigations are recommended.


Deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) have the strength in traffic-sign classification in terms of high accuracy. However, CNN models usually contains multiple layers with a large number of parameters consequently leading to a large model size. The bulky model size of CNN models prevents them from the wide deployment in mobile and portable devices in Intelligent Transportation Systems. In this paper, we design and develop a portable convolutional neural network (namely portable CNN) structure used for traffic-sign classification. This portable CNN model contains a stacked convolutional structure consisting of factorization and compression modules. We conducted extensive experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed Portable CNN model. Experimental results show that our model has the advantages of smaller model size while maintaining high classification accuracy, compared with conventional CNN models.


In this study we introduce a new procedure for grouping the circulation types occurring over an area. This procedure combines the surface air mass characteristics affecting an area with the synoptic conditions prevailing over it. Factor analysis along with cluster analysis are used to derive the circulation types, based on surface meteorological data, as well as on surface pressure grid data. The methods are applied in Athens, Greece, using data for the period 1954-1999. The circulation types are analyzed daily at the sea surface; their temporal evolution is also examined via transition matrices. A total of 315 grid points were used in the area 25-60° N, 10° W-40° E. This analysis derived 8 circulation types for the cold period of the year and 6 for the warm period. The annual and monthly frequency distributions of these types are analyzed. Annual and interannual trends of the types as well as their persistence for 1 and 2 d after their occurrence are examined, as is the transition of one type to another.


A training workshop utilising recent research in cognitive lie detection was designed and evaluated. A unique future of the training was that a practitioner (retired police detective) instead of scientists (e.g. the training developers) introduced the techniques. To evaluate the training, 27 experienced police detectives each interviewed one mock suspect (a truth teller or liar) before training, and another group of 23 experienced police detectives interviewed one mock suspect (a truth teller or liar) after training. The police detectives were free to interview the mock suspect in any way they felt appropriate, but those who had received training were asked to try to incorporate (some of) the taught techniques in their interviews. The detectives made veracity judgements, and the interviews were transcribed and coded for the amount of detail elicited and the questions asked. Training had a modest effect on the ability to distinguish between truths and lies but resulted in a higher percentage of appropriate questions asked. Trainees did not implement the taught techniques to an equal extent, but when they did, the techniques enhanced the elicitation of information. The training study also revealed challenges, particularly difficulty in implementing the taught techniques into practice and asking the right questions to elicit differences in detail between truth tellers and liars.


Objective We describe the incidence, location and management of non-major bleeding, and assess the association between non-major bleeding and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving anticoagulation therapy enrolled in Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE). Methods We included patients who received ≥1 dose of study drug (n=18 140). Non-major bleeding was defined as the first bleeding event considered to be clinically relevant non-major (CRNM) or minor bleeding, and not preceded by a major bleeding event. Results Non-major bleeding was three times more common than major bleeding (12.1% vs 3.8%). Like major bleeding, non-major bleeding was less frequent with apixaban (6.4 per 100 patient-years) than warfarin (9.4 per 100 patient-years) (adjusted HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.75). The most frequent sites of non-major bleeding were haematuria (16.4%), epistaxis (14.8%), gastrointestinal (13.3%), haematoma (11.5%) and bruising/ecchymosis (10.1%). Medical or surgical intervention was similar among patients with non-major bleeding on warfarin versus apixaban (24.7% vs 24.5%). A change in antithrombotic therapy (58.6% vs 50.0%) and permanent study drug discontinuation (5.1% (61) vs 3.6% (30), p=0.10) was numerically higher with warfarin than apixaban. CRNM bleeding was independently associated with an increased risk of overall death (adjusted HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.18) and subsequent major bleeding (adjusted HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.56 to 3.04). Conclusions In ARISTOTLE, non-major bleeding was common and substantially less frequent with apixaban than with warfarin. CRNM bleeding was independently associated with a higher risk of death and subsequent major bleeding. Our results highlight the importance of any severity of bleeding in patients with AF treated with anticoagulation therapy and suggest that non-major bleeding, including minor bleeding, might not be minor. Trial registration number NCT00412984; post-results.


The effect of altered fore limb alignment to trunk on mean electrical axis (MEA) and on amplitude of the QRS complex of frontal plane leads was studied in both prone and supine postures in 32 albino rats. It was found that in both postures bilateral extension of fore limbs caused a significant change in MEA to right. Unilateral change in the fore limb alignment caused a shift in MEA to right only in supine position, but was ineffective in prone position. The amplitudes of QRS complexes also changed with change in MEA. The changes in MEA with change in limb alignment and subsequent alteration in amplitude of QRS complexes can be attributed to the alteration in anatomical orientation of the heart in the chest cavity.


Market-based compute grids encompass service providers offering limited resources to potential users with varying quality of service demands and willingness to pay. Providers face problems of pricing and allocating resources to maximize revenue. Previous research proposed and analyzed a method for allocating resources based on joint optimization of access control and scheduling strategies. This paper proposes a tractable analytical model for joint optimization of job pricing and scheduling strategies with the objective of maximizing provider revenue. The paper provides initial results for the case of a single provider serving price-sensitive users whose utilities decay linearly with increasing service delay. The paper also shows that providers must combine both pricing and admission control to achieve maximum revenue.


Introduction It is assumed that a running-related (overuse) injury occurs when a specific structure of the human body is exposed to a load that exceeds that structures' load capacity. Therefore, monitoring training load is an important key to understanding the development of a running-related injury. Additionally, other distribution, magnitude and capacity-related factors should be considered when aiming to understand the causal chain of injury development. This paper presents a study protocol for a prospective cohort study that aims to add comprehensive information on the aetiology of running-related injuries and present a new approach for investigating changes in training load with regard to running-related injuries. Methods and analysis This study focused on recreational runners, that is, runners exposed to a minimum weekly average of 15 km for at least 1 year. Participants will undergo baseline tests consisting of a clinical/anthropometrical examination and biomechanical measurements. Furthermore, participants will log all training sessions in a diary on a weekly basis for 1 year. The primary exposure variable is changes in training load. A medical practitioner will examine runners suffering from running-related pain and, if possible, make a clear diagnosis. Finally, additional time-varying exposure variables will be included in the main analysis, whereas the analysis for the secondary purpose is based on time-fixed baseline-related risk factors. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval (DNR: 712–15) for the study and its design was obtained from the Gothenburg regional ethical review board. The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals.


Abstract This paper discusses the usage of the free Fred services provided via the World Wide Web (WWW). Included is quantitative data about the key services. For instance, after the first ten months, the WWW-based Fred services have been used to create more than 3,200 DTDs. This paper also discusses the qualitative analysis of Web server logs.


History. In order to understand its present function, a short historical account is necessary. Bibliotheca Bogoriensis is the oldest science library in Indonesia, established in 1842 at the proposal of J.K. Hasskarl, assistant hortulanus of the 's-Lands Plantentuin in Buitenzorg, West Java (now called Kebun Raya Indonesia Bogor). The very first 25 books were bought from Dr. Jacques Pierot, a botanist who was sent by the Dutch Government to China. Ever since many visiting botanists left or sold their book collection, the reason why Bibliotheca avails of fine old antiquarian books in the field of botany. Among the library's treasures are the reprint collection belonging to Melchior Treub with his own hand-written catalogue, as well as his correspondence, and all his awards received from many countries and scientific societies in the world.


Computer interaction via visually guided hand movements often employs either abstract cursor-based feedback or virtual hand (VH) representations of varying degrees of realism. The effect of changing this visual feedback in virtual reality settings is currently unknown. In this study, 19 healthy right-handed adults performed index finger movements ("action") and observed movements ("observation") with four different types of visual feedback: a simple circular cursor (CU), a point light (PL) pattern indicating finger joint positions, a shadow cartoon hand (SH) and a realistic VH. Finger movements were recorded using a data glove, and eye-tracking was recorded optically. We measured brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Both action and observation conditions showed stronger fMRI signal responses in the occipitotemporal cortex compared to baseline. The action conditions additionally elicited elevated bilateral activations in motor, somatosensory, parietal, and cerebellar regions. For both conditions, feedback of a hand with a moving finger (SH, VH) led to higher activations than CU or PL feedback, specifically in early visual regions and the occipitotemporal cortex. Our results show the stronger recruitment of a network of cortical regions during visually guided finger movements with human hand feedback when compared to a visually incomplete hand and abstract feedback. This information could have implications for the design of visually guided tasks involving human body parts in both research and application or training-related paradigms.


One of the most worrisome aspects of the growing tide of obesity in the United States is the high rate of overweight among children. Over one in five young children, ages 2 to 5, are at risk of being overweight. The number of children at risk of being overweight has grown in the past two decades, as has the number of young children whose families participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Are these increases connected? The answer appears to be "No." However, being from a low-income family, especially a low-income, Mexican-American family, does raise the probability of a child's being at risk for overweight. This brief examines trends in the relationship between WIC participation and weight status by updating the results of Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs and Obesity: 1976-2002 (ERR-48) to include data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).


This article presents an analysis of how activists, politicians, and the media framed youth involvement in the sex trade during the 1970s, the 1990s, and the 2000s in the United States. Across these periods of public concern about the issue, similar framing has recurred that has drawn upon gendered and racialized notions of victimization and perpetration. This frame has successfully brought attention to this issue by exploiting public anxieties at historical moments when social change was threatening white male dominance. Using intersectional feminist theory, I argue that mainstream rhetoric opposing the youth sex trade worked largely within neoliberal logics, ignoring histories of dispossession and structural violence and reinforcing individualistic notions of personhood and normative ideas about subjectivity and agency. As part of the ongoing project of racial and gender formation in US society, this discourse has shored up neoliberal governance, particularly the build-up of the prison industrial complex, and it has obscured the state's failure to address the myriad social problems that make youth vulnerable to the sex trade.


We calculate the vibrational spectra for typical nanostructures including thin films, nanowires, and quantum dots of yttria, an important laser host material. Lattice dynamics calculations show that the vibrational spectra of nanocrystals are distinct from that of the bulk phase in the enhanced tails at low and high frequencies. Some of the low-frequency and high-frequency modes only involve surface atoms. Molecular-dynamics simulations are used to further decompose the contributions of surface and internal atoms, and the results confirm the evident broadening of the surface spectra. The broadening in vibrational spectra is attributed to the broadened atomic spring constants, further to the lowered symmetry of nanostructures.


INVESTIGATION ON PRECIPITATIONS AND DEFECTS OF THE Fe-24Cr-2Si-0.8Mn FERRITIC SUPER ALLOY STEEL. A ferritic Fe-24Cr-2Si-0.8Mn alloy was produced from granular ferro-scrap, ferrochrome, ferrosilicon and ferromanganese in a conventional induction furnace. The alloy is dedicated for application as structure material in high temperature devices, such as nuclear reactor vessel and heat exchanger. The alloy has been verified to have high tensile strength and high resistant against corrosion. The aim of this work is to study the microstructures, chemical compositions and precipitation occurred inside grain and grain boundary of the alloy, to obtain more information of its superior physical-chemical properties. STEM-EDX mappings reveal the present of relatively large aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and high oxygen and high carbon containing precipitations on the specimens. The grains that were formed, exhibit relatively strong deformations as obviously shown by the elongated grains and sub-grains with typical high density of dislocations, even though, less mechanical treatments applied. Small porosities are also present homogeneously separated on the whole view area.


Brugada syndrome (BrS) is associated with increased risk of cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and remains an important cause of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS). BrS is recognised by phenotypic electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns alongside specific clinical risk factors. The type 1 BrS pattern may either be spontaneous or concealed. Ajmaline, a class 1 C Sodium channel antagonist, is used to unmask the concealed pattern seen in BrS. We, retrospectively, reviewed all 231 patients that underwent ajamline provocation between 2011 and 2016. 59 (26%) patients had a concealed type 1 BrS pattern after ajmaline provocation. 105 patients with a family history of BrS were screened, in whom 38(36%) had a concealed pattern. Within this group 6 families had a history of overlapping Long QT Syndrome (LQTS). 61 patients screened had a family history of SADS. 5(8%) of these patients had a positive response. A further 12 patients were screened due to potential arrhythmic symptoms alongside borderline type 2 or 3 BrS patterns. 16 patients were referred after an aborted cardiac arrest (ACA), with 3(19%) of these patients having concealed BrS pattern after ajmaline provocation. 15(30%) of the patients with concealed BrS had an identifiable SCN5 A variant after serological genetic analysis. An A-ICD was inserted in 5(9%) patients with concealed BrS including all 3 patients with prior ACA and one patient with non-sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) detected via an implantable loop recorder (ILR). These patients remain free from VT and device-led therapy at present. An ILR was inserted in 9(17%) patients to further risk stratify patients with on-going potential arrhythmic symptoms. On ILR interrogation, 2 patients had episodes of non-sustained VT. Electrophysiological studies (EPS) were performed for diagnostic purposes, alongside ajmaline provocation, in 4(6.8%) of the patients with concealed BrS. 2 EPS were entirely negative. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced in one study, and this patient currently awaits A-ICD insertion. The remaining EPS were negative. No cardiac adverse events occurred during or after ajmaline infusion. One patient had documented evidence of temporary cholestatic jaundice post administration, a recognised but rarely reported complication. All 59 patients with BrS remain free from sustained ventricular arrhythmias, ACA and sudden cardiac death (SCD) at this time. In conclusion, ajmaline provocation is a safe and important diagnostic test for BrS. The ACA and ventricular arrhythmic event rate was low in our patient cohort. There was a 26% diagnostic yield in those patients referred as part of familial BrS screening, similar to that seen in other registries. The presence of a SCN5 A variant was seen in 30% of those with concealed BrS which is higher than previously published yields ~20–25%. 19% of patients with a history of unexplained ACA had concealed BrS which is higher than that seen in the CASPER registry.


AIM: The functional long-term results of reconstructions of massive rotator cuff tears (Bateman IV) were evaluated and analyzed. METHODS: 38 patients (6 female/32 male) had a clinical and sonographical assessment and an evaluation of the Constant score after a follow-up of 81 (60 - 160) months. Operative procedures were direct transosseous refixation in 16, local tendon shifts in 17 and deltoid flaps in 5 patients. RESULTS: The average age and sex related Constant score was 77 %. The 5 patients with the deltoid flap achieved a Constant score of 60 %, all had a sonographically detected re-tear and 4 of them rated their result as only moderate. 25/33 patients with reconstruction (76 %) rated their result as good or excellent, 5 (15 %) as satisfactory, 1 (3 %) as moderate and 2 (6 %) as poor. 12 (36 %) of the 33 patients met the sonographic criteria of a re-tear. These patients had a Constant score of 71 %, whereas 21 (64 %) patients with intact reconstruction achieved a score of 85 %. CONCLUSION: The reconstruction of massive rotator cuff tears achieves good clinical long-term results if the tendons remain intact. But even with a recurrent defect, the results have been better than in patients treated with a deltoid flap. In massive rotator cuff tears a thorough selection of the operative procedure regarding atrophy and fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff muscles as well as the tendon retraction and quality is mandatory.


Recent interest has focused on a class of decision problems in which subjects encounter options serially and must decide when to leave an option in search of a better one, rather than directly comparing simultaneously presented options. Although such problems have a rich history in animal foraging and economics, relatively little is known about their neural substrates. Suggestively, however, a separate literature has argued that the key decision variable in these tasks – the opportunity cost of time, given by the average reward rate – may also govern behavioral vigor and may be reported by tonic dopamine (DA). In this study, we test whether this putative dopaminergic opportunity cost signal plays an analogous role in serial decisions by examining the behavior of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), on and off their DA replacement medication, in a patch-foraging task. In these tasks, subjects' decisions about when to leave a depleting resource implicitly reflect their beliefs about the opportunity cost of time spent harvesting that resource. Consistent with the opportunity cost hypothesis, umedicated patients harvested longer than matched controls, and medication remediated this deficit. These effects were not explained by motor perseveration. Our results suggest a functional role for DA, and an associated cognitive deficit in PD, in a type of decision process that may be distinct from (but related to) the neuromodulator's well studied roles in behavioral invigoration and learning from rewards. Significance Statement This study addresses two important questions whose answers are, unexpectedly, linked. First, what is the scope of cognitive functions of the neuromodulator dopamine, whose contributions – for instance, as assessed by both the motoric and more subtle cognitive deficits of patients with PD, which depletes dopamine – range from movement to reward and decision-making? Second, what are the neural mechanisms supporting an important but understudied class of problems, in which, rather than choose among a set of alternatives (like apples and oranges), one makes serial decisions about whether to stick with an option (like a job, or a mate) or seek another? We demonstrate a novel cognitive deficit in PD that integrates this function into the web of DA's contributions.


The purpose of this study is to develop two predictive models for burr height in cutting titanium alloy plates by using Nd:YAG laser. Firstly, Taguchi method has been used to arrange the experimental scheme and analyze the results via analysis of mean . The important laser cutting parameters affecting burr height can be found. It shows that the pressure of assistant gas, the focusing position and the pulsed frequency are the most important cutting parameters in order. Then they have been chosen as the input variables for response surface methodology and used to construct a mathematical equation for predicting burr height. Secondly, the laser cutting parameters and experimental results obtained from conducting the schematic arrangement using Taguchi method and response surface methodology have been treated as training patterns and recalling patterns for the back-propagation neural network. As a result, a predictive model for burr height prediction in laser cutting titanium alloy has been established. To verify the accuracy of above two prediction models, there are 9 sets of experiment have been performed. It shows that the average error for predicting burr height by the mathematical equation derived from response surface methodology is 5.52% and by the predictive model established by back-propagation neural network is 4.51%, respectively. Obviously, both predictive models are good enough for the relational research and practical applications. It can be concluded that the procedure used in this research and the obtaining predictive models can be used practically in correlate industry.


Abstract The matched filtering technique that uses the cross correlation of a waveform of interest with archived signals from a template library has proven to be a powerful tool for detecting events in regions with repeating seismicity. However, waveform correlation is computationally expensive and therefore impractical for large template sets unless dedicated distributed computing hardware and software are used. In this study, we introduce an approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) approach that enables the use of very large template libraries for waveform correlation. Our method begins with a projection into a reduced dimensionality space, based on correlation with a randomized subset of the full template archive. Searching for a specified number of nearest neighbors for a query waveform is accomplished by iteratively comparing it with the neighbors of its immediate neighbors. We used the approach to search for matches to each of ∼2300 analyst‐reviewed signal detections reported in May 2010 for the International Monitoring System station MKAR. The template library in this case consists of a data set of more than 200,000 analyst‐reviewed signal detections for the same station from February 2002 to July 2016 (excluding May 2010). Of these signal detections, 73% are teleseismic first P and 17% regional phases ( Pn , Pg , Sn , and Lg ). The analyses performed on a standard desktop computer show that the proposed ANN approach performs a search of the large template libraries about 25 times faster than the standard full linear search and achieves recall rates greater than 80%, with the recall rate increasing for higher correlation thresholds.


Introduction Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition (disorder of the pilosebaceous duct) which is universal in adolescence. Acne vulgaris can persist into adulthood, with 1% of males and 5% of females requiring treatment until 40 years of age. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a homoeopathic complex (Kalium bromatum 9CH, Natrum muriaticum 9CH, Selenium 9CH, Sulphur 9CH and Thuja occidentalis 9CH), compared to placebo, in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Methodology A total of 37 participants between the ages of 18 and 31 were recruited from the Greater Durban area by means of poster advertisements placed on notice boards in shops, pharmacies, health shops, hospitals, schools, tertiary institutions including Durban University of Technology, and other public areas. Handouts were also left at these areas for people to take home. The final sample consisted of 34 participants due to the drop out of 3 participants. After participants read an information letter (English or Zulu), fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the research, were diagnosed as having acne vulgaris by the researcher and completed an informed consent form (English or Zulu) and confidential patient information form (English or Zulu), they were randomly assigned to an experimental (homoeopathic complex) group and a control (placebo) group. In the final sample, the experimental (homoeopathic complex) group consisted of 7 males and 10 females, and the control (placebo) group consisted of 9 males and 8 females. Consultations took place at the Durban University of Technology Homoeopathic Day Clinic, and consisted of 3 consultations, an initial consultation followed by 2 follow-up consultations at 3 weekly intervals. The treatment period for each participant was therefore 6 weeks. A case history was taken and a complete physical examination was performed for all participants. The Leeds counting technique was used to assess and measure the response to treatment. The lesions assessed were the non-inflamed lesions (blackheads and whiteheads), inflamed lesions (papules, pustules, nodules, cysts and deep pustules) and the total number of acne lesions (number of non-inflamed and inflamed lesions combined). The response to treatment was measured in terms of a reduction in the number of non-inflamed, number of inflamed and total number of acne lesions, on the face, over the 6 weeks. SPSS version 20 was used to analyse the data. A p value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Non-parametric tests were used to analyse the data. The number of non-inflamed, number of inflamed and total number of acne lesions were compared within groups using the Friedman test and between groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. The number of lesions was compared separately for males and females, and also without gender classification. Results In females, the control (placebo) group showed a statistically significant reduction in the total number of acne lesions when compared to the experimental group (p = 0.034). However, as a whole, it was concluded from the results of this study that there was no significant difference in the number of non-inflamed (p = 0.193), number of inflamed (p = 0.290), and total number of acne lesions (p = 0.193) between the experimental (homoeopathic complex) and control (placebo) groups. Both groups showed a similar reduction when compared to each other. Conclusion It was concluded that the homoeopathic complex was not effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris.


The kth-nearest neighbor rule is arguably the simplest and most intuitively appealing nonparametric classification procedure. However, application of this method is inhibited by lack of knowledge about its properties, in particular, about the manner in which it is influenced by the value of k; and by the absence of techniques for empirical choice of k. In the present paper we detail the way in which the value of k determines the misclassification error. We consider two models, Poisson and Binomial, for the training samples. Under the first model, data are recorded in a Poisson stream and are "assigned" to one or other of the two populations in accordance with the prior probabilities. In particular, the total number of data in both training samples is a Poisson-distributed random variable. Under the Binomial model, however, the total number of data in the training samples is fixed, although again each data value is assigned in a random way. Although the values of risk and regret associated with the Poisson and Binomial models are different, they are asymptotically equivalent to first order, and also to the risks associated with kernel-based classifiers that are tailored to the case of two derivatives. These properties motivate new methods for choosing the value of k.


Internet ad auctions have evolved from a few lines of text to richer informational layouts that include images, sitelinks, videos, etc. Ads in these new formats occupy varying amounts of space, and an advertiser can provide multiple formats, only one of which can be shown. The seller is now faced with a multi-parameter mechanism design problem. Computing an efficient allocation is computationally intractable, and therefore the standard Vickrey-Clarke-Groves (VCG) auction, while truthful and welfare-optimal, is impractical. In this paper, we tackle a fundamental problem in the design of modern ad auctions. We adopt a ``Myersonian'' approach and study allocation rules that are monotone both in the bid and set of rich ads. We show that such rules can be paired with a payment function to give a truthful auction. Our main technical challenge is designing a monotone rule that yields a good approximation to the optimal welfare. Monotonicity doesn't hold for standard algorithms, e.g. the incremental bang-per-buck order, that give good approximations to ``knapsack-like'' problems such as ours. In fact, we show that no deterministic monotone rule can approximate the optimal welfare within a factor better than $2$ (while there is a non-monotone FPTAS). Our main result is a new, simple, greedy and monotone allocation rule that guarantees a $3$ approximation. In ad auctions in practice, monotone allocation rules are often paired with the so-called Generalized Second Price (GSP) payment rule, which charges the minimum threshold price below which the allocation changes. We prove that, even though our monotone allocation rule paired with GSP is not truthful, its Price of Anarchy (PoA) is bounded. Under standard no overbidding assumption, we prove a pure PoA bound of $6$ and a Bayes-Nash PoA bound of $\frac{6}{(1 - \frac{1}{e})}$. Finally, we experimentally test our algorithms on real-world data.


When Type 304 stainless steel is sensitized by a thermal treatment in the range of 400 to 850°C, intergranular attack will occur upon subsequent exposure to certain media. Interest in the sensitization behavior of Type 304 has been rekindled by the recurrent problem of pipe cracking in boiling water reactors, and the subject is of major importance to the electric power utility industry. In many practical situations, such as welding, sensitization is best studied by continuous cooling through the sensitizing temperature range wherein the variables are the peak temperature reached and the cooling rate in contrast to temperature and time of the isothermal hold which has been the customary practice. This report will focus on the importance of continuous cooling sensitization in certain heats of Type 304 with changing section size. A review of the test methods that assess intergranular corrosion and the effort to quantify degree of sensitization upon Jominy testing of bar, strip, and pin specimens or Gleeble-type testing of small rods will be presented. The major influence of carbon content and the effects of other elements will be discussed along with material remedies and suggestions for future work.


The backwardness of the rural areas compared to the cities poses a problem all over Europe. Rural development and the reduction of differences between the development levels of the regions have expressed roles among the programs of the European Union. Member States are even entitled to subsidisation, they just need to manage subsidies economically. In Hungary, a relatively small amount of the population lives in the capital, more than 80% of Hungarians live in rural cities or villages. The opposition between the countryside and the cities is rather intensified and the symbiotic correlation would need to be restored. Many people migrate from the countryside, especially youngsters, as they have no opportunities to find any job. This phenomenon poses big risks because getting a job is usually difficult everywhere and because fitting into a new environment always involves a lot of difficulties. Also from the aspect of the national economy, migration from the rural areas to the cities is a problem. The state budget will face significant excess costs if someone moves from a village to the city. It could cause unpredictable consequences if people leave the villages, as the maintenance and development of the village living space will face a hopeless situation.Non-renewable energies are restricted and they will not be accessible after reaching a certain limit. People's everyday activities and the functioning of the economy presupposes the availabilty of the necessary amount of energy. In the future, solution that provide the longterm stability of energy for the world will become increasingly necessary. There is a huge potential in bioenergy, more specifically in biomass. The building of biomass plants and putting them into operation creates jobs in the rural spatial environments. A locally available resource that can help in creating the energy safety of the country and the reduction of the dependence on import. The production of energy crops or the crops whose purpose of use is energy could help in strengthening the multifunctional character of agriculture and it can represent a source of income for those living off of agriculture under the current uncertain conditions.


A gate-all-around (GAA) twin silicon nanowire MOSFET (TSNWFET) with 5-nm-radius channels on a bulk Si wafer is successfully fabricated to achieve extremely high-drive currents of 2.37 mA/ mum for n-channel and 1.30 mA/ mum for p-channel TSNWFETs with mid-gap TiN metal gate that are normalized by a nanowire diameter. It also shows good short-channel effects immunity down to 30-nm gate length due to the GAA structure and the nanowire channel. The effect of bottom parasitic transistor in TSNWFET is also investigated.


This article explores the misunderstood and criticized concept of 'conscience' in English equity. The article will argue that equity's conscience can be better understood through the lens of scholastic theology, based on the medieval link between the Chancery and the Church. The article will explore the scholastic conscience and the views of some of the key theologians, including St Bonaventure and St Thomas Aquinas. Thereafter, the article will link the scholastic conscience to Chancery, by exploring some judicial statements, from the Middle Ages and up to today. It is hoped that this article will clear up the many lingering misconceptions around equity's conscience, which have been caused by a misunderstanding of the term conscience and the unfortunate lack of clear guidance from the courts.


In recent years, there has been a gradual rise in the number of radiological imaging examinations in the health sector due to a high disease burden in the expanding population. This has led to an exponential growth of medical imaging data requiring interpretation and management. Furthermore, the sheer quantity of radiological reports generated by Radiologists has also increased. However, public health facilities in Zambia do not have the requisite technological infrastructure necessary to efficiently and effectively store, manage and access medical images and radiological reports. This paper discusses preliminary work conducted to highlight the implications and challenges of the non-existence of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)—a crucial component of an Enterprise Medical Imaging (EMI) strategy—and, additionally, an outline of how a PACS platform could potentially address the challenges. An archival records analysis was conducted on historical medical images produced at two University Teaching Hospitals (UTHs) by digitising sample X-ray images archived on compact discs and additionally, medical images archived on external drives. The paper also outlines how existing historical images could potentially be stored, managed and accessed using a PACS platform.


A novel damped outrigger system has been recently proposed for tall buildings, and is quite promising. To gain insight into the conceptual design of such systems, a simple beam-damper system model for a building with such dampers installed is developed and studied. A partial differential equation governing the motion is derived assuming a Bernoulli-Euler beam. A closed-form analytical solution is developed for vibration of the beam by analyzing the regions above and below the damper separately using separation of variables. By applying appropriate boundary conditions at the ends, a transcendental characteristic equation is obtained that governs the system's complex natural frequencies. An explicit form for the complex mode shape is determined for dynamic analysis. A numerical iteration scheme is adopted to solve the characteristic equation for the complex eigenvalues (i.e., the system modal frequencies and damping ratios). This solution was used to determine design curves for optimal damper position and size. For engineering convenience, empirical equations were provided by fitting numerical results. These equations include one for determining the optimal location of the damper for each mode, and two for determining the optimal damping coefficient of the damper, and for calculating the maximum modal damping ratio of the system while the beam vibrates in its first mode. Furthermore, relatively accurate approximations of the pseudoundamped natural frequency and damping ratio of the first mode were obtained using a Taylor expansion of the characteristic equation. All of the results obtained are nondimensionalized for convenience of analysis and application.


ABSTRACT The objectives of this study are to characterize the input signal of a shallow carbonate aquifer in northeastern France and to clarify the recharge and groundwater mineralization processes, by analysing the chemical and isotopic (δ18O, δ2H) composition of rain and groundwater. The groundwater isotopic signature was very close to the calculated local meteoric water line and showed a narrow range, which is explained by the buffer effect of the matrix-dominated chalk aquifer. Nevertheless, intensive fracture networks can exist at local scale and lead to rapid aquifer response to rainfall, as attested by observed large variations in groundwater isotopic and chemical signatures at one specific site. Main factors controlling the groundwater mineralization are highlighted, including the input signal, water-rock interactions and human activities. Moreover, groundwater isotopic signatures are related to groundwater ages and historical climate conditions, showing that groundwater isotopic signal could also be used as a record of climate changes.


Quick, off the top of your head: what country ranks 3rd in mammal richness, after only tropical hot spots Brazil and Indonesia (or possibly even higher, depending on taxonomic and geographic definitions)? In what country can one find wild elephants and wolverines, moose and mouse deer, zokors and jerboas, beavers and fruit bats? If you answered any country other than China, your consciousness of the faunal richness and diversity of this country—so much better known for its human population and economic growth—can stand some improvement. And if you were correct in your answer, now is an appropriate time to celebrate, because the long-awaited and much-needed A Guide to the Mammals of China has finally appeared. Years in the making, this handsome volume represents the combined work of a team of authors, led by Andrew Smith of Arizona State University, and Yan Xie of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Much of the original material was collected by Wang Sung, one of China's most knowledgeable and influential mammalogists, and supplemented by databases managed by the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Zoology in Beijing. But the contribution of Western-based mammalogists shows in the introductory material describing the diversity of China's wildlife habitats, on its emphasis on detail, and in the generally high quality of production. Although compilations of China's mammals, which include some English texts, have been published in China (Sheng et al. 1998; Wang 2003), the Smith and Xie volume far exceeds them in accuracy, detail, and usefulness, and will no doubt be adopted quickly as the gold standard by those working on Chinese mammals. The Introduction, after discussing the book's background and genesis, includes 6 maps of China. These include a clear (if necessarily simple) political map, a rough landform map, 3 maps providing various biogeographic categorizations, and map of China's many protected areas (of which only those in China's west are identifiable by their shape and location, a constraint imposed by the map's small size). Given China's complex geography, these maps are critical, and the authors are correct to emphasize China's diversity and contrasts of natural habitats. A map showing human population density also would have been useful. For those unfamiliar with the contrasts China's habitats present, the full-color photographs illustrating typical landforms and vegetation in 25 habitats are wonderful additions; too bad there wasn't room (or funding) for more. Wisely, the book eschews animal photographs in favor of color illustrations: 61 plates provide small, yet finely detailed drawings of 384 species. The illustrations are generally quite good, although they may not always provide sufficient information to distinguish similar-looking species (for this, the distinctive characteristics and keys in the text will be needed). My only quibble with the illustrations is with the limited use of color: in many cases, they fail to fully represent differences in hue among similar species; all tend to look uniformly washed-out. The main body of the text is organized in the usual way, with short texts on each order, family, and genus. At each taxonomic level, a key is provided that will be most useful to the practitioner with access to a full specimen. The text is primarily devoted to brief species accounts (Smith and Xie recognize 556), each containing descriptions of its distinctive characteristics, geographic distribution, a synopsis of its natural history, its current conservation status (including its protected status under Chinese law, its International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List category, and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora listing), and list of key references. Some descriptions also include special comments on taxonomy. Usefully, each description also includes common Chinese names, in both Chinese characters and pinyin (the officially recognized transliteration system). Somewhat less usefully, each species description also includes a distribution map, consisting of black dots representing recorded specimens or occurrences overlaid on a line drawing of China's provinces. These maps are much better than nothing, but their small size and the unevenness of their underlying data (see below) combine to provide the reader with only a hazy idea of where the species currently lives, more of a geographic gestalt than an edifying elucidation. The taxonomy adopted is that of Wilson and Reeder (2005), and the book benefits from having Wilson as a contributing author. Of course, disputes among taxonomies are the rule rather than the exception; Smith and Xie will no doubt attract criticism from those who differ with them about particular classifications. The book could have included references to competing taxonomies, but that would have made it ungainly and added little. As soon as a book such as this comes out, new studies inevitably are published suggesting splitting of taxa that are lumped and lumping of those split. I anticipate that this will be the case with this book. The book also contains a glossary of terms used in the identification keys, indices to both scientific and English (although not Chinese) names, and a fairly complete list of references. Many papers, of course, are in Chinese and thus will be difficult for Western readers to track down or use. But with the increasing availability of online databases and digitized papers, even these can often be accessed (and excepting only the oldest, all Chinese scientific papers include some English in tables and figure captions as well as an English abstract). 2009 American Society of Mammalogists www.mammalogy.org


Introduction Ketogenic Enteral Nutrition (KEN) is a modification of Blackburn's protein-sparing modified fast, using a hypocaloric, ketogenic liquid diet. The study is a retrospective analysis that examines safety, weight loss and body composition changes after sequential 10 days cycles of KEN therapy. Method Anthropometric and bio-impedance data from 629 patients who underwent KEN were collected before and after completing a ten-day cycle. The study focuses on the change in outcomes from the first cycle to the second cycle and from the first cycle to the third cycle. The following outcomes were explored: weight, waist circumference, BMI, fat mass, lean mass, dry lean mass, phase angle, wellness marker, water mass as a percentage of total body weight. The cycle 1, 2 and 3 outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, n) summarising the outcome at each cycle. Statistical tests were used to test for significant differences between paired cycle 1 and cycle 2 outcomes and also between paired cycle 1 and cycle 3 outcomes. For normally distributed outcomes, the paired t-test was used. Whereas for skewed outcomes, the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test was used. Scatter plots were used to plot percentage of excess weight loss against phase angle. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was also calculated. Results The results suggested significant changes for all analysed parameters. There were significant decreases in weight, waist circumference, BMI, fat mass, lean mass, dry lean mass and phase angle. Quantitative changes in lean mass and dry lean mass were negligible with respect to changes in fat mass. There was also a statistically significant increase in water mass as a% of total body weight and wellness marker from cycle 1 to cycle 3. The Pearson's correlation coefficients r=0.18, p=0.004 and r=22, p=0.04 indicated changes in cycle 1 and cycle 3 in percentage of weight excess to be significantly, positively correlated to baseline phase angle. KEN treatment was well tolerated. 92% of patients on oral hypoglycaemics and 80% of patients on anti-hypertensive medication were able to discontinue their medication safely during KEN therapy Conclusion KEN treatment is safe, well tolerated and results in rapid fat loss without detriment to dry lean mass. There was found to be a statistically significant positive association between percentage of excess weight loss and baseline phase angle. Disclosure of Interest C. Papadia: None Declared, P. Basset: None Declared, G. Cappello: None Declared, R. Shidrawi Conflict with: Director weight management system limited


: A polymethylmethacrylate polymer was used in an attempt to fill periodontal osseous defects. Healing was within normal limits, probing depth and mobility were decreased, and there were no adverse post-operative sequelae. Although there were periapical radio-lucencies that appeared to be endodontic in origin, endodontic therapy did not result in osseous defect fill. The non-resorbable, radiopaque polymer particles appeared to become incorporated within the radiodense tissue of the osseous defects. The alveolar bone within the defects was seen to increase in radiopacity, consistent with osteogenesis.


The cutting of inner helical surfaces within the parts of screw machine is an important manufacturing technique. According to the principle of inner helicoid which is formed under specific processing conditions using an especial disk milling cutter, a design algorithm for the profile of the forming cutter which is based on coordinate transformation is proposed by the paper. The article introduces the detailed steps of the algorithm and realizes the smooth interpolation of the cross-section of the workpiece's contour curve and the disk cutter's contour curve using a method of step-shaped and low-order interpolation. The work provides a theoretical basis to the cutting for this kind of helical surface.


One of the debates around sustainability and the scaling up of micro-financial services is the commercialisation of micro-finance institutions (MFIs). This paper examines the contribution of the commercialisation of MFIs to ensuring the sustainability of MFIs and in scaling up their commitment to serve their primary target groups: poor and marginalised people. By using household-level data from rural Ethiopia and secondary data from selected MFIs, the study systematically examines the characteristic of MFIs and the factors determining the choice of farmers for MFIs vis-a-vis informal institutions. However, MFIs have achieved rapid growth in the number of beneficiaries, and have also gradually shifted away from their traditional primary targets (poor households) toward not-so-poor households and even large-scale investors: a drift in mission. The paper argues that, unless regulated, this commercialisation incentivises MFIs to transform themselves into conventional banks. The primary aim of the MFI project was to create vibrant financial institutions that are committed to serving poor and marginalised people. The research also identifies factors related to loan terms and household characteristics that strongly determine the choice of farmers for MFI loans.


OBJECTIVES
To verify the relation between pregnancy duration and cervical length (CL) at 22-24 wks of spontaneous and IVF singleton gestations and to assess its predictive value for preterm delivery (< 37 wks).

MATERIAL & METHODS
CL at 22-24 wks was performed according to FMF recommendations in 344 women who conceived spontaneously and in 107 IVF singleton pregnancies. The results of CL in both groups were divided into subgroups: ≤ 29 mm, 30-34 mm; 35-39 mm; 40-44 mm; 45-49 mm and ≥ 50 mm. They were subsequently correlated with mean durations of gestation within subgroups and parameters of accuracy were calculated. Correlation and regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS
The average age of women in both groups was 28.1 y.o. (SD=4.2 years) and 33.4 y.o. (SD=4.1 years), respectively. The mean gestation age at delivery was 38.9 wks (SD=2.1 wks) vs. 37.9 wks (SD=2.3 wks) and the rate of prematurity equaled 7% vs. 15%, respectively. Regardless the method of conception there is a positive correlation between the CL and the duration of gestation. The regression analysis showed that the significant increase in pregnancy duration was correlated with CL ≥ 35 mm (correlation coefficient greater for spontaneous vs. IVF: rxy=0.418 vs rxy=0.341; p<0.001). All CL parameters of accuracy were better for spontaneous in comparison to IVF pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS
IVF singleton pregnancy carries additional risk factors for preterm delivery. Therefore mid-gestational cervical length is less sensitive predictor than in spontaneous singleton gestations.


Background: Models describing nuclear fragmentation and fragmentation fission deliver important input for planning nuclear physics experiments and future radioactive ion beam facilities. These models are usually benchmarked against data from stable beam experiments. In the future, two-step fragmentation reactions with exotic nuclei as stepping stones are a promising tool for reaching the most neutron-rich nuclei, creating a need for models to describe also these reactions. Purpose: We want to extend the presently available data on fragmentation reactions towards the light exotic region on the nuclear chart. Furthermore, we want to improve the understanding of projectile fragmentation especially for unstable isotopes. Method: We have measured projectile fragments from C10,12-18 and B10-15 isotopes colliding with a carbon target. These measurements were all performed within one experiment, which gives rise to a very consistent data set. We compare our data to model calculations. Results: One-proton removal cross sections with different final neutron numbers (1pxn) for relativistic C10,12-18 and B10-15 isotopes impinging on a carbon target. Comparing model calculations to the data, we find that the epax code is not able to describe the data satisfactorily. Using abrabla07 on the other hand, we find that the average excitation energy per abraded nucleon needs to be decreased from 27 MeV to 8.1 MeV. With that decrease abrabla07 describes the data surprisingly well. Conclusions: Extending the available data towards light unstable nuclei with a consistent set of new data has allowed a systematic investigation of the role of the excitation energy induced in projectile fragmentation. Most striking is the apparent mass dependence of the average excitation energy per abraded nucleon. Nevertheless, this parameter, which has been related to final-state interactions, requires further study.


The training of spoken language understanding (SLU) models often faces the problem of data scarcity. In this paper, we put forward a data augmentation method using pretrained language models to boost the variability and accuracy of generated utterances. Furthermore, we investigate and propose solutions to two previously overlooked semi-supervised learning scenarios of data scarcity in SLU: i) Rich-in-Ontology: ontology information with numerous valid dialogue acts is given; ii) Rich-in-Utterance: a large number of unlabelled utterances are available. Empirical results show that our method can produce synthetic training data that boosts the performance of language understanding models in various scenarios.


In the classical finite element literature beams and plates are not considered as isoparametric elements since infinitesimal rotations are used as nodal coordinates. As a consequence, exact modeling of an arbitrary rigid body displacement cannot be obtained, and rigid body motion does not lead to zero strain. In order to circumvent this problem in flexible multibody simulations, an intermediate element coordinate system, which has an origin rigidly attached to the origin of the deformable body coordinate system and has axes which are parallel to the axes of the element coordinate system in the undeformed configuration was introduced. Using this intermediate element coordinate system and the fact that conventional beam and plate shape functions can describe an arbitrary rigid body translation, an exact modeling of the rigid body inertia can be obtained. The large rigid body translation and rotational displacements can be described using a set of reference coordinates that define the location of the origin and the orientation of the deformable body coordinate system. On the other hand, as demonstrated in this investigation, the incrementalfinite element formulations do not lead to exact modeling of the spatial rigid body mass moments and products of inertia when the structures move as rigid bodies, and such formulations do not lead to the correct rigid body equations of motion. The correct equations of motion, however, can be obtained if the coordinates are defined in terms of global slopes. Using this new definition of the element coordinates, an absolute nodal coordinate formulation that leads to a constant mass matrix for the element can be developed. Using this formulation, in which no infinitesimal or finite rotations are used as nodal coordinates, beam and plate elements can be treated as isoparametric elements.


Stable random variables are motivated by the central limit theorem for densities with (potentially) unbounded variance and can be thought of as natural generalizations of the Gaussian distribution to skewed and heavy-tailed phenomenon. In this paper, we introduce stable graphical (SG) models, a class of multivariate stable densities that can also be represented as Bayesian networks whose edges encode linear dependencies between random variables. One major hurdle to the extensive use of stable distributions is the lack of a closed-form analytical expression for their densities. This makes penalized maximum-likelihood based learning computationally demanding. We establish theoretically that the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) can asymptotically be reduced to the computationally more tractable minimum dispersion criterion (MDC) and develop StabLe, a structure learning algorithm based on MDC. We use simulated datasets for five benchmark network topologies to empirically demonstrate how StabLe improves upon ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. We also apply StabLe to microarray gene expression data for lymphoblastoid cells from 727 individuals belonging to eight global population groups. We establish that StabLe improves test set performance relative to OLS via ten-fold cross-validation. Finally, we develop SGEX, a method for quantifying differential expression of genes between different population groups.


A wide variety of creative practitioners are currently exploring the use of Ai in their work processes, for instance in poetry, music, performance, and visual arts. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between Ai and sustainability in general but focus on the relationship between the emerging area of Ai art and sustainability in particular. We highlight the importance of pursuing research concerning the sustainability of Ai art and take initial steps towards understanding how Ai art practices may influence how we save or waste resources. Developed through our online fieldwork by analyzing the environmental impact of three specific cases of Ai artworks, we provide a conceptual approach that can be used to map the environmental sustainability of Ai art. With this paper as a basis, we hope to elicit awareness among scientific and artistic communities about the environmental sustainability of Ai art.


OBJECTIVE To study the influence MHC class II and TAP2 alleles exert on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility and on the clinical and serological manifestations of the disease, in a cohort of Spanish patients. METHODS HLA-DR serological typing and HLA-DQA, DQB, and TAP2 DNA sequence specific oligotyping, were carried out in 85 unrelated Spanish SLE patients and 186 healthy controls. Autoantibodies detection was carried out by indirect immunofluorescence and counter immunoelectrophoresis. RESULTS Total SLE group: the frequency of HLA-DR3 and HLA-DQA1*0501 is significantly increased in this group (pc<0.005, δ=0.34 and pc<0.005, δ= 0.45, respectively) although the highest δ value (δ=0.87) is obtained when the TAP2*01 alleles are considered. No DQB allele shows significant deviation from the control group. Renal damage: it mainly occurs in HLA-DR3 patients (pc<0.0005 and δ=0.72). HLA-DQA1*0501 (pc<0.05, δ=0.57) and DQB1*0201 (pc NS, δ=0.56) are weaker susceptibility factors. Ro+ (but not La) group: this autoantibody response is associated with TAP2*01 alleles in homozygosity (p<0.05, δ=0.81). Ro/La+ group: it has a different genetic background as HLA-DQA1*0501 (δ=1) and HLA-DQB1*0201 (δ=1) are the main susceptibility factors. CONCLUSIONS A differential association between HLA-DR, DQA1, and DQB1 alleles and SLE or its clinical and serological manifestations are found. Furthermore, the associations are different to the ones reported in other ethnic groups. Finally, TAP2*01 group of alleles are associated with the highest susceptibility to SLE (higher than HLA-DR3) and may influence Ro (but not La) autoantibodies production, whereas HLA-DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 mediates concomitant Ro and La production.


This paper presents a sizing optimization technique for Hybrid Stand-Alone Photovoltaic (HSAPV). In this research, three optimization techniques have been developed, namely Dolphin Echolocation Algorithm (DEA), Fast Evolutionary Programming (FEP), and Classical Evolutionary Programming (CEP). These techniques have been incorporated into the sizing process to maximize the technical performance of the SAPV system. The components of PV modules, charge controllers, inverters, and batteries are used to determine the optimum value. These components are used as the control parameters to maximize the expected performance ratio (PR) of the SAPV system. The Iterative Sizing Algorithm (ISA) is the benchmarking technique to conduct the optimization technique achieving maximum PR value and minimal computation time. Results obtained from the research show that DE overcomes FEP and CEP. In addition, the optimization techniques also demonstrated comparatively fast with respect to ISA as the benchmark technique."


Monoclonal DLR1a/104G antibody, which recognizes peroxidized lipoproteins, was raised. Mice were immunized with the float-up fraction of the atherosclerotic arterial homogenate from WHHL rabbits. Sensitized spleen cells were fused with myeloma cells (3P/U1). Hybridoma clones were selected using peroxidized LDL prepared by CuSO4-catalyzed peroxidation and native LDL as positive and negative standards, respectively. The monoclonal DLR1a/104G antibody was highly reactive with peroxidized LDL, slightly with LDL modified with malondialdehyde, but not significantly with acetyl- or native LDL. The antigenicity in the case of peroxidized LDL did not decrease on extraction with hexane/isopropanol (3:2). The antigenicity coincided with the fluorescence (E350, F430) of the protein fraction of LDL peroxidized with CuSO4. These results suggest that an antigenic determinant exists in atherosclerotic lesions, which is the same as that for lipoproteins peroxidized with CuSO4.


Congestion management in multistage interconnection networks is a serious problem, which is not solved completely. In order to avoid the degradation of network performance when congestion appears, several congestion management mechanisms have been proposed. Most of these mechanisms are based on explicit congestion notification. For this purpose, switches detect congestion and depending on the applied strategy, packets are marked to warn the source hosts. In response, source hosts apply some corrective actions to adjust their packet injection rate. Although these proposals seem quite effective, they either exhibit some drawbacks or are partial solutions. Some of them introduce some penalties over the flows not responsible for congestion, whereas others can cope only with congestion situations that last for a short time. In this paper, we present an overview of the different strategies to detect and correct congestion in multistage interconnection networks, and propose a new mechanism referred to as Marking and Validation Congestion Management (MVCM), targeted to this kind of lossless networks, and based on a more refined packet marking strategy combined with a fair set of corrective actions, that makes the mechanism able to effectively manage congestion regardless of the congestion degree. Evaluation results show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed mechanism.


Model selection is a strange and wonderful topic in learning theory and statistics. At first glance the question seems very clear-cut: how should we decide which set of probability distributions matches the observations at hand best. This question comes up time and again in many different contexts, ranging from testing scientific hypotheses in general (which among these psychological models describes best how people behave?) to more concrete applications (what order polynomial should we use to fit the data in this regression problem? What lossy representation of this image best captures the structural properties of the original?). Thus, model selection is ubiquitous, and the one-size-fits-all criteria based on the Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle and the closely related Bayesian statistics are appreciated by many. Upon closer inspection, many applications of model selection are not as similar as they may first appear. They can be distinguished by technical properties (are the models nested? Parametric? Countable?), but also by a priori assumptions (is the process generating the data believed to be an element of any of the considered models?), as well as the motivation for performing model selection in the first place (do we want to identify which model contains the data generating process, or do we want to identify which model we may expect to predict future data best?). The best choice of methodology in any situation often depends on such particulars, and is further determined by practical considerations such as whether or not the relevant quantities can be evaluated analytically, and whether efficient algorithms exist for their calculation. MDL/Bayesian model selection has been shown to perform quite well in many different contexts and applications; in this thesis we treat some of the puzzling problems and limitations that have also become apparent over time. We also extend the idea by linking it to other topics in machine learning and statistical inference. To apply MDL, universal codes or distributions have to be associated with each of the considered models. The preferred code is the Normalised Maximum Likelihood (NML) or Shtarkov code. However, this code yields infinite code word


We introduce computational systems to formalise the notion of rewriting directed by user defined strategies. This provides a semantics for ELAN, an environment dedicated to prototype, experiment and study the combination of different deduction systems for constraint solving, theorem proving and logic programming paradigms. Formally, a computational system can be represented as a rewrite theory in rewriting logic together with a notion of strategy to select relevant computations. We show how conveniently the strategies can also be specified using again computational systems. Several non-trivial examples of strategy description are described including a search space library and its use for solving problems like game winning strategies.


A scheme is devised in an attempt to assess the natural environmental capital (resources and services) of the African continent using GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and remote sensing techniques, in order to pave the way for a sustainable development of these environmental resources, while ensuring at the same time a continuous flow of materials and continuous metabolism all over the continent humanosphere. This scheme highlights the various development schemes best fitted to each one of the main African biomes. Specific environmental management procedures are recommended, and the renewable energy source with the most potentiality is specified, in order to reduce CO2 emissions and to enhance CO2 sequestrations over the continent.


The present study includes the microwave sintering of a class F fly ash available in the nearby power plant. The ash sample was subjected to sintering with addition of an admixture which is a cheap industrial waste along with water. The sintering temperature was varied in the range of 7000C to 10500C. The sintered mass has diametrical tensile strength up to 30 MPa (corresponding diametrical compressive strength will increase 90 MPa) and the densities also increases up to 2.5 r/cm2 g/cm2 when sintered for 25-35 mins. It has been observed that the samples obtained through microwave sintering is denser as compared to the general sintering processes like draft sintering or pan sintering etc. the sintered pellet obtained after microwave treatment are found to be stronger with high tensile strength. The entire study revealed that microwave sintering of Class F flyash could produce a glossier ceramic phase where mullite (Al2Si2O13) and Anorphite are found to be the prominent crystalline phases.


ABSTRACT An unusual interaction between flucytosine and fluconazole was observed when a collection of 60 Candida lusitaniae clinical isolates was screened for cross-resistance. Among eight isolates resistant to flucytosine (MIC ≥ 128 μg/ml) and susceptible to fluconazole (0.5 < MIC < 2 μg/ml), four became flucytosine-fluconazole cross resistant when both antifungals were used simultaneously. Fluconazole resistance occurred only in the presence of high flucytosine concentrations, and the higher the fluconazole concentration used, the greater the flucytosine concentration necessary to trigger the cross-resistance. When the flucytosine- and fluconazole-resistant cells were grown in the presence of fluconazole alone, the cells reversed to fluconazole susceptibility. Genetic analyses of the progeny from crosses between resistant and sensitive isolates showed that resistance to flucytosine was derived from a recessive mutation in a single gene, whereas cross-resistance to fluconazole seemed to vary like a quantitative trait. We further demonstrated that the four clinical isolates were susceptible to 5-fluorouracil and that cytosine deaminase activity was unaffected. Kinetic transport studies with [14C]flucytosine showed that flucytosine resistance was due to a defect in the purine-cytosine permease. Our hypothesis was that extracellular flucytosine would subsequently behave as a competitive inhibitor of fluconazole uptake transport. Finally, in vitro selection of spontaneous and induced mutants indicated that such a cross-resistance mechanism could also affect other Candida species, including C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata. This is the first report of a putative fluconazole uptake transporter in Candida species and of a possible resistance mechanism associated with a deficiency in the uptake of this drug.


On June 27, Prof. Bo Lu from Thomas Jefferson University was invited to Shanghai Ruijin Hospital to deliver a speech. In the speech, Prof. Lu introduced current lung cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and so forth. Furthermore, he compared advantages and shortcomings of these therapies as well as sharing his opinions on the development of lung cancer treatments. We were honored to have a face-to-face talk with Prof. Bo Lu after the speech. He strengthened that patients should be the first consideration when treating lung cancer.


Bending performances of aluminum square tube beams reinforced by aluminum plates under three point bending loads have been evaluated using experimental tests combined with theoretical and finite element analyses. Basic properties of aluminum materials used for initial input data of the finite element simulation were obtained from the true stress-true strain curves of specimens which had bean extracted from the Al tube beams. True stresses were determined from applied loads and cross-sectional area records of a tensile specimen with a rectangular cross-section by real-time photographing. True strains were obtained from in-situ local elongation measurements of the specimen gage portion by the multi-point scanning laser extensometer. Four kinds of aluminum tube beam specimens adhered by aluminum plates were employed. The bending deformation behaviors up to the maximum load described by the numerical simulation were in good agreement with experimental ones. An aluminum tube beam strengthened by aluminum plate on the upper web showed an excellent bending capability.


Olfactory imagery is disputed to exist in novices, but is reported to be easier for smell experts. It plays an important role in wine expertise. Previous research shows experts' superior cognitive abilities do not transfer beyond their domain of expertise. This leads to two questions: do wine experts have more vivid imagery for the multisensory experience of wine? And how general is wine experts' olfactory imagery? Wine experts and novices completed a questionnaire measuring the vividness of imagery for the color, smell, and flavor of wine. In addition, all participants completed a questionnaire on general smell imagery. Wine experts were better than novices at imagining wines in all modalities, but not better at imagining smells in general. Novices reported the strongest imagery for the appearance of wine, but experts showed no difference between the senses. So mental imagery becomes more vivid with expertise; but only for imagery directly expertise related.


This qualitative study aimed to analyze the Social Representations (SR) of cancer and chemotherapy in 25 families of adult cancer patients with whom in-depth interviews were conducted and who participated in a free association test. We used Atlas.ti for the data analysis which were analyzed was done based on SR theory. It was found that the patient's family member plays a central role; they have various functions such as support and containment are as involved as the patient in the disease process. Thus, the family members represent cancer and chemotherapy in a predominantly negative way, favoring the presence of anxiety and suffering.


Abstract. We scrutinize the importance of aerosol water for the aerosol optical depth
(AOD) calculations using a long-term evaluation of the EQuilibrium
Simplified Aerosol Model v4 for climate modeling. EQSAM4clim is
based on a single solute coefficient approach that efficiently parameterizes
hygroscopic growth, accounting for aerosol water uptake from the
deliquescence relative humidity up to supersaturation. EQSAM4clim extends the
single solute coefficient approach to treat water uptake of multicomponent
mixtures. The gas–aerosol partitioning and the mixed-solution water uptake
can be solved analytically, preventing the need for iterations, which is
computationally efficient. EQSAM4clim has been implemented in the global
chemistry climate model EMAC and compared to ISORROPIA II on climate
timescales. Our global modeling results show that (I) our EMAC results of the
AOD are comparable to modeling results that have been independently evaluated
for the period 2000–2010, (II) the results of various aerosol properties of
EQSAM4clim and ISORROPIA II are similar and in agreement with AERONET and
EMEP observations for the period 2000–2013, and (III) the underlying
assumptions on the aerosol water uptake limitations are important for derived
AOD calculations. Sensitivity studies of different levels of chemical aging
and associated water uptake show larger effects on AOD calculations for the
year 2005 compared to the differences associated with the application of the
two gas–liquid–solid partitioning schemes. Overall, our study demonstrates
the importance of aerosol water for climate studies.


The transcription of essentially the entire eukaryotic genome generates a myriad of non-coding RNA species that show complex overlapping patterns of expression and regulation. In the last decade, several large scale genomic analyses have shed light on the widespread existence of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in mammals. Although the function of most lncRNAs remains unknown, many of them have been suggested to play important roles in the regulation of gene expression during normal development and diseases, including cancers. Indeed, functional studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs participate in various biological processes, including reprogramming of pluripotent stem cells, oncogenic progression and cell cycle regulation. In this review, we summarize recent findings about the biology of lncRNAs and their functions in normal and pathological development in mammals.


In this work, three-dimensional Euler–Lagrange (EL) point-particle simulations of a shock wave interacting with a fixed bed of particles are carried out. The results from the particle-resolved (PR) simulations are used to assess the performance of the point-particle drag models during short time scales. We demonstrate that in a one-way coupled regime, the point-particle simulations recover the dominant gas dynamic features of the flow and are in a good agreement with the exact Riemann solution of a shock traveling through a sudden area contraction. Although the PR simulations are inviscid, we show that a dissipative drag is necessary to predict the mean behavior of the gas. As a model for the inviscid shock-induced (SI) drag two different models are presented in lieu of the quasi-steady drag. Finally, two-way coupled simulations are performed at four different particle volume fractions {0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25} and three different incident shock Mach numbers {1.22, 1.66, 3.0} and compared against the data from PR inviscid simulations. At a lower Mach number (1.22), averaged flow quantities from the two-way coupled simulations agree well with the PR simulations. As the Mach number increases, we observe that the discrepancies between the point-particle and the PR simulations grow. A sensitivity analysis of the drag models involved reveals a strong influence of the inviscid-unsteady force on the gas quantities especially in the case of a strong shock interacting with a dense bed of particles. The use of Mach correlation beyond the subcritical regime coupled with the model for volume fraction correction is identified as a probable cause for the additional drag.


Microfluidics combines principles of science and technology, and enables the user to handle,
process and manipulate fluids of very small volumes. This technology permits the
integration of multiple laboratory applications into one single microfabricated chip, requires
minimal manual user intervention and sample consumption, and allows enhanced
data analysis speed and precision. Due to these numerous advantages, the potential for
this technology to be applied in fundamental biophysical and biomedical research is vast.
The major aim of this thesis was to explore the capacities of microfluidics, particularly
droplet-based microfluidic technology in the following topics: 1) Mimicry of the immune
system cellular environment, with the ultimate goal of programing T cells for adoptive
T cell therapy; 2) Bottom-up assembly of minimal synthetic cells. Towards this end, a
novel approach to form gold-nanostructured and specifically biofunctionalized water-in-oil
droplets was developed. This thesis highlights the advanced properties of nanostructured
droplets to serve as 3D antigen presenting cell (APC) surrogates for T-cell stimulation.
The combination of flexible biofunctionalization and pliable physical droplet properties
work in tandem, providing a flexible and modular system that closely models in situ
APC-T cell interactions. The research within this thesis focused also on the dissection of
complex cellular sensory machinery implementing an automated droplet-based microfluidic
approach. Towards this goal, nanostructured droplets as cell-sized compartments and
droplet-based pico-injection technology were used to achieve the bottom-up assembly of
the minimal number of proteins required for a "simple synthetic cell." While the applied
methodology has a potential for assembly of a wide range of subcellular functional units,
the focus in this thesis was on the reconstitution of the actomyosin cortex. Successful
optimization of the biochemical and biophysical conditions within the droplets allowed to
achieve precise control over the actin polymerization and actomyosin network organization
by their linkage to the droplets periphery. These experimental steps were also necessary
to generate signaling events including myosin-driven droplet migration and self-propulsion
with reduced molecular complexity compared to living cells.


Since the second half of the 20th century the Philippines have supplied the world with migrant workers. Today, almost one tenth of the population is residing abroad. Labour migration has become an important source of revenue to both state and private actors through remittances, for the Philippines, and a source of cheap labour battling labour shortage, in the receiving countries. Today, the global labour market is a distinct and important part of what we call globalisation. This is portrayed in this thesis through the lens of Philippine-Korean labour migration. The purpose of this thesis is to illustrate the emergence of migrants as a commodity for export, the institutionalised creation of migrants, the normalisation of labour migration, and containment of migrants through legal and spatial constraints, in Manila and in Seoul. This thesis look at the ways in which labour migration, as an economic policy, is internalised and transformed into a culture of migration. I argue that the effects of a culture of migration is felt not just by the labour migrants themselves, but also by their families and by the Philippines as a whole. As such, the reliance on remittances as a source of income has transformed domestic and global infrastructures as well as norms and social behaviour. Moreover, this thesis aims to add to the discussion on migration and remittances by exploring social dimensions and consequences of the globalisation of the labour market.