Background Malnutrition in hospitalized children has negative Background Dyspnea can be caused by various conditions, one of which is cardiac abnormality. Physical examination alone is not sufficient for distinguishing breathing ailments caused by heart abnormalities, especially in small children. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been used as a marker of heart disease. Objective To evaluate the usefulness of NT-proBNP levels as a screening tool to diagnose cardiac abnormalities in children presenting with dyspnea. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2015 in pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years presenting with dyspnea in the Pediatric Ward, Mohammad Hoesin Hospital, Palembang, North Sumatera. All subjects provided blood specimens for NT-proBNP examinations and underwent echocardiography to assess for the presence of cardiac abnormalities. The diagnostic value was analyzed by ROC curve. We determined the optimal cut-off point, sensitivity, and specificity. Results Fifty-eight subjects, with median age 9.5 (range 1-180) months, consisted of 39 children with and 19 children without cardiac abnormalities. Subjects' median NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in those with cardiac abnormalities than in those without [1,775 (range 189-9,000) pg/mL vs. 759 (range 245-9,000) pg/mL, respectively, (P=0.002)]. In a ROC curve analysis, the AUC value was 0.75, and at the optimal cut-off point of 1,235 pg/ml had sensitivity of 74.4% and specificity of 73.7%. Conclusion The level of NT-proBNP can be used to screen for cardiac abnormalities in children presenting with dyspnea. [Paediatr Indones. 2017;57:124-8 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14238/ pi57.3.2017.124-8 ].


The present paper analyzes the cyclicality of public spending on key social, economic and military sectors, including agriculture, education, health, social protection, transportation and military spending using data available for up to 40 developing countries spanning the period from 1980 to 2004. It utilizes measures of governance as well as indicators for growth acceleration and deceleration episodes to try and tease out possible spending patterns juxtaposed against these conditions. This paper finds evidence that total public spending is largely procyclical during growth decelerations and it is acyclical during growth accelerations. Better governance indicators are also associated with a tempering of this procyclicality of total public spending. In addition, even as total public spending may be procyclical, its subcomponent parts need not be. Finally, military spending tends to be acyclical, suggesting that it neither gets cut nor surges systematically during growth accelerations or decelerations.


Determinants of health are a complex set of interactions among a range of socioeconomic, environmental, behavioral, and biological factors. They are recognized globally as predictors of both individual and population health. Factors associated with poor health in rural Canada include, but are not limited to: poverty, low level of education, unsafe housing, poor quality of water, food insecurity, and isolation. The most thorough investigation on rural health status and health determinants was conducted in 2006 by the initiative, "Canada's Rural Communities: Understanding Rural Health and Its Determinants."4 In this commentary, we discuss the hypothesized relationships between various determinants of health and the health status of rural populations, and present a framework that highlights these relationships.


Collectrin, an ACE-2 homologue, plays a major role in amino acid transport in renal epithelial cells. In the rodent kidney, the expression of collectrin is upregulated after reduction of nephron mass and during salt-sensitive hypertension. These observations raise the question of how collectrin might be functionally integrated in the ACE family in the context of blood pressure (BP) regulation. We previously reported that, on a susceptible genetic background, collectrin-deficient (KO) mice have elevated baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) of thoracodorsal arteries (TDA). Treatment with L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, normalized their BP and EDR of TDA. Here, to determine whether collectrin plays a role in salt-sensitivity (SS), we fed mice a high salt diet (HSD) for 2 weeks. By radiotelemetry, KO mice displayed augmented salt-sensitivity (SS) (Normal salt (NS): Wild-type (WT) 133 ± 1 mm Hg, KO 141 ± 3 mm Hg; HSD: WT 141 ± 2 mm Hg, KO 155 ± 3 mm Hg; change in SBP: WT 7.8 ± 1.4 mm Hg, KO 14.4 ± 1.5 mm Hg; p ≤ 0.02), and lower urinary sodium excretion (UNa) during the first 3 days of HSD (mean UNa over 3 days: KO: 1980 ± 193 μmol/24h, WT: 2650 ± 98 μmol/24h, p = 0.006, ANOVA; n ≥ 6). The impaired pressure natriuresis in KO mice was associated with altered urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane F
 2
 α
 (WT 3.0 ± 0.67 ng/mg, KO 7.7 ± 1.5 ng/mg creatinine, p = 0.008) and nitrates/nitrites (WT 10.2 ± 1.4 nmol/day, KO 6.2 ± 0.61 nmol/day, p = 0.03, n ≥ 4 each). We previously reported that KO mice have increased state of endothelial NOS (eNOS) uncoupling. Here, by immunostaining, we found that collectrin is expressed in endothelial cells (ECs). We next queried whether collectrin affects L-arginine (L-Arg) transport in ECs. After isolation from the pulmonary artery, primary ECs from KO mice displayed impaired [
 3
 H]L-Arg uptake (WT 2.00 ± 0.19, KO 0.90 ± 0.06 pmol/mg protein/min, p=0.01) To establish direct cause and effect, we over-expressed collectrin in primary human coronary ECs which resulted in increased [
 3
 H]L-Arg uptake (Control 4.20 ± 0.32; Overexpression 6.60 ± 0.59 pmol/mg protein/min, p < 0.003). In conclusion, collectrin may regulate BP and SS by modulating the balance of NO and SO through its role in L-Arg transport in ECs.


The invasive species, Veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina), has come to dominate coastal dune shrub vegetation along the Central Coast of California. Along with creating many land management obstacles, this grass has become dominant in the open habitat of Lompoc Kangaroo Rats (Dipodomys heermanni arenae). It is hypothesized that, due to a lack of suitable kangaroo rat habitat, during the breeding season months of March and April, there will be significantly fewer reproductively active females in areas of relatively high Veldt grass cover as opposed to relatively low Veldt grass cover. This study used data from a long-term demographic study on Dipodomys heermanni arenae trapped in the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Two logistic regression analyses and two chi-square analyses were performed to test for the relationship between number of reproductively active females, Veldt grass cover, and year. After finding significant effects of year on the proportion of reproductive females in each grass level, the correlation between grass level and the proportion of reproductive females was not significant (but was suggestive of a possible trend of a larger proportion of reproductive females as grass level increased from low to high). These results could be indicative of a positive correlation between kangaroo rat habitat quality and Veldt grass presence, though the relationship is confounded with annual variation.


&NA; Date Presented 4/1/2017 This scoping review maps the range of literature and emerging evidence articulating the role of occupational therapy (OT) in criminal justice systems. Practice guidelines for OT in these settings do not currently exist. This synthesis provides useful data for occupational therapists interested in growing the profession in these settings. Primary Author and Speaker: Jaime Muñoz Additional Authors and Speakers: Justin T. McTish, Joelle M. Ruggeri, Gesina Phillips Contributing Authors: Abigail Catalano


It carries out research in ASEISA Company Ltd. to design a competency training
program for staff of guards connected to the company that provides security services.
Surveys are used to such personal interviews and analysis of higher performance
evaluations, which identify the strengths and weaknesses in the powers of the security
guards working in the company. On this basis, the program is structured competency
training for the staff, which includes areas such as leadership, customer service,
emotional intelligence and information systems, among others. As a pedagogical
strategy used meaningful learning, which encourages the worker to develop new
knowledge and skills on the basis of their work environment and their daily experiences
at work. The implementation of this program should result in the alignment of the powers
of the guard are the objectives of the organization, which involves the development of
excellence in customer service.


Patination has been frequently used by jewellers to modify the colour of silver alloys. By application of a solution of sulphur compounds, blackish or bluish surfaces can be obtained, but the intentionally produced silver-sulphur compounds are chemically similar to the atmospheric corrosion products that develop on silver alloys. The conservation of patinated silver objects, such as Art Nouveau jewellery, raises thus analytical challenges. In order to define accurate conservation treatments, the patina and corroded surfaces characterisation is mandatory. In this study, sterling silver samples were patinated and subjected to corrosion by immersion in a sulphide containing solution. The identification of the chemical compounds present on the patinated sterling silver before and after corrosion was carried out by UV-visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Data obtained suggest a two-stage corrosion process: a decrease of the silver compounds patina thickness caused by its dissolution, followed by the formation of corrosion products with different compositions and morphologies containing silver and copper sulphur compounds.


Part I of this article described the treatment of specimens of fast-growing poplar (Populus ×euramericana NL-95) with styrene (ST) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) monomers. It detailed the results of tests for water absorption, dimensional stability, and termite and fungus resistance. This part continues the previous work. It examines the static and dynamic mechanical properties, as well as the thermal stability, of polymer-infused wood (PIW). Static mechanical properties of PIWs were assessed in terms of bending strength, compressive strength, and Brinell hardness. Our results showed that, as a result of the treatment, these properties were significantly increased. Moreover, the PIW treated with GMA-ST showed greater mechanical strength than PIW treated with ST alone. We believe that this is due to the formation of cross-linked bonds between the GMA-ST and the hydroxyl groups of the wood's cell walls. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated that, at normal temperatures, storage modulus E′ and mole...


It is our goal to develop bactericidal bone scaffolds with osteointegration potential. In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) coating (7%) was applied to an erythromycin (EM)-impregnated strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate (SCPP) scaffold using a simple slurry dipping method. MicroCT analysis showed that PVA coating reduced the average pore size and the percentage of pore interconnectivity to some extent. Compressive strength tests confirmed that the PVA coating significantly increased material elasticity and slightly enhanced the scaffold mechanical strength. It was also confirmed that the PVA coatings allowed a sustained EM release that is controlled by diffusion through the intact PVA hydrogel layer, irrespective of the drug solubility. PVA coating did not inhibit the EM bioactivity when the scaffolds were immersed in simulated body fluid for up to 4 weeks. EM released from SCPP-EM-PVA composite scaffolds maintained its capability of bacterial growth (S. aureus) inhibition. PVA coating is biocompatible and nontoxic to MC3T3 preosteoblast cells. Furthermore, we found that SCPP-EM-PVA composite scaffolds and their eluants remarkably inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in a murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Thus, this unique multifunctional bioactive composite scaffold has the potential to provide controlled delivery of relevant drugs for bone tissue engineering.


Microbially driven nitrate-dependent iron (Fe) oxidation (NDFO) in subsurface environments has been intensively studied. However, the extent to which Fe(II) oxidation is biologically catalyzed remains unclear because no neutrophilic iron-oxidizing and nitrate reducing autotroph has been isolated to confirm the existence of an enzymatic pathway. While mixotrophic NDFO bacteria have been isolated, understanding the process is complicated by simultaneous abiotic oxidation due to nitrite produced during denitrification. In this study, the relative contributions of biotic and abiotic processes during NDFO were quantified through the compilation and model-based interpretation of previously published experimental data. The kinetics of chemical denitrification by Fe(II) (chemodenitrification) were assessed, and compelling evidence was found for the importance of organic ligands, specifically exopolymeric substances secreted by bacteria, in enhancing abiotic oxidation of Fe(II). However, nitrite alone could not explain the observed magnitude of Fe(II) oxidation, with 60-75% of overall Fe(II) oxidation attributed to an enzymatic pathway for investigated strains: Acidovorax ( A.) strain BoFeN1, 2AN, A. ebreus strain TPSY, Paracoccus denitrificans Pd 1222, and Pseudogulbenkiania sp. strain 2002. By rigorously quantifying the intermediate processes, this study eliminated the potential for abiotic Fe(II) oxidation to be exclusively responsible for NDFO and verified the key contribution from an additional, biological Fe(II) oxidation process catalyzed by NDFO bacteria.


Online innovation communities allow for a search for novel solutions within a design space bounded by constraints. Past research has focused on the effect of creative constraints on individual projects, but less is known about how constraints affect learning from repeated design submissions and the effect of the technical constraints that are integral to online platforms. How do creative versus technical constraints affect individual learning in exploring a design space in online communities? We analyzed ten years of data from an online innovation community that crowdsourced 136,989 design submissions from 33,813 individuals. We leveraged data from two types of design contests-creatively constrained and unconstrained-running in parallel on the platform, and we evaluated a natural experiment where a platform change reduced technical constraints. We find that creative constraints lead to high rates of learning only if technical constraints are sufficiently relaxed. Our findings have implications for the management of creative design work and the downstream effects of the technical constraints of the information systems that support online innovation communities.


This paper analyses the trends of presentation and disclosures of financial statement data of Bangladesh banking industry. Five well-performing banks in Bangladesh have been selected, and a rigorous scrutiny has been placed on the type of information presented in the annual report, and how it is presented. The annual reports of the banks have been reviewed, and the key areas (such as volume and structure of financial reporting, disclosures of judgments in applying accounting policies, fair value measurement, presentation of notes, and disclosure of measurement bases) have been examined. Finding shows that average volume of information placed in annual report has been increased in respect of previous year. Banks have also moved to address non-mandatory disclosures as well though it is also considered that more disclosures do not indicate quality reporting or more transparency. Aus. J. Acc. Eco. Fin. Vol  3(1),  April 2017, P 1-8


OBJECTIVE
Severe malaria represents less than 10% of all malaria cases and is associated with significant mortality. The aim of this case series was to review severe malaria cases in travelers within the last 10 years in Slovakia.

METHODS
All cases of severe malaria in travelers reported within last 10 years from the Inpatient Department in Slovakia to the Slovak Tropical Institute (STI) are reviewed. Only those traveling as tourist to Sub-Saharan Africa were included.

RESULTS
During the last 10 years, eight (n=8) cases of cerebral malaria were reported, of which only one died (12.5%). Seven of all 8 cases had deep coma (87.5%), 4 (50%) required ventilator support, 4 (50%) required dialysis, 5 (62.5%) had liver failure and 6 (75%) had severe acidosis.

CONCLUSION
Severe malarial cases were rarely detected among travelers returning to Slovakia within last 10 years. In survivors usually no sequellae remained. One patient treated with quinine alone died.


bodies-cities presents the multi-sensory complexity of embodied mapmaking as a layered, interactive virtual reality (VR) palimpsest. A palimpsest is a space that holds multiple layers of knowledge, and this research takes the urban public site of St James Town in downtown Toronto for its exploration. The research process exemplifies the entanglement of people, places, methodology, and methods to reflect the complex nature of embodied spatial knowledge. This entanglement is presented through the application of Karen Barad's feminist new materialist theory and the apparatus of sensory ethnography for virtual reality. The virtual reality experience draws on the interactive affordances of VR and reconfigures film montage and architecture techniques to present the entangled elements of embodied knowledge emerging from residents' relationship to the site.


Recently it was shown in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence that the classical gravity description inevitably involves coarse-graining of some degrees. In this note we clarify the nature of this coarse-graining both in gravity and field theory sides. We show that the information carried by the bulk classical gravity fluctuation is transferred to the coarse-grained nonclassical degrees through tiny interactions, which makes the recovery of information almost impossible. Of course, the total system is evolving unitarily fully preserving its information as dictated by the basic construct of the AdS/CFT correspondence.


Bringing the Heat is the story of one team's season-long campaign for the NFL championship, told through the personal stories of the men on the field and the coaches, managers, and owner on the sidelines. The team is the 1992 Philadelphia Eagles, a group of players assembled in the iconoclastic image of their former head coach Buddy Ryan. They are known throughout the league for their ferocious defense and for the otherworldly talents of their quarterback Randall Cunningham. Award-winning journalist Mark Bowden gets deep inside the world of professional football in a way no writer has ever done before, with an insightful and hilarious portrait of one of the most exciting teams ever to play the game. He spares none of the game's ugliness - the greed, the racism, and the often sadistic violence - while capturing the beauty of athleticism at its highest level, the courage of men who face each play knowing that one bad hit can end a career, and above all the exultant glory of victory that inspires their struggle to be the best.


Electricity is important in the physiology and development of human tissues such as embryonic and fetal development, and tissue regeneration for wound healing. Accordingly, electrical stimulation (ES) is increasingly being applied to influence cell behavior and function for a biomimetic approach to in vitro cell culture and tissue engineering. Here, the application of conductive polymer (CP) poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) pillars is described, direct‐write printed in an array format, for 3D ES of maturing neural tissues that are derived from human neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs are initially encapsulated within a conductive polysaccharide‐based biogel interfaced with the CP pillar microelectrode arrays (MEAs), followed by differentiation in situ to neurons and supporting neuroglia during stimulation. Electrochemical properties of the pillar electrodes and the biogel support their electrical performance. Remarkably, stimulated constructs are characterized by widespread tracts of high‐density mature neurons and enhanced maturation of functional neural networks. Formation of tissues using the 3D MEAs substantiates the platform for advanced clinically relevant neural tissue induction, with the system likely amendable to diverse cell types to create other neural and non‐neural tissues. The platform may be useful for both research and translation, including modeling tissue development, function and dysfunction, electroceuticals, drug screening, and regenerative medicine.


The distributions of Leptodactylus ocellatus, L. chaquensis , and L. macrosternum in Bolivia are reviewed and discussed. Leptodactylus chaquensis and L. ocellatus are easily distinguished morphologically but L. chaquensis and L. macrosternum are indistinguishable. In Bolivia, L. ocellatus is known only from a single locality in the Paraguay River basin, which is reported here for the first time. Leptodactylus chaquensis occurs in the Chaco region of southeastern Bolivia, but it is unknown to what extent this species enters the Cerrado. The distribution boundaries and putative overlapping areas of L. chaquensis and L. macrosternum are unknown.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Data on the in vitro activities of orally administered cephalosporins, particularly third-generation cephalosporins, against recent pathogens responsible for community-respiratory tract infection are lacking.

METHODS
A susceptibility surveillance of 267 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 205 of Streptococcus pyogenes, 204 of Haemophilus influenzae, and 147 of Moraxella catarrhalis to 14 oral antimicrobial agents using the agar dilution method was carried out from March 2002 to October 2002 in Taiwan.

RESULTS
High rates of non-susceptibility to penicillin (60%), cefaclor (67%), cefuroxime (62%), cefpodoxime (64%), clarithromycin (91%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (98%) for S. pneumoniae isolates and high rates of non-susceptibility to ampicillin (70%), clarithromycin (34%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (63%) for H. influenzae isolates were found. The rank order of oral cephalosporin activity based on the minimum concentrations at which 90% of the isolates were inhibited (MIC90s) for S. pneumoniae was cefpodoxime > cefuroxime > cefixime > cefaclor, cephradine > cephalexin and for H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis was cefixime > cefpodoxime > cefuroxime > cefaclor > cephalexin, cephradine. Among the 75 S. pneumoniae isolates resistant to penicillin (MICs ranged 2 to 4 mg/L), 4% were intermediate to amoxicillin and > 90% were resistant to cefaclor, cefuroxime, and cefpodoxime. For S. pyogenes isolates, all were susceptible to penicillin, 21% were not susceptible to clarithromycin and 4% were not susceptible to clindamycin. Thirty four percent of H. influenzae isolates were not susceptible to clarithromycin. The MIC90 of clarithromycin against M. catarrhalis isolates was 0.5 mg/L.

CONCLUSIONS
Cefpodoxime, cefixime, and cefuroxime are promising agents against these bacterial pathogens, except for penicillin-non-susceptible S. pneumoniae isolates.


AIM
The purpose of this article is to discuss the attempts to justify concepts analysis as a way to construct theory - a notion often advocated in nursing.

BACKGROUND
The notion that concepts are the building blocks or threads from which theory is constructed is often repeated. It can be found in many articles and well-known textbooks. However, this notion is seldom explained or defended. The notion of concepts as building blocks has also been questioned by several authors. However, most of these authors seem to agree to some degree that concepts are essential components from which theory is built.

DESIGN
Discussion paper.

DATA SOURCES
Literature was reviewed to synthesize and debate current knowledge.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
Our point is that theory is not built by concepts analysis or clarification and we will show that this notion has its basis in some serious misunderstandings. We argue that concept analysis is not a part of sound scientific method and should be abandoned.

CONCLUSION
The current methods of concept analysis in nursing have no foundation in philosophy of science or in language philosophy. The type of concept analysis performed in nursing is not a way to 'construct' theory. Rather, theories are formed by creative endeavour to propose a solution to a scientific and/or practical problem. The bottom line is that the current style and form of concept analysis in nursing should be abandoned in favour of methods in line with modern theory of science.


IMPORTANCE
An impaired inhibitory function of circulating CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells was reported to play a key role in alopecia areata (AA). We report the first use to our knowledge of low-dose interleukin 2 for treating severe AA by promoting the recruitment of Treg cells.

OBSERVATIONS
We conducted a prospective open pilot study in 5 patients with severe AA resistant to previous systemic treatments. Subcutaneous interleukin 2 (1.5 million IU/d) was administered during 5 days, followed by three 5-day courses of 3 million IU/d at weeks 3, 6, and 9. The primary outcome was the evolution of the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, evaluated by 2 independent investigators on standardized photographs. Lesional skin biopsy specimens and peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotype were analyzed. The median SALT score went from 82 (range, 63-100) at baseline to 69 (range, 28-100) at 6 months. Immunochemical analysis revealed the appearance or a notable increase in Treg cell count in 4 of 5 patients at the end of the treatment compared with baseline. No serious adverse event was reported.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The partial regrowth achieved in 4 of 5 patients and the recruitment of Treg cells in lesional skin support the interest of promoting Treg cells for treating AA. Further investigations are now required to confirm and to optimize the design in order to enhance the Treg cell response.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01840046.


This thesis examines the experiences of relatives of those accused or convicted of serious offences such as murder, manslaughter, rape and sex offences. Relatives' accounts focus on the discovery of the offence as traumatic and life-changing, comparable in many ways to bereavement. Accounts of life before this point polarised and were either problem-identifying or normalising. Participants passed through several stages after discovering the offence as they began to feel they were coping and as the criminal justice process progressed. Responsibilities within the family were renegotiated and new responsibilities emerged which particularly revolved around the offender and his or her needs. Female relatives, and primarily mothers and wives, tended to take on these new tasks. Relatives experience secondary stigma because of their kin relationship to a serious offender, but this is more than just a stigma by association. Relatives are themselves subject to a 'web of shame' on the basis of contamination and blame. The thesis explores the accounts that relatives construct about the offence and about their own actions. When accounting for the offence, relatives were found to use 'actor adjustments' and 'act adjustments' of various types. Many participants were searching around for reasons and trying to understand why the offence had happened; formulating these accounts was part of that process. The thesis considers why relatives use self-help and what it offers. It is argued that self-help provides a 'collective narrative' for understanding experience which relatives use as a resource along with other sources to understand their circumstances. Most participants in the research were female, as are most participants in self-help services for relatives of offenders, and reasons for this are considered. The thesis is based upon in-depth interviews with 32 relatives of serious offenders and participant observation of a self-help organisation for families of serious offenders over several years.


The ability to count chromosomes is among the valuable tools used by plant breeders and cytogeneticists. This exercise is difficult with yams ( D IOSCOREA spp.) since the chromosomes are small, dot-like, frequently having only a few cell division visible in a single root tip. The aim of this study was to investigate and confirm the chromosome numbers and raphide morphology of six yam genotypes which included two genotypes of D IOSCOREA ALATA (ER 07/030 and ER 07/036) and four genotypes of D. ROTUNDATA (NR 07/060, NR 07/071, SR 07/072 and TDr 95/18544) using the root tip method. A total of ten minisetts per genotype each weighing 20 g were grown in quarter liter pots containing vermiculite medium. Root tips were prepared using the acetocarmine staining technique. Genotype ER 07/030 had 20 chromosomes, while ER 07/036, NR 07/060, NR 07/071 and SR 07/072 had 40 chromosomes, and TDr 95/18544 had 60 chromosomes. These findings were in agreement with the ploidy results obtained by flow cytometry (FCM), which indicated that FCM was a reliable technique for rapid determination of ploidy level in yams. Results of the raphide study in D. ALATA showed the type III morphotype in ER 07/036 with six to eight sided crystals and symetrical pointed ends. The remaining genotypes exhibited no visible presence of raphides. Findings obtained in this study would provide guidance in a yam improvement programme both in terms of selection of initial breeding material and choice of breeding methods. The development of flowering genotypes and the exploration of chromosome size and content form part of future research.


Speech requires time. How much time often depends on the amount of labor the brain has to perform in order to retrieve the linguistic information related to the ideas we want to express. Although most psycholinguistic research in the field of language production has focused on the net result of time required to utter words in various experimental conditions, over the last years more and more researchers pursued the objective to flesh out the time course of particular stages implicated in language production. Here we critically review these studies, with particular interest for the time course of lexical selection. First, we evaluate the data underlying the estimates of an influential temporal meta-analysis on language production (Indefrey and Levelt, 2004). We conclude that those data alone are not sufficient to provide a reliable time frame of lexical selection. Next, we discuss recent neurophysiological evidence which we argue to offer more explicit insights into the time course of lexical selection. Based on this evidence we suggest that, despite the absence of a clear time frame of how long lexical selection takes, there is sufficient direct evidence to conclude that the brain initiates lexical access within 200 ms after stimulus presentation, hereby confirming Indefrey and Levelt's estimate. In a final section, we briefly review the proposed mechanisms which could lead to this rapid onset of lexical access, namely automatic spreading activation versus specific concept selection, and discuss novel data which support the notion of spreading activation, but indicate that the speed with which this principle takes effect is driven by a top-down signal in function of the intention to engage in a speech act.


BACKGROUND
To evaluate the influence of neoadjuvant treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) on postoperative complications and hospital lethality in patients with esophageal cancer submitted to esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy.

METHODS
Retrospective study of 132 patients with esophageal cancer admitted in Department of Surgery in Erasto Gaertner Hospital, from January 1987 to January 1998, divided according to realization of neoadjuvant treatment or not. Variables related to patient (sex, age, general condition, ponderal loss, co-morbidities, tabagism), to tumor (histological type, localization, staging) and to surgical procedure (type and localization of anastomosis, surgical time, hospitalization time) were noted and related to postoperative complications and mortality.

RESULTS
Ninety-nine patients (71.2%) were of male sex. The predominant histological type was squamous cell carcinoma in 94.7% of the cases. Eighty-eight patients (66.6%) were smokers, and the main co-morbidities noted were: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (29.55%) and arterial hypertension (15.15%). The main localization of the tumor was inferior thoracic segment (56.06%), with average tumoral extension of 47,72 (8-70) mm. Six patients (4.54%) were stage I, 44 (33.33%) IIA, 24 (18.18%) IIB, 38 (28.80%) III and 17 (12.90%) IV. Considering the neoadjuvant treatment, 39 patients (29.54%) were submitted to chemotherapy and 22 (16.67%) to radiotherapy. The postoperative complications were 74.35% (p=0.0002) and 72.73% (p=0.0037), respectively. The complication rate was 39.3% and hospital lethality 13.70%, represented more frequently by pleuropulmonar causes.

CONCLUSION
Neoadjuvant chemotherapic and radiotherapeutic treatments were related to superior occurrence of postoperative complications, without influence on hospital lethality.


Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of water-soluble egg membrane (WSEM) on wrinkle reduction in a clinical pilot study and to elucidate specific mechanisms of action using primary human immune and dermal cell-based bioassays. Methods To evaluate the effects of topical application of WSEM (8%) on human skin, an open-label 8-week study was performed involving 20 healthy females between the age of 45 years and 65 years. High-resolution photography and digital analysis were used to evaluate the wrinkle depth in the facial skin areas beside the eye (crow's feet). WSEM was tested for total antioxidant capacity and effects on the formation of reactive oxygen species by human polymorphonuclear cells. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were used for quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of the antioxidant response element genes Nqo1, Gclm, Gclc, and Hmox1. Evaluation of effects on human primary dermal fibroblasts in vitro included cellular viability and production of the matrix components collagen and elastin. Results Topical use of a WSEM-containing facial cream for 8 weeks resulted in a significant reduction of wrinkle depth (P<0.05). WSEM contained antioxidants and reduced the formation of reactive oxygen species by inflammatory cells in vitro. Despite lack of a quantifiable effect on Nrf2, WSEM induced the gene expression of downstream Nqo1, Gclm, Gclc, and Hmox1 in human keratinocytes. Human dermal fibroblasts treated with WSEM produced more collagen and elastin than untreated cells or cells treated with dbcAMP control. The increase in collagen production was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The topical use of WSEM on facial skin significantly reduced the wrinkle depth. The underlying mechanisms of this effect may be related to protection from free radical damage at the cellular level and induction of several antioxidant response elements, combined with stimulation of human dermal fibroblasts to secrete high levels of matrix components.


: Multiple paralysies of cranial nerves are reported in two infants with myelomeningocele and Arnold-Chiari malformation. In the first case, there was a shunt dysfunction and its correction cured the troubles. In the second, posterior fossa decompression was successful. The indications of the latter intervention are discussed.


Records of natural remanent magnetization (NRM) and geomagnetic polarity reversals preserved within ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts, together with the application of fine-resolution magnetostratigraphic analysis, have been successfully demonstrated. However, because Fe-bearing precipitates or minerals are thought to be either oxides and/or hydroxides precipitated from ambient oxic seawater or detrital minerals, the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic minerals and the genetic mechanisms remain controversial; moreover, the origin of the NRM is unclear. Here, we show that nanometer-scale magnetite crystals found in Fe-Mn crusts from the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea are magnetosome fossils based on their narrow size range, chain arrangement, chemical purity, and crystallographic perfection, as indicated by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, our new data from rock magnetic and electron paramagnetic resonance analyses, combined with a previously reported micro-magnetostratigraphic sequence, indicate that magnetotactic bacteria and their post-mortem remains contribute to a biogeochemical remanent magnetization of Fe-Mn crusts. In addition, the results provide evidence for a previously unappreciated pathway for the biogeochemical cycling of iron in the deep ocean.


Sustainable development is becoming increasingly a major concern for African Countries. They need a relatively high rate of growth of GDP to solve the many problems of poverty and underdevelopment, while insuring sustainability to their economies. At the same time, it is increasingly recognised that sustainability requires more and more knowledge assets and capabilities. This paper aims at showing the difficulty in attaining sustainable development for African countries with a weak technological and knowledge base. It deals first with the issue of knowledge systems and knowledge economy and their links with sustainability from a conceptual point of view. It highlights the specific situation of African countries stressing the difficulties they meet in this respect in a second section. This paper then shows how knowledge capabilities are highly correlated with levels of sustainability using knowledge and sustainability indexes. The discussion addresses technology transfer and innovation as key elements of knowledge, while the conclusion explores some of the opportunities.


Studying in a foreign country is one of the ways to e nhance students' c ompetencies in facing challenges of global competitiveness and in being marketable for future career choices. This research investigates the impact of cross-cultural adaptation among Malaysian students (N=245) who enrolled in various universities in Japan. Quantitative method was used to examine changes in the following five factors: personal changes, cross-cultural awareness, cross-cultural interaction, global mindedness and intellectual development. The findings demonstrate that studying abroad brings positive outcomes in students' personal development. Hence, student mobility is an invaluable experience and administrators should support and encourage young people to explore "real life" globally.


We discuss the robustness of large networks such as Smart Power Grid and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network. We put forward mathematical models of robustness that reflect power network dynamics and the Laplacian of the network. We used nodal degree distributions, algebraic connectivity, and Fiedler eigenvalue parameters for analyzing the robustness of real world power grid network. We also discussed the performance of Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC) US grid under Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) attacks.


Objectives: To identify risk factors for poor glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: We obtained data from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients including their sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), duration of diabetes, family history of diabetes, hypertension status, and current antidiabetic medications. At their last follow-up visits, the haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting glucose level, and lipid profiles were also recorded. Patients with a HbA1C ≥ 7% or a fasting plasma glucose level≥ 140 mg/dl were considered to have poor glycaemic control. Results: Of the 500 patients included in this study, 51.2% (n=256) were female. The average HbA1c level was 7.7% of whom 67% had a HbA1c level ≥ 7%, and 48% had a fasting plasma glucose≥ 140 mg/dl. Better glycaemic control rates (HbA1c < 7% and/or fasting plasma glucose < 140 mg/dl) were noted in patients with a shorter diabetes duration, no family history of diabetes, higher educational status, a lower waist circumference, and no hypertension, who were married and currently working, had been prescribed only oral antidiabetic agents and whose triglyceride levels were < 150 mg/dl. Independent risk factors for poor glycaemic control were longer duration of diabetes, diagnosed with diabetes at an earlier age, lower education level, higher triglyceride levels, being single and receiving insulin therapy. Conclusion: It could be suggested that waist circumference and triglyceride levels may be important parameters than BMI and cholesterol levels for glycaemic control. However, these data should be confirmed by further prospective studies. Abstract The Relationship Between Poor Control


Congenital giant megaureter presents as abdominal mass and impose diagnostic difficulties. It can be associated with other upper urinary tract anomalies. A female newborn with antenatal diagnosis of polycystic kidneys was admitted at birth due to lower abdominal mass. Ultrasound and CT scans diagnosed a multiloculated cystic lesion in the mid and lower abdomen along with right side multicystic kidney. At laparotomy, an extaperitoneal, lobulated cystic swelling was found due to rightside giant megaureter. Its lower end was of normal caliber and orthotopic. End cutaneous ureterostomy was done. Intravenous urogram and isotope renograms showed nonfunctioning right kidney. She also had grade II vesicoureteral reflux on left side. Child suffered urinary infection twice. At 9m age, right nephroureterectomy was done. Histopathologic examination was consistent with cystic renal dysplasia and dilated ureter. This is the first case report of giant megaureter associated with ipsilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney in newborn.


A stress calculation method has been established for the double layer shaft in special strata. After some simplifications of the mechanical model, the problem was broke down into three subproblems, and a Saint-Venant solution was obtained by solving and adding up each subproblem. An example for certain double layer shaft was presented, and the stress results were compared with the single layer shaft under the same conditions. The fourth strength theory was applied to study the safety of the shafts, and the results show that, the safety for the inner layer of the double layer shaft is better than the single layer shaft, while the safety of the outer layer is relatively worse. We indicate that the application of this double layer shaft is advantageous for the safety production of the mine, and the outer layer of this shaft is the fragile area that needs to be repaired primarily.


The rapid development of the economy has created an increasing demand for energy in China. The limited resources of fossil energy are a risk for the development of China. Sustainable agriculture like organic farming (Green AAA in China) with biomass energy - as done in developed countries like Germany - is an option to reduce these risks. In China, agriculture is not energy efficient, and the intensive farming is not sustainable. The scientific challenge is to develop sustainable farming systems which can fulfill national food security, food safety and considerable renewable energy production without harming the environment, and are acceptable to the people and the economy. The protection and intelligent utilization of resources is the core of rural village development.
To explore the potential of recent Chinese agriculture for the development towards a multi-functional farm for food and energy production, a village in the adjacent area of Beijing has been selected: the "Beijing Man village". About 1,900 people live in the village and 140 hectares of the 240 hectare total land are available for farming. The major agricultural activity is pork production (capacity of 10,000 pigs per year) and dairy farming (40 dairy cows).
In 2004, the energy input and output of this village was evaluated and taken as a basis for a model of sustainable farming for food and biogas production. The study explored that the gross energy production from crops in the "Beijing man village" was about 19,103 GJ/year. It was obvious that the crop production was not sufficient for the feed demand of the animal husbandry (pigs and cows). 60% of the corn used as feed stuff was purchased on the market. The reason was, that the purchasing of corn was cheaper than the own production. The low competitive crop production due to the low efficiency resulted in the decrease of cultivated crop land from 140 ha to 80 ha in the past four years (two harvests per year).
On the other hand, there was much more manure produced as suitable and applicable for crop production. Therefore manure was exposed in open air in a pond like waste. This is risky for public hazards like ground water contamination and zoonosis diseases. Therefore the farming system is not sustainable, risky and not efficient. There is a potential of the optimization of the cropping and animal husbandry interaction as well as the development of renewable energy production in the village. The main development chains are the improvement of the energy efficiency of crop production, the reduction of animal husbandry to a sustainable animal-land-ratio and the introduction of biogas production with manure and cropping by-products.


Composite endpoints are increasingly popular outcomes in clinical trials of heart failure. Uptake has outpaced guidance on their use and little consistency is seen in their construction. We must consider how best to handle multiple outcomes statistically and clinically, ie in a way that is both cogent for the clinical audience and statistically powerful. The clinical interpretation of composites has been emphasised along with its straightforward analysis and presentation. However there is a loss of information and a more thorough statistical analysis may offer advantages that are not easily dismissed, most obviously a gain in statistical efficiency and power. The modelling approach offers a number of other advantages: 1) adjustment for covariates, 2) a simple test of heterogeneity as the interaction between treatment and outcome, 3) analyses of the individual component endpoints are a consequence of the model, 4) correlations among outcomes are acknowledged, 5) recognises a constellation of risk factors or manifestations of the syndrome without blending them, 6) clinical weights are easily incorporated, and 7) an overall estimate of the effect is obtainable making it comparable with the results from a composite endpoint. Thus the multivariate modelling approach yields a more powerful and thorough analysis without the loss of information that occurs when multiple outcomes are reduced to a single univariate composite measure. We use data simulations and real clinical trial data to illustrate and evaluate clinical composite endpoints and multivariate modelling. We developed SAS macros for data simulations and analysis methods which we make available.


A nicotine imprinted polymer was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer. The resulting molecularly imprinted polymers were monodispersed beads with an average diameter of 1.55 μm. The molecular selectivity of the imprinted polymer beads was evaluated by studying the uptake of nicotine and its structural analogs by the polymer beads. Equilibrium binding results indicate that the amount of nicotine bound to the imprinted polymer beads is significantly higher than that bound to the non-imprinted polymer in both acetonitrile and in a mixture of acetonitrile and water. The RAFT reagent present on the surface of the polymer beads allowed straightforward grafting of hydrophilic polymer brushes on the particle surface. In addition to the demonstrated molecular selectivity and the straightforward surface modification of the imprinted polymer beads, we also show that the dithioester end groups on the surface of the polymer beads can be converted into new thiol groups without sacrificing the specific molecular recognition. Through the new terminal thiol groups, a fluorescent dye was conveniently conjugated to the imprinted polymer beads via Michael addition reaction. The living characteristic of RAFT and the versatile thiol groups that can be derived from the RAFT reagent provide many new possibilities for realizing multi-functionalities for molecularly imprinted polymers.


In order to improve the effect of English classroom teaching, this paper builds an immersive teaching model of English classroom based on digital twin technology. Moreover, in order to reduce the cost of the system, simplify the system structure, and enable learners to observe the stereoscopic display image with the naked eye, this paper builds an immersive hemispherical projection teaching system, designs the overall structure of the system and various components of the hardware, and studies the projection image predistortion algorithm. In addition, this paper uses the immersive experience between virtual reality technology and immersive teaching as a connection point to design an immersive teaching based on VR and apply it to teaching practice to test the effect of immersive teaching, and perfect the immersive teaching design model based on VR. Finally, this paper designs an experiment to verify and analyze the performance of the system. From the experimental results, it can be seen that the English classroom immersive teaching model based on digital twin technology constructed in this paper is effective.


CONTEXT
Altered knee moments are common during gait in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Modifiable factors that influence knee moments and are feasible to record in clinical settings such as strength and spatiotemporal parameters (e.g. step length, step width) have not been identified in persons after ACLR.

OBJECTIVE
The objective was to identify strength and spatiotemporal gait parameters that can predict knee moments in persons after ACLR.

DESIGN
Cross-Sectional Study Setting: Laboratory Patients: Twenty-three participants with ACLR (14.4 ± 17.2 months post-ACLR) participated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Peak knee flexion and adduction moments were measured while walking at self-selected speeds. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were recorded with a pressure walkway, and peak isokinetic knee extensor strength (60°/s) was recorded on a dynamometer. Pearson coefficients were used to examine the association of peak knee moments with strength and gait parameters. Variables correlated with peak knee flexion and adduction moments were entered into a stepwise regression model.

RESULTS
Step width and knee extensor strength were the strongest predictors of knee flexion moment accounting for 44% of data variance, whereas stance phase time and step width were the strongest predictors of knee adduction moment explaining 62% of data variance.

CONCLUSIONS
The spatiotemporal variables that were identified could be clinically feasible targets for biofeedback to improve gait after ACLR.


Thousands of oil and gas structures have been installed in the world's oceans over the past 70 years to meet the population's reliance on hydrocarbons. Over the last decade, there has been increased concern over how to handle decommissioning of this infrastructure when it reaches the end of its operational life. Complete or partial removal may or may not present the best option when considering potential impacts on the environment, society, technical feasibility, economy, and future asset liability. Re-purposing of offshore structures may also be a valid legal option under international maritime law where robust evidence exists to support this option. Given the complex nature of decommissioning offshore infrastructure, a global horizon scan was undertaken, eliciting input from an interdisciplinary cohort of 35 global experts to develop the top ten priority research needs to further inform decommissioning decisions and advance our understanding of their potential impacts. The highest research priorities included: (1) an assessment of impacts of contaminants and their acceptable environmental limits to reduce potential for ecological harm; (2) defining risk and acceptability thresholds in policy/governance; (3) characterising liability issues of ongoing costs and responsibility; and (4) quantification of impacts to ecosystem services. The remaining top ten priorities included: (5) quantifying ecological connectivity; (6) assessing marine life productivity; (7) determining feasibility of infrastructure re-use; (8) identification of stakeholder views and values; (9) quantification of greenhouse gas emissions; and (10) developing a transdisciplinary decommissioning decision-making process. Addressing these priorities will help inform policy development and governance frameworks to provide industry and stakeholders with a clearer path forward for offshore decommissioning. The principles and framework developed in this paper are equally applicable for informing responsible decommissioning of offshore renewable energy infrastructure, in particular wind turbines, a field that is accelerating rapidly.


A mixed control mode is developed to model the ledge growth of pro-eutectoid ferrite, considering coupled effects of migration of austenite/ferrite interface and carbon diffusion in austenite. Carbon concentration of austenite at the austenite/ferrite interface increases from the bulk carbon concentration to a steady level, which is lower than that in local equilibrium, during the ferrite growth process. Correspondingly, ferrite grows rapidly at the beginning since all the driving force of ferrite transformation is dissipated on the interface migration. In the later stage of isothermal transformation, the growth rate of ferrite decreases towards a steady level since a part of driving force is dissipated on carbon diffusion in austenite. The effect of interface migration on ferrite growth rate by changing the interface mobility is emphatically discussed. In the case of the low interface mobility, the growth rate of ferrite is very small while the growth is dominated by the carbon diffusion ability in the case of large interface mobility. When a medium interface mobility is obtained, the growth rate of ferrite may reach a maximum value, which exceed the limitation of diffusion control and interface control modes. After comparing the modeled growth rate of ferrite with the experimental data of 0.11-0.49 wt% C alloy at 973-1113 K, the pre-expontential factor (M0) of interface mobility is estimated within the range of 0.1-1 mol m J-1 s-1, around the value 0.5 mol m J-1 s-1 theoretically estimated.


Reassuring fault tolerance in computing systems that contain FPGA devices is the most important problem for mission critical space components. With the rise in interest of commercial SRAM-based FPGAs, it is crucial to provide runtime reconfigurable recovery from a failure. In this paper, we propose a superimposed virtual coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture, embedded with on-demand three level fault-mitigation technique. The proposed method performs run-time recovery via discrete microscrubbing. This approach can provide up to 3× faster runtime recovery with 10.2× less resources in FPGA devices, by providing integrated layers of fault mitigation.


We use Brownian dynamics simulations in combination with the umbrella sampling technique to study the effect of shear flow on homogeneous crystal nucleation. We find that a homogeneous shear rate leads to a significant suppression of the crystal nucleation rate and to an increase of the size of the critical nucleus. A simple, phenomenological extension of classical nucleation theory accounts for these observations. The orientation of the crystal nucleus is tilted with respect to the shear direction.


The Federal Reserve has recently activated its newly acquired powers to pay interest on reserves of depository institutions. The Fed maintains its new policy increases economic efficiency and intends it to play a lead role in the exit from quantitative easing. This paper argues it is a bad policy that (1) has a deflationary bias; (2) is costly to taxpayers and that cost will increase as normal conditions return; and (3) establishes institutional lock-in that obstructs desirable changes to regulatory policy. The paper recommends repealing the Fed's power to pay interest on bank reserves. Second, the Fed should repeal regulation Q that prohibits payment of interest on demand deposits. Third, the Fed should immediately implement an alternative system of asset based reserve requirements (liquidity ratios) that will improve monetary control and can help exit quantitative easing at no cost to the public purse. Now is the optimal time for this change. Lastly, the paper argues the new policy of paying interest on reserves reveals the troubling political economy governing the actions of the Federal Reserve and policy recommendations of the economics profession.


We analyze a gauge-Higgs unification model which is based on a gauge theory defined on a six-dimensional spacetime with an S2 extra-space. In our approach, we impose a symmetry condition for a gauge field and non-trivial boundary conditions of the S2. We provide the scheme for constructing a four-dimensional theory from the six-dimensional gauge theory under these conditions. We then construct a concrete model based on an SO(12) gauge theory under the scheme. This model leads to a Standard-Model(-like) gauge theory which has gauge symmetry SU(3) ? SU(2)L ? U(1)Y (? U(1)2) and one generation of SM fermions, in four-dimensions. The Higgs sector of the model is also analyzed, and it is shown that the electroweak symmetry breaking and the prediction of W-boson and Higgs-boson masses are obtained.


The fruit bat, Eonyctmk spelaea, occurs from India through the Philippines to the southeast limit of its distribution in the Lesser Sunda islands of Indonesia. Mitochondria1 DNA (mtDNA) variation was examined in Indonesian E. spelaea island populations by amplification of the D-loop and digestion with restriction endonucleases. In addition, microgeographic variation was assessed by investigation of three cave populations within one island. A total of 24 genotypes, comprising two broad clades, was detected. The pattern of mtDNA variation reflects the colonization history of E. spelaea with estimates of haplotype and sequence diversity highest in the older western populations and lowest at the eastern periphery of the species' distribution. These findings may also be associated with an environmental cline from west to east. There is also evidence that genetic distance between populations reflects geographic relationships, especially historical connectedness, as measured by Pleistocene sea-crossing distances. At the microgeographic level, cave populations were heterogeneous and composed of diverse lineages suggesting restricted local interchange.


Within Higher Education, e-portfolios are used to capture Personal Development Planning (PDP) activity, progression, reflection, articulation of learning and achievement. An e-portfolio can document a student's journey from first to final year, allowing them to organise, share and showcase examples of their work with tutors and peers. This popular view of the e-portfolio is predominant in the literature; however, the creative arts offer an additional perspective based upon the long established tradition of a physical portfolio of work for employability and professional development (Art, Design and Media Subject Centre, 2006; Strivens and Ward, 2010). Barrett (2011) considers these two perspectives as the two faces of an e-portfolio (process and product) and discusses the balance between them. So how would this balance work for the creative disciplines? How might an e-portfolio complement or even replace the traditional portfolio as a means of capturing a student's visual journey, culminating in a curated showcase for potential employers? What is the role of assessment and feedback and where would this sit? This presentation will explore these questions and consider whether e-portfolios vary in relation to the disciplinary context.

Through a consultative participatory approach (Barreteau et. al, 2010), the Learning Development team of the School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield along with subject tutors of the creative disciplines evaluated the affordances of e-portfolios in the context of creative arts and explored what it means to them. It considered the role of an e-portfolio as a record of students' achievements and a mechanism to promote themselves for employability. Data was collected through focus groups and e-portfolio events where participants discussed these topics and these were recorded for analysis. This presentation will illustrate the findings and discuss whether the use of e-portfolios is distinct within the creative arts.


: The examination of the greater omentum was performed in 102 cadavers. Most frequently the quadrangular shape of omentum was found, less frequently--triangular and appendicular shape. The anterior duplicature of the omentum receives blood supply from the right gastro-omental artery, that often has 5 omental branches. The posterior duplicature is blood supplied by spleno-omental artery, that creates the inferior arterial arch. The methods of lengthening of omentum are worked out. Satisfactory filling of the created omental flaps was proved by arteriography.


Fast food industry has shown phenomenal growth because of innovation, quality control and competitive pricing. Fast food restaurants represent one of the largest segments of the food industry. Infact, it is generally agreed that food cultures do not remain static but are continually evolving and changing in response to different internal and external stimuli (Mennell, 1985; Molz, 2004). Hall and Mitchell (2000, 2002b) have emphasized that despite rapid globalization of the food market in many destinations, homogenization of production or consumption is not a certainty. In this industry, customer satisfaction is one of the most important strategic tools used for building a company's brand image. Further, the phenomenon of customer satisfactions in this industry is of critical importance for organizational success especially due to the heterogeneity of the product and the service involved as well as also due to the fast changing customers' requirements. In many researches customer satisfaction has been probed as most important factor on overall firm's performance as it directly affect the flow and enormity of customer traffic of the fast food restaurants. This backdrop provides the rationale for conducting study to explore the factors influencing customer satisfaction in Indian Fast Food Industry, with the scope limited to the fast food companies namely Mc Donald, Pizza hut, KFC and Dominos located in National Capital Region (NCR) in India. The researchers have used self administered questionnaire derived from Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8, C. Cilfford Attkisson 1979) and American Satisfaction Customer Index (ASCI, University of Michigan 1944). In the study, customer satisfaction were subjected to exploratory factor analysis and reduced to 9 factors. Correlation and Multiple Regression has been applied to evaluate the relationship between customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. This paper propounds some suggestions for adoption of strategies to enhance customer satisfaction in the fast food Industry. Finally, scope for further research and limitations of this study are also spelt out concisely.


Abstract Background Breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL) affects many areas of daily living. Individuals with lymphedema may experience chronic and progressive swelling, recurrent skin infections, and decreased self-image and quality of life. For many years, it was considered best practice for this population to avoid exercise; however, in recent years, research has begun to challenge this belief. This systematic review and meta-analyses examined the recent literature on the effects of exercise for patients with, or at risk for, BCRL to inform best practice. Methods A total of 807 articles were retrieved from CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Medline, and PubMed. Results were systematically filtered to 26 articles through inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, and the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool for quantitative studies. Data were pooled from studies containing relative and absolute volume measurements of limb volume, as well as upper extremity function measured by the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire; meta-analyses were conducted using SAS software. Results The literature was reviewed and statistically analyzed. Results have indicated aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, stretching, yoga, qigong, and pilates can be safe and effective in the management of symptoms for those with, or at risk for, BCRL. Conclusion Several forms of exercise appear to be safe interventions for clinicians to use when treating this population and offer benefits such as improved quality of life, strength, body mass index, and mental health and decreased pain and lymphatic swelling. Additional research should be conducted to further examine the efficacy and safety of nontraditional forms of exercise in the treatment of BCRL.


Livestock, particularly cattle, are an integral part of livelihoods in rural sub-Saharan Africa. However, diseases such as African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) have limited the potential of this important sector in the rural household economy. Using a representative sample of small-scale cattle farmers, this study investigates the adoption of modern AAT-management technologies in rural Ethiopia. Specifically, this study investigatesthe adoption of so-called 'best-bet technologies' (BBTs), recommended by veterinary experts as complementary measures to manage AAT. The results show that the multiple adoption of BBTs was low. In addition, BBTs were adopted as substitutes, and not as complements as suggested by veterinary experts. The results suggest budgetary constraints are proxied by wealth, and information asymmetry explains the substitution effects. The training and reeducation of veterinary personnel, as well as programmes and interventions that would improve access to livestock-management inputs, should be pursued vigorously by policy makers to increase the adoption of modern AAT-management technologies to improve cattle productivity.


The Pinckneyville quartz diorite complex underlies an area in eastern Alabama extending from the Coosa River in northwest Elmore County northeast through Coosa and Tallapoosa counties into Clay County. Dark-gray, coarse-grained quartz diorite gneiss constitutes the major part of the complex, but there are smaller amounts of granodiorite and granite gneiss. Hornblende-biotite gneisses also occur and are considered to represent metamorphosed basic sills and dikes intruded before the quartz diorite complex. Schist septa lie within the complex and are usually parallel to the regional strike. The sequence of intrusion as interpreted from inclusions and petrographic data is (1) quartz diorite, (2) granodiorite, (3) granite. Small but persistent amounts of allanite and epidote are characteristic of the rocks of the complex. The texture is subporphyritic and shows evidence of protoclastic deformation. A northeast-southwest trend of inclusions, foliation, lineation, and contacts dominates. Primary flow structures are shown in the orientation of inclusions and micas. Secondary structures were superposed on the original flow structures shortly after intrusion and prior to complete consolidation. A prominent secondary structure is a lineation in b. Stretching in b is indicated by boudinage structures, the lineation, and small displacements of dikes. The intensity of the planar structures in the gneiss grades from strong to indistinct or lacking from east to west. Structures in schist inclusions indicate that some folding had taken place prior to intrusion. Thin pegmatite, granodiorite, and granite dikes are common. Most of them are essentially parallel to the regional strike. The petrographic boundary between gneiss and schist is always sharp. On a large scale, the gneiss structures are essentially parallel to the contacts, but slight to marked discordant relations occur at many localities. The schist structures usually parallel the contacts. Petrofabric analysis confirms the structural field observations. The mica fabrics are ac -girdles and are most complete where the foliation is weakest. Microscopic s -planes do not always coincide with the observed foliation. The quartz fabrics are also ac -girdles but are not so well developed as the mica girdles. Quartz orientations cannot always be related to known s -planes. It is concluded that the Pinckneyville quartz diorite complex represents a syntectonic intrusion—that is, that intrusion took place while external or regional forces were still active. The shape of the intrusion was controlled largely by the wall-rock structures which had developed earlier. The rocks show both igneous and metamorphic characteristics because the intrusion took place under regional metamorphic conditions.


Biomarkers that can serve as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are urgently needed to help improve patient outcomes. Here, the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and costimulatory molecule B7-H3, both of which have been implicated in tumor onset and progression in certain tumors, was investigated in relation to the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with ESCC. ESCC tissue samples were analyzed for 100 patients. Tumor and patient characteristics were recorded. Tissues were investigated for EGFR and B7-H3 staining by immunohistochemistry. Patients were followed for up to 96 months to determine overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). High expression for EGFR (68.0%) and B7-H3 (66.0%) was observed in the majority of cases. High expression of either EGFR or B7-H3 was correlated with tumor invasion depth and clinical stage (P<0.05). Further, high expression of either EGFR or B7-H3 was correlated with worse survival outcomes. The estimated OS (38.1 months) and PFS (13.4 months) of patients with high expression of EGFR were lower than those of patients with low expression (69.3 and 68.1 months, P<0.05). The estimated OS (31.1 months) and PFS (13.1 months) of patients with high expression of B7-H3 were also lower than those of patients with low expression (69.3 and 66.6 months, P<0.05). Indeed, Cox multiple regression showed that OS and PFS were correlated with EGFR (relative risk =1.853, 1.875, respectively) and B7-H3 (relative risk =1.886, 2.061, respectively) (all P<0.05) expression level. Thus, EGFR and B7-H3 are highly expressed in tumor tissues of patients with ESCC. Their expression levels are correlated with tumor severity and survival, and therefore these may be viable biomarkers to aid in prognosis determination.


A comparative evaluation was done of two different 6-week physical rehabilitation schemes for obese women (n = 18) aged 39-45 years. On the basis of the above evaluation it has been shown that the program with elements of training involving strength was associated with a significantly greater reduction in specific weight of the adipose tissue than with conventional content of training sessions. The main cause of a higher effect of such a scheme can be attributed to increase in resting metabolism.


Abstract Natural geological accumulations of carbon dioxide occur widely throughout Europe, often close to population centres. Some of these CO2 deposits leak, whereas others are sealed. Understanding these deposits is critical for selecting and designing underground storage sites for anthropogenic CO2. To provide confidence that the potential risks of geological CO2 storage are understood, geologists are required to predict how CO2 may behave once stored underground. Natural CO2 accumulations provide a unique opportunity to study long-term geochemical and geomechanical processes that may occur following geological storage of anthropogenic CO2. In addition, natural CO2 springs and gas vents can provide information on the mechanisms of gas migration and the potential effects of CO2 leakage to the surface. This paper provides a description of some natural, European CO2 occurrences. CO2 accumulations occur in many basins across Europe. In addition, volcanic areas and seismically active areas allow CO2-rich fluids to migrate to the near surface. Many of these occur in areas that have been populated for hundreds and thousands of years. Stratigraphic traps have allowed CO2 to accumulate below evaporite, limestone and mudstone caprocks. Comparisons between reservoir sandstone and equivalent nearby sandstones that contain no CO2 indicate that reservoir sandstones may experience increased secondary porosity development through feldspar dissolution. Where fracture reactivation allows CO2-rich fluids to migrate, limited self-sealing may take place through calcite precipitation. Gas migration experiments indicate that, due to geochemical interactions, fine-grained seals would be able to trap smaller volumes of CO2 compared to, for example CH4. In natural systems most leakage from depth occurs along fractures and is typically extremely localized on a metre-scale.


The authors propose the use of a generalised array manifold for parameterised spatial signature estimation in wireless communication channels with local scattering. The array manifold commonly used for point sources is generalised to include linear combinations of the nominal array response vectors and their derivatives. The motivation behind this idea is to obtain better estimates of the spatial signatures for direction of arrival (DOA) based signal waveform estimation. The estimators proposed exploit the orthogonality between the so-called noise and signal subspaces, leading to a separable solution for the derivative coefficients. As a result, a search is required for the DOAs only. For uniform linear arrays, the spatial signatures are shown to be approximately Vandermonde vectors with damped modes, and a closed-form estimator such as ESPRIT may be used in this case. Simulation examples are included to compare the signal estimation performance obtained using the proposed generalised manifold and the conventional array manifold.


OBJECTIVE
To provide recommendations for family physicians on the detection, assessment and management of abuse or mistreatment in patients over 65 years of age.

OPTIONS
Detection of elder abuse by history and examination or by specific protocols; intervention through mandatory reporting, removing the victim from the situation or acting as an advocate for the patient.

OUTCOMES
Termination of abusive situation and prevention of further abuse.

EVIDENCE
A MEDLINE search was conducted with the use of medical subject headings "elder abuse" and "epidemiology" for articles published from January 1980 to October 1992 and headings "elder abuse" and "clinical trials" for articles published from January 1980 to February 1994. Standard references and review articles and their bibliographies were scrutinized, and experts were consulted.

VALUES
The evidence-based methods and values of the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination were used. Since senior citizens are among the most disadvantaged people in Canadian society, prevention of abuse and promotion of their autonomy were the highest values selected.

BENEFITS, HARMS AND COSTS
The principal benefits are cessation and prevention of abuse. Potential harms include the loss of a personal residence, the erosion of an established family structure and the loss of autonomy for the victim.

RECOMMENDATIONS
There is poor evidence to include case finding for elder abuse in or exclude it from the periodic health examination. However, it is prudent for physicians to be alert for indications of elder abuse and, if such abuse is discovered, to take measures to prevent further abuse.


When I was a young physician Dr. Frank Billings was one of the most distinguished figures in American medicine. I looked on him with admiration and awe. Therefore, to be asked to give this lecture, founded to perpetuate his memory, is not only an honor but also a source of great pleasure. My only regret is that I have not a more worthy tribute for the occasion. The subject of mediastinal emphysema is not a new one. Occasional cases with dramatic symptoms were reported a century or longer ago. However, during the past twenty years, especially during the past decade, experimental investigation and clinical observation have' extended our knowledge and put it on a firm base. The conditions causing mediastinal emphysema are now well known; the mechanism of its production and its relation to associated manifestations, chiefly interstitial emphysema of the lungs and pneumothorax, have been clearly exposed; the symptoms


In children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the level of minimal residual disease (MRD) at the end of induction strongly predicts outcome, presumably because it measures both drug sensitivity and the number of leukemic cells requiring elimination. Children with high levels (> 10(-3) leukemic cells per marrow cell) nearly always relapse, whereas those with low levels (<2 x 10(-5)) seldom do. However, the importance of MRD in adult ALL is unclear. We studied 27 patients aged 14 to 74 who were treated with a standard protocol and who attained morphological remission. MRD in the marrow at first remission was quantified by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with the rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain gene as a molecular marker. Levels of MRD varied from 3 x 10(-1) to <7 x 10(-7). The probability of long-term relapse-free survival was significantly related to the level of MRD and only one of nine patients with MRD >10(-3) did not relapse. For patients who did relapse, there was an inverse relationship between MRD level and the length of remission. Overall, MRD in adults in whom a translocation had not been identified was significantly higher than in comparably-treated children, suggesting that ALL in adults is more drug-resistant than in children.


There exists an inordinate amount of spectral data in both public and private astronomical archives that remain severely under-utilized. The lack of reliable open-source tools for analyzing large volumes of spectra contributes to this situation, which is poised to worsen as large surveys successively release orders of magnitude more spectra. In this article I introduce sick, the spectroscopic inference crank, a flexible and fast Bayesian tool for inferring astrophysical parameters from spectra. sick is agnostic to the wavelength coverage, resolving power, or general data format, allowing any user to easily construct a generative model for their data, regardless of its source. sick can be used to provide a nearest-neighbor estimate of model parameters, a numerically optimized point estimate, or full Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling of the posterior probability distributions. This generality empowers any astronomer to capitalize on the plethora of published synthetic and observed spectra, and make precise inferences for a host of astrophysical (and nuisance) quantities. Model intensities can be reliably approximated from existing grids of synthetic or observed spectra using linear multi-dimensional interpolation, or a Cannon-based model. Additional phenomena that transform the data (e.g., redshift, rotational broadening, continuum, spectral resolution) are incorporated as free parameters and can be marginalized away. Outlier pixels (e.g., cosmic rays or poorly modeled regimes) can be treated with a Gaussian mixture model, and a noise model is included to account for systematically underestimated variance. Combining these phenomena into a scalar-justified, quantitative model permits precise inferences with credible uncertainties on noisy data. I describe the common model features, the implementation details, and the default behavior, which is balanced to be suitable for most astronomical applications. Using a forward model on low-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra of M67 stars reveals atomic diffusion processes on the order of 0.05 dex, previously only measurable with differential analysis techniques in high-resolution spectra. sick is easy to use, well-tested, and freely available online through GitHub under the MIT license.


: Five hundred lymph nodes taken from various parts of the body in 89 patients who had died of acute granulocytic leukemia at the age of 3 to 71 years were examined. The degree of involvement of lymph nodes of the same patient was different and depended of their site: more frequent and pronounced changes were found in submaxillary, cervical, and retroperitoneal lymph nodes, less marked in inguinal and mesenterial nodes. The earliest infiltrates of oxidase-positive cells appeared in hilus fat around small arteries, then in the medullary part and, finally, in the cortex. In sinuses, the oxidase-positive cells accumulated later than in the medullary part, were more mature and sometimes were phagocytized by histocytes. A direct correlation between the degree of myeloid infiltration in the lymph nodes and the number of leukocytes in the peripheral blood was observed. These results and data of the literature suggest a metastatic genesis of myeloid infiltrates.


We explicitly show how to simulate time-dependent sparse Hamiltonian evolution on a quantum computer, with complexity that is close to linear in the evolution time. The complexity also depends on the magnitude of the derivatives of the Hamiltonian. We propose a range of techniques to simulate Hamiltonians with badly behaved derivatives. These include using adaptive time steps, adapting the order of the integrators, and omitting regions about discontinuities. The complexity of the algorithm is quantified by calls to an oracle, which yields information about the Hamiltonian, and accounts for all computational resources. We explicitly determine the number of bits of output that this oracle needs to provide, and show how to efficiently perform the required 1-sparse unitary operations using these bits. We also account for discretization error in the time, as well as accounting for Hamiltonians that are a sum of terms that are sparse in different bases.


Introduction: Bambuterol is a long-acting b2-adrenoceptor agonist used in the treatment of asthma. It is a prodrug of terbutaline. Monograph of bambuterol hydrochloride describes non-aqueous titration for the estimation of bambuterol (B.P., 2001). Till date, simultaneous estimation of bambuterol hydrochloride and montelukast in distilled water, methanol, and chloroform by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric method has been reported. Hence, the proposed method for the estimation of bambuterol hydrochloride in various buffers and solvent system was developed. Materials and Methods: Various solutions used during the study were freshly prepared. Distilled water, hydrochloric acid (Ramkem LR grade), potassium chloride (Qualigens AR grade), potassium dihyrogen phosphate (CDH LR), disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride (S.D. Fine Chem., extra pure), ethanol (Changshu Hongsheng Fine Chemical, AR), petroleum ether 60–80°C (Qualigen), and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) (Sisco Research Laboratories, extra pure) were used in the study. All the glasswares used were of borosilicate glass and were validated. Bambuterol hydrochloride was purchased from Yarrow Chem Products, Mumbai. UV-1800 Shimadzu spectrophotometer was used for the study. A simple, accurate, precise, and rapid UV spectrophotometric method was developed for the estimation of bambuterol hydrochloride in distilled water, pH 1.2 buffer, pH 6.8 buffer, pH 7.4 buffer, 90% v/v ethanol, IPA, and petroleum ether-ethanol (50%v/v) solution. Results: Bambuterol hydrochloride showed maximum absorbance at 264 nm in distilled water, pH 1.2 buffer, pH 6.8 buffer, pH 7.4 buffer, petroleum ether-ethanol (50%v/v) solution, and maximum absorbance at 265 nm in 90% ethanol and IPA. The proposed method is simple, rapid, and economical and R2 value indicates good linearity. The method was validated statistically (P < 0.05). Further, the drug was found to be stable up to 24 h in various media studied. Conclusion: The method can be useful in the estimation of the content of bambuterol hydrochloride in the raw material and commercial tablet preparation. The method can be applied for the estimation of drug in dissolution studies at gastric and intestinal pH and estimation of drug content in oils and other water immiscible media.


ABSTRACT The DNA genome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates via reverse transcription within capsids following the encapsidation of an RNA template, the pregenomic RNA (pgRNA). We previously demonstrated that the 5′ cap proximity of the stem-loop structure (ε or epsilon), an encapsidation signal, is critically important for the encapsidation of the pgRNA (J. K. Jeong, G. S. Yoon, and W. S. Ryu, J. Virol. 74:5502-5508, 2000). Therefore, we speculated that the viral polymerase (Pol), while bound to the 5′ ε stem-loop structure, could recognize the cap via its interaction with eIF4E, a eukaryotic translation initiation factor. Our data showed the direct interaction between HBV Pol and eIF4E, as measured by coimmunoprecipitation. Further, we demonstrated that eIF4E interacts with the Pol-ε ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) rather than Pol alone, resulting in eIF4E-Pol-ε RNP complex formation. In addition, we asked whether eIF4E remains engaged to the Pol-ε RNP complex during nucleocapsid assembly. Density gradient analysis revealed that eIF4E indeed was incorporated into nucleocapsids. It is of great importance to uncover whether the incorporated eIF4E contributes to viral reverse transcription or other steps in the HBV life cycle.


The twelve refereed publications (drawn from over eighty-five journal articles and a number of books and books chapters) which form the basis of this PhD each deal with an environmental and social problem that poses some regulatory or competition issues. They may be contended to have arisen due to a range of market failures that can warrant intervention. In some cases they are argued to challenge market conduct and/or regulatory practice. The selection of papers is in my judgement broadly reflective of the range of topics investigated throughout my research career and also chosen to include early work as well as some of my most recent and ongoing work. A wide range of research methods are used and all of the publications are to varying degrees considered to be policy relevant. The submitted work includes primarily theoretical or conceptual studies, critical policy assessments, as well as studies reporting empirical work drawing either on quantitative or qualitative modes of analysis, or some combination of the two. Most of the research has been undertaken in a UK setting though some took place in a South African setting and all are explored within the framework of the available international literature.
The first part of the thesis commentary provides an introduction with personal background, an explanation of the thesis structure and a review of the relevant literature, highlighting the key work informing the selected articles and explaining the research context in which they evolved and developed. Then the commentary presents a reflective critical analysis of the selected articles. Finally the commentary unfolds a critical appraisal of the contribution of the published works to the field of study (including citation analysis) and in relation to some of the articles a more qualitative discussion is presented.


The implementation of infectious disease Point-of-Care (ID-POCT) diagnostics into the clinical environment lags behind the implementation of Point-of-Care diagnostics in other fields of medicine, especially in the field of clinical chemistry, where for example blood pressure and blood sugar POCT diagnostics are relatively common (1,2). In fact, the problems associated with the implementation of ID-POCT are numerous and currently include among others: a lack of reimbursement of costs by insurers, incomplete acceptance by physicians of the actual value of ID-POCT, and issues related to introducing ID-POCT into existing infectious disease clinical diagnostic work practices, e.g., coupling ID-POCT to existing laboratory information management systems, the establishment of new quality control and quality assurance schemes, training staff to perform non-routine manipulations, introducing new reporting procedures, etc.) (3-6). Additionally, although many existing and new ID-POCT devices are (becoming) available for clinicians to use, many of these have been/are being developed with a focus on adapting current state-of-the-art technologies to the medical environment, instead of focusing on the actual clinical need and then developing/adapting technologies to meet these actual needs (in terms of costs, ease-of-use, time-to-result, etc.). Performing research into the effect of ID-POCT, by for example measuring the impact of the use of ID-POCT in the clinical environment using parameters such as reduction in unnecessary antibiotic prescribing, shortening the length of hospital stay and rationalizing the use of isolation facilities, is one way of providing tangible evidence of the advantages, or disadvantages, of implementing ID-POCT into clinical environments. A recent study by Brendish et al. provides more evidence for the debate surrounding the implementation of ID-POCT into emergency departments and acute medical units (7,8).


"Bad terminology is the enemy of good thinking." Warren Buffett (1) In the last few years the use of nerve agent in the Tokyo subway by Aum Shinrikyo and al Qaeda's offensive leading to its 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon forced us to reevaluate the threat of terrorism to our art of operations. As a term of art, asymmetric warfare now dominates public attention. But many use the term with little understanding of its operational meaning. In this new strategic environment we had best heed the admonition of Mr. Buffett, the Sage of Omaha, and agree on a set of definitions that will provide our tools for analysis. In preempting the terrorist are we really dealing with asymmetry, or is something else at work? Thinking of the threat as only asymmetric misses the mark, especially if we have the concept wrong. The combination of asymmetry and the terrorists' ability continually to devise idiosyncratic approaches presents our real challenge. Assessing the distinction and interrelationship between these two factors provides us with the initial understanding requ ired to address the operational challenges. Asymmetry means the absence of a common basis of comparison in respect to a quality, or in operational terms, a capability. Idiosyncrasy has a different connotation--possessing a peculiar or eccentric pattern. In a military sense, idiosyncrasy connotes an unorthodox approach or means of applying a capability, one that does not follow the rules and is peculiar in a sinister sense. Actually, al Qaeda's overall strategy is not new. In the 11th and 12th centuries the Assassins, a militarily weak fundamentalist and extremist sect, used pinpoint killing to bring more powerful ruling groups to heel. Indoctrinating their young followers into an extreme and enthusiastic cult of Shiite Islam, they sent individuals and small teams out to infiltrate the inner circles of targeted leaders. These zealots worked their way into the retinue of the targeted official by gaining trusted status as a groom, guard, or servant. When close enough to the target and with no regard for their own survival, they murdered their prey with the dagger given them by their leader. The Assassins even managed to threaten Sal al Din the Kurd, the commander who drove the Crusaders out of Palestine. After Sal al Din's mail shirt foiled the first attempt, while on campaign a wooden tower was built in his camp to provide him a safe resting place. For the Assassins, dying in the attempt mattered not, since their ascension into p aradise was assured. (2) Sound familiar? Today, only the mechanism of attack has changed. Dispatching individuals or small teams with a mission to painstakingly infiltrate and develop an opportunity for attack remains a part of al Qaeda's technique. Instead of penetrating the structures within the palace of the ruler or the retinue of followers in the camp of a general, terrorist agents now weave their slow, purposeful way through international systems of education, commerce, and travel, accessing the fabric of democratic societies and exploiting our freedom of movement, information systems, protection of civil rights, and the general laxness in our public security. Instead of a dagger, al Qaeda's infiltrators began with explosives and then discovered how to reverse-engineer the technological mechanisms of modern society in highly destructive and murderous ways. Given our societal dependence on interconnected, technologically intensive systems, al Qaeda used asymmetric means to cleverly develop idiosyncratic attacks on its targets, thus changing our operational and strategic environment. History of Asymmetric Warfare To isolate al Qaeda's true advantage, we should begin with a look at the historical roots of asymmetric warfare. Military affairs are replete with campaigns won by forces with capabilities similar, though different by degree, to those of their opponents. …


The actin cytoskeleton is essential for a vast array of cellular processes and behaviors including migration, cell division, cell adhesion, intracellular trafficking, and maintenance of cell shape. Regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics is achieved through the actions of a diverse group actin-binding proteins. The actin-binding protein Apxl, is a member of the Shroom protein family, which also includes Apx and KIAA1202. Shroom, the most well-characterized member of this family, binds and bundles actin stress fibers and is required for apical constriction of the neuroepithelium during neural tube closure in mice and Xenopus embryos. Apxl was named for its similarity to Apical Protein Xenopus (Apx), a regulator of an amilioride-sensitive sodium channel. All Shrm family members possess at least two of three conserved domains; a N-terminal PDZ domain, a centrally located ASD1 (APX/Shroom Domain) and a C-terminal ASD2 domain. Because of its similarity to Shroom, mouse Apxl was sequenced and cloned in order to begin initial characterization of the protein. Western blot analysis has shown that mAxpl is expressed in the majority of adult tissues. Immunofluorescence analysis of frozen sections has demonstrated that Apxl is specifically expressed in multiple populations of polarized cells, such as the neuroepithelium, vascular endothelium, and the epithelium of renal tubules. The subcellular localization of Apxl was investigated and Apxl was found to reside at the plasma membrane of non-adherent cells and in the apical compartment of polarized cells, possibly through interactions with cortical actin or members of the apical junctional complex. Analysis of Apxl deletion proteins has revealed that the ASD1 domain is crucial for proper localization,while the requirement for the PDZ domain varies in different cell lines. Cytochalasin D treatment of Rat1 fibroblasts has indicated that disruption of the actin cytoskeleton perturbs Apxl localization. Additionally, Apxl directly binds actin through its ASD1 domain in F-actin cosedimentation experiments. Apxl is expressed in multiple polarized cell types where it binds cortical actin and localizes to the apical junctional complex. Although the biological function of Apxl is unknown, its expression pattern, subcellular localization, and similarity to Shroom suggest that Apxl may play a role in regulation of cellular architecture throughout development.


Background—Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has potent vasoconstrictor and hypertrophic actions. Pharmacological antagonists of endothelin receptors attenuate cardiac hypertrophy, have been approved for treatment of pulmonary hypertension, and are under investigation for treatment of heart failure. To investigate the role of ET-1 in the heart, we created mice with cardiomyocyte deletion of ET-1. Methods and Results—Mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of ET-1 are phenotypically normal when young. Remarkably, as the mice age or when young animals are subjected to aortic banding, they develop an unexpected phenotype of progressive systolic dysfunction and cardiac dilation. Echocardiography, necropsy, histology, and molecular phenotype confirm a dilated cardiomyopathy. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling analysis reveals greater abundance of apoptotic nuclei in the ET-1–deficient hearts. Transcriptional and Western analyses suggest enhanced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–mediated apoptosis with increases in caspase-8 activity. These ET-1–deficient hearts also have diminished nuclear factor (NF)B activity, resulting in diminution of downstream inhibitors of TNF signaling. Conclusions—Local ET-1 gene expression is necessary to maintain normal cardiac function and cardiomyocyte survival in mice with both age and hemodynamic stress. This cardiac-protective effect is mediated by paracrine ET-1 modulation of TNF-related apoptosis, in part through upregulation of NFB signaling. (Circulation. 2006;114:830-837.)