Attaining viral load (VL) suppression for over 95% of the people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy is a fundamental step in enabling Uganda and other sub-Saharan African countries to achieve global Sustainable Development Goal targets to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. In line with the 2013 World Health Organization recommendations, several sub-Saharan African countries, including Uganda, use a threshold of 1000 HIV viral RNA copies/mL to determine HIV viral non-suppression. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care deem this threshold very high, and hence recommend using 200 copies/mL to determine viral non-suppression. Using 1000 copies/mL as a threshold ignores people living with HIV who have low-level viraemia (LLV; HIV VL of at least 50 copies/mL but less than 1000 copies/mL). Despite the 2021 World Health Organization recommendations of using intensive adherence counselling for people living with HIV with LLV, several sub-Saharan African countries have no interventions to address LLV. However, recent studies have associated LLV with increased risks of HIV drug resistance, virologic failure and transmission. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide insights on the emerging concern of LLV among people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa. The review also provides guidance for Uganda and other sub-Saharan African countries to implement immediate appropriate interventions like intensive adherence counselling, reducing VL thresholds for non-suppression and conducting more research to manage LLV which threatens progress towards ending HIV by 2030.


The Central African Copperbelt is the largest repository of sediment-hosted copper and cobalt on Earth. Both metals are essential components of developing battery technologies and the 'green energy revolution', and as such, understanding the processes through which they are sourced, transported and precipitated in sedimentary basin environments is fundamental to securing future supply. This thesis presents an investigation of the physicochemical characteristics of palaeofluids from three world-class Cu-Co-(U) deposits in the Zambian Copperbelt, as well as comparisons with considerably smaller systems in the Kalahari Copperbelt (Botswana) and Munster Basin (Ireland). Pre- to syn-kinematic veins in Zambian deposits host anomalously high temperature-salinity brines with unusually potassic compositions and concomitant enrichments in the principal ore-forming metals. Later fluids are distinctly lower temperature-salinity NaCl-dominant brines with reduced base metal concentrations. Samples hosting dominant populations of fertile ore fluids correspond with those returning halogen ratios typical of highly evaporated bittern brines, whereas barren, later fluids indicate a component of halite dissolution. Stable isotope analyses of kinematically 'early' versus 'late' veins, as well as alteration assemblages associated with temporally distinct vein sets and structures support a model whereby highly evolved, potassic, bittern brines resided in Cu-fertile clastic aquifers for prolonged periods, acquiring high temperatures (>300°C), salinities (>35 wt % NaCl+KCl equiv.) and Cu-Co concentrations (102-103 ppm) prior to emplacement of mineralised veins. Later, barren fluids dissolved evaporites at the onset of basin inversion and were often emplaced as discordant veins with associated sodic alteration assemblages. Fluids associated with smaller-scale mineralisation in the broadly contemporaneous Kalahari Copperbelt share similar physicochemical characteristics with late NaCl brines from the Zambian Copperbelt, with ultra-potassic, fertile ore fluids apparently absent outboard of the Katangan Basin in the Pan-African belt. Mineralised and barren vein sets at the Allihies redbed Cu deposit in the Munster Basin display contrasting fluid temperature and salinity characteristics. Primary inclusions in barren, pre-peak orogenic regional vein sets yield moderate homogenisation temperatures (150-190°C) and salinities (~13 wt % NaCl equiv.), with cation compositions indicative of fluid-rock interaction within Devonian Old Red Sandstone aquifers. Later mineralised veins host distinctly higher temperature (~260°C), moderate salinity (~9 wt % NaCl equiv.) fluids with slight Cu enrichments. Zambian Copperbelt ore fluids are here characterised as anomalously high temperature and salinity brines with correspondingly elevated base metal contents. Few other systems appear to have produced the requisite geologic and physicochemical conditions over sufficient time periods to generate similarly fertile basin brines.


In 1989 the Crime Research Centre (University of Western Australia) and criminal justice agencies in Western Australia became involved in the INOIS (Integrated Numerical Offender Identification System) project. The principal aim of this project was to introduce a common, unique identifier for offenders so that a longitudinal database could be established that could "track" offenders through the criminal justice system. This paper explains reasons for establishing this kind of database and explores some of the conceptual and technical issues which arise. Central to the development of the database and, therefore, to the INOIS project, was the underlying need to uniquely identify each offender. This paper focuses on how record-linking techniques were used to achieve this. The record-linking component of the INOIS project is discussed at length, and results from trials and from preliminary runs of the linkage system are presented and discussed. Additional research and operational usages of such a system are also identified.


Evolutionary biology is in need of a yardstick or metric with which to measure morphological evolution in creatures as diverse as frogs and mammals. Two types of metric have been suggested to measure morphological distance, one based on quantal traits and the other on quantitative traits. Quantal traits are those whose state varies and is scored as 0 or 1 (presence or absence of a tongue). Quantitative traits are those whose state varies continuously (length of leg) and in this case the degree of difference between states is measured quantitatively. Findley (1) recommends that quantal traits be used for comparing the magnitude of the morphological difference between humans and chimpanzees with that between frogs. He chooses six quantal traits such that the state in Xenopus differs from that in Rana, whereas the state in humans is identical to that in chimpanzees (1). We present a counter list of six quantal traits, for which the opposite result is obtained. For these traits, chimpanzees and humans differ, whereas Xenopus and Rana are the same. Table I records the results of comparing additional pairs of species with respect to the 12 traits. Frogs belonging to different species, genera or families are identical for all 12 of the traits, confirming the hypothesis that phenotypically chimpanzees differ more from humans than one frog family differs from another. Most numerical taxonomists, however, would argue that 12 quantal traits are too few for an adequate test. As chimpanzees and humans are reported to differ by at least 312 quantal traits (2), it occurred to us to invite Findley to try to come up with a similar number of quantal traits by which Xenopus and Rana could be distinguished. An exercise like this could be entertaining, but it might not have scientific value. We are not convinced that it is valid to use quantal traits for estimating overall degree of morphological difference between species. Our skepticism stems chiefly from considering the problem of how to avoid bias in the picking of quantal traits. This problem is illustrated by the contrasting results obtained in the above example. Depending on which of the two sets of six traits one picks, the chimpanzee human difference seems either small or evolution (6) large relative to the Xenopus Rana difference. We feel that quantitative traits may be more appropriate than quantal traits for obtaining reliable estimates of morphological distance. It is well known from studies of quantitative genetics that such linear traits usually exhibit continuous variation in genetic tests. Furthermore, in our own morphological work with hundreds of species (3, 4), every quantitative trait examined varies in length both within and among species. Variability within a particular taxonomic group is therefore not a criterion for choosing among quantitative traits. Cherry et al. (1) have developed a morphological distance metric based on quantitative traits from all major parts of the body. The metric is monotonically related to traditional zoological estimates of phenotypic distance among frogs (3). Findley (1) seems to have overlooked the significance of this empirical demonstration of the utility of the metric based on quantitative traits. Regardless of the approach preferred, it seems from the information already available that, relative to differences among frog families the morphological difference between humans and chimpanzees is large. However, at the protein sequence level, the chimpanzee-human difference is very small by frog standards. As pointed out before, species within a genus of frogs usually differ far more from each other in their protein sequences than do humans from chimpanzees (3, 5). Thus morphological evolution and protein sequence evolution can proceed at contrasting rates. This contrast has important implications for our


Poisson's ratios and small-strain stiffnesses of three kinds of granular materials—fine, medium coarse, and coarse sands—were evaluated in the laboratory. Both axial and radial strains of cylindrical triaxial specimens were measured with a local deformation transducer and clip gauges. Small-strain (≈0.001 %) cyclic loadings were applied in the vertical direction at several isotropic stress states. We determined Poisson's ratio statically based on the local strain variations during the cyclic loadings; we also investigated the stiffness in parallel. In conjunction with static measurements, elastic waves were propagated. By utilizing the disk transducer method, we were able to measure both compressional and shear waves in a single specimen under identical stress states. Based on the received wave velocities of compressional and shear waves, we were able to evaluate both Poisson's ratio and the small-strain stiffness dynamically. We then compared elastic parameters evaluated both statically and dynamically for the geo-materials.


We develop a velocity field tracking-control scheme with proportional integral force feedback to transport and manipulate deformable material with a mobile manipulator. We assume that the deformable object is a damped underactuated mechanical system. The input-to-state stability properties of its zero dynamics are used to derive bounds on the admissible end-effector velocities and accelerations. It is shown both analytically and in simulation that using deformation feedback, we can avoid exciting excessive object deformations.


Ion channels are pore-forming proteins that regulate the flow of ions across biological cell membranes. Ion channels are
fundamental in generating and regulating the electrical activity of cells in the nervous system and the contraction of muscolar cells. Solid-state nanopores are nanometer-scale pores located in electrically insulating membranes. They can be adopted as detectors of specific molecules in electrolytic solutions. Permeation of ions from one electrolytic solution
to another, through a protein channel or a synthetic pore is a process of considerable importance and realistic analysis
of the main dependencies of ion current on the geometrical and compositional characteristics of these structures are highly
required.
The project described by this thesis is an effort to improve the understanding of ion channels by devising methods for computer simulation that can predict channel conductance from channel structure. This project describes theory, algorithms and implementation techniques used to develop a novel 3-D numerical simulator of ion channels and synthetic nanopores based on the Brownian Dynamics technique. This numerical simulator could represent a valid tool for the study of protein ion channel and synthetic nanopores, allowing to investigate at the atomic-level the complex electrostatic interactions that determine channel conductance and ion selectivity. Moreover it will provide insights on how parameters like temperature, applied voltage, and pore shape could influence ion translocation dynamics. Furthermore it will help making predictions of conductance of given channel structures and it will add information like electrostatic potential or ionic concentrations throughout the simulation domain helping the understanding of ion flow through membrane pores.


The photocatalytic water oxidation to evolve O2 was performed by photoirradiation (λ > 420 nm) of an aqueous solution containing [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), Na2S2O8 and water-soluble cobalt complexes with various organic ligands as precatalysts in the pH range of 6.0–10. The turnover numbers (TONs) based on the amount of Co for the photocatalytic O2 evolution with [CoII(Me6tren)(OH2)]2+ (1) and [CoIII(Cp*)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ (2) [Me6tren = tris(N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl)amine, Cp* = η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl] at pH 9.0 reached 420 and 320, respectively. The evolved O2 yield increased in proportion to concentrations of precatalysts 1 and 2 up to 0.10 mM. However, the O2 yield dramatically decreased when the concentration of precatalysts 1 and 2 exceeded 0.10 mM. When the concentration of Na2S2O8 was increased from 10 mM to 50 mM, CO2 evolution was observed during the photocatalytic water oxidation. These results indicate that a part of the organic ligands of 1 and 2 were oxidized to evolve CO2 during the photocatalytic reaction. The degradation of complex 2 under photocatalytic conditions and the oxidation of Me6tren ligand of 1 by [Ru(bpy)3]3+ were confirmed by 1H NMR measurements. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments indicate the formation of particles with diameters of around 20 ± 10 nm and 200 ± 100 nm during the photocatalytic water oxidation with 1 and 2, respectively. The particle sizes determined by DLS agreed with those of the secondary particles observed by TEM. The XPS measurements of the formed particles suggest that the surface of the particles is covered with cobalt hydroxides, which could be converted to active species containing high-valent cobalt ions during the photocatalytic water oxidation. The recovered nanoparticles produced from 1 act as a robust catalyst for the photocatalytic water oxidation.


ABSTRACT Robust isotopic reconstructions of climate, elevation, and biology require a reasonable capture of the range of isotopic variability across a paleolandscape. Here, we illustrate how integrating multiple proxies derived from a variety of paleoenvironments aids in this effort. We determined &dgr;18O and &dgr;13C values from lake and soil carbonates, unionid shells, gar scales, and crocodile teeth from multiple depositional environments (lakes, soils, ponds, streams, and large rivers) spanning a 300 km proximal-to-distal transect within the Late Cretaceous foreland basin of Montana. Two major patterns emerge. First, quiet water environments display higher &dgr;18O and lower &dgr;13C values than large rivers, which indicates greater input from local precipitation compared to high-altitude runoff, and a relatively larger contribution of degraded vegetative matter to the dissolved inorganic carbon load. Second, proxies with seasonal biases toward late spring and summer growth display lower &dgr;18O and &dgr;13C values in the basin proximal setting compared to the distal coastal setting, which is linked to the rainout history of vapor masses moving across the foreland basin. Overall these isotopic patterns mirror those in modern catchments, support hypotheses of monsoonal rainfall within the basin, and suggest a hypsometric mean elevation of ∼2.6 km within the Sevier orogenic belt. Furthermore, our results indicate a potential to subdivide freshwater paleoecosystems to refine paleobiologic studies of habitat preference and migration patterns.


SUMMARY: Uranyl actetate staining of thin sections allowed a distinction to be made between cell wall material that contains teichoic acid and that which contains teichuronic acid. The stain was used to study the pattern of wall assembly in Bacillus subtilis undergoing transitions between growth conditions leading to incorporation of the different anionic polymers. The results showed that new material is incorporated along the inner surface of the cylindrical region of the wall confirming, by a more direct method, results obtained earlier with teichoic acid specific phages. New material appears to be evenly distributed along the inner surface and no evidence was obtained for the presence of specific zones of incorporation.


This paper proposes a generalized method for the generation of space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) signals for multilevel inverters. In the proposed method, the actual sector containing the tip of the reference space vector need not be identified. A method is presented to identify the center of a sub hexagon containing the reference space vector. Using the center of the sub hexagon, the reference space vector is mapped to the innermost sub hexagon, and the switching sequence corresponding to a two-level inverter is determined. A new technique is proposed in this paper, by which these two-level vectors are translated to the switching vectors of the multilevel inverter by adding the center of the sub hexagon to the two-level vectors. The proposed method can be extended to any n-level inverter, and a generalized algorithm is proposed. The scheme is explained for a five-level inverter, and experimental results are presented for a three-level inverter and seven- level Inverter. Index Terms—multilevel inverter, reverse mapping, space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM).


Coronaviruses can infect several animal species including cattle, pigs, dogs, and cats resulting in diseases related to respiratory and gastrointestinal systems In humans, coronaviruses generally cause mild to moderate illnesses of the respiratory tract Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which emerged during 2002/03 and 2012/13 respectively, caused severe respiratory illnesses in humans In December 2019, a novel respiratory coronavirus, SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from Wuhan, China and caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Owing to the rapid spread of this virus, World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic, which claimed over 300,000 lives by 16th May 2020 Data available so far indicate that COVID-19-associated severe illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths are more common in elderly above 65 years of age;in men;and in individuals with underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes SARS-CoV-2 is considered to be emerged from bats and likely involved certain, yet to be identified, intermediate animal host Prevention and control of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and possible disease outbreaks in the future by other emerging and reemerging pathogens, requires efficient implementation of one health strategy that utilizes the expertise of human, animal and environmental health sectors


Molecular biological methods such as in situ hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have confirmed the pathogenetic role of enteroviruses and primarily coxsackieviruses of group B (CVB) in the induction and maintenance of inflammatory cardiomyopathy. More recently, additional viruses such as adenoviruses (ADV), various herpes viruses and increasingly parvovirus B19 (PVB19) have been identified as potential cardiotropic agents in the human heart. The different cell tropism of cardiotropic viruses implicates distinct pathogenetic principles. Whereas cardiac myocytes are target cells for infection with enteroviruses and adenoviruses with consecutive virus-induced cytolysis, PVB19-associated inflammatory cardiomyopathy is characterized by infection of intracardiac endothelial cells of small arterioles and veins, which may be associated with endothelial dysfunction, impairment of myocardial microcirculation, penetration of inflammatory cells and secondary myocyte necrosis.


This study adopts the case study of Najaf City, Iraq, to address the problematic of the urban form incorrect transformation and heritage loss. Focusing on the Najaf city, located near to the cities of Baghdad and Babylon, it is an ancient biblical city that was founded in 791 by the Abbasid Caliph HarounAL-Rashid . The city has a large number of historical and heritage values and it's the destiny for religion purposes, visitors and tourists. However the consecutive changes applied to the urban fabric, due to the lack of regulations and legislation, led to its destruction and to the isolation of the shrines, like the Imam Ali Mosque (PBUH), as buildings not integrated with the rest of the city. There are also present other types of issues regarding the buildings and the projects applied to new structures, where they are not integrated to rest of the city, as well as the buildings deterioration and the lack of maintenance. This paper focus mainly the issues present in the city developments, identifying them, like for instance the skyline changes. As conclusions, it is clear that the several development attempts were not well planed, resulting in a loss of great heritage and heritage values. Restoration and preservation are now processes that must be done in order to present even more losses.


Fluoxetine has been reported to increase carbamazepine (CBZ) plasma concentrations and cause adverse effects. CBZ-10, 11 epoxide (CBZE), the major metabolite of CBZ, contributes to the clinical effect and toxicity of CBZ. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of fluoxetine and its major metabolite, norfluoxetine, on CBZE formation in isolated perfused rat liver, in vitro human liver (n = 5) microsomes, and patients (n = 14), after either CBZ monotherapy or polytherapy with fluoxetine. In isolated perfused rat liver, there was no effect of fluoxetine (n = 8) or norfluoxetine (n = 6) on the formation clearance of CBZE (12.8 +/- 5.3 and 11.7 +/- 3.8 ml/min, respectively) or the intrinsic metabolic clearance of CBZ (6.6 +/- 2.7 and 6.3 +/- 1.8 ml/min, respectively). Studies on human liver microsomes confirmed that neither fluoxetine or norfluoxetine inhibited formation of CBZE until concentrations were > 20 times those found clinically. In support of this, there was no difference in the ratio of CBZE to CBZ plasma concentrations in patients also receiving fluoxetine when compared to patients on CBZ monotherapy; however, there was a trend toward a decrease in the apparent plasma clearance of CBZ. In conclusion, increased plasma concentrations of CBZ found when fluoxetine is added are not due to decreased formation of CBZE. Clinically, if fluoxetine causes an increase in CBZ levels, CBZE plasma concentrations will increase proportionately and contribute to the toxicity.


The ISO 9000 experiences of the same sample of organisations over a five year time period is examined in this paper. The responses to a questionnaire sent out at the end of 1999 to companies which had a reasonably long term experience with the ISO 9000 series quality system are analysed. These companies were ISO 9000 series certified before 1994 when the authors conducted their first survey on the same sample. The main aim is to explore the links between the motivation for undertaking the ISO 9000 series and continued certification, with the impact on the type of TQM practices that have been adopted after certification, and what kind of gains have been achieved. Challenges faced by these organisations over time are also addressed.


This volume is the result of a symposium held in June 1982 by research fellows in honor of Dr Harold F. Schuknecht. The editors have assembled (in 24 chapters) a well-organized and easy-to-follow selection of topics encompassing animal studies, temporal bone pathology, ultrastructural and biochemical stud ies, clinical investigations, and the results of applied clinical research. However, it is not an integrated or complete overview of otological diseases; rather, it represents the interests and work of the contributors, who are currently productive in specific areas of pathophysiology.


In order to improve the position of the Revista Medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social among the different journals, in this editorial we enumerate a series of recommendations to ameliorate the practices of the different actors who participate in the scientific communication process of this journal.


Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been shown to be superior to arteriography for measuring luminal stenosis and characterizing plaque morphology and content. However, IVUS has not been routinely adopted during endovascular interventions, which may be due to the added time, expense, and general perception of the efficacy of arteriography. The authors performed a prospective study to assess the utility of IVUS in a typical vascular surgery practice consisting of open and catheter-based procedures. Over a recent 7-month period, IVUS was used by one vascular surgeon during 21 procedures in 20 patients at the Emory University affiliated hospitals. The procedures included 11 cases of iliac artery angioplasty or stenting (with or without concomitant infrainguinal reconstruction), six diagnostic iliac arteriograms, three cases of supraaortic trunk stenting, and an innominate arteriogram. Useful information given by IVUS was noted. Estimates of the percent cross-sectional area stenoses of 19 lesions were made by IVUS and arteriography for comparison. In 6 of 21 (29%) of cases, information from IVUS changed or facilitated intraoperative plans that were made on the basis of arteriography. Three modified procedures included redilating an underexpanded iliac artery stent, dilating a fold in an iliac artery stent-graft, and stenting an iliac artery stenosis, all of which were not detected with arteriography. In three additional cases, IVUS proved to be valuable for precisely positioning stents in the supraaortic vessels when intraoperative arteriography was suboptimal. The mean percent cross-sectional area of the stenoses was not significantly different when measured by IVUS (43.7%) or by arteriography (49.1%) (p=0.42). IVUS is especially advantageous during complicated stenting procedures and supraaortic revascularization and should be available to the surgeon who performs catheter-based interventions. Diagnostic arteriography will detect most hemodynamically significant lesions, but IVUS can be used to clarify the anatomy in selected cases.


Floodplain development is associated with lateral accretion along stable channel geometry. Along shifting rivers, the floodplain sedimentation is more complex because of changes in channel position but also cutoff channel presence, which exhibit specific overflow patterns. In this contribution, the spatial and temporal variability of sedimentation rates in cutoff channel infill deposits is related to channel changes of a shifting gravel bed river (Ain River, France). The sedimentation rates estimated from dendrogeomorphic analysis are compared between and within 14 cutoff channel infills. Detailed analyses along a single channel infill are performed to assess changes in the sedimentation rates through time by analyzing activity profiles of the fallout radionuclides 137Cs and unsupported 210Pb. Sedimentation rates are also compared within the channel infills with rates in other plots located in the adjacent floodplain. Sedimentation rates range between 0.65 and 2.4 cm a−1 over a period of 10 to 40 years. The data provide additional information on the role of distance from the bank, overbank flow frequency, and channel geometry in controlling the sedimentation rate. Channel infills, lower than adjacent floodplains, exhibit higher sedimentation rates and convey overbank sediment farther away within the floodplain. Additionally, channel degradation, aggradation, and bank erosion, which reduce or increase the distance between the main channel and the cutoff channel aquatic zone, affect local overbank flow magnitude and frequency and therefore sedimentation rates, thereby creating a complex mosaic of sedimentation zones within the floodplain and along the cutoff channel infills. Last, the dendrogeomorphic and 137Cs approaches are cross validated for estimating the sedimentation rate within a channel infill.


Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in many countries of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and FMD-free countries face greater risk of incursions due to increased global movement and trade of livestock and animal [1]. In the Southeast Asia and China (SEACFMD) roadmap, the framework supports member countries to consider and improve their Progressive Control Pathway (PCP-FMD) stages (0-5) of FMD control and applies the FMD Official Control Programme recognized by OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health).


It is generally believed that magnetic fields of some neutron stars, the so-called magnetars, are enormously strong, up to 1014-1015 G. Recent investigations have shown that the atmospheres of magnetars are possibly composed of helium. We calculate the structure and bound-bound radiative transitions of the He+ ion in superstrong fields, including the effects caused by the coupling of the ion's internal degrees of freedom to its center-of-mass motion. We show that He+ in superstrong magnetic fields can produce spectral lines with energies of up to ≈3 keV, and it may be responsible for absorption features detected recently in the soft X-ray spectra of several radio-quiet isolated neutron stars. Quantization of the ion's motion across a magnetic field results in a fine structure of spectral lines, with a typical spacing of tens of electron volts in magnetar-scale fields. It also gives rise to ion cyclotron transitions, whose energies and oscillator strengths depend on the state of the bound ion. The bound-ion cyclotron lines of He+ can be observed in the UV-optical range at B ≲ 1013 G, and they get into the soft X-ray range at B ≳ 1014 G.


The historical development, pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical applications, pharmacologic basis for selection, adverse effects, and cost of neuromuscular blockers (NMBs) are discussed. The first NMB to be used was tubocurarine. During neurotransmission, acetylcholine is synthesized, stored in vesicles at the neuromuscular junction, released into the synapse, and bound to nicotinic receptors in the muscle end plate. For muscle contraction to occur, the impulse generated in a neuron's cell body must create an action potential that is chemically transmitted across the synapse. The postsynaptic nicotinic receptor at the neuromuscular junction is the major site of action of depolarizing and nondepolarizing NMBs. All NMBs have the potential for cross-reactivity at other nicotinic and muscarinic sites. Drug interactions most commonly occur between NMBs and inhalation anesthetics, certain antimicrobials, calcium-channel blockers, and anticholinesterases. When selecting an NMB, an agent's onset and duration of action must be considered. NMBs can be used on a short-term or long-term basis. Apart from cost, the choice of an NMB is made on the basis of its adverse-reaction profile, pharmacokinetics, and indications for use. Monitoring tools, their use, the rationale for their use, and the interpretation of the results they provide are unique. The patterns of peripheral nerve stimulation vary and elicit different characteristics of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade. The effectiveness of reversal agents is proportional to the degree of blockade. The mechanism of action of anticholinesterases involves inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. The expensive NMBs should be conserved for use in surgery, while the cheaper, long-acting [corrected] agents should be used in the intensive care unit. An understanding of the pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of NMBs will help health care providers gain expertise in the selection and use of these agents.


One of the enduring problems facing researchers of strategic management is the lack of theoretical foundations available to describe, explain and predict the behaviour of firms and markets. Strategic management theory seems to be strongly focused on empirical issues rather than theoretical and methodological ones. By contrast, economics, which, like strategic management theory, is interested in firm and market behaviour, may be particularly strong at theoretical and methodological issues. The present study develops the thesis that economic conceptualisations of the firm and of the market can help to further the development of strategic management theory. The study constructs theoretical linkages between basic propositions and assumptions of strategic management theory and those of economic theories of the market and of the fkm. The study builds such conceptual bridges between strategic management theory and economics by assessing (1) neoclassical economics, economics of industrial organisation, evolutionary economics, institutional economics, behavioural economics, and (2) the strategic management theories, namely, the positioning approach (Porter) and resource-based approach (Wernerfelt, Rumelt, Barney). By examining research problem orientation and hard core assumptions, as suggested by Kuhn and Lakatos, the study found that apart from neoclassical economics, other economic theories allow to substantiate strategic management theory in economic terms. In specific, the study explicated that there is a large overlap between economics and strategic management theory for explaining and predicting issues concerning (1) the sources of profit differentials (competitive advantage), (2) the reasons how differentials are sustained despite , competition, and (3) the conceptualisation of differentials as outcome of strategy following behaviour of firms under conditions of uncertainty. A b s tr a c t ..................................................................................................................................................... i Chapter


We investigated the prevalence and correlates of angina pectoris in 6573 men and women aged 20-59 participating in the Italian National Multicenter Study on Risk Factors for Arteriosclerosis. In both sexes, the prevalence of angina pectoris, as assessed by the Rose questionnaire, increased sharply with age (from 0.8% to 5.1% for men and from 1.7% to 6.9% for women). In all age groups, there was a higher prevalence of angina pectoris for women than for men. In men, a strong positive association was found between angina pectoris and myocardial infarction (both by self-report and electrocardiographic documentation) and self-reported dyspnea. In women, myocardial infarction (self-reported), electrocardiographic-documented myocardial ischemia, intermittent claudication, and dyspnea were all associated with angina pectoris. In both sexes, angina pectoris was positively associated with body mass index. Males with diabetes had two times the prevalence of angina pectoris as males without diabetes; in females, diabetes was only weakly associated with angina pectoris. None of other major ischemic heart disease risk factors (blood pressure, serum lipids, or smoking) was associated with angina pectoris.


failed to produce sufficiently secure evidence to allow them to conclude that in all infants of diabetic mothers growth is promoted to such a degree that "they should be considered to be at risk of the biochemical and mechanical consequences of macrosomia," and we express our concern that this conclusion may lead to an unnecessary and undesirable increase in the already high rate of caesarean sections in diabetic women.


BACKGROUND
With current techniques of plate-and-screw fixation, diaphyseal nonunions of the radius and ulna are unusual. The few reports that have been published have discussed the use of structural corticocancellous bone grafts for the treatment of atrophic nonunions that are associated with osseous defects. We reviewed the rate of union and the functional results in association with the use of plate-and-screw fixation and autogenous cancellous (nonstructural) bone grafts.

METHODS
Thirty-five patients with an atrophic ununited diaphyseal fracture of the forearm were treated with 3.5-mm plate-and-screw fixation and autogenous cancellous bone-grafting. A segmental osseous defect with an average size of 2.2 cm (range, 1 to 6 cm) was present in each patient. Twenty of the original fractures had been open. Eleven patients had had treatment of a deep infection before referral to us. The nonunion involved both forearm bones in eight patients, the radius alone in sixteen patients, and the ulna alone in eleven patients.

RESULTS
The atrophic nonunion was associated with an open fracture in twenty patients, suboptimal fixation in twenty-two, a fracture-dislocation of the forearm in nine, and infection in eleven. All fractures healed without additional intervention within six months. Two patients had a subsequent Darrach resection of the distal part of the ulna for the treatment of arthrosis of the distal radioulnar joint. After an average duration of follow-up of forty-three months, the final arc of motion averaged 121 degrees in the forearm, 131 degrees at the elbow, and 137 degrees at the wrist, with an average grip strength of 83% compared with that of the contralateral limb. According to the system of Anderson and colleagues, five patients had an excellent result, eighteen had a satisfactory result, eleven had an unsatisfactory result (because of elbow stiffness related to associated elbow injuries in three and because of wrist stiffness in eight), and one had a poor result (because of malunion).

CONCLUSIONS
When the soft-tissue envelope is compliant, has limited scar, and consists largely of healthy muscle with a good vascular supply, autogenous cancellous bone-grafting and stable internal plate fixation results in a high rate of union and improved upper limb function in patients with diaphyseal nonunion of the radius and/or ulna.


Aim: This study summarises the frequency of occurrence of various neoplastic lesions (benign and malignant) of the female reproductive system which includes uterus, cervix, ovaries, vagina, vulva and breasts in a rural tertiary care center in a period of two years.
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out in TSM medical college, Lucknow. Two hundred and twenty three formalin fixed surgical specimens of female reproductive system from Sep 2016 to Sep 2018 were subjected for histopathological examination under light microscopy. All neoplastic lesions were included and non-neoplastic lesions were excluded from the study.
Result: A total of 223 cases representing various neoplastic lesions of female reproductive system were studied. Out of which 186 were benign and 37 were malignant. Among total neoplasms 71 cases were from breast, 12 cases were from cervix, 102 were from uterus, 37 cases were from ovaries and 1 case from vulva. Out of benign, majority were from uterus 98 cases (all leiomyomas). Out of malignant, maximum cases were of Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma breast (10 cases) followed by cervical cancer (8 cases) and then carcinoma ovary (5 cases) followed by carcinoma endometrium (4 cases).
Conclusion: Benign tumour, leiomyoma is the commonest neoplasm in female reproductive system. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma breast is the commonest malignant tumour followed by cervical carcinoma.

Keywords: Benign tumour, Leiomyoma, Malignant tumour, Infiltrating ductal carcinoma breast.


Twelve propolis samples from different parts of Libya were investigated for their phytochemical constituents. Ethanol extracts of the samples and some purified compounds were tested against Trypanosoma brucei, Plasmodium falciparum and against two helminth species, Trichinella spiralis and Caenorhabditis elegans, showing various degrees of activity. Fourteen compounds were isolated from the propolis samples, including a novel compound Taxifolin-3-acetyl-4′-methyl ether (4), a flavanonol derivative. The crude extracts showed moderate activity against T. spiralis and C. elegans, while the purified compounds had low activity against P. falciparum. Anti-trypanosomal activity (EC50 = 0.7 µg/mL) was exhibited by a fraction containing a cardol identified as bilobol (10) and this fraction had no effect on Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (HFF), even at 2.0 mg/mL, thus demonstrating excellent selectivity. A metabolomics study was used to explore the mechanism of action of the fraction and it revealed significant disturbances in trypanosomal phospholipid metabolism, especially the formation of choline phospholipids. We conclude that a potent and highly selective new trypanocide may be present in the fraction.


Background: Intracavernosal injection (ICI) as a locally acting therapeutic modality has been tried since early 70s for the treatment of ED. Several vasoactive substances have been tried either a mono-therapy or in combination (i.e. Bimix or Trimix); whereas most of those mixtures were Papaverine based. Verapamil as a calcium channel blocker possess a vasodilator effect, thus it has been tried in very few trials as ICI either alone or in combination with Papaverine. In another perspective, verapamil was found to have anti-fibrotic properties; therefore it could have a dual benefit besides being a vasodilator. Methods: Hereby, our study was conducted trying to assess the effect of ICI of Papaverine/Verapamil mixture on penile erection as well as penile hemodynamics, compared to the traditional Bimix (i.e. Papaverine/Phentolamine) among a subgroup of PDE5I nonresponders (n=50). Results: Our results showed that there was statistically significant difference while comparing both mixtures (Papaverine/Phentolamine) vs (Papaverine/Verapamil) concerning IIEF-5, cavernosal artery dilatation, PSV and RI with P-values (0.001, 0.003, 0.006 and 0.003) respectively. Conclusion: Therefore, a bi-mixture of (Papaverine/Verapamil) could be a promising combination for treatment of ED via ICI with its dual-effects as cavernosal smooth muscle relaxant causing erection as well as anti-fibrotic properties.


Conflict resolution is a key issue to manage when dealing with diverse stakeholders. By analysing in depth the most relevant and implicit aspects of the construct "conflict", this study focuses on examining how the five main strategies in solving common disagreements are adopted by considering different conflict sources. Hypotheses are tested using data collected from both the academic and business world. Perceptions of project managers and team members allows the authors not only to find significant differences by role played or type of organization, but to narrow the design of future approaches to investigate the relation between conflict and project performance. More specifically, the research indicates that project managers adopt confronting and compromising styles in most cases as first options, highlighting the influence of responsibility degree factor in how issues are undertaken within a project team.


Selective mutism is a rare psychiatric disorder that usually has its onset in early childhood. This case study describes a patient in whom selective mutism developed in adolescence. It was later discovered that he had dissociative identity disorder. The study documents his history, which included violence, abuse, and threats to keep silent. The study suggests that in cases presenting with significant trauma or abuse, selective mutism may be a manifestation of dissociative identity disorder.


: Conditioned food aversion can be used to train animals to avoid select foods. Generally, aversive conditioning is best applied when animals first encounter a food item. However, almost by definition damage is inflicted to desirable plants very familiar to the culprit. We assessed the potential for training beaver to avoid a known preferred food. During a 5 day day treatment period beavers were offered only corn at 1600 hours. Six hours later, animals that had ingested corn were injected with 150 mg/kg lithium chloride (LiCl), with a control group receiving sodium chloride (NaCl). Alternate foods were then offered with corn to determine whether animals avoided corn when offered a choice. Animals that ingested corn were given an additional LiCl injection. Although beaver significantly reduced their corn consumption after they were treated with LiCl ( P < 0.0001) they also generalized the induced illness to rodent blox ( P < 0.0001). The combined effect was an overall reduction of food intake. There was no difference in the control group's intake of corn ( P = 0.189) or rodent blox ( P = 0.383) between the pre and post-treatment periods. We conclude aversive conditioning is probably not a feasible approach to reduce beaver foraging of preferred foods. of the Management Conference. Nolte, K.A.


101 patients (44 males, 57 females) with suspected intracranial infections were admitted to PUMC Hospital from 1988 to 1993. Their age ranged from 16 to 65 years (mean 29). Based on etiological categories, viral meningitis or encephalitis was diagnosed in 37.6% of the patients, purulent meningitis in 20.8%, tuberculous meningitis in 19.8%, cryptococcal meningitis in 5.9%, cerebral cysticercosis in 5.9%, infections of unknown etiology in 5.0%, and noninfectious diseases in 4.0%. During hospitalization, the mortality rate for cryptococcal, tuberculous and purulent meningitis was 33.3%, 20.0% and 14.3% respectively. This study also showed that cerebrospinal fluid examination was helpful for etiological analysis or differential diagnosis of intracranial infections.


N1,N8-Bis(ethyl)spermidine (BESPD) and N1,N12-bis(ethyl)spermine (BESPM) are minimally modified analogs of spermidine and spermine that deplete cellular polyamine pools by suppressing key polyamine biosynthetic enzymes. The consequences of polyamine depletion and the concomitant analog replacement of these pools were compared on two cellular DNA targets, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and a defined nuclear DNA episome present in 935.1 mouse fibroblasts. The spermidine analog, BESPD, depleted cellular putrescine and spermidine pools, but not spermine pools, and had no effect on either DNA target. Treatment with the corresponding analog of spermine, BESPM, resulted in a near-total depletion of all three polyamine pools and a greater than 80% reduction in the cellular content of mtDNA, without affecting the levels of the nuclear episome. Topological forms analysis by Southern blotting of mtDNA and episomal DNA from BESPM-treated cells failed to reveal any forms interconversion, indicating the absence of analog-induced single- or double-strand break damage to either DNA target. The growth-dependent loss of mtDNA is consistent with a rapid cessation of mtDNA replication and subsequent dilution of existing mtDNA copies by cell division. Similar decreases in polyamine pools and mtDNA were also observed in L1210 cells treated with BESPM. When a comparable level of polyamine depletion was produced in L1210 cells by specific enzyme inhibitors, there was no effect on the cellular content of mtDNA, and BESPD was not rendered capable of decreasing mtDNA levels. Because the analogs are structurally similar to the naturally occurring polyamines and would be expected to have similar binding properties, the loss in mtDNA may reflect dysfunctional replacement by BESPM at spermine-specific binding sites in the mitochondrion.


Abstract Commute stress is a serious health problem that impacts nearly everyone. Considering that microblogged geo-locational information offers new insight into human attitudes, the present research examined the utility of geo-social media data for understanding how different active and inactive travel modes affect feelings of pleasure, or displeasure, in two major US cities: Chicago, Illinois and Washington DC. A popular approach was used to derive a sentiment index (pleasure or valence) for each travel Tweet. Methodologically, exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and global and spatial regression models were used to examine the geography of all travel modes and factors affecting their valence. After adjusting for spatial error associated with socioeconomic, environmental, weather and temporal factors, spatial autoregression models proved superior to the base global model. The results showed that water and pedestrian travel were universally associated with positive valences. Bicycling also favourably influenced valence, albeit only in DC. A noteworthy finding was the negative influence temperature and humidity had on valence. The outcomes from this research should be considered when additional evidence is needed to elevate commuter sentiment values in practice and policy, especially in regards to active transportation.


This thesis seeks to account for virginity as the source of Mary's power to attract. The point of departure is the syncretistic culture of the classical world. Here, patristic use of Old Testament typology recognises the distinctive work of grace in Mary's virginity, thus allowing it to become the determining quality by which her experience is subsequently perceived and universalised. The thesis divides its exploration into the three categories by which Mary is portrayed in the gospels - woman, spouse, mother - concluding its investigation with the end of the nineteenth century and its new understanding of human identity in gender and sexuality. In each category the thesis attempts to identify ways in which the attraction of virginity has functioned through ambiguity (Mary as virgin and mother, mother and spouse of her son) as a positive quality of potency and freedom, rather than as a strictly biological human condition with negative association in contemporary culture. In order to assess the extent of Mary's attraction in periods that lacked the modern forms of articulating self-awareness, the thesis has considered the fabric of devotional practice in religious texts, art, drama and ritual, seeking to allow the perceptions of earlier periods of history (a medium in itself) to challenge our own. As expressions of attraction to Mary, these media have yielded an insight into the power of virginity as a statement of paradisal, heavenly life accessed by grace through male and female human experience. They have also shown virginity to be a source of power that can be exploited for political ends. Finally, the thesis suggests that the power of Mary's virginity has been subversive and liberating in Church and society, thus indicating its neglected significance as a statement about the ambiguity of our nature as human, gendered, and sexual beings.


Neural fuzzy systems can improve motion estimation and compensation for video compression. Motion estimation and compensation are key parts of video compression. They help remove temporal redundancies in images. But most motion estimation algorithms neglect the strong temporal correlations of the motion field. The search windows stay the same through the image sequences and the estimation needs heavy computation. A neural vector quantizer system can use the temporal correlation of the motion field to estimate the motion vectors. First- and second-order statistics of the motion vectors give ellipsoidal search windows. This algorithm reduced the search area and entropy and gave clustered motion fields. Motion-compensated video coding further assumes that each block of pixels moves with uniform translational motion. This often does not hold and can produce block artifacts. We use a neural fuzzy system to compensate for the overlapped block motion. This fuzzy system uses the motion vectors of neighboring blocks to map the prior frame's pixel values to the current pixel value. The neural fuzzy system used 196 rules that came from the prior decoded frame. The fuzzy system learns and updates its rules as it decodes the image. The fuzzy system also improved the compensation accuracy. The paper derives both the fuzzy system and the neural learning laws that tune its parameters.


According to the results of strength calculation of normal cross-sections of intermediate floor constructions the feasibility comparison of cost, labour capacity, consumption of concrete and reinforcement is performed with subsequent determination of the most economical solution of the intermediate floor.


INTRODUCTION
Anti-cholinergic medications have been associated with increased risks of cognitive impairment, premature mortality and increased risk of hospitalisation. Anti-cholinergic load associated with medication increases as death approaches in those with advanced cancer, yet little is known about associated adverse outcomes in this setting.

METHODS
A substudy of 112 participants in a randomised control trial who had cancer and an Australia modified Karnofsky Performance Scale (AKPS) score (AKPS) of 60 or above, explored survival and health service utilisation; with anti-cholinergic load calculated using the Clinician Rated Anti-cholinergic Scale (modified version) longitudinally to death. A standardised starting point for prospectively calculating survival was an AKPS of 60 or above.

RESULTS
Baseline entry to the sub-study was a mean 62 +/- 81 days (median 37, range 1-588) days before death (survival), with mean of 4.8 (median 3, SD 4.18, range 1 - 24) study assessments in this time period. Participants spent 22% of time as an inpatient. There was no significant association between anti-cholinergic score and time spent as an inpatient (adjusted for survival time) (p = 0.94); or survival time.

DISCUSSION
No association between anti-cholinergic load and survival or time spent as an inpatient was seen. Future studies need to include cognitively impaired populations where the risks of symptomatic deterioration may be more substantial.


Abstract Background: Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (thromboembolism) are frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with spinal cord injury. Diagnosis: Strong clinical suspicion and confirmation with objective studies such as color-flow Doppler ultrasonography and helical CT. Management: In most patients, anticoagulation therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is initiated when thrombosis is suspected, and continued if it is confirmed. Warfarin is started concomitantly, and the LMWH is discontinued when the International Normalized Ratio exceeds 2.0 for at least 48 hours. Duration of Treatment: At least 6 months; whether low-dose warfarin should be continued for an indefinite period is still under study. Vena Cava Filters: Indicated for patients who cannot tolerate anticoagulants because of active or imminent bleeding. Whether filters are ever indicated for prophylaxis is controversial; both benefits and risks have been emphasized. Retrievable filters may be preferable, but their safety and efficacy have not been established. The Future: A variety of new anticoagulants-including fondaparinux, idraparinux, and ximelagatran-currently are in clinical trials and may replace current agents because of improved efficacy, safety, and ease of administration.


Cationic brushes are powerful molecules for antibacterial purposes with permanent activity and mobility. Therefore, clarifying the characteristics of the brush structure and related interactions with microbial cells becomes important. In this study, two different molecular weight (Mn: 1800 and 60 000) polyethyleneimine (PEI) molecules were grafted on a polyurethane (PU) surface. Moreover, an alkylation step was performed to enhance the antibacterial efficiency by increasing the polycationic character of the PEI brushes. The surface potential of the PEI brushes was raised with an additional alkylation step. Nanoscale characterization of the PEI brushes on PU surfaces was examined in terms of topography, roughness, and surface potentials by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM). The nanomechanical behaviour of the PEI brushes was investigated in Milli-Q water and phosphate buffer saline by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The nanomechanical properties were directly affected by the incubation medium and surface properties. Additionally, polymeric brush–single bacterium interactions were probed by Single Cell Force Spectroscopy (SCFS). The antibacterial activity of the PEI brushes was probed at a single bacterium level with the Escherichia coli K-12 bacteria species. As a result, rupture forces between E. coli K-12 and the alkylated PEI grafted surface were calculated to identify the bacterial adhesion process at piconewton force sensitivity. It was found that, alkylated high molecular weight PEI brushes show the lowest rupture force (56.1 pN) with the lowest binding percentage (%5) against single bacterial cells. This study indicated that, increasing the chain length, charge (alkyl groups) and mobility of PEI brushes decreases the binding percentage and force at a single bacterium level, synergistically.


Institutional repositories play a central role as preservation and dissemination hubs for academic institutions. They are useful to increase knowledge access, measure science production and to make public institutions transparent. Repositories must ensure a back-and-forth collaboration with many institution parties, by setting up transparent workflows and offering services to encourage its use. This article presents the case of Universidad Nacional de La Plata, where a combination of policies, workflows and developments has been established to foster its main repository. Consequently an important growth in size, rankings, usage and online visibility has resulted from the joint effort of many parties


Through the research of an 8PSK demodulation algorithm including carrier phase recovery and clock timing recovery, an all-digital 8PSK demodulator adaptive to next generation digital satellite television standard DVB-S2 is proposed. The carrier recovery algorithm consists of a frequency detector (FD) loop and a modified phase-frequency detector (PFD) loop. Its tracking range exceeds one time symbol-rate. The Gardner TED algorithm is used in clock timing recovery loop. All algorithms are prone to hardware implementation. By means of analysis and computer fixed point simulation, the optimal parameter of each loop has been determined. The symbol error performance under AWGN is also presented. The result of simulations indicates that the demodulator performance of SER (symbol error rate) is close to theoretical value and the architecture is realizable.


Monostotic fibrous dysplasia is a rare lesion of the upper extremity, especially the hand. We present the case of a 20-year-old male patient with fibrous dysplasia of the middle phalanx of the right ring finger. The initial diagnosis was made by X-ray examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathologic confirmation was obtained during definitive surgical treatment with curettage and bone grafting. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jmc1146w


We consider a model of interface growth in two dimensions, given by a height
 function on the sites of the one--dimensional integer lattice. According to the discrete
 time update rule, the height above the site $x$ increases to the height above $x-1$, if the
 latter height is larger; otherwise the height above $x$ increases by 1 with probability
 $p_x$. We assume that $p_x$ are chosen independently at random with a common distribution
 $F$, and that the initial state is such that the origin is far above the other sites. We
 explicitly identify the asymptotic shape and prove that, in the pure regime, the
 fluctuations about that shape, normalized by the square root of time, are asymptotically
 normal. This contrasts with the quenched version: conditioned on the environment, and
 normalized by the cube root of time, the fluctuations almost surely approach a distribution
 known from random matrix theory.


Of the worldwide 415 million people with diabetes, India is home to 69.1 million cases, representing approximately 6% of the global population with diabetes [1]. Association between body weight and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is well known. Higher levels of free fatty acids in patients with central obesity increase the need of more insulin production and predisposes patient to insulin resistance [2]. Thus, obesity and its associated insulin resistance have contributed not only to increased prevalence of T2DM but also to a rise in the insulin needs of insulin requiring patients with T2DM. Despite the availability of several anti-diabetic agents, most patients with T2DM need addition of insulin in their treatment regimen [2]. Thus, insulin is an indispensable treatment option for diabetes management. Several and long acting insulin analogues are available for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The traditional insulin formulations (U-100) provide 100 units per milliliter. Apart from some endocrine disorders like polycystic ovarian diseases, Cushing syndrome, and temporary conditions like pregnancy, severe infection, and intake of steroid that cause high insulin resistance thereby increasing total daily insulin requirement, diabetes with obesity has been a common observation in outpatient clinics. Such patients in long run eventually develop high resistance and require ≥ 2 units of insulin per kilogram of body weight daily or > 200 units of insulin daily to meet their insulin needs. Such patients require high volume of insulin, in multiple doses which is painful thus leading to adherence issues.
Therefore, a need of insulin formulations providing high dose at the lower volume was felt [2,3]. In order to fulfill this unmet need, concentrated insulin formulations are prepared. U-200 i.e. r-DNA human insulin premix 30/70, a concentrated insulin formulation which provides 200 IU per milliliter is marketed in India. U-200 is a rapid-acting insulin analog which differs from human insulin in its amino acid profile [2]. The advantages of U-200 insulin include less intra-individual variability as well as reduced injection burden in individuals requiring high-dose and large volume insulin therapy with lower or similar risk of hypoglycemia like U-100 insulin [4]. Data on 24 hour glycemic control with concentrated insulin in Indian T2DM patients are limited. Thus the study was planned to study the 24 hour glycemic variability with use of r-DNA Human insulin premix 30/70 at concentration of 200 IU/mL in patients with T2DM.
This was a prospective, open label, single arm, two center, observational study conducted at 2 centers of India; Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala and Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai during October 2016 to December 2016. Adult T2DM patients between 18-70 years of age treated with regular/NPH or premixed human insulin levels were included. Adult patients between 18-70 years of age having T2DM for minimum six months and on treatment with human insulin (regular/NPH/Premix) on stable insulin dose since last eight weeks were enrolled. Patients with body mass index (BMI) less than 18 kg/m2 and more than 30 kg/m2, those with HbA1c > 9.5% or receiving any insulin other than regular/NPH r-DNA human insulin or on any insulin analogues in last one month were excluded. Patients with modification of concomitant oral anti-diabetic (OAD) medicines regimens or insulin dose in past three months, patients treated with Sulfonylureas, Meglitinide derivatives in last 1 month, history of recurrent hypoglycemic episodes or event of severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis/hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma in past three months, diabetes related moderate to severe complications, history of surgery, severe trauma, infection or hospitalization in past six months, pregnant and lactating women were also excluded from the study. Before enrollment, informed consent was obtained from eligible patients. The study was initiated after receiving approval from the Independent Ethics Committee.
The demographics, medical history, dietary history, current insulin regimen, concomitant OADs and treatment history were recorded. Variability in 24-hour blood glucose profile was measured by a CGMS device. For this, all study participants were educated about use of CGM device (iPro2, Medtronic, USA). The sensor was deployed under medical supervision at study site and the iPro2 recording device was connected to sensor. All patients were trained on operating procedure of glucometer for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and U-200 pen.
All enrolled patients were treated with U-200 (r-DNA Human Insulin Premix 30/70 - 200 IU/mL) pre-filled disposable pens and cartridges for six days. The dose and regimen was continued as per ongoing regimen of patient. Existing dietary habits and physical activity were continued during study period. They were also be informed about possible adverse events/signs of hypoglycemia and advised to inform the investigator in event of adverse event/CGM device malfunctioning. Time of meals, time and dose of insulin administration and blood glucose levels at different time points were reported in patient diary by the patients till the next study visit. Minimum three readings i.e. pre-breakfast, pre-lunch, pre-dinner were taken at eight hour intervals for proper calibration of device.
The CGM device was removed on day seven (Visit 2) and CGM readings were recorded. The evaluation parameters included percentage of patients within acceptable glycemic range, Mean Amplitude of Glucose Excursions (MAGE) [5] and duration and frequency of hypoglycemic ( 150 mg/dL) episodes. Patients were educated about the CGMS device as the part of informed consent process and study procedure by the Investigator or the person designated by the Investigator. Used/unused cartridges and pen device were collected to ensure appropriate insulin doses during entire study period and adverse events if any were recorded.


The purpose of this study is to investigate adult learners' approaches towards Turkish Language (TL) and examine learners' outlooks towards the use of digital technologies for learning. It will also evaluate the impact of the Language Lab's model on learners' language achievement. Language Lab model is a system that is used for learning languages by using technology. It comprises a teacher and student console. The role of the teacher console is to offer the control purposes while the student console is given the facility to obtain the lessons that have been recorded. They are also required to listen to the pronunciations. An example of the Language Lab is the digital language lab (Saxena, 2012).The research questions of the study were based on whether attitudes towards digital technologies varied based on different backgrounds (i.e linguistic, educational, etc). There was also an analysis of whether the implementation of Language Lab's model motivated the Turkish as a Second or Foreign Language (TSL/FL) learners of Adult Education Programs (AEP) to continue their studies. During this assessment procedure, it was identified that students used varied technological tools (Kahoot and Facebook) that motivated them to learn foreign languages in an efficient way. In conclusion, it can be affirmed that with the adoption and the execution of the above stated technological tools, the approaches of the students changed by a considerable degree in learning TL within the classroom setting. It is thus worth mentioning that the findings of this study can encourage the TL teachers to use technology in their classes in order to turn them into more autonomous, student-centered teachers using an effective language method in TL acquisition.


We present two strategies to enhance the dynamical entanglement transfer from continuous variable (CV) to finite dimensional systems by employing multiple qubits. First, we consider the entanglement transfer to a composite finite dimensional system of many qubits simultaneously interacting with a bipartite CV field. We show that, considering realistic conditions in the generation of CV entanglement, a small number of qubits resonantly coupled to the CV system is sufficient for an almost complete dynamical transfer of the entanglement. Our analysis also sheds further light on the transition between microscopic and macroscopic behaviours of composite finite dimensional systems coupled to bosonic fields (like atomic clouds interacting with light). Furthermore, we present a protocol based on sequential interactions of the CV system with some ancillary qubit systems and on subsequent measurements, allowing to probabilistically convert CV entanglement into 'almost perfect' Bell pairs of two qubits. Our proposals are suited for realizations in various experimental settings, ranging from cavity-QED to cavity-integrated superconducting devices.


This study offers some important insights into clarify the role of external auditor in the limiting of practices the creative accounting and methods of manipulation practiced by the administration in the financial statements and the reasons and motives of this manipulation, as well as the statement of the most important tools that can be used to reduce the effects of the manipulation of the beneficiaries of the financial reporting, and to achieve this goal has been distributed (129) questionnaires were distributed on a random sample of certified public accountants in audit offices and licensees for them to auditing the Libyan companies as well as a number of internal auditors inside these companies. where, 103 of them answered the questionnaire, which represent (79.9%). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to generalize the results and conclude the findings. The study concluded to that the reliability of financial statements, neutrality, honest representation, possibility of verification, ethical values a significant impact the reliability of financial reporting. Where it was clear that the external auditors have spent enough effort to apply of methods and procedures adopted and act with a reasonable care in conducting an assignment.


Researchers and practitioners have paid much attention to the impacts of information technologies (IT). However, while studied at the organizational level extensively, the impact of IT use at the individual level receives less attention. Therefore, my dissertation is aimed at a deeper understanding of the impacts of IT use on the individual work-related performance. This research involves two Phases. In Phase I, I will reconceptualize IT use. Based on a comprehensive literature review, I found that IT use is obviously a critical concept yet previous conceptualizations of IT use are not sufficient. IT use has been measured primarily by the amount of time, the frequency and duration, and tasks completed. Other aspects of IT use should also be considered. Therefore, I first apply activity theory and other relevant theories to deconstruct and reconceptualize the too simply defined IT use. According to activity theory, an activity involves three major components: subjects and objects that are mediated by tools. Their interactions are also influenced by organizational and technological environments. Activity theory provides us a new perspective to analyze IT use behavior. In Phase II, the nomological values of the new conceptualization of IT resulting from Phase I will be examined. Specifically, I will consider the relationships between IT use and its antecedents (personal traits, perceptions, etc) and consequences (performance). This research has implications for both researchers and practitioners.


Academic work may have impact in a variety of ways, depending on purpose, audience and field, but this is most likely to happen when your work resonates in meaningful ways with people. Ninna Meier encourages a more systematic investigation of the role of writing in achieving impact. Impact through writing means getting your readers to understand and remember your message and leave the reading experience changed. The challenge is to make what you write resonate with an audience's reservoir of experiential knowledge. If the words do not connect to anything tangible, interest can be quickly lost.


With the development of the social State, services which were unknown in industrial legislation gradually entered labor law. However, this integration can only be admitted if the concerned workers can prove that the labor contract in question is characterized by a subordination bond defined by jurisprudence or assumed to exist by law. Many service activities are still done by self-employed workers who maintain commercial relations with their customers. The fact remains that this question is still topical. The progression of services rendered to enterprises, and more generally the transformation of labor relationships are likely to have an impact on labor law or its application. Already services' contracts seem to sometimes be a means of avoiding labor law, as in road transport. However, in the long run, transformations of subordination's link could challenge the borders between paid worker and independent worker.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Through use of survey methodologies and multiple regression techniques, the current study seeks to document relationships between employee trust, emotional intelligence and job satisfaction. The study reports evidence of positive relationships between major variables of interest. The implications of the study for current and future research are discussed. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Trust, Job Satisfaction INTRODUCTION Job satisfaction has drawn great attention from organizational behavior researchers (Robbins, 2005). With employees changing jobs multiple times during their careers, job satisfaction becomes such an important research topic of scientific investigation. A better understanding of job satisfaction and its predictors could greatly assist supervisors, managers and administrators to communicate with employee relations and subsequently facilitate organizational change. In the past few decades, job satisfaction has been studied through use of two major methodologies. The first methodology derives from a sociological perspective in which the emergence of job satisfaction is examined relative to the presence of a variety of environmental or situational factors (Dormann & Zapf, 2001; Gerhart, 2005; Heller, Judge & Watson, 2002; Staw & Cohen-Charash, 2005). The second methodology derives from a psychological perspective with an emphasis on how personality, dispositions, traits, self-esteem and motivations affect job satisfaction (Dormann & Zapf, 2001; Gerhart, 2005; Heller et al., 2002; Staw & Cohen-Charash, 2005). Research suggested that recent studies tend to focus more on personal dispositions (Staw, 2004). For example, several studies have reported that there were significant relationships between self-esteem, employee motivation and job satisfaction; however, these studies have neglected to examine two potentially important predictors of job satisfaction-emotional intelligence and trust (Dormann & Zapf, 2001 ; Dent, 2001). Emotional intelligence is an individual's ability to perceive, express, understand and regulate emotional responses both internally and in others. An employee with high emotional intelligence is able to respond appropriately to workplace stress and to the emotional behavior of his or her coworkers. These abilities are anticipated to greatly enhance job satisfaction. Moreover, research has already shown that emotional intelligence leads to high job performance (Bar-On, Handley & Fund, 2006; Druskat, Sala & Mount, 2006), long-term mental health (Ciarrochi & Godsell, 2006), better outcomes in work groups and leadership qualities (Lopes, Cote & Salovey, 2006), and organizational success (Mount, 2006). Trust, another critical predictor of job satisfaction, is defined as a firm reliance on the integrity, ability or character of a person or thing. Research showed that people are energized and motivated when trust is placed in them and they are recognized for their abilities (Kramer, 1999). A high degree of trust fosters increased interdependence in a work setting, since employees are more apt to rely on each other and work productively together. Two theories helped explain the function of trust (Skarlicki & Dirks, 2001). The theory of self-fulfilling prophecy suggests that employees will become what a manager expects of them. If a supervisor expects an employee to be trustworthy, and communicates this accordingly, the employee will rise to the challenge more so than if the employee is told he or she is untrustworthy. The theory of norm of reciprocity suggests that employees reciprocate benefits received. Employees who perceive that they are trusted will reciprocate trustworthiness in return (Skarlicki & Dirks, 2001) A high level of trust, evidenced by the ability of employees to work well together to achieve common purposes, is expected to increase job satisfaction. LITERATURE REVIEW Emotional Intelligence Mayer and Salovey defined emotional intelligence as "the ability to perceive and express emotion, assimilate emotion in thought, understand and reason with emotion, and regulate emotion in self and others" (1997, p. …


Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous explosions in the Universe and are powered by ultra-relativistic jets. Their prompt γ-ray emission briefly outshines the rest of the γ-ray sky, making them detectable from cosmological distances. A burst is followed by, and sometimes partially overlaps with, a similarly energetic but very broadband and longer-lasting afterglow emission. While most GRBs are detected below a few MeV, over 100 have been detected at high (≳0.1 GeV) energies, and several have now been observed up to tens of GeV with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). A new electromagnetic window in the very-high-energy (VHE) domain (≳0.1 TeV) was recently opened with the detection of an afterglow emission in the (0.1–1)TeV energy band by ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. The emission mechanism for the VHE spectral component is not fully understood, and its detection offers important constraints for GRB physics. This review provides a brief overview of the different leptonic and hadronic mechanisms capable of producing a VHE emission in GRBs. The same mechanisms possibly give rise to the high-energy spectral component seen during the prompt emission of many Fermi-LAT GRBs. Possible origins of its delayed onset and long duration well into the afterglow phase, with implications for the emission region and relativistic collisionless shock physics, are discussed. Key results for using GRBs as ideal probes for constraining models of extra-galactic background light and intergalactic magnetic fields, as well as for testing Lorentz invariance violation, are presented.


To meet the need of optical fiber photoreactor designed by mechanism of TiO2 photocatalysis, nanometer TiO2 was coated on the surface of optical fiber by dipping nude fibers into an Al(H2PO4)3-contained TiO2 slurry. Effects of slurry conditions, including content of TiO2 and addition of Al(H2PO4)3 adhesive, on coating thickness and quality were determined. Coating process, especially the effect of coating times, was also concerned. Based on the experimental results, fitting slurry conditions and process parameters were suggested for obtaining high-quality TiO2 coating on optical fiber surface.


Race and Crime: Early Writings 1. W. E. B. Du Bois (1901) "The Spawn of Slavery: The Convict Lease System in the South." 2. Norman Hayner (1938) "Social Factors in Oriental Crime" American Journal of Sociology." 3. Norman Hayner (1942) "Variability in the Criminal Behavior of American Indians." 4. Oliver Cox (1945) "Lynching and the Status Quo." Race, Crime, and the Disproportionality Debate 5. Alfred Blumstein (1982) "On Racial Disproportionality of United States' Prison Populations." 6. Ruth Peterson and John Hagan (1984) "Changing Conceptions of Race: Toward an Account of Anomalous Findings of Sentencing Research." 7. John DiLulio (1996) "My Black Crime Problem, and Ours." 8. Matt Delisi and Robert Regoli (1999) "Race, Conventional Crime, and Criminal Justice: The Declining Importance of Skin Color." Women, Race, and Crime 9. Hans Von Hentig (1942) "The Criminality of Colored Women." 10. Jody Miller (1998) "Up it Up: Gender and the Accomplishment of Street Robbery." 11. Jacqueline Huey and Michael Lynch (1996) "The Image of Black Women in Criminology: Historical Stereotypes as Theoretical Foundation" 12. Carolyn M. West, Glenda Kaufman, and Jana L. Jasinski (1998) "Sociodemographic Predictors and Cultural Barriers to Help-Seeking Behavior by Latina and Anglo American Battered Women." Race, Crime, and Communities 13. Robert Sampson and William Julius Wilson (1995) "Toward a Theory of Race, Crime, and Urban Inequality." 14. Albert J. Meehan and Michael C. Ponder (2002) "Race and Place: The Ecology of Racial Profiling African American Motorists." 15. Jared Taylor and Glayde Whitney (2002) "Racial Profiling: Is There an Empirical Basis?" 16. Barbara Perry (2002) "Defending the Color Line: Racially and Ethnically Motivated Hate Crime." Explaining Race and Violent Crimes 17. Darnell Hawkins (1984) "Black and White Homicide Differentials: Alternatives to an Inadequate Theory." 18. Ramiro Martinez, Matthew T. Lee, and Amie L. Nielson (2001) "Revisiting the Scarface Legacy: The Victim/Offender Relationship and Mariel Homicides in Miami." 19. Ronet Bachman (1991) "An Analysis of American Indian Homicide: A Test of Social Disorganization and Economic Deprivation at the Reservation County Level." 20. Marianne R. Yoshioka, Jennifer DiNoia, and Komal Ullah (2001) "Attitudes Towards Marital Violence: An Examination of Four Asian Communities." Race, Crime and Punishment 21. Marjorie Zatz (1987) "The Changing Forms of Racial/Ethnic Biases in Sentencing." 22. Alexander Alvarez and Ronet Bachman (1996) "American Indians and Sentencing Disparity: An Arizona Test." 23. Loic Wacquant (2000) "The New 'Peculiar Institution': On the Prison as Surrogate Ghetto." 24. Paula Kautt and Cassia Spohn (2002) "Crack-ing Down on Black Drug Offenders? Testing for Interactions Among Offenders' Race, Drug Type, and Sentencing Strategy in Federal Drug Sentences."


It is widely acknowledged that stochastic local search (SLS) algorithms can efficiently find models for satisfiable instances of the satisfiability (SAT) problem, especially for random k-SAT instances. However, compared to random 3-SAT instances where SLS algorithms have shown great success, random k-SAT instances with long clauses remain very difficult. Recently, the notion of second level score, denoted as score2, was proposed for improving SLS algorithms on long-clause SAT instances, and was first used in the powerful CCASat solver as a tie breaker.

In this paper, we propose three new scoring functions based on score2. Despite their simplicity, these functions are very effective for solving random k-SAT with long clauses. The first function combines score and score2, and the second one additionally integrates the diversification property age. These two functions are used in developing a new SLS algorithm called CScoreSAT. Experimental results on large random 5-SAT and 7-SAT instances near phase transition show that CScoreSAT significantly outperforms previous SLS solvers. However, CScoreSAT cannot rival its competitors on random k-SAT instances at phase transition. We improve CScoreSAT for such instances by another scoring function which combines score2 with age. The resulting algorithm HScoreSAT exhibits state-of-the-art performance on random k-SAT (k > 3) instances at phase transition. We also study the computation of score2, including its implementation and computational complexity.


At a local scale, such as the Clark Fork River Basin (CFRB), historic gold mining contributes the majority of mercury (Hg) found in the environment. Mercury enters aquatic systems in inorganic forms and is transformed to methylmercury (MeHg) by bacteria. MeHg has the ability to bioaccumulate within higher trophic levels, causing severe neurotoxic diseases and mortality. Hg concentrations observed within an aquatic food web are controlled by two factors, a source of inorganic mercury and the potential for that Hg to become methylated (methylation controlled by environmental conditions i.e.: water velocity, organic matter, etc.). A sufficient source of inorganic mercury and environmental conditions which promote Hg methylation can lead to maximum MeHg biomagnification. This study presents a comprehensive look at food web Hg biomagnification within the CFRB. Hg concentrations are characterized through blood or tissue samples from osprey, fish, and aquatic macroinvertebrates. Additionally we look at controlling Hg biomagnification factors, Hg of fine-grained sediment, percentage of wetlands and riparian land cover, and mean monthly discharge, to access the biomagnification process within the watershed and thus the Hg levels observed throughout these three trophic levels. Preliminary results show Hg levels of aquatic invertebrates have been found to be heavily influenced by the source of Hg (fine-grained sediment), while upper trophic level species exhibit a strong correlation to environmental characteristics of the sample reach.


Acoustic imaging provides opportunities for studying naturally occurring plumes in the ocean that are not available using any other measurement technique. An overview is presented of recent experiments that recorded images of naturally occurring plumes using high‐frequency sonar systems. These experiments, which involve different types of plumes, different scattering mechanisms, and different ocean environments, illustrate the value of acoustic imaging and form the basis for the design of future experiments and the development of new plume‐imaging sonar systems. The types of plumes considered include shallow submarine springs, plumes formed from hydrocarbon seepage, and those resulting from hydrothermal activity. The possible physical mechanisms responsible for the acoustic backscattering are considered. The advantages of computer‐assisted construction of plume images during and after an experiment are also illustrated.


The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a popular behaviour change model among psychology and social scientists. However, it is not generally applied in its entirety as only selected constructs are used in research. In an attempt to test its applicability for use in the 21st Century, the complete model is evaluated for its predictive quality relating to safer sex behaviour. Each of the model's original six variables were tested to predict condom use among 100 Canadian prisoners, behaviour prior to incarceration. Analyses included tests of chi-square and logistic regression. Findings indicate it is necessary to create a new factor of sexual "partner type" in order for the HBM to predict condom use. Condoms are generally used with casual and anonymous partners, but not with steady partners. These "steady" female partners are at risk for contracting HIV, STDs or Hepatitis from their partner if condoms are not used, particularly when a prisoner assumes the woman is "clean" and "won't give AIDS" to him. Such attitudes put sexual partners at risk for potential exposure to prisoners' own earlier risk behaviours. Educational development for marginalized women associated with the inmate population is explored.


Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) take a major human toll on society and reduce public confidence in the healthcare system. The current convergence of scientific, public, and legislative interest in reducing rates of HAI can provide the necessary momentum to address and answer important questions in HAI research. This position paper outlines priorities for a national approach to HAIs: scrutinizing the science base, developing a prioritized research agenda, conducting studies that address the questions that have been identified, creating and deploying guidelines that are based on the outcomes of these studies, and then initiating new studies that assess the efficacy of the interventions.


Abstract Various childhood epileptic syndromes have been reported to reveal generalized symmetrical spike-wave patterns preceded by unilateral focal discharges. The thalamic rhythmogenic mechanisms responsible for spike-wave discharges have been intensively investigated leading to a better understanding of their anatomo-physiological substrate. We investigated the role of the thalamus in secondary bilateral synchrony on electroencephalography (EEG) in three patients with intractable localization-related epilepsy by performing synchronous single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and EEG analysis. The brain scan examination was carried out after injection 18.5 MBq/kg of Tc99m-hexamethyl-propyleneamine oxime at the same time of revealing bilateral synchronous discharges on EEG. The SPECT revealed thalamic hypoperfusion in all cases. In addition, the SPECT revealed hypoperfusion in the left cortical regions and ipsilateral thalami, corresponding to the EEG abnormalities in the cortical regions. These findings in this study suggested that the thalamus may play a role of secondary bilateral synchronization on EEG. Specific thalamic nuclei fire concurrent with cortical epileptiform discharges and are hypothesized to play a role in seizure propagation. Our findings demonstrated thalamo-cortical coupling by SPECT. In conclusion, the thalamus may play a crucial role as a pacemaker of rhythmic EEG activities such as secondary bilateral synchronous discharges.


In this study, we propose and simulate a high-sensitivity carbon nanotube sensor, capable of transducing protein-ligand binding, or more generally, macromolecular-recognition into a frequency variation of an electric current. In conjunction with small proteins like streptavidin the nanosensor can reach the sensitivity threshold, i.e. detecting a single molecule binding. For heavier, virus-sized particles the same device can provide a relatively accurate measure of their mass. In a first step, we focus on mechanical issues and characterize the sensor under several aspects both by molecular dynamics and continuous shell theory. The second part focuses on the transduction of the cantilever deflection into an electrical signal, and is achieved through a combination of Green's functions and spatial domain decomposition. The influence of thermal effects on the proper operation of the sensor is also discussed in conjunction with the construction of the current-displacement characteristic.


In order to assess theoretically the expansive strain of concrete caused by the ettringite formation and growth under the sulfate attack, some models are proposed to investigate the strain responses of concrete exposed to the sulfate solutions. Firstly, an 1-D nonlinear and nonsteady diffusion-reaction equation of sulfate ion in concrete is proposed; Secondly, based on chemical reactions between sulfate and aluminates in concrete, the expansive strain is obtained due to the ettringite growth resulting in concrete expansion. Thirdly, numerical simulations are carried out to analyze the formation process of the concrete expansive strain under the sulfate solution, and results show that the models can be used to predict the concrete responses with the diffusion time, such as the distribution concentration of sulfate ion, dissipated concentration of the calcium aluminates, expansion strain of concrete due to the formation and growth of ettringite.


: A combined histological, histochemical, histoenzymochemical and morphometric study of 42 articular cartilage samples from patients with different degrees of osteoarthrosis (OA) was made. Ten cartilages without pathology taken at autopsy were used as controls. A characteristic feature in case of cartilage destruction by OA is a progressive loss of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) from the matrix with its defibrination and uzur formation. Decrease in GAG content is associated with partial destruction of chondrocytes and the emergence of cellular clones reflecting reparative regeneration of the cartilage. However, even at the early OA stage the reparation is not adequate, as the GAG content in the matrix at the sites of chondrocyte proliferation remains decreased compared to the control age group.


Most biological systems are formed by component parts that are to some degree interrelated. Groups of parts that are more associated among themselves and are relatively autonomous from others are called modules. One of the consequences of modularity is that biological systems usually present an unequal distribution of the genetic variation among traits. Estimating the covariance matrix that describes these systems is a difficult problem due to a number of factors such as poor sample sizes and measurement errors. We show that this problem will be exacerbated whenever matrix inversion is required, as in directional selection reconstruction analysis. We explore the consequences of varying degrees of modularity and signal‐to‐noise ratio on selection reconstruction. We then present and test the efficiency of available methods for controlling noise in matrix estimates. In our simulations, controlling matrices for noise vastly improves the reconstruction of selection gradients. We also perform an analysis of selection gradients reconstruction over a New World Monkeys skull database to illustrate the impact of noise on such analyses. Noise‐controlled estimates render far more plausible interpretations that are in full agreement with previous results.


The first year of life is one of the main survival bottlenecks for many fish species. Individual traits affecting survival can be morphological, physiological or behavioural. Body size, growth rate and activity have all been found to affect fitness in different organisms. However, the effects of these traits on fitness in natural conditions and for underyearlings are poorly investigated. In this study we attempted to induce compensatory growth in laboratory conditions in natural populations of brown trout fry (Salmo trutta). It was performed by exposing the fry to a period of restricted resources followed by a period of refeeding. Two behavioural trials were conducted on each individual where activity level was scored. All fish were subsequently released in their native stream and recaptured after a month to check for survival. We found that high individual activity level in an open field context increased the probability of survival under natural conditions. The importance of body size for survival decreased over time, and thus, with fish size. Full compensation was detected in body condition, while only partly compensation in weight and no compensation in length were detected during the experimental periods. Our results suggest that a brown trout fry's individual activity level is repeatable and can be an important trait for selection in nature. The instable interactions between activity and life-history traits indicate environmental effects on these interactions. Furthermore, if body size is not the only trait affecting survival, compensation in body structures may not be a fast response to increase fitness after a period of growth depression.


The amount of undergraduate medical education delivered in general practice is expanding rapidly, both in the United Kingdom and internationally. There are a number of challenges facing general practice as well as medical schools, health authorities and primary care groups, which must be met for this development to be sustainable. These include: impact on service general practice; resources; difficulties with integrating basic sciences with clinical teaching; recruitment, training and maintenance of GP tutors; quality control; impact on academic departments of primary care; and the importance of rigorous evaluation of educational initiatives. Possible solutions are discussed, such as development of university linked practices and the move toward a culture of 'evidence-based education', where all medical education is scrutinized for effectiveness.


Hypertension and obesity are two significant factors that contribute to the onset and exacerbation of a cascade of mechanisms including activation of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems, oxidative stress, release of inflammatory mediators, increase of adipogenesis and thus promotion of systemic dysfunction that leads to clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases. Seaweeds, in addition to their use as food, are now unanimously acknowledged as an invaluable source of new natural products that may hold noteworthy leads for future drug discovery and development, including in the prevention and/or treatment of the cardiovascular risk factors. Several compounds including peptides, phlorotannins, polysaccharides, carotenoids, and sterols, isolated from brown, red and green macroalgae exhibit significant anti-hypertensive and anti-obesity properties. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances on bioactive pure compounds isolated from different seaweed sources focusing on their potential use as drugs to treat or prevent hypertension and obesity. On the other hand, although it is obvious that macroalgae represent promising sources of antihypertensive and anti-obesity compounds, it is also clear that further efforts are required to fully understand their cellular mechanisms of action, to establish structure-inhibition relationships and mainly to evaluate them in pre-clinical and clinical trials.