The primitive protozoan pathogen of humans, Leishmania donovani, resides and multiplies in highly restricted micro-environments within their hosts (i.e. as promastigotes in the gut lumen of their sandfly vectors and as amastigotes in the phagolysosomal compartments of infected mammalian macrophages). Like other trypanosomatid parasites, they are purine auxotrophs (i.e. lack the ability to synthesize purines de novo) and therefore are totally dependent upon salvaging these essential nutrients from their hosts. In that context, in this study we identified a unique 35-kDa, dithiothreitol-sensitive nuclease and showed that it was constitutively released/secreted by both promastigote and amastigote developmental forms of this parasite. By using several different molecular approaches, we identified and characterized the structure of LdNucs, a gene that encodes this new 35-kDa class I nuclease family member in these organisms. Homologous episomal expression of an epitope-tagged LdNucs chimeric construct was used in conjunction with an anti-LdNucs peptide antibody to delineate the functional and biochemical properties of this unique 35-kDa parasite released/secreted enzyme. Results of coupled immunoprecipitation-enzyme activity analyses demonstrated that this "secretory" enzyme could hydrolyze a variety of synthetic polynucleotides as well as several natural nucleic acid substrates, including RNA and single- and double-stranded DNA. Based on these cumulative observations, we hypothesize that within the micro-environments of its host, this leishmanial "secretory" nuclease could function at a distance away from the parasite to harness (i.e. hydrolyze/access) host-derived nucleic acids to satisfy the essential purine requirements of these organisms. Thus, this enzyme might play an important role(s) in facilitating the survival, growth, and development of this important human pathogen.


In order to make clear the role of zinc (Zn) ions in the pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) the investigations of rats with the compression model of TN as well as on false operated animals were carried out. In 1.5 months after the intraorbital nerve compression the increase of Zn concentration in caudal trigeminal nucleus and (to a less degree) in hippocampus as well as behavioural and pathophysiological pain correlates were revealed. The exogenous Zn introduction led to an increase of its level in these structures simultaneously with the exacerbation of all sings of the TN syndrome. The addition of chelating agents Xydiphone which bound bivalent cations in soft tissues, into drinking water, normalized the Zn content in rats brain and reduced the pathological symptoms. The use of Xydiphone in the complex therapy of 25 patients with the TN tolerant to carbamazepine reduced the pain syndrome in 15 cases. Thus the local changes of Zn level in the CNS may play a certain role in the manifestation of the TN pain syndrome.


Land‐use change is considered a major threat to biodiversity. Species–area relationships (SARs), which are often used to assess biodiversity changes, assume that land use leads to the loss of natural habitats. Yet, in regions with long land‐use histories, such as Europe, many species have persisted in, or even depend on, landscapes heavily influenced by land use (i.e., countryside landscapes). Here, we develop a SAR model that considers the conservation value of such landscapes, and we assess how land use affects plant‐species richness at broad spatial scales.


The reservoirs of the HIV display cellular properties resembling long‐lived immune memory cells that could be exploited for viral clearance. Our interest in developing a cure for HIV stems from the studies of immunologic memory against infections. We and others have found that long‐lived immune memory cells employ prosurvival autophagy and antiapoptotic mechanisms to protect their longevity. Here, we describe the rationale for the development of an approach to clear HIV‐1 by selective elimination of host cells harboring replication‐competent HIV (SECH). While reactivation of HIV‐1 in the host cells with latency reversing agents (LRAs) induces viral gene expression leading to cell death, LRAs also simultaneously up‐regulate prosurvival antiapoptotic molecules and autophagy. Mechanistically, transcription factors that promote HIV‐1 LTR‐directed gene expression, such as NF‐κB, AP‐1, and Hif‐1α, can also enhance the expression of cellular genes essential for cell survival and metabolic regulation, including Bcl‐xL, Mcl‐1, and autophagy genes. In the SECH approach, we inhibit the prosurvival antiapoptotic molecules and autophagy induced by LRAs, thereby allowing maximum killing of host cells by the induced HIV‐1 proteins. SECH treatments cleared HIV‐1 infections in humanized mice in vivo and in HIV‐1 patient PBMCs ex vivo. SECH also cleared infections by the SIV in rhesus macaque PBMCs ex vivo. Research efforts are underway to improve the efficacy and safety of SECH and to facilitate the development of SECH as a therapeutic approach for treating people with HIV.


Lesch–Nyhan disease is a neurogenetic disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. The classic form of the disease is described by a characteristic syndrome that includes overproduction of uric acid, severe generalized dystonia, cognitive disability and self-injurious behaviour. In addition to the classic disease, variant forms of the disease occur wherein some clinical features are absent or unusually mild. The current studies provide the results of a prospective and multi-centre international study focusing on neurological manifestations of the largest cohort of Lesch–Nyhan disease variants evaluated to date, with 46 patients from 3 to 65 years of age coming from 34 families. All had evidence for overproduction of uric acid. Motor abnormalities were evident in 42 (91%), ranging from subtle clumsiness to severely disabling generalized dystonia. Cognitive function was affected in 31 (67%) but it was never severe. Though none exhibited self-injurious behaviours, many exhibited behaviours that were maladaptive. Only three patients had no evidence of neurological dysfunction. Our results were compared with a comprehensive review of 78 prior reports describing a total of 127 Lesch–Nyhan disease variants. Together these results define the spectrum of clinical features associated with hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency. At one end of the spectrum are patients with classic Lesch–Nyhan disease and the full clinical phenotype. At the other end of the spectrum are patients with overproduction of uric acid but no apparent neurological or behavioural deficits. Inbetween are patients with varying degrees of motor, cognitive, or behavioural abnormalities. Recognition of this spectrum is valuable for understanding the pathogenesis and diagnosis of all forms of hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency. phenotypic variation for diagnostic assessment and treatment.


The spinal cord is a tubular structure composed of nervous tissue that extends from the brainstem and continuing distally before tapering at the lower thoracic/upper lumbar region as the conus medullaris. The spinal cord is anchored distally by the filum terminale, a fibrous extension of the pia mater anchoring the spinal cord to the coccyx. Protecting the spinal cord is the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), supportive soft tissue membranes and meninges, and the osseous vertebral column. Basic knowledge of the structure and function of the spinal cord and spinal column is essential for healthcare providers as the recognition of characteristic clinical signs and symptoms is imperative for the appropriate treatment of patients presenting with a wide range of clinical symptoms.


Daily and annually cycling conditions manifested on the Earth have forced organisms to develop time-measuring devices. Circadian clocks are responsible for adjusting physiology to the daily cycles in the environment, while the anticipation of seasonal changes is governed by the photoperiodic clock. Circadian clocks are cell-autonomous and depend on the transcriptional/translational feedback loops of the conserved clock genes. The synchronization among clock centers in the brain is achieved by the modulatory function of the clock-dependent neuropeptides. In insects, the most prominent clock neuropeptide is Pigment Dispersing Factor (PDF). Photoperiodic clock measures and computes the day and/or night length and adjusts physiology accordingly to the upcoming season. The exact mechanism of the photoperiodic clock and its direct signaling molecules are unknown but, in many insects, circadian clock genes are involved in the seasonal responses. While in Drosophila, PDF signaling participates both in the circadian clock output and in diapause regulation, the weak photoperiodic response curve of D. melanogaster is a major limitation in revealing the full role of PDF in the photoperiodic clock. Here we provide the first description of PDF in the linden bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus, an organism with a robust photoperiodic response. We characterize in detail the circadian and photoperiodic phenotype of several CRISPR/Cas9-generated pdf mutants, including three null mutants and two mutants with modified PDF. Our results show that PDF acts downstream of CRY and plays a key role as a circadian clock output. Surprisingly, in contrast to the diurnal activity of wild-type bugs, pdf null mutants show predominantly nocturnal activity, which is caused by the clock-independent direct response to the light/dark switch. Moreover, we show that together with CRY, PDF is involved in the photoperiod-dependent diapause induction, however, its lack does not disrupt the photoperiodic response completely, suggesting the presence of additional clock-regulated factors. Taken together our data provide new insight into the role of PDF in the insect's circadian and photoperiodic systems.


This article aims to contribute to the theoretical discussion about the rule of law and about its definition by looking at situations where the rule of law is put to the test – states of emergency. states of emergency and laws of exception have specific characteristics, one fundamental characteristic being that legislative power is shifted to the executive – in other words, democracies become less democratic. By analysing the principle of the rule of law in conjunction with the nature of emergencies and the structure of states of emergency, their interconnection will become more transparent. It will logically demonstrate that rules regarding states of exception concern only liberal democracies and that the rule of law has to continue its rule also within times of crisis. I will argue that there is no democracy without a conception of the rule of law and the rule of law only works in democracies and is therefore inapplicable to authoritarian regimes. Having established that, this article adds to the legal-theoretical understanding of the rules of emergency powers by elaborating them on the basis of the concepts democracy, rule of law and separation of powers.


According to the comprehensive detailed analysis of data such as, drilling core, logging and outcrop section, four kinds of sedimentary facies, namely, proluvial fan, braided river, shallow water braided river delta, and oxidative lacustrine, are recognized in Paleogene-Neogene of Maxian area in the northern margin of Qaidam basin. The evolution features of the sedimentary systems were analyzed in details: at the early forming stage of the lake basin (Paleocene-Eocene), proluvial fan -braided river depositional systems were developed in the study area. At the middle flourishing stage of the lake basin (Oligocene-Middle Pliocene), the main sedimentary systems were braided river-shallow braided river delta-oxidative lacustrine. Then the study area was dominated by proluvial fan-braided river-oxidative lacustrine depositional systems in the regression stage of the lake basin (Late Pliocene). The range of the depositional systems in low frequency sedimentary cycle was controlled by the multi-cycle tectonic uplifts and squeezing action of mountains around the study area. Paleoclimate and ancient landform controlled the high frequency change of the lacustrine level and supplied an advantage for the development of shallow braided river delta and oxidative lacustrine facies.


A fast and accurate algorithm for determining induction-motor transient behavior is presented. The fast components of the stator transients are decoupled from the machine flux linkage equations by a linear transformation. The resulting differential equations are then solved by using recursive algebraic equations, which require considerably less computational effort than existing methods. An example shows that the method is very accurate and yet uses less than 40% of the CPU time required by the exact model. The method could be useful in studies that involve simultaneous responses of many machines, such as power system stability studies, where optimal computational efficiency is desirable. >


The Cassini mission to Saturn carries a wide variety of instruments to investigate Saturn and its surroundings. Since Cassini is an orbiter, the spatial coverage of this mission far exceeds the few flybys made by earlier spacecraft. We focus on just one of the instruments, and conduct a preliminary analysis of data from five-channel waveform receiver (WFR) which is a part of the Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument (RPWS). Two electric and three magnetic field components are measured in the 3 Hz to 2.5 kHz band and recorded in the time domain. Interference from other systems of the spacecraft severely complicates interpretation of the electric field spectrum below about 1 kHz. To mitigate this problem we have applied a Blackman-Harris window with a strong sidelobe attenuation, but parts of our analysis is restricted to frequencies above 1 kHz. Various algorithms have been applied to detect and discard erroneous measurements.By analyzing the data we have produced maps of spatial variations in the measured power. The region inside about 9 Saturn radii was found to be particularly active, especially in the electric field measurements. Phenomena that have been seen in the data include dust impacts, electromagnetic whistler-mode hiss and chorus, and electrostatic electron-cyclotron harmonic (ECH) emissions.


Carbonaceous materials have long been developed to utilize "nano-spaces" and numerous guest species could be encapsulated. A remarkable fluorescence difference has been observed after newly designed pyropheophorbide-a-appended carbon nanohorns were incorporated in a cellular medium and confocal microscopy was employed for the determination of the intracellular localization. Our study supported the role of carbon nanohorns as carriers of photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents and their heating behavior was discussed. We have developed a theranostic platform based on photosensitizer-conjugated carbon nanostructures and this system has been applied in an animal model. In addition, a negligible toxicity of CNH-Pyro was found in body weight experiments and histopathological examination of the major organs.


It has been long believed that the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) binds to cyclin E or cyclin A and exclusively promotes the G1/S phase transition and that Cdc2/cyclin B complexes play a major role in mitosis. We now provide evidence that Cdc2 binds to cyclin E (in addition to cyclin A and B) and is able to promote the G1/S transition. This new concept indicates that both Cdk2 and/or Cdc2 can drive cells through G1/S phase in parallel. In this review we discuss the classic cell cycle model and how results from knockout mice provide new evidence that refute this model. We focus on the roles of Cdc2 and p27 in regulating the mammalian cell cycle and propose a new model for cell cycle regulation that accommodates these novel findings.


The atmospheric dispersion in an urban or industrial environment is well documented in the literature. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the dispersion triggered by rapid and short phenomena such as explosions. The presented research provides information about the pollutant dispersion caused by a condensed-phase detonation in an urban environment. Experimental campaigns are conducted inside a subsonic wind tunnel at a 1:200 reduced scale. An explosion leading to the dispersion of solid particles is experimentally simulated in free field and in a straight street under a controlled neutral urban atmospheric boundary layer. Exploding-bridge-wire detonators are used to disperse a micro-talc powder. The pollutant dispersion and the overpressure caused by the explosion are measured respectively through a fast response optical measurement technique and fast response pressure sensors. The effects of key parameters on the dispersion are investigated. Two gram-scale detonators are used to analyze the effects of the explosion energy. The effect of the powder is studied through two masses of a micro-talc powder. Additionally, the transition between the predominance of the effect of the explosion and the predominance of the effect of the wind is analyzed with three wind velocities. The velocity field of the dispersion is obtained for each time step through Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry. Similarly, the dispersion is investigated inside a T-junction to highlight the effect of an urban configuration on the pollutant release. This project provides a strong experimental database about dispersion driven by an explosion. A better understanding of the phenomenon can be used to improve industrial safety and security through more reliable predictions.


Carotid angioplasty and stenting is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure that may benefit from in vivo high resolution imaging for monitoring the physical placement of the stent and potential complications. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the ability of optical coherence tomography to construct high resolution 2D and 3D images of stenting in porcine carotid artery. Four Yorkshire pigs were anaesthetized and catheterized. A state-of-the-art optical coherence tomography (OCT) system and an automated injector were used to obtain both healthy and stented porcine carotid artery images. Data obtained were then processed for visualization. The state-of-the-art OCT system was able to capture high resolution images of both healthy and stented carotid arteries. High quality 3D images of healthy and stented carotid arteries were constructed, clearly depicting vessel wall morphological features, stent apposition and thrombus formation over the inserted stent. The results demonstrate that OCT can be used to generate high quality 3D images of carotid arterial stents for accurate diagnosis of stent apposition and complications under appropriate imaging conditions.


INTRODUCTION
To address suboptimal influenza vaccination rates among health care workers, the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently issued recommendations designed to increase the number of health care workers vaccinated against influenza. The purpose of the present study was to determine how widely these recommendations have been implemented and to identify important elements of successful influenza vaccine programs.

METHODS
The Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network surveyed 991 infectious diseases consultants. Infectious diseases consultants were asked about vaccination programs and vaccination rates at their respective institutions. Multinomial logistic regression models based on proportional odds were used to determine predictors of vaccination-rate categories. All program elements were significant univariable factors in predicting vaccination rates. Because the program elements were highly associated with one another, principal components analysis was used to find combinations of the covariates that would serve as optimal predictors of higher vaccination rates.

RESULTS
Most infectious diseases consultants indicated that the vaccination rate for all health care workers in their institution had a range of 41%-60%. Vaccination rates were significantly higher in institutions that required signed declination statements (P = .004). In the model based on principal components analysis for predicting institutional vaccination rates, only the first principal component warranted retention (P < .001). In this component, the program elements weighted the most heavily were (1) offering the influenza vaccine free of charge, (2) providing adequate staff and resources, and (3) educating targeted groups of health care workers. Requiring signed declinations was not heavily weighted.

CONCLUSION
Influenza vaccination rates remain suboptimal, and hospitals have not completely implemented the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee-Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to maximize vaccination rates.


Rapid response to alerts of impending or active volcanism is vital in the assessment of volcanic risk and hazard. The JPL model-driven volcano sensor Web (MSW) demonstrated such an autonomous response during a volcanic crisis at Nyamulagira volcano, D. R. Congo, in December 2006, quickly providing vital information to volcanologists in the field. The MSW was developed to enable fast science-driven asset command and control. Alerts of volcanic activity from around the world are used to trigger high resolution observations (both spectral and spatial) by the EO-1 spacecraft. Data are processed onboard EO-1 by advanced software (the autonomous sciencecraft experiment [ASE]). If volcanic thermal emission is detected, ASE retasks EO-1 to obtain more data. A summary of the observation is returned within two hours of data acquisition.


Researchers have long endeavored to understand whether teachers' evaluations of their students' mathematical ability or performance are accurate or whether their evaluations reveal implicit biases. To disentangle these factors, in a randomized controlled study (N = 390), we examined teachers' evaluations of 18 mathematical solutions to which gender- and race-specific names had been randomly assigned. Teachers displayed no detectable bias when assessing the correctness of students' solutions; however, when assessing students' mathematical ability, biases against Black, Hispanic, and female students were revealed, with biases largest against Black and Hispanic girls. Specifically, non-White teachers' estimations of students' mathematical ability favored White students (both boys and girls) over students of color, whereas (primarily female) White teachers' estimations of students' mathematical ability favored boys over girls. Results indicate that teachers are not free of bias, and that teachers from marginalized groups may be susceptible to bias that favors stereotype-advantaged groups.


The aim of this book, indeed, is re-reading the history of the Mediterranean basin starting from a double interpretative key: sea and border. In order to avoid possible misunderstandings it is good to clarify the sense of these two words, as the sea – and the Mediterranean in particular – is itself a border. The starting point is to re-read the past of the Mediterranean and to move the observation point from the land to the sea aims. This perspective wants to carry out a de-construction and to start the cancelation, step by step, of the consolidate ethnocentrism of our analyses, in the sense given to the word by William Graham Sumner (1906). It aims, in other words, at avoiding to look at members, structure, culture and history of local groups, other than one's own, with reference to their own values, habits and rules, as this interpretation of the other unavoidably spurs to overestimate one's own culture, devaluating that of the others.  Secondly, after this first approach, it is possible to build an interpretative model able to recognize what is different from one's own culture – the alien, the stranger – not as an enemy, but simply as "different". This process has a dedicated place: the border, namely the place where diversities come into contact, where contamination is accepted, a territory where what is different does not scare, as the otherness is lived as an opportunity, the contamination is an occasion of growth, the hybrid is the rule.


Epigenetic effects on psychiatric traits remain relatively under‐studied, and it remains unclear what the sizes of individual epigenetic effects may be, or how they vary between different clinical populations. The gene LRRTM1 (chromosome 2p12) has previously been linked and associated with schizophrenia in a parent‐of‐origin manner in a set of affected siblings (LOD = 4.72), indirectly suggesting a disruption of paternal imprinting at this locus in these families. From the same set of siblings that originally showed strong linkage at this locus, we analyzed 99 individuals using 454‐bisulfite sequencing, from whole blood DNA, to measure the level of DNA methylation in the promoter region of LRRTM1. We also assessed seven additional loci that would be informative to compare. Paternal identity‐by‐descent sharing at LRRTM1, within sibling pairs, was linked to their similarity of methylation at the gene's promoter. Reduced methylation at the promoter showed a significant association with schizophrenia. Sibling pairs concordant for schizophrenia showed more similar methylation levels at the LRRTM1 promoter than diagnostically discordant pairs. The alleles of common SNPs spanning the locus did not explain this epigenetic linkage, which can therefore be considered as largely independent of DNA sequence variation and would not be detected in standard genetic association analysis. Our data suggest that hypomethylation at the LRRTM1 promoter, particularly of the paternally inherited allele, was a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia in this set of siblings affected with familial schizophrenia, and that had previously showed linkage at this locus in an affected‐sib‐pair context. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Thixocasting or semi-solid casting is an alternative to the traditional casting processes. A numerical simulation of these methods is useful to define the real process. A new test concept will be presented to determine parameters, such as temperature and rates, as well as the die filling and solidification processes. The simulation tools permit us to understand better the processes, to predict and to eliminate potential defects before they take place. The studied component is a steering knuckle made of an A357 aluminium alloy. The microstructure is characterized by optical microscopy. It has been preceded to the development of a model based on the experimental data, it has been defined to the semi-solid as an homogeneous material with thixotropic properties, and the microstructure is a structural parameter. The results are compared with real tests.


Background/Aims: It is not yet established whether statins (lipophilic or hydrophilic) reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and, if so, by differentially modifying brain lipid levels. Our aim was to assess changes in brain cholesterol metabolism as reflected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) before and after treatment with either atorvastatin or simvastatin. Methods: We carried out a longitudinal analysis of CSF cholesterol, lathosterol and 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol before and after treatment with maximum doses of statins in 10 asymptomatic subjects, 8 of whom were heterozygous for apolipoprotein E ε4, and in 6 presymptomatic PS1 subjects. Results: Statins initially reduced CSF lathosterol cholesterol and 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol in both PS1 and non-PS1 subjects reaching a nadir at 6–7 months, followed by a return to baseline at 15 months with an overshoot at 2 years, tending to return to baseline thereafter. Conclusions: Possible long-term protective effects of statins are not likely largely related to the temporally-dependent biphasic effects of statin therapy upon the magnitude and direction of changes in CSF lipid levels and their subsequent return to baseline levels.


Over the past five years, the use of mobile and wireless technology in public spaces of cities around the country has grown exponentially. There has been little analysis of the ways in which the use of the wireless Internet via WiFi may differ from that of the wireline Internet. This paper compares the results from a six-month survey of the use of WiFi hotspots in New York, Budapest and Montreal. It is hoped that further analysis of these survey results will contribute to a more acute understanding of the ways in which the user patterns of particular modes of Internet access may differ internationally. The major research questions addressed in this paper are: 1) How is WiFi being used in public spaces, by whom, where, for what purposes?; 2) How does the use of WiFi differ from other communication technology?; and, 3) How is the use of WiFi similar or different across cities internationally? This paper makes the following arguments based on the survey data: first, WiFi is an important factor in attracting people to specific locations; second, the use of WiFi highly localized in that it is often used to search for information relevant to oneOs geographic location; third, there are significant differences in the way that WiFi is used across a variety of locations including cafes, parks and other public spaces; fourth, at present, WiFi users are, for the most part, young, male and highly educated displaying the characteristics of early adopters of technology; and, fifth, there is a convergence in the ways in which WiFi is used internationally in some respects, however there are also important differences in the reasons for these uses as well divergence in other respects.


"Earth Overshoot Day" means that we will begin to manage with the foods that are produced in 1 year in our world on 4 August, which we passed, and only the foods that are stocked in the markets. Albert Einstein tried to draw attention to the use of energy stored in the form of carbohydrates as nutrients in addition to the fertility-enhancing features of the bees, with a question mark from many years ago with the interpretation of "all bees have vanished and humanity has 4 years left." The depletion of the agricultural resources declared on August 4 has turned out to be a threat to humanity.


Altered cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer pathogenesis and progression; for example, a near-universal feature of cancer is increased metabolic flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP). This pathway produces uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), a potent oncometabolite that drives multiple facets of cancer progression. In this study, we synthesized and evaluated peracetylated hexosamine analogs designed to reduce flux through the HBP. By screening a panel of analogs in pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma multiform (GBM) cells, we identified Ac4Glc2Bz─a benzyl-modified GlcNAc mimetic─as an antiproliferative cancer drug candidate that down-regulated oncogenic metabolites and reduced GBM cell motility at concentrations non-toxic to non-neoplastic cells. More specifically, the growth inhibitory effects of Ac4Glc2Bz were linked to reduced levels of UDP-GlcNAc and concomitant decreases in protein O-GlcNAc modification in both pancreatic cancer and GBM cells. Targeted metabolomics analysis in GBM cells showed that Ac4Glc2Bz disturbed glucose metabolism, amino acid pools, and nucleotide precursor biosynthesis, consistent with reduced proliferation and other anti-oncogenic properties of this analog. Furthermore, Ac4Glc2Bz reduced the invasion, migration, and stemness of GBM cells. Importantly, normal metabolic functions mediated by UDP-GlcNAc were not disrupted in non-neoplastic cells, including maintenance of endogenous levels of O-GlcNAcylation with no global disruption of N-glycan production. Finally, a pilot in vivo study showed that a potential therapeutic window exists where animals tolerated 5- to 10-fold higher levels of Ac4Glc2Bz than projected for in vivo efficacy. Together, these results establish GlcNAc analogs targeting the HBP through salvage mechanisms as a new therapeutic approach to safely normalize an important facet of aberrant glucose metabolism associated with cancer.


Transverse beam combining is a cost-saving option employed in many designs for heavy-ion inertial fusion energy drivers. A major area of interest, both theoretically and experimentally, is the resultant transverse phase space dilution during the beam merging process. Currently, a prototype combining experiment is underway at LBNL and we have employed a variety of numerical descriptions to aid in both the initial design of the experiment as well as in the interpretation of the experimental data. These range from simple envelope codes to detailed 2- and 3-D PIC simulations. We compare the predictions of the different numerical models to each other and to experimental data at different longitudinal positions.


Spot welding is one of the most important welding procedures. Robots are used to perform the welding operation in dangerous and high temperature environment. This technology is to a large extent used in automotive industry to join plates. Specifically, in this work the joining of two plates of a car door is studied for the purpose of making it possible to decrease folded size and thereby materials used and as a result reduce weight of the product. There are many factors adding to uncertainty from the physical world such as noise of the welding machine, weld process or the signals, which all add up related to tolerances in control of the welding process The task of the research in this study is to control spot welding process in order to reduce tolerances and the plate folded size. A sensor system was developed and is described in this report. Universal methods based on laser scanner and cameras are introduced and the advantages and disadvantages of these are discussed. An optimized method based on universal methods with a strategy to meet the timing demands is developed. Experiments are performed to test the methods with ABB robot. The whole sensor system including the communication is built up and the algorithms are executed by programs. The accuracy of the camera based method is tested in experiments. The result is promising and indicate feasible methods and strategy to locate the spot welding location during operation and thereby make it possible to achieve better welding quality with minimized increasing in cycle time. Future work should be directed towards to choose a proper laser scanner and to create better mathematical model for the strategy in order to implement this in a real production environment.


Periodic mountain pine beetle outbreaks have killed millions of hectares of lodgepole pine forests in western North America. Within these forests some pine trees often remain alive. It has been rarely documented whether anatomical defenses differ between beetle-killed and remaining live pine trees, especially at the northern latitudinal range of beetles in North America. In this study, we compared the resin duct-based anatomical defenses and radial growth between beetle-killed and live residual lodgepole pine trees, and we characterized the resin ducts and the growth of the residual trees before and after outbreak. We found that tree radial growth was not associated with tree survival. The best two predictors of tree survival were resin duct size and production (number per year). Trees having larger but fewer resin ducts showed higher survival probability compared to those with smaller but more abundant resin ducts annually. Residual trees had larger resin ducts prior to the outbreak and continued having so after the outbreak. We further categorized residual trees as healthy (having no signs or symptoms of insect or pathogen attacks), declining (with signs or symptoms of biotic attacks), and survived (from mountain pine beetle attacks during the outbreak) to investigate resin duct-based anatomical defenses among them. Healthy trees had consistently larger resin ducts than declining trees in the past 20 years in post-outbreak stands. Survival trees ranked between healthy and declining trees. Overall, these results demonstrate that resin duct size of lodgepole pine trees can be an important component of tree defenses against mountain pine beetle attacks and suggest that lodgepole pine trees with large resin ducts are likely to show resistance to future bark beetle attacks.


Many physical systems, including mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, fluid, and thermal systems, can be modeled by the Langrangian and Hamiltonian equations of motion. A key aspect of the Langrangian and Hamiltonian frameworks is the role of energy storage. In this paper, equations regarding Langrangian and Hamiltonian are discussed and compared to the Brayton-Moser equations. A practical advantage of the BM framework is that the system variables are directly expressed in terms of easily measurable quantities, such as currents, voltages, velocities, forces, volume flows, pressures, or temperatures. The Langrangian, and Hamiltonian formulation normally involve generalized displacement and momenta, which in many cases cannot be measured directly.


Experimental and numerical studies on the aerodynamic noise characteristics of a variable-speed axial fan commonly used for electronic device heat dissipation were conducted. First, the far-field noise spectrum of the fan was measured using a microphone on the contour plane of the fan axis. The spectral analysis indicated that the discrete single-tone noise energy ratio was high, which indicates that it was the dominant aerodynamic noise. Afterward, the double-uniform sampling point mode correction technique, which is based on the circumferential acoustic mode measurement method, was used to obtain the modal distribution on the inlet and outlet sides of the cooling fan. The influence of inlet unevenness on the cooling fan was identified. The traditional Tyler–Sofrin rotor–stator interaction formula was modified to account for the nonaxisymmetric shape of the fan inlet bellmouth. The validity of the modified formula was verified by measuring the circumferential acoustic modes of three cooling fans with different rotor and strut counts. Furthermore, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical study was conducted using Fluent to understand the influence of uneven inlet flow. The results showed that uneven inlet flow significantly affects the size and distribution of unsteady pulses on the rotor blades, which cause regular, periodic changes as the rotor blades rotate. Interactions between rotor blades and inlet unevenness were observed via the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method as well. The discussion of the circumferential modes from aerodynamic noise of an axial flow cooling fan can act as a reference for further cooling fan noise reduction measures.


Knowledge of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) properties of antihypertensive drugs may optimize drug therapy of hypertension. PK/PD modeling of antihypertensive drugs in both basic and clinical research could contribute to drug development and clinical practice in several aspects, including a profound evaluation of the efficacy and safety of investigational antihypertensive agents, enhancement of preclinical information during the development process, identification of factors that contribute to drug response variability, by allowing a rapid identification of poor or nonresponders and by helping to determine optimal antihypertensive drug and dose requirements in each hypertensive patient. Although a concentration-response relationship for antihypertensive agents was found in normotensive and hypertensive patients, there are some limitations in PK/PD modeling of antihypertensive drugs in the clinical setting, including application of inadequate pharmacodynamic models and the inability to study large doses of antihypertensive drugs in order to determine the complete pharmacodynamic range of their antihypertensive effect. Most limitations in the clinical study of PK/PD models of antihypertensive drugs are not present in basic research, and therefore study of PK/PD models in laboratory animals could be of interest. The aim of the present review is to describe the current knowledge of PK/PD modeling of antihypertensive drugs in basic and clinical research and its future applications.


Two patients with hemophilia B are described in whom disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed following infusion of repeated doses of Factor IX concentrate in the perioperative period. In both cases the surgery was elective, Factor IX survival studies had been done to assure proper dosing, and Factor IX levels were monitored daily. Neither patient had clinically significant liver disease. The DIC manifested itself as excessive blood loss from surgical drains without documented thrombosis and was accompanied by prolonged coagulation times, increased fibrin split products and decreased fibrinogen and platelets. In both patients the process was quickly reversed with administration of fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and the addition of heparin to the Factor IX concentrate. These cases highlight the difficulty in managing patients with hemophilia B undergoing surgical procedures due to the potential thrombogenicity of the currently available concentrates, and the importance of differentiating the bleeding associated with DIC from underdosing with Factor IX. Furthermore, the potential complications associated with the presently available Factor IX concentrates stress the need for the development of purer, safer Factor IX concentrates.


Abstract9-Hydroxymethylxanthene derivatives were optimized as a photolabile protecting group for amines in flow chemistry. 9-Methylxanthene and 2-methoxy-9-methylxanthene showed excellent deprotection yields in protic and aprotic solvents, respectively. The protecting group has good stability in acidic, basic, and thermal conditions and was successfully utilized for protection and deprotection of a variety of amines. A multistep continuous-flow synthesis of a piperazinylcarbonyl-piperidine derivative utilized the 2-methoxy-9-methylxanthene as the key protecting group utilized in an orthogonal manner.


Circular dichroism (CD) is generally observed in the optically active chiral molecules that originate from macroscopic electric and magnetic dipoles, which is usually quite small. In solid states, the so-called valley CD may arise microscopically from interband transitions between two chiral electronic valley bands of nonzero Berry curvatures at a given $k$ point. However, generally, two sets of $K$ and ${K}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ valleys coexist in the Brillouin zone with opposite chiral selectivities, so that the net CD is zero for the whole material. Here, we demonstrate a giant CD originating from photoexcitation between two chiral Chern flat bands of opposite Chern numbers, namely, the enantiomorphic flat Chern bands. The dissymmetry factor $g$ of such flat CD can reach the theoretical maximum value of 2 with the optimal spin-orbit coupling strength. Based on first-principles calculations, we identify that the Li intercalated bilayer $\ensuremath{\pi}$-conjugated nickel-bis(dithiolene) hosts a set of yin-yang kagome bands with an estimated large $g=0.74$ under magnetic field. Furthermore, based on the flat-CD mechanism, we propose two flatband devices of topological photodetectors and circularly polarized lasers.


Abstract The paper reviews the state of research of wave processes in hydraulic systems of machines, and their impact on the quality and stability of hydraulic drives. As noted in the works of previous researchers, these phenomena occur in hydraulic systems and adversely affect the quality and stability of their work, significantly reducing reliability. The method of construction of mathematical models is offered. A mathematical model of the hydraulic system with two series-connected hydraulic motors is built, taking into account transients. The Runge-Kutta-Feldberg method with automatic change of the integration step was used to solve this model. The application of this method makes it possible to estimate the amplitude and frequency of the pressure wave in real time for each part of the pipeline. As a result of the analysis of the obtained transients it was concluded that at the length of the pressure line in a group hydraulic drive with 2 series-connected hydraulic motors up to 1.5 m, wave processes do not significantly affect the system and in the mathematical model they can be ignored. With the length of the pressure line from 1.5 m to 9 m, the wave processes in the cavity do not affect the stability of the system, although significantly impair the quality of its work. Hydraulic systems with a pressure line length of more than 9 m are not recommended for implementation, because the wave processes in the cavity lead to vibrations and noise in the hydraulic system and require additional measures to eliminate the impact of this phenomenon.


Although the iconic television series Father Knows Best (CBS 1954-55; NBC 1955-58; CBS 1958-60) has enjoyed a long history in rerun syndication and an enduring fan base, it is often remembered as cultural shorthand for 1950s-era conformism and authoritarianism. In this study of Father Knows Best, author Mary R. Desjardins examines the program, its popularity, and its critical position within historical, industrial, and generic contexts to challenge oversimplified assumptions about the show's use of comedy and melodrama in exploring the place of family in mid-twentieth century American society. Desjardins begins by looking at Father Knows Best within media and production contexts, including its origin on radio, its place in the history of Screen Gems telefilm production, and its roots in the backgrounds and creative philosophies of co-producer Eugene Rodney and star-producer Robert Young. She goes on to examine the social contexts for the creation and reception of the series, especially in the era's emphasis on family togetherness, shared parenting by both father and mother, and generational stages of the life cycle. Against this background, Desjardins also discusses several Father Knows Best episodes in-depth to consider their treatment of conflicts over appropriate gender roles for women. She concludes by exploring how the series' cast participated in reevaluations of the Anderson family's meaning in relation to "real families" of the fifties, through television specials, talk show appearances, magazine and book interviews, and documentaries.Blending melodrama and comedy, naturalistic acting, and stylized cinematic visuals, Father Knows Best dramatized ideological tensions in the most typical situations facing the American family. Scholars of mid-century American popular culture and film history as well as fans of the show will appreciate Desjardin's measured analysis.


The of the hybrid Operation room (an operation room combined with advanced radiological X-ray equipment) is gaining popularity, as it is now the preferred room to perform (complex) endovascular aortic procedures. The fixed C-arms equipped in these rooms make it possible to gain very high image quality, add the use of advanced 3D imaging techniques to the procedure, while the room is optimized for the use of X-ray radiation. Moreover, with a hybrid OR, including these advanced imaging options, combined with evolving stent graft designs, more patients with an aortic aneurysm become eligible for an endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), resulting in the fact that both more EVARS, as well as that more complex EVARs, are nowadays performed. Unfortunately, the transition from a standard operation room with a mobile C-arm towards a Hybrid OR with a fixed C-arm is also complicated by the much higher radiation dose rates as a result of using fixed C-arms. When the operating team does not adapt their working habits, they will be at risk to absorb much high radiation dose per procedure, and they are at risk to reach their yearly dose limits when working in a hybrid operating environment. In this thesis, we studied the radiation dose outcomes at three different levels, and for each level, we studied both the effects of radiation exposure to the patient, as well as the effects of the absorbed radiation doses to the surgical staff. The first level included the cumulative radiation dose outcomes per type of procedure. Using the cumulative radiation dose outcomes, we were able to analyse the efficiently for new radiation and imaging techniques on reducing the radiation dose rate. We have shown that for noncomplex (for example bifurcated EVARs) radiation dose can double when a similar process is performed in a Hybrid OR vs. a standard OR. Additionally, we studied the efficacy of new techniques which may be able to reduce the intraoperative dose, for example, an advanced image processing upgrade which can reduce the radiation in the Hybrid OR or the use of new imaging strategies such as 3D road mapping using contrast-enhanced Cone beam CT. In the second level ,we studied which procedural steps during the variety of EVAR procedures accords for very high radiation dose and which EVAR steps are relatively safe. The primary goal of this study was to analyse radiation dose fluctuations during the procedure and to extract the procedural steps that accord to relatively high radiation dose exposure and analyse which EVAR procedural steps are relatively safe. In the third and deepest level, we studied the effect of a variety of radiation dose predictors, such as BMI, C-arm angulation and rotation, and field size on the initial intraoperative radiation dose rate. This level was independent of the specific procedure in which the image was used, but dose rates were analysed for each acquired image or X-ray run. The outcomes of these radiation prediction models were translated to an instant patient radiation risk chart and an instant operator radiation risk chart. These charts included the predicted radiation dose for both the patient and the operator, as well as the predicted time they can use these settings until dose thresholds are reached (2 Gray skin threshold for patient sand 20 milliSieverts/year for the operator). These radiation risks charts visualized the X-ray radiation dose behaviour including the exponentially, multifactorial and fluctuation, and creates awareness of the radiation dose exposure during EVARs in the hybrid operation room.


A Neurological disturbance describes the sudden onset of aggressive and violent behavior and autonomic dysfunction, typically in the setting of acute on chronic drug abuse or serious mental illness. It is mainly associated with delirium, dementia, and other behavioral disorders which are also collectively known as acute behavioral disturbances (ABD). Self-extraction behavior is common among patients admitted with neurological disturbances associated with certain medical and surgical disorders. The clinical characteristics of self-extraction behavior are pulling out of tubes, IV lines, interrupting medical treatment, and interfering with nursing procedures. Research literature was reviewed with regard to self-extraction behavior and its associated factors. A literature search was conducted with the following search terms, keywords, and phrases: self-extraction behavior and neurological disturbances. Totally 25 articles were reviewed by using the databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar, based on the criteria of clinical variables, demographic variables and self-extraction behavior. A considerable debate exists regarding the influencing factors for self-extraction behavior in patients with neurological disturbances. From this review, we infer that there are various contributing factors which influence the increased prevalence of self-extraction behavior among patients with neurological disturbances. The identified contributing factors are associated with clinical variables of patients. Research literature supports the necessity for understanding the associated risk factors for self-extraction behavior.


Introduction: Sunscreen products, containing UV-filters, are used worldwide to protect from the deleterious effects of sunlight. However, in order to provide this photoprotective function, they should be photostable and remain on the surface of the skin. The photostability of UVfilters, individually and in combination, using different light sources, light intensities, UV-filter concentrations, solvents and formulations has been extensively investigated. Regulations for sunscreen products in Australia, the USA and Europe do not require photostability testing, as per the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) Guideline Q1B for new drug substances and drug products. During UV-irradiation on exposure to sunlight, there is potential for chemical UV-filters to degrade by direct photolysis. Chemical UV-filters are also often used in combination with the physical UV-filter, titanium dioxide (TiO₂), increasing the complexity of the system, due to the ability of TiO₂ to cause photocatalytic reactions. In recent years issues have been raised that TiO₂ nano-particles may penetrate through the skin, but no evidence has been found and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regards them as safe. However, whether these TiO₂ nano-particles may have an effect on the photostability of chemical UVfilters has not been investigated. The aim of the study was therefore to determine the photostability and skin penetration of a combination of chemical UV-filters with TiO₂, investigating the effect of particle size on photostability.

Methods: Chemical UV-filters, Butyl methoxy dibenzoylmethane (BMDM), Octocrylene (OC) and Benzophenone-3 (B3) were verified for purity by melting point determinations, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). UV-filter identity was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-, infrared (IR)- and ultraviolet (UV)-spectroscopy. A reverse-phase HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of BMDM and OC in the presence of their photodegradants. Validation parameters included linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, sensitivity and robustness. This HPLC method was also employed for the determination of UV-filter B3 during skin penetration studies and to identify photodegradants by liquid chromatography - mass spectroscopy (LC-MS).

Photostability studies of BMDM and OC individually and in combination were undertaken in methanol and a microemulsion. The microemulsion was adapted from a formula in the literature, with xanthan gum added to optimise the viscosity for topical application. Photodegradation profiles of chemical UV-filters in methanol were determined in a photoreactor using a medium pressure mercury lamp as light source and a pyrex glass vessel (λ ≥ 300 nm). Incorporated in a microemulsion, UV-filter photostability was determined in a solar simulator (λ ≥ 290 nm), according to ICH Guideline Q1B. The influence of silica coated TiO₂ (~ 119 nm), uncoated micro- (~ 0.6 μm) and nano-TiO₂ (< 25 nm) on the photostability of both chemical UV-filters was investigated. Degradation kinetics of BMDM and OC separately and in combination were studied in methanol in the photoreactor, using a quartz glass vessel (λ ≥ 200 nm).

Skin penetration of BMDM and OC, incorporated in the microemulsion, was then studied in vitro using porcine ear skin in Franz diffusion cells. Results were compared to the skin penetration of UV-filter B3, which is known to penetrate the skin and cause photoallergic skin reactions. UV-filter concentrations were determined in the receptor fluid, the skin (stratum corneum and viable epidermis/dermis) and the remaining microemulsion on the skin surface using the validated HPLC method. The stratum corneum was separated from the viable epidermis/dermis using the tape stripping method.

Results and Discussion: In methanol, photodegradation of BMDM in the presence of silica coated, micro- and nano-TiO₂ was higher than without TiO₂. In general, OC showed less photodegradation than BMDM. Both, BMDM and OC, followed mixed zero- and first-order degradation kinetics. Photodegradants of both UV-filters were identified by LC-MS and molecular weights were confirmed by Fourier transform - mass spectroscopy (FTMS). Two major photodegradants were found for BMDM. Although in the presence of nano-TiO₂ (pyrex glass), OC recovery was reduced by 38 %, after irradiation through quartz glass, one major photodegradant was identified for OC. The major findings from methanol studies, that nano- TiO₂ causes higher photodegradation than micro-TiO₂ and that BMDM is less photostable than OC, were confirmed in the microemulsion and a reference cream. OC did not degrade in the absence or presence of coated TiO₂ and the lowest OC recovery was determined in the presence of nano-TiO₂ (88 %), while BMDM recovery varied from 0 to 16 %. Irradiated in combination with OC UV-filter BMDM showed a higher recovery (16 %) than irradiated alone (4 %), due to the stabilising effect of UV-filter OC on BMDM via triplet-triplet energy transfer.

Although the combination of BMDM and OC influenced their photostability, skin penetration was not affected by their presence in combination. Generally, BMDM, OC and B3 showed low skin penetration. BMDM and OC were not detected in the receptor fluid after 24 hours and only 0.03 % of B3 was detected. To maintain its photoprotective character, a UV-filter should remain on the surface of the skin or in the stratum corneum. Therefore, the presence of these UV-filters in the viable epidermis/dermis is of interest. As expected B3 showed the highest concentration in this skin compartment (1.09 %), followed by BMDM (0.14 %) and OC with the lowest concentration (0.02 %). Percentages were related to the complete UV-filter content in the microemulsion. This penetration is explained in terms of lipophilicity and molecular vi weight of the UV-filters, with B3 being the least lipophilic molecule with the smallest molecular weight, while OC is the most lipophilic molecule with the largest molecular weight.

Conclusions: Photostability of BMDM and OC, including TiO₂, has been extensively investigated. UV-filters are often used in combinations in sunscreen products to increase their photoprotective effect and to reduce their individual components to minimise toxicity. Although the inclusion of nano-TiO₂ in sunscreen products is regarded as safe in terms of skin penetration, the effect of this physical UV-filter on the photostability of chemical UV-filters is noteworthy. This research presents the first findings on the effect of particle size of TiO₂ on the photostability of chemical UV-filters and is significant because of the potential for the photoprotection of sunscreen products containing these UV-filters, to be compromised.


Levodopa (LD) is the gold standard for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Genetic polymorphisms in the SLC6A3 gene (Solute carrier family 6 member 3/DAT-Dopamine Transporter gene) are shown to have a functional impact on levodopa therapeutic response, motor complications of PD and adverse events. Hence the present study was carried out to investigate the association of SLC6A3 polymorphisms with the pharmacokinetics of levodopa and clinical response. A total of 150 PD patients were recruited in the study. Plasma levodopa was analysed by HPLC at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h post levodopa administration and AUC was calculated. Genotyping of SLC6A3 40 bp VNTR and SLC6A3 rs393795 (G>T) polymorphisms was done by the PCR-RFLP method. The result shows that AUC of levodopa was significantly higher in patients carrying homozygous10/10 genotype (P =0008) compared to 9/9 genotype of SLC6A3 40 bp VNTR polymorphism. A similar difference was also observed in early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) and late-onset Parkinson's disease (LOPD) groups. SLC6A310/10 genotype was found to be significantly associated with disease severity (P =0.05) compared with the 9/10 genotype in the EOPD group, however, there was no significant association with dyskinesia. To conclude, patients carrying SLC6A3 40VNTR 10/10 genotype were found to have higher levodopa exposure, disease severity and prone to further neurodegeneration.


Background: The downstream of tyrosine kinase (DOK) protein family is presently known to have seven members, so called DOK1–7. The precise role of the DOK proteins is not entirely clear; some authors have suggested a potential tumour suppressor role for these proteins whilst others have shown an association between expression of these proteins and cell migration. Our study aimed to determine the expression profile of DOK7 in human colorectal cancer cell lines and its association with clinical and prognostic outcome.

Material and Methods: Three human colorectal cancer cell lines (HRT18, HT115 and RKO) were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine DOK7 expression. Primary colorectal cancer tissue collected at operation from 94 patients was examined by a consultant pathologist. Anti-DOK7 transgenes and expression constructs for human DOK7 were prepared and used for transfection and creation of sublines with differential expression of DOK7. Frozen sections of each tissue sample were used to extract RNA and this was used to generate cDNA which was analysed using quantitative transcript analysis to determine DOK7 expression. Patients were routinely followed up clinically and radiologically after surgery and the median follow up period was 65 months. The expression profile was then analysed against the clinical, pathological and outcome data.

Results: DOK7 transcript expression was highly positive in HRT18 cells. HT115 and RKO cells on the other hand were negative for DOK7 expression. Knockdown in HRT18 cells (HRT18ΔDOK7) resulted in reduced expression of DOK7. The reduction of DOK7 in the cells resulted in a reduced rate of growth compared to wild-type cells and those transfected with control vector. Analysis of clinical data revealed that DOK7 expression was significantly negatively correlated with grade of tumour differentiation, TNM stage and Dukes stage. Furthermore, DOK7 expression was inversely correlated with patient survival (p=0.011).

Conclusions: DOK7 expression was higher in non-aggressive tumour cells (HRT18) compared with aggressive tumour cells (HT115). However, DOK7 expression was also found to be negatively associated with patient survival suggesting a diverse role for this protein in malignant tumours. Further work is necessary to further elucidate the effect of DOK7 expression on cell function and cell migration response to mitogens and motogens.


Gentamicin sulfate is a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic that can be used for primary and secondary infections of the skin. Microspheres can be used to extend drug release on the skin; the resulting therapeutic effect is constant and has a longer duration of action. Therefore it can reduce the frequency of use and increase patient compliance. This study investigated the appropriate profile and release kinetics model of gentamicin sulfate microspheres entrapped on the emulgel base. Gentamicin-alginate microspheres were made by the ionotropic gelation method with aerosolization technique, using 2.5% Na-alginate low viscosity, CaCl2 solution of 1.5M as a crosslinker, maltodextrin as lyoprotectant and were dried using the freeze-drying method. The result of microspheres characterization, gentamicin microsphere was spherical with smooth surface structure and had particle diameter of 3.021 ± 0.017μm. Gentamicin microspheres had moisture content 2.89%, and maximum swelling index was 2625 ± 21.70% was achieved within 5 hours. The drug loading of microspheres was 1.75 ± 0.11%, and entrapment efficiency was 10.96 ± 0.19%. The release evaluation during 720 minutes showed that the amount of gentamicin release from alginate microspheres on emulgel base was 14.857 ± 0.816%, and gentamicin release on emulgel conventional was 49.239 ± 5.954%. The model of release kinetics of gentamicin microspheres on emulgel was Higuchi model that showed the release of the active ingredient through the diffusion process. While the model of release kinetics of gentamicin on emulgel base was first order, that showed the release of active agent depends on remaining concentration.


Propionic academia (PA) occurs because of mutations in the PCCA or PCCB genes encoding the two subunits of propionyl-CoA carboxylase, a pivotal enzyme in the breakdown of certain amino acids and odd-chain fatty acids. There is no cure for PA, but dietary protein restriction and liver transplantation can attenuate its symptoms. We show here that a single intravenous injection of adeno-associated virus 2/8 (AAV8) or AAVrh10 expressing PCCA into PA hypomorphic mice decreased systemic propionylcarnitine and methyl citrate for up to 1.5 years. However, long-term phenotypic correction was always better in male mice. AAV-mediated PCCA expression was similar in most tissues in males and females at early time points and differed only in the liver. Over 1.5 years, luciferase and PCCA expression remained elevated in cardiac tissue for both sexes. In contrast, transgene expression in the liver and skeletal muscles of female, but not male, mice waned—suggesting that these tissues were major sinks for systemic phenotypic correction. These data indicate that single systemic intravenous therapy by AAV vectors can mediate long-term phenotype correction for PA. However, tissue-specific loss of expression in females reduces efficacy when compared with males. Whether similar sex-biased AAV effects occur in human gene therapy remains to be determined.


Vladimir Dzhunushaliev 2, 3, ∗ and Vladimir Folomeev 3, 4, † Department of Theoretical and Nuclear Physics, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty 050032, Kazakhstan Academician J. Jeenbaev Institute of Physics of the NAS of the Kyrgyz Republic, 265 a, Chui Street, Bishkek 720071, Kyrgyzstan International Laboratory for Theoretical Cosmology, Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR), Tomsk 634050, Russia (Dated: July 27, 2021)


Fe and Fe-C based alloys present the exceptional feature that the processing route can be adapted to lead to various phases that present antagonist mechanical properties ranging from soft ferrite to high strength martensite. Among the different deformation mechanisms that can be exhibited by these phases, the TRIP effect brings about large enhancements of the work-hardening rate. The current TRIP-assisted multiphase steels present a ferrite-based matrix with a distribution of islands of bainite and retained austenite obtained at the end of specific thermal or thermomechanical treatments. The present study aims at characterising the interactions occurring between ferrite recrystallisation and austenite formation during the intercritical annealing of cold rolled Nb-added TRIP-aided steels. It is shown that the addition of niobium retards the ferrite recrystallisation during heating. As a consequence, ferrite may not be completely recrystallised before the nucleation and growth of the austenite grains. Strong interactions between these phenomena can then be observed, i.e. a strong hindering of the ferrite recrystallisation due to the austenite formation. Furthermore, the heating rate from room temperature to the intercritical temperature range influences the thermodynamic conditions prevailing at the ferrite / austenite interface and dictates the phase proportions.


Our hospital has links with an Army base and investigates recruits for Tuberculosis (TB). Many come from high prevalence areas. Recruits are screened with a Mantoux test. Those with a Mantoux reaction ≥15mm and no previous BCG vaccination are referred for QuantiFERON Gold testing. If positive they are treated for latent TB. We reviewed referrals over a 2 year period (April 2008 - April 2010) to assess compliance with Army policy and investigate whether referral based on Mantoux reaction alone is warranted. Demographic data were gathered from Army records. The relationship between a positive QuantiFERON test and a Mantoux reaction of ≥15mm was assessed using a Chi-squared test. 153 cases were identified, 28 were excluded due to insufficient data, leaving a sample of 125. All cases were male. Median age was 21.5 years (range 17-33). For analysis recruits were divided into 4 areas (see table 1). 89 recruits (79%) had a positive QuantiFERON test. There was no significant relationship between QuantiFERON positivity and Mantoux size ≥ 15mm (p=0.0923). Large numbers of recruits are referred based on their Mantoux results, including many with reactions of 6-14 mm. As there was no significant relationship between the rate of QuantiFERON positivity and Mantoux reaction size ≥ 15mm, referral decisions should not be made on this basis alone. Further research is warranted to assess the current referral guidelines.


Abstract. The complete assessment of landslide susceptibility needs uniformly distributed detailed information on the territory. This information, which is related to the temporal occurrence of landslide phenomena and their causes, is often fragmented and heterogeneous. The present study evaluates the landslide susceptibility map of the Natural Archaeological Park of Matera (Southern Italy) (Sassi and area Rupestrian Churches sites). The assessment of the degree of "spatial hazard" or "susceptibility" was carried out by the spatial prediction regardless of the return time of the events. The evaluation model for the susceptibility presented in this paper is very focused on the use of innovative techniques of artificial intelligence such as Neural Network, Fuzzy Logic and Neuro-fuzzy Network. The method described in this paper is a novel technique based on a neuro-fuzzy system. It is able to train data like neural network and it is able to shape and control uncertain and complex systems like a fuzzy system. This methodology allows us to derive susceptibility maps of the study area. These data are obtained from thematic maps representing the parameters responsible for the instability of the slopes. The parameters used in the analysis are: plan curvature, elevation (DEM), angle and aspect of the slope, lithology, fracture density, kinematic hazard index of planar and wedge sliding and toppling. Moreover, this method is characterized by the network training which uses a training matrix, consisting of input and output training data, which determine the landslide susceptibility. The neuro-fuzzy method was integrated to a sensitivity analysis in order to overcome the uncertainty linked to the used membership functions. The method was compared to the landslide inventory map and was validated by applying three methods: a ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis, a confusion matrix and a SCAI method. The developed neuro-fuzzy method showed a good performance in the determination of the landslide susceptibility map.


The expression of the gene Slc7a11 promotes the antioxidant capacity of cells by providing them with cysteine that can be used for the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), the most important intracellular antioxidant. In melanocytes, intracellular cysteine can also enter melanosomes and get incorporated in the pheomelanin pigment synthesis pathway, thus decreasing cysteine availability for GSH synthesis and potentially creating chronic oxidative stress. We thus hypothesized that a mechanism limiting the use of intramelanocytic cysteine for pheomelanin synthesis in environmental conditions generating oxidative stress may be physiologically advantageous and favored by natural selection. Here we searched for evidence of such a mechanism by comparing the influence of melanocytic Slc7a11 expression on pheomelanin‐based pigmentation in developing Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea nestlings from two populations differing in predation risk, a natural source of oxidative stress. Pheomelanin synthesis and pigmentation tended to increase with Slc7a11 expression in the low‐risk population as expected from the activity of this gene, but decreased with Slc7a11 expression in the high‐risk population. The same was not observed in the expression of five other genes influencing pheomelanin synthesis without affecting cysteine availability in melanocytes. The influence of body condition on the intensity of pheomelanin‐based pigmentation also differed between populations, being positive in the low‐risk population and negative in the high‐risk population. The resulting pigmentation of birds was more intense in the high‐risk population. These findings suggest that birds perceiving high predation risk may limit the use of cysteine for pheomelanin synthesis, which becomes independent of Slc7a11 expression. Some birds may have thus evolved the ability to adjust their pigmentation phenotype to environmental stress.


Anthrax toxin receptor-mediated drug development for blocking anthrax toxin action has received much attention in recent decades. In this study, we produced a secreted anthrax decoy fusion protein comprised of a portion of the human capillary morphogenesis gene-2 (CMG2) protein fused via a linker to the fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain of human immunoglobulin G1 in Nicotiana benthamiana plants using a transient expression system. Using the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and co-expression with the p19 gene silencing suppressor, we were able to achieve a high level of recombinant CMG2-Fc-Apo (rCMG2-Fc-Apo) protein accumulation. Production kinetics were observed up to eight days post-infiltration, and maximum production of 826 mg/kg fresh leaf weight was observed on day six. Protein A affinity chromatography purification of the rCMG2-Fc-Apo protein from whole leaf extract and apoplast wash fluid showed the homodimeric form under non-reducing gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the molecular integrity of the secreted protein. The N-glycosylation pattern of purified rCMG2-Fc-Apo protein was analysed; the major portion of N-glycans consists of complex type structures in both protein samples. The most abundant (>50%) N-glycan structure was GlcNAc2(Xyl)Man3(Fuc)GlcNAc2 in rCMG2-Fc-Apo recovered from whole leaf extract and apoplast wash fluid. High mannose N-glycan structures were not detected in the apoplast wash fluid preparation, which confirmed the protein secretion. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that high-level production of rCMG2-Fc-Apo can be achieved by transient production in Nicotiana benthamiana plants with apoplast targeting.


3,4-Diaryl-11-methyl-7-[(aryl)methylidene]-4,5,11-triazatricyclo[126.96.36.199*2,6*]undec-5-enes 14a–s were synthesized through reaction of 2,4-bis[(aryl)methylidene]-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-ones 12a–f with aryl hydrazines in the presence of catalytic amount of thiamine hydrochloride. Meanwhile, the 4-acetyl analogs 16a,b were obtained through reaction of 12b,e and hydrazine hydrate in acetic acid. Good support for the structure was received from single crystal X-ray studies of 14a. Some of the synthesized tropane containing-compounds showed promising antitumor properties during the in vitro MTT bio-assay against HepG2 (hepatocellular) and MCF7 (breast) human tumor carcinoma cell lines, with potency higher than that of doxorubicin (DNA intercalating agent, standard reference). Statistically significant 2D-QSAR model describes the antitumor properties against MCF7.


This work is situated within the scope of the emerging complexity sciences and tries to bridge scientific and artistic intentions for understanding complexity by doing experiments. To this end, we propose the use of simple, "minimal" models coupled with expression functions that translate model results to visual elements or properties. Number series appear to be good candidates for this type of experiment, because they are simple, inflexible and infinite. Expression functions on the other hand may be arbitrary and subjective. Our case study is based on the well-known Fibonacci series and shows that, by constraining some aspect of the visual form, an expression function may translate the number series to a complex visual form. Various expression functions are investigated and their results exemplified by selected images. Several dimensions of future work are also briefly outlined.


Maize is an important cereal worldwide and weeds are a major constraint to production. A trial was conducted in Kigumo, Murang'a County, Central Province of Kenya in 2010 to compare the effects of glyphosate and intercropping maize with Dolicos lablab on weed and maize yield. Treatments comprised of DUMA SC41 and DK8031 maize varieties, glyphosate, intercropping and weedy arranged in a randomized complete block design in 5x3 m plots replicated three times and data collected in 3x1.5m area in each plot. Weed  scores, biomass and maize yield were recorded. Data was analysed using Gen Stat software package, treatments effects compared using ANOVA and the means separated by Student New man Keuls . No significant differences in weed  scores, biomass weight and maize yield in both seasons between glyphosate and intercropping at P < 0.05. Intercropping and glyphosate had similar effects on weeds and maize yield, the former can substitute herbicide use. Key words: ,,Maize, grain yield,  small scale farmers, tillage methods


The Marriage Debates My all-time-favorite undergraduate paper examined what critics called Chaucer's "marriage group debate." I don't remember now why it had that name, but I do indeed remember my stunned discovery that contemporary arguments about the purposes of marriage went back to 1395 or so. The Wife of Bath, who has outlived several husbands, comments and argues in the interludes between the pilgrim's tales that marriage depends upon the mutual respect, equality, and freely chosen commitment between marriage partners. Other travelers see her emphasis upon interpersonal relationships as a formula for social chaos and a violation of the natural order: duty, not love, holds a marriage together. Various stories are told to illustrate the different points of view, and in particular the claim that either wives or husbands are necessarily dominant in (and often unfaithful to) a marriage. In fact the marriage debate is a lot older than Chaucer, and its key issues seem not to have changed one iota from his time to ours, or for that matter since classical antiquity. In Women and the Common Life: Love, Marriage, and Feminism (Norton, 1997), Christopher Lasch offers a brief but astute socio-literary history of the classic tension between the free personal equality implicit in romantic love, on the one hand, and on the other, those constraints, expectations, and obligations necessary for a marriage to endure for a lifetime and to provide for the financial security, adequate nurture, appropriate socialization, and due legal inheritance of children. When those constraints deteriorate, as Gertrude Himmelfarb argues in The Demoralization of Society: From Victorian Virtues to Modern Values (Knopf, 1995) and again in One Nation, Two Cultures (Knopf, 1999), both divorce rates and illegitimacy skyrocket: children are the worse for it, and so thereby is the society as a whole. Two very recent books within the marriage debate are particularly rich in potential for parish ministry and for general conversation about marriage within the church. First on that list is Linda J. Waite and Maggie Gallagher, The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier and Better Off Financially (Doubleday, 2000). The subtitle is long but it gets the book's main idea down to half a sound bite, which seems to be the current trend in subtitles. Marriage is actively good for you; it's not just an outmoded, useless, confining, abusive, bourgeois, patriarchal institution. The creative achievement of the book is its array of evidence: no matter how you look, where you look, what you ask, or how carefully you control for confounding variables, married people are better off than people who are not married. People who live together "without benefit of clergy" do not reap the same rewards. All of the data on which the book is based comes from nationally representative samples and from studies published in major, reputable academic journals: this is world-class social science in highly readable form. That's not surprising: Waite is a sociologist at the University of Chicago. Gallagher is a journalist and I presume it may be thanks to her that Waite's statistical data are explained with such engaging pizzazz. Their argument is straightforward, cleanly organized, and eminently readable. Waite and Gallagher are appropriately cautious about assigning causalities: when they speculate about reasons why, they make it very clear that they are speculating. But over and over again they suggest that this wide array of down-to-earth, practical goods follow reasonably from sustained commitment and mutual support, and that such compassionate commitment is in turn supported by how marriage is a publicly acknowledged social form. It should come as no surprise that reviews have been very few and at best quite skeptical: how can commitment be good for us? What about the ideal of rugged individualism, and the popular portrait of divorce as an act of courageous, costly, self-redemptive self-realization? …


In the last years, organizations must pay attention on customer demands for surviving and also for increasing their market shares. But customers have not stable demand and stable view. Demand is fluctuated through the time period and seasonal variation is mostly common. Organizations' main problem is how to cut costs while producing small numbers of many types of products with seasonal variation. The solution of this problem is built up with lean based production systems. There are many tools of lean production systems as value stream mapping, cellular manufacturing, 5S, SMED, pull production systems and production smoothing. In this study, production smoothing decisions are studied through value stream mappings. Smoothing scenarios for seasonal variation are developed in order to reduce the deterioration of the production systems performance. The scenarios were tested in a real life "white goods" production system. Firstly the work flow was visualized using value stream mapping, then production schedule was created using production smoothing method and lastly developed smoothing scenarios were tested. One of the scenarios with the chosen pull production control system alternative was given the better performance.


It is common knowledge that one of the biggest problems that a practitioner has to deal with is the collection of outstanding book debt. The debt usually comprises not only fees charged for professional services rendered, but in many instances will include disbursements made or to be made to third parties, such as counsel and tracing agents. As positive cash flow is the lifeblood of a professional practice, the collection of book debt is a vital part of the management process. It is also known that clients' reluctance to pay their accounts is a phenomenon not unique to South African practitioners but universal.


Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effect of auditor switching and lowballing on conditional conservatism, particularly how different types of auditor switching, namely, upward, downward and lateral switching to/from Big 4 and industry specialists, affect earnings quality in the following selected Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach
Using conditional conservatism as a proxy for earnings quality, this study hypothesises that upward switching from non-Big 4 to Big 4 auditors, or from non-specialist to specialist auditors, would result in high conditional conservatism, while downward switching would lead to low conditional conservatism. The study further tests whether lowballing provides a viable explanation for reduced earnings conservatism in firms that switch from Big 4 to non-Big 4 auditors, or from specialist to non-specialist auditors.

Findings
The analysis, on a sample of 28,073 firm-year observations from 2007 to 2016, shows that the decision to downgrade auditors leads to lower conditional conservatism in the year of switching, compared with other firms and the pre-switching year. The evidence further shows that, when firms downgrade their auditors, lowballing contributes to a decrease in conditional conservatism in the first year of audit switching. Further, this research finds that switching to specialist auditors will result in increased conditional conservatism, while switching from specialist auditors to non-specialist auditors will result in reduced conditional conservatism.

Practical implications
The findings of this study are useful to investors who are looking to diversify their investment portfolio in developing markets, as evidence about auditor switching and quality of financial reporting may be an important factor in their investment decisions. Downward auditor switches and lowballing could act as red flags to investors in the sense that these events could signal a decrease in conditional conservatism and, hence, quality of earnings.

Originality/value
This research offers new evidence to support the view that management decisions to switch to lower-quality auditors will force newly appointed auditors to acquiesce to clients' demands for reporting low-quality earnings.


The natural resource –livelihood sustenance link has received significant scientific attention. Specifically, the question of how forests should be managed in relation to the livelihoods of adjacent communities has been one of the burning issues in the field of conservation and rural development. Thus, participation in forest management is not a recent issue in human history. The concept has evolved significantly since the 1970s due to the alarming rate of deforestation and forest degradation which was registered in most forest regions of the world. Given the significant interest, several approaches to forest management have been applied. For instance, the leviathan approach compelled adjacent communities to adhere to conservation considerations with limited consideration for community livelihoods. Participatory Forest Management (PFM) as a concept has been applied in different contexts with diverse outcomes. Although it is considered relevant in conservation and poverty alleviation, in the context of humid montane forest ecosystems such as the Kilum-Ijim, a scientific analysis of its potential contribution to rural livelihoods is required against the backdrop of increasing demographic pressure and the need to secure livelihoods. In this study, we undertake a systematic sample involving 250 household representatives around the Kilum-Ijim forest Landscape. This was complemented by field observations, interviews of local conservation groups and the consultation of secondary data sources. The data were analysed using the Z-test. The results showed that at 0.05 level of significance, a significant relationship does not exist between aspects of participatory forest management such as tree planting and nursery establishment, and the generation of income in the Kilum-Ijim montane forest landscape. Equally at 0.05 level of significance, a link was established between the creation of forest management institutions and employment generation. Finally, at 0.05 level of significance, there is significant relationship between the exploitation of forest resources and standards of living of communities adjacent to Kilum-Ijim montane forest landscape. The conclusion drawn is that considering the inextricable link between the forest and livelihoods, local coordination efforts should be stepped up to restrict further encroachment into the forest. In addition, trees that are economically and environmentally attractive should be considered during re-afforestation as they can support livelihoods.


Base map compiled by Illinois State Geological Survey from digital data provided by the United States Geological Survey. PLSS compiled in 1991. Hypsography compiled 1992. Transportation and hydrography updated from imagery dated 1999. North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) Projection: Transverse Mercator 10,000-foot ticks: Illinois State Plane Coordinate system, east zone (Transverse Mercator) 1,000-meter grid: Universal Transverse Mercator grid, zone 16 Recommended citation: Curry, B.B., 2005, Data Point Locations of Crystal Lake Quadrangle, McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois Geologic Quadrangle Map, IGQ Crystal Lake-DP, 1:24,000. Field work by B. Curry, 1998–2001. Digital cartography by M. Barrett and J. Domier, Illinois State Geological Survey. The Illinois State Geological Survey, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the State of Illinois make no guarantee, expressed or implied, regarding the correctness of the interpretations presented in this document and accept no liability for the consequences of decisions made by others on the basis of the information presented here. The geologic interpretations are based on data that may vary with respect to accuracy of geographic location, the type and quantity of data available at each location, and the scientific and technical qualifications of the data sources. Maps or cross sections in this document are not meant to be enlarged.


A fully integrated active sub-harmonic mixer (SHM) located in two Marchand baluns is presented. The proposed circuit was designed at 24 GHz for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band applications and fabricated in a 0.13 μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The proposed circuit layout is based on allocating the active SHM into square passive baluns to reduce the chip area without degrading performance. Two design approaches, one using a multi-layer and the other using compensated capacitors, were adopted in the CMOS Marchand baluns process to increase the coupling coefficient sufficiently and to minimise the required balun size. Additionally, the conversion gain was increased by using the current-bleeding scheme in the SHM. Moreover, a conversion gain of 3.8 dB was achieved in the designed circuit at a local oscillator (LO) input power of 5 dBm. Both radio frequency-intermediate frequency (IF) and LO-IF isolations were better than 28 dB. The proposed circuit not only has a higher conversion gain than other published mixers that are operated at millimetre-wave frequencies, but also has an innovative circuit layout.


Robotic-assisted endovascular therapy is a novel approach to augment precise skill requirements while simultaneously reducing radiation exposure. The CorPath system enhances the scope of minimally invasive procedures and facilitates the interventionalists to perform procedures in the field of vascular surgery, neurosurgery and interventional cardiology. The reason for increasing interest in the CorPath system is the ability to control these robots through wireless connection, raising the possibility for remote interventions. CorPath is currently the only commercially available endovascular robotic system. Robotic-assisted approach has a high technical success rate in the field of peripheral vascular and coronary interventions and has encouraging results regarding neurointerventions. Remote endovascular procedures may transform the future of stroke treatment in areas where distance-related time loss can affect procedural outcome.


A front-illuminated development Euclid charge-coupled device (CCD) is tested to observe the CCD point-spread function (PSF) relative to signal size using a single-pixel photon transfer curve (SP-PTC) technique. In the process of generating a SP-PTC charge redistribution effects were observed. In attempting to show that charge redistribution can be caused by exposing a charge-populated well in the CCD array to further illumination, excess charge became apparent in recorded data. Excess charge is suggested to be proportionally generated in the CCD array if existing charge is subjected to further illumination before transfer and readout. The construction of an optical test bench and CCD operating variables are discussed alongside systematic error concerns and mitigation techniques.


PURPOSE
To propose new metrics to estimate a mean dose of an automatic exposure control-enabled angiographic C-arm system over a noncircular large body-shaped phantom based on multi-point dose measurements.

METHODS
Dose was measured at 9 points in 2 central subregions (C1, C2) and 14 points in 2 peripheral subregions (P1, P2) of the body phantom using a small 0.6cc ion chamber (IC) while operating the system at 16 different combinations of tube voltage, detector dose request, and vertical collimation. In order to acquire complete 2D dose profiles in an axial direction, we carried out Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. After validating the MC model by comparing it to chamber values, the mean dose from MC simulations was used as a ground truth for our mean dose metrics. Mean dose was estimated in 3 ways: 1) Area ratio for each point weights the contribution of the point. 2) Point dose surface fitting method using biharmonic interpolation model. 3) The acquired MC dose profile-based MC template method. We investigated how each method's performance varies as a function of the number of measured data points (7∼23 points).

RESULTS
The error of MC compared to chamber readings was 0.9mGy (+/- 0.03 mGy) per point. The relative errors of 1), 2), and 3) methods with 23 IC points in comparison with the MC mean dose were 0.6, 3.37, and 1.9%, respectively. Method 1 performed best for 6 different cases of number of points measured. However, its performance fluctuated compared to methods 2 and 3. Method 3 remained within 3% error with 23∼8 points and showed the most stable performance. Method 2 performed worst with 23∼11 points, with constant error of ∼ 5%.

CONCLUSION
The 3 metrics estimated a mean dose accumulated in a body phantom with about 5% relative error using only 11 points. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH SIG S10 RR026714-01), by Siemens Medical Solutions, AX, and by the Lucas Foundation. There is no conflict of interest to disclose.


The International Virtual Design Studio (MIVDS) that was originated between the Departments of Mechanical Engineering of Union College (UC) and the Middle East Technical University (METU) is now extended to include the Mechanical Engineering Department at Queen's University in Canada, the Computer Systems Engineering/Electrical Engineering Department at UC, and the Electrical/Electronics Engineering Department of METU. The design teams that participate in this project are composed of various combinations of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems engineering students. Design project topics are selected to cover mechatronic concepts that force students toward mechatronic design solutions. After years of experience, it is now possible to draw some conclusions and report on the concept and implementation of the multidisciplinary IVDS (MIVDS) project. One important conclusion is that a strong combination of institutional support and multidisciplinary faculty commitment is required for project initiation. Success in MIVDS is highly dependent on well-defined project specifications, a single source of project information, incentives for students to participate, travel to participating countries, a balanced team structure, common design and productivity tools, 24-hour access to MIVDS facilities, and participation by all students in the manufacturing phase of the project.


The purpose of this research is to measure direct and indirect influence of transformational leadership, interpersonal communication, and organizational commitment for public service quality in BNP2TKI. This study used survey method, and included in quantitative research. Sample is calculated using Slovin method, is set minimum sample for 140 people, taken by systematic random sampling. Method of data collection by dissemination research instrumens to selected respondents. Method of data analysis using path analysis. The result of the research shows that there are positive direct influence of transformational leadership, interpersonal communication and organizational commitment toward the quality of public service in BNP2TKI. Transformational leadership and interpersonal communication has the positive direct influence for organizational commitment. Transformational leadership has the positive direct influence for interpersonal communication. Transformational leadership has the biggest direct influence for the quality of public service of BNP2TKI.

Keywords: The Quality of Public Service, Transformational Leadership, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Commitment.


Experiments were conducted in a Bangkok clay soil to investigate the influence of N rate, light intensity, tiller separation, and plant density on the yield and yield attributes of parent and clone plants of transplanted rice. Application of 75 kg N and 120 kg N ha -1 resulted in similar yields. The 50% reduction of light intensity reduced grain yield to 43.5% compared with normal light intensity. Separation of more than 4 tillers hill -1 had an adverse effect on the mother crop. Nitrogen fertilizer had no influence on grain weight, per cent filled grains, and panicle size of the mother crop, but increased N produced a higher number of tillers. Reduction of light intensity and higher tiller separation adversely affected grain weight and panicle number. Variation of N rate and light intensity of the mother crop had no influence on grain yield, grain weight, and panicle number of clonal tillers transplanted with 75 kg N ha -1 and with normal light intensity. The clonal tillers produced higher yields than the nursery seedlings, and transplanting 2 clonal tillers hill -1 resulted in almost the same yield as 3 clonal tillers and 4 clonal tillers hill-1. A single clonal tiller had the capacity to produce 4.5 t ha-1 grain yield. Yield components of clonal tillers, i.e., particle number and grain weight, had no influence due to variations of N and light intensity of the mother crop, but higher densities of clonal tillers transplanted per hill gave lower panicle number and grain weight.