This book is a reference grammar of Fongbe, a language which is part of the Gbe dialect cluster. It is spoken mainly in the former kingdom of Dahomey, which today comprises the southern areas of Benin and Togo. This book has three objectives: First, its main purpose is to provide a thorough description of the grammar of Fongbe. Second, this book provides language-specific syntactic tests which were developed in the course of this research. Finally, we provide the reader with the most exhaustive list possible of references on Fongbe, and on the Gbe languages in general. This book thus attempts to represent a "state of the art" of the language itself, and of the analyses proposed to account for its particular constructions. This book is of particular interest to Africanists, scholars interested in comparative linguistics or in the reconstruction of language families, and creolists who work on the languages spoken in the Caribbean area.


Why do demographers and United Nations agencies avoid dealing with the problems of "demographic entrapment" now that it involves two continents? Initially, I assumed this was reluctance to address the issue of one child families. It now seems that the most important factor is the active interest of the US Department of State in keeping the dialogue closed—the policing of the population policy lockstep. Presumably this is because if the South is to restrict its population growth, the North, especially the United States, should restrict its resource consumption.

To police the lockstep is to actively hinder the resolution of all the problems in which population plays a major part. This is described as "overpowering evil," and the individual is largely forgiven, because the evil is mostly in the system. There must now be a UN programme for a one child world, since if any community is to have one child families, all should. This has to be the major theme of the next population conference in 2004. Massive discussion ("benign uproar") is now needed, accompanied by a progressive change from the "first wisdom" to the "second wisdom."1

This paper is a sequel to one in which I had a socratic dialogue on Earth's population with Lady M from Mars.2 There we discussed the hardinian taboo, named after the American ecologist Garett Hardin, who described the taboos which humans use to avoid confronting the need for population control. "Overpowering evil," which this paper confronts, is best dealt with lightly, since "human kind cannot bear too much reality."3 Besides, evil is said to be soluble in laughter.4 This paper is further elaborated on the web (www.leeds.ac.uk/demographic-disentrapment).

#### Summary points

A tight taboo prevents demographers and United Nations agencies from confronting demographic entrapment

Defections from this taboo are apt to be …


Abstract Objectives: Stent implantation across the neck of cerebral aneurysms may induce intra-aneurysmal flow reduction, and consequently saccular thrombosis and vessel wall repair. To analyse the influence of different stent parameters on such flow reduction, we studied the flow changes in vascular models, induced by a series of stents. Methods: Two different neck-sized elastic sidewall aneurysm models were connected to a circulatory loop. Twenty different stents were introduced in both models to analyse the effect of their parameters, such as porosity, filament diameter and permeability. Flow patterns were visualized by using glass particles and laser sheet translumination. The digitally recorded data were transferred for computer analysis. The changes of the vortex velocity for each stent model combination were investigated and statistically evaluated. Results: Intra-aneurysmal flow analysis showed dispersion of the vortices of a variable degree, and velocity reduction of 30% mean in model 1 and 49% mean in model 2. By statistical analysis three groups of stents ('best', 'medium', 'worst') were identified, according to their haemodynamic efficacy. No correlations were observed between the haemodynamic performance of the stents and the porosity, filament diameter and permeability values separately. The stent effects were on average more important in the large-necked than in the small-necked aneurysm model. Discussion: Stent implantation induces intra-aneurysmal loss of vortex coherence and flow reduction. The analysed stent parameters show complex interrelationship, including also stent 'design'. The difference in the haemodynamic efficacy of the individual stents between the two models raises the question of 'stent positioning effects'.


For centuries Mexico City dominated the country. Political leaders during the colonial period and the nineteenth century concentrated power and wealth in the capital city, and for many people the metropolis was Mexico. This view of the monolithic influence of Mexico City took on new meaning during the reign of Porfirio Diaz from 1876 to 1911. He imposed a strong centralism and subordinated regional concerns to presidential prerogative. Yet, as the essays in this volume emphasize, a rich regional diversity persisted in Mexico during the Porfiriato. Examined in this volume is the neglected field of Mexican history at the regional level during Diaz's long rule. The panorama of regional perspectives and center-periphery relationships includes essays on eight states that combine original research and synthesis. These chapters present political, economic, and social developments in specific regions, based on long-ignored archival materials and new points of view. An introductory chapter gives an overview of the period, and the final two chapters respectively indicate promising opportunities for additional research and provide a selection of suggested readings. The value of this collection to students and specialists lies in an expanded understanding of regional history during the Porfiriato, an appreciation for the range of local sources available, and a stimulus to further investigation. The reinterpretation given the Porfiriato also broadens our knowledge of the forces leading to the revolution and still influencing the nation today."


ABSTRACT Peptidoglycan recycling is a metabolic process by which Gram-negative bacteria reutilize up to half of their cell wall within one generation during vegetative growth. Whether peptidoglycan recycling also occurs in Gram-positive bacteria has so far remained unclear. We show here that three Gram-positive model organisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Streptomyces coelicolor, all recycle the sugar N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) of their peptidoglycan during growth in rich medium. They possess MurNAc-6-phosphate (MurNAc-6P) etherase (MurQ in E. coli) enzymes, which are responsible for the intracellular conversion of MurNAc-6P to N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate and d-lactate. By applying mass spectrometry, we observed accumulation of MurNAc-6P in MurNAc-6P etherase deletion mutants but not in either the isogenic parental strains or complemented strains, suggesting that MurQ orthologs are required for the recycling of cell wall-derived MurNAc in these bacteria. Quantification of MurNAc-6P in ΔmurQ cells of S. aureus and B. subtilis revealed small amounts during exponential growth phase (0.19 nmol and 0.03 nmol, respectively, per ml of cells at an optical density at 600 nm [OD600] of 1) but large amounts during transition (0.56 nmol and 0.52 nmol) and stationary (0.53 nmol and 1.36 nmol) phases. The addition of MurNAc to ΔmurQ cultures greatly increased the levels of intracellular MurNAc-6P in all growth phases. The ΔmurQ mutants of S. aureus and B. subtilis showed no growth deficiency in rich medium compared to the growth of the respective parental strains, but intriguingly, they had a severe survival disadvantage in late stationary phase. Thus, although peptidoglycan recycling is apparently not essential for the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, it provides a benefit for long-term survival. IMPORTANCE The peptidoglycan of the bacterial cell wall is turned over steadily during growth. As peptidoglycan fragments were found in large amounts in spent medium of exponentially growing Gram-positive bacteria, their ability to recycle these fragments has been questioned. We conclusively showed recycling of the peptidoglycan component MurNAc in different Gram-positive model organisms and revealed that a MurNAc-6P etherase (MurQ or MurQ ortholog) enzyme is required in this process. We further demonstrated that recycling occurs predominantly during the transition to stationary phase in S. aureus and B. subtilis, explaining why peptidoglycan fragments are found in the medium during exponential growth. We quantified the intracellular accumulation of recycling products in MurNAc-6P etherase gene mutants, revealing that about 5% and 10% of the MurNAc of the cell wall per generation is recycled in S. aureus and B. subtilis, respectively. Importantly, we showed that MurNAc recycling and salvaging does not sustain growth in these bacteria but is used to enhance survival during late stationary phase. The peptidoglycan of the bacterial cell wall is turned over steadily during growth. As peptidoglycan fragments were found in large amounts in spent medium of exponentially growing Gram-positive bacteria, their ability to recycle these fragments has been questioned. We conclusively showed recycling of the peptidoglycan component MurNAc in different Gram-positive model organisms and revealed that a MurNAc-6P etherase (MurQ or MurQ ortholog) enzyme is required in this process. We further demonstrated that recycling occurs predominantly during the transition to stationary phase in S. aureus and B. subtilis, explaining why peptidoglycan fragments are found in the medium during exponential growth. We quantified the intracellular accumulation of recycling products in MurNAc-6P etherase gene mutants, revealing that about 5% and 10% of the MurNAc of the cell wall per generation is recycled in S. aureus and B. subtilis, respectively. Importantly, we showed that MurNAc recycling and salvaging does not sustain growth in these bacteria but is used to enhance survival during late stationary phase.


Do you pause before you share? Sharpen your skills for reading news critically: account for your own biases, and identify poorly supported claims, weak evidence, and bad sources. In other words, avoid "fake news" and less obvious forms of misinformation.


MONITORING AND ESTIMATING CONCENTRATIONS AND EFFECTS OF MICROCONTAMINANTS IN THE RHINE DELTA: CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY ASSAYS AND FIELD OBSERVATIONS A. Jan Hendrikst Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment, P.O. Box 17, 8200 AA Lelystad, The Netherlands} The aim of the Rhine Action Program is to create conditions for the return of (higher) indigenous species. To obtain an impression of current levels of contamination, several separate studies were carried out. The methods applied are discussed briefly and several representative results are given. The focus will be on the integration of the conclusions with respect to the goals of the Program. First, concentrations of traditional microcontaminants in sediment, water and organisms, collected in monitoring programs, are presented. Concentrations of some compounds, such as cadmium, have decreased substantially while concentrations of other compounds, like PCBI53, remain on the same level as they were in the late seventies. The current levels will be compared to Dutch quality standards that are thought to protect most of the aquatic community. Secondly, responses in biological assays with Rhine water are presented. In the seventies, laboratory species died immediately after exposure to Rhine water. Nowadays, water has to be concentrated to induce acute mortality. Remarkably, only a few percent of the mortality observed after XAD concentration can be explained by the organic microcontaminants identified by GCIMS. To cover calamities that are missed by these static assays and by daily chemical analysis, biological early warning systems are positioned along the river. In the past, monitors with the fish species ide (Leuciscus idus) have registered several calamities that were not detected by chemical early warning. Currently monitors with waterfleas (Daphnia magna) are being tested, in order to broaden the spectrum of concentrations and compounds covered. -Thirdly, measured data are combined with literature information to obtain an impression of hazards for combinations of chemical compounds and biological taxa. Differences in exposure can be derived from knowledge on habitat and food composition, while information on sensitivity for a chemical can be estimated from data on related taxa. The assessment indicates that most taxa, included target taxa such as Salmonidae, are threatened by current concentrations of different groups of microcontaminants. Finally, some illustrative (semi-)field observations from the Rhine-delta area will be mentioned as a qualitative validation of the extrapolation from experimental and theoretical analysis. t In cooperation with: BKH Consulting Engineers, Delft; Netherlands Institute for Fishery Research, R.I. V.O., Ijmuiden; Netherlands Waterworks T esting and Research Institute, K.I.W.A., Nieuwegein


SUMMARY This study reports the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in hospitalized children in Cyprus over three successive seasons (2010–2013) and the association between prevalent genotypes and disease severity. RSV infections had a circulation pattern from December to March. Most RSV-positive children (83%) were aged <2 years. Genotyping of RSV isolates showed that during the first winter season of the study (2010–2011), the only RSV genotype circulating was GA2 (RSV-A), followed by genotype BA (RSV-B) in the next winter season with only few sporadic cases of GA2. During the last winter season of the study (2012–2013) the newly emerged RSV genotype ON1 (RSV-A) was virtually the only circulating genotype. Children infected with genotype ON1 suffered a significantly milder illness compared to infections with genotypes GA2 and BA with a higher percentage of BA-infected children requiring oxygen. Our findings are in contrast to the majority of published reports that suggest RSV-A causes more severe illness than RSV-B. Therefore, further investigation of the association between RSV genotypes and disease severity is required, as it might affect treatment strategies in the future.


SUMMARY There are 16 approved human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) drugs belonging to three mechanistic classes: protease inhibitors, nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors, and nonnucleoside RT inhibitors. HIV-1 resistance to these drugs is caused by mutations in the protease and RT enzymes, the molecular targets of these drugs. Drug resistance mutations arise most often in treated individuals, resulting from selective drug pressure in the presence of incompletely suppressed virus replication. HIV-1 isolates with drug resistance mutations, however, may also be transmitted to newly infected individuals. Three expert panels have recommended that HIV-1 protease and RT susceptibility testing should be used to help select HIV drug therapy. Although genotypic testing is more complex than typical antimicrobial susceptibility tests, there is a rich literature supporting the prognostic value of HIV-1 protease and RT mutations. This review describes the genetic mechanisms of HIV-1 drug resistance and summarizes published data linking individual RT and protease mutations to in vitro and in vivo resistance to the currently available HIV drugs.


The forest and forest products form one of the most important basis for the transfer to a bio-based economy in Sweden. About 75% of the area covered by forest in Sweden is used industrially to produce raw material for the wood-refining industries. Every year, this cluster uses 75 million m3 of roundwood and has an export value of €12 billion. This review paper is devoted to the wood mechanical industry, i.e. the industry which turns the forest into sawn timber, packaging, construction wood, furniture and interior fittings. The sawmills consume about half of the volume of softwood which is felled, and about two-thirds of the sawn timber go to export without any further refining within the country. Nevertheless, in spite of the relatively low degree of refinement in the sawmill and the fact that the sawmills in general over time have a very low profitability, they are responsible for 70–80% of the forest owners' profits on the sale of timber. An increased upgrading of the sawn timber within the country is desirable from a national economic viewpoint – increased employment opportunities, increased export income, etc. It should then in the first place be for products with a higher added value, such as furniture and fittings. Today, the refinement value is 15–20 times higher for products from joinery and furniture industries compared to that of the sawn timber, and the added value of the wood within the building industry is only about 1.5 times.


Two new coccolith-agglutinated foraminiferal species, Pseudobolivina islandica n. sp. and Haplophragmoides atlanticus n. sp., are described from Recent and Upper Holocene sediments at Húnaflóaáll on the North Icelandic shelf. Specimens of the two species have been found only in the small (63–106 µm) fraction using the wet-counting method. This method allows preservation of these fragile tests, which are predominantly composed of coccoliths, mainly of the species Coccolithus pelagicus (Wallich, 1877).


STUDY QUESTION
Compared to D5 selection with conventional morphology (CM), does adjunctive use of the Eeva™ test on D3 or D5 improve the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) per transfer?

SUMMARY ANSWER
The evidence is insufficient to conclude that adjunctive use of the Eeva™ test on D3 or D5 improves CPR per transfer as compared to D5 selection with CM.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Time-lapse imaging is increasingly used for embryo selection, despite there being no class I data to support its clinical application.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Pilot randomized controlled trial included 163 patients from August 2014 to February 2016.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Patients up to age 41 years with a planned fresh autologous single embryo transfer (SET), less than four prior oocyte retrievals, and four or more zygotes were blocked according to age (<35, 35-37, 38-40 years) and randomized to one of three study arms: (1) D3 SET + EevaTM, (2) D5 SET + Eeva™ or (3) D5 SET with CM alone. All embryos were cultured in the same time-lapse system under identical conditions. Intention-to-treat (ITT) and as-treated analyses of the primary endpoint (CPR at 7 weeks) and secondary endpoint (ongoing pregnancy rate at 12 weeks) were performed. Multivariate regression analyses adjusted for patient age and ICSI.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Of 478 eligible patients, 217 consented and 163 were randomized. Demographic characteristics were similar among the three study arms. There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical pregnancy rate or the ongoing pregnancy rate between the study arms for either the ITT or as-treated analyses (CPR ITT: D3 + Eeva™: 41.1% vs. D5 + Eeva™: 38.9% vs. D5 CM: 49.1%).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
This study was designed as a pilot randomized controlled trial and was not powered to detect a statistically significant difference at α < 0.05. Importantly, the study was terminated prematurely by the sponsor due to a change in funding priorities, so the sample size is limited and the results should be interpreted with caution due to the role of chance. Furthermore, these findings may not be generalizable to other time-lapse systems.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Our findings do not support the clinical application of these time-lapse markers.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This study was funded by Progyny, Inc. There are no competing interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02218255.

TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE
14 August 2014.

DATE OF FIRST PATIENT'S ENROLLMENT
3 September 2014.


The ZnO films were deposited on quartz glass substrate by RF magnetron sputtering. The ZnO films are highly c-axis oriented with the (002) plane parallel to the substrate. The grains size estimated by the XRD diffraction rises with increase in the Ar/O2 ratio. The optical absorption edge and the near absorption edge characteristics of ZnO films have also been investigated. The optical band gaps of the films have been evaluated from the absorption coefficient of ZnO films. It is found that the value of the optical band gap varys from 3.26 eV to 3.32 eV due to the energy gap enhancement induced by quantum confinement. This variation of band gap can be explained with the theory developed by Brus. For all the films, the absorption coefficient shows the Urbach exponential dependence in the near band edge regime. It is also observed that the value E0 decreases with the Ar/O2 ratio increasing.


Previous studies revealed that PBX1 ranked the third in the differentially expressed genes about development and progression of breast cancer (BC). Nevertheless, the role of PBX1 contributing to progression of BC has been unevaluated. Here, on the basis of ONCOMINE and GOBO databases, we compared BC samples with normal controls about the expression of PBX1 in various types of cancers, as well as their related expression levels in cancer cell lines by Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) analysis. It was also found that, when compared with normal controls, PBX1 was markedly higher expressed not only in BC samples but also in BC cell lines, and coexpressed with EMP2 by ONCOMINE and CCLE coexpression analysis, which was also expressed higher in BC samples and BC cell lines similarly. According to Kaplan-Meier plotter, we further explored the prognostic functions of PBX1 and EMP2 in different molecular subtypes of BC, respectively. We demonstrated that overexpression of PBX1 mRNA was correlated with worse survival in luminal B subtype BC, whereas increased EMP2 expression was associated with shorter relapse-free survival in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative patients. Combining with previous studies, we could make a conclusion that coexpression of PBX1 and EMP2 predicts poor prognosis in ER-negative BC, which could be effective biomarkers for BC.


13 essential hypertensive patients aged 41 to 60 years were given yoga training for 60 min daily, Monday through Saturday, for a total duration of 4 weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were measured with non-invasive semi-automatic blood pressure monitor. Measurements were recorded before the training and at weekly intervals during the 4 week training period. Results of our study show a significant (P<0.001) reduction in resting HR and rate-pressure-product (RPP) after 2 weeks of yoga training. Systolic pressure (SP), diastolic pressure (DP) (P<0.001) and mean pressure (MP) (P<0.05) showed a significant reduction at 3 weeks of training period. After 4 weeks of training, there was further fall in SP, DP, pulse pressure (PP) (P<0.05), MP (P<0.001), HR and RPP. Isometric handgrip test before yoga training produced a significant rise in SP and MP and insignificant rise in DP, HR and RPP. After yoga training, there was a significant rise in all these parameters. Our results show that yoga training optimises the sympathetic response to stressful stimuli like isometric handgrip test and restores the autonomic regulatory reflex mechanisms in hypertensive patients.


Permanent implant of sealed radioactive sources is an effective technique for treating cancer. Typically, the radioactive sources are implanted in and near the disease, depositing dose locally over several months. There may be instances where these patients must undergo unrelated surgical procedures when the radioactive material remains active enough to pose risks. This work explores these risks, discusses strategies to mitigate those risks, and describes a case study for a permanent I-125 prostate brachytherapy implant patient who developed colo-rectal cancer and required surgery 6 months after brachytherapy. The first consideration is identifying the risk from unwarranted radiation to the patient and staff before, during, and after the surgical procedure. The second is identifying the risk the surgical procedure may have on the efficacy of the brachytherapy implant. Finally, there are considerations for controlling for radioactive substances from a regulatory perspective. After these risks are defined, strategies to mitigate those risks are considered. These strategies may include applying the concepts of ALARA, the use of protective equipment and developing a best practice strategy with the operating room team. We summarize this experience with some guidelines: If the surgical procedure is near (ex: 5 cm) of the implant; and, the surgical interventionmore » may dislodge radioisotopes enough to compromise treatment or introduces radiation safety risks; and, the radioisotope has not sufficiently decayed to background levels; and, the surgery cannot be postponed, then a detailed analysis of risk is advised.« less


Non-essential silicon (Si) is beneficial to plants. It increases the biomass of Si-accumulator plants by improving photosynthetic activity and alleviating stresses. Desilication, however, takes place because of natural soil weathering and removal of harvested biomass. Pyrolysis transforms Si-rich biomass into biochar that can be used to supply bioavailable Si. Here, we applied two biochar materials differing in Si content on soils differing in weathering stage: a young Cambisol and a highly weathered Nitisol. We studied the impact of biochar supply on the bioavailability of Si, cotton biomass, and Si mineralomass. The biochar materials derived from, respectively: Miscanthus · giganteus (Mi; 34.6 g Si kg–1 in biochar) and soft woody material (SW; 0.9 g Si kg–1 in biochar). They were compared to conventional Si fertilizer wollastonite (Wo; CaSiO3). Amendments were incorporated in soils at the rate of 3% (w/w). The content of bioavailable Si in soil was determined through 0.01 M CaCl2 extraction. In the Cambisol, the proportion (CaCl2 extractable Si: total Si content) was significantly smaller for Mi (0.9%) than for Wo (5.2%). In the Nitisol, this proportion was much larger for Mi (1.4%) than for Wo (0.7%). Mi-biochar significantly increased Si-mineralomass relatively to SW-biochar in both soils. This increase was, however, much larger in the Nitisol (5.9-fold) than in the Cambisol (2.2-fold). Mi biochar is thus an alternative Si fertilizer to Wo to supply bioavailable Si, increase plant biomass, and promote the biological cycle of Si in the soil-plant system in the Nitisol. Besides, it increased soil fertility and soil organic carbon content.


The West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS) was a randomized, placebo- controlled, primary prevention trial of pravastatin in men aged 45 to 64 (mean age of 55 years) with no history of myocardial infarction at randomization. A total of 6,595 men, with a mean (SD) plasma cholesterol level of 272 (23) mg/dL and mean (SD) low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of 192 (17) mg/dL were randomly assigned to receive pravastatin 40 mg daily or placebo for five years. The primary outcome was a composite of death from coronary heart disease (CHD) and nonfatal myocardial infarction. There was a 31% relative reduction in the primary outcome with pravastatin. There was similar reduction in risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction, death from CHD and death from all cardiovascular causes with no increased risk of death from non-cardiovascular causes nor an increase in incident cancers.


Trends in the civil registration of fetal death in multiple gestations that has occurred before, but expelled from the womb after, 24 weeks' gestation are examined using England and Wales 1993-2004 registration obtained from the Office for National Statistics. Count was made of fetal death registrations in which fetus papyraceous, fetal death before 24 weeks' gestation or fetocide before 24 weeks' gestation was recorded. There were 3700 fetal death registrations among 217,595 twin, triplet and higher order multiple births in England and Wales between 1993 and 2004. In 354 (9.6%) of these fetal deaths, death was recorded as having occurred before 24 weeks' gestation. There has been a three-fold increase in such fetal death registrations. It is a legal requirement of parents to register a fetal death. The definition of a fetal death that meets formal registration criteria is that the fetus is expelled from the womb after 24 weeks' gestation. However, if the fetal death occurs before 24 weeks, there is confusion, nationally and internationally, whether or not registration is legally required. Fetal death in a multiple gestation has serious clinical implications for a surviving co-conceptus and failure to inform parents of an early death in a multiple gestation may have important repercussions. Legal definition for the registration of fetal death requires international agreement and application.


Thirty patients with advanced preleukemic syndromes were treated with marrow transplantation. Most cases were diagnosed by the presence of peripheral pancytopenia and a diagnostic marrow examination but in 6 of the 30 patients pretransplant chromosome studies were instrumental in establishing the diagnosis. Three patients prepared for transplantation with cyclophosphamide alone recurred with their disease within 6 months of transplantation. The other 27 patients were treated with cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation. Twenty of these 27 patients had preleukemia not associated with prior therapy or severe marrow fibrosis. Thirteen of these 20 are alive and well 9 to 56 months from transplant and 7 died, 4 of interstitial pneumonia, 2 of candida septicemia, and 1 of disseminated zoster. There have been no disease recurrences in this group. The remaining preleukemic patients, which include 3 patients transplanted for preleukemia secondary to prior therapy and 4 patients transplanted for preleukemia associated with severe marrow fibrosis, have all died. Major problems in these patients included disease recurrence (2 cases) and, in those with severe marrow fibrosis, graft failure (2 cases). These results suggest that for patients with life-threatening pancytopenia due to spontaneous preleukemia without severe marrow fibrosis, marrow transplantation can prolong disease-free survival and may result in cure of the disease.


Global financial markets are subject to a complex web of soft law rules and standards called IntThis paper critically examines some of the main challenges associated with facilitating 'good governance' in small-scale diamond mining communities, focusing on the experience of Sierra Leone. Two recent governance initiatives in the country's diamond sector are reviewed: the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) for rough diamonds and the Diamond Area Community Development Fund (DACDF). The analysis considers some of the broader lessons which have emerged, as Sierra Leone currently attempts to launch a third governance initiative: the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). It is argued that the introduction of complex monitoring processes represents significant challenges for a country which is emerging from a long period of conflict and isolation, is suffering from serious shortages in human capacity, and where good governance, accountability and transparency will undoubtedly take considerable time to develop.


Debate on the appropriateness of conferences in cases of gendered violence has been occurring since the mid 1990s. Critics are concerned with power imbalances of victims and perpetrators in face-to-face meetings and the potential for re-victimizing victims. Others see benefits, including a victim's ability to voice the story of her victimization and its impact, and to be validated and believed by others. We see two problems with the debate. First, it ignores huge variability in victimization contexts and relationships. Second, there is little empirical evidence on actual practices and outcomes or on victims' experiences. We advance the discussion by analyzing a particular type of gendered violence, sibling sexual abuse, and by presenting new research on court and conference responses to it.


The existence of treatment-resistant cancer stem cells contributes to the aggressive phenotype of glioblastoma. However, the molecular alterations that drive stem cell proliferation in these tumors remain unknown. In this study, we found that expression of the MET oncogene was associated with neurospheres expressing the gene signature of mesenchymal and proneural subtypes of glioblastoma. Met expression was almost absent from neurospheres expressing the signature of the classical subtype and was mutually exclusive with amplification and expression of the EGF receptor (EGFR) gene. Met-positive and Met-negative neurospheres displayed distinct growth factor requirements, differentiated along divergent pathways, and generated tumors with distinctive features. The Met(high) subpopulation within Met-pos neurospheres displayed clonogenic potential and long-term self-renewal ability in vitro and enhanced growth kinetics in vivo. In Met(high) cells, the Met ligand HGF further sustained proliferation, clonogenicity, expression of self-renewal markers, migration, and invasion in vitro. Together, our findings suggest that Met is a functional marker of glioblastoma stem cells and a candidate target for identification and therapy of a subset of glioblastomas.


: This article emphasizes the vital role of a physical therapist in the surgical programme of the correction of clawing caused in leprosy due to paralysis of intrinsics. Right from the assessment of patient till the final re-education a physical therapist is a must helping in motivating the patient, planning the type of procedure to be performed on him and training the patient post-operatively. If treated early a physical therapist himself can overcome the deformity by the help of various physical therapy measures without surgical intervention.


There are numerous known benefits associated with the use of an electronic medical record (EMR). In October of 2004, a pediatric respiratory medicine practice at a major academic institution began the process of implementing an EMR system. Through this process, another benefit was realized, improved coordination between out-patient and in-patient care in relation to asthma education. The process began with the formation of an implementation team. The team consisted of technical as well as clinical experts from various disciplines. Together the team developed templates, decision support tools and standardized patient care letters. The team also determined workflow and provided training on the EMR system. A major benefit associated with EMR implementation was the increase in the number of children who were hospitalized with an asthma exacerbation and received an asthma action plan upon discharge. Prior to the EMR system, 4% received an asthma action plan upon discharge. After implementation of the EMR system, 58% received an asthma action plan upon discharge.


A mathematical model and its associated numerical search algorithm has been developed for routine coal blending to include local coals for cokemaking at the Nigerian blast furnace-based Ajaokuta Steel Plant. A typical binary blend proposed using the model includes 28.38% and 29.00% of the ash- laden Lafia and non-caking Okaba coals, respectively. The proposed blends satisfy basic chemical and mechanical strength requirements at the lowest cost per ton of coal. The blending calculations showed that only low ash, low sulphur, medium volatile and high vitrinite reflectance prime grade coals such as the UK Ogmore should be imported for blending with the ash-laden medium coking Lafia coal. When the proposed blends are successfully confirmed with bench and pilot scale carbonization tests, cokemaking at Ajaokuta will be conducted with substantial savings in foreign exchange.


Abstract. Flood loss modeling is an important component within flood risk assessments. Traditionally, stage-damage functions are used for the estimation of direct monetary damage to buildings. Although it is known that such functions are governed by large uncertainties, they are commonly applied – even in different geographical regions – without further validation, mainly due to the lack of real damage data. Until now, little research has been done to investigate the applicability and transferability of such damage models to other regions. In this study, the last severe flood event in the Austrian Lech Valley in 2005 was simulated to test the performance of various damage functions from different geographical regions in Central Europe for the residential sector. In addition to common stage-damage curves, new functions were derived from empirical flood loss data collected in the aftermath of recent flood events in neighboring Germany. Furthermore, a multi-parameter flood loss model for the residential sector was adapted to the study area and also evaluated with official damage data. The analysis reveals that flood loss functions derived from related and more similar regions perform considerably better than those from more heterogeneous data sets of different regions and flood events. While former loss functions estimate the observed damage well, the latter overestimate the reported loss clearly. To illustrate the effect of model choice on the resulting uncertainty of damage estimates, the current flood risk for residential areas was calculated. In the case of extreme events like the 300 yr flood, for example, the range of losses to residential buildings between the highest and the lowest estimates amounts to a factor of 18, in contrast to properly validated models with a factor of 2.3. Even if the risk analysis is only performed for residential areas, our results reveal evidently that a carefree model transfer in other geographical regions might be critical. Therefore, we conclude that loss models should at least be selected or derived from related regions with similar flood and building characteristics, as far as no model validation is possible. To further increase the general reliability of flood loss assessment in the future, more loss data and more comprehensive loss data for model development and validation are needed.


Abstract Fleshy fruits undergo a complex ripening process, developing organoleptic fruit traits that attract herbivores and maximize seed dispersal. Ripening is the terminal stage of fruit development and involves a series of physiological and biochemical changes. In fleshy fruits, ripening always involves a drastic color change triggered by the accumulation of pigments and degradation of chlorophyll, softening caused by cell wall remodeling, and flavor formation as acids and sugars accumulate alongside volatile compounds. The mechanisms underlying fruit ripening rely on the orchestration of ripening-related transcription factors, plant hormones, and epigenetic modifications. In this review, we discuss current knowledge of the transcription factors that regulate ripening in conjunction with ethylene and environmental signals (light and temperature) in the model plant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and other fleshy fruits. We emphasize the critical roles of epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation and histone modification as well as RNA m6A modification, which has been studied intensively. This detailed review was compiled to provide a comprehensive description of the regulatory mechanisms of fruit ripening and guide new strategies for its effective manipulation.


E. coli and Klebsiella spp. are the main opportunistic pathogens under family Enterobacteriaceae. Cephalosporins are the first line of drugs against these organisms, but the inappropriate use of beta-lactam antibiotics render these organisms more vulnerable for the production of enzymes. Prevalence of ESBLs has resulted in widespread development of drug resistance. The present study was done to detect the prevalence of ESBLs producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp with their antibiotic resistance patterns at TMMC Tertiary care hospital. A total no of 200 isolates were obtained from clinical samples from March to February 2015. Samples were inoculated on MacConkey and sheep blood agar. The organisms were identified based on standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, as per CLSI guidelines. Following screening with Cefotaxime (30 Âμg) disc, resistance was then confirmed for ESBL production by phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test using Ceftazidime (30 Âμg) and Ceftazidime + clavulanic acid (30 Âμg) disc. Result: Out of 120 Escherichia coli isolates 80 isolates of Klebsiella species, 31(25.83%) and 19 (23.75%) were ESBL producers respectively. These ESBL producers showed high-degree of resistance to ampicillin (100%) followed by ceftazidime, pipracillin and cefotaxime for both E. coli and Klebsiella species. The most sensitive antibiotics were found to be imipenem followed by Amikacin and meropenem. The present study highlights a relatively higher prevalence ESBL among E. coli and Klebsiella spp In view of these findings, we recommend that ESBL testing should be done routinely to reduce resistance to antibiotics and to strengthen the enforcement of infection control measures. It is pertinent for the treating clinicians so that they can make an informed choice as far as appropriate antibiotics and precautions are concerned. K e y w o r d s


From April 15, 1965, to November 1993, 104 kidneys from living related donors (LRD) were transplanted to 104 patients with endstage chronic renal failure. The kidneys were taken from the patients' mother (n = 55), fathers (n = 21), sisters (n = 18), and brothers (n = 10). Analysis of the experience accumulated has demonstrated that the outcomes of kidney grafting from LRD are much better than those from cadaver donors. All the living donors were investigated in the late postoperative period. There were no negative influences on their health and social position. The residual was able to maintain the donors' homeostasis throughout their life. Thus, transplantation of the kidney from living related donors is the method of choice in patients with end-stage chronic renal failure.


The last two decades have revealed that phages (viruses that infect bacteria) are abundant and play fundamental roles in the Earth System, with the T4-like myoviruses (herein T4-like phages) emerging as a dominant 'signal' in wild populations. Here we examine 27 T4-like phage genomes, with a focus on 17 that infect ocean picocyanobacteria (cyanophages), to evaluate lateral gene transfer (LGT) in this group. First, we establish a reference tree by evaluating concatenated core gene supertrees and whole genome gene content trees. Next, we evaluate what fraction of these 'core genes' shared by all 17 cyanophages appear prone to LGT. Most (47 out of 57 core genes) were vertically transferred as inferred from tree tests and genomic synteny. Of those 10 core genes that failed the tree tests, the bulk (8 of 10) remain syntenic in the genomes with only a few (3 of the 10) having identifiable signatures of mobile elements. Notably, only one of these 10 is shared not only by the 17 cyanophages, but also by all 27 T4-like phages (thymidylate synthase); its evolutionary history suggests cyanophages may be the origin of these genes to Prochlorococcus. Next, we examined intragenic recombination among the core genes and found that it did occur, even among these core genes, but that the rate was significantly higher between closely related phages, perhaps reducing any detectable LGT signal and leading to taxon cohesion. Finally, among 18 auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs, a.k.a. 'host' genes), we found that half originated from their immediate hosts, in some cases multiple times (e.g. psbA, psbD, pstS), while the remaining have less clear evolutionary origins ranging from cyanobacteria (4 genes) or microbes (5 genes), with particular diversity among viral TalC and Hsp20 sequences. Together, these findings highlight the patterns and limits of vertical evolution, as well as the ecological and evolutionary roles of LGT in shaping T4-like phage genomes.


Taiwan's climate is marine tropical. The northern part of the island has a rainy season that lasts from January through late March during the northeast monsoon, and experiences hot, humid weather from June through September. Thus, road's maintenance is a difficult issue due to its long-season rains as well as high groundwater levels. In the mean time, the current roads are generally weaker in most suburban areas due to those soft soil bases uncompacted in construction. Those aspects explain the low performance of suburban roads in northern Taiwan. Therefore, this research takes the Yilan county, located in the northeast part of the island and well-known as a rainy county, as a study area where major suburban roads are selected to take asphalt concrete specimens for testing. The major purpose is to investigate the time effect of asphalt pavements for those of specimens with a period time of three years. A total number of 329 asphalt concrete specimens are characterized as Class I specimens, 305 of which were taken in 2007, as well as Class II of 24 taken in 2010. First, as for the Class I specimens, the Indirect Tensile Strength test (ITS) is conducted, together with the Control Chart as a filter, and then the remaining 253 specimens come to the average ITS value of 15.55 kgf/cm2. Secondly, as for the Class II specimens of 24, the Film Stripping (FS) tests are conducted to obtain the Index of Retained Strength (IRS) values, from which the basis of ITS comparisons is found. Thus, the different average ITS value, 19.16% in three years, is obtained. The result also indicates that the annual reduction of ITS value for an area similar to the study area may be taken as approximately 11% (33.14/3 %) and 4.7% (13.98/3 %) for the conditions of high traffic flow and low traffic flow, respectively. It may also address the common effect of traffic and environment on moisture damage in asphalt pavements.


High ratios of external debt to GDP in selected Asian countries have contributed to the initiation, propagation, and severity of the financial and economic crises in recent years, reflecting runaway fiscal deficits and excessive foreign borrowing by the private sector. More importantly, the servicing of large debt stocks has diverted scarce resources from investment and long-term growth. Applying and calibrating the formal framework proposed by Villanueva (2003) to Philippine data, we explore the joint dynamics of external debt, capital accumulation, and growth. The relative simplicity of the model makes it convenient to analyze the links between domestic adjustment policies, foreign borrowing, and growth. We estimate the optimal domestic saving rate that is consistent with maximum real consumption per unit of effective labor in the long run. As a by-product, we estimate the steady-state ratio of net external debt to GDP that is associated with this optimal outcome. The framework is an extension of the standard neoclassical growth model that incorporates endogenous technical change and global capital markets. The major policy implications are that in the long run, fiscal adjustment and the promotion of private saving are critical; reliance on foreign saving in a globalized financial world has limits; and when risk spreads are highly and positively correlated with rising external debt levels, unabated foreign borrowing depresses long run welfare.


Objectives To examine differences in growth patterns in preterm infants developing major morbidities including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH). Study design Cohort study of 2521 infants born at a gestational age (GA) of 23–30 weeks from 11 level III neonatal intensive care units in USA and Canada, and 3 Swedish population-based cohorts. Outcomes Birth weight and postnatal weight gain were examined relative to birth GA and ROP, BPD, NEC and IVH development. Results Among infants with a birth GA of 25–30 weeks, birth weight SD score and postnatal weight were lower in those developing ROP and BPD. Infants developing ROP showed lower growth rates during postnatal weeks 7–9 in the 23–24 weeks GA group, during weeks 4–6 in the 25–26 weeks GA group and during weeks 1–5 in the 27–30 weeks GA group. Infants with BPD born at 27–30 weeks GA showed lower growth rates during postnatal weeks 3–5. Infants with NEC had lower growth rates after postnatal week 6 in all GA groups, with no significant differences in birth weight SD score. IVH was not associated with prenatal or postnatal growth. Conclusions In this cohort study of extremely preterm infants, we found that the postnatal growth pattern was associated with morbidities such as ROP, BPD and NEC as well as with gestational age at birth.


Abstract This study tests the fidelity of shallow-water gastropod skeletons as multiproxy archives of paleoenvironmental change by comparing isotopic and trace-metal analyses of specimens of Conus ermineus. Four adult specimens were collected live from Stetson Bank in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico during the summer of 2003. Shells were sampled along axes of growth to produce time-series profiles spanning up to 8 years. δ18O and Sr/Ca profiles show seasonal cyclicity modified by fast summer and slow winter shell growth. The profiles were combined to estimate paleosalinity. This yields variable results that overestimate salinity range; nevertheless, annual salinity minima and maxima are still evident. The overestimates are attributed to interspecimen Sr/Ca variability and error in the δ18Osw-salinity regression. Profiles of δ13C show seasonal variation superimposed on a decreasing ontogenetic trend, the latter ascribed to decreasing metabolic efficiency also reflected by an ontogenetic increase in Sr/Ca. Seasonal δ13C variation reflects changes in the δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC). Salinity and δ13CDIC at Stetson Bank strongly correlate (R2 = 0.80, p < 0.0001), and shell δ13C minima coincide with local salinity minima following times of peak river discharge. These δ13C minima terminate during annual shelf current reversals. Low-salinity waters directly account for less than half the variability in shell δ13C but enhance summer stratification and trap respired CO2 from sediment pore waters. Specimens from this study show mean δ13C values 1‰ lower than C. ermineus collected from Stetson Bank in 1971, reflecting the decrease in δ13CDIC from anthropogenic CO2.


Earth deformation is a three-dimensional phenomenon; therefore crust analysis also must be done in three-dimension. Analysis of deformation using two epochs can be replaced by analysis of time series, which is more effective for modeling of geodynamics phenomena. GPS permanent stations provide such observations. At the first part of this study, time series of 19 GPS permanent stations in Washington region have been used. With simultaneous analysis of common observations, displacements in three directions were obtained. According to the obtained results, estimation accuracy of horizontal displacements is nearly 3.5 times better than estimation accuracy of vertical displacements. In the next section, Lagrangian method has been used to analyze the deformation. Generally, by generalization of the mathematical model of this method, from two-dimensional to three-dimensional, there is a possibility of problem's instability. The results of this study show that generalized three-dimensional model necessarily does not lead to instability of the problem. It seems that position of points relative to each other and topography of the region are more important elements which can make coefficients matrix ill-conditioned. As an important point, we can mention that deformation pattern obtained using two-dimensional and three-dimensional analysis are consistence. This consistency can be obviously found in most stations. But in terms of values, we can find serious differences between horizontal main values of strain tensors and compression values even up to two decimals. These differences may come from ignoring vertical component in analysis of two-dimensional deformation.


This paper proposes the Proximal Iteratively REweighted (PIRE) algorithm for solving a general problem, which involves a large body of nonconvex sparse and structured sparse related problems. Comparing with previous iterative solvers for nonconvex sparse problem, PIRE is much more general and efficient. The computational cost of PIRE in each iteration is usually as low as the state-of-the-art convex solvers. We further propose the PIRE algorithm with Parallel Splitting (PIRE-PS) and PIRE algorithm with Alternative Updating (PIRE-AU) to handle the multi-variable problems. In theory, we prove that our proposed methods converge and any limit solution is a stationary point. Extensive experiments on both synthesis and real data sets demonstrate that our methods achieve comparative learning performance, but are much more efficient, by comparing with previous nonconvex solvers.


The Pampean Plain landscape is characterized by a great number of shallow lakes (fl ushing, backwater, and seepage lakes) with different degrees of interconnection with rivers and wetlands. The Salado River is the major autochthonous water course of the Buenos Aires Province and is a typical lowland river. The fi rst phytoplankton studies in these shallow lakes were published during the middle of the last century, whereas investigations in lotic environments did not start until 1980. Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta are usually dominant in all water bodies of the region, while Bacillariophyceae are abundant in certain environments. Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria are mainly represented by euplanktonic species, whereas a high proportion of the diatoms are brought in from the periphytic and benthic communities. Shallow lakes of this region are characterized according to the presence or absence of submerged and emergent macrophytes and by the relative predominance of inorganic and organic suspended solids. These conditions infl uence the temporal and spatial variability of the phytoplankton structure because of the changes in water transparency, nutrient balance, and the zooplankton structure related to macrophyte development. The shallow lakes connected to the Salado River act as an alluvial valley, exchanging organisms between the river and the lakes, though this infl uence depends on the direction of the water fl ow, which can reverse during fl ooding events. The differences in the structure and dynamics of the phytoplankton of lotic and lentic environments of the Pampean Plain are related to the hydrological regime and geomorphologic-hydrologic features, to the incorporation of inocula from connected systems, and to the colonization of submerged macrophytes. In recent years, several hydraulic constructions have been made, which have modifi ed the natural dynamic system and thus, infl uenced the normal exchange of phytoplankton assemblages in this complex system.


The current study is an interdisciplinary study in which the problems posed by pre-service primary school teachers were analyzed within the context of both environment and mathematical processes. A total of 75 pre-service primary school teachers participated in the current study designed according to the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. The data were collected through the math problems posed by the pre-service teachers with the context of the environment. The environmental contexts were analyzed by using the content analysis method while the problem posing processes were analyzed through the descriptive analysis approach. The results of the analyses have revealed that the pre-service teachers generally preferred to include more than one environmental context in the problems they posed and from among these contexts, the waste, garbage, forestation and air pollution contexts came to the fore. It was found that the problems posed were solvable to a great extent and were mostly real life problems in accordance with the structure of the context. However, it was observed that more than 30% of pre-service teachers could not correctly express the grade level of primary school in terms of both mathematical processes and the environmental context.


Background Instability of cervical spine is one of the most challenging fields in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although most of the patients can be treated conservatively, some experience intractable pain with pronounced neurological symptoms. Sudden death has been reported in 10% of cases. Objectives Aim of this study was to determine the importance of screening of patients with RA and cervical spine instrumentation, which restores spinal stability before onset of cervical myelopathy. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 17 patients surgically treated for instability of the upper cervical spine during 1996 – 2001. Average age was 53.2 years (22 – 72), average duration of the disease was 14 years (3 – 24), 16 patients were women. There were 4 patients with cranial settling combined with atlanto-axial or/and subaxial instability and 13 with atlanto-axial instability; one of these patients had associated lateral atlanto-axial instability. Screening included electrophysiological examination, dynamic x-rays, in cases of significant instability MRI is performed in order to determine possible compression of the dural sac by pannus as described by Dvorak. The indications for surgery are: growing neurological deficit or pain, cranial settling, lateral subluxation of C1-C2 more than 2 mm and retrodental interval in patients with atlanto-axial subluxation 14 mm or less. Four different instrumentations were used, Ransford loop with sublaminar wires and cables, transarticular screws with wire loop, double sublaminar loop (Brooks) and Cervifix. All patients were using soft collar postoperatively, the one with Brooks procedure was placed into halo-vest for 6 weeks. Results Patients were evaluated using functional rating score and the Visual Analogue Scale with the mean follow up 14.3 months (6‑46). Marked improvement was found in both evaluations. Complications included cerebrospinal fluid leak, which required revision, delayed wound healing, injury to vertebral artery and delayed union of spinal fusion. Although they required longer hospital stay, they were not clinically significant. Conclusion Our results support the need for careful screening of patients with RA, which reveals instability associated with early neurological signs. Indication for surgery should be done before the onset of cervical myelopathy. Internal fixation with Cervifix, Ransford loop and transarticular fixation according to Magerl were satisfactory in maintaining stability of the upper cervical spine before healing of the fusion. Stability of the Brooks procedure was not satisfactory and therefore the patient had to be placed into halo-vest orthosis.


The annual incidence of spinal column fracture is 350 per million populations. with Motor vehicular accident being the major single cause of spine injuries. The victims are predominantly young and male. The aim of this study to evaluate the clinical outcome of conservative treatment of closed thoracic and lumbar spine fractures following RTI at UATH GwagwaladaAbuja by measuring the progression in kyphotic deformity. In this retrospective study, the age, gender, mechanism of the injury, time of presentation, symptoms, type of fracture, serial Cobb angle of the plain radiology between 1st Jan 2008 and 31 December 2008 were were obtained studied from the case notes. - Sixteen patients with closed thoracic and lumbar fractures were seen during the review period. The male: female ratio was 3:1 with a mean age of 33.7± 11.4 years (males= 32.4 ± 7.9 years; females= 37.3 ± 8.4 years). The peak incidence was in the month of July (18.8%). Ten (62.5%) patients presented within a week of the injury. The predominant symptom was back pain (100%). Commercial bus (56.3%) was the commonest mode of transportation causing RTI with spinal fractures. The first lumbar vertebral (L1) (25.0%) was the most frequently fracture spine and the commonest fracture pattern was compression fracture (56.3%). At the index evaluation, the mean Cobb angle was 28.3o± 7.2o with an average progression of 9.8o± 4.2o at twenty-four weeks of conservative treatment. The thoracolumbar spine was the commonest fracture site and the commonest fracture pattern was compression fracture. The short term clinical outcome of conservative treatment was not satisfactory


The purpose of this study was to determine whether criminal history risk moderates the effect of probation on future reoffending. A sample of 327 participants from the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97) who had been on probation were compared with 327 propensity score matched members of the NLSY97 who had been arrested but not placed on probation. Probation and arrest data analyzed between 1999 and 2008 failed to support the presence of an overall effect for probation. When the sample was divided into higher criminal history risk (one or more prior arrests) and lower criminal history risk (no prior arrests), however, probation was found to reduce recidivism in the lower criminal history risk group but not in the higher criminal history risk group. Accordingly, probation appeared to have a small but significant ameliorative effect on future offending in lower criminal history risk offenders.


Objective To investigate the independent effects of intake of fruit and vegetables on incidence of type 2 diabetes. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Medline, Embase, CINAHL, British Nursing Index (BNI), and the Cochrane library were searched for medical subject headings and keywords on diabetes, prediabetes, fruit, and vegetables. Expert opinions were sought and reference lists of relevant articles checked. Study selection Prospective cohort studies with an independent measure of intake of fruit, vegetables, or fruit and vegetables and data on incidence of type 2 diabetes. Results Six studies met the inclusion criteria; four of these studies also provided separate information on the consumption of green leafy vegetables. Summary estimates showed that greater intake of green leafy vegetables was associated with a 14% (hazard ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.97) reduction in risk of type 2 diabetes (P=0.01). The summary estimates showed no significant benefits of increasing the consumption of vegetables, fruit, or fruit and vegetables combined. Conclusion Increasing daily intake of green leafy vegetables could significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and should be investigated further.


In recent years, researchers have paid more and more attention to computer vision, pattern recognition and human-computer interaction. Recognizing barcode in real-time video is an embodiment of these techniques. This paper presents an algorithm which can locate barcode region in complex background through region-based image analysis. Being different from traditional region-based image analysis, the algorithm is carried out with integral image. Features including high density of unidirectional gradients, area and rectangle like shape of barcode region are utilized in recognition.


Slackline challenges balance by walking on a tensioned strap, where the trunk muscles help to maintain or regain balance. This study aimed to compare a cohort of individuals who regularly practiced slackline and physically inactive individuals on core endurance (CE) and dynamic balance (DB) and to determine whether CE is associated with years of slackline practice. Nine individuals (7 men) who practiced slackline regularly (SG; age= 24.5±3.6 years) and nine physically inactive individuals (7 men) (CG; age= 23.2±3.3 years) were compared. CE was assessed with the McGill battery (trunk flexor, extensor, and side-bridge test) and the plank test. DB was measured with the modified star excursion balance test in stable and unstable conditions. The SG maintained a 36.2% and 45% longer time in left lateral bridge (p=.049) and plank (p=.031), respectively, compared to the CG. The distance achieved in the stable DB test was similar between groups, but in unstable condition was 37.8% greater (p=.016) in SG in both legs and 46.6% greater in the non-dominant leg (p=.039) compared to CG. The SG showed a correlation between years of slackline practice and flexor (r=.674; p=.046), right lateral (r=.765; p=.016) and left (r=.730; p=.026) trunk endurance. In conclusion, those who practice slackline maintain a longer time in the plank and left lateral bridge test and achieve a higher reach distance in unstable DB compared to physically inactive individuals who do not practice slackline.


Twenty college students were tested for the effects of background color on short-term memory using a serialrecall task. Subjects were tested using a Commodore computer/monitor. Nine black digits were presented on either a red, green, or blue screen for ten seconds. The subjects then re-entered the numbers using the computer keyboard. Scores were determined by counting the number of correct digits in the correct order that were entered as compared to those in the presentation. Ten trials of each color were preformed. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant effect on the number of digits recalled between the different colors. Subjectively, though, there was a preference for the blue background and a dislike for the red background .


Jabodetabek or Greater Jakarta is an official and administrative definition of the urban area or megacity surrounding the Indonesia capital city, Jakarta. The population of Jabodetabek, with an area of 6,392 km, was over 30.0 million by January 2014 or about 11.26% of national population, making it the most populous region in Indonesia. The center of Jakarta is the center of government, culture, education, economy, finance, manufacture and commerce while the sub-urban area became the center of the settlement. It's causes jam, high cost, wasteful, inefficient, pollution, longer time, uncomforted, high life stress. Restructuring the shifting of the center of business economic activities to the sub-urban areas closed to the residential area is expected to increase amenities, productivity and efficiency. The local special characters of Betawi culture that had been marginalized in Jakarta can be revived in the development of new office centers, shopping and education in sub-urban areas. Wider spatial arrangement and optimal tropical climate can realize harmony of nature, humanity, social, culture, monetary, psychological, spiritual, environment and life for sustainable development.


Background:
 Since the introduction of novel anti-myeloma agents, multiple studies have shown disparate survival outcomes among African American (AA) patients compared to whites with multiple myeloma (MM). Limited access to novel therapies and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-HCT) has been considered partly responsible for the lower survival outcomes in AA, but other disease-related features may also contribute to this disparity. We hypothesize that patients receiving ASCT would have equal healthcare access, which may nullify the impact of disparate access to novel drugs and healthcare facilities. To test this hypothesis, we compared survival outcomes of AA and whites with MM who underwent upfront ASCT at our center through propensity score matching analysis.
 Methods and patients:
 A total of 705 MM patients, including AA and whites, who underwent auto-HCT at our institution from 2007 to 2015. By using 1:1 propensity-matching, we identified 251 patients, 125 AA and 126 whites. Clinical response, relapse, and progression were defined by the International Myeloma Working Group criteria.
 Results:
 Table 1 includes the baseline characteristics of the matched doublets. Patients in the two groups were well matched for age at auto-HCT, ISS stage, serum creatinine, induction, response to induction, consolidation, preparative regimen, and maintenance therapy. The median follow-up for the matched cohort was 71.5 (interquartile range: 51.6-90.3) months. The overall response rate (CR+VGPR+PR) after auto-HCT was 95.2% (119/125 patients)) and 98.4% (123/125 patients) in the AA and the white group, respectively (p = 0.289). Thirty-four (27.2%) patients achieved a CR in each group. Sixty (48.0%) and 62 (49.6%) patients achieved a VGPR in the AA and the white group, respectively. The median PFS for the AA and the white group was 44.6 (95%CI: 35.5 - 54.7) and 51.0 (95%CI: 38.3 - 63.9) months, respectively (p = 0.763, stratified log-rank test). The 4-year PFS in the AA and the white group was 48% (95%CI: 39.3 - 57.8) and 51.2% (95%CI: 43.0 - 61.0), respectively (Fig. 1). The 4-year OS in the AA and the white group was 78.5% (95%CI: 71.5 - 86.2) and 80.9% (95%CI: 74.1 - 88.2), respectively (Fig. 2).
 Conclusions:
 In this propensity score matching analysis of MM patients who underwent an auto-HCT at our institution, we showed that AA patients had similar response rates, PFS, and OS as white patients

 Bashir: KITE: Other: Advisory Board; Amgen: Other: Advisory Board; Purdue: Other: Advisory Board; Celgene: Research Funding; StemLine: Research Funding; Takeda: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Acrotech: Research Funding. Popat:Bayer: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Hosing:NKARTA Inc.: Consultancy. Nieto:Secura Bio: Other: Grant Support; Affimed: Consultancy, Other: Grant Support; Astra Zeneca: Other: Grant Support; Novartis: Other: Grant Support. Kebriaei:Amgen: Other: Research Support; Ziopharm: Other: Research Support; Novartis: Other: Served on advisory board; Jazz: Consultancy; Kite: Other: Served on advisory board; Pfizer: Other: Served on advisory board. Alousi:Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Therakos: Research Funding; Alexion: Honoraria. Mehta:Kadmon: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; CSL Behring: Research Funding. Khouri:Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Thomas:Genentech: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Ascentage: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Other: Advisory Boards; X4 Pharma: Research Funding; Xencor: Research Funding. Lee:Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy; Regeneron: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Patel:Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Nektar: Consultancy, Research Funding; Precision Biosciences: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Poseida: Research Funding. Orlowski:Sanofi-Aventis, Servier, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Founder of Asylia Therapeutics, Inc., with associated patents and an equity interest, though this technology does not bear on the current submission.: Current equity holder in private company, Patents & Royalties; Amgen, Inc., AstraZeneca, BMS, Celgene, EcoR1 Capital LLC, Forma Therapeutics, Genzyme, GSK Biologicals, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Janssen Biotech, Juno Therapeutics, Kite Pharma, Legend Biotech USA, Molecular Partners, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Laboratory research funding from BioTheryX, and clinical research funding from CARsgen Therapeutics, Celgene, Exelixis, Janssen Biotech, Sanofi-Aventis, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.: Research Funding; STATinMED Research: Consultancy. Champlin:Actinium: Consultancy; Johnson and Johnson: Consultancy; Cytonus: Consultancy; Omeros: Consultancy; Genzyme: Speakers Bureau; DKMS America: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Patents & Royalties. Qazilbash:Bioclinica: Consultancy; Angiocrine: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Bioline: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding.


Financing patterns in corporate takeovers and private equity deals over the last twenty years demonstrate the widespread application of Rolnick and Weber's (1986) extension of one of the most venerable principles of monetary economics: Gresham's Law. Two currencies, corporate securities (bad money) and cash (good money) circulate together with the former playing the dominant role of par money in times when investors exhibit irrational enthusiasm. Heightened social pressure in the form of herding combined with greater uncertainty about the degree and duration of the overvaluation of securities jointly play the role of transactions costs creating a preference for payment in the par money and most deals are financed with equity or debt securities rather than cash. To illustrate, overvalued bank loans were the most common form of financing in the credit bubble up to 2008 while stock deals predominated in takeover financing during the Internet bubble period of the late 1990s. Normal markets, not characterized by irrational enthusiasm, display the use of both corporate securities and cash in funding takeovers with cash deals (good money) enjoying a premium in the form of more favorable stock market reaction. The analysis provides useful insights for both monetary economists and researchers in corporate finance. For the former, it brings a fresh currency to the interpretation and extension of Gresham's law relating the classic debate to contemporary, as opposed to historical, events. For the latter, the lesson is that principles of monetary economics can enhance understanding of corporate financing choices.


A measles outbreak occurred in the Kirinyaga District in February, 1985. Immunization coverage against measles was above 80% in the district and increased by age. The immunization against measles was lowest (46%) in the age group (8-11) months and highest (90%) in the (36-59) months age group. However, the overall vaccine effectiveness in the childhood population (8-59) months was only 43.5% and peaked (91.5%) in the (24-35) months age group. Based on these and similar findings in some developed and developing countries the proposal for global measles eradication is suggestively premature and particularly so for the tropics. The eradication of measles poses far more substantial obstacles than did smallpox eradication. That transmission continues to occur in communities with very high measles vaccination coverage and high vaccine effectiveness (vaccine efficacy) is a true testimony to the difficulty involved.


In this 21st century, city symphonies encompass great reference titles in a remarkable hundred-year-production. As having an experimental nature related to the documentary approach, they seem to propose a sort of utopia revealing a crucial work of the visual. This study aims to investigate the similarities and the differences between the first titles from the 1920s and the more recent ones from the 1990s and 2000s. For such, a universe of semiosis shall be realized in a concern about all events of life in a metropolis. More accurately, Peircean semiotic and Semiology offer a coherent and systematic field in the study of signs which may elucidate the complex connections between city symphonies' filmic aesthetics. If they can be examined in their innovations and firstness, which establish and reinforce their avant-garde profile, in addition to the aspects of the historical world; a group of urban codes may also be focused evoking the secondness and thirdness – that is the power of the triadic system of signs. Berlin, Symphony of a Great City (1927, 2002), by Walter Ruttmann and Thomas Schadt, the meta-city symphony The Man with a Movie Camera (1929), by Dziga Vertov, its prior Kino-Eye (1924) and Vertov's circle, for instance, Mikhail Kaufman's Moscow (1927), Douro, Faina Fluvial distinct versions (1931, 1934, 1996), by Manoel de Oliveira. These titles shall constitute references of our findings.


Minimum interference routing is instrumental to MPLS traffic engineering under realistic assumptions of unknown traffic demand. This work presents a new algorithm for minimum interference routing, called light minimum interference routing (LMIR). This algorithm introduces a new approach for critical link identification that reduces the computational complexity. Results, derived via simulation, show that LMIR is precise and has indeed a low computational complexity.


BACKGROUND
Blood vessel growth is necessary for normal tissue homeostatis and contributes to solid tumor growth. Methods to quantitate neovascularization should be useful in testing biological factors and drugs that regulate angiogenesis or to induce a vascular supply to promote wound healing.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
An extract of basement membrane proteins (Matrigel) was found to reconstitute into a gel when injected subcutaneously into C57/BL mice and to support an intense vascular response when supplemented with angiogenic factors.

RESULTS
New vessels and von Willebrand factor antigen staining were apparent in the gel 2-3 days after injection, reaching a maximum after 3-5 days. Hemoglobin content of the gels was found to parallel the increase in vessels in the gel allowing ready quantitation. Angiogenesis was obtained with both acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors and was enhanced by heparin. Several substances were tested for angiostatic activity in this assay by coinjection in Matrigel with fibroblast growth factor and heparin. Platelet-derived growth factor BB, interleukin 1-beta, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor-beta were potent inhibitors of neovascularization induced by fibroblast growth factor. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha did not alter the response but was alone a potent inducer of neovascularization when coinjected with Matrigel and heparin. Consistent with the previously demonstrated importance of collagenase in mediating endothelial cell invasion, a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases that also inhibits collagenases was found to be a potent inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor-induced angiogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS
Our assay allows the ready quantitative assessment of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors and should be useful in the isolation of endothelial cells from the capillaries that penetrate into the gel.


Background Impaired myocardial perfusion reserve has been demonstrated in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) by positron emission tomography (PET) and adenosine-stress first-pass perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Adenosine stress native T1 mapping is a novel CMR technique able to assess myocardial perfusion without the use of contrast agents. Aim of the present study was to the determine the clinical utility of this novel CMR technique in NIDCM. Methods A total of 20 consecutive patients (mean age 61±12 years, 80% males) with diagnosis of NIDCM who consented to be enrolled in the UHSM CMR registry were included in the present study. CMR at 3T including 1. cine imaging for the assessment of LV volumes, mass and global longitudinal strain (GLS) by tissue-tracking imaging; 2. rest and stress (adenosine 140 mcg/kg/min) MOLLI T1 mapping of mid ventricular slice for the assessment of rest and stress T1 values and T1 reactivity (ΔT1%); 3. first-pass perfusion imaging for the assessment of myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) and 4. late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging for the assessment of myocardial replacement fibrosis, was performed. Twenty control patients without history of known coronary artery disease and evidence of reversible ischemia or previous myocardial infarct on CMR imaging were included for comparison purposes. Results NIDCM patients had significantly higher native T1 value (1263±47 ms vs. 1234±38 ms, p=0.031), significantly lower ΔT1% (3.2%±1.5% vs. 5.7±1.7%, p<0.001, figure 1A), significantly lower MPRI (1.32±0.18 vs. 1.67±0.13, p<0.001) and significantly lower GLS (−10±4% vs. −16±2%, p<0.001) as compared to controls. A significant strong relation between ΔT1% and MPRI (ß=0.76, p<0.001, figure 1B) and a significant moderate relation between DT1% and GLS (ß=−0.54, p<0.001) were observed.Abstract 24 Figure 1 Conclusion T1 reactivity, myocardial perfusion reserve and GLS are significantly reduced in NIDCM patients compared to controls. Adenosine stress T1 mapping holds promise for detection of impaired myocardial perfusion reserve in NIDCM without requirement for contrast agents.


We study the ratio of neutrino-proton elastic scattering to inverse beta decay event counts, measurable in a scintillation detector like JUNO, as a key observable for identifying the explosion mechanism of a galactic core-collapse supernova. If the supernova is not powered by the core but rather, e.g., by collapse-induced thermonuclear explosion, then a prolonged period of accretion-dominated neutrino luminosity is predicted. Using 1D numerical simulations, we show that the distinct resulting flavour composition of the neutrino burst can be tested in JUNO with high significance, overcoming theoretical uncertainties in the progenitor star profile and equation of state.


In 1992, the income tax withholding tables were adjusted so that withholding was reduced. A typical worker received an extra $28.80 in take-home pay per month in March through December 1992, to be offset by a lower tax refund in 1993. The change in withholding amounted to 0.5 percent of GDP. President Bush, who proposed this change in his State of the Union address, intended that it provide a temporary stimulus to demand. But the policy change involved only the timing of income, so, under the life-cycle/permanent-income model, it would be predicted to have a negligible effect on consumption and aggregate demand. This paper reports consumers' responses to the change in withholding. The results are based on a survey taken shortly after it went into effect. Forty-three percent of consumers report spending the extra take-home pay--substantially more than the zero percent predicted by the standard models, but substantially less than the one hundred percent upon which the policy was predicated. The decision to save the income is not explained by expected income growth. Therefore, while behavior of many households is not fully consistent with the life-cycle/permanent-income model, liquidity constraints do not appear to account for this behavior.


In this paper polymeric particulate composites are studied (especially polypropylene (PP) matrix stuffed by rigid mineral fillers). Presently, polymeric particulate composites are frequently used in many engineering applications. The composite was modeled as a three-phase continuum – matrix, interphase and particle. The properties of the particles (size, shape) have a significant effect on the global behaviour of the composite. On the basis of fracture mechanics methodology the interaction of micro-crack propagation in the matrix filled by rigid particles covered by the interphase was analyzed. The effect of the composite structure on their mechanical properties is studied here from the theoretical point of view.


Enhancing SOCS3 activity in neurons and glial cells in the retina may prevent abnormal blood vessel formation in proliferative retinopathies. Halting blood vessel formation in the eye Diabetics and preterm infants are susceptible to vision loss or blindness because of abnormal blood vessel formation in the eye, a process called retinal neovascularization. Using a model of this disease process, Sun et al. found that mice that lacked a protein called SOCS3 in the neurons and glial cells of the eye had greater retinal neovascularization than did control mice. Their results suggest that SOCS3 prevents neurons and glial cells from releasing too much VEGF (a cytokine that promotes blood vessel formation) by inhibiting the transcription factor STAT3, which can trigger the production of VEGF. Neurons and glial cells in the retina contribute to neovascularization, or the formation of abnormal new blood vessels, in proliferative retinopathy, a condition that can lead to vision loss or blindness. We identified a mechanism by which suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in neurons and glial cells prevents neovascularization. We found that Socs3 expression was increased in the retinal ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers after oxygen-induced retinopathy. Mice with Socs3 deficiency in neuronal and glial cells had substantially reduced vaso-obliterated retinal areas and increased pathological retinal neovascularization in response to oxygen-induced retinopathy, suggesting that loss of neuronal/glial SOCS3 increased both retinal vascular regrowth and pathological neovascularization. Furthermore, retinal expression of Vegfa (which encodes vascular endothelial growth factor A) was higher in these mice than in Socs3 flox/flox controls, indicating that neuronal and glial SOCS3 suppressed Vegfa expression during pathological conditions. Lack of neuronal and glial SOCS3 resulted in greater phosphorylation and activation of STAT3, which led to increased expression of its gene target Vegfa, and increased endothelial cell proliferation. In summary, SOCS3 in neurons and glial cells inhibited the STAT3-mediated secretion of VEGF from these cells, which suppresses endothelial cell activation, resulting in decreased endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. These results suggest that neuronal and glial cell SOCS3 limits pathological retinal angiogenesis by suppressing VEGF signaling.


Background Previous studies suggested long noncoding RNA metastasis associated with lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lncRNA MALAT1) acted as a tumor promoter to promote cell carcinogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MALAT1 was found to exist in serum exosomes of several cancers. However, the role of exosomal-derived MALAT1 in NSCLC remains poorly understood. Materials and Methods Exosomes were isolated using the ExoQuick precipitation kit. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of CD3, CD63, apoptosis- and metastasis-related protein. The expression of MALAT1, microRNA (miR)-515-5p and eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EEF2) mRNA was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability, apoptosis, or invasion were measured using 3-(4, 5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3, 5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry or transwell assay, respectively. The interaction between miR-515-5p and MALAT1 or EEF2 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. In vivo experiments were conducted through the murine xenograft model. Results MALAT1 was highly expressed in serum and cell exosomes from NSCLC patients. MALAT1 knockdown repressed cell proliferation, invasion and induced cell apoptosis in vitro as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo in NSCLC. Subsequently, we confirmed that MALAT1 was a sponge of miR-515-5p, and EEF2 was a target of miR-515-5p. Furthermore, MALAT1 served as a sponge of miR-515-5p to regulate EEF2 expression in NSCLC cells. More importantly, MALAT1 deletion performed anti-tumor effects by interacting with miR-515-5p/EEF2 axis in vitro and in vivo in NSCLC. Conclusion MALAT1 knockdown repressed NSCLC tumorigenicity by inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion and promoting apoptosis through regulating miR-515-5p/EEF2, besides, MALAT1 was highly enriched in exosomes of NSCLC, suggesting a possible molecular-targeted therapy for NSCLC patients.


We study optimization methods applied to minimizing forces for poses and movements of chained Stewart platforms (SPs) that we call an "Assembler" Robot. These chained SPs are parallel mechanisms that are stronger, stiffer, and more precise, on average, than their serial counterparts at the cost of a smaller range of motion. Linking these units in a series overcomes their individual limitations and yet maintains their trusslike rigidity, enabling their potential use for a variety of purposes. The assembler robot will be used in concert with several other types of robots to perform complex space missions. We develop algorithms and optimization models that can efficiently decide on favorable positions and movements that reduce forces loads on the robot and hence reducing wear on this machine. The objective of this research is to maneuver the interior plates of the Assembler such that the load forces distributed through the legs of each constituent SP are more even, allowing for a larger workspace and a greater overall payload capacity. The Assembler is designed to function concert with several other robots for a variety of space missions. Our computations focus on assemblers with four chained SPs, but our methods apply to an arbitrary number of SPs, and can be extended to general over-actuated truss-like robot architectures.


The re-emergence of vector-borne viral diseases in an emerging climate change scenario has raised considerable public health concern in rapidly expanding cities of India where altered land-use and environmental factors have resulted in increased mosquito breeding and occurrences of dengue and chikungunya in the recent years. The present year-round study was undertaken to investigate the seasonal variability and demographic diversity of mosquito population in the Pune urban-zone, western India, (18.52°N / 73.85°E), which is located on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats mountain range with considerable green cover. Mosquitoes were trapped from different localities (fixed trapping sites) representative of the urban-zone throughout the year covering all the four seasons. Specimens were identified, determined the demographic diversity, mosquito abundance and the association of the latter to meteorological parameters. Meteorological parameters were recorded daily and analyzed mathematically to obtain the derived parameters and fortnightly averages. Thirteen species of mosquitoes were found across the Pune urban-zone covering 4 genera , i.e., Aedes , Anopheles , Armigeres and Culex. Culex spp. was abundant throughout the year, while spurt in Aedes population was seen only during South West Monsoon (SW). Overall, mosquito abundance increased during the SW Monsoon due to low diurnal temperature range (DTR) along with increased rainfall and humidity, but decreased during winter followed by a slight increase during the Pre-Monsoon season. Seasonal variability of mosquito abundance and demographic diversity was observed in the study area which may form a basis for prospective systematic surveys and control measures.


Long-term effects of vitamin D deficiency on epidermis were studied using histometric techniques, [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA (labeling index), estimation of epidermal acid phosphatase activity, and one-dimensional gel electrophoresis of keratin proteins. The decrease in epidermal thickness due to a reduced number of granular cell layers and a lower level of epidermal acid phosphatase activity were observed in vitamin D-deficient rats. The number of nuclei in the basal layer was increased. No changes in labeled index due to chronic vitamin D deficiency or to 'single injection of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol to vitamin D-deficient rats were observed. A comparative study of the keratin composition revealed differences in the keratin polypeptide pattern: vitamin D-deficient epidermis specifically lacked two low-molecular-weight components and presented several quantitative differences among other keratin polypeptides. The changes in epidermal morphology and metabolism that took place with vitamin D deficiency were independent of plasma calcium levels because similar modifications were present in vitamin D-deficient but normocalcemic rats (fed a diet rich in calcium and supplemented with lactose). These findings suggest that vitamin D may be one of the important factors for maintaining normal epidermal structure and metabolism through an effect on cell differentiation and formation of granular cell layers. They offer the possibility of using epidermal modification as an additional marker of vitamin D deficiency.


Nowadays, we are witnessing an increase of innovation both on start-up and SME. The implementation of innovation has a strong impact in the knowledge of economy. The ability of human being in creating it can be defined as a basic skill in a global economy, involving learning as an essential dynamism of the competition. Furthermore, the research and development activities are very important not only for universities and companies but also for the global economy. This paper presents a new conceptual approach for innovation process in start-ups and a new methodology to know how long the innovation process must take. The conceptual approach proposed is divided into seven interactive steps: 1) Have an idea (product, service, process, business/marketing; 2) Analyze the state-of-the-art and the market; 3) R&D activities and Intellectual Property; 4) Listen the market; 5) Define a flexible business plan; 6) Find a business partner; and 7) Go-to-market. Regarding the time of innovation, the presented methodology is based on five Porter's Forces.


A great number of post-colonial African countries, bounded by formal frontiers and with an international presence at various international institutions such as the United Nations, function quite differently from conventional understandings of what a formal state is and should do. 'The primacy of patronage politics' explains that to understand African politics, the concept of neo-patrimonialism must be considered. Neo-patrimonialism is where patronage, clientelism, and rent-seeking exist, but where the structures of a modern state are also in place. In general, post-colonial African leaders have relied on coercive control and patronage through capturing power over the state, rather than through constructing a functioning impartial administration.


Abstract Mycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous components of terrestrial ecosystems that can influence plant performance, abundance and diversity. Patterns of allocation to specific mycorrhizal fungal structures could provide a useful context for understanding belowground dynamics in response to changing resources. Specifically, increased soil nutrient availability has been predicted to favor plants with lower rates of mycorrhizal association. In addition, fertilization has been predicted to favor mycorrhizae with higher investment in storage structures relative to uptake and exchange structures. A 3 y field experiment was conducted in coastal tallgrass prairie to examine how fertilization affects mycorrhizal abundance and investment patterns. Fertilization significantly increased total mycorrhizal abundance. Specifically, mycorrhizal investment in hyphae, coils and vesicles were significantly increased 53%, 252% and 440% in fertilized plots, respectively. Together these results suggest that mycorrhizae in high fertility soils allocate more to internal fungal storage at a potential cost to plant hosts. Thus, fertilization could have important indirect effects on the aboveground plant community by potentially altering the costs and benefits of mycorrhizae to host plants.


Reverse engineering techniques have the potential to support Web site understanding, by providing views that show the organization of a site and its navigational structure. However, representing each Web page as a node in the diagrams that are recovered from the source code of a Web site leads often to huge and unreadable graphs. Moreover, since the level of connectivity is typically high, the edges in such graphs make the overall result still less usable. Clustering can be used to produce cohesive groups of pages that are displayed as a single node in reverse engineered diagrams. In this paper, we propose a clustering method based on the automatic extraction of the keywords of a Web page. The presence of common keywords is exploited to decide when it is appropriate to group pages together. A second usage of the keywords is in the automatic labeling of the recovered clusters of pages.


This study aims to provide empirical evidence about effect of cash conversion cycle, firm size, and firm age to profitability. This study uses a quantitative approach, data collection techniques using purposive sampling method. The population in this research is manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) in the period 2012-2014 with a total sample of 101 companies and a total of as many as 303 samples of whole observation observation. This study uses panel data regression. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of the cash conversion cycle, firm size and age of the company to profitability by manufacturing companies using panel data through eviews. Establishment of a model in this study there are three models, namely common effect, fixed effect model and random effect model. Selection of the best model there are three, namely chow test, Hausman test, and langrangge multiplier. The results showed that the variable cash conversion cycle, firm size, firm age and positive effect on the variable return on assets. Variable leverage as control variables have no effect on the variable return on assets.


Long-wavelength InGaAs-InAlGaAs strained quan- tum-well lasers have been fabricated on In Ga As ternary substrates grown by the Bridgman method. The threshold current density and lasing wavelength at 20 C are 245 A/cm and 1.226 m, respectively. The device has lased up to 210 C, which is the highest operating temperature ever reported for long-wavelength semiconductor lasers. The temperature sensitivity of the slope efficiency between 20 C and 120 C is only 0.0051 dB/K, showing suppressed carrier overflow owing to deep potential quantum wells. These high-temperature durabilities of this laser are fascinating features for application to optical subscriber and optical interconnection systems.