The epithelial brush border (BB) Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE3, plays a major role in transcellular Na+ absorption in the renal proximal tubule. NHE3 activity is rapidly regulated by neurohumoral substances and growth factors via changes in its amount on the BB by a process partially involving vesicle trafficking. The PDZ domain-containing proteins, NHERF1/2, are scaffold proteins that link NHE3 to the actin cytoskeleton via their binding to both ezrin and NHE3. NHERF1/2 interact with both an internal C-terminal domain of NHE3 and the N-terminus of ezrin. We used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to study the effect of NHERF1/2 on NHE3 mobility in the brush border of opossum kidney (OK) proximal tubule cells. A confocal microscope was used to allow the selective study of apical membrane versus intracellular NHE3. A chimera of NHE3-EGFP was transiently expressed in OK cells and its lateral diffusion in the apical membrane was measured with FRAP and confocal microscopy at 37°C. The contribution of intracellular NHE3-EGFP to recovery on the OK surface not directly over the juxtanuclear area (non-JN) was negligible as exposure to the water soluble crosslinker BS3 (10 mM) at 4°C resulted in no recovery of this component of surface NHE3-EGFP after photobleaching. The mobile fraction (Mf) of apical NHE3-EGFP was 47.5±2.2%; the effective diffusion coefficient (Deff) was (2.2±0.3) ×10–10 cm2/second. Overexpression of NHERF2 in OK cells decreased the Mf to 29.1±3.1% without changing Deff. In the truncation mutant, NHE3585-EGFP (aa 1-585), which lacks the NHERF1/2 binding domain, Mf increased to 66.4±2.2%, with no change in Deff, whereas NHE3660-EGFP, which binds NHERF1/2, had Mf (48.3±3.0%) and Deff both similar to full-length NHE3. These results are consistent with the PDZ domain proteins NHERF1 and NHERF2 scaffolding NHE3 in macromolecular complexes in the apical membrane of OK cells under basal conditions, which limits the lateral mobility of NHE3. It is probable that this is one of the mechanisms by which NHERF1/2 affects rapid regulation of NHE3 by growth factors and neurohumoral mediators. By contrast, disrupting the actin cytoskeleton by latrunculin B treatment (0.05 μM, 30 minutes) reduced the NHE3 Mf (21.9±4.5%) without altering the Deff. Therefore the actin cytoskeleton, independently of NHERF1/2 binding, is necessary for apical membrane mobility of NHE3.


The emergence of virtualisation and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) have dramatically transformed the telecom industry through network function virtualisation (NFV). A recently introduced cloud-native concept, Platform as a Service (PaaS), ensures to further boost the performance, portability and cost efficiency of the NFV. The 5G-MEDIA project proposes the application of a serverless paradigm known as Function-as-a- Service (FaaS) to NFV for the media applications exploiting the 5G technologies. In addition to integration of FaaS, the 5G-MEDIA application/service development kit (SDK) supports microservice-based application development for both hypervisor-based and containerized approaches, specifically supporting Docker, unikernel and LXC. In this paper, we provide an overview of the 5G-MEDIA SDK which is built to support NFV-based next generation media applications and to achieve a development time in the order of minutes. Furthermore, implementations of FaaS Emulation and FaaS command line interface (CLI) tools are also presented.


MICU1 (Ca2+ uptake protein 1, mitochondrial) is an important regulator of the MCU (Ca2+ uniporter protein, mitochondrial) that has been shown recently to act as a gatekeeper of the MCU at low [Ca2+]c (cytosolic [Ca2+]). In the present study we have investigated in detail the dynamics of MCU activity after shRNA-knockdown of MICU1 and we have found several new interesting properties. In MICU1-knockdown cells, the rate of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was largely increased at a low [Ca2+]c (<2 μM), but it was decreased at a high [Ca2+]c (>4 μM). In the 2-4 μM range a mixed behaviour was observed, where mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake started earlier in the MICU1-silenced cells, but at a lower rate than in the controls. The sensitivity of Ca2+ uptake to Ruthenium Red and Ru360 was similar at both high and low [Ca2+]c, indicating that the same Ca2+ pathway was operating in both cases. The increased Ca2+-uptake rate observed at a [Ca2+]c below 2 μM was transient and became inhibited during Ca2+ entry. Development of this inhibition was slow, requiring 5 min for completion, and was hardly reversible. Therefore MICU1 acts both as a MCU gatekeeper at low [Ca2+]c and as a cofactor necessary to reach the maximum Ca2+-uptake rate at high [Ca2+]c. Moreover, in the absence of MICU1, the MCU becomes sensitive to a slow-developing inhibition that requires prolonged increases in [Ca2+]c in the low micromolar range.


textabstractMaintaining energy homeostasis is one of the fundamental tasks of the body
that has to be performed, and it is largely achieved through the control of
blood glucose level. Thus normoglycemia is regulated through proper
energy delivery to the energy-demanding tissues or storage in the adipose
tissue through the lipoprotein compartment. The processes constitute a
multitude of tightly regulated and highly tuned mechanisms, which is only
partly understood and involved in all tissues. Nevertheless, the adipose
tissue and in particular adipocytes together with the skeletal muscle and
liver seems to be the most important organs for dealing with challenges to
keep body energy and energy metabolic system in homeostasis. Although
through most of mankind's history, lack of energy was the main challenge
in current societies excess intake of calories and especially fats and sugars
as well as their main manifestation, and hyperglycemia-related diseases has
become a serious problem. The situation is compounded by the increase of
sedentary life-styles and the use of high level of tobacco (Cabrera de et al.,
2007; Oh et al., 2005). Currently, 65% of the global population lives in
countries where obesity kills more people than malnutrition (WHO - Global
strategy on diet, physical activity and health, 2010). The metabolic diseases
include obesity-induced metabolic syndrome, lipodystrophia, and type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represent an ever increasing challenge to health
care. A guiding principle of this thesis is that many aspects of these diseases
can be better understood through insight into the energy metabolism of the
adipocytes as well as improved knowledge of the adipocytes and their
production. Furthermore, I shall argue that the lipoprotein compartment is
not only a mediator between the adipose compartment and the periphery
with respect to the transport of energy-rich hydrophobic molecules, but also
is an important transport modality for adipocyte-generated endrocrinological
signals.


Species threatened with extinction are the focus of mounting conservation concerns throughout the world. Thirty‐seven years after passage of the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1973, we conclude that the Act's underlying assumption—that once the recovery goals for a species are met it will no longer require continuing management—is false. Even when management actions succeed in achieving biological recovery goals, maintenance of viable populations of many species will require continuing, species‐specific intervention. Such species are "conservation reliant." To assess the scope of this problem, we reviewed all recovery plans for species listed as endangered or threatened under the Act. Our analysis indicates that 84% of the species listed under the Act are conservation reliant. These species will require continuing, long‐term management investments. If these listed species are representative of the larger number of species thought to be imperiled in the United States and elsewhere, the challenge facing conservation managers will be logistically, economically, and politically overwhelming. Conservation policies will need to be adapted to include ways of prioritizing actions, implementing innovative management approaches, and involving a broader spectrum of society.


Objectives This study aimed to explore the adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of ovarian and cervical cancer by analysing patients' views posted in online discussion forums. Method UK-centred online discussion forums were used to identify discussion threads on ovarian and cervical cancer between 2008 and 2017. The study was approved by the University of Bournemouth ethics committee. 272 discussion threads with 644 participants from four online discussion forums (Cancer Research UK, Macmillan, Ovacome and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust) were identified. The threads were exported into NVivo and a thematic content analysis was conducted to identify study themes. Results Of the 644 participants, 19.4% had a diagnosis of cervical cancer and 80.6% had a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Four main themes related to: (1) treatment plan, (2) adverse effects, (3) perception of treatment and (4) hospitalisation were identified. Patients' perceptions about their treatment were reported to be positive across all chemotherapeutic agents. 312 adverse effects were reported by patients with cervical cancer taking cisplatin, with fatigue (52.1%) and nausea (30.6%) being the two most frequently reported adverse effects. With regard to the treatment of ovarian cancer, 402 adverse effects were reported by patients on carboplatin and paclitaxel, with neuropathy (29.3%) and fatigue (28.0%) being the two most commonly reported adverse effects. Conclusion The online discussion forums allowed patients to express their concerns in a blame-free environment that provided novel insight into the impact of chemotherapy-associated adverse effects on patients with cervical and ovarian cancers. Real-life experiences shared by patients can help the healthcare professionals to find the right balance between prolonged survival and quality of life.


Modern embedded systems are used for connected, media-rich, and highly integrated handheld devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and MP3 players. All of these embedded systems require networking, graphic user interfaces, and integration with PCs, as opposed to traditional embedded processors that can perform only limited functions for industrial applications. While most books focus on these controllers, Modern Embedded Computing provides a thorough understanding of the platform architecture of modern embedded computing systems that drive mobile devices. The book offers a comprehensive view of developing a framework for embedded systems-on-chips. Examples feature the Intel Atom processor, which is used in high-end mobile devices such as e-readers, Internet-enabled TVs, tablets, and net books. Beginning with a discussion of embedded platform architecture and Intel Atom-specific architecture, modular chapters cover system boot-up, operating systems, power optimization, graphics and multi-media, connectivity, and platform tuning. Companion lab materials compliment the chapters, offering hands-on embedded design experience.Learn embedded systems design with the Intel Atom Processor, based on the dominant PC chip architecture. Examples use Atom and offer comparisons to other platformsDesign embedded processors for systems that support gaming, in-vehicle infotainment, medical records retrieval, point-of-sale purchasing, networking, digital storage, and many more retail, consumer and industrial applicationsExplore companion lab materials online that offer hands-on embedded design experience


This text reports on the early success of a technology training program designed to introduce incoming first-year students to the basics of academic technologies they will use during their undergraduate career on a campus in a U.S institution. The training was built upon existing but independent programs. Their content was consolidated and redesigned for the remote learning environment of Summer and Fall 2020, leveraging the experience of librarians and library staff to facilitate its quick development. The content of this training, its implementation using the campus learning management system (LMS), and the initial assessment results are reviewed, along with thoughts on the next steps to extend the pilot to the Spring of 2021 and beyond.


Trainee teachers in the United Kingdom spend a substantial amount of time in schools compared to the time that they now spent at a University or other Higher Education establishment. For a one year Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) two thirds of a trainee's time will be spend in schools and one third at the University. Twenty years ago a trainee on a PGCE programme would spend approximately two thirds of their time at the University and one third in a school environment. The balance of time spent in schools and at the University has therefore shifted significantly. It could be argued that the school context is much more focused on trainees' learning and that the University elements are much more centered on teaching the trainees. In this sense it would be easy to conclude that there has been a significant shift from teaching to learning within teacher education. This paper seeks to explore the positive benefits and possible constraints surrounding the use of online resources designed to support workplace mentors and trainees. The impact of a significant increase in the use of virtual learning environments (VLEs) and access to online materials within Higher Education, including PGCE training, has helped shift the nature of teaching and learning approaches. We are particularly interested in exploring the ways that online materials and discussion forums are being, and could be, used to support learning.


The paper is an attempt to highlight the significance of gender in reflections on the crisis, whose outcome, though mainly regarding the sphere of economic activity, in the perspective adopted in this paper goes beyond the domain of economics in a narrow sense. Reflections on the effects of the crisis makes one consider women's condition in three spheres: production, reproduction and consumption. This enables to show both problems they encounter outside their homes and specific opportunities which arise for women in the age of so-called crisis.


A full-length C-reactive protein (CRP) cDNA clone has been isolated from a CBA/J-strain-mouse acute-phase liver library. The 1614-nucleotide cDNA specifies mRNA 5' and 3' untranslated regions of 81 and 858 bases respectively that flank 675 bases encoding mouse pre-CRP. The derived amino acid sequence predicts a 19-residue leader peptide followed by a 206-residue mature mouse CRP that shows considerable sequence identity with both human and rabbit CRP. Northern-blot analysis of mouse liver CRP mRNA concentrations after inflammatory stimuli and comparison with hepatic induction of mRNA for the major mouse acute-phase protein serum amyloid P component established that CRP, a major acute-phase reactant in human and rabbit, is a minor acute-phase reactant in mouse. The size and organization of the mouse CRP mRNA 5' and 3' untranslated regions are significantly different from those of human and rabbit CRP mRNA and may have implications for its anomalous minimal induction during acute inflammation.


Top end mobile phones include a number of specialized (e.g., accelerometer, compass, GPS) and general purpose sensors (e.g., microphone, camera) that enable new people-centric sensing applications. Perhaps the most ubiquitous and unexploited sensor on mobile phones is the microphone - a powerful sensor that is capable of making sophisticated inferences about human activity, location, and social events from sound. In this paper, we exploit this untapped sensor not in the context of human communications but as an enabler of new sensing applications. We propose SoundSense, a scalable framework for modeling sound events on mobile phones. SoundSense is implemented on the Apple iPhone and represents the first general purpose sound sensing system specifically designed to work on resource limited phones. The architecture and algorithms are designed for scalability and Soundsense uses a combination of supervised and unsupervised learning techniques to classify both general sound types (e.g., music, voice) and discover novel sound events specific to individual users. The system runs solely on the mobile phone with no back-end interactions. Through implementation and evaluation of two proof of concept people-centric sensing applications, we demostrate that SoundSense is capable of recognizing meaningful sound events that occur in users' everyday lives.


Earning carry to enhance portfolio performance is a core theme for many fixed-income portfolio managers. In this article, the authors analyze the historical performance of five different carry strategies—yield curve, credit curve, liquidity, FX, and volatility carry—in various currencies over the past six years and suggest ways to combine these strategies to earn optimal risk-adjusted returns in fixed-income portfolios by constructing an efficient frontier.The results of the authors' research indicate that 1) earning liquidity or volatility carry is alone unlikely to significantly improve portfolio returns, 2) moving up the yield curve and down the credit curve are key sources of carry in fixed-income portfolios, 3) diversifying across carry strategies should significantly improve the average information ratio, and 4) diversifying across currencies within a carry strategy is unlikely to result in significantly reduced risk.


Catecholamines play an important role in controlling white adipose tissue function and development. β- and α2-adrenergic receptors (ARs) couple positively and negatively, respectively, to adenylyl cyclase and are co-expressed in human adipocytes. Previous studies have demonstrated increased adipocyte α2/β-AR balance in obesity, and it has been proposed that increased α2-ARs in adipose tissue with or without decreased β-ARs may contribute mechanistically to the development of increased fat mass. To critically test this hypothesis, adipocyte α2/β-AR balance was genetically manipulated in mice. Human α2A-ARs were transgenically expressed in the adipose tissue of mice that were either homozygous (−/−) or heterozygous (+/−) for a disrupted β3-AR allele. Mice expressing α2-ARs in fat, in the absence of β3-ARs (β3-AR −/− background), developed high fat diet-induced obesity. Strikingly, this effect was due entirely to adipocyte hyperplasia and required the presence of α2-ARs, the absence of β3-ARs, and a high fat diet. Of note, obese α2-transgenic, β3 −/− mice failed to develop insulin resistance, which may reflect the fact that expanded fat mass was due to adipocyte hyperplasia and not adipocyte hypertrophy. In summary, we have demonstrated that increased α2/β-AR balance in adipocytes promotes obesity by stimulating adipocyte hyperplasia. This study also demonstrates one way in which two genes (α2 and β3-AR) and diet interact to influence fat mass.


This article explores how perceptions of the Ukraine crisis reflect broader ways of thinking about the European Union (EU) and Russia in the shared neighbourhood. A common interpretation of the crisis is that it marks a clash between a 'postmodern' EU and a 'modern' Russia. This article questions this interpretation, challenging both the broad framework and also its utility in explaining the Ukraine crisis. Furthermore, it suggests that the framework has itself contributed to the crisis. The exceptionalism inherent in the 'postmodern EU' concept encourages EU policymakers to believe that their policy is inherently legitimate and hence to disregard the views and interests of other states. Russian policymakers have continuously objected to such an approach and their assertiveness in relation to Ukraine is in part a response to it.


Dissecting the cellular signaling that governs the motility of eukaryotic cells is one of the fundamental tasks of modern cell biology, not only because of the large number of physiological processes in which cell migration is crucial, but even more so because of the pathological ones, in particular tumor invasion and metastasis. Cell migration requires the coordination of at least four major processes: polarization of intracellular signaling, regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and membrane extension, focal adhesion and integrin signaling and contractile forces generation and rear retraction. Among the molecular components involved in the regulation of locomotion, the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway has been shown to exert fundamental role. A pivotal node of such pathway is represented by the serine/threonine kinase 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDPK1 or PDK1). PDK1, and the majority of its substrates, belong to the AGC family of kinases (related to cAMP-dependent protein kinase 1, cyclic Guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C), and control a plethora of cellular processes, downstream either to PI3K or to other pathways, such as RAS GTPase-MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase). Interestingly, PDK1 has been demonstrated to be crucial for the regulation of each step of cell migration, by activating several proteins such as protein kinase B/Akt (PKB/Akt), myotonic dystrophy-related CDC42-binding kinases alpha (MRCKα), Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCγ1) and β3 integrin. Moreover, PDK1 regulates cancer cell invasion as well, thus representing a possible target to prevent cancer metastasis in human patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the various mechanisms by which PDK1 controls the cell migration process, from cell polarization to actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion regulation, and finally, to discuss the evidence supporting a role for PDK1 in cancer cell invasion and dissemination.


Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are the biopharmaceutical industry's "mini biofactories" for the production of complex, post-translationally modified therapeutic proteins. In order to address the ever-growing market need for these recombinant proteins, various genetic engineering tools have been employed. Here, we describe genetic approaches to improve CHO cell culture longevity, with a view to increasing overall process yield via the manipulation of two miRNAs: Let-7a and miR-7. Previous miRNA profiling studies in our laboratory and in the published literature
helped in the identification of these miRNAs, which have shown to be disregulated in various tumor types and are key regulators of the cell cycle. Therefore, this stimulated the interest of our research group to manipulate these miRNAs in CHO cells with a view to positively impact bioprocess-relevant CHO cell phenotypes.
In the first approach, we used a Let-7 sponge decoy vector to deplete endogenous Let-7 levels with a view to increasing culture longevity and productivity of CHO-K1
SEAP expressing cells. Despite let-7 having a recognised role in deregulated cell growth no improvement was observed in stable, sponge-transfected clones. Out of a
panel of 40 clones, we observed only two with improved cellular viability in 24 well plate format, however, the results were not reproduced in a 5 mL scale-up batch
study. In the second approach, we targeted a previously verified miRNA for improved CHO cell growth and productivity i.e. miR-7, using a bacterial genome-editing tool, CRISPR-Cas9. A considerable amount of optimisation work was performed to establish the CRISPR system for use in the lab, initially using eGFP as model target gene in CHO cells. Finally we designed single guide RNAs to target Cas9 to the miR-7a-5p genomic locus to disrupt miR-7 in order to enhance growth of a CHO-K1 cell
line producing an IgG-1. We estimated ~ 40% targeting efficiency of miRNAs using this approach. After an extensive screen, one stable clone was identified with what appeared to be a heterozygous deletion of one miR-7a copy. We demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas9 can be successfully used to target miRNA loci in the CHO genome but that functional knockout may be more difficult compared to protein coding genes.


Apparent discrimination against Francophones from Quebec by National Hockey League (NHL) teams is a controversial topic in the academic literature examining professional ice hockey recruitment. While consensus has coalesced around the contention of Lavoie and Longley that significant discrimination is evident in the under-selection of Francophones for NHL rosters, we consider further the role of differing physical size between the regional populations from which players are drawn. Recent research on regional size differentials and consideration in this chapter of the size of players drafted since 1970 points toward a reconsideration of differences in physical size as an influence on ethnic inequalities.


This paper describes a motion capturing system for human arm motion in real time; directly, simply and precisely by integrating two types of sensor; gyroscopes and accelerometers. A new sensor fusion technique is proposed which enlarges the merits of each sensor and compensates for their deficiencies. Its potential precision has been verified by experiment and simulation.


Theory predicts that developmental plasticity, the capacity to change phenotypic trajectory during development, should evolve when the environment varies sufficiently among generations, owing to temporal (e.g., seasonal) variation or to migration among environments. We characterized the levels of cellular plasticity during development in populations of Drosophila melanogaster experimentally evolved for over three years in either constant or temporally variable thermal environments. We used two measures of the lipid composition of cell membranes as indices of physiological plasticity (a.k.a. acclimation): (1) change in the ratio of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC) and (2) change in lipid saturation (number of double bonds) in cool (16°C) relative to warm (25°C) developmental conditions. Flies evolved under variable environments had a greater capacity to acclimate the PE/PC ratio compared to flies evolved in constant environments, supporting the prediction that environments with high among‐generation variance favor greater developmental plasticity. Our results are consistent with the selective advantage of a more environmentally sensitive allele that may have associated costs in constant environments.


This is a single blinded interventional research in which patient were regularly followed-up. First Intervention includes collecting data to analyze cost of therapy which includes cost minimization by prescribing cheap brands/generics (pharmacoeconomics), quality of life of the patients was measured by WHO QOL BREF questionnaire as outcome of Intervention and second is early ADR detection and prevention and life style modification. The overall mean score of WHO QOL BREF questionnaire of all recruited patients at the time of admission was 30.39 which comparatively increased to 58.45 at the time of discharge. The total cumulative therapy cost was accounted Rs.451, 320.98 for all 65 patients included in the study. The average no. of drugs prescribed per prescription were approximately 7 drugs and 6 drugs in generic name and as per WHO essential list respectively. Patient counseling and life style modifications in addition to treatment showed significant evidence in improvement of patients' therapeutic outcomes, improved quality of life.


An introduction to Iterative Learning Control (ILC) is given. The basic principle behind ILC in both open loop and closed loop problems is explained. A general class of algorithms for updating of the ILC input signal is presented and the choice of the filters in the update algortihm is discussed with respect to convergence, robustness and disturbance sensitivity.


Karchak known as Khervae and Bidanjir in Iranian traditional medicine is an annual or perennial glabrous herb with green to red color and 1 to 4 meter height. The stems are thick, hollow and the leaves are palmate with long petioles. Fruit is covered with soft spines and seeds look like bean seed and are fatty with dark lines. In Iranian traditional medicine, it is known as a potent purgative of cold humors and used in conditions caused by cold humors and also for strengthening viscera. The characteristics mentioned in Iranian traditional medicine literatures are corresponding to the characteristics of Ricinus communis L. Corresponding Author: email@example.com


In this research. a method for producing gum tragacanth (GT) fibers is presented. Ribbon type GT of ASlragalus Gummifer species were obtained from local production lands. The gum was treated with alkali to increase its process ability, and allowed to stand for a period of time to reach the . proper viscosity and/or to "ripen". Samples with different ripening times were prepared and their viscosities were measured to determine the effect of ageing time on viscosity. They were injected into a coagulation bath. Calcium chloride with different concentrations was applied as the coagulant agent. The consolidated samples were washed under different pH conditions. Finally, the mechanical properties of these primitive fibers were measured and their scanning electron micrographs were taken. The results show that chemically modi tied GT can be processed into tibers with different qualities.


BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive lung disease is a disease that is common among the smoking population. In Sweden, more women than men are smokers. The most effective treatment to improve the symptoms of COPD is to quit smoking but still many women continue to smoke, despite their illness.

AIM
The aim of this study was to describe how a group of smoking women with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) experienced their everyday life and their relationship to smoking.

METHOD
A qualitative study based on narratives from six women with COPD was conducted. The narratives focused on the women's everyday life and their relationship to smoking. The interviews were analysed into four themes and a new story, based on these themes were constructed.

FINDINGS
The new story describes a woman with COPD that knows what she must do but cannot find the power within herself to take action. She talks about herself like a young bird that is going fly for the first time.

CONCLUSION
The study indicates that these women need some form of individual help to find the inner strength that they lack. Their self-respect as well as their self-image needs to be boosted in order to strengthen their belief that they are going to cope without the cigarette.


Abstract Ethanol (EtOH) exposure induces a variety of concentration-dependent neurological and developmental effects in the rat. Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models have been used to predict the inhalation exposure concentrations necessary to produce blood EtOH concentrations (BEC) in the range associated with these effects. Previous laboratory reports often lacked sufficient detail to adequately simulate reported exposure scenarios associated with BECs in this range, or lacked data on the time-course of EtOH in target tissues (e.g. brain, liver, eye, fetus). To address these data gaps, inhalation studies were performed at 5000, 10 000, and 21 000 ppm (6 h/d) in non-pregnant female Long-Evans (LE) rats and at 21 000 ppm (6.33 h/d) for 12 d of gestation in pregnant LE rats to evaluate our previously published PBPK models at toxicologically-relevant blood and tissue concentrations. Additionally, nose-only and whole-body plethysmography studies were conducted to refine model descriptions of respiration and uptake within the respiratory tract. The resulting time-course and plethysmography data from these in vivo studies were compared to simulations from our previously published models, after which the models were recalibrated to improve descriptions of tissue dosimetry by accounting for dose-dependencies in pharmacokinetic behavior. Simulations using the recalibrated models reproduced these data from non-pregnant, pregnant, and fetal rats to within a factor of 2 or better across datasets, resulting in a suite of model structures suitable for simulation of a broad range of EtOH exposure scenarios.


OBJECTIVE
To determine expression of a transforming gene (E5) of bovine papillomavirus in sarcoids, other tumors, and normal skin samples collected from horses with and without sarcoids.

SAMPLE POPULATION
23 sarcoids and 6 samples of normal skin obtained from 16 horses with sarcoids, 2 samples of normal skin and 2 papillomas obtained from horses without sarcoids, and 1 papilloma obtained from a cow.

PROCEDURE
Protein was extracted from tissue samples collected from horses and incubated with agarose beads covalently coupled to Staphylococcus aureus protein A and an anti-E5 polyclonal antibody. Following incubation, proteins were eluted from the beads and electrophoresed on a 14% polyacrylamide gel and transferred to a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. The E5 protein was detected by use of western blot analysis, using a chemiluminescence detection system.

RESULTS
All 23 sarcoids had positive results for expression of E5 protein. Quantity of viral protein appeared to vary among sarcoids. All other tissues examined had negative results for E5 protein. Highest expression for E5 protein was observed in biologically aggressive fibroblastic variants of sarcoids, compared with expression in quiescent tumors.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This study documented that activation and expression of the E5 gene is evident in sarcoids obtained from horses. These data support the conclusion that infection with bovine papillomavirus is important in the initiation or progression of sarcoids in horses. Treatment strategies designed to increase immune recognition of virally infected cells are warranted.


In today's situation where a lot of attention is put on the whereabouts of the pharmaceutical industry, especially focusing on productivity, pricing policies, time lines, and competition, there is an increased need for a critical revision of work practices in the business. The prevailing prioritization of time-to-market is now more and more shifting over to also put quality, risk management, and effectiveness/efficiency in the limelight. Resources in terms of people and money will continue to be constrained and, therefore, best collaborative principles have to be adopted between different parts of the organization. Only by operating this way will we maximize the output. One of the most important key performance indicators in pharma R&D is the number of newly appointed candidate drugs (CDs). However, it is not only a matter of counting numbers but, more so, to nominate compounds with the best properties and likelihood to survive. In that vein the demands on Process R&D have gone up considerably over recent years and there is now a pronounced need to make forecasts on cost of goods for the API (active pharmaceutical ingredient), scalability issues, IP matters, route design etc. On top of this, there is as always an expectation that the supply of material needed to conduct the various studies is timely, fully reliable, and flexible, even if volumes and delivery dates fluctuate widely. To successfully be able to cope with this challenging and sometimes stressful situation a back-integration into earlier parts of Drug Discovery is a must and, hence, connecting to new projects will have to be initiated already during the LO-stage (lead optimization). The consequences of this and its further implications will constitute the core part of the paper.


The volcanic eruption is a rather uncommon type of natural disaster and is restricted to certain geographical regions. The psychological distress studied among the evacuees of a volcano in many countries revealed symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, anergia, social dysfunction, and anhedonia persisting even after six months of eruption. A study after a volcanic eruption in Iceland revealed higher incidence of mental distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in exposed versus the non-exposed groups. Insomnia, psychological morbidity, and possible long-term psychological morbidity were reported as the most common symptoms in the high-exposure group (based on the volcano-ash fall). Studies also show the involvement of children's mental health. DRC, being a low-income country lacks the research and does not have strongly researched data regarding the prevalence of psychological morbidity post the volcano eruption. However, the psychological maladjustments after the Mount Nyiragongo eruption in 2002 were reported as the major health consequence as per WHO. This paper analyses the various psychological aspects during and after a volcanic eruption.


This paper presents a software process improvement (SPI) initiative conducted at two automotive companies, focusing on the inter-departmental interplay between manufacturing and product development, which are central players in automotive development. In such a complex environment with multiple departments with varying challenges⎯the planning of improvement possibilities was considered as mission critical to get support for changes in the companies. This paper reports the results of the SPI efforts following the process assessment, namely specifically the improvement planning step, which is often overlooked in empirical reports. We also thoroughly describe and report on lessons learned from employing our tailored planning method involving 41 professionals. We found that requirements engineering, early manufacturing involvement and roles and responsibilities were prioritized as main challenges to address. Furthermore, our and the involved professionals' experiences of the used SPI (planning) method, showed that it was useful, giving valuable decision support for the planning of the improvement.


In this issue, the article by Murthy and Rajshekar, monthly intervals rather than three monthly intervals, as documents the cost of treating patients with seizures due the benefit of doing imaging at shorter intervals is minimal. to a solitary cysticercus granuloma (SCG). The cost of The only likely benefit of more frequent imaging is that it managing a patient was calculated from the time the patient could avoid prolongation of AED usage in those in whom registered at their clinic till resolution of the granuloma there is early resolution of the granuloma. However, a was documented on the computerized tomography (CT) longer interval between imaging would increase the scan. They arrived at a figure of INR 7273.7 per patient at likelihood of a resolution and thus lower the cost of 1997 rates. They then calculated the economic burden of management not only in individual patients but also in this disease to the country at large by extrapolating the the group as a whole, by reducing the number of CT prevalence figures obtained in their community-based study scans that are required to document the resolution of the of prevalence of SCG in a rural community in Andhra granuloma. Finally, the costs as calculated by the authors Pradesh, to the country's population. The prevalence of may not be universally applicable to the diverse types of SCG was shown to be 0.1 per 1000 in their study and health delivery systems that prevail in the country. thus the number of patients with SCG in the country as a Why are studies such as these important? Policy makers whole was calculated as 1,10,700 patients. This number can use figures from such studies to determine the priority was multiplied by the total cost of treatment per patient to that is to be accorded to a particular disease in terms of arrive at the final figure of INR 1.184 billion (this figure is formulating public health control and prevention adjusted for inflation as the cost calculated initially was at measures. Every disease imposes economic costs and 1997 rates). This figure in US$ is 26.05 million and not as social and mental costs (that cannot be estimated in dollar reported by the authors (US$ 2.605 million). terms) on the affected individual. However, in preventable A comprehensive estimate of the economic burden of diseases such as NCC there exists an opportunity to avoid epilepsy in India carried out in six public and private these costs to the society. Public health authorities have medical centers in the country estimated that the cost of to work out the costs of prevention keeping in mind the managing patients with epilepsy was INR 68.75 billion cost of the disease to the community. at 1998 rates. However, the cost of treating seizures due Besides, the economic cost of illness, the DALY to a particular disease entity such as SCG has not been (disability adjusted life years) count of a disease also plays studied. The authors are to be commended for performing a crucial role in determining its importance in the public a meticulous study. However, there are some issues that come to mind. The cost was calculated from the time the patient visited the authors' clinic. It is not clear whether the cost of treating seizures (both direct medical costs and wages lost), which occurred before the patient visited their clinic, was included in their final calculation. This is a significant burden as the mean number of seizures before the visit was nearly four and the mean duration of illness was nearly 12 months. During this period even if the patients did not receive anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), there would have been significant loss of wages. Another issue that is debatable is the frequency of repeat CT imaging after the initial repeat CT done 6 months after the diagnosis. CT scans could probably be repeated at six health agenda. In the context of prevention and control, control of SCG entails control of NCC. Therefore, ideally one would like to know the cost of treating patients with all the manifestations of NCC. Admittedly, this is a difficult task as there are no prevalence studies from our country for the various presentations of NCC. Recently, we estimated the contribution of NCC to the causation of active epilepsy (AE) in a community based study using CT imaging. Our study revealed that the prevalence rate of AE due to NCC was one per 1000 population and thus, at least one million patients in the country suffer from AE due to NCC. It is easy to comprehend that the cost of treating this large number of patients with AE (which requires treatment with AEDs for a prolonged


Objective: This study explores the relationship of occupations to major depressive episode (MDE). Method: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data from the civilian noninstitutionalized United States population are analyzed regarding mental illnesses, employment, and specific occupations and industries. This analysis uses combined 2005 to 2014 NSDUH data, comprising a sample of 433,000 adults aged 18 to 64 years old, of whom 22,700 were both employed and had experienced an MDE in the past year. Results: The findings focus on 30 occupations with the highest prevalence of MDE (greater than 9.0%). There is no simple overarching concept that describes these occupations, although common factors suggest hypotheses about the relationship of occupation to depression. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: The findings suggest the possibility of prioritizing available preventive and treatment interventions to occupational settings with the highest prevalence of MDE.


Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) frequently occurred in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and can be treated by treating the underlying disease. On the other hand, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), the most common type of anemia, occurred with iron loss or when the iron requirement of the body was increased. Since the treatment methods for ACD and IDA differ, it is important to clinically distinguish between the two types of anemia. In this study, we investigated and evaluated the performance of a number of biomarkers, including ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and combination markers containing ferritin for the diagnosis of IDA using serum samples from Korean patients (80 ACD and 48 IDA Korean patients). Among the single markers, ferritin exhibited the best performance with 98.58% AUC and 97.50% sensitivity. In this study, a combination of two biomarkers was used to differentially diagnose IDA and ACD. Among the combination markers, ferritin + sTfR showed the best performance with 99.51% AUC and 98.75% sensitivity. We found that the ferritin + sTfR combination showed the best diagnostic performance with 1.25% higher SN than ferritin alone. Moreover, it also showed 10% better diagnostic performance than the single ferritin marker within the data range where the distinction between ACD and IDA is unclear. We propose that using combination markers containing ferritin may diagnose IDA more accurately and facilitate the determination of the appropriate anemia treatment to expedite patient recovery.


To effectively deal with the high-risk infant and his outcome, it would appear that clinicians and researchers must, in a sense, place themselves "at-risk." They must recognize the limitations of a reductionistic, biomedical model when applied to this population and its problems. They must move beyond this traditional model to a so-called "biopsychosocial model" which acknowledges the uncertainties of human development and its transactional character. To do so, they must also seek to break down many traditional "boundaries" that have served to inhibit a better understanding of the high-risk infant. These boundaries include those between disciplines, between clinicians and researchers, between assessment and treatment, between cost efficiency and comprehensiveness, and those between quantitative and qualitative methodologies to name a few. This process must not be one of all or none exclusion, where a uniform perspective is adopted in isolation and applied to all aspects of the problem. Rather it must be a combination and synthesis of many perspectives. In essence, the construct used to understand and study the high-risk infant and his outcome should be consistent with the transactional and multifactorial nature of the problem. These tasks are formidable and threatening to undertake, particularly when they do not always yield the type of outcomes we have been conditioned to expect: "hard" data; narrow etiologies; and successful cures. However, failure to take such "risks" would seem to impede a further understanding of the at-risk infant. The T.R.A.N.S.A.C.T. model presented here is offered as a working construct which has yet to be fully operationalized. Its perceived limitations will reflect the background, biases and perspectives of the reader. Hopefully, it will serve to stimulate those interested and involved in the high-risk infant and his outcome to modify, refine or build upon their current approaches.


Organizational Project Management (OPM) is not a "thing" or a "procedure" rather, it can almost be described as a "state of being" or "harmony" in the alignment of what an organization does and how it gets there. OPM has the responsibility to enhance and improve how an organization achieves its strategic goals. It provides organizations with an intelligent approach to deal effectively with the various projects and programs required by the market, its organizational stakeholders, and regulatory agencies, all within the organization's limited resources. OPM has the responsibility to support the alignment between the organization's business strategy and its projects to achieve the organization's goals. It is also responsible for managing risks and dealing with the uncertainty that may prevent the organization from achieving its objectives. In addition, it enables the organization to measure its capabilities, then plan and implement improvements to seek the systematic achievement of best practices. Moreover, it ensures organizational learnings from both knowledge management and lessons learned. The purpose of the research is to illustrate the important role that OPM must or needs to play within the organization. This research utilizes the current knowledge base in the project management environment to answer the question of "Why does an organization need to establish OPM?" In addition to describing OPM's responsibility in the organization, the paper will briefly explore four categories, Portfolio Management, Project Sponsor, Effective Programs and Projects Management, and Strategic Project Management Office (PMO) for establishing OPM in an organization.


The aim of this study was to investigate the charging state of atmospheric ions during particle formation (PF) events in an urban environment. We measured small ion (charged cluster) and large ion (charged particle) concentrations over a period of 13 months in Brisbane, Australia, using a neutral cluster and air ion spectrometer (NAIS) and obtained 245 complete days of data. PF events were observed on 110 days which count as 45% of the total. On the average, the positive small ion concentration was 40% higher than the negative. The positive large ion concentration was 20% higher than the negative. Generally, small ion concentrations peaked during the night, while large ion concentrations were a maximum during the day. Next, we classified the results into days on which there was a PF event and when there was not. We showed that PF events have a profound effect on small and large ion concentrations in the environment; the small ion concentrations decreased by about 30% while large ion concentrations increased by up to 100%. We identified two phenomena that have a bearing on ion-induced nucleation. Firstly, the fraction of particles that were charged consistently decreased during PF events and rarely exceeded the equilibrium value, suggesting that the formation process was not significantly influenced by an ion-induced mechanism. Secondly, small ion concentrations were higher in the pre-dawn hours of PF event days than on other days, while the fraction of clusters that were charged often showed an increase immediately prior to a PF event, both observations supporting an ion-induced mechanism of PF. This study serves as basis for future work explaining these observations.


Brown hyaenas Parahyaena brunnea are classified as 'Near Threatened'. Although predominantly scavengers, they are frequently blamed for livestock depredations leading to persecution. Information on brown hyaena diets is important for understanding the degree of potential conflict with farming livelihoods and exploring diet variation across their range and how this might shift in response to land use change. Here we explore the diet of brown hyaena on a game reserve in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. We collected scats in 2013 (n = 55) and 2018 (n = 73) from Zingela Game Reserve to identify mammalian prey based on the cuticular scale imprints and cross-sectional appearance of hairs found in scat. Artiodactyls were most frequently consumed (total relative frequency of occurrence = 69.6%), dominated by common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia and steenbok Raphicerus campestris. Smaller prey were also common with Rodentia appearing in 15.8% of scats, although for all prey items there was some variation between years. We found only one occurrence of a domestic species in scats (donkey Equus africanus). Set alongside other studies from across southern Africa the results illustrate that brown hyaena are flexible in their diet and that domestic animals generally only represent a very small proportion of their diet.


Sources of information that either describe a level of government or are produced by that level of government. Primarily Canadian.


Penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 5 of Streptococcus faecium has been shown to have a very low affinity for penicillin, and this PBP was suggested to be responsible for both the natural low susceptibility and high resistance to the antibiotic in this species (R. Fontana, R. Cerini, P. Longoni, A. Grossato, and P. Canepari, J. Bacteriol. 155:1343-1350, 1983). In this study, an S. faecium mutant (Rev 14) hypersusceptible to penicillin was derived from the highly resistant S. faecium R40 treated with novobiocin, and its properties were compared with those of the parent and S. faecium PS, a relatively susceptible strain from which R40 was isolated. The hypersusceptible strain did not synthesize PBP 5, but it did resemble the parent in cell morphology, growth rate, and autolytic activity. In addition, it was highly susceptible to other beta-lactams but remained as susceptible as R40 and PS to antibiotics of a different mechanisms of action. The affinity of individual PBPs for the beta-lactams tested was the same in all the strains. This finding suggested that Rev 14 hypersusceptibility was due to the lack of PBP 5 and strongly supported the role of this protein in the mechanism of both natural low susceptibility and high-level resistance to beta-lactams in S. faecium.


Theodor W. Adorno's Anweisungen zum Horen neuer Musik (Guidelines for Listening to Modern Music) contain instructions not only for how to listen but also for how to have experience in general. The psycological, perceptual, and cognitive structures involved are existential structures, i.e. guidelines as to how to be as a modernist or post-modern self. Since listening involves abandoning oneself to the immanent logic of musical works, it is these works that provide the model for how to be. Adorno's work also shows, in contradistinction to some views of Adorno, his commitment to the unity of theory and practice and demonstrates that his musical writing is a completely independent and novel strand of critical theory because of is attempt to articulate the ineffable. However, Adorno's explicit theory of listening ("structural listening") is itself inadequate to Adorno's implicit theory of listening as contained in the practice of his actual musical writings.


The study aims to analyze conceptions of death and dying at a clinic for palliative care, using a constructivist perspective and a discourse analytical approach. The empirical material consists of interviews with staff members, documents and photographs of the environment, taking both space and materiality into account. I conclude that the studied practice is mainly characterized by a tension between a caring discourse and a medical discourse.


The proliferation of IoT (Internet of Things) devices and networks along with the use of interactive user interfaces in the modern production environments, provide new opportunities for more effective assignment of tasks to resources. This paper proposes a novel integrated framework for offline task scheduling and resources assignment, which can be used in manufacturing industries. The proposed framework can be a part of an intelligent production system in an Industry 4.0 shop floor. For the creation of the work schedule referring to a time interval given a set of tasks and resources, such as workers and machines, multiple criteria are considered: execution restrictions, capabilities of resources, preferences, and past performance data. The main advantage of the scheduling framework is its potential to support adaptive and evolving decision-making based on feedback information received from various sources of the environment. Continuously updated data models that include the characteristics, requirements and performance metrics for each resource in a dynamic environment, as well as configuration settings and feedback provided by the manager, are taken into account in order to generate work schedules which can be efficient in terms of task-to-resource mapping and in accordance with manager's preferences and policies. The implementation requirements of the proposed framework along with an initial system towards the implementation of the framework are also presented in this paper.


This paper analyses the development of agricultural foreign trade in Austria, hungary and the czech republic with the aim of uncovering the changes that have impacted the central European agricultural trade over the ten year period (1999–2008). it issues from the results of the analysis of agricultural trade in the aforementioned countries, which has changed dramatically in terms of the commodity structure, the territorial structure and primarily the value structure. The main changes to have caused most of the changes to the individual characteristics of agricultural foreign trade in the particular countries under analysis are the process of the EU enlargementy, the adoption of obligations to ensue from the EU membership and the concentration in the internal market of the EU countries. We can see the actual changes in the commodity and territorial structure of the trade carried out in the individual countries under analysis. The changes which have occurred resulted in a dominant share of the member countries of the EU 27 in the agricultural trade of the individual countries under analysis.


Tooth-colored inlays and onlays for posterior restorations have gained in popularity, replacing time-honored amalgam or cast gold restorations in patients with high aesthetic concerns. This article discusses the available types of indirect inlay/onlay systems and compares them in relation to their marginal integrity, wear, and overall esthetics. A basic preparation outline is discussed.


The present invention relates to a juice extractor comprising: a hopper (100); a crushing chamber (200) including a crushing mechanism (201) and its motor (203); a filtering chamber (300) including a filtering mechanism (301); a container (303) and a juice outlet (305); a switch (400); and a frame (500) that houses all components of the juice extractor; characterized in that the crushing mechanism (201) further comprising two-level roller-cog pairs (201a), (201b) in which the first roller-cog of the pair (201a) rolls clockwise whereas the second roller-cog of the pair (201b) rolls anti-clockwise wherein the two levels of crushing provides optimal crushing of the fruit pulps thus yields more juices. The extraction of the juice from the fruit is optimized through the crushing mechanism (201) and the centrifugal force of the filtering mechanism (301).


Acute kidney injury (AKI) can occur after aortic clamping due to microvascular dysfunction leading to renal hypoxia. In this rat study, we have tested the hypothesis that the administration of the precursor of the nitric oxide synthase essential cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) could restore renal oxygenation after ischemia reperfusion (I/R) and prevent AKI. We randomly distributed rats into 4 groups: sham group; ischemia-reperfusion group; I/R + sepiapterin, the precursor of BH4; and I/R + sepiapterin + methotrexate, an inhibitor of the pathway generating BH4 from sepiapterin. Cortical and outer medullary microvascular oxygen pressure, renal oxygen delivery, renal oxygen consumption were measured using dual-wavelength oxygen-dependent quenching phosphorescence techniques during ischemia and throughout 3 hours of reperfusion. Kidney injury was assessed using myeloperoxidase staining for leukocyte infiltration and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels. Ischemia reperfusion induced a drop in microvascular PO2 (P < 0.01 vs. Sham, both), which was prevented by the infusion of sepiapterin. Sepiapterin partially prevented the rise in renal oxygen extraction (P < 0.001 vs. I/R). Finally, treatment with sepiapterin prevented renal infiltration by inflammatory cells and decreased urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels indicating a decrease of renal injury. These effects were blunted when adding methotrexate, except for myeloperoxidase. In conclusion, the administration of sepiapterin can prevent renal hypoxia and AKI after suprarenal aortic clamping in rats.


: The expression of NeuN protein was examined immunocytochemically in the neurons of human substantia nigra (n=14, age: 27-78 years). Some of substantia nigra neurons demonstrated weak NeuN immunopositive reaction, while the others were NeuN-immunonegative. In general, NeuN immunocytochemical reaction in neurons of human substantia nigra was expressed much weaker than in the nucleus rubrum neurons located in the same sections.


Abstract Fieldwork provides an efficient and economical way of obtaining genuine geological data that can be used to constrain, test and develop exploration models in frontier areas. This study of the Cretaceous outcrops of NW India has been used to characterize models for petroleum systems postulated to have developed beneath the Deccan volcanic sequence, offshore western India, where well data are not available. To date, exploration of 'sub-Deccan plays' has mainly been limited to the NW, where the presence of a working Cretaceous petroleum system has been proven in the offshore Kutch Basin. A revised chronostratigraphic framework has been defined for the Cretaceous section as a result of new biostratigraphic data collected during this study and a thorough revision of existing palaeontological data. The revised framework, together with lithofacies observations from the field, has provided a basis for regional sequence stratigraphic correlation, which has been used to link data from onshore outcrops to models of offshore petroleum systems. A Lower Cretaceous clastic package that, in part, corresponds to the Lower Goru and Bhuj Formation reservoirs of the Indus Basin of Pakistan and the Kutch Basin in India has been correlated across the region. Towards the top of this package, a transition from fluvial to shallow-marine sedimentation marks the onset of a marine transgression that reaches its peak in the Turonian. Marly limestones and claystones associated with this regionally mapped event are a potential topseal to the Lower Cretaceous clastic package. Geochemical evaluation of several outcrop locations has identified potential source-prone facies that, if present downdip in the offshore, may provide a mechanism for charging a pre-Deccan play.


Iron self-diffusion measurements in amorphous and nanocrystalline chemically homogenous multilayers (CHM) of FeZr/57FeZr, (with nm range periodicity) have been studied with neutron reflectivity technique. It has been found that both the activation energy for diffusion and the pre-factor were significantly smaller as compared with bulk alloys. Effect of compressive stress on self-diffusion reveals a significant dependence on the activation energy as a function of applied stress. On the basis of the obtained results the diffusion mechanism in amorphous and nanocrystalline CHM of FeZr/57FeZr is reviewed in this paper.


A retrospective study by means of indirect immunofluorescence was carried out to detect IgM antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in seronegative patients for Hantavirus, with characteristics symptoms of atypical pneumonia. The final results indicate that the prevalence of C. pneumoniae reaches 8,6% and M. pneumoniae is equivalent to 17,1% of the patients studied. By this we can be aware of the importance of these agents in our media, and the necessity of having rapid laboratory techniques that allow an opportune differential diagnosis in pulmonary syndrome for Hantavirus and other pathologies that cause similar symptoms, mainly atypical pneumonia


A theoretical calculation is carried out to investigate the spectrum of a barium Rydberg atom in an external magnetic field. Using an effective approach incorporating quantum defect into the centrifugal term in the Hamiltonian, we reexamine the reported spectrum of the barium Rydberg atom in a magnetic field of 2.89 T [J. Phys. B 28 L537 (1995)]. Our calculation employs B-spline basis expansion and complex coordinate rotation techniques. For single photon absorption from the ground 6s2 to 6snp Rydberg states, the spectrum is not influenced by quantum defects of channels ns and nd. The calculation is in agreement with the experimental observations until the energy reaches E = −60 cm−1. Beyond this energy, closer to the threshold, the calculated and experimental results do not agree with each other. Possible reasons for their discrepancies are discussed. Our study affirms an energy range where the diamagnetic spectrum of the barium atom can be explained thoroughly using a hydrogen model potential.


Beta-amylase (EC 126.96.36.199) is starch-hydrolyzing exo-type enzyme that can catalyze the successive liberation of beta-maltose from the nonreducing ends of alpha-1,4-linked glucopyranosyl polymers. There is a well-known phenomenon called multiple or repetitive attack where the enzyme releases several maltose molecules in a single enzyme-substrate complex. In order to understand it further, we examined the beta-amylase-catalyzed reaction using maltooligosaccharides. The Monte Carlo method was applied for simulation of the beta-amylase-catalyzed reaction including the multiple attack mechanism. Through site-directed mutagenesis, we have successfully prepared a mutant enzyme which may be simulated as a multiple attack action reduced one with retaining significant hydrolytic activity. From the results of X-ray structure analysis of the mutant enzyme, it was clarified that one carboxyl residue plays a very important role in the multiple attack. The multiple attack action needs the force of enzyme sliding on the substrate. In addition, it is important for the multiple attack that the enzyme and substrate have the characteristics of a stable productive substrate-enzyme complex through a hydrogen bond between the nonreducing end of the substrate and the carboxyl residue of the enzyme.


There has recently been a growing interest in examining the role of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, in the etiology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) . This study aimed to delineate differences in methylation patterns between T1D-affected and healthy individuals by examining the genome-wide methylation of individuals from three Arab families from Kuwait with T1D-affected mono-/dizygotic twins and non-twinned siblings. Bisulfite sequencing of DNA from the peripheral blood of affected and healthy individuals from each of the three families was performed. Methylation profiles of the affected individuals were compared to those of healthy individuals. The principal component analysis on methylation profiling based on base-pair resolution clustered the T1D-affected twins together family-wide. Sites/regions that were differentially methylated between T1D and healthy samples harbored 84 genes, of which 18 were known to be differentially methylated in T1D individuals compared to healthy individuals in publicly available gene expression data resources. We further validated two of the 18 genes—namely ICA1 and DRAM1 that were hypermethylated in T1D samples compared to healthy samples—for upregulation in T1D samples from an extended study cohort of familial T1D. The ICA1 is well-known to have a role in the development of autoimmune beta-cell destruction.

 M.H.Dashti: None. R.Nizam: None. P.Hebbar: None. S.Jacob: None. S.E.John: None. A.M.Channanath: None. H.Alkandari: None. A.T.Thangavel: None. F.Almulla: None.

 Kuwait Foundation for Advancement in Sciences funding RA-2014-024


This paper describes the design considerations of and preliminary conclusions drawn from an ongoing project dealing with the design of a software architecture for a family of so-called smart wireless communication devices (SWCDs). More specifically, based on an existing hardware platform, the software architecture is being modeled using UML in conjunction with suitable framework and product line modeling approaches to achieve a high degree of flexibility with respect to variability at both the hardware and application software end of the spectrum. To this effect, the design is split into a middleware framework encapsulating specifics of the underlying hardware platform and OS, and product line modeling of a comprehensive, versatile application on top of it.


Tenosynovitis of one or more flexor tendons of the hand (mean 3.1 tendons per patient) was noted in 55% of 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) examined periodically during a mean period of 5 years. The third flexor tendon was involved most frequently (71% of patients), followed by the second (62%), fourth (53%), fifth (27%), and first (13%). Patients with flexor tendonitis (FT) had a significantly higher prevalence of rheumatoid nodules (56% vs 33%), carpal tunnel syndrome (47% vs 13%), wrist extensor tenosynovitis (47% vs 9%), and elbow epicondylitis (22% vs 7%) than patients without FT. Dupuytren's contracture, DeQuervain's tenovaginitis, flexor carpi radialis and ulnaris tendonitis, and Achilles tendonitis were found exclusively in patients with FT. A control group of 50 non-RA patients with FT had statistically fewer diseased tendons per patient (mean 1.5) and a different digital distribution, the thumb being affected more frequently (P less than 0.05) than in RA patients.


: Mobile applications are highly dependent on performance. Performance has become an important aspect on which the quality of applications relies. Detection of problematic code is a way to remove the code smells which automatically improves the performance of the application. If the source code contains bad smells and anti-patterns the performance of the application is compromised. Code smells can directly impact memory, power consumption, and CPU usage. It is identified that the existing literature does not detect 2-3 code smells like "String Concatenation" and Static Views" in android applications. There is also a need to investigate the effect of code smell on performance in mobile applications. Moreover, there is a need to verify empirically that detection has benefits in improving the performance of mobile applications. In this study, we propose an automated approach for the Detection of Code smells in Mobile Applications to enhance Performance. The proposed approach ensures to provide detected code smell with an instance where the smell is detected. Our approach detected the code smell "string concatenation" from the android applications and 6 other smells. Experiment conducted to show the validity of the approach and the impact of the code smell used. The result of the experiment shows a clear difference in improved processing time without using string concatenation. We evaluated results on open-source applications to detect and refactor the smell and the results show the smell exists in the application. It indicates the instances where the smell was detected.


The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) is the most sensitive ground-based, single-dish radio telescope on Earth. However, the original H i spectra produced by FAST are affected by standing waves. To maximize the power of FAST for high-sensitivity observations, we proposed an algorithm that combines fast Fourier transforms and extreme envelope curves to automatically correct the baselines of FAST H i spectra and remove standing waves from the baselines. This algorithm can reduce the amplified noise level caused by standing waves to a near-ideal level without losing signals or introducing false signals. The root mean square of the average baseline reaches ∼8 mK, approaching the theoretical sensitivity of an H i spectrum produced by FAST for an integration time of 335 minutes, i.e., ∼6 mK.


Companies usually don't share the source code for the software they develop. While this approach is justified in software that constitutes differentiating intellectual property, proprietary development can lead to redundant development and other opportunity costs. In response, companies are increasingly open sourcing some if not all of their non-differentiating software. Given the limited academic research on this emerging topic, we bridge the gap between industry and academia by taking a practice-based approach. We investigate why and how companies engage in corporate open sourcing. We take an exploratory case study approach. Our cases are four companies with multibillion-dollar revenues each: A major e-commerce company based in Germany; a leading social networking service company based in the USA; a cloud computing software company based in the USA; and a manufacturing and media software company based in the USA. We present the resulting theory in an actionable format of state-of-the-art best practice patterns.


A new kind of civil disobedience came to Missoula, Montana, recently. On a bridge over the Clark Fork River, a group from Wild Rockies Earth First! blocked a truck carrying logs from the Bitterroot Forest. Two of the protesters tied ropes to the rig, lowered themselves and their sign, "Globalization Kills Our Forests," to within a few feet of the torrent below, and refused to cooperate with rescuers who were dispatched from local fire stations to "rescue" them. The Earth Firsters were eventually coaxed to safety and charged with felony criminal endangerment. At their arraignment they denied that they had put the firefighters at risk, demanded to be set free, and ridiculed the conditions of their release on bail. One defendant brandished what a local newspaper called her "flame-and-monkey-wrench tat-toos," an emblem, apparently, of her willingness to wreck rather than to respect government. Earth First's brand of civil disobedience--frequently ill-tempered, not always nonviolent, and often coolly self-righteous--seems to be increasingly popular these days. Groups as diverse as ACT UP (gay rights), Critical Mass (environ-mental bicyclists), even the archconservative Catholic League are getting on the civil disobedience bandwagon. After the Ninth Circuit Court upheld a ban on "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance in 2003, the League's president wrote, "It is up to the teachers in the nine western states affected by this decision to break the law. They should instruct their students on the meaning of civil disobedience and then practice it." Some of the new breed of lawbreakers lay claim to the traditions of civil disobedience. ACT UP, for instance, says its "fusion of organized mass struggle and nonviolence ... originated largely with Mohandas Gandhi." Appreciation of that past seems to be shockingly selective, however. Indeed, as even the Catholic League president insinuated, our schools, incubators of civic culture, play a significant role in instructing students about civil disobedience. But are American schools teaching the fundamentals of the social contract? Do our teachers appreciate that there is more to civil disobedience than mere self-expression or simple claims on conscience? Not Your Father's Disobedience Traditional civil disobedience has usually combined deep spiritual beliefs with intense political ones. And while appreciating the differences in the two worlds--render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's--practitioners respected both. Gandhi, for instance, while leading a massive populist movement against British occupation of India (in the 1930s and 1940s), grew distrustful of mass demonstrations because participants were unwilling to go through the difficult process of purifying their actions; that is, grounding their activism in religious faith and human dignity. Martin Luther King, who warned that civil disobedience risked anarchy, went to jail "openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty." While sometimes willful and defiant and sometimes passive to the point of self-extinction (Socrates did not protest his punishment), the heroes of civil disobedience believed in the need to obey a higher authority and to be cleansed of self-interestedness. For instance, King's words from an Alabama jail cell in 1963 (where he was being punished for marching in defiance of a court order): "A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God.... An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law." Compare those sentiments with the words written 40 years later by Craig Marshall, an Earth Liberation Front activist, from his Oregon jail cell (where he was serving a five-year term for setting fire to logging trucks): "There are necessary evils if we want to be effective in our struggles, such as the use of petro-fuels in igniting huge bonfires in which we can watch corporations go bankrupt.... I hope I don't sound as if I'm condemning these activities--by all means, burn the [expletive deleted] to the ground. …


The World Wide Web has had a significant impact on basic operational economical components in global information rich civilizations. This impact is forcing organizations to provide justification for security from a business case perspective and to focus on security from a web application development environment perspective. This increased focus on security was the basis of a business case discussion and led to the acquisition of empirical evidence gathered from a high level Web survey and more detailed industry surveys to analyse security in the Web application development environment. Along with this information, a collection of evidence from relevant literature was also gathered. Individual aspects of the data gathered in the previously mentioned activities contributed to the proposal of the Essential Elements (EE) and the Security Criteria for Web Application Development (SCWAD). The Essential Elements present the idea that there are essential, basic organizational elements that need to be identified, defined and addressed before examining security aspects of a Web Engineering Development process. The Security Criteria for Web Application Development identifies criteria that need to be addressed by a secure Web Engineering process. Both the EE and SCWAD are presented in detail along with relevant justification of these two elements to Web Engineering. SCWAD is utilized as a framework to evaluate the security of a representative selection of recognized software engineering processes used in Web Engineering application development. The software engineering processes appraised by SCWAD include: the Waterfall Model, the Unified Software Development Process (USD), Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) and eXtreme Programming (XP). SCWAD is also used to assess existing security methodologies which are comprised of the Orion Strategy; Survivable / Viable IS approaches; Comprehensive Lightweight Application Security Process (CLASP) and Microsoft's Trust Worthy Computing Security Development Lifecycle. The synthesis of information provided by both the EE and SCWAD were used to develop the Web Engineering Security (WES) methodology. WES is a proactive, flexible, process neutral security methodology with customizable components that is based on empirical evidence and used to explicitly integrate security throughout an organization's chosen application development process. In order to evaluate the practical application of the EE, SCWAD and the WES methodology, two case studies were conducted during the course of this research. The first case study describes the application of both the EE and SCWAD to the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery's Online Photo Library (HOPL) Internet application project. The second case study presents the commercial implementation of the WES methodology within a Global Fortune 500 financial service sector organization. The assessment of the WES methodology within the organization consisted of an initial survey establishing current security practices, a follow-up survey after changes were implemented and an overall analysis of the security conditions assigned to projects throughout the life of the case study.


INTRODUCTION
The aim of this two-arm parallel trial was to evaluate enamel demineralization in fixed orthodontic treatment using an indirect bonding technique in comparison to a direct bonding technique by the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) method.

DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS
Fifty-six patients who needed fixed orthodontic treatment were randomly separated into either the direct bonding group or the indirect bonding group. The presence and extent of lesions on the buccal surfaces of all teeth, except the molar teeth, were assessed. The percentage of fluorescence loss (ΔF and ΔFmax), the degree of demineralization (ΔQ) and lesion area (WS area) were determined using the system's software. The data were analysed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U-tests (P < 0.05).

INTERVENTIONS
Treatment with a direct bonding or an indirect bonding technique.

RESULTS
This study was completed with 25 patients in the indirect bonding group (12 females, 13 males; mean age: 15.42 ± 1.71 years) and 26 patients in the direct bonding group (12 females, 14 males; mean age: 14.73 ± 1.65 years). In the indirect bonding technique, a few teeth (especially mandibular left canine: 50.45 ± 93.48; 95% confidence interval: -12.35 and 113.26) were found to develop significant white spot lesion (WSL) formation (P < 0.05). However, the number of teeth with demineralization was higher in the direct bonding group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
The bonding procedures used in the indirect bonding technique contribute to reducing the degree of WSL formation. Further, the use of flowable composite adhesives in this bonding process is more effective at reducing the appearance of WSLs than in cases where conventional composite adhesives are used.

LIMITATIONS
The limitation of our trial may be the small sample size and the short follow-up time for the patients.

HARMS
No harms were detected during the study.

PROTOCOL
The protocol was not published before trial commencement.

REGISTRATION
This trial was registered post hoc at 'Clinical Trials' (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov), registration number (ID): NCT03738839.


Featuring a major synthesis and critique of interdisciplinary narrative theory, Story Logic marks a watershed moment in the study of narrative. David Herman argues that narrative is simultaneously a cognitive style, a discourse genre, and a resource for writing. Because stories are strategies that help humans make sense of their world, narratives not only have a logic but also are a logic in their own right, providing an irreplaceable resource for structuring and comprehending experience.Story Logic brings together and pointedly examines key concepts of narrative in literary criticism, linguistics, and cognitive science, supplementing them with a battery of additional concepts that enable many different kinds of narratives to be analyzed and understood. By thoroughly tracing and synthesizing the development of different strands of narrative theory and provocatively critiquing what narratives are and how they work, Story Logic provides a powerful interpretive tool kit that broadens the applicability of narrative theory to more complex forms of stories, however and wherever they appear. Story Logic offers a fresh and incisive way to appreciate more fully the power and significance of narratives.


The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by severe immunological defects resulting in opportunistic infections and malignancies. A novel human retrovirus, known under the terms of LAV, HTLV-III, ARV or as a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has been defined as the infectious agent responsible for the induction of the immunologic disorders in AIDS. However, two recent lines of evidence, reviewed in this article, complicate the etiological picture of AIDS: the HIV family appears to consist of a great number of diverse, and perhaps diversifying in vivo, members that exhibit different molecular and biological properties; the human retrovirus family may contain yet another distinct class of member viruses that resemble HIV morphologically and structurally but may differ in their pathogenicity. Our understanding of the retroviral etiology of AIDS may be far from complete.


Multicolor spectral karyotyping (SKY) was performed on bone marrow samples from 50 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in anticipation of discovering new previously unidentified translocations. All samples showed complex karyotypes with chromosome aberrations which, in most cases, were not fully characterized by G-banding. Patients of special interest were those who showed add(14)(q32), add(8)(q24) and those whose G-banding karyotypes showed poor chromosome morphology. Three new recurring chromosome translocations not previously reported in MM were identified. Two of the translocations involve recurring aberrations at band 14q32.3, the site of the IgH locus, with different exchange partners. The most frequently recurring rearrangement was a subtle translocation at 14q32.3 designated as a t(14;16)(q32;q22 approximately 23), which was identified in six patients. A second and larger translocation at 14q32, identified in two patients, was designated as a t(9;14)(p13;q32), previously associated with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma. A third translocation, identified in two patients, involved a whole-arm t(6;8)(p10;q10) translocation. The SKY technique was able to refine the designations of over 156 aberrations not fully characterized by G-banding in this study and resolved additional chromosome aberrations in every patient studied except two. The t(14;16)(q32;q22 approximately 23) identified by SKY in this study suggests this may be a frequent translocation in MM associated with complex karyotypes and disease progression. Therefore, the SKY technique provides a useful adjunct to routine G-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies in the cytogenetic analysis of MM.


The integration of a two-dimensional, raster-based rainfall-runoff model, CASC2D, with a raster geographical information system (GIS), GRASS, offers enhanced capabilities for analysing the hydrological impact under a variety of land management scenarios. The spatially varied components of the watershed, such as slope, soil texture, surface roughness and land-use disturbance, were characterized in GRASS at a user-specified grid cell resolution for input into the CASC2D model. CASC2D is a raster-based, single-event rainfall-runoff model that divides the watershed into grid cell elements and simulates the hydrological processes of infiltration, overland flow and channel flow in response to distributed rainfall precipitation. The five-step integration of CASC2D and GRASS demonstrates the potential for analysing spatially and temporally varied hydrological processes within a 50 square mile semi-arid watershed. By defining possible land-use disturbance scenarios for the watershed, a variety of rainfall-runoff events were simulated to determine the changes in watershed response under varying disturbance and rainfall conditions. Additionally, spatially distributed infiltration outputs derived from the simulations were analysed in GRASS to determine the variability of hydrological change within the watershed. Grid cell computational capabilities in GRASS allow the user to combine the scenario simulation outputs with other distributed watershed parameters to develop complex maps depicting potential areas of hydrological sensitivity. This GIS-hydrological model integration provides valuable spatial information to researchers and managers concerned with the study and effects of land-use on hydrological response.


Of the processes for converting natural gas into a more useful chemical feedstock, the oxidative coupling of methane to form ethane and ethylene (C2) has perhaps been the most intensively investigated in recent years, but it has proved extremely difficult to obtain C2 yields in excess of 20 to 25%. Methane oxidative coupling was carried out in a separative chemical reactor that simulated a countercurrent chromatographic moving-bed. This reaction gives 65% methane conversion, 80% C2 selectivity, and a C2 yield slightly better than 50% with Sm2O3 catalyst at ∼1000 K.


This chapter builds on prior reviews of reading theory, research, and assessment published in the Annual Review of Applied Linguistics and uses them and additional current research to develop a set of 10 instructional implications for second language reading. The review draws upon both L1 and L2 research to demonstrate support for instructional approaches that (1) ensure fluency in word recognition; (2) emphasize the learning of vocabulary; (3) activate background knowledge; (4) ensure acquisition of linguistic knowledge and general comprehension; (5) teach recognition of text structures and discourse organization; (6) promote development of strategic readers rather than mechanical application of strategy checklists; (7) build reading fluency and rate; (8) promote extensive reading; (9) develop intrinsic motivation for reading; and (10) contribute to a coherent curriculum for student learning. There is empirical support for each of these implications, although at the same time, additional research related to many is needed to further identify aspects of effective L2 reading instruction in particular settings. While further research alone does not guarantee improved reading pedagogy, it provides one means of identifying specific aspects of reading abilities and testing alternative instructional practices and is thus a crucial component in the search for more effective outcomes.


Abstract Aim There is no standardised interventional approach to preventing or treating sarcopenia in older adults in hospital. The aim of this review was to systematically identify and synthesise the effects of nutritional interventions on markers of sarcopenia in hospitalised patients aged 65 years and older. Methods Four databases were searched using terms for intervention, population and setting. Eligibility screening of title and abstract and then full‐text papers was competed in duplicate, independently. The final included papers were assessed for quality, and outcome data extracted independently and in duplicate. Outcome data were synthesised by meta‐analysis, where possible, or narratively. Results Seven hundred and thirty‐two articles were screened for eligibility yielding six studies for inclusion. All studies provided oral nutritional support that aimed to increase protein intake ranging from an additional 10 to 40 g/d, each with a unique formulation of amino acids and/or micronutrients; three studies combined nutritional intervention with an enhanced physical activity program. Five studies measured hand grip strength, the mean difference was 1.97 kg (95% CI 0.55‐3.39, P = .006) greater in the intervention group (n = 166) compared with control group (n = 165). Assessment of muscle mass and activities of daily living were heterogeneous and the changes inconsistent between studies. Conclusions Few studies inform nutritional management of inpatients with sarcopenia or at risk of sarcopenia. High quality, large intervention trials are needed urgently to identify the optimal nutrition and physical activity intervention combinations to manage sarcopenia in older hospitalised adults. These studies need to include outcome measures of physical function and muscle quality.


To produce a marketable PowerPC microprocessor on a short development schedule, an appropriate balance was needed between a fully customized methodology and a standard cell approach. We compiled a single model of each logic partition separately for logic synthesis and for simulation. Synthesis transferred the model to a gate-level implementation and applied timing correction transforms to reach the users' timing assertions. Floor-planning and wiring was assisted by an automated tool. Billions of cycles were run in testing the implementation against the PowerPC architecture specification. Behaviorals were written and built into the model to test the chip as it might appear in a system configuration. Careful adherence to this methodology led to a successful first pass of silicon, leaving the second iteration for additional customer requests.<<ETX>>


The classical heuristic complexity of the Number Field Sieve (NFS) is the solution of an optimization problem that involves an unknown function, usually noted $o(1)$ and called $\xi(N)$ throughout this paper, which tends to zero as the entry $N$ grows. The aim of this paper is to find optimal asymptotic choices of the parameters of NFS as $N$ grows, in order to minimize its heuristic asymptotic computational cost. This amounts to minimizing a function of the parameters of NFS bound together by a non-linear constraint. We provide precise asymptotic estimates of the minimizers of this optimization problem, which yield refined formulas for the asymptotic complexity of NFS. One of the main outcomes of this analysis is that $\xi(N)$ has a very slow rate of convergence: We prove that it is equivalent to $4{\log}{\log}{\log}\,N/(3{\log}{\log}\,N)$. Moreover, $\xi(N)$ has an unpredictable behavior for practical estimates of the complexity. Indeed, we provide an asymptotic series expansion of $\xi$ and numerical experiments indicate that this series starts converging only for $N>\exp(\exp(25))$, far beyond the practical range of NFS. This raises doubts on the relevance of NFS running time estimates that are based on setting $\xi=0$ in the asymptotic formula.


TiB2-Al2O3 composite was studied by the first principle method. Ti maintains a high positive charge and O increases more charge (absolute value) in the interface, so there is strong ionic interaction among the ions in the interface of TiB2-Al2O3 composite. There is strong covalent interaction among the atoms in the interface of the TiB2-Al2O3. There are some differences of densities of state (DOS) between TiB2- Al2O3 composite and related single phases as the interaction between of TiB2 and Al2O3 phases. The width of DOS of interface Ti 3d is obviously larger than that of inner Ti, and larger than that of TiB2 single phase, which shows that the interaction among atoms in the interface is stronger than that in the center.


AIM
Ascorbate can inhibit growth and even decrease viability of various microbial species including Candida albicans. However the optimum conditions and the mechanism of action are unclear. Materials/methodology: Candida albicans shaken for 90 min in a buffered solution of ascorbate (90 mM) gave a 5-log reduction of cell viability, while there was no killing without shaking, in growth media with different carbon sources or at 4°C. Killing was inhibited by the iron chelator 2,2'-bipyridyl. Hydroxyphenyl fluorescein probe showed the intracellular generation of hydroxyl radicals.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION
Ascorbate-mediated killing of C. albicans depends on oxygenation and metabolism, involves iron-catalyzed generation of hydroxyl radicals via Fenton reaction and depletion of intracellular NADH. Ascorbate could serve as a component of a topical antifungal therapy.


Abstract. Syamil AR, Mohd-Ridwan AR, Amsah MA, Abdul-Latiff MAB, Md-Zain BM. 2019. Population census and age category character of Stump-tailed macaque, Macaca arctoides, in Northern Peninsular Malaysia. Biodiversitas 20: 2446-2452. Macaca arctoides is reported to be distributed only in the northern part of Malay Peninsula. Intensive scientific observations have never been carried out before on this neglected macaque in the northern range. Thus, in this article, an estimation of population data on the Malaysian stump-tailed macaques that were found in Wang Kelian forest areas in Perlis State Park, Malaysia is presented. Intensive field observations were conducted from Sept 2018 to January 2019 with scanning sampling. The study revealed a total of 171-176 stump-tailed macaques, consisting of 44 (25%) adult males, 28 (16%) adult females, 19-22 (11%) sub-adult males, 16-19 (10%) sub-adult females, 43 (25%) juveniles, and 21-23 (13%) infants. Two main groups were observed, which were the Nomad and the Batat groups. Their ranging areas appear to sometimes overlap each other, while some Nomad members were observed in the Batat group. The age structure can be differentiated through body size and pelage coloration. The stump-tailed macaque populations in Wang Kelian are sensitive to human presence, while their habitat area is threatened by human illegal poaching activities. More conservation efforts are needed to conserve this neglected macaque from local extinction.


ABSTRACT Effluent of tritium in vacuum exhaust in JT-60 through the stack to environment always remains a level below detectable level (<10−5Bq/cm3 at the stack, <10−7Bq/cm3 at the site boundary). Though tritium concentration of drain water is below the limit of regulations of the local agreement and the law, small tritium contamination in the facility drain and in the rain drain of stack appeared occasionally. For a scheduled maintenance work of the in-vessel components, following an annual deuterium plasma discharge campaign, a 4-week no-deuterium (H or He) plasma discharge campaign and the succeeded ventilation by room air allow to reduce tritium on the interior surface of in-vessel components. This cleaning up shots and air introduction allowed workers to enter into the vacuum vessel. Air blow well tends to remove surface tritium elements and would be necessary before disassembly and replacement of components on vacuum pumping lines.


Four poly((1,2-butadiene)- block-ethylene oxide) (PB-PEO) diblock copolymers were shown to self-assemble into micelles with PB cores and PEO coronas (including spheres, cylinders, and vesicles) in the ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIM][TFSI]). All four systems exhibited the "micelle shuttle" (He, Y.; Lodge, T. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 12666-12667), whereby PB-PEO micelles transferred, reversibly and with preservation of micelle structure, from an aqueous phase at room temperature to a hydrophobic ionic liquid at high temperature. The micelle size (both mean and distribution) depends on whether it was initially dissolved in water or in the ionic liquid, but the initial micelle structures in the ionic liquid were shown by dynamic light scattering to be preserved during the transfer and persist essentially unchanged for months in both the ionic liquid and water. The transfer was shown to be driven by the deteriorating solvent quality of water for PEO at high temperature, while the ionic liquid remains a good solvent. The transfer temperature could be tuned by adding ionic or nonionic additives to the aqueous phase to change the solvent quality of water for PEO, and by using ionic liquids with different polarity.