This study focused on the assessment of the structural validity of the 28 item adapted Teacher Assessment for Learning Questionnaire (TAFL-Q) in the Kenyan context. The sample consisted of 180 mathematics teachers drawn from 50 secondary schools. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the hypothesised two-factor model of the original questionnaire. The analysis resulted in a poor fit to the Kenyan sample (CMIN/DF = 2.643, RMSEA = 0.096, SRMR = 0.085, TLI = 0.653, CFI = 0.680). The factor structure was then explored using principal components analysis with Varimax Kaiser Normalisation rotation. Nine items were eliminated and a final analysis of the remaining 19 items resulted in six factors with a total explained variance of 66%. The emergent factors were further assessed through convergent and discriminant validity and the results were within the acceptable range. The six-factor model also fitted well to the questionnaire data of the Kenyan sample. The findings suggest the need for further development of the teacher assessment for learning instruments that can be applied in measuring the teachers' perceptions in the Kenyan context and sub-Saharan Africa at large.


Hydrogen abundances were determined for grain size separates of five lunar soils and one soil breccia. The hydrogen abundance studies have provided important baseline information for engineering models undergoing study at the present time. From the studies is appears that there is sufficient hydrogen present in selected lunar materials which could be recovered to support future space activities. It is well known that hydrogen can be extracted from lunar soils by heating between 400 and 800 C. Recovery of hydrogen for regolith materials would involve heating with solar mirrors and collecting the released hydrogen. Current baseline models for the lunar base are requiring the production of 1000 metric tons of oxygen per year. From this requirement it follows that around 117 metric tons per year of hydrogen would be required for the production of water. The ability to obtain hydrogen from the lunar regolith would assist in lowering the operating costs of any lunar base.


The authors analyse the main medical and sanitary problems in the Brazilian State of S. Paulo and the possibility of defining, within the State, five zones, whose characteristics are outstandingly homogeneous: a first zone, including the regions of S. Jose do Rio Preto, Aracatuba and Presidente Prudente; a second zone, including Bauru and Marilia; a third zone, including the regions of Sorocaba, the coastal areas and the Paraiba Valley; a fourth zone including Campinas and Ribeirao Preto and a fifth zone, represented by Greater S. Paulo. For each zone, the authors outline the basic health indices and some aspects of the available health facilities, concluding that it is difficult to establish a correlation between those two parameters. They also analyse the basic problems concerning the medical care of the S. Paulo State urban and rural populations.


Abstract NASA's RADARSAT Geophysical Processor System (RGPS) uses sequential synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images to track the trajectories of some 30 000 points on the Arctic sea ice for periods of up to 6 months. Much of the Arctic basin is imaged and tracked every 3 days. The result is a highly detailed picture of how the sea ice moves and deforms. The points are initially spaced 10 km apart and are organized into four-cornered cells. The area and the strain rates are calculated for each cell for each new observation of its corners. The accuracy of the RGPS ice tracking, area changes, and deformation estimates is needed to make the dataset useful for analysis, model validation, and data assimilation. Two comparisons are made to assess the accuracy. The first compares the tracking performed at two different facilities (the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and the Alaska SAR Facility in Fairbanks, Alaska), between which the primary difference is the operator intervention. The error sta...


Three studies investigated the function of 2 types of negative emotion during interpersonal conflict. Hard emotion includes feeling angry or aggravated. Soft emotion includes feeling sad or hurt. In both Study 1 (including 236 married people) and Study 2 (including 140 college students), participants recalled 3 different previous conflict episodes. In the third study, 77 married couples were observed in 4 different conflict conversations, completed during 2 assessment sessions. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to investigate the extent to which change in emotion predicted corresponding change in behavior and appraisal. Hard emotion predicted increases in negative communication, whereas soft emotion predicted more benign forms of communication. Soft emotion also predicted increases in appraisals that interpersonal conflicts are important to resolve.


Although there are multiple published reviews about the effects of the most common techniques, such as stretching or the use of foam roller on the range of motion (Behm et al., 2016; Wilke et al., 2020) or performance parameters (Behm & Wilke, 2019; Konrad et al., 2021), there is no analysis on the effects of medical flossing. To date, two reviews have been publishedabout effectiveness of using ankle flossing to improve dorsiflexion amplitude or jump performance (Pisz et al., 2020; Kielur & Powden, 2020). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of medical flossing added to routine treatment in patients with epicondylitis, compared to conventional physiotherapy treatment. The study included 6 subjects who showed localized pain in the area of the lateral epicondyle exacerbated with the Cozen test. The other criteria for selecting patients were the duration of the symptoms, less than 3 months from the onset of the disease and pain intensity more than 5 on the Visual Analog scale.To monitor the evolution of the subjects involved, we used a visual analog pain scale to assess the intensity of pain at different times during the application of therapy, before and after the end of the treatment. Another tool used to measure the degree of pain and dysfunction was the PRTEE Questionnaire (Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation). The rehabilitation program took place between August and September 2021, for 30 days, with afrequency of 3 times per week. 6 patients with lateral epicondylitis were included and medical flossing was used only in the case of 3 patients at each therapy session. The differences between groups at the time of the initial assessment, in terms of pain intensity were statistically insignificant (p=0.288, p>0.05). The results obtained in terms of decreasing pain were in favor of the use of medical flossing as an adjuvant method in specific pain existing in lateral epicondylitis. Although in both groups there was a decrease in pain after 4 weeks of treatment, the intervention group recorded significant reduced values compared to the control group (p=0.024; p<0.05). Regarding PRTEE Functional Score, at the final assesment there was a decrease in both groups, which means the functional condition of the patients has improved.


Information concerning ecological situation on the road and adjoining to it territory causes the necessity of permanent ecological monitoring conduct on the base of geographic information system. The GIS functions are directed on the decision of ecological tasks and the system on the whole is intended for realization of informative and technological support of road projects on the base of the use of facilities and methods of network computer treatment of ecological databases.


Objective
To explore the correlation between the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and depressive symptoms in victims of major depression disorder (MDD).

Methods
A total of 138 consecutive MDD patients who had not taken antidepressant drugs in the last 3 months or were first-episode patients from May 2014 to February 2015 were enrolled in the present study.The expressions of 9 MDD-associated lncRNAs (TCONS_l2_00001212, NONHSAT102891, TCONS_00019174, ENST00000566208, NONHSAG045500, ENST00000591189, ENST00000517573, NONHSAT034045 and NONHSAT142707) in PBMC were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the severity of the depressive symptoms were evaluated by 24 item Hamilton depressive Scale (HAMD-24).

Results
The expression level of TCONS_L2_00001212 was significantly positively correlated with hopelessness symptoms (r=0.370, P<0.01), the expression level of TCONS_00019174 was significantly positively correlated with total depressive symptoms, retardation symptoms and hopelessness symptoms (r=0.286, 0.346, 0.542, all P<0.01) and the expression level of NONHSAT142707 was significantly positively correlated with total depressive symptoms and hopelessness symptoms (r=0.253, 0.525, P<0.01). The expression level of TCONS_00019174 and NONHSAT142707 in the higher scores subgroup was significantly lower than those in lower scores subgroup(Z=3.238, 2.254, P<0.05). When TCONS_00019174 entered into the regression equation with the total scores as the independent variable, it explained 19.8% of the variance of total scores.A ROC curve analysis revealed that TCONS_000191745 had moderate intensity prediction function on the severity of the depressive symptoms (AUC=0.833, P<0.01). When the cutoff value was 8.352 CT, Youden index was 0.495 in maximum with 88.24% sensitivity and 89.32% specificity.

Conclusion
TCONS_00019174 has a good positive prediction performance on symptom severity in MDD patients.

Key words:
Major depressive disorder; Peripheral blood mononuclear cell; lncRNA; Depressive symptom; RT-PCR


This paper introduces the latest development of HDTV in the world at first. Based on the analysis of the shortcoming of exiting HDTV-STB products,the technologies for solving the problem are introduced in the light of the newest products. A design for HDTV-STB with PVR is presented in the end.


In this paper, elaboration has been made on the modification design of the valve timing cam profile to suit series 6200Z diesel engines of Weifang Diesel Engine Works' production; Also by way of comparison test, the modified cam contour has been proved to be remarkably effective in improving engine reliability and economy


BIST based field testing is a promising way to guarantee the functional safety of intelligent and autonomous systems. To improve the fault coverage with less random patterns for BIST, sequentially observing some flip-flops(FFs) during multi-cycle test is useful. In this paper, we propose the methodology for selecting the Fault-Detection-Strengthened FFs in multi-cycle test by evaluating the structure of a circuit. The experimental results of ITC99 benchmarks and a real Electronic Control Unit (ECU) circuit show the effectiveness of the proposed methods in fault coverage improvement and random pattern reduction.


Dodging Vehicle Theft is making buzz in present auto industry. Outline and advancement of a robbery control framework for an auto, can be attained to by making utilization of GPS highlight of cellular telephone. The created framework makes utilization of a cell telephone that is installed in the vehicle with an interfacing to Engine Control Module (ECM) through Control Area Network (CAN) Bus, which is thus, conveyed to the ECM. The vehicle being stolen can be ceased by utilizing GPS highlight of cell telephone and this data is utilized by the holder of the vehicle for future handling. The holder sends the message to the versatile which is implanted in the vehicle which has stolen which thusly controls the vehicles motor by locking the working of the motor promptly. The created framework acknowledge the message and telecasted to the Vehicle Network through CAN Bus. The motor can be opened just by the manager of the vehicle by sending the message once more. The objective behind the outline is to create security for vehicles and inserted framework to speak with motor of the vehicle.


In this paper we study the Martin boundary of open sets with respect to a large class of purely discontinuous symmetric L\'evy processes in $\R^d$. We show that, if $D\subset \R^d$ is an open set which is $\kappa$-fat at a boundary point $Q\in \partial D$, then there is exactly one Martin boundary point associated with $Q$ and this Martin boundary point is minimal.


A new way to administer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to improve its viability in more complex and chronic wound healing and soft/hard tissue regeneration in alveolar ridge preservation is demanded. In this study, PRP was encapsulated in chitosan to form a nanosphere with size below 100 nm with an idea to prolong PRP's growth factors release. Chitosan nanosphere was prepared by ionic gelation method, while PRP was encapsulated by inclusion method. Morphology analysis by transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that PRP was encapsulated efficiently in the chitosan matrix, making a spherical shape with size of 30–80 nm. Particle size analysis by dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) method further showed that the average size of chitosan—PRP nanosphere was 51.27 ± 33.75 nm, which is a good indication for biomaterials used in body. The stability of the nanoparticle colloid was confirmed with zeta potential score of 50.42 mV. 200 μl encapsulation of PRP in chitosan nanosphere had the highest encapsulation efficiency, that was further used in total protein release analysis in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. It started with initial burst at 7 h, followed by steady release, then 'quasi-plateau' after 96 h (at around 60%), dominated by Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics model and Fick's diffusion mechanism. Finally, the nanosphere showed an excellent antibacterial activity against S. mutans as shown from 90.63% bacteria inhibition during assay. The results showed that chitosan—PRP nanosphere could be used as a novel approach for complex/chronic wound healing and soft/hard tissue regeneration following periodontitis treatment or tooth extraction that needs prolonged growth factor release.


Animal experimentation is an important and useful tool in many research areas mainly those related to life sciences. Particularly, in the veterinary medicine, small-sized animals are currently used, such as mice, rabbits, guinea-pigs and others on investigations for new medicines and vaccines, as well as for medical diagnostic studies, before to be tested in human being. One of the most used animals is the mouse [Mus musculus] due to the low cost, easily handling and also to the facilities related to medico-legal implications. In this study the Absolute Neutron Activation Analysis technique (ANAA) was used to determine the element concentrations, such as, C1, K, Mg and Na, in whole blood samples of distinct mouse lines. The basic principle of this technique is the irradiation of the biological material with neutrons followed by the measurement of the y-ray activities induced in the biological sample, where the elements can be identified by the characteristic y-rays. As this nuclear methodology has been successfully used in the public health field for the investigation of elements in urine, bones and organs of small and medium-sized animals [I, 2, 31 now, we want to extend its application to analyze whole blood samples of eight distinct mouse lines.


5 a sample. Scanning probe electrochemistry is the intersection of bulk electrochemistry and local microscopy measurements. Bulk electrochemical measurements are an averaged global view of the sample of interest which do not present a clear picture of the processes occurring at the sample. Microscopy measurements, on the other hand, provide information about the local features of a sample, but do not provide insight on the role these features play in the electrochemical processes occurring at the sample. Scanning probe electrochemistry combines these two fields, to provide a localized view of the electrochemical processes. The wide variety of sample characteristics measured with scanning probe electrochemistry is illustrated in Figure 1. The most popular technique in the scanning probe electrochemistry family is Scanning ElectroChemical Microscopy (SECM), which was introduced in 1989 by A. J. Bard (Bard et al. 1989). Since its introduction subsequent Abstract The use of scanning probe electrochemistry techniques is growing, and has reached traditional fields from batteries to biology, and even some unexpected ones like fine art, forensics, and meteorites. This branch of scanning probe microscopy is an exciting way to correlate local features with the electrochemical properties of a sample, allowing local insight into a sample not possible otherwise. While the field of scanning probe electrochemistry encompasses a number of different techniques which provide complementary information on everything from sample topography to activity, this article will focus on Scanning ElectroChemical Microscopy (SECM), which is by far the most popular technique in this field. SECM is a chemically selective microscopy which measures the interaction of a sample with a mediator in solution using a probe in close proximity to the sample. Using SECM it is possible to locally investigate sample activity, conductivity, and topography. It is well suited to studies in biology, novel materials, corrosion, and catalysis, amongst others.


A tough winter is in store for the NHS and the government, with the cancellation of nonemergency operations on the increase, according to Chris Ham, Health Policy Professor at Birmingham University.


An optical measurement system using a laser streamer method for analysis of the corona space charge field was proposed. Also, a laser induced streamer phenomena was observed by an image converter camera device (ICCD). The electrons generated by the laser arrived at the rod electrode initiating the streamer corona, which diffuses from the rod electrode. The electric field measured by the laser streamer method was 150 kV/m at 7.4 mm from the top of the high-voltage rod electrode. It was found that the laser streamer method was effective in measuring the corona charge field near the electrode.


Introduces the basic theory and method of intelligent network field control unit it is used to carry through remote control , analyze in details the hardware and software realization of the whole intelligent network field control unit.Aslo,the article presents some effective methods to improve the real-time of the whole remote control system. Intelligent network control unit is based on LF2407 DSP, using multi-interface of LF2407 and RTL8019 to realize the connection with field facility and Internet.Through the intelligent network control unit,disperse instrument and sensor can conveniently be directly connected to the Internet.


Intercalated/exfoliated nanocomposites of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) blended nanoclay (Cloisite 20 A and Cloisite 30B) were fabricated using melt extrusion process. Polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) was used as a compatibiliser to improve the dispersibility of clay. TPO/nanoclay composites were prepared with different percentages of clay loading (3, 5 and 7 wt%) by adding PP-g-MA as a compatibiliser. The nanocomposites having 5 wt%C20A/5 wt% compatibiliser exhibited a remarkable improvement in mechanical (tensile modulus, flexural modulus and impact strength) and thermal (heat distortion temperature, HDT) properties. The thermal measurements have been carried out by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and HDT methods. Dynamic mechanical analysis studies indicated that PP macromolecules were intercalated or exfoliated between the interlayer of silicates. The morphology of nanocomposites was characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to find out the arrangement of crystals in the nanocomposites. The SEM and XRD clearly demonstrated the progressive break up of particles and results in decreased particle size with the optimised combination.


Twenty three mother plants of Citrus changshan-huyou were selected from the valuable variance plant in Changshan county,Zhejiangprovince.After observation and evaluation on those mother trees,10 single trees were chosen for top grafting and determination.5 new varieties of C.changshan-huyou were determined by a comprehensive comparison on fruit size,soluble solids,edible rate,acid and taste.The filial generationnursery was established.


In this paper, the cooperative navigation issue is investigated for a group of robots. A distributed estimation architecture fusing range and visual measurements is proposed. Both the relative range and co-observed features are utilized to construct direct and indirect geometric constraints between robots respectively. To solve the difficult problem of calculating the cross covariance between local estimators, the covariance intersection (CI) algorithm is adopted to design a fully distributed and scalable cooperative estimator. To avoid unnecessary data transmission in feature matching process between different robots, a frustum view overlapping prediction algorithm is developed, which works effectively on reducing data transmission. Compared with existing algorithm, the proposed estimator achieves better accuracy with lower communication cost.


NiCoPrLa hydrotalcites were synthesized by microwave、 microwave-hydrothermal and hydrothermal treatment.In order to study the crystalline phase and thermal stability of the hydrotalcite-like compounds and the crystalline phase、 reducibility、 adsorptive property and carbon deposition resisting property of the derived mixed oxides,the obtained samples were characterized by XRD,TG,TPO,TPR,TPD and FT-IR.At the meantime,the ethanol steam reforming was taken as the proble reaction to investigate the initial activity and the selectivity of mixed oxides derived from NiCoPrLa hydrotalcite-like compounds prepared by different methods.The results showed that the structure and thermal stability of the hydrotalcite were influenced by preparation methods.The hydrothermal method could synthesis hydrotalcite with good crystallinity,microwave-hydrothermal method could improve the thermal stability of the hydrotalcite-like compounds,the catalyst synthesized by microwave-hydrothermal method had a better catalytic performance and carbon deposition resisting property,and the ethanol conversion of the catalyst achieved 86% at 350 ℃.


The invention belongs to the field of household cleaners and particularly relates to a cyclone separation device and a cyclone dust collector provided with the same, wherein the cyclone separation device comprises a first cyclone separation unit and a second cyclone separation unit; an air flow enters the first cyclone separation unit so as to be subjected to primary separation, then the air flow subjected to primary separation enters the second cyclone separation unit so as to be subjected secondary separation; and the second cyclone separation unit is provided with a cyclone cylinder, the side wall of the cyclone cylinder is provided with an air inlet, one side of the air inlet is connected with the inner wall of the cyclone cylinder, the other side of the air inlet is provided with a guide rib, and the guide rib is protruded to the inner cavity of the cyclone cylinder along the inner wall of the cyclone cylinder. The cyclone dust collector comprises a dust collector main body and a suction nozzle, wherein the dust collector main body is internally provided with the cyclone separation device. The cyclone separation device and cyclone dust collector provided by the invention are small in volume and high in filtering efficiency.


Background We have reported that serum progranulin (PGRN) levels are clinically significant in predicting recurrence in patients with HR-positive breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to examine whether PGRN levels might be associated with breast cancer mortality. Methods This was a cohort study of 695 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who underwent curative surgery between 2001 and 2004. The relationship between breast cancer mortality and pre-operative serum PGRN levels in these patients with a median follow-up of 12.7 years was evaluated until May 2020. Results A total of 118 (17%) deaths were identified in the cohort. According to the HR status, (10, 15, and 20)-year overall survival (OS) rates were (91.4, 81.1, and 75.9) % for HR-positive patients, and (76.5, 74.2, and 69.8) % for HR-negative patients, respectively (p = 0.003). Higher levels of PGRN were significantly associated with poor OS in the HR-positive group (p for trend = 0.001). In particular, hazard ratios for PGRN quartiles suggested a dose–response relationship, with the highest quartile having the worst OS in the HR-positive group (highest vs lowest: 15-year OS, (68.3 vs 90.0) %; 20-year OS, (62.3 vs 84.8) %, even after adjusting for age, tumor stage, and metabolic confounders. Conclusion Pre-operative serum PGRN levels had clinical significance for predicting cancer mortality in breast cancer patients independent of tumor stage and metabolic parameters, especially in HR-positive tumors.


Abstract : The purpose of our research proposal is to determine how the deletion of Tsc1 and mTOR dysregulation affects thalamus development and function. An addition goal of our research was to use our conditional gene deletion system to test the ability of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin to ameliorate neurological phenotypes depending upon the time and duration of treatment. During this research period, we further advanced our novel genetic approach to control Tsc1 gene deletion concomitant with cell lineage tracing and biochemical analysis to better understand the developmental aspects of Tuberous Sclerosis. A major set of findings is that we identified cellular, molecular, circuitry, and behavioral changes that occur during development and are specific to distinct temporal roles of Tsc1 and the mTOR pathway. Specifically, we showed that early embryonic deletion of Tsc1 resulted in mTOR dysregulation within 48 hours and this dysregulation persisted throughout the life of the mice; this is the first report of the kinetics of mTOR dysregulation. In addition, we showed that neural circuits that connect the thalamus and cerebral cortex are disrupted by early or late deletion of Tsc1 and that the neural circuit abnormality is first observed at the end of embryogenesis (five days after mTOR dysregulation). Thus, specific phenotypes emerge rapidly and others appear over a more prolonged developmental window. We then used biochemistry to show that proteins involved in synaptic architecture are altered by the early deletion of Tsc1. Finally, we show that behavioral alterations are strongly associated with the time of Tsc1 function. We initiated studies to address our additional and have begun delineate the most effective method and dose of rapamycin that can support development while at the same time effectively suppressing the mTOR pathway.


In near future, there would be tremendous scarcity of sources of animal proteins and protein food requirement will be the top priority. The insects can solve the problem of protein food requirement of humans as most suitable food since insect diet increase the food convertibility and caloric and nutritive values. Simultaneously, it reduces the risk of cholesterol and heart fail. As human diet insects contain very rich proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, amino acids, vitamins and fibers. Therefore, diversity, distribution, suitability as human food, cooking methods and applications of 18 species of edible insects from Kolhapur region, India have been reported.


Abstract For decades Allan Hobson has proclaimed Freud's dream theory as thoroughly mistaken. He has also suggested that Freud's use of the mistaken tenets of 19th-century neurology undermined not just that theory, but also the fundamental psychoanalytic propositions of Freud's (1900/1950b) mental apparatus as conceptualized in Chapter 7 of The Interpretation of Dreams. He is wrong on both accounts! Freud's theory of dreams remains an accurate general framework in which to understand and explore the origins, nature, and meaning of dreams. In addition, embodied within Freud's model of the mental apparatus are inferences about brain processes not just relevant to dreams but also to conscious perception, memory, reality testing, and creativity that are remarkably consonant with modern neuroscientific understanding.


Statement of Objective: To determine the effects of a diet that provides 30% energy from protein with ½ as lean, red meat on risk factors of metabolic syndrome in humans. Design, Setting, and Participants: A 3-month, randomized, control, intervention trial with 33 participants (Beef-Intervention n=18; DASH-Control n=15) with markers of metabolic syndrome. Registered Dietitians Nutritionists recruited and educated participants on Beef-Intervention Lean Beef Pattern, (30% of energy from protein with ½ as lean red meat, 40% carbohydrate, 30% fat) or DASH-Control dietary pattern, (15% of energy from protein, 55% carbohydrate, and 30 % fat). Of the 33 participants who completed the study; 21 were female and 12 male. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Bodyweight (BW), fasting serum lipoproteins [total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG)], hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C), dietary satisfaction, and general health status were assessed at baseline and post-intervention . A three-day diet journal was collected to assess for calorie and macronutrient intake at baseline and post intervention Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine group differences from baseline to post-intervention. Variables were checked for normality and non-normal variables were transformed prior to analysis. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: There were no significant changes in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C. There was a significant time x group effect for TG (baseline to post; Beef-Intervention 207±87mg/dL to 148±53; DASH-Control, 200±88 to 193±96.) Both groups had decreased BW and HgA1c from baseline to post. Those assigned to Beef-Intervention demonstrated compliance with dietary instructions that included ½ of 30% total calories from protein as lean red meat (baseline to post-intervention; 34.8%±17.7% to 30%±26.8%). Both groups reported a higher level of current dietary satisfaction, a higher level of general health, and walking minute & total increases in physical activity . Conclusion and Implications: Lipid parameters, BW, and HgA1C of participants with metabolic syndrome randomized to the Beef-Intervention promoting 30% energy from protein with ½ as lean, red meat had outcomes that were similar or improved to those randomized to DASH-Control diet. Key Words: Metabolic Syndrome, Beef, Serum Lipid levels Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */
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 Abstract Statement of Objective: To determine the effects of a diet that provides 30% energy from protein with ½ as lean, red meat on risk factors of metabolic syndrome in humans. Design, Setting, and Participants: A 3-month, randomized, control, intervention trial with 33 participants (Beef-Intervention n=18; DASH-Control n=15) with markers of metabolic syndrome. Registered Dietitians Nutritionists recruited and educated participants on Beef-Intervention Lean Beef Pattern, (30% of energy from protein with ½ as lean red meat, 40% carbohydrate, 30% fat) or DASH-Control dietary pattern, (15% of energy from protein, 55% carbohydrate and 30 % fat). Of the 33 participants who completed the study; 21 were female and 12 male. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Bodyweight (BW), fasting serum lipoproteins [total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG)], hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C), dietary satisfaction, and general health status were assessed at baseline and post intervention . A three-day diet journal was collected to assess for calorie and macronutrient intake at baseline and post intervention Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine group differences from baseline to post-intervention. Variables were checked for normality and non-normal variables were transformed prior to analysis. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: There were no significant changes in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C. There was a significant time x group effect for TG (baseline to post; Beef-Intervention 207±87mg/dL to 148±53; DASH-Control, 200±88 to 193±96.) Both groups had decreased BW and HgA1c from baseline to post. Those assigned to Beef-Intervention demonstrated compliance with dietary instructions that included ½ of 30% total calories from protein as lean red meat (baseline to post-intervention; 34.8%±17.7% to 30%±26.8%). Both groups reported a higher level of current dietary satisfaction, a higher level of general health, and walking minute & total increases in physical activity . Conclusion and Implications: Lipid parameters, BW, and HgA1C of participants with metabolic syndrome randomized to the Beef-Intervention promoting 30% energy from protein with ½ as lean, red meat had outcomes that were similar or improved to those randomized to DASH-Control diet. Key Words: Metabolic Syndrome, Beef, Serum Lipid levels


Acetylcholine (ACh), an ubiquitous mediator substance broadly expressed in nature, acts as neurotransmitter in cholinergic synapses, generating specific communications with different time-courses. (1) Ultrafast transmission. Vertebrate neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and nerve-electroplaque junctions (NEJs) are the fastest cholinergic synapses; able to transmit brief impulses (1–4 ms) at high frequencies. The collagen-tailed A12 acetylcholinesterase is concentrated in the synaptic cleft of NMJs and NEJs, were it curtails the postsynaptic response by ultrafast ACh hydrolysis. Here, additional processes contribute to make transmission so rapid. (2) Rapid transmission. At peripheral and central cholinergic neuro-neuronal synapses, transmission involves an initial, relatively rapid (10–50 ms) nicotinic response, followed by various muscarinic or nicotinic effects. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) being not concentrated within these synapses, it does not curtail the initial rapid response. In contrast, the late responses are controlled by a globular form of AChE (mainly G4-AChE), which is membrane-bound and/or secreted. (3) Slow ACh signalling. In non-neuronal systems, in muscarinic domains, and in most regions of the central nervous system (CNS), many ACh-releasing structures (cells, axon terminals, varicosities, boutons) do not form true synaptic contacts, most muscarinic and also part of nicotinic receptors are extra-synaptic, often situated relatively far from ACh releasing spots. A12-AChE being virtually absent in CNS, G4-AChE is the most abundant form, whose function appears to modulate the "volume" transmission, keeping ACh concentration within limits in time and space.


Objectives: Traffic-related pollution is associated with cardiovascular disease in general, but previous studies suggested that low socioeconomic status (SES) groups might be more susceptible towards a negative impact. We examined whether the association between long-term exposure to high traffic and early signs of coronary artery disease is modified by SES. Methods: Individual-level medical and social data from a population-based study were linked with census information on neighbourhood socioeconomic characteristics. Residential exposure to traffic was defined as proximity to major roads using a geographical information system. We studied associations between high traffic and coronary artery calcification (CAC) within strata of SES to examine effect modification. Data stem from an epidemiological study in Germany including 2264 women and 2037 men (45–75 years). Results: High traffic and low SES were both associated with higher amounts of calcification (⩾75th age-specific percentile). More participants with low SES lived close to major roads while stratified analyses did not indicate higher susceptibility in low SES groups. Participants with low SES and simultaneous exposure to high traffic had highest levels of CAC. For example, the prevalence of high calcification was 23.9% in better-educated men with low traffic exposure but 37.7% in lower-educated men with high traffic exposure (women: 22.0% vs 28.1%). Conclusions: High traffic exposure was associated with coronary calcification in all social groups, but as low SES individuals had higher calcification in general and were also more often exposed to traffic, existing inequalities could be further shaped by traffic exposure.


Summary
A French isolate of beet necrotic yellow vein virus has rod-shaped particles of four predominant lengths (85, 100, 265 and 390 nm), and a width of about 20 nm. Virus preparations yielded four nucleic acid components of apparent mol. wt. 2.3 × 106, 1.8 × 106, 0.7 × 106 and 0.6 × 106 respectively, and a single protein of mol. wt. 21000.


After analyzing the stamping process plan of auto cover,a stamping process analysis program of the car roof with skylight switching mechanism,as well as the car roof flanging-sizing mold design were introduced.The production purposes that the flanging-sizing process of skylight roof and no-skylight roof could be carried out in the same sub-mold were realized.The structure of the top cover flanging-sizing mold,the switching mechanism and its working principle were focused on.Actual production shows that the structure can reduce mold development costs,shorten the switching time and improve production efficiency.


The Nuremberg trials of 20 physicians and three associates from December 1946 to August 1947 focused world attention on a number of human experimentation atrocities carried out in the concentration camps of the Third Reich.l These experiments, often fatal and almost always involving nonconsenting inmates, included efforts to study human responses to high altitude, freezing temperatures, and exposure to incendiary bombs, mustard gas, and other poisons. In other experiments, inmates were deliberately infected with typhus, malaria, and epidemic jaundice to further the development of a possible vaccine and effective antimicrobial treatment.' The trials, conducted by American judicial representatives, resulted in the formulation of the Nuremberg Code, which articulated international standards for the ethical conduct of human medical research.2 has been on human experimentation in the camps. As noted by C a ~ l a n , ~ this has had the unfortunate effect of (1) fostering the "comforting" myth that only fanatic, marginal physicians and scientists carried out these unethical experiments, and (2) minimizing the role played by more "mainstream" elements of medicine in providing scientific legitimacy to Nazi po l i~ i e s .~ ,~ Within the context of a state and society that systematically devalued the intrinsic worth of certain classes of human beings, unethical experiments did occur within the ivory tower of academic medi~ine.~ One such experiment was carried out at the Wiirzburg Institute in 1940 and reportedsz9 by one of Germany's most eminent postwar neurologists, Georg Schaltenbrand, in his attempt to establish a viral etiology for multiple sclerosis (MS). The "Schaltenbrand experiment" poses questions regarding the limits of scientific inquiry and the role of science in the totalitarian state. It also challenges us to try to understand why, in certain cirThe focus, both at the trials and cumstances, otherwise lawful citizens commit immoral acts. An analysis of this experiment from scientific, historical, and ethical perspectives will place the Schaltenbrand experiment in its proper context and perhaps serve to reinforce our own ethical standards.


Many applications of the eigenvalue decomposition of dense matrices are well known. This work was prompted by research in the numerical simulation of disordered electronic systems, in which one of the most common approaches is to diagonalize random Hamiltonian matrices in order to study the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of a single electron in the presence of a random potential. In this paper, we describe an effort to implement a matrix diagonalization routine for real symmetric dense matrices on massively parallel SIMD computers, the Maspar MP-1 and MP-2 systems. Results of numerical tests and timings are also presented.


Due to the large number of things and information devices, not all IoT applications can be satisfied by processing data in the cloud. Due to the cloud's constrained ability to process and share data, edge computing, or the act of initiating IoT edge data processing and connected devices' transformation from intelligent devices to gadgets, was developed. Machine learning is the key instrument. It is important to include information inference as a continuum in the cloud-to-things approach. Reviewing machine functions that are connected to the Internet, from the cloud all the way down to embedded devices. Many uses for machines learning to handle application data management and processing responsibilities are examined. The most current machine learning apps for IoT are gathered, and they all agree on their feedback and application space. The type of data, the machine learning methods used, and the locations belong to the continuum from clouds to objects. The issues and future directions of IoT machine learning research are spoken about. Additionally, employing methods for categorization using machine learning, papers on "machine" learning in IoT are meticulously retrieved and reviewed. Next, with the expansion of recognized subjects and application domains, difficulties and search are moving in the direction of effective machine learning for the IoT. In addition, articles on the IoT's "machine" learning are painstakingly retrieved, then classified using machine learning methods.


Abstract We give model theoretic criteria for the existence of ∃∀ and ∀∃- formulas in the ring language to define uniformly the valuation rings ${\cal O}$ of models $\left( {K,\,{\cal O}} \right)$ of an elementary theory Σ of henselian valued fields. As one of the applications we obtain the existence of an ∃∀-formula defining uniformly the valuation rings ${\cal O}$ of valued henselian fields $\left( {K,\,{\cal O}} \right)$ whose residue class field k is finite, pseudofinite, or hilbertian. We also obtain ∀∃-formulas φ2 and φ4 such that φ2 defines uniformly k[[t]] in k(t) whenever k is finite or the function field of a real or complex curve, and φ4 replaces φ2 if k is any number field.


Networks describe a wide range of systems in nature and society including examples the Internet, metabolic networks, electric power grids, supply chains, and the world trade Web among many others. The stability and reliability of a network are of prime importance to network designers. The domination number and its various, for example, bondage number, reinforcement number, etc. have been used network vulnerability parameters. Very recently, the average lower bondage number has been defined by Turacı in Reference [27]. In this paper, the average lower bondage number of the corona graphs and join graphs of given any two graphs G1 and G2 have been investigated, also exact formulas have been obtained.


For five academic years we have engaged in an on-going study of the effectiveness of online assessment of student programming abilities for introductory programming courses in Computer Science. Our...


The use of a foil tool in the electrodischarge machining (EDM) process has been shown to be effective for slicing, fabrication of micro slots, and various other applications. EDM with a foil tool has an advantage over wire-EDM as it allows the use of a foil tool with a thickness less than the wire diameter and to use higher discharge current due to the no risk of tool breakage. This work attempted to fabricate through-holes of various shapes on the D2 steel plate by removing material only from the periphery using a Cu foil tool, rather than the entire cross-sectional area. The thin foil tools are brought into respective shapes by wrapping them around Cu blocks having a cross-sectional area of the respective shapes. Gravity assistance is preferred to be employed as it has been experimentally found that it improves the linear material removal rate (LMRR) up to 24.86% compared to EDM without gravity assistance at various discharge current levels and pulse on time. Further, for a gravity-assisted EDM process using the foil tool, the LMRR has been improved up to 54.43%, with a selection of suitable duty cycle settings. The set of process parameters with the highest LMRR was chosen to fabricate through holes of circular, elliptical, square, and triangular cross-sections. The time required to machine through holes of various shapes was found to be proportional to the perimeter of the cross-section.


In order to provide theoretical basis and technical support for the design and actual processing of a co-rotating conical twin-screw,a study was done on the mixing performance of a co-rotating conical twin-screw extruder.The flow of rigid polyvinyl chloride(RPVC) was melted in a co-rotating conical twin-screw extruder.When the rotation speed was 25 r/min,the pressure difference between the entrance and exit of the extruder was zero,a co-rotating conical twin-screw extruder,a counter-rotating conical twin-screw extruder and a parallel twin-screw extruder were simulated by using Polyflow-the finite element method software.The three-dimensional isothermal flow fields of RPVC in the melting sections of the three types of twin-screw extruders were also calculated.The mixing performance of each type of twin-screw extruder was studied by using the particle tracking analysis method.The results of particle tracking analysis show that a co-rotating conical twin-screw extruder has the best dispersive mixing performance.Its distribution mixing performance is better than that of a counter-rotating conical twin-screw extruder and smaller than that of a parallel twin-screw extruder.The results show that a co-rotating conical twin-screw extruder not only has the advantage of compressing materials,but also overcomes the shortcoming of a lower shear rate compared with a counter-rotating conical twin-screw extruder.The fluctuation of pressure in the melting section of a co-rotating conical twin-screw extruder is the smallest,which allows for superior stability of the polymer extrusion in the three types of twin-screw extruders.The residence time of RPVC in an HT-30 combined parallel twin-screw extruder was studied through experiments and numerical simulation.The difference in results between the two methods was very small.Therefore,the mathematical and physical models as well as the numerical method in this study are reliable.


Population dynamics of the cabbage root fly Delia radicum in three different organic and one conventional cabbage cropping systems were evaluated over 3 years. Oviposition was reduced over time, but not affected by organic farming practice. Pupal production was reduced in all organic systems compared to the conventional system in all years, but pupal parasitation rates were similar among systems. More predators of fly eggs were present in the organic system O2. Reduced larval survival rates in the organic systems may be result of increased natural enemy activity and plant effects.


AbstractThe current study explores the use of an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model to continuously assimilate high-resolution Doppler radar data during the peak-intensity stage of Tropical Cyclone (TC) Vicente (2012) before landfall. The WRF-EnKF analyses and forecasts along with the ensembles initialized from the EnKF analyses at different times were used to examine the subsequent evolution, three-dimensional (3D) structure, predictability, and dynamics of the storm. Vicente was an intense western North Pacific tropical cyclone that made landfall around 2000 UTC 23 July 2012 near the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province, China, with a peak 10-m wind speed around 44 m s−1 along with considerable inland flooding after a rapid intensification process. With vortex- and dynamics-dependent background error covariance estimated by the short-term ensemble forecasts, it was found that the WRF-EnKF could efficiently assimilate the high temporal and sp...


Three-phase bidirectional ac–dc inductive power transfer (IPT) systems for vehicle-to-grid applications are conventionally based on a two-stage architecture. However, poor conversion efficiency, high component counts, and high control complexity are distinct disadvantages. Even though a few single-stage ac–dc IPT systems based on matrix-type converters were proposed, it remains a challenge for achieving sinusoidal input current, zero-voltage switching, and high efficiency simultaneously. In this article, a new single-stage three-phase bidirectional ac–dc IPT converter is proposed. The proposed converter is based on a newly proposed multi-active-bridge converter coupled to a SWISS front end. As a result, the proposed converter inherits not only the merits of low distortion of input current, high efficiency, and output short-circuit protection, but also achieves soft-switching operation resulting from the proposed modulation strategy and the property of the double-sided $LCC$ compensation network. The operating principle and mathematical analysis of the proposed converter are discussed. Experimental results are presented to verify the performance of the converter.


Selective logging strongly affects forest structure and functions, which has direct and indirect effects on the soil microbial community. However, the effect of selective logging on soil microbial community composition remains unclear. We analyzed the soil microbial diversity and community composition in a pine (Pinus yunnanensis) forest using the Illumina platform for bacterial and fungal sequencing. The results showed that selective logging significantly altered most soil properties and stand attributes. Dominant phyla abundance varied significantly with change of selective logging intensity, affecting soil microbial community composition. The diversity of bacterial community decreased with the increase of selective logging intensity, whereas the diversity of fungi initially decreased and then increased. Soil properties accounted for most of the variation in the soil microbial communities, followed by stand attributes. Stand density (SD), soil pH, and soil moisture directly influenced the diversity of the bacterial communities, and understory species richness (USR), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil hydrolysable nitrogen (HN) also directly influenced bacterial community composition. However, selective logging intensity affected the diversity and composition of the bacterial communities indirectly via SD, soil pH, HN, SOC, and USR. Similarly, the intensity of selective logging directly affected the diversity of fungal communities and also showed indirect effect on it via SD, soil pH, SOC, HN, C:N ratio, and soil available potassium. Further, selective logging intensity indirectly affected fungal community composition via soil available phosphorus. Our findings could be used to predict the change in the soil microbial community for the management of P. yunnanensis forest.


Primary Examiner-Paul F. Shaver Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alexander Weitz (57) ABSTRACT There is disclosed a method for preparing acryl-func tional halosilanes by reacting a halosilane with an acryloxy or methacryloxy-functional organic com pound in the presence of a platinum hydrosilation cata lyst and a stabilizing amount of phenothiazine, wherein the reaction mixture is contacted with an oxygen-con taining inert gas. The present invention further discloses a method for stabilizing the above reaction mixture by contacting it with the oxygen-containing gas.


The purpose of this essay was to find out whether the students, which had moved from the school of Gustaf Adolf to the school of Elineberg, had been integrated into their new environment. We chose to analyze the degree of integration concerning their schoolwork, how they interacted with the students from the new school, the school of Elineberg, and their level of wellbeing in their new school. We have used two methods, surveys and interviews, to be able to obtain the general picture of how the integration of the students has succeeded.

Our conclusions are that the student has adapted well in their new school despite many obstacles along the way. Our essay shows that the students get along well with their new school friends during class, but they don´t socialise in their spear time. Although they seem to have accepted the closure of their old school some students express that they wish the school would be reopened. They feel that school personnel of Elineberg has supported them during their move and we draw the conclusion that this has been of great importance for the students sense of security through out this turbulent times.


The backscattered electron signal (BSE) in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been used for investigation of a specimen surface composition (COMPO mode). Creation of a material composition map is difficult because the dependence of backscattering coefficient η on the atomic number Z for Z > 40 is nonlinear. The method of increase in SEM resolution for the BSE signal by use of digital image processing has been proposed. This method is called the linearization of the η =f(Z) characteristic. The function approximating the experimental η =f (Z) dependence was determined by numerical methods. After characteristics linearization, the digital image in COMPO mode allows to distinguish between two elements with high atomic numbers if their atomic numbers differ by ΔZ = 1.


This in-vehicle map display apparatus (1) comprises a map scale-down means (10) for determining a map scale, a summary map generating means (10) for generating an overview map by shortening the road shapes, when a map scale is determined by the map scale setting means which is smaller than a is a predetermined scale, a summary map display control means (10) for displaying the generated by the overview map generating means overview map on a display monitor, a storage information acquiring means (10) for obtaining congestion information and a congestion information display control means (10) for displaying the through the congestion information -Erlangungsmittel acquired congestion information in superposition the direction indicated by the overview map display control means on the display monitor a map.


From a single set of themes, the Theory of RBE has developed a picture of the response of many detectors to radiations of different quality. Formulas of the theory and a set of experimental parameters for each detector lead to predictions of detector response to different radiation fields, which serve also as a test of the theory. We have predicted that detector response is not a single valued function of LET or REL. We have invented a characteristic parameter kappa, combining both radiosensitivity and sensitive element size, in a way suitable for describing detector response as a function of z*/sup 2//..beta../sup 2/ of monoenergetic incident particles, and encompassing the transition from grain-count to track-width regimes, the variation of OER and RBE with LET as well. We have emphasized the importance of delta-rays in track structure, and have shown that it is this which is responsible for the multiple valuedness of response with LET and even with z*/sup 2//..beta../sup 2/. We have predicted that quality factors are misleading, that one cannot combine high and low LET response linearly to find the response to a mixed environment, and have shown how we can predict biological response in complex radiation environments, such asmore » neutrons, pions, or heavy ions, contaminated with electrons and gamma-rays, and spread by a ridge filter. We have sought to identify the basic aspects of detector response which lead biological substances to exhibit a RBE greater than 1 with high LET radiations, and have used that result to discover physical detectors having that property. Currently, studies of these detectors (supralinear emulsions and TLD's) are being made to find the extent to which their properties can be adjusted to mimic the response of biological cells and tissues to radiation fields of different quality, and to use them as testing grounds for models of radiation action.« less


Excerpt 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (DPG) is known to influence the oxygen equilibrium of hemoglobin and has been thought to participate in the regulation of glycolysis and nucleotide catabolism by inhi...


A numerical model based on the mild-slope equation of water wave propagation over complicated bathymetry,taking into account the combined effects of refraction,diffraction and dissipation due to wavebreaking is presented.Wave breaking is simulated by modifying the wave height probability density func-tion and the wave energy dissipation mechanism is parameterized according to that of the hydraulic jumpformulation.Solutions of the wave height,phase function,and the wave direction at every grid point areobtained by finite difference approximation of the governing equations,using Gauss-Seidel Iterative Method(GSIM)row by row.Its computational convenience allows it to be applied to large coast regions tostudy the wave transformation problem.Several case studies have been made and the results compare verywell with the experiment data and other model solutions.The capability and utility of the model forreal coast areas are illustrated by application to a shallow bay of northeast Australia.


There is much discussion about the effect of uterine leiomyomas on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization following the use of a therapy scheme we propose to treat infertility with the background of uterine leiomyoma. The therapy scheme includes the use of a releasing hormone agonist, hysteroresectoscopy or conservative myomectomy and pre-pregnancy pre-treatment. The clinical study involved 175 women of reproductive age who had been diagnosed with uterine leiomyoma, and were divided into the groups as follows. The treatment group A included 137 women with uterine leiomyoma, and was further divided into subgroups. Subgroup A1 included 55 women with uterine leiomyoma after conservative myomectomy who underwent the proposed treatment scheme (TS); A2 included 45 women with uterine leiomyoma after hysteroresectoscopy who underwent the TS; A3 included 37 women with uterine leiomyoma who underwent the TS but not the surgical removal of uterine leiomyoma. Control group B included 38 women with uterine leiomyoma after conservative myomectomy. All patients with intramural and submucosal myoma nodules underwent a hormonal preparatory treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (Diphereline 3.75 mg intramuscularly once every 28 days for 3 months) prior to the myomectomy. After the surgery, patients were prescribed a combination therapy with a vitamin complex FT 500 plus, vitamin D3 and Pelvidol for three months before and during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocol up to the follicle puncture. We determined that the incidence of pregnancy was the lowest (37.8 %) in women with infertility against the background of uterine leiomyoma, who surgically treated for the myomas, but underwent pre-pregnancy pre-treatment. The frequency of pregnancy did not differ between the A1 and A2 treatment groups, and was on average 7.0 % higher than in the control group, and 11.0 % higher than in the A3 group. The relative incidence of clinical pregnancies was the highest in A1 (45.5 %) and A2 (44.4 %) treatment groups. The frequency of live births in the A1 group was significantly higher than in A3 group (by 14.0 %), while the relative number of term live births in the A1 group exceeded that of A3 group by 26.0 %. Thus, both proposed therapy schemes to treat infertility against the background of uterine leiomyoma, which include the use of a releasing hormone agonist, either a conservative myomectomy or hysteroresectoscopy and pre-pregnancy pre-treatment in addition to the ART protocol with a multi-vitamin complex with inositol, vitamin D3, alpha-lipoic acid and magnesium, had the equivalent effects on the incidence of clinical pregnancy, however the frequency of live births was highest after conservative myomectomy (84.0 %).


Mesenchymal stem cells use the Fas/Fap-1/Cav-1 axis to control vesicle and cytokine secretion to accelerate wound healing in mice. Secreting cytokines to correct cuts Wound healing is a multi-phase process encompassing inflammation, cell proliferation, and the deposition and remodeling of extracellular matrix. To understand the molecular signaling pathways contributing to this process, Kou et al. studied cytokine secretion during wound healing. They found that mesenchymal stem cells secrete extracellular vesicles via a caveolin-1–mediated exocytotic process and produce interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) during gingival and cutaneous wound healing in mice. Treating wounds with recombinant IL-1RA or small extracellular vesicles expressing IL-1RA accelerated wound healing. This signaling pathway could be targeted to develop wound healing therapies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of secreting exosomes, extracellular vesicles, and cytokines to regulate cell and tissue homeostasis. However, it is unknown whether MSCs use a specific exocytotic fusion mechanism to secrete exosomes and cytokines. We show that Fas binds with Fas-associated phosphatase–1 (Fap-1) and caveolin-1 (Cav-1) to activate a common soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE)–mediated membrane fusion mechanism to release small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in MSCs. Moreover, we reveal that MSCs produce and secrete interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) associated with sEVs to maintain rapid wound healing in the gingiva via the Fas/Fap-1/Cav-1 cascade. Tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) serves as an activator to up-regulate Fas and Fap-1 expression via the nuclear factor κB pathway to promote IL-1RA release. This study identifies a previously unknown Fas/Fap-1/Cav-1 axis that regulates SNARE-mediated sEV and IL-1RA secretion in stem cells, which contributes to accelerated wound healing.


Abstract Cell migration is a crucial process in cancer metastasis that does not require extracellular matrix degradation—a characteristic of cell invasion. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system is responsible for invasion through uPA enzymatic activity and for migration through the binding of uPA to the uPA receptor (uPAR). Constitutively high levels of uPA are characteristic of the highly metastatic breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231, but the mechanisms underlying constitutive uPA expression are not fully characterized. In this report we show that inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) represses constitutive (nonstimulated) migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Bisindolylmaleimide I (Bis I) inhibits cell migration and constitutive activation of transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB, suggesting that PKC is responsible for increased migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. It is clear that the inhibition of PKC occurs at the transactivation levels of AP-1 and NF-κB because Bis I did not affect constitutive DNA binding of AP-1 and NF-κB. Furthermore, we show that Bis I did not affect the levels of IκBα, suggesting that PKC-mediated cell migration is IκBα independent. Finally, we demonstrate that constitutive secretion of uPA is repressed by Bis I, implying an important role for AP-1 and NF-κB in cell migration. Our data demonstrate a connection among PKC, constitutively active AP-1 and NF-κB, constitutive secretion of uPA, and cell migration of highly invasive breast cancer cells. Thus, PKC controls cell motility by regulating expression of uPA through the activation of AP-1 and NF-κB. The disruption of PKC, AP- 1, and NF-κB signaling in breast cancer may be used to develop therapies for breast cancer prevention and intervention by reducing the secretion of uPA.


Abstract Many state Medicaid agencies have recently expanded Medicaid managed care (MMC) to include low-income older adults that are Medicare-Medicaid dually enrolled (duals). While little evidence exists regarding the effects of these expansions on health outcomes, duals may be especially vulnerable to low-quality or low-intensity care delivered by MMC due to their high use of services and the fragmentation inherent in the two-payer system. Using difference-in-differences (DID) and instrumental variables estimation, this study provides the first national examination of the impact of MMC on hospitalization for duals using claims data. DID results indicate that managed long-term services and supports (LTSS) expansions among duals are associated with increased rates of hospitalization while comprehensive managed care results in no change in hospital use. Further analyses exploring heterogeneity shed light on how these managed care payment models affect older adults and individuals using LTSS.


The Structure of the Independent Curriculum in Early Childhood Education (PAUD) consists of Intracurricular Learning Activities and Projects to Strengthen Pancasila Student Profiles (P5). Intra-curricular learning activities are designed so that students can achieve the competencies listed in the learning outcomes (CP), while the Pancasila student profile strengthening project aims to strengthen efforts to achieve Pancasila student profiles that refer to the Standard Level of Child Development Achievement for PAUD. The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project at Dharma Wanita Kindergarten in Kencong District, Jember Regency. The research method uses a descriptive narrative with a case study approach. The results showed that the implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project in Dharma Wanita Kindergarten had gone well.

Keywords: analysis, application, project to strengthen the profile of Pancasila students


In this paper,the automatic monitoring insruments were used to measure the indoor thermal environment in summer for Huaqiao university Xiamen campus library atrium. According to the measured indoor thermal environment four parameters,combined PMV analysis and evaluation the indoor thermal environmental comfort of Huaqiao university Xiamen campus library's atrium in summer. The measured and analytical results show that:( 1) Huaqiao university Xiamen canpus in the window and the window closed,temperature increased with the increase of height of the atrium;( 2) Huaqiao university Xiamen canpus in the window and the window closed,the temperature in the atrium is almost. But curve amplitude range atrium air humidity changes larger than the window when the window closed;( 3) The indoor thermal environment in summer for Huaqiao university Xiamen canpus library's atrium PMV value increased along with the increase of height,thermal comfort with the increase of height decreases;( 4) Huaqiao university campus library's window in the summer,whether in state or the closed window,atrium indoor thermal environment are within range of uncomfortable.


In the article the results of the physicochemical analysis of granite and pragmatist of the Приазовского megablock resulted, the comparative analysis of its fluxing abilities is carried out, conclusions about availability application of rocks of some deposits for reception of vitrified ceramic materials of a different functional settings are drawn.


Multiphoton ionization spectroscopy is used to characterize the (3sσ) 3Πg Rydberg state of O2. It is found that the 3Πg Rydberg state is very diffuse and has rotationally resolved structure for the v'=2 level only. The FWHM of rotational lines for both the (3sσ) 3,1Πg states is greater than the excitation bandwidth, indicating strong radiationless decay of the two states. Interactions with the nearby 3Πg and 1Πg valence states are invoked to explain the observed behavior.


Summary Interphase nucleoli of freshly excised lemon fruit tissue showed a weak staining reaction with alkaline fast-green compared with that of enlarged interphase nucleoli of 48-hour-old tissue explants. Fast-green staining bodies were seen at various regions along the chromatin strands of the interphase nuclei of freshly excised tissue but absent from those of the 48-hour-old explants where nucleolar enlargement had occurred. The changes following tissue explanation are considered to indicate activation of the genome in response to the new environment.


This paper examines Jean Rhys's Good Morning, Midnight (1939) through the lens of citizenship in order to complicate previous readings that flatten the protagonist Sasha Jensen's disenfranchisement, and resulting misery, as conclusively defining her plight. Citizenship serves as a useful rubric in that the novel is clearly engaging with its contemporary historical context in which the categorization of documented nationality across international borders emerged as a key issue, but also in that Rhys's heroines, including Sasha, have been discussed in terms of a more figurative sense of social disenfranchisement. By shifting and expanding my focus to the variable relations that connect Sasha to her expatriate milieu in both predictable and surprising ways, I attempt to delineate a social landscape not necessarily always determined by an official, state discourse that requires a stark opposition between citizen and non-citizen. Curating three concepts―interrogation, performance, and solidarity―that refer to specific acts and modes that constitute citizenship, I analyze through each the ways in which Sasha is at times completely subject to citizenship's exclusionary categorizations and, at other times, finds herself in unscripted relations that can circumvent that allegedly pervasive logic.


FIELD: energy. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to power engineering. Design of device and method for control of output power and power plant flue gas temperature due to final temperature control of feed water. In turbine contains discharging steam passages with valves. Each passage is connected with feed water heater. Each valve in above passages can be closed and open for passage of steam through them for adjustment of final temperature of feed water. EFFECT: higher efficiency of control of final temperature of feed water. 10 cl, 4 dwg


An improved method for thin‐layer agarose isoelectric focusing of alkaline phosphatases (AP) from human neutrophils is described. The solubilization of AP isoenzymes was studied with four detergents. The best results were obtained after sonication with Zwittergent 3–12 (1 % final concentration), followed by butanol extraction and ultracentrifugation 105 000 × g for 1 h. The cytosol can be stored at O °C or −80 °C, but not at −20 °C. Dialysis of the cytosol against a Tris buffer, pH 7.5, was imperative prior to focusing for removal of the detergent. Enzyme visualization is enhanced by incorporation of Zn Cl2 (3 mM) into the agarose gel. The focusing patterns consist of two sets of isoenzymes: two main zones with pI 6.4 and 6.8 and minor components with pI 4.2, 4.8 and 5.2.


The increases in wood use for heating and power generation since the 1973 oil embargo have been staggering. More wood burning leads to positive and negative ramifications for the affected economies and the local environments. This article describes and evaluates efforts by state and federal governments to mitigate negative tradeoffs of increased wood burning in the United States and Canada. Ever since the Arab oil embargo of a decade ago shocked North American energy users and producers, an astounding array of ramifications in the energy field has been emerging. One of these ramifications is the renewed interest in the oldest energy resource of the human race: wood. The increases in wood use for heating and power generation since the embargo have been staggering. Much research has been done because of this renewed awareness of wood as a renewable fuel [1-3]. This article systematically examines the positive and negative aspects of the shift toward increased fuel wood use and the degree to which the problems of wood combustion are being mitigated by governments at all levels in the United States and Canada. Limited research has been done on this policy-making aspect of wood use [4]. Much of the exposure of these concerns has been concentrated primarily in the local press with some references occurring in national publications for popular consumption [5]. We feel that this is a particularly important area of concern which deserves closer scrutiny at the municipal, state/province, and federal government levels.


A unified differential geometric framework for estimation of local surface shape and orientation from projective texture distortion is proposed, based on a differential version of the texture stationarity assumption introduced by Malik and Rosenholtz. This framework allows the information content of the gradient of any texture descriptor defined in a local coordinate frame to be characterized in a very compact form. The analysis encompasses both full affine texture descriptors and the classical "texture gradients". For estimation of local surface orientation and curvature from uncertain observations of affine texture distortion, the proposed framework allows the dimensionality of the search space to be reduced from five to one.<<ETX>>


Although preliminary surveys have been conducted at the Atlantic Forest of Ubatuba, there is no list of documented bird records from this coastline municipality. To organize such a compilation, we searched the literature and a number of different sources for all documented records of birds from Ubatuba, state of Sao Paulo. We further carried out a 7-year non-systematic bird inventory in different regions and elevations to document the species within the municipality. The total number of documented bird species is 417, 11% of which are endemic to Brazil. Another 26% are Atlantic Forest endemics and as many as 60 species are under threat categories, including near-threatened birds, in the state. Some 49 species of 27 families are reported from the municipality but still lack documentation. Considering historical records, no species have extinguished from the municipality. Ubatuba is one of the most studied regions along Serra do Mar in Sao Paulo regarding its ornithology, but there are still high-elevational gaps that will yield significant additions of species to the area with increasing surveying efforts.


The definition of simple and accurate methods to estimate flow resistance in vegetated channels is still a challenging issue in soil bioengineering practices and programming riparian vegetation management to control channel conveyance capacity, sediment deposition, and flooding propensity. In this paper, measurements collected by Errico et al. (2018, 2019) in drainage channels colonized by common reed (Phragmites australis) were used to study the effect of flexible vegetation and its management in flow resistance estimate. At first, a theoretical flow resistance equation, obtained applying dimensional analysis and incomplete self‐similarity condition for the velocity distribution of an open channel flow, was briefly summarized. Then, this flow resistance equation was calibrated and tested by open‐field hydraulic experiments carried out by Errico et al. (2018, 2019) at the real scale of existing vegetated drainage channels. In particular, the Γ function of the power velocity profile was empirically related to the slope energy and the flow Froude number by using the available measurements. Taking into account the hydrological regime of the flow in the investigated channels, the original data set was divided into two sub‐data sets (calibrating and testing data set) exploring the same range of measured discharges. The calibration and testing of the flow resistance equation were carried out without distinguishing measurements corresponding to different vegetation conditions (full‐vegetated, half‐vegetated, non‐vegetated, central vegetation cut, extensive vegetation cut). The analysis demonstrated that the theoretical flow resistance equation allows an accurate estimate of the Darcy‐Weisbach friction factor which is characterized by errors that are always less than 10% and less than or equal to 5% for 90.9% of the investigated cases. The finding of this study also allowed to evaluate the effects of different vegetation management scenarios on flow resistance.


Throughout history and from one culture to another, the use and ownership of specific materials made into objects has indicated power, status, wealth, and gender and is the foundation of economy. Each material resonates, speaks, and holds meaning and significance. My practice - © -based research hignlights ceramic material resonance in the productionof art and craft, referring to site, history and culture.


The M-P inverse has many important applications in the aspects of theoretic research of operator and statistics. One of the core problems in M-P inverse is to find the M-P inverse of operator product. In this paper, by using the technique of matrix form of bounded linear operators, we study the existence and give an expression of the M-P inverse of an operator product. In particular, by applying this expression, we introduce a formula for the M-P inverse of a sum of two operators.


Idealism in its philosophical sense is idea-lisra. The root word is 'idea'. The word 'idea' has been used by philosophers in very different ways over the centuries. Properly to understand philosophical idealism one has to have followed the fortunes of the word. The changes in its use go along with fundamental changes in views about the objects of perception and knowledge, and how they are related; about mathematics; about space; about God and man; about thought, language and reality; in fact, about most of the central topics in philosophy. Much of the history of Western philosophy could be rewritten as a history of philosophers' use of the word 'idea'. To help the reader to place and assess the individual contributions to this volume of Royal Institute of Philosophy lectures I shall outline the relevant parts of the history of the word 'idea'. The contributors are: M. F. Burnyeat, Fellow of Robinson College, Cambridge; Dr M. R. Ayers, Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford; Graham Bird, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Manchester; W. H. Walsh, FBA, formerly Professor of Logic and Metaphysics at Edinburgh University; Patrick Gardiner, Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford; D. W. Hamlyn, Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London; Michael Inwood, Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford; Dr Richard Norman, Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Kent at Canterbury; A. R. Manser, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southampton; A. Palmer, Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Southampton; Dr Ross Harrison, Fellow of King's College, Cambridge; Dr Crispin Wright, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Leeds; Dr Norman Malcolm, formerly Susan Linn Sage Professor of Philosophy at Cornell University; and Dr Derek Bolton, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London. Some of the papers themselves contain contributions to the history of the word 'idea'. Where this is so I shall avoid covering the same ground. The first philosopher to advance a theory of ideas was Plato. But Plato's 'ideas' are so unlike the sort of ideas we think of as having their home in people's minds that it is better to use a semi-technical term and talk of his theory as a theory of 'Forms'. Plato's Theory of Forms has traditionally been seen as a theory of universals. Certain passages of the dialogue Parmenides (e.g. I3ie-i32a) lend themselves to this interpretation. It was evidently favoured by Aristotle, who opposed a theory of his own about universals (universaltd in rebus) to the one he attributed to Plato (universalia ante• rent). But the


With the advances in digital imaging techniques, the number of digital images has risen in the past decade. With the increasing number of image databases consisting of a large number of images, it is challenging to extract images specific to our requirement. Therefore, it becomes necessary to design efficient search systems to query large image databases. Content-based Image Retrieval (CBIR) algorithms analyze the contents of an image rather than the metadata associated with it. This allows image queries to be processed in a way that extracts images from the database, having a close similarity with the query image. Conventional CBIR systems using cosine similarity have a problem of associating images having maximum content overlap, thus similar orientation and size. Therefore, images relevant to the query but having different sizes and orientation are given lower priority in their results. In this article, we propose an approach which solves this problem and attempts to return the results relevant to the query, irrespective of the contents' orientation and size, using appropriate feature extraction techniques. 32 different types of leaves form a preliminary database of 1427 images. The system performance is assessed from the query results of 16 new images belonging to each of the 32 leaf classes. Features such as leaf shape, structure, color, and texture are extracted for pattern matching. Neural network using radial basis function is used for leaf classification to aid query result retrieval. The base accuracy of the CBIR system is 96.88%. Using a simple human relevance feedback mechanism, the neural network trains itself to capture trends in existing leaf classes. As a result, the accuracy of the CBIR system increases as the database is queried. Features extracted from correctly classified leaves are added to the training set. Thus, patterns in leaves belonging to similar and dissimilar classes are captured by the neural network. This increases the robustness of the CBIR to establish maximum possible precision and recall rates along with accurate retrieval of orientation and size varying results.


AL is a rare plasma cell disorder, resulting from clonal bone marrow plasma cells secreting immunoglobulin light chains (LC), which aggregate abnormally into fibrils, and leads to amyloid deposits in different organs. Previous studies using LC immunopurification and MALDI-TOF/MS (MASS-FIX) on patients with known plasma cell disorders (PCDs), demonstrated that monoclonal LC from AL patients display unusually complex mass to charge spectra (m/z) for their LCs at much higher frequencies than other PCDs such as multiple myeloma. We hypothesized that these were post-translational modification, presumably glycoforms. Here, we report investigations into LC glycosylation using MASS- FIX. Serum from 212 lambda and 72 kappa AL patients were collected following Mayo Clinic IRB guidelines. LC was purified from serum using nanobody enrichment method, followed by MASS-FIX. The LCs spectra acquired on MASS-FIX were visually analyzed and were classified into different patterns. The kappa and lambda LC mass distributions with abnormal complex patterns were interrogated for the presence of glycosylation by exposure to the LC to a deglycoslylating enzyme (PNGase F) and analysis of LC mass distribution using MASS-FIX and by LC-ESI-Orbitrap. Monoclonal LCs demonstrating significantly mass shifted peak outside the normal kappa and lambda mass distribution were observed in 31% of kappa and 6% of lambda patients with AL. In order to determine if this characteristic mass shift was due to glycosylation, 16 kappa and 6 lambda LCs were treated with a PNGase F and LC spectrum were re-examined by MASS-FIX and LC-ESI-Orbitrap. The monoclonal LCs whose masses were significantly shifted beyond normal kappa and lambda mass distributions were found to shift to lower molecular weight after PNGase F treatment, confirming the presence of N-glycosylation. Moreover, an additional 5 kappa and 23 lambda samples had other complex patterns, typically with multiple additional peaks at increments of 162 Da. These samples did not shift with PNGase F suggesting either glycation or O-glycosylation. This work is significant as it confirms that N-glycosylated LCs are over represented in patients with AL in comparison to other PCDs. In patients with AL, the frequency of N-glycosylation of kappa LC clones was 5 times higher than that of lambda LC clones. More work is needed to explore the mechanism for this finding, the role of glycosylation in fibril formation, and the other complex patterns observed. In addition, MASS-FIX method used in this work is currently being validated in the clinical lab such that rapid detection of N-glycosylation in patients with monoclonal gammopathies will be possible routinely, potentially leading to earlier clinical suspicion for AL among patients with monoclonal gammopathies and hence to earlier detection of AL. Citation Format: Sanjay Kumar, Angela Dispenzieri, Surendra Dasari, Paolo Milani, Giampaolo Merlini, MeLea Hetrick, David Barnidge, Benjamin Madden, David Murray. Mass spectrometric approach to identify N-glycosylation of light chain in patients with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2693.


1. The importance of learning in parasitoids is likely to depend on how long learning effects persist, the number of learned stimuli that can be retained, and whether learning effects are confined to low ranked hosts.


Background
Anlotinib is a novel multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is designed to primarily inhibit VEGFR2/3, FGFR1-4, PDGFR α/β, c-Kit, and Ret. We aimed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of anlotinib in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors.


The present invention relates to radio frequency identification, and more particularly relates to a temperature measuring with the calibration circuit and a passive radio frequency identification tag, while further the present invention relates to a method for the application of the temperature measurement tag. Temperature measurement and calibration circuit tag generation does not change with the temperature of the upper limit reference voltage value and the lower limit reference voltage value, which is calibrated to a uniform upper voltage value and the lower limit voltage value, and eliminates each tag by the power source voltage fluctuations and process variations affect the result reference reference voltage is not the same problem; Meanwhile, the temperature measurement voltage generating circuit generates a tag value calibration voltage under a unified calibration temperature conditions, after calibration of the calibrated voltage values translate the calibration voltage value is equal to the tag under test , different label thus ensuring consistency of the measured temperature value, it may be the advantage of high precision measurement which is widely used in various fields ambient temperature sensor, the temperature detected animal, cold chain temperature detection, having.


The purpose of this research was to describe the types of errors made by the second year students of English Department of Bung Hatta University in using auxiliary verbs. The design of this research was descriptive. The population of this research was the second year students of Bung Hata University. The number of population  was 95 students: they were distributed into three classes; class A, class B and class C. The researcher used cluster random sampling technique to get the representative sample. The total number of sample was 35 students.The data of this research were the students' errors in using auxiliary verbs. The result of the data analysis showed that the students made errors in using auxiliary verbs. It was  proved that 26.30% of students made errors in using  do, 37.00% of students made errors in using Have and 36.70% of students made errors in using Be. Based on the result of data above, it can be said that most of students made errors in using Have and a few of them made errors in using Do. Key words: Analysis, Auxiliary verbs, Students' error


Introduction: Oral health plays an important role in the overall wellness of an individual. Hence in our study, we aim to evaluate the awareness and knowledge about dental caries and pattern of brushing among secondary school students. Materials and Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based survey among 200 secondary school students to estimate their awareness and knowledge about dental caries and brushing pattern. Only those students with at least one filled, missing, or decayed tooth were considered. The data was presented as percentages. Results: We observed that knowledge regarding dental caries among students was 72.5%. 75.5% students had good knowledge of brushing teeth; nonetheless 30% brushed their teeth twice. Only 21.5% students visited the dental clinic. Conclusion: Though good knowledge about dental caries and brushing was appreciated among the students, very few students practiced good oral hygiene habits. Promotion of oral hygiene habits should be motivated at the school level.


In a closed-loop multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system, the receiver estimates the channel and sends updates on the channel state back to the transmitter. The issue of deciding when to send updates is addressed in this paper and two metrics for making this decision are compared. One is obtained from the correlation matrix distance (CMD) which measures how far the MIMO channel has moved over a time interval, the other is a novel approach using mutual information (MI), whereby two calculations of MI are made, the first assuming that water-filling is employed at the transmitter and the second assuming that it is not. Using CMD, updates are sent when the correlation distance becomes greater than a given threshold. Using MI, updates are sent when the channel changes to the extent that the capacity with water-filling becomes less than that without. Matlab simulation results for a 2 * 2 MIMO system show that the two metrics result in a similar overhead, both being more efficient than constant interval. Extension to larger antenna arrays should be straightforward. MI, although computationally more intensive, can extend easily to decide when to switch between spatial multiplexing (SM) and diversity modes using space-time block coding (STBC) if the channel rank collapses.


Abstract : Form 14 of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is used in the Department of Defense high school testing program. Researchers have criticized the use of the ASVAB for career counseling in high schools because of a lack of validity data from studies of civilian occupations. To help counter the criticism, the American Institutes of Research undertook a project to validate ASVAB Form 14 on 12 common civilian occupations. ASVAB scores were obtained from 1,328 individuals across the nation who had been employed in one of the 12 occupations for at least 3 months. Holding a job, rather than job performance, was used as the criterion. Analyses focused on the extent to which skills measured by ASVAB vary among the 12 civilian occupations. There was a statistically significant variation in ASVAB profiles among occupations. The most salient dimension of variation was defined by high scores on Auto and Shop Information and low scores on the Verbal composite. The 12 occupations grouped into six clusters. About 30% of cases could be accurately placed in their occupations using ASVAB information, compared to a change level of 12%. Because criterion performance data were not available, there is no evidence that skills characteristic of membership in the occupations are the same as skills required for successful careers in the occupations.


Schrodinger's equation in its momentum space form is generally more difficult to solve than its coordinate space counterpart. Therefore momentum space wavefunctions are generally obtained by Fourier transform of the spatial wavefunctions. This note describes two simple numerical techniques for obtaining momentum space wavefunctions.


ABSTRACT Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling has been a useful non-invasive measurement tool to analyse the effects of blood flow in diseased arteriovenous fistula (AVF). To translate CFD findings for clinical use, it is essential to model the AVF as closely as possible to the physiological conditions. The AVF geometry consists of three boundary nodes, which require appropriate flow conditions prescribed to each of them. To this end, we modelled three AVF geometries, with three different, commonly used boundary conditions: velocity based on patient-specific waveforms, assumed flow split condition for the retrograde flow and assumed flow split condition for the antegrade flow. Three patient-specific geometries were acquired from an in-house ultrasound scanning system. The patient-specific waveforms were also obtained during these scanning sessions for the CFD models. WSS distribution and recirculating flows were observed at different locations for the three patient datasets, with different sets of boundary conditions. These effects were prominent at the anastomosis and dependent on the geometry of the AVF. There were also discrepancies between resistance values estimated from the patient-specific CFD models and the Hagen–Poiseuille model. These findings highlight the importance of modelling patient-specific AVFs with appropriate boundary conditions for better identification of diseased AVF.


P178 A polymorphism of the endothelin (ET)-1 gene has been associated with blood pressure (BP) of obese individuals in large population studies. We explored the variability of plasma ET in essential hypertensive sibpairs (n=14 pairs, 13 with two sibs, 1 with three sibs) in relationship to their body mass index (BMI). ET levels were measured on ad libitum Na intake (AL), after a 24 hr Na load (300 mEq iv +160 mEq po, HI) and after 24 hr of Na deprivation (10 mEq po + furosemide 120 mg, LO). BP was 147±3/90±2 mmHg and BMI 35.1±1.4, with 75% of patients exceeding 30 Kg/m 2 . ET was 4.4±0.3, 4.1±0.2, and 4.3±0.3 fmol/ml for AL, HI and LO, respectively, all higher than 20 controls (3.3±0.3, ps 2 =0.79, F=3.2, p