Yushan cane (Yushania niitakayamensis) is distributed in southeast Asia. In Taiwan, the species occurs in mountains 1000–3600 m above sea level. The species appears to spread mainly by rhizomes and flowers only rarely. Nine locations across its distribution range in Taiwan were sampled. Locations at higher altitudes generally consist of grassland and forest undergrowth habitats while those of lower altitudes generally consist of forest undergrowth only. Thus two sampling sites (montane grassland and forest undergrowth) were selected from each location at higher altitudes while only one sampling site was selected from each location at lower altitudes, resulting in a total of 13 sampling sites. Within each sampling site, 20 individual plants were sampled. The results of the cluster analysis and the principal coordinate analysis based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) indicated that the populations are generally differentiated according to geographical separation and altitudinal differences that interrupt gene flow. The populations at higher altitudes, where the species is distributed somewhat contiguously, were found to be more similar genetically. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the among‐location, between sampling sites within location, and among individuals within sampling site components accounted for 15.27%, 4.80% and 79.93% of the total variance, respectively. For locations with two sampling sites, two‐level AMOVA revealed that the diversities between sampling sites (sun and shade habitats) within locations ranged from 2.91% to 7.99% of the total diversity. Random permutation tests revealed that these diversities were significant, implying that there is microgeographic differentiation due to habitat differences.


The neuropsychiatric phenotype associated with hyperprolinemia type I (HPI) is still under debate. To our knowledge, no long-term follow-up on patients with HPI has been reported so far. We have previously described the clinical, biochemical, and molecular features of four patients with HPI. Here, we report on the neuropsychiatric and genotype features of an expanded sample of 10 patients with HPI with a mean follow-up duration of 11 years. Epileptic manifestations and/or cognitive impairment were prevalent at onset, but they were subsequently replaced by psychiatric disorders. Social behavior and relational skills were considerably impaired in the majority of cases. Learning disability was present in one patient. The complex neurochemical effects of proline on the central nervous system and genotype/phenotype correlations were discussed.


Out of 1,000 optical cytological urine tests carried out over a period of two years, 84 isolated cases were "positive" and alerted 57 patients. These cases are analyzed by the authors with a follow-up period of 48 to 72 months: among those patients already under supervision for urothelial tumours, 40.4% showed urothelial recurrence of which 70%, that did not appear to carry a worse prognosis, were detected in the first twelve months. Since these patients usually underwent annual endoscopic examination, this meant that for 20% (i.e. 4.15% of the group under supervision) the diagnosis of recurrence could be made at least 6 months earlier. This alone is a justification for cytological examination which does not involve any complications but merely entails increased cystoscopic and biopsy tests. On the other hand, there appear to be no grounds to advocate mass "screening" except in populations with warning symptomatology (especially haematuria) for which the ratio of positive findings in this series was 2.3/1,000. The future development of automatic apparatus for cytological tests should obviate the significant personal factor involved in cytological examinations, as shown by a review of the literature.


AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA

LB-300

Background: The enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been demonstrated to provide a more sensitive method of detecting cancer metastases than standard radioimaging and may be useful in monitoring cancer patients for response to treatment, disease progression and early evidence of relapse. We hope to demonstrate the utility of CTCs as a real-time, surrogate "blood-based biopsy" by analyzing their nucleic acids for relevant biomarkers in disease progression and treatment selection and monitoring. Here we demonstrate the ability to collect and measure transcripts from as few as 10 cells. Methods: We have developed a new capture method that utilizes microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfabrication technology combined with immunoaffinity chemistries to selectively enrich for and capture CTCs from peripheral blood from cancer patients. The microfluidic device is the size of a microscope slide with thousands of micropillar posts and is plastic. Our platform is well-suited to post-capture analysis of CTCs, including IHC and molecular analysis. We chose to validate our capabilities for CTC gene expression analysis on a murine model of pancreatic cancer, orthotopically implanted GFP labeled PC3 cells. Murine blood (0.5 ml) is flowed through the device. GFP-PC3 cells are captured, easily visualized and can be selectively collected using laser capture microscopy. CTCs are lysed and RT-PCR amplification of relevant controls and cancer markers allowed us to examine the transcript of CTCs. Results: Measurements of more than 30 transcripts could be made using less than 10 cells. Housekeeping genes, GAPDH and actin, responded to titration down to single cells confirming the fidelity of the CTC-chip, laser capture and RT-PCR methodology. Transcripts known to be up-regulated in prostate tumors (e.g. vimentin, krt18) were also shown to have high levels in CTCs relative to their controls. Conclusions: Our technology effectively captures CTCs from the blood of an orthotopically implanted PC3 murine prostate model for enumeration and follow-on gene expression analysis, even from a small number of CTCs. We will discuss biomarkers in cancer disease progression and treatment selection and monitoring that we have detected in captured CTCs, and our goal to apply this technology to the clinic.


The elaboration and quantification of the mechanisms lending stability and persistence to biological populations is perhaps the central issue in population ecology, both fundamentally and applied to important issues such as the maintenance of biodiversity, species conservation and the biocontrol of pests. Empirical support for mechanisms with the apparent potential to provide stability or persistence has hitherto been weak. Here, by contrast, long-term, replicated population data show that a demonstrable 'refuge' for prey (hosts) from parasitoid attack leads to the persistence of an otherwise unstable parasitoid–host interaction, as predicted by theory. However, the unequivocal demonstration of that refuge, and distinguishing it from a habitat with simply a lower parasitoid attack rate, is not straightforward, emphasizing the dangers of assuming the existence of a refuge too readily. The resultant parasitoid-host dynamics follow host generation length cycles, another prediction hitherto lacking convincing empirical support. Here, the support, while superficially strong, is misleading: host populations exhibit similar cycles even in the absence of parasitoids.


Background Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) is caused by heterozygous inactivating mutations in GNAS. Patients with maternally-inherited mutations develop pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A (PHP1A) with multi-hormone resistance and aberrant craniofacial and skeletal development among other abnormalities. Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1), a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal when the skull is too small, has been reported in isolated cases of PHP1A. It has been hypothesized to be associated with growth hormone (GH) deficiency. Given the adverse clinical sequelae that can occur if CM1 goes unrecognized, we investigated the previously undetermined prevalence of CM1, as well as any potential correlations with GH status, given the known increased prevalence of GH deficiency in PHP1A. We also investigated these metrics for low lying cerebellar tonsils (LLCT), defined as tonsillar descent less than 5 mm below the foramen magnum. In addition, we investigated possible correlations of CM1/LLCT with advanced hand/wrist bone ages and craniofacial abnormalities known to occur in PHP1A to determine whether premature chondrocyte differentiation and/or aberrant craniofacial development could be potential etiologies of CM1/LLCT through both human studies and investigations of our AHO mouse model. Methods We examined patients with PHP1A in our clinic and noticed CM1 more frequently than expected. Therefore, we set out to determine the true prevalence of CM1 and LLCT in a cohort of 54 mutation-confirmed PHP1A participants who had clinically-indicated brain imaging. We examined potential correlations with GH status, clinical features, biological sex, genotype, and hand/wrist bone age determinations. In addition, we investigated the craniofacial development in our mouse model of AHO (Gnas E1+/-m) by histologic analyses, dynamic histomorphometry, and micro-computerized tomographic imaging (MCT) in order to determine potential etiologies of CM1/LLCT in PHP1A. Results In our cohort of PHP1A, the prevalence of CM1 is 10.8%, which is at least 10-fold higher than in the general population. If LLCT is included, the prevalence increases to 21.7%. We found no correlation with GH status, biological sex, genotype, or hand/wrist bone age. Through investigations of our Gnas E1+/-m mice, the correlate to PHP1A, we identified a smaller cranial vault and increased cranial dome angle with evidence of hyperostosis due to increased osteogenesis. We also demonstrated that there was premature closure of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS), a cartilaginous structure essential to the development of the cranial base. These findings lead to craniofacial abnormalities and could contribute to CM1 and LLCT development in PHP1A. Conclusion The prevalence of CM1 is at least 10-fold higher in PHP1A compared to the general population and 20-fold higher when including LLCT. This is independent of the GH deficiency that is found in approximately two-thirds of patients with PHP1A. In light of potential serious consequences of CM1, clinicians should have a low threshold for brain imaging. Investigations of our AHO mouse model revealed aberrant cranial formation including a smaller cranium, increased cranial dome angle, hyperostosis, and premature SOS closure rates, providing a potential etiology for the increased prevalence of CM1 and LLCT in PHP1A.


ABSTRACT Formamidases (EC 126.96.36.199) are poorly characterized proteins. In spite of this scarce knowledge, ammonia has been described as playing a central role in the pathogenesis of human pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori, for which formamidase has been shown to participate in the nitrogen metabolic pathway. Sequence analysis has revealed that at least two different groups of formamidases are classified as EC 126.96.36.199: on the one hand, the derivatives of the FmdA-AmdA superfamily, which are the best studied to date, and on the other hand, the derivatives of Helicobacter pylori AmiF. Here we present the cloning, purification, and characterization of a recombinant formamidase from Bacillus cereus CECT 5050T (BceAmiF), the second member of the AmiF subfamily to be characterized, showing new features of the enzyme further supporting its relationship with aliphatic amidases. We also present homology modeling-based mutational studies confirming the importance of the Glu140 and Tyr191 residues in the enzymatic activities of the AmiF family. Moreover, we can conclude that a second glutamate residue is critical in several members of the nitrilase superfamily, meaning that what has consistently been identified as a C-E-K triad is in fact a C-E-E-K tetrad.


Sleep deprivation,the process and state of partial or complete lack of normal sleep caused by various factors,is prevalent at present.Seriously impairing the physical and mental health,sleep deprivation has become a public health problem that cannot be ignored.Studies have demonstrated that blood-brain barrier impairment is the key pathophysiological process of a variety of neurological diseases.Although clinical and basic studies have suggested that sleep deprivation can induce blood-brain barrier impairment,the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.This review summarizes the advances in the mechanisms of blood-brain barrier impairment induced by sleep deprivation.


The dynamics of the hotel entrepreneurship in the world are analyzed by 10 indicators: the capacity of the hotel fund, the growth rate of the hotel fund, the largest international tourist exchange, the highest rate of hotel construction, the number of hotels, the number of hotel rooms, the rate of growth of hotel rooms, The average load of hotels in the world, the average income in the world per room. It is proved that in the current competitive conditions of international competitiveness those companies that use non-price methods which have a communication impact on the consumer. It is proposed to use them, and namely: those that are formed within the company itself: the hotel's website, business reputation, flexible social and labor, and those that are formed outside of it on the basis of private-private entrepreneurship.


In this research work, an algorithm development on tracking end-point of aerial work platform with jib profile and bend-linked boom was carried out to find the X, Y and Z direction value using coordinate transformation matrix. This matrix consists of device status value(length and angle) based on camera position axis, which are sent from device controller PLUS+1 by CAN protocol. These values are used to measure the distance and angle from the camera to the end-point. Using these distance and angle value, monitoring system controls FAN/TILT/ZOOM status of camera to get an adequate scene of workplace. This program was written in Java, C# and C for mobile device. These results provide the information to the aerial work device for secure operation.


ABSTRACT In the past decade learning outcomes in public basic schools in Ghana have fallen far below the targets of the Ministry of Education as less than a third of primary school children reach proficiency in English or in Mathematics. In the wake of this low performance, there has been a call for the professionalization and strengthening of instructional leadership in Ghanaian basic schools to facilitate effective teaching and learning. Employing qualitative research strategy through interviews, this study sought to investigate instructional leadership practices of 14 school leaders in the basic schools of one educational district of Ghana. The study found limited shared instructional leadership aimed at improving instruction. It seems instructional leadership was related to managerially focused idiosyncratic teaching and learning practices underpinned by behaviourism. Head Teachers had entrenched a leadership culture driven by central policies and expectations.


The composition of the Gd variant of the Ba6-x R8+2/3x Ti18O54 family of solid solutions ( R=rare earth) was determined by investigating its high temperature phase relations and by wavelength-dispersion spectroscopic analysis. The composition of the compound was determined to be Ba4.5Gd9Ti18O54, which corresponds to x=1.5 without a detectable solid solubility range. The intensities of the diffraction lines are not in accordance with published values in the powder diffraction file (No. 43–233). An investigation of the thermal stability revealed that Ba4.5Gd9Ti18O54 starts to decompose at a temperature around 1350° C. It decomposes into a Gd2Ti2O7, BaTi2O5 solid solution with Gd2O3, and probably Ba4Ti13O30. However, during slowly cooling metastable BaTi2O5(ss) also decomposes into Ba6Ti17O40 and BaTiO3 solid solution with Gd2O3. Single phase Ba4.5Gd9Ti18O54 ceramics displayed a dielectric constant (ε r) of 76.1, a Qxf-value of 2050 and a temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τ f) of -35 ppm/K.


The generation of offshore wind power is less predictable. This can cause the overload of offshore DC transmission system and thus requires the curtailment of wind power. To reduce the amount of wind power curtailment, a method of optimising DC power flow using DC power flow controller (DC-PFC) is proposed. The analytical expression of coordinating DC-PFCs and converters in controlling the power flow of the DC system has been created. Method has been developed to optimise the power flow of DC grids within which control setting changes automatically in different wind conditions to reduce both the power curtailment and power losses. The proposed method has been demonstrated and validated on a 9-port DC system. It is concluded that both the curtailment of wind power and power losses are effectively reduced by inserting DC-PFCs into DC grids.


The covid-19 pandemic has significantly altered the organization and scheduling of high schools in Spain. Due to pandemic restrictions, most students from grades 9 to 11 come to class only on alternate days. In this situation, e-learning and distance learning have gained prominence as necessary methods of instruction. In this study 68 students from grades 9 and 10, attending on alternate days, participated in an online teaching experience for the first time in their lives. This took place during the first trimester of the 2020-2021 academic school year. On days when they did not attend class in person, students were expected to watch the mathematics classes which were broadcasted live via YouTube. Students could either watch the classes live and ask the teacher questions via an online chat, or alternatively, they could watch the pre-recorded classes at a later time. The two options were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Results showed a continuous decrease in the number of students who preferred the first option, switching progressively from online live classes to pre-recorded classes as the weeks passed. The qualitative results explained this progressive decrease as students preferred to watch the teacher's explanations several times. Although e-learning is absolutely necessary in the 21st century, and especially during the current pandemic, controlling students' level of application to distance work and online learning is still a challenge. © 2021 by the authors;licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group


Unlike coaxial cable, optical fiber has a bandwidth commensurate with the clock rates of even the fastest rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) circuits. Employing this advantage, we have developed an optoelectronic clocking system, in which optical pulses from a picosecond laser are delivered via fiber to a superconducting chip, on which metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiodes generate fast electrical pulses with subpicosecond timing accuracy. An optical pulse splitter, constructed out of beamsplitters, mirrors, and half-wave plates, permits selection of pulse pattern and clock rate from 80.6 MHz up to 20.6 GHz. With a sampling oscilloscope, we have directly observed optical triggering of an RSFQ T flip-flop at frequencies up to 1.3 GHz with a variety of bit patterns. Optical triggering of a Josephson transmission line (JTL) at frequencies up to 20.6 GHz has been verified by precise measurement of the Josephson voltage; this result represents the highest clock rate ever reported for an optical interface for RSFQ circuits.


This paper discusses the reemergence on the stage of strong female characters who are transformed, through modern myth-making, from their roots in ancient myths and classical archetypes into a new stage entity, in the plays of Nissim Aloni. His women are representatives of the tragic spirit in a modern world that disallows tragedy, and through his unique use of theatricality as an ironic device he empowers them to reorder their universe into a meaningful whole.


For beginners, to start investing should have careful consideration. Investment objectives, time period, risk are things that must be considered, and the most important is what investment instruments are suitable and we will choose later, of course, to achieve the objectives of the investment itself, namely future profits. Some investment instruments that have the advantages that have been summarized by the Indonesia Stock Exchange as of December 29, 2017 include, Savings (2.53%), government bonds (8.96%), gold (7.30%), deposits (7.36) %), and shares (13.13%).Technical and fundamental analysis are two analyzes that are often used to analyze stock movements. Technical analysis is an analysis that predicts future stock prices using historical prices. Whereas fundamental analysis is an analysis that uses information inside and outside the company, such as performance, business competitors, industry and even micro-macroeconomics, as well as market information. Fundamental analysis is generally used by long-term investors, so the sustainability of the company is a very important consideration.Common indicators in Fundamental Analysis are EPS (Earning Per Share), PER (Price Earning ratio), PBV (Price Book Value), ROE (Return of Equity), Dividend Yield, and DER (Debt Earning Ratio). From the fundamental analysis using the 2019 financial statements of food and beverage sector companies in LQ45 with EPS, PER, PBV, ROE, DY, and DER indicators the best performance is on UNVR company shares, because almost all indicators occupy good positions except DER indicators because UNVR has a high DER, then followed by JPFA, ICBP, and INDF.
Keyword: investment, fundamental analysis, EPS (Earning Per Share), PER (Price Earning Ratio), PBV (Price Book Value), ROE (Return of Equity), Dividend Yield, and DER (Debt Earning Ratio)


Sultan MT (2013) Centrifuge model studies on the performance of geogrid reinforced soil barriers of landfill covers by jute as geotextile. Ins. Engg. Tech. 3(1), 1-5. While the employ of jute in packaging, home decor etc. is well known, the application of jute in geotextiles is a chiefly unexplored vicinity although it can propose enormous payback to the indigenous industry and agri-economy overall. Erosion control blankets are typically woven from jute & are meant to slow down the pace at which water moves across the surface. This experimental result show that satisfactory erosion control can achieved especially when jute fabric coated with bitumen. A jute woven fabric employing leno based structure was planned for mounting an asphalt superimpose fabric, accurate for low traffic roads. To evaluate the fitness of this fabric, were subjected to accelerated repeated mechanical loading and also to extensive hygral loading. For assessment, comparable tests were also conducted on concrete models without any implanted fabric and in addition on those implanted with commercial fabrics. The experiments disclose that the leno based product execute far better than the others. As a consequence of additional study it was establish that the grid-like manufacture of the new construction as also openings of appropriate extent were chiefly perimental superior performance. liable for the ex


The international promulgation of gender equality policies is a consequence of both the supports by international agreements and resolutions as well as the demands of placed by feminist movements. Hovewer,these policies are inadequatly based on a liberal gender equality approach and have relatively short histories in terms of their implementations in organisations. Since the 1980s in terms of civil and academic achievement of women's movements and public policies Turkey has made considerable progress. Gender quality policies are integrated into Development Plans, which are important documents for setting economic and social agenda in Turkey. Between 1985 and 1990 Sixth Five Year Development Plan, for example, provided a first step towards integration and mainstreaming of gender equality policies at least in documentations of programmes. In this plan it is possible to see elements of social policies that seek to redefine the role of women within the family gender mainstreaming in national planning. However, the most challenging achievement of Turkey at the national level has been the establishment of General Directorate of Women's Status.Despite a longer history of women's movement, gender equality policies in Britain merely date back to the 1970s. One of the distinguishing developments in Britain is development of recognition of gender equality in the private sector companies, even if they are largely based on a classical liberal equality approach.These two countries provide potent examples of how gender equality efforts may be pursued and national agendas in divergent but internationally informed ways within nation states. The interplay of gender equality politics at macro, meso and micro levels yield well to international comparison. Although there are some similarities between Britain, Turkey and the othr EU countries in terms of approval of international conventions, policy implementations in Turkey remain largely inefficient.


Presented is a physics-based compact model for a silicon-nanopillar single-electron transistor (SET). Tunneling currents are calculated using a master equation approach with rates obtained via the transfer Hamiltonian formalism. The quantum confinement of electrons on the quantum dot is taken into consideration by a suitable approximation as required for a nanometer-sized device. Device geometry and material properties enter the model directly as model parameters. Thus, this model enables the investigation of circuits and application scenarios for specific SET technologies in dependence on geometry and material variations. The model was implemented in HSPICE and used to simulate an inverter and a ring oscillator to evaluate the performance of the model. Specific device characteristics for a SET with a semiconducting quantum dot like the gate voltage threshold for the onset of current oscillations are reproduced. Therefore, simulations with the presented model will allow the testing of the SET circuits with more realistic assumptions concerning the device behavior compared to the much more abstract SET compact models available up to now.


The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was an effect of aerobic exercise on weight loss of Civil Servants who are overweight in the Education Office of North Sumatra. This study used an experimental method which was giving treatment to the sample. The treatment given was in the form of aerobic exercise where the study was lasted for 6 weeks. This study used a pre-test and post-test one group design research design. The population in this study was the State Civil Apparatus in the Education Office of North Sumatra, the PMPTK (Development of Education Quality and Education Personnel Quality) totaling 30 people, 16 women and 14 min, then the research sample was determined by means of a proportional sampling which was sampling using some criteria. Based on these criteria a sample of 10 people was obtained. To test the hypothesis needed research data was obtained through research instruments. The instrument / research used a weight and height scale, the data analysis technique used the t-test statistic with a significance level of 0.05. From the results of the analysis data obtained weight loss with an average of 3.58 with a t-value of 13.6 ~> at Db 9 with a confidence level of 0.05 t-table value was 1.83. T-count t-table (13,671,83), then Ho was rejected and Ha was accepted. Then it was concluded that aerobic exercise gave a significant effect on weight loss in the State Civil Apparatus which was overweight in the Education Office of North Sumatra.


Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether synthetic secretin is effective in reducing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. Methods: This is a single academic medical center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using secretin (dose of 16 &mgr;g) administered intravenously immediately before ERCP. Patients were evaluated for the primary outcome of post-ERCP pancreatitis as diagnosed by a single investigator. Results: A total of 1100 patients were screened, of whom 869 were randomly assigned to receive secretin (n = 426) or placebo (n = 443) before ERCP and were evaluated after the procedure for efficacy of secretin. The incidence of pancreatitis in the secretin group compared with the placebo group was 36 (8.7%) of 413 patients versus 65 (15.1%) of 431 patients, respectively, P = 0.004. In the subgroup analysis, secretin was highly protective against post-ERCP pancreatitis for patients undergoing biliary sphincterotomy (6/129 vs 32/142, P < 0.001), patients undergoing cannulation of the common bile duct (26/339 vs 56/342, P < 0.001), and patients not undergoing pancreatic sphincterotomy (26/388 vs 57/403, P = 0.001). Analysis of the interaction between these groups reveals that the primary effect of secretin prophylaxis was prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients undergoing biliary sphincterotomy. Conclusions: Synthetic secretin reduces the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis, particularly in patients in undergoing biliary sphincterotomy.


Background: The anti-apoptotic protein Myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL-1) is involved in the regulation of programmed cell death and is highly expressed in multiple myeloma (MM) playing an important role in promoting the survival of MM cells. Recent data suggests that the efficacy against MM of the selective BCL-2 inhibitor Venetoclax (V) may be correlated with the relative level of expression of the pro-survival members of the BCL-2 protein family. Against this background we have evaluated the activity of the MCL-1 inhibitor (MCL1i) S63845 (S) against human myeloma cell lines (HMCL) and primary MM tumours (1ºMM) both as a single agent and in combination with other anti-MM agents. Moreover, we have used RNASeq to identify biomarkers of responsiveness to S in both HMCL and 1ºMM.
 Methods: A panel of 16 HMCL and 46 1ºMM were treated for 72 hours with S (100nM and 500nM) either alone or in combination with V (500nM), the BCLxL inhibitor A1331852 (A) (500nM), bortezomib (B) (10nM) or panobinostat (P) (10nM). Apoptosis was measured by flow-cytometric enumeration of either propidium iodide positivity (HMCL) or Apo2.7 positivity following cell permeabilisation (1ºMM). Drug synergy was calculated based on the net effect of cell death by Drug A plus Drug B divided by cell death caused by drugs A and B singly, with a Synergy Quotient >1 indicating a synergistic effect. Paired samples from 30 of the 1ºMM were subject to CD138 enrichment utilizing CD138 micro-beads. Subsequently total RNA was extracted from both HMCL (n = 16) and CD138 enriched 1ºMM (n = 30). mRNAs were sequenced on a HiSeq 4000 platform with a paired-end 150 bp strategy. Raw data were evaluated and quality controlled by FASTQC (v0.11.5) and SOAPnuke. Hisat2 and StringTie were used to align clean reads to the reference genome (GRCH38) and profile gene expression, respectively. HTSeq-count was used to count the reads aligned to each gene then differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (S sensitive vs resistant) were defined by edgeR (fold change > 2, p < 0.05 and false discovery rate < 0.05). DAVID Bioinformatics Resources was used to analyse the Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment by the DEGs. The co-expression in both HMCL and 1ºMM of apoptosis-related genes (ARG) (BIM, BCL2, BAD, BCL2A1, NOXA, BID, BAK1, MCL1, BAX, BCLw, TP53, PUMA, BCLxL, BMF) and MYC was specifically evaluated using Pearson correlation. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to define any correlation between S sensitivity and ARG/MYC expression. The correlation scatter plots and p-values were calculated using 'gg_scatter' function (from ggpubr package) in R.
 Results: HMCL killing with S ranged from 0.9-91.6% (100nM) and 1.0-93.3% (500nM) with 70%, 80%, 37% and 61% demonstrating synergy when S was combined with V, A, B or P, respectively. S killing of HMCL was modestly but statistically significantly correlated with MCL-1 expression but strongly correlated with both BCL-2 expression and the BCLxL:BCL-2, MCL-1:BCL-2 and BCLxL:MYC expression ratios (Table 1). 1ºMM, cells were classified as sensitive when >20% cell death was induced and resistant with ≤20% cell death. The proportion of sensitive 1ºMM with single agent drug treatments was S100nM 37%, S500nM 66%, V50%, A77%, B47% and P45%. Synergy with S was seen with 70%, 80%, 37% and 61% of the 1ºMM with V, A, B or P, respectively. 1ºMM demonstrated a statistically significant, albeit modest, correlation with the BCLxL:MCL-1 ratio (reduced 1ºMM death with high BCLxL coupled with low MCL-1, R=-0.43, p=0.019) (Figure A) and the MCL-1:MYC ratio (increased 1ºMM death with high MCL-1 coupled with low MYC, R=0.43, p=0.018) (Figure B), the former consistent with the high frequency of synergistic killing of 1ºMM when S was combined with BCLxL inhibition. Compared to 1ºMM sensitive to the MCL1-inhibitor, we identified 985 genes (440 up-regulated and 545 down-regulated) differentially expressed in the 1ºMM resistant to the drug. DEGs were annotated demonstrating that the top 2 KEGG pathways involved by the DEGs were "hsa03010:Ribosome" (p<0.0001) and "hsa04010:MAPK signaling pathway" (p=0.04).
 Conclusions: The efficiency of MCL1i-induced killing of both HMCL and 1ºMM is modulated by the co-expression of pro-survival members of the BCL-2 family and MYC. These data provide a framework for future MCL1i MM treatment by potentially enabling rational patient selection and providing insights into strategies to optimize MCL1i-based MM therapy.

 Spencer: Takeda: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding; Janssen Oncology: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding; AbbVie: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding; Servier: Other: Consulting/advisory role; Secura Bio: Other: Consulting/advisory role; Haemalogix: Other: Consulting/advisory role; Celgene: Other: Consulting/advisory role, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Other: Consulting/advisory role; Specialised Therapeutics Australia: Consultancy, Honoraria. Khong:Novartis Oncology: Research Funding.


In one of the last pages of his Zibaldone, Leopardi cites the famous passage from Purgatorio XXIV,
where Dante defines his poetry as the activity of a penman to whom Love dictates. While assumed
as a cornerstone of Leopardi's conception of poetry, the Dantean apophthegm – «I' mi son un che
quando Amor mi spira noto» (One am I, who, whenever Love doth inspire me, note) – is
deliberately and significantly altered, as the quotation states: «I' mi son un che quando Natura parla
ec.» (One am I, who, whenever Nature speaks etc.). The dissertation aims to grasp the most of the
critical and hermeneutical fecondity of this passage, quite noteworthy notwithstanding its shortness
and apparently fortuitousness, and above all its 'strange' ambiguity.
In order to decipher Leopardi's altered quotation, the investigation researches the complex array of
relationships linking his aestetic with some of the most relevant aspects of his vast philosophical
speculation: the poetic and ethical concept of naturality; the cognitive and antropological process of
the habit; the importance of human imagination and of human disposition to the lyrical expression
of himself; the leading, if ambivalent, ethical principle of 'amor proprio' (self-love) and its
connections with Leopardi's original re-thinking of poetic sublime.
Following the path of innovation and continuity, change and repetition, difference and analogy,
which is implicitly traced by the intertestual device of the modified quotation, the thesis establishes
a comparison between Leopardi's speculative achievements concerning the idea of poetry and
Dante's analogues. As a result, the quotation appears to throw up a bridge across centuries of
speculative thinking about poetry, affirming the universal value of a conception of poetry hinged on
the essential elements of the lyric expression of the self, of human imagination structuring
individual creativity and of the sublime leap guiding and animating it.


Oligochaetes (Annelida) are active bioturbators that can be present in high densities in the transition zone between intertidal flats and salt marshes, though their occurrence and functional role remain understudied. This study aimed to clarify the biogeomorphic role of oligochaete bioturbation in facilitating or hindering vegetation establishment. Two microcosm experiments were performed to assess the effect of oligochaete bioturbation on sediment properties, oxidation depth, algal biomass, seed distribution, and germination success of pioneer species Salicornia spp. Oligochaetes created burrow networks in the sediment matrix, which, together with upward conveyor belt feeding, lead to substrate mixing. Sediment reworking rates of oligochaetes were compared with those of polychaete macrofauna. Bioturbation and bio-irrigation of burrows can stimulate resource flows into the sediment. Oxidation depth increased almost tenfold in the presence of oligochaetes. Their bioturbation did not seem to affect sediment properties such as dry bulk density, porosity, and organic matter content. Sediment reworking, however, significantly reduced algal biomass at the surface with possible cascading effects on sediment stability and erodibility. Oligochaete conveyor belt feeding buried Salicornia spp. seeds until below the critical germination depth, thus negatively affecting Salicornia spp. germination and seedling establishment. Our study indicates that small, though numerous, oligochaete bioturbators may reduce lateral expansion potential of salt marshes by hindering the establishment of pioneer vegetation in the transition zone. Additionally, in dynamic fine-grained habitats, these oligochaetes have the feature to quickly oxygenate the sediment top layer.


Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the involvement of multiple organ systems with alternating clinical exacerbations and remissions. Circulating immune complexes and autoantibodies can cause tissue damage and organ dysfunction with manifestations involving the skin, serosal surfaces, central nervous system, and kidneys (Rahman & Isenberg, 2008). B cells are believed to play an important role in SLE. B cells can function as APCs, produce cytokines and chemokines contributing to lymphoid regulation, and can respond to stimuli in the microenvironment at local tissues (Ramanujam & Davidson, 2008). Pathogenic autoantibodies produced by autoreactive B cells are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE. CXCL13 has been shown to be a key mediator of organization of lymphoid tissues. CXCL13 is a B cell chemoattractant that is expressed by peritoneal macrophages and follicular dendritic cells in secondary lymphoid organs, such as the follicles of Peyer's patches, the spleen and lymph nodes. Through interaction with CXCR5, a G-protein coupled receptor, CXCL13 attracts B lymphocytes and promotes migration of small numbers of T helper follicular cells and macrophages (Gunn et al., 1998). CXCL13 is critical for B cell homing and follicle formation in lymph node and spleen, and it is required for the development of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches (Ansel et al., 2000). CXCL13 protein level is elevated in ectopic B cell follicles formed in the inflamed tissues of multiple chronic diseases, and plays an important role in maintaining inflammation by actively recruiting B cells (Carlsen et al., 2004; Magliozzi et al., 2004; Salolonsson et al., 2002; Shi et al., 2001;). CXCL13 has been shown to have increased expression in the thymus and kidney of aged NZB/W F1 mice, and may play a role in breaking immune tolerance in the thymus of autoimmune prone mice (Ishikawa et al., 2001). Treatment with anti-CXCL13 has shown efficacy in animal models of RA and EAE (Bagaeva et al. 2006; Zheng et al., 2005). Because of its function and presence in various pathological conditions, CXCL13 and CXCL13 dependent pathways are thought to be instrumental in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases where B cells may play a significant role, including RA, OA, UC, and SLE, and could be potential targets for autoimmune therapy (Table 1).


ABSTRACT
 Numerous metrics describing landscape patterns have been used to explain landscape-scale habitat selection by birds. The myriad metrics, their complexity, and inconsistent responses to them by birds have led to a lack of clear recommendations for managing land for desired species. The amount of a target land cover type in the landscape (percentage cover) often has been a useful indicator of the likelihood of species occurrence or of habitat selection; is it also a more adequate and parsimonious measure for explaining species distributions than patch size or more complex measures of landscape configuration? We examined responses of 6 woodland-interior bird species to the percentage tree cover within prescribed areas and to patch size, edge density, and other metrics. We examined responses in 2 landscapes: a mixed woodland-savanna and an eastern deciduous forest. For these 6 species, percentage tree cover explained bird occurrence as well as or better than other measures in both study areas. We then repeated the analysis on a larger group of woodland species, including those associated with woodland edges. The bird species we studied had varied responses to landscape metrics, but percentage tree cover was the strongest explanatory variable overall. Although percentage cover estimated from remotely sensed data is an inexact representation of habitat in the landscape, it does appear to be reliable and easy to conceptualize, relative to other measures. We suggest that, at least for woodland habitat, percentage cover is a broadly useful measure that can be helpful in pragmatic questions of explaining responses to landscapes or in anticipating responses to landscape change.


Hydrogen spillover is an elusive process, and its characterization, using experimental probes and ab initio modeling, poses a serious challenge. In this work, the nuclear quantum dynamics of hydrogen in a palladium-decorated cubic polymorph of tungsten oxide, Pd/cWO3, are characterized by the technique of neutron Compton scattering augmented by ab initio harmonic lattice modeling. The deeply penetrating nature of the neutron scattering process, the lack of spectroscopic selection rules, the inherent high sensitivity to hydrogen, the high energy and momentum resolution for hydrogen, and the mass selectivity of the technique render the neutron Compton scattering a very potent and unique tool for investigating the local dynamics of hydrogen species in bulk matrices. The total neutron Compton scattering response of hydrogen is described in terms of the hydrogen momentum distribution. The distribution is deconvoluted under the assumption of three pools of hydrogen with distinctly different nuclear quantum dynamical behavior: (i) hydrogen-terminated beta-palladium hydride, (ii) hydrogen in acid centers (OH+ groups) on the surface of the cubic phase of tungsten oxide, and (iii) quasi-free atomic hydrogen inside the saturated hydrogen bronze resulting from the spillover process. The ab initio modeling of lattice dynamics yields theoretical predictions for the values of the widths of proton momentum distributions in the first two hydrogen pools, which allows for obtaining the contribution and the width of the momentum distribution of the quasi-free atomic hydrogen resulting from the hydrogen spillover process. The analysis reveals that the local binding strength of the quasi-free hydrogen is characterized by the values of nuclear momentum distribution width, nuclear kinetic energy, and force constant of the underlying potential of the mean force close to those of free, unconstrained hydrogen atomic species in a gas of non-interacting particles described by the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. Moreover, this picture of the local dynamics of the quasi-free hydrogen is consistent with the proton polaron model of hydrogen-induced coloration of bulk hydrogenated WO3.


AFR loudspeaker technology (audio full‐range) combines the characteristics of distributed mode loudspeakers at mid and high frequencies with conventional loudspeaker piston action at low frequencies in a single driver. The combination retains the well‐established advantages of the DML in respect of wide dispersion and improved interaction with reflective boundaries. A comparison study has been made using conventional 6‐in. ceiling loudspeakers and AFR devices of comparable size in a typical open plan office situation. It is shown that the AFR devices exhibited noticeably improved coverage, clarity, and speech intelligibility. However, the use of traditional intelligibility measures, such as STI did not always reflect this subjectively observed trend. The use of STI or STIPa under high signal to noise conditions is questioned.


The international community's efforts to promote the rule of law and human rights in developing countries have been largely unsuccessful. This record of disappointment is typically attributed to a lack of political will for reform in the host societies. As a result, an estimated four billion people worldwide are without access to human rights, and suffer without recourse from discrimination, theft, and other forms of physical and emotional harm.In order to more effectively bring about reform, it is time for rule of law promoters to draw upon the lessons of social science, and particularly the study of social movements. This Article represents the first effort to view the challenge of instilling political will for law reform through the prism of social movement theory and its analysis of events like the U.S. civil rights movement, the South African antiapartheid movement, and the Eastern European democracy movement. This social movement analysis reveals substantial reason for optimism about achieving significant law reform in developing countries. Rule of law promoters must re-orient their approach and begin supporting the existing and evolving grassroots law reform organizations that mirror in key respects the organizations that have proven to be the catalysts for change in social movements. Properly supported, these organizations can grow and nurture the political will for access to justice that is so desperately needed by billions of people in the developing world.


INTRODUCTION
The General Medical Council states 'a surgeon must not work when their health state is adversely influenced by fatigue, disease, drugs or alcohol'. However, there are no defined criteria for acceptable blood alcohol levels when operating. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of varying amounts of alcohol on surgical dexterity, cognitive abilities and the social interactions required to ensure patient safety during a routine ear, nose and throat (ENT) operation.

METHODS
ENT surgeons were asked to perform a microlaryngoscopy with excision of a predetermined glottic lesion on a validated laryngeal model. The procedure was repeated four times over a period of four hours with varying doses of alcohol (no alcohol control, one glass, three glasses and six glasses of wine). The parameters recorded included theatre etiquette, surgical time, operative skills and patient safety. Scores were adjudicated by two independent observers.

RESULTS
The more glasses of wine consumed, the more detrimental the effect was on the surgical performance of all participants. There was a global reduction in ability of 7.25% after three glasses and 19.25% after six glasses of alcohol. No domain showed an improvement following sequential increase in blood alcohol concentration.

CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that there are no deleterious effects on surgical performance following the consumption of one glass of wine 45 minutes prior to microlaryngoscopy among ENT surgeons of varying experience. However, there is clear evidence that with three or more glasses of wine there is an adverse effect on performance, with decreased surgical dexterity, cognition functions and professionalism.


This paper assessed the impacts of watershed programs (WPs) on agro-ecosystems in Hamedan Province, Iran. This study's methodology was based on criteria for the comparison of agroecosystems with and without WPs and nine indicators was selected to assess the sustainability impacts. The results revealed that WPs have contributed in raising the stability, productivity and relative acceptability of the agro-eco-system by improving the indicators for ecological sustainability, generating a better benefit-cost ratio and promoting the quality of life and access to public services for farmers in agro-ecosystems with a project. However, the involvement of stakeholders in program implementation and monitoring has reduced. At the end, we recommend demanddriven WPs rather than supply driven ones to be increase the social acceptability of WPs.


One gm ceftriaxone was administered i.m. to 266 patients 1 h before urologic surgery. The antimicrobial spectrum and long half life of this beta-lactam make it potentially useful for prophylaxis. Its efficacy was determined by the incidence of infections and antibiotics required postoperatively. Postoperative bacteriuria was determined by two urine cultures: one at discharge from hospital or after catheter removal and another 4 weeks postoperatively. The overall postoperative infection rate was 9.7% and bacteriuria was 11.2%; most of these were asymptomatic. Antibiotics were administered postoperatively in 13.9% of the patients. The foregoing results corroborate the efficacy of this agent given in a single dose for prophylaxis against infection in urologic surgery.


Ternary compositions based on Bi(B′B″)O3–PbTiO3-type compounds have been investigated for high-temperature piezoelectric applications. Compositions in the ternary were chosen to be near the binary morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition of BiScO3–PbTiO3 (BS–PT). Ternary compositions in (100−x−y)BiScO3–(x)Bi(Zr0.5Zn0.5)O3–(y)PbTiO3 [(100−x−y)BS–xBZZ–yPT] have been investigated with x ≤ 7.5. For compositions with x > 10, the Curie temperature (TC) decreased below 400°C. Dielectric, piezoelectric, and electromechanical properties were characterized as a function of temperature, frequency, and electric field. Small additions of BZZ were shown to increase the electromechanical properties with only a small loss in TC. The electromechanical properties were temperature stable up to the depoling temperature. The most promising composition exhibited a TC of 430°C, piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of 520 pC/N, and a planar coupling factor (kp) of 0.45 that remained unchanged up to depoling temperature at 385°C.


In this contribution power quality measurements of electric vehicles (EVs) will be presented. In the coming years EVs will become a more relevant asset in the power system. Due to infrastructural reasons and typical usage the EVs will be mainly connected to the low voltage power grid. That includes charging and - in case of vehicle-to-grid concepts — discharging processes with different power levels. The investigation of different kinds of EVs considers voltage drops, harmonics and power factors that allow for scaling up the impact on the power system. To interpret the results common standards and technical requirements are taken into account that describes the connection of loads as well as generators to the grid.


In 62 patients with various forms of an acute pancreatitis (AP) the contents of methane, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide gas in the blood, using the gas chromatography method, was studied up. In 55 patients with pancreonecrosis the changes of concentration of methane, oxygen and nitrogen had correlated with the disease course severity, the data of ultrasound investigation and bolus computer tomography. Basing on the investigations performed in 62 patients with an AP, in 12--with other acute surgical diseases of abdominal cavity and in 20 healthy persons, it was established the possibility of determination of the methane level in the blood as a criterion of the various forms of pancreonecrosis diagnosis and the method of its diagnosis was proposed.


In Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) we have to deal with various types of phenomena with strong discontinuities at different length scales like turbulence or hypersonic flows. It is essential that the numerical techniques must provide accurate approximation to calculate the time and space-derivatives. This paper focuses on the behavior of the solution of some known numerical schemes in comparison with analytical solution provided here for the first time, applied on one-dimensional conservation law with different fluxes and non-usual different initial conditions. The results are very interesting in the sense that methods which report very good results on classical tests schemes were not able to accurately predict solutions that admit discontinuities and sharp gradients inside.


Hox genes are a specific subgroup of homeobox containing genes that are characterized by their structural and functional homology to homeotic genes of the fruit fly Drosophila (1). These genes play important roles in pattern formation along the anterior-posterior axis in the developing embryo in both invertebrates and vertebrates (2). The proteins encoded by Hox genes contain the DNA-binding homeodomain (3), and are therefore believed to act as transcription factors that regulate the expression of other genes during morphogenesis (4, 5). More than 100 of other genes have been identified in mammals that encode homeodomain proteins (6, 7) of which the Hox genes are the best characterized. A growing number of animals with genetically induced aberrant Hox gene expression is providing insight into the crucial function of Hox genes in axial patterning; it is also becoming clear that Hox genes are important in the development of internal organs and the differentiation of tissues.


When Professor Otto Lidenbrock led his little band to the center of the Earth in Jules Verne's 1864 classic novel, the intrepid adventurers needed little more than practical 19th century clothes to provide them with comfort and protection. How different the science of earthquakes would be if conditions in the Earth were really so friendly to the would-be observer. Even the operation of seismic sensors at the relatively modest depth of 2–3 km, roughly the depth of the shallowest crustal earthquakes, requires careful precautions against the effects of unstable materials, temperature, pressure, and water for successful long-term observations to be made. Indeed, the handful of successful deep borehole experiments that have been conducted to date have depended on simple sensors with limited bandwidth and dynamic range, and have yielded data that were not ideally suited to investigating the details of the earthquake source.


In this demonstration, we present KAPUER, a system for managing users' privacy policies on Android. The system includes an authorization recommendation engine that learns user's preferences in terms of privacy and proposes him high level rules to protect his privacy from applications. Kapuer also provides a interface to manage all the rules it has created.


In an abortion procedure, the patient must first be counseled and all alternatives to abortion presented in an objective manner. If the patient chooses to have an abortion and the procedure is done within the 1st 3 months of pregnancy, curettage is a favored method. The patient is anesthetized, the cervix dilated slowly, the uterine cavity is sounded, and a curette scrapes the remaining products of conception afte r a forceps has removed most of the embryo and sac. The use of clear plastic suction curette is objectionable because the operator can see the embryonic parts and sac as it passes through the tube. The decision to perform abortions is difficult and one must ask "Is this the right thing?"


The relationship between Christian theology and secular hermeneutics is complex, and it is questionable whether many of the discourses that draw on hermeneutic theory are consistent with the presuppositions hidden beneath the surface. This article demystifies the highly theologised debate between monism and pluralism within the discipline of hermeneutics, and criticises the way that this theology has been done. From a Christian perspective that is free from cumbersome theological categories, a simple, authentic interpersonal ethic is the most appropriate way to approach texts. The implications for scholarly praxis are explored with specific reference to John C. Mellon's 'recovery hermeneutic' reading of Mark's gospel.


We determined that extrachromosomal 2μ plasmid was present in 67 of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae 100-genome strains; in addition to variation in the size and copy number of 2μ, we identified three distinct classes of 2μ. We identified 2μ presence/absence and class associations with populations, clinical origin and nuclear genotypes. We also screened genome sequences of S. paradoxus, S. kudriavzevii, S. uvarum, S. eubayanus, S. mikatae, S. arboricolus and S. bayanus strains for both integrated and extrachromosomal 2μ. Similar to S. cerevisiae, we found no integrated 2μ sequences in any S. paradoxus strains. However, we identified part of 2μ integrated into the genomes of some S. uvarum, S. kudriavzevii, S. mikatae and S. bayanus strains, which were distinct from each other and from all extrachromosomal 2μ. We identified extrachromosomal 2μ in one S. paradoxus, one S. eubayanus, two S. bayanus and 13 S. uvarum strains. The extrachromosomal 2μ in S. paradoxus, S. eubayanus and S. cerevisiae were distinct from each other. In contrast, the extrachromosomal 2μ in S. bayanus and S. uvarum strains were identical with each other and with one of the three classes of S. cerevisiae 2μ, consistent with interspecific transfer.


Sincc the pioneering work of Sanger on the structure of insulin, investigation of the amino-acid sequences of proteins has become an ever more popular pursuit for biochemists and molecular biologists. The techniques available for such studies are constantly being refined and extended and to those not familiar with the field may seem rather forbidding. This book provides a useful guide to these techniques for the beginner in protcin chemistry, as well as a refercncc book for more expericnccd workers. The book consists of a series of specialist chapters written by experts in the field. The emphasis is on practical aspects, and in most cases there is sufficient detail to enable the reader to use a technique without reference to the original source. The account of the automatic protein sequenator by P. Edman is particularly welcome and includes much work previously unpublished. Almost inevitably, individual authors emphasize some aspects of their subjects and rather neglect others; this is no disadvantage for those already familiar with the field, but may give the beginner a rather unbalanced view. The overall approach of the book is fairly conventional, and partly becausc of this there are several quite serious omissions. Thus, determination of active centre sequences of enzymes and chemical modification techniques are not mentioned, and the use of paper electrophoresis and chromatography for peptide separations (including peptide mapping and "'diagonal" techniques) receives very brief consideration. These are often the very techniques most needed by workers with no previous knowledge of sequence studies. Despite these omissions, this book will be of great value to both beginners and experts in the field of protein chemistry. It is another useful volume in what is proving to be a most successful serics on molecular biology.


Many pathogenic microbes, including many fungi, produce phospholipases which facilitate survival of the pathogen in vivo, invasion and dissemination throughout the host, expression of virulence traits and evasion of host immune defense mechanisms. These phospholipases are either secreted or produced intracellularly and act by physically disrupting host membranes, and/or by affecting fungal cell signaling and production of immunomodulatory effectors. Many of the secreted phospholipases acquire a glycosylphosphatidylinositol sorting motif to facilitate membrane and/or cell wall association and secretion. This review focuses primarily on the role of two members of the phospholipase enzyme family, phospholipase B (Plb) and phosphatidylinositol (PI)-specific phospholipase C (PI-C/Plc), in fungal pathogenesis and in particular, what has been learnt about their function from studies performed in the model pathogenic yeast, Cryptococcus neoformans. These studies have revealed how Plb has adapted to become an important part of the virulence repertoire of pathogenic fungi and how its secretion is regulated. They have also provided valuable insight into how the intracellular enzyme, Plc1, contributes to fungal fitness and pathogenicity – via a putative role in signal transduction pathways that regulate the production of stress-protecting pigments, polysaccharide capsule, cell wall integrity, and adaptation to growth at host temperature. Finally, this review will address the role fungal phospholipases have played in the development of a new class of antifungal drugs, which mimic their phospholipid substrates.


Ultrasonic microscopy that mainly concerns itself with depth profiling and characterizing thin layers relies on not only the resolution o f the transducer impulse response but also the frequency characterization of propagation paths. The frequency dependent absorption and scattering limits the use of high frequency transducers for improved resolution, detection, and characterization. transducers is significantly concealed, and not readily The information obtained from low frequency resolvable but can be improved by deconvolving the transducer impulse echo from the backscattered echoes. In this study, we adaptively estimate the echo wavelets and their arrival times directly from the experimental measurement using echo models. The the SAGE algorithm. The model order selection is estimation of model parameters is addressed using carried out using the Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle. We have observed that the modelbased estimation significantly improves the accuracy and resolution of echo location and amplitude when compared to conventional techniques such as the Wiener Filter and Pseudoinverse solution.


The libron wave spectrum at zero wave vector for solid hydrogen in the Pa3 and Cmmm structures is calculated at zero temperature. Interactions other than the electrostatic interactions between molecular quadrupole moments are treated perturbatively. Comparison of our numerical and analytic results for libron frequencies and Raman intensities with the observed Raman spectrum gives strong evidence for the Pa3 structure. The scaling relation between the frequencies of the classical and quantum-librational systems is found to hold for the Pa3 but not for the Cmmm structure. The effects of zero-point librations and libron-libron interactions are studied to lowest order in 1/z, where z is the number of nearest neighbors. Although the static effects are quite small, the shifts in the libron frequencies due to these interactions are of order 15%. Disciplines Physics | Quantum Physics This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/physics_papers/402 PHYSICAL REVIEW 8 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 4 15 AUGUST 1970 k=0 Libron Spectrum for Solid Hydrogen in the Pa3 and C Structures* Cornelius F. Coll, III, and A. Brooks Harris DePa&ment of Physics', &nivet'sity of Pennsylvania, PhgadelPhia, Pennsylvania (Received 27 March 1970) The libron wRve spectruIIl at zelo wRve vector fox' solid h/drogen in the Pa3 Rnd C~~ structures is calculated at zexo temperature. Interactions other than the electrostatic interactions between moleculax' quadrupole moments are treated perturbatively. CompRx'lson of our numerlcR1 and anal/tie results for libron flequencles Rnd BamRn intensities with the obsexved Baman spectxum gives strong evidence for the Pa3 structuxe. The scaling x'61Rtlon between the fx'equencies of the clR88lcR1 Rnd quRntuIQ-librRtlonRl 8+stems is found to hold for the Pa3 but not for the C~~ structure. The effects of zero-point librations and libron-libron interactions are studied to lowest order in 1/g, where z is the number of nearest neighbors. Although the static effects are quite small, the shifts in the libron frequencies due to these interactions are of order 15%.


The Influence of Workplace Environment on Lung Function of Flour Mill Workers in Jalgaon Urban Center: Nilesh D. Wagh, et al. School of Environmental Sciences, North Maharashtra University, India—The workplace environment affects the health of workers. Unhygienic conditions are observed in the workplace environment of flour mills as fine organic flour dust gets airborne in the indoor environment of the flour mills. The present work was undertaken to study the health problems related to the workplace environment of flour mill workers. The results show that flour mill workers are receiving a heavy dose (average exposure concentration, 624 µg/ m3) of flour dust. To determine the impact of flour dust on the lung function of the workers spirometric analysis was conducted. Significant declines in forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were observed in the flour mill workers as compared to expected values. This study reveals reduced lung efficiency of flour mill workers due to excessive exposure to fine organic dust prevalent in the workplace environment. The impairment in lung efficiency was increased with duration of exposure in the flour mill workers. The analysis of questionnaires used to generate information on self‐reported problems reveals that most of the workers were suffering from asthma and respiratory problems. Furthermore, the data shows that 42% of the flour mill workers were having shortness of breath problems, 34% of workers were having frequent coughing, and 19% workers were having respiratory tract irritation. We recommend the compulsory use of personal protective equipment (nose mask) by flour mill workers during working hours. This would help to protect the workers health from the flour dust prevalent in the workplace environment. A regular periodic examination is necessary to measure the impact of particulate matter on the health of the flour mill workers.


Abstract Background Free tissue transfers are routinely performed for reconstruction of the upper limb. Main complication in free flap surgery still stems from vascular compromise and many technical controversies exist regarding the technical details of how to perform the microvascular anastomosis. This study evaluates outcomes regarding the execution of one versus two venous anastomoses for upper limb reconstruction. Methods In this study, 79 patients underwent 86 free anterolateral thigh (ALT) or groin flaps for upper limb reconstruction after trauma, infection, or malignancies. The data were retrospectively screened for patients' demographics, perioperative details, flap survival, and surgical complications. The cases were divided into two groups regarding the number of performed venous anastomoses: one versus two veins. Results No significant differences existed between the two groups regarding preoperative comorbidities (ALT: 16 one, 21 two veins; groin: 16 one, 33 two veins). Overall, there was no significant difference regarding the rate of major (1 vein: 18.8% vs. 2 veins: 20.4%; p > 0.05) and minor (1 vein: 3.1% vs. 2 veins: 3.7%; p > 0.05) surgical complications during the 3-month follow-up period. Major complications included total flap losses of 9.4% (1 vein) versus 7.4% (2 veins) (p > 0.05). Conclusion This study analyzed a series of microsurgical reconstructions with a focus on the impact of the number of performed venous anastomoses. The findings suggest that successful free tissue transfer for upper limb reconstruction can be achieved independent of the number of venous anastomoses. However, to promote additional safety, a second vein should be performed whenever technically possible.


"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:" - Regina Brett* *Regina Brett is a 90 years old man of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.


A 64-year-old female referred to our hospital because of severe anemia. Peripheral blood examination showed macrocytic anemia; red blood cell count was 1.49 x 10(6)/microliters, hemoglobin concentration was 5.6 g/dl, hematocrit was 16.1% and MCV was 108 fl. Serum VB 12 level was significantly low as 58 pg/ml. Upper gastrointestinal examination disclosed chronic atrophic gastritis. Anti-intrinsic factor and anti-parietal cell antibodies were detected in the serum and Schilling's test was positive. Thus a diagnosis of pernicious anemia was made. Though the serum free T 3 and free T 4 levels were in normal ranges, the elevated serum TSH and positive tests for anti-microsome and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies indicated that the patient had chronic thyroiditis. Then other endocrinological examinations were performed. Low level of urinary 17-OHCS and a hypo-reactive pattern of rapid ACTH test led to a diagnosis of latent adrenal insufficiency. This case could be categorized into polyglandular autoimmune syndrome.


The effects of channel fading of multitone interference on the performance of multiple hops per symbol fast frequency-hopped (FFH), M-ary orthogonal frequency-shift keyed (MFSK) noncoherent systems are analytically investigated. The multiple equal-power interference tones are assumed to correspond to some of the possible FFH/M-ary orthogonal signaling tones. It is also assumed that the channel fading characteristics are independent for the signal tone and interference tone. We evaluate how the effect of the multitone interference fading on system performance is changed by various parameters, such as the number of interference tones, the number of hops per symbol and the modulation order. In addition, our numerical results indicate that the larger number of hops per symbol makes the system performance more sensitive to the fading of multitone interference.


In this paper, we discuss the limits of the traditional view that supernatural beliefs and behaviors are adaptations for social life. We compare it to an alternative hypothesis, according to which supernatural thinking is a secondary effect of cognitive predispositions originally shaped for different adaptive reasons. Finally, we discuss the respective role of such predispositions and socio-cultural factors in shaping and promoting the diffusion of supernatural beliefs.


Rowhammer is a hardware-based bug that allows the attacker to modify the data in the memory without accessing it, just repeatedly and frequently accessing (or hammering) physically adjacent memory rows. So that it can break the memory isolation between processes, which is seen as the cornerstone of modern system security, exposing the sensitive data to unauthorized and imperceptible corruption. A number of previous works have leveraged the rowhammer bug to achieve various critical attacks.
In this work, we propose a unified reference framework for analyzing the rowhammer attacks, indicating three necessary factors in a practical rowhammer attack: the attack origin, the intended implication and the methodology. Each factor includes multiple primitives, the attacker can select primitives from three factors to constitute an effective attack. In particular, the methodology further summarizes all existing attack techniques, that are used to achieve its three primitives: Location Preparation (LP), Rapid Hammering (RH), and Exploit Verification (EV). Based on the reference framework, we analyze all previous rowhammer attacks and corresponding countermeasures. Our analysis shows that how primitives in different factors are combined and used in previous attacks, and thus points out new possibility of rowhammer attacks, enabling proactive prevention before it causes harm. Under the framework, we propose a novel expressive rowhammer attack that is capable of accumulating injected memory changes and achieving rich attack semantics. We conclude by outlining future research directions.


Molecular markers are modern diagnostic tools, which may help breeders to solve practical problems. They facilitate cultivar identification, the determination of genetic similarities among breeding stocks and enable the calculation of polymorphism level, heterozygosity or self-pollination rate. But the main expectation with respect to molecular markers is their potential use in marker-assisted selection (MAS). There are four major strategies of finding a molecular marker tightly linked to a target gene of agronomic importance. The first approach takes advantage of the nearly isogenic lines (NILs) which are differentiated only by the allelic sets in the gene of interest and in the adjacent chromosomal region. The second strategy involves bulked segregant analysis (BSA) for identification of markers linked to a single gene. The third involves the genetic dissection of more complex traits, which leads to the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and their markers. The fourth strategy of marker identification includes computer databases (sequence and mapping data). The usefulness of these strategies is discussed in this paper. Some consequences of the application of BSA for gene tagging are described.


Dose and its usefulness as a single parameter to describe the amount of radiation absorbed are well established for most situations. The conditions where the concept of dose starts to break down are well known, mostly from the study of microdosimetry. For low doses of high LET radiation it is noted that the process of taking the limiting value of the energy absorbed within a test volume divided by the mass within that volume yields either zero or a relatively large value. The problem is further exacerbated with microbeam irradiations where the uniformity of the energy deposition is experimentally manipulated on the spatial scale of cells being irradiated. Booz introduced a quantity to deal with these problems: the unfortunately named 'mean specific energy in affected volumes'. This quantity multiplied by the probability that a test volume has received an energy deposit is equal to dose (in situations where dose can be defined). I propose that Booz's quantity be renamed 'specific dose', that is the mean energy deposited divided by the mass within a specified volume. If we believe for instance that the nucleus of a cell is the critical volume for biological effects, we can refer to the nuclear specific dose. A microbeam experiment wherein 10 per cent of the cell nuclei were targeted with 10 alpha particles would be described as delivering a nuclear specific dose of 1.6 Gy to 10 per cent of the population.


Over the past year, a significant amount of research has explored the logistic regression models for analyzing correlated categorical data. In these models, it is assumed that the data occur in clusters, where individuals within each cluster are correlated,but individuals from different clusters are assumed independent. A commonly used in modeling correlated categorical univariate data is to assume that individual counts are generated from a Binomial distribution, with probabilities vary between individuals according to a Beta distribution. The marginal distribution of the counts is then Beta-Binomial. In this paper, a generalization of the model is made allowing the number of respondent m, to be random. Thus both the number units m, and the underlying proba bility vector are allowed to vary. We proposed the model for correlated categorical data, which is generalized to account for extra variation by allowing the vectors of proportions to vary according to a Dirichlet distribution. The model is a mixture distribution of multinomial and Dirichlet distribution, and we call the model as the beta-binomial multivariate model.


Retinal degenerative conditions can vary in their clinical features and often present with subtle phenotypic features before the onset of clinically overt disease. To capture these isolated events that precipitate disease, large representative areas of the retina must be imaged at high resolution. Compared to light microscopic methods, traditional electron microscopy can provide images at sufficient resolution to detect subtle pathologic changes in the retina, but are limited to the area being surveyed. The advent of serial block face‐scanning electron microscopy (SBF‐SEM) provides the resolution needed with the unprecedented advantage of imaging large volumes of retinal tissue. Furthermore, automation of SBF‐SEM bypasses errors from manual sectioning and can produce reliable serial sections as thin as 25 nanometers. Moreover, the three‐dimensional structures generated can highlight cellular connectivity and interactions in the retina and reveal pathological changes. Using SBF‐SEM, we have identified subtle phenotypic features in mouse models of various human retinal dystrophies. This method will allow researchers to identify and monitor the time course of these pathologies. This article provides details on SBF‐SEM methodology and its application to mouse models of retinal degeneration. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


OBJECTIVES
Functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is usually managed surgically using various types of annuloplasty. FTR has been reported to recur in up to 45% of patients, with severe leaflet tethering being an important risk factor for recurrence. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and echocardiographic mid-term results after leaflet augmentation in patients with FTR due to severe leaflet tethering.

METHODS
From May 2008 to July 2014, 22 patients were found to have a severe FTR with a tethering height of at least 8 mm; all of them underwent leaflet augmentation: the anterior and part of the posterior leaflet were detached from the anterior annulus; a patch of fresh autologous pericardium was used to generously fill the gap between the anterior annulus and the detached leaflet. A 5/0 Pronova suture locked at every step was used to avoid any purse string effect. In 2 patients, the septal leaflet also needed to be augmented using a comparable technique. In all but one (annular calcification) patient, a semi-rigid ring annuloplasty was added. The mean age was 67.1 ± 13.7 years; it was a redo procedure in 12 cases (54.5%), 11 patients (50%) had right ventricle failure and 3 (23.1%) had renal failure.

RESULTS
The median follow-up was 2.1 ± 1.9 years. Thirty-day and 4-year survival averaged at 81.1 ± 8.5 and 71.6 ± 9.8%, respectively. At 4 years, 84 ± 10.6% of the survivors were in NYHA class I or II and only 2 patients had a TR of ≥2 with a global freedom from TR ≥2 of 85.7 ± 13.2%. There was no reintervention.

CONCLUSIONS
Tricuspid leaflet augmentation combined with annuloplasty is feasible and leads to excellent clinical and echocardiographical mid-term results even in the presence of severe leaflet tethering and right ventricular failure.


Nineteen diabetic (DM) and twenty-two non-diabetic (NDM) uraemic patients undergoing renal transplantation were studied to evaluate coagulation abnormalities. Thirty-three healthy patients admitted for minor surgery served as controls. Antithrombin III (AT III), thromboelastogram (TEG), other haemostatic parameters and the influence of dialysis treatment were assessed in DM and NDM uraemic patients. All uraemic patients were anaemic and bleeding time was slightly prolonged (NS). The level of AT III was raised in the DM group when compared in the healthy controls (P < 0.001). Prothrombin time (PT) percentage was increased in both uraemic groups (P < 0.001) in comparison with the controls. Thrombocytosis was marked in DM patients (P < 0.001) when compared with controls and NDM patients. TEG parameters were similar in all groups. Continuous peritoneal dialysis treatment (CAPD) was associated with elevated total platelet count in NDM (P < 0.05) and DM group (P < 0.05) when compared with haemodialysis (HD) patients. Also, the PT was shortened in DM patients on CAPD vs HD (P < 0.05). AT III level was elevated in NDM patients on CAPD compared with those on HD (P < 0.05). There was no difference in clinical bleeding tendency during renal transplantation. Postoperatively, one patient in NDM group suffered from thrombosis of the graft artery and transplantectomy had to be performed. Our study showed a prethrombotic state in diabetic uraemic patients admitted for renal transplantation. The increased AT III activity may protect these patients against thrombotic complications. The role of CAPD treatment requires further studies.


Our brain plays an important role in our everyday life. Nearly all of our common activities require our brain. Even though brain research has advanced tremendously over the recent years, there are still unanswered questions. These are both fundamental questions about our consciousness and how our brain works, as well as clinical questions in case of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven itself to be a valuable instrument to study the human brain, allowing structures and anatomy to be visualized in-vivo at high detail. However, in order to gain more knowledge about the mechanics of the brain, static imaging of anatomy is not enough. To take the next step, it is essential to study dynamic in-vivo brain functions, including (neuronally triggered) hemodynamics and metabolism. This thesis focuses on two MR techniques that measure brain activity via changes in hemodynamics and metabolism, specifically blood-oxygen-level dependent functional MRI (BOLD fMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In general, MRI measurements are a tradeoff between the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), resolution, (dynamic) scan time and imaging volume. With MRI it is therefore possible to acquire high resolution images, but at the cost of a long acquisition time. This is not desirable when aiming to monitor fast and detailed physiological processes. For example for BOLD fMRI, the combination of both a high temporal resolution (< 1 sec) and a high spatial resolution (< 1 mm) is rarely seen. For edited MRS, the commonly reported (dynamic) scan times to measure the main inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), range between 6 – 30 minutes. This is long when looking at the time scale of brain functions. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to maximize the SNR, temporal resolution and spatial resolution of BOLD fMRI and MRS techniques to be able to gain further insight into the hemodynamics and metabolism of the human brain. To achieve this aim five approaches (Chapters 2-6) are pursued. First, the dynamic scan time of BOLD fMRI scans was reduced (Chapter 2) by a combination of high density receive arrays, and an advanced under sampling strategy for 3D fMRI scans (2D CAIPIRINHA for 3D EPI scans). Second, simulations were performed (Chapter 3) showing the potential of a 256 channel receive array for whole brain imaging to reduce dynamic scan time of fMRI scans by an order of magnitude further. Third, the idea of ultrasonic switching gradients was presented (Chapter 4), which might hold even higher accelerations for the future, as described in a patent. Fourth, the neurotransmitter GABA could be measured dynamically with GABA edited MRS techniques that have a reduced scan time of only 1:23 min (Chapter 5) by using a specially built half volume coil setup. Fifth, 31P MRS was found as potential new technique to explore brain function further (Chapter 6). This work brings the ability to follow human brain processes in-vivo with high spatial and temporal resolution a step closer. Fundaments upon which both engineering, neuroscience and clinical studies can further build.


This paper presents an attempt to identify the influence of the channel resistance on return-stroke current propagation resulting from a lightning strike to a tall object such as a metallic tower. For simplicity, the tall object and the lightning channel are represented as uniform transmission lines. The former is modeled as a lossless transmission line, while a nonlinear resistance is considered in the latter. Two cases are considered for different values of channel conductivity. In the first case a series voltage source is used to excite the interface between the tower and the channel assuming that the characteristic impedances of both are matched. The second case assumes unmatched characteristic impedances. The role of the per-unit-length resistance on the currents calculated in both cases is investigated. This is made to study its effect on wave interactions that take place at the return-stroke front. Keywordslightning; return-stroke model; lossy transmission lines; nonlinear resistance; towers.


The last twenty years have witnessed an important movement in the aspirations of public policy beyond meeting merely material goals towards a range of outcomes captured through the use of the term 'wellbeing'. Nonetheless, the concept of wellbeing is itself ill-defined, a term used in multiple different contexts with different meanings and policy implications.

Bringing together a range of perspectives, this volume examines the intersections of wellbeing and place, including immediate applied policy concerns as well as more critical academic engagements. . Conceptualisations of place, context and settings have come under critical examination, and more nuanced and varied understandings are drawn out from both academic and policy-related research. Whilst quantitative and some policy approaches treat place as a static backdrop or context, others explore the interrelationships of emotional, social, cultural and experiential meanings that are both shape place and are shaped in place. Similarly, wellbeing may be understood as a relatively stable and measurable entity or as a more situation-dependent and relational effect.

The book is structured into two sections: essays that explore the dynamics that determine wellbeing in relation to place and essays that explore contested understandings of wellbeing both empirically and theoretically.


PROLOGUE The purpose of this article is to describe an approach to incorporate a modified problem-based learning (PBL) format into a first professional year curriculum. For each case, groups of eight students meet with a faculty member and a community practitioner in two sessions to work through well-defined pharmacy problems using a method adapted from classical PBL. Cases are written from the perspective of a pharmacist practicing pharmaceutical care in a community pharmacy setting. A case writer designs scenarios to integrate content from across the curriculum and builds in dilemmas to encourage students to consider new roles in pharmacy. Early feedback from practitioners working with students who have participated in the first year is positive. In this article, the authors describe the instructional method, effective case writing for first year students and their experience in assessing and improving the activities.


This study focuses on the annual, and century-old, religious festival and pilgrimage of Maha Shivaratri (Festival) in Mauritius. The Festival, consisting of a pilgrimage to a sacred site, is celebrated by those of the Hindu faith in reverence to Lord Shiva. This research critically evaluated the nature of the religious experiences offered by the Festival to the local Hindu participants, the perceived authenticity of the religious experiences and the perceived impacts on these religious experiences resulting from any future commoditisation of the Festival and its site. The research focused on three sets of stakeholders: the Mauritius Religious Authorities (RA) who have religious and/or cultural inputs into the Festival, the 'Public Sector' organisations (PS) involved in the implementation of current and future tourism policies relating to the Festival and the Mauritian Hindu residents who had participated in the Festival. The overall research was guided by two conceptual frameworks for the data collection and analysis. The first framework was developed from a critical literature review identifying key factors that required investigation. These included such considerations as commoditisation, religion, religious experiences and authenticity of religious experiences. The second framework provided the theoretical underpinning for the study of religious experiences (core religious experiences, actual Festival product and augmented nature of the religious experiences) offered by the Festival, based on Levitt's (1981) model and Kotler's (1994) conceptualisation of the product levels. The adoption of a theoretical framework from marketing is one of the main contributions of this study. An overall sequential mixed methods approach was adopted in this study. Initially, there was a small-scale exploratory set of interviews with Mauritians in the United Kingdom. This was followed by concurrent qualitative and quantitative research in Mauritius. The qualitative research consisted of interviews with eight representatives of the RAs and three representatives of the PS. These informants, answering on behalf of their organisation, provided deep insights into the encouragement of tourists and the perceived possible outcomes on the authenticity of the religious experiences. For the quantitative research, a self-completed questionnaire, using the drop and collect method, was employed. The questionnaire covered the behaviours, attitudes and characteristics of the Mauritian Hindu residents who had attended the Festival in the past. A total of 412 usable questionnaires form the basis of the analyses in the study. The adoption of a mixed methods approach in this study is another academic contribution of this Thesis. The findings revealed that the core religious experiences are made up of 'closeness and connectedness to God', 'self-purification', 'self-transformation' and 'self-actualisation'. In regard to the authenticity of the religious experiences, the research identified that there were 'authentic' religious experiences, 'authentic' physical experiences and 'authentic' social experiences which, if lost, would have significant detrimental impacts on the participants' religious experiences. The RAs, PS and local Hindu residents were not against the idea of encouraging more tourists to attend the Festival. However, there was concern that tourists would not adhere to certain behaviours, as would a Hindu participant, and in so doing would undermine the religious nature and the authenticity of the Festival. Overall, the findings have implications for both the RAs and the PS. Recommendations were provided as to how the current religious offerings could be bolstered and how the goals of commoditisation could be met while protecting the authenticity of the religious experiences.


Large-scale fate and transport models have used different approaches to account for engineered nanoparticle (ENP) heteroaggregation and its effects on fate. Praetorius et al. and Cornelis, in recent Perspectives in this journal, favor the use of particle number-based kinetic models and attachment efficiency, α, in place of mass-based approaches relying on partition coefficients, or Kd values, because the former is more theoretically faithful to the particulate nature of ENPs. Here, we provide perspective on these two popular modeling frameworks, particle balance and mass balance, with regards to their ability to capture ENP fate processes at large scales. We show that particle balance using α is not unique in its ability to describe ENP heteroaggregation kinetically, since mathematically equivalent rates can be created for mass balance, and that the ability of particle balance to accurately describe particle behaviors is still severely hindered by evolving scientific understanding of ENP heteroaggregation. Ultimately, we find that models at this scale are relatively insensitive to the particulate nature of ENPs. In the short term, mass-based models that rely on simple heuristics can be more practical, and less error-prone, than particle balance alternatives using α.


Flours from African breadfruit, corn and defatted soybean were thoroughly mixed in a Hobart_-mixer at three variable, with the following combinations 40:5:55, 55:5:40, 70:5:25, 85:5:10 and 100:0:0% for African breadfruit, corn and soybean, respectively. These combinations were hydrated to moisture contents of 15, 18, 21, 24, and 27% and extruded at screw speed of 100, 120, 140, 160 and ISOrpm in a Brabender laboratory single-screw extruder. Effects of extrusion cooking and process variable conditions on nitrogen solubility index and amino acid profile were investigated. Nitrogen solubility index decreased with extrusion cooking by more than 50% in all the point blends. Soybean lowered nitrogen solubility index while African breadfruit increased it from 17 to 22% in the raw and 7.25 to 9% in the extruded samples. The model developed in the study accounted for 60.21% of the total variation in nitrogen solubility index and significantly (p<0.05) fitted. Feed moisture had significant (p<0.05) linear effect on nitrogen solubility index and a significant (p<0.05) cross product effect on interaction with screw speed. Retention of amino acid originally present in the raw was high ranging from 79 to 84%, indicating that process variable conditions were adequate and that blending African breadfruit with corn and defatted soybean before extrusion cooking has great nutritional benefit.


Consistent with their reported abundance in soils, several Burkholderia sensu lato strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of maize plants cultivated at different sites in central México. Comparative analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences permitted their separation into three distinctive clades, which were further subdivided into six other clusters by their close resemblance to (1) Trinickia dinghuensis; (2) Paraburkholderia kirstenboschensis, P. graminis, P. dilworthii and P. rhynchosiae; (3) B. gladioli; (4) B. arboris; (5) B. contaminans, or (6) B. metallica representative species. Direct confrontation assays revealed that these strains inhibited the growth of pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, and F. verticillioides within a roughly 3–55% inhibition range. The use of a DIESI-based non-targeted mass spectroscopy experimental strategy further indicated that this method is an option for rapid determination of the pathogen inhibitory capacity of Burkholderia sensu lato strains based solely on the analysis of their exometabolome. Furthermore, it showed that the highest anti-fungal activity observed in B. contaminans and B. arboris was associated with a distinctive abundance of certain m/z ions, some of which were identified as components of the ornbactin and pyochelin siderophores. These results highlight the chemical diversity of Burkholderia sensu lato bacteria and suggest that their capacity to inhibit the Fusarium-related infection of maize in suppressive soils is associated with siderophore synthesis.


This study investigated the variations of dissolved N2O and emissions over diurnal and seasonal temporal scales in 2009, as well as the time series of riverine N2O export to estuary and emission to atmosphere in response to increasing anthropogenic nitrogen loads in the Changjiang River. For the diurnal study, N2O concentrations ranged from 0.26 to 0.34 and from 0.44 to 0.52 μg N–N2O L−1 in August and October 2009, respectively. The dissolved N2O was supersaturated with a mean value of 197%. Studies on N2O emissions, also taken in August and October, ranged from 2.67 to 11.6 and from 6.72 to 15.2 μg N–N2O m−2 h−1, respectively. For the seasonal study (June through December 2009), N2O concentrations ranged from 0.34 to 0.72 μg N–N2O L−1 and were supersaturated in all the samples (average 212%). N2O emissions ranged from 1.87 to 40.8 μg N–N2O m−2 h−1. Our study found no significant differences in diurnal patterns of N2O saturation but detected significant difference in seasonal patterns of N2O saturation: higher during summer while lower during autumn and winter. We found a significant relationship between dissolved N2O and river nitrate, which can predict the variation of N2O concentrations in the River. The net production of N2 ranged from 0.01 to 0.47 mg N–N2 L−1. These excess N2 values were significantly correlated to the N2O production and are suggestive of denitrification in the river. Applying the Global News model to the river system using measures taken during the 1970 to 2002 period, we estimated N2O emissions to atmosphere increased from 330 to 3650 ton N–N2O yr−1. During that same 1970–2002 period, N2O exports to estuary increased from 91 to 470 ton N–N2O yr−1. Taken together, the findings reported here suggest that both the river N2O concentrations and emissions would increase in response to rising anthropogenic nitrogen loads. Our study showed that the mean emission factor based on the ratio of the total N2O flux to NO3− flux is four times greater than the value of 0.0025 obtained with the methodology recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Thus, our findings reflect the open river channel rapid exchange of gases with the atmosphere.