In order to define the roles of p53 in acquisition of drug resistance in ATL cell lines, we prepared several ATL cell lines which differed in sensitivity to adriamycin (ADM), and examined their functional p53 statuses, expressions of p53, p21, Bcl-2, Bax, and cell cycles. Our findings demonstrated: (1) Regardless of sensitivity to ADM, most of the cell lines, including ADM-resistant cell lines, carried wild-type p53. (2) Only one cell line, ED-S, which was the most sensitive to ADM carried non-functional mutated-type p53. (3) In the ATL cells carrying wild-type p53, regardless of sensitivity to ADM, ADM-treatment led to an elevation of p53 protein level with concomitant elevations of p21 and Bax protein levels. (4) In the cell line expressing mutated-type p53, ADM-treatment at the concentration of IC50 induced elevations of p53, and Bax protein levels but did not p21 protein level. (5) Expression of Bcl-2 protein did not change in any of the cell lines by treatment with ADM at their respective IC50 levels, but increased in the ADM-resistant cell line when it was treated with ADM at IC50 of its parent cell line. (6) In the cell cycle analysis, ADM-treatment induced G1- and G2-arrest and then apoptosis in the cell lines with wild-type p53, whereas it induced only G2-arrest and then apoptosis in the cell line with mutated-type p53 at the same time course as in those with wild-type p53. These findings suggest that p53 does not play a leading part either in the apoptosis induced by ADM, or in the acquisition of resistance to ADM in ATL cells, and that ADM-induced apoptosis is mediated by multiple pathways leading to the activation of effector molecules.


A novel water chemical toxin sensor has been successfully developed and evaluated as a working portable laboratory prototype. This sensor relies on a disposable plastic biochip prepared with a 4x4 micro-laboratory (μLab) chambers array of Escherichia coli reporter cells and micro-fluidic channels for liquids translocation. Each bacterial strain has been genetically modified into a bioluminescent reporter that responds to a pre-determined class of chemical agents. When challenged with a water sample containing a toxic chemical, the sensor responds with an increased bioluminescent signal from the biochip that is monitored over time. The signal is received by a motorized photomultiplier-based analyzer and interpreted by signal processing software. We have performed several levels of analysis: (i) the change in the bioluminescent signal from the sensor bacteria serves as a rapid indication for the presence of toxic chemicals in the water sample; (ii) the intensity of the change indicates the toxin concentration level; and (iii) the pattern of the responses for the different members of the bacterial panel on the biochip characterizes the biological origin of the toxin. The analyzer contains housing mechanics, electro-optics for signal acquisition, motorized readout calibration accessories, hydro-pneumatics modules for water sample translocation into biochip micro laboratories, electronics for overall control and communication with the host computer. This prototype has a demonstrated sensitivity for broad classes of water-borne toxic chemicals including naladixic acid (a model genotoxic agent), botulinum and acetylcholine esterase inhibitors. This work has initiated an investigation of a novel handheld field-deployable Water Toxicity Analysis (WTA) device.


The design and construction of an electronic-scan phased-array antenna system for use with a clutter-mapping radar system is described. The phased array is capable of \pm-20\deg of electronic beam steerng and full hemispheric mechanical steerability. It is composed of 780 short-backfire radiators with a total gain of 36 dB. It is vertically polarized and has phase-monopulse-tracking ability. The electronic beamforming and steering is controlled by a digital system using a PDP-11/20 general-purpose computer system. The same computer is used to control the digital clutter-mapping system, which is composed of an A/D converter, multiplexer, digital tape recorder, high-speed disk storage, and an intensity-modulated graphic recorder.


A Monte Carlo sputter flux transport model has been developed for efficient generation of angular, energy, and thickness uniformity distributions for application to integrated circuit metallization films. The model allows for arbitrary target erosion profiles and emission angular distributions and uses an energy-dependent gas-scattering model. Verification of the model using aluminum and copper pinhole images has been obtained. The resulting sputter distribution information can be input into a topography-level film-deposition model to provide step coverage and microstructure depictions. The combination of these two models has been used to examine metallization issues such as film thickness uniformity, step coverage, compositional variations in alloy films, and magnetron source design.


Industrial applications of THz techniques require compact and reliable systems. We have designed and constructed two portable THz systems integrated with femtosecond, erbium- doped fiber lasers. Terahertz emitters based on photoelectron-transport and optically-rectification were tested in the system. With the use of a 10-mW laser pump beam, the signal-to-noise ratio of the system is greater than 5,000. We studied THz beam generation and detection with two different laser wavelengths. Under the consideration of group velocity matching, the frequency response of the THz system is calibrated. Our portable systems have been applied for the coherent measurement of the refractive index and dielectric constant of polymer thin films, which will play an important role in the ongoing quest for higher speeds in integrated circuits. The measurement is based on a comparison of THz phases with and without the film. The refractive index of thin film can be derived according to the phase difference. The system has sufficient sensitivity to perform these measurements on films as thin as 10 microns. We have also used one of these systems for THz measurements of molecular rotation spectra in air/vapor mixtures.


This research numerically investigates the heat transfer of water-Al2O3 nanofluids in a two dimensional sinusoidal wavy channel. Simulation studies are performed for fully developed flow conditions in a channel with eight waves. The temperature of the input fluid is taken to be less than that temperature of wavy walls. The governing continuity, momentum and energy equations are numerically solved using finite volume method based on SIMPLE technique. Numerical simulations were carried out for a Reynolds number ranging from 400 to 1600 and a nanofluid volume fraction, O where 0≤O≤8%. The effect of distance between channel walls are studied by varying Hmin/Hmax ratio from 0.3 to 0.5 for keeping wave length and wave amplitude values fixed. The effect of these parameters on local and average Nusselt numbers and heat transfer enhancement are presented and discussed. The results revealed that the addition of nano-particles can increase heat transfer significantly.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


Compressive spectral imaging (CSI) acquires compressed observations of a spectral scene by applying different coding patterns at each spatial location and then performing a spectral-wise integration. Relying on compressive sensing, spectral image reconstruction is achieved by using nonlinear and relatively expensive optimization-based algorithms. In the CSI literature, several works have focused on improving reconstructions quality by properly designing the set of coding patterns. However, signal recovery is not actually necessary in many signal processing applications. For instance, assuming that compressed measurements with similar characteristics lie on the same subspace, unsupervised methods such as subspace clustering can be used to separate them into the same cluster. Since the structure of compressed measurements is defined by the applied codification, it is possible to improve clustering performance. This paper proposes to design a set of coding patterns such that inter-class and intra-class data structure is preserved after the CSI acquisition in order to improve clustering results directly on the compressed domain. To validate the coding pattern design, an algorithm based on sparse subspace clustering (SSC) is proposed to perform clustering on the compressed measurements. The proposed algorithm adds a three-dimensional (3-D) spatial regularizer to the SSC problem exploiting the spatial correlation of spectral images. In general, an overall accuracy up to 83.81% is obtained, when noisy measurements are assumed. In addition, a difference of at most 4% in terms of overall accuracy was observed when comparing the clustering results obtained by the full 3-D data with those achieved using CSI measurements acquired with the proposed coding pattern design.


The publish/subscribe (or pub/sub) paradigm is an increasingly popular model for interconnecting applications in a distributed environment. Many existing pub/sub systems are based on pre-defined subjects, and hence are able to exploit multicast technologies to provide scalability and availability. An emerging alternative to subject-based systems, known as content-based systems, allow information consumers to request events based on the content of published events. This model is considerably more flexible than subject-based pub/sub. However, it was previously not known how to efficiently multicast published events to interested content-based subscribers within a large and geographically distributed network of broker (or router) machines. We develop and evaluate a novel and efficient distributed algorithm for this purpose, called -link matching". Link matching performs just enough computation at each node to determine the subset of links to which an event should be forwarded. We show via simulations that: link matching yields higher throughput than flooding when subscriptions are selective; and the overall CPU utilization of link matching is comparable to that of centralized matching.


Background/Aims: Glucocorticosteroids alter the morphology and transport function of the intestine of adult rats. This study was undertaken to assess the possible effect on intestinal lipid uptake of the locally acting steroid budesonide, or the systemically active prednisone or dexamethasone. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent intestinal transection or 50% intestinal resection. Budesonide, prednisone, dexamethasone, or control vehicle was given for 2 weeks from the time of surgery. Uptake was measured using ring uptake technique. Results: Resection had no effect on the mRNA expression for the early response genes, for proglucagon, or for the ileal lipid binding protein (ILBP), but was associated with reduced jejunal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA and with reduced jejunal mRNA for the liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP). All three steroids reduced jejunal mRNA for proglucagon and c-jun, and did not affect the mRNA for L-FABP or for ILBP. These resection- and steroid-associated changes in gene expression were not associated with alterations in the intestinal uptake of long chain fatty acids or cholesterol. Conclusions: The resection-associated alterations in the RNA expression of ODC and L-FABP and the steroid-associated changes in mRNA expression of c-jun and proglucagon were not accompanied by variations in lipid uptake.


Chronic telogen effluvium describes the clinical condition noted mostly in middle-aged women of increased, diffuse scalp hair shedding that is prolonged and often presents with a fluctuating course that may continue for years but does not lead to visible hair thinning. Despite its description almost 20 years ago, the underlying pathologic cause of CTE is yet to be identified. However the culmination of research in the field of hair biology and the burgeoning field of chronobiology may lead to exciting breakthroughs in our understanding of CTE. In this paper the current literature on CTE is reviewed and a hypothesis is put forth that CTE may be triggered by hormonal fluctuations and alterations in circadian control genes.


High-order optical nonlinearities of -toluene solutions were observed employing the transient degenerate four-wave mixing technique using 0.5 ps laser pulses at 497 nm. The intensity and fullerene concentration dependence of fifth- and seventh-order signals were investigated. The effect of the nonlinear absorption on the nonlinear optical response is examined. The ratios and are determined to be of the order of .


In this study, a dual operated firefighting robot was designed, fabricated and analyzed. The robot can be operated in both RC and automatic modes. The robot consists of three different types of system units- fire detection system, extinguishing system and communication system. The fire detection system uses flame sensors for detection of fire. The extinguishing unit consists of fire extinguisher cylinder mounted on the robot which can be controlled by the user through a remote. . The fire extinguisher is operated with the help of a relay circuit. The whole set up is controlled and monitored by the main controller or microprocessor. Using a belt drive enables the robot to climb stairs. The main chassis consists of 400mm*390mm aluminum profile. Four motors, each of 60 rpm, are used which provides adequate thrust for motion. The power supply for the functioning of robot is provided by a 12V, 7 AH battery. The compact design of the firefighting robot enables it to enter small or narrow space with ease. More over the dual operation ability of the robot helps to increase the overall efficiency of the robot.


ABSTRACT Xu, B., 2020. Opinions on organic renewal and construction south of the Yangtze River guided by water resources and elements. In: Hu, C. and Cai, M. (eds.), Geo-informatics and Oceanography. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 105, pp. 199–203. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Key issues in the development of waterfront space south of the Yangtze River are analyzed based on the identification and analysis of traditional elements of regions in southern China, and a concept for renewal and development of regions in southern China is proposed that uses water elements as factors to activate the traditional village–town space. Based on full respect and utilization of the river network, this paper excavates important design elements, builds a planning and construction model for organic renewal of villages and towns south of the Yangtze River, constructs a target frame system from a new perspective that features organic renewal of the countryside guided by water resources and elements, and puts forward a development strategy, implementation approach, and institutional innovation under this integrated target system.


The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of urethane and carbide-tipped snow plow blades on wheel-supported plows. Their performance was compared to that of the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT's) standard blade arrangement: carbide-tipped blades on plows without wheels. Performance was measured by the extent of damage to pavement markings, the quality of snow removal, and cost. The addition of wheel supports to plows with carbide-tipped blades prolonged the retroreflectivity and service life of pavement markings. A life-cycle cost analysis revealed that carbide-tipped blades without wheels were the least expensive alternative, followed closely by carbide-tipped blades with wheels, and then urethane blades with wheels. When compared with carbide-tipped blades without wheels, carbide-tipped or urethane blades with wheels were effective in removing loose, but not packed, snow. Timely chemical application to prevent snow-pavement bonding is crucial, particularly with wheel-supported plows. Urethane blades are susceptible to wear through friction and are impractical for use on second and third priority snow routes where variations in cross slope and soft shoulders bring the blade into contact with the pavement. The use of supports on plows equipped with carbide-tipped blades allows the operator the option to use the plow in a supported mode for first priority routes and an unsupported mode for second and third priority routes. Proper alignment of the wheels is critical to ensure proper operation, protection of the urethane blades from wear, and reduction of damage to pavement markings. Measuring the monetary value of increased and prolonged retroreflectivity of pavement markings and more effective snow removal is difficult. The authors recommend that VDOT not use urethane blades as a replacement for carbide-tipped blades under current operating conditions. However, if VDOT continues to make brighter and more durable pavement markings a high priority, then it should consider using carbide-tipped blades on plows with wheels. Other actions that balance protecting Virginia's pavement marking investment and ensuring effective snow removal, such as restricting the use of heavy equipment for snow removal and providing operator training, should also be considered. Finally, if supported plows are adopted for use, other options to support the plow should be investigated through product evaluations by VDOT personnel.


The impact of the release of irradiated Diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L) with a dose of 200 Gy was studied in field cage experiments by releasing of irradiated and untreated DBM at a 9:1 ratio . Releasing male and female (F-1) of irradiated DBM caused a considerable level of sterility in the subsequent generations. The sterility level in those respective generations were 73.03% and 73.30%,while the release of the F-1 male only induced a level of sterility of about 55.40% and 56.44%.Inundative releases of irradiated males caused the level of sterility to reach about 44.78% and 68.01% in F-1 and F-2 respectively. The effect of the release of irradiated male Cabbage webworm (CWW) moths Crocidolomia binotalis (Z), and the release of both sexes on the population were studied under laboratory cage conditions. There was a significant difference between the) effects of releasing irradiated male only and both sexes at a level of F ≤ 0.001 ,where the percentage of egg hatch were 22.78% and 24.75% respectively in the F-1 and F-2 generations. The effects of combining two tactics, inherited sterility and the release of parasitoid Diadegma semiclausums (H) for controling DBMs were studied.The pupal viability in the F-1 generation was 32.5% as compared to the untreated DBMs. The impacts of respective single tactic the release of F-1 males and parasitoid D. semiclausums on the pupal viability were 57.5% and 81%. The effects of the release of substerile insects in a small area of about 1000 m2 located at an isolated area in the forest in Malang, East Jawa was found that average number of moths caught per week from first to the fifth month at the release area was about 89.42% as compared to those at the control area. The highest level of parasitation of D. semiclausums was found in the second instar larvae of DBMs. Population growth of parasitoid D. semiclausums from the first generation to the eleventh generation increased till to the fifth generation larvae, than declined to the eleventh generation.


An analytical model for designing, an edge fed rectangular slotted Microstrip antenna (MSA) is proposed. The introduction of slots on the patch results in lowering of resonant frequency. A blind trial and error method of analysis is adopted to study the effects due to introduction of slots in numerous simulation softwares and no analytical approach is proposed till now. In this paper, an analytical approach to design an edge fed rectangular slotted MSA is presented. The curves, shift in resonant frequency vs Ring width and Return loss corresponding to shifted frequency vs Ring width have been studied and the best fit equations have been derived. Comparison of simulated results and values obtained from the derived equations shows that they are approximately equal. The derived equations are valid at a specific design frequency and can be used as an open source to find or predict the useful shift of resonant frequency from original designed frequency due to the introduction of slots without the aid of simulation softwares. The antenna simulations are carried out in HFSS.


This is a qualitative analysis of the non-structured responses to a survey (see 'Notes') which elicited people's attitudes towards being treated by HIV-positive dentists. These findings are discussed in terms of a sociology of knowledge, that is, an understanding of how individuals come to believe what they do. It uses the concept of 'public' and 'private' accounts to explore some of the themes which emerged.


Along with the emergence of high-speed communications technologies and protocols, tools for multimedia applications are growing in terms of their variety and their performances, making multimedia data flows candidates to the integration in almost every computer system. We particularly focus on the case of the factory plant where sound and video equipments could soon take part in the control/monitoring of manufacturing processes. In this paper we propose a MMS-like multimedia application interface for such an environment.


More frequent dialysis is thought to be associated with increased heparin requirements; however, limited data are available which compare heparin requirements of conventional to daily dialysis.

Objectives:  To determine differences in heparin dose during conventional thrice-weekly dialysis (CHD) compared to daily hemodialysis (DHD).

Methods:  All patients within the daily home hemodialysis at the Northwest Kidney Centers were evaluated for heparin dose both pre- and post initiation of daily hemodialysis. Patients on DHD received an initial bolus of heparin, without a continuous heparin drip, and supplemental heparin midway through the dialysis run as needed to maintain adequate activated clotting times (ACTs). CHD patients received a heparin bolus, followed by initiation of heparin drip as needed to maintain adequate ACTs.

Results:  Of the 1117 patients who dialyze at the NKC, 55% were Caucasian, 21% African-American, 20% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 35% were of other ethnicity. The majority of patients were greater than 60 years (56%), while 36% ranged from 40–60 years and 13% ranged from 20–40 years. Male patients constituted 54% of patients. Diabetes was the primary cause of renal disease (36%), followed by hypertension (21%) and glomerular disease (18%). Of those patients in the home hemodialysis program (n = 45), 10 patients started daily home hemodialysis using the Aksys daily home hemodialysis system. Of those, the majority was male (100%), Caucasian (78.8%) with an average age of 46.7 ± 18 years. Glomerulonephritis was the primary cause of end-stage renal disease (40%), while the percentages of other diseases were similar [Alport's syndrome (20%), hypertension (20%) and diabetes (10%)]. Compared to initial DHD heparin requirements (10,111 ± 2219 units), CHD heparin dose requirements (6833 ± 2715 units) were significantly lower (p = 0.045); however, total heparin needs were similar between groups (10,166 ± 4380 units vs. 10,778 ± 2959 units) (p = 0.324).

Conclusion:  Although patients initiating DHD have greater initial heparin requirements than when on CHD, total heparin doses remain similar to those required on conventional thrice-weekly hemodialysis. Greater initial heparin doses required during short daily dialysis appear safe compared to those of conventional dialysis.


Mild, efficient and racemization-free synthesis of N-protected α, β-unsaturated γ-amino esters with unprecedented high E- stereoselectivity is described. This method is found to be compatible with Boc-, Fmoc- and other side chain protecting groups. The crystal conformations of the vinylogous γ-amino esters in monomers and in homo- and mixed dipeptides are studied. Further, the vinylogous homo-dipeptide showed a β-sheet conformation, while mixed α- and α,β-unsaturated γ-hybrid dipeptide adapted an irregular structure in single crystals.


Dear Madam/Sir,
The COVID-19 outbreak has swiftly changed into a worldwide pandemic. This transition has had adverse consequences for public institutions raising questions particularly for medical schools. (1) Following the pandemic, nationwide lockdown has impacted 89% of the world's student population. (2) In this Letter, our focus is to highlight the challenges faced by medical students during this prolonged period of online education concluded by some suggestions to overcome them.
A number of changes were done to address the imminent challenge of closure and improve the durability of educational systems in Pakistan. The primary shift was to plan and deliver learning sessions where students and teachers are geographically remote from each other. Online synchronous instruction sessions were quickly introduced using platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Team. (3) Although these efforts contributed to the efficient delivery of content, they also caused instructors, and learners to struggle with the process. (4)
In an underdeveloped country like Pakistan, online learning is ineffective as majority of the students lack internet facilities due to technical and financial issues. Some of the other difficulties faced by students include absence of in person interaction with the tutor, lack of immediate tutor response and absence of on campus social interaction. (5) This effect of COVID-19 became an immediate concern among medical students. They were suspended from attending their clinical training which led to reduced exposure causing a pernicious effect on exam performance.  A vast number of students missed the opportunity of doing electives abroad as most of them were cancelled due to the increasing number of cases. (6)
To conclude, e-learning did influence the quality of medical education and therefore requires a collaborative approach to address the situation. There are some points we would like to suggest. Firstly, the teaching faculty should be given proper virtual training by allotting an IT professional to each one of them. Secondly, the lectures conducted should be interactive rather than being recorded in order to increase student engagement. This should be followed by routine assessments to evaluate their knowledge retention. Lastly, online problem-based learning techniques should be implemented so that the deficit of clinical exposure can be fulfilled. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we must take this as an opportunity to develop e-learning programs which can open new horizons in distant-learning medical education.


This work proposes a new control approach for biped walking robots. Its purpose is to make human-like robots walk more smoothly and more efficiently with regard to energy. Thus, it is based on the decomposition of a step into two phases: a control phase which prepare a ballistic phase. As a first step towards more complex studies, the tools are simple and efficient: Lagrangian model, Newton's impact law, non-linear quadratic optimization problems used for trajectory planning and partial feedback linearization used for trajectory tracking. Although the final prototype will be the biped robot SHERPA, this control law has been implemented and tested on a simpler one: the cart-table. Numerous simulation results are presented with two concrete examples.


Sesbania species (Fabaceae) are a valuable plant resource in tropical agriculture. Recently, Mesoplatys ochroptera Stal (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) has become a serious pest of Sesbania species in agroforestry systems in Africa. The biology of M. ochroptera was studied in eastern Zambia and southern Malawi. Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) Wight, S. brevipedunculata Gillet, S. leptocarpa DC, S. macrantha Phil. & Hutch., S. rostrata Bremek & Obrem, S. sericea (Willd.) Link, S. sesban (L.) Merr. and S. tetraptera Hochst. ex Baker were the primary hosts of M. ochroptera in the study area. Females laid on average one egg batch per day in an oviposition period of 18-56 days. Egg batches contained 2-70 eggs. Females that were mated repeatedly produced about 1000 offspring while those mated only once produced 980 offspring. Larval development through three instars, took between 11-34 days. Pupal development occurred in the soil, and took 4-16 days. The survival and developmental periods of pre-imaginal stages differed significantly between the Sesbania species studied. The highest and lowest pre-imaginal survival was recorded on S. leptocarpa and S. rostrata, respectively. The longest developmental period of about 32 days was recorded on S. sesban while the shortest of 14 days was on S. leptocarpa. Annual activity cycle in M. ochroptera followed the unimodal rainfall pattern of southern central Africa. Beetles were only active during the rainy season (November-April) with a single population peak between February and April. Adults overwintered within and around the sesbania fallows during the long dry season (May-October) and emerged with the onset of the rains.


A consecutive series of 132 cases of reversal of sterilisation carried out in a teaching hospital in England between 1982 and 1995 was analysed. Follow-up data was obtained on 112 patients. The overall cumulative conception rate was 47% at 12 months and 55% at 24 months. Among the 71 pregnancies there were seven miscarriages (9%) and 11 ectopic pregnancies (15%). Factors affecting the outcome of surgery were examined. The pregnancy rate achieved with microsurgical techniques was significantly higher than the conventional (macrosurgical) techniques (61% v. 40%, P = 0.05). The method of sterilisation also has a significant impact on the outcome; Filshie clips 69%; Fallope ring 46%; Pomeroy technique 31% (P < 0.05). Age, associated infertility factors and the interval between sterilisation and reversal operation did not appear to have a significant impact on the outcome. When compared with IVF, reversal of sterilisation is associated with a higher ectopic rate, lower multiple pregnancy rate and a lower miscarriage rate. We conclude that reversal of sterilisation carries a higher overall success rate than IVF and is more cost effective when the method of sterilisation is by the clip or ring and when the reversal operation is carried out with microsurgical techniques.


This research examined the role of mothers' self-worth and self-improvement goals in their responses to children's performance in the United States (80% European American) and Hong Kong (100% Chinese). Mothers (N = 330) were induced to prioritize self-worth or self-improvement among children (Mage = 10.24 years; 48% girls) . Mothers induced to prioritize self-worth (vs. self-improvement) used more success-oriented responses in both regions (ds = 0.53 and 0.35). Mothers induced to prioritize self-improvement (vs. self-worth) used more failure-oriented responses only in the United States (d = 0.29). Mothers' success-oriented responses predicted more positive beliefs and affect in a cognitive task among children (βs = .10-.18). Taken together, the findings support the importance of parents' goals in the socialization process.


Operation Solo is America's greatest spy story. For 27 years, Morris Childs, code name "Agent 58," provided the United States with the Kremlin's innermost secrets. Repeatedly risking his life, "Agent 58" made 57 clandestine missions into the Soviet Union, China, Eastern Europe, and Cuba. Because of his high ranking in the American communist party and his position as editor of its official paper, the Daily Worker, he was treated like royalty by communist leaders such as Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Mao Tse-tung. Through first-hand accounts, Operation Solo tells the story of the conflicts within the FBI and American intelligence about the operation, and how the FBI, through extraordinary measures, managed to keep that operation hidden from everyone, including the CIA.


Driven by encouraging results on a wide range of tasks, the field of NLP is experiencing an accelerated race to develop bigger language models. This race for bigger models has also underscored the need to continue the pursuit of practical distillation approaches that can leverage the knowledge acquired by these big models in a compute-efficient manner. Having this goal in mind, we build on recent work to propose a hallucination-free framework for sequence tagging that is especially suited for distillation. We show empirical results of new state-of-the-art performance across multiple sequence labelling datasets and validate the usefulness of this framework for distilling a large model in a few-shot learning scenario.


Until recently, fungicides were used exclusively for disease control; however observations of physiological effects brought a new concept to the use of these products. Strobilurins have positive physiological effects on crop yield, due to the increase of liquid photosynthesis and better hormonal balance. However, boscalid complements the action of these fungicides, applied alternately or together. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of strobilurins (azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin), boscalid and the mixture of these on the physical-chemical quality of net melon fruits (Cucumis melo var. Reticulatus). The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Sao Manuel (SP), using the hybrid of Cantaloupe M2-308 net melon, the experimental design was in randomized blocks with five replicates. The treatments used were: T1 - control; T2 - azoxystrobin 60g ha-1 of active principle (a.p.); T3 - boscalid 75g ha-1 of the a.p.; T4 - pyraclostrobin 50g ha-1 of the a.p.; T5 - boscalid (37,5g ha-1) of the a.p. + pyraclostrobin (25g ha-1) of the a.p. The first application of the treatments was carried out at fourteen days after the transplanting of the seedlings and the others at seven day intervals, totaling eight applications throughout the cycle. Two fruits of each plot were collected, which were identified for analysis in the laboratory. The following characteristics were evaluated: fresh fruit mass; mesocarp thickness, pulp texture, peel trajectory, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids and the ratio. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and the averages compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability using the SISVAR program. The fruits of the plants treated with boscalid 75g ha-1 were the ones that showed higher concentration of soluble solids and low titratable acidity, resulting in a better ratio. Despite the lower value, the fruits of the plants treated with pyraclostrobin 50g ha-1 showed a high ratio value, besides presenting higher value for pulp texture. The mixture of boscalid (37.5g ha-1) + pyraclostrobin (25g ha-1) also showed high values of soluble solids which resulted in a good "ratio" value.


Fast burning rocket propellants based on ammonium perchlorate (AP) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) binders have been formulated and basically characterized in aluminized and non aluminized versions. The thermodynamic performance of PDMS bound propellants is limited by the evaporation point of silicon dioxide (crystobalite at 2863 K), which is formed during the combustion. The maximum specific impulses calculated with an expansion ratio of 70 : 1 are ISP = 2340 N s/kg (238 s) for AP/PDMS and ISP = 2430 N s/kg (247 s) for AP/Al/PDMS formulations. With a tri-modal AP-fraction of 200 μm, 30 μm and 2 μm it was possible to achieve processable propellants with 83% and 84% solid loading. They give burning rates close to 60 mm/s at 10 MPa and pressure exponents between 0.5 and 0.6 in the range of 7–25 MPa. The thermodynamic specific impulse of these systems was calculated to ISP=2319 N s/kg (236 s) for AP/PDMS and ISP=2403 N s/kg (245 s) for AP/Al/PDMS formulations at 70 : 1 expansion ratio. Measurements of the glass transition point by DMA and TMA detected a time dependent partial crystallization of the used PDMS close to TG in the temperature range from −44 °C to −60 °C. Basic tests reveal high thermal and chemical stability with flash points over 300 °C and zero detonation sensitivity at 50 mm diameter. The property profile, so far determined, tends to fulfil the demands for applications as propellants with high burning rates and operating pressures together with a high thermal stability and a low vulnerability.


Not all groups are equally likely to be subject to acts of aggression; specific subgroups are more likely to be victimized. For example, youth who identify as a sexual minority are more likely to be victims of traditional forms of bullying than their heterosexual friends. There has been less research, however, on population subgroups and the likelihood of becoming a victim of cyber aggression. In exploring this topic, this chapter examines several questions including, "How important is the amount of time spent online as an intermediate variable in predicting whether an individual will become a victim of cyber aggression?" and "Does sexual orientation impact the likelihood of being a victim of cyberaggression above and beyond the amount of time spent online?" Multivariate statistical methods and survey data from the Pew Research Center for the year 2014 was used in this analysis.


State politics scholars often confront data situations where the explanatory variables in a model are highly related to each other. Such multicollinearity ("MC") makes it difficult to identify the independent effect that each of these variables has on the outcome of interest. In an effort to circumvent MC, researchers sometimes drop collinear variables from the regression model. Using simulated data, we demonstrate the implications that MC has for statistical estimation and the potential for introducing bias that the omitting-variables approach generates. We also discuss MC in the context of multiplicative interaction models, using research on the influence of the initiative on policy responsiveness as an applied example. We conclude with advice for researchers faced with MC in their datasets.


This paper examines the integrated toy--both physical and virtual--as an essential resource for collaborative learning. This learning incorporates rehabilitation, training, and education. The data derived from two different cases. Pedagogical issues related to non-formal learning and open-ended features of design are discussed. Findings suggest that social, material, and expressive affordances constitute a base for an alterative interface to encourage children's play and learning.


In this paper, we consider optimizing a smooth, convex, lower semicontinuous function in Riemannian space with constraints. To solve the problem, we first convert it to a dual problem and then propose a general primal-dual algorithm to optimize the primal and dual variables iteratively. In each optimization iteration, we employ a proximal operator to search optimal solution in the primal space. We prove convergence of the proposed algorithm and show its non-asymptotic convergence rate. By utilizing the proposed primal-dual optimization technique, we propose a novel metric learning algorithm which learns an optimal feature transformation matrix in the Riemannian space of positive definite matrices. Preliminary experimental results on an optimal fund selection problem in fund of funds (FOF) management for quantitative investment showed its efficacy.


Polymer gel dosimeters have proven to be useful for three-dimensional radiation dosimetry in clinical radiation therapy. However, more study and development work is needed to quantify and further understand the dose response mechanism, with the goal of improving the dosimeters. In this work we seek to determine the diameter of the polymer particles formed upon irradiation, for a range of irradiation dose rates. It is expected that this information will be used to further understand the actual formation of polymer in the gelatin matrix, and how it affects the relaxation of water in the dosimeter as measured with magnetic resonance imaging or optical methods.


It was projected that the population of Enugu State will grow at approximately 300% by the year 2020. This is true considering the 3,237,298 population figure of the area in the year 1991. Accommodation problems and lowering of peoples standard of living are always associated with over population. It therefore, becomes necessary to map out areas on a sustainable basis and most suitable for the siting of residential buildings to accommodate the teeming population. Land capability index mapping using Geographic Information System (GIS) principles was used for this study. The study was undertaken using Arc View 3.2a academic, Micro soft Excel statistical software and integrated land and water information system software (ILWIS). A total of 12 land use determinants were selected as thematic data layers and basic factors influencing the choice of residential landuse. Soil characteristics and geology were integrated into the thematic maps to facilitate the weighting of the basic determinants. The thematic layers were weighted on a scale of 0%-100% and 0-2 inclusive, using the criteria obtained from field work and laboratory investigation. The thematic layers were subjected to overlay using Arcview software overlay model builder. The operation yielded a layer of preferred residential landuse options in a map form. Three areas of varying suitabilities resulted from this operation, and includes areas suitable for residential landuse-options, and occupies 10% of the study area. Others are areas of low suitability (60%) and areas unsuitable for residential landuse, which occupies 30%.


The U.S.S. Enterprise is forced into a quest for The Devil's Heart--a legendary artifact believed to be a talisman of the Darkness. Captain Picard discovers the truth behind the ages-old secret--whoever holds the Devil's Heart possesses power beyond all imagining. On the heels of The New York Times bestsellers Reunion and Imzadi comes a third thrilling Next Generation hardcover.


In this paper, the delay-dependent non-fragile H infinity control for a class of fuzzy descriptor time-delay systems is investigated. A non-fragile controller via state feedback is proposed, which guarantees the closed-loop system to be regular, impulse free, asymptotically stable and satisfies the H infinity norm constrain. The sufficient conditions for the solvability of this controller design problem are presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.


In recent years the frequency of operations for cryptorchism has been increasing, as evidence by operation protocols of boys qualified for treatment and operated on by the same surgeon in certain years. The principles of qualification for surgical treatment was evaluated on the basis of testicle position during and after the operation, testicle size, presence of inguinal hernia sac or patent vaginal peritoneal processes. It was found that the increase in the number of these operations in the hospital was not due to changes of these principles. Possible causes of increased frequency of these operations are discussed.


The Psychologists Dilemma Game
Rene van Hezewijk and Henderikus Stam

Among the recurrent cleavages that define 20th century psychology is the deep division between psychologies that distance the psychologist from the phenomenon under investigation from those that engage the question under investigation from the perspective of the reflexive capacities of the psychologist as one among other human beings and/or members of a specific culture. Most obvious was the emergence – in the late nineteenth century – of phenomenology, an explicit philosophical position in the debate on the foundations of science. Although the label "phenomenological psychology" is now widely and loosely applied to a range of methods that bear little resemblance to the debates of the early 20th century, the mid-20th century attempt to create a unique phenomenological psychology was successful in establishing an alternative position, albeit ever so briefly, within the discipline. The later incarnations of humanistic psychologies and social constructionisms owe their initial form to this debate.

As early as 1890 William James articulated the Psychologists' Fallacy (the "great snare of the psychologist") as the "confusion of his own standpoint with that of the mental fact about which he is making his report" (p. 196). Although this could be read as a critique of introspection, and James meant it as such in part, it is also a critique of the failure to recognize the reflexive nature of psychologists' claims. For James, "we must avoid substituting what we know the consciousness is, for what it is a consciousness of, and counting its outward, and so to speak physical, relations with other facts of the world, in among the objects of which we set it down as aware" (James, 1890, p. 197) .

North American psychology after World War II however took its purpose clearly to be the psychology that was capable at every turn of demonstrating the limits of human subjectivity. Both behaviorism and cognitive psychology premised on the thesis that behavioral continuities could provide the mechanism by which one might articulate the features of the system. Social psychology, in the meantime, adopted a version of experimentation whose functions were to demonstrate that human beings were fallible and incapable of cognizing the determinants of their own actions.

On the one hand the psychologist takes the standpoint that seems capable of recapitulating recreating from scratch the determinants governing the behavior of persons without ever involving the background or tacit knowledge of the recreating psychologist him or herself. On the other hand the psychologist is supposed to be incapable of understanding and explaining the behavior of a person without using knowledge of the meanings those persons employ. The first type of psychologist is not – or does not want to be – aware of the implicit knowledge they need for understanding behavior, the second type of psychologist is vulnerable to the fads and fallacies to which every human being in every culture is vulnerable.

Interestingly, we now find psychologists of the first type that meet the boundaries of their rationalism when they find that some of the alleged fads and fallacies are very clever after all. Survival seems more successful if we ignore the explicit knowledge that one's behavior is fallacy-bound. For instance Gerd Gigerenzer claims that fallacies are not fallacious after all; they are fallacies only in the light of theories claiming truth or justice or rightness in situations that are ecologically irrational. (Bargh, Gollwitzer, Lee-Chai, Barndollar, & Trotschel, 2001; Gigerenzer, 2007; Wegner, 2002)

In trying to find a counter instance of the latter, we have an interesting example in the work of Johannes Linschoten (1925-1964), a one time member of the Utrecht School. Referring and adding to earlier presentations in the ESHHS conferences we think we have found a way to understand the allegedly significant "paradigm switch" from phenomenology to positivism, or the "conversion to positivism" of Johannes Linschoten in his "Idols" (Linschoten, 1964). We even have a better understanding of why Linschoten used the word "Idols", which he borrowed from Francis Bacon.

Bargh, J. A., Gollwitzer, P. M., Lee-Chai, A., Barndollar, K., & Trotschel, R. (2001). The Automated Will: Nonconscious Activation and Pursuit of Behavioral Goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(6), 1014-1027.
Gigerenzer, G. (2007). Gut feelings : the intelligence of the unconscious. New York: Viking.
James, W. (1890). Principles of Psychology, vol. 1&2. New York: Dover.
Linschoten, J. (1964). Idolen van de psycholoog (Idols of the psychologist) (2nd ed.). Utrecht: Bijleveld.
Wegner, D. (2002). The illusion of conscious will. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.


Abstract Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer represents a variety of strategies employed by tumor cells to evade the beneficial cytotoxic effects of structurally different anticancer drugs and thus confers impediments to the successful treatment of cancers. Efflux of drugs by MDR protein-1, functional P-glycoprotein and elevated level of reduced glutathione confer resistance to cell death or apoptosis and thus provide a possible therapeutic target for overcoming MDR in cancer. Previously, we reported that a Schiff base ligand, potassium-N-(2-hydroxy 3-methoxy-benzaldehyde)-alaninate (PHMBA) overcomes MDR in both in vivo and in vitro by targeting intrinsic apoptotic/necrotic pathway through induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study describes the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a copper chelate of Schiff base, viz., copper (II)-N-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde)-alaninate (CuPHMBA) and the underlying mechanism of cell death induced by CuPHMBA in vitro. CuPHMBA kills both the drug-resistant and sensitive cell types irrespective of their drug resistance phenotype. The cell death induced by CuPHMBA follows apoptotic pathway and moreover, the cell death is associated with intrinsic mitochondrial and extrinsic receptor-mediated pathways. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the process as proved by the fact that antioxidant enzyme; polyethylene glycol conjugated-catalase completely blocked CuPHMBA-induced ROS generation and abrogated cell death. To summarize, the present work provides a compelling rationale for the future clinical use of CuPHMBA, a redox active copper chelate in the treatment of cancer patients, irrespective of their drug-resistance status.


The neurobiological contributions to anorexia nervosa (AN) remain poorly understood, hindering the development of effective neurobiological treatments such as medications and brain stimulation. A large number of studies have been undertaken utilising neuroimaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to gain a better understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in the illness. However, the analyses undertaken by many studies have utilised a whole-brain analytical approach as much of this research has been exploratory in nature. This is, however, problematic as small brain regions that differ between groups may not have the statistical power to produce statistically significant results. This is highlighted in a recent study undertaken by our group utilising diffusion-weighted imaging. In this research, we identified widespread white matter microstructural differences in individuals with AN, but only showed differences in a small brain region (the superior colliculus) when a region-of-interest approach that was driven by behavioural findings was utilised. The importance of hypothesis-driven neuroimaging analyses is discussed in this article.


Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, founding Director of the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (DCCN, 1999), and professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Radboud University, all located in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, PETER HAGOORT examines how the brain controls language production and comprehension. He was one of the first to integrate psychological theory and models from neuroscience in an attempt to understand how the human language faculty is instantiated in the brain.


Abstract The impacts of an innovative programme in rural Bangladesh, which has assisted extremely poor households, literally the poorest of the poor, were assessed over a six-year period (2002–2008). The provision of a substantial dose of assets has helped produce very positive results, by and large. Vulnerability to downturns on account of negative events, such as illnesses and house damage, has resulted in asset losses for several assisted households. Additional measures that reduce vulnerability and risk will help complete the good work commenced by the asset transfer plan.


Exploring the effective ways of start-up financing is an important and practical issue to technological innovation and economic development. This paper aims to investigate the impacts of information asymmetry on the high-tech start-up financing preference, and whether an entrepreneur's internationality features moderate the main effects. A sample of 500 high-tech start-ups and new ventures was collected at Shenzhen, China. Regression models are designated for testing both the main effects predicted in research hypotheses and the predicted moderating role of an entrepreneur's internationality features. Our test results lead to 3 findings: firstly, in the high-tech industries, the information asymmetry mitigated by disclosing intellectual properties can significantly increase the start-up preference for external financing. This finding can be explained by the reduction of agency costs of debts. Secondly, the lessened information asymmetry can shorten the life cycle of start-up financing under the pecking order hypothesis. Lastly, the liability of foreignness is observed to have a significant positive moderating role on the main effects under the investigation. It can be concluded that the information asymmetry and the liability of foreignness are crucial factors influencing start-up financing decisions.This conclusion implies that reducing the information asymmetry by adequately disclosing technological strength and tacit knowledge can benefit the entrepreneurial financing for the high-tech start-ups and new ventures at the early stages, as well as provide an effective shortcut to the start-up financing cycle. Furthermore, the introduction of overseas technologies, funds, knowledge, experiences, and entrepreneurship into the high-tech start-ups does not create the liability of foreignness, and on the contrary, it is an "asset" that can help improve entrepreneurial financing decisions.


We derive asymptotic expansions of the distributions of test statistics for over-identifying restrictions in a system of simultaneous equations under the null and the non-null hypotheses. We investigate the effects of the normality assumption for disturbances on the test statistics based on their asymptotic expansions. We also study the power functions of test statistics based on their asymptotic expansions. After modifying their critical regions to the same significance level, the power function of Basmann's statistic is larger than that of the likelihood ratio test when the variance of disturbances is sufficiently small. However, the difference in powers of the two test statistics disappears as the sample size grows larger.


When the numerical display devices with 7 segments were minutely observed on segments constituting figures, the luminous unevenness within a segment and the luminous difference among each segments had been found. If the luminous unevenness exists, visual impression is not only bad, but it is feared to cause misreading by decreasing the visibility of figures. Then various tests were carried to investigate throughly the relations between the luminous unevenness and visibility. The following results were given from the various tests. (1) The permissible luminous difference was 1.4% to 4.2% among segments with rated luminance. (2) The luminous ununiformity caused from figures have given the different visibility and also shown the more difference of the threshold to recognize figures.


Abstract This article examines problems of parole application in Lithuania. The research applies a qualitative study in order to learn the peculiarities of the work and decision-making of judges and parole boards. Additionally, this study analyzes social research reports, filled out by staff in correctional facilities. This study covers as many factors influencing parole application as possible, and takes into account the peculiarities of the particular parole stages. Conclusions of this study should help theorists and practitioners see parole application from the point of view of judges and parole board members. Moreover, this work should encourage dialogue between judges, prison staff and community members not only in Lithuania, but, also in other countries.


Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)2a is known to be genetically linked to a locus on chromosome 10. The application of polymorphic DNA probes (RFLP) for the region made presymptomatic diagnosis possible. The validity and significance of genetic diagnosis has been proved in Caucasian MEN2a families in terms of early diagnosis and cure. In addition, non-carriers of the gene can be discriminated with a high degree of certainty and can be relieved from years of conventional screening program. An example of genetic diagnosis in a Japanese MEN2a family is shown. DNA analysis was done employing MEN203 as a probe. The usefulness of genetic diagnosis was confirmed in Japanese as well as Caucasians. Clinical consideration in carrying DNA analysis and the future of genetic diagnosis is also discussed.


An alveolar-pleural fistula is a communication between the pulmonary parenchyma distal to a segmental bronchus and the pleural space. A postoperative pulmonary expiratory air leak after an anatomic pulmonary resection is usually managed conservatively. The use of endobronchial valves is a minimal invasive method that may be effective for the treatment of a persistent postoperative pulmonary air leak. We present and discuss the advantages of a digital thoracic drainage system for the accurate, objective and reproducible air leak assessment during endobronchial valve placement. Our case also illustrates that, even after lobectomy, lobar exclusion with valves allows air leak resolution without atelectasis and with moderate functional alteration. We discuss the anatomic and physiologic changes induced by valves placed for air leak closure.


OncomiRs miR-21 and miR-155 have been linked to lymphomagenesis, but information on their implication in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is limited. Here, we used locked nucleic acid-based in situ hybridization (ISH) detection techniques on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded DLBCL tissue samples to identify miR-155 and miR-21 at the cellular level in 56 patients diagnosed with DLBCL, and compared them to miR array data. miR-155 was observed in tumor cells in 19/56 (33.9%) of the samples evaluated by ISH. miR-21 was localized to the stromal compartment in 41/56 (73.2%). A subset of these, 16/56 (28.6%), also showed labeling in tumor cells. When comparing ISH-scores and miR array data, miR-155 in tumor cells, identified by ISH, was associated with miR-155 expression in miR array data (P=0.030). Equally, miR-21 expression by miR array data were highly associated with miR-21 ISH-scores in the stromal cells (P=0.002), whereas no association between miR array data and ISH of miR-21 in tumor cells was observed (P=0.673). We found no association of miR-155 and miR-21 with overall survival or germinal center B-cell–like (GCB) versus non-GCB–like subtypes of DLBCL. In conclusion, miR-ISH added to the biological interpretation of miR expression in DLBCL compared with miR array data, but miR-155 and miR-21 ISH did not add prognostic information in this series.


The effects of indium channel implant energy on short-channel effect (SCE) and narrow channel effect (NCE) were studied on NMOS devices down to 0.1 /spl mu/m channel length. An anomalous crossover in Vth roll-off curves was observed, for the first time, on indium-implanted splits with different implant energies. This intriguing finding, together with the observed reduction in reverse narrow channel effect (RNCE) and effective channel length with reducing indium implant energy, can be consistently explained by the suppression of transient enhanced diffusion (TED) of channel impurity due to indium deactivation.


Objective The objective of this study was to measure the efficacy of various types and dosages of statins on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with dyslipidemia or coronary heart disease. Methods Randomized controlled trials were searched from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, OpenGray, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for data extraction and synthesis. The pairwise meta-analysis compared statins and controls using a random-effects model, and a network meta-analysis compared the types and dosages of statins using the Bayesian random-effects model. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42021242067. Results The study included 37 randomized controlled trials with 17,410 participants and 20 interventions. According to the pairwise meta-analysis, statins significantly decreased CRP levels compared to controls (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−1.31, −0.64], P < 0.0001). In the network meta-analysis, simvastatin 40 mg/day appeared to be the best strategy for lowering CRP (Rank P = 0.18, WMD = −4.07, 95% CI = [−6.52, −1.77]). The same was true for the high-sensitivity CRP, non-acute coronary syndrome (ACS), <12 months duration, and clear measurement subgroups. In the CRP subgroup (rank P = 0.79, WMD = −1.23, 95% CI = [−2.48, −0.08]) and ≥12-month duration subgroup (Rank P = 0.40, WMD = −2.13, 95% CI = [−4.24, −0.13]), atorvastatin 80 mg/day was most likely to be the best. There were no significant differences in the dyslipidemia and ACS subgroups (P > 0.05). Node-splitting analysis showed no significant inconsistency (P > 0.05), except for the coronary heart disease subgroup. Conclusion Statins reduced serum CRP levels in patients with dyslipidemia or coronary heart disease. Simvastatin 40 mg/day might be the most effective therapy, and atorvastatin 80 mg/day showed the best long-term effect. This study provides a reference for choosing statin therapy based on LDL-C and CRP levels.


Internal mold release offers the potential for significant increases in the productivity of reaction injection molded polyurethanes. This paper discusses the requirements for internal release formulations, their economic advantages, and various approaches which are under development. Mathematical modelling indicates that approaches which provide around 20 moldings per application of external spray will offer a high percentage of the maximum possible productivity benefit that could be attained with no spray requirement.


Although American traditional medicine (ATM) has been practiced for millennia, its complex multi-target mechanisms of therapeutic action remain poorly understood. Animal models are widely used to elucidate the therapeutic effects of various ATMs, including their modulation of brain and behavior. Complementing rodent models, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a promising novel organism in translational neuroscience and neuropharmacology research. Here, we emphasize the growing value of zebrafish for testing neurotropic effects of ATMs and outline future directions of research in this field. We also demonstrate the developing utility of zebrafish as complementary models for probing CNS mechanisms of ATM action and their potential to treat brain disorders.


Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in the Middle East region and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Strict strategies are needed for prevention, diagnosis and management of HBV infection. Reviewing literature about seroepidemilogy and modes of infection transmission in Iran and Pakistan performed. Iran is in low endemicity and Pakistan in intermediate endemicity of HBV infection, now. Therapeutic injections, vertical transmission, transfusion, cultural and special traditions like ear, nose piercing, and high risk groups are important risk factors in Pakistan. Prevalence of HBV infection is still significant in children. High risk behaviors, including injection drug use (IDU) and sexual contact are main routes of HBV transmission in Iran. Intensifying vaccination of high risk groups and control on interfamily transmission in both countries is necessary. Effective coverage of HBV vaccination, has more control on therapeutic injections, screening pregnant women for HBV infection, and follow-up of babies of the HBsAg positive mothers in Pakistan is recommended. Regional collaboration of the two countries may overcome the spread of infection by promoting universal vaccination in all provinces of Pakistan, screening of hepatitis B, education, and surveillance in high risk groups of Iran. To implicate effective vaccination by regional and international health units, and


Abstract This communication summarizes the available data on work-related determinants of health in Central America. The Central American working population is young and moving from agriculture toward industry and services. Ethnicity, gender, migration, subemployment and precarious work, informality, rural conditions, low-level educational, poverty, ubiquitous worksite health hazards, insufficient occupational health services, low labor inspection density, and weak unions define the constellation of social determinants of workers' health in Central America. Data are, however, scanty both for hazards and work-related illnesses and injuries. Governments and industries have the responsibility of opening decent work opportunities, especially for those facing multiple inequalities in social determinants of health. A first step would be the ratification and implementation of the ILO Convention (187) on occupational safety and health by the seven national governments of the region.


Recently, low-cost adsorbents from sustainable sources are required for the remediation of textile wastewater. Carbonized Orange Peels (COPs) was utilized in remediating colour, Zinc and Copper from textile wastewater. The initial and final pH, colour and trace metals' composition of the wastewater used were determined for the adsorption processes. Batch adsorption experiment was carried out on COPs and textile wastewater's mixture to find effects of COP's dosage, agitation, pH and contact time on the colour, Zinc and Copper's removal from the wastewater. The adsorption isotherms and kinetic studies were conducted using Langmuir, Freundlich, Pseudo-first-order and Pseudo-second-order models. Findings established that the optimum removal of colour, Zinc and Copper respectively occurred at an adsorbent dosage of 2.5, 0.5 and 3.0 g/100ml, pH of 10, 4 and 2, rotating speed of 100, 250 and 250 rpm, contact time of 40, 60, and 40 mins. The adsorption isotherms revealed only copper adsorption as optimum and well fitted Langmuir isotherm. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model best suited adsorption data of the colour and metal ions with high correlation coefficient (R2) exceeding 0.95. Conclusively, COPs is effective in remediating the colour, copper and zinc from the wastewater, thus, recommended as suitable adsorbent for treatment of textile wastewater


Human p32 was first isolated associated with the splicing factor ASF/SF-2. The p32 protein is translated as pre-protein from which a mitochondrial import signal is cleaved off to create the mature p32. The majority of p32 is consequently found in the mitochondria. In this study we investigated extramitochondrial p32. An increased nuclear localisation of endogenous p32 was demonstrated as a response to leptomycin B or actinomycin D treatment of cells. Mature p32 gene and deletion mutants were cloned into enhanced green fluorescence protein reporter plasmids. On transfection, EGFP-p32 protein was mainly localised to the cytoplasm and to a lesser extent to the nucleus of transfected COS cells. Upon treatment with actinomycin D or leptomycin B, the EGFP-p32 protein accumulated in the nucleus. Deletion analysis indicated which regions of EGFP-p32 are involved in nuclear export and nuclear import.


This study seeks to provide empirical evidence about how health-related questions are answered in text reference service to further the understanding of how to best use texting as a reference service venue to fulfill people's health information needs. Two hundred health reference transactions from My Info Quest, the first nationwide collaborative text reference service, were analyzed to identify the types of questions, length of transactions, question-answering behavior, and information sources used in the transactions. Findings indicate that texting-based health reference transactions are usually brief and cover a wide variety of topics. The most popular questions are those seeking general factual information about the human body, medical/health conditions, diseases, or medical concepts/jargons. Great variance is discovered between the question-answering behavior, with only a little more than half of the answers containing a citation to information sources. The study will inform the practice of health reference service via texting and help libraries make evidence-based decisions on establishing service policies and procedures, providing training for librarians, and ultimately implementing the service successfully. Note: In this paper, transcriptions of text reference questions are entered verbatim, without attempt to correct spelling or grammar.


Using two-dimensional simulations of sheared, brittle solids, we characterize the resulting fragmentation and explore its underlying critical nature. Under quasistatic loading, a power-law distribution of fragment masses emerges after fracture which grows with increasing strain. With increasing strain rate, the maximum size of a grain decreases and a shallower distribution is produced. We propose a scaling theory for distributions based on a fractal scaling of the largest mass with system size in the quasistatic limit or with a correlation length that diverges as a power of rate in the finite-rate limit. Critical exponents are measured using finite-size scaling techniques.


We propose two linear bandits algorithms with per-step complexity sublinear in the number of arms $K$. The algorithms are designed for applications where the arm set is extremely large and slowly changing. Our key realization is that choosing an arm reduces to a maximum inner product search (MIPS) problem, which can be solved approximately without breaking regret guarantees. Existing approximate MIPS solvers run in sublinear time. We extend those solvers and present theoretical guarantees for online learning problems, where adaptivity (i.e., a later step depends on the feedback in previous steps) becomes a unique challenge. We then explicitly characterize the tradeoff between the per-step complexity and regret. For sufficiently large $K$, our algorithms have sublinear per-step complexity and $\tilde O(\sqrt{T})$ regret. Empirically, we evaluate our proposed algorithms in a synthetic environment and a real-world online movie recommendation problem. Our proposed algorithms can deliver a more than 72 times speedup compared to the linear time baselines while retaining similar regret.


Background/Objective: It's estimated that roughly 13 million older adults will suffer from dementia in the United States by 2050 and over 30% of adults ≥65 years own a firearm. There is a lack of information on the attitudes of older adult firearm owners in the Midwest regarding management of firearms and dementia. The study's aim was to survey geriatric trauma patients about firearm ownership, storage, and planning for cognitive decline.
Methods: Patients were approached for study participation if they were admitted to the trauma service at an urban academic level I trauma center, aged ≥60 years, and own or live with a firearm. Participants were approached in person and if they agreed to participate, an anonymous survey was conducted during their admission. Our primary outcome was rate at which participants would consider having a planning conversation following survey participation if they had not already done so. Results were analyzed for thematic trends.
Results: Over the study, 50 patients were approached with 19 (38%) meeting inclusion criteria. Of the eligible participants, 10 (~53%) were successfully enrolled. There was an equal male-to-female participation rate with an age range of 61-85 years. Twenty percent (n=2) of participants had previous conversations with family members about firearm management and dementia. After survey participation, 70% (n=7) of participants intended to have planning conversations. A theme of giving firearm responsibility to others emerged in response to prompting participant's biggest concern of firearm management and dementia.
Conclusion and Potential Impact: Sixty percent (n=6) of participants expressed a desire to have new planning conversations with family after survey participation, which met the primary outcome of the study. Further work to assess barriers to study participation is ongoing. These results have the potential to better inform educational interventions for adult firearm owners to guide conversation and outline available resources.


The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 requires the Federal Aviation Administration to integrate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, into the national airspace system by September of this year. Yet perhaps because of their chilling accuracy in targeted killings abroad, perhaps because of an increasing consciousness of diminishing privacy more generally, and perhaps simply because of a fear of the unknown, divergent UAV-restrictive legislation has been proposed in Congress and enacted in a number of states. Ultimately, given UAV utility and cost effectiveness over a vast range of tasks, widespread commercial use seems certain. So it is imperative to understand the constitutional restraints on public flight and constitutional protections afforded private flight. Unfortunately, while there are a few Fourth Amendment precedents in manned aviation, they are mired not only in 1980s technology but also in the 1980s third party doctrine, and therefore do not reflect more recent Fourth Amendment developments and doctrinal fissures. Furthermore, there is considerable uncertainty over First Amendment protection of information gathering — is there, for example, a right to record? And there is no judicial or scholarly analysis of how UAV flight fits within contemporary First Amendment forum doctrine, a framework which provides a useful starting point for analyzing speech restrictions in government-controlled airspace, but which comes with some uncertainties of its own. It is into this thicket that we dive, but fortunately some clarity emerges. While the Fourth Amendment third party doctrine hopelessly misunderstands privacy and therefore under-protects our security and liberty interests, the Supreme Court's manned flyover cases can be mined for a sensible public disclosure doctrine that seems agnostic as to the various Fourth Amendment conceptions: we do not typically require only law enforcement to shield its eyes. Of course, both constitutions and legislation can place special restrictions upon law enforcement, and sometimes doing so makes good sense. But as a general Fourth Amendment matter, the officer may do — and see — as the citizen would. Hence to understand Fourth Amendment regulation we must understand how the First Amendment limits government restraint on speech-relevant private UAV flight. We analyze the developing right to record and apply contemporary forum doctrine to this novel means of speech and information gathering. If navigable airspace is treated as a limited public forum, as we propose with some qualification, then the Federal Aviation Administration will have significant — though not unlimited — regulatory leeway to evenhandedly burden speech-related UAV activities where doing so would reasonably promote safe unmanned and manned flight operations. However, the agency would likely need further congressional action before it can restrict UAV flight based on privacy rather than safety concerns. As the legality and norms of private flight correspondingly take shape, they will inform Fourth Amendment restrictions on government use.


This paper proposes a new control method in Phase-Shifted Full-bridge converter for the server power supply, which is wide delay time of lagging-leg switches under the light load conditions. By widening the delay time, the switching is achieved at the lower drain-source voltage and switching loss can be reduced under the light load conditions. The voltage stress of synchronous rectifier switches is also reduced. Without additional power devices and side-effects at heavy load condition, the higher efficiency under the light load conditions can be obtained. The analysis and experimental results are presented in the paper to confirm the validity of this study.


The solar EUV flux is a key quantity for studying solar-terrestrial interactions. Difficulties in continuously measuring the calibrated spectrum has led to a widespread use of proxies instead, whose results are often far from being satisfactory. We consider a different approach, in which the full EUV spectrum is reconstructed from the measurement of a few, carefully selected spectral lines. Using a statistical approach based on classification techniques, and physical criteria, we propose a basic set of 14 lines, from which all the salient features of the spectrum between 26 and 194 nm can be reconstructed with high accuracy. The best results are achieved with a selection of 5 to 9 of these lines.


Purposes: The purposes of this study were to determine whether the contact lens solution RevitaLens Ocutec (containing the antimicrobial agents alexidine and polyquaternium-1) would inhibit Fusarium organisms when heated in ReNu plastic bottles; whether alexidine would inhibit Fusarium organisms when heated in non-ReNu plastic bottles; and whether an alexidine-neutralizing compound leaches from heated ReNu bottles. Methods: RevitaLens and an alexidine solution (0.00045%), previously stored in ReNu bottles at room temperature (RT) and 56°C, were incubated with 7 different Fusarium organisms. The alexidine solution was similarly stored in seven non-ReNu plastic bottles and incubated with these same organisms. To determine if an alexidine-neutralizing compound might be leaching from heated ReNu bottles, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was incubated at RT and 56°C in ReNu bottles, combined with alexidine, and then tested for anti-Fusarium capability. Results: After being heated in ReNu bottles, RevitaLens retained its anti-Fusarium capability, whereas the alexidine solution did not. The alexidine solution heated in seven non-ReNu plastic bottles retained its anti-Fusarium capability. The alexidine solution retained its anti-Fusarium capability when incubated with a PBS solution that had been heated in ReNu bottles, indicating, microbiologically, that an alexidine-neutralizing compound did not leach from the heated ReNu bottle. Conclusions: Alexidine uniquely fails to inhibit Fusarium organisms when heated in a plastic ReNu bottle, but not in seven other plastic bottles, whereas the anti-Fusarium capability of RevitaLens (containing the antimicrobial agents alexidine and polyquaternium-1) is unaffected by heating in a ReNu bottle. There does not seem to be an alexidine-neutralizing compound leaching from heated ReNu bottles. An interaction between alexidine and its heated ReNu bottle may have been a critical factor in the worldwide ReNu with MoistureLoc-related Fusarium keratitis event of 2004 to 2006.


The high-Tc Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu oxide superconductor with a critical current density Jc=1630 A cm-2 at 77 K has been prepared and high-Tc properties have been observed in this system. The zero-resistance transition temperatures T(c0)=120.3 K and Tc(AC chi )=119 K were observed by resistance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, respectively. The stability and reproduction of the materials are absolutely necessary. Thermal characteristics were investigated.


n an imperfect market situation, an organization has to plan a superior product development, advertise it using all promotional tools and strategies to create awareness. The essence is to uphold the superior strength of such products. This I study is aimed at examining the role of advertising in creating awareness on sales in Cadbury Nigeria plc. Data required for this study was gathered from two sources, the first from a field study and the second from text books, journals and past studies. The population for this study was 195 employees in the marketing and sales department of Cadbury Nigeria plc. Lagos, the sample size derived from the population was 131. Questionnaires were administered for elicitation of relevant responses and data gathered were analyzed using simple percentage and frequency tables and finally hypothesis test was carried out using regression with the aid of statistical package for social science (SPSS). Result indicated there is a significant relationship between advertising and awareness of Cadbury Nigeria's products R= 90.2%, R2 = 83.8%.This study recommends that organizations should invest more resources in advertisement as a means of creating proper awareness of their products/services.


We show that
Einstein's famous formula E = mc2 is actually the sum of
two quantum parts, namely E = mc2/22 of the quantum particle
and E = mc2 (21/22) of the quantum wave. We use first Magueijo-Smolin's
VSL theory to derive the relevant equation and then validate our results using 'tHooft-Veltman's
dimensional regularization. All in all our result confirms the COBE, WMAP,
Planck and super nova cosmic measurements with astonishing precision.


Microfilariae have been reported as coincidental findings with various neoplasms. We present a case in which microfilariae were encountered in fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) smears from a 10‐yr‐old boy who presented with a lytic lesion in the diaphysis of the right tibial bone. Stained aspirates from the swelling were composed of a dispersed population of small round cells with scanty to vacuolated cytoplasm. Two sheathed microfilariae with several nuclei and cephalic and caudal clearing were identified. A diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma with presence of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti was made. The diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma was confirmed on histopathology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2003;29:31–32. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The ductility, toughness, and resistance to tensile cracking of clays can be improved with the inclusion of short fibers. Tire buffings are derived from the tire retread process and because of their elongated shape, may be used as fiber inclusions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the drained and undrained shear strength of mixtures of clay and tire buffings. Mixtures of silty low plasticity kaolinitic clay and 10% by dry weight of tire buffings were compacted at both Standard and Modified compaction energy. Consolidated-drained and consolidated-undrained triaxial tests were run at confining stresses ranging from 50 to 300 kPa . Preshear and postshear permeability tests were conducted. Results showed that the peak strength of the composite is comparable to or greater than that of clay alone when tested at confining stresses below 200–300 kPa . Above this threshold, the presence of inclusions tends to degrade the strength of the clay. Changes in permeability were not significant.


One effect of the development communication and technology is infinite space and time in doing communication. In the past, written communication was done by using letter, but nowadays communication can be done quickly, easily and cost-effective one. It could be done by using SMS (Short Massage Service). However, it shows the reality of the absence of a clear convention about how to write SMS text creating a style of language, especially among English students of UMMY Solok. Based on the observations and interviews, the writer found that the number of lectureres complained about the contents of SMS text messages sent by students primarily in asking permission to lecturers. This coupled with the increasingly widespread slang languange often used by students. This indicates that the language used in students' SMS requested permission from the lecturers are still having problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the style of language used in SMS while student requested permission from lecturers and in order to find out lecturers' respond to the SMS. This research is a descriptive study that takes data from SMS text English department students that have been collected during one semester semester 2014/2015. Data were also obtained based on the interview to the English language lecturer. This study is expected to be the basis of empirical how ethical language student asked permission in the use of SMS medium to  lecturers and also gives contribution to the development of instructional media, especially in English corespondence subject for English Department. Keywords: Language style, SMS, English Student.


Source waters and flow paths of streamflow draining high‐elevation catchments of the Colorado Rocky Mountains were determined using isotopic and geochemical tracers during the 1996 snowmelt runoff season at two subcatchments of the Green Lakes Valley, Colorado Front Range. A two‐component hydrograph separation using δ18O indicates that new water dominated (82 ± 6%) streamflow at the 8‐ha Martinelli catchment and old water dominated (64 ± 2%) at the 225‐ha Green Lake 4 (GL4) catchment. Snowmelt became isotopically enriched as the melt season progressed, complicating the interpretation of source water models. Thus old water may be underestimated if the temporal variation in δ18O of snowmelt is ignored or extrapolated from point measurements to the catchment. Two‐component hydrograph separations for unreacted and reacted waters using a single geochemical tracer were not always meaningful. Three‐component hydrograph separations using end‐member mixing analysis indicated that subsurface flow contributed more than two thirds to the streamflow at both catchments. Talus fields contributed more than 40% of the total discharge during summer at the GL4 catchment. A conceptual model was established for flow generation based on these results. It is suggested that surface water and groundwater interactions are much more important to the quantity and quality of surface water in high‐elevation catchments than previously thought.


The present invention provides a technique for transmitting data to a mobile device. The system receives the data request from the mobile device. The identification system filter criteria associated with the mobile device. The filtering criteria are applied to a set of data, identifying a particular data element satisfies the filter criteria. Then, the identified data elements are transmitted to the mobile device.


ABSTRACT There are over 30 species in the marine bacterial genus Pseudoalteromonas. However, our knowledge about this genus is still limited. We sequenced the genomes of type strains of seven species in the genus, facilitating the study of the physiology, adaptation, and evolution of this genus.


PurposeTo investigate the distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) and cup properties in a colony of rhesus monkeys that has had no outside genetic input since 1938 (approximately 12 generations). This sample of sequestered monkeys is significantly larger than any previously reported. Comparisons are made with a sample of random-source monkeys to develop population estimates defining the limits of normalcy. MethodsThe IOP and cup/disc ratio estimates were collected from 701 eyes of 354 adult rhesus monkeys from the closed colony on Cayo Santiago. Puerto Rico. Results for IOP were compared with the normal rhesus IOP population distribution function calculated from an earlier sample of genetically heterogeneous rhesus. ResultsThe mean ± standard deviation IOP in the Cayo Santiago monkeys (15.8 ± 3 mmHg) related well to the calculated "normal" rhesus distribution (14.5 ± 2 mmHg) below and around the mean IOP only. Above the mean rhesus IOP, the samples from the Cayo monkeys were strongly skewed: 129 eyes had IOP more than two standard deviations above the normal mean IOP, and 54 eyes had IOP more than three standard deviations above the normal mean IOP. Cup/disc ratio estimations tended to cluster as higher values in the higher IOP quartiles. Some eyes with IOP below the mean had cup/disc ratios > 0.5. Values for IOP that were more than two standard deviations above the mean and cup/disc ratios > 0.4 were not uniformly distributed across social groupings, although incidence of high IOP was more than 25% in one group. ConclusionAfter 12 generations with the same genetic pool, expression of ocular hypertension and large optic disc cups is high but not uniform.


The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has not only a mechanical but also a sensorimotor function. Patients with injuries of the ACL frequently complain of knee instability despite good mechanical stabilization after surgical reconstruction. Compared with healthy subjects, their latencies of hamstring reflexes after anterior tibia translation are considerably increased. There is evidence for the existence of a reflex arc between the ACL and the hamstrings. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a direct reflex response after an isolated mechanical stimulation of the ACL in humans. In 10 patients who underwent arthroscopy, hamstring electromyographic (EMG) responses were assessed intraoperatively after applying an isolated load on the ACL. Latencies, amplitudes, and integrals of the EMG responses were analyzed. In four patients, the measurements were repeated after injection of local anesthetics into the ACL. In all subjects, responses with mean latencies of 42 +/- 4.4 (SD) ms corresponding to a medium latency response (MLR) were found. In seven subjects, they were preceded by responses with a short-latency (SLR) of 24 +/- 2.7 ms. The maximum amplitude was 8.6 +/- 7 mV, the integral 0.064 +/- 0.05 mV*s. The injection of local anesthetics reduced the amplitude by 34 +/- 12% and the integral by 50 +/- 20%. Direct mechanical stimulation of the ACL evokes considerably smaller SLRs and MLRs than anterior tibia translation during standing. It is argued that latency changes observed in patients with ACL ruptures may be rather due to changes in the sensorimotor integration of the afferent input from the knee joint than to the absence of the direct ACL reflex.


The main goal of an economic organization is to generate profit. However, it should be noted that at the core of the company's operation lies the necessity to meet the requirements of work safety. Consequently, we have two areas of different groups of organizational factors. On the one hand, there are elements decisive for the increasing productivity of work and increasing its efficiency and savings, on the other hand, elements of improving the safety and ergonomics of work and elements deciding about the well-being of the employee. To eliminate this apparent antagonism, the activities of the organization should be considered in the aspect of links between its elements at the level of the integrated system of occupational safety and health management. The article presents a practical way of recognizing important system relations using the specification method of correlated critical requirements, thanks to which it obtains support in management decisions. The improvement proceedings were presented on the example of the aluminum cans production process, within which the basic needs of all stakeholders of the organization were taken into account. This allowed to present a synergistic effect of the approach using integrated work safety management.


Hepatitis E is an acute viral infectious disease transmitted by fecal-oral route mainly through fecally contaminated drinking water, with cyclic outbreaks and frequent development of acute hepatic encephalopathy in pregnant women. Hepatitis E epidemic outbreaks occur in Central Asia, Africa and Latin America, whereasChina,India,Turkmenistan,Kazakhstan,Tajikistan,Uzbekistan,Kyrgyzstan,Bolivia,Mexico, andTaiwanrepresent endemic geographic regions. Hepatitis E in the structure of acute viral hepatitis morbidity during outbreaks ranges from 64.7% to 80%, whereas sporadic morbidity may be up to 10 to 18.8%. In contrast, percentage of hepatitis E in acute viral hepatitis varies from 0.5% to 12.6% in European countries and some territories of theRussian Federation. The latent active virus circulation was confirmed in various regions of theRussian Federation. All introduced cases were related to recent traveling to the regions with high incidence of hepatitis E, which course clinically did not differ from standard hepatitis E infection, but no cases of infection were recorded after exposure. Lack of contact transmission in this case was associated with low virus survival in environment. Patients with any clinical form including anicteric serve as a source of infection. An increased risk of hepatitis E infection is typical for livestock workers dealing with pigs, employe es of meat processing plants engaged in primary meat carcass processing and working at slaughterhouse. According to the World Health Organization, 20 million cases of hepatitis E virus infection are recorded annually, among which 3 million cases account for acute hepatitis E and related 70 000 lethal outcomes. Chronic liver disorders comprising up to 70% followed by death of pregnant women (40%) as well as acute liver and kidney failure reaching as low as 4% result in lethal outcome in hepatitis E patients. Creating a mathematical model for development of hepatitis E infection could allow to predict changes in its morbidity rate at controlled area. Here, for the first time we propose a mathematical model for developing hepatitis E in human population based on disease course, which may potentially predict an incidence rate for the most dangerous icteric hepatitis E as well as assess amount of individuals susceptible to it at morbidity rise in the geographic region.


Class A−class C mechanism-based β-lactamase inhibitors were designed on the basis of the intermediacy of an oxycarbenium species capable of cross-linking with amino acids residues in the active site. Penams 24 and 27 were very potent against AmpC in vitro. The MIC values of 24 in combination with piperacillin against class A and class C producing organisms showed improvement over clinically used tazobactam.


This research aims at the controversy of meaning between the reader and the poet in the book of Abu Al-Ala Al-Ma'arri (Zajr Al-Nabih).The controversy of meaning stems from the premise that the dialectical meaning cannot be determined from a single point of view, as we say: it is easier for the reader to determine the meaning of the text from its origin, or it is easier for the poet to explain the meaning of the text than his critic. This conclusion is reached by looking at the results of the two parties with no bias. For this reason, the research presents a general theoretical statement of the meaning of the reader ad the meaning of the poet. The discussion is then carried out on the book of Zajr Al-Nabih, and its texts are divided into three classes: a class which has no potential for controversy in the meanings, a class with a potential of an apparent controversyو and a third class which may be of a controversial meaning and needs exact interpretation. The three classes are studied analytically to explain the two readers' perspectives at the end. The research concluded the following: Abu Al-Ala proved that his reader does not have the correct tools to critically analyze and judge his texts, and this clearly appeared when he dealt with texts with no tendency to controversy, which can be clarified by fine-reading and this enabled him to confront the problematic texts with the experienced critics, and then contented himself with throwing ready-made judgments on them.


OF DISSERTATION PHARMACOLOGIC INDUCTION OF THE MELANOCORTIN 1 RECEPTOR (MC1R) PATHWAY PROVIDES PROTECTION AGAINST SUNBURN AND ENHANCES EXPRESSION OF ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN THE SKIN. The inability to tan properly after sun exposure strongly correlates with increased incidence of skin cancer. The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a transmembrane Gscoupled cell surface receptor found on epidermal melanocytes that transmits pro-survival and pro-differentiation signals mediated by the second messenger cAMP. Humans carrying loss-of-function polymorphisms in MC1R signaling exhibit higher incidences of skin cancers including melanoma. This study focused on the physiologic effects of topical application of forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, in extension (Mc1re/e) K14-SCF animals, which model the fairskinned UV-sensitive human. Twice daily application of the drug promoted accelerated pigmentation, increased skin darkening due to epidermal deposition of melanin pigment, and induced epidermal melanin, which protected the skin against UV injury as judged by "minimal erythematous dose" (MED). Moreover, MC1R signaling regulated the expression of antioxidant enzymes at the transcriptional level. The human melanoma cell line A375, known to harbor a loss-of-function signaling mutation in MC1R, was used to determine effects of cAMP stimulation on the expression of antioxidant enzymes. We observed increases in expression of genes that control the biosynthesis and regulation of glutathione including the transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase, GPX, and glutathione reductase GSR. In addition, there is an increase in manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) at the protein level. There was accumulation of MnSOD in the mitochondria after pharmacologic induction of cAMP with forskolin. Addition of the oxidative agent H2O2 enhanced the expression of MnSOD at the protein level as early as one hour after MC1R stimulation. Oxygen consumption rate on mitochondria was measured using Seahorse analysis; pharmacologic activation of MC1R/cAMP signaling did not affect mitochondrial metabolism. In addition, topical application of a crude extract of Solidago inhibited UV-induced inflammation in K14-SCF mice. Several UV-induced cytokines, including TNF-α, were down-regulated at the transcriptional level after topical application of Solidago extract. Together, these results indicate that MC1R signaling protects melanocytes from UV damage by regulating antioxidant enzyme expression and suggest that pharmacologic cAMP induction may be a useful preventive mechanism against UV-mediated skin sunburn and oxidative injury.