The Large Magellanic Cloud supernova remnant J0454-6713 abutting the H ii region N9 has been observed with XMM-Newton. Two groups of lines from Fe xvii account for half the emission and lines from Fe xviii, O vii, and O viii are also clearly detected with the XMM RGS. Isothermal equilibrium fits of the EPIC spectra reproduce the basic spectral form and show little variation throughout the remnant but are insensitive to the lines from the high-temperature ions. These are overwhelmed in the EPIC cameras by the dominant Fe xvii radiation and the EPIC best-fit spectra do not agree with the RGS data. Uncertainties in the atomic data used to determine Fe-line strength present a further complication which inhibits a good EPIC spectral fit. We build a two-temperature model which does fit both RGS and EPIC results and propose that the high-T component is from SN debris and the low from heated material in the H ii region. The high ratio of Fe emission to that from O requires the remnant to be the product of a Type Ia supernova and points to a deflagration–detonation origin. Weak X-ray emission from the N9 superbubble is detected and briefly discussed. The abundance of Ne in N9 material seems higher than average for the LMC in both the superbubble spectrum and the low-temperature component of the remnant RGS spectrum.


Abstract : The results of a benchmark experiment for transient eddy-current nondestructive evaluation are reported. The benchmark configuration corresponds to the canonical geometry of an air-cored probe coil positioned above a conductive plate containing a long back-face slot. The coil is excited by an exponentially-damped step function current and measurements are made of the change in the transient magnetic field due to the slot. The aim of the work is to provide experimental data for validation of theoretical models under development within the wider NDE community and to provide a common geometry against which the performance of a range of such models can be compared. A further aim of the work is to stimulate the ongoing development of quantitative methods in transient eddy-current research.


The ion—molecule reactions of H3+ and D3+ with methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, and n‐butane have been studied by high‐pressure mass spectrometry, using an ion source which employs the beta rays of tritium as the ionizing medium.The rate constants have been measured, and proton transfer has been shown to be the major mode of interaction. If not stabilized by collision, protonated methane and protonated ethane decompose by elimination of hydrogen, with a lifetime of the order of 1 and 10−1 μsec, respectively. Protonated propane and protonated butanes, which have not been detected as stable species at pressures as high as 0.3 torr, decompose by elimination of hydrogen or a smaller saturated hydrocarbon to give an alkyl carbonium ion. Some results concerning the reactivity of these alkyl ions with deuterium and the hydrocarbons are also reported.


At present, mechanics properties of composite at home and abroad only include data of the single-layer board. On the basis of researching literature of composite finite element analysis, approaches of setting composite three-dimensional parameters based on the parameters of single-layer material are summarized. By three-dimensional finite element analysis on composite whole cockpit, the impact of uncertain parameters on cockpit analysis results is studied. Adopting maximum stress criteria, maximum strain criteria and Tsai-Wu criteria to evaluate the initial failure of composite whole cockpit, the impact of material uncertain parameters on initial breaking strength prediction of cockpit is studied. The study can provide reference for three-dimensional finite element analysis of composite whole cockpit.


Although pesticides have increased crop production and controlled disease, they have produced a number of adverse health effects. Pesticides have potential human toxicity and a variety of groups, such as farmers or industrial workers, as well as the general population, are exposed to pesticides. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to provide an overview of pesticide exposure and health through a literature review, focusing on exposure assessment, acute poisoning, chronic health effects, and future research needs. The exposure types and levels of pesticides vary by study subjects and need to be assessed by integrating several methods focused on the epidemiological purpose. Acute pesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in the world. Paraquat is the main causative pesticide for acute poisoning in Korea and should be banned in order to save several thousands of lives every year. Occupational pesticide exposure also causes numerous chronic diseases among farmers and industrial workers, including cancers, respiratory diseases, depression, retinal degeneration, diabetes, and abnormal menstrual cycle. However, controversy exists regarding the long-term effects of low-dose environmental pesticide exposure. The area of pesticide study is relatively new with broad study populations and it has received little academic and policy attention, particularly in Korea. More detailed studies investigating the risk of pesticide-related health effects and intervention efforts to reduce the problems are needed in Korea.


Modern business orientation tendency determine social responsibility activity, when that much separate persons, that much corporate activity participants realize one's responsibility against all those who are influenced their activity consequence. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) uncover new business part in the society showing and amplifying the contribution whereby business join universal social welfare creation. Because in Lithuania starting to discuss widely about business ethic and the social responsibility business. Business command big human recourses that's why residents health today appreciable as majority society social and economic value. It is not only absence sicknesses physical defects, but also physical, psychical human welfare whom ensure without other actions and means is needed appropriate and accepted health care. Main attention in this paper dedicated for public health. Presentation problem corporate social responsibility and health care in Lithuania, rated government part stimulating CSR. Analysed and rated the load falling business and government. Excluded reasons, why the companies disinterred become to social responsibilities, from which most important is taxes load falling for companies.


Explaining why humans cooperate in anonymous contexts is a major goal of human behavioral ecology, cultural evolution, and related fields. What predicts cooperation in anonymous contexts is inconsistent across populations, levels of analysis, and games. For instance, market integration is a key predictor across ethnolinguistic groups but has inconsistent predictive power at the individual level. We adapt an idea from 19th-century sociology: people in societies with greater overlap in ties across domains among community members (Durkheim's "mechanical" solidarity) will cooperate more with their network partners and less in anonymous contexts than people in societies with less overlap ("organic" solidarity). This hypothesis, which can be tested at the individual and community level, assumes that these two types of societies differ in the importance of keeping existing relationships as opposed to recruiting new partners. Using multiplex networks, we test this idea by comparing cooperative tendencies in both anonymous experimental games and real-life communal labor tasks across 9 Makushi villages in Guyana that vary in the degree of within-village overlap. Average overlap in a village predicts both real-world cooperative and anonymous interactions in the predicted direction; individual overlap also has effects in the expected direction. These results reveal a consistent patterning of cooperative tendencies at both individual and local levels and contribute to the debate over the emergence of norms for cooperation among humans. Multiplex overlap can help us understand inconsistencies in previous studies of cooperation in anonymous contexts and is an unexplored dimension with explanatory power at multiple levels of analysis.


This study examines the incidence of notifications to and investigations, substantiations, and out-of-home care placements by child protection services for children aged 0 to 5 years in New South Wales, Australia.


. In this paper, we discuss the flocking phenomenon for the Cucker-Smale and Motsch-Tadmor models in continuous time on a general oriented and weighted graph with a general communication function. We present a new approach for studying this problem based on a probabilistic interpretation of the solutions. We provide flocking results under four assumptions on the interaction matrix and we highlight how they relate to the convergence in total variation of a certain Markov jump process. Indeed, we refine previous results on the minimal case where the graph admits a unique closed communication class. Considering the two particular cases where the adjacency matrix is scrambling or where it admits a positive reversible measure, we improve the flocking condition obtained for the minimal case. In the last case, we characterise the asymptotic speed. We also study the hierarchical leadership case where we give a new general flocking condition which allows to deal with the case ψ ( r ) ∝ (1 + r 2 ) − β/ 2 and β ≥ 1. For the Motsch-Tadmor model under the hierarchical leadership assumption, we exhibit a case where the flocking phenomenon occurs regardless of the initial conditions and the communication function, in particular even if β ≥ 1.


The present study shows the phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of leaf and callus of Centella asiatica . Leaf explants of C. asiatica were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentration of plant growth regulators for callus initiation. The maximum percentage of callusing was achieved in medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine 4.0 mg/Land 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid 2.0 mg/L. In the preliminary phytochemical screening, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and reducing sugars were present in most of the tested extracts of leaf and in vitro grown callus of C. asiatica . Methanol, acetone, chloroform and water extracts of leaf and callus were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by agar plate well diffusion method. All the extracts from leaf and callus of C. asiatica showed significant antibacterial activity against the tested organisms. However, methanol extracts of leaf and callus showed maximum inhibitory effect.


The invention discloses a preparation method of p-aminophenyl-beta-ethoxyl sulphone sulphate. The preparation method comprises the following steps of: adding p-aminophenyl and mercaptoethanol into an N, N-dimethyl formamide solvent to dissolve, and adding NaOH to carry out reaction; filtering, distilling under reduced pressure to obtain p-aminophenyl-beta-ethoxyl thioether after reaction; adding the p-aminophenyl-beta-ethoxyl thioether and a catalyst into an oxidization kettle, adding hydrogen peroxide to carry out reaction, and cooling and separating out an oxidized and crystallized material after the reaction; washing the oxidized and crystallized material, adding water and a palladium-carbon catalyst after washing to carry out hydrogenation reaction, thus obtaining an hydrogenation product and water after the reaction; adding pure sulfuric acid to carry out esterification reaction, and crushing the obtained product to obtain the p-aminophenyl-beta-ethoxyl sulphone sulphate. In the preparation method disclosed by the invention, dosage of the adopted hydrogen peroxide and the palladium-carbon catalyst is less, especially, dosage of the palladium-carbon catalyst is greatly reduced, so that production cost is greatly lowered; and moreover, output of three wastes is lower, yield is higher, economical benefits and social benefits are remarkable.


Abstract.  Natural temporal variation in biological assemblages is generally acknowledged, but rarely controlled for in existing bioassessment approaches. Many bioassessment methods ignore the variation of assemblage structure through time and, thus, lack a process to evaluate the effects of natural temporal variation on their outcomes. We used an 11-y data set from 24 near-pristine reference streams (validation sites) and a 5-y data set from 10 streams exposed to human disturbance (test sites) in northern Finland to examine: 1) the amount of interannual variation in macroinvertebrate communities in both types of streams measured as variation in taxonomic completeness (i.e., ratio of observed/expected taxa; O/E ratio), and 2) how temporal variability affects bioassessment outcomes. Most of the variation in O/E values was explained by stream type (validation or test). Interannual variation in O/E was low at both validation and test sites, a result supporting the assumption of high constancy of biological assemblages through time. Temporal variation in O/E at validation sites was related to climatic factors (regional precipitation) and to some local environmental variables, e.g., substratum heterogeneity. Communities in validation and test sites responded differentially to climatic variation. The low interannual variation in O/E suggests that 1-y data from reference sites can be extrapolated across years relatively safely, but climatically extreme years may be problematic. Temporal variability in O/E was low at both types of sites, but it was still high enough to result in variable ecological status assessments across years, mainly at test sites with lower O/E ratios. Thus, at test sites, use of only 1-y data may cause erroneous management decisions, and accurate assessment of the biological quality of test sites might require repeated sampling over several years.


The objective of this study was to investigate the technical feasibility of producing toxicant-free rapeseed by germination. To this end, rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) was germinated at for 120 hours, and the compositional changes of fatty acids and minerals were determined in every 24 hours during germination. Repeseed slightly decreased it's fat content during germination, whereas it showed a tendency to increase protein content. The contents of oleic, erucic, linoleic, linolenic, stearic, palmitic and arachidic acids in rapeseed before germination were found to be 24.6, 15.5, 10.6, 9.5, 1.0, 2.4 and 5.3% respectively. They were gradually decreased until 96 hours and showed a slight increase in 120 hours during germination. However, there was no significant difference in the variation of fatty acids composition in rapeseed during gemination. The content of minerals-phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper and iron-in rapeseed before germination were 6367, 3068, 2667, 80.3, 26.5, 15.9, and 94.4 ppm respectively and sodium was detected in trace. The mineral contents in rapeseed were gradually decreased in the early period of germination, but showed a slight increase in 120 hours.


Objective To investigate metabolic changes in the brain of patients with non-dementia vascular cognitive impairment( NDVCI) by using multivoxel MR spectroscopy( MRS). Methods Twenty-eight patients with non-dementia vascular cognitive impairment( NDVCI group) and thirty-two normal aged volunteers( control group) were enrolled in this study. The absolute concentrations of N-acetyl aspartate( NAA),choline( Cho),myo-inositol( MI),creatine( Cr) and the metabolite ratios of NAA / Cr,Cho / Cr,MI / Cr,NAA / MI and NAA / Cho were measured bilaterally in the posterior cingulate gyrus( PCG),white matter of the occipital lobe( OLWM),dorsal thalamus( DT),and white matter of the frontal lobe( FLWM) by multivoxel MRS. The metabolite concentrations were quantitatively determined and post-processed,and the results were analyzed using SAGE 7. 0 and LCModel software. Results Compared with the control group,patients of NDVCI group displayed higher Cho level in the left FLWM( P 0. 05). The NAA / Cr ratios in the bilateral DT and bilateral FLWM in NDVCI patients were significantly lower than those in volunteers of the control group( all P 0. 05). In the study group,the NAA / Cho ratios in left OLWM and right DT were also significantly lower than those in the volunteers of the control group( all P 0. 05),and the NAA / Cho ratio in the bilateral FLWM in the study group was strikingly lower than that in the control group( P 0. 01). Conclusion NDVCI patients have abnormal distribution of metabolites in different areas of brain,which provides useful biochemical information for early diagnosis and differentiation in clinical practice.


Aim To study the comparative effect of acetaminophen with aqueous Neem leaf extract (Azadirachta Indica) and vitamin E mediated liver toxicity on the basis of liver enzymes. Methods: A total of sixty (60) Wistar rats of either sex were divided equally into four groups. Each groupwas made up of 15 animals. Group A was the control group. Animals in Group B were treated with a single oral dose of 2 mg / kg b / w Paracetamol. Group C animals with 500 mg / kg b / w oral Neem extract for 15 days with oral administration of 2 mg / kg b / w oral Paracetamol. In Group D, animals received the same dose of Paracetamol and 100 mg / kg b / w intra-peritoneal vitamin E for 15 days, respectively. The liver enzymes ALT,AST, and ALP were then evaluated. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0 with level of significance being kept at p-value ≤0.05 Results: In the 4 groups, The ALT values were 22.8 (Group A), 100 (Group B), 29.11 (Group C), and 31.16 U/L (Group D). The AST values were 25 (Group A), 40 (Group B), 20 (Group C), and 15 (Group D) U/L. The ALP values were 220 (Group A), 445 (Group B), 242 (Group C), and 244 (Group D) U/L. There was significant increase in liver enzymes were found in Group B after induction of Paracetamol toxicity, however, hepatoprotective effects could be seen in the intervention Group C and D Conclusion: Azadirachta Indica and Vitamin E showed hepatoprotective effects on the Wistar rats that were subjected to Paracetamol Key words: Azadirachta Indicaleaf extract, Vitamin E, Paracetamol, Wistar rats


SUMMARY: In the endovascular treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations, ethanol sclerotherapy is seldom used due to safety concerns. However, when limited reflux of an embolic agent is permissible or when there is a long distance to the target, ethanol may be preferable. We reviewed 10 patients with 14 cerebral AVM feeding artery aneurysms or intranidal aneurysms treated with intra-arterial ethanol sclerotherapy at our institution between 2005 and 2014. All patients presented with acute intracranial hemorrhage. Thirteen of 14 aneurysms were treated primarily with 60%– 80% ethanol into the feeding artery. Complete target feeding artery and aneurysm occlusion was seen in all cases; 8/13 (62%) were occluded by using ethanol alone. No retreatments or recurrences were seen. One permanent neurologic deficit (1/13, 7.7%) and no deaths occurred. In a subset of ruptured cerebral AVMs, ethanol sclerotherapy of feeding artery aneurysms and intranidal aneurysms can be performed with a high degree of technical success and a low rate of complication. ABBREVIATIONS: FAA feeding artery aneurysm; EtOH ethanol; INA intranidal aneurysm Aneurysms are often seen in association with cerebral arteriovenous malformations, occurring either along an artery supplying the AVM, within the AVM nidus, or arising from an unrelated artery. Flow-related feeding artery aneurysms and intranidal aneurysms are a primary source of hemorrhage in ruptured cerebral AVMs. Currently, treatment options for cerebral AVMs include surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and endovascular embolization, each of which may be performed as a stand-alone therapy or in combination. Embolization alone is rarely curative, and its primary role is to promote safer surgical resection by decreasing blood loss, shortening the length of surgery, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures, and increasing the likelihood of complete resection. Embolization may also render an AVM more amenable to radiosurgery by reducing the size of the AVM nidus and can be used to treat feeding artery or intranidal aneurysms, especially if deep-seated and difficult to access or control surgically. Embolization of an AVM requires superselective catheterization and distal placement of the microcatheter within a feeding artery, aiming to protect the parent artery from any reflux of embolic material and any en passage branches from nontarget embolization. The most commonly used embolic material is n-butyl cyanoacrylate, a quickly polymerizing liquid adhesive. Ethylene vinyl copolymer (Onyx; Covidien, Irvine, California) is a newer but less commonly used embolic agent in AVM treatment. Particles and detachable coils are infrequently used. Ethanol sclerotherapy is commonly used in the treatment of extracranial AVMs, yet it is seldom used in the treatment of cerebral AVMs due to safety concerns. In some circumstances, such as when distal microcatheter positioning beyond the proximal portion of a small feeding artery is not possible, however, the use of ethanol may be preferable. In this retrospective case series, we report our experience with patients whose brain AVMs presented with acute intracranial hemorrhage in whom ethanol sclerotherapy was preferable to other embolization techniques to treat feeding artery aneurysms (FAAs) or intranidal aneurysms (INAs). Case Series Under an institutional review board–approved protocol, a keyword search of the University of California, San Francisco neurointerventional data base identified 10 patients with cerebral Received June 25, 2015; accepted after revision August 10. From the Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Paper previously presented at: Annual Meeting of the Society of Neurointerventional Surgery, July 27–30, 2015; San Francisco, California. Please address correspondence to Fabio Settecase, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, L351, San Francisco, CA, 94143; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Indicates article with supplemental on-line table. http://dx.doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A4584 AJNR Am J Neuroradiol ●:● ● 2016 www.ajnr.org 1 Published November 12, 2015 as 10.3174/ajnr.A4584 Copyright 2015 by American Society of Neuroradiology. AVMs and associated FAAs or INAs treated by using super selective intra-arterial ethanol sclerotherapy between 2005 and 2014. Neuroimaging, angiograms, operative reports, and electronic medical records were reviewed for each patient by a boardcertified radiologist with a Certificate of Added Qualification in neuroradiology, 2 years' work experience in diagnostic neuroradiology, and additional training in interventional neuroradiology (F.S.). After presentation with intracranial hemorrhage and CT and/or CT angiographic evidence of an underlying cerebral arteriovenous malformation, patients were referred to the interventional neuroradiology service for diagnostic cerebral angiography. Indications for AVM endovascular embolization were determined by clinical presentation, cross-sectional imaging, and angiographic findings. In all cases in this series, the decision to proceed with embolization was determined by the presence of intracranial hemorrhage in the setting of a cerebral AVM and the presence of either a FAA or INA suspected as the hemorrhage source and/or at risk for future hemorrhage (Figs 1 and 2). Indications for treatment and treatment strategy were agreed upon by the attending neuroradiologist (V.V.H.) and the admitting neurosurgeon in all cases. In all cases, the primary goal of treatment was obliteration of the FAA or INA. AVM nidus-size reduction or obliteration was a secondary goal. All patients consented to the use of a number of possible embolic materials as well as ethanol. The decision to use ethanol was made during the procedure, after obtaining superselective distal catheter positioning and on the basis of several factors, including the following: distance from the microcatheter tip to the target aneurysm, position of the catheter just beyond a branch point in which 1 branch was en passage to normal brain (eg, catheter positioned in the origin of the posterolateral choroidal artery), and amount of flow present within the feeding artery before treatment. For the concentration and volume of ethanol, we also took into account the above factors. In addition, serial angiograms were obtained midsclerotherapy to determine the efficacy of ethanol sclerotherapy and whether additional volume or change in the concentration of ethanol was necessary. In cases in which residual flow within the feeding artery and incomplete aneurysm occlusion were seen, adjunctive endovascular therapies were performed, such as coil placement or n-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization. Noncontrast head CTs were reviewed to determine the presence and location of intracranial hemorrhage. Angiograms were reviewed to score the AVM grade and to determine the AVM location, the presence and number of feeding arteries or nidal aneurysms, the feeding artery from which the aneurysm arose, and the presence or absence of aneurysm filling on posttreatment runs. AVM size was estimated from MR imaging and angiography, and all AVMs were classified according to the Spetzler-Martin grading scale. The clinical status of patients was assessed at presentation, after embolization, and throughout hospitalization by members of the interventional neuroradiology and neurosurgical teams; and at follow-up visits by a neurosurgeon. Ethanol sclerotherapy was performed in all patients. Operative reports were reviewed to determine the aneurysm size, percentage of ethanol concentration used, amount of ethanol injected, adjunctive treatments, and periprocedural complications. The electronic medical record and follow-up digital subtraction angiograms were reviewed to determine the number of treatment sessions, aneurysm recurrence, delayed complications or death, definitive AVM treatments, and duration of follow-up. No clinical or angiographic follow-up was available in 1 patient. FIG 1. Ethanol sclerotherapy of a feeding artery aneurysm in a 5-year-old girl with a right thalamic AVM. A, Lateral view, left vertebral artery injection demonstrates an 11-mm feeding artery aneurysm (arrow) arising from the right posterolateral choroidal artery at the posterior aspect of the AVM nidus. B, Superselective microcatheter injection of the right posterolateral choroidal artery again demonstrates the feeding artery aneurysm. Note that the microcatheter is positioned in the proximal portion of right posterolateral choroidal artery. More distal catheterization of this artery was not possible. C, Lateral view left vertebral artery injection 20 minutes after intraarterial sclerotherapy with 5 mL of 70% ethanol demonstrates lack of filling of the feeding artery and aneurysm. D, Unsubtracted lateral view of the skull at the end of the sclerotherapy treatment demonstrates stasis of contrast within the aneurysm. 2 Settecase ● 2016 www.ajnr.org Endovascular Procedure Informed consent was obtained from the patient or family before diagnostic angiography and possible endovascular therapy, including possible ethanol sclerotherapy. Potential risks discussed included those directly related to the procedure and those related to general anesthesia. All procedures were performed on a biplane angiographic unit with the patient under general anesthesia (with neuromuscular blockade administered and confirmed just before ethanol injection). Arterial lines were placed in each patient. Percutaneous vascular access was obtained through the right or left common femoral artery by using a standard coaxial technique. A complete cerebral angiogram that included both internal carotid arteries, the dominant vertebral artery, and, in some cases, the ipsilateral


Significance The Indian government has initiated programs to reduce household use of biomass cookfuels, but their motivation does not include ambient pollution reductions. We estimate ambient exposure reductions that result and subsequent health benefits of seven different scenarios that mirror plausible mitigation policies to address household energy needs currently met by biomass combustion for cooking and water- and space heating, and by kerosene for lighting. If all households transitioned to clean fuels, ∼13% of premature mortality in India could be averted from the reduction in ambient pollution, and the average ambient PM2.5 concentration in the country would meet national PM2.5 standards. These results will assist in assessing current policies and making decisions on future mitigation policies to tackle air pollution. Exposures to ambient and household fine-particulate matter (PM2.5) together are among the largest single causes of premature mortality in India according to the Global Burden of Disease Studies (GBD). Several recent investigations have estimated that household emissions are the largest contributor to ambient PM2.5 exposure in the country. Using satellite-derived district-level PM2.5 exposure and an Eulerian photochemical dispersion model CAMx (Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions), we estimate the benefit in terms of population exposure of mitigating household sources––biomass for cooking, space- and water-heating, and kerosene for lighting. Complete mitigation of emissions from only these household sources would reduce India-wide, population-weighted average annual ambient PM2.5 exposure by 17.5, 11.9, and 1.3%, respectively. Using GBD methods, this translates into reductions in Indian premature mortality of 6.6, 5.5, and 0.6%. If PM2.5 emissions from all household sources are completely mitigated, 103 (of 597) additional districts (187 million people) would meet the Indian annual air-quality standard (40 μg m−3) compared with baseline (2015) when 246 districts (398 million people) met the standard. At 38 μg m−3, after complete mitigation of household sources, compared with 55.1 μg m−3 at baseline, the mean annual national population-based concentration would meet the standard, although highly polluted areas, such as Delhi, would remain out of attainment. Our results support expansion of programs designed to promote clean household fuels and rural electrification to achieve improved air quality at regional scales, which also has substantial additional health benefits from directly reducing household air pollution exposures.


The Moliere method ls used for determining the multiple scattering constant in order to measure charged partlcle pulses with constant cells. The msgnitudes of K/sub r/ in relation to beta are tabulated. (R.V.J.)


Students of Chrétien de Troyes's Le Chevalier au lion who are now of a certain age will almost certainly have used at some stage the edition of this text that was published in 1960 by Mario Roques (Les Romans de Chrétien de Troyes édités d'après la copie de Guiot (Bibl. nat. fr. 794), IV: Le Chevalier au lion (Yvain) (Paris: Honoré Champion)). This edition was based on BnF, MS fr. 794, known as the Guiot manuscript. In spite of a stream of criticism of Roques's edition on various fronts, no rival appeared until William W. Kibler's edition of the Guiot manuscript with a facing English translation (The Knight with the Lion, or Yvain (Le Chevalier au Lion) (New York: Garland, 1985)), followed by David F. Hult's edition of BnF, MS fr. 1443 (Le Chevalier au lion, ou, Le roman d'Yvain (Paris: Livre de Poche, 1994)). There has nevertheless long been a need for a new edition that is accompanied by a substantial amount of critical apparatus. Corinne Pierreville has responded excellently to this need. Her edition, based on the Guiot manuscript, contains an Introduction of 113 pages, a bibliography of eighteen pages (with more items in the various notes), twenty pages of variants, a forty-five-page glossary and an index of proper names; in all around two hundred pages of supporting material. The text itself, which is far more conservative than that of Roques and other editors, is accompanied by an accurate and elegant facing prose translation, with notes at the foot of the page. The Introduction leaves no stone unturned. The section on the language and versification of the Guiot manuscript, often missing or very restricted in length in modern bilingual editions, occupies thirty-seven pages and includes a five-page list of what are called Chrétien's 'singularités sémantiques' (p. 89). In other words, the editor has not skimped on any of the material that will provide the basis for future scholarship. The bibliography has a good balance between items in French and those in other languages, especially English, but it lacks a section devoted to volumes of a general nature that often contain substantial sections on Yvain. Examples of such volumes are L. T. Topsfield, Chrétien de Troyes: A Study of the Romances (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981) and Evelyn Mullally, The Artist at Work: Narrative Technique in Chrétien de Troyes (Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1988), while Douglas Kelly's substantial introductory chapter 'Chrétien de Troyes' (in The Arthur of the French: The Arthurian Legend in Medieval French and Occitan Literature, ed. by Glyn S. Burgess and Karen Pratt (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2006), pp. 135–85) is also useful. I would have advocated keeping the short title Yvain in the title, as most other editors have done; but it is hard to find fault with this volume, which at a very reasonable price provides the wherewithal for future study of this pivotal romance.


Lawyers lean heavily on the connected concepts of legal right and legal obligation. We say that someone has a legal right or duty, and we take that statement as a sound basis for making claims and demands, and for criticizing the acts of public officials. But our understanding of these concepts is remarkably fragile, and we fall into trouble when we try to say what legal rights and obligations are. We say glibly that whether someone has a legal obligation is determined by applying "the law" to the particular facts of his case, but this is not a helpful answer, because we have the same difficulties with the concept of law. We are used to summing up our troubles in the classic questions of jurisprudence: What is "the law"? When two sides disagree, as often happens, about a proposition "of law," what are they disagreeing about, and how shall we decide which side is right? Why do we call what "the law" says a matter of legal "obligation"? Is "obligation" here just a term of art, meaning only "what the law says"? Or does legal obligation have something to do with moral obligation? Can we say that we have, in principle at least, the same reasons for meeting our legal obligations that we have for meeting our moral obligations? These are not puzzles for the cupboard, to be taken down on rainy days for fun. They are sources of continuing embarrassment, and they nag at our attention. They embarrass us in dealing with particular problems that we must solve, one way or another. Suppose a novel right-of-privacy case comes to court, and there is no statute or precedent either granting or denying the particular right of anonymity claimed by the plaintiff. What role in the court's decision should be played by the fact that most people in the community think that private individuals are "morally" entitled to that particular privacy? Suppose the Supreme Court orders some prisoner freed because the police used procedures that the Court now says are constitutionally forbidden, although the Court's earlier decisions upheld these pro-


Research on high-current discharges of the plasma focus (PF) type has been carried out in different laboratories for many years [1, 2, 5, 7]. It was observed that such discharges are sources of intense pulsed beams of high-energy charged particles, which consist of accelerated primary ions and electrons as well as charged products of nuclear fusion reactions. Experimental studies of the emitted particles (deuterons, protons, and electrons) are an important source of information concerning electromagnetic fields in the discharge column, which are responsible for the acceleration of these particles, and the spatial distribution of ion sources as well. The main aim of the experimental study reported below, which was performed using the PF-1000 device [5], was to record electron and ion beams emitted along the axial acceleration direction of the current sheath, both in the upstream and downstream direction.


This chapter focuses on the Hindu participation in the circle of an important Persian poet in late seventeenth and early eighteenth-century India and on its portrayal in the contemporary and subsequent taẕkira literature. An analysis starting from the literary personas of some Hindu poets who were the disciples of a great author such as Mīrzā ʿAbd al-Qādir "Bīdil" helps us to highlight some elements useful for approaching the implied issues of linguistic choices, religious traditions, and literary interactions. On the basis of the information found in twenty-two Indo-Persian taẕkiras compiled between 1136/1723 and 1300/1883,14 Bīdil had, during his long stay in Delhi, at least eight non-Muslim disciples. Compiled between 1137/1724 and 1147/1734 by one of the principal Vaishnava disciples of Bīdil, Bindrāban Dās "Khwushgū", it is the text in which the largest amount of information regarding Bidil's Hindu pupils is found. Keywords: Bindraban Das; Mīrzā ʿAbd al-Qādir Bīdil; Persian poet; taẕkira literature


Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has a significant impact on healthcare resources and while its occurrence in the elderly is increasing, its prognosis has not improved. Despite the prevalence of HFpEF, the understanding of its pathophysiology is still incomplete, and optimal treatment remains largely undefined. The net clinical benefit of medical treatment with ACE inhibitors, aldosterone receptor blockers (ARBs), mineralcorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) and beta-blockers has led to the incorporation of these drugs into HF clinical practice guidelines. However, little or no progress has been done for patients with HFpEF and there are no convincing and validated therapies able to reduce mortality or morbidity. HFpEF is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome embracing varieties of phenotypes and could benefit from a phenotype-specific approach. In the era of precision medicine, targeted approaches have proved effective in various disciplinary medical settings and for this reason this modern approach should be encouraged also in cardiology. In elderly patients, multilevel strategies and interventions aimed at improving adherence to guidelines and tailoring therapy, could be the key to improving outcome, and to reducing costs related to HF-related re-admissions. In the present review we briefly discuss current information available regarding pathophysiology, outcome, treatment and safety of the most common drugs used in this "geriatric syndrome". HFpEF syndrome from pathophysiology to outcome Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a complex clinical syndrome in which patients have symptoms and signs of heart failure (HF) with normal or near normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Its diagnosis in the elderly is challenging due to the presence of atypical symptoms related to aging and potential cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities. Mortality, morbidity and hospitalization for HF represent a public health dilemma worldwide; in particular short-term hospital readmission for HF occurs within 6 months. The HF syndrome shows a significant impact on the health-care resources and its occurrence is ever increasing in the elderly [1]; among older women, >80% of new cases of HF are HFpEF [2]. HFpEF in elderly patients is a systemic syndrome where advanced age, comorbidities with organ system deterioration, frailty and impaired cognition significantly impact outcome. After hospitalization for acute HF, these co-factors often remain unaddressed thus resulting in higher healthcare systems costs, prolonged physical disability, poor quality-of-life, exercise intolerance and finally with higher rehospitalization rates and mortality [3]. There are a number of potential mechanisms that may trigger and sustain HFpEF. Diastolic dysfunction is regarded as the principal actor but several ageand sex-related modifications in the cardiac structure and function are also present. For example, older women seem to show different heart rate and stroke volume responses to exercise if compared to men; in addition, in female patients, the left ventricle (LV) response to chronic systolic hypertension is impaired LV diastolic function. Conversely, male patients' response to pressure overload is more frequently a LV dilatation with thin walls and a depressed LVEF. Other pathophysiologic factors may contribute to HFpEF syndrome, such as impaired arterial stiffening and myocardial stiffness associated with an abnormal diastolic relaxation. In fact, reduced vasodilation properties and increased vascular stiffness, together with systemic inflammation, are well established triggers of myocardial microvascular endothelial activation with the expression of adhesion molecules (e.g., ICAM, E-selectin, etc.). Overall, these processes lead to an increased vascular pressure and fibrosis, that are altogether transmitted backward to large vessels and myocardial cells. Last but not least, in older age, reduced myocardial and vascular responsiveness to β-adrenergic stimulation is present together with coronary flow reserve impairment and decreased mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in response to increased energetic demand [4]. In clinical practice, a specific diagnostic algorithm applicable for early HFpEF recognition is not available yet. SymptomCorrespondence: Matteo Beltrami, Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Department, University of Florence, Italy. Tel. +39.577.48982. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


We previously described the use of alemtuzumab as a pretreatment agent in 207 living-donor renal transplants, a trial that represented the largest series to date of live-donor renal and liver transplant recipients undergoing alemtuzumab pretreatment, and confirmed the short-term safety, efficacy and cost–effectiveness of this approach. This paper examines the use of the immunosuppressive combination of alemtuzumab and tacrolimus monotherapy in 47 patients with right-lobe adult living-donor liver transplantation.


By using the method of culturing peripheral blood lymphocyte and obtaining with Trypsin and Giemsa,G-band of Xianju chickens were investigated.The results were as follows: G-band of Xianju chickens was divided into 30 regions and 144 bands,and an ideogram was depicted.Besides,comparison on productive performance of Xianju chickens between different G band frequency showed that chest bone length,body weight of 150 days,shank length,the age of first laying and egg weight were significant or nearly significant in Xianju hens.The above results showed that G-band of Xianju chickens was related with productive performance,which provided theoretical basis for the exploitation and use of Chinese native chickens from cytogenetic genetics.


The modern border concept emerges from the Westphalian Peace. The sovereignty of the State over a territory is delimited by line of political division with territorial expression, which was accepted as indisputable until a few decades ago. Currently, the concept of state suffers two kinds of pressure. On the one hand, we are witnessing a process of affirmation of borders and their shield against the other (s) State (s) or migrations; on the other hand, an ongoing debordering process led both by the European Union and Organizations that have been formed because of economic objectives. Regardless of a bigger or smaller porosity, the border has always been a place for observing and meeting one another. After long periods of time, this interaction leads to the creation of hybrid cultures and complicities are generated by the trade/shopping or other social or political activities. The study of these phenomena has a long tradition in the geographical and sociological literature; however, from the end of the twentieth century, several authors, with different perspectives - structuralist, humanist or culturalist – have focused on the way we see ourselves and evaluate the other, the different one, who is our neighbor but who lives on the other side of the barrier. The Portugal / Spain border, the longest in Europe, has been the target of many works. Sidaway, Amante or Iva Pires have tried to evaluate the feeling of Raianos facing each other from socio-economic data or interviews. In this work, we assess the motivations for the commuting movement of borderer populations (from 400 surveys), essentially focused on cross-border shopping. We conducted 34 interviews with Portuguese and Spanish of a wide range of professions to comprehend the image we build of our neighbors. If trade and leisure/travel are responsible for the movements, the image that the Spanish form of us, Portuguese people, is much more flattering than the reverse. In a moment of rapprochement between populations, due to the elimination of barriers, knowledge of the image that people build of the other also becomes an extremely assertive and an acutely planning tool. Article visualizations:


Objective
To investigate the expression level of thymus microRNA-27a-3p in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and to explore the pathogenesis of MG.

Methods
Thymus tissue samples from 36 cases were collected from December 2014 to February 2015 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Nineteen thymus tissue samples of MG group were collected from department of chest surgery, 17 thymus tissue samples of control group were collected from department of chest surgery or congenital heart disease patients from department of cardiac surgery. The expression of microRNA-27a-3p in the thymus from 36 patients was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), using U6 as housekeeping control. The Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test was used to analyze the relative expression of microRNA-27a-3p of the two groups. Spearman rank correlation was used to determine the correlation coefficient between microRNA-27a-3p and Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis Score (QMGS).

Results
(1) The expression level of microRNA-27a-3p in thymus was significantly higher in MG group (0.195(0.049, 0.714)) compared with control group (0.045(0.004, 0.088), Z=-2.646, P=0.008). (2) Nineteen MG patients were included in the study, out of which 7 were ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) patients and 12 were generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) patients. The expression of microRNA-27a-3p in GMG patients (0.493(0.157, 1.123)) was significantly higher than that in OMG patients (0.035(0.008, 0.103), Z=-2.620, P=0.009). (3) There was a positive correlation between the expression of microRNA-27a-3p and QMGS (r=0.576, P=0.010).

Conclusions
The expression of microRNA-27a-3p in thymus is significantly up-regulated in the patients with MG. MicroRNA-27a-3p may be associated with MG severity and significantly elevated in GMG patients compared with OMG patients.

Key words:
Myasthenia gravis; Thymus gland; MicroRNAs; Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; Case-control studies


Optimal errorcorrecting codes for asymmetric channels with feedback are the same as minimum number q hl (m) of questions in searching with half lies,a variant of UlamRenyi problem.It is proved that the distribution of q hl (m) is of noncross property.The original problem of determining the exact value of q hl (m) can be simplified to determine a critical number by virtue of this better property and the existence and uniqueness of this critical number are also proved.Furthemore,the exact values of q hl (m) are explicitly given for more integers m,thus strengthening previous results given by Cicalese et al.


ABSTRACT The current study investigated native English and native Arabic speakers' phonological short-term memory for sequences of consonants and vowels. Phonological short-term memory was assessed in immediate serial recall tasks conducted in Arabic and English for both groups. Participants (n = 39) heard series of six consonant–vowel syllables and wrote down what they recalled. Native speakers of English recalled the vowel series better than consonant series in English and in Arabic, which was not true of native Arabic speakers. An analysis of variance showed that there was an interaction between first language and phoneme type. The results are discussed in light of current research on consonant and vowel processing.


The invention discloses an isolated power grid stability control system based on a power grid with a small capacity which breaks away from a large power grid. The isolated power grid stability control system is an important quality indicator and reflects a balance state between supply and demand of active power of a power system. Stable frequency is an important aspect of the power system stability. Normal frequency deviation of the power system is allowed to +/- o.2 Hz. Therefore, at the instant that generating capacity is insufficient and an isolated power grid appears, part load is removed timely according to a decreased amplitude value of the isolated power grid frequency. A turbo generator control system and a load monitoring grading system are designed entirely to enable turbo generator units to keep coordinate control, and safe and stable operation of a power supply and distribution system of a power grid is guaranteed. According to the actual use of load, a turbo generator governing valve works through a digital electro-hydraulic control system (DEH) interface, balance between power generation and power consumption is achieved, quickness of primary and secondary frequency modulation of a generator is ensured, and stability of the system frequency is guaranteed.


We present SeisMIC, a fast, versatile, and adaptable open-source software to estimate 10 seismic velocity changes from ambient seismic noise. SeisMIC includes a broad set of tools and 11 functions to facilitate end-to-end processing of ambient noise data, from data retrieval and raw 12 data analysis via spectrogram computation, over waveform coherence analysis, to post-processing 13 of the final velocity change estimates. A particular highlight of the software is its ability to invert ve-14 locity change time series onto a spatial grid, making it possible to create maps of velocity changes. 15 To tackle the challenge of processing large continuous datasets, SeisMIC can exploit multithread-16 ing at high efficiency with an about five-time improvement in compute time compared to MSNoise, 17 probably the most widespread ambient noise software. In this manuscript, we provide a short tu-18 torial and tips for users on how to employ SeisMIC most effectively. Extensive and up-to-date doc-19 umentation is available online. Its broad functionality combined with easy adaptability and high 20 efficiency make SeisMIC a well-suited tool for studies across all scales. 21


Multimodal imaging nanoparticles that integrate different imaging modalities into one system could provide complementary and detailed imaging information to satisfy the request of precision medicine. However, most multimodal nanoparticles suffer from multistep synthesis and complicated compositions, which hinder their practical application in biomedical research. Therefore, development of a facile method to prepare a single-nanoparticle contrast agent to achieve multimodal imaging is of significance. In this paper, hyaluronic-acid-modified manganese tungstate nanoparticles (HA-MnWO4 NPs) were successfully synthesized via a facile one-step hydrothermal procedure for efficient T1/T2-weighted MR and CT trimodal imaging in vivo. In the single-nanoparticle, manganese (Mn) with five unpaired electrons offers strong relaxation for MR imaging, while tungsten (W) with high atomic number provides high X-ray attenuation coefficient for CT imaging. Furthermore, HA-template synthesis endows the HA-MnWO4 nanoparticle w...


The investigation was carried out in the sector San Jose, belonging to the parish of Malacatos, Loja, the field work was carried out from December 2016, until May 2017. The main objective of this research was to assess the needs water from the cultivation of corn (Zea mays L.), Var. Tusilla, with the purpose of improving the efficiency of water use; For this, Evapotranspiration of the reference culture (ETo) was determined, through the application of the Penman-Monteith method; Evapotranspiration of the corn crop (ETc), using the Volumetric Lysimeter method; and, the Coefficient of culture (Kc) for the phenological phases of the same one. The experimental area was 50 m2, within which 2 lysimeters of 1 m2 of area each were installed. For the cultivation the variety of corn was used Tusilla, the distance of sowing between rows was 0.80 m between rows and 0.80 m between plants, with a density of 15625 plants per hectare. Three grains per crop were sown and thinning was done when the plants reached an approximate height of 30 cm. Within each lysimeter, 4 plants were established (2 grains per stroke). The results of the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) calculated with the Penman-Monteith formula inserted in the Cropwat program were the following: 4.9 mm / day for the VE phase, for the V1 phase 5.1.1 mm / day, phase V2 4.8 mm / day, phase V3 4.4 mm / day, development phases (V4-V12) 4.5 mm day, phase R0 4.5 mm / day, phase R1 4.5 mm / day, phase R2 4.4 mm / day, phase R3 4.3 mm / day, phase R4 3.9 mm / day, by this method we obtain an average of 4.5 mm / day. For the crop evapotranspiration (ETc), determined through the volumetric lysimeter, the following results were obtained: 4.9 mm / day for the VE phase and V1 3.1 mm / day, V2 phase 4 mm / day, phase V3 4.5 mm / day, phases V4 and V9 4.9 mm / day, phases V 10, V11 and V12 4.8 mm / day, phases R0 and R1 4.7 mm / day, phase R2 43.7 mm / day, phase R3 3.5 mm / day, phase R4 3.3 mm / day, by this method we obtain an average of 4.4 mm / day. The coefficient values (Kc) for the crop calculated for each phenological phase were: 0.6 for phase VE and V1, for phase V2 0.8, phase V3 1.0, phases V4-V7 1.1, phase V8 1.0, phases V9-R1 1.1, phases R2-R4 0.8, through these results we obtain an average of Kc equivalent to 0.9. In conclusion, the total water requirement for the entire productive cycle of the maize crop, variety Tusilla is 350.8 mm per m2, which is equivalent to 3508.4 m3 / ha and 3 508 400 lt / ha; the determined yield per hectare has a value of 5309.5 Kg; or 5.3 Tn / ha, therefore the water consumption / yield ratio is 660, 8 liters, which allows to establish that to obtain 1kg of corn, 660, 8 liters of water is required.
Keywords: reference evapotranspiration (ETo), crop evapotranspiration (ETc), crop coefficient (Kc), water requirements, volumetric lysimeter.


The use of Video Switching Matrix can greatly improve the utilization rate of internal space such as ships and submarines. This paper designs a multifunctional video switching matrix, which can realize 16-channel HDMI and VGA video signal input and 8-channel HDMI and VGA video signal output function. It can meet the complex scenes of HDMI and VGA integrated video input and output. This design realizes the conversion of input and output video formats through the front-end HDMI to VGA unit and the back-end VGA to HDMI unit. The middle RGB switching matrix is used to realize 16 input and 8 output selection of VGA video signal. It realizes the fusion of multi-channel dual-standard video switching. The module has the prospect of being applied to high reliability requirements in aerospace, navigation, and military industries.


This paper focuses on qualitative methods in researching the area of conflict management, specifically in Self-Managed Project Team (SMPT). The research aims to explore the evolvement of conflict management strategies in SMPT as this type of team is given the responsibility to solve problems and make decision by themselves. The inductive approach will overcome the limitation of quantitative method in management research as one of its objectives is to explain the different elements of the explored social system and their interconnection. Hence, it aims at the contextual understanding of social behavior rather than extensive measurement. This paper also includes the research activities in details such as the data collection methods which involved semi-structured interviews and weekly telephone interviews. The findings of the research proposed that conflict management strategies in SMPT changes over time from confrontation and cooperative style towards avoidance due to the issues of reputation and the deadline.


Content of heavy metals in sediments from six sections of Weihe river in Shaanxi province was determined.A vertical distribution feature of 4 heavy metals in river sediments was demonstrated.Potential ecological risks of heavy metals were estimated by geo-accumulation index,and by potential ecological risks index.Data showed that Cu and Cd were major pollutants in the study area.Cd in Caotan area exceeded background value,average value was 3.1 times background.For most points in Caotan area,Cd was a moderate pollutant but a greater ecological risk.The rank of pollution degree was summarized as F,C,A,D,E and B,while rank of potential level of risk was F,D,C,E,A and B.Site F had the highest pollution level and imposed the highest ecological risk.


Today, we often hear the idea that the 21st century is the age of China, and humanity is beginning to get used to this information. The path of development of the People's Republic of China, initiated by Mao Zedong, retaining the continuity of generations, continuing today Xi Jingping enters a special period. Headed by Xi Qinping, strengthening their place in the world arena, representatives of the «fifth generation» often talk about the «Great Chinese Dream». To implement this goal, concrete programs and plans have been adopted at the state level, and their phased implementation is expected. Moreover, a specific chronological framework for achieving the result has been approved. If by 2021, to the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, it is planned to become a state with an average profit, then by the year 2049, to the 100th anniversary of the formation of the People's Republic of China, it isplanned to become a global superpower and fully realize the Chinese dream. Of course, it is important for each nation to have their own dream and better that they will come true. But, how will the «Chinese dream» affect the world? Can the realization of the dream of one nation harm the wishes of another nation!?Key words: Chinese dream, People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, China's foreign policy, Clash of civilizations.


The present research is to explore the application of 16PF Scale in employees' selection,allocation and training.In human resource management,16PF can be used in selecting,allocating and training employees.Particularly,when applying it in selection and allocation,the comparative integrative function of personality measurement plays the main role in helping the enterprise select and put the employee to the appropriate vocation and position.First,the company compares the scores of individuals or group test with relative standard,then chooses the interviewee whose personality of every facet qualifies the corresponding demand or possesses relative competence,and finally provides them with an appropriate position.Moreover,building a 16PF trait model of personality corresponding to vocations and even positions is the crucial section.


The refusal of states to take sides with one or the other of two principal opposed groups of powers such as existed at the time of the Cold War. Non-alignment was less ISOLATIONIS r than the NEUTRALISM which it superseded, and was associated with the CONCEPT of positive neutrality, i.e. of collective intervention to prevent BIPOLARITY from degenerating into open, military conflict; as in the conference of nonaligned powers held at Belgrade in 1961 iii which some 35 Mediterranean and Afro-Asian powers took part. The mediatory proposals there discussed won only contemptuous hearing from the leaders of the


Computed tomography (CT) imaging became an indispensable modality exploited across a vast spectrum of clinical indications for diagnosis and follow-up, alongside various image-guided procedures, especially in patients with lung cancer. Accurate lung segmentation from whole-body CT scans is an initial, yet extremely important step in such procedures. Therefore, fast and robust (against low-quality data) segmentation techniques are being actively developed. In this paper, we propose a new real-time algorithm for segmenting lungs from the entire body CT scans. Our method benefits from both 2D and 3D analysis of CT images, coupled with several fast pruning strategies to remove false-positive tissue areas, including trachea and bronchi. Also, we developed a new approach for separating lungs which exploits spatial analysis of lung candidates. Our algorithms were implemented in Adaptive Vision Studio (AVS)|a visual-programming software suite based on the data-ow paradigm. Although AVS is extensively used in machine-vision industrial applications (it is equipped with a range of highly optimized image-processing routines), we showed it can be easily utilized in general data analysis applications, including medical imaging. Experimental study performed on a benchmark dataset manually annotated by an experienced reader revealed that our algorithm is very fast (average processing time of an entire CT series is less than 1.5 seconds), and it is competitive against the state of the art, delivering high-quality and consistent results (DICE was above 0.97 for both lungs; 0.96 for the left and 0.95 for the right lung after separation). The quantitative analysis was backed up with thorough qualitative investigation (including 2D and 3D visualizations) and statistical tests.


Route concentration involves withdrawal of selected bus routes to redeploy buses on major corridors to concentrate service frequency in those corridors at no net additional cost. Much research supports high frequency as a means to grow ridership and several practitioners have recommended route concentration. However research demonstrating the value of route concentration is limited. In particular gaps in knowledge about the longer walk access distances caused by route concentration need to be better understood relative to the benefits of higher frequency. This research paper explores the net impacts of route concentration on ridership using a theroetical network and some simple but robust representations of the impacts of route concentration on walk access, frequency and wait time including ridership impact. Results demonstrate that the route concentration options tested acted to increase ridership by up to 10% whilst operations costs were the same. They provide strong support for the concept of route concentration as a basis for route network redesig to improve service effectiveness. However the results also suggested that there is a finite limit to which route concentration might be deployed. In the options tested a 1.2km route density achieved the highest ridership growth compared to a base case of 300m route density. Though lower density options had lower ridership growth suggesting long walk access distances can act to limit ridership benefits if route densities become too low. Sensitivity tests suggests a 1.2km route density was consistently the best suggesting a robust result. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.


This paper is based on an ongoing PhD research project having London�s East End as its field area. It will focus on the case study of Lila and, through analysing her narrative of the East End, it will argue for the importance of the senses, notably of the sense of hearing, in using and composing a landscape. Throughout the paper, I will argue for the effect of attending to the soundscape in the making of place, notably around the notion that the soundscape is made by the uses given to a landscape and its inhabitants. I will also introduce my argument towards an awakening of our bodies as sensuous entities (Latour, 2004) and the recovery of those qualities instead of the rationalisation and standardisation of everyday life. For this, I will focus on the bearing of researching what could be seen as mundane everyday acts, that are, in fact, the constructing blocks of relating and inhabiting a landscape. However, because this paper is just one of the case studies of my research, I cannot offer an exhaustive review of all the literature that is in the research, I will though, present the theoretical literature that is most relevant to the case study.


the rent is then often considerably less. This deposit is, one hopes, retrievable on handing over to the next tenant, and it is therefore related to the demand for flats. Children begin nine years' compulsory free schooling at the age of 7, and I have not heard of any difficulties from friends in finding schools or nurseries for their children. Educational and nursery facilities in Sweden are really unbeatable; child allowances are high; other allowances and benefits to which one is entitled can be studied in the "social catalogue" obtainable free from any post office. The table below may well be of interest, and shows the current yearly rates of pay for five different grades of doctor, before and after tax. The figures are for those working up to 45 hours a week. Over 45 hours is recorded as overtime, from which one has 80% tax deducted. Instead of accepting overtime pay, many choose to take free days, which often may amount to an extra four weeks' holiday a year. The cost of living is, of course, higher in Sweden than England-in particular, cars, clothes, and food. I have not worked it out in detail, but it is clear that one is materially better off in Sweden. If only the beer didn't cost four times as much. If only . . ..


Abstract We investigate oscillatory behaviour in the famous Belousov-Zhabotinskii chemical reaction, as described by the simple two-variable Oregonator model. It is shown that oscillations are possible only in certain parameter regions. Numerical results are presented, and the presence of fold bifurcations discussed.


HT'HE British system of navigable waterways was established -L mainly during the years 1750-1840 and about 4,000 miles of artificial canals were constructed during this time. The peak period occurred in the Canal Mania years between 179117952 when fifty-one new canals were authorised by Parliament. Their purpose was to provide transport for the Industrial Revolution and by these means the great industrial centres of England developed and flourished. Many canals, particularly those built in the early years, were engineered mainly to serve local needs. There was little interest in regional or national routes such as those projected by the railway promoters of a later generation, and hence a confused, ill-planned network of canals gradually spread across the English countryside. That national routes were ultimately established would seem, in retrospect, purely fortuitous. In the North of England however, three grand inter-regional routes were to be established to link the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire across the Pennines ; namely the Rochdale, the Huddersfield Narrow and the Leeds to Liverpool Canals. Of these imposing navigations, the Leeds to Liverpool was by far


For research and application of functional near-infrared spectroscopy in neuroscience, appropriate signal analysis method of functional near-infrared spectroscopy is significant. Most of researchers have applied traditional statistical features for feature extraction, and classic machine learning method like support vector machine for further analysis. In this paper, a new feature extraction method based on principles of multivariate graphic representation has been proposed. Then, supervised sparse representation based on partial order structure theory has been suggested for signal pattern classification. Both methods have been tested by signal analysis experiment of functional near-infrared spectroscopy, which is designed to achieve mental workload assessment during n-back work memory experiment. The result indicated, new methods of this work could be applied in functional near-infrared spectroscopy feature extraction and signal analysis.


The article concerns the structure, form and vocabulary peculiarities of the formal reply, a kind of the Russian business letter in Moscovia. Special attention is given to the analysis of etiquette linguistic elements.


The article discusses the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines (CPG) changes that the Australian government has implemented. The impact of these changes on councils and communities are also highlighted.


This article reflects the results of the theoretical analysis of several Russian and foreign researches concerning interpretation of concepts "addiction" and "dependence". It was shown that most of the authors in both medical and psychological literature do not differentiate these phenomena. Those researchers, who do not identify the content of the above terms, emphasize on the characteristics which differentiate each concept. There was pointed out to a number of factors either conducive or restraining to the formation of dependent behavior including social, psychological and biological factors. Special attention was paid to the works where addiction and dependence served the foundation for the development of stable personal backgrounds.


Control unit (1, 1 ') for the electrical adjustment of a movable member of a motor vehicle, wherein - the movable element has three degrees of freedom of movement; - the operating unit (1, 1 ') has four signal sensor and a total of six switching positions, wherein each of the switching positions is defined by the actuation of a combination of two signal pickups.


Simple Summary Australian sheep undergo several surgical procedures as per industry standard lamb marking, including surgical castration. Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used successfully to assess pain in sheep previously. In this study, the EEG was measured over time to assess castration pain and analgesic efficacy in conscious lambs in combination with behaviour observations and eye temperature. A combination of lignocaine and meloxicam was used as the gold-standard approach to pain relief (CML), compared to castrated but untreated (C) and sham castrated (SC) lambs. Changes in EEG and behaviour were observed in all treatment groups. Lambs in CML and C groups showed more abnormal behaviours and immediate increases in eye temperature, indicative of pain. However, little differences between these groups suggest that analgesia was not successful in removing perceived pain of the procedure in this study. Changes in EEG for SC groups suggests the effect of handling and restraint, in addition to the pain of castration, impacted all results, not singularly the pain of castration. Abstract Castration has been demonstrated to cause pain in sheep. However, it is routinely performed for management purposes. Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used successfully to measure pain in lambs in response to castration and other husbandry procedures in livestock. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of EEG as a measure of pain and analgesia in conscious lambs undergoing castration on farm over a 24 h period. EEG responses were compared to behavioural observations and changes in ocular temperature via infrared thermography. Twenty-four merino ram lambs (18.63 ± 2.06 kg) were used in this study. Lambs were randomly allocated to one of the following treatment groups: (1) castration with pre-surgical administration of meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg Metacam 20 mg/mL injected subcutaneously into the skin of the neck 15 min prior to recording) and lignocaine (applied via intra-testicular injection five minutes prior to castration, 2 mL lignocaine hydrochloride 20 mg/mL, Troy/Ilium) (CML, n = 8); (2) castration only (C, n = 8); (3) sham castration, handling only (SC, n = 8). EEG was recorded for 5 mins pre-procedure (prior to any intervention), and for 5 mins post-procedure at 0, 1, 4 and 24 h. Behavioural reactions to the procedure were scored, and behaviours were scan sampled at 5 min intervals at the above time points, by blinded observers. Eye temperature was measured for five-minute intervals at each time point. EEG decreased from baseline to 0 h for CML and C groups (p < 0.001), C group values returned similar to baseline at 24 h. Eye temperature increased post-castration at 0 h for C group, no initial change was seen for CML or SC groups. CML and C groups were more likely to have higher reaction scores and showed more abnormal behaviours (p = 0.017). CML and C groups had similar results, indicating minimal effect of analgesic intervention. Lambs in SC group showed significant EEG changes, suggesting that stress from handling also impacted EEG results.


Introduction: Endometrial and cervical polyps are common causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in females in different age groups. These polyps may range in pathology from simple endometrial hyperplasia to endometrial carcinoma which affects patient management. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of transvaginal ultrasonography and colour Doppler (TVUS) in the diagnosis and differentiation of various endometrial polypoidal masses and to correlate its findings with operative and hysteroscopic results. Patients and Methods: This study included forty-one female patients, ranging in age from 23-58 years. Thirty-five patients had abnormal uterine bleeding, while six patients presented with infertility. TVUS, colour flow mapping and power Doppler were done to all patients and so also 3 & 4 D US. Saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) was performed to 10 patients and Hysterosalpingography (HSG) was done to 6 patients. Hysteroscopy was performed to 17 patients, while dilatation and curettage was done for 22 patients and two cases had done follow-up after two months treatment. The results of TVUS, HSG and SIS were correlated with hysteroscopic findings and the pathological results of biopsies. Results and Conclusion: TVUS could diagnose forty five polypoidal lesions. The lesions included hyperplasic endometrial polyps in 22 cases, Cerivcal polyps in 12 cases, submucous fibroids in 8 cases, in addition to three polypoidal endometrial masses wrongly diagnosed as endometrial polyps and by pathology one proved to contain malignant cells, the second was focal endometrial hyperplasia, the third was retained products of conception. The sensitivity on TVS in detection of polypoidal masses was 100%, but the specificity of mass characterization was 95.2%.


This article discuses the identification of Generalised Rational Expectations Models. It is shown that the necessary and sufficient conditions for local identification of the Quasi-Structural Form (Q-SF) derive from the first derivatives of the Non-Linear Instrumental Variables (NLIV) criterion. The necessary and sufficient conditions for local identification consist of an appropriately defined and informative instrument set and a Jacobian matrix with appropriate rank.However, these conditions do not identify the full structural form (SF) linked to either the true expectations or the full solution. For the identification of SF, the parameters need to be associated with a model that satisfies the transversality condition. It is shown that the testing of this condition is impossible when relying exclusively on the existing instruments.


Over the last years the asymptotic safety program has matured into a serious candidate for a quantum theory of gravity compatible with observations. The rapid technical progress in computing renormalisation group flows for gravity and gravity-matter systems in the non-perturbative regime has put many interesting physical questions within reach. In particular, the construction of the non-perturbative quantum corrections to the propagation of fields on a fluctuating spacetime allows addressing the effective propagation of matter on a quantum spacetime or the possible resolution of spacetime singularities based on first principle computations. In this article, we assemble a technical toolbox for carrying out investigations on this promising research frontier. As a specific example we present results for the momentum-dependent two-point function for a scalar field induced by the quantum fluctuations of the underlying geometry in a self-consistent way.


The study investigates the purchasing behaviour among young female consumers toward cosmetic products. Our paper will discuss the underlying theoretical perspectives that support our proposition and illustrate the various components that might influence the young female behaviour in this particular marketplace. The analysis and investigation is based on cosmetic industry in terms of comparing these young female consumers' purchase intention of local brand against imported cosmetic brands. The study is taking into consideration two independent variables (influence of role model and ethnocentric tendency) and suggests that differences should exist due to psychological factors.


Concern has been raised about possible increased mortality associated with the use of cefepime. There are limited data available on the pragmatic use of beta‐lactam antibiotics, especially in children.


This paper discusses steam turbine and process repowering. Typical examples are given to show the merits of four different steam turbine repowering schemes. The nomographs and graphs included will enable the reader to estimate performance for plants or process applications where repowering is contemplated.Copyright © 1973 by ASME


Although numerous sarcolemmal protein defects in muscular dystrophies have been identified, the mechanisms linking these defects and muscle fibre degeneration are not fully characterized. As there is evidence that apoptosis is part of muscle fibre loss in dystrophin‐deficient mdx‐mice, apoptotic muscle fibre death may also play a role in humans with muscular dystrophies. We investigated in‐situ DNA‐fragmentation by the TUNEL‐method and expression of apoptosis‐related proteins immunohistochemically in 14 children suffering from deficiencies of dystrophin, adhalin, and merosin, and found TUNEL‐positive chromatin‐cleavage of muscle fibre nuclei in about 10% of non‐necrotic muscle fibres. DNA‐fragmentation also occurred in groups of 'necrotic and regenerating' muscle fibres with labelling of nuclei in myogenic cells and phagocytizing macrophages. These lesions also revealed expression of apoptosis‐promoting factors, such as bax and ICE, inducing cleavage of myofilaments, and of the apoptosis‐inhibiting proteins bcl‐xL and bcl‐2 which neutralized high bax levels. Mimicking embryonal myogenesis, chromatin‐fragmentation in 'necrotic and regenerating' areas seems to be part of the regulating events in muscle regeneration to eliminate excessive proliferating satellite cells. Nevertheless, macrophages are also affected by apoptosis after successful removal of necrotic fibres. In humans, DNA‐fragmentation and expression of apoptosis‐related proteins indicate that apoptosis plays a role in muscle degeneration and regeneration in muscular dystrophies.


The theoretically attainable performance of a plant in the chemical process industries (CPI) is closely aligned with the technology applied and the equipment installed during its design and construction. Achieving that potential performance depends on proper equipment operation, which depends in part on the effectiveness of the plant's control system. For decades, the CPI have tried to close the gap between actual and potential plant performance through the application of advanced control. Numerous opportunities exist to improve plant operation through the rectification of the basic regulatory control system without the application of advanced control. In fact, some of the benefit that is attributed to advanced control technology is often the result of correcting regulatory control problems during the implementation of an advanced control project. Systematic methods can be used to identify problematic regulatory control loops. Once identified, straightforward techniques are available to troubleshoot several typical control system problems. This article describes these methods and techniques.


The question whether positive and negative affect ratings are indicators of a single bipolar dimension or whether they are markers of two dimensions, is usually explored by analysing associations between these ratings. Bipolarity is indicated when correlations between items of positive affect are of similar absolute height as those between positive and negative affect ratings (leading to a one-factor solution). However, the widely used product-moment correlation is susceptible to underestimate associations between opposite variables. The authors show that this underestimation bias is particularly strong for opposite affect items with strictly unipolar response formats, because these items tend to form L-shaped bivariate distributions. For this reason, it is recommended using polychoric correlations instead, which are shown to give unbiased estimates of association.


The embodiment of the invention discloses a streaming media transmission control method. The method comprises the steps of obtaining the streaming media caching volume, after a current play point, of streaming media buffered by a play terminal connected with a streaming media server; obtaining transmission speed of the streaming media, played by the play terminal, sent to the play terminal at present, wherein the transmission speed comprises the first sending speed and the second sending speed; judging whether the streaming media caching volume is greater than a first threshold value when the streaming media server sends the streaming media played by the play terminal to the play terminal at the first transmission speed; obtaining the second send speed when the streaming media caching volume is greater than the first threshold value, and sending the streaming media played by the play terminal to the play terminal at the second transmission speed. The embodiment of the invention further discloses the streaming media server. By adopting the streaming media transmission control method and the streaming media server, the broadband occupancy rate can be saved, and energy consumption is reduced.


The dependence of winter wheat production on spring temperature and precipitation was analysed on the basis of historical meteorological data. Production was found to be a linear function of temperature, so increasing temperatures resulted in lower yields. The dependence of yield on precipitation could be described with a quadratic function, and the yield decreased above the optimal precipitation amount. The results of regression analysis are presented using 30-year data for Fejer County. Simulation modelling was used to analyse the suitability of future climates for growing winter wheat in Hungary. The locations chosen were heterogeneous in terms of meteorological conditions, but were all relatively flat and of great importance for Hungarian winter wheat production: Győr-Moson-Sopron County in W. Hungary, which is well supplied with precipitation, Hajdu-Bihar County in the east, where the weather is warmer and drier, and Pest County in the middle of the country. Evaluations were made using the Ceres-Whea...


An 88th minute goal by Leon Osborne earned Town Football Club a well deserved replay on Tuesday evening. A lively start saw Hyde deal with a couple of ...


......................................................................................................2 Introduction...................................................................................................3 Normal oxidative stress processes due to ROS, RNS, and free radicals..............................4 The relationship between changes in Parkinson's and redox imbalances............................6 Current therapies and treatments......................................................................... Experimental, diagnostic, and therapeutic directions.................................................. Summary................................................................................................. Glossary...................................................................................... References.................................................................................................. Abstract Recent research has shown that active oxygen species, active nitrogen species, and free radicals are correlated to various disease states. Information is accumulating to support the hypothesis that oxidative stress involving damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids may contribute to Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this report is, first, to give a background on the manifestation of this disease state on the whole organism level; second, to consider the natural prooxidant and antioxidant capabilities of the cell; third, to look at some of the evidence of damage in Parkinson's and relate that evidence to oxidative stress; and fourth, to present future courses of action suggested by the literature which are both directly and indirectly related to free radical processes.Recent research has shown that active oxygen species, active nitrogen species, and free radicals are correlated to various disease states. Information is accumulating to support the hypothesis that oxidative stress involving damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids may contribute to Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this report is, first, to give a background on the manifestation of this disease state on the whole organism level; second, to consider the natural prooxidant and antioxidant capabilities of the cell; third, to look at some of the evidence of damage in Parkinson's and relate that evidence to oxidative stress; and fourth, to present future courses of action suggested by the literature which are both directly and indirectly related to free radical processes. Peters S. S. Parkinson's _______ 3 Introduction In 1817, James Parkinson described the shaking palsy now referred to as Parkinson's disease [1]. Additional observations have indicated that Parkinson's is a movement disorder associated with multiple moter control deficits [1]. Initial presentation tends to be the occurrence of a rhythmic temor in resting limbs, usually in a foot or hand, after the age of 50 [1]. This slowly progressive movement disorder also includes bradykinesia, akinesia, and muscle rigidity [1]. While multiple secondary symptoms appear in various combinations, these are the primary indicators of Parkinson's in a clinical setting. Epidemiological surveys show that around 10% of individuals over the age of 65 have detectable symptoms of Parkinson's [1]. People of all races and ethnic groups are afflicted with the disease; though some differences are seen in the rate of occurrence, differences in specific criteria for diagnosis can make direct comparisons difficult [2]. Of the on average 50,000 people diagnosed in the United States every year, 10% are early onset (<50 years old) cases [2]. Only 1% of people over 65 in the U.S. are diagnosed; however, the total number with a current diagnosis is close to 1.5 million [2]. Risk factors correlating to Parkinson's in order of highest to lowest risk include a family history of Parkinson's, head trauma, and the occupational use of herbicides [3]. More specific causative factors are not clear at this time, although there is ample evidence suggesting a free radical role in both initiation and progression. Most clues to Parkinson's mechanisms have resulted from post-mortem examinations and models of Parkinson's created through exposure to the drug, MPTP, or its derivatives. Parkinson's disease can significantly detract from the productivity and quality of life experienced by both those who have it and the other people in their lives, especially in nations like the U.S. with large aging populations. The qualitative and quantitative aspects of both Peters S. S. Parkinson's _______ 4 preventative and clinical therapy development are essential to the improvement of Parkinson's patient's outcomes, and an understanding of the basic science involved in pathogenesis is an invaluable part of that development. Normal oxidative stress processes due to ROS, RNS, and free radicals Oxidative stress is a naturally occurring phenomenon in aerobic biological systems [1]. A healthy body's machinery attempts to maintain a constant redox equilibrium where the overall oxidative and reductive reactions deep each other in check. Over the course of a lifetime, it is believed that the accumulation of damage caused by imbalances between prooxidants (ROS and RNS) and antioxidants leads to aging and age related diseases. These imbalances are collectively referred to as oxidative stress and result in damaged molecules including nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA, proteins, and lipids within the cellular milieu. It is important to note that free radicals are not synonymous with ROS and RNS; there are non-radical ROS and RNS (H2O2 and ONOO) as well as free radicals, which are not ROS or RNS (iron and other metals). Free radicals by definition must simply have at least one unpaired electron. The direct cause of oxidative stress can be traced to one of two things [1]. The first is an overproduction of ROS, RNS, and/or free radicals. The second is an underproduction of antioxidants. Some of the most biologically relevant redox reactions of interest when discussing these imbalances within mammalian cells are listed below: NOS's O2 + L-arginine à L-citruline + NO (1) O2 + e à O2 (2) NO + O2 à ONOO + H à NO2 + OH (3) H2O2 + Fe à Fe + OH + OH (4) Fe + O2 à Fe + O2 (5) Peters S. S. Parkinson's _______ 5 H2O2 + O2 à OH + OH + O2 (6) SOD 2H + O2 + O2 à H2O2 + O2 (7) GPx 2GSH + H2O2 à 2H2O + GSSG (8) ß GR Free radical damage can be repairable, as in most DNA damage; require replacement, as in most protein damage; create potentially lethal structural damage, as in lipid peroxidation; and create long term propagative damage, as in non-repairable DNA mutations. The above list is by no means meant to be a comprehensive one and cofactors have been excluded for simplicity. Reactions (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) all produce free radicals. The synthesis of the nitric oxide free radical (NO) requires four cofactors (FAD, FMN, tetrahydrobiopterin, and haem) to work with NOS enzymes in a five electron oxidation with electrons supplied by NADPH [1]. Nitric oxide's rapid reactivity upon production actually protects the cell from a great deal of damage as long as compounds which can cage it safely are near its production site. Some of nitric oxide's physiological roles include neurotrasmission, neuromodulation, synaptic plasticity , smooth muscle control as in the regulation of blood pressure, ingibition of platelet aggregation, antibiotic defense, and lung vasodialation. The production of superoxide in reaction (2) can occur via enzymatic catalysis, autooxidation of biologically prevalent molecules in the presence of oxygen, the delocalization of electrons when oxygen is bound to iron centered haems, and as a byproduct of electron leakage in mitochondrial energy production. Mitochondrial leakage is the most significant of these sources of superoxide. Superoxide is detoxified by a dismutation reaction catalyzed by superoxide dismutase in reaction (7). Reaction (3) gives an example of radical propagation through a non-radical RNS (ONOO). Reaction (4), the Fenton reaction, combined Peters S. S. Parkinson's _______ 6 with reaction (5) to produce the superoxide-assisted Fenton reaction, also known as the net iron catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction, (6). This is a dangerous reaction cycle because of the especially high reactivity of hydroxyl radicals (OH). The GPx enzyme and GSH in reaction (7) protect against iron catalyzed oxidative stress by removing the majority of the hydrogen peroxide substrate. Metal chealators are also capable of acting as antioxidants by sequestering reactive metal species. It is thought that H2O2 must be kept available in low concentrations for signaling purposes within the cell. Hydrogen peroxide in the brain is primarily scavenged by glutathione peroxidase in the brain; little to no catalase or peroxidase activity occurs there [4]. Unless they are quickly sequestered in large proteins capable of delocalizing radical charges, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radicals will certainly cause damage to cellular structures. The complexity of the interplay between these reactions in vivo is significant. However, it is not within the scope of this report to explore these reactions in detail. More detailed explanations can be found in the references. The relationship between changes in Parkinson's and redox imbalances While free radicals are implicated in almost all disease processes, they are not always thought to be a part of the "causative" factors. Reperfusion injuries after heart operations involve free radicals, but free radicals certainly did not crack open the patient's chest. Still, a growing body of evidence indicates that free radicals may be causative factors and/or part of the disease progression in Parkinson's. The development of therapies for treatment and prevention can be more accurately guided by an understanding of the disease mechanisms underlying changes witnessed in pathogenesis; some of those changes will be presented here in combination with


Wise leadership and concrete action is, now more than ever, needed in South African agriculture to plot the future. For this to transpire, a neutral and effective communication mechanism is required for leading agricultural role-players to engage in frank dialogue with the ruling party on the future of agriculture and land reform.


The authors investigated a contrast enhancement behavior of hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) in a salty development system (NaOH∕NaCl). Time-resolved analysis of contrast curves and line-grating patterns were carried out to investigate the unique properties of a salty development process. In NaOH developer without salt, the development process was saturated beyond a certain development time. On the other hand, the addition of salt enabled a continuous development, which was not observed in the pure NaOH development. The continuous thinning process enhances the contrast of HSQ in the salty developer, which allows a fast collapsing behavior in HSQ line-grating patterns. During development process, salt seems to have the role of modifying HSQ by breaking network bonds preferentially, leading to a continuous development rate.


This paper investigates the institutional change process underpinning the emergence of regenerative medicine and related medical innovation in Tampere, Finland. The main aim is to investigate how institutional entrepreneurship has influenced the course of events and what roles the key actors have played. The empirical analysis shows that institutional entrepreneurship is a multi-scalar and multi-actor force in time and, that no single actor has led the process in a conventional sense but there have been several actors who have played leading roles in different phases of the process. This paper shows that institutional entrepreneurship is a strategic relay of power and knowledge in time. This paper is based on the analysis of secondary data and 28 interviews of key actors.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Pneumonia is the major contributor to under 5 childhood mortality globally. We evaluated the etiology of pneumonia amongst HIV-uninfected South African children enrolled into the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health case-control study. Methods: Cases, 1–59 months of age hospitalized with World Health Organization clinically defined severe/very severe pneumonia, were frequency-matched by age and season to community controls. Nasopharyngeal-oropharyngeal swabs were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction for 33 respiratory pathogens, and whole blood was tested for pneumococcal autolysin. Cases were also tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Population etiologic fractions (EF) of pneumonia with radiologic evidence of consolidation/infiltrate were derived for each pathogen through Bayesian analysis. Results: Of the 805 HIV-uninfected cases enrolled based on clinical criteria, radiologically confirmed pneumonia was evident in 165 HIV-exposed, -uninfected, and 246 HIV-unexposed children. In HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed children, respiratory syncytial virus was the most important pathogen with EFs of 31.6% [95% credible interval (CrI), 24.8%–38.8%] and 36.4% (95% CrI, 30.5%–43.1%), respectively. M. tuberculosis contributed EFs of 11.6% (95% CrI, 6.1%–18.8%) in HIV-exposed and 8.3% (95% CrI, 4.5%–13.8%) in HIV-unexposed children, including an EF of 16.3% (95% CrI, 6.1%–33.3%) in HIV-exposed children ≥12 months of age. Bacteremia (3.0% vs. 1.6%) and case fatality risk (3.6% vs. 3.7%) were similar in HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed children. Conclusions: Vaccination strategies targeting respiratory syncytial virus should be prioritized for prevention of pneumonia in children. Furthermore, interventions are required to address the high burden of tuberculosis in the pathogenesis of acute community-acquired pneumonia in settings such as ours.