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Mutualism and parasitism: the yin and yang of plant symbioses. Plants are solar-powered sugar factories that feed a multitude of other organisms. Many of these organisms associate directly with host plants to gain access to the plant's photosynthates. Such symbioses encompass a wide collection of styles ranging from mutualistic to commensal and parasitic. Among these, the mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is one of the evolutionarily oldest symbioses of plants, relying on the formation of an intimate relationship between fungi of the Glomeromycota and roots of the majority of vascular flowering plants. In this symbiosis, the fungus intracellularly colonizes living root cells, implying the existence of an extreme form of compatibility. Interestingly, molecular events that happen in the plant in response to mycorrhizal colonization also occur in other beneficial and, as recently shown, even antagonistic plant symbioses. Thus, basic 'compatibility modules' appear to be partially conserved between mutualism and parasitism. | [
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Modern Parenteral Nutrition. Intestinal failure (IF) is the inability of the gastrointestinal tract to absorb energy, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and fluids. Patients with IF would need nutrition support in the form of nutritional supplements, tube feeding, or parenteral nutrition (PN). Duration of nutrition support depends on severity of IF. Complications of long-term PN make it a less favorable treatment; small bowel transplant is done to avoid these complications. Although small bowel transplant is not for every patient with IF, early referral and evaluation are highly recommended. This chapter will discuss the use of long-term or home PN in patients with IF who would require small bowel transplant. After the right patient is selected for long-term PN, the PN formula is adjusted to meet the requirements of the patient, and the patient is evaluated by social workers, case managers, and trained nurses for PN. After discharge from the hospital, the patient is monitored closely for complications. | [
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CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ABNORMALITIES DIAGNOSED BY PRENATAL SONOGRAPHY IN THE EARLY SECOND TRIMESTER. Ultrasound is an efficient method for the prenatal diagnosis of central nervous system abnormalities. We present a case of Dandy Walker malformation and a case of mild ventriculomegaly diagnosed by fetal sonography in the early second trimester over the past 6 months. | [
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Residue Potential of Norsesquiterpene Glycosides in Tissues of Cattle Fed Austral Bracken (Pteridium esculentum). Austral bracken, Pteridium esculentum, occurs widely in Australian grazing lands and contains both the known carcinogen ptaquiloside and its hydroxy analogue, ptesculentoside, with untested carcinogenic potential. Calves were fed a diet containing 19% P. esculentum that delivered 1.8 mg of ptaquiloside and 4.0 mg of ptesculentoside per kilogram of body weight (bw) per day to explore the carcass residue potential of these compounds. Concentrations of ptaquiloside and ptesculentoside in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart, and blood of these calves were determined as their respective elimination products, pterosin B and pterosin G, by HPLC-UV analysis. Plasma concentrations of up to 0.97 mu g/mL ptaquiloside and 1.30 mu g/mL ptesculentoside were found, but were shown to deplete to <10% of these values within 24 h of bracken consumption. Both glycosides were also detected in all tissues assayed, with ptesculentoside appearing to be more residual than ptaquiloside. Up to 0.42 and 0.32 mu g/g ptesculentoside was present in skeletal muscle and liver, respectively, 15 days after bracken consumption ended. This detection of residual glycosides in tissues of cattle feeding on Austral bracken raises health concerns for consumers and warrants further investigation. | [
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The Impact Factor had it's day. Altmetrics and the Future of Science. The Impact Factor had it's day. Altmetrics and the Future of Science Abstract: Altmetrics is a response to criticisms of the journal impact factor as a means in research evaluation. By extending the resonance spectrum from scientific sources covered by traditional bibliometries towards non-scientific sources, Altmetrics draws on user-generated data in the Social Web. Altmetrics suggest measuring the broader impacts of research by numbers. Triggered by the idea of a democratization of science, the implementation of Altmetrics is booming. Moreover, Altmetrics tools act as a catalyst of the digital shift towards Open Science. As a side-effect, however, the accompanied demand for popularity might superimpose epistemic criteria. | [
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Relaxation currents from macroscopic depolarization in poly-4-vinylphenol dielectrics. Polarization and depolarization currents were obtained from a capacitor structure with poly-4-vinylphenol (PVP) dielectrics by on-off switching. A single Debye relaxation was revealed for thin films; while some dispersion appeared for thick samples. The relaxation time constant (tau) of the currents was similar to 1 s, and the polarization density depended on the type of top electrodes. The slow relaxation at on-off switching corresponded to a much higher susceptibility (chi approximate to 10(3)), compared to that (chi approximate to 10(0)) of the PVP molecular dipoles, suggesting the existence of macroscopic dipoles. Meanwhile, fast (tau < similar to 0.1 ms) polarization and depolarization of the molecular dipoles in PVP layers were detected by measuring a P-E hysteresis loop at a high frequency. In both cases, the electric susceptibility decreased for thin (similar to 100-1000 nm) PVP layers, showing the dominant effects of the interfacial states. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | [
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Transient Behaviour of Grounding System in a Two-Layer Soil Using the Transmission Line Theory. The present work deals with modeling of the transient behavior of grounding systems in the presence of layered media. A simple and efficient Transmission Line (TL) model featuring the use of the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) is proposed. The proposed approach easily accounts for the influence of semi-infinite media (soil or air) and imposes conditions at the interfaces. The TL model is verified through the direct solution of the Maxwell's equations in the time domain by means of the FDTD method. Some illustrative computational examples addressing some engineering applications stemming from industry are given in the paper. | [
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STRUCTURE, SECRETION, AND BACTERIAL SPECIFICITY OF AN ENDOGENOUS LECTIN FROM CYSTIC-FIBROSIS LUNG. Endogenous heparin-binding lectin purified from postmortem lung samples of two cystic fibrosis (CF) patients was compared to lectin derived from normal tissue with respect to structure, carbohydrate specificity, interaction with alginate derived from CF isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and secretion within the lung. Lectin was purified from extracts of lung tissue by gel filtration on Sepharose CL-2B followed by affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose. Lectin purified from either CF lung or control tissue ran as two peptides of approximately 16,000 and 13,000 molecular weight on electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The lectins displayed similar carbohydrate specificity and interacted in much the same way with bacterial alginate. An increase in lectin secretion was seen in CF lungs affecting the bronchial epithelial cells and the mucosal glands. The data suggest that the major changes seen in endogenous heparin-binding lectin in CF are related to the quantity and distribution of lectin secretion. | [
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Retrospectives Joan Robinson on Karl Marx: 'His Sense of Reality Is Far Stronger. This feature addresses the history of economic terms and ideas. The hope is to deepen the workaday dialogue of economists, while perhaps also casting new light on ongoing questions. If you have suggestions for future topics or authors, please contact either Beatrice Cherrier, CNRS & CREST, ENSAE-Ecole Polytechnique ([email protected]) or Joseph Persky, University of Illinois at Chicago ([email protected]). | [
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Generalization bounds for learning weighted automata. This paper studies the problem of learning weighted automata from a finite sample of strings with real-valued labels. We consider several hypothesis classes of weighted automata defined in terms of three different measures: the norm of an automaton's weights, the norm of the function computed by an automaton, and the norm of the corresponding Hankel matrix. We present new data-dependent generalization guarantees for learning weighted automata expressed in terms of the Rademacher complexity of these classes. We further present upper bounds on these Rademacher complexities, which reveal key new data-dependent terms related to the complexity of learning weighted automata. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | [
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Nitrosamine, Dimethylnitramine, and Chloropicrin Formation during Strong Base Anion-Exchange Treatment. Strong base anion-exchange resins represent an important option for water utilities and homeowners to address growing concerns with nitrate, arsenate, and perchlorate contamination of source waters. Most commercially available anion-exchange resins employ quaternary amine functional groups. Previous research has provided contradictory evidence regarding whether these resins serve as sources of nitrosamines, considered as highly carcinogenic nitrogenous disinfection byproducts (N-DBPs), even without disinfectants. For three common varieties of commercial anion-exchange resins, we evaluated the importance of releases of nitrosamines, and two other N-DBPs (dimethylnitramine and chloropicrin), when the resins were subjected to typical column flow conditions with and without free chlorine or chloramine application upstream or downstream of the columns. In the absence of disinfectants, fresh trimethylamine- and tributylamine-based type 1 and dimethylethanolamine-based type 2 anion-exchange resins usually released 2-10 ng/L nitrosamines, likely due to shedding of manufacturing impurities, with excursions of upto 20 ng/L following regeneration. However, the lack of significant nitrosamine release in a full-scale anion-exchange treatment system after multiple regeneration cycles indicates that releases may eventually subside. Resins also shed organic precursors that might contribute to nitrosamine formation within distribution systems when chloramines are applied downstream. With free chlorine or chloramine application upstream, nitrosamine concentrations were more significant, at 20-100 ng/L for the type 1 resins and similar to 400 ng/L for the type 2 resin. However, chloropicrin formation was lowest for the type 2 resin. Dimethylnitramine formation was significant with free chlorine application upstream but negligible with chloramines. Although no N-DBPs were detected in cation-exchange-based consumer point-of-use devices exposed to chlorinated or chloraminated waters, our results indicate that inclusion of anion-exchange resins in these devices, as in laboratory deionized water systems, would likely be problematic. | [
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Bureaucracy and entrepreneurship: Workplace effects on entrepreneurial entry. Using a study of the relationship between bureaucratic work environments and individual rates of entrepreneurship, I revisit a fundamental premise of sociological approaches to entrepreneurship, namely, that the social context shapes the likelihood of entrepreneurial activity, above and beyond any effects of individual characteristics. Establishing such contextual effects empirically is complicated by the possibility that unobserved individual traits influence both the contexts in which people are observed and their likelihood of becoming entrepreneurs. This paper presents the first systematic study of the effects of bureaucracy on entrepreneurship that accounts for such unobserved sorting processes. Analyses of data on labor market attachments and transitions to entrepreneurship in Denmark between 1990 and 1997 show that people who work for large and old firms are less likely to become entrepreneurs, net of a host of observable individual characteristics. Moreover, there is strong evidence to suggest that this negative effect of bureaucracy does not spuriously reflect self-selection by nascent entrepreneurs into different types of firms. An important implication of this finding is that the structure of organizational populations affects the supply of nascent entrepreneurs, as well as the availability of entrepreneurial opportunities.(center dot). | [
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Experimental study of fast-neutron production and moderation for accelerator-based BNCT system. This work aims to study the fast-neutron production and moderation for the development of a compact accelerator-based multi-port Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-mBNCT) system. An initial energy distribution and the efficiency of a test moderator assembly (TMA) for fast neutrons from a tungsten (W) target bombarded with a 53 MeV proton beam were measured using organic scintillators. The experimental results were reproduced with reasonable accuracy by simulations using the PHITS code. This paper will discuss about the experimental outcome and the related benchmark calculations by PHITS code. | [
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APPLICATION OF FUZZY-LOGIC IN NUCLEAR-REACTOR CONTROL .1. AN ASSESSMENT OF STATE-OF-THE-ART. To introduce the concept of FLC in nuclear reactor operation, an overview of the mythology and a review of its application in both nuclear and nonnuclear control application domains are presented along with subsequent discussion of fuzzy logic controllers, their structures, and their method of information processing. The article concludes with the application of a tunable FLC to a typical reactor control problem.This article discusses the application of fuzzy logic to nuclear reactor control. The method has been suggested by many investigators in many control applications.(1-6) Reviews of the application of fuzzy logic in process control are given by Tong(7) and Sugeno.(8) Because fuzzy logic control (FLC) provides a pathway for transforming human abstractions into the numerical domain, it has the potential to assist nuclear reactor operators in the control room. With this transformation, linguistically expressed control principles can be coded into the fuzzy controller rule base. Having acquired the skill of the operators, the FLC can assist an operator in controlling the complex system. The thrust of FLC is to derive a conceptual model of the control operation, without expressing the process as mathematical equations, to assist the human operator in interpreting incoming plant variables and arriving al a proper control action, | [
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A MOTIVATIONAL TURN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS. To contribute more effectively to conservation reform, environmental ethics needs a motivational turn, referenced to the best scientific information about motivation. I address the pivotal questions What actually motivates people to conserve nature? and What ought to motivate people to conserve nature? by proposing a framework for understanding motivations and developing motivationally relevant criteria for environmental ethics. The need for an adequate philosophy of psychology for moral philosophy, identified by Elizabeth Anscombe 50 years ago, remains. Only from a psychologically informed motivational framework for morality can ethicists understand and address the widespread rhetoric-behaviors gap plaguing conservation. | [
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Rhodium-catalyzed directed C-H functionalization of 2-arylindazoles with diazotized Meldrum's acid. A rhodium-catalyzed alcohol-mediated ortho-functionalization of 2-aryl-2H-indazoles through sequential C-H activation and carbenoid insertion with diazotized Meldrum's acid was developed. Using the 2H-indazole as the directing group and alcohol as the alkyl source, a series of ortho-alkylated aryl-2H-indazoles were obtained over a wide structural scope with high site-selectivity and excellent functional-group tolerance. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | [
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The effect of fungicide seed protectants, seeding rates, and reduced rates of herbicides on no-till soybean. A field study was conducted to determine if fungicide seed protectants, reduced rates of a complete preemergence or a complete postemergence herbicide program, and soybean seeding rates affect weed control and yield in a no-till system. Asgrow 3237, Pioneer 9273, and Pioneer 9342 soybean cultivars were planted into corn stubble at Urbana, Illinois in 1995 and 1996. Fungicide seed protectants increased soybean population density and reduced time to canopy closure in 1995, but had no effect in 1996. As seeding rates increased from 34.6 to 54.3 seeds m(-2), yields increased, and time to row canopy closure was decreased. In general, adequate weed control and soybean yields were maintained using reduced rates (greater than or equal to0.5X) of herbicides. In 1996, the purple seed stain fungus, Cercospora kikuchii, was isolated more often from Pioneer 9273 seed and Asgrow 3237 seed harvested from the no-herbicide, weedy control plots compared to plots treated with herbicides. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. | [
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Digital Twinning Based Adaptive Development Environment for Automotive Cyber-Physical Systems. Automotive cyber-physical systems need to be rigorously checked and tested under various physical conditions. Automakers aim to improve development efficiency of the automotive cyber-physical systems in the fierce market competition. However, the actual development process suffers from the challenges of long development cycle and poor scalability. To tackle these challenges, this article develops a digital twinning based adaptive development environment for automotive cyber-physical systems, which addresses two critical problems: each physical entity (i.e., electronic control unit, component, test source, etc.) needs to clone a corresponding digital twin; digital twins and the physical entities need to interact closely. The first problem is addressed through proposing an integrated digital twinning clone flow. The second problem is addressed through developing a smart digital twinning board. Our case study with the automotive body control system demonstrates that the adaptive development environment achieves a high adaptability with short development cycle, low complexity, low cost, high scalability, and high flexibility, which meet various automotive cyber-physical design requirements during the development process. | [
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From bulk to molecularly thin hybrid perovskites. Owing to their layered structure, the properties of 2D perovskites can be controlled by tuning their thickness. This Review surveys how fine-tuning the thickness of 2D perovskites from the sub-micrometre to the molecularly thin regime helps to optimize their electrical and optical properties for use in different applications.Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have been intensively researched in the past decade for their optoelectronic properties. The emergence of Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites, which have mixed dimensionality, has heralded new opportunities for tailor-made semiconductors that combine enhanced stability with useful properties between those of 2D and 3D systems. Inspired by advances in 2D materials research, there is growing interest in molecularly thin versions of these hybrid perovskites, owing to their ease of incorporation into electronic devices. There is, thus, a need to understand thickness-dependent electrical, excitonic and phononic properties that go beyond quantum-confinement effects. Recent studies have shown that, apart from tuning the dimensionality of the system, fine-tuning its thickness also helps to optimize performance in different applications, ranging from third-harmonic generation to photodetectors and spintronics. | [
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KNOWLEDGE OF SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DURING COVID PANDEMIC AMONG DENTISTS IN SAUDIARABIA: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY. Recently, with the emergence of world pandemic called COVID-19 virus all over the world, dental practitioners have stood out as high risked front liners. The aim of this study is to analyse the knowledge and management of emergency and safety precautions implemented by dentists during the pandemic of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. An online survey was used for this cross-sectional study using google forms and was distributed to dental professionals who works in government hospitals, private clinics, and academic universities in Saudi Arabia. Statistical evaluation was done using the data that was obtained from 355 dentists (academicians, private practitioners, military and government employees), with the power of the sample being 0.85. Relevant awareness regarding the incubation period and symptoms of COVID-19 virus was observed among the dental professionals. Preparedness and perception among dental professionals seem to be satisfactory and statistically significant. Obligatory improvements should be provided through educational campaigns. | [
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Model of filament structure in a turbulent plasma edge. Edge turbulence called 'filaments' is one of the most interesting things to study in the field of plasma science. In this paper, it is demonstrated that a plasma model based on filaments could be made using a single-fluid MHD approach including ions and electrons. According to this model, non-uniform heating with, for example, neutral beam injection or cooling with local recycling makes a 'blob', and the blob extent is mainly along the magnetic field. Due to large thermal conduction parallel to the magnetic field the blob should have a shape called a 'filament'. During the extension process by which a blob becomes a filament it moves and/or rotates across the magnetic field due to an unbalanced jxB force. Using this model, the energy confinement time will be proportional to the total plasma current, if the filament generation rate is independent of the magnetic field. | [
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Human Knee Meniscus Regeneration Strategies: a Review on Recent Advances. Summary The regeneration and replacement of the total meniscus have been studied by the orthopedic and scientific communities via successful pre-clinical trials towards mimicking the biomechanical properties of the human knee meniscus. Researchers have attempted different regeneration strategies which contribute to in vitro regeneration and are capable of repairing meniscal tears to some extent. This review discusses the present state of the art of these meniscus tissue engineering aspects.Recent Findings The structural complexity and inhomogeneity of the meniscus have been addressed with processing technologies for precisely controlled three dimensional (3D) complex porous scaffold architectures, the use of biomolecules and nanomaterials.Purpose of Review Lack of vascularity in the human knee meniscus often leads to surgical removal (total or partial meniscectomy) in the case of severe meniscal damage. However, complete recovery is in question after such removal as the meniscus plays an important role in knee stability. Thus, meniscus tissue regeneration strategies are of intense research interest in recent years. | [
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Sublethal doses of copper sulphate initiate deregulation of glial cytoskeleton, NF-kappa B and PARP expression in Capoeta umbla brain tissue. The data obtained in this study suggest that copper sulphate has a significant effect on astrogliosis and DNA damage in the fish brain.Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4 center dot 5H(2)O) is widely used as a pesticide not only in agricultural but in aquaculture farming as well. Copper sulphate is a cheap chemical and able to contaminate the environment, especially water sources, which is crucial for fish harvesting and farming. The copper contamination in some areas is caused over decades because this pesticide has long been used everywhere. Copper ions inhibit invasive aquatic plants and many microorganisms but contaminate soil and natural water resources. The family of copper-containing chemicals is frequently used as algaecides in swimming pools. Despite the high toxicity of copper ions for fish in freshwater ponds, copper sulphate remains one of the prevalent pesticides in fish farming everywhere. High cytotoxicity and accumulation of the copper ions in sediments require study and calculation of the optimal dosage for its use as an antiseptic agent which will not have a detrimental effect on various tissue types of aquatic organisms. The main recognized mechanism which accompanies the toxic effect of copper ions is the generation of oxidative stress. Neural tissue cells are extremely susceptible to oxidative damage and the functions of the CNS are critical to the vitality of organisms. Glial cells maintain the structure and many vital functions of neurons. The cytoskeleton glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), transcriptional nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappa B) and Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) are critical participants in a cellular response to a toxic agent impact. As this takes place, it could be applied in biomarking of heavy metal toxicity. In the presented study, we investigated the effects of copper ions on PARP, NF-kappa B, and GFAP expression in the Tigris scraper Capoeta umbla brain tissue. For 96 hours the fish were exposed to copper sulphate at sublethal concentrations, namely 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 of the LD50 value. Western blot analysis of GFAP and PARP was used to assess further effects in the brain tissue. Every studied dose of copper significantly downregulated the expression of GFAP after 72 hours of treatment. In spite of the common increment in the GFAP content, 48 hours exposure to copper initiated the upregulation of that cytoskeleton marker. Moreover, treatment with copper sulphate induced several changes in the beta-actin level, especially in the fish group treated for 72 hours. The observed effect of copper in the fish brain evidences the unspecific toxic effect of the copper ions in the brain tissue cells. The obtained results demonstrated meaningful disturbance in the expression of transcriptional factor NF-kappa B in the brain of the fish group exposed to copper. The changes found in the fish brain indicate the dose-dependent effect in a concentration range 185-740 mu g/L of copper sulphate during 72 hours. However, the exposure to low dose of copper ions showed no effect in the fish group treated for 24 hours. Comparative analyses of the PARP content in the brain of fish exposed to copper for 72 hours was significantly less than in the groups treated with copper for both 24 and 48 hours. Thus, the copper ions in the dose range 185-740 mu g/L can suppress PARP expression in a time-dependent manner. The results showed that copper ions could induce astroglial response accompanied by modulations of NF-kappa B and PARP-1 expression. | [
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Longitudinal differences of ionospheric vertical density distribution and equatorial electrodynamics. Accurate estimation of global vertical distribution of ionospheric and plasmaspheric density as a function of local time, season, and magnetic activity is required to improve the operation of space-based navigation and communication systems. The vertical density distribution, especially at low and equatorial latitudes, is governed by the equatorial electrodynamics that produces a vertical driving force. The vertical structure of the equatorial density distribution can be observed by using tomographic reconstruction techniques on ground-based global positioning system (GPS) total electron content (TEC). Similarly, the vertical drift, which is one of the driving mechanisms that govern equatorial electrodynamics and strongly affect the structure and dynamics of the ionosphere in the low/midlatitude region, can be estimated using ground magnetometer observations. We present tomographically reconstructed density distribution and the corresponding vertical drifts at two different longitudes: the East African and west South American sectors. Chains of GPS stations in the east African and west South American longitudinal sectors, covering the equatorial anomaly region of meridian similar to 37 degrees E and 290 degrees E, respectively, are used to reconstruct the vertical density distribution. Similarly, magnetometer sites of African Meridian B-field Education and Research (AMBER) and INTERMAGNET for the east African sector and South American Meridional B-field Array (SAMBA) and Low Latitude Ionospheric Sensor Network (LISN) are used to estimate the vertical drift velocity at two distinct longitudes. The comparison between the reconstructed and Jicamarca Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) measured density profiles shows excellent agreement, demonstrating the usefulness of tomographic reconstruction technique in providing the vertical density distribution at different longitudes. Similarly, the comparison between magnetometer estimated vertical drift and other independent drift observation, such as from VEFI onboard Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite and JULIA radar, is equally promising. The observations at different longitudes suggest that the vertical drift velocities and the vertical density distribution have significant longitudinal differences; especially the equatorial anomaly peaks expand to higher latitudes more in American sector than the African sector, indicating that the vertical drift in the American sector is stronger than the African sector. | [
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Improvement of the oxidative stability of used-oil biodiesel by epoxidation reaction. Improvement in the oxidative stability (OS) of biodiesel derived from used-oil (UO) was carried out by epoxidation of biodiesel. A 2(k) factorial design was used to identify the effects of temperature, mole ratio of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2):formic acid (HCOOH), stirring rate, and reaction time. The results indicated that the H2O2:HCOOH mole ratio, stirring rate, and their interaction had significant effect on the OS of biodiesel. At the derived optimum condition, greater than 99.4% of unsaturated carbon bonds in the used-oil biodiesel were converted to epoxy used-oil biodiesel with a selectivity of 69.0%. Only one species of by-product, hydroxyl-biodiesel, was observed in this system. Asides the cold flow properties and methyl ester content, all other key properties of biodiesel were within the specifications of the European Standard EN14214. The OS for the biodiesel was higher than the original. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4754441] | [
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Obesity and Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus in Kidney Transplantation. Worldwide, the prevalence obesity, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease is increasing apace. The relationship between obesity and chronic kidney disease is multidimensional, especially when diabetes is also considered. The optimal treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease includes the need to consider weight loss as part of the treatment. The exact relationship between obesity and kidney function before and after transplantation is not as clear as previously imagined. Historically, patients with obesity had worse outcomes following kidney transplantation and weight loss before surgery was encouraged. However, recent studies have found less of a correlation between obesity and transplant outcomes. Transplantation itself is also a risk factor for developing diabetes, a condition known as post-transplant diabetes mellitus, and is related to the use of immunosuppressive medications and weight gain following transplantation. Newer classes of anti-diabetic medications, namely SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, are increasingly being recognized, not only for their ability to control diabetes, but also for their cardio and renoprotective effects. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the management of obesity and post-transplant diabetes mellitus for kidney transplant patients. | [
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Fatal disseminated encephalitozoonosis in a captive, adult Goeldi's monkey (Callimico goeldii) and subsequent serosurvey of the exposed conspecifics. A captive, adult male Goeldi's monkey (Callimico goeldii) (GM) presented in acute respiratory distress 4 yr after importation into the United States from Europe. Radiographs and echocardiogram were consistent with heart failure. The monkey died within 24 hr of presentation. Necropsy findings included multicentric arteritis and aortitis with aneurysm associated with microsporidian organisms morphologically consistent with Encephalitozoon species. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed organisms were Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Sequence analysis of amplicons generated by using primers specific for the polar tube protein of E. cuniculi determined the organism to be genotype II. An E. cuniculi serosurvey of potentially exposed conspecifics that represented approximately 40% of the captive GM population in the United States was conducted. Multiple individuals that had been imported from Europe with the individual of this report were seropositive via an immunofluorescent antibody assay for E. cuniculi. Multiple samples were available from 3 individuals that demonstrated a decrease in titer or reversion to seronegative status within 3 yr of initial positive status. All other GM were negative on serology. This case is unique in that the genotype identified (genotype II) was different than the genotype (genotype III) reported in other New World primate (NWP) species, the patterns of arteritis were different from the typical pattern of microsporidial vasculitis described in other species, and clinical disease was observed in an adult. Most reported cases of clinical disease secondary to E. cuniculi in NWP have been in neonates and juveniles. | [
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WEAK BOOLEAN PRODUCTS OF BOUNDED DUALLY RESIDUATED l-MONOIDS. In the paper we deal with weak Boolean products of bounded dually residuated 1-monoids (DR1-monoids). Since bounded DR1-monoids are a generalization of pseudo MV-algebras and pseudo BL-algebras, the results can be immediately applied to these algebras. | [
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A case study for block-based linked data generation: Recipes as jigsaw puzzles. This article is a proof-of-concept case study to evaluate the functionality of a block metaphor-based linked data generator. In this work, we chose to produce linked data repository of recipes, which provide a medium for people to share their regional and healthy recipes with the masses. However, the same approach can also be adapted easily to other domains. Therefore, the applicability of our approach extends well beyond the food domain that we are considering in this article. As a medium for information sharing and understanding between heterogeneous systems, ontologies will play an important role in the realisation of the Internet of things (IoT) vision. Therefore, an ontology-based recipe repository would also be one of the basic blocks of a smart kitchen environment. However, building ontologies is a challenging task, especially for users who are not conversant in the ontology building languages. This article proposes an approach that can be used even by non-experts and facilitates the sharing and searching of recipe data. In our case, we exploit the features of the block paradigm to publish recipes in Linked Data format. In this way, users do not have to know the OWL (Web Ontology Language) syntax and the text input is kept minimal. As far as we know, this article is the first study that produces linked data using Blockly in the literature. We also conducted a user-based evaluation of the proposed approach using the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. | [
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When high and pop culture (re)mix: An inquiry into the memetic transformations of artwork. This article explores the complex meanings embodied in memes featuring artwork as a juxtaposition between fine arts and participatory culture. A qualitative textual analysis of 119 meme instances identified three dimensions of artwork that can be echoed in digital memes: the content, the form, and the artist. Consistent with the metaphor of communication as transmission, the mimesis of content uses artwork as a device for political expression. The mimesis of form and of the artist, on the other hand, provoke a response that emphasizes the aesthetics over the narrative, albeit for contrasting goals: while the former conveys a communal partaking of iconic gestures, which highlights what Carey depicted as the ritual view of communication, the latter distinguishes the imitators as individuals, thus comparing them to the original creator. This article demonstrates the memetic manipulation of fine art as a dual agent of individual and communal expression. | [
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Self-Assembled Molecular Complexes and Coordination Polymers of Cd-II, Hexamine, and Monocarboxylates: Structural Analysis and Theoretical Studies of Supramolecular Interactions. Four new cadmium(II) complexes [Cd-2(bz)(4)(H2O)(4)(mu 2-hmt)]center dot Hbz center dot H2O (1), [Cd-3(bz)(6)(H2O)(6)(mu 2-hmt)(2)]center dot 6H(2)O (2), [Cd(pa)(2)(H2O)(mu(2)-hmt)](n) (3), and {[Cd-3(ac)(6)(H2O)(3)(mu(3)-hmt)(2)]center dot 6H(2)O}(n) (4) with hexamine (hmt) and monocarboxylate ions, benzoate (bz), phenylacetate (pa), or acetate (ac) have been synthesized and characterized structurally. Structure determinations reveal that 1 is dinuclear, 2 is trinuclear, 3 is a one-dimensional (1D) infinite chain, and 4 is a two-dimensional (2D) polymer with fused hexagonal rings consisting of Cd-II and hmt. All the Cd-II atoms in the four complexes (except one CdII in 2) possess seven-coordinate pentagonal bipyramidal geometry with the various chelating bidentate carboxylate groups in equatorial sites. One of the CdII ions in 2, a complex that contains two monodentate carboxylates is in a distorted octahedral environment. The bridging mode of hmt is mu 2- in complexes 1-3 but is mu 3- in complex 4. In all complexes, there are significant numbers of H-bonds, C-H/pi, and pi-pi interactions which play crucial roles in forming the supramolecular networks. The importance of the noncovalent interactions in terms of energies and geometries has been analyzed using high level ab initio calculations. The effect of the cadmium coordinated to hmt on the energetic features of the C-H/pi interaction is analyzed. Finally, the interplay between C-H/pi and pi-pi interactions observed in the crystal structure of 3 is also studied. | [
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One proton emission with structural effects in medium mass nuclei. In this work proton emission from deformed nuclei is discussed with the quadrupole deformation values. The deformation is investigated using potential energy surface plots. The identified proton emitters are found to have odd Z since the unpaired proton is less bound, and they are readily available for emission. Using the exotic decay model to the medium mass nuclei, the new proton emitters are analyzed with the inclusion of centrifugal barrier. The proton decay half-lives are calculated and compared with literature values. A discussion pertaining to single proton emission with structural effect will be a pivotal point in our study. | [
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Socialisation or Institutional Context: What Determines the First and Second Birth Behaviour of East-West German Migrants?. In the more than two decades since German reunification, a convergence of total fertility rates in the eastern and western parts of the country has occurred. However, east-west differences remain in the timing, number, and spacing of births. The aim of this paper was to gain a better understanding of the relative importance of cultural norms and institutional contexts in the persistence of these differences by examining the fertility behaviour patterns of east-west migrants. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel for the years 1990-2011, and applying event history modelling, the first and second birth behaviour patterns of female east-west German migrants are compared to those of the non-mobile populations in the eastern and western parts of the country. The migrants' first and second birth risks were found to lie between those of non-mobile eastern and western Germans. It is known that migrants are a selected group with respect to their socio-economic characteristics, value orientations, and partners' characteristics. This selectivity appears to explain the second birth behaviour of migrants. For first births, the differences between the migrants and the eastern Germans were shown to be even greater after controlling for selective characteristics. For both birth orders, there is evidence for socialisation and adaptation effects, but not for progressive adaptation over time. The effect of an east-west migrant being partnered with a western German was accounted for, but did not seem to accelerate adaptation. | [
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ADAR1 Facilitates HIV-1 Replication in Primary CD4(+) T Cells. Unlike resting CD4(+) T cells, activated CD4(+) T cells are highly susceptible to infection of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). HIV-1 infects T cells and macrophages without activating the nucleic acid sensors and the anti-viral type I interferon response. Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) is an RNA editing enzyme that displays antiviral activity against several RNA viruses. Mutations in ADAR1 cause the autoimmune disorder Aicardi-Goutieeres syndrome (AGS). This disease is characterized by an inappropriate activation of the interferon-stimulated gene response. Here we show that HIV-1 replication, in ADAR1-deficient CD4(+) T lymphocytes from AGS patients, is blocked at the level of protein translation. Furthermore, viral protein synthesis block is accompanied by an activation of interferon-stimulated genes. RNA silencing of ADAR1 in Jurkat cells also inhibited HIV-1 protein synthesis. Our data support that HIV-1 requires ADAR1 for efficient replication in human CD4(+) T cells. | [
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Bovine Epithelial in vitro Infection Models for Mycoplasma bovis. Mycoplasma bovis causes bovine mycoplasmosis. The major clinical manifestations are pneumonia and mastitis. Recently an increase in the severity of mastitis cases was reported in Switzerland. At the molecular level, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenicity of M. bovis. Host-pathogen interactions were primarily studied using primary bovine blood cells. Therefore, little is known about the impact of M. bovis on other cell types present in infected tissues. Clear in vitro phenotypes linked to the virulence of M. bovis strains or tissue predilection of specific M. bovis strains have not yet been described. We adapted bovine in vitro systems to investigate infection of epithelial cells with M. bovis using a cell line (MDBK: Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells) and two primary cells (PECT: bovine embryonic turbinate cells and bMec: bovine mammary gland epithelial cells). Two strains isolated before and after the emergence of severe mastitis cases were selected. Strain JF4278 isolated from a cow with mastitis and pneumonia in 2008 and strain L22/93 isolated in 1993 were used to assess the virulence of M. bovis genotypes toward epithelial cells with particular emphasis on mammary gland cells. Our findings indicate that M. bovis is able to adhere to and invade different epithelial cell types. Higher titers of JF4278 than L22/93 were observed in co-cultures with cells. The differences in titers reached between the two strains was more prominent for bMec cells than for MDBK and PECT cells. Moreover, M. bovis strain L22/93 induced apoptosis in MDBK cells and cytotoxicity in PECT cells but not in bMec cells. Dose-dependent variations in proliferation of primary epithelial cells were observed after M. bovis infection. Nevertheless, an indisputable phenotype that could be related to the increased virulence toward mammary gland cells is not obvious. | [
2,
278
] |
Farriery for Hoof Wall Defects Quarter Cracks and Toe Cracks. Conditions that result in the loss of the structural integrity of the hoof wall, such as quarter and toe cracks, are not uncommon and usually manifest in lameness. The successful management of these problems involves identifying and addressing the underlying causes, stabilization of the foot, and committed follow-up. | [
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Seal Wife saga: Rewriting O'Neill's Melbourne workshop in role. The main content of this article is a piece of rewriting-in-role. This factionalised dramatic text allied with narrative inquiry and performance ethnography grounded is accounts of Cecily O'Neill's 1992, Seal Wife workshop in Melbourne, Australia. A brief introduction explains the rationale for this approach and its connection to the wider methodology of critical arts based research. This example of rewriting-in-role details the workshop through a fictional character, raises new questions about a familiar drama work, and echoes beliefs about the potential of drama to critically unsettle and enlighten our world. | [
0,
309
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Simulated Study on the Effects of Substrate Thickness and Minority-Carrier Lifetime in Back Contact and Back Junction Si Solar Cells. The BCBJ (Back Contact and Back Junction) or back-lit solar cell design eliminates shading loss by placing the pn junction and metal electrode contacts all on one side that faces away from the sun. However, as the electron-hole generation sites now are located very far from the pn junction, loss by minority-catier recombination can be a significant issue. Utilizing Medici, a 2-dimensional semiconductor device simulation tool, the interdependency between the substrate thickness and the minority-carrier recombination lifetime was studied in terms of how these factors affect the solar cell power output. Qualitatively speaking, the results indicate that a very high quality substrate with a long recombination lifetime is needed to maintain the maximum power generation. The quantitative value of the recombination lifetime of minority-carriers, i.e., electrons in p-type substrates, required in the BCBJ cell is about one order of magnitude longer than that in the front-lit cell, i.e., 5 x 10(-4) sec vs. 5 x 10(-5) sec. Regardless of substrate thickness up to 150 pm, the power output in the BCBJ cell stays at nearly the maximum value of about 1.8 x 10(-2) W.cm(-2), or 18 mW.cm(-2), as long as the recombination lifetime is 5 x 10(-4) s or longer. The output power, however, declines steeply to as low as 10 mW-cm(-2) when the recombination lifetime becomes significantly shorter than 5 x 10(-4) sec. Substrate thinning is found to be not as effective as in the front-lit case in stemming the decline in the output power. In view of these results, for BCBJ applications, the substrate needs to be only mono-crystalline Si of very high quality This bars the use of poly-crystalline Si, which is gaining wider acceptance in standard front-lit solar cells. | [
6,
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The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. An expert panel was convened in October 2013 by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) to discuss the field of probiotics. It is now 13 years since the definition of probiotics and 12 years after guidelines were published for regulators, scientists and industry by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the WHO (FAO/WHO). The FAO/WHO definition of a probiotic-\\' live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host\\'-was reinforced as relevant and sufficiently accommodating for current and anticipated applications. However, inconsistencies between the FAO/WHO Expert Consultation Report and the FAO/WHO Guidelines were clarified to take into account advances in science and applications. A more precise use of the term 'probiotic' will be useful to guide clinicians and consumers in differentiating the diverse products on the market. This document represents the conclusions of the ISAPP consensus meeting on the appropriate use and scope of the term probiotic. | [
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EVALUATION of a NOVEL TWO LAYER COMPRESSION STOCKING SYSTEM in the TREATMENT of VENOUS LEG ULCERS. Objectives: Evaluation of the efficacy of a novel two layer compression stocking system in healing rates of venous leg ulcers for a treatment period of 6 weeks.Conclusion: Treatment of venous leg ulcers with the novel stocking system for 6 weeks resulted in complete healing in more than one third of the patients and healing rates of over 75% surface area in more than half of them.Results: 28 patients, 74,7 +/- 17,6 years old were included (67,9% women). Ulcer average area was 14,6 +/- 20,7 Cm-2 and duration was 5,4 +/- 6,6 months. The rate of complete healing reached 4,4%, at week 2, 17,4 % at week 4, and 39,1 % at week 6. A healing rate over 75% was reported for 13,0% of patients at week 2, 43,5% at week 4 and 52,2% at week 6. Moreover, compared with the initial ulcer size, there was a significant (p < 0,0001) reduction of 41,7% +/- 34,2 To at week 2, 61,8% +/- 37,7% at week 4, and 68,0% +/- 34,2 % at week 6. Significance was reached in ITT as well as per protocol analysis.Method: Multicenter, open clinical trial including outpatients with venous leg ulcers characterized by size > 4 cm(2) (planimetry), AB 1 > 0,8, < 1,3, and duration of at least 1 month but less than 1 year. | [
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333
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Knock-down of Bcl-2 by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides induces radiosensitization and inhibition of angiogenesis in human PC-3 prostate tumor xenografts. Expression of the proto-oncogene Bcl-2 is associated with tumor progression. Bcl-2's broad expression in tumors, coupled with its role in resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy-induced apoptosis, makes it a rational target for anticancer therapy. Antisense Bcl-2 oligodeoxy-nucleotide (ODN) reagents have been shown to be effective in reducing Bcl-2 expression in a number of systems. We investigated whether treating human prostate cancer cells with antisense Bcl-2 ODN (G3139, oblimersen sodium, Genasense) before irradiation would render them more susceptible to radiation effects. Two prostate cancer cell lines expressing Bcl-2 at different levels (PC-3-Bcl-2 and PC-3-Neo) were subjected to antisense Bcl-2 ODN, reverse control (CTL), or mock treatment. Antisense Bcl-2 ODN alone produced no cytotoxic effects and was associated with G(1) cell cycle arrest. The combination of antisense Bcl-2 ODN with irradiation sensitized both cell lines to the killing effects of radiation. Both PC-3-Bcl-2 and PC-3-Neo xenografts in mice treated with the combination of antisense Bcl-2 ODN and irradiation were more than three times smaller by volume compared with xenografts in mice treated with reverse CTL alone, antisense Bcl-2 ODN alone, irradiation alone, or reverse CTL plus radiotherapy (P = 0.0001). Specifically, PC-3-Bcl-2 xenograft tumors treated with antisense Bcl-2 ODN and irradiation had increased rates of apoptosis and decreased rates of angiogenesis and proliferation. PC-3-Neo xenograft tumors had decreased proliferation only. This is the first study which shows that therapy directed at Bcl-2 affects tumor vasculature. Together, these findings warrant further study of this novel combination of Bcl-2 reduction and radiation therapy, as well as Bcl-2 reduction and angiogenic therapy. | [
2,
297
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Homozygous missense variant in the TTN gene causing autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 10. Aim: This study aimed to identify the pathogenic variant in a consanguineous Pakistani family with autosomal recessive LGMD type 10.Background: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) are large group of heterogeneous genetic diseases, having a hallmark feature of muscle weakness. Pathogenic mutations in the gene encoding the giant skeletal muscle protein titin (TTN) are associated with several muscle disorders, including cardiomyopathy, recessive congenital myopathies and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) type10. The phenotypic spectrum of titinopathies is expanding, as next generation sequencing (NGS) technology makes screening of this large gene possible.Methods: DNA from peripheral blood samples were obtained, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed and several molecular and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to identify the pathogenic variant. TTN coding and near coding regions were further amplified using PCR and sequenced via Sanger sequencing.Results: Whole exome sequencing analysis revealed a novel homozygous missense variant (c.98807G>A; p.Arg32936His) in the TTN gene in the index patients. No heterozygous individuals in the family presented LGMD features. The variant p.Arg32936His leads to a substitution of the arginine amino acid at position 32,936 into histidine possibly causing LGMD type 10.Conclusion: We identified a homozygous missense variant in TTN, which likely explains LGMD type 10 in this family in line with similar previously reported data. Our study concludes that WES is a successful molecular diagnostic tool to identify pathogenic variants in large genes such as TTN in highly inbred population. | [
2,
56
] |
Unique six-dimensional structural model for Al-Pd-Mn and Al-Cu-Fe icosahedral phases. A simple unique 6D atomic structural model for both i-AlPdMn and i-AlCuFe is proposed that is built with an unique and simple set of atomic surfaces and chemical subcells. The model has accurate compositions with respect to the best experimental estimates of both structures and fit reasonably well the experimental diffraction data of x-rays and neutrons spectra with no fitting parameters. It presents a surprisingly small number of chemical configurations for the basic B (Bergman) and M (Mackay) type clusters as compared to what could be expected for quasiperiodic ternary systems. Finally, because of its relative simplicity, the present model is well adapted for being used in discussing the physical properties of either i-AlPdMn or i-AlCuFe that are essentially dependent on the local atomic arrangements of the various chemical species. | [
6,
262
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A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of simvastatin in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Conclusion - Simvastatin for the prevention of delayed cerebral ischemia is safe and feasible after SAH. A larger study is needed to test its efficacy.Results - Mortality was 3/20 in the placebo and 0/19 in the simvastatin group. Study drug was withdrawn in 1 subject in each treatment group for reversible liver enzyme or creatine phosphokinase elevation. Angiographically-confirmed vasospasm occurred in 8/20 placebo and 5/19 simvastatin-treated subjects. Vasospasm-related ischemic infarcts developed in 5/20 placebo and 2/19 simvastatin-treated subjects.Methods - Thirty-nine statin-naive Fisher grade 3 SAH subjects were double-blind randomized to receive simvastatin 80 mg/d (n = 19) or placebo (n = 20), stratified by Hunt and Hess grade. Primary end points were death and drug morbidity.Background and Purpose - Studies suggest statins ameliorate aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced cerebral vasospasm and ischemic complications. We tested safety and feasibility of simvastatin 80 mg/d for vasospasm prevention in SAH patients. | [
2,
298
] |
Robots, Motivation, and Academic Success. Educational literature has long supported strong correlations between student motivation and academic success. STEM literature has more recently shown mechatronic experiences to have positive impacts on these constructs, albeit limited empirical grounding. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a pilot experiment to empirically quantify differences in undergraduate student motivation and academic success in a mechatronic vs. a non-mechatronic experience, as well as examine the correlation between student motivation and academic success in both groups. We used a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control vs. treatment design to collect n = 84 responses from multiple sections of a single undergraduate course. The multivariate dependent variable of student motivation was measured using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire's motivational orientation items. Our multivariate dependent variable of academic success was based on final course grades, final project scores, and quiz scores. Using ANCOVA and differences of proportions, we found no statistical difference in motivational orientation-specifically value choices and expectancy beliefs-in the mechatronic vs. non-mechatronic experience. In contrast, statistically significant differences in project scores and final course grades were observed in the mechatronic experience group. Additionally, we found no significant correlation between student motivation and academic success. These results indicated that students in the mechatronic experience, while earning significantly higher grades, did not exhibit different levels of motivation, leading to no association between student motivation and academic success. Even so, future research is needed to further understand the nuanced dynamics of motivational orientation within a mechatronic experience. | [
8,
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The inventory performance of forecasting methods: Evidence from the M3 competition data. Forecasting competitions have been a major driver not only of improvements in forecasting methods' performances, but also of the development of new forecasting approaches. However, despite the tremendous value and impact of these competitions, they do suffer from the limitation that performances are measured only in terms of the forecast accuracy and bias, ignoring utility metrics. Using the monthly industry series of the M3 competition, we empirically explore the inventory performances of various widely used forecasting techniques, including exponential smoothing, ARIMA models, the Theta method, and approaches based on multiple temporal aggregation. We employ a rolling simulation approach and analyse the results for the order-up-to policy under various lead times. We find that the methods that are based on combinations result in superior inventory performances, while the Naive, Holt, and Holt-Winters methods perform poorly. (C) 2018 International Institute of Forecasters. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | [
8,
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Phenomenology of 'Lubag' or X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism. X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP), or Lubag syndrome, is known to cause progressive dystonia, with or without parkinsonism, among Filipino male adults with maternal roots from the Philippine island of Panay. We present cinematographic material of I I cases of Lubag carrying the XDP haplotypes who manifest with a wide spectrum of movement disorders, including dystonia, tremor, parkinsonism, myoclonus, chorea, and myorhythmia. Because of overlapping features, Lubag patients are commonly misdiagnosed as idiopathic dystonia, essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, or Parkinson's-plus syndromes. Thus, it is imperative to elicit an exhaustive family history in any Filipino male adult who presents with a movement disorder. (C) 2002 Movement Disorder Society. | [
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Fruits, fish and the introduction of pottery in the Eastern European plain: Lipid residue analysis of ceramic vessels from Zamostje 2. The Neolithization of Northern Eurasia is marked by the emergence of pottery among hunter-gatherer societies. The driving forces behind the adoption of ceramic cooking vessels among non-agricultural societies remain unclear, although previous research, mainly in North East Asia (e.g. Japan, Korea and the Russian Far East), suggests that it was adopted as a specialist technology for processing aquatic resources, linked to the intensification of fishing activities and a move to sedentism. The stratified site of Zamostje 2 in the forest zone of the Volga-Oka region includes both aceramic Mesolithic and two early ceramic horizons dating to Early Neolithic (EN) and Middle Neolithic (MN). This provides a unique opportunity to look at the impacts of the adoption of pottery on the wider economy and determine whether pottery function changes over time. This was achieved through the analysis of lipids from 166 potsherds dating from the earliest phases (mid-6th millennium cal BC) to the MN (5th millennium cal BC). Contrary to our expectations, the pottery from the EN phase was used to process a broad range of foodstuffs including terrestrial resources, such as forest fruits, in addition to freshwater fish. In contrast, pottery from the MN phase was used exclusively for processing aquatic resources. The results show that in this case, pottery was adopted as a more general-purpose cooking container, at least in the earliest phases of use, and that a specialist function only emerged later. | [
7,
25
] |
Utility of MDCT MIP Postprocessing Reconstruction Images in Children With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia. Materials and Methods: Two radiologists (D.M., E.I.C.) performed a blinded review of chest multidetector computed tomography scans in 39 children (age, 0-18 years) with proven HHT. Multiplanar 2.5 mm slices were blindly compared with multiplanar MIP for the presence of nodules and/or overt pAVMs and for the ability to identify vessels associated with the pAVMs. Parameters that were assessed included number of definitive nodules, number of definitive pAVMs, and the ability to detect the feeding artery or draining vein in both conventional and MIP images.Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether maximum intensity projection (MIP) images improve the detection and the delineation of the anatomic makeup of pulmonary nodules and/or arteriovenous malformations (pAVMs) in children with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).Conclusions: Maximum intensity projection images in children with HHT can help identify the presence and the anatomy of pAVMs for future embolization.Results: Our study showed similar detection rates between axial scans and MIP images for the detection of nodules (axial R1: 75 vs 62, P = 0.05; MIPS: 78 vs 86, P = 0.05) and in the determination of definite pAVMS (axials: 21 vs 29, P = 0.0007; MIPS: 27 vs 35, P = 0.01). Statistically significant differences were obtained in the ability to identify the feeding artery and draining vein between standard 2.5 mm slices and MIP images (axials: 13 vs 13, P = 0.0008; MIPS: 27 vs 23, P = 0.01). No other data parameters achieved statistically significance. | [
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Pelee-Text plus plus : A Tiny Neural Network for Scene Text Detection. Scene text detection has become an important field in the computer vision area due to the increasing number of applications. This is a very challenging problem as textual elements are commonly found in \\'noisy\\' and complex natural scenes. Another issue refers to the presence of texts encoded into different languages within the same image. State-of-the-art solutions rely on the use of deep neural network approaches or even ensembles of them. However, such solutions are associated with \\'heavy\\' models, which are computationally expensive in terms of memory and storage footprints, which hampers their use in real-time mobile applications. In this work, we introduce Pelee-Text++, a lightweight neural network architecture for multi-lingual multi-oriented scene text detection, especially tailored to running on devices with computational restrictions. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to evaluate the performance of text detection methods in commercial smartphones. Over this scenario, Pelee-Text++ processes 2.94 frames per second and it is the only evaluated approach that did not cause memory issues on smartphones, even using an input image of 1024 x 1024 pixels. Our proposal achieves a promising trade-off between efficiency and effectiveness, with a model size of 27 Megabytes and F-measure of 91.20%, 85.78%, 81.72%, 80.30%, 82.53% and 66.51% on ICDAR 2011, ICDAR 2013, ICDAR 2015, MSRA-TD500, ReCTS 2019 and Multi-lingual 2019 datasets, respectively. | [
8,
66
] |
Moving average quality control: principles, practical application and future perspectives. Moving average quality control (MA QC) was described decades ago as an analytical quality control instrument. Although a potentially valuable tool, it is struggling to meet expectations due to its complexity and need for evidence-based guidance. For this review, relevant literature and the world wide web were examined in order to (i) explain the basic concepts and current understanding of MA QC, (ii) discuss moving average (MA) optimization methods, (iii) gain insight into practical aspects related to applying MA in daily practice and (iv) describe future prospects to enable more widespread acceptance and application of MA QC. Each of the MA QC optimization methods currently available has their own advantages and disadvantages. Recently developed simulation methods provide realistic error detecting properties for MA QC and are available for laboratories. Operational MA management issues have been identified that allow developers of MA software to upgrade their packages to support optimal MA QC application and guide laboratories on MA management issues, such as MA alarm workup. The new insights into MA QC characteristics and operational issues, together with supporting online tools, may promote more widespread acceptance and application of MA QC. | [
2,
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Production of the type IV secretion system differs among Brucella species as revealed with VirB5-and VirB8-specific antisera. Expression of the virB operon, encoding the type IV secretion system required for Brucella suis Virulence, occurred in the acidic phagocytic vacuoles of macrophages and could be induced in minimal medium at acidic pH values. To analyze the production of VirB proteins, polyclonal antisera against B. suis VirB5 and VirB8 were generated. Western blot analysis revealed that VirB5 and VirB8 were detected after 3 h in acidic minimal medium and that the amounts increased after prolonged incubation. Unlike what occurs in the related organism Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the periplasmic sugar binding protein ChvE did not contribute to VirB protein production, and B. suis from which chvE was deleted was fully virulent in a mouse model. Comparative analyses of various Brucella species revealed that in all of them VirB protein production increased under acidic conditions. However, in rich medium at neutral pH, Brucella canis and B. suis, as well as the Brucella abortus-and Brucella melitensis-derived vaccine strains S19, RB51, and Rev.1, produced no VirB proteins or only small amounts of VirB proteins, whereas the parental B. abortus-and B. melitensis strains constitutively produced VirB5 and VirB8. Thus, the vaccine strains were still able to induce virB expression under acidic conditions, but the VirB protein production was markedly different from that in the wild-type strains at pH 7. Taken together, the data indicate that VirB protein production and probably expression of the virB operon are not uniformly regulated in different Brucella species. Since VirB proteins were shown to modulate Brucella phagocytosis and intracellular trafficking, the differential regulation of the production of these proteins reported here may provide a clue to explain their role(s) during the infection process. | [
2,
335
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Bilateral renal calculi: Assessment of staged v synchronous percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Background and Purpose: Percutaneous stone removal has replaced open renal surgery and has become the treatment of choice for large or complex renal calculi. However, patients with large bilateral stone burdens still present a challenge. Simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has been demonstrated to be a well-tolerated, safe, cost-effective, and expeditious treatment. We present what is, to our knowledge, the first large retrospective series comparing synchronous and asynchronous bilateral PCNL.Patients and Methods: A chart review was performed on 26 patients undergoing 57 PCNLs for bilateral renal calculi over a 7-year period. Seven patients received synchronous PCNL (same anesthesia; Group 1), and 19 patients underwent asynchronous PNL (procedures separated by 1-3 months; Group 2). Complete surgical and hospital records were available on all patients. The average stone burden for Group 1 was 8.03 cm(2) on the left and 9.18 cm(2) on the right v 10.1 cm(2) on the left and 14.23 cm(2) on the right for Group 2 (P > 0.05). Variables of interest included anesthesia time, operative time, blood loss, transfusion rates, length of hospital stay, and complication rates. Each variable was evaluated per operation and per renal unit. Follow-up imaging with stone assessment was available on 20 patients.Conclusions: These results demonstrate similar stone-free rates, blood loss per operation, and transfusion rates for simultaneous and staged bilateral PCNL. The reduced total operative time, hospital stay, and total blood loss, along with the requirement for only one anesthesia, makes synchronous bilateral PCNL an attractive option for select individuals. However, in patients with larger, less easily accessible stones, excessive bleeding may be encountered more frequently on the first side, thereby delaying management of the second side to a later date. Synchronous bilateral PCNL should be considered in patients in whom the first stage of stone removal is accomplished quickly and safely.Results: Group 1 required 1.14 access tracts per renal unit to attempt complete clearance of the targeted stones v 1.88 tracts per renal unit in Group 2 (P > 0.05). The average operative time per renal unit was significantly less in Group 1 (83 minutes) than in Group 2 (168.5 minutes) (P < 0.0001), as was blood loss (178.5 mL v 307.4 mL, respectively; P = 0.02). However, blood loss per operation was similar at 357 mL in Group 1 and 282 mL in Group 2. Comparable transfusion rates of 28.6% and 36.8%, respectively, were noted. Forty percent of the patients in Group 1 were completely stone free compared with 36% of the patients in Group 2; however, an additional 50% and 57%, respectively, had residual stone burden <4 mm (P > 0.05). Complications occurred in 2 of 7 operations (28%) in Group 1 and 8 of 42 operations (19%) in Group 2. The total length of hospital stay was nearly doubled for patients undergoing staged PCNL (P = 0.0005). | [
2,
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A Fast Anomaly Diagnosis Approach Based on Modified CNN and Multisensor Data Fusion. In this article, a modified convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm, namely 1D-GAPCNN-SVM, is proposed to address the early anomaly diagnosis problem. Considering the fact that traditional 2D-CNN based approaches contain too many model parameters and are not suitable for fast diagnosis applications using multisensor 1-D time-series measurements, 1D-CNN is introduced to deal with this problem. To reduce the number of parameters, a 1-D global average pooling layer is designed to substitute the fully connected layer with two or three layers. In order to further improve the diagnosis accuracy, a nonlinear multiclass support vector machine (SVM) is adopted to replace the traditional Softmax classifier as the final discriminator. Raw multisensor 1-D time-series data are directly fed into the diagnosis model, then the diagnosis result can be automatically generated. Two experiments, which are rolling bearing and GPS anomaly detection, have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and the superior performance of the proposed method compared to the conventional SVM, K-nearest neighbor, deep neural network (DNN), and traditional 2D-CNN. | [
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] |
Democratisation and the decline of social movements: The effects of regime change on collective action in Eastern Europe, Southern Europe and Latin America. The paper explores how regime change affects social movements, drawing on studies of Latin America, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe. After discussing the concepts and method used, it is argued that social movements do exist in authoritarian regimes, and hence the question of the effect of regime change upon them can be posed. Contrary to the assumption that democratisation leads to the flourishing of social movements as repression is removed and new channels of participation are opened up, it is shown that in the immediate period between the end of an authoritarian regime and the initiation of a democratic one the opposite effect may occur. This is because liberalisation in authoritarian regimes can lead to a particularly high level of social movement activity which cannot be sustained once more 'normal' conditions apply. The utility of the concept of regime change is questioned, and the desirability of breaking it down into its component parts which may be more or less present in different cases is stressed. | [
0,
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Transcript profiling of T lymphocytes and dendritic cells in a co-culture system using anti-CD3 and allergen activation. The interaction of antigen-specific T lymphocytes with hapten-bearing dendritic cells (DC) and the subsequent activation and clonal expansion of specific T lymphocyte populations are critical steps in the induction of skin sensitization. Therefore, we have sought to characterize changes in gene expression in T lymphocytes stimulated by incubation with allergen-treated DC compared with anti-CD3-treated T cell-DC co-cultures as a method to identify potential markers of skin sensitization. Human T cells and autologous, mature peripheral blood-derived DC were co-cultured in the presence or absence of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) for 6 hours at a 10:1 responder: stimulator ratio. In a separate experiment, autologous DC and T cells from a donor sensitized to the potent contact allergen dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) were isolated. T cells were cultured for 6 hours at a responder to stimulator ratio of 20:1 with mature DC that had been treated with either 1 mM 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS; the water soluble analog of DNCB), or media alone for 15 minutes. Total RNA was prepared and changes in gene expression were analyzed using Affymetrix U95Av2 GeneChips(R). Comparative analysis of Affymetrix mean signal values from triplicate control cultures with those from anti-CD3-treated samples revealed highly significant (p less than or equal to 0.001) changes in the expression of 344 transcripts of the total of approximately 12,000 represented on the chip. However, mean signal values for T cells co-cultured with allergen-treated DC compared to vehicle-treated DC-T cell co-cultures identified only 17 significant gene changes (p less than or equal to 0.001), 11 of which were also identified as having changed significantly in response to stimulation with anti-CD3. In parallel assays, antigen-specific T cell proliferative responses were assessed as a function of tritiated thymidine incorporation. Increased T cell proliferative responses were observed in the cultures that contained both DNBS-treated DC and T cells as well as the anti-CD3 treated cultures compared with their respective controls. These data suggest that this approach can be used to identify genes that might serve as indicators of contact allergy and may be used in an in vitro predictive assay for skin sensitization. | [
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Death and the Left Hand: Islam, Gender, and 'Proper' Mandinga Funerary Custom in Guinea-Bissau and Portugal. This article explores Islam, gender, and \\'proper\\' Mandinga funerary \\'custom\\' in Guinea-Bissau and Portugal, specifically the contradictions and debates between men and women about Mandinga custom and Islam as they play out in the ritual of shaking with the left hand, wailing at funerals, and visiting healers to investigate the nature of particular deaths. It suggests that far from constituting a \\'crisis of modernity,\\' these contradictions and debates have long been central to how Mandinga imagine themselves in a changing world. They have become intensified, however, in the transnational era, in which continuity among identity, place, and death has been ruptured. | [
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Characterization of N-glycosylation profiles from mammalian and insect cell derived chikungunya VLP. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes severe arthralgia. The envelope of CHIKV is composed of 240 copies of two glycoproteins: El and E2. In this work, we have characterized the N-glycosylation patterns of CHIKV virus-like particles (VLP5), containing both El and E2 proteins, derived from mammalian and insect cells using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) with fluorescence (FL) and mass spectrometry (MS) detection. While HEK293 derived CHIKV VLPs contain oligomannose, hybrid and complex glycans, VLPs derived from SfBasic predominantly contain oligomannose glycans. This strong host dependence of N-glycosylation pattern resembles other alphaviruses such as SINV. The VLPs from HEK293 and SfBasic, with significantly different N-glycosylation profiles, are valuable reagents enabling future in-depth correlation studies between immunogenicity and glycosylation. In addition, the characterization tools presented here allow one to monitor glycosylation during vaccine process development and ensure process consistency. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V. | [
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Modeling of the Catalytic Removal of CO and NO in Dry Combustion Gases. Catalytic removal of pollutants in dry combustion gases in a planar stagnation-point flow over a platinum foil is studied using both numerical and analytical tools. The governing equations have been numerically integrated with the Newton technique, and the response curve has been obtained as functions of temperature and the mixture concentrations. Using the appropriate stoichiometry, the additional oxygen needed to reduce the NO and to achieve complete oxidation of CO has been obtained. The asymptotic analysis leads to an algebraic equation for the surface covet-age of empty sites as a function of two nondimensional parameters: the mass transfer number, relating the residence time to the chemical time (sort of Damkohler number), and a parameter, which relates the desorption rate to the adsorption rate of carbon monoxide and depends strongly on temperature. Critical conditions of ignition (light-off) and extinction are identified and closed form solutions are obtained for these phenomena. (C) 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 56: 801-809, 2010 | [
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CA15-3 and alkaline phosphatase as predictors for breast cancer recurrence: a combined analysis of seven International Breast Cancer Study Group trials. Conclusions: CA15-3 was better able to predict breast cancer recurrence than ALP, but use of both biomarkers together provided a better early indicator of recurrence. Whether routine use of these biomarkers improves overall survival remains an open question.Results: Overall, 784 patients (20%) had a recurrence, before which 274 (35%) had one or more abnormal CA15-3 and 35 (4%) had one or more abnormal ALP. Risk of recurrence increased by 30% for patients with abnormal CA15-3 [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.30; P = 0.0005], and by 4% for those with abnormal ALP (HR = 1.04; P = 0.82). Recurrence risk was greatest for patients with either (HR = 2.40; P < 0.0001) and with both (HR = 4.69; P < 0.0001) biomarkers abnormal. ALP better predicted liver recurrence.Background: We evaluated the ability of CA15-3 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to predict breast cancer recurrence.Patients and methods: Data from seven International Breast Cancer Study Group trials were combined. The primary end point was relapse-free survival (RFS) (time from randomization to first breast cancer recurrence), and analyses included 3953 patients with one or more CA15-3 and ALP measurement during their RFS period. CA15-3 was considered abnormal if > 30 U/ml or > 50% higher than the first value recorded; ALP was recorded as normal, abnormal, or equivocal. Cox proportional hazards models with a time-varying indicator for abnormal CA15-3 and/or ALP were utilized. | [
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Ground wave of an idealized lightning return stroke. We model a lightning return stroke by a vertical traveling wave of current with a complex propagation constant. The Sommerfeld-integral analysis is similar to that of a vertical electric dipole over a lossy earth except that the source is distributed in height. When the integration over the source current is performed analytically, an extra term appears in addition to the classical Sommerfeld attenuation function. This term is a result of the height-gain function of the distributed source due to an effective elevated height of the source dipole moment, In most cases of interest, the extra term is small and the height-gain function is not much larger than one. The results have application to remote sensing of lightning from a ground-based observer. | [
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The effect of APOE, CETP, and PCSK9 polymorphisms on simvastatin response in Thai hypercholesterolemic patients. ConclusionAPOE4 carriers and the CETP TaqIB B2B2 genotype were associated with a decreased response, but PCSK9 474IV carriers tended to be associated with an increased response to simvastatin therapy in Thai hypercholesterolemic patients.AimTo investigate the effect of apolipoprotein E (APOE), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) polymorphisms on the lipid-lowering response to simvastatin therapy in Thai hypercholesterolemic patients.MethodTwo hundred and twenty-five hypercholesterolemic patients in southern Thailand were enrolled and treated with simvastatin 20 or 40mg per day for 3months. Serum lipids were measured before and after the therapy. APOE, CETP TaqIB, and PCSK9 (R46L, I474V, and E670G) polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).ResultsAfter 3months of simvastatin therapy, subjects with APOE2 (Total cholesterol [TC]: -30.89% vs-13.56%, P<.05, LDL-C: -45.00% vs -17.73%, P<.05) and APOE3 carriers (TC: -26.22% vs -13.56%, P<.05, LDL-C: -37.14% vs -17.73%, P<.05) had greater TC and LDL-C reduction compared to APOE4 carriers, whereas CETP TaqIB B2B2 genotype showed lower TC (-16.37% vs -24.92%, P=.016) and LDL-C (-22.54% vs -35.19%, P=.028) reduction compared to CETP TaqIB B1 carriers. In addition, PCSK9 474IV carriers showed greater LDL-C (-50.57% vs -32.99%) reduction compared to PCSK9 474II carriers. Combined effect analyses showed that individuals carrying more risk alleles tended to have lower TC and LDL-C (P for trend=.000 and .000, respectively) reduction in response to simvastatin therapy. | [
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First-in-human phase I study of TQ-B3139 (CT-711) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with ALK and ROS1 rearrangements. Conclusions: TQ-B3139 was well-tolerated and exhibited promising anti-tumor activities in patients with ALK and ROS1 positive advanced NSCLC. Clinical trial number: NCT03099330. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Background: TQ-B3139 is a novel ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) against a broad range of ALK mutations. The aim of this first-in-human phase I trial was to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and clinical efficacy of TQ-B3139 in ALK or ROS1 positive advanced NSCLC patients.Results: The study enrolled 63 patients. Fifty-nine (93.4%) patients experienced treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), mostly grade 1-2 vomiting (79.3%), diarrhea (76.1%) or nausea (68.2%). 1 (1/6) DLT occurred at 600 mg BID and 1 (1/3) at 800 mg BID. Based on safety and pharmacokinetics data, the RP2D was selected as 600 mg BID. At a dose level >= 200 mg BID, the overall response rate (ORR) was 76.7% (33/43), and the median progression free survival (mPFS) was 25.2 months (95% CI 11.9-NR) for TKI-naive patients. For TKI-treated patients, the ORR was 37.5% (6/16), and the mPFS was 5.4 months (95%CI 3.6-9.1). The ORR was 66.7% (2/3) in patients with ROS1 fusion at dose level >= 200 mg BID. In patients with measurable brain metastases, the intracranial ORR was 70% (7/10), with median intracranial PFS of 15.9 months. In TKI-treated patients, variant 3 and TP53 alteration were associated with poor PFS.Methods: Following a 3 + 3 design, patients received escalating daily dose of TQ-B3139 (50-800 mg) continuously in 28-day cycles. Expansion stage started at dose of 200 mg twice daily (BID). The primary objectives were the safety, dose-limited toxicities (DLT) and recommended phase II dose (RP2D); secondary objectives included pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity. Non-obligatory tumor samples at baseline were collected and sequenced. | [
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The impact of childhood sexual abuse on later sexual victimization among runaway youth. Path analysis was used to investigate the impact of childhood sexual abuse on later sexual victimization among 372 homeless and runaway youth in Seattle. Young people were interviewed directly on the streets and in shelters by outreach workers in youth service agencies. High rates of both childhood sexual abuse and street sexual victimization were reported, with females experiencing much greater rates compared with their male counterparts. Early sexual abuse in the home increased the likelihood of later sexual victimization on the streets indirectly by increasing the amount of time at risk, deviant peer affiliations, participating in deviant subsistence strategies, and engaging in survival sex. These findings suggest that exposure to dysfunctional and disorganized homes place youth on trajectories for early independence. Subsequently, street life and participation in high-risk behaviors increases their probability of sexual victimization. | [
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Use of restraints in ambulances: A state survey. Conclusion: A means of safely restraining infants and children in ambulances is needed. Until new restraints are available, ambulances should restrain infants and children in car seats and on gurneys, A national age standard for defining a pediatric patient using EMS is needed.Purpose: To determine the requirements in all states and the District of Columbia for use of restraints on patients in ambulances.Results: Ambulances are regulated in 47% of states by EMS, 14% by law enforcement, 3% by a public safety agency, and in some states by other agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. In 27% of the states no agency is responsible for ambulance regulations. Most states do not require patients of any age to be restrained in ambulances; however, the drivers and passengers are required to wear seat belts. Most of the states with laws regulating ambulance restraints for infants and children were in the northeast. There is great variance in the age that defines a pediatric patient for EMS.Materials and methods: A structured telephone survey was conducted with all state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies or the agency responsible for the regulation of ambulances. Questions were asked regarding restraint of patients in ambulances. The age definition of a pediatric patient was also queried, | [
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Bouncing dynamics of resistive microswitches with an adhesive tip. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the dynamic response of a resistive microswitch. The analysis has been carried out by modeling the microswitch as a cantilever beam, according to the Euler-Bernoulli theory, and considering the damping interaction of the moving beam with the surrounding fluid. Attention has been given to the bouncing of the beam tip on the substrate upon actuation. A general adhesive-repulsive force has been applied at the tip of the beam to model its interaction with the substrate, where the attractive contribution is described by a van der Waals-like term and the repulsive contribution by a classical linear elastic springlike term. The resulting problem has been solved using a second-order-accurate finite difference scheme. It is shown that by tuning the adhesive interaction at the tip/substrate interface the number and amplitude of the bounces can be significantly reduced in favor of the system reliability and performance. Also design maps have been proposed to estimate the actual switching time and bouncing dynamics as a function of the adhesive interaction, applied actuation voltage, and of the geometry of the microdevice. These maps can be useful in a preliminary design of the system. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics. | [
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The Association between Intended Mode of Delivery and Maternal Morbidity in Twin Pregnancies. Conclusion In patients undergoing twin delivery, women who intend to labor have similar maternal morbidity compared with women who do not intend to labor. This supports current guidelines recommending providers offer a trial of VD for twin pregnancies.Objective To compare maternal morbidity between women undergoing delivery of twins who intend to labor with those women who do not intend to labor.Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing delivery of twins in a single maternal-fetal medicine practice between January 2005 and February 2018. We identified women with a twin delivery at gestational age 24 weeks and determined if they intended or did not intend to labor. Maternal outcomes were compared between the groups.Results A total of 788 patients were included, of whom 404 (51.3%) intended to labor and 384 (48.7%) did not intend to labor. Women who intended to labor had a high rate of vaginal delivery (VD; 79.7%). Overall, 45 (5.7%) women required blood transfusion; this was not significantly different between the groups (6.2 vs. 5.2%, p =0.54). Women who intended to labor had a shorter hospital stay and lower blood loss. There were no significant differences for all other maternal outcomes. | [
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FORMATION OF HIGH-STRUCTURE POLYMER LIQUID CRYSTAL COMPOSITE BY REFLECTIVE HOLOGRAPHY METHOD. We studied the dynamics of structurization of polymer-liquid crystal composites on the basis of a light-sensitive monomer(di-pentaeritritol- pentahexaacrylat) and nemaic liquid crystal (BL038) formed by the reflective holography method. The composition was structurized by the radiation of a semiconductor laser with the wave length of 656 nm. It was shown that for the samples of 20 micrometer thick, the structure of alternating regions, enriched by the polymers or liquid crystals, forms at two stages. The fast stage is when the structure forms mainly within 30 seconds as the initial composition is exposed by two laser beams of 27 mBm/cm(2). The second stage is a slow stage when the sample is post-processed by additive beaming at increased temperature. | [
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High thermoelectric performance of n-type PbTe1-ySy due to deep lying states induced by indium doping and spinodal decomposition. Good thermoelectric materials should have high engineering figure-of-merit (ZT)(eng), not peak ZT, to achieve high conversion efficiency. In this work, we achieved a good (ZT)(eng) by optimizing the carrier concentration to improve the room temperature ZT using deep lying dopant, indium, in PbTe1-ySy. It was found that a room temperature ZT as high as similar to 0.5 and a peak ZT similar to 1.1 at about 673 K were obtained in Pb0.98In0.02Te0.8S0.2 due to a lower thermal conductivity by alloy scattering and Spinodal decomposition. The calculated efficiency could be as high as similar to 12% at cold side 323 K and hot side 773 K. The approach is expected to work in other materials systems too. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | [
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Synthesis of layered MnO2 by calcination of KMnO4 for rechargeable lithium battery cathode. Layered manganese oxide (KxMnO2) powders were synthesized by simple decomposition of KMnO4 at 300-800 degreesC in air. These manganese oxides were characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, chemical redox titration, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their electrochemical performances for secondary lithium batteries were investigated in a LiClO4-propylene carbonate(PC) solution. After removing side products, which were water soluble, the KxMnO2 (x less than or equal to 0.484) cathode unerwent reversible electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation of lithium. When the KxMnO2 powders were synthesized at 300 degreesC and then, washed with water or acidic solution after the synthesis, they exhibited satisfactory behavior with a specific capacity of 130-140 mAh g(-1) in the region of 3 V vs. Li/Li+ for more than 20 cycles. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. | [
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Effect of the addition of chlorhexidine and miswak extract on the clinical performance and antibacterial properties of conventional glass ionomer: an in vivo study. Conclusions. The addition of CHX and miswak to GIC showed superior antibacterial properties than conventional GIC, without seriously affecting the clinical performance of the restoration until the 6-month follow-up, but failure significantly increased in terms of marginal defects at 9 months with CHX (group 1).Results. Results showed no statistically significant difference in the success rate of the three groups at the 3-month interval. At 6 and 9 months, however, restoration success was 75% then 60% in group I, 100% then 90% in group II, and 95% then 85% in control group. Group II and the control group showed statistically significant higher survival rates than group I. All groups showed reduction in S. mutans counts in underlying dentine, but the percent reduction was significantly higher in group I. (P < 0.001).Design. The study was a randomized clinical trial. Sixty young permanent molars, with deep carious lesions in 6- to 9-year-old children were included. After randomization, atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) or stepwise excavation was performed followed by bacterial sampling from the center of the remaining carious dentine in the floor of the pulp. GIC powder was mixed with 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate liquid in group I; with 100% aqueous miswak in group II; and with deionized water in group III (control). Clinical performance for all groups was assessed at 3, 6, and 9 months. After 9 months, restorations were removed and a second bacterial sample was collected for Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) quantification and analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adding chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) or aqueous miswak (Salvadora persica) extract on the clinical performance and in vivo antibacterial activity of conventional anhydrous glass ionomer cement (GIC).Background. Antibacterial restorations can increase the success rate of minimum invasive dentistry especially in young permanent molars with deep carious lesions as an attempt to preserve maximum dental structure and avoid pulp exposure. Further research is warranted to evaluate different antibacterial agents. | [
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Performance Characteristics of a Sliding-Scale Hypertonic Saline Infusion Protocol for the Treatment of Acute Neurologic Hyponatremia. We have instituted a standardized sliding-scale hypertonic saline protocol to minimize patient-to-patient variability of hypertonic saline administration and to attempt to achieve safe rates of sodium correction and stable maintenance of serum sodium concentration with minimal overshoot. Here, we present a retrospective analysis of the performance characteristics of our standardized hypertonic saline protocol over a 1-year period, in 49 patients.Our hypertonic saline sliding-scale protocol for treatment of ANH can be used reliably and achieves normal sodium concentrations in a safe manner with minimal overshoot.The mean rate of initial sodium correction was 0.44 +/- A 0.36 (mEq/l)/h. During the maintenance infusion phase, 84.3 +/- A 17.8% of the time was spent in goal range (Na 136-145 mEq/l), 14.9 +/- A 18.1% of the time was spent in mild undershoot (Na 130-135 mEq/l), and 0.7 +/- A 3.1% of the time was spent in overshoot (Na > 145 mEq/l). No adverse events attributable to infusion of hypertonic saline were encountered.Hypertonic saline (3% NaCl) infusions can be used to treat acute neurologic hyponatremia (ANH) in critically ill patients with neurological and neurosurgical disorders such as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Adjustments in the rate of hypertonic saline infusions to treat ANH are needed to achieve a goal sodium range and are usually made on an empiric basis. To date, no data are available to determine how reliably such adjustments achieve stable, normal serum sodium concentrations or how often iatrogenic hypernatremia occurs during the course of treatment with hypertonic saline. | [
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Surface cleaning on aluminum for ultrahigh vacuum using supercritical fluid CO2 with H2O and NaCl as additives. Ozone treatments have been shown to reduce the outgassing rates in ultrahigh vacuum for several metals. We have further studied surface cleaning employing supercritical fluid CO2 which has high solubility for hydrocarbons. The sample measured was a half section of an anodic oxidized Swagelok fitting (A2024) 10.8 mm diameter and 8.5 mm in length saw sectioned along the axis. The cut surface was used as the reference surface. The treated and untreated surfaces were analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, evaluating the surface carbon density obtained from the ratio of the convoluted area of Al((2)p), O((1)s), and C((1)s) peaks. Carbon density of the untreated surface is 87%. Following the treatment with supercritical fluid CO2 at 50 degrees C and 80 atm for 2 h, the carbon was reduced to 65%. Treating at 2 h at 70 degrees C and 94 atm showed the same 65% carbon. Adding water and increasing the supercritical fluid CO2 pressure to 100 atm showed carbon at 57%. However, adding some salt (NaCl) to the mixture produced a dramatic carbon reduction to as low as 13%. No pressure dependence was observed. (C) 1999 American Vacuum Society. [S0734-2101(99)22204-X]. | [
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New acetoin reductases from Bacillus stearothermophilus: meso- and 2R,3R-butanediol as fermentation products. The fermentation of sucrose with Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 2027 afforded 2R,3R- and meso-2,3-butanediol together with R-acetoin following the bacterial catabolic pathway. This metabolic route was confirmed by the conversion of pyruvate to R-acetoin with the cell free extract of B. stearothermophilus. On the other hand the reduction of 3R-acetoin to 2R,3R- and meso-butanediol with the same cell free extract allowed at least the presence of two NADH-dependent reductases. Together with the S-stereospecific diacetyl reductase (BSDR), purified in a previous work, a new S-stereospecific acetoin reductase (S-ACR) was partially purified and a fraction containing R-stereospecific acetoin reductase (R-ACR) was obtained. On the other hand in B. stearothermophilus fermentation of sucrose the \\'butanediol cycle\\' is negligible because the acetylacetoin synthase, responsible of the first step of this cycle, is an inducible enzyme that needs low concentration of sugar and high concentration of acetoin to be expressed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | [
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Percutaneous radio-frequency mandibular nerve rhizotorny guided by CT fluoroscopy. We describe a new method for radio-frequency mandibular nerve rhizotomy under CT fluoroscopy. A patient with cancer had severe intractable and drug-resistant pain in his left mandibular region. Because he had an anatomic deformity due to cancer invasion and radiation therapy, we planned a mandibular nerve rhizotomy under CT fluoroscopic imaging. The needle was advanced to the mandibular nerve just caudal to the foramen ovale under real-time CT fluoroscopy, avoiding the cancer region. Pain scores of the patient were reduced after the nerve rhizotomy, without any complications. | [
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Interleukin-6 is required for Neuregulin-1 induced HER2 signaling in lung epithelium. Studies were performed in cultured pulmonary epithelial cells measuring the HER2/IL-6/IL-612/GP130 interaction and receptor activation by western blotting and confocal microscopy, IL-6 production by ELISA, and IL-6 inhibition using specific antibodies, small molecule inhibitors and shRNA.These findings identify a requirement for IL-6 and the IL-6R complex to allow NRG-1 mediated HER2 activation, and a HER2 driven IL-6 production feedback loop. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.A clear understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the alveolar epithelium's barrier is critical to develop new therapeutic strategies to mitigate lung injury. The HER2/HER3 receptor tyrosine kinase complex plays a central role in maintaining the alveolar-capillary barrier. This receptor complex is activated by its ligand, neuregulin-1 (NRG-1). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is also known to induce HER2 signaling through HER2 transphosphorylation by the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) complex (1). Due to this interaction, we hypothesized that NRG-1 and IL-6 cooperatively interacted to activate the HER2/HER3 complex.We found that IL-6 was required for NRG-1 induced activation of HER2 in pulmonary epithelial cells. IL-6 inhibition led to a decrease in NRG-1 induced HER2 activation. The IL-6R and GP130, a subunit of the IL-6R complex, were physically associated with HER2 and were required for NRG-1 induced HERZ activation. Inhibition of GP130, the beta-subunit of the IL-6 receptor decreased NRG-1 induced HER2 activation lower than control by 38% Finally, HER2 activation increased IL-6 secretion more than two-fold over resting cells (526 +/- 131 vs 231 +/- 39.7 pg/ml), and inhibition of HER2 gene expression decreased basal IL-6 secretion over 80% (89 + 4.6 vs 1.3 + 0.8 pg/ml). | [
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Extracting uniaxial anisotropy of ferromagnetic layer in exchange-biased system. Effective anisotropy of the ferromagnetic pinned layer of ferro(FM)-antiferromagnetic (AF)-coupled NiFe(FM)/FeMn(AF) exchange-biased system was investigated in a broad frequency range (100 MHz5 GHz) using a complex permeability spectrum. The exchange bias and effective uniaxial anisotropy fields of the thin film have been computed theoretically using the LandauLifschitzGilbert (LLG) equation. From the measurements, uniaxial anisotropy of the pinned FM layer has been extracted to understand the nature of the exchange bias in the system. It is found that the uniaxial anisotropy field of NiFe layer when exchange biased with the AF layer increases from 5 to 15 Oe at different external magnetic fields. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | [
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Tocuila Mammoths, Basin of Mexico: Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene stratigraphy and the geological context of the bone accumulation. We report new stratigraphic, tephrochronology and dating results from the Tocuila Mammoth site in the Basin of Mexico. At the site there is evidence for a thin meteorite airburst layer dated between 10,878 and 10,707 cal BC at the onset of the Younger Diyas (YD) cool period. The Upper Toluca Pumice (UTP) tephra marker, caused by a Plinian eruption of the Nevado de Toluca volcano, dated from 10,666 to 10,612 cal BC, is above that layer. The eruption must have caused widespread environmental disruption in the region with evidence of extensive reworking and channelling by the Lake Texcoco shoreline and contributed to the widespread death and/or extinction of megafaunal populations, as suggested by earlier authors, but the new work reinforces the view that both catastrophic events must have caused large environmental disruption in a short time period of around two hundred years. There is no evidence for megafauna (mammoths, sabre toothed cats, camels, bison, glyptodonts) after the UTP volcanic event and subsequent lahars in the Basin of Mexico. At Tocuila, although there are some in situ tephra markers in nearshore lake sediments, such as the Great Basaltic Ash (GBA) and the LIP Ash, there is evidence of much reworking of several tephra populations in various combinations. The mammoth bone accumulation is reworked in a lahar sequence (volcanic mudflow) derived from several source sediments but associated with the major UTP Plinian eruption. Paleoindian populations were also present in the Basin of Mexico during the YD period, where several Paleoindian skeletons were found associated with the UTP ash deposits, e.g. Metro Man, Chimalhuacan Man and Tlapacoya Man. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license | [
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A Mysterious Island in the Digital Age: Technology and Musical Life on Ulleungdo, South Korea. This paper contributes to the growing body of ethnomusicological research about music-making on small islands, focusing on the remote South Korean island of Ulleungdo (literally, 'Mysterious Island'). Historically, a number of factors have conspired to present serious obstacles to the Ulleungdo islanders' musical aspirations. However, since the early 1990s, enterprising amateurs have managed to generate and maintain a variety of musical activities in spite of these obstacles: church ensembles, karaoke, saxophone clubs, and more. Paralleling other island music studies, this paper seeks to show how the condition of being an Ulleungdo islander-entailing a complex of varied experiences, values, and relationships-has informed music-making over the years. However, here, the discussion remains firmly focused upon the islanders' use of technology since an acute reliance on technology has come to permeate Ulleungdo's musical life, with certain electronic devices commonly regarded as essential facilitators of musical expression. Drawing from the islanders' own testimonies, studies of Ulleungdo's cultural history, and works addressing technology's applications within and effects upon local communities, the authors explore how and why this condition of musical techno-reliance developed, how it is manifest in the present-day, and its broader implications for the island's music culture and identity. | [
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Synthesis of ethyleneoxide modified 3-carboranyl thymidine analogues and evaluation of their biochemical, physicochemical, and structural properties. Eleven 3-carboranyl thymidine analogues (3CTAs) containing highly hydrophilic and flexible ethyleneoxide moieties were synthesized as potential agents for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and their biochemical and physicochemical properties were evaluated. Based on specific structural features, this library of 3CTAs was divided into three subgroups. The first group contained 3CTAs with 1-4 ethyleneoxide units between the thymidine (Thd) scaffold and a carborane cluster. The second group of 3CTAs contained a pentylene spacer between Thd and the carborane and 2-4 ethyleneoxide units additionally attached to the carborane cluster. The third group contained three 3CTAs all with pentylene spacers and four ethylene units but with different carborane cages. The ethyleneoxide modified 3CTAs were good substrates of thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) and poor substrates of human mitochondrial thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) as determined in phosphoryl transfer assays. In the first group of 3CTAs, all the compounds were efficiently phosphorylated regardless of varying spacer lengths (37-42% of the activity of Thd). The second group of 3CTAs was less effectively phosphorylated (17-26% of the activity of Thd) probably due to a less favorable sterical orientation of Thd within the active site of TK1 and/or an increased lipophilicity compared with the first group. In the third group of structural isomers, no significant differences in phosphorylation rates were observed (17-25%). A structure-function hypothesis explaining these results is presented. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | [
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205
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INFINITE FAMILIES OF GAUGE-EQUIVALENT R-MATRICES AND GRADATIONS OF QUANTIZED AFFINE ALGEBRAS. Associated with the fundamental representation of a quantum algebra such as U(q)(A1) or U(q)(A2), there exist infinitely many gauge-equivalent R-matrices with different spectral-parameter dependences. It is shown how these can be obtained by examining the infinitely many possible gradations of the corresponding quantum affine algebras, such as U(q)(A1(1)) and U(q)(A2(1)), and explicit formulae are obtained for those two cases. Spectral-dependent similarity (gauge) transformations relate the R-matrices in different gradations. Nevertheless, the choice of gradation can be physically significant, as is illustrated in the case of quantum affine Toda field theories. | [
6,
300
] |
Kinetics, Mechanism, and Thermodynamics Studies of Vacuum Drying of Biomass from Taxus chinensis Cell Cultures. In this study, we investigated the kinetics, mechanism, and thermodynamics of vacuum drying and dehydration of plant cells of Taxus chinensis. The efficiency of vacuum drying increased with increases in the drying temperature (45-60 degrees C). When the experimental data were fitted to typical kinetic models for drying, the Modified Page were the most appropriate. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the endothermic, irreversible, and spontaneous nature of the drying. The effective diffusion coefficient (3.6602 x 10(-14)-10.9810 x 10(-14) m(2)/s) and mass transfer coefficient (2.2536 x 10(-11)-10.8110 x 10(-11) m/s) increased with increasing drying temperature. The small Biot number (2.6167 x 10(-2)-4.1841 x 10(-2)) indicated that the process of mass transfer was externally controlled. | [
2,
51
] |
Sustainable Energy Techniques Adapted in Buildings to Regulate Moisture Transport and Enhance Thermal Comfort: A Review. Heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) design mainly deals with moisture and its control. The moisture may be present inside ducts, conditioned spaces, or outdoors. The process of humidification and dehumidification requires equipment for mass and heat transfer, where the transfer of energy and mass takes place at varying concentrations and temperatures. The exchange of mass or heat depends on the type of flow and is conceivably in the form of gas to liquid or liquid-vapor. This paper aims to review the effect of moisture in the buildings and modulate its effect with several humidifying and dehumidifying techniques as sustainable techniques depending upon the external weather conditions to maintain thermal comfort. Various humidification and dehumidification techniques have been discussed with both their merits, limitations, applications and future scope to meet sustainable energy demands. | [
9,
310
] |
Applications of TOF neutron diffraction in archaeometry. Neutron radiation meets the demand for a versatile diagnostic probe for collecting information from the interior of large, undisturbed museum objects or archaeological findings. Neutrons penetrate through coatings and corrosion layers deep into centimetre-thick materials, a property that makes them ideal for non-destructive examination of objects for which sampling is impractical or unacceptable. A particular attraction of neutron techniques for archaeologists and conservation scientists is the prospect of locating hidden materials and structures inside objects. Time-of-flight (TOF) neutron diffraction allows for the examination of mineral and metal phase contents, crystal structures, grain orientations, and microstructures as well as micro- and macro strains. A promising application is texture analysis which may provide clues to the deformation history of the material, and hence to specific working processes. Here we report on instructive examples of TOF neutron diffraction, including phase analyses of medieval Dutch tin-lead spoons, texture analyses of bronze specimens as well as of 16th-century silver coins. | [
7,
25
] |
Violence and Historical Learning: Thinking with Robert Pippin's Hegel. Pippin offers his reconstruction of Hegel's account of practical reason as a point of departure for contemporary social theory, yet he does not address the implications for us of Hegel's claim that social reflection can achieve its knowledge only on the basis of a world that has already become rational. After arguing that the unreasonableness of our world can be seen from the suffering it generates, I argue that an account of violence may be a way to retrieve the promise of Hegelian insights so long as it draws in turn on existing challenges to violence and the suffering it causes. The argument discusses four kinds of violence (direct, formative, structural, and symbolic) and confronts these with a neo-Hegelian conception of social learning. | [
0,
238
] |
Value adding limestone to filler grade through an ultra-fine grinding process in jet mill for use in plastic industries. In this study, ultra-fine grinding of limestone was carried out in jet mill using four levels of classifier rotational speed and grinding pressure. The holdup amount was determined during the grinding process, while the feed rate was kept constant at 8 kg/h. The ground product was characterized for its particle size and shape. In addition, the mechanochemical effect on the ground product was characterized through XRD. The particles size of the ground product ranged from 2.21 mu m to 7.29 mu m, demonstrating various particle shapes such as cubical, angular, and elongated. The degree of crystallinity of the ground product ranged from 54.5% to 93.7%. Afterwards, the ground product was incorporated as filler in polypropylene (PP), and its performance was characterized for mechanical properties. After conducting the test work, we find that the PP filled with ground limestone exhibited excellent thermal and mechanical properties. The composite flexural modulus, impact strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break were 2.1 GPa, 42 kj/m(2), 22.75 MPa, and 21%, respectively, when loaded up to 20%. It likewise exhibited CTE value of 57.2 ppm/degrees C. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. | [
9,
100
] |
Increased airway epithelial Na+ absorption produces cystic fibrosis-like lung disease in mice. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene result in defective epithelial cAMP-dependent Cl- secretion and increased airway Na+ absorption. The mechanistic links between these altered ion transport processes and the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis lung disease, however, are unclear. To test the hypothesis that accelerated Na+ transport alone can produce cystic fibrosis-like lung disease, we generated mice with airway-specific overexpression of epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC). Here we show that increased airway Na+ absorption in vivo caused airway surface liquid (ASL) volume depletion, increased mucus concentration, delayed mucus transport and mucus adhesion to airway surfaces. Defective mucus transport caused a severe spontaneous lung disease sharing features with cystic fibrosis, including mucus obstruction, goblet cell metaplasia, neutrophilic inflammation and poor bacterial clearance. We conclude that increasing airway Na+ absorption initiates cystic fibrosis-like lung disease and produces a model for the study of the pathogenesis and therapy of this disease. | [
2,
74
] |
Application of next-generation sequencing in gastrointestinal and liver tumors. Malignant transformation of normal cells is associated with the evolution of genomic alterations. This concept has led to the development of molecular testing platforms to identify genomic alterations that can be targeted with novel therapies. Next generation sequencing (NGS) has heralded a new era in precision medicine in which tumor genes can be studied efficiently. Recent developments in NGS have allowed investigators to identify genomic predictive makers and hereditary mutations to guide treatment decision. The application of NGS in gastrointestinal cancers is being extensively studied but continues to face substantial challenges. In our review, we discuss various NGS platforms and highlight their role in identifying familial mutations and markers of response or resistance to cancer therapy. We also provide a balanced discussion of the challenges that limit the routine use of NGS in clinical practice. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. | [
2,
154
] |
Loss Control in Prismatic Laser Gyroscope Based on Cavity Adjustment Technique. There are many reflected and refracted points in prism ring cavity. The angle of work plane, pyramidal error and cavity adjustment are strictly required in order to ensure the stability of gyroscopes. We set the angle error of prisms and sphere eccentricity as the perturbation terms in meridian and sagittal planes, and amend the transmission matrices of light reflecting and refracting in prism surfaces. We establish physical models of light geometric deflection loss and light path non-coplanar loss in prism ring cavity, and analyze the rate of deviation from the design position by the revised transmission matrices. Based on the assorted screen and resonant loss controlled, we design a new way for cavity adjustment. The experimental results show that the new cavity adjustment method makes once pass rate rise to above 90% from 75%. | [
6,
245
] |
In Situ Neutron Diffraction Study of Crystallographic Evolution and Thermal Expansion Coefficients in U-22.5 at.%Zr During Annealing. A uranium-22.5 at.%zirconium (U-10 wt.%Zr) ingot was manufactured by traditional arc casting. The sample was characterized by high-pressure preferred-orientation time-of-flight neutron diffractometry with in situ heating reaching 900 degrees C. The phase transitions, lattice parameter ratios, and linear coefficients of thermal expansion were investigated experimentally. Contradictory to commonly referenced phase diagrams, the results of this work showed that the beta-U+gamma ''-UZr dual-phase region is not present in U-22.5 at.%Zr. Rather, only two phase transformations were observed upon cooling. These transformations occurred at 655 degrees C and 600 degrees C and corresponded to gamma-UZr -> alpha-U+gamma ''-UZr -> alpha-U+delta-UZr2, respectively. The linear coefficients of thermal expansion were measured for alpha-U, delta-UZr2, and gamma-UZr. The thermal expansion of alpha-U was shown to be anisotropic in nature with significant lattice contraction in the 010(b) direction. Similar anisotropy albeit to a lesser extent was observed in delta-UZr2 with contraction in the 001(c) direction. | [
9,
207
] |
Optimal design and operation of a building energy hub: A comparison of exergy-based and energy-based optimization in Swiss and Italian case studies. With growing concerns on global warming, exergy-based design methods for energy hubs (EHs) in the urban context have been recently investigated to promote more rational and efficient use of energy sources. This study aims to compare exergy-based multi-objective optimization for energy hubs with two primary energy-based methods. The comparison has been performed for Italy and Switzerland, two countries with diverse markets and national electricity production mixes, to indicate the generalizability of our findings. An apartment building in Vevey, Switzerland, was selected to provide domestic hot water demand and structural data to the space heating demand dynamic simulation, for which different TRY weather data have been used for the two countries. Once a superstructure for the energy supply system had been defined, a MILP framework was developed, minimizing a weighted sum of exergy and cost. Using different weights for the two objectives, a Pareto frontier was obtained for each scenario, defining the best possible trade-off solutions between economic and exergetic objectives. The same optimization methodology was performed using total or non-renewable primary energy as an objective. The use of a boiler and PV panels is preferred when primary energy-based methods are applied, while the use of heat pumps and solar thermal panels is preferred when exergy-based method is applied. As a result, the exergy-based method seems to be the most effective as the carbon intensity of the electricity decreases, providing solutions with lower CO2 emissions and reasonable costs in the future when national electricity production will be gradually decarbonized. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of the exergy method was carried out to analyze the influence of key parameters such as energy prices and energy demand variation on the optimized energy system. In addition, the renovation scenarios of the case study building were presented, revealing different optimal setups of the energy hub as the weight of investment costs increases. | [
9,
310
] |
The role of torque teno virus (TTV) viremia in sarcoidosis etiology. Design: Controlled prospective studyResults: TTV DNA was detected in the majority of both patients and healthy controls. The prevalence was 59.5% in patients and 55.6% in controls. This difference was not statistically significant. However, CP values were statistically different in the patient group from the control group (p < 0.001); namely, the viral load of TTV was higher in the patient group than in the healthy control group.Main outcome measures: The prevalence and viral load of TTVIntervention: TTV DNA quantification was performed by real-time PCR by the hybridization probe system, and viral load was interpreted by means of the crossing point (CP) value in sera of subjects.Subjects: This cross-sectional, clinical study included 37 sarcoidosis patients and 9 healthy control patients.Setting: Faculty of Meram Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, TurkeyConclusions: Overall, these findings demonstrate for the first time that TTV plays a role in the etiology of sarcoidosis. It is likely that the role of TTV in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is an aberrant immune response, driven by viral antigens.Objective: To investigate a possible role of torque teno virus (TTV) in the etiology of sarcoidosis | [
2,
124
] |
Di lotta e di governo: The Lega Nord and Rifondazione Comunista in office. Since 1994, Italian politics has seen a number of coalitions including parties whose identity has been strongly based on their 'outsider' status as uncompromising opposition movements which would not previously consider government participation. This article examines the contrasting experiences in office of two such parties: the regionalist populist Lega Nord (LN) and the radical left Rifondazione Comunista (RC). While the Lega confounded expectations not only simply by remaining in the centre-right coalition from 2001 to 2006, but by influencing policy, increasing its vote-share and maintaining its 'outsider' identity, RC was unable to match its fellow outsider's success when it served in the centre-left government from 2006 to 2008. Looking at the experiences in office of the RC and the LN in terms of the three temporal divisions 'before', 'during' and 'after', this article seeks to analyse and explain the differing experiences and effects of government on both parties. | [
3,
252
] |
Impact fretting wear of Inconel 690 tube with different supporting structure under cycling low kinetic energy. The impact fretting wear behavior of a 690 alloy tube affected by low-impact cycling kinetic energy was investigated. The Inconel 690 alloy specimen was clamped by cantilever and simple supported beam structures for support. The interface response was affected by the clamping situation, and material wear was affected by the change in the interface response. The energy loss, contact force versus time and frequency, energy absorption, and deformation of the material (thin wall tube) during impact were analyzed. The worn surfaces and cross-sectional morphologies were observed with an optical microscope and a 2D surface profiler to analyze the impact fretting wear mechanism under the two support structures. In the two clamping structures, wear decreased when the span increased, and material wear showed a high correlation with the peak impact force and absorbed energy. The wear mechanism of the alloy 690 specimen was delamination. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | [
9,
110
] |
Working with economically vulnerable women engaged in sex work: Collaborating with community stakeholders in Southern Uganda. Economically vulnerable women engaged in sex work (WESW) comprise one of the key populations with higher prevalence of HIV globally. In Uganda, HIV prevalence among WESW is estimated at 37% and accounts for 18% of all new infections in the country. This paper describes the strategies by which we have engaged community stakeholders in a randomised clinical trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy of adding economic empowerment components to traditional HIV risk reduction to reduce the incidence of STIs and HIV among WESW in Uganda. We demonstrate that stakeholder engagement, including the engagement of WESW themselves, plays a critical role in the adaptation, implementation, uptake, and potential sustainability of evidence-based interventions. To our knowledge, this is the first study to utilise stakeholder engagement involving WESW in Uganda. Researchers working with hard-to-reach populations, such as WESW, are encouraged to invest time and resources to engage key stakeholders through a full range of collaborative activities; and ensure that research is culturally appropriate and meets the needs of all stakeholders involved. | [
3,
129
] |
Preparation and characteristics of the wide gap semiconductor Mg0.18Zn0.82O thin film by L-MBE. The high purity ZnO ceramic target and the (MgO)(0.1)(ZnO)(0.9) target were fabricated. The wurtzite-phase ZnO thin film and ternary MgxZn1-xO thin film were grown on sapphire (0001) substrates by laser molecular beam epitaxy (L-MBE) from the sintered ceramic targets separately. The films' transmittance spectra at room temperature for the ZnO film and the MgxZn1-xO film were measured and compared while their room temperature photoluminescence spectra were done. The band-gap modulation is realized from 3.31 eV for the ZnO film to 3.64 eV for the MgxZn1-xO alloy film. The Mg content x in the MgxZn1-xO alloy film was determined to be 0.18. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | [
1,
239
] |
Aspirational circus glamour: rethinking the circus grotesque through female aerialists of the inter-war period. In this article, the author challenges the designation of circus and circus disciplines, including aerial performance, as grotesque. The term 'glamour' was used in inter-war newspaper reports and more accurately describes circus in this period. The fundamental difference between the two concepts relies on the experience generated in the audience: glamour is aspirational whereas the grotesque provokes derision. It is likely they have been confused by scholars because both rely on transformation, excess and transgression. The author discusses these three principles to conclude how circus glamour works differently from the grotesque, including how glamour pushes at the boundaries of what is acceptable within the dominant culture rather than upturning the established order. The most aspirational of circus stars of the 1920s was the female aerialist whose aerial movement inspired a positive fantasy within audience members. By analysing aerial action alongside newspaper reports, memoirs, and publicity images that glorified aerialists Lillian Leitzel and Luisita Leers, the author argues that aerialists generated and were protected by affluent circus glamour. | [
0,
309
] |
Distributed Target Detectors With Capabilities of Mismatched Subspace Signal Rejection. In this paper, we consider the problem of distributed target detection with subspace signal mismatch. Precisely, the echoes reflected by the distributed target all come from the same direction, and the signal steering vector is assumed to lie in a preassigned subspace. However, the actual signal steering vector does not completely belong to the presumed subspace, resulting in subspace signal mismatch. We focus on the design of selective detectors, which have good capabilities of mismatched signal rejection. To this end, we add a fictitious signal under the null hypothesis, which is orthogonal to the nominal signal subspace in the whitened or quasi-whitened subspace. According to the generalized likelihood ratio test criterion, we devise two effective detectors. Compared with the existing ones, the proposed detectors exhibit improved selectivity capabilities for signal mismatch at the price of a little bit performance loss in the case of no signal mismatch. Moreover, for the case of point-like target, which is a special case of distributed target, we derive analytical expressions for the probabilities of detection and false alarm. Simulation results illustrate the superiority of the proposed detectors and confirm our theoretical results. | [
8,
86
] |
PAN-Guided Cross-Resolution Projection for Local Adaptive Sparse Representation-Based Pansharpening. Sparse representation (SR)-based methods solve pansharpening as an image superresolution problem and receive great popularity. Conventional approaches assume that the high- and low-resolution images have the same sparse coefficients. However, the identity mapping is not universal and also limits the performance. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a PAN-guided cross-resolution projection-based pan-sharpening (PGCP-PS) which incorporates the SR image superresolution and details injection pansharpening scheme into a framework. The basic idea of PGCP-PS is to inject a possible offset into the SR superresolution reconstructed part. In addition, the same sparse coefficients assumption across different resolutions is relaxed as the same sparse support with a local adaptive cross-resolution projection. By exploiting the similarity between panchromatic (PAN) and multispectral (MS) images, the cross-resolution projection and offset for sharpening the MS image are estimated from a simulated PAN image superresolution scenario. The high- and low-resolution dictionaries used in the stage of SR image superresolution are learned from PAN image and its degraded version. A series of experimental results on the reduced-scale and full-scale data sets demonstrates that the PGCP-PS outperforms some advanced methods and existing SR-based methods. | [
8,
273
] |
SINTERING EFFECTS ON THE DENSIFICATION OF NANOCRYSTALLINE HYDROXYAPATITE. The effects of sintering profiles on the densification behaviour of synthesized nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) powder were investigated in terms of phase stability and mechanical properties. A wet chemical precipitation method was successfully employed to synthesize a high purity and single phase HA powder. Green HA compacts were prepared and subjected to sintering in air atmosphere over a temperature range of 700 degrees C to 1300 degrees C. In this study two different holding times were compared, i.e. 1 minute versus the standard 120 minutes. The results revealed that the 1 minute holding time sintering profile was indeed effective in producing a HA body with high density of 98% theoretical when sintered at 1200 degrees C. High mechanical properties such as fracture toughness of 1.41 MPa.m(1/2) and hardness of 9.5 GPa were also measured for HA samples sintered under this profile. Additionally, XRD analysis indicated that decomposition of the HA phase during sintering at high temperatures was suppressed. | [
1,
197
] |
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