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Recent studies have demonstrated that tumor-driving alterations are often different among gliomas that originated from different brain regions and have underscored the importance of analyzing molecular characteristics of gliomas stratified by brain region. Therefore, to elucidate molecular characteristics of diffuse cerebellar gliomas (DCGs), 27 adult, mostly glioblastoma cases were analyzed. Comprehensive analysis using whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and Infinium methylation array ( n = 17) demonstrated their distinct molecular profile compared to gliomas in other brain regions. Frequent mutations in chromatin-modifier genes were identified including, noticeably, a truncating mutation in SETD2 ( n = 4), which resulted in loss of H3K36 trimethylation and was mutually exclusive with H3F3A K27M mutation ( n = 3), suggesting that epigenetic dysregulation may lead to DCG tumorigenesis. Alterations that cause loss of p53 function including TP53 mutation ( n = 9), PPM1D mutation ( n = 2), and a novel type of PPM1D fusion ( n = 1), were also frequent. On the other hand, mutations and copy number changes commonly observed in cerebral gliomas were infrequent. DNA methylation profile analysis demonstrated that all DCGs except for those with H3F3A mutations were categorized in the 'RTK I (PDGFRA)' group, and those DCGs had a gene expression signature that was highly associated with PDGFRA. Furthermore, compared with the data of 315 gliomas derived from different brain regions, promoter methylation of transcription factors genes associated with glial development showed a characteristic pattern presumably reflecting their tumor origin. Notably, SOX10, a key transcription factor associated with oligodendroglial differentiation and PDGFRA regulation, was up-regulated in both DCG and H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma, suggesting their developmental and biological commonality. In contrast, SOX10 was silenced by promoter methylation in most cerebral gliomas. These findings may suggest potential tailored targeted therapy for gliomas according to their brain region, in addition to providing molecular clues to identify the region-related cellular origin of DCGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) is an Archean crustal segment for which the earliest stages of development have remained poorly constrained because the oldest identified lithologies are chronologically indistinguishable despite vastly different compositions and origins (i.e., 3352 ± 110 Ma Sargur-group komatiites and 3342 ± 6 Ma Hassan-Gorur TTG gneiss). Indication for older crust come from ancient detrital zircons (3450–3610 Ma), although their genetic link to the WDC is purely conjectural. In order to bring new understanding to early development of the WDC, we studied orthogneisses around the Holenarsipur Schist Belt (HSB) for their petrography, major-oxide concentrations, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and Lu-Hf isotope systematics. Our results reveal that the WDC igneous record contains crust older than 3350 Ma in the form of a 3410.8 ± 3.6 Ma granitic gneiss and inherited zircons with ages ranging from 3295 ± 18 to 3607 ± 16 Ma that were found within a 3178 ± 10 Ma trondhjemitic gneiss and a biotite-rich enclave found within it. The presence of muscovite and the peraluminous signature of the granitic gneiss, in spite of mildly-depleted Hf isotopic signature (ε Hf = +2.2 ± 0.6 at 3410.8 Ma), suggest that this sample formed by reworking of a felsic precursor with short crustal residence time, possibly marking the beginning of WDC formation. The oldest inherited zircons display variable ε Hf ranging from +10.4 at 3414 Ma to −2.3 at 3607 Ma that did not seem to have influenced the Hf isotopic composition of granitoids of the WDC that formed between 3200 and 3410 Ma, except perhaps in the Sargur area. We suggest that the WDC formed remote from continental crust until a crustal block containing >3410 Ma zircons was accreted to it ∼3200 My ago. This event resulted in the stabilization of the WDC which is marked by diapiric granitoids to which the 3178 Ma trondhjemitic gneiss belongs. After 3200 Ma, the crustal block together with granitoids formed between 3410 and 3200 Ma buffered the Hf isotopic signature of newly formed granitoids, hence, indicating that, by then, the WDC already was a stable continental segment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify and assess factors determining the functioning of supply chain systems for modern contraception in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and to identify challenges contributing to contraception stockouts that may lead to unmet need.Materials and Methods: Scientific databases and grey literature were searched including Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), PubMed, MEDLINE, POPLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, Google Scholar, WHO databases and websites of key international organisations.Results: Studies indicated that supply chain system inefficiencies significantly affect availability of modern FP and contraception commodities in LMICs, especially in rural public facilities where distribution barriers may be acute. Supply chain failures or bottlenecks may be attributed to: weak and poorly institutionalized logistic management information systems (LMIS), poor physical infrastructures in LMICs, lack of trained and dedicated staff for supply chain management, inadequate funding, and rigid government policies on task sharing. However, there is evidence that implementing effective LMISs and involving public and private providers will distribution channels resulted in reduction in medical commodities' stockout rates.Conclusions: Supply chain bottlenecks contribute significantly to persistent high stockout rates for modern contraceptives in LMICs. Interventions aimed at enhancing uptake of contraceptives to reduce the problem of unmet need in LMICs should make strong commitments towards strengthening these countries' health commodities supply chain management systems. Current evidence is limited and additional, and well-designed implementation research on contraception supply chain systems is warranted to gain further understanding and insights on the determinants of supply chain bottlenecks and their impact on stockouts of contraception commodities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Euwallacea spp. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) are polyphagous globally distributed invasive ambrosia beetles. One of the species was recently detected attacking Ricinus communis growing in Coffea canephora gardens in Uganda. This study was undertaken to: (a) determine the distribution, incidence, and relative abundance of Euwallacea sp. on R. communis in Uganda; (b) determine the influence of the presence of C. canephora on the incidence and abundance of Euwallacea sp. on R. communis; and (c) identify ambrosia fungus of Euwallacea sp. on R. communis. Five C. canephora farms with R. communis and five others with R. communis but without C. canephora were sampled in each of the six districts surveyed. Incidence of Euwallacea sp. on R. communis was measured, by inspecting the host trees in each farm for the presence or absence of the pest. Abundance of Euwallacea sp. on R. communis was estimated, by counting holes of Euwallacea sp. at the lower 1.7 m of R. communis stems. A fungus was isolated from galleries of Euwallacea sp. on R. communis and identified. Results show that Euwallacea sp. was present on R. communis in all districts surveyed, with 30–70% of the farms infested in each district and 5–28 holes of Euwallacea sp. found on each sampled stem of R. communis. Coffea canephora appeared to facilitate the infestation of R. communis by Euwallacea sp., although it did not seem to influence the multiplication of the insect inside the host. Cunninghamella echinulata appeared to be the ambrosia fungus associated with Euwallacea sp. Therefore, Euwallacea sp. is a threat to many economically important plants in Uganda that are known to be hosts of this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) is of great economic importance to Uganda. However, its production is recently impeded by the ambrosia twig borer Xylosandrus compactus. A survey was conducted in 10 randomly selected districts in the main Robusta coffee-growing regions of mid-eastern, central and mid-western Uganda to determine (1) diversity, incidence and abundance of twig borers attacking C. canephora in Uganda and (2) ambrosia fungi associated with these twig borers. In each district, 10 randomly selected farms were inspected for twig borer species attacks. Up to 20 twigs infested by twig borers per farm were sampled and dissected to morphologically identify borer species inside the twigs and enumerate different stages of the borers per twig. Ambrosia fungi from galleries of each distinct twig borer were isolated and identified using molecular techniques. Five twig borer species, X. compactus, Xylosandrus sp., Hypothenemus sp. and two unidentified twig borers (K1 and K2), were found attacking C. canephora. Whereas the rest of these species were detected in only single coffee twigs from single farms, X. compactus occurred in nine of the 10 study districts. The proportion of X. compactus-infested farmsin each of these districts ranged from 0.1 to 1 and the number of X. compactus individuals per twig per district ranged from 2.5 ± 1.9 to 29 ± 28.1. Fusarium solani was isolated from galleries of both X. compactus and K1, whereas Glomerella cingulata was isolated from a gallery of K2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria remains a major global health challenge and a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, limited access to medical facilities has perpetuated the reliance of indigenous communities on herbal medicine for the prevention and management of malaria. This study was undertaken to document ethnobotanical knowledge on medicinal plants prescribed for managing malaria in Rukungiri District, a meso-endemic malaria region of Western Uganda. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out between May 2022 and December 2022 in Bwambara Sub-County, Rukungiri District, Western Uganda using semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 125 respondents (81 females and 44 males) were randomly selected and seven (7) key informants were engaged in open interviews. In all cases, awareness of herbalists on malaria, treatment-seeking behaviour and herbal treatment practices were obtained. The ethnobotanical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, informant consensus factor and preference ranking. Results: The study identified 48 medicinal plants belonging to 47 genera and 23 families used in the treatment of malaria and its symptoms in the study area. The most frequently cited species were Vernoniaamygdalina, Aloevera and Azadirachtaindica. Leaves (74%) was the most used plant organ, mostly for preparation of decoctions (41.8%) and infusions (23.6%) which are administered orally (89.6%) or used for bathing (10.4%). Conclusions: Indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used as prophylaxis and for treatment of malaria still exist among the local communities of Bwambara Sub-County. However, there is a need to investigate the antimalarial efficacy, phytochemical composition and safety of species (such as Digitariaabyssinica and Berkheyabarbata) with high percentage use values to validate their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protracted LRA war in northern Uganda was characterised by the abduction and abuse of an unknown but significant number of girls and women. These girls were forced to carry guns and become wives to rebels, among other roles during captivity. Based on thirteen child mothers’ interviews and eight key informant interviews, the study found that the lives of formerly abducted mothers are tainted with stigma, rejection, and discrimination by in-laws, relatives, and the community, which leads to identity problems and limited possibilities for their integration. Child mothers’ return to school, small business engagement, and social involvement reduced their plight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among diffuse gliomas, oligodendrogliomas show relatively better prognosis, respond well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and seldom progress to very aggressive tumors. To elucidate the genetic and epigenetic background for such behavior and tumor evolution during tumor relapse, we comparatively analyzed 12 pairs of primary and recurrent oligodendrogliomas with 1p/19q-codeletion. Initial treatment for these patients was mostly chemotherapy alone. Temozolomide was used for 3, and procarbazine, nimustine and vincristine (PAV chemotherapy)were used for 7 patients. World Health Organization histological grade at recurrence was mostly stable; it was increased in 2, the same in 9, and decreased in 1 cases. Whole-exome sequencing demonstrated that the rate of shared mutation between the primary and recurrent tumors was relatively low, ranging from 3.2-57.9% (average, 33.3%), indicating a branched evolutionary pattern. The trunk alterations that existed throughout the course were restricted to IDH1 mutation, 1p/19q-codeletion, and TERT promoter mutation, and mutation of the known candidate tumor suppressor genes CIC and FUBP1 were not consistently observed between primary and recurrent tumors. Multiple sampling from different regions within a tumor showed marked intratumoral heterogeneity. Notably, in general, the number of mutations was not significantly different after recurrence, remaining under 100, and no hypermutator phenotype was observed. FUBP1 mutation, loss of chr. 9p21, and TCF12 mutation were among a few recurrent de novo alterations that were found at recurrence, indicating that these events were clonally selected at recurrence but were not enough to enhance malignancy. Genome-wide methylation status, measured by Illumina 450 K arrays, was stable between recurrence and the primary tumor. In summary, although oligodendroglioma displays marked mutational heterogeneity, histological malignant transformation accompanying events such as considerable increase in mutation number and epigenetic profile change were not observed at recurrence, indicating that noticeable temporal and spatial genetic heterogeneity in oligodendrogliomas does not result in rapid tumor progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses infecting wild flora may have a significant negative impact on nearby crops, and vice-versa. Only limited information is available on wild species able to host economically important viruses that infect sweetpotatoes (Ipomoea batatas). In this study, Sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus (SPCFV; Carlavirus, Betaflexiviridae) and Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV; Crinivirus, Closteroviridae) were surveyed in wild plants of family Convolvulaceae (genera Astripomoea, Ipomoea, Hewittia and Lepistemon) in Uganda. Plants belonging to 26 wild species, including annuals, biannuals and perennials from four agro-ecological zones, were observed for virus-like symptoms in 2004 and 2007 and sampled for virus testing. SPCFV was detected in 84 (2.9%) of 2864 plants tested from 17 species. SPCSV was detected in 66 (5.4%) of the 1224 plants from 12 species sampled in 2007. Some SPCSV-infected plants were also infected with Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV; Potyvirus, Potyviridae; 1.3%), Sweet potato mild mottle virus (SPMMV; Ipomovirus, Potyviridae; 0.5%) or both (0.4%), but none of these three viruses were detected in SPCFV-infected plants. Co-infection of SPFMV with SPMMV was detected in 1.2% of plants sampled. Virus-like symptoms were observed in 367 wild plants (12.8%), of which 42 plants (11.4%) were negative for the viruses tested. Almost all (92.4%) the 419 sweetpotato plants sampled from fields close to the tested wild plants displayed virus-like symptoms, and 87.1% were infected with one or more of the four viruses. Phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses of the 3′-proximal genomic region of SPCFV, including the silencing suppressor (NaBP)- and coat protein (CP)-coding regions implicated strong purifying selection on the CP and NaBP, and that the SPCFV strains from East Africa are distinguishable from those from other continents. However, the strains from wild species and sweetpotato were indistinguishable, suggesting reciprocal movement of SPCFV between wild and cultivated Convolvulaceae plants in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small purple (Passiflora edulis f. edulis) and yellow (P. edulis f. flavicarpa) and KPF 4 (a cross between the two varieties) passionfruit varieties are of high economic importance in Uganda. Production of passionfruit is greatly constrained by viral diseases, leading to significant yield losses. This is aggravated by lack of adequate quantities of clean planting material. In vitro propagation through nodal sections is one way that has been successful in rapidly producing planting materials of vegetatively propagated crops that are clean and true-to-type. This study was aimed at obtaining optimum in vitro growth conditions for rapid micropropagation of the commercial passionfruit varieties in Uganda. Surface sterilised nodal sections from two month old plants were used as explants. For shoot regeneration, explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, supplemented with varying concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), either singly or in combination with Kinetin (KIN). Rooting MS media was fortified with varying concentrations of 1-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), either singly or in combination with BAP. MS medium supplemented with a combination of 2 mg l-1 BAP and 0.5 mg l-1KIN, optimally supported shoot regeneration of the three passionfruit varieties. The average number of shoots and shoot height were 3.3 and 3.1 cm, respectively. Optimal root development was observed on MS media containing 3 mg l-1 NAA, with a mean number of 5.5 leaves and a length of 2.4 cm. The rooted in vitro plantlets were successfully established in a potting mixture containing loam soil and manure in ratio of 1:1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

( B c b ) Therefore, we cut a foreign body removal hood in half and ( B d b ) wrapped it around the tip of a nasal endoscope (6.5 mm) with plastic tape to perform the removal procedure. Remove the hood inversion by pulling out the endoscope while trapping the edge of the hood on the physiological stenosis of the cardiac region of the stomach. The protective device is designed to fit on an 8.9-mm endoscope, but the infant's esophagus was too narrow to allow an oral endoscope of this size to pass through. [Extracted from the article]

The Lake George ring complex (LGRC) is an epizonal intrusion that is part of seven alkalic stocks distributed throughout the Mesoproterozoic Pikes Peak batholith (PPB) in central Colorado. Despite having been studied for more than a century, details about the emplacement history of the PPB lithologies have remained elusive. To parse out the relative sequence of intrusive events and magma petrogenesis, we analyzed zircons from different LGRC intrusive phases for their U–Pb ages and Lu–Hf isotopic compositions. We found that the LGRC is composed of a 1428 ± 8 Ma syenomonzonite at its center, which has a Hf isotopic composition indistinguishable from that of coeval wall rocks related to the Berthoud plutonic suite. We hence interpret it as a roof pendant. The three ring dikes that surround the LGRC center have ages of 1085 ± 5 Ma, 1115 ± 12 Ma, and 1078 ± 11 Ma from innermost to outermost, respectively. The local phase of Pikes Peak granite that surrounds LGRC was emplaced at 1066 ± 10 Ma. Therefore, LGRC represents an early stage in PPB emplacement, and evidently formed over a protracted period of time. The LGRC zircon ε Hf values (+4.8 ± 0.2 at 1115 Ma, +0.4 ± 0.9 at 1078 Ma, and −0.8 ± 0.2 at 1066 Ma) indicate input of shallow mantle-derived melts and direct involvement of the Proterozoic Colorado Front Range (CFR) crust with the latter gradually prevailing over time. The results presented here provide new insights into the petrogenesis of the PPB and call for a general reassessment of emplacement ages and source characteristics of the other alkalic intrusive centers in the batholith. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores a modem manifestation of the will to truth, the artistry of rap music, and their controversial convergence in America. All too often rap lyrics are interpreted as the celebration and even permissible testimony of the presumed criminal lifestyles of black people in America. In particular, the aggressive lyrics expressed in the subgenre "gangsta rap" have been used as confirmation for a singular truth narrative perpetuated by the media that blacks are inherently criminal and violent. However, Friedrich Nietzsche offers a thorough critique of the singular self-sustaining conception of truth and in its place suggests a healthier, more accurate, conception of honesty that embraces the fluctuating and interactive nature of identity, narrative, and life. Using Nietzsche's critique of truth, I argue that traditional interpretations of gangsta rap are buttressed by a singular narrative of truth that aims to perpetuate antiblack racial sentiments and consequently they overlook the nuanced critique of these sentiments that is achieved through alternative narration. Focusing on the rap artist NaS, I argue that the lyrical prowess he displays in his songs ultimately troubles the singular truth narrative in a way that expresses the type of honesty that Nietzsche champions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outage probability (OP) and average bit error rate (BER) of wireless digital systems in a Nakagami- $m$ fading environment have been well analyzed in the literature. Most of the analysis considers static wireless terminals in which the received signal power follows a gamma distribution. However, many mobile and ad hoc networks are composed of mobile receiving nodes with random mobility patterns. In this paper, we consider 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D wireless network deployment topologies with the random waypoint (RWP) mobility model. In such systems, the received power does not follow the gamma distribution in the presence of Nakagami- $m$ fading. We derive the probability density function (pdf) and the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of the received signal power for a mobile node. Consequently, the OP and the average BER of general modulation schemes are derived. Moreover, the effect of co-channel interference on the OP is investigated for interference-limited and interference-plus-noise systems. The analysis quantifies the effects of the mobility and propagation environments, which are characterized by the path-loss exponent and Nakagami- $m$ parameter for the desired and interfering signals, on the performance of a mobile receiver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato feathery mottle virus ( SPFMV) and Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus ( SPCSV) are the most common viruses infecting sweetpotato in Uganda. Field plots planted with graft inoculated plants of virus-free cultivars Beauregard, Dimbuka, Ejumula, Kabode and NASPOT 1 were used to assess the effect of SPFMV and SPCSV on yield and quality of sweetpotatoes in two agro-ecologies. SPFMV spreads rapidly to control plots at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo ( MUARIK), and these plots had similar yields to those singly infected with SPFMV but at the National Semi Arid Resource Research Institute (Na SARRI) where SPFMV spreads slowly, plots infected with SPFMV yielded 40% less than the control. Recovery from SPFMV appeared to be more frequent at Na SARRI than at MUARIK. Infection by SPCSV alone resulted in yield losses of 14-52%, while mixed infections of SPFMV+ SPCSV resulted in yield losses in both locations of 60-95% depending on the cultivar. SPCSV and mixed infections of SPFMV+ SPCSV also reduced the number of roots formed as well as the diameter of the roots, resulting in a greater length to diameter ratio compared to the healthy control. This study, therefore, confirms that both SPFMV and SPCSV, both singly and when mixed, can reduce yield, the extent depending on the cultivar. To mitigate the effect of these viruses, farmers should use clean planting materials of resistant varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The severity and outcome of malaria is influenced by host immunity in which chemokines such as Regulated upon Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) play an important role. Previous studies show that variations in the RANTES gene affect RANTES protein production, hence altering host immunity. In this study, the relationship between presence of mutations in RANTES and incidence of malaria in a cohort of children living in a malaria-endemic area of Uganda was determined. Methods: This was a longitudinal study comprising of 423 children aged between 6 months and 9 years, who were actively followed up for 1 year. Malaria episodes occurring in the cohort children were detected and the affected children treated with national policy drug regimen. Mutations in the RANTES gene were determined by PCR-RFLP method and their frequencies were calculated. A multivariate negative binomial regression model was used to estimate the impact of RANTES mutations on malaria incidence. In all statistical tests, a P-value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The frequencies of the -403A and In1.1C allele were 53.7 and 19.2 %, respectively. No mutations were found at the -28 locus. After adjustment of incidence rates for age, blood group, insecticide-treated bed net (ITN) use, malaria history and the sickle cell trait, 1n1.1T/C heterozygotes and homozygotes showed a non-significant trend towards higher incidence rates compared to wild-type individuals (IRR = 1.10; P = 0.55 and IRR = 1.25; P = 0.60, respectively). Similarly, there was no significant difference in malaria incidence rates between RANTES -403G/A heterozygotes or homozygotes and those without mutations (IRR = 1.09; P = 0.66 and IRR = 1.16; P = 0.50, respectively). No relation was seen between RANTES polymorphisms, baseline parasite densities and the time to first re-infection after administration of anti-malaria drugs. Conclusions: This study showed that the -403A mutation occurs in nearly half of the study population and the In1.1C allele occurs in one in every four children. Despite the high frequency of these mutations, there was no clear association with malaria incidence. Other studies evaluating more markers, that could potentially modulate RANTES gene transcription alongside other genetic modifiers of malaria susceptibility, may provide further explanations to these less dramatic findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients presenting in major tuberculosis ( TB) centres in two Australian metropolitan hospitals and three central hospitals in Malawi were interviewed for health and other information, including their satisfaction with nursing care. The main objective of the study was to investigate differences in satisfaction rates among ethnically similar and different patients coming from two dissimilar health systems. A multivariable Generalized Estimating Equations model was constructed to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with dissatisfaction, while focusing on ethnic differences between and within each country. The Australian and Malawian patients were similar in age, gender, marital status, and employment. However, the Malawians were mostly inpatients, with recurrent TB episodes, and were more seriously ill with impaired physical and mental wellbeing. Nonetheless, being Australian was more associated with dissatisfaction observed in all components of care. However, Australian ethnic minorities were less dissatisfied than their Anglo- Saxon or European counterparts, being more similar to Malawian patients irrespective of the health care provided. Our study suggests that patients coming from similar ethnic backgrounds may express similar satisfaction irrespective of the health system they belong to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the effect of interference on the coverage and connectivity of an ad hoc network that operates in the presence of fading and shadowing. We assume that the number of interfering signals at each receiving node of a wireless network is a random variable that belongs to a Matern Hard-core point process (MPP). The aggregate interference at the receiver is approximated using the shifted Gamma distribution. We derive closed-form expressions for node isolation probability using a moment matching method. This performance measure is useful for evaluating the overall network connectivity in a wireless channel with co-channel interference and noise. The analysis does not assume knowledge of the fading distribution for the desired or interfering signals. The analytical results are verified with computer simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions use websites and smartphone apps to deliver ACT exercises and skills. The present meta-analysis provides a comprehensive review of online ACT self-help interventions, characterizing the programs that have been studied (e.g. platform, length, content) and analyzing their efficacy. A transdiagnostic approach was taken, including studies that addressed a range of targeted problems and populations. Multi-level meta-analyses were used to nest multiple measures of a single construct within their respective studies. A total of 53 randomized controlled trials were included (n = 10,730). Online ACT produced significantly greater outcomes than waitlist controls at post-treatment for anxiety, depression, quality of life, psychological flexibility, and all assessed outcomes (i.e. omnibus effect), which were generally maintained at follow-up. However, only psychological flexibility and all assessed outcomes at post-treatment were found to be significantly greater for online ACT when compared to active controls, with no significant follow-up effects. Overall, these results further clarify that ACT can be effectively delivered in an online format to target a wide range of mental health concerns, although it is less clear if and when online ACT is more efficacious than other online interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato is a vegetatively propagated crop where vine cuttings from previous crops or volunteer plants are used as planting material. This practice can lead to the accumulation of systemic pathogens, especially viruses. However, the contribution of this practice to degeneration of sweet potato cultivars in Uganda has been only speculative, hence the need to document the rate of cultivar degeneration in high and low sweet potato virus disease pressure zones. Four cultivars of sweet potato – ‘Beauregard’, ‘Dimbuka’, ‘Ejumula’ and ‘NASPOT 1’ – were planted in a series of field trials in central (Kabanyolo) and Eastern (Serere) Uganda over five generations (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5). The trials started with virus-free planting material and each succeeding trial retained planting material from the previous one, as well as receiving fresh clean material. Data were recorded on virus incidence and severity monthly for 4 months, root yield and vine weight at harvest after 6 months. Virus symptoms were observed 1 month after planting in all the plant generations, withSweet potato feathery virusandSweet potato chlorotic stunt virusbeing the most prevalent viruses detected. The cultivars ‘Beauregard’ and ‘Ejumula’ had highest disease incidence and severity, with the latter collapsing after a single season in both locations. Storage root yields and numbers were greatest in G1 but remained similar although less in all subsequent generations (G2, G3, G4 and G5) for each cultivar. Since it is impractical to provide fresh planting material each year for farmers, the focus should be on breeding more resistant varieties of sweet potato. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In a previous report, we investigated inflammatory responses induced by injecting Listeria monocytogenes into one testis of a mouse. We demonstrated that the contralateral testis also developed an orchitis despite the absence of bacteria, indicating that the inflammation on the uninfected, contralateral side was of autoimmune character. In both infected and autoimmune testes, γδ and αβ T cells infiltrated during the inflammation. In this paper, we present the data of a comparison of the character of γδ T cells of the infected and autoimmune testes. In both testes, γδ T cells appeared to be activated, as assessed by high CD44 and low l-selectin expression. Analysis of T-cell receptor (TCR) usage in both inflammation types revealed the same γδ TCR repertoire. Finally, the semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated that γδ T cells in both types of inflammation were capable of producing interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). These results imply that γδ T cells present in infected-induced and autoimmunity-induced inflammation have the same characteristics and could work as immunoregulatory cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multivariate and deep learning techniques were used to discriminate seedless watermelon from seeded seeds. • The performance seed ploidy-class discrimination of multivariate, and the encoder-decoder deep learning models were discussed. • SVM quadratic model yielded a ploidy-class discrimination accuracy of 84.3% among the conventional multivariate models. • Deeplabv3 + and Resnet18 deep learning model improved the seed ploidy-class discrimination accuracy to 95.6%. Watermelon cultivators often encounter various challenges of the varietal mixing of triploid, diploid, and tetraploid seeds, thus hindering the watermelon industry due to the uncertainty in the ploidy seed nomenclature. These circumstances indirectly impose negative effects on the income of farmers and the development of companies specializing in watermelon seeds. Therefore, high seed purity is a necessity for all seed breeders and firms, as the performance of a given seed variety can be standardized. In this study, we employed machine vision techniques to classify triploid watermelon seeds from diploid and tetraploid seeds. The major objective of the research was to illustrate the potential of the discrimination of triploid watermelon seeds with multivariate machine learning classification, and, thereafter, deep learning techniques. Watermelon ploidy seed images were acquired by RGB camera, and discrimination models were constructed with multivariate machine learning methods using one-class classification with the DD-SIMCA and SVM quadratic methods. One-class classification with the DD-SIMCA and the SVM-quadratic models yielded triploid discrimination accuracies of 69.5% and 84.3%, respectively. To further improve the ploidy-class discrimination accuracy, deeplabv3 + and Resnet18 deep learning models produced accuracy of 95.5%. The deep learning model results demonstrated a higher discrimination accuracy, and, thus, these results show the potential for automation and application to online systems for real-time ploidy seed discrimination and sorting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Langmuir isotherms of 1-aminobutane in isohexane slurries showed increase in clay acidity with increase in concentration of mineral acid used to leach the clay as well as the temperature at which the clay was thermally activated prior to experimentation involving adsorption of 1-aminobutane. The values of acidity for Central Uganda were low ranging from 0.07 mol/g to 0.32 mol/g yet those for clays from Eastern Uganda were high ranging from 0.1mol/g to 1.85mol/g. Basing on acidity, pH, elemental and mineral compositions, the clays from Central Uganda were found to be kaolinites or halloysites yet Eastern Uganda clays were resolved to contain nontronite and kaolinite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decrease in content of iron in the bleached oils was highest for all oils bleached. The content of copper showed the smallest change. The decrease in copper content for palm oils decreased from 0.2ppm to 0.1ppm when bleached with both Kajansi and Chelel clays which had be leached in 20% acid. The content of copper in cotton oils decreased from 0.5ppm to 0.15ppm using Kajansi clay leached in 20% acid yet when Chelel clay leached under similar conditions was used decrease was from 0.5 to 0.1ppm. Similarly, the content of iron in cotton oils bleached using Kajansi clay decreased from 2.5 to 0.2 yet that bleached using Chelel clay decreased to 0.1ppm. The content of iron in sunflower oils bleached using Kajansi clay leached in 20% acid decreased from 1.6 to 0.2ppm yet that bleached with Chelel clay under similar conditions decreased to 0.1ppm. The acid values showed that the acidity in sunflower oils is largely due to oleic acid as the average value for acids is in the range close to oleic acid, cotton-seed oil corresponded to linoleic acid. The levels of free fatty acid were found to lie in range from 3.8-3.2 for all clays used showing no significant rise. The peroxide values of bleached oils lay between 1.2 and 0.8 showing that freshly bleached oils were fit for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of recycled clays to bleach oils measured by decrease in absorbance of bleached oils was largest when recycled clays had been calcined at 450°C and leached in boiling mixture of 20% acid strength for 16 hours. The Langmuir constant a varied from 0.4x10-2 to 16 x10-2 and b increased from 4.7x10-2 to 95.38x10-2. The Freundlich constant n increased from 8x10-3 to 33x10-3 and k from 3.9x10-2 to 11.8 x10-2 as concentration of acid increased. The enthalpy of adsorption increased from -6.7x10-2 to 22.2x10-2 kJmol-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast Cancer in Uganda is the third commonest cancer in women after cancer of the cervix and Kaposi's sarcoma. The incidence of Breast Cancer in Uganda has nearly tripled from 1961 to 2006. It has been considered a neglected disease but the reasons to why there is an increase in its incidence have not been fully explained. Studies show that age at first full term child birth has been associated with risk of developing breast cancer in the Caucasian population. Objective: To establish whether age at first full term child birth is associated with development of breast cancer among Ugandan women. Method: A case control study was conducted over a six months period from November 2011 to April 2012 with patients confirmed with breast cancer as cases and controls without breast cancer. The sampling were convenient and interview questionnaire were administered, and clinical examinations done .The main predictor were age at first full term child birth and the outcome were histologically confirmed breast cancer. Data were analysed using stata 10; using logistic regression models, p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Over all, 183 women were enrolled, (93 cases and 93 controls). The mean age at first full term child birth was 19.8 years. The histological subtype was ductal carcinoma. No association were found between age at first full term child birth and risk of breast cancer adjusted OR 0.3 (0.1- 2.4), p=0.239. Conclusion: No associations were found between age at first term child birth and risk for breast cancer disease among this group of Ugandan women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrical breakdown of microwave plasma in water was investigated between 1 and 30 kPa. The dependency of the ignition power for generating plasma on the size of coaxial electrode was measured. The ignition power decreases with a decrease of the diameter of the inner electrode. The behavior of microwave plasma in water was observed using a high-speed camera. The plasma ignites in a bubble generated by microwave heating. The model for calculating the electric field was created on the basis of the captured images of the bubble just before plasma ignition. The method presented can be used to visualize the electrical field distribution in the bubble. The electric field breakdown was calculated using the measured ignition power. The electric field breakdown of plasma in water is of the same order as gas phase plasma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The efficiency of recycled clays to bleach oils measured by decrease in absorbance of bleached oils was largest when recycled clays had been calcined at 450oC and leached in boiling mixture of 20% acid strength for 16 hours. The Langmuir constant a varied from 0.4x10-2 to 16 x10-2 and b increased from 4.7x10-2 to 95.38x10-2. The Freundlich constant n increased from 8x10-3 to 33x10-3 and k from 3.9x10-2 to 11.8 x10-2 as concentration of acid increased. The enthalpy of adsorption increased from -6.7x10-2 to 22.2x10-2 kJmol-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uterine rupture is one of the most devastating complications of labour that exposes the mother and foetus to grave danger hence contributing to the high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in Uganda. Every year, 6000 women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth, uterine rupture accounts for about 8% of all maternal deaths. The objective of this study was to establish the incidence of uterine rupture, predisposing factors, maternal and fetal outcomes and modes of management at a regional referral university hospital in South-western Uganda. Methods: Case-control design of women with uterine rupture during 2005-2006. Controls were women who had spontaneous vaginal delivery or were delivered by caesarean section without uterine rupture as a complication. For every case, three consecutive in-patient chart numbers were picked and retrieved as controls. All available case files, labour ward and theater records were reviewed. Results: A total of 83 cases of uterine rupture out of 10940 deliveries were recorded giving an incidence of uterine rupture of 1 in 131 deliveries. Predisposing factors for uterine rupture were previous cesarean section delivery(OR 5.3 95% CI 2.7-10.2), attending < 4 antenatal visits (OR 3.3 95% CI 1.6-6.9), parity ? 5(OR 3.67 95% CI 2.0-6.72), no formal education (OR 2.0 95% CI 1.0-3.9), use of herbs (OR15.2 95% CI 6.2-37.0), self referral (OR 6.1 95% CI 3.3-11.2) and living in a distance >5 km from the facility (OR 10.86 95% CI 1.46-81.03). There were 106 maternal deaths during the study period giving a facility maternal mortality ratio of 1034 /100,000 live births, there were 10 maternal deaths due to uterine rupture giving a case fatality rate of 12%. Conclusion: Uterine rupture still remains one of the major causes of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Mbarara Regional referral Hospital in Western Uganda. Promotion of skilled attendance at birth, use of family planning among those at high risk, avoiding use of herbs during pregnancy and labour, correct use of partograph and preventing unnecessary c-sections are essential in reducing the occurrences of uterine rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Pongola Supergroup, located at the southeast margin of the Kaapvaal Craton, is a well-preserved Meso-Archean volcano-sedimentary sequence containing the full spectrum of basalt–andesite–dacite–rhyolite volcanic rocks, emplaced on 3.1–3.3Ga crystalline basement rocks. We have carried out a zircon U–Pb dating study using high resolution, secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) on volcanic layers at various levels in the lava flow successions, and on the post-Pongola granitoids emplaced in the immediate vicinity of the Pongola Supergroup, with the primary aim of determining volcanic eruption rates, Archean crustal dynamics, and the tectonic setting of the lavas and granitoids. The pre-Pongola Tsawela Gneiss on the northeastern side of the Pongola basin gives an age of 3428±22Ma, consistent with other determinations in this area. Crystallization ages of the granitoids and gneisses in the southwest appear to be generally younger at 3.1–3.2Ga, indicating the presence of contrasting crustal blocks on each side of the Pongola depositary. However, the greenstone fragments on the southwest side are 3.5–3.3Ga in age indicating a complex history. U–Pb zircon dates set the oldest Pongola volcanic layer in the Nsuze Group at 2980±10Ma and the uppermost layer contained within the mainly sedimentary Mozaan Group at 2954±9Ma. These dates provide the first direct estimate of the period of deposition for the Pongola sequence. Xenocrystic zircons in post-Pongola granitoid intrusions have inherited cores with ages similar to those of the Pongola volcanic rocks, and have younger emplacement ages between 2837±6Ma and 2717±11Ma. ɛ Nd values range from −2.55 for basalt to −4.20 for rhyolite in the Pongola volcanic suite, whereas post-Pongola granitoids have ɛ Nd values ranging from −2.08 to −6.14. This indicates that all rock types, including the basalts, have some contribution from crustal melts or aged enriched mantle lithospheric materials. Although trace element distributions for these rocks show characteristics similar to those of modern arcs, including negative anomalies in Th, Ta, Nb, Ce, and P, these may have been inherited from previously formed crust and may not be indicative of the Pongola tectonic environment. Evidence of rapid deposition, a preponderance of intermediate lavas, discordance of bounding crustal blocks and consistent structural trends in the area, are similar to features found in continental arc basins currently observed in the southwestern USA, and may present an alternative model to those currently accepted for Archean terranes in early-formed cratons. The age determinations of the post-Pongola granitoid intrusions indicate crustal recycling on a short time scale during the Archean. The post-Pongola granitoids are classic A-type granites with strongly elevated REE patterns, deep Eu/Eu* anomalies, high Fe/Mg ratios and highly elevated HFSE contents, and are possibly the oldest occurrence of this class of granitiod rocks representing the complete and final stage of development of the world''s oldest stabilized Archean craton. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Seed shattering is a significant problem with buckwheat, especially at harvesting time. Several reports have shown that a green-flower mutant of buckwheat, such as W/SK86GF, has a strong pedicel. Although a strong pedicel may provide some resistance to shattering in the field, no study has thoroughly examined this issue. In this paper, we demonstrate that a W/SK86GF has shattering resistance by comparing the degrees of shat-tering of W/SK86GF and Kitawasesoba (leading variety of Hokkaido with non-green-flower traits) through a test for four years, including a typhoon hit year in the field. In a non-typhoon year, the shattering seed ratio (shattering seed weight/(yield + shattering seed weight) x 100) of W/SK86GF at maturing time +15 days (+15D) was lower than that of Kitawasesoba. In a typhoon hit year, the shattering seed ratios of Kitawasesoba at maturing time and +15D were surprisingly high, 14.4 and 21.1%, respectively. On the other hand, those of W/SK86GF were only 3.08% and 2.57%, respectively; indicating W/SK86GF is promising as a shattering resistant line even in a typhoon hit year. From these results, shattering resistance of W/SK86GF can be eval-uated after maturing time such as +15D and pedicel strength would confer W/SK86GF a shattering resistant trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We determined the Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd isotope compositions of spinel peridotite xenoliths in alkali basalts from Baengnyeong and Jeju islands, South Korea, to constrain the timing of melt-depletion events and stabilization of the lithospheric mantle beneath the region. Equilibration temperatures estimated by two-pyroxene thermometry range from 780 to 950°C, and from 960 to 1010°C for Baengnyeong and Jeju peridotites, respectively. The Baengnyeong peridotite clinopyroxenes are characterized by extremely radiogenic Hf in association with isotopically less extreme Nd, resulting in strong Nd–Hf decoupling referenced to the mantle array. This is in stark contrast to the well-correlated isotopic compositions of Hf and Nd in the Jeju peridotite clinopyroxenes, which plot along the Nd–Hf mantle array. The Hf abundances and isotopic compositions of the Baengnyeong clinopyroxenes were less affected by relatively recent secondary enrichments that overprinted the light rare earth element abundances and Nd isotopes, causing the decoupling of the Nd–Hf isotopes. The Nd–Hf isotopic compositions of the Jeju peridotites appear to have been re-equilibrated, probably as a result of efficient diffusion at the relatively higher temperatures of the Jeju peridotites. Lu–Hf tie lines for clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene from four of the Korean peridotites have negative slopes on a Lu–Hf isochron diagram, yielding negative ages. This is interpreted to indicate recent isotopic exchange in orthopyroxene by reaction with metasomatic agents having low 176Hf/177Hf components. Secondary overprinting in orthopyroxene was facilitated by the considerably lower Hf concentrations than in co-located clinopyroxene. Baengnyeong lherzolite clinopyroxenes yield a Lu–Hf errorchron age of 1.9±0.1Ga, which is independently supported by a model Os age (based on Re depletion or TRD) of 1.8Ga on a refractory Baengnyeong peridotite. We interpret this age range to mark the time of stabilization of the mantle section beneath this area by major melt extraction. This Proterozoic melt removal coincided in time with widespread ca. 2.1 to 1.8Ga tectonothermal events documented throughout the Korean Peninsula. These observations indicate that the Lu–Hf system can be used to date mantle melting events recorded in lherzolite xenoliths. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Michigan soils have developed on thick glacial-drift deposits that include different proportions of ground granite and gneiss from the Canadian Shield region (with radiogenic Sr) and carbonate sedimentary rocks from within the Michigan Basin (with non-radiogenic Sr). This study of the Cheboygan, Huron and Kalamazoo watersheds shows how Sr-isotope and Sr/Ca ratios in soil waters, ground waters, and soils reflect relative weathering intensities of the dominant minerals in Michigan soils, including carbonates from the Michigan Basin, and amphibole, plagioclase and K-feldspar derived from the Canadian Shield. Soil water 87Sr/86Sr ratios evolve quickly to the carbonate weathering end-member (0.709–0.711) once a calcite and dolomite layer is reached at depth (~100–200cm) in the Huron and the Kalamazoo watersheds. Dissolution of plagioclase and amphibole controls shallow soil water 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.711–0.713), with minor contributions from K-feldspar weathering. In contrast, soils in the previously studied Cheboygan watershed are completely depleted in carbonate minerals and contain little plagioclase and amphibole in the top 300cm of the profile. As a result, soil waters in this watershed are ionically dilute with high 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.72 and 0.74), dominantly contributed by K-feldspar dissolution. Subsequent dissolution of plagioclase and amphibole at greater depths sharply increases soil water and ground water Mg2+, Ca2+, and Sr2+ concentrations, and lowers the Sr-isotopic ratios to ~0.709 for the Cheboygan watershed. Similarly, along hydrologic flow paths, soil water Sr/Ca ratios move from the silicate end-member (defined by amphibole and plagioclase) towards the carbonate end-member. The Sr-isotopic compositions and Sr/Ca ratios of soil waters thus reveal the types, directions and extent of chemical weathering processes in Michigan soils, augmenting information from previous soil water chemistry and soil mineralogy studies. This work also highlights the two-fold impacts of glacial/interglacial cycles on the riverine and oceanic Sr isotopes: due to the great extent of continental glaciation, Paleozoic carbonate minerals from the Michigan Basin were redistributed widely within the interior of the North American continent, leading to elevated Sr fluxes with lower Sr-isotopic ratios in natural waters after glacial retreat. The glacial ice also ground up the ancient Precambrian Canadian Shield, accelerating mineral weathering rates and releasing highly radiogenic Sr from K-feldspar. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The erosion of a conventional bare metallic electrode for generation of microwave plasma in liquid was investigated. The spectra of plasma, the surface temperature of the electrode and the erosion rate were measured by a spectroscope, a radiation thermometer and an analytical balance, respectively. The intensity of the spectral lines indicating the erosion of the metallic electrode and erosion rate depends upon the microwave power. To avoid metallic contamination, a coaxial electrode for generating microwave plasma on a dielectric material was developed. The metallic electrode is encased in an alumina closed tube. The side of the alumina closed tube is further covered with an open Teflon tube. It has been confirmed that the electric field is strongest at the point where the alumina closed tube, Teflon opened tube and liquid intersect as determined by the two-dimensional Finite-Difference Time-Domain (2D-FDTD) method. Synthesis of amorphous-carbon deposition in ethanol was conducted. The developed electrode enables synthesis with a smooth deposition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the importance and the benefits of digitisation of cultural heritage materials, Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and historical information of Uganda in the context of Uganda Christian University (UCU) Library's digitalization of the archives. Topics include creation of the digital files, their advantages in terms of accessibility, and preservation challenges. Special attention is paid to the World Digital Library (WDL) Project in Uganda.

Abstract: Nanoparticles are continuously synthesized from submerged magnesium, zinc, and silver rods 1–2mm in diameter by microwave plasma in pure water at 20kPa. Magnesium-hydroxide nanoplates shaped as triangles, truncated triangles or hexagons with 25–125nm in size are synthesized with a production rate of 60gh−1. Zinc-oxide nanoparticles formed as sharp sticks with diameters of 50nm and lengths of 150–200nm are synthesized with a production rate of 14gh−1. Silver nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 6nm are synthesized with a production rate of 0.8gh−1. The excitation temperature is estimated by applying the Boltzmann plot method in assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium. The excitation temperatures obtained from hydrogen, magnesium, and zinc lines are 3300±100K, 4000±500K, and 3200±500K, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Major oxide, trace element and volatile (HO, CO, S, F, and Cl) compositions have been analyzed for olivine-hosted melt inclusions in eight basalt samples from Yellowstone National Park and the Snake River Plain (SRP) to identify the least differentiated melt compositions and assess the volatile budget of the Yellowstone hotspot. Melt-inclusion chemistry was evaluated to understand potential overprinting effects in the shallow mantle and crust of magmas derived from deeper levels. Maximum water concentrations of 3.3 wt% and CO up to 1,677 ppm have been observed in olivine-hosted melt inclusions from the Gerritt Basalts at Mesa Falls, Idaho (SRP region), which is significantly higher than the maximum concentrations measured in lavas from other hotspots such as Hawaii (~0.8-0.9 wt%). Maximum water concentrations were generally observed in the least differentiated melt inclusions in terms of incompatible major oxide concentrations, indicating that high water concentrations are characteristic of the mantle or perhaps lower crust rather than resulting from differentiation enhancement within the shallow crust, even taking into account the fact that water behaves as an incompatible element during crystal fractionation. Enrichment in Ba coupled with depletion in Th in many of the melt inclusions and their host rocks is a characteristic of many arc lavas and may indicate that volatiles in Yellowstone-Snake River Plain basalts could have a subduction zone origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In 2005 we established the first American-style summer treatment program (STP) for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) located outside North America. This program was based on methods established by professor Pelham and has been used in a number of studies and at a number of sites in the USA. A total of 137 children diagnosed with ADHD, ranging in age from 6 to 12years, participated in at least one of five annual summer treatment programs in Kurume city, Japan, during 2005–2009. The duration of the STP was 2weeks in 2005, 2008, and 2009; 3weeks in 2006 and 2007. A set of evidence-based behavioral modification techniques comprising the STP behavioral program (e.g., point system, daily report card, positive reinforcement, time out) was used. We also assessed the cognitive function of individual children before and after STP using the CogStateR batteries. Every year, regardless of the duration of the STP, most children showed positive behavioral changes in multiple domains of functioning, demonstrated by significant improvement in points earned daily, which reflect behavior frequencies. Cognitive functions, particularly the rate of anticipatory errors in executive function, significantly improved after the STP, suggesting that STP has positive effects not only on behavioral aspects but also on some cognitive functions. Further studies are necessary to confirm this finding by studying sequential cognitive function of age-matched children who do not attend STP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background:Thyroid ultrasonography (US) is the most sensitive method for detecting thyroid nodules, and US-guided aspiration biopsy is the most accurate diagnostic procedure for thyroid nodules. We performed this retrospective study to establish the prevalence of thyroid nodules in Graves' disease and patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis at the time of their initial visit.Methods:We performed thyroid US as routine screening in 1652 patients with Graves' disease and 2036 Hashimoto's thyroiditis and performed US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy when the diameter of a nodule >1 cm or a nodule was suspected of being malignant.Results:The prevalence of papillary carcinoma in the patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis was higher than in the patients with Graves' disease (1.77% vs. 0.97%), and two patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (0.098%) were found to have malignant lymphoma. Adenomatous lesions were observed more frequently in the patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis than in the patients with Graves' disease. The prevalence of adenomatous lesions increased in an age-dependent manner in both the patients with Graves' disease and those with Hashimoto disease; and adenomatous lesions were more frequent in younger patients with Hashimoto’ s thyroiditis than in those with Graves' disease.Conclusions:The prevalence of both thyroid papillary cancer and adenomatous lesions was greater in the patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis than in those with Graves' disease; and adenomatous lesions were more frequent in younger patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. We recommend performing US at the time of the initial visit in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, who have a high prevalence of thyroid papillary carcinoma, to detect malignant thyroid tumors and adenomatous lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reviews the current situations of optical fibers used for terrestrial and submarine transmission systems as well as up-to-date R&D on these fibers. The current fibers include standard single mode fibers (SMFs), non-zero dispersion shifted fibers (NZ-DSFs), and dispersion managed lines (DMLs). Even though these fibers show quite high and matured properties, the internet traffic is continuously growing, and around 2015–2020, it is expected that the current transmission fibers would become inadequate. To prepare for the future ultra high-capacity transmission, there are three important R&D directions for transmission fibers. (1) Reducing non-linearity by means of enlarging Aeff and/or reducing attenuation loss. It is very important in the case of transmission systems using new multi-level signal formats. (2) Expanding the transmission band more than the current C- and/or L-Band by utilizing new transmission fibers. For example, holey fibers (HFs), which have an endlessly single mode (ESM) property, are one of the interesting candidates of the new transmission fibers. (3) Using Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) by using multi-core fibers. The multi-core fiber literally multiples the core number within a fiber dimension, which enables multiple transmission capacity per one fiber. In addition to the developments of transmission fibers, component fibers have also been studied and developed. Examples of R&D on these component fibers will be also discussed in the latter part of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study of the development of distinct CD4 T-cell subsets from naive precursors continues to provide excellent opportunities for dissection of mechanisms that control lineage-specific gene expression or repression. Whereas it had been thought that the induction of transcription networks that control T-lineage commitment were highly stable, reinforced by epigenetic processes that confer heritability of functional phenotypes by the progeny of mature T cells, recent findings support a more dynamic view of T-lineage commitment. Here, we highlight advances in the mapping and functional characterization of cis elements in the Ifng locus that have provided new insights into the control of the chromatin structure and transcriptional activity of this signature T-helper 1 cell gene. We also examine epigenetic features of the Ifng locus that have evolved to enable its reprogramming for expression by other T-cell subsets, particularly T-helper 17 cells, and contrast features of the Ifng locus with those of the Il17a-Il17f locus, which appears less promiscuous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Plasma was generated in water by irradiation at high frequency of 13.56MHz, and the behavior of bubbles including the plasma was observed by a high-speed camera. The generation pattern of the bubbles was classified into four types according to liquid temperature and supplied power. Conducting the simulation, the maximum temperature in the bubble was found to be from 3500K to 4300K, and the decomposition of water molecule occurred. The gas in the bubble was found to become high ratio of hydrogen. The phenomenon can be regarded as a film boiling of exceptionally high heat flux. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Phenotypic plasticity of T helper 17 (Th17) cells suggests instability of chromatin structure of key genes of this lineage. We identified epigenetic modifications across the clustered Il17a and Il17f and the Ifng loci before and after differential IL-12 or TGF-β cytokine signaling, which induce divergent fates of Th17 cell precursors. We found that Th17 cell precursors had substantial remodeling of the Ifng locus, but underwent critical additional modifications to enable high expression when stimulated by IL-12. Permissive modifications across the Il17a-Il17f locus were amplified by TGF-β signaling in Th17 cells, but were rapidly reversed downstream of IL-12-induced silencing of the Rorc gene by the transcription factors STAT4 and T-bet. These findings reveal substantial chromatin instability of key transcription factor and cytokine genes of Th17 cells and support a model of Th17 cell lineage plasticity in which cell-extrinsic factors modulate Th17 cell fates through differential effects on the epigenetic status of Th17 cell lineage factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We propose an alternative breeding methodology for common buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), involving the use of the self-compatibility ( S h) gene derived from F. homotropicum Ohnishi. This methodology involves inbred development of homostyle ( S h S h) and pin ( ss) lines by using the self-compatibility gene ( S h). Further, single-cross hybrid seeds are produced using these inbred homostyle and pin lines as pollen and seed parents, respectively. This strategy successfully produced self-compatible homostyle hybrids ( S h s); the percentage of hybrid plants among the progeny was more than 90%. In a greenhouse trial, the heterosis (best parent) in top dry weight, including stem and leaves, was 29.1–48.1% during the early growth stage. The seed yield of the progeny obtained in single-cross experiments was superior to that of an open-pollinated standard variety “Kitawasesoba” by 10% on average. These results suggest that heterosis breeding can be used to increase seed yield in common buckwheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Late Tertiary to Quaternary basaltic rocks from three locations in interior Alaska — Fort Hamlin Hills, Prindle Volcano, and Buzzard Creek — have been characterized geochemically using major and trace element concentrations and radiogenic isotopic ratios. The rocks from Fort Hamlin Hills and Prindle Volcano have well-constrained 40Ar/39Ar eruption ages ranging from 32.83±0.16Ma for the Fort Hamlin Hills basalts, to 0.20±0.06Ma for the Prindle Volcano basanites. Ages for the Buzzard Creek basalts have large errors because of the low K2O concentration and young ages of the lavas, which we estimate to be <0.01Ma. On the basis of Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope and rare earth element data, we have determined that the primary melts for the Fort Hamlin Hills and Buzzard Creek basalts were produced in the lithospheric mantle at spinel facies depths. The Prindle Volcano basanites were produced in asthenospheric mantle in garnet facies conditions. Although involvement in the source components of small volumes of enriched materials related to Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous flat-slab subduction is not ruled out for the Fort Hamlin Hills basalts and Prindle Volcano basanites. These lavas do not exhibit the arc signature typified by depletion in high-field-strength elements. We conclude that the volcanism at the Fort Hamlin Hills and Prindle Volcano localities in interior Alaska represents intraplate activity due to lithospheric extension accompanied by decompression melting and additional heating. Buzzard Creek basalts, on the other hand, exhibit an arc signature characterized by troughs at Ta–Nb, and peaks at Pb and Sr on element distribution diagrams. These basalts occur in a 400km volcano gap between the Aleutian arc system and Wrangell Volcanic Province. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification is the most common genetic alteration in high-grade glioma, and ≈50% of EGFR-amplified tumors also harbor a constitutively active mutant form of the receptor, ΔEGFR. Although ΔEGFR greatly enhances tumor growth and is thus an attractive target for anti-glioma therapies, recent clinical experiences with EGFR kinase inhibitors have been disappointing, because resistance is common and tumors eventually recur. Interestingly, it has not been established whether ΔEGFR is required for maintenance of glioma growth in vivo, and, by extension, if it truly represents a rational therapeutic target. Here, we demonstrate that in vivo silencing of regulatable ΔEGFR with doxycycline attenuates glioma growth and, therefore, that it is crucial for maintenance of enhanced tumorigenicity. Similar to the clinical experience, tumors eventually regained aggressive growth after a period of stasis, but interestingly, without re-expression of ΔEGFR. To determine how tumors acquired this ability, we found that a unique gene, KLHDC8, herein referred to as SΔE (Substitute for ΔEGFR Expression)-1, is highly expressed in these tumors, which have escaped dependence on ΔEGFR. SΔE-1 is also expressed in human gliomas and knockdown of its expression in ΔEGFR-independent "escaper" tumors suppressed tumor growth. Taken together, we conclude that ΔEGFR is required for both glioma establishment and maintenance, and that gliomas undergo selective pressure in vivo to employ alternative compensatory pathways to maintain aggressiveness in the event of EGFR silencing. Such alternative pathways function as substitutes for ΔEGFR signaling and should therefore be considered as potential targets for additional therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We reported the results of the 3-week summer treatment program (STP) for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 2006. The STP was based on methods established by Professor Pelham in Buffalo, NY and has been used in a number of studies and at a number of sites in the U.S. This is the first STP outside North America. Thirty-six children age 6–12 years with ADHD participated. The collection of evidence-based behavioral modification techniques that comprises the STP’s behavioral program (e.g., point system, daily report card, positive reinforcement, time out) was used. Most children showed positive behavioral changes in multiple domains of functioning, demonstrated by significant improvement in points earned daily, which reflect behavior frequencies. Only one child with ADHD co-morbid with pervasive developmental disorder required an individualized program for excessive time outs. The ADHD rating scale, symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder, and hyperactivity/inattention in Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires evaluated by parents significantly improved after STP. Although the 3-week STP was much shorter than most STPs run in the U.S., the program is more intensive than typical outpatient treatment, providing 105h of intervenion in 3 weeks. The short-term effect of the STP was demonstrated for Japanese children with ADHD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]