Search

The Schuylkill River Watershed in southeastern PA provides essential ecosystem services, including drinking water, power generation, recreation, transportation, irrigation, and habitats for aquatic life. The impact of changing climate and land use on these resources could negatively affect the ability of the watershed to continually provide these services. This study applies a hydrologic model to assess the impact of climate and land use change on water resources in the Schuylkill River Basin. A hydrologic model was created within the Structural Thinking Experiential Learning Laboratory with Animation (STELLA) modeling environment. Downscaled future climate change scenarios were generated using Localized Constructed Analogs (LOCA) from 2020 to 2040 for Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios. Three regional land use change scenarios were developed based on historical land use and land cover change trends. The calibrated model was then run under projected climate and land use scenarios to simulate daily streamflow, reservoir water levels, and investigate the availability of water resources in the basin. Historically, the streamflow objective for the Schuylkill was met 89.8% of the time. However, the model forecasts that this will drop to 67.2–76.9% of the time, depending on the climate models used. Streamflow forecasts varied little with changes in land use. The two greenhouse gas emission scenarios considered (high and medium emissions) also produced similar predictions for the frequency with which the streamflow target is met. Barring substantial changes in global greenhouse gas emissions, the region should prepare for substantially greater frequency of low flow conditions in the Schuylkill River.

Here the authors use single-cell RNA-seq to profile the transmission stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum as it progresses through the Anopheles mosquito. They highlight unique patterns of gene usage throughout this development and identify potential pleiotropic genes that function at multiple life cycle stages.

Abstract Background There is a need for data on children’s self-reported discomfort in clinical research, helping ethics committees to make their evaluation of discomfort described in study protocols evidence-based. Since there is no appropriate instrument to measure children’s discomfort during medical research procedures, we aimed to develop a generic, short and child-friendly instrument: the DISCO-RC questionnaire (DISCOmfort in Research with Children). Methods This article describes the six steps of the development of the DISCO-RC. First, we updated a literature search on children’s self-reported discomfort in clinical research to get insight in what words are used to measure discomfort (step 1). Subsequently, we interviewed 46 children (6–18 years) participating in research to get insight into important forms of discomfort for children (step 2), and asked them about their preferred response option for measuring discomfort (step 3). Next, we consulted nine paediatric research professionals from various backgrounds for input on the content and feasibility of the DISCO-RC (step 4). Based on the previous steps, we developed a draft version of the DISCO-RC, which we discussed with the professionals. The DISCO-RC was then pretested in 25 children to ensure face-validity from the child’s perspective and feasibility (step 5). Finally, validity, reliability and internal consistency were tested (step 6). Results The search-update revealed several words used for measuring discomfort in research (e.g. ‘worries’, ‘unpleasantness’). The interviews gave insight into important forms of discomfort for children in research (e.g. ‘pain’, ‘boredom’). Children preferred a 5-point Likert scale as response option for the DISCO-RC. The experts recommended a short, digital instrument involving different forms of discomfort, and measuring discomfort of individual research procedures. Pretesting of the DISCO-RC resulted in a few layout changes, and feedback from the children confirmed the feasibility of the DISCO-RC. Convergent validity and test-retest reliability were acceptable. Internal consistency based on item-rest correlations and Cronbach’s alpha were low, as expected. Conclusions The DISCO-RC is a generic, practical and psychometrically sound instrument for measuring children’s discomfort during research procedures. It contributes to make the evaluation of discomfort in paediatric research evidence-based. Therefore, we recommend including the DISCO-RC as standard component of paediatric research studies.

The potential use of amphiphilic fullerene derivatives as a bionanomaterial was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the ferrous ion oxidation–xylenol orange (FOX) method. Despite the disrupted delocalization of the π-electronic system over the C60 sphere, its antioxidant capacity remained high for all twelve derivatives. The compounds expressed up to two-fold and 5–12-fold better peroxide quenching capacity as compared to pristine C60 and standard antioxidant vitamin C, respectively. During precipitation and slow evaporation of the solvent, all compounds underwent spontaneous self-assembly giving ordered structures. The size and morphology of the resulting particles depend primarily on the sample concentration, and somewhat on the side chain structure.

Background. While 2% of all extranodal Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas present in the thyroid, there exists insufficient data to describe the incidence of mantle cell lymphoma in the thyroid. A case series of 1400 patients revealed that

Ruang publik merupakan wadah pemersatu atau sarana interaksi antar masyarakat yang berbeda dalam satu ruang. Konsep ruang publik yang dapat dimanfaatkan ruang sosial juga dapat dimiliki secara individu (private), seperti pusat perbelanjaan, restoran, kampus, dan lain-lain. Kampus merupakan ruang individu sekaligus ruang publik bagi pertukaran informasi (keilmuan), tempat pemenuhan kebutuhan psikologis (rekreasi) dan fungsi biologis (ruang terbuka hijau) yang dimanfaatkan oleh civitas akademika maupun masyarakat umum. Bagaimana ruang terbuka kampus khususnya di Universitas Tanjungpura dapat menjadi ruang publik merupakan rumusan permasalahan dalam tulisan ini. Teknik observasi, kuesioner dan pemetaan perilaku merupakan metode pengumpulan data penelitian. Hasil dari ketiga metode tersebut dianalisis menggunakan crosstab chi-square dan analisis diskriminan untuk mengidentifikasi ada atau tidaknya hubungan antara pemilihan ruang publik terhadap sifat responden dalam melihat ruang ruang publik serta untuk mengklasifikasikan preferensi responden terhadap komponen dan kriteria perancangan ruang publik. Hasil penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa rumusan kriteria perancangan ruang publik mahasiswa di Universitas Tanjungpura sangat tergantung kepada faktor seorang mahasiswa melihat lokasi atau tempat ruang tersebut. Faktor jenis kelamin, faktor sifat dan bentuk kegiatan, waktu dan lamanya berkegiatan, frekuensi melakukan kegiatan, teman, serta alasan menjadi faktor penentu dalam merumuskan konsep perancangan. Public space is a communal area to accommodate interaction between different communities in one space. The concept of public space that can be utilized as social space can also be owned by individual party (private), such as shopping centers, restaurants, campuses, and others. The campus is a private space which is used as public space for the exchange of science information and an area to fulfillment the psychological and biological needs (recreation and green open spaces) that is used by the academic community and societies. The aim of this paper is to formulate concepts of open space in Tanjungpura university as a public space. This study use three techniques/methods of data collection, such as observation, questionnaire and a behavioral mapping. The results of these methods were analyzed by chi-square crosstab and discriminant analysis to identify whether there are any relationship between the selection of public space and the respondent preferences in viewing public space. Furthermore, the analysis also has a goal to classify the preference of respondents about components and criteria of the design of public space. This study concluded that the formulation of design criteria of public space for student in the Tanjungpura university is depend on the factors of the students itself in viewing the location of the space. The determining factors in formulating the design concept of the public open space are gender, the nature and kind of activity, duration of activities, frequency of activities, and partner in activities. REFERENCES ---. 1991. Teori Perancangan Urban. Program Studi Perancangan Arsitektur Fakultas Pascasarjana ITB. Bandung ---. 2005. Peran Ruang Publik dalam Pengembangan Sektor Properti dan Kota. Sambutan Menteri Pekerjaan Umum dalam acara Seminar Nasional Araitektur Dalam Rangka Dies Natalis Ke-48 Universitas Diponegoro. Semarang ----. 2010. Jangan Terpancing Provokasi: Bentrok Dinihari, Polisi Lepaskan 21 Tembakan. Artikel dalam Pontianak Post Online tanggal 14 Maret 2010. Diakses 29 Mei 2012. http://www.pontianakpost.com/?mib=berita.detail&id=31280 ---. 2011. Modul MAP. Program Magister Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota ITB. Bandung ---. 2012. Undang Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2012 tentang Pendidikan Tinggi. Pemerintah RI. Jakarta ---.n/a. Analisis Diskriminan. Diunduh Bulan Nopember 2013 dari http://daps.bps.go.id/file_artikel/65/ANALISIS%20DISKRIMINAN.pdf. BPS, Jakarta ---. 2011. Crosstab dan Chi-Square: Analisis Hubungan Antarvariabel Kategorikal. Bab 10. http://dosen.narotama.ac.id/wp-content/uploads//12/Mastering-SPSS-18.pdf ---. 1982.Keputusan Presiden Republik Indonesia Nomor 64 tahun 1982 tentang Susunan Organisasi Universitas Tanjungpura. Pemerintah RI. Jakarta ---. 2007.Peraturan Menteri Dalam Negeri Nomor 1 Tahun tentang Penataan Ruang Terbuka Hijau Kawasan Perkotaan. Kementerian Dalam Negeri. Jakarta ---. 2009.Peraturan Menteri Pekerjaan Umum Nomor 12 Tahun tentang Pedoman Penyediaan dan Pemanfaatan Ruang Terbuka Non Hijau di Wilayah Kota/Kawasan Perkotaan. Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum. Jakarta ---. 2008.Peraturan Menteri Pekerjaan Umum Nomor 5 Tahun tentang Pedoman Penyediaan dan Pemanfaatan Ruang Terbuka Hijau di Perkotaan. Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum. Jakarta BPS Kota Pontianak. 2012. Kota Pontianak dalam Angka 2012. BPS Kota Pontianak. Pontianak Eriawan, Tomi. 2003. Prinsip Perancangan Taman Kota dan Taman Bagian Wilayah Kota di Kota Bandung. Thesis pada Magister ITB. Bandung Groat, Linda;DavidWang. 2002. Architectural Research Methods. John Wiley and Sons. New York Halim, Deddy. 2005. Psikologi Arsitektur: Pengantar Kajian Lintas Disiplin. Gramedia Widiasarana Indonesia. Jakarta Hardiman, F.Budi. 2010. Ruang Publik: melacak ’Partisipasi Demikratis’ dari Polis sampai Cyberspace. Kanisius. Yogyakarta Laurens, Joyce Marcella. 2005. Arsitektur dan Perilaku Manusia. PT. Grasindo. Jakarta LeGates, Richard T; Stout, Frederic. 2000. The City Reader: Second Edition. Routledge. London and New York Lynch, K. 1960. The Image of City. MIT Press. Cambridge, MA Moleong, Lexy J. 2005. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif, Edisi Revisi.Rosda.Bandung Nasution, S. 2011. Metode Research: Penelitian Ilmiah. Bumi Aksara. Jakarta Nathiwutthikun, Kan, Wannasilpa Peerapan, Khaisri Paksukcharern. 2008. The Logic of Multi-Use of Public Open Spaces in Chiang Mai City. Nakhara Journal of Environmental Design and Planning, vol.4. Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University. Bangkok Pusat Bahasa Departemen Pendidikan Nasional. 2008.Kamus Bahasa Indonesia. Pusat Bahasa. Jakarta Siahaan, James. 2010. Ruang Publik: Antara Harapan dan Kenyataan. Artikel online Bulletin Tata Ruang ISSN:1978-1571. Edisi Juli-Agustus 2010. Diunduh bulan Nopember 2013 dari http://bulletin.penataanruang.net/index.asp?mod=_fullart&idart=265 Snyder, James C; Catanese, Anthony J. 1997. Pengantar Arsitektur. Erlangga. Jakarta Sugiarto, dkk. 2003. Teknik Sampling. PT.Gramedia Pustaka Utama. Jakarta UIN Alauddin Makassar. 2009. Pedoman Pusat Informasi dan Komputer. UIN Alauddin Makassar. Makassar Universitas Gadjah Mada. 2011. Peraturan Rektor Universitas Gadjah Mada Nomor 2451/P/SK/KP/2011 tentang Pegawai Khusus Universitas Gadjah Mada. UGM, Yogyakarta Valera, Sergi. 1998. Public Space and Social Identity. Paper on Ramesar, A Urban Regeneration, A Challenge for Public Art: Universitat de Barcelona. Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona White, Edward T. 1992. Buku Sumber Konsep: Sebuah Kosakata Bentuk-Bentuk Arsitektural. Intermatra. Bandung Worpole, Ken; Knox, Katharine. 2007.The Social Values of Public Spaces. Paper on research project under the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The Homestead, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP Zahnd, Markus. 2009. Pendekatan dalam Perancangan Arsitektur: Metode untuk Menganalisis dan Merancang Arsitektur secara Efektif.Penerbit Kanisius, Semarang: Soegijapranata University Press, Yogyakarta

The reactions of selected α,β-unsaturated steroidal ketones with Lawesson’s reagent (LR) in CH2Cl2 and toluene under the standard reaction conditions and with a combination of phosphorus pentasulfide with hexamethyldisiloxane (P4S10/HMDO) in 1,2-dichlorobenzene (ODCB) under microwave irradiation were investigated and for this purpose several cholestane, androstane and pregnane carbonyl derivatives were chosen. Depending on the reagent and the solvent, 19 new sulfur containing compounds, including dithiones 4c and 4d, α,β-unsaturated 3-thiones 3a-e, dimer-sulfides 2a-e, 1,2,4-trithiolanes 5a-e and phosphonotrithioates 6b-e were synthesized. All newly prepared compounds were characterized by IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by impaired glucose tolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. The reported prevalence of GDM varies between 0.6% and 20% of pregnancies depending on screening method, gestational age and the population studied. GDM is characterized by pancreatic β-cell function that is insufficient to meet the body’s insulin needs. Available evidence suggests that β-cell defects in GDM result from the same spectrum of causes that underline hyperglycemia in general, including autoimmune disease, monogenic causes and insulin resistance. Adipokines are proteins secreted from the adipocytes and are believed to have a metabolic influence. Our review suggests that, in GDM, various adipokines, mainly leptin and adiponectin, are dysregulated. These two adipokines might have both prognostic and pathophysiological significance in this disease.

Beckmann rearrangement of (Z)-cholest-4-en-6-one oxime (4) (prepared in 4 steps starting from cholest-5-en-3b-ol (1)) with thionyl chloride in dioxane solution afforded an enamide-type lactam, i.e., 7-aza-B-homocholest-4-en-6-one (6) as a single product. Photoreaction of the same compound in methanol or benzene-acetic acid solution gave a mixture of products, with the formation of the parent ketone 3 and the occurrence of Z/E isomerization, while the lactam 6 was obtained only when the reaction was performed in methanol and then in very low yield (7 %).

5-Hydroxy-1-oxo-5a-cholestan-3b-yl acetate (11) was prepared in 5 steps starting from (E)-3b-acetoxy-5,10-seco-1(10)-cholesten-5-one (6). Treatment of the 1-oxo-5-hydroxy derivative 11 with lead tetraacetate (LTA) (under thermal or hypoiodite conditions) or with mercuric oxide/iodine (HgO/I2) reagent resulted in the oxidative b-fragmentation of the C(5)C(10) bond affording 1,5-dioxo-5,10-secocholest-10(19)-en-3b-yl acetate (12), in different yields, depending on the reagent. Also the stereochemistry of the 1b,6b-cyclization product 13, formed by transannular cyclization of the 1,5-diketone 12 on silica gel, is discussed in this work.

The acid-catalyzed reaction of (Z)- and (E)-B-nor-5,10-seco-ketones 2 and 3 resulted in an intramolecular cyclization to give the 5-hydroxy-A-nor-1b,5b-10(19)-methylidene derivative 8, the 5b-hydroxy-A-nor-1(10)-unsaturated compound 9 and the 5b,10a-dihydroxy-A-nor-product 10, from the (Z)-isomer and the 5-hydroxy-A-nor-1a,5b-10(19)-methylidene product 11, from the (E)-isomer. Upon UV-irradiation, the (Z)- and (E)-seco-ketones 2 and 3 underwent a reversible (Z)/(E) and (E)/(Z)-isomerization and in addition to a transannular photocyclization to afford the 10(19)-methylidene derivatives 8 and 11, respectively, while photolysis of the 10(19)-methylidene-B-nor-5,10-seco-ketone 4 gave the oxetane derivative 12.

B-Norcholestane epoxide 2 is reduced with lithium aluminium hydride to give either the 3b,6a-diol 3 or the corresponding 3b,5a-diol 4, depending on the quality of the reducing reagent employed. A plausible mechanistic explanation of the obtained results is suggested.

Objective To study the incidence of hypoglycemia, glycemic control and body weight changes in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with vildagliptin and metformin versus another group treated with sulphonylureas and metformin during and after the period of fasting in Ramadan. Patients and methods This is a randomized open-label clinical trial that recruited 69 patients previously treated with a combination therapy of metformin and sulphonylurea. Patients in the control group were maintained on their usual metformin and sulphonylurea regimen with dose adjustment for the fasting period. Patients in the study group were given vildagliptin 50 mg twice daily (at Suhur and at Iftar). One group remained on the previous background therapy unchanged and the other group was switched from sulphonylurea to vildagliptin in combination with metformin. Four visits were scheduled, one before the beginning of Ramadan (baseline), a second visit at mid Ramadan, a third at the end of Ramadan and a final visit 1 month after the end of Ramadan. At every visit, patients were assessed for hypoglycemic events and patient education was given on lifestyle needs and hypoglycemia monitoring and management. Results The calculated change in hemoglobin A1c from baseline to last visit was similar for both groups. The incidence of hypoglycemia during Ramadan was higher in the control group (26 episodes versus 19 episodes in the study group); this result was not statistically significant ( p = 0.334). However, the number of patients who dropped out from the study because of discomfort due to treatment and fear of hypoglycemia was higher in the control group. Conclusion For patients who insist on observing the fast, physicians can allow it only with close follow up and monitoring for hypoglycemic events, and vildagliptin may be a better agent than sulphonylurea.

The crystal structure of 14-oxo-13, 14-seco-5a-cholest-13(18)-en-3b-yl acetate (2), obtained (in addition to the (E)- D12-isomer 3) by oxidative fragmentation of the C(13)-C(14) bond of 14a-hydroxy-5a-cholestten-3b-yl acetate (1), was determined by X-ray analysis. In addition, the configurations of the acetoxy derivatives 4-6, formed by the thermal lead tetraacetate oxidation of 1, were deduced from the relevant 1H-NMR parameters.

Cellular restriction factors responding to herpesvirus infection include the ND10 components PML, Sp100 and hDaxx. During the initial stages of HSV-1 infection, novel sub-nuclear structures containing these ND10 proteins form in association with incoming viral genomes. We report that several cellular DNA damage response proteins also relocate to sites associated with incoming viral genomes where they contribute to the cellular front line defense. We show that recruitment of DNA repair proteins to these sites is independent of ND10 components, and instead is coordinated by the cellular ubiquitin ligases RNF8 and RNF168. The viral protein ICP0 targets RNF8 and RNF168 for degradation, thereby preventing the deposition of repressive ubiquitin marks and counteracting this repair protein recruitment. This study highlights important parallels between recognition of cellular DNA damage and recognition of viral genomes, and adds RNF8 and RNF168 to the list of factors contributing to the intrinsic antiviral defense against herpesvirus infection.

Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men. The prevalence in men is not defined yet; however it is becoming much more recognized as its prevalence and impact have become explicable. It is estimated that around 1% of bone mineral density is lost in men every year. Studies show that secondary osteoporosis is the major cause thus, making it important to define the disorders associated with male osteoporosis. Diabetes is a risk factor for bone fractures. In male patients with diabetes measures should be undertaken such as encouraging exercise, assuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and treating diabetic complications.

Studies have found that diabetes and thyroid disorders tend to coexist in patients. Both conditions involve a dysfunction of the endocrine system. Thyroid disorders can have a major impact on glucose control, and untreated thyroid disorders affect the management of diabetes in patients. Consequently, a systematic approach to thyroid testing in patients with diabetes is recommended.