Predicted values were compared with respective

Predicted values were compared with respective this website experimental results. In all cases, a fair agreement between experimental findings and theoretical predictions was found. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals,

Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 124: 67-76,2012″
“The irreversible transformation of androgens into oestrogens is catalysed by ecytochrome P450 aromatase. In the present study, we explored the contribution of the (TTTA)(n) polymorphism in the aromatase gene (CYP19) to sperm concentration and motility. Ninety normozoospermic and 60 oligospermic men were examined during infertility examinations. DNA was extracted from spermatozoa, and the CYP19 (TTTA)(n) polymorphism was genotyped by PCR. Genotype analysis revealed six CYP19(TTTA)(n) alleles with 7-12 repeats. The allelic distribution of the CYP19 (TTTA)(n) polymorphism differed between normozoospermic and oligospermic men (P < 0.01). Oligospermic men less SB203580 concentration frequently had long CYP19 alleles than did normozoospermic men (25 and 37.8%, respectively; P, 0.02). The higher frequency of short CYP19 alleles in oligospermic men compared to normozoospermic men (43.3 and 28.3%, respectively; P < 0.01) was primarily due

to the distribution of the CYP19 (TTTA)(7) allele. The CYP19 (TTTA)(7) allele was associated with lower sperm concentration in normozoospermic men (P < 0.01) and in the total study population (P < 0.01); it was also associated with lower sperm motility in normozoospermic men (P < 0.05) and in the total study population (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the CYP19 (TTTA)(7) allele probably impairs aromatase activity, which in turn alters aromatase and oestrogen levels in the testis, leading to decreased sperm concentration and motility. These findings support the significance of cytochrome P450 aromatase in human spermatogenesis and consequently in semen quality. Asian Journal of Andrology (2011) 13,

292-297; doi:10.1038/aja.2010.144; published online 10 January 2011″
“The piezoelectric and ferroelectric Selleckchem PU-H71 properties of microscopically poled poly(vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] copolymer films have been examined at different temperatures approaching Curie point using piezoresponse force microscopy in combination with dual frequency resonance tracking technique, with the amplitude, phase, quality factor, and resonance frequency of the piezoresponse simultaneously quantitatively determined. It is observed that the piezoresponse remains relatively stable up to 110 degrees C, and then drops rapidly to zero. The variations of the quality factor and resonance frequency with respect to the temperature change are also observed, which is consistent with thermal induced softening in films.

The conductivity and dielectric behavior of this system has been

The conductivity and dielectric behavior of this system has been investigated in a broad temperature range of Sapitinib in vitro 10 to 300 K. Intrinsic permittivity was obtained only below 100 K whereas giant permittivity due to conductivity and Maxwell-Wagner polarization was observed

at higher temperatures. X-ray photoemission studies further confirmed the presence of mixed oxidation states of Mn and the valence band spectra analysis was carried out in detail. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3500369]“
“The ways we measure whether a patient is sensitized to HLA antigens and to what extent sensitization affects access to transplantation have changed remarkably during the past decade. What we mean by sensitized and broadly sensitized today is heavily dependent MI-503 solubility dmso upon the sensitivity of the test that is used to measure antibodies. Because we provide additional allocation points for broadly sensitized patients in the United States kidney allocation system in an effort

to compensate for their biological disadvantage, some consistency and accountability are required. The calculated panel-reactive antibody, which provides an estimate of the percentage of deceased organ donors that will be crossmatch incompatible for a candidate provides both consistency and accountability.”
“A disruption in normal brain development has been hypothesized to contribute to the aetiology of major psychiatric disorders. According to the ‘double-hit’ hypothesis, mutant genes-based deviations, associated with specific environmental insults during Alpelisib brain development, may result in neurobehavioural disturbances. The existence of age windows of vulnerability to environmental conditions during brain maturation will be discussed, using as examples a series of studies we have performed during the last years. Major deviations from normative neurobehavioural

trajectories have been reported in animal models following exposure to severe stress (either episodes of maternal separation, deprivation or corticosterone supplementation) early in infancy. Rodent models of difficult and/or stressful pregnancies, including obstetric complications (e. g. prenatal restrain stress or neonatal hypoxia) and gestational exposure to infection (e. g prenatal immune challenge), have been associated with profound long-lasting deficits in the offspring’s emotional and social behaviour, and with immune and endocrine changes. More recently, adolescence, characterized by elevated rates of brain plasticity, has emerged as an additional period during which sensitivity to environmental influence (either adverse or stimulatory) is maximal. We have reported that both pharmacological (methylphenidate) and environmental (physical or social enrichment) interventions can be used to counteract the detrimental effects of earlier-origin developmental insults.

Finally, spin-filter tunneling is modeled with independent

Finally, spin-filter tunneling is modeled with independent

tunneling channels whose barrier heights are linked to a temperature-dependent exchange splitting. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3122600]“
“Background: Neuroendocrine immunology in musculoskeletal selleck diseases is an emerging scientific field. It deals with the aspects of efferent neuronal and neurohormonal bearing on the peripheral immune and musculoskeletal systems. This review aims to add new information that appeared since 2001.

Search strategy: The following PubMed search sentence was used to find a total of 15,462 references between 2001 and March 2013: “”(rheum* OR SLE OR vasculitis) AND (nerve OR hormone OR neurotransmitter OR neuropeptide OR steroid).”" In a continuous process, year by year, this search strategy yielded relevant papers that were screened and collected in a database, which build the platform of this review.

Results: The main findings are the anti-inflammatory role of androgens, the loss of androgens (androgen drain), the bimodal role of estrogens (support B cells and inhibit macrophages and see more T cells), increased conversion of androgens to estrogens in inflammation

(androgen drain), disturbances of the gonadal axis, inadequate amount of HPA axis hormones relative to inflammation (disproportion principle), biologics partly improve neuroendocrine axes, PP2 Angiogenesis inhibitor anti-corticotropin-releasing hormone therapies improve inflammation (antalarmin), bimodal role of the sympathetic nervous system (proinflammatory early, anti-inflammatory late most probably due to catecholamine-producing local cells), anti-inflammatory role of alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and the Vagus nerve via alpha 7 nicotinergic receptors. Circadian rhythms of hypothalamic origin are responsible for circadian rhythms of symptoms (neuroimmune link revealed). Important new pain-sensitizing immunological pathways were found in the

last decade.

Conclusions: The last decade brought much new information that gave birth to the first therapies of chronic inflammatory diseases on the basis of neuroendocrine immune targets. In addition, a new theory linked evolutionary medicine, neuroendocrine regulation of distribution of energy-rich fuels, and volume regulation that can explain many disease sequelae in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“This study was undertaken to assess the impact of hemifacial spasm (HFS) and blepharospasm (BS) on quality of life (QOL) during long-term treatment with botulinum toxin injections.

Fifty-three patients with HFS and 32 patients with BS as well as two healthy age- and sex-matched control groups were included in the study.

The mixture is heated to prompt the formation of formaldehyde and

The mixture is heated to prompt the formation of formaldehyde and is flowed into a rectangular chamber, to which fuchsin-sulphurous acid is then added. Finally, the microchip is transferred to a UV spectrophotometer for methanol detection purposes. The experimental

results show that a correlation coefficient of R-2 = 0.9940 is obtained when plotting the optical density against the methanol concentration for samples and an accuracy as high as 93.1% are compared with the determined by the high quality gas chromatography with concentrations in the range of 2 similar to 100 ppm. The methanol concentrations LGX818 in vitro of four commercial red wines are successfully detected using the developed device. Overall, the results show that the proposed device provides a rapid and accurate means of detecting the methanol concentration for a variety of applications in the alcoholic beverage inspection and control field. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org.elibrary.einstein.yu.edu/10.1063/1.4746246]“
“Ireland’s Mental Health Act 2001 resulted in substantial changes to mental health services and the process of involuntary admission.

To determine the views of Irish psychiatrists regarding the new legislation, 1 year after full implementation.

We

sent questionnaires to all 735 members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Ireland.

The response rate was 43.7%. As much as 84% of respondents Entrectinib purchase reported satisfaction with training; 69.1% reported increased workloads; 26.8% reported decreased

time with service-users; 40.7% reported changes in relationships with Selleckchem BAY 73-4506 service-users (e.g. increased empathy, but more legalistic, conflicted relationships). Almost one in three (27.4%) stated that it was not feasible to implement the Mental Health Act. Negative comments highlighted the adversarial nature of mental health tribunals, effects on therapeutic relationships and issues related to children.

The implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001 has resulted in increased workloads, more conflicted relationships with service-users and adversarial mental health tribunals.”
“Microfluidic chip is a promising platform for studying virus behaviors at the cell level. However, only a few chip-based studies on virus infection have been reported. Here, a three-layer microfluidic chip with low shear stress was designed to monitor the infection process of a recombinant Pseudorabies virus (GFP-PrV) in real time and in situ, which could express green fluorescent protein during the genome replication. The infection and proliferation characteristics of GFP-PrV were measured by monitoring the fluorescence intensity of GFP and determining the one-step growth curve. It was found that the infection behaviors of GFP-PrV in the host cells could hardly be influenced by the microenvironment in the microfluidic chip.

These proteases were also assayed in infected P vulgaris plants

These proteases were also assayed in infected P. vulgaris plants. Enzyme activity was increased with all carbon sources, but the highest levels were found when

pectin was added. Based on MS-275 datasheet real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analyses, protease induction in S. sclerotiorum was found to occur at the level of gene transcription. The finding of increased expression of acid phosphatase 1 and aspartyl protease in vivo in infected P. vulgaris plants supports the role of these enzymes in the invasion process of S. sclerotiorum.”
“Structural and magnetic properties, and the valence band structure of pure and Co-doped (up to 33%) Fe3O4(100) films were investigated. Reconstruction of the Fe3O4(100) surface is found to be blocked by Co doping. Doped Co ions in

Fe3O4 are in a charge state of 2+ and substitute the Epigenetics inhibitor Fe2+ in the B site of Fe3O4. All the films exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism. Co doping changes the coercivity and reduces saturation magnetization. The density of states near the Fermi level is reduced by Co doping due to the decrease of Fe2+ in the B site, which might responsible for the decrease in conductivity and magnetoresistance of Co-doped Fe3O4. The Verwey transition in the range of 100-120 K is observed for the pure Fe3O4 film, while no transition could be detected for Co-doped Fe3O4 films. (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3597825]“
“Equine infectious anemia caused by equine infectious anemia virus is an important disease due to its high severity and incidence in animals. We used a phage display library to isolate peptides that can be considered potential markers for equine infectious anemia diagnosis. We selected peptides using IgG purified from a pool comprised of 20 sera from animals naturally infected with equine infectious anemia virus. The diagnostic potential of these peptides was investigated by ELISA, Western blot

and dot blot with purified IgG and serum samples. Based on the results, we chose a peptide mimetic for glycoprotein gp45 epitopes of equine infectious anemia virus, with potential for use as an antigen in indirect diagnostic assays. Synthesis of this peptide has possible applications for the development of new diagnostic tools for this disease.”
“In PF477736 cell line this paper we introduce a versatile and numerically efficient computational technique to model the problem of scattering from plasmonic nanorod antennas. The key to achieving the numerical efficiency is to utilize macro basis functions (MBFs) that taking into account the physics of the problem to reduce the size of matrix equation we need to solve. Closed form formulations are presented for computing the fields by the transverse and longitudinal MBFs that enable us to generate the required matrix elements rapidly, while ensuring that the matrix is well-conditioned.

The former was denoted as ISPLANC, and the latter as SMPLANC The

The former was denoted as ISPLANC, and the latter as SMPLANC. The isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behaviors of pure PLA, ISPLANC, and SMPLANC were comparatively investigated by differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range of 80-115 degrees C. Maximum crystallization growth rate (Gexp) was observed at 100 degrees C for all three samples. The well dispersed TiO2 nanowires acted as effective nucleation agents in ISPLANC, which exhibited much higher Gexp in compared to pure PLA and SMPLANC below 110 degrees C. However, much smaller crystallization enthalpy of ISPLANC was obtained because of its restricted chain mobility in forming crystalline lamellar. The crystallization

behavior of all three samples fit the Avrami equation quite well, with most of the R2 values larger than 0.9990. Double-melting behaviors were observed selleck inhibitor after heating the samples after isothermal crystallization at various temperatures, which was explained by the melt recrystallization of the smaller and imperfect crystals formed at lower

isothermal crystallization temperatures. We also obtained the equilibrium melting temperatures of the three samples by carrying out HoffmanWeeks plots. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Compound C mw Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“The IC chip-ejecting and pick-up process plays a critical role in advanced packages since the success ratio and productivity are determined by the delamination of the chip-on-substrate structure. The paper investigates analytically the interfacial peeling mechanism of a chip-on-substrate structure subjected to a transverse concentrated load resulting

from ejecting needle from the fracture mechanics point of view. The effects of key factors, including chip size, initial crack length, and substrate material, are uncovered. Finite element calculations are performed to obtain the interfacial peeling energy-release rate by using virtual crack-closure technique with dummy nodes. Analytical formulas and numerical results match fairly well for the entire range of the chip length and the crack length. It is shown that the greater the ratio of length to thickness of the chip is, the smaller the energy-release rate is, and length is the more important factor than thickness see more to affect the peeling. It implies the interfacial peeling gets tougher for thin or big chips during the pick-up process. Second, as the crack grows, the peeling energy-release rate increases. Third, the softer the substrate is, the greater the peeling energy-release rate is under the action of a constant transverse load. For the pick-up of thin or big chips, in order to achieve high success rate and suppress damage to the chip, it is suggested that more compliant and thinner substrate be adopted, weaker adhesive strength be chosen, and multiple needles be used. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3642975]“
“A 63-year-old mother of two, presented with blood-stained vaginal discharge and right sided lower abdominal pain.

15-unit difference in z score in a comparison

15-unit difference in z score in a comparison drug discovery of the highest (>= 32 in, 81.28 cm) with the lowest (<= 28 in, 71.12 cm) category (P =

0.01, P for trend = 0.02) in the multivariate model]. We found no association between telomere length and smoking, physical activity, or postmenopausal hormone use.

Conclusion: Although the strength of the associations was modest in this population of middle-and older-age women, our results support the hypothesis that body composition and dietary factors are related to leukocyte telomere length, which is a potential biomarker of chronic disease risk. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 91: 1273-80.”
“Pseudotumor cerebri with or without venous sinus thrombosis is a rare clinical presentation of Behcet disease in childhood. We present SRT2104 chemical structure here a case of childhood pseudotumor cerebri without a previous diagnosis

of Behcet disease. The detailed history and physical examination of the case led to the diagnosis of neuro-Behcet disease. The investigation of predisposition to thrombosis revealed heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation along with the high lipoprotein(a) level. The symptoms resolved dramatically by treatment with the combination of immunosuppression and anticoagulation with regard to the detected factor V Leiden mutation and high lipoprotein(a) level. After a symptom-free period of 9 months, the cerebral vein thrombosis recurred. We present this case to draw attention to this rare cause of pseudotumor cerebri in childhood and to emphasize the importance of additional thrombotic risk factors regarding the potential recurrence of thrombotic events in Behcet disease.”
“Background: In many malaria-endemic countries, increasing resistance may soon compromise the efficacy of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for intermittent preventative treatment (IPT) of malaria in pregnancy. Artemisinin-based IPT regimens represent a promising potential https://www.sellecn.cn/products/sch-900776.html alternative to SP. Pharmacokinetic and safety data supporting

the use of artemisinin derivatives in pregnancy are urgently needed.

Methods: Subjects included pregnant women with asymptomatic falciparum parasitaemia between 22-26 weeks (n = 13) or 32-36 weeks gestation (n = 13), the same women at three months postpartum, and 25 non-pregnant parasitaemic controls. All subjects received 200 mg orally administered AS. Plasma total and free levels of AS and its active metabolite DHA were determined using a validated LC-MS method. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using standard methods.

Results: All pregnant women delivered live babies. The median birth weight was 3025 grams [range 2130, 3620]; 2 of 26 babies had birth weights less than 2500 grams. Rates of parasite clearance by 12 hours post-dose were high and comparable among the groups. Rapid elimination of AS was observed in all three groups. The 90% CI for the pregnancy: postpartum ratio of geometric means for total and free AUC fell within the pre-specified 0.66 – 1.

In conclusion, raised BMI is associated with adverse pregnancy ou

In conclusion, raised BMI is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome in women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment, including lower live birth rates. This effect is present in overweight as well as obese women. (C) 2011, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The main aim of the study was to examine the relationship selleck screening library between headache and familial recurrence of psychiatric disorders in parents and their children. Headache history and symptomatology have been collected in a clinical sample of 200 patients and their families, using a semi-structured interview (ICHD-II

criteria). Psychiatric comorbidity was assessed by DSM-IV criteria. Chi squares and a loglinear analysis were computed in order to evaluate the main effects and interactions between the following factors: frequency and headache subtypes OSI-906 price (migraine/not-migraine) in children, headache (migraine/not-migraine-absent/present) in parents, headache (absent/present) in grandparents, and psychiatric comorbidity (absent/present) have been analyzed: 94 mothers (47%) and 51 fathers (25.5%) had at least one psychiatric disorder, mainly mood and anxiety disorders. Considering the significant prevalence of Psi-co in children (P < 0.0001), we compared it with the presence of familiarity to headache: a significant interaction has been found (P

< 0.05) showing that migraineurs with high familial recurrence of headache had a higher percentage (74.65%) of psychiatric disorders,

than no-migraineurs (52.17%). Absence of headache familial loading seems to be related to psi-co only in no-migraine headache (87.5 vs. 45.5%). The occurrence of psychiatric disorders is high in children with headache, but a very different pattern seems to characterize migraine (familial co-transmission of migraine and Psi-Co?) if compared with non-migraine headache.”
“Fibrocystic disease is a common benign lesion of the breast. Variably sized cysts, apocrine metaplasia, fibrosis, calcification, chronic inflammation, Navitoclax clinical trial and epithelial hyperplasia are the basic morphological changes seen in mammary fibrocystic disease. We report a rare tumoriform lesion of the vulva with features of fibrocystic disease, which seems to be the first description of this condition in the vulva. The pertinent literature is discussed. The reported lesion further demonstrates the analogy between tumors of anogenital mammary-like glands and mammary neoplasms.”
“Previous evidence indicates a homology of gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor (GnSAF) to the carboxyl terminal of human serum albumin (HSA) and the ability of human granulosa cells to produce mRNA transcripts corresponding to this fragment, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. This study investigated the role of FSH in vitro in the expression of the carboxyl terminal of HSA by human luteinized granulosa cells.

The new procedure should be cautiously applied to avoid potential

The new procedure should be cautiously applied to avoid potential implant failures or a new deformity because of the growth of the immature

spine.”
“A pectin-based hydrogel was used as a remover of Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) ions from water and wastewater and in the release of phosphate, potassium, and urea. The swelling studies in either aqueous or saline solutions were analyzed at different pressures, Torin 2 and the prediction of profile of water and solute transports was further analyzed on basis of transport process by diffusion in swellable polymer networks. The hydrogel composed of 0.10 g mL(-1) final polymer concentration showed an excellent absorption capacity for removal of Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) from the solution: 120 mg Cu(2+) and 130 mg Pb(2+) per g hydrogel, both at pH 5.5. The hydrogel help to conserve water in a pressure range in which a variety of horticultural plants can absorb it. The release

process of urea, phosphate, and potassium from the hydrogels is controlled by non-Fickian mechanism with a tendency to macromolecular relaxation. This type of hydrogel is an interesting system for applications in which the efficient use of water is required and release of fertilizers for agriculture. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 3146-3154, 2010″
“Anthocyanins are important plant pigments that fulfil many physiological and ecological functions. Anthocyanin biosynthesis is controlled by numerous regulatory factors at the transcriptional level. Jasmonates (JAs) has been shown to induce anthocyanin accumulation in several plant species, however, the molecular mechanism for JA-regulated anthocyanin accumulation remains unknown. Alisertib In this study, genetic, molecular, and physiological approaches were

used to reveal the molecular basis of JA-regulated pigmentation in Arabidopsis. It was found that the F-box protein COI1 was required for JA-specific induced Selleck KU57788 expression of the ‘late’ anthocyanin biosynthetic genes DFR, LDOX, and UF3GT. It is further demonstrated that COI1 was essential for JA-induction of transcription factors PAP1, PAP2, and GL3. It is speculated that COI1 regulates the expression of the transcription factors, including PAP1, PAP2, and GL3, which mediates the ‘late’ anthocyanin biosynthetic genes DFR, LDOX, and UF3GT, thereby modulating JA-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.”
“Grain poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was depolymerized in pure water by different metal oxides, respectively. The catalytic hydrolysis product of terephthalic acid (TPA) obtained was the same with the no catalytic reaction. The depolymerization rate of PET was seriously influenced of the reaction time and temperature. Especially using stannous oxides as catalyst, with a reaction time of 210 min, a temperature of 200 degrees C and a pressure of 200 psi, the depolymerization rate of PET increased from 59.3 to 90.9% compared with the no catalytic reaction.

Results High-cell density cultures of the yeast Candida magnoliae

Results High-cell density cultures of the yeast Candida magnoliae TISTR 5663 were used to produce xylitol by repeated fed-batch fermentations under oxygen limiting conditions involving feeding of

xylose and nitrogen. Xylitol yields of 0.727, 0.719 and 0.720 g g1 were obtained at average biomass concentrations of 21, 48, and 50 g L1, respectively, using OSI-906 mouse an initial xylose concentration of approximate to 60 g L1 under controlled conditions (agitation rate 300 rpm, aeration rate 1.0 vvm, pH 7.0, 30 degrees C). For a total duration of 750 h of a repeated fed-batch fermentation, an average xylitol productivity of 1.149 g L1 h1 was attained within the fed-batch periods. The final xylitol concentration was in the range 235284 g L1 depending on the stage of feeding. Conclusion The fed-batch xylitol production developed in this work combined high final product concentration, xylitol productivity and yield in a single process.(c) 2012 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Study Design. Retrospective case series.

Objective. To study the efficacy of a 3-rod technique used in hemivertebra excision via a posterior only approach in young children https://www.selleckchem.com/products/pci-32765.html to avoid implant failure.

Summary of Background Data. Previous reports of posterior only

hemivertebra excisions in young children have been associated with an unacceptable amount of implant failures and high revision rates.

Methods. We reviewed our clinical experience in young children who underwent excision of a hemivertebra

from a posterior only approach. All children had the wedge resection closed using a rod attached to laminar hooks and had the excision site stabilized with an additional 2 rods attached to pedicle screws.

Results. In our series of 10 patients at an average age of 4 years and 3 months, all patients obtained fusion and there were no implant related complications or revisions needed. The average preoperative Cobb measurement of 44 was improved to 8 degrees at most recent follow-up.

Conclusion. The Nocodazole use of a 3-rod technique during hemivertebra excision in young children helped to avoid any implant failures in our series. We conclude that this technique should be used in young children whose pedicles may not be able to withstand the compressive forces needed to close down the wedge resection site.”
“The SF-36, a generic measure of 8 domains of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), has been widely used to examine HRQOL of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The current study synthesizes existing literature to examine which SF-36 domains capture the largest burden in this patient population.

A literature search of published studies that presented descriptive statistics for baseline SF-36 scale scores from HD patients was conducted.