Turkish banks are widely seen as potential losers from a stabilization program because the exchange risk premia on government domestic currency denominated debt would fall and because banks would lose inflationary revenues from demand deposits. This paper shows, using techniques from finance as well as regression analysis and a review of cross-country experience that, to the contrary, banks are likely to gain from stabilization, both because of the presence of a large maturity gap and because of increased financial intermediation.


This paper presents a dynamic pricing mechanism in the industrial park with demand response programs. A Lagrangian relaxation based dynamic pricing model for electricity and thermal coupled industrial park is formulated, taking into account energy balance, feeder exchange and other systems operating constraints. Considering two-markets clearing mechanism and two types of demand response programs, a dynamic prices prediction model is proposed by long short-term memory (LSTM) technique. Based on the prediction model, we proposed a real-time prices spike detection model for industrial park, which can detect prices spike hourly by history data and give rolling prices spike warning for next short-term operating horizon. Simulation experiments validate the theoretic results and show the effectiveness of the dynamic prices spike detection model. Note to Practitioners—This paper focuses on the dynamic pricing mechanism and prices spike detection for the customers in the industrial park. We improve the pricing model based on the Lagrangian relaxation method and develop a dynamic prices prediction model to handle the uncertainty in real-time. Furthermore, we develop a prices spike detection mechanism, which can achieve rolling detect whether the electricity and thermal prices may exceeded the threshold in the next short-term operating horizon. This technique can give the customers a prices spike early warning service and let them to reschedule their own strategy to minimize their operation cost with respect to the uncertainties in the energy price. Experimental results show that the proposed prices spike detection mechanism can issue spike warnings correctly in most supply-demand mismatching cases.


The simple MO—LCAO-method for alternant π-electron systems has been extended recently to include higher p π-orbitals. In this version of the MO-method- the pairing property between the energies and wave functions of the bonding and antibonding π-MO's is no longer correct, the level spacing of the antibonding MO's is now smaller than that of the bonding ones. This effect has been used to explain 1 the approximate constancy of the difference: 1st excitation energy—1st ionisation potential for a great number of molecules, which was observed by SCHEIBE 2. In the present work the influence of atomic overlap on the extended MO-theory is investigated.


_______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT _______________________________________________________________________________ Chile is experiencing a massive and vertiginous immigration process that generates profound demands on the school system. This article reports on the application of a survey on the inclusion of migrants in Catholic primary schools in the country and dis-cusses its results with a systematized review of indexed publications of the last five years on the subject. It concludes that inclusion is a declared and explicit principle, but it is a promise that is not yet fulfilled. Schools and classrooms, as well as curricular definitions and teacher training, need to show substantive changes in their people and structures.


A perceived decline in effective faculty participation in campus leadership and governance is well documented, both in the literature and via anecdote. Characteristics common within the culture of higher education make nurturing campus "citizenship" among junior faculty challenging. This essay describes findings from an interview-based study of junior faculty in which understanding of professional responsibilities beyond teaching and research was explored. The study documented the deep sense of unpreparedness with which new faculty approach key issues in higher education, including those associated with governance and leadership. Two possible strategies for redressing that unpreparedness, both showing preliminary but positive results, are described.


In cancer patients, the optimal appendicitis treatment has not been established. Therefore, we aimed to determine the ideal treatment option for appendicitis in cancer patients.


Precise control of proliferation and apoptosis is essential for the prevention of cancer. Pathways involving p53, p21, and RB are central to the regulation of these processes, and are dysregulated in almost all human cancers. This thesis describes an investigation into the effects of inactivating components of the p53-p21-RB pathway in order to better understand the mechanisms underlying its role in preventing cancer. Hepatocytes isolated from transgenic mice bearing mutations in p53, p21, Rb, and combinations of all three, were employed to provide insight into the pathways controlling hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis. In the case of the Rb mutation, Cre/LoxP conditional gene targeting was used to overcome the problem of embryonic lethality of Rb knock-out. In vitro Rb gene deletion mediated by adenovirus-Cre was successfully developed and characterised. This revealed that adenovirus-Cre-mediated gene deletion is extremely efficient in hepatocytes and that adenoviral infection had no affect on cell viability or growth. Expression of Cre, however, stimulated DNA synthesis while expression of LacZ adversely affected viability at higher MOI. These findings underline the need for careful characterisation of gene deletion systems employing both adenovirus and Cre recombinase. Analysis of hepatocytes deficient in p53, Rb, and p21, revealed severe defects in proliferation accompanied by an increase in ploidy, and nuclear and mitotic abnormalities. Analysis of hepatocytes deficient in combinations of all three genes provided insight into the level of interdependency between these genes, suggesting that there are two major pathways regulating hepatocyte proliferation: a p21-RB pathway that operates independently of p53, and a p53-p21 pathway that operates independently of RB. The p53-p21-RB pathway is critically important in regulating cellular responses to stress. The role of p53, p21, and RB in regulation of hepatocyte responses to DNA damage was investigated. It was found that each of these proteins is required for the maintenance, but not initiation, of UV-induced arrest. Both p53dependent and -independent pathways of UV-induced apoptosis exist, and loss of Rb or p21 increased susceptibility to p53-independent, but not p53-dependent, apoptosis.


The invention relates to a method for the preparation of naturally occurring mineral acids, particularly hydrochloric acid and the use of acids obtained by organic synthesis.


Lymph node fine‐needle cytology in the era of personalised medi‐ cine. Is there a role? Immacolata Cozzolino, Valentina Giudice, Chiara Mignogna, Carmine Selleri, Alessandro Caputo and Pio Zeppa Version of Record Online: 30 May 2019 | https://doi.org/10.1111/ cyt.12708 Traditional therapies for lymphoma have been integrated with new drugs and compounds with unique mechanisms of actions against distinct molecular targets. Lymph node fine‐needle aspiration cytol‐ ogy might be used to evaluate the phenotypic and genetic profiles, identify specific targets and get useful information for therapeutic planning in different phases of the disease with the option to re‐ check the same target over time.


Hilaris is organizing "Cancer Meet 2020" which is going to be held during October 26-27, 2020 at San Francisco, USA. The theme of the conference is "New Therapeutic Research in Cancer". The conference will cover the fields related to cancer, its complication and the management. This conference is one of the major events of Conference Series in developing, Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, Vaccines involvement in Cancer, Pharmacology Cancer, upgrading and teaching cancer and its types like prostate cancer, skin cancer, etc.


This talk reviews the state‐of‐the‐art vibration testing methods as applied to machine tools. Both current testing methods for determining forced and self‐excited machine tools chatter conditions and several new multi‐input, multi‐output testing methods which are currently used at the University of Cincinnati will be reviewed.


The goal of this paper is to exam the TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding process for joining of components of vacuum chamber. During welding and cold working the martensitic structure can occur as well as δferrite, both structures are magnetic. This possible structural transformation is one of the significant problems in welding technology elaboration for joining of components of vacuum chamber. A complete investigation from the choice of material of vacuum chamber, design of welds to experimental testing of TIG welding of the elements of vacuum chamber has been performed.


A de-gassing apparatus and an ultrasonic wave washing apparatus by using the same are provided to remove the dissolved air among the water cleaning solution. An ultrasonic wave generator(3) is installed at the bottom of a cleansing cistern(1). A heater is installed at the circumference of the cleansing cistern and controls the temperature of the cleansing cistern. An inhalation hole(5) of the cleansing solution is opened at the upper portion of the cleansing cistern. An injection hole(6) of the cleansing solution is opened at the lower portion of the cleansing cistern. The inhalation hole and the injection hole are connected by a pipe so that a cleansing solution circulation path is formed.


Cyclic ADP-ribose(cADPR) is a Ca2+ mobilizing second messenger in various types of cell,tissue and organism.cADPR regulates the release of Ca2+ depending on the gating properties of ryanodine receptors(RyRs),which is transmembrane shuttling of the substrate coenzyme Ⅰ(NAD+) and the product cADPR,or ligand-induced internalization of CD38.This review summarizes mechanisms of cADPR synthesis and its regulation on intracellular Ca2+ release.


Problem: document classification system but are beneficial tools to navigate and search for classified documents, can be a complex and burdens for users ridiculous. Problem: The system for indexing and retrieval of the classified document, inserts the keywords, titles, definitions of the classification previously applied into a record document and to provide the resulting record to the search engine. Searcher may search for documents by searching for the keyword from the category rather than a look-up system (look up) the class code.


The flatlands occupy 28% (25Mha) of Venezuela. They are dominated by ecosystems of savannas with different landscapes, soils, and vegetation adapted to acid soils, low fertility and subjected to frequent fires. Historically, they are predominantly used as extensive cattle ranching. Nevertheless, the agricultural use has been intensified at the expense of many natural savannas. These land use changes may affect the storage and the potential for C sequestration in their soils. Through an extensive review of literature of the soils in the Venezuelan flatlands, we calculated the stocks of soil C for each major landscape, ecosystems and land use type, by using existing data on C content (%), bulk density and extent, down to a depth of 0-30 cm. The C contents increase from the eastern drier flatlands to the more humid and younger western flatlands, and from seasonal to hyperseasonal and semiseasonal savannas. The poorly drained plains, about 20% of the flatlands, store the highest C (323.8 Tg C). In well drained savannas, introduced pastures increased the storage. If all the flatlands were covered with well managed pastures, it would have a potential of sequestration of around 0.54 Pg C.


Background and Aims
Sampling is problematic in perennial tree and vine crops because organ numbers are vast, budgets are low and maturation of fruit is asynchronous within and between individuals. Typically, the precision and the repeatability of sampling are low and methodologies used in the field vary widely within the industry. We define a combined statistical and cost model for fruit maturity sampling that could be applied widely and would enable precision and cost to be pre‐defined.
Methods and Results
A two‐stage statistical model, incorporating a 'cost' element was designed. The model was evaluated using an intensive set of data acquired from Cabernet Sauvignon vines. This was decomposed into between‐ and within‐vine sources of variance for sugar measured as TSS, anthocyanin and phenolic substances.
Conclusions
Within a management unit, the between‐vine variation may equal or exceed the within‐vine variation. The two‐stage protocol, for unit cost, gave a more precise estimate of TSS than other protocols. On‐site costs were the main element in apportioning vines per plot and bunches per vine. The variance for anthocyanin and phenolic substances was greater than that of TSS and thus precision was lower for these at a given sample size.
Significance of the Study
A simple, two‐stage sampling protocol resolves uncertainties inherent in existing protocols. It may be applied widely to grapevine and other tree crops.


Coastal cliff erosion represents a significant geohazard for people and infrastructure. Forecasting future erosion rates is therefore of critical importance to ensuring the resiliency of coastal communities. We use high precision monitoring of chalk cliffs at Telscombe, UK to generate monthly mass movement inventories between August 2016 and July 2017. Frequency–magnitude analysis of our inventories demonstrate negative power law scaling over 7 orders of magnitude and, for the first time, we report statistically significant correlations between significant wave height (Hs) and power law scaling coefficients (r2 values of 0.497 and 0.590 for β and s respectively). Applying these relationships allows for a quantitative method to predict erosion at the site based on Hs probabilities and sea level forecasts derived from the UKCP09 medium emission climate model (A1B). Monte‐Carlo simulations indicate a range of possible erosion scenarios over 70 years (2020–2090) and we assess the impact these may have on the A259 coastal road which runs proximal to the cliffs. Results indicate a small acceleration in erosion compared with those based on current conditions with the most likely scenario at the site being 21.7 m of cliff recession by 2090. However, low‐probability events can result in recession an order of magnitude higher in some scenarios. In the absence of negative feedbacks, we estimate an ~11% chance that the A259 will be breached by coastal erosion by 2090. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


This report describes the basic provisions of the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and all relevant changes or modifications that have occurred since its creation in 1972.


The fundamental purpose of"ideological and political education"is for individual's overall development. A person,developed in all-round way,asserts his nature and realizes his value and significance. Clarifying the fundamental goal for this course is an important research topic for this discipline.


Object classification using remote sensing data is a proponent for applications across varied domains such as public safety, environmental science, and agriculture. As remote sensing has evolved towards more complex and drone mountable sensors that are able to capture hyperspectral data including more than 100 spectral bands, equivalently techniques required to process and classify the data have grown more computationally complex as well. The need for extensive computational and memory requirements for data analysis limits the real-time applicability of hyperspectral data collected using limited-resource and portable platforms such as drones in surveillance and swarm robotic applications. As a consequence, the objective of this study is to explore methods to implement Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in a parsimonious manner by using dimensionality reduction, different network architectures, and regularization techniques with respect to its practical applicability in the context of swarm robotics intelligence. The results indicate our proposed spatial-spectral information fusion ANN architecture comprised of only a depth of a few layers, but with many neurons per layer outperformed the models that did not use dimensionality reduction or used too many deep layers to achieve hyperspectral image classification.


ObjectivesRactopamine is a β-adrenergic agonist approved as growth promotant in beef cattle, and it increases muscle deposition while limiting fat deposition. Dietary ractopamine causes a muscle fiber shift in cattle, and the biochemistry of mitochondria in postmortem beef skeletal muscles is influenced by fiber type. Therefore, dietary ractopamine may potentially affect mitochondrial functionality. Nonetheless, the influence of ractopamine on beef skeletal muscle mitochondrial proteome has not been evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of ractopamine on mitochondrial proteome of postmortem longissimus lumborum (LL) from beef cattle.Materials and MethodsPen-housed crossbred steers were fed either a corn-based basal diet (CON) or a diet top-dressed with Optaflexx 45 (Elanco Animal Health) to provide 400 mg of ractopamine hydrochloride/steer per day (RAC). Ractopamine was fed the last 28 d prior to the harvest. The animals were harvested, and carcasses were chilled for 24 h. The LL muscle samples were obtained from nine (n = 9) RAC and nine (n = 9) CON carcasses. Mitochondrial proteome was analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and the digital gel images were analyzed. The protein spots exhibiting more than 1.5-fold intensity differences (P < 0.10) between RAC and CON were subjected to in-gel tryptic digestion and were identified by tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsSeven differentially abundant proteins were identified in the mitochondrial proteome. Three proteins were over-abundant (P < 0.10) in RAC, whereas four spots were over-abundant in CON. The proteins over-abundant in RAC mitochondrial proteome was complement component 1 Q subcomponent-binding protein, very long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and aconitate hydratase. On the other hand, ATP synthase subunit β, prohibitin, Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit, and thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase were over-abundant in CON samples. The differentially abundant proteins belong to four functional groups; i.e., energy metabolism (ATP synthase subunit β, Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, and aconitate hydratase), chaperone activity (complement component 1 Q subcomponent-binding protein and prohibitin), antioxidant activity (thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase), and lipid metabolism (very long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase).ConclusionDietary ractopamine impacts mitochondrial proteome in postmortem beef LL muscle and influences the abundance of proteins involved in cellular metabolism and protective mechanisms. The increased protein synthesis and leanness previously reported in ractopamine-fed cattle may be attributed to the decreased expression of enzymes involved in respiratory electron transport pathways and the increased expression of enzymes involved in lipolysis.


To develop a standardized steroid dosing regimen (SSR) for physicians treating childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by lupus nephritis (LN), using consensus formation methodology.


The paper presents the analysis method and determination results of 137 Cs, 40 K, 90 Sr, 238 Pu, 239+240 Pu and 241 Am concentrations in bone samples of 7 species of diurnal birds of prey and owls from the eastern Poland. The samples consisted of mostly complete skeletons separated mechanically from the soft tissues. The analytical method consisted of two main steps preceded by ignition in 400°C: gamma spectrometric measurements and radiochemical analyses. Radiochemical analysis required dissolution of the samples in hot acids and subsequent separation ofPu, Am, and Sr by co-precipitation with oxalates, followed by anion exchange and extraction chromatography. No correlation between Sr, Cs, Am, and Pu activities for the whole set of samples was observed. Even 238 Pu and 239+240 Pu showed no clear correlation. However, some results indicated higher 235 Pu/ 239+240 Pu activity ratio than that observed for the global fallout. In this case, the influence of the Chemobyl fallout was suggested. Significant correlation between 90 Sr and 239+240 Pu for Tawny owl Strix aluco and between 241 Am and 239+240 Pu for three subgroups was observed. Although some results for Pu isotopes might indicate that the traces of the Chernobyl fallout are measurable in birds from the eastern part of Poland, no clear geographical pattern related to the known distribution of the Chernobyl fallout has been observed yet.


In order to solve the problem of exhaust pipe leak-off in working state caused by bolt loosing,using boltanalysis system,the relationship between torsion and axial force and the surface friction performance of bolts were determined,domestic and foreign bolts and gasket made of different materials were tested and analyzed.As a result an optimum diesel engine exhaust pipe bolt coupling method was obtained.


The hydrolytic kinetics of p-nitrophenol acetate(NA) catalyzed by zinc(II) complex of Polyamine (Trien) has been studied. The result shows that the catalytic hydrolytic rate is of first--order to both zinc(II) complex and NA concentrations. The hydrolysis is concluded to be catalytic: dC/dt=(k obs 〔ZnTrien〕+k OH 〔OH ˉ〕+...)〔NA〕. This is one of the most efficient hydrolytic metalloenzyme model compounds reported up to now.


[Purpose] The paper aims to explore instructional design of the structure under the web-based environment, as well as the similarities and differences with the traditional instructional design; with its teaching resources,methods and students' ability to develop design strategies. [Method]Through the introduction of systems analysis and experimental control and from the network hardware environment, resources, environment and cultural environment the network learning environment design is brought forth. [Results]The results show that the network environment, information technology, instructional design, which are based on the learner and the teaching process for the study, aims to achieve a good learning environment, to organize the various elements; to form an ordered system; particularly to emphasis on learning characteristics and learning needs analysis of the measurement, to focus on the design of learning environments and "communication-oriented" classroom activities. [Conclusions] This instructional design under network information technology environment is a very important significance for a variety effective learning activities, for students to stimulate motivation to learn.


INTRODUCTIONInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) has brought new opportunities and challenges for instructors and learners in an e-learning environment. In the e-learning environment, teaching and learning happens differently than in the traditional classroom setting, hence some challenges are encountered by those participating. Thus, there is a need to identify the challenges encountered in an e-learning environment in order to come up with best practice solutions to ensure success of both the instructor and the learner. As Rana and Lal (2014) put it, "Understanding issues and challenges in respect of e-learning is of significant importance to the research communities involved in e-learning and will have a significant role in forming future practices" (p. 20).Many definitions of e-learning have been offered, but central to these definitions is the use of digital technology and media in education. Clark and Mayer (2011) define it as lectures and practice delivered by instructors to the learners through any technological mode, with the intention of promoting learning. Rosenberg (2001), on the other hand, defines it as the use of technologies such as the Internet and World Wide Web to give a broad array of solutions that enhance knowledge and performance. E-learning has the potential to increase instructor's effectiveness and efficiency (Munezero, Irura, Kirongo, Etiegni, & Suhonen 2016) and encourage "learners to take responsibility for their learning and build self-knowledge and self-confidence" (Tarus, Gichoya, & Muumbo 2015, p.121). Because of its ability to use a device connected to the network, e-learning is available in various forms such as computer-mediated learning, blended or hybrid learning, webbased learning and mobile learning (Pani, Srimannarayana, & Premarajan 2015).As can be expected, there are many challenges to be faced by users in the introduction new technology. This is expected to hold true regarding the use and success of e-learning in an academic setting. Islam, Beer, and Slack (2015) divided challenges associated with the introduction of e-learning at a university in five categories: pedagogical e-learning, technology, learning styles and culture, technical training, and time management challenges. Edinger, Reimer, and van der Viles (2013) identified three teaching challenges that lecturers at higher education instructions should expect to face when dealing with e-learning. The first challenge to expect is that of learning how a specific new tool works. Secondly, the lecturers will have to find out how they can integrate the associated teaching and learning material educationally. The final challenge may be that lecturers will need to be competent in the associated tools, like for example learning management systems.E-learning can help in the achievement of intended objectives in the teaching and learning environment. In view of this, the researchers wanted to identify challenges that may be encountered by lecturers when introducing e-learning systems at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN). The researchers are based at BUAN hence the choice to investigate it. The objectives of the study were to:a) Evaluate the current ICT infrastructure and usage at BUAN,b) Investigate if BUAN lecturers perceive e-learning as desirable for learning,c) Investigate if BUAN lecturers perceive functions of e-learning system as important to course administration,d) Survey whether there is a general awareness and/or concern among BUAN lecturers regarding security and data privacy of accessing and sharing material in an e-learning system,e) Investigate motivation and how it will impact e-learning being introduced and implemented at BUAN.The principal research question for this study was: What are the challenges that BUAN lecturers anticipate to encounter if e-learning system was to be introduced at their university? …


The article defines the approach and methods of transportation safety and security requirements formulation in the context of Intelligent Transport Systems – National Security aplications. Basic thesis is that safety and security must be included in the early phase of ITS development, i.e. in the phase of development of ITS architecture. Interoperability includes physical, logical, organizational and interorganizational (interagency) levels. Transport infrastructure is spatially distributed and thus quite vulnerable and difficult to protect from attacks. Safety, security and protection actions have to be coordinated between a large number of players involved in emergency management. Effective formulation includes a holistic approach and interoperability.


Exosomes are a kind of multi-vesicular bodies ranging the size from 40 to 200 nm, formed from the intracellular lysosomal invagination. Exosomes can be released from multiple kinds of cells and contain proteins, mRNAs, microRNAs and other genetic materials, which have the functions of exchanging substance, transmitting information among cells and participating in internal physiological and pathological progress. Great attention has been paid to exosomes in the last ten years, especially in the fields of tumor and immune disease occurrence and development, differentiation and regulation of stem cells. However, seldom were investigated about role of exosomes in the central nervous system (CNS). Hence, this paper reviews the physiological functions of exosomes in the CNS and their relationship with occurrence and development of many kinds of diseases. Meanwhile, the diagnostic and therapeutic value of exosomes acting as a marker of disease and potential carrier for treatment in CNS and associated diseases is elucidated.

Key words:
Exosome; Central nervous system disease; Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; Multiple sclerosis


The cultural synergy model is process-oriented in order to expand consciousness and capacities for problem-solving at various human system levels. This paper briefly (1) addresses how the model is developed from "patterns that connect" in major living systems, (2) describes the model, and (3) discusses two large international experiments with the model at the developing Center for Cultural Synergy at the California Institute of Integral Studies.


A comprehensive database on the spermatogenic differentiation of the estuarine and coastal teleosts has been widely investigated; however, very few of this knowledge above are documented in the mesopelagic fish living in 600-1,000 m. In this study, the testicular maturation with emphasis on the germinal compartment of Gavialiceps javanicus was performed using histological techniques. All mesopelagic fish samples (n = 7) with the total length and weight of 56.00±7.88 cm and 64.00±16.29 g were collected in October 2018 from Andaman sea, Thailand. After dissected goands, all samples were investigated using the standard histological approaches. The results from our study showed that all G. javanicus were considered as the male fish, which the testes having pairs of organs showed. The arrangement of each testis composed of two main regions including testicular tissue and vasa efferentia. Within the testicular parenchyma, it was also identified into two distinct compartments (interstitial and germinal compartments). Indeed, the germinal compartment composed of several seminiferous lobules, which each lobule contained in both somatic Sertoli cell and spermatogenic differentiation from spermatogonium into spermatozooa. The occurrences of spermatogonia of this fish were widely distributed along the seminiferous lobule. This pattern was namely designed as "an unrestricted spermatogonia testicular type". Our result firstly present on basis of male reproductive biology, which will be accurately applied to deep knowledge such as reproductive cycle, the adaptation of reproductive strategy and histopathology of this fish.


Fundamental descriptive rugate filter parameters and concepts are shown. A simple rugate filter is derived from the Fourier analysis of a high/low refractive index pair used in a conventional non quarter-wave stack design. Progress in both design and fabrication is demonstrated by representative rugate filters which function in either the visible or infrared. Numerous examples are cited to show the utility of refractive index profile tailoring and the advantages of using this technology.


In January 2017, six doctoral students and an assistant professor came together under the guise of a "Readings in Educational Research" course that was created on the topic of post-qualitative inquiry. Using St. Pierre's descriptor of the "posts," the course involved engagements with poststructural, posthuman, and new materialist philosophies. Inspired by the concept of the meanwhile, this article pulses with the question: What do intra-active qualitative inquiry pedagogies produce? In this inquiry, we (teacher and students) consider meanwhile as entangled, layered, and complex pedagogical events/enactments produced in the post-qualitative readings course, crossing with/through time, place, space, and bodies.


It has also been widely accepted that exports make significant contributions to economic development and well-being of a nation. For example, the export-led growth hypothesis (ELGH) postulates that export expansion is one of the major determinants of economic development. It holds that the overall economic growth of a nation can be generated not only by increasing the amounts of labour and capital within the economy, but also by expanding exports. Based on this premise, this study aims to examine perceived factors impeding the development of export activities in Nigeria. Data were collected from 120 firms in four major manufacturing cities in Nigeria. Our findings show that the major barriers to export development include lack of finance to support export activities, lack of qualified personnel to support export planning, foreign competition, lack of knowledge on how to export, poor infrastructure, corruption and bureaucratic bottlenecks. Implications of the findings are discussed.


Background: Physical and chemical factors of workplace, either alone or in combination, contribute to oxidative stress that is harmful to the body. The combined impact of physical and chemical components of the work environment on oxidative stress was examined in this research. Methods: Research articles published from 2000 to 2021 on this topic in reliable national and international databases were collected and analyzed. Based on the preliminary screening, 120 articles were selected for the first stage. The relevance and quality of 85 suitable papers were found appropriate and evaluated by examining the purpose of the study in the next phase. Results: The data collected and presented from the articles cover simultaneous exposure to physical risk factors such as noise, radiation, and chemicals such as metal solvents, as well as different types of oxidative stress parameters like MDA, GHS, LOP, 8-OHdG, SOD, CAT, ROS, and other parameters such as research site, co-exposure effects, and target organ. Investigating the combined effect of physical and chemical variables on oxidative stress in the target organs, as well as the interaction of multiple effects on each other, was one of the key goals of the articles (synergistic, reinforcing, additive or antagonistic). Conclusion: Most of the findings of theses researches generally highlight the synergistic impact of concurrent exposure to chemical and physical risk factors on oxidative stress.


Acknowledgements Note on Transliteration Introduction Tiruppavai (Thirty Verses for the Drum of Mal) Commentary and Notes to the Tiruppavai Nacciyar Tirumoli (Fourteen Songs for the Love of Mal) Commentary and Notes to the Nacciyar Tirumoli Appendix 1: Taniyan verses to Tiruppavai and Nacciyar Tirumoli Appendix 2: Major Myths Appendix 3: Index of Myths and Names in Tiruppavai and Nacciyar Tirumoli Glossary of Terms Bibliography


We thank Prof. Amariles and colleagues for their interest in our work. We considered it to be the first step in an effort by us and others to compile a complete listing of medication dosages that should be adjusted based on a patient's degree of hepatic dysfunction. Since this was only preliminary


To ascertain the optimum condition for extracting Cynomorium Songaricum Rupr,the authors of this paper take rutin as a comparison and compare the extraction methods of the total flavones of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr,and study the optimal conditions for extracting flavonoid compounds of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr with the help of L9(34) orthogonal table.The volume of alcohol and the time of extraction affect the total flavones significantly.The results show that the highest extraction rate of the total flavones could be obtained with 60% ethanol solution at a ratio of solid to liquid 1:60 and ultrasound 1.5 h.


Objective To observe the changes of macular choroidal thickness before and after laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy patients.Methods For patients with diabetes by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) examination,diagnosed as severe non-proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy and in accordance with the laser photocoagulation treatment indications of 23 patients (45 eyes) included in the study.There were 10 cases of male,13 cases of female; the average age was (55.48±5.43) years old.All patients underwent macular grid laser photocoagulation and pan-retinal photocoagulation.The macular choroidal thickness before and after laser treatment was measured by enhanced depth imaging technique of optical coherence tomography during follow-up at 1,2,3 weeks and one month at specific sites of choroidal.The specific sites included subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT),from the foveal 1mm,3mm,6mm distance of nasal choroidal thickness (NCT) and temporal choroidal thickness (TCT).Results One week after the treatment,SFCT,NCT1 mm,NCT3 mm,TCT1 mm,TCT3 mm,TCT6 mm were obviously thickening (t=4.728,4.422,3.759,3.743,5.713,2.502; P<0.05).Two weeks after the treatment the SFCT,NCT1 mm,NCT3 mm,TCT1 mm,TCT3 mm were decreased gradually (t =3.189,2.122,2.742,2.196,2.076 ; P<0.05).The choroidal thickness returned to pretreatment level from 2 weeks to 4 weeks after treatment,the NCT6mm had no obvious change in the whole treatment period(P>0.05).Conclusion The choroidal thickness was significantly thicker after laser photocoagulation treatment within 1 week,with the time prolonging the choroidal thickness gradually decreases.

Key words:
Diabetic retinopathy/therapy;  Laser coagulation/adverse effects;  Choroid/ physiopathology;  Tomography, optical coherence


ABSTRACTLong-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) is a contraceptive method recommended by the government which has long-term protection and high effectiveness with a failure rate of 0.5 to 2 pregnancies / 100 women in the first year of usage.  The use of LARCs are influencing by the role of health officers and decision-makers. This study aimed to analyze relationship between the role of health officers and decision-makers with the use of LARCs. Methode used is an observational analytic study using a cross-sectional approach. with 92 samples respondents. The technique used in sampling was consecutive sampling. The independent variables were  the role of health officer and decision-makers while , the dependent variable was LARCs usage. The bivariate analysis test used the chi-square test and fisher's exact. The Result shows the most common of contraceptive usage was non-LARCs. The results of chi-square analysis showed p-value <0.05 stated statistically associated between  the role of health officers and LARCs usage (0.017). In contrast, the result of fisher's exact analysis showed p-value > 0,05 stated non statistically associated between decision makers and LARCs usage (0,793). Conclusions: Concluded that the role of health officers associated with LARCs while decision makers aren't associated with LARCs usage.


This study assessed the creep deformation in 3 composite resins. 10 cylindrical specimens were produced from each composite resins. The specimens were light cured and then stored in lightproof containers at 23°C and relative humidity of 50%. Creep was assessed using the Vickers microhardness test. A 0,98 N load was applied, followed by a 30 s unload and then another 100μN load. Creep was evaluated at four different times: 24 hours, 1, 3 and 6 months. Each specimen received 50 measurements in each evaluation period, for each composite resin (n=50). Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA. The creep deformation behavior was statistically different (p=0,000) for each evaluated composite resin. There was an interaction with the factors time and composite resin. One composite resin showed a stable behavior, whereas another showed a peak at the 3 months evaluation. In one of the composite resins creep values gradually increased over time.


By exploiting standard facts about N=1 and N=2 supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory, the Donaldson invariants of four‐manifolds that admit a Kahler metric can be computed. The results are in agreement with available mathematical computations, and provide a powerful check on the standard claims about supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory.


The basic C60 and C70, and the higher fullerenes, mainly C76 and C84, were extracted by original procedures, with p-xylene and the mixture of xylenes from the samples of initial carbon soot, produced in electrical arc. The extracts were obtained in increased and high yields of 6% and 11.9%, respectively, due to application of the advanced procedures. The solubility of fullerenes in these solvents was compared. Chromatographic separation of the basic and the higher fullerenes from the obtained p-xylene extract was performed by continue elution, in one phase of the process, under atmospheric pressure, with original, defined gradient of solvents, from pure hexane to 75% toluene in hexane, on active Al2O3 column, by a new, improved method. Comparative spectroscopic characterization of the obtained purified fullerene fractions and the extracts is reported. The IR and UV/VIS techniques that have not been presented previously for the higher fullerenes were employed as a contribution to better introduction of their optical absorption properties.


We fit different analytical models to the OCT signal obtained from scattering Intralipid solutions in order to extract the scattering coefficient. These models are based on both single scattering models and multiple scattering models of the OCT signal. Using the statistical outcome of the fitting procedure we establish the most suitable model for each of the scattering coefficients μs = 2.5-26 mm-1. Our results indicate that for our specific class of OCT systems and samples/tissues, it is justified to use the single scattering model to extract the scattering coefficient from samples with scattering coefficients up to 17 mm-1.


THIS STUDY DEMONSTRATES THAT THE LIMIT LOAD OF BEAMS SUBJECTED TO LONG-TERM LOADING IS LOWER THAN THAT OF BEAMS SUBJECTED TO SHORT-TERM LOADS. FOR THE COVERING ABSTRACT, SEE IRRD ABSTRACT NO. 104872.


A new technique is presented for tracking the maximum power point (MPP) of solar arrays. Although the control circuit is extremely simple and robust, its dynamics are complex. The MPP becomes inherently the global attractor of the system, thus ensuring optimum operation under transient and steady-state conditions. Experimental results confirm excellent tracking effectiveness and rapid dynamic response.


The renewable energy production suffered very much in Romania, being practically stopped since a couple of years, because of legislative changes made "during the game". Beside the main steps of wind power plant planning, identifying locations with good wind potential, the design of the wind park layout, choosing the best wind turbine type for the given locations, proximity to the transmission/distribution network and other technical features, the legislation in the electricity production from RES will have to ensure economical feasible support scheme, in a predictive legislative framework. The present paper presents possible scenarios for the development of the Romanian RES market at the horizon of 2030, strongly related to the direction that the policy transposes in the legislation.


Purpose
Considering that low-level general trust may hinder communication, this study aims to detect the factors that can influence general trust between exhibitors and visitors during business-to-business trade fairs.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on a literature review and stakeholders' behavior analysis, a conceptual model of general trust formation between exhibitors and visitors is proposed.

Findings
The preconditions of strangers' general trust patterns mainly include their early experience regarding trust, institutional trust in the environment and trust propensity. Stakeholders' treatment, trust transfer, on-site restraints, reward and punishment expansion and on-site personnel arrangement may facilitate the formation of general trust between exhibitors and visitors.

Research limitations/implications
This paper is a conceptual article that requires further investigation to verify the main factors that influence general trust and the impact of general trust on other trust components between exhibitors and visitors.

Practical implications
Organizers, exhibitors and visitors should pay attention to participants' selection, supervision, self-discipline and personnel management before and during trade fairs. International and small-scale, especially new trade fairs in developed and developing countries, must consider additional measures to improve general trust.

Originality/value
The existing literature has not focused on general trust in the trade fair context. In this paper, research on network and relationship marketing is further deepened in terms of a specific trust type. The interactions between stakeholders before and during fair may promote general trust among participants than in other settings, which partially explains why trade fair (even other two-sided markets) can increase social capital.


Arrays of nickel nanowires are fabricated by electrochemical deposition into template\|Anopore. The wires have high aspect ratio L/D =250, with diameter 200?nm and length 50?μm.The easy axis is perpendicular to the nanowire because of the static magnetic interaction between the neighbouring nanowires.


We compare morphologies of drainage basins on Mars and Earth in order to confine the formation process of Martian valley networks. Basins on both planets are computationally extracted from digital topography. Integral‐geometry methods are used to represent each basin by a circularity function that encapsulates its internal structure. The shape of such a function is an indicator of the style of fluvial erosion. We use the self‐organizing map technique to construct a similarity graph for all basins. The graph reveals systematic differences between morphologies of basins on the two planets. This dichotomy indicates that terrestrial and Martian surfaces were eroded differently. We argue that morphologies of Martian basins are incompatible with runoff from sustained, homogeneous rainfall. Fluvial environments compatible with observed morphologies are discussed. We also construct a similarity graph based on the comparison of basins' hypsometric curves to demonstrate that hypsometry is incapable of discriminating between terrestrial and Martian basins.


An automatic testing system for potentiometer is introduced,which is based on virtual instrument technology and developed under LabVIEW integration developing platform of NI company.It implements all characteristic testing for potentiometer and relating functions,such as data acquisition,testing controlling,real time display,data storage and analysis,report previewing and printing.The testing precision and efficiency are greatly increased.


Introduction: To this date there is no systematic study that reviews which anatomical zone has a higher incidence of injuries in four different dance styles: hip-hop, classical ballet, contemporary dance, and Irish dancing. Objective: Summarize and determine the incidence of injuries by anatomical zones in elite, pre-professional and professional dancers who practice one of the following dance styles: ballet, contemporary dance, hip-hop and Irish dancing. Methods: Articles were searched according to the following criteria: year of publication (between 2016 and 2022), observational and cohort studies published in English, full text available, and analysis of the incidence of injuries in the dance styles of hip-hop, classical ballet, contemporary dance, and Irish dancing. MESH terms and Boolean operators used for the search were "injury AND dancers AND incidence". Data sources: Databases used were ProQuest, Pubmed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Clinical Key and ScienceDirect. Results: A total of 511 records were identified, and only 19 were included for the analysis. The results of the reviewed literature revealed that the ankle was the anatomical zone with the highest incidence to suffer an injury (62.9%), overuse injuries had a higher incidence rate (63%), and the joint/ligament was the most common musculoskeletal type of injury (36.84%). Conclusion: Overall, the lower extremity had the highest injury incidence rate; even though the four different dance styles have different techniques and biomechanics, the most reported anatomical zone to suffer an injury was the ankle.


The antiviral effect of ganciclovir and foscarnet encapsulated in liposomes was studied against cytomegalovirus in human embryonic lung fibroblast cells. Substantially greater activity (3.5-fold and 38-fold respectively) in terms of inhibition of virus replication intracellularly was found compared to that seen with non-encapsulated antiviral agents, and liposome encapsulation did not result in increased cytotoxicity.


Parallelization of pump devices is a direct way to increase the output level of the single-electron pump, which is required for metrological purposes. We fabricated a pair of single-electron pumps in parallel on a chip level and investigated their synchronized electron pumping phenomena. In the investigation, the pumping error was estimated to see whether the error was increased after the parallelization. We found that a proper choice of rf gates must be made in accordance with the direction of the applied magnetic field. In relation with the chirality of the edge state, the rf modulating gates should be chosen not to produce rf-induced heating effects.


In the early 1980s, two different answers to this question were proposed. According to Scha (1981), there is no formal difference between the derivation of the distributive interpretation of the sentences in (1) which supports the inference that the property expressed by the predicate holds of the single individuals that make up the plural denotation and the derivation of the collective interpretation of sentences like the following, which does not support such an inference:


The basic premise of this paper is that a more business-like approach to job development, one that acknowledges the importance of meeting employer needs, is essential for growth in supported employment opportunities. Seven job development elements that incorporate sales and business practices are presented and illustrated. These elements are drawn from five years of job-development experience with large and small businesses, together with information from the professional literature. Future job development re search needs also are suggested. Supported employment has experienced sigBellamy, Rhodes, Mank, and Albin (1988) nificant expansion within the past five years have asked whether supported employment (Kregel, Shafer, Wehman, & West, 1989), is a passing fad or a long lasting rehabilitation with over 32,000 individuals with disabilities method. Clearly, if supported employment is placed in that time period (Shafer, Revell, & to continue to grow and be maintained, agen Isbister, 1991). To date, supported employcies must develop effective methods for pene ment has occurred primarily in smaller busintrating the business community and creating esses (Goodall, Verstegen, & Nietupski, job opportunities (Mank, Buckley, & Rhodes, 1988; Vandergoot, 1986). While certain na1991). In our view, continued growth in com tional franchises such as Pizza Hut (Zivolich, munity employment depends at least in part 1989) and Marriott Corporation (Marriott on how supported employment programs Foundation, 1990) have promoted supported present themselves to employers. If pro employment in their corporations, and while grams present themselves as human service a federally-sponsored Corporate Initiative agencies; if programs perceive themselves, (O'Neill & Hill, 1990) is underway to create and in turn are perceived by employers, as demand for supported employment in larger radically different from the business commu businesses, agencies continue to need effecnity, long-term relationships with employers tive methods for promoting more widemay be difficult to achieve or maintain, spread commitment to supported employAgencies should recognize that success in ment among employers. penetrating the business community is de pendent upon serving not only persons with disabilities but also community businesses This paper was supported in part by Grant (Como & H 1986; McLoughlin, #H158N00054 to The University of Iowa from _ 0 _ ., ® mo,, , ,,c r, . . f_. . ' rc Garner, & Callahan, 1987). That is, a two the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Spe. ; cial Education and Rehabilitation Services. The chent approach to job development, one that opinions expressed are solely those of the authors balances the interests of persons with disabili and no official endorsement of OSERS should be ties and employers, is critical to the long-term inferred. Correspondence concerning this manuviability of supported employment (Como 8c script should be addressed to John Nietupski, The Hagner, 1986). While the field is replete with University of Iowa, Division of Developmental Disinformation concerning services to clients abilties, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1011. with disabilities (e.g., Rusch, 1986, 1990), Job Development / 207 This content downloaded from 220.127.116.11 on Thu, 21 Apr 2016 07:36:54 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms few sources are available to guide job develTABLE 1 opers in effectively serving employer clients of Information on Personne, (Culver, Spencer, & Gilner, 1990). The purProblems/Needs pose of this paper is to provide information to Observation of retail establishments as a customer Discussions with acquaintances employed in a given company Element 1: Research Businesses to Identify Personnel Needs/Problems job developers on working more effectively Corporate publications (e.g., annual reports) with employers. The strategies identified beIndustry trade publications low are drawn from the authors' five years of Manpower reports from national/state/local experience in job development infused with economic development agencies information from recent literature in job deBusiness/corporate loan officers velopment (e.g., Como & Hagner, 1986; Chamber of Commerce, Job Service, or Economic McLoughlin et al., 1987) and sales/marketDevelopment staff ing (e.g., Estes, 1988; McCarthy & Perrealt, B"siness newspapers/sections ' Il hr ofiratmn f i-of 111 netoKlirri 1987). Our contention is that the appropriate use of certain sales and business practices will allow job developers to better meet employer Previous work experience in an industry/business needs and be more successful in job develop


Fluoride ions in drinking water is well known for both beneficial and detrimental effects on health. Millions of inhabitants in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka are vulnerable to fluorosis due to consumption of high fluoride groundwater. The objective of this study is to upgrade the spatial distribution map of groundwater fluoride levels in Sri Lanka. The map was prepared using nearly 14000 groundwater fluoride data that were collected from primary and secondary sources. The fluoride map of Sri Lanka indicates that the climate and hydrological conditions appear to play a major role in the geochemical distribution of fluoride in groundwater. In some cases, over 25 % of wells have more than 2 mg/L of fluoride, which is much higher than the recommended level for tropical countries. As shown in the map, even within the Dry Zone region, some low fluoride regions can be observed. This may probably be due to the effect of surface water, which contains fairly low levels of fluoride. In general, from among the chemical parameters in groundwater, fluoride stands out as an ion that appears to seriously affect the water quality of the Dry Zone. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v40i4.5044 J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2012 40 (4):303-309


Purpose: To establish the feasibility of concurrent radiotherapy and capecitabine and define the maximumtolerated dose (MTD) in patients with rectal cancer. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six patients with rectal cancer received treatment in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative setting with a total irradiation dose of 50.4 Gy with 1.8 Gy/d in approximately 6 weeks. Capecitabine was administered at escalating doses from 250 to 1,250 mg/m 2 bid (including weekends) for the duration of radiotherapy. The MTD was defined when two or more patients in a cohort of three or six patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities. Results: Dose-limiting grade 3 hand-foot syndrome was observed in two of six patients treated at a capecitabine dose of 1,000 mg/m 2 bid. Other toxicities were generally rare and/or mild, with only one case of non‐dose-limiting grade 3 diarrhea and a single patient with grade 3 skin toxicity. Myelosuppression consisted mainly of leukocytopenia, with a maximum severity of grade 2. Thus, a dosage of 825 mg/m 2 bid is the recommended dose level for further evaluation. One pathologic complete remission of a T3N1 tumor and nine partial remissions were observed in 10 patients treated in the neoadjuvant setting. Conclusion: The recommended dose for phase II evaluation is capecitabine 825 mg/m 2 bid, administered without break during a conventional radiotherapy period of about 6 weeks. This combined-modality approach proved to be a feasible and well-tolerated treatment option with promising preliminary efficacy results in rectal cancer. J Clin Oncol 20:3983-3991. © 2002 by American Society of Clinical Oncology. URATIVE SURGICAL resection of primary rectal cancer is typically associated with a high rate of relapse, with up to 30% of patients developing recurrent disease. However, local tumor control and overall survival in patients with stage II and III rectal cancer is improved by the administration, before or after surgery, of radiation therapy in combination with fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. 1,2 Following the recommendation of the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference, this strategy has become the standard therapy for patients with rectal cancer. 3 Attempts have been made to improve the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy through the inclusion of other agents such as leucovorin, levamisole, or nitrosourea, and modulation of the 5-FU administration schedule. Most of these strategies have failed to significantly improve the outcomes achieved with standard chemoradiotherapy. However, a randomized trial has shown that infusion of 5-FU throughout the entire course of radiotherapy prolongs both overall and disease-free survival and significantly decreases the rate of development of distant metastases compared with bolus 5-FU. 3 Nevertheless, this schedule requires indwelling catheters and ambulatory pumps and is more difficult to administer on an outpatient basis. Capecitabine (Xeloda, Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc, Nutley, NJ) is an oral fluoropyrimidine that generates 5-FU preferentially at the tumor site by exploiting the higher activity of the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase in tumor tissue compared with healthy tissue. 4,5 The tumor-selective activation of capecitabine potentially enhances safety by minimizing systemic exposure to 5-FU. In clinical trials, capecitabine


Despite many changes that have occurred in the field of career counseling, counselors continue to rely on models of counseling that emphasize the rational, informational aspects of career decision making. The author argues that career counselors need to pay more attention to the affective, psychological issues confronting clients with career problems. The impact of significant psychological variables that influence career decision making are discussed: developmental stages and tasks, identity formation and status, self-concept, psychological needs, and internal barriers.


ABSTRACT The paper analyzes the formative mechanism of the import and export technology effect, the trade contribution and squeezing effect on technology of agricultural FDI, and further regionally discusses this issue in China. The contribution of agricultural FDI to the import and export of agricultural products is remarkable. The agricultural FDI and growth rate of international trade had crowding out effects on domestic agricultural investment. There is a significant positive correlation in the study of regional technical spillover. Agricultural FDI investment enhances the ability of agricultural research and development, to produce technology spillover. Midwest regional technology spillover is not obvious.


Objective: To study the associations between manganese superoxide dismutase 9Ala/Val(MnSOD 9 Ala/Val) genetic polymorphisms and coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods: The ABI 3100 DNA sequencer was applied to identify the genotype of MnSOD 9 Ala/Val genetic polymorphisms,and colorimeter was used to detect plasma activities of total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD) and MnSOD in 147 CHD patients and 108 controls.Results: Compared with that of controls,the plasma activity of T-SOD and MnSOD reduced obviously,while C-reaction protein(CRP) concentration and intima-medium thickness(IMT) in carotid artery increased markedly in CHD patients.There were more VV genotype and V allele of MnSOD 9 Ala/Val genetic polymorphisms in CHD patients than in controls.The activity of plasma T-SOD and MnSOD decreased,while CRP and IMT increased in individuals with MnSOD 9 VV genotype compared in those with AA genotype,and MnSOD 9V allele correlated negatively with the activity of T-SOD,MnSOD and serum HDL level,positively with fasting plasma glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,LDL,systolic blood pressure,IMT and CRP.Conclusion: The antioxidative ability decreased,while inflammatory reaction and degree of atherosclerosis increased in CHD patients.Gene polymorphisms of MnSOD 9 Ala/Val involves in the pathogenesis of CHD by influencing the plasma activities of T-SOD,MnSOD and risk factors of CHD.


This paper investigates the discontinuous Galerkin method based on surface integral equations for the simulation of the electromagnetic scattering problem from objects with impedance boundary condition (IBC). The new surface integral equation is formulated by a proper dual paring to form a reaction integral, which is able to easily simulate scattering from objects with different IBCs even from the perfect electric conductors (PEC) and the perfect magnetic conductors (PMC). Due to the discontinuous Galerkin scheme, it is possible to employ non-conformal surface discretization of the objects. In addition, the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) is implemented to reduce the computational complexity. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed formulations.


Amorphous-nanocrystalline Co/Fe/Co soft magnetic multilayers were deposited by a pulsed laser. The thickness of the Co layers was constant at 18.7 nm for each layer and the Fe layer was varied between 0 and 110 nm. The spontaneous magnetization of the films was proportional to the Co and Fe layer thicknesses. Their isotropic saturation magnetostriction coefficients (λs) were determined. The λs changed from negative to positive values depending on the thickness of the Fe layer. The magnetostriction of the multilayers was greater than what would be expected from the proportional superposition of λs(Co) and λs(Fe) in the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 50 at.% Fe. The maximum magnetostriction deviation was seen at an iron content of ≈26%. The larger experimental magnetostriction values are explained by an interface contribution, in which Fe and Co atoms diffuse into the adjacent layers. Assuming this interface contribution is due to the formation of two layers of Fe50Co50 in the trilayer structure, we were able to calculate the thickness and the magnetostriction coefficient of each interdiffusion layer, t(FeCo) = (1.4 ± 0.3) nm and λs(FeCo) = +(240 ± 10) × 10−6.


Abstract An area in the Wairaki Hills lying to the east of the Takitimu Mountains and extending from the vicinity of the Wairaki River south to near Ohai is described. The area straddles the faulted contact between the Brook Street Terrane and the Murihiku Terrane. Sparsely fossiliferous volcaniclastic strata of the 15 km thick Takitimu Group (Early Permian) comprise the oldest rocks of the region. Youngest Takitimu rocks, the newly recognised Caravan Formation, contain ankaramitic dikes and pyroxene‐rich marine volcaniclastics. These are conformably overlain by richly fossiliferous sandstone and impure limestone of Mangarewa Formation (120 m) and atomodesmatinid prism limestones of Glendale Limestone (400 m), which together constitute the newly restricted Productus Creek Group of latest Early to early Late Permian age. Takitimu and Productus Creek Group rocks are intruded by Triassic to Early Jurassic igneous rocks ranging from andesite to diorite and olivine monzonite. Barretts Formation, a newly recogn...


Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a disorder, recently included in DSM-5, often present in adolescence. Several studies highlight that adolescents with BED had high levels of impulsivity and alexithymia. Even though studies have underlined the importance of these variables, no studies have investigated their role on adolescents' emotional-behavioral functioning. This study proposes to verify if adolescents affected by BED show higher levels of alexithymia and impulsivity than adolescents without diagnosis, and what is their role on adolescents' emotional-behavioral functioning. Thanks to the collaboration with clinical centers for eating disorders, a group composed by 60 adolescents diagnosed with BED was paired to a 60 healthy controls. Participants completed validated self-report questionnaires investigating levels of alexithymia, impulsivity and emotional-behavioral functioning. Adolescents diagnosed with BED showed higher scores on alexithymia, impulsivity and maladaptive emotionalbehavioral functioning than healthy controls. Moreover, alexithymia had a mediating effect on the relationship between impulsivity and emotional-behavioral functioning. These results show that alexithymia is a key variable influencing the emotional-behavioral functioning of adolescents affected by BED. Further studies are needed to also check other variables that might lead to the onset of BED. On the other hand, our findings can help clinicians suggesting the importance of promoting prevention and treatment polices focused on alexithymia. © 2017 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.UK


ABSTRACT A method is described for the numerical solution of the equations of stellar structure by a technique especially designed for the solution of boundary-value problems. The numerical solution incorporates the boundary conditions from the start and eliminates the necessity for the trial-and-error calculations involved in many previous methods. Model-atmosphere calculations and mixing-length theory can readily be incorporated for accurate treatment of convective envelopes, and the method is capable of treating more or less exactly the energy generation and opacity laws and the equation of state for partial degeneracy. In addition, the method is well suited for the computation of evolutionary sequences of models. The method has been successfully used at the University of Toronto for a number of purposes, including the computation of evolutionary tracks from the main sequence for the purpose of estimating the ages of old star clusters.


The accurate representation of processes for controller design is, in many situations, a convoluted problem; lack of process information, neglected process dynamics, time varying characteristics and inherent nonlinearity all complicate the modelling process. Two distinct approaches have emerged to deal with the problem of model uncertainty: robust control and adaptive control. By their nature, robust controllers are conservative with corresponding performance degradation. Adaptive controllers, on the other hand, are sensitive during process changes until the new information is reflected in the process model. In this paper, a methodology is proposed to enhance the properties of an adaptive controller using concepts from robust control theory. The use of a robust design procedure coupled to an adaptive process model allows the controller to be tuned for high performance when the model is accurate and to be sufficiently de-tuned to maintain system performance during periods of model inaccuracy. The procedure is considered with reference to an adaptive inferential controller, an algorithm developed for systems with inherent uncertainties. (3 pages)


The reactivity of a series of symmetrical chiral Brønsted acids (polar ionic hydrogen-bond donors) follows the counterintuitive trend wherein the more Brønsted basic member is a more effective catalyst for the aza-Henry (nitro-Mannich) reaction. This new design element leads to a substantially more reactive catalyst for the aza-Henry reaction, one that can promote the addition of a secondary nitroalkane. Additionally, when an achiral Brønsted acid (TfOH) is used in slight excess of the neutral, chiral bisamidine ligand, diastereoselection can be optimized to levels generally greater than 15:1 while the enantioselection remains unchanged at generally >90% ee.


On-site composting of nonpolluted organic wastes avoids costs and energy for transportation since the volume to be transported can be reduced to about 20% of the original. This paper describes the aerobic processes in a small-scale composting reactor, and evaluates how these processes can be optimized. The optimized composting process has a relatively short turnover time for organic matter; at the same time the temperature of about 60°C decreases the problems with pathogens and weeds in the mature compost. The compost produced has a high nutritional value, with high concentrations of especially nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, while the contamination by heavy metals and other toxic substances are very low.


The paper describes an algorithm for finding extremist texts in social networks by classifying them. The algorithm includes 3 stages: preprocessing, filtering using dictionaries and text classification based on the Bayesian algorithm. The architecture of the information system and the brief results of the experiments are described.


Interdisciplinary scholarship on media is a tricky thing. If media means 'middle,' media scholarship can offer both the meeting ground for and the boundary between its disciplinary participants. Wh...


In the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C10H9FN4S, there are two independent molecules in which the dihedral angles between the 1,2,4-triazole and benzene rings are 36.85 (10) and 7.81 (10)°. In the crystal, N—H⋯S interactions link pairs of independent molecules into dimers. There are also π–π interactions between the triazole and benzene rings of inversion-related pairs of the more planar molecule [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6430 (13) Å].


In supplying radioisotopes produced in Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, it is necessary to measure the specific activity (mC/mg), concentration (mC/ml), and total activity of each product. These are obtained from absolute values of radioactivity. Two methods of measurement--absolute and relative--of radioactivity are described. (JAIF)


Cowton's Commentary ostensibly provoked the reaction of the famous Dominican Thomas Sutton, who is well known as an enthusiastic defender of Thomas Aquinas' teaching. In questions 1, 3 and 4 edited in this chapter, which deal with the nature of theology as a science. The chapter points out that, according to Sutton, Aquinas did not consider theologia nostra to be a scientia subalternata scientiae Dei et beatorum . Two questions concerning the nature of Sutton's Quaestiones in Sententias deserve to be touched upon: The first question regards the title Cowton Critique . The second question concerns a passage in Sutton's prooemium . Franz Pelster, one of the pioneering researchers on Sutton, is surely right to suggest that medieval polemical pamphlets like Sutton's Quaestiones in Sententias sometimes have limited value, in that they tend to do scant justice to the positions attacked. Keywords: Cowton Critique ; Franz Pelster; prooemium ; Sententias ; theology; Thomas Aquinas; Thomas Sutton


This document describes the procedure followed to update the Mexican input-output (I-O) table for version 6.2 of the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) Data Base. The chapter is organized as follows. Section 2 presents the general characteristics of the Mexican I-O table, and the sources used to obtain all the required data by the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). Section 3 contains the mapping between GTAP and the national Mexican classification. In the last section some specific problems in the mapping between the constructed Mexican I-O table and the GTAP Data Base are presented.


This study investigates how listeners judge the similarity of voice converted voices using a talker discrimination task. The data used is from the Voice Conversion Challenge 2016. 17 participants from around the world took part in building voice converted voices from a shared data set of source and target speakers. This paper describes the evaluation of similarity for four of the source-target pairs (two intra-gender and two cross-gender) in more detail. Multidimensional scaling was performed to illustrate where each system was perceived to be in an acoustic space compared to the source and target speakers and to each other.


The wheat stem sawfly (WSS), Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), causes significant damage in cereal crops in the northern Great Plains of North America. This study assessed oviposition preference in winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae), and investigated how it is affected by the emission of semiochemicals, with the overall goal of enhancing trap crop efficacy. We studied five winter wheat cultivars that could be recommended as trap crops for WSS and compared them with regards to agronomic characteristics influencing oviposition behavior and their emission of behaviorally active volatiles. Subsequently, we evaluated oviposition preference on three selected cultivars, 'Norstar', 'Neeley', and 'Rampart', using choice tests at two plant growth stages. Most eggs were found in Norstar at both stages tested when females were exposed to the three cultivars simultaneously making it the preferred choice for a trap crop. Norstar also emitted more behaviorally active volatiles, primarily (E)‐ and (Z)‐β‐ocimene. The results for the effect of main stem height or diameter on oviposition was inconsistent between infested vs. uninfested stems within cultivars, although there was a correlation between infestation and height for younger plants. These results show that these agronomic characteristics, typically viewed as explanatory, did not clearly explain oviposition preference and suggest a role of β‐ocimene in determining suitability for oviposition among these cultivars. This study supports previous findings suggesting oviposition preference in winter wheat involves several cues, including stem height and volatile attractants that may be important in determining suitability.


Objective To study the clinical and pathological features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in children and analyze their relationship.Methods The clinical data and pathological data of 85 cases of hospitalized children,with kidney biopsy and confirmed IgAN in the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou university during 2009 and 2011 were analyzed.Results Among the 85 children,59 children(69.4%) were male and 26 (30.6%)were female; 72 children(84.7%) were school-age children and 13 children (15.3%) were preschool children.The clinical manifestation included 19 cases (22.3%) of isolated hematuria,7 cases(8.2%) of isolated proteinuria,21 cases(24.7%) of hematuria and proteinuria,28 cases(32.9%) of nephratic syndrome.The pathological feature included 12 cases (14.1%) of grade Ⅰ,27 cases(31.8%) of grade Ⅱ,41 cases(48.2%) of grade Ⅲ,5 cases(5.8%)of grade Ⅳ and Ⅴ.Conclusions IgA nephropathy is more common in male school-age children,clinical manifestation is various,the severity of pathology varied,and the pathological diagnosis should be made as soon as possible.

Key words:
IgA nephropathy ;  Children ;  Pathological feature


The survey on this and next year's employment potential of the secondary and tertiary industries in Hebei province shows that the contradictions of the employment mainly lie in two aspects,that is,the surplus labor and the impropriety of education structure.During me"10 th Five Years",the supply of the talents is 6.5 million more than the demand.The impropriety of education structure can be shown in three aspects:firstly,the education structure does not meet the demand;secondly,the lack of technical talents exists together with the surplus of ordinary talents;thirdly,the training and education of talents can not meet the new demand.It is the base of improving the employment to develop the economy and speed up the 3 rd industry,medium and small enterprises and non-public ownership economy.Perfection of the talent training and exchanging system is the only way to achieve the maximum employment.


In this paper the issue of teaching the mesh current method and node voltage method by a workshop teaching technique is presented. To this end, a didactic experiment was made, in order to compare traditional teaching method based on the individual student's work at the blackboard with alternative one using teamwork techniques connected with the presentation of reached results. Six groups of students of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Power Engineering at AGH University of Science and Technology was involved in the experiment. In traditional method, exemplary circuits are presented and solved on a blackboard by the students with the discussion leaded by lecturer. In alternative method, students work in small groups and together try to find correct solution of the problem. To make an experiment more accurate, in some groups mesh method was taught in "blackboard system" and nodal method in "workshop system", while in other groups it was made in opposite way. Students learning progress for both methods and authors conclusions are presented.


Topicality of the research theme. An extremely fruitful period in the activities of one of the leading higher drama schools in Ukraine – Kharkiv Institute for Theatre Arts, now 'I. P. Kotliarevskyi' National University of Arts, Kharkiv – connected to the name of Valentyna Chystiakova, a People's Artist of Ukraine. Chystiakova acted as a teacher in the early 20s of the XX century, and later was among those, who consistently embodied the creative ideas of her great teacher Les Kurbas – both in the stage practice of the theatre and in teaching. The basis of Chystiakova's pedagogical school was, first of all, laid in the actress's own creative experience. Today V. M. Chystiakova's creative and pedagogical programme is perceived as a pattern. She was among those who have guarded the traditions by Les Kurbas, who gave their talent to the troop of 'Shevchenko' Theatre, who contributed to its artistic growth, who insisted on the education of the actor of high plastic culture, having excellent skills in the basics of rhythm, rhythmic plastics, the actor with a broad outlook and deep erudition. Synthesizing in her work the experience and dramatic traditions of the Berezilites, Valetyna Chystiakova became one of the brightest leaders in the thought and aesthetic programme and performing principles of the theatre; she meaningfully defined a qualitatively new stage in the development of dramatics. The main research results. In 1950, without ceasing performances at 'T. G. Shevchenko' Theatre, Valentyna Chystiakova begun to work part-time at Kharkiv State Institute of Theatre Arts, generously giving back to her students the knowledge acquired for many in long year in the field of actor's art. An unappreciated school of such art for young actors of Kharkiv theatres and students of the Institute for Theatre Arts was her unforgettable roles of that period, Greta Norman in play "Life begins again" based on the play by V. Sobko and Fru Alving in "Ghosts" by Henrik Ibsen. In 1959, after 40 years on stage, V. M. Chystiakova ceased performing in the theatre and completely devoted herself to pedagogical work. Diaries, manuscripts of lectures and notes give a lot for understanding the pedagogical experience of the actress. Her converse with students has become a school of actor's art. She was anxious for the development of the creative manner of the actor, about his/her thought, aesthetic and ethical culture, acted as an art director and consultant for the students' graduation performances on the Drama Faculty. As a theoretician of acting, V. M. Chystiakova is almost unknown to theatre theorists. She paid great attention to teaching the technology of acting, the method of histrionism, and the issues of education of the actor. Referring to Les Kurbas, she believed that in the theatre system the actor's gesture technique is one of the main disciplines, but the bias in one-sided biomechanics gives non-talented actors who unable to carry the performance on their shoulders. Hence, her main goal was to educate an actor to be attractive as a personality. It is quite natural that V. M. Chystiakova paid the main attention to mise-en-scenes, i. e. the location and movement of all material, live and article ones, of the performance. She perceived the miseenscene as an element that evokes the corresponding associations in the theatregoer. The actress examined the mise-en-scenes in detail and considered that they are able to replace words and enrich the image. The problems of stage speech in the sphere of V. M. Chystiakova's interests as a teacher occupied a permanent and important place. Relying on the Kurbas law of "fixation", she took care that the actor could accurately repeat the speech picture of the role, possess expressiveness of intonation, know where to use pause, where to raise the tone and confidently operate with them. At the same time, the principles of psychological theatre identified one of the main directions of her work with students. In V. M. Chystiakova's personal archive it was preserved a compendium of book by Grigorii Kristie "Education of the actor belonged to Stanislavski's school", which she used as a material for lectures on the mastery of the actor. The actress developed her own system of "arriving of the actor at the dramatic character" that he crafts. In her lecture "The Mastery of the Actor", she emphasized the need to develop musicality and rhythmicity, without which the actor is not able to aesthetically control his movements on stage. Rejecting dilettantism, Valentyna Chystiakova proved that the untrue, approximate tempo-rhythms of physical actions, do not prepare the actor for the appearance of a true stage experience, the main factor in the theatrical art.V. M. Chystiakova offered students a series of exercises to improve the expressiveness of hand movements (for hands and fingers), and emphasized that this is a very important and painstaking process. She explained to students that at certain points in the performance, the sculptural expressiveness of the actor's pose is also needed, who should continue to play in statics, emphasizing the characteristic features of the stage image. The actor is both a demiurge and a material. His natural body, voice and emotions must obey the will of the creator, and to become a perfectly tractable instrument. In the lectures of the 1970s, V. M. Chystiakova expressed a lot of practical thoughts in relation to the specifics of the profession of actor who should immerse himself in a variety of dramatic material, to perfectly master the natural apparatus: the body, the controlling centre – the brain, the psychic setup. All acting is built on suggestion. Therefore, Valentyna Chystiakova compared the actor with a hypnotist. The stage image should cause the effect of hypnosis: to convince, inspire, treat morally. As a teacher, she demanded from the actor a synthetic skill: perfect mastery of gesture, facial expressions, rhythm, physical conditioning, and endurance. In her understanding, the actor is a dreamer, an improviser who instantly picks up stage-directorial offers, and knows how to fix the form. Stage metaphor is the alpha and omega of Chystiakova's school. She explained to students that the metaphor should be clear and understandable, because its form is not designed for gourmets. The metaphor cannot be overly encrypted. If it does not reach the consciousness of each viewer, its function is useless. V. Chystiakova considered persuasiveness of the metaphor as its main quality. Conclusions. Summing up the foregoing, we can draw the following conclusions. Chystiakova's school is built on a creative community of the teacher and student. Passing on her experience to young actors, she closely connected the drama training technology with the modern practice of the theatre, she did not rest on her oars, and she constantly was in search for the new. An outstanding achievement of the actress was the introduction of stage metaphor in the Ukrainian theatrics. A new generation of actors recognized her as a master of metaphorical speech. The creative and pedagogical heritage of Valentyna Chystiakova has already entered the treasury of the Ukrainian theatre of the XX century, has become a spiritual support of the theatre of the future. For young generations of actors Valentyna Chystiakova is an ideal of a harmonious personality who knew the happiness of inspired work and life in art. The long and fruitful path of Valentyna Chystiakova, who created about a hundred scenic images, and her personal method of training the actor give every reason to argue that various facets of the artistic heritage of Les Kurbas brightly appeared in the work of his disciple, that traditions and aesthetic principles of the stage-director burst into sparks in her artistic achievements and in her outstanding works, which significantly expanded the style framework of the actor's art and is an integral part of Ukrainian stage culture.


Abstract 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol (23) was synthesized from A-ring precursor 18 and Windaus-Grundmann ketone 19 via cyclovitamin D 21. Key reactions include highly stereoselective (5 to 6) and stereospecific (13 to 14) cyclopropanations.


Aspiration of the majority of young people to solve their problems independently and build life prospects on their own affected the youth's thirst for education and mastering of prestigious professions. The quality of future labor potential is defined by the present quality of young generation which depends on its educational, professional, cultural standards, working capacity and civil maturity.


A study was conducted to work out the effects of leguminous crops with Mulberry in Doon valley under irrigated conditions. The work was conducted for three consecutive years (2001-2003) in S-146 variety of Mulberry plantation. The leguminous crops (Moong and Lentil) were sown in the space available in between the Mulberry rows. The data on returns from intercrops and silk worm rearing on the leaves were collected and compiled. It revealed that from one hectare Mulberry plantation with intercropping Rs. 77251.34 can be earned. However, the total returns from one hectare plantation without intercropping and from sole intercropping were recorded as Rs. 48933.00 and Rs. 49533.00 respectively. The varieties of Moong and Lentil sown were Pant. Moong-2 and D.P.L. -62 respectively. By this study it can be concluded that it is profitable to grow short duration leguminous crops in the space available in between the rows of Mulberry fetching thereby an additional income. The experimental plot was having slightly acidic soil (pH 6.8). The available N, P, K in upper layers were recorded as 440 kg, 38 kg, and 448 kg/ha respectively.


The increasing use of electricity encourages electricity scientists to create or build mathematical models to improve the quality of electric power. This study uses IEEE 26 bus system data to validate the method and 150 kV thermal generator data from the South Sulawesi (Sulbagsel) system as a case study. The method used is PSOHIC. The simulation results for the 150 kV Sulbagsel system data show that PSOHIC converges more quickly, namely in the 8th iteration. The standard PSO converges at the 25th iteration. The IPSO algorithm converges at the 20th iteration. At the same time, the MIPSO algorithm converges at the 12th iteration. The power flow simulation results show that with PSOHIC, the power loss of 16.48 MW is smaller than the current system of 19.10 MW, that is, the power loss is reduced by 0.1613%. The production cost with PSOHIC is IDR 281,860.91/hour, cheaper than MIPSO, IPSO and PSO.


Baiyin nonferrous metal group Ltd.,located in Baiyin,Gansu province,is one of China's major nonferrous metal production bases.After 60 years of development,copper,aluminum,lead,zinc,silver and other types of products processing production lines have been built.Many years of mining and copper,lead,zinc smelting sewage discharge,resulted in serious heavy metal pollution in soil of suburban Baiyin.Soil sampling and monitoring at representative points in Baiyin peripheral was conducted,and the "pollutants method of single factor pollution index" was adopted for analysis and evaluation of soil status monitoring data to demonstrate peripheral status of soil heavy metal pollution features of Baiyin nonferrous metal production base.


For the multiple carrier frequency offset(CFO) problem in the uplink of MC-DS-CDMA systems,an algorithm of carrier frequency offset estimation based on hidden pilots is proposed.By exploiting different statistical properties of the data symbols and the hidden pilots,the algorithm approximately separates the components of hidden pilots containing only the corresponding users in different signal sections at the receiving end,and obtains the CFOs of all users after extracting the phase-angles.With an economizing signal bandwidth and lower computation complexity,the presented algorithm is suitable for CFO tracking in the fine CFO estimation phase.The simulation results show that the algorithm can meet the CFO estimation requirements in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) systems when using the hidden pilots with comparatively low average power.


We have tested a heavy load HTS radial bearing dedicated for use in motors, generators, and flywheels. The HTS bearing is of radial type design providing both radial and axial support. The stator and rotor are modular assemblies which allows up-scaling in size. The superconducting stator is made of polycrystalline melt-textured (pmt) YBCO 200 mm inner diameter hollow cylinder grown in cylinder-like a-b texture. The stator assembly is composed of axially stacked YBCO rings in a Cu tube and cooled from the outside by LN/sub 2/. The rotor consists of stacked annular PM rings in compression on a shaft. This results in a high radial magnetic field gradient. Three such YBCO stators have been fabricated, assembled, and tested for use with a 380 kW superconducting motor developed by SIEMENS. Maximum radial forces of more than 3.7 kN were measured (at a temperature of 68 K) with the shaft at center radial position. The goal is to demonstrate safe operation of heavy rotors in a desired frequency range by providing sufficient forces, stiffness, and damping at critical modes.


A technique for recovery of file systems by applying a common full and incremental backups, as they are transmitted by several units, provides a more rapid system recovery from a full backup, wherein the incremental backups to be applied, ready. A first storage unit transmits the full backup, while at least a second storage unit transmits at least an incremental backup. When files are detected in the incremental backup, they are written in place of the corresponding file contained in the full backup. Incremental backups can be pre-combined to reduce their number to one less than a number of available for transferring the backups storage units, so that the full backup can be transferred together with the / the pre-merged fuse (s) to restore the file system ,


The utility model relates to the technical field of electric power and communication optical cables, in particular to a self-supporting composite cable, which at least comprises a metallic conductor, a coating, a connecting rib, a protective tube, an optical waveguide, a reinforcement and a sheath, wherein, a cable part is formed by the metallic conductor and the coating; the metallic conductor is coated with the coating; the optical waveguide is positioned in the protective tube; the inner part of the protective tube is positioned outside the reinforcement; an optical communication unit is formed by the protective tube and the reinforcement which are positioned in the sheath; the connecting rib is positioned between the coating and the sheath; the coating, the connecting rib and the sheath are integrally shaped and adopt the same material; and the number of the optical waveguides is at least one. The utility model has the beneficial effects of more compact structure, more economical cost and more convenient construction, and can obviously reduce laying times.


This paper considers the problem of 3D city map reconstruction. The key novelty here lies in the sole exploitation of UAV-bound radio measurements as a way to recover the map data, i.e. no image of the city is taken or processed. The proposed approach relies on the unique ability for a UAV- to-ground communication system to detect and classify line-of-sight (LoS) vs. non line-of-sight (NLoS) channels towards ground users using machine learning tools. Once classification is carried out, the LoS vs. NLoS data is fed as input to a building position and height reconstruction algorithm. The map reconstruction quality is analyzed as a function of user density and UAV altitude, revealing the notion of an optimal height for the UAV which is predicted using an analytical model.


The research study was carried out between 1999 and March 2001 covering nine study sites, eight of which are satellite lakes of Lake Kyoga and the ninth is a bay on the main lake. Sampling took place during both the rainy and wet seasons. However, the resident time of each visit usually lasted a day or two, which definitely could affect the quality and quantity of the data collected. This was the first time the herpetofauna of the Kyoga Lake Basin was documented. A total of 18 amphibian species were recorded in the whole of the Kyoga Lake Basin. Lakes Nawampasa, Nakuwa and Iyingo on the main lake showed the highest species diversity (12, 13, and 12, respectively) followed by Kawi (10 spp.) and Agu (nine spp.). Lakes Bisina (six spp.) and Nyaguo (five spp.) were species poor.

Reptilian diversity was poor with L. Nakuwa being the most species rich site (six spp.). The Nile crocodile was reported in Iyingo, Nakuwa and Bisina only. However, the Nile monitor lizard was recorded in all the lakes sampled.


Patients with hypertension develop structural changes, in the heart and in the systemic arteries, that have a significant role in the maintenance and gradual worsening of the hypertensive disease. In 80 hypertensive patients (WHO I - II, 58 males, 22 females, age range 21–67 years), blood pressure (BP), basal and postischemic (peak) forearm and/or calf blood flow (BF, straingauge venous occlusion plethysmography), and echocardiographic measurements were performed. Minimal vascular resistance (min VR, mean BP/peak BF) was taken as an index of vascular structural changes. The same measurements were repeated in 12 patients after antihypertensive treatment for 6 months (in six patients captopril, in six patients nitrendipine). Considering all the patients, a significant but weak direct correlation was found between the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and mean BP (r = 0.41) or min VR (r = 0.31). Thus, patients were categorized according to whether they had LVH or impaired BF: the results suggested that LVH may be detectable at an earlier phase more often than increased min VR. After 6 months of antihypertensive treatment, LV mass was normalized in some cases, while min VR was reduced but never normalized. Thus, regression of cardiovascular structural changes seems to occur earlier in the heart.


To the Editor: With regard to the article by Sulkowski et al. (Jan. 16 issue)1: a sustained virologic response that is defined as undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA 24 weeks after the end of interferon-based therapy corresponds to a definitive cure of HCV in 99.1% of cases.2 A sustained virologic response that is defined as undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after treatment has a concordance of 99.0% with a sustained virologic response 24 weeks after treatment and hence is clinically equally relevant.3 It is well known that after a sustained virologic response, residual HCV RNA persists in mononuclear cells, lymphocytes, and macrophages.4,5 The definitions of a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks and at 24 weeks after treatment have been tested only in interferonbased regimens that are associated with longterm immunomodulation in treated patients, so that once suppressed, the virus remains so in the years to come, even without the drug. Data are lacking on the long-term relevance of these end points in patients who received interferonfree regimens that inhibit the virus by interfering with its life cycle without altering the immune responses (which could be helpful once the patient is no longer receiving the drugs). Similarly, the concept of a sustained virologic response is not applicable in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, to whom oral drugs (that only inhibit viral replication) are administered on a long-term and usually lifelong basis.