characterization of peste des petits ru-minants virus, Sierra Leone. Emerg In-fect Dis. 2012;18:193–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1801.111304 4. Libeau G, Diallo A, Parida S. Evolution-ary genetics underlying the spread of peste des petits ruminants virus. Anim Front. 2014;4:14–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/af.2014-0003 5. Baron MD, Parida S, Oura CA. Peste des petits ruminants: a suitable candidate for eradication? Vet Rec. 2011;169:16–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.d3947 6. Banyard AC, Parida S, Batten C, Oura C, Kwiatek O, Libeau G. Global distribu-tion of peste des petits ruminants virus and prospects for improved diagnosis and control. J Gen Virol. 2010;91:2885–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.025841-0 7. De Nardi M, Lamin Saleh SM, Batten C, Oura C, Di Nardo A, Rossi D. First evi-dence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus circulation in Algeria (Sahrawi ter-ritories): outbreak investigation and virus lineage identification. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2012;59:214–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1865-1682.2011.01260.x 8. Kwiatek O, Ali YH, Saeed IK, Khala-falla AI, Mohamed OI, Obeida AA, et al. Asian lineage of peste des petits ruminants virus, Africa. Emerg Infect Dis. 2011;17:1223–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1707.101216 9. Wang Z, Bao J, Wu X, Liu Y, Li L, Liu C, et al. Peste des petits ruminants virus in Tibet, China. Emerg Infect Dis. a case of cutaneous infection possibly 2009;15:299–301. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/ eid1502.08081710. ProMedMail. Peste des petits ruminants—China (11): Sheep, goat, spread, OIE, request for information. ProMed 2014 May 5. http://www.promedmail.org, ar-chive no. 20140511.2465094.Address for correspondence: Ashley C. Banyard, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector Borne Disease Research Group, APHA, Weybridge, New Haw, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK; email: email@example.com


Objective To observe certain metabolic changes induced by alterations of hepatocellular hydration state under aniso osmotic condition. Methods Incorporating rate of [ 3H] leucine into protein and that of [ 3H]TdR into DNA were measured and the activity of Na +/K + ATPase of hepatocellular membrane and that of ALT, AST and LDH in the supernatant of cell culture observed dynamically. Results After the cells were cultured for 120 min, the incorporating rates of [ 3H] leucine and [ 3H]TdR in the hepatocytes of hyper osmotic group were significantly inhibited as compared with the normo osmotic and hypo osmotic groups ( P 0.01 and 0.05). These two rates were closely correlated in all the 3 groups ( P 0.001). The activity of Na +/K + ATPase in the hyper osmotic group was markedly increased but that in the hypo osmotic group decreased as compared with that in the normo osmotic group ( P 0.05 and 0.01). The two incorporating rates in the hypo osmotic group were negatively but those in the hyper osmotic group positively correlated to the activity of Na +/K + ATPase. The activity of ALT, AST and LDH in the supernatant of cell culture was within the normal range. Conclusion The changes in hepatocellular hydration state may be one of the physiological factors to modulate hepatocellular metabolism, in which the activity of Na +/K + ATPase of hepatocellular membrane might regulate the levels of protein and DNA synthesis under this condition.


This paper proposes a new approach to the design of linear phase, equiripple response, lowpass FIR filter for digital beamforming applications. The simple filter design without optimizations has sharp transition, good stopband attenuation with less filter complexity. An uniform linear array beamformer with a narrow transition bandwidth and low side lobes is synthesized with fewer sensor elements. This is achieved by using the proposed filters as subfilters in the frequency response masking approach. Precise and independent specification of main beamwidth and side lobe level for the beamformer is possible.


In this study, we model high-dimensional Electroencephalogram signals in sleep stages, using a general trainable network of Hopf oscillators. The proposed architecture has two components: a layer of oscillators with lateral connections, and a complex valued feedforward network with and without a hidden layer. The output of the Hopf oscillators, whose dynamics is described in the complex domain, is fed as input to the feedforward network and the output predicts the EEG signals. The proposed network is trained in two stages: in the 1st stage, intrinsic frequencies of the oscillators and the lateral connections are trained whereas, in the 2nd stage, the complex-valued feed-forward network is trained. Reconstruction error obtained when there is a hidden layer in the feedforward network is an order of magnitude smaller than that obtained without a hidden layer. Also, it has been shown that during testing our model is able to generate EEG signals, whose spectral properties accurately describe the corresponding target signals. In the first, the oscillators do not have any spatial localization, whereas in the second the oscillators are spatially distributed in a spherical shell geometry. The model described can be interpreted as a stepping stone towards a large-scale model of brain dynamics.


Several pentanuclear palladium clusters, [Pd5(SO2)4L5][L = PPh31, PMePh22, PMe2Ph 3, P(C6H4OMe-p)34, P(C6H4OMe-m)35 or AsPh36], have been synthesised from the reaction of [Pd2(dba)3]·CHCl3(dba = dibenzylideneacetone, PhCHCHCOCHCHPh) with L under an atmosphere of SO2. Compounds 1–3 have also been synthesised from the reduction of palladium(II) acetate by NaBH4 in the presence of L and SO2. The molecular structure of 6 has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray study. The palladium cluster core has a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry with two of the equatorial–apical edges bridged by µ-SO2 ligands, and two triangular faces capped by µ3-SO2 ligands. Each metal atom is also co-ordinated to a terminal AsPh3 ligand. Compounds 1–5 have also been characterised on the basis of 31P-{1H} NMR spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. The reaction of [Pd2(dba)3]·CHCl3 with PMe3 under a SO2 atmosphere does not, surprisingly, give [Pd5(SO2)4(PMe3)5]7 but the tetranuclear cluster [Pd4(SO2)3(PMe3)5]8. This compound has been characterised by 31P-{1H} NMR spectroscopy and FAB mass spectrometry. The reaction of [Pd2(dba)3]·CHCl3 with PMePh2 and SO2 gives a related compound, [Pd4(SO2)3(PMePh2)5]9, as a minor product, which has been characterised by 31P-{1H} NMR spectroscopy.


INFLUENCE OF HYDROGEOLOGICAL RECONNAISSANCE UPON TECHNICAL SOLUTION OF SHAFT BOTTOMS IN MINING INDUSTRY

Summary
The paper deals with the hydrogeological conditions, the mining work methods allowing to water inrush into the mine workings, and their influence upon water investigation and technical solutions in construction of a shaft bottom, in relation to the Lubin-Glogow Copper Mine District. Highly difficult hydrogeological conditions of this area are intensely studied. Down to a depth of about 300-400 meters are found strongly water-bearing clay-sandgravel formations of Quaternary and Tertiary ages. These water-baring beds required, during drilling works, particular care and long-lasting cementation process.


The main function of the cooling system is to help preserve the refractory lining for as long as possible, but the evaluation indicators of blast furnace cooling system have not been studied in detail. In the study, the blast furnace cooling system was analyzed in-depth from the perspective of cooling essence and heat transfer principle based on the investigation of many blast furnaces. The concept of cooling efficiency and cooling intensity of the blast furnace hearth cooling system were proposed with quantitative characterization. The results show that the cooling efficiency is 88–99% and the cooling intensity is 70–95% generally. The effect of the cooling water velocity and specific surface area on cooling efficiency and cooling intensity are analyzed from a view of optimizing the design. Improving the specific surface area of cooling system and increasing the cooling water velocity can increase the cooling efficiency and cooling intensity. The specific surface area can be designed to be more than 1.1 and the water velocity should be greater than 1.5 m/s. Finally, the blast furnace operation strategy taken in the actual production process and the methods for improving the cooling intensity and cooling efficiency are assessed.


In this note, we state various generalisations of the Nakano vanishing theorem under weak positivity assumptions, and compare them with the known results.


The main purpose of this research is discussing the musical form, musical style, and performance skills of Bart?k's Mikrokosmos Piano Collections Volumes 1-3; and then addressing the main teaching points, the skills and playing manners that should belearned, so as to generalize the skill, technique of composing music, and musical notation that Bart?k always used. Next, the commonness of the 96 pieces is analyzed andconferred to those areas that are related. With this study, one hopes that the analysis of the teaching contents of Bart?k's Mikrokosmos Piano Collections Volumes 1-3 could help the domestic piano teachers to understand this set of teaching materials. And also, itcan promote the utilization of ideas and abilities in order to promote the domestic piano educational connotation. Moreover, one hopes that when learner is playing Bart?k's Mikrokosmos Piano Collections, the learner can understand Bart?k's music language and then understand the connotation of modern music, and also like and admire the modern music. After the analysis and discussion of this study, it concludes Bart?k's Mikrokosmos Piano Collections Volumes 1-3 as follows: 1. There are four classifications of Mikrokosmos Volumes 1-3 according to music styles: a. 65 pieces are about musical phenomenon b. 9 pieces are about reflection of life c. 16 pieces are about piano skills d. 13 pieces are about folksong style. 2. There are five classifications of Mikrokosmos Volumes 1-3 according to music form of the music composition: a. 32 pieces are about One-part form. b. 34 pieces are about Binary form. c. 23 pieces are about Ternary form. d. 2 pieces are about Round form. e. 4 pieces are about Variation form. f. 1 pieces are about Bar form. 3. According to the significance of Mikrokosmos Volumes 1-3 as piano teaching materials, the arrangements of its skill learning are as follows:- a. The independent training of fingers b. The stretch of fingers and the lessening of hand shape c. The position changing of hands. According to the significance of Mikrokosmos Piano Collections as piano teaching materials, the arrangements of its skill learning are from simple to complicated, and from easy to gradually difficult, the skills of piano playing are proceeded in an orderly way so that the learners will become familiar with time; therefore, this is an excellent fundamental teaching material for piano learning. 4. According to the significance of Mikrokosmos Volumes 1-3 as piano teaching materials, the arrangements of music annotation study are the same as the arrangements of skill learning, they are both from simple to complicated, and from easy to gradually difficult, the learners can learn all kinds of musical essential elements, musical structures, and annotations of the music composition's style in an orderly way. Mikrokosmos completely uses the piano playing training of piano pieces to let musical learners gradually absorb and learn the music accomplishments that they should have. In conclude, Mikrokosmos can be described as an excellent fundamental teaching material for the modern musicians.


Pretima theft not only causes property losses but also non-material losses such as trust which results in disruption of the spiritual balance of Hindu society. This kind of action is a crime that is very, very detrimental to Hindus, especially in Bali because they are considered to have damaged the beliefs of people's lives. The defendants are also considered to have tarnished the local customary rules contained in awig-awig in Bali. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to discuss the process of handling the criminal case of Pretima theft in Gianyar Regency and to examine the obstacles in the process of handling the Pretima theft crime in Gianyar Regency. The type of research used is empirical research. In this research, a sociological approach is used, a legislative approach, a conceptual approach, a case approach. The results of this study indicate that the process of handling the criminal case of Pretima theft in Gianyar Regency, namely carrying out special operations such as brush operations, concentrated and so on outside of daily routine activities, is given heavy legal sanctions. may be subject to customary sanctions: A cleaning ceremony (purification) is held, a fine in the form of money; and Also dismissed as a member of the indigenous community. Obstacles in the process of handling the crime of Pretima theft in Gianyar Regency, among others, the lack of maximum supervision of sacred objects at temples in each traditional village in Gianyar Regency, the lack of witnesses so that it is difficult to find evidence, inadequate facilities and infrastructure.


rationality, "value neutrality", universality, and general applicability to any realities. The "history of concepts" approach, on the other hand, suggests taking into account reflexivity, contextual involvement, double hermeneutics, revealing the origin of the phenomena of human existence, "captured" in a representative linguistic order – concepts, categories, metaphors articulated in linguistic communications. The application of the epistemological principles of the "history of concepts" to the conceptualization of privacy made it possible, therefore, to expand the traditional ideas about this concept and to establish under what conditions this conceptual form: a) is filled with normative meanings; b) acquires a special value status in the actual conceptual vocabulary involved in the everyday interpretive strategies of the "personal I"; c)


Responses of soybean plants and stands to simulated s&edcorn maggot, Delia platura (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), injury were evaluated in field studies from 1983 to 1986 in Iowa. Two aspects of injury, stand reduction and plumule destruction, were considered. Higher crop growth rates (CGRs) and leaf area indexes (LAIs) were associated with higher plant densities. Differences between responses of uninjured and plumuleinjured plants to stand density were noted. Examinations of competition between uninjured and plumule-injured plants indicated that uninjured plants were competitively superior to injured plants. Competitive interactions were influenced by plant density. Phenological delay associated with plumule injury contributed to height differences between uninjured and injured plants, which, in turn, lead to substantial differences in development between injured and uninjured plants. Consequently, unequal competition between uninjured and injured plants was identified as a major consequence of plumule injury.


A method of monitoring a driver including obtaining images from the first and second camera unit, checking whether a brightness of the image obtained from the first camera unit is equal to or greater than a reference value or whether the driver is detected from the image obtained from the second camera unit, if the brightness of the image obtained from the first camera unit is not equal to or greater than the reference value or the driver is not detected from the image obtained from the second camera unit, obtaining a first comparative image from the first camera unit by turning off the second illumination unit and a second comparative image from the first camera unit by turning on the second illumination unit, checking whether a difference value between a brightness of the obtained first comparative image and a brightness of the obtained second comparative image is equal to or greater than a reference difference value, and if the difference value between the brightness of the obtained f comparative image and the brightness of the obtained second comparative image is not equal to or greater than the reference difference value, turning off the second illumination unit.


The 2J(13CCH) couplings involving the formyl proton of α-halogeno-aldehydes have been found to decrease with increasing halogen electronegativity. This trend may be rationalised in terms of inductive withdrawal and a conformation dependent hyperconjugative effect. The direct J(13CH) couplings are also anomalous.


Based on the exploration and building of agricultural machinery cooperation in Fenghua city, analyzed the forming background, basic situation and system, point out it's advantage function, put forward propose and countermeasures.


Abstract Various statistical tools are available for modeling the relationship between response and covariate if the data are fully observable. In the situation of censored data, however, those tools are no longer directly applicable. This article provides an easily implemented methodology for modeling the association, based on censored data. The form of the regression relationship will be completely determined by the data; no assumptions are made about this form. Basic ideas behind the methodology are to transform the observed data in an appropriate simple way and then to apply a locally weighted least squares regression. The proposed estimator involves a variable bandwidth that automatically adapts to the design of the data points. That the methodology is very easy to implement is illustrated by several examples, including simulation studies and an analysis of the Stanford Heart Transplant Data and the Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Data. Several theoretical considerations are reflected in the examples. Fina...


ARCHIV DES OFFENTLICHEN EECHTS, March, 1963 (Vol. 88, No. 1) . Die Reparationsschdden (pp. 1-37), Erich Kaufmann. T H E BULLETIN (Bonn), February 26, 1963 (Vol. 11, No. 8 ) . Progress on DutchGerman Settlement Sailed as Advance for Europe (pp. 1-2). , March 12, 1963 (Vol. 11, No. 10). A Step Towards Better Relations with Poland (pp. 1-2); How East-West Talks Can Be Useful (p. 3 ) . , March 19, 1963 (Vol. 11, No. 11). Towards New Techniques in Atlantic Partnership (pp. 1-2), Kai-Uwe von Hassel. , March 26, 1963 (Vol. 11, No. 12). German Leaders Call Atlantic Ties a "Corners tone" (pp. 1-2); The Steel-Pipe Embargo: "Bonn Expects Support from NATO and Must Reciprocate'" (p. 3 ) . , April 2, 1963 (Vol. 11, No. 13). Why Soviet 1959 Draft of a Germany Treaty Is No Peace Plan (p. 3) . , April 9, 1963 (Vol. 11, No. 14). Bonn Calls for an Outward-Looking Common Market Policy (pp. 1-3), Gerhard Schroder. , April 23, 1963 (Vol. 11, No. 15). East Bloc's "Jamming" Stations Wage a Cold War Battle of the Airwaves (p. 3 ) .


The invention discloses a key updating device and a key updating method, and a wireless network system comprising the key updating device. The method is suitable for a first base station which belongs to a wireless network system. The first base station has a first signal range and uses a first key. The method comprises the following steps: judging that a mobile device moves to the first signal range from a second signal range of a second base station; judging that the logon time of the mobile device to the wireless network is later than the updating time of the first key; updating the first key; and transmitting the first key to the mobile device.


We report here a case of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in a patient who, following Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection, developed diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A 47‐year‐old woman was diagnosed as having MCL with clinical stage IIIA in July 1990. After treatment with a third‐generation chemotherapy without response, she was kept under observation for 8 years. In January 1999, fever and night sweats appeared with laboratory evidence for EBV infection, and acute swelling of lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly developed in May 1999. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of DLBCL. Sequence analysis of the complementarity‐determining region (CDR)‐III of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene demonstrated clonal identity between the initial MCL and the subsequent DLBCL. Immunohistochemistry revealed that cyclin D1, CD5, and CD20 were expressed in the MCL but lost in the DLBCL cells, and EBER‐ISH confirmed that EBV infection was absent in the former but present in the latter. Southern hybridization with the EBV terminal repeat probe showed a clear monoclonal pattern in the DLBCL specimen. All these results suggest that EBV infection may have been the molecular event that caused transformation of MCL cell(s) to DLBCL in this case. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first well‐documented case of EBV‐associated transformation of MCL. Am. J. Hematol. 73:194–199, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


A discussion of 2008/2009 developments in Australian educational policy, with specific reference to the adoption of US and UK trends in accountability, testing
and school reform.


Continual Learning aims to learn from a stream of tasks, being able to remember at the same time both new and old tasks. While many approaches were proposed for single-class classification, multi-label classification in the continual scenario remains a challenging problem. For the first time, we study multi-label classification in the Domain Incremental Learning scenario. Moreover, we propose an efficient approach that has a logarithmic complexity with regard to the number of tasks, and can be applied also in the Class Incremental Learning scenario. We validate our approach on a real-world multi-label Alarm Forecasting problem from the packaging industry. For the sake of reproducibility, the dataset and the code used for the experiments are publicly available.


The radial klystron is a multidimensional rf source where the beam is generated by a cylindrical gun and it propagates in the radial dimension. The advantage of this design is that the space charge effects are balanced in the azimuthal dimension and a lower magnetic fields is required to focus the electron beam. The bunching is made with concentric coaxial resonators, connected by drift tube. The electron beam interaction with the cavity fields has been analyzed by means of particle tracking software in order to evaluate the beam bunching and the beam dynamics. This paper shows the klystron design, optimizing the shape and the position of each cavity, in order to maximize the efficiency of the device. INTRODUCTION The traditional klystron is a linear-beam rf source, where a focused electron beam interacts with resonant cavities. The beam must be focused by a solenoid, to compensate the space charge forces. Gain and efficiencies are limited by the space-charge. It is possible to reduce the space charge effects by allowing the electrons to propagate in the natural expansion according to the space charge forces. This can happen if the beam is generated from a central source (cathode) and it expands in the three-dimensional space (Fig. 1). In this ideal case, the transversal space-charge forces are


ABSTRACT This article examines how investor sentiment affects positive feedback trading behavior. By analyzing the daily closing total return of CSI 300 index and its individual returns of stocks, we find that relatively high or low sentiment induces active positive feedback trading. With a specific indicator of sentiment, we explain the microstructure setting of the relationship between positive feedback trading and sentiment. We adopt the classical feedback model from Sentana and Wadhwani (1992) to measure positive feedback trading behavior. By adding sentiment factor to the model, we successfully explain how sentiment influences the behavior of both feedback traders and rational investors. The empirical findings suggest that positive feedback traders are more likely to trade when the prices of most securities move forward together. When the sentiment of feedback traders is at an intermediate level, the feedback trading behavior is insignificant.


The Management system and the direction of scientific research are two mostimportan factors developing science and technology and training successors. This paperdiscussed several theortan problems except for the management system of scientific research.


(Meth) acrylate resin, which comprises: 20-85 wt .-% (Meth) acrylate 10-40 wt .-% an acrylate-soluble (meth) polymer 0.1-2 wt .-% paraffin 0-50 wt .-% Hydroxy (meth) acrylate 0.1-2 wt .-% Adhesion promoters, 1-10 wt .-% Crosslinking agent, wherein said paraffin comprises a mixture of different paraffins having different softening points, and wherein the coupling agent is an organophosphate.


Purpose: To describe the brain and craniovertebral junction (CVJ) in achondroplasia by dynamic low dose computed tomography (CT). Methods: This paper documents a cross-sectional retrospective study performed between 1998 and 2013. The Ethics and Research Committee approved the project. The investigators reviewed the medical records of 440 patients with skeletal dysplasia and performed flexion-extension CT for 24 patients with achondroplasia confirmed by molecular testing. They were divided in two groups: children younger than eight years old and group 2 with older individuals. Normal scans were selected as controls in proportion 1:4. Three measurements were made by two radiologists using the following parameters: Evans Ratio, cerebroventricular index of the anterior horns and maximum width of the third ventricle; diameters of the foramen magnum (FM), width of the spinal canal, clivus size, basion-axial interval, atlantooccipital interval and Powers ratio, atlantodental interval, distance of the dens tip position above McGregor line and Welcher angle. T-test, Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher statistics were used. P-value<0.05 threshold was considered for statistical significance. Results: The ventricles were greater, and the FM was smaller in achondroplastic patients than in controls scans (p<0.01). Other findings were: ventriculomegaly (30%), hydrocephalus (4%), narrowing of FM (between 96% and 100%), spinal stenosis (92%), clivus hypoplasia (88%), atlantooccipital instability (25%), atlantoaxial instability (13 %), basilar invagination (13%) and platybasia (8%). There was no upper cervical compressive myelopathy. There was no difference of CVJ changes between the groups 1 and 2 (p>0.09). Conclusion: The craniometry showed the most frequent cerebral and CVJ changes in achondroplasia.


Measurements of the ambipolar field in the positive column o fneondischarges with pressures of 100 and 200 torr and currents between 5 and 100 mA are presented. For these measurements a new diagnostic method which involves the use of radioactive tracers was developed. The experimental results are compared with predictions derived from a theoretical model of the positive column. The agreement appears to be fairly good.


Objective To analyze the serum concentration of 63 patients with childhood acute lymphocyte leukemia(ALL) therapy by high-dose methotrexate(HDMTX).Methods The serum MTX concentrations were measured at 24,30,48,72,and 96 h after infusion by fluorescence polarization immunoassay(FPIA),and analyzed statistically.Results There was no difference of MTX-related toxicities between boys and girls,the dose of MTX should be different between boys and girls,MTX-related toxicities were observed at each point.Conclusion It's necessary to measure the serum MTX concentrations for dose adjustment of MTX and CF rescue.


Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental defilement released mainly from polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. The main toxicological impact of BPA is its endocrine disruptor activities. Its structural features confer the ability to bind to both estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes. Furthermore, we recently reported that BPA aggravates male reproductive hormones. In addition to its endocrine disruptor properties, we have also reported that BPA possesses oxidant activity which is able to trigger oxidative stress. Several types of research previously reported that oxidative stress may cause hormonal imbalance and vice versa. However, the relation of both the toxicological properties of BPA is poorly understood. In this study, we found that oral testosterone undecanoate treatment in BPA-induced rats does not prevent decreasing serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, and increasing serum malondialdehyde. Oral N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in BPA-induced rats also does not attenuate decreasing total testosterone levels. These results suggest that the oxidant effect and endocrine disruptor property of BPA can be separated and might not interfere with one another. Therefore, future treatment in any pathological condition resulting from BPA exposure has to be carried out with more comprehensive approaches rather than focusing on its endocrine disruptor activity.


The shear modulus and shear strength of AlSi7Mg Aluminum foam with 15% (vol) of 13 {micro}m SiC particles were determined through shear testing. A foam slab with a density of 0.31 g/cm3 was supplied by Hydro Aluminium. Four samples were tested according to ASTM C 273-61. The specimens were bonded to steel load plates. The relative displacement of the plates was measured using two extensometers. In order to evaluate the effect of the cell size distribution on shear properties, cell size and material distribution analyses were carried out for the metal foam slab in areas close to those from which the shear specimens were extracted. A fast failure was observed after the maximum shear load. The failure in the samples were located in the central section of the slab mainly because the lower density was located there.


The main objective of this research work was to determine the significant relationship between financial education and financial management of users of banking entities in the province of San Martin. The scope of the study was quantitative, non-experimental cross-sectional design of correlational scope, non-probabilistic sampling for convenience consisted of 290 users, whose ages ranged from 18 to 56 years (44.48% men and 55.52% women); to whom the financial education and financial management questionnaire was administered. The results found indicated that there is a significant correlation between financial education and financial management (r = .779; p < .001). Likewise, a highly significant positive relationship was found between financial education and financial management dimensions: income planning (rho = .606; p <.001), credit situation (rho = .484; p < .001), budgets (rho = .732; p < .001) and saving habits (rho = .506; p < .001). Similarly, a positive relationship was found between financial management and financial education dimensions: financial knowledge (rho = .623; p < .001), financial ability (rho = .638; p < .001), financial attitude (rho = .551; p < .001) and financial awareness (rho = .693; p < .001). It is concluded that the greater the financial education the users will have greater skills to manage their finances and vice versa.Keywords: Financial education, financial management, bank clients, financial control.


The brachiocephalic trunk is a major short artery from the arch of the aorta which supplies the right arm and head. The anomalous course of the brachiocephalic trunk is significant because it can cause fatal haemorrhage during any midline neck surgery. The vascular sling can cause tracheal compression in infants The present study points out the significance of the pre-surgical evaluation of the vascular pattern in the corresponding area. ANANDA RANI.V.S, SHIFAN KHANDEY, T.SRIMATHI, T.MUTHUKUMAR


This study aimed to investigate parenchymal changes in the liver in paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to analyse diagnostic performance of two‐dimensional shear wave elastography (2D‐SWE) for the detection of hepatic involvement.


This article introduces new technologies for monitoring thermal response and life-time varying parameters of power electronic modules in real time without interrupting normal converter operation. The technologies are embedded in an adaptive thermal observer, which integrates temperature measurements and electrothermal models to estimate device losses and temperatures at reliability-critical locations of the power module. The observer structure includes a model reference adaptive system for adaptively calibrating device switching-loss models. This improves thermal monitoring accuracy, avoids time-consuming offline calibrations, and creates the opportunity for efficiency estimations during power module operation. The adaptive observer together with small-signal loss-excitation and system-identification technologies extract the thermal impedance of the power module in magnitude and phase over multiple frequency decades. This in situ thermal impedance spectroscopy has the unique feature of continuously providing information on the thermal interface of the power devices without interrupting normal inverter operation. The extracted information, i.e., life-time varying electrical and thermal parameters, enables diagnosing power module state-of-health with improved accuracy compared to prior technologies. It even allows separating different degradation effects, such as bond wire lift-off, device and base-plate solder delamination as well as deterioration of the convection process. With these new features, next generation monitoring systems can extract thermal response and degradation and thus protect power modules from severe thermal stress and overload. Furthermore, the obtained state-of-health information can be selectively used to reduce thermal stress and to schedule predictive maintenance leading to a safer and more reliable operation of future converter systems.


Nb5+-doped sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) ceramics
 ((Na0.5Bi0.5)1-x/2Ti1-xNbxO3 where x = 0, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.015) were
 obtained by microwave assisted solid state reaction route and microwave
 sintered at 1000 ?C. Microwave processing technique was chosen for the
 sintering as it is a powerfulmethod which enables sintering in a short time
 with fast heating rate avoiding grain growth. The influence of Nb5+-doping
 on microstructure and electrical properties of the NBT ceramics was studied.
 X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that solubility limit of niobium in NBT
 lattice is up to 1mol%, as with further increase in niobium concentration
 pyrochlore appeared. Microstructure of all the ceramics was investigated by
 field emission scanning electron microscopy and it was observed that the
 average grain size decreased with doping. Temperature dependent dielectric
 study was carried out for all the ceramics at different frequency. All
 ceramics show diffusive dielectric behaviour around Tm and introduction of
 Nb even increases compositional fluctuation compared to the parent NBT.
 Nb-doping shifts the Tm toward lower temperature. Leakage current study
 showed that for whole range of electric field ohmic type conduction
 mechanism is dominant for all the ceramics. Room temperature
 polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loop confirms the ferroelectric
 behaviour of all the ceramics.


In the present investigation the problem was raised according to the scope of the company Fiberlux SAC, for which it was necessary to use as basis a general problem and other specific problems, then to advance in the analysis and to form the following theme "Incidence of Credit Policies In the Delinquency Index in the Company Fiberlux SAC Lima 2016, "then to propose a series that serve as a source to unite information, collect data for the background, arrive at a solution of the problem raised and at the same time develop the variables of credit policies and the index of delinquency, The alternatives of solution with tables of situational financial statements and each step to follow to reduce the index of delinquency when performing the collections of accounts in the anticipated times in order to improve the corporate liquidity.
The research company due to its situational nature must follow each step implemented to reduce the heading of accounts receivable, and have better liquidity, pay bills on time and reduce obligations with third parties to achieve financial freedom.
At the end of the work the problem of delinquency raised in the casuistry was solved where it can be seen in the latest financial reports.


In chemical engineering field, ettringite (AFt) formation effect the stabilization of sulfate rich soil mixed with cementitious materials. The different stabilizer compositions and twice molding technics may avoid and repair the destruction caused by AFt with decreasing the production rate of calcium silicate hydrates(C-S-H) and eliminating the void in stabilized soils. The results show that the strength of stabilized 5% sodium sulfate bearing soils, under above methods, are not less than that of the control ones, and the specimens keep steady after soaking in 5% sodium sulfate solution for 12 weeks.


What factors determine when and how China terminates armed conflict? This article derives from the war termination literature three factors that impact the ability of disputants to resolve conflicts: approach to wartime diplomacy, views on escalation, and receptiveness to mediation. I then evaluate according to these three factors China's attempts to bring conflict to a close in the Korean War, Sino-Indian War, and Sino-Vietnamese War. I argue that China's tends to entertain talks only with weaker opponents, rely on heavy escalation to bring about peace, and to leverage outside parties less as empowered mediators and more as an additional source of pressure on its enemies. These three tendencies are likely to hinder conflict resolution in future conflagrations. A subsequent analysis of authoritative Chinese strategic writings reveal that these patterns have been imbued in contemporary thought, and therefore are likely to persist in future flashpoints. My findings add a new dimension to the war termination literature and have policy implications regional peace and stability.


Acupuncture therapy has a long history in China.Acupuncture has the obvious analgesic effect in the clinic.Reviewing related literature since 1979,we find that a lot of researches go into efforts to kinds of meticulous study on influence of acupuncture on the nervous active material.Few researchers concluded the neural active matter.This article selects neural active substances which war recognized with precise impact,and summarizes the researchers view,and kinds of paper.


By combining the empirical mode decomposition(EMD) and principle component analysis(PCA),a new speckle reduction method based on EMD is proposed for logarithmic SAR images.Based on the statistical properties of logarithmically transformed speckle and energy distribution model of decomposed Gaussian white noise by EMD,the noise energy in each intrinsic mode function is approximately calculated.After the intrinsic mode function is decomposed by PCA,to further remove the noise and keep useful details,the appropriate principal components are selected according to the noise energy proportion in intrinsic mode function and the decomposition characteristics of PCA,then reconstruct the intrinsic mode function by the selected principal components.The experimental results show that the SAR image edges are retained better and the speckles are removed effectively with the proposed method.


The first experimental realization of topological insulators [1] constituted the advent of an entirely new field of physics. Their hallmark feature — scatter-free, unidirectional edge states — are of great interest for a wide range of application. Notably, the class of two-dimensional topological insulators is divided by the fermionic or bosonic characteristics of the underlying platform. Fermionic topological systems obey particle-hole as well as time-reversal symmetry, and are characterized by a Z2 topological invariant [2]. On the other hand, topological insulators in bosonic systems were demonstrated in several systems, such as in photonics, acoustics, mechanics and matter waves — all of them relying on time reversal symmetry to be broken. Typically, these latter systems are topologically characterized by the Chern number.


Philip Resnik, PhD; Munmun De Choudhury, PhD; Katherine Musacchio Schafer, MEd, MS; Glen Coppersmith, PhD 1Department of Linguistics and Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States 2School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States 3Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States 4Qntfy, Boston, MA, United States


INTRODUCTION: As many as 17% of Canadian women suffer from iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy. Treatment options include oral ferrous salts, haem iron, intravenous (IV) iron and blood transfusions. Trade-offs pregnant women are willing to make to alleviate symptoms of IDA have not been determined. This study elicits preferences of pregnant women for health-states arising from IDA and the use of various treatment options.


We couple EMFAC with a dynamic mesoscopic traffic model to create an efficient tool for generating information about traffic dynamics and emissions of various pollutants (CO2, PM10, NOX, and TOG) on large scale networks. Our traffic flow model is the multi-commodity discrete kinematic wave (MCDKW) model, which is rooted in the cell transmission model but allows variable cell sizes for more efficient computations. This approach allows us to estimate traffic emissions and characteristics with a precision similar to microscopic simulation but much faster. To assess the performance of this tool, we analyze traffic and emissions on a large freeway network located between the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles. Comparisons of our mesoscopic simulation results with microscopic simulations generated by TransModeler under both congested and free flow conditions show that hourly emission estimates of our mesoscopic model are within 4 to 15 percent of microscopic results with a computation time divided by a factor of 6 or more. Our approach provides policymakers with a tool more efficient than microsimulation for analyzing the effectiveness of regional policies designed to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles.


The standardized control module (SCM) was developed for application in the buck, boost and buck/boost DC-DC converters. The SCM used multiple feedback loops to provide improved input line and output load regulation, stable feedback control system, good dynamic transient response and adaptive compensation of the control loop for changes in open loop gain and output filter time constraints. The necessary modeling and analysis tools to aid the design engineer in the application of the SCM to DC-DC Converters were developed. The SCM functional block diagram and the different analysis techniques were examined. The average time domain analysis technique was chosen as the basic analytical tool. The power stage transfer functions were developed for the buck, boost and buck/boost converters. The analog signal and digital signal processor transfer functions were developed for the three DC-DC Converter types using the constant on time, constant off time and constant frequency control laws.


Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVD) in the echocardiogram (E) is widely used to assess the LV size. There is no study available where difference in male (M) and female (F) growing children were examined. Therefore, we studied 110 M and 90 F normal school children, 5-14 years of age and with body surface area (BSA) varying from 0.7 to 1.59. Strip chart E recordings of the LV at its midcavity sector containing mitral echos were obtained by means of a 2.25 M Hz transducer in the standard fashion. Internal LVD was measured in millimeters at the onset of the Q wave of the EKG for several cardiac cycles and averaged. Our results for the mean and 1 standard deviation in M and F children with the different BSA were as follows:This study shows increase in LVD with larger BSA as in other studies in both M and F children. However, there was no statistically significant difference in LVD between M and F growing children at any BSA.


Isogalactobiose (β-D-galactopyranosyl β-D-galactopyranoside), galsucrose (β-D-fructofuranosyl α-D-galactopyranoside) and lactosucrose (O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl β-D-fructofuranoside) were synthesized as potential sugar sources that selectively enhance the growth of bifidobacteria in the human intestines. Isogalactobiose was synthesized by means of the Koenigs-Knorr reaction and the others by using levansucrase. The structures of these sugars were confirmed by enzymic hydrolysis. All of the sugars synthesized were utilized by bifidobacteria, but not by strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. However, isogalactobiose was utilized by 65%, galsucrose by 62% and lactosucrose by 41% of thirty-seven strains of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from nineteen adults, while raffinose, which had seemed to be the best among commercially available sugars tested, was utilized by 49% of the strains.


Workers of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, and the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) were force-fed a dye marker, Sudan Red 7B, and c...


The introduction of the eddy current brake (ECB) system in high-speed railway train (HSRT) is known to be advantageous, in that the system is independent of wheel-rail adhesion coefficient which is greatly affected by weather condition. It also minimizes the maintenance of the brake system and does not require any additional electric energy because it is powered from the regenerated power at the time of the braking. In this study, a downscaled ECB magnet is designed and the braking and attraction forces of the ECB are simulated by 2-D FEM. The simulation results are experimentally verified on a downscaled prototype. A control algorithm of the ECB is proposed to generate constant braking torque using linear variation of the reference current according to speed. Experimental results show that the constant torque is generated all over the operating speed-range by the developed control algorithm.


The analysis of human joint mechanics is of great value in rehabilitation assessment and competitive sports training. There are many limitations in the application of the existing motion capture system, which makes the usage scenarios relatively limited. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a multi-camera 3D motion capture system based on reprojection optimization, and combines the foot mechanics data to obtain the human joint torque. First, build a multi-camera-based motion capture system to obtain human body motion data, reconstruct key points to obtain 3D data, and then propose an accurate key point algorithm based on weight-based reprojection optimization to obtain precise coordinates of key points. Finally, the coordinates of the key points combined with the mechanical data of the foot are calculated by OpenSim to obtain the mechanical data of the human joints. The experimental results show that the capture accuracy of key points is 5% higher than the average accuracy of the traditional least square method, and the analysis of joint mechanics data conforms to the laws of motion, which can be used to guide rehabilitation evaluation and competitive sports.


The settlement of earth-rock dam is mainly a deformation for a given period of time it is analysed with the regression model.The graytheory meodel,shown dynamic change of project,is adopted.The paper introduces fundamental principle and calculation process of gray model.The analysis with actual measurement settlement data of Luhun reservoir indecats that this model has a high precision, can show a new change trend of settlement.


MXenes suffer from severe oxidation and progressive degradation in aqueous media due to its poor chemical stability. Herein, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is employed as an efficient protectant for long‐term storage of Ti3C2Tx‐MXene aqueous dispersion. Experimental data support SDS's capability to protect oxidation‐prone sites on Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, providing extended colloidal stability of up to 213 days. Concentration‐dependent anti‐oxidation effect articulates that 1.5 mg mL−1 is deemed as an ideal SDS dose for Ti3C2Tx to achieve optimal oxidation‐resistance in aqueous solution. Additionally, a chroma strategy is developed to instantly and precisely measure the oxidation degree of Ti3C2Tx. Adsorption‐driven anti‐oxidation efficacy of SDS is further confirmed by optimized conformations with interaction energies of SDS on termination‐free and surface‐defective Ti3C2Tx through multiscale simulations. This proposed route is a step forward in broadening the horizons of experimental and theoretical investigations of MXenes with promising implications for long‐term storage and reliable applications.


[1] This paper discusses the importance of the increase in buoyancy flux due to thermal expansion of entrained air to clarify the fundamental features of volcanic eruption columns. A one-dimensional steady state model, which is simplified as much as possible, is developed to elucidate the essential differences in behavior between a typical incompressible turbulent plume and an eruption column in which the buoyancy flux significantly increases with height. An analytical solution of a simple form is specifically derived for an idealized axisymmetric turbulent plume of a linearly increasing buoyancy flux in a uniform environment. The solution predicts that the upward velocity of the plume is constant along the height, in contrast to the upward velocity of a common incompressible plume, the velocity of which decreases inversely proportional to the third root of the height. More realistic plumes in both uniform and density-stratified environments are also investigated by modifying the one-dimensional model. The model yields several scaling parameters, some of which are used to estimate the terminal height of an eruption column. Numerical investigations using the parameters indicate that the thermal energy in an eruption column is exhausted for heating and expanding entrained air before reaching the terminal height. Numerical investigations also imply that the buoyancy flux in an eruption column may be less than half of that predicted by the conventional theory of an incompressible plume. The discussion based on the present model also sheds new light on the physical background of the superbuoyant behavior of an eruption column.


To improve the reliability of the matrix converter (MC), a fault diagnosis method to identify a single open-switch fault is proposed in this paper. The introduced fault diagnosis method is based on finite control set-model predictive control (FCS-MPC), which employs a time-discrete model of the MC topology and a cost function to select the best switching state for the next sampling period. The proposed fault diagnosis method is realized by monitoring the load currents and judging the switching state to locate the faulty switch. Compared to the conventional modulation strategies such as carrier-based modulation method, indirect space vector modulation, and optimum Alesina-Venturini, the FCS-MPC has known and unchanged switching state in a sampling period. It is simpler to diagnose the exact location of the open switch in MC with FCS-MPC. To achieve better quality of the output current under single open-switch fault conditions without any redundant hardware, a fault tolerant strategy based on predictive control is also studied. The fault tolerant strategy is to select the most appropriate switching state associated with the remaining normal switches of the MC. Experiment results are presented to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed fault diagnosis method and fault tolerant strategy.


We present the results of an extensive photometric study of the O3 V + O8 V binary HD 93205 (P ≃ 6.°08, e = 0.46). The primary O3 V star has by far the earliest known spectral type of a normal star in a cataloged close binary. Some 186 individual differential observations, each of precision ~0.003 mag, were obtained over a contiguous interval of ~3 months in a narrow, visual-continuum bandpass. The amplitude of photometric variability is very low, about 0.02 mag, with most of the light changes occurring near periastron passage. Analysis of the light variations with a state-of-the-art binary model in an eccentric orbit leads to the conclusion that the system does not exhibit eclipses. Rather, the light variations are due mainly to orbital revolution of tidally distorted stars. However, there is an additional very small, but real, systematic decreasing trend in the light curve of the system approximately centered on the apastron passage, i.e., between orbital phases 0.35 and 1.0, which cannot be accounted for with present models. A nonuniform brightness distribution on the surface of the star(s), whose origin remains a mystery, may be responsible for this effect. Another plausible explanation of the trend may be related to turbulent viscosity, causing tidal lag. Despite this problem, one can estimate the range of possible values for the orbital inclination angle, e.g., at the 5% significance level, 75° ≥ i ≥ 35°, which leads to the masses MO3 ≃ 32-154 M☉ and MO8 ≃ 14-68 M☉. The best-fit value, i = 60°, yields MO3 = 45 M☉ and MO8 = 20 M☉. The latter value is compatible with the reliable masses of the two O8 V stars (22 M☉) in the detached eclipsing binary system EM Car. This would imply that at least one of the earliest known main-sequence O3 stars has relatively modest mass, compared to evolutionary masses of the most massive stars, which are claimed elsewhere in the literature to reach up to at least 100 M☉.


Promulgation of a Declaration of Rights for Wetlands to improve their conservation and management has superficial attraction. However, difficulties with defining what a wetland is and confusing human rights with ecosystem rights suggest there are more problems than opportunities inherent in such a Declaration. Involving Indigenous and local knowledge in the discussion without a clear vision for access to and use of that knowledge also has problems. A better solution to stemming the tide of wetland loss is to rethink the problem in terms of landscape stewardship and to use the existing governance and legislative systems, especially the Convention on Biological Diversity's Ecosystem Approach in tandem with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Iran, 1971), more effectively.


Urbanization is the characteristic of the 20 th century and the 21 st century is an urbanized one. The regional economy which is just unfolding is developing rapidly, leading the nationa'ls economy from "Administrative Region Economy" to "Economic-zone Economy". In another word, regional economic cooperation has become a new way of Chinese economic growth.


The objectives of this project were to evaluate and, where appropriate, enhance the ability of satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) and airborne laser range-finding to delineate and monitor slope movements along pipeline right-of-ways. Particular emphasis was placed on operational issues, and especially the problems associated with applying these technologies in areas where natural vegetation precludes a straightforward analysis.


This paper describes the status of rural small rivers as well as its pollution,ecological conditions,etc.Some suggestions are made,such as forestation,circular flow,ecological health,water-human harmony.Several engineering measures,taking river dredging,sorting,and excavation for example,are discussed in the process of construction programs on small rivers.The advantages and disadvantages are compared with,according to the construction of small river conditions,in order to select the appropriate implementation plan,and to ensure the successful completion of river dredging.


This study investigated the quality characteristics of cookies containing capsaicin, the main source of spicy taste in pepper, which is well known for its various functions such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities, as well as pain-relief effect. Cookie samples were made by adding the capsaicin powder at different levels, including 40 mg% (C1), 85 mg% (C2), and 150 mg% (C3). In this study, measurement of the moisture, pH, color, spread factor, hardness, anti-oxidant activity, and sensory evaluation of the cookies was carried out. The results showed that the anti-oxidant activity increased when more capsaicin powder was added to the cookies (p<0.001). The moisture also increased with increasing capsaicin powder content (p<0.05), while the pH did not show any significant changes. As for the colors, the L value and b value decreased as more capsaicin powder was added, while the a value increased. The spread factor also increased significantly with the increase of capsaicin powder p<0.01). Although the hardness increased with capsaicin powder content, no statistically significant differences were observed among the various cookies. In the sensory evaluation, Cookies containing 40 mg of capsaicin obtained the highest score in color, while cookies containing 150 mg of capsaicin showed the highest score in taste, texture, and overall acceptability.


The report presents the results of research into the hydraulic transportation of South African gold slimes using data obtained over a ten year period. Commercial transporters of slurry are primarily interested in the turbulent regime of flow and the velocity at which solids start to settle out of suspension. The existing classic correlations for predicting slurry behavior, were examined and attempts were made to modify these correlations to suit the gold slimes tested. Finally, new correlations were developed which predicted the behavior more accurately.


Imaging technologies, such as reverse-time migration (RTM), generate migration images for complex structures. However, the migrations can be distorted due to undersampled acquisition geometry, limited recording aperture and illumination effects. In order to partially correct the distortions, we present multi-iteration image-domain least-squares migration (LSM) by approximating the Hessian through point spread functions (PSFs). Since information in a migration image is insufficient to uniquely determine a reasonable reflectivity model and LSM itself can cause artifacts, we include an L p -norm regularization of the difference between the migration image and the reflectivity model and a total variation (TV) regularization of the reflectivity model. The L p -norm regularization reduces artifacts and makes the reflectivity model to be similar to the migration image, while the TV regularization helps to maintain structural continuity. We illustrate the LSM through RTM. Given a migration velocity model, synthetic data for a grid of scatterer points is generated through Born modeling operators and, then, is migrated to calculate PSFs. A reflectivity model is convolved with the PSFs to match a migration image. We use a nonlinear conjugate gradient method to seek an optimal reflectivity model. Preliminary results from numerical examples show that the scheme is helpful to improve resolution and reduce artifacts in image domain and broadens spectrum in wavenumber domain.


Starting from what privileged cognitive content and dynamic model can we reach the formation of the structures and their continuous development? We will look for this "original point" in one of the favorite fields of semio-linguistic theory: the narrative relationships targeting objects instead of subjects. We will try to show that the intentionality that standardizes the narrative programs of the execution of values by subjects semiotically defined is limited by the catastrophic schematism and the "pregnantial" dynamisms that convert it. Our answer follows in accordance with the postulate that now governs some structural sciences, be they natural sciences or not. In the presentation of the epistemological diagram that accompanies reflection, we will remember the principles that have constituted the formal "price to pay" so that the theories of signification establish their autonomy. We will evoke the sophistic drifting that weighs over the category of "signifier" which is key Freudian theory and its Lacanian version. Above all, we will take into account the innovating "tools" —dynamic models of morphological organization and structuring— that, in such varied fields as narrative and plastic semiotics, myth and stereotype theory, psycho-semiotics the cognitive approaches of language and perception have modified the horizons of structuralism. Two discursive formations illustrating these questions, the "anthropological stereotypes" and ghosts will serve as final illustrations.


This is the species referred to in the first Faper on the parasites of Archips cerasivorana (Can. Ent., Vol. LXXXV, No. 1, pp. 19-30) under the name Zenillia blanda. The genus Eusisyropa was created by Townsend (Smiths. Misc. Colls., Vol. 51, p. 97, 1908) with blanda O.S. as type. In it he also included boamiae Coq.. Aldrich and Webber (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 63, Art. 7, 1924) placed these in Zenillia R.-D. but most workers agree that they collected a very heterogeneous assemblage of species under this name. As will be explained later, the efforts to subdivide the group on adult characters have not been entirely satisfactory. It seems best to use the restricted genera available until the matter has been studied in detail.


The thermal optimization of a two-dimensional membrane model is presented, with regard to typical construction features of a clamp profile. Based on a reference profile, measures of building physics like the use of insulation layers but also geometrical variations of the profile have been investigated in detail to reduce the effect of thermal bridges and heat losses. As a result the inside minimum surface temperature can be raised in order to reduce the risk of water condensation. This helps to avoid possible damages to the supporting structures. The results were used to develop a thermally optimized membrane profile, which meets both assembly engineering and statical requirements. Key features of these profiles are a significant reduction of the thermal transmittance and a complete avoidance of water condensation on the inside surfaces.


Religion is one of the basic institutions of a society. The study aims to find the religious hindrances faced by women in participating in active politics at district Charsadda, Pakistan. The nature of the study is quantitative, and the questionnaire/interview schedule used is as a tool of data collection for collecting information from the sample size of 130 respondents through simple random sampling. The primary data has analysed in univariate analyses through descriptive statistics to find the frequency and percentages of the data when. The bivariate data has been analysed by applying the Chi-square test in inferential statistics to find the association between dependent and independent the variables. The findings show that in a patriarchal society, the strong religious followers restrict women to household activities only (P=0.003). The misinterpretation of religion is another factor which keeps women outside politics (P=0.001). The study recommends that all the institutions should take necessary steps along with the leaders of religious school for building a consensus on women role in politics. They should take the initiative to create awareness about women's participation in politics and their leadership role. It would help improve women's status with a dynamic role in all spheres of life.


Rising from a chair is a fundamental movement in daily life and a prerequisite for independent functional ability. Yet, it remains one of the most biomechanically demanding activities as it requires high levels of neuromuscular coordination, muscle strength and postural control. While standing up from a seated position is often implied to be a ubiquitous skill it becomes increasingly difficult with age. To prolong the independence of elderly a novel computational design procedure for lift-assist mechanisms is presented. This procedure individualizes the dimensions of a mechanism to the natural sit-to-stand movement of the patient while complying with the limited space given by the applicable furniture. Given marker-based sit-to-stand motion data task positions are defined to carry out a finite position synthesis of a four-bar linkage that provides patient-specific guidance of a seat. The four-bar linkage combined with the lower limb of a patient generates a biologically inspired six-bar linkage. Thus, accomplishing a bio-kinematic design of linkages where this thesis provides an exemplary design session.


Abstract We make use of a natural experiment, hurricane 'Gudrun', and investigate the impact of human social interaction on attitudes towards guest workers on the labour market. Comparing attitudes between one group of Swedish forest owners that had interacted with guest workers and one that had not, differences in attitudes towards guest workers are identified concerning their labour market performance and work morale. Those who had interacted have a more positive attitude than those who had not. The experimental setting makes it possible to claim that this observed difference in attitudes was an effect of social interaction.


The machining of precision steel parts is a procedure that usually requires two types of processes: Grinding and hardening. In current industrial conditions, the two types of processes are performed in separate production stages and in separate setups. The socalled grind-hardening process combines the two processes in one, thus eliminating the need for separate setups and the related costs. In grind-hardening, the heat dissipated in the cutting area during grinding is used at the same time for the heat treatment of the workpiece. This thesis describes a modeling approach for the grind-hardening process. Analytical and numerical modeling techniques have been employed, in order to enhance the understanding of the grind-hardening mechanism and to extract a working model for the process. Some of the parameters considered are the grinding wheel type, the workpiece material, the cutting speed, the workpiece speed and the depth of cut. The model calculates the hardness penetration depth expected for a given set of process parameters. The output of the suggested model is compared against experimental data in order to estimate its accuracy and to determine any weak points. The experimental data are taken from a cylindrical grind-hardening process. The main conclusion of the thesis is that the grind-hardening process is possible and can be used for the surface hardening of steel parts. Maximum surface hardness can be achieved when sufficient quenching rate is present, which is usually the case in grind-hardening. The hardness penetration depth achieved can reach values higher than 1mm, when the proper values are selected for the parameters of the grind-hardening process.


One of the major challenges for the development of new tools for biological analysis relies on the ability to design advanced surfaces with appropriate surface chemistries and topography from micrometers down to few nanometers. For instance, structuring surfaces with adhesive and non adhesive zone in order to preferentially guide the cell growth is one of the most interesting tools for the development of cell chips and for tissue engineering. Moreover, recent works have shown that hetero functional nano-structured surfaces containing contrasted chemical response towards proteins (adhesive and repellent) lead to an increase of the immuno-reaction sensitivity recognition (= higher binding capacity) between antigens and antibodies couples, when compared to the non structured surfaces.To fulfill these requirements, plasma assisted techniques are interesting since they can provided functionalized surfaces with different chemistry with a good adhesion of several kind of materials and due to their high degree of reticulation are resistant to most of the solvent. In this presentation, we will show some examples of micro- and nano-functional surfaces provided by plasma processes in combination with optical lithography, electron beam lithography and colloidal lithography for applications in different biosensing devices.


The invention discloses a method and device for setting a focus of a camera. The present invention relates generally to auto focus algorithms for setting a focus of a camera. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method (600) and device for setting a focus of a camera wherein a camera motion level of the camera is continuously measured (S604) during the readout of pixel data by a rolling shutter image sensor and wherein the auto focus algorithm uses weighted focus measures which are calculated (S612) using the continuously measured camera motion levels.


A 68-year-old patient underwent an endoscopic control following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which showed a recurrent lesion at a previous ESD site. The 20 mm lesion, 0-IIb (Paris classification) in the lesser curvature of the gastric antrum was scheduled for removal by repeated ESD. However, the underlying fibrosis complicated the procedure to such an extent that piecemeal resection was necessary, being complemented with the application of argon-plasma coagulation. The histological examination reported intramucosal adenocarcinoma. A staging computed tomography (CT) was ordered, revealing two contiguous, hypoechoic and hypocaptant nodular lesions both in the arterial phase (Fig. 1) and the venous phase (Fig 2), in the liver (segment II) with 23 and 17 mm, adjacent to the gastric wall. An ultrasound guided liver biopsy was performed, whose findings were compatible with a liver abscess (Fig. 3). The CT findings were rather surprising. Albeit extremely unlikely, the possibility of liver metastasis in a patient with gastric (intramucosal) adenocarcinoma raised concern. There are few reports of liver abscesses after colorectal polypectomy [1, 2], but to the best of our knowledge this is the first case of a liver abscess following gastric ESD. The likely mechanism behind this finding could have been transmural injury during the ESD, similar to a post-polypectomy syndrome. In addition, the use of APC might have had a key role in this event.


The concept and application of smart city brings us enormous computing resources, but it also brings considerable computing heterogeneity. In this paper, we propose a brand new scenario of batch task offloading for vehicular cloud which maximizes the performance of offloading strategy in case of satisfying the deadline restraints and reliability requirements. To capture the sources of the service delay better, we split the task offloading process into several components, and focus on the optimization of routing and task execution. We model our problem (Batch Task Offloading for Vehicle Cloud problem with reliability restraints) in a submodular function maximizing perspective and show its NP-hardness. We present a novel greedy algorithm for offline scenario and analyze its theoretical performance. We prove our algorithm is $\left( {1 - {1 \over e}} \right)$-approximate in polynomial time. Furthermore, we study the problem in the online scenario using bandit submodular set maximizing model. We present an algorithm with regret bound $O(\text{log}^{2}\ T)$ running in a small amount of arms which can reduce the computing complexity and the number of selected arms under the same performance. We also evaluate our algorithm in a microscopic and continuous traffic simulation platform, SUMO. The result shows our algorithms (both online and offline) outperforms other existing algorithms over 20%.


The cancer cachexia syndrome is characterized by profound changes in protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in anorexia, weight loss, muscle wasting, and poor performance status. Many pharmacologic agents have been used to stimulate appetite and minimize weight loss, but few have been successful in promoting lean tissue accretion and enhancing muscle function. The purpose of this review was to investigate whether body composition can be changed with drug therapy or specific nutrient components. Multimodal strategies that include physical activity appear to be necessary to promote weight stabilization and lean body mass gain in patients with cancer cachexia.


As the band gets up to play the context has already been set. This isn't a show. It's not about the lights, the PA, the food or even the girls. There's something deeper; something worth searching for. Three and a half years ago, the staff at Central Coast Adventist School (CCAS) had a dream to provide something extra for the school students that would give them a chance to connect with God. Friday nights are known for their parties on the NSW Central Coast, as is the case in most parts of Australia. The Central Coast however, seems particularly prone to the effects of binge drinking, underage sex and teenagers who generally have little parental input into how they spend their time on weekends. It was within this context that the dream was cast to provide an alternative for teens who didn't want to get caught up in the whole party scene but, instead, wanted to seek an encounter with God. The surprising thing to note about the FUEL programs that run at CCAS is that the majority of students who attend do not come from strong Christian homes. These students have made their own decision, without any prompting from their parents, to step away from the scene their friends are caught up in and spend their Friday nights at FUEL. There is little difference between the actual program format for FUEL and that of many other church programs. There's a welcome, praise and worship music, a talk, and maybe a video. But what does set the program apart is that it's run by teens for teens. The setting up and packing up of equipment, the music, and often even the talk all happen because of the teens that help out. The 'older' staff, usually in their mid-twenties to early thirties, believe strongly in the idea of mentoring these teenagers to be leaders amongst their peers. The philosophy is that a friend, used by the Holy Spirit, may lead you into a relationship with Christ even more powerfully than perhaps an adult. Although the numbers may not be 'going through the roof' and fi nances mightn't be 'fl owing over', FUEL is defi nitely developing its own spiritual culture. And for the teens who make FUEL their 'church,' they wouldn't go without it. This isn't the church of tomorrow making a stand for the future; it's the church of today making a stand for the teens of today. TEACH "


The causes of leg length discrepancy in childhood include neurologic, musculoskeletal, tumor and vascular diseases. It may contribute secondary complications such as gait disturbance, scoliosis, hip joint arthritis or cosmetic problem etc. Acquired arteriovenous fistula is a rare cause of leg length discrepancy. Multiple vascular punctures in the neonates, especially in prematures, can result in iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula formation. We report two cases of arteriovenous fistula secondary to vascular punctures, diagnosed by color doppler ultrasonography and CT angiography. The lesions were explored and treated surgically.


In a hydroponic experiment with the seedlings of cucumber varieties "Changchun Mici"(salt-tolerant) and "Jingchun No.2"(salt-sensitive),this paper studied the effects of exogenous spermidine(Spd) on the O_2~(·) producing rate and protective enzyme activities in roots and leaves under NaCl stress.The results showed that exogenous Spd had no significant effects on the O_2~(·) producing rate and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),peroxidase(POD) and catalase(CAT) in the control,but further increased the activities of SOD,POD and CAT while decreased the O_2~(·) producing rate under salt stress,indicating that exogenous Spd could alleviate the salt stress damage on cucumber seedlings.Comparing with "Jingchun No.2",the cucumber variety "Changchun Mici" was less affected by saltstress,and the alleviation effect of exogenous Spd on salt stress damage was less in "Changchun Mici" than that "in Jinchun No.2".


Postmodern writing is depicted as a methodology that created in the time of post-The Second Great War. 'Discontinuity' is the acknowledgment of alienation of any person and is a noticeable component of postmodern writing. Kurt Vonnegut, Vladimir Nabokov, Thomas Pynchon, Ishmael Reed, John Barth and William Gaddis are some remarkable writers who have some association with postmodern writing. postmodern writing was officially started in 1972. Shafak's backing of a cosmopolitan, worldwide society, where public affiliations become old, conflicts with her open adherence to the requirements and style of the American scholarly market. 'Techno culture' is the mix of innovation with culture while 'fleeting mutilation' implies that occasions and activities in any account don't bring about sequential request, both of these attributes are utilized in postmodern writing. A connection between two abstract works is known as 'intertextuality' that is likewise a procedure utilized in postmodern writing. examine Elif Shafak's novel The forty rules of love as an impression of her endeavor to rise above social limits through fiction. Postmodern writing addresses a culture which addresses postmodern life.


This article presents an overview of coupled SPE‐CE systems that have been reported in the literature between April 2007 and June 2009. The use of in‐line and on‐line SPE‐CE is covered in this review. Special attention is paid to the use of monoliths and molecularly imprinted polymers in coupled SPE‐CE systems. Application‐oriented research is discussed in which in‐line and on‐line SPE‐CE systems have been used in biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental and food analysis. The SPE‐CE studies are presented in tables, including information on sample type, SPE sorbent, detection and LOD. Finally, some future developments that may increase the applicability of coupled SPE‐CE are highlighted.


As the Web of Things (IoT) has created throughout recent years, unlicensed radio range has become more clogged with brilliant wireless gadgets that are utilized in an assortment of use spaces, prominently the 2.4 GHz ISM band. One of the easiest and most productive answers for energy-compelled networks is the wake-up receiver (WuRx). Rather than utilizing a conventional radio, this innovation empowers energy-independent on-request communication for persistent observing. One of the WSN methods that utilizes the most investment is directing. Consequently, planning an energy-effective steering procedure is fundamental. This exploration proposes Grouped WuRx based on Multicast wake-up (CWM), a progressive Wake-up Receiver-based directing convention that all the while streamlines energy use and time productivity for indoor conditions. In our proposed technique, bunches are made inside the organization. Estimation discoveries show that, in contrast with past directing conventions, our proposed arrangement has much better execution as far as conveyance delay and further developed energy effectiveness.


Abstract In the particularity of suffering, a case is made for new approaches in research which extend beyond the methods which are common to social science and educational research. In looking at the cosmological and ontological positioning inherent in an imaginal paradigm, characteristics of what it means to live in an animated world are outlined. By elaborating what such a world looks like, epistemological and axiological differences are considered in relation to the importance of suffering. By approaching suffering as a gift from the perspectives of depth psychology and Zen Buddhism, one can gain a richer and more critical understanding of the ways new approaches open up apparently familiar issues.


In addition, I am not convinced that Cohen has offered us a "new theory of presidential leadership" (pp. 2, 12) as he claims in the introductory chapters. The two primary contextual factors Cohen points to as leading to shifts in the way presidents "go public," an increasingly fragmented media and polarized parties, are also the factors Kernell (2007) names as contributing to the increasing ineffectiveness of traditional "going public" strategies. Thus, the theory Cohen attempts to build in this book is not so much new as an update of Kernell's (2007) going public theory of presidential leadership. This does not mean that the seeds for a more elaborate "newer" theory of presidential leadership are not sown, nor does this evaluation diminish the fact that the book is a valuable and much-needed contribution to the ongoing debate about how and when presidential communication strategies matter.


Goniotomy is an effective treatment for primary infantile glaucoma. Because a cloudy cornea may prevent a clear view of the anterior chamber angle through the operating microscope, we investigated whether an endoscope can be combined with a cutting laser to perform laser goniotomy in a surgical model of primary infantile glaucoma. The anterior chambers of cadaver procine eyes were deepened with a viscoelastic material. A 300-micron-diameter silica fiber coupled to an Olympus 0.8-mm-diameter flexible fiber optic endoscope entered the anterior chambers through 4-mm corneal incisions. The anterior chamber angles were clearly observed on a videoscreen as the endoscopic fiber optic laser scalpel approached the pectinate ligaments. With the guidance of a He-Ne aiming beam, the anterior chamber angle pectinate ligaments were cut over a 160 degree arc with a pulsed Ho:YAG laser (2.1 micrometers wavelength, 50 mJ, 5 Hz repetition). The specimens were fixed in glutaraldehyde and processed for scanning electron microscopy, or fixed in formalin and processed for light microscopy. The treated area demonstrated incision of the pectinate ligaments with opening of the underlying trabecular meshwork. The edoscopic fiber optic laser scalpel is capable of cutting the pectinate ligaments in a surgical model of primary infantile glaucoma. Therefore, it may be a useful instrument for performing goniotomy when a cloudy cornea in primary infantile glaucoma prevents visualization of the anterior chamber angle with a goniotomy lens.


A narrow E-W-striking "graben" containing Mesozoic sediments is separated from the Hercynian mountain chain of the Pyrenees in the south by the North-Pyrenean fault and in the north by a detachment plane. In the region around Vicdessos and the Etang de Lers (Ariege, France), three Alpine phases of deformation are recognized: the first and strongest has an E-W-trending fold axis and a subvertical axial-plane cleavage, the second and weakest also has an E-W-trending axis but a northward dipping axial-plane cleavage, and the third a subvertical axis and subvertical N-S-striking axial-plane cleavage. The northernmost zone has ultramafic bodies consisting principally of lherzolite. This zone is also characterized by the occurrence of metamorphism and brecciation. The metamorphism is of a dynamo-thermal type, resembling the Abukumatype of metamorphism, with a climax during the first Alpine deformational phase. Petrofabric analyses of some metamorphic minerals (calcite, dolomite, phlogopite, scapolite, and tremolite) indicate that this was a flattening phase. Although the lherzolites did not suffer from the Alpine metamorphism, they show fracture cleavages of the first and the third Alpine phases. However, the lherzolites contain many more older structures, such as a layering of spinel pyroxenites, an isoclinal folding with an axial-plane cleavage, and a weak, more open folding of these structures. Petrofabric analyses of olivine, enstatite, and diopside indicate that the fabric of the lherzolites is determined by the axial-plane cleavage of the isoclinal folds (\u03b1-olivine, \u03b1-enstatite, and \u03b1-diopside lying perpendicular to the axial-plane cleavage, and \u03b3-olivine, \u03b3-enstatite, and \u03b3-diopside lying parallel to the fold axis) which arose from a pre-Alpine syntectonic recrystallization. In general, the olivine grains show a fabric habit, i.e. they are referable to a triaxial ellipsoid, the short axis perpendicular to the axial-plane cleavage, the long axis parallel to the fold axis, but these axes do not always coincide with the optic elasticity axes. All these phenomena form indications that the lherzolites intruded as solid blocks. There is no indication of a tectonic intrusion; faults in the country rock and shear zones and slickenside structures in the lherzolites are absent. The brecciation of the lherzolites, which occurred principally along their margins, and of the country rock just in the zone containing lherzolites, is definitely linked to the emplacement of the lherzolites. Indications that the breccias originated by explosions are provided by such features as the funnel-shaped breccia bodies and the discordant nature of the breccias, which cut across the bedding planes. This situation suggests that the solid intrusion of the lherzolites could have been caused by degassing of the upper mantle followed by gaseous explosions, just before the Alpine orogeny. It seems highly probable that the lherzolites originated in the upper mantle, where their pre-Alpine structures and fabric would also have been formed. The gabbroic intrusions (ophites) are truly magmatic, and are probably genetically related to the lherzolites, but this relationship would also date back to the upper mantle.


Objective To study the pregnancy outcome of threatened abortion with hemorrhage behind fetal membranes of patients. Methods Respectively analyze the 280 threatened abortion patients with hemorrhage behind the fetal membrane by Ultrasound examination,and the embryo is survival.Dividing them into two groups by hemorrhage area ratio: one group is light(observation group 1),and the other one is severe(observation group 2).Compared with the group of general abortion(Control group 1) and the group of normal pregnancy(Control group 2),and all cases of threatened abortion are treated with HCG and progesterone.Observe and record their pregnancy outcome and complication. Results The rate of spontaneous abortion of the observation group 1 is 11%,compared with the control group 1 which is 12% and the control group 2 which is 10%,the other observation indexes aren′t statistical significance(p0.05) except morbidity of gestational diabetes mellitus is higher in gestation period.The observation group 2 is compared with the control group1and the control group 2,the incidence rates of the abortion rate,FGR,fetal distress,oligohydramnios,gestational diabetes mellitus are all increase and have statistical significance(p0.05).The observation group 1 is compared with observation group 2 that the Incidence rates of the abortion rate,FGR,fetal distress,oligohydramnios,gestational diabetes mellitus and pregnancy induced hypertension are all increased and have statistical significance(p0.05).The compared result of index between the control group 1 and the control group 2 hasn′t statistical significance(p0.05). Conclusion The probability of occurrence of pregnancy complications with threatened abortion patients of severe hemorrhage behind the fetal membranes is higher,so should be enhanced the prenatal examination and be cared.


ABSTRACT Community Empowerment Program (PPM) is one of the obligations that must be implemented by the company with the Government Regulation Nomo 23 Year 2010 and through the PP Mandatory to implement it Increasing the level of awareness of quality of life, social and environmental harmonization is also affecting the business world, on the role of the company to have social responsibility. This is one of the benefits that can be learned by the company from PPM activities. In this context, Community Empowerment activities become a mandatory menu for companies, beyond the responsibilities outlined by the law. The purpose of this study is to determine the applicability of PPM in accordance with corporate vision and mandated by Government Regulation Nomo 23 of 2010 on the implementation of mineral and coal activities, and to find out what is done by the company in its implementation. Community Empowerment Programs that are part of the business, which means that not only have economic and legal obligations (shareholders or shareholders) but also obligations to other stakeholders that access them even more. - the above obligations. For PT Alamjaya Bara Pratama, attention to the company's social development with local residents, communities and employees is increasingly important. The emergence of social problems that allow the cessation of operations and expenses that will become a financial burden as well as a bad reputation and image. The problems in this study are: How to implement PPM in PT ABP. What is the PPM that has been done by PT ABP? The purpose of this research is to describe the implementation of PPM, knowing the implementation of PPM forms that have been carried out by PT ABP. Keywords: Implementation. Community Empowerment Program (PPM)


Amphibian biodiversity loss in recent years has exceeded that of all other groups of vertebrates. In this context, biodiversity hotspots represent priority targets for conservation in amphibian populations. However, little information is available on the distribution and conservation status of amphibian species within most biodiversity hotspots. Here, we characterized the distribution and conservation status of four threatened endemic amphibians (Bombina pachypus, Salamandra salamandra gigliolii, Salamandrina terdigitata, and Rana italica) in the Aspromonte Mountain region, a biodiversity hotspot in southern Italy where the conservation status of amphibians is almost unexplored. We conducted an intensive field survey of 507 potential breeding sites spanning over 2,326 km2. We found that all four species were widespread in the study area. We observed 337 species occurrences: 63 for S. s. gigliolii, 29 for S. terdigitata, 84 for B. pachypus, and 161 for R. italica. Species distribution analysis revealed that S. s. gigliolii and R. italica populations had an extended and homogenous distribution. Conversely, S. terdigitata showed a dispersed pattern, with long distances among breeding sites, and B. pachypus an aggregated pattern, associated with the availability of suitable artificial habitats. On the other hand, we reported a decrease in B. pachypus occurrence in its natural habitats, which reflects a negative trend of its populations. Overall, our results provide an encouraging framework for the conservation of amphibian populations in this area, but highlight the low coverage of threatened amphibian populations in protected areas, highlighting the need for a reassessment of conservation policies and spatial conservation planning for the Aspromonte region.


Purpose – This paper aims to present the results of a study of supply chain management (SCM) practice in small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Merseyside, UK.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire is used to identify the perceived benefits, barriers and attitudes towards SCM. The questionnaire was distributed to 250 SMEs in the Merseyside area. A total of 60 usable replies were received.Findings – The results reveal the perceived benefits of SCM to SMEs, which centre on SCM as a means to improve customer responsiveness. It also reveals concerns over SMEs' ability to adapt to these new working relationships and therefore gain the desired benefits. Analysis of these barriers highlights that they reside at the individual, relational and organisational level, thus increasing the complexity of adapting to SCM.Research limitations/implications – Given the focus of the paper, this only looked at SMEs in the Merseyside area.Practical implications – The paper provides thoughts on how SMEs can improve...


Although the edible alga Petalonia binghamiae is extensively consumed as a health-promoting food by Northeast Asians, little is known about the biomedical efficacies of P. binghamiae. In this report, we investigated the novel efficacy of P. binghamiae extract (Pb-E01) using LX-2 and HepG2 cells. Pb-E01 inhibited TGF-β1-induced cell proliferation and gene expression in LX-2 cells. In addition, Pb-E01 reduced H2O2–induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in HepG2 cells. According to these results, we suggest that Pb-E01 plays a functional role in suppressing liver fibrogenesis.


Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine those areas of agricultural and religious life that intersected with each and influenced the way people thought of God (or the gods). We will start with the premise that in the Ancient Near East religion was intrinsically connected to agriculture and fertility, though not entirely defined by them. It is also plausible that people shared a concept of God (gods) that at times was shaped by their interaction with natural phenomena like rain, drought, storms, flooding, and animal and crop plagues. In this sense, scholars have noted the connection between "fertility" and religious life, even though some remain caution of pushing this connection too far. To evaluate the strength of this idea we will examine a number of cultic texts that appear to have presumed the link between weather, agriculture and religion. In particular, we will focus on references to weather/ storm/ fertility gods. In the later part of our study, we will ask to what extent Biblical men and women were influenced by Ancient Near Eastern religious thought. We will also explore the concept of the link between agriculture, weather and religion in Greek religious texts.


IN HIS PREFACE to the posthumous edition of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion Henry Austen cited his sister's now-famous description of her style of composition: "What should I do with your ... spirited Sketches ...?" she wrote to her nephew Edward (16 December 1816). "How could I possibly join them on to the little bit (two Inches wide) of Ivory on which I work with so fine a Brush ...?" Since its 1817 "publication" the combined image of the ivory and the brush has come to stand as a measure of Austen's brilliance. We continue to admire and marvel. How can she so effectively transform the micro into the macro? How do we (how does she) get from the "two inches" to the broad, satirical critique of her society? "The three Sisters" is a little gem that amply rewards close examination. (1) In a variety of ways it represents a sort of paradigm of Jane Austen's bit of ivory and shows her fine brush at work as she deftly creates her characters, their contexts, their predicaments. Its bare bones show the young author to be adhering to her preferred subject, as later recommended in a letter to her niece Anna, of "3 or 4 Families in a Country Village" (9 September 1814). The story centers on the Stanhope family: three daughters--Mary, Sophy, Georgiana--and a widowed mother. Two of the Stanhope sisters have confidantes with whom they frequently correspond: Fanny and Anne, the two correspondents, are most likely from the same neighborhood since they are on such intimate terms with Mary and Georgiana, and share a knowledge of their family and its dynamics (perhaps they too are sisters). The Stanhopes' immediate friends, Jemima and Kitty Dutton, live within walking distance. Mr. Watts, in search of a bride, must also live nearby. Georgiana describes him as "Our neighbour" (61), and he is often to be found at the Stanhopes' home. The apparent outsider, Mr. Brudenell, is nonetheless on comfortable terms with the Duttons and evidently connected to their family by marriage. We know that the community is comprised of more families since the giving of balls is assumed, but these are the few that Austen focuses on. Here is one way in which "The three Sisters" is a little bit of ivory. "The three Sisters" (composed in 1792 or 1793) is a short fragment, consisting of four letters (Georgiana's first consists of two parts, written on a Wednesday and a Friday, so perhaps we should say there are actually five). Yet despite its brevity "The three Sisters" manages to blend important elements of both "Love and Friendship" (1790) and Catharine (1792): it includes the satirical hilarity of the early juvenilia, as epitomized in the sparkling "Love and Friendship"; and, along with the elegant Catharine, it foreshadows the mature novels. Together, the burlesque and the realistic cooperate to enhance Austen's social and moral message, revealing the corrupt tendencies of her society and allowing for the development of her protagonists. As Margaret Drabble remarks, "In some of the shorter fragments there are also hints of another Jane Austen, a fiercer, wilder, more outspoken more ruthless writer, with a dark vision of human motivation (how brilliantly those three sisters battle, in unredeemed sibling rivalry!) ..." (xiv). So as it ranges from parody to darker social satire, "The three Sisters" is also a true bit of ivory. There are many reasons that we are drawn, and re-drawn, to Jane Austen's juvenile works--and to their spirited author. They show her literary precocity, and the ways she was commenting on what she'd been reading and thinking about as she developed her own style and agenda. In their wit and adolescent energy the juvenilia show her unabashed iconoclasm, and effervesce with a sense of irreverent mischief. As Margaret Doody notes, the juvenilia are "disconcertingly sophisticated" (103). "Jane Austen," says A. Walton Litz, "was a supremely conscious artist, and the best evidence of her awareness lies in her incisive criticism of the fiction of her own age, [which can be] found in the burlesques and parodies of her early career" (3). …


A state-space representation of a dynamic system for one-dimensional sound reflection and transmission is developed. The state-space modeling is the first step for future development of an active noise control system using modern control synthesis tools. In contrast to a classical frequency-domain description, the state model allows direct computation of the system's time response and provides a forum for modern control synthesis, which leads to an optimal control algorithm. Based on the governing wave equation, the state model is derived using a finite difference technique combined with analytical expressions. Numerical simulation of the dynamic system model is presented, which shows a good agreement with the frequency-domain solutions. Discretization errors are investigated and improved by using nonuniform grids