Customer relationship management (CRM) is the concept of using process, information, technology, and people to manage the organization's interactions with customers. SMEs have to implement CRM practices into their business to achieve competitive advantage over its rivals. The adoption rate of CRM among SMEs in developing countries is low due to the absence of some important factors to guide the adoption of CRM. A pilot study was undertaken to investigates the effect of technological, organizational, and environmental factors on CRM adoption in developing countries, specifically in Palestinian SMEs. This study uses a quantitative approach by employing questionnaire to collect data from 35 randomly sampled participants from different managerial levels who were requested to answer questionnaire items online. Out of the 35 questionnaires distributed, 33 were returned and three questionnaires were rejected. The results show that compatibility, IT infrastructure, complexity, relative advantage, security, top Management Support, information policies, employee engagement financial resources, customer pressure and competitive pressure are capable of acting as a predictor for CRM adoption among Palestinian SMEs.


This experiment was conducted to study the developmental change patterns of pituitary GH gene expression of different duck breed during embryonic and neonatal development.In present study,the materials of test were'Gaoyou'duck and'Jinding'duck,which had the great difference in growth rate.The GH gene expression patterns of pituitary were compared between'Gaoyou'and'Jinding'duck using real-time quantitative PCR method.The results showed that the GH mRNA was detected in two duck breeds from E13(13 embryo age)to D7(7days)in the pituitary.The GH mRNA in pituitary of'Gaoyou' was increased rapidly from E13 to D7(P0.05or P0.01).While a different pattern exhibited in'Jinding'ducks,the GH mRNA in pituitary was increased rapidly from E13 to D7(P0.01),except from E17 to E21(P0.05).0n E13,E15,E17 and E25,the GH mRNA expression level in pituitary of'Jinding' were higher than that of'Gaoyou',but there were no significant difference(P0.05).But a reversed correlation was observed on E21and D7,the'Gaoyou'showed higher than the'Jinding'(P0.05),displaying a negative relationship with the hatching growth rate.The results indicated that the GHgene expression in pituitary has the embryo/days age-dependence and significant species characteristics,and has an important effect on the early growth of the animal.


The present study was designed to confirm the factor structure of Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-ROCI-III, (Rahim, 2009).Participants were managers and executive managers (N=300) of top and middle management from different public, private and multinational banking sector organizations of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, having one year working experience in current organization, within the age range of 30-60 years with equal representation of gender. Confirmatory Factor Analysis on the 24 items of Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory—III was performed with AMOS using Structure Equation Modeling. The results provided support for the four-factor structure of the ROCI-III inventory including; Substantive, Affective, Masquerading and Transforming conflicts.


Introduction Chapter 1: Desire and Excess Chapter 2: Limit Experiences, Difference, Repetition, and Singularity Chapter 3: Surprise Chapter 4: The Properly Aesthetic Experience and Knowledge Chapter 5: Desire||Surprise and the Irreducible in an Aesthetic Encounter Conclusion


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a topical formulation containing imidacloprid and permethrin for eradication of a patent flea (Ctenocephalides felis) and mite (Cheyletiella parasitovorax and Listrophorus gibbus) infestation in rabbits. Sixteen adult rabbits from a rabbit husbandry were enrolled in the study. Rabbits were treated with 40 mg imidacloprid and 200 mg permethrin dermally as spot-on on Day 0. No other treatment or environmental decontamination was performed during the trial. Prior to treatment followed by 14, 28, and 42 days post treatment, all rabbits were Vol4Iss4.qxp 12/18/2006 5:23 AM Page 320


According to Xis academic viewpoint "Arthritis is caused by kidney-spleen asthenia and internal dampness accumulation","Xis Tongfengling" was made and employed to treat primary gout in 516 case and renal damage in 144 cases.Results showed excellent effect in 350 cases,good effect in 118 cases,improvement in 24 cases and failure in 24 cases in reducing serum uric acid and controlling the relapse of arthritis in a short time,the total effective rate being 95.34%;3~10-year follow-up in 464 cases showed excellent and good effect in 415 cases(89.44%), P 0.001 between pre-treatment and post-treatment.In the 144 cases of renal damage,92 cases obtained effectiveness among the 102 cases of slight renal damage and the effective rate was 90.19%;28 cases got effectiveness among the 37 cases of middle renal damage and the effective rate was 75.68%;the total effective rate was 86.33%.


To solve the problem of motion feature extraction in behavior recognition, a new method based on Three Order Frame Difference. The new method can extract the degree of vary motion features, such as size, coherence of motion size, coherence of motion. Experiment shows that the new method has a high speed, and veracity.


The present invention provides an optical device and an optical device, the optical device can be reduced while preventing the intrusion of unnecessary light inside the optical thickness of the device. The optical device according to the present invention comprises: a device substrate has an opening portion on a surface extending substantially perpendicular through 2 10, comprising embedding portion is embedded in the device substrate 10 and a portion extending from the buried and exposed device substrate 10 is formed the conductive portion of the terminal portion 12, light transmissive member covering the opening portion 2 of the first opening 6, the second openings and a cover portion 2 and the conductive portion 12 is connected and at the same time and the translucent member opposite to the surface forming the optical element chip 5 of the optical element emits light or receives light. Terminal portion of the conductive portion 12 is directly assembled to the wiring board portion 101 of the assembly 14, and the substrate 10 and the surface of the device is substantially flush.


Triticum dicoccoides(2n=4x=28,AABB) is the donor of A and B genomes to T.aestivum L.(2n=6x=42,AABBDD).It has the super characters such as large grain,high protein content,resistance to powdery mildew,stripe rust and leaf rust,etc.Many studies have been carried out on its drought resistance,salt tolerance,insect resistance and so on.It has been also used for wheat improvement.In this paper,the study on Triticum dicoccoides and its application on wheat improvement were reviewed to provide basis for wheat genetic and quality improvement and new variety breeding.


Purpose:To evaluate the therapectic effects of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) on the treatment of acute leukemia and malignant solid tumors. Methods:Eleven patients with acute leukemia and malignant solid tumors were treated by PBSCT from December 1999 to March 2004. One of them was ALL-L_(2), 1ANLL-M_(1), 1ANLL-M_(3),1ANLL-M_(5b), 4NHL,1HD,1breast cancer,1malignant melanoma. In one patient who received allogeneic PBSCT, the donor received rhG-CSF at a dose of 10ug/kg/d by subcutaneous injection for 5d for PBSCT mobilization. Other patients received autologous PBSCT (APBSCT) combined with chemotherapy regimen followed by rhG-CSF. PBSCT were collected in two phases for mononuclear cell (MNC) of (5.91±2.34)×10~(8)/kg.,CD_(34) ~(+) cell (14.05±6.65)×10~(6)/kg.,and CFU-GM ((4.80)±2.80)×10~(5)/kg. Three patients received FTBI+CTX±Ara-c,8 patients high-dose chemotherapy (CTX,Vp-16,Ara-c,DTIC,BCNU〕as conditioning regimen respectively. Results:All patients were grafted and hematopoietic reconstitution was rapid. (6±1) days after transplantation,WBC was 0×10~(9)/L; (7±1) days after transplantation,PLT was below to 30×10~(9)/L.The days of WBC recovery were (11±2) days up to 1.0×10~(9)/L,ANC (11±2) days up to 0.5×10~(9)/L and PLT (13±3) days up to 50×10~(9)/L. Of the patients, 3 died of liver function exhaustion or disease relapse 1-12 months after transplantation , 2 are still alive with disease for 3-5 months , but others are still alive and disease-free for 3-64 months. Conclusions:PBSCT is a safe therapeutic option that can significantly improve in acute leukemia and malignant solid tumors.


. It is a mistake to assume that science and religion are competing accounts of the same subject matter, so that either science supersedes religion or religion anticipates science. Using the question of cosmic origins as an example, I argue that the basic task of religion is not the scientific one of establishing the most accurate acccunt of the origin of the universe. Rather, as illustrated from Jewish, Hindu, Chinese, and Buddhist thought, religion uses a variety of cosmologies to help specify the necessary terms and conditions on which human social life is possible in particular ecological niches.


The sorption behavior of wool powders for three acid dyes (C. I. Acid Red 88, C. I. Acid Red 13 and C. I. Acid Red 18) and a basic dye (methylene blue) was investigated as a function of pH and temperature. The sorption capacity of wool powders depends on the pH of dye solution. The maximum uptake of acid dyes and methylene blue by wool powders occurred at pH 2.5 and pH 7.5, respectively. The effect of pH on the sorption of the hydrophilic dyes (C. I. Acid Red 13 and C. I. Acid Red 18) was more significant than that of the uptake of the hydrophobic dye (C. I. Acid Red 88). Increasing temperature enhanced the dye sorption ability of coarse wool powders, but did not impact that of fine wool powders. The dye-absorption models of wool powders agree with the Langmuir isotherm. Comparison to activated charcoal and other sorbents indicates that fine wool powders have excellent dye sorption capacity even at room temperature, and may be used as a potential sorbent. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010


Leucite has been widely used as a constituent of dental ceramics to modify the coefficient of thermal expansion. This is most important where the ceramic is to be fused or baked onto metal. However, its physical property was unpredictable since it was sensitive to several parameters such as sintering temperature and concentration of raw materials. In this research study, leucite ceramic particles were synthesized by in-house sol-gel process. The morphology and size of our synthesized leucite particles were analyzed by SEM, vicker hardness and XRD, respectively. It was revealed that the sintering temperature played the important role on several properties of leucite ceramic particles.


This paper describes the nature and benefits of a newly released military standard that was developed in cooperation with the Aircraft Store Integration Subcommittee (AS-1B) of SAE's Avionics Systems Division. MIL-STD-3014, Department of Defense Interface Standard for Mission Data Exchange Format or MiDEF, is an open-systems standard for binary data files that transport mission-specific programming data for precision munitions, uninhabited combat vehicles, and similar systems. For system developers and mission capability architects, MiDEF's benefits are its independence from communications protocols, flexibility and adaptability, evolution-oriented design, compact file size, and ease of use. MiDEF is designed to support current military evolution toward network-centric warfare, time-sensitive targeting, and precision munitions.


In pebble-bed reactor core, lattice models can be changed and even varies with the changing position of pebble. This sort of thing can be found mainly in the area near the vessel wall. Lattice model applied also depends on the procedure how the cylindrical vessel filled. Some lattice models such as SC, BCC, FCC, SH and HCP often used in the high temperature reactor to treat kernel randomness in the graphite matrix and pebble fuel in the reactor core. In this paper a series of calculations of the reactor multiplication factor ( keff ) conducted with various model of kernel and pebble lattices. The effect of lattice combination which implies on neutronics performance of HTR pebble-bed design is analyzed utilizing the Monte Carlo transport code MCNP5 and continuous energy nuclear data library ENDF/B-VI. MCNP5 calculations show consistency with the keff values which are almost the same for all combinations of kernel and pebble lattices , but if observed further appears that the keff value is more dependent on pebble lattice than kernel lattice kernel. Kernel l atti ce provides only a less significant effect. The results of keff predictions of all lattice combination s conclude that whatever kernel lattice model utilized , the BCC pebble lattice model is better adopted in the calculation of HTR pebble-bed design with UO2, PuO2 and ThO2/UO2 f uel .


A vascular compression hemostatic closure device, a fixing belt is connected at the end edge of a base seat, a screw hole seat is in the middle of the base seat, the screw hole seat is matched with the handle of a screw rod, a central connecting rod is threaded through the handle center of the screw rod, a pressed plate is connected at the lower end of the central connecting rod, an indicating needle perpendicular to the central connecting rod is at the upper end of the central connecting rod, a rotating disk is at the upper end of the handle of the screw rod, the inner part of the rotating disk is hollow, the indicating needle of the central connecting rod is on the hollow inner part at the inner part of the rotating disk, the top end surface of the rotating disk is transparent, a scale disk matched with the rotating disk is on the rotating disk. The fixing belt is non-sensitive adhesive tape. The fixing belt is the nylon fastener tape. A soft sleeve or a cushion is outside the pressed plate at lower end of the central connecting rod end. The vascular compression hemostatic closure device is the hemostatic device. The device is designed the physical pressurization mode, adopting the spiral handle and the non-toxic and colorless high molecular material, the compression haemostasia can be independently adjusted according to the practical situation, the stable hemostatic compression is provided for the patient, the labor intensity of the doctor is lightened, and the hemostatic success rate of the patient is improved after the operation. The product structure is simple, the operation is convenient, and being stable and reliable.


The paper first brings an overview of spoken interaction in FL and flipped learning principles. This overview is followed by a thorough didactic report on how these two processes can be merged, how teaching materials can be prepared, and how the teaching and learning process can be systematically developed in order to extensively support learners' efforts to speak at level B1 in Italian as a FL. Both positive and less positive aspects of a one-semester project are discussed. Finally, some conclusive glotodidactic implications stemming from the experience are proposed.


Seasonal changes and ecology of phytoplankton in mangrove reserves in Futian,Shenzhen were studied.Totally 75 species belonging to 25 genera in 5 phyta were identified,among which 68 taxa in 21 genera belonged to Bacillariophyta,1 taxa in 1 genera for Cyanophyta and Pyrrophyta,and 3 taxa in 1 genera for Euglenophyta and Chlorophyta,respectively.Density varied from 1.0×106 to 5.0×106 ind./L,and average density was 2.7×106 ind./L.Redtide causive species and pollution-tolerance species such as Thalassiosira weissflogii and Cyclotella caspia were dominant in phytoplankton.Benthic,epiphytic and freshwater species occurred frequently.Comparison with former study,phytoplankton community in mangrove reserves of Futian were characterized by smaller species,less species number,increasing density and more pollution-tolerance species,showing eutrophic and deteriorated water.


The frequency invariant beamforming for microphone arrays is of great interest in practice for distortionless acoustic signal acquisition. Several design approaches for frequency invariant beamformers (FIBs) have been proposed in the literature. However, most of these approaches assume the ideal microphone characteristics, whose performance deteriorates greatly in the presence of microphone mismatches. To deal with this problem, a robust FIB design approach using least squares criterion is proposed in this paper, which takes the microphone statistical characteristics into consideration. Design examples are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design approach.


This paper presents a CAD tool which incorporates several approaches to the design of reliable checkers for control units (devices which control the operation of other devices). Part of the approaches are traditional, part original. The main contribution of this paper is the automation of the design of checkers for lookup-table (LUT) based FPGA architecture, with aspiration to minimum hardware.


Both the tradition of western hermeneutics and the tradition of Chinese hermeneutics have realized receptivity and creativity in understanding and interpretation.Gadamer transformed Heidegger's ontological receptivity into a form of hermeneutic creativity to be described as philosophical hermeneutics,Yijingestablishes the onto-hermeneutic circle of heaven-earth-and-man.The world is not just being experienced receptively but experienced creatively.Gua and yao system in Yijingfully embodies understanding creativity on the onto-generative-hermeneutic level.


FIELD: organic chemistry of heterocyclic compounds, pharmacy. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to new bicyclic heteroaromatic compounds of the general formula (I): wherein R 1 represents phenyl optionally substituted with NHR 5 or OR 5 ; R 2 represents (C 1 -C 4 )-alkyl or phenyl; R 5 represents phenylcarbonyl, (C 4 -C 6 )-heterocycloalkylcarbonyl, (C 2 -C 8 )-alkenylsulfonyl and others; Y represents nitrogen atom (N); Z represents -NH 2 or -OH. A represents sulfur atom (S) or a bond; B represents -N(H) or oxygen atom (O); X1-X2 represent C=C, -NH-C(O), C=N and others; Proposed compounds show agonistic activity with respect to LH receptor and can be used in medicine. EFFECT: valuable medicinal properties of compounds. 10 cl, 34 ex


In modern times continuous casting is the preferred way to convert molten steel into solid forms to enable further processing. At Columbus Stainless the continuous casting machine cast slabs of constant thickness with varying width. One important aspect of the continuously cast strand that must be controlled, is the strand width. The strand width exiting from the casting machine, has a direct influence on the product yield which in turn influences the profitability of the company. In general, the strand width control on the austentic and ferritic type steels achieved is excellent with the exception of the 12% chrome non stabilised ferritic steel. This steel type exhibited different strand width changes when a sequence of different heats was cast. The strand width changes corresponded to the different heats in the sequence. Each heat has a unique chemistry and a relationship between the austenite and ferrite fraction at high temperature and the resulting strand width change was explained by Siyasiya. The relationship between the heat composition and width change has in the past resulted in the development of a model that enabled the prediction of the expected width change of a specific heat before it is cast to enable preventative action to be taken. This model has been implemented as an on-line prediction model in the production environment with very encouraging results. This study was initiated


Today there are few places unexplored. Travellers extend their map and manage to reach the last place on earth looking for sensations. In this relentless pursuit of novelty, travelers can find the answer on the African continent, which in recent years has been claimed by adventure travel, safari, nature, etc. but there is a new reason for the traveler come to Africa, Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a nation that has over 3000 years of history and and projects a bright future. It is the headquarters of the African Union, and political stability is attracting industry and tourism. From north to south, Ethiopia represents a return to the past; It is a country in love for their scenic beauty, its people, architectural wonders and intact and free nature. This year for the first time at the International Tourism Fair Ethiopia had an official stand, as in previous editions have attended agencies and tour operators offering a timid traveler gateway. In spite of the fact that last year, the panic dramatic because of ebola virus has caused a break in the number of visitors to Equatorial Africa, the figures for the country cradle of humanity seems to grow gradually by World Bank data. The cultural traveler has discovered a new gateway to Africa through Ethiopia. UNESCO's World Heritage List includes nine sites in the country, and five areas are waiting to be evaluated by your committee. The world of publishing books has also noticed this interest and there is already a guide in English about Ethiopia It is possible that the twenty-first century was the Ethiopian renaissance.


In this paper we present an account of the current intervention that has been done in the industrial site of the first mechanized textile factory in Latin America, called by their founders: Estevan de Antunano and Gumersindo Savinon, "La Constancia Mexicana". The Company Town or working-class Hamlet was built, in a first stage that goes from 1835-1847 on the sides of the main factory building over the ancient "calpanerias" of the laborers carried of the former hacienda Santo Domingo, "peones acasillados" and whose remains, along with quadrilateral working class houses founded towards the end of the 19th century. Both sites bring together a unique heritage space in the region and the country. Some other representative elements of the manufacturing system and its evolution until the end of 1991 are described and how they are actually reused in the current cultural and musical Centre. An interpretation centre has been proposed for better understanding of whole site by future visitors.


Sierra Leone has no national population policy; however the government is promoting numerous programs which impact on population problems and in 1983 the government established a National Population Commission. A number of government health programs seek to reduce mortality and morbidity particularly for mothers and children. Government programs provide 1) maternal and child health (MCH) care primary health care and immunization services; 2) training for traditional birth attendants community health nurses and paramedical personnel; 3) child spacing and fertility advisory services at some government MCH centers; and 4) construction of health centers. In addition the government supports the inclusion of UN Fund for Population Activities Fertility Advisory Services in the programs of several MCH centers and with assistance from the US Agency for International Development is planning to make family planning services available at 120 MCH centers. The government is also supportive of the activities of the Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone. Abortion is legal only in cases where the life of the mother is in jeopardy. Sierra Leone has no specific policies aimed at population redistribution; however government agricultural development programs to equalize economic conditions in rural and urban areas should help reduce migration to urban centers. The National Population Commission is charged with the tasks of 1) formulating a national population policy 2) promoting family planning and 3) coordinating and promoting population activities in reference to development policies and program. The commission members represent a broad spectrum of the community and the commission is composed of a working committee and a secretariat. A number of task forces are currently developing recommendations in the areas of fertility mortality morbidity migration labor population law women in development policy and the environment and population information dissemination.


Hundreds of popular mobile apps today market their ties to mindfulness. What activities do these apps support and what benefits do they claim? How do mindfulness teachers, as domain experts, view these apps? We first conduct an exploratory review of 370 mindfulness-related apps on Google Play, finding that mindfulness is presented primarily as a tool for relaxation and stress reduction. We then interviewed 15 U.S. mindfulness teachers from the therapeutic, Buddhist, and Yogic traditions about their perspectives on these apps. Teachers expressed concern that apps that introduce mindfulness only as a tool for relaxation neglect its full potential. We draw upon the experiences of these teachers to suggest design implications for linking mindfulness with further contemplative practices like the cultivation of compassion. Our results also speak to the importance of coherence in design: that the metaphors and mechanisms of a technology align with the underlying principles it follows.


Describes research designed to detect subtle regional tree growth trends related to sulfate (SO4) deposition in the Lake States. Correlation methods were used to analyze climatic and SO4 deposition. Effects of SO4 deposition are greater on climatically stressed trees, especially pine species on dry sites, than on unstressed trees. Jack pine growth shows the strongest correlation to both climate and acid deposition.


Nypa (Nypa fruticans Wurmb) has considered to have high potential for producing ethanol. This research was mainly focus on investigation to find: (1) influence of enzyme concentration and hydrolysis duration in producing reducing sugar from nypa midrib and (2) influence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae concentration and duration of fermentation process to convert the nypa midrib reducing sugar for producing ethanol. Experiments consisted of hydrolysis and fermentation processes. In hydrolysis process, two factors were tested, i.e. concentration of cellulase enzyme (5 ml, 10 ml, and 25 ml) and duration of hydrolysis process (12 hour, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48, hours, and 60 hours). Three replications were applied for each treatment. The best result of the hydrolysis was applied in fermentation experiments. Two factors, i.e. concentration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (12.5% (v/v), 25% (v/v), and 37.5% (v/v)) and fermentation duration (4 days, 6 days, 8 days). Experiment results indicated that application of 5 ml of enzyme concentration and 12 hours duration of hydrolysis gave highest production of reducing sugar in hydrolysis process. Highest production of ethanol was gained by application of 37.5% concentration of S. cerevisae and 144 hours of fermentation process.


The space and time configurations of the dissociation of $^8$He into $^6$He+$n$+$n$, on C and Pb targets, have been explored simultaneously for the first time. The final-state interactions in the $n$-$n$ and $^6$He-$n$ channels are successfully described within a model that considers independent emission of neutrons from a Gaussian volume with a given lifetime. The dissociation on C target exhibits a dominant sequential decay through the ground state of $^7$He, consistent with neutrons being emitted from a Gaussian volume of $r_{nn}^{\rm{rms}}\!=\,$7.3$\pm$0.6 fm with a $n$-$n$ delay in the sequential channel of 1400$\pm$400 fm/$c$, in very good agreement with the lifetime of $^7$He. The lower-statistics data on Pb target correspond mainly to direct breakup, and are well described using the $n$-$n$ volume measured, without any $n$-$n$ delay. The validity of the phenomenological model used is discussed.


In the following article I shall argue for introducing what seems to me to be an important semiotic distinction, namely the opposition language TRANSMissiON/language EXPLICATION and I shall discuss an intermediate case of TRANSMISSIONANDEXPLICATION through tautological proverbs. Both explication and transmission of a language presuppose: — an object, — an instrument, and — an act of explication (transmission).


"Activation energy" may be observed as a procedure of testing weld metals to guess from the numerical magnitude of that energy whether the weld metal is stable or unstable with regard to the atomic arrangement.This procedure will also help in deciding proper uses of several types of electrodes according to their characteristics."Activation energy" observation should be carried out to the same extent as various other mechanical tests, especially in the case of a weld metal in which high temperature was used.


Disclosed is by irradiation of sunlight, it relates to a golf ball which changes color to clear other color from white, more particularly photochromic compound uniformly dispersed in the cover layer or the transparent coating layer of a golf ball, mixed by being in the shade by irradiation white golf ball of sunlight, it relates to a golf ball that emits bright and vivid hue. A photochromic golf ball of the present invention (1) includes a core ball (2), wherein surrounding the core ball (2), a cover layer number of dimples formed and (3), said cover layer ( in photochromic golf ball of two pieces structure comprised of 3) clearcoat layer formed on the (4), said cover layer (3) or the transparent coating layer (4) and comprising a photochromic compound to.


BackgroundNonsurgical approaches have been introduced for the treatment of trichoepitheliomas, including erbium-YAG and CO2 lasers. Diode lasers have been used for the treatment of skin tumors such as hemangiomas and neurofibromas. ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a diode laser for the treatment of trichoepitheliomas. Patients and methodsEleven patients with multiple trichoepitheliomas were treated with a continuous wave diode laser (980 nm) at a power of 5 W. Sessions were performed biweekly for a maximum of six sessions. Assessments of the patients' lesions by count and size regression were performed before treatment and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The patients were followed up for 12 months. A histopathologic evaluation was carried out before treatment and at 1 month after the end of treatment, of completely cleared lesions. ResultsTen patients completed the study. They received a mean of 3±1.7 laser sessions (range 1–6 sessions). A significant reduction in the mean number of lesions (P<0.05) was found on the treated sites of the face. Excellent improvement was observed in six (60%) patients, whereas good improvement was observed in three (30%). One patient showed mild improvement, and hyperpigmentation occurred in one. Histopathologic evaluation of completely cleared lesions showed restoration of normal skin histology. ConclusionDiode laser treatment for trichoepitheliomas is a novel, minimally invasive technique that produced promising results. It involves minimal downtime, with no scarring. Although recurrence of lesions is possible, this was not observed during the follow-up period.


A reflection on human salvation, considering the long debates on this theme in the past and their repercussions, seems to be difficult and might be compared to entering dangerous territory. Our modern world, as Alasdair MacIntyre observes, resembles the situation after the explosion of an atomic bomb, the result of which is the fission of particles which earlier constituted an intuitive unity (vide "the fragmentation of ethical standards"). They cease to appeal through their coherence and cannot be put together like pieces of a puzzle. It is necessary to unite them again and create a coherent vision similar to the one presented by Thomas Aquinas. Remi Brague referring to this situation during Symposium Thomisticum in Paris in 2016 postulated the need to return to Thomas and the Middle Ages as a synthesis, but what is required is Aquinas Aquinans, non Aquinatum. It is not a simple concordism, but the art of creating the ordo. Not surprisingly, this is what Pope Francis postulates and it is similar to what Thomas suggested himself when writing his Summa Theologiae for beginners. Even the introduction, which criticizes "excessive overloading with useless questions [in theological books] ... [which] are not presented in a systematic way ...and frequent return to the same theme resulting in boredom of mind and confusion..."1) testifies to the ordo and ordinatur being more than a linguistic habit. This is the focus on fundamental concepts which help Christians understand their salvation and how to live it now. The essence of Aquinas' recipe is associated with the project of the Summa. However, in modern theology, and in soteriology in particular, there exists a specific patchwork; like the particles of MacIntyre's theory there are numerous terms which create arbitrary configurations of models, frequently deprived of coherence.


Bias in grant allocation is a critical issue, as the expectation is that grants are given to the best researchers, and not to applicants that are socially, organizationally, or topic-wise near-by the decision-makers. In this paper, we investigate the effect of organizational proximity, defined as an applicant with the same affiliation as one of the panel members (a near-by panelist), on the probability of getting a grant. This study is based on one of the most prominent grant schemes in Europe, with overall excellent scientists as panel members. Various aspects of this organizational proximity are analyzed: Who gains from it? Does it have a gender dimension? Is it bias, or can it be explained by performance differences? We do find that the probability to get funded increases significantly for those that apply in a panel where there is a panelist from the institution where the applicant has agreed to use the grant. At the same time, the effect differs between disciplines and countries, and men profit more of it than women do. Finally, depending on how one defines what counts as the best researchers, the near-by panelist effect can be interpreted as preferential attachment (quality links to quality) or as bias and particularism.


The two plates of pewter were presented to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1870 in a small oaken chest, which also contained, amongst other articles, a note by the donor stating that the chest had been preserved in a gipsy family before coming into his possession and was known as the Charter Chest of the celebrated Border gipsy, Johnny Faa and his descendants. The plates are stamped with the marks of the members of the Edinburgh Pewterers craft. It is argued that they are samples of pewter of approved quality, on which each master pewterer has stamped his mark as an acknowledgment of his obligation to employ pewter of at least that fineness in making his wares.


We discuss the use of the Fourier fast transform technique in the determination of stellar rotational velocities and its applicability to slow rotators. Specifically, we identify the limiting (smallest) rotational velocity that can be measured as a function of the resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of the observations. We apply this technique to new observations of five T Tauri stars with strong emission. The first measurements of v sin i for one of these stars, LkHα 264, are presented


Syndiotactic polystyrene was efficiently prepared in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst composed of (η 5 -cyclopentadienyl)tribenzyloxytitanium and methylaluminoxane (MAO) as a cocatalyst. Influences of various polymerization conditions, e.g., [Ti], [MAO], [St], temperature and the content of retained trimethylaluminium (TMA) in MAO on the catalytic activity, syndiotacticity and molecular weight of the polymer were studied. It was found that the retained TMA plays an important role in the polymerization. Lowering the retained TMA content in MAO decreases the activity of the catalyst remarkably. Addition of external alkylaluminium (TMA or triisobutylaluminium) into the catalyst system with MAO containing low amounts of retained TMA promotes styrene polymerization.


The theory of fuzzy transform (F-transform) is one of seldom examples where a well elaborated theory has many real-life applications. This theory appeared as a functional model of fuzzy IF-THEN rules and collected all principal features of the latter. The F-transform successfully links classical mathematics with modern and extensively developing soft computing theories: integral transformations and approximating operators in fuzzy rough theory, fuzzy relation compositions and discrete convolutions, topological categories, and functional spaces. It has many applications in computer vision and image processing, signal processing, time series analysis, numerical analysis and differential equations, data mining, etc. In the recent ten years, the theory of F-transform became an important constituent in the field of computational intelligence. The exceptional feature of the F-transform is that it successfully and efficiently copes with classical problems as well as with problems that are affected by uncertainty or vagueness. In image and signal processing, the F-transform effectively solves problems connected with the up(down-) scaling, reconstruction, edge detection, fusion, registration, etc. In time series analysis, the F-transform is used for trend extraction and reduction of noise. In the big data area, it works as a successful method of pattern recognition. The F-transform is one of the most distinguished examples that justify the claim: "fuzzy methods are useful and effective on all levels of data processing!"


This paper reviews local and bio-sourced materials for construction through their thermomechanical characteristics, but with an emphasis on their thermal conductivity that allows us to assess the thermal performance (insulation) of these materials. Then, we discuss the energy problems in Mauritania, while highlighting the local and bio-sourced materials existing in this country. These materials could be an alternative to solve these energy problems. Finally, we focus on the thermal performance of Typha Australis, a plant that grows abundantly in fresh water mainly in Senegal and Mauritania, which would have good advantages over the thermal performance of the building.


This article discusses the problem of introducing the modern Internet resources in the teaching of German. The use of digital dictionaries should have clear objectives in accordance with their capabilities to achieve optimal results. The use of the Digital Dictionary of the German Language (DWDS) with the support of the translation service in students research activities can enrich their speech with a lot of linguistic resources. Autonomy and active participation in the learning allow students to become independent users and solve language problems successfully.


A lateral deltoid exercise machine comprising: a stationary main frame (14, 114); a support user (12, 112) adapted to support a user in a sitting position exercise; a set of arm exercise (15, 115) having arms of left and right exercise (50, 150) each pivotally mounted in relation to the structure (14, 114) and configured for movement out and upwards from the rest positions respective on opposite sides of the user support (12, 112), each arm exercise (50, 150) has a coupling part of the forearm (58, 160), in which engaging part of the forearm (58, 160) is adapted for engagement by the respective forearms of a user to perform an exercise side deltoid when the user is supported in a position out in the user support (12, 112 ); and a load (16, 116) providing resistance exercise, characterized in that the user support (12, 112) is pivotally mounted in relation to the main structure (14, 114), in that the user support (12 , 112) is rotatable between a starting position and a final position during an exercise in lateral deltoids.


In this paper, we investigate a special prime gap problem which results from Dirichlet's theorem and relate it to the twin prime conjecture. Then we numerically study the density of several classes of the prime gap that not exceeding a natural number N. A few open problems are given.


Electrospraying processing, which does not require the use of heat, is a promising technique for the encapsulation of thermo- and oxygen-sensitive bioactive compounds such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The potential of single-needle electrospraying for the encapsulation of omega-3 PUFA has already been demonstrated when using proteins (e.g. zein, gelatin, soy protein isolate and whey protein concentrate) and polysaccharides (e.g. dextran) as wall materials. Nevertheless, the production of core-shell nano-microcapsules loaded with omega-3 PUFA by co-axial electrospraying, which can lead to a better lipid protection, remains to be explored. Thus, this work aimed at investigating The nano-microcapsules obtained were characterized in terms of morphology, encapsulation efficiency and lipid distribution. Furthermore, the effect of incorporating natural antioxidants (e.g.  -tocopherol) to the inner or outer layer of the core-shell capsules on their oxidative stability was assayed.


The present experiment provides information on the phosphorus compounds in rice seeds and elucidates the changes they undergo during germination. In ungerminated seeds, the bulk of total-P appears in phytin (about 76 per cent). It is then dephosphorylated in course of germination with a simultaneous accumulation of large amounts of inorganic-P. Lipid-P increases very rapidly from 0 to 24 hours. The increase up to 72 hours is gradual, after which it drops at 96 hours and again rises to a maximum after 120 hours. The ester-P and RNA-P, fractions increase in concentration with time of germination (except 120 hours). Protein-P begins to fall after 48 hours, while DNA-P remains more or less constant throughout the experiment.

The two pH optima recorded for phytase activity at 4.0 and 9.0, suggests that there exist two phytases, one acidic and the other alkaline. Both behave similarly during germination with a continuous increase throughout the course of the experiment. The enzyme with an optimal pH at 4 hydrolyses phytin more actively than the other with the pH optimum at 9.0. Phytase shows maximum activity at a stage when most of the phytin has disappeared; the metabolic significance is uncertain.


In this paper, the authors argue that Virtual Reality (VR) does have a place in an e-commerce environment. However, VR is not yet ready to supplant standard e-commerce Web interfaces with a completely immersive VR environment. Rather, Virtual Reality in e-commerce (VRCommerce) must rely on a mixed platform presentation to account for various levels of usability, user trust, and technical feasibility. The authors propose that e-commerce sites that want to implement VRCommerce offer at least three layers of interaction to users: a standard Web interface, embedded VR objects in a Web interface, and semi-immersive VR within an existing Web interface. This system is termed the Layered Virtual Reality Commerce System, or LaVRCS.


Objective To investigative the past 4 years the distribution of burn patients and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria.Methods Approach to this unit from January 2005 to December 2008 hospitalized burn patients with bacterial culture and drug susceptibility test results were analyzed retrospectively.Results The outcome of gram-positive cocci 139(41.74%),the highest rate for the separation of Staphylococcus aureus(30.33%), in which methicillin-resistant Staphylo-coccus aureus(MRSA) separation rates are relatively high(67.33%);Gram negative bacilli in 194(58.26%),separation of the highest rates for Pseudomonas aeruginosa(21.92%);Gramnegative bacilli to third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycoside resistance rates increa- sed significantly more.Conclusion of clinical specimens of patients with burns isolated problem of bacterial resistance should be strengthened to monitor drug resistance and clinical use of antibacterial drugs management system to effectively control the bacterial infection and the spread of drug resistance.


The present invention relates to a composite wild blueberry juice and a preparation method. It comprises a system wild blueberry juice, potato juice prepared purple, purple potato juice 20-30s enzyme inactivation, by weight ratio, prepared by taking 10-30 parts wild blueberry juice, taken prepared purple potato juice 2-8 parts, and 2-15 parts of a deacidifying decolorized apple juice concentrate, 0.01-0.03 parts of xanthan gum, 0.01 to 0.03 parts of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 20 to 50 parts of water were mixed, stirred for 5-8 minutes to prepare wild blueberry juice compound. The present invention is by removal of wild blueberry juice and apple juice concentrate and an acid bleaching purple potato juice with multiplexing, after the deployment of the composite sense sour fruit juices without sugar to acid ratio of moderate and tastes, without addition of sweeteners in the allocation, acidity agents , colors and flavors, not only the fragrance of blueberry fruit, as well as Apple's mellow, there is an unexpected unique flavor, natural delicious, and sweet and sour taste, with apple and wild blueberries coordination of complex aromas and flavors, in line with modern health, nutrition consumption concept, in line with popular consumer tastes.


This research investigates the Statistical Correlation on Internal Issues of Spinning Data were collected from Primary as well as secondary sources It is a statistical research technique in decision making that is used for the selection of a limited number of tasks that produce significant overall effect. It separates the few major problems from the many possible problems. It is named after Vilfredo Pareto, a 19th-century Italian economist. It was revealed that Textile spinning sector detail of analysis performed for reducing a huge number of issues explored from textile industry of Pakistan in the era of trade liberalization. The research in this part of framework starts by conducting a survey of the textile industry of Pakistan for the collection of data through questionnaire consisted of the explored issues. The data collected through survey is then used to perform Pareto analysis and bring up the prioritized issues after reducing them by using statistical tool SPSS. Then statistical Correlation is performed on the prioritized issues reduced through Pareto analysis to find the level of relationship among these issues, so by solving one issue the other may routinely be solved.


We offer a unified framework to analyze the determination of employment, employee effort, wages, profit-sharing and capital structure when firms face stochastic revenue shocks. We apply a generalized Nash bargaining solution, which extends the wage bargaining literature by incorporating efficiency wage considerations, profit-sharing and capital structure. The profit-sharing instrument is demonstrated to have positive effort-augmenting and wage-moderating effects, which exactly offset the negative dilution effect in equilibrium. Leverage is shown to decrease employment and to have a strategic commitment value as a wage-moderating effect for firms facing unions in bilateral wage negotiations. Finally, some implications for equilibrium unemployment are characterized.


Abstract: The legal effectiveness and the evolution of law constitute mechanisms through which the law adopts tactics and strategies that allow it to reproduce and change: but they aren't the only tools through which law cognitively adapts to the environment and is able to learn. It is therefore necessary to analyze the mechanisms that allow the right to self-regulate on the basis of the legal implications of the "new social problems" connected to development, to the spread of the global pandemic from Covid-19.


From the viewpoint of a company's controlling shareholder, the optimal ownership structure generally involves some measure of dispersion, to avoid excessive monitoring by other shareholders. The optimal dispersion of share ownership can be achieved by going public, but this choice also entails some costs (the cost of listing and the loss of control over the shareholder register). If the controlling shareholder sells shares privately instead, he avoids the costs of going public but must tolerate large external shareholders who may monitor him too closely. Thus, the owner faces a trade-off between the cost of providing a liquid market and overmonitoring. The incentive to go public is stronger, the larger the amount of external funding required. The listing decision is also affected by the strictness of disclosure rules for public relative to private firms, and the legal limits on bribes aimed at dissuading monitoring by shareholders.


We describe a recursive data structure for the uniform handling of permutation groups and matrix groups. This data structure allows the switching between permutation and matrix representations of segments of the input group, and has wide-ranging applications. It provides a framework to process theoretical algorithms which were considered too complicated for implementation such as the asymptotically fastest algorithms for the basic handling of large-base permutation groups and for Sylow subgroup computations in arbitrary permutation groups. It also facilitates the basic handling of matrix groups. The data structure is general enough for the easy incorporation of any matrix group or permutation group algorithm code; in particular, the library functions of the GAP computer algebra system dealing with permutation groups and matrix groups work with a minimal modification.


Recently, the cases of BAPV(Building Applied Photovoltaic) have been increased with interest in renewable energy application for buildings. PV System in building can perform a variety of roles as an energy supplier, exterior materials, aesthetic element and etc. In this study, we have aimed to investigate and analyze the status of Photovoltaic deployment subsidy program led by the government and the cases of building with application of PV System. It also suggests the direction for expansion of BAPV market in Korea.


There is no shortage of disability in South Africa. It is ever-present and profoundly linked to our historic past, and to issues of social inequity, poverty and lack of resources. There is however an acute shortage of writings about disability in South Africa and this shortage of writing has the potential to reflect negatively on the disability movement and to jeopardize appropriate access and resource distribution. Further without proper sustained scientific research in this area, development of appropriate policy and suitable approaches to prevention and effective service delivery will not happen.


Yu Hong's core problem is to prove the existence of spirituality.The issue takes on di?erence forms in Yu Hong's thoughts in the earlier and later stages.If her thoughts in her early stage can be regarded as the aesthetics of existentialism constructed through the creative interpretation of Heidegger's thoughts,her thoughts in her later stage is more related to the real world and embodies modern criticism.


The modern teacher culture is the base for the development of teacher specialty and the college-oriented spirit integrating national culture, regional culture, foreign culture and campus culture, which is featured by culture pervasion, understanding, consciousness, open and construction. The erection of modern teacher culture philosophy should be understood from teacher culture zoology, role expection, symbiosis of various cultures and common development of multi-language cultures. The construction of modern teacher culture should be implemented by building up credit value system, creating democratic communication atmosphere, changing traditional and closed culture and inputting humanism evaluation system on the base of teacher cultural personality.


In this paper we present the result of an analysis of conditional hypothetical constructions in data written in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese gathered from personal "goodbye" letters (ELY, 2019). A qualitative survey of formal (order, connector and verbal form) and functional (modality and temporal expression) linguistic aspects of conditional constructions based on the Usage-Based Construction Grammar perspective, which aims the symbolic matching of language constructions was performed. The results showed a relationship between conditional construction and modality, especially the epistemic one, linked to the predominance of the canonical syntactic order, the use of the prototypical conjunctional "if" and future temporality in the simple verb form due to the communicative context of the investigated sample.


We report the replacement of 42 hips in 34 adults with untreated congenital dislocation. We used Charnley low friction implants, cementing the cup at the level of the true acetabulum after deepening and enlarging it by our own technique of cotyloplasty. Results were evaluated in 38 hips after a mean of 5.5 years. All the patients showed marked improvement, with no infection and, as yet, no late revision. The technical difficulties of the operation and the complications are discussed.


Industry is China's economic lifeline,but the industrial theme works were the weak link in the China television series creations,and it has been absent In each big TV selection.The TV drama Steel Times made a beneficial attempt in the Industrial theme prospected-to way,Characterization method,and Narrative strategy giving consideration to market and art.


In this paper, we introduce a new algorithm for nding common xed points of two Bregmantotally asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive mappings together with the solutions of equilibrium problems inBanach spaces. Moreover, we prove some strong convergence theorems under suitable control conditions.Our results extend and improve the recent ones of some others in the literature.


Mesolithic sites in modern Poland are mainly located in the southern part of the country. Radiocarbon dating of organic material, such as charcoals, wood, and peat, provide a time frame of human settlements in those regions, and dating of speleothems and peat formations provide information on climatic conditions and the timing of climatic change in the region. Here, we present the results of calibrated 14C ages from 3 main Mesolithic sites: Glanów, Chwalim, and Całowanie. Summary probability density distributions of the calendar ages were obtained, and time ranges were ascribed to the cultures in conjunction with archaeological information. These distributions also reveal the changes in human settlement.


In order to know and analysis the situation of track and field training in the schools of Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou, and put forward strategy for them,300 track men and 30 drillmasters in 30 common middle schools of these three districts as sample were surveyed by questionnaire or visiting. Results indicate that these schools have great improved in ground and equipment, but their after-school training is not completely accepted by society, athletes selecting is not reasonable, the ratio of athletes washing out is high, but the training quality is low.


Purpose: To examine apoptotic markers in serum of subjects with diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Serum levels of p53 and cytochrome c, regulator molecules for apoptosis, were measured in subjects with type 2 diabetes, subjects with IGT and healthy controls. Methods: Forty one subjects with type 2 diabetes, 27 with IGT and 27 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum level of cytochrome c and p53 were measured with competitive ELISA. Results: Serum levels of p53 were lower in the group of subjects with type 2 diabetes (085±0.39 U/ml) than in controls (1.09±0.49 U/ml) (P<0.05) and in the subjects with IGT (0.98±0.37 U/ml) (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the group with IGT and controls. Also, there was no difference for serum level of cytochrome c among the groups. In the group of subjects with type 2 diabetes, serum level of cytochrome c was mildly correlated with HbA1c (r:0.39, P<0.05). Conclusion: The present study shows that the serum level of p53 is lower in the patients with type 2 diabetes than in controls or in subjects with IGT. No difference was seen among the the groups for the serum level of cytochrome c. The ability to secrete adequate amounts of insulin is determined by the functional integrity of β–cells and their overall mass.1 There is increasing evidence that β–cell apoptosis and impaired proliferation consequent to hyperglycaemia is one pathway which could be responsible for initiation and progression of diabetes.1-4 Apoptosis of β–cells in type 2 diabetes is caused not only by glucotoxicity but also by lipotoxicity, amyloid accumulation in islet cells, oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress.5-7 Apoptosis of β–cells mainly occurs via death receptors (Fas). Elevated glucose concentrations induce apoptosis in human β–cells due to an interaction between constitutively expressed Fas ligand and upregulated Fas.3 As a result of interaction between apoptotic signals and cell-surface receptors, cytochrome c is released from mitochondria by the mediation of some cytosolic proteins.8,9 In the cytoplasm, the complex formed by cytochrome c and caspases (special proteases) leads activation of other caspases. Finally, activated caspases activate the endonucleases which are responsible for degredation of DNA.10 Cytochrome c released from apoptotic cells is an important marker of apoptoORIGINAL RESEARCH © 2009 CIM Clin Invest Med • Vol 32, no 4, August 2009 E266. sis and its serum level has been determined in various studies.11-13 p53 is considered to be a stress response gene. p53 protein acts to induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage. In the case of cell cycle arrest, the cell gains enough time to repair damage and, thereby, genetic stability is maintained in the organism.14 Hyperglycaemia induces apoptosis by p53 and activation of cytochrome c-activated caspase-3 pathway.15 On the basis of those data we hypothesized that circulating levels of cytochrome c and p53 may have prognostic value for type 2 diabetes, and/or may be reliable markers for IGT. In this case, blood concentrations of molecules regulating apoptosis may be useful in early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Therapeutic approaches designed to arrest apoptosis could be an important new development in the management of type 2 diabetes. No previous study has examined the serum concentrations of cytochrome c and p53 in patients with diabetes. Materials and Methods The study received the approval of the Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Ethics Committee in accordance with the principles of Declaration of Helsinki and informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Forty one subjects with type 2 diabetes (18 men and 23 women) and 27 subjects with IGT (11 men and 16 women) were recruited from the Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Department of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University. Subjects with type 2 diabetes had been diagnosed based on common clinical and laboratory findings. Eight of the subjects were smokers (1cigarette/day). None was taking alcohol for at least two years. The mean duration of the disease was 8±2 yr. Thirty two of the subjects were being treated with anti-diabetic agents (21 subjects were taking metformin, and 11 subjects were taking metformin+gliclazide). Twenty eight of the diabetic subjects had hyperlipidemia and were taking statins. Thirty one of the diabetic subjects had hypertension and were taking ACE inhibitors. Fourteen subjects with type 2 diabetes presented with at least one complication such as retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy or angiopathy. Other subjects were free from diabetic complications. Subjects with fasting glucose between 110-126 mg/dl and glucose concentration between 140-200 mg/dl at the second hour of Oral Glucose Tolerance test constituted the IGT group. Three subjects were smokers (1cigarette/day) and none was taking alcohol for at least two years. They were not receiving medication and were not supplemented by antioxidant vitamins. They had normal liver, thyroid and renal function. Subjects with acute and/or chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, thyroid disorder and cancer, subjects who were taking alcohol and any medication, and subjects who smoke more than 1cigaret/day were excluded from the study. The control group was constituted by age-matched 27 healthy individuals (12 men and 15 women) who recruited among staff of the Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty. None of the controls had a family history of diabetes and they had normal glucose tolerance. None of controls were smokers or were taking alcohol for two years as in the other groups. None of the controls received vitamins or any drugs. Characteristics of type 2 diabetes, IGT and control groups are shown in table 1. Dincer et al. Apoptosis in diabetes © 2009 CIM Clin Invest Med • Vol 32, no 4, August 2009 E267. TABLE1. Characteristics of the study groups Type 2DM IGT Control


Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression at immunohistochemistry is the only approved, but still unsatisfactory, biomarker for immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a surrogate of systemic inflammation and could correlate with outcome to immunotherapy. This retrospective study (NCT03816657) explored the role of NLR in predicting benefit to nivolumab and susceptibility to hyperprogression (HPD). Methods: PD-L1, baseline and on-therapy NLR values were available in 173NSCLC patients receiving nivolumab. PD-L1 positivity was defined as expression on ≥1% of tumor cells; NLR was dichotomized in high (≥5) or low (<5). Patients were divided in 4 cohorts: 1 (PD-L1+/low NLR), 2 (PD-L1-/high NLR), 3 (PD-L1+/high NLR), 4 (PD-L1-/low NLR). A landmark analysis explored the impact of cohorts and NLR change on objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and its influence on HPD. Results: PD-L1 was positive in 48% and negative in 52% of cases. Pre-treatment NLR was ≥5in 42% and <5 in 58%of patients; on-treatment NLR was ≥5in approximately 50% of patients. PD-L1 positivity was not associated with outcome. Both high pre- and on-therapy NLR was a negative predictor of ORR (p=0.004), PFS (p<0.0001) and OS (p<0.0001). High NLR cohorts (2 and 4) showed poorer outcome than low NLR cohorts. Relative NLR excursion ≥25% at 4 weeks from nivolumab start was associated with reduced PFS and OS, while its decrease or stability was associated with improved outcomes. Although NLR value and its dynamic did not influence HPD occurrence (p=0.062), 53% of hyperprogressors belonged to high NLR cohorts. Conclusion: The current retrospective analysis supports the role of high NLR as a independent negative predictive factor. Its increment during immunotherapy may identify patients with low likelihood of response to immunotherapy.


It is shown that the indefinite character of the charge in classical models of extended particles with confined constituents is a serious handicap since infinite amounts of positive and negative charge can be emitted in some solutions, causing a blow-up in finite time.


OBJECTIVE: To correlate quality of life with health and demographic characteristics of medical students from a university in the interior of the northeast. METHODS: Descriptive, transversal, analytical, quantitative approach. The final sample consisted of 138 students from the medical school, using an intentional non-probabilistic sample, the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. For data collection, it was used a questionnaire to identify the social, demographic profile and student health and WHOQOL-Bref, which is validated in Brazil. The data were analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS: Most of the students were women (58.7%), aged between 18 and 24 years, 45.7% of the sample considered the conditions of the course excellent and never thought to give up. However, 89.1% of students reported that they sometimes need psychiatric treatment. As for the areas of quality of life, the social score had the highest score (69.92 points) and the strongest correlations were between the environmental and physical domain, as well as environmental and social, both directly proportional and statistically significant. Still, the psychological treatment showed a positive correlation with the domains of QL. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicated there are correlations between health and demographic characteristics with the domains of quality of life, however the variables which correlate were: sex, satisfaction with the course, desire to give up the course, use of medications in due course and psychological treatment.


The authors propose a technique for determining the survivability and resistance of the blades to impact by foreign objects located on the surface of the airfield pavement, using a set of mathematical models and experimental plants and considering the data on the layout and design of the aircraft and its propulsion system with a propeller. An example of the technique's application to a small-sized aircraft with a propulsion system with a pushing propeller is considered. The results of theoretical studies on determining the boundaries and parameters of the impact of foreign objects with the propeller are presented. Based on the data obtained, experimental studies are conducted to determine damage to the blades made of composite materials by granite particles. The limiting value of the relative mass of a granite particle, which ensures the operability of the propeller during and after the impact is determined. Recommendations on increasing the impact resistance of the blades are given.


By the requirement analysis of digital assembly system in data storage and extraction, assembly model database,assembly process database,assembly knowledge database and assembly environment database were established based on the platform of SQL Server.Storage method of three parts message which constitute the product assembly model was put forward,and original message database,dynamic appending database and dynamic recording database were established to save corresponding attribute message of part and components.Especially,the dynamic recording database which makes the parts pair as storage units to record the assemble character message of parts was suggested.All these support each functional module of digital assembly system validly.


In the present work, the thermal behavior of a thin slab under the effect of a fluctuating surface thermal disturbance, as described by the dual-phase-lag heat conduction model, is investigated. It is found that using the dual-phase-lag heat conduction model is essential at large frequencies of the surface disturbance. Mathematical criteria that specify the limits beyond which both the hyperbolic wave and the dual-phase-lag heat conduction models deviate from the diffusion model are derived.


The invention relates to an audio similarity detecting method and device. The method comprises the steps of acquiring an audio signal to be evaluated; obtaining an audio signal spectrum according to the audio signal to be evaluated; recognizing the peak position of the audio signal spectrum; acquiring the feature value and time point corresponding to the peak position; obtaining a first time sequence of the audio signal to be evaluated according to each feature value and the time point; comparing the first time sequence with a second time sequence; obtaining the similarity of the audio signal to be evaluated and the reference audio signal according to the comparison result, wherein the second time sequence is the pre-obtained time sequence of the reference audio signal corresponding to the audio signal to be evaluated. With the adoption of the method and the device, the audio signal can be quickly and accurately evaluated; the method and the device can be applied to various application scenes.


A facile synthesis of alpha-substituted gamma-hydroxybutenolides from 3-furfural was achieved using a Baylis-Hillman reaction followed by singlet oxygen oxidation. The regioselectivity of this conversion was controlled by using TBAF.


THIS REPORT WAS PRESENTED AT THE 3RD AFRICAN ROAD CONFERENCE, ABIDJAN, 24-30 OCTOBER, 1976. THE TUNISIAN ROAD NETWORK IS DESCRIBED IN ITS GENERAL CONTEXT (GENERAL GEOPHYSICAL DATA ON TUNISIA AND ITS TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE). THE STATE ROAD NETWORK COMPRISES 8000 KM OF METALLED ROADS, 800 KM OF GRAVEL ROADS, 8200 KM OF EARTH ROADS, E.G. 17000 KM ON WHICH 1400 ENGINEERING STRUCTURES ARE BUILT. THE RURAL NETWORK CONSISTS OF 30000 KM OF REGIONAL AND AGRICULTURAL TRACKS, AND THE MUNICIPAL NETWORK 30 MILLION M2 OF PAVEMENTS OVER HALF OF WHICH IS SURFACED. CURRENT AND FUTURE PROGRAMMES (MAINTENANCE AND MODERNIZATION OF ROADS TO THE SOUTH AND TO LIBYA, TO THE WEST, AND TO ALGERIA IN THE NORTH) ARE DESCRIBED. THESE PROGRAMMES COMPRISE ALSO THE IMPROVEMENT OF AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF AGRICULTURAL TRACKS, CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROADS TO LARGE TOWNS, PREVENTION OF FLOODING AND REMOVAL OF THREAT OF THE LATTER ON SOME ITINERARIES. MENTION IS MADE OF THE PART PLAYED BY TUNISIA IN THE TRANSAHARIAN PROJECT.


This study aimed at exploring the effectiveness of a language training program on developing receptive language skills among children with language disorders. The study sample consisted of 20 children with language disorder who receive their treatment in the Jordanian National Center for Speech- Language Therapy in Zarqa City


This paper investigates a discrete-time system with Markov modulated batch Bernoulli process (MMBP) inputs, general service times, and a finite capacity waiting room (queue). The FIFa and space priority service rules are considered. The main motivation for studying this type of queue is its potential applicability to time-slotted communication systems in broadband ISDN (B-ISDN). Applying the supple mentary variable technique and the matrix analysis approach, we obtain the steady-state distributions of the number of customers in the system as well as loss probabilities under individual service rules.


By many recent accounts, dance and theory are natural bedfellows—an art form and a form of critique that are inherently unstable, difficult to discuss. Both are notoriously impervious to systematic accounts because they are in states of physical and conceptual motion, perpetually underdetermined.


In this paper we propose a novel approach to tracking by detection that can exploit both cameras as well as LIDAR data to produce very accurate 3D trajectories. Towards this goal, we formulate the problem as a linear program that can be solved exactly, and learn convolutional networks for detection as well as matching in an end-to-end manner. We evaluate our model in the challenging KITTI dataset and show very competitive results.


Tension spline of order k is a function that, for a given partition x0 <x 1 < . .. < xn, on each interval (xi ,x i+1) satisfies differ- ential equation (D k − ρ 2 D k−2 )u =0 ,w hereρi's are prescribed nonneg- ative real numbers. Most articles deal with tension splines of order four, applied to the problem of convex (or monotone) interpolation or to the two-point bound- ary value problem for ordinary differential equations. Higher order ten- sion splines are described in several papers, but no application is given. Possible reason for this is a lack of an appropriate algorithm for their evaluation. Here we present an explicit algorithm for evaluation of ten- sion splines of arbitrary order. We especially consider stable and accu- rate computation of hyperbolic-like functions used in our algorithm.


The invention relates to a method for producing polyurethane integral foam materials having a density of 100 to 800 g/L, wherein: a) a solution containing polyisocyanate and thermoplastic polymer is mixed with b) polyols, c) foaming agents, and optionally d) chain extender and/or cross-linking agents, e) catalysts, and f) other auxiliary agents and/or additives, mixed to form a reaction mixture, introduced in a mold, and allowed to fully cure to form a polyurethane molded foam body. The invention further relates to a polyurethane integral foam material, which can be obtained by such a method.


According to the characteristics of CPLD(Complex Programmable Logic Device) which can be used flexibly to complete the synthetical and designable experimentation of digital logic circuits,this paper discusses the ways to create a flexible learning environment and design independent study,to realize the digital logic circuits experimental teaching reform.By using the schematic editor and by a few simple examples of circuit design,this paper introduces the teaching method and experimental steps for experimentation of digital logic circuits of application of CPLD,and uses HDL editor to realize the teaching method of digital electronic organ function.


Abstract Background Echinocandins are the first-line treatment of candidemia. We evaluated the activity of rezafungin (RZF), a novel long-acting echinocandin with front-loaded drug exposure and extensive distribution to sites of infection, and comparators using CLSI broth microdilution methods against 709 invasive fungal isolates collected worldwide during 2018. Methods Susceptibility (S) tests on 663 Candida spp. (6 species), 21 C. neoformans (CNEO), and 25 A. fumigatus (ASF) were conducted for RZF, anidulafungin (ANF), caspofungin (CSF), micafungin (MCF), and azoles. CLSI clinical breakpoint (CBP) and epidemiological cutoff value (ECV) interpretive criteria were applied. Isolates displaying echinocandin MIC>ECV were sequenced for fks hot spot (HS) mutations. Results RZF inhibited 99.7% of C. albicans (CA) isolates (MIC50/90, 0.015/0.06 mg/L), 100.0% of C. tropicalis (CT) (MIC50/90, 0.03/0.06 mg/L), 98.9% of C. glabrata (CG) (MIC50/90, 0.03/0.06 mg/L), 100.0% of C. krusei (CK) (MIC50/90, 0.015/0.12 mg/L), and 100.0% of C. dubliniensis (CD) (MIC50/90, 0.03/0.06 mg/L) at ≤0.12 mg/L. All (104/104 [100.0%]) C. parapsilosis (CP) isolates (MIC50/90,1/2 mg/L) were inhibited by RZF at ≤2 mg/L. Fluconazole resistance was detected among 9.0% of CG, 17.3% of CP, and 1.6% of CT. The activity of RZF against these 6 Candida spp. was similar to that of the other echinocandins, the vast majority of which were susceptible/wild type (WT) using CBP/ECV. A total of 5 isolates (3 CG, 1 CA, and 1 CT) displayed 1 or more non-WT or-resistant MIC values and were sequenced for fks HS mutations. Fluconazole and other azoles displayed good activity against CNEO whereas echinocandins including RZF displayed limited activity against CNEO isolates. Echinocandins displayed good activity against ASF, and RZF activity was similar to that of anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin. All but 1 isolate (non-WT MIC for itraconazole, 2 mg/L) displayed WT MIC values for the mould-active azoles. Conclusion Rezafungin was as active as other echinocandins against common organisms recovered from invasive fungal infections. These in vitro data contribute to accumulating research demonstrating rezafungin potential for prevention and treatment of invasive fungal infection. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


The northern Xinjiang of China is a composite orogenic belt in the south central part of the Altaids formed by subduction‐accretion mainly during the Paleozoic. Geochronologic and geochemical data from the Paleozoic ophiolites and associated assemblages are reported here to place constrains on the tectonic evolution of this region and to reconstruct its history, using a model of subduction‐accretion plus large‐scale map‐view strike‐slip faulting. Geologic and geochronologic review indicates that the Paleozoic ophiolites and associated assemblages of the western and eastern Junggar regions are tectonically related, occurring as a pattern with the early Paleozoic Tangbale‐Mayile‐Hongguleleng‐Aermantai complexes in the center, the late Paleozoic Darbut‐Karamaili and the northern Tianshan complexes in the south, and the late Paleozoic Kekesentao‐Qiaoxiahala‐Kuerti complexes in the north. Available geochemical data suggest that the Paleozoic ophiolites of the northern Xinjiang are mainly oceanic fragments of these three types: mid‐ocean ridge basalt, oceanic island basalts, and island arc basalts. The Paleozoic subduction‐accretion complexes grew mainly along different segments of the Kipchak arc, and in associated with migration of magmatic arc. The Paleozoic ophiolite‐associated sedimentary sequences and subduction‐related volcanic rocks exhibit an evolution history from intraoceanic (early Paleozoic) to marginal settings (late Paleozoic), implying coeval strike‐slip stacking with subduction‐accretion processes, and by which to transport the respective complexes together and further to amalgamate with neighboring units of the Altaids. Subduction‐accretion processes terminated in the mid‐Carboniferous in this region. In the late Permian‐early Triassic, a counterclockwise rotation of fault blocks in a giant sinistral strike‐slip and extension domain between Altay and Tianshan, lastly generated present configuration of the Paleozoic subduction‐accretion complexes in the northern Xinjiang.


The treatment of atrial arrhythmias after cardiac surgery has been an area of keen research interest over the last several years (1). Part of the motivation to find effective therapy is monetary. When atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) occurs postoperatively, patients remain in the hospital longer, and that costs money (2). When one considers the fact that cardiac surgery is the most common major surgical procedure in the U.S. and that AFF may be responsible for as much as a 30% increase in the real cost of the procedure, it is not hard to understand the attention that this problem has garnered (3). The arrhythmia causes symptoms, but even in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, these are not


Having rejected two takeover bids from Mylan earlier in 2014, Sweden's Meda has agreed to acquire the Italian speciality pharmaceutical company Rottapharm Madaus for a total consideration of SEK21.2 B (US$3.1 B), including net debt of SEK2.8 B (US$407 M). The deal comes only weeks after family owned Rottapharm withdrew a planned IPO citing unfavourable market conditions. The acquisition, the largest in Meda's history, will bolster the company's consumer healthcare business and increase its emerging market revenues by 50%.


This work presents an experimental study to investigate the effect of the electromagnetic on the tap water properties of water. The water flows through a closed loop with a speed of 0.18m/s, while the pH, TDS, and hardness represent its properties. For magnetized water using the aqua 4D device. the conductivity, TDS, salinity, temperature, absorbance at 631 nm and the turbidity of magnetized water increase respectively by 3.66%, 4%, 4.4%, 0.76%, 21.64%, and 62.6% compared to those of tap water, while density, resistivity, transmission and pH decrease by 2%, 4.1%, 1.32%, and 3.32% respectively


We investigate the dependence of the transmittance spectra of strained M-plane GaN films on the angle of the linear in-plane polarization, with the c axis of the underlying wurtzite crystal structure in the film plane. Because of the reduced in-plane symmetry and the large in-plane anisotropic strain, the transmission spectra for an arbitrary in-plane polarization angle can be directly derived from two transitions with polarizations parallel and perpendicular to the c axis. Since the energy gap for these two polarizations is shifted by more than 50 meV, the M-plane GaN film becomes dichroic, resulting in a polarization rotation after transmission for energies between the two gaps for an initial angle of 45° by as much as 40° towards the c axis.


: The graphene film was directly deposited on SiO 2 antireflection(AR) structure by remote catalyzation of Cu nanoparticles using chemical vapor deposition method to fabricate the transparent conducting films with graphene/AR composite structure. Continuous graphene hollow sphere array was obtained after removing SiO 2 AR structure, and the peak intensity ratios of I 2D / I G and I D / I G and the full-width at half-height maximum (FWHM) of the 2D peak in the Raman spectrum of the graphene grew in 10 min were 2.31, 0.77 and about 40 cm -1 , respectively, which demonstrated that the continuous and low-defect few layer graphene was grown on the surface of SiO 2 AR structure. By introducing the SiO 2 AR structure, transmittance of the film increases by 5.5% at 550 nm and the sheet resistance decreases by 20.09% on the average. Data from this study suggest that this film can avoid complex transfer process, decrease damage, and on the meantime realize high transparency and high conductivity performance , showing obvious applicable prospects in the field of photovoltaic devices, flat panel display and so on.


In the single objective period traveling salesman problem (SOPTSP), each of given n cities has to be visited by the traveling salesman a fixed number of times according to some allowable day combinations over a given m day planning period with the objective to minimize the total traveling distance over the whole period. The existing solution methods for the SOPTSP always generate a set of unbalanced length of tours that violate most real-world applications, so we expand the SOPTSP to the bi-objective period traveling salesman problem (BOPTSP) by minimizing simultaneously the total traveling time and the difference between the long est and the shortest tours. In this paper, we propose a new heuristic method based on the artificial immune system to solve the BOPTSP with tour balancing, and a test problem taken from literature with 50 cities and 5 day planning period is solved and the s-metric is applied to evidence the effectiveness of the proposed heuristic method .


Linear prediction is the cornerstone of most modern speech compression algorithms. This paper proposes modifying the calculation of the linear predictor coefficients to incorporate a weighting function based on the simultaneous masking property of the ear. The resultant prediction filter better models the perceptual characteristics of the source and results in the removal of more perceptually important information from the input speech signal than a standard LP filter. When employed in a low rate speech codec the net effect is an improvement in subjective quality, with no increase in transmission rate and only a modest increase in computational complexity.


Various yeast strains were screened for production of 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3-HBA) from 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BD) by a resting cell system. Many yeasts were found to oxidize 1,3-BD to 3-HBA. Among them, Hansenula anomala IFO 0195 produced (S)-(+)-3-HBA of the highest optical purity. Reaction temperature and addition of glucose were significantly effective on the optical .purity and production of the acid. When resting cells of this strain were incubated at 27°C in an optimal reaction mixture containing 60.0 mg/ml 1,3-BD, 2.0% CaC03, and 1.0% glucose, 26.7 mg/ml of 3-HBA were produced with 88% enantiomer excess for 2 days. Dominant accumulation of (S)-(+)-3-HBA might be due to enantioselective degradation of (R)-(-)-3-HBA, though both (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-1,3-BD are oxidized by the strain.


AIM
To explore the proliferation, adhesion and differentiation response and the underlying mechanisms that occur in LPS-induced inflamed dental pulp cells in contact with Biodentine and MTA.

METHODOLOGY
The dental pulp cells (DPCs) were isolated from three healthy donors and named DPC-H1 to DPC-H3. The DPCs were pre-cultured with 2 or 5 ug/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h to induce inflammation. The expression of inflammation marker-miR-146a was detected by q-PCR. The normal and LPS-induced DPCs were further treated with 0.14 mg/mL Biodentine or 0.13mg/mL MTA for 24 h. MTT assay and adhesion assay were used to analyze the changes of cell phenotypes. DSPP, AKT and ERK expression were detected by western blotting. The data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test or two-way ANOVA. Differences were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.

RESULTS
In LPS-induced DPCs, Biodentine and MTA treatment neither induced nor aggravated LPS-induced inflammation, but their presence did increase the expression of the odontogenic differentiation marker DSPP. Under 2or 5 μg/mL LPS-induced inflammation, Biodentine and MTA promoted the proliferation of DPC cells, and significantly in DPC-H2 (p < 0.0001 for both reagents). With the treatment of 2 μg/mL LPS, the cell adhesion of DPCs on the fibronectin-coated culture plates was increased significantly by Biodentine (p = 0.0413) and MTA (p < 0.0001). Biodentine and MTA regulated cell adhesion on the fibronectin-coated culture plates (p < 0.0001 for both reagents) and proliferation (p < 0.0001 for both reagents) via the AKT pathway. However, the AKT pathway was not involved in the expression of DSPP induced by Biodentine and MTA.

CONCLUSION
Biodentine and MTA enhanced the proliferation, adhesion and differentiation of LPS-induced dental pulp cells. The proliferation and adhesion process induced by Biodentine and MTA is via the AKT pathway. However, the cellular differentiation process might not use the same pathway, and this needs to be explored in future studies.


By employing new types of multi-color photosensitizers and photochemical promoters to photo-crosslinking gelatin system, a high-quality single-layer panchromatic dichromated gelatin material is achieved for color holography. Some preliminary results of spectral response, photosensitivity, and spectral selectivity are reported in this paper. Using red, green and blue lasers, namely three primary colors, the bright volume transmission and reflection holograms can be recorded successfully on the panchromatic material at the exposure level of 30 mJ/cm2. It can be expected to have practical applications in the fields of true-color display holography, wavelength multiplexing holographic storage, and holographic optical elements.


To study the ESM approach, we developed the Mobile AP II system, with which a participant can immediately self-report his/her momentary awareness and experiences using a mobile communication device. Mobile AP II allows a participant to use a mobile phone with recording capability to post his/her momentary awareness and experiences for recording in real time. However, onsite time pressure and operability of mobile phones will affect the transmission and sharing of information to be recorded. Therefore, in this study, we used Mobile AP II (Mobile Activity Probes II) system to carry out an experiment to evaluate the effects of on-site recording formats.


In this paper we describe a machine translation prototype in which we use only minimal resources for both the source and the target language. A shallow source language analysis, combined with a translation dictionary and a mapping system of source language phenomena into the target language and a target language corpus for generation are all the resources needed in the described system. Several approaches are presented.


In the context of the bond market, empirical tests of the rational expectations hypothesis (REH) have without exception been tests of the time-series properties of interest rates. However, the REH also imposes restrictions on the cross-section of bond yields at each point in time. This study tests these restrictions using the Fama and MacBeth repeated cross-section regression procedure. Specifically, a long series of monthly cross-section regressions is estimated using zero coupon bond yield data for maturities from two months to thirty-five years. The REH is tested using the time-series average of the estimated slope parameter in the cross-section regressions. The maturity-specific risk premium is proxied by the time-series volatility of excess returns for each bond maturity. Time-variation in the risk premium is allowed for through time-variation in the volatility of excess returns, and in the market price of risk. While the risk premium proxy is significant in explaining the cross-section of excess returns, the REH is very strongly rejected.


[Objective] To investigate the outcomes of lateral retinacular release and articular capsule striction retinaculum and patellae displacement using arthroscope for the treatment of recurrent dislocation of the patella.[Methods] 28 cases of recurrent dislocation of the patella were included in this group,among which there were 10 males and 18 females.Arthroscopic investigation found tensed lateral retinaculum patellae and damaged cartilage at patellar medial margin and femoral lateral condyle.Agangland the lateral retinaculum patellae was extensively released,double-fixed screw was used to reconstruct the medial patellofemoral ligament.The knee joint was flexed and extended.Patella's dynamic motion,the tension of the tendon and relationship between the femoral trochlea and patellar bone were arthroscopically observed.[Results] All patients were followed up for 12 to 34 months averaging 17months.No patellar dislocation occurred postoperatively.Apprehensive test,patella tilt test were negative;and Apley test were negative in 26 patients and positive in 2 patients.Axial view of X-ray and MR images of patella showed 26 cases regained normal anatomical relation of patellofemoral joint.2 cases had mild semi-dislocation.Lysholm's score averaging(73.8±4.5) points preoperatively and(92.4±2.8) points postoperatively.[Conclusions] Lateral retinaculum patellae solution and medial patellofemor al ligament reconstruction using the semitendinosus tendon free grafted fixed by double-fixed screw for the treatment of recurrent dislocation of the patella not only can effectively cure recurrent subluxation of the patella and improve knee joint function but can make the patients smaller wound,quicker recovered,lower recurrence rate and more reliable effective.


In this letter, we obtain lower and upper bounds on the minimum distance <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. The bounds are derived by categorizing the non-zero code words of an LDPC code into two categories of elementary and non-elementary. The first category contains code words whose induced subgraph has only degree-2 check nodes. We propose an efficient search algorithm that can find the elementary code words of an LDPC code with weight less than a certain value <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$a_{\max }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, exhaustively. We also derive a lower bound <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{ne}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> on the weight of non-elementary code words. By performing the search with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$a_{\max } = L_{ne}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, we either obtain an elementary code word with the smallest weight <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, or establish the lower bound of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{ne}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. For the upper bound, we modify our search algorithm to reach elementary codewords of larger weights at the cost of being non-exhaustive. Once such a codeword is found, its weight acts as an upper bound on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. We examine a large number of regular and irregular LDPC codes, and demonstrate the efficiency and versatility of our technique in finding lower and upper bounds on, and in many cases the exact value of, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Finding <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, or establishing search-based lower or upper bounds, for many of the examined codes are out of the reach of any existing algorithm.


The lattice strain and the magnetic anisotropy have been examined for as-deposited and post-annealed Co/Pt and Co/Pd multilayers, which have been sputter-deposited on glass substrates with bias voltage. For Co/Pt multilayers, the interface anisotropy, K/sub s/, has mainly the Neel type origin in the flat, smooth, and sharp interfaces, while the volume anisotropy, K/sub v/, is sensitive to the magnetoelastic effect. For Co/Pd multilayers, the magnetoelastic effect plays the main role in K/sub s/ and K/sub v/. >


The Brazilian semiarid region presents very heterogeneous natural conditions of climate, soil, topography and vegetation, forming a mosaic of unique ecosystems. This research aims to carry out a phytosociological analysis of the tree-shrub stratum of two Caatinga areas in the Sertão (backlands) of Alagoas. The experiment was carried out in the municipalities of Olho D 'Água do Casado (area I) and Delmiro Gouveia (area II), state of Alagoas, a quantitative evaluation of the vegetation was carried out by contiguous plots within an area of 1.0 ha. The phytosociological parameters analyzed were Density, Relative Frequency and Dominance, Importance Value, Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index and Aggregation. The families with the greatest number of species are Mimosaceae and Bignoniaceae in area I and Mimosaceae and Anacardiaceae in area II, with a higher relative density for the species Tabebuia sp. and Schinopsis brasiliensis, respectively; the species Myrcia sp., Tabebuia sp. and Pilosocereus pachycladus in area I presented a higher value of importance, standing out Schinopsis brasiliensis, Pilosocereus gounellei and Pityrocarpa moniliformis in area II. The Shannon-Weaver (H') diversity index is considered high in area I and II when compared to other areas of Caatinga; similarly, floristic richness was considered similar in both areas.


Book-collecting contests intended to encourage students to collect books have long been a fixture of college and university library programs in the United States, although they apparently are unknown elsewhere. At the initiative of the college or university library, students are invited to submit a list of books they have collected, along with an explanation of the theme and significance of their collection. After a preliminary winnowing, selected collections are judged by a panel composed of some combination of library staff, faculty, and outsiders (which may include library supporters, a local mature collector or literary figure, or a bookseller).


Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the color stability of acrylic and composite denture teeth after heat-polymerization method. Methods: Three different brands of acrylic denture teeth: Livera Alpha (LA), Yamahashi (YA) and Major Dent (MA) and 2 different brands of composite denture teeth: Yamahashi PX (YC) and Endura (EC) were tested. Ten maxillary central incisors from each group were pressed onto putty-type polyvinyl siloxane in order to measure color in the same area of denture teeth. Color, at cervical third and incisal third, was recorded by spectrophotometer in CIE L*a*b system. All specimens were undergone heat-polymerization of heat-curing acrylic resin. After flask cooling for 24 hours, the specimens were removed. The color measurement was performed at the same area of each specimen. Color differences (∆E) was calculated. A ∆E of ≤3.3 was considered clinically acceptable. The data were evaluated by 3-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (α =0.05). Results: The ∆E of LA, YA, EC, MA and YC at incisal third were 4.41±0.56, 2.45±0.60, 0.76±0.57, 0.75±0.24 and 0.63±0.24 respectively. At cervical third, the ∆E of LA, YA, EC, MA and YC were 4.59±1.26, 2.44±1.08, 0.59±0.36, 0.81±0.61 and 1.22±0.78 respectively. The highest ΔE values were found in LA. These values were significantly higher than those obtained from other brands (p<0.05) and beyond clinically acceptable level. Conclusions: After heat-polymerization, the color of LA changed significantly at both incisal and cervical areas. On the other hand, color stability of YA, EC, MA and YC were clinically acceptable.


It is known that in the human conceptus, serum a1-fetoprotein reaches a maximal concentration at approximately 13 weeks, then decreases and disappears 1 or 2 weeks after birth. In the first step of this workm the existence of a1-fetoprotein has been studied in the serum of three groups of neonates (premature, full term, and small for date). Electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels and immunoelectrophoresis with a specific antibody against human a1-fetoprotein have been chosen: since they have a different degree of sensitivity, they can be used as a semiquantitative test. At birth, small for date infants have no a2-fetopretein or a very low concentration; the concentration is higher in full term babies and still higher in prematures. These observations suggest that a distinction between small for date and premature babies is possible by such a procedure. In the second step of this study. Mancini's immumochemical method for a1-fetoprotein quantitative estimation is in process in order to see, especially in premature babies, whether serum a1-fetoprotein concentration at birth is directly related to the length of gestation. If so, we shall have a simple biological test for the assessment of the gestational age of newborn infants.


The authority of forming and publishing independent auditing standards is given to Public Oversight Accounting and Auditing Standards Authority by Turkish Commercial Code numbered 6102. Nonetheless, there is certain criticism proposing that oversighting function could not be performed properly due to ascribing too many duties to this organization. Looking international practices, it is observed that such authorities are not given to same institution. On the contrary, both formation on standards and function of oversight are gathered under one roof in Turkey. In this context, the aim of this study is making a comparison between regulations about public oversight in Turkey and of those International along with revealing differences. Most recent research is added to the study for reflecting the latest circumstances and for putting forward different approaches that handles public oversight in independent audit field.