A 70-day feeding trial was conducted with Clarias gariepinus juveniles to investigate the effects of partial substitution of soybean meal with sclerotium of Pleurotus tuber-regium on growth, economic parameters, nutrient utilisation, haematology and carcass proximate composition. Three experimental diets were formulated with graded levels of sclerotium (Diet 1: 10%, Diet 2: 15% and Diet 3: 20% inclusion) and the control without sclerotium. The results showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the growth, economic and nutrient utilisation parameters. The control group recorded the highest values for weight gain (102.37 g) and specific growth rate (3.15%/day) followed by Diet 1 (101.73 g and 3.13%/day, respectively). Though the best feed conversion ratio (1.43) was recorded in control group, Diet 1 recorded the highest values for protein intake (52.20 g) and net profit value (₦217.67/kg). With the exception of WBC, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was recorded in haematological parameters. Similarly, the carcass analysis did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05) across diets with the exception of the crude protein which was significantly low in the control diet. Keyword: Sclerotium, growth and nutrient utilisation, economic parameters, carcass analysis, haematology Introduction In recent time, due to the increasing human population and the need to meet the daily protein consumption, efforts have been made to produce cheap source of animal protein. Fish is one of the cheapest and direct sources of protein and micronutrients for millions of people in Africa (Bene and Heck, 2005). Therefore, necessitates an urgent and immediate need to increase the production of fish as protein source. Feed and feeding are among the most important factors influencing growth, feed utilisation and tissue composition of fish in intensive culture (Okumus and Mazlum, 2002) but the process of fish production especially through aquaculture is beset by lack of understanding of alternative feed ingredients to replace the expensive conventional ingredients. The cost of conventional feed ingredients continue to be on the increase due to great competition between the livestock industry and human consumption, the need then, for the use of non conventional feedstuff/plant material in the field of animal nutrition particularly fish should be promoted. This non conventional feed ingredient should be locally available, inexpensive and should provide high nutrition; hence, the need to focus on using less expensive and readily available plant protein sources to replace soybean meal without reducing the nutritional quality of fish feeds (Barros et al., 2002). Researches completed on under-utilised plant protein sources in fish diet include among others; Lima bean (Adeparusi and Ajayi, 2004), jackbean (Fagbenro et al., 2007; Jimoh et al., 2010) and sunflower and sesame (Fagbenro et al., 2010a,b,c). Pleurotus tuber-regium (tiger milk mushroom or sclerotia producing mushroom) is a tropical edible mushroom that produces the edible sclerotium or underground tuber as well as mushroom (Ijeh et al., 2009). Pleurotus is cultured on a wide variety of agroforesty products for the production of feed, enzymes and medicinal products (Andrews et al., 2007). P. tuber-regium is used as food and medicinal purposes, according to Oso (1977), the hard sclerotium of P. tuber-regium, is peeled and ground for use in vegetable soup. P. tuber-regium in combination with other herbs has been reported to cure headache, stomach ailments, cold and fever (Oso, 1977) as well as asthma, smallpox and high blood pressure ( Jonathan and Fasidi, 2003). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inclusion of sclerotium on growth, economy of production, carcass and haematological parameters of C. gariepinus juveniles. 42


Marine mammals strandings in French Mediterranean. Years 2010-2012. Marine mammals strandings are monitored on French coasts since 1972 by the National Stranding Network (RNE). The Mediterranean Cetacean Study Group (GECEM) coordinates this activity for the Mediterranean shoreline. This paper deals with strandings over the period 2010-2012. 337 specimens of 9 species have been collected. This is the highest number of strandings ever recorded in three consecutive years on the French Mediterranean coast, though no morbillivirus epidemic has been noticed. Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba is the most abundant species (232 strandings, 69 % of the data), followed by the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (43 strandings, with a more and more important proportion on the continental shoreline). Were also censused 4 sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus, 3 fin whales Balaenoptera physalus, 1 humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae (2nd data for French Mediterranean), 6 short-beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis (including a mass stranding of five in 2010 in South Corsica), 3 Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris, 5 Risso's dolphins Grampus griseus, and 3 pilot whales Globicephala melas. Material collected taking advantage of post-mortem examinations and autopsies has enabled many analyses, among which data on the diet (stomach content of 1 Risso's dolphin, 1 bottlenose dolphin, 12 striped dolphins, 1 Cuvier's beaked whale and 1 sperm whale) and pollutant concentration. Mercury and cadmium contamination are lower than in 1980, PCBs and DTT lower than in 2003. Other organochlorine pesticide concentrations are stable since 1990.


The purpose of this article is to show increased concern in the new ways of structuring schooling in college/university classroom to address the learning needs of students. Accordingly, the cognitive view of motivation serves as a conceptual framework to understand students' learning. In the past decade, we have seen the Higher Diploma Programme (HDP), which was developed as a result of the study into the quality and effectiveness of teacher education in Ethiopia focused on teaching techniques in Ethiopian college/university classrooms, a movement that emphasizes active learning, practicum, action research, reflection, and managing learning. Relatively little emphasis was paid on student´s motivational beliefs that are presumed to occur in instructional settings. The reform seemed to reflect time-worn assumptions about learners and learning that may limit teacher´s ways of thinking about the role of the college/university student in the classroom (refer appendix). Fortunately, this state of concern is very much similar with the state of classroom learning in the early 1980s. This intensive focus on teaching techniques, but largely ignoring students' motivational beliefs that occur in instructional settings may lead teachers to the conclusion that a focus merely on instruction is one-sided. Hence, efforts must be made to strengthen a more balanced discourse that emphasizes the subtle nuances and complexities of learning within any discussion of teaching. One change that could begin to maximize students` learning would strengthen "learning-centered" classroom. To strengthen "learning-centered" classroom the theoretical review focuses on how students' motivational beliefs and teachers' behavior/instructional factors influence students' motivation to learn. The review concluded that a learning-centered perspective regards the classroom as a dynamic setting where pedagogical practices and learners' motivational beliefs meet and where the quality of this interaction influences the learning needs of students that are presumed to occur in college classrooms. Presumably if the next generation of teachers designed their classroom environments to be in accord with these recommendations, future generations of university/college students would be much more motivated than the current one. Hence to achieve this expectation, a continuous professional development programme for college/university teachers which focuses on student motivational beliefs is urgently needed. Action to strengthened learning-centred classroom is vital to improve the quality of teacher professional development in Ethiopia. Finally, the review has implication concerns voiced the current wisdom about teacher professional development in Ethiopia.


For the purpose of doing kinematic research on transfer robot,Denavit-Hartenberg notation was applied in establishing kinematical equation,the robot's forward kinematics and inverser kinematics were solved.Based on Matlab,the robot kinematics model was set up,using the Robotics Toolbox,the motion simulation was carried out.The results show that:the dynamics of the robot can be simulated to obtain the displacement,velocity,acceleration curve.The correctness of the design can be validated.


This paper discusses the comprehensive evaluation of Pre-Diploma (Science) students in recent semesters using fuzzy approach. It focuses on how we can select the best students based on both academic performance and soft skills for university recognition purposes. The approach utilizes membership functions to derive the membership values for the entire course which registered for first semester. Then the approach employs the intersection of fuzzy goals and constraints concept to identify the best students among the best in terms of academic performance, soft skills as well as their attitude. A case study was conducted based on session intake of November 2013 - March 2014. It was found that our proposed approach has unique advantage in the sense that it can distinguish clearly for every single score marks obtained by the students. Also, the results show that the approach is highly beneficial for problem solving under uncertainty data sets environment.


In wax deposit research,the researchers focused on the study of deposition mechanism and model stimulation.In this paper,aiming at dead oil of high-wax condensate gas wells,wax deposition experiments carried out and found repeated contact between oil and gas in the well case,the result indicated that in the process of repeated contact between oil and gas,wax precipitation point and wax melt point temperatures first fall and then increase. The measurement of wax precipitation point and wax melt point can judge whether there is wax precipitation in the well case.The research of wax deposition amount could predict the wax deposition in the well case,so that it can ensure the regular production of the well.The results indicate that wax precipitation won't happen in formation,and It can prevent wax precipitation when the condensate oil flows in the surface facilities to increase the temperature of wellhead not lower than42℃.


Aim To establish two new rat models of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS by two chemical irritants.Methods Acetic acid or mustard was infused for six days in intestines of adult rats.After modeling,the rectal distention was performed and the thresholds of abdominal withdrawal reflex were measured.The frequency,peak value,peak-nadir value and area of the gastric and enteric electrical activity were recorded.And the contents of 5-HT in the blood serum were detected.Results Compared with the control group,the colon and rectum's sensitivity(P0.05)and the frequency(P0.01) of the acetic acid model were heightened.Meanwhile,the colon and rectum's sensitivity(P0.01),the frequency(P0.01),peak value(P0.05),peak-nadir value(P0.01)and area(P0.01),and the contents of 5-HT(P0.05)in serum of the mustard model were all changed,which indicated the increasing of sensitivity of the model.The colon and rectum's sensitivity,the gastric and enteric electrical activity and the contents of 5-HT in serum of the proving group were recovered to some extent.Conclusion The new rat model of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS is successfully set up by stimulating the intestines of adult rats with chemical substances.


The present research was involved in forming condition of adhesive, Press Temperature, Density etc. In addition to ameliorate strength and thermal performance test of the RDF produced from Carbon ash after the waste tire pyrolysis in resource chemical plant. This study explored optimal condition of Carbon ash-RDF production based on relevant tests to enhance its strength and thermal performance for optimal utilization of Carbon ash-RDF. The results can serve as a reference to the Carbon ash-RDF production process design. The main component of the formula is an adhesive, chemically modified starch as adhesion to make the carbon ash uniformly mix with water. Besides finding a suitable formula, this study also conducted analysis on product property and developed technique to improve process and product property, as an important reference for future studies.


Automated, accurate 3D segmentation is critical to achieve the full potential of 3D imaging. Three-D image volumes were acquired in the form of: (i) fields-II generated 3D cyst images, (ii) 3D scans of tissue-mimicking phantoms with inclusions of varying shape and contrast levels, and (iii) sets of clinical 3D scans containing the prostate. Preprocessing with four different 3D speckle reduction schemes were evaluated, and integrated backscatter (IBS) calculations were optionally applied to the images where the RF signal was available. Segmentation was performed directly in 3D using the level set method, and the level set function was manually initialized. Balloon, curvature, and advection forces were applied to the propagating surface to minimize the energy function of the evolving surface. Relative to other segmentation methods, the level set segmentation yielded a smoother and more realistic looking segmented surface. The segmentation results were obtained in the form of rendered 3D images and numerically as volume errors and surface errors. The ground truth was known for the simulated cysts and the phantom inclusions and was for the clinical images obtained by means of hand-segmentation. The smallest RMS surface error was obtained for the fields-II simulated cysts, in the order of 1.4 mm, while the RMS error for the 3D tissue-mimicking phantoms spread over a wider range from 1.2 mm to 5.9 mm. For the prostate images, the anisotropic diffusion filter gave a mean RMS distance between hand segmentation and the level set segmentation of 2.0 mm to 3.2 mm. A better segmentation was achieved without than with the IBS process applied.


Education Workforce Education Institutions (LPTK) is institutions that produce graduates to be a teacher. But not all students have an interest become a teacher, because growing interest is influenced by many factors. Several factors that are throught to influence growing interest in becoming an accounting teacher is School Field Introduction (PLP), teacher profession perceptions and self-efficacy. The purpose of study to find out self-efficacy as mediation to impact of School Field Introduction (PLP) and teacher profession perceptions on the interest become an accounting teacher. Quantitative research type. The population is active student from department of accounting education 2017, Universitas Negeri Surabaya a total of 96 students with saturated sampling technique. The data collection using a questionnaire. The data analysis method used is SEM-PLS. The acquisition proves 1) PLP has a positive significant effect the interest become an accounting teacher, 2) teacher profession perception has a positive significant effect the interest become an accounting teacher, 3) PLP has a positive significant effect the self-efficacy, 4) teacher profession perception has a positive significant effect the self-efficacy, 5) self-efficacy has a positive significant effect the interest become an accounting teacher, 6) PLP towards the interest become an accounting teacher through self-efficacy, 7) teacher profession perception towards the interest become an accounting teacher through self-efficacy.


A regression tree is one of the most popular machine learning-based decision models. Unlike a decision tree it predicts a continuous value. Many regression models have emerged to handle the regression problems, where most of them faced difficulties while capturing the non-linear patterns. Some regression models are sensitive to outliers, like regression trees. In this paper, a hybrid regression model is proposed, which combines the features of regression tree and ridge regression to improve the performance of regression problem. In the proposed model, the leaf nodes of the regression tree are modified. Rather than storing the mean of the corresponding targeted output values, the proposed hybrid model stores the suitable tuples in its leaf nodes. When some predictor values are inserted, the control transfers to the corresponding leaf node, and ridge regression is applied to the leaf node to predict the required values. In this method, the threshold value plays a vital role in deciding the number of tuples in the leaf nodes, which further affects the time complexity and mean squared error. Extensive comparative analysis has been made by comparing the performance of the proposed model with other regression models using four real-world datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the regression tree and ridge regression when applied individually.


To investigate the effect of Shenqin compound to Bcl-2 and Bax genes in canine myocardium infected by canine parvovirus.Compatibility of salvia,scutellaria,glycyrrhiza and other Chinese herbal to prepare Shenqin compound injection,and to build model by artificial infection of canine parvovirus,the canines were divided into blank control group,model group,astragalus polysaccharide group and Shenqin compound group,after injecting for 7 days,inoculated canine parvovirus,observed clinical symptom in each group,the change of ultrastructure in myocardium was observed through electron microscope.The RT-PCR method were used to test the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA.The results showed: the model group had high mortality and the myocardium was seriously damaged,compared with blank control group,the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was down-regulated at P0.05 level,and the expression of Bax mRNA was up-regulated at P0.01 level.In Shenqin compound group,the protective rates were high and myocardium was slightly injured,compared with model group,the expression of Bax mRNA was down-regulated at P0.01 level,and the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was up-regulated at P0.01 level.This test suggested that Shenqin compound could up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and down-regulated the Bax mRNA to inhibit the myocardial apoptosis and protect canine myocardium from canine parvovirus damage.


This paper analyzes technology challenges that the gyrator and capacitor realize power controlled inductors existing resistance power consumption.Based on the current technology,the problem of rotary device applying on the field of high-power can not be achieved.Made with impedance transforming method to realize power-controllable inductors(controlled reactor),we also give controllable reactor operational amplifier circuits,and analyze the implementation of reactor operation amplifier circuit theory and operational amplifiers selection.As the controlled reactor operational amplifier circuit does not exist resistance,but exist power capacitors and APEX operational amplifiers which consume low power,this paper realizes the controllable reactor with features of low power.


Although the early-origins literature in economics and other disciplines suggests that early-life shocks have long-term consequences, it does not investigate whether later human capital investments have the potential to mitigate such consequences. This study examines how early-life conditions interact with subsequent human capital investments to influence future educational outcomes. To provide causal evidence, we exploit two sources of exogenous variation: i) variation in early-life environments resulting from a child's exposure to extreme rainfall and drought shocks in early-life; and ii), variation in subsequent investments resulting from the availability of conditional cash transfers (CCT) that promote investments in children's health and education. Using Colombian administrative data, we combine a natural experiment with a regression discontinuity design using the CCT assignment rule. Results show that although the CCT has an overall positive impact on children's educational outcomes that is robust to accounting for exposure to negative shocks early in life, there is limited evidence that the CCT has a differential effect on children exposed to early shocks. However, the main effect of the CCT is large enough to offset the negative impact of the weather shock. These findings have important policy implications as they provide evidence of the role of social policies in closing gaps generated by early-life trauma.


In this paper, we explore the relationship between the braid group and
evolution algebras. First, we explore the braid group and how it is constructed. Next we discuss the Burau representation, and its relationship with free differential calculus and Magnus representations. Finally we use the Burau representation to create a new representation from the braid group directly to evolution algebras.


59.1 I ntroduction 59.2 The Carbonyl Part Parallel and Perpendicular Approach • Non-Prostereogenic Carbonyls • Prostereogenic Carbonyls: Product Stereoselectivity 59.3 The Alkene Part Inherent Diastereoselectivity • Effect of Hydrogen Bonding on Diastereoselectivity of Paterno–Buchi Reaction • Induced Diastereoselectivity • Effect of Concentration on the Stereoselectivity of the Paterno–Buchi Reaction • Effect of Temperature and Solvent Viscosity on the Stereoselectivity of the Paterno–Buchi Reaction


Information filtering for internet search, in which new information retrieval environment is given, is different from traditional methods such as bibliography information filtering, news-group and E-mail filtering. Therefore, we cannot expect high performance from the traditional information filtering models when they are applied to the new environment. To solve this problem, we inspect the characteristics of the new filtering environment, and propose a semantic-based filtering model which includes a new filtering method using WordNet. For extracting keywords from documents, this model uses the SDCC(Semantic Distance for Common Category) algorithm instead of the TF/IDF method usually used by traditional methods. The world sense ambiguation problem, which is one of causes dropping efficiency of internet search, is solved by this method. The semantic-based filtering model can filter web pages selectively with considering a user level and we show in this paper that it is more convenient for users to search information in internet by the proposed method than by traditional filtering methods.


The application of simple probability theory provides a useful tool for managers of electricity distribution systems. It will enable them to set up systems for detennining the comparative performance of parts of a network or from one network to another. It is also possible to use the technique to determine the economic benefit of design alternatives. The paper describes the simple mathematics required to calculate the expected performance and to drive the internationally accepted performance indicators. The technique for applying this in practice is explained and presented by way of three case studies.


PT. Preshion Engineering Plastec provides plastic injection molding to multi-national customer with job order system. On the job training was conducted in Quality Control Department, from operator level to supervisor level, for six months.


There is a large catalogue of decompositions of conditioned superprocesses in terms of an 'immortal backbone' or 'skeleton' along the branches of which mass is constantly immigrated. We add to this with a study of the (infinite-variance) (1 + β)-superprocess, conditioned on survival until some fixed time T. As one would expect, we see a Poisson number of immortal trees (conditioned on there being at least one), along which mass (conditioned to die before time T) is immigrated. However, here we see a new source of immigration. Not only is mass immigrated along the branches of the immortal trees, but also there is an extra burst of immigration whenever the immortal tree branches. Moreover, the rate of immigration along the branches is no longer deterministic. In the limit as T → ∞, the immortal trees degenerate to the Evans immortal particle and the immigration (of unconditioned mass) along the particle is dictated by a stable subordinator.


A comparison of the salient characteristics of Canadian and United States bilingual education programs suggests various settings where it would be desirable to introduce children to schooling in their home language. These settings include: (1) the various ethnic communities in the United States, (2) multilingual developing countries, (3) parts of Canada where groups of non-English-speaking residents have congregated and where the home language is one of lower ascribed social or economic status, (4) places where there does not exist uniformly high pressure within the home and community to encourage literacy and language maintenance, and (5) places where many teachers in the educational system are unaware of or insensitive to the values and traditions of the minority-group pupils. The schooling should take the form of a carefully developed language arts program integrated into a general curriculum in which content material is also taught in the native language. This will sustain and nurture children's linguistic and cognitive development while teaching the second language and gradually introducing the content materials in the second language, without abandoning the language arts or content material taught in the native language. Immersion in the target language is not recommended, although in some social settings where the home language is aighly valued, parents and peer groups actively encourage literacy and native language maintenance, and the children's success is encouraged, schooling can begin in the second language. (MSE)


Indonesian feminism movement which is oriented towards the Western
perspective has characteristics, that are rational, materialistic and quantitative, and
have implications for the occurrence of friction with people�s values. Murata�s
thinking that uses the Eastern spirituality approach, becomes important to be
studied and researched as a counterweight on these trends. The goal of this
research is to address several problems including: gender relations, gender
relations in human reality, nature and God, relationship between Murata�s thinking
with ecofeminisme and feminism and the relevance of Murata�s gender relations to
gender equality in Indonesia.
This research is a descriptive-qualitative literature processed data collected
through, classification, reduction, and preparation while as the data analysis
methods are historical, interpretation, and heuristic.
This study yielded several conclusions. Firstly, Murata�s thinking was
influenced by Taoism and mysticism of Islam which has been well reviewed both
academically and individually. Secondly, Murata�s gender relations are relations
of masculine-feminine quality which is dual in a unity found in the reality of man,
nature and God. Contradiction of masculinity and femininity are not in the sense of
separateness, but intertwined in parallel relationship, unity and mutuality. Thirdly,
the relevance of Murata�s gender relations lies in the qualitative nature and the
eastern perspective used by Murata. The qualitative nature can balance the model
of gender equality in Indonesia which has been quantitative. Murata�s Eastern
perspective will help feminism in bringing closer the gender issue and the
community in order to reach a balanced gender equality and harmony in
accordance with the needs of the people of Indonesia.


An apparatus for growing and/or examining cells, comprising arrangement of at least one bowl-shaped culture dish having a base and a side wall, and an interior which is bounded by the base and side wall and has an opening at the top end, characterized in that - at least one sheetlike capillary membrane system composed of at least one capillary membrane is disposed in the interior of the culture dish, - wherein the at least one capillary membrane has a semipermeable wall, a lumen which is enclosed by the wall and has at least one open end and has a fluid connection via its open end to a supply line having a wall and a lumen, such that liquids, media, gases and/or other substances can be passed through the supply line and the capillary membrane system, - wherein the capillary membrane system is disposed in the region of the base of the respective culture dish and its areal extent is limited by the side wall of the culture dish and - wherein the at least one supply line leads out of the interior through the opening.


Nowadays optoelectronic devices are ubiquitous for illumination purposes, in telecommunication and displays. For a long time, the development for these devices was driven by inorganic semiconductors, later organic semiconductors contributed, as well. Recently concepts have been developed to combine both complementary material classes to exploit the specific advantages of each one. For the hybridization, the properties of the materials, especially the electronic structure, have to match very well. In this work the optimization of ladder-type p-phenylenes towards spectral overlap and energy level alignment with ZnO, vacuum-processability, inertness, as well as layer formation is described. In terms of molecular design the different properties are addressed by site-selective functionalization of the methylene bridges with alkyl, aryl, and fluoro groups. The final products are characterized regarding their optical properties by absorption and fluorescence, their electrochemical properties, as well as their solid-state structure by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Apart from that, a large part of the work is devoted to investigations of the photochemical degradation of fluorene-type structures. New insights are gained into the mechanism of degradation, as well as the origin of the green emission in ladder-type structures The dependence of the rate of degradation is described semi-quantitatively with respect to the substitution pattern. By that, different reaction mechanisms for different substituents are found. Finally, the integration of some products in hybrid structures is discussed.


Modern research in areas relevant to our readership demand practical knowledge of both classical and the latest fabrication and laboratory techniques. Often times, standard journal articles leave the reader wanting more information on how best to adopt a process for their own work, and the latest techniques are characteristically unfamiliar to most researchers, detracting from the potential rapid progress of research. To help address this problem, we are introducing a new section specifically targeting methods in fabrication and laboratory work.

By soliciting contributions from prominent researchers on classical methods, well known to those using them but still difficult to access by researchers entering the field from other areas, we aim to provide a resource not readily available via other means. Over time, this resource will come to represent a collection of standard methods that a researcher new to the field can quickly adopt and use to add their voice to the burgeoning research area of Biomicrofluidics. An example of such an article is the simple use of PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) in fabricating microfluidics devices ("Fabrication of microfluidic devices using polydimethylsiloxane") (see http://link.aip.org/link/BIOMGB/v4/i2/p026502/s1): Elementary to those already in the field, but among the first hurdles to those wishing to enter it.

For those researchers already in the field, the advance of laboratory and fabrication methods almost universally presages advances in the research itself. While keeping abreast of these developments is possible through the general research literature, having sufficient knowledge to make use of such a technique in one's own laboratory often takes considerably longer. By focusing on new methods in rapidly published, brief, peer-reviewed articles that provide detail and background sufficient to permit the reader to duplicate it in their own laboratory, the dissemination of knowledge on such methods will accelerate, enabling advances in the area at a rate commensurate with its promise. We invite those in the area to consider submitting articles on methods used in their laboratories that may be useful to other research groups, and offer an example article on "Using laser Doppler vibrometry to measure capillary surface waves on fluid-fluid interfaces (see http://link.aip.org/link/BIOMGB/v4/i2/p026502/s1)."

An attractive feature of the new section is the opportunity to include multimedia materials to show the reader how the method is to be conducted, a significant benefit of the online and open-access format at Biomicrofluidics, and one we encourage authors to adopt to enhance their contribution to the journal.

The Fabrication and Laboratory Methods section is especially for microfluidics, nanofluidics, and those techniques pertaining to chemical and biological applications of lab-on-a-chip devices, and though submissions are usually solicited from leading researchers in the field, the editors welcome proposals from prospective authors. As with the rest of the journal articles, the protocols will carry full citation details.


The effects of gender and dress on helping behavior were examined. Perceptions and feelings influencing decisions to help were also investigated in an exploratory manner. 128 subjects were asked by a male or female confederate for 37¢ and afterwards completed a questionnaire. The confederates were either well-dressed or sloppily dressed. Analysis indicated that the woman was helped more than the man but that well-dressed and sloppily dressed confederates were helped equally. Subjects who helped generally perceived confederates to be needier than subjects who did not. Further, subjects who did not help reported greater discomfort from the helping request than subjects who helped.


The aims of this study are to investigate the effect of store environment, hedonic consumption tendency and positive emotion on impulse buying. The consumers of Matahari Hermes Palace Mall Banda Aceh is taken as a sample in this study. The method of this study employed questionnaires as an instrument. Total sampling is applied as the study's convenience technique. Hierarchical Linear Modeling methods of analysis are used to determine the influence of the variables involved. The result of this study indicates that store environment, and hedonic consumption tendency have positive effect on impulse buying, store environment, and hedonic consumption tendency have positive effect on positive emotion, and positive emotion has positive effect on impulse buying. The study also shows that store environment, hedonic consumption tendency influential significantly against positive emotion nor against impulse buying. In addition obtained results that positive emotion has full/perfect mediated the effect of store environment, hedonic consumption tendency to impulse buying. Keyword : Passive Leadership, Experienced Workplace incivility, Behavioral Incivility.


Foreword Daniel Callahan Introduction John Keown 1. Euthanasia and the value of life John Harris 2. A philosophical case against euthanasia John Finnis 3. The philosophical case against euthanasia John Harris 4. The fragile case for euthanasia: a reply to John Harris John Finnis 5. Final thoughts on final acts John Harris 6. Misunderstanding the case against euthanasia: response to Harris's first reply John Finnis 7. Euthanasia: back to the future Kenneth Boyd 8. The case for legalising voluntary euthanasia Jean Davies 9. Extracts from the Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics 10. Walton, Davies, Boyd and the legalization of euthanasia Luke Gormally 11. Where there is hope, there is life: a view from the hospice Robert Twycross 12. Letting vegetative patients die Brian Jennett 13. A case for sometimes tube-feeding patients in persistent vegetative state Joseph Boyle 14. Dilemmas at life's end: a comparative legal perspective Dieter Giesen 15. Physician-assisted suicide: the last bridge to active voluntary euthanasia Yale Kamisar 16. Euthanasia in the Netherlands: sliding down the slippery slope? John Keown 17. Advance directives: a legal and ethical analysis Stuart Hornett 18. Theological aspects of euthanasia Anthony Fisher Index.


The present invention relates to a method carboxylate-containing additive for lubricating oils prepared in uncured and obtained by the process of the molded product, wherein said method comprises a) the use of alkaline earth metal base and at least two assistants in the presence of the mixture hydrocarbyl phenol species to produce a mixture of hydrocarbyl phenate, wherein said at least two kinds of alkyl phenols is a mixture comprising at least a first and a second hydrocarbyl phenol hydrocarbyl phenol, hydrocarbyl phenol in the first hydrocarbon isomerization derived from α-olefin, said second hydrocarbyl hydrocarbyl phenol is derived from branched olefins; (b) carboxylation step using carbon dioxide sufficient to convert at least 20 mole% of the starting hydrocarbyl phenols is converted to hydrocarbyl salicylate under conditions carboxylated salt ( hydrocarbyl phenol salt mixture obtained in a) a; and (c) from step (b) removing the resulting product mixture is at least 10% of the starting hydrocarbyl phenol is at least two to produce the additive.


In Gansu Province,there are many types of magnetic minerals.Based on literature of magnetic survey and exploration for mines,the author reviewed the role and effect of aeromagnetic survey and ground magnetic survey in the direct and indirect prospecting for magnetic minerals.To magnetite,the magnetic survey is the direct prospecting method,which is employed to find out new and buried deposit,expand reserves and potential according to magnetic anomalies.The function of indirect prospecting is to discover and outline the ore-bearing magnetic block of rock in order to look for copper-nickel and chromium which relate with basic and ultra-basic rock,and lead-zinc deposit which is accompanied with magnetic minerals.


Lay Summary The challenges associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have the potential to not only adversely affect mental health in general, but also to emphasize and widen...


Polyphenolic extracts from Herba Gei and Herba Lysimachiae were blended and added to kiwifruit juice in order to explore the effects of their presence on the peroxide value of kiwifruit juice exposed to ultraviolet light,temperature or hydrogen peroxide using BHT as control.In addition,the effect of volume ratio between the two polyphenolic extracts on the peroxide value of kiwifruit juice was also investigated,and the abilities of their blends at different ratios to scavenge hydroxyl free radicals were assessed.After thermal treatment at 90 ℃ for 6 h,the peroxide value of kiwifruit juice added with a blend of polyphenolic extracts from the two species of plants at 1:1 was 8.55% and 24.57% lower than those of blank kiwifruit juice and kiwifruit juice added with BHT.When thermal treatment at 90℃ for 6 h was replaced by 0.5% hydrogen peroxide oxidation and ultraviolet light illumination for the same period of time,9.08% and 1.83% decreases in the peroxide value of kiwifruit juice were achieved by replacing BHT with a blend of polyphenolic extracts from the two species of plants at 1:1 and the peroxide values of kiwifruit juice added with the blend were 17.55% and 3.57% when compared with blank kiwifruit juice.The blend of polyphenolic extracts from Herba Gei and Herba Lysimachiae at a volume ratio of 3:1 presented the highest antioxidant effect and its hydroxyl free radical scavenging ratio was 1.37 times higher than that of BHT.The presence of the blend with the highest antioxidant effect resulted in 56.27% decreases in the peroxide value of kiwifruit juice when compared with the presence of blank,respectively.


Abstract Context The leech and centipede granules have good curative effects on many diabetic vascular diseases, including diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction (DIED). Objective To explore the effect of leech and centipede on erectile function in rats with diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction and its possible mechanism. Materials and methods Thirty male Sprague–Dawley DIED rats were randomly divided into the model group (Group M), low-dose group (Group DD), high-dose group (Group DG) and tadalafil group (Group T) (n = 6); diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin. Apomorphine was used to induce diabetic erectile dysfunction. The 'leech-centipede' granules (0.15 and 0.6 g/kg) were intragastrically administered in the DD and DG groups for 8 weeks. Blood glucose, serum insulin, testosterone, cGMP levels and protein expression changes were measured in each group. Results After 8 weeks, the erectile function of rats in the DG group significantly improved (1.26 ± 0.73). Penis tissue cGMP levels were higher in the DG group (1.48 ± 0.11) than in the M group (0.58 ± 0.15). Protein and mRNA expression levels of NOS were significantly higher (0.77 ± 0.05; 0.61 ± 0.02) but those of PDE5 (0.43 ± 0.05; 0.61 ± 0.03) were lower in the DG group than in the M group (0.37 ± 0.06; 0.51 ± 0.01; 0.78 ± 0.06; 0.81 ± 0.04). Conclusion The leech-centipede can improve erectile dysfunction in DIED rats by regulating the expression of cGMP, NOS, and PDE5-related molecules in the PDE5 pathway. This study provides a potential mechanism for the treatment of DIED with leech-centipede.


We have developed a compliant robotic tendon mechanism for a robotic ankle. In this paper, we analyze the differences between a stiff and compliant robotic tendon versus a stiff and compliant slider crank mechanism. The compliant, slider-crank mechanism reduces peak forces and speed required by an actuator at the ankle.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


Donna Bourne-Tyson came to Dalhousie as the University Librarian in November 2011. She obtained her MLIS from Dalhousie, and holds an MA in English literature from the University of Western Ontario. Originally from Northern Ontario, she has spent more than half of her career working in Nova Scotia libraries.


In the development of fuel elements for the NPR, one potentially serious fuel element problem -- high temperature uranium swelling -- has not been experimentally investigated. A series of experiments has been proposed in which uranium fuel rod with different amounts of Zircaloy-2 cladding will be irradiated to high exposure at temperatures equivalent to those expected in an NPR. These experiments should show the importance of high temperature uranium swelling as a limiting factor in NPR fuel element behavior. To obtain sample rod temperature of 250 to 300{degree}C on the surface and 500 to 650{degree}C at the center, the rods will be irradiated in aluminum capsules loaded in standard reactor process tubes. The high temperatures will be obtained by restricting the heat flow from the uranium sample to the coolant. The purpose of this test is to determine the validity of the heat transfer calculations used in predicting the temperature drops within the capsule by irradiating one capsule at known flux conditions and measuring the temperature attained by the uranium rod sample. The data obtained from this test will be used in determining the irradiation conditions required for the full scale uranium swelling tests.


Robert Wright has written that "the more closely we examine the drift of biological evolution and, especially, the drift of human history, the more there seems to be a point to it all." In explaining "the arrow of the history of life, from the primordial soup to the World Wide Web," he argues, "Globalization ... has been in the cards not just since the invention of the telegraph or the steamship, or even the written word or the wheel, but since the invention of life." (1) This bold claim is reminiscent of Francis Fukuyama's assertion that the end of the cold war marked not just "the passing of a particular period of postwar history, but the end of history as such: that is, the end point of mankind's ideological evolution and the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government." (2) The evolutionary logic that Wright, Fukuyama, and others see as a natural and inevitable turn of events actually reflects a concerted effort to impose a particular ideological rationale to the passage of history. That is to say, certain forces in international politics have a clear-cut vision of the form of international society they hope to see materialize. These architects of international society continue to be informed by a belief in the Enlightenment ideal of progress and humankind's universal linear march toward modernity--a modernity that is both liberal, globalized, and cosmopolitan in appearance. As John Gray argues, "it is not too difficult to discern ... [a core] project in the central Enlightenment thinkers, and to detect its presence in the new liberals"--the intellectual descendants of Kantianism such as "[John] Rawls and his disciples"--who "unreflectively subscribed to a version of the Enlightenment philosophy of history in which universal convergence on a cosmopolitan and rationalist civilization ... was taken for granted as the telos of the species." In essence, the philosophical anthropology of the Enlightenment held that different "cultural identities, along with their constitutive histories, were like streams, whose destiny was to flow irresistibly into the great ocean of universal humanity." (3) Underpinning attempts to realize the vision of an interconnected cosmopolitan world order are three interrelated propositions that constitute what Fukuyama calls the "democratic syllogism"; (4) a syllogism that has become the cornerstone of international public policy in the ongoing endeavor to "civilize" international society. Furthermore, one of the primary tools used to shape this liberal cosmopolitan world order is the reinvigoration of a "standard of civilization" in international society. According to Hedley Bull, a "society of states (or international society) exists when a group of states, conscious of certain common interests and common values, form a society in the sense that they conceive themselves to be bound by a common set of rules in their relations with one another, and share in the working of common institutions." (5) With the expansion of Europe from the fifteenth century and the export of the European states system established by the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia, by the time of the postcolonial twentieth century, international society was increasingly identified as universal in scope. (6) That is to say that values and norms that are widely thought of as having their roots in the European Enlightenment--such as human rights, democracy, and the efficacy of science and technology--are now thought to be embraced by, or are at least aspirations of, a large majority of humanity. In referring to the international political arena more generally, Norbert Elias has observed that the pacification of domestic societies--"the relatively peaceful life of large masses of people"--is "in good part based on" the state's monopolization of violence. Adding that "if the reduction of mutual physical danger or increased pacification is considered a decisive criterion for determining the degree of civilization," Elias says humankind can be said "to have reached a higher level of civilization within domestic affairs than on the international plane. …


Inspired by biological systems, artificial self-healing materials are designed for repairing local damage caused by external factors. The rapidly expanding field of self-healing systems contains, among others, materials with well-defined surface properties. Undoubtedly, enhancing surface functionalisation, by applying smart coatings, enjoys an extensive interest. The self-healing ability is particularly essential property for corrosion protection strategies, especially when the use of one of the most effective corrosion systems, based on chromium(VI) compounds, is now banned by the current registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals legislation. Self-healing protective coatings are produced using macromolecular compounds, ceramics, metals and composites. Considering the wide range of available materials, the number of potential combinations seems to be unlimited. The self-healing action of such coatings is activated by appropriate stimuli: temperature changes, radiation, pH changes, pressure changes and mechanical action. In this paper, the research and practical implications of the various approaches to achieving self-healing functionality of protective coatings, as well as potential developments in this area, are explored.


ABSTRACT Plants react to wounding through the activation of both defense and repair pathways, but how these two responses are coordinated is unclear. Here, we put forward the hypothesis that diverse members of the subfamily X of the plant-specific ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factors coordinate stress signaling with the activation of wound repair mechanisms. Moreover, we highlight the observation that tissue repair is strongly boosted through the formation of a heterodimeric protein complex that comprises ERF and transcription factors of the GRAS domain type. This interaction turns ERFs into highly potent and stress-responsive activators of cell proliferation. The potency to induce stem cell identity suggests that these heterodimeric transcription factor complexes could become valuable tools to increase crop regeneration and transformation efficiency. Summary: Subfamily X of EREB-DREB transcription factors are thought to act on either stress signaling or regeneration processes. We suggest that they co-activate both processes, thereby simultaneously protecting injured sites and initiating healing.


Package managers have become essential for software distribution and management. Their goal is to allow users to install programs, drivers, or updates in their systems in a secure, quick, and often, unattended way. However, in recent years, attackers have found severe flaws in software distribution systems and used them as a stealthy launch pad for malicious software. Moreover, it was proved that actors of the software supply-chain are ineffective in detecting and stopping attacks on user devices. In this paper, we present a design for software distribution systems based on distributed ledgers. By replacing traditional code signing certificates with smart contracts, named SmartWitness, we propose a novel system that provides properties of binary transparency, useful and granular package revocation, and dynamic and proactive security assessment improving risk awareness of end users. SmartWitness keeps all actors transparent and accountable, and it enables security providers to participate earlier in the software distribution process, directly influencing package installations on user devices. We show how SmartWitness is integrated into an existing package manager system, and we present results from conducted experiments indicating that the system is practical as for today.


We developed a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA), the p‐AP/HHTIO method, that detects serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by measuring stabilized nitroxide radicals using a novel electron spin resonance technique [Matsuo et al. ( 1998 ) Free Radic Biol Med 25:929–935]. To demonstrate the clinical significance of this method and to reveal occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients, we used the method to analyze serum samples of 30 patients with acute or fulminant hepatitis who were negative for HBsAg by standard EIA, and those of seven chronic HBV carriers who became negative for HBsAg during a follow‐up period by standard EIA. We also examined serum HBV DNA by amplification of the HBV S gene, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The p‐AP/HHTIO method showed that 9 of 20 (45%) patients with acute hepatitis and 2 of 10 (20%) with fulminant hepatitis were positive for HBsAg; PCR detected HBV DNA in these HBsAg‐positive patients. Antibody against hepatitis B core antigen was detected in one patient with fulminant hepatitis. The p‐AP/HHTIO method demonstrated prolonged seropositivity of HBsAg even after standard EIA showed a loss of HBsAg in all seven HBV carriers. Our p‐AP/HHTIO method is useful for screening and diagnosing HBV infection in patients with liver diseases who are negative for conventional HBV‐related serological markers. J. Med. Virol. 66:166–170, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Fractional-slot concentrated winding permanent magnet linear synchronous motors (FSCW PMLSMs) are widely used because of its low cogging force and high thrust density. An analytical magnetic field analysis based on the layered model is established by solving the governing equations, and the field-circuit coupling method is used to compute the no-load electromotive force (EMF) and synchronous reactance. Finally, the finite element method (FEM) and experimental platform are established to verify the validity of the analysis.


Background:  This study was conducted to assess the diurnal variation in ocular hysteresis, as measured by the Ocular Response Analyser to establish a relationship between diurnal hysteresis variation and diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) variation.


This chapter aims at identifying research challenges for veterans' health research in Canada from the Veterans Affairs Canada perspective. Following World War II veterans' health research flourished in the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) hospitals and facilities. Over time, Canadian veterans' health research capacity greatly diminished and research focus shifted from care of the recently ill and injured to care of the aging and elderly. Today, more Canadians have been affected by military service-related injuries and illnesses than any time since the Korean War. VAC research functions support innovation that is essential for VAC to meet its mandate. Four main challenges have been identified: (1) Veterans' health research must consider health, disability and the determinants of health status of all Canadian veterans, not just those receiving VAC benefits; (2) Determine effects of military service on the life courses of veterans and their families; (3) Identify optimum approaches to the care of veterans and their families; (4) Manage the explosion of expert opinion and research findings; and (5) Strengthen capacity in Canadian veterans' health research. A coordinated national vision and partnerships with federal, provincial and university researchers are needed to inform policy, programs and services to meet the needs of today's military veterans and their families.


The educational objectives of different University courses and the combination and sequence of teaching methods used for them, vary between institutions and disciplines. When designing and implementing courses in higher education, we make decisions regarding the match between educational objectives to be set and the teaching methods to adopt. We base these decisions on implicit assumptions about the relationship between teaching methods and educational objectives for the Building discipline. We tested these assumptions with a survey of staff and students involved in undergraduate courses in Building at the National University of Singapore. First, we asked both the staff and the students to rank order a set of educational objectives in terms of importance. Then we asked staff how effective they thought different teaching methods would be in meeting these objectives, and asked students how effective they thought a range of teaching methods had been. The teaching methods considered included lectures, seminar...


Well it's that time of the year again. As the southern hemisphere slowly warms to a new spring, so the annual Ig Nobel awards reappear. I have written about these previously, but to the uninitiated these awards embody the pinnacle of human achievement and represent eccentric and unusual research as an alternative to the "real" Nobel awards, which although awarded at the same time tend to be a little dry by comparison.

The winner in the Medicine category was the penetrating study published in our …


To the Editor. —The report by Morris and Estes 1 concerning the use of triazolam to minimize jet lag cautions travelers about even moderate ethanol intake to avoid transient global amnesia. I have recently encountered two cases of cognitive dysfunction associated with triazolam taken during long airplane flights, the first of which was complicated by more dramatic symptoms than transient global amnesia. Report of Cases Case 1. —A 72-year-old woman returned to New Zealand from Hawaii with her daughter and son-in-law on a 91/2-hour nonstop flight. Her medical history included mild Parkinson's disease, for which she took a combination of 25 mg of carbidopa and 100 mg of levodopa three times daily. Thirty minutes before takeoff (1 AM Hawaii time) she was given 0.5mg of triazolam. She had eaten dinner with her family (but abstained from alcohol) four hours earlier, at which time she took her usual medication. She was


Tuberculosis (TB) is contagious disease caused by the bacteria mycobacterium tuberculosis and is one of the top 10 causes of death in the world. Central Java is included as one of the three provinces with highest number of TB cases in Indonesia. End the TB epidemic by 2030 is the final goal of Sustainability Development Goal and Indonesia has set target for TB elimination by 2035. The number of TB cases is non-negative count data. The distribution pattern of the count data needs to be noticed in order to produce valid analysis. Based on calculation of the VMR (Variance Mean Ratio) value and suitability test, the data on the number of TB cases follows negative binomial distribution. The infection of TB disease tends to be clumped and is affected by geographical factors (environmental, social, and economic). This study aims to determine factors that affecting TB cases through Geographic Weighted Negative Binomial Regression (GWNBR) model approach which considering spatial aspects. Based on the ratio of AIC and BIC value, GWNBR model with an adaptive gaussian kernel weighting gives the best results. The affecting factors are the number of hospitals , the percentage of population with good water access , the population density , the percentage of household with a distance of drinking water sources and feces septic tank less than 10 meters.


We propose a testbed to assist IT professionals1 in evaluating privacy properties of software systems. The goal of the testbed, currently under construction, is to help IT professionals systematically evaluate and understand the privacy behavior of applications. We first provide three use cases to support developers and privacy engineers, and then describe key design considerations for the testbed.


The chapter gives the etymology of the word "avalanche". It defines the various types of snow avalanches, as slab, full-depth or loose snow, dense or airborne-powder, spontaneous or artificial ones. It also mentions the fact that other materials, such as sand, rock-falls, and landslides, may behave in a similar way, as developed in chapter 4. It also aims at making clear a number of idioms often used in this field. The content of each of the book chapters is also summarized.


This paper proposes a strategy based on wavelet for phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry(Φ-OTDR) signal processing, which is used in pipeline early-warning system. This strategy can pick up vibration signal near the pipeline without frequency loss and sharpen the signal in time domain against shot noise, thermal noise and environment noise. This paper introduces the principle of Φ-OTDR and researches wavelet thresholding method and wavelet information entropy for it. Compared with the moving differential method, the wavelet method will avoid frequency loss. According to the noise analyses through wavelet, this paper finds an effective way to set thresholds for every point along the fiber adaptively. Through field experiment, the method is proved to be effective in reducing noise and sharpening signal with a SNR improvement from 4.23dB to 12.22dB. The wavelet information entropy can evaluate vibration in a comprehensive view and reach 40m alarm positioning accuracy along 23km distance.


Availability of accurate and reliable black liquor (BL) viscosity models is essential for the improvement in the design, analysis and operation of kraft recovery facilities. Most of the existing models are applicable over limited ranges of process conditions whereas BL exhibits varied viscosity behaviours, Newtonian and nonNewtonian, over a wide range of process conditions. A straightforward approach is to use multiple models, but this may pose the challenge of predictions continuity. In this paper, first, the nonNewtonian behaviour of a BL sample was approximated as low-shear Newtonian viscosity behaviour. Both the pure and approximated Newtonian behaviours of the liquor were then jointly modelled using artificial neural network (ANN) paradigm. A literature functional model for predicting BL Newtonian viscosity over a wide range of conditions was also used to model the pure and the approximated Newtonian behaviours of the sample. Due to limited data, response surface methodology (RSM) was adapted to investigate the predictive and generalization capabilities of the two models. Although both models showed good generalization capability, only the ANN predicted all the experimental and the approximated viscosities (low to moderate to high) successfully while the functional model failed to predict the liquor viscosities at 1000mPa.s (moderate) and 12000mPa.s (high). It is concluded that ANN is a better predictor of the BL Newtonian viscosity than the functional model over a wide range of process conditions. Moreover, RSM proves to be a useful tool to investigate the predictive and generalization capabilities of a model, where the available data is limited.


Unconventional number systems have been proposed as an alternative to conventional weighted number systems in realizing digital signal processing (DSP) processors. A well-known advantage of these systems is related to the intrinsic property of performing operations in a finite field of numbers, thus always avoiding overflow. This advantage is fully met by applying the proposed method, which realizes a full parallel linear combinator as a single device by the residue number system (RNS) approach. The linear combinator is implemented as two parallel modular structures which can work very quickly by means the well-known isomorphism technique. This technique reduces the computational costs of multipliers to that of adders. Some particular aspects of VLSI implementation are also discussed.<<ETX>>


The invention provides a grinding and separating method of low-strength reduced iron. The grinding and separating method comprises the steps of S1, crushing, wherein low-strength reduced iron raw materials are crushed; S2, pulp making, wherein low-strength reduced iron particles obtained in S1 and water are mixed to form ore pulp with the concentration of 8%-12%; S3, iron and slag separating, wherein the ore pulp obtained in S2 enters a first grinding machine to be ground for 20-30 min, and then enters a magnetic separator for magnetic separation, and concentrates and tailings are obtained; and S4, iron powder upgrading, wherein concentrate pulp obtained in S3 is subjected to condensation, rinsing and pulp making, is ground by a second grinding machine for 20-30 min, and enters the magnetic separator again, concentrates and tailings are obtained, the concentrates enter a table concentrator for further reselection and purification, and finished iron powder is obtained. The low-strength coal-based reduced iron is adopted as raw materials in the method, the effective iron and slag separating function can be achieved without a large quantity of steel ball shocks and impacts, the investment of grinding and separating equipment can be greatly reduced, and the grinding and separating production cost is reduced.


Electric power communication network is an important part of power system, which plays a vital role in the operation of power network. This paper established an index system of electric power communication network and proposed a diagnostic method of electric power communication network system based on extension rating. This evaluation method can not only evaluate the impact factors of the electric power communication network, but also can diagnose and rate the whole electric power communication network.


The analytical composition and nutritional value of market size eel, rainbow trout, sea bass and sea bream fillets from intensive Italian fish farms were determined. The lipid content (4.08% on fresh flesh for rainbow trout, 6.81% for sea bream, 7.62% for sea bass, 27.19 and 30.57% for eels of 700 an 200 g, respectively) was higher than data reported in the literature for the Italian situation (0.1 - 3.0% for sea bass, 0.2- 5.9 for sea bream, 18.7 - 25.6 for eels, higher variability for trout 2.1 - 14 on fresh flesh), which generally are referred to wild fish. The atherogenic (A.I.) and thrombogenic (T.I.) indices were very good (A.I., from 0.48 to 0.54; T.I., from 0.23 to 0.42). Fish, particularly eel, were rich in oleic acid, C18:1 (n-9), (from 18.2 to 29%), and in (n-6)PUFA and in (n-3)PUFA, mainly in marine fish. The quality of protein was high in all fish species. Analytical results confirmed the high nutritional value of reared fish meat, the higher lipid content in reared fish compared to wild ones must however be considered in dietetic regimes because of the higher energy content of the fish flesh, and in fish processing to avoid alterations in the sensorial, compositional and nutritional quality of the product.


Abstract This study analyzed the acoustic energy transfer process in expanded pipe of heat exchangers based on the field synergy principle. The synergy between the flow field and the acoustic field was deduced theoretically based on the energy and momentum equations pertaining to the acoustic field. The synergy angle of the flow field and the acoustic field was calculated numerically. The noise propagation process in the expanded pipe was measured experimentally. The results show that the sound pressure level and synergy angle both increase with the increase in flow velocity, whereas the acoustic energy transfer process decreased with the increase in synergy angle. An extended outlet of the expanded pipe segment can reduce the flow noise magnitude with a lower pressure drop. The flow noise can reach 123 dB and the pressure drop is 37.3% and 24.7% less than other cases. In conclusion, the theoretical analysis, experimental tests, and numerical simulation method are developed to study the acoustic energy transfer process in segments of expanded pipe based on synergy principle of flow and acoustic fields.


Lung microvascular barrier deterioration is a major cause of acute lung injury (ALI). Tyrosine phosphorylation of the protein, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), enhances the endothelial barrier in cultured lung endothelial monolayers (JBC, 278:13342–9). To determine whether phosphorylated FAK (FAKp) is barrier protective in vivo, we non‐covalently conjugated purified, His‐tagged FAKp to the cell‐permeable peptide, TAT (TAT‐FAKp). To quantify microvascular barrier properties in an ALI model, in anesthetized mice we intra‐tracheally instilled 0.1N HCl (2 ml/kg). Controls received no instillation. After 2 hours, we isolated and blood‐perfused lungs to quantify lung microvascular barrier properties in terms of the filtration coefficient (Kf). Kf was 0.3‐±0.1 ml/(cmH2O.min.100g) for controls (mean±SD; n=3), but higher at 0.7±0.1 after acid instillation (n=3), indicating that acid deteriorated the barrier. In animals given tail vein infusion of TAT‐FAKp (500 ug/kg) 4 hours prior to, or 0.5 hours following acid instillation (n=5 for each), the Kf increase was blunted by 80±4% (P<0.05). These results indicate that TAT‐FAKp treatment abrogated acid induced deterioration of the lung microvascular barrier and that the protective effect lasted at least 4 hours. We propose that TAT‐FAKp might be a novel therapeutic agent in ALI (HL36024).


An octagenerian woman developed clear cell hidradenocarcinoma, a rare neoplasm of eccrine sweat gland origin, 4 years following pacemaker implantation in her right lateral chest. The tumor immunohistochemically mimicked a metastatic lobular breast carcinoma, for example, strongly positive estrogen, weakly positive progesterone, and weakly reactive mammoglobin. A complete surgical excision of the tumor was complemented with ipsilateral dissection of involved adjacent axillary lymph nodes. Recommended irradiation was refused by the patient. Retrospective 3‐year mammogram review, 2‐year postsurgery follow‐up, and complete postmortem evaluation failed to prove a primary breast malignancy or other metastatic lesion elsewhere.


The effectiveness of reference tracking of fast response flow system by conventional PI or PID controller depends on the process transfer function variables, and controller adjustable parameters. The first-order lag relationship of the flow process is obtained from the material balance, on assumption, that no reaction occurred between the input and output points. Process time constant and gain were varied from 0.005s-5s and 0.5-500 respectively while the system simple performance criteria were monitored. As expected, the controllers adjusted their time parameters by the same magnitude in which the process time constant increased, but showed insignificant change due to the increase in the process gain. The decrease in the controllers' response time from 0.005615s to 0.00107s resulted in increased speed for the system, but at the expense of stability. Based on that, a balance between response time and robustness is required to ensure optimum set-point reference tracking and desired system stability.


Globally, drug trafficking has generated a lot of violent crimes. In Nigeria, among all the drugs trafficked on, Indian hemp appears responsible for much bigger portion of the violent crimes than most people realize. Perhaps, the reason for this is not unconnected to the fact that Indian hemp is the only illicit psychoactive substance produced in the country. In fact, between 1990, when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was established, and 2009, about 117 deaths of NDLEA officials have been recorded; and a significant proportion of this deaths resulted from Indian hemp related cases. This paper is an attempt to create awareness, explore the peculiar challenges and proffer workable strategies for interrupting Indian hemp induced violent crimes against Nigerians.


Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effects of Phytophtora root rot (caused by Phytophtora cinnamomi) and flooding on avocado (Persea americana). In addition to standard disease assessments (root necrosis, root colonization, wilt, and defoliation), dry weight accumulations and gas exchange characteristics were monitored as indicators of host distress. (...)


Young-of-year piscivores typically undergo ontogenetic diet shifts from planktivory to benthivory to piscivory. These shifts are often the result of changes in predator foraging abilities, but little is known about the influence of relative prey availability. As a result, we examined diet shifts across a range of sizes (20–150 mm) of a young-of-year piscivore, walleye (Sander vitreus), in feeding experiments in which zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and fish were made available at different density combinations. Consumption of each prey type changed with walleye size and prey densities. Small juveniles (20 mm) selected zooplankton and fish, whereas larger walleye (40–100 mm) selected benthic invertebrates and fish. Relative prey densities influenced consumption; increased densities of more profitable prey types resulted in reduced consumption of less profitable prey. Walleye larger than 100 mm selected only fish. Foraging efficiencies also varied with size and prey types; small walleye (20 mm) were les...


This paper mainly introduces the antilock braking system(ABS)of automobile in its functions,principles,construction and developing directions in the future.Also the advantages for ABS to shorten braking distance and improve the direction stability during braking course.And the construction and working process of the main parts of the ordinary style antilock braking system are described here.Some views on the quality improvement of braking process and integration application are put forward.


Green politics has won great prize in Europe.Nowadays,in the influence of globalization,it affects China.After reform and opening to the world,with the development of the economy,our country is facing more and more problems,such as problems of eco-system.Developing green politics is also reasonable and realistic in China.


Nitration tail gas mainly of nitrogen oxides was treated in a rotating packed bed.Operation conditions and running stability were studied during the pilot test based on earlier research.The effects of gas flow,liquid gas ratio,high gravity factor and the concentration of absorbent on absorptivity were investigated and the proper conditions were obtained.The results show that the absorptivity of a single stage could reach 85.4%at a gas flow rate of 100 m 3 .h -1 ,liquid gas ratio of 20 L.m -3 ,high gravity factor of 90 and urea concentration of 20%.After continuous operation for 30 d by two stages,the average absorptivity was higher than 96%and the system operated stably.The rotating packed bed has broad prospect of industrial application for its advantages of smaller occupation of land,smaller investment,easier operation and higher absorption efficiency.


Disasters make huge debris in short period of time. In spite of increasing risk of disasters by recent climate change, consideration on disaster debris is still insignificant in Korea. In order to improve management of disaster debris, disaster debris management guidelines have been compared with those of United States and Japan. According to comparison, debris management of Korea showed lack of concreteness for field workers. The unit recovery costs of inland debris and offshore debris were 173 and 318 thousand won per ton, respectively. Inland debris was mainly affected by quantity and location. And offshore debris were affected by finances.


There were rocks which need blast during a highway construction. The shortest distance between the blasting area and the residence is 30 meters. Because of the urgent time for the project, a jackbit stoper couldn't meet the schedule. By calculations the largest interval charge time was obtained. We selected CTQ-500 driller and adopted millisecond Nonel firing among holes and arrays to make the largest charge per delay interval as low as to ton-level. This ensured both time schedule and safty.


Today's highly automated and interconnected power systems have I created a new need to study the behavior of a power system under load-generation imbalances caused by system disturbances. Loss of equilibrium between load and generation will cause a rapid deterioration of the power system, eventually, even forcing It to collapse. If some means are not developed to counteract the effects of these disturbances, a total system shutdown may result. The means selected should make it possible for the system to regain equilibrium. The result of a power system disturbance may be a surplus of generation or a deficiency of generation (excess load). A surplus of generation raises the frequency of the power system and deficiency of generation lowers the frequency of the power system. This paper analyses the problem of generation deficiency and the resulting low frequency. One of the solutions to this problem is application of automatic frequency regulated programs to re-establish equilibrium between load and generation. The automatic frequency regulated programs can prevent a total system collapse and, also, help in the system restoration. This paper investigates the techniques for determining the important system parameters and frequency characteristics that must be considered in establishing a load relief/restoration program in order to address the problem of generation deficiency (low frequency condition) arising out of a system disturbance. The effect of low frequency on the operation of turbine-generator and power plant auxiliaries is* very severe, and they must be protected before their operating limits are reached. Analysis of frequency sensing devices, their settings and coordination, and suggested automatic control schemes are presented. A review and an analysis of PJM/PP&L (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland power interconnection/Pennsylvania Power and Light Company) load relief/restoration programs are included. The main findings of the thesis are as follows: o Sudden and large losses in generation due to the system disturbances can produce a severe generation and load imbalance which can result in rapid frequency decline. The frequency decline should be prevented before the equipment operating limits are reached. o The frequency decline can be arrested by interrupting a portion of the system load (load relief) for a short period of time. After the frequency has recovered to rated, the load can be restored. o Due to the speed and certainty of operation,, automatic frequency control should be the choice to provide load relief to match load and generation. o Upper and lower operating frequency limits (below rated 60 hertz) should be established before other underfrequency system parameters are determined. o The fast electromechanical relays or the new solid state relays with their greater precision and stability can achieve coordinated systemwide automatic load relief and restoration. o Implementation of a load relief program can be achieved without undertaking complex and extensive system studies. o The high investment in the turbine-generator units requires that they should be protected against damage from the underfrequetflf operation. CHAPTER


Medical laboratory technicians should master medical system theory and operation ability,should have the clinical examination and laboratory diagnosis thinking and analysis ability,the ability to evaluate all the test results,the basic components and performance ability to understand the common testing instruments,and have good occupation attitude,and should be qualified for medical examination and laboratory diagnosis of work ability. In recent years,the domestic Chinese medicine colleges and universities began to offer medical testing technology. Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine relying on experimental resources added medical inspection technology in 2013. How to effectively use resources,building platform for training of medical laboratory technology talent,is the focus work in the future.


Pseudomonas putida is a potential strain in biological treatment to remove mercury contained in the effluent of petrochemical industry due to its mercury reductase enzyme that able to reduce ionic mercury to elementary mercury. Freeze-dried P. putida allows easy, inexpensive shipping, handling and high stability of the product. This study was aimed to freeze dry P. putida cells with addition of lyoprotectant. Lyoprotectant was added into the cells suspension prior to freezing. Dried P. putida obtained was then mixed with synthetic mercury. Viability of recovery P. putida after freeze dry was significantly influenced by the type of lyoprotectant. Among the lyoprotectants, tween 80 / sucrose was found to be the best lyoprotectant. Sucrose able to recover more than 78% (6.2E+09 CFU/ml) of the original cells (7.90E+09CFU/ml) after freeze dry and able to retain 5.40E+05 viable cells after 4 weeks storage in 4oC without vacuum. PEG pre-treated freeze dry cells and broth pre-treated freeze dry cells after freeze-dry recovered more than 64% (5.0 E+09CFU/ml) and >0.1% (5.60E+07CFU/ml). Freeze-dried P. putida cells in PEG and broth cannot survive after 4 weeks storage. Freeze dry also does not really change the pattern of growth P. putida but extension of lag time was found 1 hour after 3 weeks of storage. Additional time was required for freeze-dried P. putida cells to recover before introduce freeze-dried cells to more complicated condition such as mercury solution. The maximum mercury reduction of PEG pre-treated freeze-dried cells after freeze dry and after storage 3 weeks was 56.78% and 17.91 %.The maximum of mercury reduction of tween 80 / sucrose pre-treated freeze-dried cells after freeze dry and after storage 3 weeks were 26.35% and 25.03%. Freeze dried P .putida was found to have lower mercury reduction compare to the fresh P. putida that has been growth in agar. Result from this study may be beneficial and useful as initial reference before commercialize freeze-dried P. putida.


In this paper we study the basic characteristics of traffic performance of agent communication systems, focusing upon the mobility of agents. First, we will briefly introduce several application models in terms of when, where and for what purposes the agent should be moved. Then we will focus on the model in which the mobility is used for trying to reduce the total communication cost among the agents and develop a simple model on top of some kind of distributed constraint satisfaction model. Finally, we will show the empirical results obtained from the simulation and discuss how the mobility could affect the overall performance of this type of systems.


There are two stages in the part manufacturing life cycle, the development stage and the production stage. In the development stage, the developer tests and verifies the design, property and functionality of the part, and usually a small quality of prototypes of the part is needed. In the production stage, engineers determine the method of production and production tools may be required. in either stage, the time and cost to produce prototypes or production tools have significant impact on the success of the product in terms of sales and profits. Conventional methods of fabricating prototypes and production tools are generally expensive and time consuming. Rapid prototyping (RP) can reduce the time can cost to produce prototypes and tools dramatically. One important advancement of RP technologies is rapid tooling (RT). RT technologies produce production tools using the RP approaches. The effect of RT manufacturing industry, in particular the plastic product manufacturers. This paper will give an overview of the background and development of the RT technology and a glance at the state-of-the-art. Processes to be discussed include RTV, KelTool, QuickCast, RapidTool, Metal Coating, Metal Shell, 3D Printing, Shape Deposition Manufacturing and Laser Engineered Net Shaping processes.


Richard Layard outlines the development of CEP research on what makes people happy and how society might best be organised to promote happiness.


In this study, the Perceived Perfectionism from God Scale (PPGS) was developed with Latter-day Saints (Mormons) across two samples. Sample 1 ( N = 421) was used for EFA to select items for the Perceived Standards from God (5 items) and the Perceived Discrepancy from God (5 items) subscales. Sample 2 ( N = 420) was used for CFA and cross-validated the 2-factor oblique model as well as a bifactor model. Perceived Standards from God scores had Cronbach alphas ranging from .73 to .78, and Perceived Discrepancy from God scores had Cronbach alphas ranging from .82 to .84. Standards from God scores were positively correlated with positive affect, whereas Discrepancy from God scores was positively correlated with negative affect, shame and guilt. Moreover, these two PPGS subscale scores added significant incremental variances in predicting associated variables over and above corresponding personal perfectionism scores. predicting and corresponding personal perfectionism for composite .93 et al.'s original In the for composite PIOS was .93. disgraced'' (Shame) (Guilt). alphas were and Guilt (Stoeber In the for composite Shame and Guilt


Static micromagnetic configurations are determined by minimizing the sum of anisotropy, demagnetization, exchange, and external interaction energies subject to the constraint that the magnitude of the magnetization vector is constant throughout a sample. If this constraint is not explicitly imposed in a numerical or analytical investigation, a Lagrange multiplier type of term must be appended to the energy functional. In a region R, two candidates are λ∫R(1 − ‖m(r)‖2)2 dV and ∫Rλ(r)(1 − ‖m(r)‖2)dV. The first expression is a Higgs or penalty term in the terminology of physicists and numerical analysts. The penalty parameter λ is given a physical meaning through the Ginsburg–Landau theory.1 The second expression is avoided by physicists and numerical analysts since the scalar Lagrange multiplier λ(r) represents an unwelcomed proliferation of variables. Following the theory of harmonic maps, the scalar Lagrange multiplier field is eliminated in this paper and a generalized harmonic map equation for micromagn...


This chapter further discusses bone dysplasias, and includes discussion on familial expansile osteolysis, hyaline fibromatosis, mandibuloacral dysplasia, progeria, Winchester-Torg syndrome, Hajdu-Cheney osteolysis, and multicentric carpal-tarsal osteolysis. Each discussion includes major radiographic features, major clinical findings, genetics, major differential diagnoses, and a bibliography.


The lack of investment in inland transport infrastructure coupled with increase in ship size and growth of alliances has resulted in congestion, safety and environmental problems in the vicinity of ports and urban centres, especially centres close to the sea port. The development of urban container terminals with interface to road, rail or waterway networks is seen as a promising solution to these problems. The terminals are expected to be common user facilities, where each shipper has the choice of using it through the choice of rail or barge transport in the moving the containers between the port and terminal, and truck to/from the destination/origin or alternatively using truck only between the port and the origin/destination. The terminals are also expected to perform auxiliary activities such as warehousing and empty container storage thereby allowing these activities to be relocated to the terminals to provide extra revenue. This study employs an entropy framework to embed distribution and model choice models within a facility location problem such that the mode and distribution models influence the location choice of terminals, which in turn conditions the choice of mode and cargo destinations. The overall model was decomposed using Lagrangian relaxation techniques and is solved to optimality. Key features of the model were demonstrated using NSW, Australia, as a case study and data on import containers. The model reveals the key factors governing the distribution of containers in urban areas and the influence of the distribution on the optimal location for intermodal terminals.


Samskara is the story of life in an Agrahara, a narrow street, in which Brahmins belonging to Madhava community (followers of Guru madhawa). The Brahmins of this Agrahara are utterly descendant, narrow-minded, selfish, greedy and jealous. Their Brahminwood consists solely of fulfilling rules, following traditions which are thousands of years old. They are afraid that it they do not follow the rules. Disasters will fall upon them. They feel safe as long as they follow rules. Udupi Rajagoplacharya Ananthamurthy was a leading contemporary writer and critic in Kannada language. Ananthamurthy is counted among the most eminent Indian authors. Most of Ananthamurthy's literary works deal with philosophical aspects of people in different situations times and circumstances. The writings analyze aspects ranging from challenges faced by Brahmin families of Karnataka. Ananthamurthy has deep insight into Indian and Western philosophy and life and that shows in his writings. The caste system of southern India appeared to him very stringent and unchangeable..


Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections are rare. In particular, neurologic manifestations combined with acute hepatitis infection are very rare, and have not been reported in Korea. We experienced a case of acute encephalitis caused by an acute HAV infection. A 25-yr-old male presented with severe headache, vomiting, and fever. IgM antibodies to HAV were detected, and laboratory findings showed acute hepatitis. CSF exams were compatible with acute encephalitis. The patient recovered completely with conservative treatment. We report the case with a literature review.


Novel interferometer designs for optical coherence tomography is more described. These interferometers, light efficiency, is designed to overcome the lack of optical coherence tomography system-specific signal-to-noise ratio.


Introduction: Infectious corneal ulcers of fungal origin affecting people of tropical and developing countries is one of the leading cause of blindness .Fungi are present in fresh or decaying organic matters, paddy leaves, cow tail, agricultural vegetative remnants. Management of fungal corneal ulcer requires timely diagnosis and administration of appropriate antifungal therapy. Aim. : To evaluate the efficacy of topical 1% voriconazole versus 5% natamycin in the treatment of fungal corneal ulcers. Materials and Methods: The present study entitledA comparative study of topical voriconazole and topical natamycin in patients with fungal corneal ulcersA clinical study in a tertiary care hospital was carried out in the Department of Ophthalmology, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical college, Barpeta, Assam from JAN 2019 to Dec 2019.A total number of 40 patients with microbiologically proven fungal corneal ulcers were taken for the study. Results: Two groups of 20 patients of fungal corneal ulcers were started on treatment with either 1%voriconazole or 5% Natamycin.Corneal ulcer healed in 17 (85%) of 20 patients in voriconazole treated group and in 18 (90%) of 20 patients of natamycin treated group. There was no significant statistical differences between the two groups (P=1.00). Conclusions: success rate of both the drugs were comparable and voriconazole therapy did not show any additional beneficial effect over natamycin.


The benefits of lower second molar extraction are substantially reduced if the third molar fails to erupt into a satisfactory position. The selection criteria offered by the literature have been tested in a sample of 51 patients. Prediction is uncertain and cases should be followed until such time as a satisfactory third molar position has been achieved. Failure may be unilateral and more often on the right side. The need for follow-up treatment is subjective but may be as many as one in the patients.


Abstract Creep (the time-dependent yielding of a material under stress) arises from the stress-modulated motion of defects. We develop, for the case of linear anelasticity, a fundamental theory that exploits the randomness of defect motion leading to creep. The random motion of defects causes fluctuations in the strain, and the formalism of linear response theory for classical variables is brought to bear on the problem to obtain the fluctuation-dissipation (FD) theorem for anelasticity: formulae are derived for the complex compliance and the creep function in terms of the autocorrelation of the strain fluctuations in zero external stress. These formulae are also expressed in terms of the power spectrum of the fluctuating strain, as this is the quantity of potential experimental interest. Moment theorems are derived for the power spectrum, to constrain and to give physical meaning to the parameters introduced in empirical network models of anelasticity. A generalized stochastic equation is derived connect...


In article the analysis of the concept "tolerance", "constructive tolerance" and "destructive tolerance", scientific approaches to studying of these phenomena is given, the tolerance typology with author's additions is given.


Tretamine, topically applied in acetone solution, sterilized male Oncopellus fascialus (Dallas) with little effect on longevity, spermatogenesis, or mating. Tepa also was effective but more toxic; hempa was inert even at 1000 mg/kg; and the bis- and mono-aziridinyl analogues were intermediate both in toxicity and sterilant action. Metepa was a relatively nontoxic sterilant at 1000 mg/kg. A 60-day test at 30° with varying dosages of tretamine gave about 30% overall sterilization at 5 mg/kg, 50% at 10, and over 90% at 20. The effect was most intense during the first 15 days after treatment (100% sterility at both 10 and 20 mg/kg), then some males showed partial recovery of fertility. The ratio of apparently unfertilized eggs to fertilized eggs increased as tretamine dosage was increased, suggesting some reduction of spermatogenesis or mating as males grew older.


This paper presents a low-order and accurate method for the design of FIR fractional delay (FD) filters with complex coefficients. This method employs least square technique in Hilbert space to approximate the ideal FD transfer function with a FIR filter and to calculate its coefficients. The main advantages of the resulting filter are: very good response at all frequencies compared to other FD filter design methods and a good method to create very small delay. Design examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of this new design approach.


In recent years, the Republic of Kazakhstan has prioritized the enhancement of its domestic food production industry as a strategic economic initiative. This is driven by the dual goals of improving public health outcomes and stimulating economic growth. Dairy products, a staple in the Kazakh diet, have been identified as a key sector for development. However, the domestic dairy industry faces significant economic challenges. Firstly, the industry is in its nascent stages of recovery following a prolonged period of economic stagnation. Secondly, high-quality domestic dairy products are facing stiff market competition from inexpensive foreign imports, which often do not meet the necessary quality and nutritional standards. This has implications for both public health and the economic viability of domestic dairy producers. Thirdly, the country is at the initial stages of exploring combined technologies to produce dairy products enriched with herbal supplements, known as combined dairy products. This emerging sector represents a potential avenue for economic diversification and value addition within the dairy industry. The objective of the study outlined in the provided paper is multifaceted, encompassing economic, technological, and public health dimensions within the context of Kazakhstan's domestic dairy industry. Specifically, the study aims to explore the economic potential and viability of producing combined cheeses with intermediate moisture content. To achieve this objective, we propose to examine the organoleptic and physico-chemical characteristics of such dairy products. By investigating these attributes, the study seeks to shed light on the implications of producing these combined cheeses for production costs, marketability, and potential profitability. This endeavor is situated within the broader strategic goal of enhancing Kazakhstan's domestic food production industry, particularly focusing on dairy products, which are a staple in the Kazakh diet. The research is driven by dual imperatives: improving public health outcomes and stimulating economic growth. To gain empirical data and real market needs understanding, the authors conducted a poll of the residents of three major cities of Kazakhstan: the capital Astana, Almaty and Shymkent. The poll involved 1,000 residents of each of the named cities, which is approximately 0.5-1% of the population of such cities as of 2020. The poll was conducted over a one-month period among supermarket customers of different ages who choose dairy products – soft cheeses. Respondents were asked three questions, namely: In your opinion, is there a need in the Republic of Kazakhstan to produce a new dairy product, in particular soft cheese, with high vitamin content and low-fat content, based on organic fermented vegetables? What price would you be willing to pay for such a product? Should the new product be produced by national producers? The findings show that almost every resident of large cities of the Republic of Kazakhstan who buys soft cheese wants to see on the supermarket shelves more high-quality and useful national cheeses. The above study of consumer opinion on the need for high-quality soft cheese with vegetable additives suggests that in terms of production of new soft cheeses market can be called promising. The results of economic analysis example presented in our paper also support this conclusion.


In response to a request from the owners of three radiator repair shops located in Lakewood, Arvada, and Aurora, Colorado, an investigation was made of lead exposures and worker blood-lead levels. All types of radiators were repaired and cleaned, most being from automobiles. Lead exposure occurred when an oxygen acetylene torch was used to melt the lead-based solder used to attach the top and bottom to the core. Other contact with lead resulted from brushing, producing skin contact with the oxidized lead. Environmental samples for inorganic lead indicated concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.29 mg/m{sup 3} with the average for all ten samples being 0.16 mg/m{sup 3}. Of the eight breathing zone samples taken, six exceeded the recommended criterion of 0.05 mg/m{sup 3}. Of ten workers tested for blood lead levels, three had levels exceeding 40 micrograms/deciliter and four had elevated zinc-protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels. No significant statistical association was noted between breathing zone levels of lead and blood levels of lead. A health hazard existed from overexposure to lead during cleaning and repair of radiators. Specific control measures are recommended.


The systematic reviews (SRs) of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus hepatic resection (HR) for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are increasing with varies qualities. The aim of this study is to evaluate quality and their impacts on outcomes of these studies.