Pipelines in an arctic environment are subjected to severe loading co nditions which may combine high internal pressure and bending due to e.g.}ground movements. The assessment of such structures is  performed using both stress and strain based design assuming pre-existing flaws in the girth welds. The validity and accuracy of assessment methodologies can be checked using well instrumented full scale tests. In this study a grade X65 seamless pipeline element was investigated. The base metal  as well as the weld metal were comprehensively investigated using tensile and notched axisymmetric bars, flat notched bars, CT and SENT specimens at temperatures between -40°C and +20°C. J-Da curves were determined following ASTM-1820 [1,2] using the unloading compliance technique. SENT tests were performed using the Exxon double clip method [3] in order to evaluate the Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD). The experimental results were used to fit a GTN model [4] for ductile fracture. The material plastic behaviour is isotropic and can be described using von Mises plasticity. Hardening is assumed to be temperature dependent whereas model parameters describing ductile damage are considered as constant. The last assumption is consistent with unit cell calculations. The GTN model can represent material degradation up to failure. Simulations of cracked specimens (CT and SENT) were carried out so as to mimic the actual tests including unloading so that crack advance could be evaluated using the unloading compliance technique or by tracking the position of the failed material points. A full scale test was carried out at the SZMF installation [5] using a welded pipe segment. The test rig is a vertical four-point-bending device. An internal pressure (water) corresponding to 80% of the burst pressure was applied before bending. Two flaws were machined in the pipe. The first one was located at the middle of the pipe in the girth weld. The second flaw was located in the base metal at a distance from the first one which was selected so as to make sure that both cracks were not interacting. The second flaw was shorter than the first one to make sure that final failure occurred in the weld. Both flaws are loaded in the longitudinal direction due to bending. Two extensometers were used for each flaw to measure both  CTOD and Crack Mouth Opening Displacement (CMOD)  using the Exxon double clip method. The models tuned on small scale experiments were used to simulate failure of the pipe segment. [1] ASTM-1820, Standard test method for measurement of fracture toughness, Tech. rep. (2008). [2] S. Cravero, C. Ruggieri,  Estimation procedure of J-resistance curves for SE(T) fracture specimens using unloading compliance, Eng. Fract. Mech. 74 2735-2757 (2007) [3] ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company,  Measurement of Crack-Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) fracture resistance curves using Single-Edge Notched Tension (SENT) specimens, Tech. rep., ExxonMobil (2010). [4] V. Tvergaard, A. Needleman, Analysis of the cup--cone fracture in a round tensile bar, Acta Metall. 32, 157--169 (1984) [5] S. Hohler, H. Brauer, Structural behaviour of high-frequency-induction (hfi) welded line pipe subject to external loads, in: Proc. of the Twenty-third (2013) International Offshore and Polar Engineering, ISOPE, pp. 577--582 (2013).


Methods for construction of various types of quartz fiber structures by means of jigs also made from small quartz rod are described. It is shown that the advantages of jig construction are in obtaining a better product and particularly the ability to reproduce quite accurately a number of such quartz structures.Various practical aspects of quartz fiber manipulation and construction are discussed.


The distinction between two types of capitalism - rational and adventurous - is analyzed in the article. It is demonstrated that namely the adventurous capitalism forms a specific consciousness that allows to define modern man as Homo Oeconomicus. The article also discusses the specifics of individualism and rationalism in their relation to the process of formation of this type of human being.


....................................................................................... 1 0 DECLARATION ................................................................................... 1 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................... 1 2 ABBREVIATIONS USED ....................................................................... 1 3 LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................. 1 6 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................... 18 LIST OF PLATES ................................................................................. 22 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 23 1 LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................... 23 1.


Medicinal plants are an important component of natural resources and they are used as a source of food, medicine, fibres, tannin, gum and allied uses. Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent. (Bignoniaceae) also known as 'Sonapatha' is an important endangered medicinal plants of indigenous medical system for over hundreds of years. It has been used as a single drug and as a component for preparation of ayurvedic compound preparations viz. Dashmularistha and Chyavanprash etc. Plants are used in treating in various human ailments like jaundice, dysentery, asthma, allergic disease, urticaria, sore throat, measles, laryngitis, hoarseness and diarrhea. The present paper provides a detailed account of the phytochemical evaluation and pharmacognostic studies of Sonapatha stem bark and rroot bark. The study includes macroscopy, microscopy, and powder microscopy studies, fluorescence study, physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical screening High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography fingerprint profile. Established parameters can be used as standards for identification and quality control of the plants in compound formulations and also preparation of a monograph of the plant. KeywordsOroxylum indicum, , Phytochemical screening, Physico-chemical studies, HPTLC fingerprints profile


An extensive spectroscopic study was carried out for the beryllium abundances of 200 red giants (mostly of late G and early K type), which were determined from the near-UV Be II 3131.066 line based on high-dispersion spectra obtained by Subaru/HDS, with an aim of investigating the nature of surface Be contents in these evolved giants; e.g., dependence upon stellar parameters, degree of peculiarity along with its origin and build-up timing. We found that Be is considerably deficient (to widely different degree from star to star) in the photosphere of these evolved giants by ~1-3 dex (or more) compared to the initial abundance. While the resulting Be abundances (A(Be)) appear to weakly depend upon T_eff, log g, [Fe/H], M, age, and v_sin i, this may be attributed to the metallicity dependence of A(Be) coupled with the mutual correlation between these stellar parameters, since such tendencies almost disappear in the metallicity-scaled Be abundance ([Be/Fe]). By comparing the Be abundances (as well as their correlations with Li and C) to the recent theoretical predictions based on sophisticated stellar evolution calculations, we concluded that such a considerable extent/diversity of Be deficit is difficult to explain only by the standard theory of first dredge-up in the envelope of red giants, and that some extra mixing process (such as rotational or thermohaline mixing) must be responsible, which presumably starts to operate already in the main-sequence phase. This view is supported by the fact that appreciable Be depletion is seen in less evolved intermediate-mass B-A type stars near to the main sequence.


To assess the feasibility and reproducibility of fetal thy‐box visualization and to set normative data for the fetal thymus using this technique.


Tritiated water, released at a point in a uniform, relatively dry soil, diffuses in both the liquid and vapor phases. A model which accords well with published data indicates that the flux density of tritium in the liquid exceeds that in the vapor phase provided the water content is greater than approximately 20% of the total soil porosity. Thus tritium redistribution should be modeled recognizing transfer {open_quotes}in parallel{close_quotes} in both phases. The diffusion equation cast in spherical coordinates, and taking into account radioactive decay, then provides a basis for design of field experiments and predicts the long-term fate of tritiated water released in these experiments. We calculate the evolution of profiles of tritium concentration, within and external to the sphere of released solution, assuming the initial concentration to be uniform. We also predict the speed and the envelope of the tritium maximum as it advances and attenuates in the soil. We briefly discuss effects of variation in the volume fractions of soil water and air on the effective diffusion coefficient of tritium in soil and comment on possible effects of convective transfer by moving water and air. 25 refs., 6 figs.


OBJECTIVES
To develop a polysomnographic video-based scale for rating the severity of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), to classify the severity of RBD and to determine the intraindividual variability of RBD in patients with Parkinson disease (PD).

METHODS
Twenty PD patients identified with RBD were investigated with video-supported polysomnography (PSG). Seventy-three motor behavior events during REM sleep were graded visually and polysomnographically on an event-to-event basis according to categorical location of movements: "0" = no visible movement; "1" = slight movements or jerks "2" = movements involving proximal extremities, including violent behavior; "3" = axial involvement including bed falls. Vocalizations were rated as "1" for present or "0" for absent. Ratings were performed by 2 blinded raters. Reliability was calculated with Cohen's κ. Final RBD severity was determined by the highest score given. This rating scale was then used to compare RBD severity and density, calculated as RBD episodes per REM sleep minute over 2 consecutive nights in 10 additional PD patients with RBD. Statistical significance was determined by effect size (Hedges' g) and calculation of the confidence interval.

RESULTS
Interrater reliability of the scale was 0.8 for movement data and 0.89 for vocalization data. Intraindividual RBD density varied significantly (effect size 0.5 ± 0.22; confidence interval 0.2 to 0.79) by factor 2.5 between the 2 PSG nights. Final RBD severity score differed in 60% of patients between nights 1 and 2. Forty percent of patients showed violent behavior, but only on one night. All patients had severely disturbed sleep with reduced sleep efficiency, loss of slow wave sleep, sleep fragmentation, and an increased periodic limb movement (PLM) index.

CONCLUSION
The RBD severity scale (RBDSS) is a reliable, easy-to-use tool for assessing motor events during REM sleep with PSG. Severity and phenomenology of RBD shows a significant variability in the individual PD patient.


The electronic band structure of zinc-blende layered semiconductor heterostructures is investigated theoretically in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field, a configuration we label as the Voigt geometry. We use a Lagrangian formulation for modeling the band structure in the individual layers within the $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{P}$ model. This approach has been shown by us to provide the correct ordering of the derivatives appearing in the multiband description of Schr\"odinger's equations for the envelope functions through the application of the principle of stationary action. Finite element modeling of the action integral provides a natural and efficient approach to the inclusion of in-plane magnetic fields in the energy-level analysis. Calculations for quantum wells and superlattices are presented, and the complex energy-level structure obtained for the layered structures.


We express Einstein's field equations for a spherically symmetric ball of general fluid such that they are conducive to an initial value problem. We show how the equations reduce to the Vaidya spacetime in a non-null coordinate frame, simply by designating specific equations of state. Furthermore, this reduces to the Schwarzschild spacetime when all matter variables vanish. We then describe the formulation of an initial value problem, whereby a general fluid ball with vacuum exterior is established on an initial spacelike slice. As the system evolves, the fluid ball collapses and emanates null radiation such that a region of Vaidya spacetime develops. Therefore, on any subsequent spacelike slice there exists three regions; general fluid, Vaidya and Schwarzschild, all expressed in a single coordinate patch with two free-boundaries determined by the equations. This implies complicated matching schemes are not required at the interfaces between the regions, instead, one simply requires the matter variables tend to the appropriate equations of state. We also show the reduction of the system of equations to the static cases, and show staticity necessarily implies zero 'heat flux.' Furthermore, the static equations include a generalization of the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations for hydrostatic equilibrium to include anisotropic stresses inmore » general coordinates.« less


The Journal of Lancaster General Hospital • Summer 2023 • Vol. 18 – No. 2 INTRODUCTION Trauma is a distressing event or circumstance experienced by an individual that results in adverse effects, impacting function and well-being. Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an emerging intervention approach in health care that recognizes the impact of trauma and, in turn, provides environments that are safe, respectful, and welcoming for infants, family, and staff. The stressful environment of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), while supporting vulnerable children, can be negatively impactful on nurses working in this setting; they are primary caregivers of a vulnerable population. Daily NICU stressors for infants include separation from parents, repetitive painful procedures, constant change of caregivers, continuous noise, harsh lighting, and noxious smells. Parents and families may experience trauma as they fear for their infants' survival, are deprived of a "normal" start to their children's lives, and feel uncertainty and a lack of control regarding the future. The stress from this trauma may impact a parent's health and well-being during the NICU experience. Parents may feel overwhelmed by the technologically advanced equipment, tubes, and medical procedures, and may experience emotional challenges or disruptions in roles and occupations. Increasing health care providers' knowledge about TIC in the NICU may increase the quality of care and promote better outcomes for those involved in the treatment process. Nurses are uniquely positioned to play a role in the implementation of a TIC approach with infants and families in the NICU. This is a two-part study in which we: 1. Aimed to determine by a quantitative analysis if an educational intervention could improve NICU nurses' awareness of trauma and perspectives about TIC. 2. Assessed by a qualitative analysis if NICU nurses incorporate a TIC approach into their practice after completing the TIC educational intervention.


Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. var. napus), as a plant requiring shallow sowing, is sensitive to water deficiency in the soil during germination. The lack of rainfall results in the delay of emergence and a reduction in plant density before winter. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of various sowing methods (sowing with the furrow method – in furrows 6–8 cm deep; direct sowing into non-cultivated soil using disc coulters and conventional sowing) on the physical properties of the seed bed and winter oilseed rape yield depending on the sowing density (40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 seeds per m). The field study was carried out in 2011–2014, in Albic Luvisols with fine sandy loam texture. Furrow sowing and direct sowing provided higher seed bed moisture than conventional sowing. The use of furrow sowing resulted in the formation of a greater number of siliques per plant than in other sowing methods. Furrow sowing made it possible to produce a higher seed yield than direct sowing, however the oilseed rape yield did not increase significantly in relation to conventional sowing. The winter rapeseed yield after sowing 80–120 seeds per m was significantly higher than after sowing 40 and 60 seeds per m. When using low sowing densities (40 seeds per m), furrow sowing made it possible to produce a higher seed yield than conventional sowing. The possibility of improving oilseed rape yield by differentiating sowing methods at a density of 60–120 seeds per m was not demonstrated.


INTRODUCTION
Periarticular muscles have a significant role in keeping the mobility and integrity of the hip joint. The aim of this article was to investigate the effects of the total hip arthroplasty and early rehabilitation on the muscle strength.

PATIENTS
Three groups of examined persons (matched in relation to musculosceletal conditions, sex, age and occupation) were included in the investigation. The first group (40 of the involved hip) and the second group (with 33 involved hips) were groups of patients with late-stage of osteoarthritis of the hip. The first group of patients was managed conservatively and the second group operatively (total cemented hip endoprosthesis was performed). The third group was control group with 123 healthy hips.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The maximal voluntary isometric strength was measured with dynamometer. The muscle strength was tested in all three groups: in the first group of patients at the beginning and at the end of the therapy and in patients of the second group 6 +/- 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS
A significant improvement of the muscle strength was noted for the flexors (t=2.45, p<0.05), musculus tensor fasciae latae (t=2.35, p<0.05), extensors (t=2.85, p<0.01), adductors (t=3.02, p<0.01), external rotators (t=3.1 , p<0.01), m. gluteus medius (t=5.28, p<0.001) and internal rotators (t=5.77, p<0.001) after total hip arthroplasty and early rehabilitation in comparison to the conservatively treated group.

CONCLUSION
The muscle strength in the patients with osteoarthritis of the hip after arthroplasty was significantly higher than after rehabilitation for all hip muscles but did not reach values of the strength of the muscles in the corresponding control group.


The present invention provides an electro-optical device, and electronic equipment manufacturing method, the substrate surface can be reduced step, suppress the generation of defects on the display due to uneven polishing process caused. The substrate (10), to extend wirings to be formed in the terminal (107) (171) is provided on the groove portion (12). Then, the second interlayer insulating film (42) to cover the terminals (107) and a wiring (171), and sets the opening portion (42a) on the terminal portion (107) corresponds. Thus, reducing the terminal (107) and extends to the wiring step (171) in its inside. An insulating film formed on the outer surface of the substrate to cover an outer edge of the mounting terminals can be reduced stepped outer surface of the substrate is formed.


a clear cause three or more weeks before term. This definition, of course, excludes patients in whom premature labor is associated with uterine or congenital fetal abnormalities, multiple pregnancies, hydramnios or systemic diseases of the mother. Plasma progesterone and estradiol 17,8 levels have been measured serially from the 20th week of pregnancy up to and during spontaneous labor. The most common method of measurement has been by radioimmunoassay using specific antisera. A significant fall in progesterone and rise in estradiol occurs during the five weeks preceding labor. Studies indicate that two events are necessary to trigger the onset of labor whether premature or at term: first, a surge in estradiol concentration and second, in the presence of this concentration, a decrease in the inhibitory effect of progesterone on uterine muscle activity. In some instances, estradiol concentration rose dramatically three to ten days before the onset of premature labor. It is this rise which is of value not only in predicting premature labor, but also in its prevention by suppression of the premature estradiol surge. Now it appears that the increased concentration of plasma estradiol is the most clinically reliable measurement for predicting premature labor rather than the decrease in progesterone or


A study on the characteristics of server workloads based on user access pattern offers insights for the strategies on continuous media caching and network workloads distribution. This paper analyses characteristics of continuous media filet in each fervor and user access requests to each of them, using log data of three commercial sites, which are providing continuous media files in the form of real time streaming on the Internet. These servers have more continuous files than ones in the previously reported studies and are processing very large number of user access requests. We analyse the characteristics of continuous media files in each server by the size of files. playback time and encoding bandwidth. We also analyse the characteristics of user access requests by the distribution of user requests to continuous media files, user access time, access rate based on the popularity of the files and the number if access requests to serial continuous media files.


Abstract Corrosion rates of mild steel immersed in synthetic acid mine waters (pH 2.5) containing Fe3 + or Fe2 +, Cu2 +, Mg2 +, Ca2 +, K+, SO42−, Cl−, and SO32− ions in various combinations were measured by weight loss technique. The corrosion rates were significantly increased by Fe3+ and Cu2+ due to their reduction to Fe2+ and metallic Cu, respectively. An empirical relationship between ferric ion reduction rate and corrosion rate was established. Changes in corrosion potential with an increase in Fe3+ ion concentration gave a slope of 50 mV for dE/dlog [Fe3+]. A similar slope was observed in presence of Cu2+ ions. The cathodic Tafel slopes were in the range −112 to −133 mV/decade in accordance with the well known H2-evolution reaction mechanism of Bockris. The agreement between the observed and calculated limiting current densities confirms that the corrosion process is predominantly under diffusion-controlled cathodic processes. The corrosion rates calculated by the Tafel extrapolation method were 30%...


Objective: Job stress is one of the most important health issues concerning globally and locally. Job stress affects both physical and mental wellbeing and also effects to work output. The aim of this study was to measure prevalence of job stress among non-academic staff of International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus.
Methods: Cross sectional study design was used with sample size of 222 non-academic staffs. Participants were identified through multistage stratified random sampling and face-to-face interviewed by using validated self-administered questionnaire that includes background characteristics such as age, gender, smoking, occupational level and marital status; and job using stress identified Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) in bilingual version. Univariate analyses were conducted using the prevalence and 95% CI.
Results: Prevalence of job stress among IIUM Kuantan Campus' non-academic staffs was 18.5% (95% CI: 13.8-24.0). The mean age for job stress was 32.5 (7.9) years old. Prevalence of job stress was found higher in female (20.7%), non-smoker (19.0%) and those who are single (19.7%). As for occupational level, respondents who were categorized under Grade C have the highest prevalence of job stress which was 20.0%.
Conclusion: Prevalence of job stress among IIUM non-academic staffs was lower compared to other studies in Malaysia.


Language policy in Indonesia have not completely indicated the dignity of Bahasa Indonesia as the national language of Indonesia. One reason why this phenomenon takes place is the lack of socialization of Bahasa Indonesia in public space. The use of English in Indonesian housing names indicates the violation to the position of Bahasa Indonesia as the national language. Despite the issue of Law No. 24/ 2009, the lack of socialization influences the use of English in Indonesian housing names. By using descriptive qualitative research and interview, this article enlightens the use of English in housing names related to the language policy. Analysis was done by identifying the policy released by the local government, developers' consideration in creating a housing name and buyers' consideration in choosing a house. This result shows that the use of English in Indonesian housing names are caused by the lack of socialization of the language policy. It suggests that the collaboration among the government, stakeholders and society is essential in preserving the language policy.


Abstract Background  This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) and in situ left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts to the left circumflex artery (LCX) territory. Methods  This study included 678 patients who underwent LITA-left anterior descending (LAD) + SVG-LCX grafts and 286 patients who underwent right internal thoracic artery (RITA)-LAD + in situ LITA-LCX grafts from January 2002 to December 2020. Short-term and long-term clinical outcomes were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting adjustment to reduce selection bias. Results  In-hospital mortality was significantly higher for the SVG-LCX group ( p  = 0.008), whereas deep sternal wound infection was significantly higher in the LITA-LCX group ( p  = 0.013). Survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 83.12 and 71.45% in the SVG-LCX group, whereas 75.24 and 65.54% in the LITA-LCX group (log-rank p  = 0.114). Rates of freedom from cardiac events at 5 and 10 years were 92.82 and 85.24% in the SVG-LCX group, whereas 94.89 and 89.46% in the LITA-LCX group (log-rank p  = 0.179). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that proximal severe stenosis was significantly protective against graft dysfunction before discharge (odds ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.23–0.81). Conclusion  Deep sternal wound infection was significantly higher for LITA to LCX bypass whereas in-hospital mortality was higher for SVG to LCX. In situ LITA to LCX bypass grafting exhibited similar long-term outcomes with SVG to LCX bypass grafting in adjusted patient cohorts. Proximal severe stenosis of LCX was protective against graft dysfunction.


By using the theory of calculus on time scales and M-matrix theory, the unique existence theorem of solution of almost periodic differential equations on almost periodic time scales is established. The result can be used to a large of dynamic systems.


A thermostable extracellular glucoamylase from Thermomyces lanuginosus in static culture was purified to SDS-PAGE homogeneity by fractional ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl, Butyl-Toyopearl hydrophobic interaction chromatography, gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 and ion-exchange chromatography on FPLC MonoQ. The molecular weight of the enzyme, consisting of a single polypeptide, was estimated to be 72000 by SDS-PAGE. The glucoamylase exhibited maximal activities at pH 5.0. The optimum temperature for the activity was 70°C. The enzyme was thermostable at 60° with half-lives at 70° of 20 min and 80° of about 6 min. The glucoamylase was a glycoprotein with 11.4% carbohydrate content. The enzyme hydrolysed soluble starch, amylose, amylopectin, dextrin, glycogen, maltotroise and maltose. Starch was the best substrate.


An improved control device for the production of plastic film and to an associated improved method is characterized among other things by the following features: - the control device is constructed in two stages or at least two stages, - the control device comprises for this purpose a sensor module and / or a sensor for a model and a process module and / or process model to another, - the machine-dependent sensor module and / or the sensor model and the production-related process module and / or process model are linked together via production sizes to each other or be linked, - via the sensor module and / or the sensor model adjustable machine sizes are connected to the system side production sizes or linked.


An adaptive reduced-source approach is utilized for a Monte Carlo transport solution for the one-speed finite slab problem in [{chi},{mu}] geometry. Although a solution for the underlying problem has been available to arbitrary precision for some time, the purpose here is to demonstrate how the convergence afforded by traditional (nonadaptive) Monte Carlo can be improved significantly, without compromising its precision. It is demonstrated that the reduced-source Monte Carlo technique obtains multiple-orders-of-magnitude improvement over traditional Monte Carlo convergence for the two-dimensional transport problem treated. The goal is that ongoing research will obtain exponential convergence for practical applications that are not tractable with methodology currently available.


A 61-year-old man was admitted to this hospital because of recurrent fevers and pulmonary infiltrates. He had been well until approximately 3.5 months earlier, when chills, fevers, and fatigue developed, followed by dyspnea, all of which persisted despite antimicrobial therapy. On admission, the patient had daily fever, with temperatures up to 38.9° C; the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 94 mm per hour. Computed tomography of the chest showed interlobular septal thickening and hilar and subcarinal lymphadenopathy. Positron-emission tomography showed diffuse uptake in the lungs. A diagnostic procedure was performed.


. Discriminants of equations up to the ninth degree are calculated by using a computer. The numbers of terms included in the discriminants are 2, 5, 16, 59, 246, 1103, 5247, and 26059 for equations of degree two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine, respectively. Expressions of discriminants up to the fifth degree are included in this paper.


We give a description of definable sets $P=(p_1,..., p_m)$ in a free non-abelian group $F$ and in a torsion-free non-elementary hyperbolic group $G$ that follows from our work on the Tarski problems. This answers Malcev's question for $F$. As a corollary we show that proper non-cyclic subgroups of $F$ and $G$ are not definable and prove Bestvina and Feighn's result that definable subsets $P=(p)$ in a free group are either negligible or co-negligible in their terminology.


The insufficient supply of electrical energy, in addition to frequent disturbances and interruptions, has motivated the inclusion of solar, biogas, biomass or wind energy systems in many Brazilian farms. However, there are few studies that have addressed the technical and economic impacts of renewable sources for generating electricity in rural applications, leading farmers not to invest in these technologies for fear of financial losses. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of grid-connected photovoltaic systems for supplying the electricity demand in dairy farms located at Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The electricity generated by grid-connected photovoltaic systems was estimated from global solar radiation measurements, considering six municipalities of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Electricity consumption was monitored monthly during one year in 12 farms. The average percentages of electricity consumption in the main operations executed at farms were 4, 27, 12, 33 and 24% for lighting, milking, cleaning/disinfection (water heating and pumping), milk cooling/refrigeration and miscellaneous, respectively. The monthly differences between the electricity generation and consumption for the studied municipalities demonstrated the technical feasibility of grid-connected systems installed directly in the dairy farms, helping to achieve energy sustainability.


28 Abstract Lameness is one of the most common problems of musculoskeletal injuries faced by birds especially Ostrich (struthius camales) chicks during brooding period. Mostly it occurs due to fracture in long and their associated bones because of development of pathological condition of bone softening. In avian species, external splints and intramedullary pinning are the most common method to manipulate such injuries. In this case report, two ostrich chicks (A & B) were presented with shaft fracture of tibiotarsus of left limb. Surgery was performed for introduction of intramedullary (IM) pin to immobilize the fractured bones. Bird A was approached laterally and B medially to reach the bone. Though, the birds successfully recovered from anesthesia after surgery they couldn't survive longer due to stress and blood loss. We concluded that medial approach is more feasible while dealing with such fractures.


Sport mega-events are characterized by a high degree of organizational complexity and are where games organizers take opportunities to strengthen their competencies and forge network connections via knowledge transfer. However, there is scarce evidence that the knowledge generated is transmitted between former and future host cities. This investigation aimed at examining the state of research on knowledge transfer at international sport mega-events. It followed the PRISMA protocol to identify critical research gaps and shed light on the barriers and enablers within this subject. Applying the quality and eligibility criteria yielded a final corpus of 11 academic and 6 non-academic works. The results demonstrate that a small group of scholars conducted empirical studies applying mixed research in this area. The three significant barriers were identified as the following: the Accessibility and Availability of Knowledge; the Lack of Absorptive Capacity; and the Dilemma of Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Protection. Three crucial enablers were diagnosed as per the following: Knowledge Identifying and Tailoring Based on Needs, the Local Context, and Culture; Improving the Learning Culture and Capacities; and Communication, Cooperation, and Strategic Approach. The controversies among different studies also revealed the possible bias and insufficient knowledge transfer related to language, database, technology, geographic location, and priority setting, etc. We suggest further research focusing on specific cases between previous and future hosts.


In several stochastic programming models and statistical problems the computation of probabilities of n-dimensional rectangles is required in case of n-dimensional normal distribution. A recent simulation technique presented by the author for computing values of the distribution function can be modified to yield appropriate procedure for computing probabilities of rectangles. Some numerical work is provided to illustrate the use of the new algorithm.


An apparatus and a method for operating an automatic washing machine, to determine the concentration of a laundry additive in a washing liquid, and performing a controlled purging of the washing additive in response to the determined concentration.


Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by pancreas that does not produce enough insulin, resulting on the inability of the body to use insulin effectively. The symptoms suffered by patients are often mild and this causes considerable people with diabetes mellitus do not realize that they have diabetes mellitus. If Diabetes Mellitus is not immediately treated, it would cause long-term complication including macrovascular diseases. Plentiful elderly with Diabetes Mellitus in Sidakarya Village do not realize that they suffer from Diabetes Mellitus and prefer to do non-pharmacological therapy. One of non-pharmacological therapies that can reduce blood sugar levels is ergonomic exercises. The aim of this study was to find out how ergonomic exercises effected towards the lower of blood sugar levels in elderly in Sidakarya Village, South Denpasar. This study is a quantitative research using Pre-Experimental Design One Group Pre-Test Post-Test with total samples of 19 elderly. Data was analysed using non-parametric test of Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test in order to compare the result of the pre-test and post-test. The result of this study showed that prior to the implementation of ergonomic exercises, it was found approximately 57,9% respondents who suffered from prediabetes and 42,1% respondents who suffered from diabetes, while after intervention of ergonomic exercises were given, there were only 7 respondents (36,8%) who suffered from diabetes and 12 respondents (63,2%) who have normal blood sugar levels. According to the calculation result, it was obtained that p value = 0,0001 < ? 0,05 and Zcount -3.824b that showed an effect of ergonomic exercises towards the lower of blood sugar levels in elderly in Sidakarya Village, South Denpasar. Based on the result of this study, ergonomic exercises is expected to be able to help reducing blood sugar levels in elderly with Diabetes Mellitus who prefer to do non-pharmacological therapy.


This study investigated the evolution of national policy toward cultural issues in Taiwan. Our analysis focused on the historical context of villages populated by military dependents. This study investigated whether national cultural policy during the period of the Kuomintang (KMT) single-party state promoted the preservation of military communities and culture. Due to conflicts of interest among the Department of Defense, the Council for Cultural Affairs, and local governments, it was not until civil community organizations became aware of the need to preserve the culture of these villages that lobbying for legislation to change national policy was initiated. In March, 2011, the Department of Defense selected six locations in Taiwan to develop cultural parks of military dependents' villages based on newly passed laws, indicating a new direction for such cultural preservation. The enforcement of these laws revealed whether implementation by central organizations and local governments could meet public expectations. The conflict and reconciliation among government bodies were caused mainly by provisional changes in supervising units and discrepancies in perceptions regarding subsidies. These issues require improvement from legal and implemental aspects, the results of which will have impact on the effectiveness of managing cultural parks of military dependents' villages. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine legal deficiencies regarding the progress of policy implementation and provide conclusive suggestions for revision. On the premise of preserving the culture in Military Community Cultural Park, it is hoped that the establishment of cultural parks will enrich the social culture and the historical meaning of these villages. Moreover, this study examines how national policy is reflected in the management of local government.


Oberling's The Qashqd'i Nomads of Fdrs covers the history of that important tribal confederation from its earliest known beginnings down through the 1950s when the ruling khans' power was finally eclipsed by the central government. The book touches first on the Qashqa'I pastoral economy, but all too briefly, and then sketches the confederation's political organization in an equally rudimentary manner. The book then turns to Qashqa'I origins, places them in Fars in the fifteenth century, and suggests that the most probable etymology of Qashqa'I is the Turkic qashqd (a horse with a white spot on its forehead). The book enters upon a somewhat more detailed history of the Qashqa'I in the discussion of the eighteenth century and Jan Muhammad Aqa and his sons. The author refers to them as ilkhdnis, although no indication is given either in the text or from the Persian sources cited that they were in fact so titled. Wide use of available Persian and Western sources is made here and throughout; interestingly, the first European reference to the Qashqa'I dates as recently as the first decade of the nineteenth century (Adrien Dupre's Voyage en Perse). The book adheres to a chronological and 'great man' approach, as it touches on the leading khans' rivalries, their interaction with other notables especially the Qavams and the Qajars and their continuing and frustrated confrontations with the British. The final section presents the era of the Pahlavls the imposition of central power and the emergence of the nation-state, attempts at forced sedentarization, the final major revolt of 1946, and the last of the khans. The most satisfying portions are those for which plentiful sources abound, especially the period of World War I and conflicts with the British. The absence of an analytical framework and the utilization of, or overreliance on, a chronological one point to two major problems. The work in fact is a local history. Despite the author's lively style, the book as a whole is fragmentary and the khans emerge as unidimensional as a result of the paucity of sources, except for a few specific periods. The reader is sometimes bewildered by individuals with the same, or similar, names as they move in and out of duplicate scenes, and is left wondering about their true historical significance. Second, given the framework, major analytical and historical problems such as the nature of the tribe and of the confederation, tribal politics, leadership and institutions, and regional versus center relationships are either ignored or are not brought together for analysis. The key to such an analysis would certainly be the office of ilkhanl and such questions as: When was the first one appointed? And, if he were Qajar, as this reviewer suspects, what was the relation of the holder to the shah and the central and provincial governments? The author's knowledge places him in a unique position, and if he had followed an analytical rather than a chronological approach, he would have produced a major work instead of a limited, though nevertheless welcome one.


Thomas Carlyle's French Revolution employs a mode of historicalrepresentation that constructs revolution as a form of social pathology, as opposed to envisioning it foremost as an instrument of political change. Carlyle's view of revolution as a condition that ultimately originates in the body is significantly informed by prevailing Victorian notions of psychosomatic health, which are closely related to dominant social values, such as self‐government, orderliness, and moral control. Writing the hysteria of revolution accordingly embodies several important stylistic characteristics, the effects of which subject the reader to the true nature of revolution while providing a proper diagnosis.


Let p be a prime. A famous theorem of Lucas states that (np+t) (m) (t) (modp) if m, n, s, t are nonnegative integers with s, t < p. In this paper we aim to prove a similar result for generalized binomial coefficients defined in terms of second order recurrent sequences with initial values 0 and 1.


An OTFT(Organic Thin Film Transistor), its manufacturing method and an organic light emitting display device with the same are provided to make a channel of an organic semiconductor layer contact securely source and drain electrodes in an electric signal applying process on a gate electrode by using a delamination preventing layer. A gate electrode(121) is formed on a substrate(100). A gate insulating layer(125) is formed on the resultant structure to cover the gate electrode. Source and drain electrodes(123) are arranged on the gate insulating layer. A delamination preventing layer(126) is arranged on the gate insulating layer to contact partially the source and drain electrodes. An organic semiconductor layer(127) is formed on the resultant structure to contact the source and drain electrodes, respectively.


To investigate and compare the characteristics of invasive hospital‐associated (HA) and community‐associated (CA) methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in Chinese children.


Suppose J=[:, ) for some : # R or J=R and let X be a Banach space. We study asymptotic behavior of solutions on J of neutral system of equations with values in X. This reduces to questions concerning the behavior of solutions of convolution equations (*) H V 0=b, where H=(Hj, k )i s anr_r matrix, Hj, k # D$1 , b=(bj) and bj # D$(R, X ), for 1 j, kr. We prove that if 0 is a bounded uniformly continuous solution of (*) with b from some translation invariant suitably closed class A, then 0 belongs to A, provided, for example, that det H has countably many zeros on R and c0 / 3 X. In particular, if b is (asymptotically) almost periodic, almost automorphic or recurrent, 0 is too. Our results extend theorems of Bohr, Neugebauer, Bochner, Doss, Basit, and Zhikov and also, certain theorems of Fink, Madych, Staffans, and others. Also, we investigate bounded solutions of (*). This leads to an extension of the known classes of almost periodicity to larger classes called mean-classes. We explore mean-classes and prove that bounded solutions of (*) belong to mean-classes provided certain conditions hold. These results seem new even for the simplest difference equation 0(t+1)&0(t)=b(t) with J=X=R and b Stepanoff almost periodic. 1998 Academic Press


Introduction THE phenomenon of depersonalization (DP) herein defined as the spontaneous complaint of a psychiatric patient of a distortion in perception of his body has received considerable clinical 1-4 and speculative attention, 5,6 but experimental information concerning it is very limited. The main work on distortions of body perception in psychiatric patients has been carried out, not on DP states, but on schizophrenic states and has been concerned with the accuracy of body perception of patients in such states. Cleveland 7 and Cleveland and Fisher et al 8 have reported that schizophrenics underestimate the size of their body, especially hands and feet; and Reitman and Cleveland 9 have reported that sensory deprivation enhances differences between schizophrenics and controls in accuracy of body image representation. Dillon, 10 on the other hand, using apparatus providing for the direct measurement of perception of body


This thesis is a study in the field of organisational decision making. The focus is on decision making where the organisation is the unit of analysis (as opposed to the individual). It is a systemic approach rather than a behavioural or personal approach. The methodology employed is a conceptual study, which comprises the description and discussion of four models of decision making. Each model is discussed individually. The models date from the late 1940's to the middle 1970's and are known as the 'rational', 'procedural', 'political' and 'anarchic' models of organisational decision making. In conclusion, a major problem in the understanding of organisational decision making is discussed. This problem relates to how generic organisational decision making activity can be understood, without having to consider the behavioural features of decision making. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za


Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effectiveness of oriental medicine on overactive bladder. Methods: The patients suffering from overactive bladder were treated by oriental medical treatment such as herbal medication, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. Results: After Ori...


Accurate measurement of bank risk is a matter of considerable importance for bank regulation and supervision. Current practices in most countries emphasize reliance on financial statement data for assessing banks' risk. However, the possibility of increased reliance on market-based risk indicators has been a topic for academic and regulatory debate for a long time. Market monitoring of bank risk has typically been tested by regressing market-based risk indicators on various benchmark indicators (such as accounting ratios and credit ratings) to detect whether the market tracks bank risk. This approach overlooks the methodological 'unobservability' problem that testing one imperfect proxy indicator against another, when the true value (in this case, a bank's 'true' risk) is unknown, must yield limited conclusions as to the appropriateness of either indicator – particularly in the event of failure to establish a significant association. This paper assesses the relative information content of different risk indicators indirectly by associating the divergence between these indicators with the institutional setting. Empirical results for a large panel of banks worldwide suggest that market-based indicators are often more accurate than accounting indicators for high levels of institutional quality. In particular, spreads on subordinated debt may be more informative than either equity-based or accounting-based measures if the institutional conditions for market discipline to function are favourable. In addition, a combination measure incorporating both accounting and market data has superior accuracy regardless of the level of institutional quality, indicating that market data may contain complementary information on risk. These results cast doubt on the validity of the conclusions drawn in several previous studies that reject market discipline based on the finding that market-based risk indicators do not correspond well with various standard non-market indicators.


Alexander V. Chayanov (1888-1937) is a famous Russian economist, theorist of the organization of economy, a brilliant representative of the generation of the "golden age" of the economic science in Russia. One of the key elements of his scientific legacy is the theory of non-capitalist forms of economy, and one of its aspects - international agrarian studies of the features of the organization of agriculture in different countries. The organizational-production school developed a theory of labor economy and came close to the general theory of non-capitalist forms of economy; however, its studies were inter-rupted by the repressions of the 1920s. The article considers the international studies of A.V. Chayanov to clarify and develop some findings of the today's scholars (I.A. Kuznetsov, A.M. Nikulin, T.A. Savinova). The author proposes a new interpretation of the organizational-production school as having a dualistic character. The works of Alexander N. Chelintsev (1874-1962), Nicholay P. Makarov (1886-1980) and other colleagues of A.V. Chayanov from the organizational-production school focused on both theoretical issues such as the fundamental laws of functioning and development of agriculture, and practical issues of scientific management of an individual farm and agriculture in general. The author considers the orga-nizational-production school as dualistic: it studies both theory and management of peasant economy at micro- and macro-levels proceeding from the analysis of the individual farm structure to the issues of the optimal production location and optimal management of 'a mass of peasant farms'. The system approach to the organization of economy, cooperation, zoning and economic policy developed by the organizational-production school is still relevant for the contemporary use.


Abstract It is quite complex to motivate EFL students to develop in the target language. These students often face difficulties in learning English and may be demotivated to learn. Research in classroom motivation has found that certain strategies can help these students adopt more positive attitudes and become more motivated in the learning process. The present research is a modified replication of N. N. Bacha and M. Nabhani's study [1] . It investigates the perceptions through interviewing students and surveying teachers' views in an EFL Program of the problems that prevent these students from learning in the English classes related to motivation. Findings show that learners are not motivated to learn English because of an over-focus on reading and writing skills with very little new learning experiences, uninteresting materials, unclear links between language courses and their majors or future careers and pre-structured or prescribed syllabi leaving little room for communicative methods. It is implied that the Ministry of Education should first reorganize the EFL classes with appropriate emphasis on the oral language skills, revise its evaluation strategies, pay more attention to students' learning styles or the Multiple Intelligences and last, give the senior high school students more exposure to the English language.


Abstract : This technical report describes the work performed at the GRFL for site characterization, site preparation, site construction, site monitoring and analysis, and environmental compliance. The objectives of this study were to provide detailed hydrogeological characterization of the proposed experimental controlled-release site at Dover AFB and prepare the GRFL test site for technology demonstrations. The GRFL was established as a national field research and demonstration facility for in situ technologies. DNAPLs will be released under a carefully controlled environment and emerging alternative remediation technologies and processes will be verified under the field laboratory conditions provided by the GRFL. These tests will provide information necessary to design and engineer effective treatment systems for cleanup of DNAPL contaminated soil and groundwater.


This study investigates the non-sintering cement(NSC) concrete's basic physical and chemical properties by evaluating the pull-out bond strength of NSC. NSC is made by adding phosphogypsum(PG) and waste lime(WL) to granulated blast furnace slag(GBFS) as sulfate and alkali activators. As a result, the pull-out bond strength of NSC reaches a higher in the later age than that of ordinary portland cement(OPC) due to continuous reaction of slag and PG.


A 55-year-old male patient with Friedreich's ataxia (FA), with advanced neurological involvement patient, was referred to our centre due to severe electrical storm caused by recurrent monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MVT; Panel A). Four months earlier, he was admitted for an MVT episode of the same morphology which was treated with electrical cardioversion, amiodarone, and an implantable cardioverterdefibrillator (ICD). He was already on bisoprolol, sacubitril-valsartan, and spironolactone. In this new admission, tachycardia ablation was planned, as the patient continued receiving multiple shocks for new MVT recurrences despite mechanical ventilation, amines, and intra-aortic balloon pump. We decided to perform an epicardial approach to the tachycardia since an apical thrombus was seen on the echocardiogram and the QRS morphology in tachycardia suggested an epicardial origin (q wave in lead I, pseudo-delta wave>75 ms; Panel A). After gaining access to the pericardial space with the usual subxiphoid puncture technique, epicardial electroanatomic mapping with


PURPOSE: To prepare a silyl-group-containing copolymer having low polymerization degree and suitable for a coating composition having high solid content, high suspension stability, and excellent coating film properties, by copolymerizing a vinyl compound, an unsaturated organic silane and a chain transfer agent at specific ratios. CONSTITUTION: The objective vinyl polymer containing silyl groups, can be prepared by copolymerizing (A) 95W62mol% of a vinyl compound such as styrene, (B) 4W30mol% of an unsaturated organic silane of formula I (R is organic residue having polymerizable double bond; R' is 1W10C alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; X is hydrolyzable group; n is 0, 1 or 2), e.g. the compound of formula II, and (C) 1W8mol% of a chain transfer agent such as n-dodecylmercaptan, in the presence of (D) a radical polymerization initiator (e.g. azobisisobutyronitrile). COPYRIGHT: (C)1982,JPO&Japio


SUMMARY In the present study were analysed the new plants descriptions suppor t in materials from Extremadura (Spain), during the XVIII, XIX, XX and XXI centuries. The total of new plants descriptions with materials fr om Extremadura are 126 taxa. Also the collectors, scientifics, or naturalist than were support for publications of the new taxa are mor e than 46, principally outside of Extremadura region. Finally the study of natural history collections than conserved this material are more than 15, around Europe, but concentred in Iberian Peninsula.


We report the first experimental results on a new (100) waveguide geometry for use as a electro-optic polarization modulator in III-V semiconductors. Theoretical investigations have predicted large electro-optic modal conversion efficiencies (up to 100%) at low voltages and with short guide lengths. Our preliminary experiments on A1GaAs/GaAs demonstrated 8% conversion, and appear to follow theory closely. With minor improvements, higher conversion efficiencies are expected.


Objective Observation of the effectiveness of Runzaozhiyang Capsule in the treatment of pruritus senilis.Methods 115 cases of pruritus senilis were observed and randomly divided into 2 groups,treatment group(74 cases) and control group(41 cases).In the treated group,patients received Runzaozhiyang Capsule,4 capsules orally three times daily,tablet cetirizine 10 mg every night and topical application of zhiyang xuji twice daily.In the control group,patients were given tablet cetirizine 10mg every night and topical application of zhiyang xuji twice daily;2 weeks as a course of treatment.Results The rate of effectiveness between the 2 groups were statistically significant(P0.01).Conclusion Treatment with Runzao zhiyang has effect on pruritus senilis.


UAV swarm are often subjected to random interference or malicious attacks during the execution of their tasks, resulting in UAV failure or communication interruption. When the UAV swarm is out of interference or the repair command is executed, the performance of the UAV swarm will be restored to a certain extent. However, how to measure the changes of UAV swarm's performance during this process will be very important, and it is also crucial to determine whether the UAVs can continue to perform its mission. Based on this motivation, we propose a resilience assessment framework for UAV swarm considering load balancing after UAV swarm suffer from disturbances. We analyze the effects of different topologies and different parameters on the resilience of UAV swarm. The study found that attack intensity is the most important factor affecting UAV swarm performance. As the attack intensity increases, the performance of the UAV swarm decreases rapidly. At the same time, topology also has a very important impact on UAV swarm resilience.


### What you need to know

Chiari malformations are a heterogeneous group of hindbrain anomalies. Six different malformations are described. Most common are Chiari 1 malformation (CM1) and Chiari 2 malformation (CM2, also termed "Arnold-Chiari malformation") and are the focus of this review.

These are rare conditions, but symptoms may impair quality of life in both adults and children,1 causing disruption to work or education and social exclusion. The diagnosis is often delayed or missed as symptoms may be mistaken for other neurological conditions or attributed as psychogenic.2 Not enough information or explanation from healthcare professionals3 can aggravate patients' fears on being diagnosed. Although some patients improve after surgery, others experience lifelong symptoms, progression of deficits, need for re-operation, and complications.

Non-specialists can play an important role in early diagnosis and referral, counselling, and supporting long term care for these patients. In this clinical update, we summarise the definitions, epidemiology, and …


The feasibility of simulating PWM switching regulators by using PSPICE and functionsof PSPICE are briefly introduced.Two simulation examples, i. e. PWM forward and pushpull switching regulators are given with small signal ac and dc transient analysis and opti-mizctions of compensating network parameters using PSPICE.


In Substation Automation System(SAS), communication network plays a critical role in the real time operation of the substation. IEC 61850 is a communication standard for SAS for the data transmission within and between station level, bay level and process level. The standard defines both the information model and the services used for communication between Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) in a substation. The information model can be mapped to application protocols like MMS, GOOSE, SV of which GOOSE and SV messages are time critical and use Layer 2 of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. IEC 61850 also defines substation configuration description (SCD), which embodies the substation model, the IED equipment model and the communication network model. With the increase in size and complexity of SAS network, it is desirable to properly segment multicast flows in order to avoid overloading at IEDs with unsubscribed messages. Knowledge of data flows and traffic patterns allow detecting network bottlenecks and aid in systematic network segmentation, filtering and segregation of the traffic. Hence there is a need to optimize the traffic segmentation and generate appropriate traffic filters which will be configured in network switch. Furthermore, by analyzing the application data and logical dataflow information present in the SCD file, it is possible to estimate the network bandwidth and flow latency. This would validate the network configuration for the fulfillment of the performance requirements based on the dataflow information in SCD file. So, there is a need to develop models that will estimate the GOOSE/SV traffic from the SCD file data. This paper proposes a method to optimally segment the Layer 2 network traffic and also a model to estimate GOOSE/SV traffic in SAS Network based on the information extracted from SCD file. This estimation would aid in analyzing the required network performance during the deployment and also better planning of SAS networks.


Dictionaries of synonyms used in word processors can be shown to be inadequate. To remedy this, the analysis of synonymy should be based on the concept of usage and to this end a description grid is proposed; this grid is made up of a dozen parameters, the main ones being those where the argument domains are defined (syntactic features and object classes); in cases of polysemy, each usage is associated to the synonyms which are peculiar to it. This description does not simply make it possible to improve the synonym function of word processors, it also opens the way for automatic processing of synonymy.


For the past few years, several big companies have taken actions to gain more control over their supply chains. Against the popular trend of outsourcing, they tend to go back to gain a higher level of vertical integration. Just as outsourcing once raised challenges to global management, the revival of vertical integration sure brings benefits as well as new challenges. Motivated by this recent phenomenon, this paper investigates the influences of strategic choices on the change of vertical integration level and the performance implication of such changes. The findings support the cost-driven concern of the decisions on vertical integration level changes and certain performance benefits that the changes would bring to the companies.


Numerical simulations were used to investigate the effectiveness for materials processing of recently announced microwave spot-heating applicators. These devices can produce heating in depth over a region a centimeter or two in diameter. Computed 3-D time-dependent temperature distributions for both stationary and moving samples suggest that such applicators could be very useful for joining of ceramics, such as alumina. Moving the beam relative to the workpiece at an appropriate rate avoids thermal runaway.


The paper, after reviewing the development of modern public risk management in its theory and practice, aims to reveal the nature of modern risk management and the significance of its theoretic foundation and system to be formulated. It holds that when the modern risk management theory cannot solve the problem of"public risk" faced by the human society at the organizational level, the public risk management theoretic system is required.


Wilson suggested that the Sierra de Santa Cruz moved to its present position by gravity sliding. The writer agrees and some years ago developed a hypothesis to explain how this mass of ultramafic rock might have been uplifted to a position from which it subsequently could slide northward. The Sierra is about 55 km long by 13 km wide, rises to an elevation of about 1,000 m, and is composed mainly of peridotite, gabbro, and dunite. Airborne magnetometer surveys have indicated that beneath the east end the depth to crystalline basement is 4,000-5,000 m. It is postulated that the uplift of the Sierra de las Minas, from which the Sierra de Santa Cruz is presumed to have moved by gravity sliding, may be analogous to the Troodos massif on the island of Cyprus; i.e., the arcuate band of ultramafic rocks across Guatemala was underthrust by a southward movement of the Yucatan platform and the resulting isostatic uplift raised a mass of peridotite to a height from which it could slide northward to form the Sierra de Santa Cruz.


While the majority of summarization research so far has focused on written documents (mostly news articles or scientific papers), this thesis addresses for the first time the challenge of automatically summarizing spoken dialogues in a variety of genres and without any restriction on domain. To achieve the goal of spoken dialogue summarization, we implement a system (DiaSumm) using a multi-stage architecture with trainable components which addresses the dialogue-specific issues of summarization and which involves (i) speech disfluency detection and removal, (ii) identification and insertion of sentence boundaries, (iii) identification and linking of question-answer regions, (iv) topical segmentation, and (v) information condensation (ranking of relevant pieces of information with the maximum marginal relevance technique (MMR)). We can also optionally reduce the summary content in an orthogonal dimension by rendering only a subset of the phrases within a relevant sentence (typically, noun phrases). For system development and evaluation, we use a corpus of 23 dialogue excerpts from four different text genres, totalling 80 topical segments, about 47000 words, or about 4 hours of recorded speech: English CallHome (informal, colloquial style), Group Meetings (task oriented, rather informal, colloquial), and dialogue oriented television shows: NewsHour and CrossFire (more formal, potentially partially scripted). The corpus had been manually transcribed and was annotated for topical boundaries and relevant text spans by six human annotators. Further, it was annotated for speech disfluencies and questions and their corresponding answers. We devise a word-based evaluation criterion, relative summary accuracy, which reflects how well the summary captures passages that were placed in man-made summaries by the largest number of annotators. The global evaluation, performed on human transcripts, shows that for the two more informal genres (CallHome and Group Meetings), DiaSumm significantly outperforms a baseline using TF*IDF term weighting with MMR ranking only, while tying with the MMR baseline for the two more formal genres. Furthermore, except for the NewsHour corpus, both the MMR baseline and our DiaSumm system are significantly better than a LEAD baseline (first N words of each segment). Finally, when using speech recognizer output, our system can make successful use of speech recognizer confidence scores to focus on sentences which are more likely to be correctly recognized; thereby, the word error rate in summaries can be reduced significantly while relative summary accuracy improves on average.


Starting from(5S)-(L-menthyloxy)-3,4-dibromo-5H-furan-2-one and L-leucine,the title compound N-[(2S)-4-bromo-2-(L-menthyloxy)-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-3-furyl]-L-leucine 5(C20H32BrNO5,Mr = 446.37) was obtained in one-pot process via the tandem Michael addition-elimination reaction in the presence of potassium hydroxide.The chemical structure and absolute configuration of the title compound were confirmed via rotation,UV-Vis,FT-IR,1H NMR,13C NMR,MS and elemental analysis,especially by the X-ray single-crystal diffraction.The crystal crystallizes in an orthorhombic system,space group P212121 with a = 12.5249(16),b = 19.005(3),c = 19.719(3) ,V = 4693.7(10) 3,Z = 8,Dc = 1.263 g/m3,μ = 1.778 mm-1,F(000) = 1872,the final R = 0.0617 and wR = 0.1576 for 3967 observed reflections(I 2σ(I)).X-ray analysis reveals that the title compound has two independent molecules in the asymmetric part of the unit cell with the two five-membered furanones being almost planar.The essential part of the electron delocalization is concentrated in the N(1),C(3),C(1),C(37) and O(7) region and N(2),C(28),C(27),C(30) and O(4) region in the other molecule respectively,but does not take place at the expense of delocalization within the ester function.


The forming and growth of precipitating phases in Mg96.9Gd2.8Nd0.3(at%) alloy aged at limiting high temperature 300 ℃ was studied by TEM observations and nano-electron-probe EDS analysis.No evidence was found the presence of the early phases β" and β' in the Mg-Gd-Nd during aging at 300 ℃.A precipitating sequence of Mg(SSSS)→β1(fcc) →β(fcc) is suggested for this alloy.The metstable phase β1 has a f.c.c structure,it's homogeneous distribution in Mg matrix,which is the main precipitation strength phases.The composition of β1 is determined to be about Mg7RE by EDS.A rapid overageing response has been noted in the Mg-Gd-Nd alloy during ageing at 300 ℃ and this has been attributed to the rapid decrease of performance.


THESE two works about the United States's ielations with countries across the Atlantic differ in their approaches and intentions: H. G. Nicholas's scholarly, detached, and eminently readable account of the history of AngloAmerican relations from Yorktown to the present is written for posterity; J. Robert Schaetzel, at one time United States ambassador to the European Communities in Brussels, has produced a more polemical work with an eye to the present in which he analyses United States neglect of the European Community, and in particular the 'nadir' that relations reached during the Nixon-Kissinger era; he argues that to prevent Europeans combining in opposition to the United States the United States should actively support the process of European unification. Professor Nicholas starts by discussing the 'shared language' and the ' common historical inheritance of " Anglo-Saxon " polity' which together with an 'Anglo-American consciousness' has often led to a feeling of superiority to 'lesser breeds' and non-Anglo-Saxon cultures (p. 1). Both countries were imbued with 'a sense of mission' (p. 3). Although Britain and the United States have been 'uniquely placed to comprehend each other', such 'common attitudes and predispositions need not breed agreement': 'the family quarrel can have its own exclusive bitterness' (p. 4). He reiterates H. C. Allen's idea of Canada being the third point of the triangle in the relationship between the countries. The early history of the relationship is narrated in lucid, simple and elegant prose, and is marked by some perceptive and illuminating insights. When he comes to the twentieth century it is perhaps surprising that Professor Nicholas does not give the same emphasis, as does Professor Medlicott,l to the 1921-22 Washington Naval Conference which surely marked a consolidation of the Anglo-American alliance at the expense, for Britain, of a permanent weakening of its position in the Far East. Professor Nicholas has perhaps also not taken into account recent reassessments of Roosevelt's admiration for Chamberlain and the extent to which he was prepared to help Britain; indeed the exc4iange of information between the two countries might well suggest a 'special relationship' before the Second World War, a relationship which Professor Nicholas implies only came into being with the formation of Nato and Marshall Aid. The account of the years 1945-60 is largely an adept summary and updating of Professor Nicholas's excellent earlier work, Britain and the United States.2 It is interesting to note that he still feels that the lowest point in recent relations between Britain and the United States is Suez rather than Geneva, 1954. The relationship during the 1960s is analysed largely in terms of the extent of the rapport between the leaders on both sides of the


Hematologists should consider the diagnosis of Gaucher disease; when they look for the cause of unexplained splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. In countries which consanguineous marriage is prevalent, autosomal recessive disorders like Gaucher Disease may be seen frequently.


Extreme Lightweight ZERODUR® Mirrors (ELZM) have been developed expressly to provide architects of spaceborne missions a new, cost-effective, option for implementation of medium and large Optical Telescope Assemblies (OTAs, up to 4+ meters in diameter). ZERODUR® is a traditional material in space with over a 30 year heritage. We will discuss the attributes of the material and fabrication methods to aggressively reduce weight to an extent now routinely available. Recent and emerging independent measurements of material properties will confirm the utility of this approach for new generations of OTAs. Data on dimensional stability over a broad practical temperature range will be referenced, as will recent mechanical strength data. Other data confirming suitability for use in space will be referenced. We will discuss how this data can be used for the architecture of a ELZM based cost-effective spaceborne OTA.


The majorizing measure theorem of Fernique and Talagrand is a fundamental result in the theory of random processes. It relates the boundedness of random processes indexed by elements of a metric space to complexity measures arising from certain multiscale combinatorial structures, such as packing and covering trees. This paper builds on the ideas first outlined in a little-noticed preprint of Andreas Maurer to present an information-theoretic perspective on the majorizing measure theorem, according to which the boundedness of random processes is phrased in terms of the existence of efficient variable-length codes for the elements of the indexing metric space.


In this paper, we propose an approximation for a seawater intrusion problem in a confined aquifer, This model consists in a coupled system of an elliptic and a de-generate parabolic equation, using finite volume SUSHI (Schema Using Stabilisation and Hybrid Interfaces) method,we demonstrate the convergence of Schema using stabilisation and hybrid interface by numerical simulations tests proposed.


Gold is rare and precious,while pyrite(FeS2)is abundant and cheap.Pyrite is nicknamed fool's gold,since pyrite looks like gold and it is even shinier and brighter than gold.It is very difficult to recognize the differences between a real natural gold and a gold-like rock(pyrite)to non-professional persons[1],but we know that all that glitters is not gold.Similar mistakes can happen in biomedical research as well.Pluripotent embryonic or adult stem cells can self-renew and proliferate into different cells,and these


: To identify factors of professional experience, education, and socioeconomic background that might predict high scores on the examination given by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, 135 (52.2%) of those tested in 1985, and 209 (94%) of those tested in 1986 completed a questionnaire after the six-hour test. The percentage of candidates who passed the examination was 94.6 in 1985 and 93.2 in 1986. The candidates' mean years of experience in counseling breastfeeding mothers was 10. Nearly all had had one year of college; half had baccalaureate or master's degrees in nursing. Three-quarters in 1985 stated that their primary affiliation was with La Leche League International, whereas only 41 percent claimed this affiliation in 1986. We conclude that in the first two years candidates scored unusually high in this examination and that in future years fewer candidates will have the experience of these initial groups.


Miloš Dokulil's dissection of Kurt Godel's religious worldview generates questions among his conclusions. In part, the reader's understanding is challenged by the turgid translation from the Czech language. Yet, the meaning still can be extricated. Because Gödel's ontological argument for God's existence was not published in his lifetime, there is doubt that he was satisfied by its method. Truly, since virtually all of Gödel's writings on philosophy were unpublished, his rational Platonism leaves considerable room for speculation concerning his metaphysical system. Hence, Dokulil seeks alternative explanations for what seems to have been Gödel's real faith in God. Framed by semantic-philosophical musings, Dokulil concludes that it was the influence of Gödel's childhood exposure to the Bible mainly through his mother. Indeed, it seems at times that Dokulil is examining his own belief in God as well as Godel's. In the event, there are several aspects of Göddel's life and work which elucidate his religious belief through his pursuit of mathematical reasoning in a more intellectually engaging way than simply the maternal influence that is often most profound and Godly. These include his philosophy of Platonism, great contributions to metamathematics, and the relation of intellect and will.


This article brings out the rational thoughts about "document and information transmitted by oral instruction and demonstration" by three aspects: the cultural background of libraries' collection of "document and information transmitted by oral instruction and demonstration";the reliance on the pattern of transmission of these special documents and information;and the analysis of this pattern of transmission.The article aims to contribute to the collection of nation's document and information of transmission by oral instruction and demonstration.


The much delayed WEEE directive comes into force in January but many UK manufacturers are still not ready to comply.


This paper systematically expounds the impact of internet plus and inclusive finance on inclusive economic growth, and makes an empirical study based on panel data of 31 provinces in mainland China from 2008 to 2017. The results show that the deep integration of internet plus and inclusive finance can promote inclusive economic growth. Due to the great differences in the development of east, middle and west regions, inclusive finance has obvious regional difference in the influence of inclusive growth in the east, middle and west.


A unified TDD and telephone incorporate intelligent mode switching to permit users of either device to use the integrated unit with the other features remaining largely invisible by sensing various signals including the removal of the handset or the turning on and off of the TDD device to determine the likely mode of a transmission and the detection of text to determining the likely mode of the receive text. This intelligent mode conversion includes a voice carryover mode in which text and voice may both be transmitted.


Direct seeding (DS) of rice gained much attention due to labor scarcity and unavailability of water. However, reduced emergence and poor seedling establishment are the main problems of DS which causes significant yield losses. Herein, DS-associated seedling traits of three major rice groups, i.e., Indica (Ind), Japonica (Jap), and aus-type (Aus), were evaluated by using an improved mesocotyl elongation assay. The associations among different traits at the seedling and maturity stage were also studied. Significant variation was observed among the cultivars of different rice groups. The Aus group cultivars showed higher mean values for coleoptile (C, 3.85 cm), mesocotyl (MC, 4.17 cm), shoot length (SL, 13.64 cm), panicle length (PL, 23.44 cm), tillers number (T, 15.95), culm length (CL, 105.29 cm), and plant height (PH, 128.73 cm), while the Indica and Japonica groups showed higher mean values of grain length (GL, 8.69 mm), grain length/width ratio (GL/WR, 3.07), and grain width (GW, 3.31 mm), with 1000 grain weight (TGWt, 25.53 g), respectively. Pairwise correlation analysis showed that MC, C, and SL were positively correlated among themselves and with PL, CL, and PH. Moreover, based on principal component analysis (PCA), C, MC, SL, CL, and PH were identified as the major discriminative factors in the rice cultivars. This study describes the development of desired DS rice variety with long MC and semidwarf in height and suggests that Aus group cultivars can be used as the donor parents of favorable DS-associated traits in rice breeding programs.


Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) are central processor s that feature integrated GPU cores. In this study, we show that thi s architecture is well-suited to the domain of graph analysis. O ur evaluation shows that a current-generation integrated GPU can o utperform an externally-connected discrete GPU by up to 50% for the breadth-first search and PageRank algorithms. Furthermore , by operating on data with different characteristics in unison, t he CPU and integrated GPU can halve the running time of PageRank on a scale-free dataset.


Category: Ankle, Diabetes, Hindfoot, Lesser Toes, Midfoot/Forefoot, Infection Introduction/Purpose: Osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle is a common condition with a high economic burden in the United States, particularly in the context of diabetes mellitus. The timely and accurate diagnosis of osteomyelitis is important to initiate treatment and possibly reduce overall healthcare costs. Plain radiographs are the initial study of choice given their widespread availability and low cost. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally considered the most sensitive imaging modality for detecting osteomyelitis, however it is associated with significant cost and may not change overall treatment as compared to plain radiographs. The purpose of our retrospective study is to determine whether the use of MRI at our institution changed clinical decision making and calculate the financial impact in patients with foot and ankle osteomyelitis. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients at our tertiary care, academic center treated for a diagnosis of osteomyelitis using ICD-9 codes 730.07, 730.17, and 730.27. Demographic data including age, sex, race and ethnicity and patient comorbidities was collected. The use of plain radiographs, MRI, and any operative procedures up to 2 years after the index encounter for each patient were identified. An impact MRI was defined as an MRI that led to an operative procedure within the same admission encounter. The cost of an impact MRI was estimated using the equation: (average MRI cost)*(total MRIs/impact MRIs). Chi- squared test was used to statistically compare patients that underwent procedures in the MRI group vs. those in non-MRI group. Results: 619 patients undergoing osteomyelitis treatment between January 2009 and September 2015 at our institution were identified, of which 40.4% were female and 59.6% were male. 151 patients had a total of 227 MRIs of the lower extremity performed vs. 468 patients that did not have MRIs performed. Of the MRI cohort, 104/151 patients (68.9%) had subsequent operative procedures, whereas in the non-MRI cohort 299/468 patients (63.9%) had subsequent operative procedures (p = 0.26). Of the 227 MRIs performed, 85 were deemed impactful MRIs and 142 were deemed non-impactful MRIs. Average MRI cost at our institution for the lower extremity with and without contrast was $5069.75. Using our previous definition, the cost of an impact MRI was calculated to be effectively $13,539.21. Conclusion: MRI can be an effective modality in aiding the clinical diagnosis of osteomyelitis, however, it can be an unnecessary cost when not used to guide treatment. In our study, we did not find a significant difference in the operative rate between patients undergoing MRIs vs. those that did not. We also found that the effective cost of an MRI that led to a change in treatment was $13,539, almost 2.7 times higher than the average cost of an MRI at our institution.


Natural disasters are natural phenomena that cannot be avoided by humans, but human beings are able to mitigate its impact for the humanitarian aspects. Therefore monitoring, predicting and managing natural phenomenon in the earth is one of the methods to mitigate disaster - one of them by using remote sensing technology. Integrated of imageries from near real-time remote sensing satellite system to the higher resolution with the support of the ancillary data may develop spatial information for any mitigation purposes. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess rapid information of the prone area and the possibility of developing a projection model with the remote sensing approach. The steps included the assessment of prone area by implemented the integrated method of NDVI, fussy and high pass and the overview of the projection model using remote sensing approach. The disasters associated with landslides may be used for example, because this disaster often struck the Asian region. The result of the assessment indicated the integration of NDVI, fussy and high pass method can give faster information of the landslides hazards that is needed for disaster and humanitarian institutions. Meanwhile, to develop a projection model for the hazards cannot be developed only on remote sensing technique, but better support by GIS technique and other in situ ancillary information.


Objective
To investigate the status of health-promoting lifestyle for primary nurses in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals and analyze its influencing factors.

Methods
Nurses′ health-promoting lifestyle scale and self-designed questionnaire were used to investigate 527 primary nurses in three TCM hospitals affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.

Results
The score of primary nurses′ health-promoting lifestyle was (60.38±17.71) points. The score of 5 dimensions from high to low were: occupational safety (68.14%), self-actualization (62.77%), Interpersonal support development (60.99%), balanced diet (58.70%), exercise and health care (34.32%). Regression analysis showed that age and health condition were the most important influencing factors for nurses′ health-promoting lifestyle(P<0.05).

Conclusions
Health-promoting lifestyle of primary nurses in TCM hospitals is not good, and there is a big space for improvement. Hospital managers should attach great importance to the improvement of primary nurses′ health-promoting lifestyle, and improve nurses′ health-promoting lifestyle by targeted intervention, in order to improve the general nursing quality.

Key words:
Primary nurses; Traditional Chinese medicine hospital; Health-promoting lifestyle; Influencing factors


Most general chemistry laboratories contain a surfeit of inorganic chemistry and little or no biochemistry. We describe a simple procedure for the crude purification of a chromoprotein suitable for a general chemistry laboratory. The protein, phycocyanin, is easy to purify and very stable. It contains a chromophore that can serve to report the integrity of the protein structure: the chromoprotein is dark blue when the protein is folded in its native conformation, and it turns a very pale blue when the protein is unfolded or denatured. The students must identify intermolecular forces present in the co-solvents added and determine their effect on the protein structure. The simplicity of the protein purification procedure will allow phycocyanin to be readily adopted in the general chemistry laboratory.


Investigation on the whole plant of Ceratostigma willmottianum for bioactive compounds has led to the identification of 15 compounds. Two of them were characterized as new compounds, plumbolactones A (5-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)dihydro-4-methyl-2(3H)-furanone, 1) and B (3-(1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-5-hydroxy-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone, 2), while the other 13 were known compounds, plumbagic acid (3), isoshinanolone, epiisoshinanolone, plumbagin (4), N-trans-caffeoyltyramine, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, myricetin, quercetin, tricetin 3',5'-dimethyl ether, vanillic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, and 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin. The structures of the new compounds were assigned by 2D-NMR techniques.


The progressive curves over 100 degrees is commonly seen if the early onset progressive curves could not be treated effectively. Cardiorespiratory failure, back pain, neurological complications and the apparence of bad cosmesis are commonly seen in progressive curves. The complications in the treatment of the progressive curves are high. Correction should be obtained by halofemoral traction preoperatively slowlyand gradually with careful neurologic monitoring, then Harrington instrumentation and posterir fusian should be done without further correction. If the correction is obtained by Harrington instrumentation alone intraoperative spinal cord monitoring or wakeup test should be done. In thes article 17 scoliotic cases, already over 100 degrees which were treated surgically in the department of Orthopedic and Traumatologic Surgery of Ankara University Medical faculty between 1978-1982 are presented. Infection was seen in 2 patients and pseudoarthrosis in 3 patients. Our complication rate was %31.25.


A novel application of ZnO nanorod arrays to enhance sensitivity of Love wave liquid sensor will be presented. The high sensitivity of Love wave liquid sensor used guiding layer with ZnO nanorod arrays and 90◦ rotated ST-cut quartz substrate. Two-step thin film deposited process was applied to get the guiding ccepted 21 November 2008 vailable online 6 December 2008 eywords: inc oxide anorods layer with dense structure in the internal part and nanorod arrays on the surface. Densely crystalline structure of ZnO thin film was deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering and ZnO nanorod arrays were synthesized on the thin film by hydrothermal method. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of films were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The sensitivity of Love wave liquid sensor will be enhanced greatly by the guiding layer with nanorod arrays. T-cut quartz ove wave


The Importance of "Place" at the Bellagio Global Summit Harrison Fraker I was recently surprised to discover how central the concept of place is within the emerging international debate about how to design more sustainable cities. The occasion was a week-long meeting that served as the last session of a month-long global summit seeking "Innovations for an Urban World," sponsored by the Rock- efeller Foundation, at Bellagio, in Italy. The event brought together thirty-five specialists from five continents, all with an interest in new forms of planning and design practice and pedagogy to help meet the needs of the world's rapidly expanding urban poor. The participants included archi- tects, planners, professors, four deans from three continents (including me), journalists, historians, United Nations officials, and the directors of planning associations, unions of architects, and research centers. As can be imagined, the disciplines and theoretical back- grounds represented by this group were as diverse as the titles on their business cards. The workshop's format included morning plenary discussions that explored the experiences of partici- pants with regard to specific questions. Afternoons were taken up by break- out sessions charged with formulating issues, new questions, recommenda- tions, etc. The overwhelming conclu- sion from these discussions was that place-based problems and challenges are central to future teaching and research on urban sustainability and to improving the lives of the urban poor. As the workshop progressed, con- sensus emerged that there are too many hidden dynamic processes in global cities which are unstudied, undocumented, and poorly understood. Alternatively, knowledge about these conditions may be compartmental- ized into bureaucracies or professional silos. At other times, knowledge may reside only in local constituencies, who are not included in political decision- making processes. It was further agreed that place-based explorations need to be deeply interdisciplinary, building a multilayered whole-systems represen- tation of issues and problems. While these conclusions may not come as a surprise to readers of Places, the discus- sions at Bellagio served as a powerful affirmation of this journal's mission. Fraker / Bellagio Global Summit


Simple Summary Metformin is a promising drug for diabetes and has been reported to have antidepressant effects in depression patients or patients with comorbid depression and other diseases. However, it is largely unclear how metformin ameliorates depressive-like behaviors. To this end, we injected mice with a bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) to induce depressive-like behaviors such as increased immobility in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test. In this depression mouse model, metformin administration ameliorated depressive-like behaviors. Glutamate is a major excitatory signal for the communications between neurons in the brain. Dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission is implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. Glutamatergic transmission was elevated in our depression mouse model. Metformin administration also recovered the glutamatergic transmission deficit in the model. Taken together, our results suggest metformin had antidepressant effects and can correct abnormal glutamatergic transmission in the lipopolysaccharide-induced depression mouse model. These findings provide new insights into the underlying mechanism by which metformin acts against depression. Abstract Metformin, a first-line drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been found to reduce depressive symptoms in patients with comorbid depression and other diseases. However, it is largely unclear how metformin ameliorates depressive-like behaviors. Here, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce depressive-like behaviors in mice and found that LPS-treated mice exhibited increased immobility in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), as well as increased glutamatergic transmission. Furthermore, metformin administration in the LPS-treated mice ameliorated depressive-like behaviors and elevated glutamatergic transmission. Our results suggest that metformin has antidepressant effects and can correct abnormal glutamatergic transmission, providing an insight into the underlying mechanism by which metformin acts against depression.


This paper focused on the creation of a distributed product development project management information system in aerospace industry based on a requirement-oriented development methodology,to recognize and satisfy more requirements of stakeholders in collaborative product development and to reduce the gap between requirements and system implementation.Major role players of stakeholders and their typical requirements in each phase of project lifecycle were identified,and a case study based on a proposed system architecture was presented.


We present a method for activating photoactivatable proteins through a scattering skull using wavefront shaping. An illumination with a shaped wavefront formed optical focus through a scattering intact skull layer. We present in vitro demonstration of spatiotemporal regulation of cellular activities by activating photoactivatable proteins through intact skull layer.


Ship‐ and rail‐vehicle building as well as the automotive industry use rubber‐like adhesives for glazing and joining of structural components. These adhesives are suitable to compensate relative motions of adherends due to their ability to withstand large elastic strains. In service, the adhesive layer exhibits distinct amounts of isochoric and volumetric deformations that decisively effect the occurence of two different failure mechanisms. In this contribution, a material model of a rubber‐like adhesive is proposed, which accounts for cavitation and shear fracture. A polynomial strain energy density function is applied to describe the hyperelastic response. The failure is modelled with a continuum damage based approach using an energy based failure function. Computations of a component‐like specimen are performed to validate the model.


The aqueous NiOOH with untrathin nanosheets structure were prepared using a hydrothermal strategy and characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was modified on electrochemically reduced graphene oxide electrode through a self-assembly method to form NiOOH/RGO nanocomposites electrode. SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to characterize the resultant NiOOH/RGO nanocomposites electrode. To study the electrocatalytic properties of the NiOOH/RGO nanocomposites, glucose and reduced glutathione (GSH) were selected as model small molecules. An favorable electrocatalytic activities of the NiOOH/RGO electrode was obtained toward oxidation of glucose and GSH. The present NiOOH/RGO nanocomposites based amperometric sensor showed a rapid and highly sensitive response to glucose and GSH, which might find promising applications in medical applications, biological fuel cells and diseases diagnosis.


A first electrode 4 and the second electrode 7, and the first electrode 4 and the second electrode (7) alternating current voltage source (6) between, and at least a first electrode 4 and the second electrode (7 ) has the electric field, the subject to orient to the surface 2 to be arranged in front of and treatment of the first electrode 4, the effective area (9) formed between the second electrode 7, the first electrode (4) an apparatus for plasma processing of a more effective surface area is more closely arranged to 9, the surface (2), at least one for the at least one process gas stream having at least one outlet 5 in the first electrode 4 a process gas channel (3) and is provided, at least one outlet (5) is directed in the direction of the effective surface area (9), and at least one process gas stream impinges on the electric field, the electric field is at least one process gas stream the sikimyeo converted into a plasma stream and a plasma stream is provided an apparatus characterized in that it impinges on the effective surface area (9) do.