Background/Aims This study aimed to determine the performance of the AIMS65 score (AIMS65), Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS), and Rockall score (RS) in predicting outcomes in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), and to compare the results between patients with nonvariceal UGIB (NVUGIB) and those with variceal UGIB (VUGIB). Methods We conducted a prospective observational study between March 2016 and December 2017. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for all outcomes for comparison. The associations of all three scores with mortality were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Of the total of 337 patients with UGIB, 267 patients (79.2%) had NVUGIB. AIMS65 was significantly associated (odds ratio [OR], 1.735; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.148–2.620), RS was marginally associated (OR, 1.225; 95% CI, 0.973–1.543), but GBS was not associated (OR, 1.017; 95% CI, 0.890–1.163) with mortality risk in patients with UGIB. However, all three scores accurately predicted all other outcomes (all p<0.05) except rebleeding (p>0.05). Only AIMS65 precisely predicted mortality, the need for blood transfusion and the composite endpoint (all p<0.05) in patients with VUGIB. Conclusions AIMS65 is superior to GBS and RS in predicting mortality in patients with UGIB, and also precisely predicts the need for blood transfusion and the composite endpoint in patients with VUGIB. No scoring system could satisfactorily predict rebleeding in all patients with UGIB.


The aim of the present investigation is to enhance in-vitro bioactivity and protein adsorption of porous titanium with 3D interconnected pores by various chemical treatments (alkali, dual acid, citric acid and fluoride treatments). The untreated and treated samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The protein adsorption study was carried out with Bradford's reagent using Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). The optical microscopy reveals that untreated Ti sample exhibited 41.36% surface porosity. The in-vitro bioactivity of the treated and untreated Ti sample was evaluated by immersing them in simulated body fluid (SBF) for different time intervals. The immersed samples were characterized using XRD and SEM to confirm the growth and morphology of apatite. It was observed that apatite deposition of fluoride treated sample was denser than other treated samples for the same period immersed in SBF. All the surface treated samples showed good protein adsorption. The alkali treated sample showed maximum protein adsorption amongst other chemically treated samples which may be due to enhanced micro-roughness and strong electrostatic affinity between the protein and the surface. The enhanced in vitro bioactivity in the surface treated porous titanium indicates that the healing time of the bone and implant in patients can be reduced with good osseointegration.


Physical path integral formulation of motion of particles in Riemannian spaces is outlined and extended to deduce the corresponding field theoretical formulation. For the special case of a zero rest mass particle in Minkowski manifold, it is shown that the underlying space can be reduced to three-dimensional while similar formulation for a massive particle requires a four-dimensional structure. The solutions obtained by the present procedure are compared with the results obtained from its counterpart for a massive particle by setting the mass equal to zero. Although similar, the present formulation has some additional implications pertaining to the energy spectrum and the associated free field quantization, particularly it yields zero vacuum energy. The results are naturally extended to higher dimensions.


Train-induced vibration of steel truss bridges is one of the key issues in bridge engineering. This paper talks about the application of tuned mass damper (TMD) on the vibration control of a steel truss bridge subjected to dynamic train loads. The Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge (NYRB) is taken as the research object and a recorded typical train load is included in this study. With dynamic finite element (FE) method, the real-time dynamic responses of NYRB are analyzed based on a simplified train-bridge time-varying system. Thereinto, two cases including single train moving at one side and two trains moving oppositely are specifically investigated. According to the dynamic characteristics and dynamic responses of NYRB, the fourth vertical bending mode is selected as the control target and the parameter sensitivity analysis on vibration control efficiency with TMD is conducted. Using the first-order optimization method, the optimal parameters of TMD are then acquired with the control efficiency of TMD, the static displacement of Midspan, expenditure of TMDs, and manufacture difficulty of the damper considered. Results obtained in this study can provide references for the vibration control of steel truss bridges.


AIM
To determine tissue changes at implants placed either conventionally, or in combination with a connective tissue graft (CTG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty-eight partially edentulous subjects were randomised into two treatment Groups and 46 completed the study. Group-A (NA =23) received crestal implant placement. In Group-B (NB =23) a CTG harvested from the palate was stabilised over the implant-neck. At the time of implant placement (T0), Groups were categorized as having thin mucosa ≤2.5mm at the surgical site (NS ubgroup- AI =12, NS ubgroup- BI =11), or thick mucosa >2.5mm (NS ubgroup- AII =11, NS ubgroup- BII =12). Mucosa thickness, width of keratinised tissue (WKT), crestal bone levels and relative bone thickness were determined at T0 and at the two-stage surgery (T1).

RESULTS
At T1, on the alveolar crest, mucosa thickness significantly decreased in the thick mucosa Subgroups (-AII/-BII, both p=0.001), but increased at thin mucosa grafted sites (p=0.049). No significant changes were noted in the WKT for either group. Thin mucosa grafted Subgroups (-AI/-BI) demonstrated significant decreases in crestal bone levels (both p≤0.008). Crestal relative bone thickness decreased in all Subgroups (p≤0.027 for significant changes).

CONCLUSIONS
Connective tissue grafting resulted in smaller reductions of mucosa thickness on the alveolar crest and appeared to have the greater effects at sites with initially thin mucosa. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


The extent to which project delivery system(PDS)is adaptable to the internal and external conditions is related to project performance.This paper,based on comprehensive literature review and project case analysis,reveals the RPP(relationship between key factors in PDS and project condition),analyzes how these RPPs function to influence project performance,and then builds up the relationship model to describe the functioning mechanism of RPPs on project performance.To test the model quantitatively,this paper employs Spearman correlation to analyze data collected from30 public construction project cases in China invested by the World Bank Group.The result suggests that in these projects,consultant companies contribute mainly to risk control through their participation in the project evaluation stage and in this way improve the overall project performance,and the more suitable the RPPs are,the better the project performance will be.In light of this,this paper puts forward suggestions and principles on project delivery selection which may act as a guidance to project delivery selection practice.


In the context of energy storage, our present research focuses on investigating how nanocrystals (NCs) can be efficiently used as active material in electrodes for lithium ion battery. The high surface area of the nanoparticles suggests an extended contact with the electrolyte and their small dimension shortens the diffusion path of both lithium ions and electrons. Combined, these two features should lead to a significant improvement in the overall charge and discharge rates of the battery. 1 However, when introduced in conventional electrodes (i.e. randomly packed active particles with carbon and a binder) NCs tend to form aggregates. It causes a loss of the nanosize benefit and it also prevents any conclusion about the actual electrochemical behavior of the NCs themselves.


During the Vietnam War there were high expectations from the Johnson and Nixon Administrations for Japan and Britain to provide practical and political support for American military and strategic objectives in Indochina. The leader of Japan's conservative Liberal Democratic Party, Sato Eisaku, and the British Labour Party's Harold Wilson, balanced political support for the United States with significant public pressure at home to eschew any entanglement in the highly unpopular conflict. As junior allies of the United States both Sato and Wilson did not want to see the United States fail in Vietnam or the communist sphere expand in Southeast Asia. Both leaders accrued significant foreign policy advantages as a result of politically and publicly supporting American actions in Vietnam. But to placate domestic electorates that clearly felt uncomfortable over their governments providing explicit, albeit non-military, support to the United States in Vietnam, Sato and Wilson expended substantial prime ministerial diplomacy in attempting to play a mediatory role in the conflict. Each was highly successful in balancing domestic and American demands, whilst maintaining their security partnerships with the United States.


iv The unique contribution is embodied in: the framework's novelty, combining multiple fields of knowledge pertaining to success at the BOP and in traditional markets into a cohesive whole for the first time; the confirmed practical significance of the framework requirements in that it provides users with an empirically vetted procedure for increasing growth potential as evidenced by the survey data, and; the optimised usability due to the visually clear framework, the easy to use evaluation scorecard, and incorporation of key focus areas for dealing with key stakeholders. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za


Indian banking industry today is in the midst of an IT revolution. A combination of regulatory and competitive reasons has led to increasing importance of total banking automation in the Indian Banking Industry. Information technology enables sophisticated product development, better market infrastructure, implementation of reliable techniques for control of risks and helps the financial intermediaries to reach geographically distant and diversified markets. In the area of payment systems, there have been significant advancements of technology on the customer transactions. India is one of the countries that have effectively tackled huge volumes of paper instruments in cost effective manner. The Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) cheque clearing System, cheque transaction system (CTS) is another innovative solution that has been developed to enhance the efficiency of paper-based clearing system. CTS have eliminated the need for physical movements of cheques. The National Electronic Clearing System (NECS), with its centralized processing capability coupled with the implementation of CBS has brought down the clearing and settlement cycle. Electronic Fund Transfer(EFT)/National EFT (NEFT) is another illustration, where better process re- engineering coupled with CBS and strict adherence to NEFT procedural guidelines has made this product offer fund transfer service on a real time basis to customer. This paper presents computerization of banks as well as the number of ATMs having by the scheduled commercial banks in India. In the second part; the author has made an attempt to highlight the issuance of debit and credit cards of scheduled commercial banks. In the final facet of this paper; the author concludes with the bank group-wise number of transactions in RTGS and NEFT.


The use of model organisms to provide information on gene function has proved to be a powerful approach to our understanding of both human disease and fundamental mammalian biology. Large‐scale community projects using mice, based on forward and reverse genetics, and now the pan‐genomic phenotyping efforts of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, are generating resources on an unprecedented scale, which will be extremely valuable to human genetics and medicine. We discuss the nature and availability of data, mice and embryonic stem cells from these large‐scale programmes, the use of these resources to help prioritize and validate candidate genes in human genetic association studies, and how they can improve our understanding of the underlying pathobiology of human disease. Hum Mutat 33:826–836, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Abstract This paper provides an overview of the addition circuits of the Z3 computing machine built by Konrad Zuse in 1941. The addition unit of the Z3 is interesting from a historical point of view because it had a binary architecture and used a carry-look-ahead technique similar to that used in modern processors. We built a portable replica of the addition circuits for display in museums. We show diagrams of the architecture and the layout of the reproduction.


Ground reaction forces were obtained for the three phases of the triple jump for four collegiate triple jumpers, two men and two women. A single force platform was used, which thereby required the subjects to execute three separate jumps to produce a single triple jump record. The vertical force records for each phase showed two peaks having magnitudes in the range of 7 to 12 times body weight (BW) and 3.3 to 5 BW, respectively. These magnitudes are substantially higher than has been reported by others for distance running, sprinting, and in some cases other jumps. The maximum horizontal forces act to decrease the velocity of the mass center, but to different degrees for the different subjects. The data show that for any phase of the jump there is considerable variability in the timing and magnitudes of the force records among the different subjects although general patterns are similar. The results suggest that the use of mean force data from a number of subjects may conceal important differences between...


A series of conjugated eneyne compounds 3b, 3c and 3d were prepared. After treating them with halo - substituted eneyne compounds 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5f, the enediyne units conjugated with cyclopatene derivatives were successfully constructed. The dienediyne structure is general present in antitumor antibiotics C - 1027 - chromophore and Kedarcidine - chromophore. In the meantime, their cross - coupling reaction under palladium - catalyzed conditions was in investigated detail, and it was found that the reactivity decreas in the order of iodo - substituted alkenes) bromide) chloride.


The old view that Egypt from the time of Augustus up to the reforms of Septimius Severus or of Diocletian privately owned by the Roman Emperor was, who remained thus understandably concluded from international traffic and exchange, has been mitigated recently in favor of Presentation of a province whose resources were used, however, in particular to the needs of Rome. In the excavations in Schedia, the urban settlement at the junction of the freshwater canal which led from the Canopic Nile to Alexandria, 2 is based on Stratigraphy from the 7th century to the new era, the possibility of a complete statistical analysis of the Fund ceramic was used. The great diversity of work of various production sites are linked with the differences between products that are aligned to the international standards. The original text of the chapter is in German. Keywords: Augustus; Septimius Severus; Roman Emperor; Stratigraphy


It is usually considered that isolated left ventricular hypertrophy is not responsible for marked left axis deviation, and it is associated with left anterior fascicular block. From this point of view, morphological features were studied on the vectorcardiograms recorded with the Frank's system in 63 cases. They had diseases producing systolic overload on left ventricle (mainly essential hypertension) revealed out left ventricular hypertrophy in Ecg findings. They were divided into three groups based on electrical QRS axis as follows: (ⅰ) NAD group consisted with +90°~0°. (ⅱ) LAD' group consisted with 0°~-30°. (ⅲ) LAD group consisted with -30°~-90°. The patterns of QRS Loop classified into 5 types in horizontal plane (N(Ⅰ, Ⅱ), L(Ⅰ-Ⅲ)) and 4 types in frontal plane (A~D). In horizontal plane, 75% of NAD group showed type N(Ⅰ), or N(Ⅱ), and type L(Ⅰ), or L(Ⅱ) occupied in 75% of LAD group. In frontal plane, a half of LAD belonged to type D and type A was less than 10% in LAD, compared that type A was observed in 85% of NAD. Left ventriular hypertrophy with marked left axis deviation was classified into three types on the base of QRS loop as follows: the terminal portion of QRS loop directed superiorly to the left (type B) and superiorly to the right (type C), and the majority of QRS loop located to leftward and superiorly (type D). It was considered that the electrical force caused by hypertrophied left ventricle directed more posteriorly and to the left in type B, and type D was the pattern added to type B with the delayed excitation in antero-lateral wall of left ventricle caused by left anterior fascicular block. On the other hand, it was considered that the majority of type C, showing type N(Ⅱ), was the resultant of the delayed excitation in postern-basal portion of ventricles and was not closely related with left ventricular hypertrophy or left anterior fascicular block.


patients with a very active synthesis of specific IgG.' Negative results in the IgMIFA test have also been attributed to steric competition from high levels of specific IgG' as in our case. This bias may be avoided by IgM-ELISA tests7 and, when the original sera of our patients were retested with the IgM-ELISA assay, we found slightly positive results for the first sample only (table). Cultures from CSF were negative for T gondii, but they were made after the course of antibiotics. Diagnosis was confirmed by the close correlation between acute symptoms and high dye test titres, the clinical recovery obtained with corticoids and specific antibiotic therapy, and the sixfold decrease in dye test titres and the IgM-ELISA assay. A two-year follow-up did not afford an explanation other than toxoplasmosis for the initial symptoms and signs. The acquired nature of toxoplasmosis in this case seemed probable, in view of the clinico-serological correlations, lack of the classical features of congenital toxoplasmosis and positivity of IgM-ELISA test. Loss of vision in acquired toxoplasmosis is usually due to chorioretinitis or changes in the media of the eye, associated with inflammaton.' Only two cases of cerebral blindness with involvement of central visual pathways have been reported to date.' Optic neuritis is exceedingly rare. Single cases have been reported in association with overt ocular lesions.'-" We are aware of only three reports with normal ocular fundi.35 In Hogan's case 5,5 there was concurrent definite multiple sclerosis. In Wood's case 1,3 the dye test was positive at 1: 256 only, and there were no physical signs other than optic neuritis. In Wood's case 2,3 a classical picture of optic neuritis evolved in a 25-year-old patient with acute febrile illness, cervical enlarged glands and mononucleosis. Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed by a dye test positive at 1:1024 and complement fixation plus four. In the case of Rieger,4 chills, left acute optic neuritis, right eye upward paresis were observed in a 49-year-old patient. Dye test was positive at 1:64 and, three months later, at 1:1024. There was a canine source of infection. Such a low incidence of optic neuritis in acquired toxoplasmosis is probably due to the obligatory intracellular parasitism of T gondii, although the presence of the parasite in the optic nerve has been mentioned.' It is important to consider acquired toxoplasmosis in the diagnosis of acute meningoencephalitis even in immunocompetent hosts. Acute optic neuritis is not an argument for discarding the diagnosis. Prompt confirmation of T gondii infection by laboratory investigations is critical for this potentially curable disease. C CONFAVREUX P GIRARD-MADOUX T MOULIN D BOISSON A VIGHETTO G AIMARD M DEVIC H6pital Neurologique 59 Boulevard Pinel, 69394, Lyon, Cedex 03, France


ABSTRACT The mental health needs of college students are steadily on the rise, which compels mental health service providers and educators to explore innovative ways to provide more collaborative, supportive, and interdisciplinary service models of practice and professional training. Graduate programs in social work and counseling are at the crux of producing internship training programs to help accommodate the influx of students with persistent mental health concerns across a variety of needs and cultures. This article describes an interprofessional internship program structured and designed to meet the clinical training needs of master's level students matriculating in social work and counseling who aspire to provide mental health services in higher education settings. The interprofessional internship training model proposes an innovative interdisciplinary approach to field education which may result in positive training outcomes and learning experiences for social work and counseling students. This paper discusses the model's emphasis on individual and interdisciplinary group supervision, objectives of the internship experience, internship site criteria, and professional and personal benefits to pre-service social workers and counselors. Recommendations for training and limitations of the model are provided.


analysis of all pertinent investment products-including hedge funds and private equity-and explores a wide range of investment strategies. Tying together theoretical advances in investment management with actual applications, this book gives readers an opportunity to use proven investment management techniques to protect and grow a portfolio under many different circumstances.Practical, up-to-date, and authoritative-written by a 30-year veteran of teaching and practice in real estate finance--this book teaches real estate practitioners and pre-license candidates the theory and practice of real estate finance. It covers all aspects of real estate finance, emphasizing residential practices and policies. The initial chapters cover the basic theoretical framework of finance; later chapters address practical applications of finance--offering specific examples, forms, and math work applicable to specific finance practices. It uses a transactional approach--defining concepts and discussing practical applications as they would be encountered in real life.The book introduces corporate finance to first year students in business schools. Basic subjects such as marketing, human resources and finance are all fundamental to the learning of a business manager. A book on these subjects must emphasise learning that is conceptual in nature and at the same time, application oriented. This book attempts to achieve this in a manner that is comprehensive and shorn of complexity. It examines the practice of finance without diluting theory and conceptual knowledge.


| Full Text + Links | PDF (198 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 3. Effect of feeding fat sources on the quality and composition of lipids of precooked ready-to-eat fried chicken patties • ARTICLE Pages 1327-1337 Matteo Bonoli, Maria Fiorenza Caboni, Maria Teresa Rodriguez-Estrada and Giovanni Lercker Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (284 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (284 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 4. Physicochemical properties and amylopectin chain profiles of cowpea, chickpea and yellow pea starches • ARTICLE Pages 1338-1345 Junrong Huang, Henk A. Schols, Jeroen J.G. van Soest, Zhengyu Jin, Ellen Sulmann and Alphons G.J. Voragen Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (274 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (274 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 5. Dual effect of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the inhibition of apple polyphenol oxidase by 4-hexylresorcinol (HR) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) • ARTICLE Pages 1346-1356 E. Alvarez-Parrilla, L.A. de la Rosa, J. Rodrigo-García, R. Escobedo-González, G. Mercado-Mercado, E. MoyersMontoya, A. Vázquez-Flores and G.A. González-Aguilar Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (253 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (253 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=Publication...on=0&_userid=10&md5=179e103b800473b7509640ca231d7185 (2 of 13)25/12/2549 15:07:18 ScienceDirect Food Chemistry, Volume 101, Issue 4, Pages 1319-1768 (2007) 6. Identification of flavonol glycosides in American cranberry fruit • ARTICLE Pages 1357-1364 Hao Chen and Yuegang Zuo Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (373 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (373 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 7. Antioxidant properties of anthocyanins extracted from litchi (Litchi chinenesis Sonn.) fruit pericarp tissues in relation to their role in the pericarp browning • ARTICLE Pages 1365-1371 Xuewu Duan, Yueming Jiang, Xinguo Su, Zhaoqi Zhang and John Shi Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (164 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (164 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 8. Carotenoid composition of Algerian date varieties (Phoenix dactylifera) at different edible maturation stages • ARTICLE Pages 1372-1377 Hafid Boudries, Panagiotis Kefalas and Dámaso HorneroMéndez Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (140 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (140 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 9. Determination of trace metals in canned fish marketed in Turkey • ARTICLE Pages 1378-1382 Mustafa Tuzen and Mustafa Soylak Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (125 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (125 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 10. Antioxidant activity and constituents of propolis collected in various areas of China • ARTICLE Pages 1383-1392 Mok-Ryeon Ahn, Shigenori Kumazawa, Yumiko Usui, Jun Nakamura, Mitsuo Matsuka, Fang Zhu and Tsutomu Nakayama Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (342 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (342 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=Publication...on=0&_userid=10&md5=179e103b800473b7509640ca231d7185 (3 of 13)25/12/2549 15:07:18 ScienceDirect Food Chemistry, Volume 101, Issue 4, Pages 1319-1768 (2007) 11. A variety of volatile compounds as markers in Palestinian honey from Thymus capitatus, Thymelaea hirsuta, and Tolpis virgata • ARTICLE Pages 1393-1397 Imad Odeh, Saleh Abu-Lafi, Hasan Dewik, Ibrahim AlNajjar, Amin Imam, Valery M. Dembitsky and Lumír O. Hanuš Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (158 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (158 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 12. Selenium speciation studies in Se-enriched chives (Allium schoenoprasum) by HPLC-ICP–MS • ARTICLE Pages 1398-1406 Emese Kápolna, Monika Shah, Joseph A. Caruso and Péter Fodor Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (482 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (482 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 13. Comparison of the effects of sucrose and hexose on furfural formation and browning in cookies baked at different temperatures • ARTICLE Pages 1407-1416 Lamia Ait Ameur, Odile Mathieu, Valérie Lalanne, Gilles Trystram and Ines Birlouez-Aragon Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (199 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (199 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 14. Extraction of phenolics and essential oil from dried sage (Salvia officinalis) using ethanol–water mixtures • ARTICLE Pages 1417-1424 Nicola E. Durling, Owen J. Catchpole, John B. Grey, Rosemary F. Webby, Kevin A. Mitchell, L. Yeap Foo and Nigel B. Perry Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (209 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (209 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 15. Isolation, characterization and antioxidant capacity assessment of the bioactive compounds derived from Hypoxis rooperi corm extract (African potato) • ARTICLE Pages 1425-1437 Olga Laporta, Laura Pérez-Fons, Ricardo Mallavia, Nuria Caturla and Vicente Micol Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (308 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (308 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=Publication...on=0&_userid=10&md5=179e103b800473b7509640ca231d7185 (4 of 13)25/12/2549 15:07:18 ScienceDirect Food Chemistry, Volume 101, Issue 4, Pages 1319-1768 (2007) 16. Determination of stigmasterol and cholesterol oxides using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry • ARTICLE Pages 1438-1445 Suvi Kemmo, Velimatti Ollilainen, Anna-Maija Lampi and Vieno Piironen Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (172 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (172 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 17. Esterase activities of indigenous lactic acid bacteria from Argentinean goats' milk and cheeses • ARTICLE Pages 1446-1450 Rubén Oliszewski, Roxana B. Medina, Silvia N. Gonzalez and Adriana B. Perez Chaia Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (123 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (123 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 18. Decaffeination of fresh green tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) by hot water treatment • ARTICLE Pages 1451-1456 Huiling Liang, Yuerong Liang, Junjie Dong, Jianliang Lu, Hairong Xu and Hui Wang Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (188 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (188 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 19. In vitro antioxidant activities of Rosmarinus officinalis extracts treated with supercritical carbon dioxide • ARTICLE Pages 1457-1464 O. Yesil Celiktas, E. Bedir and F. Vardar Sukan Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (702 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (702 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 20. Effects of some commercial additives on the quality of sucuk (Turkish dry-fermented sausage) • ARTICLE Pages 1465-1473 Hüseyin Bozkurt and Osman Erkmen Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (188 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (188 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=Publication...on=0&_userid=10&md5=179e103b800473b7509640ca231d7185 (5 of 13)25/12/2549 15:07:18 ScienceDirect Food Chemistry, Volume 101, Issue 4, Pages 1319-1768 (2007) 21. Calpain and cathepsin activities in post mortem fish and meat muscles • ARTICLE Pages 1474-1479 Romuald Chéret, Christine Delbarre-Ladrat, Marie de Lamballerie-Anton and Véronique Verrez-Bagnis Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (276 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (276 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 22. Folates as antioxidants • ARTICLE Pages 1480-1483 Anna Gliszczy•ska-•wig•o Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (130 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (130 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 23. Whey protein hydrolysate: Functional properties, nutritional quality and utilization in beverage formulation • ARTICLE Pages 1484-1491 Rhicha Sinha, C. Radha, Jamuna Prakash and Purnima Kaul Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (279 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (279 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 24. Effect of treatment with electrolyzed NaCl solutions and essential oil compounds on the proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid composition of carp fillets • ARTICLE Pages 1492-1498 Barakat S.M. Mahmoud, Y. Kawai, K. Yamazaki, K. Miyashita and T. Suzuki Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (263 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (263 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF 25. Some properties of corn starches II: Physicochemical, gelatinization, retrogradation, pasting and gel textural properties • ARTICLE Pages 1499-1507 Kawaljit Singh Sandhu and Narpinder Singh Abstract | Full Text + Links | PDF (350 K) | To Purchase and Download the Full Article, Click PDF| Full Text + Links | PDF (35


One of the foremost challenges in the management of infectious diseases is antimicrobial resistance. The manifestation of multidrug resistance in bacteria, over the past several decades has resulted in one of the most pressing clinical problems in modern medicine. The Infectious Disease Society of America has identified a number of Grampositive and Gram-negative human pathogens that pose a significant
challenge in infectious disease management.


Small studies suggest significant differences between autistic and nonautistic individuals regarding sexual orientation and behavior. We administered an anonymized, online survey to n = 2386 adults (n = 1183 autistic) aged 16–90 years to describe sexual activity, risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual orientation. Autistic individuals are less likely to report sexually activity or heterosexuality compared to nonautistic individuals, but more likely to self‐report asexuality or an 'other' sexuality. Overall, autistic, and nonautistic groups did not differ in age of sexual activity onset or contraction of STIs. When evaluating sex differences, autistic males are uniquely more likely to be bisexual (compared to nonautistic males); conversely, autistic females are uniquely more likely to be homosexual (compared to nonautistic females). Thus, both autistic males and females may express a wider range of sexual orientations in different sex‐specific patterns than general population peers. When comparing autistic males and females directly, females are more likely to have diverse sexual orientations (except for homosexuality) and engage in sexual activity, are less likely to identify as heterosexual, and have a lower mean age at which they first begin engaging in sexual activity. This is the largest study of sexual orientation of autistic adults. Sexual education and sexual health screenings of all children, adolescents, and adults (including autistic individuals) must remain priorities; healthcare professionals should use language that affirms a diversity of sexual orientations and supports autistic individuals who may have increased risks (affecting mental health, physical health, and healthcare quality) due to stress and discrimination from this intersectionality.


[Objective] To investigate the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in ischemic cortex of rats with focal cerebral ischemia in different periods. [Methods] Thirty-six SD rats were randomized into 6 groups: 2-week and 5-week pseudo-operation groups (groups A and B), 2-week and 5-week model groups (groups C and D) and 2-week and 5-week EA groups ( groups E and F). Except those in pseudo-operation groups, the rats in other groups were induced focal cerebral ischemia by coagulation of brain middle-sized artery with heat. Groups E and F were treated by EA of Baihui (GV20) point and Dazhui (GV14) point, once a day for 2 weeks and 5 weeks respectively. BDNF expression in ischemic cortex was observed by immunohistochemical method on the 2nd and 5th weeks and effects of EA on BDNF expression were observed. [Results] BDNF-positive cells were few and BDNF expression was low in ischemic brain of groups A and B; BDNF-positive cells in groups C and D were much more than those in groups A and B ( P 0.01); the difference between group C and group D was insignificant (P 0.05). BDNF-positive cells in groups E and F were much more than those in groups C and D (P 0.01) and became less as time passes. [Conclusion] EA has a protective effect on ischemic brain injury by increasing the BDNF expression in cortex around the ischemic focus.


We describe a cryptanalysis of the GGH15 multilinear maps. Our attack breaks the multipartite key-agreement protocol in polynomial time by generating an equivalent user private key; it also applies to GGH15 with safeguards. We also describe attacks against variants of the GGH13 multilinear maps proposed by Halevi (ePrint 2015/866) aiming at supporting graph-induced constraints, as in GGH15.


Arts-based inquiry is a term I have borrowed from the research literature (Liamputtong and Rumbold, 2008) and use to describe the making of artistic expressions as a way of understanding and examining experience (McNiff, 2008). In my work with medical students I invite them to engage with any art form – dance, narrative, sculpture etc as they reflect on their lived experiences (Younie, 2013a). Using such arts-based approaches within a group setting can lead to emotional expression, personal engagement as well as inviting vulnerable reflection (MacKenzie and Wolf, 2012). Similarly sharing creative expressions and explorations can foster solidarity, individuality, greater confidence and resilience. Drawing on qualitative Masters and Doctoral research in the field of arts-based inquiry (Younie, 2006, 2011) and a decade of facilitating student creative-reflective processing (Younie, 2014; Younie, 2013b) this presentation explores the delicate balance and inter-relationships between creative expression, vulnerability and resilience. Facilitator ability to maintain a safe learning environment is essential to student engagement in this kind of learning. Keywords: Arts-based inquiry, vulnerable reflection, reflexivity, resilience. References Liamputtong, P. and Rumbold, J. (eds) (2008) Knowing differently:arts-based and collaborative research methods. New York: Nova Science Publishers. MacKenzie, S. K. and Wolf, M. M. (2012) 'Layering Sel(f)ves: Finding Acceptance, Community and Praxis through Collage' The Qualitative Report, v. 17, p. 1-21. McNiff, S., 2008, 'Arts-based research', in Knowles, J. G. and Cole, A. L. (eds) Handbook of the arts in qualitative research : Thousand Oaks, CA, Sage, 29-40. Younie, L., 2006, 'A qualitative study of the contribution medical humanities can bring to medical education', University of Bristol, MSc dissertation, Bristol. Younie, L., 2011, 'A reflexive journey through arts-based inquiry in medical education', University of Bristol, EdD Dissertation, Bristol. Younie, L., 2013a, 'Introducing arts-based inquiry into medical education: 'Exploring the Creative Arts in Health and Illness', in McIntosh, P. and Warren, D.  (eds) Creativity in the Classroom: Case Studies in Using the Arts in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education . Bristol: Intellect Publishers. Younie, L., 2014, Arts-based inquiry and a clinician educator's journey of discovery, in McLean, C.L. (ed) Creative Arts in Humane Medicine . Edmonton: Brush Education Inc. Younie, M. L. A., 2013b, Art in Medical Education: Practice and Dialogue, in Bates, V., A. Bleakley, A. and Goodman, S. (eds) Medicine, Health and the Arts; Approaches to the Medical Humanities Abingdon: Routledge.


Object extraction is usually a hot and challenging problem in medical area. Within this area, variational methods are used largely when showing their stunning performance. However, they are still often confronted with the obstacles of local minima issues, which prevent the optimization process converging to the right optima significantly. In this paper, an improved multi-scale object extraction based on feature-guided active contour model with its application in lung segmentation is proposed, which is based on novel constrained variational framework. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has a better performance over traditional relative methods.


The structure and composing of the soy protein were introduced,and the recent development situation and modified progress of adhesives based on soy protein were summarized at home and abroad.The development significance and existent problems were proposed in research process of adhesives based on soy protein.


The article is devoted to solving complex organizational, economic and management issues of implementing the concept of reforming the state railway of Transport.


The nonlinear model predictive control method is applied to emergency voltage controller design. Based on quasi-steady-state approximation , the receding dynamic optimization model containing differential-algebraic equations with continuous-discrete time variables is established. To enhance computational efficiency and control precision of solving this dynamic optimization model,direct dynamic optimization approach combined with moving finite elements is proposed to solve the problem of dynamic optimization. Firstly,the research interval is divided into finite elements. Radau collocation method is used to convert the optimization model into a nonlinear programming by approximating all of the state variables,algebraic variables and control variables by a family of polynomials on each element. Then moving finite elements is introduced to adjust the length of each interval dynamically,achieve the precise positioning of control variable and improve the accuracy of the algorithm. The interior-point algorithm given by AMPL as a mathematical optimization solver is used to solve the problem. Simulation results on New England 10-machine 39-bus system verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.


We show that the family of the Smale–Williams solenoid attractors parameterized by its contraction rate can be characterized as solutions of a set of differential equations. The exact formula describing the attractor can be obtained by solving the differential equations subject to explicitly given initial conditions. Using the formula, we present in this note a simple and explicit proof of the result that the dynamics on the solenoid is topologically conjugate to the shift on the inverse limit space of the expanding map t ↦ mt mod 1 for some integer m ≥ 2 and to a suspension over the adding machine.


Gottlieb et al., CID; 37:838-840 (2003). Galletti et al., Nephrol. Dial. Transplant; 20:1551-8 (2005). Crawford et al., J. Med. Chem.; 39:2690-95 (1996). Molecular Biology of The Cell, 1989, Edited by Alberts et al., Gar land Publishing, Inc.: New York, pp. 727-761. Molecular Biology of The Cell, 1989, Edited by Alberts et al., Gar land Publishing, Inc.: New York, pp. 1203-1216. Botti et al., 1998, Int'l. J. Biol Mark. 13:51-69. Birkeland et al., 2000, Lancet 355:1886 and Penn, 2000, Adv. Ren. Replace. Ther. 7:147. Penn, 2000, Adv. Ren. Replace. Ther. 7:147-154. Swinnen et al., 2000, Semin. Oncol. 27:402-408. Appelbaum, 1992, Semin. Oncol. Nurs. 8:51-62. Cortesina et al., 1993, Head Neck. 15:266-270. Appelbaum, 1992, "The role of the immune system in the pathogen esis of cancer'. Semin. Oncol. Nurs. 8(1):51-62. AZuma et al., 2000, "Induction of apoptosis of activated murine splenic T cells by cycloprodigiosin hydrochloride, a novel immunosuppressant'. Immunopharmacology 46(1):29-37. http://www.dtp.nci.nih.gov/main.html Developmental Therapeutics Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Apr. 1999. Balitskii and Struk, 1968, "Activation of Protective Reactions of the Organism in Malignant Growths", Zh. Eksp. Klin. Med. (USSR) 8:3-8. Barbagallo et al., 1979. "Cytological Activity of Prodigiosin by Allium cepa L. Test". Riv. Biol. Norm. Patol. 5:25-31 (in Italian will Eng. Summary). Botti et al., 1998, "Immunosupressive factors: role in cancer devel opment and progession'. Intl. J. Biol. Mark. 13(2):51-69. Birkeland et al., 2000, "Cancer risk in patients on dialysis and after renal transplantation'. Lancet 355(9218): 1886-7. Cortesina et al., 1993, "Immunomodulation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck". Head Neck. 15(3):266-70. Boger and Patel, 1988, "Total Synthesis of Prodigiosin, Prodigiosene, and DeSmethoxyprodigiosin: Diels-Alder Reactions of Heterocyclic Azadienes and Development of an Effective Pal ladium(II)-Promoted 2,2'-Bipyrrole Coupling Procedure". J. Org. Chem, 53:1405-1415. Boger and Patel, 1987. "Total Synthesis of Prodigiosin'. Tetrahedron Lett. 28:2499-25O2. 8, 1999


Medulloblastoma is a malignant brain tumor diagnosed in children. Chemotherapy has improved survival rates to approximately 70%, however, children are often left with long-term treatment side-effects. New therapies which maintain a high cure rate while reducing off-target toxicity are required. We describe for the first time the use of a bacteriophage-peptide display library to identify heptapeptides which bind to medulloblastoma cells. Two heptapeptides which demonstrated high [E1-3(1)] or low [E1-7(2)] medulloblastoma cell binding affinity were synthesized. The potential of the peptides to deliver a therapeutic drug to medulloblastoma cells with specificity was investigated by conjugating E1-3(1) or E1-7(2) to doxorubicin (5). Both peptide-drug conjugates were cytotoxic to medulloblastoma cells. E1-3-doxorubicin (1) could permeabilize an in vitro blood-brain barrier and showed a marked reduction in cytotoxicity compared to free doxorubicin (5) in non-tumor cells. This study provides proof-of-concept for developing peptide-drug conjugates to inhibit medulloblastoma cell growth while minimizing off-target toxicity.


The crystal and molecular structures of the title compound, the first for a complex of the type [RuCp*(η6-C8-ring)]+, is presented, the material being obtained serendipitously from a reaction between RuCl(cod)Cp* and 1-ferrocenylbuta-1,3-diyne in the presence of ZnCl2. (2.21 A) is appreciably longer than in RuCp*2 (2.18 A) and similar to the value for the Ru-η6 component (2.22 A).


Info 2014 The article reports on our work in conducting performance measurement for the management of Information Technology (IT) by applying the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) at Indonesia. The results of this study are then used to propose a hybrid framework that applies both BSC and a artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in order to measure the performance of IT governance generally. This article also examines BSC's abilities and its flexibility compared to other methods in measuring the performance of IT governance. The proposed hybrid framework is expected to yield a management that produces a scorecard measures that are more rigorous, accurate and consistent with the objectives and organizational strategies in non-profit organizations, especially educational Dr. Rayner's work is to build smarter mechanism that enables knowledge discovery in relational databases. His work addresses the challenges related to big data problem: How can we create and apply smarter collaborative knowledge discovery technologies that cope with the big data problem. Dr. Rayner has authored and co-authored more than 75 journals/book chapters and conference papers, editorials, and served on the program and organizing committees of numerous national and international conferences and workshops. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)


The content of nickel in nickel plating bath was determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. After the determination conditions are determined, a wavelength whose sensitivity matches the analysis line should be used to reduce the dilution error. Either matrix matching method or standard addition method can be used to eliminate the interference of matrix. The method is simple, quick, and suitable for determining the nickel contents of different nickel plating baths with high accuracy and precision, being applicable for rapid analysis of bulk samples in electroplating industrial parks.


This book studies Milton's "Ludlow Maske" of 1634 as a rite of passage. "The Maske" fashions and mobilizes its Lady as an independent subject and moral agent, the inviolably private, conscience-governed self of English Puritan culture. Initiating a ritual discourse on virtue that is not founded in and dependent on royalist ideology, Milton feminizes both the discourse on heroic virtue and the mythologized cosmos that supports it, and authenticates female prophetic speech and ethical action in a way that prepares for women's participation in the emerging public sphere and in the reformation of literary histories.The first of Milton's heroes of "Christian Liberty", the Lady is also the first of his characters to participate in the seventeenth-century's literary invention and development of the early modern subject. The exemplary social importance of the Lady thus makes Comus a startling founding gesture of early modern feminism. William Shullenberger is Professor of Literature and Joseph Campbell Chair in the Humanities at Sarah Lawrence College.


We review the present status of cosmological discoveries and how these confirm our modern cosmological model, but at the same time we try to focus on its weaknesses and inconsistencies with an historical perspective, and foresee how the on-going big cosmological projects may change in the future our view of the universe.


In the light of the present situation that the faults of the resistor braking cabinet of 8G locomotives occur frequently and endanger the safe operation of locomotives,this paper analyzes the reasons of the faults from equipment's working principles,and according to the actual feasibility,puts forward the transformation program.


It is necessary to establish the criterion for the construction of railway welded steel bridge in the cold region to prevent brittle fracture of the material and welds under low temperature. According to related data of home and abroad, this paper carries out qualitative analysis on the influences of low temperature on the main mechanics characteristics and fatigue performance of steel. It shows that low temperature will cause the increase of the yield strength and limited the strength of the material, but the yield strength increases faster than the limited strength. And low temperature will decrease the toughness of the material. As for the development of fatigue performance, it depends on the details of the steel structure. It also points out that under the low temperature, welded steel bridge can be used safely when technical processing and technical criteria are well controlled. 


Embedding asset pricing in a utility maximization framework leads naturally to the concept of minimax martingale measures. We consider a market model where the price process is assumed to be an d‐semimartingale X and the set of trading strategies consists of all predictable, X‐integrable, d‐valued processes H for which the stochastic integral (H.X) is uniformly bounded from below. When the market is free of arbitrage, we show that a sufficient condition for the existence of the minimax measure is that the utility function u : → is concave and nondecreasing. We also show the equivalence between the no free lunch with vanishing risk condition, the existence of a separating measure, and a properly defined notion of viability.


This paper reports results on the classification of traveling wave solutions, including nonnegative weak sense, in the spatial 1D degenerate parabolic equation. These are obtained through dynamical systems theory and geometric approaches (in particular, Poincar\'e compactification). Classification of traveling wave solutions means enumerating those that exist and presenting properties of each solution, such as its profile and asymptotic behavior. The results examine a different range of parameters included in the equation, using the same techniques as discussed in the earlier work [Y. Ichida, Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst., Ser. B, {\bf{28}} (2023), no. 2, 1116--1132]. In a clear departure from this previous work, the classification results obtained in this paper and the successful application of known transformation also yield results for the classification of (weak) nonnegative traveling wave solutions for spatial 1D porous medium equations with special nonlinear terms and the simplest porous medium equation. Finally, the bifurcations at infinity occur in the two-dimensional ordinary differential equations that characterize these traveling wave solutions are shown.


This guide is designed to assist online students with research for this class. Online resources will be highlighted. Resources for Professor Hall's classes


Nowadays, every vehicle is wirelessly connected, often by both itself and its passengers. The same goes for all the continuously growing number of devices alongside the transportation infrastructure. This induces an abundance of data that can be used to direct traffic efficiently, optimize the transportation infrastructure, avoid accidents, lower emissions from transportation and so forth. To create coherence among the messages related to a Cooperative and Intelligent Transportation System (C-ITS), an ETSI message type standard has been developed. The next hurdle is how to facilitate receiving and processing millions of C-ITS messages in real-time.We present a feasibility study on how these C-ITS messages can be received, processed and distributed. Our novel approach is to bridge C-ITS message types over MQTT, to Apache Kafka, with fault-tolerance, horizontal scalability, and low latency. We have engineered both an MQTT-Kafka source connector and a Kafka-MQTT sink connector, by utilizing the Kafka Connector API. These facilitate an easy configurable topic mapping between MQTT and Kafka, from vehicles and roadside units to a central application, and in the opposite direction. Our experiments with this bridging technology, performed on a modest desktop computer with a single instance Kafka setup, show the feasibility by managing to source and sink CAM messages with low latency.


This article focuses on the study of bionic wings. Based on the analysis of insect thoracic cavity structure and movement mechanism, two groups of insect flapping wings models were simulated, and unsteady aerodynamic problems were studied using computational fluid dynamics numerical simulation methods, with emphasis on computer simulation, iterative calculation equations and observation. The convergence is used to analyze the driving force curve, verify and analyze the influence of air fluid on the surface pressure and speed of the wing during the flight of the insect. Studying the influence of fluid mechanics during insect flight is of great significance to further optimize and improve existing aircraft structure forces.


The experimental search for neutron electric dipole moment (EDM-experiment) is considered to be one of the crucial experiments in physics as it should explain the nature of violation in relation to time reversal. In practically every work concerning T-violation, possible effects are estimated basing on normalization to the upper limit of neutron EDM. So far it has been the most sensitive method for experimental progress in the T-violation problem. More than a half of 50-year EDM-experiment history is described by ultra-cold neutron methodology. A considerable contribution to this problem has been made at PNPI. Here the EDM neutron limit was reduced from 3·10 −24 e·cm down to 1·10 −25 e·cm (see Fig. 1), which allowed to reject a number of theoretical ideas about the nature of T-violation. Prior to reach a new neutron EDM limit a lot of efforts were put into creation and modernization of EDM-spectrometer, and also a great work was done to understand how to handle ultra-cold neutrons. Feasibility to solve such a principally significant problem resulted in formation of new neutron handling techniques. A great number of various physical questions, concerning interaction of UCN with substance, aroused. All this gave birth to a new direction named ultra-cold neutron physics. The first requirement was a sufficiently high intensity of ultra-cold neutron beams. Huge efforts were spent to solve this problem. And now a lot of attempts are still made to increase the efficiency of UCN sources and to find new approaches. The Fig. 2 shows UCN density increase and achievements of different laboratories of the world. For the years that passed since the first experiments, the UCN density has been increased by 7 orders of magnitude. The role of PNPI in UCN source development is very significant. For a decade, starting from the middle of 70-s, the maximum UCN density belonged to Gatchina. And only when the UCN source based on a liquid deuterium moderator and Steyerl's turbine was launched in Grenoble, the UCN density in Gatchina became by 5 times less due to difference in initial fluxes of thermal neutrons on the sources.


The rapid growth of tourism contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) has generated major changes regarding the forms and methods used for managing the tourism services and thus has amplified the need for real-time financial - accounting and tax information, as well as for specific ways of configuring them both during the running of transactions and at the end of the year. Therefore, we proposed that this post-doctoral research to develop certain specific aspects mainly related to modeling of the accounting information in tourism.


Recent studies have shown that the X chart with variable parameters (Vp X chart) detects process shifts faster than the traditional X chart. This article extends these studies for processes that are monitored by both, X and R charts. Basically, the X and R values establish if the control should or should not be relaxed. When the X and R values fall in the central region the control is relaxed because one will wait more to take the next sample and/or the next sample will be smaller than usual. When the X or R values fall in the warning region the control is tightened because one will wait less to take the next sample and the next sample will be larger than usual. The action limits are also made variable. This paper proposes to draw the action limits (for both charts) wider than usual when the control is relaxed and narrower than usual when the control is tightened. The Vp feature improves the joint X and R control chart performance in terms of the speed with which the process mean and/or variance shifts are detected.


Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was found to have a chronic and significantly worse course in apolipoprotein-E (apoE) deficient female mice when compared with matched controls. Disease measures compared included incidence of EAE (64% versus 31%, P <0.05, x2 test), maximal clinical score (average ±SD 2.81±2.5 versus 0.75±1.1, P <0.01, Mann -Whitney test) and mortality (27.3% versus 0%, P =0.02, Mann -Whitney test and x2 test). A poE deficient mice had significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation responses to both myelin antigens and mitogens and significantly more infiltrating lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) in histopatho logy. Defective neuronal repair mechanisms and enhanced immune reactivity in apoE deficient mice may explain our findings. C linical implications for MS are discussed.


returning to EFTA would be regarded as a second experience of European failure. However, it is the French that now remind the UK at regular intervals that it can remain in the EU with its current package of opt outs. Through its membership of EFTA, Norway has incorporated three quarters of EU law into its own legislation. Outside this agreement lie membership of the Euro, the Customs Union, Common Agricultural Policy, foreign trade policy and taxation. However, to make the relationship work, Norway has over 130 individual agreements, which have accumulated over time. What might be attractive to Brexiteers is that EFTA is regarded as an intergovernmental agreement rather than a supranational one – although it includes cooperation on the four freedoms of the Single Market, which may be less attractive to those seeking a full break. What can the UK learn from Norway? The executive approach to EU matters within the Norwegian Parliament will be familiar to those with detailed knowledge of EU implementation in the UK but this also comes with multiple methods of dispute resolution. Fusser and Graver point out that there are other more significant differences between Norway and the UK that might affect the basis of a comparison. Firstly, although Norway is a wealthy, energy-rich country, the UK has a much larger economy and has more global influence. For the UK, as an existing member or future partner of the EU there are operational and structural linkages between sectors that are supported by common regulation and financial systems. These support what are effectively internal supply chains. This interconnectedness relies on the predictability of knowledge of legislation and rule changes that are the basis of economic success and future investment. The Prime Minister's stated wish to be a rule follower, outside the EU and not in EFTA or the EEA, means this predictable anticipation and influence will be lost and there will be many pressures to increase the legal fissures between the UK and the EU without these certainties. This is not the case in Norway where the EU legislation simply passes into effect. Given that this depends on a depoliticised approach, Fusser and Graver conclude that the strongly politicised relationship that has emerged in the UK since the Brexit referendum would make Norway a difficult model to adopt without some specific political acceptance. This is an informative and thought-provoking book that demonstrates above all that any change in the UK EU relationship can never result in complete divorce, as the emerging structures are beginning to exemplify.


Prevalence of Adolescent Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders
Demographic Correlates of Use, Abuse, and Dependence
Age-Related Trajectories of Adolescent Substance Use: Relations To Developmental Transitions
Consequences of Adolescent Substance Use
Theoretical Models
Conclusions and Future Directions

Keywords:

substance use disorders;
dependence;
developmental disorders;
puberty;
school transitions;
role transitions;
family history;
substance abuse;
prenatal exposure;
deviance proneness models;
stress;
emotional distress;
substance use effects


Science, includes in its membership specialists concerned with the &dquo;study of the causes, treatment, and prevention of crime; law enforcement; criminal justice, and allied fields&dquo;-a concern made obvious in the twentytwo papers of this collection, most of which originally were read at the Society's annual meeting. The papers rove across a vast territory and extend, as might perhaps be expected, from the sublime to almost its stereotypic antithesis. They


T is often forgotten that for nearly a thousand years Christianity was the official religion of the greater portion of the middle Nile basin. Until quite recently the I history of this vast region was little known ; but the work of Griffith, Reisner, Crowfoot, the author of this book and other archaeologists has gradually brought to light enough facts to justify an attempt to set them in historical order. This book is the first such attempt, apart from one or two articles in inaccessible publications (1); it is by one who has already earned the gratitude of students by his splendid Corpus (2) of antiquities of medieval Nubia, based upon an intimate knowledge of the country and its language and monuments. The style is clear and the subject-matter well arranged ; the background is illustrated by a series of really excellent (because austere) outline-maps, and it is obvious that the writer thinks geographically-a rare but welcome accomplishment, particularly in this field. The book is beautifully printed in pleasing legible type, and the Pontifical Institute is to be congratulated on the production of a work of scholarship of the first rank. It will be useful, we think, to give here a fairly full summary of it& contents, for although it is still in print and obtainable through a bookseller, there is at present nothing in English that covers the same ground. The first contact between Rome and the region south of the 1st (Aswan) cataract was in 29 B.C. and our knowledge of it is derived from a trilingual inscription found at Philae. It records an agreement between the prefect Cornelius Gallus and the Ethiopian ruler of the Triakontaschoinos, that part of the Nile Valley which extended above and below the and cataract at Wadi Halfa. It is to be presumed that the intervening province (the Dodekaschoinos) was then Roman, and the southern boundary of the Roman Empire fixed at a point some 70 miles south of Aswan. When the Roman garrisons were weakened a few years later the Ethiopians attacked them and got through to the 1st cataract ; they captured a bronze statue of the Emperor Augustus and carried it off to Meroe, where its head was eventually found by Professor Garstang. Petronius (prefect 25-21 B.c.) led a punitive expedition which penetrated as far as Napata, the old Ethiopian capital above Dongola. He sacked the town, but the ruler, the one-eyed Candace-a title and not a proper name (3)-escaped to a neighbouring castle and refused to treat. Petronius had therefore to return and the expedition was It should be said at once that it is a very good book.


Li2+ xBxSi1-xO3 ( x=0 to 0.5) has been prepared by the sol-gel method.The experimental results show that a solid-solution can be formed in the range of 0TFX]x 0.2.The studies of lithium ion conductivity indicate that the maximum conductivity in the Li2+ xBxSi1-xO3 is the composition with x =0.3.


Some technologies for drinking water safety were reviewed,including pretreatment technologies,traditional treatment technologies and advanced treatment technologies used in drinking water treatment plants.Some treatment technologies for solving emergence water pollution events and the technologies used in purified drinking water were also reviewed.Finally,some potential technologies for drinking water treatment were prospected.


With the rapid development of video surveillance technology, especially the popularity of cloud-based video surveillance applications, video data begins to grow explosively. However, in the cloud-based video surveillance system, replicas occupy an amount of storage space. Also, the slow response to video playback constrains the performance of the system. In this paper, considering the characteristics of video data comprehensively, we propose a dynamic redundant replicas mechanism based on security levels that can dynamically adjust the number of replicas. Based on the location correlation between cameras, this paper also proposes a data cache strategy to improve the response speed of data reading. Experiments illustrate that: (1) our dynamic redundant replicas mechanism can save storage space while ensuring data security; (2) the cache mechanism can predict the playback behaviors of the users in advance and improve the response speed of data reading according to the location and time correlation of the front-end cameras; and (3) in terms of cloud-based video surveillance, our proposed approaches significantly outperform existing methods.


Methods for the donor material by using a thermal print head to generate heat to operate the printer and this printer is attached to the receiver media from a donor patches on the donor web is provided. The method includes receiving a print command requesting the printing of a certain amount of image, determining a temperature of the print head, and printing the specified number among the certain amount of the image into one sequence , and determining a time length of the program delay, delaying the printing of the time program delays the determined length, and printing the image remaining from the certain amount of the image. The length of each program delay is determined using the time rate of cooling of the temperature and the printhead of the print head, sufficient cooling time for the print head from reaching the maximum printhead temperature during printing It is determined in such a way provided.


Livelihoods in the Niger Delta fishing communities in Nigeria are complex and dynamic. Environmental pollution, seasonal cycles of resource use and changes in access create conditions that bring challenges resulting in livelihood insecurity for rural households. Nonetheless, the women, the main breadwinners in most of the households, continuously struggle against these stresses and shocks. This paper sets out to explore how women attempt to mitigate against these challenges. It assesses the environmental challenges militating against successful sustenance of livelihood activities in households in four fishing communities in Eastern Obolo, the Niger Delta. The analyses of livelihood activities, the stresses and shocks show that diversification is a commonly used adaptation strategy. Analysing responses at multiple levels, with emphasis on adaptation strategies at household and community levels, illuminates aspects of livelihoods diversification. Defining important factors influencing livelihood diversification enabled categorization to determine the most critical and important for policy. Fish processing (82.22%), and processing of non-fish aquatic products (73.87%) were the most important economic activities. Four major factors have serious impacts on the livelihood activities of the women. Dealing directly with these underlying factors would therefore ensure livelihood security for most households in the Niger Delta.


Richter syndrome (RS) is well known as a secondary high‐grade lymphoma, mostly diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) developed in patients with B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‐CLL). In this review, we describe clinicopathological, histological, immunophenotypical and genetic findings of RS. The patients with RS, regardless of transformation of pre‐existing clone or de novo malignant clone, were resistant to conventional combined chemotherapy and died within months of diagnosis. Molecular techniques can provide convincing results for the clonal relationship of RS to pre‐existing B‐CLL. When RS carries a same rearrangement band or a same sequence as B‐CLL by Southern blotting or nucleotide sequence analyses of immunoglobulin heavy and/or light chain genes, it is suggested to that RS transforms from original B‐CLL. These analyses have showed that approximately two‐thirds of RS cases evolved from a B‐CLL clone. How and where does the B‐CLL clone evolve to RS? The genetic alteration of transforming B‐CLL clone into RS has been addressed. Abnormalities of chromosomes 11 and 14 were most frequently involved in RS, but non‐specific. In addition, RS does not include chromosomal translocation between Ig locus and oncogenes or rearrangements of bcl‐6 gene, both of which were found in some de novo DLBCL. Several candidates, such as mutation of p53 gene and abnormalities of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor, have been proposed to play an important role in the transformation of a part of B‐CLL. However, there is still uncertainly as to how B‐CLL progresses or develops into RS.


This paper presents two designs of band-stop frequency selective surfaces (FSS) composed of Jerusalem-cross elements with four additional circular rings. The results show that the Jerusalemcross with four addition circular rings is a very attractive configuration in the design of FSS. It can provide broad-band and flattop frequency response for filter application.


In recent years, semiconductor products have become increasingly important as essential parts of numerous technological devices. In addition, competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Currently, many semiconductor businesses have a horizontal specialization business structure. However, in the CMOS image sensor (CIS) business, vertically Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM) companies are leading businesses possessing significant technological advantages. This study applies Baldwin's (2004) functional module analysis method to clarify how IDM companies maintain their superiority in CIS, and examines in particular their knowledge acquisition method for improving the main characteristics of CIS. The basic questions this study addresses are why the CIS business has been able to promote the business of IDM companies, and why has it maintained its advantage over the last 10 years. This study seeks to examine this question and present the mechanism behind its superiority. First, the modules of CIS products and development task flow are separated into modules by function and analyzed. The sensor core and system core require different design capabilities. The photodiode of the sensor core is designed through a combination and application of semiconductor physics and optical knowledge by highly expert design, device physics, and process engineers. In IDM companies, development is accomplished in a complementary manner with mutually integrated technologies. We note particularly that the boundary between companies in the horizontal specialization business in the sensor core design affects technological improvement and the speed of growth. During the heyday of SoC in 1990, technology was transferred and production outsourced from the world's top-class IDM to foundries. Based on the current situation two decades later, we analyzed the behavior at that time by back-casting and extracted five growth factors. Five growth opportunities for latecomers to the high-tech manufacturing industry were factors in the current implementation status and effects of the CIS business.


This article discusses the consistent development of cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Central Asian countries. The importance of making the Central Asian region a priority of Uzbekistan's foreign policy was highlighted. It was explained that the centuries-old brotherhood of Central Asian peoples, common history, spiritual and cultural values, similar traditions and customs play a role in strengthening regional cooperation. It has been shown that its implementation contributes to the development of security, stability and economic integration processes in the Central Asian region. The factors contributing to the further strengthening of friendly and trusting relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were also analyzed. When analyzing the issues of economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the countries of the region, special attention was paid to transport communications, and the important strategic position of the Central Asian states requires the rational use of international transport corridors. The specificity of such types of transport communication as railway, aviation and automobile is shown. They also analyzed the practical initiatives of Uzbekistan to strengthen regional cooperation. In particular, the beginning of a new era in the cooperation of Uzbekistan with Central Asian countries since 2017 has been studied. Conclusions were reached on the transformation of Central Asia into the main priority of the foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and a number of proposals were made to strengthen cultural cooperation.


The manuscript report about soil mapping in the state of Goa, samples distance was on average 5-7 km. Surface and subsurface soil was mapped for Ca2+, pH, OC, EC, and other variables. The study report interesting information which will be of sure interest for decision makers, and practioners. However a series of objections prevent me from suggesting its publication in Solid Earth. 1)The main critical point is the lack of an hypotheses to be tested, which I believe is central to every article. The lack of an hypotheses to be tested result in a discussion/result section that is not very effective in pointing the scientific advances introduced by this study. 2)The mapping could be greatly improved by using co-kriging approach with other environmental variables. 3)No uncertainty in the prediction is reported in the maps (while this is one of the main


Achieving network transparency via the use of all-optical devices is vital for next generation DWDM networks to realize fundamental functions such as switching, routing and wavelength conversion. With the abundance of capacity created by the Internet boom of the '90s, emphasis is placed on both device performance and cost. A 1 × 1 integrated switch based on the polarization plane rotation of light in Bi-substituted iron garnets is reported here using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to achieve amplitude modulation by use of suitable material dimensions and field strengths. The working principle, design and fabrication of the switch are detailed.


This paper explores the relevance and effectiveness of achieving justice in the work place in Nigeria through the use of codes of conduct by Multinational Corporations. Codes of conduct express concerns of companies regarding their social responsibility and have become a popular business strategy for responding to multiple stakeholder concerns. In underdeveloped economies, voluntary codes acquire special importance because of the general weakness of domestic law. The paper addresses the question of implementation and enforcement of codes. It suggests the reflexive labour law theory approach and the introduction of grievance procedures as efficient means of linking self-regulation and law.


Out of necessity, ship antennas are installed in close proximity to one another and their radiation patterns are subject to the distortions which reduce the probability of establishing satisfactory communication. A solution approximating the optimum can be obtained by studying a simulation model of an antenna system by means of a digital computer. Minimization of losses due to the reduction in the probability of establishing communication is adopted as the optimization criterion. An algorithm used for finding an arrangement of antennas approximating the optimum solution is presented. The results of calculations on a simple simulation model of an arrangement of stub antennas is given and compared with the results of measurements conducted on the antenna test range.


Model predictive control (MPC) has the advantages of good dynamic performance and the ability to handle multiple control objectives and constraints. However, it suffers from large amount of calculation and high dependence on system model when it is applied to cascaded inverters. In this article, to solve this problem, a robust multilayer MPC (RM-MPC) with strong robustness and less computation is proposed for Class-D amplifier using cascaded full-bridge NPC inverter. A Kalman filter-based disturbance observer is designed to estimate the lumped disturbance caused by the mismatches of the load parameters, which allows to implement robust control by compensating the disturbance to the predictive model during each control period. In the upper layer of the multilayer MPC, the control objectives that are linear with the output level are handled centrally, which allows the optimal level to be obtained directly without repetitive predictions and evaluations. The middle layer is used to allocate the optimal level to each submodule. And the lower layer is used to determine the switching state of each submodule. Finally, the feasibility and validity of the RM-MPC are verified on the designed experimental prototype.


Deliberately created in the enterprise system, which is a composition of the instruments to stimulate employees is a prerequisite for success. This is a system of incentives, measures and conditions to encourage employees to engage in their work and duties, in the best interests of the company and gives them personal satisfaction. This article attempts to identify and evaluate factors influencing motivation and tools


We find that conductivity of stacked arrays of Ge/ n-Si quantum dots decreases under interband optical excitation. The negative photoeffect is explained by trapping the mobile electrons in the quantum wells created by the Hartree potential of holes photoexcited in the dots. A phenomenological theory of the effect is fitted to the data. The obtained electron trap energy, ;17 meV, is consistent with the results of self-consistent calculations.


Digitalization remains an emerging area of business with many uncertainties of how to make it work. Many research gaps exist in analyzing how companies create coherence among many different facets of the business. Creating coherence is important as it adequately prepares an organization to better create business value in spite of industry disruptions that emerge from digital trends. In this theoretical paper, we present a conceptual model to analyze the connections of concepts and theories at the intersection of digital technology, business value, business strategy, work practices and stakeholder interests. The model also looks at the role of alignment in leveraging digital transformation initiatives. The aim of the model is to help determine how these interactions influence the value of digital transformation by measuring if the present business strategies are creating business value, if they help manage work practices. The model also reviews the extent to which the expectations of the stakeholders are realized. We propose business use design science to develop a technology-enabled digital tool that assesses and provides insight into the alignment of work practices, business strategy and stakeholder interests. This will provide a stepwise process to show how organizations can create coherence and leverage their digital capabilities.


The stone tools and other artefacts produced by pre-European Maori show a remarkable level of craftsmanship, but it is not clear how these tools were produced. Analysis of debitage — the fragments left behind at manufacturing sites — offers insight into this process. While an individual stone flake or fragment offers little information, statistics across the entire collection from a particular site are of great archaeological interest. Currently, each individual fragment is measured by hand — a laborious, time-consuming, and error-prone approach. We show that image-based 3D reconstruction of stone flakes can be used to automate some of the common measurements made by archaeologists. We demonstrate our techniques on a small collection of flakes and obtain similar accuracy to manual measurements.


The Assessment of Academic Self-Concept and Motivation (AASCM, K. A. Gordon, 1995a) Scale was administered to African American, European American, and Hispanic participants. Internal consistency and factorial validity evidence are reported.


Purpose : Activation of the process of formation of the information society in Ukraine, causes the introduction of information technologies in the practical activities of enterprise is the basis for identifying the need for future changes, and, consequently, the development and justification of new management decisions. The effectiveness of the future management decision largely depends on how effective the information produced in the process of implementing the information management process will be. Thus, the addition of the existing classification of indicators for evaluating the information process with a block of indicators of the effectiveness of the information process is quite legitimate, because it will allow to transfer this process to the management plane. Research and practical limitations/implications: Expanding the system of indicators for assessing the information process with a block of indicators of its performance will allow, based on an assessment of the current state of the enterprise in the most important areas of its activity, to thoroughly choose a scenario for future activities. Originality/value : The implementation of the proposed recommendations will further develop a unified methodology for evaluating the information process of managing an industrial enterprise, which will enable to quantitatively and qualitatively implement this process, taking into account the information obtained as a result of analyzing the indicators of the most important areas of the enterprise. This, in turn, will increase the degree of justification of management decisions on the choice of the most effective direction of the future activity of the enterprise.


6-Aza-5,8,10-trideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (3) and 6-aza-5,8,10-trideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroamino-pterin (4) were synthesized from 6-aza-5,8,10-trideaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroic acid (5) and 4-amino-6-aza-5,8,10-trideaza-4-deoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroic acid (6), respectively, by mixed carboxylic-carbonic anhydride condensation with dimethyl L-glutamate followed by ester hydrolysis. The pteroic acid analogues 5 and 6 were prepared in several steps from 1-benzyl-3-carbethoxypiperidin-4-one via 2-amino-6-benzyl-5,6,7,8-te-trahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one (7). Compound 3 did not inhibit the growth of L1210 mouse leukemia cells in culture, and was not an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) or thymidylate synthase (TS). It was a very poor substrate for mouse liver folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS). The 2,4-diamino analogue 4 was only a marginal substrate for FPGS, yet showed activity comparable to methotrexate as a DHFR inhibitor and as an inhibitor of tumor cell growth. The cytotoxicity of 4 is noteworthy because this compound is, to our knowledge, the first example of a classical antifolate which forms polyglutamates poorly even though it contains an intact p-aminobenzoyl-L-glutamic acid side-chain. The inability of 3 and 4 to form polyglutamates indicates that a basic nitrogen at position 6 is highly unfavorable for binding to FPGS.


We examine the contribution of married and cohabit ed women and men to the joint income of the couple. We use indiv idual income data from Household Budget Surveys for Poland in 2011 from a sample of 16,538 married and cohabited couples. The results of analy sis show that contribution of men to total household income is higher than con tribution of their female partners through the life cycle, controlling for ty pe of a couple, education levels of genders and number of children. The contr ibution of married and cohabited women to total income of the couple remai ns lmost flat during the life cycle.


In a recent study of gouty subjects, urinary excretion of uric acid was noted to be greater in the symptomatic than in the asymptomatic subjects (1). Since, however, the groups of patients were small and the data unpaired, these observations were not analyzed further. A review of published reports revealed lack of agreement about changes in serum and urinary uric acid during clinically active gout. Brochner-Mortensen (2), summarizing publications to 1939, called attention to German reports that uric acid excretion increased greatly during acute attacks of gout and subsided thereafter. Brochner-Mortensen consiclered, however, that the reported fluctuations in uric acid excretion were inconstant when set against variations in medication and diet. Despite individual case reports indicating increased uricosuria during gouty attacks (3, 4), Stetten's view that "when an acute attack does occur no consistent changes in the quantity of uric acid in blood or urine are observed" (5), represents the consensus of current opinion. The present study was designed to extend our previous findings by obtaining paired data from gouty men during symptomatic and asymptomatic phases of their disease, simultaneously eliminating, whenever possible, other factors that might influence uric acid metabolism and turnover.


Globally, corruption poses a major challenge because it is at the heart of all other crimes, serious or petty. Kenya's commitment in the fight against corruption has severely been tested. In spite of many laws to address the scourge of corruption, the perception ratings have persistently remained high. While there is corruption in every sector, and in every nation as the Perception Corruption Indices indicates, land related corruption appear to have been given little focus by the media. We have a number of counties in Kenya where land adjudication has never been finalized since 1963 when the country attained independence. The reasons for this slow pace are probably a direct consequence of corruption. A review of literature on land related corruption indicates a paucity of studies on this sector in the country. However, there are many studies on corruption generally around the world. This desktop study set out to establish the types of land related corruption is covered by the media around the world. Findings indicate that the governance challenges in land administration are the same even though their magnitudes vary. The typology includes bribes for various services; malpractices extend to preparing parallel titles for registered and unregistered parcels and title issued outside the Government system among others. Other areas prone to corruption are transfer of property, valuations, buying and selling land, land registration, mutation, Surveying and land revenue officers. Land use planning divisions are amongst the very corrupt institutions. This study supports Borner, Brunetti, and Weder (1995) in calling for the restoration of watchdog journalism who argue that watchdog reporting is " potentially a highly effective mechanism of external control " against corruption. Secondly, given the power of the media to influence opinion, unless salience of land corruption is elevated, the public will not pick it as an issue for debate or least of all a matter of concern for policy makers to address. The study will make policy suggestions on how to deal with corruption in the land sector in Kenya by borrowing from those countries that have attempted  Article visualizations:


Method for producing a pattern (15) by localized removal of a coating on a body (2) which is hollow and bounded by a wall (4), a first portion (7a) having wall vis-a-vis one second portion (7b) coupled, on a pair of portions conjugated etchable coating (14a, 14b) at least one layer of an etchable coating (12), the first portion coupled (14a) including a pattern without etchable coating (15), and the combined second portion (14b) being free, wherein there is provided a laser beam (16) adapted to impact the etchable coating to remove it in the area of impact (21) and form the pattern without etchable coating (15) was available pieces (22) from a clean solid material then form a barrier for the laser beam (16) is placed in the interior (3) of the body (2) pieces of the barrier material, the first conjugate portion is subjected (14a) to the impact of the beam las first (16) and thus performs the pattern (15) and the inner space is emptied (3) of pieces (22) of barrier material, so that the laser beam (16), stopped by the barrier material , does not affect the second portion combined with etchable coating (14b) and thus does not remove etchable coating in the second portion conjugate (14b).


The paper presents a model intended to define and discuss the sustainability of external debts in "emergent markets". The first sustainability condition is the existence of a maximum in the debt-output ratio. With some simple behavior hypotheses it is shown that sustainability depends on the initial debt-exports ratio, the rate of growth of exports and the country-risk premium. An endogenous country-risk premium gives room for multiple equilibrium. The model allows the discussion of vulnerability vis-a-vis financial shocks and the propensity of the economy to jump to unsustainable paths. The first sustainability condition is not a stringent one. Two additional sustainability conditions are added: a positive rate of growth and a minimum in the domestic absorption-output ratio. The discussion of multiple equilibrium, vulnerability and the potential instability of sustainability is then extended.


Experiment was conducted with materials of the middle round grain Japonica rice and middle season hybrid Indica rice. A experiment of application stage of panicle fertilizer was made. Results were as follows: Reasonable fertilizer stage can control the optical population accumulation of dry matter at heading stage, increase the dry matter production from heading to maturing stage and the effective and high effective ratio of leaf area, enhance the activity of root, increase the spikelet root activity at maturing stage, resulting in high filled percentage, filled grain numbers and high grain yield. In current application breeds, after suitable numbers of ears, panicle fertilizer should be applied one time from 3rd to flag leaf, or twice from 4th and 3rd to flag leaf for the middle round grain rice, thus can ensure high population quality and high grain yield.


Objectives Dryness, fatigue and joint/muscle pain are typically assessed in Sjögren's trials using European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). A Patient Acceptable Symptom State of <5 and a Minimal Clinically Important Improvement (MCII)/responder definition (RD) of ≥1 point or 15% on ESSPRI have previously been defined. This study explored alternative RDs to better discriminate between active treatment and placebo in trials. Methods Anchor-based and distribution-based methods were used to derive RD thresholds in blinded phase IIb trial data (N=190) and confirm these in blinded data pooled from three early phase II trials (N=126). The populations consisted of individuals with moderate-to-severe systemic primary Sjögren's. Anchors were prioritised by ESSPRI correlations and used in similar conditions. Triangulated estimates were discussed with experts (N=3). The revised RD was compared with the original using unblinded data to assess placebo and treatment responder rates. Results Patients were predominantly female (>90%), white (90%), with mean age of 50 years. Receiver operating characteristic estimates supported an MCII threshold of 1.5–1.6 in the phase II data, whereas correlation-weighted mean change estimates supported a low/minimal symptom severity threshold of ≥2. A low/minimal symptom severity of ≤3 showed the greatest sensitivity/specificity balance. Analyses in the pooled data supported these thresholds (MCII: 1.5–2.1; low/minimal symptom severity: 2.7–3.7). Unblinded analyses confirmed the revised RD reduced placebo rates. Conclusions Completing a trial with an improvement of ≥1.5 points compared with baseline and an ESSPRI score of ≤3 points is a relevant RD for moderate-to-severe systemic Sjögren's and reduces placebo rates.


Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) is a potent hematopoietic growth factor that profoundly expands immunostimulatory dendritic cells (DC). Despite this, the influence of Flt3L on immunoregulatory myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) has not been described. Since DC and MDSC arise from common myeloid progenitors, and Flt3L-driven DC expansion is STAT3-dependent, we sought to precisely define the role of STAT3 in MDSC downstream of Flt3L signaling. We bred myeloid cell-specific STAT3-deficient mice (LysMCre x STAT3loxP) and administered Flt3L (10 μg/d ip, 10d). Splenic DC (CD11c+) and MDSC (Gr-1+) were isolated by magnetic bead selection. Stimulation and suppression of CD3+ T cell responses was assayed in MLR. As expected, STAT3-deficiency prevented Flt3L-mediated CD11c+ DC expansion. However, we observed an increase in MDSC (CD11b+Gr1+) frequency and absolute numbers in STAT3-deficient mice administered Flt3L. Interestingly, Flt3L-expanded MDSC from STAT3-deficient mice exhibited reduced suppressive capacity against CD3+ T cells in MLR compared to controls. These data identify a previously unappreciated STAT3-independent pathway for MDSC expansion, but reinforce the need for STAT3 signaling for their full suppressive capacity. Likewise, we establish that STAT3 has reciprocal effects on suppressive MDSC and immunostimulatory DC expansion. Together, these findings enhance understanding of the immunomodulatory properties of Flt3L.