Abstract Substantial advances have been made in understanding both evolutionary and mechanistic aspects of biological ageing, but the two areas remain poorly integrated. I suggest that a greater emphasis on ecology can help to integrate evolutionary and mechanistic research on ageing, by providing insight into the interface between biological mechanisms and the environments in which they evolved. Among the most salient aspects of the environment relevant to ageing is nutrition. And yet in the bulk of ageing research nutrition is coarsely represented as dietary restriction or caloric restriction, without consideration for which components of the diet or which energetic substrates are driving the observed effects. I show how a method developed in nutritional ecology, called the nutritional geometry framework, can help to understand the nutritional interactions of animals with their environments, by explicitly distinguishing the roles of calories, individual nutrients and nutrient balance. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Nutrition Interest Group.


Simple Summary The study aims at improving the shelf-life and safety of fresh salmon, a highly perishable food often consumed raw in sushi or sashimi. Good hygiene practices and vacuum packaging extended shelf-life up to 20 days. The presence of the bacteria Carnobacterium maltaromaticum inhibited Listeria monocytogenes growth, which may be responsible for foodborne illnesses. Seasonings, namely oregano oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt (NaCl), showed inhibitory effects on spoilage bacteria and L. monocytogenes. The seasonings' mixtures also exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. Finally, a medium produced from salmon was developed and it showed a good correlation with bacterial growth in a standard commercial culture medium. Abstract A growing population increases the demand for food, but short shelf-lives and microbial hazards reduce supply and increase food waste. Fresh fish is highly perishable and may be consumed raw, such as salmon in sushi. This work aims to identify strategies to improve the shelf-life and safety of fresh salmon, using available methods (i.e., vacuum) and exploring the use of natural preservatives (i.e., seasonings). Vacuum packaging and good hygiene practices (which reduce initial flora) extended shelf-life up to 20 days. Carnobacterium maltaromaticum was dominant in vacuum packaging conditions and showed potential for inhibiting Listeria monocytogenes. For natural preservatives, L. monocytogenes required higher inhibitory concentrations in vitro when compared to the 10 spoilage bacteria isolated from fresh salmon fillets, presenting a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.13% for oregano essential oil (OEO), 10% for lemon juice, 50 mg mL−1 for garlic powder, and >10% for NaCl. A good bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect was observed for a mixture containing 5% NaCl, 0.002% OEO, 2.5% lemon juice, and 0.08 mg mL−1 garlic powder. Finally, using the salmon medium showed an adequate correlation with the commercial culture medium.


he worked on virtuallyevery topic and species ofvertebrate imaginable.During his years at theDepartmento de CienciasEcologicas at the Facultadde Ciencias, Universidadde Chile, he establishedan impressively activelaboratory of comparativephysiology, he developed aninternationally recognizedresearch program, andproduced a remarkable listof publications. This list isnot only long, but impressive in scope and depth.He organized a Ph.D Program in Zoology,dedicated a large amount of time to administration,and graduated many M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.Mario had an engaging and attractivepersonality. He possessed a vast store of jokesand anecdotes that he shared generously. Hissense of humor was legendary. His studentsleaned not only about comparative physiologybut also about the joy of science as a collectiveenterprise. He was not only a teacher, but acomplete mentor who nurtured both theintellectual and the personal lives of hisstudents. During these last years, hisadministrative duties distracted him fromscience but benefited the academic communityenormously. In spite of his administrativecommitments, Mario continued to pursue hisinterest in metabolic adaptation, hematology andosmoregulation. He also continued to advisemany undergraduate and graduated students.Mario was an accomplished scientist and afine gentleman. He will always be sorelymissed. One year after Mario Rosenmannpassed away, this issue of the Revista Chilenade Historia Natural, dealing with differenttopics in comparative physiological ecology ofvertebrates, honors his memory.Dr. Mario RosenmannAbramovich (1933-2004)passed away. With thepassing of our dear friendand outstanding researcherand professor, we shouldthink about his wonderfullife, which he lived to thefullest. We should alsoremember how Marioenriched our lives.Mario RosenmannAbramovich was born andraised in Santiago, Chile.He attended the Universidadde Chile as an undergraduate in biology. Duringthis period, he fell under the influence of thezoologist Guillermo Mann, Director of the Centerof Zoological Research at the Universidad deChile and many collaborators, who seduced himinto an interest of the principles of animalphysiology and the myriads of physiologicalmechanisms that animals have. Specifically,Mario started his studies with camelids in theChilean altiplano.Spurred by his interest in comparativephysiology, Mario did a Ph.D. under thesupervision of Peter Morrison at the Universityof Alaska in USA, and he defended his thesisentitled "a comparative study of metabolicresponse of small mammals to selectedenviromental factors: hypoxia, cold and visualdisturbance". He returned to the Universidad deChile in 1974 and became Full Professor.Mario knew of no taxonomical bounds and heasked questions on a variety of topics. Hestudied energetics and thermoregulation inMediterranean rodents and marsupials, hypoxiaand hematology of toads, rodents, birds, lizardsand fishes from different habitats, circadianrhythms in rodents, mechanisms of acclimationand acclimatization to different environmentalcues, including human-induced ones. In short,


In many parts of the world, water scarcity is increasing due to climate change and the deterioration of the quantity and quality of water sources. In the southeastern U.S., water conservation is of particular concern because of the decades-long water war between the states of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama over two shared river basins. Individuals can only do so much to conserve water in their home, but different forms of donations can contribute to larger efforts resulting in greater environmental impact. Using a conceptual framework connecting self-identity to water conservation contribution engagement, the purpose of this study was to determine if personal water conservation behavioral intent impacted contributions to organizations supporting water conservation so effective communication strategies can be developed. Previous studies connected self-identity and intention to engage in pro-environmental behaviors, but there is a lack of research on the connection to water conservation donation behavior. Respondents were recruited to take an online survey using non-probability opt-in sampling. Self-reported intent to engage in water conservation behaviors, current contribution behaviors (if they donate to an organization that protects water, are a member of a water conservation organization, own a specialty license plate that supports water conservation, and volunteer for water conservation events), and total family income in the past year were obtained. Data were analyzed using point-biserial correlations and binary logistic regressions. The results indicated personal water conservation behavioral intent was positively correlated to water conservation contribution behaviors. Personal water conservation behavioral intent and income level were significant predictors of contribution behaviors. Environmental communicators and educators should encourage those who identify as conservationists to increase their self-identity through contributing to organizations. Future research should be conducted to determine if actual versus perceived discretionary income and/or time is a predictor of contributions.


Osteoarthritis is one of the most common rheumatic disease in the world and one of the leading causes of disability in the elderly. There is still no curative management for the disease, so the search for new therapeutic alternatives continues. Apitherapy is a therapeutic tool based on the use of beehive products used since ancient times and, at present, their mechanism of action begins to be known. Many of the mechanisms of action of the beehive products are useful for chronic articular pathophysiological processes such as those described in osteoarthritis. This article presents a review of the current state of understanding of the mechanisms through which bee venom, propolis, honey, pollen, and royal jelly may act on osteoarthritis.


Conversational automatic speech recognition (ASR) is a task to recognize conversational speech including multiple speakers. Unlike sentence-level ASR, conversational ASR can naturally take advantages from specific characteristics of conversation, such as role preference and topical coherence. This paper proposes a conversational ASR model which explicitly learns conversation-level characteristics under the prevalent end-to-end neural framework. The highlights of the proposed model are twofold. First, a latent variational module (LVM) is attached to a conformer-based encoder-decoder ASR backbone to learn role preference and topical coherence. Second, a topic model is specifically adopted to bias the outputs of the decoder to words in the predicted topics. Experiments on two Mandarin conversational ASR tasks show that the proposed model achieves a maximum 12% relative character error rate (CER) reduction.


Abstract Three trials were conducted comparing hatch weight as a percentage of egg weight with feed conversion of five selected lines (selected for low or high feed conversion) within two populations (broiler and randombred) of chickens. In each trial all eggs were weighed and divided into groups of 1 gram intervals within each line prior to incubation. At hatching all chicks were weighed, banded and their percent hatch weight determined. There were no differences in percent hatch weight of the lines that differed in feed conversion ratio in the broiler strains from 4–8 weeks of age or the randombred strains from 1–9 weeks of age. There was no correlation between percent hatch weight and feed conversion ratio within any of the lines and none at different ages. The percent hatch weight of the randombred strain ranged from 56–72% while that for the broiler strain ranged from 60–76%. The coefficient of variation was 4% in both strains.


Nondispersive electronic Rydberg wave packets may be created in atoms illuminated by a microwave field of circular polarization. We discuss the spontaneous emission from such states, and show that the elastic incoherent component ~occurring at the frequency of the driving field! dominates the spectrum in the semiclassical limit, contrary to earlier predictions. We calculate the frequencies of single-photon emissions and the associated rates in the ''harmonic approximation,'' i.e., when the wave packet has approximately a Gaussian shape. The results agree well with exact quantum-mechanical calculations, which validates the analytical approach. @S1050-2947~98!04307-8#


Steinernematidae Filipjev, 1934 are parasites capable of infecting a wide range of insects. Early laboratory experiments and field releases of EPN show that they can be used successfully to control insect pests. Many surveys have been conducted all over the world searching for suitable species for control of economically important insect pests (Hominick, 2002). Finding indigenous EPN populations and species is a critical step towards attaining effective biological control of pests due to their better adaptation to environmental conditions under which such a control is going to be attempted. Currently, some 63 valid species in the genus Steinernema Travassos, 1927 have been reported worldwide (Nguyen and Hunt, 2007). The most up-to-date biogeographic account indicates that these nematodes have been isolated from all continents except for Antarctica and almost all regions of the world (Hominick, 2002). Until now, several species of Steinernema, including S. bicornutum Tallosi, Peters et Ehlers, 1995, S. carpocapsae (Weiser, 1955) Wouts, Mraček, Gerdin et Bedding,1982, S. feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) Wouts, Mraček, Gerdin et Bedding, 1982, S. kraussei (Steiner, 1923) Travassos, 1927 and S. glaseri (Steiner, 1929) Wouts, Mraček, Gerdin et Bedding, 1982, have been reported from Iran (Parvizi, 2003; Eivazaian Kary et al., 2009; Nikdel et al., 2010). In a recent survey on entomopathogenic nematodes, one population of Steinernema was obtained and identified as a new species that is described herein as Steinernema arasbaranense sp. n. The new species is distinguished from other Steinernema species by differences in morphology, morphometrics and ITS-rDNA sequences.


OF THE THESIS COMPLYING AND CURATING PUBLIC BIOASSAY DATA FOR CHEMICAL TOXICITY AND ANXIETY DRUG DISCOVERY STUDIES BY ABENA BOISON Thesis Director. Dr. Hao Zhu Recent investigations suggest that ligands such as steroids inhibit the binding of [S] t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([S] TBPS) to the convulsant site in the aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor complex. Currently, most interest is centered on ligands with [S] TBPS displacement properties. Ligands binding to the GABAA receptor, block GABA-gated chloride ion flux in a non-competitive manner, resulting in convulsions. Traditionally, [S] TBPS inhibition studies are measured using animal tests. Testing compounds, using rat tests, for potentially new ligands are costly and time-consuming. Therefore, developing computational models to predict potential [S] TBPS displacement could provide many opportunities for the discovery and development of new ligands acting on the GABAA receptor convulsant site, resulting in the preventions of convulsions. In this study, Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) approaches were used to develop several computational models for a series of novel and diverse types of compounds (steroids derivatives, Arylsulfonyl derivatives and Propofol analogues). The specific inhibition of [S] TBPS binding to the GABAA convulsant site by these compounds was modeled. A database of 266 GABAA receptor compounds was


Marketing in general can have greater influence if a new, yet old, perspective on marketing is adopted—something akin to the original orientation of marketing. Adopting George Fisk's definition of marketing and marrying it with notions derived from the institutional economist Karl Polanyi is proposed. The histories of marketing thought and of institutional economics are reviewed to demonstrate their affinity and similar origins. Fisk's conceptualization of marketing as societies' provisioning systems is shown to correspond with Polanyi's conceptualization of economies as instituted processes, admitting more than the market and the state as ways economies have historically and cross-culturally integrated with society. The obsolete marketing mentality is that marketers, including macromarketers, are overly fixated on the market and ignore or overlook alternatives. The Fisk/Polanyi orientation will attract macromarketers interested in marketing and development, critical marketing, sustainability, alternative economies, and those interested in the long-term prospects of macromarketing. Adopting this old, but new, framework will connect the past with the future, permit macromarketers make a mark on a larger intellectual landscape and serve to invite scholars in this larger landscape to engage with macromarketing.


We propose a chain compilation in which the compiler is not limited to a fixed pre-defined instruction set here the application can generate application specific custom instructions and synthesize them in FPL. We compare the FPGA and CPLD respectively and the CPLD core that implements the RFU based on the Philips XPLA2 architecture. Why XPLA2 instead of FPGA. Also here we are proposing about 40% more speeds for the encryption algorithms using the RFU-extended CPU can achieve. When compared to the standard CPLD CPU core alone.


The invention belongs to the field of biotechnology, and discloses a clostridium difficile exotoxin A test kit and monoclonal antibodies in the clostridium difficile exotoxin A test kit. The kit for testing clostridium difficile exotoxin A comprises two monoclonal antibodies capable of resisting clostridium difficile exotoxin A c-terminus antigens. The two monoclonal antibodies are respectively the monoclonal antibody capable of resisting the clostridium difficile exotoxin A c-terminus antigen and produced by hybridoma with the preservation number of CGMCC No.4979, and the monoclonal antibody labeled by a horse radish peroxidase and produced by hybridoma with the preservation number of CGMCC No. 4980. According to the clostridium difficile exotoxin A test kit provided by the invention, by the two monoclonal antibodies with high affinity, the sensitivity in the detection of clostridium difficile is remarkably improved.


The reaction of trimeric thioformaldehyde with AgAsF6 in liquid SO2 leads to the compound [Ag2{(CH2S)3}5][AsF6]2·SO2, which was characterised by X-ray structure determination [space group Pbca, with a= 16.286(3), b= 28.487(5), c= 18.118(3)A, and Z= 8; R= 0.061 for 5 150 unique observed reflections]. The isolated canons, of the form L2AgLAgL2(L = ligand), display irregular co-ordination geometry at silver; one silver is co-ordinated by four sulphurs from three ligands, the other by five sulphurs from three ligands.


The fact that effective student-lecturer interaction can impact positively on quality university education has encouraged many universities to embark upon rigorous programs geared towards enhancing such interaction. Many have done so with only the potential benefits in mind, without paying much attention to the contemporary snags surrounding the student-lecturer interaction. This situation is complicated by the recent revelations in the literature indicating a decrease in lecturers time to interact with students outside the classrooms. This paper aimed to provide the foundation towards the institutionalization of systematic plan directed at enhancing the student-lecturer interaction. The qualitative research design was adopted for this study. Fifteen lecturers and twenty former students from government assisted universities in Ghana conveniently participated in the study. Both the former students and the lecturers did agree to the significance of student-lecturer interaction in university education. They however held differing stance when it came down to how such interaction should proceed. They both called for the institutionalization of professional counselling units to help students out with the academic matters outside the classroom teaching. The former students made it clear though that such a move should not be a replacement to student-lecturer interaction, but a supplement to it.


This paper presents a hybrid approach to extract the stems from the Maithili words. Development of stemmer for various languages has gained adequate attention of the researchers for decades. Stemmers have also been developed for most of the major Indian languages. However, no work is found on the development of Maithili stemmer. In this first attempt, we use a hybrid model where rule-base acts as the core module. We study the inflections of the major parts-of-speech categories and define rules accordingly. The rule-based module is supported by neural word-embedding and suffix stripping. Suffix stripping is used to increase the coverage and word embedding is used to restrict erroneous stem generation. The system is evaluated using a test data collected from Maithili literature and news text. The final system achieves an accuracy of 84.6%.


Software piracy has become a significant problem for businesses and educational institutions, and as computer crime continues to proliferate in our Information Age, its causes and roots merit academic inquiry. This exploratory piece establishes the correlative and contributory factors in software pirating, specifically concerning types of Internet access and past experience with the unlawful duplication of computer CD-ROMs. An independent samples t test and a bivariate correlation matrix were used to empirically evaluate relationships between variables. The results of this study suggest policy aimed at combating the onset and perpetuation of unethical and illegal computing activity among students.


Algebraic Monte Carlo procedure statistically analyzes performance parameters in large, complex systems. The individual effects of input variables can be isolated and individual input statistics can be changed without having to repeat the entire analysis.


The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a physiologic interface be-tween the bloodstream and the brain. The BBB has tight junction (TJ) proteins that restrict blood and toxins from entering the brain and allow important nutrients and ions to pass through. In recent studies, we found a significant increase in the TJ protein, occludin, in microvessels (MV) isolated from the parietal lobe of female subjects of advanced age with Alzheimer's dementia (D) relative to aged match females (F) without dementia (ND) (n=8 D and 8 ND, age range: 79-99, mean: 93 years for both groups). There were no significant differences in occludin between MV of male subjects with and without dementia, who were of a much younger average age (mean: 74 years old). To further evaluate this finding, we examined MV in cut sections of the superior parietal lobes of a separate group of F subjects with D and ND via immunohistochemistry (IHC) (n=12 D, age range: 82-93 and n= 5 ND, age range: 83-98). We also measured levels and distribution of occludin in isolated MV from the same original group of female subjects with D and ND utilizing immunoflu-orescence (IF). Preliminary analysis of IHC was not able to detect differences in occludin, but initial IF studies support higher levels of occludin in MV derived from F D subjects. Current studies are evaluating occludin localization in both groups of brain MV. In summary, we have data that occludin is increased in brain MV from female subjects of advanced age with D, relative to ND.


Further to our letter in The Veterinary Record of March 3, 2007 ([Green and others 2007a][1]), we wish to inform colleagues of a national mastitis control initiative, encompassing the launch of the evidence-based DairyCo Mastitis Control Plan. This control plan has evolved from earlier approaches,


Performance of Automatic Speaker Recognition (ASR) over wireless communications knows a clear degradation due to the effect of the synthesized speech. In order to enhance the performance accuracy, we propose to apply a feature selection using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) in the front end part of the ASR system. For simulation the G.729 codec is used. The speaker and session dependent i-vector distribution is modeled using a Gaussian probabilistic LDA (GPLDA). The obtained results, carried out by using the TIMIT corpus and MFCCs input parameters demonstrate that the LDA technique mainly dismissed the MFCC's derivatives, which enhances the recognition accuracy in both clean and synthesized speech.


is a member of the English Faculty at Dubai Men's College, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE, and is President of TESOL (2010-2013). She has previously taught in Oman, France and the US, and holds a PhD in Foreign/Second Language Education from The Ohio State University. Her academic interests include assessment, leadership and teacher effectiveness.


Objective To investigate the status quo of the treatment decisions for gout in China.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 210 physicians.Statistical analyses of data were performed by SPSS version 11.5 Results 201 questionnaires were collected.35 physicians(17.4%)consider that the level of blood uric acid will be certainly increased during acute attacks of gout.53.7% of the responders think that the urate-lowering drugs being taken by patients should be stopped when gout attacks.98 of them(48.7%)think prophylaxis against gout flare using colchicine or NSAIDS is not necessary during the first months of urate-lowering therapy.Conclusions Medical consensus about gout treatment should be further emphasized among us,and some controversial issues should be addressed through large sample long term prospective clinical trial.


Multi-family houses have contributed to the housing supply in the metropolitan area with being legalized in 1986. But there are some serious problems that guidelines about Multi-family houses are necessary. In this study, I will investigate the inner space of multi-family houses in other words, unit plans of them by analyzing the characteristics of them and offer this as an important reference to make the guidelines. The common understanding ('the multi -family house has got similar to the apartment.') was verified. To be analyzed properly, the quantitative tools - space syntax and method of comparing similarity between plans - were applied. About 240 multi-family houses at Gwanak-gu in Seoul, constructed from 1986 to 2007, were collected. As a result of the time-series analysis, the similarity between the two couldn't be validated and it was found out that there are typological differences between the two. Through this study, it can be achieved to make proper guidelines of multi-family houses and by applying those to old and new towns multi-family houses will be redefined as the representative type of the urban popular housing.


A cognitive perspective of cognitive therapy training stress disorder (CTTSD) is presented. The authors present a cognitive model of CTTSD, preliminary data from randomized treatment trials, and discuss implications for effective treatment of CTTSD trainees.


ABSTRACT. The effects of sex, age and mated state on average flight speed, duration and distance were determined for potato moths, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae), tethered to flight mills. Moths were classified as non‐fliers (NFs), good‐fliers (GFs) and remaining‐fliers (RFs) on the basis of their performance over the first two flights. Some moths flew for over 5 h non‐stop, while others tethered overnight flew between 20 and 30 km. Speed, duration and distance flown were greater during the first flight. First flight duration and distance flown by females decreased with age, whereas no trend was evident for males. Mated males and females flew slower first flights with increasing age, whereas virgin moths showed no marked trend. The analysis of fliers and NFs revealed that GFs were heavier than both RFs and NFs, GFs were faster than RFs, the percentage of NFs increased with age especially for mated females, and the percentage of GFs decreased with age. Age and mated state are important factors influencing flight performance especially for female moths. The relevance of these results to the field situation and the possible application of tethered flight to tests of potato moth quality are discussed.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objectives: Examine short-term disability (STD) and workers' compensation (WC) associated leave and wage replacements, and overall direct healthcare payments, among employees with osteoarthritis (OA) versus other chronically painful conditions; quantifying the impact of opioid use. Methods: Analysis of employees with more than or equal to two STD or WC claims for OA or pre-specified chronically painful conditions (control) in the IBM MarketScan Research Databases (2014 to 2017). Results: The OA cohort (n = 144,355) had an estimated +1.2 STD days, +$152 STD payments, and +$1410 healthcare payments relative to the control cohort (n = 392,639; P < 0.001). WC days/payments were similar. Differences were partially driven by an association between opioid use, increased STD days/payments, and healthcare payments observed in pooled cohorts (P < 0.001). Conclusions: OA is associated with high STD days/payments and healthcare payments. Opioid use significantly contributes to these and this should be considered when choosing treatment.


Critical race theory often finds itself in the paradoxical position of denying the ontological weight of race: if (as is well-established) race is not a biological fact then, it is often asserted, it is does not 'really' exist; it is but a contingent cultural construction which may – and should – be eliminated in a new post-racial order. In contesting such 'racial eliminativism,'many of the authors in this edited volume seek to reaffirm the role of human bodies as sites of racialized perception and experience in ontologically significant and yet non-biologistic ways. To do so, most of them draw insight and inspiration from the rich resources of the French phenomenological tradition. This is a tradition that focuses on the meaningfulness of 'lived' sentient and affective experience, insisting that the significance of such embodied experience should not be displaced by privileging the traditional Western thinking subject (or, one might now add, by privileging the functions of discursivity, as some post-structuralists are wont to do). In her Introduction, Emily S. Lee stresses the importance of Maurice Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology as a resource for exploring the ways in which race today acquires embodied, ontological weight. In addition, Frantz Fanon, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre and Henri Bergson, as well as recent phenomenologically-inspired feminist theorists, are sources of insight for various of the authors. However, what is presented under the rubric of 'phenomenology' in this volume is methodologically quite diverse. For some authors phenomenological method is a formal technique for the systematic disclosure of pre-cognitive phenomena. Notable here is Alia al-Saji's wonderful account of the moment of temporal 'hesitation' that accompanies perception, a moment, which, she argues, may enable one to disrupt habitually racist ways of seeing others. For others, however, phenomenology serves as a loose label for exploring the generalized meanings of social phenomena, as in David Carr's rich meditations on the fluid meanings of 'edges,' 'frontiers' and 'borders' with reference to the US-Mexican 'Frontera.' Some authors proceed from their own experience and write in the first person, as George Yancy


Significance Ratings of the meaningfulness of life have been adopted in UK national surveys and are advocated internationally. This study demonstrates the value of a simple rating of the extent to which people feel that the things they do in life are worthwhile, by documenting positive associations with social relationships and broader social engagement, economic prosperity, mental and physical health, biomarkers, health-related behaviors, and time use. These associations were observed both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, suggesting that feeling life is worthwhile contributes to subsequent well-being and human flourishing at older ages. Given the widely recognized policy importance of promoting subjective well-being at older ages, a wider adoption of worthwhile ratings in large-scale surveys would provide valuable policy-relevant evidence internationally. The sense that one is living a worthwhile and meaningful life is fundamental to human flourishing and subjective well-being. Here, we investigate the wider implications of feeling that the things one does in life are worthwhile with a sample of 7,304 men and women aged 50 and older (mean 67.2 y). We show that independently of age, sex, educational attainment, and socioeconomic status, higher worthwhile ratings are associated with stronger personal relationships (marriage/partnership, contact with friends), broader social engagement (involvement in civic society, cultural activity, volunteering), less loneliness, greater prosperity (wealth, income), better mental and physical health (self-rated health, depressive symptoms, chronic disease), less chronic pain, less disability, greater upper body strength, faster walking, less obesity and central adiposity, more favorable biomarker profiles (C-reactive protein, plasma fibrinogen, white blood cell count, vitamin D, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), healthier lifestyles (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, sleep quality, not smoking), more time spent in social activities and exercising, and less time spent alone or watching television. Longitudinally over a 4-y period, worthwhile ratings predict positive changes in social, economic, health, and behavioral outcomes independently of baseline levels. Sensitivity analyses indicate that these associations are not driven by factors such as prosperity or depressive symptoms, or by outcome levels before the measurement of worthwhile ratings. The feeling that life is filled with worthwhile activities may promote healthy aging and help sustain meaningful social relationships and optimal use of time at older ages.


BACKGROUND
We have identified a novel cancer/testis antigen, TRAG-3, (Taxol Resistance Associated Gene-3) that was initially discovered in search for new genes involved in drug resistance by differential display. Early study of TRAG-3 revealed minimal to absent expression in various normal tissues and over-expression in many carcinoma cell lines including several melanoma lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Northern and RT-PCR technologies were used to evaluate TRAG-3 expression in numerous cell lines and tumor tissue.

RESULTS
Analysis of a wider panel of normal tissues, 32 melanoma cell lines and 4 malignant melanomas demonstrates TRAG-3 expression in 25 of the 32 melanoma cell lines (78%) and four of four of the malignant melanoma tumors (100%). Of the additional eight normal tissues screened, expression was present in normal testis but absent in all other tissues. RT-PCR evaluation of TRAG-3 reveals two transcripts in many carcinoma cell lines with sequencing of these products demonstrating the 799 bp TRAG-3 transcript and a second alternatively spliced transcript, TRAG-3long TRAG-3 maps to band Xq28 within a MAGE gene complex, however sequence analysis demonstrates that TRAG-3 is not homologous to other known cancer/testis antigens.

CONCLUSION
TRAG-3 appears to be a novel cancer/testis antigen.


? Due to the stress which has been formed from the dry shrinkuge and autogenous shrinkage in concrete,for the brittle concrete structure.When it is restrained by the inner or outer stress,it is likely to crack.Thus can ceriously affect the strength and durability of concrete structutre.This paper mainly explain the dry shrinkage and autogenous shrinkage mechanism in concrete,then discuss how the concrete shrinkage reducing admixture efficiently deals with the free dry shrinkage、autogenous shrinkage and restraince shrinkage in concrete. 〔


This paper explores the effects of respondent interpretations on data quality where the device is a categorical question. Categorical questions are an aggregate of questions that often have an accompanying list of category members (or response alternatives). For example, a marketing survey might inquire about girls' clothing and provide a list of members (e.g. dresses, skirts, blouses, shirts, and pants) from which the respondents can select their appropriate answers. It is commonly believed that how people interpret questions will influence how they arrive at their answers (e.g., Clark & Schober, 1992; Martin & Polivka, 1995; Tourangeau & Raskinki, 1988). Evidence suggests that people may use the accompanying list of members to clarify the intent of the question (e.g., Schwarz & Hippler, 1991). Yet there is little evidence to clarify how people interpret categorical questions when they have no accompanying list.


Background: Mastalgia is the common breast condition among women. Mastalgia has highly variable prevalence which ranges 41–79%. It is more common in age group between 30 and 50 years. Mastalgia is approached according to its classification into three major categories, that is, cyclical pain, non-cyclical pain, and extra mammary pain. Breast pain ranges from mild to severe influencing the lifestyle of women affecting sexual relations, sleep pattern, and decreasing their daily life activities.

Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of benign and malignant breast disease in mastalgia.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Government Medical College, Sivagangai. Patients complaining of breast pain were examined. The data were compiled in an Excel worksheet, Epiinfo version 7.0 was used to analyze the data.

Results: In our study, 100 patients complaining of breast pain were examined ranging from age 18 to 68 years. The mean age of the study population was 37.54 years and standard deviation of 9.077. Among 100 patients with mastalgia only 1 (1.64%) had malignancy which is insignificant and among rest 99 patients with mastalgia, 60.61% had benign breast diseases and 39.39% had no any breast lesions. Benign breast diseases are more commonly found in patients with mastalgia.

Conclusion: Women having mastalgia can be reassured and some lifestyle modifications may aid the women. Hence, early detection of any breast disease in women having mastalgia and treating accordingly has considerable importance. Lifestyle modifications are needed in patients with mastalgia and they should come to facility to check and identify the issues and solve soon.


Results from interim‐positron emission tomography (PET) studies in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients are varied. We evaluated the prognostic value of interim‐PET in our centre. To improve concordance, interim‐PET was combined with the International Prognostic Index (IPI).


With the rapid development of China's economy, the quality of life and living standards of the people have been greatly improved, and the living environment requirements are gradually improved, so it is more challenging for the construction industry. Due to the lack between interior design and architectural design, there will be conflicts between interior design and architectural design, which will seriously affect the living experience, fail to meet the needs of citizens, and is not conducive to improving people's living standards. According to the problems existing in interior design and architectural design, the architectural industry improves them. By improving the level of interior design and architectural design, it integrates interior design and architectural design together, so as to provide quality services and improve the living experience of citizens. Combine interior design and architectural design together, and put forward improvement Suggestions for interior design and architectural design, and provide reference for the construction industry.


In this work, an amperometric L-lactate biosensor based on a graphene-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was constructed. First, the electrocatalytic performance of the SPCE modified with graphene by a one-step electrodeposition process (OerGO/SPCE) was investigated. The cyclic voltammogram of OerGO/SPCE, which showed a well-defined redox peak, had a smaller peak potential separation than that of SPCE, revealing the improvement in electron transfer speed brought about by modifying with graphene. Next, lactate oxidase and potassium ferricyanide were dropped on the OerGO/SPCE to construct a graphene-modified L-lactate biosensor (LOD/K3[Fe(CN)6]/OerGO/SPCE). The proposed biosensor, with a detection limit of 60 μM, had a high sensitivity (42.42 μA mM−1 cm−2) when working at a low working potential (0.15 V). The linear range was 0.5 mM–15 mM, covering the detecting range of L-lactate in clinical applications. The L-lactate biosensor had a short response time (10 s) and required only 10 μl of the sample. This L-lactate sensor modified with electrodeposited graphene had a larger sensitivity than that based on the bare SPCE. Thus, our low-cost and disposable L-lactate biosensor enhanced by graphene can perform as an attractive electrochemical device that can be manufactured for point-of-care testing (POCT) devices and be employed in POCT applications.


Observations of the redshifted 21 cm line with upcoming radio telescopes promise to transform our understanding of the cosmic reionization. To unravel the underlying physical process, we investigate the 21 cm structures of three different ionizing sources, Population (Pop) III stars, the first galaxies, and the first quasars, by using radiative transfer simulations that include both ionization of neutral hydrogen and resonant scattering of Lya photons. We find that Pop III stars and quasars produce a smooth transition from an ionized and hot state to a neutral and cold one, owing to their hard spectral energy distribution with abundant ionizing photons, in contrast to the sharp transition in galaxies. Furthermore, Lya scattering plays a dominant role in producing the 21 cm signal as it determines the relation between hydrogen spin temperature and gas kinetic temperature. This effect, also called Wouthuysen-Field coupling, depends strongly on the ionizing source. It is the strongest around galaxies, where the spin temperature is highly coupled to that of the gas, resulting in extended absorption troughs in the 21 cm brightness temperature. On the other hand, in the case of Pop III stars, the 21 cm signal shows both emission and absorption regions around a small HII bubble. For quasars, a large emission region in the 21 cm signal is produced, and the absorption region decreases as the size of the HII bubble becomes large due to the limited traveling time of photons. We predict that future surveys from large radio arrays such as MWA, LOFAR and SKA may be able to detect the 21 cm signals of primordial galaxies and quasars, but not likely Pop III stars due to its small angular diameter.


Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com treatment approach [1,2]. Biofuel cells can be divided into two main categories: enzymatic fuel cells (EFC) and microbial fuel cells (MFC). In both, oxidation of a given "fuel" occurs at the anode combined with a reduction of final electron acceptor at the cathode [3] . The potential difference between the two electrodes is the driving force of the processes, which leads to the transformation of chemical energy, stored in the "fuel" bonds, to electrical current [4]. Based on their operational principle these systems are classified as galvanic or fuel cells but what makes them "untraditional" is the nature of the catalysts used. In EFCs, the oxidation and reduction processes are catalyzed by the utilization of specific redox enzymes and in MFCs, the catalysts applied are microorganisms. The exploration of naturally occurring processes and phenomenon for the generation of electricity is the most beneficial feature of biofuel cells [5]. They are biocompatible, cheap, selective, and effective at mild temperatures and neutral pH. Therefore, biofuel cells can be a key technology toward the generation of clean and sustainable energy.


\; Ultrafine powder of barium titanate doped with rareearth Eu\+\{3+\} was
prepared by stearate solgel method. The physical properties of the ultrafine powders were
characterized by XRD, IR, TG, DTA and TEM.\=\;


has a natural information-theoretic interpretation as the information-content of a typical integer Z ∼ U([1, N ]), sampled under the maximum entropy distribution, is asymptotically equivalent to the information content of all primes p ≤ N weighted by their typical frequency. This result is established by showing that the correct information-theoretic interpretation of the entropy ln p may be deduced from the author's recent observation that the prime numbers have a uniform source distribution. Moreover, using Chaitin's theorem that almost all integers are algorithmically random we may extend this asymptotic result to the setting of algorithmic information theory and derive an upper-bound on the algorithmic information of a typical integer.


Reports from Smartphone User Persona Report (SUPR) released by world-renowned mobile platform manufacturer, Vserv, said that the growth of Indonesia's smartphone users grew 33 percent from 2013 to 2017. The high level of smartphone usage nowadays triggered the presence digital literacy trends. Digital literacy is the ability to understand information based on digital devices. In harmony with this, the high intensity of the use of devices in millennial youth enables teachers to optimize the role of the device not just as a means of entertainment for students, but can be used as a medium of learning. Social media as one of the most frequently accessed applications by students can be utilized as a digital-based literacy learning media. Teachers can use social media as a source of instructional media, such as the use of caricature memes or cartoons, and can also be used as a forum for publication of project-based learning tasks. Optimizing the role of social media as a medium of instruction will lead students to a good understanding of digital literacy, so as to minimize the negative effects of social media. Keywords: social media, instructional media, digital literacy


Retinoic acid is a compound that has effect to prevention and
treatment of wrinkles due to photo-aging, acne, and inflammation of the
skin (Suggs et al., 2014). In higher concentration of retinoic acid usage will
increase its side effect such as irritations (Griffiths et al., 1995).
The purpose of this study was to determine score irritation caused by
retinoic acid in nanoemulsion compared with its in conventional emulsion.
The method used is Draize Patch Test with male albino rabbits as
experimental animals. The composition of nanoemulsion (Erawati et al.,
2014) modified consists of virgin coconut oil (2.66%); Span 80 (1.92%) and
Tween 80 (18.66%); ethanol 96% (3.42%); and a solution of phosphate
buffer pH 6.0 ± 0.5 (73.34%). While the emulsion composition using virgin
coconut oil (33%), Tween 80 (7.6%), Span 80 (14.4%), and a solution of
phosphate buffer pH 6.0 ± 0.5 (45%). Retinoic acid loaded in both systems
amounted 0.01%.
The results of the study, showed that irritation scores caused by
retinoic acid in nanoemulsion (1.67) greater than its in conventional
emulsion (1.56), but both are still in the same category, named "slight
irritant" (ISO 10993-10, 2002). This is caused by nanoemulsion has a very
small droplet size that can increase the penetration of active ingredients
(Chime et al., 2014) including retinoic acid, so that its side effects are also
slightly increased. Conclusion, retinoic acid 0.01% in nanoemulsion and
conventional emulsion caused slight irritation.


During the pandemic, women occupied a core position and role in maintaining the family in various dimensions. Women (mothers) perform roles in various fields at the family and community levels. This study aimed to describe the roles and strategies for women's resilience in dealing with problems during the pandemic, expressed in literary works. The research method used in this study was a descriptive qualitative approach, with the data source coming from the short story "Prempuan dalam Kotak/Women in a Box", which is included in the selected collection of short stories #ProsaDiRumahAja Pandemi. The collected data were in the form of a linguistic unit that described the focus of the research problem and analyzed using a feminist literary criticism approach. The results of the study reveal, first, the problems faced by women include economic, family, and cultural problems. Second, in dealing with these problems, women base themselves on several aspects, involving spirituality, self-efficacy, and self-assessment. The roles played, the problems faced, and the efforts made to survive during the pandemic in substance were real manifestations of women's resilience when dealing with the pandemic. In conclusion, women were the most severely affected during the pandemic as they are taking on broader roles and positions in efforts to prevent, overcome and maintain the continuity of family and community life during the pandemic. Women have resilience or resilience in dealing with the pandemic with all the problemsthat surround it.


The solution conformations of several D,L copoly benzyl glutamates both random and alternating are studied by comparing their NMR spectra in chloroform and also in dioxane and dimethylformamide. The alpha CH chemical shifts characteristic of the alpha helix of strictly alternating DL copolymers in chloroform/0.5% TFA are established (3.65 and 3.82 ppm) and differ from that of the regular alpha helix (3.92 ppm). It is concluded that alternating copolymers prepared by an essentially racemization-free method are completely in the alpha-helical conformation which is characteristic of strictly alternating D-L copolymers, whereas random copolymers are largely regular alpha. The alpha leads to piDL helix/helix transition of an alternating copolymer in dioxane has been monitored and the alpha CH resonance characteristic of the piDL helix is found to be at the unusually low chemical shift of 4.45 ppm.


There is a considerable body of empirical evidence showing that the complexity of the language used by science teachers in primary and secondary education and by vocational instructors in adult education is ill-adapted to their students' level of language proficiency (Bogaert, 2001; Geudens & Rymenans, 1992; Gunstone & Watts, 1998; Hodson, 1998; Lemke, 1990; Valdes, 2004). It is claimed that particularly for learners who have a poor command of academic or technical language or for non-native speakers of the medium of instruction, teachers' language has been an 'obstacle' to learning, rather than an efficient medium of instruction. As a result, the learners involved fail to acquire target skills and target subject knowledge. Ultimately, this linguistic problem contributes to the fact that for these learners education fails to foster their personal development and emancipation, to raise their chances of success in higher and adult education and to feed their aspirations for better jobs (Mawer, 1999). In this chapter, we will describe promising pedagogical approaches that have been associated with terms such as 'Content-based instruction' (Mohan, 1986; Snow & Brinton, 1997; Stoller, 2004) and 'Language across the curriculum' (Corson, 1987) and that have been introduced in an attempt to cope with this 'linguistic' problem of subject teaching. In this chapter we are particularly interested in the potential of task-based teaching to overcome some of the problems posed.


This paper proposes a path planning method considering attitude constraints at given geometric points by utilizing the relation between acceleration and attitude. By characterizing the reference path with a parameter vector, optimization technique is introduced to refine the generated path. Numerical simulation with a physical model is also invoked in order to consider the transient response of the path following controller, and the reference path is updated to obtain the feasible path. Results of numerical simulations are also shown in this paper, which validates the proposed approach.


Symmetry constraints and regular structures are two major considerations for expert analog layout designers. Symmetry constraints are specified to place matched modules symmetrically with respect to some common axes to reduce unwanted electrical effects. Regular structures are commonly followed by experienced designers to enhance routability and suppress parasitics induced by extra bends of wires and via cost. In this paper, we propose a heterogeneous B∗-tree representation to consider symmetry and regularity simultaneously. Corresponding moves and a new regularity cost modelling for the representation are also presented. Experimental results show that our approach can efficiently generate regularly structured placement satisfying all symmetry constraints. For example, our placer achieves a 18X runtime speedup, 28% smaller area, and 68% shorter wirelength than the previous work, based on placement results, and 60% fewer overflows, 39% fewer vias, and 86% shorter routed wirelength, based on global routing results.


The Euphresco project PREPSYS, which organised the conference, focusses on two buprestid beetle pests (Agrilus species) of trees that have potential to cause severe damage to trees in Europe. These are the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (EAB) which originates in Asia and the bronze birch borer, Agrilus anxius (BBB) which originates in North America. EAB has established in North America and in the European part of Russia and is causing significant damage to native and planted ash trees in both regions, especially in North America.


Objective To explore the distribution trends of child and adolescent inpatients due to cardiovascular disease( CVD) in a hospital in Lanzhou from the year of 2001 to 2011. Methods The information of gender,age,disease entities was collected using self- designed questionnaire in 1 024 child and adolescent CVD patients in a hospital in Lanzhou from2001 to 2011,and their distribution trends observed. Results In the 1 024 patients,there were 550 males,474 females,the male to female ratio was 1. 16∶ 1,no significant difference was noted( χ2= 6. 294,P 0. 05). The disease distribution trend was not correlated linearly with years( P 0. 05). Patients in periods of neonates, infancy, early childhood, preschool,school age,adolescence were 27 cases( 2. 66%,27 /1 016) 、201 例( 19. 78%,201 /1 016) 、174 例( 17. 13%,174 /1016) 、253 例( 24. 90%,253 /1 016) 、84 例( 8. 27%,84 /1 016),277( 27. 26%,277 /1 016),respectively,there was difference between different age groups( χ2= 376. 784,P = 0. 000). The disease distribution trend of preschool patients was negatively correlated with years( r =- 0. 682,P = 0. 021),annual mean rate of decay was 10. 94%. Congenital heart disease( CHD),Kawasaki disease,cardiomyopathy,arrhythmias and other CVDs were 591 cases( 57. 72%),210( 20. 51%),144( 14. 06%),55( 5. 37%),24( 2. 34%),respectively,there was significant difference in constituent ratio between patients with different diseases( χ2= 306. 556,P = 0. 000). CHD distribution trends was positively correlated with years( r = 0. 709,P = 0. 015),annual mean rate of increase was 36. 43%. The distribution trends of cardiomyopathy and other CVDs were negatively correlated with years( r =- 0. 800,- 0. 793,P 0. 05),the annual mean rates of decay were 0. 69%,2. 92%,respectively. Conclusion By the investigation results,the percentages of CVD incidence of males and females are similar; Adolescence and preschool periods are high- incidence seasons; CHD and Kawasaki disease are the main disease entities. Early diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent CVD must be promoted without delay.


GWO TRANSCONTINENTAL TRAINS bound in opposite directions stopped on adjacent tracks of a station in the middle west. Passengers from both trains used the same platform for an interlude of walking. Unexpectedly, one a man from New York met a friend from Los Angeles who suggested that they talk over old times in the club car of his train. About 2o minutes later one of them became conscious that the car was moving. So impressed was he by the marvel of what was apparently happening that he exclaimed: "Ain't science wonderful? Here you are going to Los Angeles and I am headed for New York and we are both on the same train." It is possible to draw several lessons from this story but I shall content myself with one: ain't science wonderful? Whether it be in the realm of the very large or the very small, could any other age claim such a dazzling and spectacular succession of achievements? New techniques have greatly extended man's observations and speculation in astronomy. I have read and reread the hypothesis of an ever-expanding universe and it is still almost beyond comprehension. No less overwhelming is the latest thought on the creation of the earth. This colossal convulsion is now viewed as a series of chemical and physical reactions which has even been repeated on a model scale in the laboratory. It must have been an astounding and awe-inspiring spectacle. But these are not man's accomplishments; rather they are instances of his new and larger understanding of nature's mysteries. On the still wonderful but lesser level of man-made events may be mentioned the successful orbiting of satellites. At this moment nine man-made satellites are zooming over us in outer space. Now for the first time we may even look at photographs of the far side of the moon. And men are being readied for a thrilling and adventurous trip to that planet. Man's conquest of the very small has been no less overwhelming.


[Objective]To estimate the measurement uncertainty in the determination of benzoic acid in soft drinks by HPLC. [Methods]HPLC was applied to determine the concentration of benzoic acid in soft drinks, establish a mathematic model and analyze the source of the uncertainty.[ Results]Each components of uncertainty was estimated by analyzing the various variable parameters among the procedures; the combined uncertainty was then finally obtained by synthesizing the uncertainties of various component variables. [Conclusion] This mathematic model is reasonable and reliable.


The invention provides an online cross-linking intelligent injection system for deep profile control and flooding of an oil field. The system comprises a casing provided with an inner cavity, a cover plate, an injection window, a metering pump, a liquid level meter pipe system, a filter, an energy accumulator, a dosing port, a frequency converter, a power distribution cabinet, a microcomputer, an injection pipeline, outlet pipelines and valves, wherein the cover plate is arranged on the casing, and the injection window is formed in the cover plate; the liquid level meter pipe system is arranged on the outer side of the casing, and an agent solution outlet is formed in the bottom of the casing; one end of the injection pipeline is connected to the agent solution outlet, the other end is connected to the metering pump, and a valve I and the filter are sequentially arranged on the injection pipeline; a control device of the metering pump is connected with the power distribution cabinet through a cable, and the power distribution cabinet is connected with the frequency converter and the microcomputer through cables; the outlet end of the metering pump is connected with the energy accumulator through an outlet pipeline I; the outlet end of the energy accumulator is connected to the dosing port through an outlet pipeline II, and a valve II is arranged on the outlet pipeline II between the energy accumulator and the dosing port.


Let us start with an infinite nested sequence of Extended Chebyshev spaces, each of them being assumed to possess a Bernstein basis. This situation automatically generates an infinite so-called dimension elevation algorithm. The question of convergence of the sequences of control polygons associated with given curves naturally arises. On the other hand this situation also automatically generates an infinite sequence of Bernstein operators all reproducing the same two-dimensional space. Again, the question of convergence of this sequence towards identity naturally arises. In this talk we examine the links existing between the two convergences, with still open questions.


put the Index. Given the immense importance and high quality of literary journalism in the nineteenth century, this Index will become at once a most essential, perhaps the most singly essential work of reference for the period. I can think of no other work which will be in such constant use by so wide a range of researchers in Victorian literature; praise and thanks to Professor Houghton should rise in a steady hum. His work is further welcome as a linal evidence of the coming of age of nineteenth-century scholarship, of the maturity which is turning to exactness and the provision of exact tools. All the same, I hope that the Index can be something more than a tool for scholars, that it can be a rich pleasure for the literary vagrant, that it can rouse some to seek out in Blackwood's, for example, The Young Brewer's Monitor or the "Letter from a Whig-Hater," or "A sketch of the Canadas in 1838," or "The goddess Venus in the middle ages." Or, from the Corn hill, "The Chinese arsenals and armaments," followed by If Some peculiarities of society in America." Or, in the North British Review, IIAnimal magnetism/' "Phrenology; its place and relations," and "Sunday in the nineteenth century." CF. E. 1. PRIESTLEY)


The Indian Banking sector must develop a human resource management system on a systematic basis and take up human resource management policies and practices that fulfill the needs of employees working in the banking sector. The Indian Banking industry must be managed by banking professionals in order to take hold of the fruits of the sector on the global level. The aim of the research is to look at four key areas (Selection and Recruitment Policies, Training, Performance Appraisal and Compensation) that shape the development of banking industry in private sector banks of Ghaziabad. The present study is descriptive and exploratory in nature, researcher has used simple random sampling method. Primary data was collected from 150 employees with the help of structured questionnaire. The success of the Banks depends not only on the satisfaction of their customers but also the satisfaction level of the employees working in the banks. The level of satisfaction of the bank employees can be ensured and enhanced by effective HR-practices adopted by the Banks. In this connection, the researcher has made an attempt to verify the HR-practices among the Private Sector Banks situated in Ghaziabad.


In the last few years, groundwater management has concentrated on the protection of groundwater quality. An increasing number of countries has adopted policies to protect vital groundwater resources from deterioration by regulating human interaction with the subsurface, the use of potential contaminants, land use restrictions, and waste transport and storage. One of the more common regulatory approaches to the protection of groundwater focuses on public water supplies to reduce the potential of human exposure to hazardous contaminants. Under the framework of the Safe Drinking Water Act amended by U.S. Congress in 1986, The U.S.EPA (1987) issued guidelines for the delineation of wellhead protection areas, recommending the use of analytical and numerical models for the identification of such areas. In this study, the theoretical background for the development of one such numerical model is presented. Two real-world applications are discussed: in the first case history, the model is applied to a Superfund Site in Puerto Rico as a tool for assessment of the effectiveness of a proposed pump-and-treat scheme for aquifer remediation. Based on simulation results for the evolution of the existing contaminant plume it was verified that such a scheme would not work with the proposed purging wells. The second case history is the delineation of a wellhead protection area in the Town of Littleton, Massachusetts, and subsequent design of a monitoring well network.


The article is devoted to mathematical modeling of gas exchange processes. The features of modeling gas exchange processes based on gas dynamics equations are shown. The parameters of the gas flow are calculated by three conservation laws obtained by applying the general laws of physics to the elementary mass released in the flow, followed by a transition to the limit when the volume occupied by this mass tends to zero: momentum, mass, and energy. A mathematical model of the working process in the engine cylinder is created by the necessary conditions for calculating the entire gas exchange. Using a computer allows for a more accurate and complete description of all the main features. In the foreground is not the complexity and volume of calculations, but the accuracy of approximating the processes of fresh charge entering the engine cylinders, the air flow in the intake tract, the possibility of a comprehensive study of the effect on the filling process of each of the parameters of the intake tract design and gas distribution, and the features of the engine operation mode under study. Filling dynamic phenomena in the intake system has the main goal of optimizing engine design parameters.


Medieval readers evidently found this an important comment on the poem, for it is one of the passages most frequently marked with a " Nota" in thirteenthand fourteenth-century manuscripts.2 Modern readers as well have often admired—and puzzled over—the network of contrary and conflicting perspectives spun out in the course of the Rose. But while most people would agree that the poem does present a series of opposing viewpoints, there is considerably less agreement on just what sort of " gloss" these " contrary things" provide on one another. What is the " bon" and the " mal" of the Rose? Is it a disputatio amoris, a drama of temptation and fall, a joyous celebration of sexuality?3 This critical debate is nothing new; even within the fourteenth century, the poem was subject to different readings. These are revealed through the critical apparatus—rubrics, miniatures, glosses—with which so many Rose manuscripts are equipped.4 The present study will examine the rubrics found in two manuscripts, representing two broad categories of Rose reception: the Bibl. Nat. MS fr. 1574, from the second half of the fourteenth century, and the late thirteenthor early fourteenth-century Bibl. Nat. MS fr. 1569. Medieval-


The paper mainly discusses the black box testing for the software testing.Among four design skills concerned with examples,the paper introduces the equivalent dividing and the analysis of boundary value,and explains them with tow practical test projects.


The design of suspension systems for off-highway vehicles covers a specific field of automotive industry. During the last years, due to the working conditions in agricultural environments, there have been an increasing demand in power capabilities, loads and driving speeds of heavy duty vehicles. In this way the industrial design and consequently the research activity present a big potential of improvement. This paper describes the development, modeling and testing of suspension systems and control algorithms for heavy vehicles. The main targets of this activity, currently under development, consist in the study of the dynamical behaviour of agricultural tractors and the design of a cost-effective industrial solution. The work is structured in different steps: the definition of the project requirements (also by consultations with manufacturers), the modeling of agricultural tractors by symbolic and numerical multibody codes, the investigation of commercial solutions in terms of comfort, ride and energetic requirements and finally the development of control algorithms for hydro-pneumatic semi- active suspension systems. The main results are validated through experimental activities done by a suspension bench test purposely designed. The experimental sessions consist in the identification of the frequency response of the suspension system and the computation of performance indexes.


Cathodoluminescence (CL) and electron spin resonance (ESR) detect structural defects and impurities in quartz. The E1' center can be easily identified by ESR method. In the ESR, the E1' center is defined as an unpaired electron in a single silicon sp orbital oriented along a bond direction into an oxygen vacancy (Feigl et al., 1974). However, the assignment of E1' center in CL has been discussed so far in comparison with the results by ESR method (e.g., Stevens-Kalceff, 2009). Usually, natural quartz has various impurity elements and defects. In this study, we have conducted to clarify the E1' center in synthetic quartz by comparison with CL and ESR. Single crystal of synthetic quartz without any impurities (Miyazaki Epson Co.) was employed for CL and ESR measurements. Sample was sliced perpendicularly to the c axis, and its surface was polished. Electron were irradiated on the surface using a Cockcroft-Walton accelerator located at Takasaki Research Center (JAERI). Implantation energy of electron beam was at 1.0 MeV at 5 stages of 4.51×10 –3.20×10 J/cm. CL color images were obtained using the Luminoscope (ELM-3). CL spectroscopy was carried out by an SEM-CL system, which consists of an SEM (JEOL, JSM-5410LV) combined with a grating monochromater (Oxford, Mono CL2). All CL spectra were corrected for total instrumental response, which was measured using of a calibrated standard lamp. ESR spectra were obtained by an ESR spectroscopy (JEOL, JES-PX2300). The ESR spectra obtained from annealing sample at 600 oC exhibit no signal assigned to E1' center at g = 2.001, whereas weak one is recognized in untreated sample. According to Toyoda et al., (1996), the heating up to 600 oC almost quenches the signal of E1' center. The results of the ESR measurements indicate that the signal of E1' center in both annealed and untreated samples pronounces with an increase in the irradiation dose. It clearly shows a formation of E1' center. in quartz by electron irradiation. CL analysis by a spectral deconvolution method reveals five emission components related to defect centers at 1.77 eV, 1.9 eV, 1.95 eV, 2.3 eV, 2.7 eV and 3.14 eV for annealed and untreated samples. An increase in electron-irradiation dose results in an increase in the intensity of the component at 1.77 eV. This result suggests that the emission at 1.77 eV in a red region closely relates to the E1' center determined by ESR method, whereas the emission component at around 2.7 eV has been assigned to the E1' center involved with STE in quartz.


The photo catalytic degradation of an aqueous solution of methylene blue dye has studied under different conditions of preparation Zinc oxide nanoparticles and study effect of various mass of zinc oxide on the removal of methylene blue dye and initial concentration of MB dye. Several techniques were used to determine the surface properties of the prepared nano-zinc oxide such as XRD, TEM. Results showed that, the phot catalytic degradation process was high at the beginning and then decreased with time. and the phot catalytic degradation efficiency, increased by increasing weight of zinc oxide nanoparticle from 0.05 g to 0.3 g. and decrease with increase weight of zinc oxide nanoparticle from 0.5 g to 0.7g. also showed that the best weight to removal MB dye 0.3 gm.


Net-zero energy buildings can be understood as buildings, that for a given time, generate as much energy as they consume. Either, from the point of view of supply or consumption, energy availability is related to some basic issues such as source (s), conversion, distribution, utilization, waste, optimization, efficiency and autonomy. These issues reveal the complexity of the subject of energy and justify the special attention given to it by the academic community. To obtain tangible results in the analysis of these systems, in our study we focus on the modelling and optimization of energy solutions applied to buildings or similar systems. On the other hand, the time frame of the analysed objects was extended to their expected life cycle period. The main objectives were stablished as: - Verify and analyse the state-of-the-art of renewable energy solutions for buildings and constructed assets and the applicability of life cycle costing analysis to these issues; - Configure reproducible models of buildings and their main electrical loads, via Computer Aided Process Engineering tools, to proceed simulations and optimization, considering as primary energy source solar energy; - Quantify, using real-life and hypothetical case studies, the benefits of the proposed solutions, aiming the whole life sustainability assessment through the reduction of the whole life cycle costing; and -Guarantee the reproducibility of the models and main general results of this study and make them public, to contribute with their applicability and further researches. A Literature Review was performed, focusing on Whole Life Costing Assessment (WLCA), that encompasses Life Cycle Costing Assessment (LCCA) and the adoption of this methodology for the economic pillar evaluation of the Sustainability Life Cycle in the Building and Solar Energy sectors. Research showed the effectiveness of this methodology as the main component for assessing sustainability in the economic domain, and the relationship with the primary methods of environmental and social areas. The energy industry has been responsible for a significant number of publications, and the use of LCCA for different scale solar energy solutions as vehicles, houses, buildings, highways, rural properties and power plants indicates the usefulness of this methodology. In the large-scale solar energy solutions, for Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), the use of LCCA can upraise the advantages for choosing or integrating both solutions. In minor scale solar energy solutions where the crescent technological evolution of SPV Cells has resulted in higher energy efficiency rates, the use of the LCCA can demonstrate the sensitive reduction on the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), reflecting on the feasibility of solutions as the Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB). Also clarifying the feasibility of their critical ancillary solutions, named Electrical Energy Storages (EES) and the Thermal Energy Storages (TES). These facts allied to the crescent number of studies and publications shows that LCCA is a promising field of studies and a powerful tool to achieve a most complete and reliable Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of solar energy technologies and the solar energy implementation projects, mainly in the design phase. However, often the selected solar systems for buildings are analysed from an energetic and economic point of view rather than from detailed feasibility analysis and a life cycle perspective. In the first case study, the objective was to evaluate with pre-design modelling and simulation the electrical demand of a Logistics Centre and determine the adequate system configurations, considering the Life Cycle Costing (LCC). The energy supplied by the photovoltaic (PV) panels connected with the grid brings more flexibility for energy management, and the energy surplus is an essential factor to be considered. A base case was established and three alternative scenarios for optimization considered. Combining the use of TRNSYS 18 - Simulation Studio and its optimization library component, GenOpt - Generic Optimization Program, different options of grid energy contracts were simulated. They consider the variable tariffs and the integration with PV. Based on the LCC the GenOpt performed the Single-Objective Optimization (SOO) process, also considering the Payback Period (PBP) of investments. This approach allowed envisaging possible configurations reducing up to a quarter of annual grid energy consumption and around 21% the LCC in a timeframe of 20 years. The PBP of investments is below six years. These results serve as input for the design and operation set up. In the second case study, a hypothetical building was configured with detailed loads for tropical climate and systems to simulate different configurations of an air-cooled chiller associated with PV and TES. The objective was to show that the cooling systems, as one of the most energy consuming systems can have their efficiency increased if it is associated with photovoltaic panels (PV) and thermal energy storage systems (TES). For tropical climate regions, the Brazilian National Energy Planning, PNE 2030 (Ministerio de Minas e Energia 2006) indicates that the refrigeration and space cooling consumes a significant amount of energy, reaching 32% and 34% in residential and commercial buildings, doubling the contribution compared to the United States Also using the TRNSYS 18 - Simulation Studio, a set of scenarios were simulated, and their outputs analysed in a life cycle perspective using Life Cycle Costing (LCC) for the calculations. The simulations considered variations in sizing and operability of the systems and generated results that establish a pathway toward a zero-energy building, using input data and parameter from manufacturers and standardized level of comfort for the building occupants to generate the feasible scenarios. The modelling and simulation of different scenarios allowed envisage the most economic configurations for buildings in a life cycle perspective, though the LCC reduction within a safe range of operability considering the energy efficiency and consequently the sustainability aspects of buildings. The results can be used as premises for initial design or for planning retrofits of the buildings, aiming the zero-energy balance.


The bluefish Poma,tomus saUatrix is a migratory coastal pelagic fish generally found in temperate and warm continental shelf waters of all oceans (Briggs 1960). The species occurs along the east coast of the United States and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Important commercial and recreational fisheries for bluefish exist throughout the U.S. range (Wilk 1977). Age and growth studies have been conducted on bluefish from U.S. Atlantic waters (Hamer 1959, Backus 1962, Lassiter 1962, Richards 1976, Wilk 1977), but not from the Gulf of Mexico. The primary purposes of this study were to evaluate and use the best of several bony structures to estimate the age and determine growth of bluefish from the northern Gulf of Mexico (hereafter referred to as Gulf) and from the U.S. Atlantic coast.


A 4-year-old boy with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), an asymptomatic optic glioma, and a right basal ganglia T2-hyperintense lesion (figure, A and B) developed a left hemiparesis with hyperreflexia over the course of a year. Neuroimaging revealed a cyst-like mass in the region of his previously identified T2 hyperintensity (figure, C and D). While it is often difficult to distinguish T2 hyperintensities from low-grade glioma without tissue diagnosis,1 even with advanced imaging methods,2 T2 hyperintensities typically disappear with age and do not become cystic with associated mass effect. Coupled with the development of new neurologic signs, these MRI features are worrisome for neoplasm in a patient with NF1.


To develop a set of prescribing safety indicators related to mental health disorders and medications, and to estimate the risk of harm associated with each indicator.


This work was carried out to study effect substitut ion of corn grits with 5 % sweet potato or pumpkin grits for processi ng corn snacks using extrusion cooking techniques . The most favorable c onditions for operator device were determined namely: feed moisture conten t , speed screw and extruder barrel temperature .Sensory evaluation suc h as color, taste, appearance, crispness and over all acceptability on the final product characteristics were studied. Three factors were id ent fied for the operation as follows :feed moisture contents(16, 18 and 20%), screw speed(120, 140, 160rpm) and barrel temperature(130, 150 and 170 ° C ) and the impact on the physicochemical properties such as bulk density (BD), expansion rate(ER) and water solubility index %( WSI %). The results indicated that the suitable expansion ratio were 2.01 and 2.62 gm / c 3 and the swelling percentage were 3 .5 to3.4 %, respectively checks a t 16% and 18% moisture for blend snacks1 ( 95% corn grits + 5% sweet potat o grits )and blend snacks2 ( 95% corn grits + 5% pumpkin grits),while th proper screw speed ( 120 and 140 rpm ) by high barrel temperature ( 13 0 and 150 oc). The results showed significant differences in the color , taste, appearance, crispness and over all acceptability in each of the blend 1 and 2 as compared to the control (100% corn grits snacks) and had a b est appearance of the blend 1 and the highest values for color, taste and over all acceptability for the blend 2. So, it can be concluded that the proce ss of extrusion device cooking heat the most suitable for operation is con tent feed humidity 16% ,temperature130 °c and the speed screw120rpm for a blend1 and 18% * Home Economics Dept., Faculty of Specific Education, Mansoura University, Egypt


Mixed-reality learning platforms are coming of age. We review several studies that demonstrate increased learning when students are in embodied, mixed-reality environments compared to learning in regular instruction environments where teacher and content are held constant. Two scenarios are described in-depth and a set of gesture-based design principles is presented. Embodied, mixed-reality environments can support significant gains in learning because multiple sensori-motor systems are activated when learning. In addition, classroom discourse is more focused in these collaborative environments and language may serve as a mediating variable for change.


This thesis deals with the pricing of components at the firm CZ LOKO a.s. First, the current assessed valuation methods and then proposed a new method, which consists of cost principle.


The bronze orange bug is a minor pest of citrus in the cooler coastal regions of eastern Australia. The life history is described and involves a quiescent period in the second instar. Nymphal descriptions and measurements are given.


An adhesive polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film with low cohesive strength is formed by the solvent- and polymerization-induced phase separation of PlatSil Gel-10 and nematic liquid crystal 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB). We find that the director configuration of the dispersed 5CB droplets is sensitive to the nature of the surface in contact with the adhesive PDLC film. When the adhesive PDLC film is placed on a rubbed polyimide film, the dispersed 5CB droplets show a parallel configuration. While on 3M Scotch tape, the dispersed 5CB droplets switch to a vertical configuration. The cohesive mechanical failure of the adhesive PDLC film allows us to repeatedly print a thin PDLC film into structural and orientational patterns on substrates.


The 3D design technology of the punching die of the automobile panel is discussed, and the basic thinking of the 3D die design based on UG surrounding is introduced. The parallel idea combined the 3D parameterized model with the 3D design of the die is presented. Every kind of resource library of the die design and its application are also introduced in this paper. Furthermore, the matters needing attention in the punching die design of the automobile panel are put forward in order to improve the efficiency and quality of the die design.


The experimental station of the bending magnet beamline BL2 of the Dortmund Synchrotron Radiation Source DELTA has been reconstructed in order to enable small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle scattering studies with monochromatic beam. By using a multilayer monochromator with a bandwidth of 1.5%, it is possible to reach a photon energy of 12 keV at sufficiently high photon fluxes. The beamline layout is described and the experimental capabilities are discussed by giving two examples of typical experiments: (i) A dense lysozyme solution is studied using small-angle X-ray scattering in order to reveal to influence of pressure on the protein-protein interaction with heavy water as solvent. (ii) The dependency of the hydrogen-bond mediated structure formation on temperature and pressure is investigated in liquid 1-hexanol by wide-angle X-ray scattering.


The Seventh Workshop on Open Hypermedia Systems (OHS7).- to OHS7.- Using Open Hypermedia to Support Information Integration.- Applying Collaborative Open Hypermedia Concepts to Extended Enterprise Engineering and Operation.- Meme Media and Meme Pools for Re-editing and Redistributing Intellectual Assets.- The Pipeline of Enrichment: Supporting Link Creation for Continuous Media.- Auld Leaky: A Contextual Open Hypermedia Link Server.- FOHM+RTSP: Applying Open Hypermedia and Temporal Linking to Audio Streams.- Development Tools in Component-Based Structural Computing Environments.- Peer-Reviewed, Publishable Hypertexts: A First Look.- Because I Seek an Image, Not a Book.- The Third Workshop on Structural Computing (SC3).- to SC3.- Writing the Holes "Structural" Reflections of a Visual Artist.- Broadening Structural Computing towards Hypermedia Development.- A Graphical User Interface Integrating Features from Different Hypertext Domains.- Using Structural Computing to Support Information Integration.- Providing Structural Computing Services on the World Wide Web.- Cooperation Services in a Structural Computing Environment.- Structural Computing and Its Relationships to Other Fields.- The Third Workshop on Adaptive Hypermedia (AH3).- to AH3.- The Impact of Empirical Studies on the Design of an Adaptive Hypertext Generation System.- INSPIRE: An INtelligent System for Personalized Instruction in a Remote Environment.- Developing Adaptive Internet Based Courses with the Authoring System NetCoach.- Link Augmentation: A Context-Based Approach to Support Adaptive Hypermedia.- XAHM: An XML-Based Adaptive Hypermedia Model and Its Implementation.- Revisiting and Versioning in Virtual Special Reports.- Tailoring the Recommendation of Tourist Information to Heterogeneous User Groups.- Application of ART2 Networks and Self-Organizing Maps to Collaborative Filtering.- METIOREW: An Objective Oriented Content Based and Collaborative Recommending System.- Integrating User Data and Collaborative Filtering in a Web Recommendation System.- Adaptive Hypermedia System for Supporting Information Providers in Directing Users through Hyperspace.- A Complementary Approach for Adaptive and Adaptable Hypermedia: Intensional Hypertext.


INTRODUCTION
Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) used in the radiologic evaluation of the upper and lower urinary tract can be performed by suprapubic puncture (SP) or by transurethral catheterization (TC). Data on which instillation technique is superior are scarce. VCUG tends to be a distressing procedure for both parents and children.

METHODS
We evaluated the experience of VCUG analyzing 417 families with focus on contrast medium instillation in groups of single and repeated VCUGs and assessed quality and complication rate. The median age of children who had undergone VCUG was 38.6 months (0 - 159 months). Satisfaction with informed consent (IC), degree of fear and pain in parents and children prior and during VCUG were recorded. VCUG was compared to blood withdrawal and vaccination.

RESULTS
Satisfaction with IC was higher for repeated VCUG (p= 0.024) which resulted in a lower degree of fear in parents and children. The fear of children during VCUG was lower when SP was performed rather than TC. This was in contrast to parental fear of SP (all p< 0.05). In repeated VCUGs, children who underwent SP were less afraid. Better diagnostic quality was more commonly reported with SP, yet the complication rate was higher (p=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS
Our study highlights the importance of IC as a pivotal necessity before VCUG is conducted. SP might be beneficial over TC in terms of fear and distress in the case of repeated VCUGs. Diagnostic quality is comparable, both methods are safe and complications are low.


Multiple bio‐optical measurements were conducted in inland waters of China, including Lake Taihu [spring and autumn], Lake Chaohu, Lake Dianchi, and Three Gorges Reservoirs. The variations in the absorption characteristics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), phytoplankton, and non‐algal particles (NAP) and their relative contributions to total absorption among these waters were analyzed. The obtained results indicated that these areas are representative of the optically complex inland waters characterized by strong regional variations of their absorption properties. By means of the relative contributions of NAP and phytoplankton to the total water absorption at 550 and 675 nm, these waters were classified into three optical water types, each one having specific biogeochemical and optical properties. Two of the types were distinct and corresponded to waters that are optically controlled by NAP (Type I) and dominated by phytoplankton (Type III). Type II was related to relatively optically mixed waters where the absorption properties are controlled by NAP and phytoplankton. Additionally, the differences in remote‐sensing reflectance (Rrs) spectra among the three classified water types were clarified to establish optical criteria for identifying these water types. On this basis, the classification criteria for MERIS images were developed, which allowed one to cluster every Rrs spectrum into one of the three water types by comparing the values from band 6, band 8, and band 9 of MERIS images. The proposed criteria were subsequently conducted to map the water types of Lake Taihu using MERIS images.


Disclosed is an electron multiplication factor image capture device (1), comprising a solid-state image capture element (10) further comprising an image part (101a) and an OPB part (101b). An image acquisition unit (24a) acquires a multiplied image at a preset prescribed electron multiplication factor. A luminosity computation unit (24b) computes an average luminosity and an average luminosity distribution of pixels corresponding to the image part (101a) in the acquired multiplied image, and computes an average luminosity and an average luminosity distribution of pixels corresponding to the OPB part (101b) in the acquired multiplied image. A conversion factor computation unit (24c) employs the computed average luminosities and average luminosity distributions to compute a conversion factor of the multiplied image. A multiplication factor computation unit (24d) employs the conversion factor and a conversion factor in a reference electron multiplication factor to derive an electron multiplication factor of the multiplied image.


Stabilized medicinal aerosol solution formulations compris ing medicaments that degrade or decompose by interaction with solvents or water, an HFC propellant, a cosolvent and an acid are described. Further, specific medicinal aerosol solution formulations comprising ipratropium bromide or fenoterol, ethyl alcohol, 1.1.1,2-tetrafluoroethane or 1.1.1, 2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, and either an inorganic acid or an organic acid are described. The acids are present in amounts sufficient to reduce the degradation of the medica ments to acceptable levels.


A further investigation of the new approach to overcome the transient effect of staircase waveform is reported. The piecewise sampling is reviewed, in which a normal sampling is performed but the discrete Fourier transform is only applied to partial samples while the other samples located on both sides of each step are discarded. The applicability of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with antialiasing filter is verified through comparison with another ADC without such filter. The parameter settings of the step number in one period, the number of samples at each step, and the frequency of the staircase waveform are investigated with the experimental results. An experimental approach is introduced to determine the location and length of the desired piecewise sampling. The available frequency of staircase waveform is limited by the settling time of digital-to-analog converter (DAC). For higher frequency measurements, the well-known multiperiod strategy previously applied in ADC is proposed to have its application extended into DAC. From another perspective, it will widen the width of the step and alleviate the need for frequent conversions. The relevant principles, procedures and experimental evidences are presented. The experimental results indicate that no significant additional measurement error is detected.


sentative of the community. The West London Survey (Tarnopolsky & Morton-Williams, 1980), of which he quotes only a conference report, showed quite unequivocally that the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire, remained constant across areas of increasing levels of exposure to aircraft noise. This study also showed that annoyance by noise increased in a dose-response relationship with increasing levels of noise exposure. In addition, it was found that those who were psychiatrically ill were more likely to be highly annoyed. Kryter implies that this latter finding supports his readings of the studies of psychiatric admission and favours a causal role for noise in psychiatric illness. However, Tarnopolsky & Morton-Williams suggest that the association between psychiatric illness and annoyance works in the opposite direction: that those who are already psychiatrically ill from other causes are more likely to be annoyed by noise. They also found that symptoms, drug use and use of health services tended to increase with increasing annoyance responses but not with increasing noise exposure. This has been tentatively explained by the' vulnerability hypothesis' which postulates that the tendency to become annoyed by noise is associated with the tendency to seek health care, to use drugs, and to display symptoms. Noise exposure, according to this explanation, does not therefore lead to an increase in the level of these indices of health impairment, but rather tends to sort the more vulnerable individuals into the higher annoyance categories (Watkins et al. 1981). Such a hypothesis does not imply that all those who are highly annoyed are necessarily vulnerable. Although group annoyance levels increase in a dose-response relationship with increasing noise levels, there has long been controversy over why there is such a large individual variation in annoyance responses at any particular noise exposure level. Kryter explains this largely in terms of noise level measurement errors which do not take account of differing noise levels within individual dwellings and differing lengths of exposure to noise. Although he mentions personality characteristics, I think that he underestimates their importance in determining annoyance responses.


I'D BEEN WANTING a visual presenter in my classroom for a long time and had narrowed the choice to a few of the least expensive models. Then I ran across a product called a Lightsmith Video Platform ($199.99; www.lightsmithimager.com), and learning in my classroom has never been the same. The platform utilizes a gooseneck arm with an ingenious reversible camera mount to hold a compact camcorder (sold separately) in position as a document camera. Simply mount the camcorder, connect it to a projector or TV with an A/V cable, and plug in the power cord. Just like that, you have a document camera. The platform also includes cable clamps, an adjustable florescent light, and a pen organizer. It sounds so simple, but does it work? The answer is that it actually works better than a traditional (and several times more expensive) document camera. The key lies in the camcorder's CCD (charge -couple device) auto-focus mechanism. It analyzes the scene and moves the lens back and forth, searching for the point where there is maximum intensity difference between adjacent pixels--that's the point of sharpest focus. Many low-end document cameras are manual focus, which means a lot more fuss and ho-hum picture quality. The optical zoom capability of the latest camcorders is 20X, which is more than enough to match the 12X zoom of most document cameras and visual presenters. The Lightsmith Video Platform also comes with short MovieMaker II and iMovie tutorials on a Resource CD, so that any teacher with Windows XP or Mac OS X can get started making movies with software he already has. While there are more sophisticated editing programs out there, my district tech people were grateful not to have to install new software on my networked machine. The Lightsmith package also includes a microscope adapter, and amazingly, it works not only with a microscope, but also with binoculars or a telescope. I have to admit, neither the adapter nor my camcorder stays at school over the weekend very often. In a way, that seems like the whole point: Our laptops and PDAs go everywhere with us, so why not our presentation tools, too? Needless to say, the camcorder has become a workhorse attached to my Lightsmith Video Platform: I use it for modeled editing, group reading from a single copy of a book, examining old photos, studying rock and mineral features, demonstrating math problems, filming tadpole development over time, etc. On one occasion we used it for a botany lesson, dissecting fruit to examine it and compare the seeds. The whole class was able to watch and sketch in great detail as students took turns dissecting fruits and interpreting the results. Having the use of a camcorder has brought some unexpected benefits, as well. Rather than sell candy bars as a fundraiser, we sold CDs of our classroom videos and had great success. Selling out quickly, we had to burn another batch to keep up with demand. My students were very proud of their work, and it made for an outstanding business lesson as well. …


An experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2014-15 at Chilli and Vegetable Research Unit of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (MS), to find out effect of nutrient levels on nutrient uptake by ajwain crop. The treatment consisted of five levels of nitrogen (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1), five levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg ha-1 in form of P2O5) and five levels of potassium (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg ha-1). Results indicated that increasing application of N, P and K increased the uptake of major nutrients in ajwain crop.