Background There are currently no objective diagnostic criteria for chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome and no accepted therapies that cure the disease.Methods We identified 372 patients with chronic prostatitis diagnosed from 2015 to 2018 and collect the information of age, routine urinary test, EPS and NIH-CPSI.Results Our study demonstrated a correlation between the increase of PSEP level and NIH-CPSI scores. At meantime, the correlation was found between the PSEP level and EPS-white blood cells.Conclusions These findings highlight the potential of PSEP as a viable indicator of symptomatic progression of CP/CPPS. Applications of PSEP assay may guide drug discovery and lead to the better treatment to improve patient's quality of life.


The article reports an exploratory research resulting from a survey of the dissemination of the performance of state forums for the defense of Early Childhood Education from March 15 to June 30, 2020. The closure of Early Childhood Education institutions due to the covid-19 pandemic imposed other forms of articulation for the forums. The possibility of meeting and debating online impacted the performance and dissemination of the actions of each state forum. The survey sought information from the pages and profiles of the forums on blogs, official sites, Facebook and Instagram. Among the actions disclosed, attention is given to the transmission of debates with guests, in the format of "lives", especially on Instagram. Among the debated agendas, there is a strong discussion about teaching work carried out remotely and the prospects and protocols for the careful reopening of institutions, directly linked to the emergency situation. Within the scope of the government's policy proposals for Early Childhood Education, attention is drawn to the proposal to include the acquisition of textbooks in the PNLD program for preschooler children and to meet the demands of early childhood education movements in the preparation and approval of the "new" FUNDEB law.


Natural curcumin is one of rhizoma curcuma longae's effective components. It is used not only as food additive but also as drug. This paper reviews on physical and chemical properties,stability, determination and extraction,physiological function of curcumin and its development prospects. In the meantime, it provides scientific basis to developing and applying curcumin.


................................................................................................................................................ ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ iii LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES...................................................................................................vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................... vii AKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ x Chapter


Thanks to the fruitful collaboration between CEA an d CHAMPALLE (ALCEN group), an innovative electromechanical press has been developed for the manufacturing of high radioactive nuclear fuel pell ets in hot cell. In this paper, the main steps of the press de velopment are presented. This press has been designed to be modular, uni-axi al, automatic, mono-punch, single effect with a displacement-piloted die and to operate without any oil at all. Its capacity is 10 tons, the maximum h eight is limited to 1200 mm and the production rate is 1 to 5 cylindrical annular or full pellets per minute. A challenge has been to compact the equipment enoug h to allow its implementation in an hot cell of red uced volume without making harder the necessary operatio ns f assembly, maintenance and dismantling. It's t he reason why simulation studies have been made at dif ferent steps of the project to assist the press des ign. The first simulation studies were carried out by using the St udio Max 3D software to optimize press size, press location and accessibility in the cell. The second ones have consisted in virtual reality simulation with the P RESAGE platform to assess the inter-connectability of the different units and the feasibility of assembling, maintening and dismantling the press. The modularity of the press has been finally demons trated with a full-scale test in a cell mokup built in the CEA/Marcoule HERA facility technological platform a nd equipped with Lacalhène MT120 motorised arm for remote handling. The thirty individual units of the press have been successfully introduced in the hot cell through a 240 mm diameter air-lock and assembled an d disassembled by remote handling. The presentation will describe the remote handling operations and present comparison between operations and simulations. Cur rently, press instrumentation is being upgraded in order to develop powder compaction models for the predictio n of press parameter setting. This press is patented. Introduction: One of the missions of the Fuel Fabrication Laborat ory (LFC), located in Atalante facility, is to impr ove and develop manufacturing process of nuclear fuel conta ining radioactive elements as uranium, plutonium an d/or americium. The conventional nuclear fuel manufactur ing process is based on powder metallurgy: actinide bearing powders are prepared by mixing or blending, then shaped in press dies under the form of full o r annular pellets and sintered at high temperature. In this p resentation, a focus is given on the studies relate d to the development of a press operating in a hot cell to s hape pellets containing large quantities of americi um. Fuel pellet manufacturing in a hot cell requires si mple, effective operations and robust technologies. For many reasons such as criticality issue, nuclear waste mi nimization, radiolytic degradation of organic liqui ds under irradiation, a major design criterion was to suppre ss oil and hydraulic systems. The compaction cycle must be fully mastered to minimize scraps and pellet grindi ng. For the future fuel fabrication facilities, pro cess automation is inevitable. To minimize the powder ho ldup, a mono-punch uniaxial technology is preferred to a rotary one. Furthermore, the hot cell volume dedica ted to the pellet production being limited, the pre ss must be compact and modular and each press module must be s mall enough to be introduced in the cell by airlock entrance of narrow diameter. To reach such challenging specification, a methodol ogical approach has been applied to design the pres s, ba ed on different steps and tools as illustrated in F g 1. Furthermore, a partnership between CEA and CHAMPA LLE has been built to combine the press manufacturing e xperience and know-how of CHAMPALLE, and the nuclea r fuel compaction and equipment nuclearization knowle dge of CEA [1]. Fig 1: Main research studies In this presentation, a focus will be given on the effort devoted to the mounting or unmounting press in hot cell with remote handling. All the operations will be de scribed and shown in order to highlight the press r obustness and modularity. Road map: The reduction of criticality risks at each stage of the process is an important goal for the developme nt of any nuclear fuel manufacturing equipment. It is the mai n reason why the press has been designed to operate without oil and is fully electromechanical. It is a uniaxial automatic mono-punch simple effect press, with a die displacement which can be pilote d r not. Pellets can be produced by force or displacement pi lo ing. The upper punch and die are mobile at diffe rent velocities, while the lower punch is fixed. The die is used for the ejection step with an upper punch support pressure. To produce annular pellets, a needle goes through the lower punch and follows the die displa cements. An electric motor with a minimum gap in the transmi sion system, combining rotary and translatory mech anisms activates the upper punch and the die. To put the a ppar tus in a hot cell of limited height, the die m otorization was placed on the lateral side of the press. The la teral effort is transformed into a longitudinal one via a toggle joint located under the die plate. The press capacity is 10 tons, the maximum height i s limited to 1200 mm and the production rate is 1 t o 5 cylindrical full or annular pellets per minute. It weighs 400 kg. The press, adapted for nuclear opera tions, was patented by CEA and CHAMPALLE [2]. The implementation of the apparatus in a hot cell f or nuclear fuel production required a modular desig n. Simulation studies have been carried out using 3D s oftware to assist the press design and control that all the press modules can pass through a narrow cell airloc k and to validate the modular units ability to be a ssembled, dismantled and maintained by remote handling. Virtual reality simulation studies were also conduc ted to simulate the remote handling operations, the int rconnectability of the different units, by taking in to account the force feedback of the virtual arm to prepare the experimental demonstration and train the operators. To demonstrate finally the performance of the selec t d design options, the press was set up in a mockup in the HERA facility technological platform at CEA/Marcoul e for full-scale trials of disassembly and mounting operations with MT120 remote handling arm. The thir ty individual units of the press passed through a 2 40 mm diameter air-lock to be assembled by remote handlin g in hot cell. The change of press tool and the acc urate centring of the upper punch and the die (with or wi thout needle) were found quite easy and so validate d [3]. Cad simulation: The 3D simulation was realized by the CEA team usin g the 3DS Max Autocad software [3]. The hot cell environment was first recreated with the input-outp ut air-lock unit, the overhead traveling crane, the remote handling arm, as well as the press set up in the ce ll. Then, the virtual entry and exit of the press u nits through the airlock and the operating method of assembly, maint enance and dismantling were controlled. Finally, pr ess accessibility in the cell has been checked, tools n ecessary for the assembly operations (gripping tool s, f r example) improved and modular decomposition validat e . Fig 2 gives some illustrations of this simulation study [3]. Fig 2: 3D simulation step Virtual reality before remote handling trials: The objectives of the virtual reality 3D simulation studies [3] were to simulate the assembly, dismantling, maintenance and all the press functionalities withi n t e hot cell. In addition to the previous 3D simu lation, a virtual hot cell has been created, with force feedb ack remote handling arm allowing the detection of c ollisions between the arm and the press units. It was also po sible to change the arm kinematics parameters (mov e ent angles and freedom degrees). Thus, the virtual simulation offers a better repres entativity and precision of the press unit compared to 3D simulation: size gap between the modules are taken into account so that the assembling operations are more realistic, Fig 3. Fig 3: Virtual reality step Remote handling trials: The remote handling trials were carried out in an i nactive cell mock-up, Fig 4. The mock-up was composed of a box with windows. Walls have been adjusted to adapt the box volume to the equipment size. The mock-up is equipped with MT120 remote handling arm, Fig 4. Fig 4: Press in the mock-up with remote handling The 3D picture, Fig 5, shows the press description. Fig 5: 3D picture and press description The first preliminary step in the disassembly proce dur is to drain away the powder into the recovery box (under the filling shoe) then withdraw the box. This drain ing operation is an automatic task managed by the M en Machine Interface of the press supervisor. The seco nd preliminary step consists in withdrawing the fil ling powder jar (above the filling shoe), Fig 6. Then, the machine dismantling takes place with th e following successive modules : 1)tool module (applied force s ensor, upper punch, die, needle, transmitted force sensor and lower punch), 2)shoe motor, 3)shoe, 4)upper punch motor, 5)upper plate, 6)upper punch plate, 7)die pl ate, 8)die motor, 9)die motor support, 10)toggle, 11)columns, 12)lower plate, 13)displacement die sensor, 14)disp lacement shoe sensor, 15)displacement upper punch sensor, 16 )lower plate and 17)rotary base. To facilitate all these operations, the press can b e easily rotated to increase the unit accessibility . Fig 6 : Preliminary step before unmounting For unmounting the tool module, the clamping strip is firstly removed by remote handling. Then, a spec ific tool has been designed, as shown in the picture bellow, to ithdraw in only one step the centered upper pun ch, die and lower punch. The module is gripped by the lift unit with a ring, Fig 7. Module is finally transferred into a stainless steel container and evacuated via


Object tracking with robust scale estimation is a challenging task in computer vision. This paper presents a novel tracking algorithm that learns the translation and scale filters with a complementary scheme. The translation filter is constructed using the ridge regression and multidimensional features. A robust scale filter is constructed by the bidirectional scale estimation, including the forward scale and backward scale. Firstly, we learn the scale filter using the forward tracking information. Then the forward scale and backward scale can be estimated using the respective scale filter. Secondly, a conservative strategy is adopted to compromise the forward and backward scales. Finally, the scale filter is updated based on the final scale estimation. It is effective to update scale filter since the stable scale estimation can improve the performance of scale filter. To reveal the effectiveness of our tracker, experiments are performed on 32 sequences with significant scale variation and on the benchmark dataset with 50 challenging videos. Our results show that the proposed tracker outperforms several state-of-the-art trackers in terms of robustness and accuracy.


The IT Manager agreed that the system downtime is not acceptable with the present business activities. The company wanted a system can be used and run without any interruption for 24 hours every day. The system is experiencing downtime, both planned and unplanned, as well as lost opportunities and can increase operational costs The use of Oracle Data Guard, in this case the physical standby database, allowing no missing data and time savings in terms of data recovery. Physical standby database can be directly converted into a primary database when the primary database has an error or failure. Thus, we can prevent the loss of corporate data. Penamaan File: 51400133


Objective To separate and purify mutacin produced from liquid medium by Streptococci mutans(S.mutans)strains,and lay a foundation for further molecular biological research of mutacin.Method The antibacteria activity of 80 strains of S.mutans were tested by the stab culture technique against Streptococcus oralis ATCC 10557.The mutacin produced by the strain "1G" was initially purified by SPE(Solid-phase extraction)after crude extraction by chloroform.And then the active substances were purified by RP-HPLC(Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography)twice.Then the purified target peptide(mutacin)was collected and freeze-dried for further study.Result Roughly 15 μg of crude mutacin was extracted from 200 ml of liquid medium of the strain "1G".Then the purified mutacin was obtained through SPE and twice RP-HPLC.Conclusion The separation and purification of mutacin has been a complex procedure due to its small molecular mass.This study on the purification of mutacin may contribute to further research of mutacin.


Twenty-five years ago a young and patriotically-motivated officer of the Indian Civil Service in the undivided Punjab looked searchingly at the causes of rural poverty and came out with "a framework of general ideas and principles" which could serve as a "preface to a plan of economic and social development conceived in the interest of the masses and based upon an understanding of the structure of Indian rural society". He derived his understanding from a survey of I, 132 families in Hissar district in 1940, supplemented by investigations in some other districts in the Punjab as well as three other States. The officer was Tarlok Singh, who later made, in several capacities, a distinct and meaningful contribution to the early "phases of planning in free India. His book Poverty and Social Change, now reprinted after two decades and a half of its first appearance, made a persuasive and convincing case for major structural re-ordering of the economy and the society in village India. Without any intellectual turnabouts and free from the obscure jargon of the more recent writings on developmental themes, it represented the direct approach and sturdy common sense of the Punjab peasant. Deservedly it became a standard reference on rural India and its most crucial problem-poverty.


Effect of interlayer exchange coupling on timeevolutional magnetization reversal process in ECC media with high coercivity was investigated by utilizing micromagnetic simulation. In the case of intermediate value of the interlayer exchange coupling, during the application of printing field, magnetization in the soft layer initially reverses and magnetization in the hard layer follows that of the soft layer. Furthermore, after removal of printing field, magnetization in the soft layer is reversed again according with that in the hard layer.


ABSTRACT Several materials (e.g. bio-binders and industrial waste products) have been developed and proposed as a sustainable extender or replacement for asphalt binder over the years. Sulphur is a promising and sustainable binder extender that can be scaled to meet the high volume demand of this industry. Several laboratory and field studies were undertaken during the 1970s to use sulphur as a binder replacement or extender. However, by 1980s, economic factors eliminated the impetus to develop sulphur based binder technologies. However, current economic and environmental conditions combined with technological advances once again make it feasible to use sulphur as a binder extender, particularly in certain parts of the world. This paper presents a summary of the chemical characteristics of sulphur that make it possible to use it as an extender for asphalt binders, the evolution of different technologies in the 1970s and then again during the last decade to utilize sulphur as a pavement construction material. The paper also summarizes findings from a few research studies focused on the use of sulphur as an extender and concludes with some areas of research that are required to revive this technology and avail its benefits in pavement construction and maintenance.


The use of continuous assessment (CA) to achieve the objectives of Biology Education and the goals of Education in general, is well-intended in Nigeria. But the level of functionality of CA practice has been poor and is not yielding the best results. The whole exercise needs to be enhanced. In light of this, this paper seeks to highlight the meaning of CA, its importance, and its set-backs with particular reference to biology teaching and evaluation. The paper suggests some enhancement-strategies which include devoting more time and attention to specially teach and evaluate challenging aspects of the course to inspire students to inquisitiveness and assiduity, to create life long experiences in learners in those topical areas to enable them contribute to national development, to internally make modifications in the subject's curriculum to bring about relevance and adaptability without altering requirements for external examinations, etc. Another recommendation is a strategy for the Government and Educational Institutions to continually organize intensive and rigorous pre-service and in-service training for teachers on the concept, modalities and techniques of CA. The paper concludes on the need to awake Biology-teachers to the burden of CA practice in Nigeria for optimal results. In 1981 Nigeria started to put to mandatory practice the concept of Continuous Assessment as the form of assessment of students' performance in our schools instead of one final examination. In a reinforced vein, the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2004) has stated thus: (i) The Primary School Leaving Certificates hall be based only on continuous assessment and shall be issued locally by the headteacher of the school. (ii) The Junior School Certificate (JSC) shall be based on continuous assessment and a national examination. (iii) The Senior School Certificate (SSC) shall be based on continuous assessment and a national examination. Today, continuous assessment is being practiced at all the levels of education in Nigeria including the Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities in order to achieve the goals of making teaching and evaluation effective, as well as meeting the need for certain decisions to be internally taken by school authorities. Effectiveness in teaching has been a focal point of educational research for decades in educationally developed countries of the world (Ali, 1983). It is a major requirement in achieving the set objectives/aims of educational policies of any country. According to Arubayi (1996), effective teaching is synonymous with good and efficient teaching; it is teaching directed towards achieving earlier stated objectives. In a broad term, effective teaching is that which meets the set goals and objectives (expected educational outcomes) of the subject being taught. Evaluation involves the collection of information concerning the impact of an education programme (Austin and Panos, 1971). The information is not just collected for the sake of collection but is rather used to make decisions about the educational programme. According to Austin and Panos (1971:733), "These decisions may be concerned with the continuation, termination, or modification of an existing programme, or with the development and possible adoption of some new programmes. Whatever the particular decision may involve, evaluation is most likely to produce useful information if it is based on an understanding of the nature of the educational decision making process itself". Knowledge Review Volume 24 No. 1, April, 2012 2 The above presentation of Austin and Panos affirms the fact that decision making process involves some calculus of inputs, operation and outputs, and therefore evaluation should relate measurement from these three domains of variables to one other. Evaluation takes diverse forms. One way of evaluating instructional effectiveness is the use of student ratings of instructions and courses. These ratings are valid and reliable in assessing various criteria of instructional effectiveness. Another method is the percentage of the students who obtain the terminal certificate at the end of the course or programme. This percentage will include those who repeat classes once or twice before completion, with its monetary implication on parents and government. This method is used by parents and educational planners. The level of functionality of Continuous Assessment practice in Nigeria has been viewed by many scholars to be poor and not yielding the best or desired results. In the light of this situation, this paper focuses on how continuous assessment can be improved to functionally achieve effectiveness in Biology teaching and evaluation in Nigeria. Meaning of Continuous Assessment. Two words make up the term, continuous assessment. They are 'continuous' and 'assessment'. Continuous connotes 'repeatedly without a stop' while assessment can be constructed to mean 'valuemeasurement'. Continuous assessment can be taken to mean value-measurement that is carried out repeatedly without a stop. But since 'without a stop' is not true of the concept, continuous assessment is thus a continual assessment. According to Okpala, Onocha and Oyedeji (1993:225), "continuous assessment refers to a system of assessment which is carried out at predetermined intervals for the purpose of monitoring and improving the overall performance of students and of the teaching-learning environment". Obioma (1988:38) defined continuous assessment as a mechanism for obtaining the final grading of a learner in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. The report of the Federal Ministry of Education at the end of a seminar on evaluation of students' achievement held in Ibadan in 1979 sees continuous assessment as "a method of ascertaining what a pupil gains from schooling in terms of knowledge, skills, industry, and character developments, taking account of all his/her performances in tests, assignments, projects and other school activities during a given school period". It stresses that continuous assessment is a method of using the recorded performances of each pupil to help the teacher improve on his/her teaching by identifying and remedying areas of difficulties in learners' performances. It has become evidently clear that Continuous Assessment (CA) goes with known characteristics viz: (i) It is pre-determined at intervals: It is a system of assessment carried out at pre-determined intervals of time. (ii) It is systematic: Every action during the process is pre-arranged and has a definite programme, specified frequency and based on variety of procedures or variety of evaluation techniques. (iii) It is comprehensive: A variety of instruments are used to measure avariety of learning outcomes in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. (iv) It is cumulative: Repeated measurements are taken on learners' performances. Again, any decision(s) to be made on the present outcome takes into account information and/or decisions made previously. (v) It is guidance oriented: Information or results obtained are used to guide both teachers and students for further development in the arts of teaching and learning. Obioma (1988) concentrating on learners, has stated that effective programmes of evaluation should be geared towards providing guidance for learners' present and future development. (vi) It is diagnostic: Since CA can serve as an immediate feedback to both teachers and students, it affords the opportunity of taking effective options (remedial action) whenever any misdirected Eunice A. Odesiri-Eruteyan


Due to the evolution of knowledge, running a business in the twenty first century has significantly changed. Companies are now forced to become more competitive and creative within a context of uncertainty. Despite these challenges, these companies must still thrive and successfully deliver their products and services to their target and future customers. Zimbabwe experienced two periods of economic crisis that threatened the survival of businesses that were operating in the country. Yet when some businesses collapsed others survived. Through a narrative enquiry research study method, the author sought to identify if the strategic alignment of business and IT strategies helped Zimbabwean companies gain a strategic advantage in this context of uncertainty, thereby helping them overcome the two periods of uncertainty. Ten, one-on-one interviews were conducted to gather the views of business leaders in Zimbabwe. Numerous aspects of the respondents narratives were revealed as the interviews were done. The respondents mentioned that a strategic alignment of IT and business strategies would help their companies overcome the current period of uncertainty. The findings also found that other factors would need to be accommodated and implemented to complement strategic alignment.


Large meteoroids, when they enter the atmosphere, produce large quantities of radiation due to shock heating of the air and ablation products. For typical large bolide events (~1-3m diameter objects) this takes the form of visible luminosity, while for large superbolide-class events (e.g. Chelyabinsk and Tunguska), this can result in sufficient thermal radiation causing damage on the ground. A model for thermal radiation to the ground from large airburst events is developed [1]. This model is based on detailed fully coupled calculations of the flowfield around a meteoroid, including ablation, radiation, chemical reactions, and ionization [2]. Line-by-line computed radiation spectra from the flowfield are propagated to the ground and integrated heat flux computed. The analytical model is implemented in a simple meteoroid trajectory solver to assess ground damage footprints for representative impactors. Expeditions to the Tunguska impact site measure directional burn patterns on trees near the epicenter [3]. In the current study, this data is used to assess the validity of the model for predicting burn from thermal radiation. Comparisons with burn area from Tunguska show that the model, when a 17.5 km/s, 72m diameter meteoroid is considered, reproduces the size and shape of the area for assumed charring threshold of 40 J/cm (Fig.1). Therefore, this modeling approach has the potential to provide additional constraints on the nature of the Tunguska impactor, as well as more accurate models for thermal radiation for asteroid risk assessments. Additionally, the application of this modeling approach to prediction of bolide luminosity will be discussed. In particular, the recent discovery of bolide signatures in data from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) [4] provides a compelling source of data for use with this model. Progress on developing a luminosity model for use with GLM light curves will be provided. Figure 1: Predicted contours of heat load for a 17.5 km/s, 72m diameter meteoroid, with entry angle of 30 degrees. 40 J/cm 2 is a typically assumed threshold for charring of wood. Measured burn area for Tunguska shown in red.


…By design, machines are our obedient and able slaves. But intelligent machines, however benevolent, could threaten our existence because they will be alternative inhabitants of our ecological niche. Even machines merely AS clever as human beings will have enormous advantages in certain competitive situations. They cost less to build and maintain, so more of them can be put to work with given resources. They can be optimized to do their jobs and programmed to work tirelessly [1, pp. 136, 138].


Carcinogenic and allergenic dyes,as an important item in ecological textile test,have become a growing concern and a hot topic of scientific research.In view of the following situation: information of carcinogenic and allergenic dyes in the textile regulations and standards is confused;extraction efficiency in pretreatment is generally not high;and deviation often appears during an instrument test with quantitative analysis and qualitative confirmation,this paper made an overview of the carcinogenic and allergenic dyes involved in related laws and regulations,verified some confusing information on dye compounds,summarized the grouping principles of standard mixed solution for dyes,reviewed the existing test methods and problems of carcinogenic and allergenic dyes,and presented prospects of the developing trend.


Many of the phenotypical characteristics displayed by the members of the Bacillus cereus group are associated with Mobile Genetic Elements, including plasmids, insertion sequences, and particularly, phages. A wide array of experiments has shown that phages can drive rapid bacterial evolution in different species by imposing strong selection for phage-resistant bacteria and other bacterial life traits. However, the potential contribution of phages to the adaptation of the B. cereus group members into their different environmental niches still poorly understood. Tectiviridae, a phage family preying on the B. cereus group, includes tail-less temperate phages where the dsDNA is located within a lipid-containing membrane, covered by an icosahedral protein capsid. For instance, GIL01, GIL16 and Bam35 are tectiviruses infecting B. thuringiensis, while AP50 has been reported to infect B. anthracis. Since these tectiviruses are able to reside as linear plasmids into their host cells, it is important to understand the selective pressures experienced by the bacteria when facing these phages. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the different bacterial resistance phenotypes shown against GIL01 and GIL16 tectiviruses. Several B. thuringiensis strains were subjected to a selection pressure after repeated propagation with GIL01 and GIL16 clear plaque (CP) mutants. These CP mutants elicited an elevated killing efficiency since they propagate exclusively lytically. Bacterial mutants, displaying complete resistance to the CP phages, were found at low frequency. They exhibited various colony morphotypes and showed distinct adaptation features, as illustrated by their biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide production, sporulation rate and long-term survival capacity. These observations indicate that phages can drive the ecological adaptation of the B. cereus group members. At the moment, candidate genes that could be involved in these life traits are being identified. These results will shed light on phages receptor(s) and on the bacterial adaptation strategies to virus life-styles.


ongress has long evinced interest in the effectiveness of the agricultural research and extension system. It has placed particular stress on high-priority national issues that it has previously identified, and on securing research results and applications (outcomes) that address those issues. Accordingly, Congress took the strong step in FACTA of specifying purposes that "[f]ederally funded agricultural research and extension programs shall be designed to, among other things, accomplish...." These purposes are to: 1. "continue to satisfy human food and fiber needs; 2. enhance the long-term viability and competitiveness of the food production and agricultural system of the United States within the global economy; 3. expand economic opportunities in rural America and enhance the quality of life for farmers, rural citizens, and society as a whole; 4. improve the productivity of the American agricultural system and develop new agricultural crops and new uses for agricultural commodities; 5. develop information and systems to enhance the environment and the natural resource base upon which a sustainable agricultural economy depends; and 6. enhance human health:


High-purity Zn-doped GaN Zigzag nanowires were synthesized on the Au/Si(100) substrate by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method(APCVD) using gallium oxide,zinc oxide and ammonia as raw materials.Microstructures,morphology and photoluminescence property of the nanowires were characterized by field emission scan electron microscopy(FESEM),X-ray diffractometry(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and photoluminescence spectroscopy(PL).The result show that: When the temperature is 950 ℃ and the mass ratio of the reactants is Ga2O3∶ZnO=8∶1,a high density of Zn-doped GaN Zigzag nanowires was obtained.The diameter of single-crystal GaN nanowires was about 70 nm,and length was about several tens of micron.The growth mechanism of this kind followed VLS model.Furthermore,room-temperature photoluminescence of Zn-doped GaN nanowires shows emission peaks at 420 nm,and the luminescence property was improved.


The invention discloses a vehicle-mounted traffic signal prompt system for receiving information from a road-junction signal lamp, which comprises a signal acquisition and emission device (2) and a vehicle-mounted receiving and prompting device (3). The signal acquisition and emission device (2) is arranged in a road traffic signal controller (1) at a road junction and used for completing the acquisition, processing and transmission of road-junction traffic information; and the vehicle-mounted receiving and prompting device (3) is arranged near a vehicle instrument panel and used for completing receiving of wireless data and prompting of road-junction traffic information. In the invention, a lamp indication control signal output by the road traffic signal controller is used for guiding a vehicle to correctly judge the lamp indication state in a front road junction so as to provide a reference for a driver to judge driving actions in advance under the condition that a barrier exists in front of the driver, thus, the occurrences of traffic accidents are avoided and the life and the safety of the driver are guaranteed.


Pathology of the digestive organs and the cardiovascular system in children takes one of the leading places among somatic diseases inUkrainein recent years. A special importance of these lesions development belongs to microcirculation disorders. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the state of nail bed capillaries microcirculation in schoolchildren with chronic gastroduodenitis combined with arterial hypertension. Materials and Methods. 80 school-age children residents of Chernivtsi and Chernivtsi region were observed. Among them were 40 children with various forms of chronic gastroduodenitis, who made up the main group, and 40 clinically healthy children (control group). Blood pressure measurement was provided with automatic and mechanical tonometers three times at 3 minutes intervals between each measurement. All children were examined by biomicroscopy of nail bed capillaries. Quantitative and qualitative indicators were evaluated: perivascular changes, vascular changes (in venules, arterioles and capillaries), intravascular changes (venules, arterioles and capillaries). Results and Discussion. In the 10 children from the main group concomitant hypertension was found. The level of the average systolic blood pressure among them amounted to 143.3 ± 2.72 mm Hg, and the average diastolic blood pressure was 94.0 ± 1.88 mm Hg. In children with chronic gastroduodenitis and hypertension significantly more frequently identified symptoms of microcirculation disorders: changes in the shape and the diameter of capillaries, local spasm, increased tortuosity, slowing blood flow and the presence of "sludged blood" phenomenon in the microvessels. Conclusions. The above-mentioned changes in children of the main group could be attributed to the result of autonomic dysregulation, which in turn is accompanied by violation of hemodynamics at all levels, including at the capillary.


Investment treaties are some of the most controversial yet least understood instruments of global economic governance. Public interest in international investment arbitration is growing, and some developed and developing countries are beginning to revisit their investment treaty policies. The Political Economy of the Investment Treaty Regime synthesizes and advances the growing literature on this subject by integrating legal, economic, and political perspectives. Based on an analysis of the substantive and procedural rights conferred by investment treaties, it asks four basic questions. What are the costs and benefits of investment treaties for investors, states, and other stakeholders? Why did developed and developing countries sign the treaties? Why should private arbitrators be allowed to review public regulations passed by states? And what is the relationship between the investment treaty regime and the broader regime complex that governs international investment? Through a concise yet comprehensive analysis this book fills in some of the many 'blind spots' of academics from different disciplines.
This final chapter of the book outlines the legitimacy and governance challenges facing the investment treaty regime. The first section considers the impact of investment treaties on national governance. In particular, it assesses criticisms that investment treaties unduly fetter democratic decision-making and discourage states from regulating in the public interest. The second section examines the legitimacy of investment treaty arbitration – the regime feature that has come under closest scrutiny over the last decade. It assesses debates about transparency and consistency in investment treaty arbitration, its impact on the broader investment regime complex, the selection, identity, and alleged biases of arbitrators, as well as the lack of investor obligations.


Objective: To observe the efficacy of MEBO in treating anal fissure. Method: MEBO was applied on the area with anal fissure and into the anus, 2 times a day. Result: After application of MEBO, pain was relieved, the ulcerated area turned fresh ruddy and then all the wounds healed. Conclusion: MEBO is very efficacious in treating anal fissure. It can be a routine remedy for treating anal fissure.


Background and Study Aim: COVID 19 is the terminology driving peoples life in the year 2020 without a supportive globally high mortality rate. Coronavirus lead pandemic is a new found disease with no gold standard diagnostic and therapeutic guideline across the globe. Amidst this scenario our aim is to develop a prediction model that makes mass screening easy on par with reducing strain on hospitals diagnostic facility and doctors alike. For this prediction model, a neural network based on Chest X-ray images has been developed. Alongside the aim is also to generate a case record form that would include prediction model result along with few other subclinical factors for generating disease identification. Once found positive then only it will proceed to RT-PCR for final validation. The objective was to provide a cheap alternative to RT-PCR for mass screening and to reduced burden on diagnostic facility by keeping RT-PCR only for final confirmation. Methods: Datasets of chest X-ray images gathered from across the globe has been used to test and train the network after proper dataset curing and augmentation. Results: The final neural network-based prediction model showed an accuracy of 81% with sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 90%. The AUC score obtained is 93.7%. Discussion and Conclusion: The above results based on the existing datasets showcase our model capability to successfully distinguish patients based on Chest X-ray (a non-invasive tool) and along with the designed case record form it can significantly contribute in increasing hospitals monitoring and health care capability.


Abstract In this paper some results about constrained Input-Output systems are presented. The considered framework is the Callier-Desoer Class of convolution systems, which covers both finite dimensional systems and infinite dimensional ones such as systems with time delays. Based on bounds calculus for the input-output gain of the convolution kernel, and convex sets properties, a characterization of the output reachable set is first presented. Necessary and sufficient conditions are then derived to warrant the constraints meeting, and some invariance properties, when the system is subject to polyhedral constraints on both its inputs and outputs. A numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed approach on a time delayed system.


Phytic acid (C6H18O24P6), which can be added into solid or liquid media, has functions of antioxidation and stabilization for pH and mV value. It is capable to improve the growth of rice cells, inhi-
bit calli necrosis and mucilage and better the state of cells. The suitable supplementary quantity is 0.1% by weight. MES can strengthen the phytic acid's ability of stabilization for pH.


In this paper, a frequency and radiation pattern reconfigurable Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Half Shaped Cubical Parasitic Antenna (HSCPA) is presented. 3 Planar Inverted F Antenna (PIFA) elements were used to form the HSCPA. Schottky diodes were used to perform the frequency and radiation pattern reconfiguration. The proposed HSCPA design is very versatile as it can be used to achieve multiple frequency bands from 4 GHz to 14 GHz. The reflection coefficient achieved by all PIFA elements are less than −10 dB. High isolation between 2 HSCPAs reduces the mutual coupling to provide good correlation performance. Stable pattern reconfiguration at multiple frequency bands and lower Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC) of less than 0.1 were generated by the proposed antenna. These advantages become a promising solution to provide high data rate with reliable connectivity for future 5G mobile terminal application.


To provide a reference for clinical use of drugs by analyzingthe situation of traditional Chinese medicine injections(TCMIs) of adverse drug reactions(ADRs) in the elderly population.By means of retrospective study,23 096 ADRs case reports caused by TCMIs were analyzed by the gender,age,drug therapy status,serious degree,occurrence time,the main performance of ADRs and clinical outcome.The proportion of ADRs caused by TCMIs in the elderly population was 31.4% in total ADRs caused by TCMIs.The ADRs concerned body as a whole-general disorders,skin and appendages disorders and cardiovascular disorders were 35%,25% and 13.3% in the ADRs caused by TCMIs in the elderly population.Different categories of TCMIs caused ADR in the elderly were respectively 46.8%,23.3%,14.9%,which was used for promoting blood circulation,reducing fever and compensation.The TCMIs should be used reasonably in the elderly patients;the postmarket survillance of the ADRs of TCMIs should be strengthened.


A kind of ice chest low temperature separating methods for PDH projects, it includes four platen fin heat exchangers, six gas-liquid separators, a flash tank, two expansion units and a cryogenic pump, wherein the first charging cools down laggard second gas-liquid separator by the first plate-fin heat exchanger and the second plate-fin heat exchanger;The gas that second gas-liquid separator separates go out is connected after entering the expansion of the first expander end with the 3rd gas-liquid separator;The gas that 3rd gas-liquid separator separates go out is divided to two strands, and the gas that the 4th gas-liquid separator separates go out enters the 3rd plate-fin heat exchanger and carries out heat exchange with another strand of dry gas product, and the gas and circulating air that the 6th gas-liquid separator separates go out all enter the second plate-fin heat exchanger;It has that flow is simple, product recovery rate is high, energy-conservation, easy to operate, economic performance good characteristics etc..


A generalized probe sequence typical of trapped ion experiments using shelving is studied. Detection efficiency is analyzed for finite shelved state lifetimes and using multi-modal count distributions. Multi-modal distributions are more appropriate for measurements that use a small number of ions than the simple Poisson counting statistics usually considered and have a larger variance that may be significant in determining uncertainties and in making weighted fits. Optimal probe times and the resulting state detection efficiency and sensitivity are determined for arbitrary cooling rates, initial states, and shelved state lifetimes in terms of a probe coherence time τp. A universal optimal probe time of t p ≈ 0.43 &tgr; p ?> is shown to give close to the optimal probe sensitivity for most systems.


The advent of computers, and especially high performance computers, has had a dramatic impact on the way in which mathematics is done, and even more on how mathematics is applied. In this paper a reflection is outlined about the role of mathematics in big data, and it is argued that this goes with arising some new methodological challenges.


Abstract. Entrepreneurial and social urban policies contradictorily depend
from each other: growth policies aiming to increase investment and
population numbers produce a crisis of reproduction (i.e. housing or care);
and social policies aiming to resolve this crisis allegedly require
entrepreneurial policies as fuel for tax resources financing social goals.
We investigate this interrelationship along the recent housing and childcare
policies in the city of Hamburg, Germany. We show that as long as growth and
competition are primary objectives of urban governments, a compensatory
social policy is needed to legitimate the entrepreneurial axiom – and
therefore has a specific character: social policy in the
social-entrepreneurial city is actually addressing inequalities, but it
eventually is aimed at all classes, secures capital accumulation and is
gendered. This paper contributes to understanding urban crises of
reproduction by exposing that current social policies aiming to solve this
crisis merely consolidate the crisis-prone growth policies.


A new line X-ray phase contrast imaging technique used for investigating gasoline engine spray characteristics was introduced,the theory of this imaging technique was described and the possibility of the imaging technique was analyzed.The imaging pictures of spray show that the line X-ray phase contrast imaging technique can eliminate the influence of light scattering and refraction of traditional measuring technique,observe the inside structure of the real spray without destroying spray structure,and measure the speed of instantaneous spray.This measuring method has the advantage of more clear picture and convenient imaging treatment,which is a useful tool to study diesel spray in the future.


The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Turkey is responsible for the provision of health-care services. MoH have many roles and functions including delivery of preventative care, development of policy and overseeing regulatory and statutory functions, supervision of private medical facilities etc. This paper aims to explore the current as well as proper roles and functions of the state for the provision of health-care services.


All drawing plans of a railway section in a parallel train working graph without tracking operation on single-track railway are divided into 32 classes(32 drawing plans) based on following conditions: an up or down train's arrival or departure station is or not the first or last station in the single railway line;the train has technical operation or not in a station and so on.Analyzing the relation of one drawing plan in a section and another in neighbor section and time interval between two adjacent trains at station,the paper builds a mixed integer nonlinear programming(MINLP) model for the minimum cycle time of a parallel train working graph without tracking operation on single-track railway.This model is solved by Lingo 11,and the numerical experiment has validated that the model has better applicability and practicability in calculating the minimum cycle time of a parallel train working graph without tracking operation of single-track railway.


Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) is generally considered to elevate intracellular Ca2+ concentration in arterial myocytes and induce vasoconstriction by activating sarcoplasmic (SR) reticulum IP3 receptors (IP3R), leading to Ca2+ mobilization. Here, we demonstrate that in cerebral artery myocytes with depleted SR Ca2+ (measured using D1ER, a FRET SR Ca2+ indicator) an IP3 elevation (IP3, permeant IP3, photolysis of caged IP3) activates 15 pS single channels, leading to a whole‐cell cation current (ICat) that is primarily Na+‐selective. In pressurized arteries with depleted SR Ca2+, IP3 caused membrane depolarization, an intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) elevation, and vasoconstriction. IP3‐induced [Ca2+]i elevations and constrictions that were Ca2+‐mobilization‐independent were attenuated by xestospongin C and 2‐APB, IP3 receptor blockers, nimodipine and diltiazem, voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channel blockers, and TRPC3 channel knockdown using RNAi. Similarly, xestospongin C reduced the ability of endothelin‐1, a PLC‐coupled vasoconstrictor, to activate ICat, elevate [Ca2+]i and induce vasoconstriction in myocytes and arteries with depleted SR Ca2+. In summary, we describe a novel mechanism of IP3‐induced vasoconstriction that does not occur due to the mobilization of SR Ca2+, but requires the activation of both IP3Rs and TRPC3 channels, leading to plasma membrane Ca2+ influx.


The soundscape of waterfront space in mountainous cities (WSMC) can affect people's physical and mental health. Taking seven WSMCs in Chongqing, China, as the study area, this study aimed to investigate the soundscape and explore the influence of spatial characteristics and visual and smell environments on the soundscape of WSMCs through a sensewalking approach. The results show that the soundscape evaluations of WSMCs are of poor quality, and traffic sounds are dominant (33%). Among spatial characteristics, the position relative to the road (including vertical and horizontal distances) had a greater impact than other spatial indicators on soundscape evaluations. Elevation was positively correlated with the A-weighted equivalent sound level (LAeq) and negatively correlated with the soundscape comfort degree (SCD). In terms of visual elements, the proportions of paved ground, pedestrians, and buildings had negative effects on the soundscape, while those of the sky, water, and natural terrain had positive effects. High visual and smell environment quality can enhance soundscape evaluations, although the smell environment had a greater impact on the SCD than the visual environment in WSMCs. Finally, this study summarizes the recommended values of spatial characteristics and visual and smell environment indicators to put forward references for the soundscape design of WSMCs.


The objective of this study were to analyze the specific activity of the natural radioactive nuclide of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K and to calculate the Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the Internal hazard index (Hin), the External hazard index (Hex), the Gamma-absorbed dose rate (D) and the Annual external effective dose rate (E) in the 20 soil samples from Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province by using gamma-ray spectrometer with a high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The results show that the specific activity of radioactive nuclides in many samples were higher than Thailand and the global average values. In addition, the Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the Internal hazard index (Hin), the external hazard index (Hex) and the gamma-absorbed dose rate (D) were higher than the UNSCEAR criterion (2000). The present study found that the radioactivity may affect the health of people living in that area.


he 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing endorsed a major paradigm shift for the population and health fields. The ICPD Programme of Action and the Beijing Platform for Action argued persuasively that efforts to curtail population growth through targeted family planning programs had often been conducted without adequate attention to women's health, human rights, or individual choice. Improving quality of life, they stated, should be the ultimate purpose of programming, and should therefore promote reproductive health from a human rights perspective, including a focus on gender equality in health. To varying degrees, the international community has endorsed the ICPD effort to help individuals to achieve their reproductive intentions in a healthful manner, but translating such proposals into programs, services, and policies has proven more difficult. Five years after Cairo, the progress is slow at best, and there is clear selectivity in which aspects of the new agenda are being adopted. While some family planning services are being expanded to address additional clinical dimensions of reproductive health (e.g., sexually


This research focused on finding the best method for seed in vitro germination in Lavandula angustifolia and optimizing the medium for plant propagation. Seeds were sterilized and subjected to various treatments to break dormancy, then placed on half-strength MS (1/2MS) or distilled H2O + phytagel. Germination percentages were assessed and plantlets propagated on MS without growth regulators or with zeatin (0.5, 1, 2 mg/l), 1 mg/l BA + 0.5 mg/l IBA, 2 mg/l BA + 1 mg/l IBA or 3 mg/l BA + 1.5 mg/l IBA. After 8 weeks growth parameters were recorded and plants were acclimatized. Immersion in 20 mg/100 ml GA3 solution for 24 hours at 4°C was the most effective in breaking dormancy. Stratification at 4°C for 8 weeks and soaking in a solution of 0.5% H2O2 at 23°C for 24 hours also proved beneficial but to a smaller degree. Half-strength MS was the best germination medium. Shoot development was the highest in MS supplemented with zeatin (2 or 1 mg/l) while roots formed only in the control. Callus induction percentage was best in the presence of 3 mg/l BA + 1.5 mg/l IBA but decreasing concentrations increased callus weight. Plant acclimatization was more successful in moss:sand - 1:2 than in vermiculite:perlite:sand - 2:2:1.


ABSTRACT White lupin plants were grown in hydroponics with 0, 90 and 180 µmol L−1 Pb(II) ethylenediaminetetraacetate complex for 30 days. Pb distribution (shoot/root ratio) was 0.34 and 0.46 for both Pb treatments. In the shoots, no decrease in biomass nor in photosynthetic pigment levels and no changes in the concentrations of malondialdehyde and glutathione were detected. In the roots, malondialdehyde increased by 20%, glutathione 2–3.6 times and phytochelatin concentrations 4–5 times. The high tolerance of white lupin makes it a valuable plant for phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soil.


Scientists and philosophers have marveled over the complex nature of the vascular system for many centuries. In this dissertation work, we were interested in unraveling the molecular mechanisms driving the structuring and organization of this elaborate network in the thymus. Specifically, our aim was to elucidate the possible contributions of a number of thymus-specific transcription factors and growth factors to vascular network formation. The thymus is a specialized microenvironment responsible for the development of self-tolerant and self-restricted T cells. In this dissertation, we used an allelic series of the thymic epithelial cell (TEC)-specific transcription factor Foxn1 to define normal thymic vascular development and to investigate a potential role for Foxn1-dependent TEC differentiation in the formation of the thymic vasculature. We show that endothelial cells initially enter the wild-type thymus at E13.5, with PDGFR-β mesenchymal cells following at E14.5. These events are delayed by 1-2 days in Foxn1 mice, and were accompanied by an apparent loss of capillaries. In Foxn1 mice, endothelial cells could not be detected in the thymus until E15.5, and never enter in Foxn1 null mutants. VEGF-A and PDGF-B expression are reduced at E13.5 and E15.5 in Foxn1 mice compared with controls. Further, empty collagen IV sleeves (collagen IV CD31) were present throughout the mutant thymus. Additionally, we tested the requirement for TEC-derived Shh, VEGF-A, and BMP4 for thymus vascularization. Deletion of these genes in TECs using Foxn1Cre resulted in no observable delay in initial thymus vascularization suggesting that they may be dispensable for thymus vascularization. Together, these data suggest that Foxn1 is required in TECs to produce the cellular and molecular environment needed for normal thymic vascularization, and may mediate a novel TEC-mesenchyme-endothelial form of crosstalk required for fetal thymus organogenesis.


Abstract : Joint Vision 2010 (W 2010) directs the armed forces to pursue a luture where smaller, faster, more lethal forces will be able achieve the effects of today's massed forces through superior C41 and more lethal weapon systems. These smaller, lighter forces will be quicker to deploy and require a significantly smaller footprint and logistics tail than forces such as those the United States deployed to Southwest Asia for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. One suggested implication of this new doctrine is that the main battle tank (MBT) will become obsolete and that its role on the battlefield could be better preformed by the attack helicopter. This obituary of the tank is premature. The MBT now provides, and will continue to provide the operational commander with capabilities that are unique and complementary to attack helicopters and precision munitions. For the operational commander, capability is a question of balance. Balanced capabilities provide choice and choice ensures options that bring success across the flill spectrum of military operatiohs.


In this so-called 'post-truth era', the importance of robust evidence has assumed more significance than ever. Healthcare needs to be informed by rigorous research that can underpin practice and healthcare delivery and ultimately improve outcomes for patients. But in the development and implementation of studies that will generate the necessary evidence, what outcomes should be measured? A cursory overview of studies performed in any given area reveals a huge number of outcomes being measured, making evidence synthesis and assessing the overall effectiveness of interventions very difficult. For example, Beuscart et al. undertook a systematic review of trials in medication review in older people, reporting that 327 different outcomes were identified in 47 published studies. There was marked heterogeneity in the outcomes used, with adverse events and patient-related outcomes poorly evaluated. In another field of research, more than 25 000 outcomes had appeared only once or twice in oncology trials. Therefore, in an effort to overcome the issues of range and heterogeneity within outcome selection, the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Initiative was established (http://comet-initiative.org/). COMET advocates for the development and application of agreed standardised sets of outcomes known as 'core outcome sets' (COSs). A COS represents the minimum that should be measured and reported in all trials of a specific condition or field of research. The COMET website maintains a database of all ongoing and published COS studies to minimise duplication and share examples of good practice. Recently added COS projects include 'Development of an International Core Outcome Set for Best Care for the Dying Person', and 'Development of a provide core domain set for polymyalgia rheumatica' (http://comet-initiative.org/). Guidance has been provided to help researchers develop a COS in any given area. The essential steps are as follows: (1) establishing the scope of the COS, (2) identifying the existing knowledge, (3) stakeholder involvement and (4) a consensus exercise. Scope refers to the specific area of health or health care to which the COS will apply. It should also consider the health condition, populations and types of interventions covered by the COS. For example, in the case of medicines use in older people, the scope may include all older people or only those who reside in care homes. Furthermore, the focus may include all medications, or only those used in the management of dementia. Identifying existing knowledge requires some form of literature search to establish what outcomes have been measured and reported in previous studies in the area. COS developers will often consult systematic reviews in the area of the COS or may undertake a systematic review to allow them to compile a list of outcomes for potential inclusion in a COS. The third step in COS development is the involvement of key stakeholders. This may include patients and the public, healthcare professionals, regulators, industry representatives and researchers. This list of stakeholders is not exhaustive, and their involvement should be informed by the scope of the COS in question. Stakeholder views, elicited through interviews or focus groups on what should be included in a COS, are essential to ensure that the outcomes selected are meaningful, not just from a clinical and scientific standpoint, but also from a patient's perspective. Identifying and accessing key patient and public stakeholders can be particularly challenging, but liaising with support groups, patient advocacy groups and/or charities may be a helpful strategy. The fourth and final step in COS development is an exercise, whereby stakeholder views are sought using a consensus method to condense the outcomes suggested in the preceding stages into the final COS. There is no single preferred consensus method, although the Delphi technique has been widely used. This technique is a long-established method that facilitates informed decision-making by obtaining consensus from a range of opinions in areas of research where there is limited information. The Delphi technique can be applied through face-to-face stakeholder panel meetings led by a facilitator or via the completion of questionnaires distributed by post or online, or using a combination of a questionnaire


Mebrofenin was synthesized by nitration of mesitylene, followed by reduction, bromination and acylation with nitrilotriacetic acid. The 99mTc-complex of this compound was prepared by stannous chloride reduction of sodium pertechnetate in aqueous solution of the appropriate compound. 99mTc-Mebrofenin possesed high hepatic specificity and rapid hepatocellular transit; it was also resistant to competition for hepatobiliary excretion from bilirubin and rapid radiolabeling with high radiochemical purity and stability. 18 cases of patients were studied by this agent, all obtained excellent results.


This commentary is about (Chiang et al., 2012b). This paper is the result of a merge between two papers, (Yang et al., 2012) and (Chiang et al., 2012a). Both papers address the same question: is it possible to obtain regret bounds in various online learning settings that depend on some notion of variation in the costs, rather than the number of periods? Both papers give remarkably similar algorithms for this problem, although the analysis techniques are quite different, and obtain very similar results. While (Yang et al., 2012) gives two algorithms obtaining such regret bounds for general online convex optimization (OCO), (Chiang et al., 2012a) gives a unified framework to obtain such regret bounds for three specific cases of OCO: online linear optimization, online learning with experts, and online expconcave optimization.


The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of agency cost, ownership structure, signaling, investment opportunities, size, financial leverage, and profitability on dividend policies on public companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) period 2014 - 2019. This research sample uses the entire list of companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange period 2014 - 2019. The data analysis method used is tobit regression. The results of this research analysis suggest that agency cost, ownership, investment opportunities, size, financial leverage, and profitability have a significant effect on dividend policy on companies listed in IDX period 2014 - 2019.


Table Question Answering (TQA) presents a substantial challenge at the intersection of natural language processing and data analytics. This task involves answering natural language (NL) questions on top of tabular data, demanding proficiency in logical reasoning, understanding of data semantics, and fundamental analytical capabilities. Due to its significance, a substantial volume of research has been dedicated to exploring a wide range of strategies aimed at tackling this challenge including approaches that leverage Large Language Models (LLMs) through in-context learning or Chain-of-Thought (CoT) prompting as well as approaches that train and fine-tune custom models. Nonetheless, a conspicuous gap exists in the research landscape, where there is limited exploration of how innovative foundational research, which integrates incremental reasoning with external tools in the context of LLMs, as exemplified by the ReAct paradigm, could potentially bring advantages to the TQA task. In this paper, we aim to fill this gap, by introducing ReAcTable (ReAct for Table Question Answering tasks), a framework inspired by the ReAct paradigm that is carefully enhanced to address the challenges uniquely appearing in TQA tasks such as interpreting complex data semantics, dealing with errors generated by inconsistent data and generating intricate data transformations. ReAcTable relies on external tools such as SQL and Python code executors, to progressively enhance the data by generating intermediate data representations, ultimately transforming it into a more accessible format for answering the questions with greater ease. We demonstrate that ReAcTable achieves remarkable performance even when compared to fine-tuned approaches. In particular, it outperforms the best prior result on the WikiTQ benchmark, achieving an accuracy of 68.0% without requiring training a new model or fine-tuning.


here have been several new developments in genetic engineering that show how this new industry is applying biotechnology in agriculture and medicine. How valuable these new developments are—in terms of real progress in improving agricultural practices and human health—remains to be seen. The following examples clearly reveal that the "New Creation" and new world order of the biotechnology industry is far from any utopian dream of a world made perfect for humankind. One can read between the lines of the new patent applications, news releases and scientific reports concerning the latest feats of genetic engineering and glimpse into the future. The wonder-world of the New Creation is not quite here today, but it may be upon us sooner than we expect. A whole new generation of genetically engineered (so-called transgenic) animals is on the horizon. These will carry genes taken from humans and other species. In the world of trade and commerce, they will be regarded as "new" species—unique, patentable commodities of the new world order.


The scaling causes of turbine condenser pipe of closed circulating cooling are discussed.The existing preventing and delaying scaling technology is analyzed.The advantages and disadvantages of several cleaning technologies are also analyzed.The practice shows that the novel on-line cleaning technology can effectively prolong service life of the condenser pipe.


The experiments descriptionbed by Coetzee, Nel & Joubert (1968 a, b) provided opportunity to determine correlations between certain fibre measurements and clean wool yield on a measured area, and also between clean wool yield on a measured area and that on the whole sheep.


Overdeepened valleys and basins are the most interesting features of former glacial action in Alpine areas. Understanding the formation of such phenomena are not only a scientific task but also an important challenge for a society increasingly exploiting sustainable natural resources even in remote areas. The feasibility of hydrogeological or geothermal projects, for instance, depends on the bedrock depth and the sedimentary infill of such valleys. Generally, overdeepened valleys are formed in areas where the ice discharge was high, such as near the equilibrium line, at valley junctions, or at narrowings of the valley profile. The long known overdeepened tongue basins in the Eastern Alps are regarded as typical examples of the impact of high ice flow velocities combined with increased debris load and running water under hydrostatic pressure around the former (LGM, and older glaciations) equilibrium lines (e.g. van Husen, 2000). However, within a highly dissected mountain topography like that of the Eastern Alps the existence of overdeepened valleys-parts supposedly also reflects changes in ice flow direction and velocity during glacial history within one glacial event (like the LGM) as well as during the Pleistocene. For example, ice flow in the phase of ice build-up at the beginning of major glaciations is controlled by the topography and trend of the valleys whereas during the climax of the big glaciations a mountain ice cap exists with a continuous discharge across water divides. Thus, the onsets of ice transfluences as well as the valley orientation in relation to the changing ice flow direction are regarded as major conditions for overdeepenings in an inneralpine setting. Such a complex and changing pattern of ice flow will be shown by the example of the Inn valley and its tributary valleys in the S and E (valley of the Wildschonauer Ache and of the Brixentaler Ache). Based on extensive geological mapping and lithostratigraphy in combination with geophysical surveys, a model of the LGM ice flow, its variation and its effect on glacial erosion is developed. On the one hand the effect of topography on ice dynamics in terms of promoting ice build-up as well as restricting erosion is evident. For the tributary valleys, on the other hand, the biggest amount of glacial erosion most probably occurred during the phase of ice build-up. However, seismic data, especially seismic stratigraphy (Reitner et al., 2007), shows the limitations of paleo-glaciological models derived from the youngest sequence, in this case the LGM sequence, for explaining sedimentary remnants of older glaciations. According to our example shifts of, and changes in, the amount of glacial erosion in tributary valleys may best be explained by changes in the onset of ice transfluences during ice build-up. Hence, a step-by-step lowering of passes and cols (water divides) during pleniglacial conditions had a profound impact on the ice dynamics of the following glaciation and, thus, on the occurrence of overdeepenings. Our model for a dynamic evolution of morphology presents an inverse relationship between the shaping of the surface and the subsurface and may only hold for a restricted area. However, this non-static view on glacier constellation and its change through time can explain the occurrence of unexpected overdeepenings or changes in erratic clast content elsewhere in dissected, formerly glaciated, Alpine landscapes.


This paper analyzes the influence of impact parameters on the process of super-deep penetration of particles. The parametrical principle which reveals the possibility of super-deep penetration of particles is defined. The role of a shock wave of the detonation products as the factor of preliminary strain of crystalline lattice for the subsequent penetration of particles is shown. The algorithm of energy balance for super-deep penetration is developed. The mechanism of super-deep penetration by rupture of intermolecular and interatomic bonds during the penetration of the particles is offered. The substantiation of a dimensional interval of penetrating particles for super-deep penetration is made.


We prove that for any coarse spaces $X_1,\dots,X_n$ of asymptotic dimension $\ge 1$, the product $X=X_1\times\dots\times X_n$ has asymptotic dimension $\ge n$. Another result states that a finitary coare space $Z$ has $\mathrm{asdim}(Z)\ge n$ if $Z$ admits an almost free action of the group $\mathbb Z^n$. We deduce these results from the following combinatorial result (that generalized the the Hex Theorem of Gale): for any cover $\mathcal F$ of a discrete box $K=k_1\times \dots \times k_n$, either some set $F\in\mathcal F$ contains a chain connecting two opposite faces of $K$ or there exists a set $B\subset K$ of diameter $\le 1$ such that $|\{F\in\mathcal F:F\cap B\ne\emptyset\}|>n$.


Publications are an integral part of a scientific community. Bibliographic reference extraction from scientific publication is a challenging task due to diversity in referencing styles and document layout. Existing methods perform sufficiently on one dataset however, applying these solutions to a different dataset proves to be challenging. Therefore, a generic solution was anticipated which could overcome the limitations of the previous approaches. The contribution of this paper is three-fold. First, it presents a novel approach called DeepBiRD which is inspired by human visual perception and exploits layout features to identify individual references in a scientific publication. Second, we release a large dataset for image-based reference detection with 2401 scans containing 38863 references, all manually annotated for individual reference. Third, we present a unified and highly configurable end-to-end automatic bibliographic reference extraction framework called BRExSys which employs DeepBiRD along with state-of-the-art text-based models to detect and visualize references from a bibliographic document. Our proposed approach pre-processes the images in which a hybrid representation is obtained by processing the given image using different computer vision techniques. Then, it performs layout driven reference detection using Mask R-CNN on a given scientific publication. DeepBiRD was evaluated on two different datasets to demonstrate the generalization of this approach. The proposed system achieved an AP50 of 98.56% on our dataset. DeepBiRD significantly outperformed the current state-of-the-art approach on their dataset. Therefore, suggesting that DeepBiRD is significantly superior in performance, generalized, and independent of any domain or referencing style.


In order to enhance the geologic safety of Beijing,we have decided to approach it respectively in three steps:approaching the thoughts and methods on seismogeology research by deep borehole crustal stress measuring and real-time monitoring;primarily establishing the general plan for developing deep borehole crustal stress measuring and real-time monitoring at key tectonic locations in the Beijing region;analyzing and contrasting the measuring and monitoring data to obtain the crustal stress information of an earthquake.The crustal stress measuring and monitoring data primarily reflect the present crustal stress backgrounds in shallow upper crust.The relative variations of crustal stress magnitude and underground water,especially the forewarning crustal stress variations beforeJapan's Ms9.0earthquake on March 11,2011,were completely recorded at Pinggu crustal stress comprehensive monitoring station,which provides valuable data for seismogeology research.Through analyzing and contrasting the measuring and monitoring data at different key tectonic locations around Beijing,we have found that the data are in abnormal state at Changli county in Hebei Province.In addition,we have holistically studied the causative backgrounds of earthquakes that have happened around Tangshan and its outskirts in 2012 and 2013.From these researches and evaluations,we conclude that the present tectonic activity is abnormal along the zone from Tangshan to Luanxian to Changli,and greater attention should be paid to Changli area.


We studied the morbidity pattern of inpatient adolescents over a period of 17 months. Of 32115 admissions in this period, 2742 were adolescents (39.7% females). 93.9% were partially immunized, 37.3% were malnourished, 2.8% were overweight and 56% were anemic. Dengue and dengue-like illness (528) were the most common illness.


Exposure to life-threatening and violent events is relatively common in a significant portion of the population. Efforts aimed at understanding responses to traumas have also focused on the contribution of personality factors. The way people process the stressful event is of paramount importance for the determination of trauma. The brain does not store records of facts; rather, it keeps traces of information that are later used to recreate memories, which do not always express a completely faithful picture of the past experience. Whenever a traumatic event is retrieved, it may undergo cognitive and emotional changes. We postulate that therapists must go beyond the traumatic event itself and work with the internal dialogs that maintain the pathological relationship with the past episode. Therapy based on exposure and cognitive restructuring may help trauma victims experience psychological growth from their negative experiences, by fostering resilient internal dialogues.


This study is concerned with the robust H∞ control problem for dynamic positioning (DP) ships based on sampled-data. Input delay approach is used to convert the sampled-data DP ship system to a system with time-varying delay. Adequate condition is derived to determine the system's asymptotical stability and establish H∞ performance. Then sampled-data controller is obtained by means of linear matrix inequalities. Simulation results show that the proposed method and the designed controller for DP ships are effective in the existence of varying environment disturbance.


Describes the types, causes and impact of gender-based occupational segregation and examines current levels in 15 countries. Investigates how this segregation has changed during the 1990s in terms of female participation in the labour force, index of dissimilarity, gender-dominated occupations, the gender composition of new occupations and the largest female and male dominated occupations. Discusses policies for reducing segregation and describes general types of measures to help increase equality of opportunity in employment.


In July 1995, VAALCO Energy was awarded the Etame Marin permit which encompasses 3074 km2 in the northern portion of the Congo Basin offshore southern Gabon (Figure 1). The Congo Basin developed and evolved as a result of rifting and subsequent drifting of the African continent from South America. An upper Aptian salt series divides the underlying syn-rift sediments and structures of the basin from the overlying drift-sag sediments, which have been structured by post-Albian salt tectonics. The dominant salt features are subparallel "salt walls" that extend 10–50 km.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this work was to study whether there are differences in plasma proinsulin levels and proinsulin-to-specific insulin ratio in the offspring of patients with different phenotypes of type II diabetes.

DESIGN
Eleven glucose-tolerant offspring of type II diabetic patients with deficient insulin secretion phenotype (IS group), nine glucose-tolerant offspring of patients with insulin-resistant phenotype (IR group), and fourteen healthy control subjects without a family history of diabetes were studied.

METHODS
Plasma specific insulin, plasma proinsulin, and plasma C-peptide levels were measured during a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test and during hyperglycemic clamp.

RESULTS
Plasma proinsulin levels during the oral glucose tolerance test and the hyperglycemic clamp did not differ among the study groups. The IR group had a lower fasting plasma proinsulin-to-specific insulin ratio (10.3+/-1.7%) than the control group (15.4+/-1.4%; P<0.05) and the IS group (18.6+/-2.7%; P<0.05). Furthermore, the IR group had lower plasma proinsulin-to-specific insulin ratio at 30, 60 and 90 min after the oral glucose load than the IS group. However, there were no significant differences in proinsulin-to-C-peptide ratio during the oral glucose tolerance test among the study groups. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, hepatic specific insulin extraction in the fasting state (beta =0.65; P<0.001) and fasting blood glucose (beta =0.32; P<0.05) together explained 52% of the variation in fasting plasma proinsulin-to-specific insulin ratio.

CONCLUSIONS
Hyperproinsulinemia is not a characteristic finding in glucose-tolerant offspring of type II diabetic probands with deficient insulin secretion or insulin-resistant phenotype. The differences in proinsulin-to-specific insulin ratios were most likely explained by different hepatic extraction among the study groups.


A routing table updating method, an EVPN control device, and an EVPN system relate to the field of communications, and can reduce resource expenditure when a PE device updates a routing table. A specific scheme is that: a control device acquires PE device parameters of an EVPN, the PE device parameters being used for indicating a connection relationship between at least two PE devices; the control device acquires a local network terminal identifier of each PE device of the at least two PE devices; and the control device determines topology of the EVPN according to the PE device parameters, and determines an EVPN routing table of each PE device of the at least two PE devices according to the topology of the EVPN and the local network terminal identifier of each PE device of the at least two PE devices, and the control device sends the EVPN routing table of each PE device of the at least two PE devices to the corresponding PE device.


Tissue fibrosis in cystic fibrosis (CF) is a reparative process. In the lung and pancreas, obstructive secretions impair mucociliary clearance and exocrine functions, leading to organ damage with reactive fibrosis (1,2). Toxic pancreatic enzymes may cause fibrosing colonopathy with submucosal bowel fibrosis and colonic strictures (3,4). A few experimental and clinical data also suggest the presence of intrinsic profibrotic CF-related factors. Impaired cyclic adenosine monophosphate– regulated chloride conductance, the key defect in CF, was first described in CF fibroblasts (5) that showed increased glycosylation of secreted glycoproteins (6), increased synthesis and release of mucopolysaccharides (7), and increased protein kinase C–mediated release of glycoconjugate (8). A study in mice with CF found increased fibroblast activity and deposition of fibrillar material in the alveolar interstitium despite absence of bacterial colonization (9). Ultrasonographic investigations also have revealed thickening of the bowel wall in CF independent of pancreatic enzyme therapy (10,11), and ultrastructural investigations of the liver and bile ducts have suggested that hitherto unidentified toxic or biochemical agents, or CF transmembrane regulator–related factors may contribute to liver cirrhosis (12,13). Finally, myocardial fibrosis is a rare but typical complication in CF (14,15), and one histopathologic study revealed congenital submucosal fibrosis in the rectum of a neonate with meconium ileus and CF (16). Hypothesizing that intrinsically increased fibrogenesis should lead to microscopic changes detectable at birth, we conducted the following study.


According to the practical situation and working condition of our hospital,we designed the library lending management system by use of Delphi database software.This paper introduces the process of design and implementing application of this system.


We study the short-distance structure of geometric entanglement entropy in certain theories with a built-in scale of nonlocality. In particular we examine the cases of Little String Theory and Noncommutative Yang-Mills theory, using their AdS/CFT descriptions. We compute the entanglement entropy via the holographic ansatz of Ryu and Takayanagi to conclude that the area law is violated at distance scales that sample the nonlocality of these models, being replaced by an extensive volume law. In the case of the noncommutative model, the critical length scale that reveals the area/volume law transition is strongly affected by UV/IR mixing effects. We also present an argument showing that Lorentz symmetry tends to protect the area law for theories with field-theoretical density of states.


FIELD: process engineering. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to metallurgy. Proposed device comprises water-cooled working chamber with controlled atmosphere, plasmatron arranged in working chamber top section to generate plasma flow, one or several device to feed rods in plasma flow and powder collector arranged at working chamber bottom. Working chamber is arranged parallel with working branch and connected therewith by top and bottom bypass pipes to allow circulation of gas flow towards powder particles flow owing to blower location at bottom bypass pipes. Top bypass pipes is arranged under point of intersection of plasma flow with rods. Parallel working branch incorporates extra powder collector arranged at its bottom. EFFECT: production of spherical powders without adhesion of particles. 2 dwg, 1 ex


Shelled pecans, almonds, and English walnuts were infested with the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst); or the sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), and then treated with 10, 20, or 40 krad of gamma radiation. Reproduction by the beetles was greatly reduced or eliminated by the 10-krad treatment, and at higher levels no offspring were produced. All P. interpunctella were not eliminated by the 10-krad dosage, and 1 survived the 20-krad treatment. Control was complete with 40 krad. A practical level of insect control in bulk nutmeats could probably be achieved by a 20- to 25-krad treatment, but in packaged nutmeats 40 krad would probably be needed to prevent all signs of feeding damage.


To the Editor: Heated humidifiers are commonly used during anesthesia for infants and children. The humidification of the dry anesthetic gases is important for the prevention of drying of secretions in the endotracheal tube and the airways, for the preservation of ciliary activity, and to preserve calories required for the heat of evaporation. The latter must otherwise be provided by the child, since all exhaled gases are almost totally humidified. A report by Drs. Kosfeld, Hess, Kalf and Schlimgen at the Congress of German Anesthesiologists, Wiirzberg, 1978, indicated that they found at least five different breakdown products of undetermined nature and toxicity when a heated humidifier was used with halothane. In their humidifier, the halothane-containing gas came into direct contact with a brass heating element. In the United States, several types of humidifiers are used. We have taken three different types to the laboratory to study the absence or presence of decomposition products of halothane. Gas analyses were performed with a Varian 3700 gas chromatograph, using the flame ionization detector and a 6-ft, 2-mm diameter glass column filled with 10% SP 2100 coated on Chromsorb GHP, 80 to 100 mesh. Conditions for the separations were as follows: 25 c column temperature; carrier gas flow, 20 ml/min; detector and injector temperature, 270 C and 100 C, respectively. The Bennett-Cascade humidifier has two metal (chrome-plated copper alloy) tubes encasing the heating and sensing elements which are in direct contact with the water and gas. When filled with water to the maximum level decomposition products were not detected with a flow of 2.5 L/min of 4% halothane in oxygen when the humidifier was kept at room temperature. At a temperature of 68 C (maximum temperature setting for this Cascade) an extra peak was noted with an area of approximately 0.02% of the halothane peak. This peak could not be identified, but did not correspond with CFB-CH~OH, CF3CH2C1, CF3-COCI or CFKHCI, which are known halothane decomposition products. The experiment was repeated in a similar fashion, using the Aquamid humidifier heated to the same water temperature. In this apparatus, the water is contained within a plastic compartment with no metal parts. The extra peak seen with the Cascade humidifier did not appear with this humidifier. The Fisher-Paykel (distributed in the United States as the Fraser-Harlake) humidifier was chosen as a third apparatus because of two features. The humidification section consists of a plastic pot with an aluminum bottom and an aluminum spiral which is in contact with the water and gas phase. A silicone rubber insulated heating wire maintains the temperature in the delivery hose so that the water temperature can be kept lower than in humidifiers without this feature. Using the same gas flow used in tests of other humidifiers, decomposition could not be demonstrated in this humidifier. This also held true when the water and inspiratory gas temperatures were elevated beyond normal operating limits to 45 C and 40 c , respectively. Although we have no evidence that suggests that the decomposition products generated in the BennettCascade humidifier are toxic, we believe that this observation is of importance for the practicing anesthesiologist and may require additional investigation. Joannes H. Karis, MD Professor of Anesthesiology Department of Anesthesiology Frederick O'Neal, PhD Research Associate Department of Pharmacology Stanley W. Weitzner, MD Professor of Anesthesiology Department of Anesthesiology Duke University Medical Center Durham, North Carolina 27710


In 1999, Mundy et al. has indicated that statins, drugs widely used for lowering serum cholesterol, stimulate bone formation in rodents and increase bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 expression in vitro. However, the other growth factors except for BMP-2 and the effects of simvastatin, one of statins, on periodontal tissues have not been shown yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of statins as a new effective agent for periodontal regeneration using luciferase reporter gene assay and reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells. The results showed that simvastatin induced not only BMP-2 but also transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in HPDL cells and human osteoblastic cells (NHOst). To examine whether the TGF-â1 activity was related with productions of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, HPDL cells were treated with simvastatin in the presence or absence of mevalonic acid. The TGF-β1 induction was caused by the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. The differentiation study showed that TGF-β1 increased the ALP activity, but BMP-2 decreased the ALP activity in HPDL cells, even in the presence of TGF-β1. The effect of simvastatin is similar to that for BMP-2 with TGF-β1. The above in vitro findings suggest that simvastatin may be effective for periodontal regeneration as new therapeutic agents to induce the regenerative factors such as TGF-β1 and BMP-2.


Purpose: The diagnosis of Medical Child Abuse (MCA), formerly Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, has become increasingly prevalent in this era of modern medicine, most notably in tertiary and quaternary care centers. Clinicians in increasingly siloed, subspecialized referral settings are the most likely to encounter and thus consider rare or atypical diagnoses. In the pediatric physician-patient relationship, physicians are trained to trust a patient's caretaker to provide an accurate history, opening the door for caregivers to abuse their own innate credibility as well as the practitioner's trust to …


Progress is reported in the design of a molecular sieve pump and the development of a field-operational atmospheresampling system. The feasibility of the use of biological ma terials as nonradioactive tracers of stratospheric circulation patterns is reported to be under investigation. Results are included from a comparison between fall-out and stratospheric debris in the mid-temperate latitudes. In the absence of tropospheric injections, good agreement was found between stratospheric and tropospheric production sources and dates. An anomaly was observed in late 1958 and 1959, following the October series of Arctic Soviet Tests. Sveral explanations are offered to explain this anomaly, which consider the possibility of chemical and particle-size fractionation, the height of the main cloud in the stratosphere, and a unique exit for debris injected into the Arctic stratosphere. (C.H.)


CONTEXT
Papanicolaou (Pap) tests are often diagnosed as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been proposed as a quality metric for this diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE
To measure the frequency of HPV positivity in Pap tests diagnosed as ASC-US and to examine laboratory variables that are associated with institutional deviation from the mean percent of HPV positivity.

DESIGN
As part of a College of American Pathologist Q-Probes program, 68 participating laboratories retrospectively identified approximately 50 consecutive ASC-US Pap tests that had HPV testing results.

RESULTS
The mean percentage of HPV positivity for ASC-US was 43.74% among institutions surveyed, but it had a broad distribution, with an SD of 17.77%. Associations were found for lower difference of the institutional mean from the surveyed interinstitutional mean percentage of positive HPV with (1) higher numbers of Pap tests in the past year that had HPV testing, (2) in-house HPV testing, and (3) teaching hospitals. All 3 factors correlated with a larger volume of Pap tests per institution. An association was found between patient age and the probability of a positive HPV result, indicating a dependence upon prevalence of HPV.

CONCLUSIONS
Larger volumes of Pap tests may offer an opportunity to gain greater comfort in interpreting Pap tests. While there is significant variability in interinstitutional HPV-positive rates in ASC-US Pap tests, monitoring the HPV-positive rate in ASC-US Pap tests is a valuable broad measure of quality. Performance beyond 2 SDs of the mean should prompt reassessment of diagnostic criteria used in the evaluation of Pap tests and/or investigation of the prevalence of HPV positivity in the population from which the Pap tests are obtained.


The present invention refers to a control device intended for use with a heat pump with an evaporator and a condenser in which a heat transfer medium in a heat transfer circuit, that is heated up by means of the evaporator and a compressor, is arranged to transfer heat to a main liquid flow, via a first part of a heat exchanger and a second part of a heat exchanger. The device includes means for diverting a partial flow from the said main liquid flow, at least in a heating mode, for passage through the second part of the heat exchanger. The invention also relates to a method, a heat pump and a heating system.


Species of genus Clusena possess widespread pharmaceutical activities and a lot of research works had been done on chemical constituents and biological activities of the genus Clusena .The recent research progress on plant alkaloids from the genus Clusena was reviewed in the present paper in view of the structures,isolation,structure elucidation,synthesis methods,and biological activities.


This paper presents multi-objective scheduling of m job families on a single machine by multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). We follow optimisation in three objectives: improving the tardiness, increasing the machine utilisation and decreasing the cycle time. MOGA is the combination of genetic algorithm with multi-criteria decision making. Moreover, N jobs are placed for m job families. Each job has three main distinct features including arrival time, time of processing and due date. Also, we consider setup time for each job and sequence-dependent setup time for changing jobs in different families. In order to determine the superiority of MOGA solution, we compared it with shortest processing time and earliest due date solutions. The improvement of MOGA over other approaches is shown by different cases.