• Vol 9 • February 2007 112 Varicose veins are a relatively common disorder, affecting 10–15% of men and 20–25% of women [1] and represent one of the most frequent vascular medical problems. Varices are the consequence of superficial venous insufficiency and can lead to esthetic problems and frequent symptoms, such as aching, discomfort, pruritus and muscle cramps. Complications include edema, eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, ulceration, phlebitis and bleeding. In some cases their presence results in cellulites and bacterial infection. Varicosities can be classified as primary or secondary [2]. In the first case a definite cause is usually not identified, although age, female gender, pregnancy, obesity and prolonged standing are predisposing factors for this condition. Patients with congenital incompetence of the saphenofemoral junction could develop large saphenous varicosities. Secondary varicosities develop after deep venous thrombosis or as a result of trauma, tumor or congenital or acquired arteriovenous fistulas [2]. Anatomically and depending on their size, varices can affect small superficial veins (spider veins or telangiectasias), or larger main veins (greater saphenous vein or short saphenous vein). Classification regarding the severity of this problem has changed and a new classification called CEAP has been developed during recent years. The CEAP classification was adopted worldwide to facilitate meaningful communication about chronic venous disease and serves as a basis for more scientific analysis of management alternatives. It is based on clinical condition, etiologic basis of the venous dysfunction, anatomic distribution of the disease, and the pathophysiologic mechanisms of development such as reflux, obstruction or both [3]. The clinical stages range from C0 (no findings) to C6 (venous ulceration) [4]. For the practicing physician, CEAP can be a valuable instrument for making the correct diagnosis, to guide treatment and to assess prognosis. Nevertheless, it is recognized that the merits of using the advanced CEAP classification system hold primarily for the researcher and for standardized reporting in scientific journals [4]. Today most published clinical papers on chronic venous disease use all or portions of CEAP. The post-thrombotic syndrome defines the vascular and skin changes in a lower limb after the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis. The post-thrombotic syndrome is a frequent medical problem occurring in 20–50% of the population and is associated with extremely high morbidity [5]. The syndrome is characterized initially by dull pain on standing and by edema. Later, more severe manifestations of this complication may emerge, including stasis dermatitis and ulceration, which parallels the stages of the CEAP classification. Although venous reflux occurs early after an episode of venous thrombosis [6], the development of the severe manifestations of the post-thrombotic syndrome is a late event [7]. The frequency of this syndrome is variable as reflected by different studies, occurring in about 20–50% of the population at risk, and is associated with high morbidity [8]. Contrary to what was believed in the past, superficial venous insufficiency plays a cardinal role in the development of signs of post-thrombotic syndrome. Studies published during the last 20 years have shown that incompetence of superficial veins is significantly related to the appearance of leg ulceration. A strong correlation seems to exist between severe manifestations of post-thrombotic syndrome and the occurrence of reflux in the superficial veins of the legs and even to the presence of varicosities in the lower limbs [7,9,10]. Van Bemmelen et al. [11] noted a high incidence of reflux in superficial veins in a group of patients with leg venous ulcers. Shami and colleagues [10] found isolated deep venous reflux in only 12 (15%) of 59 limbs with venous ulceration, a combination of deep and superficial venous reflux in 25 limbs (32%), and isolated superficial venous reflux in 42 limbs (53%). The researchers' conclusion was that in over half the patients with venous ulceration, the disease was confined to the superficial venous system, and that this group of patients may benefit from surgical treatment [10]. Labropoulos et al. [12] reported similar findings on the importance of superficial veins in the genesis of post-thrombotic syndrome, especially when associated with deep distal reflux, and concluded, ''as far as the skin changes and ulceration are concerned, distal reflux and reflux in the superficial veins are more harmful than reflux confined to the deep veins, even when such reflux extends throughout the deep venous system.'' Similar results were described by others, emphasizing Varicose Veins: More than Simply an Esthetic Problem


According to the characteristic of 16S ribosomal RNA gene(16S rDNA),a pair of universal primers were designed for beer spoilage lactic acid bacteria(LAB).Using the primers,59 LABs were identified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification of the 16S rDNA.Furthermore,8 other special primers were designed based on identifying results.It was showed that all the primers acted well in accurate identification of LAB by PCR.


In this paper, the measure of sodium saccharin in preserved fruits by ion selectivity electrode was researched. The result showed the range of sodium saccharin content in the preserved fruits was determined as 0.0~10.0 mg/ml. The linear recursive equation was obtained as follows: y=-5.2087-0.0247x. In this equation, y stood for the negative logarithm number of sodium saccharin concentration, x stood for balance voltage and r was found to be 0.99656.


The high-performance transient electromagnetic method (TEM) excitation source is a new type of source that has been proposed for urban underground space exploration. This source is composed of two trapezoid plates. To ensure that the radiation field was focused in a certain direction, the two trapezoid plate-shaped antennas were arranged into a horn shape. This new source is characterised by high power, directional excitation and high resolution. The corresponding multi-component global apparent resistivity definition method is established for a high-performance transient electromagnetic excitation source. This method is studied using the inverse function theorem. Then, the monotonic relationship between components of the electromagnetic field and resistivity is analysed. For the fields that satisfy the monotonic relationship with half-space resistivity, the apparent resistivity can be calculated correctly to ignore the time period and location in the space. This means that this definition method can eliminate the limitation of early and late times, and the near and far zones. The apparent resistivity calculation results of the theoretical layered model reveal that global apparent resistivity curves show a regular change, which smoothly and comprehensively reflects the change of electrical information in the model. The experimental results of the 3D model show that the five-layer low-resistivity anomaly contained in the urban underground space designed in this paper exhibits an obvious response in the global apparent resistivity profile. It is concluded that a high-performance TEM excitation source possesses a high resolution, clearly reflecting all of the anomalies of a complex urban underground space model.


The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted battery protection technology devices. Battery protection method of the present invention the vehicle-mounted apparatus, the process comprising the steps of: setting off the vehicle's battery voltage point, i.e., the lower limit value of the supply voltage of the car battery; car key detection signal to determine vehicle generator condition; when the automotive generator is a stationary state, the battery protection circuit is opened automatic low voltage shutdown, when the automobile generator operating state, the battery protection circuit is closed automatic low voltage shutdown; battery protection circuit to the supply voltage of the vehicle battery detected in real time, when the detection the car battery supply voltage is lower than the vehicle battery voltage off point, then the battery protection circuit is automatically cut off power to the vehicle-mounted electronic apparatus. The present invention is applied to protect the vehicle's battery power supply module.


Two experiments were carried out on the same compact strip production (CSP) line, which differs in that one of them experienced γ→α→γ* thermal history. The differences in microstructure, precipitation, misorientation etc between two experiments were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) and positron annihilation technique (PAT). The carbon concentration in matrix is more inhomogeneous in the experiment than that with γ→α→γ* thermal history. The specific precipitation characteristic in the experiment without γ→α→γ* thermal history is discussed on the basis of different carbon diffusion behavior and interaction between dislocation and excess carbon.


The  problem  in  this  study  is  whether  there  is  an  increase  in  Penjasorkes  learning outcomes  through  media  play  basket  ball  for  mentally  students  disabled  SDLB-C Education  Foundation  Exceptional  Demak?. This  study  aims  to  improve  learn-ing outcomes  through  the  Penjasorkes  media  play  basket  ball   for  students  learning SDLB-C  in  Physical  Education,  Sport  and  Health.  This  study  uses  classroom action  research.  In  the  implementation  of  the  first   cycle  and  second  cycle  of meetings  held  1  meeting,  where  each  cycle  has  shown  an  increase  Penjasorkes learning  outcomes  and  meet  the  completeness  criteria  are  minimal  so  it  does  not need  to  be  held  next  cycle.  Based  on  the  results,  the  results  of  the  percentage  of completion  on  the  first  cycle  that  can  meet  the  KKM  is  equal   to  52.94%  of   the total  number  of  students  in  the  second  cycle  and  increased  to  88.23%  of  the  total number  of  students.  Based  on  the  above  results,  it  can  be  concluded  that  the Penjasorkes  learning  using  media  play  basket  ball   can  improve  the  process  in improving  learning  outcomes  for  mentally  disabled  students  SDLB-C  Education Foundation  Exceptional  Demak.  Expected  for  Penjasorkes  teachers  in  SDLB-C can  use  the media  playing  basket  ball  in  the  learning of  Physical  Education,  Sport and Health, as an alternative to implement-ing the learning.


32 malt albino rats, about 90, 120, or 150 days of age and weighing between 240 and 340 gm. at the start of the experiment, were employed in a study in which whole body X-irradiation dose level was the independent variable and number of VR-3 food reinforced bar-presses pet session the dependent variable. On the 12th day of training, Ss were assigned without bias to one of the four following whole-body X-irradiation doses: (1) 0 rad, (2) 285 rad, (3) 570 rad, or (4) 855 rad. An analysis of responses made by the four treatment groups over 10 days of post-irradiation observation yielded significant main effects attributable to differences in amount of X-irradiation and to daily experimental sessions. The interaction of days with level of irradiation was also significant. The amount of initial response decrement was directly related to the amount of irradiation received, with maximum differentiation occurring about the fourth day after treatment.


The number of stepfamilies in the United States has increased dramatically in conjunction with a rising rate of marriage dissolution and remarriage. The term stepfamily means a family household consisting of a married couple and children who are the natural or adopted children of only one spouse. Family law does not presently provide clear and comprehensive rules to define the rights and responsibilities of parties to the stepparent-child relationship. This Article seeks to provide a basis for correcting that defficiency, by surveying the current law, noting the inadequacy of many existing rules, and proposing a formulation of rights and responsibilities based on policy concerns. This Article focuses on the support and custody aspects between stepparent and child.The natural parent-child status entails many well-defined legal consequences and serves as a logical model for formulating a definition of the stepparent-child status. Courts, and occasionally legislatures have considered extending the legal aspects of the natural parent-child relationship to the stepfamily context, but only in an ad hoc fashion with inconsistent results among issues and jurisdictions. Family law seeks to protect family members, especially children, interested third parties, and the state, by clearly defining important personal relationships. As family life becomes more diverse, and expectations that all families will conform to a single model erode, the law must create new rules to accomplish the goals of clarity and protection. Given the large number of people currently living in stepfamilies, lawmakers should carefully evaluate and address this aspect of modern family life.


Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) shows increased prevalence in elderly population, and confers further to cardiovascular wear and total mortality. Recently, Ikaria island inhabitants, an isolated rural group with lifelong characteristics, have been recognized as having among the highest longevity rates universally with high percentage of healthy aging, despite the considerable prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship between total serum testosterone levels with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components.

Methods: The working sample consisted of in 467 elderly individuals (mean age 75±6 years old, n=220 men); MetS was defined according to NCEP ATPIII criteria.

Results: MetS prevalence was 52% in men and 64% in women. In men, age-adjusted analysis showed that serum testosterone levels were inversely associated with the likelihood of having MetS; while, in women no such association was observed. Those with MetS had lower testosterone levels; i.e., 10 ng/dl increase of testosterone was associated with 3% lower odds of having MetS in men (95% CI: 0.95-0.99), but not in women, after various adjustments, including daily hours of sleep. Testosterone was inversely associated with abnormal waist circumference, hs-CRP, insulin, HDL-cholesterol levels, only in men. When categories of lipids, hs-CRP, BMI and insulin resistance levels were taken into account, testosterone lost its significance in predicting MetS (p>0.20), suggesting a mediating effect of these markers.

Conclusion: Low serum testosterone was associated with MetS, in elderly men; while, lipids, BMI, inflammation and insulin resistance markers levels seems to explain this relationship, suggesting a potential mediating effect. This finding may support a research hypothesis relating serum testosterone with cardiovascular disease.


This article contains notes and images of the academical dress of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa which is unique in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the world, in that it is embellished with a bold Māori design. This article will briefly explain the origins of academical dress and describe the academical dress of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.


Objective To investigate preventing canalis cervicis hyperplasia and treating canalis cervicis hyperplasia after loop electrosurgical excision procedure(LEEP) treated cervix benign pathological changes.Methods Analysing clinical data of follow-up survey 43 cases which used LEEP for the treatment of cervix benign pathological changes.Follow-up survey was at the 1st month,the 2nd month,the 3rd month and the 4th month.The surface of wound and canalis cervicis hyperplasia were observed.Results Canalis cervicis hyperplasia occured after LEEP.There are 22(51.16%) cases in the 1st month,6(13.95%) cases in the 2nd month,and the 6 cases were treated by medication,only 2(4.65%) cases left in the 3rd month.The 2 cases received the second LEEP and recovery.Conclusion The canalis cervicis hyperplasia after LEEP should be prevent.The second LEEP should be given if canalis cervicis hyperplasia still existed after 3 months.


This author firstly reviewed the analysis of the social welfare effect for forest certification under the partial equilibrium, then based on the general equilibrium analysis's angle, full considering forest certification's environment benefit situation, the author has analyzed the forest certification social welfare effect by the neoclassic model, and pointed out that so long as the gains by the trade is bigger than in the self-sufficient situation, the free trade will increase consumer's effect, the importing country must consider the environment benefit of certified forest product, implement the importing tariff and supporting price for certified forest products, encouraged more resources to gather the certified department.


The majority of existing research on Cuban microenterprise has treated the phenomenon from an economic or political perspective. However, the present paper analyzes this phenomenon from an anthropological point of view, focusing in particular on the transformations that Cuba's emerging and diverse group of micro-entrepreneurs are experiencing in their work lives. Specifically, significant changes have occurred in how micro-entrepreneurs experience the day-to-day labor process and the meanings these workers give to their labor. These observations are based on an ethnographic case study carried out in Havana between October 2003 and August 2005. The hypothesis is that micro-entrepreneurs (private sector employees and their families) are beginning to redefine their social identities as they approach work with a more instrumental and individualist attitude. As a result, Cuba's micro-entrepreneurs are a potentially powerful group in the ongoing process of transition currently taking place in Cuba. In short, they could act as a catalyst capable of introducing greater complexity, diversification, and dynamism in Cuban society.


Based on the data,the empirical analysis indicates that the mode of total market value's growth in Chinese stock market has been changed from Mechanical Growth to Dealing Price Growth,and the reason is the imbalanced participant structure and the limited rational game.The development of institution investor is the fundamental solution to making the mode of growth follow up spontaneous growth.


For the incoming 5G mobile communications, enhanced cell coordination is deemed as crucial to maximize network throughput. In this paper we focus on the impact that the placement of coordination controllers in the metro optical network has on the performance of cell coordination, and we aim at verifying how throughput maximization can be achieved through optimized controller placement. Specifically, we refer to Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP), a protocol that allows to coordinate cell clusters through a Radio Controller Coordinator (RCC) to enhance the mobile-network throughput by reducing interference. Several CoMP techniques have been designed, whose throughput gain is affected differently by various factors. E.g., gains increases with the size of the cluster, while it decreases for larger latencies between RCC and cells. Current metro/aggregation networks are characterized by a hierarchical architecture with different levels of central offices, so the decision of where to place RCC in order to maximize CoMP throughput gain is not trivial and depends on several factors, such as geographical dimension of the network, cluster size and latency experienced before reaching the RCC. Our results show that under certain conditions optimized placement provides benefits with respect to fixed placement of controllers.


An integrated circuit controls a power converter that includes single stage buck-boost converter and a switching full bridge that may be used to drive an HID lamp. The single stage buck- boost converter reduces the complexity and parts count of the power converter, or electronic ballast, while permitting PFC and DC bus voltage regulation under control of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit also provides all the drive signals to operate the switching full bridge circuit to maintain constant power on the HID lamp. A wait timer provides an interval of time between restart attempts for the HID lamp to permit the lamp to cool so that high hot restart voltages are avoided. The integrated circuit simplifies the design of power converters and electronic ballasts in particular, while contributing to reducing part count, complexity and cost in conjunction with the single stage buck- boost converter.


Reliability of electric power supply by power system becomes major issue as the electric power industry is recently being regulated. Also a change of environmental condition related to power supply reliability should be considered in the view of power supplier since the competition between energy-industries is strengthen. In other words, because customers may choose other energy source instead of electric power due to an expensive energy charge, enhancing recklessly the reliability of power supply might not be an essential strategy. So to effectively cope with this problem, it is necessary to perceive the reaction of customers against power supply reliability and interruption cost. This paper evaluates the annual interruption costs of customers by regional groups in Korea using a macro approach to cope with these internal and external environment. That is, the each ratio of customer`s interruption costs to price of electric power charge is evaluated for public, service, agricultural, fishery, mining, manufactural, and residential consumption by every cities and provinces.


E VERY student of Nathaniel Hawthorne's work and life knows that he wrote The Scarlet Letter because he lost his job at the Salem Custom House. He told the world so in his autobiographical preface to the story, "The Custom-House," and all later biographers have followed his lead while filling out the details.1 But the sequence of events Hawthorne chronicles in the preface explains no more than how he came to be free to write, and offers no factual basis for understanding what he wrote. To be sure, his angry and defiant heroine might express some of his own humiliation and rage. To write a story which favored the outcast so heavily against the establishment might have been an act of sweet revenge on the author's powerful enemies.


Dental's plaque is a common problem that encountered during orthodontic treatment using bracket. It is caused by demineralization of enamel due to the activity of bacteria. The bacteria increase with remaining excess food which trapped in teeth and bracket. A hydrophobic surface could reduce food attachment on the bracket because of extremely low wettability properties that make it easy to clean with water. There are several methods to obtain hydrophobic surfaces, which are sol-gel, template replica and also etching. The propose of this work is to compare etching treatment and surface modification on sintered SS 17-4 PH as bracket material using CuCl2 and HCl as an etchant while stearic acid was used for surface modification. Hydrophobic surfaces were produced under various etching time i.e 15, 30, 45 and 60 seconds for CuCl2 and 40, 50, 60 and 70 minutes for HCl and also HCl concentration i.e 1,2 and 3 mol/L at room temperature. The hydrophobicity is observed using contact angle measurement while the microstructures observed by Scanning Electron Microscope. The result shows the contact angle could be achieved up to 60% higher than the as-sintered material. Hydrophobic structure has successfully fabricated using etching technique that might be applied to the orthodontic bracket.


MIMO OFDMA system known as a good choice for high data rate wireless applications, but the factors such as carrier frequency offset (CFO) from frequency mismatching, time variations due to Doppler shift or phase noise has extensively destroys the orthogonality of the subcarriers which leads to inter-carrier interference (ICI) which severely degrades the performance of the system significantly. Hence, in this paper, the Space Time Frequency Block Codes (STFBC) technique and Interference Alignment (IA) scheme is applied to achieve the diversity and as an alternative approach to mitigate the ICI respectively. Through simulations, it is shown that the proposed scheme is able to improve the system performance in term of Bit Error Rate (BER).


Electrolyzed saline as a recommended gold standard for the bactericidal activity of electrolyzed products was examined in this study. The electrolyzed saline showed stronger bactericidal activity against a Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) than against a Gram-negative one (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This difference in bactericidal activity was analyzed by measuring the cytoplasmic nitrate reductase activity and morphological changes in both bacteria. The difference in the manner of inactivation of nitrate reductase activity between the Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria indicates that the destruction of the cell wall differs between these bacteria. Morphological analysis showed that the outer layer of the Gram-positive bacterium degenerated with swelling and the periplasmic layer of the Gram-negative bacterium degenerated first. These findings indicate that the penetration of free chlorine differs between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, resulting in different susceptibilities to electrolyzed saline. Furthermore, the cause of the previously reported bleb formation in the Gram-negative bacterium, which was treated with electrolyzed products containing a low sodium chloride concentration, was shown to result from the osmotic pressure of the product. The usefulness of electrolyzed saline as gold standard for the evaluation of various electrolyzed products is discussed in this paper.


Smart antenna and spatial diversity receiving are two most important spatial signal processing technologies.In this paper the radio propagation characteristics of the transmission path, spatio-temporal channel model and channel characteristics in different environments are studied. On the basis of those analysis, the operating principle of smart antenna and spatial technology is analyzed with focus on the differences between the two technologies in several aspects.


According to the latest research conducted social networks (and the good positioning in them, at the level of digital marketing) is one of the most important factors to achieve hotel loyalty. According to this assumption, a hotel organization must exploit emerging technologies and social networks to achieve an important market share. In the work that we present here, the growing role of social networks is analyzed, trying to provide a vision from the practice. From this scenario, will try to measure the online reputation of the large Spanish hotel chains.


New potentiometric sensors with polymeric plasticized membranes based on ionic associates of sodium dodecylsulfate (DDS) and cationic complexes of copper(II) with some organic reagents (1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine (Salen), α,α′-dipyridyl (Dipyr) were developed for quantitative determination of homologous sodium alkylsulfates in a wide concentration range 2.0×10−7 (5.0×10−7)–1.0×10−2 (5.0×10−4) M. The low detection limit of DDS was 1.0×10−7 M (28.8 μg/L). The electrodes demonstrated good and extremely stable response to sodium alkylsulfates and were successfully applied to determination of anionic surfactants in water solutions, technical raw preparations, detergents, cosmetic and cleaners.


Abstract A time-reversal mirror is, roughly speaking, a device which is capable of receiving an acoustic signal in time, keeping it in memory and sending it back into the medium in the reversed direction of time. In this paper, we employ an accurate numerical method for sunulating waves propagating in complex one-dimensional media. We use numerical simulations to reproduce the time- reversal self-averaging effect which takes place in randomly layered media. This is done in the regime where the inhomogeneities are smaller than the pulse, which propagates over long distances compared to its width. We show numerical evidence for possible use of an expanding window time-reversal technique for detecting anomalies buried in the medium. 1. Introduction A time-reversal mirror is, roughly speaking, a device which is capable of receiving an acoustic signal in time, keeping it in memory and sending it back into the medium in the reversed direction of tune. In the context of ultrasounds, time-reversal mirrors have been developed and their effect studied experimentally by Mathias Fink and his collaborators at the Laboratoire Ondes et Acoustique (ESPCI-Paris) [8, 9]. The main effect is the refocusing of the scattered signal after time reversal in a random medium: an acoustic pulse is sent in a disordered medium generating a 'noisy' reflected signal which is time reversed and sent back into the medium. The new reflected signal is a pure pulse with a shape similar to the initial pulse. Amazingly, its 'refocusing' takes place in time and space and seems to be independent of the realization of the medium, in the regime where its correlation length is smaller than the typical wavelength of the pulse. From the theoretical point of view, a first proof of this refocusing effect has been obtained in [7] in the context of a one-dimensional random medium for which only the time refocusing


This study aims to reveal the practice of determining the selling price of woven cloth in a women's weaver group called "Tene Tuen". This research was conducted from July to August 2021 through interviews with leaders of the women weaver group. This study used the qualitative method with a descriptive approach as a research method and collected data by using interviews, direct observation, and documentation. This study found that the concept of formulating the selling price set by the (sellers) informants was not only formed by material values but also contained cultural and justice values with a holistic philosophy. In the end, the selling price determined by the tene tuen group seeks to create prosperity and justice for all parties.


Importance: The incidence of age-related macula degeneration (AMD) is unknown in Africa. Objectives: To estimate the six-year cumulative incidence and progression of AMD in older adults (≥ 50 years) in Nakuru, Kenya. Design, Setting and Participants: A population-based cohort with six-year follow-up of 1,626 participants seen at baseline (26-January-2007 to 11-November-2008) and follow-up (7-January-2013 to 12-March-2014) with retinal images. Random cluster sampling with probability-proportionate-to-size procedures were used to select a representative cross-sectional sample of adults aged ≥50 years in 2007-8. A six-year follow-up was undertaken in 2013-14. On both occasions a comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed including LogMAR visual acuity, digital retinal photography and grading of images at Moorfields Eye Hospital Reading Centre. Data were collected on general health and risk factors. Main Outcome and Measures: Incident AMD in those with no AMD at baseline and progression from early to late AMD. Results: 1,453 (50%) of the people at-risk of AMD were followed up after six-years (mean age (SD) 60.7 (8.2), Female 49.5%, Ethnicity: 63.2% Kikuyu, 25.3% Kalenjin, 12.4% Other); 1,282 had data on AMD status at follow-up. Of these, 202 developed early AMD and no participants developed late AMD. The six-year weighted (for loss to follow-up) cumulative incidence of early AMD was 164.2 per 1000 people (95% CI: 136.7-195.9). Two cases with baseline early AMD from the 142 at-risk had developed late AMD at follow-up, with a six-year cumulative incidence of progression from early to late AMD of 24.5 per 1000 people (95%CI: 5.0-111.7). Cumulative incidence of AMD increased with age (80+: 1.8, 95%CI (0.9,3.5) vs. 50-59) and was higher in women (Female: 1.6, 95%CI


An additive flame retardant was prepared from DOPO-HQ. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to analyze its chemical structure. It was added to the experimental formula to prepare EP composite material, and the limiting oxygen index experiment and thermogravimetric analysis experiment were carried out on the material, and the scanning electron microscope experiment was carried out on the residual carbon after combustion. The results show that the modified epoxy resin has a limiting oxygen index of 29.5%, and there is no droplet during combustion; thermogravimetric analysis experiments show that the temperature at which the thermal weight loss is 5%wt decreases, but the residual carbon rate increases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test results show that carbon layer formed by the combustion products of epoxy resin is denser..


Vibrating mixing is a new mixing technology worthy of explore,but this technology has not been used in industrial application.In order to settle this problem,a 1 m3 vibratory concrete mixer with double-horizontal shafts,which combines forced mixing and vibrating mixing together and integrats vibration structure and mixing structure was designed by taking the advantages of forced mixing and vibration activating concrete.Test results indicate that reasonable vibration parameters would be vibration frequency 142.1 Hz,amplitude of 1.5 mm,40 s of vibrating mixing and 50 s for ordinary forced mixing,for C20 concrete.Under these conditions,compared with ordinary forced mixing,the average compressive strength of 7 d hardened concrete block and 28 d hardened concrete block by vibrating mixing increased by 38.8% and 21.5% respectively.At the same time,vibrating mixing saved the cement by more than 10% under the condition of guaranteeing concrete compressive strength,which is 17.60 MPa and 33.23 MPa corresponding to 7 d hardened concrete block and 28 d hardened concrete block respectively,meeting the design requirements of concrete strength.


Gastric emptying is a complex process and makes in vivo performance of the drug delivery systems uncertain. The floating drug delivery systems are useful approach to avoid this variability with increase the retention time of the drug-delivery systems for more than 12 hours. Effervescent and non-effervescent are two class of floating drug delivery system and can formulate either in single unit dosage form or in multiple unit dosage form. Floating drug delivery system provides local delivery to specific region like stomach and proximal small intestine and it's also shows better bioavailability and improved therapeutic activity and substantial benefits to patients. The purpose of this paper is to review the concept of floating drug delivery systems with the recent literature and current technology used in the development of floating drug delivery system as well as summarizes evaluation method and applications of various floating dosage forms.


An X-band model antenna has been presented for the application of receiving TV signals at 12 GHz. The experimental antenna belongs to the family of radial waveguide slot antennas, with radiating elements, cross slots, which are arrayed in sequence along a design four - arm logarithmic spiral. The designed antenna of diameter 0.587 m demonstrates a gain over 38.5 dBi in the 11.7 - 12.5 GHz bandwidth and has an aperture efficiency of 77%.


In this note the notion of a free topological product Gα of a set {Gα} of topological groups is introduced. It is shown that it always exists, is unique and is algebraically isomorphic to the usual free product of the underlying groups. Further if each Gα is Hausdorff, then Gα is Hausdorff and each Gα is a closed subgroup. Also Gα is a free topological group (respectively, maximally almost periodic) if each Gα is. This notion is then combined with the theory of varieties of topological groups developed by the author. For a variety of topological groups, the -product of groups in is defined. It is shown that the -product, Gα of any set {Gα} of groups in exists, is unique and is algebraically isomorphic to the usual varietal product. It is noted that the -product of Hausdorff groups is not necessarily Hausdorff, but is if is abelian. Each Gα is a quotient group of Gα. It is proved that the -product of free topological groups of and projective topological groups of are of the same type. Finally it is shown that Gα is connected if and only if each Gα is connected.


In a ferromagnet, the magnetic entropy change induced by the application of a magnetic field is greatest in the temperature regime near the Curie point. In the paramagnetic temperature regime, the magnitude of the magnetocaloric effect is expected to rise monotonically with the size of the individual moments that make up the material. The magnetic properties of such materials are relevant to devices employing magnetic refrigeration. One aspect of the problem, namely the impact of uniaxial magnetic anisotropy on the magnetocaloric effect, is explored. The results of Monte Carlo simulations for classical Heisenberg ferromagnets on a fcc lattice with anisotropy are presented.


Thesis submitted to the School of Post-Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the award for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics of Makerere University


Interview with Professor Massimo Canevacci of the Facolta di Scienze della Comunicazione, Universita degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", a thinker who is adept in research and reflection on visual communication. To that end traveled from the virtual, the webculturas and mix-media to politics, sports and art. We hope the following interview is an invitation both to the work of Gregory Bateson's Naven, recently translated into Portuguese, as well as the author thought of this - little known to the Brazilians - and the connections between art and anthropology, in the words of this exponent of Anthropology .


This research study addressed the need for an evaluation of the effectiveness of teacherwritten supplemental reading lesson plans for elementary students with significant disabilities. The study school implemented the supplemental reading lesson plans in the 2010–2011 school year. The theories of Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences and Maria Montessori's individualized learning process guided this research. The research question focused on exploring the effectiveness of the lesson plans. Participants included 6 students and their parents, 3 teachers, and 1 principal. Closedand open-ended survey responses were collected from each participant, and 3 classroom observations were completed. Through descriptive analysis of student assessment scores, closed-ended stakeholder survey questions, and inductive analysis of an open-ended stakeholder questionnaire and classroom observations, these themes emerged: positive effects on lessons, opportunities for refining the collaborative process, and negative effects of collaboration. After further analysis and review of related literature, the program evaluation recommendations of this study included improving the content of each lesson through the use of lesson study, a form of long-term professional development in which teams of teachers collaboratively plan, research, and study their lesson delivery as a way to determine how students learn best. The evaluation and recommendations of this research study could lead to positive social change by emphasizing that it is vital for teachers of exceptional students to tailor their instructional delivery strategies to meet the specific reading instructional needs of students with significant disabilities. Evaluation of a Supplemental Kinesthetic-Based Reading Program for Disabled Students by Kenneth W. Hodges MEd, Southeastern University, 2008 BS, Florida Southern College, 1994 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University September 2015


The notion of proffesionalism and ways to develop it are considered. Project work and acmeological project work as its variety in the process of foreign language teaching are analysed.


This paper presents the recent studies on the fabrication of magnesium based metal matrix nanocomposites (MMMC) by using ultrasonic assisted stir casting technique. The pure metal and alloys, due to their limited mechanical properties are not suitable for various engineering applications. It has been observed that the addition of suitable reinforcements into metallic matrix improves the specific strength, ultimate tensile strength, porosity and wear properties as compared to the conventional and monolithic engineering materials for aerospace and automotive applications. The effects of ultrasonic vibrations and the resulting uniform dispersion of reinforcements on the mechanical and tribological properties of magnesium based MMCs are specifically highlighted in this paper.


Ion Beam Sputter Deposition (IBSD) is a versatile technique particularly suited to applications requiring high quality, high performance layer materials as it allows independent and accurate control of the process parameters. Vanadium oxides, used for example in the fabrication of microbolometers, optical switches or optical storage, exhibit interesting properties such as a high Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR), relatively low 1/f noise and a semiconductormetal phase transition close to room temperature. However, it is very challenging to control the stoichiometry of the deposited film as there are at least 25 different oxidation states of vanadium, few of which display the required electrical characteristics. In the present study, vanadium oxide thin layers were deposited by IBSD using an Oxford Ionfab300+ and analyzed with regard to their electrical properties. The impact of the system parameters on the resistance repeatability, wafer-to-wafer and batch-to-batch, was thoroughly investigated to provide the end user with a clear understanding of the factors affecting film resistivity while ensuring at the same time a steep variation of resistance with temperature, as notably required for uncooled bolometers. These parameters were balanced to also achieve a good deposition rate, throughput and uniformity over large device areas, compatible with the requirements of industrial applications.


Abstract: The aim of this research project investigates the performance of a centrifugal pump system under variable speed operation. Operating a pump under variable speed operation brings the affinity laws into play. These equations were firstly investigated before it was applied to the overall investigation of pump performance. Distinction is made between three types of systems, a system with high static head (lift system), the second system is a high loss system with noor little static head and the third is a mixed type system. The "correct" affinity laws were then used to apply to a system with a minimum pressure requirement. The theory proved accurate and was confirmed by practical findings. It has been found that both the pump and the VSD experience a slight drop in efficiency for small changes in speed. A maximum of 5% drop occurred in the efficiency of the pump for a 30% reduction in speed. Further reductions in speed resulted in a more rapid drop in efficiency.


The invention discloses a catalytic gasoline hydrodesulfurization method. The method comprises: adjusting the operating conditions of a catalytic device fractionating tower, adding a lateral line, and adopting an appropriate cutting point to perform cutting so as to obtain gasoline light fractions at the tower top and gasoline heavy fractions at the lateral line; subjecting the light fractions to alkali extraction, carrying out selective hydrodesulfurization on the heavy fractions, and mixing the obtained refined oil with the light gasoline generated by alkali extraction, thus obtaining a clean gasoline product or a blending component. Compared with the existing catalytic gasoline hydrodesulfurization technologies, the method provided in the invention has the advantages that: the equipment energy consumption is significantly reduced, the gasoline octane number loss is small, the gasoline product quality can meet the quality requirement for a sulfur content of less than 10 micrograms/g, and the economic benefits of oil refining enterprises are improved.


【Erythrosine used as a colouring agent in drugs, cosmetics and foods in Korea, was examined for its effects on murine immune system and methemoglobin formation. As immunotoxicologic assay parameters, we adopted circulating leukocytes and immunoorgan weights for pathotoxicology, IgM plaque forming cells and arthus reaction for humoral immunity, delayed hypersensitivity reaction of cell mediated immunity and carbon clearacnce for macrophage function. Erythrosine's effects were observed as follows; 1. Ery throsine showed no significant effects on circulating leulocyte counts and relative immunoorgan weight. 2. Erythrosine diminished IgM plaque forming cells. 3. Erythrosine decreased arthus reaction, in the dose dependent manner. 4. Erythrosine had no significant effect on delayed hypersensitivity. 5. Phagocytic and corrected phagocytic index were not affected. 6. Methemoglobin content was similar in the test and control groups.】


abstract:This essay reads Herman Melville's Israel Potter by attending to the eponymous character's feeling of loneliness as an exile, which compels an examination of the relationship between individual and community. Building on Jean-Luc Nancy's concept of "inoperative community," which emerges between the dead and the living, I argue that the community proposed in Israel Potter is informed by the belatedness that escapes containment by a political institution.


The true relations of the different Cretaceous formations which have long been known to exist within the State of Texas to each other, and to those which have been recognized in other portions of North America, have not hitherto been satisfactorily known. Several eminent geologists have written upon the subject, and considerable diversity of opinion has prevailed among them. The' former impracticability of obtaining information by personal observation over any considerable portion of that great region; the destruction by the civil war of the work so well begun by Dr. Shumard, and the limited knowledge then possessed by any one of the general geology of North America, were doubtless the causes which prevented a satisfactory solution of this question. Now numerous railroads traverse the State, the hostile tribes which barred the progress of travelers have been quieted or removed, and a good outline of the geology of the continent is known. With the opportunity of availing myself of these advantages I entered last year upon an investigation of the Texas Cretaceous, placing the field work in charge of my chief assistant, Mr. Robert T. Hill. In the latter part of the season I traversed the State in various directions in company with Mr. Hill, reviewing his work and making additional observations. The following section is the result of these labors, and I am so well convinced of the accuracy of its essential features that I do not hesitate to adopt


.......................................................................................................................................................... 8 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 9 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................... 11 2. SPITTLEBUGS PRODUCE FOAM AS A THERMOREGULATORY ADAPTATION ......................... 13 ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 2.


Bending processing of fiber reinforced metal was attempted. Materials used were single layer continuous boron fiber reinforced superplastic alloys (SPZ: Zn-22%Al), which were fabricated under the optimum condition determined elsewhere. V bending tests were carried out at 250°C, and the effects of the fiber locations and matrix superplasticity on the shape of bent specimen and punch load were investigated. In the case of non-superplastic metal matrix, successful bending is difficult and accompanied with fiber fractures, especially for the FRM with inside or outside fiber locations. On the other hand, when matrix metal show superplasticity, specimens are bent successfully without fiber fractures regardless of fiber locations. Furthermore, matrix superplasticity decreases the punch load due to the low flow stress of matrix metal. It has been made clear by L bending tests carried out for the investigation of the minimum bending radius that matrix superplasticity enhances the minimum bending radius until that of the unrestrained single fiber. The evaluation of strength of bent composites has shown that the heat treatment to remove the superplasticity from matrix metal increases the strength of bent specimen.


Radiative neutron capture was studied in the 70 Zn(n,γ) 71m,g Zn reaction in order to determine the thermal neutron capture cross sections for the reactions. The resonance integrals were also measured to facilitate corrections for the epithermal neutron component. In addition, cross sections for the 64 Zn(n,γ) 65 Zn and 68 Zn(n,γ) 69m Zn reactions were determined. Through high-resolution γ-ray spectrometry in the 71m Zn decay, a new set of γ-ray energies and intensities was obtained of roughly an order of magnitude greater precision than the previous set, and several transitions new to the decay scheme are proposed. The implications for the properties of the levels of 71 Ga are discussed. More precise values of the decay half-lives for 69m Zn, 71g Zn, and 71m Zn have been determined.


Digital economy is an economic form that directly or indirectly uses data to guide resources to play a role and promote productivity development. In the era of digital economy, energy system has entered the form of smart energy. As the main part of energy Internet, integrated energy system realizes the transformation of various energy forms and the interconnection of various energy networks, which is one of the key research directions in the future. Smart energy system includes infrastructure layer, data support layer, basic software layer, application system layer, display layer and service object layer. The core modules of smart energy management platform include five major businesses: energy monitoring, energy regulation, energy analysis, energy operation and asset management. This paper designs the modules of smart energy system, and carries out the implementation and test, which provides reference for the relevant researchers.


We have been developing a reinforcement learning technique called Bayesian-discrimination-function-based reinforcement learning (BRL) as an approach to autonomous specialization, which is a new concept in cooperative multirobot systems. BRL has a mechanism for autonomously segmenting the continuous state and action space. However, as in other machine learning approaches, overfitting is occasionally observed after successful learning. This paper proposes a technique to sophisticatedly utilize messy knowledge acquired using BRL. The proposed technique that has a doubly represented state space by parametric and nonparametric models is expected to show better learning performance and robustness against environmental changes. We investigate the proposed technique by conducting computer simulations of a cooperative transport task.


Abstract In this paper we introduce a property and use this property to prove some common fixed point theorems in b-metric space. We also give some fixed point results on b-metric spaces endowed with an arbitrary binary relation which can be regarded as consequences of our main results. As applications, we applying our result to prove the existence of a common solution for the following system of integral equations: x (t) =  ∫ a b K 1  (t,r,x(r)) dr, x (t) =  ∫ a b K 2  (t,r,x(r)) dr,       $$\matrix {x (t) = \int \limits_a^b {{K_1}} (t, r, x(r))dr, & & x(t) = \int \limits_a^b {{K_2}}(t, r, x(r))dr,} $$ where a, b ∈ ℝ with a < b, x ∈ C[a, b] (the set of continuous real functions defined on [a, b] ⊆ ℝ) and K1, K2 : [a, b] × [a, b] × ℝ → ℝ are given mappings. Finally, an example is also given in order to illustrate the effectiveness of such result.


Passing the licensure examination is an important milestone in the professional life of new nursing graduates. This study investigated the factors that influence the performance of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) graduates in the licensure examination in Kenya. A descriptive survey design was used in this ex post facto research study. A postal questionnaire s and record review methods were used for data collection. The sample comprised 157 BScN graduates of whom 94.8% had done the licensure examination and were undergoing internship. The results indicate that the overall national pass rate was 73% and the failure rate 23%. A combination of school, candidate and examination factors played an important role in the candidate success in the examination. Studying in groups seemed to increase the candidates change for passing. It was recommended that candidates preparing to take the examination should revise in proximity to their training institution for support by nursing faculty and library resources. The study was conducted in November 2011 to March 2012.


The purpose of this business plan is to know through a thorough and extensive analysis, the feasibility of QQ, a company dedicated to implement an organic lipstick production plant in Pichincha. In order to demonstrate this plan, a study was carried out and was focused mainly on the macro environment, customer analysis using qualitative-quantitative methodology, a marketing plan, and financial evaluation. QQ emerged from the need of cosmetic consumers for products that do not have a negative impact on their health and that reduces the risk of getting cancer because of the harmful chemical components. The alarming rates of women who get cancer at present is one of the fundamental foundations to develop this project. QQ supports and justifies a substantial business opportunity with an indispensable numeric support. The main objective of this document is to determine the commercial and financial viability for the elaboration of organic lipsticks for the province of Pichincha. QQ does not offer a simple beauty product, QQ provides tranquility, comfort, fashion and above all health, through a 100 percent natural organic lipstick with anticancer properties. With QQ it is not necessary to impair health to look radiant and feel beautiful. The differentiation of this product is based not only on the benefits that the lipstick gives, it is also focused on a national production model with a plausible and sustainable potential. This product offers characteristics which are sustained with multiple activities that allow to have a competitive advantage. To achieve this advantage, the level of interactivity of the industry was determined, the market preferences were investigated and the most appropriate marketing plan was designed to obtain effective results.


2,857,302 10/1958 Burton et al. . 3,445,327 5/1969 Griffin . Primary Examiner-James C. Cannon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hedman, Casella, Gibson & Costigan (57) ABSTRACT A bowling lane having a decorative laminate surface in which the lane approach surface and the lane surface proper has a finish which provides a 60 degree gloss below about 30 in the machine direction as measured according to NEMA Standard 8-19-1964.


Introduction: Foodborne diseases are a public health concern globally. Each year as many as 600 million, or almost 1 in 10 people in the world, fall ill after consuming contaminated food. However, there is limited information about the health status of food handlers in the study area.  Thus, the study assessed the health status of food handlers and associated factors at hotels and restaurants in Adama town, Ethiopia from November 13 to December 12, 2017. By using a cross-sectional study design and simple random sampling technique, data collected from 422 sampled food handlers. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis used to describe the study population and identify associated factors.  The study revealed food handlers with good health status found to be 160 (37.9%), and the rest categorized as poor. The study found that hand washing before/after food preparations (PV=0.001), hand washing after toilet visits/dirt (PV= 0.001), training (PV= 0.036), medical checkups (PV=0.001) and clean work uniforms (PV=0.001) were factors independently associated with the health status of food handlers. This study concluded that a large proportion (62.1%) of food handlers found to be poor in their health status. Therefore, washing hands before food preparation, after toilet/contacts dirt, wear of clean work uniforms, attending training and medical check-up are important actions in maintaining the good health status of food handlers.


AIM: To study the effects of bisoprolol on plasma calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), endothelin (ET) 1 levels and heart functions in patients with chronic heart failure.METHODS: Sixty eight patients with chronic heart failure were divided into two groups: the bisoprolol group and the control group. Blood samples were drawn from median cubital veins of all these patients at the beginning of the study and follow up after the 7 month. The plasma concentration of ET 1 and CGRP were detected by radioimmunoassay, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF%) were recorded to evaluate the effects of bisoprolol.RESULTS: At the end of 7 month follow up, the plasma concentrations of ET 1 and CGRP in bisoprolol group decreased significantly compared with those at the beginning of the study ( P 0.01) and it was also true compared with those of the control group ( P 0.01).The values of EF% were higher in both groups after 7 month follow up, and the values of EF% was significantly higher in the bisoprolol group than those in the control group (all P 0.01). CONCLUSION: Bisoprolol added to other routine drugs can decrease the levels of the plasma CGRP and ET 1 and improve the heart functions of patients with heart failure.


We propose the following mechanism of linear polarization origin at Jupiter's polar regions: the principal contribution in polarization is made by the light reflected by cloud layer and then scattered by stratospheric aerosol particles. The linear polarization distributions along the central meridian for two spectral bands (0.46 μm and 0.70 μm) are calculated. They are in good qualitative agreement with observational data. The mean scattering particle radius is estimated as rmean = 0.5 μm.


In the present paper we will introduce a new class of double sequences called DGM (p, alpha, beta, gamma, r), which is the generalization of a class considered by Szal and Duzinkiewicz. Moreover, we obtained in this note a sufficient condition for the uniform convergence of double sine series with coefficients belonging to this class.


This chapter examines the paradox inherent in tackling political issues within a traditionally 'polite' form, authorial consciences torn between retirement and public engagement, and the recurring tendency of the essayist to attack complacent readers rather than more obvious adversaries. For some, writing under political pressure, the tactics are indirection or literary insurgency; for others, the essay form itself symbolizes the freedoms to be defended from more absolutist forms of thought. Via readings of essays by Addison, Hazlitt, Woolf, Orwell, Baldwin, and Hitchens, it highlights the forgotten political agendas of declaredly apolitical essayists, while inversely emphasizing the overriding literary, autobiographical, and philosophical ambitions that dominate some of the most famously political of classic English essayists.


The Interoperability Framework (IF) designed and developed in the IT2Rail project and promoted in GoF4R project (both funded under the EU Shift2Rail programme) reduces and potentially eliminates the need for centrally directed and coordinated adoption of centralized platforms or single standards. The Interoperability Framework creates an explicit, formal, shareable, machine-readable and computable description of data and services in order to allow a higher degree of automation of distributed processes across multiple data formats and unspecified actors. Analysis of the market actor interests in the Interoperability Framework technologies and relevant use cases have been identified. In addition, the paper presents the results from a survey and interviews with relevant stakeholders, conducted to understand the impact and the benefit perceived on the adoption of the Interoperability Framework solutions.


—Water is life for the existence of all living being on earth. Water is an important, valuable, finite, natural resource demanded by many sectors. The stresses because of water inadequacy are multiplied today. Irrigation sector is the biggest consumer of water so there's scope for raising efficiency by reducing the loss of water. In this paper, the study has been dispensed to investigate traditional canal distribution system of direct minor no. 10 of the left bank canal of Akkalpada project and to design pipe distribution network for the same. the cost construction is found more for pipe distribution system but in view of water thefts, conveyance losses, evaporation losses for canal distribution system, pipe distribution system is desirable for direct minor no. 10 of the left bank canal of Akkalpada project. There's a decrease in land acquisition cost for pipe distribution system. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________


The economic history of 20th-century Africa has often been attributed to either the legacy of imperialism and exploitation by powerful and unscrupulous foreign business, or to hasty decolonization and ill-conceived socialism. This timely work looks well beyond these explanations to provide a balanced, in-depth investigation of Africa's economic fortunes following the partition of Africa one century ago. Neither an indictment of nor an apology for colonialism, and neither a glorification nor a critique of the post-colonial achievement, Wickins' study takes into account the pressure of changing circumstances and the evolution of opinion in and outside of Africa to help clarify the course of Africa's recent economic history.


As we approach the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the now-classic paper on strategic agility by Sambamurthy et al. (2003), we are reminded that information technology (IT) executives continue to view strategic agility as one of their most enduring challenges (Kappelman et al., 2021). Defined as the extent to which organisations can respond to sudden, disruptive, and unanticipated market events with ease, speed, and dexterity (Sambamurthy et al., 2003; Tallon et al., 2019), strategic agility has come of age in an era where organisations face a host of threats and opportunities from forces both seen and unseen. If done correctly, digital-enabled strategic agility can enable rapid, scalable, and cost effective changes in products, services, and processes but, if done poorly, the price of rigidity and delays can be inordinately high as oncelauded industry giants such as Sears, General Electric, Xerox, and Kodak have discovered (Collins, 2009). Our motivation for pursuing this special issue was prompted, in part, by a dearth of research on the topic of strategic agility in the literature. When writing a review paper on the subject in 2018 (Tallon et al., 2019), we uncovered 83 papers published across a variety of premier information systems (IS) journals and conferences between 2000 and 2018; three-fourths of this number appeared after 2009. Even then, less than five papers have been published annually on a topic that is garnering increased attention from IT executives for its ability to deliver greater customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and operational effectiveness (Kappelman et al., 2021). Our focus on strategic agility assumed a new air of importance in spring 2020 for no sooner had we sent out our Call for Papers than the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Organisations' subdued response to the pandemic brought into sharp relief the need for fresh thinking on what it means to be "agile". Organisations who were slow to pivot were mercilessly punished; retailers who relied heavily on foot traffic such as Brooks Brothers, Neiman Marcus, and JC Penney were especially vulnerable. Others such as Zoom, Uber Eats, Home Depot, Netflix, and Disney were able to scale and innovate around their existing processes and business models in order to remain relevant. Perhaps this time is different for the pandemic exposed the limits of what organisations could really do. For those who say that organisations could never have foreseen this calamitous event and so could never have planned an effective response, perhaps we should reconsider that logic so that we are better prepared next time. So what could we have done differently? We might also ask whether efforts to boost strategic agility are seen as just another IT problem for the IS function to resolve or whether strategic agility is an opportunity that warrants serious attention from all organisational leaders.


intrinsic operation speed.Moreover, unlike mostother Abstract- Nonlinear electrical characteristics ofthree-branch nanodevices, TBJscanoperate atroomtemperature. junction (TBJ)devices areinvestigated experimentally and Frequency mixingassociated tothenonlinear response of numerically asafunction offrequency. Based onthebell-shaped TBJshasalready beendemonstrated experimentally atlow output voltage obtained underpush-pull input weanalyze thelow frequency (2). Nevertheless, in(2) asignificant signal decay is frequency performance (<1MHz)ofTBJsoperating asmixers. v , Concerning highfrequency, by meansofMonteCarloobserved inthereported spectra, attributed toamismatching simulations weillustrate thefunctionality ofthedevice asa problem duetothehighvalue oftheTBJoutput impedance (of frequency doubler orrectifier upto1THz.


'The Problem with…' series covers controversial topics related to efforts to improve healthcare quality, including widely recommended, but deceptively difficult strategies for improvement and pervasive problems that seem to resist solution. The series is overseen by Ken Catchpole (Guest Editor) and Kaveh Shojania (Editor-in-Chief).

Seminal reports that launched the modern field of patient safety highlighted the importance of learning from critical incidents.1 ,2 Since then, incident reporting systems have become one of the most widespread safety improvement strategies in healthcare, both within individual organisations and across entire healthcare systems.3

There are some strong examples of learning and improvement following serious patient safety incidents.4 ,5 But major disasters have also revealed widespread failures to understand and respond to reported safety incidents.6 ,7 Between these two extremes exists a range of frustrations and confusions regarding the purpose and practice of incident reporting.8–10 These problems can be traced to what was lost in translation when incident reporting was adapted from aviation and other safety-critical industries,11 with fundamental aspects of successful incident reporting systems misunderstood, misapplied or entirely missed in healthcare. This mistranslation of incident reporting from other industries has left us with confused and contradictory approaches to reporting and learning, seriously limiting the impact of this potentially powerful safety improvement strategy.

The original ambitions for incident reporting in healthcare were deceptively simple. Staff would identify and report problems and mishaps; patient safety risks would be investigated and addressed and the resulting lessons would be widely shared and implemented.12 A powerful symbol of this ambition was the 'orange wire'.13 Successful patient safety incident reporting systems would support system-wide learning in the same way that the discovery of a defective 'orange wire' in a particular aircraft type might cause rapid and systematic action across …


A large number of current systems use uninterrupted energy supply, "UPS" (Uninterrupted Power Supply), based on Li-ion batteries or another compound, to store the energy. Although such solution can come out of a direct requirement analysis, the electrochemical batteries have several limitations such as the small numbers of charge and discharge cycles. Besides, chemical batteries can cause environmental damage when discarded improperly. Flywheel energy storage systems are candidates to replace chemical batteries some advantages, which do not show up clearly when a traditional direct analysis of requirements is done (and it is too late to be included later on). This problem can be observed every time we have an engineering design problem called in a close domain, that is, where the domain of the application is very close to the developer's domain. This is due to the lack of a relational analysis of the requirements, for instance, based on objects. In this work we reviewed a small and practical design problem focusing in the choice of the energy supply system but using an object oriented approach based on a system called KAOS (Knowledge Acquisition in Automated Specification), which is capable to provide this relational analysis. We can have a good argument to analyze prospective solutions related to requirements and justify the choice of flywheel systems, in this specific case. Even in this simple problem it is possible to notice the importance of performing a criterial requirements analysis in mechatronic design and how that could avoid some wrong decision-making derived from that.


This paper describes the development process of a chemical plant process flow simulation training system.This training system uses the PC network to simulate the dynamic process of chemical production and the TDC3000 type DCS(Distributed Control) system,along with live analog functions and teacher control.This system can train on-site process operators,configuration engineers and instrumentation technology workers to improve their theoretical understanding and practical skills.The design and implementation of the system are given covering the overall structure,hardware and software design,and system features and functions.


The process of screening a bacterium of rich-producing trehalose synthase enzyme from soil was studied in this paper. After plate screening and conversion test in surging bottle and checking by HPAEC, it was approved that this enzyme was able to transform maltose to trehalose with yield of 40%. The morphological,cultural physiological characteristics of trehalose-producing were described in this paper.The full-lenth of 16S rDNA has been tested and compared with the type strains of all known Arthrobacter sp in Genebank. The results showed the similarity values of 16S rDNA sequence between bacterium JNU-1 and Arthrobacter nicotinovorus were 95.12%.Therefore bacterium JNU-1 was named Arthrobacter nicotinovorus JNU-1.


Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a very rare non‐Hodgkin lymphoma caused by human herpesvirus‐8 (HHV8) that grows in liquid phase within body cavities. The diagnosis of PEL is based on cytology but requires confirmatory ancillary tests. PEL occurs mainly in association with HIV infection. This study describes 9 cases of PEL in HIV‐negative patients and compares their characteristics with 10 HIV‐associated cases of PEL diagnosed at a single institution in Italy between 1995 and 2019.


Miniature optic gas sensors (MOGS) based on luminescent materials have shown great potential as alternatives to Near-Infrared-based gas sensor systems for the advanced space suit portable life support system (PLSS). The unique capability of MOGS for carbon dioxide and oxygen monitoring under wet conditions has been reported, as has the fast recovery of MOGS humidity sensors after long periods of being wet. Lower volume and power requirements are also potential advantages of MOGS over both traditional and advanced Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) gas sensors, which have shown so far longer life than luminescent sensors. This paper presents the most recent results in the development and analytical validation of a compact multi-gas sensor unit based on luminescent sensors for the PLSS. Results of extensive testing are presented, including studies conducted at Intelligent Optical Systems laboratories, a United Technology Corporation Aerospace Systems (UTAS) laboratory, and a Johnson Space Center laboratory. The potential of this sensor technology for gas monitoring in PLSSs and other life support systems and the advantages and limitations found through detailed sensor validation are discussed.


The development of an eco-friendly and economical synthetic pathway of nanomaterials such as metal nanoparticles and nanoporous metals remains a challenging topic in the field of nanomaterials. Here we report a novel and eco-friendly series of synthetic methods from the preparation of metal nanoparticles to the fabrication of hierarchical porous metals by using partial film boiling phenomena established by a reactor with the inverse configuration of conventional Leidenfrost drop reactors, which is much more favorable to large-scale production than conventional Leidenfrost drop reactors. As a result, we have revealed two important facts, which can offer fresh vision to the field of metal nanoparticle and nanoporous metal synthesis. The first one is that Pd and Pt precursor can be reduced to neutral Pd and Pt nanoparticles under basic condition established by partial film boiling phenomena without reducing agents such as ethanol and citric acid. The second one is that when citric acid and ethanol as a mild ...


The structure and source of PHS' market value was analyzed by traditional project value evaluation.Real option method was used to reevaluate the PHS market value in consideration of the 3G license in the future.It is concluded that although the PHS could not help the Fixed Phone Operators(FPOs) to gain the investment return in the short term,it still could help to acquire the 3G license of mobile phone and bring stable income in the long run,o indicating that the essence that an enterprise is an economic entity.When enterprise's interest is conflict with social interest,FPOs would,without seeing the risk of sacrificing industry development,prefer the technology-backward PHS in order to acquire its own profit.


Li-Ion Batteries can afford quite large energy densities based on organic electrolytes with highly toxic and flammable solvents and its preparation is complicated and expensive, partly because the electrolyte is moisture and air sensitive. Utilization of aqueous electrolytes in rechargeable lithium batteries will increase their safety, economical, and environmental issues. The electrochemical properties of LiMn2O4 and LiCoO2as positive electrode materials for Li-ion battery with water electrolytes against LiV3O8 as negative electrode were investigated. The used salts are 6M LiNO3 and 2M Li2SO4 dissolved in distillated water. LiMn2O4 was prepared by conventional solid state reaction heating stoichiometric mixtures of LiNO3 and MnO2 at temperature under 650C for 24 h. LiCoO2 was obtained via sol-gel method with final thermal treatment at800Cfor 24 h. Lithium vanadate was prepared via solid state reaction. All materials are stable in the aqueous solution and intercalation/deintercalation of lithium ions occurs within the window of electrochemical stability of the water, which was determined using slow cycling voltammetry. Manganese spinel exhibit specific capacity of 99mAh.g in 6M LiNO3and 94mAh.g in 2M Li2SO4water electrolyte, while its capacity in organic electrolyte is 135mAh.g. The obtained capacities from lithium cobaltate in water electrolytes were 99mAh.g and 79mAh.grespectively while that in organic electrolyte is 145mAh.g. The cycling behaviorand specific capacityof these active compounds in electrochemical cell with vanadate as a negative active mass is not as stable as in organic electrolytes.


This essay responds to two recent articles on the discovery of the Nag Hammadi codices, one by Mark Goodacre and another by Nicola Denzey Lewis and Justine Ariel Blount.


In this paper we focus on the God Kawiil found on incensarios excavated at the Grupo de las Cruces at Pa- lenque. We suggest that this deity was associated with rituals related to agricultural reproduction and that, in a specific way, Kawiil was represented as a metaphor for maize. Yet the meaning of this deity is closely bound to the concepts that are identified in another variant of the incensarios. Both variants are integra- ted as two opposite and complementary halves of a larger idea. Both types of incensarios were exclusively found in the Templo de la Cruz Foliada, a structure that also refers to the agricultural reproduction cycle.


In recent years, our group has developed and reported two multispectral sensing algorithms that aim to exploit the continuous bias-dependent spectral tunability of the quantum dots-in-a-well (DWELL) infrared photodetector and enable higher spectral resolutions without using spectral filters. The key idea is to probe an unknown target of interest sequentially with the DWELL detector at multiple biases, producing a set of bias-dependent photocurrents. Then, a post-processing algorithm performs a linear superposition of these bias-dependent photocurrents with a pre-determined set of weights, which is the optimal solution for a specific multispectral sensing task. The first algorithm, termed the spectral-tuning algorithm, is designed to perform algorithmic spectrometer, which is capable of reconstructing the spectrum of any unknown target of interest (admitted by the DWELL's spectral response) without utilizing any physical spectral filters or spectrometer. The set of weights obtained by the spectral-tuning algorithm can optimally approximate the desired shape of narrowband tuning filter with a specified bandwidth. According to this optimal set of weights, the spectrum of the unknown target at each desired tuning wavelength is reconstructed by performing a weighted linear superposition with the set of bias-dependent photocurrents. This algorithm has been experimentally demonstrated by our group [1] and other groups [2]. The second algorithm, termed, the spectral matched-filtering algorithm, is geared toward performing target classification [3]. With known multiple spectra, representing classes of targets of interest, the idea is to obtain the optimal sets of weights, which form a linear superposition with the bias-dependent DWELL's spectral bands. Each superposition band is regarded as the most informative "spectral direction" (in a vector-space sense) for a given target spectrum. Then, the classifier uses these sets of weights to perform a linear superposition with the measured set of bias-dependent photocurrents. The outcome from the classifier is the set of extracted superposition features, which is used to classify the unknown target.


The kinetic chromogenic assay with Limulus amoebocyte lysate to detect the bacterial endotoxin in Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for injection is investigated in this paper. The test for interfering factors is performed to study the applicability of the kinetic chromogenic assay for detection of bacterial endotoxin in Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin for injection. The results suggest that r>0.980 while the range is between 50-0.005EU/ml. Besides, when concentration of test solution is 1mg/ml for Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, there is no interference between Limulus amebocyte lysate and bacterial endotoxin. The kinetic chromogenic assay can be used to detect the bacterial endotoxin in Hydroxypropyl- -β-cyclodextrin.


The authors showed that the organic production is an actively growing global business: in 2017, it occupied more than 1.4 percent of all agricultural land on the planet. The authors emphasized the relevance of digitalization with the constant growth of the database, which the farmer needs to process quickly and effi ciently. (Research purpose) To form the structure of the information and communication system for the «smart» crop organic farming and the database necessary for its training and ensuring its functioning. (Materials and methods) The prior research was used, as well as previously created databases and information from the existing literature. Since 2016, a multifactorial experiment with potatoes has been carried out as part of an organic crop rotation to fi ll the information base with experimental data. (Results and discussion) The structure of the information and communication system of the "smart" organic crop production has been formed. It is based on the territory digital map and agricultural crop digital models. In the course of the work of the system, we decided to make daily changes to the digital model of agricultural crops based on the incoming agroecological information, as well as to prepare recommendations on the relevant choice and use of the planned technological operations. It was found out that in a fouryear fi eld experiment, the potato yield in the control variant (without the introduction of compost and pesticides) averaged 21.7 tons per hectare, and when using compost and biofungicide Kartofi n, it increased to 26.7 tons per hectare. The authors calculated multiple linear regression equations describing the dependence of the nitrogen mineral form content in the soil in June on the sum of the active temperatures during this period and the compost dose (the correlation coeffi cient is 0.658); and the dependence of potato yield on the nitrogen mineral form content in the soil in the fi rst ten days of June and the sum of active temperatures in May-June (the correlation coeffi cient is 0.667). (Conclusions) The authors presented the structure of the information and communication system of an organic agricultural enterprise, substantiated the possibility of its full implementation as a tool that helps agricultural producers to carry out environmentally safe, competitive and effi cient organic production at a totally new level.


This is further evidence that retarded trunk and visceral growth, including liver growth, may be associated with alterations in lipid metabolism (16). In a group of 20-yolds in France (517 in total), the mean plasma lipid concentrations of those who were born small for gestational age were similar to those of a control group with normal birthweights (17). Those in the small for gestational age group, however, were insulin-resistant. Perhaps disturbances of lipid homeostasis that are associated with insulin resistance do not become manifest until adult life. Continued follow-up of the French cohort and other cohorts may resolve this. Meanwhile, further studies of the association between reduced abdominal circumference at birth and plasma lipid concentrations in later life, together with continued studies in animals (18), may give insights into the way in which malnutrition of the fetus alters liver growth and disturbs lipid homeostasis through life.


The strength of the cement added with steel slag powder as supplementary cement materials in different curing conditions was studied and compared with that of added with sand powder.The dissolution of active silicon in the action of the alkali solution,the reaction of saturated calcium hydroxide solution and microscopic structure were tested.The effects of different curing conditions on hydration performance of pulverized steel slag was discussed in this paper.The results showed that in curing conditions of normal temperature,the strength of 3 d,7 d and 28 d of the steel slag is higher than that of sand power,the early hydration activity of the steel slag is higher than sand powder,and the hydration degree reduced with the age of increase.In the curing conditions of 80 ℃ water,the strength of the cement added with steel slag are higher than that of the cement added with sand power in conditions of the equal content.Compared with the normal temperature conditions,the consumption of Ca(OH)2 of the steel slag obviously increase in the curing conditions of 80 ℃water,the amount of the generation of hydration products is much more,hydration reaction degree is higher than sand powder.Water hot maintenance condition is good for arousing the steel slag activity,improving its hydration reaction degree,increasing the strength of samples.


OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the causes for family refusal to donate organs and tissue. METHODS: Correlational cross-sectional study regarding the causes for the family refusal to donate organs and tissue. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Student's t test. RESULTS: The study emphasized that the main reasons for the refusal are: incomprehension regarding the brain death diagnosis (21%), religion (19%), lack of technical competence of the team (19%), long process (10%), the deceased was a non-donor (9%), fear of mutilation (5.2%), being buried as the person came to this world (3.4%), quality of the service (3.4%), decision of a single member of the family (3.4%), negative previous experience from another donation process (1.7%), body transfer (1.7%). CONCLUSION: The causes for family refusal are associated with the family members' lack of understanding regarding the brain death diagnosis, aspects related to religion and lack of preparation of the professional who performed the interview.


Abstract— The cellular uptake of Photofrin II (PII) was studied using fluorescence imaging and chemical extraction. The influence of serum and low density lipoproteins (LDL) was examined under a variety of experimental conditions employing cultured human cells of different origins as well as a subcutaneously SMT‐F tumor implanted in mice. Results showed that serum inhibited PII uptake. In general, LDL also inhibits PII uptake with the exception of an initial increase in the first10–30 min when the cellular concentration of PII was measured by fluorescence imaging instead of chemical extraction. Our results suggest a possible de‐aggregation process occurring upon internalization or binding of PII to LDL.


The long-term function of the right ventricle (RV) in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of most important outstanding problems in the field of congenital heart disease (CHD). While successful strategies were developed to overcome the mortality due to persistent pulmonary obstruction and chronic cyanosis, by the mid-1970s practitioners recognized the insidious but relentless impact that pulmonary regurgitation had on RV function in TOF. The problem has driven substantial research on ''rightsided'' physiology and is responsible for important developments in catheter-based therapies in CHD. Despite these efforts, the challenge of ''normalizing'' long-term RV function, even after repair of TOF in infancy, continues to elude us. In this issue of the World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, Ko and coworkers from the Jikei University School of Medicine report their study of the relationship between pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), pulmonary regurgitant fraction (PRF), cardiac output (CO) and RV systolic shortening (RVSS) in an acute porcine model of acute pulmonary regurgitation (PR). They controlled PVR using CO2 and nitric oxide (NO). Following valve leaflet resection on cardiopulmonary bypass, PRF was 40% + 5%. Cardiac output decreased from 1.7 + 0.3 L/min to 1.3 + 0.2 L/min and RVSS decreased from 22% + 2% to 18% + 2%. With a PVR of 836 + 207 dyne s cm 5 (hypercapnia), PRF was 60% + 10% and CO was 1.02 + 0.15 L/min, while with a PVR of 340 + 102 dyne s cm 5 (NO with normal CO2) PRF was 24% + 4% and CO was 1.44 + 0.18 L/min. They concluded that low PVR after RV outflow reconstruction is advantageous in reducing PRF and RV volume load. This study supplements experimental and clinical findings that have been known for some time in both humans and other mammals in the acute and chronic setting. For example, the therapeutic strategy of minimizing PVR, presumably to reduce PRF after neonatal repair of TOF with transannular patch is well established. In the chronic setting, Chaturvedi and coworkers in 1997 showed that increasing branch or peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis increased PRF. In a study published in 2013 of 16 patients with chronic PR, Hart and coworkers found that PRF decreased from 35.3% + 16.4% at baseline to 33.3% + 15.1% with inhaled nitric oxide (P 1⁄4 .02). The findings are plausible, considering the most simplistic model of the right-sided circulation: increased PVR (at any anatomic level of the pulmonary tree) increases systolic and diastolic pulmonary artery pressure (DPAP). If RV diastolic pressure (RVDP) remains constant, then the difference, DPAP RVDP increases. This gradient ''drives'' more PR. This explanation is an oversimplification, of course. The RV and the pulmonary vasculature can be viewed as two mechanical systems that interact. The state of each system determines the characteristics of the flow of blood, especially at their interface where PR occurs. By 1979, it was appreciated that the RV behaved mechanically in a manner similar to that of the LV, the instantaneous pressure being related to volume by a timedependent elastance. In rough proportion to increased afterload, end systolic and diastolic volumes increase, stroke volume increases, and ejection fraction decreases. Although more difficult to measure due to the so-called ''hangout period,'' the slope of the pressure/volume curve near end systole, by analogy to that of the LV, is referred to as Emax and is considered by some to be a reasonable measure of the intrinsic contractility of the RV. Like LV contractility, RV contractility is influenced by inotropic drugs, intrinsic catecholamines, disease states, and several effects intrinsic to myocytes, such as the Frank-Starling and Anrep mechanisms. The relative importance of these mechanisms depends on preload in a manner particular to the RV, that is, not identical to that of the LV, and can be affected by PR. Additionally, by analogy to diastolic mitral regurgitation in acute aortic regurgitation, diastolic tricuspid regurgitation may result from the altered time-dependent atrioventricular pressure gradient present in acute PR, further reducing forward flow. This phenomenon has been observed in the RV in patients with atrioventricular conduction delay or block.


Generating and maintaining construction schedules from architectural drawings is vital to design and construction professionals for constructability review and project planning. Automating these tasks requires combining a computer‐aided design (CAD) system with knowledge‐based programming and data‐base techniques. A prototype system—called Builder—is presented for the domain of routine interior design and construction. The principal features of Builder are: (1) Its use of a semantic network of objects as a common language for representing and communicating an architecture‐engineering‐construction (AEC) problem state; and (2) a modular and practical approach to knowledge‐based construction planning, where each building‐component data type contains the rules and procedures required to design and schedule it. Integration may well be the key to the effective use of computer technology in the construction industry. It depends on the compatibility of computer systems across traditional professional boundaries. ...


Abstract Necessary and sufficient conditions in the form of a minimum principle are obtained for discrete-time control systems by non-linear programming methods. These results generalize previous ones in that they involve pseudo-convexity and quasi-convexity rather than convexity.


Objective To investigate the clinical feasibility and indications of transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery of adrenalectomy(LESS-A) with general laparoscopic instruments.Methods One patient with left nonfunctioning adenoma underwent transumbilical LESS-A.The patient was placed in a 60°modified flank position.A 2 cm skin incision using Hasson open technique was made at the level of paraumbilicus for the insertion of the home-made single-port platform.Following the strategy of conventional transperitoneal adrenalectomy,the surgery was performed with general laparoscopic instruments.Finally,specimen was removed through the skin incision.Results The surgery was performed successfully.No conversion to open or 3-port laparoscopic surgery was necessary.No drainage tube was left.No intra-operative complications was observed,nor post-operative complications after a four-week follow-up.Conclusion Results have shown its clinical safety and feasibility,and the possibility to become a new gold standard for left adrenalectomy.


The scientific community worldwide is slowly accepting the fact that the overall cost of R&D is now so enormous that economic factors cannot be ignored and that recipients of grants must accept a measure of accountability and assessment of their performance. This article reviews in general terms, but with special reference to agricultural research what criteria should be taken into account in taking decisions about funding.


[Objective]To investigate the effect of proximal femoral intramedullary nail with spiral blade for the treatment of femoral peritrochanteric fractures with femoral shaft fractures.[Method]From January 2002 to October 2006,21 patients of femoral peritrochanteric fractures with femoral shaft fractures were treated by minimal invasive technique with proximal femoral intramedullary nail and spiral blade.[Result]All 21 patients were followed up from 9 months to 5 years,with an average of 13 months,fractures healed in all patients.There was no nail and screw broken or loosening.The hip and knee joints of ingived limbs retained good function.[Conclusion]It is a good internal fixation operation for treatment of femoral peritrochanteric fractures with femoral shaft fractures(according to the patient's age,the type of fracture and the Singh index of the bone)by using minimal invasive technique with proximal femoral intramedullary nail and spiral blade,the key of treatment is the anatomic reduction of the fractures under minimal invasive surgery.


The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) limits the practical applications of many important energy conversion systems such as electrolysis of water, metal–air batteries, solar fuel, and so on. Here, we report a highly efficient OER electrocatalyst that features (Co/Fe)4O4 cubane motifs in an amorphous nanoring structure. The Co/Fe codopants in the cubane motifs can optimize the intermediates adsorption and significantly lower the overpotentials of the OER. In addition to finely tuning the adsorption of intermediates, the amorphous nanoring structures provide rapid ion channels and high surface area for the OER. Phosphorylation also increases the wettability of electrocatalysts. As a result, the nanorings exhibit highly catalytic activities for the OER with a low overpotential of 300 mV at 10 mA cm–2 and a small Tafel slope of 36 mV dec–1 in an alkaline solution. The long-term durability is demonstrated for at least 20 h at 10 mA cm–2. In brief, we demonstrate a tuning strategy of Co/F...


Aiming at the problem that a great deal of waste was not automatically exhausted during the production process of H1F CNC punch press,an in-mold automatic exhaust mechanism with idle wheel was designed and developed using NX software.Through experiments,the design parameters of the exhaust mechanism were optimized,and the benefit of the whole design was evaluated.The results indicate that using this mechanism,the goals including high efficiency,automation,favorable commonality of the punch press,long service time,good exhaust and environment protection,are realized.


ABSTRACTSome dialkyl derivatives of bicyclohexyl, tercyclohexane and cyclohexyl decahydronaphthalene with a carbonitrile group positioned axially in the most stable conformation exhibit enantiotropic nematic and smectic phases. These compounds are valuable for displays based on nematics with a negative dielectric anisotropy. A depression of the nematic/isotropic transition temperature of microscopic circular areas can be observed.


The development of golf game in China is embarrassing because of cognitive bias from the public, lacking of supporting basis and negative influence of over-commercialization. However, from the deep analysis, golf culture and Chinese culture share many similar connotations such as "self- cultivation", "integrity and selfdiscipline", "fairness and equality", "emphasizing concepts of win-win cooperation" and "emphasizing ceremonies" and so on and so forth. Therefore, as long as we use the right ways to promote the essence of golf culture, golf in China will have a prosperous development, and golf culture communication in China is feasible. In this paper, the ways of "accurate positioning, promoting with the help of the media, getting support from our country and expanding the golf player team" are suggested.


A novel scalable model for multi-finger RF MOSFETs modeling is presented.All the parasitic components, including gate resistance,substrate resistance and wiring capacitance,are directly determined from the layout.This model is further verified using a standard 0.13μm RF CMOS process with nMOSFETs of different numbers of gate fingers,with the per gate width fixed at 2.5μm and the gate length at 0.13μm.Excellent agreement between measured and simulated S-parameters from 100 MHz to 20 GHz demonstrate the validity of this model.