The rating of users requesting financial services is a growing task, especially in this historical period of the COVID-19 pandemic characterized by a dramatic increase in online activities, mainly related to e-commerce. This kind of assessment is a task manually performed in the past that today needs to be carried out by automatic credit scoring systems, due to the enormous number of requests to process. It follows that such systems play a crucial role for financial operators, as their effectiveness is directly related to gains and losses of money. Despite the huge investments in terms of financial and human resources devoted to the development of such systems, the state-of-the-art solutions are transversally affected by some well-known problems that make the development of credit scoring systems a challenging task, mainly related to the unbalance and heterogeneity of the involved data, problems to which it adds the scarcity of public datasets. The Region-based Training Data Segmentation (RTDS) strategy proposed in this work revolves around a divide-and-conquer approach, where the user classification depends on the results of several sub-classifications. In more detail, the training data is divided into regions that bound different users and features, which are used to train several classification models that will lead toward the final classification through a majority voting rule. Such a strategy relies on the consideration that the independent analysis of different users and features can lead to a more accurate classification than that offered by a single evaluation model trained on the entire dataset. The validation process carried out using three public real-world datasets with a different number of features. samples, and degree of data imbalance demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. which outperforms the canonical training one in the context of all the datasets.


A new method is proposed to strengthen reinforced concrete columns connected to walls. First, holes are drilled through the walls with an interval less than a half of the column depth. Second, aramid sheet is pasted on the column. Third, aramid belts are bound around the column. Five series of experiments are conducted to investigate (1) shear strength, (2) bond-splitting strength, (3) ductility under low axial force, and (4) ductility under high axial force. A set of design equations are proposed to predict the capacity of the columns retrofitted using the proposed procedure. Introduction Aramid is a long-chain synthetic polymer with amide linkages (-CO-NH-). The aramid we use has tensile strength of approximately 3,000 MPa (much stronger than steel) and Young's modulus of 150 GPa (less stiff than steel). In Japan, aramid fiber is becoming popular as a material for jacketing reinforced concrete columns to increase their shear strengths. The advantage of aramid fiber over steel plate and carbon fiber is its flexibility that makes retrofitting work easier. Many experiments have been done to investigate the effects of aramid fiber to jacket RC columns (AIJ 2002). However, such jacketing cannot be applied to columns connected to walls or beams connected to slabs. The objective of this paper is to develop a reliable method to retrofit such columns and beams. Procedure of retrofit and experiment plan We propose the following procedure: (a) Drill holes through the walls with an interval less than a half of the column depth (Fig. 1a). (b) Paste aramid-sheet on the column using epoxy adhesive (Fig. 1b). (c) Bind aramid-belts around the column using epoxy adhesive (Fig. 1c). We assume that the retrofit is needed for the shear force indicated by an arrow in Fig. 1c. We neglect the contribution of the wing walls parallel to the shear force because their failure mode Assistant Professor, Dept. of Architecture, Kyushu Sangyo University, Fukuoka, Japan 2 Professor, Dept. of Architecture, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan 3 Engineer, Fibex Corporation, Tokyo, Japan 4 Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Tohoku Gakuin University, Sendai, Japan Proceedings of the 9th U.S. National and 10th Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering Compte Rendu de la 9ième Conférence Nationale Américaine et 10ième Conférence Canadienne de Génie Parasismique July 25-29, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Paper No 205 shall be brittle. The contribution of the wall perpendicular to the shear force shall also be negligible. Therefore, we conduct experiments using the test specimens shown in Fig. 1d. 300 Aramid belt Aramid sheet 250 120 Drilled hole 625


THE apparatus here described was devised in the attempt to obtain from intact human muscle in living subjects contraction records comparable with those obtained from experimental animals whose muscles may be freed from their insertions and attached to some recording lever. Contraction curves from human muscle have previously been obtained either by recording changes in thickness of the muscle or in the position of the limb segments upon which the muscle acts. The complex structure of the muscles used and their disposition in the body allow of no accurate correlation between thickening and shortening records either in their general form or in their time relations. In those obtained by leading from some segment of the limb acted upon by the contracting muscle, the additional factors introduced by the inertia and momentum of the part moved, the unknown participation of the other muscles acting upon the same part, especially of the physiological antagonists, and the necessity for the conversion of an angular into a linear movement are all difficulties which prevent the resulting curves from being comparable with the direct shortening curves of detached muscles. It was felt that if some means could be adopted of leading from the tendon of a muscle which was free to contract or relax without producing any change in the disposition of the body in which it lay, suitable records might be obtained, and the occurrence in the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle of a sesamoid bone-the patella-oflered the opportunity sought. When the leg is fixed in flexion at the hip and full extension at the knee this muscle is free to contract and relax opposed only by the forces of: Interfascial friction in the tissues surrounding the muscles; The inertia of the patella;


Translocations of Baltic whitefish (Coregonus sp.) into Austrian Alpine lakes have created 'artificial hybrid zones', threatening the genetic integrity of native lineages. We evaluate the genetic structure of Coregonus in Austrian lakes and characterize hybridization and introgression between native and introduced lineages. Fifteen populations (N = 747) were assessed for allelic variation at eight microsatellite loci and a reduced set (N = 253) for variation across two mtDNA genes (cyt b and NADH‐3). Bayesian approaches were used to estimate individual admixture proportions (q‐values) and classify genotypes as native, introduced or hybrids. q‐value distributions varied among populations highlighting differential hybridization and introgression histories. Many lakes revealed a clear distinction between native and introduced genotypes despite hybridization, whereas some locations revealed hybrid swarms. Genetic structure among lakes was congruent with morphological divergence and novelty raising speculation of multiple taxa, including a population south of the Alps, outside the putative native range of Coregonus. Although statistically congruent with inferences based on nuclear markers, mitochondrial haplotype data was not diagnostic with respect to native and non‐native lineages, supporting that the Alpine region was colonized post‐glacially by an admixture of mtDNA lineages, which coalesce >1 Ma. Mechanisms promoting or eroding lineage isolation are discussed, as well as a high potential to conserve native Alpine lineages despite the extensive historical use of introduced Baltic stocks.


PCI-32765 is a novel, first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), currently in preclinical development and shortly entering Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of hematological malignancies. BTK is essential in B-cells for signalling via the B-cell receptor (BCR), and mutations in BTK have been shown to cause x-linked agammaglobulinemia in humans and x-linked immunodeficiency (xid) in mice. We have found that PCI-32765 has demostrated significant growth inhibitory activity in vitro in a number of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cell lines as well as primary human NHL tumors cultivated ex-vivo. However, certain subsets of NHL cell lines were found to respond better to the inhibitor, and in keeping with this, a wide variance was also observed in the response among primary human tumors. PCI-32765 had GI50


I DISAGREE with those like Jean Mann ( VR , June 29, 2013, vol 172, p 692) who think that …


The color filter of the present invention is provided in the opening 111 surrounded by a compartment formed in the banks 112 on the substrate 110, a film of colored ink by the ink droplet 140. The Bank 112 may have a stacked structure of the metal film 120 and the photosensitive organic thin film 130 on the substrate 110 side. Inks preferably contains a high boiling point solvent. Further, the bank layer has the periphery of its underside is located on the inside with respect to the periphery of the light-shielding layer The light-blocking layer may be so as to hold the exposed face is the bank layer does not overlap on the top side. In this way, no colored stains, may also be sensitive to excellent color filter.


A hierarchical PID control strategy based on generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm is presented to solve the model uncertainty of the superheated steam temperature (SST) and the application problem of advanced control algorithms in distributed control system (DCS) of the ultra-supercritical (USC) units. The upper level is based on generalized predictive control algorithm, which also has the functions of model identification and PID parameters tuning. The conventional cascade PID control strategy is applied in the bottom level. Simulations carried out with the field operation data from Chaozhou USC units. The simulation results show that the hierarchical predictive PID control system is qualified with strong stability and robustness, which can adapt to the model change process of the SST control.


This paper describes a new radio technology, policy-based radios, which has the potential to enable greater access to the radio spectrum while enhancing and simplifying spectrum management. Spectrum management faces both challenges and opportunities in developing countries. The role for policy-base radios in this environment is described as well as key design decisions for their use.


Background: Discourse is core to everyday communication and commonly impaired in aphasia. Effective discourse production requires different skills at multiple linguistic levels. As a result, there are numerous ways to analyse discourse (for recent reviews, see Bryant, Ferguson, & Spencer, 2016; Pritchard, Hilari, Cocks, & Dipper, 2017). But what each discourse tool measures, how these tools relate to one another, and how tools should be selected in clinical and research practice remains unclear. When assessing single words and sentences, specific measures and tasks clearly map to explicit aspects of processing. For example, in a single-word naming task, error analysis can provide information about whether a naming problem is likely to be due to phonological (lexeme) or semantic (lemma) difficulties. In discourse assessment, the models and measures do not align in this way. Different theoretical models of discourse production have been proposed. However, it is difficult to test the proposed levels of these models because the majority of measures have not been designed with reference to a theoretical framework. As a result, measures often reflect processing at multiple levels. For example, "Correct Information Units" (Nicholas & Brookshire, 1993) are a word-level measure which goes beyond a simple measure of lexical access, reflecting phonological encoding, semantics, and "higher" cognitive stage of discourse production such as the selection of relevant information. Many other discourse measures also reflect such a conflation of constructs. As a result, clinicians and researchers cannot currently be sure about what information discourse measures yield, nor whether the construct measured is a specific linguistic skill and therefore a suitable target for therapy. Aims: To create a structured inventory of available discourse measures, specifying the discourse skill (or skills) assessed, highlighting the relationship to other measures, and attempting to align measures with a theoretical framework. In this poster, we aim to present the draft inventory and seek comments and feedback. Methods and procedures: We collated and synthesised over 500 unique discourse measures from the aphasia evidence base, first classified them using (a) the categorisation framework from Armstrong (2000) in which discourse measures are divided into Structural, Functional, and the overlapping category of Structural/Functional; and (b) the commonly applied binary classification micro-structural and macro-structural. Second, we


This study analyzes the financial impact of design guidelines used in the development of agribulk terminals and sets out to quantify the effect of uncertain throughput projections on a terminal's business case. This was done through the use of a purposely-built computer model that translates traffic projections into a terminal design in an automated fashion. The allowable waiting time for vessels calling at the terminal has proven to be the design guideline that has the highest influence regarding project feasibility. The allowable waiting time was optimized by monetizing the negative consequences of long waiting times at the terminal using demurrage rates. Existing guidelines state that bulk terminal investments are typically based on maintaining an average ratio of waiting time to service time between 20% to 30%. However, results from the computer model show that, if a terminal were to incorporate the notion of demurrage rates into its business model, waiting times could be allowed to rise to 70% of berth service time, unlocking significant project value. Furthermore, by automating the translation of traffic projections into terminal designs, the financial repercussions of the uncertainty surrounding such projections becomes quantifiable. By simulating the project value of a terminal under varying economic scenarios, the user is shown how a spread is possible traffic development results in a certain spread in project value. The final aspect that has been analyzed within this study is the financial impact of modelling a terminal based on perfect foresight, a presumption that the traffic projections on which investments are based will always come true. Results show that modelling a terminal is such a manor overestimates a project's value. Depending on the size of the project and the market's volatility, this over-estimation is in the range of 3% (steady market growth) to 20% (volatile markets). An alternative modelling method has been developed which bases investment decisions on forecasted traffic volumes, which are updated as a simulation progresses. This forecast method slightly lowers over-estimation of project value by several percentage points.


An improved genetic algorithm was proposed for facilitating course arranging.On the basis of the applications of genetic algorithms in course-arranging systems,the deficiencies of selection of crossover and mutation probability was pointed out,and a design of chromosome and an improved algorithm of crossover and mutation probability with dynamic parameters were proposed.The effectiveness of the improved genetic algorithm was verified through computer experiments.


The aim of this study was to examine the role that alcohol breath-testing devices in licensed premises may have in rural and remote areas of Australia. Data to monitor the use of the wall-mounted alcohol breath-testing devices were collected by data download from the devices themselves and through survey tools for bar staff and the patrons of licensed premises. Crash data for the year preceding the installation of the devices were compared with data that covered the period of the project. Although there was no change in patrons' attitudes to drink driving and drink walking during the post-intervention period, there was an increase in the proportion of patrons who walked home with others, and a reduction in those who traveled in vehicles as passengers. Indigenous people were less likely to intend driving, were less likely to be driving, and were less likely to consider it important to stay under the legal limit when driving. The reverse however was true for drink walking. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E211985.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the dynamics of a thermal field generated in a tubular bus with rated current by using two models of electrical resistivity of copper.

Design/methodology/approach
The boundary-initial problem of the modified heat equation was formulated for the tubular bus. Analytical solutions were obtained by means of Green's functions as the kernels of the integral operator inverse to the corresponding differential operator. The results were presented graphically and verified using the finite element method. The calculations were made by considering the example of the Storm Power Components tubular bus (USA).

Findings
Analytical field models were used to determine time- and space-variable heating curves, time constants and steady-state current ratings.

Research limitations/implications
This paper is related to the structure of a hollow cylinder. Other bus sections can be taken into account by using the coordinate systems of different curvilinear orthogonal symmetry.

Originality/value
Using the analytical method, the influence of the variable (temperature dependent) electrical resistivity on some important parameters and characteristics of the tubular bus was investigated. The system was considered as an element with distributed parameters.


TPS9643 Background: Chemotherapy induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a common and feared side effect of taxanes and platinum based chemotherapy. CIPN often leads to a decrease in dose intens...


The Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) Asylum Program hosted a workshop offering basic and advanced training for mental health specialists on the subjects of human rights law and the forensic evaluation of torture survivors. The workshop, titled ―Aiding Survivors of Torture & Other Human Rights Abuses: Physical and Psychological Documentation of Individuals Seeking Humanitarian Protection in the U.S.,‖ was held March 31—April 1, 2012 in Boston, MA. The first full day of basic training was held at Tufts University School of Medicine in downtown Boston, and the second half-day of advanced training was held at the PHR headquarters in Cambridge. Workshop participants represented a broad array of the helping professions, including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and physicians from various specialties (e.g., anesthesiology, family practice, pulmonology, rehabilitation medicine, physiatry), as well as medical students from PHR student chapters.


The last fifteen years was filled with various experiences aimed at enriching and modernizing educational work. Teachers have used these experiences to gain both knowledge and skills in conducting classes using IT facilities, especially those that are based on Internet communication. They therefore joined the trend that enriches the teaching methodology with more or less formalized e-learning. The attitudes of academic teachers towards e-learning during these years have changed and reflected various doubts associated with teaching via Internet. Analysis of these changes may be an interesting element of the image of contemporary methodology.


The presence of many foreigner merchants in "Terra di Lavoro"-Italy, during the Middle Ages drives civilisation historians to wonder about the role they had, what their culture and mentality were like, in which way they integrated with other foreign merchants (among which Greek, Rumanian and Hungarian ones), how they adjust themselves to native population and other Judaic ethny living in the wide territory way of living and customs.


Objective: To provide a certain reference for our state health departments planing health education,through understanding the AIDS knowledge and attitude of Qiang-ethnic,mastering the AIDS knowledge level and influencing factors.Method: Organization of professionals and using an anonymous questionnaire to a random intercept survey in the county,the township population set.Result: 500 questionnaires were distributed and 486 valid questionnaires were returned.The statistical results showed: the total awareness rate about HIV was 38.48% in general population of Qiang-ethnic,and the awareness rate of HIV transmission was 35.39%,the awareness rate of HIV prevention was 32.72%,the rate of proper attitude to HIV was 35.80%.Univariate chi-square analysis showed: the rate of awareness is significant difference in female or male,higher age or lower age,lower education or higher education.Unconditional Logistic regression analysis showed: the influence factors of HIV awareness rate were sex and culture degree.Conclusion: The awareness rate of HIV is still very low,we should increase HIV knowledge publicity.


In power frameworks, the significant wellspring of electrical vitality is the simultaneous generator. Be that as it may, the expansion in the unit size of the regular coordinated generator has not stayed up with the comparing increment in the unit yield of central players driving them, and the interest for electrical vitality continues developing. To this end, a novel system for expanding the unit yield of coordinated generator is proposed in this paper. The plan utilizes circuit hypothesis ideas and composite rotor attractive structure to enhance Xd/Xq proportion on which the hesitance yield power depends without changing the physical geometry of the machine. The investigation of the machine depends on airgap motion thickness conveyances and transition linkages.


The initial phrase of the title for this paper was borrowed from a speech delivered by Tony D'Aloisio, Chairman, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), in September 2010. The Chairman stated The first point I will make about ASIC's forward agenda for the next couple of years is that, for the most part, we will continue to do what we have been doing because it has been working well. ASIC is a regulatory oversight body and not a guarantor against risk and corporate failure. The regulator's objective is to exercise its powers to improve the performance of the financial system and the entities within the system in the interests of commercial certainty and development of the economy. An important role is to efficiently process the information it receives under its powers and to promote informed participation by investors in the financial system. On 15 July 2011, Australia will mark the tenth anniversary of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the formation of ASIC under companion legislation. Reflecting the theme of the conference, this paper will review the regulator's 'past experience' in enforcing timely (or continuous) corporate disclosure and, more particularly, the contribution of this experience to the regulator's 'forward agenda'? The Chairman acknowledges that ASIC has given 'much thought to how the Australian market might evolve'. In the past year that evolution has witnessed the transfer of supervisory responsibilities for licensed equity and derivatives markets from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) to ASIC; the introduction of 'market integrity' rules directed at insider trading and market manipulation; potential Government support for competitive market trading of listed shares in Australia, and even the merger of ASX with another stock exchange. All of these issues can affect corporate disclosure. ASIC is also a party to continuous disclosure issues that are currently before the courts with the ongoing James Hardie and Fortescue cases. Consistent with the theme of the conference, the paper will endeavour to deduce the regulator's present position on continuous disclosure and ASIC's future agenda for enforcing the timely disclosure of material information by listed companies.


Q: The study of Zhang et al. addresses the topic of systematic errors in observation data used for model optimization. This topic is important as in previous studies the systematic error was usually simply assumed to be zero and not mentioned, although it is obvious that model optimization results must be biased if systematic errors are in the used data. Zhang et al. use synthetic LAI data, including various types of systematic errors, to optimize vcmax in a process-based ecosystem model. To reduce the influ-


In the article an attempt is made to study the associative fields of the word bread in Stilian Chilingirov's novel "Our Daily Bread" (1926). This experience refers to the boundary area between semantics and stylistics and concerns lexical stylistics. From the very first steps of the development of semantics, the first semantics make attempts to classify the various semantic changes, as the basis for these classifications is different - logical, psychological, sociological. The psychological basis for some of the classifications is the association of ideas, which was later further developed in semiotics. Associations are based on two categories - similarity of ideas, and neighborhood of ideas. Their combination leads to a change in the meaning of the words. In the study we try to use some of these associative fields and their influence on the meaning of the work of art. As a kind of research, it creates certain perspectives in the attempt to make sense of the artistic style.


A simple synthesis of D- and L-apiose using the aldol condensation of furanose with formaldehyde under alkaline conditions as a key reaction is described.


Solanum nigrum Linn commonly known as Mako or black night shade usually grows as a weed found throughout India. It possesses various compounds like glycol-alkaloids, glycoproteins, polysaccharides and phenolic compounds which are responsible for its diverse activities. Though S. nigrum contains one of most dreaded plant toxin solanine, it is a potential reservoir of antioxidants having hepatoptotective, antitumor, cytostatic, anticonvulsant antiulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. As per WHO calculation, about 80% of the world's inhabitant's problem should treated by medicinal herbal drug for their primary health care. It is widely used in many traditional systems of medicine worldwide for disparate ailments, but has not garnered attention for modern therapeutic use. So, this review would afford to know how much is known in the investigation of Solanum nigrum. Keywords: Mako, Solanum nigrum, anti-inflammatory, traditional system Cite this Article Aalia Parveen, Tabassum K. Therapeutic Role of Mako ( Solanum nigrum Linn): An Evidence Based Review. Research & Reviews: Journal of Herbal Science. 2017; 6(2): 6–10p.


In this paper we investigate the structure of spatial expressions in Saisiyat based in part on corpus data. Our corpus material includes both narratives and conversations that together run for approximately 100 minutes. First, the corpus was searched for syntactic patterns of spatial expressions. The structure of dynamic motion expressions is then examined with regard to types and tokens of motion verbs, expression of ground elements, directionality in path verbs, and serial verb constructions. We conclude that Saisiyat, like most of the Austronesian languages in Taiwan, is a verb-framed language.


The effects of time of application and chemical form of nitrogen on nitrogen efficiency were studied at two contrasting field sites. Three forms of fertiliser nitrogen (ammonium sulphate, calcium nitrate and urea) were applied to ryegrass at three different times in spring (February, March and April) on a lowland site (S1) in 1983 and an upland site (S2) in 1984. The first nitrogen application (70 kg N ha−1) was with 15N-labelled fertiliser. Subsequent applications (50 kg N ha−1 cut−1) were unlabelled. Herbage was harvested during the year on five occasions at S1 and on four occasions at S2. The efficiency of fertiliser nitrogen was evaluated by measuring dry matter yield, % recovery by difference, % utilisation of 15N in the first cut and total % utilisation of 15N in all cuts during one growing season.

At S1, recovery by difference and utilisation values for all forms of application were significantly (P<0·01) higher from applications in April than from applications in March or February. Only the total % utilisation data identified any difference between nitrogen forms at S1, ammonium sulphate being significantly (P<0·05) more efficient than calcium nitrate over all times of application. At S2, significant (P<0·1) interactions occurred between times of application and forms of nitrogen for all criteria of nitrogen efficiency. Values for total % utilisation ranged from 10% for calcium nitrate applied in February to 93% for ammonium sulphate applied in April. The Study indicated that the choice of nitrogen form for optimum efficiency wound depend on the prevailing soil and climatic conditions after fertiliser application.


Objective
To evaluate the correlation of serum gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) levels with disease activity and pruritus in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Methods
Totally, 61 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria were enrolled from the Department of Dermatology of Frist Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between June 2016 and December 2016, and 59 health checkup examinees served as controls. Peripheral blood samples were collected from these patients and healthy controls. The urticaria activity score over 7 days (UAS7) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the disease activity and degree of pruritus respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the serum GRP levels in the patients and healthy controls. The correlations of serum GRP levels with disease activity and degree of pruritus were analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out by Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman′s correlation analysis for evaluation of correlations of GRP levels with UAS7 and VAS scores using SPSS22.0 software.

Results
The serum GRP level was significantly higher in the patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria than in the healthy controls (M[P25 - P75]: 11.2[7.31 - 22.23] ng/L vs. 7.74[7.064 ± 9.71] ng/L, Z = 4.44, P < 0.001) . Among the patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria, the serum GRP level was positively correlated with the UAS7 score (r = 0.36, P = 0.004) and the VAS score (r = 0.34, P = 0.007) .

Conclusion
The GRP level in the peripheral blood was elevated in the patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria, and positively correlated with the disease activity and degree of pruritus.

Key words:
Urticaria; Gastrin-releasing peptide; Pruritus


The spatial representativeness of point records is a concern in glacier discharge predictions. A Monte Carlo-based global sensitivity approach is used to investigate the predictive uncertainty in the net radiation (Rn) as the major component driving glacier melt in the Bolivian Andes. The Rn is inferred through the Surface and Energy Balance Algorithm, calibrated with point dry-season records monitored on a glaciers ablation area. High uncertainties are expected in the vicinity of the monitoring station (surface albedo (a) between 0.81 and 0.79, specific melt discharge (SMD) between 72 and 88 L s-1 km-2); smaller uncertainties are expected on the glacier boundaries (q between 0.10 and 0.08, SMD between 128 and 143 L s-1 km-2). Thus, with the incoming long wave radiation (RL) as the most sensitive model parameter, the spatial variability in a determines the spatial variability in the SMD predictive uncertainties.


Hinode Science Center of NAOJ and PAONET Working Group for Public Use of Hinode Data published two DVDs for public outreach, one is in Japanese and another is the English translation of it, named "The Sun Captured by Hinode"(「ひのでが見た太陽」) , which introduces the background and the initial observations of Hinode (SOLAR-B). The remarkable point of these DVDs is that we have done the most of the processes to publish them by ourselves including scenario writing, video editing and DVD authoring. Two High Definition movies are made for the DVDs to show the excellence of the telescopes aboard Hinode. We report the making of the DVDs.


Using mixed metal standard solution,a rapid flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry method was developed for the determination of Chromium and Iron in 2,4,6-Trichloro-phenylhy Drazine.Experimental results showed that the linear equation of Chromium is A=0.087+0.028C,correlation coeff-icient is 0.999 4;the linear equation of Iron is A=0.048 8+0.127 6C,correlation coefficient is 0.998 1.The method has been used for the determination of Cr and Fe in 2,4,6-Trichloro-phenylhy Drazine,results showed the concentration of Cr and Fe in sample is 3.170 mg/L and 1.620 mg/L;with RSD was 1.02% and 1.79%;the recovery was 101% and 99%。


A water-soluble metal working fluid characterized by being obtained by mixing the following ingredients (A), (B), (C), and (D).
(A) A carboxylic acid having 8-18 carbon atoms
(B) A trialkanolamine
(C) A water-soluble polymer having a mass-average molecular weight of 200 or higher
(D) Water


Whether Karl Popper's methodology of falsificationism only pays attention to the principle of experiential falsification and completely denies the importance of experiential"verificaiton" ,our academic circles generally give it an affirmative answer. Can Popper's science philosophy keep consistent from start to finish? It is stilla a major difference at present. Following the development of Popper' s thoughts, this article expounds its views on the questions above by analysing the three judgement standards on science theory presented in different periods by Popper deeply.


The authors investigated the SOA formation from the ozonolysis of b-caryophyllene (BCP) at different temperatures in an atmospheric simulation chamber and showed that the SOA particle yields increase with decreasing temperatures. The authors attributed this to the decrease of the vapour pressure of the oxidation products at reduced temperatures and supported this by showing that a larger fraction of products with lower number of oxygen atoms were present at lower temperatures compared to higher, where higher O:C was observed. They also provide, for the first time, reaction rate coefficients for the reaction of BCP with ozone at different temperatures. Furthermore, in each experiment, after the initial amounts of BCP were consumed, additional BCP, ozone and nitrogen dioxide were added to the chamber to form SOA in the presence of nitrate radicals. Advanced mass spectrometry techniques were used to investigate the chemical composition of the gas and particle phase in each experimental setting and showed that the chemical composition had significant temperature dependence.


This paper draws on data from an on-going ESRC project on choice of higher education. It focuses primarily on the experiences of non-traditional applicants to higher education. Although these students are not typical of the entire university entry cohort, their narratives raise important issues in relation to race, class and higher education choice processes. These `success stories' reveal important causes for concern as well as reasons for celebration. In particular, their experiences of the choice process are qualitatively different from those of their more privileged middle-class counterparts, highlighting key class and racial differences and inequalities.


Calculation of nutritional needs is a way to find out a person's nutritional needs, which is usually done by nutritionists before compiling a diet menu. One formula that is often used is the Harris Benedict formula. The problem of this research is how to make an application for calculating nutritional needs with the Harris Benedict formula based on android mobile. This application aims to assist nutritionists and ordinary users in calculating nutritional needs through the results of calculations and dietary advice provided. The methodology in this study uses research and development which includes observation/data collection, interviews and literature study. As for software development using the waterfall model development method (waterfall). The implementation is built with the Java programming language, IDE (Integrated Development Environment) with Eclipse applications, Software Development Kit (SDK) which includes API (Application Programming Interface) tools. Testing is done by black box testing to evaluate the external appearance (Interface) and application functionality. This research has succeeded in implementing the Harris Benedict formula in an Android mobile-based nutritional needs calculation application that provides output for weight categories, ideal body weight, and dietary advice. Other features include a list of food and household sized tools, and an application guide. The purpose of this study is to produce an application that helps users calculate nutritional needs faster than manual calculations with correct results such as manual calculations. From the results of testing the application in black box, the results are in line with expectations.


This article based on the characteristics of the basic theory of Traditional.Chinese Medicine(TCM),by the analysis to pathogenesis of TCM and treatment by Chinese herbs for osteoporosis and postmenopausal osteoporosis,shows that traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment process of postmenopausal osteoporosis are very effective.


The relations between colors of the JHKL systems of several observatories are examined, and linear relations are derived for transformation between the (J-K), (J-H), (H-K), and (K-L) colors in the different systems. A homogenized system is proposed, based on the systems of Glass (1984) and Johnson et al. (1966). The homogenized data sets are used to derive intrinsic colors for a number of giants and dwarfs. The passbands of several IR systems are estimated and the synthetic colors of the systems are compared using blackbody and stellar fluxes. The passbands were adjusted in wavelength to produce agreement with observed relations between different systems, making it possible to estimate the effective wavelengths of the different natural systems.


Purpose To study the effect of a communication tool entitled: "I START-END" (I-Identify; S-Story; T-Task; A-Accomplish/Adjust; R-Resources; T-Timely Updates; E-Exit; N-Next; D-Document and Debrief) in simulated urgent scenarios in non-operating room settings (referred to as "Ad Hoc") with anesthesia residents. The "I START-END" tool was created by incorporating Crisis Resource Management (CRM) principles into a practical and user-friendly format. Methods This was a mixed methods pre/post observational study with 47 anesthesia resident volunteers participating from July 2014 to June 2016. Each resident served as their own control, and participated in three simulated Ad Hoc scenarios. The first simulation served as a baseline. The second simulation occurred 1–2 weeks after I START-END training. The third simulation occurred 3–6 months later. Simulation performance was videotaped and reviewed by trained experts using technical skill checklists and Anesthesia Non-Technical Skills (ANTS) score. Residents filled out questionnaires, pre-simulation, 1–2 weeks after I START-END training and 3–6 months later. Concurrently, resident performance at actual Code Blue events was scored by trained observers using the Mayo High Performance Teamwork Scale. Results 80–90% of residents stated the tool provided an organized approach to Ad Hoc scenarios – specifically, information helpful to care of the patient was obtained more readily and better resource planning occurred as communication with the team improved. Residents stated they would continue to use the tool and apply it to other clinical settings. Resident video performance scores of technical skills showed significant improvement at the "late" session (3–6 months post exposure to the I START-END). ANTS scores were satisfactory and remained unchanged throughout. There was no difference between residents with and without I START-END training as measured by the Mayo High Performance Teamwork Scale, however, debriefing at Code Blues occurred twice as often when residents had I START-END training. Conclusion Non-operating room settings are fraught with unfamiliarity that create many challenges. The I START-END tool operationalizes key CRM elements. The tool was well received by residents; it enabled them to speak up more readily, obtain vital information and continually update each other by anticipating, planning, and debriefing in an organized and collaborative way.


Soil moisture monitoring is important significance in the management of regional resources and environment. Based on two kinds of vegetation index( NDVI and EVI),this study used HJ-1B CCD / IRS images to establish surface temperature-vegetation index( T s / VI) characteristic spaces in Fuzhou,and analyzed and compared the two results. Two kinds of temperature-vegetation dryness index were calculated from the T s / NDVI and T s / EVI spaces. Regression analysis was made between TVDI and contemporaneous field measured soil moisture data. The results showed that both TVDI N and TVDI E could be used to predict the near surface soil moisture,and TVDI E has a higher precision than TVDI N. Therefore,TVDI E can be used to monitor and assess near surface moisture in study area,it is a more useful method to monitor soil moisture.


IPO underpricing, as one of the anomalies in the financial field, has always been the focus of research. The high underpricing level of Chinese startup companies has attracted extensive attention. Most of existing researches begin with the signal theory, studying the relationship between the underwriter reputation, venture capital reputation, other external value signal and IPO underpricing level of public companies, and a little literature of them studies companies' own value signal: Top Management Team (TMT)'s characteristics influence to IPO underpricing level, which the results are relatively fuzzy, mostly only studied the effect of individual characteristics. Based on upper echelon theory, this paper compared and analyzed the relationship between startup companies' TMT individual and group characteristics and its IPO underpricing level, and found that TMT characteristics and startup companies' IPO underpricing level show significant correlation, and startup companies should shift from external to internal, from their own perspective to dig into the effective signal transmission mechanism.


The difficulty in measuring third-order elastic constants has been always in the design of the complex apparatus needed to generate both compressional and shear waves under uniaxial and hydrostatic pressures. Parameters, such as the angle of incidence have to be determined with accuracy using expensive devices. The apparatus described in this paper leaves just one variable to be determined with accuracy, namely, the time of flight of ultrasonic waves within the specimen under test. A variety of materials could be tested in this way, including rock specimens and concrete, thus enabling the evaluation of stresses in-situ within buildings and structures. 1-Introduction Non-linear elastic moduli are important physical properties in conventional materials. They provide information about the inter-atomic bonding forces in crystalline solids. Non-linear properties are also important in the non-destructive determination of applied and residual stress (strain) and several investigations have also established a possible relationship between non-linear elastic properties and ultimate strength in materials [1,2,3,4]. Changes in the velocity of ultrasonic waves brought about by the application of relatively high stresses are usually of the order of a few parts in ten thousand for most materials. Direct measurement of the transit-time of ultrasonic pulses may be made to about this level of accuracy with conventional techniques, but it is often more convenient and precise to use interferometric methods, or modern digital processing techniques. In this research, an apparatus has been developed to determine the non-linear elastic moduli in a variety of engineering and building materials. This was accomplished by first determining the linear elastic moduli using a pulse-echo method. A special formula which relates wave velocities to transit-time measurements was derived. 2Acousto-elastic theory Murnaghan has shown that an elastic material initially in any state of stress other than a simple hydrostatic or compression cannot be elastically isotropic. Thus a body acted upon or containing a general stress system will exhibit anisotropic characteristics when ultrasonic waves are propagated through it [5]. By using the finite strain formulation of Murnaghan, Hughes and Kelly obtained five expressions for the stress dependence of the velocities of principal ultrasonic waves in initially isotropic materials related to simple cases of an applied uniaxial stress. Only three of the equations, which are of interest to us are shown below: ( )       + + + + + − + = l m K C vlx 2 4 10 4 3 2


Truants are considered more likely than non-truants to present with resilience and well-being issues. It is argued that students who demonstrate high levels of well-being problems are more likely to play truant than their counterparts who do not experience such challenges. This study, which is underpinned by the Circle of Courage and Eco systemic theoretical frameworks, aimed to investigate the relationship between resiliency and truancy in high schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. A mixed methodological approach which included a literature study, survey and two case studies were employed to collect data. The findings illustrated that significant adverse individual and environmental factors may place students at risk to engage in truant behaviour. The study is concluded by recommending that the fostering of the well-being of students is ideally addressed within the context of numerous difficulties that they may face, including considerable challenges particularly related to social and educational adjustment issues.


The evolution of the universe and society is promoted by potential at different levels.Vacuum potential has promoted the explosion of the universe,quantum potential is the source of quantum effect,chemical potential and biological potential are the motive force of chemical reactions and biological growth while information potential is the motive force of quality improvement and education development.Information content and information potential are equivalent.Intensive education is one with the richest information and the minimum cost and called symmetry education with the features of harmony and the training for the best competitiveness for employment.The potential theory can help integrate social sciences and natural sciences at the basic logic level,which provides the operational principles for interdisciplinary studies and general education and some new approaches to education theories.


Both experimental and theoretical studies indicate that large scale hypervelocity impacts produce significant amount of impact vapor during cratering [I, 21. Most of the impact vapor escapes a planet without an atmosphere or with a thin atmosphere [3]; even the terrestrial atmosphere cannot contain vapor cloud [4]. The extremely dense atmosphere of Venus, however, can contain the vapor cloud generated by a lower angle impact [5]. A portion of the impact vapor retains the energy, mass, and translational momentum largely decoupled from later stage vapor/melt generation and excavation of the target. The present study assesses the dimensions of the zone on Venus where the impactor-driven vapor cloud interferes with later ejecta emplacement. The purpose is to derive constraints on the vapor cloud motion including the downrange velocity and expansion velocity.


In multi-agent system, agents need interaction and communication for realizing a goal. So it is important to design an ideal agent communication language. Besides the language, there are many related factors that are theory of agent, semantics, verification, conversation policies and so on. This paper gives a simple analysis of agent communication language and related theory and points out some problems.


【Objective】 In order to study the effect on milk yield by adding baking soda to the feed in Gannan areas.【Method】27 Holstein cowswere divided into 3 groups according the similar health,age and lactation.The control group was fed with the local tradition,experiment group A was fed with the precision Material,and the group B were fed daily with the concentrate +150 g sodium bicarbonate.【Result】The average daily milk yield were 3.75 kg and 4.3 kg than the control group,which improved 28% and 32.1% respectively.The difference was significant(P0.05).The average daily milk yield in group B increased 0.55 kg than that in group A,and there was no significant difference(P0.05).The daily gross income in group A and B increased 7.53 and 9.65 yuan than that of the control group,The daily gross income in experiments group B enhanced 2.12 Yuan than that in group A.【Conclusion】Adding 150 g sodium bicarbonate in the Dutch Stan cow feed could be able to effectively enhance the milk yield.


This paper aims to provide an overview of management ethics and its approaches, and presents a suggested model of these approaches. This model depends on four approaches to ethics of management as follows: ideal, compliance, relative, and evolutionary ethics. In the field study, the paper checked and assessed these approaches in relation to the selected performance criteria in a sample of (20) Jordanian organizations from both governmental and private sectors that work in Amman. The study presented a number of conclusions such as: weak interest related to ethical aspects in these organizations, and the ranking of ethical approaches according to respondent answers was: ideal, compliance, relativity, and evolutionary ethics. Finally, some recommendations has been presented as follows: organizations need to consider developing or adapting a code of ethics or a corporate value statement, and the management should clarify its vision about the relationship between the ethics and performance criteria, because this relationship can motivate employees to achieve a balance between material and ethical aspects in their decisions and practices.


. Peatlands store disproportionally large amounts of carbon per unit area, a function that is dependent on maintaining high and stable water tables. Climate change is likely to negatively impact 10 carbon storage in peatlands, in part due to increases in vapour pressure deficit (VPD) driving higher evaporation ( E ) rates. However, the response of E to increasing VPD depends on the dominant vegetation type within peatlands. In this study, we used multiple years of eddy covariance (EC) measurements to compare E regimes at two peatlands with contrasting vegetation types - Kopuatai bog in Aotearoa New Zealand, dominated by the vascular jointed wire rush Empodisma robustum , and Mer 15 Bleue bog in Canada, a 'typical' shrub and moss-dominated Northern Hemisphere peatland. We examined seasonal variability in E and equilibrium E ( E eq ), energy balance partitioning, and the response of E , evaporative fraction (EF), and canopy conductance ( g c ) to VPD. Mean annual E was 45 % lower than mean annual E eq at Kopuatai, but only 16 % lower at Mer Bleue, demonstrating much greater limitations on E at Kopuatai. In addition, the mean midday (10:00-14:30) dry canopy Bowen 20 ratio ( β ) at Kopuatai was 1.96, compared to 0.77 at Mer Bleue; therefore, the sensible heat flux ( H ) dominated over the latent heat flux ( LE ) at Kopuatai, and vice versa at Mer Bleue. The responses of E , EF, and g c to increasing VPD at Kopuatai differed from those at Mer Bleue in a way that resulted in stronger limitations on E above


We present a method of simulating the process of burning phenomena on generic polyhedral objects. By mapping the object's surface to a 2D space, the fire front expansion can be calculated efficiently on GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The state of decomposition is updated according to the fire front and the consumption of solid fuel. During the simulation loop, both the fire front and the solid fuel consumption are updated respectively. In order to achieve a better performance, most routines of the simulation are processed on GPU. The entire simulation could run at an interactive rate on a normal PC. Keywords-burning; fire spreading model; deformation.


: Propolis is a brown substance collected by honey bees from sprouts and exudates of trees. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Propolis extract on reducing dentinal hypersensitivity initiated by teeth bleaching procedures. Forty-one patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients of the test group were subjected to a chair-side teeth bleaching procedure followed by local application of Propolis extract on the teeth directly after the bleaching procedure, after one hour, and after one day. Patients of the control group were subjected to the same teeth bleaching procedure but without post application of Propolis. The degree of induced pain due to dentinal hypersensitivity was recorded by means of the Visual Analogue scale of Pain, and registered for each patient. Chi-square statistical test was used to compare the obtained results. Only 5 patients out of 23 suffered severe pain after teeth bleaching followed by Propolis application. Forty-four percent of patients who did not get Propolis application after teeth bleaching suffered severe pain related to dentinal hypersensitivity. One day after teeth bleaching followed by Propolis application, none of patients showed any degree of pain related to dentinal hypersensitivity. The efficacy of Propolis for dentinal hypersensitivity reduction was considered significant at (P<0.05). Pain related to dentinal hypersensitivity that occurred due to chair-side teeth bleaching procedure could be successfully reduced by using a Propolis extract as a local application treatment. Further studies are needed for the verification of using Propolis in similar cases.


Objective:To assess the influe nce of mimic cardiac rate on hydrodynamics of the different mechanical prostheti c cardiac valves.Methods:US-made CarboMedics bile aflet valve and China-made Jiuling bileafle t valve and C-L tilting disc valve have been tested in a pulsatile flow simulat or in the aortic position. The testing condition was set at the mimic cardiac r ate of 55 beats/min,75 beats/min,100beats/min and a constant mimic cardiac out put of 4L/min. The mean pressure differences(ΔP),leakage volumes (LEV) and closi ng volumes(CLV) across each valve,and the effective orifice areas(EOA) have bee n analyzed.Results:Within the range of physiology, the ΔP,LEV and CLV were falling as the increasing of mimic cardiac rate,and the extent of variance was larger. The EOA was increasing with the increase of the mimic cardiac rate. It is a differe nt response as the altering of the cardiac rate for the different type of the me chanical prosthetic cardiac valves.Conclusions:The change of the mimic cardiac rate can affect the hydrodynamics of the mechanical prosthetic cardiac valves. The hydrodynamics of the bileaflet valve prosthesis is better than the tilting disc valve.


Abstract This paper delineates a recurrent architectural pattern—unnoticed up to now—observed in late fourth-millennium BC strata at the Iranian sites of Susa, Tal-i Malyan, and Godin Tepe. On the basis of this evidence, the article proposes some considerations for understanding aspects of the period characterised by the so-called "Proto-Elamite phenomenon".


This paper states some construction characters and some basic methods of the concrete bridge surface on the basis of engineering examples,and also sums up some measurements of quality control of concrete bridge surface installation.


Professor Wathes, Chairman of FAWC, said "Mutilations involve handling stress, acute pain and the possibility of chronic pain. Opportunities to improve welfare arise from either avoiding the need to carry out the mutilation or refining the procedure to reduce stress and pain. Most mutilations are carried out to prevent undesirable consequences of behaviours that may be manifested later. An ethical balance has to be struck between the harms associated with the mutilation and the risk and severity of subsequent events that the mutilation may alleviate."


Advances in speed and computerized learning methods represented by AIM Learning Technologies make real time learning and control possible and effective.


The aim of this study was to attempt preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluate the therapeutic activity of extract of Tinospora cordifolia Meirs. Four different solvents viz; water, ethanol, methanol and acetone were used to obtained extracts of leaves and stems. These extracts were subjected for qualitative phytochemical analysis by using standard methods. The solubility percentages of alcohol is higher than water. Data indicate the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, flavanoids, saponins, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, phenolics and tannins.Potential therapeutic properties of the plant reported by modern scientific research include antioxidant, anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-rheumatic, adaptogenic, antipyretic, antimalarial, anti-leprotic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and anticancerous activities. The overall investigational results suggests that the bioactive compounds obtained from phytochemical screening may be responsible for the significant therapeutic activity.


Biological parameters of Azov anchovy from commercial catches in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 fishing seasons were studied. During the first season, fishery was mainly based on fish of the 1st age group with an average length of 10.9 cm TL, while in 2017/2018 on 2-year-old fish with length of 11.4 cm. Parameters of the length-weight relationship were not different between sexes: for fish < 9.5 cm TL a = 0.00126, b = 3.719, and for fish ≥ 9.5 cm a = 0.0207, b = 2.475. The sex ratio in overall was close to 1:1. The relative condition factor Kn and total lipids content were higher in OctoberNovember 2017/2018 than in 2016/2017 and gradually decreased to February-March in both seasons. The growth rate was also slightly higher in 2017/2018. For both seasons, growth parameters in the von Bertalanffy equation were estimated as L∞ = 13.0 cm, W∞ = 12.6 g, K = 0.73 yr-1, to = -0.86 yr. Azov anchovy is lighter in weight than the Black Sea anchovy at the same length. The growth rate of Azov anchovy seems to be similar to the Black Sea anchovy for age groups 0 and 1, but declined as fish getting older.


4-Substituted N -(4-ethynylbenzylidene)anilines (4-HC≡C-C 6 H 4 -CH=N-C 6 H 4 -4-R; R = Me, t -Bu, OMe, F, Cl, Br, I, CF 3 and NO 2 ) have been prepared by condensation of 4-ethynylbenzaldehyde with appropriate anilines under mild conditions in good yields. The products obtained were fully characterized by GC-MS, IR, NMR and UV-VIS spectroscopies and their properties were compared with a series of 4-ethynyl- N -(4-substituted benzylidene)anilines (4-HC≡C-C 6 H 4 -N=CH-C 6 H 4 -4-R; R = H, Me, t -Bu, F, Br, NO 2 , CN, NMe 2 ). The influence of substituent R on spectroscopic characteristics is discussed.


To the Editor:

I would like to thank the editor who chose to place this short piece on Medscape.[1] I am an anatomic pathologist who has practiced both in a community setting and in a teaching department. Clearly, if I have read and responded to this article on this site, I am one of the physicians who have converted to the use of e-CME and e-problem researching. I am a late convert to computer use as I am of an age in which I was not raised with them nor exposed to them during my training or the first half of my carrier. However, since starting to use computers and the Net, I have found that I do both a faster – and, I feel, better – job of dealing with new or unusual problems. In addition, it has greatly increased the fun factor in work and the ease of preparation and quality of lectures and rounds. I think that the development of the Internet and good, quality medical sites and libraries that allow Web browsing and downloading of material are the most important new developments in the day-to-day practice of medicine that I have experienced. I will use this article and the references that were included to try to encourage my colleagues to get on the bus, as walking is much too slow.[1]

Yours truly,


The present invention discloses an optical connector, the optical connector for connecting a plurality of sets of optical waveguides (110), such as a fiber ribbon to each other, to a printed circuit board, or to the rear panel. The connector of the present invention includes a waveguide alignment member (105), aligned with the waveguide member (105) for receiving a plurality of optical waveguides (110) and the plurality of optical waveguides aligned so that light from the center of the plurality of optical waveguides light (115) incident with the propagation direction of the incident in the same direction in the XY plane. The optical connector further comprises a plurality of light redirecting side sections, the side light redirecting comprises forming sections (130a, 130b, ...) line (130), each section corresponding to the different optical waveguides. The first section (130a) along the first direction to redirect (140a) to redirect light, and a second section (130b) along a second direction different from the second redirect redirects direction (140b) to redirect light. Other sections redirect light to redirect the first direction or a second direction redirect. The light is redirected to two or more optical lenses (150) line. Also disclosed is a kind of a cable assembly, the cable assembly comprising a connector according to the present invention and permanently attached to the plurality of optical waveguide connectors.


The concept of health informatics has been around for some time. It was born the first day that clinicians wrote their impressions about the patient and communicated this information to somebody else. It is only in recent years, however, that information technology has been introduced into nursing.


The experience with triethylamine cold box core-making process was introduced including:requirements for the raw sand,sand mixing process and core making process.The reasons causing common defects such as low final strength,too long setting time and core-unhardening till stripping,non-solid or non-full core shooting,too short bench time of the core,etc.,and the corresponding solving measures were proposed.It was pointed out finally that the qualification rate of core making could be increased obviously by improving the dryness of the compressed air and rational setting the positions of venting plugs.


Advances in highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) have dramatically changed the course of HIV disease reducing both HIV-related morbidity and mortality. Adherence to treatment (particularly ART) and retention in care are necessary to optimize clinical outcomes in people living with HIV. Most of the studies conducted in resource-limited settings however have focused solely on adherence to treatment and have provided limited information on effective and practical approaches to improve both adherence to treatment and retention in care. This brief addresses both aspects of adherence in adult patients and 1) explores barriers associated with poor adherence to ART and retention in care; 2) outlines current methods to measure and monitor adherence; 3) reviews program strategies to retain individuals on effective treatment for life while discussing the applicability of these interventions for integration into ART programs; and 4) provides programmers with guidance on key steps to strengthen efforts to promote adherence to ART and retention in care.


The main features of the method of combined wave diagnostics using the BUDVAR complex are presented. Examples of measurements on near-earth shock waves are given and the first results of a physical interpretation of processes taking place in the near-earth shock wave front are presented.


Our previous study showed Tai‐Chi‐Chuan (TCC) training, a moderate exercise, at school improved pulmonary function and inflammation profiles in children with mild asthma. However, habitual practice is hard to maintain with the lack of continuous family and peer support. We investigated whether parental intervention with social media could enhance children's adherence to exercise at home and improve asthmatic outcome measures. Parents were opted to attend a 12‐week TCC classroom training, supervise home practice, and report to a four‐step web‐based social media platform to stay updated and motivated through logging activity and tracking competition. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), FEV1/FVC and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured before and after 12 weeks of training. Fifty‐three asthmatic children were allocated into non‐TCC (control, n = 12), TCC groups with moderate‐to‐severe (TCC‐S, n = 26) and mild‐to‐moderate (TCC‐M, n = 15) asthma. We found both TCC groups exhibited better pulmonary function than the non‐TCC control. TCC increased FVC in mild‐to‐moderate asthma children while more pronounced improvement in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF and FeNO was noticed in moderate‐to‐severe asthmatic children. All TCC subjects retained greater participation and better interaction online except for low‐ranking families who dramatically dropped their practice 9 weeks later. For asthmatic children, moderate exercise improves pulmonary functions in a severity‐dependent fashion. Parent‐based Learn‐Practice‐Persuade‐Award wheel is a useful platform to motivate children engagement in physical activity. Classical social persuasive skills could enhance general parent‐child relationship but tend to decrease in persuasiveness over time in low‐ranking families.


The rule selection problem, aiming at selecting a subset of rule candidates, is important in credit risk assessment. In reality, we hope these selected rules can identify as many high-risk users as possible while fulfilling the business constraint simultaneously. In such cases, the rule selection problem can be seen as a typical constrained combinatorial optimization problem and can be solved by evolutionary algorithms (EAs). However, how to deal with the constraint dramatically affects the performance of our EAs since the feasible and infeasible solutions both affect the convergence and direction of the EAs. This paper conducts a comparative study to explore the performance of six constraint-handling techniques on the rule selection problem. Experimental results indicate the importance of the way we handle the constraints: 1) e-Constrained Method finds the most high-risk users and Constrained-Domination Principle obtains the most diversified solutions. 2) dominance-based techniques outperform penalty function-based techniques in our real-world applications.


In the present paper, remanufacturing technology was basically discussed. The application of remanufacturing technology in chemical equipment was particularized. The interrelated"remanufacturing" repairing methods were analyzed for failure of the typical chemical equipments in the period of service. The important role of the remanufacturing technology in remaining life of chemical equipments was shown.


Non‐invasive and invasive papillary transitional cell carcinomas of stages pTa and pT1 represent the first steps of tumour progression in bladder cancer. In order to analyse different chromosomal alterations of pTa and pT1 superficial bladder cancer, 46 tumour specimens were examined by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Losses of chromosome 9 material (11/20) and gains of chromosome 17 material (6/20) were frequently found in pTa tumours. Stage pT1 tumours were characterized by gains of chromosome 1q (14/26; including amplification at 1q21–q24 in three cases) and chromosome 17 material (15/26), as well as by losses of 11p (15/26) and 11q (13/26). Other loci frequently showing losses in pT1 tumours were 2q (9/26), 4q (10/26), 5q (9/26), 8p (10/26), 9p (9/26), 9q (12/26), 10q (8/26), 17p (7/26), and 18q (8/26). Amplifications were detected at 8q21/22, 5q21, 7q36, 10p14, 10p12, 10q25, 12q12, and 12q14. The most striking differences between grade 2 pTa and pT1 tumours were gains of 1q (P<0·01) and losses at 2q (P<0·025), 10q (P<0·05), 11p (P<0·01), 11q (P<0·01), and 17p (P<0·05), as well as the total number of aberrations (pTa grade 2: 4·1; pT1 grade 2: 8·6 aberrations per tumour). These data show characteristic chromosomal aberrations associated with invasion in superficial bladder cancer. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


In this issue, Loiselle et al. (1) address an important construct that surprisingly has not been adequately investigated in the transplant literature—namely, the degree to which adherence to immunosuppression is a stable or a "shifting" phenomenon. The answer to this question holds some important implications for the field of transplantation. Those important implications include, as the authors highlight, that adherence is important in terms of disease and financial burden; we would like to add another important implication of this construct: whether adherence is a stable phenomenon or not might also have implications with regards to the decision to allow or not allow retransplantation in a nonadherent patient. If nonadherence is stable, then hoping that these behaviors improve might be futile, and therefore re-transplantation should not be offered; if unstable, then nonadherence should be presumed to be modifiable and not be used to determine transplant eligibility.

The authors found that the average rate of adherence in their sample did not change over time. However, individual patient adherence varied substantially—there were many patients whose adherence category shifted during the study period. The interpretation of this finding, if proven to be robust, is that patient-level decisions regarding adherence should assume that it is a shifting (unstable) phenomenon: past adherence is not a good indicator of future adherence. On the other hand, since on average the rate of nonadherence remains the same in an entire clinic population (different patients become more or less adherent, but the average remains the same), resource allocation decisions in entire clinics or programs should assume a stable need for resources to address this risk over time.

While the results are interesting and might prove to be correct, this study also illustrates the enormous challenges that are encountered when one tries to study the phenomenon of adherence in transplantation medicine. Those challenges can be summarized as issues of inadequate sample size, selection bias, failure to pre-define a single primary hypothesis, measurement difficulties, and over-statement of clinical implications.

A small sample size with selection bias is the rule, rather than the exception, in studies that purport to investigate adherence in pediatric transplantation (2). First, it is extremely difficult to achieve an adequate sample size in this population unless a large number of centers are involved. Second, in any population, it is difficult to recruit nonadherent patients for a study, let alone follow them up (3), because the same patients who are unable to take their medications consistently are also less likely to come to clinic, less likely to participate in a study, and less likely to have adequate data follow-up. The resulting bias favors adherent patients as participants. The combination of a small (inadequately powered) sample size and a substantial selection bias leads to a high likelihood of spurious results.

The transplant field, fortunately, has recognized the issue of sample size limitations and created mechanisms to study phenomena related to behavioral constructs, such as nonadherence, within established consortia such as CTOT-C (4), SPLIT (5), and one smaller consortium (6) that is entirely dedicated to the study of adherence (MALT). Within those consortia, the promise of an adequate sample size can be realized. Manuscripts such as the one in this issue can be viewed as indicators of potentially important topics that can be taken up for further study in a multi-site trial. The problem of selection bias can be addressed in several ways, and again the transplant field is well positioned to minimize, or at least monitor, this issue. First, steps need to be taken to minimize patient burden and ensure adequate sampling methods. Second, a CONSORT-type diagram with CONSORT-type statements (7) of the discrepancy between patients who did and did not participate in this study must be provided in adequately powered studies, and any substantial differences should be discussed. Third, a comparison between the general outcomes in the study sample (e.g., rejection rates per patient year) with outcomes reported to data repositories such as the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) or SPLIT can provide additional insight regarding whether the sample was representative, at least as far as rejection rates or other reported outcomes are concerned. This study provided none of those assurances; however, such rigor should not be expected and would be difficult to achieve in pilot studies or underpowered investigations. Rather, readers should assume that substantial selection bias is inevitable, and results in under-representation of severely nonadherent patients, in pilot and underpowered prospective investigations. Selection bias can be mitigated by a retrospective design in some circumstances, which means that sometimes results from retrospective studies are more powerful and generalizable than results from prospective studies in adherence research (2).

A failure to pre-define a single primary hypothesis is a common feature of pilot studies. Failure to register trials on sites such as clinicaltrials.gov or failure to specify a primary hypothesis, even if registered, result in a situation in which data are mined for results rather than used to establish (or refute) a fact. In this situation, the meaning of statistical tests is questionable, as our conventional reliance on a "p" value of 0.05 for significance is predicated on the existence of a pre-specified primary hypothesis. For unregistered studies that do not pre-specify a single primary hypothesis, study results should be considered exploratory rather than conclusive.

The issue of a lack of "gold standard" for measuring adherence has been previously reviewed (8) and is presented in the current manuscript as well. We caution against the tendency to assume (without supporting evidence) that multiple measures should be used to gain a more complete picture of adherence. For example, subjective measures (e.g. self-report) are considered to be low-quality measures of adherence in the broad literature of adherence research, while objective measures such as medication blood levels are considered to be higher quality (9). It is unlikely that coupling a high-quality measure with a low-quality measure will result in an aggregate measure that is superior to the high-quality measure when used alone. This is especially true if self-report vs. objective measures do not correlate with each other (as reported in the present study and others). Unless combined measures are decisively shown to be superior, the interpretation of the broad literature seems to be quite the opposite of the authors' opinion (that combined measures are preferred). Combining multiple measures of varying levels of quality is time consuming and is not preferred – in our view, the "default" assumption should be that a single robust measurement technique (preferably, objective rather than subjective) is preferred (10).

Finally, the fact unfortunately remains that not even one randomized controlled trial has ever shown that it is possible to improve post-transplant outcomes by addressing nonadherence, and one robust trial in adults showed no improvement in medical outcomes (11). In that trial, adherence was improved, but the investigators recruited primarily patients who were highly adherent at baseline. Therefore, presumably, a marginal improvement in their already excellent adherence did not translate into improved medical outcomes. It is extremely difficult to engage seriously nonadherent patients in research for obvious reasons, and thus if they are not targeted specifically, studies tend to exclude them (2,3). Because no study has ever shown that it is possible to improve transplant outcomes by addressing adherence, it is premature to recommend that adherence be measured routinely, let alone targeted, in clinical practice: why measure it if it has never been proven that it can inform any successful intervention strategy?

In sum, the manuscript by Loiselle et al. is addressing an important topic. It should be read as a call to conduct rigorous trials that shed light on the longitudinal trajectory of adherence behavior in transplanted children. The transplant field, with its robust outcome measures that are reported to national repositories, highly successful and collaborative consortia, and invested interest in the topic, is well poised to answer some of the most intriguing questions raised in the current manuscript. It is time to take the study of adherence into the rigorous and exciting realm of well-powered multi-site clinical trials that would be able to decisively refute or prove rigorous, single, pre-specified hypotheses about the trajectory of nonadherence behavior and ways to address it. We hope that the authors of the manuscript, as well as the readers, see the manuscript in this issue as a first, and not the last, step in this direction.


Prediction of solid waste generation is critical for any long term sustainable waste management, especially of a fast-growing municipality. Lack of, or inaccurate solid waste generation records poses unparalleled challenges in developing cohesive and workable waste management strategies for any concerned authorities, as this is influenced by several interlinked demographic, economic, and socio-cultural factors. The objective of this study was to compare two models in forecasting of MSW generation and how this would be built into an effective MSW management program. Two models, the Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA 1,1) and the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) were tested for their ability to predict weekly waste generation of 14 households in Juba Town, Central Equatoria State (CES), South Sudan. Results showed that both the artificial intelligence model ANNs and the traditional ARMA model had good prediction performances; where for ANNs the RMSE, MAPE and r2 were 0.080, 10.64%, 0.238 respectively, whereas for ARMA the RMSE, MAPE and r2 were 0.102, 6.98% and 0.274 respectively. Both models showed no significant differences and could be therefore be used for Solid Waste (SW) forecasting. Based on the results, the weekly SW generated 52 weeks later (end of year) had reached 0.365 kg/capita indicating a 18.2% rise from 0.3 kg/capita at the start of the study. Under the current consumption rate, the weekly SW per capita in Juba Town is expected to reach 0.596 kg by 2020.


The postoperative course of renal function remains unclear in Cushing syndrome. We examined changes in renal function after adrenalectomy in patients with Cushing syndrome and attempted to identify predictors of renal impairment.


Test collections for the filtering track in TREC have typically used either past sets of relevance judgments, or categorized collections such as Reuters Corpus Volume 1 or OHSUMED, because filtering systems need relevance judgments during the experiment for training and adaptation. For TREC 2002, we constructed an entirely new set of search topics for the Reuters Corpus for measuring filtering systems. Our method for building the topics involved multiple iterations of feedback from assessors, and fusion of results from multiple search systems using different search algorithms. We also developed a second set of "inexpensive" topics based on categories in the document collection. We found that the initial judgments made for the experiment were sufficient; subsequent pooled judging changed system rankings very little. We also found that systems performed very differently on the category topics than on the assessor-built topics.


Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the components of distance education in rural areas in order to provide a model in secondary schools in the country. Methodology: The combined research method was exploratory. In the qualitative part of the study, content analysis with inductive approach was used. Research environment in this section, 84 documents including 67 articles and books, 17 texts of interviews in the field of distance education that were selected as a sample, the components obtained in this research include 7 main components including management and leadership infrastructure, Economic infrastructure, technical infrastructure, educational infrastructure, socio-cultural and value infrastructure, organizational infrastructure and human infrastructure and 25 sub-components. The relative content validity coefficient was used to assess the validity and the Holsti coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the themes. The extracted reliability coefficient was 0.98 which indicated the high reliability of the themes. In the quantitative part, 290 members of the sample were selected by Cochran method and stratified random sampling method. The research tool was a 70-item researcher-made questionnaire. To evaluate the validity of the questionnaire, face, content and structural validity were used, and to assess its reliability, Cronbach's alpha with a value of 0.90 was used. Descriptive statistical methods were used in the analysis of quantitative data including frequency distribution tables and graphs and in the inferential section of confirmatory factor analysis. According to the relative Chi-square fit indices, adaptive fit, adaptive fitting and barbell, the model had a good fit. Findings: The results showed that among the identified components, educational infrastructure was ranked highest and human infrastructure was ranked lowest, respectively. Discussion: E-learning is useful for rural areas in terms of knowledge, better job opportunities, advancement and learning of developing technologies in marketing, and focusing on rural areas helps people's social development and mental ability.


This paper analyses by this and characterizes a thermionic emissive probe operating in both the temperature-limited current regime (T-region) and the space-charge-limited current regime (S-region) characterized by the formation of a virtual cathode. For this last case, we obtain the potential profile, the emitted current that overcomes the virtual cathode, as well as the thickness and depth of the potential well in front of the probe for different probe temperatures, plasma electron temperatures and neutral gas pressures. From these results, we obtain the I–V curves and the floating potential. Depending on the probe radius, when the floating potential is reached in the S-region, its value saturates, becoming almost independent of the probe temperature and the electron temperature.


In this paper fuzzy Expert Systems are used that are based on fuzzy logic and intelligent decision vectors to handle the quantitative as well as qualitative aspects in measuring the performance of an Educational Institution. The Academic performance of any institution is governed by various parameters that need to be studied in linguistic form. In the present work, a structured mathematical model is developed for individualistic and interdependent effects of these factors. Through fuzzification, we have converted the crisp values into linguistic variables like very good, good, medium, low, high, very high. The two prime functions, each for in-class and outclass activities are formulated then a control function for weaving the parameters within the function is crafted. A regulating function to encompass the dependencies of two prime functions is framed. A decision vector to engross both the prime and control function is originated to suggest the modifications on the present practices for enhancement of academia and overall performance of the institute. General Terms Expert System, Fuzzy Logic, Linguistic Variables, Defuzzification.


Solid waste disposal and management is each an urban and rural problem. Every character is a ability generator of waste and consequently a contributor to this problem. To generate waste is one issue, the form of waste generated is some other and yet additionally the way the generated waste is controlled or disposed of is pretty a exclusive difficulty. It has more frequently than not turned out that the rate at which stable waste is generated is far higher than the ability to responsibly manipulate this waste. Waste is generated by means of, and from exclusive sectors; home, commercial, industry and others and usually; the waste management duty has been left to the authorities or administrative authorities.


Since 2003, the NASA Ames Research Center has been actively involved in researching and advancing the state-of-the-art of planning and scheduling tools for NASA mission operations. Our planning toolkit SPIFe (Scheduling and Planning Interface for Exploration) has supported a variety of missions and field tests, scheduling activities for Mars rovers as well as crew on-board International Space Station and NASA earth analogs. The scheduled plan is the integration of all the activities for the day/s. In turn, the agents (rovers, landers, spaceships, crew) execute from this schedule while the mission support team members (e.g., flight controllers) follow the schedule during execution. Over the last couple of years, our team has begun to research and validate methods that will better support users during realtime operations and execution of scheduled activities. Our team utilizes human-computer interaction principles to research user needs, identify workflow processes, prototype software aids, and user test these. This paper discusses three specific prototypes developed and user tested to support real-time operations: Score Mobile, Playbook, and Mobile Assistant for Task Execution (MATE).


Pilomatrix carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor that originates from hair matrix cells. It is not usually considered in a differential diagnosis owing to its low incidence. We present a case of this uncommon entity and review the literature.


Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of cases died of head injuries and experience of management.Methods The general data,clinical information,cause and occurring time of deaths were analyzed respectively.Results The main causes of deaths were severe primary brain damages,intracranial hematoma,delayed operation,severe multiple injuries and complications,but distribution of them varied during different courses which could be divided into three phases(acute phasetransition phasefailure phase).Conclusion Prehospital emergency treatment,early evacuation of intracranial hematoma,nutritional support,prevention and management of complications should be emphasized to reduce the mortality.


Arturo Mediano (email@example.com) is with the I3A, University of Zaragoza, Spain. Francisco Javier Ortega-González (firstname.lastname@example.com) is with the Radio Engineering Group (GIRA), Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain. t class-E amplifier [1], [2], is a member of the switch-mode amplifier family. Switch-mode amplifiers are characterized by their use of transistors, instead of current sources, as switches [3].


S y . The articles are devoted to information-administrative architecture and its monitoring conceptions. Approaches, methods and abstractions, allowing to carry out the IAA modeling and being the conceptual level of model with dynamic types definition is described. This allows designing and developing database for information-administrative architecture monitoring. K e y w o r d s : information-administrative architecture, monitoring, informational model, benchmarking.


Objective To study the imaging features of Klippel Trenaunay syndrome.Materials and Methods Patients with Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome underwent imaging examinations, including intravenous antegrade angiography of lower limb (n=25), intra arterial DSA (n=7), MRI (n=4) and color Doppler ultrasonography (n=8).Results Superficial varicosis of lower limbs was seen on intravenous antegrade angiograms in all 25 cases, of which 92% showed lateral veins abnormalities and 9 had deep vein deformities (36%). On IADSA, abnormality of small arterial branches was seen in 7 cases, of which 2 had low shunt volume arterio venous fistula. On MRI in 4 cases, bone and soft tissue hypertrophy, and varicosis were found. The coincidental rate for deep vein abnormalities in 8 cases with color Doppler ultrasonography was 62.5%. Conclusion Imaging study is very helpful for us to further understand Klippel Trenaunay syndrome and to obtain information important for diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment.


A radiation image conversion panel having a phosphor layer and high luminance and sharpness is provided by growing columnar crystals from the root portion. The radiation image conversion panel includes a support; and a phosphor layer mainly composed of an alkali halide, the phosphor layer being formed by vapor deposition; wherein the phosphor layer includes a plurality of domains formed of a plurality of phosphor columnar crystals; each of the domains is a single phosphor columnar crystal or an aggregation of phosphor columnar crystals having substantially the same crystal orientation, and has an average diameter of 0.2 to 10 [mu]m; and the phosphor columnar crystals are crystalline from root portion at which crystal growth started.


The invention relates to a method of measuring rotational speed of a shaft, comprising the steps of: coupling an optical pickup to a shaft speed sensor having an indicator light that pulses proportionally to rotational speed of a shaft being measured by the speed sensor; receiving light pulses from the indicator light of the speed sensor; and determining the rotational speed based on the rate of received light pulses. Furthermore, the invention discloses a condition monitoring equipment for a wind turbine using the above measuring method.


One of the major problems today is the improper disposal of waste from the textile industry, especially dyes. They affect effluent characteristics and, consequently, the life there. For this reason, it is necessary to study methods of removal of this dye in order to reduce environmental impacts. In this work, hydrophilic cotton was used as adsorbent of dyes and it was studied in natura and with chemical treatment in HCl and NaOH. Adsorption was evaluated in methylene blue (MB) solutions, monitored by spectrophotometry, and with the aid of adsorption isotherms. The results indicated that treatment with NaOH is the most effective for AM adsorption, and that adsorption balance is achieved before 4 hours.


The goal of magnetic confinement fusion research is to produce an economically viable power reactor. This will require operation at finite plasma β, where for instance fast particle transport by Alfvén eigenmodes may become important. The density and energy of fast particles originating from heating and fusion will also be higher. Low frequency Alfvénic modes can be destabilised by fast particles, with velocities comparable to the Alfvén velocity, resulting in significant reduction of fast particle confinement. To properly predict and manipulate this behaviour in current and future fusion devices, the numerical simulation of fast particle interaction with Alfvén modes is necessary. Since these simulations are computationally demanding, it is desirable to use the simplest model capable of simulating a given phenomenon. Comparing a case with different physical models also permits the isolation of physics effects responsible for certain phenomena. In this paper we present a hierarchy of such numerical models and investigate their ranges of validity.


Given the highly competitive observed in the financial market, many companies seek external funding through the capital opening. Thus, this study aims to verify the economic and financial performance of companies after the capital opening (IPO). And as a study method was used econometric models, using as a dependent variable the abnormal return of action (RAt) after the IPO and other economic and financial variables as independent. The study period was from 2004 to 2012 and the final sample of 90 companies. Therefore, the selected variables were grouped into three models according to the frequency of use by several authors and the results, a significant relationship between the variables and the abnormal return has not been verified, being was also identified the strong presence of multicollinearity verified. On the observed results, a new model was developed with the exclusion of the variables that caused multicollinearity and the results were significant, supporting the nonrejection of the research hypothesis (H0), where there is a positive relationship between the abnormal return and economic and financial variables.


Why bodies obey mathematical laws is a longstanding question in physics. Here I put forth a very simple explanation. Matter is made up of fundamental units having finite non inter-convertible properties, and motion is one of that properties. The former implies that the integration of units into a system is adding up; adding up follows mathematical laws. The latter implies that the system remains changing due to motion; motion obeys mathematical laws, and so the changes in the system obey mathematical laws.


The present study evaluated the possible antiallodynic effect induced by [6]‐gingerol in rats with L5–L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Moreover, we determined the possible mechanism underlying the antiallodynic effect induced by [6]‐gingerol in neuropathic rats. The animals underwent L5–L6 SNL for the purpose of developing tactile allodynia. Tactile allodynia was measured with von Frey filaments. Intrathecal administration of [6]‐gingerol reversed SNL‐induced tactile allodynia. The [6]‐gingerol‐induced antiallodynic effect was prevented by the intrathecal administration of methiothepin (30 μg per rat; nonselective 5‐hydroxytryptamine [5‐HT] antagonist), WAY‐100635 (6 μg per rat; selective 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist), SB‐224289 (5 μg per rat; selective 5‐HT1B receptor antagonist), BRL‐15572 (4 μg per rat; selective 5‐HT1D receptor antagonist), and SB‐659551 (6 μg per rat; selective 5‐HT5A receptor antagonist), but naloxone (50 μg per rat; nonselective opioid receptor antagonist) did not prevent the [6]‐gingerol‐induced antiallodynic effect. Moreover, intrathecal administration of Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (100 μg per rat; nonselective nitric oxide [NO] synthase inhibitor), 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (10 μg per rat; inhibitor of guanylate cyclase), and glibenclamide (50 μg per rat; channel blocker of adenosine triphosphate [ATP]‐sensitive K+ channels) prevented the [6]‐gingerol‐induced antiallodynic effect. These data suggest that the antiallodynic effect induced by [6]‐gingerol is mediated by the serotoninergic system involving the activation of 5‐HT1A/1B/1D/5A receptors, as well as the NO–cyclic guanosine monophosphate–ATP‐sensitive K+ channel pathway but not by the opioidergic system.


Poland and Ukraine have a long, complex and eventful history of bilateral relations, and it is the Polish-Ukrainian relations which largely determined the historical development of the two countries. Traditionally, these two neighboring states play key roles in the foreign policy of each other. This article seeks to analyze changes in Poland''s foreign policy towards Ukraine, which took place right after the 2004 EU enlargement and were mainly reflected in the following policies: mediating during the Ukraine's political crisis; supporting Kiev's aspiration for the European integration, and, finally, consolidating Ukraine's status of Poland's strategic partner to the east of its borders. It is these aspects of the Polish foreign policy towards Ukraine that are discussed in the article.


1. Obama's Coalition: How the president customized his campaign and cobbled together his majority John F. Harris and James Hohmann. 2. The Campaign and the Media Diana Owen. 3. Fighting Off Challengers: The 2012 Nomination of Mitt Romney Barbara Norrander. 4. The General Election Campaign Steven E. Schier and Janet Box-Steffensmeier. 5. Congressional Elections 2012 Roger H. Davidson. 6. The Effect of the 2012 Elections on Party Polarization Sean M. Theriault and Megan M. Moeller. 7. Campaign Finance in the 2012 Election Robert G. Boatright. 8. Public Opinion and the Presidential Election Christopher Wlezien. 9. Religion in the 2012 Election James L. Guth and Leigh A. Bradberry. 10. The Reaffirmation of the Post-Cold War Electoral Order Nicol C. Rae.


The Chief of Naval Research requested the Naval Studies Board of the Academies to review distiributed remote surveillance (DRS) systems in April 2005. The tasking was to ''conduct an assessment of distributed remote sensing concepts and related technologies'' for improving Navy capability to conduct undersea warfare missions. The panel reported its findings in November 2006. The technical issues covered included: (i) System concepts, (ii) detection and localization, (iii) classification and automation, (iv) communications, (v) power and processing, (vi) distributed network control, and (vii) survivability. Six findings and recommendations were distributed in an NSB report publicly; however, the USN determined that the detailed technical content should be classified. Since DRS is now thought to be a solution for many Navy missions, an enumeration of the technical issues in any successful DRS was felt to be a useful system. The presentation covers these issues. [Work sponsored by N81, USN.]