As I sat with my coexaminers at this year's medical undergraduate Finals observing a signi®cant number of them with red, runny eyes, snif®ng and sneezing, I mused on the effect this might have on their judgement. Furthermore, many of the candidates themselves were suffering similar af ̄ictions. It is remarkable that in many countries around the Northern Hemisphere, the most important examinations, which affect individuals' whole working lives, are conducted at the height of the pollen season. There is little doubt that this compromises performance and the treatment employed can sometimes make this worse. Surely here, there is a case for claiming unfair discrimination of an appreciable and increasing segment of the population. There was perhaps only one redeeming feature of the scenario I have painted. Those students who entered the oral examination room clutching a box of tissues were at least the most capable of answering the questions on atopic diseases. However, we should not underestimate the impact this condition has on quality of life and performance. Indeed, there are now numerous publications attesting to this, with the remarkable ®nding that allergic rhinitis in many respects impairs quality of life to a greater extent than asthma. However, of course, both conditions commonly coexist. There are also good studies that have demonstrated the adverse effects of allergic rhinitis on school absences, poor performance, poor concentration, headaches, malaise, lethargy as a consequence of sleep disturbance and therefore reduced ability to learn. To this must be added the effect of the condition on hearing, which also becomes progressively more impaired as the season continues. Furthermore, many of the antihistamines employed in the treatment of allergic rhinitis have some sedating effects, thereby aggravating the problem. John Bostock described his own periodic affection of the eyes and chest in 1819. It is very salutary to read his description and consider how his own indisposition with, as he called it, Catarrhus aestivus, or summer catarrh, affected his performance. Each June his `eyes become extremely in ̄amed and discharge very copious and thick mucous ̄uid'. This was succeeded by `irritation of nose producing sneezing....and a dif®culty of breathing' (1). Bostock subsequently suggested when he presented a number of other case reports that this problem was caused by `the ef ̄uvium of new hay' and this has led to the popular name for the disease, hay fever (2). It was not until 1873 that Charles Harrison Blackley identi®ed that the problem was really caused by pollens, predominantly from grasses (3). After a further 130 years, we have developed a few treatments that partially ameliorate the condition, but I think we have failed to appreciate the importance of the condition as a major chronic respiratory disorder. This issue has at last been addressed on the initiative of the World Health Organization and Professor Jean Bousquet. An outstanding report has been generated heralding under the name ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), which hopefully will be available to all in the relatively near future. The report exhaustively reviews the literature, with over 2700 references. I sincerely hope that this will raise awareness of allergic rhinitis, which might improve the management of the disorder and thereby the performance of individuals during very critical periods in their professional lives. If all else fails we should, perhaps, consider whether sufferers should be recognized as being submitted to unfair discrimination during the pollen-associated examination season and suggest that such assessments be conducted at a more appropriate time of the year. In our modern egalitarian society, one wonders whether the discrimination was established to counter the commonly held Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2000: 11: 129±130


Cystic fibrosis (CF) is life-shortening autosomal recessive disease, caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein. The most common of CF complications is cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). The pathophysiology of CFRD is complex. The best test for screening and diagnosis of CFRD is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin therapy is a treatment of choice in CFDR pharmacotherapy. An inseparable element of CFRD therapy is also physical activity and diet.


An object of the present invention is to allow that at the same time as suppressing the short channel effect to obtain a high current drive force as much as possible. And the semiconductor substrate 11, a gate insulating film (13a) formed on the surface of the substrate, and a gate electrode 13 formed on the gate insulating film, the sidewall insulating film 14 is formed on the gate electrode and the sidewall of the gate insulating film, and adjacent to the side wall insulating film sidewall conductive chemak 15 is formed, the surface region adjacent to the gate electrode of the side wall conductive chemak on both sides, the side wall conductive chemak the sidewall conductive of the underlying substrate surface region (16a) and the semiconductor substrate chemak having a source and a drain region 16 formed on, and the impurity concentration in the depth direction of the substrate to the sidewall conductor film surface to a point represents a single maximum value at a given depth, and reduction in the depth than the predetermined depth that is characterized in that it is formed.


Objective To observe the protective action of GM1 on Aβ-induced rats AD model of learning,memory and neuronal damage of hippocampus.Methods Rats were divided randomly into three groups,including saline group,GM1 group and false model group.In order to set up AD rats model,Aβ25~35 was injected into hippocampus CA1 area with a dose of 10μl(1μg/μl)by the method of stereotactic infused.We investigated the rats' spatial discrimination,study and memory ability through water maze experiment.The technique of TUNEL was used to test the cell apoptotic in CA1 area.Western blot method was used to test Bcl-2 and Bax protein express.Results In AD rats' hippocampus CA1 area,we found the neuron apoptosis were obvious and Bax protein express increased.In contrast with the saline group,the hippocampus structure was integrity and the neuron apoptosis was much less,Bcl-2 protein express increased in GM1 group,there was a significant difference(P0.01).When we tested Bax protein with Western blot method,we found that Bax protein express decreased in GM1 group,there was a significant difference(P0.01).We tested the rats with water maze experiment and we found rats'spatial discrimination,study and memory ability of GM1 group was much better than saline group(P0.01).Conclusions GM1 can reduce rats hippocampus neuron apoptosis,protect brain from injury and ameliorate rats'spatial discrimination,study and memory ability.GM1 can increase Bcl-2 express and reduce the Bax.This may be one of the possible mechanisms of its effect of reducing hippocampus neuron apoptosis and protecting brain from injury.


Two cotton fabrics printed with two pigment types in six designs have been analyzed by a trained descriptive panel to evaluate the effects of pattern design, color, and fabric type on seventeen hand characteristics. The six designs include a 3.2 mm wide stripe, a paisley, a 6.4 mm diameter dotted design, a 25.4 mm wide stripe, a modern swirl, and a check with 6.4 mm crossed stripes, and are printed on a 100% cotton shirting and an interlock knit with two print paste formulations that differ in pigment type (C.I. Pigment White 6 and C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3) and concentration. Results show that fabric and pigment type have a greater influence on hand characteristics than does the design of the print. However, the pattern design has a significant influence on eight of the seventeen components, but the effects are often confounded by the fabric-print paste combination. For many of the mechanical attributes, the dotted design has the highest intensity values, whereas the 25.4 mm stripe has the lowest. Thus, fabric type, print paste formulation, and pattern design need to be considered when evaluating the hand properties of pigment prints.


To explore the trends in worldwide ophthalmic research production over a 21‐year period in relation to journals, contributing countries and dominating topics with special focus on the Nordic region.


The mixing efficiency compact and provides good in-line mixer device. And the type is in an in-line mixer apparatus for forming a mixed fluid by uniformly mixing, dispersing the different fluids, a mixer body 10 having a cylindrical shape with a space portion 11 which passes axially through the said space (11) radially provided in a plug-like member 20 which is integrally inserted from the upstream side, and closes the downstream end of a liquid flow path 21 formed in the axial direction of the plug-like member 20 into the space portion 11 in the in the offset from the axial center of a liquid and a recess cross section of outlet location of the fluid flowing from the eccentric fluid flow paths are formed so as to penetrate through the outer peripheral surface of the mixer body 10, a mixed flow into each other in the inside of the space portion 11, It is dispersed. In-line mixer, the mixer body, the chemical liquid flow path, the space portion, the plug-like member


Antiferroelectric Pb(Zr, Nb, Ti)O3 (PZNT) films were deposited via a sol-gel process on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si, LaNiO3- and La0.5Sr0.5CoO3-buffered Si substrate. The scaling behavior of the energy density W of antiferroelectric films was investigated. The scaling behavior of W against frequency f of PZNT on LaNiO3-buffered Si takes the form of W ∝ f0.08, which differs significantly from that form of W ∝ f−0.14 of PZNT on La0.5Sr0.5CoO3-buffered Si. This indicates that the scaling relations of W vary substantially as bottom electrodes change and might be closely related to the variation of nonuniform strain field and depolarization field within the AFE films.


A descriptive study was conducted to assess anemia among hearing impaired school children in a special school in Palakkad. The objective of the study is to assess hemoglobin level among hearing impaired children. The sample size is 30 and purposive sampling technique is used. In data collection procedure, hemoglobin level of school children was assessed and grade of anemia was analyzed.

The study findings is that normal haemoglobin leve1 is 6 (53.33%), mild anemia includes 12 (40%), moderate anemia zero and severe anemia includes 2 (6.67%). After the research and analysis, the study subjects were administered with iron supplementation.


There is an ideal point with constant translational displacement in the parallel spring movement comprised of the springs which are symmetric with respect to an axis passing through its midpoint. Compared with the leaf springs, the circular springs can be, from the view point of machinability, made easily with high accuracy, because only boring is needed. Authors studied the effect of the dimensional error of the minimum thickness of the springs on the error rate of displacement of the moment. The paper may be summarized as follows ; (1) Around fifty percent of the dimensional error of the minimum thickness contributes to the error rate of the displacement. This leads directly to the error of mass to be measured by the movement as balance, (2) There exists no difference in the effects of the dimensional errors on the error rate of displacement, between two springs of the upper or lower side, (3) Owing to the mutual compensation, the dimensional errors of the upper and lower springs brought by boring a circular hole through a blank cause no the error rate of displacement, and (4) the existence of the reinforcing plate attributes to improve the sensitivity of the movement as balance and reduce the error rate of displacement.


Summary The milk of each of the 4 cows in the first experiment was free from the oxidized and other off flavors at the beginning of the study. As the feeding of cod-liver oil progressed, the fresh milks lost their characteristic flavors of new milk. They became oily, but not the distinct cod-liver oil flavor. On standing, a "goaty" flavor appeared in the milks of cows 1, 2, and 3, whereas the oxidized flavor developed in the milks of cows 1 and 4. In the second experiment the milks of cows 3 and 4, with only slight exceptions, did not become oxidized. The milks of the other 4 cows, on the other hand, became oxidized apparently as the result of administering cod-liver oil either in the feed or by drenching. During a period of 41 days of drenching, the first milk from cow 1 showed a slightly oily flavor. It was not typically fishy. Later, however, a very strong oxidixed flavor developed which was of the fishy order. The goaty flavor appeared in this experiment only once. It lasted from November 25 to December 4 in the milk of cow 4. In this experiment, the goaty flavor appeared during the latter part of a feeding period and the first few days of the following rest period. This also was true in the three examples of the previous year. The vitamin C, however, was below average when the milk was "goaty" in this experiment, whereas during the first year this flavor was noticeable when the vitamin C was present in abundance. The following figures in the first experiment show the increases in reduced ascorbic acid in the milk from the check level when no cod-liver oil was fed, to the average of the three high readings when the amount of the oil was given at the highest level: Cow 1, 111 per cent; cow 2, 31.3 per cent; cow 3, 48.1 per cent; and cow 4, 38.3 per cent. The oil was given by drenching in this experiment. There was no increase in reduced ascorbic acid in the second experiment when the cod-liver oil was mixed with the feed. In case of cow 2, possibly there was a slight increase during the period of 16 days when she received her cod-liver oil by drenching. Cow 1, on the other hand, responded in the same way that she did the first year, for the reduced ascorbic acid in her milk increased from an average of 25.48mg. per liter during the 25 days preceding the drenching period to 66.43mg. per liter on the peak day, or an increase of 163 per cent.


This study investigated the management information needs of fish farmers in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from one hundred and ten fish farmers randomly selected from four urban and seven rural wards of the area. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentage,) and inferential (chi-square and PPMC) statistics. Results show that respondents had average age of 43years, majority were male (64.8%), had primary school as highest educational level (52.4%), had 2-5 ponds, use earthen ponds (55.2%) and had 5-7 years fish farming experience. Information was most needed in hormone identification (x=2.83), fish marketing (x=2.80) and water quality management (x=2.71). Respondents indicated high cost of feed and poaching as a major challenge in fish farming. Respondents' age (r = -0.233, p = 0.017); management practices (r = 0.209, p =0.032); number of ponds (r = -0.412, p = 0.000) were correlated with management information needs. The study therefore recommends the need for extension agencies to provide robust and timely information in the areas of need highlighted by the fish farmers in order to increase production efficiency and output of the fish farmers. Keywords : Information needs, Fish farmers, Aquaculture


Video Learning in learning the Arts of Music is one of the technology-based media that can be developed to overcome problems that exist in schools. Problems in monotonous learning resulting in a lack of understanding of students in learning material in class. With the help of Kinemaster, teachers can produce a variety of interesting and comprehensive learning videos with various characteristics. By using this Kinemaster-based learning video, students are able to know about learning the Arts of Music well to enhance learning that is creative, unique, and not monotonous. The research methodology used (Research and Development) uses the ADDIE, Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation approach. The results of data analysis from the questionnaire obtained a percentage of 87.42% and the evaluation results of students obtained 90%, while media experts obtained 96% results, language experts obtained 94% percentage results, and material experts obtained 93.33% percentage results. Based on the learning video product development process and the results of the kinemaster-based learning video trials in class IV-B music art learning at SDN Cilebut 02, it can be concluded that it is very feasible to use and is said to be valid.


Abstract The principle aim of the present study is to synthesis a novel mesoporous silica-based dual drug delivery system (DDDS) with unique features for the delivery of amoxicillin (antibiotic) and thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin). The DDDS was characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force micrographs analyses. The stimuli response behaviour of the drug carrier was studied by conducting swelling experiments as a function of pH and time. Drug release studies were carried out by mimicking gastric and intestinal conditions and found that the release of both drugs attained its maximum in the intestinal condition. The in vitro release data were analysed using Peppa's potential equation in order to predict the release mechanism. The release of antibiotic follows non-Fickian mechanism whereas that of vitamin was diffusion controlled. An in vitro cytotoxicity analysis was carried out on L929 cells and the results showed that the synthesized DDDS is safe. DPPH assay and antibacterial activity were also analysed. From the investigation, it is evident that the prepared DDDS has potential application as dual drug carrier.


In this study, we demonstrate In2O3@TiO2 core-shell spherical nanocomposites prepared by hydrothermal method and sol-gel coating method. The In2O3 particles show quite a uniform part icle size (∼200 nm in diameter) and smooth surface. Porous TiO2 polycrystalline is coated on the surface of In2O3 nanospheres as a shell. The thickness of the shell can be controlled by adjusting the molar rat ios of In to Ti. UV-Vis spectra indicate that the adsorption peaks of pure In2O3 and TiO2 nanospheres are located at 323 and 319 nm, respectively. The surface coating of TiO2 canmake the adsorption of nanocomposites shift to the long wavelength to ∼340 nm. The photocatalytic activities of the pure In2O3, TiO2, and the nanocomposites obtained with different molar rat ios of In to Ti were evaluated by measurement of the degradation concentration of 30 ppm methylene blue (MB). The results show that the nanocomposites show higher photocatalytic performance than the pure oxides. The ratio at 1:10 exhibits the highest reaction rate constant (0.0152 min−1), similar to other nanocomposites but higher than pure In2O3 nanospheres (0.0069 min−1) and TiO2 (0.0058 min−1). This can be attributed to the large surface and tuned band energy structure for enhanced visible light absorption and the effective charge separation at the heterojunction of In 2O3 and TiO2. These findings may benefits to the new developed core-shell material as photocatalysts with enhanced efficiency for environmental applications.


The Alzheimer's Management by Albumin Replacement (AMBAR) trial demonstrated the clinical efficacy of plasma exchange (PE) with albumin replacement for slowing the progression of disease in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). 1,2 Although the main hypothesized mechanism in AMBAR was a decrease in neurotoxic amyloid beta (A β ) amount, its quantification in the cerebrospinal fluid revealed no clear evidence in this regard, implying the pres-ence of alternative mechanisms beyond A β binding. At present, the elimination of dysfunctional albumin, inflammatory mediators, neurotoxic autoantibodies


This study aims to determine the effect of proxied financial performance with total asset turnover, current ratio, and return on assets in predicting earning growth in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2016-2017. The research sample was 48 out of 144 manufacturing companies through purposive sampling technique. The technique of collecting data is secondary data. Data analysis uses descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. The hypothesis tests are using the t-test and F test. Based on the results of the study found that return on assets, the current ratio has an effect on earning growth while total asset turnover does not affect earning growth. Manufacturing companies should pay more attention to their financial performance related to CR and ROA. They must also increase their operational activities, and more optimally use the company's overall assets effectively. For further research, it is suggested that in predicting earning growth, there are many factors beside CR and ROA that will influence the earning growth.


This polylactic acid resin fiber is obtained by melt-spinning a mixture containing 100 parts by weight of a poly-L-lactic acid (A) having an L-lactic acid purity of at least 99 mol%, 3-10 parts by weight of a plasticizer (B), and 0.3-1.0 parts by weight of a lubricant (C), wherein the following conditions (a) and (b) are satisfied: (a) the stretch recovery does not exceed 5%; and (b) the crystallinity measured by a differential scanning calorimeter is 50-70%.


Improvements in the living compensation system for public works in Korea are as follows. First, migration measure is required in the case under ten households of migrants. Second, tenants have to fall within the bounds of migration measure. Third, resettlement funds have to raise to the level of the establishment cost of living basis facilities. Fourth, residence relocation expenses have to be paid under the same conditions between owners and tenants. Fifth, the cases of expropriation have to fall within the bounds of living measure. Last, vocational training is required in the cases of changing professions of migrants.


A new conveyor-based single-ended to differential balun is proposed. Thanks to the quasi-absence of passive components, this is an extremely size-efficient balun (0.036 ). The use of a new impedance-matching technique makes this balun the first transistor-based solution with controllable port impedances. Fabricated in a 0.35-mum SiGe BiCMOS technology with fT=45 GHz, the balun shows the following performance: wideband impedance matching at all three ports, good balance between the two outputs (better than 3 dB in amplitude and 13deg in phase) over frequency bands extending from 0 to 3 GHz, linear operation for powers up to input powers of -2 dBm, and stability against temperature and process variations.


We report on the results of the first simultaneous X-ray (RXTE) and optical [South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)] observations of the luminous low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) GX 9+9 in 1999 August. The high-speed optical photometry revealed an orbital period of 4.1958 h and confirmed previous observations, but with greater precision. No X-ray modulation was found at the orbital period. On shorter time-scales, a possible 1.4-h variability was found in the optical light curves which might be related to the MHz quasi-periodic oscillations seen in other LMXBs. We do not find any significant X-ray/optical correlation in the light curves. In X-rays, the colour-colour and hardness-intensity diagrams indicate that the source shows characteristics of an atoll source in the upper banana state, with a correlation between intensity and spectral hardness. Time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy suggests that two-component spectral models give a reasonable fit to the X-ray emission. Such models consist of a blackbody component which can be interpreted as the emission from an optically thick accretion disc or an optically thick boundary layer, and a hard Comptonized component for an extended corona.


Identifying a peptide on the basis of a scan from a mass spectrometer is an important yet highly challenging problem. To identify peptides, we present a Bayesian approach which uses prior information about the average relative abundances of bond cleavages and the prior probability of any particular amino acid sequence. The scoring function proposed is composed of two overall distance measures, which measure how close an observed spectrum is to a theoretical scan for a peptide. Our use of our scoring function, which approximates a likelihood, has connections to the generalization presented by Bissiri and co‐workers of the Bayesian framework. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is employed to simulate candidate choices from the posterior distribution of the peptide sequence. The true peptide is estimated as the peptide with the largest posterior density.


Traditional metrical notation specifies at least two kinds of information — (1) nominal point of occurrence for each note and (2) a grouping of notes with implication for their relative stress, often in several levels of subdivisions. These two kinds of information are not the same; for example, the same set of six numerically equidistant time points can be grouped as 2 threes or 3 twos. For performance, the nominal duration of a note is presumably obvious (e.g., a 16th note at d=60 MM is, in principle, 250 msec). The objective interpretation of the metric grouping of notes is not at all obvious (e.g., how do we distinguish 2 threes from 3 twos?). We have studied this question both by analysis of live production and by computer synthesis, concentrating on patterns in which the same sequence of nominal durations is subject to different metrical groupings. Listening to synthetic patterns reveals that even small differences in onset‐to‐onset duration, articulative space, on time, timbre, or attack can strong...


Using a mold or die, primary shaping manufacturing processes form material from an initially unshaped state (usually melt) into a desired shape. All of these processes have in common that the exact design of the mold cannot be determined directly and intuitively from the product shape. This is due to the non‐linear behavior of the material regarding the flow and solidification processes. Consequently, shape optimization as a means of numerical design can be a useful tool in mold development. The core of our optimization tool is the in‐house flow solver XNS, which is based on the finite element method with GLS stabilization. It is able to exploit the common communication interfaces for distributed‐memory systems. XNS has been coupled with an optimization framework. Furthermore, a geometry kernel has been developed, which internally describes the geometry of the mold in a CAD‐based fashion. The optimization tool has been applied to three melt‐based manufacturing processes: plastics profile extrusion, injection molding and high‐pressure die casting. This paper will focus on injection molding.


This paper proposes the control algorithm for a Surface Mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor(SMPMSM) drive system running at 116,000 r/min. Hall sensors are employed to measure the rotor position, and a speed observer is used to enhance the dynamic performance of the drive system. And in order to extend the output power capacity in the high-speed operating region, a flux-weakening controller, integrated with an anti-windup controller, is implemented. Through the simulations and experiments, it is validated that both high speed operation and fast acceleration has achieved with the proposed methods.


Objective To study the effect of marine training on the soldiers' neurobehavior and physiological function.Methods Before and after the training,the soldiers' neurobehavior function was tested by the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery,the physiological function was tested by the indexes of body weight(BW),body fat(BF),hand strength(HS),vital capacity(VC),PWC\-\{170\},SOD,MDA and cortisol(C).Results After marine training,the soldiers' negative effect decreased and the attention/response speed increased significantly(P0.01);the numerical value of HS,VC,PWC\-\{170\} increased and BW,BF decreased significantly( P 0.01);the content of SOD increased and MDA,C decreased significantly( P 0.05 or 0 01).Conclusion The marine training would improve the soldiers' neurobehavior and physiological function.


Abstract : As part of the organizational transition to the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), a Process Action Team was formed to consider the issue of how research and technology will be generated in ARL. The result was a detailed process which accommodated transition ground rules and incorporated significant changes aimed at providing better customer service through the use of Total Quality Management Principles. The process has seven sequential subprocesses, Establish Customer Needs, Look for Solutions, Formulate Program, Obtain Approval to Execute, Technology Generation, Technology Transfer, and Accomplishments Based Evaluation. All subprocesses are fully integrated with a corporate investment strategy that serves as a guiding hand to all activities. in order to prepare this internal ARL process for implementation, it was adapted to satisfy the external global Army budget process. The status of implementation is presented and future plans are discussed.


A concept of mixing enhancement forced by rotating ramps has been presented, which based on the design of stationary ramps and Rim-Rotor Rotary Ramjet Engine. The rotating ramps could generate large scale vortex and rotary moving shock waves, which may increase the fuel mixing rate and spread distance in transverse-direction. The commercial software Fluent has been conducted to study the effect of different velocity of ramps rotating on flowfield characteristics. The results show that rotating ramps increase the periodic oscillation of cavity shear layer and induce large streamwise vortices in cavity. When the ramps rotate at a speed of 54.3krpm, the peak value of x-vortex magnitude is nearly four times as the stationary ramps, however, the coefficient of total pressure recovery in the rotating ramps case is nearly 10% less than that in the stationary ramps case. This study provides a new method for mixing enhancement under supersonic airflow condition.


Health-related behaviours (HRBs) are known to shape health on an individual aswell as a population level. This study was undertaken, therefore, to explore the status quoregarding such behaviours at the main state-sponsored vocational education institution inthe Maltese islands, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). An onlinequestionnaire was designed to assess physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour,substance abuse, and self-reported health and happiness at school among a total sampleof 483 MCAST students aged 16+. A poor level of physical activity engagement was noted,with a significantly high proportion of students (23.4%) not engaging in at least one hourof PA (over the previous seven days), and with only a minority (8%) of students reportingthat they were physically active on a daily basis. High levels of sedentary behaviour wereobserved, specifically sedentary screen time, and there was a statistically significant, albeitweak, association between physical activity over the previous seven days and perceivedstate of health. Low levels of alcohol and tobacco consumption were observed, whilehigher levels of cannabis use were identified when compared to similar studies carried outin Malta. The majority of students reported being happy at school during the period thesurvey was administered, and a significantly high percentage of studentsmore than halfreported feeling excess pressure from schoolwork, with females reporting higher levels ofpressure than their male counterparts. A majority of students also reported being in goodor excellent health, with males reporting better health than females.


In this paper, a series of experiments were performed to investigate the thermal and electrical characteristics of a commercial lithium ion battery (LIB) over-discharged to failure. Specific information including voltage, current, capacity and battery surface temperature were measured and analyzed. According to the results, it is demonstrated that batteries behave obvious temperature rise during the over-discharge process and the temperature rise increase with the increasing charge rate. Besides, the LFP (lithium iron phosphate) exhibits gentler temperature rise than the NMC (nickel manganese cobalt oxide) battery in the over-discharge process. And the discharge rate is found there no huge effect on the lost capacity of battery when it is over-discharged to failure.


The current article deals with functioning of youth sociolect in professionally-related and everyday communication. It relies on the concept of professional discourse. A special attention is given to professional interaction, based on professional interests. The field study is developed to investigate the usage of youth sociolect words, involving macro-sociolinguistic monitoring of frequency occurrence of English slang words in production sphere. The initial stage of the field study included the questionnaire development, defining the boundaries of monitoring, the number of lexical items under monitoring, the place of monitoring and the age of respondents. The second step in the project was monitoring. Finally, the results of monitoring were analyzed. The study was carried out through on-line questionnaire, face-to-face and remote interviewing, administered to respondents both in the production sphere and other spheres of activity. Native and non-native speakers from different countries and regions participated in the on-line questionnaire. The monitoring of frequency usage demonstrates that a limited number of lexical units of English youth slang are used in professional activity; the other part of lexicon presents a diverse picture. The article gives a number of diagrams and graphs to provide statistics confirming priority and universal use of English words of youth slang.


OBJECTIVES
Significant pain from HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) affects 40% of HIV-infected individuals treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). The most salient symptom of the neuropathy is pain, which frequently is moderate-to-severe intensity, associated with reduced activities and physical function, sleep disruption, increased severity of depression, and anxiety. Yet, evidence for managing painful HIV-SN is poor. The purpose of this study was to verify by scientific evidence the neuropathy complication in HIV/AIDS patients to develop effective pain management strategies.

METHODS
Design: Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES
PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane, www.controlled-trials.com.

SELECTION CRITERIA
the filter "English" was used, timeframed searched was 2009-2019, randomized controlled trials (RCT). Keywords were verified in MeSH "Peripheral Nervous System Disease" and "Antiretroviral Agents" or "Antiretroviral therapy."

REVIEW METHOD
the PRISMA flowchart was used.

RESULT
A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines was carried out, and 12 specific articles/studies on the subject were selected. The results revealed that HIV therapy, aging, body mass index, height, and systemic conditions influence neuropathy conditions in HIV/AIDS patients. The multistudies focused on pain management approaches such as administration of pain medication, drug combination to prevent side effects, or ART with minimal side effects.

CONCLUSION
Sensory neuropathy is a frequent complication of HIV infection and ART. An understanding of the mechanism and pathophysiology of neuropathy in HIV is urgently required to develop alternative treatment modalities and to evaluate preventive strategies.


In order to develop a generic treatment for infections with Gram- negative bacteria, we developed a synthesis of 2-acylamino-deoxynojirimycin derivatives (17, 18, 19 and 20), which will be used as haptens for raising catalytic antibodies capable of hydrolyzing the interglycosidic bond in the lipid A moiety of endotoxins. A key intermediate in the preparation of compounds 17, 18; 19 and 20 is 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2- [(benzyloxycarbonyl) amino] -2- deoxy-D-glucono-δ-lactam (6), which was prepared from known 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucosamine (1) in four steps in 47% overall yield. Antibodies were generated against 2-[(6- aminohexanoyl)amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucono-δ-lactam (17) coup-led to the carrier protein bovine serum albumin.


Summary Field investigations were carried out for three seasons in two locations of Uganda to examine yield benefits when cowpea and maize are planted under intensive farming conditions. Additive mixtures of cowpea were planted into maize thrice at 2 weekly intervals together with sole crops. Time of introducing cowpea into maize significantly affected both the growth and yield of cowpea. Simultaneous planting generally showed a yield advantage (LER> 1) of the cowpea/ maize intercropping systems irrespective of the cowpea varieties used, but LER declined when time of introducing cowpea into maize was delayed being as low as 0.76 when cowpea was planted four weeks after planting maize. The reduction in the growth and yield of cowpea was due to increased shading from the maize plants especially when cowpea was introduced at the fourth week. Therefore, to achieve yield benefit simultaneous planting of maize and cowpea recommended. Resume Influence du decalage du semis du niebe ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) par rapport au mais (Zea mays L.) sur la croissance et le rendement du niebe


The high-performance characteristics of an annular-ring-coupled shorted circular microstrip antenna are presented. This new geometry offers larger impedance bandwidth with a good return loss characteristic, a higher gain and radiation efficiency, and most importantly, a pattern characteristic with lower cross-polarization levels in the H- as well as E-planes. This new structure is investigated both theoretically and experimentally.


AbstractBracket positioning is an important stage of orthodontic therapy because by the accessories correctly attached to teeth and the arch wires ties to them, teeth movement can take place by the force released from the orthodontic arch wires. Nevertheless, different authors suggest different bracket prescriptions with different vertical heights. Therefore, this study intended to make a review and discuss different vertical bracket prescriptions and suggest a procedure to overcome clinical difficulties that may occur on this process. The solution proposed that uses data obtained from setup performed in models casts, which usually are made as part of the orthodontic treatment plan-ning, make up in valuable information that could be added for the correct appliance placement. This new proce-dure has showed extremely valid and of confirmed practical results.Key words: Fixed appliance assemblage. Vertical positioning. Orthodontic accessories. 1. ALEXANDER, R. G. The vari-simplex discipline part 1 concept and appliance design.


Bioethanol derived from agricultural waste offers a sustainable alternative to conventional energy source such as fossil fuels as the demand for energy continues to increase and the supply depletes. In Malaysia, agricultural wastes are potential to be one of the feedstock for producing bioethanol due to low cost and readily available. The utilization of agricultural waste for bioethanol production also does not disturb the consumer food supply as it is based on waste-to-energy concept. Bioethanol produced is then blended with gasoline (petrol) to create a mixture that can be used in modern vehicles. In this study, pineapple waste has been chosen to investigate the feasibility of using pineapple waste as a substrate to produce bioethanol. Different parts of pineapple waste were treated with different acid concentrations (5, 10 and 15 %, v/v) at a constant high temperature and pressure which were later fermented for a time period of 48 hours. At the same time, one small-scale bioreactor was also fabricated to perform the fermentation of pineapple waste. It was found that the pineapple residue contained a good amount of glucose up to 455.84 g/L when 15% (v/v) H 2 SO 4 used for acid hydrolysis was carried out. However, the fermentation of pineapple pulp had produced the highest bioethanol concentration (375.43 g/L) when 15% (v/v) H 2 SO 4 used for acid hydrolysis was performed. Bioethanol concentration obtained through the fabrication of small-scale reactor on the other hand was 374.78 g/L.


Taking one foundation pit engineering in Hangzhou for example, a numerical model of foundation pit under local load was established through the two-dimensional finite element software Plaxis. The influence on the displacements and bending moments of the retaining structure caused by construction process, the value and position of local load had been investigated. A simple discuss about local load' influence scope had been made. The results show that the displacements of row piles reach maximum after being excavated. As the values of local load increase or the distance between local load and foundation pit decrease, the status of the retaining structure becomes worse. Influence scope of load calculated in traditional method based on Rankine' theory may be rather small.


In this paper, drought was evaluated for the Mosul Dam Watershed, Iraq, which is considered one of the most important dams in Iraq. The evaluation of drought was studied using two types of meteorological drought indices, namely Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Hydrological drought index which is Streamflow Drought Index (SDI). Monthly precipitation and air temperature for the period 1979-2013 downloaded from Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) were used as weather input data for the RDI and SPI. Streamflow obtained from the gauge station in the study area were used as input data for the SDI. The indices computed by the DrinC software for a 12-month time scale. The results were analysed and the Drought Frequency Patterns (DFPs) were computed for each index. The results showed that potential evapotranspiration plays a major role in causing drought, in addition to precipitation. The RDI gave more dry periods than the other two indices, as it depends on precipitation and potential evapotranspiration. Likewise, all indices are identical in that the period is divided into two parts: the first part, which extends from the beginning of the period 1979 to the end of the nineties 1990s, is considered wet and the second part, which extends to the end of the period 2013, is drier. The Hydrological Drought Index SDI gives a drought of greater severity (Moderate drought for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004) compared to the other two indices.


The essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum "cinnamon", Syzygium aromaticum "clove" and a saponin extract of Chenopodium quinoa "quinua" at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 % concentrations, were evaluated in vitro in Sabouraud agar culture medium to determinate their antifungal activity in four diferent strains of fresh fruit phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinérea, Penicillium sp., Fusarium solani and Aspergillus flavus). Each treatment had five repetitions and the experiment was performed by duplication in order to confirm the data obtained. The essential oils treatments and the combination with saponin extract have showed antifungal activity in all the concentrations used and with a percent inhibition of 100% and the standard deviation, the mean and the average remain unchanged. However, the results were not the same using individually saponin extract because we doesn ́t observe the antifungal activity expected. The standard deviation, the mean and the average varied and the percent inhibition was between 9.77% & 16.96 % for Fusarium solani, 7.41% & 12.52% for Aspregillus flavus, 6.57% & 17.70% for Botrytis cinerea and 15.28% & 15.28% & 30.56% for Penicillium sp.


Currently, a number of dental CAD/CAM systems are in operation in Japan. Many of them adopt a non-contact optical system using a CCD camera and light patterns to measure the model teeth. One disadvantage of this method is that it is difficult to measure the parts in the shade. However, this problem can be solved if we can carry out measurements using 3D CT. In this study we have examined how to construct a 3D model of a tooth crown shape using micro-CT data.  An R_mCT2 micro-CT manufactured by Rigaku Corporation was used under maging conditions of FOV10 (φ 10 mm×H10 mm), 90 kV tube voltage and 160 μA tube current. Basic study models manufactured by KaVo Dental GmbH were used in the imaging, which was carried out in two phases, as the size of the artificial teeth was greater than that of the FOV. The image data was output in 512 slices in the form of DICOM files, and transferred to a personal computer. We examined the CT values of all the voxels of all images using software we developed ourselves. Based on the results, we determined the threshold by comparing the distribution of the CT values of the artificial teeth area with those of the remaining area in each image, and extracted the shape of the artificial tooth by binarizing the image. The separate image data was aligned by detecting the location of the closest number of pixels to the binarized image. Artifacts included in the images were removed manually and the completed voxel data output in DICOM format. Shape was confirmed using free DICOM viewer software (OsiriX).  As a result, the margin of error for superimposing the contour shape of the split image data is approximately one voxel (± 20 μm). Artifacts were seen in 20 to 50 slices of the binarized images but because they were minor, we were able to process the images quickly and easily. In this study we were able to construct a high-resolution model of artificial teeth with relative ease. In future, if we can success in realizing low-cost, higher performance dental cone-beam CT, we will be able to use it to measure abutment teeth.


Objective:To analyse the relationship between hyperopia and dry eye syndrome.Method:All of 155 cases(310 eyes,aged 16~60 years) who were excluded to diagnose as infectious diseases of eye、immunological disease of eye、opacity of refractive media、retinal diseases and previous surgical history of eye were examined in symptom、breakup time(BUT)、schirmer I test(SIT)、center lacrimalriver highness of lower eyelid、keratometer and refraction.Results:(1)The BUT of patients with hyperopia was obvious shortening,compared with emmetropia,there was a statistical difference(P0.01).Between high、middli and low degree hyperopia,there was a statistical difference(P=0.013).(2)The SIT of patients with hyperopia was shortening,compared with emmetropia,there was no statistical difference(P=0.20).Between high、middli and low degree hyperopia,there was no statistical difference(P=0.066).(3)Fluorescein staining scores of patients with hyperopia increased but there was no statistical difference(P0.05) compared with emmetropia.(4)The center lacrimalriver highness of lower eyelid decreased but there was no statistical difference(P0.05) compared with emmetropia.Conclusion:Hyperopia can lead to the tear film function instability and then create dry eye syndrome.It main shows that the BUT is obvious shortening and the SIT is lower.


The NeighShrink, IAWDMBNC, and IIDMWT are important methods to remove the noise from a corrupted image. These methods however cannot recover original image significantly since the threshold value does not minimize the noisy wavelet coefficients across scales and thus they do not give good quality of image. In this paper, we propose an adaptive denoising method that provides an adaptive way of setting up minimum threshold by shrinking the wavelet coefficients to overcome the above problem using an exponential function. Our method retains the original image information efficiently by removing noise and it has the image quality parameters such as peak-to-signal nose ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) better than the NeighShrink, IAWDMBNC, and IIDMWT methods.


The aeronautical spectrum becomes increasingly congested due to raising number of non-stationary users, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With the growing demand to spectrum capacity, cognitive radio technology is a promising solution to maximize the utilization of spectrum by enabling communication of secondary users (SUs) without interfering with primary users (PUs). In this paper we formulate and solve a multi-parametric objective function for proactive handoff scheme in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system constrained by QoS requirements. To improve the efficiency of handoff scheme for multiple communicating UAVs the greedy strategy is adopted. An innovative aspect of our solution includes consideration of quality of service (QoS) components, e.g. opportunistic service time, channel quality, etc. Some of these components, for example collision probability and false alarm probability, affect QoS in a negative way and are considered as constraints. Simulation of handoff scheme has been performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm in selecting multiple channels when the spectrum environment changes. The performance of handoff scheme is compared with random selection method and is found outperforming the random selection method in terms of averaged utilization ratio. Analysis of results has shown that the spectrum utilization ratio can be doubled by considering wider bandwidth (more channels) and by making QoS requirements less strict. In both cases this leads to near-linear increase in time consumption for handoff scheme generation.


Summary The anti-Copernican argument that the diurnal rotation of the earth would have catastrophic centrifugal effects on terrestrial objects has a curious history. Copernicus, who falsely ascribes it to Ptolemy, seems to have introduced it in De Revolutionibus as a foil for his own arguments, to create a rhetorically favourable context of discussion. Galileo, who tried to deal with the complexities of the argument (as Copernicus had not), managed to produce a rejoinder perhaps unequalled in scientific literature, a reasonably complex geometrical argument with rhetorical appeal to the literate mass audience. It is also fallacious, as (I argue) Galileo very probably knew. Various specific points are made concerning Galileo's rhetorical strategy. I also explain why Galileo (unlike contemporary commentators with Newtonian biases) would not have thought his conclusion is open to simple counterexample.


We previously reported that concurrent cyclosporine and plasma exchange(CSA/PE) is superior to corticosteroids and PE for acute TTP in terms of a decreased exacerbation rate (0% v. 47%) after stopping PE.(ASH 2005,Abstract# 1235) We now present similar data and serial analysis of ADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor concentration from two patient cohorts treated with CSA/PE. Patients : Ten patients failing initial therapy with corticosteroids and PE (exacerbations or refractory) were treated with CSA/PE. This study led to a second cohort study of upfront therapy with CSA/PE in 11 patients with acute TTP. Methods : CSA (2–3 mg/kg) orally was administered concurrent with daily PE. After remission (normal platelet count and LDH), 2 additional exchanges were performed on an every other day schedule. CSA was administered for 6 months and discontinued. Results : In the exacerbation/refractory patients, 9/10 achieved remission after a median of 11 exchanges. One patient suffered an exacerbation and required one additional exchange to achieve a sustained (>30 d.) remission. Four patients relapsed 2,3,7, and 10 months after completing 6 months of CSA. In the CSA/PE upfront group, 10/11 achieved remission. One patient died of infectious and disease-related complications. Remission occurred after a median of 5 exchanges. No patients(0/10) suffered an exacerbation. Three patients recurred, 2 while taking CSA and one 2 weeks after stopping CSA. Median ADAMTS13 activity and the change in inhibitor concentration over time for all CSA/PE patients is shown in Figure 1. Conclusions : CSA/PE improves clinical outcome and prevents exacerbations after tapering PE. CSA/PE also increased in vitro ADAMTS13 activity and suppressed the inhibitor, with both occurring well after the last PE. These findings coupled with the decline in median ADAMT13 activity after discontinuing CSA(Fig. 2) suggest the improvement in ADAMTS13 activity was a result of CSA therapy.


A 50-kilowatt frequency-modulation broadcast transmitting station is described. The entire equipment was designed considering simplicity and reliability to be of prime importance. The transmitter consists of a 250-watt exciter, a 3-kilowatt intermediate power amplifier and a 50-kilowatt power amplifier completely self-contained except for the main-rectifier plate transformer, water-cooling unit, and console. Most of the performance characteristics of the transmitter, including fidelity, noise level, and frequency stability, are determined in the exciter unit, where several novel features are incorporated for producing the excellent performance obtained. The 3-kilowatt intermediate power amplifier utilizes forced-air-cooled triodes, while water-cooled triodes are used in the power amplifier. Both tube types are of a new design especially suited to ultra-high-frequency service. An inverse feedback circuit is provided around the final amplifier stage, grid-modulating this stage so as to cancel filament hum. A new design of 3-bay turnstile antenna is fed by a pair of 2⅝-inch concentric-tube radio-frequency transmission lines. Field strength contours are given to show the coverage expected from the new transmitter, which is located at a high elevation in the Helderberg Mountains west of Albany so as to give line-of-sight transmission to most of the area to be served.


Taking Nanfeng ancient city as an example, based on mining local culture, digital reconstruction of the ancient city is realized by using digital technologies such as remote sensing mapping, 3D modelling, geographic information and virtual reality and then a virtual platform for digital protection and exhibition of the ancient city is constructed. Firstly, the research sorted out the cultural connotation of the ancient city space from the three spatial levels including space, block and street pattern and then established the geospatial database. Using the key technologies of oblique photogrammetry, laser point cloud, 3D modelling and panoramic technology to restore and visualize the ancient city and then developing the virtual digital display platform which integrated the functions of digital model integration, route recommendation and customization, panoramic roaming and interaction. Finally, the platform was built. The idea and practice of combining cultural mining with digital construction can help to realize the protection and wide spread of Nanfeng ancient city culture and promote the sustainable inheritance of ancient city culture.


The invention provides an attachment clamping mechanism used for clamping an attachment on a spindle flange of a work spindle. The attachment clamping mechanism comprises a fastening flange, a driving device used for driving the fastening flange to move between a releasing position and a clamping position, a pushing component connected with the fastening flange, and a first elastic piece, wherein at the releasing position, the attachment can be taken out from the position between the spindle flange and the fastening flange, at the clamping position, the attachment is clamped between the spindle flange and the fastening flange, and the fastening flange is pressed towards the clamping position through the first elastic piece in a bias mode. The driving device comprises an operation piece and a pushing piece, the operation piece moves between a first position and a second position, at the first position, the pushing piece drives the fastening flange to the releasing position, and at the second position, the pushing piece and the pushing component are separated, and the fastening flange is located at the clamping position, wherein the pushing piece and the operation piece are located on the same side of the work spindle, and the structure can be more compact. The invention further provides a power tool with the attachment clamping mechanism.


Disclosed in embodiments of the present invention are a method and device for adjusting projection brightness. The method comprises: first, obtaining an ambient light brightness value and a projection distance value; then, obtaining a projection brightness value according to the obtained ambient light brightness value and the obtained projection distance value; and finally, adjusting projection brightness according to the obtained projection brightness value. By using the embodiments of the present invention, projection brightness can be adjusted according to ambient light brightness and a projection distance, and a projection image having good subjective quality can be obtained.


[Objective] The research aimed to study the variability and variation characteristics of climate in northern winter wheat zone during 1961-2004.[Method] Based on the meteorological data(temperature,precipitation and sunshine,etc.) of 55 meteorological stations in northern winter wheat zone during 1961-2004 and the yield data of winter wheat,by using the linear regression,relative coefficient and climate tendency rate,the time and space evolution characteristics of sunshine hours,temperature and precipitation in northern winter wheat zone were analyzed.[Result] The annual average temperature,annual precipitation and annual sunshine hours in northern winter wheat zone during 1961-2004 presented the certain zonal distribution in the space.The precipitation and temperature gradually decreased from south to north.The sunshine hours gradually increased from south to north.The annual average temperature overall presented the rising trend in northern winter wheat zone in 44 years,but the rising rate had the difference in the different areas.The rising of annual average temperature in the high latitude was more obvious than that in the low latitude.The annual rainfall overall presented the decrease trend,and the tendency rate of annual precipitation had the significant difference in the different areas.The decrease rate of rainfall in the central and western areas was bigger than that in other areas.The annual sunshine hours overall presented the decline trend.In most areas,the tendency rate of annual sunshine hours was the negative value.But there was certain difference in the different areas.The decrease rate was small in the west which included central Shaanxi,south of Shanxi and some areas in southeast of Shandong.The decrease rate was big in south of Henan,northwest of Shandong and south of Hebei.[Conclusion] The research provided the theoretical basis for understanding the historical evolution of climate in northern winter wheat zone.


The small-signal impedance and noise figure of a Gunn diode with a homogeneous field profile have been calculated, including diffusion. The importance of the nL product, d.c. electric field and cathode boundary condition are examined. Comparison is made with reported measurements at high nL products.


Big Data refers to large and complex data sets in which traditional data processing application software are inadequate to deal with them. Big Data collection, processing and analysis are becoming one of the major concerns for large and small organizations companies and academic institutions. In this paper, we propose a framework which can efficiently detect and avoid redundant computations. One of the most important techniques is the materialized view technique which saves and reuses the result of previous computations[1].


In this paper, the virtual simulation system of power plant be developed on Web environment with the technologies of graphic model and virtual DCS. The system simulates the 600 MW coal-fueled power unit, distributed control system (DCS) of Foxboro I/A and digital electro hydraulic system (DEH) of GE XDPS. The initial data would be imported from real-time database (RTDB) of InStep eDNA. Designing concept, system architecture and development process of virtual simulation system of power plant are introduced. Solutions for virtual control systems are described. Detailed processes and functions are evaluated when we integrate virtual simulation system and RTDB data. This innovative digital information system has some advantages such as good openness and high fidelity. By integration and application of virtual simulation system and RTDB data, we can extend the functions of simulation, and provide technical guidance for research and development of simulation system and full-scope analysis of the power plant.


On the basis of its solid market position and of the French nuclear power program, the Cogema Group has been able to improve its economic situation still further, enjoying a front line position on the uranium market as far as competition in the next century is concerned. The Group's major holdings in the new Canadian mines, its diversification into other countries and continents, ensure its continuity of supply and its competitiveness. Its involvement in all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle is proof of the Group's resolution to promote nuclear power in all its ramifications. This also allows all difficulties to be taken into account which the Group's customers, operators of nuclear power plants, could encounter. Now that the former Eastern block countries are turning towards the market economy, development opportunities open up in the uranium sector which Cogema is prepared to explore, also in the interest of its customers. This endeavor will be made easier by the Group's character of a European industrial enterprise and worldwide leader in the nuclear fuel cycle.


Aiming at a new method for pile static load test using vacuum negative pressure,the calculation with finite element method for the case of natural ground was done to analyze the stability of foundation in vacuum area.Natural saturated soil with general permeability could not bear the pore pressure of-80 kPa and may lead the foundation to lose stability.Further calculation was done under the condition that the ground beneath the vacuum area was improved by sand drain.The actual hydraulic gradient of groundwater in the vacuum area can meet the requirement if the soil's permeability is good and the depth of sand drain is shallow.But if the soil's permeability coefficient at low depth is small,sand drain shall be long enough to reach the deep soil with better permeability to keep the foundation from failing.The finite element method was compared with the traditional method of piling-up weights.Although there are some differences between loading-settlement curves of the two methods,they may be neglected in judging the pile capacity.


A chemo- and regioselectivity study of the reagent combination BH 3 .SMe 2 /TMSOTf for ketal reduction has been undertaken. It has revealed that simple 1,3-dioxanes reduce cleanly at low temperature in CH 2 Cl 2 while simple 1,3-dioxolanes may give complete ring cleavage and dimerization products. A study of reduction of 4-substituted 1,3-dioxolanes has revealed a solvent-directed regioselectivity which in THF favors the secondary protected derivative. A mechanism is postulated to account for the selectivities based on recent thinking on acetal substitution reactions


The existence of solutions of nonlocal problems of differential equation of integer orders and fractional orders have been studied by some authors (see [4], [6], [7] and ([14]–[17]) for example). Also stochastic problems are discussed in many papers, the reader is referred to ([1]–[3]), [5], ([8]–[13]) and [18]. Consider the random differential equation of fractional order DαX(t) = c(t) f (X(t))+b(t), t ∈ (0,T ] (1)


The basic reason why ethical problems have arisen in transplantation surgery is because a series of treatments have been established which are at best lifesaving and at the very worst, totally transform the lives of those who receive a graft. The kidney was the first vascularised organ to be successfully transplanted in the 1950's and the evolution of renal transplantation since then has been partly due to the efficacy of first haemodialysis and then continuous amulatory peritoneal dialysis which allowed patients in renal failure to be kept alive until such time as a suitable graft became available. In the last ten years similarly successful programmes of liver, heart, and heart/lung transplantation have become established. ORGAN PRESERVATION It is now possible, by simple cold storage, to keep a kidney viable for 48 hours, a liver for around 20 hours, a heart for six hours, and a lung for four hours. This preservation time allows an organ to be retrieved from a donor dying at some distance from the centre in which it will be transplanted and, in the case of kidneys in particular, for the donor kidneys to be transported to the best recipient within the United Kingdom. Evolving from this ability to preserve organs is an extensive network of sharing of transplantable organs between Transplant Centres within the United Kingdom. Good kidneys transplanted into good recipients will produce graft survival rates in excess of 80% at one year. The same survival can be expected for heart recipients and liver recipients and perhaps a little less for heart/lung recipients. Successful transplantation in good recipients has led to attempts to transplant patients who, a few years ago, would not have been considered. In renal transplantation, children and infants are regularly transplanted and people in their 70's are not disbarred from receiving a graft if otherwise reasonably fit. The upper age limit for heart and liver recipients keeps increasing. This relaxation of the criteria for accepting a potential recpient has increased the recipient pool and widened the gap between recipient need and donor supply. Recipient demand can sometimes lead to use of donors who are not ideal. IMMUNE SUPPRESSIVE AGENTS Modern immune suppression using cyclosporin, azathioprine, steroids, antithymocyte globulin, and monoclonal antibodies in varying combinations and sequences has produced a series of powerful weapons against the immune response so that a recipient's immune system can usually be suppressed sufficiently to allow retention of …


The chaotic motion in a harmonically forced two-degree-of-freedom system is investigated both experimentally and numerically. Numerical simulations show that the system exhibits periodic motions, quasiperiodic motions and chaotic motions. The experiments confirm that the chaotic response exists. The results indicate that chaotic response needs to be considered when air spring is introduced to the system.


Mohammad Hossein Habibi, Morteza Montazerozohori, Arash Lalegani, Kazem Barati, Ross W. Harrington, William Clegg. Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a CuSCN complex containing a new bidentate N,N0-bis(2-nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine Schiff base and triphenylphosphine. Journal of Coordination Chemistry, published online 4 February 2009, DOI: 10.1080/ 00958970802702247. (This paper was previously only published online and is printed for the first time in this issue, volume 62, issue 22, 20 November 2009, pp. 3703–3711.)


Doedoe the invention contain as the dried brown algae water particles in the soap base, to 1 to the the water particles to 100nm chitosan, the atomization of 1 to 100nm Se, atomizing from 1 to 100nm germanium, and, from 1 to 100nm on health soap, when the weight ratio of the soap base is 100, the chitosan 1-5, wherein Se 1 to 5, wherein the germanium 1-5 and, by characterized in that the dried brown algae of 1 to 5, the cleaning function, as well as maintain healthy skin it is to give effect to.


By rape pot experiment, rape response of three-type soils in Shandong Province to incorporation of oily sludge was studied. Rape biomass and physiologic indices included yield, chlorophyll content, POD, NR activity, root vigor and cell membrane permeability. The results showed that effects of oil-pollution on rape were varied with different soil types. The effect of petroleum hydrocarbon on rape growth in brown soil was lightest. The ability to repair for oily sludge was stronger in brown soil. Rape growth was best and yield was highest. Effects on rape growth were varied with petroleum hydrocarbon content. Petroleum hydrocarbon could promote rape growth when the consistency was 500 mg/kg. It increased rape yield. But when the petroleum hydrocarbon consistency > 500 mg/kg, the harm of rape was more serious. It was shown that rape yield was decreased. Chlorophyll content and root activity and NR activity reduced gradually with the increase of petroleum hydrocarbon consistency. Cell permeability and POD activity increased rapidly with the increase of petroleum hydrocarbon consistency.


We define a class of first-order formulas $\mathsf{P}^{\ast }$ which exactly contains formulas $\varphi$ such that satisfaction of $\varphi$ in any classical structure attached to a node of a Kripke model of intuitionistic predicate logic deciding atomic formulas implies its forcing in that node. We also define a class of $\mathsf{E}$-formulas with the property that their forcing coincides with their classical satisfiability in Kripke models which decide atomic formulas. We also prove that any formula with this property is an $\mathsf{E}$-formula. Kripke models of intuitionistic arithmetical theories usually have this property. As a consequence, we prove a new conservativity result for Peano arithmetic over Heyting arithmetic.


Abstract Secondary alkyllithium reagents were prepared stereoselectively via an iodo–lithium exchange by using tert-butyllithium. The resulting secondary alkyllithiums were converted directly into the corresponding alkylcopper reagents by transmetalation with copper(I) bromide–triethyl phosphite [CuBr·P(OEt)3] with retention of configuration and without significant loss of stereoselectivity. The resulting alkylcopper reagents were used for carbocupration or acylation reactions. In addition, a new intramolecular carbolithiation of secondary alkyllithium reagents possessing a remote alkyne moiety was also investigated, allowing the stereoselective production of alkylidenecylobutane derivatives with very high stereocontrol.


This paper describes a wavelet-based system for computing localized velocity fields associated with time-sequential imagery. The approach combines the mathematical rigor of the multiresolution wavelet analysis with well known spatiotemporal frequency flow computation principles. The foundation of the approach consists of a unique, nonhomogeneous multiresolution wavelet filter bank designed to extract moving objects in a 3D image sequence based on their location, size and speed. The filterbank is generated by an unconventional 3D subband coding scheme that generates twenty orientation tuned filters at each spatial and temporal resolution. The frequency responses of the wavelet filter bank are combined using a least-squares method to assign a velocity vector to each spatial location in an image sequence. Several examples are provided to demonstrate the flow computation abilities of the wavelet vector motion sensor.


Any political party has a profound interest in maximizing seats, which in turn requires running the optimum number of candidates. However, to do this presumes solving a collective action problem among self-interested party members or leaders, and is deeply conditioned by the electoral system. The case of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party under the Single Non-Transferable Vote electoral system provides a superb illustration of how party leaders, even in a famously electorally successful party, will be unable to solve these dilemmas because of key facilitating institutions: first, party president selection rules; second, prime ministerial control over allocation of positions; third, a weak party label. Contrary to existing literature, we find ambitious factions consistently nominated too many candidates – deliberately risking the party's losing seats. We draw attention to the sources of party strength in a novel way, and to how party rules interact with electoral systems to shape both parties and politics.


The origins and neural bases of the current opioid addiction epidemic are unclear. Genetics plays a major role in addiction vulnerability, but cannot account for the recent exponential rise in opioid abuse, so environmental factors must contribute. Individuals with history of early-life adversity (ELA) are disproportionately prone to opioid addiction, yet whether ELA directly influences brain development and function to cause this vulnerability is unknown. We simulated ELA in female rats, which provoked a profound opioid-addiction vulnerability. This was characterized by resistance to extinction, increased relapse-like behavior, and, as in addicted humans, major increases in opioid economic demand. By contrast, seeking of less salient natural rewards was unaffected by ELA, whereas demand for highly palatable treats was augmented. These discoveries provide novel insights into the origins and nature of reward circuit malfunction that may set the stage for addiction.


Total sleep deprivation (TSD) was performed for one night with 11 healthy male students and three‐consecutiverevery night‐sleep was recorded. Special attention was paid to the analysis of the individual difference in SWS(min, %) on the baseline and recovery nights. The total sleep time increased on the first recovery night compared to the baseline, but it decreased significantly on the second and third recovery nights.


This paper introduces the principle of DVB-T and Conditional Access,then the design and realize of PCTV Conditional Access system based of DVB-T are explored.At last,the system can basically realize the Tune and Demodulation of DVB-T signal,After testing,can through third-party player to play a clear and transparent fluid,as well as scrambling programs.


The stakes are high for ESD. This is the pathway to open up a new age of sustainability, being ushered in by climate change, natural disasters, the threat of crossing planetary boundaries. Vanishing species, access to water, water management, food security, urbanization, poverty all pose opportunities for new ways of thinking, new systems for social inclusion, and opportunities for economic innovation and vitality. People are the greatest renewable resource for new ways of thinking and giving expression to our responsibilities for each other. Dr Irina Bokova, Director of UNESCO set out a global approach to cultivating creative learning for the new age with sustainability as the basis for concrete action. Bokova signaled that Education for All has principles which are core to sustainability when she said 'EFA goals and MDGs are complementary: "When you fund education, you are securing progress towards all the Millennium Development Goals".


A white boy aged 3 years was admitted to the hospital on Aug. 4, 1944, acutely ill with generalized edema. The swelling was most noticeable in the lower extremities, and the scrotum was about the size of a large grapefruit. Urinalysis showed pus, albumin and no casts. A diagnosis of pyelonephritis or nephrosis was made on admission. During the next few days the swelling decreased and the boy's general condition improved. However, a week later he had more edema, and three weeks after admission the edema became very pronounced again. At that time he was seen in consultation by Capt. H. A. Zimmerman, M. C., whose diagnosis was that of nephrosis. I tried to elicit some information that might give a clue as to the source of the kidney damage. The child had always been well, and the fact that he was taken seriously ill so suddenly made me


The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea contains provisions governing the maritime claims of states, including special provisions for archipelagic states. To date, 20 states have utilized these provisions by enacting archipelagic baselines, within which these states claim sovereign waters subject to the navigational rights of other states. This article systematically examines the degree to which the archipelagic claims of these states have complied with the requirements in the Law of the Sea Convention.


Our typical hierarchy of suburban streets has led to the curent problems of traffic congestion on arterial roads. As part of a comprehensive solution to this problem, we must be prepared to make better use of the infrastructure we provide in suburban developments. Establishing an internal grid of streets which connects from one development block to the next can provide this capability without unnecessary disrupting patterns of residential development. As planners we must be prepared to adjust our approach to transportation planning, to refocus on management or traffic issues and stress the movement of people rather than cars. As municipal and regional governments, we must maintain a clear philosphy, present cogent arguments and be willing to share costs to overcome resistance and achieve these objectives. as residents, we must be prepared to revisit our concepts of our neighborhoods. We cannot continue to live in a realm where we insist on instant access to our automobiles, but shun any kind of local traffic. We must look for a balance.


The effects of additive TN1, power waveforms (full wave, half wave, and direct current), current density and pH on the throwing power of Ni-Co alloy electroforming solution had been investigated by orthogonal tests; and the effects of plating parameters on current distribution of cathode by ANSYS numerical simulation were discussed. The results of orthogonal test showed that the additive TN1 had the largest effect on the throwing power; the power waveform was secondary; the current density and pH had minor effect. The biggest throwing power was 78% when the TN1 was 15g/L and waveform was full wave. Numerical simulation showed that the cathode shape and shield had effect on current distribution; reasonable cathode shape and application of shield could improve the current distribution. The thickness uniformity of part could be up to 92% by optimizing of electrolyte, adjusting the electroforming technics and applying second electroplating.


The primary and ambient signal decomposition of a stereo sound is a key step to the stereo upmix. The principal component analysis (PCA) is one of the most widely used methods of primary-ambient signal decomposition. However, previous PCA-based decomposition algorithms assume that stereo sound sources are only amplitude-panned without any consideration of phase difference. So it occurs some performance degradation in case of live recorded stereo sound. In this paper, we propose a new PCA-based stereo decomposition algorithm that can consider the phase difference between the channel signals. The proposed algorithm overcomes limitation of conventional signal model using PCA with phase alignment. The phase alignment is realized by using inter-channel phase difference (IPD) which is widely used in parametric stereo coding. Moreover, Enhanced Modified PCA(EMPCA) is combined to solve the problem of conventional PCA caused by Primary to Ambient energy Ratio(PAR) and panning angle dependency. The simulation results are presented to show the improvements of the proposed algorithm.


Airborne molecular contamination (AMC) continues to play a very decisive role in the performance of many microelectronic devices and manufacturing processes. Besides airborne acids and bases, airborne organic contaminants such as 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), trimethylsilanol (TMS), perfluoroalkylamines and condensables are of primary concern in these applications. Currently, the state of the filtration industry is such that optimum filter life and removal efficiency for organics is offered by granular carbon filter beds. However, the attributes that make packed beds of activated carbon extremely efficient also impart issues related to elevated filter weight and pressure drop. Most of the lower pressure drop AMC filters currently offered are quite expensive and are simply pleated combinations of various adsorptive and reactive media. On the other hand, low pressure drop filters, such as those designed as open-channel networks (OCN's), offer good filter life and removal efficiency with the additional benefits of significant reductions in overall filter weight and pressure drop. Equally important for many applications, the OCN filters can reconstruct the airflow so as to enhance the operation of a tool or process. For tool mount assemblies and fan filter units (FFUs) this can result in reduced fan and blower speeds, which subsequently can provide reduced vibration and energy costs. Additionally, these low pressure drop designs can provide a cost effective way of effectively removing AMC in full fab (or HVAC) filtration applications without significantly affecting air-handling requirements. Herein, we will present a new generation of low pressure drop OCN filters designed for the removal of airborne organics in a wide range of applications.


The role of the interface in Cu,Ni‐CeO2 catalysts used for novel hydrogen purification and production processes (preferential oxidation of CO, water–gas shift reactions, and the reforming of bio‐alcohols) is analyzed with an emphasis on the description of the physico‐chemical properties of the interface that have a critical influence on the catalytic properties. The direct contact between the base metal and ceria, as well as a contact mediated by alien species, are studied. Critical appraisal of the results indicates that specific base‐metal and ceria interaction situations control the redox response to the gas‐phase atmosphere. Together with specific base‐metal structural effects, these properties seem particularly important in controlling the interaction with CO and H2O as well as with carboxy/carboxylate moieties, and therefore, are important to drive the activity, selectivity, and stability for the mentioned catalytic processes.


This paper had its origins at the 2010 Classical Association of the Atlantic States meetings in Newark. For a panel on music and the classics I was slated to offer "The Well-Tampered Clavier: Play, Musical and Otherwise," a lecture-recital that features music by Ives, Cowell, Cage, and Satie but that is really about the centrality of play and playfulness in creative endeavor of any sort. When it proved impossible to find the two pianos required for this performance the organizer, Judith Hallett, agreed that an alternative might be for me to speak about the interplay between music and classics in my own career. The following paper, a playful backward glance that might perhaps be called "A Well-Tampered Classicist," is the result.


In this paper we extend some notions, previously defined for log-concave functions, to the larger domain of so-called {\alpha}-concave functions. We begin with a detailed discussion of support functions - first for log-concave functions, and then for general {\alpha}-concave functions. We continue by defining mean width, and proving some basic results such as an Urysohn type inequality. Finally, we demonstrate how such geometric results can imply Poincar\'e type inequalities.


Adenosine, acting outside the cell, exerts potent actions on a wide variety of physiological systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital, respiratory, and lymphatic systems. Many of these actions are mediated via specific receptors named P 1 purinoceptors (Daly et al., 1983). From studies on the variation of adenylate cyclase activity produced by adenosine analogues, and on the rank order of potency of agonists, P 1 purinoceptors were subdivided into two classes: A1, which mediate decreases in cAMP levels, and A2, which mediate increases in cAMP levels (Van Calcker et al., 1979; Londos et al., 1980). The pharmacological characterization of the A 2 subtype in different tissues led to the finding of two different populations which were named A 2A and A2B, and had very different affinities for the agonist CGS21680. It is now becoming clear that the subtypes of adenosine receptors can be linked to a variety of signal transduction systems apart from adenylate cyclase (Stiles, 1992; Linden, 1994; Schubert et al., 1994; Fredholm, 1995). These receptor subtypes (A 1, A2A and A2B) as well as another member of the family, which was discovered more recently (A 3), have been cloned (Zhou et al., 1992; Linden et al., 1993; Salvatore et al., 1993; Tucker and Linden, 1993). All these P 1 purinoceptors belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors having seven transmembrane domains. The relevance of adenosine for the development and function of the immune system is deduced from the severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID) associated with the congenital defect of adenosine deaminase, the enzyme which degrades the nucleoside. In adenosine deaminase-deficient children, elevated levels of adenosine (and 2′-deoxyadenosine) are found in body fluids. Several mechanisms whereby adenosine deaminase deficiency may affect the development and function of lymphoid cells have been suggested but none can satisfactorily explain all the relationships found in SCID. Most of the proposed mechanisms (see Hershfield and Mitchell, 1989, for review) have rested upon the assumption that accumulation of the two physiological substrates of adenosine deaminase, adenosine and 2′-deoxyadenosine, are toxic for lymphocytes (Franco et al., 1998, and references therein). There is recent data suggesting that signaling through purinergic receptors in lymphocyte and lymphocyte precursors may contribute to the pathogenesis of adenosine deaminase-related SCID (Apasov 491 Journal of Cell Science 112, 491-502 (1999) Printed in Great Britain © The Company of Biologists Limited 1999 JCS0069


One of the most popular class in modeling financial volatility is GARCH-type model. Several extensions to the basic GARCH model have been developed to be more flexible in capturing various characteristics of financial time series data. In this study, a new class of GARCH models is proposed by applying Yeo–Johnson transformation to the return series. The proposed model is estimated by employing adaptive random walk Metropolis (ARWM) method in Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) scheme. Our empirical results on the GARCH(1,1) models showed that the proposed model outperformed the initial model in fitting ten different international stock indices.


OBJECTIVES
This in vitro study aimed to compare the diagnostic outcomes of caries detection in premolar and molar teeth on digital periapical radiographs viewed as grayscale images and in the Java-based software (JBS) pseudocolour spectrum.

METHOD AND MATERIALS
The study comprised 92 premolar or molar human teeth (n=46 with caries and n=46 without clinical caries). For each tooth, digital periapical radiographic images (DPRI), JBS pseudocolour images and stereomicroscope images were collected, and caries presence and depth were recorded. In JBS pseudocolour images, region of interests (ROI) were detected, and ROI values for caries area (ROI1), non-caries area (ROI2), mesial area (ROI3) and distal area (ROI4) were obtained. The degree of inter-observer agreement was determined using the kappa coefficient, and the sensitivity and specificity of the methods were assessed using ROC analysis.

RESULTS
While neither method was consistent with stereomicroscopy in determining caries depth (P < .005), for both observers, the kappa value of JBS pseudocolour images were slightly higher than DPRI. ROI1 was found to be significantly lower than ROI2 (P < .001), while no difference was found between ROI3 and ROI4 (P = .877). For both observers, the sensitivity and specificity obtained from JBS pseudocolour were above 89%.

CONCLUSION
JBS pseudocolour images can be used for caries detection and offer high sensitivity and specificity.


The dynamic gesture track training based on HMM (hidden Markov model) is one of the key techniques in dynamic gesture recognition. This paper adapts the iteration algorithm of Baum-Welch on the HMM to train and do some research to the performance of dynamic gesture track training from iteration times, sample number selection and model initial value selection. The experimental results show that the HMM is very efficient to the dynamic gesture track recognition with spatio-temporal characteristic.


The specific composition of the flea beetle Phyllotreta spp (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), time of its appearance and dynamics of its number on the summer rape cultivar Mascot were determined. During the observation period, 6 species of flea beetles were found: Phyllotreta undulata Kutsch., Ph. nemorum L., Ph. vittata (Ph. striolata), Ph. nigripes F. Ph. atra and Ph. vittula. First flea beetles appeared at the time of the sprouting of rape plants. In the course of the entire observation period, the most numerous of these was the small striped flea beetle Ph. undulata. Proportion of the other species not often exceeded 10%. Very warm and dry weather following the sprouting of plants caused a rapid increase in the number of the pests and the maximum number was reached in a short time. A somewhat larger number of beetles was found on the edge plots. The field was sprayed three times, using Fastac (alphacypermethrin). Although after the first spraying the number of pests had decreased to almost zero, one week later the number of beetles began to rise again. Ten days after the spraying, the number of pests in the control and the sprayed variant had become equal, 2.0 and 2.2 individuals per plant. The second spraying lowered the number of pests again down to zero. At that time the plants were reaching the stage of 3−4 true leaves, the time when the growth rate is the fastest. The third spraying was primarily directed against pests damaging generative organs: pollen beetles and weevils, and at that time plants began to form secondary racemes, and primary racemes lengthened. For controlling of flea beetles spraying was no more necessary.


Based on a conventional acousto-optic tunable filter AOTF we present a RF filter idea. The filtering transfer function is controlled using a electric DC field by the electro-optic effect.The tuning is in such a way that the resolution and bandwidth are functions of the acousto and electro-optic interactions parameters.


The results of the European Communication Monitor 2020 show that two issues of interest to communication professionals are the access to their audiences through new channels and the problems involved in carrying out sponsorship actions that appear to be independent contents. These two issues come together when public relations professionals create native advertising content, promotional products that offer information with an appearance that coincides with the original media.
This work has carried out a systematized bibliographic review with the aim of comparing theoretical conclusions and empirical results on both native and fake news advertising. Fake news represents a controversial phenomenon that can be understood specifically as false news or more widely as other forms of disinformation. This second understanding has in some cases included native advertising as a genre within fake news.
The results of the comparison of both phenomena allow us to justify that native advertising should not be considered as fake news because there is a disconnection in the veracity of the information that is transmitted. On the other hand, the deception derived from the hiding of the source in native advertising is counterproductive for the makers of the content, both for the media and for the communication professional.


Connecting with the educational function of the children's library, this paper puts forward four principles that should be followed in establishing the children's library. The first is the one that the librarians should meet the needs of children's development, the second one is that the arrangement of library's rooms should take the children as the center, the third one is to take the quality education as the center, and the fourth one is to persist in the opening principle.


T his study aims to improve the quality of the student learning process and student learning outcomes in Research Methodology for Physics Education course by reinforcement the implementation of six tasks. The study was designed with classroom action research methods. Students in blended learning are integrated between face-to-face lectures in class with online learning through Edmodo learning with the reinforcement of six tasks namely routine assignment, critical book report, critical journal report, mini research, project and engineering ideas will be directed to produce products in the form of feasible research proposals proceed to thesis guidance. The results obtained 71% of students 'thesis proposals in Research Methodology for Physics Education course score above 80. Based on the results obtained it can be concluded that Reinforcement the implementation of six tasks can improve students' ability in preparing thesis proposals.


Seven apple varieties and Russet Burbank potatoes were peeled by caustics to save labor and reduce peeling losses. The procedures included the use of an automated peeling line employing warm caustics followed by pressurized steam, and a reel-washer. For apples peeled at 150°F and with added wax-penetrant the peeling losses ranged from 3–8%. The replacement of NaOH by KOH gave reductions in peeling losses of up to 25%. For potatoes dipped in caustics at 170°F the peeling losses ran from 8–17%, depending mainly upon prior storage times. The possibility of peeling potatoes in very hot (280°F) concentrated (50%) KOH was tried and gave excellent results, with no heat-ring, and a KOH loss of only 0.56%.


In this study we proposed a novel design of the stationary multi-pinhole dedicated cardiac SPECT based on clinical dual-head scanner with high sensitivity and low cost for nuclear medicine myocardial perfusion imaging. The efficacy of proposed collimator design was confirmed by analytically calculating the sensitivity map of field of view (FOV) and the average resolution map weighted by each pinhole's sensitivity. We measured the spatial resolution and sensitivity of the proposed SPECT and low energy high resolution (LEHR) parallel-hole SPECT at central point with the same distance from the collimator with Monte Carlo simulation. A multi-pinhole MLEM reconstruction algorithm was developed with detector response and analytical pinhole projection model. The analytical projection of point source with delta model and pinhole projection model was compared with simulated projection by Gate. We simulated and reconstructed projections of two point with different location with no rotation, one step rotation and two step rotation and one uniform ellipsoid phantom, which covered the heart region. Analytically, the sensitivity was increased to 0.04% and average resolution was about 10 mm inside most of heart regions. The reconstruction spatial resolution of central point was 38% poorer than LEHR SPECT, while the sensitivity was increased by 10-fold, which was consistent with the analytical results. The comparison between the several pinholes' projection calculated with delta model, pinhole analytical model and simulation showed the pinhole analytical model agreed with the simulation in shape, especially when in oblique incidence. The reconstruction results of point source without rotation showed slight deformation on certain point source location. In contrast, with rotation, the deformation was suppressed and resolution was similar. However there was no significant difference in one step and two step rotation. The ellipsoid phantom reconstruction showed the imaging quality of the proposed SPECT although with the expected artifact outside FOV. In conclusion, our initial results demonstrated the feasibility of high sensitivity imaging with proposed stationary multi-pinhole dedicated cardiac SPECT.


Covid 19 is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus. This virus first appeared in Wuhan China. The manifestations of this disease vary in each person, ranging from no symptoms, mild symptoms to severe symptoms that can even cause death. Mothers who are confirmed to have Covid 19 can experience various symptoms such as those who are not pregnant. This research method is a descriptive study to describe the condition of pregnancy with the COVID 19 virus infection which is taken from various previous research sources. Result: Symptoms that appear include cough, fever and sore throat. However, in pregnant women, the placenta serves as a barrier that can prevent transmission of Covid 19 from mother to fetus. Pregnant women with comorbidities who are confirmed positive for Covid 19 increase the risk of illness and increase the need for ICU. The diagnosis of Covid 19 can be confirmed in various ways, but the gold standard that can be used as a reference for diagnosing Covid 19 is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) culture test. The impact of pregnancy confirmed by Covid 19 is maternal mortality, preterm delivery and fetal growth disorders and fetal death.


Customer-orientation is the core concept of marketing theory.However,the behavior of a large amount of enterprises that propose "put the focus on customers"deviates from the concept.The main cause lies on the ambiguity of the measure dimension of customer-orientation.On the basis of a review of relevant foreign literature,this essay has made synthetical analysis and research of the definition and measure of customer-orientation.