Measurements of the penetration tensions in paper of a series of creosotes distilled from a single coal tar are reported (the penetration tension being the product of the surface tension and the cosine of the contact angle). It is found that these data conform to two equations: one, previously developed by others from theoretical considerations of the effects of variation in size and distribution of capillary pores upon the theoretical equation of flow, the other, an empirical relationship which is less difficult to apply in more practical problems where many data must be analyzed. The creosote‐paper contact angles are shown to be zero or extremely small. Possible errors in the paper strip method are discussed and the importance of calibrating each strip with a reference liquid is demonstrated. The failure of Washburn's equation, which has received considerable attention in the field of fibrous penetration, is shown to be due to the neglect of the hydrostatic head term. The penetration tensions of these c...


To fit the distribution of financial daily return rate accurately is the foundation of the risk management and price trend forecast in the stock market. As the rate of return data on the distribution of the nature of peak and heavy tail, it is diffcult to fit it with those common distribution functions. Some scholars consider that Mixed Normal Distribution can fit it well, but there exists a problem that Mixed Normal Distribution has many parameters and it is hard to estimate them. And fixed-order problem is another problem has to discuss. So solves parameters based on EM Algorithm and makes empirical analysis of fixed -order problem. Compares Mixed Normal Distribution with some classical distribution density functions (such as Normal Distribution, Weibull Distribution, Generalized Error Distribution,Laplace Distribution and Logistic Distribution) for the horizontal.


To compare standard density gradient/centrifugation sperm preparation with a novel non-centrifugation-based dual-chamber capillary dish in efficiency for motile human sperm separation, ~3 mL fresh ejaculate specimens was obtained from 21 men (median age = 32 years, range = 26-42 years) undergoing infertility evaluation. For each specimen, half of the sample was processed with a standard 45%/90% density gradient preparation (PureSperm, Nidacon International, Gothenburg, Sweden) followed by semen analysis. The other half was incubated in the Zech glass capillary dish (Astromedtec, Salzburg, Austria) consisting of 2 concentric wells overlaid by a U-ring and coverglass. After ~3 h, a 1-mL sample was taken from the central chamber and analyzed. Percentage motile sperm recovery, absolute (motile) cell number, and path velocities were compared for spermatozoa obtained from both methods. Both techniques reduced overall sperm concentration while enriching specimens with more motile spermatozoa. A trend towards higher % recovery of motile spermatozoa ( p =. 264) was observed with the Zech device, but at a cost of fewer absolute numbers of higher velocity cells ( p =. 004). The Zech device, therefore, localized a very small population of motile sperm without exposure to centrifugation stress, which has been considered potentially harmful to spermatozoa. This technique could theoretically improve efficiency by reducing time required to identify motile cells in in vitro fertilization where intracytoplasmic sperm injection is planned. However, refinements in incubation interval and suspension volumes are needed before this technique can be considered comparable to the density gradient method in recovering sperm for use in intrauterine insemination.


To the Editor: Severe pneumococcal disease is unusually common in splenectomized children. In 1977 a pneumococcal polyvalent vaccine (Pneumovax , Merck, Sharp & Dohme) was introduced. It has been used in children at high risk from severe post-splenectomy infection. A satisfactory antibody response to the vaccine antigens has been demonstrated in children older than 2 years. Some studies demonstrated a weak enhancement of serum opsonic activity against pneumococcal types in older splenectomized and normal children, although the final test for the pneumococcal vaccine success is the clinical prevention of pneumococcal infections, in high-r isk patients, and not just a serological response. Since 1978 seven patients have been reported with pneumococcal disease from a type contained in the currently used vaccine. Five of them have been treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation. A poor antibody response has been demonstrated in patients with Hodgkin's disease vaccinated within 2 to 3 years after chemotherapy and radiation. Only two young patients, aged 2'/2 and 3 years with sickle cell anemia, have been reported with pneumococcal infection due to a type included in the vaccine. They had not previously received any chemotherapy or radiat ion. Their antibody response to vaccine was inconsistent.


The article analyzes the territories and objects of the nature reserve fund (NRF) of the Chernihiv region as objects of recreational and touristic nature use. The NRF of the Chernihiv region includes 678 objects with a total area of 263.1 thousand hectares (7.89% of the territory of the region). The NRF of the region consists of eight categories, there are no such categories as biosphere reserve, nature reserve and botanical garden. The study of the dynamics of the number of objects and areas of the NRF of the region for the period from 1990 to 2023 revealed a tendency to increase multifunctional protected areas (national natural parks (NNP) and regional landscape parks (RLP)). Reserves and natural monuments predominate in the structure of NRF of Chernihiv region in terms of number, and in terms of area - reserves and regional landscape parks.
It was established that the most important for the recreation and tourism sphere are the multifunctional categories of NRF - NNP and RLP, in which tourism is actively developing. The main directions of tourism development in the Mezyn and Ichnya National Parks were analyzed - ecological trails, routes (car, bicycle, pedestrian) that provide an opportunity to get to know the nature of Polissia (Mezyn National Park) and the Forest Steppe (Ichnya National Park), and tourist infrastructure are indicated. It was determined that the most common type of tourism within the NNP is walking along ecological trails.
A special issue is the use of the recreational potential of nature reserves, which are the most widespread in the structure of the NRF of the region. It has been established that the predominant type of recreational and tourist activity within their borders is educational excursions along marked trails. Other categories of NRF of the Chernihiv region (natural monuments, arboretum, zoo, parks-monuments of horticultural art) have less recreational potential, but have educational value and can act as objects of recreational and touristic nature use. In order to increase the role and significance of the NRF of Chernihiv region in the structure of recreational and touristic nature use, it is advisable to create such categories of NRF as NNP and RLP.


Introduction: The inquiry as Janus, Nicky Stanley and Jill Manthorpe Part 1: Participating in inquiries 1. Mental health inquiries - 'Cui Bono?', Herschel Prins 2. The family's perspective, Paul and Audrey Edwards 3. Staff and patient perspectives on the Fallon Inquiry into the Personality Disorder Service at Ashworth High Secure Hospital, Pete Melia Part 2: Inquiries into child abuse and deaths 4. The impact of child abuse inquiries since 1990, Eileen Munro 5. From Cornwall to Climbe: Inquiring into fatal child abuse, Peter Reder and Sylvia Duncan 6. The costs and benefits of the North Wales Tribunal Inquiry, Brian Corby Part 3: Inquiries into mental health homicides 7. Mental health inquiries, assertive outreach and compliance: Is there a relationship, Andrew McCulloch and Camilla Parker 8. Women and mental health inquiries, Nicky Stanley 9. Mental health inquiries 1985-2003, Dave Sheppard Part 4: Inquiries into the abuse of people with learning disabilities 10. Learning disability, abuse and inquiry, Rachel Fyson, Deborah Kitson and Alan Corbett 11. Abuse inquiries as learning tools for social care organisations, Paul Cambridge Part 5: Inquiries into the abuse and neglect of older people 12. Older people, institutional abuse and inquiries, Bridget Penhale and Jill Manthorpe 13. Inspections and inquiries, Roger Clough and Jill Manthorpe


ABSTRACT This report presents the results of a questionnaire study investigating the Type A, cognitive complexity, general well-being, and stress-coping profiles of 37 Canadian franchisees whose businesses had failed. It also discusses the important role of marketing in preventing franchise failure. The study group included both international and local franchise representatives. Consistent with the study hypotheses, the findings showed that the franchisee whose business has failed can best be described as a moderate Type A2, rather impatient and hard-driving personality, with above-average cognitive complexity, moderate Type B3 job involvement, and within-normal-range life satisfaction. Moreover, the findings indicated that this occupation generally draws "copers" rather than "victims" of stress, an empirical finding supporting the detachment rather than the aggravation thesis. Significantly different stress-coping mechanisms were noted for the positive-affect and negative-affect Type A franchisees.


Effluent to Influent concentration ratios for BOD, COD, TSS and Food-to-Microorganisms (F/M) ratio are measure of treatment plant efficiency. Daily observed inlet and outlet concentrations at ASP in a plant are plotted as time series for Pre-monsoon (January – May) and Post-monsoon (July – December, 2013) period. BOD vs TSS and BOD vs COD indicated that inlet concentrations are ~ 80 % reduced in treatment process. Correlation matrix indicated strong correlationbetween COD and TSS of post-monsoon raw sewage, while weak correlation among the rest. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Factor Analysis (FA) are used to characterize wastewater at the inlet and outlet of ASP. PCA & FA clustered wastewater quality parameters into strongly correlated groups - pH, COD and BOD as PC1 in pre-monsoon raw sewage while, DO and F/Maverageas PC1 in post-monsoon raw sewage. All parameters (pH, TSS, COD, BOD, O&G) of treated effluent in premonsoon period are grouped into PC1. In post-monsoon period, for treated effluent, pH, DO, TSS and F/Maverageare clustered as PC1. Effluent BOD, COD and TSS are dependent variables with F/Maverage as independent variable for regression analysis. Regression fits developed with 2013 data for these effluent concentrations fit well with field samples (December 2013 – March 2014) and with routine monitored data (January – March, 2014), thus, validating the model. Effluent concentrations indicated 80 – 95% of removal efficiency. Thus, F/Maverage ratios obtained from regression fit can further be considered as design parameters for efficient functioning of ASP and can be used to design the inflow and outflow characteristics for any treatment plant with similar process conditions.


Sterilizing device for a gas plasma obtained by ionization of a gas, said device comprising a source of microwave power (Pn) determined, comprising a magnetron (7), a supply circuit, a resonant cavity (9) and a waveguide (8), connecting the waveguide (8) the magnetron (7) to the resonant cavity (9) and receiving the magnetron (7) its power supply circuit, characterized in that the magnetron (7) has a nominal power of approximately 800 W and needs a peak voltage of 3 to 4 kV for priming, and that the supply circuit comprises means for limiting the power (Pd) supplied to the magnetron (7) to a value equal at most one quarter of the nominal power (Pn) of the magnetron (7).


17535 Background: In Europe, lung cancer is the third most common form of cancer following breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Poor survival rates make lung cancer the most common cause of cancer ...


The electricity sector across the world is experiencing a radical change in its business as well as in the operational model. Restructuring of electric supply industry is taking place at a faster rate and it has brought considerable changes .Various transformations have been done in power sector by which monopolistic electricity market is converted into deregulated power market. Congestion is principal problem that an independent system operator faces in the deregulated environment. Moreover, open access transmission network is one of the major causes for power congestion in transmission lines. Tackling transmission network congestion is a major challenge in post deregulated era. Congestion management is a central issue in electricity supply industry. This review work unites the various publications on congestion management in past few years.


Abstract. The Grande Ravine Viaduct, at the Reunion Island, is a girder bridge crossing an abrupt volcanic breach conceived and designed by Alain Spielmann and the design office SETEC TPI [1]. The location in a zone frequently affected by typhoons and the typology of the bridge, for which limited experience existed previously in terms of description of the wind behaviour, motivated the installation of a monitoring system, in order to characterise the wind loads acting on the bridge, the corresponding aerodynamic behaviour and the structure dynamic response. The monitoring system comprehends various anemometers distributed along and outside the bridge, pressure and temperature sensors and accelerometers.


In urbanized areas of West Africa voluntary associations play an important role in the socialization of West African women. Many West African women form voluntary associations in an attempt to raise their social status. Among educated women the clubs tend to be modelled after high class European clubs. Sociologically the clubs provide opportunities for status seekers to observe proper etiquite of sophisticated women. Social status is also enhanced by joining teaching clubs for illiterates and federations founded for development of female emancipation. Uneducated women who have migrated to urban areas also participate in voluntary organizations whose goals are more often to provide financial assistance to recent migrants.


In this paper we have showed or researched the blemishes of the proxy validation. Te proxy has been utilized to give the secured access to the web. In this examination paper we have extricated the data streaming on the system utilizing a packet sniffer or the system convention analyzer apparatus wire shark (Network Protocol Analyzer) as the parcels. We have analyzed the parcels deliberately and the data that has been binded with in the packet which is key data in regards to the client name and the watchword or the login a qualification (which is the inconvenience or the security break of the framework).


Aim: To study the neuroprotective effects and molecular mechanism of progesterone on ischemia/reperfusion injury.Methods:The rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MACO) was described by Zea-Longa for 2 h and reperfusion for 24 h. A total of 48 male rats were divided randomly into sham operation group, ischmia/reperfusion (I/R) group, dimethl sulfoxide (DMSO) group,and PROG pretreatment group, PROG posttreatment group, PROG pre+posttreament group.The neurological deficit was measured by Zea-Longa method,and the immunohistochemical method and ISEL reaction were used to facilitate the quantities of Bcl-2 and Bax protein and apoptosis in the brain tissue.Results: There were 9.50±1.69 cells in Bcl-2 immunostaining in the I/R group, 10.25±2.61 cells in DMSO group, 17.13±1.13 cells in the the pretreatment group, 16.63±1.30 cells in the posttreatment group, 23.50±1.93 cells in the pre+posttreament group. There were 28.13±2.75 cells in Bax immunostaining in the I/R group, 27.75±3.06 cells in DMSO group, 14.25± 1.83 cells in the the pretreatment group, 13.00±1.85 cells in the posttreatment group, 11.38±1.41 cells in the pre+posttreament group. The number of apoptosic cells was 1.88±0.25 in the sham-operation group, 41.38±3.85 in the I/R group, 38.13±5.69 in the DMSO group, 22.88±2.70 in the the pretreatment group, 25.63±2.93 in the posttreatment group, 20.88±2.30 in the pre+posttreament group.There were singnificant differences between pretreament,posttreament,pre+posttreament and control groups(I/R,DMSO)(P0.05).Conclusion: PROG may protect the ischemic brain during reperfusion injury. Reducing the expression of Bax protein and apoptosis and increasing the expression of Bcl-2 protein would be one of the molecular mechanism.


Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) are an effective treatment for non‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‐axSpA). To be eligible, however, many authorities require patients with nr‐axSpA to show active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or an elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, possibly resulting in a perception that patients with nr‐axSpA without both factors have only low responses to TNFi treatment. We evaluated clinical responses to certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with nr‐axSpA stratified by baseline MRI/CRP status.


In the Statesman Plato resourced to the paradigm of the art of weaving to define the technique that the good governor must possess. However, with this analogy Plato equated political activity with the most characteristic of women's activities in Ancient Greece. In such a way, Plato recognized that the philosopher-king, as he had put forward in the Republic , should give way to an expert that, like women weaving, knows the technique to weave the social fabric well. However, Plato did nothing more than propose a model that had already been put in Lysistrata's mouth by Aristophanes, when ironically postulating a government headed by women, who had no match in the art of weaving.


In this work, an anharmonic mass-in-mass system that can be employed as a nonlinear seismic metamaterial is represented as an equivalent anharmonic mass-spring system via an effective medium approach. The dispersion relation and the behavior of the effective mass as a function of the angular frequency obtained in the regime of weak anharmonicity deviate from those of the corresponding linear system because of the effect of the fourth-order potential anharmonicity. In the presence of anharmonic soft springs it is found a range of wave vectors close to the Brillouin border zone at which the group velocity of the acoustic and optical modes is negative, namely it is opposite to the phase velocity, and a wider band gap at the border of the first Brillouin zone with respect to that of the linear case. Both effects can be tuned by varying the anharmonicity strength. The huge band gap amplitude together with the strong reduction of the frequency of the acoustic mode could be exploited for the design of nonlinear seismic metamaterials at the basis of composite foundations operating in the stop band frequencies.


In order to adapt the informatization of Miner's Lamp and coal mine safety management,we design and develop Miner's Lamp Information Management and Application System.The System realized form put up Lamp,Charging and taking away lamp to automatic statistic reports,miner' attendance and so on.It satisfied Management Modernization,Intelligent,Informationization and secure.First,the article introduces the function and applications on present system,then expounds the Advantages and outstanding for the system.The design increase with the applying of control lock which can control the miner's lamp on the lamp shelf,then it can strictly control and manage the miner's lamp.


The duration of larval and pupal stages of two species of predatory flies was investigated at five constant temperatures. Ilione albiseta (Scopoli): Mean duration of first and second instars was shortest at 23 °C and there was 100% survival of first instar larvae at all temperatures. Mean third instar larval duration decreased from 104 days at 17 °C to 27.5 days at 26 °C. Total percentage larval survival was greatest at 17 °C and least at 26 °C. Mean pupal duration decreased as temperature increased and this occurred also under outdoor conditions.


Objective To investigate the presence and evolution of T1 relaxation time abnormalities in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and grey matter (GM), early in the course of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Twenty-three patients with early relapsing–remitting MS and 14 healthy controls were imaged six monthly for up to three years. Mean follow-up was 26 months for MS patients and 24 months for controls. Dual-echo fast-spin echo and gradient-echo proton-density and T1-weighted data sets (permitting the calculation of a T1 map) were acquired in all subjects. GM and NAWM T1 histograms were produced and a hierarchical regression model was used to investigate changes in T1 over time. Results At baseline, significant patient-control differences were seen, both in NAWM (P = 0.001) and in GM (P = 0.01). At follow-up, there was no evidence for a serial change in either mean T1 or peak-location for either NAWM or GM. There was weak evidence for a decline in patient NAWM peak-height and also evidence for a decline in control GM peak-height. Conclusion There are significant and persistent abnormalities of NAWM and GM T1 in early relapsing-remitting MS. Further studies should address whether such T1 measures have a role in prognosis or therapeutic monitoring. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13:169–177. http://msj.sagepub.com


Synchrotron radiation in a static homogeneous magnetic field is considered from the viewpoint of inverse Compton scattering of equivalent photons in a generalization of the Fermi-Weizsacker-Williams method. The charged particle trajectory in its orbital plane is treated as a set of infinitesimal segments and, in a corresponding local Lorentz frame, the influence of each segment on the particle, is approximated by an equivalent electromagnetic wave which undergoes Compton interaction with the particle. The complex amplitudes of the scattered radiation from all elements are added coherently, on returning to the laboratory frame, to yield the total radiated intensity


Isogeny-based cryptography is one of the promising post-quantum candidates mainly because of its smaller public key length. Due to its high computational cost, efficient implementations are significantly important. In this paper, we have proposed a high-speed FPGA implementation of the supersingular isogeny Diffie-Hellman (SIDH) and key encapsulation (SIKE). To this end, we have adapted the algorithm of finding optimal large-degree isogeny computation strategy for hardware implementations. Using this algorithm, hardware-suited strategies (HSSs) can be devised. We have also developed a tool to schedule field arithmetic operations efficiently using constraint programming. This tool enables reducing the latency of SIDH and SIKE subroutines by up to 14% at NIST's highest security level, i.e., using the SIKEp751 parameter set. We have also improved the latency of field inversion, the most costly field operation in SIDH, by 23% using the Montgomery ladder technique. We have provided constant-time implementations of SIDH and SIKE on Virtex-7 using SIKEp751 utilizing 6 and 8 prime field multipliers to resemble the previous work. Experimental results show that using 8 multipliers SIDH and SIKE encapsulation and decapsulation can be performed in 24.66 ms and 24.10 ms, which is 1.37 and 1.12 times faster than the latest corresponding FPGA implementations, respectively.


We present a new approach to finding ray–patch intersections with triangular Bernstein–Bézier patches of arbitrary degree. This paper extends and complements on the short presentation17 . Unlike a previous approach which was based on a combination of hierarchical subdivision and a Newton–like iteration scheme21 , this work adapts the concept of Bézier clipping to the triangular domain.


ABSTRACT: The effect of caloric restriction (CR) initiated in adult rats (17 months of age) on the abundance of deleted mitochondrial genomes, mitochondrial enzymatic abnormalities, and fiber number was examined in rat skeletal muscle. Vastus lateralis muscle from young (3‐4 months) ad libitum‐fed, old (30‐32 months) restricted (35% and 50% CR, designated CR35 and CR50, respectively), and old ad libitum‐fed rats (29 months) was studied. CR preserved fiber number and fiber‐type composition in the CR50 rats. In the old rats from all groups, individual fibers were found with either no detectable cytochrome‐c oxidase activity (COX−), hyperactive for succinate dehydrogenase activity (SDH++), or both COX− and SDH++. Muscle from the CR50 rats contained significantly fewer COX− and SDH++ fibers than did the muscle from the CR35 rats. CR50 rats also had significantly lower numbers of mtDNA deletion products in two (adductor longus and soleus) of the four muscles examined compared to CR35 rats. These data indicate that CR begun in late middle age can retard age‐associated fiber loss and fiber‐type changes as well as lower the number of skeletal muscle fibers exhibiting mitochondrial enzyme abnormalities. CR can also decrease the accumulation of deleted mitochondrial genomes.


Energy is everywhere in the environment surrounding us i.e. it is available in the form of thermal energy, light (solar) energy, wind energy, and mechanical energy etc. However, the energy from these sources is often found in such minute quantities that it cannot supply adequate power for any viable purpose. In fact, it has not been possible to capture such energy sufficiently to perform any useful work. But now the scenario is changing due to new technologies on energy harvesting being developed and used. Energy harvesting is a process of capturing minute amounts of energy from one or more of these naturally-occurring energy sources, accumulating them and storing them for later use. Energy-harvesting devices efficiently and effectively capture, accumulate, store, condition and manage this energy and supply it in a form that can be used to perform a helpful task. Though the energy harvesting has been a phenomenon in solar and wind energy areas, now time has come to venture into other energy areas and to improve our harvesting capabilities, proliferate harvesting devices, and apply them to useful systems. This paper reviews significance and applications areas of the energy harvesting. It also visits the design considerations and different types of energy harvesting systems.


Knowledge of the composition and thickness are two critical parameters to understand the origin and
evolution of the continental crust. Most of the geophysical studies over south India are focused mostly
on Dharwar Craton and very small amount on the Cuddapah Basin. In the present study an attempt have
been made to evaluate those parameters beneath Cuddapah Basin, a crescent shaped structure, which
has been believed to be one of the largest intra-cratonic Proterozoic sedimentary basins of India situated
in the eastern part of the Dharwar Craton of the south Indian shield. Receiver function, a well known
seismological technique used to find the crust and upper mantle structure, have been calculated from
teleseismic earthquakes recorded over 11 seismic stations in the Cuddaph Basin, and are modeled using
a global optimization technique known as Neighbourhood Algorithm (NA) followed by joint inversion.
Results have been also compared with H-Vp/Vs method. The results show, crustal thickness variation
from 32-40 km (with average of 36 km) and average Vs ∼3.55 km/s beneath the study area. It is found
that Moho is deeper below the two faults Gudur-Cuddapah and the Veldurti-Kalva-Gani fault system,
which separates Cudaapah basin into three different blocks. It is seen that crust is going thicker towards
the east along the profile from west to east. The overall crustal composition varies from intermediate to
mafic (Vp/Vs ∼1.75-1.83). Average Vs of upper, middle and lower crust varies ∼3.45, ∼3.65, 3.7-3.9
km/s, respectively, while high Vp/Vs (∼1.8) are observed all over the crust corresponds to mafic crust
beneath most part of study area. Our results also suggests the presence of Moho offset ~6km in the
eastern part of the basin.


Software is changing and software evolution is going to change with it. In considering software and the problems of software evolution today we make the tacit assumption that we control the software and hence can control its evolution. Current trends point to a world where we only control a small fraction of our own software and the remainder evolves in unpredictable and uncontrolled ways. Current work in addressing evolution is addressing yesterday's problems. What we need to prepare ourselves for the coming problems are techniques that can cope with uncontrolled evolution. In this position paper we point out several of the problems that need to be addressed and hint at possible techniques for addressing them.


The ultrasound technique of imaging abdominal organs is presently limited to a two-dimensional representation.The method for three-dimensional display of ultrasonic data presented here is based on computer processing of digitized data from multiple two-dimensional scans. The computer displays the total information in a perspective which can be visualized in 3 dimensions by most observers and simple modifications of the program will enable true stereoscopic images to be produced. Rotation and editing of the image is possible.Requirements in hardware and personnel time are modest and should be within the means of most large hospitals.The system should be of immediate value in radiotherapy planning, but its ultimate place in clinical diagnosis and care requires more extensive and widespread evaluation.


Approximately 7 percent of individuals with Alagille syndrome have small deletions of genetic material on chromosome 20, in a region known as 20p12. This region includes the JAG1 gene, which is involved in signaling between neighboring cells during embryonic development. This signaling influences how the cells are used to build body structures in the developing embryo. Loss of the JAG1 gene probably disrupts the signaling pathway. As a result, errors may occur during development, especially affecting the heart, bile ducts in the liver, the spinal column, and certain facial features.


THE FIRST RECORD OF SPOROCYSTS OF A TREMATODE LEUCOCHLORIDIUM SP., IN THE LAND SNAIL, SUCCINEA PERUVIANA, FROM THE COSTAL LOMAS ECOSYSTEM OF CENTRAL PERU IS REPORTED HER IN INCLUNDING A DESCRIPTION OF ITS GREE-BROWN MATURA SAC.


Abstract The luxury car market has demanding product development standards aimed at providing state-of-the-art features in the automotive domain. Handling performance is amongst the most important properties that must be assessed when developing a new car model. In this work, we analyse the problem of predicting subjective evaluations of automobiles handling performances from objective records of driving sessions. A record is a multi-dimensional time series describing the temporal evolution of the mechanical state of an automobile. A categorical variable quantifies the evaluations of handling properties. We describe an original deep learning system, featuring a denoising autoencoder and hierarchical attention mechanisms, that we designed to solve this task. Attention mechanisms intrinsically compute probability distributions over their inputs' components. Combining this feature with the saliency maps technique, our system can compute heatmaps that provide a visual aid to identify the physical events conditioning its predictions.


Introduction: It is crucial that the development of hyperacute stroke services is not at the expense of comprehensive stroke care. Northern Ireland has integrated health and social care and is therefore ideal for examining these related healthcare costs. We use a simulation model incorporating data from the Belfast City Hospital and South-East Belfast Stroke Scheme to model how costs vary with the proportion of patients receiving thrombolysis and the impact on community services. Method: Data was collected on all patients with a diagnosis of stroke over a 5-year period. Data collected included stroke type, length of stay, period in community rehabilitation and final discharge destination. Based on a survival analysis utilizing length of stay and discharge destination we create several groups which are then used to develop a discrete event simulation model. Probability estimates are assigned and costs attached. By adjusting the proportion of eligible patients receiving thrombolysis we can evaluate the potential efficiency gains. Results: Increasing the percentage of patients receiving thrombolysis from 5% to 20% reduces the cost of rehabilitation from £63.40 to £61.48 per person in the overall sample. Total cost per patient is also reduced with increasing provision of thrombolysis. The cost of thrombolysis is offset by decreased costs for both community rehabilitation and institutionalization. Conclusion: Given the complexity of healthcare systems, simulation modelling is a particularly useful approach to increase our understanding of stroke patient pathways. We show that initial short term costs of thrombolysis will not be at the expense of community rehabilitation. 095 A structured review of economic evaluations of occupational therapy for stroke Logan PA, Elliott RA, Gladman JRF, Walker MF, Quinn C University of Nottingham, UK


This paper describes a prototype product code-named SolT2A. It is a system that automatically tracks the sun as it traverses the hemispherical sky vault. The system has been comprehensively used in photovoltaic (PV) satellite systems and is an option for terrestrial applications. For earthbound systems, locations near the Equator experience the crossing of solar altitude across the zenith daily and a reversal of the azimuth over a year. Consequently, static PV systems do not produce maximum generation. Thus SolT2A has been designed and built to address this problem. The system has a four-point solar irradiance sensors and compares their intensity levels. The differentials are analysed and processed by a controller before and then sent to a set of DC motors. Thus SolT2A is a self-correcting system that ensures maximum irradiance captured by the PV arrays at all times, thus ensuring maximum PV generation. Based on field data, the open circuit voltage produced by the SolT2A tracking system is up to 82% better than from static systems The over all increase in open circuit voltage production is between 15 to 20% daily. Further developmental work includes optimising power consumption of the tracking and cost benefit analysis.


The effects of group experience in a small confined space were studied in 10 young cerebral palsied children over 4^ months. The children enjoyed the experience and improved in social awareness and peer interaction, and in social, verbal and motor activity. Periods of experience in a small confined space are recommended as part of the program for such children.


In this paper, an optimum-seeking controller is proposed to minimize the output substrate concentration of a configuration of two interconnected auto-catalytic systems in the presence of input substrate concentration disturbances and model parameter uncertainty. The proposed multi-configuration bioreactor system improves the optimum performance that could be achieved with a single well-mixed reactor. The optimum-seeking controller provides a real-time optimization tool that allows one to achieve the full capability of the multi-configuration system for a wide range of bioreactor kinetics. Simulation results demonstrate the applicability of the technique for a bioreactor system with slowly time-varying parameters


SUMMARY We investigate the constraints that may be placed on earthquake epicentres without assuming a model for seismic wave speed variation within the Earth. This allows location improvements achieved using 1-D or 3-D models to be put into perspective. A simple, arrival order misfit criterion is proposed that may be used in standard location schemes. The arrival order misfit criterion does not use a seismic velocity model but simply assumes that the traveltime curve for a particular phase is monotonic with distance. Greater robustness is achieved by including a contribution from every possible pairing of stations and the effect of timing inconsistencies reduced by smoothing. An expression is found that relates the smoothing parameter to the number of observations. A typical event is studied in detail to demonstrate the properties of the misfit function. A pathological case is shown that illustrates that, like other location methods, the arrival order misfit is susceptible to poor station distribution. 25 ground truth and 5000 other teleseismically observed events are relocated and the arrival order locations compared to those found using a least-squares approach and a 1-D earth model. The arrival order misfit is found to be surprisingly accurate when more than 50 observations are used and may be useful in obtaining a model independent epicentre estimate in regions of poorly known velocity structure or the starting point for another location scheme.


Stress is a universal phenomenon that manifests itself among workers as a result of pressures originating from the workplace and outside the workplace. Academicians and Human Resources practitioners are concerned about the impact of stress on corporate performance. It is therefore important to understand stress and how it manifests itself among employees and how it finally affects corporate performance. Data was collected from 32 corporations listed at the NSE and was analyzed using descriptive and multivariate techniques. The empirical results found that stress had positive influence on corporate performance. The relationship between stress and physiological, psychological and behavioral manifestation was also positive. These finding can provide the direction for Human Resource Managers on how well to handle employee stress and formulate the best decisions to enhance corporate performance. Key Words: Work Stress, Non Work Stress, Stress Manifestation, Corporate Performance.


The phenomenon of sedentary lifestyle has become a dangerous issue with serious health consequences in modern time. Modern technology has contributed,  in no small measure,  to a sedentary lifestyle of many individuals with attendant physical, physiological and social health hazards.  As a result of lack of regular exercises, many people are now battling with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and overweight.  This paper examines the concept of sedentary lifestyle, reasons for sedentary lifestyle, consequences of sedentary lifestyle and the use of regular physical activity to ascertain healthful living and longevity. Keywords : sedentary lifestyle, physical activity, physical fitness, degenerative disease, longevity.


In the past decades different crack growth and crack deflection criteria have been proposed, e.g. the maximum hoop stress criterion [1], the minimum strain energy density criterion [2] or the maximum energy release rate criterion [3]. These criteria were extended concerning phenomena such as crack path instability [4,5] and the anisotropy of fracture parameters [4]. Another approach for the prediction of crack growth and deflection angle is based on the Jk‐integral [6], assuming the crack to grow into the direction of the J‐vector [7]. The resulting deflection angles coincide well with those from other criteria in the case of small mixed‐mode ratios KII/KI or deflection angles, respectively. One challenge is the accurate calculation of the second coordinate J2 [8] and the appropriateness of this approach has been shown [9]. Nevertheless, in the cases of anisotropic crack resistance parameters, large mode‐II loading or unstable crack paths, the classical J‐vector criterion fails.


With the emergence and development of data applications such as database and data mining, how to protect data privacy and prevent disclosure of sensitive information has become one of the major challenges we are facing now. Privacy protection technologies need to protect data privacy without compromising data applications. The research results of privacy protection field are summarized, and the basic principles and features of various types of privacy protection technologies are described. After the in-depth analysis and comparison of existing technologies, this paper points out the future direction of the privacy protection technology.


The aim of this work was to optimize the coagulation-flocculation (CF) process applied to municipal wastewaters (WW). Optimization of CF was performed to minimize chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, sludge produced, and some metals in sludge. A Box-Behnken design was used to evaluate the effects and interactions of three factors such as type of biopolymer (guar, mesquite seed gum and Opuntia mucilage), dose of biopolymer (25, 50 and 75 mg/L) and initial organic load of wastewaters WW (725, 1,425 and 1,325 mg COD/L). Regarding the statistical analysis, Results were assessed with various descriptive statistics such as p value, lack of fit (F-test), coefficient of R 2 determination and adequate precision (AP) values. p values 0.05 show that the F-statistics was insignificant implying significant model correlation between the variables and process responses. Regarding the fit of the model, the obtained R 2 values were up to 0.98 for sludge produced, 0.94 for COD removal, 0.91 for Cd, 0.90 for turbidity removal, and 0.75 for sludge density. It is noteworthy that response surface methodology (RSM) also allowed optimizing de CF process. Employing this methodology it is feasible to determine COD, turbidity, and salts removals, as well as the amount and quality of the produced sludges under hypothetical conditions within predetermined parameter ranges, without the need of carrying out experimental runs.


Background: The morphology of the epithelium of oral lips comprised of keratinized external epithelium (anteriorly) and non-keratinized or sometimes parakeratinized mucous membrane epithelium (posteriorly).
Aims and Objectives: Knowledge of morphometry of lip lining helps in deciding the best site for choosing graft for its better uptake during several dermal grafting procedures following trauma or tumor excision following craniofacial cancers or cosmetic procedures. It also proves useful in dermatopharmacokinetics, in which we monitor the effect of drugs acting on connective tissue by trans labial route and lip augmentation surgeries (esthetic surgery), where care is to be given for dermal fillers not to be injected in muscle core of lip.
Materials and Methods: Ten human male cadavers were procured in the Department of Anatomy, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The rectangle-shaped skin specimen through lower lip which included skin, mucocutaneous junction, and mucosa was stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Total of 30 slides were prepared. Thus, readings were obtained for three regions, respectively, with the help of CatCam E-series HD cameras which were installed in light microscope. The following conclusions were drawn for various parameters.
Results: Thickness of skin (epidermis+dermis) of lip ranged from 880 μm to 1171 μm among males. Epidermal thickness increases on moving from cutaneous region to mucosa region of lip. Lowest contribution of stratum corneum in thickness of epidermis was observed in vermillion region, while highest contribution was observed in skin region. It was found to be absent in mucosa region of lip. Rete pegs at dermo epidermal junction was found to be maximum in vermillion region and minimum in skin region. Its depth increased as we move from skin to mucosa region of lip. Pattern of rete pegs also showed a characteristic feature in every region of lip. In cutaneous part of lip, rete pegs were shorter and blunt. In vermillion region, they were narrow, long, and slender, while they were longest with blunt end in mucosa region. Depth of dermis was found to be maximum in skin region while minimum in vermillion region. It ranged between 707 μm and 1100 μm.
Conclusion: Care should be taken while using dermal fillers in lip augmentation surgeries, especially in vermillion region due to its close proximity to musculature in core of lip.


Objective To explore the surgical techniques,influence factors and effects of Laparoscopic splenectomy(LS).Methods The clinical data of 65 patients who had undergone LS between August 2003 and September 2008 were analyzed retrospectively.Results LS was successfully done in 63 patients(96.9%),whereas a conversion to open surgery(hemostasis of splenic recess via mini-incision)was required in 2 patients because of oozing of blood in the splenic recess after spleens were taken out.The operation time ranged from 50 to 180 minutes(average 90 minutes).Operative blood loss ranged from 10 to 600 ml(average 60 ml).Among the 65 patients,accessory splenectomy was performed in 14,laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 3,and liver biopsy was performed in 4.In the entire group,gastric tube and urinary catheter were removed and proper off-bed activities were done 6-12 hours after the operation;food taking resumed 12-24 hours after the operation.No complication and mortality were observed.The mean postoperative hospitalization was 6.2 days.Conclusions LS is a kind of safe and minimally invasive surgery and worthy to be further popularized when laparoscopy operation is skillfully mastered.The proper selection of operative position,satisfactory exposure and dissection of peri-splenic ligaments and constitution,and successful control of the splenic pedicel are the key points to a successful operation.


With the boom of Chinese international trade,to study the interregional difference of the Chinese foreign trade can promote its development in a higher level.Based on the analysis method of gravity center,this paper has studied the dynamic evolution route,longitude and latitude difference,and interactive characteristics of the gravity center of Chinese foreign trade and FDI.The following conclusions have emerged from our study.The gravity center of Chinese foreign trade bears the moving tendency of "northeast-southwest-northeast" and the convergence characteristics in longitude and latitude directions.Complementary relationship exists in FDI and foreign trade in China.The gravity center of Chinese foreign trade moves towards the direction of the gravity center of FDI and later about three years of that of FDI.These conclusions play a role in optimizing the regional distribution of Chinese foreign trade.


Abstract : Results of bounded mixing and burning experiments in relatively long ducts are presented. The series of experiments was part of a theoretical and experimental investigation of bounded mixing with combustion within ducts of arbitrary shape. The mixing system consisted of a fuel-rich, H2-O2 rocket stream and a surrounding stream of room-temperature air. A conical mixing duct with cylindrical extensions was used. Twenty-six rocket firings were made in the test series. The system was operated in the 'downstream choking' mode (independent of back pressure) for 19 firings and in the 'back pressure dependent' mode for the remainder of the series. Stagnation pressure ratio between the two streams was varied to provide a range of data. Data presented include axial distributions of wall static pressure and radial profiles of gas composition and pitot pressure at the mixing duct exit.


In common parlance, we use "circus" metaphorically, to mean an unruly affair, a riot of excess and disorientation. Yet a trip to the literal circus reveals something else altogether. An array of clowns, acrobats, daredevils, and animals assaults the senses with nonstop action; however, the acts unfold with clocklike precision: the ringmaster coordinates the rehearsed antics of performers, while animal trainers exert their mastery over wild beasts. The modem circus is a resolutely managed business-a kind of traveling musical review with wildlife (Bouissac 1976). When we talk of circus-like scenarios, then, we refer not to the circus of today but to its carnivalesque heritage. Contemporary circuses and related traveling shows are rooted both in the Roman circus and in medieval fairs, where buskers entertained crowds with bawdy spectacles and the local peasantry caroused, flouting civic and religious authorities. Bakhtin celebrated these festivities as spontaneous, counterhegemonic outbursts, and he mourned their suppression at the hands of the church and the state (Bakhtin 1984; Eagleton


The use of resistive charge division based solid-state detectors for position sensing of electrons has been studied. The operational conditions having importance for device performance are considered for one- and two-dimensional detectors manufactured by SiTek®. The parameter of main interest has been position resolution. Good linearity with a spatial resolution of 0.2 mm is obtained under optimum conditions. The advantages and limitations of the present approach and alternative techniques that could be considered for individual electron detection are discussed. A possible application of the detector is foreseen in its use for lattice location studies of impurity atoms by emission channeling.


Data visualization is the process of visualizing data through tables, charts, graphs, maps, and other visual aids. Data visualization is often thought of as a descriptive tool, but it is also important for use in predictive and prescriptive analytics. It serves as a tool for descriptive data exploration, but also for communicating insights from data and from analytical models. In this tutorial, we provide a concise discussion of best practices for data visualization for effective communication.


Employers' feedback on new college graduates' performance is a crucial piece of information that schools must consider to identify the relevance and responsiveness of their curriculum, programs, and services. Hence, in this paper, the artificial intelligence assisted satisfaction index model (AI-SIM) has been proposed to identify the college students' job satisfaction. Computer systems with advanced artificial intelligence can engage in reasoning, sensing, and responding in the most dynamic and complex environments. Artificial intelligence systems are being adopted rapidly by organizations to manage their workforce. This article aims to present the research results where contract the assessment made by graduates of the training at the University with necessary professional competences in the labour market. Job satisfaction toward colleague has the highest mean, meanwhile opportunities for promotion are the lowest. The implication of college student volunteer's systems and practices are discussed.


The ability of chemical agents to induce mutations is of considerable theoretical and practical importance and is being studied by many investigators. Among the chemicals that have been reported to give positive results with bacteria is the surface-active agent sodium desoxycholate, which induces phage-resistant mutants in Escherichia coli (Witkin, 1947; Latarjet, 1948). Previous work had shown that sodium lauryl sulfate and other detergents markedly affected the proportions of mutant color types in aging cultures of Serratia marcescens (Bunting, 1942). However, these observations were made with the highly unstable no. 274 ATCC strain, and it was not clear whether the surface-active compounds affected the mechanism by which the variants were produced, or whether they exerted a selective effect on specific color types already present in the cultures. Since the concentrations used were not toxic, and since the effect was not apparent until after logarithmic growth ceased, the latter seemed more probable. The experiments to be reported in this paper were designed to investigate the manner in which surface-active agents alter the proportions of color types in aging cultures. In order to differentiate between possible selective and mutagenic effects of the compounds to be tested, it was preferable to study their action on cells that were relatively stable with respect to genetic color variation. For this purpose, the well-known Hy strain of Serratia marcescens (Rettger, 1911) was selected. The characteristic color variant found, when a broth culture of red cells was plated on a synthetic ammonium citrate, glycerol medium,2 was an extremely stable white. Colonies of the typical red and white types were selected and maintained as stocks for further experimental work. Variants, mostly of the white type, have been observed in small numbers in all extensive platings of the red stock, but no pigmented colony has yet arisen spontaneously from the white stock. It was reasoned that if surface-active agents influenced the porportions of-color types in cultures of the stable Hy strain, it would be under one of two definitive situations. Either the effect would be more evident in cultures inoculated with a single color type, in which case one would conclude that the agents were mutagenic, or the effect would be conspicuous primarily in cultures inoculated with a mixture of color types, which would indicate that the action was selective. Experiments were set up to test this point.


Abstract Although several empirical studies report significant positive long-run abnormal stock returns following share buybacks, a recent event study paper claims that such anomalies have disappeared in the most recent decade and this disappearance of abnormal performance is not sensitive to the methods used. The present paper makes an attempt to investigate this claim using 63 Indian share buybacks which took place between July 2008 and June 2012. We consider the application of several event study methods and our findings are a bit mixed. We conclude that the long-run anomalies following stock repurchases in India are still sensitive to the employed methodologies.


A recent court decision in favor of an engineering firm may have hinged on how quickly and professionally the firm addressed problems as they arose.


We investigate the Andreev reflection in a normal conductor/superconductor junction based on a twisted graphene bilayer, which gives rise to a feasible crossover between linear and quadratic dispersion relations characterized by Berry phases. It is found that in the low-energy linear region, the specular Andreev reflection shows an obvious enhancement with the subgap differential conductance being twice that in a graphene monolayer, demonstrating the chirality of a single layer; however, by tuning the external potential, the special spinor wave functions with 2π Berry phase lead to a remarkable suppression of conductance. The transition of different chiralities on the saddle point corresponding to the van Hove singularity in the electronic density of states can be confirmed by measurable signal reversal in conductance. These results provide a facile way to control the Andreev reflection in a twisted graphene bilayer.


Recent advances in our ability to diagnose and treat orbital fractures have included devices to measure orbital pressure, refinement of the role of magnetic resonance scanning in the detection of intraorbital wooden foreign bodies, and further developments in alloplastic materials for orbital wall reconstruction. Surgical decision making in orbital fracture repair continues to be hampered by a lack of controlled studies to provide guidance. However, there is a growing trend in many centers towards earlier and more aggressive intervention. This swing of the pendulum towards early intervention is based on improved radiographic ability to demonstrate and quantitate the fracture-induced increase in orbital volume, combined with more delicate reconstructive capabilities provided by the new miniplate and microplate osteosynthesis systems. Indirect optic nerve trauma is a rare but potentially devastating injury in which blunt trauma to the head is transmitted through the bones of the skull to the bony optic nerve canal, causing a concussive injury to the optic nerve. The use of steroids continues to be the primary form of treatment for these injuries, although the doses originally considered "megadoses" may be too low based on data from spinal cord injury studies. Extracranial surgical decompression of the bony optic canal, performed by an ophthalmologist or otolaryngologist with special training in deep orbital surgery, has produced anecdotal reports of successful return of vision. The precise role of steroids and surgery in the treatment of this injury will be answered only by a prospective randomized trial.


Abstrcat The objects, the criteria, the contents, the methods, and the data processing methods of property Test on photomultiplier tubes used in nuclear measurement are stated, the testing results of various photo multiplier tubes used in nuclear measurement proved that these methods can meet the requirements of developing and manufacturing of nuclear measurement instruments. Some proposals to improve property and using effect of photomultiplier tubes are given out through analyzing factors effecting plateau property of photomultiplier tubes and practical speciality used in γ-ray integrity measurement.


Nanosatellite technology is opening the door for research and educational institutions to access space. The development cycles for these satellites is relatively short and may require the use of technology which is not space proven. In order to increase the reliability of these satellites an array of testing and analysis must take place including that of thermal management. The aim of this paper is to outline a number of thermal management techniques which may be used within the design of a nanosatellite by defining how heat is transferred to the satellite and from sources, and then providing information on methods which may be used to control this heat transfer. Within passive thermal control optical coatings are found to be of greatest use, while within active thermal control louvres are of great value to future thermal designs.


The paper deals with the modeling of loose soil (sandy, muddy, etc.). When an object moves on such grounds, the object's and the soil's movement both depend on the mutual physical interactions, and therefore are very difficult to achieve with kinematic or geometric models. We use a particle based dynamic modeler and achieve a discrete model of plasticity, which accounts for the influence of the soil on objects moving on this soil, but also for the influence of the object on the movement and the shape of the soil. Thus we have simulated soil compression and piling, vehicles leaving tyre traces spinning, skidding and even sinking. This first step is the simulation of the soil object system at a discretization scale that can be termed "intermediate". A subsequent step consists of the simulation of a finer physical soil model in order to account for smaller scale dynamic phenomena.


Objectives Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease which is usually diagnosed late in advanced stages. Little is known about the subclinical development of IPF. We previously generated a mouse model with conditional Nedd4-2 deficiency (Nedd4-2−/−) that develops IPF-like lung disease. The aim of this study was to characterize the onset and progression of IPF-like lung disease in conditional Nedd4-2−/− mice by longitudinal micro- computed tomography (CT). Methods In vivo micro-CT was performed longitudinally in control and conditional Nedd4- 2−/− mice at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 months after doxycycline induction. Further, terminal in vivo micro-CT followed by pulmonary function testing and post mortem micro-CT was performed in age-matched mice. Micro-CT images were evaluated for pulmonary fibrosis using an adapted fibrosis scoring system. Results Micro-CT is sensitive to detect onset and progression of pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and to quantify distinct radiological IPF-like features along disease development in conditional Nedd4-2−/− mice. Nonspecific interstitial alterations were detected from 3 months, whereas key features such as honeycombing-like lesions were detected from 4 months onwards. Pulmonary function inversely correlated with in vivo (r=-0.725) and post mortem (r=-0.535) micro-CT fibrosis scores. Conclusion Longitudinal micro-CT enables in vivo monitoring of onset and progression and detects radiologic key features of IPF-like lung disease in conditional Nedd4-2−/− mice. Our data support micro-CT as sensitive quantitative endpoint for preclinical evaluation of novel antifibrotic strategies. NEW & NOTEWORTHY IPF diagnosis, particularly in early stages, remains challenging. In this study micro-CT is used in conditional Nedd4-2−/− mice to closely monitor the onset and progression of IPF-like lung disease. This allowed us to track for the first time how nonspecific lung lesions develop into key IPF-like features. This approach offers a non-invasive method to monitor pulmonary fibrosis in vivo, providing a quantitative endpoint for preclinical evaluation of novel antifibrotic strategies.


In this paper, we define blockwise negatively associated random variables and prove Marcinkiewicz strong law and classical strong law of large numbers for a sequence of blockwise negatively associated random variables.


The entrepreneurial orientation is a comprehensive reflection of the enterprises whether they are willing to keep innovation,take risks and take pre- actions. In this paper,we discovered the emergence of entrepreneurial orientation is related to the innovative culture and strategic capability. By analyzing the data coming from 117 domestic enterprises and utilizing multiple regression analysis,this paper found out that innovative culture and strategic capability may influence directly entrepreneurial orientation for the reason that innovative culture emphasizes the stronger willingness to innovate and to open,that is,it isinnovative culture that promotes more innovative information,ideas and risk- taking. On the other hand,strategic capability emphasizes collecting external information and strengthening internal communication,which is beneficial to realizing pre- acting and enhancing the confidence of positive competition. In addition,it was also found out that innovative culture may impact indirectly the enterprises' entrepreneurial orientation through strategic capability,which is a mediating variable between innovative culture and entrepreneurial orientation.


concept the plan, the reason Anaphoric nominalization this traumatic event, this hypocritical view Text reference that question, this instrument Spatio-temporal expressions in March of 1989, in America In the next step, for comparisons across corpora, the frequencies of theme features per 1,000 t-units were calculated in each subclass and each semantic category. To assess the statistical significance of frequency differences between the non-native and the native groups as well as among the different levels of the former, chi-square tests were run by SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Wherever relevant, the actual texts were carefully examined to identify qualitative differences, if any, in the theme usage across the different levels of writing. 130 Yerahm Choung & Sun-Young Oh 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1. Theme Features 4.1.1. Theme length Table 5 describes the comparison on theme length among the three levels of Korean EFL learners and the native counterparts. TABLE 5 Theme Length Across Corpora


An elastic neutron scattering study has been performed on several single crystals of La 2 − x Sr x CuO 4 for x near the lower critical concentration x c for superconductivity. In the insulating spin-glass phase ( x = 0.04 and 0.053), the previously reported one-dimensional spin modulation along the orthorhombic b -axis is confirmed. Just inside the superconducting phase ( x = 0.06), however, two pairs of incommensurate magnetic peaks are additionally observed corresponding to the spin modulation parallel to the tetragonal axes. These two types of spin modulations with similar incommensurabilities coexist near the boundary. The peak-width κ along spin-modulation direction exhibits an anomalous maximum in the superconducting phase near x c , where the incommensurability δ monotonically increases upon doping across the phase boundary. These results are discussed in connection with the doping-induced superconducting phase transition.


Introduction: Intensive care medicine has developed into a highly specialised discipline covering several fields. Evaluation of the morbidity and outcome of admitted patients can assess the efficacy of treatment, making it possible to take better decisions, to further improve quality of care, to standardize conduct, and to ensure effective management of the high-level resources. Objectives: 1) To study the morbidity and outcome profile of patients admitted to ICU of the tertiary care centre. 2) To study causes of death of patients admitted at ICU. Study design: Cross sectional descriptive record based study. Study period: 1 st January 2014 to 1 st December 2015. Study Setting: Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Maharashtra. Data collection: Data collected from the ICU register and the IPD case record sheet. Data entry & Statistical analysis: It was done by using Microsoft Excel – 2007 software.Statistical analysis was carried out with help of statistical measures, such as percentages, proportion, and chi square test using software Statistical Package for Scientific Solutions (SPSS) version 16.0. Results: During the period of the study, a total of 1,624 patients were admitted into ICU of the 1624 admitted patients, 951(58.55%) were male and 673 (41.44%) were female. Among the study patients, 73.09% belonged to a rural background as compared to only 26.90% from urban areas. The major cause of morbidity among the patient admitted was due to cardiovascular diseases (19.88%), followed by respiratory (18.04%) and organophosphate (OP) poisoning (12.50%). Four hundred fifty one (27.77%) patients died during the period, consisting of 265 (58.75%) males and 186 (41.24%) females.Most of the deaths occurred due to respiratory illness (19.06%), cardiovascular diseases (17.29%) and OP poisoning (11.52%). Conclusion: The primary reasons for admission into the ICU among the patients were cardiovascular problems and respiratory illness while cardiovascular problems, respiratory illness and OP poisoning were the major contributor to the mortality.


Background: When dealing with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, anatomic single-bundle reconstruction with remnant-preserving method offers numerous advantages, including enhanced revascularization and graft ligamentization, prevention of synovial fluid bath to the tunnels, and enhanced bone tendon healing . Objective: assess the efficacy and outcome of anatomic single-bundle reconstruction with remnant-augmenting technique in patients with an ACL tear. Patients and Methods: At the Orthopedic Departments of Zagazig University hospital, 18 patients with complete ACL damage were studied in prospective cohort research. The study was carried out from 2-11/2021. All patients received an anatomic single-bundle reconstruction using a remnant-preserving approach, and all patients were periodically monitored clinically and radiographically for a week, then every 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks after the index procedure. Results: 33.3% of studied patients were complicated; superficial Infection was in 27.8%, Failure was just in one case and stiffness 2 cases only there were no other complications. VAS was significantly higher among complicated cases at the post but Lysholm knee score was significantly lower at pre and post and regard IKDS was significantly lower at post only. Conclusion: Patients with ACL tears benefit more from anatomic single-bundle restoration using the remnantaugmenting method, which improves proprioceptive functions, stability, and healing of the graft.


. The article describes the adopted method of obtaining the angular inductance profile of the motor winding. The method basis on the characteristic processing of measurement data obtained from a dedicated laboratory stand. The basis of the presented analysis is the study of the current waveform in the presence of the voltage forcing it, thus revealing the finite dynamics of the RL circuit. The rationale for the precise term used is to take into account the nonlinear approximation function modeling the current waveform in comparison to other, simplified methods. What is equally important, certain parameters of the acquisition process were adopted as a consequence of the performed statistical analysis. Parameterization of the process is possible thanks to the proprietary design of the test stand, which additionally allows for high angular resolution of measurements. The obtained results were initially checked for repeatability and further research directions were described. (Precise determination of the angular distribution of the SR motor phase inductance on dedicated, automated laboratory test-bench) Słowa kluczowe


An evaluation of a limited number of solar-powered raised pavement markers (SRPMs) was conducted to determine if this type of marker would be more visible than retroreflective markers in some situations on Oregon highways. SRPMs typically use Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that are powered by solar cells. Some markers have retroreflective surfaces as well. The Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Unit, performed preliminary tests which included environmental tests (extreme temperatures, immersion), optical performance tests, and observation tests. Selected markers were sent to the Federal Highway Administration's Photometric and Visibility Laboratory (PVL) at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia for additional evaluation. A series of tests was performed to measure both the LED signal and the retroreflected light. It was found that each type of marker had significant shortcomings, so the project was terminated prior to field trials being performed.


Based on a brief introduction to the conception of technology and its world, this paper suggests the differences between technology world and artificial nature; and it analyzes the key effect of the practical activity upon the development of technology world and its constructure, in order to establish the ontological status of its.


The importance of air pollution control in smart cities has been realized by almost every department of society. Research community has been working in collaboration with industry to craft sensors for measuring different types of pollution levels in the environment. However, it is rarely possible to implant the sensors in all geographical areas. It is important to measure pollution levels in almost every part of the world with life and implement clean environment policies. However, in unplanned areas, the implementation of environmental policies faces problems because such areas lack in communication infrastructure and cost of huge amount of fixed or static sensors. This work envisions availability of sensor-equipped-VANET based system to monitor pollution levels in different areas of an unplanned city. This paper proposes an autonomous VANET system that can carry environmental sensors to collect data from an area at different intervals, process it to transform data into information and forward the information to node that has capability to collect all information and then send it to server machine for further process either using VANET or some reliable network connectivity. Based on the collected data, this research further contributes health aware commuting recommendation based on cost effective monitoring of air quality.


The invention relates to a metal foil laminated with a film of copolyester resin. It consists in laminating a biaxially oriented film of copolyester resin onto either or both faces of a metal foil coated with a single layer of hydrated chromium oxide or with a double layer comprising a bottom layer of metallic chromium and a top layer of hydrated chromium oxide, which has been heated to a temperature of from Tm-50 DEG C to Tm, Tm representing the melting point of the said film of copolyester resin. Application: production of metal cans undergoing new heating for crosslinking the varnish or alternatively undergoing a hot steam treatment for sterilisation.


This work presents the conversion of the shape factor, C /SUB A/ , to a pseudosteady-state skin term, S /SUB CA/ . When the shape factor is expressed as a skin term, it becomes easier to see the effect that a well placement in a given drainage area will have on the well's performance. Skin factors for published drainage shapes and well locations are given.


Robert Warren's Blackberry Winter is popular for its distinction in depicting a variety of critical issues from the perspective of a 9-year-old protagonist. Set in a small village in the United States after World War II, Blackberry Winter tells the story of Seth, the hero, when he was nine years old, in which the deconstruction and reconstruction of the image of "the Other" are widely indicated. The novel reveals the author's profound insights towards society, history as well as human beings by creating various images of "the Other" worth discussing. The purpose of this paper is to interpret the deconstruction and reconstruction of the human "the Other" image and non-human "the Other" image in Robert Warren's Blackberry Winter from three levels—gender, race, and natural poetic. Based on the previous research related to imagery, alienation and ecological thinking, this paper will shed new light on the textual significance of "the Other" in Blackberry Winter by manifesting how human "the Other" image and non-human "the Other" image are deconstructed and reconstructed throughout the novel. The analysis of the novel is unfolded by close reading and comparison. It is found that the novel challenges the binary opposition between "the Self" and "the Other" through deconstructing and reconstructing marginalized and stereotyped images of human "the Other" and non-human "the Other


Intrinsic DNA properties such as bending play a crucial role in diverse biological systems. A recent advantage in the high-throughput method called loop-seq makes it possible to determine bendability of hundred thousand 50-bp DNA duplexes in one experiment. However, it's still infeasible to assess whole sequence bendability in large genomes such as human, which needs thousands of loop-seq experiments. Here we introduce 'BendNet' – a neural network to accurately predict the intrinsic DNA bending at base-resolution by only given DNA sequences. BendNet can increase the resolution of experimental results, and can predict DNA bendability for any new given sequences in high accuracy. We applied BendNet to the human genome and observed high-stiffness regions located at both transcriptional start sites and transcriptional end sites. Such stiffness patterns are different for coding and non-coding genes, which matches distinct nucleosome occupancy patterns. As expected, most transcription factors (TFs) bind in DNA of low bendability. In contrast, we observed an unusually high bendability within binding elements of specific TFs such as EBF1 and regulators of genome folding such as CTCF. These factors either co-bind or compete with nucleosomes to carry out their functions. More interestingly, CTCF binding regions exhibit the highest bendability than other DNA elements, implying their potential role in trapping and holding the CTCF in the exact locations to make sure CTCF as stable anchor in loop extrusion process. Our work provides a tool to assess DNA bendability for large-scale DNA sequences and expands our understanding on DNA mechanics in chromatin regulation and genome folding.


The durability and safety of the storage and burial sites of hazardous waste from metallurgical and chemical production should be ensured through the consistent implementation of the defense in depth concept. Engineering designs of safety barriers should meet the following requirements: limit contact of waste with natural waters; ensure the safety of waste under external influences; prevent the spread of hazardous industrial waste to the surrounding soil mass. Object safety indicators are durability and service life, which should be ta ken into account in scenarios of forecasting the durability of disposal systems.For an objective assessment of the degradation of engineering safety barrier s of radioactive waste disposal sites, evolution models of bentonite barriers are considered. The following models are considered: montmorillonite illitization model; bentonite chlorination model; model for calculating the swelling parameters; ion exchange model and a model of sorption of radionuclides by bentonite. Conclusions show that when assessing the long-term evolution of engineering safety barriers from bentonite during the chemical destruction of montmorillonite, changes can occur, in particular, an increase in the permeability of the barrier.


Abstract Objectives: to investigate the information received by pregnant women considering assistance care and educational factors on syphilis and its association with the diagnostic of congenital syphilis in a referral maternity. Methods: a case-control study conducted in a referral maternity in Minas Gerais, Brazil, from 2017 to 2018. A case group included newborns' mothers with presumptive congenital syphilis and A control group was considered healthy newborns ' mothers. Clinical, obstetrics variables and information about maternal educational approach on syphilis during prenatal care were obtained through interviews and medical records. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test and odds ratio were calculated followed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: sixty mothers were included in the case group and 120 mothers in the control group. Mothers in the case group presented lower schooling level and they were 24 times more likely to have information about the risks of congenital syphilis and five times more likely to had received previous treatment for syphilis and mothers in the control group were 10 times more likely to receive information about Sexually Transmitted Infections during prenatal care. Conclusion: adequate health assistance identifying previous history of syphilis and health education improving its information about Sexually Transmitted Infections can help prevent congenital syphilis, which indicates the necessity of a better approach by the professionals during prenatal care.


The melting processes of Au_N(N=60,80,144,225,312 and 675) nanoclusters have been investigated by means of microcanonical molecular dynamics simulation technique. The curves of the potential energies and the heat capacities varying with the temperature are obtained. It is found that all of these six clusters have negative heat capacities around melting temperatures. To understand the micro-mechanism of the negative heat capacities, the differences of the structures of all the clusters at the temperatures just below and above the melting points are compared.


Use three connections to help students see relationships between their representations and strategies on mathematical tasks in ways that deepen and advance understanding and help them become better problem solvers.


Purpose-The Objective of this study is to investigate the moderating role of Intellectual Capital between the relationship of Bank internal factor and Credit Risk in Islamic banks of Pakistan.
Design/Methodology-Panel data are obtained from annual reports of 4 Islamic banks of Pakistan from the period 2006 to 2017. These are analyzed using hierarchical regression techniques, via Eviews 9 software.
Findings-The results showed that intellectual capital significantly moderates the relationship of bank internal variable and credit risk in Islamic banks in Pakistan.
Practical Implications-The study found that Intellectual Capital is a very important driver for credit risk. The investment in Intellectual Capital may lower the credit risk which will further help in the growth and sustainability of the bank and hence the growth in the economy. The results of the study will be useful for bank management, policy maker, and regulator and academia for future research.


The literature, as well as the active NBA players Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shane Battier of the game for observation and analysis of video on the big striker in the game of basketball goals in the offensive and attack the ball in the offensive of the characteristics and the role. Analysis of the offensive power forward in the regular use of a breakthrough in long shot, in the vote, the basket's singles, second attility of the offensive power forward and provide a theoretical basis for training.


Light emission in scanning tunnelling microscopy arising from Au tips scanning Au(111) surfaces with multiple defects is mapped simultaneously with topography. The remarkably good correspondence between features in the topography and the photon maps masks marked differences in the details of the correlation between the topographic and photonic signal profiles across different types of features. The variation of photon signal with topography is qualitatively explained in terms of the influence of changes in the geometry of the tip–sample nanocavity on the support and scattering of localised surface plasmon modes that are responsible for the light emission. In particular, evidence from optical spectroscopy shows the existence of a higher energy mode when a sharp step edge profiles the tip; this mode is not present in planar facet areas of the same sample.


In order to overcome the limitation of dynamic stress spectrum estimation using parameter estimation method, a kind of non-parameter estimation method which is kernel density estimation method is employed. In order to validate the validity of the method, five hundred random points are selected from standard normal distribution function to estimate by using of kernel density method. The result shows that the estimated probability density curve and the real probability curve are well fitted. At the same time, it also shows that the length of group gap has no effect on estimation result. Then the dynamic stress data from a high-speed train is selected to do the kernel density estimation and deduction. The result shows that the trend between damage curve of kernel density estimation and actual test spectrum are the same and each grade's damage of the former one is a little bigger than the latter one. This means the estimation result of kernel density method is conservative which leads to lower fatigue life of dynamic stress spectrum estimation by using of kernel density method. The conservative estimation is very important to ensure the security of the structure in the application.


This article aims to show that the OLC torture memo in critical respects resembles what constitutional law scholars have labeled an anticanon.


Permutations that avoid given patterns are among the most classical objects in combinatorics and have strong connections to many fields of mathematics, computer science and biology. In this paper we study the scaling limits of a random permutation avoiding a pattern of length 3 and their relations to Brownian excursion. Exploring this connection to Brownian excursion allows us to strengthen the recent results of Madras and Pehlivan [25] and Miner and Pak [29] as well as to understand many of the interesting phenomena that had previously gone unexplained. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 50, 394–419, 2017


Objective To report the initial clinical experience of single-site transvesical enucleation of the prostate(STEP) in 4 patients with large-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia.Method Single-site transvesical enucleation of the prostate was performed in 4 patients with large-volume(95,83,150 and 143 ml) benign prostatic hyperplasia.A home-made single-site device was introduced percutaneously into the bladder through a 3.0-cm incision.After establishing pneumovesicum,the adenoma was enucleated in its entirety transvesically under laparoscopic visualization using standard laparoscopic instrumentation.The adenoma was extracted through the single skin and bladder incision.Result Single-port transvesical enucleation of the prostate was technically feasible in all 4 cases.The operative time was 75 min,60 min,120 min,95 min,and the blood loss was 50 ml,45 ml,120 ml,300 ml.The urethral foley catheter was removed on day 9,8,12,9 respectively.All patients were voiding spontaneously with a minimal postvoid residual volume and full continence.Conclusions STEP is aimed at providing an effective minimally invasive alternative to surgical enucleation for the medium to large-size prostate(80 g).This new method is a safe and effective procedure with advantages of less compliations and more advantages.


This study examined elections' management dynamics to East Africa regional security architecture perspectives of Kenya's 2007 election violence. As a conflict based activity and event, the study found that elections' insecurity creates remote effects in many ways thus weakens ties and operations of regional actors and creates non-suitable environment for cooperation due to degeneration of functioning of eco-socio-political structures. The nature of regional security/insecurity among neighbouring states which for long have been viewed traditional 'military-led' have limitations in the current paradigm of state interdependency especially to the geographically adjacent states. Key questions arise on this subject line; 1. Is a Country's insecurity remote? 2. Are insecurity caused by Elections' Management likely to have impact to the existing peace and security in a regional network of states? The research actualized this study by use of the following objectives; first, examining the impact of Elections' Management to East Africa regional security, perspectives of Kenya's 2007 Elections, secondly, finding out the extent to which Kenya's 2007 elections' management affected her neighbours, thirdly, the study examined the challenges of Kenya's 2007 elections' management in East Africa region, and lastly, the study assessed elections' management policy frameworks toward East Africa regional security. It became apparent from this research that the East Africa regional security was affected in a number of ways economically and socially as the study showed property losses, delays in trading goods, increase in costs of goods among landlocked Countries of the region because of dependency on Kenya's port at Mombasa and also because of Kenya's economic dominance in the region making other states depend on it for economic livelihood. It also became apparent that the neighbouring states experienced spillover effects of the election's violence in Kenya in form of human migration. In light of complexities that exist in Inter-State Security Arrangements (ISSA) due to functional-structural weakness of core state institutions, the researcher focused the study theoretically using Buzan and Waever Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT) in Regions and Power. Which address areas of internal "security interdependence" and securitization among states linked geographically. Additionally, the study dialectically probed the possibility of Regional Institutional Perspective Theory (RIPT) being applicable together with RSCT which proved very interrelated on the basis of regional integration designs. The RIPT application in form of Extra-State Security Structure (ESSS) may be better alternatives to Intra-State Security Structure (ISSS) in African sub-regions. Where National Security (NS) no longer meets its obligations in terms of securitization, an inclusive security response may need to be adopted in a Regional Network of States (RNS) as a way of preservation of the subjects (citizens) in the smaller entities (states). This study used a mixed method paradigm purposively. Whereas it used a representative sampling technique to calculate the sample size of 180 on the basis of confidence level drawn from the East Africa regional states after a pre-test of 50 respondents was carried in three cities of Kenya. The analysis was done using SPSS aided tool after which results were interpreted in tables, graphs, and corroborated with the literature to come up with conclusions.


The effectiveness of two treatment strategies with or without the CAA fungicide mandipropamid against the grapevine downy mildew agent Plasmopara viticola has been evaluated during three grapevine growing seasons in a vineyard with a high disease pressure. CAAs resistance was reported in this location before the study. Compared to the untreated plot (disease severity higher than 65% on leaves and 95% on bunches), both the CAA and NO-CAA strategies adequately and analogously protected the plants from heavy infections, avoiding yield losses (severity <15% on leaves and <4% on bunches). Biological and molecular assays on P. viticola populations collected from the untreated and treated plots showed that resistance in the field is mainly associated with G1105V mutation in the target CesA3 gene and that resistance frequency did not increase in the populations when applying the CAA mandipropamid following an anti-resistance strategy.


ABSTRACT First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Maria Replogle is first author on ' Establishment of a murine culture system for modeling the temporal progression of cranial and trunk neural crest cell differentiation', published in DMM. Maria is a PhD student (dissertator) in the lab of Ava J. Udvadia at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, USA, investigating the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to developmental birth defects and disorders, particularly those that impact the formation of the skeletal elements in the head.


Malnutrition is common at diagnosis and during treatment for sarcoma patients. Poor nutritional status is associated with increased risk of complications, particularly infections. We investigated the role of body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of surgical wound complications in patients with localized osteosarcoma treated on the Children's Oncology Group (COG) legacy trial, INT‐0133.


The present study was designed to determine characteristics and penetration of diclofenac sodium in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) system from Carbomer 940 gel bases preparation. The compositions of SLN was diclofenac sodium 1%, stearic acid 10%, Tween 80 8% and propylene glycol 15%, which had been characterized in the previous study. There were two formulas in this study. Formula I was Carbomer gel without SLN system but with the same compound as SLN and formula II was Carbomer gel with SLN system. The result showed that SLN system didn't have effect on consistency, color and odor, but formula with SLN system has higher pH and spreadability. Data analyze showed that pH of formula I was 6,03 ± 0,02 and formula II was 6,25 ± 0,07. Spread diameter of zero load for formula I was 5,67 ± 0,12 and formula II was 6,67 ± 0,25. Spreadability of formula I was 0,0277 ± 0,0006 and formula II was 0,0338 ± 0,0013. Abdominal skin from male wistar rat was used as penetration membrane for this study. The penetration rate of diclofenac sodium, named flux, from formula I and formula II were 0,8529 ± 0,1659 μg/cm2/min and 0,5842 ± 0,0131 μg/cm2/min. Membrane permeability for formula I and formula II were (1,0011±0,1947)x10-4 cm/min, and (0,6596±0,0148)x10-4 cm/menit. The results were analyzed statistically using Independent sample t-test with degree of freedom 4 (df) and degree of confident 95% (α = 0,05). Research result revealed that penetration rate of diclofenac sodium from Carbomer gel with SLN system are slower than Carbomer gel without SLN system. Membrane permeability to diclofenac sodium for Carbomer gel with SLN system are lower than Carbomer gel without SLN system.


At present, the life support system on the International Space Station Alpha vents overboard the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the crew members. Recovering the oxygen contained in the CO2 has the potential to reduce resupply mass by 2000 pounds per year or more, a significant weight that could be used for experimental payloads and other valuable items. The technologies used to remove CO2 from the air and to recover O2 from CO2 are flight-ready; however, the interface between the devices is a problem for the Space Station system. Ames Research Center has developed a new technology that solves the interface issue, possibly allowing closure of the oxygen loop in a spacecraft for the first time. CO2 produced by the crew is removed in the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA). This device effectively produces a pure CO2 stream, but at a very low pressure. Elsewhere, the oxygen generation system which makes O2 by electrolyzing water produces a hydrogen stream. In principle the CO2 and H2 can react to form methane and water over a suitable catalyst. Water produced in this methane-formation reactor can be returned to the water electrolyzer, where the O2 can be returned to the cabin; however, the methane-formation reactor requires CO2 at a much higher pressure than that produced by the CDRA. Furthermore, the CO2 and H2 are often not available at the same time, due to power management and scheduling on the space station. In order to get the CO2 to the reactor at the right pressure and at the right time, a device or assembly that functions as a vacuum pump, compressor, and storage tank is required.


In performing this particular operation on the following eight cases my purpose was (I) to stop the middle ear discharge and (2) to conserve or, if possible, to improve the hearing. All of these operations were performed in the service of Dr. Robert Lewis at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Dr. A. B. Duel at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. Operation.-The usual postaural incision is made, as in the Stacke operation. The soft parts anterior to this incision are elevated and retracted forward; the cortex is removed with a gouge and the subcortical cells with curettes until the antrum is opened. The posterior bony canal wall is lowered and the antrum widened to its fullest possible extent. When the short pr~cess of the incus becomes visible, the external attic wall is removed by placing the back of the curette external to and in front of the incus and curetting from within outward. The bony canal wall is still further lowered until the facial ridge is reached, leaving only an epitympanic ring in its superior portion, with a width of about one-sixteenth of an inch. In four instances I have removed this ring in the superior and outer quadrant of the circle, leaving the membrana tympani and ossicles intact.


In teaching Chinese to foreign students, it is obvious that the learners from abroad have their own particularity. Based on teaching practice, I, first of all, try to analyze the characteristics of the foreign students in their learning Chinese. Besides, I come up with the suggestion that we, as Chinese teachers, should take effective teaching strategies to conform to this particularity of the foreign students.


We present a technique based on the construction of finite automata to prove termination of string rewriting systems. Using this technique the tools Matchbox and TORPA are able to prove termination of particular string rewriting systems completely automatically for which termination was considered to be very hard until recently.


Aggregation of the amyloid Aβ peptide and its accumulation into insoluble deposits (plaques) are believed to be the main cause of neuronal dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD); small molecules that can interfere with the Aβ amyloid fibril formation are therefore of interest for a potential therapeutic strategy. Three new trehalose‐conjugated peptides of the well known β‐sheet breaker peptide iAβ5p, were synthesized. The disaccharide was covalently attached to different sites of the LPFFD peptide chain, i.e. at the N‐terminus, C‐terminus or at the Asp side chain. CD spectroscopy in different solvents was used to assess changes in the peptide conformation of these compounds. The effects of these glycopeptides on the self‐assembly and morphology of Aβ aggregates were investigated by ThT fluorescence assay and dynamic Scanning Force Microscopy, respectively. All the synthesized compounds were tested as inhibitors of Aβ toxicity toward pure cultures of rat cortical neurons. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The in vitro antifungal action of the ethanolic extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides L.
"paico", from the Viru District, province of Viru, was determined during the period from June
to December 2016. Isolation, monoculture and microculture of the pathogen species In wore
done PDA culture media (Papa Dextrose Agar). The Chenopodium ambriosiodes "paico"
plant was subsequently collected and the antifungal effect of its ethanolic extract on the
pathogen was investigated at concentrations of 0, 5, 8 and 12%. It was concluded that with a
higher concentration of the ethanolic extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. "paico" the
percentage of inhibition of the growth of Fusarium oxysporum is greater. Moreover the
concentration of 8 and 12% are the most optimal to inhibit the pathogen, having a
percentage of mycelial inhibition of 93.26% and 93.12% respectively.


This paper proposes a navigation aid for the blind using echolocation principle and ultrasonic sensors. The device is for obstacles avoidance by detecting near objects in front of the user and shall trigger an audible alarm. Based on the echolocation principle, the ultrasonic beam is emitted in a certain direction in space through a transmitter. The beam is reflected from objects it encounters on its way; a matching receiver detects the reflected beam and the distance to the object is calculated based on time difference between emitting and receiving beam. Experimental results are presented. It could plausibly deduce that the device produced is suitable to be use as a navigation aid for the visually impaired.


The preparation of cone-shell target used in fast ignition experiment has been investigated.PS microshells with less wall thickness and diameter distribution can be prepared with monodisperse PS.The dependence of the quality of Au cone on the parameters such as composition,pH of electroplating bath,the current density and tip effect,has been discussed in detail.A hole with diameter about 120?m on PS microshell can be drilled,and a Au cone-shell target has been produced.