Statistical analysis of toolmarks using frequentist methods can be problematic for assorted reasons.Thus, in order to analyze toolmarks whilst avoiding these issues, a Bayesian approach is taken. Specifically for this thesis we discuss the computation of a specific Likelihood Ratio for toolmark comparisons. This Bayesian based approach involves using data already at hand in conjunction with a probability model in order to establish an estimate for its "value", i.e. the "weight of evidence". Making the calculations to obtain a Likelihood Ratio is very cumbersome and time consuming. Also many commercial software packages hide the process and underlying assumptions that go into its calculation. Using the open-source software called "R", we developed a package that, after the toolmark data is entered, a Likelihood Ratio for it is estimated. Ideally, using opensource software and having the code publicly available, collaboration on refining the overall estimation process can start and hopefully reach consensus. Statistics in Forensic Science The use of statistics in forensic science, that is the application of statistics to evidence, has received a lot of attention to determine the validity of assigning error rates to some evidence types. The product of forensic statistical analysis is a probability, an example being the chance of finding another random match, but the process of making a calculation varies based on the type of evidence. For example, the processes for calculating the Likelihood Ratio (LR) for DNA and tool marks are different. While the foundation of the calculation is fundamentally the same, the process in order to perform the calculation is very different. Background of Bayesian Statistics There is a push for other types of evidence to meet the standards set by DNA. Statistical analyses for DNA evidence, considered the gold standard, has evolved tremendously with time. The most common type of statistics is the frequentist method, which is the determination of the frequency of a given observation over the number repetitions of an experiment. To exemplify how experimental data determines frequency consider Equation 1. Frequency of observation of interest = ni N (Equation 1) Equation 1 represents the frequency of an observation of interest being equal to the ratio of the number of times the observation of interest is the result over the total number observations. The observation of interest is denoted by the term "ni" and total number of observations is denoted by the term "N". The classic example for Equation 1 is the flipping of a coin which has two possible outcomes "heads" or "tails", where if the observation of interest is "heads" and that is observed 10 times over the course of 20 experiments, then the frequency of "heads" is 10/20 or 1/2. However, in the frequentist method as the number of total observation approaches infinity,


When I was a doctoral student, I recognized a transformation in both perception and experience, from doctoral journey as compliance and imposition to doctoral journey as empowerment. It enabled me to clarify my values and understand how these are lived in practice, as an educatorresearcher-writer. 'Creating space' emerged as a founding principle that connected these different roles and provided congruence between them. In becoming a doctorate supervisor myself, my concern was how to offer 'creative space' for others to clarify their own values in a cycle of self-discovery and empowerment. My wish was that others too might experience the doctoral journey as a means of finding a voice and extending it to a wider audience. In this paper I share the process of transforming my own journey into a pathway for others, through the founding principle of 'creating space', and demonstrate what this means in practice through co-authorship with doctoral students who were part of my doctoral writing programme.


In this issue of the Journal, Salimzadeh and colleagues report on the feasibility, uptake, and positive predictive value of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to screen for colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenomas in the general population of Iran.1 The study is well designed, and the results are intriguing. FIT was offered in primary healthcare settings by primary care staff, and the uptake was quite high (1002 of 1044, 96%); the large majority (99.4%) of the received stool samples were satisfactory for testing.


The industrial use of bovine and porcine collagen has been expanded to include foods, cosmetics, and biomaterials. However, due to outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and foot and mouth disease, new, alternative, safe sources of collagen are being sought. In this study, pepsinsolubilized collagen (PSC) was isolated from the tissue of a starfish (Asterias amurensis) and shown to consist of (α1)2α2 heterotrimer, which is similar to calf skin type I collagen. However, the PSC was denaturated at 24.7oC, which is about 12oC lower than mammalian collagen. Immunoblotting assay using polyclonal anti-type I collagen antibody revealed that the starfish collagen contained similar affinity motifs. In XTT assay, PSC suspension had cell growth activity and no showed no cytotoxicity.


The only study of the osteology of the toad genus Oreophrynella dates back to 1971 and was based on a single species. Here, we use high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography to analyse the osteology of all nine described Oreophrynella species, which are compared with representatives of other bufonid lineages. Oreophrynella is unique among bufonids in having opposable digits. Osteological synapomorphies confirmed for the genus are as follows: presence of parietal fontanelles and exposed frontoparietal fontanelle, absence of quadratojugal, five presacral vertebrae, distally enlarged terminal phalanges and urostyle greatly expanded into flanges. Ancestral character reconstruction indicates that arboreal habits in some Oreophrynella species are likely to have evolved after the evolution of opposable digits. Opposable digits, in combination with an extension of the interdigital integument and the relative length/orientation of the digits, are likely to be adaptations to facilitate life on rocky tepui summits and an exaptation to arboreality. Cranial simplification in Oreophrynella, in the form of cranial fontanelles and absence of the quadratojugal, is possibly driven by a reduction of developmental costs, increase in flexibility and reduction of body weight. Cranial simplification combined with the shortening of the vertebral column and the shift towards a partly firmisternal girdle might be adaptations to the peculiar tumbling behaviour displayed by Oreophrynella.


Abstract The dispersion relation of electromagnetic waves propagating in a coaxial plasma-waveguide-system is solved for a cold plasma. The influence of losses, discharge tube, and radial gradients of electron density are discussed in detail. Strong absorption is found near the dipole resonance of the plasma column.


Harnessing and usability of electrical energy from piezofilm-based energy harvester is investigated. Three possible combinations such as parallel, series-parallel and series configurations of piezofilms are investigated for load carrying capability. A total of six mass loaded piezofilms are employed in this study. An artificial vibrator is used to simulate the ambient vibration to generate electrical energy from the piezofilms. A commercial passive converter is used to convert generated ac power into usable dc power. Load characteristics are obtained at different vibrating frequency for all the three configurations. Among these three configurations, experimentally it is found the parallel combination of the piezofilms is the best configuration as far power generation capability is concerned, even at low vibrating frequency. It is also noticed that, the peak power is obtained at almost equal load for the first two configurations while the same is found to be at larger load resistance for the last configuration. The possible reasons for differences in the load characteristics of the three configurations are discussed.


Synthesis of linear molecules containing two to four steroid units connected with the amide bonds was developed. As a repeating unit, 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-ene-17β-carboxylic acid (etienic acid) was used. An active ester of this acid with N -hydroxysuccinimide and its 3-azido analogue were prepared and methods for the preparation of higher oligomers were studied.


This paper presents an initiative to use an internal IT agency to guarantee all students in a range of computing programmes with at least one compulsory work opportunity for their work related learning module. The aim is to improve our student's employability on these programmes. Our findings in the past 3 years have indicated that this initiative has helped to steadily improve our Computing student's employability awareness and their employment opportunities. Further plans are being made to expand this model to other programmes. 1. The problem There have been reports of IT skills shortages in UK industry, yet again computing graduates are reported to have the worst unemployment rates of any subject at 14% [CPHC, 2012]. Academic qualification is no longer enough secure jobs for graduates. In 2012, a survey of employers carried out by CBI revealed that 81% of employers valued employability skills as the most important factor when recruiting graduates [CBI, 2012]. A more recent report from CBI [CBI, 2014] suggested that nearly half of employers are concerned with the quality (48%) and quantity (46%) of STEM graduates, and this appears to arise from a perception about a lack of general work experience. Nearly two thirds cite relevant work experience as one of the most important factors when recruiting graduates. What is employability? Yorke has defined employability as the combination of qualifications, knowledge, skills and personal attributes, which enable graduates to obtain a job and to succeed in their chosen occupations, with benefits for themselves and for the whole labour market, community and economy [Yorke, 2006]. A number of works have been conducted to address this issue. For instance research has been carried out on how alumni can be used as a key resource to improve student employability awareness and to add value to students' qualifications. [Jing et al., 2011] So that all students can improve on their employability, there is a need to look at the curriculum design; employability should be one of the main targets of universities [Knight and Yorke, 2004] and one of the objectives of curriculum design.


This paper describes a parallel single-rail self-timed adder using dual gate MOSFETs which builds on a recursive formulation for performing multibit binary addition. Thus the addition is equivalent for those bits that do not need any carry chain propagation and the circuit attains logarithmic performance over random operand conditions without any special speedup circuitry or look-ahead schema. A real design of dual gate MOSFET is provided along with a completion finding unit. The design is regular and does not need any real limitations of high fan outs. A high fan-in gate is necessary on the design but this is unavoidable for asynchronous logic and is managed by connecting the transistors in parallel. Simulations have been executed using LT spice tool that verify the practicality and superiority of the proposed approach over existing asynchronous adders.


The «eterna! kingdom» promised by God to David according to the oracle of Natan (2 Sm 7), occupies practically all of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The characteristics of this kingdom were primarily political although the final aim was the establishment of a state of perfect righteousness on Earth. This promised eternal kingdom of David disappeared with no hope of its returning due to the Babilonian exile although the oracles of the prophets predicted their return in an apoteosical intervention by God. In his sermons Jesus of Nazareth preached the coming of the «Kingdom». For the popular mentality, this Kingdom had a great political promise which was the liberation from the tyranic Romans then occupying Palestine. Jesus was sentenced to death by the Romans accused of being a subersive politician and although the awaited kingdom, as they imagined it, never arrived they continued waiting. In the year 70 A.D., when the romans destroyed Jerusalem, the predicators preached the Christian message in Rome but now all the political aspects of the «coming Kingdom» had to be set aside if a frontal colision with the Roman Empire was to be avoided. It was then when the spiritual Message of the kingdom was emphazised and the political aspects silenced. The «spiritualization of the kingdom» is a clear case of the phenomenon of aculturation when elements of the Jewish culture passed into the Roman culture where the «kingdom of David» did not have any meaning but a «spiritual kingdom» did.


ABSTRACT Activities of components in liquid Al–Ga and In–Sn alloys, the separation coefficients and vapour–liquid phase equilibrium in vacuum distillation were predicted using the molecular interaction volume model as a function of the activity coefficients. The results indicated that both Al and In are preferentially volatilised into vapour phase while Ga and Sn remain in residue. Similarly, we found that both the mass fraction and the content of Al and In in vapour phase increase as distillation temperature increases such that when the content of Al is 0.005985 wt% and In is 0.004141 wt% in vapour phase, respectively, in liquid phase, it was 70 wt% at T = 1073 K for both. The calculated values of activity and activity coefficients at various temperatures are presented. Comparison of the predicted values with experimental data indicates good agreement, thus verifying from statistical thermodynamics viewpoint that the model is stable and reliable.


In the 1960s, when the Russian physicist Victor Veselago first speculated upon the properties of a hypothetical isotropic material which simultaneously exhibited negative relative permittivity ǫ r and negative relative permeability μ r , the explosion of interest that was to follow almost three decades later could scarcely have been foreseen. Amongst the many intriguing implications arising from ǫ r < 0 and μ r < 0, it is the prospect of negative refraction which has in the past few years captured the imaginations of the optics and electromagnetics research communities and inspired much lively debate [1]. At the time Veselago's ideas concerning ǫ r < 0 and μ r < 0 were not widely followed up since no materials — naturally–occurring or otherwise — conforming to ǫ r < 0 and μ r < 0 were known to exist. It was not until the dawn of the twenty first century that interest in this topic was dramatically rekindled following the first reported experimental observation of negative refraction by researchers at the University of California, San Diego [2]. The UCSD group tracked the propagation of a microwave beam across the interface between air and a composite metamaterial consisting of conducting wire and ring inclusions embedded periCorresponding Author. E–mail: firstname.lastname@example.com. Also at: Department of Physics, Imperial College, London SW7 2BW, UK


The strategy of the European Union for biofuels grounds on the use of biomass, while the farming production is assessed as a future alternative source for the energetic system. Biomass is an unconventional solid fuel source, with great heating power and low price, and is renewable in short time, which results in thermal power station working at low costs and high efficiency. One of these sources is maize, which ecological and economic advantages are highly assessed by specialists. The heating power of dry maize was estimated at 4.718-6.200 kcal/kg, thus greatly increasing the interest for the production and use of maize biomass as energy source. The goal of this paper was to study the influence of some technological factors on the biomass production in maize crop.


We have calculated and compared the linear and non-linear optical response of GaAs and GaP bulk within three methods: Ž . Ž . Ž . ab-initio density functional theory DFT ; local density approximation LDA -based pseudopotential plane wave PPW ; and Ž . Ž . full-potential linearized augmented plane wave FLAPW approaches, together with the empirical tight-binding ETB Ž . method. Specifically, we have calculated the dielectric function and second harmonic generation SHG susceptibility over a broad frequency range. Important conclusions about the applicability of the ETB method for the calculation of bulk optical responses have been drawn with respect to the higher-order susceptibility. Q 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.


Suboptimal antimicrobial therapy has resulted in the emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms. The objective of this study was to optimize the time to antimicrobial therapy modification for patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) of an academic medical center through implementation of a pharmacist-driven outpatient antimicrobial stewardship initiative (ASI).

 This was a pre-post, quasi-experimental study that evaluated the impact of a pharmacist-driven outpatient antimicrobial stewardship initiative at a single academic medical center. The pre-cohort was evaluated through manual electronic medical record (EMR) review, while the post-cohort involved a real-time notification alert system through an electronic clinical surveillance application. The difference in time from positive culture result to antimicrobial therapy optimization before and after implementation of the pharmacist-driven ASI was collected and analyzed.

 A total of 166 cultures were included in the analysis. Of these, 12/72 (16%) in the pre-cohort and 11/94 (12%) in the post-cohort required antimicrobial therapy modification, with a 21.9-hour reduction in median time from positive culture result to antimicrobial optimization in the post-cohort (43 h vs. 21.1 h; p < 0.01). Similarly, the median time from positive culture result to review was reduced by 20 hours with pharmacist-driven intervention (21.1 h vs. 1.4 h; p < 0.01).

 The implementation of a pharmacist-driven outpatient antimicrobial stewardship initiative resulted in a significant reduction in time to positive culture review and therapy optimization for patients discharged from the ED of an academic medical center set in Philadelphia, PA.

 All Authors: No reported disclosures


: The present study describes the length-weight (LWR) and length-length (LLR) relationships, as well as the condition factors of Schilbid catfish Neotropius atherinoides from the Padma River, Rajshahi. A total of 426 specimens were caught using traditional fishing gears from January to December 2014. For each individual, the total (TL) and standard (SL) lengths were measured using digital slide calipers. Individual body weight (BW) was also taken through a digital balance. All relationships were highly significant ( P < 0.01), with r values being greater than 0.95. The generalized relationship of standard length and total length for combined 2 population were SL = 0.224 + 0.635 TL. The results indicated that the LLR were highly significant ( r > 0.914; 2 P < 0.01). The calculated allometric coefficient b, 2.87 (TL) and 2.93 (SL) for N. atherinoides smaller than isometric value (b 3.000). The generalized relationships for total length and body weight and standard length and body weight were BW = 0.005TL and BW=0.014SL respectively. The LWRs indicated negative 2.872 2.936 allometric growth in N. atherinoides . Fulton's condition factor K showed significant variation (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.001, with best performance of N. atherinoides , calculated as 0.366 ± 0.017 (TL) and 1.257 ± 0.058 (SL).


Chapters on all the important figures in the development of Sandplay, including Margaret Lowenfeld, Dora Kaiff - key figures to history of Sandplay. Kaiff is Swiss, Lowenfeld - London


To decrease NOx emissions from a combustion system lean premixed combustion in combination with an annular combustor is used. The disadvantage is that sound pressure levels in the combustion system become higher which excite the liner (the surrounding structure). This limits the life of the combustor, because it will fail earlier due to fatigue. This problem is studied in the European project DESIRE (Design and demonstration of highly reliable low NOx combustion systems for gas turbines). A simplified model is studied first. This model consists of a rigid rectangular box which has a flexible plate on one of the sides. Sound is injected into the box using a tube coming from a rectangular box. A loudspeaker generates sound inside this box. A fully coupled finite element model has been made of the structure and the acoustic cavity. The results of the model are compared to the measurements performed on the actual setup. Both the structural mode shapes (measured using a laser vibrometer) and the transfer function from pressure to displacement are used for this purpose. The results match very well.


A mutagenic principle in the neutral fraction of the methanol extract from Sinomeni Caulis et Rhizoma (Menispermaceae) was isolated by conventional techniques, and identified as a new dehydroaporphine alkaloid, N-demethyl-N-formyldehydronuciferine, on the basis of mass, ultraviolet, proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and X-ray analysis. NDemethyl-N-formyldehydronuciferine was mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA 100.


IT is clear from the work of many observers that carbohydrate metabolism is interfered with to some extent after adrenalectomy. Biedi [1913] concluded from data collected from many sources that the adrenal capsules affected in some way the formation and utilization of glycogen. More recently Cori and Cori [1928] reported that adrenalectomized rats and mice showed an almost complete disappearance of liver glycogen when fasted for 24 hours, but muscle glycogen was not much more reduced than in starved normal controls. Britton, Calvery and Geiling [1928] found an increased sensitivity to insulin in cats in which the function of adrenaline was suppressed by removing the adrenal medulla. The present investigation deals with the relationship of the cortex and medulla to the fasting blood-sugar concentration and to the glucose tolerance of rabbits.


This paper studies the information of big data in the digital publishing industry chain and adopts advanced algorithms for its fusion calculation. The basic theory of digital publishing ecological chain is dissected, the construction requirements, construction methods, and construction paths of digital publishing ecological chain are analysed, and feasible construction measures are proposed. It also defines the connotation of the fusion of knowledge services between publishing institutions and libraries in the digital era; then analyses the characteristics and principles of the fusion of knowledge services between publishing institutions and libraries in the digital era; and finally sorts out the theoretical foundations such as synergy theory, information integration service theory, and game theory. Meanwhile, this paper also studies the flow of digital publishing resources and empirically analyses the eco-efficiency of digital publishing eco-chain by using metabolic network analysis, population analysis, and life cycle analysis, and it finds the eco-efficiency problems of the existing e-book eco-chain from its analysis. Finally, the imbalance in the digital publishing ecological chain and its hazards are analysed, and specific regulation and optimization measures are proposed. The research in this paper makes up for the deficiencies of related studies and can well solve the problems that exist in the previous and provide theoretical support for the healthy development of digital publishing enterprises.


La Chambre (1988) is a short dance film by Compagnie l'Esquisse, which cites Marguerite Duras's novel La Vie tranquille (1944). In La Chambre, the sea is not seen, but is present across different senses and in the dancers' movements, as well as in the quotation from Duras's novel with which the film opens, which contains the sentence: 'J'ai pensé à la mer que je ne connaissais pas.' I argue that in both the novel and the film, the sea is sensed across different modalities that influence one another. Whereas in the novel 'sensory crossings' are produced by interactions between the lexical fields of words, in the film they occur when stimuli are presented in ways that invite viewers to make cross-sensory connections. Cross-modality of the senses can make us aware of the reciprocal action of one sensory mode on another and intensify affective charge.


We fabricated a high-speed resonant cavity 4x4 photodetector array, which has two functions for high optical alignment robustness and specific wavelength selection. In the 2-SDM 2-WDM FSO communication, 100-Gbps high data rate was successfully demonstrated.


Deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) allow prosecutors to negotiate and enter into agreements with corporate actors to defer or suspend criminal proceedings, subject to adherence to certain conditions. Developed in the US, in place on a statutory basis in England and Wales since 2013, and likely to be introduced in Australia this year, DPAs are seen to allow the State to intervene and impose conditions on a corporate actor for criminal behaviour, while permitting the entity to make reparation without the collateral damage of conviction. DPAs are proposed as quicker, cheaper, and more predictable than the conventional criminal trial with its costs, risks, and delays.

I consider if and how a mechanism for deferring prosecution can cohere with the existing scheme of corporate criminal liability, and with the apparent desire and drive for more robust responses to corporate crime. I argue that DPAs are both necessitated by but also misconstrued as a way of offsetting problems with corporate criminal liability. Moreover, and paradoxically, while DPAs are introduced in an effort to remedy such issues, they are deployed also so as to mitigate the inevitable consequences of conviction, that is, the 'successful' use of corporate criminal liability. DPAs therefore both serve to supplement as well as dilute corporate criminal liability. Beyond this, DPAs have implications for individual criminal liability and the scheme of corporate civil liability.


To meet engine requirements of high pressure ratio and wide flow range,based on the technology of two-zone modeling prediction,natural frequency improving,and load controlling blade sculpting,a transonic centrifugal compressor design and test was conducted.The results show: 1) Two-zone modeling method can be used to predict compressor performance rapidly,and its results can be consistent with test.2) Load controlling blade sculpting can be applied in engineering,and its design results are rather satisfied.3) For the same impeller,changing the inducer inlet diameter,compressor performance of different flow range could be obtained in keeping pressure ratio and efficiency approximately fixed.4) Reducing impeller exit width and increasing diffuser pitch length can decrease the transonic surge flow.5) After pressure ratio is above 3(transonic flow),the stable flow range of compressor could become much narrower,and its surge flow would have a large increase.


Mechanism of cause acne and influencing factors were introduced, the composition and efficacy of medicinal plants were studied. It presented the idea to combine the function of medicinal plant extracts with that of anti-microbial peptides to develop acne removing beauty cosmetics, thiscosmeticprototypewillbringnewhealth concepttoskin care.


The purpose of this study is to explain in detail the perspectives of teachers and the challenges that the stakeholders of the E-learning process may face in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents of this study were 5 teachers at the ACCESS campus of the Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), the Philippines. This study used a semi-structured interview method to obtain the necessary data which was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that teachers recognized this new mode of learning as a more comfortable and convenient way to use; however, assessing student learning and interacting with them was in general difficult. Thus, operational and psychological challenges are experienced by teachers in adapting to the new learning model. The results of the analysis revealed that SKSU administrators must provide broad assistance to all teachers, especially regarding the challenges they face at this time, besides that, teachers and students must be trained and ready to use sophisticated e-learning technology.


The accuracy of dental implants is related to impression materials and dental impression techniques. This paper presents, according to scientific literature, the most precise impression materials and dental impression techniques used in implant prosthodontic rehabilitations. Based on the reviewed manuscripts, an elastomeric material (polyether and polyvinyl siloxane) associated to an open-tray pick-up impression technique (square transfer copings splinted) should be used in implant-supported dental prosthesis.


Suzuki coupling of 10 and 11 resulted in 9, which was O-alkylated to provide 12. Treatment of 12 with CsF in DMF resulted in the formation of the completed core structure 13 in a single step. Reductive amination of 13 completed the synthesis of (±)-cepharatine A, 4.


The author traced the active of take new idea of marry and born into de ep point out the successment and put put main mission in the future.


In the present study, we investigated the effect of Fermented Curcuma longa L. ethanol fraction(FCE) on underlying mechanisms of lipolysis in differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. The intracellular lipid droplets were stained with Oil red O dye and observed by microscope. Compared to the control, lipid accumulation was significantly decreased at concentration of 40~100 μg/ml with 24 h, 48 h and 72 h treatment of FCE. In consistence with the data, intracellular triglyceride content was reduced at concentration of 40~100 μg/ml. To determine the mechanism of reduction in triglyceride content, the level of glycerol release was measured. After 6 h incubation of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes with FCE significantly increased the cellular level of glycerol in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, the level of free glycerol released into the cultured medium was dramatically increased with treatment of FCE. As subsequently measured by quantitative RT‐PCR, mRNA level of LPL was increased at concentration of 40~100 μg/ml. This study demonstrated that FCE partially stimulated lipolysis through induction of LPL gene expression, resulting in increased glycerol release.


Tervalent neptunium in an HClO4 solution was extracted by means of bis(2-ethylhexyl)hydrogenphosphate, HDEHP, in an octane solution. The oxidation state of neptunium in the organic phase was determined by spectrophotometry. The intense peak in the absorption spectrum of tervalent neptunium was found at 348 nm, this peak was attributed to the f→d transition. The oxidation rate of the Np(III)–HDEHP complex in an oxygen-free octane solution was about 10%/h.


The Traditional Malay Houses (TMH) in Malaysia are considered as vernacular architecture, built and designed by the locals with thoughtful considerations and appreciation for nature. There are various beneficial features in technical and environmental contexts of a TMH that should be investigated further and applied in the present-day built environment. Due to its modularity and ingenious construction method, it is possible for a TMH to be dismantled, relocated and reconstructed in a new environment, also known as adaptive reuse practice. In Malaysia, a new trend has already emerged among built heritage lovers, business owners, individuals and universities to take the challenge of adaptive reusing abandoned traditional Malay houses for heritage conservation and tourism purposes. This paper aims to explore Building Information Modeling (BIM) usage to analyze the building and environment performance of a typical TMH in an adaptive reuse experiment. The analysis is important in order to maximize the building performance of the TMH once it has been constructed at the new location. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of creating and organizing building data during its life cycle. Characteristically it uses three-dimensional building modeling software with smart parametric object features to increase efficiency in building design and construction. With the development of simulation technology in BIM, it is possible to evaluate the environmental performance of a building before the real construction begins. An on-going research project to dismantle, relocate and reconstruct a TMH has been used as a case study to explore the aim of this study. The Malaysia's Green Building Index (GBI) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines were used to evaluate the design and performance of the TMH. A framework was acquired from literatures to establish the correlation between BIM for sustainable design analysis and the GBI and LEED assessment. The focus of this study is the building orientation and daylight performance. The framework was then justified by the case study. Through the usage of BIM software, in this case Autodesk Revit Architecture, the selected TMH was parametrically remodeled in order to coordinate any changes and maintain the consistency of the building components. The BIM model was then simulated for its building performance through secondary software, Autodesk Green Building Studio and the results were analyzed. The study eventually recommended improvements on the performance of the TMH through modification of some of the architectural components without losing the originality and heritage values of the building. Besides that, this study may also be served as a platform to promote the practice of adaptive reuse for heritage and conservation purposes through effective planning using BIM and its simulation tools.


Considering n order neutral delay differential equation,we establish several sufficient and necessary conditions which ensure the existence of bounded positive solutions.The results extend or partly improve some conclusions given in the recent literature.


This article explores the policy foundations behind regional trade in Sub-Saharan Africa with particular focus on West Africa and its application in practice. It further explores the important phenomenon such regional trade agreements denotes. This work therefore constructively criticises the relevance of the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) and questions its effect on the primacy of the multilateral trading system established under the WTO. The article outlines the essential characteristics of the ECOWAS Treaty and its attendant exemplary success to the region. In doing this, the scope, coverage and purpose of the agreement are analysed to see if it is inconformity with global trends in international trade, especially the dictates of the WTO. The thematic strand that runs through this work is the hypothetical question whether this Treaty is a building block or stumbling block for the WTO.


The joining of bimetallic trinuclear nodes, [(CuL1)2Cd] (where H2L1 = N,N′-bis(α-methylsalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine) by a spacer, 4,4′-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2L2), produced two isomeric one...


In recent years and due to market demand and environmental regulations, firms have been changing their procedures regarding document production, handling, and filling. There has been a paradigm change in document sustention in order to attain such changes, from paper-based to electronic forms, resulting in the Digitization and Paperless Office Program (DPOP). The literature on digitization and paperless processes is profuse; nonetheless, it is outdated, uses only single or multiple case study approaches, and is limited to specific industries, such as healthcare or higher education. To overcome this gap, this research analyses the current implementation of the DPOP in five major sectors by using a country scale approach; consequently, this research study contributes to strengthening the literature in this area of knowledge. The methodology used is quantitative and is based on a questionnaire distributed to the most important economic sectors (education, health, trade, industry, and services) in Portugal. The results show that a DPOP positively impacts companies, as it increases profitability and, in most cases, is a sine qua non condition for negotiating with clients. Additionally, it favours companies' image, reduces costs, and contributes to environmental sustainability. This research provides new insights into how firms using a DPOP may contribute to dematerialization and paper consumption reduction. It is also original as it covers multiple sectors using a country approach.


Objectives To express human TFPI-2 gene in E.coli and get the recombinant protein;to investigate the recombinant activities of antiplasmin and antitumor.Methods (1) Encoding region of mature protein of human TFPI-2 was amplified by PCR.The 645 bp PCR product was cloned into expression vector pET28a and transformed into BL21 strain to get expression.(2)Identifying the DNA segment of TFPI-2 with enzyme digestion and colony PCR and the TFPI-2 fusion protein with western blot respectively.(3)To establish the kinetics assay for detecting the TFPI-2 and test it′s inhibiting plasmin activities.(4)To assess ovarian tumor cell migratory and invasive behaviors with the Boyden chamber in vitro.Results (1)Expression plasmid of recombinant TFPI-2 was constructed and high-level expression of TFPI-2 was produced as fusion protein. (2) The TFPI-2 fusion protein was identified by western blot. (3) Antiplasmin activity of the TFPI-2 was confirmed in the fluid and on the cell surface. (4) In invasion assay, the number of the A2780 and A2780-TFPI-2 groups transferred the Matriged matrix-coated PVPF membrane was obvious decreased compared with that of A2780 group(P0.001),while in migration assay, no significant difference was observed between A2780-TFPI-2 groups and A2780 group(P0.05).Conclusion (1) Prokaryotic expression of TFPI-2 gene was got, which can provide the rich experimental material for investigating the role of TFPI-2 in relative fields; (2)Recombinant TFPI-2 has antiplasmin activity, which provides the experiment basis for investigating the role of recombinant TFPI-2 in human ovarian tumor migration and invasion in vitro; (3) The recombinant TFPI-2 inhibits the invasive ability of human ovarian tumor cells in vitro, but has no effect on the migration, which may provide a target basis for treating human ovarian tumor with TFPI-2 protein therapy.


A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of pruned materials of two hedgerow species on wheat production and soil nutrient changes at different nitrogen levels in the research farm of the BangabandhuShiekhMujiburRahman Agricultural University (BSMARU) during November 2012 to March 2013. The design of the experiment was split plot, where two multipurpose tree species (MPTS) namely Gliricidiasepium and Leucaenaleucocephala were arranged in main plots and five different doses of nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % of recommended dose) with pruned materials were distributed to sub plots. Alley widths of both tree species were 6.0 meter. There were also control plots where full dose of recommended nitrogen was applied but no pruned material (PM) was incorporated. The grain yield of wheat varied significantly by the mean effect of two tree species. The grain yield was statistically similar to Gliricidiasepium (3.63 t ha -1 ) and Leucaenaleucocephala (3.31 t ha -1 ). Interaction of effect tree species and N dose on grain yield was significant. The highest grain yield was found in N100×GS combination (3.93 t ha -1 ) which was statistically similar to N25×GS, N50×GS, N75×GS, N25×LL, N50×LL, N75×LL and N100×LL combinations. The lowest yield was found in N25×C (2.27 t ha -1 ) and N75×C (2.47 t ha -1 ).However growth, yield and yield contributing characters of wheat did not vary much between L. leucocephala and G. sepium.


Supercavitating underwater vehicle uses the supercavitation technology that can reduce dramatically the skin friction drag. The present work focuses on the numerical analysis of the multi-phase flow around the supercavitating underwater vehicle with ventilated cavitation. The governing equations are the Navier-Stokes equations based on the homogeneous mixture model. The governing equation is comprised of the continuity equation for liquid, vapor and non-condensable/exhaust gas phase. The cavitation model uses a new cavitation model which was developed by Merkle(2006). The present work shows that the higher injection of the non-condensable gas induced stronger instability of the ventilated cavity. Comparison between experimental data and numerical analysis with compressible effect, the code has good ability to handle multi-phase cavitating flow, as well as incompressible.


This paper consists of the design studies of fractal DGS microwave filter. Minkowski fractal structure is inserted in different section of a dumbbell shaped DGS and their responses are compared on the basis of roll-off factor, effective capacitance and effective inductance. Then on the basis of this study a low pass filter having cutoff frequency of 5.4 GHz is designed using FFF configuration of Minkowski fractal DGS and its comparison with low pass filter implemented by dumbbell shaped DGS having same substrate area is carried out.


Fantasy: America in the Middle East 1776 to the Present) and on bilateral relations with specific countries (see Rachel Bronson, Thicker than Oil: America's Uneasy Partnership with Saudi Arabia and James A. Bill's much older book, The Eagle and the Lion: The Tragedy and American–Iranian Relations), these works only offer a chapter at best on the Kennedy administration's policies in the region. Summit offers less than that with regard to Iran but significantly more on Egypt and Saudi Arabia (if one includes coverage of the Yemeni Civil War). She also deals with less studied areas such as Lebanon and Kuwait and is more thorough in her discussion of Israel. Summit's book is well written and documented and is useful for U.S. foreign-policy and Middle East specialists, university students, and the general public. The appendix offers a "Cast of Characters" section that is quite informative, yet there is a mistake regarding King Abdullah of Jordan; he was assassinated in 1951, not 1952.


Background: There is a considerably higher prevalence of smoking among schizophrenia patients compared to the general population. Aim: To examine relationships amongst smoking reinforcement indices, cigarette craving, and cognition in patients with schizophrenia and non-psychiatric controls. Methodology: Smoking topography, craving, and cognition was assessed in daily cigarette smokers with (SCZ, n = 15) and without schizophrenia (CON, n = 16). The relationship between these variables was also explored. Results: Smoking behavior did not differ between groups. However, SCZ had higher levels of plasma nicotine and cotinine than CON. Further, relationships between depressive symptoms and nicotine dependence severity were observed in SCZ and not in CON. Conclusions: While topography and craving differences were not observed, SCZ showed biochemical verification of heavier smoking than CON. SCZ and CON also had different motivators for smoking. These findings may have implications for the development of novel smoking cessation strategies for those with schizophrenia.


Employees in post-World War II radio, during its golden age in New Zealand, fell into two camps: the Administrators, who supervised conditions of work; and the Broadcasters (producers, writers and presenters). The former were often ex-military leaders, using authoritarian models of workplace communication or else depressed office workers adhering to a strict Public Service regulations manual. An oral history case study of three-dozen distinguished New Zealand broadcasters identified a common theme - the inappropriate styles of leadership used by administrators. Such management approaches may have been common in radio throughout the British Commonwealth, where non-commercial, state-funded radio was founded on Reith's BBC model. This paper considers a modern style of leadership for creative talent, particularly in the broadcasting environment. It further argues that radio needs new renegades, like those who dared to challenge the constraining practices in earlier decades, to be the saviours of radio as it faces an uncertain and precarious future.


[Objective]To study the key fields of injury intervention on children at the age of 0 to 14 years children in rural areas in Panzhihua,and to provide basis for the following work.[Methods]The surveillance were performed according to the requirement of'The notebook of injury surveillance in China(2005)'. All data was input in Manage Software of Injury Surveillance of China.[Results]The high risk months of injury happened in a year were January,March,April and August. The top 5 causes for injury happened were falls(44.3%),traffic accident(13.8%),blunt force injury(13.2%),animal injury(12.0%)and knife/Sharp-Edged instrument injury. But the main cause of injury was different among sex groups and age groups(P = 0.000). Injury mainly took place in children's home(37.3%),school/public places(24.7%)and road/street(22.9%)and 63.8% of these children we were surveillant injured in the recreation activities. 93.2% of injuries were happened in accidents. Head and the four limbs were the main damaged parts.[Conclusion]Injury is the main factor influencing the physical and mental health of children. Multi-departments cooperation should be taken to carry out pertinent intervention of injury in children.


The building was commissioned by the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust.
It was won in an invited competition .
The original building had fallen into disrepair and was in need of urgent restoration .
A neighbouring baths building was being refurbished by the council so the adjacency of a community /heritage project would be complimentary in function.
The original building was completed in 1878 by Duncan McNaughton and is B listed .
The original stained glass from the building illustrating the trades of Maryhill were to be restored to the building.
Historical and structural analysis was carried out to establish what would be retained and renewed.
The brief was built and tested with the client in order to ensure the accommodation supported the business plan.
The refurbishment of the building provided the following accommodation
• Flexible acoustically balance performance space
• Heritage space
• Cafe
• Nursery
• Recording studios
• Studios and offices
• Courtyard garden
• Garden room
• Meeting spaces
The challenge of the brief was to balance the restoration and reformatting of the listed building with the needs of the community .


The first purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sex and birth-order on the magnitude of expression of "Amae"which was conceptualized by T. Doi (1971). The second purpose was to examine the effects of Amae on interpersonal emotions and the conflict-solution strategies in the hypothetical interpersonal conflict situations. In study I, the measurement scale of Amae developed by Fujihara & Kurokawa (1981) was administrated to 49 male and 67 female university students. Although there found no difference in the total magnitude of Amae between male students and females, Amae expressed toward lovers and intimate friends were greater in females than males. Furthermore, the birth-order had no effect on the individual difference in Amae. However, the last-born subjects expressed greater Amae toward the siblings than the first-born subjects. In study II, 27 male and 82 female subjects were asked to rate the interpersonal-emotion scales and the conflict-solution strategies scales in the six hypothetical interpersonal conflict situations. It were found that the magnitude of Amae had significant effects on the interpersonal emotions and the conflict-solution strategies. These findings were discussed in terms of the theoretical frameworks of the "Amae"proposed by Doi.


Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) enables overlays of semantically-enriched multimedia on video streams of smart phone cameras. These new ways to interact with digital objects via position and 3D movement can be helpful for on-site professional communities. However, current MAR applications lack real-time collaborative features. Moreover, blending multimedia semantics in collaborative MAR is still challenging. In this paper, we present a mobile real-time semantic multimedia-based collaborative system with augmented reality features based on open standards like XMPP and MPEG-7. The prototype system is evaluated in the digital documentation of historical sites for cultural heritage management. The evaluation results indicate increased productivity and awareness within on-site professional communities.


How to prevent effectively credit risk in financial institutions and construct early warning system has always been the top concern in the world.In line with China's actual situation,the paper proposes some suggestions to construct early warning system of credit risk in China's commercial banks based on the early warning system of credit risk set up by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.


The post-harvest damage caused by several pests is a major problem in stored grain product industry. Recently, synthesizing NanoParticles (NPs) with plant extracts act as an alternative approach in reduction of this damage. An attempt was made to synthesize and test the mortality effect of green synthesized silver NanoParticles (AgNPs) with peels extract of sweet orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) (Rutaceae, Sapindales), against the adult tenebrionid beetle Tribolium confusum (Duval). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Five bioassays were conducted by filter-paper residue and feeding methods with different concentrations of both green synthesizing and commercial AgNPs. Results showed that citrus extract by itself was not toxic against beetles, however, the green AgNPs showed 83-77% mortality in filter-paper residue and feeding methods. The impact of commercial AgNPs in both methods led to 75 and 40% mortality. The lowest LC50 and LT50 for green synthesized AgNPs were recorded (30.62 ppm and 9.92 day) for filter-paper residue tests. According to the results, the green silver nanoparticles, showed more efficiency than the commercial ones. This provides an evidence that green synthesized AgNPs have a great potential as an alternative option in stored products pest


Hasan Bedreddin, who was born in Crete and died in Istanbul, is a Turkish intellectual experiencing both despotism and Constitutional Monarchy period of Ottoman Empire, and the first new years of the Republic of Turkey. Hasan Bedreddin, who was a multicultural and multilingual intellectual and who knew the East and the West well, was one of the rare personalities of that period. Lack of civil service life, being a son of an immigrant family, mixing with other Hasan Bedreddin, using pseudonyms in his works and so on. Due to these reasons, sufficient information about his life could not be reached in the sources. He sometimes published his works using pseudonyms and sometimes with his own name. He has published some of his works together with other authors. The author is fifty one works; He is especially famous for his translations of detective novels from Western languages, his books brought about by journalism and popularity, and finally his French-Turkish dictionary was published after his death. In this study, information about the life of Hasan Bedreddin is given; copyright, translation and joint translations are cited together with their bibliographic tags, and finally all the works of the author are listed in chronological order.


Fiber transfer and damage were studied by relayed needle punching laminated T-300 carbon cloth and PAN pre-oxidized fiber web. 15×16×36×3 C222 G73012 hook-fitted needles were used. Results showed that web fibers were carried to z direction by needle hooks,quasi-3D composite fabric construction was made of plate fabric and nail web structure of transfered z direction fibers. Fiber damage in varying degree was exerted by needle punching,espacially that carbon fiber cloth strength was reduced due to fiber damage. With 8/cm2 needle density and 12 mm needle depth, warp tensile power of carbon cloth reduced to 1 440 N from 2 140 N, and weft that to 1 280 N from 1 970 N. Damaged carbon cloth fibers had little transfer in z direction.


Multi-bit-width convolutional neural network (CNN) maintains the balance between network accuracy and hardware efficiency, thus enlightening a promising method for accurate yet energy-efficient edge computing. In this work, we develop state-of-the-art multi-bit-width accelerator for NAS Optimized deep learning neural networks. To efficiently process the multi-bit-width network inferencing, multi-level optimizations have been proposed. Firstly, differential Neural Architecture Search (NAS) method is adopted for the high accuracy multi-bit-width network generation. Secondly, hybrid Booth based multi-bit-width multiply-add-accumulation (MAC) unit is developed for data processing. Thirdly, vector systolic array is proposed for effectively accelerating the matrix multiplications. With vector-style systolic dataflow, both the processing time and logic resources consumption can be reduced when compared with the classical systolic array. Finally, The proposed multi-bit-width CNN acceleration scheme has been practically deployed on FPGA platform of Xilinx ZCU102. Average performance on accelerating the full NAS optimized VGG16 network is 784.2 GOPS, and peek performance of the convolutional layer can reach as high as 871.26 GOPS for INT8, 1676.96 GOPS for INT4, and 2863.29 GOPS for INT2 respectively, which is among the best results in previous CNN accelerator benchmarks.


This paper considers the maintenance of aircraft engine components where economies exist for joint replacement because (a) the aircraft must be pulled from service for maintenance and (b) repair of some components requires removal and disassembly of the engine. It is well known that the joint replacement problem is difficult to solve exactly, because the optimal solution does not have a simple structured form. Therefore, we formulate three easy-to-implement heuristics and test their performance against a lower bound for various numerical examples. One of our heuristics, the base interval approach, in which replacement cycles for all components are restricted to be multiples of a specified interval, is shown to be robustly accurate. Moreover, this heuristic is consistent with maintenance policies used by commercial airlines in which periodic maintenance checks are made at regular intervals. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 45: 435–458, 1998


Abstract Several recent papers have focused on Paul Samuelson and Robert Solow's 1960 article applying the Phillips curve to the US. These interactions have been partly technical in nature, but have also involved discussion of the use of the curve in US policy making and its interpretation. The attention here is on the contribution of Samuelson and Solow's work in light of prior analysis of the US situation by the English economist A. J. Brown. Much of what Samuelson and Solow argue was already understood by Brown, and his empirical analysis was at least as insightful as theirs.


This article mainly studies the relationship between fabric air permeability and downproofness.It is found that fabric air permeability and downproofness are negatively related,meaning that well air permeability indicates poor downproomess whilst poor air penneability shows good downproofness.In addition,it is found that when penneability is less than 30mm/s,downproomess can reach grade 4 or more than grade 4.


Because of the traditional teaching method and model of law science of our country, law stuents are not quite able to practise their knowledge. Therefore, it is imperative to reform law teaching. By applying law creative ability and sense of professional legal morality, our legislation will be changed for the better.


Abstract Mesh adaption is a powerful tool for efficient unstructured-grid computations but causes load imbalance among processors on a parallel machine. We present a novel method called PLUM to dynamically balance the processor workloads with a global view. This paper describes the implementation and integration of all major components within our dynamic load balancing strategy for adaptive grid calculations. Mesh adaption, repartitioning, processor assignment, and remapping are critical components of the framework that must be accomplished rapidly and efficiently so as not to cause a significant overhead to the numerical simulation. A data redistribution model is also presented that predicts the remapping cost on the SP2. This model is required to determine whether the gain from a balanced workload distribution offsets the cost of data movement. Results presented in this paper demonstrate that PLUM is an effective dynamic load balancing strategy which remains viable on a large number of processors.


Objectives: To determine the effect of 7 days tactile kinesthetic stimulation (TKS) on preterm infants' weight and hospital stays in Khartoum State, Sudan. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study, it was conducted in 4 hospitals between January and June 2013, Khartoum, Sudan, and it involved 160 preterm infants randomly assigned into the case and control groups (80 neonates in each). Preterm infants in the control group received routine nursing care, while preterm infants in the case group received TKS for 3 periods, 15 minute per day for 7 constitutive days, in addition to routine care. Data was collected using a structured self-designed and validated questionnaire, checklist, and weighting scale. Weight gain and hospital stay were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Over the constitutive 7 days, the case group gained significantly more weight (1071gm versus 1104gm) compared with the control group (1077gm versus 1084gm) (1084.55±90.74) who gained only 6.9gm within the same 7 days without TKS treatment. The mean difference in weight gain was significant (p=0.00). The hospital stay for preterm infants in the case group was significantly shorter (18.05±9.36 versus 25.47±10.25; p=0.00). Conclusion: Tactile kinesthetic stimulation for preterm infants has a beneficial effect on weight gain and earlier discharge from hospital, which are sequentially efficient and cost effective.


Nearly one third of Indian population constitutes SC and ST. Almost all belong to poor family, and in remote area so they are unable to participate in development program. They are still lying below poverty level. As compared to SC , ST are far behind in education as well as social activities and development. The reason may have several problems and they should be identified and it is differ in both the caste. This paper tries to put their education status and factors affecting to pursue the education. Education plays the vital role through aims and habits and culture sustains from generation to generation. It is the process through which the society deliberately transmits its collected knowledge, skill and value form generation to generation. With the knowledge and skill level of education extended and contributes to increase in national productivity. One who is having good education he can accumulate skill, knowledge which will be beneficial to their society. Article 45 of Indian constitution declares the state endeavor to provide free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age fourteen. Article 46 expresses the specific aim to promote with special care the educational and economic interest of SC and ST.


6007 Background: The relationship between early undetectable plasma EBV DNA after intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for NPC and long-term survival remains unclear. Early post-IMRT undete...


Abstract This paper argues that the Chinese Communist Party's 1981 official definition of the "Cultural Revolution" was a gross distortion of historical reality. In presenting the "Cultural Revolution" mainly as one of power struggle among the ruling elite, the official version denies that there were serious conflicts within society. It also covers up the fact that a main thrust of the violence in 1966–69 was directed against what the Rebel Red Guards called "the bureaucratic class" or the "red capitalist class". The re‐periodization of the "Cultural Revolution" from three years (1966–69) to ten years (1966–76) was a conscious attempt to try to obfuscate what actually happened in the years from 1966 to 1969. By manipulating historical facts, even today the CCP is able to continue to suppress members of the Rebel Faction, who had led in challenging the ruling authorities in the Sixties. The last major suppression of rebels took place in the mid‐Eighties in the political campaign to "Weed Out the Three Type...


Since the 90s, the system of family has lost its self-evidence, and become subject to questions in various dimensions. Especially, the family as a stabilized community based on blood and unchanged love has been deconstructed or is placed in crisis. With this as subject matter, there have appeared several juvenile novels exploring new family ethics. This study pays attention to Lee Geum-i's the Bamti Town Trilogy, Choi Na-mi's A Thirteen Year Old Loaded with Concerns and Mother's 40th birthday among others. We can name these works 'high family juvenile stories' as they figure the changing realities of family and contain reflection on family and family members. From the omniscient viewpoint, Lee's the Bamti Town Trilogy well figures the course in which the stepmother is recognized as a true mother by all of the family members. Especially, it is one of its merits to deconstruct the myth of 'Cinderella's stepmother,' which reflects children's fear of stepmother. However, in acceptance of the traditional features of mother, this work dissolves individual family members into the family. After all, it does not deviate much from the familiar framework of family tale, called Ga-Hwa-Man-Sa-Seong (家和萬事成). Choi's A Thirteen Year Old Loaded with Concerns is focused on the main character who lives with his mother and sister after his father left home, and her Mother's 40th birthday on the hero who worries in the conflict between his father and mother who does not care for her sick grandmother in law but resume their own jobs. Both of the two works put up first person narrators who are in the 6th grade of elementary school to emphasize that they form their own independent world even in conflicts. These two works are closer to the concept of high family juvenile stories with the background of family realities as they put greater importance on individual members' agonies than on the entire family's.


Polycarbonate makers General Electric and Bayer have signed a letter of intent to form a 50-50 joint venture that will accelerate the two companies' separate efforts to replace glass automobile windows with plastic. The two corporate giants see a window of opportunity in the $6 billion worldwide market for automotive glazing if they can improve the abrasion resistance of polycarbonate. Improving coatings technology is key to improving polycarbonate's scratch resistance, says Mark Whitman, direaor of plastics technology at Bayer and soon to be the new venture's vice president of technology. The partners will work on coatings technology such as GE's inorganic plasma coating and a Bayer technique to embed microscopic ceramic particles in an elastomeric siloxane coating. The two partners plan a collective investment of $40 million over the next few years in coatings technology and advanced manufacturing techniques. About 60 staffers from GE and Bayer will initially join the new venture company, ...


An overview on the fire performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials and FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) members is presented. Results from an experimental and numerical research program investigating the behavior of these types of members are briefly reviewed. Data from experimental studies are used to show that the fire behavior of FRP-wrapped concrete columns, using an appropriate fire protection system, is as good as that of unstrengthened RC columns. Preliminary guidelines for fire resistant design of FRPstrengthened systems are provided based on rational consideration of expected loads during fire. Finally, a case study is presented illustrating the application of these preliminary guidelines for achieving the required fire resistance ratings in FRP-strengthened concrete members.


Little data exist on prostate cancer (PCa) risk associated with exposure to monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs), although several of them are classified as definite or possible car-cinogens to humans. We examined PCa risk in relation to life-time occupational exposure to benzene, toluene, xylene and styrene in a population-based case-control study in Montreal, Canada. cases diagnosed with £ population controls frequency-matched detailed work histories dur-ing Chemists evaluated certainty, frequency and each held using semi-quantitative indicators. Logistic regres-sion was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for PCa risk, adjusting for several potential confounders. subset of recently screened for PCa. Our results that high and level of exposure to benzene, xylene or styrene may increase the risk of non-aggressive PCa.


Jean-Marc Dewaele is Reader in French and Applied Linguistics at Birkbeck, University of London. He has published on psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, pragmatic and psychological aspects of SLA. He is also interested in the complex interplay between multilingualism and emotions. He is member of the Executive Committees of EUROSLA, where he is treasurer, the International Association of Multilingualism and AILA, where he is Research Network Coordinator.


Measurements of luminosity at SPEAR, which were performed at different operational conditions of the storage ring are shown and discussed. The parameters varied are: the current in both beams, the minimum betatron amplitude functions at the collision point, the energy and the vertical betatron frequencies. As a result of these measurements we found that the maximum achievable luminosity is much higher than predicted by the incoherent beam-beam limit using ?v = 0.025. We also found that the maximum achievable luminosity is a strong function of the betatron frequencies. After computing the largest linear tuneshifts, we found that the quarter resonance seems to be the limiting effect for beam-beam collision.


Central governments are influencing the location of metal mines and processing units and their resultant international trade flows. They are doing so through a combination of special arrangements--export performance requirements and develop-for-import commitments--and linked special incentives to encourage fulfilling their commitments. These special incentives--subsidies, tax and investment credits and import entitlments--interfere with the orderly functioning of international market forces, just as more direct quotas and subsidies. Because many central governments apply export performance requirements on a case-by-case basis, without publicity, it is nearly impossible to estimate the share of world trade in metals currently subject to export performance requirements and their related incentives. Develop-for-import commitments, on the other hand, are publicized. The share of world trade in metals covered by develop-for-import commitments can be estimated. As export performance requirements are complemented with special incentives so too are develop-for-import commitments. Those willing to undertake develop-for-import ventures receive subsidized credits and loans. The share of metal trade covered by develop-for-import commitments is still a minor part of world trade, but if current trends continue, the share will rise significantly. The combined effect of export performance requirements and develop-for-import arrangements is to diminish the portion of metals trade responsive to international market forces.more » In other words, international trade in metals is becoming less competitive day by day as subsidies and subsidy-like incentives distort and blunt the free play of international market forces to serve the needs of central governments.« less


The World Happiness Report is a landmark survey of the state of global happiness. The World Happiness Report 2018, ranks 156 countries by their happiness levels, and 117 countries by the happiness of their immigrants. The main focus of this year's report, in addition to its usual ranking of the levels and changes in happiness around the world, is on migration within and between countries. The overall rankings of country happiness are based on the pooled results from Gallup World Poll surveys from 2015-2017, and show both change and stability.


Sensor clusters (aka sensor networks) are interesting because of the role they play in distributed data collection. Conventionally, a sensor network designer had to worry about getting data from the sensors to a processing application. This paper argues that dedicated data collection networks are better suited to this data collection task. Like the sensor clusters they support, data collection networks are designed to run for years. Together, the sensor clusters and data collection network form a system that must overcome temporal obstacles that are not considered in today's networking infrastructure. These temporal issues are now revealed only because sensor networks are being designed to run embedded in buildings, pavement, and other "permanent" structures. This paper focuses on the issues involved in building and maintaining a data collection network. The goal is for a sensor designer to simply activate a new sensor cluster and have data collection "just work"; data generated from this cluster should be automatically relayed and distributed to data processing applications. This paper presents the temporal issues facing data collection networks and design suggestions to overcome these problems. We present the initial design of a prototype data collection network that we are building.


This paper presents parametric studies on creep-fatigue endurance of the steel AISI type 316N(L) weldments defined as types 1, 2 and 3 according to R5 Vol. 2/3 Procedure classification at 550C. The study is implemented using the Linear Matching Method (LMM) and based upon previously developed creep fatigue evaluation procedure considering time fraction rule. Several geometrical configurations of weldments with individual parameter sets, representing different fabrication cases, are developed. For each of configurations, the total number of cycles to failure N* in creep-fatigue conditions is assessed numerically for different loading cases. The obtained set of N* is extrapolated by the analytic function dependent on normalised bending moment˜M, dwell period Dt and geometrical parameters. Proposed function for N* shows good agreement with numerical results obtained by the LMM. Therefore, it is used for the identification of Fatigue Strength Reduction Factors (FSRFs) intended for design purposes and dependent on proposed variable parameters.


Soil enzymatic activities have drawn a lot attentions from researchers worldwide because they can serve as the assessing measure on soil quality,agrotechnical efficiency,and changing index of soil quality.In this experiment,the activities of soil enzymes(including catalase,urease,and neutral phosphatase) and their correlations with soil physical-chemical properties were studied of seven alpine grassland types,e.g.Rhododendrons simsii Planch.brushland(DJ),Salix cupularis Rehd.brushland(GL),Dasiphora fruticosa(L.) Rydb.brushland(JL),Polygonum viviparum L.grassland(ZY),gramineous steppe(HC),swamp grassland(ZZ),and Kobresia capillifolia(Decne.) C.B.Clarke grassland(SC),in the Eastern Qilian Mountains areas of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in order to understand their ecological distribution characteristics and its relationship to soil properties.The results show that the activities of soil catalase,urease and neutral phosphatase were different among sampling sites and varied from 0.37 to 0.49 mL·g-1 min-1、0.24 to 0.42 mg·g-1 24 h-1,and 1.14 to 3.03 mg·g-1,espectively.The urease activity and neutral phosphatase activity at upper soil layer were higher than those at the lower layer.Soil catalase activity and neutral phosphatase activity at grassland were higher than those at brushland,but the soil urease activity was opposite.Soil enzymatic activity showed differently significant correlation with soil water content,bulk density,pH value,microbial biomass carbon,microbial biomass nitrogen,and microbial biomass phosphorus at different sampling sites.For example,soil urease activity had significantly negative correlation with soil water content and pH value at 0.05 or 0.01 levels at ZY,ZZ and SC,but no significant correlation at other grassland types with disagreement between JL and ZZ which had approximate quantity of soil organic matter.Therefore,taking soil urease activity as the soil fertility index has its limitation.


An algorithm addressing geometrical plus material non linear analysis of 2D structural elements is developed. It employs corototaional formulation to address geometrical non linearity. Material non linearity is incorporated through numerical integration across the volume of the element. Thereafter unintentional material uncertainties are addressed in probabilistic manner through Monte Carlo simulations. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm at various is validated through examples from previous literature. The probabilistic statistics for the ultimate load capacity are presented. Addressing structural nonlinearities making an allowance for the unavoidable uncertainties in a corototional probabilistic fashion used herein is the most innovative approach.


Leading articles: The dissolution of the Multifibre Agreement and development perspectives in the textile and garment industry in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan, by Ndiame Diop. Health sector study in Tunisia, by M. Sameh El-Saharty. Hydrocarbons in Africa: challenges and perspectives, excerpted from a speech by M. Theodore Ahlers at the 10th Conference on Business and Petroleum Financing in Africa, held in Algiers, April 2006. In-service training contracts: a reform opening important doors, by M. Jalal Charaf. The World Bank presents the results of an evaluation of the credit environment in Morocco, by Pauline Aranda and Eric Haythorne.


Two groups of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) were experimentally infected orally with doses of 9.5 x10 7 and 9.5 x10 9 CFU/mL (group A and B, respectively) of a Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) strain isolated from chickens. None of the used doses caused mortality of the inoculated birds; however, the pathogen was successfully recovered from the liver and spleen of group B birds on day 7 post-inoculation (dpi). Pathogen shedding, as evaluated through cloacal swabs, occurred in both groups until the 14 th day of observation (p <0.05). Among all fecal samples collected from group B (n=4), three different birds shed the pathogen in their feces, out of which two were positive on 3 dpi and one on 7 dpi. The same number of fecal samples was evaluated in group A and only one bird shed the pathogen, on 7 and 14 dpi. The concentration of the microorganism in the feces was lower in group A than any sample from Group B. Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from chickens, when inoculated in pigeons, may be recovered from feces, cloacal swabs and organs, and these birds may contaminate poultry causing economic losses as well as posing a risk to the public health.


A questionnaire was mailed to participants in a scientific project on the molecular oncology of bladder cancer to evaluate the participants' satisfaction with the information procedure as required by the Helsinki Deklaration and the Danish Law on a Scientific Ethical Committee System. Of the 584 questionnaires sent 73% were returned. Ninety percent of the respondents were satisfied with the written and 85% with the oral information given before entering the study. Seventy-six percent were satisfied with the timing of the information, and 83% (bladder cancer group) or 73% (control group, BPH' patients) were satisfied with the length of time, given for consideration on entering the study. Very few patients had felt any pressure to participate in the scientific project. Most patients were willing to participate in other scientific studies, and the majority of patients favoured the creation of tissue banks.


The present invention relates to a digital file sharing process among multiple computers. The method comprises: • a step (50) for generating a public cryptographic key and a private cryptographic key, • a step (52) for transmitting said public cryptographic key, • a step (54) for storing said private cryptographic key, • a step (56) for generating a third cryptographic key, • a step (58) for applying a symmetric encryption algorithm, an encrypted digital file being obtained at the end of this stage application, • a step (62) for downloading at least one public cryptographic key, • a step (64) for applying an asymmetric encryption algorithm, a set of encrypted data being obtained at the end of this application stage, • a step (67) of transmission of encrypted digital file and all encrypted data.


In the first half of 1993, a survey was carried out in the Czech Republic with detailed questions of reproduction related to women's health. This research could be realized only owing to support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA). The questionnaire covered a broad spectrum of questions on pregnancy and delivery, knowledge and usage of contraceptives, mother and infant health care, the sexual life and contraceptive use of young women (15-24 years old), women's health status, the knowledge of and attitudes toward problems of parenthood, knowledge of HIV/AIDS, as well as socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. 3-stage random sampling (cluster sample) was applied in order to obtain representative results for even small areas. In a total of 12,747 households selected, there were 4870 women 15-44 years old, of whom 4497 were interviewed. 64% were married, and 3% were living in consensual union. 18% of the women had elementary education and 8% were attending secondary schools. 31% were Roman Catholics and 5% indicated other religions. According to 1992 data, the total fertility rate was a relatively high 1.72 in the country. 69% of married and previously married women were not currently using any type of contraception (75% of couples with 2 or 3 children and 29% of those without children). The use of contraception was more prevalent among educated women. Of all women 18.5% used coitus interruptus, 15.3% used condoms, 11.5% used IUDs, 7.7.% used oral contraceptives, and 1.9% were sterilized. Among those who had 4 or more children, 27% were sterilized. Among girls 17 years of age more than half had had sexual experience, while among 18-year-old girls 87% did. Over 90% used coitus interruptus or the condom during the first intercourse. Only 8 women (less than 1%) out of 1374 studied who gave birth after January 1, 1988, stated that during their pregnancy they did not obtain prenatal care. Rates of smoking during pregnancy were 20-23% in all and up to 32% of single women. There was fairly good knowledge of HIV/AIDS, particularly in Prague.


To collect information on possible impacts of a nuclear power plant on the formation of the genetic structure of the population of perch as an intensively exploited fish species, an investigation into the scope of intraspecific genetic diversity of a rapidly changing mtDNA D-loop region of perch was initiated. We determined the partial D-loop sequences for 173 perch specimens representing populations of Drūksiai, Plateliai and Metelys lakes as well as Nemunas Delta, Neris River, Curonian Lagoon and Baltic Sea coastal area. A total of 22 different haplotypes of which 12 could be found only in perch populations dwelling in Lithuania were determined. It should be noted that the Lake Drūksiai perch population distinguished by abundance of unique haplotypes: of eight determined haplotypes four were characteristic only of this particular water body. In a neighbour-joining tree constructed based on KXY coefficients, inter-populational perch phylogenetic relationships were disclosed and close genetic relationship...


With the development of technological innovation and global economic integration, high-tech enterprises across the world have formed numerous innovation ecosystems with similar natural ecological characteristics. As a result, competition has shifted from single enterprise to supply chain network, and ultimately, to innovation ecosystem, which involves more participants and roles across multiple industries. The current study distinguished two innovation capabilities (internal innovation potential and collaborative open innovation), and two sources of innovation capabilities (internal integration and external integration) along with discussing the specific relationships among integration activities, innovation capabilities, and Hi-tech SMEs' financing performance. It further explored how interactions between within and cross firm-boundary activities and collaboration exert influence on SMEs' financing performance and manifested the importance of external collaborative networks to the competitiveness of SMEs.


Introduction The combined incidence of anatomic (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasties (rTSA) in the US is 90,000 per annum and rising. There has been little attention given to potential ...


The pig farming in the hilly districts of North Eastern Region including Dima Hasao district of Assam is a household traditional activity. It is also a dividend paying secondary source of income. The study was conducted in the district among 100 pig farmers in two different blocks namely Jatinga Valley Development Block and Diyungbra ITDP Block based on distance from the headquarters and higher pig population. A pre-tested reliable and valid interview schedule was used to get the responses. The study revealed that majority i.e. 78, 68 and 80 per cent of the respondents in Block I, Block II and pooled sample were in medium category of perception of problems relating to rearing of pigs. When specifically studied, it was revealed that high cost of computed feed at 88, 98 and 93 per cent and expensive nature of medicines and vaccines at 80, 98 and 89 per cent in Block I, Block II and pooled sample were the major hindrance in pig rearing. The present status demands scientific intervention from technical personnel of extension agencies like KVKs.


This guide has been created for students enrolled in the Gabelli Integrated Project 1 course. It is designed to be used with the "Integrated Project Guide" and the "IP1 Research Suggestions" handouts that are loaded on the IP1 course Blackboard page. This guide is created for students participating in the Gabelli Integrated Project Competition


Abstract Freeze casting is a promising technique to fabricate porous materials with complex pore shapes and component geometries. This review is aimed to elaborate the fundamental principles of the porous microstructure evolution and critical factors that influence the fundamental physics involved in freeze casting of particulate suspensions. The discussion separately analyses homogeneous and directional freeze casting for both aqueous and non-aqueous systems. The effects of additives, freezing conditions, suspension solids loading and particle size on pore shape, size and morphology evolution are discussed. Special techniques based on modified freeze casting, such as freeze tape casting, double sided freeze casting and field directed freeze casting, are also included.


High repetition rate ultra-short optical pulse trains from an asynchronous rational harmonic mode-locked (ARHML) Er-fiber laser are experimentally demonstrated and studied. This new laser exhibits obvious advantages of pulse amplitude equalization when compared to conventional rational harmonic mode-locked fiber lasers.


Heat from friction, combustion, compression, electrical resistance or hysteresis are basic physics principles. The proper heat or cold and the effective transfer of heat is critical in processing. The loss of wanted heat or cold, or the presence or generation of unwanted heat can be detrimental to both equipment and efficiencies. The detection, surveillance and measurement of heat and/ or heat transfer can play an important part in plant maintenance and operations. Effective observation of temperatures and temperature differentials without extensive instrumentation, or under near-impossible conditions due to accessibility, is easy to deal with through thermal imaging. A knowledge and record of temperatures throughout your plant equipment and processes can and will pinpoint maintenance and process or operations problems when properly understood and applied.


Renewable and degradable lubricant derived from vegetable oil gets more and more attention.The application and the major processing methods of vegetable oil-based synthesis lubricant and the progress both in China and abroad are summarized.It is expected to provide reference information to our vegetable oil-based synthesis lubricant.


Aim To investigate the expression of CD44v6 in primary hepatic carcinoma tissue. Methods Expression of CD44v6 in primary hepatic carcinoma tissue from 69 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma were detected using S-P immunohistochemical technique.Results The positive-expression rate of CD44v6 in primary hepatic carcinoma tissue was 59.4%. The positive-expression rate of CD44v6 in primary hepatic carcinoma tissue with metastasis was 76.3%(29/38), which higher than that in primary hepatic carcinoma tissue without metastasis, CD44v6 positive-expression was remarkably related with the metastasis in primary hepatic carcinoma (P0.005). The positive-expression of CD44v6 wasn't related with the size of tumor, level of AFP, HBSAg, sex, age, stage of tumor. but it was related with metastasis of tumor. Conclusion The CD44v6 are significantly related to the metastasis of liver cancer,over-expression of CD44v6 were significant for predicting metastasis of primary hepatic carcinoma.


Purpose: While diagnosis and treatment are the major focus for SLPs, professional roles are expanding to include preventative related services with the elderly. Evidence exists as to the effects of preventative cognitive training (CT), yet few studies have examined viable models for SLP implementation. The purpose of this feasibility study was to compare group and individual CT programs delivered in a university based speech and hearing clinic.
Method: Forty-eight adults, between the ages of 68-92 years-old were assigned to individual or group based conditions in which they received sixteen hours of CT, implemented by an SLP and graduate student clinicians. Cognitive, memory, language, visuospatial and other skills were trained. Formal and informal, pre-post and 12-week follow-up measures were administered. Function and Satisfaction surveys were administered to determine participant perceptions of functional outcomes.
Results: Participants in both CT conditions demonstrated pre-post training gains, although individually trained seniors made more significant improvements than group trained seniors on specific formal measures. The amount of pre to post gain on all assessment measures was similar between groups. Improvements in test scores were maintained at 12-week follow-up testing intervals by both groups. Survey results indicated high satisfaction with CT, although differences were found in perceptual outcomes between groups.
Conclusions: Whereas individual participants yielded more significant effects, the Group condition also represents an effective and efficient model for prevention related services with elderly populations, as demonstrated by pre-post training effects and participant satisfaction responses. Clinical training applications for CT implementation in a university training setting are discussed.


The mechanism of flocculation of clay suspensions in various conditions of interaction with humic and fulvic acids has been investigated using a radioactively labelled cationic polyelectrolyte. It was found that the presence of organic matter in solution or as a complex on the mineral clay particle surface inhibits the process of flocculation. Therefore large doses of flocculant are necessary to produce conditions favorable for complete reaction. Most surface waters and reclaimed wastewater contain colloidally dispersed minerals together with organic substances in dissolved or colloidal form. The organicswhich may originate from soil, vegetable matter, or contamination by domestic and industrial wastesmay be objectionable for many uses and interfere with water-treatment processes. Fulvic acids are the major component1' 2 of these natural organic materials, which also contain humic and hymathomelanic acids. These compounds are formed by the breakdown of vegetable matter and resynthesis in the soil.3 They are composed of high-molecular-weight substances that display polyanionic characteristics in neutral or alkaline solution. Research has shown that these compounds inhibit flocculation; thus large doses of polycationic flocculant are necessary for good clarification.4' 5 The mechanism of flocculation in aqueous dispersions containing organic matter was investigated in a controlled, synthetic system. The latter consisted of aqueous suspensions of reference clay minerals, which were observed under different conditions of interaction with humic and fulvic acids in fixed concentration ratios. These clay-acid mixes were treated with a cationic polyelectrolyte. The present paper summarizes the research on flocculation processes in the presence of organic matter and describes the mechanism of these processes. To facilitate the study, a specially prepared, radioactively labelled cationic polyelectrolyte was used.


The first chapter of «Eugene Onegin» in the 1825 edition is analysed in relation to both the author''s prosaic preface and the poetic prologue «Conversation of the bookseller with the poet». The article revisits the traditional understanding of the protagonist of Pushkin''s poetic novel as an antipoetic character.


Asthma is a serious public health problem. It is estimated that ∼ 26 million people have asthma, and it accounts for nearly 2 million emergency department visits per year.[1][1] Asthma exacerbations are characterized by episodes of progressively worsening dyspnea, coughing, wheezing, and chest


This article presents the results of experimental studies on the use of Chlorella microalgae for wastewater treatment from the most common mineral pollutants. The influence of the mineral pollutants, namely anions HSO3- , NO3 - , H2PO4 - on the dynamics of wastewater treatment has been established. Analytical dependences of microalgae biomass growth rate depending on pollutant concentration HSO3- , NO3 - , H2PO4 - and are obtained. The values of biomass growth coefficients at the corresponding pollutant concentrations are determined. Based on the obtained experimental research results, mathematical models have been constructed that allow predicting the maximum values of mineral pollutants concentrations at which effective wastewater treatment by chlorophyllsynthesizing microalgae is possible. The technological scheme of wastewater treatment from mineral pollutants and the mechanism of the obtained application biomass are proposed.


The utility model discloses a compact type GLCC separating and supercharging device. The compact type GLCC separating and supercharging device is characterized by comprising a GLCC separator, wherein the GLCC separator comprises a beveling tube and a perpendicular tube, the upper end of the perpendicular tube is provided with a gas outlet, the lower end of the perpendicular tube is provided with a liquid outlet, the gas outlet is communicated with the upper portion of a supercharging buffer tank, the liquid outlet is communicated with the lower portion of the supercharging buffer tank, a wellhead assembly is arranged at an opening of the upper end of the supercharging buffer tank, the lower end of the supercharging buffer tank is sealed, and an electric submersible pump used for supercharging is arranged in the supercharging buffer tank. The compact type GLCC separating and supercharging device has the advantages that gas-liquid separation is completed under the sea, separated gas and liquid are conveyed to an offshore platform or an oil and gas treatment station, slug flow is avoided, the structure is simple and compact, and cost is low.


In the paper there are presented several variants of fodder crops mixtures (alfalfa,Alexandria clover, orchard grass and hybrid ryegrass), aiming to increase the fodderproduction per unit area.It can be observed that in the years when spring sowing is done, the yield ismodest.At the mixtures consisting of alfalfa and orchard grass, with hybrid ryegrass added,the ratio between the pasture's components is not influencing significantly the yield.The gradually disappearance of the Alexandria clover at the mixture made of alfalfaand Alexandria clover was not influencing the alfalfa yield over the next years.


The tobacco seedlings were cultured by the hydroponics to study the effect of Cu2+stress on its growth and development.The results showed that the proline and protein content of leaves of tobacco seedlings treated with less than 0.5 mg/L Cu2+stress decreased and its root activity increased within 15 d and the proline content of tobacco seedlings increased and the root activity and protein content decreased after 30 d.The proline content of leaves of tobacco seedlings treated with more than 1 mg/L Cu2+stress increased and its root activity decreased within 15 d.The damage degree of tobacco seedlings treated with Cu2+stress rised with increase of Cu2+concentration.


The invention Chitosan - relates to anti-microbial wound dressing, and a manufacturing method using the nano-particles. Chitosan and is prepared with the step of drying the coating on the wound dressing is to release the nanoparticles gradually on the wound dressing is an excellent sustained release properties.


The article substantiates the need to use certain technological schemes of treatment and structures of treatment plants depending on the volume, dynamics of the chemical composition and degree of the drainage flowpollution, priority polluting components as well as the requirements and restrictions on the quality of the treated water to meetthe regulatory requirements for its intra-system reuse for irrigation, and to reduce the negative impact on natural reservoirs and rivers during water disposal. Based on the analysis of the information material and practical research results of leading industry institutes, latest developments of wastewater treatment plants, there are presented options for using certain designs of sorption-filtering units in technologies for improving the quality of drainage-waste water as a part of local treatment facilities of irrigation and drainage systems of the Non-chernozem zone of the Russian Federation and their main technical characteristics. Formulas are given for calculating basic technological parameters, as well as the composition of the sorption material providing a cleaning effect of 85 to 90-98% and a simplification of the cleaning method by using local natural raw material. There is proposed an engineering-design solution for increasing the efficiency of sorption-filtering treatment plants as part of irrigation and drainage systems by ensuring a uniform interaction of drainage water with the whole mass of sorption-filtering loading by equalizing the dynamic pressure of the drainage water flow on the filtering material.


Background: Adhesion to endothelial cells and migration of leukocytes to the tumor site, on the one hand, and tumor dissemination and metastasis, on the other hand, are closely associated with the upregulation of different adhesion molecules. Divergent reports of adhesion molecule expression in various malignomas show the need for carcinoma-specific characterization in this field. Such knowledge is necessary for the development of clinical useful substances. Patients and Methods: 4 adhesion molecules (GMP-140, ELAM-1, VCAM-1, ICAM-1) which characterize the time course on endothelial cells during adhesion and transmigration were used to define the situation in 9 HNSCC and 5 control specimens by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the expression of LFA-1, LFA-3, and VLA-4 on mononuclear cells was investigated. Results: In tumor patients a significant increase of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 – typical proponents of the prolonged phase of inflammation – occurred, while expression of the early phase molecules, GMP-140 (P-selectin) and ELAM-1 (E-selectin), was comparable to controls. VLA-4 (ligand of VCAM-1) immunoreactivity appeared to be significantly higher in the tumor, whereas LFA-1 and LFA-3 staining remained similar compared to control specimens. In addition, tumor cells themselves expressed adhesion molecules: VLA-4, ICAM-1, and LFA-3. A large proportion of tumor-infiltrating T cells were shown to be of the memory type (CD45-RO+). Characterization of macrophages showed a slight increase in the number of mature (25F9+) macrophages. Conclusions: Our results present an upregulation in cases of theVCAM-1/VLA-4 and ICAM-1/LFA-1. In addition, the dominating number of CD45-RO+ memory lymphocytes, associated with high numbers of VLA-4+ lymphocytes and mainly mature macrophages, is – for the most parts – typical for chronic inflammation. The expression of certain adhesion molecules by tumor cells may exert an influence on their spreading characteristics.