The traditional single-phase cascaded H-bridge converter (CHBC) can not be used for three-phase high-voltage applications directly, thus a novel topology of three-phase-bridge (3P-Bridge) cascaded PWM converter is proposed and its basic cell is a 3P-Bridge. Its construction idea is analyzed and the currents and power expressions are derived. The proposed topology in this paper can not only be operated as a rectifier but also an inverter. One-cycle control (OCC) and CPS-PWM are employed for their simulation research separately. Simulation results verify the feasibility of the proposed 3P-Bridge cascaded converter and show that the proposed topology can improve the voltage level, and comparing with the traditional single-phase CHBC, it can reduce the number of switches and DC capacitors (or separated DC sources), and the voltage ripple at DC side is smaller. So the proposed 3P-Bridge cascaded converter has better prospect in three-phase high-voltage applications.


BORGES, R.C.; COSTA, M. da C.R.; SANTOS, G.A. dos; AMARAL SOBRINHO, N.M.B. do; OLIVEIRA, C. de; MAZUR, N. Cadmium concentration in soil, water, plants and sediments in rural areas close to lead recycling facility at Paraiba Valley SP. Revista Universidade Rural: Serie Ciencias da Vida, Seropedica, RJ: EDUR, v.24, n.1, p. 45-50, jan.jun., 2003. One evaluated the levels of contamination for cadmium in the soil, water, plants and sediments of areas under influence of an industry in the Valley of the Paraiba of the South, in Cacapava (SP), relating these levels with ambient characteristics. It was verified that the fertile valley areas had greater accumulation of this element. The places with predominance of the geomorfologic unit biggest declivity had the biggest cadmium concentrations. The concentrations of this element, in leves for the areas of bigger level of contamination, were in the considered level critical. The concentrations in the fluvial sediments very had been raised, mainly, in the points collected to the ebb tide of fill with earth it of residues of the industry.


A house is an essential human factor. A housing market is formed by the demand and supply of houses. A global housing market fluctuates by each country's policies and situations. Because of the various social, cultural and economic aspects affecting complexity, it is difficult to analyze the factors affecting the housing market. Consequently, in this paper, we analyze several housing market factors using the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method. Variables of importance were found to include: the aging population, purchasing power, population growth, house prices, and youth unemployment. In this paper, we determine the issues that need to be addressed to revitalize the housing market the entire world; the results can be used to assist in the development of national policy.


Background : Oesophageal acid neutralization with antacids depends on the duration of oesophageal antacid exposure and acid neutralizing capacity. A gum that releases antacid as it is chewed could take advantage of both mechanisms to enhance heartburn relief.


The Author considers the occurring changes to modernizing system of increasing to qualifications. Aktualiziruet improvement of the economic culture of the teachers art. Analyses essence of the economic culture, her(its) place in the general culture of the personalities. Concentrates attention on positive influence педагогики art in shaping the economic culture учащихся, founded on общечеловеческих value.


The structural optimization under random load is dealt in the form of non-linear optimization with stochastic performance measures. The analysis considers the effect of randomness in the earthquake load only, considering other parameters as deterministic. But uncertainty is inevitable in any structural system. The primary objective of present study is to propose a robust optimization strategy in the framework of adaptive response surface method for linear dynamic system characterized by parameter uncertainties subjected to stochastic earthquake load. Essentially, the proposed formulation becomes two-criterion equivalent deterministic optimization problem, where the weighted sum of the mean and variance of desired objective is optimized. The associated stochastic constraints are derived by imposing a limit on failure probability. To avoid repeated evaluations of complex dynamic responses and their sensitivities, the adaptive response surface based approximation method is used to obtain the stochastic constraint of the related optimization problem. The formulation is elucidated by optimizing a three-storied concrete frame. The numerical results are presented to study the differences in optimum solutions obtained by the conventional and adaptive response surface method. The robust optimization results are compared with the results of stochastic optimization with deterministic system parameters to study the effect of parameter uncertainty.


Namiko Kunimoto on Ming Tiampo and Alexandra Munroe, eds., Gutai: Splendid Playground, and the exhibition Gutai: Splendid Playground, Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2013; Sarah Betzer on Margaret Iversen and Stephen Melville, Writing Art History: Disciplinary Departures; Noah Simblist on Meg McLagan and Yates McKee, eds., Sensible Politics: The Visual Culture of Nongovernmental Activism, and Ariella Azoulay, Civil Imagination: A Political Ontology of Photography; and Stephanie Schwartz on Steve Edwards, Martha Rosler: The Bowery in Two Inadequate Descriptive Systems


This paper discusses a method of establishing unified technique capability standard for software evaluation laboratory. It focuses on setting up a quantitatively mapping relation between software quality metric model and software testing model, and centralizes two factual technique capability standards now in software evaluation laboratory into one body, finally considers ISO/IEC 9126 standard as the unified technique capability standard for software evaluation laboratory.


Objective We hypothesised that the airway resistance during tidal breathing would correlate with a particular pattern of increasing obesity, particularly when supine, and would differ between participants with and without ventilatory failure. Methods In our cross-sectional cohort study, 72 morbidly obese patients (40 males, 32 females, mean body mass index (BMI) 47.2) had measurements of both airways resistance (by impulse oscillometry (IOS)) and adiposity (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)). Results All measures of airways resistance increased in the supine position: total airways resistance (R5) +37% (p<0.0005); large airways resistance (R20) +29% (p<0.0005); and small airways resistance (R5–R20) +52% (p<0.0005). BMI was correlated with seated R5, seated R5–R20, supine R5 and supine R5–R20 (r=0.33 p<0.006, r=0.32 p<0.004, r=0.30 p<0.02 and r=0.36 p<0.04, respectively). Visceral adipose tissue mass was correlated with supine R5–20 (r=0.46 p<0.05). Supine measures of total airways resistance (R5) and large airways resistance (R20) differed between those with and without ventilatory failure, as did mean weight and BMI. Conclusions Our study identifies a potentially detrimental effect of the supine posture on tidal breathing airways resistance in obese patients. This change is correlated most with visceral adipose tissue mass and the small airways. We were able to demonstrate that supine increases in airways resistance during tidal breathing, within obese patients, are different between those with and without ventilatory failure. Trial registration number NCT01380418; pre-results.


The objective of the microwave filament processing project is to develop microwave techniques to manufacture continuous ceramic oxide filaments. Microwave processing uses the volumetric absorption of microwave power in oxide filament tows to drive off process solvents, to burn out organic binders, and to sinter the dried fibers to produce flexible, high-strength ceramic filaments. The technical goal is to advance filament processing technology by microwave heating more rapidly with less energy and at a lower cost than conventional processing, but with the same quality as conventional processing. The manufacturing goal is to collaborate with the 3M Company, a US manufacturer of ceramic oxide filaments, to evaluate the technology using a prototype filament system and to transfer the microwave technology to the 3M Company. Continuous ceramic filaments are a principal component in many advanced high temperature materials like continuous fiber ceramic composites (CFCC) and woven ceramic textiles. The use of continuous ceramic filaments in CFCC radiant burners, gas turbines, waste incineration, and hot gas filters in U.S. industry and power generation is estimated to save at least 2.16 quad/yr by year 2010 with energy cost savings of at least $8.1 billion. By year 2010, continuous ceramic filaments and CFCC`s have the potential to abate pollution emissions by 917,000 tons annually of nitrous oxide and 118 million tons annually of carbon dioxide (DOE Report OR-2002, February, 1994).


Significance Apoliprotein E (apoE) serves as a cholesterol transport protein in both the peripheral circulation and the brain. In humans, the less common apoE4 isoform, which differs from the most abundant parent apoE3 by a single C112R substitution, is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. To understand the structural basis for the altered functionality, we used hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry to compare the structure, stability, and molecular dynamics of these isoforms. The C112R substitution in apoE4 leads to unfolding of certain helical segments that reduces self-association and is expected to enhance the binding of apoE4 to triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles in plasma and to amyloid-β deposits in the brain. Apolipoprotein E (apoE) plays a critical role in cholesterol transport in both peripheral circulation and brain. Human apoE is a polymorphic 299-residue protein in which the less common E4 isoform differs from the major E3 isoform only by a C112R substitution. ApoE4 interacts with lipoprotein particles and with the amyloid-β peptide, and it is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease. To understand the structural basis for the differences between apoE3 and E4 functionality, we used hydrogen−deuterium exchange coupled with a fragment separation method and mass spectrometric analysis to compare their secondary structures at near amino acid resolution. We determined the positions, dynamics, and stabilities of the helical segments in these two proteins, in their normal tetrameric state and in mutation-induced monomeric mutants. Consistent with prior X-ray crystallography and NMR results, the N-terminal domain contains four α-helices, 20 to 30 amino acids long. The C-terminal domain is relatively unstructured in the monomeric state but forms an α-helix ∼70 residues long in the self-associated tetrameric state. Helix stabilities are relatively low, 4 kcal/mol to 5 kcal/mol, consistent with flexibility and facile reversible unfolding. Secondary structure in the tetrameric apoE3 and E4 isoforms is similar except that some helical segments in apoE4 spanning residues 12 to 20 and 204 to 210 are unfolded. These conformational differences result from the C112R substitution in the N-terminal helix bundle and likely relate to a reduced ability of apoE4 to form tetramers, thereby increasing the concentration of functional apoE4 monomers, which gives rise to its higher lipid binding compared with apoE3.


Kophen was established by Saka that migrated southwards to Gandhara and Taxila in the south of the Hindu Kush Mountains by the impact of Great Yueh-chi.Before Saka's arrival,the region was ruled respectively by the Empire of the Achaemenids,the Kyng Alidaunder of ancient Macedonia,the Maurya Dynasty and the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom.After the Saka came,they lived and multiplied on this land and kept building up their powers,and finally in the first 25 years of the 1st century BC,Maues,who was a descendent of Saka,established the Saka's rule.


The poem"Shui Long Yin"by Su Shi is a wonderful work with the intertextuality from the perspective of its structure and the metaphor inside. In the surface structure,it was mingled with poplar flower drifting,turning into the flow of dust and missing woman's dream frustration,grief and indignation tears,while in the deep structure,their misfortune as the metaphor to depict Su Shi's deeply pain of narrow escape in the first half and his political drift and relegation. Three of them are exteriorly and interiorly integrated and resonated,having extremely abundant emotional connotation and the unique artistic charm. The poem "Shui Long Yin"was a profound combination with drifting and relegated official career. It may be encounted but cannot be searched. In a sense,there was intertextuality in Zhangci to Su Shi's poetry.


The resistance of the apple plants against the woolly apple aphid,Eriosoma lanigerum,was tested by using the method of observation of the fine structure of branch gall in apple induced by woolly apple aphid.The proliteration of nonfunctional xylem disrupt the continuous vessels in gall,resulting in resistance to water conduction and nutrition transportation.The correlation between the settlement and development of woolly apple aphid and gall vessel intact rate was assessed on three apple varieties(Fuji,Golden Delicious,Zhaojin108).The result showed that the gall vessel intact rate was different among of that on Fuij,Goolden Delicious and Zhaojin 108(F=11.03,P0.05).Woolly apple aphids settled and developed on Fuji and Golden Delicious easily,which meant Fuji and Golden Delicious were suspicious to woolly apple aphid.Zhaojin108,with less settlement and development,was resistance to woolly apple aphid.But there was no significant difference between Fuji and Golden Delicious.The study on the gall vessel intact rate also showed the same results,Fuji and Golden Delicious had less continuous vessels in gall and low gall vessel intact rate.Zhaojin108 had more continuous vessels in gall,which meant high gall vessel intact rate,also,there was no significant difference between Fuji and Golden Delicious.


Qjmbining the facts of Qingliangshan reservoir engineering,a comprehensive summary of the automatic hydiological forecast system are given such as system design,equipment selection,system configuration and operation management experience.Practice shows that,the stable running of the system,functional and performance indicators meet the specification and requirement of users.This paper provides a useful reference for similar engineering regimen automatic measuring and reporting system.


Objective To observe the clinical efficacy,side effects and recurrent rate of uterine artery embolization(UAE) and mifepristone on the treatment of uterine fibroids.Methods 80 patients with uterine fibroids were divided into two groups randomly.In group UAE,34 cases were performed UAE,and in group mifepristone,46 cases were treated with mifepristone for three months.The symptoms,size of uterine fibroids,side effects,recurrent rate and other related data were analyzed in patients with two different treatments.Results The symptoms were improved obviously,and the size of the uterine as well as leiomyoma was significantly reduced in both groups(P0.01).Compared with the group UAE,the size of the uterine and leiomyoma reduced more significant in group mifepristone(P0.05).However,the leiomyoma was easy to recur after stopping the treatment of mifepriston,while there was no recurrence happened in group UAE.Moreover,ovarian hormone secretion was affected by mifepristone treatment but not UAE.Conclusion Both UAE and mifepristone regimen are effective conservative methods to treat uterine fibroids.Since the leiomyoma is easy to recur due to discontinued medication,mifepristone is usually used in preoperative medication or perimenopausal patients.


As their characteristic dimensions are reduced to the nanoscale regime, such as single layer and single atom, the materials exhibit novel physical and chemical properties. Both the two-dimensional materials and the ordered array of single atoms or molecules have become cutting-edge research topics in the area of modern quantum devices and catalytic science. Silicene prepared on the Ag (111) substrate exhibits abundant superstructures at different substrate temperatures and coverages. These superstructures can be reliable templates for fabricating the ordered array of single atoms or molecules. Using in-situ silicene preparation, molecular deposition, ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (STM), and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), the electronic structures, surface work functions and adsorption behaviors of CoPc molecules on three silicene superstructures ((4 × 4), (<inline-formula><tex-math id="M5">\begin{document}$\sqrt {13} \times \sqrt {13} $\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M5.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M5.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula>), and (<inline-formula><tex-math id="M6">\begin{document}$2\sqrt 3 \times 2\sqrt 3 $\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M6.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M6.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula>)) are studied. Firstly, the three silicene superstructures have similar electronic structures according to the characterization from the dI/dV curve at 77 K. The electronic structure varies on an atomic scale. With the disordering increasing, the full width at half maximum of the +0.6 V states broadens from (4 × 4) to (<inline-formula><tex-math id="M7">\begin{document}$\sqrt {13} \times \sqrt {13} $\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M7.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M7.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula>) to (<inline-formula><tex-math id="M8">\begin{document}$2\sqrt 3 \times 2\sqrt 3 $\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M8.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M8.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula>). Secondly, the average surface work functions of the three superstructures of silicene also vary on an atomic scale and are all higher than those on the Silver surface. So, electrons are probably transferred from the Ag substrate to the single-layer silicene. The number of the transferred electrons increases from (4 × 4) structure, (<inline-formula><tex-math id="M9">\begin{document}$\sqrt {13} \times \sqrt {13} $\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M9.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M9.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula>) structure, to (<inline-formula><tex-math id="M10">\begin{document}$2\sqrt 3 \times 2\sqrt 3 $\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M10.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="4-20211607_M10.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula>) structure. Thirdly, the change of the surface work function on an atomic scale plays an important role in selectively adsorbing the CoPc molecules, which causes the symmetry of CoPc electronic structure to break. It indicates that none of the three silicene superstructures belongs to a complete π-bond system. Especially, on the (4 × 4) superstructure, all CoPc molecules are divided into two halves. One half is similar to the free standing ones, in which there are HOMO (–0.45 V) and LUMO (+0.7 V) state. The other half has strong interaction with the silicene. The HOMO state is suppressed and there is a hybrid state at 1.0 V according to the dI/dV characterization.


Energy Contracting. Taking the example of a medium-sized plastics-processing company, this article highlights the areas of supply engineering that offer what, in some cases, is considerable scope for savings.


Using two isotopic species, 12CH3F and 13CH3F in a Raman FIR laser kilowatt level pulses have been generated which can be tuned continuously over more than half of the range from 145 to 610 µm. Laser emission spectra and tuning curves are presented, and several molecular processes are described which produce distinctive features in the observed data.


We present a recursive method to construct a volume from particles generated by a physically based simulation of a flow field. The particles are scattered in the body of the simulated object giving no explicit information about its surface. We show how to build a surface representation of the non-convex "hull" of a scattered points set. The surface is supposed to enclose all the points and have a minimal volume. The surface that we obtain must maintain the main characteristics of accurate geometrical singularities of the phenomenon during its evolution. We have considered the case of toothpaste running out of a tube. Our method uses a density map to construct an enclosing volume of the generated particles, taking care of local singularities.


An analysis of the hazards associated with the proposed operation of the Sandia Nuclear Assembly for Reactor Experiments (SNARE) is presented. Descriptions of the reactor and facility, considerations of the reactor site in relation to hazards to the public, evaluations of safety factors, and a description of supervisory practices and operating procedures are included. (auth)


IntroductionRecent literature has shown that RSAs successfully improve pain and functionality, however variability in range of motion and high complication rates persist. Biomechanical studies suggest that tensioning of the deltoid, resulting from deltoid lengthening, improves range of motion by increasing the moment arm. This study aims to provide clinical significance for deltoid tensioning by comparing postoperative range of motion measurements with deltoid length for 93 patients.MethodsDeltoid length measurements were performed radiographically for 93 patients. Measurements were performed on both preoperative and postoperative x-rays in order to assess deltoid lengthening. The deltoid length was measured as the distance from the infeolateral tip of the acromion to the deltoid tuberosity on the humerus for both pre- and post- x-rays. For preoperative center of rotation measurements, the distance extended from the center of humeral head (estimated as radius of best fit circle) to deltoid length line. Fo...


Salmonellosis is one of the most common infections of poultry and other host species including human. It causes food borne diseases in humans when eggs may get contaminated by horizontal or vertical contamination [1]. Salmonella have been known to cause illnesses for more than 100 years and are Gram negative bacilli belonging to the Family Enterobacteriaceae. Like most Enterobacteriaceae they are motile, nonspore forming and facultative anaerobes that reduce nitrates to nitrites, ferment glucose, and are oxidase negative [2]. Among the serovars, Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis and Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium can bind to isthmal secretions and can be incorporated into egg during formation. Eggshells and associated membranes have been found to be a frequent site of S. Enteritidis and S.Typhimurium contamination after naturally and experimentally induced Salmonella infections [3]. Egg contents may also become contaminated with Salmonella from soiling of the shell with faeces of infected hens, either by direct penetration of the shell or on breaking the eggs. In light of diverse modes of transmission, possibility of 'superinfection', complex mechanism of pathogenesis and antigenic diversity, the study about cultural prevalence which includes isolation, identification and characterization of Salmonella in the flock carries greater significance. Generally advanced poultry production practice promises full protection by immunization which is cleverly designed by combination of breeder hen vaccination and active immunization of chicks at appropriate age during early life. Despite of moderate to high percentage of seropositivity due to efficient active immune response to Salmonella vaccine administered to the breeding hens, cultural prevalence of Salmonella have been recorded from eggs [4,5]. In recent years, the rapid emergence of multidrug resistance bacteria caused by the wide application of antibiotics in clinical practices has caused great difficulties in medical treatment [6]. There are many recent literatures on antibiogram of Salmonella isolates [7-9] showing different resistance patterns of Salmonella spp. to different antibiotics and importance of it in emergence of multiple drug resistance. To foresight and formulate strategic measures for the control and proper treatment of vertically transmitted disease like salmonellosis in a commercial poultry flock, the present study was planned to investigate the rate of re-occurrence and comparative prevalence of salmonellosis in actively immunized breeding hens of four breeds viz. Vanaraja, Gramapriya, Black Rock and Kalinga brown. Volume 3 Issue 5 2016


This study analyzes the employee experiences of pleasure and suffering at work. It was carried out with an administrative staff of an organization of civil construction material in Distrito Federal. The article considers, at first, a historical frame of the studies of pleasure and suffering at work in order to contextualize the research. The study consisted in performing interviews with four employees part of the ad ministrative staff of the mentioned organization. It uses a qualitative methodology for both the data acquisition and the data analysis. In order to collect enough data to perform the study, a semi -structured interview was used which was then taped and further transcribed. To analyze the data we submitted then to a content thematic categorical analysis. The results pointed to a prevail of suffering at work, due to the relationship with the bosses, working hours, overload and the need of enjoying the job. On the final considerations, it is discussed the implications of a stressful work as far as the emp loyee's well being and productivity is concerned.


Abstact: Phase-Transfer Catalysis (PTC) technology is used in commercial manufacture. PTC is used also in pollution treatment processes. In the paper the synthesis of esters of acrylic, metacrylic acids, which have wide industrial application for production of unique polymeric materials, by phase transfer catalysis method is demonstrated / PTC/. It is necessary to notice, that the synthesis of acrylic acids through PTC is more important because these compounds are more sensitive to acidic and basic conditions. PTC is characterized by a high degree of useful use of substances involved in reaction, smaller consumption of materials and power resources. The work is devoted to technological problems of the synthesis of ethers in the aspect of environment's protection. The offered method for acrylic ester synthesis, in comparison with the traditional methods, has more advantages including high speed of process, soft condition of reaction allowing reduction of energy expenses, the complete exception of application of hazardous and dangerous organic solvents, by virtue of its sharp reduction of air pollution and reduction of wastewater effl uent.


MWIR photon detector in the mid-infrared wavelength (2-5 μm) range is developed using crystalline silicon carbide substrates. SiC, which is a wideband gap semiconductor, is laser-doped to create a dopant energy level corresponding to a quantum of energy for the required operating wavelength of the detector. The photons of the objects in the field of view excite the electrons of the detector, leading to changes in the refractive index. This change in the optical property of the detector can be measured remotely with a laser beam, such as a He-Ne laser beam of wavelength 632.8 nm, which makes it a wireless detector. While many IR detectors require cryogenic cooling (77 K) to suppress thermal generationrecombination processes in order to operate with good detectivity, the SiC-based detector can operate at room temperature with excellent performance. An n-type 4H-SiC substrate has been doped with Ga by a laser doping technique to create a detector element for the MWIR wavelength of 4.21 μm corresponding to the photon energy 0.30 eV. The dopant energy level is confirmed by optical absorption measurements. The change in the refractive index is studied as a function of absorbed irradiance on the detector. The experimental result shows that the Ga-doped 4H-SiC sample can be used for MWIR detectors.


Besides increased risk for perinatal pregnant women and fetals,gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) aslo increases the risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after delivery. There are many risk factors from CDM to T2DM. Continuing the follow-up,monitoring glucose level and interventions, such as a healthy lifestyle,breast-feeding and necessary pharmacologic therapies are important for the prevention of GDM to T2DM.

Key words:
Gestational diabetes mellitus ;  Postpartum ;  Diabetes mellitus ;


2 Structured summary of study design, methods, results, and conclusions (for specific guidance, see STARD for Abstracts) 2-3 INTRODUCT ION 3 Scientific and clinical background, including the intended use and clinical role of the index test 20-23 4 Study objectives and hypotheses 24 METHODS Study design 5 Whether data collection was planned before the index test and reference standard were performed (prospective study) or after (retrospective study) 24 Participants 6 Eligibility criteria 25


The world's smallest image sensor (1-mm 50 k-pixel interline CCD) has been developed. It features an extremely small pixel of 4/spl times/4 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ integration of a V/sub sub/ adjust circuit, and a packageless assembly of a chip provided microlens. The resultant chip size and the assembled device outer size are 1.1(H)/spl times/1.34(V) mm and 1.2(H)/spl times/1.5(V) mm, respectively.


Abstract Two Monte Carlo willingness-to-pay (WTP) models were constructed to compare three approaches that generate bids for the referendum CVM. In the first model, WTP was normally distributed, and in the second, was lognormally distributed. The bid approaches were those of K. L. Boyle, M. P. Welsh, and R. C. Bishop, (Land Econom. 64, 94-98, 1988), J. C. Cooper (J. Environ. Econom. Management24, 25-40, 1993), and an ad hoc third approach. Some properties of these approaches were discussed. WTP estimates from the three approaches were compared to the true value. Results indicated that Boyle et al.′s approach was preferred, especially when variation in WTP was low. Estimates from the three approaches became more compatible as WTP variability and sample size increased.


First published in 1988, this book was the winner of the SCSE Best Education Book award of that year. This new edition describes the government's attempts to control educational changes since 1945 and the resulting implications for contemporary explanations of schooling and the state in Britain. In interviews with officials, politicians and educationalists, key figures involved in the making and practice of policy talk about their careers and their attempts to control education and each other.


The main purpose of this paper is to generalize for the case of normal spaces the fundamental theorem of the homological dimension theory and the existence theorem on Cantor manifolds in n-dimensional spaces. This generalization is based on (1) The generalizationf of the same theorems, and many others, for bicompacta (i.e. bicompact Hausdorff spaces)—§§ 4, 5. (2) The study of certain 'maximal' subspectra of the spectrum of a bicompactum—§ 3. (3) A new approach to the maximal, or Čech, extension of a normal space—§ 6. (4) A suitable definition of the generalized notion of Cantor manifold, which is combinatorial in character and, when applied to compacta, corresponds to the classical definition given by Urysohn—§ 7. In §§ 1,2 I recall well-known definitions regarding homological invariants of bicompacta, and their coverings and spectra (see, for example, my papers (1941a,1943) and the fundamental work of Lefschetz (1942, chapter vI)). Notations. U denotes set-theoretical sums, ∩ intersections of sets; ∧ stands for the void set.


In the early phase of a nuclear accident, two large sources of uncertainty exist: one related to the source term and one associated with the meteorological data. Operational methods are being developed in AVESOME for quantitative estimation of uncertainties in atmospheric dispersion prediction resulting from uncertainties in assessments of both the release of radionuclides from the accident and their dispersion. Previously, due to lack of computer power, such methods could not be applied to operational real-time decision support. However, with modern supercomputing facilities, available e.g. at national meteorological services, the proposed methodology is feasible for real-time use, thereby adding value to decision support. In the recent NKS-B projects MUD, FAUNA and MESO, the implications of meteorological uncertainties for nuclear emergency preparedness and management have been studied, and means for operational real-time assessment of the uncertainties in a nuclear DSS have been described and demonstrated. In AVESOME, we address the uncertainty of the radionuclide source term, i.e. the amounts of radionuclides released and the temporal evolution of the release. Furthermore, the combined uncertainty in atmospheric dispersion model forecasting stemming from both the source term and the meteorological data is examined. Ways to implement the uncertainties of forecasting in DSSs, and the impacts on real-time emergency management are described. The proposed methodology allows for efficient real-time calculations. Accordingly, the computer-resource demanding calculations should be carried out at the high-performance computing facilities available e.g. at the national meteorological services, whereas less demanding post-processing could be carried out at the computer hosting the DSS. The former tasks include the atmospheric dispersion model calculations; the latter includes interactive communication with the supercomputer as well as presentation of final results.


Negotiating Gender Identities at Work is a well-organized, soundly argued, and empirically grounded study of the situatedness of gender relations. Halford and Leonard aim to reconcile gaps between the discursive and the material by investigating the negotiations of working selves in the context of gendered (raced and classed) organizations. The authors structure their analysis around the features of places, spaces, and times. Their theoretical intervention is a forceful argument for the importance of social context, both in its centrality to the (re)production of gendered working selves (and organizations) and in terms of the material resources offered for identity (re)production. Halford and Leonard's argument is supported by an empirical study of doctors and nurses working at two hospitals in Britain's National Health Service (NHS). Theoretically, the 'who I am' of the working subject is the result of incipient and actual negotiation. In chapter two Halford and Leonard describe the gendered positioning of doctors and nurses in the NHS through professional, organizational, and managerial discourses. While the authors locate doctors and nurses within these discourses, Halford and Leonard still acknowledge agency as individuals negotiate their working identities in relation to/with these broad contexts. This agency is in turn tempered by workers' access to certain discursive and material resources. As the authors argue, gender is an integral and consistent part of this negotiation process, set in a context of persistent economic and social inequalities that face working women. Halford and Leonard capture this sensuous negotiation of being and becoming 'a doctor' or 'a nurse' through contextual resources embedded in gendered temporal and spatial


BACKGROUND
Pulmonary metastasectomy has come to be recognized as an effective treatment for selected patients with some malignancies. On the other hand, the role of pulmonary metastasectomy for gastric cancer is still unknown. Metastasectomy is rarely indicated in cases of pulmonary metastasis from gastric cancer, because in most cases, the metastasis occurs in the form of lymphangitic carcinomatosis and the lesions are numerous. The purpose of this study was to determine the surgical outcomes and prognostic factors for survival after pulmonary metastasectomy.

METHODS
From 1985 to 2012, 10 patients underwent pulmonary metastasectomy for gastric cancer at Saitama Cancer Center, Japan. The overall survival rate was examined by the Kaplan-Meier method and univariate analysis was carried out to identify prognostic factors.

RESULTS
The overall 3-year survival rate was 30.0 %. The median follow-up period was 26.8 months (range, 6.5-96.6) after the pulmonary metastasectomy. Univariate analysis revealed an advanced pathological stage of the gastric cancer and occurrence of extrapulmonary metastasis before the pulmonary metastasectomy as unfavorable prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION
Pulmonary metastasectomy should be considered in selected patients with lung metastasis from gastric cancer. An advanced pathological stage of gastric cancer and occurrence of extrapulmonary metastasis before the pulmonary metastasectomy are unfavorable prognostic factors.


The lab of the business school is to provide the real-time data collection for the simulating education of the undergraduate courses. The lab purchased 210 Founder PCs in batches during the early period of construction. At present the lab has owned several of simulation business including the Securities Investment, Future Goods, Foreign Exchange Business, Commercial Bank Business, International Trade, Marketing, HR project and Econometric Analysis. Therefore, an autonomous simulation training and teaching based on many computers is a must step. To guarantee the regular operation of the computers, the premise is the regular function of the power and the switch system. Hence, the core issue of this article is focused on the maintenance of the power system through the first diagnoses and analysis on the power and switch system of computers.


entail substantial detrimental consequences to the environment. Consequently, it might be expected that nuclear risks at any plant would be capitalized in the reduction of the value of assets located nearby. Two studies in the United States, however, found no consistent significant effects of proximity to a nuclear reactor on the price of local housing. Nelson (1981) found that no significant reduction in nearby housing prices occurred following the accident at Three Mile Island. Gamble and Downing (1982) investigated the effect of proximity to a nuclear plant on housing sale prices near five sites and found predominantly insignificant effects. However, unlike the presumption of these studies, it may be that the external effects extended to a larger geographic area and differentially affect different assets. Thus, the correlation of individual housing values and distance-e.g., within the 20mile radius examined by Gamble and Downing-may be relatively unimportant at the same time as the interarea effects are substantial. The study presented here examines agricultural land values in a cross section of 494 market area regions constituting the United States. The hypothesis of a nuclear externality is tested by estimating a reduced form equation of the equilibrium average price of an acre of farmland in which the presence of a reactor is indicated by one or more dummy variables. The next section presents the theoretical model and develops the econometric specification. Next the data are described and then the results are reported. A discussion of possible confounding effects including tests of alternative hypotheses is next. A conclusion section closes the paper. The major finding is that a significant negative externality on the value of agricultural land on a scale meaningful for energy policy is consistent with these empirical analyses.


Objective:To study the healing effect of Chitin dressing on second-degree scalds in mice and rabbits respectively.Methods:The model of the second-degree scald was established in mice and rabbits respectively by vapour and hot water;the healing time was observed and the tissue specimens were obtained from the scalds for pathologic analysis.Results:Compared with the contrast group,the healing time in chitin dressing treated group was shorter(P0.05),and had better effect on scalded wound.Conclusion:Chitin dressing can effectively improve the scalded wound in mice and rabbits.


A large number of properties of adjuvants are currently available worldwide, despite the multitude of product names and use descriptions. They can be conveniently subdivided into a number of broad chemical categories. The most important types of these are: surfactants, oils, polymers and polymer-forming compounds, phospholipids, waxes and inorganic salts. The basic components, mechanisms and actions of different types of adjuvants are discussed in detail.


Colocasia [Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum (L.) schott.], which is also known as Taro, Arvi, Katchu and eddode belongs to the family Araceae is an important edible aroid. Africa ranks first in area and production of colocasia and in India colocasia is favourite among Gujarat, Konkan region of Maharashtra and several other parts of south India. The cormels, corms, leaves and petioles are used as a vegetable and considered as rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. Due to increasing demand of taro, there is a need to increase its yield. Foliar application of plant growth regulators is reported to improve growth and tuber yield. Hence, the present investigation has been carried out in the the Horticulture Research unit, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi during Kharif season of 2017. There were eleven treatments used namely T1- Naphthalene Acetic Acid (25 ppm), T2- Naphthalene Acetic Acid (50 ppm), T3- Indole Acetic Acid (25 ppm), T4- Indole Acetic Acid (50 ppm), T5- Maleic Hydrazide (50 ppm), T6- Maleic Hydrazide (100 ppm), T7- Gibberellic Acid (100 ppm), T8- Gibberellic Acid (200 ppm), T9- Ethrel (75 ppm), T10- Ethrel (150 ppm) and T11- Control (water spray only). To find out feasibility of increment in growth & yield of taro by means of application of plant growth regulators on the till date most accepted variety of taro, Muktakeshi by the growers in the state of Jharkhand. Among the eleven treatments used GA3 at 200 ppm was found to record maximum yield parameters in cultivation of taro.


FIELD: construction. SUBSTANCE: panel assembly (100) is proposed including a panel device (110) mounted on a frame (120) with the ability to move between a non-deflected position and at least one deflected position. The panel device (110) can be moved between a plurality of deflected positions. The panel device (110) can be locked in any deflected or non-deflected position. Each end of the panel device (110) has two tracking elements (128). Each tracking element (128) slides along the channel arrangement (127, 227, 327, 427) as the panel device (110) moves between positions. EFFECT: improved access to the connectors from different sides of the assembly. 16 cl, 22 dwg


Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are relief points in older sewer systems that carry sewage and stormwater in the same pipe. When heavy rains fill the pipes, CSOs release sewage and stormwater into rivers, lakes, or Puget Sound. This dataset shows the point locations for CSO outfalls for monitoring and planning purposes. For more information regarding CSOs, please go to this link: https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/wastewater/cso.aspx


Abstract Dendrochronology offers a unique opportunity to address archaeological questions with minimal invasiveness. Often, archaeological tree-ring sampling, and occasionally analysis itself, can be performed while the larger structure or object remains in situ. In comparison to the costs and benefits of excavation (complete or partial) and a growing international call for in situ preservation, dendrochronology provides an effective compromise for the interpretation of wooden material culture. The current number of archaeological tree-ring specimens worldwide probably exceeds 2,000,000. These specimens have been obtained from thousands of historic buildings, shipwrecks, and other sites and artefacts. These specimens are housed by a variety of public and private entities: museums, universities, governments, private corporations, and individuals. Despite their importance as vouchers for archaeological dates and great potential for future use and new applications, generally little attention has been paid to the long-term curation of tree-ring specimens. This paper identifies some pressing curation problems and suggests that the value and nature of dendroarchaeological research is compatible with international calls for in situ preservation. Some practical suggestions, provided here, could drastically improve the long-term curation of dendroarchaeological specimens, further demonstrating the methodology as a viable and valuable partner to in situ preservation.


Faults are an inevitability in any robotic system but are of a particularly devastating nature in underwater robotics. If unrealized, a minor fault in an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) could easily lead to the AUV unintentionally damaging itself, an accompanying diver, or the marine environment in which it is operating. While some types of faults can easily be detected with sensors on the AUV, it is costly or impractical to have sensors installed to monitor every potential point of failure on an AUV. In this paper, we present a software system that enables an AUV to detect unmonitored faults via the fault's indirect effects on the AUV's normal motion. This system is composed of two primary components: a recurrent neural network(RNN)-based model that predicts the future motion of an AUV and an anomaly detection algorithm that is able to detect anomalies in the motion prediction error and decide whether the anomalies indicate a fault occurred. To evaluate the performance of this system, we demonstrate its effectiveness on data collected on an AUV in both pool and field trials.


This report begins with a short introduction to the problem of aerodynamic drag for commercial vehicles. The main subject is a survey of different technologies available for decreasing drag and increasing performance on blunt bodies and diffusers. Initially the work done by NASA on the area of boat-tailing a bus is overviewed. After that the focus turns to the Coanda-effect and the possibility to use it to improve performance on trailers in the areas of fuel consumption, breaking and dynamic stability. Boat-tail plates finish up the studies performed on commercial road vehicles. The interests then turn to alternative, unconventional approaches to reattach flow over a backward facing ramp. Here are the use of primarily grooves and vortex generators surveyed. The report ends with a closer look on the use of micro vortex generators on a C-130 aircraft and the drag reduction created.


A theoretical and experimental study of an optimum receiving antenna configuration that fits within certain allocated space requirements is presented. The antenna analysis is based on a quasi-static numerical study of a conducting body of revolution above a perfectly conducting ground plane. A general numerical algorithm is developed to determine the input impedance and the effective height of the antenna. In addition, a discussion of the amplifier noise and its role in the choice of the optimum antenna are included. Results are presented for cylindrical and truncated conical structures both with and without a top load.


Let ${\rm SU}_X(r,0)$ be the moduli space of semistable vector bundles of rank r and trivial determinant over a smooth, irreducible, complex projective curve $X$. The theta map $\theta_r: {\rm SU}_X(r,0) \rightarrow \Bbb{P}^N$ is the rational map defined by the ample generator of ${\rm Pic}{\rm SU}_X(r,0)$. The main result of the paper is that $\theta_r$ is generically injective if $g \gg r$ and $X$ is general. This partially answers the following conjecture proposed by Beauville: $\theta_r$ is generically injective if $X$ is not hyperelliptic. The proof relies on the study of the injectivity of the determinant map $d_E: {\wedge}^r H^0(E) \rightarrow H^0(\det E)$, for a vector bundle $E$ on $X$, and on the reconstruction of the Grassmannian $G(r,rm)$ from a natural multilinear form associated to it, defined in the paper as the Pl\"ucker form. The method applies to other moduli spaces of vector bundles on a projective variety $X$.


Currently, manufacturing enterprises attach great importance to improving processing quality and customer satisfaction. Hybrid flow shops have widespread applications in real-world manufacturing systems such as steel production and chemical industry. In a practical production process, uncertainty commonly arises due to the difficulty of knowing exact information of facilities and jobs beforehand. In order to improve processing quality and customer satisfaction of manufacturing systems in uncertain environments, this article proposes a stochastic multiobjective hybrid flow shop scheduling problem aiming at maximizing processing quality and minimizing total tardiness, where the processing time of jobs obeys a known random distribution. To describe jobs' processing quality mathematically, a quality-based cost function is presented, and further a chance-constrained programming approach is used to formulate this problem. Then, a multiobjective artificial bee colony algorithm incorporating a stochastic simulation approach is designed by considering its characteristics. Simulation experiments are performed on a set of instances and several state-of-the-art multiobjective optimization algorithms are chosen as peer approaches. Experiment results confirm that the proposed algorithm has an excellent performance in handling this problem.


Corruption has long pervaded the construction industry in Zambia, as it involves interaction between various stakeholders and involves a certain level of cooperation in order to coordinate the numerous activities which make up the construction process. The balance between activities which legally facilitate this process and those which are tainted by concepts of corruption is not always clear. Corruption is commonly defined as the "abuse of public power for private benefit" (Rodriguez et al., 2005, p. 383), but it goes beyond public officials and often affects businesses and supply chains as well (Dixit, 2015; Cuervo-Cazurra, 2016). Corruption has many connotations and interpretations, varying according to time and place (Rose-Ackerman and Palifka, 2016). The common dimensions of corruption involve exchange, violation of norms, abuse of power, indirect victims and secrecy (Rabl and Kühlmann, 2008). The scale and complexity of many construction projects, together with the number of parties participating, the geographical locations where they are performed and the legal systems to which they are exposed can make them especially prone to bribery and corruption. This paper therefore is focused on how contextual factors fuel corruption in procurement in the Construction Sector. Findings from a two years' study, Options for Reducing Corruption in Procurement: The Case of the Construction Sector in Zambia, reveal that how people are socialised to relate to parents, elders and leaders has an effect on how corruption is perceived. In addition, evolving culture has led to a misinterpretation of cultural norms and its current use is aiding corruption.


This paper conceptually discusses how Metaverse world exists as a space through Michael Foucault's concept of heterotopia and how within this space the understanding of self is reshaped with the concepts of sociality, partnership, immortality, being a part of a whole and the disappearance of free will. Foucault's heterotopian mirror example defines theater and cinema as a "surreal, virtual place" and sees it as an illusion. Metaverse can be added to these examples. Metaverse has the potential of bringing people with different thoughts and lifestyles together at the same time and same place. This potential is relevant to heterogeneous spaces which will not come together normally coming together in this medium. In addition to that, a single space can contain multiple spaces and times and this heterochronicity allows the abstraction of spaces while being lived at a certain time and allows travel to other times different from the time lived. But this potential is bound to some rules as stated in the fifth rule of heterotopias and these rules are preset. Considering all the similarities, the Metaverse world was assumed as a heterotopia and the paper tries to understand the embodiment of perception of self from general to specific, from public to individual, from a part of a society to an autonomous entity with free will within this world. This study uses hermeneutic method to discover the framework of how the concept of self and the perception of human will be transformed and changed in Metaverse world.


What do we do with the narratives, the authors, the spectacular figures that resist facile categorization in nineteenth-century studies? From the racially unmarked tales produced by Black women activists to the political outsider memoir of a traveling hairstylist, the subjects of the essays included in this issue of Legacy challenge long-standing definitions of race literature and complicate our understanding of the scope and range of nineteenth-century Black women's literary aesthetics. Wayward and unwieldy, the texts and figures discussed here incite debates about authenticity--discursive, generic, and racial--and force us to improvise new critical methodologies that disrupt narrow binaries (fake vs. real, legitimate vs. fraudulent). The innovative and forward-looking essays collected here encourage us to reexamine the critical methods that we use (or fail to invoke) in our readings of texts and figures that defy conventional categorization in nineteenth-century literary and cultural studies. In short, each essay demands that we reconsider what kinds of criteria we trust. Each essay here triggers thoughtful reflection on how we formulate historical and cultural narratives about race and what kinds of historical and cultural documents we rely on to build a Black literary canon. Likewise, all of the critics here generate edifying ways to navigate textual and historical excesses and opacities. They critically re-interrogate the sociopolitical utility of racially indeterminate characters who fall outside the putative bounds of nineteenth-century Black women's fiction. They reevaluate conventional "tragic mulatta" strategies of characterization. And they challenge constrictive analyses of nineteenth-century Black women's narratives that reproduce essentialist readings of the texts as well as their authors. Poised to make a crucial intervention in how we think about the production of Black texts as well as Black identity formations in nineteenth-century culture, the Legacy essays in this special issue present new approaches to reading Black(ened) cultural marginalia in the archives. The wayward bodies in this issue encourage epistemological speculation, and they create the kind of "lacuna" that Do Veanna Fulton reads in her exploration of racially indeterminate figures in the fiction of Frances E. W. Harper. Fulton's work illustrates the value in "open[ing] up" texts "for multiple and varied engagements by different reading communities" (Fulton, this issue). Her essay recovers the sociopolitical resonances of these kinds of anomalous literary figures who refuse recognizable strategies of racial categorization, and she makes plain the specific sociopolitical intervention that Harper's text creates by signifying on and disrupting the segregated culture of social reform movements. Similarly, Xiomara Santamarina locates the waywardness in the narrative and authorial politics of Eliza Potter's A Hairdresser's Experience in High Life, a text that manifests a kind of social and political indeterminacy resulting in its canonical marginalization in nineteenth-century African American letters. Santamarina demonstrates the multiple ways that Potter articulates a socially oppositional and economically independent self in her narrative. On the one hand, this scholar's interpretation aligns Potter's work with other circum-Atlantic Black female entrepreneurs and travelers such as Mary Prince. On the other hand, Potter emerges in Santamarina's study as somewhat akin to her unconventional contemporary, the racially ambiguous actress Adah Isaacs Menken. Like Menken, Potter displayed a "lack of reference to racial injustices," "peripatetic" impulses, and a professed "desire to see the world," qualities that have resulted in her work's consistent exclusion from rigorous critical studies of nineteenth-century African American and women's literatures (Santamarina, this issue). Yet, Potter's text clearly warrants further analysis as an early literary work that reinforces Claudia Tate's important claim that "the racial protocol for African American canon formation has marginalized desire as a critical category of black textuality by demanding manifest stories about racial politics" (5). …


Some aspects of the knowledge and skills required for dealing with the psychiatrically disordered offender in the community are identified; for this latter purpose, attention is focused specifically upon those who may have been adjudged to be dangerous in the past or who are thought likely to be dangerous in the future. It is suggested that a knowledge of the world's great literature provides a useful addition to clinical and academic teaching. The importance of team work and good communication is stressed as is the need for socio-forensic workers to identify their blind spots and defences.


Part of the 'Illuminating Modernity' series, and resulting from a conference in 2014 at Notre Dame, this is a collection of essays by 12 Catholic theologians reacting to aspects of modernity. Essays variously focus upon particular philosophers and theologians – including Kierkegaard, Baudelaire, Heidegger, Balthasar and Karl Barth – as well as particular issues in metaphysics and Christian philosophy. Contributors include David Walsh and Aaron Riches.


According to the formation method of cycloid,a rotor profile equation was deduced.Based on the theory of gearing,its conjugate profile can be obtained.UG/Open GRIP was used to generate dual-cycloid rotor automatically.Corresponding curves were built by mathematical expression having discrete feature.To get the desired rotor model,the parameters can be controlled and changed in the control interface.


The procurate organs cannot directly adopt enforcements against those who hinder the criminal proceedings if they are not the accused as the public security organs and the people's courts do.Hindrance to proceedings is always a nuisance to process efficiency.Sometimes the rights of the process participators are also harassed or invaded.If the procurates are endowed the power to sanction the procedural offence,the hindrance to proceedings can be cleared timely and the participators' rights are guaranteed as well as the procurate authorities are maintained.The procurates should give sanctions to the offenders according to gravity of circumstances.The victims of illegal sanctions can get remedy from higher procurate organs if they complain.Accordingly the procurate or its staff should bear legal liabilities if losses incurred when the sanctions are reversed.


Brazil is the world's largest sugarcane producer with projections for expanding the current area by 30% in the coming years, mainly in areas previously occupied by pastures. We assess soil water changes induced by land-use change (LUC) for sugarcane expansion in the central-south region of Brazil. For that purpose, soil samples were collected in a typical LUC sequence (native vegetation–pasture–sugarcane) in two contrasting soil textures (i.e., sandy and clayey). Soil hydro-physical properties such as pores size distribution, bulk density, soil water content, water tension, and drainage time at field capacity, plant-available water, and S-index were analyzed. Our data showed that long-term LUC from native vegetation to extensive pasture induced severe degradation in soil physical quality and soil water dynamics. However, conventional tillage used during conversion from pasture to sugarcane did not cause additional degradation on soil structure and soil water dynamics. Over time, sugarcane cultivation slightly impaired soil water and physical conditions, but only in the 10–20 cm layer in both soils. Therefore, we highlight that sustainable management practices to enhance soil physical quality and water dynamics in sugarcane fields are needed to prevent limiting conditions to plant growth and contribute to delivering other ecosystem services.


Objective:Targeted therapy is the central issue of hepatocellular carcinoma cells(HCC) currently.The roles of HCC related gene mcl-1 in HCC proliferation and apoptosis are unclear.In this study,the effects of mcl-1 specific siRNA on proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells in vitro will be discussed.Methods:Design and synthesis effective mcl-1 specific siRNA,and mcl-1 specific siRNA was transfect into HepG2 cells in vitro;the effects of mcl-1 specific siRNA on proliferation of HepG2 cells were quantified by drawing cell growth curve and MTT assay;the effects of mcl-1 specific siRNA on apoptosis of HepG2 cells were observed by Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry.Results:Mcl-1 specific siRNA can inhibit proliferation of HepG2 cells(P0.05) according to the results of cell growth curve.MTT assay showed that the viability of HepG2 cells was significantly decreased 24 h,48 h and 72 h after transfected with mcl-1 specific siRNA(P0.05).Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometry showed that the percentage of Annexin V+/PI- cells was significantly increased after transfected with mcl-1 specific siRNA(P0.01),which indicated that mcl-1 can promote apoptosis of HepG2 cells in vitro.Conclusion:Mcl-1 can promote proliferation,but inhibit apoptosis of HCC cells in vitro.The molecular characteristics meet the requirements of targeted therapy of tumors.Mcl-1 could be a potential target for HCC targeted therapy.


This paper reviews the main concepts and existing literature related to the use of biased randomization of classical heuristics and the combination of simulation with meta-heuristics (Simheuristics) in order to solve complex combinatorial optimization problems, both of deterministic and stochastic nature, in the popular field of Vehicle and Arc Routing Problems. The paper performs a holistic approach to these concepts, synthesizes several cases of successful application from the existing literature, and proposes a general simulation-based framework for solving richer variants of Vehicle and Arc Routing Problems. Also examples of algorithms based on this framework successfully applied to concrete cases of Vehicle and Arc Routing Problems are presented.


BackgroundGenomic medicine is expanding at an exponential pace across the globe and increased access to genome analysis has led to greater generations of genetic results with specific relevance to individuals. AimThis study aims to explore preferences and expectations of feedback of individual genetic research results among parents of children with neurodevelopmental conditions. MethodsFollowing a qualitative approach, we conducted four deliberative focus group discussions with (n=27) South African parents of children involved in genomics research on neurodevelopmental conditions. ResultsMost participants expressed a strong interest in receiving individual genetic results regardless of severity, actionability and preventability. These results were viewed as valuable because they could empower or emancipate individuals, families and communities. Receiving risk information was also believed to motivate healthier lifestyle choices. However, some participants were uncertain or articulated a desire not to receive results due to fears of anxiety or psychological harm. In addition, participants expected to receive results as a demonstration of respect from researchers and articulated it as an act to build trust between researchers and participants. ConclusionsInternationally, a debate continues around whether individual genetic results should or should not be fed back to participants of research studies. In Africa, there is scant literature which has investigated this question and no policies to guide researchers. This study provides a basis of empirical data on perspectives of African participants which could inform work on the development of a consolidated approach to the feedback of incidental findings in the continent.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a major public health problem worldwide and novel, effective therapeutic approaches for this devastating disease are urgently needed. The overexpression or activation of the MDM2 oncogene frequently occurs in HCC and is linked to cancer growth, poor survival, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. We have hypothesized that MDM2 is a promising therapeutic target for HCC therapy. We have recently discovered that the transcription factor NFAT1 upregulates MDM2 expression, promoting cancer cell growth, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. The present study was designed to demonstrate the role of the NFAT1-MDM2 pathway in HCC progression and its value in developing HCC targeted therapy. We systemically investigated the expression and association of MDM2 and NFAT1 in 254 pairs of human HCC and matched non-cancerous tissue samples. High-throughput virtual and cell-based screenings were carried out for search for lead compounds targeting both NFAT1 and MDM2. The in vitro and in vivo anti-HCC activities and underlying mechanisms of action were further evaluated in HCC cell lines with various p53 backgrounds. Our results demonstrated that, compared with the non-malignant peritumoral tissues MDM2 and NFAT1 were overexpressed in HCC tissues, which were correlated with poor prognosis and increased metastasis. Based on molecular modeling study, Biacore assay, and pull-down assays, one of the lead compounds, named MA242, was identified as a potent and selective MDM2 and NFAT1 dual inhibitor. Mechanistically, M242 directly bound to MDM2 and NFAT1 proteins with high affinity and induced their protein degradation. MA242 also inhibited NFAT1-mediated MDM2 transcription. At cellular level, MA242 decreased cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in various HCC cell lines, regardless of the p53 status. Furthermore, M242 inhibited the tumor growth and metastasis in orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of HCC, without any obvious host toxicity. In conclusion, MDM2 and NFAT1 expression can serve as predictors of survival in patients with HCC. Dual MDM2 and NFAT1 inhibitors may represent a first-in-class clinical candidates for the treatment of HCC, including tumors lacking functional p53. This project is supported by NIH R01 CA186662 and R01 CA214019 and ACS RSG-15-009-01-CDD. Citation Format: Wei Wang, Jianwen Cheng, Jiang-Jiang Qin, Bo Hu, Bhavitavya Nijampatnam, Sadanandan Velu, Xin-Rong Yang, Jia Fan, Ruiwen Zhang. Inflammation and oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma: Clinical relevance and experimental targeted therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3858.


The phylogenetic position of a freshwater green alga, Aegagropila linnaei (Cladophorales, Ulvophyceae), was investigated using nuclear 18S rRNA gene sequences. This alga has usually been called Cladophora aegagropila (L.) Rabenhorst or Cladophora sauteri (Nees ex Kütz.) Kütz. Based on morphology, it was formerly classified into the section Aegagropila or into the subgenus Aegagropila, together with several marine species of the genus Cladophora. This classification is not supported by the present phylogenetic analyses in which two very distinct Cladophorales clades are recognized. Aegagropila linnaei groups together in a well‐supported clade with Cladophora sp., Pithophora sp., Chaetomorpha okamurae, Arnoldiella conchophila, Wittrockiella lyallii, and Cladophora conchopheria. Aegagropila linnaei and its closely related species share some ultrastructural and biochemical characteristics, like pyrenoid structure, carotenoid composition, and cell wall composition. Freshwater species, included in the analysis, were located in two distantly related lineages, indicating that adaptation from a marine to a freshwater habitat has happened at least twice independently in the Cladophorales.


In part II, analogous research of the normal-phase chromatography on silica gel was done [5]. The correlation between retention and real lipophilicity is visibly worse than in the case of reversed-phase systems [6]. Therefore, it should be recommended that normal-phase method should be treated as an additional method to reversed-phase system, not as the preferred one. Best correlations were obtained from single run or extrapolated retentions, similar to reversed-phase systems. In the case of a single run, the lipophilicity is linearly dependent on the R M value in the particular TLC system, and these values are bound by Collander equation: log P = aR M + b [4, 5].


To further understand the reason why low-income people take drugs and to discuss prevention,author has made a survey with questionnaire for 100 low income earners.It is found that the elements such as employment,friends and family,ignorance of narcotics,ability to distinguish and willpower and so on are closely related to whether people take drugs.The author suggests prevention and education as a good mode for the low-income drug addicts.We try to help them turn their concern to living conditions;give them psychological education in an attempt to prevent drug use.


The purpose of this thesis is to examine some of the potential fates of processing reagents in a coal preparation plant. The focus is specifically on petro-diesel (termed "diesel" in this paper), which is used as a collector in the flotation of fine coal. Diesel range organics (DRO) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are measured in aqueous samples using gas chromatography equipped with either a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) or a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Samples are subjected to a variety of test conditions in order to understand the behavior of diesel compounds in coal processing streams. Results show that frother and collector reagents are not likely to partition completely to a single fraction of the process slurry. Further test work has shown that sub-ppm levels of DRO dominated by the water soluble fraction of diesel are expected to be present in process waters; however, PAHs and insoluble DRO may be removed via volatilization and/or degradation. DRO and PAHs are also expected to be desorbed from coal particles when contacted with fresh water. Flotation tests have revealed that low levels of DRO are found in both the concentrate and tailings processing streams with slightly higher concentrations being found in the concentrate stream. From the tests performed in this thesis, it appears as though there is no apparent environmental concern when coal preparation plants are operating under normal conditions.


In cloud computing, the data transmission done between the cloud server and customer resources, Cloud's data safty is the current discussion in the IT community. This study paper helps to protect data without affecting from original one  to prevent unauthorized data access from cloud server, the data which is at the server side has an user's first choice to be protected by safe manner, so that the interested data is  on  highly secure priority. In this technique, data is segmented into three different levels based upon the level of data importance   set by the data owner.  In each level of the data stored before    the cloud may  be  used  encryption  /decryption  algorithm  and a key to encrypt the data. In this technology, the goal is to maintain data in a safe and secure manner to avoid theft , loss   of control and secure from different attacks. In addition, it can also reduce the time and cost of encrypted information that to   be kept safly on the  cloud.  In  order  to  test  the  performance of the model, this paper will conduct performance analysis by implementing Elliptic Curve Cryptography ( ECC ). Keywords: Cloud Computing, , Decryption, Elliptical Curve Cryptography, Encryption, Segmentation


In the two-dimensional random system composed of a disordered array of a dielectric cylindrical column ensemble, Anderson localization of light is possible. We show localization parameter maps for the light localization adopting parameters of gallium nitride nanocolumn samples, which consist of random arrays of parallel nanosized columnar semiconductor crystals. The maps indicate parametric dependence of the localization characteristics on the light frequency, the radius of the columns, and the filling fraction of the columns. To obtain the maps, we have simulated temporal light diffusion in random media using the two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method and analyzed the simulation results by Fourier transformation. We conclude that the main mechanism for localization varies continuously with the column filling fraction from Mie resonance of single column to Bragg-like diffraction of the column ensemble.


The photonic band structures of one-dimensional photonic crystals (1D PCs) with three layers in a period are studied theoretically. Our results show that complete photonic bandgaps (PBGs) for all polarizations can be obtained in these 1D PCs made of a conventional dielectric material, a negative-permittivity and a negative-permeability metamaterial. The origin of the complete PBGs lies in the existence of surface waves for all polarizations.


This research aimed for fruit size and production in 18 cornelian cherry types selected from over a hundred types, grown as native in Tokat central administrative district, in 1996 and 1997 using the weighted-ranked method. 8 types with superior fresh and industrial characteristics were selected. As a result of the weighted- ranked 5 types were worthy of cultivation in the second year. The types selected were Aypar 2, Aypar 3, Şahin 1, Beyba 4 ve Beyba 5 . Regarding both years results; fruit weight 1.45-3.18 g, seed/fruit weight ratio 9.30-17.00 %, total soluble solid 10.00- 17.80 %, total acidity 22.70-42.88 g/L, ascorbic acid 64.52-110.42 %mg and juice yield 21.60- 40.22 % were determined in the selected types.


WTAP is involved in various pathological and physiological processes, but its function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the role of WTAP in HCC. Firstly, the mRNA and protein of WTAP were expressed highly in HCC tissue, which reflected clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients. Then, an interactive analysis of genetic profiles and Kaplan–Meier curves was performed to show that WTAP was an independent predictor of survival of HCC patients. Meanwhile, genes co-expressed with WTAP, potential protein–protein interactions, related signaling pathways, and immune cell infiltration were identified. It was found that high WTAP expression correlated with enhanced interactions between cytokines and their receptors, cell cycle, and chemokine signaling pathways, as well as increased immune cell infiltration. At last, WTAP knockdown experiments in vitro indicate that the WTAP silencing inhibited HCC proliferation and aggressiveness. We conclude that WTAP may be a novel biomarker for prognosis and a therapeutic target for HCC.


GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT ABSTRACT A novel application in the field of N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph3PNNC) chemistry has been introduced in this work. A series of substituted isoindolin-1-one ring systems has been successfully synthesized through a novel and efficient multicomponent reaction of methyl 2-formylbenzoate and primary amines in the presence of N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph3PNNC) as a catalyst. This one-pot three component reaction (3-CR) gives high yield using N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane (Ph3PNNC) as a metal-free catalyst under mild conditions.


This paper compares strengths, advantages and the availability of energy sources. The conclusions drawn include that Australia is well placed to exploit renewables for the local and export markets but this industry does lack an influential lobby group, that in the case of nuclear energy Australia has no comparative advantage in the technology, and the costs will continue to increase due to externalities such as safety, decommissioning and waste disposal.


Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Iranian women and the age of affliction with breast cancer in Iranian women is at least a decade lower than that of women in developed countries. Mammography is the effective method in reducing deaths because of cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the social support and self-efficacy related to undergoing mammography. In this cross-sectional study, conducted among men's referred to health centers in Kermanshah County, the West of Iran, during 2016 were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire including the background variables, standard social support scale and general self-efficacy questioner. Data were analyzed by SPSS Version 21 using bivariate correlations and logistic regression statistical tests. Participants, ages ranged from 30-48 years 95% Cl: 35.01, 36.79, Almost 12.1% (14/116) of the participants had already undergone mammography at least once. Furthermore, 7.8% of them reported positive family histoiy of breast cancer. In addition, logistic regression analysis indicated educational level (OR = 1.526), positive family history of breast cancer (OR = 1.323), family support (OR =1.814) and self-efficacy (OR = 1.260) were stronger predicators to undergoing mammography. Based on our result, it seems that creating appropriate and special supportive atmosphere in the family and also behavioral interventions for improvement of self-efficacy among women may be usefulness of the results in order to promotion undergoing mammography. © Medwell Journals, 2016.


Recently, the excessive propagation of water hyacinth has led to serious ecological and environmental problems; thereby, its treatment and disposal are of great significance. Moreover, the remediation of heavy metals in soil is a hot topic at present. Thus, water hyacinth was adopted to prepare biochar to investigate its effect on Cd accumulation in lettuce by pot experiments in this study. The optimal application amount of water hyacinth biochar was 1% (30 t ha−1), considering the Cd absorption and yield of lettuce plants. Compared with those of control, the application of biochar prepared at 700°C for 2 h with an amount of 3% (90 t ha−1) resulted in a reduction in Cd by 73.6% and 38.1%, respectively, in the shoots and roots of lettuce. Within a certain carbonization time (0.5~2 h) and carbonization temperature (300°C~700°C), the content of available Cd in the soil decreases with the increase of the carbonization temperature and time, which might be the main reason for the lower Cd concentration in lettuce after applying the biochar. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDS) analyses showed that Cd was fixed on the biochar in a state of passivation, leading to a sharp decrease in the available Cd in the soil. Moreover, it was concluded that the application of biochar brings with it an obvious increase in the enzyme activity increment in the soil up to 2.3 times. Lastly, 16sRNA sequencing has shown that biochar addition leads to variations in microbial structure and abundance in soil. Accordingly, biochar prepared by water hyacinth can increase lettuce yield and reduce the concentration of heavy metals in lettuce.


Mathematical literacy problems require counting and solving mathematical problems in daily life. This study aims to analyze the ability of junior high school students to solve mathematical literacy problems. This qualitative research uses a case study approach with the subject of 15 junior high school students in the city area. The instrument in this study is six mathematical literacy questions oriented to PISA test questions and interview guidelines. The data analysis technique in this study is thematic analysis. This study's results show three groups of students' abilities in solving mathematical literacy problems based on their initial abilities: Time Stone, Power Stone, and Mind Stone


Time-resolved emission spectra (TRES) have been used to detect conformational changes of intrinsic tyrosines within bovine insulin at a physiological pH. The approach offers the ability to detect the initial stages of insulin aggregation at the molecular level. The data analysis has revealed the existence of at least three fluorescent species undergoing dielectric relaxation and significant spectral changes due to insulin aggregation. The results indicate the suitability of the intrinsic TRES approach for insulin studies and for monitoring its stability during storage and aggregation in insulin delivery devices.


Crime Scene Overview: This period covers the intended results of this seminar, as well as an overview of the various levels of responsibility encountered as an evidence technician. The officer will be made aware of expected levels of performance and safeguards to be employed to protect him/herself from liabilities, which may be caused by others . Evidence: This segment will be used to discuss values of various forms of evidence and measures to protect the integrity of these most important elements of truth.


This work introduces Dirichlet Active Learning (DiAL), a Bayesian-inspired approach to the design of active learning algorithms. Our framework models feature-conditional class probabilities as a Dirichlet random field and lends observational strength between similar features in order to calibrate the random field. This random field can then be utilized in learning tasks: in particular, we can use current estimates of mean and variance to conduct classification and active learning in the context where labeled data is scarce. We demonstrate the applicability of this model to low-label rate graph learning by constructing ``propagation operators'' based upon the graph Laplacian, and offer computational studies demonstrating the method's competitiveness with the state of the art. Finally, we provide rigorous guarantees regarding the ability of this approach to ensure both exploration and exploitation, expressed respectively in terms of cluster exploration and increased attention to decision boundaries.


A peculiar type of mutual entrainment is found numerically in a phase model of a large population of limit-cycle oscillators with uniform all-to-all coupling strongly modulated by higher harmonics, in which more than one branch of mutually phase-locked oscillators exists, accompanied by a multi-peaked order function. For system size N, at least eN different entrained states are likely to coexist with almost identical order functions. Also discussed is how to extend the order-function theory for dealing with such a phenomenon.


Ultrasound as an alternative model for mass prophylaxis to check outbreaks in epidemics is being proposed in this paper. The outbreak of communicable diseases and mass gathering are certainly related through the obvious risk of transmission of infectious agents. Either as the source or being susceptible, the gathering makes the disease spread rapidly challenging the medical community. To combat the steady rise in the incidence of disease, appropriate control measures need to be adopted. An alternative drug delivery model utilizing the potential of ultrasound through percussion – as medicated drumming is hence presented here taking the reference from Indian traditional system of medicine. In this model the herbal or herbo-mineral drugs applied over drum surface followed by drumming releases biochemicals of high bioavailability. Studies have shown the simultaneous production of ultrasound with audible frequency while playing musical instruments and the high af inity of herbal and herbo-mineral drugs towards it. The particle reduction technology through Bhasmikarana (producing herbo-mineral-metallic compounds in nano dimensions) and Bhavana (liquid-assisted trituration of drug powders) incorporates nanotechnology for better stability, bioavailability and targeted delivery. Sonication as such enables production of herbal drugs in sub-micron and nano-sized dimensions. Hence, this novel approach of medicated drumming integrating nanotechnology alongwith ultrasonic sound (corresponding to the nanotechnology coupled sonodynamic therapywith improved pharmacokinetics) could function as an ef icient drug delivery strategy to check outbreaks.


Microgrids have long been deployed to provide power to customers in remote areas as well as critical industrial and military loads. Today, they are also being proposed as grid-interactive solutions for energy-resilient communities. Such microgrids will spend most of the time operating while synchronized with the surrounding utility grid but will also be capable of separating during contingency periods due to storms or temporary disturbances such as local grid faults. Properly designed and grid-integrated microgrids can provide the flexibility, reliability, and resiliency needs of both the future grid and critical customers. These systems can be an integral part of future power system designs that optimize investments to achieve operational goals, improved reliability, and diversification of energy sources.


Lung cancer is one of the most common and dangerous cancers in the world. However, lives can be saved through early diagnosis by CT scan images, which is the best imaging technique in the medical field for early treatment. Though CT scan imaging is the best technique, doctors and radiologists face some difficulties such as not being able to diagnose early and commence treatment and to interpret and identify cancer from CT scan images because of the limitation of equipment and specialists. Therefore, to identify the cancerous cells accurately, computer-aided diagnosis can be more helpful for doctors. Computer-aided techniques based on image processing and machine learning have been extensively researched, and are being implemented currently to address this issue. This research is mainly focused on evaluating and analyzing the different computer-aided techniques, find out their limitations and drawbacks and finally, propose a new model with improvements. In the methodology section of this research, lung cancer detection techniques were sorted and listed based on their detection accuracy. The techniques were analyzed on each step, and overall limitations and disadvantages were pointed out. It is found that some techniques have low accuracy and some have higher accuracy, but not nearer to 100%. Therefore, our project target is to make a lung cancer detection model using CT scan images with high accuracy and predicting the lung cancer stage.


The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) with its headquarters at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was established in 1958 under resolution 67aA (XXV) of the Economic and Social Council. It is one of the four regional commissions of the United Nations, the other three, which were established much earlier, being the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) with headquarters in Geneva, the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) with Bangkok, Thailand, as its headquarters and the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) at Santiago de Chili. The establishment of these regional commissions was a result of the need and desirability to decentralize United Nations activities, not only on a functional but also on a geographical basis.


The process consists of electric heating, warming up, operating the machine to start the screw, discharging, moulding, de moulding and taking bag. The equipment consists of plastic extrusion main machine and plastic bag blower subsidiary machine. The plastic blood (liquid) bag produced by said technology and equipment features that the bag body, bag head, bag tail and conduct are formed into an organic whole by once forming, the bag head and conduct will not leak and it is convenient for using.


Most of the extant Huihe documents are religious (Mainly Buddhist).There are few public documents about ancient Huihe society and economy.Therefore,it is very important for us to study Huihe public documents.Based on the investigation of original copies of Huihe public documents by a Japanese scholar,the author of this article gives a brief account of the situation.


The building sector is the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. More than 33% of global energy use is consumed in offices, homes, and other buildings. This figure is expected to double to more than 60% by 2030. It is a vital requirement, therefore, that new construction projects and renovations to existing construction, are focused on eco-friendly building designs. Such consideration is a low-cost means to battling climate change, reducing energy bills, and diminishing our reliance on fossil fuels. However, a failure to act immediately will compound and multiply the costs associated with climate change. This paper will present building designs and techniques, the goal of which will be to achieve energy neutrality. That is to say that the building's energy demand will be offset by power generated from renewable energy sources. For instance, in a country such as the UAE, there are high numbers of sunshine hours and a considerable amount of wind potential. It would therefore be best to incorporate solar panels into new building designs. Micro wind turbines, distributed in an aesthetically pleasing way, could supplement the solar panels. Many factors need to be considered when creating an energy efficient building in such a sunny climate. These include: making the best technical use of local resources to avoid the costly (financially and ecologically) long-distance transportation of construction materials; determining the most optimum balance between harnessing the natural sunlight and insulating the inside of the structure from its accompanying heat; and creating natural ventilation and air filtering through design rather than focusing on energy draining air conditioning systems. Of these three, the last may be the most important, as the highest percentage of household energy consumption is associated with cooling/heating living spaces and with heating water. These are two aspects that greatly affect quality of life and that people will not forsake. Their ecological adaptation is therefore necessary in order for populations to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. The focus of this paper will then be about balance: balancing the planet's and our communities' future needs with sustainment of home comforts and quality of life. Balance of future urban development with the ecological integrity of our land and water. Balance of ecological building design with natural resource capitalisation. A balance between people and nature. This paper will explore how these goals can be realised through concepts such as incorporation of renewable energies into design; green rooftops; holistic and life cycle approaches to consumption, waste, and recycling; reduced traffic through intelligent pedestrian community design; means of renewable energy transportation; and the reduction of urban heat island effect.


Selection lemmas are classical results in discrete geometry that have been well studied and have applications in many geometric problems like weak epsilon nets and slimming Delaunay triangulations. Selection lemma type results typically show that there exists a point that is contained in many objects that are induced (spanned) by an underlying point set. In the first selection lemma, we consider the set of all the objects induced by a point set P. This question has been widely explored for simplices in ℝd, with tight bounds in ℝ2. In our paper, we prove first selection lemma for other classes of geometric objects like boxes and balls in ℝd. We also consider the strong variant of this problem where we add the constraint that the piercing point comes from P. We prove an exact result on the strong and the weak variant of the first selection lemma for axis-parallel rectangles and disks (for centrally symmetric point sets). We also show non-trivial bounds on the first selection lemma for axis-parallel boxes and balls in ℝd. In the second selection lemma, we consider an arbitrary m sized subset of the set of all objects induced by P. We study this problem for axis-parallel rectangles and show that there exists a point in the plane that is contained in Ω(m3 n4 ) rectangles. This is an improvement over the previous bound by Smorodinsky and Sharir22 when m is almost quadratic.


Text mining is makeing use of the techniques of data mining to extract interesting,potential,useful pattern and hidden information from a lot of texts.The paper sets forth the functions,processes and applications of text mining.At last,it introduces some tools and a demonstration of text mining.


The issue of hollow-cathode operations in space is treated from the point of view of fundamental principles of plasma interactions and their control over currents involving the device, the spaceborne vehicle, and the ambient space plasma. Particular attention is given to collective plasma processes, the effects of the ambient magnetic field, and the high probability of plasma turbulence triggered by hallow cathode operations. The paper presents a rocket payload and experiment scenario designed for accommodation on a Black Brant booster, launched from a midlatitude site to an apogee in excess of 400 km.


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an irreversible lung disease. The leading cause of death ranked seventh in Taiwan. According to COPD guideline when patient enter into the third stage. They recommend using inhaled corticosteroids to heal, theophylline is also recommended that patients taking one of the medicines. Theophylline occupies the highest proportion of drug use in Taiwan. The effect of theophylline on eyes doesn't have clearly results yet. Cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration are all common eye diseases on elder. Cataract affects a lot of elder patients' eyes and hurt a profound impact on their vision, however the published literature for inhaled corticosteroids using and the risk of cataracts is inconsistent until now. Glaucoma is the major culprit of cause blindness, and inhaled corticosteroids impacts on glaucoma in the current research is sparse and lacking large database research. Age-related macular degeneration is also a common eye disease in elder patients. Age-related macular degeneration will also cause blindness. This study is using retrospective nested case control to design. Searching the relation of eye diseases after using inhaled corticosteroids /theophylline with different drug combination among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.


Objectives We aimed to determine whether Gluconacetobacter hansenii GK-1(G. hansenii) activates immune cells via TLR4 and acts synergistically with Lactobacillus paracasei(L.paracasei)to produce antiallergic effects. Methods We conducted three in vitro tests as follows. Test 1: For evaluation of TLR4 signal pathway, TLR4-transfected human embryonic kidney(HEK)cells were stimulated by heat-killed G. hansenii, and using L. paracasei, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bacillus subtilis as Gram positive bacteria control. Test 2: To evaluate the synergistic macrophage activation by the combination of G. hansenii and L. paracasei, nitric oxides production was measured by stimulated RAW264.7(a mouse macrophage cell line). Test 3: To evaluate the synergistic macrophage activation by a combination of G. hansenii and L. paracasei, the IL︱12p40 production was measured by stimulated J774.1(a mouse macrophage cell line). Results Test 1 showed that G. hansenii activated on TLR4 pathway and were significantly produced higher levels of IL-8 compared with the other Gram-positive bacteria(P<0.05). Tests 2 and 3 showed that there was a significant increase in the nitric oxide production and IL-12p40 production when G. hansenii and L. paracasei were added together to the cell culture compared with the single bacteria(P<0.05). Conclusion The findings of our study show that G. hansenii specifically binds to TLR4 to cause an antiallergic effect and acts synergistically with L. paracasei.


The events of 11 September 2001 sparked a major reorganisation of the form and structure of the security and defence organisations on both sides of the border between Canada and the United States. As with all situations requiring major changes in response to significant shifts in the security environment, reorganising the configuration is far easier than making rapid and lasting shifts in the underpinning organisational culture; yet both are required. Often, the need for organisational continuity and stability precludes radical reorganisation and thought patterns in response to minor changes to the security environment. This is especially true in defence and security organisations wherein the chaos surrounding such changes is more keenly felt. That said, failing to detect and respond effectively to major changes in