The purpose of the study was to establish the reference ranges of serum creatinine and estimated creatinine clearance for adult Kenyan population using enzymatic sarcosine oxidase quantitative analytical method. A prospective study carried out in clinical chemistry laboratory of Kenyatta National Hospital involving 631 individuals between 18-61 years. Results for 316 study subjects (158 renal patients and 158 healthy subjects) were used to compare the difference between enzymatic sarcosine oxidase and modified jaffes reaction methods. Comparison of the two methods showed statistically significant difference (renal patient: p = 0.024, healthy subjects: p = 0.038). Parametric methods were used to construct reference ranges by estimating 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles of distribution as lower and upper reference limits. Results for 462 blood donor study subjects comprising of 249 male and 213 females were used for the establishment of reference ranges of:- serum creatinine and estimated creatinine clearance. Serum creatinine and estimated creatinine clearance reference ranges established were as follows:- serum creatinine {male: (41-109) μmol/L, female: (32-92) μmol/L} and estimated creatinine clearance {male: (36-98) ml/min, female: (31-81) ml/min}. The current study has established adult Kenyan reference ranges for serum creatinine and estimated creatinine clearance using enzymatic sarcosine oxidase analytical method. Enzymatic sarcosine oxidase method produced low creatinine concentration than the modified jaffes reaction method for the studied parameters.


The major problems with the current supervisory mechanism within the state owned corporate enterprise are: too much control from insiders; high cost and low efficiency of commission; lack of constraint mechanism for the enterprise's competent department(s); want of codified standard and constraint mechanism concerning the transfer of enterprise manager; ineffective organization within the enterprise arising from dysfunctioning system arrangement and inharmonious relationship between the "three new Committees" and the "three old Committees, etc. Given this situation, the construction of supervisory mechanism within the state owned corporate enterprise should proceed from the followings: to strengthen the control over the insiders control; to reconstruct the representative agency of state owned assets owner with the aim of reducing the commission cost; to strengthen the power of the Board of Supervisors; to take good care of the relationship between the "three new Committees" and the "three old Committees" and ensure that the Board of Directors enjoy the power of final decision making; to give the staff more opportunities of enterprise management.


This paper designs a three-axis vehicular on-the-move satellite communications system based on combination of strapdown inertial guiding and monopulse tracking systems.The system composition and implementation are described in detail.It puts forward the essential cause of using strapdown inertial navigation guiding and three-axis pedestal mode,and analyzes the characteristics of three-axis vehicular on-the-move communications services in high-elevation tracking and the control policies of servo system in sheltering environment.And it compares such two operation modes as strapdown inertial navigation guiding and electronic compass guiding in vehicular on-the-move communications system.


A texture synthesis process resamples a smaller texture image, which synthesizes a new texture image with a similar local appearance and an arbitrary size. The texture synthesis process can be use into steganography to conceal secret messages. In contrast to using an existing cover image to hide messages, some algorithms conceal the source texture image and embed secret messages through the process of texture synthesis. This allows extraction of the secret messages and source texture from a stego


In this study,experimental research has been carried out to investigate strength of low-alloyed steelQ345 used in steel structure buildings at elevated temperature by using the steady state tensile test method.It givesthe effective yield strength by adopting tangent-intersection method,and has a comparison with the strength ob-tained by using other methods.Regression formula has been drew,which provides basis for fire resistance analysis ofsteel structure buildings.


This study aimed to examine the prospective role played by environmental uncertainty on the performance of manufacturing SMEs. Interestingly, only a few empirical researches were conducted on the effect of business environment on Performance of SMEs in Palestine. The environmental uncertainty, and performance were measured on the basis of extensive literature. The number of Questionnaire used to collect data from the respondents were 341. The respondents are from manufacturing SMEs in West Bank of Palestine. The findings indicate that there is a negative significance relationship between environmental uncertainty and the performance of manufacturing SMEs.


The assumption of this study is that the changing cultural values is the arrow head of the political development in any country. This is squeal to the fact that the complexity of beliefs and values which are prevalent in a society forms the basis for rationalizing the people's actions and are termed ideology. Ideology is an important mechanism for the sustenance of society as it has the capacity to induce political development hence a society without ideology risks disintegration. It is on this premise that this paper feels that Nigeria should take stock of its achievement and failures, 52 years after independence and then determine what we need to do in the years ahead to realize the dreams of the founding fathers. Against this background the study examined such areas as cultural values, political development in the country. Based on this we found out that there is an interface between the values of the people and the leadership in the country and this is actually occasioned by mass poverty in Nigeria. We therefore recommend that provision of employment opportunity, income redistribution and to de-emphasized materialism will be necessary in ensuring not just democratic but an egalitarian society.


Introduction.- Charisma Revived.- Explaining Charisma: A Macro View.- Explaining Charisma: A Non-deterministic View.- Explaining Charisma: A Constructivist View.- Methodological Operations.- Contextualizing Charisma: Theoretical and Empirical Indications.- The Charismatic Enigma: Three Extraordinary Singaporeans.- Charismatic Leadership's Agency: Social Construction and Transformation of Meaning.- Structural Constraints and Alternative Socio-political Discourses.- Conclusions.


Objective To analyze the plague monitoring data and epidemiological characteristics from 1991 to 2005 in Ningxia,and provide the strategy for plague prevention and control.Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods and SPSS statistical software were used for statistics,analysis and evaluation.Results The density of main host in the S.alaschanicus and M.unguiculatus focuses showed an increased trend during these 15 years in Ningxia.The average rat density of S.alaschanicus maximized 0.74-1.76/ha,while the average rat density of M.unguiculatus was 0.1-5.9/ha;the average flea infectious rate of Alaschanicus focus was 38.01%-59.00% and flea index was 0.95-(2.36,) at the higher level;There were 6 times of obvious epidemic prevalence among rats in and 3 times of pandemic prevalence among animals in Alaschanicus focus;The active epidemic prevalence among animals related to the high rat density.Conclusion The plague among the animal in Ningxia will be prevail at intervals,in order to control and prevent the plague,the main continuous general measures,such as plague monitoring, rat and flea eradication,educational diffusion and provincial(autonomous regional) joint defense,must be insisted on.


Fold and thrust belts (FTBs), formed by the collision of two continental plates, accommodate tectonic convergence through folding and faulting of crustal rocks. The effects of distributed deformation although ubiquitous in all fold-and-thrust belts, regionally occurring ductile structures are often interpreted as an outcome of localized deformation. Our study presents 3D laboratoryscale models using a viscous thin sheet as crustal layer to investigate the evolution of distributed ductile strain in FTBs. Here, we tested the role of mechanical coupling at the basal decollement (i.e., weak versus strong) on the nature of ductile strain variations within a deforming tectonic wedge. Convergence velocity has been kept constant in all experiments to avoid the influence of rate-dependence on viscous rheology. Our results reveal that the mode of wedge growth with changing basal coupling is crucial for varying strain pattern towards the hinterland. Weak decollement models yield a zone of constriction towards the central part of the hinterland, explaining the occurrence of isolated patches of L-tectonites and cross-folds in FTBs; while strong decollement condition allows the gravity-driven flow to be dominant over horizontal shortening, leading to rotation of earlier structures and formation of orogen-parallel recumbent folds, particularly towards the hinterland. The deformation towards the frontal part of the tectonic wedge, irrespective of coupling strength in both models is similar, forming a characteristic pattern of pervasive, hinterland dipping ductile fabrics. We correlate our findings to infer that spatiotemporal variations in basal coupling are responsible for the development of variably occurring ductile structures in FTBs.


Wind‐blown sand over Gobi can cause severe sand abrasion. The vertical flux profiles, especially that of the kinetic energy (KE), determine the erosion intensity. However, the vertical distribution of the KE flux of wind‐blown sand over Gobi remains poorly understood. Here, we report comprehensive field‐based measurements of the vertical flux profiles of wind‐blown sand over three typical Gobi surfaces during four transport events. The results show that unlike the exponential decrease in the particle count flux with height, the KE flux profile curve was non‐monotonic and could be well fitted by a Pearson VII function. The height where the maximum KE flux density occurred (kink points) ranged from 0.09 to 0.15 m above the ground. In addition, the non‐monotonic KE flux profiles primarily emerged during periods of strong transport and were mainly caused by large saltating sand particles due to their high KE as they rebounded from the grain‐bed collision.


The present invention relates to a central control device and a control method thereof, capable of identifying a user. The electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a body of the electronic device, an output unit which is arranged on the body and outputs information, a sensing unit which senses the approach of the user with regard to the body, and a control unit which identifies the user and outputs information related to the identified user. The output unit includes a display unit and a speaker.


At the 1994 Paris AIDS Summit 42 national governments committed to "support a Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA) through an initiative to strengthen the capacity and coordination of networks of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and community-based organizations". However little if any systematic research has been undertaken to identify the factors that limit and enhance this involvement in the delivery of community-based HIV/AIDS prevention care and support services and explore how the involvement of PLHA can have an impact on the quality of these services. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in collaboration with the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and the Horizons Program undertook a study in India to document the models of PLHA involvement and how they affect NGO activities. A similar study has been conducted in three other countries: Burkina Faso Ecuador and Zambia. (excerpt)


In this paper,some sufficient conditions are obtained for the oscillation of solutions of a class of even order nonlinear neutral partial differential equations with continuous distribution delay under Robin and Dirichlet boundary value conditions.


In this paper multi-band RFID Reader and tag antennas are proposed. The objective of the research is to realize two triband antennas are to be design and implement the same using fractal structures as a radiating element. The reader is designed with modified fractal tree and the corresponding center frequencies are 3.6GHZ, 5.8GHz and 8.2GHz. The tag antenna designed with recursive rectangular fractal structure and the respective frequencies are 3.9 GHz, 5.8GHz and 8.2GHz. The proposed antennas are used for Item level management, RFID toll fee collection and telemetry application respectively. Both antennas achieved good read range.


Objectives: To estimate percentage of low bone mineral density (BMD) in rheumatoid arthritis patients; survey the relationship between bone mineral density and factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), menopause, disease duration, disease activity level, low factor (RF), Anti Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP), C-reactive Protein (CRP), 1st- hour erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), cortisol. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 74 patients which diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at General Internal Medicine – Endocrinology Department of Hue University Hospital and Nephrology – Rheumatology Department of Hue Central Hospital from April 2020 to May 2021. Statistical analysis methods were description, compare means, bivariate correlation, univariate logistic analysis was performed. Result: In the RA patients,
31.08% had osteoporosis, 44.59% had osteopenia, and 24.33% had normal BMD. The mean of BMD at lumbar spine is 0.788±0.155 g/cm2 and at femoral neck is 0.779 ± 0.186 g/cm2. BMD had associated with sex, menopause, and significantly correlated with age, BMI, duration of disease. Conclusion: In RA patients, 63.51% had low BMD. Osteoporosis screening should be considered in clinical practice to promptly detect, treat and prevent the risk of osteoporosis fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Key words: bone mineral density, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis


Tuberculosis is a global health problem exacerbated by the absence of an effective vaccine and emergence of extensive antibiotic-resistant strains. Innate immunity is key to tuberculosis susceptibility, since it is associated with genetic polymorphisms in TLRs (Toll Like Receptors), VDR (Vitamin D Receptor), INF-γ, TNF-α, among others. Recently, also to nine Mendelian Susceptibility Mycobacterial Diseases (MSMD) -causing genes, including autosomal and X-linked genes. After decades of successful management, Chile reported maintenance of mortality and increase in tuberculosis under 15 years and multidrug resistant cases incidence. Moreover, incidence is higher in the North and the Center, where Metropolitan Region showed a sustained increment of the Latin American migrant population. Consequently, the high incidence persistence in such geographic areas could be associated with populations carrying SNPs genetic polymorphisms types and/or MSMD that confer genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis and/or BCG dissemination and other intramacrophagic pathogens, similar to that described in certain populations in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Corollary, we propose to consider genetic predisposition of the current population, at the time of designing national public health policies to eradicate tuberculosis.


Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multisystem disease that can affect the eyes in many ways. A number of ocular complications have been reported to be associated with DM, many of which can lead to blindness (Goebbels, 2000). Although ocular complications such as chronic inflammation of the lids, orbital infections, cataract, diabetic papillopathy, and diabetic retinopathy have been recognized and studied extensively, the studies on corneal and conjunctival complications of diabetes are still few (Dabbs and Meredith, 1991). Many diabetic patients complain of dry eye symptoms, such as burning and foreign body sensation. Thus the question as to whether DM is correlated with tear film anomalies or there is a primary surface disease or metabolic alternations of the conjunctival or corneal epithelial cells, independent of the tear film anomalies (Goebbels, 2000). Schultz et at. (1981) reported that, 47% to 64% of diabetic patients have corneal lesions during their life time as epithelial fragility, superficial punctate keratopathy, persistent epithelial defects. and recurrent corneal erosions (Schultz et al., 1981). Different studies have reported structural. metabolic, and functional abnormalities in the conjunctiva and cornea of diabetic patients, and have suggested that these abnormalities may be responsible for the clinical corneal manifestations of DM (Taylor and Kimsey, 1981; Friend et al., 1982; Azar et al., 1989; Tsubota et al., 1991). The tear film has been reported to be unstable and to have higher osmolarity in diabetics (Seifart and Strempel, 1994). Other study also demonstrated


The article introduces the design and realization of monitoring and control system of AS/RS based on expert system, explaines the realizing idea of the system, and analyzes the realization of the expert system structure and the communication method.


Abstract The linguistic climate in northern Belgium (Flanders) has been changing in recent years. A new corpus of spoken Dutch meets the need for data reflecting actual and present-day language use in this part of the Dutch language area. The 'Spoken Dutch Corpus' allows us to uncover and analyse the present state of colloquial Belgian Dutch and the changes which mark this condition. This paper discusses the realization of two morphosyntactic variables, the variants of which are markers of Belgian Dutch versus Netherlandic Dutch. In spite of more than half a century of official language policy promoting convergence with northern Netherlandic Dutch, the results reveal a growing divergence from the northern norm: the younger generations show a greater preference for the endogenous, Brabantic, variants than the older generations. The northern Dutch variants have not been integrated in colloquial Belgian Dutch. Apparently they are still considered to be a 'Hollandic import'.


Previous studies have shown that SOD overexpression in neurons inhibits AngII intra‐neuronal signaling; thus, suggesting that superoxide radicals (O2•−) are key signaling intermediates driving AngII‐induced neuronal activation. However, considering H2O2 is a direct product of O2•− dismutation by SOD, an alternative interpretation is that increased H2O2 mediates the inhibition of AngII signaling in SOD overexpressing neurons. We aimed to determine if H2O2 levels are indeed increased in SOD overexpressing neurons stimulated with AngII. To query this, we used a neuronal cell culture model expressing HyPer, a H2O2‐sensitive fluorescent protein. To determine the sensitivity of HyPer to H2O2, neurons were stimulated with increasing concentrations of H2O2 (1–100 μM) and changes in HyPer fluorescence were observed by real‐time confocal imaging. Robust increases in HyPer fluorescence were detected after treatment of ≥5 μM, but not after 1 μM H2O2. In contrast, no changes in HyPer fluorescence were observed after AngII (100 nM) stimulation in control or SOD overexpressing neurons. These data suggest that AngII does not increase H2O2 levels in SOD overexpressing neurons, or does so at concentrations below the level of HyPer detection. These data further support the hypothesis that SOD overexpression inhibits AngII intra‐neuronal signaling by decreasing O2•− levels, but not by increasing H2O2 levels. AHA 0930204N.


Young people spend a lot of time in their neighbourhood, yet little is known about the relationship between wellbeing, belonging and place from their own perspective. Our study sought to understand how young people navigate their neighbourhood and perceive various aspects of its health environment in its broadest sense. In this article we reflect on the walking methodology we used as part of a Participatory Photo Mapping (PPM) exercise with 11-year-old girls from a working-class school community who were participants in the PEACH Project. It was through walk-along interviews that students were able to tell us where events that matter to them happen; what these experiences look like (via photos that they took while we walked); and how these experiences unfold (via narratives and stories that they shared with us along the way). We reflect on the use of walking methodologies as both an emplaced approach and dynamic exercise that allowed us to access and generate visual and verbal data that privileged these young girls' community knowledge. We conclude that this method facilitated the discussion of sensitive and political issues, as well as the emergence of unexpected data on child cultures, family and community life, belonging, wellbeing and futures.


Objective To assess the value of transarterial infusion chemotherapy and embolization in the treatment of malignant bone and soft tissue tumors Methods 58 cases of malignant bone and soft tissue tumors were included in this group The clinical and radiographic improvement were observed and correlated with pathological findings Results Marked improvement of the symptoms in most patients was noticed Limb sparing resection was obtained in 92% patients and the local recurrence rate was 13 6% Tumor necrosis of 90%-100% was revealed by pathology in 53%(10/19) patients Significant correlation between angiographic and pathological findings was presented Conclusions Interventional therapy is a safe and effective procedure in treating malignant bone and soft tissue tumors Follow up angiographic findings can predict the respones of the patients


P opular mobile devices now ship with several integrated wired and wireless network interfaces. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and smartphones, for example, are increasingly supporting communications through both cellular technologies and Wireless LANs (WLANs); laptops typically come with built-in Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth[1]. As multiaccess devices proliferate, we move closer to a network environment that is often referred to as "beyond 3G" (B3G). Key success factors for cellular third-generation (3G) communications include better cell capacities, increased data rates, transparent mobility within large geographical areas, and global reachability. For B3G, the next frontier lies beyond transparent mobile connections within the same access technology because users will expect to be globally reachable anytime, anywhere, and remain "always best-connected" (ABC)[2]. In order to select the best possible connectivity option (anytime, anywhere), mobile devices and access networks will have to work together in order to enable users to take full advantage of all available options.


Rosetta is a systems level design language that allows algebraic specifica- tion of systems through facets. The usual approach to formally describe a specification is to define an algebra that satisfies the specification. Although it is possible to for- mally describe Rosetta facets with the use of algebras, we choose to use the dual of algebra, i.e. coalgebra, to do so. Coalgebras are particularly suited for describing state- based systems. This makes formally defining state-based Rosetta quite straightforward. For non-state-based Rosetta, the formalization is not as direct, but can still be done with coalgebras by focusing on the behaviors of systems specified. We use denota- tional semantics to map Rosetta syntactic constructs into a language understood by the coalgebras.


Abstract : Work over a three year period on the optical and dielectric properties of a sequence of ionic molecular solids such as K2SeO4, KNO, and NaNO2 is described. This work had both experimental and theoretical components. Principally the experiments used light scattering and birefringence to monitor structural and optical changes associated with solid-solid phase transitions. Theoretical studies concentrated on developing a unified theory of the ionic interactions in these systems which resulted in parameter free molecular dynamics simulations which closely reproduced the observed transition and structural behavior of these increasingly complex systems. Ferroelectrics, Phase, Transitions, Ionic, Molecular, Solids


Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as natural and synthetic hormones as well as phenolic industrial chemicals are considered contaminants of emerging concern in environmental waters. While EDCs carried through the rivers may impact ecosystem health and productivity, these compounds are still not widely studied nor regulated. In this study, we report the occurrence of EDCs in urban rivers in Mega Manila namely Marikina, Pasig, Angat, and Pampanga Rivers that drain into Manila Bay. EDCs may have reached these rivers through domestic wastewater and industrial effluents. Water samples from the rivers were extracted by solid phase extraction before instrumental analysis using a liquid chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. The analytical method exhibited good linear response (>99% in the concentration range of 1-50 µg/L) and low instrument detection limits (0.14-1.46 µg/L) for the hormones estrone, estradiol, ethinylestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, and the industrial chemicals bisphenol A, nonylphenol, and octylphenol. Of the hormones, estrone was detected up to 11 ng/L. Bisphenol A, nonylphenol, and octylphenol were measured up to 54 ng/L, 1878 ng/L, and 62 ng/L, respectively. EDCs are not yet monitored in water bodies in the Philippines and there are no local guidelines yet on occurrence, pollution prevention, and mitigation.


Abstract : According to the literature, research on modeling continuum robots isfocused on ways to develop the kinematic models, because of the lack of analyticalmodels for these robots and the complexity of the problem which reside in thecoupling of operational variables and infinite of possible solutions for a desiredconfiguration. This paper presents a numerical approach for solving the inversekinematic model of a planar continuum robot (PCR), assuming that each sectionof the manipulator is curved as a circular arc, with an inextensible central axis ofthe structure. At first, this paper presents an inverse kinematic model solution forone bending section, whereas the extreme points, of each section, used in calculatingthe inverse kinematic model for multi-sections is calculated numerically usinga particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. Finally, Simulation examples ofthis method are carried to validate the proposed approach.


Previous studies have shown that non-gastroenterologists miss more colorectal cancers (CRCs) during colonoscopy than do gastroenterologists. To examine this issue further, investigators in Ontario, Canada, extended a prior study showing that colonoscopies performed by …


For sustainable operation, power plants require accurate damage assessment of the steam turbines used for power generation. In the past few decades, steam turbine designs have considered only steady-state operation, without accounting for thermal cyclic loads. However, steam turbines designed for steady-state operation are often subjected to operation under cyclic and transient operation as well; this situation can cause both creep and fatigue damage. Creep and fatigue damage can interact with each other, thereby significantly impacting performance and leading to premature failure. Thus, this study proposes operation-adaptive damage assessment for steam turbines using a nonlinear creep-fatigue interaction model. The three-fold novel aspects of this study include methods to: 1) adaptively determine the hyper-parameters embedded in the nonlinear creep-fatigue interaction model depending on the operation mode (i.e., base-load and peak-load); 2) incorporate actual operation data acquired from field-deployed steam turbines; and 3) interpret the creep-fatigue damage interaction diagram with respect to the operation modes. It can be concluded from the results that the nonlinear creep and fatigue damage interaction is significantly affected by the operation mode as well as by the type of dominant damage mechanism.


This study aims to explain didactic anticipation in learning arithmetic sequences and series. The study was conducted using a didactic design study with three stages: prospective analysis, metapedadidactic, and retrospective analysis. Data were collected through tests, interviews, and documentation. Researchers compile HLT based on the analysis of learning constraints for students in learning arithmetic sequences and series. From the HLT, a didactic design was designed. The didactic design is implemented with results showing that there are three didactic events that researchers anticipate didactic with a scaffolding strategy, namely: 1) when determining the value that satisfies the number pattern, the researcher anticipates the didactic by providing directions in the form of directions to solve the given problem; 2) when determining the definition and example of arithmetic sequences, the didactic anticipation by the researcher by providing another example of the form of a number sequence makes students better understand the learning given; 3) when determining the value of the nth term and the sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence and series, the didactic anticipation is given namely with their respective shirts to check their work and make direct interactions. The didactic anticipation that the researchers gave in this study was adjusted to the conditions of the environment around the classroom.


A medium lift-to-drag ratio lunar return vehicle with trim-flaps is presented in this paper. The trajectory optimization design under heat-rate constrain for skip entry lunar return vehicle is analyzed. The optimization problem with a first-order state constraint is introduced. The trajectory applying the Pontryagin maximum principle under the performance of minimum heat is optimized, and the optimal expression of lift coefficient is derived. The simulation studies show that this research method can decrease the heat-rate effectively.


[Abstract]: This paper reports on a two year pilot project facilitating the professional development of teachers of first year courses through a community of practice. Community members reflect and co-construct initiatives to enhance the learning experiences of their students. They also develop strategies to meet individual, institutional and societal demands impacting on their teaching.


Profit and loss invoice is the main accounting information. Investors pay the priority attention to net profit as the latest information item of profit and loss invoice. Conservatism has a great influence on investment and companies' financial crisis. The main purpose of this research is studying the relationship between conditional conservatism and financial crisis in accepted companies in Tehran Stock Exchange during time period of 2009 up to 2014. Statistical society is used by screening (omissive) model for selecting a sample which is studied in 122 companies. Current research methodology is applicative by aiming, its type is correlated, its model is panel data and for analysis by software of EVIEWS8. Also, obtained result by first subsidiary hypotheses represent a straight relationship between firm size and companies' financial crisis and second subsidiary hypotheses represent a straight relationship between financial leverage and companies' financial crisis. There is not a meaningful relationship between reserved cash fund and financial crisis in third subsidiary hypotheses. There is a meaningful relationship between sale growth and financial crisis in forth subsidiary hypotheses. There is a straight and meaningful relationship between tangible properties and financial crisis in fifth subsidiary hypotheses. In sixth subsidiary hypotheses, there is a negative and meaningful relationship between growth opportunity and financial crisis.


1 Field data were collected at a heavily congested roundabout in Wisconsin to determine its 2 operational characteristics and compare them to the state of the practice in the US. The left and 3 right lanes were queued for about 90% and 25% of the five hour data collection period. Critical 4 gaps were estimated using the maximum likelihood method assuming a log-normal distribution. 5 The results for all vehicles are similar to the lower bounds reported in past research, although 6 with considerably lower standard deviations. When adjacent exiting vehicles' impact is 7 considered, the estimated average critical gaps decrease significantly. The average critical gaps 8 for trucks were found to be considerably greater than for cars. The average follow-up headways 9 were found identical to the previously reported values. Data from this location does not support 10 the notion that the dominant lane would have a lower follow-up headway than the sub-dominant 11 lane. The average follow-up headway decreases considerably when exiting vehicles' impact is 12 considered. One-minute entering and circulating volumes were compared to the proposed 13 capacity model in the new HCM 2010 and the UK model. Although, numerically the RMSE for 14 the UK and HCM2010 models are very similar, they are for approach and critical lane capacity, 15 respectively. Therefore, the HCM 2010 model may result in a larger RMSE than the UK model 16 when converted to approach capacity. A linear capacity model fitted to the field data had a 17 similar slope as the calibrated UK model. Further validation of these findings is strongly 18 recommended using data from multiple congested roundabouts. 19


A new type of banknote-testing device is designed and manufactured,which preserves traditional banknote-testing device functions and has many new performance such as banknote coding,verifying,and network monitoring.And the authors have finished all the tasks which include the transmission system design,the structure visual design,the main control electric circuits design,and the device manufacturing and experiment.


INTRODUCTION The human balance system comprises of the semi-circular canals, which sense rotation of the head, and the otoliths, which act as linear accelerometers. On Earth, the otoliths sense the constant linear acceleration of gravity, and this information is used by the brain to determine the spatial vertical, and the orientation of the head with respect to the vertical. This information is critical in controlling our posture and eye movements during everyday activities such as walking and driving an automobile. In addition, recent studies have suggested that the otoliths play a role in the activation of sympathetic outflow in response to changes in posture, triggering a vestibulo-sympathetic reflex which produces changes in heart rate and vascular tone that contributes to maintain blood flow to the brain during orthostatic stress. During our 1998 Neurolab (STS-90) experiment, four payload crewmembers were exposed to artificial gravity (a 1-g or 0.5-g centripetal acceleration) generated by in-flight centrifugation. In contrast to previous post-flight studies, both in-flight and post-flight measures of otolith-ocular function were unimpaired. Post-flight tests also indicated no symptoms of orthostatic intolerance (an inability to maintain blood flow to the brain) in all four payload crew. This is an unlikely occurrence if the finding that 64% of astronauts experience profound symptoms of post-flight orthostatic intolerance (Buckey et al. J Appl Physiol 1996; Fritsch Yelle et al. J Appl Physiol 1996) is a general phenomenon. In addition, preliminary data suggests that sympathetically-mediated vasoconstriction was better maintained in the payload crew compared to two other crewmembers not exposed to in-flight centrifugation. A possible explanation for these results is that intermittent exposure to artificial gravity during the 16-day mission had prevented deconditioning of otolith-ocular and vestibulo-sympathetic reflexes in the microgravity environment. The aim of the current proposal is to obtain control measures of otolith and orthostatic function following short duration missions, utilizing techniques developed for the Neurolab flight, from astronauts who have not been exposed to in-flight centrifugation. This will enable a direct comparison with data obtained from the Neurolab crew. Deficits in otolith-mediated responses, specifically ocular counter-rolling and spatial orientation of the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex, would support the hypothesis that intermittent exposure to in-flight centripetal acceleration is a countermeasure for otolith deconditioning. Furthermore, a correlation between post-flight otolith deconditioning and orthostatic intolerance would establish an otolithic basis for this condition.


A real estate price index tracks the price of a standard unit of housing over time. The index typically is constructed from observations on the sale price and their characteristics. Due to the requirement of the stability of the index, I assumed four different types of houses. With centering on them, I estimated locally weighted regressions (LWR) of hedonic price models and constructed the transaction-based price indices from January 2006 to October 2010 for Gangnam Gu, Seoul. The appraisal-based KB indices have appraisal smoothing problems in which they have low volatility and time-lag but the proposed transaction-based price indices do not show those problems.


A sheet conveyance device includes a paper feed section, a separation roller, a registration roller pair arranged downstream of the paper feed section, a conveyance roller pair arranged downstream of the registration roller pair, a multi feed sensor arranged between the paper feed section and the registration roller pair, and a document conveyance controller. When an original document arrives at the conveyance roller pair, the document conveyance controller suspends driving of the paper feed section and starts multi feed determination.


An evaluation of the changes in Congress's structure that occurred in the 1970s requires attention to three dimensions of its performance as a policymaking institution: representation of interests, deliberation, and conflict resolution. Considered this way, the changes seem to have enhanced some aspects of congressional capacity (especially the representation of broadly-based interests) but to have diminished others (especially deliberation and conflict resolution on issues that are salient to mass constituencies). The resulting strengths and weaknesses help to explain differences in congressional performance on trucking deregulation and natural gas deregulation in the late 1970s and early 1980s. To some degree, they have altered the opportunities, strategic considerations, and central skills for policy analysts who seek to influence congressional decisions.


In this paper, a high performance 5G millimeter-wave phased antenna array for 37–40 GHz mobile application is proposed. The proposed antenna array is based on dipole antenna with two opening holes. It is shown that compared to previous designs our antenna array design has good antenna performance in terms of antenna gain and scanning property within the entire frequency range.


Summary Defects of the atrioventricular septum impose changes in the septal architecture, atrioventricular valves, and conduction system that must be well understood for optimal repair. The atrioventricular node and bundles are shifted to more posterior and inferior positions that can be anticipated by the surgeon so as to maintain the integrity of atrioventricular conduction. The atrioventricular valve is a five leaflet structure that possesses a common orifice or separate orifices depending on characteristics of the superior and inferior bridging leaflets. These features are demonstrated by intraoperative photographs viewed from the surgeon's position.


Objective:To study the genetic polymorphisms of the mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) D-loop region in the Tajik population in Xinjiang,A hypothesis of the origin of Tajik people was proposed.Methods:Sequence polymorphisms of 34 unrelated Tajik mtDNA D-loop hypervariable regions Ⅰ were determined by PCR and direct sequencing.Results:Forty-seven polymorphic sites and 22 haplotypes were identified in the nucleotides for HV-I,comparing with the reference sequence.The genetic diversity was calculated to be 0.9822,and the genetic identity was 0.0466.Conclusion:Research shows that Tajik in Xinjiang and Caucasoid have a closed genetic relationship.


Only a fraction of Helicobacter pylori (HP)‐infected individuals develop clinical disease. Recent research indicates that immunological mechanisms may be important for understanding the pathophysiology of HP infection. Differences in the individual cellular immune response may reflect the clinical diversity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular immune response against HP in three clinically well‐defined patient groups: HP‐positive peptic ulcer, HP‐positive and HP‐negative gastritis. Biopsies from gastric mucosa were processed for analysis by flow cytometry and histology. The number of T lymphocytes (CD3+) was significantly higher in HP‐positive peptic ulcer (13.8%) than in HP‐positive nonulcer gastritis (6.3%). A nonsignificant increase for B lymphocytes (CD19+) was noted as well. Furthermore, a significant difference was seen in mucosal CD4/CD8 ratio between HP ulcer (2.4) and nonulcer HP gastritis (1.0) patients. Thus, B cells (CD19+) and T‐helper cells (CD4+) were dominant in gastric mucosa from peptic ulcer patients, and cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) were relatively dominant in gastric mucosa from nonulcer patients. In conclusion, distinct differences in the T‐cell subset distribution of mucosal lymphocytes were detected in patients with HP infection, strongly correlated with the presence or absence of peptic ulcer.


An analysis was made of the cladding thickness of various tubes. Experiments showed that small changes in the cooling rate following beta treatment of tubes influence the final grain size of the cores. A summary of cladding thickness data obtained by autoradiography and eddy current for the inner tubes of the demonstration set shows that the cladding is everywhere at least 20-mils thick. As the result of brazing trials on dingot specimens it appears that diretional solidification will be necessary to eliminate voids. Samples of a U-0.3 wt.% Al-0.5 wt.% Si alloy solotionized before extrusion were examined metallographically in different conditions. By oil quenching after gamma treating, precipitation of the dispersed phase was prevented; subsequent aging caused a fine precipitated phase to appear. Bond integrity was good for samples in the as-extruded and beta treated conditions and poor for all gamma treated specimens whether air cooled or oil quenched. Cracks are found in the U- 0.3 wt.% Cr-0.3 wt.% Mo alloy as cast and after subsequent operations. The grain size of a U-0.4 wt.% Al (nominal U-0.6 wt.% Al) casting is too coarse to give a satisfactory core-cladding interface and triple beta treatment did not seem to reduce grain sizemore » sufficiently. In the study of the penetration of magnesium and of Mg-0.4 wt.% Si alloy in Zircaloy, sandwich-type couples give fairly uniform and reproducible values at 500 deg C if the components of the couple are etched before assembly. Penetration rates are about the same for pure magnesium and for the alloy at 500 deg C. Tensile specimens through the diffusion zone of couples treated at 500 deg C broke on the Zircaloy side of the original interface at values of 5,000 to 5,500 psi (as compared to 12,000 psi for magnesium). In bend tests on Zircaloy tubes coated by dipping in molten magnesium, cracks originated in the magnesium, progressed radially to the bond zone and then propagated circumferentially. Uranium cores of coextruded Zircaloy-clad tubes were melted in situ. When heating was controlled at the melting point of uranium or 15 deg C above, the cladding thickess decreased no more than 0.4 mils, and the formation of an interfacial zone appeared to degrade the ductility of the bond. Diameters increased as the result of melting and there were shrinkage voids at the zones that were melted last. Bowing occurs but there is evidence that it can be controlled by proper support. (auth)« less


TiO2 films doped with Y3+ and Ho3+ ions were prepared with sol-gel method.X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the films crystallized well with anatase crystalline.AFM analysis showed the films had nanocrystallines.UV-Vis absorption analysis of the films indicated that the films doped with Y3+ and Ho3+ ions had higher absorbance in UV district,and the films had a red-shift of absorption edge in visible district,the films doped with Y3+ ion had higher absorbance than the films doped with Ho3+ ion with the same ion concentration.


Digital competence and programming are actively highlighted areas in education worldwide. They are becoming part of curricula all over the world, including the Swedish elementary school curriculum, Children are expected to develop computational thinking through programming activities, mainly in mathematics—which are supposed to be based on both proven experience and scientific grounds. Both are lacking in the lower grades of elementary school. This article gives unique insight into pupils' learning during the first programming lessons based on a group of Swedish pupils' experiences when entering school. The goal of the article is to inform education policy and practice. The large interdisciplinary, longitudinal research project studies approximately 1500 students aged 6–16 and their teachers over three years, using video documentation, questionnaires, and focus group interviews. This article reports on empirical data collected during the first year in one class with 30 pupils aged 6–7 years. The social semiotic, multimodal theoretical framework "Design for Learning" is used to investigate potential signs of learning in pupils' multimodal representations when they, for example, use block programming in the primary and secondary transformation unit. We show that young pupils have positive attitudes to programming and high self-efficacy, and that pupils' signs of learning in programming are multimodal and often visible in social interactions.


Executive Overview Delivering excellent service is a winning strategy. Quality service sustains customers' confidence and is essential for a competitive advantage. Yet many companies are struggling to improve service, wasting money on ill-conceived service programs and undermining credibility with management rhetoric not backed up with action. Are there guidelines to help managers chart a service-improvement strategy for their organizations? We think so. In this article ten lessons from an extensive ten-year study of service quality in America are presented—lessons that we believe apply across industries and are essential to the service-improvement journey.


Objective To investigate the role of resistin in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Methods The expressions of resistin mRNA and its protein in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and placental tissue in 40 normal pregnant women (control group) and 39 patients with pre-eclampsia (pre-eclampsia group) were measured by RT-PCR or Western blot. Results As compared with control group,levels of resistin mRNA and its protein in placental tissues were significantly lower in pre-eclampsia group (P0.05). But there was no significant difference of that in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissues between the two groups (P0.05). Levels of resistin mRNA and its protein in placental tissues were significantly higher than those in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissues in both groups (P0.05). Conclusion Placental trophocytes can reduce the expressions of resistin mRNA and its protein,and may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.


The magnetic-drum store for a small transistor digital computer operating at 58kc/s is described. The logical design of the computer requires the interleaving of the digits of the words?an arrangement which makes many words on the drum available concurrently and therefore permits economical 3-address operation. The working store has a capacity of 426 words, including a regenerative loop which is necessary for temporary storage, since not all the words are available concurrently. The proposed main store, which will be relay selected, has a capacity of 16384 words. Circuits are described for writing and reading the interleaved words on to and from the drum and for producing the timing pulses for the whole computer.


. A comparative study is performed on mechanically alloyed (MA) Ag3,CumW1 and Ag3,CuE3 alloys using TEM, XRD. SEM and DSC. The as-prepared Ag-CU alloys are composed of an amorphous phase and two suDersaturated Aa-Cu solid solutions in which the 8 at% Aa-Cu solid solution is stable at 300 C. .i small amount of tungsten may have a sirong inlluence on the m crostructure 01 the MA Aa-Cu al ov. The addition of tunasten is advantaaeous for the formation of 8 at% Lg-Cu sohd solution with increasing milling time-and retards grain growth. Cu20 is gradually replaced by W30 during milling in Ag-Cu-W alloy. Abstract. A comparative study is performed on mechanically alloyed (MA) Ag3,CumW1 and Ag3,CuE3 alloys using TEM, XRD. SEM and DSC. The as-prepared Ag-CU alloys are composed of an amorphous phase and two supersaturated Ag-Cu solid solutions in which the 8 at% Ag-Cu solid solution is stable at 300 C. A small amount of tungsten may have a strong inlluence on the m crostructure 01 the MA Ag-Cu al oy. The addition of tungsten is advantageous for the formation of 8 at% Ag-Cu solid solution with increasing milling time and retards grain growth. Cu20 is gradually replaced by W30 during milling in Ag-Cu-W alloy.


Tourism environment capacity includes such four branch indexes as tourism space environmental capacity,tourism ecology environment capacity,tourism facilities environment capacity and tourism social environment capacity.This article summarized and perfected the evaluating system of tourism environment capacity,made an evaluation on eco-tourism environment capacity of the Gadinggou scenic spot by these evaluating indexes,and came to a decision as follows: the road in this scenic spot was so narrow that ecology environment capacity and space environment capacity became the main limiting factors.Finally,pointing at the practical questions,this article put up some developing suggestions and controlling measures.


In the past 6 years new techniques have expand− ed the endoscopic evaluation of the small bowel up to total enteroscopy. In 2001, video capsule endoscopy (VCE) was approved by the FDA for the evaluation of small−bowel diseases. VCE can provide an endoscopic view of most of the small intestinal mucosa, but the diagnosis depends on the analysis of recorded images, and neither biopsy nor endoscopic treatment can be per− formed. The latter has become possible with dou− ble balloon endoscopy (DBE), which was first de− scribed by Yamamoto and colleagues in 2001 [1] and enables complete enteroscopy to be carried out. Additional applications of potential clinical use include difficult colonoscopies and access to the pancreatic and biliary tract in patients with altered postoperative anatomy. Within a short time period several feasibility studies, including data on diagnostic and therapeutic yield of DBE, have been published. Here we report the consen− sus on the current status of DBE that was devel− oped during the 2nd International Conference on DBE in Berlin, 14 ± 15 June 2007, which was sponsored by Fujinon. The paper does not fulfill the formal criteria for a consensus, but may be re− garded as a guide to the clinical application of DBE techniques based on published evidence, as well as on the personal opinions and experiences of the participants. Moreover, it also shows that many clinically relevant questions need to be ad− dressed by further studies. The new development of single balloon enteroscopy has not been included in the conference, as only preliminary data existed in abstract form (DDW 2007), re− porting about feasibility and comparative data between both techniques are missing. Potential indications for DBE !


Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain to be the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Hong Kong and worldwide. Among different modifiable risk factors, dietary pattern is on the major determinant for CVD and overall mortality. Other than pharmacological therapies for cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, maintaining a healthy diet is a more sustainable method in general population to prevent CVDs. Current lifestyle intervention in the West countries focus on high intake of fruit and vegetables with more than 400g per day and limited saturated fats with less than 10% of energy, there is very limited data on impact of dietary pattern on CVDs in Chinese. Prior studies among Chinese in Hong Kong have shown that only half of the local population fell within these recommended ranges for fat, saturated fatty acid and cholesterol intakes.

Several different dietary patterns have been recommended for CVDs prevention based on: i) food groups, such as Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet; ii) macronutrients: the low-carbohydrate diet, low glycemic index diet, very-low- fat diet and iii) nutrition or vitamin supplement. However, the effect of different dietary patterns based on modulations of food group, macronutrients and particular micronutrients on vascular structure and function in Chinese subjects is unclear. In the first part of this thesis, the relationships between different dietary pattern and surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular function in different high risk populations for CVDs were investigated.

In Chapter 3, we compared the assessment of dietary pattern in Chinese using different tool, including Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ); Dietary Record; and Dietitian assessment. In this study, we demonstrated that suitable dietary assessments tools should be chosen for the assessment of different dietary pattern, according to characteristics of assessments.

In Chapter 4, the relationship between the fruit intake and subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by carotid intimal thickness (IMT) was investigated in patient with type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Our results showed that high fruit intake was associated with lower burden of carotid atherosclerosis, independent of level of vitamin intake in patients with type II DM.

In Chapter 5, we compared the impact of high carbohydrate diet on arterial stiffness between control subjects without CVDs and patients with high risk for CVDs. Our findings showed that high carbohydrate diet mainly affected patients with established CVDs, and their increased arterial stiffness was associated with an elevation of blood pressure.

In Chapter 6, we determined the effect of dietary vitamin intake on oxidative stress in patients with high risk of CVDs. In those high risk patients for CVDs, we demonstrated that increased dietary intake of vitamin A, beta-carotene and alpha tocopherol were associated with decreased oxidative stress, but these relationships were not observed in those control subjects without CVDs. It is likely attributed to the higher systemic oxidative stress levels in patients with high risk of CVDs.

On the other hand, food intake may also affect the clinical efficacy of cardiovascular therapies. In particularly, it has been well established that herbal intake which is commonly used by Chinese can affect the anticoagulant effect of warfarin on patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, in this second part of the thesis, we investigated the effect of concomitant herbal intake on anticoagulation control in patients with non-valvular AF treated with warfarin. Our results showed that patients with AF treated with warfarin had limited knowledge on potential interaction between herbal substances in foods and warfarin, in which increased herbal substances intake significantly reduced the percentage time of anticoagulant effect within the therapeutic range. Moreover, a single section of education on knowledge of herbal ingredients did not improve their percentage time of therapeutic range for these patients.

In conclusion, these findings suggest that dietary pattern in Chinese might have significant impact of vascular function in patients with type II DM and high risk for CVDs. Moreover, the herbal substances in the diet among Chinese could have significant impact of the therapeutic effects in some of the cardiovascular medications, such as warfarin. Future clinical studies will be needed to confirm these potential beneficial effects of particular diet intake on vascular function in patients with high risks of CVDs as well as potential interaction between herbal substances in Chinese diet and cardiovascular medications.


High temperature growth was investigated as a way of improving the crystallinity and surface morphology of the gallium hydride vapor phase epitaxy (GaH-VPE) crystal growth method. In this method, gallium hydride (GaHx: x=1, 2, 3) is characteristically used as a Ga source to grow GaN crystals. We previously confirmed that the growth rate of GaN increased with GaHx supply and could attain almost the same rate as that of the hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) method. However, an improvement of the surface morphology and crystallinity of GaN crystals was required. In the present study, the dependence of growth temperature on the crystallinity and the surface morphology of grown crystals was investigated, resulting in both a flat surface and an improvement in crystallinity at temperatures higher than 1150 °C. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


Schima argentea Pritz.var.platycarpa Q.Luo,a new variety of Schima Reinw.from Xichang,Sichuan,China,is described.This new variety is different from the typical variety by having big petals with pubescence at ventral base,2-2.6 cm long and 1.6-2.2 cm wide,capsules oblate,1.7-2.1 cm in diameter and 1-1.3 cm height.Pollen morphology of Schima argentea Pritz.var.argentea and S.argentea Pritz.var.platycarpa Q.Luo were observed under scanning electron microscopy(SEM),the results showed that exine ornamentation of Schima argentea Pritz.var.argentea was reticulate with perforation,and that is reticulate without perforation in this new variety.


This diploma thesis makes a first attempt to analyze a structure of the Muslim field in the Czech Republic by drawing on Bourdieu's concept. In the first part I am analyzing the Czech state policy and its impact on Muslims and Muslim community as well. In the second part I am concerning my attention at the internal structure of Muslim field, the position of individuals and authorities in it and their real living Islam. I am also noticing problems which may arise in connection with Islam in Czech Republic.


Background Increased prevalence of chronic heart failure is observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) is the predominant type. Although traditional cardiovascular risk factors are overrepresented in RA patients, they alone do not sufficiently explain higher morbidity. Chronic inflammation is a suspected contributor to myocardial dysfunction. Further data is necessary to elucidate the influence of persistent RA disease activity and RA treatment on HFNEF. Objectives To correlate clinical signs, laboratory findings and echocardiographic markers of heart failure in a well-characterized cohort of RA-patients with cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidity Methods Prospective cross-sectional study including all RA-patients consecutively treated in our community based outpatient-clinic in a 3 months period. Inclusion criteria were written consent and diagnosis of RA, fulfilling ACR/EULAR-criteria. All patients were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Clinical signs were evaluated based upon Framingham criteria. Laboratory tests included NT-proBNP. Echocardiography contained tissue doppler and global longitudinal strain (GLS) imaging. Results 162 patients with RA, n=110 (68%) female, mean (SD) age 61.3 (±13.1) years, mean disease duration 12.5 (±11.4) years, mean DAS28 2.8 (±1.0), mean FFbH 68 (±27)%, mean HAQ 1.3 (±0.9) were included. Rate of remission or low-disease-activity (DAS28 and lower remission rates in the biologic groups according to more severe disease state and longer disease duration. However, no significantly differences were found for HFNEF rates and cardiovascular comorbidity. Conclusions Traditional risk factors as well as RA-related factors are responsible for HFNEF in RA. RA-duration, persistent disease activity with DAS28>2.6, increased ESR as markers of chronic inflammation were shown to be significant and independent contributors. The reduced GLS in HFNEF patients supports a putative role of endomyocardial fibrosis as a link between inflammation and impaired myocardial function. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


Introduction . The relevance of the problem of high mortality in acute lung edema (ALE) is associated with the insufficient effectiveness of treatment methods for extreme rapidly occurring lung pathology. The goal is a comprehensive study of the role of lymph flow stimulation using a lymph-stimulating peptide in the pathogenesis of ALE under conditions of lung biomicroscopy. Materials and methods . Biomicroscopy of the lungs using an implanted chamber and mesentery of the rat small intestine, laser Doppler lung flowmetry, morphological and histological examination of the lungs. Registration of contractile activity of the wall, valves of the lymphatic microvessels of the mesentery by photometry and the rate of lymph flow; determination of the diameter of microvessels, solids and pulmonary coefficient in the lungs. photo and video registration of the lungs. Results . The direct peptidic lymphostimulant caused activation of lymphatic flow in the lymphatic microvessels of the mesentery and lungs in patients with ALE, followed by restoration of microcirculation in the lungs. The reduction and elimination of edema of the interstitial space in the lungs was associated with the restoration of the diameter of the lymphatic and venous microvessels. Prophylactic use of the peptide was accompanied by an increase in animal survival by 3 times. The use of the peptide after the ALE did not affect survival, however, it increased the life expectancy of rapidly dying animals during the first 10 min up to a day from 16 to 46 %. Conclusions . Activation of motility of the lymphatic microvessels and lymph flow in ALE with the help of a peptidic lymphostimulator, an agonist of the delta opiate receptors, helps to eliminate edema as a result of removing excess interstitial fluid through the lymphatic vessels of the lungs to the main venous collectors and then to the right atrium, than reduces the load on the left half of the heart with cardiogenic ALE. The restoration of microlymph- and microhemocirculation in the lungs contributed to the restoration of the structure of the lung tissue and a 3-fold increase in the survival and longevity of animals. Activation of the lymphatic system is an effective, but unused reserve of the body playing an important role in the pathogenesis of ALE.


B analyzing the dietary habits of a large population of Swed ish women, researchers evaluated whether the total antioxidant ca pacity (TAC), a measurement of the ability of foods to decrease free radicals, plays a role in de creasing stroke risk (presumably by limiting inflammation and oxi dative stress). Nearly 37,000 women com pleted questionnaires on detailed accounts of their diets, including the types and frequency of foods consumed. Other important var iables, such as smoking status, body mass index, physical activ ity, alcohol use, and history of cer tain diseases, were also recorded. The presence of cardiovascular dis ease (CVD), defined as a history of stroke, heart attack, angina, atrial fibrillation, or congestive heart failure, was ascertained from discharge information in a national hospital discharge regis try. "Total stroke," one of the pri mary end points, was the combi nation of all cerebral infarctions, hemorrhagic strokes, and unspec ified strokes. Within the group of 31,035 women who had no history of CVD, the mean followup time was 11.5 years, and 1,322 stroke episodes were identified. By or ganizing the data into quintiles (Q1 through Q5) of antioxidant consumption, the researchers compared women with the larg est amount of TAC in their diet (Q5) with women with the low est amount (Q1). Women in Q5 drank 17 times more tea than the women in Q1; ate twice the amount of fruits and vegetables; and more often were nonsmokers, took vitamins, and were better ed ucated. An analysis that adjusted for multiple confounding variables found the risk of total stroke in Q5 women was 17% lower than that in Q1. The average followup time in the 5,680 women who had CVD was 9.6 years; 1,007 stroke epi sodes were identified. The only statistically significant finding in this group was related to hemor rhagic stroke: women in the high est three quartiles (quartiles were used because of the smaller sample size) had a 46% to 57% lower risk of this type of stroke compared with those in Q1. The researchers noted a signif icant inverse relationship between dietary TAC and both total stroke in women without a history of CVD and hemorrhagic stroke in women with CVD—supporting the notion of the important role that a diet high in antioxidants plays in stroke prevention.—AK


Summary We present two Lax-Wendroff type high-order time stepping schemes and apply them to solving the 3D elastic wave equation. The proposed schemes have the same format as the Taylor series expansion based schemes, only with modified temporal extrapolation coefficients. We demonstrate by both theoretical analysis and numerical examples that the modified schemes significantly improve the stability conditions.


Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprised of several molecular subtypes based on the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2-neu (HER2) receptor [1]. Over expression of HER2 receptor is well known to be associated with a more aggressive course of breast cancer, although, the molecular subtype of breast cancer may be more important for prognosis than the HER2 status [2]. In the United States, HER2 positive breast cancer constitutes about 15% of all cases of breast cancer [3]. Population based studies have confirmed the unfavorable prognosis of HER2 positive breast cancer in the (Pre-Trastuzumab) era, however, these studies are limited by the small number of patients and short follow up [4,5]. In the control arm of the TEACH trial which included 1260 patients with HER2 positive breast cancer who have received placebo, the disease free survival was 75% at 5 years and 61% at 10 years [6].


OBJECTIVE To study the characteristics of molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and surveillance of the spread of MRSA.METHODS The genotyping of SCCmec and detection of pvl gene were performed by PCR in 24 strains of MRSA isolated from clinical specimens from burn department from Apr.14 to Jun.1,2010.The antimicrobial resistance of MRSA to 21 antibiotics was measured by disk diffusion method.RESULTS Of 24 strains of MRSA,20 strains were SCCmecⅢ type,accounting for 83.33%;4 non-genotyping strains accounted for 16.7%;pvl gene were all negative.The strains carrying SCCmecⅢ were susceptible to vancomycin,teicoplanin,linezolid and quinoline nupu ding/dalfopristin but were resistant to other antibiotics.CONCLUSION SCCmecⅢ is the major genotype of MRSA isolated from burn department,and those MRSA isolates carrying SCCmecⅢ present multidrug-resistance.


This project was developed during a three month internship with Habitat for Humanity Vietnam (HFHV) supported by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) Development Scholarship for 2010/2011. During discussions with HFHV staff, several areas of concern with regards to sanitation and hygiene practices in rural Kien Giang Province were raised. These included the widespread use of drop toilets over waterways, poor hygiene practices in impoverished households and in schools, lack of sanitation options for HFHV construction programmes and no facilities for emptying existing septic tanks of accumulated sludge. This article evaluates existing sanitation technologies for introduction into HFHV's construction programme in Kien Giang Province. It was determined that for onsite disposal of sanitation system products, the double dehydration vault, the composting chamber and the urine collection tank were appropriate technologies. Pit latrines or variations thereof were deemed inappropriate because of the high watertables. Anaerobic reactor systems were deemed inappropriate as they accumulate pathogenic sludge and effluent for which there is currently no appropriate treatment that meets the project design criteria. As onsite disposal system demand may be low due to cultural and social taboos, an investigation and discussion into offsite treatment was also undertaken. It was determined that a co-composting facility would be the most appropriate offsite treatment technology.


The concept of absorption in a Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer is revisited. The FP is modelled as a medium in the cavity formed by two semi-reflecting absorbing films (typically, two metallic coatings with finite thickness) and not merely by two interfaces. Starting from this model the concept of absorption for an isolated metallic film and for each one of the coatings of the FP is discussed. Due to the coupling between the reflected waves in the coatings, the expressions for both cases are essentially different. Furthermore, even if the two coatings of the FP were identical, the absorption takes different values in each of them. The phase lag in the reflection from the coatings depends on the angle of incidence and on their thickness, causing a shift in the position of the maxima of the transmitted and reflected irradiances.


Croplands cover ~15 million km2 of the planet and provide the bulk of the food and fiber essential to human well-being. Most global land-cover datasets from satellites group croplands into just a few categories, thereby excluding information that is critical for answering key questions ranging from biodiversity conservation to food security to biogeochemical cycling. Information about agricultural land-use practices like crop selection, yield, and fertilizer use is even more limited. Here we present land-use datasets created by combining national-, state-, and county-level census statistics with a recently updated global dataset of croplands on a 5 minute by 5 minute (~10 km by 10 km) latitude-longitude grid. The resulting land-use datasets depict circa the year 2000 the area (harvested) and yield of 175 distinct crops of the world.


Within migration studies, the concept of identity has come to play a significant role in both immigrants' and the descendants' lives. The aim of this paper is to get more in-depth knowledge of how the Lebanese community construct their identity in Sweden by focusing on Scania region. This is done by analysing their self-identification, ethnic identity, cultural identity and how they feel they are perceived by the mainstream society. This qualitative study is based on six semi-structured interviews with first-generation Lebanese immigrants who came to Sweden in the 1980s because of the civil war in Lebanon. In addition, six semi-structured interviews with the descendants who are born in Sweden to two Lebanese parents. The results of the study show that the first-generation immigrants have a strong sense of being Lebanese. However, the descendants have developed a bicultural identity that is context dependent.


Abstract This paper presents a new technique for determining the optimum settings of the conventional two-mode and three-mode controllers. The procedure which utilizes the practically available on-line closed loop data is an extension of the classical work of Ziegler and Nichols (1942). The advantages of the present method over that of Ziegler and Nichols are (i) that it does not require the process to undergo sustained oscillations, (ii) that the tuning constants are determined iteratively (and not by hit-and-miss technique) thereby making the tuning adaptive in nature and (iii) that it is possible to select a criterion of optimality other than the usual 1:4 decay ratio.


This study is conducted to determine the impact of U.S. stock market on ASEAN five stock markets before, during, and after subprime mortgage crisis. The data is composed of daily closing stock price over the period from January 1 st 2000 – June 1 st 2007 (before crisis), June 2 nd 2007 – April 2 nd 2009 (during crisis), and April 3 rd 2009 – December 31 st 2014 (after crisis). The research methodology employed includes linear regression and chow test. The results of this study reveal evidence that U.S. stock market significantly give the positive effect on ASEAN five stock markets before, during, and after subprime mortgage crisis. Chow test result showed that there are differences of influence among U.S. stock market and ASEAN five stock markets before, during, and after subprime mortgage crisis. For further research can add other Asia stock markets such as Nikkei225 Index (Japan), Hang Seng Index (Hong Kong), Kospi Index (South Korea), and BSE Index (India)


There are a lot of drawbacks in a lot of drawbacks the current system of sending back and rehearing in civil second instance.So the deformation ap pears in the judicial practice which has violated the original intention when this system had been established.We can take the system of sending back and rehear ing in the countries of two fundanental laws departhents for reference,reorient ating the system of sending back and rehearing in our countries.The author is to put forward and perfect the civil system of sending back and rehearing from the aspects of abolishing the sending back and rehearing system caused by fact and evidence reason,defining the incident sent back procedurally,limiting the date of the system of sending back and rehearing strictly,reforming the judgement documents of the system of sending back and rehearing,etc.


Abstract : XIDE LASERSThe report gives the preliminary results of two in-house tasks involving the study of the use of CO2 laser communications systems for army tactical applications. The objective is to investigate the feasibility of unconventional approach for CO2 laser communications systems for army tactical applications, in order to overcome present system limitations in the areas of modulation, detection, and detector cooling. The final objective is to develop a design for a small, light weight, wide bandwidth, tactical CO2 laser communications system. The three frequency heterodyne detection system approach is described, a proposed experimental program and tests are discussed, and a comparison with conventional techniques is given. In addition, the report contains a summary of component state-of-the-art and atmospheric propagation effects on 10.6 micrometer laser radiation. (Author Modified Abstract)


The solidified structure suhuashuo(俗话说) is the result of the combined effect of syntax, se-mantics and pragmatics. It always appears in the form of paraphrased language, relative to its following com-mon saying, is in a subordinate position, belonging to independent parenthesis, and can play special pragmaticfunction. The kernel sentence X after suhuashuo, verbal forms are diverse, vocabulary nature is rich. DifferentX to enter the expression of suhuashuo + X need to possess two characteristics: one is mass, another is knowl-edge and knowledge is the main condition that X can enter the expression.


Sex life is one of the most intimate aspects of human life. It can be judged by all modern culture - its threads are visible everywhere.


When mapping in the CASS software,field measurement data shall be typed in accordance with the format of the mapping software,sometimes the data need to be processed.The paper elaborated the processes of data input,file format conversion,data pretreatment using the Excel software in accordance with the requirements for mapping software data format.


Learning disabled (LD) children sometimes live in a lonely, isolated world, feeling somehow "different" from most people around them. Often their parents, siblings, and friends are in a similar quandry, wanting to understand what the learning disabled child is perceiving and feeling without quite knowing how. Although learning disabilities research and publication activities have increased in recent years, much of this material is not accessible to a lay audience. Therefore, the burden of translation is often added to the duties of teachers and other professionals. A chief goal of all literature, including children's literature, is to increase understanding of ourselves and our environment. At its best, literature allows us temporarily to escape our own world and participate in a new one. As a result, both readers and listeners gain insight into another life as well as a new perspective on their


The invention relates to a motor vehicle electrical system (100) having at least a first (110) and a second (120) sub-network having different voltage levels, wherein the first sub-network (110) comprises a generator assembly (1) which is adapted to the first subnetwork (110 dine) with a first part of the mains voltage, wherein the generator assembly (1) comprises an electrically excited generator (20) with an excitation winding (22) and a generator controller (10) for driving the excitation winding (22), said excitation winding (22) with the is connected to the second subnetwork (120) and supplied with a second subnetwork voltage from the second subnetwork (120).


Empress Dowager Cixi, birth mother of the Qing Dynasty Emperor Tongzhi, lived in the late 19th Century and the early 20th Century, and was the actual ruler of the Qing Dynasty from 1861 to 1908. Under her administration, her great support of Westernization during the earlier period promoted modernized revolution of Chinese society, whereas her objection to the political reform during the late period strangled the Hundred Days' Reform and hindered all-around progress of the Chinese society. Cixi did not only belong to the Renovation Group, but also belonged to the Conservative Liner, and she was an extremely contradictory and complicated historical figure.


When approaching a play by Vaclav Havel, a critic or commentator is bound to have certain preconceptions. He knows that Havel is one of the most famous "dissidents" of the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, that none of his plays has been performed in official theatres there, that he has been harassed and imprisoned several times during the last dozen years. (In 1979—1983 he was incarcerated for four years; in early 1989 he was imprisoned again, after being charged with "incitement".) Despite all tbis (or is it because of it?), his eloquent politico—philosophical essays as well as his plays have been translated into and performed in many languages. Here, critics are bound to argue, we obviously have a literary figure whose life and writings are so closely interwoven with the political situation in his country that we have a ready—made package—deal guide to the interpretation of his works. Journalists, reviewers, and academic commentators have seemed to follow this obvious approach and discussed Havel's w...


The paper presents 15 years of research conducted on the Bremen Autonomous Wheelchair "Rolland". Rolland is a mobility assistant for the handicapped and the elderly. The paper presents the different versions of Rolland that were built over the years, as well as the special input devices that are used with Rolland. Contributions were made to the state of the art in the areas of self-localization, mapping, navigation, safety, and shared control. A number of assistants are the practical results of this research conducted.


Ordoliberalism is a German economic and legal doctrine, in which ethics occupies a privileged place. The basic premise is the freedom and responsibility of human beings. In contrast, the starting point for considering ordoliberalism as a doctrine is the economic, social and political order. The most prominent representative of ordoliberalism was Walter Eucken. Achievements of this outstanding economist as well as other representatives of this school underlay the concept of the German social market economy and the EU competition policy. The aim of this article is to present the concept of Eucken's competitive order and describe its philosophical and ethical foundation. The article relies on descriptive analysis and literature


The authors systematized approaches to the essence of the categories "product competitiveness", "enterprise competitiveness", "field competitiveness", "regional competitiveness" and "country competitiveness". The authors formulated the definition of competitiveness. The approaches to the classification of competitiveness factors are systematized. The authors' classification of factors was developed. The authors have proved that the main factor in the competitiveness of enterprises is raw materials. Obtaining raw materials by the enterprise is carried out through procurement. Thus, the management of procurement of goods, having the largest share in the cost of the final product, is the main factor affecting the competitiveness of the enterprise. The authors have systematized approaches to characterizing the essence, goals and objectives of procurement management and to the classification of purchases. The authors' definition of procurement management and the composition of its principles are proposed. The mechanisms of influence on the management of procurement and processing enterprises of the agro-industrial complex are investigated on the example of the open joint-stock company "Pukhovichi Plant of Grain Products" (Belarus). Possible ways to improve the procurement management of the studied organization are proposed. The recommendations proposed by the authors can be used by other organizations of the processing industry of the agro-industrial complex.


In this study, the usability of waste zinc obtained from spent zinc–carbon batteries for copper cementation was examined. The effects of the initial concentration of copper ions, rotation speed of the zinc plate, initial pH of solution, and reaction temperature on copper cementation were investigated. It was determined that the cementation rate increased with increasing concentration of copper ions, rotation speed, reaction temperature, and initial pH of solution. It was found that the cementation reaction followed first-order kinetics and was controlled by diffusion. Copper powder produced by cementation was characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The dissolution of cement copper in hydrochloric acid solution was determined for the purpose of the production of copper(II) oxychloride. The effects of acid concentration, temperature, and stirring speed on the dissolution of cement copper were investigated. It was observed that the dissolution of copper powder incre...


Oilfield Review From the earliest days of exploration, prospectors associated salt with oil and gas—but not always for the right reasons. In the 1920s, so many successful wells were drilled around salt domes that logging methods were tuned to identify the high-salinity water in formations overlying pay zones.1 By 1923, gravity and seismic methods became successful in spotting salt domes, and the industry was on its way to understanding the structural role played by salt. Today, interpreters can view and tour salt structures with the help of powerful graphics workstations (next page, top). Salt is one of the most effective agents in nature for trapping oil and gas: as a ductile material, it can move and deform surrounding sediments, creating traps; salt is also impermeable to hydrocarbons and acts as a


The issues are difficult and politics tricky, which means that renewing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act next year will be particularly challenging.


The most important system on-board any spacecraft is its electrical power system, as every other subsystem requires power to operate. Photovoltaic (PV) array meets the total power requirements of the spacecraft in the geostationary orbit during its entire mission life. PV array consists of number of solar panel substrates on which solar cells are laid down in series and parallel for its power requirement generation. This paper presents the effects of varying temperature and irradiance on the solar energy generation based on the fundamental circuit equations of a solar PV cell model. Thus, an increase in irradiance at constant temperature, the voltage and current output also increase. Whereas, at constant irradiance, an increase in temperature decreases the power output from PV array. The model produces various curves for I-V and P-V characteristics of the PV array.


We present a spectral analysis of Insight-HXMT observations of the low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1543-47 which locates in our Milky Way galaxy during the 2021 outburst. We focus on the observations in its soft state, and attempt to determine the spin of the black hole candidate through Thermal-Continuum Fitting (CF) method. The spin derived from CF method is highly dependent on black hole mass, distance and inclination angle of inner disk. In this article, we have adopted the preferred range of parameters: M = 9.4 ± 1M⊙, D=7.5 ± 0.5 kpc and $i=36.3^{+5.3}_{-3.4}$ degrees. We attain a moderate spin, a = 0.46 ± 0.12, which is consistent with previous results measured in the 2002 outburst. Besides, we notice the spectra show a wide blue shifted absorption feature between 8-10 keV which would originate from the highly ionized iron line. We try to fit the feature with xstar model and suggest that this feature may come from relativistic disk wind with a velocity of vwind ∼ 0.2c. We attribute this relativistic disk wind to the super-Eddington accretion during the black hole outburst.


Provided is a similar disease case search device for attaining a proper search for case data similar in the process of a disease condition.  A similar disease case search device (100) is provided with a disease progress model constructing function which extracts feature values from respective medical images of the same subject photographed at different times and constructs a disease progress model; a mean for reading the case data; a means for acquiring inspection data; a similar disease case searching function which interpolates, by means of the model, the feature values extracted from the respective medical images included in the inspection data and calculates similarity between the inspection data and the case data by means of the interpolated feature values; and a monitor (111) which displays the case data selected on the basis of the calculated similarity.


The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, is a dangerous and serious invader pest in Taiwan. It exhibits in two distinct social forms, the monogyne and polygyne forms. Besides, the type of control is also according to the social form. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the occurrence and distribution of the social forms for assessing management strategy. In this study, under the knowledge of Gp-9 gene which has been shown to be associated with the variation in S. invicta social forms: monogyne form has only the Gp-9B allele, whereas polygyne form possess Gp-9B and Gp-9b alleles, S. invicta are collected from eight locations in the infested region of Shueishang and Jhongpu Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan, between January 2005 and March 2006. Multiplex PCR was applied to identify the social form of S. invicta by using Gp-9-specific primers. The result indicates that S. invicta from all these eight locations are polygyne forms. All of them possess Gp-9B and Gp-9b alleles.


The paper addresses the problem of the way in which the European Union legislation resolves the conflict between the right to be non-discriminated and the right to religious freedom, in the case of religious institutions as employers. The background to its creation are numerous cases of accusations of discrimination directed at religious institutions, as they differentiate employees or candidates for employees, following their specific criteria. The subject of the analyses contained in the paper is art. 4 of the EU Council Directive 2000/78/EC, which regulates the employment of employees by religious institutions. The analyses carried out show that Directive 2000/78/EC does not assign an absolute value neither to the right not to be discriminated nor to the right to religious freedom. Neither does it set a clear hierarchy. The conflict between them is solved on the principle of seeking balance by means of concessions made by each party. However, it can be seen that the right to be non-discriminated is more limited than the right to religious freedom. The analyses revealed the existence in the Directive of various ways of perceiving the character of religious institutions. They also show that art. 4 of the directive is an example of the principle of subsidiarity, because it takes into account the specificity and tradition of the Member States in regulating the autonomy of religious institutions, leaving the states a considerable scope to define or even modify the provisions of the Directive.


In January 1994, the King County Department of Metropolitan Services (Metro), Seattle, Wash., construction management staff entered into an agreement to implement a forward pricing formula for identifying, documenting, quantifying and calculating impacts on indirect work efforts of owner approved changes on the West Point Secondary Treatment Project in Seattle. The formula and approach consists of key elements that identify consistently applied variables that impact the contract. Recreation and reconstruction of impact and delay after contract completion have taken countless hours of investigation, including an historical review of contract documentation and schedules totaling millions of dollars in consultant and legal fees. Generally, these efforts are undertaken by parties or individuals that do not participate in the contracting effort and are not cognizant of the actual factors involved with delays or schedule impacts. The contractor and owner's method for determining impact or delays is very often settled upon at the end of the project at which time the owner and engineer agree to a resolution based on the difference between the owner/contractor's analysis or applied abstract formulas commonly used in the industry today.


The study of Earth Sciences requires an interdisciplinary approach as it involves understanding scientific knowledge originating from a wide spectrum of research areas. Not only does it include subjects ranging from, for instance, hydrogeology to deep crustal seismology and from climate science to oceanography, but it also has many direct applications in closely related disciplines such as environmental engineering and natural resources management. While research crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries in geosciences is becoming increasingly common, there is only limited integration of interdisciplinary research in the teaching of the subject. Given that the transition from undergraduate education based on subject modules to postgraduate interdisciplinary research is never easy, such integration is a highly desirable pedagogical approach at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.


Accurate estimations of the time of arrival of a flight prior to its landing are beneficial for most of the stakeholders in the air traffic management and control industry, as they could lead to reductions in potential safety risks and improvements in resources allocation. In this paper, and within the European Commission funded Transforming Transport project, we propose a methodology for real-time prediction of flight arrival times based on the application of machine learning techniques. For this purpose, we employ state-of-the-art data warehousing and broadcasting processes, that allow both the training of a regression machine learning model and the integration of its predictions of current flights on a real-time visualization tool set up for customer usage. The model only makes use of the information included in aircraft surveillance messages. Predictions obtained with such model are compared to those provided by other current services to observe the added value of the application of the proposed system on real-time operations.


Purpose: the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of training on the performance of national police service. A case study of general service unit, Nairobi.Methodology: This study was informed by Disconfirmation theory and V'room expectancy theory Survey design was utilized to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from respondents. The site of the study was General Service Unit Headquarters - Ruaraka in Nairobi County in Kenya whereby primary data was collected from 400 officers of various ranks. From the population of the study, the researcher used systematic random sampling to select 400 out of the 4000 officers of various ranks from General Service Unit Headquarters in Ruaraka.  Data was collected by the use of tools such as a structured questionnaire containing open and closed ended questions and an interview guide. The collected quantitative data in form of the completed questionnaires was analyzed using Microsoft excel. Qualitative data underwent content analysis.Findings: The study found that there is a positive and significant relationship between training and the performance of police officers in Kenya.Distinctive contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended the national police service to improve on service quality dimensions, strengthen systems and processes and also intensify training for staff at the national police service.


The effect of age (6, 7, and 8 years) and stimulus conditions was assessed on 5 dependent variables in a 6-response, 2-stimulus instrumental response situation. The S's task was to depress 1 of 6 buttons on each of 150 trials, the button depressions resulting in various stimulus consequences, depending on the treatment condition. Stimulus alternation decreased across trial blocks. Response repetition increased across trial blocks and was affected by stimulus conditions. Circular behavior decreased with increasing age and changed across trial blocks. Avoidance of response repetition behavior changed across trial blocks, while complex strategy behavior increased with increasing age. The stimulus alternation results are discussed with particular reference to Glanzer's stimulus satiation theory. The results obtained for the circular behavior and complex strategy measures are related to some developmental hypotheses of Weir's. In the present experiment, the effects of age and stimulus conditions on children's instrumental responding were assessed in a six-response, twostimulus situation. The design of the investigation stemmed from an empirical


The Pt0(PPh3)2-unit in [Pt0(PPh3)2(XYCSO)](X = Y =S-aryl or X =S-alkyl, Y = aryl, both stereoisomers), in which the sulphine XYCSO is η2-CS co-ordinated, inserts into a C–S bond yielding an equilibrium mixture consisting of two stereoisomers (E)- and (Z)-[PtIIX(PPh3)2(YCSO)] and varying amounts of [Pt0(PPh3)2(XYCSO)], depending on the geometry of the co-ordinated sulphine.


This article in Harold rosenberg of the proposed action painting, on the basis of the Asia movement performance calligraphy this specifically for the art of calligraphy artist form new schools were discussed, based on a number of calligraphy artist used by art material, creative process, and the comparison of relevant context and discourse, to introduce a number of calligraphy artist's unique art form. The feedback of interviews with artists will be used as references and their representative views will be presented completely. It proves that the performance forms and artistic concepts of Asian calligraphy artists make calligraphy's territory no longer limited to visual art or shaping art, but also invade into the country of language art and performing art.


The wider spread of the use of smartphones is also very helpful for UMKM not only in terms of marketing or sales, but daily operations. On the Senyum Manis cafe the owner of the business owner conducts data on stocks of goods, materials, and prices for drinks manually. When doing the process of collecting the goods manually there is an error in stock calculation so that it takes a long time to check the stock of the item. With this innovation using the application of QR Code which can be used as a label in every stock of goods and beverage materials. In this case the implementation of the RFID tag is also used to get the customer queue number. From this researcher the system is considered successful because the data input can appear in the application , QOS (Quality of Service) test results when uploading data get a 33K throughput value that belongs to the medium category, Packet Loss produces a value of 0.097% which is classified in a very good category, average delay produces a value of 87.4 s which is classified in a very good category . This aims to anticipate changes that will occur, the review is useful to see the condition of whether the system is in accordance with the needs of a sweet smile cafe and whether it is necessary to add or change the existing system in order to keep up with development technology.


Social media gives you insight into the needs of your patients. Don't ignore the opportunity to market your practice to specific patient populations.


In men with nonobstructive azoospermia, frozen and fresh testicular sperm offer similar fertilization and pregnancy rates, according to the authors of a meta-analysis who say it is the first such study to specifically address the fresh-versus-frozen debate in this population.