The effect of Anchor Borrowers' programme (ABP) access among rice farmers in Benue State, Nigeria was examined. Data for the study were collected with the aid of structured questionnaires from 768 rice farmers consisting of 388 beneficiaries and 380 non-beneficiaries from 18 communities and 18 Local Government Areas using multi-stage sampling technique. The collected data were analysed using independent t-test and Endogenous Switching Regression Model (ESRM). The independent t-test results showed that the income and farm output of beneficiaries of Anchor Borrowers' Programme were significantly higher compared to the non-beneficiaries. The ESRM revealed that rice farmers' access to ABP was significantly influenced by their socioeconomic characteristics and that beneficiary and non-beneficiary rice farmers were not better or worse in terms of farm income than a random rice farmer from the samples. Also, the ESRM showed that beneficiary rice farmers acquired lesser productive assets than what a random rice farmer from the sample would have earned while non-beneficiary rice farmers acquired more productive assets than what a random rice farmer from the sample would have earned. The study recommended that Federal government should consolidate on the gains of ABP in the State and extend the credit to more rice farmers.


mattress sutures at the junction between the helix and the scapha (Figure 2c). To avoid "tenting", a retroauricular mattress suture is also placed (Figure 2d). Then successive adaptation and suturing of the remainder of the flap using a corial suture in the retroauricular soft tissue and skin sutures about the helix (Figure 2c). Postoperative swelling may be more rapidly diminished by using cold packs to intermittently cool the ear for 10 minutes each time. For procedures involving more than one operation comprising the external ear we use perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis such as cefuroxim 2 500 mg. Introduction The functional and aesthetic reconstruction of the external ear following tumor excision presents an especially challenging task for the surgeon. The position of the ear and its contours must be adapted to match the contralateral ear using the supporting cartilage framework and the overlying skin [1]. For smaller helical defects (up to 1.5 cm), a wedge excision, with a slight reduction in the size of the auricle, is a cosmetically acceptable option. For larger defects, however, more extensive reconstructive measures are needed such as flap reconstruction or transplantation. The patient described here underwent microscopically controlled surgery to excise a metatypical basal cell carcinoma on the middle of the right helical rim (Figure 1a). Removal of the tumor with a healthy margin left a defect on the right helical rim measuring 3 0.5 cm (Figure 2a). Due to the defect size, neither a wedge closure nor transplantation was considered a cosmetically acceptable option. Given the length and shallowness of the defect, we decided to use a postauricular U-shaped flap. The extra skin needed to perform this procedure is harvested from behind the ear using an advancement flap. This technique is described in more detail in the following.


The clinical benefits of targeting the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) for the treatment of tremors in essential tremor (ET) patients suggest that the VIM is a key hub in the network of tremor generation and propagation and that the VIM can be considered as a seed region to study the tremor network. However, little is known about the central tremor network in ET patients. Twenty‐six ET patients and 26 matched healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. After considering structural and head‐motion factors and establishing the accuracy of our seed region, a VIM seed‐based functional connectivity (FC) analysis of resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS‐fMRI) data was performed to characterize the VIM FC network in ET patients. We found that ET patients and HCs shared a similar VIM FC network that was generally consistent with the VIM anatomical connectivity network inferred from normal nonhuman primates and healthy humans. Compared with HCs, ET patients displayed VIM‐related FC changes, primarily within the VIM‐motor cortex (MC)‐cerebellum (CBLM) circuit, which included decreased FC in the CBLM and increased FC in the MC. Importantly, tremor severity correlated with these FC changes. These findings provide the first evidence that the pathological tremors observed in ET patients might be based on a physiologically pre‐existing VIM ‐ MC ‐ CBLM network and that disruption of FC in this physiological network is associated with ET. Further, these findings demonstrate a potential approach for elucidating the neural network mechanisms underlying this disease. Hum Brain Mapp 37:165–178, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


DOI: 10.1002/anie.201505932 In this Communication a most important prior work was not acknowledged. In 2014, Baran and Gutekunst had already described the use of picolinimide as a directing group in C¢H activation.[1] They articulated the reasons for inventing this directing group, used it in the particularly challenging case of a direct indolylation of cyclobutane carboxylic acid derivatives, and obtained an X-ray crystal of a palladium–picolinimide complex. They also reported simple and mild conditions for removal of this directing group.


This article describes a case of infective aortic valve endocarditis due to Fusarium oxysporum occurring 4 years after coronary artery bypass grafting. It is the first reported case of endocarditis caused by Fusarium.


This paper presents a fast objective with a movable component that makes it possible to adjust
the focal length and a zoom eyepiece system for night-vision devices.


Some of the theories that have been advanced to perform skilled limb movements are reviewed in this paper. The aspects discussed in brief include alpha-gamma control, choice of control variables in limb movements, equilibrium point hypotheses, experimental observations from simple movement studies and explanations proposed, in particular the dual strategy hypothesis. The single mechanical degree-of-freedom movements may be controlled by one of two strategies: a speed-insensitive strategy or a speed-sensitive strategy. The term strategy implies a set of rules which specify in terms of task variables and subject instructions how to choose the excitation signal, the controlling signal at the alpha motoneuron level. The two strategies differ in that speed-insensitive strategy is a result of duration modulation of the excitation pulse, whereas the speed-sensitive strategy is a result from amplitude modulation. Finally, the problem of multi-degrees of freedom movements and the role of higher motor control centres are discussed in brief.


Aiming at the increasing security risks of children, this paper presents and implements a kind of Mobile Children Security Monitoring (MCSM) system based on android phones to help guardian to acquire whether children are safe or not. MCSM implements the software hand function and the danger zone function for two typical safety scenarios, i.e., going outside with their guardians and without their guardians respectively. The software hand function can keep children in guardian's view by using Bluetooth near field communication, and the safety zone function can make guardians know children's location timely by using GPS sensors, acceleration sensors, and mobile GIS (Geographic Information System). Experiments shows the system has the characteristics of high reliability, short response time and high accuracy, and can meet the requirements to ensure children's safety.


A seven-year partnership between a Norfolk high school and an NHS drug treatment agency has raised awareness about drugs, alcohol, HIV and AIDS among all sections of the school community. In an innovative approach to drug education, factual lessons have been augmented in Personal and Social Education (PSE) by videoed discussions touching on a range of issues, filmed at Year 9 and played back at Year 11. The sessions have had a powerful effect and helped give participants greater awareness of the transition from youth to adulthood. The insights gained and the techniques used may well have relevance to other aspects of a PSE programme.


We developed a conventional step-index type highly nonlinear bismuth oxide-based glass fiber. This fiber exhibits high nonlinearity (/spl gamma/=1360 W/sup -1/ km/sup -1/) because of the high nonlinearity of the glass material and the small effective core area.


CO(NH2)2 as pore-former used to prepare porous Ca2.5La0.5Co4O9 thermoelectric materialsby solid-state reaction technique.Microstructure,density and thermoelectric properties (temperature dependence of electrical resistivity,Seebeck coefficient) of the samples were studied in details.The results have shown that the porosity increases and the pore structure is improved with the pore-former content increasing,and electrical resistivity and density decrease while Seebeck coefficient raise.The improvement in electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient leads to higher power factor values at 913 K (around 1.32 mW/cm·K2) than undoped samples.


This study investigates the effect of managers' transformational leadership styles on the employees' organizational commitment in the hotel industry. The study was conducted on 443 employees in fivestar hotels in Turkey. First, the correlation analysis conducted between organizational commitment and transformational leadership styles. The results showed that there is a positive, moderate level of correlation between employee organizational commitment and transformational leadership styles (idealized attributes, idealized behaviors, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individual consideration). Second, multiple linear regression was applied in order to analyze the relation between organizational commitment and managers transformational leadership style. With this analysis, employees' organizational commitment and managers transformational leadership styles were found to be significant


Abstract A method for gas chromatographic trace determination is described in which the sample solution is injected into a packed precolumn which is connected to an EC-detector. When solvent and low boiling compounds have been eluted, the precolumn is connected to the cold entry of a capillary column with another EC-detector and the trace compound is collected as a narrow band at the entry of this column. The precolumn is then reconnected to its own detector, the capillary column is heated and the trace compound is eluted and measured. Meanwhile high boiling compounds are swept out of the precolumn. When the base line of the precolumn is stable the next sample is injected and the capillary column is cooled again, and so on. In order to avoid background plateaus and ghost peaks the carrier gas must be purified, which is easily achieved with cooling traps with dry-ice and acetone.


To observe the expression of TLR4 in the splenic lymphocytes of MRL/MpJ mice and changes of TLR4 expression and TNF-α mRNA production induced by LPS. MRL/MpJ mices responded to the intraperitoneal injection of LPS were sacrificed in 6, 12, 18, 36, 48 hours respectively. TLR4 was analyzed in the splenic lymphocytes of mice by flow cytometry analysis and changes of TNF-α mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. BALB/c mouse were used as controls. It was found that TLR4 were detected in CD3+、CD4+、CD8+T lymphocytes of MRL/MpJ splenic cells and the TLR4/CD4 double positive cells were significantly lower in MRL/MpJ mice than BALB/c mice, only accounting for 33% of the BALB/c mice. The TLR4/CD8 double positive cells were similar in these two kinds of mouse. After treatment with LPS, the delayed up-regulation of TLR4 was detected in CD4+ T cells of MRL/MpJ mice, whereas no significant differences were detected in CD8+ T cells. The up-regulations of TNF-α mRNA were also delayed in splenic cells of MRL/MpJ mice. The expression of TLR4 and the responsibility to LPS were lower in CD4+ splenic T cells of MRL/MpJ mice and up-regulation of TNF-α mRNA were also delayed in the splenic cells. It suggests that this Sjogren syndrome like autoimmune disease mice model will have a potential value in understanding the relationship between the innate immunity and acquired immunity as well as the role of infection to the autoimmune disease.


scanning electron microscopy evaluation of smear layer removal with chitosan and MTAD. Niger J Clin Pract 2018;21:76-80. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.


The language barrier of the chimpanzee Lana, previously described by Rumbaugh (1977), can be simulated by a computer model in which the animal selects, depending upon context, one of six stock sentences with fixed and variable elements.


"If you don't have a dream, how're you gonna make that dreamcome true" crooned an old Rodgers and Hammerstein musical number."Talkie, talkie, talk..." was the chorus.This describes, precisely, Washington's approach to electric deregu-lation. If there is a dream, however, Washington does not appear to bewhere the dream is being dreamt.Some months ago, on the same day, two stories appeared on thefront pages of both The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post (anominous sign for any industry) that tells it all:


Abstract In recent years, China has instituted a variety of reforms to its hukou system, an institution with the power to restrict population mobility and access to state-sponsored benefits for the majority of China's rural population. A wave of newspaper stories published in late 2005 understood the latest round of reform initiatives to suggest that the hukou is set to be abolished, and that rural residents will soon be "granted urban rights." This article clarifies the basic operations of the hukou system in light of recent reforms to examine the validity of these claims. We point out that confusion over the functional operations of the hukou system and the nuances of the hukou lexicon have contributed to the overstated interpretation of the initiative. The cumulative effect of these reforms is not abolition of the hukou, but devolution of responsibility for hukou policies to local governments, which in many cases actually makes permanent migration of peasants to cities harder than before. At the broader level, the hukou system, as a major divide between the rural and urban population, remains potent and intact.


Abstract The current state of nuclear data evaluations requires improvement for fusion applications. In this context, the excitation function of the 56Fe(n,α)53Cr reaction from threshold to 20 MeV has been calculated using the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model with preequilibrium effects by the TALYS-1.4 code. Different types of nuclear level density models have been used in the calculation. The present calculations are compared with existing experimental data as well as with latest available evaluated nuclear data libraries ENDF/B-VII.1, JEFF-3.2, and JENDL-4.0. Good agreement between the calculated and the experimental data validates the nuclear model approaches with increased predictive power to supplement and extend the nuclear database. The present calculations have also been compared with the (n,α) reaction cross-section systematics at 14.5-MeV neutron energy.


In the 18th-Century, John Howard, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, travelled around Europe to study firsthand the conditions in prisons and made the following observation: "The insane, when they are not kept separate, disturb and terrify other prisoners. No care is taken of them, although it is probable that by medicines, and proper regimen, some of them might be restored to their senses, and usefulness in life" [1].


Recueil de poemes. - Forme avec le recueil "Words from music perhaps and other poems" et le poeme "Crazy Jane and the bishop" le recueil "The winding stair and other poems" (1933)


This paper presents the first report of floral organogenesis in Pedicularis Linn.(Orobanchaceae).Two species with erostrate corolla,P.densispica Franch.ex Maxim.(corolla with short tube,erostrate without teeth) and P.rex C.B.Clarke ex Maxim.(corolla with short tube,erostrate with teeth),were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).They shared many similarities in floral organogenesis.The floral apex is subtended from the bract.A pair of sepal primordia is initiated from the lateral-adaxial floral apex,which forms a horseshoe-shaped meristem.A central-adaxial sepal primordium arises in P.densispica,and a fused horseshoe-shaped meristem develops four lobes sequentially.The central-adaxial sepal primordium and the horseshoe-shaped meristem fuse and develop into the 5-lobed sepals.In P.rex,the 2-lobed sepal develops from the horseshoe-shaped meristem directly.Initiation of the five petal primordia were observed only in P.densispica.In this species,two pairs of stamens arise alternate to the petal primordia,except the adaxial position,and their development is more rapid than that of the petals.Two carpels initiate simultaneously from a bulged floral apex abaxially and adaxially;the rest of this bulged apex contributes to the septum.The floral organogenesis of Pedicularis was compared with similar studies in Antirrhinum majus and Digitalis purpurea.Floral symmetry in Pedicularis and its significance were discussed.


The diploma work solves sprocessing of finals and their pictures at measuring cord twisted fibres. The signals is recorded by means of memory oscilloscope. The following processing of the finals shows the basic fault of the cablirated fibre and determinates its size. The used method of processing the signal is based on Fourier's transformation and its direct applikations in the manufacturing process. The aim of teh work was to search possibilities of timely diagnostics of cablirated fibre defects and to demonstrate that these defects can be determined measuring. In the work there is indicated the principle, by means of which, it is possible to construct a sensor for industrial use.


This paper proposes a multi-reference motion estimation algorithm for H.264 based on multi-resolution.It imports the multi-resolution to get the motion vector rapidly,and utilizes the motion vector and the temporary motion vector map to predict optimal motion vector for a reference frame,which does not need the same search complexity.Experimental results under x264 software platform show that the algorithm can decrease the multi-reference motion estimation time notability,while the quality of video image degrades little.


A survey on a new Dutch project to prevent criminality in connection with alcohol is given. This project is a teaching corse and was developed in connection with the Alcohol Traffic Project previously discussed in Blutalkohol in 1988. It is a project for secondary prevention aimed at the prevention of recidivism of delinquency in connection with alcohol. The new project is discussed together with the first results of its practical use.


Mushrooms are one of the agricultural commodities that are highly sought after by fortified people. Mushroom cultivation in Indonesia is still very limited to meet consumer demand every day. One of the promising business opportunities in Indonesia is mushroom cultivation. Mushroom cultivation in Indonesia has not yet been developed to the maximum. Factors that can increase production are from the optimum nutritional supply. So this research is carried out to find out which nutrition is effective to help the growth of mycelium optimally and can increase post-harvest production. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the composition of the media on the results and components of the chemical quality of fungi and determine the results of proximate analysis of the media composition of white oyster mushrooms.

This study uses a RAL system (Randomized Complete Series) with 5 treatments repeated 5 times, and further testing using 5% DMRT. The method of conducting this research is collecting information about the growing media on oyster mushrooms, measuring the growth of spores on oyster mushrooms, measuring the temperature and humidity of the room, calculating water content, knowing the weight of fruit at harvest. The following composition of the 5 treatments: P 0: 4000 g wood powder, 604 g lime, 4 liters of water, P 1: 4000 g wood powder, 4 g lime, bran 600 g, liters of water, P 2: 4000 g wood powder, lime 4 g, Corn 600 g, 4 liters of water, P 3: 4000 g wood powder, Lime 4 g, Polar 600 g, 4 liters of water, P 4: Wood powder 4000 g, Chalk 4 g, Menir 600 g, 4 liters of water .

From the research that has been carried out based on the results of analysis of the variety tested further with DMRT 5% the best nutrition given for the growth of white oyster mushrooms is in the treatment of P1, namely the provision of bran nutrition.


The leadership development industry has drawn scrutiny for being simultaneously costly and ineffective at developing effective leaders. Executive coaching has been demonstrated as one method of eff...


In order to improve the optimizing performance of the conventional genetic algorithm and prolong its searching process,an improvement on adaptive genetic algorithm(AGA) is made based on the evolutionary stages. In different stages the algorithm uses different adaptive strategies;at the same time different individuals use different adaptive strategies.Expecially, this algorithm uses the strategy of converting fitness to reduce probability of precociousness so as to insure that the algorithm can search global optimal solution in higher probability.


This paper proposes two novel traction motors with ferrite magnets for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which have competitive torque density and efficiency as well as operating range with respect to a referenced rare earth magnet motor employed in the third-generation Toyota Prius, a commercialized HEV. The two proposed traction motors, named as dual stator radial flux permanent magnet motor (DSRFPMM) and dual stator axial flux permanent magnet motor (DSAFPMM), adopt the same design concept, which incorporates the unaligned arrangement of two stators together with the use of spoke-type magnet array and phase-group concentrated-coil windings for the purpose of increasing torque density and reducing torque ripple. A finite element method is utilized for predicting the main characteristics, such as back electromotive force, cogging torque, electromagnetic torque, iron loss, and efficiency in both of the proposed motors. Moreover, a comparative study between the proposed DSRFPMM and DSAFPMM is performed under the same operating condition. As a result, it is demonstrated that both of the proposed ferrite permanent magnet motors could be good alternatives for traction application, replacing the rare earth magnet motors.


48 Background: More than 80% of patients with hematologic malignancies and 10-50% of patients with solid tumors are expected to experience fever after one cycle of chemotherapy. Studies have shown all-cause mortality to be 15% higher in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia than comparably matched patients without febrile neutropenia and compliance for choice of empiric antibiotics in febrile neutropenia to be as low as 56%. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who presented with febrile neutropenia to our institution for one year prior to and after implementation of a CPOE set. Data was collected on basic demographics, oncological diagnosis, labs, choice of antibiotics and dosing frequency. Awareness sessions were conducted among admitting staff following the initial retrospective analysis followed by implementation of a CPOE set in order to improve guideline concordant management of febrile neutropenia patients. The IDSA risk was assessed based on the above data and the pre and post order set compliance with IDSA guidelines were compared. Fisher's exact test was applied to assess the percentage of compliance before and after implementation of the order set, with significance set at two-sided p value < 0.05. Results: Among the patients managed before order set, 15 of the total 26 (58%) were found to be non compliant with IDSA guidelines in terms of either antibiotic choice or dosing frequency. A post order set analysis showed that only 7/27 (26%) were non compliant with IDSA guidelines. The Fisher exact test showed a statistically significant value of 0.0267 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Education and implementation of a CPOE order set showed significant improvement in compliance with IDSA guidelines for management of febrile neutropenia. Based on the data from our study an IDSA concurrent institutional guideline for management of febrile neutropenia was formulated and further efforts are under way to incorporate results in our new EMR order set entries.[Table: see text]


Appendiceal faecal fistula is recognized serious complication of appendicectomy, which is one of the commonest surgical procedures performed in modern day surgical practice. We report a unique case of appendiceal faecal fistula which persisted for nine years in a teenage girl.


The aim of this work was to study the ability of two different strains of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to grow on Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) and their potential to produce high-value products such as lipases. Factors affecting cellular growth and OMW degradation were studied, such as nitrogen supplementation, cells concentration and surfactant addition. Both strains used were able to grow in a OMW with a COD of 19 g/L and total phenols concentration of around 800 mg/L. The strain W29 presented the highest potential for extracellular lipase production from OMW. Lipase productivity was improved by the medium supplementation with ammonium sulphate up to 6 g/L, leading to 80 % of COD degradation and 70 % of total phenols reduction. The surfactant Tween 80 enhanced cell growth and COD degradation, but had no significant effect on lipase productivity. The results evidenced that the conditions that favoured lipase production differ from the conditions that improve COD removal from OMW.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and invasion and metastasis are the leading causes of death. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used in cancer therapy. Cell Counting Kit-8, tube formation, and Transwell analyses were performed to determine cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under the treatment of Hep3B or SK-Hep1 cells-derived exosomes or Hep3B or SK-Hep1 cells with or without AS-IV treatment. Then, Rab27a overexpression in Hep3B cells was selected to determine the function of AS-IV on the regulation of cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of HUVECs. Ultimately, the injection of Hep3B cell-derived exosomes or treatment with AS-IV on nude mice was used to comprehensively investigate AS-IV functions in vivo. Hep3B or SK-Hep1 cells promoted proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of HUVECs, which were inhibited by AS-IV therapy. The concentrations of Hep3B and SK-Hep1 cells-derived exosomes were markedly reduced after AS-IV therapy. Meanwhile, Rab27a expression was significantly decreased in SK-Hep1 or Hep3B cells after AS-IV therapy, and it inhibited the effects of AS-IV on Hep3B-induced proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of HUVECs. Tumor growth was also suppressed by AS-IV, which was accompanied by the decreased expression levels of Ki67 and CD34. Overall, this study demonstrated that AS-IV inhibits the effects of HCC cell-derived exosomes on proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of HUVECs via inhibiting Rab27a expression. Practical Applications. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the efficacy of AS-IV against HCC cell-induced proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of HUVECs to reveal the underlying mechanism. In this study, CCK-8, Transwell, and tube formation assay detection show that AS-IV has an inhibitory effect on HCC cell-induced proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of HUVECs by inhibiting Rab27a, which helps in the development of novel nutraceutical/functional food against HCC progression and thus could improve the quality of life in patients with HCC.


In this paper, we present a novel approach to geometry parameterization that we apply to the design of mixing elements for single-screw extruders. The approach uses neural networks of a specific architecture to automatically learn an appropriate parameterization. This stands in contrast to the so far common user-defined parameterizations. Geometry parameterization is crucial in enabling efficient shape optimization as it allows for optimizing complex shapes using only a few design variables. Recent approaches often utilize computer-aided design (CAD) data in conjunction with spline-based methods where the spline's control points serve as design variables. Consequently, these approaches rely on the design variables specified by the human designer. This approach results in a significant amount of manual tuning to define a suitable parameterization. In addition, despite this effort, many times the optimization space is often limited to shapes in close proximity to the initial shape. In particular, topological changes are usually not feasible. In this work, we propose a method that circumvents this dilemma by providing low-dimensional, yet flexible shape parametrization using a neural network, which is independent of any computational mesh or analysis methods. Using the neural network for the geometry parameterization extends state-of-the-art methods in that the resulting design space is not restricted to user-prescribed modifications of certain basis shapes. Instead, within the same optimization space, we can interpolate between and explore seemingly unrelated designs. To show the performance of this new approach, we integrate the developed shape parameterization into our numerical design framework for dynamic mixing elements in plastics' extrusion. Finally, we challenge the novel method in a competitive setting against current free-form deformation-based approaches and demonstrate the method's performance even at this early stage.


A typical fault of line breakdown caused the operation of 220 kV bus p rotection. Combined with the action of the line protection, bus protection and t he wave-record chart, this paper analyses the development course of the breakdow n as well as the validity of the action of the line and the bus protection.


Received: Revised: Accepted: May 29, 2013 August 07, 2013 September 15, 2013 A 4-year-old, male French Brittany weighing 18 kg was presented for continuous disorexia associated with a large palpable mass in the cranial abdomen. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination showed the presence of a mass close to the gastric wall. Percutaneous needle aspiration of the mass revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation. An exploratory laparotomy was performed in order to remove the mass. Actinomiycotic mycetoma was revealed after surgery by positive culture. After a three months antibiotic therapy, nine months follow up showed complete remission. ©2013 PVJ. All rights reserved


Lectures are the bread and butter of teaching within Higher Education, and used effectively they can of course be wonderful, but sadly quite often because of poor delivery they can be dry and stale and consequently, particularly in recent years, their value has been called into question.

This is the authors rationale behind the book which is explored through this review. In shining a spotlight on this traditional pedagogy, through fresh eyes 'Dynamic Lecturing' presents to the reader a series of innovative research-informed strategies designed to enhance the effectiveness of the lecture.


Aims: To isolate and characterize a new secondary metabolite, zygadenine-N-ribofuranoside derivative from the leaves of water lily (Nymphaeae alba L.). Methodology: The ethanol extract of the dried leaves was partitioned between chloroform and water (1:1), then the chloroform fraction was further partitioned between petroleum ether (60-80°C) and aqueous methanol (1:1). Column chromatography of the chloroform fraction over silica gel (200 mesh) by a gradient elution technique from petroleum ether to chloroform, followed by methanol was carried out. Results: A yellow solid 0.22 g was isolated which was characterized by employing IR, 1D and 2D Original Research Article Njoku et al.; ACSJ, 12(4): 1-5, 2016; Article no.ACSJ.19929 2 NMR techniques spanning H, C, H-H COSY, H-C COSY, HMBC and TOF ESI-mass spectrometry. Conclusion: Zygadenine-N-ribofuranoside derivative isolated, gave m/z 622.4631, corresponding to molecular formula C33H54O9N2.


The Virginia Department of Transportation has worked toward end-result specifications (ERS) in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) since the mid-1960s. With the recent advances in HMA material characterization and the completion of the new Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) under NCHRP Project 1-37, the ultimate goal of true ERS that are performance related seems more feasible. The use of the HMA dynamic modulus as an HMA quality measure is investigated. An effective reduced frequency (temperature–frequency combination) at which the HMA dynamic modulus best correlates with the MEPDG-calculated HMA rutting is determined for eight climatic conditions. This effective reduced frequency did not coincide with the modified Witczak effective temperature–frequency equation. The effect of HMA layer thickness (51 to 254 mm) on effective reduced frequency was investigated for Roanoke, Virginia. It was found that layer thickness had a minor effect on effective reduced frequency, so that the latter can be assumed independent of layer thickness for all practical purposes. Finally, the HMA rutting calculated by using the effective reduced frequency was found comparable with the MEPDG-calculated HMA rutting with average and maximum differences of 6.5% and 23%, respectively. This difference is acceptable considering the variability in actual field rutting measurements (for the same conditions) as well as accuracy of the MEPDG in determining the average HMA field rutting. Use of the effective reduced frequency can result in considerable time and money savings, especially for quality assurance applications for which testing is regularly performed.


The thermal stability of NdFeB magnet includes three kinds of magnetic loss at high temperature: reversible magnetic loss,irreversible magnetic loss and aging magnetic loss.In application the most noteworthy is the irreversible magnetic loss.We studied the approximate universal formula of irreversible magnetic loss by using mathematical expressions of the approximate universal formula of magnetic properties of NdFeB magnet in this paper.On the basis of this study,we obtained a method,of which we could estimate the irreversible magnetic loss of samples at various temperature(below 200 ℃) when we have only demagnetization curve and demagnetization factor of the samples.We need not heat the sample and measure after heating.The calculation results are in good agreement with experimental results.


The event of a Chemical disaster response personnel are causative events quickly Appearance & residual contaminant concentrations, should be identified accurately. In addition, the chemical disaster response procedure appropriate progress in the field of Chemical Composition and contaminant concentrations in order confirmation is essential. Use in the field to using the characteristics of each equipment. on-Site response equipment can not verify all the chemicals, materials detection, limited by each equipment. Detection range of equipment & specific materials should be considered complementary. In this study, using the equipment on-site detection of detection kit and detector tube, electronic detection equipment utilized for the rapid response procedure for helping a person to cope.


Summary In this paper , we analyzed sever a1 dairy fanns in the KONSEN area. They are raising their technologicalleb el without enlarging their fann size. To explain this process and the cause of their progressive actions , 1) To compare the study groupe to other dairy farms in the same area , we found that the members of the study groupe raised their income by decreasing the cost of production with a change of product structure. 2) From the infonnation which was given to us by the study grope , we explained that the reduction came about as a result of the group's characteristics. 3) From the bookkeeping of the fanner of the study group , we found that the decrease in cost was fostered by the systimatic change of their farm's product structure , and that the reduction of the fann size was a phenomenon brought about by the change.


The author holds the view that the national interests of Russia should not be in a blind copy the values of Western civilization. This has great meaning in the strengthening of the national natural and historic soil, the revision of guidelines aimed at other people's socio-economic achievements and values, switching up the national energy resources and the strengthening of the national foundation


The present invention provides a fifth type absorption heat pump, waste heat recovery and heat pump belonging to technical field. The absorber solution heat exchanger in communication via a second absorber, the second absorber via the solution heat exchanger and the second solution pump communicating generator, the generator communicating through the second solution heat exchanger second generator, a second generator communicating a third generator, a third solution pump and the generator via the second solution heat exchanger in communication absorber, a generator with a refrigerant vapor passage condenser, a second generator, and a third refrigerant vapor generators passage a second absorber, a condenser with a refrigerant liquid channel of communication through the third throttle generator and evaporator, the evaporator refrigerant vapor passage absorber, a generator driving heat medium line, and condensing the absorber has medium line is heated, the second absorber has a cooling medium conduit communicates with the outside, respectively, the evaporator, the second heat generator and the generator has a third conduit communicating with the outside medium, form a fifth type absorption heat pump .


SUMMARY A program called DISPO ("distribution reliability") for power system analysis was developed in Croatian Distribution System Operator Company (HEP-ODS). Its main goal is to gather data such as transformer or line outages (statistics of operation events) and to produce reports based on this data. This paper uses gathered data for reliability indices calculation such as System Average Interference Frequency Index (SAIFI), System Average Interference Duration Index (SAIDI) and Customer Average Interference Duration Index (CAIDI). The thorough model of one distribution area that incorporates above-mentioned data form DISPO is developed using power system analysis software NEPLAN. Methodology for reliability indices calculation in NEPLAN is described and used on developed network model. Reliability analyses is part of distribution network optimization and planning process, so the whole process is explained for better understanding. Numerous load point (average failure rate, average outage time, average annual outage time etc.) and system reliability indices (SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI etc.) are calculated using NEPLAN for feeders, substations and distribution area. Energy Not Supplied (ENS) is also calculated and analyzed. Possible network improvements such as new interconnection points between feeders or automatization of disconnect switches for feeders' reliability increase are simulated and described. Finally, detailed asset management for observed area is formed and combined with reliability analyses. Main goal is to show on a realistic network model how statistics of operational events contribute to distribution network optimization and planning and how proper network planning can increase availability of distribution network.


This research focused on finding DC/DC converters boost type with the best output through simulation methods by comparing the use of components from several boost converter topologies so that they can be used to maximize solar panel output. Several simulation scenarios are needed using PSpice A/D Lite software. Boost converter types that will be compared are Single Switch Cascaded Converter, Multilevel Boost Converter, Quadratic Boost Converter, Double Cascade Boost Converter and Phase Interleaved Boost Converter. The simulation scenario provided aims to see the converter output response to changes in load resistor parameters, switching frequency and input voltage. The load resistance value used is 1 KOhm, the greater the resistance value, the greater the output voltage value. The effective switching frequency is different in each converter. The converter type Single Switch Cascaded Converter has the highest voltage gain of 32.96 times with an output voltage of 988.8 V at the minimum switching frequency at 1KHz and with the use of the fewest number of components compared to other converters of 10 units. It can be said that the boost converter type Single Switch Cascaded Converter is the most optimal boost converter compared to 4 other boost converters.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of interaction techniques (e.g. swiping and tapping) and the range of thumb movement on interactivity, engagement, attitude, and behavioral intention in single-handed interaction with smartphones.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2×2 between-participant experiment (technological features: swiping and tapping×range of thumb movement: wide and narrow) was conducted to study the effects of interaction techniques and thumb movement ranges.

Findings

The results showed that the range of thumb movement had significant effects on perceived interactivity, engagement, attitude, and behavioral intention, whereas no effects were observed for interaction techniques. A narrow range of thumb movement had more influence on the interactivity outcomes in comparison to a wide range of thumb movement.

Practical implications

While the subject of actual and perceived interactivity has been discussed, the issue has not been applied to smartphone. Based on the research results, the mobile industry may come up with a design strategy that balances feature- and perception-based interactivity.

Originality/value

This study adopted the perspective of the hybrid definition of interactivity, which includes both actual and perceived interactivity. Interactivity effect outcomes mediated by perceived interactivity.


These notes contain various versions of the contraction mapping principle. Several applications to existence theorems in the theories of differential and integral equations and variational inequalities are given. Also discussed are Hilbert's projective metric and iterated function systems


Objective: The objective of this retrospective chart analysis was to determine the prognostic value of the lymph node status and extracapsular lymph node extension (ECE) of the neck for the development of distant metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.


Godel's first incompleteness theorem states that all consistent axiomatic formulations of number theory which include Peano arithmetic include undecidable propositions (Hofstadter 1989). This answers in the negative Hilbert's problem asking whether mathematics is "complete" (in the sense that every statement in the language of number theory can be either proved or disproved). The inclusion of Peano arithmetic is needed, since for example Presburger arithmetic is a consistent...


In view of the rapid and dangerous development of space activities and clandestine research, it has become increasingly difficult to identify and determine the environmental damages caused. Jurist of international law have begun to study the international responsibility resulting from such activities, which are leading to the pollution of the outer space environment. States launching space activities launching satellites, and carrying out experiments are introducing harmful substances, terrestrial bacteria, radioactive materials, and harmful space debris that is circling the earth. This highlights the legal norms of international space law in the area of international liability for damage caused by space activities in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the 1972 Convention on Liability for Damage Caused by Space Activities.


Dear Editor, Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary cicatricial alopecia characterized by progressive recession of the frontotemporal hairline and loss of eyebrows; total loss of body terminal hairs and facial papules may also occur. The predilection for post-menopausal women suggests a hormonal basis contributing to its etiology. Facial sunscreen use has been identified as a possible external contributing factor. Lichenoid inflammation may be seen histologically. The goal of medical therapy targets inflammation to arrest disease progression. Medical therapy does not regrow hair in areas of cicatricial hair loss hair restoration requires surgery. Surgical options include hair transplantation,however, these have historically been met with hesitancy given limited and variable results reported in the literature. Scalp reduction or hairline lowering therapy has not previously been described in the context of FFA. We present a female patient with FFA, stabilized with medical therapy, who underwent successful scalp reduction surgery followed by hair transplantation. Medical therapy was continued postoperatively and there has been no evidence of FFA reactivation six years post procedure. The patient was diagnosed with FFA at the age of 42 with typical frontotemporal hair loss, and bilateral eyebrow loss. She has a history of hypothyroidism and reactive arthritis. She had no associated female pattern hair loss. She was commenced on medical therapy comprising Dutasteride 0.5 mg, Minoxidil 0.5 mg, and Spironolactone 50 mg once daily together with topical bimatoprost to her eyebrows. She was instructed to cease use of sunscreen to her forehead. In 2015 after 2 years of documented clinical evidence to support disease stability, she underwent hairline-lowering surgery (Figure 1). The procedure involved undermining of the hair-bearing scalp behind the hairline, in the sub-galeal space. Approximately 2 cm of the forehead scalp was excised with forward advancement of the hairbearing scalp. Serial photography over the ensuing years has confirmed that her condition remains in remission with no evidence of reactivation (Figure 1). The patient did not experience any adverse effects and the scarring is acceptable and concealed by the hairline. In 2019, with her disease still in remission, she underwent additional hair restoration surgery, with 1000 grafts transplanted bilaterally into the temples. Six years from her initial surgery, her condition remains stable, with no progression of the hairline and no loss of transplanted hair. The natural history of FFA is unpredictable. Follicular unit transplantation has been reported to be successful in fewer than 30% of cases due to poor graft survival or disease progression post-operatively. Peak results occur at 10–15 months; however, the long-term outcomes and longevity of transplanted units are generally poor. Progressive destruction of transplanted follicles commonly occurs within four years post-transplantation. Scalp reduction surgery has not previously been described for FFA. Our case demonstrates scalp reduction surgery can be used either stand alone or with adjuvant hair transplantation surgery. Disease stability is a prerequisite for surgery. Ideally, surgery should be postponed until disease has been quiescent for at least one to two years. Long-term follow up of our case demonstrates that surgical hair restoration is a viable treatment option for FFA in carefully selected patients with medically stable disease.


Learning English is not an easy task especially when it comes to learning grammar. One way to
achieve this is through using games. Due to the numerous benefits that games provide, the Noun-
it-Right Snake and Ladder Game: Learning about Nouns was created. This study was conducted
to determine whether the usage of this board game is able to improve the teaching and learning
of grammar. The study was carried out among Standard 5 pupils in a primary school in Kedah.
The data for the study was analysed using the paired-sample T test. The findings of the study
suggested that the usage of this board game has helped the students understand nouns better.


Brain organoids are an emerging technique for studying human neurodevelopment in vitro, with biomedical implications. However, three‐dimensional tissue culture poses several challenges, including lack of nutrient exchange at the organoid core and limited imaging accessibility of whole organoids. Here we present a method for culturing organoids in a micro‐fabricated device that enables in situ real‐time imaging over weeks with efficient nutrient exchange by diffusion. Our on‐chip approach offers a means for studying the dynamics of organoid development, cell differentiation, cell cycle, and motion. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


The chapter presents an ethnographic study in an urban Indian setting. It discusses how youth notions of trust and distrust mediate their eating choices in the context of macro level changes in food systems. Two aspects are discussed. The first examines the extensive popularity of a packaged product Maggi noodles and the sustained trust invested in it across generations. The second analyses eating out, a common practice among urban middle-class youth.


Problems faced by people dislocated by the IIM-R and NUSRL-J institutional projects as well as the UCIL mining project in Jharkhand are characteristic of many other parts of India. In Ranchi and Jaduguda, poor peasants organised themselves and formed associations to resist forced acquisition of their land by district administrations. Land acquisition has destroyed people's livelihood and social setting and violated basic human rights. The major impact of the displacement and takeover of tribal homelands has been the denigration of their culture, customs and language by mainstream communities. This paper also examines impoverishment risk factors and their implications for poor people based on field data collected in the districts of East Singhbhum and Ranchi.


Scientific Abstract Hemophilia B due to deficiency of the human factor IX is a fatal hereditary disease. The transfusion of blood or concentrated factor IX is the normal way of treatment, but this ...


For any successful business in today's increasingly competitive business environment there is great need to effectively manage the business communication system and to accurately know the political and economic background of the counterparts. As for foreign languages, it is highly important for the business people to use their "linguistic code", a grammatically accurate language with the proper terms, avoiding colloquial expressions which would neither fit the business environment nor could be easily understood. Since English is largely considered the international linguistic code in present business communication, more and more English terms are borrowed in Romanian and most of them are used as such (keeping their phonetic and morphological aspect).


The Nernst–Planck equation is modified for the transport of uni-univalent ions in inhomogeneous membranes, which contain continuous gradients of partition and activity coefficients of the ions and/or fixed charge density. Standard chemical-potential gradients in the membranes are employed in the equation as a new force. Numerical solutions of membrane potential and ion fluxes for 10 model membranes are obtained from simulation at the condition of zero current. Various potential and concentration profiles are observed, which depend on the partition coefficients and/or the fixed charge density in the membranes.


School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, Group of Investigation on Multimorbidity and Mental Health in Aging (GIMMA), Geriatrics Division, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaı́, Jundiaı́, Brazil, School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK, Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing, University of Nottingham, and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK, Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK, Medical School, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, The Nottingham Centre for EvidenceBased Healthcare: A JBI Centre of Excellence, and Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK


The Nigerian banking crisis in the post consolidation era has been attributed to risks that were not proper managed by many banks. Bank's liquidity is one the major factors that determine success or failure of the banks in reaching its goals, and dramatic and sudden changes in the bank liquidity can lead to financial crisis and bankruptcy. This study investigated the impact of liquidity risk on the financial performance of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. Using Yamane sample size method, datawere randomly collected fromEleven(11)Nigerian bankscovering the periodof2005to2013. TheDependentvariablesusedinthisstudywasnet interest margin (NIM) as measure of financial performance while five liquidity risk proxies were used as independent variables. The study examines which of the five liquidity risk variables exert great influence on the financial performance of DMBs in Nigeria. Using correlation and ex post facto research design, it was found that there is negative relationship between four liquidity risk buckets and financial performance of DMBs in Nigeria but only total liquid assets to liabilities is significant at 1% level .On the other hand, it was found that there is significant positive relationship between total loan to total deposit as measure of liquidity risk and financial performance of DMBs in Nigeria. The study recommends that DMBs should make adequate provision for liquidity to meet up with depositors' withdrawal demands at any given time. While shareholders and management should mindful of the bank's policy of granting loans to customers because it will affect their liquidity position which will in turn have great impact in financial performance of DMBs


A wireless sensor network involves a group of transducers approach used here is hybrid hierarchical clustering. The proposed protocol is compared with two layer LEACH and performance is analyzed.


Objective: To study and draw conclusions about observation and nursing for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.Method: Review and analyze the treatment of 106 patients with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.Result: Successrate for the treatment has been obviously enhanced.The death rate has been halved.We succeed in avoiding patients'bleeding again and complicating disease.Conclusion: With the good work of observation and nursing on the cases,we can find out immediately any changes in the patients'condition so we can offer them prompt treatment.As aresult,time of hospitalization can be shorted.Patients can get well quickly because of improvements in treatment.


We investigate the parallel performance of numerical algorithms for solving discrete Sylvester and Stein equations as they appear for instance in discrete-time control problems, filtering, and image restoration. The methods used here are the squared Smith iteration and the sign function method on a Cayley transformation of the original equation. For Stein equations with semidefinite right-hand side these methods are modified such that the Cholesky factor of the solution can be computed directly without forming the solution matrix explicitly. We report experimental results of these algorithms on distributed-memory multicomputers


The quality of the translations generated by Machine Translation (MT) systems has highly improved through the years and but we are still far away to obtain fully automatic high-quality translations. To generate them and translators make use of Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and among which we find the Interactive-Predictive Machine Translation (IPMT) systems. In this paper and we use bandit feedback as the main and only information needed to generate new predictions that correct the previous translations. The application of bandit feedback reduces significantly the number of words that the translator need to type in an IPMT session. In conclusion and the use of this technique saves useful time and effort to translators and its performance improves with the future advances in MT and so we recommend its application in the actuals IPMT systems.


Abstract Purpose For prone breast treatment, daily image‐guided radiation therapy (IGRT) allows couch shifting to correct breast position relative to the treatment field. This work investigates the dosimetric effect of reducing kV imaging frequencies and the feasibility of optimizing the frequency using patient anatomy or their first 3‐day shifts. Method Thirty‐seven prone breast patients who had been treated with skin marker alignment followed by daily kV were retrospectively analyzed. Three IGRT schemes (daily‐kV, weekly‐kV, no‐kV) were simulated, assuming that fractions with kV imaging deliver a dose distribution equivalent to that in computed tomography (CT) planning, whereas other fractions yield a dose distribution as recreated by shifting the CT plan isocenter back to its position before the couch shift was applied. Treatment dose to targets (breast and lumpectomy cavity [LPC]) and organs at risks (OAR)s (heart, ipsilateral lung) in different schemes were calculated. Patient anatomy information on CT plans and first 3‐day couch shift data were analyzed to investigate whether these factors could guide imaging scheme optimization. Results When kV imaging frequency was reduced, the percentage dose changes (δD) for breast and LPC objectives (average <1%) were smaller than those for heart and lung (average 28%–31% for Dmean). In general, the δD of no‐kV imaging was approximately that of weekly kV imaging × a factor of 1.2–1.4. Although most dose objectives were not affected, the potential higher heart dose may be of concern. No strong correlation was found between δD for different kV frequencies and patient anatomy size/distance or the first 3‐day couch shift data. Conclusions Despite resulting in lower imaging dose, time, cost, and similar target coverage, a reduction in kV imaging frequency may introduce higher heart complication risk. Daily kVs are needed more in left‐sided breast patients. A less frequent imaging schedule, if considered, cannot be individually optimized using CT anatomic features or early shift data.


. In [3], Faudree et al. considered the proposition "Every { X,Y } -free graph of sufficiently large order has a 2-factor," and they determined those pairs { X,Y } which make this proposition true. Their result says that one of them is { X,Y } = { K 1 , 4 ,P 4 } . In this paper, we investigate the existence of 2-factors in r -connected { K 1 ,k ,P 4 } -free graphs. We prove that if r ≥ 1 and k ≥ 2, and if G is an r -connected { K 1 ,k ,P 4 } -free graph with minimum degree at least k − 1, then G has a 2-factor with at most max { k − r, 1 } components unless (k − 1 )K 2 + (k − 2 )K 1 ⊆ G ⊆ (k − 1 )K 2 + K k − 2 . The bound on the minimum degree is best possible.


Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) are receiving considerable attention all over the world because of their vast untapped economic potential; especially in the use of herbal medicines. Mentha is an aromatic herb plant having pleasant odour leaves, which is familiar with the name Japanese pudina. The native place of mentha is Japan. So, mentha is also known as Japanese mint. Presently in India, mentha is cultivated in an area of about 250 thousand hectares with a total production of 520 thousand metric tonnes and productivity of 2.02 metric tonnes/ hectare. Uttar Pradesh produces nearly 90 per cent of total mentha oil of the country with 80 per cent of the area under cultivation.It is cultivated in an area of about 198 thousand hectares with a total production of 344.73 thousand metric tonnes and productivity of 1.74 metric tonnes/ hectare (Spice Board of India 2011). It is mainly cultivated in the districts ofBarabanki, Chandausi, Sambhal, Rampur and Badaun districts being major growing areas, and recently extended districts viz., Lucknow, Sitapur and Jalaun districts. The study was conducted in Barabanki districts of Uttar Pradesh with the following objectives: 1. To examine the trend in area, production and yield of medicinal & aromatic plants in Uttar Pradesh as well as in Barabanki district over the period. 2. To analyze the cost and return in mentha crop cultivation and its value added products. 3. To identify the marketing channels for mentha value added products and their marketing efficiency in the selected district. 4. To assess the export potential of mentha value added products from Uttar Pradesh Barabanki district was purposively selected for the study, as this district has highest area under mentha crop in the state. Samples of 120 farmers were included in the study. And to know the process of marketing, 20 intermediaries/middlemen were interviewed and 10 exporters were contacted to gather the information regarding trends in exports. The result of the study showed the compound growth rate of area, production and productivity ofBarabanki district during the period of 2002-03 to 2011-12 was5.56, 2.82 and -2.67per cent respectively. Among all the three variables, area and production of them indicated significant growth rate. The total cost of cultivation per hectare mentha was amounted to Rs.57813.59 and net return was realized Rs.57035.34 perha. Thus Input Output Ratio obtained in mentha cultivation was 1.93.This was reflected in higher Input – Output Ratio of mentha cultivation. Two channels of marketing were identified, which are Channel I: Producer – Wholesaler cum processor –– Retailer – Consumer Channel II: Producer – Village trader – Wholesaler cum processor – Retailer – Consumer The marketing efficiency for channels I and channel II were 28.28 and 20.16 respectively. Therefore channel I is superior over the channel II.The nominal protection coefficients (NPCs) indicated that the mentha oil was competitive for exports to other countries. The Nominal protection co-efficient of mentha oil varied from 0.43 in 200203 to 0.50 in 2010-11. It indicates that there is a scope for export of mentha oil. Chapter


Morphometry and stereology were used to assess the cytological and architectural characteristics of regenerative and dysplastic colorectal mucosal abnormalities in ulcerative colitis. Reproducibility of measurements was assessed and found to be good, confirming the objective and reproducible nature of morphometric analysis. Discriminant analysis between the morphometric features of regenerative mucosal change and low‐grade dysplasia revealed the significant cytological and architectural variables from which a cytological and architectural score were derived. The architectural score was capable of classifying all of the cases into their correct diagnostic category, although a combination of the two scores provided better separation of cases. Probability density analysis was carried out so that probabilities of group membership could be allocated to cases, given their cytological and architectural scores. Discriminant analysis was also applied to low‐ and high‐grade dysplasia. Important cytological and architectural variables were identified and used separately to derive scoring systems. In combination, the dual scoring of lesions was capable of separating low‐ from high‐grade dysplasia, although overlap was still evident. Again, probability density analysis allowed the allocation of cases into one or other category, although a closer examination showed that such a rule could not successfully classify a new set of low‐ and high‐grade dysplasia cases. Quantitative histological analysis of mucosal abnormalities is shown to be of use in the objective diagnosis of reactive and dysplastic change in patients with ulcerative colitis. The use of simple scoring systems and probability based allocation of cases promotes the future role of morphometric techniques in the diagnostic laboratory.


The study was totally aimed to know the extent of bioaccumulation through the plants from the sediments. Total heavy metals concentration (chromium, lead, zinc, nickel and cadmium) were undertaken in the food composites collected from Puliyanthangal village near Ranipet of Vellore district, Tamilnadu, India. There are around 240 tanneries in these areas, besides number of   ceramic, refractory, boiler auxiliaries plant and chromium chemical factories. Since the ground water was heavily contaminated with heavy metals, studies were carried out to know if there was transfer of heavy metals in the food chain. Drinking water samples, sediment samples as well as food samples were   collected and analysed for Chromium, Lead, Nickel, Zinc and Cadmium levels. The Environmental risk assessment was undertaken in the foodchain for all the above metals through water, sediment and through the grains and the crops grown in that area. Bioaccumulation factor was calculated with respect to the above parameters and it was concluded that the heavy metals were found to be concentrated through the various levels of food chain but not   biomagnified through the food chain.


This article describes the design of a network tied-arch bridge to be constructed across the Ohio River between West Virginia and Ohio. The bridge will rank among the longest-span structures of this type in the world. The total bridge length measures over 4,000 ft. The tied-arch section measures 878-ft-long, with a 175-ft-long rise and a 76-ft-high clearance. The tied-arch section uses a unique hanger arrangement that incorporates two families of inclined hangers forming a network. The network hanger system is stiffer than the traditional vertical hanger system, and substantially reduces bending movements in arch ribs and tie beams. The tied arch design was chosen to meet the environmental and historical protection requirements of the site.


Recently, a friend of mine went out to his car late one night to run an errand, only to find that it would not start. He was immediately concerned as he had an early AM meeting that he couldn't miss. He had just replaced the battery so knew it must be something else. Knowing nothing of cars, he did what any of us would do, he Googled it. One brief phrase – "Infiniti QX56 won't start battery new"—and presto, up popped three online mechanics, one at $15, one at $25, and one at $45. Choosing the middle of the range, he clicked on the link and there was his trusty online mechanic at 11:30 PM to answer his questions and hopefully solve his dilemma. After a brief history of the problem, the mechanic quickly shared with him what he thought to be the most likely answer – it was a relay switch. Fortunate for him, this particular model has 6 other relays that are identical, one of which was to the fog lights. The fix was simple; he would just need to switch out the two parts. Knowing that my friend was not adept in the ways of car repair, the mechanic, emailed him a diagram of where to find the correct part, he switched it out, and like magic, his car started up. Thirty minutes after getting online – Problem solved.


Abstract : Within gas turbine aeroengines, fracture critical pans are defined as those whose failure would hazard the entire aircraft. Consequently, it is of central importance to the airworthiness of these engines that the probability of such a component suffering an in-service failure is kept below acceptable levels. In order to achieve this, lifing methodologies have been devised which provide a means for calculating the required limits. These methodologies consist of a material test requirement, together with a calculation process based on a statistical characterization of the material/component behavior. The outstanding safety record achieved by commercial and military aeroengines is in large part due to the success of these lifting methods.


The overall objective of this project was to derive a set of recommendations that would help ship designers meet the criteria for foundation stiffness required for the efficient performance of machinery components. The authors discuss the hull/machinery rigidity compatibility problem and identify the most relevant foundation design parameters. Their recommendations focus primarily on the arrangement of machinery support systems and spaces. Methods for structural analysis that are helpful in implementing these recommendations are presented.


Cryogenic turbopump test facility(CTTF) is designed and developed. Hydraulic and cavitation performance of turbopump in cryogenic environment can be measured. Working fluid is liquid nitrogen and operating temperature is -197℃. Liquid nitrogen run tank, catch tank and pressurizing tank has been built and remote tank pressure control system are installed. Maximum power of turbopump is 320㎾ and its maximum speed is 32000rpm. Cryogenic fluids and lubricating systems are effectively separated that long test times are acquired. Therefore hydraulic and cavitation performance can be measured accurately and effectively. This facility will contribute greatly to the development of turbopump for KSLV.


Chitinases are important enzymes that contribute to the generation of carbon and nitrogen from chitin, a long chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine that is abundant in insects, fungi, invertebrates and fish. Although mammals do not produce chitin, chitinases have been identified in bacteria that are key virulence factors in severe respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary diseases. However, it is unclear how these enzymes are able to carry out this dual function. Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, an often-fatal pneumonia and its chitinase ChiA is essential for the survival of L. pneumophila in the lung. Here we report the first atomic resolution insight into the pathogenic mechanism of a bacterial chitinase. We derive an experimental model of intact ChiA and show how its N-terminal region targets ChiA to the bacterial surface after its secretion. We provide the first evidence that L. pneumophila can bind mucins on its surface but this is not dependent on chiA. This demonstrates that additional peripheral mucin binding proteins are also expressed in L. pneumophila. Finally, we show that the ChiA C-terminal chitinase domain has novel metal-dependent peptidase activity against mammalian mucins. These findings suggest that ChiA facilitates bacterial penetration of the alveolar mucosa and ChiA may be a promising target for vaccine development.


We show that in protostellar discs the diamagnetic effect modifies the magnetorotational instability (MRI) that exists in the presence of the Hall electromotive force. We also make clear that the inclusion of magnetization into the governing magnetohydrodynamics equations does not weaken the unstable character of the disc. The maximum growth rate of the unstable mode exceeds the local Oort A-value. Another novel result is that the magnetic field gradient produced by the magnetization current in active zones produces an unstable mode, which drives the MRI when the magnetic moment and rotation axes are perpendicular.


Following Pauwels' theory* about the value of varus femoral osteotomy in treating osteoarthritis of the hip, the use of varusation was considered in Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) for the purpose of shortening the period of immobilization and speeding the reconstruction of the femoral epiphysis. By this means, in addition to obtaining better congruity between the head and the acetabulum, varusation provides relaxation of muscles, thus causing a lesser load upon the femoral epiphysis and offering the chance to reconstruct a spherical head.


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a processing solution in a richer and simple form without impairing the printing characteristic of an obtained printing plate. SOLUTION: A kit for the manufacture of a processing solution used for the manufacture of a planographic printing plate according to a silver salt diffusion transfer process contains all active compounds necessary for the manufacture of the processing solution, and the active compound contains a hydrophobic agent supplied to the surface of solid grain soluble in the processing solution.


Temulawak contains of curcuminoid substance that an hypocholesterolmic activity and an antioxidant activity. Curcuminoid is a pigment yellow colour in curcuma. Instant drinks that are more practical and durable, but it have some weaknesses i.e. low solubility and there are sugar can decrease its physiological effects. Microencapsulation process using arabic gum and maltodextrin coating materials can exceed that problem. This research is generally aimed at producing temulawak instant products with the replenishment of arabic gum and maltodextrin with good physical characteristics. Temulawak powder made with drying process using cabinet dyer, grinding with blender and sieving with 35 mesh sieve. Temulawak powder is extracted by using maceration method. The extract is concentrated with a rotary evaporator. Then, it is added by coating materials with the ratios of arabic gum:Maltodextrin 0:100; 25:75; 50:50; 75:25; and 100:0. The instanization process of the mixing result is done by using a spray dryer. The findings show that coating materials consentrate influences the physical characteristics of temulawak instant products including its turdibity and its instant colour. However, it does not influence directly the density and the bulk density of the temulawak instant products. Density of curcuma instant products is about 0,57-0,60 g/ml, the bulk density of temulawak instant products is about 0,33-0,38 g/ml, the turdibity of the instant product steeping is about 538,33-1000 NTU, and its instant colour shows red 1,00 yellow 7,00-9,00 and brightness 0,20-0,30. Best result of temulawak instant product is instant with adding gum arabic and maltodextrin 75:25 with moisture content 8,35%, density 0,59 g/ml, bulk density 0,38 g/ml, turbidity 994,67 NTU and colour of instant are red 1,00 yellow 9,00 and bright 0,30. Keywords: temulawak instant, arabic gum, maltodextrin, maceration, spray dryer


We summarise recent work performed by the authors, where we conducted a qualitative study of the recent integration of a UK-based, digital-first mobile banking app - Monzo - with the web automation service IFTTT. Through analysis of 113 unique IFTTT 'recipes' shared by Monzo users, we illustrate the potentially diverse functions of these recipes. Beyond achieving more convenient and efficient financial management, we note many playful and expressive applications of conditionality and automation that far extend traditional functions of banking applications and infrastructure. We highlight the different aspects of automation created by these non-expert users to achieve, often novel, financial automation.


Variation in the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (tretbutyl hydroperoxide as a substrate) and glutathione-S-transferase (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as a substrate) was studied in rat ischemia and in coronaro-occlusion myocardial infarction. The activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase drastically reduced 2-15 minutes after ligation of the coronary artery and remained at the decreased level during the observation period (14 days). The activity of glutathione-S-transferase in the infarcted zone of the myocardium significantly decreased only by day 3 of the experiment. The activity of glutathione peroxidase in the blood of patients with acute myocardial infarction rose more than 1.5-fold.


Appreciation for Home and Away and Neighbours has been measured and compared with that recorded in a previous study for Coronation Street. The two Australian serials reveal modest appreciation scores, similar to each other, and markedly less than that accorded to Coronation Street. Contrary to what several critics have suggested, perceptions that these serials are moral tales may not be among the reasons why viewers like them. There are a range of other reasons - the acting, the eventfulness, the presence of something to laugh at - which prove important in people's attitudes towards the different serials. The findings have some lessons for the producers and critics of these widely-discussed serials.


The protein adsorption at interfaces is often regarded as a partly irreversible process, because the time-scale for rearrangements at the interface and desorption may be very long compared to the observation time. Spread and adsorbed β-lactoglobulin and β-casein layers are investigated at the air/water interface at various concentrations using dynamic surface tension measurements. Pendent drop relaxation experiments performed for each protein concentration after the establishment the interfacial layer equilibrium yield the dilational elasticity. The adsorption isotherms obtained from adsorption and spreading experiments and the surface rheological data as a function of protein concentration indicate that the formation of the protein surface layer is in both cases quite similar.


Purpose ‐ Curriculum development is a vital component in the educational process. Its scope is exceptionally broad, and it involves nearly everyone who is involved with teaching and learning, including teachers and librarians. Curriculum development resources offer guidance for lesson plan preparation that meets the educational standards set by each state. Resources for curriculum development for both teachers and librarians are abundant, with resources being offered both electronically and in print, freely available and for purchase. The purpose of this paper is to provide a selection of resources offered for teachers and those offered for librarians, electronically, in print, freely available, and for purchase. Design/methodology/approach ‐ Curriculum development resources were chosen based on the selection criteria included in the article, including: authority, accuracy, scope, appropriateness, and treatment. There were many resources for both teachers and librarians available, but only a few were selected. Those selected met the selection criteria and were outstanding and beneficial resources for curriculum development. Findings ‐ Resources for curriculum development for both teachers and librarians are abundant, with resources being offered both electronically and in print, freely available and for purchase. There are many resources for both teachers and librarians; however, teacher resources outnumber those for librarians. Perhaps in the upcoming years, as information literacy instruction becomes part of more institutions, further resources will be made available. Originality/value ‐ The function of curriculum development is to research, plan, and prepare the content and methods that will be taught during instruction to achieve the desired outcomes. State curriculum standards currently play a major role in schools and how the curriculum is developed. Curriculum development resources provide the necessary resources for teachers and librarians to plan and prepare curricula that can meet the standards set by each state.


We present a review of Laplace and Laplace-Fourier domain waveform inversion. The wave equation in the Laplace and Laplace-Fourier domains can be solved by changing the real frequencies from the Fourier transform into imaginary frequencies. The initial model of Laplace-domain inversion can be a scratch such as a homogeneous velocity model. The inversion provides a long-wavelength velocity model that can be used as a starting velocity model for conventional waveform inversion, which uses the zero-frequency components of the damped wavefield. Laplace-Fourier domain inversion can recover long-, medium- and short-wavelength velocity models by adjusting the complex frequencies. Careful muting of noise should be applied before the first arrival because the damped wavefield is sensitive to random noise. Numerical experiments and real data examples show that full waveform inversion in the Laplace and Laplace-Fourier domains can provide an alternative for seismic velocity estimation.


The photosynthesis and physiological traits of the SP3 generation of Impations balsamina grown in autumn induced by space flight have been compared with those grown in natural environment in this paper.9 phosynthetic indexes of the 10 target plants have been tested along with 6 natural individuals.all the data have been analyzed by SPSS and the finding is that the correlation is significant between the photosynthetic rate and the intensity of illumination,but the photosynthetic rate is negatively correlated with internal CO2 in both experimental group and control group.After the space flight treatment,the chlorophyll,especially the content of chlorophyll a increased by 52.48% and the content of chlorophyll b increased by 5.01% when compared with the control group.However,the content of soluble sugar decreased after the space flight treatment.The result suggests that the space flight treatment could influence Impations balsamina a lot,at least on the photosynthetic and physiological traits of SP3 generation.


Purpose: Wound infection after ileostomy takedown is one of the significant complications. Conventional linear closure has been reported to be associated with a significantly higher incidence of wound infection. We aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of primary linear closure with closed suction wound drain following a loop ileostomy takedown. Methods: Between October 2007 and October 2012, a total of 121 patients who underwent primary linear closure with closed suction wound drain after ileostomy takedown were included, and their surgical outcomes were compared with those of 34 patients who underwent delayed wound closure between July 2002 and September 2007 as a historical control group . Results: Between primary linear closure with closed suction wound drain group and delayed wound closure group, there were no differences of gender, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores and comorbidities such as pulmonary disease and hypertension and diabetes . The chemotherapy rate is similar in the two groups (group I, 52.9%; group II, 44.6%; P=0.39). There was a significant difference in wound infection (group I, 23.5%; group II, 5.6%; P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the length of postoperative hospital stay (P=0.26). Small bowel obstruction was not significantly different between the two groups (group I, 11.8%; group II, 7.4%; P=0.42). Conclusion: Primary linear wound closure with closed suction wound after a loop ileostomy takedown showed comparable outcomes, in terms of wound infection rates to those of delayed wound closure. Thus, primary linear wound closure with closed suction drain after a loop ileostomy takedown could be a good alternative to the delayed closure or purse-string closure.


Obese patients carry a higher risk of significant complications associated with mechanical ventilation. But obesity is not associated with an increased risk of mortality.


The recent developments [1–3] of glassy alloys that have high glass-forming ability and high thermal stability against crystallization allow us to use them for fundamental investigations and practical uses. The multicomponent Zr-Al-TM (TM5 transition metals) [4,5] alloy system is known to be one of the best glass formers. The critical diameter reaching 30 mm has been achieved for Zr 55Al10Ni5Cu30 alloy [6] prepared by a suction casting method. In the temperature range well below glass transition temperature (T g ;680 K), the glassy alloy deforms elastically and the subsequent fracture, in particular under a uniaxial or compressive load, takes place along a localized shear plane without distinct plastic elongation, as is case for other amorphous alloys [7]. With the aim of improving the mechanical properties without macroscopic elongation, amorphous composite materials containing second phases (ceramics, ductile metals and so on) have been investigated up to date. In 1980, the first report [8] in this category has indicated an increase of yield stress and a reduction in the degree of localization in the deformation mode. That is, melt-spun Ni 78Si10B12 amorphous ribbons containing mm-sized WC particles have improved tensile strength [9]. Recently, we have found that bulk glassy Zr-Al-Ni-Cu composite materials containing ZrC particles exhibit higher fracture strength and larger plastic strain as compared with the Zr-Al-Ni-Cu single phase [10]. Caltech group has also reported that bulk glassy Zr-Ti-Ni-Cu-Be alloys containing ductile metal (W or steel) fiber have improved mechanical properties [11]. The similar data have been obtained by changing the volume fraction of W, steel fiber or some ceramic particles [12–14]. As the important factors for the preparation of the above-described composite glassy alloys, one can list up limited reactivity, good wettability, and coincidence of thermal expansion coefficient and specific density. Great efforts have been devoted to control these factors. The in-situ reaction between dispersoid and matrix phase during preparation has been thought to be effective for good wettability and homogenization of the filler dispersoids because the in-situ reaction can suppress the agglomeration among dispersoid particles. This paper is intended to demonstrate the effectiveness of the in-situ reaction between Zr metal and graphite to form ZrC particles that are dispersed homogeneously in a bulk glassy Zr 55Al10Ni5Cu30 alloy and to present significantly improved mechanical properties, especially of compression tests, in the dispersion state. Scripta mater. 43 (2000) 503–507


We assessed mercury contamination of water, sediment, and selected aquatic biota from two lagoons in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (southern Lake Superior). These nearshore lagoon systems appear to be mercury-sensitive environments with unusually high rates of production of methylmercury, a highly toxic compound that readily bioaccumulates in aquatic food webs. Concentrations of methylmercury in oxic, near-surface water from these systems were unusually high (averaging 1.3 ng L in Outer Lagoon and 2.5 ng L in Stockton), with observed values greatly exceeding reported concentrations for Lake Superior and inland lakes of the region. Methylmercury concentrations in bulk samples of zooplankton from these systems were also high (averaging 481 ng g dry weight in Outer Lagoon and 270 ng g in Stockton) and substantially exceeded values reported in the literature or measured in samples taken from regional inland lakes. In contrast, concentrations of total mercury in surface water (averaging 4.5 ng L in Outer and 10 ng L in Stockton) and sediment from these systems were not unusual, and were within or near the range of observed values for regional lakes. The fraction of total mercury present as methylmercury in sediment was much less than that in water, leading us to hypothesize that the high concentrations of aqueous methylmercury in the lagoons resulted from high rates of mercury methylation in the water column. Concentrations of total mercury in whole northern redbelly dace Phoxinus eos, a prey fish sampled from the Stockton lagoon, averaged 0.105 μg g (parts per million) wet weight and ranged from 0.070 to 0.193 μg g. Total mercury in axial muscle tissue of northern pike Esox lucius from Outer lagoon averaged 0.78 μg g wet weight and ranged from 0.25 to 1.15 μg g, exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency methylmercury criterion of 0.3 μg g wet weight in 15 of 17 fish analyzed. We conclude that these lagoon systems are mercury-sensitive environments that actively produce methylmercury, a toxic compound that may be bioaccumulating to harmful concentrations in organisms in upper trophic levels of food webs in these lagoon systems.


A new coordination polymer containing a tetranuclear Cu(II)-btp unit is an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the regioselective ring opening of epoxide by methanol.


The origin of chemically precipitated cements, such as quartz, carbonates, and sulphates, in originally permeable rocks, is related to (1) the mineralogy of the original sediment, which may include both detritus and chemical precipitates; (2) the solubilities of the minerals in dilute to concentrated aqueous solutions in a range of temperatures and pressures; and (3) the composition of interstitial water solutions during various stages of diagenesis. In turn, the composition of these waters may be related to (1) the composition of the original water of the sedimentation environment (if subaqueous) and (2) routes of migration of groundwaters. Changes in interstitial water composition are associated with the successive stages of diagenesis, which can be characterized in ter s of varying degree of depth of burial, with consequent changes of pressure, temperature, and direction of ground-water movement. The actual sequences of cements that have been observed by petrologists can be accounted for by this analysis as well as the referral of particular mineral precipitates to specific diagenetic stages. The reconstruction of the diagenetic stages of a rock's history can be made only if there is a thorough understanding of the geologic history of the particular geologic section and area. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1765------------


In a process for the production of sulfonated hydrocarbon from a petroleum feedstock, e.g., crude oil or gas oil, enhanced separation of unreacted free hydrocarbon from the sulfonate product is obtained by two separations. The acidic product obtained from the sulfonation of the hydrocarbon is subjected to an incomplete separation from the unreacted hydrocarbon wherein from about 7 to about 12 percent by volume of the free unreacted hydrocarbon is retained in the product. Thereafter, the product is neutralized and subjected to a final separation in which the remainder of free unreacted hydrocarbon is removed from the sulfonated product.


The magnetic state of a single magnetic ion (Mn) embedded in an individual quantum dot is optically probed using microspectroscopy. The fine structure of a confined exciton in the exchange field of a single Mn ion (S = 5/2) is analyzed in detail. The exciton–Mn exchange interaction shifts the energy of the exciton depending on the Mn spin component and six emission lines are observed at zero magnetic field. The emission spectra of individual quantum dots containing a single magnetic Mn atom differ strongly from dot to dot. The differences are explained by the influence of the system geometry, specifically the in-plane asymmetry of the quantum dot and the position of the Mn atom. Depending on both these parameters, one has different characteristic emission features which either reveal or hide the spin state of the magnetic atom. The observed behavior in both zero field and under magnetic field can be explained quantitatively by the interplay between the exciton–manganese exchange interaction (dependent on the Mn position) and the anisotropic part of the electron–hole exchange interaction (related to the asymmetry of the quantum dot).


Aaron Aaronsohn's discovery of mother wheat, the primitive wheat allowing the development of civilization in the Levant, led to his invitation to the US as guest of the Department of Agriculture. His visits produced a 'fruitful' collaboration with USDA Section Chief David Fairchild, leading to his introduction of new species of fruits and advanced farming techniques into American Agriculture. His American sojourns also provided him with the opportunity to meet -- and influence many prominent people coopting and converting them to the Zionist Cause. Amongst those was Justice Louis Brandeis, the man who persuaded Woodrow Wilson to support The Balfour Declaration. Brandeis' sudden conversion from a secular, assimilationist Jew into an ardent Zionist at the age of 54 has defied logical explanation. This article details Aaronsohn's role in converting Brandeis to the Zionist cause.


Sensor localization has become an essential requirement for realistic applications over Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The complex indoor environment of large-scale buildings, however, makes localization with WSNs in the area very challenging. In this paper, a range-free approach named Approximate Point In Layer (APIL) is proposed. It bases on the principle of the layer in the three-dimensional space, which is appropriate to the sense of the large building complex indoor environment. Simulation results have verified the high estimation accuracy achieved with APIL, even under the complex propagation.


the current Research Director of the 'theology think tank,' Theos, takes up an incredibly difficult undertaking: on one hand attempting to synthesize the 'meaning' of Atheism amid the noise and haste emanating from the contemporary 'New Atheism,' while on the other, offering an evolutionary perspective that traces the historical origins of 'Atheism-in-general.' With the latter, he addresses the 'myth' that Atheism emerged in Europe within the 'teeth' of brutal religious—Christian—opposition, through the "services of reason, science and evolution" (xiv). This, he says, overlooks the more rational idea that modern Atheism's emergence was primarily a "political and social cause," its Western development the product of reactions toward Theological authority, rather than as counter developments in science or philosophy (xvixv). He summarizes this theory into three contentions: the history of Atheism is best understood in political and social terms, which engender the notion that rather than a singular 'Atheism' there exists instead a 'family of Atheisms,' which is evinced by the 'huge range' of terminology adopted, modified, and used over the last four centuries (xvii-xviii). As such, his text is divided into four chapters— 'Possibilities,' 'Pioneers,' 'Promises,' and 'Problems'—a chronological and geographical 'who's who' that maps the relative lives and careers of characters across various stages both national and inter-national, contextualized by epochs like the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, modernity, and post-modernity. This ancestry speaks a language of immeasurable ideologies, a dialogical gradient of '-isms' that range from standard identifiers like skepticism, humanism, agnosticism, or Atheism, to more broad descriptors such as communism, determinism, existentialism, fatalism, materialism, positivism, naturalism, rationalism, or secularism. In an equally deft and hurried manner, Spencer weaves together these biographical snippets into a four-century tapestry, highlighting the Atheism—or similar, often imputed philosophies—of such figures like Lucretuis, Machiavelli, Montaigne, Descartes, Hobbes, D'Holbach, Newton, Locke, Meslier, Hume, Jefferson, Hegel, Marx, Chernyshevsky, Diderot, Voltaire, Shelley, Paine, Darwin, Freud, Holyoake, Bradlaugh, Nietzsche, Stalin, Darrow, O'Hair, Khrushchev, Mao, Lenin, Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens. This survey of key players, which at times feels almost superficial, like pragmatic name-dropping, creates a curtain call that, for his intentions, Spencer uses to support his argument that 'modern Atheism' is, indeed, an evolved concept. Across his four chapters these individuals represent a maturation of sorts, a step-by-step progression leading toward a wider profile of Atheism-in-general. The concept seems to then become a signifier imbued with like notions, wherein the 'Atheist trait' develops into something genetically passed on, a mimetic peculiarity and product of cultural adaptability that evolves according to its environment. This equally accounts for the subtle similarities between different Atheisms: as the concept evolves, its meaning grows from each previous derivation so that between the Atheisms of, say Hobbes and Dawkins, we are able to perceive both similarity and difference. In this way, we might say that his text is a successful analysis in that it provides the characters, settings, and plot of an entity that represents a political or cultural migratory construction. On the other hand, Spencer's text reveals a number of entirely problematic issues. For example, we might ask whether it offers anything new at all, considering the existence of a Cambridge Companion (Martin 2007) and Oxford Handbook (Bullivant and Ruse, 2013), not to mention the available texts by a myriad of others that equally provide both an historical examination of the term's usage, as well as a number of theoretical attempts at defining its broader meaning. Which leads us to another issue. Because the study of Atheism is an emerging field, and is thus fraught with the growing pains one might expect of adolescence, such as its relationship to the larger study of religion, and the disparity between how individuals describe themselves and how they are described by scholars, any in-depth study of Atheism itself is, at present, a precarious endeavor. Which also means, because it is not— necessarily—adding anything new, rather than resolving these issues Spencer's text seems to merely join in. In this way, it comes across as less a clarification about the 'vastness' of Atheism, and more a simple contribution, albeit wrapped within an account bulging at the seams with nuanced details pragmatically left out. * Religious Studies, The University of Edinburgh email@example.com BOOK REVIEW


An enteric micropill (microsoftgel) of Duluoxiting and its preparing process are disclosed. Said micropill is composed of an empty core pill and a coated external layer consisting of a principal medicine layer, an isolating layer and an enteric layer. It features that its principal medicine can be quickly released only in small intestine.