The structure of each part of a diagonal compressor directly affects its overall perfor- mance and internal flow. We introduce the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes flow simulation for unit calculation on the whole system including a diagonal impeller, a vaneless diffuser and a volute. By analyzing different flow chromatograms of specific sections, we can compare the configuration of three types of diffusers and volutes and the meridian flow status of the corresponding diagonal compressors which serves as a basis for the impeller flow path as well as for its matching designs. Considering the interference between the rotor and the upstream and downstream stillness body, this thesis analyzes how the vaneless diffuser meridian flow path, the volute flow path and its section secondary flow affect the upstream rotor flow. Both the calculation and experimental data on the rotor outlet are compared, as well as the calculated numerical value of the meridian plane streamline distribution and the diffuser velocity distribution, upstream and downstream, coincides with the designed numerical value. Without changing the conventional quasi-three-dimensional design system, the thesis applies the annulus wall boundary layer theory and the velocity distribution diagram to sweep and skew the leading edge of the airfoil. A performance test shows that the leading edge skewed-swept diagonal rotor can better improve the stall characteristic in a low flow rate area and expand the surge margin, compared with conventional diagonal rotor. It can also efficiently restrain the low-momentum fluid conglomeration near the wall region and reduce the secondary flow loss by sweeping and skewing the blade properly. The purpose of the thesis is to make a contribution to optimizing the overall structure design of diagonal compressors and to study further the complex internal flow between the leading edge skewed-swept diagonal rotor and the cover.


We present the case of a HIV seronegative 72-year-old woman with a 5-year history of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treated with infliximab (3 mg/kg in weeks 0, 2 and 6, and every 8 weeks afterwards) for 36 months, who developed a pruritic erythematous plaque on the right malar area, which evolved into an ulcerated tumor (Figure 1A). The patient had neither fever nor lymphadenopathy and denied any previous trauma, exposure to bird droppings or outdoor activities. Laboratory investigations were normal, except a high level of C reactive protein and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A diagnosis of ulcerated basal cell carcinoma was considered. 2 | METHODS


Worked out methodology of determination of the tensely-deformed state of elements of mobile heat storage of capacity type, that works in the real terms of temperature and power stress on allows to estimate influence of potential energy on resilient deformation that influences on reliability of construction and to give recommendations on planning of tank (capacities) of accumulator.
For determination possibly of possible tension of construction of accumulator kinematics maximum terms were certain.
As a tank of accumulator shows a soba the difficult geometrical system, the mathematical model of calculation of coefficient of polynomial and decision of task of minimization of functional was improved for determination of tension for Міzеs taking into account the real geometry of equipment.
Conducted quantitative estimation of the tensely-deformed state of the union coupling, corps and bottom of thermal accumulator and the resource of work of these constructions is appraised. Thus admissible tension folds 225 МРа.


A modified polarization-maintaining Sagnac loop mirror is proposed, and the simulated transmission spectrum of the proposed filter is in accordance with experimental transmission spectrum. Based on the proposed filter, a multi-wavelength thulium-doped fiber laser is constructed and experimentally demonstrated. The stable multi-wavelength oscillation within 60 minutes is achieved through the nonlinear polarization rotation effect enhanced by the highly nonlinear fiber. By fine tuning the polarization state, up to 35 lasing lines are obtained within a 10-dB bandwidth with wavelength separation of ∼1.38 nm at room temperature. The wavelength shift and the output power fluctuation are less than 0.04 nm and 1.69 dB, respectively. In addition, by changing the optical coupling ratio in the Sagnac loop mirror, different outputs with 7, 8, 16 lasing lines are also obtained.


The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence Bhutanese secondary students' behavioural intention and their despondency to accept google classroom platform as a learning management system. The study utilized structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine the direct effects using students self- reported answers. The endogenous variable was Behavior intention (BI) while the exogenous variables were perceived usefulness (PU); perceived ease of use (PEOU); facilitating conditions (FC), and tutor quality (TQ). The data for this study was collected from 340 secondary students from four schools under Thimphu district. The SEM analysis suggested that there was no evidence for a direct link between FC and TQ toward BI. However, a significant positive effect was found from FC>PEOU; TQ>PEOU; PEOU>PU; and finally, from PU>BI. The model proposed and tested in this study reveals that neither the FC nor TQ were strong determinants of secondary students' behaviour intention to use GC.


The utility model discloses a town road dustbin, including shell body and containing box, said containing box hinges in the well kenozooecium of shell body, and it still includes lighting device, lighting device includes the LED lamp, time switch, battery and lighting circuit, the LED lamp, time switch, battery and lighting circuit all set up in the riser of shell body, the LED lamp passes through lighting circuit and the battery is connected with time switch electricity, on the riser is provided with the translucent cover, the translucent cover covers the top at the LED lamp. The advantage is: the utility model has the advantages of simple structure, lighting device can effectively indicate the position of dustbin, makes things convenient for the pedestrian to abandon rubbish night, and lighting device can also illuminate its peripheral road conditions in addition, exempts some accident's emergence


There are several established reasons why an organization chooses to launch a spin-out.Innovation and the need for new processes and values are two of those reasons. Although spinoutsmay solve a mi ...


The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of two types of sludge from sewage treatment urban and industrial plants on the wheat and colza. These sludge is made at different doses (5, 25, 50 and 100 t / ha). We are therefore interested in the growth and absorption of heavy metals by plants and follow the fate of the latter in the ground to prevent pollution events and toxicity. The soil is characterized by an alkaline pH; conductivity ranging from 1.06 to 1.52mmho/cm resulting low salinity and soil saturation is between 30.4 and 31.8ml/100g. The sand is the most representative size fraction in this soil which is a sandy loam soil texture. The percentages of limestone in the different horizons are less than 5% so it is a non-calcareous soil, with organic matter content very low. Contents of total nitrogen are relatively low. The C/N ratio is about 7 at the first horizon (0-10cm) indicates that organic matter will be quickly mineralized. The mean levels of heavy metals found in the soil are organized in the following order: Fe " Mn> Zn> Pb> Cu> Ni> Co> Cd mean concentrations of heavy metals introduced by the sludge.


Cross sections are reported for electron capture by fast alpha particles from H- ions. The calculations are based on the continuum-distorted wave approximation and the target is described by three separate wavefunctions, one of which is an extended configuration-interaction function. Several different capture states are considered and, in addition, values are presented for the total cross sections for all transitions. The influence of electron correlation is examined and the results are compared with those arising from the earlier proton-H- calculations. A brief comment is also made concerning cross sections for electron capture by mu + mesons.


Arabic Abstract: القروض المتبادلة ببساطة تعني أقرضك بشرط أن تقرضني ، على أساس التساوي بين القرضين في القيمة الحالية . ذلك لأن القرضين حتى لو تساويا في المبلغ والمدة ، أو في جدائهما (أي في الأعداد ، النمر) ، إلا أن القرض المعجل أكبر قيمة من القرض المؤجل . وهذا ثابت في الفقه والاقتصاد . فمن يقترض الآن ألفـًا لسنة هو أفضل ممن يقترض ، بعد سنة ، ألفـًا لسنة ، لأن الأول يربي على الآخر ربا نساء English Abstract: The reciprocal loan simply means that in return for a loan for a specific period, the lender receives an equivalent amount of loan for a similar period of time. Some contemporary scholars believe that reciprocal loans are legitimate, if they are not tied, that is if the lending of one loan does not depend on the lending of the other. But they stipulated that tying could take place through a promise or a memorandom of understanding. The loan is granted without the above stipulation, but an understanding may take place apart from the contract. This constitutes an illegitimate manouver around proper contracting, since what is unlawful in contract is also unlawful in promise or collusion, even if not binding, let alone when binding.


In this article we present an approach to the description of Magneto-hydrodynamic Marine Energy Harvesting (MHMEH) system. Preliminarly, a general discussion on the principle of operation is presented. Successively, in order to move beyond the analytical model, a 3-D MHD modeling tool and a Runge Kutta method based solver are presented and they are used to investigate an alternative MHD solutions. Some numerical analyses are given


Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint pathology characterized by articular cartilage degradation that lacks from efficient therapy. Since previous epidemiological data show a high controversy regarding the role of smoking in OA, we aimed to evaluate the effects of nicotine (the most physiologically active compound of tobacco) on the joint.


Paper describes an 87-oven plant, which has been in operation since 1973, includes details of the biological oxidation system for effluent treatment. Phenol destruction in excess of 99% and TOC reduction in the 80 to 90% range are claimed.


Iranian Intellectuals in the 20th Century is a well-written and widely researched survey of the intellectual climate from the constitutional movement of 1905 to the post-revolutionary 1980s. Ali Gheissari refers to the various vehicles of intellectual expression—the creative writings of the 1920s and 1930s, the discursive essays of the post-1953 periodicals, and the maktabiliterature of the 1980s—and puts them in the political context of their times. As with all writings on intellectuals, the indeterminate nature of the subject-matter means that definitions, which can help to demarcate the parameters of the study, become essential. Gheissari is aware of these potential problems and comments that, although it is relatively easy to collect material, difficulties arise when one tries to apply a method of analysis. Accordingly, he emphasizes that he is not writing a comprehensive history of Iranian intellectuals, a sociology of literature, or a probe into the roots of the Iranian revolution. Rather he tries to illustrate certain components of modern Iranian political culture as perceived and developed by intellectuals and as revealed in the wealth of material found in their political and literary writings. He defines the intellectual as "an educated person dealing in the life of the mind...[and] broadly those who, though differing in ideological motivations and in solutions to social problems, try to maintain an up-to-date vision, seek social and political change, and identify with the objective spirit of the modern world" (p. x). Given this broad definition, his approach becomes rather general. He concentrates on the circumstances that brought about the changes in ideas rather than on the intellectuals or the ideas themselves. Consequently, his chronologicallyorganized chapters describe the changing political climates.


A heterogeneous and infiltrating tumor like glioblastoma (GBM) cannot be effectively treated with a single-targeted therapy. Hence, targeting several GBM-associated factors that are responsible for the disease progression and/or recurrence at once is a way to address the issue of tumor heterogeneity. Building on a Phase I clinical trial of a cytotoxic cocktail targeting IL-13-RA2 and EphA2 receptors showing dramatic anti-tumor responses in dogs with spontaneous gliomas, we have developed multivalent single pharmaceutical agents that target four specific to GBM receptors: IL-13RA2, EphA2, EphA3, and EphB2. The combined expression of these receptors spans almost 100% of the tumor microenvironment of pathobiological importance, such as tumor initiating cells, infiltrating cells, neo-vasculature, and GBM-infiltrating cells of monocytic origin like macrophages. Variants of this multivalent protein termed QUAD 2.0 and 3.0 contain an IgG1 scaffold, ephrinA5, which is a ligand for the EphA2, EphA3, and EphB2 receptors, and IL-13.E13K, a mutated version of interleukin 13 (IL-13) binding preferentially to IL-13RA2. In QUAD 3.0, a cysteine was added to the C-terminal end of QUAD 2.0 to allow effective conjugation to cytotoxic agents/labels. All QUAD variants bound effectively to the four receptors using ELISA with KD values of 100–200 pM for EphA2, EphA3, and IL-13RA2, and 700 pM-4 nM for EphB2, and downregulated the EphA2 and EphA3 receptors in GBM cells. QUAD 2.0 and 3.0 were conjugated to a modified form of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A and a modified doxorubicin. The conjugates were highly cytotoxic to established and primary GBM cells with IC50s < 1.0 nM. Intracranial injections (1.3 mM, 5µL) of the conjugates were well tolerated in mice. Thus, targeting multiple receptors with a single multivalent protein is possible. One additional advantage in using these targeted cytotoxins is that they produce immunogenic cell death and can be combined with other approaches activating the immune system.


Summary and Questions The Collective Resource Approach inScandinavia began as a political move-ment, not a technologi cal one. It was thisoriginal political content—that localworkers could and must challenge man-agement definitions of skill and techno-logical legitimacy—which threatened acozy system of centralized industrial re-lations which valued historical and polit-ical collaboration almo st as much as pro-ductivity and profits. The collective re-sistance of Scandinavian unions andemployers forced a change in the origi-nal concept of the CRA to a much morenarrowly defined technocratic focus ondesign and interfaces rather than workercontrol and an independent vision oftechnology.In the U.S., the absence of a formalsystem of centralized industrial rela-tions, of universal union membership,and of a strong overlap of unions and po-litical parties, means that the technocrat-ic, not political, components of CRA willbe selected or rejected by employerssolely on the basis of their utility to man-agers. The terms "cooperation," "partici-pation," and "empowerment" will all beused to describe this process. None ofthese, however, can have anything to dowith work place democratization.Even in Scandinavia, with its verydifferent traditions of industrial rela-tions, cooperation and participation forthe few cannot mean, as Kyng wouldhave it, that "democracy in the work-place means expanding choices forworkers and developing working strate-gies that allow more voices to be heard."This is little more than dressed up—anddiscredited—sociotechnical "participa-tion" in its most elitist form.If the Collective Resource Approachis to advocate genuine democracy—andseriously address the issue of power andcontrol in the modern work place—we


Ageing is a universal phenomenon and natural biological process of the life cycle. As people enter old age, they begin to experience associated changes in their physical, mental & social health. Therefore, elderly people are vulnerable to physiological and mental crisis. The aim of this study is to assess psychological problems as perceived by institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly, utilizing a descriptive comparative research design. A sample of convenience of 90 elderly which will be divided into: 45 institutionalized elderly was recruited from Hedaya Barakat geriatric home in El-Dokki district, Giza city, Egypt and 45 non- institutionalized elderly was recruited from Pension and Disbursement settings, Cairo district, Egypt. Socio-demographic sheet, and psychological problems scale for elderly. The findings revealed that; the studied institutionalized elderly had higher levels of anxiety, loneliness, and depression than non institutionalized elderly and it was major problems. The study concludes that, psychological problems increase with growing of age among elderly. Recommendation: nursing by education programs should be held for psychiatric mental health nurses in order to help families develop a better understanding of elderly people health needs. Keywords: psychological problems, institutionalized, non-institutionalized and elderly people.


The geometry dependent hybrid model proposed by M.Blann and supplied with models for the non-equilibrium cluster emission was implemented in the TALYS-1.74 code. A number of subprograms of ALICE and ALICE/ASH codes after an appropriate modification were added to TALYS. The value of the TALYS input variable preeqmode equal to five is reserved for the use of new approach. The calculated nucleon and light cluster energy distributions are compared with measured data.


Early light emission provides information about the dominant mechanisms culminating in vacuum surface flashover (anode-initiated vs. cathode-initiated) for particular geometries. From experimental evidence gathered elsewhere, for the case of an insulator oriented at 45° with respect to the anode, anode-initiated flashover is believed to dominate since the field at the anode triple point is roughly three times that of the cathode. Similar to previous work performed on cathode-initiated flashover, light emission from the voltage rise through the impedance collapse is collected into two optical fibers focused on light emanating from the insulator in regions near the anode and cathode. The optical fibers are either connected to PMTs for spectrally integrated localized light intensity information or to a spectrograph used in conjunction with an ICCD camera. Challenges associated with localizing the flashover for optical diagnostics and incorporating the optical diagnostics into the high-field environment are discussed. Initial results for cross-linked polystyrene (Rexolite 1422) support the premise that flashover is initiated from the anode for these geometries, as early light from the anode leads cathode light up to photocathode saturation. Early spectroscopy results show promise for future characterization of the spatio-temporal development of emission from desorbed gas species across the insulator surface and identification of bulk insulator involvement if it occurs.


The surface enhanced Raman scattering effect has shown immense potential for detecting trace amounts of explosive vapor molecules. To date, efforts to produce a commercially available, reliable SERS sensor have been impeded by an inability to separate the electromagnetic enhancement produced by the metallic nanostructure from other signal enhancing effects. Here, we show a new Raman sensor that uses surface acoustic waves (SAWs) to produce controllable surface structures on gold films deposited on LiNbO substrates that modulate the Raman signal of a target compound (thiophenol) adsorbed on the films. We demonstrate that this sensor can dynamically control the Raman signal simply by changing the SAW's amplitude, allowing the Raman signal enhancement factor to be directly measured with no variation in the concentration of the target compound. The physically adsorbed molecules can be removed from the sensor without physical cleaning or damage, making it possible to reuse it for real-time Raman detection. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. We demonstrate the use of surface acoustic waves to enhance the Raman signal obtained from thiophenol adsorbed on thin gold films deposited on lithium niobate substrates. It is shown that the Raman signal can be reversibly increased by simply changing the acoustic wave amplitude without change in analyte concentration on the sensor surface.


Color poster with text describing research and work conducted by Erin Regan, advised by Dr. Terry Ferriss (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) during an internship at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The internship involved working with tissue cultures of Cannas and Chrysanthemums, germination of Cedrus seeds, and propagation of a variety of different plants.


Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of L-arginine and alprostadil on ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods Thirty patients with liever cirrhosis were divided into control group, L-arginine treatment group and alprostadil treatment group. The change of urine volume,natruresis,abdominal perimeter and creatinine clearance rate were observed after 2 week-treatment.Results L-arginine and alprostadil increased the urine volume,while decreased the abdominal perimeter and renal arterial RI. There was a significant difference between control group and two treatment groups.Conclusion These suggeste L-arginine is of therapeutic efficacy on liver cirrhosis.


Despite nationalist parties across Europe jumping on EU institutions' lack of democracy to bolster their electorate, pro-European parties have yet to fully seize themselves of this topic and…


Provides information on research into low energy nuclear reactions, held in Russia. Shows a great variaty of methodological approuches, which is typical for Russians studies in this area. Lists the most vivid experiments, the problem of low reproducibility of their results also provided the basic theoretical work that illustrate attempts of interpretation of the known experimental results. Formulated possible at the moment understanding low-energy nuclear reactions, collective nuclear transformations occuring at energies unacceptebly low for conventional nuclear reactions, collective nuclear transformations occurring at energies unacceptedly low for conventional nuclear reactions, and give a variation of the isotopic composition and high heat in the absence of residual radioactivity.


Recent studies based on morphologic and molecular genetic data have revealed quite a seri- ous variety in the trans-Palearctic species, which brought about taxonomic status changes in 14 of 18 Russian Far Eastern bat species. Far Eastern bat status revisions resulted in species growth whose chromosome characteristics have been described either under other names or have not been studied at all. This paper has inventoried bat chromosome research in the Russian Far East and neighboring regions and has improved the accuracy of chromosome characteristics for 17 of 18 valid species today. For the first time, the karyotypes and their variation type for the valid bat species in the Russian Far East have been described.


Severe hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension in newborns Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) through direct pulmonary vasodilator action and without sistemyc effects, is the gold standard treatment for pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (HTPP). This work was designed with the aim of evaluating the response to this treatment in 16 newborn patients in an intensive care unit, by changes in oxygen saturation (SO2), medium airway pressure (MAP) and inspirited fraction of O2 (FiO2). Two groups were anaylized: 1) under iNO treatment during the first 72 hs of life, where the most frequent diagnosis was meconium aspiration syndrome and 2) newborns with severe respiratory failure (n = 3), refractary to treatment, in which iNO was begun alter 14 days of life. Among patients of group 1 it was evident an increase in SO2 after the first 6 hs of treatment with iNO. The decrease FiO2 and MAP occurred later. The mortality rate was 23% (2/13) in this group. In group 2 the SO2 increased, leading to a decrease in ventilatory support in the first 72 hours of treatment in one case. iNO doses were lesser than 20 ppm in 8/13 patients, there were neither platelet impairment, nor bleeding or metahemoglobinemia. There was no rebound effect after finishing iNO therapy from minimum doses (2 ppm). In this unit the inclusion of iNO treatment in HTPP or respiratory failure was associated with improvement in SO2 and a decrease in ventilatory support, without adverse effects resulting in a benefit over the globally support therapy. (Key words: Hypertension, pulmonary, nitric oxide, anoxemia, infant, newborn). Arch Pediatr Urug 2007; 78(4): 270-280


Most hearing persons do not understand sign language. But hearing-impaired people communicate through the sign language only. Hence, there is a challenge in the communication between hearing and the hearing-impaired people. The proposed system is to build a bridge between the hearing and hearing-impaired communities and to start two-way communication. The proposed system suggests a two-way sign language translator that translates speech in real time into sign language and vice versa. Using Python's OpenCV Library, the proposed system processes the video frame by frame. Additionally, each frame's background is removed using the Background/Foreground Segmentation Algorithm based on Gaussian Mixtures. The outlines of the processed image are classified into the comparable written language terms using a convolutional neural network (CNN). In order to accurately preserve the sign language's grammar during conversion from sign language to voice, we use gTTS (Google Text-to-Speech) and fundamental NLP. Enrolment and reading rates among hearing-impaired youngsters are significantly lower than the general population average. This technology will therefore assist regular schools in better integrating the hearing challenged community, making education more accessible and affordable for them.


Over the past 10 or 15 years, pension programs in the United States have been restructured from predominately defined benefit plans (DBPs) to defined contribution plans (DCPs). This shift was spurred by the increased costs, complexity and risks associated with ERISA and the increased availability of more flexible DCPs. This article examines two thrusts of the shift. The first is the emergence and expanded use of Section 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans by relatively large organizations as either supplements to or substitutes for traditional DBPs. The second is the efforts of the federal government to encourage small businesses to provide retirement income programs for their employees. These efforts may be based on faulty assumptions and may be misdirected.


Abstract This study explored whether sympathovagal modulation assessed through frequency domains of heart rate variability (HRV) can indicate sepsis in patients with suspected infection. In total, 370 consecutive adult patients with suspected infection admitted to the emergency department were enrolled in this single-center cohort study. A continuous 10-minute electrocardiography for HRV analysis was recorded immediately for these patients after inclusion. Patients were stratified into non-sepsis and sepsis groups based on a sepsis-related organ failure assessment score of ≥2 that met the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis. Seven frequency domains of HRV were compared between these 2 groups. Compared with the non-sepsis group (n = 98), the sepsis group (n = 272) had a significantly lower incidence of respiratory tract infection, higher total power, higher very-low-frequency component, higher high-frequency (HF) component, higher normalized HF component, lower normalized low-frequency (LF) component, and lower LF component/HF component ratio (LF/HF). Multiple logistic regression model identified HF component (odds ratio [OR] = 0.994; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.990–0.999) and LF/HF (OR = 0.494; 95% CI, 0.423–0.578) as significant variables associated with sepsis. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves of HF component and LF/HF was 0.741 (95% CI, 0.685–0.797) and 0.930 (95% CI, 0.900–0.960), respectively, in identifying sepsis in patients with suspected infection. Tilted sympathovagal balance toward increased vagal activity and depressed sympathetic modulation, assessed by the HF component and LF/HF, may indicate sepsis in patients with suspected infection.


The learning process that uses less-varied learning model can cause students to feel bored during discourse process. This study aimed to find the right pattern of variation in applying cooperative learning model to improve the student creative thinking and learning motivation. The method was quasi-experiment by using pretest-posttest design. The research conducted at three classes of the fourth-semester students, i.e. classes of experiment I, II and control. Learning process at the class of experiment I used variations of Student Team Achievement Division (STAD), Numbered Head Together (NHT), and Group Investigation (GI) models, experiment II used STAD and GI models, and control used discussion, question-and-answer, and presentation. Essay test and questionnaire were used to collect the data that furtherly were analyzed using ANOVA test. The results showed that a significant difference in student creative thinking among experiment I, II and control classes. Students in experiment I showed the highest creative thinking ability, followed by experiment II and control, respectively. Student learning motivation in the class of experimental I and II was also significantly better than in control class. The findings indicate practicing the variation of cooperative learning models can improve both student creative thinking ability and learning motivation.


The study explored the effect of PQ4R instructional strategy on reading fluency. The sample consisted of (107) students from four tenth-grade classroom sections in four schools in North West Badia Directorate of Education. The sample distributed into two groups: Experimental group consisted of two sections (one male and one of female), and control group consisted of two tenth grade sections (one male and one female). The study used a quasi-experimental design, by using PQ4R instructional strategy to teach the experimental group and the conventional methods to teach the control group. The instrument was a pre-post reading fluency test developed by the researcher based on reviewing previous literature. The results revealed statistically significant differences in the mean scores of the experimental group and the control group in favor of the experimental group. It found statistically significant differences in the mean scores of the students' in the two sub-skills of reading fluency due to gender, in favour of females, and no statistically significant differences in the interaction between groups and gender. The results showed significant improvements of the experimental group in the two sub-skills of reading fluency (speed, accuracy), which could be attributed to employing PQ4R instructional strategy.


Based on the problem that the ultrasonic cleaning can destroy the insulating layer of the motor winding and affect the motor safety, the destructive effect mechanism is analyzed, designed a enameled wire-based destructive experiment method, and finally realized the selection of cleaning power and time. It was indicated by the motor experiments that the cleaning parameters selected in this way didn't destroy the insulating layer of the motor winding, and was an excellent method to ensure the safety and reliability of the designed ultrasonic cleaning method.


Objective To compare survival of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome after corrective cardiac surgery treated by high-frequency oscillatory ventilation with pulmonary hypertension or without pulmonary hypertension.Methods Among 10827 patients,64 with refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome were ventilated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.Patients with significant uncorrected residual lesions were not included.The patients were grouped according to cardiac diagnosis:group Ⅰ (n =33),non-pulmonary hypertension patients; group Ⅱ (n =31),pulmonary hypertension patients.The demographic data,respiratory and circulatory parameters were recorded.The two groups were evaluated for survival rates at discharge as the primary outcome.Results There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to age,weight,central venous pressure,left atrial pressure.The mean duration of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation was significantly shorter in group Ⅰ than that in group Ⅱ [(104.89 ± 53.47)h vs (386.49 ± 125.36)h,P<0.05].The patients in group Ⅱ showed higher mortality rate than that in group Ⅰ [7 vs.20 (21.2% vs.64.5%)(P<0.05)].Conclusions High-frequency oscillatory ventilation therapy for severe postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome is effective following cardiac surgery.

Key words:
Heart defects, congenital;  Acute respiratory distress syndrome;  High-frequency oscillatory ventilation;  Cardiac Surgical Procedures;


This paper reports on a questionnaire survey undertaken to evaluate e-Business use in the Ghanaian construction industry. The views of construction professionals and local construction firms in Ghana were consulted in this questionnaire survey. Additionally, the survey is intended to show evidence of e-Business activities and professional groups within the industry likely to use e-Business. The initial result shows that, there are different levels of e-Business initiatives and understanding within the industry. Further, e-Business related activities are done in haphazard manner due to low technological capacity. This evaluation provides a unique opportunity to assess the capacity of contractors and other professional groups for e-business technology transfer either through joint ventures or collaborations, considering the significant amount of investment and foreign construction firm activities within the Ghanaian construction industry.


Objective To study the effects of cadmium chloride on apoptosis of rat primary astrocytes in cultured. Methods The astrocytes in logarithmic growth phase were exposed to cadmium chloride at the doses of 0(control),2.5,5,10,20 and 40μmol/L for 12 h and 24 h,then cell survival rate was measured by MTT assay;The astrocytes exposed to 0(control),2.5,5,10 and 20 μmol/L cadmium chloride for 12 h were used to detect apoptosis rate by flow cytometry stained with Annexin V-FITC/PI. Results Compared with the control group, the astrocytes exposed to 5-40 μmol/L cadmium chloride for 12 h and 24 h revealed lower survival rate, the astrocytes exposed to 5-20 μmol/L cadmium chloride for 12 h revealed higher apoptosis rate with statistically significant difference(P0.05);And with the increase of cadmium chloride exposure level,the survival rate of the astrocytes decreased,the apoptosis rate increased. Conclusion Cadmium chloride may induce the apoptosis of astrocytes.


The Mono Tiltrotor (MTR) is a proposed, innovative heavy-lift rotorcraft architecture. Its capabilities are predicated on the combination of an advanced coaxial rotor system and sophisticated kinematics that morph the aircraft topology for efficient flight over the entire operational envelope. The MTR rotorcraft integrates a coaxial rotor, a folding lifting wing system, a lightweight airframe and an efficient cargo handling system that is capable of rapidly and economically transporting different types of mission tailored payloads. This paper reports on a conceptual design study that has been conducted to predict the sizes and weights of the MTR architecture and to objectively examine its potential performance. Various sizes of MTR have been examined, ranging from small machines with relatively light payloads of less than 5 tons to large heavylifters with payloads of 20 tons or more. A requirement was that the machine carry its payload over an unprecedented unrefueled distance of 1,000 nautical miles. It is shown that if technically realizable, the MTR architecture allows for a relatively compact and lightweight rotor design, with an accompanying lightweight airframe and relatively low fuel load. The ability to morph the MTR so that its lift is created by a fixed wing when in cruise flight gives the machine a relatively high lift-to-drag ratio, good specific fuel consumption and excellent net vehicle transportation efficiency.


This paper proposes the study of the thermal management system of an energy storage system centered on lithium-ion capacitor (LiC). The investigated system is a LiC module made of 12 cells. A proposed passive thermal strategy has been designed in a 3D model using COMSOL Multiphysics. The strategy consists of integrating different cooling strategies, i.e phase-change materials (PCMs) and liquid-cooling in the LiC module. Initial results showed that with the cooling-plate strategy, the module temperature stays constantly at an optimal temperature of 20°C but the solution is found bulky and costly. On the other hand, with the PCM strategy, the temperature is a bit above the optimal operating temperature after a simulation of 3500s but the solution is less complex. Therefore, the idea of this study is to find an optimal thermal solution comprising a liquid cooling method and PCMs that needs to be investigated.


The composition and the principle of FESTO auto moving balance system are introduced. An analysis on the calculation of hydraulikzylinder safety parameter and selection is made. By comparing the process of the auto - control with the practical application of the parameter system it puts forward that hydraulikzylinder is the core element of hydraulic. The different constitution, shape, size and material of the hydaulikzylinder will be different in function and service life.


The paper deals with the problems of altered forms of competitive bidding on the market that does not lead to what companies produce in their factories, but to what is added to a product from a plant in the form of advertising, packaging, advice intended for a buyer and all other things that consumers appreciate, and it is in the function of creating a sustainable competitive advantage. Further, it indicates that any commercial communication is not applied to a specific event or a message, but the image of a company communicates. A company that wants an advantage over competitors on the market has to shape the image of a product in a way to run a story about it, and it is achieved by appropriate business communication. An integrated function of public relations/advertising contributes to the overall image and reputation of a company and its products and services.


Purpose - External knowledge is generally believed to be of prime importance to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, a review of the literature shows that no empirical research has looked at knowledge management issues at the inter-organizational level in SMEs. This paper seeks to report on an empirical investigation with UK SMEs in the service sector to identify their needs and practices regarding inter-organizational knowledge transfer, and thus provide empirical evidence to support the above belief. Design/methodology/approach - A two-tier methodology (i.e. using both questionnaire survey and interview approaches) is deployed to address the main research objectives. A questionnaire survey of SMEs is carried out to investigate their current inter-organizational knowledge transfer situation and managers' perception on various relevant issues. Then 12 face-to-face interviews with SME managers are conducted to further validate key findings drawn from the questionnaire survey. Findings - The empirical evidence collected from the survey and interviews confirms the general belief that external knowledge is of prime importance for SMEs, and demonstrates that SMEs have very strong needs for external knowledge and inter-organizational knowledge transfer. Research limitations/implications - The findings provide very strong underpinning for further theoretical research on inter-organizational knowledge transfer in SMEs. However, this study has certain limitations: its results may not be applicable to other industrial sectors or the same sector in other countries; or to micro or large companies; nor does it involve cross-cultural issues. Originality/value - By adopting a two-tier research methodology, this study provides more reliable understanding and knowledge on SMEs' inter-organizational knowledge transfer needs and practices, and fills the gap that exists in the empirical investigations on the subject. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.


A measurement of the quasielastic neutron scattering from liquid 7~i,~b has bgen performed at a time of flight spectrometer (E = 4 . 1 meV, AE = 0.28 meV) for q(E=O) = 0.25 ... 2.5 A-l . Corrections for background, absorpt?on, self shie18ing, and multiple scattering were applied and the spectra were reduced to cross sections by normalization to vanadium. Since the coherent scattering lengths average to zero, the intensity observed is essentially due to the concentr'ation fluctuation structure factor Sm(q,E). Scc(q,E) shows a pronounced quasielastic peak around q 1.5 In the region of the peak, the energy width narrows down by about a factor of two (de Gennes narrowing). A fit in terms of a sum of Lorentzians is attempted which corresponds to an extrapolation of the description valid in the hydrodynamic limit. The self diffusion constant for Li is derived from the 7 ~ i incoherent scattering and an interdiffusion constant from Scc(q,E).


SUMMARY

Iprodione seed treatment at 125 g a.i./kg seed and stem base sprays at 0–3 and 0.125 g a.i./m row delayed the appearance and reduced the incidence of stem base symptoms and root infection with Sclerotium cepivorum in autumn- and spring-sown salad onions. Viability of sclerotia was unaffected by the treatments but their germination was delayed. The spread of mycelium between plants was suppressed but growth of hyphae within infected roots was much less affected.


Cylindrical samples of the Tshirege member of the Bandelier tuff were tested for adsorption of radioactive nuclides from waste solutions containing Pu- 239, Cs-137, or Sr-90, as well as mixtures of these. In addition, observations on leaching were made. Cs-137 and Pu-239 were readily retained by the tuff; however, the Pu-239 can be released by a subsequent discharge of solutions such as versene. Sr-90 was not retained by the tuff nearly as well as the other nuclides tested and was more easily released. (J.R.D.)


In order to meet the growing demands for energy, plans are currently being made to construct several new liquefied natural gas (LNG) off-load terminals in North America. While LNG provides a relatively clean source of fuel, increased shipment means increased potential for accidental releases. Governmental agencies have recognized the safety concerns about such a possible spill event and have recommended the proactive and preemptive addressing of such concerns. Several recent studies have examined the likely thermal and other hazards from an LNG vessel accident. One possible threat from such an incident is a pool fire, which could be quite large since the volume of a single tank on an LNG vessel can contain as much as 25,000 m of liquefied gas. In general, there is agreement in the literature on the pool fire geometry, burn regression rate, and thermal emissive power of the fire but less concurrence on possible tank leak rate or surface spread rate on water. The authors review the existing approaches to th...


The dual safety system is designed to protect scooter from theft when a motorcycle is placed in place nothing supervision from its owner. There are two types of safety device for scooter, they are electric and nonelectric. One of the most widely used examples of this two safety device is using an electric alarm and a nonelectric using a steering lock. However, in the two examples of safety devices that cannot be relied upon if the Scooter is in a place that is less supervision, it is certain that the owner cannot monitor it. So the purpose of the safety device Arduino-based dual safety device is designed to effectively secure Scooter because it is equipped with GPS that is used to track the location of scooter coordinates without distance being limited.The device is equipped with a GSM module as communication between the owner and the safety device so that the owner can monitor his Scooter remotely, using SMS. If the SMS is sent to the mobile number installed on the GSM module with the appropriate SMS command, the tool will work according to the SMS command.


This thesis has two goals: * To explore how systems thinking and system dynamics can be used to minimize costs throughout the aerospace supply chain, and " To make the system dynamics process more transparent and useable for newcomers to the field of system dynamics. To meet both of these goals, a system dynamics model of an aerospace engine manufacturer is created as a part of this thesis. System dynamics simulations are used to gain insight to the first research goal of reducing costs in the aerospace supply chain. However, to make system dynamics more transparent, a description of the entire model evolution process is also included. This thesis draws upon a case study of an unnamed aerospace engine manufacturer (AEM). Competitive pressures have forced AEM's management to change its product focus from performance to acquisition cost. However, AEM has had difficulty implementing this goal in its product design and development process. In an effort to translate this goal into a reality, AEM has made a strategic decision to focus on its core competency, engine design. Functions that are not directly related to a core competency or competitive advantage are outsourced. As a result, AEM has been able to eliminate many overhead activities. However, AEM has not been able to make substantial gains in reducing total engine costs. In particular, AEM has had difficulty consistently creating designs that consider the impact of design on manufacturability. Manufacturability problems typically translate into cost increases. Focusing on core competencies has made this problem more difficult, because now 80% of the engine Using System Dynamics to Understand Barriers to Cost Reduction content is outsourced. As the result, the impact of design on manufacturability is obscured by functional and organizational boundaries. In addition, each of these functional and organizational groups has a different set of goals that are imposed on the designer. In many cases these goals conflict and the designer is forced to make tradeoffs between goals. Designing an engine typically involves tradeoffs between performance, risk, schedule, and cost. Even though the product goals set by management are geared toward costs, performance and schedule still dominate the product design and development process. Based on system dynamics modeling, this thesis demonstrates that rational but localized decision making causes the designer to create designs that deviate from product goals. The decision making process is a natural response to barriers imposed by the underlying architecture of the product design and development process. Furthermore, due to the priorities inherent to the product design and development process, designers often choose to circumvent processes designed to align goals and reduce costs, such as IPT meetings or design for cost tasks. Moreover, this thesis indicates that time constraints imposed upon the design process force the designer to skip these tasks. Using simulation as a guide, this thesis identifies characteristics a policy must have to be successfully implemented. The author suggests a number of techniques designed to stimulate cost reduction efforts despite system priorities. In addition, the author suggests a number of techniques to achieve a paradigm shift from product performance to product cost. Furthermore, this thesis recommends a number of process architectural changes that facilitate cost reductions by aligning process and product goals. The author also makes suggestions to improve the system dynamics process. In particular, the author suggests ways to reduce model complexity through the use of abstraction. Moreover, the author describes steps that can be used to estimate model complexity so that the modeler knows when additional abstraction is necessary. Furthermore, the author describes how the incremental approach to model development can be structured to minimize complexity.


Using a pharmaceutically acceptable higher aliphatic alcohols having 10 to 18 carbon atoms acrylic resin composition as a sustained action over a controlled release core or matrix, the pharmaceutically active agent is added to the above sustained-effect controlled release of the core or the matrix so that the pharmaceutically active agent is dispersed therein, may be extended from the treatment time of the active agent from the controlled release matrix.


In this article, we will focus on the carrier relaxation time in quantum dots (QDs), its probable mechanism, and the implications for the performance characteristics of directly modulated QD lasers and other QD devices. The electron and hole bound states and general predictions of carrier capture time into them will be presented, followed by a discussion of intersubband carrier relaxation in QDs. The modulation characteristics of QD lasers as a function of temperature will be described, and these modulation results will be discussed in terms of the temperature, composition, and size dependence of the relaxation time in QDs, including possible methods for designing QDs to overcome this relaxation time barrier. Also, the performance characteristics of other possible QD devices, such as intersubband lasers and detectors, will be examined in terms of our current understanding of the relaxation time in QDs.


OZ Telbivudine has potent antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus. Although there are several reports concerning the safety profile of telbivudine, most adverse events are described as mild and transient in nature. In this paper, we report a case of reversible telbivudineinduced myopathy. To detect this adverse event, monitoring of serum creatine kinase level and recognition of myopathic signs and symptoms are necessary.


Objective(s): Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a vital health condition leading to acute kidney injury. Costunolide (COST) is an actively used molecule clinically for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. In the present study, we searched for the possible protective effects of COST against renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Materials and Methods: We established a renal I/R rat model. We divided forty rats into four groups: group I (sham), group II (I/R), group III (I/R+COST 5 mg/kg), and group IV (I/R+COST 10 mg/kg). We collected blood, kidney, and lung samples for analysis. Results: COST administration performed anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity by reducing oxidant parameters and proinflammatory cytokine levels. COST alleviated DNA damage through declining 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. In addition, COST diminished tubular damage and inflammation by reducing kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) production. COST administration also ameliorated apoptosis and autophagy by decreasing caspase-3 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (MAPLC3, LC3B) expression. Conclusion: COST demonstrated protective effects against renal I/R-induced injury.


The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of abnormalities of cerebral oxidative phosphorylation in infants with increased echodensities. 46 newborn infants who developed increased echodensities were studied by MRS. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed in the survivors at 12 months of corrected age. 19 of the 27 infants with values for phosphocreatine (PCr)/inorganic orthophosphate (Pi) below 95% confidence limits for normal infants died: all 8 survivors developed disabling neurodevelopmental impairments and 7 had developmental quotients (DQ) below 80. By contrast only 2 of 19 infants with normal values for PCr/Pi died and although 10 had impairments at 12 months their disabilities were less severe and the DQ was 80 or above in 15 infants.We conclude: 1. Definite abnormalities of oxidative phosphorylation indicated severe brain damage and a very poor prognosis. 2. Some infants with apparently normal oxidative phosphorylation developed less severe brain damage which had not been detected by surface-coil MRS.


The growing demand in indoor small cell networks has given rise to the concept of micro-operators (MOs) for local service delivery. We model and analyze a spectrum sharing system involving such MOs where a buyer MO buys multiple licensed subbands provided by the regulator. All small cell base stations (SBSs) owned by a buyer MO can utilize multiple licensed subbands. Once the buyer MO obtain subbands, it allows other MOs to share these subbands. A deterministic model in which the location of the SBSs are known can lead to unwieldy problem formulation, when the number of SBSs is large. As such, we adopt a stochastic geometric model of the SBS deployment instead of a deterministic model. Assuming that the locations of the SBSs can be modeled as a homogeneous Poisson point process, we find the downlink signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) coverage probability and average data rate for a typical user (UE) served by the buyer MO in a spectrum sharing environment. In order to satisfy the QoS constraint, we provide a greedy algorithm to find how many licensed subbands and which subband the buyer MO should purchase from the regulator. We also derive the coverage probability of the buyer MO for interference limited system.


The effect on the entry in mitosis, induced in synchronized meristematic cells of Allium sativum L. by a treatment with cycloheximide (10 mug/ml-30 min) at different phases of the cell cycle has been investigated. In all cases cells enter mitosis after a long delay but it appears that the delay induced on G1 cells is longer. Incorporation of 3H leucine is immediately inhibited at any stage of the cell cycle.


A design study for a high-power, high-efficiency, high-growth-rate wideband traveling wave tube (TWT) in W-band using a staggered double-vane slow-wave structure (SWS) combined with three plan alignment pencil beams is described in this paper. The electromagnetic characteristic simulation shows that it has a wide bandwidth, high interaction impedance (about two to three times higher than those of the same structures with the sheet beam scheme), and a more simply designed input/output coupler. 3-D particle-in-cell simulations predict that the TWT can produce over 2000 W of output power from 91 to 95 GHz just using a 52-period two section SWS with a total length of 70.3 mm when the voltage and current of three pencil beams are set to 22 kV and 140 × 3 mA, respectively. The maximum peak output power is about 2256 W with a corresponding gain of 43.5 dB and an electronic efficiency of 12.2% at 94 GHz. The 3-dB bandwidth can be achieved at about 15 GHz with an instantaneous relative bandwidth of about 15.9%. Finally, the comparisons of sheet beam, multiple beam, and single pencil beam staggered double-vane TWT are presented and analyzed.


In the present paper, the studies on cavitation of polymeric materials including bulk polymer, polymer blends and polymer composites were reviewed. The factors affecting the cavitation phenomenon and the effect of cavitation on the properties of materials were discussed and the mechanisms of the cavitation were described, especially for the rubber toughened polymer systems.


This chapter evaluates the relationship between environmental protection and disaster law and policy. How well one approaches disaster risk helps to determine how functional the surrounding environment will be. The chapter examines a range of international laws and policies used to manage disaster risk, focusing on those that are particularly relevant to environmental issues. It begins with a brief look at global disaster risk in the twenty-first century, placing it in the context of natural systems, human activities, and climate change. It then looks at the United Nations' (UN) major frameworks on reducing disaster risk (the Hyogo and Sendai Frameworks), along with the international strategy to implement framework goals (the UN Plan of Action). Finally, the chapter turns to other areas of international law that have strong overlapping interests in disaster risk, particularly ecosystem management and rules pertaining to transboundary harm.


Virtual reality provides learners with an opportunity to run through situations that could not be accessed in the real world, which makes this technology an attractive alternative or a supplement to conventional instruction. This integrative review sought to bring together the impacts of immersive interventions on post-compulsory student learning performance. Nine empirical studies resulted from the screening process on the basis of eligibility criteria. Overall, there was a low to moderate mean effect size using a random-effects model (Hedge's g = 0.31 [-0.27, 0.90], p = 0.218) for the application of high-immersion activities to education. As in previous reviews on the topic, considerable variance in the effect sizes was detected, thus precluding conclusive statements on the effectiveness of virtual educational simulations for accelerating learning outcomes in post-secondary settings. Some implications of the analysis for the educational practice are provided.


A keratotic plug removing composition comprising a polymeric compound having a salt-forming group and (a) an amino-modified silicone and/or (b) a polyoxyalkylene-dimethylpolysiloxane block copolymer; and a keratotic plug removing sheet comprising the keratotic plug removing composition supported on a non-woven fabric substrate. The keratotic plug removing composition and sheet have an improved keratotic plug removing effect without increasing a pain produced upon peeling off a pack from the skin.


The position of the subclavian artery in the neck and the origin of its branches in 90 sides of 74 Chinese cadavers were observed and analysed. In the neck,the subclavian artery ascends about 2.19 cm above the upper border of the clavicle and about 1.05 cm medial to the middle-point of the clavicle. The origin of the vertebral artery,the thyrocervical trunk and the internal mammary artery (except 1 case) is very constant,arising from the first (or medial part) of the subclavian artery; the costo-cervical trunk may arise from any one of the three parts,on the left side more often from the second or middle part (62.5%) and on the right side more often from the first part (73.3%);the transverse cervical artery may also arise from any one of the three parts,more often from the first part (64.66%),as a branch of the thyro-cervical trunk. 18 types Were observed in the pattern of branching of the thyro-cervical trunk.Type Ⅰ with the artery divided into the inferior thyroid artery,ascending cervical artery,superficial cer- vical artery and suprascapular artery and type Ⅱ into inferior thyroid ascending cervical,transverse cervical and suprascapular artery occurred more often than other types (type Ⅰ 18.00% and type Ⅱ 26.00% respectively). The supra-scapular artery arising from the thyro-cervical trunk or from the internal mammary artery in most cases passes above the suprascapular ligament;that arising from the third part of the subclavian artery or from the axillary artery in most cases passes below the ligament. On the left side the inferior thyroid artery more often passes in the front of the inferior laryngeol nerve,on the right side it passes in front and behind the nerve in almost equal num- bers.


Central precocious puberty (CPP) is defined as development of secondary sex characteristics in relation with activationof the HPG axis before the age of 8 years in girls and before the age of 9 years in boys. CPP is far less common inchildren before 3 years of age, particularly in females. Most girls with signs of puberty less than 3 years of age arediagnosed with premature thelarche (PT). Although CPP presenting with early breast development should be differentiatedfrom PT, there is no diagnostic method which would definitely differentiate these two conditions. We present idiopathicCPP before 3 years of age who presented with PT that rapidly progressed to CPP. Up to date, there are no predictiveclinical or laboratory tests that can identify the risk of progression to PP at time of onset. Therefore, all girls with PTshould be monitored clinically for accelerated pubertal progression.


Using methods of questionnaire investigation,the present research studied the subjects and objects of public sports service evaluation in Guangzhou city from the perspectives of expectation and satisfaction.The findings indicated that there existed very remarkable gaps between public expectations and degree of satisfaction with public sports service in Guangzhou, and there were also also very significant gaps in public sports service evaluation among people from different professions. Among the eight aspects of general evaluations,the highest expected aspect from the public is the fund investment on mass sports undertakings.


"Seeing things differently is the first step toward doing things differently." Anon. Thirty years ago, the US EPA, working with Harvard University was studying the sources of various environmental pollutants. They made what was then a startling observation: regardless of the community studied – its location, whether rural or urban, lightly or highly industrialized, and regardless of sex, age, smoking habits, and occupation – indoor air pollution was the major source of exposure to many air pollutants. This is perhaps not surprising: Most people spend 90% or more of their time indoors, indoor sources emit many of the same pollutants as outdoors sources, and dilution with outdoor air may be slow to occur. In the following years, the Advisory Board of the US EPA ranked indoor air pollution as a priority environmental health risk. ▪ Section I of this chapter reviews specific contaminants that impact indoor air quality: combustion pollutants (including tobacco smoke), volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), radon and biological pollutants. It also examines health impacts of combustion particulates on people in less-developed countries. Section II delves into hazardous household products and household hazardous waste, and describes two old hazards that remain with us, asbestos and lead paint. SECTION I Indoor air pollution Contaminants affecting indoor air quality spring from many sources (Table 17.1). To fully understand Figure 17.1, go to URL in footnote and, one-by-one click each room shown. Combustion appliances including wood stoves and fireplaces, gas stoves, and kerosene heaters emit particulates and several criteria air pollutants (Chapter 5). […]


In recently years, many innovative rural informatization service models were widely used in rural China. The present study described several typical cases and summarized their impact and recommendations. Three platforms (Mobile, Unicom and Telecommunications) were cooperated in Anhui Agriculture Information Net, and the network, telephone and short message are interoperability. It also achieved five channels of the internet, broadcasting, television, telephone and wireless network integrated to one. Hainan agricultural technology service110 set up a telephone service system, remote video system, intelligent agricultural expert system and website system etc., achieving the functions of multimedia training on internet, expert consultation, technology information publication and inquire etc. "221 information platform", "12582" information platform and 12316 new countryside hotline service of China Telecom etc. communication operators' agriculture related service platform, provided agricultural information for rural areas, query, subscription, and many other services. Agricultural science and technology network service center network alliance project, established publishing and display system and background control center of agricultural science and technology resources, explored the 3G service model, integrated application of internet technology, reflected the combination of technology and services.


Online course quality is an important component of and plays a key role in the whole online education quality.How to assess the pros and cons of web-based courses is currently a focus of concern of the education sector.The paper proposes to set up a new online course evaluation system with new education concept and perspective.The new online course evaluation system should be in line with the new-talent-cultivation objective with complete mechanism,reasonable structure,and muti-functioning quality safeguard system.This evaluation system will greatly improve online course teaching administration level and education quality.


The literature reveals scant research on self-care practices among social workstudents; yet self-care is vital as students prepare to be practitioners who are notonly effective in working with all aspects of the clients' total selves, but who arethemselves healthy. They are not prepared to be good practitioners unless theyhave first learned to care for themselves. This article discusses a self-care assignmentthat was developed by the first author for students enrolled in a 1st-yearmaster's-level social work foundation practice class. This assignment can serveas a model for those who wish to teach students about the importance of selfcare.Implications for social work education are also addressed.


This study examines the migration and settlement to the Onyang(溫 陽) region of Hong Man-jo family(洪萬朝家) of Pungsan Hong Clan(豐山 洪氏), who had lived in Onyang area in generations. Hong Man-jo Family's migration to Chungcheong-do(忠淸道) was deeply related to the fact that he served as the governor of Chungcheong-do(忠淸道觀察 使) and establishment of his grave in Onyang after his death. The specific time of migration to his hometown (入鄕) was his son, Hong Joong-jing(洪重徵)'s days, right after when his father's grave was established. Pungsan Hong Clan, who migrated to Onyang like this, seems to have expanded the family's foothold and influence by entering the central government service, unlike other families securing a power base in the local society; this can be inferred from the phenomenon that there is no trace of their activities in the local society at all. On the other hand, they maintained the marriage relationship(婚脈) with the powerful aristocratic clan living in Seoul(京 華士族). However, when it became difficult to enter the government service through the state examination(科擧) in the 19th century, their target of marriage relationship was shifted to the families in regional areas, and their relationship with the local powerful aristocratic clans was significantly expanded. As such, Hong Man-jo family of Pungsan Hong Clan's migration to Onyang is a valuable example to verify how powerful aristocratic clans in Seoul splintered and settled in the regional areas during the late Joseon Dynasty period.


Based on the use of literature, questionnaire, expert interviews and statistics, To sports economics, sociology, psychology and consumer behavior based on the theories of, On women of different age groups at this stage in Hengyang City, consumer behavior and consumption characteristics of in-depth analysis, And for the status of the main issues in the countermeasures,To further improve the women's physical fitness and the level of the sports consumption, the level of the sports industry, sports market boom a reference to some effect for Hengyang.


In rats histamine and 3-β-aminoethyl-1,2,4-triazole at dose levels of 10 to 40 mg/kg administered orally 1 hour before ligation of the pyloric-duodenal junction stimulated the secretion of gastric HCl without significantly altering the volume of the gastric secretion. Given subcutaneously, neither histamine nor the triazole stimulated gastric HCl or volume under comparable conditions. When the compounds were administered orally immediately after the ligation of the pylorus, the gastric HCl was increased by 20 to 40 mg/kg of histamine and by 40 mg/kg of the triazole, but it was not affected by subcutaneous administration of similar doses. In dogs the triazole was one of the most powerful gastric stimulators known. Subcutaneously, it had about 60% of the potency of histamine on gastric stimulation, whereas orally it was approximately 20 times as potent as histamine. A dose of 25 µg/kg of the triazole invariably stimulated the gastric secretion of HCl of all dogs with innervated or denervated gastric pouches. A hyperbolic curve illustrating the dose-response relationship between orally administered triazole and gastric HCl output could be obtained for doses between 25 and 3000 µg/kg. Histamine, on the contrary, was relatively ineffective orally at pharmacological doses; 0.5 mg/kg of the base was required to elicit a response in all dogs studied. In addition a dose-response relationship between orally administered histamine and gastric production of HCl was not obtainable in most of the dogs tested. Large doses of the triazole given orally caused histamine-like reactions, some of which were antagonized by pyrrobutamine, an anti-histaminic. The triazole was about 72 to 73% as potent as histamine in its effect on the motility of the isolated guinea-pig ileum and on the blood pressure of the anesthetized cat. The pharmacological and physiological significance of these findings has been discussed.


Reports on the compressive and flexural strength of normal and fly-ash concretes cured in a fog room and in an uncontrolled environment. Three classes of plain concrete with water-cement ratio varying from 0.33 to 0.47 were used. The fly ash content of the modified mixes ranged from 20 to 50 percent by volume of the total cementitious material. The drying shrinkage characteristics of these concretes are also presented. The curing conditions influenced the compressive strength of the concretes significantly; the 91-day air-cured strength was less than the 7-day fog-cured strength. The ratio of the control to fly-ash strength increased with age and the fly-ash-cementitious ratio. Poor curing is concluded to be more detrimental to the compressive strength development of fly-ash concrete as compared to normal concrete.


Japanese is an elective course that can be taken by every student in the Nursing Study Program of Stikes Ranah Minang. References regarding the teaching material given to the students must be appropriate so that they can get the benefit from this course. To find out the reference, it is necessary to do a needs analysis so that the students get the material that they really need to support their learning process at present time or in the future. This study was conducted to analyze the needs of Japanese language learners. The research was conducted with a qualitative approach and descriptive method. The research population is the students who are taking the course of Japanese Language II at the Stikes Ranah Minang Nursing Study Program. The research instrument used is a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the descriptive techniques in the form of numbers and percentages.


Abstract : Epitaxial Si/InAs/Si heterostructure grown on (001) Si substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and annealed at 8OO degrees C was investigated by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). Extensive interdiffusion leads to the formation of an InAs solid solution in the Si cap layer. Additionally, InAs-enriched regions with extensions of 6mm, which exhibit two kinds of ordering are observed. The ordering of InAs molecules has occurred. The sample show photoluminescence in the 1.3 micrometer region, which is tentatively attributed to the recombination of excitons localized in the ordered regions.


Theravada Buddhism. A Social History from Ancient Times to Modern Colombo. Richard F. Gombrich. Routledge, London 1988. x, 237 pp. Hbk £20.00, pbk £7.95.


Degradation of imazosulfuron in upland soils was investigated under laboratory conditions using two kinds of 14 C labeled imazosulfuron. Imazosulfuron degraded with half-life of approximately 40 days, and the major degradation pathway was the hydrolysis of the sulfonylurea bond to give ADPM and IPSN. The leaching studies of imazosulfuron using non-aged and aged soils were also conducted. It was found that imazosulfuron was less mobile in soils when the soil column was eluted with 0.02 N CaCl 2 solution after 30 days of aging period of time compared to non-aging. Main degradation products, ADPM and IPSN, were adsorbed in soils stronger than imazosulfuron. It was suggested that imazosulfuron dissipates relatively fast in upland soils, and the leaching potential decreases with time.


The essay contains an abstract analysis of problems in transport and infrastructure for the next 40 years, resulting in guiding principles for possible solutions and illustrated with imaginative examples. In parallel, it describes the personal experiences of a future traveller, who meets a wide range of interesting transport features during a trip to and through The Netherlands in 2040. The problem analysis observes that the main cause for current transport and infrastructure problems is the dramatic rise in population, economies, and technology during the 20th century. It needs to be accompanied by a leap in quality of speed, volume, and convenience. The explosive growth of transport demand in an evolving society is compared to an evolving organism. The main problems are that transport demand continually exceeds transport supply, and the pressure on available space and environment. The solution analysis advocates win-win solutions, based on innovation towards sustainability and efficiency. The former innovations seem more expensive but will enable the required quality leap in the long-term; the latter tend to be underestimated and need to learn from nature. Two infrastructure responses are presented: (1) a distribution interchange at the edge of an urban area; and (2) innovative multidimensional infrastructure use. For the covering abstract see ITRD E105282.


OBJECTIVES
To compare the severity of external cervical resorption (ECR) observed in periapical (PA) images and cone beam CT (CBCT) using the Heithersay classification system and pulp involvement; and to assess inter- and intraobserver reproducibility for three observers.

METHODS
CBCT examination was performed in 245 teeth (in 190 patients, mean age 40 years, range 12-82) with ECR diagnosed in PA images. Three observers scored the severity of ECR using the Heithersay classification system (severity class 1-4) and pulp involvement (yes/no) in both PA images and CBCT. Percentage concordance and κ-statistics described observer variation in PA images and CBCT for both inter- and intraobserver reproducibility.

RESULTS
For all three observers, the ECR score was the same in the two modalities in more than half of cases (average 59%; obs1: 54%, obs2: 63%, obs3: 61%). However, in 38% (obs1: 44%, obs2: 33%, obs3: 36%) of the cases, the observers scored more severe ECR in CBCT than in PA images (p < 0.001). The ECR score changed to a less severe score in CBCT only in 3% (obs1: 1%, obs2: 4%, obs3: 4%). For pulp involvement, 14% (obs1: 7%, obs2: 20%, obs3: 15%) of the cases changed from "no" in PA images to "yes" in CBCT. In general, κ values were higher for CBCT than for PA images for both the Heithersay classification score and pulp involvement.

CONCLUSIONS
ECR was generally scored as more severe in CBCT than PA images using the Heithersay classification and also more cases had pulp involvement in CBCT.


Abstract We present a new method for the approximation of the largest constraint admissible set (CAS) for linear continuous-time systems with state and input constraints. The CAS is the set of initial states for which the controlled system does not violate the input or state constraints. The presented approach is based on a suitable discretization of the continuous-time system. In fact, we will show that CAS in the continuous-time case can be computed analogously to the discrete-time case, given an appropriate sampling time was chosen. We stress that the computation of CAS for continuous-time systems is considerably more difficult than for discrete-time systems, since one has to guarantee that the system does not violate the constraints in between the sampling instances.


The formalized definition for cooling stage of low temperature system is done. Based on existing information about the known cryogenic unit cycles the possible types of cooling stages are single out. From analyses of these stages their classification by various characteristics is suggested. The results of thermodynamic optimization of final throttle stage of cooling, which are used as working fluids helium, hydrogen and nitrogen, are shown.


Background: Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer varies by tumor characteristics and therapy regimen. Studies suggest that patient ethnicity is associated with differences in disease presentation, response to treatment, and outcomes. There exists a paucity of literature on the presentation and outcomes of NAC for breast cancer in Hispanic women.
 Methods: This is an IRB-approved retrospective study of breast cancer patients who underwent NAC at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center from 2005-2020. We reviewed demographics, disease presentation, response to treatment, and outcomes. ER and PR status were categorized as low positive (1-9%), positive (≥ 10%) and negative. Treatment factors reviewed included completion of chemotherapy and type of surgery performed. Treatment response was noted as percent residual cellularity (0%, <10%, 10-30%, >30-80% and >80%) in the surgical specimen and pathologic stage. Outcomes were assessed as overall survival (OS) and recurrence.
 Results: 365 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 2005-2020, and 196 (53.7%) self-identified as Hispanic. Median follow-up was 13.65 years. Highest clinical stage at diagnosis was most frequently IIA (31.2%), followed by IIB (32.3%), with non-significant Hispanic ethnicity differences, although Hispanic patients presented with higher clinical prognostic stages: IIIA or higher (40.5% vs. 24.0%).
 Hispanics more frequently had grade 3 tumors (60% vs. 48%), ER low positive (10% vs. 7%) and ER negative (48% vs. 36%) (p=0.02). No significant differences were noted in triple negative disease or HER2 positive disease. Hispanics were diagnosed at younger average ages (48.9 vs. 53.0 years, p=0.001). No statistically significant differences were noted in time from diagnosis to NAC initiation, completion of chemotherapy, or surgical treatment received (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy, and sentinel node biopsy vs. dissection). Mastectomy was more likely for late-stage disease (OR=2.73, 95% CI: 1.66-4.49, p<0.001); Hispanic women with late-stage disease had 1.09-fold higher odds of receiving mastectomy, but this was non-significant (95% CI: 0.66-1.79). No significant ethnic differences were noted in pCR (p=0.69) or residual tumor cellularity (p=0.63). There was no significant association between residual cellularity and OS. OS rates were similar for Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic women (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.64-2.08, p=0.63). No difference was noted in ethnicity-based recurrence rates (21.4 vs. 20.1%).
 Conclusion: Self-identified Hispanic patients were diagnosed at a younger age, presented with higher ER negative and low-positive disease and worse prognostic clinical stage. However, given standard of care chemotherapy, there were no significant differences in their treatment response or outcomes compared to non-Hispanic patients.
 Citation Format: Sangeetha Prabhakaran, Christopher McNicoll, Vernon S. Pankratz, Nadja Falk, Jacklyn Nemunaitis, Jain Zhou, Payton A. Sandoval-Belt. Differences in disease presentation, and treatment outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer among Hispanics in a minority-serving institution [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3686.


The Burch urethropexy, a routinely performed stress incontinence operation, was displaced by the advent of the popular minimally invasive sling. However, with controversy surrounding the use of vaginal mesh in women's pelvic reconstructive surgery, both patients and physicians have renewed interest in pursuing the Burch urethropexy as a viable alternative to treat stress incontinence. The Burch procedure stabilizes the bladder neck as a means to restore continence. Variations of Dr. Burch's technique have been developed over time with Dr. Tanagho's modification as the most widely accepted method for suture location placement. Current technique typically includes permanent sutures placed lateral to the urethra and bladder neck which are then secured to the iliopectineal line (also known as Cooper's ligament). Originally developed as an open technique, both laparoscopic and robotic approaches have negated the need for an incision. Success rates of the operation have been published for both abdominal and minimally invasive techniques. The procedure has been found to have similar success to minimally invasive outpatient sling procedures in the absence of clinical evidence of intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Although it has a somewhat longer operative time, the Burch procedure is a comparable outpatient surgery with good patient satisfaction and a low complication rate. This article will discuss the history behind the procedure, the laparoscopic technique, and provide recommendations to optimize results for the correction of stress incontinence.


In this paper, we continue our on-line learning approach 5] towards building an intelligent WWW search engine. We establish a connection between on-line learning theory and search engine construction based on our Membership Query, Target Concept, and Ranking Assumptions. With applications of Winnow 13] and virtual-variable 15] methods we show that when d discretized attributes with a total of S diierent values are used to index web documents, any collection of documents represented by a disjunction of k relevant attributes can be exactly identiied with at most k log 2 S membership queries, or at most 1:885k log 2 S k ? k equivalence queries. We also show that it is possible to slightly improve the membership query bounds with randomization. In our COLT SEARCH project, we have been building an experimental search engine. So far, we have collected more than 3.9 millions urls, indexed 843,398 documents with 343 keywords, and implemented the membership query algorithms. Further implementation is undergoing. Our experimental results support the theoretical bounds on the number of queries, though it also reveals a number of problems for further study.


Since the last progress report we have concentrated on three main areas of research: (1) the study of the NUWMAK reactor design, (2) the study of rf heating for tokamak reactors, and (3) the initiation of a tandem mirror reactor study. The initial work on the tandem mirror reactor is included as background in the technical proposal. Summaries of our work on recent assessments of lithium reserves and neutral transport codes are included.


The cardiovascular beta-adrenergic receptor blocking activities of YB-2 and its optical isomers were investigated in isolated guinea pig atria and anesthetized dogs, and compared with that of propranolol. In isolated guinea pig atria, the positive inotropic and chronotropic responses to isoproterenol were competitively antago nized by these agents, and the order of beta-adrenergic blockade was as follows: 1 YB-2>dl-YB-2 ?? propranolol>d-YB-2. In anesthetized dogs, the effects of iso proterenol and cardiac sympathetic nerve stimulations on diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and dLVP/dt were competitively antagonized by the beta-adrenergic blocking agents. The blockade appears to be specific for beta-adrenergic receptors. In these experiments, cardioselectise blocking activity was not observed with any agent employed. 1-YB-2 was 1.7-2 times more potent than dl-YB-2 and 50-100 times more potent than d-YB-2 in antagonism against the cardiovascular responses to isoproterenol and nerve stimulations. dl-YB-2 was 1.2-1.7 times more potent than propranolol. The results coincided with those in isolated guinea pig atria. In conclusion, YB-2 and its optical isomers appear to have a similar potency ratio for the blockade of cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor stimulations as is the case with propranolol. Recently a series of indene derivatives were synthesized (1) and several compounds were found to have a beta-adrenergic blocking effect. Among them, 1-(7-indenyloxy) 3-isopropylaminopropane-2-ol hydrochloride (YB-2) has been reported to possess a po tent beta-adrenergic receptor blocking activity with a mild intrinsic beta-sympathomimetic activity and a local anesthetic effect, and to be effective against ouabain-induced and epi nephrine-induced arrhythmias (2-4). It is now generally recognized that a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking activity is always greatest for the levo-rotatory isomer of any given compound. In 1963, Howe reported the 1-isomer of pronethalol to be 40 times as active as the d-isomer in its ability to produce beta-adrenergic receptor blockade (5). Similarly the 1-isomer of propranolol has been reported to be 60-100 times more potent than the d-isomer as a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent (6, 7). The optically active isomers of YB-2 are now available and it has been reported that the 1-isomer is the active form for a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking activity (4). In the present study, the cardiovascular beta-adrenergic receptor blocking activities of Y13-2 and its l and d-isomers were investigated in isolated guinea pig atria and anesthetized dogs and compared with those of dl-propranolol. Isolated guinea pig atria Male guinea pigs, 250 to 350 g, were stunned by a blow on the head. The heart was removed quickly and placed in a dish containing Krebs-Henseleit solution (NaCI 6.92, KC1 0.35, CaCIh 0._8, MgSO4 0.15, NaHCO3 2.1, KH,PO4 0.16 and glucose 2.0 g, liter-) gassed with a mixture of 95",' O., and 5 CO., at 25°C. The ventricles and other extrane oLIS tissue Were trimmed away leaving only the atria. For the chronotropic measurements, the atria were suspended in a 25-ml organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution ,gassed with a mixture of 95 O., and 5 CO., at 37C. Heart rate was measured by means of a cardiotachomcter (Nihon Kohden, RT-2) triggered by isometric contractions of the atria and recorded on a polygraph (Nihon Kohden, RM-150). For the inotropic measurements, the left atrium was suspended in a 25-m1 organ bath at 31`C. SLIP ramaximal stimuli 3 msec in duration and 0.5 Hz in frequency were con tinuously applied to the left atrium using a square-wave stimulator (Nikon Kohden, MSE 20). The force of resulting contractions of the tissue was isometrically measured by means of a force displacement transducer (Nihon Kohden, ST-1) and recorded on a polygraph The tissues were maintained at a diastolic tension of 0.7 g and allowed to adjust to the bath condition for 60 min prior to drug administration. Concentration-response curves for isoproterenol were determined before and after administration of each beta-adrenergic blocking agent. After control response to increasing cumulative doses of isoproterenol had been obtained, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent was added to the bath (exposure time 30 min) and concentration-response curve for isoproterenol was again determined. Quan titative evaluation of the antagonism against isoproterenol was performed by determina tions of pA, values (8). Arterial blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac contractile force (dL ['P/dt) in anesthetized clogs. Adult male mongrel doss, I I to 22 keg, were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, 35 mg'k i.v. The trachea was cannulated and ventilation was maintained using a posi tive-pressure respirator (Natsume, KN-50) and room air. Tile cervical vagi were severed bilaterally. The chest was opened by a median sternotomy and the pericardium was in cised. Myocardial contractility was measured by the maximal rate of rise of left ventri cular pressure (dLVP'dt) which was recorded through a metal cannula inserted into the apical dimple and connected with a pressure transducer (Nihon Kohden, MPU-0.5), car rier amplifier (Nihon Kohden, RP-2), condencer (500PF, time constant I msec), DC ampli fier (Nihon Kohden, AD3-2) and biophysical amplifier (Nihon Kohden, RB-2) in series. Heart rate was measured by means of a cardiotachometer (Nihon Kohden, RT-2) and arterial blood pressure was measured, in the right femoral artery, by means of a pressure transducer (Nihon Kohden, MPU-0.5). Recordings were made on a polygraph (Nihon Kohden, RM-150). Each drug solution was administered through a catheter inserted into the left cephalic vein and was flushed with 1 nil of 0.9 saline. The right cardioac celerans nerve was exposed between the first intercostal space and ligated where the nerve emerged from the right stellate ganglion. A bipolar platinum electrode was placed distal to the ligature and the nerve was stimulated intermittently for periods of 20 sec, supra maximal voltage, 10 Hz in frequency and 1 msec in duration, with a square-wave stimu lator (Nihon Kohden, MSE-20). Isoproterenol in a dose of 0.2 /2g/kg i.v. was injected as an agonist. When the responses to isoproterenol and nerve stimulation were uniform, the first dose of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent was injected i.v. After a 10-min period, the animal was re-challenged with isoproterenol and the nerve stimulation, followed by an injection of the second dose of the beta-adrenergic blocking agent. In this manner, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent was given in increasing doses at 20-min intervals: 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 and l mg/kg i.v. for dl-propranolol and dl-YB-2; 0.003, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg,/kg i.v. for I-YB-2; 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 and 5 mg/kg i.v. for d-YB-2. The dose producing a 50% inhibition of the responses of diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and dLVP/ dt to isoproterenol and of the responses of heart rate and dLVP/dt to nerve stimulations was estimated in each experiment from straight lines obtained by plotting the inhibition percentage semi-logarithmically. Calcium chloride, 5 mg/kg i.v., was also injected before the first dose and after the last dose of each beta-adrenergic block ing agent. Drugs used 1-(7-Indenyloxy)-3-isopropylaminopropane-2-ol hydrochloride (YB-2) and its d and 1-isomers (Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co.), dl-prop ranolol hydrochloride (Sumitomo Chemical Co.) and calcium chloride (Wako Pure Chemicals Co.) were freshly dissolved in 0.9% saline. l-Isoproterenol hydrochloride (Kaken Chemical Co.) was freshly dissolved in 0.9 % saline containing 0.01 jo ascorbic acid as a preservative. All doses of the drugs are expressed in terms of the salt. RESULTS Effects on isolated guinea pig atria In the electrically-driven left atria the concentration-response curves for positive iso tropic effects induced by cumulative doses of isoproterenol, 10-'° to 10' M, showed a para llel shift to the right after administrations of dl-YB-2, 1-YB-2 and propranolol, 2.5x 10-' M, and of d-YB-2, 2.5v, 10_' M, (N=6 for each agent) as shown in Fig. 1. In the spontaneously-beating atria the concentration-response curves for positive chronotropic effects of isoproterenol, 10_1 to 10' M, also caused a parallel shift to the right after administrations of dl-YB-2, 1-YB-2 and propranolol, 3 x 10' M, and of d-YB 2, 3 x 10-s M, (N=6 for each agent) as shown in Fig. 2. Such a parallel shift without a decrease in maximal response is an indication of competitive or surmountable antago nism. The pA2 values for dl-, d and 1-YB-2 in the left atria for inotropism and the atria for chronotropism and their relative potencies are summarized and compared with those of propranolol in Table 1. From these results a similar tendency in the inhibitory effects of four beta-adrenergic blocking agents on positive inotropic and chronotropic responses to isoproterenol was observed. On the basis of pA2 values the relative activities are as follows: 1-YB-2>dl-YB-2->propranolol>d-YB-2. 1-YB-2 was 1.5-2.2 times and 50-70 times more potent than dl-YB-2 and d-YB-2, respectively. dl-YB-2 was slightly more potent than propranolol. FiG. 1. Concentration-response curves for iso proterenol-induced positive inotropic res ponses before (0) and after(*) the treatments of beta-adrenergic blocking agents in electrically-driven guinea pig left atria. Each point represents the mean I_ S.E. from six experiments. FIG. 2. Concentration-response curves for iso proterenol-induced positive chronotropic responses before (0) and after (0) the treatments of beta-adrenergic blocking agents in spontaneously-beating guinea pig atria. Each point represents the mean 1 S.E. from six experiments. Effects on arterial blood pressure, heart rate and dL VP/dt in anesthetized dogs TABLE 1. pA2 values and relative potencies of beta-adrenergic blocking agents in isolated guine pig atria. Atrial contraction and rate show the values for isop


One year ago, the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) launched JCI Insight. I am pleased to report that the last year has been a resounding success for the Society's newest journal. Let me begin with some background. In my inaugural editorial, I laid out the rationale for JCI Insight (1). In brief, its mission is two-fold: to provide an additional forum for ASCI members and other authors to publish their work in a JCI-brand journal, and to provide financial sustainability to the Society, which has been strained by our model of complete free access to research papers. Over the past year, we have accepted nearly 300 high-quality papers for publication, many of which have gone on to be highly viewed, downloaded, and noticed by our peer journals for their important scientific discoveries. Moreover, the Society's finances have been remarkably stabilized, and the additional revenue made possible by the launch of JCI Insight has allowed us to eliminate submission fees for the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), a longstanding concern of many authors. To say that all the hard work that the JCI Insight Editorial Board has spent over the past year poring over manuscripts has been gratifying would simply be an understatement! I am deeply grateful to the Editorial Board, consulting editors, and reviewers for their hard work and dedication in adjudicating manuscripts and providing fair and thoughtful peer review to authors.


Four new radish cultivars were compared in high altitude region. The results showed that Xuedan No.1 and Yuchanghe were better than the others in botanical characteristic, disease resistance and yield. Especially the yield of Xuedan No.1 is 4 708.7 kg/667 m2 and is significantly high than the others. So these two cultivars were suitable for extention in high altitude region in Enshi.


This paper examines whether equity market liberalization facilitates economic growth at the industry level. It also explores whether equity market liberalization reduces the cost of capital by scrutinizing a particular mechanism: that liberalization reduces the wedge between the costs of external and internal capital to firms. Using industry-level data on 19 emerging markets and 18 developed countries for the period between 1980-2000, we find a uniform increase in the growth rate of real value added across industries following liberalization in emerging markets. Industries highly dependent on external finance grow faster in liberalized regimes. No additional growth effects are found for industries dependent more on equity finance in emerging markets.


Contract of Objectives (CoO) has been designed in the context of trajectory-based Air Traffic Management (ATM), using mutually agreed objectives between Air Traffic Control (ATC), airlines and airports. This paper provides an overview of the assessment of CoO and discusses the results of the three human-in-the-loop (HIL) evaluations of the concept of operations. Measurements were collected and analyzed on system performance (i.e. safety, efficiency and capacity) and human performance (i.e. workload, situation awareness and acceptability) for the human actors involved. Findings indicate that controllers and pilots are positive about the concept of operations, and that they agree on the principle of flying what was "planned, agreed and negotiated" during the planning phase, as opposed to the current "first come, first served" approach. The renegotiation of CoO was assessed as manageable, even with a 2020 traffic load, without any impact on safety. They all recognize that implementation of CoO increases the collaboration between crew and ground, as they share not only the same data but also the same robust objective all through the flight, i.e. the objective determined at strategic level through a collaborative decision-making process (CDM). Some improvements are still needed regarding the HMI and the generation of Target Windows (TWs). The airport and airline operators, as well as the network manager, considered CoO renegotiation to be feasible and acceptable. They were interested in the CDM process proposed. They found the principle of sharing the operational data of other actors to be a great improvement in the way choices are made and validated.