Abstract The paper deals with implicit and explicit approaches for fractional nonlinear model order estimation using a benchmark model relating applied angular rate and neuron's firing intensity within the vestibular system. The implicit approach is based on an interacting multiple models scheme, where several extended Kalman filters with fixed fractional order nonlinear models are running in parallel. An alternative method based on augmented Unscented Kalman filter is proposed where, where the fractional order of the model is estimated explicitly within the filter state. The performance of the estimators is compared with respect to parameters of estimators and fractional derivative approximation.


Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have become increasingly important due to their representational power and state-of-the-art predictive performance on many fundamental learning tasks. Despite this success, GNNs suffer from fairness issues that arise as a result of the underlying graph data and the fundamental aggregation mechanism that lies at the heart of the large class of GNN models. In this article, we examine and categorize fairness techniques for improving the fairness of GNNs. Previous work on fair GNN models and techniques are discussed in terms of whether they focus on improving fairness during a preprocessing step, during training, or in a post-processing phase. Furthermore, we discuss how such techniques can be used together whenever appropriate, and highlight the advantages and intuition as well. We also introduce an intuitive taxonomy for fairness evaluation metrics including graph-level fairness, neighborhood-level fairness, embedding-level fairness, and prediction-level fairness metrics. In addition, graph datasets that are useful for benchmarking the fairness of GNN models are summarized succinctly. Finally, we highlight key open problems and challenges that remain to be addressed.


A semiconductor device includes a predetermined number of surface mount first lead pins (14), arranged around the periphery of the underside of a package (13) fitted with a chip (11). A predetermined number of second lead pins (22, 41), each having a specific function, are provided in a region near the center of the underside of the package (13) inside of the region populated with the first lead pins (14).


Objectives: This study aimed to determine the frequency of multi-vessel coronary artery disease (MVD) in diabetic patients presenting with anterior wall myocardial infarction (AWMI).
Methodology: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we included diabetic patients with AWMI aged between 30-70 years. Patients with either a history of clinical diagnosis based on HbA1c >6.5% / fasting blood sugar > 126 mg/dL/ random blood sugar >200 mg/dL or taking anti-hyperglycemic treatment for at least six months were taken as diabetics. Patients with angiographic evidence of significant (>70%) stenosis in two major epicardial vessels were categorized for MVD.
Results: A total of 196 diabetic patients with anterior wall MI were included. Of which the mean age was 57.6±12.3 years, and 128 (65.3%) were male patients. MVD was observed in 91 (46.4%) patients. The MVD was found to be associated with a BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 with a frequency of 51.5% vs. 35%; p=0.033, as compared to a BMI < 24 kg/m2. The frequency of MVD was higher among middle-class patients, with a frequency of 36.2%, 58.3%, and 39.5% (p=0.014) for patients in the low, middle, and upper classes, respectively. Similarly, the MVD frequency was higher among patients with hypertension (60.6% vs. 28.7%) and hyperlipidemia (62.1% vs. 38.5%) compared to non-hypertensive and non-hyperlipidemia, respectively.
Conclusion: It is to be concluded that MVD is highly prevalent in diabetic patients presenting with AWMI, and it was found to be associated with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2, middle class, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.


A most promising technique for maximizing the utilization of spectrum resources for next-generation wireless communication networks is the cognitive radio technology. Despite the fact that spectrum sensing is a critical functionality of cognitive radio systems, Nyquist wideband spectrum sensing poses a significant implementation difficulty in compact commodity radios with limited energy and compute capabilities. To alleviate the aforementioned issue, many sub-Nyquist alternatives have recently been developed. Compressive measures, on the other hand, are extremely susceptible to multipath fading, shadowing, noise uncertainty, and channel impairments. To solve these challenges, a cooperative spectrum sensing technique is used to take advantage of secondary users' spectral diversity. This increases the detection performance by transferring recovered spectral support from distinct secondary users to a master device which jointly determine the spectrum occupancy status. Prior information from a geolocation database is incorporated to reduce the computing complexity and improve the detection efficiency, making this a combined approach. For cognitive radio networks, a combined sub-Nyquist cooperative wideband spectrum sensing approach is presented here. In comparison to traditional cooperative spectrum sensing systems, this technique minimizes the computational and implementation complexity. Furthermore, simulation findings show that the suggested technique outperforms non-cooperative sensing schemes in terms of detection performance.


This paper present a description for the ROCLING 2021 shared task in dimensional sentiment analysis for educational texts. We submitted two runs in the final test. Both runs use the standard regression model. The Run1 uses Chinese version of BERT as the base, and in Run2 we use the early version of MacBERT that Chinese version of RoBERTa-like BERT model, RoBERTa-wwm-ext. Using powerful pre-training model of BERT for text embedding to help train the model.


Aman inhis70swithhypertension, coronaryarterydisease (CAD), and right coronary (RCA) stent placement 2 months prior for unstable anginapresented to theemergencydepartment after anepisodeofpresyncope, a senseof chest tightness, andpalpitations.He had a history of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on electrocardiography (ECG). His medications included carvedilol, aspirin, clopidogrel, and lovastatin. In theemergencydepartment, his ECGshowed first-degreeheart block andLBBB, and telemetry showedatrioventricular (AV)Wenckebach (ie, Mobitz type 1) heart block (Figure 1). Periods of 2:1 AV block were also captured (Figure 2). A subsequent echocardiogram showed left ventricular hypertrophy but was otherwise normal. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated the recent RCA stent and a chronic left anterior descending (LAD) stent to be patent. Without an ischemic etiology for his symptoms, and noting his cardiac conduction disease, the emergency department referred the patient for electrophysiology study (EPS) (Figure 3). Questions:Where is the lesion in this patient's conduction system? Should a pacemaker be considered in this patient?


Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by progressive sclerosis, affecting the skin and the internal organs, vasculopathy, and immune dysregulation. Interstitial pneumonias are a group of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs), or also called interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). ILD is a leading complication of SSc and a leading cause of mortality in patients with SSc. The pathogenesis of lung injury involves three major processes – persistent endothelial cell damage, immune system activation, and fibroblast activation leading to the accumulation of extracellular matrix and tissue damage. A comprehensive approach is required to properly diagnose and select appropriate therapy.


A mobile robot exploring an unknown environment has no absolute frame of reference for its position, other than features it detects through its sensors. Using distinguishable landmarks is one possible approach, but it requires solving the object recognition problem. In particular, when the robot uses two-dimensional laser range scans for localization, it is difficult to accurately detect and localize landmarks in the environment (such as corners and occlusions) from the range scans.In this paper, we develop two new iterative algorithms to register a range scan to a previous scan so as to compute relative robot positions in an unknown environment, that avoid the above problems. The first algorithm is based on matching data points with tangent directions in two scans and minimizing a distance function in order to solve the displacement between the scans. The second algorithm establishes correspondences between points in the two scans and then solves the point-to-point least-squares problem to compute the relative pose of the two scans. Our methods work in curved environments and can handle partial occlusions by rejecting outliers.


An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) finite element scheme for computations of soluble surfactant droplet impingement on a horizontal surface is presented. The numerical scheme solves the time-dependent Navier–Stokes equations for the fluid flow, scalar convection-diffusion equation for the surfactant transport in the bulk phase, and simultaneously, surface evolution equations for the surfactants on the free surface and on the liquid-solid interface. The effects of surfactants on the flow dynamics are included into the model through the surfactant-dependent surface tension and dynamic contact angle. In particular, the dynamic contact angle of the droplet is defined as a function of surfactants using the nonlinear equation of state for surface tension. Further, the surface forces are included in the model using the Boussinesq-Scriven law that allows to incorporate the Marangoni effects without evaluating the gradients of surfactant concentration on the free surface. In addition to a mesh convergence study and a validation of the numerical results with experiments, the effects of adsorption and desorption surfactant coefficients on the flow dynamics in wetting, partially wetting and non-wetting droplets are studied in detail. It is observed that the effect of surfactants are more in wetting droplets than in the non-wetting droplets. Further, the surfactant reduces the equilibrium contact angle further when it is less than 90, and increases further when it is more than 90. The surfactants has no effect on the contact angle, when its value is 90. The numerical study clearly demonstrates that the surfactant-dependent contact angle has to be considered, in addition to the Marangoni effect, in order to study the flow dynamics and the equilibrium states of surfactant droplet impingement accurately. The proposed numerical scheme guaranties the conservation of fluid mass and of the surfactant mass well.


A method of ICP-MS for determination of metal elements in doubtful electric current speckle of skin with laser ablation sample introduction was proposed.By comparing contents of metal elements in metallic conductor,in doubtful speckle on skin and in blank skin,it was found that: the contents of Cr,Ni and Cu in metallic conductor were highest.While the contents of above 3 elements in doubtful speckle of skin were lower,but were about two orders of magnitude higher than those in blank skin.Hence,the doubtful speckle of skin was identified to be electric current speckle.


In my capacity as the IHR Editor, I am fortunate to have been invited to two international hydrographic conferences in 2011. The first was hosted by The Hydrographic Society of America (THSOA) and was held in Tampa, Florida USA in April. The second conference was hosted by the Australasian Hydrographic Society (AHS) and was held in Fremantle, Western Australia in November. My last attendance at an international hydrographic conference was in 2003 at the AHS-hosted conference in Christchurch, New Zealand – so it has been a few years between visits. This paper describes my observations about the two conferences and in particular notes the similarities and the differences between the two conferences and hopefully may provide some ideas for future conference organising committees. Background Usually each conference will have its own theme directed at the current issues at hand. The underlying purpose is to provide a forum for education, cooperation, networking, professional development and catching up with friends who usually work in far flung, remote environments. Such conferences provide many in the profession with the single opportunity each year or couple of years to meet up and share their journey. In Australia, the Australasian Hydrographic Society (AHS) organises through the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (IFHS) to host a conference in the Australasian region every 4 years. Often this is the only time when hydrographers who work on either side of the continent or overseas are able to meet with one other and renew friendships. The importance of these events in Australasia cannot be underestimated. Hydrographic Conference Schedule


Banknotes in general circulation may carry trace amounts of cocaine, but does the quantity of the drug vary across England and Wales? Richard Sleeman, Colin Aitken and Amy Wilson describe their work to answer this question


Abstract The desulfurization of several naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acids by Raney nickel was studied under various conditions. Raney nickel, which was prepared by treating Al-Ni alloy with 5 N NaOH at 60 °C for 30 min, and was not washed with water, was most active and desulfurized, in quantitative yield, methionine, homocysteine, homocystine, homocysteine sulfinic acid, S-(2-carboxy-n-propyl)-L-cysteine, cysteine, cystine, cysteine sulfinic acid and S-methylcysteine sulfoxide. Raney nickel prepared from 100 mg of Al-Ni alloy desulfurized quantitatively up to 40 μmol methionine at 60 °C for 30 min. The desulfurization occurred effectively in the pH range of 7 and 13, but not below 7. Methionine sulfone, cysteic acid, and homocysteic acid were not subject to the reaction. The Raney nickel was deactivated by H2S, and H2O2, or combustion. Desulfurization activity was not enhanced by hydrogen gas.


We had investigated levels of TTG, T4, TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ, and α2-MG in blood serum and supernates of short-term blood cultures in the patients with verified Graves disease before treatment and after reaching of euthyroid status, as compared with healthy controls. We have revealed that initial blood concentrations of free Т4 in the patients were increased, along with decrease in TSH, higher IL-6, IFNγ levels, as well as concentrations of α2-MG which participates in cytokine transport and synthesis. Thiamazole treatment normalized the hormonal profile and reduced blood levels of IL-6, IFNγ and α2-MG, however, without complete normalization, along with increase of serum TNFα contents. It was shown, that the patients before treatment had decreased in vitro response of cells to the mitogenic stimulation as shown by decreased induction of TNFα and IFNγ production, along with, increased spontaneous IFNγ levels. When reaching euthyroid state after Thiamazole administration, we observed an increased spontaneous IFNγ synthesis, decreased IL-6 production in resting cultures. In mitogen-stimulated cell cultures from the treated patients, IFNγ contents became normal, however, TNFα secretion remained lower than in controls. The α2-MG levels in supernates were stable and significantly lower, than in serum. We may presume that thyrotoxicosis treatment with Thiamazole causes stabilization of the endocrine state, however, being not sufficient for normalized production of cytokines, as well as α2-MG, with its regulatory and transporter functions, thus promoting recurrence of disease and reactivation of autoimmune events.


Fermionic superfluids provide a new realization of quantum turbulence, accessible to both experiment and theory, yet relevant to phenomena from both cold atoms to nuclear astrophysics. In particular, the strongly interacting Fermi gas realized in cold-atom experiments is closely related to dilute neutron matter in neutron star crusts. Unlike the liquid superfluids 4He (bosons) and 3He (fermions), where quantum turbulence has been studied in laboratory for decades, superfluid Fermi gases stand apart for a number of reasons. They admit a rather reliable theoretical description based on density functional theory called the time-dependent superfluid local density approximation that describes both static and dynamic phenomena. Cold atom experiments demonstrate exquisite control over particle number, spin polarization, density, temperature, and interaction strength. Topological defects such as domain walls and quantized vortices, which lie at the heart of quantum turbulence, can be created and manipulated with time-dependent external potentials, and agree with the time-dependent theoretical techniques. While similar experimental and theoretical control exists for weakly interacting Bose gases, the unitary Fermi gas is strongly interacting. The resulting vortex line density is extremely high, and quantum turbulence may thus be realized in small systems where classical turbulence is suppressed. Fermi gases also permit the study of exotic superfluid phenomena such as the Larkin–Ovchinnikov–Fulde–Ferrell pairing mechanism for polarized superfluids which may give rise to 3D supersolids, and a pseudo-gap at finite temperatures that might affect the regime of classical turbulence. The dynamics associated with these phenomena has only started to be explored. Finally, superfluid mixtures have recently been realized, providing experimental access to phenomena like Andreev–Bashkin entrainment predicted decades ago. Superfluid Fermi gases thus provide a rich forum for addressing phenomena related to quantum turbulence with applications ranging from terrestrial superfluidity to astrophysical dynamics in neutron stars.


1. INTRODUCrfiON Let $M_{g,n}$ be the moduli space of Riemann surfaces of genus $g$ with $n$ punctures. In this report, we study the DM ( $=$Deligne Mumford) compactification $\overline{M_{g,n}}\circ fM_{g,n}$ . Our purpose is tkree-fold: (1) to construct a"natural" atlas of orbifold-charts on $\overline{M_{i1,n}}$ , making use of N. V. Ivanov's "scissored Teichmttller space" $P_{g,n}^{\epsilon}[9]$ , (2) to clarify the role of W. J. Harvey's curve complex $C_{g,n}[7]$ in the compactification process, and finally (3) to point out a natural connection between Teichm\"ullcr spaces and crystallographic groups.


The present invention discloses a method for diagnosing cancer, comprising: detecting epiregulin (EREG) protein. We found EREG colon cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, or kidney cancer at very high frequencies, gene expression and protein levels in hyperthyroidism. In the diagnosis or treatment of cancer of the present invention, using antibody that recognizes the EREG protein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antibody that binds to an EREG as an active ingredient, cell proliferation inhibitors and anticancer agents. Further disclosed by contacting EREG-expressing cells and binds to EREG antibody, a cell expressing cytotoxic initiators and a method of EREG-expressing cells suppressed the proliferation of EREG.


A discussion of a paper with the aforementioned title by X.-D. Pan and E.T. Brown, published in this journal (Volume 122, Number 2, February 1996), is presented. The discussion concurs with the authors' claim that the magnitude of the intermediate principal stress in plane strain is dependent on the magnitude of a dilatancy parameter and not always a fixed proportion of the sum of the maximum and minimum principal stresses, but maintains that its validity cannot be proven using the analysis method presented by the authors. The discussion demonstrates that the use of failure criteria that are apparently biaxial and independent of the magnitude of the intermediate principal stress (or in reality implicitly require that the intermediate principal stress equals the minimum principal stress) cannot a priori be used to calculate the magnitude of the intermediate principal stress in the plastic zone.


igh concentrations. Cethromycin also exhibited inducing activty similar to clindamycin. Cethromycin activated expression to lesser extent than telithromycin. In contrast to the results of he disk-based assay, the extent of the expression increase by the etolides was less than that of erythromycin. The results of the uantitative measurement and disk-based assay reflect the early influences drug inhibition. Chem Biol 2010;17:504–14.


From left to right: Prof A. de Ricqles, G. Lecointre (Professor at the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle) and G. Boeuf (Director of the Museum). "Evolution has been and still is the cornerstone of modern science. More generally, evolution is a key concept of biology, based on the study both of organisms in the past, and of the diverse organisms existing today and the relationships between them. The rapid progress currently being made in the life sciences and medicine is based on principle...


In this work we present the basic concept of complexity theoretic cryptography. Definitions of one-way functions, collections of one-way functions, collections of trapdoor functions, hard-core predicates will be discussed and we give a brief introduction to complexity theory.


Objective:To assess the effects of modified Sugiura surgical procedure for portal hypertension.Methods:Clinical documents of 94 patients with portal hypertension treated by modified Sugiura operation were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Modified Sugiura surgical procedure for portal hypertension had good effect on ceasing bleeding of easophgus in the recent future after operation,one patient died with a mortality of 1.06%(1 /94),esophageal varices disappeared or markedly improved after the operation in the rest patients,two patients took place rebleeding,the rebleeding rate was 2.13%(2 /94),no hepatic encephalopathy occurred,no anastomotic leakage and stricture occurred.Conclusion:Modified Sugiura operation is an effective treatment of portal hypertension,with relative simpler technique and less complications.


The references are to Barendregt's book [1]. So far we have studied the λ-calculus as a rewrite-system , i.e., we have studied properties of reduction, specifically, β-reduction. We can also study the λ-calculus as an equational theory , i.e., an axiomatic system consisting of axioms and inference rules to produce valid equations of the form M = N , where M, N ∈ Λ.


The paper illustrates a comprehensive method for improving tomographic imaging of seismic sections with the addition of a priori information. In particular, along with `hard' bounds imposed on propagation velocity, morphological statistical constraints have been incorporated into inversion. For this purpose a Maximum A Posteriori probability solution is given combining least squares, ray tracing and simulated annealing techniques. Experimental results for both synthetic and field data are provided.


The fundamental operation of cross-correlating signals is viable in a number of signal processing applications. In typical pattern-matching applications, cross-correlation is desirable. In this paper we present a power efficient implementation of a time-domain cross-correlator suitable for integration in CMOS. Bitstream coding of both data and template simplify multiplication operations. Measured performance of a CMOS implementation in 90 nm technology is reported.


Let $G$ be a finite insoluble group with soluble radical $ R(G)$. The solubility graph $\Gamma_{\rm S}(G)$ of $G$ is a simple graph whose vertices are the elements of $G\setminus R(G) $ and two distinct vertices $x$ and $y$ are adjacent if and only if they generate a soluble subgroup of $G$. In this paper, we investigate the several properties of the solubility graph $\Gamma_{\rm S}(G)$.


A simple, rapid, selective, precise and accurate isocratic reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography has been developed and validated for the related substance and estimation of Eslicarbazepine acetate in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form. The chromatographic separations were achieved using a High performance liquid chromatography (Inertsil ODS 3V 150 mm, 4.6 mm, 5μm) employing 0.1% orthophosphoric acid buffer, methanol and acetonitrile in the ratio of 500:250:250 as mobile phase with a 1.5 mL/min flow rate was chosen. Four impurities were eluted within 10 minutes. The column temperature was maintained at 25oC and a detector wavelength of 210 nm was employed. The Eslicarbazepine acetate was exposed to thermal, photolytic, hydrolytic, basic and oxidative stress conditions. The stressed samples were analyzed by the proposed method. High degradation of the analyte was observed when it was subjected to basic conditions. Peak homogeneity data of Eslicarbazepine acetate obtained by photodiode array (PDA) detection demonstrated the specificity of the method in the presence of degradants. The method was validated with respect to linearity, precision, accuracy, ruggedness, and robustness, limit of detection and limit of quantification.


In order to investigate the therapy of primary hypernatremia,two different treatment methods were used for four patients with primary hypernatremia.Two cases were given anterior pituitary hormone therapy firstly,and then given posterior pituitary hormone therapy.The other two cases were given both anterior and posterior pituitary hormone therapy at the same time.The results showed that clinical symptoms and plasma osmolality were normal in four patients after treatment.Therapeutic duration was shortened in patients treated with both anterior and posterior pituitary,and the treatment was safe.

Key words:
Primary hypernatremia; Central diabetes insipidus; Anterior pituitary dysfunction


The philosophy of Viennese architect Leopold Bauer is discussed. One of the early pupils of Otto Wagner at the Wiener Akademie, Bauer initially created work that represents one of the purest manifestations of early Modernism in central Europe. He earned his place at the vanguard of Viennese architects not only through designs and projects in the fields of architecture and design but also through penetrating texts. He understood theoretical thinking as a guideline that had no direct influence on the development of the architect's imagination, yet his production avoided unnecessary detours and impasses. The writer examines Bauer's early texts and compares his early ideas with those he developed later in his career.


This paper analyses the application of a switching volatility model to forecast the distribution of returns and estimate the Value-at-Risk(VaR). We calculate the VaR value for 10 SSE stocks.The VaR values calculated using the switching regime beta model are preferred to other methods.The proportion of failure tests confirms this result.


Andrographis paniculata (AP) is an ancient herb known for its medicinal and therapeutic values. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of AP herbal mouthwash. Aqueous extract of AP was used to prepare the herbal mouthwash. The product was tested against selected oral pathogens namely Actinomyeces viscosus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Porphyromonas gingivalis for its antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method. Toxicity analysis was carried out and subjected to cytotoxicity screening using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, in vivo study using brine shrimp lethality bioassay, and detection of heavy metals using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Five AP herbal mouthwash concentrations (62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000 mg/mL) were developed. AP herbal mouthwash exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against A. viscosus. AP herbal mouthwash (125 to 1000 mg/mL) showed inhibition against P. gingivalis, S. mutans and S. sobrinus, except for S. aureus which did not reflect any sign of antibacterial activity. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, AP herbal mouthwash has LC50 3255.064 µg/mL. In vitro cytotoxic evaluation was done on L929 mouse fibroblast cell lines using MTT assay with IC50 43.55 mg/mL denotes the mouthwash is non-toxic. Heavy metals content in AP herbal mouthwash falls within the permissible range of plumbum (2.50 ppm) followed by arsenic (1.875 ppm), mercury (0.15 ppm), and cadmium (0.06 ppm). Thus, verifying AP herbal mouthwash is effective in common oral pathogens and has a non-toxic effect.


We consider the problem of designing (perhaps massively distributed) collectives of computational processes to maximize a provided "world utility" function. We consider this problem when the behavior of each process in the collective can be cast as striving to maximize its own payoff utility function. For such cases the central design issue is how to initialize/update those payoff utility functions of the individual processes so as to induce behavior of the entire collective having good values of the world utility. Traditional "team game" approaches to this problem simply assign to each process the world utility as its payoff utility function. In previous work we used the "Collective Intelligence" (COIN) framework to derive a better choice of payoff utility functions, one that results in world utility performance up to orders of magnitude superior to that ensuing from the use of the team game utility. In this paper, we extend these results using a novel mathematical framework. Under that new framework we review the derivation of the general class of payoff utility functions that both (i) are easy for the individual processes to try to maximize, and (ii) have the property that if good values of them are achieved, then we are assured a high value of world utility. These are the "Aristocrat Utility" and a new variant of the "Wonderful Life Utility" that was introduced in the previous COIN work. We demonstrate experimentally that using these new utility functions can result in significantly improved performance over that of previously investigated COIN payoff utilities, over and above those previous utilities' superiority to the conventional team game utility. These results also illustrate the substantial superiority of these payoff functions to perhaps the most natural version of the economics technique of "endogenizing externalities."


We have studied the main features and the phenomenological consistency of a family-nonuniversal Three Higgs Doublet Model (3HDM) with a softly broken U(1)xZ2 family symmetry that enforces the flavour hierarchies in the Standard Model (SM) while implementing a tree-level Flavour Changing Neutral Current (FCNC) suppression in a Branco-Grimus-Lavoura way. Furthermore, the alignment limit is imposed in the scalar sector to enforce the physical scalar spectrum to accommodate a SM-like Higgs boson. To verify the consistency of our model, we have performed numerical analyses to confront experimental data coming from Higgs searches, electroweak precision tests and quark flavour violating processes. We conclude that the model studied in this thesis is capable of suppressing dangerous FCNCs mediated by non-SM scalars. Furthermore, some scalars are found to be relatively light suggesting that the model succeeds in confronting flavour data even in the presence of scalars with masses around 300 GeV. Hence, the 3HDM presented in this thesis opens the door to direct searches for non-SM scalars at future runs of the LHC.


To provide a light-bulb type light source device in which the effects of heat on a speaker from a light source can be minimized. A light bulb-type light source device comprises a light source unit, a speaker, a drive module, a base, and a support unit. The drive module drives the light source unit and the speaker. The base is used to supply power to the drive module. The support unit integrally supports the speaker and the light source unit so that the speaker and the light source unit are separated and the light source unit is disposed between the speaker and the base.


This paper presents a novel clustering approach to modeling interdependencies between critical infrastructures (CIs) and key resource supply chains. The approach is based on Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) theory and the assessment of the impact of service disruption between infrastructures and relative supply chains. The authors discuss a pilot case study concerning the impact of infrastructure disruptions for different temporal frames (i.e. after one day, four days and three weeks) on the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) supply chain. The study has been conducted affording a qualitative and cognitive approach based on expert elicitation. The paper concludes with a discussion of findings and current train of thought for future improvements of clustering approach.


We demonstrate the improvement in the signal-to-background ratio of squaraine-derived rotaxane dye molecules embedded in poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer film by reducing the area of the effective detection region in a confocal optical microscope system. It is found that a long-focal-length tube lens combined with the use of a pinhole can evidently minimize the effective detection volume as well as the background photons, and that the signal-to-background ratio of single molecules is improved to 24 experimentally.


In this paper,we take Yonglian test area in Hetao irrigation district for an example to set up the water balance model.Then,we analyze the reasonability of regional evapotranspiration estimated by water balance method,the relation between evapotranspiration and several main components of water balance,and the influence of different observation depths in unsaturated zone on estimated evapotranspiration.In addition,we analyze the components of water balance and mechanism of water consumption in Yonglian.Finally,we arrive at some conclusion on how to appmy water balance method.


Sometimes, at the end of the day, I really wonder why I took this job. It seems like I only bawl out kids, pick up the jobs my principal dislikes, and tell teachers why they can't do something they're really excited about. But there have been times—like when I found a way to help teachers launch a neat project, like watching our team get to the finals in the debate competition—when I feel happy. Not many people know how much I put into making good things happen, but I know.


Mucins are large and complex glycoproteins expressed by several epithelial tissues. The expression of MUC1 mucin is upregulated in breast cancer and the protein is released in high amounts in patients' blood. Cancer antigens (CA) 15.3 and CA 27.29, which measure different epitopes of MUC1 protein, are useful biomarkers for postoperative surveillance and therapy monitoring of advanced breast cancer. The aim of this study was to compare CA 15.3 assay and CA 27.29 assay by using paired patient samples.

 The study was performed in 523 patient samples. CA 15.3 was measured by a sandwich assay on Beckman Coulter UniCel® DxI 800. CA 27. 29 was measured by a competitive immunoassay on Siemens ADVIA Centaur System.

 On Deming regression, the slope was 0.310 with an intercept of 8.6 and correlation coefficient of 0.951. The mean bias between the two assays was –39.2 (–56.6%). The agreement of the two methods was 89% (n = 467), among which, 12% (n = 62) were positive for both CA 15.3 and CA 27.29 (above the upper limit of the reference range), and 77% (n = 405) were negative for both assays (within the reference range). The disagreement was 11% (n = 56), which showed positive CA 27.29 and negative CA 15.3. The correlation coefficient between CA 15.3 and CA 27.29 is 0.9085 when both are positive and 0.6315 when both are negative. The bias is –238.9 (–84.7%) when both are positive and –8.5 (–52.4%) when both are negative. Paired t tests showed significant difference (P < .001) between the CA 15.3 and CA 27.29 in both positive samples and both negative samples.

 In summary, there is a good correlation between CA 15.3 tested on Beckman Coulter UniCel® DxI 800 and CA 27.29 on ADVIA Centaur System. However, with the negative bias, they should not be used interchangeably.


In this paper, 3D imaging of forward-looking Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data acquired by rotating antennas have been done. The data acquisition procedure mimics data collection of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). Real GPR data for a Karst scenario were analyzed, preprocessed and finally imaged with back-projection method. Results show that objects buried in the subsurface of the ground can be successfully imaged using rotating antennas, which is a solid foundation for further development of the GPR system on TBM.


It is possible to agree most heartily with Hamilton-Smith when he speaks of the semantic confusions of social work and of our consequent imprecision of thought. Unfortunately, confusion becomes worse confounded in his article A Paradigm for the Consideration of the Nature of Social Work Processes.1 Precision of thought is aided by careful definition and Hamilton-Smith either neglects this task altogether or his definitions do not stand up to the most superficial examination.


The 3D block matching (BM3D) filter belongs to the state-of-the-art techniques for eliminating additive white Gaussian noise from single-frame images. There exist four multi-frame extensions of BM3D as of today. In this work, we combine these extensions with a variance stabilising transformation (VST) for eliminating Poisson noise. Our evaluation reveals that the extension which retains the original noise model of the noisy images and additionally has a comprehensive connectivity of 2D and temporal image information at both pixel and patch levels, gives the best results. Additionally, we find a surprising change in performance of one the four extensions due to the specific application of the VST. Finally, we also introduce a simple low-pass filtering as a preprocessing step for the best performing extension. This can give rise to a significant additional improvement of 0.94 dB in the output according to the peak signal to noise ratio.


The article presents an analysis of the concept of the category as well as its understanding as the basis for perception. Within the framework of ontology and epistemology derived from the doctrine of structural realism, the problem of aesthetics is consequently discussed. According to the presented approach, aesthetics, as one of the forms of categorization, creates the basic tool of cognitive narrative. As an example of the aesthetic form, a garden is considered, which in keeping with the presented hypothesis is a necessary representation of the concentration of the conceptual order, at the same time becoming an indispensable tool for understanding the nature-culture dichotomy.


We present magneto-transport study in an InAs/GaSb double quantum well structure in the weak localization regime. As the charge carriers are depleted using a top gate electrode, we observe a crossover from weak anti-localization (WAL) to weak localization (WL), when the inelastic phase breaking time decreases below spin-orbit characteristic time as a result of enhanced electron-electron interactions at lower carrier concentrations. The same crossover is observed with increasing temperature. The linear temperature behavior of inelastic scattering rate indicates that the dominant phase breaking mechanism in our 2D system is due to electron-electron interaction.


The reducing power (copper number) of hydrocelluloses and the loss in weight they suffer on boiling with dilute alkali can be diminished to very low values by treatment of the hydrocelluloses with aqueous sodium borohydride. These results show that, under suitable conditions, virtually all the aldehyde groups in hydrocelluloses are reduced by borohydride; they are, however, much less easily reduced than those in periodate oxycelluloses.


The objective of the study was to empirically verify impacts of intellectual capital (IC) to the anticipated future sales of small- and medium-sized companies within the biotechnology industry. The study creates and develops tools for the valuation of companies by relating the existing intangibles and the expected value creation of the companies in that industry displaying high growth prospects but long and insecure product development phases. Theoretically, IC is divided into the following three categories: human capital (HC), structural capital (SC), and relational capital (RC). In the empirical setting, survey data of small- and medium-sized Finnish biotechnology companies are used. In the econometric analyses, the interactions, or empirical co-variation, between the three categories of IC explain two-thirds of the variance in the anticipated future sales of the sample companies. Thus, it seems that a well-balanced combination of HC, SC, and RC implies value creation potential and high anticipated future sales.


ABSTRACT Existing literature has portrayed tourism as a conduit for learning and transformation, with a view that such mobilities elucidate tourism cosmopolitanism. While such propositions are insofar useful in characterising global dispositions, very little has been done to investigate how the virtual space has helped to develop or curtail effects of tourism cosmopolitanism. The virtual space has transformed tourism engagement and consumption patterns, though few studies have paid attention to deviant online behaviour and its corresponding effects on cosmopolitanism. Drawing from outcomes of trolling instances within forums, this paper argues that deviant online behaviour is of consequence as an antecedent in determining one's disposition to destinations, challenging the decision type and raising serious concerns to self-image and virtual representations. These attacks on any individual necessitate a cautious approach for scholars and practitioners when engaging with the electronic realm as a different, yet instrumental facet in characterising tourism cosmopolitanism.


Loot boxes ‒ defined loosely as virtual items purchasable with real money, which contain randomized in-game content of unknown value ‒ are a very profitable monetization mechanism in contemporary video games. The plethora of issues surrounding loot boxes inevitably leads to the question of an adequate regulatory response. Legal responses have been deployed in various jurisdictions but faced several limitations. First, the responses are very divergent. Some jurisdictions view this form of monetization through the lens of gambling laws, consumer protection laws, and often – being conscious of the additional risks which loot boxes pose to under-age players – are increasingly addressing these issues under child protection laws. Thus, the broad array of issues triggered by loot boxes allows qualifying these within various regulatory fields. The possibility to place these in different regulatory 'boxes' inevitably leads to inconsistent regulatory outcomes. Finally, the very fact that a consistent definition of what constitutes a loot box remains elusive exacerbates the situation as well. Furthermore, the global set up of the video game industry and the ubiquity of online gaming with users worldwide make the issues global by design. Fragmented and divergent regulatory responses to loot boxes on a country-by-country approach is suboptimal, and raise the daunting spectre of video game developers and publishers having to create parallel versions of the same video game in order to comply with the regulations in force in different jurisdictions – a prospect that seems both expensive and impractical. In these cases of regulatory deficiency, self-regulation is oftenmooted as a means for resolving the challenges presented by loot boxes. To date, however, the approach of the video game industry has been reactive rather than proactive, and a coordinated, industry-wide response has yet to emerge. The window for a self-regulatory approach is closing quickly – if it has not done so already – and divergences of position within the industry mean that it is unlikely that an industry-wide model for self-regulation will be developed within the short term. This has resulted in a regulatory vacuum, which has come to be dominated by a polemical strain of commentary that paints a complex issue in starkly black and white terms. This might explain the current state of affairs in relation to the regulation of loot boxes: a very polarized and heated debate, which often misses the crucial issues at stakes, and risks leading regulators toward unnecessary new legislation which is difficult to enforce. It is against this backdrop that we have chosen to publish an issue of the Interactive Entertainment Law Review that is devoted exclusively to the topic of loot boxes. In their provocative article 'Getting under your skin(s): a legal-ethical exploration of Fortnite's transformation into a content delivery platform and its manipulative potential', Marijn Sax and Jef Ausloos examine the freemium business model through the lens of the ethical theory of manipulation, using Fortnite – one of the most popular and profitable video games in the world – as a case study. In doing so, they also consider how European data protection and consumer protection laws might potentially serve as regulatory tools. Leon Xiao's 'Regulating loot boxes as gambling? Towards a combined legal and self-regulatory consumer protection approach' provides a critique of existing regulatory approaches, particularly those rooted in gambling laws, and puts forward a model of co-regulation. In 'Should loot boxes be considered gambling or can Self-Regulation and Corporate Social Responsibility solve the loot box issue? A review of current UK law and international legislation', Daniel James Harvey highlights the difficulties with classifying loot boxes as a form of gambling under UK law, and ultimately rejects self-regulation and corporate social responsibility as possible regulatory approaches, focusing instead on the potential of child protection laws to mitigate the risks of loot boxes and similar monetization mechanisms to under-age players. Finally, Peter Honer's article 'Limiting the loot box: overview and difficulties of a common EU response' outlines the difficulties of a common EU approach in regulating loot boxes and proposes that a hybrid regulatory approach adopting gambling law, self-regulation and consumer law could be the way ahead. Some final words: being the first academic journal that covers interactive entertainment law, IELR has strived to provide a platform for rigorous academic debate and exchange of ideas. From its inception in 2018, it has grown to become an important and leading voice and channel for developing this growing field of law. As editors, we are aware that this special issue touches on a very controversial topic. The articles in this issue have undergone a tight editorial and additional double (or even treble)-blind peer-review process. We see these 1


The heart of the dbx noise reduction system has been newly integrated into two bipolar monolithic IC's. This paper describes the newly developed voltage controlled amplifier chip (VCA IC) and root mean square value level sensor chip (RMS IC) for dbx noise reduction system application. These IC's have achieved excellent performance : low total harmonic distortion 0.007% :low output noise level -94dbV :wide operating supply voltage ±4 V to ±15 V : wide dynamic range more than 100 dB. Using new VCA IC and RMS IC, the low cost dbx noise reduction system with high performance and several improvements can be fabricated compared with conventional discrete system. The detailes of the integrated circuit design of VCA and RMS are also discussed.


Background: Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [s25(OH)D] levels have been reported in a high proportion of institutionalized or home bound subjects and also in ambulatory elderly people with limited exposure to sunlight due to geographical location. Aim of this study is to investigate the s25(OH)D status as well as its seasonal variation in ambulatory elderly people permanent inhabitants of Crete, the southernmost island of Europe. Subjects and Methods: 101 ambulatory subjects, selected after applying strict exclusion criteria, from the Centres of Open Care for the Elderly, of Heraklion-Crete, 70 women and 31 men, (70,00±5,00 years and 73,00±5,49 respectively) Serum 25(OH)D, serum parathormone (sPTH), Ca, P, Cre, BMI and grade of mobility were assessed. In a subgroup of 25 subjects, s25(OH)D and sPTH were evaluated twice (winter and summer). Results: Mean s25(OH)D was 51,46±27,32 nmol/L in women and 71,7±28,65 nmol/L in men. Levels ≤ 30nmol/L were found to 10% of men and 30% of women whereas levels ≤ 50nmol/L were found to 29% of men and 53,6% of women. Mean sPTH was 59,77±28,92 pg/ml in women and 63,91±24,82 in men Subjects with mobility A had higher levels of s25(OH)D than subjects with mobility B (t (99) =3,612 p=0,000) and summer levels of s25(OH)D were higher than the winter ones (p<0,001) whereas summer levels of sPTH were lower (p=0,007). Conclusion: Despite of the geographic location of Crete, and the Μediterranean diet followed, there is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among ambulatory community dwelling elderly, being much higher in women, which can be attributed to the inadequate exposure to sunlight and to the lack of foods fortified with vitamin D and/or the supplementation of Vitamin D.


ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to sincerely thank my advisor Dr. Venkat Devarajan for giving me the opportunity to work with him. This thesis originated as an idea from Dr. Devarajan. I have tried to pursue it to its logical conclusion under his constant guidance. He has been an endless source of inspiration and has constantly supported me in all possible ways. I sincerely value the inputs that he has given me all the way. I would like to acknowledge Dr. Manry and Mr. Bernard Svihel for being a part of my committee. I would like to thank all the professors from UTA, especially Dr. Liang whose course work helped me to complete my research. I am grateful to all my lab mates, friends here and back home in India for their constant encouragement and motivation. I owe everything to my parents; they have always provided me the opportunities and have been like pillars of support for me. My parents are the primary reason for all my achievements so far. I will always remain indebted to them. Call Drop Out is one of the most annoying problems in Mobile Communications. It is one of the most important Quality of Service (QoS) indicators for a mobile carrier. Over the years, many strategies have been proposed to solve the problem of call drop out. But the problem is still prevalent. One of the important reasons for call drop outs is high Bit Error Rate (BER). In general, many existing wireless systems set a threshold BER before a call is dropped. iv In this work, our intent is to reduce the call drop out due to high BER. Towards that end, we simulated the overall block diagram for a typical mobile communication system and measured its BER. Thereafter, we introduced a new signal processing subsystem at the receiver section to improve the BER and thereby improve the end-to-end performance of the system. In particular, the calculation of un-mixing matrix and automated identification for distinguishing separated signals was carried out. Our simulation is valid specifically for Global Systems for Mobile (GSM), although it can be extended to a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Our simulation proved that the new signal processing subsystem did indeed improve the BER. The implication of this is that the existing network will see a reduction in call drops outs.


With specific surface area, high adsorption capacity, low cost, and strong stability, Biochar has been widely applie D to improve soil quality, increase soil carbon sequestration, remediate polluted environment, and reduce soil emissions of greenhouse gases. Recently, efforts have been made to enhance the adsorption capacity of biochar by preparing biochar-based composites with New properties and new structure via combining biochar with the other materials physico-chemically. This review summarized the preparation, characterization, and applications of Biochar and biochar-based. The adsorption behavior and remediation mechanisms of biochar and its composites in soil and water environment were ssed in details. Key points and directions on Biochar Composites were proposed.


– In the food industry, oil blending represents a simple method for the generation of products with desired nutritional and technological properties. The objective of this work was to blend anchoveta oil (AO) with virgin olive oil (VOO) to modify the v -6/ v -3 ratio of the product for nutritional purposes and to evaluate its oxidative stability index (OSI) for technological purposes. Four AO/VOO blends were formulated: 50/50, 40/60, 30/70 and 20/80 (w/w), generating a v -6/ v -3 ratio between 0.610 – 2.129, nutritionally recommendable. The Rancimat method allowed determining the OSI of the formulations at temperatures of 100, 110 and 120 ° C, fi nding OSI ranges between 0.963 – 3.410 h, 0.430 – 1.730 h and 0.183 – 0.813 h, respectively. The kinetic behavior of the formulations with respect to activation energy (89.622 to 93.414 kJ/mol), entropy ( (cid:1) 13.248 to (cid:1) 17.657 kJ/mol), enthalpy (86.455 to 90.248 kJ/mol), Gibbs energy (91.928 to 96.348 kJ/mol) and Q 10 (2.090 to 2.153) has been described. The formulations are proposed as an alternative to increase the shelf life of AO and increase the nutritional value of VOO.


Background: FGFR1 amplification occurs in about 15% of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers and is associated with resistance to endocrine therapy. In these tumors, nuclear FGFR1 has been shown to interact with ERα and alter gene expression through binding to chromatin. However, the mechanisms underpinning nuclear FGFR1-mediated gene transcription remain unclear. Thus, we sought to elucidate mechanisms to explain the genomic role of FGFR1 in ER+/FGFR1-amplified breast cancer.Results: FGFR1 ChIP-Seq detected 4408 DNA binding sites in CAMA1 ER+/FGFR1-amplified breast cancer cells cultured in estrogen-free conditions; 67% of these sites were enriched at promoter regions, suggesting a role of FGFR1 in gene transcription regulation. ChIP-qPCR assay confirmed FGFR1 binding to promoter regions of genes such as CCND1, MYC, VEGFA, JUNB and SMAD5 in both CAMA1 and MDA-MB-134 ER+/FGFR1-amplified cells and also in an ER+/FGFR1-amplified patient derived xenograft (HCI-011). RNA-Seq of CAMA1 cells revealed that expression of FGFR1-bound genes was substantially higher than non FGFR1-bound genes (p 0.25), representing those whose expression is likely regulated by FGFR1. This high signature score was associated with worse disease free survival (DFS; 263.7 months vs not reached; HR=1.72, CI 1.39-2.12; p Citation Format: Alberto Servetto, Rahul Kollipara, Luigi Formisano, Kyung-min Lee, Dhivya R Sudhan, Ariella B Hanker, Sumanta Chatterjee, Albert Lin, Saurabh Mendiratta, Nicholas James, Ralf Kittler, Carlos L Arteaga. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 associates with promoters genome-wide and regulates gene transcription in ER+/FGFR1-amplified breast cancer: Implications for endocrine resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD7-04.


In South Africa, blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) are routinely captured for relocation purposes. To monitor the stress caused by this practise, a non-invasive method assessing adrenocortical function as a measure of stress would minimize disturbance during sample collection. In our study, an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge, and a mass-capture event were used to examine the suitability of five enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring stress-related physiological responses using faeces as a sample matrix. The tested 11-oxoaetiocholanolone I EIA performed best, showing a 2126% increase above baseline after 22 h for a male, and a 474% increase for a female 23 h post-ACTH injection. Baseline faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations did not differ between animals captured on either day 1 or day 2 of the capture event, indicating that the frequent presence of a helicopter during the two days did not influence fGCM concentrations. However, during capture-related restraint for up to 10 h, an overall 1.5-fold elevation in (fGCM) concentrations was found. Storage of faeces at ambient temperature post-defecation indicated a fair stability of fGCMs for up to 8 h. The ability to reliably assess adrenocortical function provides a solid basis to examine endocrine responses to putative stressful circumstances in blue wildebeest.


Objective To explore the imaging features and diagnostic value of cystic tumor.Methods The CT features in 28 cases of cystic tumors(30 lesions) proven by surgery and pathology were studied retrospectively.All of the cases underwent CT scan and 26 cases underwent contrast-enhancement CT scan.Results The lesions included cystadenoma in 10 cases(serous cystadenoma in 7 cases,mucinous cystadenoma in 3 cases),cystic teratoma in 3 cases,cystadenocarcinoma in 8 cases(serous cystadenocarcinoma in 3 cases,mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in 5 cases),yolk sac tumor in 4 cases,krukenberg in 1 case,ovary clear cell carcinoma in 2 cases.Various tumors with its natures(benign or malignant) had a corresponding characteristic CT findings.Compared with surgery or pathology findings,25 of 28 cases(85.7%) were accurately diagnosed while other 3 cases(14.3%) were misdiagnosed,27 cases(96.4%) were correctly localized while other 1 case(3.5%) were erroneously localized.Conclusion There are some characteristics in the CT appearance of cystic tumors,and these characteristics may be helpful in predicting a specific for cystic tumors.


Survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma had more chronic and severe cardiovascular health conditions at age 50 vs a group of controls.


The shafts of ulnae from 110 g male rats were cultured, and after a period of 5 h preincubation one of each pair of bones was either loaded cyclically (500 g, 1 Hz, 8 minutes) to produce physiologic strains (‐1300 με) or treated with exogenous prostacyclin (PGI2) or prostaglandin E2 (10−6 M, 8 minutes) in the presence or absence of 17β‐estradiol (10−8 M). PGI2, PGE2, and loading stimulated almost immediate increases in glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in osteocytes and osteoblasts. This increase was uniform throughout the section with exogenous PGs in the medium but was related to local strain magnitude in loading. Elevated G6PD levels in response to loading and PGI2 persisted for 18 h, by which time, ALP activity in surface osteoblasts was elevated and [H]proline incorporation into collagen increased. PGE2 produced similar immediate and sustained increases in G6PD activity and [H]proline incorporation after 18 h but no change in ALP activity. Bones cultured for 18 h with 17β‐estradiol increased their [H]proline incorporation, as did those loaded, and treated with PGI2 and PGE2. Loading and PGI2 but not PGE2 produced similar proportional increases in [H]proline incorporation above the increased baseline of estradiol alone. These results suggest that estrogen and loading together produce a greater osteogenic response than either separately. If so, estrogen withdrawal would result in a rapid fall in bone mass to establish a new equilibrium appropriate to the reduced effectiveness of the loading‐related stimulus. Such a fall in bone mass is a characteristic feature of estrogen withdrawal at the menopause.


Eastern Australia has been affected by the Ross - Delamerian (520-500 Ma), an Early Ordovician (475-450 Ma), Benambran (440-420 Ma), Tabberabberan (410-370 Ma), Kanimblan (360-320 Ma) and Hunter-Bowen (Permian) Orogenies. A succession of five foliation intersection/inflection axes preserved in porphyroblasts (FIAs), sequential growth of metamorphic index minerals, spectacular inclusion trails and in-situ dating of monazite grains within porphyroblasts show that the Balcooma Metamorphic Group has been affected by 5 orogenic cycles of different intensities from ~476±5 to 408.8±8.9 Ma. The E-W trending FIA set 1 in garnet porphyroblasts indicates N-S shortening and the beginning of the amphibolite facies metamorphism around ~476±5 Ma across the Greenvale Province. The Early Ordovician N-S shortening was followed by staurolite, kyanite and plagioclase growth in a clockwise P-T-t-D path during an Early Silurian continuous crustal thickening event. The NNW-SSE trending FIA set 2 in staurolite and NNE-SSW trending FIA set 3 in staurolite, kyanite and plagioclase porphyroblasts suggest rotation of the direction of bulk shortening to ENE-WSW and ESEWNW between 443.2±3.8 Ma and 425.4±3.7 Ma respectively. Localized E-W trending FIA set 4 in staurolite porphyroblasts indicates N-S bulk shortening by 408.8±8.9 Ma. FIA set 5 trends NE-SW and is only present in andalusite. It suggests subsequent rotation of the bulk shortening direction to NW-SE. The Balcooma Metamorphic Group is unconformably overlain by the uncleaved Emsian age (400-392 Ma) Conjuboy Formation. Constraints from FIAs, textural relationship, Emsian age unconformity and absolute monazite plus SHRIMP U-Pb ages indicate that the Delamerian, Kanimblan and Hunter Bowen Orogenies did not affect this region. FIA 1 (~476±5 Ma), FIA 2 (443.2±3.8 Ma), FIA 3 (425.4±3.7 Ma), FIA 4 (408.8±8.9 Ma) and FIA 5 (<408.8±8.9 Ma) indicate that this region was initially affected by an Early Ordovician Orogeny but was later overprinted by the Benambran (440-420 Ma) and Tabberabberan (410-370 Ma) Orogenies.


Students and hobbyists build embedded systems that combine sensing, actuation and microcontrollers on solderless breadboards. To help students debug such circuits, experienced teachers apply visual inspection, targeted measurements, and circuit modifications to diagnose and localize the problem(s). However, experienced helpers may not always be available to review student projects in person. To enable remote debugging of circuit problems, we introduce Heimdall, a remote electronics workbench that allows experts to visually inspect a student's circuit; perform measurements; and to re-wire and inject test signals. These interactions are enabled by an actuated inspection camera; an augmented breadboard that enables flexible configuration of row connectivity and measurement/injection lines; and a web-based UI that teachers can use to perform measurements through interaction with the captured images. We demonstrate that common issues arising in embedded electronics classes can be successfully diagnosed remotely and report on preliminary user feedback from teaching assistants who frequently debug circuits.


albumin 2.8 g/L (normal range 3.5–5.5 mg/dL). Urinalysis showed 10 to 15 leukocytes and 30 to 40 red blood cells per high-power field and more than 300 mg/dL of albumin. Her 24-hour urinary protein excretion was 5.23 g. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) were negative using the immunofluorescence technique. Serology for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C antibodies were negative. Serum complement (C3 and C4) levels were normal. Abdominal ultrasonography showed kidneys of normal size. A renal biopsy was performed, which identified idiopathic membranous nephropathy (Figure 1B). The patient was managed conservatively: close monitoring of blood pressure, periodic renal function testing, salt restriction, diuretics, and antihypertensive medications (angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and statins); corticosteroids were not prescribed. She improved over the next 12 weeks. Her proteinuria dropped to 1.5 g/24 hours, and renal function stabilized (e-GFR 30 mL/min). The correlation between WS and renal impairment has rarely been reported, and only in a few cases was ESRD reported. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first case of WS associated with renal impairment with histology documenting overt glomerulonephritis such as IMN. It is unknown whether this coexistence is the result of the same genetic disorder or a simple coincidence. There is some evidence of a role of at least two genetic loci other than ''Werner syndrome, RecQ helicase-like'' helicase, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and phospholipase A2 receptor polymorphic variants in both pathologies. Further clinical and genetic studies will elucidate this possible genetic correlation.


An advanced inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-assisted rf magnetron sputtering deposition method is developed to synthesize regular arrays of pear-shaped ZnO nanodots on a thin SiNx buffer layer pre-deposited onto a silicon substrate. It is shown that the growth of ZnO nanodots obey the cubic root-law behavior. It is also shown that the synthesized ZnO nanodots are highly-uniform, controllable by the experimental parameters, and also feature good structural and photoluminescent properties. These results suggest that this custom-designed ICP-based technique is very effective and highly-promising for the synthesis of property- and size-controllable highly-uniform ZnO nanodots suitable for next-generation light emitting diodes, energy storage, UV nanolasers, and other applications.


thought-provoking panel, organized by Theresa-Marie Rhyne, at IEEE Visualization 2004 addressed the top unsolved problems of visualization. 1 Two of the invited panelists, Bill Hibbard and Chris Johnson, addressed scientific visualization problems. Steve Eick and I identified information visualization problems. The following top 10 unsolved problems list is a revised and extended version of the information visualization problems I outlined on the panel. These problems are not necessarily imposed by technical barriers ; rather, they are problems that might hinder the growth of information visualization as a field. The first three problems highlight issues from a user-centered perspective. The fifth, sixth, and seventh problems are technical challenges in nature. The last three are the ones that need tackling at the disciplinary level. In this article, I broadly define information visualiza-tion as visual representations of the semantics, or meaning , of information. In contrast to scientific visualization, information visualization typically deals with non-numeric, nonspatial, and high-dimensional data.


Background and Objectives: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a distinctive JIA subtype with mostly nonspecific systemic clinical features, which can be a diagnostic challenge. This study aimed to analyze our experience with sJIA in Latvia for twelve years: assessing clinical and epidemiological characteristics, the efficacy of therapy, and disease outcomes, including the development of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Materials and methods: This is a descriptive study in which we conducted a retrospective case review of all patients with sJIA diagnosis admitted to the only pediatric tertiary centre in Latvia during the period 2009–2020. Results: sJIA was diagnosed in 35 patients with a mean annual incidence rate of 0.85 patients per 100,000 children. Major clinical signs at the first visit were: fever, rash, arthritis, and lymphadenopathy. Almost half of the patients, 48.5%, had a monocyclic disease course, and only 20% of patients had persistent disease. MAS developed in 28.6% of patients. Biological therapy was administered to 48.6% of patients, mostly by tocilizumab, which induced remission in 75% after one year, and in 81.2% after two years without any serious therapy-related complications. In our study, none of the patients had interstitial lung disease, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)-like syndrome, or fatal disease. Conclusions: The incidence and clinical characteristics of sJIA correlate with the literature findings, although MAS was more common than described in other studies. There is a tendency for the persistent disease to decrease with the use of biological therapy. Tocilizumab is an efficient choice of treatment with a good safety profile.


Problem statement: A preliminary investigation of the Orem self-care training effects on the Quality Of Life (QOL) of the health care centers' elderly residents in the city of Masjed Solaiman, Iran. Approach: The Orem self-care training was administered to 349 elderly free of chronic disorders (aged 65 and older). The eligible participants were selected from 11 health centers. The training was administered by research assistants. The cumulative training time was four months. The training consisted of six 40 min sessions. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to compare QOL scores before and after the training using a paired t-test. Results: The overall health survey scores improved significantly after the training (p<0.001, mean increase from 49.2-59.0). The physical role score increased from 48.7-57.4; physical functioning from 55.3-66.3; mental health from 52.1-62.2; social functioning from 57.4-68.5; body pain tolerance from 47.4-53.3; vitality from 47.0-57.6 and emotional role from 47.2-61.9. Conclusion: The Orem self-care training can improve the QOL scores in the elderly population. Additional studies including a random selected subjects and paired controls to are required to validate our preliminary findings. A significant statistical bias could have been introduced by the lack of controls and accounting for other variables such as sex and literacy.


Highly Incised Slope(HIS) is a new type of geological hazard in the mountainous region of Three Gorges Reservoir.Investigation and experimental analyses are carried out at 47 HISs in Wanzhou area.The findings show that there are four failure modes in HIS.They are collapse,surface weathering,diversity of weathering,and soil sliding or collapse.Factors of influencing on failure modes in HIS are(1) the HIS materials,HIS characteristics,the hydrologic and weather condition,the HIS shape,and the engineering treatment time.According to the different failure modes in HISs,stabilization methods are recommended to be the guideline of design and construction.


An antibacterial peptide -by cosin was purified from the venom of Lycosa singoriensis. The purification scheme was outlined. The lyophilized poison gland was homogenized, extracted and the supernatant was lyophilized again. The solution of lyophilized powder was separated into 11 bands by acidic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The gel was overlaid with viable E. coli to detect antibacterial activity. The fastest migrated band showed the antibacterial activity. The active band was cut down and homogenized, extracted and lyophilized. The antibacterial peptide was further purified on Sephadex G-25 gel filtration and HPLC. The amino acid composition of the purified peptide was determined to contain 43 to 45 amino acid residues. the N-terminal residue was alanine. The basic and hydrophobic ami-no acid residues accounted for close to 1/4 and 1/3 of the total amino acid residues respectively.


Large ISPs experience millions of BGP routing changes a day. In this paper, we discuss the impact of BGP routing changes on the flow of trafffic, summarizing and reconciling the results from six measurement studies of the Sprint and AT&T backbone networks.


Article history: Received December 1, 2011 Received in Revised form February, 14, 2011 Accepted 20 March 2012 Available online March 26 2012 In this paper, we present an empirical study to investigate the effects of different marketing efforts on brand equity in mobile industry. The proposed study of this paper distributes a questionnaire consists of 26 questions including loyalty, quality perception, awareness, exclusiveness, word of mouth advertisement, brand name image, advertisement, price, distribution and guarantee. A sample 428 people are selected in a city of Tehran/Iran and they are asked to reply questions on Likert based. The results show that there is a positive and meaningful relationship between marketing mix efforts and brand equity. In other words, more advertisements could help better market exposure, which means customers will have more awareness on market characteristics. Among all mixed efforts, guarantee influences more on brand equity, which means consumers care more on product services than other features. Finally, among different characteristics of brand equity, product exclusiveness plays an important role. In other words, people are interested in having exclusive product, which is different from others. © 2012 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.


Camera-phone-based medical devices (CPMDs) represent a major emerging platform for point-of-care diagnostic imaging of biological tissue. In order to evaluate degradation in texture reproduction due to visible light image processing performed by CPMDs, a method ($MT{F_{DL}}$MTFDL) involving the generation of a modulation transfer function ($MTF$MTF) based on measurements of a 'dead leaves (DL)' target has been proposed. In this study, we have identified discrepancies in the quantification of noise based on gray patches of the DL target as compared to the textual region. To address this issue, we have proposed an approach ($MT{F_{DL - den}}$MTFDL−den) for accurate $MT{F_{DL}}$MTFDL calculation through the use of effectively denoised DL images. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our $MT{F_{DL - den}}$MTFDL−den approach provides superior robustness to simulated noise. These findings will help establish effective standardized test methods for realistic benchtop assessment of CPMD image quality.


In the author's opinion,the right of use of homestead is one of the rights of beneficial use of property that peasants can set on collective lands in order to build house and the attached facility.With this right they can possess,use and benefit from the lands,and dispose them in lawful means.The circulation systems of the right of use of homestead should be different in different situations.It's not reasonable to draw up a single system,right of use of homestead that is obtained by peasant should be protected equally by law.


This study examines numerical analysis of particle velocity and temperature distribution of struck material surface in fine particle peening. When the particle is accelerated using a direct-pressure type, the velocity of a 50 μm particle, just before striking the metal surface, was calculated to be 222 m/s. In applying air pressure, the acceleration of fine particles show significant increase compared to larger sizes. Moreover, the experimental values agree well with the calculated ones. On the other hand, the temperature distributions show the maximum surface temperature to be 1500 K and cools instantly.


Balloon cell nevus (BCN) is a rare histopathological entity. It is usually represented by an asymptomatic brown smooth or polypoid lesion, but no clinical features allow differentiation from other melanocytic nevi. Moreover, dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) aspects of BCN have been described in a few single cases. This study aims to describe a wider BCN series with dermoscopic and RCM features to assess the most frequent patterns.


The integration of functional traits into vulnerability assessments is a promising approach to quantitatively capture differences in species sensitivity and adaptive capacity to climate change, allowing the refinement of tree species distribution models. In response to a clear need to identify traits that are responsive to climate change and applicable in a management context, we review the state of knowledge of the main mechanisms, and their associated traits, that underpin the ability of boreal and temperate tree species to persist and (or) shift their distribution in a changing climate. We aimed to determine whether current knowledge is sufficiently mature and available to be used effectively in vulnerability assessments. Marshalling recent conceptual advances and assessing data availability, our ultimate objective is to guide modellers and practitioners in finding and selecting sets of traits that can be used to capture differences in species' ability to persist and migrate. While the physiological me...


This study aims to determine whether sales promotions, the attractiveness of buy 1 get 1 can affect the product purchase . The appeal of consumers un tuk buy a product with the promotion of relatively high . Promotion is a communication activity carried out by a person or company with the community with the aim of allowing something (goods, services, brands, companies) to the community and at the same time influencing the wider community to buy and use the product. This type of research is carried out by the method of explanatory research or explanatory research with a quantitative approach. Variables used in this study include; cashback promotions, promotions, consumer purchasing power decisions. The population of this study is the wider community in DKI Jakarta, which was carried out randomly with a sample of 99 respondents taken using purposive sampling techniques and data collection methods using questionnaires. Analysis of the data used is descriptive analysis and path analysis.


This study aims to measure the level of the organizational intelligence of the Technical Education Institutions for Girls in Diyarbakir, Ažanliurfa and Konya in Turkey. These provinces are studied with the demand of Girls Technical Education Institutions because of the heterogeneous structure they have about organizational intelligence perceptions, in terms of geographical extent, social, economic and cultural dimensions. In this study, "Multi-dimensional organizational intelligence scale" that re-adapted for technical education institutions by Ercetin and Potas was used. In conclusion, perceptions about general organizational intelligence level are intensified in "middle level" choice. Also these perceptions about organizational intelligence do not vary in general according to regions and districts; while they vary between teachers and managers.

 Key words: Organizational intelligence, dimensions of organizational intelligence, educational institutions, multidimensionality.


Activists, wildlife rangers and indigenous leaders are dying violently at the rate of about four a week, with a growing sense around the world that 'anyone can kill environmental defenders without repercussions'.


This study tested the hypothesis that activation of proteinase‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2) contributes towards the pathophysiology of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced shock in the mouse. The effects of LPS on plasma glucose, biochemical markers of hepatic, renal and pancreatic exocrine function and lung content of myeloperoxidase (MPO) were examined in homozygous PAR‐2 knockout mice (PAR‐2 ‐/‐) and genetically equivalent, homozygous PAR‐2 +/+ mice. The effect of LPS was also examined in normal mice receiving dexamethasone (10 mg kg−1, i.p.) or saline as a positive control. At six hours after intraperitoneal injection, LPS (40 mg kg−1) produced an increase in rectal temperature, hypoglycaemia and elevations in serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine and lipase, as well as an increase in lung MPO content. Dexamethasone treatment reduced LPS‐induced hypoglycaemia and elevation of serum ALT concentrations but did not modify elevations in serum creatinine and lipase concentrations or the increase in lung MPO content. The changes in serum concentrations of glucose, ALT, creatinine and lipase produced by LPS in PAR‐2 ‐/‐ mice were not different from those seen in wild‐type or PAR‐2 +/+ mice. These data suggest that activation of PAR‐2 may not play a pivotal role in LPS‐induced multi‐organ dysfunction.


The nanocrystalline TiO2 ultrafine powders in anatase phase were prepared in 16nm, 26nm by means of a sol-gel method. The particle sizes and the crystallographic phase were determined. Heat capacities in the temperature range of 78 similar to 370K were also measured, and the polynomial equations expressing the change of heat capacity with temperature were fitted. The obtained values of the heat capacity were compared with those of the coarse crystal from the literature. The relationship between heat capacities and the particle sizes of nanocrystalline TiO2 were demonstrated in the view of energetics.


An ultrasound system and method is disclosed that compensates for a dropout of an elastic image based on pixel values (eg, displacement) of adjacent pixels in the elastic image. The ultrasound system according to the present invention is operable to obtain first ultrasound data corresponding to the first frame while not compressing the object and to obtain second ultrasound data corresponding to the second frame while compressing the object. An ultrasonic data acquisition unit; And a first window connected to the ultrasonic data acquisition unit, setting a first window in each of the first frame and the second frame, and moving the first window in a lateral direction and an axial direction. 2 A correlation operation is performed between the first windows based on the ultrasound data to calculate displacements corresponding to the pixels of the K-th row of the elastic image (K is an integer of 1 or more), and based on each of the pixels of the K-th row. A second window including a preset number of pixels is set, and a displacement calculation error corresponding to a dropout is generated based on the pixel values of the pixels in the second window to determine whether each of the pixels in the K-th row is generated. A processor operative to set a pixel value.


An application publishing method, device, server, client and system. The method comprises: receiving virtual application request information transmitted by an application virtualization client, wherein the virtual application request information comprises information requesting an application virtualization service end to transmit a virtual application; and transmitting, in a multicast manner, the virtual application information to a multicast client. The present invention achieves the goal of combining the multicast technology with the application virtualization. In a scenario where multicast communication is used, a multicast service end only needs to transmit one piece of the virtual application information to a plurality of multicast clients, thereby reducing the required bandwidth.


ABSTRACT Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact both physical and emotional health throughout the lifespan and contribute to negative effects in childhood such as learning difficulties, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, and social development. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of the number of ACEs on children's current social-emotional assets and behavioral problems when controlling for age and gender. Participants were children (N = 58) ranging in age from 5 to 12 years old recruited from four public elementary schools in the southwestern United States. Parents of participants completed Social Emotional Assets and Resilience Scales-Parent (SEARS-P), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and extended version of the ACEs Questionnaire developed for the current study. Results revealed that the number of ACEs was able to predict 100% of the variance in social-emotional competencies and 98% of variance in behavioral problems with age and gender having a negligible influence on both models. Children in this study who experienced a higher number of ACEs also experienced lower social-emotional competencies and a higher number of behavioral problems as reported by parents. These findings highlight the impact of ACEs on children and the opportunity to facilitate the development of children's social-emotional competencies which serve as protective factors.


To tackle sustainability issues in the sector of mineral resources combined with insufficient governmental efforts towards sustainability in certain regions, voluntary sustainability certification schemes (CS) have been developed by different private actors. Research dealing with CS has put effort into the analysis of factors beneficial for the success of CS. Despite their relevance, only little research has analyzed the internal factors of CS (design characteristics) on a comprehensive level. Similarly, although research identifies the acceptance of CS to be an important success dimensions, empirical research dealing with a broad stakeholder basis, involving diverse stakeholder views is underrepresented so far. Moreover, despite its substantial sustainability impact, little attention has been paid to the application of CS in sector of mineral resources. It is the aim of this thesis to address these research gaps by conducting empirical research on CS in the sector of mineral resources with a focus on different design characteristics of CS and while considering diverse stakeholder views. By relying on a literature study, this thesis contributes to a better understanding of the comprehensive cross-sectoral scientific discussion on CS. Moreover, it enriches the quantitative empirical research on the design characteristics of CS and the stakeholder demands in the sector of mineral resources. The results of the literature study show that in the cross-sectoral scientific discussion on CS the influence of certain success factors on specific success dimensions is analyzed more comprehensively than others; i.e. the scientific discussion mainly focuses on certain research topics. For example, the influence of the quality of the requirements set by the CS on the improvement of sustainability issues on site. On the other hand, certain aspects were less discussed; for example, the influence of cooperation between single CS on the improvement of sustainability problems. Turning to stakeholder demands and design characteristics, it becomes clear that the presence of a traceability mechanism is the most important driver for the acceptance of CS by the relevant stakeholder groups in the sector of mineral resources. Similar results can be observed for a high transparency of the CS, a high market share and progressive requirements. Furthermore, design characteristics that decrease the efforts to comply with the CS' requirements improve the acceptance by mining companies and design characteristics that promote the sustainability performance of mining companies support the acceptance by governmental organizations and partly of civil society actors. However, a high market share of CS does not influence the acceptance by sustainable finance actors.


A uranylcontaining compound [U(CO3)3(H2O)2]·2H2O has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by X-ray single-crystal analysis. Crystal structural analysis indicates that this compound consists of three CO32- molecules, one U6+. The results reveal that the title compound presents a 3D frame work built up by O- H … O week hydrogen bonds interactions. The central uranium atom is eight-coordinated through three CO32 - molecules and two H2O. The compound shows a coplanar hexagonal network structure, each hexagon containing a hexagonal hole with a water moleculet.


The application of the Environmental Seismic Intensity (ESI) scale 2007 to moderate and strong earthquakes, in different geological context all over the word, highlights the importance of Earthquake Environmental Effects (EEEs) for the assessment of seismic hazards. This Special Issue "New Perspectives in the Definition/Evaluation of Seismic Hazard through Analysis of the Environmental Effects Induced by Earthquakes" presents a collection of scientific contributions that provide a sample of the state-of-the-art in this field. Moreover the collected papers also analyze new data produced with multi-disciplinary and innovative methods essential for development of new seismic hazard models.


This comparative case study reconceptualizes the structure of external oversight of higher education at the local and state levels, suggesting that universities operate in a web of external oversight that includes individuals, community and interest groups, and the press.


Base on project requirement analysis, together with the concept of SOA on the software analysis and design was used in this article built a new property ownership registration management system which has flexible framework, can be configured, extended and adjust as deemed necessary, completing the seamless integration with the GIS system, survey system and the contract record Web system.


The aim of this study was to investigate the macroanatomy and morphometric of the tongue of the guinea fowl. Six chicks (6-7 weeks), six layer hens (9-13 weeks) and six studs guinea fowl were used to study and determine the anatomical features of the tongue of the guinea fowl. Papillae of the tongue were examined photos of the general anatomic structures were taken. Morphometry was calculated by statistical analysis. The tongue was triangular shaped, and consisted of apex, corpus, and radix sections. The papillae linguales caudales were on both sides of the corpus and radix linguae. Conical papillae were found to be sequentially V shaped at the radix. Thus, in this study, the anatomy and morphometric of the tongue of the guinea fowl tongue were examined in details and the similarities and differences between the tongue of the guinea fowl and the tongue of other poultry species were investigated.


Pultrusion processing is a technique to make highly aligned fiber reinforced polymer composites. Thermoset pultrusion is a mature process and well established, while thermoplastic pultrusion in still in its infancy. Thermoplastic pultrusion has not been well established because thermoplastic resins are difficult to process due to their high viscosity. However, thermoplastic resins offer distinct advantages that make thermoplastic pultrusion worth exploring. The present work centers on developing a method to design and validate a die for a thermoplastic pultrusion system. Analytical models and various software tools were used to design a pultrusion die. Experimental measurements have been made to validate the models. One-dimensional transient heat transfer analysis was used to calculate the time required for pre-impregnated EGlass/Polypropylene tapes to melt and consolidate into profiled shapes. Creo Element/Pro 1.0 was used to design the die, while ANSYS Work Bench 14.0 was used to conduct heat transfer analysis to understand the temperature profile of the pultrusion apparatus. Additionally Star-CCM+ was used to create a three-dimensional fluid flow model to capture the molten polymer flow inside the pultrusion die. The fluid model was used to understand the temperature of the flow and the force required to pull the material at any given temperature and line speed. A complete pultrusion apparatus including the


Self-control is consider as a constant variable in ala the researches related to criminality. Different studies on self-control have supported that people who commit crimes are not able to control their behaviour or inhibit their impulses. 1 consider, an intuitive approach to certain crimes would show delinquents have enough self-control on their behaviour. The real consequences of an statement or the other, would be vital in some fields as the judicial and psychological fields. In the judicial field, the fact that the person enjoys self-control would affect to his innocence or culpability, as well as the degree of the punishment established. In order to adjust the most suitable psychological treatment, this would be an essential factor to consider. This empirical research shows the need to differ between having an ability and the display of this potential ability, in this case self-control. Self-control is an ability which would be displayed only under certain circumstances, depending on the individual own priorities. We should also consider the age of the person as a relevant aspect which would lead to different interpretations of the results. This study is based on two different samples: One prisoner (N=249) and a non-prisoner sample (N- 157). The statistical analysis on self-control and values has reveal no differences in self-control between these two sample, but certain differences in values have been found. We logically conclude, based on the results, that our hypothesis has been confirmed


Expectations of a nuclear energy renaissance are particularly high in the United States, which hasn't had a new reactor order in 30 years. Government programs to jumpstart new reactor construction have contributed to the optimism, but these are not likely enough to spark more than a handful of reactors by 2015. Aggressive government support would be needed, including subsidies, a carbon pricing mechanism, and an acceptable waste management solution. This paper discusses the history, current status and prospects for US nuclear power under the Obama administration. Nuclear energy Futures Paper Letter from the Executive Director On behalf of The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), it is my pleasure to introduce the Nuclear Energy Futures Papers Series. CIGI is a non-partisan think tank that addresses international governance challenges and provides informed advice to decision makers on multilateral governance issues. CIGI supports research initiatives by recognized experts and promising academics; forms networks that link world-class minds across disciplines; informs and shapes dialogue among scholars, opinion leaders, key policy makers and the concerned public; and builds capacity by supporting excellence in policyrelated scholarship. CIGI's Nuclear Energy Futures Project is chaired by CIGI distinguished fellow Louise Fréchette and directed by CIGI Senior Fellow Trevor Findlay, Director of the Canadian Centre for Treaty Compliance at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa. The project is researching the scope of the purported nuclear energy revival around the globe over the coming two decades and its implications for nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation. A major report to be published in 2009 will advance recommendations for strengthening global governance in the nuclear field for consideration by Canada and the international community. This series of papers presents research commissioned by the project from experts in nuclear energy or nuclear global governance. The resulting research will be used as intellectual ballast for the project report. We encourage your analysis and commentary and welcome your thoughts. Please visit us online at www. cigionline.org to learn more about the Nuclear Energy Futures Project and CIGI's other research programs.


Background:Little data have been reported about the efficacy of mosapride,a gastrointestinal prokinetic agent,on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and esophageal dysmotility in Chinese Han patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD).Aims:To investigate the efficacy of mosapride on GERD patients with Han nationality.Methods:Twenty-three GERD patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were enrolled in this randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled cross-over study.By gastroesophageal reflux symptom assessment,esophageal manometry and 24-hour monitoring of esophageal pH and refluxed bilirubin,the effects of 1-week cross-over treatment with mosapride on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms,esophageal dynamics and gastroesophageal reflux events were evaluated in comparison with placebo.Results:Compared with placebo-treated patients,mosapride therapy decreased significantly the total score of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms,increased the conduction velocity of peristaltic wave in esophageal body and the achievement ratio of wet swallow,and decreased the total times of pH4 reflux events,times of long-term(≥5 min) reflux,percentage of total time with pH4 and DeMeester score,as well as percentage of total time with bile reflux(P all 0.05).Conclusions:One-week mosapride therapy markedly improves the gastroesophageal reflux symptoms,and partially ameliorates the esophageal dysmotility as well as acid and bile reflux in Chinese Han GERD patients in this study.Mosapride is a safe and effective drug for GERD.


Abstract: Therapeutic Potential of Nutraceuticals in The Prevention of Viral Disease. Viral infectious diseases are a major cause of morbidity worldwide with the potential to increase their spread, turning them into pandemics. Nutrition can play a major role in supporting the immune system and its optimal function. A healthy diet contained in nutraceuticals can play an important role in boosting the immune system and fighting various viral invasions. The aim of this journal is to provide comprehensive information on dietary-based scientific recommendations, evidence, and case studies around the world regarding viral infections, particularly in the current pandemic. The method used is a literature review. After reviewing the immune potential of nutraceuticals based on laboratory studies and human studies, it was concluded that bioactive compounds such as resveratrol, quercetin, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) with proven antiviral properties enhance the immune system. immune system thus plays an important role in treating various infections caused by viruses in addition to strengthening the immune system.Keywords: nutraceutical, immune system, viral infection


METAPHYSICAL DETECTIVE FICTION. The editors of a proposed collection of essays on the metaphysical detective story invite contributions examining the philosophical, hermeneutic, and metafictional aspects of detection in the works of such writers as Chesterton, Borges, Nabokov, Pynchon, O'Brien, Robbe-Grillet, Eco, Perec, and Auster. Of particular interest are essays that survey one author's metaphysical detective stories from the perspective of contemporary literary theory or that provide an innovative close reading of a single text. Send inquiries, abstracts, and essays, of 15-30 pages, to S. E. Sweeney, Dept. of English, Coll, of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA 01610.