The invention discloses a method for designing a multi-point impact horizontal type TBM cutter disc contraction scale test bed, and belongs to the technical field of tunneling of a full face rock tunnel boring machine. According to the method, pressure rollers in a synchronous loading disc bracket component are arranged on the circumference which has the same radius as that of a cutter disc tool, and by adjusting the arrangement positions and the number of the pressure rollers in the synchronous loading disc bracket component, the adjustment on the load frequency of a contraction scale cutter disc is achieved, the pressure of the synchronous loading disc in the synchronous loading disc bracket component is adjusted, and the adjustment on the torque load value of the contraction scale cutter disc is achieved. The test bed consists of a test bed bottom rack, a cutter disc driving rack, a motor, a coupling, a speed reducer, a main bearing, a cutter disc rack, a contraction scale cutter disc component, a synchronous loading disc component, a synchronous loading disc bracket component and a power loading component. The method is flexible and accurate. By adopting the test bed, the practical working process of a cutter disc can be really simulated, and study on the dynamic characteristics of the cutter disc is achieved.


In this paper we point to the difficulty of applying concepts of microeconomic theory (competition between products and firms) at the political level (competition between regions). To emphasize this difficulty we present a model of competition between two local governments in order to show complexity and non-predictability. We consider the interaction between local governments during the implementation of a reform on regional development through a discrete – time duopoly game where the players have homogeneous expectations. The existence and stability of equilibria of this system are studied. We show that a parameter of the system may change the stability of equilibrium and cause a structure to behave chaotically. For the low values of this parameter the game has a stable Nash equilibrium. Increasing these values, the Nash equilibrium becomes unstable, through period-doubling bifurcation. The complex dynamics, bifurcations and chaos are displayed by computing numerically Lyapunov numbers and sensitive dependence on initial conditions.


Team dynamics, regardless of task complexity, challenge organizations. Learning institutions are the ideal environment for team learning experiences, and serve as a practice forum for a student's professional career. The objective of this paper is to describe the settings and outcomes of the adoption of a structured methodology and software application to support team learning. The research reports preliminary results from using Team Learning Assistant (TLA), a web-based team assessment system developed by Boston University's Center for Team Learning to carry out team interactions in face-to-face and distance learning classrooms. The TLA system was used to help the students structure their team experiences, and assist with problem-solving skills while also providing instructors with access to a web-driven database for peer assessment data capture and analysis. The pilot study placed emphasis on understanding team learning dynamics and student responses to specific tasks, including assessing their peers' performance. Peer assessment outcomes in online and face-to-face courses are compared. The results show that, on average, students' perceptions of their peers' leadership and task performance are higher in the face-to-face classroom. This finding may help instructors to increase efforts to better address leadership issues in virtual teamwork management.


The Urushibara Ni (U-Ni) hydrogenation catalyst and some modified forms, and for comparison Raney-Ni, were subjected to conventional (oil bath) and MW heating, and subsequently characterized by electron dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), by BET surface area, and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); yields of the catalyzed hydrogenation of acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol in 2-propanol by one of the modified forms (U-Ni-B) were greatly improved (from 68% to 95%).


: The low velocity impact (LVI) response of a pure and glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (GFRP) with 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt.% of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was experimentally investigated. LS-DYNA simulation was used to model the impact test of pure and incorporated GFRP with 0.3 wt. % of SWCNT in order to compare experimental and numerical results of LVI tests. All tests were performed at two different levels of energy. At 30J energy, the specimen containing 0.5 wt. % SWCNT was completely destructed. The results showed that the incorporated GFRP with 0.3 wt. % SWCNT had the highest energy absorption and the back-face damage area of this sample was smaller than other specimens. TEM images from specimens were also analyzed and showed the incorporation of well-dispersed 0.1 and 0.3 wt. % of SWCNT, while in specimens containing 0.5 wt.% of CNT, tubes tended to be agglomerated causing a drop in the LVI response of the specimen. The contact time of the impactor in numerical and experimental results was approximately equal. However, as the conditions in numerical modeling are considered ideal, the maximum contact forces in LS DYNA simulation results were higher than the experimental results.


Objective To explore diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure in children by measuring brain natriurettic peptide(BNP) and cardiac troponin I(CTnI).Methods Forty-one children subjects with heart failure were chosen,and then they were divided into three stages,early stage of heart failure,stage of heart failure and stage of recovery according to the ROSS cardiac function score method.In contrast with the former group,41 healthy children were chosen as control group.BNP and CTnI levels of blood plasma were analyzed by radioimmunoassay(RIA) and chemiluminescent immunoassay(CLIA) respectively,the relationship between the BNP level of blood plasma and prognosis of CHF group was analyzed.Results At early stage of heart failure,BNP and CTnI levels began to rise.They amount to highest peaks at stage of heart failure and went down at stage of recovery.But they were still higher than those of control group(P0.01).The positive percentage of BNP(92.7%,90.2%) was markedly different from that of CTnI(63.4%,58.5%)(P0.01)at early stage of heart failure as well as stage of recovery.A striking difference exist in occurance rate of cardiac event on BNP which was continuously above 500 ng/L(66.7%),compared with BNP below 500 ng/L(21.4%).Conclusions BNP and CTnI levels of children with heart failure raise markedly,which reflects cardiac muscle cellular damage.BNP is better for diagnosis of heart failure at early stage than CTnI in terms of sensitivity and specificity,and is a significant indicator in chidhood heart failure diagnosis.BNP can be a significant reference for prognosis.


This paper analyzes the reason of group events in university,make some reference for improving our ideological and political education work methods and improving the efficiency of ideological and political education.


Abstract : NETWORTH is a computer program which calculates the detection and location capability of seismic networks. A modified version of NETWORTH has been developed. This program has been used to evaluate the effect of station 'downtime', the signal amplitude variance, and the station detection threshold upon network detection capability. In this version all parameters may be changed separately for individual stations. The capability of using signal amplitude corrections has been added. The function of amplitude corrections is to remove possible bias in the magnitude estimate due to inhomogeneous signal attenuation. These corrections may be applied to individual stations, individual epicenters, or individual station/epicenter combinations. An option has been added to calculate the effect of station 'downtime' upon network capability. This study indicates that, if capability loss due to detection errors can be minimized, then station detection threshold and station reliability will be the fundamental limits to network performance. A baseline network of thirteen stations has been performed. These stations are as follows: Alaskan Long Period Array, (ALPA); Ankara, (ANK); Chiang Mai, (CHG); Korean Seismic Research Station, (KSRS); Large Aperture Seismic Array, (LASA); Mashhad, (MSH); Mundaring, (MUN); Norwegian Seismic Array, (NORSAR); New Delhi, (NWDEL); Red Knife, Ontario, (RK-ON); Shillong, (SHL); Taipei, (TAP); and White Horse, Yukon, (WH-YK).


This system absorbs the experience of the old irrigation management system based on GIS, makes use of the MapX module of GIS on Visual C++.NET platform, and adopts C/S structure on mobile, which can carry out irrigation decision system and data sharing on the technique of MapX Mobile and GPS, so not only can this system collect environment data of the field on the server rapidly and accurately, and it can display the crop position information and attribution data on the map with the support of GIS technique, but also we can use the mobile to navigate in the Agricultural Demonstration Zone, and on the support of GPS data, manager and visitor can get all the crop data and the environment data at every time.


Following a two-region border effect model with consumption preference of local governments, this article examines the segmentation of the Chinese domestic market as well as its determinants. Through empirical tests, we find that the average border effect of domestic trade among provinces in China showed an upward trend from 1997–2002 and 2002–2010. The significant difference of border effects between western and eastern areas of China indicate more regional trade barriers in the western areas than in the eastern areas. In addition, compared to agricultural products, there are less trade barriers on industrial products. This partially verifies that there is more trade protection and self-consumption from local government on raw materials. Under the local governments' preference for regional protection, the higher degree of financial autonomy and larger output share of SOEs will both significantly contribute to the trade barriers among provinces. Local governments' behavior is the key to understanding the pattern of border effects among provinces.


Fertilizer application through the irrigation system, has become an important way to supply nutrients to fruit trees. However, it is necessary to study its effects on the banana tree physiology, in order to improve fertilizer use efficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate doses of nitrogen and potassium through irrigation water, on the physiological characteristics of the banana tree, cv. 'Prata-Ana', in the coastal tablelands of Sergipe State. The experiment was established in the field, using a 42 factorial with four randomized blocks, at the Sergipe Federal University Experimental Station. Two factors were tested: nitrogen (0; 250; 500 and 750, in kg ha-1 of N, as urea) and potassium (0; 290; 580 and 870, in kg ha-1 of K2O, as potassium chloride). Rate of net CO2 assimilation, transpiration, stomatal conductance, internal leaf CO2 concentration, water use efficiency and carboxylation efficiency were determined. The stomatal conductance was reduced in the fertilization with 700kg ha-1 of N and absence of K, affecting the gas exchanges and, consequently, the photosynthesis. In situations of higher potassium readiness, the banana trees need smaller amounts of nitrogen in order to maintain the efficiency in the water use, as consequence of the best stomatal adjustment.


In this paper we derive Bayes' estimators for the parameter and reliability function of the Rayleigh distribution. These estimators are obtained on the basis of squared error loss function and LINEX loss function. Comparisons in terms of risks of those under linex loss and squared error loss functions with Bayes estimators relative to squared error loss function have been made. Finally, numerical study is given to illustrate the results.


The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was intended to facilitate employment, job retention, and workplace promotion of individuals with disabilities by protecting them from job discrimination. However, ongoing questions have been raised about the efficacy of the legislation. This study uses population data from the Disability Supplement to the 1994 and 1995 National Health Interview Surveys to assess rates of work discrimination among adults with disabilities ages 18 and older. The analysis suggests that nearly a 10th of all adults with disabilities who were in the workforce during the 5-year period immediately following passage of the ADA experienced some form of job discrimination. People who reported job discrimination were more likely to be younger and poorer and to have more severe disabilities than those who did not report any discrimination. About a third of the respondents who experienced discrimination left the workforce permanently. The implications of these findings for rehabilitation practice are discussed.


The article explores how the future is imagined through disability activism. It highlights how UK Disabled People's Movement members, established and newcomers, envisage inclusive and accessible societies and what role disability activism has in realising such visions. To achieve this, conceptualisations of the future are mapped within a framework of three topias (places/worlds): utopia, retrotopia and heterotopia. These topian configurations provide a way to make sense of activist visions for progressing disabled people's emancipation. The article argues that the UK Disabled People's Movement currently produces two dominant conceptualisations of the future: a deterministic, radical overhaul of political and economic arrangements (utopia); and a return to 'purer' forms of disability activism produced by historical activists and their networks (retrotopia). Young disabled activists who do not align with such conceptualisations are denied opportunities to influence broad activist strategies and are, instead, relegated to opportunities that necessitate a youth perspective. Young disabled activist's conceptualisations of the future can be best understood as the production of counter sites, which generate activities, politics and discourses around notions of inclusion, social justice and accessibility (heterotopia). These produce possible and preferable alternatives to the current ordering of the social world – with disability activism becoming spaces that encourage creativity of new ideas, new practices and new options against existing norms and inaccessible worlds.


In mammals, the loss of vestibular hair cells appears to lead to limited proliferation of supporting cells in vivo.However, recent studies have indicated that active cell proliferation can be induced by brief exposure to forskolin in cultured utricles using the seat culture technique. The aim of this study was to examine whether such cell proliferation in vestibular epithelia could be induced using the standard organ culture. Utricles harvested from Wistar rats at 3 days of age were provided for organ culture. After brief incubation in a medium containing forskolin, utricles were maintained in medium containing fetal bovine serum and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for 72 hrs. Immunohistochemistry for BrdU demonstrated the localization of BrdU-positive cells in cultured utricles, but their number was apparently smaller than that in the study with seat culture reported previously. In addition, only 10% of comprehensive BrdU-positive cells were located within the sensory epithelium. Therefore, the cell proliferation activity in the vestibular epithelium using organ culture differed from that using seat culture, although mammalian vestibular epithelia have the potential for cell proliferation. Elucidating what causes the difference in cell proliferation between organ culture and seat culture will lead to establishment of a strategy for induction of activity cell proliferation in mammalian vestibular hair cells in vivo.


This study aims to determine the effect of exchange rate towards stock return mediated with variable inflation rates and interest rates. The study population is a company listed on the Index LQ45 period January 2015 – December 2019. This is quantitative study using purposive sampling technique and obtained sample a number of 28 companies with monthly period start from January 2015 until December 2019. The data source in this study are secondary data. The data analysis technique used is path analysis accompanied by a T test (partial) and Sobel test (mediation). Partial test results show that exchange rates and interest rates have a negative and significant effect on stock return, while inflation rates has a positive and insignificant effect on stock return. Sobel test results show that exchange rates has insignificant effect on stock return through variable inflation rates with no mediation, while exchange rates has significant effect on stock return through variable interest rates with partial mediation. The implication of this research is expected to be an addition to the parties concerned with this research problem.


In this reflective article, a case study, we draw upon scholarship on a critical friendship (Schuck & Russell, 2005; Silva, 2003) that grew in 2020 as we worked to assist one another in creating NWP writing programs for teachers and youth. At the heart of our professional collaboration was our desire to maintain and cultivate community engagement (Deans, Roswell, & Wurr, 2010; Preece, 2017), while advancing racial literacies in digital spaces (Price-Dennis & Sealey-Ruiz, 2021) and as we worked with a framework for instructional equity (Muhammad, 2020). Weekly meetings led us to using Padlet for 189 hours of professional development, 9 programs with 511 youth, and 7 courses with 320 students. Padlet became a location for curation, especially as we worked to promote diverse, inclusive children's and young adult texts as models for classroom teacher and student writers.


As of 2010 data centers use 1.5% of global electricity production and this is expected to keep growing [1]. There is a need for a near real-time power consumption modeling/monitoring system that could be used at scale within a Software Defined Data Center (SDDC). The power consumption models and information they provide can then be used to make better decisions for data center orchestration, e.g., whether to migrate virtual machines to reduce power consumption. We propose a scalable system that would 1) create initial power consumption models, as needed, for data center components, and 2) could be continually refined while the components are in use. The models will be used for the near real-time monitoring of power consumption, as well as predicting power consumption before and after potential orchestration decisions. The first step towards this goal of whole data center power modeling and prediction is to be able to predict the power consumption of one server effectively, based on high level utilization statistics from that server. In this paper we present a novel method for modeling whole system power consumption for a server, under varying random levels of CPU utilization, with a scalable random forest based model, that utilizes statistics available at the data center management level.


Cap and trade is controversial in part because of claims that it is unjust, an issue that was highlighted by recent litigation against California's proposed carbon market. This essay considers an array of fairness issues relating to cap and trade. In terms of fairness to industry, the conclusion is that distributing free allowances overcompensates firms for the cost of compliance, assuming any compensation is warranted. Industry should not receive, in effect, ownership of the atmosphere at the expense of the public. Environmental justice advocates argue that cap-and-trade systems promote hotspots and encourage dirtier, older plants to continue operating to the detriment of some communities. Designers of cap-and-trade systems should be alert to possible hotspots, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Little reason exists, however, to believe that any such hotspots are systematically linked with disadvantage. Finally, any regulation of emissions raises costs, with a disproportionate impact on low-income consumers. This effect can be greatly ameliorated through adroit use of revenue from auctions. The bottom line is that fairness issues are not a deal-breaker for cap and trade, but do deserve thoughtful consideration in designing a system.


The purpose of the work is to study the importance of the appropriate level of financing of the small business sector, as an integral component of the market economy, which provides solutions to a number of urgent needs of society, the determination of priority financial programs for their financing in conditions of military aggression. Methodology. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research is general scientific and special methods. Scientific knowledge: generalization, analogy, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction (for clarifying the conceptual apparatus, theoretical generalizations of research results, conclusions and proposals); an economic-statistical, tabular research method is used. Theoretical and methodological approaches to the development of farms and cooperatives are substantiated. The understanding of the essence of small business is revealed and the economic and legal aspects of the development of the agrarian sector of the economy are analyzed based on a combination of economic and financial interests, the need to adapt to changes in the business environment, production technologies, as well as in the needs of buyers, because they saturate the market with goods and services, diversify the labor market with new jobs, ensure economic competition – the basis of the functioning of the market mechanism. Results. The understanding of the essence of small business is revealed and the economic and legal aspects of the development of the agrarian sector of the economy are analyzed based on a combination of economic and financial interests, the need to adapt to changes in the business environment, production technologies, as well as in the needs of buyers, because they saturate the market with goods and services, diversify the labor market with new jobs, ensure economic competition – the basis of the functioning of the market mechanism. An analytical assessment of the types of financial security showed that the involvement of various types of financial resources will improve the opportunity to gain competitive positions in the market of various financial products. Practical consequences. According to the results of the research, the priority directions for improvement were determined. An important component and leading direction of the credit policy in agriculture should be the creation of a preferential lending mechanism for agricultural producers. We also need a guarantee from the state in the provision by banks of interest-free and deferred payment targeted loans for the modernization and expansion of the material and technical base of agricultural production, the introduction of new technologies, the creation of enterprises for processing and sale of products in conditions of military aggression.


We used quartz sand, cinder residue, steel furnace slag as filtering media according to proper proportion compound with organic matter and soil for sewage treatment for a period of over one year. The results of operation showed that the removal rates of COD, BOD5, and TP were 71%~88%, 80%~89%, and 70%~85%, respectively by cinder residue for treating septic tank effluent. The removal rates of COD and BOD5 by steel furnace slag were 47%~57%and 70%~77%, but the removal rate of total phosphorus was high up to 83%~90%. Although the removal rates of COD, BOD5 and TP were 36%~49%, 65%~75%and 40%~55%, respectively by quartz sand, the hydraulic conductivity and hydraulic loading rate was the highest among the three substrates.


This article aims at analysing humour as used by Julian Barnes in some of his works on France and Great Britain or, to be more precise, England. According to him, these two cultures stand for opposite qualities, thus engaging in a fictional combat coloured by the author's unambiguous francophilia. Indeed, his own culture is often presented through mockery and bitter sarcasm whilst Barnes does not conceal his passion for an idealised image of France which is never described tongue in cheek. Unfortunately, Barnes' translated works in French often fail to preserve his unique sense of humour, undoubtedly one of the best in contemporary English fiction.


The first section of this essay will be dedicated to the explanation of consumption smoothing within the strict context of key intertemporal models, in particular Life Cycle Hypothesis and the Permanent Income Hypothesis, with short reference to the Irving Fisher model (1930) from which both are derived. The second section shall assess the plausibility of consumption smoothing under binding borrowing constraints, with the express conclusion that not only is smoothing viable, but it also frequently observable within much empirical research. Whilst it may not always be accurately represented by prevailing Permanent Income and Life Cycle models, and is not necessarily intertemporal in nature, consumption smoothing can still be recognized even when credit constraints are at their tightest. Consumption smoothing is the preference of individuals to tread a relatively stable path of consumption over the course of their lifetimes, even if they experience volatile changes in their incomes. Today, the prevalence of some consumption smoothing in individual behaviour is very widely accepted, but prior to developed theories of intertemporal choice, it was generally assumed that consumption could be simply understood as a function of present disposable income (Y), and that marginal propensity to consume is a fixed variable between 0 and 1 for a given consumer:


Method of adjusting the speed of an electric actuator for moving a closure, blackout or solar protection element of a motorized home-automation apparatus, the electric actuator comprising a means for regulating the speed of the actuator by a speed setpoint, characterized in that it comprises a step of adjusting the speed setpoint within a limited speed range in the vicinity of a predetermined target value.


Ambiguous figures are visual stimuli which are interpreted multiply by the human visual system.

This paper proposes a model which disambiguates ambiguous figures. The model that was formulated was based on the characteristics of visual information processing, accompanied by selective attention.

In the ambiguous figure "my husband and my father-in-law," it was necessary to simulate visual information processing so that attention was directed to the multiple features in the figure to disambiguate the ambiguous figure.

Pictures obtained from the model were examined as to whether or not they were interpreted unambiguously. Results show that the model simulating selective attention can disambiguate the ambiguous figures. This suggests that the image per se, viewed through selective attention, becomes unambiguous before the figure is interpreted at the higher level. The results show also that the computer simulation of selective attention would make it possible to examine factors affecting the initial interpretation of the figure.


5 × 2 cross-validated F-test based on independent five replications of 2-fold cross-validation is recommended in choosing between two classification learning algorithms. However, the reusing of the same data in a 5 × 2 cross-validation causes the real degree of freedom (DOF) of the test to be lower than the F(10, 5) distribution given by (Neural Comput 11:1885–1892, [1]). This easily leads the test to suffer from high type I and type II errors. Random partitions for 5 × 2 cross-validation result in difficulty in analyzing the DOF for the test. In particular, Wang et al. (Neural Comput 26(1):208–235, [2]) proposed a new blocked 3 × 2 cross-validation, that considered the correlation between any two 2-fold cross-validations. Based on this, a calibrated balanced 5×2 cross-validated F-test following F(7, 5) distribution is put forward in this study by calibrating the DOF for the F(10, 5) distribution. Simulated and real data studies demonstrate that the calibrated balanced 5 × 2 cross-validated F-test has lower type I and type II errors than the 5×2 cross-validated F-test following F(10, 5) in most cases.


"ABSTRACT. Pandemic situation has changed the way we work, learn and shop. Digital finance has helped individuals and companies to meet challenges. The forecasts for the impact of COVID 19 on the world economy are pessimistic. The latest revision of the International Monetary Fund shows a deeper recession than the initial estimates for 2020 and a slower recovery in 2021. Some industries were completely blocked, others were significantly declining. The impact of the restrictions imposed by the epidemiological situation were negative in industries like the automotive industry, airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, restaurants, entertainment and construction. There were also industries whose activity had an increase due to the pandemic like courier, transport and health services. The need to maintain social distance has pushed forward digital solutions for payments and banking services. People have been taken out of their comfort zone when it comes to managing personal finances. The discrepancies between poor and rich countries became more evident during this pandemic. Lack of activity, limited opportunities to spend money and uncertainty have increased saving behavior. According to Eurostat, the saving rate of households in the euro area increased by 16.6% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the first, but the investment rate decreased by one percent.
Speaking of the crisis in general and the financial crisis in particular, it has been shown that it has significantly changed the financial behavior of individuals. This paper aims to analyze how financial education led to different financial behavior during the crisis and the exclusions circumstances that may occur.

Keywords: Covid-19, financial education, personal finances.

JEL classification: I15, A29, D14.
"


A new numerical algorithm for computing the coefficients of Taylor series expansion has been developed. As the result of error analysis, thirteen significant digits can be obtained by double precision (16 digits) computation, which was also verified by numerical experiment. Applications to Computation of residue, z-transform, Laplace tranform, and Taylor expansion of inverse functions are described. Also, errors in the volume, Mathematical Formulas by Iwanami Co., are found through computations.


Instructions are given for constructing a pipet or buret jar and automatic washer using readily available materials from a plumbing supply store.


Copolymerization of N-methacryloyloxyphthalimide (NMP) with methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and acrylonitrile (AN) was carried out in dimethylformamide using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator at 60°C. The estimation of the copolymer compositions were carried by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The monomer reactivity ratios for NMP-MA, NMP-MMA, and NMP-AN systems were found to be r1 = 1.223, r2 = 0.208, r1 = 1.441, r2 = 0.704, r1 = 1.496 and r2 = 0.228, respectively, by Kelen–Tudős method. Also, the Q and e values for NMP monomer was found to be Q = 0.90 and e = 0.01, respectively.


Objective To observe the complementary effect of Radiotherapy Zengxiao Fomular of traditional chinese medicine combining with radiotherapy in esophagus cancer patients. Methods Forty-two case in Radiotherapy Zengxiao Fomular group received Radiotherapy Zengxiao Fomular that persistently used throughout the 3 d-CRT. Thirty-five cases in control group received radiotherapy only. All cases had examination on curative effect,side effects,Kanofsky score before and after treatment. Results Radiotherapy Zengxiao Fomular group were natablely better than the control group at Kanofsky score,side effects such as white blood cell decrease,digestive reaction and skin function. Conclusion Radiotherapy Zengxiao Fomular can improve quality of life in esophagus cancer patients with radiotherapy,lessens side effects. It is an ideal assistant medication in esophagus cancer radiotherapy.


an adaptation of that experience in a situation that is more formally structured and organized. The author touches on all the essentials of preparing a speech-purpose, organization, knowledge of topic, good enunciation, and use of video aids. He supplies an interesting checklist for evaluating a speech and a formula for organizing a speech. The book has an intriguing cover and nineteen cartoons by Margaret G. Violette of the Virginia Commission on the Arts and Humanities.


Staurosporine(STS),an inhibitor of protein kinase C,exhibits strong anti-tumor activity.The STS production by Streptomyces sp.SCSIO1667 isolated from the sediment of South China Sea was optimized in this study.The results showed that the optimal fermentation temperature and time for STS production were 30°C and 60h,respectively.The optimal carbon and nitrogen sources were cassava starch and yeast powder,respectively.Cassava starch and sea salt were the most important components in culture medium.After being optimized by steepest ascent method and response surface analysis,the maximum theoretical STS titer was(50.53±0.52)μg/ml when 48.64g/L cassava starch and 1.13g/L sea salt were added,while the measured STS titer in shaking flask test was(50.89±0.24)μg/ml,which was 2.67 times higher than that before optimization.


The fruits of the vegetal species Hymenaea courbaril L. were surveyed. This is a species known in the Bolivian Amazonian region under the common name of "paquio". The fruits were collected at Ixiamas village and their surroundings in the province Abel Iturralde, Alto Beni, and at Mapiri village, department of La Paz. In the investigation of the eatable part of the fruit, a bromatological preliminary study was carried out. The macro and micro nutrients were determined, as well as the taste of the handmade elaborated products. A preliminary phytochemical study an the antioxidant capacity was also performed in fruits. Corresponding author: RESUMEN


Sporting events can be important stimulators of the cities that host them. The aim of this chapter is to find the relationship established between the residents' perception of the negative impacts associated with the holding of three sporting events in the same city and the degree of satisfaction with their hosting them. A total of 567 subjects in Valencia (Spain) were interviewed. A questionnaire composed of nine items about possible negative impacts and an indicator of overall satisfaction with the celebration of the event was used for this work. The results showed that the residents' perception of the possible waste of taxpayers' money associated with the construction of event facilities showed a significant prediction in explaining the degree of satisfaction with the holding of sporting events.


Rectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in China, which is mainly middle and low rectal cancer. Due to the particularity of the physiological and anatomical location of the rectum and the neglect of the relevant clinical symptoms, patients with rectal cancer in real life often have the local progression stage. A large number of studies have shown that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy should be performed in such patients, to achieve tumor downstaging before rectal cancer surgery. In this study, different treatment measures for rectal cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy are presented.


Endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits is a well-understood process; however, clathrin also assembles into large, flat clathrin lattices (FCLs), which remain poorly described. Quantitative electron, superresolution, and live-cell microscopy reveal that FCLs provide stable platforms for the recruitment of endocytic cargo.


The paper establishes the index system which evaluates the innovation capabilities of agricultural science and technology of China based on the characteristics of China's agricultural research system.And it employs the factor analysis method to do the empirical analysis about the innovation capabilities of agricultural science and technology of all provinces(districts/municipanities) of China in 2007 and ranked the results,which provides the scientific reference for the policymakers.


An improved crystallization kinetic parameter k(T_(p)~0) is introduced as a stability criterion, which has a clear physical meaning as k(T_(p)). k(T_p~0) , which reflects the relationship between characteristic temperature and stability of the glass but is free from heating-up speed. 20GaF_(3)·15InF_(3)·20CdF_(2)·15ZnF_(2)·(30-x)PbF_(2)·xSnF_(2)glass was prepared, where x=5, 10, 15 and 25. The prepared glass was studied by differential scanning calorimeter at different heating-up speed. The stability of glass was evaluated by k(T_p~0) criterion, which is obtained from modified JohnsonMehlAvrami equation. The results indicate that the glass has a better stability when x=10, which is agreed with the experiment.


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composition for an active energy ray curing paint having low curing contraction rate when an active energy ray is irradiated, capable of affording a cured coating film of high hardness, and generating no crack. SOLUTION: This composition for an active energy ray curing paint contains as an essential component a urethane acrylate resin comprising a polyol containing a condensed multi-ring structure, a polyisocyanate, and a compound containing a hydroxyl group and a (meth)acryloyl group.


A rainwater-collecting irrigation system based on solar energy is composed of a rainwater collecting tank, a rainwater collecting box, a water supply box, an irrigation pipeline and a water pump, wherein the rainwater collecting tank is communicated with the rainwater collecting box, the pumping port of the water pump is communicated with the rainwater collecting box, the water outlet of the water pump is communicated with the water supply tank, a water delivery pipe is communicated with the top of the rainwater collecting box, and the main pipeline of an irrigation pipeline is communicated with the bottom of the water collecting tank. The utility model is characterized in that a solar power supply device and a biogas liquid reaction device are also included; the solar power supply device comprises a solar panel and a control switch; the biogas liquid reaction device comprises a reaction cylinder and a heating rod; a feed port is formed on the reaction cylinder; the solar panel is electrically connected with the control switch; the control switch is respectively and electrically connected with the water pump and the heating rod; and the reaction cylinder is connected with the water inlet of the water pump.


Model systems, consisting of solutions of 2% gelatin, 2% gelatin and 6% glucose, and 9% skimmilk were inoculated with cultures of Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Alcaligenes faecalis, Arthrobacter globiformis and Microbacterium lacticum. Viable counts of rehydrated freeze-dehydrated samples usually were highest in skimmilk. Reductions in viable count after rehydration with peptone or tryptone solutions were somewhat smaller than with distilled water. In general, the number of survivors was highest when rehydration was at 25 C with a volume of medium equal to that removed during freeze-dehydration. Rate of rehydration had a marked effect on the number of surviving bacteria. Highest numbers were found when rehydrated at a rate of 10−1 mg/sec/mg dry material.


Aerospace, robotics, health care, transportation, and military are just a few areas in which Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are ubiquitous. They are becoming an indispensable part of our lives, and companies no longer have the luxury of time to spend a year testing them. For instance, right now, in the era of "groundbreaking first," companies endeavor to create a drone delivery system. In May 2019, the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore delivered a kidney to a patient using an unmanned drone. And, in June 2019, CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer announced that they plan to deliver packages via drones within months. On the other hand, failures in these systems are often catastrophic financially and in terms of human life. In October 2018 and March 2019, two Boeing 737 MAX crashed and killed all 346 people on board. In both accidents, automated commands issued by a new system pushed the airplane nose down in response to erroneous sensor data. In the first quarter of 2018, more than 208 million medical devices were recalled, which is the highest number since 2005. Experts believe that software problems account for 23% of them. In March 2018, a software bug in one of Uber's self-driving cars caused the death of a pedestrian. It is more critically important than ever to be able to verify these systems automatically.


We introduce a general method for evaluating and comparing the expected performance of sensing systems for interactive computer graphics. Example applications include head tracking systems for virtual environments, motion capture systems for movies, and even multi-camera 3D vision systems for image-based visual hulls.Our approach is to estimate the asymptotic position and/or orientation uncertainty at many points throughout the desired working volume, and to visualize the results graphically. This global performance estimation can provide both a quantitative assessment of the expected performance, and intuition about the type and arrangement of sources and sensors, in the context of the desired working volume and expected scene dynamics.


Twospotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae K., are pests of maize, Zea mays L., in some areas of the USA. Two laboratory and three field experiments were conducted in 1986 to determine the resistance-susceptibility of maize genotypes to an artificial infestation by the twospotted spider mite


Security on the Internet is essential to ensure the privacy of an individual. Today, Trans- port Layer Security (TLS) and certificates are used to ensure this. But certificates are not enough in or ...


The study aims to explain the determinants of banks' choices of location of overseas activities and of market-entry mode (subsidiary, branch and representative office). Location of overseas activities and market-entry mode are considered as simultaneously determined. The determinants are based on the factors associated with the characteristics of the parent bank and host country. A 3SLS model is used to estimate these determinants. Based on sample of 63 banks from 18 countries in 2004, the results show that foreign location and market-entry mode are governed by the characteristics of both the host country and the parent bank. Our results also provide some answers about the impact of entry mode on location choice, and vice versa.


As a noteworthy biometric technology, offline palmprint identification plays a very important role in the application of social security. Given a palmprint scanned by a digital instrument, offline palmprint identification needs to perform robust feature matching because of the rotation and distortion existed in input. In our paper we design and implement aminutiae-based offline palmprint identification system, which can realize the unrestricted matching between the complete palmprint and misshapen palmprint, therefore being able to identify of the owner of the palmprint. The paper presents the location, image enhancement, thinning, minutia feature extraction and feature matching in detail. The system framework and processing approach can overcome various issues caused by the limitation of condition in palmprint acquisition and achieve stable results. The experiment based on the true date test proves the effictiveness and efficiency of the work in this article.


Given that the Board of infusion was defined previously by HUSJ as minor procedures clinic, not to exist in Resolution 1043 of 2006, standards for that room, it was necessary accompaniment to the Department of Audit and Quality of Hospital and coordination of the Board of infusion to establish minimum requirements for authorization according to the services offered.
When performing the verification of the resolution 1043 of 2006 found that although the Board does not meet all standards will be called Infusion Room Enabling standards chemotherapy room and room for minor procedures showed higher affinity for these services.


markdownabstract__Abstract__

With many brand alliances failing to add value, understanding
the factors that make for a strong pairing becomes essential.
Appropriately, harnessing techniques similar to those used by
dating sites to determine whether people will make a good match
has helped reveal the answers.


This paper analyses the work A ausência que seremos, by the Colombian Héctor Abad Faciolince and published in Brazil in 2006. The book tells the story of the author's father, the public health physician Héctor Abad Gómez, activist social causes and human rights, killed by paramilitaries in the 80s. Our objective is to perceive the ways in which the events of the social and political life of the doctor have an impact on the domestic sphere; realize how historical violence is impregnated in family history; and how a single fact has two receptions: the one of the society and the one of the family. For that, in addition to the literary text, we will study the relation between biography, autobiography and fiction; and the connections between the public and the private in literature.


ABSTRACT Within the last decade, Federal and state legislation has been enacted requiring notification be sent to local and county jurisdictions where high-risk sex offenders will be living upon release from prison. Police and sheriffs departments, in turn, have been given primary responsibility for notifying community residents that convicted sex offenders will be residing in their midst. One method adopted by law enforcement in dealing with this difficult task has been the interagency team approach. Police, corrections, district attorneys, and victim-witness representatives collaborate in ways that benefit the notification decision making process. This case study reports the findings from a statewide survey of 312 Wisconsin police chiefs and sheriffs, who often used interagency "notification teams." Results indicate that decisions regarding community notification and sex offender surveillance, when arrived at through interagency collaboration, served important law enforcement objectives. These results were validated through systematic observation of law enforcement practitioners who conducted notifications, particularly through the mode of community notification meetings. This research summarizes key findings and examines their policy implications.


We apply the parametric model to fit the surface abundances of three lead-rich stars (HD187861, HD196944 and HD224959) without adopting any specific stellar model. It shows that the calculated result can fit the observed data well whether the reaction branchings are taken into account or not. Besides, by the comparison of the model parameters of the three lead-rich stars with, those of two very metal-poor stars (LP625-44 and LP706-7), we find out that the average neutron exposure of the former is larger than that of the latter, but the dredge-up extent is smaller. We come to the conclusion that the parametric model is significant of constraints on the stellar model, though it is very simple.


Combining with the feature of the nation-invested project and the practice of engineering management, discusses the management model of the current project invested by the nation, especially analyses deeply the project agency, weighes its advantages and disadvantages, researches the policy and system preparation before popularizing the project agency.


This chapter focuses mainly on classical texts to describe women's lives. The description of women at home makes it clear that as long as they receive maintenance wives are expected to stay home at all times. They should go out only with the permission of their husbands and if they go out without it they are guilty of nushūz. An ʿawra is the term used to refer to the parts of the bodies of both men and women that modest dress is expected to cover in public. In the classical period, the Ḥanafīs continue to have the most inclusive or possibly lenient view of women's witnessing. For all other cases such as those concerning marriage, divorce, agency or bequests, regardless of whether property is involved, two women equal one man.Keywords: ʿawra; divorce; marriage; nushūz; women's lives


A composition comprising a polymer with a viscosity polylactide ENHANCED extensional and methods to produce it. Polylactide polymer composition PREPARES PROVIDING IN THE SAME polylactide polymer molecules which have been modified, ON LINEAR substituted polylactide, TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED INTERACTION BETWEEN MOLECULAR backbones polylactide in the composition. Polylactide polymer composition PREFERIDA HAS A MEDIUM MOLECULAR WEIGHT at least about 10,000 (preferably at least 50000) and a polydispersity of at least about 2.5. IN ADDITION, polylactide polymer composition should have a NECK-IN INDEX less than about 0.8.


In this paper an approximate expression for the solution of the problem for constant and varied magnetization has been derived. The stabilized algorithm of the solution has been discussed. Measures to improve the accuracy of the solution have been given. These programs have faster computing speed, higher accuracy, stronger immunity to high frequency disturbance and less limiting conditions. Inversion results of theoretical model and practical data have proved the reliability of the method.Firstly, the approximate expression of the solution is derived. We discuss the solution to start with the following formulawhere, Zxy is the field of the single magnetic boundary for varied magnetization, h is the average depth of the single magnetic boundary, Δh is the varied value of the depth on the level of the mean depth. We assume the following condition:Hence, formula (1) can be transformed into the following formwhere, * is the marke of the convolution intergral, Khxy corresponds to the geometrical factor of the magnetic dipole, Mhxy is the magnetic moment of the dipole. We make two-dimensional Fourier transform on formula (2), The following formulae can be obtained where,Zmn、Khmn、Mhmn are the Fourier cofficients of the Zxy、Khxy、Mhxy. Formulae (5) is the approximate expression for the solution of the problem.Secondly, according to the stabilized algorithm (A. N.Tikhonov, V. Y. Arsenin, solutions of ill-posed problems), we adopt a concrete filter factor fαmn=1/{1+α·eβ(f-f0)λx} that can be used to remove the high frequency disturbances in the singnal.Finally, we provide an inversion result of the depth for the crystalline basement in Beij-ing-Tianjin area with the aeromagnetic data.


The development of high-end equipment manufacturing industry is the embodiment of China's comprehensive national strength, and the development of high-end equipment manufacturing industry is inseparable from the improvement of the level of innovation. Through the construction of reasonable innovation input-output index system, based on the Malmquist index method, this paper makes a comprehensive evaluation of the change trend of the innovation efficiency of 22 high-end equipment manufacturing companies from 2012 to 2015, and decomposes the technological progress and technological efficiency change. Results show that: (1) There is a serious phenomenon of redundancy in the entrepreneurial activities of high-end equipment manufacturing enterprises. (2) From 2012 to 2015 years, the overall innovation efficiency of China's high-end equipment manufacturing enterprises are in the promotion, but the index of technological progress is on the decline, and the technical efficiency change index of ascension is the main reason for the current innovation to improve the efficiency of our country.


Gallium antimonide (GaSb) is considered an ideal substrate for heterostructure growth via molecular beam epitaxy. A significant aspect that inhibits the widespread application of infrared plane-array detector growth on GaSb is the starting substrate surface quality. In this study, the chemical mechanical polishing of GaSb wafers is investigated by considering the effects of the polishing pad, polishing solution, polishing time and pH buffer on their surface morphology and roughness. The surface morphology and root mean square (RMS) roughness of the free-standing wafers are characterized using a white light interferometer, a laser interferometer and an atomic force microscope. X-ray tomography is employed to measure the surface crystalline quality and strain defects of the samples subjected to the polishing treatments. The results show that with the optimum polishing condition, the polished GaSb wafers demonstrate high-quality surfaces without haze, scratches or strain defect regions. The peak to valley value is 5.0 μm and the RMS roughness can be controlled at less than 0.13 nm. A buffer layer grown on the GaSb surface with molecular beam epitaxy is examined via atomic force microscopy and high-resolution X-ray diffraction, which show a low RMS roughness of 0.159 nm, a well-controlled two-dimensional growth mode and a full width half maximum of the Bragg diffraction peak of 14.2", indicating high-quality GaSb wafers. Thus, this work provides useful guidelines for achieving GaSb wafers with high-quality surfaces that show significant promise for substrate applications.


This paper examines the impact of climate change on China's grain production and food security. The research is one of the four studies on future conditions of China's food production system under the influence of climate change using numerical simulation methods, carried out under a national 973 project entitled "impacts of climate change on food systems in China and its adaptation". The other three studies focus on changes in cultivated land area and food production, while this study incorporates their grain yield results into a general equilibrium model to simulate future conditions of the grain market. Our simulation analysis arrives at the impact of climate change by comparing such economic variables as grain production, consumption, and GDP growth rate between a baseline scenario and two climate change scenarios. Our results are summarized as follows: (1) In 2050, the total grain production will reach 689.683 million tons—584.264 million tons of total grain consumption and 42.808 million tons of exports. Without considering losses and inventory demand, in 2050 China's grain supply and demand will remain well balanced, with a slight surplus expected. (2) Climate change is expected to benefit China's macro economy and individual sectors. In comparison with the baseline scenario of no climate change, real wage, real


The multi-speed sensor fusion estimation and the problem of fault diagnosis was studied in this paper aimed at the multi-sensor dynamic system with random sampling speed, which present the single sampling speed multi-sensor data fusion estimation algorithm, the multi-speed multi-sensor synchronous and asynchronous fusion estimation algorithm, and the fault diagnosis method based on the multi-sensor data fusion parameter estimation. At last, the applied example and computer simulation proved its validity.


Variable skin flaps are used in reconstruction of defects following surgical resection of larynx cancers. Skin taken from distant sites often contains hair-bearing skin, which can create a problem following reconstruction. In particular, patients with hairy laryngeal flaps often complain of irritation, voice change, and trapping of food. We report on the removal of hair from skin flap of the larynx using a diode laser.


In recent years, experimental philosophers have questioned the reliance of philosophical arguments on intuitions elicited by thought experiments. These challenges seek to undermine the use of this methodology for a particular domain of theorizing, and in some cases to raise doubts about the viability of philosophical work in the domain in question. The topic of semantic reference has been an important area for discussion of these issues, one in which critics of the reliance on intuitions have made particularly strong claims about the prospects for philosophical theories of reference and arguments based on claims about reference. In this article, I review the main lines of argument in this area of experimental philosophy, with particular emphasis on the relevance of empirical data about intuitions to philosophical views. I argue that although traditional philosophical theorizing about reference faces little threat from experimental data about intuitions, there is nevertheless much to be gained from collecting and analyzing such data, which holds the promise of greatly enriching our conception of the mechanisms governing judgments about semantic reference in ways that are highly relevant to philosophers.


Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased dramatically since the beginning of industrial revolution due to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and land-use change. Because of the increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases and their greenhouse effect, a recent IPCC report has predicted that a much warmer climate is coming. Carbon dioxide is one of the most concerned greenhouse gases in the study of global climate change. Because soil respiration is a major process that controls and influences atmospheric CO_2 concentration, response of soil respiration to temperature changes has become a focal point in studies of the global carbon cycle. In addition to temperature soil moisture is another important factor that affects soil respiration. While many studies have shown that temperature exerts a major control on soil respiration, the relationship between temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (often expressed as Q _(10)) and soil moisture conditions is rarely investigated. Using the alkali absorption technique, we measured soil CO_2 efflux in 11 temperate steppe communities in Xilin River basin, Inner Mongolia. We calculated the Q _(10) values of soil respiration in the 11 communities, and then analyzed the sensitivity of Q _(10) to soil moisture content (0~20cm). Among the 11 communities, Q _(10) values varied from 1.47 to 1.84, with a mean value of 1.65 and a coefficient of variation of 6.94%. Using the Spearman's Rank-Order correlation method, we also analyze the relationship between Q _(10) values and soil moisture content, and found that Q _(10) values were positively correlated to average surface soil moisture ( R =0.64545, p =0.032), indicating that soil moisture significantly affected soil respiration. Our results showed that the spring wheat field had the greatest Q _(10) value (1.84), followed by the wet mixed grasses ( Q _(10)=1.78). Whereas, the Artemisia frigida -Potentilla acaulis community, had the lowest Q _(10) value (1.47). In the typical temperate steppe, soil temperature tends to have greater impact on soil respiration in wetter habitats than in drier habitats. This also implies that any significant change in the spatio-temporal pattern of soil moisture can have significant effects on soil respiration in the temperate steppe of China, and, therefore, the effect of soil moisture should be taken into account when soil CO_2 efflux is to be modeled on a larger spatial and temporal scale.


A research area of great promise is the cancer treatment by regulating microenvironmental parameters of tumor cells using MgO and AlOOH. Magnesium hydroxide and aluminum oxyhydroxide (boehmite) are in the form of nanoplates and nanosheets. The morphology, structure, phases and electrokinetic properties of synthesized samples are analyzed using complex physical and chemical methods. We study how the pH of the culture medium—different when in contact with synthesized nanoplates—affects the viability of tumor cells. It is shown that MgO is more efficient in decreasing the tumor cell viability than AlOOH. In the case of magnesium hydroxide, the pH of the culture medium increases to 10.1; in the case of boehmite, to 7.7.


Apicomplexan parasites are a group of intracellular pathogens of great medical and veterinary importance, including Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium, which cause toxoplasmosis and malaria, respectively. Efficient and accurate manipulation of their genomes is essential to dissect their complex biology and to design new interventions. Over the past several decades, scientists have continually optimized the methods for genetic engineering in these organisms, and tremendous progress has been made. Here, we review the genetic manipulation tools currently used in several apicomplexan parasites, and discuss their advantages and limitations. The widely used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique has been adapted in several apicomplexans and shown promising efficiency. In contrast, conditional gene regulation is available in only a limited number of organisms, mainly Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, thus posing a research bottleneck for other parasites. Conditional gene regulation can be achieved with tools that regulate gene expression at the DNA, RNA or protein level. However, a universal tool to address all needs of conditional gene manipulation remains lacking. Understanding the scope of application is key to selecting the proper method for gene manipulation.


The three-stage Clos-network switch architecture has attractive scalability features that makes it appealing as an alternative for scalable switches. However, scheduling packets in a Clos-network switch is complex. This complexity can be simplified by adding buffers to the first and third stages. By adding these buffers, the scheme used for dispatching packets from the first stage of the switch becomes important. Several dispatching schemes for Clos-network, without internal expansion, that deliver high throughput under uniform traffic model have been proposed. However, there is a need of dispatching schemes that provide high throughput under several admissible traffic patterns, including those with nonuniform distributions, with a small number of matching iterations and without internal expansion. In this paper, we propose two frame-occupancy based dispatching schemes to increase throughput performance in Clos-network switches without using internal expansion. We show that frame-occupancy based schemes deliver high throughput under uniform and nonuniform traffic patterns.


Colorectal surgery presents a series of unique challengesfor both the patient and the surgeon. The desire to havebetter patient-related outcomes has led to renewedinterest in a wide range of conditions, but in particularwhat was once the 'Cinderella' conditions of benigndiseases such as incisional hernia, proctology and pelvicfloor disorders. This interest has been stimulated by arange of both new technologies and surgical techniquesthat offer the realistic prospect of good long termoutcomes with low complication rates. This has led toan explosion of research in fields that were onceneglected, but the changes are more evolutionary ratherthan revolutionary. One of the technologies that con-tributed to this change is the development over the past15 years of biologic meshes. In this supplement toColorectal Disease we have collated a series of paperswritten by experts in their field from around Europe onthe use of biologic meshes in a range of colorectalconditions in order to provide an up to date synopsis ofthe evidence for their use.The underlying science of these biologic meshes isoften unclear to many colorectal surgeons. Smart et al.[1] provide a succinct overview of the current biologicmeshes available on the market and critically examine theevidence relating to the impact of tissue source, manu-facturing processes and supplemental cross-linking on invitro and in vivo performance. This understanding of thebasic science behind biologic mesh technology is criticalto appreciating how such meshes perform in clinicalsettings such as incisional hernia repair. The need forcomplex abdominal wall reconstruction often arises fromcomplications of colorectal surgery and as such manycolorectal surgeons have chosen to undertake thisdemanding surgery as part of their remit. Godden et al.[2] review the evidence for the role of a number ofbiologic meshes in this challenging condition.The optimal method for perineal reconstructionfollowing extralevator abdominoperineal excision (elA-PE) remains unknown with advocates for both tissue-based flaps and biologic mesh reconstruction. Marshallet al. [3] provide a synopsis of the current evidence forbiologic mesh reconstruction in an area where manysurgeons feel that synthetic meshes are contraindi-cated. Similar reservations about synthetic mesh place-ment in the pelvis have led to the use of biologic meshesfor the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and Ahmadet al. [4] review the performance of biologic meshes inrange of disorders from rectal prolapse to cystocelerepair.Until recently, the treatments for fistula-in-ano werelargely confined to those in use since antiquity, such asfistulotomy and Seton suture. The past decade has seenan interest in attempting to plug the fistula track with avariety of substances in order to promote healing. Thisapproach has met with variable success and randomisedcontrolled trials in the field remain on-going. Sileri et al.[5] review a novel approach to fistula-in-ano treatment byinjection of a liquid form of biologic mesh that may yetenable us to advance significantly from the work of Johnof Arderne [6]. Faecal incontinence is acknowledged tobe a most distressing condition and real advances havebeen made in the treatment with the most severe form ofthe condition. Treatment options for those with moremild symptoms have been expanded over the past decadeby intra-anal injections, although debate has lingeredconcerning the most appropriate agent to use and theexact site of inject. Watson et al. [7] review theirexperience of using an injectable form of biologic materialinto the anal canal. This technique adds to the colorectalsurgeon's armamentarium for those not yet suitable formore invasive surgical treatments.The role of biologic materials in colorectal surgerylooks set to expand. Research continues in order to clarifythe roles and indications for use of biologic meshes.Hu¨bner et al. [8] gaze into their crystal ball and speculateon some future developments in this exciting facet ofcolorectal surgery. Changes in materials science will nodoubt also advance over the next decade and indicationsmay expand even further. As the evidence accumulates,colorectal surgeons will be able to offer their patients anexpanding range of treatments with outcomes that willhopefully satisfy all parties.We thank the authors of the submitted papers for thissupplement and Covidien for supporting it.


The Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition ("CPC") found the Wyeth Hellas A.E.B.E. Pharmaceutical Products (Cyprus branch) ("Wyeth") and Phadisco Ltd ("Phadisco") to have abused its…


Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A) and sterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B) in bile acid biosynthesis and 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) in cholesterol biosynthesis are the key enzymes in hepatic metabolic pathways, and their transcripts exhibit circadian expression profiles in rodent liver. The authors determined transcript levels of these enzymes and the regulatory factors for Cyp7a—including Dbp, Dec2, E4bp4, Hnf4α, Pparα, Lxrα, Rev-erbα, and Rev-erbβ—in the liver of wild-type and homozygous Clock mutant mice (Clock/Clock) and examined the effects of these transcription factors on the transcription activities of Cyp7a. The expression profile of the Cyp7a transcript in wild-type mice showed a strong circadian rhythm in both the 12L:12D light-dark cycle and constant darkness, and that in Clock/Clock also exhibited a circadian rhythm at an enhanced level with a lower amplitude, although its protein level became arrhythmic at a high level. The expression profile of Cyp8b mRNA in wild-type mice showed a shifted circadian rhythm from that of Cyp7a, becoming arrhythmic in Clock/Clock at an expression level comparable to that of wild-type mice. The expression profile of Hmgcr mRNA also lost its strong circadian rhythm in Clock/Clock , showing an expression level comparable to that of wild-type mice. The expressions of Dbp, Dec2, Rev-erbα, and Rev-erb β—potent regulators for Cyp7a expression—were abolished or became arrhythmic in Clock/Clock, while other regulators for Cyp7a—Lxrα, Hnf4α, Pparα, and E4bp4—had either less affected or enhanced expression in Clock/Clock. In luciferase reporter assays, REV-ERBα/β, DBP, LXRα, and HNF4α increased the promoter activity of Cyp7a, whereas DEC2 abolished the transcription from the Cyp7a promoter: E4BP4 and PPARα were moderate negative regulators. Furthermore, knockdown of REV-ERBα/β with siRNA suppressed Cyp7a transcript levels, and in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, REV-ERBα/β bound to the promoter of Cyp7a . These observations suggest that (1) active CLOCK is essential for the robust circadian expression of hepatic metabolic enzymes (Cyp7a, Cyp8b, and Hmgcr); (2) clock-controlled genes—DBP, DEC2, and REV-ERBα/β—are direct regulators required for the robust circadian rhythm of Cyp7a; and (3) the circadian rhythm of Cyp7a is regulated by multiple transcription factors, including DBP, REV-ERBα/β, LXRα, HNF4α DEC2, E4BP4, and PPARα.


Triatoma bassolsae, T. longipennis, T. mazzottii, T. pallidipennis, T. phyllosoma and T. picturata are species that have great epidemiological importance in the transmission of Chagas disease in Mexico. However, there is no consensus regarding the specific status of these species, since they appear in various articles as species, subspecies and even subgenera. Thus, we revisited genetic, taxonomic and evolutionary data that allowed us to assess and discuss the specific status of these six species of the T. phyllosoma subcomplex. Phylogenetic studies were performed with nuclear (18S, 28S, ITS-2) and mitochondrial (16S, cytb, COI, COII, 12S) markers deposited in GenBank. In addition, data from experimental crosses were pooled and the genetic distance to the cytb gene was calculated. The phylogenetic reconstruction enabled us to rescue the six species as independent lineages. Post-zygotic reproductive isolation barriers (sterility and/or hybrid collapse) were observed for some experimental crosses. Although the other experimental crosses did not allow us to characterize reproductive barriers, these species showed high genetic distances in relation to the cytb gene (ranging from 4.6% to 14.9%). Thus, based on the revisited literature data, we confirmed the specific status of these six species of the T. phyllosoma subcomplex based on the phylogenetic and biological concepts of the species.


Students must have good knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour in managing personal finance so that there is no failure in managing finances. The purpose of this study was to look at the determinants of the financial behaviour of bachelor students in the Faculty of Economics. The research sample was 100 Economy Faculty students who were still actively studying. Data collection using questionnaires via google form and testing using Logistic Regression with SPSS Version 24. The sampling method uses convenience sampling. The results showed that age, gender, GPA, residence, parental education and parental income, work experience had a significant effect on financial behaviour academic ability. The findings of this study indicate that financial literacy is a determinant of financial behaviour. Keywords—financial literacy; logistic regression; financial behavior; GPA; gender


The energy balance at the snow surface results in substantial diurnal temperature fluctuations within the top portion of the snowpack. These temperature fluctuations, which vary both spatially and over time, can have important effects on stability. During the winters of 2005 and 2006, field data for a near-surface warming study were collected on a treeline knoll located in the Columbia Mountains of British Columbia. Thermocouple arrays placed on the top and at different locations on the knoll side slopes recorded temperatures within the top 30 cm of the snowpack. During each test period, nearby measurements of incoming short and long wave radiation were collected, as were periodic observations of cloud cover, air temperature and the snow surface temperature at each array. The study aims to use field data to identify when, and to what extent, near-surface warming occurs on different aspects. Instrumentation challenges encountered in accurately measuring near-surface snow temperatures are also presented. Preliminary analysis of the data shows a significant correlation between aspect and the maximum daytime increase in near-surface snow temperatures. In one experiment, the magnitude of daytime warming measured at 10 cm depth was almost 7 oC greater on the south aspect than the north aspect. The aspect dependent differences in daily temperature change decreased with increased cloud cover.


The Council for Geoscience (CGS) is currently investigating several options for the development of appropriate management measures to resolve issues associated with acid mine drainage (AMD). Each year, the mining industry generates a significant amount of mine tailings. Storage of these tailings occupies large areas of land and leads to high monetary, environmental and ecological costs. This project is based on the hypothesis that future AMD prevention could be prevented if gold mine tailings were used as starting aluminosilicate sources for the synthesis of geopolymeric materials and subsequent stabilization.


As an important part in creating a sustainable energy sector the most prevalent sources of energy production must be in the forefront of being both reliable and effective. In Sweden district heating is utilized in more than half of all households and must therefore be subject to the same scrutiny and analyses as other energy producing technologies. A big challenge here is to optimize a power plant with regards to its specific layout through changing fuel types, amount recirculated flue gas, air flow etc. while also being able to analyse the measured data to draw conclusions on component performances in steam production or flow handling with the goal of predicting unplanned downtimes. To address this in a way that provides a user with a simple interface, a flexibility in handling inputs while producing close to ideal results for conventional boiler components this thesis encompasses the development of a CHP modelling package in OpenModelica, an analysis of the program, the method of model design and of the results produced. As OpenModelica is an open source program and free for anyone to use while it could, if a model is designed reliably, provide the necessary groundwork for closer analysis of boiler components and close operation optimization. To make a viable analysis and comparison a case study in the form of Boiler 1 at Hedemora Energi has been used. The designing procedure of the model involves producing correlations of heat transfer, pressure drops and mass flow rates of water. These are then implemented in components to produce output temperatures, pressures and loads close to what should be in a clean and recently repaired boiler. Many tries in using different numerical and thermodynamic solution methods in different components has been conducted leading to a model that can take any solid fuel compositions, mass flows, water contents, flue gas recirculation fractions and other input values into account while producing results with error margins below 2.5% in validation. Running the model during periods preceding unplanned downtimes also indicated divergences in steam output temperatures and flows which in analysis may be useful in preventing the different downtimes while diagnosing the boiler for future maintenance. As the modelling library allows one to dimension components freely the library could fit any boiler using components of the same sorts thus showing flexibility.


Given a continuous monadic functor T in the category of Tychonov spaces for each discrete topological semigroup X we extend the semigroup operation of X to a right-topological semigroup operation on TX whose topological center contains the dense subsemigroup of all elements of TX that have finite support.


Objective To study the applied effect of protaper NiTi files in slightly curved root canal. Methods 52 cases( 64 pieces) patients with slightly curved root canal was randomly divided into observation group( 34 pieces) and control group( 30 pieces). Observation group adopted protaper NiTi files. Control adopted stainless steel K file. After treatment,compared the root canal,preparation time,pain after root canal preparation and root canal filling effect of 2 groups. Results The root canal,preparation time,pain after root canal preparation and root canal filling effect was better than that of control group, the difference was statistically significant( P 0. 05). Conclusion Protaper NiTi files in Slightly curved root canal has an good efficacy,worthy of application.


Many of us who studied physics as undergraduates were encouraged to take a course in mathematical methods. The one I took, at MIT, was called Advanced Calculus for Application and was taught by Francis Hildebrand using his textbook of the same title (Prentice-Hall, 1962). Here we first probed the mysterious Bessel and Legendre functions, learned to steer integration paths around the complex plane, and learned to transform x to k (and t to omega) and back again with abandon. We all found this stuff rather mysterious and intimidating. Oddly, I used rather little of it in subsequent physics courses (which were much more into different but equally mysterious quantum mechanical operations, such as those relating to spin). Only when I started to learn seismology as a grad student did the math methods find a real niche in my brain. Bessel and Legendre functions described the free oscillations of the Earth (or at least would if the Earth had the good sense to be homogeneous). Steering contours through branch cuts—ah! branch cuts!—were necessary to pull the first-arriving head …


The present invention provides a method for providing a stone view of a support base. Further, the invention provides a method for the production of flat panels and corner panels, suitable for use in the method for providing a stone view of a support structure. The invention also relates to flat panels and corner panels, which can be obtained by the method according to the invention.


Based on the neural network having a single map's feature, two neural network model which behave the compound chaotic map are presented in this paper. The one's structure is serial, the other's structure is parallel. At last the performance of the two structures is analyzed and discussed and compared.


In 1986 the Community Right-To-Know Act (CRTK) was passed as an empower mechanism for communities involved in debates over toxic chemical pollution. From 1989-1993, I worked with the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club to help communities use CRTK data. We found that CRTK could not be used by communities, but it could be used by private firms and state agents to deflect criticisms and blunt local mobilization efforts. In this paper, I reflect on those experiences. I inquire about the appropriate types of questions that should be asked by environmental sociologists who are trying to understand the relationship between public policy and humanist social movements. I also use the data collected from Illinois to examine the renewed discussions among social scientists on how to strengthen CRTK. I argue that from a humanist perspective, these discussions and policy options are misguided.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a novel approach on the process zone characterization for direct feedback regarding the state of vapour, in order to assure a better monitoring, control and understanding of the process.Design/methodology/approach – Different pressure sensors were applied in an experimental vapour phase soldering (VPS) station, where the hardware setup was dedicated to the current experiments. Static and dynamic pressure values were analyzed and correlated with additional thermal measurements.Findings – The results reveal the dynamics of the vapour blanket generation. The correlated measurements show different stages of the process initialization, highlighting better accuracy than sole temperature measurements of saturated vapour identification. It is possible to trace the height of the available saturated vapour blanket with static pressure measurements.Practical implications – The VPS process may benefit from the more precise saturation detection, giving better control o...


: The research on quantum dots has been very active in recent years. Among them, carbon quantum dots have attracted much attention due to their various advantages. In this paper, we describe the nature of carbon quantum dots and their applications in various industries by describing the development of the company and using anthropomorphic techniques. It aims to give the reader an easy and enjoyable introduction to carbon quantum dots.


A Finnish company named Ryijypalvelu-RP Oy was looking for suppliers of wool yarn from China but it has no experience in importing wool yarn from China. As a trade student with Chinese background I agreed to help the company conduct its project. One objective of the study was to help Ryijypalvelu-RP Oy find out suitable Chinese suppliers who could offer it wool yarns. Another objective was to discover how the importation from China to Finland could be implemented. In this study qualitative research method was utilized. In-depth interviews with a sales person of the commissioner Ryijypalvelu-RP Oy and Chinese suppliers of wool yarn were carried out through e-mail and online message. Theoretical information were collected from books, scientific e-books and official website of organizations. The thesis was completed successfully. Three Chinese suppliers of wool yarn were found out in total. Additionally, the process for importing wool yarn from China to Finland were described step by step. This study would not only contribute to the commissioner, but would also benefit those who were willing to trade with Chinese businessmen.


Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is characterised by the accumulation of malignant CD5+ B cells in the peripheral blood (PB), secondary lymphoid tissues and bone marrow. Currently considered an incurable disease, B cell receptor (BCR) signalling plays a key role in the disease aetiology as evidenced by the therapeutic success of BCR signalling inhibitors such as ibrutinib. Previous studies using incorporation of 2H-labelling of DNA in vivo demonstrated sub-clonal heterogeneity in PB CLL cell fractions sorted based on reciprocal densities of chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) and CD5. The CXCR4 loCD5 hi fraction was shown to be enriched in recently born proliferating cells while the CXCR4 hiCD5 lo fraction consists of resting, quiescent cells thought to reflect their migratory and BCR signalling histories in tissue. Whilst these proliferating/resting fractions have since been more closely examined, the remaining bulk PB CLL population has been left relatively unexplored leaving other therapeutically relevant cell fractions undetected.
 Here, we have comprehensively analysed the phenotype of subpopulations of PB cells from 11 CLL patients using flow cytometry to identify activated and proliferating cell fractions. CD19 +CD5 +cells were divided into 9 fractions based on CXCR4/CD5 densities and to permit comparisons between fractions, each cell fraction was defined as containing 1-2% of the total clonal CD19 +CD5 + population. Surprisingly, we detected enrichment for Ki67+ proliferating cells and high expression of AID in the cell fraction with highest expression levels of both CXCR4 and CD5 (CXCR4 hiCD5 hi), demonstrating that CXCR4 loCD5 hi cells are not the only proliferating fraction in the blood. Moreover, we could detect mitotic cells in the CXCR4 hiCD5 hi fraction using imaging flow cytometry of a nuclear stain. This CXCR4 hiCD5 hi fraction showed the highest surface expression levels of IgM, CD86, CCR7, CXCR3 and CXCR5 of all the fractions assessed (p<0.05), indicating they are highly activated and primed for migration to lymph nodes (LNs) for further activation and proliferation.
 Proliferation of CLL cells is highest in secondary lymphoid tissues, however the phenotype of proliferating cells in tissue is unknown. To examine the phenotype of proliferating CLL cells in LNs, we analysed a fine-needle aspirate obtained from an enlarged cervical node using flow cytometry and compared this to a matched PB sample. Flow cytometric gates set on the PB sample were used to define and quantify LN cell fractions. Expression levels of both Ki67 and surface IgM were highest in the CXCR4 hiCD5 hi fraction which was expanded to 20% of the CD19 +CD5 + population in the LN whilst CXCR4 loCD5 hi cells (accounting for 2% of the bulk LN population) expressed very low surface IgM and Ki67 levels, suggesting CXCR4 hiCD5 hi cells may be the most proliferative cells in CLL.
 The CXCR4 loCD5 hi cell fraction has been shown to be a key target of ibrutinib, however the impact of ibrutinib on the CXCR4 hiCD5 hi fraction is unknown. Administration of ibrutinib to PB CLL cells for 48hr in vitro resulted in selective targeted depletion of the CXCR4 loCD5 hi fraction, as evidenced by induction of apoptotic markers in this compartment; conversely, persistent cells after 48hr ibrutinib administration in vitro were exclusively of the CXCR4 hi phenotype.
 In conclusion, we have identified a potentially dangerous fraction of proliferating cells in the PB of CLL patients with high expression of CXCR4, CD5, IgM, CCR7, CXCR3 and CXCR5 open for both migration to tissue and reception of BCR signals. Furthermore, CXCR4 hiCD5 hi cells in the periphery may closely mirror tissue-resident activated cell phenotypes and may represent critical targets for therapeutic intervention, particularly in high-risk CLL patients refractory to BCR inhibitor therapies.

 Patten: ROCHE: Research Funding; GILEAD SCIENCES: Honoraria, Research Funding; NOVARTIS: Honoraria; JANSSEN: Honoraria; ASTRA ZENECA: Honoraria; ABBVIE: Honoraria.


Summary: Guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation currently recommend rhythm and rate control for individuals who report bothersome symptoms of atrial fibrillation. However, rate control and rhythm control medication often cause adverse effects, including dizziness and fatigue. Do these adverse effects outweigh the positive effects of sinus rhythm and rate control?


Raleigh, N.C. – Joseph A. Smith, Jr., Monitor of the National Mortgage Settlement (NMS or Settlement), today filed a report with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia providing the results of his testing of Ocwen Financial Corporation's compliance with the NMS. The report addresses Ocwen's compliance with the Settlement's rules on the company's entire loan portfolio for the third and fourth quarters of 2014.


Abstract From a viewpoint of increasing the throughput of particle separation using laser radiation pressure, the long-range movements of a micron-order particle in a weakly focused Gaussian beam are investigated using a three-dimensional analytical model of the particle movement. The concept of the 'separation area' is introduced as an indicator of the throughput. The effects of numerical aperture of the focusing lens, laser power and the medium flow velocity on the throughput are examined through the calculation of the separation area of a soda-lime glass micro-sphere moving in water. Then, the potential applications of this particle separation are discussed on the basis of the difference in the separation area for particles with various refractive indices. Results show that the optimum numerical aperture in a static medium is obtainable in a very narrow region above a critical value. Deterioration of particle throughput due to the flow of a medium is controlled by using a numerical aperture slightly larger than the critical value. A high-power laser is advantageous to increase the particle separation throughput. Furthermore, separation of transparent and non-transparent particles can be readily achieved under optimal conditions of the optical system and a medium flow-field, whereas separation of transparent particles requires a large difference in the refractive index and uniformity in size.


This descriptive-correlational study aimed to determine the attitude in Basic Mathematics of secondary students in Mambusao, Capiz. The participants included the proportionately and randomly selected two-hundred students enrolled in David Moises Memorial High School, Saint Catherine Academy and Panay State Polytechnic College (now Capiz State University). Data-gathering instrument utilized was a researcher-made questionnaire about the Basic Mathematics Attitude Scale. Personal data sheets for students were also included. Frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviations were used for the analysis of the descriptive data while t-test for independent samples and One-way Analysis of Variance were used to analyze the inferential tests set at .05 alpha level. All numerical data were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Science software. Findings showed that students had a positive attitude towards Basic Mathematics. When classified as to student and teacher-related factors, all students have positive attitude. There is no significant differences in the students' attitude towards basic mathematics when classified according to sex, teachers' teaching experience, and teachers' in-service training in mathematics, family size and parents' occupational status. However, there is significant differences in the attitude of the students towards Basic Mathematics when classified according to family income and parents' educational attainment and teachers' educational attainment.


especially Hardt and Negri. The authors also imply that states are the prime actors in global politics and thus "military expansion" (3) gets much attention; but given their discussions of the East India Company as well as other methods of expansion (treaties and Hapsburg marriages), their definition could have been slightly more nuanced. They do a good job otherwise of demonstrating that empire is complicated and that "no single causative factor is sufficient to explain" it (319). They additionally suggest that empires end and nations begin following the assimilation of the colonizer's culture by the colonized (54); but I think Hobsbawm would have been a welcome corrective here as some Welsh, Catalans and indigenous peoples might not necessarily see a huge difference between these two different political entities. They also argue that smaller polities (which they don't define) cannot be empires; yet I would suggest Henry VIII's England or Hospitaller Rhodes and Malta might have been more influential than some large countries. Nevertheless, these latter quibbles are not meant to critique, for as the authors readily admit, their discussions are intended merely as "points of reference" (524). JOURNAL OF POSTCOLONIAL WRITING 137


Speechreading is the ability to understand a speaker's thoughts by watching the movements of the face and body and by using the information provided by the situation and the language. People with normal hearing and the hearing impaired use speechreading to augment communication especially in noisy environments. Just as people learn this skill, machines can be trained to understand a speakers meaning. Audio-Visual Automatic Speech Recognition (AV ASR) systems use audio and visual information to recognize what has been 'said'. The speech sounds and movements provided need not be standard speech sounds or movements. The system will provide recognition given audio information only, visual information only or both.


Since clustering is unsupervised and highly explorative, clustering validation (i.e. assessing the quality of clustering solutions) has been an important and long standing research problem. Existing validity measures have significant shortcomings. This paper proposes a novel Contrast Pattern based Clustering Quality index (CPCQ) for categorical data, by utilizing the quality and diversity of the contrast patterns (CPs) which contrast the clusters in clusterings. High quality CPs can characterize clusters and discriminate them against each other. Experiments show that the CPCQ index (1) can recognize that expert-determined classes are the best clusters for many datasets from the UCI repository; (2) does not give inappropriate preference to larger number of clusters; (3) does not require a user to provide a distance function.


8573Background: There are few treatment options for thymic carcinoma after chemotherapy. We completed a single institution phase II study of pembrolizumab (P) in patients with recurrent thymic carcinomas. Methods: Main eligibility criteria included: progression after ≥ 1 chemotherapy line, ECOG PS 0-2, no history of autoimmune disease, and adequate organ function. P was given at 200mg IV every 3 weeks. The primary objective of the study was response rate (RR) by RECIST v1.1 criteria; secondary objectives were PFS and OS, and safety. Results: From 3/2015 to 12/2016 we accrued 41 patients. Of 40 eligible patients, 29 were male, 19 Caucasians, median age was 57 years (range 25-80), 14 had squamous carcinoma histology, and 19 ECOG PS 0. Median number of cycles delivered was 6 (range 1-31). The most common side effects were mild fatigue (10), diarrhea (4) and rhinorrhea (4). Six patients developed multiple grade 3-4 immune-relates AEs (irAEs): myocarditis/myositis (1), myositis/myocarditis/hepatitis/myasthenia...


From the Adult Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Municipal Miguel Couto, and Corpo de Bombeiros Militar — both in Rio de Janeiro (D.S.); the Society to Prevent People from Drowning, Amsterdam (J.J.L.M.B.); the Royal Life Saving Society UK, Broom (A.J.H.); and Florida Hospital and the University of South Florida — both in Tampa (J.P.O.). Address reprint requests to Dr. Szpilman at Av. das Américas 3555, Bloco 2, Sala 302, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, 22631-003 Brazil, or at david@ szpilman.com.


In response to rising environmental concerns and the increase in eco-friendly sports activities, this study investigated the determinants of sustained intention to participate in plogging, a combination of jogging and litter collection. A total of 288 randomly assigned plogging participants were surveyed to discern the effects of autonomy, competence, and relatedness experiences on sustained plogging intentions as suggested by self-determination theory. The study also examined the moderating role of eco-friendly attitudes. The analysis, executed using multi-group structural equation modeling, revealed that while autonomy and competence did not significantly influence extrinsic motivation, relatedness emerged as the most influential factor. This suggests that plogging primarily serves as a prosocial behavior, enhancing relationships, rather than a means to increase physical competence. The values derived from plogging and the intention to continue varied based on the participants' eco-friendly attitudes. The authors conclude that voluntary participation and socialization are the core values of plogging and understanding these can promote healthier and more sustainable behaviors.


We proposed a novel quad-wavelength multi-focusing lens, in which four focusing spots could be arbitrarily controlled at four frequencies independently. A prototype quad-wavelength lens has been designed and numerically verified at terahertz frequencies.


The property and production prosess of SBS modified asphalt,use of SBS modified asphalt in multi-porous and permeable asphalt mix,the experiment on the property and the design of multi-porous asphalt mix are presented.


This paper is about a study related to the teaching of learning strategies to L2 readers at university level. It draws on the Vygotskian sociocultural theory of mental development. It focuses on developmental analysis; the individual mental functioning; and the mediated nature of human nature. If these ideas are applied to an ESL or EFL context our understanding of knowledge and learning are of utmost importance. This study aims to show the relationship between reading strategies, reading proficiency, metacognitive awareness and L2 readers. It shows the importance of collaborative activity from a sociocultural approach in an ESL/EFL context. It also examines the importance of the students'representations which are broadly socio-cultural. Reading strategies are particularly important for L2 readers as they seek to master both language and content simultaneously. When students develop their metacognition, the awareness of the learning processes and strategies that lead to success, they are more likely to proceed with a learning task monitor their own performance on an ongoing basis, find solutions to problems and evaluate themselves upon task completion.


In 2001/02, family physicians who billed at least $60 000 received, on average, $67 910 less in fee-for-service payments than specialists, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

![Figure][1]

Figure.

Average gross payments to all physicians who billed at