Abstract
Background and Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections represent a global health problem with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. HCV infection has been reported to be correlated with lower serum lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels and with low platelet count. This study is aimed to elucidate the association between HBV and HCV infections and the laboratory profile.
Methods: A large scale community-based study was conducted in an endemic area for HBV and HCV of southern Taiwan. A total of 10,620 residents, 1,536 (14.5%) with positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 9,084 (85.5%) subjects negative for HBsAg, were enrolled in the study of lipid profile and platelets. The study of serum uric acid (UA) enrolled 6,287 subjects. Overall, 806 (12.8%), 337 (5.4%), 36 (0.6%) and 5108 (81.2%) subjects were sero-positive for HBsAg, antibody to HCV (anti-HCV), both anti-HCV and HBsAg, and negative for both anti-HCV and HBsAg, respectively.
Results: In comparison to 9,084 HBsAg negative subjects, 1,536 HBsAg positive ones had younger age, higher frequency of male, higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values, lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels, and lower platelet count. In 1,536 HBV carriers, 84 (5.5%) individuals with positive anti-HCV had significant lower levels of serum cholesterol and lower platelet count but similar TG levels than those without anti-HCV. By multivariate logistic analysis, in 10,620 subjects, the independent factors significantly associated with low serum cholesterol levels were male gender, lower body mass index (BMI), lower serum TG level and positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV. In 1,536 HBV carriers, the independent factors significantly associated with lower cholesterol levels were male gender, lower BMI, lower TG level and positive anti-HCV; for the lower platelet count were older age, male gender and positive anti-HCV.
A comparison of serum UA level between subjects positive for HBsAg and negative for both HBsAg and anti-HCV revealed that patients with HBV infection had significantly lower mean value (6.1 ± 1.6 mg/dL vs. 6.2 ± 1.7 mg/dL, p=0.017) and lower proportion of elevated UA (34.2% vs. 38.8%, p=0.011). By multivariate logistic analysis, the independent factors significantly associated with elevated UA level were older age, male gender, higher body mass index (BMI), higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST), elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, hypertension and positive HBsAg. HCV infection was not associated with serum UA levels.
Conclusions: Chronic HBV infection appears to be associated with lower serum cholesterol, TG and UA levels and low platelet count. Moreover, HCV co-infection tends to further decrease serum levels of cholesterol and platelet count. HCV infection was not associated with serum UA levels.


The Victorian Government, through its series of Biotechnology Strategic Development Plans in 2001, 2004 and 2007 has progressively worked to build a mature, sustainable biotech sector in Victoria.


Softeners in enteric coatings as phthalic acid esters, citric acid esters, tartaric acid esters, glycerine esters, alcohols or surfactants can be identified by thin layer chromatography. Normally they are extracted by ether out of a phosphate buffer solution of the coating. In exceptional cases, it is necessary to extract dry isolated enteric coatings with acetone/ethanol. As developing solvents butanol and methylene-chloride are recommended. To separate similar substances as glycerine-diacetate from glycerine-triacetate it can be necessary to evaluate the results in both developing solvents. Softeners had been isolated and identified from 9 examples of commercial drugs.


THE CLIENT AND THE HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT . Health and Wellness . The Health Care Delivery System . Nursing Management of Client Care . CRITICAL THINKING IN NURSING PRACTICE . Critical Thinking and Nursing Judgment . Nursing Assessment . Nursing Diagnosis . Planning for Nursing Care . Implementing Nursing Care . Evaluation . PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN NURSING PRACTICE . Professional Nursing Roles . Ethics and Values . Legal Concepts in Nursing Practice . Communication . Documentation and Reporting . Client Education .PSYCHOSOCIAL BASIS FOR NURSING PRACTICE . Self-Concept and Sexuality . Spiritual Health . Cultural Care in Nursing . Family Context in Nursing . Growth and Development . Loss and Grief . Stress, Adaptation, and Coping . SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR NURSING PRACTICE . Vital Signs . Health Assessment and Physical Exam . Infection Control . Administering Medications . Body Mechanics . BASIC HUMAN NEEDS . Safety . Hygiene . Oxygenation . Fluid, Electrolytes and Acid-Base Balances . Sleep . Comfort . Nutrition . Urinary Elimination . Bowel Elimination . CLIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS . Immobility . Skin Integrity and Wound Care . Sensory Alterations . Surgical Client . Common abbreviations . Glossary


ideas." There is an incongruous mixture here of the Lockian with an older theory. The ideas derived from reflection, which are all singular and concrete, should not be put in the same class with those abstract and general ideas which are formed by the intellect from the materials got from sensation and reflection, and, we may add, from those furnished by the faculties of the mind in their exercise, such as those we have of the beautiful and the good. This confusion long lingered in the Scottish psychology from which it has scarcely yet been expelled. Hutcheson represents complex (concrete would be the better phrase) ideas as having comprehension, and universal ideas as having extension; and announces the rule that extension and comprehension stand to each other in a reverse order. He distinguishes between a logical whole, which is a universal in respect of its species, which are spread out in division; and a metaphysical whole, which is the comprehension of a complex idea, and is declared by definition. He distinguishes between noetic and dianoetic judgment, in the former of which the two ideas are compared immediately ( proxime), and in the latter by means of a third. The subject, predicate, and copula are said to be in the proposition either expressed or suppressed and involved. He does give the dictum of Aristotle as the regulating principle of reasoning, but derives all the force of syllogism from these three axioms, in which, we think, there is a very unsatisfactory vagueness in the phrase agree: "(1) Things which agree in one third agree with one another; (2) Things of which the one agrees and the other does not agree with one and the same third do not agree with one another; (3) Things which agree in no third do not agree with each other; (4) Things which disagree in no third do not disagree among them selves. Hence are deduced the general rules of syllogisms." This "Compend" continued to be printed and used down to at least the close of the third quarter of the eighteenth century. One is inclined to think that these phrases and distinctions must have been introduced to the notice, and inscribed on the memory, of William Hamilton during his collegiate life at Glasgow, and that they may have helped as they recurred, consciously or unconsciously, to suggest to him certain of the essential principles of the "New Analytic of Logical Forms." He has a separate treatise on metaphysics ("Metaphysical Synopsis," 1742) which he divides into ontology, or the science of being, and pneumatology, or the science of spirit (divine and human). "It appears from his treatise on metaphysics," says his admiring biographer, "that The Scottish Philosophy/71 he was well acquainted with the logomachies, meaningless questions, and trivial debates of the old scholastics, which had thrown a thick darkness on that part of philosophy: he has set that branch of knowledge in a clear light, and rendered it instructive and entertaining." The sneer at the scholastics is a symptom of the age. The alleged "meaningless questions" are still put, and must be put, by profound thinkers who would go down to the foundations of truth. Even Hutcheson was obliged to put them and to answer them. The answers which he gives, if not so profound in fact or in appearance as those given by the ancient Greek philosophers, by the scholastics, or by Descartes and Leibnitz, are always clear and sensible, and often just and satisfactory. He discusses, and this by no means in a superficial manner, topics which the Scottish metaphysicians between him and Hamilton carefully avoided. His scholastic training at Killyleagh, and the spirit of the older teaching, had still a hold upon him for good. He treats of being, declaring it to be undefinable, and showing that it involves existence and essence, and that potency and action are the principles of being. He refers the conviction of our identity of being to consciousness. As to the much agitated question of the principle of individuation he comes to the sound conclusion that it is to be ascribed to the nature of the thing existing. He discusses the question whether metaphysical axioms are innate. He denies that they are innate in the sense of their being known or observed by the mind from its birth, and affirms that in their general form they are not reached till after many comparisons of singular ideas. He shows that the mind assents to them in their singular form, even when a sensible object is presented. He stands up for axioms, self-evident and immutable,—with him, as with Locke, self-evidence being their prominent feature and their mark but he also declares them to be eternal and unchangeable,—the mind perceiving at once the agreement or disagreement of the subject or predicate. He denies that there is any principle entitled to be regarded as the first of all, and maintains that it is vain to seek any other criterion of truth than the faculty of reason itself, and the native power of the mind. These views are surely more profound than those of Locke, less extravagant than those of Descartes, Leibnitz, or Wolf (he refers to Wolf). They do not exhaust the subject; in particular, while he says truly (with Aristotle) that the singulars and the less general are first known, he does not enter on the question, which neither the Scottish nor any other metaphysicians have yet settled, of the relation of


: Background: Early identification of patients with prediabetes stage can help prevent and reverse diabetes mellitus. However, the incidence of diabetes keeps increasing. Physicians' knowledge about prediabetes can influence management of these patients. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of primary care physicians [PCPs] about the diagnostic criteria, complications, screening criteria, screening age and management of prediabetes. Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted in primary health care centers in Riyadh city from August 2015 to April 2016. The questionnaire included nine knowledge assessment questions and was distributed to 155 PCPs. Results : Female doctors represented 58.2% of the sample, and 40.5% of PCPs had experience of 5–10 years duration. The proportion of correct answers varied among different questions, ranging from 43.8% to 95.4%. The mean score of the total knowledge was 6.3  1.6. Female doctors obtained a significantly higher mean score of knowledge than male doctors. There was no significant association between the nationality and years of experience with the total knowledge about prediabetes. Conclusion : Our study showed that PCPs have a good overall knowledge about prediabetes; however, their knowledge about complications and screening criteria was poor, which could be one of the causes of high diabetes incidence. So PCPs need a focused educational program on these topics.


The invention relates to a method for preparing a hydrogenation catalyst or catalyst precursor comprising a catalytically active material and a carrier material. The method involves the mixing of an acidic solution comprising metal ions of a metal selected from the IUPAC group 8, 9 or 10 metals, preferably cobalt, a suspension comprising the carrier material and an alkaline solution. The inventionalso relates to a precursor of a hydrogenation catalyst wherein the precursor comprises crystallites of metal oxides having an average size of max. 8 nm.


The Fama-Fench 3-factor model (FF3) is one of the most commonly used models for valuing companies. It is curious to see whether this model can reasonably capture the changes in the treacherous stock market and accurately predict the expected returns of a company in practice. In this article, machine learning is adopted to analyze data from the past five years in terms of the 10-year t-bill return as the risk free rate and the S&P 500 rate of return as the market rate of return to compare and analyses the rate of return of Nestle, Danone, Unilever, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo over the past five years. In the comparative analysis, this essay randomly selected the rate of return for 80% of the days in the past five years as the training set and used the rate of return for the remaining 20% of the days as the test set. Besides, this study uses regression analysis to obtain a theoretical model of FF3, which is then brought to the test set data for testing. In this article, the null hypothesis is that the error is equal to 0 and the alternative hypothesis is that the error is not equal to 0. According to the analysis, hypothesis validation is adopted to check the accuracy of FF3 by analyzing the results of the hypothesis test and using the FF3 derived from the training set to predict whether the error between the resulting data and the actual data is 0.


Covid-19 pandemic has captivated scientists to investigate if this new disease can affect the central nervous system (CNS). The most challenging symptoms of Covid-19 are related to respiratory distress, and most patients admitted in intensive care units cannot breathe by their own. Therefore, a crucial question is if respiratory distress can be partially explained by the CNS affection. SARS-Cov-2 is a beta-coronavirus that shares high similarities with SARS-CoV. The infection of SARS‐CoV has been reported in the brains from both patients and experimental animals, where the brainstem was heavily infected. Those coronaviruses have been able to invade the brainstem via a synapse‐connected route to the medullary respiratory center, where the infected regions included the nucleus of the solitary tract and nucleus ambiguous. The vagal afferent nerves from receptors in the lung communicate with the medulla and pons respiratory control centers to coordinate inspiration and expiration. This suggests that neuroinvasion of SARS‐CoV‐2 might play a role in the acute respiratory failure of Covid-19. Therefore, acute respiratory distress in Covid-19 can be partially explained by brainstem dysfunction, suggesting the needs of more specific and aggressive treatments with the direct participation of neurologists and neurointensivists.


24 naive hooded rats were employed in a 2 × 2 factorial comparison of anosmic versus non-anosmic and obstruction versus non-obstruction conditions. Comparisons were made in terms of speed-of-locomotion toward a goal area. After all Ss had received a series of successive reinforced approach-training trials, several untrained rats were placed in the goal box and subjected to foot shock. 9 min. later the shocked rats were removed, and previously designated groups of trained rats were given additional approach trials. A non-shocked group of untrained rats was placed in the maze and removed after 9 min. as the non-obstruction condition. Thus anosmic and sham-operated rats were compared before and after untrained rats occupied the goal box. Analysis of speed-of-locomotion scores showed the non-anosmic group had a significant reduction in speed-of-approach following occupancy by the shocked untrained rats. None of the other three groups showed a similar change in the previously established speed-of-approach. From these and other data, it appears unshocked rats respond differendy to olfactory cues generated by the previous occupancy of shocked and non-shocked rats.


Until recently no outcrop of the Vectian or Lower Greensand was known to occur between Lulworth on the coast of Dorset and the neighbourhood of Devizes in Wiltshire. It was supposed that, with the exception of a small area of Wealden in the Vale of Wardour, the whole of the Lower Cretaceous Series in Dorset and South Wilts was concealed and buried beneath the overlapping Upper Cretaceous strata. A recent examination of this district however has revealed two areas where the Vectian sands emerge from beneath the Gault. One of these has already been indicated in the pages of the Geological Magazine; the other is the subject of the present communication.


And a plastic film, formed on its having a single layer or multilayer metal film provided on at least one surface, a plurality of directions in a number of substantially irregular widths and intervals intermittent linear scratches parallel to the metal thin film together we are radiation absorbing film in which the carbon nanotube thin layer on the metal thin film is formed.


On the basis of system analysis,the study put forward the optimized model for link-up between medical assistance system and basic medical insurance system for urban and rural residents.The model consists of logic frame and structure frame.The logic frame is built by the logic chain of "system target-system environmental-system elements".And the structure frame includes four aspects,namely policy link-up,organizational management,technical design and service management.Wherein,organizational management includes two aspects,namely departmental duties and coordination mechanism;technical design includes four link-up levels and five key technical links;service management includes five parts,i.e.personnel management,fund management,supervision and control,information service and settlement service.


In this paper we will address the question of how many nonvanishing, linearly independent tangent vector fields can exist on a sphere Sn−1 ⊆ R. By this we mean the following, a tangent vector field on Sn−1 = {x ∈ R : ‖x‖ = 1} is a map v : Sn−1 → R such that v(x) ⊥ x for all x ∈ Sn−1. However, by assumption v is nonvanishing, so we can normalize such that ‖v(x)‖ = 1 and we obtain a map v : Sn−1 → Sn−1 : v(x) ⊥ x, ∀x ∈ Sn−1


In order to assess its eco-environmental behavior and effect of fenvalerate,the degradation behavior in six kinds of soil planted tobacco was analyzed by methods of gas chromatography and the indoor simulation,those soil tested come from the following areas:Hunan Xiangxi,Yunnan Baoshan,Guangdong Nanxiong,Henan Sanmenxia,Fujian Guangze,and Shandong Tai'an,respectively.The results showed that the degradation rate of fenvalerate in the soil from Henan Sanmenxia was the fastest,its T1/2 was only 8.27 d,and the degradation rate of fenvalerate in the soil from Fujian Guangze was the slowest,its T1/2 was 12.62 d;With the increasing of organic matter content in soil planted tobacco,the degradation half-life of fenvalerate extended,as well.When the pH value of soil changed from 6.35 to 6.60,the degradation half-life of fenvalerate was relatively short,tended to extend beyond this pH value.The relationship between the degradation half-life of fenvalerate and the clay content in soil was complicated,characterized mainly by physical adsorption with clay content lower than 180 g/kg,otherwise,by chemical adsorption with clay content higher than.


[Objective]To develop an easy,convenient,accurate and economic method for detecting total dissolved solids in drinking water.[Methods]The content of total dissolved solids in drinking water was detected by conductivity meter.[Results]The standard deviation of the method was zero,no matter the content of total dissolved solids was high or low(≥1 000 mg/L or﹤1 000 mg/L). The average recovery(except for firing in 105℃±3℃ after addition of CaCl2 )was 100% or near 100%,no matter the content of total dissolved solids was high or low(≥1 000 mg/L or﹤1 000 mg/L).[Conclusion]The method for detecting total dissolved solids in drinking water by conductivity meter is of high convenience,accuracy,precision,recovery,reliability,and low energy consumption.


Both the central and peripheral nervous system of the cockroach Periplaneta americana contain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). In the central ganglia of the cockroach, an average of more that 60 mumoles of GABA are formed from glutamate (Glu) per gram wet weight of tissue per hour. This activity level of the GAD apoenzyme is considerably higher than that found in the central nervous system of crustaceans, amphibians, avians and mammals but is similar to that reported for nervous system tissues from other insect species. A comparison of properties of the crude cockroach enzyme with GAD from crustacean and mammalian origin revealed both similarities and differences: whereas crude cockroach GAD has cofactor requirements and an affinity for Glu substrate (Km 2.8 X 10-2) which are similar to GAD from lobster and mouse, it is uniquely inhibited by both Cl-and by GABA. The GAD from cockroach nervous tissues has two apparent pH optima of which the lower one is preferentially inhibited by a compound which is found in the nerve sheath and the fat body tissue adjacent to ganglia and axons.


Abstract The capacity to self‐select an optimal balance of macronutrients (protein and carbohydrate) is studied in two populations of Melanoplus sanguinipes F. (Orthoptera: Acrididae). One population derives from the subarctic (interior of Alaska) and the other from the temperate zone (Idaho, U.S.A.). Over the duration of the fourth and fifth stadia, Alaskan grasshoppers consistently self‐select a diet centred on a 0.90 ratio of protein : carbohydrate, whereas protein and carbohydrate intake by the Idaho grasshoppers is contingent on the particular food choices presented to them. When restricted to imbalanced diets, the Alaskan grasshoppers develop more rapidly than the Idaho grasshoppers, regardless of diet composition. The Idaho grasshoppers also have a greater amount of lipid than the Alaskan grasshoppers across all diets. Performance measures (body mass, survival, developmental times) are more sensitive to dietary imbalances in the Alaskan grasshoppers than in the Idaho grasshoppers. When fed diets with low, but balanced, proportions of protein and carbohydrate, grasshoppers of both populations are able to increase consumption to compensate for the low concentration of nutrients. The results suggest that demographic responses of insects to changes in host plant quality, such as may result from climate change, may differ among populations within a species.


Based on the optical path model for nonlinear imaging, we systematically investigated the propagation of flat-topped Gaussian beam which is modulated by two parallel phase-typed wirelike scatterers through computer simulation. It is found that, under certain conditions, there is no intense second-order hot image fringe in the predicated plane half-distance from the medium to the scatterer, but there are other two intense fringes whose in-beam positions are some distance deviated from those of the scatterers. These intense fringes are called second-order-hot-image-like fringes in this paper. When compared with the corresponding single scatterer case, the intensity level of the fringes is close to that of second-order hot image fringe. Besides, there are also hot images, but their intensities are much lower. The influence of the phase modulation depth of the scatterers on the propagation for both double and single scatterer cases is also investigated. First, as the phase modulation depth increases, the fringe intensity changes same as second-order hot image fringe does and their intensities keep very close to each other. Second, the fringe intensity increases at first and then decreases in a certain value range of phase modulation depth, but the hot image intensity changes inversely. Third, in the Kerr medium, the maximum intensity of the beam in the double scatterer case is higher than that in the single scatterer case except for the phase modulation value section around three rad.


In their recent study, Prof. Delgado and colleagues concluded that global and segmental left ventricular systolic function has a significant early improvement after transcatheter aortic valve implantation, and that the early improvement could be detected by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography rather than conventional echocardiography. However, there is an uncertainty in interpreting the results of this study. It is well known that the global and segmental left ventricular systolic function measured by conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, could be affected by many factors, such as age, gender, BMI, and medical therapies etc. In the study by Prof. Delgado and colleagues, global and segmental left ventricular systolic function has a significant early improvement after transcatheter aortic valve implantation, however, the condition of medical therapies (such as drug treatment or other therapies) was not described in detail. Are there any relations of medical therapies (such as drug treatment or other therapies) to the results of the study by Prof. Delgado and colleagues?


Logistics Party building is an important part of Party building in Colleges and universities. It is the premise and guarantee for the smooth development of logistics work. With the gradual development of the modern economy, the party building work in our country is becoming more and more important. Therefore, it is necessary to make a gradual development and change, and make a practical analysis of the problems. Logistics has not only the educational attribute of higher education institutions, but also the service attribute of logistics support. The particularity of this multiple attribute determines that the Party organizations must play a political core role. To improve the quality of management and service quality in the later period, people can better carry out grassroots construction activities. In the course of the party building work, it also brought considerable challenges and development to the logistics support system. Only when the logistics management department gives full play to its own strength can we mobilize all aspects of the forces and thus contribute better to the country.


: Aiming at the raw material ordering and transportation process of production enterprises, this paper first selects the supply index and obtains 56 suppliers with large supply volume. Then, with the help of entropy method, 56 suppliers are ranked by supply variance, order quantity, payment rate and supply frequency as decision variables. In order to obtain the most economical ordering plan, the data of order quantity and supply quantity are mined, and the categories of suppliers are further divided into stable suppliers, potential emergency suppliers and general emergency suppliers. By accumulating the production capacity from high to low among 50 suppliers one by one, the threshold larger than the historical average production capacity of 670397m ³is found. Finally, it is determined that only 39 suppliers can meet the production conditions.


Recently, the notion of community has been increasingly popular in theoretical discourse of mathematics education and become a basic unit for analysis of classroom interaction. In this context, as part of ethnography in university level mathematics classes in the US investigating social transformation in mathematics education, this paper intends: (1) to examine the notion of "mathematics classroom as community" as a place of learning and (2) to identify some educational implications for teaching mathematics. The data were collected through classroom observation and interviews. The analysis focused on comparing notions of mathematics shared among different groups of mathematicians, i.e., novices and old-timers. Through the comparison, I found that there are not only differences but also similarities in their understanding of what mathematics is and that they are intricately related to one another to constitute a practice of mathematics as a whole. Such complexity leads to a conclusion that mathematics class as a community is neither closed nor self-contained. It is interacting with outside communities. Each participant in mathematics class is representative of a community that s/he is committed to and his/her way of thinking mathematically reflects the epistemological standpoint of the community. This suggests that mathematics class is a community where diverse communal epistemological standpoints are renegotiated and that it creates its own unique mathematical culture through the negotiation among its participants. From this point of view, the understanding of the epistemological diversity is important for mathematics teachers to support successful learning.


Shaft torsional vibrations are discussed along with their effect on steam turbine-generator control following severe supply-network disturbances and the destabilization of shaft torsional modes through the action of high-speed electrohydraulic controllers. It is shown that shaft flexibility can exert a significant influence on steam turbine-generator response following a severe supply-system disturbance, particularly when the turbine has nonlinear valve stroking and fast valving. The effect can be minimized by the careful location of a speed sensor along the turbine shaft and by filtering speed or acceleration signals to reduce the speed input of troublesome low-frequency torsional vibrations to an insignificant level. The effect of shaft torsionals on control system response to an islanding situation and on the above mentioned destabilization is evaluated. Digital implementation of steam-turbine control systems in relation to quantization, sampling, response time in protection systems, and software integrity is examined. >


In examining the question of the effectiveness of natural family planning (NFP) methods the concept of the effectiveness of birth regulation methods is clarified and some of its components are examined. The concept is then applied to natural methods in general citing statistics on the effectiveness of the 2 main natural methods. By counting the number of pregnancies that occur only when couples seem to have followed all the instructions to the letter without error or negligence one may calculate the theoretical effectiveness. A table lists the theoretical effectiveness of fertility control methods as compiled by Dr. Christopher Tietze an expert in the field of family planning evaluation. Use-effectiveness is the effectiveness achieved by a group of couples for a particular method. It is calculated by taking into account the total number of unplanned pregnancies which occurred during the observation period whether due to shortcomings of the method itself human error negligence in use or misunderstanding of the method. Many factors influence the use-effectiveness of a method. Demographers have realized that even though a method may be very effective while it is being used it leaves much to be desired if it is abandoned early and pregnancy occurs. They have found a way to attribute pregnancies occurring not only during a methods use as stated by the couple but also after it is dropped--extended use-effectiveness--as long as the subjects were not trying to conceive or had adopted another method. The traditional technique to calculate the effectiveness of family planning methods is the Pearl Formula which considers the number of unplanned pregnancies in relation to a duration of 1200 months (100 couples for 12 months). With this formula results are expressed in the number of pregnancies per 100 women years. Statisticians specializing in evaluating birth regulation methods now use another calculation technique inspired by life tables. This gives method results according to the time covered instead of summarizing without counting the duration of each couples experiences. The natural methods can be effective if they are well taught well understood and well followed. They require greater motivation and awareness on the part of the couple but as they constitute a particular approach they offer satisfactions that compensate for the effort. Tables present the findings of various studies on the use-effectiveness of the cervical mucus method and the symptothermal method.


In the early days of 2009 the city of Limerick in the mid-west region of Ireland was dealt a massive blow by the PC manufacturer Dell. After months, if not years, of speculation, the company had finally decided to move all its European manufacturing from Limerick to Lodz in Poland. Among the many reasons cited – from the global economic downturn to a shifting market – cost-competitiveness became the clear determining factor. The media coverage was extensive, with the headline 'Dell Closes' bandied about in the national and regional press. Though of little consolation to the 1900 left without a job, the fact remains that Dell has not closed its Limerick operation, where it will continue to employ upwards of 1000 in sales support and research and development. We use the Dell story as an exemplar of the Irish foreign direct investment (FDI) story. Comparing it with other restructurings by foreign-owned technology companies both in Ireland and beyond we will attempt to uncover the complexity of shifting competitiveness and competencies among branches of global operations. Although the case of Dell, among others, may serve to support the political economy view of large multinational corporations, we see the picture as being more complex and rely on literature relating to global production networks (GPNs) in attempting to uncover the shifting spatial dynamics of cost-competitiveness.


Identifying the presence of sputum in the lung is essential in detection of diseases such as lung infection, pneumonia and cancer. Cough type classification (dry/wet) is an effective way of examining presence of lung sputum. This is traditionally done through physical exam in a clinical visit which is subjective and inaccurate. This work proposes an objective approach relying on the acoustic features of the cough sound. A total number of 5971 coughs (5242 dry and 729 wet) were collected from 131 subjects using Smartphone. The data was reviewed and annotated by a novel multi-layer labeling platform. The annotation kappa inter-rater agreement score is measured to be 0.81 and 0.37 for 1st and 2nd layer respectively. Sensitivity and specificity values of 88% and 86% are measured for classification between wet and dry coughs (highest across the literature).Clinical Relevance— This work enables the objective classification of the presence of lung congestion based on the cough sound using a smartphone. The current method for cough type detection is subjective and at best very faulty.


ADVOCATES of a high level of exports and a modest level of imports should be well pleased with the ehemical foreign trade pattern during the first nine months of 1954. Conditions during this period were such that chemical exports rose in dollar value appreciably over the corresponding months of 1953, while imports declined to some extent. These events reversed the 1953—1952 situation when imports were up and exports down in 1953 as compared with 1952 (for the first nine months ). It is also traditional to gage the success of foreign trade operations by comparing the export-import ratio year after year. In 1953, the ratio was 1.7; in 1954, 2.8. Measured by either standard, 1954 provided a very satisfactory year to the American exporter. Statistical treatment of imports and exports for 1954 is necessarily limited at this writing to the first three quarters of the year as figures for the entire year do not issue ...


Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosupressive drug used in prophylaxis of rejection of transplanted solid organs in combination with cyclosporine A (CyA) and steroids. It is metabolised in the liver to the active component mycophenolic acid (MPA), an irreversible noncompetitive inhibitor of cell enzime 5'-monophosphate (IMP)dehydrogenase. The aim of the study was...


A computer vision system was implemented to predict the ripening stages of bananas. Our objective was to develop a computer vision algorithm to predict the seven ripening stages based on previously graded bananas by expert visual inspection. Two simple colour features from each image (mean value and variance of the intensity histogram of image) were extracted and analyzed using the RGB, HSV and CIELAB colour spaces with classification purposes. The classification performance of three colour sets of features were compared using discriminant analysis as selection criteria: (1) using colour data extracted from full image of the bananas; (2) colour data from the background of the bananas free of spots (BFS); and (3) combination of the colour data extracted separately from the BFS and brown spots of the banana. Results show that the three evaluated sets were able to correctly predict with more than 94% of accuracy the ripening stages of bananas. The inclusion of colour features from images of brown spots improves the resolution of the classification performance, in particular for stages 4 and 5. In addition, this technique can be extended to evaluate the different quality classes according to the standards proposed by the Codex Alimentaria. Computer vision shows promise as a non-destructive method for on-line prediction of ripening stages of bananas.


The Geostar satellite navigation system is designed to provide a number of user services through inexpensive terminals (transceivers). The services include precise positioning, location radio (the reporting of position back to a fleet headquarters), digital message transmission both send and receive, and connection to non-Geostar digital communications systems through a single node point. A number of additional user services (terrain and shoreline avoidance, warnings of hazards to navigation, ship or aircraft collision avoidance, emergency location and rescue communications, etc.) are provided relatively inexpensively because all messages and positionings in Geostar flow through a single location where powerful computers are available.


This study examined the effects of emotional intelligence and professional competence of the teacher's performance organizational culture moderated in junior high school districts Pemalang Park. The study population was junior high school teachers in the district park totaling 155 people. In this study, using primary data obtained by questionnaire. Engineering analysis using statistical program SPSS version 22. The results showed that emotional intelligence and professional competence have a positive and significant impact on teacher performance. In this research, organizational culture does not have a significant positive influence and not on teacher performance and organizational culture are not moderate the influence of emotional intelligence, the professional competence of the teacher's performance. Keywords : Organizational Culture, Emotional Intelligence, Professional Competence


WASSERSUG, R. J. 1976. Oral morphology of anuran larvae: terminology and general description. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas 48:1-23. WASSERSUG, R. J., AND W. R. HEYER. 1988. A survey of internal oral features of leptodactyloid larvae (Amphibia: Anura). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 457:1-99. WEYGOLDT, P., AND 0. L. PEIXOTO. 1985. A new species of horned toad (Proceratophrys) from Espirito Santo, Brazil (Amphibia: Salientia: Leptodactylidae). Senckenbergiana Biologica 66:1-8.


We describe an efficient randomized algorithm to test if a given binary function "!$# % &(') *!$#+% is a low-degree polynomial (that is, a sum of low-degree monomials). For a given integer ,.-/# and a given real 0213 , the algorithm queries at 425 687 ,"9;:=< points. If is a polynomial of degree at most , , the algorithm always accepts, and if the value of has to be modified on at least an 0 fraction of all inputs in order to transform it to such a polynomial, then the algorithm rejects with probability at least >=? @ . Our result is essentially tight: Any algorithm for testing degree, polynomials over ACB25D> < must perform E 5 6 7 >=:F< queries.


In the existing HF data transmission system,the S-ARQ ensures the reliability effectively.The hostility of the wireless channel increases the possibility of retransmission and decreases the efficiency of the system.This paper presented an improved S-ARQ.Based on the traditional S-ARQ,it corrects the received data directly when the retransmission data also include error bits.The simulation results show that the presented technology is effective to decrease the amounts of retransmission.


In a dual active bridge (DAB) dc–dc converter, modulating the phase-shift ratios can suppress reactive power and increase the efficiency under non-unity voltage gain conditions. Derivation of the optimal phase-shift ratios to achieve the minimum reactive power is challenging because a DAB can operate in four different scenarios (forward/backward, buck/boost) and each scenario has five operating modes. This paper first introduces a transformation in which different DAB operating scenarios (forward/backward, buck/boost) can be equivalent to one another; then optimization of only one scenario (forward/buck) is required. Next, for the five modes in forward/buck scenario, based on a graphical method, this paper proves that each operating point of Modes 1, 2, and 5 can be mapped into that of Mode 3 with lower conduction losses, and only two modes require detailed analysis. The optimization process of these two modes are derived step-by-step. Global optimal phase-shift signals that minimize the reactive power under four different DAB operating scenarios (forward/backward, buck/boost) are presented. A simple table and control block diagram are presented for practical implementation of global reactive-power minimization control. Experimental comparison with other modulation schemes verifies the efficiency improvement of the proposed control method.


Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) have been recognized recently as a heterogeneous group, and are subclassified according to genotype as well as morphological characteristics. We report a case of a 35‐year‐old Japanese woman who exhibited hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)‐1α‐inactivated HCA in the background of the congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV). On a dynamic contrast computed tomography (CT) scan, the hypovascular tumor enlarged from 1 cm to 3 cm and another tumor emerged in the course of 7 years. Because the possibility of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with multiple metastases was not excluded, partial hepatectomy was performed. On a cut section, two well‐demarcated tumors were observed and one tumor had a central fibrous scar. The histological features of these tumors were similar to those of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) with a central scar and HCA; however, these tumors were diagnosed as HNF‐1α‐inactivated HCA by immunohistochemistry according to the criteria of the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification. In non‐tumorous liver tissue, an abnormal architecture of the vessels and a vague nodular appearance of lobuli were observed, which were likely to be those of nodular regenerated hyperplasia (NRH). We discuss its pathogenesis and relationship with CAPV.


The aim of the study is to develop a proniosomal gel for Nebivolol used for the treatment of hypertension that is capable of efficiently delivering entrapped drug over an extended period of time. The results showed that the type of lipid incorporated altered the entrapment efficiency of proniosomal gel and higher entrapment efficiency of 63.6 ± 2.5 % was obtained with the proniosomal gel prepared from Span 40. Different formulations of Proniosomal gel using Span 40 as surfactant were prepared by changing the ratios of surfactant: lecithin and the optimized formulations F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6 and F7 were further characterized. SEM studies revealed uniform size and spherical shape of proniosomal gel, FTIR studies revealed that there was no interaction between the drug and excipients. In-vitro experiments of the F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6 and F7 formulations showed a release rate of 73.2, 51.8, 52.7, 78.3, 65.8, 71.4, 58.2 respectively. Hence formulation F4 was optimized as the drug release was found to be highest i.e., 78.3 % in 7 hours.


Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) can help plants by improving the uptake of low P availability acid soils. Organic fertilizers can effect the physical, chemical and biological soil. The purpose of this research is to study and determine the effect of AMF and organic fertilizer on increasing yield and nutritional value of kumpai grass in red-yellow podzolic acid soils. The study design used a completely randomized 5 x 3 factorial pattern and repeat three times. Two factors as treatment: AMF and organic fertilizer. AMF usage consisted of three levels: control (0 g/pot), AMF (10 g/pot) and AMF (20 g/pot). The organic fertilizer usage consisteds of five levels: control (0 %), manure (50 %), manure (100 %), compost (50 %) and compost (100 %). Variables measured included the width of leaves, plant length, number of tillers, the yield of forage dry matter, crude protein, phosphorus, dry matter and organic matter digestibility. The results showed that the AMF and organic fertilizer had a highly significant (P<0.01) effect for all observed variables. The interaction AMF and organic fertilizers had significant effect on crude protein, phosphorus and organic matter digestibility.


A Lewis acid mediated coupling reaction of enol-diazo nucleophiles and propargyl acetates has provided rapid and diverse access to complex alkynyl-tethered diazocarbonyl compounds. The ability of the coupling reaction to vary critical functionality flanking the diazo group was explored as a way to direct the outcome of a series of metal-catalyzed carbene metathesis cascade reactions. These cascade reactions provided diverse, biologically interesting carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds in only a few steps from readily available materials.


Service robots, a type of robots that perform useful tasks for humans, are foreseen to be broadly used in the near future in both social and industrial scenarios. Those robots will be required to operate in dynamic environments, collaborating among them or with users. Specifying the list of requested tasks to be achieved by a robotic team is far from being trivial. Therefore, mission specification languages and tools need to be expressive enough to allow the specification of complex missions (e.g., detailing recovery actions), while being reachable by domain experts who might not be knowledgeable of programming languages. To support domain experts, we developed PROMISE, a Domain-Specific Language that allows mission specification for multiple robots in a user-friendly, yet rigorous manner. PROMISE is built as an Eclipse plugin that provides a textual and a graphical interface for mission specification. Our tool is in turn integrated into a software framework, which provides functionalities as: (1) automatic generation from specification, (2) sending of missions to the robotic team; and (3) interpretation and management of missions during execution time. PROMISE and its framework implementation have been validated through simulation and real-world experiments with four different robotic models.Video: https://youtu.be/RMtqwY2GOlQ


The utility model relates to an overhang end plate beam column connected node structure, which comprises a steel frame beam (1), a steel frame column (2) and an end plate (3), and is characterized in that: the overhang end plate beam column connected node structure also comprises a beam stiffening plate (4), a haunched beam flange (5), a haunched beam web (6) and a column stiffening plate (15); the haunched beam flange (5) and the haunched beam web (6) are arranged below the steel frame beam (1); the beam stiffening plate (4) is arranged at the starting position of the haunched beam flange (5) on the steel frame beam (1); the column stiffening plate (15) is arranged on the corresponding positions of a beam upper flange (17), a beam lower flange (18) and the haunched beam flange (5); and the steel frame beam (1) is fixedly connected with the steel frame column (2) through the end plate (3). The overhang end plate beam column connected node structure is widely used in the industry and civil steel structure, has fast construction speed, saves materials, and has excellent shock-absorption performance and vast economic benefit.


We have developed an ultra precise XY motion stage for large display panel manufacturing equipment. It incorporates three challenging concepts to achieve nanometer-level positioning error over a long travel. The main features of the stage mechanism are as follows: 1) a coarse-fine mechanism to improve system dynamics and consequently enhance control bandwidth, 2) a reaction frame and isolation of a metrology frame to prevent the reaction forces caused by actuating motors from vibrating the metrology frame and optic system, 3) mass balancing which eliminates tilting and deformation of a base frame by maintaining the mass center of the stage system at the same position. In order to achieve nanometer precision, coreless linear motors and voice coil motors were used as actuators, and frictionless air bearings were used as motion guides. Also, differential type laser interferometers were used as position feedback making the fine stage follow a desired trajectory with respect to the optic system. We set up the stage system in an OLED fabrication facility, and evaluated its control performance. In-position stability and scanning error turned out to be less than 65 nm and 69 nm in 3 sigma, respectively. It was verified that the three key mechanisms implemented in the large stage system worked fine as designed, creating opportunities for broader applications with high level of size and precision requirements. Using the stage-equipped system, we are currently undergoing the pilot manufacturing process for OLED panels.


Introduction: Amiodarone is one of the most commonly prescribed antiarrhythmic medications in the United States. Adverse effects have been shown to affect multiple organ systems including cardiac, thyroid, hepatic, ocular and pulmonary. Pulmonary toxicity can vary in presentation from interstitial pneumonitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, organizing pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)1. This is a case of ARDS caused by Amiodarone. Case Presentation: This is a case of an 81 yo male with a history of atrial fibrillation (on Amiodarone 200 mg daily), mechanical aortic valve replacement and diabetes who presented to the hospital with a four week history of dry cough and one week of dyspnea on exertion. He was treated for community acquired pneumonia prior to admission with steroids, Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone and Levofloxacin. On arrival he was afebrile, but hypoxic requiring oxygen support with nasal cannula. Physical exam was concerning for an ill appearing, lethargic elderly gentleman with extensive crackles throughout both lung fields more concentrated in the upper lobes. Laboratory was significant for negative SARS Coronavirus RNA PCR and Leukocytosis 14.7. Computed-tomography revealed extensive bilateral consolidations with air bronchograms worse in the upper lobes. As his clinical status worsened requiring use of non-invasive ventilation and transfer to the intensive care unit, it became clear that this was not an infectious process;work up thus far had been negative. Amiodarone was discontinued and the patient was started on Diltiazem and pulse dose steroids. Within four days, his respiratory and mental status improved. Discussion: Amiodarone pulmonary toxicity has been associated with higher doses of 400 mg, but 1.6% of cases are reported with less, making this case unique. The pathology appears to be related to direct cytotoxic effect and indirect immunological reaction. Patients will usually present with a nonproductive cough and shortness of breath. Imaging is key for diagnosis, demonstrating diffuse patchy infiltrates;with a preference to the right lung and upper lobes. Treatment centers on discontinuation of the drug and 40-60 mg of Prednisone per day tapered over the period of a few months2.


Abstract: Proliferative breast disease is known to be a common finding in women at risk for breast cancer. A group of 263 women defined as being at high risk for developing breast carcinoma underwent random fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) of one or both breasts. In addition, a group of 30 low‐risk volunteers underwent random FNA of one or both breasts. Using cytomorphologic criteria, only 29% of our high‐risk group had normal (non‐proliferative) cytology. Nine percent (9%) had apocrine metaplasia. Forty‐three percent (43%) of high‐risk women had proliferative breast disease with or without apocrine metaplasia and 19% had atypical hyperplasia (proliferative breast disease with atypia). In contrast, 83% of low‐risk women had normal cytology, 17% had proliferative breast disease, and none had proliferative breast disease with atypia. The difference in prevalence of normal cytology, proliferative breast disease, and proliferative breast disease with atypia between women at high and low risk for developing carcinoma were all statistically significant (p < 0.01). Nine of the 263 women later developed in situ (n= 6) or invasive (n= 3) breast cancer. Eight of those 9 patients had proliferative breast disease with atypia on a prior random FNA and one had proliferative breast disease. These findings indicate that cytologic evidence of proliferative breast disease and proliferative breast disease with atypia from random FNA is more prevalent in high‐risk than in low‐risk women; and further that proliferative breast disease with atypia in the random needle aspirates is significantly associated with later cancer development.


The present invention relates to a preparation method of boron carbide ceramics. In particular, the preparation method comprises the following steps: first, boron powder and carbon powder are weighed and mixed with the molar ratio of boron and carbon equal to 0.5 to 22.5; secondly, the powder prepared in the first step is arranged in a die and transmitted to discharging plasma sintering equipment for sintering, and the temperature is raised to be between 1300 and 2200 DEG C under the vacuum conditions; thirdly, the die is taken out from the discharging plasma sintering equipment and cooled to be at the room temperature; then the die is drawn away and thus the final product is prepared. In the preparation method, the direct synthesis and densification of boron carbide are completed in one step; the powder is sintered under the vacuum conditions; and the prepared boron carbide ceramics has the advantages of high purity, variety in the ratio of boron and carbon, and high hardness.


We propose an information-theoretic approach for deriving predictive collaborative strategies in a dyad. Social interaction and coordination in robotics have been initially studied by Walter (1950) in natural and artificial agents and more recently by Dautenhahn (1995); Ikegami and Iizuka (2007); Paolo et al. (2008); Goldstone and Janssen (2005). Our framework builds on the concept of relevant information (Polani et al. (2001)), while not assuming any intrinsic dynamics nor a particular metabolism, instead of imposing certain information processing constraints. Information theory provides a universal language to quantify conditions and invariants for a large class of models in a generic and principled way and allows to compare quantities of models that are otherwise not directly comparable.


The spark ignition engine, by far, is the largest source of motive power in the world. Therefore, continuous endeavours to improve its performance are needed to save in fuel consumption and reduce cost. The main goal of this paper is to develop a neuro-fuzzy model for fuel Injection Time (IT) in order to design a neuro-fuzzy controller for improving the performance of the spark ignition engine. The obtained results showed that the developed neuro-fuzzy model is capable of predicting the fuel IT with a mean squared error less than 0.0072. Furthermore, the power produced by the neuro-fuzzy controller has higher values of about 15-73% than the power produced by the PID controller used in the basic engine. The BSFC is reduced by about 2-5% compared to the PID controller.


With the development of network communication technology and multimedia audio-visual technology, in the era of shared economy, the hot topics of education such as "MOOC" and "network course platform" are getting more and more from the Ministry of Education. The attention and favor of colleges and universities at all levels as well as teaching-related groups, however, because "online education" started relatively late, the concept of education has not been updated in time, and the understanding of technology and education is not correct. The construction of "network teaching platform" in colleges and universities has failed to achieve the expected effect, and even led to the erroneous cognition of "information-based education" and "shared education" at one time. Taking Chinese University MOOC as an example, this paper uses the methods of case analysis, literature research, online investigation and so on to summarize and sort out the advantages of Chinese university MOOC and its enlightenment to the network teaching platform of colleges and universities. Then the development trend of network teaching platform in colleges and universities under the background of Internet is analyzed. The construction of network teaching platform in colleges and universities should be fully aware of their strengths and weaknesses, make them keep up with the pace of the times under the support of new technological trends and policies, and look forward to their future development under the new situation of "Internet". The network teaching platform of colleges and universities can only grasp its own position, carry on its own reform and strengthen the learning and application of new technologies (cloud computing, big data analysis, AI artificial intelligence, VR virtual reality).


N‐Acyliminium ions are powerful intermediates in synthetic organic chemistry. Examples of their use are numerous in solution‐phase synthesis, but there are unmerited few reports on these highly reactive electrophiles in solid‐phase synthesis. The present review covers the literature to date and illustrates the methods used to generate N‐acyliminium intermediates on solid support and their further elaboration to a range of pharmacologically interesting peptidomimetics, heterocycles, and other small molecules. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 94: 242–256, 2010.


The electric filed,magnetic field and radio interference in thirteen 500 kV substations is Measured.The measurement results show that the level of the electric-magnetic environment outside 500 kV substation is lower than limits defined by environment protecting standard in China.It means electric field is lower that 4 kV/m,magnetic field is lower that 0.1 mT,radio interference is lower that 55 dB.In the substation,the max.electric filed intensity is 11.66 kV/m and electric filed of 70% measurement position is between 4 and 8 kV/m,the max.horizontal and vertical magnetic induction intensity is 13.23 μT and 9.58 μT,and the max.total magnetic induction intensity is 16.33 μT,the magnetic induction intensity of 90% measurement position is under 10 μT. The radio interference is 33~46 dB for all measured 500 kV substations.


Here we propose a new method for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease from MRI images. The most prevalent, reliable and result-oriented methods for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease are: Firstly, measuring the rate of atrophy of the hippocampus and total brain volume; Secondly, extracting information from the gray matter, white matter and cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) of the brain. In this work, different statistical features such as contrast, homogeneity, correlation, energy and also shape features are extracted from the MRI images. For every image a number of features are extracted and these are fed to the classifier. The images are classified into any of the three classes: Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Normal Control (NC). The proposed approach compares the performances of Probabilistic Neural Network(PNN), Support Vector Machines(SVM) and K-Nearest Neighbour(KNN) in terms of their accuracy, specificity and sensitivity. The MRI images are obtained from the ADNI database. ADNI is a clinically validated database of MRI, PET and FMRI images of subjects.


Abstract : This report summarizes and synthesizes the results of cultural resources efforts sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, at Cooper Lake in Delta and Hopkins Counties, Texas. The work described was carried out between 1951 and 1994 and involved numerous projects aimed at inventorying the resources, assessing their eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and further investigating those found to contain important data. The report consists of four chapters and four appendixes. Chapter 1 describes the environmental setting and summarizes the history of the cultural resources efforts. Chapter 2 describes the prehistoric site database. Chapter 3 is a topically organized synthesis of the information from the prehistoric sites. The appendixes contain an inventory of all known sites at Cooper Lake, a list of all radiocarbon dates from the project area, a discussion of additional dates obtained during this project, and an analysis of the human remains from the project area.


Shortly after its isolation from canned ground meat in 1956, the bacterium Micrococcus radiodurans, later reclassified as Deinococcus radiodurans, was found to be capable of withstanding radioactive irradiation in doses that are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than those most other organisms can cope with. Following exposure to these irradiation doses as well as to other assaults, such as extreme desiccation, that damage chromatin, each of the genome copies in D. radiodurans is shattered into 150 to 200 fragments (1, 4). The ability to reconstitute the whole genome from multiple fragments in an error-free process is remarkable because homologous recombination pathways of DNA repair cannot occur in the absence of an intact chromosome that acts as a template. The mystery surrounding the resilience of D. radiodurans was intensified following the complete sequencing of its genome, which failed to clarify the genetic elements that promote accurate DNA mending of hundreds of fragments. Specifically, the annotated sequence implied that most of the typical complements of DNA repair proteins are present in D. radiodurans (2, 29). In 2003, we reported our high-resolution electron microscopy results, which indicated that chromosomes in D. radiodurans cells adopt highly condensed ring-like organizations (14). We proposed that within this particularly stable mode of tight DNA packaging, DNA ends generated by double-strand breaks are kept in close spatial proximity, allowing for accurate DNA repair through nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) (6, 14, 18). This proposal was supported by our observation that, under particular growth conditions that sustain normal proliferation of D. radiodurans cells but completely abolish radioresistance, the ring-like shape of the genome is no longer detected, being instead replaced by a dispersed, irregular conformation (14). In their recent article, Eltsov and Dubochet used cryoelectron microscopy of vitreous sections (CEMOVIS) to examine the structure of D. radiodurans (5). By using this method, the authors found that the nucleoids of exponentially growing cells appear to adopt a diffuse shape, whereas in stationary-phase cells, some local order was detected. Eltsov and Dubochet argue that dense toroidal DNA packaging probably does not exist in D. radiodurans, in contrast to our previous results. On the basis of these observations, it was concluded that the structure of the nucleoid in D. radiodurans does not directly contribute to DNA repair in this bacterium. We do not agree with the interpretation of the experimental data presented in the Eltsov and Dubochet article, nor do we accept the final conclusion. Specifically, we claim that nucleoids in D. radiodurans as well as those in other highly resistant bacterial species do adopt unique conformations and that these conformations represent a sine qua non factor of DNA repair by directly promoting the efficiency and accuracy of NHEJ processes in these organisms. In the following sections, we analyze the experimental data reported in the Eltsov and Dubochet article (5) and juxtapose these data with results derived from other structural techniques. We then proceed to examine the interpretation of the data in light of recently reported findings that directly pertain to the structural basis of DNA repair in D. radiodurans.


Introduction: Proximal humeral fractures have been increasing in recent years with the increase in population over 60 years old. 20 to 30% of these fractures require surgical treatment according to the Neer criteria: fragments dislocation greater than 1 cm and/or an angle greater than 45°. A rigid fixation of proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients with osteoporotic bone is not satisfactory; new solutions are sought. The authors describe a minimally invasive technique that uses an intramedullary elastic implant – helix wire. Objective: Evaluate functional outcomes and complication rates in patients with humeral subcapital fractures who underwent fixation with helix wire. Material: Cross-sectional study evaluating patients with subcapital fracture of the humerus who underwent fixation with helix wire. Methods: There were operated 32 patients with proximal humeral fractures with helix wire implant, with an average age of 71 years old (41–90). 9 men and 23 women. According to Neer's classification: 18 two parts fractures, 12 three parts and 2 four parts. Osteosynthesis with cannulated screws was associated to the helix wire in three and four parts fractures. In all patients the shoulder was immobilized for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks patients started rehabilitation. Results: Of the 32 fractures, 30 consolidated and there were no avascular necrosis of the humeral head. A fracture has evolved to pseudarthrosis. One patient abandoned follow-up 4 weeks after surgery, and was therefore not possible to assess the consolidation. 17 patients were assessed with mean follow-up of 18 months (4–52 months). The mean Constant score obtained was 66.2 points (53–90). 3 months after surgery all patients resumed their daily activities to the level before the fracture. Discussion and Conclusion: This minimally invasive technique provides good stability, with minimum damage of soft tissue and vascular preservation of the humeral head. Our choice is based on the number of consolidations achieved through this technique and functional evaluation of these patients, which we consider satisfactory, taking into account that the functional requirements are lower than those of a young person. Intramedullary helical implant (helix wire) is simple and biological, suitable for elderly patients with poor bone, which enables percutaneous osteosynthesis using the techniques of indirect reduction and the association, when appropriate, of cannulated screws.


Home prices have soared by 58 percent during the past seven years and now stand 15 percent above boom-time highs. Although this steep rise is reminiscent of last decade's housing bubble, the root cause is very different and implies a sharply divergent path for the housing market in coming years. The price rise during the housing boom was a symptom of excesses in housing. In contrast, the current price rise signals the need for more construction as the market faces growing shortages. This paper introduces a new housing supply metric to show that the massive overbuilding during the housing boom set in motion an extended period of underbuilding that is still ongoing ten years after the recession ended. The current housing underbuilding explains the recent price rise, and the new metric suggests that construction activity and prices will continue to increase.


Chondrichthyans play an important role in nutrient cycling of many marine ecosystems, yet little is known about their nutritional physiology particularly relating to nutrient acquisition in the spiral valve intestine. This unique organ poses challenges for examining nutrient transport physiology using traditional reductionist methods owing to its scroll-like morphology. Thus, we established a method for the characterization of nutrient uptake rates in two representative chondrichthyans, the Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi) and the Pacific spotted ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei). We validated a dual-cannulation method wherein perfusate was circulated through the vasculature of the spiral valve via the anterior and posterior intestinal arteries and 14C-glucose or 3H-oleic acid was accumulated from the static spiral valve lumen into the anterior and posterior intestinal veins. Radiotracer accumulated at a stable rate in the venous effluent in comparison to measures of mucosal disappearance. Interestingly, similar anterior and posterior glucose uptake was observed in dogfish yet significantly more oleic acid was accumulated in the posterior veins of ratfish. Further validation of the preparation in dogfish demonstrated sodium dependence of glucose transport as well as an effect of bovine insulin administration to the arterial circulation. Each of these manipulations resulted in significant differences in glucose handling between the anterior and posterior veins, suggestive of heretofore unknown heterogenous functions along the intestine. This preparation demonstrates a new and reliable method for the measurement of nutrient acquisition and regulation thereof in a unique digestive organ. Further, it presents avenues for investigation of differential functional along the spiral valve.


We describe and present detailed performance characterizations for an enhanced version of our MEMS based phase shifting interferometer (MBPSI) that achieves times denser motion reconstruction at an our original system. We measure the noise level to be lesplusmn6 nm lambda for a 66 nm laser) and the frequency resolution to be les Hz for Hz motion captured at Hz. We have successfully tracked a piezo based actuator driven with an arbitrary waveform composed of transients les Hz.


The aim of this thesis is to describe present and past coastal dune environments in southern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The present vegetation of a dune system and its zonation are described ...


In order to verify the uniqueness of link-local or unicast addresses, nodes must perform a Duplicate Address Detection process before using them. However, this process is subject to many attacks and the security is willing to be the most important issues in Small Object Networks with IPv6. In this paper, we developed a new algorithm to optimize the security in IPv6-DAD process; this method is based on SHA-512 to verify the identity of the Neighbor Discovery messages transmitted in the link local. First, before sending the NS message, the new node uses the function SHA-512 to hash to the target address and use the last 64 bits in a new field and then encrypt the result with its private key. When receiving the secure message, the existing nodes decrypt it. Our algorithm is going to secure the DAD process by using a digital signature. Overall, this algorithm showed a significant effect in terms of the Address Configuration Success Probability (ACSP).


As part of its research efforts to encourage conservation and reuse of natural resources, the Bureau of Mines has developed a processing method to produce high-quality flake graphite from the steelmaking waste known as kish. The kish produced by current steelmaking practices is a mixture of graphite, desulfurization slag, and iron that is skimmed from the molten iron feed to the basic oxygen furnace. It is estimated that the graphite content of kish discarded by American steel plants is more than sufficient to meet the total U.S. demand for flake graphite. That need is now filled by natural graphite from foreign sources. Kish was treated by a combination of screening and hydraulic classification to produce a concentrate containing greater than 70 pct graphite. Leaching of the concentrate with hydrochloric acid solution gave a graphite product with 95 pct purity.


The importance of basis sets and active spaces in the determination of the potential energy curves and relevant energy differences in the Oh‐symmetry model system [Fe(NCH)6]2+ is analyzed using the Complete Active Space Self‐Consistent Field (CASSCF) method and subsequent second‐order perturbative treatment (CASPT2). By comparison of a series of atomic basis sets contraction, it is concluded that a balanced description of the Fe 7s6p5d3f2g1h and N 4s3p1d partners is needed to reach convergence upon the potential energy surface descriptions. Since the spin‐crossover phenomenon involves the simultaneous change in the spin nature and expansion of the coordination sphere of the metal ion (i.e., lengthening of the Fe‐N distances), the standard 10 electrons/12 orbitals complete active space is confronted to a chemically intuitive 18 electrons/15 orbitals picture. The role of a second d‐shell is finally examined using the extended RAS strategy. Using a valence‐bond type analysis, it is shown that the so‐called d′ orbitals allow for a significant charge redistribution (∼0.5 electron) along the transition. Our calculations are compared to reference coupled‐cluster estimations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009


The 60th anniversary of the Bolivian Revolution of 1952 led by the MNR provided an opportunity to review a Latin American political experience of disputed importance in the light of the government of the MAS under Evo Morales since 2006. This essay reappraises the historiography of 1952 from the perspective of MNR officialism and from critical positions, particularly those associated with indigenismo or Katarismo. Bolivia hoy , an influential collection of essays edited by Rene Zavaleta Mercado in 1983, is identified as a key moment in changing interpretations of the 1952 revolution.


With its unique scale pattern and color pattern, herbaceous fish skin is one of the popular high-grade leather. Its physical and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, are important indicators to measure the inner quality of leather. This paper adopts a set of horizontal tensile testing machine for different parts of the grass fish skin stretch experiment, and the error source is analyzed, the results showed that the experimental scheme can realize the mechanical properties of the flexible materials such as grass fish skin tests, and the accuracy and reliability. The results showed that the strength of the fish skin was different in the head, abdomen and tail, which was related to the function of the fish.


Human caring is an essential component of critical care nursing which has proven elusive to study using common quantitative research methods. This investigator uses a qualitative method to study human caring experience in critical care.


Two kinds of hBN were synthesized by using Na2B4O7-NH4Cl and Na2B4O7-(NH)2CO as the starting materials at 950 , both hBN are analogous in crystallization, the average particle size was 5.6 and 1 .42 um respectively. Under high temperature and high Pressure and using Li series catalysts, cBN synthesized from the former was yellow transparent and from the latter showed black translucent. It is also found that growth stops on the surface of cBN crystals occur.The hBN obtained from the reaction of KBH4 and NH4Cl is amorphous with particle size of 12.43 um, and it can not transform into cBN using Li series catalysts. The synthesis mechanism of cBN was discussed.


The research is dedicated to design an adaptive direct fuzzy control system for a typical satellite to attain desired orientation. Satellite dynamic is obtained using Euler formulation. Having kinematics from quaternion description of the attitude control, the combined nonlinear model is provided. Sliding surface used as primary variable of the adaptive law to regulate the output of direct fuzzy controller. In order to evaluate the designed controller performance, different simulations are performed in the presence of disturbance. Comparing the simulation results against that of a typical classic controller shows the significant improvement in the system response.


The disperse structure of oil asphaltenes in benzene and toluene solutions at different temperatures and concentrations were studied at pressures up to 1.0 GPa. The polarity of the asphaltene molecules allows the dielectric spectroscopic method to be used. A sharp increase in the relaxation time and the sizes of the asphaltene aggregates, calculated according to the Debye model near the phase transition point, were found in the benzene solution. The pressure value corresponding to crystallization is much higher in the toluene solution, and only the border region can be investigated. An explanation of the pressure dependences of the relaxation times are presented. The activation energies and the coefficients of isothermal compressibility are calculated.


South Africans who put their savings into offshore equity markets when exchange controls were eased in the late 1990s have been badly disappointed over the past decade: the MSCI World Index has returned 2.8% per year in rand terms and the average SA unit trust in the Foreign Equity sector returned only 3.3% per year in the ten years to 30 September 2009, leaving investors with little to show for their offshore portfolios.


This paper presents the non-linear investigations carried out on a scaled model of a two-span masonry arch bridge. The model has been built in order to study the effect of the central pile settlement due to riverbank erosion. Progressive damage was induced in several steps by applying increasing settlements at the central pier. For each settlement step, harmonic shaker tests were conducted under different excitation levels, this allowing for the non-linear identification of the progressively damaged system. The shaker tests have been performed at resonance with the modal frequency of the structure, which were determined from a previous linear identification. Estimated non-linearity parameters, which result from the systematic application of restoring force based identification algorithms, can corroborate models to be used in the reassessment of existing structures. The method used for non-linear identification allows monitoring the evolution of non-linear parameters or indicators which can be used in damage and safety assessment.


Ten cases of T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia were studied with light and electron microscopy. Cytochemical stains were performed on touch preparations, and mononuclear cell suspensions were tested for spontaneous rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes, C3 receptors, and surface immunoglobulins. The present investigation was performed to evaluate several ultrastructural parameters, mainly the nuclear shape, as diagnostic clues for this group of lymphomas. Characteristic convoluted nuclei were present in 7 to 47% of the lymphoblasts. This percentage correlated with the focal acid phosphatase reaction and E‐rosette formation. Acid phosphatase was the best cytochemical marker (70–100% of the lymphoblasts showed focal reaction product). By ultrastructural cytochemistry, the reaction product was demonstrated in the Golgi cisternae and primary lysosomes. The cell suspensions obtained from different sources contained 14 to 95% E‐rosette‐forming cells. No specific morphologic, cytochemical, or immunologic differences were found between patients with or without mediastinal involvement.


This research adopts a series of methods including questionnaires,taped observations,interviews and a multiple-case study,in order to gain a deeper insight into the learning difference of silent and affective students in English classrooms.Find out the method of effective students overcome disadvantages and participate in English class and explore strategies to help the silent students and realize effective classroom participation patterns in college English class.Finally,discover better method to improve students' English level.


The purpose of this paper was to examine and identify the marketing strategies adopting by multinational companies operating in Nigeria. The descriptive and inferential research designs was used for the study with the finding that multinational companies operating in Nigeria embraces the adaptation marketing strategy by adjusting its marketing elements of product, price, promotion and place for the market in order to meet the local preferences and competitions. Recommendations made include the following: multinational companies operating in Nigeria should embark on test marketing of products to identify consumers' preference before any adaptation strategy is adopted, multinational companies should embrace societal marketing policy and educate the consumers in Nigeria on usage and safety of their products while pursuing corporate profit and government should ensure that control mechanism and regulations are put in place to monitor the operations of the multinational companies operation in Nigeria etc. Keywords: Marketing strategies, multinational companies, Nigeria.


The parietal and paroccipital fissures may be either completely separated by an isthmus, or apparently continuous. When so continuous ectally there may still be an ental and concealed vadum or shallow. Disregarding the vadum on the present occasion, the ectal relations of the two fissures may be designated as either continuity or separation. That continuity occurs more frequently on the left side has been noted by Ecker, Cunningham and the writer. Hitherto, however, statistics have included unmated hemicerebrums as well as mates from the same individuals. The following statement is based upon the cerebrums of 58 adults of both sexes and various nationalities and characters. The speaker has examined 48; the other 10 have been accurately recorded by Bischoff, Dana, Jensen and Mills.


In the networking mode of integrated construction and operation of the main network and distribution network, in order to solve the problem of low network resource allocation efficiency in dynamic environment, this paper models the network resource allocation problem as the game problem between the provider and the demander of network resource, and a dynamic resource allocation model is proposed. The stochastic robust optimization method is used to solve the predicted price of the network resource provider, which is used to calculate the optimal bidding strategy of the network resource demander. Based on this model, a dynamic resource allocation algorithm based on VCG mechanism is proposed. Through simulation experiments, it is verified that the resource allocation algorithm proposed in this paper has achieved better results in terms of the total utility and total revenue of network resources compared with the traditional resource allocation algorithm.


Objective: This study focused on the in vitro antibacterial efficacy of papaya seed ethanolic and aqueous extracts against Salmonella spp. and Candida albicans.
Material-Method: Dry seeds of Carica papaya were extracted with ethanol and hot water and tested for antimicrobial activity against Salmonella spp and Candida albicans using agar well diffusion method on Muller Hilton agar.
Results: The study found that the extracts worked better against Salmonella spp than Candida albicans, however, ethanol extract was stronger against the isolates with inhibition zone diameter (IZD) ranging from 10 mm to 32 mm, compared to the aqueous extract which only had 4 mm to 9 mm zones at certain concentrations.
Conclusion: The activity of Carica papaya seed extracts demonstrates that the seeds are as significant as other parts of the plant and provides a scientific basis for the seeds' use in the treatment of many ailments in the local community. The extracts were more effective against Salmonella spp., with the ethanol extract having the highest antibacterial activity, indicating that the components of papaya seeds are more soluble in organic solvents and had stronger bactericidal characteristics. As a result, extensive analyses of the bioactive chemicals in Carica papaya seeds and their modes of action are required to present a full picture


The book presents the results of a study of the relative productivity or efficiency of rural and urban workers, primarily operatives, in eleven different industrial situations. The measure of productivity or efficiency used was the amount of labor time required to produce a unit of output. Every reasonable effort was made to hold constant, or make adjustment for, the output mix, quality of output, working conditions, and age, sex, and experience of the workers. Twenty-five different processes or operations were studied. Input-output data, generally covering at least a four-week period, were obtained from factory records for 461 workers who worked individually or in small teams. The author concludes that there is no clear evidence of superiority for either urban or rural labor. When the data for the 25 processes were summarized, ten revealed higher rural efficiency, the same number showed the opposite, and five exhibited broadly equivalent efficiency. In addition to the production data, the views of management were solicited concerning the relative productivity of the two types of workers. Roughly half of the persons interviewed thought that there was no difference, and the remainder were almost equally divided between those who believed either urban or rural workers were superior. There is no question that the book represents a scholarly piece of work. The author has a clearly stated objective and the research was carried out with great care and requisite attention to the important details. The reader is given a clear view of the many problems that were confronted in the course of the research, and he is fully informed of the compromises that were required and the adjustments that were made. The methods of statistical analysis resorted to are quite simple, but given the nature of the data, the author's selection of methods cannot be objected to. The major limitation of the study is the relatively small number of individuals for which data were obtained. In sixteen of the twenty-five comparisons, there were less than six workers in one or both of the groups being compared. I am sure that the inability to obtain larger groups was as disappointing to the author as it is to the reader. It should be noted that the definition of rural does not imply farm. While some of the workers in the rural factories may have been drawn from farm villages or communities, most of them would probably fall in the rural nonfarm category, as defined by American usage. The author also collected data on labor turnover and absenteeism and found no difference between the rural and urban labor forces. An extremely interesting set of data is presented on the examination results of candidates for the Department of Technology of the City and Guilds of London Institute. The exams are commonly taken by factory apprentices enrolled in part-time courses. Data are given for 1953 and 1954 when there were about 50,000 candidates from industrial areas and about 4,000 from rural areas. In 1953 64.7 percent of the industrial area applicants received passes, while 62.0 percent of the rural applicants were passed. In 1954 the percent of passes was 60.9 and 58.6, respectively. Without specifying the test or the probability level used, the author reports that the examination results were significantly different in one year, but not in the other. In any case, the difference is very small and may be explained in part by differences in the quality of training received in the various areas.


This research aims to evaluate the potential of using AISI 444 (ferritic stainless steel) in critical weld joints. For the last several years serious efforts have been made in the area of welding stainless steel. While the problems associated with the performance of welded joints of ferritic stainless steel (FSS) are still there. In the current work, an effort has been made to create sound weld joints while also examining the microstructural, mechanical, and corrosion-resistance characteristics of the weldment. To evaluate the weldments' corrosion resistance, modified destructive and non-destructive tests were conducted in an aggressive environment. The research findings revealed that the joint's ferrite content was balanced. Weld showed higher hardness than the base metal. The tensile properties were examined experimentally, and the tensile test proved that these steel welds are stronger than those of the base metal. This effect might also be felt in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), which is the area right close to the fusion zone. In comparison to the sulfuric acid solution, the HCL solution showed stronger effects.


The spatial and hydrological properties of headwaters allows dendritic systems to contribute to patterns of regional diversity. However, such ecological gradients may be disrupted as a result of ha...


Objective To evaluate the systolic function of left ventricle(LV) in the short axis views in diabetic patients with ejection fraction (EF) value > 50% with velocity vector imaging (VVI) and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE).Methods 30 diabetic patients,which were excluded from coronary artery disease,hypertension,valvular heart diseases,congenital heart diseases,and EF value >50 %by echocardiography,and 20 volunteers with age and sex matched were involved in the study.Twodimensional VVI echocardiographic cine loops were stored at baseline and dobutamine stress (10,20,30 and 40 μg · kg-1 · min-1) in the basal,middle and apical short axis views of LV.The maximum systolic velocity (Vs),strain (e) and strain rate (SR) were obtained from sygno VVI software.Results The Vs,e and SR showed decrement tendency from basal to apical short axis view whether in the control group or in the DM group.At baseline,the SR in the apical view decreased significantly in the DM group than that in the control group (P <0.05),other parameters were comparable between the two groups.After 10 μg· kg-1 · min-1 dobutamine stress,the SR in the middle and apical views and Vs,e in the apical view decreased significantly in the DM group than those in the control group (all P < 0.05).After 20μg· kg-1 · min-1 dobutamine stress,the SR in the basal,middle and apical views and Vs,e in the middle and apical views decreased significantly in the DM group than those in the control group (all P <0.05).After the maximum dobutamine stress,all parameters decreased significantly in the DM group than those in the control group (all P <0.05).Conclusions The systolic function impairment of DM patients appeared first in the apical tissue of LV,SR was more sensitive index than velocity arnd strain,DSE could increase the sensitivity of VVI parameters in detecting the myocardial systolic function impairment in the earlier stage.

Key words:
Echocardiography, stress;  Diabetes mellitus;  Ventricular function, left;  Dobutamine; Velocity vector imaging


The purpose of this study was to observe and analyze the effects of extract of Acanthopanax(Senticosus) on different organiztion NO,NOS in intensive endurance training rats.Methods:Adopt intensive(endurance) training,compare with the experiment through supplementing the extract of Acanthopanax Senticosus,observe the changes of NO,NOS content in rats' different organizations after intensive endurance training.Results:Exercise medicine taking group myocardium between organization and liver NO content was higher than exercise group in organizing.There was significance difference.Exercise medicine taking group cardiac muscle total NOS enzyme activation higher than exercise group,had significant difference in organizing.Exercise medicine taking group brain organization and liver total NOS enzyme activation was lower than the exercise group obviously in organizing.Exercise group and exercise medicine taking group kidney total NOS enzyme activation did not have obvious difference of organizing.Conclusion:Extract of(Acanthopanax) Senticosus could make exercise rat's body heart skin organization and liver oxidize content of nitrogen rise in organizing,improve exercise rat's heart and liver blood vessel shrink state,help vasodilation and the blood was supported to increase.


An array of four uniform half-width microstrip leaky-wave antennas (MLWAs) was designed and tested to obtain maximum radiation in the boresight direction. To achieve this, uniform MLWAs are placed at 90 ° and fed by a single probe at the center. Four beams from four individual branches combine to form the resultant directive beam. The measured matched bandwidth of the array is 300 MHz (3.8-4.1 GHz). Its beam toward boresight occurs over a relatively wide 6.4% (3.8-4.05 GHz) band. The peak measured boresight gain of the array is 10.1 dBi, and its variation within the 250-MHz boresight radiation band is only 1.7 dB.


Data file containing spatial variables of wolf GPS-positions and random points for step selection functions that is used in the article "Wolves at the door? Factors influencing the individual behavior of wolves in relation to anthropogenic features". Abstract: The recovery of large carnivores in human-dominated landscapes comes with challenges. In general, large carnivores avoid humans and their activities, and human avoidance favors coexistence, but individual variation in large carnivore behavior may occur. The detection of individuals close to human settlements or roads can trigger fear in local communities and in turn demand management actions. Understanding the sources of individual variation in carnivore behavior towards human features is relevant and timely for ecology and conservation. We studied the movement behavior of 52 adult established wolves (44 wolf pairs) with GPS-collars over two decades in Scandinavia in relation to settlements, buildings, and roads. We fit fine-scale movement data to individual step selection functions to depict the movement decisions of wolves while travelling, and then used weighted linear mixed models to identify factors associated with potential individual pair deviations from the general behavioral patterns. Wolves consistently avoided human settlements and main roads, with little individual variation. Indeed, after correcting for season, time of the day, and latitude, there was little variability in habitat selection among wolf pairs, demonstrating that all wolf pairs had similar movement pattern and generally avoided human features of the landscape. Wolf avoidance of human features was lower at higher latitudes particularly in winter, likely due to seasonal prey migration. Although occasional sightings of carnivores or their tracks near human features do occur, they do not necessarily require management intervention. Communication of scientific findings on carnivore behavior to the public should suffice in most cases.


poetry set to music, one could build an entire chronological study of poetry based on poetry which in one way or another has been set to music. Certainly using poetry set to music provides an excellent device by which the common elements of both can be examined. Any music adds a new dimension to the study of poetry. That music which is avantrock should guarantee the attention of the most callous student.