Abstract In this study we compared the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the subacute and chronic stages of post-stroke recovery. Anodal/sham tDCS was applied to the primary motor cortex of stroke patients in these stages of recovery in a cross-over design. The Jebsen–Taylor hand function test was employed. The repeated-measure ANOVA showed significant influence of the stimulation type and test performance time (during/after tDCS) with no overall influence of recovery stage. The interaction TYPE*TIME*STAGE was significant. The effect after anodal tDCS in the subacute stage was significantly higher compared to the effects in all relevant conditions including the chronic stage. Therefore, tDCS treatment in the subacute stage of recovery can be superior, at least for some patients, to treatment in the chronic stage.


ensuring a bloodless field, so that all remnants of the choroid adherent around the nerve head can be removed with certainty. In the case of accidental button-holing of the sclera in the course of enucleation the residual stump can be easily identified by means of the speculum, and any portion of the globe that remains adherent to the optic nerve can be readily demonstrated and removed. I hope that the use of this instrument may serve to diminish the incidence of cases of imperfect removal of the choroid in modified excision of the eyeball, with its attendant risk of sympathetic inflammation, several of which cases I have myself recently met with.


A compact monopulse antenna array based on substrate integrated waveguide technology is presented through this article. The design is fabricated on Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology consisting of a double‐layered 8‐cell array antenna with a slot in the middle‐ground metal used for aperture‐coupling excitation and reducing unwanted spurious emissions from feed network. The Impedance bandwidth and AR bandwidth are enhanced due to optimal feed network, including Rat‐Race coupler to generate sum and difference patterns for mono‐pulse applications operating at 10 GHz. The prototype of the proposed antenna with the size of 124*25 mm2 is fabricated and tested. Measured results compared very well to simulation results obtained by CST microwave studio and show −10‐dB impedance bandwidth of 4% and −22 dB null‐depth in difference mode.


We studied how the relationship between cadmium (Cd) toxicity and oxidative stress influenced the Brm~th, photo.. synthetic efficiency, lipid peroxidation, and activity of ntimddative enzymes in the roots and leaves of rice (Oryza sat/va L Don~in). Plants were exposed to Cd for 21 d. Both seedling growth and photosynthetic efficiency decreased 8radually with increasin 8 cadmium concentrations. Upid peroxi~ increased slowly in both roots and leaves, causing oxidative stress. However, each tissue type responded differentJy to Cd concentrations with regard to the induction/ inhibition of antioxidative enzymes. The acti~/of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased in both roots and leaves. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity increased in leaves treated with up to 0~5 I~l Cd, then decreased 8radually at higher concentrations. In contrast, APX activity in roots increased and remained constant between 0.25 and 25 pM Cd. Enhanced peroxidase (POD) activity was recorded for treatments with up to 25 ~ Cd, 8radually decreasing at higher concentrations in the leaves but remaining unchan~d in the roots. Catalase (CAT) activity increased in the roots, but decreased in the leaves, whereas the activity of 81utathione reductase (GR) was enhanced in both roots and leaves, where it remained elevated at higher Cd concentrations. These results susBest that.rice seedlinss tend to cope with free radicals bqmerated by Cd throush coordinated, enhanced activities of the antioxidative enzymes involved in detoxification.


The experimental investigations of operator electroencephalograms subjected by electromagnetic noise radiation were carried out. The electroencephalograms were registrated according to international «10/20» system. The numerical parameters as arousal and emotion valence characterized the emotion state of operator were estimated. The definition of these parameters based on spectral power densities of rhythms brain components. These parameters were estimated as developed positive emotions.


This article is based on social research, a questionnaire that investigated the way in which virtual communication in the pandemic and post-pandemic period was a point of support in overcoming social anxieties, increased anxiety due to lack of physical contact between people and the fear and inhibition thus developed.
The research hypothesis starts from the idea that people, accustomed to the impositions of the pandemic period to communicate only virtually, avoiding physical contact with loved ones and social and professional environments, will have a greater openness today, for virtual communication, compared to the pre-pandemic period.
This point of view is based both on the material benefits deriving from virtual communication (without the cost of travel, accommodation and gaining time even after distance professionalization, online) and on the apparent emotional benefits, consisting in overcoming the anxieties felt during face-to-face meetings after such a long time!
The research tool was the questionnaire, sent by WhatsApp groups, messenger, and social network Facebook, to some working group (professors, students, contributors) who were asked to answer voluntarily, under anonymity, for three minutes to questions regarding their preferences in the field of communication, virtual or face-to-face, after the end of the health crisis.
The answers were given by 215 people, aged between 16 and 75 years and aimed at highlighting the conditions acquired post-pandemic, 162 (75,3%) female respondents and 53 (24.7%) male respondents.


The pillars of pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder (OAB) are antimuscarinic agents which inhibit bladder seoth muscle contractions through interference with acetylcholine action on muscarinic receptors of the detrusor smooth muscle. Despite the availability of different antimuscarinic compounds, physicians and patients remain dissatisfied with current treatments due to adverse events and/or insufficient efficacy. Therefore, new agents with improved safety and efficacy profiles are needed for a more effective treatment of overactive bladder. Fesoterodine is a novel bladder-selective muscarinic antagonist that has shown potent antimuscarinic activity in vitro and in vivo. In multiple investigations, the agent has been shown to be safe and well tolerated in subjects of different ethnic origin, age and gender; in poor and extensive CYP206 metabolizers; in subjects taking concomitant medication inhibiting CYP3A4; in fed or fasted states; and in those suffering from hepatic impairment. No clinically relevant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, ECG parameters or laboratory analyses have been seen with therapeutic doses of fesoterodine in these studies. Furthermore, in a phase II clinical trial in patients with OAB, fesoterodine demonstrated rapid and significant efficacy on a variety of endpoints. The results of this trial encouraged the manufacturer (SCHWARZ PHARMA) to initiate a phase iii clinical trrial program for fesoterodine.


Hyperspectral unmixing allows us to estimate the endmember abundances in each pixel of an input hyperspectral image. Although there exist deep learning-powered end-to-end methods for this task, the lack of labeled ground-truth data is a challenging problem which makes the adoption of such techniques extremely difficult in emerging practical use cases where the ground truth is costly to capture. In this paper, we investigate and quantify the impact of the training set size on the quality of unmixing provided by deep learning models of conceptually different architectures.


Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) are powerful tools for identifying putative causal genes by integrating genome-wide association studies and gene expression data. However, most TWAS methods focus on linear associations between genes and traits, ignoring the complex nonlinear relationships that exist in biological systems. To address this limitation, we propose a novel quantile transcriptomics framework, QTWAS, that takes into account the nonlinear and heterogeneous nature of gene-trait associations. Our approach integrates a quantile-based gene expression model into the TWAS model, which allows for the discovery of nonlinear and heterogeneous gene-trait associations. By conducting comprehensive simulations and examining various psychiatric and neurodegenerative traits, we demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms traditional techniques in identifying gene-trait associations. Additionally, QTWAS can uncover important insights into nonlinear relationships between gene expression levels and phenotypes, complementing traditional TWAS approaches. We further show applications to 100 continuous traits from the UK Biobank and 10 binary traits related to brain disorders.


Many healthcare providers and clinicians are using various types of systems known as CDSS which assist them to take decision about each case of patient. There is increasing recognition that if CDSS is well planned and put into service, has an immense potential to get better health care quality and possibly even increase effectiveness and decrease healthcare costs. Some existing CDSS are reviewed in this paper. The various types of CDSS available encompass a range of preferences, from general references, through precise detailed guidelines for a given condition. Technological intervention in developing CDSS has to be evaluated while designing, developing and implementing it. The basic CDSS is designed and proposed outline is given. The implementation issues for CDSS have to be considered and for successful execution of CDSS meticulous planning has to be done. Healthcare providers and users of CDSS are required to understand CDSS benefits and limitations, and the inimitable challenges of designing and implementing various types of CDSS to attain the optimal advantage


The paper presents fundamental achievements of the 18th century Polish lexicography: Nowy dykcjonarz (New Dictionary) by M.A. Troc and Nowy wielki dykcjonarz (New Great Dictionary) by P. Danet and D. Kola, in the context of contemporary research needs (especially those pertaining to historical linguistics) as well as the challenges faced by Polish lexicography (historical lexicography in particular). The primary objective is the identification of lexis comprised in both dictionaries – the linguistic material is reliable and representative of the status and condition of the Polish language of the day. A more profound insight into lexical structure, the analysis of word meanings along with the examination of the frequency of words in particular lexico-semantic fields may be a major contribution to the knowledge of the Polish lexis of mid 18th century and a promising scientific springboard for further research into the development of lexical system of the epoch that still remains a blank spot in Polish lexicology. The two works are also interesting for their cultural value. The units recorded in both lexicons not only show the richness of Polish vocabulary, but they also shed light on the Polish culture. Behind these words are two worlds – the material and the mental/spiritual, the latter hidden beneath the former. The aforementioned challenges for historical lexicography include the need for digitization of the contents of the dictionaries under study. Although they have already been digitized, the present version is far from being easy to use, with the Polish material (especially that in Danet-Kola's lexicon) still remaining inaccessible.


This article seeks to explore the glory years of Indian hockey. Now almost forgotten in the wake of the enormity of cricket's stellar popularity in India, it was hockey and not cricket that had provided India the most conspicuous sporting success on the world stage in the first half of the 20th century. The article delves into the history of those years when India reigned as the undisputed champions of the game winning six straight Olympic gold medals. The article explores the history of that meteoric success bringing to life the victories, personalities and controversies of those 'golden years'.


Abstract : An examination of Joint Pub (JP) 5-00.1, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Campaign Planning, reveals two major disconnects. The publication asserts that the essence of operational art lies in protecting and maintaining the integrity of friendly centers of gravity while concentrating military resources against the enemy in a way that results in the JFC obtaining the strategic or operational advantage. However, the publication does not deal with the critical issue of how the joint force commander can identify centers of gravity. JP 5-00.1 also seeks to provide a methodology for translating theater strategy into an implemented campaign plan and to sequence and synchronize the employment of all available land, sea, air, special operations and space forces. Instead, it provides a description of several concepts without tying them together into a usable process. The result is JP 5-00.1 does not provide a comprehensive methodology for developing a campaign plan or synchronizing the use of the joint force's assets. This monograph corrects JP 5-00.1's deficiencies by providing means to identify centers of gravity and a framework from which to synchronize the joint force's attack. Theory and doctrine are the basis from which to: examine Carl von Clausewitz's concept of center of gravity (COG); look at how each service approaches the attack of COGs; discuss the Mendel-Tooke and Warden models for identifying COGs; and to modify the tactical targeting process for use at the operational level. Combining the above with the traditional doctrinal concepts of operational design yields the Decide-Detect- Attack methodology that both identifies centers of gravity and effectively and efficiency synchronize the joint force's attack.


The viral spike (S) protein on the surface of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) binds to angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on the host cells, facilitating its entry and infection. Here, functionalized nanofibers targeting the S protein with peptide sequences of IRQFFKK, WVHFYHK and NSGGSVH, which are screened from a high‐throughput one‐bead one‐compound screening strategy, are designed and prepared. The flexible nanofibers support multiple binding sites and efficiently entangle SARS‐CoV‐2, forming a nanofibrous network that blocks the interaction between the S protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 and the ACE2 on host cells, and efficiently reduce the invasiveness of SARS‐CoV‐2. In summary, nanofibers entangling represents a smart nanomedicine for the prevention of SARS‐CoV‐2.


unsettling Afrocentricism to a comfortably American view that pain and loss reaffirm our national sense of character. Similarly, Williams argues that Scarlett O'Hara gets back on her feet by means of an ''appropriation of black virtue'' that restores the ruined plantation to an even stronger symbolic position after the war. While Williams could easily have limited herself to melodrama's thematic concerns, she also pays close attention to its musical dimension, integral to the definition of melodrama and its effects. With impressive subtlety she demonstrates how such Stephen Foster songs as ''My Old Kentucky Home'' (incorporated into later versions of Uncle Tom's Cabin and included at telling moments in Birth of a Nation and Gone with the Wind) and the blackface crooning in The Jazz Singer help to sustain both the sentimentalized past and the assimilationist present. At times Williams accepts an overly static notion of melodrama, whose meaning, like such terms as realistic or classical, can differ in varying contexts. Perhaps some new term is needed for the hypermediated age that Williams describes so provocatively in her later chapters. Traditionalists who lament the politicizing of scholarship might find reassurance in the skill and rigor of Playing the Race Card. In the same way that Williams argues that race is inextricable from sound judicial logic, this insightful book itself argues for the legitimate place of an explicit social agenda in literary and cultural study.


ABSTRACT Increasing the growth temperature from 28 to 37°C reduced the expression of β-1,2-oligomannoside epitopes on mannoproteins of Candida albicans serotypes A and B. In contrast, β-1,2-mannosylation of phospholipomannan (PLM) remained constant despite a slight decrease in the relative molecular weight (Mr) of this compound. At all growth temperatures investigated, serotype A PLM displayed an Mr and an antigenicity different from those of serotype B PLM when they were tested with a panel of monoclonal antibodies.


In multimedia-based e - learning systems, the accessibility and searchability of most lecture video content is still insufficient due to the unscripted and spontaneous speech of the speakers. Moreover, this problem becomes even more challenging when the quality of such lecture videos is not sufficiently high. To extract the structural knowledge of a multi-topic lecture video and thus make it easily accessible it is very desirable to divide each video into shorter clips by performing an automatic topic-wise video segmentation. To this end, this paper presents the TRACE system to automatically perform such a segmentation based on a linguistic approach using Wikipedia texts. TRACE has two main contributions: (i) the extraction of a novel linguistic-based Wikipedia feature to segment lecture videos efficiently, and (ii) the investigation of the late fusion of video segmentation results derived from state-of-the-art algorithms. Specifically for the late fusion, we combine confidence scores produced by the models constructed from visual, transcriptional, and Wikipedia features. According to our experiments on lecture videos from VideoLectures.NET and NPTEL, the proposed algorithm segments knowledge structures more accurately compared to existing state-of-the-art algorithms. The evaluation results are very encouraging and thus confirm the effectiveness of TRACE.


The relationship between main raising models and diseases control for pig was analyzed in the article,and it indicated that village free range pigs and small-scale raising models were the important factors on epidemic diseases. The proposal was put forward that it should perform the accessing system of pig raising,and the measures on uniting management and Large-scale production and setting up a perfect biosecurity system should be executed to prevent and control diseases of pig effectually.


The real-time rectification is generally based on the measured data of flood discharge.The parameters of AR model obtained by the robustified recursive least square method are more robust than those obtained by the standard recursive least square method when outliers occur in the measured data of flood discharge.By artificial generation of outliers among the flood data of the Qilijie Basin of the Minjiang River,the rectified results of parameters by the two approaches were compared.The result shows that the robustified recursive least square method has potential to reduce estimation bias in the presence of noise,and that it is superior to the standard recursive least square method.


We show that a complete covariantization of the chiral constraint in the FloreaniniJackiw necessitates an infinite number of auxiliary Wess-Zumino fields otherwise the covariantization is only partial and unable to remove the nonlocality in the chiral boson operator. We comment on recent works that claim to obtain covariantization through the use of Batalin-Fradkin-Tyutin method, that uses just one Wess-Zumino field. This work is supported by CNPq, Braśılia, Brasil Permanent address: Instituto de F́ısica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil The quantization of chiral boson in two-dimensions is a very interesting theoretical problem, which has appeared originaly in the investigation of heterotic string [1], and became quite important in the study of fractional quantum Hall efect [2]. This problem has a simple solution in the Hamiltonian language while it has been beset with enormous difficulties in the Lagrangian side. One of these problems is the covariantization of the second-class chiral constraint, i.e., the transformation from second to first-class, which is the object of investigation in this paper. The usual Lagrangian route to chiral bosonization starts with a scalar field and projects out one of the chiral components by means of the chiral constraint ∂±φ ≈ 0. According to Dirac's theory of constrained systems [3], this is a secondclass constraint, but in order to avoid the Lagrange multiplier to become dynamical, one needs it to be first-class. There has been two main routes to the covariantization of the chiral constraint. Siegel [4] proposed to set to zero one component of the energymomentum tensor resulting an action with the chiral constraint squared, which has a reparametrization invariance called as Siegel symmetry. In the quantum level, however, Siegel symmetry becomes second-class again on account of the central extension of the conformal algebra of the energy-momentum tensor [5]. A simple solution to the anomaly problem was given by Hull with the introduction of a new set of auxiliary fields called as no-movers [6]. Besides the anomaly problem, to produce first-class constraints by squaring second-class constraints has been criticized [7]. This sort of primary constraint does not produce the complete set of constraints when Dirac's algorithm is employed, and is (infinitely) reducible. The second route to covariantization starts with the Floreanini-Jackiw model[8] which is a singular theory from Dirac's point of view, the resulting constraint being the second-class chiral constraint. The constraint's nature is changed à la FaddeevShatashvili[9] with the introduction of Wess-Zumino auxiliary fields. The covariantization of the chiral constraint in this route has been proposed in two conceptually differents papers: in Ref.[10], an infinite family of scalar fields, coupled by a combination of right and left chiral constraints carefully adjusted to be first-class from the start, was shown to have a single chiral boson in the spectrum by use of very elegant group theoretical methods. In Ref.[11], the FJ chiral boson was iteratively changed to modify the nature of chiral constraint to render it first-class. Following this route the modified Floreanini-Jackiw model with the original chiral field plus the set of Wess-Zumino fields will always have one left over second-class constraint that must as well be converted into first-class if a complete covariantization is desired. It is worth of mention that, as explained by Boyanovsky[12], the inclusion of constraint conversion terms do not change the physical spectrum of the theory but only the


Diabetes mellitus is a public health disease considered as metabolic and endocrine disorder that has been involved in cardiovascular episode. Fibrinogen, a glycoprotein has been incriminated as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to evaluate the plasma fibrinogen concentration of type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects in Agbor, Nigeria. A total of three hundred and ninety six (396) respondents were recruited into the study which comprises of three hundred and six (306) type 2 diabetes mellitus and ninety (90) age and sex matched apparently healthy subjects as controls. Five milliliters (5ml) of venous blood was collected aseptically with minimum stasis and dispensed into appropriate containers. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was evaluated using standard methods while statistical package for social sciences was employed to determine difference in mean ± standard deviation using student t test. Diabetes mellitus subjects exhibit a significantly (p<0.050) higher plasma fibrinogen than apparently healthy subjects when compared. Also, male diabetes mellitus show a significantly (p<0.05) higher plasma fibrinogen than female diabetes mellitus subjects when compared. In the same vein, male apparently control subjects show significantly (p<0.05) than female apparently control subjects when compared but there is no significant (p>0.05) difference observed in the age of all respondents. It is therefore pertinent to state that type 2 diabetes mellitus are prone to cardiovascular disease as well as the male gender. It is therefore recommended that plasma fibrinogen should be done regularly for diabetes mellitus subjects as well as life-style modification to prevent excess mortality


Top Bajocian progressive deposits are marly accumulation and limestone filled with ammonites and other marine fossils that are called 'Dalichai formation' with 1420m in thickness. There are erosion and inconsistent boundary that distinct Dalichai formation from Shemshak formation. The boundary of Dalichai and Lar formations is isocline and graded. The presence of Benthic foraminifera, sponge sparkles, and ammonites in the Sharaf section alludes the existence of shallow to deep open marine. Such diagenetic processes as cementation, micritization, porosity, accumulation, iron oxide and bioturbation are observed in Dalichai formation. The carbonates in this formation could have primary aragonitic composition according to the studies on main and secondary elements, carbon and oxygen isotopes, and drawing these values against each other. In such condition, non-marine diagenesis influenced the carbonates mostly. By comparing Sr/Ca and Mn, a semi-closed to open diagenetic environment can be suggested to have impacts on carbonates. Dalichai formation and Lar formation can identify a boundary in 1200m thickness since there are changes in Sr/Ca, Sr/Na, Sr, and carbon and oxygen isotopes to study. Dalichai formation limestone temperature was calculated 32.9 °C. Regarding lithology and analysis of Sharaf section microfacies, three microfacies are specified that appear as deposits in outer ramp. In this study, the model of Homoclinal ramp is suggested to utilize for such formation. Sharaf section Dalichai Formation entails aragonitic mineralogy composition on which burial diagenesis has substantially influenced.


The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a versatile instrument for the investigation of a wide variety of materials. The advent of the low vacuum technology for SEM has simplified specimen preparation and widened the range of materials that can be investigated with this technique. Charging artifacts can be controlled or eliminated and non-vacuum compatible samples (out-gassing, hydrated specimens etc.) can be imaged. Recently, we have developed a new SEM, JSM-IT300LV which can be operated in both high and low vacuum modes; where the low vacuum mode ranges from 10 to 650 Pa. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the JSM-IT300LV optics. A key feature of this SEM is a new differential evacuation system. The evacuation is carried out through three channels; one in the gun chamber, one near the objective lens aperture area and also one lower at the objective lens. The system results in an image with a higher signal to noise ratio, especially in the low vacuum mode. This report describes an application to water containing specimens of this new JSM-IT300LV in the low vacuum mode (at 650 Pa) with a cooling stage. It is common to freeze water containing specimens for observation in an SEM. However, this freezing can produce artifacts due to the expansion of ice. Figure 2 shows the phase diagram of water. To maintain water in the specimen and avoid artifacts caused by freezing, it is necessary to cool the specimen to 1°C and maintain a pressure at 650 Pa. For this study, we used konjak (konnyaku) as a model specimen. Konjak as a form of jelly is made from konjak flour and consists of approximately 95 mass% water. The specimen will easily dehydrate and deform under normal evacuated pressure conditions. Figure 3 shows a photo of konjak set on the Coolstage. Black grains within konjak are seaweed. Figures 4(a) and (b) show the backscattered electron (BSE) images in the low vacuum mode without coating. Figure 4(a) shows a hitherto observed image at ambient temperature in a low vacuum at 30 Pa. The specimen shows artifacts due to dehydration; where the collapse of seaweed cells is evident. Figure 4 (b) shows an image at 1°C and 650 Pa using the Coolstage. We can clearly observe a konjak image showing fibers and seaweed cells. Other applications to water containing specimens will also be presented.


Abstract : A low cost, low power dissipation micro-signal processor has been designed and built for application to deployed sensors. Using latest technology, state-of-the-art components, this microprocessor based system has been programmed, and demonstrated in performing 1024 point fast Fourier transforms (FFT's) on 8-bit input within one second, as well as a variety of associated data acquisition and control functions. All necessary functions for a self-contained, stand alone acoustic processor were incorporated in a 410 cu, cm. feasibility brassboard, dissipating an average of 50 mw. All essential components were either CMOS or CMOS/SOS, including the standard commercially available 1802 microprocessor, and, a special LSI multiplier required for expediting the computations needed for the FFT. Major hardware and software issues are discussed, followed by an exposition of emerging technology IC's, leading to even smaller, lower cost, lower power dissipation processors. In particular, new compatible monolithic filtering will improve performance by converting the analog conditioning requirements to a single chip design, which can be combined with five other existing chips for a complete acoustic processor.


Chemical composition and thermodynamics properties of different thermal plasmas are calculated in a wide range of temperatures (300–100,000 K) and pressures (10 –100 atm). The calculation is performed in dissociation and ionization temperature ranges using statistical thermodynamic modeling. The thermodynamic properties considered in this study are enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, specific heat at constant pressure, specific heat ratio, speed of sound, mean molar mass, and degree of ionization. The calculations have been done for seven pure plasmas such as hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, and argon. In this study, the Debye–Huckel cutoff criterion in conjunction with the Griem's self-consistent model is applied for terminating the electronic partition function series and to calculate the reduction of the ionization potential. The Rydberg and Ritz extrapolation laws have been used for energy levels which are not observed in tabulated data. Two different methods called complete chemical equilibrium and progressive methods are presented to find the composition of available species. The calculated pure plasma properties are then presented as functions of temperature and pressure, in terms of a new set of thermodynamically self-consistent correlations for efficient use in computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. The results have been shown excellent agreement with literature. The results from pure plasmas as a reliable reference source in conjunction with an alternative method are then used to calculate the thermodynamic properties of any arbitrary plasma mixtures (mixed plasmas) having elemental atoms of H, He, C, N, O, Ne, and Ar in their chemical structure. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4037688]


A high-quality MPEG-2 software decoder should support a good scalability performance for a wide range of video format, especially for the high-resolution MPEG-2 video (e.g., HDTV). However, it is found that the existing parallel decoder suffers significant performance degradation when decoding high-level MPEG-2 video with the full system configuration, due to inefficient management mechanism such that the memory space in the decoder. We propose an efficient buffer management mechanism such that the memory requirement is reduced by 50%. This is approached by two steps: first we use an ST scheme to minimize the transmission buffer in a slave node by allowing dynamic sharing between frames in one group of picture (GOP). Then we further reduce the buffer space by a dynamic buffer allocation according to image type. The revised parallel decode showed a satisfactory scale-up performance when decoding the high-resolution video formats.


COPD is the most common chronic lung disease. It is a major cause of chronic morbidity, mortality and health care used throughout the world and resulting in an economic and social burden that is both substantial and increasing also in our country. Pharmacotherapy alone does not optimize and have limited role in improving dyspnea, exercise limitation and quality of life which are characteristic and troublesome features of COPD. Breathing exercises are popular among patients, physician and physiotherapist and has been shown to improve efficiency of ventilation and exercise performance. But the efficacy of breathing exercises in relieving dyspnea varies greatly among patients. True values of these techniques have not yet been formally established, though they would seem to have intrinsic merit.


BACKGROUND
The World Health Organization recommends that infants at high risk for developing measles before 9 months of age, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected infants, receive measles vaccination (MV) at 6 and 9 months of age.

METHODS
Children born to HIV-infected mothers received MV at 6 and 9 months, and children of HIV-uninfected mothers were randomized to receive MV at 6 and 9 months, MV at 9 months, or routine MV without follow-up. Blood samples were obtained before and 3 months after each MV. Data were collected on adverse events for 21 days after each MV, at all clinic visits, on any hospitalization, and for subjects who died. HIV-infection status was determined by antibody assays and polymerase chain reaction; the presence of measles IgG was determined by EIA.

RESULTS
Twenty-two hundred mother-infant pairs were enrolled. After the first and second doses of measles vaccine, respectively, the percentages of children who were measles seropositive were 59% (36 of 61) and 64% (29 of 45) among HIV-infected children, 68% (152 of 223) and 94% (189 of 202) among HIV-exposed but uninfected children, and 62% (288 of 467) and 92% (385 of 417) among HIV-unexposed children. Of 521 HIV-unexposed children vaccinated only at 9 months, 398 (76%) were measles seropositive at 12 months. No serious vaccine-related adverse events were identified.

CONCLUSIONS
An early, 2-dose MV schedule was immunogenic, but a higher proportion of HIV-infected children remained susceptible to measles, compared with HIV-uninfected children (whether HIV exposed or HIV unexposed).


This study was conducted to develop a new method for constructing the processing maps. Using hot compression testing method at various temperature and strain rates, the experimental flow stress data were employed to build the activation energy map, strain rate sensitivity map, and finally the processing maps. In an alternative approach, the extracted constitutive models were utilized to develop the power efficiency and instability maps. It is found that the sinh‐based model would predict the unsafe regions of hot working conditions in a way more consistent with the experimental based prediction one in contrast with optimistic predictions of the Zerilli–Armstrong processing maps. All findings were further verified through examination of the obtained thermomechanically processed microstructures.


In this paper, the author proposed points such as: the goal of establish the integration of innovative talent cultivation, the design mode the training of innovative talents, diversification of teaching management mode and network supervision evaluation mechanism based on innovative personnel training. Based on these, education policy proposals have been set to adapt to the era of intelligent manufacturing.


Oxygen adsorption on high surface area (h.s.a. 200 m2 g–1) CoO–MgO samples (cobalt content from 0.05 to 5 atoms per 100 Mg atoms) has been investigated by e.s.r. spectroscopy and volumetric techniques. After activation under vacuum at 873–1173 K and oxygen adsorption the samples show two main e.s.r. signals: the first, for which hyperfine interaction with a cobalt nucleus is observed, arises from a Co3+… O–2 species; the second arises from an O–2 species adsorbed on sites of the MgO matrix (Mg2+ or anion vacancies). A relatively weaker three g-value signal, also observed, has been attributed to an O–3 radical. Since no hyperfine structure is present the O–3 species is believed to be adsorbed on a matrix site.The relative stability of the surface species is found to decrease in the order Co3+… O–2 O–3-(matrix) O–2-(matrix). In particular, the first species is reversibly destroyed by evacuation at 298 K, the second is completely removed at 373K and the third is stable up to 400–500 K.Comparison of adsorption data (volumetric) with radical concentration values also provides evidence for the presence of diamagnetic forms of oxygen, probably O2– and O2–2; radical concentrations are found to be only a fraction of the total adsorption. Strong O2– forms appear to be favoured by increasing cobalt content.The nature of the active sites and the mechanism of oxygen adsorption are discussed. We propose that the first stage of oxygen activation involves electron transfer from Co2+ surface ions. The subsequent O—O bond cleavage is accomplished with the participation of matrix sites.


In the development of document management systems we are often confronted with the implementation of office packages into the document management system. By doing this, we face similar concerns regarding the implementation of the template, therefore we can put the requirements together and create an interface to manage the template into the document management system. The interface can shorten the time required for the construction and maintenance of templates of the office packages in the document management system. Within this diploma thesis we made an programme interface for the implementation of office packages in the document management systems operating in the Lotus Domino/Notes technology. In the first part of this thesis we presented the structure, properties and purpose of the document managment systems. In so doing, we got to know the general distribution of documents within companies, work processes and legislation of the preservation of documents in electronic form. The second part of this thesis is to present Lotus Domino/Notes technology, which is suitable for developing document systems. In the presentation of the technology we have met history of development, document database, design documents and programme languages supported in this technology. Next is description of the office programme equipment offered on the market with a focus on office packages Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org. Both of the office packages we have met from the view of the user and developer. Furthermore, we have listed the advantages and disadvantages of both these packages. A key part of this thesis is composition and presentation of the template to the administrator interface documentation managment system 3K Document Cycle. The interface allows the maps setting through the graphical interface, which allows us to include the template into the document management system without writing code. A template manager reduces time and financial means in the implementation of the office package into the document management system.


We examined the efficacy of groups possessing learning as opposed to performance goals on an interactive group task. As such, we predicted that the possession of learning goals focuses groups more on strategic processes than the possession of performance or do-best goals. We further hypothesized that collective efficacy beliefs are most strongly correlated with performance for groups that possess performance goals because performance goals direct attention to task outcomes. Results indicated that groups assigned learning goals discussed more strategic information and reported greater satisfaction with performance. In addition, the relationship between task performance and collective efficacy was stronger for performance-goal groups than learning-goal groups. Overall, results suggested that causing groups to attend to processes required for effective group performance influences how groups regulate behavior and interpret feedback.


The critical day-to-day situations the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is faced with in ensuring that it fulfills its statutory mandate of efficiently managing and disposing of acquired eligible bank assets (EBAs) are deserving of great managerial as well as consensual and quasi-consensual asset resolution skills. It is against this background that this paper examines the concept of asset resolution with particular regard to consensual and quasi-consensual asset resolution mechanisms. Using AMCON as a case study and drawing relevant examples from Italy, China and Indonesia, this paper makes a case for the best approach to be adopted in asset resolution. The paper concludes that the choice of an "optimal�? asset resolution method will continue to surface as topic of considerable debate, but that the "best�? approach would be to adopt a mix of resolution options and treat each case as it arises.


A patient had 3 episodes of spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage over 23 years and after that a perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) at the L2 level was detected fed by the anterior spinal artery which filled via the radiculomedullary artery from the right T9 intercostal artery. Large dilated veins drained mainly caudalward. Also intra- dural calcification was seen on CT at the L4 level. The fistula was embolized success- fully. Control MR angiographies taken 4 and 8 months later had a lumbar intradural ves- sel which resembled the main draining vein of the spinal cord AVF, but was smaller. Spinal angiogram then showed that the spinal cord arteriovenous fistula was still occlud- ed but at the L4 level there was a dural arteriovenous fistula fed by the left L4 lumbar artery, which was not formerly examined. The fistula drained cranialward via the same vein which had drained the spinal cord fistula caudalward but the vein was much small- er now. The fistula was at the same region as the calcification seen on CT.


The author has treated 21 ureters (19 cases) by the simplified Girgis triangular flap ureterovesicoplasty modified by taguchi. In this simplified method, the sutures between the two margins of the incised transplanted ureters and the two limbs of the V-shaped incision in the bladder floor were carried out by simple interrupted method instead of interrupted horizontal mattress method after Girgis. Long-term results (from 1 to 9 years after operation) of patients with this operation were studied using X-ray examination (IVP and Cystography), renal function tests (PSP, BUN and creatinin) and urinalysis. Furthermore, animal experiments with 20 female adult mongrels were conducted and followup studies were made using the above mentioned method and moreover anatomical and histological examination, in order to justify the clinical effectiveness of this simplified method. Following results were obtained : 1) The operative procedures were very simple as compared to the original Girgis method. 2) After this operation a stricture in the region of anastomosis did not occur in any case. 3) In all of the ureters without preoperative VUR (vesicoureteral reflux), it did not occur after the opertion. However, in 11 ureters with preoperative VUR, 4 showed VUR even after the operation. 4) In all of the 19 cases, the degree of hydronephrosis and renal function were improved or unchanged. 5) Urinary findings were worsened in 3 out of the 19 cases. 6) From the clinical studies it was noted that this method is contraindicated to the cases with high grade hydroureter and severe inflammatory and edematous changes of the bladder wall. 7) From the animal experiments it was demonstrated that slight or moderate hydronephrosis short after the operation is attributed to the mechanical inflammatory or edematous changes of the terminal ureter. However, these changes disappeared usually 2 months after the operation. From the experimental and clinical studies the author concluded that the simplified method by Taguchi is one of the best method for ureterovesiconeostomy preventing postoperative VUR.


This article aims to present a proposal of teaching intervention with the help of Geogebra software for the learning of quadratic function in the 9th year of Elementary School. The theoretical framework was based on the ideas of Raymond Duval's Theory of Representation Registers, regarding the articulation between different forms of registers. The methodology consists in the elaboration of a proposal of intervention of teaching, in which a quadratic function approach is presented with the aid of the Geogebra software, in light of the Theory of Registers Semiotics Representation. With this, the intervention proposal aims to provide a greater understanding of the concept of quadratic function, the search for a global apprehension of content so that students can continue their studies with a good foundation of quadratic function content. Key-words: registers of semiotic representation; quadratic function; Geogebra Software. 1 Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz – UESC. email@example.com. 2 Universidade Federal de Uberlândia – UFU. email@example.com. 3 Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia – UFRB. firstname.lastname@example.com. Polyphonía, v. 30/2, jul.-dez. 2019 139


Brazil has experienced since the second half of the twentieth century the
phenomenon of demographic transition, also observed in several other developed and
developing countries. The expressive increase of the elderly population and the
characteristics of the aging process generate new demands for social policies, which are
even more complex in a context marked by economic inequalities and a historically
limited social protection system.
The Brazilian Constitution of 1988, influenced by pressures from social
movements, introduced the Social Security model, oriented towards the universalization
of citizenship, with implications for the protection of the elderly in the following decades.
The study analyzed the social protection of the elderly in Brazil from 1988 to 2016,
with emphasis on the policies that make up Welfare State Regime - Social Security, Social
Assistance and Health. The analytical framework was based on contributions from
historical institutionalism and literature that addresses the social protection from the
perspective of the political economy, valuing the axes: context, trajectory and strategies
of the Welfare State Regime policies; organizations, actors and arenas involved; and State,
market and family relations in social protection for the elderly. The research techniques
involved bibliographic review, document analysis, secondary data nnalysis and, in
addition, semi-structured interviews with six actors involved with policies for the elderly
in the historical period studied.
The analysis of the policy trajectory pointed out that the Brazilian Constitution of
1988 and social mobilization favored relevant institutional advances in the following
decades, especially with regard to laws, norms and the launching of specific frameworks
to protect the elderly, such as the Conselho Nacional dos Direitos da Pessoa Idosa
(National Policy on the Elderly) and Estatuto do Idoso (Statute of the Elderly). Since
2002, the Conselho Nacional dos Direitos da Pessoa Idosa (National Council on the
Rights of the Elderly) has been an important instance of intersectoral coordination and
between the State and Civil Society in the formulation and follow-up of policies directed
towards the elderly, although it has faced limitations. There was also an increase in the
number, funding and coverage of policies and programs for the protection of the elderly
in the areas of pensions, health and care.
However, social protection for elderly still very much based on monetary transfers,
related to contributory benefits (mostly pensions) or non-contributory benefits, like
special pensions, Beneficio de Prestacao Continuada (Continuing Benefit) and other
income transfers. There are limits to the provision of public services and care to the
elderly in social assistance and health, which fall short of the needs of this population
group, especially in a context of structural changes in families and increased participation
of women (considered as traditional caregivers ) in the workforce.
It is necessary that the guidelines established in the constitutional-legal framework
and the relevant social policies to the elderly are accompanied by structural conditions
for their effectiveness. Otherwise, there will be a growing portion of the unprotected
population, without access to actions and services that ensure minimum conditions of well-being in old age.


to be the best yet proposed. Patterson (1964) has presented the view that the Perciformes are polyphyletic. In the same broad sense that mammals are polyphyletic (cf. Simpson, 1959) this may well be, but the particular lines of polyphyletic perciform derivation drawn by Patterson (1964) seem highly unconvincing (Gosline, 1966b). Still more recently, Greenwood, et al. (1966), have removed some of the forms here included in the perciform fishes to the separate superorders Atherinomorpha and Paracanthopterygii. This action, which seems to me to involve a confusion between convergence and inheritance, is in my opinion untenable (see below). Various people, including Regan (1936) and the present author (1962), have tinkered with the boundary lines established by Regan (1929) for the Perciformes. Of such authors, Berg (1940) made the most drastic changes. The question of whether to include certain groups in or exclude them from the Perciformes is certainly moot. Here, aside from the exclusion of the callionymoid fishes, I follow the old perciform boundaries of Regan (1929).


Recent microscopic recordings in living cells demonstrated that granules without prior stable docking to the plasma membrane can efficiently undergo exocytosis, although the molecular mechanism is unknown. The present report is the first to identify exophilin7 as a molecule that functions in the exocytosis of undocked granules.


Accurate and timely prediction of the Internet traffic flow is important for network performance improvement. Few prediction methods incorporate the topology information of networks. In this paper, we present a novel Internet traffic forecasting algorithm named TTGCN, which applies the graph neural networks for traffic flow prediction on each link of a backbone network. The topology of the network was represented by a novel adjacency matrix, which models the relationship between links. The design makes TTGCN capable of capturing both the temporal and topological information of the traffic flow. TTGCN is validated on UKERNA, a dataset captured from a real backbone network. The experimental results show that the average error of the proposed TTGCN over 90 minutes is 28.249 (Mbit/s), which is a significant improvement of conventional models, while that of ARIMA and GRU and STGCN are 44.955, 40.935, and 36.152, respectively. The proposed TTGCN, by encoding both temporal and topological information in a neural representation, can achieve better prediction performance on network traffic.


The title of this research is "The Effect of Coordination to Electronic Identity Card Service in West Pontianak District". This writing is supposed to know how much coordination, especially external coordination effected to Electronic Identity Card service in West Pontianak district. This is quantitative research with Product Moment Corelation formula. The result is, coordination has been run well and gave 3,24% effects to electronic Identity Card service in West Pontianak district. It could be categorized as low, therefore, researcher hopes there would be another researchers who could discover the other factors that possibly effecting electronic Identity Card service in West Pontianak district. Keywords: Effect, Coordination, and electronic Identity Card Service


A unification of mind, brain, and the universe would require connecting all three somehow with interacting loops that have an influence or observable action on each other. In this work, it will be demonstrated how the DNA molecule plays a critical role in building biological systems and provides the substrate constituents that are involved in some of these action cycles in particular the human brain. In addition, after the system is up and running, DNA continues to maintain the continuum of that conscious system. DNA is able to do this because it is in of itself, an autopoietic and conscious system, which will be established in the article. This will be verified by categorizing genes that underlay DNA autopoiesis and demonstrate how DNA consciousness can be objectified on three dynamic levels. Both of these theoretical methods lay down genetic action cycles that are proposed to be afforded by hydrogen bonds between the nucleotides and Baer's forces of consciousness Fmc and Fcm. From this point, it can be projected how the human brain and the mind are tethered to DNA consciousness by very complex neurogenetic correlates of consciousness, which allow big "I" to be big "I" and to perceive little 'i'.


MARY MOODY EMERSON was one of those women whom we can never imagine except in old age, and who in old age, when the alternative possibilities of youth have long ago disappeared, often seem to their contemporaries to be embodiments of a vanished way of life. It was as an extraordinary manifestation of the primitive American character, at a time when that character was rapidly receding into the past, that she appeared to her nephew, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson, upon whom her influence was profound, thought her life a representative one which could have been lived nowhere but in New England, a life of which he thought no other examples survived. Men of genius-Henry Thoreau, Bronson Alcott, and her nephew-called her a genius, the most gifted woman of their acquaintance, the best writer in Massachusetts; the younger Henry James, who knew her only by reputation, felt that she would have inspired a novelist.' Though poverty and obscurity were her lot, she was an aristocrat, very proud of her descent from six generations of ministers, the ruling caste of New England. She was born on August 25, 1774, at Concord, where she spent most of her life. Her father, the Rev. William Emerson, an eloquent preacher and lover of literature,2 was a patriotic Revolutionary minister who fought at Ticonderoga and died in 1776 of army fever. He was a man so glorious in her eyes that she once sharply rebuked Ralph Waldo for being more stirred by Caesar and Cicero


We present results on the scalar glueball with PC =++ in Landau gauge Yang-Mills theory within the Dyson-Schwinger/ Bethe-Salpeter equation approach. T o this end, the gluon and ghost propagators are determined non-perturbatively in the whole com plex momentum plane by numerical solutions of the respective Dyson-Schwinger equations. Th e resulting propagators are analytic apart from a cut structure on the real, timelike momentum axi s nd violate the OsterwalderSchrader positivity condition. The mass of the scalar glueb all is obtained using a generalized ladder truncation to the Poincare-covariant Bethe-Salpet er equation.


The data is the main form of the computer to express the information in the design process to produce, record and process large amounts of data, text and graphics. How to effectively store and manage various types of data so that a variety of applications, both share common data resources, while preserving the independence and integrity of the data to avoid unnecessary data redundancy, which is the VB database technologies used to produce and the main objective of development where, in order to better advantage of this cutting-edge technology, this paper VB database technology were discussed.


Physical inactivity in older adults is linked to increased risk of chronic diseases, disability and various poor health outcomes. As the aging population rises, the prevalence of diseases associated with aging also increases. Regular physical activity in older adults is important to improve overall health and promote healthy aging. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with physical inactivity among older adults in Malaysia.


With the wide application of the cloud computing, the contradiction between high energy cost and low efficiency becomes increasingly prominent. In this article, to solve the problem of energy consumption, a resource scheduling and load balancing fusion algorithm with deep learning strategy is presented. Compared with the corresponding evolutionary algorithms, the proposed algorithm can enhance the diversity of the population, avoid the prematurity to some extent, and have a faster convergence speed. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has the most optimal ability of reducing energy consumption of data centers.


A comprehensive survey of the 1998,2002 and 2006 meetings of the International Science and Technology Data Committee(CODATA) and their modifications of the fundamental physical constants is presented.The values and corresponding uncertainties of the constants are compared.The main experimental and theoretical advances during each period,especially the effects of three new experimental techniques,are reviewed.


"Unmonumental unveils a signficant recent development in art that takes the definition of sculpture as an autonomous object and shatters it to pieces. Rather than cast or carved, these sculptures have been cobbled together from bits of the world at large. They are of their moment, making gentle or high mockery of a wide range of art histories, from Russian Constructivism to 1980s appropriation art. Far from paying tribute to received notions of the courageous, they are patently anti-heroic. In short, they are a metaphor for our times." -- Publisher's website.


The present invention, by there reverse current occurs, of course, and to detect the deterioration state in real time, selectively control the transmission paths of the power output from the circuit breaker in accordance with the detected presence or absence of a reverse current in delivering the electric power generated by the solar panel to the inverter to remove the heat factor, and relates to a solar power generation system comprising a deterioration detection function, which can prevent the decreased efficiency in the transfer of power, particularly the fuse, circuit breaker, a diode and an output terminal having connected semi- in the photovoltaic generation system, including, any one of the is provided on the rear end of the circuit breaker by the control signal the first line is an output terminal of the circuit breaker associated with the input end of the diode or the second line to the input end of the output terminal a switching circuit to which conductive; Sensing unit for sensing the reverse current applied to the diode; And when the output terminal of the circuit breaker of the first, and generates a control signal for a command to electrically continuous with the line, is not detected the sensing unit sensing result the reverse current the output terminal of the circuit breaker wherein if the detected the detected portion detected result reverse current it is characterized by containing; a first control signal generates control signals that command, and generating to the second conductive line integrated control unit for transmitting to the switching circuit.


As Neuro-Oncology has grown from a quarterly to a monthly journal over the last 4 years, it has borne both the blessings and the burdens of that growth. For instance, the editorial office now handles almost 550 manuscripts a year (new submissions and revisions).

At the start of the process, this means ensuring that the articles adhere to our guidelines for submission. One key task for our peer review coordinator is ensuring that authors have given us all the information we need to remain in compliance with the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (the ICMJE, which has formulated the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals), and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), of which Neuro-Oncology is a member, as stated in our own Instructions to Authors.

Recently, the journal has seen several instances in which manuscripts entered the review process with no conflict of interest declared, only to have such declarations made after multiple revisions and (in some cases) acceptance for publication. In the past, when there were fewer submissions and fewer published articles, the journal used a separate form to obtain information about conflict of interest from authors. However, as traffic flow has increased, it has become impractical to continue to use a separate document for such declarations—in part because it places an unnecessary burden on the editorial office, but also because we believe that reviewers benefit from having such information when they decide whether they can fairly review a paper (more on that below).


This study proposes to estimate an averaged hydraulic conductivity as a probability-weighted average in our geoinformation system based on adjacent water-well data. In this study, individual hydraulic conductivity of each soil/rock type was determined to obtain the least square error against field measurements in 105 pumping test locations. A basic class of 8 soil/rock types and another class of 32 types with respect to topography and geologic periods were assumed for comparison. As a result, the proposed method yielded sufficient agreements in both classes, relative to the conventional method based on simply weighted averages of the drilling records. A stepwise cross validation also determined an optimal class of 19 soil/rock types for the least prediction square error. Finally, a relation of individual hydraulic conductivities with effective thermal conductivities was shown to discuss the potential applicability of ground source heat pump systems in each soil/rock type considering groundwater advection.


In this paper consider a sequence of methodical construction aimed at the formation of physical concepts. Source of physical concepts are academic texts. Training texts are stored in itself (preserving) the research activities physical scientists. Teacher's task to create a situation in which the student will be able to master the ways (methods) of a physicist.


. In this investigation, a series of novel random bio-based thiophene–aromatic copolyesters, including thiophene and phenyl units, were successfully prepared from dimethyl 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate, dimethyl 2,5-dimethoxyterephtha-late, and the aliphatic diols ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol and 1,8-octanediol, via two-step melt polymerization as a facile and green semi-continuous process. Techniques used to monitor the polymerization process included Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The copolymers had tunable T g values ranging from 47–120°C, while their 5% decomposition temperature ( T d, 5% ) under N 2 varied from 405–370°C. GPC analysis showed that the polyesters had weight-average molecular weights ( M w ) of 41400–48500 g/mol and polydispersity indices of 1.47–2.24. A study of structure-property relations showed that the properties of these copolymers can be tailored by varying their composition. All the copolyesters exhibited high tensile strength (45–80 MPa) and toughness values (elongation at break of 200–540%). After 28 weeks of incubation in humid soil, weight losses of up to 7.2% were observed. Considering their good mechanical properties, thermal stability and biodegradability, these renewable sulfur-containing copolyesters have great potential to replace petroleum-based commercial poly(ethylene terephthalate) in the food packaging industry, which is helpful to implement carbon neutrality and sustainable development in the polymer industry.


There are plentiful viewpoints of law in Marx and Engels' classical works including some viewpoints of environmental protection law.They show some ideas about environmental protection in their article of Effect of Labor from Ape to Human: we should understand the relationship of human and nature in correct ways;we should control the nature reasonably;we should set up ideas of rights and responsibilities of environmental protection.These informative and instructive views have great significance to improve our environmental protection law system in China.


Summary procedure is an important process in criminal procedure. How to arrange summary procedure is very important. It's in direct relation to a series of defendants' basic rights. The defendants' basic rights are ignored in present summary procedure in China. We should take more perfect measures to safeguard the basic rights of the defendants in criminal procedure.


The astronomical plates that have been produced for more than 100 years may contain information on events or processes that have occurred in the sky at the moment of observation. The preservation of the unique information on the astronomical plates can be achieved by transforming it to a digital form and keeping it in an electronic data medium. This may be achieved with flat-bed commercial scanners equipped with a transparency extension. We have some experience of using such scanners as the tool for the creation of our observatory digital plate archive. To provide a high efficiency for the work with the digital plate archive a special database of about 2×104 plates is now being created at the Main Astronomical Observatory, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.


1 Post Graduate, Department of Pharmacology, St. John's Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, India. 2 Professor and Head, Department of Cardiology, St. John's Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, India. 3 Post Graduate, Department of Pharmacology, St. John's Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, India. 4 Vice Dean (PG); Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology; Head, Division of Clinical Research, St. John's Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, India.


Aimed at a parallel manipulator with three degrees of freedom translation, a method on dynamic modeling of parallel manipulator and parameter identification of its servo system is presented.First, the reverse solution models of position, velocity and acceleration of parallel manipulator including the parallelogram strut structure are deduced.Then its dynamic model of rigid body is set up by using the virtual work principle.Based on the above model,the triangle shape input with variable frequency is adopted to overcome the disadvantage of pseudo-random number sequence in parameter identification process,i.e.making the change of vibration amplitude of motor big,easy to impact motor and result in its velocity loop open and so on.Moreover,the rotary inertia can also be identified by the additive mass, and the above outcome will lay a solid foundation for the best performance of the system in the whole workspace.


This paper studies the robust dichotomies of Lur'e systems with structured uncertainties, which is composed of single-input and single-output subsystems through linear and scalar nonlinear interconnections. Based on the Leonov's frequency-domain conditions for dichotomy of Lur'e systems, a robust analysis for Lur'e system with structured uncertainties is introduced, as well as frequency-domain matrix inequalities conditions are established for the dichotomy of the interconnected systems.


The inter-relationships between serious types of crime have been neglected. Focusing on all those convicted of arson (n=46,144), blackmail (n=5,854), kidnapping (n=7,474) and threats to kill (n=9,976) between 1979 and 2001 in England and Wales, it is clear that offenders are more likely to be convicted of the same offence again rather than one of the other serious offences (including rape and homicide) being considered. Hence, there is evidence of specialisation among serious offenders. These four serious offences (arson, blackmail, kidnapping and homicide) have similar rates of subsequent homicide (0.6%) which is considerably higher than the general population where around 1 in 3000 males might be expected to be convicted of homicide over a twenty-year follow-up period. However, the speed of the subsequent homicide varies between the four offences, suggesting that there are different relationships between the defining offence and the subsequent homicide. Examining those convicted of two or more of these serious offences is of particular interest as these involve both specialists and generalists. The differences between the groups will be probed.


The meeting was arranged in Tromso and it was hosted jointly by the Department of Arctic Biology, University of Tromso and the Centre of Veterinary Medicine in Tromso. The theme of the meeting was «Reindeer - Pastures and Environment in the Barents Euro Arctic Region (BEAR).» Approximately 70 persons attended. This NOR-meeting was held just after two big international conferences in Tromso explaining the broad international participation.


The Diploma in Nursing is designed to improve nursing practice and enhance job promotion, but is this true in practice? A research project asked nurses who had completed the diploma whether they and their practice had benefited from the course.


Lambdoid phages form clear plaques and show reduced ability to establish immunity in strains of Escherichia coli that lack adenylate cyclase or catabolite activator protein. The absence of the activator protein or cyclic AMP reduces the frequency of lysogenization, but does not prevent steady-state repressor synthesis of a lysogen. Lambda phage mutants able to form turbid plaques on strains that lack catabolite activator protein or adenylate cyclase have been isolated and analyzed.


The paper shows the possibility of increasing the bandwidth in MIMO systems by using antennas based on biisotropic and bianisotropic chiral metamaterials. It is shown that the use of different configurations of metamaterials has different effects on the characteristics of MIMO systems.


The objective of a weld coupon is to provide a simple test to determine the effects of different welding parameters and constraints on the final state of fusion welds. With such a test it will be possible to judge the performance of a particular weld under known states of temperature and external restraint. This paper describes the experiments and analyses performed on a thin coupon with a circular weld bead which was designed to simulate a typical manufacturing geometry. The temperatures and deformations measured in the experiments corresponded closely to those of the analyses. It was found that such a geometry provides a high degree of restraint regardless of the radius of the circular weld bead. Experimental and analytical stresses indicate that extensive yielding occurs throughout the coupon.


Investors' interest in incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations resulted in a large number of commercial providers offering firm-level ESG scores, which often differ, given the lack of a uniform and widely accepted definition of ESG. As a result, many investors try to identify the best provider, or develop their in-house scores. The authors look at how to efficiently leverage ESG data from multiple providers. They first discuss why it is important to standardize ESG scores across providers before taking an average, and they describe an algorithm to do so. Second, they show that the dispersion of ESG scores is useful beyond the average ESG levels. The authors find that ESG dispersions among providers can predict future returns in both stocks and corporate bonds even after controlling for the average ESG level and other systematic risk drivers. Their results suggest that investors would benefit from incorporating ESG rating dispersion in addition to the level of ESG rankings into their investment process.


Axi‐symmetric component like cylinder etc. has to operate under severe thermo‐mechanical loads, which cause significant creep. It, thus, reduces its service life. The present study investigates the steady‐state creep in a functionally graded rotating cylinder at constant angular speed. The cylinder is made up of aluminium matrix and reinforced with silicon carbide particles. The thermal gradient in the functionally graded rotating cylinder is estimated by performing finite element analysis on ANSYS software (ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, USA). The creep behaviour of the cylinder has been described by threshold stress‐based creep law. The creep parameters are obtained by conducting regression analysis. The mathematical models have been developed to describe steady‐state creep in the cylinder. The study reveals that the radial, tangential, axial and effective stresses in the cylinder are significantly affected by the presence of particle gradient alone as well as with the presence of particle & thermal gradient both. It has been found that the creep rates have been reduced significantly by imposition of particle and thermal gradients together and thus increases the service life of cylinder.


Impedance matching plays a vital role in a microwave atmospheric pressure plasma jet (MW-APPJ). However, real-time tuning of MW-APPJ impedance matching has rarely been investigated. In this study, we have found that the dissipated microwave power and length of a MW-APPJ are effected by the application of a DC-bias magnetic field. By placing a MW-APPJ in a gap between two electromagnets, the consumed microwave power varied with the insertion position of the MW-APPJ. When the MW-APPJ was fixed at the center of the electromagnets, the consumed microwave power decreased as the DC magnetic field intensities increased, from 12 to 750 mT. The variation of consumed microwave power was much higher at lower gas velocities, which indicates that the DC magnetic field has a relatively strong effect on microwave plasma with lower gas velocity. The length of the plasma jet also decreased with increasing DC magnetic field, which was mainly due to the variation of the consumed microwave power. To explain these interesting phenomena, the effective permittivity of microwave plasma and the equivalent circuit model of a generator under DC-bias magnetic field have been analyzed. The effective permittivity of the plasma is related to its cyclotron frequency, which is a function of the DC-bias magnetic field. The variation of the effective permittivity changes the load impedance of the plasma generator. Therefore, the reflection coefficient of the plasma generator is adjusted and the length of the plasma jet varies with the change in consumed microwave power.


Nowadays,China is on the starting way of building a harmonious society.Under such circumstances,university students embody high national identity featuring especially in recognition of region,nation,history,culture,minority and so on.Due to many factors such as the Chinese traditional cultures,the tendency of globalization and the situation of building a harmonious society,it appears an obvious feature for the college students' recognition of nationality——being harmonious.This feature is shown in a pluralism of notions,a multiplicity of behavior choices,a state of being fair and righteous,and rational recognition instead of national extremism,etc.Certainly,more efforts need to be made to nurture and guide the consciousness of university students in this aspect.


We report on pump-lasers emitting at 790 nm demonstrating 19 W in qCW mode. FBG stabilized seed-laser at 1060 nm exhibit stable pulse shape at 3A for 1 μs pulse width without onset of kinks.


Faecal samples from 1488 pigs were collected from six pig farms in Jiangsu province and Shanghai city, eastern China, stained by the modified acid‐fast staining technique (MAFS) and observed by light and phase contrast microscopy to identify Cryptosporidium oocysts. A total of 178 (12%) positive animals were detected. Three randomly selected MAFS‐positive samples from each farm were further analysed by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using primers designed to amplify DNA fragments from the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. PCR products from two positive samples were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis and a distances matrix generated from these sequences showed that the isolates belonged to the species C. parvum, and were most similar to the C. parvum'mouse' genotype. The identification of this C. parvum genotype in pigs has not been reported previously. These findings are discussed in the context of the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium on pig farms.


The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a competency tool for new nurses and to pilot-test it with new nurses. A Delphi survey was conducted to develop a competency tool, and a self-evaluation was conducted among new nurses who pilot-tested the finally derived competencies. The Delphi survey panel consisted of 18 people, including adjunct professors at the College of Nursing, nursing managers, and nurses with master's degrees. The Delphi survey asked about the validity of the competencies constructed in two rounds. After analyzing the Delphi results with mean, standard deviation, content validity ratio, degrees of convergence, and degrees of consensus, 12 core competencies and 36 enabling competencies were finally derived. The competencies consisted of clinical judgment and management (nine items), task competence (four items), patient orientation (five items), moral value orientation (three items), cooperation (two items), supply management (two items), professional development (three items), confidence (one item), self-control (two items), flexibility (two items), influence (one item), and nurturing others (two items). The finally derived competencies were pilot-tested with 229 new nurses who had worked for 2–12 months. The self-evaluation scores of new nurses were distributed differently according to their working period. In this study, the competencies required for new nurses were identified and the corresponding enabling competencies were identified. In the future, it is expected that a competency-based education program will be prepared based on these findings, and furthermore, it will be possible to provide high-quality medical and nursing services that meet patients' needs by improving the competency of new nurses and lowering the turnover rate.


We studied a small set of recombinant inbred lines contrasting in stem water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) concentration across a range of environments ranging from moderate water stress to fully irrigated. The aim was to check for consistency in genotypic rankings and potential trade-offs between WSC storage, grain number and yield. The pattern of WSC concentration was modulated by water availability, with rainfed trials reaching maximum levels before anthesis. Early sown irrigated trials seemed the best option to discriminate lines for WSC concentration for selection purposes since genotypic differences were already detectable at anthesis and observed until late grain filling.


The significant fluctuation of high degree in hospitality occurs more often in Győr as in other regions of the country due to greater proximity to the Austrian border. During my research I investigated the factors what are the driving forces that motivate employees to stay in Hungary and work in their home country; what can be attractive the city of Gyor in the job market? After graduating from secondary research, primary research methodologies were applied to the topic to gather missing information data. My primary research consists of two parts: on the one hand I was examined the actions of human resource considering the standpoints of employees with the help of survey research. The sample was not representative of the questionnaire; it was randomly chosen at individual workplaces. On the other hand, all my hypotheses were corroborated based on structured interviews with leaders in the hospitality companies.


Figure reappearance in literary works should be given a clear definition.Many writers utilize "figure reappearance" in literary history.Ba Lazc,De successfully applied "figure reappearance" in Ren Jian Xi Ju,and achieved the greatest achievement.The function of "figure reappearance" in literary works mainly embodies in the aspect of structure of literary works.


Turbulent flow field and heat transfer in an array of slot jets impinging on a movingsurface have been numerically investigated by Large-eddy Simulation (LES) technique inthe range of Reynolds numbers between 500 and 3000. The surface velocity, directedperpendicular to the jet, is varied up to two times the jet velocity at the nozzle exit. TheNusselt number distributions for various surface velocities are presented. It has beenobserved that on one hand increasing velocity of the impingement plate reduces heattransfer, while on the other hand distribution of Nusselt number over the impingementsurface becomes more uniform with the increased surface velocity.@DOI: 10.1115/1.1470489#Keywords: Forced Convection, Heat Transfer, Impingement, Jets, Turbulence


Convergence of developmental pathways: in vitro analysis of organ formation capacity in tomato mutants affecting leaf architecture The in vitro culture of plant cells, tissues and organs, started at the beginning of the 20th century, has been leading to scientific and biotechnological advances ever since. The process of in vitro regeneration depends on the growth conditions as well as the genotype of the explant. Several authors postulated that regeneration can bedivided into steps and that the hormonal balance will determinate the fate of the explant (e.g. formation of roots, shoots or callus). In a previous study, it was found that the mutant Mouse-ears, which exhibits a more complex leaf architecture, has high capacity of shoot regeneration. Hence, in the present work others mutants affecting leaf architecture such as entire, procera, clausa, potato-leaf and Mouse-ears were measured ex vitro and in vitro in the MT background. These assessments aimed to investigate if there are similarities in organogenesis between in vitro and ex vitro. The phenotypic characterization of the genotypes showed that these mutations affect several aspects of plant development and not only the leaf architecture. Many differences observed ex vitro are in part due to the transition from vegetative to reproductive phase. When analyzing the results of in vitro regeneration (formation of adventitious shoots and roots; and callus growing) it is noticed that the organogenetic capacity of each mutant have no correlation with the degree of leaf complexity but with the type of mutation involved. Morphological analysis of in vitro and ex vitro events, such as formation of adventitious shoots and shaping of shoot apical meristem, respectively, denotes similarities and divergences between the processes. The results indicate that probably the mutants entire (constitutive response to auxin due to a loss-of-function in an AUX/IAA) and Mouse-ears (overexpression of a KNOX TKN2) act at the induction step of root and shoot, respectively, in the in vitro regeneration process. On the other hand, procera (constitutive response to gibberellin) acts at the competence step or the arrest of the development after induction. Furthermore, TKN2 showed an important role in the formation of in vitro adventitious shoots. The pathways for ex vitro organ formation (e.g. leaf, root, axillary buds, etc.) are different from that for in vitro. Nevertheless, genes and molecules recruited in the pathway of ex vitro development may interfere in the in vitro organogenesis.


Aimed at the serious phenomenon of drunk driving in modern society, a MCU electronic circuit board is used in the system. With alcohol sensor MQ303A, the alcohol concentration is detected. Through ADC0809, the detection signal is converted to digital signal, which is handled directly by MCU. According to the digital signal, the car is controlled automatically, can't be driving after driver drinking, thus avoid the occurrence of drunk driving.


The aim of this article is to reveal the existence of classical dance style of Yogyakarta, since the government of Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, which began in 1756 until now in the era the government of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. The legitimation of classical dance is considered as "Gagrag Ngayogyakarta". Furthermore, the dance is not only preserved in the palace, but living and growing outside the palace, and possible to be examined by the general public. The dance was fi rst considered as a source of classical dance "Gagrag Ngayogyakarta", created by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, i.e. Beksan Lawung Gagah, or Beksan Trunajaya, Wayang Wong or dance drama, and Bedaya dance. The three dances can be categorized as a sacred dance, in which the performances strongly related to traditional ceremonies or rituals. Three types of dance later was developed into other types of classical dance "Gagrag Ngayogyakarta", which is categorized as a secular dance for entertainment performance.


A novel enzyme-free amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor was developed by means of electro-polymerization bromophenol blue(PBPB) onto a platinum wire electrode.Experimental results showed that the PBPB-modified biosensor exhibited directly electrocatalytic behavior to the reduction of H_2O_2 without enzyme.The performance and factors influencing the proposed biosensor were studied in detail.Under the optimal conditions,the resulted electrode showed a linear response to hydrogen peroxide concentration ranging from 5.6×10~(-8) mol/L to 1.4×10~(-5) mol/L with a limit of detection of 3.1×10~(-8) mol/L and a sensitivity of 512 μA·mmol·L~(-1)·cm~(-2).In addition,the resulted biosensor exhibited high sensitivity,good reproducibility and long-term stability.


In this study, technologies of favourable bone tissue engineering scaffold of poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA)/Hydroxyapatite(HA) composite fibers were investigated with the use of the method of melt-spining. And the effects of PDLLA of molecular weight and the content of HA on the process and the composite fiber's properties were discussed. High molecular weight of PDLLA and content of HA enhanced the temperature of machine-shaping.The melt-temperature choice and the fiber's draw pacing are critical in the composite fiber's machine-shaping. Result showed that adding quantum HA powder with diameter of 4~20 μm into the PDLLA with the molecular weight of 200 000~300 000, PDLLA/HA compound fiber of 15~30 μm with high performance could be obtained at temperature lower than 160 ℃.


AbstractDetailed X-ray studies of changes in the structure of terbium orthoborate TbBO_3 in the course of successive high-temperature isothermal annealing of the initial mixture in the form of an amorphous precursor and in the form of a homogenized mixture of microcrystalline Tb_7O_12 and B_2O_3 powders have been carried out. It is shown that the formation of TbBO_3 crystals in both cases occurs through the formation of intermediate two-phase states. Particularly, the triclinic high-temperature ν-TbBO_3 phase is formed already at the first crystallization stages (about 600°C) almost simultaneously with the equilibrium vaterite modification of TbBO_3 (sp. gr. P 63/ mmc ) during low-temperature annealing of an amorphous precursor, which transforms into the vaterite modification at an annealing temperature of 850°C. The phase of monoclinic terbium trioxoborate TbB_3O_6 is formed at the first stages of phase formation (about 800°C) almost simultaneously with the vaterite phase when the feedstock is annealed in the form of a homogenized mixture of microcrystalline Tb_7O_12 and B_2O_3 powders. It also transforms into the vaterite modification at an annealing temperature of 950°, which is preserved up to the highest annealing temperatures in the experiment (1200°C). A hypothetical explanation of the formation of such two-phase states during low-temperature annealing of the feedstock and their disappearance at higher annealing temperatures is proposed.


Summary Because of its ability to efficiently inhibit in vitro cytokine production by activated macrophages, we hypothesized that interleukin (IL) 10 might be of particular interest in preventing endotoxininduced toxicity We therefore examined the effects of Ibl0 administration before lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in mice. A marked reduction in the amounts of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release in the circulation was observed after IL-10 pretreatment at doses as low as 10 U. Ibl0 also efficiently prevented the hypothermia generated by the injection of 100 #g LPS. Finally, pretreatment with a single injection of 1,000 U Ibl0 completely prevented the mortality consecutive to the challenge with 500 #g LPS, a dose that was lethal in 50% of the control mice. We conclude that Ibl0 inhibits in vivo TNF secretion and protects against the lethality of endotoxin in a murine model of septic shock.


The transient scattering of spherical pressure pulses by an infinitely long acoustically hard circular cylinder is analyzed. The pressure in the neighborhood of the reflected wavefront is calculated by the method of series expansion in conjunction with the transport equations. From the wave equation, a simple integral formula is derived by means of which the solution to the present three‐dimensional problem can be effectively constructed from the two‐dimensional line source solution. Thus, the pressure in the neighborhood of the diffracted wavefront is computed based upon Friedlander's diffraction formulas pertaining to the scatttering of a cylindrical pulse by a hard cylinder. Outside the neighborhood of the scattered wavefronts, the solution is obtained by the Fourier series and integral transform techniques and is accurately computed by this formula. By combining the various solutions, the true time histories of the scattered pressure are inferred for various locations on the cylinder. Some features of...


We discuss a ∼ 3 σ signal (local) in the light Higgs-boson search in the diphoton decay mode at ∼ 96 GeV as reported by CMS, together with a ∼ 2 σ excess (local) in the b ¯ b final state at LEP in the same mass range. We interpret this possible signal as a Higgs boson in the 2 Higgs Doublet Model type II with an additional Higgs singlet, which can be either complex (2HDMS) or real (N2HDM). We find that the lightest CP -even Higgs boson of the two models can equally yield a perfect fit to both excesses simultaneously, while the second lightest state is in full agreement with the Higgs-boson measurements at 125 GeV, and the full Higgs-boson sector is in agreement with all Higgs exclusion bounds from LEP, the Tevatron and the LHC as well as other theoretical and experimental constraints. We derive bounds on the 2HDMS and N2HDM Higgs sectors from a fit to both excesses and describe how this signal can be further analyzed at future e + e − colliders, such as the ILC. We analyze in detail the anticipated precision of the coupling measurements of the 96 GeV Higgs boson at the ILC. We find that these Higgs-boson measurements at the LHC and the ILC cannot distinguish between the two Higgs-sector realizations.


Baseball's ranks are filled with those whose careers may not have been as spectacular as Ruth or Mays but who played essential roles in the game's history. Some were well-known in their day; others were lesser lights whose feats and misdeeds were so notable they deserve to be remembered. Bert Shepard pitched a game for the Washington Senators in 1945 despite being shot down over Germany the year before and losing a leg. Bo Belinsky no-hit the powerful Baltimore Orioles in 1962, but he finished his career with a disappointing 28-51 record. The 40 other subjects profiled in this volume prove that, in baseball, fame can be fleeting.


In the field of third language acquisition (TLA) in China, only a few empirical researches were carried out to discuss the negative transfer from the mother tongue, so this work aimed to examine that if the cross-linguistic influence (CLI) from L2 exists. We measured and analyzed 8 Chinese college students' voice onset time (VOT) of stops /p t k b d g/ in English (L2) and Italian (L3). Two Italian native speakers' VOT values were taken as the reference group. The result shows that Chinese students can hardly distinguish unaspirated voiceless stops /p t k/ and voiced stops /b d g/ in Italian because students are affected by Chinese (L1)'s stop system which is characterized by aspiration. Pre-voicing was observed in voiced stops /b d g/ in both L2 and L3. The analysis of variance shows they are similar (P>0.05). Based on this result, we discussed the possibility to develop the Speech Learning Model (SLM) which was brought out on account of second language acquisition of phonetics and adopt it to explain the learning of L3 speech.


For more than 45 years, many multi-valued circuits have been presented. With very rare exceptions, they have been unsuccessful for fundamental reasons that can be explained. Each time a new circuit technology is presented, a lot of new MVL circuits are proposed. Can new circuit technologies overcome the fundamental disadvantages of MVL circuits? The evolution of IC technologies in the last decades unfortunately increases the disadvantage of MVL circuits versus binary ones. For non conventional technologies, only quantum devices look promising, even if implementation is challenging and applications are restricted to a small niche.


The natural-abundance 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of certain phytoecdysones and their selected derivatives have been measured at 25 MHz. With the aid of complete noise, off-resonance, and single-frequency proton decoupling techniques, and the shifts which occur on formation of specific derivatives, it has been possible to make assignments of the resonances for the phytoecdysones.


Chronic limb‐threatening ischemia (CLTI) is associated with significant morbidity, including major limb amputation, and mortality. Healing ischemic wounds is necessary to optimise vascular outcomes and can be facilitated by dedicated appointments at a wound clinic. This study aimed to estimate the association between successful wound care initiation and 6‐month wound healing, with specific attention to differences by race/ethnicity. This retrospective study included 398 patients with CLTI and at least one ischaemic wound who scheduled an appointment at our wound clinic between January 2015 and July 2020. The exposure was the completion status of patients' first scheduled wound care appointment (complete/not complete) and the primary outcome was 6‐month wound healing (healed/not healed). The analysis focused on how this association was modified by race/ethnicity. We used Aalen–Johansen estimators to produce cumulative incidence curves and calculated risk ratios within strata of race/ethnicity. The final adjustment set included age, revascularization, and initial wound size. Patients had a mean age of 67 ± 14 years, were 41% female, 46% non‐White and had 517 total wounds. In the overall cohort, 70% of patients completed their first visit and 34% of wounds healed within 6‐months. There was no significant difference in 6‐month healing based on first visit completion status for White/non‐Hispanic individuals (RR [95% CI] = 1.18 [0.91, 1.45]; p‐value = 0.130), while non‐White individuals were roughly 3 times more likely to heal their wounds if they completed their first appointment (RR [95% CI] = 2.89 [2.66, 3.11]; p‐value < 0.001). In conclusion, non‐White patients were approximately three times more likely to heal their wound in 6 months if they completed their first scheduled wound care appointment while White/non‐Hispanic individuals' risk of healing was similar regardless of first visit completion status. Future efforts should focus on providing additional resources to ensure minority groups with wounds have the support they need to access and successfully initiate wound care.


In this paper, we propose three O(n0S(m;n)) algorithms for finding the shortest paths from a vertex in a conservative network with edges of negative length, where S(m;n) is the complexity of Dijkstra's method for a digraph with m edges and n vertices, and n0 is the number of vertices incident to negative edges. Our study is motivated by S. Fujishige's method, which has a running time that is similar to that of our proposed method. He dealt with the problem of, when the given length function is decreased, updating the shortest paths from all the vertices in a vertex set to all of the given vertices, which is a problem slightly different from ours. His contribution was to solve the problem by applying a simple Dijkstra's method with less initial data than those of a previously proposed algorithm by S. Goto and A. Sangiovanni- Vincentelli. Fujishige introduced the subproblem of computing the shortest paths from a vertex v, subject to the constraint that negative edges are only contained in edges incident to v, and pointed out that the problem can be solved by consecutive applications of Dijkstra's method to a series of such subproblems, given the length of the shortest path between each pair of vertices as prior information. Our approaches are more general purpose than Fujishige's. In fact, ours are not limited to only updating the shortest paths, but also require no such prior information. Each of our algorithms also makes use of the concept of reduced length functions that he employed. We further show that when our algorithms incorporate an additional routine, they only apply Dijkstra's method at most n0=2 times for a specific class of instances whose subgraphs induced by negative edges are undirected forests.