Magnetic resonance imaging allows evaluation of aortic stiffness by the maximum rate of systolic distension (MRSD) a new prognosis factor of aortic dilatation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). MRSD requires a continuous monitoring of the aortic diameter during the cardiac cycle, not accessible to conventional echocardiography contrary to ultrafast ultrasound imaging (UF).

 To develop specific aortic sequences in ultrafast ultrasound imaging (UF) to provide access to the aortic MRSD

 Tissue Doppler allowed a precise estimation of the movement of each wall and the fine variation of the aortic diameter. To automatically track the anterior and posterior aortic walls during the cardiac cycle, we developed in the laboratory a specific interface (Figure). MRSD was the maximum of the derivative of the diameter chande over time. To assess this new technique, 24 patients (10 BAV patients and 14 controls, mean age 45.8 vs. 40.7 years, p=0.464, respectively) were consecutively included at a reference center for BAV. The ascending aorta was evaluated at the sinus of Valsalva, the tubular aorta and the aortic arch with a phased array probe (Supersonic Imagine) and dedicated sequences at 2000 frames/s.

 The lab-made interface allowed to track the aortic diameter and to calculate the MRSD from the UF acquisitions for each patient. We found lower MRSD at the sinus of Valsalva in case of BAV in accordance with previously demonstrated higher stiffness at this segment by our team (Table).
 Table 1. UF Aortic parameters for BAV patients and controls BAV patients Controls p (Mann Whitney) Sinus of Valsalva Diameter (mm) 26.2 [22.4–32.5] 27.09 [23.5–29.5] 0.796 MRSD (s–1) 1.05 [0.73–1.19] 1.51 [1.28–1.99] 0.023 Tubular ascending aorta Diameter 31.4 [29.4–32.2] 28.9 [22.6–31.5] 0.328 MRSD 0.94 [0.59–1.27] 1.09 [0.87–1.41] 0.353 Aortic arch Diameter 24.2 [23.7–24.8] 24.2 [18.9–24.5] 0.673 MRSD 0.57 [0.35–1.07] 0.85 [0.76–1.02] 0.257 Results are median [25th–75th percentile].
 Figure 1

 UF allows evaluation of aortic stiffness by MRSD using dedicated sequence and interface. As echocardiography, UF is easily accessible and therefore deserves attention from cardiologists taking care of BAV patients to evaluate the segmental aortic remodeling associated with BAV.


This article describes a job exchange between April Yasamee, Senior Library Assistant, Design Subject Librarian, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK and Mary Mavroudis, School Liaison Librarian, Applied Communications, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. They exchanged jobs for three months between April and July 2007. April arrived in Melbourne just after the start of the academic year. Mary reached London at the beginning of the summer term and the exam period. The article takes the form of email correspondence between them, as they adapt to their new university libraries, noting the differences and similarities between the two institutions.


Studies demonstrate that Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE-lnhibitors) reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with low ejection fraction with and without heart failure (Yusuf et al., 1992). However, the impact of ACE-lnhibitors on preventing heart failure in patients without pre-existing heart failure, low ejection fraction, or hypertension remains unexplored. The primary purpose of the HOPE study was to evaluate the usefulness of Ramipril, an ACE-lnhibitor, in the reduction of cardiovascular events in high risk patients without pre-existing heart failure or low ejection fraction. The outcomes evaluated by this multi-center randomized controlled trial are a composite of myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke and cardiovascular death. The HOPE study was conducted over six years and included 9297 high risk patients (55 years of age or (http://www.med-ars.it/galleries/heartl.htm)


Social enterprises are an innovative form of business in our modern society.They have been playing an active role in making the disadvantaged independent,improving social justice and inclusiveness,providing effectively public service.So it will become an important mechanism and mode that can solve social problem and promote the harmonious development of society orderly.The current development of the social enterprise in our country still faces many problems.So it is necessary for us to take effective measures to promote its development from the aspects of the laws and regulations,the functions of government,and the market-oriented operation.


The logistic Lotka–Volterra predator–prey equations with diffusion based on Luckinbill's experiment with Didinium nasutum as predator and Paramecium aurelia as prey, have been solved numerically along with a third equation to include prey taxis in the system. The effect of taxis on the dynamics of the population has been examined under three different non–uniform initial conditions and four different response functions of predators. The four response functions are Holling Type 2 Response, Beddington Type Response or Holling Type 3 Response, a response function involving predator interference and a modified sigmoid response function. The operator splitting method and forward difference Euler scheme have been used to solve the differential equations. The stability of the solutions has been established for each model using Routh Hurwitz conditions, variational matrix. This has been further verified through numerical simulations. The numerical solutions have been obtained both with and without prey–taxis coefficient. The effect of bifurcation value of prey–taxis coefficient on the numerical solution has been examined. It has been observed that as the value of the taxis coefficient is increased significantly from the bifurcation value chaotic dynamics develops for each model. The introduction of diffusion in predator velocity in the system restores it back to normal periodic behaviour. A brief study of coexistence of low population densities both with and without prey–taxis has also been done.


In the recent years rural market have acquired significance and attract the attention of marketers as 68.84% population of India reside in 6, 38,000 villages and overall growth of economy has resulted into substantial increase in the purchasing power of the rural communities. However, it is not that easy to operate in rural market because of several problems such as underdeveloped people and underdeveloped markets, lack of transportation and other infrastructure facilities, Inadequate Media coverage for rural communication etc. Thus the paper describes the challenges posed to marketers by rural markets and rural consumers and also suggest various measures for effective rural marketing practices in India.


This paper analyzed the current opening status of food science and engineering laboratory,and pointed out two key problems, that were resources nervous and safety supervision difficult. In order to solve this problems, maybe increasing experimental sites,increasing instruments and equipments,standardizing laboratory open form,establishing a valuable equipments sharing platform,cultivating laboratory management personnel were good ideals.


Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have independently identified hundreds of genomic regions associated with brain morphology and substance use. However, the genetic overlap between brain structure and substance use has not been characterized. Here we leverage GWAS summary data of 71 brain imaging measures and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use to investigate their genetic overlap using LD score regression. We also used genomic structural equation modeling to model a substance use common genetic factor and examined its genetic overlap with brain structure. After accounting for multiple testing, we identified eight significant negative genetic correlations, including between alcoholic drinks per week and average cortical thickness and intracranial volume with the age of smoking initiation; and five positive genetic correlations, including between insula surface area and lifetime cannabis use, and between the common factor with pericalcarine surface area. Our findings highlight a shared genetic etiology between variation in cortical brain morphology and substance use.


Thank you very much for downloading solid surfaces interfaces and thin films. As you may know, people have look hundreds times for their favorite readings like this solid surfaces interfaces and thin films, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they cope with some harmful virus inside their desktop computer. solid surfaces interfaces and thin films is available in our book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our digital library hosts in multiple locations, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the solid surfaces interfaces and thin films is universally compatible with any devices to read.


In this paper, we improve the topological entropy of expansion maps on circles and prove that if f∈ C r(S 1,S 1) is a expansion map then ent(f)= log|deg (f) |.


This paper argues that the bases of formal authority-legitimacy and position-need to be distinguished from sources of functional authority-technical competence and human relations skills-which support and often compete with formal authority. Four analytical types of authority relations are developed from the literature and the examination of superior-subordinate relationships among seventysix of the seventy-seven members of three public service organizations. In all three organizations, but particularly among welfare workers, considerable importance was attributed to legitimacy and position as bases of authority. Police officers, however, singled out authority of person more frequently than either authority inherent in position or authority derived from superiors. Welfare organization members attached more importance to legitimacy and position than to technical competence and experience as sources of authority. School employees stressed professional competence as a base of authority much more than either police officers or welfare workers. Robert L. Peabody is assistant professor of political science, Johns Hopkins University.


A field experiment was carried out during rabi (winter) season of 1996-97 at Agronomy Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar to study the plant water relations, canopy temperature and photosynthesis forscreening wheat genotypes for post-anthesis moisture stress by chemical desiccant in normal irrigated field condition. Leaf water potential, osmotic potential, turgor potential, relative water content, photosynthetic rate and grain yield decreased, whereas canopy temperature increased under moisture stress condition. The reduction in these physiological characters and grain yield was much higher under desiccant sprayed treated plants than rainfed environment. Genotype UP 2338 maintained higher leaf water potential, turgor potential, relative water content, photosynthetic rate, grain yield and lower canopy temperature than other wheat genotypes under all the environments. Association between plant water relations, photosynthesis and grain yield was better at 12 days than six days after desiccant spray. This suggests that an inbuilt system of water economy in the cv. UP 2338 enables it to maintain vital physiological functions under adverse climatic condition to yield comparatively better.


Since 2010 rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs-chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis) have been increasing among young Australians. Most STIs are diagnosed in young people aged 16-29 and rates of diagnosis are higher among Aboriginal people than non-Aboriginal people. Little information exists to understand social and behavioural issues associated with increasing rate of STIs, especially in South Australia and among Aboriginal peoples.

 We undertook an online cross-sectional survey of sexual health, knowledge and behaviour of young South Australians aged 16-29 years during a six-week period in 2019. Descriptive analysis, univariate and adjusted logistic regression models were used to compare Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants.

 In total 2,380 South Australians participated in the "Let's Talk About It" (LTAI-2019); 52% were female, the median age was 20 years (IQR:17-24) and 10% of participants identified as Aboriginal. Regression analysis suggested among both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants being female (aOR 2.41, CI:1.07-3.51, & 3.03, 2.17-4.23 respectively) and not using a condom during last sexual encounter (2.33, 1.03-5.29 & 1.62, 1.15-2.27) were associated with ever being tested for an STI and having two or more sexual partners in the past 12 months (1.37, 0.67-7.45 & 3.13, 1.31-7.45) was associated with testing positive for an STI.

 LTAI-2019 is the first study to describe factors associated with STIs among young South Australians. It is evident that young people are engaged in behaviours which increase their risk of acquiring STIs. Public health action which considers these behaviours particularly those that target young Aboriginal people is required.

 LTAI 2019 is the first study to describe current sexual health, knowledge, behaviours and access to health services for STIs and related issues amongst young South Australians. It provides evidence that is useful for informing both public health practice and policy, and the development of STIs preventative health programs.


The invention discloses a gelatin-free rubella vaccine freeze-dried formula and process and belongs to the field of biological products for prevention. Gelatin or other gelatin components are not added during vaccine preparation, the risk brought by complex gelatin components is avoided, and a freeze-drying process is optimized. A rubella vaccine prepared by the formula is low in moisture content and good in appearance state and redissolution property, and the titer is over 4.81g CCID 50/ml.


The subcomponents of bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) involved in the mechanism of action of intravesical BCG immunotherapy used for prophylaxis of superficial bladder cancer recurrences have been poorly investigated. We purified various BCG subcomponents and analyzed in vitro their ability to enhance a Th1 polarized immune response as well as to increase lymphocyte‐mediated cytotoxicity against bladder tumors. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy purified protein derivative–positive subjects were incubated for 7 days with whole BCG and various fractions (BCG cell wall, plasma membrane, cytosol, purified polysaccharides as glucan or arabinomannan, purified native proteins from BCG culture filtrate, recombinant 22 kDa protein, phosphate transporter PstS‐2 and ‐3 proteins). IFN‐γ, IL‐12, IL‐2, and IL‐6 production by stimulated PBMCs was compared to unstimulated controls and the phenotype of expanded cells analyzed by flow cytometry (FACS analysis). A 51Cr‐release assay monitored the cytotoxicity of amplified effector cells against T24 bladder tumor cells. Live BCG and most of its subcomponents (with the exception of cytosol, PstS‐2 and ‐3) significantly enhanced IFN‐γ and IL‐12 secretion, expanded CD3–CD56+ cells and the non‐MHC‐restricted cytotoxicity against bladder tumor cells compared to unstimulated controls (all P < 0.001, t‐test). IL‐2 receptor blockage resulted in a clear reduction in the cytotoxic activity of stimulated PBMCs. Numerous BCG subcomponents thus provide positive stimuli for Th1 cell differentiation and enhance in vitro, non‐MHC‐restricted cytotoxicity against bladder tumor cells. Our findings provide the basis for the therapeutic use of several of these subfractions in experimental animal models bearing bladder tumors. Int. J. Cancer 87:844–852, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Crafting Truth: Documentary Form and Meaning joins the growing collection of inquiries that address the underlying ideas of the documentary form, including Stella Bruzzi's New Documentary: A Critical Introduction, Bill Nichols's Introduction to Documentary, Keith Beattie's Documentary Screens: Nonfiction Film and Television, Patricia Aufderheide's Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction and Dave Saunders's Documentary. Louise Spence and Vinicius Navarro assert that 'there is no value-neutral treatment of actuality' (2), and they proceed to develop this point in fine detail throughout their book. Following a brief introduction, they divide their book into three parts: 'General Concepts', 'Structural Organization' and 'Formal Techniques'. Under 'Part One. General Concepts', they address some of the key ideas informing the debates surrounding documentary, with chapters titled 'Authenticity', 'Evidence', 'Authorship' and 'Responsibility'. In 'Part Two. Structural Organization', the chapters focus on 'Argument' and 'Dramatic stories, poetic and essay documentaries'. 'Part Three. Formal Techniques' explores 'Editing', 'Camerawork', 'The profilmic' and 'Sounds'. With the occasional exception, Spence and Navarro focus almost exclusively and exhaustively on textual analysis of documentary film. This focus proves both a key strength and a possible weakness. In terms of strength, the focus allows for an integration of the diverse parts of documentary theory, cultural ideas and key texts. Using an accessible, conversational writing style, Spence and Navarro integrate a wide variety of both documentary and cultural theorists throughout their book. For documentary theorists, they refer to


Abstract— The effects of lithium chloride in vitro and in vivo were investigated on Na‐K ATPase and Mg ATPase activities in synaptic plasma membrane, mitochondrial and synaptic vesicle fractions prepared from rat brain. In vitro, lithium chloride (10−3‐10−8m) had no effect on ATPase activity in any of the fractions studied. Lithium chloride given chronically by i.p. injection (30 mg/rat/day) for 9 days had little effect on synaptic plasma membrane ATPases. Dietary administration of lithium chloride (60 mmol/kg food) produced a small but significant increase in synaptic plasma membrane Mg ATPase activity after 3 weeks administration and mitochondrial Mg ATPase activity after 1 week. There was no effect on synaptic plasma membrane Na‐K ATPase activity. Salt supplementation reduced the toxic effects of lithium administration and it is suggested that toxicity may account for some of the previously reported changes in synaptic membrane ATPases produced by lithium.


Performing inference in Bayesian models requires sampling algorithms to draw samples from the posterior. This becomes prohibitively expensive as the size of data sets increase. Constructing approximations to the posterior which are cheap to evaluate is a popular approach to circumvent this issue. This begs the question of what is an appropriate space to perform approximation of Bayesian posterior measures. This manuscript studies the application of Bayes Hilbert spaces to the posterior approximation problem. Bayes Hilbert spaces are studied in functional data analysis in the context where observed functions are probability density functions and their application to computational Bayesian problems is in its infancy. This manuscript shall outline Bayes Hilbert spaces and their connection to Bayesian computation, in particular novel connections between Bayes Hilbert spaces, Bayesian coreset algorithms and kernel-based distances.


This study examines some aspects of remedial interaction in the circumstances where the third person or external factor takes responsibility. In this study, a remedial interaction is defined as "linguistic behaviors which are intended to remedy an offence and to restore equilibrium between R(estorer) and V(ictim) or person offended". This research addresses the following questions: ⅰ) in what situations the remedial interaction is performed; ⅱ) what are the remedial strategies used by R; ⅲ) what are the respondent strategies used by V; ⅳ) what is the discourse structure in which remedial interaction is realized. This study intends to present the discourse structure as a framework to analyze remedial interaction from a multilateral and integrative perspective. I hope that comprehensive studies to clarify rapport-management mechanism of remedial interaction will be done on the basis of this study.


The specificity and homogeneity of the real compositional components within the calcified deposits of prostatic calculi and calcific tendonitis were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy with or without automatic imaging system. The second-derivative analysis was also applied to differentiate the overlapping components of individual spectra for the calcified samples. The FT-IR microscopic imaging results of present study indicate that the complicated components such as protein, type B or type A carbonated apatite, brushite and calcium oxalate monohydrate were contained in the calcified tissue of prostatic tissue, but the protein, type A and type B carbonated apatites were mainly included in the calcific tendonitis. However, the traditional manually single-point FT-IR spectral result only reveals a little component contained in the calcified tissues, leading to an inaccurate diagnose of the complicated components in the calcified mixture.


The inequality of digital skills is an organizational challenge experienced by public and private organizations to ensure work productivity in work-from-home arrangements during Covid-19. This article aims to elaborate on digital skill development and examine the effects of digital leadership and digital collaboration on digital skill development. This article is based on a cross-sectional study involved 824 office workers from 32 provinces in Indonesia. The combined convenience and snowballing approach were used as the sampling methods. The collected data were structured in the first-order constructs by PLS Structural Equation Modeling. The results revealed that digital skills are significantly influenced directly by digital collaboration and indirectly by digital leadership. For accelerating digital skill development, the superior of office workers should facilitate their team members to collaborate intensively by using digital technology. Further study is recommended to examine the effects of other factors such as work motivation, family support, and availability of digital facility at home, performance management, and perceived organizational support.


Esophageal dysphagia may result from mechanical obstruction and dysmotility,however,studies focusing on types of esophageal dysmotility in dysphagia patients are relatively scarce.Aims: To analyze the results of esophageal manometry in patients with nonobstructive esophageal dysphagia and to study the common types of esophageal dysmotility that cause dysphagia.Methods: The results of esophageal manometry of 50 dysphagia patients from Jan.2007 to Jun.2012 at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University were analyzed.Patients suffered from non-esophageal or obstructive dysphagia were excluded through history inquiry,endoscopy,barium examination and other necessary examinations.Results: Nonspecific esophageal motility disorder(NEMD) was diagnosed in 36 patients(72.0%),13 patients(26.0%) were diagnosed as esophageal achalasia,and 1 patient(2.0%) had normal manometric result.All 9 cases(18.0%) combined with gastroesophageal reflux disease were NEMD.Malfunction of esophagus mainly occurred in esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter in both NEMD and achalasia patients.Conclusions: NEMD is the most common esophageal dysmotility in patients with nonobstructive esophageal dysphagia,followed by achalasia.Esophageal manometric result might be normal in patients with nonobstructive esophageal dysphagia.


The pedagogical thought of the twenty-first century addresses the pressing issues of education. The article presents an analysis of the development of the ideas in the didactic theory of general education. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current state of the education system in Russia and to present the impact of a certain historical period on the social, cultural, and scientific attitudes of school education. The scientific novelty of the study is our classification of the content of education: classical - non-classical-post-non-classical. New approaches to the organization of the pedagogical process and the education of the cultural type of personality in it are identified. This indicates the need for the development of modern human competencies in the field of communication, the development and processing of information, and social actions. As a result of our research, we were able to identify the following. A new target for school education is being formed. It is important to form knowledge that adequate to the current level of the scientific picture of the world; to develop constructive cognitive abilities; to contribute to the development of moral values and personal meanings. The trend in understanding the content of school education and its pedagogical process is determined: from the "transfer of the basics of science" in the aspect of classical concepts to the personal development of the student. Thus, all these changes are now considered as social and cultural challenges to modern education, didactics as a theory and school teaching as a practice, which are designed to provide an answer based on both the traditions of Russian education and innovations.


The emergence of sensor networks and distributed applications that generate data streams has created a need for Internet overlays designed for streaming data. Such stream-based overlay network (SBONs) consist of a set of Internet hosts that collect, process, and deliver stream-based data to multiple applications. A key challenge in the design and implementation of SBONs is efficient path optimization when mapping logical query streams to physical network hosts and paths. Suboptimal placements can induce poor utilization of network resources, leading to severe performance penalties, link saturation, and network hotspots. Our goal is to realize efficient stream placement that takes the physical topology of the Internet into account, thereby minimizing overall network utilization. In this paper, we describe a novel, network-aware path optimization algorithm for stream-based overlay networks. Our approach is based on a spring relaxation model that operates in a metric space defined by the pairwise node latency within the SBON. This relaxation placement algorithm utilizes the underlying network resources efficiently, is capable of performing inter-stream optimization, and can be implemented in a scalable and decentralized way. To evaluate its performance, we define a set of evaluation metrics for path optimization in terms of network utilization, application delay, and resource contention. Our simulation experiments with a realistic network topology show that relaxation placement approaches optimal network utilization without introducing an undue delay penalty or resource contention. Compared to an optimal placement strategy, relaxation placement causes only 15% more network traffic on average, while adding a 24% delay penalty for the application. We validate our simulation results with actual measurements involving 70 PlanetLab nodes.


A current reference circuit based on standard CMOS process is presented. With the introduction of band-gap configuration, the circuit can provide an output current with good temperature coefficient and excellent power supply rejection ability. When the power supply ranges from 2.5 V to 5.5 V and the temperature from-40℃ to 125℃,output current varies less than 2.6%.


From the Publisher:
Combining the hacker savvy of Tracey Kidder's Soul of a New Machine with the riveting drama of the first great corporate conflict waged on the turf of cyberspace, Speeding the Net tells the story of how a crew of talented computer jocks at the University of Illinois turned the computer world upside-down by creating the essential tool for navigating the World Wide Web -- the web browser.


The effect of mineral fertilizers and compost of the development of mycorrhiza in chir pine ( Pinus roxburghii Sargent), an indigenous slow-growing pine and patula pine ( P. patula Schlecht and Cham,) an exotic fast growing pine in India was studied. The effects or fertilizers and compost varied with the plant species, In chir pine, application of compost had better effect of plant growth except for reduction of short roots but application of fertilizers reduced plant growth as well as short roots. On the other hand, addition of compost had no effect on plant growth in patula pine but plant growth increases were directJy proportional to the dosages of NPK fertilizers. Both compost and fertilizers had no effect on short root production. In both the species, mycorrhizal development was retarded by application of compost and high dosages of mineral fertilizers.


The decay of a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave propagating parallel to an external magnetic field into another circularly polarized electromagnetic wave and an ion acoustic wave in a homogeneous plasma is considered.


The Hologic Aptima™ TMA SARS‐CoV‐2 assay was employed to test pooled nasopharyngeal (NP) samples to evaluate the performance of pooled sample testing and characterize variables influencing results.


Abstract : Topological insulators (TI) stand as a new class of materials in which spin-orbit interaction produces topologically nontrivial insulating bulk electronic phases and conducting material boundaries. These boundary regions show complex spin textures and have properties that are unlike any other known 2D electronic systems with foreseen applications ranging from topological superconductors and spintronics to quantum computation. Recent trends in TI consist in searching for new candidate 2D materials like heavy element (high Z) magnetic TI. In particular, diluted magnetic semiconductors such as Hg(1-x)M(x)VI, where M is a transition metal (e.g., Mn, Fe, Cr) and VI is a Group VI element (e.g., Te, Se), are of special interest due to their variable band-gap and excellent electronic-transport and optical properties. In this study, TI structures were made by sandwiching a thin layer of Hg-based material between Cd(Zn)Te substrates and cover layer of CdTe. Several geometries and compositions were produced with controllable topological structure using both vapor-phase epitaxy and liquid-phase epitaxy, along with associated microstructural characterization. Samples were provided to the Air Force Research Laboratory for investigation of properties.


Fu note is a Fu theory critical uniform which is similar to the informal essay and chatting characteristic of poem note in acient China.Fu note unfolded richly in Han Wei and Six dynasties Age.After Tang and Song dynasties,it was included in Poem note,Pian style article note and Note.Until Qing dynasty,Fu note finally became one uniform of literature critics,finishing the course breaking away from poem note and deyeloping independently.In this course,Note style's effect and some pelope like Wang zhi,Pu xian's contribution are especially worth advanced research and attention.


Handoff in a cognitive radio networks (CRNs) is a situation that arises whenever a secondary user (SU) has to switch from its current channel to a new target channel in case the primary user (PU) reclaims the current channel or the channel conditions get worst. Before starting the SU transmission, a proactive decision to select the prospective vacant target channel after the PU interruption to resume the unfinished transmission can save substantial sensing time. In addition, the sequence of backup target channels can help reducing the service time of a SU considerably. This paper proposes a proactive decision based handoff scheme for CRNs, in which a non- iterative greedy approach is implemented to proactively determine the optimal target channel sequence without requiring the usual brute force strategy. Simulation results show that the proposed approach outperforms the reactive approach as well as a chosen benchmark scheme in terms of service time and number of handoffs. A comparative performance is also obtained in terms of throughput achieved by the SU under varying PU traffic.


Instant sharing of user-generated video recordings has become a widely used service on platforms such as YouNow. Yet, it still poses technical challenges, as mobile upload speed and capacities are limited. One proposed solution to address these issues is video composition. It allows switching between multiple video streams–selecting the best source for a given time–for composing a live video of a better overall quality for viewers. Previous approaches require visual analysis of the video streams, usually limiting the scalability of the system. In contrast, our work allows the stream selection to be realized solely on context information, based on video-and service-quality aspects from sensor and network measurements. The implemented monitoring service for context-aware upload of video streams is evaluated in varying network conditions, with diverse user behavior, including camera shaking and user mobility. We show that a higher efficiency for video upload as well as QoE for viewers can be achieved.


Character recognition plays an important role in many resent applications. Pattern recognition deals with categorization of input data. It is easy to recognize normal character but in cursive character we have to find out the boundary of a character that's why we have to apply better slant and segmentation techniques. A proper feature extraction method can increase the recognition ratio. In this paper, a chain code based feature extraction method is investigated for developing HCCR system. Chain code is working based on 4-neighborhood or 8–neighborhood methods. In this paper, 8–neighborhood method has been implemented which allows generation of eight different codes for each character. After feature extraction method, Classification techniques have been used for training and testing of Neural Network and other classifier.


in my judgment, to $20,000, or perhaps even $10,000, generally and the exemption should be tapered down in the case of the estates in excess of these amounts, so that in the case of an estate of $50,000 no portion should be exempt. The second essential feature of a permanent readjustment in the state taxation of estates and inheritances should be a stepping up of the rates on the smaller and intermediate brackets, subject to appropriate changes in the Federal taxes. This stepping up would not necessarily need to be effected in the manner in which it was accomplished by the Federal government in the Act of 1935. If the exemption is lowered to $20,000 an estate of $25,000 will have to pay at a rate of 1 per cent on the excess over the exemption, a total tax of $50.00. If the exemption is lowered to $10,000 and the rate is graduated so that on the third $10,000 it will amount to 2 per cent, a $15,000 estate will have to pay a tax of $50 and a $25,000 estate will have to pay a tax of $200. Tax amounts of this size can hardly be said to be excessive. The graduation should be so constructed that an estate of $150,000 should pay at least $10,000 of which say $7500 would go to the state and $2500 to the Federal Treasury. Progressive taxation of estates and inheritances can be justified on four grounds : (1) that transferring property at death or inheriting property is a privilege ; ( 2 ) that both the transferor immediately before the transfer and the transferee immediately after the transfer have special tax paying ability and that this tax paying ability increas s progressively with the size of the property transferred or received; (3) that the ociety as a whole has contributed in part to the creation of the property that is being transferred and that he larger t e property the greater is the contribution which society has made to its creation ; and (4) that the creation of large perpetual family fortunes results in the development of hereditary aristocracy, a denial of opportunity to persons not born into wealth, and a perversion of democracy.1 In accordance with these principles, the taxation of estates and inheritances should be fairly universal in scope, should begin at a low point, and should rise progressively with the size of the estates.


Gene editing tools like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated 9 (Cas9) have given us a new perspective on a potential treatment of genetic disorders, for instance by correcting disease-causing mutations or by inducing disease-supressing alterations in the genome. Given its immense potential, it comes as no surprise that the field of gene editing is developing at extremely high speed, even though the safety and side-effects are not yet fully established. Although the discussion regarding the (ethical) boundaries of gene editing technology in humans has recently been sparked by the report of CRISPR-edited babies, it remains ever so important to assess the progress that is being made towards clinical applications. Two recent papers published in Nature Medicine by Rossidis et al. and Villiger et al. are indicative of the advances in repairing potentially lifethreatening mutations using specific and more efficient approaches than the classical CRISPR-Cas system. Both research groups apply an adapted form of CRISPR-Cas technology in combination with Base Editing enzymes to specifically induce point mutations in vivo leading to reversal of metabolic liver diseases in the adult, or even as early as in utero. The classic CRISPR-Cas system relies on a cell's intrinsic propensity to repair double-stranded (ds) DNA breaks. Targeting an exact location of a dsDNA break can be achieved by directing a bacterial-derived nuclease (such as Cas9) to a specific chromosomal locus using a short guideRNA. Binding of this complex will result in a dsDNA break. This will kick the cell's DNA repair machinery into gear in an attempt to re-join the two edges, either via non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) or through homology directed repair (HDR). NHEJ is the primary repair mechanism, and is achieved by re-ligating the broken ends, often resulting in the alteration several nucleotides from each strand thereby leading to random inserts or deletions (indels). HDR, which only occurs in certain phases of the cell cycle, depends on the availability of homologous regions of DNA that can serve as a template for DNA repair. A desired genetic modification in the genome can be achieved by providing exogenous partially homologous stretches of DNA as a template for HDR, but this process is extremely inefficient. To correct most monogenetic diseases, a modification of a point mutation rather than a random disruption of the gene would be required. Research has therefore focussed on optimizing HDR efficiency, but it remains low in therapeutically relevant settings. Therefore, other approaches could be more promising, including the recently developed CRISPR-Cas associated base editors. This elegant system relies on a catalytically inactive-Cas9 fused to a cytidine deaminase that can change C-G base pairs into T-A. Using a guideRNA, the base editing complex can be targeted to a specific locus, where it edits the sequence within a window of approximately five nucleotides without inducing ds breaks, and independent of HDR. In the two recent manuscripts, the therapeutic potential of base editing has been explored in the setting of metabolic diseases. Villiger et al. investigated its applications in a model for the human autosomal liver disease phenylketonuria (PKU) which causes microcephaly, severe retardation, and seizures in humans. Phenylalanine hydroxylase (Pah) mice harbour a point mutation in the Pah gene on exon 7, where a T is replaced by a C (c.835T>C), thereby inactivating the enzyme leading to a raise in L-Phe blood levels and consequent hyperphenylalaninaemia. Using a cleverly designed split Cas9 adeno-associated virus (AAV)-8 for in vivo delivery, a cytidine deaminase base editor was guided to the mutated locus in liver cells, resulting in correction of the mutation. Within 4 weeks after tail vein injection of the virus, Pah mice displayed a dosedependent drop of phenylalanine to baseline levels leading to reversal of PKU, induction of weight gain, and even resulting in a change of coat colour as shown previously. Strikingly, Pah-mRNA correction rates were 43% after 14 weeks, with even 63% reported at very high virus dosages, and no obvious off-target effects. Interestingly, there are AAV vectors available (e.g. AAV9) that specifically target the heart, together with the fact that base editing can occur in non-dividing cells like cardiomyocytes, this approach holds great promise to treat genetic cardiac diseases. A similar approach was used by Rossidis et al. to provide proof-ofconcept that base editing can be applied in utero, offering new possibilities to cure periand neonatal lethal diseases. For their experiments, adenoviral particles containing the CRISPR-base editing system were injected into the vitelline vein, which drains the blood from the yolk sac, of developmental day 16 mouse embryo's. In the first approach they targeted murine Pcsk9 which is involved in regulation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor protein. Previous studies have shown that loss-of-function mutations in PCSK9 can reduce plasma cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease making it an interesting target to explore for cardiac disease prevention. Interestingly, in utero gene editing resulted in 10% base-edited alleles which was sufficient to lower cholesterol levels. Moreover, a very low rate of indels was


In this paper, the authors solve a boundary value problem of Carleman type for F -polyanalytic functions and prove a theorem on existence of a unique solution. AMS Subject Classifications: 30G20, 34M99, 35J55.


JUSTICE! is the theme for the winter 2020 Integrative Learning Community Project where classes from different disciplines come together to explore issues related to violence and restorative justice.


Photograph of workers using two cranes to load a diesel generator onto a railroad car in Denton, Texas. Three men stand on and alongside the railroad car. Three other men stand beside the crane trucks.


Robert A. Stafford, Scientist of empire: Sir Roderick Murchison, scientific exploration and Victorian imperialism. Cambridge University Press, 1989. Pp xi + 293, £30.00. ISBN 0-521-33537-x European imperialism in the second half of the 19th century has been of great interest to historians for many decades. Even its definition has been a matter of brisk controversy, though now there is a general consensus that imperialism was the deliberate act or advocacy of extending or maintaining a state's direct or indirect control over any other inhabited territory. From the early 20th century imperialism, especially as made manifest in the scramble for Africa, has often been seen as an aberrant phenomenon. Rarely has it been viewed as a natural and expected development in the relation between Europe and the rest of the world: its nature, its scope, and its timing were problematic.


Report presents survey of state of art in human factors in automation of aircraft operation. Presents examination of aircraft automation and effects on flight crews in relation to human error and aircraft accidents.


The electrophoretically homogeneous glucomannan isolated from konjac flour was composed of d-glucose and d-mannose residues in the approximate ratio of 1: 1.6. Controlled acid hydrolysis gave 4-O-β...


Abstract This article examines some ethical and practical concerns of producing true crime writing, examining the role of criminal evidence in the generation of such texts. Writers draw on a range of (often) sensitive forensic material in order to develop a cohesive story, and yet such use has still to be properly examined. Drawing on my own experience as a socio-legal scholar who writes literary nonfiction crime essays for the general reader, I ask questions about what is involved in producing creative writing from criminal evidence and from other legal material. What is the role of case archives, court transcripts, and the court experience? What acts of interpretation does the writer engage in? How do you make a story out of messy data? And what ethico-legal hurdles do you encounter?


W hileconnected locallycom pactgroupscan beapproxim ated byrealLiegroupsand hence can bedescribed using realLietheory ([20],[15]),thesituation ism orecom plicated in the caseofa totally disconnected,locally com pactgroup G.Here,wehavea p-adicLietheory available foreach prim e p,butitis notcleara priori which prim es p willbe needed to analyze the structure ofG,norwhetherp-adic Lie theory isusefulatallin thiscontext. Investigationsin [8]indicatethatindeed generallocally com pactgroupsare\toofaraway" from p-adicLiegroups(and from Liegroupsoverlocal elds)to expectm eaningfulapplicationsofLie theory. Therefore,itisessentialto restrictattention to suitable classesof totally disconnected groups,which are\closeenough" to p-adicLiegroups.


Seismic data compression (SDC) is crucially, confronted in the oil Industry with large data volumes and Incomplete data measurements. In this research, we present a comprehensive method of exploiting wave packets to perform seismic data compression .Wave atoms are the modern addition to the collection of mathematical transforms for harmonic computational analysis. Wave atoms are variant of 2D wavelet packets that keep an isotropic aspect ratio. Wave atoms have a spiky frequency localization that cannot be attained using a filter bank based on wavelet packets and offer a significantly sparser expansion for oscillatory functions than wavelets ,curvelets and Gabor atoms.


The spectrometer described is used for studying the optical properties of semiconductors. A servo-system for automatic control of the gain of the reference preamplifier and a phase detector for detecting the DC component of the light source are employed.


In stratified sampling,coefficient of variation is very big in some stratifications,this paper provides the way of correction of Neyman allocation.


Bacillus thuringiensis, as an important bio-pesticide, is developed greatly in output and sale volume. The fermentation technology is the key step in Bt's industrial production. Solid state fermentation is replacing submerged fermentation gradually because of its great advantage. In the paper, fermentation conditions, which affect solid state fermentation, are reviewed with 21 references.


Simple Summary Climate warming affects diversity, community composition, and spatial distribution of several plant and invertebrate species. Bumblebees in alpine ecosystems are particularly exposed to climate change due to even stronger warming compared to the global mean. To investigate the effects of climate warming, we sampled bumblebees along mountain slopes, compared the records to historical data from 1935 and 1936 and related our findings to climate models. We found that bumblebee species communities differed significantly between the two sampling periods. Our analyses showed that rising temperatures in the spring were the most plausible factor explaining this shift in community composition. Moreover, the recent bumblebee data showed significantly lower species diversity compared to the historical records. For example, the number of cuckoo bee species (socio-parasitic bumblebees that use the nests of other species for reproduction) was significantly lower compared to the historical data. Even though we did not detect more warmth-loving species, recent communities showed an increase in species that can deal well with variable climatic conditions. We conclude that the composition and functionality of bumblebee communities in the study area have been significantly affected by climate warming, with land use and vegetation changes likely playing an additional important role. Abstract Climate warming has been observed as the main cause of changes in diversity, community composition, and spatial distribution of different plant and invertebrate species. Due to even stronger warming compared to the global mean, bumblebees in alpine ecosystems are particularly exposed to these changes. To investigate the effects of climate warming, we sampled bumblebees along an elevational gradient, compared the records with data from 1935 and 1936, and related our results to climate models. We found that bumblebee community composition differed significantly between sampling periods and that increasing temperatures in spring were the most plausible factor explaining these range shifts. In addition, species diversity estimates were significantly lower compared to historical records. The number of socio-parasitic species was significantly higher in the historical communities, while recent communities showed increases in climate generalists and forest species at lower elevations. Nevertheless, no significant changes in community-weighted means of a species temperature index (STI) or the number of cold-adapted species were detected, likely due to the historical data resolution. We conclude that the composition and functionality of bumblebee communities in the study area have been significantly affected by climate warming, with changes in land use and vegetation cover likely playing an additional important role.


This paper examines the economic impact potential of a major innovative effort by the US Government to systematically coordinate, implement, and manage a technical infrastructure to support innovation and subsequent market penetration of advanced material technologies. Called the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI), this high-tech infrastructure consists of a range of policy instruments that can be used to leverage the efficiency of both research and development and production. To determine and rank the potential economic impacts of various MGI infrastructure targets and thereby provide policy input for portfolio management, surveys were conducted to obtain industry estimates of materials infrastructure needs. From these surveys, the economic benefits of implementing the MGI were calculated. The analysis projects potential economic benefits from an improved materials innovation infrastructure of between $123 billion and $270 billion per year.


To achieve furthermore high density without change of an optical head, a break-through in readout tahnologv to enhance the small MO si@ of such high density mrded domain is required As one solution, Magetic AMpltfyiog M O System (MAMMOS) or Domain Wall Displacement Detection (DWDD) have been proposed. Thae new technologies have a possibility to achieve 20 Gbit/in2 with a conventional optical head (680m laser and 0.55 numerical aperture of objective lens). Therefore, when a blue lasa diode is applied to this system, theareal density becomes 50 GbWin'. In this paper, an improvement on readout performance for anulUahighdensityM0 recordingby usingtheMAMMOS technology is reported.


Sport psychology is the science that studies the psychic processes and behavior of the athlete. Nowadays there is an increasing interest in the study of the motives that induce people to begin practicing sports and keep such conduct. This work covers part of the current hypotheses about the motivational dynamics of sportsmen. Among them achievement orientation, intrinsic motivations, success expectations versus effectiveness and the tendency to approach success or avoid failure.


The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) as classifier for distinguishing gait pattern between normal healthy subjects and Parkinson Disease (PD) patients. Since it has been proven by various researchers that PD patients owned significant gait deviation compared to normal adults, hence this study are conducted and will mainly focused on the basic, kinetic and kinematic measurements of human gait. Initial findings attained confirm that the ANN classifier successfully distinguished gait pattern between normal and PD gait with 81.25%, 81.25% and 84.38% success rate respectively for basic, kinetic and kinematic features solely. In addition, data fusion is performed for both basic and kinetic features, followed by basic and kinematic, kinetic and kinematic and all the three features. It was found that results of accuracy has increased to 87.5% based on data fusion of two or more features.


A new spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of iodate through the in situ production of iodine. The oxidation of the N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (R) molecule produces a stable oxidation intermediate, semiquinondiimine (S+), which has a marked absorbance at 550 nm (e = 10 000). Iodine can be released from an iodate sample by adding KI. The released iodine begins to react in situ with R, producing twice as many S+ molecules as a result of the reaction of quinondiimine (T+), the final oxidation product, through a rapid syn-proportionation reaction with the excess R present in the solution. The absorbance is stoichiometrically proportional to the concentration of iodine and, consequently, the iodide concentration can be calculated. The pH range is 3–7 and the ratio [R]/[Ox] is 20 : 1. Calibration curves can be constructed with an R = 0.9997. The proposed method was compared with the traditional volumetric method and applied to veterinary supplement capsule and table salt samples. The limits of detection and quantification for iodine by the proposed method were estimated to be 0.020 mM and 0.036 mM, respectively.


An impulsive collision theory explains why helium is an effective target gas for collisionally activated decomposition of large biological ions.


The ionic species such as NH + 4?NO - 3?SO 2- 4 and Na +, were determined by Ion Chromatography(IC) for 24 Total Suspended Particle (TSP) samples in Beijing The study indicates that during pollution episodes H 2SO 4?NH 4HSO 4?NaNO 3 were the main chemical speciation of the ion species,and the aerosol was with strong acidity;When pollution level was low, the ion species existed as (NH 4) 2SO 4 and NaNO 3,and the aerosol acidity was weak;Under medium pollution situation,the ion species existed as (NH 4) 2SO 4?NH 4HSO 4 and NaNO 3,the aerosol samples were with moderate acidity


In this paper, we are investigating whether non-symbolic algorithms which operate on nonsymbolic concepts can reside in the human brain. We present a supplementary approach to the connectionist approach of cognition since we believe that computational models based on connectionism can be used to realize non-symbolic algorithms. This approach enables us to model and hence explain aspects of nonsymbolic algorithms and non-symbolic concepts in the brain also based on recent psychological experiments which present evidence for these aspects. Our supplementary approach appears to be consistent with the parallel and distributed nature of the brain. Algorithms in the context of our approach consist of a series of steps and/or rules to perform a task. The non-symbolic algorithms may be innate or learned. Some combinations of steps and rules may exist in the brain as building block algorithms which may be combined with other steps and rules to form complex algorithms.


Objective To compare the results of dual-source CT(DSCT) and coronary angiography(CAG)in the diagnosis of in-stent restenosis(ISR),and discuss the influence of the positions and size of stents on the evaluation results of ISR by DSCT.Methods The 106 patients in the same period underwent DSCT and CAG were included in the study,analysis and comparison ISR of DSCT diagnostic sensitivity,specificity and accuracy to detect in-stent restenosis was evaluated referring to coronary angiography.ISR was defined as a lesion demonstrating stenosis greater than 50%.Results In all 173 stents,156 stents could be assessed by DSCT.33 stents could be detected ISR by DSCT,38 stents with ISR indicated by CAG.The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive value and accuracy to identify ISR was 78.9%,97.5%,90.9% and 93.5%,92.9%,respectively.DSCT coronary artery proximal in-stent restenosis detection rate were superior to the distal stent.The detection with DSCT in-stent restenosis of positive predictive value,specificity and sensitivity in diameter≥3.0 mm stents were better than the diameter of3.0 mm stents.Conclusion The diameter and location of the stent plays a significant role in stent lumen.The DSCT in the diagnosis of in-stent restenosis for which diameter ≥3.0 mm or proximal stent is close to the CAG.


Let A be an n×n irreducible Boolean matrix with period p . In [1], the generalized maximum density index h A(k) is defined. Let DIS F(k)={h A(k)|A∈ FIM n} , where FIM n is the set of all n×n full indecomposable matrices. In this paper,we show that DIS F(k)={1,2,…,n-1} .


This research focuses on the relationship of debt rate and quality of listed companies of China. Totally ,with the increasing of debt level, the status of financial affairs becomes going down, the total quality of listed companies becomes worsening. But there is no relationship between the two variables, that means the debt rate is not the direct factor to affect the quality of listed companies. In addition ,some related discussion has been presented.


A data analysis program utilizing the boundary discrete points (BDP) technique is developed to predict the effect of runway approach-light systems (ALSs) on the microwave landing system (MLS) signal in space in terms of angle guidance error, path following error (PFE) and control motion noise (CMN). Various ALS configurations are modelled and field-tested. In this study, the MLS peak guidance errors caused by the presence of the ALS are found to be small, but such that they could cause out-of-tolerance conditions. Initial field-test results are in agreement with those predicted by the developed model.


This article is based on a research conducted within a limitedscope (that is, within the community of the state university knownas Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta) on some phonoorthographicandortho-phonologic ambiguity found in spoken and written varietiesof Indonesian. By means of comparisons followed with sociophonologicanalyses, findings as follows are obtained. (1) Phonoorthographicambiguity results in two forms: (a) the articulation of[h] which should be nonexistent between [a] and [u] or [i] and (b)the articulation of [a] instead of [i] in Indonesian names originallyJavanese. (1) Ortho-phonologic ambiguity results in two forms: (a)the writing of a final o instead of a in Indonesian names originallyJavanese and (b) the writing ofa final o instead of a in Indonesianterms originally Javanese. (3) Such cases ofambiguity are caused by(a) linguistic and (b) non-linguistic factors.Keywords: phonology, orthography, ambiguity, speech, writing,Indonesian


High-temperature thermal therapy is emerging as a feasible treatment option for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Previous investigations have demonstrated distinct advantages of catheter-based ultrasound technology over other heating modalities for thermal ablation therapies, with significant potential for better spatial control and faster heating times. The purpose of this study was to develop ultrasound devices and techniques specifically for treating prostate cancer in conjunction with magnetic resonance thermal imaging (MRTI) to monitor and control treatment progression. Directional transurethral applicators have been designed with arrays of sectored tubular (90° active acoustic sector) or with narrow planar transducer segments and integrated with a flexible delivery catheter with a cooling balloon. This applicator can be rotated within the prostatic urethra to target specific regions during treatment. MRI compatible catheter-cooled interstitial ultrasound applicators with 180° active acoustic sectors were developed specifically to treat the prostate. These applicators may be implanted through the perineum into the posterior portion of the prostate, with their heating energy directed away from the rectum. Both heating strategies were evaluated via biothermal simulations and in vivo experiments within canine prostate (n = 3). During the in vivo studies, MRTI was used to monitor treatment temperatures, cytotoxic thermal doses (t43>240 min) and corresponding maximum temperature thresholds (Tmax>52°C) within three imaging planes simultaneously. Urethral and endorectal cooling was employed with both treatment strategies to provide further protection of the urethral mucosa and rectum from thermal damage. Results using the transurethral applicators demonstrated that narrow zones of coagulation (∼30° sector for planar, ∼90° for tubular), extending up to 20 mm from the urethra to the periphery of the prostate gland, could be produced within 10–15 min. Further, rotation of the applicator during treatment could be used to destroy larger regions in the prostate. Experiments using multiple interstitial directional applicators (∼180° active sectors), implanted within the posterior margin of the prostate with the energy directed away from the rectum, produced contiguous zones of thermal coagulation which extended from the posterior prostate toward the anterior-lateral periphery of the gland. Both transurethral and interstitial treatment strategies demonstrated significant potential for thermal ablation of localized prostate cancer, particularly when MRTI is used to guide and assess treatment.


Dear Editor, Verruca plana is a benign epidermal proliferative cutaneous condition mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 3 and 10. HPV 27, 28, 38, 41, and 49 may also rarely cause verruca plana. Face located plane warts usually cause important aesthetic concerns in patients and lead them to seek treatment. The management of verruca plana poses a therapeutic challenge for clinicians, as there is no single method that has been proven to be efficient for completely treating the disease. An 18-year-old woman presented with an 8 months history of asymptomatic numerous small brown lesions on the chin. She was otherwise healthy and her past medical history was unremarkable. The lesions did not respond to previously treatments including oral zinc, topical tretinoin, and topical adapalene. Dermatological examination revealed numerous, plane, yellowish to brown irregular papular lesions ranging in size from 0.1 to 0.4 cm distributed on the left side of the chin (Figure 1A). Dermatoscopic examination showed numerous tiny dotted (pinpoint) vessels on a light brown background (Figure 2). No other lesions were observed elsewhere. Based on the clinical and dermatoscopic examinations, a diagnosis of verruca plana was made. Daily simple application of topical calcipotriol ointment allowed a complete resolution after 8 weeks without adverse reactions (Figure 1B). No recurrence was observed during 6 months of follow-up. Common therapeutic options for verruca plana include cryotherapy, electrocoagulation, topical salicylic acid, topical retinoids, topical imiquimod, topical immunotherapy, laser or conventional/daylight photodynamic therapy. Most of these options may cause dyspigmentation, pain, and even scarring. Furthermore, no treatment has been uniformly effective and, treatment resistance is common. There are very few studies on the effectiveness of topical vitamin D derivatives in the treatment of viral warts. Imagawa et al reported a series of 17 cases of hand or foot located warts successfully treated with topical maxacalcitol. Egawa et al managed three immunocompromised cases with recalcitrant warts, using topical maxacalcitol with a half-day occlusive dressing technique. Labandeira et al reported a case of giant wart successfully treated with topical calcipotriol. Rind et al reported the successful use of topical calcipotriol in a case of anogenital wart in an infant. Recently, it has been shown that intralesional vitamin D3 injection may be a simple, safe and cost-effective treatment modality with minimal side effects. In a single-blinded placebo-controlled study investigating effectivity of intralesional vitamin D3 injection in the treatment of common warts, complete clearance of the target injected warts occurred in 40% of patients in cases group, while it occurred only in 5% of patients in control groups. Topical vitamin D3 derivatives are considered as first-line therapy in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Biologic effects of


In this paper, we propose differential spacefrequency diversity scheme for MIMO-OFDM system with cyclic delay diversity (CDD) in AWGN and Rayleigh channels. And also we apply proposed scheme to convolutional turbo codes (CTC) for playing an important part in MIMO-OFDM system as inner codes. This structure can provide a very close performance to that of the conventional diversity scheme with maximum likelihood (ML) detection without channel estimation block while the receiver structure is highly simplified. We compare in AWGN with Rayleigh channels of its performance and also compare with each code rate and iteration number. The results of this paper can be applicable to the 4G mobile multimedia communication systems.


Data compression is a vital part of information security, since compressed data is much more secure and convenient to handle. Effective data compression technique creates an effective, secure, easy communicable & redundant data. There are two types of compression algorithmic techniques: - lossy and lossless. These techniques can be applied to any data format like text, audio, video or image file. The primary objective of this study was to analyse data compression techniques used for information security techniques like steganography, cryptography etc. Four each, lossy and lossless techniques are implemented and evaluated on parameters like-file size, saving percentage, time, compression ratio and speed. Detailed analysis shows that the lossy techniques performs better quantitatively whereas lossless is better qualitatively. However, lossless techniques are more effective as there is no data loss during the process. Among all, Huffman encoding outperforms other algorithms.


Badan Usaha Milik Negara abbreviated BUMN is a company that holds the key sectors of the major needs in Indonesia, to expand the company's business lines, then 20 BUMN began to sell shares in the Indonesia Stock Exchange and have to publish financial statements  which contains earnings information.The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of audit firm size, leverage, firm size and market to book ratio on earning response coefficient. The population of this research are all BUMN companies listed in the Indonesia stock exchange 2011-2013. The sampling technique in this research was purposive sampling. From 20 research sample, there are 15 companies qualified as a sample. Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyse data . The result that simultaneous all variable have positive effects on earning response coefficient, partially audit firm size, firm size and market to book ratio have positive effect on ERC. Keywords : Audit Firm Size, Leverage, Firm Size, Market To Book Ratio, Earning Responses Coefficient


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an assessment framework for evaluating the success of knowledge management (KM) initiatives in a government setting.Design/methodology/approach – The approach used was to first conduct a brief review of the leading thinking on KM and intellectual capital (IC) measurement approaches. The selection process used to recommend the results‐based management assessment framework (RMAF) as the most appropriate measurement framework is then discussed together with the development of logic models for all KM objectives. Finally, the validation methodology used, a survey design and data collection methodology, is described.Findings – The study finds that the RMAF framework proved to be a good fit for KM assessment in a government setting.Research limitations/implications – The evaluation of KM and IC are necessarily organization‐specific. Further research is needed to report on the generalizability of this evaluation approach.Practical implications – The KM evaluation ...


I• the study of the breeding biology of passerine birds, the relationship between the activity of the female and the activity of the male during incubation has received little attention in the literature. The male Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), which does not incubate, does spend a considerable amount of time near the nest and thus provides an ideal species in which to study the behavioral relationships of the male and female during incubation. The Gray Catbird is relatively abundant and is one of the most widely distributed mimids of North America. Although a common nesting bird of the eastern United States and southern Canada, few studies on the breeding biology of the Gray Catbird are available in the literature (Grabrielson 1913, Bent 1948, Zimmerman 1963, Graber et al. 1970, Darley et al. 1971). Skutch (1953) suggested that nonincubating male birds may coordinate their movements with those of incubating females in two forms: (1) standing guard over the nest during the female's recesses and (2) accompanying the female on her recesses. Standing guard (or "nest guarding") has been reported for the Gray Catbird previously (Whittle 1923, Davis 1942, Skutch 1953, Zimmerman 1963). However none of these reports contained the necessary quantitative data to distinguish nest guarding from random movements in the nesting territory or from an unusual territorial configuration. Nest guarding by males or at least coming to the nest vicinity when the female is absent has been reported for many passerine species. Following is a report of the results of field investigations of the nest guarding behavior of the male Gray Catbird, evidence for the coordination of male and female activities during incubation, and speculation on the significance of this behavior.


Nervousness over the potential of falling off the oft-publicized "fiscal cliff" was averted when the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) was approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Obama. The legislation addressed and resolved most of the tax uncertainty that made year-end tax planning for 2012 so difficult for many people. Unfortunately, however, the final resolution of issues related to spending cuts and the debt ceiling was delayed.


The article describes the structure of news which appear in the international pages of the most read newspapers in the province of Alicante. The content analysis technique is used to classify the whole international news items and thus, the authot makes the worls cognitive map that readers can receive, through the determination of the presence and the absence of countries. The main goal is to find out the quantity of inequality among nations described by the media map.


The article deals with the interaction of mechatronic devices in real time through events and messages. The interaction of distributed network devices is necessary to coordinate their work, including synchronization when implementing a distributed algorithm. The approach in the development of a distributed control system (DCS) for mechatronic devices based on the IEC 61499 standard has been analyzed. Using only a LAN for interaction purposes is not always justified, since messages transmitted over a LAN do not provide transmission determinism. To eliminate this problem, a fast local network is needed, which would not utilize resources of the main computer and hardware (e.g., based on the model of terminal machines) to carry out a network communication. It is proposed to implement LAN controllers on the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) platform. Data-strobe coding (DS coding) with a signal level of LVDS was used for keeping the transmitted data intact and improving the overall reliability of the systems. the complexity of the problem to be solved. The development of mechatronic components as network devices goes toward the unification of embedded computers on the proposed computing and communication services. Standards for the design of distributed control systems are being implemented, which determine the ideology of the interaction of a distributed algorithm of a technological problem.


The formation of self-assembled chemisorbed layers of cystamine, cysteamine, and 4-aminothiophenol on gold has been studied by XPS and voltammetry. These compounds, often used in the preparation of biosensors and modified electrodes, are shown to yield surface coverages of approximately 80% of that of a octadecanethiol monolayer within 5 min in millimolar aqueous and ethanolic solutions. The results of the XPS experiments reveal that a shoulder on the S 2p3/2 peak (situated at 162.1 eV) develops at 161.3 eV upon increasing the adsorption time from minutes to 1 week and that the initial rate of formation of the shoulder is higher for cystamine than for cysteamine. This shoulder is believed to be due to the presence of a sulfur species with a higher coordination number with respect to gold. Increased adsorption times also give rise to increased amounts of oxidized carbon and sulfur in the films. The oxidation of the sulfur in the thiols results in a detachment of the molecules from the gold surface, as indi...


Objectives: Previous types of rock wool has been recently replaced with high-temperature wool (HT wool). HT wool is characterized by a chemical composition with a higher cencentration of AliOs and a lower concentratiofi of SiOi, lower biopersistence, and a higher metting point than preyiolls types of rock wool. To evaluate the safety of HT woel, an asbestos substitllte, vve examined the biopersistence of HT wool in the lungs, based on changes in fiber count according to the length and fiber size (length and width), by performing a nose-only inhalation exposure study in rats. Methods: Male Fischer 344 rats were exposed to fibers at the target exposure concentration of 30 mgtmi continuously for 3 hours daily for S consecutiye days. Rats were sacrificed shortly after exposure, and 1, 2, and 4weeks after exposure, and their lung tissues were incinerated at a low temperat"re. Then, fiber counts and sizes in the lungs were analyzed using a phase contrast -mlcroscope. Results: The fiber count in the lungs 4weeks after exposure significantly decreased from the baseline value (shortly after exposure). The halfi]ife o fibers calculated from the approximation curve was 34 days for al] fibers and 11 days for fibers longer than 20 pm. Conclusions: Both the length and width significantly decreased 4 weeks after exposure, probably because fibers were ingested by alyeolar macrophages, discharged to outside of the body by mucocitiary moyement, or lysed by body flllid. In future studies, it is necessary to examine the long-term persistence of fibers in the ]ungs.


A new kind of induction motor with compound cage rotor (IMCCR) is proposed in this paper, in which rotor bars are composed of upper parts made of alloy (conductor for electric and magnetic) and lower parts made of cast aluminum. By using FEM, the electromagnetic and thermal fields of IMCCR are analyzed with coupling. The electromagnetic fields of motor operating with locked rotor and striking current are calculated first, and the transient heat transfer processes in motor are studied through thermal analysis. Thus, effects of operating state on motor performance are studied, especially for the windings insulation. The obtained results are compared with the experimental data.


In the implementation of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, surges or increases always occur in Indonesia every year, and are the cause of the emergence of a complex problem. there are many problems within the scope of hajj and umrah, such as the lack of a guiding role by the guide, resulting in the ignorance of the pilgrims about the Hajj and Umrah Organizing Law. The purpose of this study was to determine the Hajj ritual guidance strategy for the Office of the Ministry of Religion of the City of Banda Aceh and the factors that support and hinder the strategy of guidance for the Hajj rituals in improving the skills of pilgrims at the Office of the Ministry of Religion of the City of Banda Aceh. This research was conducted with a field study using a qualitative descriptive method. Data collection techniques were carried out through interviews, observation and documentation. The results of the study show that the Strategy for guidance on Hajj rituals of the Office of the Ministry of Religion of the City of Banda Aceh in improving the skills of pilgrims by implementing a management strategy which includes 4 stages, the first is planning (planning). The second is organizing, the third is actuating, the fourth is supervision. Factors that support the existence of competent Hajj ritual guides, Have a legal umbrella, availability of adequate facilities and infrastructure, Inhibiting factors, there is a profile of pilgrims whose education level is elementary school, there is an advanced age for pilgrims so that their physical condition decreases, and has an effect on the lack of concentration of pilgrims pilgrimage in the implementation of Hajj ritual guidance


Autonomous exploration and mapping is a vital capability for future robotic systems expected to function in arbitrary complex environments. In this paper, we describe an end-to-end robotic solution for remotely mapping buildings. For a typical mapping system, an unmanned system is directed to enter an unknown building at a distance, sense the internal structure, and, barring additional tasks, while in situ, create a 2-D map of the building. This map provides a useful and intuitive representation of the environment for the remote operator. We have integrated a robust mapping and exploration system utilizing laser range scanners and RGB-D cameras, and we demonstrate an exploration and metacognition algorithm on a robotic platform. The algorithm allows the robot to safely navigate the building, explore the interior, report significant features to the operator, and generate a consistent map - all while maintaining localization.


By means of Leitz optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer, we have investigated the main crystals which form upon cooling in MeF,-YF -AlF3 (Me=Mg+Ca+Sr+Ba)glass.One of the crystal in the glass is enriched in Mg, Al and Ca. The crystallization mechanism of the glass and relative merits of the analysis techniques used are discussed.


Nurses working in hospitals with high workloads and longer working lives are less able to increase the likelihood of job stres, level of stres in nurses was still very high in his job. The study was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship of workload and length of service with nurse stres. The study design used was cross sectional with the technique of sampling with a sampling of the total number of 27 respondents. Location of this research at two hospitals RA.Basuni Perawataan space Kec. Gedeg Mojokerto regency. The population in this study were all nurses at two hospitals RA treatment room. Basuni Kec. Gedeg Kab. Mojokerto. The data was collected using a closed questionnaire. The research was conducted in May 2011. The results showed that the majority of nurses light workload was associated with levels of stres are as many as seven respondents (25.9%). And a long relationship working> 1 year was associated with stres levels as much as 7 respondents (25.9%). Analysis of data using Spearman Rank test workload calculation results obtained with the stres p = 0.007 whereas the value of α = 0.05 then there is a relationship work load with stres in nurses, while the length of service with a stres value of p = 0.015 while α = 0.05 then there is a link length of service with the stres on caregivers. Workload experienced by the respondents is lighter workload and longer working lives of over one years raises the stress level is. It is influenced by the workplace, saturation levels, job placement and age. Nurses are expected to further enhance the knowledge and work experience so as to reduce the workload and stres levels. Keywords: Workload, Long Working, Stres, Nurse


In the presence of sufficient tin(II) chloride, chloro(trichlorostannato)platinum(II) anions are rapidly absorbed by open-cell polyurethane foams from dilute hydrochloric acid solution. Sorptive capacities of up to 0.5 mol kg–1 of Pt in foam may be obtained.


Abstract 5062

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), formerly recognized as myeloproliferative disorders(MPDs), are a group of hematological conditions where a molecular defect in a multi-potent hematopoietic stem cell leads to increased production in one or more blood cell lineages. In early 2005, four different groups described an identical JAK2V617F mutation in exon 12 of JAK2 in a large number of patients with MPNs. Whereafter, it has been confirmed that the Gain-of-function mutations of JAK2V617F play crucial roles in the development of MPN. However, how this activated singaling pathway leads to overproduction of blood cells are not fully understood. Our experiment was designed and performed to address one aspect of this issue. Here we report that AG490, a JAK2 kinase inhibitor, is potently inducing apoptosis in HEL cells. HEL cell line, which harbor a homozygous JAK2V617F mutation confirmed by Allele-specific polymerase chain reactions (AS-PCR), restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing, was selected as a cell model. HEL cells were treated with AG490 at different concentrations and for different time length. The Flow cytometry(FCM) with AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining and genome DNA electrophoresis were performed to determine the apoptosis rate of the HEL cell, respectively; RT-PCR was performed to analyze the effect of AG490 on the expression of Bcl-x mRNA. The FITC-AnnexinV/PI double staining demonstrated that the apoptosis rate of HEL cell increased obviously in a time (F=267.226, P<0.0001)and dose(F=343.77, P<0.0001) dependent manner after treated by AG490. Similar results were observed by DNA ladder. The results of RT-PCR demonstrated that when treated by AG490, the mRNA of Bcl-xL gene was down-regulated obviously(Bcl-xL mRNA was the main species of Bcl-x found), and the down-regulation was strongly time(F=26.402, P<0.0001) and dose(F=39.247, P<0.0001) dependent. Thus, our results suggest that AG490 can induce apoptosis in HEL cells obviously, and JAK2V617F might inhibit cell apoptosis through upregulation of Bcl-xL.

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Birth order is one of the most pervasive human experiences, which is universally thought to determine how intelligent, nice, responsible, sociable, emotionally stable, and open to new experiences we are (1). The debate over the effects of birth order on personality has spawned continuous interest for more than 100 y, both from the general public and from scientists. And yet, despite a consistent stream of research, results remained inconclusive and controversial. In the last year, two definitive papers have emerged to show that birth order has little or no substantive effect on personality. In the first paper, a huge sample was used to test the relation between birth order and personality in a between-family design, and the average effect was equal to a correlation of 0.02 (2). Now, in PNAS, Rohrer, Egloff, and Schmukle (3) investigate the link between birth order and personality in three large samples from Great Britain, the United States, and Germany, using both between- and within-family designs. The results show that birth order has null effects on personality across the board, with the exception of intelligence and self-reported intellect, where firstborns have slightly higher scores. When combined, the two studies provide definitive evidence that birth order has little or no substantive relation to personality trait development and a minuscule relation to the development of intelligence.


Shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuators are quickly becoming technologically ready for a wider range of commercial applications due both to their exceptional actuation performance and to recent advances in the manufacture of drawn SMA wire. Shape memory alloys are complex materials requiring a breadth and depth of knowledge to successfully implement in more demanding industrial applications, knowledge to which most engineers may not have been exposed. This paper proposes a modular design framework to aid engineers at any level of expertise to synthesize and analyze SMA wire actuators. The modularity of the framework allows for changes in design, architecture, and system topology and allows for easy adaptation to the rapid research advances in the knowledge and understanding of the response and robust use of SMA. The layered structure of the framework is detailed; differentiating the design tasks by function: modeling, evaluation, optimization, and design guidance. Each layer is modular within itself, and in particular, the modeling layer allows for a variety of views to suit the expertise of individual designers. A sample design tool built within the framework is presented for the synthesis of actuators composed of multiple straight SMA wires acting against linear loads, accompanied by a physical system demonstration. This example, while basic, demonstrates the general applicability and flexibility of the framework for aiding many types of users in a large variety of SMA wire actuation design problems.


In this technical report, we describe the fine-tuned ASR-MT pipeline used for the IWSLT shared task. We remove less useful speech samples by checking WER with an ASR model, and further train a wav2vec and Transformers-based ASR module based on the filtered data. In addition, we cleanse the errata that can interfere with the machine translation process and use it for Transformer-based MT module training. Finally, in the actual inference phase, we use a sentence boundary detection model trained with constrained data to properly merge fragment ASR outputs into full sentences. The merged sentences are post-processed using part of speech. The final result is yielded by the trained MT module. The performance using the dev set displays BLEU 20.37, and this model records the performance of BLEU 20.9 with the test set.


Research suggests that the roots of psychopathy are evident in youth. Studies have consistently shown psychopathy to be associated with a myriad of adverse outcomes including violence and antisocial behaviour. Thus, the early identification of psychopathic traits may facilitate early intervention and risk management strategies. A diagnosis of psychopathy has important clinical and legal implications. Thus, it is crucial that measures used to assess psychopathy are valid and reliable. This study investigated the inter-rater reliability (IRR) of the Psychopathy Checklist Youth Version (PCL: YV). Several studies have highlighted sources of rater bias with adult measures of psychopathy, amongst other measures. Therefore, this study also addressed whether IRR was associated with the rater's professional characteristics or the severity of cases presented. Six case vignettes were developed (two with low, two with moderate and two with high levels of psychopathic traits). These were rated by experts in the field. Nineteen multidisciplinary health professionals recruited from relevant services participated in this study. All participants attended training on the PCL: YV and then rated the case vignettes using the PCL: YV and completed a Staff Information Questionnaire. This study found high IRR overall for the PCL: YV. However, lower IRR was obtained for particular items ("Impulsivity", "Poor anger control", "Early behaviour problems") and the moderate cases. The rater's professional characteristics were not found to influence IRR. Potential explanations for these findings are discussed followed by recommendations for future research.


. We introduce the Euclid–Mullin graph , which encodes all instances of Euclid's proof of the infinitude of primes. We investigate structural properties of the graph both theoretically and numerically; in particular, we prove that it is not a tree.


Damping rate and out-of-resonance degree are two important parameters of compensation network. To solve the relevant problems encountered in operation, the effects of damping rate and out-of-resonance degree on the operation characteristic of the compensation network were analyzed from the aspects of neutral-point displacement voltage, degree of unbalance of the voltages on three phases and the active and reactive components of residual current. The formulas for properly configuring the damping rate and out-of-resonance degree were given. After analyzing it is considered that the adoption of the non-linear resistance will result in the increase of the active component of the residual current which is disadvantageous to the arc suppression; in the prerequisite that the residual current is kept below the limitation specified by the code, appropriate increase in out-of-resonance degree will improve the degree of unbalance of the voltages on three phases and is beneficial to the compensation network operation. Some relevant problems encountered in actual operation can be solved through applying these research achievements.


e12584Background: Breast carcinoma is a major public health problem in India and world. It is the leading cause of cancer in women in India. The overall 5 year survival rate in western countries is...


The World Trade Organization (WTO), established in 1994 as a successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), has a governing structure called the "Director-General". Their appointment did not pose any major legal and/or political problems until 2021. The procedure for appointing a Director-General is explicitly specified in Article VI of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. In this respect, however, the actual appointment of the first Directors-General from 1994 to 2004 was somewhat unusual. Both the first Director-General of the WTO, who was already in place as a Director in the GATT, and who remained, at the request of the contracting parties, to ensure continuity between the two organisations. In 2002, WTO members adopted a resolution, organising the appointment of each Director-General for the future. From that date onwards, the following Directors-General were appointed successively for four years, following difficult negotiations due to political and regional oppositions between members concerning their effective representation within the WTO. The appointment of Directors-General is made not only according to the procedure established in 2002, but also in a way that is specific to the WTO, which is the adoption of a decision by consensus. This method assumes that no member of the organisation objects to an appointment. From 2005 to 2017, two Directors-General were appointed, and their terms were renewed once. However, before the end of the second term of the last Director-General, Roberto Azavedo, he submitted his resignation, which he justified with the proximity of the next WTO Ministerial Conference, which he did not want to interfere with the appointment of the next Director. But this resignation came in a delicate political and economic context due to the stances of US President Trump and the COVID-19 crisis. This resignation provoked a real crisis for the appointment of the next Director. Initially, the President of the General Council, David Walker, announced that there were eight candidates, presented by members from different continents, including three women. The number of candidates and the presence of female candidates was rather exceptional. As the nomination process progressed and consensus was used, candidates, both male and female, from different continents, particularly from Africa, were eliminated. Finally, two last candidates remained – a South Korean and a Nigerian – and from that point on, the nomination system was blocked owing to the United States' refusal to accept that a nomination be made for the candidate who had the best chance of obtaining a consensus on their name as Director-General. In this case, it was the Nigerian candidate, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was backed by many members and who also had the support of various regional organisations such as the African Union and the European Union. To resolve this blockage, David Walker postponed the General Council meeting several times allowing a decision by consensus on the appointment of the future Director-General, as if he wanted to wait for the result of the American presidential election, scheduled for November 2020, in the hope of a change of president. Following the positive result of the US election for the WTO in favour of Joe Biden, it was not until 5 February that a solution appeared to the ongoing blockage, with the official withdrawal of the South Korean candidate. The next day, the General Council met in extraordinary session to officially nominate the Nigerian candidate. Will this difficult nomination mark the future of the WTO ?


The study was carried out at the Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Mhow and in private clinics across Indore on 30 bitches suffering from Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra Complex (CEH-PC). The animals were randomly subdivided into five groups each of six bitches and treated with bromocriptine (1 g/kg POx5 days) and cabergoline (5 g/kg POx5 days) alone and in combination with cloprostenol (5 g/kg s/c on day 0, 2 and 6) (Gr II to V) together with enrofloxacin (10-20 mg/kg PO, SID×5 days) + combination of metronidazole and povidone-iodine IU (5-10 ml×3 days), the later served as routine control Gr I.The treatment response of animals was evaluated through clinical, ultrasonographical, haematological and biochemical parameters. Blood samples were collected from cephalic or saphenous vein just before treatment (day 0) and after treatment on day 6 and day 14. Treatment approach -III (cabergoline 5 g/kg POx5 days) was found to be the most effective without side effects with significant decrease in uterine luminal diameter after treatment. The results showed significant improvement in haemato-biochemical attributes in dogs affected with CEH-P complex following treatment IV and V, i.e. with use of bromocriptine and cabergoline in combination with cloprostenol as compared to other groups.


The objective of this study was to analyze the knowledge of health professionals in Sousa's basic care units about Visceral Leishmaniasis. 100 epidemiological questionnaires were applied with Community Health Agents, Nursing Technicians, Nurses and Doctors. It was observed that, among the 100 professionals interviewed, 88% stated that Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis, 97% know Leishmaniasis by the name of Kala-azar. Regarding the transmission of Leishmaniasis, 80% of professionals believe that it happens through the bite of the infected mosquito. However, only 78% of professionals recognize that the etiological agent is protozoan. In relation to the treatment for Leishmaniasis, 100% of the professionals interviewed believe that there is treatment for this disease, and 90% mentioned that there was a cure. About the existence of a vaccine, 69% said it did not exist. Regarding control and prophylaxis measures, 34% refer to diagnostic tests on people and animals. In relation to the prevention of Leishmaniasis, 65% of professionals gave their opinion on preventing the spread of the mosquito and informing preventive measures. It is concluded that there are still conceptual gaps in health professionals in the municipality of Sousa PB, about Visceral Leishmaniasis, with the need to implement permanent education processes for these professionals, contextualizing the information about leishmaniasis to the studied reality.


Summary form only given. FLORID-F-LOgic Reasoning In Databases-is a deductive object oriented database system incorporating F-logic (M. Kifer et al., 1995) as a data definition and query language and combining the advantages of deductive databases with the rich modelling capabilities of object oriented concepts. F-logic provides complex objects, uniform handling of data and metadata, rule defined class hierarchy and signatures, nonmonotonic multiple inheritance, equating of objects by rules and variables ranging over methods and classes. Moreover, FLORID extends F-logic by path expressions (J. Frohn et al., 1994) to facilitate object navigation. Because of its powerful properties, F-logic cannot be mapped onto a relational data model by transforming classes into relations. Hence, it was a major design goal to use an object oriented data representation in FLORID. All information about one object is stored in an object frame which has a unique OID. Several (external) object names may refer to the same OID, thus defining an equivalence relation between objects. Frames consist of slots for method applications or class membership, enabling schema modifications during the evaluation by deriving new signatures, subclass relationships or class memberships. The collection of all frames forms an object world.


We have demonstrated that a thermal annealing treatment can reduce the optical losses in ultrathin, ultrasmooth, silver films deposited on a Ge wetting layer to values as low as the bulk material value and at the same time maintain an ultrasmooth surface. The annealing effect is sensitive to the annealing temperature and time, both of which should be carefully controlled. This annealing treatment is also effective for Ag–SiO2 multilayer composite films.