Molecular biology and advanced techniques informed by chemistry and physics have changed biological research and teaching. Today's students take for granted that as they study the life sciences, they will hear a lot about genes and molecules. Sir William Harvey would be profoundly disorientated and then gratified by a visit to the Harvey Society's website (www.harveysociety.org). The man who accurately described the functional anatomy of the circulatory system would appreciate the extent to which his evidence-based approach to animal physiology has won the day. Indeed, understanding life processes at a molecular level is immensely satisfying. Three cheers for reductionism (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

The i heart guts website sells plush toys based on most of your favorite internal organs.

It can be difficult, however, to fully appreciate the beauty of molecular details if the larger functions they serve are poorly understood. After all, it is the anatomical genius of the circulatory system that ensures that every cell of the body benefits from the marvel of hemoglobin. The steadily growing body of biological information makes it more challenging to preserve places in the curriculum to provide organismal and physiological context for students, and to cultivate deep thinking about how complex biological systems function through emergent properties of molecular mechanics. We are all interested in how our bodies work and are obsessed, if not enthralled, by our innards, or as one website (http://iheartguts.com/) would put it, "we heart guts."

My main goal for this review is to uncover websites that can be used to infuse the biology curriculum with systems and organismal context. Because a human anatomy and physiology (A&P) sequence is still part of most life science curricula, websites that support the teaching of A&P vastly outnumber websites concerned with general physiological principles or comparative physiology and anatomy. I highlight websites that emphasize fundamental principles and a comparative approach, but I also point to several excellent sites devoted to human A&P (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

The University of Utah Medical Library has a number of outstanding educational resources and tutorials on its Knowledge Weavers website, including an excellent animation of the circulation through the heart.

To honor Harvey, let's begin by looking at a website that does an outstanding job of showing how our hearts work. The Knowledge Weavers website (http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/) from the University of Utah medical library offers many excellent resources. Their Flash-animated heart (http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/resources.html#animations) is one of the best of many available on the Web. The action of the heart is linked to dynamic graphs of blood pressure/volume, electrocardiogram, and heart sounds. The progress of the heart cycle is tracked by systole and diastole, in turn subdivided into relevant phases, and controls are available to run the animation fast, slow, or in step-through mode. The Flash console conveniently locates links to tutorials. The tutorials, by dissecting the animation step by step, should help students consolidate their learning based on the animation. It would be an interesting assessment to have students make their own tutorials and then see how they measure up to those made by the website authors. In addition to the cardiology information, the site also has an interesting concept for presenting a functional neural pathway. The Osteointeractive section (http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/index2.html) is noteworthy in presenting topics such as forensic anthropology and paleopathology, including the use of bones for human rights work. They've also developed tools to help faculty make multimedia and Web-based quizzes.


Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified 56 loci that are robustly associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Only a handful of genes in these loci are currently known to influence CAD. We previously showed that: 1) CAD-associated loci exert their effect at least in part by influencing atherosclerotic plaque formation; 2) zebrafish larvae are a promising model system for high-throughput screens of early-stage atherosclerosis. We now aim to identify causal genes in GWAS-identified loci for CAD using a zebrafish model system. Heterozygous carriers of nonsense (sa1516 in CXCL12 ; fh336 in COL4A1 ) or essential splice site (sa1504 in FLT1 ) mutations were in-crossed, and offspring were fed a normal or high amount of diet from 5 to 10 days post-fertilisation. Vascular lipid deposition was subsequently visualised using a fluorescent dye, automated positioning system, fluorescence microscope and CCD camera, and quantified using a custom-written image analysis pipeline in Ilastik and CellProfiler. After imaging, whole-body total cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels were assessed using enzymatic assays, and larvae were genotyped using KASP technology. Multiple linear regression analysis (additive model) was used to examine the effect of each mutation. Mutations in FLT1 and COL4A1 resulted in less vascular lipid deposition in overfed larvae (p=3.6E-2 and p=1.9E-2, respectively), but had no effect in larvae fed on a normal amount (p=0.26, p=0.64). Sa1504 in FLT1 additionally resulted in lower total cholesterol levels (p=3.7E-3) and a trend for lower triglyceride levels (p=0.06), independently of the amount fed. The remaining associations did not reach nominal significance (p>0.05). Our results represent the first mutant models demonstrating that FLT1 and COL4A1 play a role in early-stage atherosclerosis, implying that these genes are the culprits in corresponding GWAS-identified loci. We believe that CXCL12 remains the most promising candidate in 11q11.1, and that the lack of effect in our screen reflects genetic redundancy and/or a late onset effect. We will repeat the screen to confirm or refute the results, and additionally examine if mutations in FLT1 and COL4A1 influence vascular inflammation and foam cell formation.


In this study, the effect of slip casting parameters on the ultrafine microstructure and the density of pore-free YAG ceramic was evaluated. A stable, high concentrated aqueous YAG slurry using Dolapix-CE64 as a dispersant was prepared and the effect of dispersant concentration as well as the solid load on the stability and rheological behavior of the slurry was also studied. The optimum dispersant content for the suspension was 1.5 wt% which led to the slurry with minimum viscosity and near-Newtonian behavior. The results showed that increasing the solid load of the YAG slurry causes higher viscosity and alters the rheological behavior of the slurry to a slight shear thinning. By increasing the solid load of the slurry up to a specific amount of 75 wt%, relative green density of the slip cast sample was increased to about 65%, but further increase reduced the green density. The microstructure and the density of the sintered body in the air and vacuum atmospheres comprise a direct relationship to the green density of the slip cast body.


The building sector consumes the largest part of common final energy consumed in the
European Union and therefore this sector has a huge potential for reducing the energy
consumption. Part of the strategy which aims to limit the use of energy in buildings represent
in 2002 adopted Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (2002/91 / EC) and revised
EPBD Directive 2010/31 / EU which is an upgrade of the first one and sets some further
strengthened requirements. Additionally to the provisions targeted to these objectives, the
Directive prescribes the introduction of an energy performance certificate of building. The
energy performance certificate is a document containing the information about the building
energy performance including recommendations for increasing the energy efficiency. From
January 1, 2015 the energy performance certificate of building is obligatory required in
Republic of Slovenia when selling the entire building or a part thereof and when renting a
building for a period of one year or more. The main purpose of this thesis is to examine the
impact of energy performance certificates of buildings on the real estate prices in Republic of
Slovenia in the period after its enforcement.
The first part of diploma thesis presents the general information about the energy
performance certificate of building and includes an analysis of four studies that provide key
findings in the field of energy efficiency of buildings and the impact of energy performance
certificates of buildings on the real estate prices in other countries. Research in other
countries has shown that energy performance certificates of buildings have some impact on
the real estate prices. In following part the public opinion survey by using a questionnaire is
presented. By means of the questionnaire we analysed the impact of energy performance
certificates of buildings on the real estate prices in Republic of Slovenia and the public attitudes towards the energy efficiency of buildings. The data obtained were analysed by
using the SPSS program and some results were compared with other studies. We found that
the energy performance certificates of buildings (so far) have no major impact on the real
estate prices as in Republic of Slovenia the energy performance certificates of buildings do
not have the tradition yet. However, the buyers of the buildings are slowly starting to consider
the data on the energy classes of buildings.


Harmonics happened due to nonlinear systems such as UPS, SCR controlled motors, and fluorescent lighting in distribute power system is very important subject to optimal operation and control of power system. Harmonics sometimes make incorrect operation of protective relaying system under normal condition on power system. In this study, total harmonics distortion(THD) of power were measured and analyzed by the field test on electrical facilities which were installed at the rural industrial complex in Chungbuk province. In addition, the deprivation of power factor by harmonics and the content of THD which is measured at neutral line was researched.


Location tracking paradigm uses information retrieval technique to index information by processing the user queries for a physical object by retrieving the proximity information. People can use search engines like Google to easily find remote data objects. Since the physical objects are disconnected from the cyberspace, searching for information in the physical world is more difficult .It involves efficient search technique over the user input. A user can query to find a particular mobile object, or a list of objects that matches the description.


Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia‐1 (HHT‐1) is a vascular disease caused by mutations in the endoglin (Eng)/CD105 gene. The objective of this study was to quantify the oxidative state of a rodent model of HHT‐1 using an optical imaging technique. We used a cryofluorescence imaging instrument to quantitatively assess tissue metabolism in this model. Mitochondrial redox ratio (FAD/NADH), FAD RR, was used as a quantitative marker of the metabolic status and was examined in the kidneys, and eyes of wild‐type and Eng +/– mice. Kidneys and eyes from wild‐type P21, 6W, and 10M old mice showed, respectively, a 9% (±2), 24% (±0.4), 15% (±1), and 23% (±4), 33% (±0.6), and 30% (±2) change in the mean FAD RR compared to Eng +/– mice at the same age. Thus, endoglin haploinsufficiency is associated with less oxidative stress in various organs and mitigation of angiogenesis. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


The rotor for an electric rotating machine includes a rotor core fixed to a rotating shaft and formed with at least one magnet accommodating hole, a magnet accommodated in the magnet accommodating hole, a resin portion filled in the magnet accommodating hole accommodating the magnet, a first end plate fixed to the rotating shaft at one axial side of the rotor core, and a second end plate fixed to the rotating shaft at the other axial side of the rotor core. The axial fixing force of the second end plate against the rotating shaft is smaller than that of the first end plate. At least a part of the resin portion is present in an axial area between the magnet accommodated in the magnet accommodating hole and the first end plate, and the magnet is in direct contact with the second end plate.


To enrich the teaching and learning of a module called, Numerical Methods for Engineering, an eLearning system has been devised using the computer algebra system, Mathematica. The system enables students to practice and study short exercises, homework tasks and major assignments, and, complete and submit them for assessment electronically within the Mathematica package. Use is also made of the course management system, Moodle.


Abstract Retention indices for a new series of methyl‐thiazole‐oxadiazolines were determined by reversed phase high performance thin layer chromatography on C18 plates with methanol‐water in different volume proportions as mobile phase. Comparisons based on the multiple regression methods including multiple linear regression (MLR), principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) have been applied to the modelling of chromatographic lipophilicity (RMo and b values) by means of 16 different descriptors obtained by using Alchemy package software. The results achieved concerning the prediction of retention indices are highly significant and are in very good agreement with the molecular structure of the compounds investigated. The largest positive charge over the atoms in a molecule (Q+), the sum of absolute values of the charges on each atom of the molecule (SQ), and the sum of absolute values of the charges on the nitrogens and oxygens in the molecule (SQNO) seem to be dominant in the retention mechanism.


with garnet blastesis. Coronitic garnet growths are classically observed in metagabbros (Lasnier, 1970), and involve reactions between both magmatic plagioclase and ferromagnesian phase. More particularly, kyanite, Mg-hornblende, and garnet have already been described between orthopyroxene and magmatic plagioclase in a metanorite from the Rouergue area (Nicollet, 1982). By analogy with this reaction type, we suggest that chromium-free kyanite and Mg-hornblende of the Rd 749 eclogite are the breakdown products of a primary gabbroic stage during the eclogitization event. The nucleation of Cr-kyanite around Crrutile could be related to the same process. Pressure-temperature estimates based upon jadeite content in omphacite (minimum pressure; Holland, 1980) and Fe -Mg cationic exchange between garnet and clinopyroxene (thermometer of Ellis and Green, 1979) yield P = 14.5 kbar and T = 760 ~ for the high-pressure stage.


Background and Objectives:Hyperglycemia on hospital admission is a known important risk factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between the level of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in non-diabetic acute myocardial infarction patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Subjects and Methods:Of the 105 acute myocardial infarction patients who underwent primary PCI between January 2002 and December 2002, 68 non diabetic patients were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: group I (n=46, 58.7±12.5 years, 37 male) with low levels of HbA1c (<6%) and group II (n=22, 64.6±13.1 years, 18 male) with elevated levels of HbA1c (6% to 7%). MACE was observed during the six-month clinical follow-up. Results:There were no differences in the risk factors for atherosclerosis and angiographic characteristics between the two groups. Group II had a significantly higher rate of MACE (13% vs. 36%, p=0.026) compared to Group I. Logistic regression analysis disclosed that an elevated level of HbA1c, between 6 and 7%, was a significant independent predictor of MACE. Conclusion:An elevated level of HbA1c is a significant prognostic factor in non-diabetic acute myocardial infarction patients after primary PCI. (Korean Circulation J 2005;35:369-374)


The aim of this work is to study the austenitic stability against ' martensitic transformation of three non-magnetic austenitic steels : a new stainless steel X2CrMnNiMoN 19-12-11-1 grade, a traditional X8CrMnNiN 19-11-6 grade and a high manganese X8MnCrNi 28-7-1 grade. Measurements of relative magnetic susceptibility at room temperature are performed on strained tensile specimens at 4.2 K. A special extensometer for high precision strain measurements at low temperature has been developed at CERN to test specimens up to various levels of plastic strain. Moreover, the high precision strain recording of the extensometer enables a detailed study of the serrated yield phenomena associated with 4.2 K tensile testing and their influence on the evolution of magnetic susceptibility. The results show that high Mn contents increase the stability of the austenitic structure against ' martensitic transformation, while keeping high strength at cryogenic temperature. Moreover, proper elaboration through primary and possibly secondary melting maintains high levels of low temperature ductility.


IT is a commonplace of clinical practice that patients with thyroid disease often have relatives who have also had thyroid disease. This is true not only for patients with Graves' disease, but for those with nodular goitre, and frequently and inexplicably a patient with one of these conditions will describe the other among his relatives. An example of this appears in Fig. 1, which is the family tree of a young woman with the classic findings of Graves' disease who numbered among her immediate kindred at least seven persons with thyroid disease. One of these had been operated on for Graves' disease, and four others had required surgery for nontoxic enlargement of the gland. Familial relationships of this kind indicate a common genetic endowment, which is the constitutional factor in the disease.


OBJECTIVE.-To describe the magnitude and characteristics of nonfatal firearm-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in the United States and to compare nonfatal injury rates with firearm-related fatality rates. Design.-Data were obtained from medical records for all firearm-related injury cases identified using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from June 1, 1992, through May 31, 1993. Setting.-NEISS comprises 91 hospitals that are a stratified probability sample of all hospitals in the United States and its territories that have at least six beds and provide 24-hour emergency service. Main Outcome Measures.-Numbers and population rates for nonfatal and fatal firearm-related injuries. RESULTS.-An estimated 99 025 (95% confidence interval [CI], 56 325 to 141 725) persons (or 38.6 per 100 000 population; 95% CI, 22.0 to 55.2) were treated for nonfatal firearm-related injuries in US hospital emergency departments during the study period. The rate of nonfatal firearm-related injuries treated was 2.6 (95% CI, 1.5 to 3.7) times the national rate of fatal firearm-related injuries for 1992. CONCLUSIONS.-Nonfatal firearm-related injuries contribute substantially to the overall public health burden of firearm-related injuries. NEISS can be useful to monitor the number of nonfatal firearm-related injuries in the United States. A national surveillance system is needed to provide uniform data on firearm-related injury morbidity and mortality for use in research and prevention efforts.


Despite treatment with multiple drugs, a third of hypertensive patients remain hypertensive, therefore, new treatments may improve treatment of hypertension. Hypertension is a multifactorial disorder associated with inflammation, mitochondrial oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. We have previously reported that depletion or inhibition of Cyclophilin D (CypD), a regulatory subunit of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, improves vascular function and attenuates hypertension. Analysis of human arterioles showed 3‐fold increase in CypD acetylation in hypertensive subjects. We hypothesized that hyperacetylation of CypD promotes vascular oxidative stress and hypertension, and deacetylation mimetic CypD‐K166R mutation prevents vascular oxidative stress and attenuates hypertension. To test this hypothesis, we used CypD‐K166R mutant mice developed in our lab, angiotensin II model of hypertension and ex vivo treatment of aortic tissue with inflammatory cytokines. It was found that angiotensin II‐induced hypertension was substantially attenuated in CypD‐K166R mice (144 mmHg) compared with wild‐type C57B/6J mice (161 mmHg). Furthermore, MitoSOX/HPLC analysis of mitochondrial superoxide in aortas isolated from angiotensin II‐infused mice showed 2‐fold increase in wild‐type mice which was abrogated in CypD‐K166R mice. Angiotensin II infusion in wild‐type mice significantly impaired endothelial dependent relaxation and reduced the level of endothelial nitric oxide measured by electron spin resonance and NO spin trap. Meanwhile, endothelial dependent relaxation and vascular nitric oxide production were preserved in angiotensin II‐infused CypD‐K166R mice. Hypertension is linked to inflammation, increased levels of TNFα and IL‐17A which promote vascular oxidative stress and end‐organ damage. We have tested if CypD‐K166R mice are protected from cytokine‐induced oxidative stress. Indeed, ex vivo incubation of aorta with the mixture of angiotensin II, TNFα and IL‐17A (24 hours) increased mitochondrial superoxide by 2‐fold in wild‐type tissue which was abolished in CypD‐K166R mice. To define molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial protection in CypD‐K166R mice we have investigated respiration and calcium‐induced swelling in isolated kidney mitochondria. It was found that mitochondria isolated from deacetylation mimetic CypD‐K166R mice have improved respiration and diminished swelling with pyruvate and palmitoyl‐carnitine as a substrates which promote CypD acetylation in wild‐type animals. These data support the pathophysiological role of CypD acetylation in inflammation, oxidative stress and hypertensive end‐organ damage. We conclude that targeting CypD acetylation may have therapeutic potential in treatment of vascular dysfunction and hypertension.


Shanxi Province lies in the east of Loess Plateau. With the population explosion and over development of the natural resources,there are many eco-environmental problems, especially soil erosion. The eco-environmental degradation has seriously held back the economic development of Shanxi and affected the implementation of the sustainable development strategy. 97 counties in Shanxi are taken as assessment cells. Adopting analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy synthetic estimate (FSE)to quantitatively assess and calculate the fragile degrees, and then 97 counties were divided into different classes based on the most subject principle .The result is accords with actual situation, and shows that this way is practical.


This paper discusses "Employment work relations outsourcing", is one important factor in running the company wheels. This paper examines the work relations of HR very influential on company performance which ultimately inline to the company's revenue and profit (margin). In this paper the authors use the concept of employment relations OUTSOURCING workers are employed, THROUGH "SERVICE / JOB CONTRACT" or "MANPOWER SUPPLY / BODY SHOP, to examine in depth and identify both in terms of law, basic conditions, impacts both for workers and companies, rights and rights the obligations of each party, termination of employment. Keywords: Employee relations with harmonious employers


The purpose of this study was to determine whether coordinative jump training that induces neuromuscular stimuli can affect balance performance, associated with injury risk, in elite-level female volleyball players. During the competitive season, the balance performance of 12 elite female players (highest Austrian division) was obtained via a wobble board (WB; 200 Hz) placed on an AMTI force plate (1000 Hz). Three identically repeated measurements defined two intervals (control and intervention phases), both comparable in duration and regular training. The intervention included 6 weeks of differential training (8 sessions of 15–20 min) that delivered variations in dynamics around the ankle joints. Multilevel mixed models were used to assess the effect on postural control. WB performance decreased from 27.0 ± 13.2% to 19.6 ± 11.3% during the control phase and increased to 54.5 ± 16.2% during the intervention (β = 49.1 ± 3.5; p < 0.001). Decreased sway area [cm²] (β = −7.5 ± 1.6; p < 0.001), anterior–posterior (β = −4.1 ± 0.4; p < 0.001) and mediolateral sway [mm] (β = −2.7 ± 0.6; p = 0.12), and mean velocity [mm∙s−1] (β = −9.0 ± 3.6; p < 0.05) were observed during the intervention compared with the control phase. Inter-limb asymmetry was reduced (β = −41.8 ± 14.4; p < 0.05). The applied training concept enhanced balance performance and postural control in elite female volleyball players. Due to the low additional physiological loads of the program and increased injury risk during the competitive season, we recommend this intervention for supporting injury prevention during this period.


[Objective] To discuss the feasibility of extending the indications and narrowing the contraindications of the Coflex and Wallis. To compare the advantages and disadvantages of both devices. To discuss the necessity of developing new devices. [Methods] The patients receiving the Wallis implantation or and the Coflex implantation were retrospectively investigated from July 2008 to March 2012. There were 247 cases of Coflex and 130 cases of Wallis. The JOA score,VAS score and ODI score were preoperatively compared and postoperatively compared at follow up. [Results] Most of the diagnosis were lumbar intervertebral disc herniation and lumbar spinal stenosis,some of the cases were spines collision syndrome,discogenic low back pain, facet joint syndrome,the rest cases were used as Topping- off. All patients were followed- up with an average of 31. 8 months( 13 ~35 months). There were statistical significances between preoperative and postoperative score of the JOA,VSA and ODI. [Conclusion] With the immediate stability and satisfying early to midterm outcome,the indications of Coflex and Wallis could be extended. The lumbar intervertebral disc herniation can be an indication,but they should not be used in the severe cases.


According to the request of air defense missile weapon system, the technology of data fusion after preprocessing in the field of battle unit C 3I system is researched. This thesis brings forward an adaptive data fusion algorithm based on the relation between algorithms. Adaptive algorithm comes from the analysis of general algorithms and the experience of expert. The idea of adaptive data fusion algorithm ,the composition of rules set, algorithms library and the realization of adaptive algorithm are described in detail.


ObjectiveTo evaluate a new and simple method for the measurement of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure during controlled and assisted modes of mechanical ventilation. DesignProspective study. SettingThree university hospital medical ICUs. PatientsA total of 13 intubated, mechanically ventilated patients with severe airway obstruction. InterventionsAirway occlusions reproducibly timed to occur coincidently with end-expiration were obtained by: a) manipulation of a three-way manual valve placed in the inspiratory limb of the external ventilator circuit (manual valve method) and b) activation of the expiratory pause hold function of the mechanical ventilator (Siemens 900C). Measurements and Main ResultsAirway pressure, flow, and volume were recorded during controlled and assisted modes of mechanical ventilation. Intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure was determined from the plateau in airway pressure, which was developed during end-expiratory occlusions. For controlled mechanical ventilation, intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure averaged 11.42 ±PT 0.77 (SEM) cm H2O with the manual valve method, compared with 11.38 ±PT 0.70 cm H2O, using the ventilator expiratory pause hold function. There was close correlation between results over the wide range of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure observed, which varied from approximately 5 to 22 cm H2O (y = 1.08x – 0.92; r2 = .99). Values of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure were comparable for the two methods during assist-control ventilation, pressure support ventilation, and spontaneous breathing through the ventilator circuit. The manual valve method was also effective when tested with different mechanical ventilators using a mechanical lung model. ConclusionsThe manual valve method can be used to determine intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure during controlled and assisted modes of ventilatory support with current ventilators. The availability of such an approach should facilitate the routine monitoring of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure in mechanically ventilated patients, thereby aiding clinical decision-making and management in these critically ill individuals. (Crit Care Med 1992; 20:621–629)


As existing methods to detect unknown(impermissible) signals operate independently against the virus and internal/external attacks, system efficiency is very low and high maintenance costs are required. Therefore, in this paper, Merged IDS(MIDS) gateway system is proposed. It is possible to detect impermissible signal from inside of system for various viruses and internal/external attacks. By managing impermissible signals which exist independently, on a single system, MIDS makes a efficient and cost-effective system.


Well-crystallized nonstoichiometric LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4-δ thin-film electrodes were prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The charge/discharge behavior of the nonstoichiometric LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4-δ thin film is consistent with the film having a disordered spinel structure with space group Fd3m. These thin-film electrodes exhibit excellent cycle performance and rate capability. The measured Li diffusivity in the film is in the range of 10 -12 to 10 -10 cm 2 /s, which is comparable to that of layered LiCoO 2 . First principles calculations on the stoichiometric (ordered) spinel LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 find no intermediate ordered phases between LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 and Li 0 Ni 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 , leading us to speculate that voltage steps observed in experiments are caused by Ni-Mn disorder, which facilitates Li/vacancy ordering. The presence of a smaller step in "ordered" LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 than in disordered LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 is consistent with the calculation and may indicate presence of partial disorder even in ordered material. Although a maximum was found for the chemical diffusion coefficient of Li in Li x Ni 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4-δ near x = 0.5, the self-diffusion coefficient exhibits a minimum at that composition.


In this book, Michael L. Gross—ethicist, political scientist, and chair of international relations at the University of Haifa—tackles the weighty subject of "just guerrilla warfare" within the broad framework of modern Just War Theory. He discusses the construction of an ethical framework within which to assess under what circumstances the ends and means used by insurgent organizations can be defined as "just" and legitimate. Clearly, this question is both relevant and topical. Indeed, the nature of warfare has greatly changed in the post-World War II era, with conflicts largely shifting from interstate to intrastate, and with the rise in importance of non-state armed groups. Yet, despite the ascent of nonstate armed organizations, including insurgent groups, and the great changes in the nature of warfare, international humanitarian law remains mostly statecentric, providing only limited guidelines when assessing the conduct of nonstate actors on the battlefield.


Along with export promotion (EP), import substitution (IS) is one of the two main trade strategies for developing countries. We show that an IS industry may remain an infant and still be able to export. Therefore, the ability to export is not necessarily evidence of import substitution being effective in the sense of helping a protected domestic industry achieve international competitiveness over time.


Grammar is the science that teaches how to compose words to become a sentence correctly. According to Gleason and Ratner, 2009: 231-269;Thornbury, 1999 that grammar is a set of rules that explores the forms and structures of sentences that can be used in a language. Some people assume that gender is very influential in understanding something. Female are considered more perceptive in understanding a thing while the male are more sluggish in understanding a thing. According to Grey (2001) convey that female have the verbal intelligence (language) than male. The type of the research was analytic observational with Microsoft Excel. The study was conducted in English students 2018-A of STKIP PGRI JOMBANG.  The population in this study was English students 2018-A o f STKIP PGRI JOMBANG.  The sample in this study was 10 students that consist 5 male students and 5 female students. The research instrument to collect data was a questioners. The results showed that Gender influences the results of students' understanding of grammar. The factor that most influences the results is the level of student learning. Female is more diligent than male, evidenced by female learning English. Therefore the researchers want to find out a difference in student learning outcomes and there are factors that cause a difference in student learning results for male and female students 2018A English Students of STKIP PGRI JOMBANG.


This edition of Seminars in Pediatric Surgery is dedicated to esophageal disorders. The esophagus holds a special place in the hearts of pediatric surgeons. We often define our specialty by the ability to successfully correct esophageal atresia. The esophagus can also be the bane of a pediatric surgeon's existence. We manage recalcitrant strictures, poor motility, and suboptimal outcomes despite our best efforts. In this edition of Seminars in Pediatric Surgery, we have been fortunate enough to assemble articles by


Computation of function values in a grid on the surface of the sphere and the integration of partial differential equations are important in many areas such as weather forecasting, global data analysis, and wave propagation. Most of these computations are performed under the spherical polar coordinate system for three dimensional space which results polarized grid mesh where the grid points converge at the north and south poles. Hence, computing discrete function values requires concentrated computations near the poles where the results are less important in practical situations. Besides, artificial singularities occurring due to these poles in solving partial differential equations using finite element method, for example, bring further difficulties to the computational scientists.


BACKGROUND
A second Italian external quality assessment programme was run in 2011 to assess the performance of blood transfusion centres in detecting West Nile virus RNA in plasma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Each participant received two panels containing negative samples and samples positive for West Nile virus lineages 1 and 2, some of which with a viral concentration close to or below the 95% limit of detection of the respective commercial nucleic acid amplification test assay: the PROCLEIX WNV assay or the Cobas TaqScreen West Nile virus test.

RESULTS
Eleven laboratories took part in the external quality assessment programme. All of them correctly identified the positive samples with a viral concentration above the 95% limit of detection. No false positive results or pre-/post-analytical errors were observed.

DISCUSSION
The External quality assessment programme run in 2011 allowed participants to assess the performance of the nucleic acid amplification test methods applied in their seasonal routine screening of blood donations. The results confirm the 95% limit of detection reported by the test kits' manufacturers for both West Nile virus lineages.


In recent years the average age of Polish women deciding to give birth to a child has increased steadily. The main factors determining the late pregnancy are related to both intentional delaying of becoming pre gnant, due to a serious concern of achieving an appropriate economic status for the child and for oneself, and deliveries being the fulfilment of longstanding efforts of women, contending with problems in terms of keeping the pregnancy and infertility. A significant progress in birth control occurred owing to progressive education and increase of knowledge of women in terms of using more available contraceptives. Procreation decisions of women aged over 35 years have been significantly affected by the living conditions and the social status of the examined respondents and their families. Women deciding for first pregnancy at a later age, to a large extent, have academic education and stable job [1]. In the literature of obstetrics, the issue of older women becoming pregnant for the first time has been very well-known for ages. According to the recommendation of the International Federation of Gyne cology and Obstetrics (FIGO), a woman being pregnant for the first time at 35 years of age and over, should be defined as "old primigravida", and a woman aged 35 and over giving birth for the first time should be described as "old primipara" or "late primipara" [1, 2]. Currently, the age of 35 years of a woman has been most frequently considered in the literature as a limit for safe maternity [2, 3]. This limit has been increasingly frequently moved Summary


Ruminal organic acid production, especially lactic acid, can be modified by feeding cattle highly concentrated diets, which have been shown to adversely affect dairy cattle health. Therefore, the use of lactic acid‐utilizing organisms is considered to be a potential method for controlling lactic acid levels. This study was conducted to isolate and identify lactic acid‐utilizing yeasts from the ruminal fluid of dairy cattle and to determine the specific growth rate and generation time when using lactic acid as a carbon source instead of glucose. Seventeen yeast isolates were examined in this study. Yeasts isolated from dairy cattle that were fed a high cassava pulp diet (HCP) had higher specific growth rates and shorter generation times than yeasts isolated from dairy cattle that were fed a high‐concentrate diet (HC) and a mixed diet (M). The three most effective yeasts in terms of specific growth rate and generation time were Pichia kudriavzevii, Candida rugosa and Kodamaea ohmeri, with 99, 100 and 99% nucleotide identities, respectively. These three isolates could be used as potential probiotics in dairy cattle diets.


This report describes the process of involving parents in the development of a research study. The involvement of participants in the design and development of research is now a requirement of publicly funded research (INVOLVE, 2002).
In response to a call for proposals from the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) funding scheme, a collaborative team of academics and therapists began the process of designing a study which aimed to improve postural management for children with physical disabilities who attend mainstream schools.
Children with physical disabilities require support from both education services and the National Health Service, and their postural care programmes require specialist equipment and exercises that are ideally incorporated into the daily routine at both home and school.
Therapeutic input is designed to prevent longer-term health problems and to promote the child's comfort and active participation in functional activities at home and school. To be successful, the interprofessional team needs to work closely with both families and the child's school (Lightfoot, 2002).


Large infrastructure projects encounter numerous risks in several aspects. Since the existence of risk cannot be eliminated, alternatively the anticipated risks can be mitigated by managing them. However, all of those risks in Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects could affect the financial viability of the project. Therefore, the project evaluation from the perspective of financial implications is a very important subject to study. The main challenge is to find out the best strategy on how the stakeholders manage the risks by using PPP financial models. This paper aims to explore the project risks attributed to the identification financial risk variables. A literature review has been undertaken to identify the financial risk variables. A pilot study was conducted in India through a series of semi-structured interviews for shaping and validating the preliminary findings. Then, a structured questionnaire survey of international expert opinions was carried out to validate the financial risk variables within PPP financial models to produce the information needed for decision making, such as the most important financial risk variables, mitigation measures and its alternatives. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Narotama University Press. Peer-review under responsibility of organizing committee of The Narotama International Conference on Civil Engineering 2015 (NICCE-2015).


Green walls are becoming an interesting solution to address the potential issues due to loss of greenery in the urban built environment. Even though green walls offer numerous benefits, the application pace of this concept seems slow in many parts of the world including Sri Lanka, which could be primarily due to the perception that the construction of green walls may involve additional costs compared to conventional walls and due to lack of awareness of its performance. This has driven the recent researchers to investigate the economic performance of green walls. However, those studies are limited to given local contexts, thus, the knowledge is scattered. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the economic performance of green walls in the global context collectively using a systematic review towards understanding the differences. Filtering the search for the period of 2010 to 2022 offered 15 out of 103 research articles suitable for the analysis. The cost data extracted shows high variability related to different characteristics of green walls, building envelopes, and climatic conditions. According to the review, the maintenance stage accounts for the highest portion of the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) in any type of green wall. The direct green façade is the cheapest option with lowest LCC compared to the indirect and living wall types while the living wall is the expensive type due to presence of more components. The review further confirms that in most instances, the economic benefits of green walls; increase property value, façade longevity, tax incentives, and energy-saving tend to offset the cost of green walls. It is expected that this collective review outcome would better guide the decision-making process of green wall implementation in a given context.


Abstract. The cervical balloon (Embrey & Mollison) was used to induce labor in a study group of 87 patients. The control group included 97 patients, where induction of labor was performed using oxytocin‐drip. In the study group oxytocin‐drip was added in 34 patients. The cases of the study and control groups were classified as "favorable" or "unfavorable" cervix. The patients classified as "unfavorable" cervix showed a shorter mean induction‐delivery interval in the study group, and a shorter mean duration of oxytocin‐drip in the cases of the study group where it was needed. It was concluded that the cervical balloon is a convenient method for the induction of labor, for its effectivity, simplicity and innocuity, especially in the "unfavorable" cervix cases.


Background Cohort and cross-sectional studies have shown syphilis is associated with risk for HIV infection. However, population-based estimates of the actual risk for HIV following syphilis infections are lacking. Methods In New York City, HIV and STD surveillance registries are separately maintained. Cases reported to these registries with diagnoses from 2000-June 2010 were matched using a deterministic algorithm. We measured HIV incidence among men following primary or secondary syphilis diagnoses. We calculated time at risk for HIV among men diagnosed with HIV ≥ 60 days after syphilis diagnosis; men without reported HIV were presumed uninfected and censored on 3/31/2011. Abstract O11.4 Table HIV-negative P&S syphilis cases Newly diagnosed HIV Person-years at risk Annual HIV incidence (%) 95% CI (HIV incidence) Total in NYC 3034 426 12850.10 3.32 3.01–3.64 Male 2805 423 11714.18 3.61 3.27–3.97 Age 13–19 178 35 646.12 5.42 3.83–7.45 20–24 449 73 1654.75 4.41 3.48–5.51 25–29 484 83 1897.18 4.37 3.51–5.40 30–34 472 80 2107.84 3.80 3.03–4.70 35–39 489 76 2284.96 3.33 2.64–4.14 40–44 345 43 1511.29 2.85 2.08–3.80 45–49 186 23 742.20 3.10 2.01–4.58 50+ 202 10 869.84 1.15 0.58–2.05 Race/ethnicity White 751 126 3064.03 4.11 3.44–4.88 Black 898 169 3597.64 4.70 4.03–5.45 Hispanic 94 94 2480.61 3.79 3.08–4.62 Other 34 34 960.85 3.54 2.49–4.89 Sexual behaviour/risk MSM 1884 389 7000.55 5.56 5.02–6.13 MSW 373 20 1661.05 1.20 0.76–1.83 Other, IDU, & unknown 548 14 3052.57 0.46 2.61–7.51 Syphilis stage Primary 859 103 3905.50 2.64 2.16–3.18 Secondary 1946 320 7808.68 4.10 3.67–4.57 Bacterial infections Syphilis only 2310 281 9718.04 2.89 2.57–3.24 Syphilis with concurrent CT/GC/LGV 103 12 348.96 3.44 1.86–5.85 Syphilis and subsequent CT/GC/LGV 392 130 1647.18 7.89 6.62–9.24 Year of syphilis 2000 47 9 430.40 2.09 1.02–3.84 2001 133 31 1085.93 2.85 1.97–4.00 2002 186 52 1333.22 3.90 2.94–5.07 2003 231 58 1503.69 3.86 2.96–4.95 2004 274 44 1665.15 2.64 1.94–3.51 2005 255 53 1283.46 4.13 3.12–5.36 2006 272 40 1164.34 3.44 2.49–4.63 2007 360 45 1236.88 3.64 2.69–4.82 2008 443 61 1121.37 5.44 4.20–6.94 2009 406 24 691.97 3.47 2.27–5.08 January-June 2010 198 6 197.78 3.03 1.23–6.31 Results Of 2,805 men with syphilis who contributed 11,714 person-years of follow-up, 423 (15.1%) subsequently acquired HIV; annual incidence was 3.61% (95% CI: 3.27%, 3.97%). Median time to HIV diagnosis was 582 days (range 60–3150). HIV incidence was highest among men who have sex with men (MSM) (5.56%, 95% CI: 5.02%–6.13%), relatively uniform across race/ethnicity and year of syphilis diagnosis, and decreased with increasing age at syphilis diagnosis. HIV incidence was higher among males with secondary compared with primary syphilis (4.10% vs. 2.64%, p < 0.0001). HIV incidence among males with syphilis who were diagnosed with another bacterial STD before HIV (14% of cases) was over double the incidence among those who were concurrently diagnosed (7.89% vs. 3.44%, p = 0.002) or reported only with syphilis (7.89% vs. 2.89%, p < 0.0001) during the analytic period. Conclusions On a population level, one in 20 MSM with syphilis are diagnosed with HIV within a year; highly frequent HIV testing and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis should be considered for HIV-negative syphilis cases. Secondary syphilis suggests untreated primary lesions; the higher HIV incidence among these cases underscores the importance of appropriate STD/HIV screening and early syphilis detection. Registry matching/integration permits identification of high-risk individuals, such as men repeatedly acquiring STD, for targeting prevention activities.


Health Risks Associated with Pesticide and Plasticizer Exposure in Children Heavy metals are not the only contaminant in foods that have been known to cause long-term health defects. Pesticides are used to control and eliminate pests and weeds which could carry diseases from crops17. However, pesticide use can also cause residues to linger within the crops and enter the body through the human consumption of agricultural products. An example is glyphosate, which is used as a major herbicide with the tradename Roundup. While very e ective at controlling weeds, exposure to residues found in foods have been linked to the development of cancers, kidney and liver damage, and reproductive issues18. Eating just one tomato contaminated with glyphosate residues is unlikely to cause immediate a ects; instead, it is the constant consumption of contaminated foods which compounds the negative impact over time. Many foods can be contaminated with glyphosate. Over 250 million pounds of glyphosate is used each year on crops19 such as corn, soybeans, oats, as well as various fruits, nuts, and veggies20. There are also many other pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides out there that can leave residues. According the World Health Organization, "Insecticides tend to be more toxic to humans than herbicides21," meaning that not all pesticides were created equal and they have varying levels of toxicity.


The structure of the title compound has been determined by Patterson and Fourier methods from photographic X-ray data, and refined by least-squares techniques to R 0·080 for 4097 observations. Crystals are triclinic, space group P, and Z= 2 in a unit cell of dimensions: a= 12·529(1), b= 13·589(1), c= 14·120(1)A, α= 95·12(1), β= 103·68(1), γ= 99·38(1)°. The co-ordination about nickel is square planar and Ni–N bond lengths are compared with those in a related five-co-ordinate complex. Non-bonding to the metal by the arsenic atom is discussed in terms of simple MO models. Calculation of the conformational energy of the isolated tetraphenylborate ion, as a function of independent rotations of the four phenyl groups, indicates that the bulky counterion does not possess a considerable degree of flexibility.


One area ofhospice which would reflect both cost containment and integrity of palliative philosophy would be the volume of lab tests, procedures, and special therapies utilized. One major study found that in most areas, including utilization, there were no differences between hospice and non-hospice, and yet there is much in the literature about hospice savings due to diagnostic tests and life saving proceduresnot being done. The purpose of this study was to compare the utilization patterns betweenhospiceand non-hospice subjects in the same setting. It wasa retrospective study utilizing the medical records of hospice (n= 53) and non-hospice (n= 50) terminalcancer patients over a one year period. Though not randomized, it was found the two groups were closely matched by age, care days, number of subjects, and diagnosis. The hospice group had significantly less utilization (p .001) in all of the three categories being evaluated. The mean number of diagnostic tests for hospice patients was .94 and forthe non-hospice, 34.98. All ofthe non-hospice patients had at least one test performed while 75.5 percent of the hospice patients had no tests. Further studies are needed to define cost effectiveness, and others to compare level of utilization to quality of life.


The study of the main group (s- and p-block) elements and their compounds has been an ongoing theme in inorganic and organometallic chemistry for centuries. Indeed, many consider the birth of organometallic chemistry to be marked by Cadet's preparation of the foul smelling organo-arsenic compound, [(Me2As)2O], as long ago as 1760. [1] However, it was not for another century or so that main group organometallic chemistry began to flourish, and it continued to do so until the mid-20th century. By that time, it had been well explored and it was widely believed that all of the major discoveries had been made, and there were no great surprises left in store for synthetic chemists. Somewhat of a stagnation in the field followed, which was exacerbated by the rapid emergence of the fundamental and applied chemistry of the transition metal elements from the 1950s onwards. Despite this, main group chemistry stumbled on for several decades, until several enlightened chemists began to question the validity of rules and concepts (e.g. 'the double bond rule' [2] ) that had been established to predict what coordination numbers and oxidation states main group elements could exhibit in their molecular compounds. In 1981, three landmark compounds were reported that disrupted thisdogmaforever.TheywereWest'sdisilene,Mes2Si¼SiMes2 (Mes ¼mesityl), [3] Yoshifuji's diphosphene, Mes*P¼PMes* (Mes* ¼C6H2Bu3 -2,4,6), [4] and Becker's phosphaalkyne,


In recent years, we have witnessed the effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the labour market. Technological changes, internet use, and robotics are changing the practices, services, and needs of organizations and employees in the labour market. These changes represent both a threat and an opportunity for the significant economic development of many populations. This article aims to examine the current and expected implications of these changes in the labor market in Israel. The research presented in this article was conducted by in-depth interviews with two leading infrastructure organizations in Israel. These organizations have a broad understanding of the labour market gaps and opportunities, work with hundreds of actors in the labour market eco system (employment organizations, employees, employers, educational institutes, government, philanthropy). The results of the study suggest what some eco labour actors should do to cope with changes in the labour market due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We emphasis the need of new skills (up-skilling, re-skilling), Life Long Learning (LLL), new professional knowledge, and adopting further actions to older and diverse populations that will take a more significant part in the future labor market in Israel. In addition, we present some examples of programs that both researched organizations attempt to address these challenges in Israel.


To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ethylamine iodine in the treatment of malignant arrhythmia after acute myocardial infarction. Method: 35 patients with malignant arrhythmia after acute myocardial infarction were enrolled in our hospital from May 2013 to August 2014. The patients were treated with ethidium iodide load of 75-150 mg/times. The patients were treated with intravenous infusion of 0.5-1.0 mg/min micro pump at 15-20 min. The clinical curative effect and the heart rate were analyzed at 15 min, 1, 2 and 24 h after treatment respectively, mean arterial pressure changes and adverse reactions and so on. Results: The total effective rate was 91.43% in the clinical treatment. The heart rate, mean arterial pressure and the difference before treatment were significant (P <0.05) at 15 min, 1, 2, and 24 h after treatment and the drug dose was adjusted in 3 patients after bradycardia after return to the normal range. Conclusion: Ethylamine iodine can be used in the clinical treatment of acute myocardial infarction and malignant arrhythmia. It can achieve significant clinical curative effect, high safety and mild adverse reaction. It is worthy to be popularized and applied.


Strategies used to enhance pedestrian safety on roadways include the in-pavement flashing light system. These lights are alert both motorists and pedestrians. While the system has been deployed in some locations, limited documentation exists in the literature on systematic evaluations of the effectiveness of these installations. An evaluation of the effectiveness of an in-pavement flashing light system is summarized in this paper. The measures of effectiveness (MOEs) used are yielding behavior of motorists, vehicle speeds, yielding distance from the crosswalk, and conflicts. A "before and after" study strategy was used. Statistical tools such as the test for two proportions and the Welch-Satterthwaite t-test have been used to evaluate the significance of the difference in the MOEs between the two study periods. The study corridor was a relatively low volume roadway located on Burkholder Boulevard in the City of Henderson, Nevada, USA. The results show that the installation of the in-pavement lighting system increases the yielding behavior of motorists significantly (P<0.001). The vehicular speeds were decreased when pedestrians were waiting at the curb to cross and when they were crossing (P<0.001). The yielding distances were different at a 90 percent confidence level. Motorists yielded to pedestrians on an average about 10 feet upstream from the yield markings and the yielding distances were consistent in both directions. However, no significant difference was found when conflicts were evaluated between the two study periods. These lighting systems thus are beneficial in improving safety for motorists and pedestrians at low traffic volume.


This study was designed to determine the effect of feeding varying concentration of probiotics on growth performance in broiler chickens. A total of 81 day-old broiler chicks were used for this experiment, they were divided into three groups of 27 chicks each (n=27). Group A: No probiotics was administered and served as the control, Group B: birds were administered probiotics in feed at an inclusion rate of 0.5g/kg of feed, Group C: birds were administered probiotics in feed at an inclusion rate of 1g/kg of feed. Weekly weight gain and feed conversion ratio of each group of chickens was recorded for the six weeks experimental period. There was statistical significant difference (P≤0.05) in the weight gain and feed conversion ratio between the two experimental groups of birds (Groups B and C) fed probiotics and Group A (control) from the forth week to the end of the experiment. Groups B and C chickens had higher live weight and lower feed conversion ratio than group A chickens at the end of the experiment. However, there was no statistical significant difference (P≥0.05) in both the live weight and feed conversion ratio between groups B and C, fed different concentrations of probiotics. In conclusion, the use of probiotics supplemented in feed resulted in a significant increase in live weight and a lower feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens. It was therefore recommended that broiler chickens should be administered probiotics to help in weight gain and invariably maximize profit.


Abstract
 Cassava is attacked by numerous pests and diseases that cause significant losses, especially in South America, its area of origin. Some pathogens attack only the stakes and invade the vascular system, constituting primary sources of infection, while others attack only foliar or root tissues. This chapter provides information on the various nematode, arthropod and insect pests and bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens affecting cassava and the importance of integrated methods in the management of thsese pests and diseases.


2018, a national big event, Pyeongchang Winter Olympics In 2018, Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, one of the biggest national events will be held. In order to make foreign/domestic tourists visiting Pyeongchang remember the city, it would be necessary to improve the image of Pyeongchang and Korea by dev...


The effect of metallic implantations on the absorbed power distribution within a human head is studied numerically using a lossy dielectric sphere containing conducting elements excited by the near field of a dipole antenna.


We study the ne geometric structure of bifurcation currents in the parameter space of cubic polynomials viewed as dynamical systems. In particular we prove that these currents have some laminar structure in a large region of parameter space, reecting the possibility of quasiconformal deformations. On the other hand, there is a natural bifurcation measure, supported on the closure of rigid parameters. We prove a strong non laminarity statement relative to this measure.


Introduction: Evidence of widespread geological activity on the surface of Europa [1, 2], and perturbations in Jupiter's magnetic field [3–5] indicate that a subsurface ocean likely exists underneath the ice shell. However, the composition of this ocean remains unclear given its inaccessibility to spacecraft and the limited data on plume composition. Determining its composition would provide insight into both the evolution of Europa and its capability to support life. Data obtained by the Galileo spacecraft indicated that Europa is differentiated and composed of a metallic core, a silicate mantle (referred to as 'mantle' from hereon) and a water-ice layer [6]. If this mantle is in contact with a liquid ocean, water-rock interactions would be occurring on Europa, and a "bottom-up" approach has been used to assess possible ocean compositions[7–9]. These previous studies have predominantly used carbonaceous chondrites as a possible silicate mantle composition [7–9]; however, computer modelling revealed a L/LL chondrite-type composition correlated with Europa's moment of inertia (MOI), and could also be a possible candidate composition [10]. Previous investigations have also predominantly focused on hydrothermal alteration of the mantle using pure H2O or HCl fluids [7, 9, 11], which could have been accreted as Europa formed in the circum-jovian disk [12]. However, this ignores any potential contribution from ices that may have been captured since Europa initially formed, such as ices from cometary impacts. It has been determined that cometary impacts are expected to have created 90 % of impact craters on the surface [13] so cometary ices may have made a significant contribution to the europan ocean. Therefore, the effects of cometary-type ices on current ocean composition warrants further investigation. In this study, we used thermochemical modelling to react a range of potential europan mantle compositions with either pure H2O or a fluid with a composition based on cometary ices to assess their influence on possible ocean compositions. Methods: The computer code CHIM-XPT and the Soltherm database [14] were used to generate possible ocean compositions. Mantle compositions: L, LL and CV chondrites were used to simulate the composition of the mantle (Table 1). Owing to the oxidized and reduced subgroups of CV chondrites, two endmembers were used (CVred and CVoxi). To account for the formation of the metallic core [6], Fe and/or FeS were removed from the bulk composition in accordance with abundances detailed in [10].


African breadfruit snacks were produced from wheat and African breadfruit composite flour blends in the ratio of 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20  respectively. Breadfruit seed was coated with the respective wheat-African breadfruit composite flour blends and then baked to produce the snacks.  Coating made with 100% wheat served as the control. Proximate composition and functional properties of the flour blends, proximate, mineral content  and sensory analysis of the snacks were all determined using standard methods. Proximate composition ranged as follows: protein (10.77-14.32%), fat  (1.61-3.20%), fiber (1.20-1.40%), ash (2.04-3.33%), moisture (8.16 -10.00%) and carbohydrate content (70.33 - 75.48%) respectively. The result showed  increase in protein, ash, fat, fiber as well as phosphorus (139- 159mg/100), magnesium (2.05 – 2.94mg/100), calcium (169 – 190mg/100), and potassium  (240 – 255.01mg/100) due to the addition of African breadfruit. The functional properties revealed potential suitability of wheat-breadfruit composite  flour in snack production and the snack produced from 15% inclusion of African breadfruit flour was most preferred in terms of general acceptability.


The Congregation of the Immaculate Conception established in 1861 in Istanbul is a milestone in the history of Georgian Catholics. It played a significant role in the construction and maintenance of a Georgian Catholic identity. The founders and members of the Congregation managed to establish themselves as a distinct Catholic community with their traditional rite and native liturgical language. With their ideas and activities, the friars of the Congregation rebuffed those who thought that their Georgianness was compromised by their Catholicism. This article argues that in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries they formed a branch of the Georgian nationalism contributing to the consolidation of the nation.


The effects of coke oven chamber breadth on the charging coal,coke,coke-pushing as well as the requirements for the charging coal and studies on the coal blending are introduced.It's pointed out that in view of the trend of diversification in the carbonization chamber breadth of the coke oven in China the patterns of coal blending most suitable for the practical conditions of the Country have to be reserached and developed so as to further improve the quality of the coke.


This paper evaluates the forecasting performance of a continuous stochastic volatility model with two factors of volatility (SV2F) and compares it to those of GARCH and ARFIMA models. The empirical results show that the volatility forecasting ability of the SV2F model is better than that of the GARCH and ARFIMA models, especially when volatility seems to change pattern. We use ex-post volatility as a proxy of the realized volatility obtained from intraday data and the forecasts from the SV2F are calculated using the reprojection technique proposed by Gallant and Tauchen (1998).


Immunomodulatory interventions play a key role in the treatment of infections and cancer as well as allergic diseases. Adjuvants such as micro‐ and nanoparticles are often added to immunomodulatory therapies to enhance the triggered immune response. Here, we report the immunological assessment of novel and economically manufactured microparticle adjuvants, namely strontium‐doped hydroxyapatite porous spheres (SHAS), which we suggest for the use as adjuvant and carrier in allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT).


higher for brain evaluation at multiple research facilities. The chapter on MR spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging is excellent in discussing H spectroscopy and points out the benefits of 3T with both better peak quantification because of improved SNR and improved peak separation because of the doubling of chemical shift by increasing from 1.5 to 3T. By adding more about multinuclear spectroscopy at 3T such as sodium imaging for differentiating live and dead tissue and P for physiatric disorders, the authors would have made their chapter much more effective. The chapters on arterial spinlabeling (ASL) and diffusion tensor imaging are both well written, well illustrated, and are important topics for this book. In particular, ASL benefits dramatically because it is basically a signal intensity-deprived technique. By going to higher-field strength, this technique may obtain wider clinical use for perfusion studies. The chapter on stroke imaging at 3T provides a thorough and detailed discussion of stroke imaging and treatment and the value of MR imaging in the assessment of stroke, but it is somewhat sparse in clinical data when comparing the 2 field strengths. Chapters on the adult brain, advanced spine imaging, and the economics of 3T versus 1.5 would have added to the value of this book. This edition of Neuroimaging Clinics: 3.0T versus 1.5T Imaging provides a useful base of knowledge and is an excellent source of reference for all radiologists who are (or will be) using 3T MR imaging for evaluating patients with neurologic disorders. For this reason alone, I strongly recommend this work. It will help residents, fellows, and practicing radiologists and neuroradiologists gain an overall understanding of the benefits and challenges that occur when increasing the B0 from 1.5 to 3T. A revisit of this topic is strongly recommended after sufficient time elapses when a larger clinical data base is available that will compare same-patient scans at both field strengths to adequately determine whether the differences will affect patient treatment and outcomes.


TO THE EDITOR: C.S. Lewis wrote, If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truthonly soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair. Woolhandler and Himmelstein's article (1) is as well-grounded in empirical evidence as we are likely to get and clearly comes out in favor of what both authors have long articulated with passion and reason: the benefits of a single-payer system. Supporters of such a system have not been completely transparent about the simple truth that we cannot afford the system of health care that we would actually like to have unless we accept sacrifices that we are as yet unwilling to bear. The purported savings by creating a national or state-based single-payer system are almost certainly overstated and fraught with uncertainty. In 1965, the government's lead actuary predicted that Medicare Part A would cost $9 billion by 1990; the actual cost exceeded $66 billion. To advocate that a single-payer system can be implemented without substantial and long-term tax-based subsidies and/or limiting choice and access to services that most Americans see as a birthright is disingenuous. The deeply difficult task of paring down the growth of entitlement programs, such as Medicare, and de facto entitlement programs, such as Medicaidthe primary drivers of the nation's fiscal woesrequires limiting access to some services, restricting choice, and using the political will and managerial skills to ensure fiscal accountability. These realities are rarely addressed by reformers and critics regardless of political persuasion, and the facts on the ground are not encouraging (for example, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs). Until we accept that we cannot afford the health care that we want without starving other areas of the economy in need of investment (infrastructure and education), we will remain stuck in a fruitless argument that is fired more by passion and politics than hard truths. Arguments that the root causes of our present dilemma come down to self-serving physicians, hospitals, employers, or private insurersor to perfidious government, for that matterare simplistic. In fact, it is hard to find credible and consistent villainy in this dilemma. No one wants anyone to die of lack of medical care; accusations to the contrary are counterproductive. When our political and professional leaders start promoting honest discussions on health care with Americans, just maybe we will find the goodwill and self-sacrifice necessary to solve a dilemma nearly a century old. The time is past for soft soap and wishful thinking in regards to health care. It is truth we need, not comfort.


This paper comments on legal considerations based on benefit-cost analysis, specifically as they relate to matters concerning roadside safety. As no tort claims cases in which a benefit-cost analysis was used have been found, the advice given is: use common sense in applying the factors that are used in the benefit-cost analysis and be able to explain those factors in simple direct language that can be understood by laymen.


Abstract This text, first published in German in 1976, consists of a series of statements by key artists, art critics, and art historians. They scrutinize the position of Socialist Realist art, touching on a diversity of issues including the relationship between art and the collective consciousness; art based on observation from life; ways of engaging with the art-historical heritage; partisanship; and the notion of truth in art.


Introduction. In the previous papers $[1]^{(1)}$ the present author has treated the theory of certain non-holonomic spaces of line-elements and of the non-holonomic system depending on line-elements. The principal purposes of the present paper are to generalize the concept "nonholonomic system" into a space of higher order and to find in the generalized non-holonomic system the' structure of several operations of extensors considered by Prof. A. KAWAGUCJII [2]: The former is stated in \S 2 and the latter in \S \S 4-9. As the preparation for these purposes, \S 1 is devoted to the exposition of the notations employed and of the definition of extensors introduced first by H. V. CRAIG [3] and in \S 3 we treat upon the transformations of the non-holonomic systems. Since there are three kinds of the previous operations, any two of these produce their products. In the last chapter, we discuss therefore the commutativity of these products. The present author wishes to express to Prof. A. KAWAGUCHI her very sincere appreciation for his helpful guidance and his careful criticisms.


Carbon dots (CDs) have successfully stood out among numerous materials, attributed to their superior characteristics, including ultra-small size, good photostability, excellent biocompatibility, and tunable fluorescent property. Accompanied with their remarkable...


Abstract An altered immune response to normal gut microflora is important for the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Galectin- 3 (Gal-3) is an endogenous lectin that plays an important pro-inflammatory role in the induction phase of acute colitis by promoting activation of the NLRP3 infl ammasome and production of IL-1β in macrophages. By using dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) induced colitis, a well-established animal model of UC, we determined whether Gal-3 affects the function of colon infiltrating macrophages by interfering with intestinal microfl ora. Our results showed that genetic deletion of Gal-3 significantly attenuates DSS-induced colitis by down-regulating infiltration of phagocytic cells (neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells) in colon tissue of DSS-treated mice, and this correlated with differences in bacterial flora of the gut. Antibiotic treatment attenuates DSS-induced colitis in WT and Gal-3-/- mice without affecting differences between the groups. In conclusion, Gram negative bacterial flora play an important role in DSS-induced acute colitis of mice but are not involved in Gal-3 dependent modulation of colon inflammation.


The Government of Canada has ratified the Kyoto Protocol, committing to a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990 levels during the commitment period of 2008–2012. To attain this target, emission reductions throughout many sectors must be achieved. The waste sector can assist Canada in reducing GHG emissions to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. In 2001, the waste sector generated 24.8 megatonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from landfill gas (LFG) generation, wastewater treatment, and incineration. Emissions from the transportation of solid waste were not considered, and are seen to be small. Several strategies for reducing GHG emissions from solid waste are analyzed. Source reduction decreases the amount of material being generated, thus reducing from the source any emissions that might be related to the life cycle of the material. Recycling can reduce GHG emissions by reducing the amount of virgin material being processed, avoiding life cycle emissions. Landfill...


In this paper, we considered the authoritative representation of Command and Fire Control System(CFCS) for the surface ship that was the engineering level model to develop system specifications and to analyze operational concepts on the concept design phase and to analyze military requirements, effectiveness and performance for the system. The engineering level model of CFCS can be used in simulation independently of the surface ship`s type, and also it takes reuse, interoperability, and extension into consideration. The detailed sub-models, internal and external data interface, data flow among each sub-model, sensor and weapon models about the engineering level model of CFCS was defined. It was verified via engineering level simulations according to the V&V process.


In the works published earlier were obtained dependence which allows to obtain the value of the maximum force (the second group of limiting States) depending on the geometric characteristics of eccentrically compressed columns. This article will be a comparison of the proposed method the calculation method of the State construction norms of Ukraine. As the sample was adopted square steel cold formed electrically welded pipe section 50х50х2 mm length l = 3000 mm l = 6000 mm . The calculation was performed for the three design schemes: a hinged column, loaded at one end eccentrically applied force F; the column is rigidly fixed at the bottom, hinged at the top and abbert loaded eccentrically applied force on the upper end; a column rigidly fixed at the bottom, loaded at the free end of the eccentric applied force. In the proposed equations the value of the maximum power to obtain analytically, we can not, but knowing the geometrical characteristics of columns and using the method of direct integration it is possible to obtain the values of the ultimate strengths. The calculation process is organized as follows: set the step load in each approximation calculated deflection. The calculation continues until the load at which the obtained value of the deflection derevovolos limiting value thus. Calculated load is taken for the maximum force F which characterizes the bearing capacity of the columns. After analyzing the results of the calculations, and received the error that does not exceed 19 %, we can talk about the possibility of using the proposed formulas for calculation of the maximum posacenere because they can afford to automate the process and reduce the computation time. The proposed formulas allow to obtain the maximum power depending on the preset value of deflection.


Cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) is a multifaceted disorder which disrupts respiratory neural pathways and causes neurotoxicity, tissue ischemia, inflammation and extensive neurodegeneration, which may impair breathing capacity and airway defense (cough). Neurodegeneration after cSCI extends beyond the injury epicenter (where the most severe effects are observed), affecting multiple neuromotor networks. Following the initial trauma, a suite of sub‐acute mechanisms contributes to secondary degeneration, including: ischemia, excitotoxicity and inflammation. These features activate both neurodegenerative and compensatory signaling cascades. Most contusion models of cSCI utilize a single impact with a specified magnitude to the exposed cervical spinal cord. However, compression from fractured vertebrae, edema and other factors associated with the initial impact can subsequently impair local circulation. Thus, it is important to model cSCI with experimental injuries incorporating both impact and compression. Here, we determined the extent of neurodegeneration in the medulla and cervical spinal cord following cSCI incorporating both impact and compression. We hypothesized that cervical spinal contusion with compression (cSCC) injury causes extensive neurodegeneration in the medulla and cervical spinal cord, far from the site of impact. cSCC was performed at C4 by adding brief compression with dwell time following the initial impact. We demonstrate: 1) high mortality (~50% compared to ~15% without compression); 2) more severe limb paralysis; 3) delays in regaining of the righting reflex; and 4) ventilatory deficits when challenged with 7% CO2 + 10.5% O2. cSCC injury at C4 causes profound neurodegeneration extending rostral to the brainstem visualized as reduced medullary NeuN immunoreactivity in the sub‐acute time‐points (~4h), degenerating neural tracts rostral and caudal to injury, abnormal interneuron shape and nucleus location rostral to the injury, and neuronal loss caudal to injury. In addition, cSCC induces neurodegeneration in descending raphe serotonergic axons, undermining the capacity for serotonergic plasticity. These data support the idea that spinal cord injury extends beyond the injury epicenter highlighting potential therapeutic targets at different locations of the CNS following cSCI.


Scanning Probe microscope (SPM) is an important nanoinstrument for several applications such as bio-research, metrology, inspection and nanopatterning. Single SPM is associated with relatively slow rate of scanning and low throughput measurement, thus not being suitable for scanning large samples such as semiconductor wafers and photolithography masks. Over the last few years we have developed a parallel high throughput SPM. This has been done by miniaturizing the SPM systems and operating many of them simultaneously. Each miniaturized SPM can be operated independently. The parallel SPM also allows the measurement of several physical parameters simultaneously; while one instrument measures nano-scale topography, another instrument can measure mechanical, electrical or thermal properties, making it a Lab-on-an-Instrument. Recently in collaboration with SwissLitho AG, thermal scanning probe lithography has also been integrated into the miniaturized SPM. This enables the fabrication of nanostructures with one or more miniaturized SPM. Moreover, an automated cantilever exchange and optical alignment system is also developed. Various types of SPM cantilevers can be exchanged in 6 seconds with an accuracy better than 2 µm. The exchange and alignment unit is miniaturized to allow for integration in the parallel SPM. Ten thousand continuous exchange and alignment cycles were performed without failure. The proof of principle (PoP) of such a mechatronics instrument will be presented in this talk. This instrument provides new research opportunities in the nanometrology and nanopatterning of wafers and nanolithography masks by enabling real die-to-die and wafer-level measurements and in cell biology by measuring the nano-scale properties of a large number of cells.


This paper describes recent research on the prediction of the performance of light pipes and the ways to optimise their design, in order to house artificial lighting, able to supplement daylight in a space. The research has resulted in an algorithm, for the easy and quick calculation of the interior illuminance provided by light pipes, and in a procedure for the calculation of the power of the necessary artificial lighting (light emitting diodes [LEDs]) and the energy savings for lighting, due to the daylight provided by the light pipes and the daylight linked controls of the LEDs.


The aesthetic tragedy in Luyao's work is an objective reality and has different interpretations.This article interprets three characteristics from the perspectives of art.Firstly,contrast is used to show the infinite sorrow of living environment.Secondly,irony is used to reveal the serious distortions of the characters in his works.Thirdly,the round structure is used to portray the inclemency of the real life.All of them structure out a tragic and heroic,deep and intense picture of life together.


Observations in South America based on paleoenvironmental data for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) that shows a generally lower temperatures and reduced precipitation of the region are compared to simulation results from the paleoclimate version of the National Center for Atmospheric Research coupled climate system model. Analyses of the LGM wind simulation for the tropical Atlantic show that the convergence zone does not extend all the way into South American continent during the Austral summer. This would have prevented moisture inflow into the adjacent continental area of equatorial northeastern Brazil. Interpretations of paleoclimate proxy records from this region are consistent with this scenario. In the subtropics, LGM westerlies were weaker and data show characteristics of more humid conditions. At higher latitudes model simulations suggest intensification of the westerlies which, in combination with colder sea surface temperatures would imply less moisture influx into the South American continent from the Atlantic sector. Low lake levels in high southern latitudes and general aridity would support the model findings.


An abstract of the thesis of Nelson R. Holcomb for the Master of Science in Chemistry presented July 7, 1995. Title: Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Fluorine Containing Alkylsulfonyls and Sulfonates: Fluorinated Sulfonyl Methanes and Derivatives A series of salts of the strong fluorocarbon acid bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methane were made: (CF3S02 ) 2CHK, (CF3S02 ) 2CHLi, [ (CF3S02 ) 2CH] 2Ca, [ (CF3S02 ) 2 CH] 2Hg, (CF3 S02 ) 2 CHAg, [ (CF3S02 ) 2CH] 3La. Their reactivity and use as organic intermediates were investigated. The salts were made from their corresponding carbonates, oxides, or hydrides. The reaction times for the salts is generally short, however the purification process was laborious, involving recrystallization from organic solvents and drying under vacuum. The lithium salt is being evaluated as a solid state battery electrolyte. Derivatives of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methane were made by using the salts as nucleophiles in organic reactions. Reactions with Br2 , CH2=CH2 CH2Br, CH3CH2 CH2 I, i-----1 . and OCH2CHCH2Br were carried out to make:


Bidirectional DC/DC converters are widely adopted in new energy power generation systems. Because of the low conversion efficiency and non-isolation for conventional, bidirectional DC/DC converters in the photovoltaic energy storage complementary system, this paper proposes a bidirectional isolation LLC converter topology, with compensating inductance for the energy storage system; it has excellent characteristics, such as wide input voltage range and soft switching in full-load range. First, an AC equivalent model based on the fundamental wave equivalent method is established to derive the voltage gain. Meanwhile, a small signal model is also built to design a reasonably closed-looped controller. Finally, the improved bidirectional LLC resonant converter is applied to the photovoltaic energy storage complementary system. The correctness and feasibility for the bidirectional LLC converter topology under the proposed charging and discharging control strategy of the DC bus are verified by simulation and experimental results.


Vibration is the major concern in the front-loaded type washing machine. A small eccentricity is sufficient to cause large whirls at critical speeds. Therefore, it is very important to find methods of removing or minimizing the imbalance in a rotor. Balancing rotors is therefore the primary task of a rotor dynamics engineer. The unbalance effect in a rotating system is to be studied before balancing any rotor system. In a washing machine, a small magnitude of unbalanced weight will cause major failure in the shaft, bearing, washing drum and suspension system. Hence, this work exhibits an analysis of vibrations on the front loader washing machine during the normal cycle and spin cycle under different unbalancing masses. A test washing machine is being utilized for the examination and analysis. The washing machine is being given a default damper which is given by the manufacturer. A test is being held for different unbalancing masses for excitation of vibrations and the measurements of vibrations are being recorded with the help of Data Acquisition Systems. Then the washing machine is modelled in MATLAB, and it's performance is compared with the original washing machine's performance under various unbalanced load conditions.


I'm trying pretty hard to refine uranium so I can shoot a whole mess of neutrons at it... (hopefully this comment is not read out


This article addresses a lack of attention in the implementation science literature regarding how to overcome recruitment and retention challenges in longitudinal studies involving large samples of service agencies and health service providers ("providers"). Herein, we provide a case-illustration of procedures that improved recruitment and retention in a longitudinal, mixed-method study—Project Interprofessional Collaboration Implementation—funded by the US National Institute of Mental Health. Project Interprofessional Collaboration Implementation included counselors, program workers, educators, and supervisors. We present a research-engagement model to overcome barriers that included developing a low-burden study, social gatherings to engage stakeholders, protocols to recruit agencies and providers, comprehensive record-keeping, research procedures as incentives to participation, a plan to retain hard-to-reach participants, and strategies for modifying incentives over time. Using our model, we retained 36 agencies over the life of the project. Between baseline (N = 379) and 12-month follow-up (N = 285), we retained 75% of the sample and between the 12- (N = 285) and 24-month follow-ups (N = 256), we retained 90%. For qualitative interviews (between baseline and 12-month follow-up and between 12- and 24-month follow-ups), we retained 100% of the sample (N = 20). We provide a summary of frequency of contacts required to initiate data collection and time required for data collection. The model responded to environmental changes in policy and priorities that would not have been achievable without the expertise of community partners. To recruit and retain large samples longitudinally, researchers must strategically engage community partners. The strategies imbedded in our model can be performed with moderate levels of effort and human resources. Creating opportunities for research partners to participate in all phases of the research cycle is recommended, which can help build research capacity for future research.


To study the reaction products of atomic oxygen impingement on spacecraft external materials, a quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to transfer ion optics has been integrated into a space simulation chamber, equipped with a laser-assisted source of fast oxygen atoms. The mass spectrometer is used in a time-of-e ight mode, which makes it possible to separate the effects of uv ‐vuv photons, oxygen ions, and oxygen atoms, all of which are present simultaneously in the pulsed neutral beam. Neutral surface reaction products are ionized either by charge transfer or by nonresonant laser multiphoton ionization. Initial studies on three polymer samples evidence a high analytical sensitivity, making it possible to detect and to differentiate the reaction products. Comparison between mass spectra data and direct mass loss measurements on several polymeric materials shows the semiquantitative aspect of the analysis technique that has been developed.


In this paper, a two-degree-of-freedom (DOF) anthropomorphic pneumatic flexible joint is designed by using a silicone based hyperelastic material. The flexible joint consists of three chambers, which are distributed at 120 degrees, and they are not connected with each other. The pneumatic flexible joint is controlled by inflating high pressure gas to its chambers. Bending properties and motion space of the pneumatic flexible joint is analysed. And the influence of the chambers' sizes and intervals on the joint's curvature and motion space is analyzed through a series of finite element models (FEMs). Finally, the design of the geometrical sizes of the pneumatic flexible joint is studied qualitatively. Finite element analysis (FEA), under gas pressure of 10 kPa, 15 kPa, 20 kPa and 25 kPa, respectively, showes that the designed structure could realize two-degree-offreedom motion of the pneumatic flexible joint, which makes up for the deficiency of traditional one-degree-of-freedom pneumatic flexible joints.


The following article presents a complex view of question of changes in demographic development of inhabitants of the Slovak Republic, reflected by population, houses and dwelling censuses. In our paper we are presenting planned population, houses and dwelling census that will be realized in year 2011 and along with this we are trying to identify all possible significant changes in demographic development of inhabitants of the Slovak Republic.


In this paper, we present a comprehensive study in which a 2D cellular automata model is created which is evolved using a genetic algorithm. Cellular automata (CAs) are spatially-extended discrete dynamical systems which has many desirable features for large class of computation [? ]. Our CA model is tailored to mimic the famous forest €re behavior in presence of lightening strike. Some other properties like multiple species of trees and presence of €re€ghters are introduced in our model. We analyzed our simulation results in detailed manner with and without these properties and observed many interesting behavioral paŠerns in the forest €re model. Œe resultant behavior of the model is used to explain relationships among evolving forest growth, forest biomass, longevity and €re-€ghters' role on the overall model.


Umberto Eco opened his 1994 Norton lectures, at Harvard, with the image of woods "as a metaphor for the narrative text, not only for the text of fairy tales but for any narrative text." In Eco's lectures, the forest becomes a space in which authors and readers can wander and linger or pass quickly through. In contrast to the "actual world," he suggested, fictional woods and worlds "... allow us to concentrate on a finite, enclosed world ... Since we cannot wander outside its boundaries, we are led to explore it in depth." Yet wandering in the forest does not mean suspending our knowledge of reality. Rather, we have to "know a lot of things about the actual world" in order to interpret narrative. Reading fiction, in Eco's words, is thus a means


The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by significant stoppage of economic activity and corresponding massive unemployment and accompanying poverty. This situation has rekindled the debate on Universal Basic Income (UBI). This article reviews the theoretical positions on the end of work on which UBI is based and with it the impossibility of full employment, on the loss of its centrality and on the origin of economic value. The preference for full employment is analysed through job creation by public administrations, to meet unmet social needs and taking into account environmental constraints, and by reducing time spent working. It ends with a list of proposals, of services and money, to combat poverty.


It's no mystery how anyone with access to your social media posts might know the ages of your children, or that you're on vacation, or even that you might be in the market for a new bed, but Jen Golbeck warns that strangers may know so much more. The power of social media, she says, is frightening, and she knows it.


Battery grade Li2CO3 is successfully synthesized by the carbonation‐decomposition method using defective crude Li2CO3 with the purity of 98.56 wt% containing 5873 ppm SO42− and other impurities such as Na, K, Ca, Fe, and Mg. Filter operation is found to be very important to improve quality of products. The purified Li2CO3 precipitation acquired by filtering the LiHCO3 solution possesses a higher purity of 99.65 wt% and greater whiteness with lower amounts of SO42− (222.0 ppm) and Fe (6.6 ppm). For further purification, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt is added into the LiHCO3 solution then Ca and Fe contents in purified Li2CO3 are reduced to 2.9 and 0.7 ppm, respectively. The removal efficiencies obtained for Ca, Fe, and SO42− are of 80.05%, 99.4%, and 97.5%, respectively. The research of reaction kinetics shows that the rate‐determining step of the carbonation process is diffusion control and the generated HCO3− ions can resist the further dissolution of CO2. The theoretical thermal decomposition temperature is 277.10 K by the thermodynamic calculation. SO42− impurity comes from absorbed Na2SO4 and doped Li2SO4. This work is of great significance to economically and simply treat defective product with high impurity content in the actual Li2CO3 production process.


The pre-stressed composite box-girder with corrugated steel webs is a new kind structure, which includes corrugated steel webs, external pre-stressed cables and shear connectors that connect the corrugated steel webs and the concrete flange slab. In recent years more and more attention has been given to this kind structure and important achievement has been got in bridge engineering in China. In this paper three pre-stressed composite box-girder bridges with corrugated steel webs in China are introduced. Design experiences about the bridges are summarized, and their construction are discussed.


As the demand and cost of electricity keep increasing nowadays, consumers are looking for new methods to reduce their electricity bills. In recent years, a product called "power saver" has gained popularity in the public through both local and international markets. It is claimed that this device can save more than 40 % of the household monthly electricity bill by just plugging it into the wall socket. The main purpose of this paper is to study, examine and investigate this device. Field measurements have been conducted using this device with different types of household appliances. All electrical parameters including voltage, current, active power, reactive power, apparent power and power factor are measured and recorded. This investigation has proven that this device is just a power factor correction tool with no relation at all to the reduction in the monthly electricity bill in the residential sector. The device only improves the power factor of inductive loads by a small value. Even with this improvement, the electricity bill is not reduced as the residential customers are only charged based on the energy consumption in kilowatt-hour (kWh). The measurements have also shown that the device has a negative impact on the resistive and nonlinear loads by causing an increase in the drawn current and apparent power as well as causing a leading power factor with resistive loads.