The main purpose of the present paper is a study of the properties of stable and metastable structures of several binary Al1–xFex alloys (0 = x = 0.92) made with high-frequency induction fusion and radiofrequency (13.56 MHz) cathodic sputtering from composite Al-Fe targets, resulting in homogeneous thin films. The study of the lattice parameters and mechanical behaviour was followed by X-ray diffraction and Vickers microhardness measurements of bulk and sputtered Al-Fe thin films. The phenomenon of a significant mechanical strengthening of the aluminium by means of iron is essentially due to a combination of the solid-solution effects and the grain-size refinement. A further decrease in the thin-film grain size can cause a softening of the solid and then the Hall-Petch relation slope turns from positive to negative at a critical size called the strongest size, which is coherent with the thin-film dislocation density.


The short bowel syndrome (SBS, or simply short gut) is the most common cause for the chronic intestinal failure (CIF). The purpose of the study was to present the results of treatment of infants at risk for the development of post-resection SBS and the formation of CIF. Research materials and methods: 22 children threatened by the formation of post-resection SBS were treated in the Surgical Department of Newborns and Infants of the National Medical Research Center for Children's Health (Moscow, Russia) from 2017 to 2021. Results: All patients have undergone the surgical treatment. The scope of the surgical intervention included adhesiolysis with the imposition of an interintestinal anastomosis. Simultaneous imposition of multiple interintestinal anastomoses (more than 4) was performed in 7 patients (32%). As a result, the CIF formation was avoided in 8 patients (36%) by maintaining the total length of the remaining small intestine. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 46 months. Currently, 2 patients (9%) receive partial parenteral nutrition, and in 17 patients (77%) it was possible to achieve completely autonomous enteral nutrition. A lethal outcome was stated in 3 patients (14%) due to the development of a catheter-associated infection. Conclusion: in the course of this work, the principles of surgical treatment of patients threatened by the development of post-resection SBS and the formation of CIF were developed. Adequate parenteral and enteral nutrition can optimize intestinal adaptation and improve the nutritional status of the pediatric patient.


Biosimilars are biological products that are very similar, but not identical, to an originator product. For anti-TNF biosimilars for inflammatory bowel disease treatment, a number of concerns have been raised by pharmacologists and gastroenterologists with respect to the evaluation of biosimilarity, product stability, production condition stability, biosimilar name, extrapolation of indications, traceability, interchangeability and pharmacovigilance. These points will be discussed in this review. There are several questions that have not been satisfactorily answered so far, leading to different regulatory guidelines in Europe (European Medicines Agency), the USA (Food and Drug Administration), Canada and other countries. For clinicians, it will be important to have knowledge about these concerns to make reasonable patient-oriented decisions in the upcoming confusing market of biosimilars for established anti-TNF antibodies.


We prove a multilinear version of Phelps' Lemma: if the zero sets of multilinear forms of norm one are 'close', then so are the multilinear forms.


When people enter the gallery of contemporary art, they are met with interactive projections which fill up the room, react to the observer and take them on new adventures. Programmers, animators, architects, musicians, draftsmen, graphic artists, and engineers participate in this kind of works of art as co-creators of the work. The classic notion that an artist is someone who can draw or paint beautiful is misguided in modern art. Today the so-called artists are people who use all their knowledge and skills at their disposal to convey their message or view of the world.
Art has always reflected the time in which it was created. So how do we include content in art lessons that require students to develop competencies they will need in the 21st century?
Animated film as a style of artistic expression is not exactly modern but is something new in the curriculum of fine arts. I tried different techniques and procedures to teach students the concepts of creating animations. From drawn animation, stop-motion animation to computer animation. The latter has many production methods and procedures, but I think combining animation and programming the students can achieve many goals and competencies necessary for their future lives or careers. The student has to understand how the animation is created, and plan how to implement the programming code to display their wishes. Programming develops logical thinking, which allows children to break down complex problems into smaller and more manageable ones which are easier to solve.
My goal for the students is they learn to use construction knowledge, collaboration, communication, and ICT in art classes and additionally learn how to program.
Keywords: computer animation, interactive projections, visual art, Scratch


This paper presents an approach to high dynamic range shape measurement for scenario of largely varying range of surface reflectivity, e.g. simultaneously containing very dark and bright surfaces.


Abstract : This Volume II presents Appendices A through C. Appendix A contains the Document Log, Cross Reference Matrix, and individual abstracts which summarize the results of the literature review. Appendix B contains the system failure effects summary and the detailed failure modes and effects analysis for Ship A. Appendix C contains the system failure effects summary and the detailed failure modes and effects analysis for Ship B.


In order to investigate the gene expression pattern of different development stages of rat embryonic pancreas and the reguladon of endocrine cell' s differentiation and metabolism, using Gene Chip Rat Expression Set 230 A and RT-PCR to verify the result. Based on the gene expression profiles, the public databases, such as UCSC, TRANSFAC,NCBI, were explored. In the result BTG2 gene expresses in rat embryonic day 12.5, 15.5, 18.5, adult and new born pancreas were found out. Furthermore, the expression level of E18.5 is nearly five times of any other stages. Its ' function is to promote the cells ' differentiation, anti-proliferation, anti-apoptosis and regulate transcription. In conclusion, BTG2 plays a role in the process of pancreatic endocrine and endocine cells' differentiation and development, it also participates in the process of pancreatic cells' matabolism maturation in late development stages.


Special features of TV programs depend on different character,emotions and different cultural levels of different hosts.Special features and character of the host make different programs charming and inviting.


Introduction Thyroid cancer has increased sharply in China in recent years. This change may be attributable to multiple factors. The current study aimed to explore the environmental and social determinants of thyroid cancer. Methods Incidence data from 487 cancer registries in 2016 were collected. Eight factors were considered, namely, air pollution, green space, ambient temperature, ultraviolet radiation, altitude, economic status, healthcare, and education level. A geographical detector (measured by q statistic) was used to evaluate the independent and interactive impact of the eight factors on thyroid cancer. Results Social factors, especially economic status and healthcare level (q > 0.2), were most influential on thyroid cancer.Ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, and temperature had more impact on women, while green space and altitude had more influence on men. Enhanced effects were observed when two factors interacted. Spatially, economic status, healthcare, and air pollution were positively associated with thyroid cancer, while education level, green space, and altitude were negatively related to thyroid cancer. Conclusion The socio-environmental determinants and spatial heterogeneity of thyroid cancer were observed in this study. These findings may improve our understanding of thyroid cancer epidemiology and help guide public health interventions.


Objectives.  In spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy, limited pain relief during the temporary trial period is generally considered to be predictive of poor long‐term benefit. To validate or refute this perception, the long‐term outcomes of subjects who reported less than 50% pain relief during a temporary SCS trial were examined.


Gosangugok-sihwabyeong(고산구곡시화병) is the twelve-folded screens which created in 1803 and each screen is composed of 3 parties. This twelve-folded screens seems to be an intentional artifact of Andong-Kimmun(안동 김문) which has Kimjosun(김조순) for its central chair when the structure and format of it is examined. On the first screen, there is YulKok's , and and other three poetries are displayed from the second to eleventh's screens. This kind of disposition is based on the way which Songsiyeol(송시열) and other Noron(노론) group's literary men had created from the late 17th century to the early 18th century. On the last twelfth screen, there is of Kimchangheup (김창흡). The arrangement of the twelve screens reflects the fact that the genealogy of the school of Gihohakpa(기호학파) had been followed by the order of 'Leei(이이)→Songsiyeol(송시열)→Kimchangheup(김창흡)' and this arrangement was a kind of symbolic artifact to make the schools foundation clear.


A CENTRAL issue in industrial economics is how the price set by an established seller is affected by the threat of competition from newcomers to the market. It is commonly predicted that an intensification of this threat due to a fall in the non-price barriers to entry will result in a reduction of the entryretarding industry price [8], [s], [2]. Recently we found [4] that such a pre-entry price may also increase with a lowering of the barriers to entry when the established firm realizes that there is a positive finite entry lag between a rival's decision to enter and his appearance as an effective competitor. Our intention in this note is to elaborate on this finding. Exploring the comparative statics analysis of our earlier work we argue that, with an entry lag, a constant pre-entry price attains a minimum value for some intermediate (exogenous) threat of competition where entry is neither free nor blockaded. This intermediate value and the corresponding minimum price policy are characterized.


More than seventy percent of China's primary energy supply depends upon coal, and no radical change is expected to take place in this basic structure during the early part of the next century. An energy supply structure that is so heavily dependent upon coal poses fundamental difficulty to the regionally balanced economic development in China. Main coal mines in China are distributed in the North-West region far from the coastal areas where economic development is rapid and the energy demand is increasing. Seventy percent of coal transport relies on railway, and 40 percent of freight transport by railway is devoted to the coal transport, which places heavier burdens on China's freight and passenger transport system. In this study, a prediction is made of future coal demand in each province of China up until 2010, and an estimate is made for the inter-provincial transport demand of coal. In 2010, the total coal demand in China will be 1.01 Ecal, i.e., 166 % of that in 1994, creating three times the demand in the coal transport by railway. Coal transport demand from Shang-xi Province to He-bei Province, for example, will increase from 0.6 million tons in 1994 to 1.7 million tons in 2010. The estimated transport demand of coal will far exceed the target figures presented in the long-term development plans, suggesting the need for greater investment in railway and other transport systems.


LonWorks technology is introduced.The function analysis of intelligent home network is carried out.A hardware and software design to control the home nodes is presented.The remote reading of the meters,security,home control and other functions are achieved by the technology.A SCM is adopted in the core part of the home controller as a master processor to perform the monitoring and control.FT3120 smart transceiver solidified ShortStack firmware becomes ShortStack micro-processor taken as a slave processor to complete the communication function.


By means of evidence-based practice, this paper describes the residential-school component of an accredited online (distance education) undergraduate engineering program in Australia, with a particular focus on how the residential school program is implemented at freshman year. During these residential schools, activities were organised around the respective engineering courses undertaken by students during the semester. Elements considered suitable and worthwhile for inclusion in residential-school programs included: • In-person engagement with academic lecturers, • Practical and laboratory learning activities, • Presentations and interaction with guest speakers from industry, • Industry-based site visits, • Engagement in sole and group-based learning and assessment activities on campus, and • Social interaction with other students. After running pilot residential schools for two years, it was found that a workable format consisted in a two-week residential experience in the first semester, linked to two key freshman courses, Fundamentals of Technology Management, and Engineering Physics. On-campus and online students' academic grades were compared for both courses over the years 2005 to 2012. We found that for physics lab, on-campus students' grades tended to be higher than those for online students, and vice versa for technology management. We also conclude that when carefully designed, residential schools for online students do enhance learning for both online students and their on-campus counterparts.


According to the results of quantum chemistry calculation and the present research status in the relationship between the structures and the functions of DT, the E154 in DT catalyzing domain was mutated to aspartic acid and arginine in order to study the effects of the alteration on the biological activities. By means of gene site-direct mutation, two mutated genes were prepared and the high performance expression was obtained in E.coli system. The results of toxcity studies indicated that the acute toxicity in guinea pig and cytotoxicities of mutant E154D increased slightly in compared with those of recombination wild toxin, and contrarily, those of E154R decreased obviously.


This paper presents a platform for processing audio data of call centers to obtain statistical information on the telephone call. The system computes several metrics of the audio and speech to define a representation of the call flow, the audio quality, and the paralinguistic performance of the call. This way, it can model the behavior and feelings of the agent and customer involved in the conversation. This solution applies to many industries such as call centers, social communities, metaverse, customer identifications, online and offline meetings, etc. In summary, the platform leverages an already trained artificial intelligence business network to get non-verbal communication information from audio. This information translates into valuable business insights for further decision-making.


Recently due to development of computer and IT technology, it has been made possible for a patent of invention to be worked not just by a single person but by several people jointly. The number of invention which is composed of multiple elements using server and terminal is increasing in the area of invention base on network. Also in case of process patent, especially Business Model patent, the claim itself is often based on the premise that it is worked by several people. When a patent of invention has multiple elements and several people jointly work it, no single person may be considered to work all the element of the patent. In that case liability for infringement of patent can be avoided easily by the conventional patent infringement theory which considers such infringement is constituted, not like tort, only when a single person work the whole elements of a patent. Under the current law, indirect infringement of Patent Act is the only rule which covers infringement of patent which is committed by several people, but it can cover only limited types of infringement. Therefore it is difficult for such an infringement to be regulated by Patent Act except when indirect infringement is constituted. Also even when joint tort is constituted under Civil Act, damages are the only remedy for it.In this sense, currently it is difficult to regulate such an infringement as above. Therefore it is necessary to consider how we should regulate such an infringement which several people are involved. In this regard, this article will cover proper ways of regulation in Korea for specific type of infringement by comparative analysis of domestic and foreign regulatory methods.


Wearable devices enable the continuous and unobtrusive monitoring of physiological data, e.g., electrodermal activity (EDA), and they allow to build machine learning models to recognize human emotions, stress, and more. However, the quality of the collected data can significantly impact the performance of such models. When wrist-worn sensors are used, this may happen due to differences in the signal collected on the left and right wrist. In this work, we quantify the impact of physiological signal lateralization in a laughter recognition task. Building upon an existing dataset from 34 users, we devise a laughter recognition classifier and compare the performance of models trained and tested with data from different wrists. Our results show that, when using EDA, classification performance might depend on the side used for training and testing. Our quantification of lateralization on model performance provides insights for the design of EDA-based models as well as of data collection studies.


The problem of designing a fuzzy dissipative controller is studied for a class of discrete nonlinear delay systems with norm-bounded uncertainty based on T-S model.For the nonlinear delay system which is based on T-S fuzzy mode,the sufficient condition is first derived for the existence of fuzzy dissipative controller.Furthermore,a convex optimization problem with LMI constraints is formulated to design the controller.Finally,a numerical example shows the feasibility and validity of this method.


Given the pace at which technology advances, there always seems to be a learning curve. With the abundance of consumer electronics available, there typically is no right or wrong way to use these devices — the choice usually comes down to the method that best suits the end user. However, when purchasing a highly advanced device for use in the workplace, such as a laser, learning how to properly apply, troubleshoot, and evaluate that device becomes very important.


The ends (11) of the pipes (10) are secured to the pipe plate (20) using only epoxy resin adhesive. The box cooler (1) comprises U-shaped pipes with their ends secured in holes in at least one pipe plate.


Let $\ell$ be a prime and $q = p^{\nu}$ where $p$ is a prime different from $\ell$. We show that the $\ell$-completion of the $n$th stable homotopy group of spheres is a summand of the $\ell$-completion of the $(n, 0)$ motivic stable homotopy group of spheres over the finite field with $q$ elements $F_q$. With this, and assisted by computer calculations, we are able to explicitly compute the two-complete stable motivic stems $\pi_{n, 0}(F_q)^{\wedge}_2$ for $0\leq n\leq 18$. Additionally, we compute $\pi_{19, 0}(F_q)^{\wedge}_2$ and $\pi_{20, 0}(F_q)^{\wedge}_2$ when $q \equiv 1 \bmod 4$ assuming Morel's connectivity theorem for $F_q$ holds.


Objective To compare the clinical effect of three kinds of gastric canal inserted method on patients with endotracheal intubation.Methods Two hundred and sixty-one cases of patients with endotracheal intubation were divided into group A(conventional group),B(inserting gastrotuhe by a guide-wire in it),C (pulling the tracheal under calm state),with each group of eighty-seven cases.The intubation successful rate,the time of gastric canal insertion,HR and SpO2 before and after inttthation,and the choking and blcoding occurrence during intubation were observed and compared.Results The intubation successful rate showed significantly higher in the group B(83.91%)than in the group A(70.11%,P<0.05),and significantly higher in the group C(98.85%)than in the groups A and B(all P < 0.01).In the time of gastrotuhe insertion,significantly quicker in the group B(43.25±5.56s)than in the group A(55.30±6.20)s(P <0.01),and significantly quicker in the group C(27.75±4.16)s than in the groups A and B(all P < 0.01);In the total time of whole operation,significantly quicker in the group C(103.16±5.36)s than in the groups A and B(111.45±5.85 s、115.35± 5.25 s,all P <0.01),and significantly slower in the group B than in the group A(P <0.01).Before and after gastrotube insertion,there was no significant difference on HR in groups B and C(all P>0.05),in the group A HR was obviously increased(P <0.05);while SpO2 there was no significant difference in group C,and the remarkably decreased in groups A and B(P < 0.01,P < 0.05).During the gastrotube insertion,The choking and blcoding occurrence in the group C(2.30%、O)was significantly lower than in the groups A(13.79%、9.20%)and B(8.05%,5.75%)(P<0.01,P < 0.05),and there was no significant difference in groups B and A(all P >0.05).Conclusions It shows higher accurate and less side effect for the endotracbeal intubation patients undergoing gastrotuhe insertion by pulling the tracheal under calm state.

Key words:
Inserting gastrotube;  Endotracheal intubation;  Clinical effect


As websites on the Internet in the Web 2.0 era have become more interactive,there has been an explosion of new user-generated content. The goal of Summarization Pipeline for Online Repositories of Knowledge(SPORK) is to be able to identify important key topics presentedin multi-document texts, such as online comment threads. While most otherautomatic summarization systems simply focus on finding the top sentences representedin the text, SPORK separates the text into clusters, and identifies differenttopics and opinions presented in the text. SPORK has shown results ofmanaging to identify 72% of key topics present in any discussion and up to 80%of key topics in a well-structured discussion.


Movement technical analysis is the important content of gymnastic theoretical course teaching, is also the important link of gymnastic technical teaching. Because of traditional teaching method has certain limitation. It is hard to satisfy the requirement of modern teaching completely. It is important meaning for to apply modem network IT, research and develop the computer supplementary teaching software of gymnastic skill analysis (CAI) with the outline of teaching material as basis. This paper has carried out preliminary investigation and analysis on research and development of gymnastic skill analysis teaching CAI.


All systems for automatic sign language translation and recognition, in particular statistical systems, rely on adequately sized corpora. For this purpose, we created the Phoenix corpus that is based on German television weather reports translated into German Sign Language. It comes with a rich annotation of the video data, a bilingual text-based sentence corpus and a monolingual German corpus. All systems for automatic sign language translation and recognition, in particular statistical systems, rely on adequately sized corpora. For this purpose, we created the Phoenix corpus that is based on German television weather reports translated into German Sign Language. It comes with a rich annotation of the video data, a bilingual text-based sentence corpus and a monolingual German corpus.


Abstract Two simple predictive equations for tire footprint area in terms of tire deflection and tire and wheel dimensional parameters found on the tire sidewall, have been empirically developed. Footprint areas calculated using these equations agreed with measured areas for a number of passenger, truck, and off-the-road tires, of both radial and bias belted constructions, indicating the general predictive usefulness of the equations. The form of one of the equations is similar to that of equations presented in the literature that were derived using different assumptions.


Creativity is widely viewed as a key component of human development. Creativity is part of the "21st century skills" movement as well as a cornerstone of the technology subject in the Swedish schoo ...


A rapid method based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with multivariate data analysis was developed to identify and quantify aflatoxin contamination in peanuts. This technique was proposed over the chromatographic method due to faster, practical, and less reagent consumption as it is considered a nondestructive method. The spectra of samples were scanned using an FTIR spectrophotometer with attenuated total reflectance in the mid-infrared region (4,000−475 cm −1 ). Chemometric techniques for classification purposes using principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate calibrations of partial least square (PLS) regression were used to establish the quantitative model and predict the levels of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts. PCA was successfully applied to classify the whole peanuts, those without shells, and those without shells and testa, based on PC1 and PC2 score plots. The determination of aflatoxin contamination levels using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD) showed that 4 out of 20 samples (20%) resulted in 1.272–9.585 µg kg −1 for AFB 1 and 0.448–2.943 µg kg −1 for AFB 2 . The method performance of aflatoxin analysis by HPLC-FD was validated by high coefficients of determination ( R 2 > 0.999) and low coefficients of variation (CV = 1.68−2.94%). Furthermore, PLS regression based on FTIR spectra at a selected wavenumber region (1,800−800 cm −1 ) provided satisfactory prediction of aflatoxin contamination in peanut samples, including aflatoxin B 1 [ R 2 = 0.9995; root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) = 0.1180; root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 0.3000)] and aflatoxin B 2 ( R 2 = 0.9999; RMSEC = 0.0119; RMSEP = 0.0595). Therefore, the developed method can be an analytical tool to identify the occurrence of aflatoxins in peanuts in the market.


Increasingly, courses in communication skills are being incorporated into medical training. In order for communication skills to be effectively maintained in post‐training medical practice, they must be taught within an appropriate clinical context. The present paper describes and provides rationale for seven criteria by which to select clinical issues which are appropriate foci for communication skills courses. The criteria are : (1) the issue must be one which is encountered frequently in clinical practice; (2) the issue must be associated with a high burden of illness; (3) there must be evidence that practitioners need to improve skills for dealing with the issue; (4) there must be an intervention, of which communication skills are an integral component, that is demonstrably effective for dealing with the clinical issue; (5) the intervention must represent a cost‐effective means of dealing with the issue; (6) the intervention must be acceptable to doctors and be able to be incorporated into routine medical practice; (7) the intervention must be acceptable to patients.


The present disclosure, the system associated with the user biometric electronic device, to provide a method and apparatus. Electronic display has a display cover glass comprising a front face including a display area, and a fingerprint reading area within the display area. Object at least one light sensing element, and detecting the received scattered light, the scattered light received is, for the light, at least partially optically contact with the front in the fingerprint reading area resulting from the interaction of, and detecting, configured to perform and outputting the fingerprint image data to the processor.


With the continuous improvement of user needs and the continuous enrichment of spatial data, the same geospatial scope includes different types of spatial data such as terrain, remote sensing images, and 3D models of oblique photogrammetry. 3D WebGIS cannot effectively load different types of spatial data in the same scene. This paper proposes a spatial data loading optimization method for 3D WebGIS to optimize the efficient loading of multiple types of spatial data. First, using the structural features of 3D Tiles with regular enclosing volume shapes and overlapping regions, a fast growth algorithm based on binary tree is proposed to locate and extract the outer boundary of 3D model. Then, there were jagged protrusions on the outer boundary of the roughly extracted polygon. In order to solve the problem, a polygon simplification method based on two neighboring points was proposed to optimize the outer boundary of the polygon to achieve accurate extraction of the outer boundary of the 3D model. Finally, by judging the inclusion of map tile and terrain tile data relationship to achieve selective loading of tile data. Experiments show that when the viewpoint height is below 300 meters, the total load of map tile data can be reduced by about 40%, indicating that the optimization method in this paper can significantly improve the data loading efficiency of the system without affecting the visualization of 3D WebGIS.


The nature of employee benefits is changing rapidly and the future isn't certain, according to participants at the Conference Board's Employee Benefits Conference in New York City. While some benefits specialists predicted defined-benefit plans, including traditional pensions, would be relegated to history's dust bin--along with rotary phones and typewriters--others asserted companies were mistaken in relying on defined-contribution plans, such as 401(k)s, to meet retiree needs. One thing, however, was clear: CPAs who advise businesses about benefit strategies will need to keep alert. "For better or for worse, cradle-to-grave job security is a thing of the past," said J. Randall MacDonald, vice-president for employee relations and organization development of GTE Corp. By the year 2000, he added, there will be a shift away from defined-benefit pension plans that promise to pay a specified amount to each retiree in favor of defined-contribution plans, which he termed less "paternalistic" because employees can choose how much income to set aside into their retirement accounts. "Companies will offer more plans with more choices for less money," MacDonald predicted. "There also will be more |outsourcing' as outside companies handle everything from plan design to administration." Paternalism defended. On the other hand, Dallas Salisbury, president of the Employee Benefits Research Institute, argued "that nasty word, paternalism," might not be such a bad thing after all. "Most employees don't start thinking seriously about putting retirement money away until their last child is out of college. At that point," he said. "it's too late to accumulate sufficient savings." Thus, there will be a continuing need for defined-benefit plans that ensure workers predictable income--even at the expense of some choice. The government, Salisbury added, was looking at the private sector's growing reliance on defined-contribution plans "with a tremendous amount of angst." This is because the principal government programs for retirees--Medicare and Social Security--also are being cut back. Debates have been taking place in congressional hallways, he said, about when (not if) the qualifying age for benefits should be raised to age 70, with benefits subject to tax and reductions made in the benefit formula. "By the year 2015 or 2020, government benefits for individual retirees will amount to only 7% or 8% income replacement," Salisbury warned. …


The Fredholm integral equation with a Green's function type of kernel has been transformed by Drukarev into an equivalent Volterra equation. It is now proven that the Neumann series solution of the Volterra equation yields the determinantal solution of the Fredholm equation. Thus, a Born approximation technique suffices to obtain the full Fredholm solution.


Somalia has the highest adult lifetime risk of maternal mortality of 1 in 18. Few pregnant women visit the antenatal care and have access emergency obstetric care services to detect and handle complications at childbirth. We assessed the cases of obstetric complications and associated factors in two major maternal and child clinic in urban areas of Mogadishu Somalia. This cross sectional study was conducted between 2015 and 2016 among women who had given birth at Banadir Maternity and Children Hospital and SOS Maternal and Child Clinic in Mogadishu Somalia. Participants' information was collected through interviews and health records. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with being prepared, with statistically significant level at p < 0.05. A total of 203 out of 385 (52.7%) women had obstetric complications. This included 30% severe bleeding, 29.6% obstructed labor, 23.6% hypertensive disorder and 14.3% cases of sepsis. Employment status (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9) monthly income (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.2), antenatal care attendance (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.9), ANC initiation in the first trimester (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.9), home delivery assisted by Traditional Birth Attendance (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 2.4), worsening of past medical condition preceding the current birth (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.3), current pregnancy termination (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.4), vaginal delivery (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.6), delivery assisted by a nurse (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.6) were associated with obstetric complication. The high proportion of obstetric complication especially hemorrhage among women in Mogadishu Somalia, requires that women be monitored closely during pregnancy to reduce complications and death, in the absence of medical interventions. Economic empowerment, improved awareness of ANC, training of TBA would be key in reducing the obstetric complication in this region Keywords: Obstetric complications, prevalence and associated factors, two major urban maternal and child health clinic, Mogadishu Somalia.


This work provides breakthroughs in key technological modules for high performance and reliable 3D Sequential Integration with intermediate BEOL (iBEOL) in-between tiers. We demonstrate that (i) a high-quality solid phase epitaxy process is possible at 500°C, (ii) TiN native oxide removal prior to poly deposition leads to an improvement in gate stack reliability below 525°C and (iii) state-of-the-art SiOCH ULK in iBEOL is reliable up to 550°C 5h with W metal lines. A process integration is thus proposed to match the process windows of bottom layers (bottom FET and iBEOL) stability and top devices performance and reliability, opening perspectives for a wide range of applications and technologies using 3D Sequential Integration.


[Extract] The review and updating of the first (2005) edition of the National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ('National Guide') is a joint initiative of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) National Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. The National Guide is a practical resource intended for all health professionals delivering primary healthcare to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Its purpose is to provide GPs and other health professionals with an accessible, user-friendly guide to best practice in preventive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. This second edition of the National Guide comprises:

• the National Guide, which contains evidence statements, recommendations, risk calculation tables and an outline of the development of the guide

• the evidence base: the collection of evidence underpinning the guide and recommendations (electronic only) (see the Methodology section 'Searching the evidence base and drafting recommendations')

• a child and adult lifecycle summary chart listing activities recommended at each age group.


Suicides are the topic of criminal investigation due to the probability of death as well as it is significant public health problem. Criminal investigation is to enlighten the suicide event with every aspect of it and to investigate whether there is any suspicion. It requires a certain discipline and practice. Suicides events which were completed and serious attempts are investigated by Homicide Investigation Units of every city police of Turkey. The sample of the present study is constituted by annotation of 108 suicide cases which had been investigated by Homicide Unit of Sivas Police between 2011-2015. The present study is retrospective and descriptive. The independent variables of study are completed suicides and suicide attempts and dependent variables of study are gender, age, time of event (season, month, day-night), profession, the method and reason of suicide etc. In the present study, it will be shown how criminal investigation of suicide cases conducts and tried to descript the cases of suicide events occurred. Hence, some proposals related to criminal investigation of suicides are aimed to present. Keywords Suicide; Suicide Attempt; Homicide Investigation Unit; Criminal Investigation; Sivas; Intihar; Intihar Girisimi; Cinayet Buro; Suc Sorusturmasi; Sivas Language: tr


Abstract Background: The analysis of Electroencephalography (EEG) signals acquired from epileptic babies shows that seizures can be modeled as piecewise linear frequency modulated (LFM) signals. This fact motivated the use of time-frequency matched filters (TFMFs) for seizure detection in newborn EEG. A TFMF is characterized by a unique test statistic, which is found based on the time-frequency (TF) correlation between the signal under analysis and a template. The test statistic is compared with a threshold to determine the presence or absence of the template in the signal under analysis. Objectives: We present two seizure detection algorithms based on the general class of TFMFs and an improved algorithm in the ambiguity domain and evaluate their performance using real EEG signals. Methods: The method includes the following stages: Based on TF analysis of newborn EEG, we create a template set containing M piecewise LFM signals with L pieces and slopes. We define test statistics based on the TF correlation...


animals asjudged bygrossand histological observation. Inconsideration ofthespecificity oftheC4inactivator, itsindependence ofcofactors, anditsfailure togenerate biologically active materials intheprocessofC4inactivation, itisconcluded thatcomplement-dependent immune injury canbesuppressed oravoided byinterruption ofthecomplement cascade ata single early step. Thedepression oftheArthusreaction beyondthetimeofC4 recoveryprompted quantitative speculations concerning (i) theinvivorateofC5a generation underconditions oflimited C4 supply and(ii) the"saturation" ofimmune complexes. Thisviewissupported byinvitro demonstration offunctional inactivation or "saturation" ofimmuneprecipitates byrepeated incubation with fresh guinea pigcomplement. Itseemstherefore conceivable thateventemporary complement inactivation may havea profound beneficial effect on complementdependent immuneinjuries.


A phenomenological theory of magnetic and magnetoelectric (ME) susceptibilities of ferroelectric/ferromagnetic composites is presented and applied to the special case of layered structures. Expressions have been obtained relating the magnetic and ME susceptibility tensor components of the composite (symmetry point group $3m$ and $4mm)$ to ME coupling constants. The theory predicts a unique resonance in the electric-field dependence of the magnetic susceptibility. It is shown that the ME susceptibility is the product of magnetic susceptibility, composite magnetization, and ME coupling constants. The model is used to obtain the magnetic and ME susceptibilities versus electric-field profiles for three bilayer composites of importance: lithium ferrite (LFO)--lead zirconate titanate (PZT), nickel ferrite (NFO)-PZT, and yttrium iron garnet (YIG)-PZT. Our calculations reveal the largest electric-field effects for NFO-PZT and the weakest effect for YIG-PZT. Three measurement methods for ME susceptibility, resonant ME coupling, electrical dipole transitions, and ME effect at ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) are proposed. As an example, we consider multilayers of LFO-PZT and determine the ME constants from data on electric-field influence on FMR. The ME parameters are then used to calculate the susceptibilities. The results indicate strong high-frequency ME effects in the composite. The theory is useful for measurements of ME susceptibility and for the design and analysis of electrically controlled high-frequency magnetic devices.


Recent data show that the containers traditionally used for fermentation, due to their nature, exchange with the fermented product, the consequence being a modification of the physico-chemical, microbiological and organoleptic properties of these products. The objective of this work is to study the influence of the fermentation vessel on the sensory, physicochemical, and microbial properties of kindirmou and pendidam, two traditional fermented milks from Adamawa - Cameroon. To this end, a descriptive test was used to generate the sensory properties of fermented milks in different containers, followed by biochemical (pH, titratable acidity, protein, sugar content, and total phenolic compounds) and microbiological analyses (total aerobic mesophilic flora, coliforms, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and molds). Regarding sensory evaluation, samples of kindirmou and pendidam fermented in calabashes have a higher general acceptability than those fermented in plastic buckets and enamel plates. The total mesophilic flora and total coliforms were higher than the norm (≥ 6log10) for kindirmou and pendidam regardless of the fermentation vessel. The absence of yeasts and molds is noted in the samples of kindirmou, while they are found at very high levels in the samples of pendidam fermented in the calabash and in the enamel plates ((≥ 6log10). Fecal coliforms are absent in samples of kindirmou and pendidam fermented in the calabash, while they are found in samples fermented in plastic buckets and enamel plates. On the physicochemical level, the results obtained showed that the kindirmou fermented in the calabash had the highest soluble protein content (1.47 ± 0.04 g / 100 mL of milk) than those fermented in plastic bucket and enamel plates. The phenolic compounds are present only in the samples of milk fermented in the calabash and the average contents are 93.41 ± 3.04 mg / 100 mL of milk for kindirmou and 111.20 ± 2.01 mg / 100 mL for pendidam.
To conclude, kindirmou and pendidam fermented in calabashes exhibit the best sensory and physicochemical characteristics, and are rich in bioactive compounds than those fermented in plastic buckets and enamel plates.


An energy audit has been conducted for a commercial office building in Hong Kong. This building is equipped with a large number of electricity sub,meters which greatly facilitated the audit study. In addition, a survey of the energy end-use of tenants has been conducted to obtain information about the lighting and equipment loads in various premises in the building. Besides the audit and survey results, comparisons with consumption of typical buildings in Hong Kong and with computer simulation results for an energy efficient building are presented. From the comparison, the most promising energy efficiency improvement measures have been identified for further in-depth studies.


Various embodiments enable a video messaging experience which permits the exchange of short video messages in an asynchronous manner. The video messaging experience preserves the video intimacy and experience of synchronous-type video communications, while at the same time provides the convenience of SMS-type message exchange. In particular, a method of playing a video on a display of a computer device is disclosed, wherein the computer device is configured to access storage means holding at least one video message conversation including at least first and second video messages each comprising a video of maximum permitted length, the method comprising: receiving at a video player selection (900) of the first video message associated with the video message conversation; initiating playback (902) by the video player of the first video message; and on termination of playback of the first video message automatically playing back (904) at least the second video message associated with the video message conversation, without receiving a user selection of the second video message.


Wounds close by keratinocytes migrating from the edge of the wound and re‐epithelializing the epidermis. It has been proposed that the major stimuli for wound closure are blood‐derived growth factors, chemokines and cytokines. The small GTPase R‐Ras, a known integrin activator, also regulates vascular permeability during angiogenesis, and blood vessels lacking R‐Ras leak plasma proteins constantly. We explored whether the access to blood‐derived proteins influences skin wound healing in R‐Ras knockout (KO) mice. In skin wounds, R‐Ras expression was mostly restricted to the vasculature in the granulation tissue. Angiogenic blood vessels in the R‐Ras KO mice were significantly more permeable than in wild‐type (WT) controls. Although the distances between epidermal tongues, and the panniculus carnosus muscles, were significantly longer in R‐Ras KO than WT controls before the granulation tissue formation took place, there were no differences in the wound closure or re‐epithelialization rates or granulation tissue formation. These findings were also corroborated in a special splint excision wound model. Our study shows that although R‐Ras does not influence the skin wound healing itself, the blood vessels lacking R‐Ras are leaky and thus could facilitate the access of blood‐derived proteins to the wound.


Online education internship is an emerging education and teaching method that is increasingly attracting people's attention in China. It plays a very important role. The main object of online education practice courses is college students, and its teaching content includes three aspects: science and technology, social science and humanities. It records and propagandizes through video and can also be provided to the public for free, With the continuous development of computer technology, a new online open teaching mode has emerged. The increasing popularity of using computer networks to carry out online educational practice courses not only demonstrates that modern education is gradually developing towards networking, multimedia, and video, but also poses great challenges to the current higher education itself and provides us with great inspiration, especially for the reform and transformation of ideological and political education courses in universities. The goal and significance of this study is to establish an online education platform for college students, enabling them to leverage its advantages.


Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety about the additional phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation and trabeculectomy on the treatment of cataract combined with glaucoma. Methods: 100 cases of cataract combined with glaucoma who were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group according to the law of draw. Patients of the control group were treated by the simple phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation, while the patients in the observation group were given trabeculectomy besides the basic methods. The relative indexes and the average incidence of postoperative complications etc. were compared before and after the treatment. Results:(1) There was no statistically significant difference of the control group before and after treatment in terms of the IOP, ACD and AL; There were statistically significant differences in terms of the CAD and IOP in the observation group before and after treatment(P0.05); but there was no significant difference about AL before and after treatment.(2) Preoperative and postoperative 1week, 1month and 3month average value of visual field defects, the average pattern standard deviation, the differences were statistically significant, and there were statistical difference between the two groups between the two groups.(3) The complication rate in the control group was 20.00%, which was significantly higher than that of the observation group(10.00%). Conclusion: The phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation and trabeculectomy of cataract combined with glaucoma has a significant effect, low incidence of adverse reactions, and it is worthy to be promoted and applied clinically.


1. Formulas are given, for use under two different conditions of sampling, to determine the number of fruits required in a sample in order to give a desired assurance that a certain accuracy has been attained. 2. Approximately 250 fruits of oranges, lemons, and grapefruit were analyzed individually, and the probable errors calculated. The data so obtained were applied to the formulas, and numerical examples worked out to illustrate their use. 3. It is shown that the values given by the formulas are only approximately correct. The sources of error are discussed, and formulas given by which the amount of this inaccuracy may be estimated under different conditions. 4. Analyses of fruits taken from different orange, lemon, and grapefruit trees are given, showing the variability of the fruits of different trees with respect to brix of juice, percentage of sugar, acidity, etc., and the values of the probable errors that such variability produced.


Vectorial Karhunen-Loeve modes are introduced for the description of the polarization transverse pattern dynamics of the Zeeman multitransverse mode laser with a large Fresnel number and anisotropic cavity. Some approaches for the classification of these modes are presented based on the characterization of the mode function behaviour in the vicinity of the singular points in the transverse plane. The results of numerical experiments show that for the regimes with rotating patterns these modes are closely connected with A n catastrophe functions of complex argument x ± iy, where x, y are the transverse coordinates.


BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is a business policy to allow employees to bring their own devices at their work. The same device is used in and out of the corporate office and during outside use, it may be connected to insecure internet and critical corporate data become public. This can be a big threat to the office as well as business strategies and future policies are derived from this data. In this paper an approach is explained to guard against this type of threat and to secure the corporate data even outside the corporate premises.


Research on development of short-wavelength sources, namely high-order harmonic generation, plasma-based X-ray lasers, X-rays from relativistic electrons will be presented. Prospects on sources for user-based research at ELI Beamlines will be given.


or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Eligible patients were 18 years of age or older, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 – 1, and morphological disease in the bone marrow (>5% blasts). Relapsed or refractory disease was defined as primary refractory, first relapse with remission of 12 months or less, relapsed or refractory after at least 2 previous lines of systemic therapy, or relapsed or refractory after allo-SCT. Patients could have received previous blinatumomab. Following leukapheresis and conditioning chemotherapy (intravenous fludarabine 25mg/m 2 on days -4, -3, and -2; and intravenous cyclophosphamide 900mg/m 2 on day -2) patients received a single KTE-X19 infusion (1x10 6 CAR T cells per kg body weight). Rate of overall complete remission or complete remission with incomplete hematological recovery by central assessment was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included duration of remission and relapse-free survival, overall survival, centralized minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate, and rate of allo-SCT. Patients undergoing new anticancer therapies (including allo-SCT) were censored.


In their article on the clinical prediction of dangerousness (Crime & Delinquency, January 1978), Cohen, Groth, and Siegel disagree with the conclusion that accurate prediction of dangerousness cannot be achieved. They argue that clinical, as opposed to statistical, prediction is possible. While both have high false rates, &dquo;the improvement in accuracy of clinical studies over statistical studies cannot be denied&dquo; (p. 28). Cohen et al. base their conclusion on a review of two clinical prediction studies. It is my contention that, while


Abstract Tissue samples were collected from ten healthy mature female wood bison (B. bison athabascae) for examination. Livers and kidneys were tested for toxic heavy metals and trace metals considered as essential nutrients for successful reproduction, while fat samples were analyzed for persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons. No elevated levels of toxic heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) were found and essential trace elements (copper, manganese, selenium, zinc) were within the acceptable ranges established for healthy cattle. All fat samples tested contained trace levels of α-BHC (mean value, 23 ppb) and lindane (mean value, 3 ppb).


The cardio-active urinary excretion products in rat urine after digoxin administration have been studied by paper chromatography and measured quantitatively by the embryonic chick heart method. Approximately 10 per cent of the dose of digoxin is excreted in the first 24 hours in the form of active metabolites. A cardio-active metabolite of digoxin which is not digoxigenin but which retains the unsaturated lactone ring has been detected in rat urine.


The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics calls for an increased emphasis on proof and reasoning in school mathematics curricula. Given such an emphasis, mathematics teachers must be prepared to structure curricular experiences so that students develop an appreciation for both the value of proof and for those strategies that will assist them in developing proving skills. Such an outcome is more likely when the teacher feels secure in his/her own understanding of the concept of "mathematical proof" and understands the ways in which students progress as they take on increasingly more complex mathematical justifications. In this article, a model of mathematical proof, based on Balacheff's Taxonomy of Mathematical Proof, outlining the levels through which students might progress as they develop proving skills is discussed. Specifically, examples of the various ways in which students operating at different levels of skill sophistication could approach three different mathematical proof tasks are presented. By considering proofs under this model, teachers are apt to gain a better understanding of each student's entry skill level and so effectively guide him/her toward successively more sophisticated skill development.


This cohort study, based on Danish health registers, examined the post‐acute consequences of hospitalization for COVID‐19 in patients with diabetes.


The article presents the results of the work of the first phase on the International project "Belarusian Natives of Smolensk, Smolensk Belarusians". The author informs on the Round Table dedicated to the role of corporate projects in the study of the history of the Russian-Belarusian borderland, held on 5 July, 2017. It is reported on the release of bio-bibliographic reference book "Belarusian Natives of Smolensk, Smolensk Belarusians. Part 1. Personalia of the Russian-Belarusian Borderland", published in Russian and Belarusian languages in 2017. It is based on the information and facts on 400 people, having connected by their activities Smolensk region and the border areas of the Republic of Belarus (Vitebsk, Gomel and Mogilev regions).


The purpose of the present invention is to provide: batting which is made of synthetic fibers, has many fine voids, has excellent bulkiness when dried, has a supple texture and lightweight feel, and retains thermal insulation even when dampened; and a fiber product using the batting. The fiber-filled material of the present invention is characterized by being composed of a cover and batting made of synthetic fibers, wherein the batting made of synthetic fibers comprises a bulky yarn in which (1) the fineness ratio (sheath/core) of sheath yarn 1 to core yarn 2 is 0.5-2.0, (2) the number of entanglement points present between the core yarn 2 and the sheath yarn 1 in the fiber axis direction is 1-30/mm, and (3) the radius of curvature of the sheath yarn 2 forming a loop is 2.0-30.0 mm. Also, the fiber product of the present invention is characterized in that the fiber-filled material of the present invention is used in at least a portion thereof.


Esophageal schwannomas are extremely rare submucosal tumors that pose a diagnostic challenge to surgeons. Of the reported 348 cases of esophageal schwannomas in the literature, only 9 demonstrated evidence of malignant degeneration. The reported surgical treatments of this rare tumor include endoscopic resection, enucleation, primary resection with repair of esophageal wall, and esophagectomy. A few case studies describe esophagectomy for esophageal schwannomas. Nine case reports reported malignant esophageal schwannomas, two of them were performed with an open esophagectomy. Malignant transformation is uncommon and diagnosis prior to esophagectomy can be challenging, despite advances in immunohistochemical staining. Imaging may be helpful for determining whether the tumor is malignant or benign. Size over 8 cm, 3–8 cm with a wide broad base or extensive mucosal defect are indications for esophageal resection. Esophageal schwannomas remain diagnostically challenging and evidence of malignant transformation is rarely evident on pre-operative biopsy. An esophagectomy approach should be considered in patients presenting with an enlarged malignant esophageal schwannoma. We report a case of a 33-year-old woman with a large malignant schwannoma of the esophagus which was completely resected by a minimally invasive esophagectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of surgically treated malignant esophageal schwannoma with a minimally invasive esophagectomy approach.


"Theragenic" diseases produce common ENT complaints. They are frequently and predictably induced by self or physician treatment. Fifteen percent of first office visits in various practice situations stem from ther‐apeutically‐induced disease. Self treatment by cotton tip applicator ear cleaning, nasal decongestants, mouth washes, and lozenges produce symptoms which mimic other etiologies. Prescription medications produce diseases with ENT symptoms which are based on pharmacologic toxicity, multiple drug therapy, drug intolerance, and occasional idiopathic hyper‐sensitivity. The treatment of these diseases is simple and effective once their etiology is discovered.


We aimed to obtain descriptive data about patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, we investigated the correlation of these features with the frequency of hospital admissions. We evaluated descriptive data (smoking habits, education, economic status, living condition, using regular medications, etc.), and hospital admissions of by 75 patients with COPD means of a standard questionnaire form. The mean age was 65,8 ± 9,7 (41-84) years, smokers ratio was 17,3%. Education level was high school in 58,7% of the patients, and 28% of the patients had an income of less than 3070 Euro/year. Of these, 52% of patient had home nebulizer, and 21,4% used home oxygen therapy. Admission rates to hospital were higher in-patients who were fewer smokers and/or had poor education and/or had lower income and/or were using stove for warming up their houses. Patients taking medicine regularly admitted to hospital more than the others did. However, these patients admitted to emergency room less than the others did. Frequency of hospital admissions of patients who had medical equipment at home was higher than the others. In Conclusion, we have to give information to patients not only about principals of medical treatment of COPD, but also the ways of improving the living condition.


Usually enterprises appraise the technological innovation project according to the risk and the benefit. This paper analyzes risks and benefits for enterprise technological innovation projects.Base on the analysis,it presents an index system of risk evaluation and an index system of benefit evaluation for technological innovation projects.It then establishes a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model,presents a quantitative appraisal method of technological innovation project selection,and provides a guide for enterprises to make decisions in technological innovation.


A general solution to equations describing the reliability of totally and partially triplicated computer systems indicates that total triplication is superior to partial triplication for machine-failure probabilities of less than 0.25. The optimum degree of triplication and reliability improvement is determined for all values of the machine-failure probability.


Eight healthy mature dogs were selected to study the effects of laparoscopic segmental liver resection on hepatic and renal function.The results showed that the aspartate aminotransferase,the alanine aminotransferase and the alkaline phosphatase were the highest at 1 day postoperation;the uric acid,the blood urea nitraogen and the creatinine were the highest at 4 hours postoperation;the albumin and the total protein decreased slightly and were the lowest at 1 day postoperation;the γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase had no larger changes,indicating that laparoscopic segmental liver resection had a certain influence on the hepatic and renal function of dogs in the short term,which could be quickly recovered in the postoperation.


Dear Readers: Please note that the authors of the study titled "Frailty: Emergence and Consequences in Women Aged 65 and Older in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study" by Woods NF, LaCroix AZ, Gray SL et al. (J Am Geriatr Soc 2005 53(8):1321-30) report the following. In a recent conversation with colleagues about measuring frailty, the authors had occasion to refer to their original manuscript and the programming code that was written for identifying frail individuals in the study that is based within the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS). In Table 1, they compared their measure used in the WHI-OS with that used in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). They specified in the Table that there was no measure of unintentional weight loss. However, the Table had not been updated to match the frailty definition that they actually developed. They note that a measure of unintentional weight loss collected on WHI Form 2 at baseline was available and the actual code written to classify women as frail incorporated that measure in the published report. They note a second error in the cutpoint used for physical functioning in that same table. They had refined the criteria for frailty to use quartiles (cutpoint < 70) to more closely align with the prevalence of frailty reported in Fried's paper about the CHS. All of the summary statistics in Woods (2005) are based on the frailty score that included unintentional weight loss and used a quartile cutpoint for physical functioning (<70). Thus, the inaccuracy they have discovered is limited to how the measurement of frailty was described in Table 1. They wish to provide this information so that other investigators seeking to replicate their measures will have access to these corrections. They have highlighted these differences in Table 1 below, and have contrasted both measures of frailty in Table 1. Of note, the prevalence of frailty using the algorithm in Table 1 of Woods (2005) is 18.9% vs. 16.3% reported in the same publication. The lower incidence of frailty in the corrected algorithm is due to a stricter threshold that corresponds to worse physical functioning (< 70 vs. < 75); the affected participants are shown in the lower-off-diagonal elements of the matrix.


We use a hedonic price model to simultaneously estimate the effects of street trees on the sales price and the time-on-market (TOM) of houses in Portland, Oregon. On average, street trees add $8870 to sales price and reduce TOM by 1.7 days. In addition, we found that the benefits of street trees spill over to neighboring houses. Because the provision and maintenance of street trees in Portland is the responsibility of adjacent vailable online xxx


Pediocin production by Pediococcus pentosaceus 2A2 was done in 30% molasses based medium at 37°C for 24 hours. The culture was then centrifuged to separate the cells and yield cell-free supernatant (CFS). Purification of the CFS was carried out by stepwise ammonium sulfate precipitation to achieve a 90% concentrate, followed by dialysis using membrane with a molecular weight cut off 2.0 kDa resulting in pediocin crude extract (PCE). The PCE was purified by cation exchange chromatography using SP Se-phadex C-25 and eluted with sodium acetat buffer at pH of 5.5; 6.0; 6.5; and 7.0 successively resulting in 4 fractions (F1, F2, F3, F4). Each purification step resulted in the increase in antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644. The PCE had specific antimicrobial activity up to 5 fold higher than the CFS. F4 fraction, which showed the largest inhibition zone among the other fractions, had a very high specific activity up to 435 fold higher than the CFS. The SDS-PAGE analysis suggested that the molecular weight of F4 was approximately 5.9 kDa. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of F4 to inhibit 1 log (90%) of L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 was 143 ppm. The inhibitory phenomenon observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that L. monocytogenes's cells exposed to F4 experience morphological changes such as cells shrinkage.


In order to study the asymmetry characteristics of temperature field and the permafrost table differences beneath the embankment caused by the temperature difference between sunny and shady slopes for both duct-ventilated embankment and duct-ventilated embankment with closed crushed-rock revetment in permafrost region,and then to evaluate the adjusting effect of closed crushed-rock revetment on the temperature field of duct-ventilated embankment,the numerical simulation analysis of temperature fields for both duct-ventilated embankment and duct-ventilated embankment with closed crushed-rock revetment were carried out by using the measured temperature data of the duct-ventilated embankment in Beiluhe and with considering the climate warming effect.The analysis results show that the duct-ventilated embankment has a certain temperature decreasing ability,while the permafrost table between sunny and shady slopes has significant differences,and the temperature field of the embankment exhibits obvious asymmetry.When the closed crushed-rock revetment is added to the duct-ventilated embankment,the permafrost temperature beneath the sunny slope can be lowered,the permafrost table difference between sunny and shady slopes decrease,and the sunny-shady slope effect can be adjusted effectively.The analysis of the annual mean heat flux density at the interface of natural ground surface and embankment constructed for 50 years indicates that the structure of embankment with the addition of closed crushed-rock revetment is better than that of the conventional duct-ventilated embankment,and both embankments are in heat absorption states.


For improving trust level of intemetware and convergence rate of network,this paper introduces the small-world and scale-free network characteristics into the internetware's trust evaluation and trust components search,and divides intemetware into several communities.This paper proposes a new trust evaluation method for the intemetware based on complex network and a Trust Intemetware Search(TIS) algorithm for trust components based on maximal degree search.Simulation results show that compared with Random Search(RS) and Breadth First Search(BFS) algorithms,TIS algorithm can improve the search efficiency of trust components,reduce network loading,and reduce the length of trust link and trust risk.


LabVIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench) is a graphical programming environment suited for high-level or system-level design. The primary difference between 'natural' instrumentation and virtual instrumentation is the software component of a virtual instrument. The software enables complex and expensive equipment to be replaced by simpler and less expensive hardware. This paper describes about the development and implementation of an ON/OFF controller for online temperature control experiment in real-time using the DataSocket communication protocol in LabVIEW. The proposed system is connected to the server computer using a Data Acquistion (DAQ) board. The objective of this experiment is to maintain the temperature inside a wooden box that is heated by a light bulb at some desired set-point value, which is selected by a remote client. The software for both the client and server computer is developed using DataSocket protocol in LabVIEW. The remote clients can monitor and control the temperature.


This is the 4th report of a series of studies analyzing the Questionnaire on Affective Imagery (QAI). Developed by Takashi Uesugi (1981, 1982, 1983, 1989, 1998, 2000), the QAI lists pairs of words with a rating scale. The word on the left is a target word and the word on the right is an emotion word; subjects rate how close the meaning of the emotion word is to that of the target word. The QAI has 8 emotion words, i.e. joy, hope, love, surprise, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust, and 16 target words, e.g. father, mother, family, home, relative, hobby, health, trip, friend, lover, life, school, society, and friend. In the current study, emotion words were expanded to express emotions such as hatred, trust, doubt, respect, shame, pleasure, and conviction, resulting in 16 emotion words in total. Target words were rated with this larger number of emotion words and the affective value of the target word was assessed. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the rating of the emotion word as an independent variable and the af fective value of the target word as a dependent variable. Results revealed that the 4 emotions of discomfort, sadness, anger, and joy were highly effective at indicating the affective value of words.


The composition that includes learning the fundamental knowledge of UV-Vis absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectrum,mastering the capability of experimental operation and data analysis is important in link of training graduate students of archaeology major.Courses for teaching of UV-Vis absorption spectrum and molecular fluorescence spectrum were preliminarily explored by designing of UV-Vis absorption spectrum and molecular fluorescence spectrum experiment,according to the present practical situation of graduate students of archaeometry major,and the better effect was obtained.


In the graduation thesis we compared geoidal heights interpolated from Slovenian national geoid model SLOG2000, preliminary calculations of new model SLOG2010 and global geopotential model EGM2008, on the southern slope of Krvavec. Also compared are geoidal heights calculated from GPS measurements and trigonometric levelling. In the thesis we also present theoretical basics of height systems, geoid and different methods of geoid determination. We described the specific geoid models used and calculated deviations of those from »measured« values, then evaluated them by quality. On the basis of measurements we calculated the local geoid plane as a regression surface.


In a discussion of Maori warfare written in 1823, the missionary, Samuel Marsden, stated: "Prisoners of war are seldom killed but are kept as slaves. . . " Yet in 1772, just 51 years before Marsden made this observation and just three years after the first landing of Europeans in New Zealand, M. le St. Jean Roux, a French voyager sojourning with the Maoris at New Zealand's Bay of Islands, had said: "As to the way in which they treat their prisoners, they gave me a very clear explanation. As soon as the prisoners are in their power they are killed. "2 Captain James Cook, another of the very early European visitors to New Zealand, also had come to the conclusion that to give quarter was no part of Maori military practice; Maori warriors, in Cook's opinion, killed everyone indiscriminately-whether man, woman, or child-and they took no prisoners at all. 3 The statements by Roux and Cook, based on somewhat limited opportunities for observation, probably are not tenable as blanket generalizations, but they do support the view that the enslavement of prisoners, perhaps especially the male ones, was no more than an occasional episode of pre-European Maori warfare. If we adopt this view, a likely explanation of the disparity between Marsden's statement and those of the earlier voyagers is that enslaving prisoners rather than killing them became more


The building sector has a huge potential for reducing greenhouse gas emission without the need of a higher sufficiency. The key is to build and retrofit buildings with good envelopes as well as choosing efficient heating systems. A heating system with a brine-water heat pump and PVT collectors as single heat source is suggested here as an alternative to an air-water heat pump system for single family houses. In the system simulations performed, the PVT-heat pump System ("L-Sol") is more efficient than an air-water heat pump system and still affordable. As the System L-Sol produces heat and electricity on the same area it saves space, disadvantages like noise emission of air-water heat pumps or costly drilling of bore holes are omitted. The system has been optimized in terms of efficiency by testing different dimensioning of the components and regarding the grid purchase by optimizing the system control.


Abstract Recent work has emphasised the relevance of evolutionary processes to medical thinking and practice. However, medical curricular revisions, in reducing basic science content, have often excluded evolution. This study establishes the extent of inclusion of evolution in UK medical courses, reports on the level of medical student rejection of evolution, and on student reactions to a special study module (SSM) approach to evolution's relevance to medicine. A questionnaire survey was sent to course directors of all UK medical schools on evolution in the curriculum. First year medical students completed a questionnaire on their acceptance or rejection of evolution. Students completing an SSM on Evolution in Health and Disease evaluated the course by questionnaire. Only 37% of responding medical schools included evolution in the curriculum. 10% of medical students surveyed did not accept long-term evolution, though most rejectors accepted that natural selection works within species. Rejection of evolution was firmly linked to a religious belief in a creation account, not to any consideration of the evidence. Rejection influenced attitudes to the intergenerational equity issue of drug resistance evolution. Students taking the SSM on Evolution strongly appreciated its relevance to medicine. It is recommended that evolutionary biologists should urgently work with medical schools to develop courses in evolutionary medicine that will help clinicians in training to appreciate the importance of evolutionary processes in medical practice.


THE subject of personnel in public service is the key to the solution of the problems presented. It is obvious that archaic laws can be administered on a modern, enlightened social basis if the personnel is adequately trained to understand their implication and the method of arriving at the desired end. Social work is a technical function of government, as repeatedly stated by the American Public Welfare Association. That being so, trained personnel is essential; and its selection, tenure of service, compensation, and promotion all should be upon a basis which will promote a continuous development and a high standard of service. The work of recruiting and selection is of primary importance. The English system of civil service developed after the scandals in relation to patronage which occurred in the reign of George III. And in the set-up of our governmental agencies, after the Revolution, the original attitude was that tenure for public office was for a period of good behavior. President Madison expressed it as his opinion that the removal of good officials, without cause, should constitute an impeachable offense. In 1820, however, the United States Congress passed an act, which is sometimes referred to as the "Spoils Law," which limited tenure of office for almost all officials, except the president and vicepresident, to a period of four years. This inevitably resulted in a turnover in the public service, detrimental to it.


In an effort to overcome the historically low priority place upon employee training efforts, many American firms and the unions they deal with have recently negotiated joint union-management training programs. These endeavors prove to be essential in the face of complex world competition, shifting markets, strategic alliances among corporations, changing demographics and rapidly changing technological developments. They enhance present skills training for employees and prepare them to take advantage of future employment opportunities when they arise. However, the numerous benefits of joint training are counterbalanced by a number of issues threatening the future of such undertakings and need to be jointly resolved by labor


Definitive measurements by Van Harlingen et al. in 1980 show that the flux induced by a temperature difference across the two junctions of a Pb-In ring exceeds theoretical expectation by a factor, ;10. The theory fails owing to ~mis!use of a Boltzmann transport equation to describe the thermal diffusion of quasiparticle excitations, a treatment which violates electron conservation. An electron-conserving transport theory is developed and explains the data. @S0163-1829~97!15717-4#


Kenya has emerged in recent times as one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world. There is not a single, widely used paradigm which has synthesised the various schools and theories dealing with technology and society. This article argues that the issue of mobile technology on society is a complex technical and social phenomenon that needs to be understood from both ICT and social science perspectives. This study used the concept of governance socio-techno-economic systems as the theoretical framework. System dynamics are used as both the methodology and tool to model the mobile industry impact on society. The study shows that the increase in social capital intensity is an important source of the economic growth. This increase will strengthen the accelerator mechanism of the economy and creates larger multiplier effects. The increase in social capital intensity can be obtained through managing innovation processes base on the development of education and the R&D capacity of the nation.


Objective:Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively kill tumor cells, but spare normal cells through engagement of its receptors. This study aims to investigate the differential expression and clinic significance of DR5 and DcR1 for TRAIL receptors in endometrial carcinoma. Methods: Adopting immunohistochemistry ElivisionTM plus method to detect the expression of DR5 and DcR1 for TRAIL receptors in human normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma. Results: Positive expression of DR5 in endometrial carcinoma was 85.71%,which was much higher than that in normal endometrium 30.00%(P0.01). The positive rate of DcR1(100.00%) in normal endometrium was significantly higher than the rate(45.24%) in endometrial carcinoma(P0.01). In endometrial carcinoma, the expression of DR5 had negative correlation with the cancer tissue differentiation grade and the myometrium invasion. Conclusion: The high expression of DR5 in endometrial carcinoma cells had made TRAIL applying in treating endometrial carcinom possible in theory; The high expression of DcR1 in endometrial carcinoma cells might cause carcinoma cells to produce tolerance of apoptosis induced by TRAIL.


Cotton (Cossypium hirsutum) is a very important crop in the south-western districts of Punjab where the farmers generally adopt cottonwheat rotation. Phalaris minor (Gullidandalsitti), Avena ludoviciana (Wild oatljaundhar) and other broadleaf weeds are the major problematic weeds ofwheat crop. Generally, farmers use sulfosulfuron to control these weeds, which belongs to sulfonylurea group of herbicides and it is considered to be very long residual group of herbicide. Continuous lise ofsingle herbicide may lead to build up of residues in the soil which may harm the succeeding crop. Walker et at. (1989) also reported that sulfonylurea group of herbicides are highly persistent in soil and may cause residual effect on the succeeding crops like sugerbeet, red beet, lucerne, etc. Studies were thus planned on the field offarmers in the cotton belt of Punjab by keeping permanent layout to see the residual effect ofsulfosulfuron applied to wheat. Five cotton growers were selected in the Bathinda district. Sulfosulfuron at the recommended (25 g a. i. haI ) and double the recommended level (50 g a. i. ha) was made to wheat crop on permanent plot basis during 2002":: 03 crop season. Apart from these two treatments, an unsprayed plot was also kept. The plot size for each treatment was 1333 m (1/3 of acre). The herbicide was applied 30-35 days after sowing of wheat crop with knapsack sprayer fitted with flat fan nozzle and with discharge rate of 250 I ha• Permanent layout ofthese experiments on farm of each farmer was maintained during all the three years of investigation i. e. from 2003 to 2005. Before sowing cotton, soil samples from 030 cm soil depth were taken from all locations and during all the years and residual analysis of sulfosulfuron was done with HPLC in the Residue Lab. of the Department of Agronomy, Agrometeorology and Forestry, PAU, Ludhiana. Wheat crop was raised with recommended package of practices. The cotton crop at various locations was sown during May every year. The cotton varieties were different at various farmers' fields except during 2004 when Ankur 651 was taken for all the locations. Crop was managed as per farmers' practices. During 2003, germination ofcotton on two fields was very poor due to poor seed quality, hence, the data of these farmers were not included. During 2004, one farmer transplanted rice in the selected field and hence this location was discarded. At each location, an area of 100 m was earmarked permanently to record final plant height, branches/plant, bolls/plant, weight of I 00 bolls and seed cotton yield ofeach picking. Seed cotton yield was worked out by adding yield of all the pickings as per treatment. The plant height of cotton raised after the application of zero, recommended and double the recommended dose of sulfosulfuron to wheat was similar during 2003, 2004 and 2005 at four sites and during 2003 at one site. The .total number of branches/plant and boll weight were also found nearly similar under different residual levels of sulfosulfuron at all the locations. However, there was slightly. increasing trend in number of branches/plant in cotton crop raised without the application of sulfosulfuron to wheat particularly at two locations. Similarly, bolls/plant also showed increasing trend at these locations in the untreated crop. By considering the years as replications, statistical analysis was done and the statistically


A plasma reactor is designed and plasma is excited by a low frequency high-voltage pulse generator,its repetitive rate of the pulse is in the range from 0Hz to 800Hz and the amplitude is up to 20kV.The generator consists of one storage capacitor,one AC power supply,silicon stack,resistance networks,high voltage divider and a motor-controlled carbon brush switching.The frequency of the high-voltage pulse can be adjusted by altering the speed of motor,and its duty cycle can also be adjusted by adding the rotor radius of the brush switching or reducing the number of carbon brushes included in brush switching.The authors present the structure of this low frequency high-voltage pulse generator designed in our lab,give the valuable simulation results,compare it with the actual experiment waveforms and find that there is enough similarity between them,proving the carbon brush switching designing principle is feasible.The Matlab Simulink software is a good tool in the simulation of this high-voltage pulse generator.Now plasma has successfully been excited at low pressure by using the low frequency high-voltage pulse generator,which assures our normal research about applications of plasma.


Attention is given to two analytical examples illustrating the formation of an electric current sheet in a magnetic field without neutral points, as a result of a continuous boundary displacement of the magnetic footpoints. This effect can be demonstrated by resort to potential magnetic fields that are treated as special cases of the general force-free magnetic field. The problem of the force-free magnetic field is cast in terms of Euler potentials. 27 references.


In the new millennium, the horizons of modern anesthesia practice continue to expand beyond the provision of surgical anesthesia to encompass areas outside of the operating room, including preoperative evaluation, labor analgesia, postanesthesia care, critical care and acute and chronic pain management. Adequate postoperative analgesia following caesarean delivery hastens ambulation, decreases maternal morbidity, improves patient outcome, and facilitates care of the newborn. There is currently no "gold standard" for post-cesarean pain management. The number of options is large and the choice of the method of pain control is determined by drug availability, institutional protocols, individual preferences, available resources, and financial considerations. This article provides an overview of the currently available methods of post-cesarean analgesia.


Background: Antidepressant medications are primarily used in the management of depression and various anxiety disorders. Antidepressant medications are known to cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Reporting ADRs can help in the rational use of medication and better patient drug management. Objective: The aim of this study was to monitor the incidence and nature of ADRs to antidepressant medications in a psychiatric outpatient setting of a secondary care hospital of the UAE. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in the psychiatric outpatient setting of a secondary care hospital. Patients attending psychiatry outpatient department and prescribed with antidepressant medications were included. All clinical side effects or ADRs noted by physician and reported by patients were documented and assessed according to causality, severity, and preventability scales. Results: A total of 131 patients were screened for the presence or occurrence of ADRs. During the study duration, an aggregate of 29 patients reported at least one ADR. Incidence of suspected ADR to antidepressant medications was found to be 22.1%. Most commonly documented suspected ADR was found to be weight gain in eight (18.1%) patients followed by somnolence in four (9.1%) patients. Escitalopram was the most common drug implicated with ADR in 13 (29.6%) patients followed by fluoxetine in 6 (13.6%) patients. According to World Health Organization-The Uppsala Monitoring Centre causality assessment, the predominance of the suspected ADRs was of "possible" type in 27 (61%) patients, and "mild" in severity in 40 (91%) patients, and "not preventable" in 37 (84%) patients. A statistically significant association (P = 0.019) was observed only between the presence of drug-interaction and the occurrence of ADR (relative risk: 0.429, confidence interval: 0.211–0.872). Conclusion: Most of the suspected ADRs related to antidepressants were "mild," "predictable," and "not preventable" in nature. Continuous monitoring may help in identifying, reducing, and preventing the risk of ADRs.


Kampung Adat Rimbo Tarok Pauh IX is a traditional village tourist attraction with the theme of the Thematic Village of Traditional Village, which was newly established on Friday, October 22, 2021, by the Mayor of Padang Hendri Septa. Kampung Adat Rimbo Tarok Pauh IX has an attraction, namely the Gadang Kajang Padati House. Not only that, Kampung Adat Rimbo Tarok Pauh IX also has other attractions in the arts, namely randai, silek, and bamain rago-rago. The purpose of this study was to describe the internal and external factors of tourist attraction in the Kampung Adat Rimbo Tarok Pauh IX, Padang City, including corn plantations, small stages, and Bamain Rago-rago, as well as formulate a strategy for developing tourism objects in Kampung Adat Rimbo Tarok Pauh IX, Padang city. Data collection techniques were carried out through interviews, observation, and documentation. The data analysis technique used is data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of this study indicate that the tourism attraction development strategy based on 4A Tourism through a SWOT analysis has strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the field of attraction, accessibility, amenity, and ancillary.


Earth scientists tend to be optimists. My share of optimism, however, was put to the test on 11 September, the day before the start of the 1998 Science Teacher Workshops. I sat isolated in my "island" office that Friday afternoon, with torrential rain coming down and with water flooding the streets and sidewalks all around me, while cancellation calls from teachers kept coming in. Tropical Storm Frances was creating havoc from Houston, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana.


It has become clear that spacecraft system complexity is reaching a threshold where customary methods of control are no longer affordable or sufficiently reliable. At the heart of this problem are the conventional approaches to systems and software engineering based on subsystem‐level functional decomposition, which fail to scale in the tangled web of interactions typically encountered in complex spacecraft designs. Furthermore, there is a fundamental gap between the requirements on software specified by systems engineers and the implementation of these requirements by software engineers. Software engineers must perform the translation of requirements into software code, hoping to capture accurately the systems engineer's understanding of the system behavior, which is not always explicitly specified. This gap opens up the possibility for misinterpretation of the systems engineer's intent, potentially leading to software errors. This problem is addressed by a systems engineering methodology called State Analysis, which provides a process for capturing system and software requirements in the form of explicit models. This paper describes (1) how requirements for complex aerospace systems can be developed using State Analysis, (2) how these requirements inform the design of the system software, and (3) how this process has been aided through a State Analysis Database (SDB) and supporting multi‐platform client. The SDB provides a productive, collaborative development environment for State Analysis that is shared by both systems and software engineers.


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Components of direct current voltage-stabilized source are briefly introduced.The problems of correct choice of the transformer,the rectification diode,the filter electric capacity and the integration manostat are solved.It gives the method of testing the related parameter of low power direct current voltage-stabilized source.


The last twenty years has seen the development of demand for a new type of computing professional , which has resulted in the emergence of the academic discipline of Information Technology (IT). Numerous colleges and universities across the country and abroad have responded by developing programs without the advantage of an existing model for guidance. Efforts to define a model curriculum for IT began at the first Conference on Information Technology curriculum (CITC-1) in December 2001, which included representatives from 15 IT programs at four-year universities across the United States. Membership in SIGITE (Special Interest Group Information Technology Education) has grown to over 400 representing many of the four-year IT programs in the United States and abroad and some of the two-year IT programs in the United States. Continued development of the curriculum and subsequent funding by the Education Board of ACM enabled the completion of a first draft of the model curriculum for IT establishing program outcomes and a body of knowledge defining the discipline. This paper presents an overview of the process followed and the results achieved. Material published as part of this journal, either on-line or in print, is copyrighted by the publisher of the Journal of Information Technology Education. Permission to make digital or paper copy of part or all of these works for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that the copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage AND that copies 1) bear this notice in full and 2) give the full citation on the first page. It is permissible to abstract these works so long as credit is given. To copy in all other cases or to republish or to post on a server or to redistribute to lists requires specific permission and payment of a fee. Contact email@example.com to request redistribution permission.


We report on a novel design and implementation of an omnidirectional spherical robot Omnicron. Instead of using wheels or flywheels, three omnidirectional wheels are installed inside the spherical shell and controlled independently; thus, the 3-degree-of-freedom planar omnidirectional mobility of the robot without any singularity condition can be achieved by simple forward 3-to-3 kinematic mapping. The performance of the robot is experimentally evaluated, thus proving its omnidirectional and trajectory-controllable mobility.


Objective To evaluate Metformin treatment of early diabetic nephrophathy and its mechanism.Method After induction period of two weeks,32 patients with early diabetic nephrophathy were divided into α-glycosidase inhibitor group(α-Gls group)and Metformin group(Met group).The biochemical parameters including fasting plasma glucose(FPG),glycosylated hemoglobin C(HbA1C),C-reactive protein(CRP),fibrinogen(Fg),urine albumin(mAlb) and body mass index(BMI) were examined before and after therapy.Results CRP,Fg and mAlb in Met group before and after treatment showed significant difference(P0.05).CRP was(3.57±0.45)mg/L vs(1.79±0.34)mg/L;Fg was(4.79±0.57)g/L vs(3.05±0.35)g/L;mAlb was(273±46.24)mg/24h vs(104±35.11)mg/24h.There were no significant changes in CRP,Fg and mAlb in α-Gls group.Conclusion Metformin can treat early diabetic nephrophathy through lowing Fg and anti-inflammation.


The distillation process is one of the most important processes in industry, especially petroleum refining. Designing a distillation column assesses numerous challenges to the engineer, being a complex process that is approached in various studies. An important component, directly affecting the efficient operation of the column, is the reflux ratio that is correlated with the number of the theoretical stages, a correlation developed and studied by Gililland. The correlation is used in the case of simplified control models of distillation columns and it is a graphical method. However, in many situations, there is the need for an analytical form that adequately approximates the experimental data. There are in the literature different analytical forms which are used taking into account the desired precision. The present article attempts to address this problem by using the technique of Genetic Programming, a branch of Evolutionary Algorithms that belongs to Artificial Intelligence, a recently developed technique that has recorded successful applications especially in process modeling. Using an evolutionary paradigm and by evolving a population of solutions or subprograms composed of carefully chosen functions and operators, the Genetic Programming technique is capable of finding the program or relation that fits best the available data.


A new chiral salen ligand based on two ferrocenyl groups is designed. Unlike known salen ligands, of which chirality originates from central and axial chiral centers, the chirality of this ligand comes from the planar chiral ferrocenyl groups. The ligand is synthesized stereoselectively using a novel aromatization strategy starting from a ferrocene derivative, which was readily prepared using a known chiral auxiliary approach.