Two semi-structured The study a project on the self-perception of older women with late-stage cancer. Four independent thematic analysis to uncover common themes of coping between the two receiving care. The were of the loss of autonomy, positive death attitudes, relationships with their caregivers, and religiosity were identified and coded as coping strategies. The qualitative showed the use of these coping strategies the be more to care with less internal conflict. This research assessed the role of welfare state/family care regimes, intersecting social locations and stress process factors in influencing the life satisfaction of informal caregivers of care recipients with age-related needs or disabilities within a European international context. Empirical analyses were conducted with a sample of informal caregivers residing in Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Greece and the United Kingdom (n=6,007). Ordinary least squares and or-dered logit regression models revealed that welfare state/ family care regime, intersecting social locations, and stress process factors were independently associated with the life satisfaction of informal caregivers. Furthermore, there was some evidence to suggest that social location and stress process factors intervened in some of the relationships between regime type and life satisfaction. There was also some evidence that stress process factors intervened in the relationships between social location factors and life satisfaction. Overall, the results provide support for integrating welfare state/family care regime type and intersectionality factors into the stress process model as applied to the context of informal caregiving. The results also have policy and practice implications with regards to which social location and stress process factors explain specific disparities in life satisfaction between informal caregivers residing in different welfare state/family care regimes. spouse, and maps out the family caregiving patterns overtime. Using latent profile analysis, this study identifies five family caregiving patterns: 1). Light grandchild caregivers (27%), who on average provided 4.3 years' grandchild care mostly; 2). Heavy grandchild caregivers (11%), who on average on provided 7 years' grandchild care mostly; 3). Light caregivers for grandchildren and parents (7%), who sequentially provided 1-year care to grandchildren and parents; 4). Heavy serial caregiver (6%), who mostly provided care to spouse and grandchildren with higher overlapping years; 5). Overall light caregivers (49%), who on average provided less than one year of care to any recipient. The preliminary results suggest that heavy serial caregivers (6%) far worst in terms of depressive symptoms and more likely to report worsened self-rated health; and overall light caregivers (49%) have the lowest depressive symptoms and more likely to report good self-rated health. Family caregiving is evolving in multiple ways. There is an increasing recognition of the role of informal or unpaid family caregivers. Extensive body of research shows that family members who provide care to individuals with chronic or disabling conditions are themselves at risk. However, most evidence on family caregiving gear towards Caucasian middle-class populations. There is limited research that exists about aging immigrant family caregivers who are ill-prepared for their role and provide care with little or no support. The specific aim of this study was to assess and determine the association of health status, social engagement, and health literacy among aging immigrant family caregivers. This study utilized a non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational design. Most of the participants are female married Asian women, who are retired, living with their spouses, and taking care of their family members more than 4 hours a day with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's,


In my BA thesis, I analyzed and compared literacy development in the Slovene and English language as first languages in both countries (England and Slovenia).
I tried to discover the main reasons for the big differences in reading literacy among Slovene and English children. I described both educational systems and compared them. I mainly focused on the school documentation, textbooks, curricula etc., which focus on children's literacy. Then I compared the set standards in Slovene and English national curricula. I also investigated the recent studies in literacy development and evaluated the perspectives of different Slovene and foreign literacy experts who have been doing research in literacy development. My goal was to define developments in this research field.


Abstract At the Reeds Creek (West Virginia) state hatchery, mortality from enzootic furunculosis is most severe among brown trout Salmo trutta, intermediate in brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and virtually nonexistent in rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri. In each species, survivors of epizootics had developed similar levels of protective antibodies in their sera as demonstrated by microtiter agglutination and passive immunization experiments. We concluded that serum antibodies were not related to graded differences in resistance to furunculosis. These same fishes, however, produced a mucus precipitin that reacted with cell-free bacterial extracts in single-radial immunodiffusion assays. The mucus precipitin activity correlated with the resistance of the three species to furunculosis. Breeding studies with brown trout also showed that fish selected for a high level of mucus precipitin activity against Aeromonas salmonicida, the cause of fish furunculosis, produced progeny that were more resistant to furuncu...


Abstract A generalization of Émery's inequality for stochastic integrals is shown for convolution integrals of the form , where Z is a semimartingale, Y an adapted càdlàg process, and g a deterministic function. An even more general inequality for processes with two parameters is proved. The inequality is used to prove existence and uniqueness of solutions of equations of variation-of-constants type. As a consequence, it is shown that the solution of a semilinear delay differential equation with functional Lipschitz diffusion coefficient and driven by a general semimartingale satisfies a variation-of-constants formula.


The sequential inverse method of locating and sizing accidental fire in a compartment is developed in this paper. The prediction procedure in this study includes two parts: the first is to simulate fire plume and ceiling jet flow by using the FDS model, then the result of temperature field at specified measurement sensors are utilized to predict the heat release rate and location of fire by the proposed method. A few examples are used to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method. The predictions show that the proposed method is capable of estimating the transient heat release rate of fire. The accuracy of the heat release rate of the fire is sensitive to random error and systematic error. Furthermore, the proposed method is noniterative and cost effective.


Efforts to secure SCADA systems must be conducted under the guidance of sound security policies. Critical elements of the policy must be systematically translated into a format that can be used by policy enforcement components. Ideally, the goal is to ensure the enforced policy is a close reflection of the specified policy. However, security controls commonly used to enforce policies in the IT environment were not designed to satisfy the specific needs of the SCADA environment.
This research (i) presents a language for the expression of authorization policies for SCADA control networks and (ii) an architecture for enforcement of said policies. The architecture allows two enforcement modes. A policy compliance evaluation mode inspects each SCADA message and reports deviations from stated policy. In this mode, actual enforcement measures are left to specialized personnel. A policy enforcement mode blocks SCADA messages that violate the policy. Finally, tests show the suitability of the architecture by examining the ability of a prototype to differentiate between messages that conform to or violate a sample policy; and by examining the performance of the prototype under high message rates and increasing policy complexity.


duct element (1) comprising a channel body (10) with at least one side wall (12, 14) and a channel bottom (16) and a cover (8), removable, lid (8) comprising a lid body (50) adapted to at least partially cover the channel body (10) and an outer lateral flange (52) adapted to abut at least against the at least one sidewall (12, 14) to outside of the channel body, so as to form a groove (80) in place of the external side flange (52) upon removal of the lid (8) when the gutter member in place. A method of installing such a gutter.


[Purpose] To investigate epidemiological characteristics of incidence and mortality in female breast cancer in Shihezi city,so as to provide the evidence for prevention and control breast cancer. [Methods] The registered cancer data of new cases and death cases of female breast cancer in 2010 ~2011 from the Shihezi Cancer Registry was collected. The indexes,including the crude incidence and mortality,age-specific incidence and mortality,age-standarded incidence by Chinese population and by world population were calculated respectively. [Results] A number of 209 new diagnosed cases and 64 death cases of female breast cancer in Shihezi city were reported from 2010 to 2011. The crude incidence of breast cancer in Shihezi was 36.61/105,and the ASR China and ASR world was 19.11/105,24.35/105 respectively. The crude mortality of female breast cancer in Shihezi was 11.21/105,and the ASR China and ASR world was 5.72/105,7.43/105 respectively. The breast cancer was found from 35 years old,and the highest incidence of breast cancer was in 50 age group,the highest mortality was in 60 age group. [Conclusion] The mortality of female breast cancer in Shihezi is in high level. The women between 35~54 years old should be focused on screening of breast cancer,so as to reduce the epidemic of breast cancer effectively.


In article the analytical data of breathing system functioning during restoration after the physical activity stress are presented. The data were received with usagee of hysteresis method. All modes intersystem interactions are considered. The attention is concentrated on the aspect of the dynamic component on nonlinearity of intersystem interactions. The comparative characteristics of ways of parameters restoration of respiratory system for sympathonics and vagotonics are presented. During the analysis of the received data by means of construction 3D schedules and schedules of linear dependence there were confirmed the advantages and application convenience of the hysteresis phenomenon for estimation of nonlinear processes of system functioning.


The World Bank has helped define expenditure reform in 83 countries from 1979 to 1994 through 219 operations. Reform efforts, through conditions for loans and credits, have focused on reducing and restructuring capital expenditures, reducing subsides, reforming public employment, cutting the public sector wage bill, emphasizing operations and maintenance of existing facilities, and increasing social sector spending. This paper examines the effectiveness of these conditions in bringing about expenditure reform. The paper concludes that (a) Bank loan conditions had small positive effects on expenditure patterns; (b) The loan conditions on social sector spending had a stimulative impact on social spending; and (c) Budgetary inflexibility limited the success of loan conditions on public expenditures. From an analysis of public expenditures, the paper draws specific lessons on improving the effectiveness of expenditures. These include: (i) Expenditure policy reform must take a governance perspective and focus on the authorizing environment and operational capacity of governments; (ii) Federalism or multi−government dimensions of fiscal systems are critical to the reform of public expenditure policies; (iii) Public sector performance monitoring indicators should pay greater attention to outputs and outcomes; (iv) Broader guidance on reform must be adapted to country specific−situation; (v) Participatory processes and institutions (participatory democracy) rather than sophisticated analysis (such as cost−benefit analysis) is a key to improved public sector decision making; (vi) Flexibility in the use of funds is helpful in achieving results; (vii) General guidelines on policy environment pre−requisites for external assistance would be helpful in creating a culture of responsible governance; (viii) Open debate on policy issues contributes to effective development assistance; (ix) Desirable but politically difficult reform may be feasible in times of major fiscal crisis; and (x) Private sector participation can enhance efficiency and equity of public service provision.


Subnanosecond Nd: YAG laser with output energy at 1064 nm up to 1.1 J and pulse repetition rate 10 Hz was developed for applications, related to medical skin treatment. Available pulse durations are 400 – 750 ps. Laser includes master oscillator with pulse duration 5.5 ns, stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) pulse compressor, and amplifier system. Original multi-pass scheme provide compression using liquid cell with small overall length ~15 - 20 cm. Overlapping of pump beams during multiple passes along cell leads to several effects, which can produce negative influence on output pulse performance. We develop schemes, where overlapping is eliminated or reduced, and obtain reliable generation of compressed pulses with the same duration and stability, as can be obtained for long (with total length ≥ 70 cm) single-pass SBS compressors.


The design and implementation of Physical Education (PE) Courses Selection System in Liuzhou Medical College is based on the college network .Its scientific and logical ideas and advanced computer technologies promises the system has high security and stable performances. It also saved much time and material resources and satisfied students for efficiency and convenience.


This paper aims to analyse two episodes of the Tacitus' Annals that allow us to point out the distance between what was given to see and what actually happened in aristocratic environments in the Roman Principate. This tension between what one saw/said and what happened/was thought is fundamental for our understanding of ekhphrasis in the Tacitean narrative technique.


The article reveals the basic tendencies and development of the institution of local government in post-Soviet Rus-sia, which is chronologically divided into three local gov-ernment reforms implemented after the collapse of the USSR. The author provides estimates of the reforms in terms of expectations and actual results. In terms of leg-islative reform, the first point of the report was deter-mined by the development and adoption of the Law of the Russian Federation dated July 6, 1991 «On Local Self-Government in the Russian Federation", which was fixed for the first time the institution of head of the local admin-istration, acting alone, significantly expanded autonomy of local authorities, the statute provided for local gov-ernment. However, there still remained the administrative hierarchy of different levels of government, there were other shortcomings. After the adoption of the Constitu-tion of the Russian Federation in 1993 with the publica-tion of the Local Government Act 1995 began the second reform of local government. With this act, the subjects of the Russian Federation granted broad powers to regulate local self-government, more precisely regulate the func-tion of local authorities, but beautiful "European scenery" very different from the reality, especially in the financial support of local government, too much difference in its organizational bases in different regions of Russia . The result is a need for a new law, which was passed in 2003 and is still in effect. This is the third local government reform proceeds very contradictory. The paper substan-tiates the reasons for this are determined by the direction of the further development of local self-government in Russia.


Vector bosons, such as Dark Photon A′ or Z′, can couple to muons and be produced in the bremsstrahlung reaction μ− + N → μ− + N + A′(Z′). Their possible subsequent invisible decay can be detected in fixed target experiments through missing energy/momentum signature. In such experiments, not only is the energy transfer to A′(Z′) important, but also the recoil muon angle ψμ′ . In this paper, we derive the total and the double differential cross-sections involved in this process using the phase space Weiszäcker-Williams and improved Weiszäcker-Williams approximations, as well as using exact-tree-level calculations. As an example, we compare the derived cross-sections and resulting signal yields in the NA64μ experiment that uses a 160 GeV muon beam at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron accelerator. We also discuss its impact on the NA64μ expected sensitivity to explore the (g− 2)μ anomaly favoured region with a Z′ boson considering 10 muons accumulated on target.


Cooperative forelimb and mouth movements during eating contribute to diet selection among vertebrates including the oromanual manipulatory skills in rodents and primates. Whereas spinal and brainstem circuits implement forelimb and orofacial actions, whether there is a specialized cortical circuit that flexibly assembles these to achieve cross-body and oromanual coordination for skilled manipulation remains unclear. Here we discover a cortical region and its cell-type-specific circuitry that orchestrates body postures and oromanual coordination for food manipulation in mice. An optogenetic screen of cortical areas and projection neuron types identified a rostral forelimb-orofacial area (RFO), wherein activation of pyramidal tract (PTFezf2) and intratelencephalic (ITPlxnD1) neurons induced concurrent posture, forelimb and orofacial eating-like movements. In a pasta-eating behavior, RFO PTFezf2 and ITPlxnD1 activity were closely correlated with picking up the pasta, adopting a sitting posture, oromanual manipulation, and hand-assisted biting. RFO inactivation and inhibition of RFO PTsFezf2 and ITsPlxnD1 impaired posture and oromanual coordination, leading to deficient pasta manipulation and biting. RFO is reciprocally connected to forelimb and orofacial sensorimotor areas as well as insular and visceral areas. Within this network, ITsPlxnD1project bilaterally to the entire network and the ventrolateral striatum and PTsFezf2 project to multiple subcortical areas associated with forelimb and orofacial control. These results suggest that ITsPlxnD1 select and coordinate the feeding program involving multiple body parts and PTsFezf2 implement the fine details of movements. Our study reveals a neural circuit basis of hand-mouth coordination for object manipulation.


This article is connected to a larger project involving the construction of bridges be tween two literatures: the literature of contemporary media studies and the liter ature of critical pedagogy. This larger project arises out of a personal need to resolve pressing feelings of schizophrenia, feelings shared with many friends and colleagues who also have backgrounds as professional media producers, working in side the various media industries prior to our entries into the academy. Wanting to teach, and finding other pleasures in the academic environment, we entered gradu ate programs and were introduced to the theoretical foundations of an array of new perspectives.


In this note we try to clarify the nature of the debate on the effect of taxation on dividend behaviour, and present some of the important results. This discussion arose out of the paper by Professor Feldstein [1] which proposed an econometric model of dividend behaviour and described the results of fitting this model to data for the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom provides a good case study for such questions because of the frequency with which not merely the rates of tax but also the tax system itself have been changed. Thus one of the main aims of Professor Feldstein's paper was to measure the elasticity of the payout ratio with respect to a tax discrimination variable which measured the extent to which the tax system discriminated against the distribution of dividends. The current controversy is partly over the size of this elasticity, and partly over whether the model should be extended to include other variables; in particular, whether the threat of takeover influences companies' dividend policies. The basic model is that optimum dividends (D*) are determined by the equation


Nesting in cavities provides birds with some protection against predators, but it is not foolproof, according to a new study published in The Auk: Ornithological Advances. The study explores how Poland's cavity-nesting Marsh Tits deal with predator attacks and finds that while tactics such as small entrances and solid walls do help, adaptations like this can only take the birds so far. Tomasz Wesołowski of Wrocław University has spent nearly 30 years monitoring Marsh Tit nest cavities in Poland's Białowieża Forest. The forest is one of the last remaining tracts of oldgrowth forest in Europe and still contains fragments of primeval origin. For this study, he compared nests that were destroyed with nests that were attacked but survived. He found that a nest's chance of survival depends on the predator's technique. Only 10% of broods survive when the predator manages to get into the cavity through the existing entrance. Twenty-nine percent survive when the predator uses its paws or beak to pluck out the nest contents, and 39% survive when the predator tries to enlarge the opening or make a new one. Tits' antipredator tactics vary in their effectiveness depending on the predator. Attacks by Great Spotted Woodpeckers were successful only 60% of the time, while Forest Dormice were 100% successful. The results show that despite the constant pressure of natural selection, Marsh Tits can only improve their antipredator tactics so much. Small, narrow entrances do not work against small predators and are only effective when combined with cavity walls made of solid (not decomposing) wood. It would appear that nests that are deep in a cavity, out of reach of the entrance, would be safest, but Marsh Tits seldom place their nests that way, suggesting that cavities that are too deep may cause other problems for them. The article, "Failed predator attacks: A study of tree cavities used by nesting Marsh Tits (Poecile palustris) for security" by Tomasz Wesołowski, was published in The Auk, https://doi.org/10.1642/ AUK-17-51.1.


This paper addresses issues of financial reporting within the context of European harmonization and accession. The construct of the True and Fair View (hereafter TFV) constitutes a locus of reflection for the establishment of a mutually intelligible foundation for financial reporting in the New Europe including applicant states for European Union (hereafter EU) membership. This paper provides insights as to the meaning and the local embeddedness of TFV in the context of the Polish transitional economy. The Audit Act 1994 and the Accounting Act 1994, as amended by the 2000 Acts, incorporate the provisions of European law with the aim of harmonizing Polish accounting and financial reporting regulations with the corresponding regulations in the EU. The Accounting Act 1994 for the first time introduced in Poland the current wording of the TFV construct in accordance with the requirements of the Fourth Directive. The question addressed in this paper is how the construct of TFV is understood and operationalized. This paper demonstrates the particular local understanding of the TFV construct in contemporary Poland through (1) textual analysis of the legal pronouncements (both national and international) and (2) narrative analysis of local debates and commentaries in the national press and academic journals. Given the difficulty of expressing judgements based upon accumulated experience, where much of the experience is constituted by continental influence, in particular the German tradition, and regulatory arrangements of a centrally planned economy, Polish practice perceives the TFV requirement primarily as a formal and legal compliance, and not yet as something with a substantial rationale in the observance of the rule of accounting law. The paper concludes that TFV is a contingent construct which resides in a particular socio-economic, historic and cultural context and is understood differently outside this context. The local Polish reception and understanding is articulated.


A series of uniaxial compression tests on frozen soil with weight water content of about 40~150% were carried out at -2.0°C--0.2°C. The effect of soil type, size of ice particle, temperature, water content and strain rate on stress-strain behaviors is analyzed according to the experimental data. The results show that the stress-strain behavior of frozen soil with high temperature and high water content can be sorted into two classes including strain softening and strain hardening, and it changes with various soil types, temperatures, water contents, strain rates, and sizes of ice particle.


Introduction We aimed to compare automated ventilation with closed–loop control of the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) to automated ventilation with manual titrations of the FiO2 with respect to time spent in predefined pulse oximetry (SpO2) zones in pediatric critically ill patients. Methods This was a randomized crossover clinical trial comparing Adaptive Support Ventilation (ASV) 1.1 with use of a closed–loop FiO2 system vs. ASV 1.1 with manual FiO2 titrations. The primary endpoint was the percentage of time spent in optimal SpO2 zones. Secondary endpoints included the percentage of time spent in acceptable, suboptimal and unacceptable SpO2 zones, and the total number of FiO2 changes per patient. Results We included 30 children with a median age of 21 (11–48) months; 12 (40%) children had pediatric ARDS. The percentage of time spent in optimal SpO2 zones increased with use of the closed–loop FiO2 controller vs. manual oxygen control [96.1 (93.7–98.6) vs. 78.4 (51.3–94.8); P < 0.001]. The percentage of time spent in acceptable, suboptimal and unacceptable zones decreased. Findings were similar with the use of closed-loop FiO2 controller compared to manual titration in patients with ARDS [95.9 (81.6–98.8) vs. 78 (49.5–94.8) %; P = 0.027]. The total number of closed-loop FiO2 changes per patient was 52 (11.8–67), vs. the number of manual changes 1 (0–2), (P < 0.001). Conclusion In this randomized crossover trial in pediatric critically ill patients under invasive ventilation with ASV, use of a closed–loop control of FiO2 titration increased the percentage of time spent within in optimal SpO2 zones, and increased the total number of FiO2 changes per patient. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04568642.


The Z Machine is the world's largest pulsed power machine, routinely delivering over 20 MA of electrical current to targets in support of US nuclear stockpile stewardship and in pursuit of inertial confinement fusion. The large-scale, multi-disciplinary nature of experiments ("shots") on the Z Machine requires resources and expertise from disparate organizations with independent functions and management, forming a Collaborative Systemof-Systems. This structure, combined with the Emergent Knowledge Processes central to preparation and execution, creates significant challenges in planning and coordinating required activities leading up to a given experiment. The present work demonstrates an approach to scheduling planned activities on "shot day" to aid in coordinating workers among these different groups, using minimal information about activities' temporal relationships to form a Simple Temporal Network (STN). Historical data is mined, allowing a "standard" STN to be created for common activities, with the lower bounds between those activities defined. Activities are then scheduled at their earliest possible times to provide participants a time to "check-in" when interested.


Traditionally, corpora have been treated by corpus linguists as 'one big text', in which "the data obtained from (...) different speakers or writers are pooled" (Rietveld et al. 2004: 350). This approach relies on the assumption that well-sampled corpora allow for reliable and valid generalisations about a population as a whole (see Kennedy 1998: 74). However, the fact that "corpora are inherently variable internally" (Gries 2006: 110) suggests that, while generalisations about populations may still be valid and useful, interesting findings are also likely to emerge if we investigate corpus data as a series of individual texts rather than as an aggregate. This is particularly true of learner corpora, because of the "highly heterogeneous nature of learner language" (Granger et al. 2009: 3; see also Durrant & Schmitt 2009: 168). Following recent studies like Paquot (2010) which take account of the possible variance within a corpus, we will adopt both a global and individual approach to the study of discourse markers in native and non-native speech. Our data will come from the newly published Louvain International Database of Spoken English Interlanguage (LINDSEI, see Gilquin et al. 2010) and its native counterpart, the Louvain Corpus of Native English Conversation (LOCNEC, see De Cock 2004). Starting from the whole of LINDSEI and LOCNEC, we will show how the use and frequency of discourse markers such as 'you know' or 'I mean' differ in native and non-native English. This level of analysis reveals, for instance, an underuse of 'sort of' in non-native English as compared to native English. At the next level of analysis, we will make a distinction between the different learner populations represented in LINDSEI, that is, the groups of learners who share the same mother tongue. This will enable us to highlight features that seem to be transfer-related, such as for example the heavy overuse of 'in fact' in the French component of LINDSEI. Finally, we will consider individual speakers in LINDSEI and LOCNEC in an attempt to identify idiosyncratic features that are limited to just a few speakers. By adopting this threefold level of analysis, we hope to shed new light on the use of discourse markers by native speakers and learners of English and to distinguish between the characteristics that are typical of native or non-native speech in general, those that are limited to certain populations and those that are only found among certain speakers. More generally, we wish to advocate for a combined approach in (learner) corpus research which takes into consideration both the pooled data and the individual texts making up a corpus.


Flow timing parameters in terms of quarter flow interval (QFI) and half-flow interval (HFI) for wet period and five-percent flow interval (5%FI) and one-percent flow interval (1%FI) for dry season were determined basing on cumulative flow of 5-yr interval average for selected observation stations of Ping (P19A), Wang (W4A), Yom (Y3A), Nan (N5A), and lower Chao Phraya basins at C2, C7A, and C15. The investigation was carried out using secondary data of streamflow from 1956-1993 observed by RFD and forest map prepared by RFD. It was found that land-use changes during the past 3-decades shortened wet flow timing which consequently decreased dry flow in those narrow and long basins such as Wang and Yom rivers especially in the drought year. For those river systems having large reservoirs, changes of flow timing was dependent on reservoir regulation, downstream rainfall patterns and characteristics. The impact of forest conversion on flow regime of large river basin as Chao Phraya were deemed less than that of the operation of huge reservoirs.


The expression of metallothionein (MT), a heavy-metal-binding protein, is induced by heavy metals such as zinc, copper, cadmium, and mercury. This induction of MT maintains zinc homeostasis and defends against toxic heavy metals by sequestering these metals and lowering their concentrations at critical intracellular sites. However, MT cannot bind chromium(VI), a heavy metal that has been known for over 100 years to be a human carcinogen. Chromium(VI) enters cells via the sulfate anion transporter system and is reduced to intermediate oxidation states, such as chromium(V) and chromium(IV), in the process of forming stable chromium(III) forms. Chromium(VI) is known to inhibit MT gene transcription, and recently my colleagues and I reported that chromium(VI) inhibits zinc-induced MT gene transcription by modifying the transactivation potential of metal response element-binding transcription factor-1 (MTF-1), a zinc-finger transcription factor. Inhibition of MT gene transcription may therefore be involved in the carcinogenicity of chromium(VI). In this review, I briefly summarize the molecular mechanisms of heavy metal-induced MT gene transcription and discuss the current status of research on chromium(VI) toxicity and chromium(VI)-mediated inhibition of MT gene transcription.


The work presents for the first time generation of complex optical waveforms in a hybrid mode-locked fibre-semiconductor laser. We experimentally show that with mode locking by synchronous pumping of the semiconductor active medium, almost arbitrary temporal pulse profiles are possible by appropriate shaping of the electric pumping pulses. Discussed are limitations and possibilities of electro-optical pulse shape transfer in mode-locked lasers on a nano- and micro-second duration scales and the prospect of shorter time scales. Demonstrated generation of stable periodic optical waveforms with specified structure opens up the potential of new laser sources with widely controllable pulse shape for research and practical applications.


In recent times, smart communities such as-smart grid, smart healthcare, and smart manufacturing units consists of large number of connected devices equipped with advanced processing and communication capabilities. The focus of these smart communities have shifted towards the use of intelligent processing and control for providing better quality of service (QoS) to the end user domain. To support this aspect, software defined networking (SDN) is being widely deployed in different domains such as-data center networks, fog/edge computing, smart grid, and vehicular networks. The variable requirements of different applications in smart communities make it necessary to deploy flexible and scalable SDN. The dynamic flow management capability of SDN has lots of potential that needs to be effectively explored in order to provide QoS guarantee for traffic generated from different smart applications. In this direction, in this paper, an ensembled scheme for QoS-aware traffic flow management in SDN is designed. The proposed scheme works in three phases: 1) a linear ordering scheme for dependency removal of the incoming packets is designed, 2) an application-specific traffic classification scheme is designed, and 3) a queue management scheme is designed for efficient scheduling of traffic flow. The proposed scheme is evaluated over an experimental setup. The results obtained shows that the proposed scheme behaves effectively with respect to different QoS parameters.


Operator‐valued Fourier multiplier theorems are used to establish maximal regularity results for an integro‐differential equation with infinite delay in Banach spaces. Results are obtained under general conditions for periodic solutions in the vector‐valued Lebesgue and Besov spaces. The latter scale includes in particular the Hölder spaces Cα, 0 < α < 1.


Aluminum alloys are used for automobile components in recent years to reduce the weight of an automobile to improve environmental problems In order to apply aluminum alloys to light-weight automobile parts, many metal forming processes have been developed. Hot-air blow forming process is one of the forming processes receiving recent attention. In the current study, fabrication of aluminum suspensions has been attempted using seamless aluminum tubes. On the basis of hot workability of the extruded tube and FEM simulation results, optimum condition for fabricating aluminum suspension parts by hot air forming could be determined.


During colonoscopy, small and diminutive colorectal polyps are commonly encountered. It is estimated that at least one adenomatous polyp is detected in almost half of all patients undergoing screening colonoscopy. In contrast, the 'predict, resect, and discard' strategy for diminutive and small colorectal polyps is a current topic especially in Western countries. 'Is this an acceptable policy in Japan?' Herein, we report the results of a questionnaire survey with regard to the management of diminutive colorectal polyps, including the thoughts of Japanese endoscopists regarding the 'predict, resect, and discard' strategy. At the moment, we propose that this strategy should be used by skilled endoscopists only.


The theoretical background of calculating sulphide capacity by the KTH model and the method of calculating sulphur partition ratio were introduced. Some parameters that affect the sulphur partition ratio were studied. The result showed that (1) the sulphur partition ratio increased with the increase of [ %C], [ % Al] and decreased with the increase in temperature; and (2) the sulphide capacity increased with the increase in temperature and decreased with the increase of ( %Al_2O_3)/( %CaO) in the slag.


In order to investigate the effects of high density on development of the common giant toad(Bufo gargarizans)tadpoles,the tadpoles were raised respectively at the densities of 40,80,120,160,200 and 240 individuals/L.The body-tail length and the body weight were measured every seven days,and the survival rate was recorded simultaneously.The results indicated that the density,time and interaction significantly influenced the development of the tadpoles.The body-tail length and the body weight increased most fast in the density of 40 individuals/L,and most slowy in the density of 240 individuals/L.The survival rate and the development speed of the tadpoles were greater at low density than that at high density.


The effects of salt treatment (2% w/w low salt and 6% w/w high salt) and storage time (0-12 days) on two biogenic amines (histamine and tyramine), total volatile base nitrogen(TVB-N), pH, and volatile compounds of the North Pacific squid during storage at 4 °C were evaluated. The freshness of squid muscle was evaluated by monitoring the changes in these indicators during storage. Results showed that histamine and tyramine contents increased with storage time (4.29-22.47 mg/kg for histamine and 28.10-135.78 mg/kg for tyramine), and the formation can be effectively inhibited by salt treatment (P<0.05) compared with untreated samples. The overall pH level initially decreased and then increased during storage (ranging from 6.49 to 7.13), and the pH level of the two salt treatment groups was a little lower than that of the control group. The TVB-N value increased with time and was effectively inhibited by salt (P<0.05). The number and content of the volatile components (RT=2.11-53.46 min) in squid varied during the entire storage time. The main volatile components detected in North Pacific squid were aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, nitrogenous compounds, sulfo compounds, and esthers. Several compounds, such as trimethylamine, butyric acid, and sulfureted hydrogen, can be used to determine the quality of the aquatic products, and salt treatment can inhibit their formation. The TVB-N value was significantly correlated with pH level and the concentrations of histamine, tyramine, and several volatile compounds in all samples (P<0.05). In summary, salt concentration had a positive effect on extending the shelf-life of North Pacific squid, and multiple indicators should be combined to determine the quality of squid.


This paper presents a set of methods, data management and visualization tools, incorporated in the MAROS 2.0 software, for the analysis and optimization of existing long-term groundwater monitoring plans. The set of methods were designed to assess concentration trends, optimize the monitoring network and sampling frequency, analyze plume stability with spatial moment analysis, and evaluate well or risk-based site cleanup status using statistical power analysis. Data management tools provided within the software have the capability of site database management and automated raw data filtering, reduction, and smoothing. Visualization tools facilitate the interpretation of monitoring data and analysis results using automated, updateable database software that can be integrated with a geographical information system (GIS). These methods and tools can help formulate an updated monitoring plan that is more effective and efficient. At the Fort Lewis Logistics Center, Washington, this system was applied to assess possible improvements in the current groundwater monitoring network for a chlorinated solvent plume. Preliminary monitoring optimization results reduced the monitoring well network as well as the sampling frequency which provided a basis to make more cost effective, scientifically based future long-term monitoring decisions.


Riemannian geometry-based signal processing approaches on EEG signals provides similar decoding performance compared to state-of-the-art methods. However, Riemannian geometry framework requires predefine EEG signal epoch that is to be used in the analysis. Sliding window approach that operates in Riemannian geometry proposed to enable use of EEG signals without constrained by the record length. Decoding performance of tangent space mapping was increased more than 6% in overall accuracy compared the previous study's results. Instead of using single band-pass filter, utilization of filterbank is proposed to increase decoding performance. Distance based Riemannian classifier's overall performance were increased by 5% compared to standard Riemannian geometry approach.


Microrobot has been developed for the manipulation of micro- and nanoscale objects for many biological and manufacturing tasks. However, there are still challenges in the collision-free operation of microrobots in multiple scenarios. Essential functions, such as path planning and autonomous and adaptive navigation in dynamic environments, are urgently needed to implement microrobots in practical scenarios. Here, we implement path planning and the autonomous navigation of microrobots in 2D static obstacle scenarios and micro-mazes. A probabilistic-based RRT algorithm is employed to speed up the path search in static obstacle scenarios. The Dijkstra algorithm is employed in the micro-maze navigation of the microrobot to avoid the narrow and long pipeline effect. To further ease the active manipulation of magnetic mobile microrobots, a handle-based interactive operation is developed to realize the operational tasks in the three-dimensional space based on artificial vision planning and navigation, which improves the interactivity and flexibility of the system, and supplements the current limitation of autonomous navigation on the three-dimensional space.


The authors7 first series of tests showed that the addition of 1-100,000 gentian violet to lactose broth inhibited 94.5 per cent of the spurious presumptive tests for B. coli caused by non-significant gas forming anaerobes (and aerobes) in water. Increasing the concentration to 1-20,000 only raised the efficacy of inhibition, in the case of samples heated to eliminate non-sporulating organisms, to 95 per cent. As to unheated samples, 75 and 81.8 per cent yielded B. coli with gentian violet as against 57.1 and 59.1 per cent without the dye, as shown in the accompanying data abstracted from a former paper.1 The authors were later definitely able to raise the


To provide efficient wireless communication in multiple frequency bands, for example, multi-band antenna that can be built into a computing device such as a portable laptop computers and mobile phones are provided. The preferred embodiment, more than one monopole multiband antenna having one or more binding radiating elements and / or branched radiating elements for providing multiband operation in a frequency band, a dipole multiband antenna and the inverted-F It includes antenna. For example, a preferred multi-band antenna (100) is a ground element (101), connected to the ground element (101) also monopole radiator having a feeding terminal (103) extending from the monopole radiator (102), a ground element ( It was connected to the 101) coupled radiator (104), and connected branch radiators monopole radiator (102) including (105). Antenna element may be formed from a thin metal sheet such as copper or brass. Antenna (100) are powered using, for example, coaxial cables. Center conductor of the coaxial cable is electrically connected by solder connection to the feed element (103), an outer conductor (ground) are electrically connected by a solder connection to the ground element (101). .The 12


A simple yet effective approach for the extraction of source/drain (S/D) series resistance RSD using mechanical four-point bending is presented. This new approach can be used to extract the RSD of each device disregarding its channel length. According to the results, the benefits of RSD reduction become more prominent in shorter channel devices. Further analysis reveals that the strain-induced enhancement is suppressed in shorter channel devices than longer channel ones due to higher channel doping necessitated by short-channel control.


In this study, an amorphous Li2CO3‐coated nanocrystalline α‐Fe2O3 hierarchical structure is synthesized for the first time using a facile one‐step mechanochemical process at room temperature, taking advantage of the concurrence of repeated fracture‐cold welding of material's particles and a gas‐solid redox reaction. The conformal coating and hierarchical structure significantly increase the cycling durability and rate capability. Typically, a 1–3 nm thick amorphous Li2CO3 layer is conformally coated on Fe2O3 nanocrystallines (≈10 nm in size) that form hierarchically aggregated particles 400–800 nm in size by ball milling α‐Fe2O3 with LiH in CO2. The prepared Li2CO3‐coated nanocrystalline α‐Fe2O3 exhibits highly stable long‐term cyclability as it delivers a reversible capacity of 975 mAh g−1 with 99% of retention after 400 cycles at 100 mA g−1. At a high rate of 3000 mA g−1, its reversible capacity still remains at 537 mAh g−1, superior to the uncoated counterpart (311 mAh g−1). Moreover, amorphous Li2O and Li2CO3 coatings are also similarly produced on Fe2O3 and NiO nanocrystallines, respectively, representing the general applicability of this mechanochemical approach.


This paper deals with the dynamic performance of automatic generation control of single reheat type turbine in isolated thermal area by Intelligent Controller (Fuzzy), conventional (P, I, PI & PID) controller and without controller. The dynamical response of thermal generating unit is improved by proposed controller. In this paper intelligent controller (fuzzy) are proposed for improving performance and their dynamic responses are compared with the conventional controller and without controller. The results indicate that the proposed controller exhibit better performance and satisfy the automatic generation control requirements with a reasonable dynamic response. The performances of the controllers are simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK software.


Stock enhancement based on hatchery-reared fish has become one of the most common forms of management practices in marine fisheries resource restoration. However, unnatural rearing environments may cause hatchery-reared fish to diverge phenotypically from wild conspecifics, with negative consequences for post-release performance in the natural environments. To better evaluate the suitability of releasing hatchery-reared fish, it is necessary to understand the phenotypic effects of captive rearing, through comparisons with wild conspecifics. In this study, we compared body morphology, swimming performance, and biochemical body composition between hatchery-reared and wild marbled rockfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus) from the same general gene pool. The results show that the overall body profile differed significantly between the groups, with hatchery-reared individuals having a deeper body (in particular in the head and trunk regions), narrower caudal peduncles, and higher condition factor, as compared to wild conspecifics. Hatchery-reared marbled rockfish also had relatively shorter fins, for a given size. In terms of swimming performance, the hatchery-reared marbled rockfish performed worse than the wild, with slower burst swimming speeds and poorer endurance. Wild rockfish had higher body protein content but lower lipid levels compared to the hatchery-reared individuals. These results suggest that hatchery rearing conditions have a great impact on the phenotypic development, with possibly high effects on their post-release performance of the hatchery-reared marbled rockfish. Modifications for the hatchery environment and operation should be investigated with an aim to minimize the divergence in phenotypic development for production of more wild-like fish for stocking.


This article critically analyses the operations of the Criminal Records Bureau ('the CRB') and seeks to determine why the Bureau closed abruptly in December 2012. It questions whether the decision to open in March 2002 was expedient, in light of the apparent flaws in the operational assumptions made by Capita Plc, the successful bidder for the CRB contract, and the long-standing problems with the criminal records data. The article then identifies three key failings in the administration of the criminal records checks which it is submitted quickly and decisively eroded public and political confidence in the Bureau. The article concludes by considering who, if anyone, is responsible for the apparent failure of the CRB, and what lessons might be learned by the organisation which replaced it.


ion that lets capitalism off the hook. (Wolin, 2004, p.12) As these quotes imply, Wolin's is a 'baby and bathwater' argument. He reckons that, in dismantling the Enlightenment heritage, so these irrational intellectuals have cast away what many on the left would see as emancipatory features of the Enlightenment project – the advocacy of 'democracy, egalitarianism and human rights'; the basis, after the 1789 Revolution, for critiquing socio-economic inequalities, those of capitalism included – that, however fragile and themselves open to academic-practical abuse, should remain part of the lexicon. (Again, geography has honorable if overstated versions of such claims: the recent diatribes by the Marxist geographers, David Harvey [2006] and Neil Smith [2006], in shouting down Ash Amin and Nigel Thrift [2005], merely being the most obvious). However, Wolin goes further. His reasoning leads in effect to a reversal of what he calls "the standard postmodernist demonology", wherein "the Enlightenment bears direct responsibility for the Gulag and Auschwitz" and any "modern totalitarianism is merely the upshot of the universalising impetus of Enlightenment reason" (Wolin, 2004, pp.312313). Thus, in his demonology (echoing Lawton), it is rather the representatives of Counter-Enlightenment, the postmodernists and the poststructuralists included, who bear responsibility – maybe not direct, but at points this appears not too far off – for the Gulag and Auschwitz, and for allowing through the door irrational totalitarianisms of all hues (even or especially ones dressed in neoliberal clothing). A Wolin-type account is disconcerting, and it should be attended to, but it is also flawed. Thus, notwithstanding impressive scholarship, the cumulative effect is to totalise Enlightenment as an overall 'good' that needs to be retained in toto as the only guarantor of both worldly and intellectual reason; and in so doing it is of course polarised in a toostark binary against the projected unreason, itself congealed into a monolithic unity, of Counter-Enlightenment. Such a narrative misses that, as Wheen (2004, p.4) remarks, "there were many different Enlightenments". This can of course mean geographically – there was a highly differentiated geography of Enlightenment, as historical geographers like David Livingstone and Charlie Withers (eg. Livingstone and Withers, 1999) have so compellingly shown – but it also means differences between the Enlightenment(s) of the philosophes, the scientists, the bourgeoisie, the 'revolutionaries' and others. One might wish to recuperate parts of this edifice for intellectual or political (or even emotional) projects in the present, yet reject others. But by the lights of a Wolin-type account you cannot gain a toehold to critique certain 'bits' of reason that accompanied the Enlightenment, while accepting the intellectual and practical import of others for, say, a progressive scholarly, political and even ethical enterprise in the present. It is to militate against the possibility of turning Enlightenment against Enlightenment, of mobilising


-We studied the reproductive cycle of male Chinese green tree vipers, Trimeresurus s. stejnegeri, in northern Taiwan by examining seasonal changes in the morphology and histology of their reproductive organs from May 1996 to August 1997. A total of 144 mature males was examined. Based on a histological examination of the seminiferous epithelium, we classified spermatogenesis into five stages: early recrudescence, late recrudescence, spermiogenesis, early regression, and late regression. Testis recrudescence began in the spring. Sperm started to appear in summer and reached a peak in fall. In the winter, testes of most snakes were regressed and sperm disappeared in the lumina of the seminiferous tubules. Throughout the year, sperm were present in the vas deferens. Testis mass peaked in summer, then regressed in winter and early spring. Monthly changes in seminiferous tubule diameter, seminiferous epithelium height, and fat body mass revealed a similar pattern as that of testis. These three parameters were significantly correlated with each other and with temperature and rainfall. Monthly changes in testis and fat body mass were followed by changes in kidney mass. Hypertrophy of the renal sexual segment of T. s. stejnegeri occurred from late summer to winter and might be related to mating activities observed in the same period. As with other viperids, male Chinese green tree vipers exhibited a postnuptial spermatogenesis cycle, which may be confusing when judging from mating activities alone. We proposed another criterion to distinguish postnuptial from prenuptial spermatogenesis. rnal of Herpet logy, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 24-43 , 2000 right 2 0 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles roductive Cycle of Male Chinese Green Tree Vipers, i eresurus s. stejn ger , in Northern Taiwan Reproductive cycles of snakes have been reviewed by many researchers (Fitch, 1970; Aldridge, 1979a; Saint Girons, 1982; Seigel and Ford, 1987; Schuett, 1992). These studies, however, focused primarily on the families Colubridae and Viperidae and mainly on snakes from North America, Europe, and Japan (Slip and Shine, 1988; Schuett, 1992). Seigel and Ford (1987) noted it is inaccurate to suggest that the reproductive patterns of temperate-zones snakes are representative of the world's snakes. However, research on the reproductive cycles of tropical and subtropical snakes are limited. FurCorresponding Author. thermore, previous investigators have typically used museum specimens from various geographic regions and different years (Saint Girons, 1982; Seigel and Fitch, 1985). Only a few studies have used continuous sampling in restricted areas (Seigel and Ford, 1987). Consequently, additional studies are needed to get a better understanding of the reproductive cycles of snakes from tropical and subtropical areas. The Chinese green tree viper, Trimeresurus s. stejnegeri, is distributed widely throughout southeast Asia (Zhao and Adler, 1993), and is one of the most abundant snakes in Taiwan. Nevertheless, there are only a few reports on its life history (Fitch, 1970; Huang et al., 1987, 1991; Lue et al., 1989; Tsai and Tu, 1998). Whether the , revious investigators have typically speci ens from various geoio s and different years (Saint Gi; Seigel and Fitch, 1985). Only a few e used continuous sampling in reeas (Seigel and Ford, 1987). Conse, itional studies are n eded to get a erstanding of the reproductive cycles o tropical and subtropical areas. i se green tr e viper, Trimeresurus s. i, is distributed widely throughout sia (Zhao and Adler, 1 93), and is 424 This content downloaded from 126.96.36.199 on Tue, 23 Aug 2016 05:06:08 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms MALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF TRIMERESURUS


Abstract Conceptual change in undergraduate capstone courses provides unique opportunities to examine how students draw from multiple courses and experiences to resolve conceptual confusion. We examined how senior-level natural resource management students revised their conceptions of 'ecosystem' throughout their capstone course. The concept of ecosystem is complicated by a lack of shared meaning across disciplines. Our grounded theory study analyzed student coursework and pre/post interviews. It was informed by socio-cultural and conceptual change theories and used an ecological literacy metric to examine how students' conceptualizations of the relationships between natural, ecosystem, human, and human artifact influenced their conceptions of ecosystems. Students who did not describe ecosystems as natural struggled less with integrating human society into ecosystems than their peers that did. We conclude that it is important to explicitly create shared meaning of key conceptions at the start of a capstone course to facilitate shared meaning-making and desired conceptual change during the course.


The invention relates to a protection device (6) of a reductant injector in an exhaust line (1) comprising a baffle (8) adapted to deviate a flow of exhaust gas (9) coming from an upstream portion (4) of the line (1) so that the flow (9) does not come into contact with the injector, and comprising an opening (11) associated with a partition oriented so that a portion of this flow (9) passes through the opening (11) and form in the protective device (6) a swirling stream (13) flowing towards a downstream portion (5) of the line (1) by supporting the flow reducer . According to the invention, the baffle wall (8) carries at its downstream end a static mixer adapted to spray the reductant drops and homogenize with the surrounding exhaust gases.


The article examines the sectoral transformations in the economy of Ukraine for 2010-2019 and their specifics. The sectoral structure is a generalized characteristic of the qualitative level of development of the national economy, and sectoral transformations have a clear both economic and social manifestation. The sectoral proportions of national economies are constantly monitored by international institutions. Comprehensive research of sectoral transformational transformations at the level of the national economy allows to improve the quality of management decisions in substantiating the state structural policy and mechanisms for its implementation.
The aim of the article is to analyze the sectoral transformations in the economy of Ukraine for 2010-2019, based on gross domestic product, gross value added and relative indicators of structural changes. The following research methods were used in the article: dialectical, analysis and synthesis, grouping and classification, economic-statistical, comparative analysis, logical generalization.
An analysis of the dynamics of change in the structure of Ukraine's economy in terms of three sectors based on indicators of gross domestic product and gross value added. The quadratic coefficient of "absolute" structural shifts of Kazynets is calculated. The main trends of sectoral changes in the economy of Ukraine during the analyzed period are clarified. Emphasis is placed on the rapid growth of the tertiary sector, mainly due to a decrease in the share of the secondary (industrial) sector. A comparative analysis of the sectoral structure of the distribution of gross value added of Ukraine by the level of gross domestic product per capita with the economies of seventy-two countries. It is emphasized that the transformations that have taken place in the sectoral structure of Ukraine's economy increase its instability and vulnerability to cyclical and other shocks. In order for sectoral changes in Ukraine's economy to be positive and ensure long-term economic growth, it is necessary to change priorities and directions of development in line with modern world trends.


The sorption of toluene, butanol, methanol and n-hexane in polyurethane and a polyurethane–β-cyclodextrin blend has been studied. The time to reach equilibrium absorption was several times less in the blend in spite of nearly identical diffusion coefficients and % equilibrium absorptions of the diffusants in both materials. The study indicates that rapidity in polymeric membrane mediated separation can be attained by blending β-cyclodextrin.


The research work described in the thesis is situated in a broad technological context. It is explained what vectorial "nonlinear network" analyzers are and why they are needed. The importance of traceable calibrations is highlighted, in general as well as applied to the vectorial "nonlinear network" analyzer.


Abstract A model of a non-linearly viscous ice sheet is used to investigate the influence of net mass-balance pattern, basal boundary condition, and subglacial topography on the size and shape of ice sheets. The aim is to enable geological evidence of the extent of former ice sheets to be used as indicators of palaeoclimate. A series of curves are presented showing the relationships between ice-sheet span, net mass balance, and equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) for zero and complete isostatic compensation. These are applicable to a very wide range of basal boundary conditions. The way in which they can be used to reconstruct net mass-balance gradients for former ice sheets is demonstrated. Changes in the basal boundary condition only have a strong influence on glacier span when they occur in the terminal zone. Ice-sheet expansion and contraction is not merely accompanied by changes in snow-line elevation, but also by changes in the net mass-balance gradient. The combinations of these required to cause ice-sheet expansion and contraction are analysed. A non-linearly viscous model for ice suggests that ice-sheet volume changes may not be a simple function of their change in areal extent.


Background Glioblastoma is characterized by rich vasculature and abnormal vascular structure and function. Currently, there is no standard treatment for recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). Bevacizumab (BEV) has established role of inhibiting neovascularization, alleviating hypoxia in the tumor area and activating the immune microenvironment. BEV may exert synergistic effects with re-irradiation (re-RT) to improve the tumor microenvironment for rGBM. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a combination of BEV and re-RT for rGBM treatment. Methods In this retrospective study, a total of 26 rGBM patients with surgical pathologically confirmed glioblastoma and at least one event of recurrence were enrolled. All patients were treated with re-RT in combination with BEV. BEV was administered until progression or serious adverse events. Results Median follow-up was 21.9 months for all patients, whereas median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.5–9.5 months). In addition, the 6-month and 1-year PFS rates were 65.4% and 28.2%, respectively. The median overall survival (OS), 6-month OS rate, and 1-year OS rate were 13.6 months (95% CI: 10.2–17.0 months), 92.3%, and 67.5%, respectively. The patient showed good tolerance during the treatment with no grade > 3 grade side event and radiation necrosis occurrence rate of 0%. Combined treatment of gross total resection (GTR) before re-RT and concurrent temozolomide during re-RT was an independent prognostic factor that affected both OS and PFS in the whole cohort (OS: 0.067, 95% CI: 0.009–0.521, p = 0.010; PFS: 0.238, 95% CI: 0.076–0.744, p = 0.038). Conclusion In this study, re-RT combined with concurrent and maintenance BEV treatment was safe, tolerable, and effective in rGBM patients. Moreover, GTR before re-RT and selective concurrent temozolomide could further improve patient PFS and OS.


The COVID‐19 pandemic demanded changes in societal behavior and health care worldwide. Previous studies have compared trauma patient admissions in COVID‐19‐related lockdowns to prior years. This study describes the COVID‐19 impact on trauma patient admissions during entire 2020 at a major trauma center in Denmark.


The intercultural adaptation is analyzed in the article, disclosing the acute specifics of the structure of the adaptation of Albanian and Latin American students during the time of living in Moscow.


The theory that landbirds which nest in holes tend to have larger clutches, longer incubation periods and longer nestling periods than those which nest in the open was tested by comparing the Psittaciformes, Columbiformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes. It was found that among the graminivore-frugivores, the hole-nesting Psittaciformes produce larger clutches, have longer incubation and nestling periods than the open-nesting Columbiformes. Among the carnivore-insectivores, the Strigiformes (which predominantly nest in holes) produce larger clutches and have longer nestling periods than the open-nesting Falconiformes but there is no difference in incubation periods.


Part 1 Calling to account in the wider world: values and the world of scholarship rights and responsibilities - academic freedom and professional ethics value for money the public interest. Part 2 Calling to account within universities: structure and purpose institutional autonomy - academics and managers membership, employment, office making the rules - internal legislation the rights of the subordinate and the insubordinate resolving disputes. Part 3 Standards - accounting for academic decisions: the value of a degree peer review and appraisal forming academic judgements ensuring sound procedures reasonableness.


Adversarial attacks have been a prevalent problem causing misclassification in machine learning models, with stochasticity being a promising direction towards greater robustness. However, stochastic networks frequently underperform compared to deterministic deep networks. In this work, we present a conceptually clear adaptive noise injection mechanism in combination with teacher-initialisation, which adjusts its degree of randomness dynamically through the computation of mini-batch statistics. This mechanism is embedded within a simple framework to obtain stochastic networks from existing deterministic networks. Our experiments show that our method is able to outperform prior baselines under white-box settings, exemplified through CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100. Following which, we perform in-depth analysis on varying different components of training with our approach on the effects of robustness and accuracy, through the study of the evolution of decision boundary and trend curves of clean accuracy/attack success over differing degrees of stochasticity. We also shed light on the effects of adversarial training on a pre-trained network, through the lens of decision boundaries.


Based on the concept that a left-handed transmission line section has a negative electrical length, two pi -type lumped-element circuits are presented as equivalent circuits, and it is newly suggested that a low-pass filter type can be its lumped-equivalent circuit under a certain condition. Applying the negative electrical length concept to Smith chart, LHCCTs (left-handed constant conductance impedance transformers) are derived and two are validated by measurements, adding 180deg right-handed transmission lines to LHCCTs. The LHCCTs can be used for building lumped-element baluns, which can be used for both impedance transforming and arbitrary phase difference between two outputs. To verify the balun performances, a balun for a 40 Omega-50 Omega impedance transforming and 120deg difference between two ouputs is designed and simulated. The simulation results show perfect input matching, perfect power division and perfect phase difference 120deg, which are quite different from the conventional baluns having only 180deg phase difference between two outputs.


The performance of Manchester-coded optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems is evaluated taking into account the shot noise and the four wave mixing (FWM) caused by fiber nonlinearities. The result is compared to conventional non-return-to-zero (NRZ) systems for ASK and DPSK modulation formats. Further, the dynamic range, defined as the ratio of the maximum transmitter power (limited by the FWM) to the minimum transmitter power (limited by receiver sensitivity) is evaluated. For 1.55 micrometers 16 channel WDM systems, the dynamic range of Manchester coded systems show as 2 dB improvement with respect to the NRZ; DPSK systems outperform ASK systems by 5.5 dB. This result holds true for both dispersion-shifted fiber and conventional fiber; it has been obtained for 10 GHz channel spacing, 1 Gbps/channel bit rate and 100 Km transmission length.


Magnetic field measurements show that Mars possesses strong crustal magnetic anomalies that formed when the planet had an active dynamo. To investigate the origin of this magnetization, we used localized power spectrum analyses to constrain the equivalent depths of thin magnetic layers in the crust. Using a new martian magnetic field model that incorporates data from both the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN and Mars Global Surveyor missions, we found that the equivalent magnetization depths on Mars vary from the surface to 72 km. In the northern hemisphere the magnetization depths are found to be on average 9 km, whereas in the southern hemisphere the depths are on average 32 km. If these depths are interpreted in terms of a thick magnetic layer, magnetization in the northern lowlands could extend from the surface to about 18 km depth, whereas for the southern highlands the magnetic layer could extend from about 20 km depth to the base of the crust. The strongest magnetic anomalies are, in general, associated with deep source depths. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis where strong primordial magnetic materials of the northern hemisphere were excavated from the Borealis impact basin, leaving only strong deep remanent magnetization in the southern hemisphere.


The author analyzes the acmeological approach to professional development of future specialists of the State Emergency Service of the Ministry of Emergency of Ukraine based on the development of readiness to this activity. The process of formation of readiness to future professional activity is a necessary precondition for the development of a specialist in a higher educational institution of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, which determines the quality, effectiveness of training and ensures the effectiveness of educational and professional activity.


This work presents the first results of near-infrared (NIR) counterparts of ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in the case of NGC 1672 by using James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations. Through advanced astrometry, unique counterparts were identified for four of the eight ULXs (ULX-1, ULX-4, ULX5, and ULX-8) located in NGC 1672, while multiple counterparts were identified for the remaining ULXs. The NIR observations show clues of warm dust or circumbinary disk around ULX-5 and ULX-8. In the case of ULX-5, optical SED is a well-fitted blackbody with 4300 K while NIR excess is well-fitted by a blackbody with a temperature of 1600 K. The optical-NIR photometric results show that the possible donor star of ULX-5 may be a K-M type RSG (red supergiant) whose optical emission is affected by the presence of a circumbinary disk or warm dust. Additionally, the counterpart of ULX-4 could be an AGN (active galactic nuclei) or star cluster due to its high K-band magnitude. Thanks to the good enough resolution of the JWST images, in past studies, most of the point-like and/or bright NIR counterparts of ULXs in distant galaxies observed appear to be likely blended sources, so most likely, many of them do not have the red color that an RSG could have. The significant improvement in sensitivity and resolution supplied by JWST will lead to a new perspective on the ambiguous nature of ULXs donors and environments necessitating a significant reassessment of earlier infrared studies of ULXs.


As the high-power IF furnace contains frequency conversion device, the effects of harmonics injected into the power grid cannot be ignored. In this paper, the working principle and power supply structure of IF furnace are introduced in detail. Based on the Advanced Digital Power System Simulator (ADPSS) and taking a steel plant project accessed to East Inner Mongolia power grid for an example, the electromagnetic transient model of IF furnace is established and simulated. The harmonic analysis method combined the time domain simulation with the recursive discrete Fourier algorithm (DFT) is used to obtain the harmonic characteristics of the IF furnace. An electromagnetic transient harmonic control model based on active power filter is established, and the validity and correctness of the proposed model and harmonic analysis method are verified by simulation. The harmonic pollution of IF furnace access to power grid is reduced, and the power quality of the grid is improved.


There are thousands of vehicles on road these days
and managing these multiple vehicles at a toll booth at the same
time is a very difficult job to be done. At present, the manual toll
system is very inefficient and very time-consuming. Due to this,
there are traffic jams, fights, exchanges of words also. The system
proposed is completely managed on the 'Internet of Things'
concept based on RFID technology. The Internet server will store
all the users ' required data and their card balance. When the car
driver will arrive at the toll booth, the system at the toll booth
will scan the card. The system then connects to the online server
to check the validation of the card, if the card is valid and will be
having sufficient funds then the particular amount will get
deduced from the card. The system operates a motor to open the
toll gate for a car to pass on deduction of the card balance. The
entire system uses a microcontroller to achieve this purpose. The
WiFi connection connects to the internet through which the
system interacts for online verification. Additionally, all the data
of the vehicles passed will get stored for later reference. Thus, the
system automates the entire process of the toll booth and
terminates the present process of the toll booth collection system.


While traveling by plane, passengers and pilots live in a controlled, partially isolated, heated and filtered microclimate in order to provide them comfort and safety. However, due to the large number of people / m3 of air and because of the sometimes unpredictable airflow that carry germs, the passengers present an important risk especially for infectious diseases with airborne transmission; the transmission of tuberculosis, influenza, measles, MERS, SARS, and the new SARS-2-CoV in this context has been widely proven and described. Vector-borne diseases are another threat because they can travel (especially mosquitoes) in the luggage or clothes of passengers and can spread diseases such as malaria, Chikungunya fever or yellow fever at long distances. The multi-drug resistant bacteria spreading in the case of repatriated travelers after hospitalizations abroad represents another problem. Even in the absence of a truly in-flight disease transmission, air travel nowadays represents a way to spread diseases such as Ebola, SARS or animal and wildlife-related infections between different countries or even continents. Disinfection, disinsection, the use of more efficient methods of air filtering in the cabin, the strict control of the passengers at check-in and check-out represent protecting measures against these risks, whose efficiency remains to be proven.


1. The electronic unit consisting of at least one circuit board (3) coated on both sides with electrically conductive material, wherein on the circuit board (3) is mounted a first group of electronic components (2) to form a user interface and a second group of electronic components (4) for the formation of a computing and control module, characterized in that said first group of electronic components (2) forming a user interface arranged and switched to the first side (5) of the circuit board (3) and a second group of electronic components (4) forming a computing and control module is available and switched on which is opposite the first side (5), the second side (7) of the circuit board (3) .2. Electronic unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting plate (3) is made of metallized holes without particularly mounting otverstiy.3 silvered. Electronic unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting plate (3) comprises at least one device (6) for signaling the exchange of control signals between the first group of electronic components (2) on the first side (5) mounting plate (3) and a second group of electronic components (4) on the second side (7) of the circuit board (3) and / or for supplying power to the first side (5) of the circuit board from the second side (7) of the circuit board or naoborot.4. Electronic unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the device (6) signaling comprises at least one plug element (8) inserted on the edge (11) of mounting plate (3) located opposite each other and interconnected mating mounting portions (12) on the first and second sides (5, 7) mounting mp


The characteristics of coupled heat transfer and thermal insulation in a cold box of the Cold Neutron Source system (CNS) are investigated by the numerical simulation. Different thermal insulation projects are designed and compared. The influences of construction, temperature and material property on the coupled heat transfer and the thermal insulation are analyzed. The numerical results indicate that the screen with aluminum foil is more suitable for the thermal insulation of low temperature devices. The cold losses from the coupled heat transfer is reduced from 1522.8 W to be smaller than 160 W, and the exergy efficiency of helium cycle is increased from 9.41% to 12.2% using improved thermal insulation method.


The provision of water supplies in disaster relief situations is one in which engineers can make a real contribution to alleviating suffering and misery, but it is not all hardware.


A "simple" cell method for concentrated suspnsions has been used to construct a model for the rheological behavior of blood. The model includes the physical properties of the suspending medium, red cell membrane and red cell fluid content. Predictions of the gross viscosity of red cell suspensions are found to agree very well with experiment in the cases of hardened red cells (or normal red cells at very low shear rate) and of normal red cells in the asymptotic limit of high shear rates. The behavior at intermediate shear rates requires a knowledge of the viscoplastic properties of the membrane and a number of membrane models are investigated. Of particular interest is plastic membrane which employs a membrane yield stress obtained from other experiments and whose results are qualitatively in agreement with the viscometric data at these intermediate shear rates.


A numerical prediction for natural convection flow in a vertical annulus closed at the top and opened at the bottom is presented. The outer cylindrical surface of the annulus is cooled to a low temperature, and a hot fluid is maintained below the open end temperature. The inner cylinder and the top wall of the annulus are insulated. The numerical technique used is a second-order accurate hybrid finite-element/finite-volume method. A pressure boundary condition at the opening in conjunction with an iterative scheme is employed to predict the regions of inflow and outflow and the velocity distributions. An in-house code developed has been validated by solving the natural convection through an open-ended vertical annulus. The characteristics of flow and heat transfer in the annulus are presented using contour plots of streamlines, isotherms, and isovorticities, and variations of velocity, volume rate of flow, Nusselt number, and temperature of adiabatic wall. Heat transfer through the annulus is subjected to sharp spatial variations due to the typical flow pattern at high values of Rayleigh number and is influenced by upstream conduction at low values of Rayleigh number. Correlations for average Nusselt number and volume rate of flow are obtained as functions of Rayleigh number (in the range of 103 to 105) and percentage gap ratio (from 2 to 20).


NASA Tech Briefs, July 2009 behavior as their predictability grows during the course of learning. The difference between the actual occurrence and the prediction of the reinforcer is denoted as the reinforcement prediction error signal. In what is known in the art as the temporal-difference model (TD model) of Pavlovian learning, the reinforcement prediction error signal is used to learn a reinforcement prediction signal. The desired reinforcement prediction signal is defined as a weighted sum of future reinforcement signals wherein reinforcements are progressively discounted with increasing time into the future. The reinforcement prediction error signal progressively decreases during learning as the reinforcement prediction signal becomes more similar to the desired reinforcement prediction signal. • Algorithms based on the TD model ("TD algorithms") have been analyzed and shown to be implementations of a variant of dynamic programming. Machine-learning studies have shown that TD algorithms are powerful means of solving reinforcement learning problems that involve delayed reinforcement. Examples of such problems include board games, which involve delayed rewards (winning) or punishments (losing). • Mid-brain dopamine neurons are so named because they modulate the levels of activity of other neurons by means of the neurotransmitter chemical dopamine. The cell bodies of dopamine neurons are located in the brain stem and their axons project to many brain areas. Activities of dopamine neurons have been found to be strikingly similar to the prediction error signals of the TD model. • Real neural signals include spikelike pulses, the times of occurrence of which are significant. The term "biological spike coding" denotes, essentially, temporal labeling of such pulses in real neurons or in a neural-network model. This concludes the background information. The present neural-network model incorporates biological spike coding along with some basic principles of the learning by synapses in the cortex of the human brain. According to the learning rule of the model, synaptic weights are adapted when preand postsynaptic spikes occur within short time windows. In simplified terms, for a given synapse and time window, the synaptic strength is increased in the long term if the presynaptic spike precedes the postsynaptic spike or is decreased in the long term if the presynaptic spike follows the postsynaptic spike. This learning rule has been shown to minimize prediction errors, indicating that the neural network learns an optimal dynamic model of an external process. This work was done by Tuan Duong, Vu Duong, and Roland Suri of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to: Innovative Technology Assets Management JPL Mail Stop 202-233 4800 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 (818) 354-2240 E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Refer to NPO-41691, volume and number of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number.


Introduction While they may have been immoral, external military operations of past empires often proved profitable and, therefore, justifiable on economic grounds. Military actions abroad usually brought economic benefits not only to the imperial ruling classes, but also (through "trickle-down" effects) to their citizens. This was the case with both precapitalist empires of distant past and the capitalist imperial powers of Europe. The United States, too, has often used military power as a means for economic and territorial gains. These included not only the expansion of its territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but also the considerable non-territorial economic gains abroad, especially in the immediate aftermath of Word War II.


The U.S. Geological Survey and the Idaho Department of Water Resources, in response to a request from the U.S. Department of Energy, have completed the initial phase of a long-term project to monitor the quality of water in the Snake River Plain aquifer from the southern boundary of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory to the Hagerman area, Idaho. Fifty-five water samples were collected and analyzed for manmade pollutants and naturally occurring contaminants. The samples were collected from 26 irrigation wells, 13 domestic wells, 5 springs, 4 stock wells, 3 dairy wells, 2 observation wells, 1 commercial well, and 1 public-supply well. Six quality assurance samples also were collected and analyzed. All water samples were analyzed for selected radionuclides, chemical constituents, and organic compounds. The maximum contaminant level established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for gross alpha-particle radioactivity was exceeded in one sample; the maximum contaminant level for mercury also was exceeded in one sample. Both sampling locations are downgradient from many of the sampling locations in which gross-alpha radioactivity and mercury concentrations were less than maximum contaminant levels. Concentrations of diazinon and malathion exceeded the reporting level in two water samples. One water sample and its quality assurance replicate contained reportable concentrations of DOT.


Objective: A great deal of scholarly work has examined the way that physical, social and cultural environments relate to children's health behaviour, particularly with respect to diet and exercise. While this work is critical, little research attempts to incorporate the views and perspectives of children themselves using visual methodologies. Specifically, we examine: (1) how children conceptualize play; (2) what aspects of play are important to children; and (3) the role that play assumes in guiding children's activity patterns. Setting: Elementary school classrooms from third and fifth grade were sampled in a low-income, largely Latino/a part of southwest Denver, United States of America (USA), in late spring of 2010. Design: A qualitative study in which each child participated in a 'photo voice' survey and an in-class focus group. Method: The authors employed visual methodologies to explore how children conceptualized play. Photo voice surveys were administered in English and Spanish. After analysis of the photo voice surveys, children were invited to discuss their photos and drawings in small focus groups conducted in the classroom. All children who completed the survey participated in the focus groups. Results: Children in this study group conceptualized play largely in unstructured form. Family and school were important themes to emerge from the analysis of the data. Conclusion: Visual methods can clarify social-cultural dimensions of interactions between people and places, which can serve to inform research on health behaviours from children's perspectives. Such methodologies are particularly important for research that focuses on the construction of physical environments for children.


Gauge invariance, a core principle in electrodynamics, has two separate meanings. One concept treats the photon as the gauge particle for electrodynamics. It is based on symmetries of the Lagrangian, and requires no mention of electric or magnetic fields. The second concept depends directly on the electric and magnetic fields, and how they can be represented by potential functions that are not unique. A general proof that potentials are more fundamental than fields serves to resolve discrepancies. Physical symmetries, however, are altered by gauge transformations and strongly limit gauge freedom. A new constraint on the form of allowable gauge transformations must be introduced that applies to both gauge concepts. ∗Electronic address: firstname.lastname@example.com


An off-duty nurse whose heroism saved the lives of passengers, and a bus driver who passed out at the wheel, has called for compulsory first aid courses for all nurses.


Objective To study the effects of tumor-associated calcium signal transducer-2 (TROP-2) gene small interfering RNA(siRNA) on adhesion and invasion of human breast cancer cell. Methods Real time PCR was used to evaluate the TROP-2 mRNA of seven human breast cancer cell lines Bcap-37 ,LCC1 ,MCF-7 ,MDA-MB-231,MDA-MB-435, MDA-MB-468 ,and ZR75-1. The cell line of TROP-2 highest expression was transfected with different dose of TROP-2 siRNA. The expression of TROP-2 mRNA and protein were determined by Real-time quantitative PCR and immumoflurescence method. The cell adhesion was evaluated by MTT assay,and invasion was exmined by hoyden chamber,respectively. Results Cell line MCF-7 showed the highest elevation of TROP-2 mRNA in seven breast cancer cell lines. The results from real-time quantitative PCR and immumoflurescence method showed that TROP-2 mRNA and protein reduced in time-and dose-dependent manners( P < 0.01 ;P < 0.01 ). The adhesive rate of siRNA groups(5 nM,10 nM,and 20 nM)was(52.9 +2.5)% ,(25.6 ±2.3)%, ( 12.8 +2.2)% (P <0.01 ) ,respectively.The transwell results showed that the invasion cells was(78 ± 17), (39 ± 15), ( 19 ± 16), ( 136 +25 ) and( 139 ±21 )in different groups(5,10,20 nM siRNA,and controls) ,respectively(P <0.01). Conclusion TROP-2 gene might play an important role in adhesion and invasion of human breast cancer cell. siRNA targeted TROP-2 could effectively inhibit adhesion and invasion of human breast cancer cell.

Key words:
Breast Neoplasms; Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer-2


The governing equations for the coupled processes of consolidation and creep of two‐layered soft soils are established. The Nishihara rheological model is adopted to simulate the elasto‐viscoplastic characteristics of soft soils, disregarding the effects of the soil self‐gravity. A semi‐analytical theory combined with numerical and analytical methods is introduced to solve the governing equations of the one‐dimensional rheological model. The computational procedure and the approximate solutions for two‐layered soft soils subjected to surface loading are obtained for two drainage conditions. The solutions and the computational procedure are used to study the effects of the two layers and constitutive parameters on rheological consolidation behavior of soft soils. It can be concluded that two layers affect the rate of excess pore water pressure dissipation and settlement development. The parametric studies show that when the parameters of the upper layer remain constant, increases in the permeability and elastic modulus in the lower layer accelerate the dissipation of the excess pore water pressure, and meanwhile increases in the viscosity coefficient and viscoplastic limit slows down the dissipation of the excess water pressure.


To analyze crossdialectal variation between the use of a Present Perfect form (Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto) and a Perfective Past form (Pretérito Indefinido) in Spanish, we make use of two converging methodologies: (i) parallel corpus research, where we compare different translations of the same text (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone) into specific standardized written varieties of Spanish (Peninsular, Mexican, Argentinian), and (ii) an elicitation forced-choice task, where native speakers of each of the cities in which these standardized written norms are produced (Madrid, Mexico City, Buenos Aires) have to choose between the Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto and the Pretérito Indefinido as the most natural filler for a blank in contexts extracted from the novel. Results from these two tasks do not align completely. While the data from our parallel corpus work indicate a wider distribution of Perfect use in the Mexican translation than in the Peninsular and the Argentinian ones, the elicitation task shows that only the choices of the speakers of Madrid (Castilian Spanish) and Buenos Aires (Rioplatense Spanish) converge with their respective translations patterns. Since the distribution observed in the Mexican translation not only goes against the elicitation data, but also contradicts previous findings in the literature, we abandon it in further analyses. In the second part of the paper, through a detailed annotation of the Peninsular and Argentinian corpora, we show that the constraints allowing Perfect use in each of these standardized varieties respond only to some features previously advanced in the literature. While both dialects allow for experiential and resultative readings of the Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto, Castilian Spanish also prefers the use of this marker to locate an event in the hodiernal past. On the other hand, Rioplatense Spanish systematically defaults to the Pretérito Indefinido in these cases, displaying a more restricted distribution for the Perfect form. Both dialects also seem to exhibit a preference for the Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto in continuative contexts. Our work thus provides two crucial take-home messages: (i) understanding crossdialectal variation in written language is crucial for advancing crosslinguistic generalizations about tense-aspect phenomena; and (ii) combining parallel corpus and experimental methodologies can help us understand in a more thorough way the distribution of Perfect and (Perfective) Past forms across dialects.


This analysis of metamorphosis in the Mayse-bukh, (the editio princeps, printed in Basel in 1602 by Konrad Waldkirch) was prompted by the fact that this collection of agadot from the Talmud and the Mishnah, in addition to tales and legends, contains narratives on this ancient myth well-known in Greek and Roman antiquity, and transmitted primarily through Ovid's and Apuleius' Metamorphoses. However, the Old Testament also contains a story of metamorphosis; namely, King Nebuchadnezzar, who is t...


This article is devoted to studying of sociocultural transformations of country daily occurrence of the Western region of Russia of the 1920th years. According to the author, large-scale plans of the Soviet power in the village had under themselves no strong financial basis. As a result traditional foundations of country daily occurrence didn't experience the considerable changes radically influencing rural life.