The Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF), launched in 2002, is a New Zealand tertiary education research funding process that assesses the research performance of Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) and funds them on the basis of their performance [1]. In the last three evaluation rounds (conducted in 2003, 2006 and 2012), Subject Librarians mostly answered queries relating to research impact metrics based on individual requests from researchers. The service was inconsistent between faculties in supporting researchers and their PBRF submissions at the University of Auckland. This paper presents the University Library's new initiative to provide specialised services for PBRF across all faculties. The Library has identified multiple resources required to support University success in the PBRF process and has formalised the University's PBRF support services for the 2018 evaluation round. This paper also shares the preparation and practices of PBRF Specialist Subject Librarians by considering two faculties – Engineering and Education – and the importance of outreach, collaboration and connection with key faculty PBRF personnel (PBRF Coordinators and Associate Deans) and faculty researchers. Services include training and 10/26/2017 Outreaching, collaborating and connecting: Specialised services supporting researchers for the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBR... https://conference.eresearch.edu.au/2017/08/outreaching-collaborating-and-connecting-specialised-services-supporting-researchers-for-the-perfo... 2/3 consultations with regard to online tools such as the Research Outputs system (Symplectic), SciVal (Scopus), InCites (Web of Science), author profiles such as Scopus author ID, Google Scholar Profile and ORCiD. Furthermore, repository uploading, Open Access, publication verifications, bibliometrics and citation analyses, social media and research impact are discussed in respect to PBRF submissions and overall researcher success. As a result the Library is building excellent relationships across multiple faculties by proving its value to University of Auckland researchers via the new PBRF specialist service. REFERENCES 1. Tertiary Education Commission Performance-Based Research Fund. Available from: http://www.tec.govt.nz/funding/funding-and-performance/funding/fund-finder/performance-based-researchfund/, accessed 13 June 2017.


The purpose of this study is to investigate temporal and spatio-temporal characteristics of right-hand cross of 18 boxers at various proficiency levels. Boxers carried out punches from different positions: (1) in full coordination, (2) with lower limbs fixed, and (3) with lower limbs and trunk fixed. Results revealed kinematical features of cross punch and identification of causes for potential deviations in the technique of punching.


Article 18 of the Constitution of Cyprus protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including "protection against any discrimination, freedom to change religion or belief (...)


The predatory potential of two onmnivorous crustaceans, Gammarus duebeni and Palaemonetes varians, has been examined to investigate their effect as mosquito larval predators. Mature gammarids ate 4-8 Aedes detritus larvae/24 h and palaemonids, 22-30/1 h, often killing larvae when not hungry. The crustaceans were exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) and to mosquito larvae killed by Bti with no adverse effects, endorsing the safety of this microbial pesticide. Crustacean faecal pellets, collected post-feeding and placed in fresh marsh water, were toxic to mosquito larvae the following day. After placing the crustaceans in fresh salt-marsh water for 6 days, the fresh faecal pellets failed to kill mosquitoes apart from pellets obtained from crustaceans originally fed on the highest concentration of Bti, where there was a 50% kill after 3 days of incubation. Mosquito larvae on salt-marshes are not easy to control with ecologically undesirable toxic chemicals. Encouraging the breeding of p...


Abstract. Narzullayev SB. 2022. New data on the vertical distribution of nematode communities in mountain ecosystems of Mount Zarafshan, Uzbekistan. Biodiversitas 23: 3967-3975. New data on the vertical distribution of nematode communities in mountain ecosystems (Mount Zarafshan, Uzbekistan) is the first study on the variation of nematode species and ecological groups in Central Asia depending on altitude gradients. The study's primary purpose was to study the nematode fauna of perennial plants in the highlands and to reveal the formation of nematodes following the ecological characteristics. To achieve the study's objectives, samples were collected from perennial plants and rhizosphere soils growing in mountain ecosystems with a maximum altitude of 2590 m above sea level in 2016-2018. The sample analysis determined that the northern slope of the Zarafshan mountain range consists of 121 species belonging to 8 orders, 35 families and 58 genera. The study area is divided into four vertical altitude zones (upper, middle, lower, and foothills), which differ in climate, relief, vegetation cover and density to understand the formation of mountain nematode fauna. Sixty-four species of nematodes were identified in the upper zone, 93 in the middle zone, 104 in the lower zone, and 79 in the foothills. The nematodes in the fauna were divided into ecological groups such as plant feeders, mycophages, bacteriotrophs, predators and omnivores. The obtained results showed that the species and ecological composition of the nematode community depended on changes in vegetation cover density, soil organic composition and water regime in the height gradients.


: As robot technology enters a new era, multi-task robot manipulation has entered high-quality development. Sticking to the people-oriented philosophy, people propose synergistic effects to better meet the complex environment and diverse needs. Based on the dynamic evolution of evolutionary deep learning, the researchers construct a theoretical analysis framework for the synergistic effect of multi-task robot manipulation according to the logic of adaptation, optimization, enhancement, and evaluation. It can explain the synergistic effect of collaborative learning and optimization mechanisms involving deep learning and evolutionary algorithms. Moreover, from the perspective of the actual changes and practices of multi-task robot manipulations, we explore the possibility of moving toward high-quality development. Multi-task robot manipulation aims to provide users with results that meet the expected standards and continuously improve operation quality and user satisfaction. Therefore, we should take measures such as strengthening the collaboration based on course learning, constructing the mechanism of the interaction mechanism and optimization between the evolutionary strategy and simulator, and establishing the collaborative effect evaluation system of the PILCO framework, realize the high-quality collaborative effect of multi-task robot manipulation, promote the development of robot technology and meet the needs of users.


1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2 INTRODUCTION 3 Description and Background of the Study Area 3 Ground-Water Use 5 Purpose and Scope 5 Previous Reports 5 REGIONAL GEOLOGIC SETTING 7 METHODS OF INVESTIGATION 9 Data Compilation and Sources of Data 9 Field Methods and Procedures 9 Laboratory/Office Methods and Procedures 12 GEOLOGY 13 Bedrock Topography 13 Sequence and Distribution of Glacial Deposits 15 Position and Distribution of Sand-and-Gravel Aquifers 20 Banner Formation (pre-Illinoian) 20 Glasford Formation (Illinoian) 21 Wedron Formation (Wisconsinan) 24 Henry Formation (Wisconsinan) 24 Relationship of Geology to Ground-Water Availability 24 HYDROLOGY 27 Aquifer Characteristics 27 Aquifer Hydraulics 28 Aquifer Tests 28 Observed Ground-Water Levels 32 Ground-Water Discharge to Streams 37 Ground-Water Recharge 40 Ground-Water Quality 40 DISCUSSION 43 Significance of Drilling Program 43 Revision of Bedrock Topography 43 Thickness and Extent of Aquifers 45 Hydrologic Appraisal 45 Revised Conceptual Model 47 Future Development 47 GLOSSARY OF TERMS 49 REFERENCES 53 APPENDIX 1. Well Numbering System 57 APPENDIX 2. Observation Well Hydrographs 58 FIGURES Page 1 Location of study area 4 2 Thalwag of principal bedrock valleys and important tributaries in east-central Illinois (modified from Burch and Kelly, 1993) 4 3 Location of the drill sites, observation wells, and gaging stations 10 4 Location of the wells used for mass measurement 11 5 Bedrock topography and locations of cross sections 14 6 Sequence of geologic materials (stratigraphic column) 16 7 a) Northern east-west cross section A-A', b) Eastern north-south cross section B-B', c) Northern northwest-southeast cross section C-C, d) Southern northwest-southeast cross section D-D', and e) Western north-south cross section E-E' (see figure 5 for locations) 17 8 Elevation of the top of the Sankoty-Mahomet aquifer system 19 9 Regional thickness and distribution of the Sankoty-Mahomet aquifer system (Kempton and Visocky, 1992) 22 10 Thickness of the Sankoty-Mahomet aquifer system 23 11 Observation well water-level hydrographs at a) Site B and Site 6 and b) Site 10 and Site E 34 12 Observation well water-level hydrographs at Site 2 35 13 Potentiometric surface of the Sankoty-Mahomet aquifer system during spring 1993 36 14 Fixed base-length method of baseflow separation 38 15 Streamflow and baseflow hydrographs for the (a) Congerville and (b) Green Valley gaging stations 39 16 Combination of bedrock topography maps (from Kempton and Visocky, 1992, and figure 5) 44 17 Combination of the elevation of the top of the Sankoty-Mahomet aquifer system (from Kempton and Visocky, 1992, and figure 8) 46


Previous reports of the impact of HIV infection on COVID-19's clinical course have left uncertainty about the interactions between those two conditions


In order to make the beam-column joints in high-rise buildings have considerable strength and bearing capability,it is put farward that the strength of concrete in the beam-column joints shall be the same with that in the beams and slabs,and in the meantime,the joints shall be reinforced with the cage structure formed with angle bars and gusset plates. The test results of four specimens of reinforced concrete interior beam-column joints are described and analyzed. And the joints of two specimens are strengthened with the cage structure. The design recommendations of beam-column joints are given.


A novel type of molecule that is longer than some kinds of bacteria has been detected by physicists at the University of Stuttgart in Germany.


Smart card technology is a reliable and proven solution that has had decades of use in various industries and is now making its mark on healthcare. It is portable, secure, and can hold health information. In this research, the smart card has been introduced in a new usage; it is used to control the referral process. It holds the control parameters that link between the referring entity and the referred entities. This leads to control the management of the claims in a timely and correct basis. The smart cards technology, in this research, have been used for: verifying citizen eligibility, registering recent citizen medical visits to family medical units as well as the corresponding visits to contracted providers besides the link between them, reporting, and facilitating claim management. Accordingly, the usage of smart cards in this way will add. The research allows remarkable improvements in the healthcare service provision.


One of the first aspects of Middle American culture which strikes an amateur as interesting and possibly significant is the ordered arrangement of the buildings in almost all sites. Like those of Egypt—and unlike those of Greece and Rome —the sites seem to have been planned on a large pattern. The individual buildings are arranged according to a scheme which gives them space and which orients them on a common axis. They are not dropped in helter-skelter, crowded cheek-by-jowl, and set at odd angles to one another. Further, the city plans of Middle America seemollow fhe another and larger pattern. This is the pattern of the north and south axis of each site and each building. This orientation almost invariably follows one of three schemes. I t is sometimes true north, sometimes about 7 degrees east of north, sometimes about 17 degrees east of north, but practically never west of north. There are some sites which have no general pattern, and therefore no orientation.


The single-phase grounding fault frequently occured in power distribution networks,aimed at fault line detection problem of power distribution networks,the transient current was analyzed by using the detection of wavelet transform.A fault line detection method which used the largest modulus maximum was brought forward.The method could meet all faults and had high accuracy.Simulation tested the possibility.


Breast Cancer (BC) is the primary cause of cancer death in women. Ranunculus Ternatus (RT) are widely used in China because of their anti-inflammatory activity and ability to anti cancer. But the mechanisms of anti breast tumor action are still unclear. In the pres-ent study we discovered its anti breast cancer mechanism based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Public database were used to identify Breast Cancer gene and the target proteins of RT. Network topology and enrichment analyses were performed to screen for key targets and mechanisms. Finally, molecular docking tools were used to evaluate the drug and target binding. Seven compounds such as 7-O-Methyleriodictyol, Beta-sitosterol, Mande-nol, Stigmasterol, CLR, and Truflex OBP and Sitosteryl acetate were identified as active ingredients. Enrichment analysis revealed that the underlying mechanisms were related to cell metabolic pathways , ovarian steroidogenesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis and chemical carcinogenesis - receptor activation. especially through ESR1, CYP19A1, HSD17B1, SHBG, CYP17A1, ESR2, AR and CYP1B1 signaling pathways. Molecular docking results revealed that all seven components of RT had good binding ability to their respective targets. In order to compare RT ingredients abilities, a known AR inhibitor drug, Apalutamide, was tested to dock to target AR. This study elucidated the potential molecular mechanism of RT in the treatment of BC, and it provides a basis for future experimental research and serves as a reference for new drug design.


The coronavirus pandemic has been declared a world health emergency by the World Health Organization, which has raised the importance of an accurate epidemiological model to predict the evolution of COVID-19. In this paper, we propose mean field evolutionary dynamics (MFEDs), inspired by optimal transport theory and mean field games on graphs, to model the evolution of COVID-19. In the MFEDs, we derive the payoff functions for different individual states from the commonly used replicator dynamics (RDs) and employ them to govern the evolution of epidemics. We also compare epidemic modeling based on MFEDs with that based on RDs through numerical experiments. Moreover, we show the efficiency of the proposed MFED-based model by fitting it to the COVID-19 statistics of Wuhan, China. Finally, we analyze the effects of one-time social distancing as well as the seasonality of COVID19 through the post-pandemic period.


The methylpalladium and -platinum complexes [Pd(AcNac)(PMe3)CH3], [Pd(SacNac)(PMe3)CH3], and [Pt(SacNac)(PMe3)CH3] have been prepared from protonation reactions between AcNac [H3CC(O)CHC(NAr)CH3; Ar = 2,6-iPr-C6H3 = Dipp (L-1); Ar = 2,4,6-MeC6H2 = Mes (L-2)] or SacNac [H3CC(S)CHC(NAr)CH3; Ar = 2,6-iPr-C6H3 = Dipp (L-3); Ar = 2,4,6-MeC6H2 = Mes (L-4)] ligands and dimethyl-metal complexes of the composition [M(L)Me-2] (M = Pd, L = tmeda = N,N,NN-tetramethylethylenediamine; M = Pt, L = cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and PMe3 in acetonitrile. Only one isomer was formed in each case and X-ray crystallographic analysis showed that the PMe3 co-ligand is found in the cis position with respect to the sulfur or oxygen atom in all complexes.


The article examines the little-studied problem associated with the study of the features of catching-up country in the context of transitive society. Special attention is paid to the problem of transitive state from the standpoint that in any transitional state, by defi nition, there must be crises and unstable situation. A similar situation concerns the fact that a catching-up country is trying to go in the Wake of stable countries, focused on her, or perhaps even going on a kind of social cohesion. It is shown that the modern state is inherently transitive, but thanks to this «as» there are more or less stable state, from the point of view of economic, politic, culture, etc. found that «catching up» state your purpose, consider the transformation is not as directly any modernization or innovation processes within their country, and as a process of adaptation similar to some of the country's ability to develop jointly with the civilized nations in the same direction.


Genital Elephantiasis is an important medical problem in the tropics; usually affects young and productive age group and is associated with physical disability and mental anguish. It is one of the bizarre & nipping diseases and has a long history of worldwide distribution. Most of the reported cases occur as an end result of lymphatic obstruction due to various diseases like Filariasis, sexually


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the term of work by repairing a part in the atmosphere on the site without bringing the item to be repaired from the site into factory. SOLUTION: When a part to be repaired such as cracks, defect or the like is detected in an item to be repaired, the inner part of the crack or defect is filled with a brazing filler metal and heated to braze it, and the brazed part is covered with, for example, stainless steel by flame spraying or low heat input welding. This repairing method comprises the following processes: the process (a) of removing the surface deteriorated layer of the part to be repaired, the process b of placing a mixture of an alloy powder and an antioxidant (flux) on the repairing part, the process (c) of melting the alloy powder by heating, the process (d) of filling the molten alloy to the defect part, the process (e) of coagulating the alloy in the defect part, and the process (f) of removing the residue.


The performance of microwave-biased millimeter-wave detectors using bulk InSb in the presence of a magnetic field is described. Broad-band transitions between the impurity and conduction bands together with free-carrier absorption are responsible for the detection mechanism. The performance of the device is examined as a function of the magnetic field, millimeter-wave signal, and microwave bias levels. The results show that the performance can be improved by proper choice of the magnetic field.


The motion of an ideal collisionless plasma subject to periodic boundary conditions, with velocity distribution given initially, is studied. The minimum value which the kinetic energy can subsequently attain is determined, on the assumption that the system is subject only to the constraint that phase‐space volume is conserved.


In this paper it is demonstrated that attenuation of transmitting wave is limited and the cut-off frequency is not distinct in cut-off wave-guide because of wave mode coupling. So it is advised to use metal material or plated layer with high conductivity when designing cut-off wave-guide or cut-off wave-guide filter with high performance.


During storage of raw starch, the deterioration of this occurrs and results in the depressions of yield and quality, but any adequate method for this prevention is not yetfound.The authors reported already about the purification of potato starch by surface activeagents, and in this paper, the suppressing effect for the deterioration of raw potato starchby surface active agents is observed.Raw starch treated with a dilute dodecyl benzene sulfonate solution posseses good stabilityfor deterioration and is kept from the lowering of pH value. By this means, a moreprolonged storage of raw potato starch may be possible Although the suppressing effect for deterioration depends upon the purity of the raw starch, a treatment with 0.05-0.15% of dodecyl benzene sulfonate is generally favorable.


An efficient continuous-wave, widely tunable, intra-cavity optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 (MgO:PPLN) with a compact three-mirror linear cavity was demonstrated. The mode radii of fundamental and OPO cavities with plane and concave mirrors were calculated and theoretically compared. The result shows that the fundamental laser beam could be compressed, and its power density on the MgO:PPLN crystal could be improved by optimizing concave radii of cavity mirrors. Meanwhile, better mode matching between fundamental cavity and OPO cavity could be realized. A widely tunable signal spectrum from 1.43 to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.79~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and an idler spectrum from 2.62 to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4.16~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> were achieved as the OPO system derived by a diode laser end-pumped Nd:YVO4 crystal laser at 1064 nm. The maximum total output power up to 6.35 W (signal output power of about 4.24 W at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.60~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and idler output power of about 2.11 W at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3.17~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and conversion efficiency of 31.6% were obtained at an incident pump power of 20.1 W.


In this work, an extended Jacobian elliptic function expansion method is proposed for constructing the exact solutions of nonlinear evolution equations. The validity and reliability of the method are tested by its applications to Dynamical system in a new Double-Chain Model of DNA and a diffusive predator-prey system which play an important role in biology.


Marx generators can produce high voltage pulses using multiple identical stages that operate at a fraction of the total output voltage, without the need for a step-up transformer that limits the pulse risetimes and lowers the efficiency of the system. Each Marx stage includes a capacitor or pulse forming network, and a high voltage switch. Typically, these switches are spark gaps resulting in Marx generators with low repetition rates and limited lifetimes. The development of economical, compact, high voltage, high di/dt, and fast turn-on solid-state switches make it easy to build economical, long lifetime, high voltage Marx generators capable of high pulse repetition rates. We have constructed a Marx generator using our 24 kV thyristor based switches, which are capable of conducting 14 kA peak currents with ringing discharges at >25 kA/mus rate of current risetimes. The switches have short turn-on delays, less than 200 ns, low timing jitters, and are triggered by a single 10 V isolated trigger pulse. This paper will include a description of a 4-stage solid-state Marx and triggering system, as well as show data from operation at 15 kV charging voltage. The Marx was used to drive a one-stage argon ion accelerator


Optical switches are essential components in optical network. In order to improve the performance of optical network, the optical switch must address requirements, such as low crosstalk, high extinction ratio, low insertion loss, low power consumption, very fast switching time and insensitive to wavelength and polarization. Digital optical switch (DOS) has become a very attractive component for space switching in multi-wavelength optical communication system application due to its sensitivity for drive power fluctuations, polarization, wavelength, temperature and device geometrical variations. This thesis explores the design of new DOS in order to improve its performance especially in terms of crosstalk and power consumption. Polymeric thermo-optic effect DOS has been developed due to its high thermo-optic coefficient which can support low power consumption devices. Buried square core waveguide is used in this research due to its low fiber to chip coupling loss. In order to ensure the waveguide operates as a single-mode waveguide in the optical communication transmission window, the optimization was done using alternating direction implicit method, finite difference method (FDM) and effective index method. The simulation and optimization of the Y-branch shape are done using finite difference beam propagation method whereas the heater design was optimized by employing FDM to solve the steady state heat transfer equation and scalar Helmholtz equation. The Y-branch shape is a hybrid of modified cosine Sbend branch and linear branch. Effective waveguide heating has been done by using a parabolic heater. With branching angle of 0.299 o and device length of only 5 mm, the simulation shows that the device could exhibit crosstalk of -33 dB at heating power of only 26 mW. In order to further reduce the crosstalk, a variable optical attenuator (VOA) has been designed to be connected to the DOS. The VOA is constructed from cosine S-bend which has low loss (< 0.2 dB) at off state, thus it is suitable to be used in optical switch. The VOA design uses the same material as that of the DOS which is the photo-active ultra violet curable fluorinated resins based on acrylate in order to ensure compatibility. The thermo-optic coefficient of the material is -1.7 ×10 -4 / o C and thermal conductivity is 0.17 W/m o C. The optimized DOS without VOA was fabricated. The crosstalk of -26 dB is achieved at electrical power of 32 mW, and the insertion loss is less than -2.5 dB. In terms of wavelength dependency, the device shows a good performance inside the C-band with fluctuation of the insertion loss value around 0.5 dB.


We report on the magnetic properties of Co$_x$Pt$_{1-x}$ clusters embedded in various matrices. Using a careful analysis of magnetization curves and ZFC susceptibility measurements, we determine the clusters magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) and separate the surface and volume contributions. By comparing different chemical compositions, we show that a small amount of Pt (15~\%) induces an important increase in the volume anisotropy with respect to pure Co clusters, even in chemically disordered fcc clusters. Comparing the measurements of clusters embedded in Nb and MgO matrices, we show that the oxide matrix induces an important increase of the surface MAE attributed to the formation of an antiferromagnetic CoO shell around the clusters.


Aiming at the construction technique of walls of the large diameter coal bunker and the problems of the single bunker's fragile mode, which is subject to deflection,distortion and out of circularity,the paper introduces the sliding device design and the methods for the sliding mode,and indicates the construction technique is economical,simple,speedy,secure and high performance for the large diameter coal bunker.


"Why don't patients with glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1DS) suffer from anemia if the protein is so important for erythrocytes?" This single question is undoubtedly among the students' favorites at teaching courses on GLUT1DS during the past 15 years or so. Since I'm not aware of any study on the life span of red blood cells of patients with GLUT1DS in general, and since I have never encountered anemia as a clinical problem in these patients, I simply answer the students that anemia is not a common feature of GLUT1DS. Very often this leads to some disappointment since they feel that my statement undermines the lesson that erythrocyte glucose uptake studies can be used to functionally prove the deleterious effect of SLC2A1mutations in the laboratory. Those who love exceptions to the rule and persist will recall some extremely rare patients with GLUT1DS and hemolytic anemia. Indeed, anemia in these patients is caused by the SLC2A1mutation; however, it is not the consequence of a defective glucose transport. From the patient described in this issueofNeuropediatrics1 and those in three earlier reports,2–4we can learn that certain SLC2A1mutations lead to the synthesis of an abnormal GLUT1 protein that harbors two (instead of one) principal functional defects. First, the abnormal protein impedes glucose transport into thebrain (and into erythrocytes), as expected. Second, the abnormal protein leaks cations due to a change of its tertiary structure that widens its pore region. The former abnormality causes theneurologicdisorder thatweknowasGLUT1DS, in its classic or milder form, and with its wonderful response to treatment with the ketogenic diet. Altered intracellular concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium, but not glucose shortage of red blood cells, causehemolytic anemia. In patients with such SLC2A1 mutations, the cation leak may aggravate the neurologic consequences of glucose shortage andmaycauseperiventricular calcifications. In the lens, cation leakage may lead to cataracts. In2008,Weber et alwere thefirst to reportonanemia in the context of GLUT1DS.2 They described a family with a relatively mild neurologic disorder, dominated by paroxysmal exertioninduced dyskinesia, and hemolytic anemia. The affected members harbored an in-frame 12-bp deletion (c.1022_1033del) of SLC2A1, predicting the loss of four amino acids (p.Q282_S285del) within the pore region of GLUT1. Additionally, they linked the GLUT1 protein change to the leakage of cations from erythrocytes. The second and third reports on this topic appeared in 2011 and 2012, respectively, together describing three patients suffering from a severe, multisystem disorder, resembling the present case.3,4 In one patient, the SLC2A1mutation led to p.Gly286Asp, neighboring theproteinchangefoundbyWeberetal. Theother twopatients carried the samemutation as the present case, resulting in the loss of isoleucine at either position 435 or 436 of GLUT1. Shibata et al illustrate the fact that GLUT1DS is characterized by a typical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile with low glucose and low lactate concentrations, as recently described.5 Importantly, the report emphasizes the fact that such a CSF profile should raise the suspicion of GLUT1DS, also in a patient with a neurologic disorder that does not resemble the classic phenotype. An important reason for the latter statement is that, as far as I am aware, there are no other disorders known with the CSF profile of GLUT1DS. Furthermore, GLUT1DS is a treatable disorder; thus, everymeaningful clue to its diagnosis should be taken seriously. This article is an editorial comment on "Another case of glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome with periventricular calcification, cataracts, hemolysis, and pseudohyperkalemia" by Shibata et al (Neuropediatrics 2017; doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1603520).


A recent lawsuit brought against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding far wider early access to experimental medications after the completion of phase 1 trials by patients with terminal illnesses in a setting in which there are no known effective therapeutic options has stimulated considerable public discussion regarding the right of individuals to personally exert strong influence over such management decisions versus the responsibility of government to ensure both the safety and efficacy of available treatments. Somewhat lost in this understandably highly emotionally charged debate is the issue of the actual level of risk to patients that might be associated with a policy of permitting individuals with an advanced malignancy to receive anticancer agents prescribed by their oncologists after the drugs have completed only limited phase 1 testing. Thus, an appropriate question to ask is how well do early phase 1 trial results predict the dosages and schedules of antineoplastic agents that are ultimately used routinely in oncologic practice based on further documentation of safety and efficacy? It would not be reasonable to propose that a simple global answer can be provided in response to this inquiry, at least partially because of the fact that a large percentage of drugs that complete phase 1 testing never actually enter clinical practice, either secondary to inadequate efficacy or unacceptable toxicity demonstrated in subsequently conducted trials. However, it is possible to at least explore this issue by examining existing data related to antineoplastic drugs that are currently in oncologic practice, and specifically situations in which there is considerable reported experience using the agent outside the setting of ''registration-type trials.'' This documentation of a nonregistration trial experience is particularly relevant to the question being addressed in this commentary because it is well-recognized that registration-type trials, with their often highly restrictive eligibility criteria, may not be representative of the population of individuals who are likely to receive the agent Address for reprints: Maurie Markman, MD, Clinical Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Mail Box 121, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030; Fax: (713) 563-9586; E-mail: mmarkman@ mdanderson.org


In a recent article Professor W. A. Bone has shown that combination
can take place between carbon monoxide and oxygen when dried over
phosphorus pentoxide for six months, provided sufficient energy is added
to the explosive mixture. The condensed discharges used by Professor
Bone to ignite the dry mixture were of the order of magnitude of the hot
sparks used by Millikan and Bowen in their experiments on stripped atoms,
and were amply sufficient to dissociate the gas in the path of the spark into
atoms stripped of their valence electrons.


This work is a book review considering the title Artifacts and Allegiances: How Museums Put the Nation and the World on Display by Peggy Levitt.


During the period 1935 to 1951, there were 283 newly diagnosed cases of thyroid cancer among residents of the state of Connecticut. The median survival after diagnosis for the 251 persons with histological confirmation of cancer was three and one-half years. At the end of the 12th month, two-thirds of the patients were still alive, whereas two-thirds of the members of a control group had not yet died by the end of the 12th year. Thyroid cancer progresses five times more rapidly in men than in women. Women with papillary cancer have a considerably better prognosis (median survival nine and one-half years) than women with the non-papillary variety (median survival two years). The survival of men was poor regardless of the histological variety of the neoplasm. For both sexes combined the median survival in localized thyroid cancer was four and one-half years for the nonpapillary types and eight years for the papillary variety.


Studies on the flora of the Arbuckle Mountains indicated to the present writer that Cercis was still inadequately treated and that its specific designations were not compatible with current systematic theories. Therefore he studied the genus from the viewpoint of a monographer, borrowing specimens from all of the leading herbaria in this country, and concluded (1942) that Cerci8 was represented in North America by only two species, C. canadensis and C. occidentalis. The numerous species which Britton and Rose and others had considered to be valid, he reduced to varieties of C. canadensis.


If an electronic designer wants to make an electronic module more recyclable, a way to quantify the impact of the design changes on the recyclability of the module is needed. One of the most important
aspects to quantify the impact of design changes is information about the materials that are used in the electronic module. This paper will explain how the material composition of electronic components or an electronic module can be described. It will also give an overview of the dedicated models that are developed to estimate the material content of electronic components, in case the material composition of these components is unknown.


SUMMARY This study evaluated the effect of Mucuna bean as a supplement for growing Pelibuey sheep fed with a basal diet of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum). Twenty males averaging 19.9 ± 2.19 kg LW were divided in four treatment groups and fed Napier grass ad libitum. The Mucuna bean supplementation consisted of Mucuna bean grain and husks that had been ground into a meal. The supplementation for the four treatment groups consisted of: 300 g a -1 d -1 of a commercial feed (control, Co) or 5 (T5), 10 (T10), or 15 (T15) g kg LW -1 d -1 of Mucuna bean meal. The experiment lasted for 84 days and was a completely randomized design with five replications. Statistical analysis consisted of analysis of variance and orthogonal contrasts to test the control vs Mucuna bean supplementation and regression analysis to determine the effect of the level of Mucuna bean supplementation. The dry matter intake of the Mucuna bean meal was 148, 309 and 495 g DM a -1 d -1 for treatments T5, T10, and T15, respectively, while that of the control was 278 g DM a -1 d -1 . Daily weight changes were 44, -3.4, 32 and 60 g a -1 for the control and for the treatments T5, T10, and T15, respectively. There was a linear relationship between the level of Mucuna supplementation and the total dry matter intake (P<0.001) and the daily weight gain (P<0.01). The intake of forage was not affected by the level of Mucuna bean supplementation. Feeding behavior was similar among treatments. Animals eating the Mucuna bean did not show signs of toxicity at any of the supplementation levels.


This study aims to comprehensively examine the effect of budgetary participation on managerial performance through job-relevant information, job satisfaction, motivation and organizational commitment as intervening variables on case study in PDAM Tirta Satria Kabupaten Banyumas. To collect data of this study, survey questionnaire with sample selection using purposive sampling method are used.
From 62 questionnaires given to managers or managers-equaled level in PDAM Tirta Satria Kabupaten Banyumas, 54 questionnaires (87%) were completely answered. Their response are analyzed using PLS (Partial Least Square) analysis technique through SmartPLS software to examine the direct and indirect effects of budgetary participation on managerial performance.
These analysis results reveal that budgetary participation has significant positive effects to job-relevant information, job satisfaction, and motivation. However, budgetary participation does not affect to organizational commitment and does not directly affect to managerial performance but has indirect effects to managerial performance through job-relevant information and job satisfaction as mediation variables.


Introduction: Suppression of respiratory motion artifacts remains a major challenge in coronary MRA (CMRA). Diaphragmatic navigator (NAV) has been the most commonly used technique in free-breathing CMRA. However, due to its indirect measurement of heart position, this method is susceptible to hysteretic problems. Furthermore, because acquisition of NAV echo disturbs steady-state signal, NAV is incompatible with 4D imaging. Instead, a newly proposed respiratory self-gating (RSG) method based on acquisition of two superior-inferior (SI) projections provides a potential approach to directly measure heart motion [1]. Its capability in 4D CMRA has been shown as well [1,2]. This work aimed to quantitatively study the accuracy of this new technique in deriving respiratory motion of the heart and preliminarily investigate its performance in free-breathing whole-heart CMRA. Materials and Methods: A new sequence was implemented for the accuracy evaluation purpose. As shown in Fig. 1, in each cardiac cycle, a 2D real-time (2DRT) image together with a NAV echo and two RSG k-space lines was acquired. The 2DRT image was measured at mid-diastole in a sagittal slice across the left ventricle. GRAPPA was used to reduce acquisition time. Sinusoidal dummy pulses were applied before the 2DRT data acquisition to establish steady state signal. A NAV echo was measured right before the dummy pulses. Two RSG lines were measured between the dummy pulses and the 2DRT data acquisition. In the two RSG signals, a k-space center line along the SI direction was acquired. In acquisition of the 2nd RSG line, a properly-designed anterior-posterior dephasing was applied so that summation of these two RSG lines provided effective suppression of chest wall signal and an SI RSG projection with its signal primarily from the heart was obtained [1]. Respiratory motion of the heart was estimated from the NAV echoes using a correlation factor of 0.6 and also derived directly from the RSG projections and merely the 1st SI projections using a profile matching method [2]. Translational motion of the heart derived from the 2DRT images was used as the standard to evaluate the accuracy of the above three respiratory gating methods. Signals and a 2DRT image in the same cardiac cycle at near-end-expiration were selected as the references to derive all the above motion signals so as to make the baseline heart position uniform. Next, the absolute error of the NAV and RSG motion signals within a gradually incrementing acceptance window (AW) was calculated to study the relationship of the accuracy of motion derivation with AW selection. Studies were conducted on 9 healthy volunteers using a 1.5T Siemens Avanto system. Sequence parameters included: 320×200 mm FOV; 10 mm slice thickness; 256×96 matrix; TE/TR = 1.6/3.2 ms; 75o flip angle; 9 dummy pulses; acceleration factor of 3; 24 reference lines. This 2-projection RSG technique was implemented in a segmented SSFP sequence with NAV gating and ECG triggering. The two RSG lines were acquired prior to each segmented data acquisition. Free-breathing whole-heart CMRA was conducted on healthy volunteers. Data acquisition was gated using NAV echoes, and images were reconstructed off-line with and without compensating the respiratory motion detected by the RSG method. Imaging parameters were: 320×260 mm FOV; 96 partitions interpolated from 48; 1.5 mm slice thickness; 320×240 matrix; 40 lines/segment; ±3 mm NAV acceptance window; 75o flip angle; TE/TR = 1.87/3.74 ms. Results: Fig. 2 shows a section of the SI respiratory motion signals derived from the 2DRT images and using the three candidate respiratory gating methods. Clearly, the motion signal derived using the 2-projection RSG method is the most consistent with the reference motion, while using the 1-projection RSG method the accuracy is lowered and the NAV motion signal shows substantially larger deviation even at end-expiration. As shown in Fig. 3, for all the three methods, the mean error increases with larger AW. Among them, the 2-projection RSG method achieves the highest accuracy (p<0.05). In comparison, the mean error of the NAV method is always significant larger than that of the 2-projection RSG method (p<0.05). The accuracy of the 1-projection RSG method is in-between and the overlapping effects of the chest wall signal introduce larger errors as the AW increases. Its accuracy is significantly lower than 2-projection RSG with an AW≥5.5mm (p<0.05). In whole-heart CMRA studies, there was a close overall correlation between the NAV motion signal and the RSG motion signals. However, in some subjects, there were clear deviations between the two signals, possibly reflecting the variations in motion patterns between the heart and diaphragm. The images at a sagittal slice of a volunteer reconstructed with and without RSG motion compensation are displayed in Fig 4.a and 4.b, respectively. As indicated by the two arrows, the cross-sections of the two coronary artery branches are blurred or even undistinguishable in Fig.4.a, while the motion artifacts are greatly reduced in Fig 4.b. Conclusion: With direct measurement of heart motion immediately prior to the imaging data acquisition, more accurate respiratory gating and motion compensation can be achieved with the RSG methods than diaphragm NAV. By acquiring a 2nd projection for suppression of chest wall signal, the accuracy can be further increased. In conclusion, the 2-projection RSG method is a promising and robust technique for 3D and 4D high-definition free-breathing whole-heart CMRA. Reference: [1]. Lai P, et al. ISMRM, 2006:p1972; [2] Lai P, et al. ISMRM, 2006:p364 Fig 1. Acquisition scheme of the NAV, RSG, 2DRT sequence 2DRT Image RSG Line 1&2 NAV Signal


Introduction Several studies have found correlations between EEG bands and BOLD signal (1,2). Full-band EEG (FbEEG) enables investigation of very low (0.010.1 Hz) brain fluctuations which modulate cortical excitability and interictal epileptic activity (3). In this study we investigated the correlation between FbEEG and BOLD signal fluctuations recorded simultaneously. We have hypothesized that low frequency FbEEG recordings at rest correlate to the most active brain network at rest, i.e. default mode network (DMN). We also investigated how the amplification of vasomotor waves by caffeine alters the FbEEG vs. BOLD correlation. Finally we investigated how physiological correction of respiratory and cardiac signals affects the results. Methods Twelve healthy subjects (age 24 ± 3.3 years, 2 ♀, 10 ♂) underwent 2 resting state scans, with simultaneous recorded EEG. Recordings were performed for each subject before and 30 min after administration of caffeine (200 mg). The MRI scanning was performed using EPI GRE sequence (TR 1.8 s, TE 40 ms, 28 slices 4mm thick with 0.4 mm slice gap, FOV 25.6 cm x 25.6 cm with a 64 x 64 matrix, flip angle 90°). A 32-channel MR-compatible BrainAmp system was used for EEG recordings, with 32 Channel BrainCap MRI. Physiological correction (RETROICOR and RVT) was performed with AFNI software. BOLD data preprocessing (motion correction, slice time correction and normalization) were carried out in FSL. Imaging and ballistocardiographic (BCG) artifacts were removed offline using the Brain Vision Analyzer (4). Infinite impulse response (IIR) Filter was used to filter the data 0.002-0.5 Hz. Correlation between BOLD and low frequency filtered FbEEG was performed using AFNI with statistical threshold of p < 0.05, t-value > 2.2. Results Detectable correlations between FbEEG and resting state BOLD were located in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dMPFC), left superior medial and precentral gyri. Caffeine administration augmented the correlations in dMPFC and more correlating areas were observed in; ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC), cuneus, lingual, middle occipital, middle temporal gyri and right anterior cingulate. These correlations were reduced after physiological corrections. Group-mean images comparing before to after caffeine administration with and without physiological corrections are shown below (Fig.1).


A method for controlling a variable by a building technical installation state quantity is measured using a a proportional component (P component) and an integral component (I component) having regulator performed. In this method, the quantity of state is detected over time at least over a predetermined period of time and the detected quantity of state as an actual state amount is compared with a target state quantity. Upon detection of a deviation is this then evaluates whether the proposed for controlling the building services installation Stellaktor to compensate for the deviation should be affected or not. In case of too inducing compensation of Stellaktor is affected accordingly. In the regulation of the manipulated variable for controlling the Stellaktors to compensate a setpoint step change, in a first step, the control with a control variable is carried out without noticeable influence of an I component, until the actual state quantity in a target state quantity band (P band) occurs, which target state quantity band is represented by the target state quantity including a deviation thereof. Then, the control is continued with a manipulated variable, which comprises a P component and an I component is continued, said second control step starts with a pre-controlled I component and, the further adjustment of the I component by the controller-side control algorithm.


The Ksharasutra is a specialized Ayurvedic surgical thread renowned for its efficacy in treating anorectal disorders, particularly fistula-in-ano. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the preparation process of Ksharasutra, focusing on the selection of thread, preparation of Kshara, collection of Snuhi Ksheera, the Ksharasutra cabinet, and the method of sealing. Through a detailed explanation of these essential steps, the purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of the complex and comprehensive method involved in developing the Ksharasutra.


There are many reasons that point to the need to deal with optimization of production processes. This article deals with improving the efficiency of the assembly process through optimization of its time structure. It is a necessary tool for ensuring growth of the organization, whether in professional or economically. The company can thus achieve a higher level of significance not only in the domestic but also foreign markets.


Planar quasi-periodic arrays are widely used in many electromagnetic devices such as metasurfaces, reflectarray antennas, nano particle arrays, and etc. They constitute similar elements located on periodic grids. Simulation of wave interaction with such arrays are very challenging as they are large multi-scale problems. In this work, we introduce a fast algorithm for quasi-periodic array modeling. This algorithm numerically recovers periodicity using linear current projection and reduced basis method. The reduced basis method can also take advantage of the similarities among elements and reduce the number of unknowns to solve. These two schemes together allow us to recall the power of fast Fourier transform as we solve periodic arrays. The computational complexity of this algorithm is O(NlogN) where N is the number of elements in the array. Numerical example shows the potential to solve large scale quasi-periodic arrays.


SUMMARY S eventy uterine and ovarian samples were collected from adult female buffaloes, slaughtered in different slaughter houses in Dakahlia Province. The animals were suffering infertility. The specimens were examined bacteriologically, biochemically and pathologically. Ten blood samples (5 from normal and 5 from diseased buffaloes) were collected from the jugular vein, before slaughtering. The serum was separated and used for blood chemistry. The surface of uteri and ovaries were seared by a hot spatula and opened under complete aseptic precaution then a loopfull of the uterine content was directly cultured onto nutrient agar, MacConkey agar and blood agar. All the inoculated plates were incubated at 73°C for 24 h. The suspected colonies were examined culturally. Specimens were collected from the uteri and ovaries and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Five micron thick paraffin sections were prepared, stained by H & E and examined microscopically. The most prevalent microorganisms were E. coli (10%), Klebsiella oxytoca (2.85%), Proteus mirabilis (2.85%), Staph. aureus (5.7%) and Strept. pyogens (7.1%). Uterine adhesion, endometritis and cystic ovaries were encountered. The uterus showed degenerative changes in the uterine glands with periglandular mononuclear cell infiltration and edema besides congestion and vasculitis. The examined ovaries showed either thick walled follicular cysts or leutein cysts with luteinized granulosa cells, hyperplastic theca-interna and theca-externa besides atretic follicles and hyperplastic lining of other follicles. The blood vessels were congested and showed thickened walls of the coiled arterioles. The estrogen was significantly increased, meanwhile the progesterone, T3 and t4 hormones were significantly decreased. It could be concluded that the affection of the uterus and ovaries leads to infertility associated with hormonal disturbances. E. coli was the highest to isolate, but Klebsiella oxytoca and Proteus merabilis were the lowest.


Introduction: The steady increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, will require new therapeutic strategies. T igecycline is a new antibiotic derived from minocycline, which has demonstrated excellent in vitro activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. Objective: To describe the sensitivity of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic bacteria to tigecycline, isolated from clinical samples, in a fourth-level hospital. Methods: The identification was carried out by conventional methods of identification and the susceptibility study to tigecycline by the disk diffusion method, to isolated bacteria specimens (except urine) from patients treated in the emergency and outpatient department. Results: A total of 2515 bacteria strains were included. 100% of strains of Staphylococcus aureus (651), Staphylococcus coagulase negative (382) and Enterococcus spp. (276), were susceptible to tigecycline. The largest number of Enterobacteriaceae tested, Escherichia coli (511) had a sensitivity of 99.8%, Klebsiella pneumoniae (332) a 93.1% and Enterobacter cloacae (129) of 96.9%. The strains that showed resistance mechanisms such as Staphylococcus spp. oxacillin-resistant or Enterobacteriaceae producing extended spectrum beta lactamases showed high rates of susceptibility to tigecycline. Conclusions: Tigecycline, as with most studies conducted in other regions of the world, presented an excellent in vitro activity in bacteria isolated in the clinical samples from this hospital and therefore could be an option in treating both as empirical therapy of infections in which its use is indicated.


Redberry juniper (Juniperuspinchotii) is common on breaks and rimrocks of mesas in western Texas and the Texas Panhandle (Vines, 1960). In many areas redberry juniper has spread from its original habitat in the breaks and rimrocks onto adjacent, and formerly brush-free, grasslands (Ellis and Schuster, 1968). Because of their dense, low canopies and vigorous rooting characteristics, redberry junipers compete strongly with herbaceous vegetation. Therefore, considerable effort has gone into devising control methods in Texas (Bell and Dyksterhuis, 1943; Allred, 1949; Wolfe, 1950; Rechenthin et al., 1964). Dozing has been the primary method of control, although chaining, roller chopping, cutting, and fire are also commonly used. Redberry juniper is difficult to control because it sprouts from both roots and root crown after top removal. Herbicides have generally been ineffective, but picloram (4amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) has recently shown potential for redberry juniper control (Balduzzi, 1969; Robison and Cross, 1969; Scifres, 1972). Initial studies using foliar sprays of picloram indicated that 1 lb of picloram + 2,4,5-T (1: 1) in an oil:water (2:98) solution as a wetting spray killed redberry juniper (Balduzzi and Schuster, 1968). That study also indicated that June applications were not as effective as July applications. Because of the apparent effectiveness in previous studies, additional experiments were initiated in 1969 to obtain information on the control of redberry juniper with picloram in both liquid and dry form.


The use of two levels of cassava (0 and 15%, T1 and T2, respectively) leaf meal (HFY) in feed concentrate was studied in growing pigs. A total of 24 crossbred animals Landrace x Yorkshire (12 castrated males and 12 females), with on initial weight of 23.44kg, were randomly assigned to each 2 replication treatment. The animal performance was evaluated until they reached 50 ± 3 kg, using the least sguare mean analysis of variance. No difference was found in growth rate between treatments (0.660 and 0.665 kg daily weight gain for o and 15%, respectively). The total weight gain was 27.75 and 27.96 kg respectively. The total feed consumption was greater in animals in T2 (138.62 vs 120.48 kg, P 0.05). There was no difference in performance between males and females. The relative economic index was slightly better for T2. The results indicate that the use of 15% HFY in the feed concentrate can may be used in the growing phase.


In this article, a fully passive, wireless solution for out-of-sight pipeline monitoring is presented. By predicting corrosion before its occurrence, a proactive response may be taken to mitigate the chance of an environmental disaster. The chipless radio-frequency identification system is a combination of a tag ID, consisting of an array of six rectangular spiral resonators, and a tag antenna consisting of two cross-polarized novel patch antennas etched on a skin-thin microwave laminate. The tags are grounded on a carbon steel pipeline coated with $\text{3 mm}$ Teflon (polyethylene-like electrical characteristics). The proposed system exhibits robust capability to create frequency signatures to detect and monitor defects underneath the pipeline coating owing to water ingress that could eventuate to corrode the pipeline. The reader antenna above the pipeline comprises two identically cross-polarized log periodic dipole antennas with the intent to remotely capture resonances of the tag ID in real-time for early detection and prediction of potential pipeline exposure to moisture. The proposed structure provides low-cost real-time solution.


Abstract Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based nanocomposite films with different loadings of PMMA-modified graphene sheets were prepared by a solution-mixing and solvent casting method. The prepared films were annealed at three different temperatures and the crystalline structures of the samples were investigated. X-ray diffraction data confirmed the PMMA-modified graphene nanosheets enhanced the preferential β-crystalline structure when increasing the annealing temperature to 90 °C, while increasing the annealing temperature to 120 °C led to a β → γ phase conversion. The tendency of the graphene sheets to restack by increasing the annealing temperature was confirmed by XRD. The PMMA-modified graphene sheets, however, didn't showa nucleating effect on the PVDF crystallizationduring DSC cooling scans.


In this study, poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) was initially synthesized via condensation polymerization of glycerol and sebacic acid at equimolar ratio (1:1) at 130°C for 24 h. The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the resulting polymer determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was about 2800 g/mol. Porous PGS scaffolds were subsequently prepared by a particle-leaching technique. NaCl was added into the polymer at 60-90% w/w; the mixtures were cured in Teflon molds at 140°C for 16 h. The porous scaffolds were further subjected to surface treatment with low pressure oxygen plasma to increase surface carboxyl and hydroxyl groups and thereby enhance hydrophilicity of PGS scaffold surface. The surface morphology and wettability of both untreated PGS and plasma-treated PGS scaffolds were comparatively determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water contact angle measurement, respectively. A considerable decrease in water contact angle was observed on the PGS scaffolds after the plasma treatment. The surface chemistry, mechanical strength and degree of swelling of the PGS scaffolds were also assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and swelling measurement, respectively.


This study looks at the representation of polygamous marriage in selected dramatic texts from Nigeria and juxtaposes it against global discussion on the acceptance of the "otherness" in society. It concludes that monogamy and polygamy (polygyny and polyandry) are systems of marriage practised in different cultures, most especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In the continent, marriage enjoys cultural, religious and constitutional backing. However, the focus of this paper is on polygamy in dramatic texts in relation to the social reality of the environment from which the texts emerged. The paper further narrows its interest down to three levels of contractual marriage in sub-Saharan Africa. It reveals that the traditional and religious marriage systems in sub- Saharan Africa embrace polygamy while state institutions or legal marriage system frowns at it. It is against this backdrop that this work adopts postmodernism as a theoretical framework to examine the place of polygamy in four African dramatic texts. The paper argues that postmodernist worldview has reinvigorated the practice of polygamy beyond the boundaries of Africa, Asia and of the adherents of the Islamic religion.


Feed for aquatic animals, particularly for hot and cold water ornamental fish in fresh and sea water and reptiles, from the one-piece units which have at least a first region and a second region, wherein the regions adjoin each other and the portions may have different compositions. Aquatic animals can be so balanced diet in a simple and practical way and - if needed - are treated simultaneously for prevention or treatment of diseases. At the same time that, adapted to the feeding habits of aquatic animals, sinking behavior to be set.


Purpose – This paper aims to illustrate realities of homeless people's lives during a time of significant change in UK public sector funding and welfare policy.Design/methodology/approach – A participatory research approach was used including working with two co‐researchers; two people who have direct experience of homelessness. A sustainable livelihoods approach was adapted to provide a framework for analysis. The research was undertaken during May to October 2011.Findings – The paper interrogates five areas of assets held by people themselves that support sustainable livelihoods, an existing approach used in other research. Life journey narratives show that a connected range of services, operating through an empowerment model, promote human dignity.Research limitations/implications – Findings resonate with issues identified in larger studies; however, as the funding and policy context is rapidly changing it is recommended that additional local qualitative studies could be conducted during the next three...


Previous research has often focused on socioeconomic resources as a base qf conjugal power. Data from 378 married couples were used to test the applicability qf resource theory and social exchange theory in explaining determinants qf influence within a specific decision-making area (wives' employment). As a result of sizeable discrepancies in spousal perceptions, perceived influence was analyzed fbr three groups: husbands, wives, and spouses whose perceptions coincided. Results indicate that with the exception of age, differences in conjugal resources are unimportant in explaining influence. However, increments in wives' resources correlate positively with wives' influence, while increments in husbands' resources correlate negatively with husbands' influence. Furthermore, these relationships were stronger among husbands' perceptions than among wives' perceptions in a multivariate analysis. Support for Heer's (1963) "exchange" theory, and Rodman's (1972) "theory ofresources in a cultural context' was fbund. It is argued that as both wives and husbands rise in the socioeconomic structure, women become less economically dependent upon their spouses, while men are socialized into an egalitarian ethic. Both factors facilitate greater influence in the area qf employment decision making !fr married women.


ABSTRACT The Devon Educational Television Service was established more than 10 years ago by the former Plymouth Educational Authority. In the production of its own television programmes the aim is to avoid competition with BBC or IBA and to concentrate on topics with a local flavour or to augment national programmes with local material. The provision of material on video cassettes is a service now covering the whole country, as is the 35mm slide, slide/tape and multi‐media pack service. Recent examples give some idea of the range of subjects covered. Audio tapes are produced in co‐operation with several county advisory teams. Films produced for local needs have found national and international markets. Active support is given to CSE Mode 3 studies in film and television. A working party set up to examine the role of DETVS found that the Service has become an integral and valuable part of the resource network of the county


Abstract Many nonprofits and government entities model the standard for housing affordability set by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD, which states that housing costs in excess of 30% of gross household income are unaffordable. Families require a minimum level of basic consumption after housing costs are made which must then be purchased with the remaining 70% of their gross income. Hence, an increasing number of studies have examined how these competing needs factor into the government equation for housing affordability using national datasets. This study uses data from the Rural Families Speak project, a multi-state research project focused on rural, low-income families with children. The percent of income families spent on housing is compared to their ability to fulfill basic needs to answer the question: Do low-income rural families that are not housing cost burdened perceive themselves to be able to meet more basic needs than families that are housing cost burdened according to the government standard? By incorporating measures of perceived fulfillment of basic needs, the understanding of affordability can be broadened to include the challenging circumstances of rural areas.


The invention relates to a preheating radiation stove. The preheating radiation stove comprises a pan body, an air preheating device, a combustion gas preheating device, a heat exchange metal tube, a smoke collection channel and a stove bottom, the stove bottom has a tight cooperative connection with the pan body, the stove bottom is provided with radial channels, the radial channels at the stove bottom and the pan body form a closed hearth, the hearth is connected with the smoke connection channel through the heat exchange metal tube, the front segment and the rear segment of the heat exchange metal tube are sequentially arranged in the air heat exchange channel of the air preheating device and the combustion gas exchange channel of the preheating device, the pan bottom of the pan body is provided with a channel, the channel is coated with a coating with high emission ability, and the internal and external surfaces of each of the channel of the air preheating device and the channel of the combustion gas preheating device are respectively coated with a coating with high radiation absorption rate. The air preheating tube is arranged on an original large stove in order to preheat air, so the flame temperature is higher than that of a present stove, and the flue gas waste heat is fully utilized, thereby energy saving and efficiency increase are realized.


For select countries in sub-Saharan Africa, we compare various sources of information on agricultural land in an attempt to determine what share of total agricultural land may be operated by corporate farms or government enterprises. We also combine various data on agricultural land and households in order to gain a better understanding of the number and distribution of household and non-household farms and farmland in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. We also examine changes in farmland distribution among household farms for select countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Whereas most literature on changes in farm size focuses on the average farm size, we go beyond looking at averages to consider the entire distribution of household farms. We find that a significant share of agricultural land is likely operated by non-household farms in a select set of African countries. There is a need to redouble efforts to conduct surveys of all farms as opposed to simply household farms; efforts such as the Agricultural Information System (AGRIS) are timely. LSMS and DHS data confirm the finding that average farm sizes have decreased in many countries of sub-Saharan Africa, although the decrease results from various types of changes in farmland distribution. Previous estimates of the number of farms in sub-Saharan Africa are out of date and we estimate that there are more than 77 million farms in that region.


ABSTRACT:In this article I propose an argument about not one, but three different renditions of Born to Run. Two of them are books. Just before his hit records Darkness on the Edge of Town and Born in the U.S.A., Born to Run was a milestone in Bruce Springsteen's four-decade career. The album contains songs that despite their loudness offer haunting, depressing explorations of betrayal, isolation, and the despair of post-Vietnam War America. While a great deal of research has approached hometown nostalgia and transformations of blue-collar identity in Springsteen's musical oeuvre, what has yet remained underdeveloped what could the connection be between songs that shaped American cultural memory, Dave Marsh's early Springsteen biography published in 1979, and Springsteen's newly released autobiography—both with the title Born to Run. While the previous piece is clearly calls for a historical approach, the contemporary autobiography by Springsteen raises issues about the spatial nature of social nostalgia, the possibility of intertextuality between different cultural products and the book's relation to the two decades that changed everything.


An analysis of the difficult past year shows that emerging markets have actually held their value more successfully than developed markets, with declines of considerably smaller magnitude than those seen in the U.S., Europe and developed Asia. The focus of this paper is on the emerging markets of Latin America and Asia where funds are up more than 50 percent this year after returning nearly 40 percent in 2004 and more than 60 percent in the previous year. After years of doldrums triggered by Brazil's devaluation of the real and the subsequent Argentine crisis, capital markets are regaining strength. In Chile and Brazil, for instance, mergers and acquisitions are on the rise and stock offerings are back in fashion. Even retail investors have joined institutional investors in participating in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), such as the one from Chile's secondlargest department store, Bipley. Pension funds also have been important to financing, particularly for Chile's biggest companies, though the private pension funds are near their legal limit for equity investments. The first section of the paper focuses on a general definition and characteristics of the global emerging markets. The second section of the paper concentrates on the Latin American Equity and Bond market with special attention towards the performance of the markets over the past year. The final section looks at the recent developments of the region, risks of the region and concludes with suggested policies for the future. WHAT IS AN EMERGING MARKET ECONOMY (EME)? term coined in 1981 by Antoine W. van Agtmael of the World Bank, an emerging, or developing, market economy (EME) is defined as an economy with low-to-middle per capita income. Such countries constitute approximately 80% of the global population, representing about 20% of the world's economies. EMEs are characterized as transitional, meaning they are in the process of moving from a closed to an open market economy while building accountability within the system. Examples include the former Soviet Union and Eastern bloc countries. As an emerging market, a country is embarking on an economic reform program that will lead it to stronger and more responsible economic performance levels, as well as transparency and efficiency in the capital market. An EME will also reform its exchange rate system because a stable local currency builds confidence in an economy, especially when foreigners are considering investing. Exchange rate reforms also reduce the desire for local investors to send their capital abroad, leading to what is commonly known as capital flight. However, the bigger the risk, so would be the expected reward, so emerging market investments have become a standard practice among investors aiming to diversify while adding risk. LATIN AMERICA'S EQUITY MARKETS Stock markets are soaring in Colombia, Mexico, Chile and Peru. Several of Latin America's chief export commodities have hit record highs, a windfall to producing countries such as Venezuela and Peru. Argentina and Brazil have shaken off the recession of years ago and are seeing brisk growth. Corporations are beginning to rake in fresh capital. After years of doldrums triggered by Brazil's devaluation of the real and the subsequent Argentine crisis, capital markets are regaining strength. In Chile and Brazil, for instance, mergers and acquisitions are on the rise and stock offerings are back in fashion. Even retail investors have joined institutional investors in participating A International Business & Economics Research Journal – October 2007 Volume 6, Number 10 40 in new stock offerings, such as the one from Chile's second-largest department store, Bipley. Pension funds also have been important to financing, particularly for Chile's biggest companies, though private funds are near their legal limit for equity investments. Mexico, meanwhile, has become a regional darling in corporate finance, in part due to the swarm of foreign financial giants that flocked to the country in recent years and propped up local banks. They now control up to 80% of the market. The foreign banks cleaned up their balance sheets and injected a lot of capital into the Mexican banks, so during the last two or three years there has been a boom in credit and there is a lot of liquidity in the market. Not surprisingly, Mexico's stock market has skyrocketed, while the peso has appreciated 5% in 2005 through early August. Meanwhile, country risk fell to a five-year low. Part of what is fueling market liquidity too are the remittances of $16 billion annually sent by families overseas to Mexico, which now represents the country's second leading source of income after petroleum. Brazil has become more attractive for corporate finance, with economic output climbing 5% in 2004. In a 12 month period , Brazil's exports hit a record $107 billion and Brazilian workers living abroad sent home $5.6 billion in 2004, fueling consumption, growth and investment. No outlook is flawless however, and the final section of the paper presents several reasons and issues that could roil even the healthiest of economies and undermine their corporate finance. All the major stock indices rose by double-digits during 2004 except for Colombia, which shot up more than 116%. LATIN AMERICA'S BOND MARKET The emerging market tradable debt universe continues to expand reaching US$3.1 trillion in 2003. The regional breakdown of the debt universe shows Latin America losing some of its dominant share of the total debt outstanding. More debt is now represented by each of the other three regions, which indicates more global diversification in debt stock, Latin America now represents 48% of the external debt outstanding, down from 60% in 1995. High sovereign refinancing needs have resulted in higher levels of new issuance corporate, borrowers continue to gain access to the international capital markets. Regional Breakdown of External Debt Universe.


The utility model relates to a meter for the flexibility of a steel tube, comprising a positioning supporting bracket 1, a fiducial guide rail 5 and a movable measuring bracket 10, besides a touch switch 2, a pulley wheel 3, a transmission line 4, a retarder 6, a data processor 7, a power supply 8, a motor 9 and a rolling and measuring head 11. The rolling and measuring head 11 is fixed on the movable measuring bracket 10 which bridges over the fiducial guide rail 5. When the power supply is switched on, the movable measuring bracket 10 can slide between the transmission line 4 and the positioning supporting bracket 1, via the pulley wheel 3; the fiducial guide rail 5 is very flat and straight. After used by the factory, the utility model has the advantage of high precision; the flexibility of a measured steel tube can be read directly.


The effects of SiCladdition on flame structures have been studied in flame hydrolysis deposition (FHD) processes using Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) and planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) to measure temperatures and OH concentrations, respectively. The results demonstrate that even a small amount of SiCl addition can change thermal and chemical structures of H/O diffusion flames. When SiCl is added to a flame temperature decreases in non-reacting zone due to the increases in both specific heat and density of the gas mixture, while flame temperature increase in particle formation zone due to the heat release through hydrolysis and oxidation reactions of SiCl. It is also found that OH concentration decreases dramatically in particle formation zone where temperatures increase. This can be attributed to consumption of oxidative species and generation of HCl during silica formation.


Switched Reluctance motor (SRM) is gaining prominence due to its simple and rugged construction, absence of permanent magnets, low cost, fault tolerant capability and development in power electronics. The primary disadvantage of an SRM is the higher torque ripple with conventional machines, which contribute to acoustic noise and vibrations. The torque ripple can be reduced by improving the magnetic design of the motor and by using sophisticated electronic control techniques. This paper presents a comparative performance of an SRM for various parameters such as torque, current, and speed using asymmetric bridge converter, miller converter and modified miller converter topologies. Performance is simulated in Matlab environment considering three phase 6/4 SRM at no load.


The paper presents the main orientations in the activities of the Agrobotanical Garden from the Agronomy Institute "Dr. Petru Groza" Cluj-Napoca, founded 75 years ago. The first period of the garden was characterised by increased interest for medicinal plants, the second for plant taxonomy and systematics, the third by ecological orientations, research on cultivated varieties and for germplasm resources. The living plant collection of the garden are presented periodically in the Index Seminum Horti Agrobotanici Cluj - Napoca published since 1962, the results of botanical interest related to research on spontaneous species and cultivated plants are published in Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca. As a result of the research activities a Herbarium of more than 31 000 cultivated and spontaneous plant specimens are preserved.


ABSTRACT Stainless steel is a material with high toughness, high ductility and easy formability but it suffers from low electrical and thermal conductivity. In this paper, an attempt has been made for deposition of copper-based multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite coatings on the surface of stainless steel plate by the direct current electrodeposition method to enhance the electrical and thermal properties. Cetyl tri-methyl ammonium bromide, a cationic dispersing agent, is applied in the electrolytic bath to prevent aggregation of carbon nanotubes. The microstructure and compositional analysis of the developed Cu-MWCNT coating were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity of Cu-MWCNT composite-coated stainless-steel specimen is found to be 183% greater than the uncoated stainless-steel specimen and 58% high compared with the copper-coated stainless steel specimen. Thermal conductivity of Cu-MWCNT composite-coated stainless-steel specimen also improved compared with copper-coated and uncoated stainless-steel.


This paper aims to unearth the ways in which the Chinese government applies policies to govern the marine environment effectively. Co-word analysis, word frequency analysis and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) were chosen to analyze the evolution of marine environmental policy. This paper focuses on the marine environmental governance policy of China since 1982, takes the five-year plan for marine economic development as the node, divides these policies into five stages: The germination period, the 10th Five-Year Plan period, the 11th Five-Year Plan period, the 12th Five-Year Plan period and the 13th Five-Year Plan period. The evolution characteristics of China's marine environmental governance policy are analyzed accordingly and include the diversification of participants, changes from ex-post control to ex-ante control, diversification of policy tools, and expansion of governance scope. Finally, we elucidate the challenges regarding the formulation and implementation of China's marine environmental governance policies in the future.


Mothers of 21.month-olds were given a list of 24 child play acts and asked to rank order the acts in terms of relative difficulty. Included were exploratory behaviors (e.g., mouthing), nonsymbolic acts (e.g., nesting cups), and symbolic acts (e.g., drinking from an empty cup). In general, mothers' rankings matched scalings of play established in the developmental literature. These findings represent a first step in elucidating mothers' knowledge about development in the domain of child play.


This research is motivated by the poor ability of creative thinking mathematically, still infrequent use of the learning model and the lack of involvement of the student in the learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the increase mathematical thinking ability of students whose learning model Problem Posing with conventional learning. This study is a quasi-experimental research. The study design used Nonequivalent Control Group Design and its population is a class VII student of Al-Falah Depok Cirebon in academic year 2016/2017. Sample collection technique is purposive sampling, sample involving students of class VII, that 34 students of class VII A as an experimental class and class VII B of the 36 students as the control class. The results showed that: (1) There are differences in creative thinking ability of students learning mathematical model Problem Posing with students whose learning conventionally. (2) Enhancement of creative thinking ability of students learning mathematical model posing problem better than the increase creative thinking ability of students learning mathematical conventionally.
Keywords:  Problem Posing, creative thinking mathematically, experimental method.


A novel application of phosphotungstic acid, H3PW12O40 (PWA) supported on MCM-41 molecular sieve as a solid acid catalyst has been demonstrated for the synthesis of phenolphthalein by hydroxyalkylation of phenol and phthalic anhydride. PWA/MCM-41 (20%) showed the highest activity as compared to that of parent PWA and MCM-41 individually, due to the excellent dispersion of PWA on MCM-41 leading to the redistribution of Bronsted and Lewis acid sites on MCM-41. The effect of PWA loading on phthalic anhydride conversion and phenolphthalein selectivity was also studied. All these prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, pyridine-FTIR, and NH3-TPD. The effect of various reaction parameters, namely, mole ratios, catalyst concentration, temperature, reaction time, and percentage of PWA present in the catalysts on conversion and selectivity of products has been also investigated. The utility of 20% PWA/MCM-41 catalyst was established by its efficient activity for hydroxyalky...


[Objective] The wealth of plant materials could be provided for the improvement of the ecological environment in urban and rural areas in Henan Province through the development and utilization of local wild maple resource.[Method] The morphology and characteristics of 13 species of wild maple seeds were determined,their storage method was researched and the experiment in the growing principle of one-year-old seedling of them,their requirements to light condition was conducted.[Results] There was large difference in their seed morphology,being divided into 3 types of small,medium and large-sized seed.Most of maple seed had dormancy characteristics and the treatment of the low temperature storage in sand outdoor was the effective way of dormancy-breaking and germination rate-improving.There were three types of one-year-old maple tree seedling growth: double growth peaks,single peak and uniform growth.The requirement of the maple tree seedlings to light condition was various and with the exception of A.franchetii,A.truncatum,A.buergerianum,A.ginnala and A.oblongum,the shading condition at varying degrees was necessary for other eight species of maple tree growth well.[Conclusion] It was practicable to introduce and artificially multiply wild maple trees in the plain areas with low altitude.


The g matrices (g tensors) of various phosphinyl radicals (R2 P(.) ) were calculated using the DFT and multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) methods. The g matrices were distinctly dependent on the molecular structure of the radical. To thoroughly examine this dependence, the contributions from individual atoms and excited states were calculated. The former revealed the gain from the phosphorus atom to be preeminent unless PO or PS bonds are present in the radical molecule. The contributions owing to excited states arising from electronic transitions between doubly occupied molecular orbitals and the SOMO were clearly positive, as in the case of semiquinone and niroxide radicals. The transitions from the phosphorus lone pair were of paramount importance. Surprisingly, unlike for semiquinones and nitroxides, a significant negative contribution was observed from excitations from the SOMO to unoccupied molecular orbitals. For radicals with PO bonds, this contribution to the g2 component was dominant.


First samples of ugba were obtained by boiling seeds of the African oil bean tree (Pentaclethra macrophylla Bentham) for 4h (with coats), and the kernels for 12h. Boiled kernels were sliced, salted, fermented at 30oC for 72h as a usual traditional method. Second samples were also obtained by boiling seeds for 2h (with coats), shelled, boiled for 1h (kernels), sliced and fermented at 30oC for 48h. Third samples were obtained from the seeds by steeping in water (30oC, 10h), shelling, slicing, boiling (2h), cooling, and fermenting at 30oC for 48h. The energy values of ugba samples were 57.24, 55.40 and 55.33 kJ/kg respectively. Acidity (lactic acid) of the samples were 22.1, 20.2 and 19.8 g/kg respectively. The three ugba samples were subjected to sensory evaluation test on a 9-point hedonic scale, using a 24-member semi-trained panel, 8 of which were indigenes from each of the three Imo State geo-political zones (Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri). Results from sensory assessments showed that the traditional ugba sample {boiled (4h with coat & 12h dehulled) & fermented (72h, 30 oC)} was consistently and significantly (P Key words: African oil bean seed, processing method, ugba, sensory quality attributes. Int. J. Agric. Rural Dev. , 2003, 4: 68-73


Significance Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is employed in stroke patients to lyse blood clots, but its therapeutic potential in brain trauma victims is far from settled, partly due to fears of internal bleeding. The long-term effects of tPA upon the white matter of the brain and neurological outcomes after head trauma are also uncertain. To address these gaps, we performed electrophysiological, anatomical, and behavioral studies in genetically modified or wild-type mice subjected to traumatic brain injury and infused tPA through the nose. We found that natural or synthetic forms of tPA protect or repair white matter tracts without magnifying internal bleeding. Thus, tPA treatment after brain injury promotes communication across neuronal networks through nerve fiber tracts and improves long-term adaptive behavior. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a Food and Drug Administration-approved thrombolytic treatment for ischemic stroke. tPA is also naturally expressed in glial and neuronal cells of the brain, where it promotes axon outgrowth and synaptic plasticity. However, there are conflicting reports of harmful versus neuroprotective effects of tPA in acute brain injury models. Furthermore, its impact on white matter integrity in preclinical traumatic brain injury (TBI) has not been thoroughly explored, although white matter disruption is a better predictor of long-term clinical outcomes than focal lesion volumes. Here we show that the absence of endogenous tPA in knockout mice impedes long-term recovery of white matter and neurological function after TBI. tPA-knockout mice exhibited greater asymmetries in forepaw use, poorer sensorimotor balance and coordination, and inferior spatial learning and memory up to 35 d after TBI. White matter damage was also more prominent in tPA knockouts, as shown by diffusion tensor imaging, histological criteria, and electrophysiological assessments of axon conduction properties. Replenishment of tPA through intranasal application of the recombinant protein in tPA-knockout mice enhanced neurological function, the structural and functional integrity of white matter, and postinjury compensatory sprouting in corticofugal projections. tPA also promoted neurite outgrowth in vitro, partly through the epidermal growth factor receptor. Both endogenous and exogenous tPA protected against white matter injury after TBI without increasing intracerebral hemorrhage volumes. These results unveil a previously unappreciated role for tPA in the protection and/or repair of white matter and long-term functional recovery after TBI.


The locking device (1) BRAZOS (3.4), which are set to DEPTH (16) of the cover (10), SUFFER A Rubbersheeting and so FORMING A frictional engagement with housing (10) . ARMS (3.4) are enclosed with end INTERIOR free on a flange (9) of the rim (8) AND THERE ARE POSITIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN ARMS (3.4) and the inner flange (9). SO THAT THERE IS A SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE UNION between the cover (10) and flange (8) without having to make the arms (3.4) or depth (16) mechanically.


An architecture for a low-power analog VLSI implementation of a three-layer perceptron is presented. The chip is designed specifically for the classification of signals obtained from the internal surface of the heart. The neural network is composed of synapses which are implemented as multiplying digital to analog converters, and neurons which are high resistance off-chip resistors. A test chip with a (3,3,1) neural network and bucket brigade has been fabricated, and results from this test chip are presented.<<ETX>>


We performed a multicenter case–control study to evaluate the impact of the glycoprotein 1b alpha (−5)T/C Kozak polymorphism on the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular events. The genetic analysis in 1399 patients (745 men; median age, 70 years; interquartile ratio, 58–78) and 1066 control subjects (549 men; median age, 47 years; interquartile ratio, 39–59) was carried out with mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction. Homozygous C/C genotype carriers had a 3.5-fold increased risk for ischemic cerebrovasular events (95% confidence interval, 1.5–7.9, P = 0.003) over T/T or T/C genotype carriers together. The effect was independent of well-established atherosclerotic risk factors. Our findings could be explained by the reported gene dose effect of the Kozak polymorphism on the density of the glycoprotein 1b alpha/IX/V receptors on platelets. According to our data, the (−5)C Kozak allele may represent a candidate genetic susceptibility factor for ischemic cerebrovascular events.


ANU has adopted MSA chemistry to replate the first SLR in June 1999. This is motivated by the proven success of lead plating at Stony Brook. The entire ANU Linac (10 SLRs at average field of 2 MV/m, lead plated in Oxford) will be replated subsequently. Surface preparation and repair of the crack in electron-beam weld with low temperature solder are described. A lead plating process on samples and on SLRs will be outlined. The composition of impurities stemming from the plating process will be discussed.


A popular approach to pixel labeling problems, such as multiclass image segmentation, is to construct a pairwise conditional Markov random field (CRF) over image pixels where the pairwise term encodes a preference for smoothness within local 4-connected or 8-connected pixel neighborhoods. Recently, researchers have considered higher-order models that encode soft non-local constraints (e.g., label consistency, connectedness, or co-occurrence statistics). These new models and the associated energy minimization algorithms have significantly pushed the state-of-the-art for pixel labeling problems. In this paper, we consider a new non-local constraint that penalizes inconsistent pixel labels between disjoint image regions having similar appearance. We encode this constraint as a truncated higher-order matching potential function between pairs of image regions in a conditional Markov random field model and show how to perform efficient approximate MAP inference in the model. We experimentally demonstrate quantitative and qualitative improvements over a strong baseline pairwise conditional Markov random field model on two challenging multiclass pixel labeling datasets.


We have newly developed SiGe power-bipolar-transistors with optimum base and emitter structures. The presented SiGe transistor allows fast switching operation of less than 100 ns, while the low on-state voltage drop of 0.2 V has been achieved at a current density of 113 A/cm/sup 2/. The optimized transistor with poly-Si emitter, minimized SiGe layer, and interconnect structure, enables very high current gain of /spl sim/200 at a high current region exceeding 100 A/cm/sup 2/. The presented SiGe transistors are effective in lower power dissipation in switching circuits.


Morocco is dependent on rainfall for its water supplies, and suffers severely from the impact of climate change, which signals a situation of water stress. This scarcity of resources represents a challenge, but also an economic opportunity for companies that can provide solutions for efficiency, optimization and reuse. Analysis of previous studies and reports from international institutions, ministerial reports and specialized literature, crossed with interviews with professionals in the water sector and our own observations, has led us to propose a model for the creation of a cluster dedicated to the water industry. This article proposes a cluster model adapted to the context of a developing country and to the specificities of the strategic water industries sector. The Cluster Ô will be dedicated to the development of the water sector in Morocco, particularly an industry with high technological added value, based on innovation, scientific research, promoting technology transfer and enhancing national capacities.


After the initial frugality of the Blair regime, the Government decided to invest heavily in the NHS and the Prime Minister demanded that it "act smarter". The 'modernisation' of the NHS is long overdue.


There is provided a porous material which is also not readily damaged when it is exposed to a high temperature in a low oxygen atmosphere, and has an improved heat resistance. A porous material contains a silicon-containing non-oxide aggregates formed from 30 and a binder 32, which is formed of an oxide ceramic, which binds the aggregates 30 to each other, while a plurality of pores is maintained. The porous material comprises an oxygen-containing phase 35 at an interface with the binder 32 enclosing surface of the aggregates 30th In the porous material is a quantitative ratio of oxygen in the aggregates preferably between 2 and 25% by mass relative to the mass of the aggregates.


The aim was to determine how accurately the varimax and promax methods of rotation of axes would reproduce known factor matrices. Thirteen factor matrices were contrived, varying widely in percentage of univocal tests. It was found that only when all tests are univocal, or nearly so, could one be reasonably confident that an obtained factor matrix faithfully reproduces a contrived matrix. In some analyses, the pictures of factor structures were distorted and a few factors were entirely lost. Implications for empirical factor analyses are pointed out, with some suggested remedies.


MC-1 is a naturally occurring small molecule, a metabolite of vitamin B 6 , that reduces the damage to the heart caused by ischemia and/or ischemia-reperfusion injury, and has very low toxicity. The safety and efficacy of MC-1 in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases have been demonstrated in both preclinical and clinical studies. MC-4232 is a combination of MC-1 and lisinopril. Preclinical animal studies and clinical studies in patients with co-existing type 2 diabetes and hypertension have demonstrated a promising safety profile and efficacy for MC-4232 in reducing blood pressure and controlling metabolic dysfunction. Based on the positive results obtained from phase II clinical studies, both MC-1 and MC-4232 are scheduled to enter phase III studies.


New programming languages are still appearing and old ones are being modernized. Even in the numerical areas there is little information to guide the language designer as to what the users like or need. This survey is collect some such information. Facilities are described in functional terms and there is no intention to describe syntax or even the details of semantics. There is little discussion of "general purpose" language facilities unless there is some special aspect of this facility relevant to numerical computation. It is recognized that there are normally many ways to provide a given capability within a particular programming language design.


The method of adaptive discretization is the most promising for elimination of redundancy from telemetry messages characterized by signal shape. Adaptive discretization with associative sorting was considered as a way to avoid the shortcomings of adaptive discretization with buffer smoothing and adaptive discretization with logical switching in on-board information compression devices (OICD) in spacecraft. Mathematical investigations of OICD are presented.