Absorbent Solid Stability Foam (SSF) which is capable of minimizing formation of insoluble deposits in unstable distillate fuels from refined petroleum is reported. SSF absorbs heteroatomic deposit precursors and dissolved particulate matter in the fuel. It also acts as a preferential deposition surface for insoluble particulate matter which forms during fuel storage. The precursors are most highly concentrated in refinery cracked light cycle oil (LCO), which is added to straight run distillate (SRD) to extend the amount of diesel fuel. LC0 is usually treated at the refinery either by hydrotreatment or by addition of fuel soluble chemical stabilizing additives to SRD/LCO diesel fuel blends. Stability Foam has been shown to be superior to liquid fuel soluble additives in stabilizing fuels containing unhydrotreated LC0 and for reduction of fuel insolubles approaches the effectiveness of refinery hydrotreatment. Improved filterability and decreased rate of colour formation of refinery blends treated with SSF are reported. SSF offers potential advantages over soluble additives for treating diesel fuel containing LCO, since it can be used with multiple batches of fuel. The beneficial effects of Stability Foam in reducing diesel fuel degradation products which degrade engine performance are maximized if the fuel remains in contact with Stability Foam from the refinery to the engine fuel tank.


Using the processing solution, to provide a flexographic relief printing plate. The solution, diisopropylbenzene and, at least one aliphatic dibasic acid ester comprises one or more organic co-solvents. Treatment liquid may also include one or more alcohols as a cosolvent.


Introduction. Governance, Democracy, and Development. Governance Performance: The Aggregate Picture. Civil Society. Political Society. Government. The Bureaucracy. Economic Society. The Judiciary. Conclusions. Appendixes.


The article deals with the problem of the third force in the Russian political course. Paying attention to the transitive character of the political processes in modern Russia the authors state that there arises and develops new evaluation of political values in the Russian society. Such re-evaluation bears traditional conservatives' values besides Marxist (communist) and liberal and democratic ones. The latter are the main valuable basis for formation and development of the third force in the Russian political reality, for its presupposed future success.


Clone attack is considered as a severely destructive threat in Internet of Things (IoT), because: 1) the attack may be easily launched due to the deficiency of hardware architecture and the limited resources against physical capture and compromise and 2) it may trigger a large variety of insider and outsider attacks. Different from traditional clone attack detection approaches that ground on a large amount of data traversing the network (e.g., locations and identities), this article tackles this problem by answering the following fundamental questions: do we really need so much raw information? whether there is an alternative for local event detection by a node far away from that event? when acquiring/tracing global knowledge of a system/network, do we really need a global collection effort? These questions are of much importance in a large variety of networks. Specifically, this article provides a collective memory design for global topology and identity tracing (GTI Tracing), via a localized computing paradigm within neighborhood. This localized paradigm computationally builds a connection of identity and topology from time and space domain to a new computation domain. Such a computation domain retains four properties: 1) transitivity; 2) global convergence; 3) determinacy; and 4) causality. With byte-size information at an arbitrary device, it can recover and keep tracing global topology and identity information, and thus providing deterministic detection of clones. Both theoretical analysis and experimental study have shown the advantages of the proposed design in both detection accuracy and privacy protection, at a cost of light communication, storage, and computation overhead at each device.


A series of pre-peak unloading tests on sandstone from Chongqing Yuzui under the range of initial confining pressure between 10 MPa and 130 MPa have been carried out,in order to analyze rock deformation behavior,failure deformation,peak strength and residual strength criterion,the evolvement property of dilatancy parameter during the process of unloading.The conventional triaxial compression tests of sandstone have been also performed.The results show that:(1) The triaxial compression tests performed under different confining pressures discover that the stress drop of the stress-strain curves does not appear when confining pressure reaches above the value of 130 MPa;so it can be considered as the transition point of brittleness and ductility.(2) Under conventional compression,the dilatancy amount at the pre-peak of deviatoric stress is smaller compared with post-peak;while under unloading stress path,the sample exhibits greater dilatancy amount at pre-peak of deviatoric stress.(3) Under the same initial stress,the variation in stress required for rock unloading failure is


In order to investigate the role of inertia in pulsed electrical discharges, this paper compares a ve-moment model (continuity, momentum, and energy equations) to a two-moment model (continuity and energy equations) for charged particle motion. Three species were considered: ions, electrons, and neutrals. Either the two- or ve-moment model was used for the ions and electrons, but the ve-moment model was always employed for the neutrals. Ionization and excitation reactions were included in each model. Two glow discharge test cases in 107 Pa (0.8 Torr) argon were examined. A steady-state, one-dimensional discharge was considered rst. For this case, relatively subtle dierences in the velocities and temperatures in the cathode sheath led to signicant dierences between the predictions of the two models for ionization rates and number densities. A two-dimensional, transient discharge problem with an elliptical cathode was studied next. Relative to the two-moment model, the ve-moment model predicted a slower response to the activation of the cathode, and lower electron velocities and temperatures in the later stages of the simulation. These dierences can be attributed to particle inertia and to dierences in the boundary conditions for the two models. Both models predicted that neutral gas velocities on the order of 1.3 m/s occurred within 1000 ns, with a negligible rise in neutral temperature ( 0:3 K). More rapid heating is expected to occur in molecular gases, which will be the subject of future work.


It is likely that deregulation of the electric utility industry will force high-cost electric utilities to write off the "stranded" cost of plant and equipment that would be rendered obsolete in a competitive marketplace. In this paper, we examine the financial statement analysis implications of ongoing deregulation. Based on 1993 data for a sample of 111 large investor-owned electric utilities, our analyses suggest that it is possible to use financial statement data to form estimates of these potentially stranded costs. In addition, we find that recent trends toward deregulation are associated with an increase in the significance of the firm's cost structure in explaining the relation between market values and book values of equity.


Sneak path current phenomenon in a memristor array based on cross-point structure could lead to crosstalk, which limits its application in high-density large-scale arrays. Self-rectifying devices are the best choice for suppressing leakage currents without compromising the original performance of the device. It eliminates the need for selectors and effectively reduces process costs. In this work, a self-rectifying memristor based on Au/TaO<italic>x</italic>/Al2O3/TiN is proposed. Nonlinearity of ~236.76 with a sneak current below 1 nA with a tunable conductance under <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1 \boldsymbol {\mu } \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> compliance current by introducing a rectifying switching mode after constructing the TaO<italic>x</italic>/Al2O3 different stoichiometric stack. Detailed analysis suggested that the interface barrier and the vacancy-related defects in Al2O3 are responsible for the special behavior. The effective array scale up to ~400 by readout margin calculation further confirms that the memristor can restrain the sneak current. Our self-rectifying memristor simplifies the device design of subsequent arrays, paving the way for addressing applications in highly compact scenes.


AbstractIn Part I of this study, a model of the distribution of true error variances given an ensemble variance is shown to be defined by six parameters that also determine the optimal weights for the static and flow-dependent parts of hybrid error variance models. Two of the six parameters (the climatological mean of forecast error variance and the climatological minimum of ensemble variance) are straightforward to estimate. The other four parameters are (i) the variance of the climatological distribution of the true conditional error variances, (ii) the climatological minimum of the true conditional error variance, (iii) the relative variance of the distribution of ensemble variances given a true conditional error variance, and (iv) the parameter that defines the mean response of the ensemble variances to changes in the true error variance. These parameters are hidden because they are defined in terms of condition-dependent forecast error variance, which is unobservable if the condition is not sufficien...


Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) devices are designed to provide physiologic insulinemia. Not only do they offer increased life-style flexi bility, they also make it possible to achieve near-normal levels of glycemia. These devices are programmed to deliver a continuous "basal" infusion. Preprandial bolus doses of insulin are given to prevent postprandial hyperglycemia. Careful patient screening and selection are necessary to ensure a successful outcome. Patients must have the maturity, technical ability, motivation, and financial resources needed to utilize CSII therapy. Initiation of CSII can be accomplished in an outpatient or inpatient setting, but both require a comprehensive educational curriculum.


Folk tales are an effective fictional stories to convey moral messages and a means of character education, especially for children. The content of the story is a folklore and a true story by using objects as symbols, animals or plants that are conveyed orally so as to form a story of a life journey and contains moral messages on how to interact with other beings. The article "Fairytale as a Means of Character Education for Children" is part of an active independent research entitled "The Value of Character in Javanese Language Tales with the basis of Child Character Education (Ethnolinguistics)". This study aimed to describe the character learning through tales. This research was conducted through qualitative descriptive research. Data sources are in the form or oral data that came from informants. The data used in this study are tales in Javanese. The collection of data used interview technique with informants. e the problem using the matching method. Based on the results of data analysis, folk tales illustrate such characteristics as follows: sincere, honest, accepting, harmonious, and patient.


This paper presents a novel optimization-based method for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging that aims to reconstruct hidden scenes under various setups. Our method is built upon the observation that photons returning from each point in hidden volumes can be independently computed if the interactions between hidden surfaces are trivially ignored. We model the generalized light propagation function to accurately represent the transients as a linear combination of these functions. Moreover, our proposed method includes a domain reduction procedure to exclude empty areas of the hidden volumes from the set of propagation functions, thereby improving computational efficiency of the optimization. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in various NLOS scenarios, including non-planar relay wall, sparse scanning patterns, confocal and non-confocal, and surface geometry reconstruction. Experiments conducted on both synthetic and real-world data clearly support the superiority and the efficiency of the proposed method in general NLOS scenarios.


The dielectric/semiconductor interface in organic field effect transistors (OFETs) is critical to their performance. Modification of this interface with functional molecules provides a wide range of possibilities for their applications as sensors. In this work, boronic acid molecules were used to modify the SiO2 dielectric surface in dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3′-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene based OFETs. The device parameters, including most notably the threshold voltage, were significantly improved. The dielectric/semiconductor interface was analyzed using various measurement techniques, such as contact angle and atomic force microscopy. Our work provides evidence that easily functionable boronic acid derivatives improve the device performance of OFETs, which lays the foundation for further studies of such interface modified OFETs for use in sensing applications.


Modern safety-critical systems rely heavily on robust communication channels. Even though these communication channels can be protected by error detection and correction codes, vulnerabilities caused by false negatives still exist. These false negatives can be caused by harsh electromagnetic disruptions and are detrimental to overall safety. This article considers the construction and structure of triplication-based error correction codes to find the most electromagnetic interference (EMI)-resilient code. Each code is tested and simulated in terms of the occurrence rate of false negatives under single-frequency disturbances. It is found that a code with inversion is significantly more robust to these disturbances. Furthermore, a systematic fault injection is also performed to search for vulnerabilities within the code itself. The systematic approach allows us to reverse engineer the expected vulnerabilities to real-world disturbances.


A novel system for multiple sound-source localization has been developed. It consists of three microphones, to resolve the anterior-posterior ambiguity inherent in the binaural time-difference cue. As in the biological auditory system, acoustic signals are decomposed into their frequency components via a set of bandpass filters and the intermicrophone phase differences are obtained around the onsets of the transiently changing signals. The phase differences at various frequencies are utilized to resolve the ambiguity in the correspondence relationship between the onsets derived from pairs of microphones. The scheme has been implemented as a personal-computer-based system and applied successfully to systems of two sound sources as well as a single sound source.<<ETX>>


Scientific challenge One of the ways that groundwater discharges from aquifers is direct evaporation from groundwater table (Eg), also called groundwater evaporation (Coudrain-Ribstein et al. 1998, De Vries et al. 2000; Walvoord et al. 2002 a,b; Scanlon et al. 2003; Lubczynski and Gurwin 2005; Braud et al. 2005a,b; Gowing 2006; Obakeng 2007; Bitelli 2008, Lubczynski 2009). The Eg is of particular interest in this study.


The ETV6::NTRK3 fusion is the most common gene alteration in infantile fibrosarcoma, a soft tissue tumor affecting patients under two years of age. Less frequently, these tumors harbor fusions of genes encoding other kinases, such as BRAF, which activates MEK in the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway. The identification and characterization of these oncogenes are crucial to facilitate diagnosis, validate new treatments, and better understand the pathophysiology of these neoplasms.


This paper presents a new 3-D ray tracing technique based on the image theory with newly defined ray tubes. The proposed method can be applied to indoor environments with arbitrary building layouts and has high computational efficiency compared to the precedent methods resorting to the ray launching scheme. It predictions are in good agreement with the measurements.


Library Administration System MOM YASPEN this monument is a system that was born from the analysis of existing systems. This system is created with the aim of improving the performance of library services for its members. Service includes data collection of books, data member, data collection transaction, the search process, the printing of cards, and providing reports for the management perpustakaan.Untuk delivery system is used Visual Basic 6.0 Enterprise Edition and Microsoft Access as a program supporter. As of this writing, described the steps in accordance with the system making the system development life cycle are: analyzing current systems or procedures in place to identify existing problems as a basis for designing the new system through several steps such as making the system concept, design layout applications, create a database for data storage, and final phase is testing the system


A Study of Teacher Perceptions of the Relationship Between Leadership Styles of Principals in High and Low Performing West Virginia Elementary Schools


Today, the provision of a home security system has become an important study in adopting the latest technology to achieve this goal. Wireless network is one of the technologies used to provide remote monitoring and control of household items. This paper aims to propose a key departmental security system based on Raspberry pi technology where cameras, keypad and pi-lids are used to provide a terrific powerful system to notify the owner, and to inform visitors by giving them a User ID. For this reason, only authorized people will be allowed to enter the departments. The system works by capturing guests with a summary with a code and a camera mounted on the doors at the same time, such snippets will be sent to the owner. The proposed system could be expanded to accommodate various facilities and services such as banks and offices. Keywords— smart home; automatic home security; departmental program; Raspberry pi


Abstract The detection of precious metal ion moieties is of utmost significance for environmental control. Thus, the current study provides a low cost and highly-accurate square wave adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetric procedure (SW-AdASV) at a Bi film (BiF/GCE) for the analysis of the lower levels of palladium (II) ions. The proposed SW-AdASV methodology was based on the selective accumulation of the palladium (II) chelat of the newly Schiff base reagent of 1,2 dihydroxy-cyclobut-1,2-ene-3,4-dione (DCED) in a universal buffer of pH=2-3. Under the optimized analytical parameters, the plot of the palladium (II) concentration versus the corresponding anodic peak current was linear over a wide range of [5×10-9 – 2.5×10-6 molL-1 Pd] with a correlation coefficient of R2=0.9995 and excellent repeatability with RSDs of (3.3-3.8%) (n=5). In the SW-AdASV approach, the lower limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) as calculated were discovered to be 1.07×10-9 and 3.57×10-9 molL-1, respectively. The current sensor offered interference from several active metal ions, such as Hg2+ and Cd2+. Lastly, the developed SW-AdASV method with (BiF/GCE) was successfully applied for the detection of lower levels of Pd2+ in water. Furthermore, this procedure presents a sensitive, accurate process with short analytical time, ruggedness, robustness, and reproducibility.


The Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) mixed ionic electronic conductor (MIEC) is considered to be one of the most promising perovskite-based materials for oxygen transport exhibiting high oxygen permeability. Such oxygen-permeable perovskite membrane maybe applied to increase efficiency of combustion or reforming processes of new fuels such as green ammonia. An approach to elevate the oxygen permeability of BSCF membranes is reduction of membrane thickness, as the permeation process is mostly controlled by bulk diffusion. Since self-standing thin membranes are not sufficiently mechanically stable, asymmetric membranes consisting of a thin layer membrane deposited onto a porous bulk support are usually employed. . In this work, planar BSCF thin film membranes of 1 to 2 and 15 to 20 µm thickness were successfully synthesized by a combination of magnetron sputtering (MS) and thermal annealing (TA) and/or selective laser annealing (SLA) processes. Thin films appeared to be pinhole-free with a high crystallinity of a single perovskite phase and a microstructure that showed suitability for oxygen permeation applications. Correlations between thin film properties and MS process parameters (e.g. power, Ar/O2 ratio, pressure, etc.) and TA&/SLA parameters were established and optimised as key factors for producing thin film membrane exhibiting high oxygen flux and good stability. A variation of the oxygen flux through the BSCF asymmetric membrane as well as the porous substrate is presented as a function of temperature and also oxygen partial pressures applied to both sides of the membrane allowing for calculation of permeability of the deposited thin film.

 Figure 1


Abstract University map libraries are not just for geographers, geologists, and the occasional archaeologist or historian. In running the Edwin J. Foscue Map Library at Southern Methodist University for the past five years, the author observed persons from a wide array of disciplines using map library resources. The research performed for this article demonstrates that maps are a useful expression of knowledge in every major academic discipline. The result is a better understanding of the scope of map use in academia, and of the broad role that map libraries serve in virtually every discipline.


As an alternative to waiving foreign language requirements for students with learning disabilities or learning problems, a policy of inclusion in foreign language programs is proposed, based on research suggesting that alternative language teaching methods can be effective with these populations. The rationale for such a policy and the theoretical and research basis for corresponding teaching methods are outlined, focusing on the use of multisensory structured language teaching techniques, and an approach adopted in one high school French program is described. The program's linguistic components include: distribution of audio tapes of the course; dialogues including colloquial language use, some generated by the students themselves; use of a textbook; tactic/kinesthetic reinforcement through writing exercises; daily phonology drills and syntax practice; phonetic transcription exercises; repetition and review; reduction in the amount of material taught; and a variety of student assessment methods. Cultural components include: the history of the language; current events; taped immigrant interviews; and geography. Logistical and organizational considerations in creating and implementing such a curriculum are discussed briefly. Contains 13 references. (MSE) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** A Policy of Inclusion: Alternative Foreign Language Curriculum for High-Risk and Learning Disabled Students U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) tiThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. CI Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. by


Plant factories with artificial lights require a large amount of electrical energy for lighting; therefore, enhancement of light use efficiency will decrease the cost of plant production. The objective of this study was to enhance the light use efficiency by using filters to diffuse the light from LED sources in plant factory conditions. The two treatments used diffuse glasses with haze factors of 40% and 80%, and a control without the filter. For each treatment, canopy light distribution was evaluated by a 3-D ray tracing method and canopy photosynthesis was measured with a sealed acrylic chamber. Sixteen lettuces for each treatment were cultivated hydroponically in a plant factory for 28 days after transplanting and their growth was compared. Simulation results showed that the light absorption was concentrated on the upper part of the lettuce canopy in treatments and control. The control showed particularly poor canopy light distribution with hotspots of light intensity; thus the light use efficiency decreased compared to the treatments. Total light absorption was the highest in the control; however, the amount of effective light absorption was higher in treatments than the control, and was highest in treatment using filters with a haze factor of 80%. Canopy photosynthesis and plant growth were significantly higher in all the treatments. In conclusion, application of the diffuse glass filters enhanced the canopy light distribution, photosynthesis, and growth of the plants under LED lighting, resulting in enhanced the light use efficiency in plant factory conditions.


in line to vote in 1944 and tells his readers that, "I do not want to make too much of this. Life magazine left much to be desired. Its treatment of African Americans was a mere token"(p. 279). Overall, despite the sporadic problems of Gregory's work, his book is a much-needed and fresh look into the discourse of American migration studies. And, his far-reaching thesis does indeed uncover the ubiquitous connections between southern white and black migrations as well as perceptively expose the cultural appropriation of southern culture by northern society.


Coexistent anions are the main limiting factors in nitrate (NO3) removal process in both ground and surface waters. The effect of nitrite (NO2) and perchlorate (ClO4) on NO3 removal via denitrifying granular sludge was investigated herein. The results indicate that the nitrate removal rate (NRR) decreased from 2.73 to 1.94 kg N m–3 d–1 with an increasing NO2 concentration from 150 to 300 mg L–1. However, the NRR reached 2.09 kg N m–3 d–1 at a NO2 concentration of 450 mg L–1. Moreover, the NRR gradually decreased from 2.77 to 1.87 kg N m–3 d–1 with increasing ClO4 concentration (100–900 mg L–1). In the presence of coexisting anions, the decrease in biomass, disintegration of granules, and increase in shear sensitivity (KSS) deteriorated the characteristics of granules, resulting in a decrease in the NRR. Further, a correlation analysis indicated that NRR and shear sensitivity are significantly negatively correlated.


Abstract : Control problems with disturbances which have waveform structure may be addressed by considering the maximum utilization mode of disturbance-accomodating control theory. It is shown in this work that the optimal utilization of disturbances can lead to significantly better performance than that of the 'optimal' linear-quadratic regulator. The conditions for the existence of a steady-state disturbance-utilizing control law are derived. It is shown that the steady-state control gains when they exist, are solutions of certain matric algebraic equations. Steady-state gain expressions are derived for several first- and second-order plants. Results are presented for the cases of optimal disturbance-utilizing control of an air-defense interceptor missile and of a missile homing on a fixed target, which demonstrate performance superior to that obtained by a conventional 'optimal' linear-quadratic missile controller. (Author)


As a new and effective way of heating,microwave technology,which can reduce reaction time and energy consumptions,improve in rates,yields,and selectivities for various chemical reactions and become very popular,can provide a novel method for synthesis and application of polymer.Recent applications of microwave technique in polymerization,especially in polymerization of functional polymer,are reviewed in this paper.Recently microwave curing has been found to be a viable alternative method for the curing of thermoset polymers,with the advantages of shorter processing time,improved energy utilization,and the potential for lower processing temperature and improved product performance.


This research work discusses the use of submetering as an instrument for water demand management in building systems. The characterization of meters and the study of the interactions of its elements with plumbing systems have been carried out, based on both systems and the building performance approaches. Considering the need for improving both qualitative and quantitative data collection on water consumption, which is essential for demand management, especially in a context of rational water usage, different systems and technologies for remote reading have been investigated. A proposal for planning the submetering implementation is described, indicating the elements that shall be considered for demand management. A case study on the submetering program at the University of Sao Paulo was undertaken, in which it was possible to confirm its importance and to observe the extremely positive results that had justified its implementation.


The nucleotide sequence (223 bp) of the part of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) was determined in a formalin-preserved specimen of ripus, Coregonus albula infrasp. ladogensis. This fish, a representative of introduced coregonid stock that is now extinct in Poland, was caught in 1962 in Lake Radomno in northeastern Poland. The obtained CR sequence was compared to that of other coregonid species, such as European whitefish (C. lavaretus), vendace (C. albula), peled (C. peled) as well as North American lake cisco (C. artedi) and Arctic cisco (C. autumnalis). The results revealed that the ripus sequence was highly similar to that of both cisco species. Phylogenetic analysis with Bayesian inference placed the individual ripus sequence into the ciscoes' clade with a high clade credibility value f(|CR) = 0.86. The results improve the knowledge of the taxonomic position of Coregonus albula infrasp. ladogensis, which occurs naturally in Lake Ladoga. 1


rather general in nature and are not set within the context of any precise or definitive data. He also observes (p. 177) that there was a rapid growth of urban life and that urban culture "had never before existed on such a large scale" which is interesting but scarcely meaningful as the author has not substantiated his claims by any comparative data beyond mentioning a number of market towns, some of which may have existed even before his period. The most frequent refrain is that the evidence is just not there. One can sympathize with the author's plight, though it is difficult to understand why he had to take 188 pages to say that. The most interesting and substantial chapter is that on trade where he has brought together, in a convenient summary, a host of interesting facts scattered about in a number of translations and secondary sources. The picture of economic life, as the author points out, is far from dismal. One need hardly quarrel with him on this. But the statement means nothing more significant than what it says, and that is not much. It is obvious that the author has labored hard on his thesis and attempted to make the best of a difficult job. But his best is neither new nor adequate. The work breaks little new ground, although it is interesting in part, it fails to add anything of significance to our knowledge of the economic life of the age.


Jolanta BRACH-CZAINA Warsaw School of Social Psychology The first monograph on Henryk Grynberg Review o f D oro ta Krawczynskas book Wlasna historia Holokaustu. O pisarstwie Henryka Grynberga [ 'His ow n history o fth e Holocaust. O n writings by H enryk G rynberg '], IBL PAN [The Institute o f Literary Research, Polish Academy o f Sciences publishers], Warsaw, 2005. The review er emphasises that because o f its dependence upon the tragic biography o f this w r ite r w h o has been saved from the Shoah, H. G rynberg 's ou tpu t causes interpretative and research difficulties which have been successfully handled by the book 's au thor The monograph attempts at an extensive analysis o f this output, viewing it against a broad spec tre o f literary-historic and philosophical problems. Brach-Czaina Pierwsza monografia Henryl


We put forward a new URL choosing method and an incremental refreshing model based on HotRank algorithm.Using this method,the adaptive incremental refreshing model for hot news recommendation system is developed.A new topic detection and topic based hot news recommendation algorithm is proposed combining LDA and Affinity Propagation(AP).This research supports the development of hot news recommendation system,which is an important part of Haitianyuan knowledge service platform.


Thiolate-protected gold clusters have attracted considerable interest due to their unique structure and properties. They have been used widely in many fields: catalysis, biomedicine, electronics and other fields. Precisely defined atomic composition is characteristic for thiolate-protected gold clusters, this allows to establish the relationship between structure and properties. It should be mentioned that the mechanism of molecular oxygen interaction with clusters has been unclear yet and how this affects different processes: formation, reconstruction, catalytic processes. The aim of the work is to simulate the interaction of O2 with Au20(SCH3)16 and its fragments and compare this process in gas phase, water and toluene. The DFT/PBE and SBKJC basis set were used in PRIRODA and Gaussian programs. The interaction of oxygen with the gold atom is very weak in Au20(SCH3)16_О2 complexes without preactivation. Two methods of pre-activation were considered: the photophysical activation way with using singlet oxygen and the removing ligand of the gold cluster. The reactions of singlet oxygen and Au20(SCH3)16, and its fragments ( CH3S(AuSCH3), CH3S(AuSCH3)3, (AuSCH3)8 ) cluster are favorable. The O2 adsorption energies on apart staple motifs are higher than on the cluster. This indicates that the separate fragments can really participate in oxygen activation. The molecular oxygen adsorption energies on different staple motifs are reduced by 11-12 kcal/mole, when modeling this process in water or toluene. This indicates that the homogeneous oxidation reaction is less favorable than the heterogeneous one. The high dissociation barriers indicate that the oxygen on the cluster remains in molecular form. The electron-donor groups with respect to sulfur (some groups containing nitrogen) in the ligand increase the energies of 1O2 interaction with the cluster in contrast to the electron-acceptor ones (a phenyl ring or carboxyl, hydroxyl groups). At the thermal activation only with the certain amount of removed thiolate ligands, the oxygen adsorption becomes favorable. The de-thiolation with three ligands from various staple motifs makes possible the molecular oxygen adsorption. According to results, the 3O2 adsorption energies at the thermal activation decreases in the order CH3S(AuSCH3)3> (AuSCH3)8 > CH3S(AuSCH3)2-. This confirms that a negative charge doesn't play a significant role in the oxygen adsorption.


In response to the development trend of globalization of higher education, our government began to promote Development Plan for World Class Universities and Research Centers for Excellence in 2006, and continued to promote The Top University Development Plan in the second stage, aimed at enhancing the quality and international competitiveness of higher education. This study focused on the impact on the financial management of the school funds for the process of promoting the plan and striving for excellence development in a case of the national university obtaining this project subsidies, analyzing connotation and trend of financial resources structure and cost structure by discussion of literature, data collection and integration, and summed up the results of financial capability and impact on the cost structure and composition for recurrent expenditures and capital expenditures; and further, explored its effects on the financial management of high fixed cost structure for the university. Finally, made suggestions for improvement, and helped strengthen financial autonomy of universities and enhance its competitiveness.


Abstract Two groups of identically-reared shi drum, having received different diets (Group A: 45% protein and 16% fat and Group B: 48% protein and 12% fat), were compared for their yields and their chemical and sensory quality. They exhibited similar dressing and filleting yields, fat deposit and fillet composition. Differences were observed in the fillet fatty acids, with group B exhibiting higher 16:1ω-7, 16:1ω-9, 16:0, 18:0, and total saturate contents. Their fillet volatile compounds also differed (group A, in particular, contained higher levels of carbonyl-compounds). A triangle test revealed that the two shi drum groups were perceived as sensory different. A Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) test showed that group A (high dietary lipids) was perceived as having a significantly higher 'fish oil' aroma, hardness and elasticity, while group B was characterised mainly by higher 'sweet taste', higher 'hay' and 'fresh seaweed' aroma and 'crab/prawn' flavour.


Professor Surdyk shares opinions of several writers of Christian involvement in economic issues. She also details her efforts to integrate biblical principles with seven aspects of economics and gives an honest appraisal of possible inhibitions to discussing faith issues in the classroom.


Based on the suggestion by Corning, 1 in 1885, that the intervertebral injection of cocaine solution would produce anesthesia sufficient for operations on the urethra and perineum, and on the perfection of the method of lumbar spinal puncture by Quincke 2 in 1891, the production of surgical anesthesia was established by the intrathecal injection of cocaine by Bier, 3 in 1899, and by Tait and Caglieri 4 in 1900. The development of stovaine by Fourneau, 5 in 1904, and of procaine (novocain) by Einhorn, 6 in 1905, not to mention the many other compounds used, and the clinical and technical methods developed by Barker, 7 Babcock, 8 Labat, 9 Pitkin 10 and others have served to establish spinal anesthesia firmly as an anesthetic agent in the armamentarium of the surgeon. That the newer anesthetics and the methods of their administration and control have less disagreeable pharmacologic and physiologic manifestations than


The equipment power system with a large number of nonlinear devices has larger internal resistance, and the application objects of the model face to the three-phase four-wire independent power supply system. Therefore, for meeting the requirement of current fast and exact detection in harmonic load modeling, this paper presents a kind of id-iq-i0 method based on synchronous reference transform of current harmonic wave detection, which can carry out the detection of the active and reactive currents of fundamental positive sequence factor synchronization in supply power bus currents in order to further calculate the harmonic instruction current. The detection theory and current transform flow are highlighted in this paper. Through the model simulation, the current characteristic using the synchronous reference transform is analyzed,and the transform essence is pointed out. Finally, the load model based on the current detection method simulates the real equipment power system, and the validity of the method is proved by the comparisons results of current waveform, THD,and single harmonic content.


The structure of type IX collagen has now largely been established, but its precise function in articular cartilage is unknown.' Many of its structural features, such as an interrupted triple helix, a large globular domain, and covalently linked glycosaminoglycan chains suggest that it interacts with other cartilage matrix components. Indeed, recent studies have revealed that it is cross-linked to type I1 collagen' and that the N-terminal part of the molecule protrudes from the fibril surface? In this paper we present data on the localization of type IX collagen in the capsule of the chondron, its association with the thinner fibrils of type I1 collagen, and the results of in vitro fibrillogenesis experiments using mixtures of type I1 and type IX collagen, which suggest that one possible function of type IX is the regulation of the diameter of type I1 collagen fibrils. Chondrons comprise a basket-like structure encapsulating chondrocytes with their immediate pericellular matrix. We have developed a method of isolating chondrons free of interterritorial matrix from the rat chondrosarcomaP Using monoclonal antibodies to type IX collagen intense immunohistochemical staining is localized to the capsule of chondrons (FIG. la), but resolution is limited by fluorescence flare, due to fluorescence from structures out of the plane of focus. To overcome this problem we have employed scanning confocal microscopy. In this technique the same spot in the specimen is illuminated and imaged at one time, and pin-hole apertures further prevent interference by fluorescence from other areas. A laser light source scans the specimen to build up the image; these features facilitate optical sectioning. Thus, more structural detail is revealed than by conventional epi-fluorescence imaging. FIGURE l(b) is an optical section through the center of a group of rat chondrosarcoma chondrons that shows a multilayered structure encapsulating a number of cells. This arises because a new capsule is formed at each cell division. We have also isolated chondrons from pig articular cartilage and, using dual labeling, have shown that type I1 and type IX collagen appear to colocalize in the capsule of chondrons. Immunolocalization studies on rat articular and sternal cartilage with antibodies to type IX collagen reveal preferential staining of the capsule around the chondrocyte, strongly supporting the concept of the chondron. Using conventional immunofluorescence (IF) techniques the highly cellular articular and sternal cartilages from young rats show both interterritorial and pericellular staining, whereas the less cellular articular cartilage from older rats reveals predominantly pericellular staining, Using the optical sectioning capability of the confocal microscope, however, (FIG. 2) we can


A STUDY has been performed to derive a threshold criterion for the existence of turbulence in a shear layer, and to see if such a threshold is useful in predicting transition onset in such a flow. This approach has already given satisfactory results in wake flows. As in the latter case, the present work is based on the existence of a minimum turbulence Reynolds number, and derives numerical results by utilizing established magnitudes of turbulence properties in the turbulent shear layer. Transition Reynolds numbers are predicted as a function of speed ratio, total temperature ratio, and Mach number jumps across the layer. New experiments are described in which free shear-layer transition was measured and, within an observed unit Reynolds-number effect, was found to parallel the predictions quite well.


— Let us denote by X(n) the space of degree n G N foliations of the complex projective plane CP(2) which leave invariant the line at infinity. We prove that for each n > 2 there exists an open dense subset Rig(n) C X{n) such that any topologically trivial analytic deformation {J^t}t^ of an element FQ £ Rig(n), with J~t € ^{n}, for all t € D, is analytically trivial. This is an improvement of a remarkable result of Ilyashenko. Other generalizations of these results are given as well as a description of the class of nonrigid foliations. RESUME. — SUR LA RIGIDITE TOPOLOGIQUE DES FEUILLETAGES PROJECTIFS. Nous designons par X(n) Pespace des feuilletages de degre n G N du plan projectif complexe qui laissent invariante la droite de 1'infini. Nous demontrons que, pour chaque n > 2, il existe un sous-ensemble ouvert et dense Rig(n) C X(n) tel que toute deformation analytique et topologiquement triviale {^t}t^B d'un element J^Q 6 Rig(n), avec Tt € X{n) pour tout t € B, est analytiquement triviale. Cela ameliore un resultat remarquable de Ilyashenko. On donne aussi d'autres generalisations de ces resultats ainsi qu'une description de la classe des feuilletages non rigides. Introduction Let Fol(M) denote the set of singular (holomorphic) foliations on a complex manifold M. An analytic deformation of T is an analytic family {^t}t^Y of foliations on M, with parameters on an analytic space V, such that there exists a point o G Y with ^o = J-'. For reasons of simplicity we will only consider deformations where the germ of analytic space (V, 6} is (D, 0) where D C C is the unitary disk and 0 € C is the origin. (*) Texte recu Ie 30 septembre 1997, revise Ie 13 mars 1998, accepte Ie 15 avril 1998. Work partially supported by PRONEX-Dynamical Systems. A.L. NETO, P. SAD, B. SCARDUA, Institute de Matematica Pura e Aplicada, Estrada D. Castorina, 110 Jardim Botanico, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 22460-320 (Brazil). E-mail : email@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com, email@example.com. AMS classification : 32L30.


Efforts to develop a viable monolithic research reactor fuel plate have continued at Idaho National Laboratory. These efforts have concentrated on both fabrication process refinement and scale-up to produce full sized fuel plates. Progress at INL has led to fabrication of hot isostatic pressed uranium-molybdenum bearing monolithic fuel plates. These miniplates are part of the RERTR-8 miniplate irradiation test. Further progress has also been made on friction stir weld processing which has been used to fabricate full size fuel plates which will be irradiated in the ATR and OSIRIS reactors.


A theoretical model is presented for the generation of a quasi-constant current accompanying the optical breakdown of air by femtosecond laser pulses containing the second harmonic, along with the fundamental. Analytical estimates of the current are made. Results of the modelling of the emission of terahertz pulses from a plasma column are presented.


A high speed data acquisition system is composed of general-used main control platform and smart sensor network with bulk data. Aiming at status of diversification of the smart sensor nodes,difficult to manage,likely to affect security of overall system in the event of a failure problem,propose a method for identification recognition and fault processing,by construction management units binding with smart sensor nodes,and the units contact with each other by a group of independent management bus,without affecting real-time performance of intrinsic data transfer bus,the method can solve the problem of identification and trouble shooting of mass data intelligent sensor nodes. By a CAN bus-based designed example,prove the feasibility of the proposed method,and the method with simple structure has reliable performance,can greatly improve the extensibility and stability of the data acquisition system.


Liquid biopsies include circulation tumor cells (CTC), ctDNA/RNA, exosomes from blood or tumor relevant information from other liquid samples (urine, pleural effusion, ascites, saliva, etc.). Culturing cancer cells from liquid biopsies is a simple, non-invasive technique that has the potential to advance the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of cancer patients. In this study, we described several approaches that allow to enrich cancer cells from urine (for bladder cancer), blood (for prostate cancer), and pleural effusion (for non-small cell lung carcinoma). These cancer cells from liquid biopsies were cultured and further propagated in suspension and/or adherent cultures using a specialized cell culture medium. We also confirmed genetic alterations in both original tumors and cancer cells from liquid biopsies, for example, mutant EGFR for lung cancer, mutations of hTERT promoter for bladder cancer. We also reported that these cancer cells from liquid biopsies were used for identify therapies for the patients. For example, a woman patient with metastatic NSCLC harboring mutant EGFR was primarily resistant to TKI treatment, we were able to identify a combination of chemotherapy for the patient. Cancer cells from urine samples were used for predicting recurrence of the bladder cancer or monitoring treatment. We also used these cultured cancer from original tumors and liquid biopsies for study of tumor heterogeneity. Citation Format: Xuefeng Liu. Culturing cancer cells from liquid biopsies for precision cancer therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-222.


Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) or Imli, is a dicotyledonous plant belonging to Leguminasae family which is also called as Indian Date. Tamarind is native to tropical Africa and grows wild throughout Sudan. It was introduced to India so long ago that it is now reported as indigenous. It is abundant in the Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Tamarind grows successfully in variety of soils ranging from red gravel loam to degraded wastelands. However, tree thrives best on well-drained deep loamy or alluvial soils. Ripe fruits are harvested during February-April by shaking the branches. Fruits are also harvested at half ripe stage. The fresh fruits are dried using small-scale dehydrators; however in rural areas pods are dried in the sun. To preserve tamarinds for future use, the shells, fibers and seeds are International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 8 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com


Laws to make the wearing of helmets by cyclists compulsory in the UK should apply to children only, research has concluded.


Commercially viable automated picking in unstructured environments by a robot arm remains a difficult challenge. The problem of robot grasp planning has long been around but the existing solutions tend to be limited when it comes to deploy them in open-ended realistic scenarios. Practical picking systems are called for that can handle the different properties of the objects to be manipulated, as well as the problems arising from occlusions and constrained accessibility. This paper presents a practical solution to the problem of robot picking in an online shopping warehouse by means of a novel approach that integrates a carefully selected method with a new strategy, the centroid normal approach (CNA), on a cost-effective dual-arm robotic system with two grippers specifically designed for this purpose: a two-finger gripper and a vacuum gripper. Objects identified in the scene point cloud are matched to the grasping techniques and grippers to maximize success. Extensive experimentation provides clues as to what are the reasons for success and failure. We chose as benchmark the scenario proposed by the 2017 Amazon Robotics Challenge, since it represents a realistic description of a retail shopping warehouse case; it includes many challenging constraints, such as a wide variety of different product items with a diversity of properties, which are also presented with restricted visibility and accessibility.


The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant activities of palm kernel cake protein (PKCP) and its hydrolysate (PKCH). The protein was isolated using an alkaline extraction method and further hydrolysed by 2.4L alcalase to obtain PKCH. The antioxidant activity of PKCP and PKCH were determined using ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assays while the radical scavenging capacity was measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylydrazyl (DPPH) method. In addition, the reducing power of PKCP and PKCH was also evaluated. Isolated soy protein (ISP) and its hydrolysate (ISPH) were tested as a comparative study. Meanwhile butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid were used as positive control for each assay. The PKCP and PKCH demonstrated excellent antioxidant activities in all assays. PKCP and PKCH showed as strong antioxidant activities as BHT in FTC assay and the percent of inhibition were 97.68% and 97.84%, respectively. In DPPH assay, the PKCH showed the highest Trolox equivalent (3165.19 ± 8.31μmol TE/L) compare to PKCP (2369.13 ± 17.56 μmol TE/L), ISPH (616.75 ± 3.34 μmol TE/L) and ISP (390.88 ± 1.96 μmol TE/L). The PKCH also exhibited 10 fold stronger reducing power than the ISPH.


Four methods are applied to 32 life tables to determine the relation between difference in life expectancy and mortality rate ratio for 8 populations defined by gender, race and country of residence. For a fixed value of mortality rate ratio, the difference in life expectancy is nearly the same in Australia and the Republic of Ireland, higher for white Americans and still higher for black Americans, but of the same order of magnitude for all 8 populations. Used in conjunction with an epidemiologically determined relation between air pollution and mortality rate ratio, the results make it possible to relate change in life expectancy to change in pollution. The difference between monitored particulate air pollution in Wagga Wagga and the goal set in the National Environment Protection Measure corresponds to a difference of 8 months in life expectancy.


Temporal evolution of one-dimensional binary mixtures of small-diameter elastic particles is studied from different theoretical and simulational perspectives. The nonlinear Boltzmann equation for the system is solved exactly in the Fourier space. The simulational algorithm used is extremely fast and produces results that are in perfect agreement with the theory, even with a fairly small number of particles involved. Both theoretical and simulational results show that the relaxation time of a non-Maxwellian mixture is a minimum for the mass ratio of 3+2$\sqrt{2}$, consistent with earlier investigations, and that for this choice of mass ratio, the distribution functions reduce to simple closed forms. The evolving distribution oscillates between a bimodal and unimodal form.


1. E. B. Burger, Exploring the Number Jungle: A Journey into Diophantine Analysis, American Mathematical Society, Providence RI, 2000. 2. G. H. Hardy and E. M. Wright, An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers, 5th ed., Clarendon Press/Oxford University Press, New York, 1979. 3. A. N. Kolmogorov and S. V. Fomin, Elements of the Theory of Functions and Functional Analysis, Vol. 1.: Metric and Normed Spaces, Graylock Press, Rochester NY, 1957.


River inlets along the Tamil Nadu coast remain mostly closed due to negligible fresh water flow and also due to various structures constructed near to the river inlet obstructing natural sediment transport. Excessive development of the sand spit also causes serious problems such as water level rise during floods and difficulty in navigation through river mouth. To reduce the impact of coastal area flooding and easy navigation it is necessary to keep the river mouth open. River training walls (RTW) are generally constructed to keep the river mouth open. Depending upon the sediment transport direction, sediments get deposited on one side of the RTW, while depleting the sediments from the other side. To prevent the sediment deposit from spilling over to river mouth, it is ideal to bypass the sand to the other side of the river mouth. This study analyses the methodologies for sand bypassing. A numerical model study has been carried out using DHI LITPACK to evaluate the sedimentation. The procedure of sand bypassing using pumps and pipe lines are discussed. Volume of sand bypassed, pump capacity, the number of Booster pumps to maintain critical velocity etc. can be determined based on the procedure discussed


Historians studying predecessors of the computer often provide brief discussions of Hollerith's tabulating equipment, especially in the context of his Census work [e.g., 9]. A decade ago Geoffrey D. Austrian's Herman Hollerith: Forgotten Giant of Information Processing [1] drew attention to the technology and its inventor, providing many details of its early evolution in response to government and then business needs. Recently this technology has received more attention [19, 3, 5]. These treatments have begun to explore the role of tabulating equipment in American business before World War II, as well as the role of the business market in the development of the tabulating equipment industry. This paper takes a single industry, life insurance, and looks at the role tabulating machinery and early computers have played in its business processes, as well as the role of the insurance industry in the evolution of tabulating technology. The insurance industry is a particularly interesting one for these purposes because of its information-intensive nature. In one of the few studies recognizing the non-mechanical roots of information technology, Campbell-Kelly [4] has studied the emergence of manual methods of large scale data processing in the British Prudential Assurance Company, Ltd., during the Victorian era. He notes that "the insurance business is perhaps the purest example of an 'information-based' industry that is, an industry whose sole activity consists of gathering, processing, and distributing information" [4, p. 2]. Thus, as one industry commentator during the computerization era noted, "What the production line is to a manufacturer, the data processing system is to an insurer" [6, p. 3]. After briefly describing some of the salient features of the U.S. life insurance business and its information needs, I will discuss the industry's initial adoption of basic tabulating systems to mechanize xisting and primarily manual processes of sorting, counting, and adding; and its evolving use of tabulating technology and its incremental improvements to integrate some of


No research to date has explored mentoring programs on Canadian postsecondary institution websites or the kinds of mentoring programs, if any, that are present online. This study examined 96 unique Canadian postsecondary institutional websites and the online presence of 420 unique postsecondary mentoring programs.,The researchers employed content analysis and emergent coding strategies to evaluate mentoring program information published on Canadian postsecondary websites.,The findings suggest that most mentoring programs with an online presence were peer (student-to-student or faculty-to-faculty) programs, followed by community member-to-student programs. Further, few programs (16) were student-to-faculty oriented, indicating that students could struggle to seek faculty mentorship if they desired it. However, of the 420 programs with an online presence, dozens of programs lacked enough information for the researchers to determine the stakeholders or purpose of the programs.,As the first study of its kind to evaluate mentoring program communication on Canadian postsecondary websites, this work informs mentoring program administrators on how to better communicate what their programs offer. Certain Canadian postsecondary institutions had an online presence for many more programs than did other institutions; for example, the University of Waterloo shared information on their website about 21 unique mentoring programs on its campus, whereas MacEwan University shared information about just two unique programs. This chasm represents a great deal of future research into the practice of how professionals communicate mentoring programs on postsecondary websites.


BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus is one of the non-communicable diseases which are one of the leading causes for increased morbidity. A study from south East Asia states that most common micro vascular complication of diabetes mellitus is diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Nearly 50-90% of people with diabetes mellitus report to have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy is also on the rise. This is the most common reason for the diabetic mellitus population to seek the health care facilities. The present study was aimed to determine the efficacy of bitter apple oil foot massage vs coconut oil foot massage on reducing neuropathic pain. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Randomized controlled trial design was adopted. 90samples were assigned using Simple random sampling technique. Group I received bitter apple oil foot massage and Group II received coconut oil foot massage for a period of one month. Data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULT: The study findings reveled that bitter apple oil foot massage was effective to reduce neuropathic pain (p<0.001) than coconut oil foot massage CONCLUSION: Diabetic neuropathy pain is the important need of patient with Diabetes Mellitus which needs to be intervened by a nurse. The bitter apple oil foot massage is a boon to alleviate the pain of the suffering diabetic population. This study proves that bitter apple oil foot massage was effective than coconut oil on reducing the neuropathic pain. Key Term: Neuropathic pain, Bitter apple oil, Foot massage, Coconut oil. Diabetes mellitus INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is one of the noncommunicable diseases which are one of the leading causes for increased morbidity. It is estimated that more than 62 million Indians, are living with diabetes mellitus as per the report of World Health Organization. [1] Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common micro vascular complication for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. A study from South East Asia states that most common micro vascular complication of diabetes mellitus is diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Nearly 50-90 % of people with diabetes mellitus report to have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. [2] Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur with high blood sugar causing injury to the nerves Sribharathy. J. et al. Effectiveness Of Bitter Apple Oil (Citrullus Colocynthis )Versus Coconut Oil Foot Massage On Neuropathic Pain among Patients With Diabetes Mellitus At Selected Rural Area, Puducherry International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 199 Vol.9; Issue: 6; June 2019 throughout the body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damage nerves in legs and feet. [3] A recent study was conducted by the prevalence of neuropathic pain and its qualities. Among the 100 diabetes mellitus people reports that (32.3%) had numbness, (29.7%) had pain with walking and (29.7%) had loss of sensation in leg/feet. [4] Diabetic neuropathy pain can have a serious impact on the quality of life of the patients. The study finding implicates that 20.3 % of the people diagnosed have a poor quality of sleep, anxiety and depression. [5] The available pharmacological management for pain are usually insufficient and uncertain on its effects. The commonly used group of drugs are Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and analgesics which increases further the cost of health care. [6] Hence people seek CAM as the best treatment option for neuropathic pain. This is supported by WHO in which 80% people living in complementary and alternative


The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(dodecamethylene dicarboxydiphenyl sulfone amides)(PA12-S) is investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).Jeziorny method is used to fit the primary and secondary stages of non-isothermal crystallination of PA12-S,n is evaluated,it is found to lie in the range of 4.5~5.2 for primary stage,and 1.7~2.3 for secondary stage;according to R-t method,the result of a is in the range of 1.4~1.5.The activation energy(ΔE) is determined to be-215.2 kJ/mol by the Kissinger's method.


The aim of this paper is to investigate the class of quasi $\kappa$-metrizable spaces. This class is invariant with respect to arbitrary products and contains Shchepin's $\kappa$-metrizable spaces as a proper subclass.


Micro-service architecture has become a standard software architecture style, with loosely coupled, specified, and implemented services, owned by small teams and independently deployable. TTCN-3, as test specification and implementation language, allows an easy and efficient description of complex distributed test behavior and seems to be a natural fit to test micro-services. TTCN-3 is independent of the underlying communication and data technology, which is strength and weakness at the same time. While tools and frameworks are supporting micro-service developers to abstract from the underlying data, implementation, and communication technology, this support has to be modeled in a TTCN-3 based test system, manually. This paper discusses the concepts of a TTCN-3 framework on the four different levels of the Richardson-Maturity Model, introducing support for testing hypermedia controls, HATEOAS, proposes a TTCN-3 framework and open-source implementation to realize them and demonstrates its application by a concrete example.


This experimental study showed that daily oral administration of DEC at levels of 5 to 15 mg/kg/day with food for 3 weeks decreased the level of both developing and adult B. malayi in infected cats. There were no adverse reactions due to the medication. Topical application of 5% DEC in skin cream or in mineral oil appears to be effective in killing developing B. malayi in cats.


In the literature, the generic way to address degeneracies in computational geometry is the Symbolic Perturbation paradigm: the input is made dependent of some parameter e so that for e positive and close to zero, the input is close to the original input, while at the same time, in non-degenerate position. A geometric predicate can usually be seen as the sign of some function of the input. In the symbolic perturbation paradigm, if the function evaluates to zero, the input is perturbed by a small positive e, and the sign of the function evaluated at the perturbed input is used instead. The usual way of using this approach is what we will call Algebraic Symbolic Perturbation frame- work. When the function to be evaluated is a polynomial of the input, its perturbed version is seen as a polynomial in e, whose coefficients are polynomials in the input. These coefficients are evaluated by increasing degree in e until a non-vanishing coefficient is found. The number of these coefficients can be quite large and expressing them in an easily and efficiently computable manner (e.g., factorized) may require quite some work. We propose to address the handling of geometric degeneracies in a different way, namely by means of what we call the Qualitative Symbolic Perturbation framework. We no longer use a single perturbation that must remove all degeneracies, but rather a sequence of perturbations, such that the next perturbation is being used only if the previous ones have not removed the degeneracies. The new perturbation is considered as symbolically smaller than the previous ones. This approach allows us to use simple elementary perturbations whose effect can be analyzed and evaluated: (1) by geometric reasoning instead of algebraic development of the predicate polynomial in e, and (2) independently of a specific algebraic formulation of the predicate. We apply our framework to predicates used in the computation of Apollonius diagrams in 2D and 3D, as well as the computation of trapezoidal maps of circular arcs.


Objective To explore the application of flexible hollow probe in radical resection in the treatment of perianal and perirectal abscess,and discuss the innovation,practicality and novelty,and further prove its value in clinical valor.Methods 120 patients diagnosed with perianal and perirectal abscess in our hospital were randomly divided into experiment group and control group,and each group had 60 patients.Patients in experiment group were treated with combination of flexible hollow probe with dyeing and contrast,while patients in control group were treated with routine probe.Some indicators such as operative time,primary curative rate,recurrence rate,treatment course,anal control function and pain of patients were observed.Then statistical analysis was conducted.Results All patients of experiment group were cured primarily and the primary curative rate was 100.0%.While in control group,52 cases were cured primarily and the primary curative rate was 86.7%.The mean operative time in experiment group was(25±3) min,while in control group was(50±6) min.The treatment course in experiment group was(27±5) d,while in control group was(37±4) d.Statistical analysis showed that the differences of operative time,curative rate and treatment course between the two groups were different significantly(P 0.01).And the experiment group showed a better effect.Conclusion Flexible hollow probe has the advantage of innovation,practicality and novelty in diagnosis and the treatment of perianal and perirectal abscess,it can relieve the patients' pain.


Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the major crops that give huge contribution to Malaysian economy. The relatively poor yield of palm oil in commercial and smallholder plantations compared to the proven potential yield of some existing varieties, coupled with the lack of progress in improving this situation over the past decade, has attached much comment in the industry and more widely as the oil palm yields in Malaysia is actually declined between 2008 and 2012. It is significant to study the differences in term of oil yield production between clonal and DxP oil palm to determine which type of planting materials is relevant for the ortet selection in developing high quality of planting materials in future in for commercial planting. The relationship between Fresh Fruit Bunch weight and oil to bunch on oil yield also has been studied to determine the dominant factors that affected the production of oil yield. A study was carried out at Risda Semaian dan Landskap (RSSB), Sungkai, Perak to achieve all the objectives by collecting the secondary data on oil yield as well as the Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) weight and the oil to bunch ratio. The weight of FFB tends to influence the amount of oil yield produced for each palm on the two different plots. Palm trees that produced >50kg of oil yield (kg/palm/year) will be used for an ortet selection as specified on the Malaysian Standard (MS 2099:2008).


I read the comments by Jane Brent with interest (letters June 7). Having been diagnosed with 'petit mal' epilepsy in 1962, I suffered minimal disruption to my life - it was only when I sought work that I encountered discrimination.


Based on the analysis of the evolution of technology integration (TI), a systematic and perfect concept is proposed about TI. Under this concept, a three stages model of TI process is built after analyzing the studies on TI processes. Technology choice, technology transfer and technology reconstruction are included in the model. At the last, the significance of the results from this paper is simply analyzed in practice of enterprise TI.


Introduction It has been suggested that the association of conjoined twins and their parasitic forms represent a continuum, and that they are all variations of abnormal conjoined twinning. Depending on the site of the union and the extent of disruption, this results in an attached parasitic twin, fetus-in-fetu, internal teratoma, and acardiac twins (Spencer, 2001; Hirayama et al., 2007). Twinning has been associated with abnormal laterality and heart defects (Kuehl and Lofredo, 2002) as well as with other structural defects (Schinzel et al., 1979; Burn and Corney, 1984; Gilbert-Barness et al., 2003). The case reported here supports the evidence linking oral teratomas (epignathus), midline patterning, and developmental defects that arise during blastogenesis.


Abstract : The primary objective of the audit was to determine the adequacy of the CAS surcharge applied to defense articles procured for FMS customers. We also reviewed the procedures and systems the Military Departments used to collect the CAS surcharge from FMS customers. In addition, we reviewed the procedures and systems the DoD Components used to report CAS costs to the Defense Security Assistance Agency for its approval prior to obtaining reimbursement through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service Denver Center. We also evaluated the management control program related to CAS functions and documentation supporting the DoD Components' claims for reimbursement of CAS costs.


The invention discloses a three-dimensional stability modeling method for orthogonal turning-milling machining of a helical endmill. The three-dimensional stability modeling method comprises the following steps: (1) simplifying a machine tool-cutter-workpiece system into a mass-spring-damper connected vibrating system, establishing a coordinate system xFyFzF, and establishing a kinetic equation of the vibrating system; (2) carrying out a hammering method modal test to obtain a frequency-response function of the vibrating system in each of xF, yF and zF directions, identifying the modal mass, the rigidity and the damping of the vibrating system, and calculating the inertia force, the spring force and the damping force of the vibrating system; (3) calculating a dynamic cutting force of the helical endmill; (4) solving the kinetic equation of the vibrating system to obtain a stability lobe graph of the vibrating system. The three-dimensional stability modeling method disclosed by the invention gives consideration to the three-dimensional dynamic cutting force of a circumference edge and a bottom edge of helical endmill, and simultaneously gives consideration to the dynamitic characteristics of a cutter side and a workpiece side, so that the stability modeling method is more accurate.


The article presents the results of research of laser radiation and constant magnetic field influence on the index of water acid-base balance pH. The experiment showed the shift of acid-base balance to alkali. Enrichment of water with hydroxyl ions OH activates the biological process at cellular level.


Paper presents the concept designs of two autonomous marine vehicles belonging to a new family of unconventional SWATHs optimized for low resistance at high speeds. The focus is concentrated on the prediction of the hydrodynamic characteristics and the optimization methods used to design the hull forms in order to minimize the propulsion power at the operational speed of the vehicles. For both vessels a modern automatic parametric optimization computer-based procedure has been developed and RANSE calculations performed to validate the final design. The second vessel is a hybrid SWATH, capable of reaching a top speed of 120 knots in the foil-born mode, at which four super-cavitating hydrofoils are folded down into the water. Main issues related to the design of surfacepiercing super-cavitating hydrofoils, for operation at such a high speed, are presented and discussed on the basis of the results obtained through CFD simulations and feedback from preliminary results of model tests in a cavitation tunnel.


Objective: To estimate vaccine coverage against Papillomaviridae (HPV) in girls and
adolescents in Brazilian municipalities and to identify factors associated with the scope of
recommended coverage. Materials and Methods: This is an ecological and cross-sectional
study.. The units of analysis were the 5.565 Brazilian municipalities, with the target population
being the cohorts of girls born in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 and for which the outcome of
vaccination coverage was evaluated in 2017. The calculation of cumulative vaccine coverage by
girls' cohort was defined as the group of people who completed the same number of years of life
in the same calendar year, and the vaccine coverage was classified as low (<80%) and adequate
(≥80%). In addition, the socioeconomic indicators were obtained from the IBGE Automatic
Recovery System (SIDRA), Information System on Public Health Budgets (SIOPS), National
Agency of Supplementary Health (ANS) and were classified from the following axes: poverty
index, low schooling, housing, population, resources and health. The data were analyzed in three
stages using software R, version 3.5.0. The first step covered a descriptive analysis of the
cumulative vaccine coverage of the first and second doses according to birth cohort, cohort I,
cohort II and cohort II. In the second stage, socioeconomic indicators were constructed and
described. In the third stage of the study, logistic regression models were used to evaluate the
association of socioeconomic indicators and the extent of adequate vaccination coverage.
Results: In cohort I (girls aged 14 years in 2017), 94.4% of municipalities reached adequate
coverage, falling to 35.8% in the second dose. In cohort II (girls aged 15 years), 88.8% of the
municipalities achieved adequate coverage in the first dose while 59.5% of the municipalities
reached the goal for the second dose. In cohort III (girls aged 15 years), 81.5% of municipalities
achieved adequate coverage in the first dose and 46% in the second. The model for identification
of factors associated with adequate HPV vaccination coverage in the first dose and second dose
was performed only for cohort I, that is, for girls aged 14 years old in 2017. The dwelling axis,
represented by the variables water supply, garbage collection and cell phones at home, showed a
consistently positive association with reaching the vaccine coverage for the HPV vaccine in the
Central-West (first and second dose), North (first dose) and Southeast (first dose) models.
Additionally, for the first dose, a positive association was found between urban population
concentration and vaccine coverage reach in all regions except in the Northern region.
Conclusion: The present study highlights several challenges regarding vaccine coverage against
HPV in Brazil. The estimation of vaccination coverage of the 1st dose of the HPV vaccine in
Brazil suggests high coverage even though some sites do not follow the pattern (Distrito Federal
and Amazonas). For the second dose, the opposite was observed with a low vaccine coverage
accumulated in all the cohorts, and the I cohort stands out due to the worse performance.


A process for extracting natural peptone from soybean includes such steps as washing and screening soybeann, immersing in oil for bioactivating, solid porametric oscillating fermentation, separating the activating enzyme, biological defatting and decomposing and supercritical extraction. Its advantages are high output rate (40%), high activity and low cost.


A total of 50 random samples of imported canned beef were collected from different supermarkets in Alexandria and were examined physically, chemically and bacteriologically. The physical examination revealed that 96% of examined canned beef samples fulfilled the legal requirements. The chemical examination indicated that the mean values of pH, moisture, sodium chloride, T.V.N and phosphate were within the permissible limits. Bacteriological examination of all examined samples revealed that the mean values of the total aerobic plate count, total anaerobic bacterial count, total Staphylococci count were 9.48X10  2.8X10, 4X10  7.7X 10 and 2.5 X 10  2.3 cfu/gram, respectively. The incidence of the isolated coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus from the examined samples was 3%. The public health significance of the isolated microorganisms as well as quality evaluation of some imported canned beef on the basis of the Egyptian standard specifications was discussed. INTRODUCTION Canning means preservation of food in hermetically sealed containers through the action of heat, which is the principal factor to destroy microorganisms. The hermetically sealing is necessary to prevent re-infection and passage of gas. Canning designed to destroy the bacteria responsible for butulism (Clostridium butulinum) by using combination of heat treatment, nitrates and ascertain levels of pH. Quality Evaluation Of Some Imported Canned Beef In ... Amal F.A. Mansour et., al. Kafr El-Sheikh Vet.Med.J. Vol. 1 No.1 (2003) 109 Meat products that can be stored at room temperature without the risks of microbial spoilage are considered to be shelf stable products. These products are popular for camping and other activities where refrigeration may not available in addition they are convenient products to have on hand without further cooking. Egyptian standard specification of canned beef No. 3491 (2000) as the product must be free from spore formers and non-spore formers bacteria that cause spoilage, and also it has to be free from mould and yeasts growths and Clostridium botulinum and its toxins. In adequate thermal processing and postprocess, contamination can result in the presence of food borne pathogens in cooked ready to eat meat products. Bacillus cereus has been implicated as responsible agent in many of food borne intoxications (Banwart, 1989 and Granum, 1997). Bacillus cereus could be isolated from the examined canned beef meat samples (El-Ansary, 2000). Clostridium species were considered as potential food poisoning as reported by Skoczer (1981) who stated that over 34% of the isolated organisms were responsible for spoilage of canned meat and belonging to the genus Clostridium. Other pathogenic microorganisms like Clostridium perfringens, can be isolated by Gaugusch et. al. (1967), while Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Havnia could be isolated by Refai et. al. (1993) and Staphylococcus aureus can be isolated by Radwan (2004). In spite of canning benefits, adulteration may be occured as a result of improper percentage of ingredients such as high moisture, fat, connective tissue Quality Evaluation Of Some Imported Canned Beef In ... Amal F.A. Mansour et., al. Kafr El-Sheikh Vet.Med.J. Vol. 1 No.1 (2003) 110 and low protein content. Also, there is a risk of public health hazard due to adding of some chemicals as preservatives, flavour or colour enhancer as nitrites which is responsible for the development of nitrosamine which incriminated as a predesposing factor for cancer (Gray and Randall, 1979). The present study was conducted to evaluate the quality of some imported canned beef meat collected from different supermarkets from different areas at different sanitation levels in Alexandria city. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty random samples of imported canned beef were collected from supermarkets in Alexandria city. The samples were transferred as rapidly as possible to the laboratory where they were subjected to the following examination: 1Physical examination (Awad, 1983): Physical examination for examined cans were done externally for expired date, growth weight, size of can, colour of can, control number, external manifestation of internal spoilage as swell, flipper or springer and finally, the abnormal conditions as rust and damage. The internal examination for examined cans was done according to FAO (1992) for the following items: a) Detection of gasses by smelling and flaming. b) Detection of gelatin liquefaction. c) Coloration of surface and can side. d) Odour, colour and consistency of cut surface. Quality Evaluation Of Some Imported Canned Beef In ... Amal F.A. Mansour et., al. Kafr El-Sheikh Vet.Med.J. Vol. 1 No.1 (2003) 111 2Chemical examination by determination of: 1) pH value (AOAC, 1990). 2) Moisture percentage (AOAC, 1990). 3) Sodium chloride content (AOAC, 1990). 4) Total volatile bases. (T.V.B.) (Person, 1976). 5) Phosphate content (Person, 1981). 3Bacteriological examination: Each can was aseptically opened and portions of 10 grams were taken under aseptic condition, weighted then transferred into sterile homogenizer containing 90 ml of sterile peptone water (0.1%), the content were homogenized for 2 minutes at 1400 rpm, and then allowed to stand for about 5 minutes at room temperature. One ml from the original dilution was transferred to 9 ml of sterile peptone water (0.1%) to prepare a dilution of 1: 100 from which further decimal serial dilutions were prepared and duplicate portions were spread on the corresponding media for bacteriological examination as follow: a) Total aerobic plate count (ICMSF, 1978). b) Total anaerobic plate count (Gudkov and Sharpe, 1966). c) Staphylococci count (ICMSF, 1978). d) Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureas (Cruickshank, et al., 1975). Quality Evaluation Of Some Imported Canned Beef In ... Amal F.A. Mansour et., al. Kafr El-Sheikh Vet.Med.J. Vol. 1 No.1 (2003) 112 RESULTS The samples of canned beef meat examined had normal colour, acceptable odour and normal consistency. The chemical examinations revealed that the pH values, moisture percentage, sodium chloride content, total volatile bases and phosphate content were within the permissible limits. (Table 1) Table (1): Mean values for chemical examination of canned beef samples (n=50). Test Mean values S.E


In this paper we study the rank equation rank [ A B C X ] = rank(A) and find the necessary and sufficient conditions when X = A and X = A are the solutions of that equation. In both cases we give a explicit form of matrices B and C.


vals, to scenes of madness in its most hideous form, too commonly fixes irretrievably the destiny of their reason..Henc'e, we cannot be surprised at what is really the fact, that instances of recovery of pauper lunatics from these institutions are exceedingly rare, and bear no proportion to those from public county asylums, where the treatment is conducted with kindness, science, and an interest in the recovery and well-being of the patients. Even as regards the cases which are unfortunately irremediable, we cannot refer to the published reports of the Hanwell, Lincoln, and other wvell-conducted public institutions, (where personal restraint is now almost wholly abolished, and where the patients, by humane and judicious marnagement, are rendered comparatively comfortable and happy,) without a feeling of horror and distress at the cruelties and injustice inflicted in the minor and more clandestine Bethlems. It is far from my wish to depreciate private institutions, wvhen under judicious and merciful superintendence; but, although there are no doubt many honourable exceptions, yet I would appeal to all who have witnessed and attended to the subject, whether, as regards the paulper inmates, the truth is not generally as I have stated. Indeed, these are no new opinions; the same views have at all times been maintained by philanthropists. Dr. Reid, in his beautiful essays on this subject, says, "A heavy responsibility presses upon those who preside or officiate in the asylums of lunacy. Little is it known how much injustice is committed, and how much useless and wantonly-inflicted misery is endured, in those infirmaries for disordered, or rather cemeteries for diseased, intellect." The hardships endured by lunatics are indeed not confined to asylums. hrom the disgrace and shame which unfortunately attach to insanity, many whose minds are only temporarily disordered, are condemned to a state of insulation from all rational and sympathizing intercourse, before the necessity has arisen for so severe a lot. An instance occurred in this immediate neighbourhood, where a man of respectable family, harmless and inoffensive in his habits, but wrhose reason was obscured, was confined upwards of fifteen years in a small and noisome room, chained by his leg to the bed, excluded from all social intercourse, and almost from the light of day, and was only released by the hand of death, the confinement of the legs having occasioned mortification. Such instances are probably not very rare. That the statements I have made respecting pauper lunatics are not exaggerated, will, I believe, be proved by the observation of all wvho have attended to the subject; and when we reflect on the numerous charitable institutions of this country, and the desire manifested to ameliorate the condition and to remedy the diseases of the sane poor, it seems unaccountable that so little should be done for the insane. To obviate the hardships and the difficulties attendant on the treatment of pauper lunatics, the only real remedy is the establishment of public county asylums. Sir W. Ellis, the late humane and talented medical superintendent of the Middlesex County Asylum, is high and competent authority on this subject. In his valuable publication, he states, that " For the poor no place can be found which will bear aiy comparison with a county lunatic asylum; their wants are there provided for in the most substantial manner, and at an expense which is but little felt by each individual who contributes to it; and as no one in such establishments has the least advantage by the patients remaining in them, they are sure to be discharged as soon as they are sufficiently recovered to justify such a step. Wherever there are one hundred lunatic paupera in one county, there ought to be an asylum." In 'this county the parliamentary returns show that there are upwards of two hundred pauper lunatics and idiots, but the actual number is probably greater, and there is no public asylum. Indeed, until the last few years, vhen a small private establishment was opened in Derby, there was no place for the reception of lunatics. Unquestionably the same deficiency is felt in other parts of the kingdom. The object of the present communication is to suggest the propriety of establishing or erecting public asyluims for the poor, in districts where they are needed, on the same principle and in the same manner as the union workhouses have been built. If several unions were to join so as to form an union of unions, an establishment capable of accommodating one hundred or more lunatics might be erected, and the expense, if defrayed by rate, would be but little felt by the contributors. To secure all the advantages of an asylum, the expense of admission should be moderate; it should be open to the inspection of visiting magistrates at all and uncertain times; the medical officers should have the means of classifying the cases according to their respective peculiarities, and derive no advantage from the patients remaining on the establishment. Such an institution would not only be of incalculable advantage to the patients, but if occasionally open to the inspection of medical men, and the results of treatment made known, it would be the means of dissipating much of the prejudice and ignorance which now envelope mental disorders. For no subjecthitherto has excited so little, ordeservedso much, the attention of medical and scientific men as that of mental derangement. The importance cannot be too deeply impressed of counteracting a tendency to this disease. When it is fully formed and established by habit, our efforts will seldom prove of much avail. In -no complaint, therefore, is a knowledge of the premonitory symptoms more important than in insanity. The acute remark of Montaigne, however applicable it may be to the early discrimination of disease in general, is particularly so to that of mental derangement: " De toutes choses les naissances sont foible et tendres. Pourtant faut-il avoir les yeuLx ouverts aux commencements, car comme alors en sa petitesse on decouvre pas le danger, quand il est accru, on n'en decouvre plus de remede." August 22, 1841.


There is no doubt that the operator is one of the key "components" in nearly any system used in forestry (Mola-Yudego et al. 2015; Malinen et al. 2018). However, we need a collective understanding of what an operator effect or rather a human influence really is in forest work science. Most of us probably regard psychological, cognitive, and motor abilities as human influences (or, more strictly, potentially influential human factors or variables) that may affect results in various ways, but it is equally important to consider what is not a human influence. For instance, an operator consciously and recurrently conducts certain working manoeuvres and tactics in specific ways that will clearly affect performance. Should these also be regarded as human influences? During the era from the 1970s to the beginning of the 2000s Nordic forest researchers published studies on the operator effect relatively frequently (Harstela 1975; Gullberg 1995; Björheden 2001), especially considering that substantially fewer scientific articles were published then. However, for unknown reasons this essential part of forest work research has been largely neglected for more than a decade in the Nordic forest scientific literature. Since an article by Lindroos (2010) that deeply and critically addressed this important issue it has been ignored. This is unfortunate because in forest work research we typically analyse alternative working methods or technological innovations and even if we are not often directly interested in operators, they impact the results and thus complicate our analyses. Nordic forest researchers have traditionally considered the operator as a block effect in statistical models, and hence applied blocking to account for human influence. In practise this means that each operator applies all alternative technologies or working methods monitored or tested in a study. This is basically correct, but there are many issues to consider and discuss. Here I focus on three of these issues: 1) risks of human influence being confounded with different working tactics, 2) pooling data across the operators in order to obtain generalizable results, 3) defining operator effects as either random or fixed, and whether it matters.


Human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is ubiquitous, with mixtures of PFAS detected in drinking water, food, household dust, and other exposure sources. Animal toxicity studies and human epidemiology indicate that PFAS may act through shared mechanisms including activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα). However, the effect of PFAS mixtures on human relevant molecular initiating events remains an important data gap in the PFAS literature. Here, we tested the ability of modeling approaches to predict the effect of diverse PPARα ligands on receptor activity using Cos7 cells transiently transfected with a full length human PPARα (hPPARα) expression construct and a peroxisome proliferator response element-driven luciferase reporter. Cells were treated for 24 hours with two full hPPARα agonists (pemafibrate and GW7647), a full and a partial hPPARα agonist (pemafibrate and mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), or a full hPPARα agonist and a competitive antagonist (pemafibrate and GW6471). Receptor activity was modeled with three additive approaches: effect summation, relative potency factors (RPF), and generalized concentration addition (GCA). While RPF and GCA accurately predicted activity for mixtures of full hPPARα agonists, only GCA predicted activity for full and partial hPPARα agonists and a full agonist and antagonist. We then generated concentration response curves for seven PFAS, which were well-fit with three-parameter Hill functions. The four perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCA) tended to act as full hPPARα agonists while the three perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSA) tended to act as partial agonists that varied in efficacy between 28-67% of the full agonist, positive control level. GCA and RPF performed equally well at predicting the effects of mixtures with three PFCAs, but only GCA predicted experimental activity with mixtures of PFSAs and a mixture of PFCAs and PFSAs at ratios found in the general population. We conclude that of the three approaches, GCA most accurately models the effect of PFAS mixtures on hPPARα activity in vitro. Highlights Perfluorinated carboxylic acids are full human PPARα agonists Perfluorinated sulfonic acids are partial human PPARα agonists GCA predicts human PPARα activity for mixtures of full and partial agonists GCA predicts human PPARα activity for mixtures of agonists and competitive antagonists GCA accurately predicts human PPARα activity in response to PFAS mixtures


Photovoltaic (PV) is one of the equipments used to convert solar energy that can be used as an alternative source of renewable energy. The effectiveness of PV can be improved by operating the the PV panel at optimum point by using the MPPT algorithm. This study will present a comparative study of the use of the SEPIC converter and Zeta converters for applications using MPPT algorithm Peturb and Observe (PNO). The results of the characteristics of the two converters will be compared, while the parameters are compared include input-output voltage, voltage ripple and input-output power.


We study a sparsely connected oscillator network by using the methods of statistical mechanical, in particular, the replica method. First, we study the conjecture of Ichinomiya on the equivalence of a sparsely connected oscillator network with ferromagnetic interactions to a fully connected network with disordered interactions. Then, we study the dynamical behaviour of the oscillator network on the Bethe lattice by using dynamical replica theory. Theoretical results are confirmed by numerical simulations


Toxic exposures to cobalt chloride could occur from dietary, occupational, and medical sources. This study evaluated the ameliorative effect of oral administration of rutin and vitamin E on cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced oxidative stress in the brain of rats following exposure to cobalt chloride (CoCl2) toxicity. Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Group 1 received only water, while group 2 received cobalt chloride (300 ppm) in drinking water. Groups 3, 4 and 5 also received cobalt chloride, but were treated with rutin (100 mg/kg body weight), rutin (200 mg/kg BW) and vitamin E (50 mg/kg BW) respectively for seven consecutive days. The rats were euthanized 24 hours after the last treatment. The brain was collected for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. The study demonstrated that cobalt chloride caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione level, whereas the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased significantly (P<0.05). However, rutin and vitamin E treatment attenuated CoCl2-induced oxidative stress. Histopathological findings also revealed the ameliorative effect of rutin and Vitamin E on the neuronal damage caused by CoCl2 treatment.