Studies were made of the morphology and karyotype of accessions of H. asper, H. cannabinus and H. surattensis. There were six simple epicalyx segments in H. asper, nine in H. cannabinus and ten branched and leafy epicalyx segments in H. surattensis. Karyotypic analysis of the species showed a preponderance of median centromeres. H. surattensis had a more symmetrical karyotype and smaller chromosomes than H. asper and H. cannabinus. H. asper had the longest chromosomes. Ten of their chromosomes were significantly different in length, while four were significantly different in arm ratio.


How do contemporary black individuals move through the various systems of racial categorization, dependent on "borders of meaning": "color nuances", social contexts and dwelling places, linguistic and cultural aspects? How is the "cross" of group affiliations experienced by those who, for instance, perceive themselves as black and also make part of the Haitian Diaspora in Miami? The present work seeks to provide answers to these questions, based on an initial assumption that the identification with "the black" among a heterogeneous population seems to be guided, on the one hand, by the increasing "indifference" towards the discourse of Africanity (while a call for political and identity formulation) and, on the other hand, by the realization that it is the several situations of conflict experienced by each individual, which fundamentally constitute his/her self-perception and "recognition" as a black individual.


A. ACRIVOS Strongly nonlinear interfacial dynamics in core-annular flows, V. KERCHMAN On the equilibrium and stability of a row of point vortices, H. AREF Critical microjets in collapsing cavities, M. S. LONCUET-HIGGINS & H. Ocuz Finite-amplitude three-dimensional instability of core-annular flow, H. H. Hu & N. PATANKAR An experimental study of a three-dimensional pressure-driven turbulent boundary layer, S. M. OLCMEN & R. L. SIMPSON


FIELD: medicine. SUBSTANCE: invention refers to medicine and aims at treating overweight people. The device comprises a holding envelope 1 accommodating an elastic tank 3 with a valve 6 and an element for detachable connection with an overpressure source in the form of a delivery pipe 2. The valve 6 in an outlet portion is coupled with a hollow cap 7 on a side surface of which there is a slot 10 formed. EFFECT: higher operational reliability the device ensured by valve tightness and longer service life provided. 4 cl, 2 dwg


This article examines the social, medical, and futuristic impacts of coronavirus lockdowns on adolescents. The effects of social isolation and school closures are the focus. The literature reveals that adolescents' mental health declined due to social isolation during COVID, and that their social development was stunted. The brain development of adolescents could also have been negatively affected due to a lack of engagement in social decision making processes. The article examines the inequality exacerbated by the pandemic, namely the increased inequality by race and income in adolescents' access to sports and the economic inequality in learning losses. Not only were learning losses during remote learning more prevalent among low-income adolescents, but these students are likely to experience a decrease in expected income over the course of their lifetimes. Based on existing research, an effective remedy to the negative impacts of COVID lockdowns on adolescents would be to increase funding to schools in order to decrease COVID cases among adolescents, provide individualized instruction to students who fell behind during remote learning, and to improve in-school counseling services.


The Yaoyorozu information society has a great deal of decision makers and is very complex in comparing with ubiquitous one, which has only one supreme decision maker. The context awareness is one of the keywords to cope with the complexity. However, it causes more difficulty in the society because humans and machines in the Yaoyorozu information society act based on the context, which depends on time, place and occasion. A systematic approach is inevitable to solve such a complex problem. It consists of visualization, modeling and optimization. We show here availability of the systematic approach as in cooperation of home appliances.


This study was conducted to investigate the quality characteristics of functional health sunsik for diabetes mellitus. Nutrient compositions of commercial sunsik was consist of carbohydrate by grains, but sunsik for diabetes mellitus was lower carbohydrate content ratio and higher protein content ratio(), respectively. The sucrose content was highest in free sugars of sunsik, Oganic acids in sunsik were composed of malic acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid and citric acid. Free amino acids of diabetes mellitus sunsik were predominantly contented 154.32 mg/100g of serine, 151.87 mg/100g of alanine and 100.00 mg/100g of glutamic acid, respectively. Main fatty acid, linoleic acid content was high in diabetes mellitus sunsik. Minerals like Ca, Mg, K, Na and Fe were found to contained in sunsik. The minerals contained most in diabetes mellitus sunsik were 332.25 mg/100g of Ca, 246.73 mg/100g of Mg, 219.95 mg/100g of K, 203.26 mg/100g of Na and 9.39 mg/100g of Fe. Total phenolics content of diabetes mellitus sunsik was high contained 436.10 mg/100g. Antioxidant activity(Electron Donating Ability()) was lower in diabetes mellitus sunsik than in a-tocopherol(400 ppm). Sensory evaluation score of in diabetes mellitus sunsik was high in cooked taste(3.4) and overall acceptance(3.4).


Climate information can help vulnerable populations anticipate disasters before they happen and enable communities prepare for and cope with them. A complementary log-log regression model based on quantitative study in coastal communities in Tanzania was used to assess the likelihood of the rural poor, rural non poor, urban poor, and urban non poor to receive early warning information about flood, drought and other disasters. Individuals in the urban poor category were 35% less likely to receive early warning information about flood, drought and other disasters whereas urban non-poor residents were 49% more likely to receive same. This disadvantage to the urban poor persists even when adaptive capacity, geographical location and socio-environmental factors are accounted. Nuclear households consisting of a male head and female partner who have children or not had higher likelihood of receiving early warning information on flood, drought and other disasters (OR = 1.47, p < 0.001) compared with their counterparts in female-centred households (no husband or male partner). Residents with tertiary education were more likely (OR = 1.91, p < 0.001) to report that they had received early warning information about flood, drought and other disasters compared with their counterparts without any formal education. This zero-order relationship was completed mediated by geographical location and socio-environmental factors in the multivariate model. The results underline the key role access to climate- and disaster-related information play in enhancing adaptive capacity to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards, as well as the importance of targeting the most vulnerable households in policy interventions to improve resilience in the face of a changing climate.


Useful structural unit of the formula (I) for the synthesis of the taxane derivative (2R, 3S) is 3-phenyl-iso-serine methyl ester acetate salt of enantiomer selective manufacturing processes. (I) The process of La threo racemate - includes the transition to split, and (I) of the phenyl iso-serine amide. (2R, 3S) -3- isopropyl-phenyl-serine methyl ester acetate, enantiomer


The human activation peptide of factor XIII (AP‐FXIII) comprises the first 37 amino acids of the N‐terminus and holds the FXIII in an inactive state. FXIII is activated either proteolytically by cleavage of AP‐FXIII by thrombin, or non‐proteolytically by high calcium concentrations.


N ew battery and energy storage materials are key factors in the new energy economy. Electrode materials have a significant influence on the electrochemical performance of these new batteries. Therefore, specific ceramic phases and the technologies required to rapidly synthesize them are key to successful commercial production of more efficient, cost-effective batteries. Olivine-structured LiFePO4, first reported by Goodenough, et.al, is a promising cathode material for lithium (Li)-ion batteries. Factors such as low cost, low toxicity, environmental compatibility, high theoretical capacity, and perfect thermal cycling stability have led to increasing use of LiFePO4 as an electrode material in small and large power applications. Li-ion batteries are now used in portable electronic devices, and larger Li-ion batteries are being developed as power sources for next-generation electric vehicles. Lithium-titanium spinel (Li4Ti5O12) is a significant anode material because it is a "zero strain lithium insertion host material" due to its extremely small variations of lattice parameters during the charge and discharge processes as reported by Ohzuku, et.al. Significant improvements in capacity have been achieved by reducing the synthesized material particle size and coating particles with a conducting material. These two materials are representative of anode and cathode materials in this discussion on developing microwave-enhanced solid state synthesis technologies for battery materials. Several synthesis routes have been explored at laboratories for various battery electrode materials. There is still a need for rapid, commercially viable processing technologies to produce these and similar materials at low cost. This article deals with the possibility of developing faster, less expensive, and greener electrode materials-synthesis technologies using advanced microwave processing equipment available in the U.S., and process scale up from lab/pilot scale microwave batch furnace to a continuous microwave furnace that offers greater throughput to meet commercial level production. LiFePO4 and Li4Ti5O12 and other electrode materials can be produced at commercial levels via microwave processing with the necessary set-up and process modifications. Microwave Enhanced Solid State Synthesis of Battery Materials


As the outstanding one in the treasure-house of the natural nutritive maters, the sea backthern has aroused the attention of domestic and foreign researchers and producers because of its obvious health protecting function. This paper introduces the developing situation of the foreign sea backthern, expounds the main domestic sea backthern products and the situation of its industrialization.


Based on partition control technology and CFD numerical simulation,the easily controllable design methods of double S-nozzle type surface were developed,and the flow characteristics of double S-nozzle were simulated.With message passing interface(MPI)parallel algorithm and discrete transfer method,the software of infrared radiation characteristics was programmed.The infrared radiation characteristics of double S-nozzle were computed by the software.The infrared radiation characteristics were compared with those of axisymmetric convergent nozzle with the same inlet and outlet areas.The results show that the infrared radiation intensity of wide detection surface of double S-nozzle is less than that of the narrow detection surface,with the biggest margin up to 80%.The infrared radiation intensity on each probing direction is lower than that of axisymmetric convergent nozzle,especially on the probing direction between 30° and 40° in the wide detection surfaces,and the infrared radiation intensity of double S-nozzle is lower 30% than that of axisymmetric convergent nozzle.


AbstractMany key aspects of bridge design are governed by site-related, geometric, functional and constructional constraints. Economy is yet another decisive factor in public works, whilst enhanced...


Intercropping is an important practice in subsistence and food production farming systems in many developing countries. In the Guinea savanna of Northern Ghana, vegetable-maize intercropping with hot pepper, African eggplant and other vegetables is widely practiced during the humid season. Although this system is dominant, little is known regarding the optimal population densities and spatial arrangements for intercropped vegetables. Our objective was to determine the profitability of maize-vegetable intercropping as well as the biological yields resulting from various spatial arrangements and planting densities of intercrops. Trials were conducted during the rainy season from May to October of 2014 and 2015 in the Northern, Upper West and Upper East regions of Ghana. Each trial had eight treatments, including two pure stand options for each crop and four different vegetable-maize intercrops. The field layout was a randomized complete block design with three to four replications. Each farmer was assumed as a replication. Data collection included biological fruit or grain yields and estimation of land equivalent ratios (LER). LER values varied from one region to another and sometimes over years. Stable and beneficial spatial arrangements and planting densities were identified that can be recommended to farmers for intensification and scaling in both regions (UER and NR). For African eggplant, the optimal intercropping systems were 2 rows of maize at higher density: 1 row of African eggplant at recommended density, or 1 row of maize at recommended density: 1 row of African eggplant at recommended density. For pepper, the optimal intercropping system was 2 rows of maize at higher density: 1 row of pepper at the recommended density.


Labor Contract Law established development direction of Chinese labor relations in the future,playing an important role in promoting harmonious labor relations.However,there still exist a few imperfections,reflected in unreasonable single-protection principle,the imperfect items about employer's layoff,the labor dispatch and workers'relief right on non-fixed term labor,etc.The article,based on the above-mentioned imperfections,makes corresponding suggestions to improve the Labor Contract Law to better protect the labor relation harmony.


There are increasing reports of citrobacter central nervous system infections in neonates. These organisms cause brain abcesses in a high percentage of pa tients. They may be resistant to commonly used antibiotics. We report a term male infant with underlying meningo-myelocoele and hydrocephalus in whom Citrobacter diversus meningitis and ventriculitis developed. Initial antibiotic ther apy including intraventricular amikacin failed to sterilize the ventricles or alter a deteriorating clinical course. Adding intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethox azole to the therapeutic regimen resulted in reversal of a progressively worsening condition and eventual recovery. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole should be con sidered as a potentially useful alternative antibiotic for susceptible central ner vous system infections.


Historical learning in Indonesia experienced a wide range of dynamics. The historical material was made boring, students are not motivated to learn history because of the discrimination condition in hierarchy of knowledge, and etc . In 2013, Indonesian Government launched a new curriculum. This curriculum emphasizes the development of critical thinking-creative and innovative for the learners. The purpose of the new curriculum was to push historical teach er be creative. This paper tries to focus on two intellectual figures in history of Indonesia and India . There are Ki Hadjar Dewantara and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The valuesunderlying cultural wisdom of Dewantara and Gandhi's life can be actualized in history. The histo ical educators can provide a wider space for students to creation of historical materials. Application of scientific-based in 2013 curriculum t hat would provide the right space to implement. Among them through various means such as forming a space for discussion, making electronic media, creating a community, a group of historical fans , wrote a history of the movement, held a character camp program in the form of live and interact ing with in the community, or the various actions that were able to inflame the spirit of students.


Wireless AdHoc and sensor networks are very broadly used in many remote applications. AdHoc networks still have problems in conveying data from one node to other node. This problem further increases with the mobile nodes. Now a days different routing algorithms are being developed for mobile wireless AdHoc networks. In this paper, some of them are discussed. Mobile Ad hoc networks and Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks are similar to each other as both depend on hop-to-hop routing. So, protocols developed for Mobile ad-hoc networks are also used in many Mobile sensor applications. In this paper Angle based DSR is discussed, which is developed for Mobile AdHoc networks or mobile Wireless Sensor Networks and derived from changes done in DSR, which was developed for MANETs. Moto of this paper is to give an idea that other protocols which were developed for MANETs can be completely used in Mobile WSNs, by having angle-based mechanism, as described in ADSR.


One years shortly after Christmas, when the winds had been bitterly cold, Mrs. B. B., a very generously covered lady of 53 years with billiard table legs presented al the skin clinic. She had suffered from pen1iosis of her calves each winter for over ten years. On this occasion chilblains appeared over the lower calves one month previously and had progressed to Ulceration, which was accompanied by severe pain. Examination showed our patient to be five feet three inches high and nearly 17 stone in weight. Both her calves were severely ulccraled with considerable ~~condary infection and marked surrounding cellulitis. l here was a moderate degree of ankle oedema. She Was immediately admitted to hospital and treated With rest in bed, systemic penicillin and topical I per cent aureomycin cream. The rate of recovery was '.'en1arkable as ulcers of the leg are notoriously slow ~n healing. Complete re-epithelialisation occurred with111 four weeks. It is well established that sufferers from chilblains have a bad peripheral circulation and their blood takes twice or three times the normal time to coagulate. While the common sites arc well known, it is interesting to note that a limb which has been affected by muscle wasting, such as occurs in anterior poliomyelitis, may often be the site for chilblains when the normal limb is unaffected: Obese people may develop nemiotic ulceration of the skin over large masses of fat such as in the buttock or calf areas. Sudden exposure to cold is far more likely to produce chilblains than gradual acclimatisation to lower temperatures. The present fashion of wearing brief knickers, sheer nylons and short thin skirts during lhe colder months is more than likely to be followed by that chronic form of chilblain, erythrocyanosis crurum. The lower limbs are cold, cyanosed and oedematous with itching and some times pain. When the affected areas are wanned on coming in-


Non-LTE (and also LTE) model atmospheres are constructed, using the method of complete linearization of Auer and Mihalas, for T/sub eff/ = 10,00 deg K and log g = 1. Various number ratios (N(He)/ N(H)) are assumed. Two effects are found: l. The continuum radiation field depends strongly on the helium abundance. 2. The structure of the entire atmosphere is subject to non-LTE- effects, even in the region of continuum formation. In consequence, large changes in the continuum radiation field occur due to non-LTE. (auth)


Adrenergic control of the peripheral circulation was studied in cardiomyopathic hamsters to determine if the functional status of terminal vascular sympathetic nerve endings is augmented in heart failure. Four groups of hamsters were studied: myopathic hamsters with heart failure (average age 296 days), myopathic hamsters without heart failure (average age 171 days), and two corresponding control groups of randomly bred hamsters matched for age. In hamsters with heart failure, the concentration of catecholamines in hearts, aortas, and femoral arteries was reduced compared with that in corresponding control hamsters. In myopathic hamsters without heart failure, the concentration of catecholamines was reduced in femoral arteries, but it was not reduced in hearts or aortas. Resting vascular resistance and vasoconstrictor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation, norepinephrine, and angiotensin in the perfused hindquarters was reduced in hamsters with heart failure but not in myopathic hamsters without heart failure. These studies suggest that the functional status of terminal sympathetic nerve endings in blood vessels of the extremities is not augmented and may be reduced in this model of heart failure. Studies on other models of heart failure are needed to determine whether the absence of increased vascular catecholamines and the absence of augmented responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation are characteristic of heart failure in general or are unique to this model that has characteristics of highoutput failure.


Zn4O4 tetrameric clusters, found for the first time in an open-framework phosphate form basket-shaped building units, in combination with PO4 tetrahedra give rise to a one-dimensional channel structure.


In this study, a novel, renewable energy based, multigeneration energy system is introduced, and solar energy is, in this regard, used to produce electricity for a multi‐unit building utilizing a Kalina cycle. For cooling a four‐stage absorption chiller running on excessive or recovered heat is used. An electrolyzer is employed to produce hydrogen from the unused portion of electricity. In addition, domestic hot water is obtained from the system. In the analysis, a comprehensive thermodynamic model of the system is developed; the exergy efficiencies of the overall system and its components are determined; and the effects of varying configurations and operating conditions on the system performance are investigated. The number of suites that the system can satisfactory meet the demands is determined. Finally, an environmental impact assessment is conducted to determine the reductions in the amount of greenhouse gases, which can easily be achieved here by this solar energy based multigeneration system. The highest energy efficiency of the system is 57%, while the maximum exergy efficiency is 36%. It produces a maximum power of 92 kW and has a maximum cooling effect of 128 kW. It saves 1398 t of CO2 per year compared with a conventional system to produce the same amounts of outputs, which can sufficiently meet the demand of 94 suites, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


This paper summarizes the research on the ways of minor shareholders' participation in corporate governance. The ways of minor shareholders' participation in corporate governance include voting with hands, voting with feet and voting with mouths. In this paper, the case analysis of Gree Electric Appliances' general meeting of directors election shows that the activism of minor shareholders can play a better role in governance. However, controlling shareholders may take passive means such as related transactions to seize the interests of minor shareholders. Finally, this paper puts forward some suggestions to strengthen the protection of minor shareholders' rights and comments on the policy enlightenment.


Friend-virus mediated erythroleukemia is a well-established model of murine oncogenesis. Several host factors have been shown to be necessary for Friend-mediated infection including a productive interaction between the Erythropoietin Receptor (EPO-R) and the 55 kDa glycoprotein product of the retroviral envelope gene (gp55). The Fv2 locus has been mapped and shown to be a truncated form of the STK tyrosine kinase (Sf-STK). Sf-STK expression and kinase activity is required for Friend virus infection of sensitive mouse strains. While the EPO-R and Sf-STK are required for Friend disease progression, it is unknown whether Sf-STK modulates EPO-R mediated signaling. EPO-R co-immunoprecipitated Sf-STK and STK specifically in COS-7 and Ba/F3 cells expressing both receptors. While the association between EPO-R and STK was shown to be constitutive, intriguingly, we discovered that co-stimulation with the STK ligand, Macrophage-Stimulating Protein (MSP) and EPO resulted in enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of the EPO-R, compared to stimulation with EPO alone. Interestingly, STK kinase activity was required for EPO-dependent STK tyrosine phosphorylation, but was not required for MSP dependent EPO-R phosphorylation. Analysis of downstream signaling revealed STK and EPO-R co-operated in ligand induced dose-dependent phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt. Interestingly, MSP and EPO also co-operated to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Gab2, leading to the recruitment of Shp2 and the p85 subunit of Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase. These data suggest that Gab2 can couple to enhanced phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt. However, no synergy was observed in MSP co-stimulation of JAK2, STAT1, STAT5, Jnk or p38 phosphorylation, demonstrating that STK activates specific EPO-dependent signaling pathways. EPO-dependent regulation of Socs family members was examined in Ba/F3-EPO-R cell lines expressing various STK constructs. The presence of STK induced Cis and Socs3 , but not Socs1 , transcript levels by 2.0-fold upon EPO stimulation. STK multi-functional docking sites (Y1330/Y1337) were required to observe optimal induction of Socs3 . In contrast, Cis induction required STK tyrosine kinase activity. Our data demonstrate that EPO-R and STK interact at a biochemical level leading to augmentation of downstream signaling. These data suggest that Sf-STK contributes to Friend disease through delivery of mitogenic and/or survival signals to target erythroblast progenitor cells.


This paper examines the concepts of congruence and co-operation in social work practice with children and families. It describes findings from the author's own research and attempts to deconstruct the interaction of the two phenomena. Using material from other published research, the paper proposes a model and suggests methods for analysing congruence and co-operation in the practice context. The key implication is that the depth of a social worker's understanding of a family situation may affect his or her assessment of parental co-operation.


Flavonoid and sesquiterpene constituents of the aerial part of Cleome brachycarpa were chemically investigated and screened for their potential cytotoxicity. A flavonol glycoside; 3, 5, 4` trihydroxy-3`-methoxy flavone 7 – O  L -rhamnopyranosyl (1``` 2``) O – β D-glucopyranoside (1) and a megastigmane glucoside; (+)-(6S, 9R) roseoside (2) were isolated for the first time from the n-butanol fraction of the 90 % ethanol extract of Cleome brachycarpa. Four methylated flavonoids were isolated from the chloroform fraction and identified as 5,4`dihydroxy-3,6,7,3' tetramethoxyflavone (3), 5,5`dihydroxy-3,6,7,3',4', pentamethoxyflavone (4), 5-hydroxyl -3,6,7,3',4',5'-hexamethoxyflavone (5) and 5, 7,3',4' tetrahydroxyflavone (6) In addition, two sesquiterpene oxides, namely buchairol (7) and teucladiol (8) were isolated from the nhexane fraction for the first time. Structure elucidation was achieved using spectroscopic techniques, including IR, UV, ESI-MS, EI-MS and 1D and 2D-NMR. Each of the three fractions and isolated compounds were screened for their cytotoxicity and lethality using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) assay. The results showed high lethality for all the examined samples, which might be very useful as antiproliferative and antitumor. INTRODUCTION: Different localities in Egypt are characterized by the presence of a considerable number of medicinal plants that are highly used in folk treatments. Cleome brachycarpa Vahl belongs to family Cleomaceae or Capparaceae 1 . Cleomaceae is a small family of flowering plants in the order Brassicales, QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(9).4008-14 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(9).4008-14 comprising more than 300 species belonging to 9 genera of which Cleome is the largest genus with about 180 200 species of medicinal, ethnobotanical and ecological importance. Plants of this family are herbs, shrubs or trees, sometimeswoody climbers. Nine species of genus Cleome are distributed in Egypt 1, 2 . Species of Cleome were reported to exhibit several bioactivities and uses, such as antimicrobial 3 hepatoprotective immunomodulatory 4 , anticancer 5 , antiviral 6 and antioxidant 7 . Different chemical classes such as flavonoids 8, 9, 19 coumarino-lignans 11 steroids 12 , dammarane-type triterpenes 13,14 , trinortriterpenoid dilactone 15, 16 , sesquiterpenes 17, 18 , bicyclic


ABSTRACT The terminus region of the Caulobacter crescentus chromosome and the dif chromosome dimer resolution site were characterized. The Caulobacter genome contains skewed sequences that abruptly switch strands at dif and may have roles in chromosome maintenance and segregation. Absence of dif or the XerCD recombinase results in a chromosome segregation defect. The Caulobacter terminus region is unusual, since it contains many essential or highly expressed genes.


........................................................................................................................................... I Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... III List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. V List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. VII Nomenclature ................................................................................................................................. X Variables: ................................................................................................................................. X Abbreviations: ........................................................................................................................ XII Chapter 1: Overview of Aqueous Amines for Industrial Carbon Dioxide Absorption .............. 1 1.1 Absorption of gas-phase CO2 using aqueous amines ....................................................... 2 1.2 Thermodynamic Models for Absorption .......................................................................... 5 1.3 Summary of Data Sources ................................................................................................ 7 Liu [18] ............................................................................................................................... 8 Hilliard [7] .......................................................................................................................... 9 Dugas and Rochelle [20] ................................................................................................... 10 Kamps et al. [21] ............................................................................................................... 12 1.4 Determination of Partial Pressure .................................................................................. 12 1.5 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 13 Chapter 2: An Improved Algorithm for Calculating Equilibrium Composition of Aqueous Amine-Carbon Dioxide Solutions ................................................................................. 17 2.1 Smith-Missen Algorithm ................................................................................................ 18 2.2 Stoichiometric Algorithm ............................................................................................... 23 2.3 Paired Algorithm Approach ........................................................................................... 33 2.4 Comparison of Non-Stoichiometric and Stoichiometric Algorithms ............................. 35 2.5 Comparison with other non-linear algorithms ............................................................... 38 Chapter 3: Activity Model and Parameter Estimation .............................................................. 45 3.1 Vapor Phase Compressibility ......................................................................................... 45 3.2 Liquid Activity Function ................................................................................................ 47 ln(γ SR ) Austgen [9] ............................................................................................................ 50 ln(γ SR ) Bollas et al. [8] ....................................................................................................... 50 3.3 Pseudo-Identity Sparse Matrix Multiplication ............................................................... 53


1) Starch was oxidized with ozone in a medium of water or carbon tetrachloride to yield per-oxidized starch (abbreviated as oxistarch-W or oxi-starch-C). 2) The stabilities of the peroxide-group of oxi-starchs were measured. 3) In the present of oxi-starch, polymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylonitrile (AN) and vinyl chloride were carried out. Graft copolymers of starch with vinyl polymers were obtained. Their properties were described. 4) It was confirmed that commercial starch, dialdehyde starch oxidized with periodic acid, starch treated with potassium iodide, and commercial maltose could also initiate the polymerization of methyl acrylate, yielding graft copolymers and vinyl homo-polymers.


Become a new paradigm for achieving marketing success that is by establishing and maintaining relationships with consumers on an ongoing basis, which is called the marketing strategy. Likewise with KJKS Benefits of Surabaya. Finally the conclusion of this paper is, that: first the role of marketing KJKS Benefits of Surabaya in an effort to introduce savings and financing products to consumers is very important and also become one of the success of a company to earn profits, for the development of its products, for the continuity of its business, and for business continuity, KJKS Benefits of conducting marketing activities in the form of Advertising, Marketing, Publicity, Individual Sales, and Direct Sales. Second, the marketing strategy carried out by KJKS Benefit Surabaya in an effort to introduce and market savings and financing products is to establish cooperation with members who work with KJKS Benefit Surabaya, through print media, advertisements, exhibitions and through general trends that are currently considered to be very easy and practical in conveying information about a product by marketers both Cooperatives and other business companies, namely through the Social Media network.


The Relationship of Nursing Career Perception Congruence and Perceived Social Support on Hispanic Middle School Female Nursing Career Choice by Karen Vicino Bourgeois Advisor, Professor Keville Frederickson The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of nursing career perception congruence and perceived social support on Hispanic middle school females' nursing career choice. A non-experimental descriptive, cross sectional design examined the relationship in a convenience sample of 200 Hispanic middle school females from the New York tri-state area. Instruments used to measure nursing career choice, nursing career perception congruence, and perceived social support, were: (1) the Nursing Career Choice Questionnaire (NCC); (2) Attitudes, Values, and Beliefs Scale (AVBS); and (3) the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS) .Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated support for the relationship between all variables. There was a positive significant relationship between nursing career choice and nursing career perception congruence and a positive significant relationship between perceived social support and nursing career choice. The conceptual framework of Lent, Brown and Hackett's Social Cognitive Career Theory revealed that nursing career perception congruence and social support is needed to promote nursing career choice. Nursing career choice, nursing career perception congruence and perceived social support are environmental factors that influence the nursing career choice of Hispanic middle school females.


The authors suggest that mineralogy has become a stepdaughter in the family of Earth disciplines and that the methods on which mineralogy is based - the crystallochemical and the genetic - be examined. The basis for modern mineralogy and its future development should be the historic-genetic method from which it would be possible to attack problems in the history of mineral bodies and their evolution on a planetary scale, and the causes of high mineral concentrations in segments, provinces, and belts within the Earth's crust. — IGR Staff.


Objective
To investigate the effect of epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia on coagulation and fibrinolysis in elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Methods
The clinical data of 98 elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery in our hospital from February, 2016 to March, 2018 were retrospectively collected and divided into a control group and an experimental group according to different anesthetic methods, 49 cases for each group. The control group took general anesthesia, and the experimental group general anesthesia and epidural anesthesia. The restlessness score, recovery time, extubation time, coagulation and fibrinolysis system, and the incidence of adverse events were compared between the two groups.

Results
The Ramsay score, recovery time, extubation time, and the total incidence of adverse events were (1.65±0.49), (19.62±3.11) min, (7.15±1.85) min, and 4.08% in the experimental group, and were (2.51±0.52), (25.36±2.34) min, (10.26±2.07) min, and 16.33% in the control group, with statistical differences (all P<0.05). 12 h after the operation, the PLT level was lower and the APTT, FIB, and TT were higher in the experimental group than in the control group [(156.69±34.29)×109/L vs. (126.13±24.22)×109/L, (28.35 ±3.19) s vs. (33.17 ±4.01) s, (4.78 ±1.52) g/L vs. (5.89 ±1.43) g/L, and (14.01 ±2.34) s vs. (15.67 ±2.87) s; all P<0.05].

Conclusion
Epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia can shorten the recovery time and reduce the incidence of adverse events in elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery, and has little effect on coagulation and fibrinolysis system.

Key words:
Senile abdominal surgery; Epidural anesthesia; General anesthesia; Coagulation and fibrinolysis system


Between 1909 and 1916, the Swedish amateur folklorist Karl Tirén crisscrossed the northernmost regions of his country, collecting examples of joik, a vocal genre unique to Scandinavia's indigenous Sami populations. While the resulting book of his transcriptions. Die lappische Volksmusik, fell short of his goal to preserve this tradition for future generations of Sami singers, Tirén's legacy in the region remains a palpable presence, despite his demise in 1955. In this article, the author discusses the impact of this early twentieth century fieldwork on his own research with contemporary joik artists, with Tirén occasionally emerging as an unanticipated "partner" in the process.


^^ Introduction 1 Description of Sparta Sand and Memphis Sand 1 Data Analysis and Map Construction 3 Top of Sparta Sand and Memphis Sand 3 Summary Selected References


Collaborative efforts between the U.S. Coast Guard, U. S, government interagency partners, and the international maritime community, to combat maritime piracy, are described. Since the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama in 2009, the Coast Guard has hosted many roundtable meetings for maritime industry stakeholders, to discuss the U.S. government's actions to protect U.S. shipping and extend counter-piracy efforts. Counter-piracy summits were held, and guidance was offered for using armed security measures.


The electrostatic fluctuation interactions between two surfaces which carry charged or dipolar, laterally mobile particles, are investigated using both a formally exact theory and approximate methods. Each surface constitutes the boundary between two dielectric continua and has no net charge. The exact analysis demonstrates the interdependence of the van der Waals interaction between the dielectric media and the electrostatic image interactions of the particles. General asymptotic laws for the pressure between the surfaces, valid at large separations, are extracted from the exact equations. Even at relatively small separations, the asymptotic expressions give surprisingly good estimates of the actual interactions, as calculated using the hypernetted chain equation and Monte Carlo techniques. A simple mean field perturbation approximation is also investigated and is shown to give good results, provided accurate pair distributions are known for the corresponding isolated, single surface.


Obesity leads to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by loss of upper airway muscle tone during sleep leading to carbon dioxide retention and intermittent hypoxemia. OSA leads to high neurocognitive, cardiovascular, and oncologic morbidity and mortality. There is no effective pharmacotherapy for OSA. We have previously shown that an adipose‐produce hormone leptin acts in the brain to abolish hypoventilation and upper airway obstruction during sleep, and, therefore may be a promising therapeutic in obese patients with OSA. Our previous data also suggest that leptin stimulates breathing acting on the leptin receptor (LEPRb) positive neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), but not in the medulla. Herein, we tested the hyphotesis that leptin stimulates control of breathing and improves upper airway patency during sleep acting on LEPRb positive DMH neurons and their projections to serotonergic neurons in raphe. Aim:In this study, we examined the contribution of LEPRb positive neurons in the DMH to control of breathing and upper airway function during sleep in diet‐induced obese mice.


In order to explore the biodiversity of mushrooms from Pakistan, authors come across a new Humaria sp. associated with Pinus wallichiana from Pakistan's part of Himalayan moist temperate forests. Morpho-anatomical and phylogenetic characterization were used to elucidate their taxonomic affinities. Morphological and phylogenetic analysis confirms that it is a new species of Humaria. Humaria laevispora is subsequently described in detail and compared to closely related taxa Humaria hemisphaerica. The analysis also reveals that epigeous Humaria sp. is sister to hypogeous Genea spp. reflecting epigeous habit in Humaria a derived condition.
Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 28(2): 379-384, 2021 (December)


This paper describes a subgradient approach to nonlinear integer programming and, in particular, nonlinear 0-1 integer programming. In this approach, the objective function for a nonlinear integer program is considered as a nonsmooth function over the integer points. The subgradient and the supporting plane for the function are deened, and a necessary and suucient condition for the optimal solution is established, based on the theory of nonsmooth analysis. A new algorithm, called the subgradient algorithm , is developed. The algorithm is in some sense an extension of Newton's method to discrete problems: The algorithm searches for a solution iteratively among the integer points. In each iteration, it generates the next point by solving the problem for a local piecewise linear model. Each local model is constructed using the supporting planes for the objective function at a set of previously generated integer points. A solution is found when either the optimality condition is satissed or an iterate is repeated. In either case, the algorithm terminates in nite steps. The theory and the algorithm are presented. The methods for computing the supporting planes and solving the linear subproblems are described. Test results for a small set of problems are given.


Dedicating Maurice "to a happier year," E. M. Forster sums up the many ways his novel looks to the future. Maurice waited 57 years to be published, because Forster felt it had to wait for a time in which its desires could express themselves without restraint, recrimination, or embarrassment. While waiting for its interpretive community to assemble, the novel was perpetually revised and refinished, finding in future advice and conversation the changes necessary to make it make sense. [1] And the novel looked to the future by predicting experiences Forster himself had not yet had. His real-life sex life began later, and when it did, Forster often described it in terms that Maurice had provided. [2] In its public and private life, then, Maurice is a novel whose moment is to come. But even as it waits for its future, Maurice looks to the past. In his "Terminal Note" to the novel, Forster admits that his ending, in which Maurice and his lover escape society, "belongs to an England where it was still possible to get lost. It belongs to the last moment of the greenwood" (254). Maurice is set in Georgian England, but Forster's lovers finally disappear into an England of the past; they escape a society from which, by 1913, no such escape was possible. Forster risked this anachronism because "a happy ending was imperative": "I was determined that in fiction anyway two men should fall in love and remain in it for the ever and ever that fiction allows, and in this sense Maurice and Alec still roam the greenwood" (250). But Forster knew that love's imperative had distended his novel into the past, even as love's diffidence distends it into the future. Roaming forever a world of the past, and waiting for the happier year that was not any longer possible, Maurice and Alec inhabit a novel twisted in the grip of time. These distensions are Maurice's notorious flaws. They result, it seems, from self-hatred and indecision, from escapism and self-indulgence, and have therefore disappointed readers of all kinds. Read differently, however, these flaws might be virtues: what if we were to read Maurice's dedications to past and future not as mistakes or misgivings but as the sign of an experimental temporality? As a version of modernist time, Maurice's temporality has surprising powers. It reflects, first of all, a conception of selfhood more richly unconventional than that endorsed by many of the readers disappointed with Forster's failure to publish Maurice; it endorses that conception of selfhood with a corresponding style of narrative, one that, like the novel's paratextual time-frame, defies laws of sequence and of tense; and it causes, in the process, a short-circuit in what Paul Ricoeur has called the "healthy circle" of time and narrative (I 3). In the final analysis, these powers so closely resemble those which elsewher e characterize Forster's writing that Maurice's temporality emerges as the very mechanism of Forster's ingenuity. Maurice's temporality is common to the extent that it matches that of any utopian fiction. Utopias project an idealized past into an idealized future. They presume, as Maurice does, that a "happier year" will come when past possibilities return renewed. The utopia Maurice most significantly resembles is that of Edward Carpenter, the first great theorist of "homogenic" love, who inspired Forster and many others with his justifications of the "Love of Comrades" (Maurice was in fact "the direct result of a visit to Edward Carpenter at Millthorpe" [Maurice 249]). Among other things, Carpenter seems to have lent Maurice his way of basing the future on the past. In works including Homogenic Love (1894), Carpenter tends to justify a homophilic future through reference to the role played by homosexual and homosocial bonds in great civilizations of the past. He seems to have convinced Forster that homosexuality would gain greatest acceptance if refracted through cultural nostalgia--if aligned with longing for such th ings as the English greenwood. …


A method for drawing the P~Pa~R correlation diagram by using the storage model is proposed in this paper. Firstly, based on the historical data and the characteristics of the basin, the structure of Nature Storage model is selected, and the parameters of the model are optimized. Secondly, based on the average of cumulative process of rainfall and corresponding runoff events, the P~Pa~R correlation diagram can be drawn. This method has been applied to Heihe basin and the results are satisfisfactory. 


This chapter describes how people are connected to each other through a common system of encoding and decoding messages. Opening the European gate has made intercultural communication omnipresent, and this includes health care. Internationally-based tasks need new, culture-aware medical practitioners. The challenges, barriers, and solutions in the aforementioned area based on the personal experiences of the authors. The chapter concludes that in spite of personal experience, intercultural tension continues to be a major hinderance to patient healthcare services.


Abstract : The vision block is essentially a window 8 in. wide, 2 in. high and 4 in. thick. Because of refraction, this gives a very wide (almost 90 deg) horizontal field of view, with a wide aperture which permits binocular vision over much of the field. It is impossible to achieve all these features with an intermediate focal plane within the space limitations. The design problem then is to make an optimum tradeoff among field of view, aperture and image quality, consistent with conforming to the 4 inch vision block dimensions and intended use. A unity-magnification telescope with an intermediate focal plane has been designed to fit into the outer housing of a standard No. 6300790 tank vision block. This has a 29 deg field of view with an exit pupil of 16 mm, at an eye relief of 70 mm. A slide permits insertion of test cells in the intermediate focal plane for evaluating laser protection devices. The intensity of an incident laser beam is increased by a factor of 50,000 at the intermediate focal plane. Two units have been built and tested. They show no degradation of normal vision over the entire focal plane.


Regular quality monitoring of inland water bodies is vital for identifying the areas with deteriorating water quality. Satellite remote sensing has been used for obtaining long-term trends that require the processing of many images. The computational load of processing a large number of satellite imageries can be eased by utilizing the cloud computing capabilities of Google Earth Engine (GEE). The present study explores the possibility of using the GEE platform for mapping the Trophic State Index (TSI) of an inland water body. The bottom of atmosphere (BOA) reflectance retrieved by the SIAC algorithm (used in the GEE platform) is assessed for its accuracy. The algorithm could retrieve only BOA reflectance at bands B3 and B4 of Sentinel 2L1C (S2) with reasonable accuracy. The study has identified the Normalized Difference of B3 and B4 bands of S2 (i.e., ND34) as the tool for mapping TSI of a water body on GEE. TSI from six imageries of three lakes was estimated with a mean error <17%. The capability of GEE as a rapid water quality monitoring tool is demonstrated by displaying the temporal and spatial variations of water quality across Vembanad Lake for the period 2016–2021.


Plasma progesterone and 20±-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3-one concentrations were determined in peripheral blood from rabbits mated with intact or vasectomized males. Both progestins were measured by the protein binding assay method after separation of the ether-extracted steroids with paper chromatography. Samples were collected 5, 30 and 300 min after mating and daily thereafter until the tenth postcoital day. Plasma progesterone, as well as 20±-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3-one levels rose immediately after mating, and were maintained at high levels for at least 30 min. The concentration of both steroids had decreased at 5 hr, but was still significantly higher than in nonpregnant rabbits. Twenty-four hr later, the values had returned to precoital levels and remained low for several days. In the pre-gnant rabbits, plasma progesterone started to rise on day 4 and was significantly higher than in pseudopregnant rabbits on day 5 (8.7 ‡ 1.8 vs 3.4 ‡ 0.65 ng/ml) and on the following days until day 10. In the pseudopregnant...


The V.I.D.E.O. project undertook the development and deployment of an image transmission system that could transport pictures from a remote site to a control point. This transmission was to occur over common carrier, low cost lines. The project upgraded the state-of-the-art slow scan image transmission from one picture every 71 seconds, first with jet propulsion hardware to one picture every 30 seconds. Dalmo Victor then was able to improve this to one picture every 2 seconds. Both of these utilized 9.6 bits per second condition telephone line. The effectiveness of Compressed T.V. Transmission as a detection tool was checked using speed measurement tests. The speed measurements determined from the image compression system were comparable with those made by an observer using a normal frame rate full resolution T.V. system. The positioning test clearly indicated the need for a supplementary system to aid in positioning the camera.


Time series data are ubiquitous. The explosion of new sensing technologies (wearable sensors, satellites, mobile phones, etc.), combined with increasingly cheap and effective storage, is generating an unprecedented and growing amount of time series data in a variety of domains [1]. Understanding this time series data is important for many Artificial Intelligence tasks. Recently, recurrent neural networks using the Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) architecture have been used successfully to perform various supervised sequence learning tasks, such as speech recognition, machine translation, and caption generation for images [2]. However, most of the available data is "unlabeled". There is a need for methods that are able to describe the hidden structure from "unlabeled" data. Srivastava et al. used LSTM to learn representations of video sequences [2]. The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate methods based on LSTM for learning representations of time series. As a part of the project you will implement at least two methods and apply them on at least two different datasets. The aim of the next phase of the project will be to extend one of the methods and improve its performance on the datasets.


The Request For Proposal (RFP) with the design-build (DB) procurement arrangement is a document in which an owner develops his requirements and conveys the project scope to DB contractors. Owners should provide an appropriate level of design in DB RFPs to adequately describe their requirements without compromising the prospects for innovation. This paper examines and compares the different levels of owner-provided design in DB RFPs by the content analysis of 84 requests for RFPs for public DB projects advertised between 2000 and 2010 with an aggregate contract value of over $5.4 billion. A statistical analysis was also conducted in order to explore the relationship between the proportion of owner-provided design and other project information, including project


. Various local products have been created, but the ability to support businesses and increase MSME income is not in accordance with the number of products presented in complementing Indonesian's government program "one village one product". Field studies show that Gresik Regency as an industrial city is strategically located and has an international port, and should experience an increase in the volume and value of exports. But it's just the opposite, there has been a significant decline. This research focuses on local consumption products of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUM Desa). The purpose of this research is to explore information about how local products can survive in competition and to describe the possibility of becoming competitive local products. The qualitative descriptive approach was chosen by the researcher as the method of this research by conducting in-depth interviews with the manager to analyze what business performance achievements have been. The findings proved that the sustainability of local product business is in a fluctuating position and there has been no significant increase in results, due to the weakness of human resources to develop product specificities, so it can be concluded that the sustainability of local product business is closely related to business managerial ability.


This study was conducted to evaluate performance of Baggara claves in West Kordofan State, Sudan. Forty eight calves were selected from the herd of Baggara cattle. The calves were weighed and divided into four groups A, B, C and D, each group comprised of (12) calves according to their dams parity order as first, 2nd , 3rd and 4th parity in complete randomized design. F test and Duncan's were used for data analysis and mean separation. All calves were raised on natural grazing. Analysis of variance showed that calves birth weight was significantly (p<0.05) affected by parity, with mean birth weights were 21.33 ± 2.65, 23.03 ±2.35 , 26.82 ± 4.15 and 28.30 ± 3.40 Kg for calves born in group A, B, C and D respectively. Calves birth weight significantly (p<0.05) affected by gender of claves. Male calves scored higher weight compared with female calves, male (31.50±1.51kg) and female (25.25 ±2.63kg) calves had high weight at birth. Weaning weight, daily gain, growth rate and mortality rate were significant (p<0.05) influence by parity and calves gender. The high (p<0.05) growth rate was obtained for calves born in group D. In conclusion, Baggara calves that depended on natural grazing showed better production and reproduction performance with advance of parity order.


This study uses Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) in evaluating Taiwan blog e-service quality. Base on Importance-Performance Analysis, if the interface is smooth, and it provides multiplicity and uploading functions belonged to quadrant 1, (keep up the good work), and the most important blogs' future functions is sharing resources between blogs associated with quadrant 1, (keep up the good work). Finally, the result of this study is expected to serve as a useful guideline for Internet service providers and future research. Implications of these results for practice and research are provided as result.


Many issues related to the choice of filter bank in the texture processing remained unresolved till now. The impact of the wavelet basis has been mentioned in a very few of the previously published papers whereas other more detailed investigations have considered only the choice of the wavelet basis in image coding. Therefore, the scope of this paper was to investigate whether the properties of the decomposition filters play an important role in texture description, and which feature is dominant in the selection of an optimal filter bank. We performed classification experiments with 23 Brodatz textures and ranked 19 orthogonal and biorthogonal filters. Our experiments show that the selection of the decomposition filters has a significant influence on the texture characterization. Based on the obtained results, we establish the most relevant criteria for choice of decomposition filters in wavelet-based texture characterization algorithms.


The initial diagnosis of bladder cancer most often occurs after an episode of gross or microscopic hematuria. The recommended work-up for gross hematuria includes cystoscopy, cytologic evaluation, and imaging (1). The risk for tumors during a hematuria work-up ranges from 2% to 20% and depends on whether the patient had gross or microscopic hematuria, as well as tobacco exposure, sex, exposure to radiation or occupational carcinogens, and history of urologic tumors. Up to 30% of patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer will have muscle-invasive disease at the initial diagnosis, suggesting an opportunity for screening tests to identify disease in earlier stages before the onset of hematuria. However, screening requires the availability of a highly sensitive and specific test to both properly identify patients who need further work-up and avoid the unnecessary testing and costs of evaluating true-negative results. For example, patients with microhematuria have a 1% to 5% risk for associated tumors. Therefore, cystoscopy and imaging evaluation of this group as a whole is probably not cost-effective due to the low positive predictive value for urologic cancer and the high false-positive rate associated with urinalysis and microscopy (2). Thus, an unmet need exists for better noninvasive screening techniques, such as urine-based biomarkers. In addition, patients with superficial bladder cancer tend to have recurrent but not progressive disease, necessitating life-long surveillance. Therefore, surveillance is another setting in which urinary biomarkers would be valuable. Five such biomarkers have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for screening patients with symptoms or surveillance of patients with a history of bladder tumors. In this issue, Chou and colleagues (3) report a systematic review and meta-analysis of these biomarkers. Antibody-based detection of nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) (BladderChek [Alere]) is a point-of-care immunochromatographic test that detects a protein released into urine as bladder cancer cells go through apoptosis. Another immunochromatographic antibody-based test detects bladder tumor antigen (BTA stat [Polymedco]). Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) (UroVysion [Abbott Molecular]) detects genetic alterations common in bladder cancer, such as amplification in chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 and loss of 9p21 (4). The CDKN2A gene is located on 9p21 and encodes one of the most commonly lost tumor suppressor genes in human cancer, and its loss is detected by FISH. ImmunoCyt (Scimedx) is an immunohistochemical test that marks cytologic samples for mucin and carcinoembryonic antigen (5). Cxbladder (Pacific Edge Diagnostics USA), a technique that is based on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, detects 5 messenger RNAs that are expressed in urothelial cancer (6). In their review, Chou and colleagues identified 57 studies evaluating performance characteristics of these 5 urinary biomarkers. They found that NMP22 and bladder tumor antigen were the most studied, with approximately 20 studies each. Cxbladder had 1 study with sufficient quality for inclusion in the meta-analysis. ImmunoCyt and FISH had 14 and 11 studies, respectively. ImmunoCyt had the highest sensitivity in evaluating patients with symptoms (85%) or those undergoing surveillance (75%). Fluorescent in situ hybridization had the highest specificity (95%) in evaluating symptoms, and qualitative NMP22 was the most specific in detecting recurrent disease (83%). No test stood head and shoulders above the rest, and few studies compared multiple biomarkers head-to-head. To put these data into context, most patients with newly diagnosed urothelial cancer will have superficial disease, and most of these cases will be low-grade or low-stage. Detecting these lesions is inherently more difficult because of the similarity of normal exfoliated urothelial cells and low-grade urothelial tumors. High-grade disease is more easily distinguishable due to more pronounced differences in genetics, expression profiles, cell turnover, and necrosis or apoptosis common to these tumors. Cytologic evaluation of urine provides a high-water mark for detection of high-grade disease, with sensitivity and specificity up to 90% and 95%, respectively (7, 8). However, it clearly falls short in detecting low-grade disease, with sensitivity as low as 50% in some studies (9). Thus, the potential usefulness of molecular tests would be greatest in patients with lower-grade disease. However, the addition of molecular tests that do not exempt clinicians from using other means to clinch a diagnosis (such as cystoscopy with biopsy) would probably add more cost without benefit. Are urinary biomarkers, with or without cytologic evaluation, adequate to avoid cystoscopy in patients with low-grade or low-stage disease? Also, what is the cost of missing a low-grade or low-stage tumor if a cytologic result is negative in the absence of cystoscopy? Few data exist to answer these questions decisively. To evaluate cost-effectiveness, studies need to evaluate presymptomatic patients or those with early-onset hematuria with 1 of these 5 tests, or a combination thereof, in addition to cystoscopy, cytologic evaluation, and imaging. The economics of each evaluation and management algorithm would then be modeled for the current recommended work-up or with selective use of cystoscopy, cytologic evaluation, or imaging only in patients with positive results. Biomarkers would provide value only if they circumvented the need for invasive evaluation or the need for more costly management if diagnoses were made earlier. Cost-effectiveness analyses would also need to incorporate estimated costs of missed diagnoses and overdiagnoses. Existing cost-effectiveness estimates suggest that even in patients with a history of superficial bladder cancer (and thus a higher a priori positive predictive value), cystoscopy-only is the most cost-effective strategy for detection of tumors (10). Furthermore, tumors missed on cystoscopy were also missed by urinary biomarkers. Thus, until urinary biomarkers become available that are sufficiently accurate to supplant the current recommended detection algorithms in biomarker-negative patients, they will not be a cost-effective addition to strategies to detect bladder cancer.


Theimpairnents produced inimage sensors and communication channels degrade image quality andintroduce significant errors intheresults ofdatafusion. Toimprove image fusion results inthepresence ofdifferent types ofimpairments wepropose atwo-stage approach. Newmultistage nonlinear locally-adaptive image processing algorithms aredeveloped and applied atthefirst stage tomitigate image impairments suchas geometric distortions due to communication system synchronization errors, narrowbandfrequency interferences and sensor noise. Image fusion andclassification algorithms based onartificial neural networks andsupport vector machines are used atthesecond stage. Experimental results arepresentedfor realsatellite remote sensing images andsimulated data providing quantitative assessment ofthe proposed algorithms.


This descriptive paper examines the prevalence of 'WTO-plus' commitments in accession protocols of newly acceded Members, with a focus on commitments on the elimination of export duties. It presents preliminary results of a mapping exercise carried out with respect to these commitments and seeks to answer two questions. First, can any general conclusions be drawn as to the prevalence of these commitments or are they, per definition, country-specific. Second, has the political nature of the WTO accession process allowed for the creation of a two-tier membership.


CuInSe2 synthesized by a modified solvothermal route could be altered considerably by controlling the reaction temperature, reaction time and washing agents. Synthesized CuInSe2 powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The particle size (t), lattice strain (e) and Debye-Waller factor (B) were determined from the half-widths and integrated intensities of the Bragg reflections. The particle shape was spherical when demonized water was used as washing agent. Particles with the size down to 25.8nm were obtained. The variation of energy of vacancy formation as a function of lattice strain has been studied.


To introduce the production technology of GGZ6-200 strander,and point out the core of its electric control is to ensure the traction machine's speed is proportional to host barrel's speed under all work situations,and the ratio can be adjusted according to the lay pitch,and make the hardware and software of electric control system.By comparing with the 2 different control ways of traction machine,and chose the solution based on PROFIBUS-DP bus structure,and use servo driver technology,high-speed multi-frequency pulse tracking and phrase control for pulling speed,and made out the structure picture of electric control,sketch of control scheme,traction machine servo driver parameter and PROFIBUS-DP bus communication program.The result is when system is on steady process;the error can be controlled less than 1.0% if rope strand with lay pitch 15.2mm and the error of lay pitch can be controlled fewer than 2.0% when speed changed and connecting steel wire to satisfy the requirement.


The city of Groningen, the Netherlands, introduced the Traffic Circulation Plan ( Verkeerscirculatieplan , VCP) in 1977, dividing its inner city into four sectors for cars by enforcing one-way restrictions throughout the inner city. It reduced car traffic in the inner city by half, improving the environment there, and revitalized the city centre. On the other hand, lacking opportunities for the public to par- ticipate, the process for introducing the VCP was by no means democratic in terms of participatory democracy, but democratic enough in terms of liberal democracy. In 2009, more than 30 years later, the city of The Hague introduced the Traffic Circulation Plan for the Central Area ( Verkeerscirculatieplan Centrumgebied , VCPC), which was based on the sector model like the VCP. The purpose of this article is to re-examine the superiority of liberal democracy over participatory democracy, which was indicated in the case of the VCP, by studying the process for introducing the VCPC in terms of the two types of democracy and the effects of the plan. It turns out that political parties with a majority of seats in the city council took the initiative in introducing the plan while opposition against the plan, which was dominant in public participation, was mostly brushed aside. On the other hand, the plan reduced pollution in the inner city while not undermining the economy there. It can be concluded that the case of the VCPC constitutes another example indicating the superiority of liberal democracy over participatory democracy in realizing the public interest.


Subseasonal to seasonal (S2S) tropical rainfall predictability is assessed both from an analysis of the spatial scales of observed rainfall variability data, as well as from an S2S model reforecast skill. Observed spatial scales are quantified from gridded observed daily rainfall data, in terms of the size (area) of daily contiguous wet grid‐points (referred to as 'wet patches'), as well as from the spatial autocorrelations of 7–91‐day running averages of rainfall. Model S2S reforecast skill is measured using the anomaly correlation coefficient between observed and simulated weekly and monthly rainfall from an 11‐member ensemble of European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reforecasts (1998–2017). Both measures of S2S predictability are found to be systematically lower over land than sea, usually peaking at the start or end of the rainy season and decreasing during the core. Small spatial scales and low skill over equatorial/northern tropical Africa and western Amazonia coincide with small daily rainfall patch size and strong synoptic‐scale (≤7 days) variability there. Over most of South and SE Asia, daily wet patches are larger and strongly modulated by intraseasonal oscillations, boosting S2S rainfall predictability, while this is offset by large daily mean rainfall intensities that increase the noise. In consequence, S2S rainfall skill here generally remains low. Several land areas (as around Maritime Continent from the Philippines to Northern Australia, Eastern and Southern Africa, Eastern South America) exhibit larger spatial scales and skill, especially where the relative amplitude of SST‐forced interannual variations is strong. Most of the Maritime Continent illustrates such behaviour, but even here, the time‐averaged spatial scales and skill drop during the core of the rainy season.


Correlations among the longitudinal, radial and tangential velocities of ultrasounds in black poplar on the one hand and among these magnitudes and the wood's moisture content on the other hand are presented. Mathematical equations approximating these correlations are given, and the influence of moisture content on the elastic constants of wood is discussed. The possibility of using ultrasonic methods in automating the wood drying process and in testing the quality and homogeneity of wood is pointed out.


The concept of system engineering is applied to statistically analyze the concrete cracks of the main channel of the Mid-route of South-to-North Water Transfer Project.On the basis of this,the producing mechanism of the cracking is discussed herein and the causation of the cracking is analyzed as well.The result shows that the causations of the cracking can be divided into freezing and inflation,temperature difference,uneven water content and some other causations;for which some treatment measures are put forward for different cracks,such as placing cement based capillary crystalline water-proof material on the concrete surface,placing cement-based flexible water-proof material on the concrete surface,slotting and filling of the cracks or replacing the concrete after dismantling the cracking concrete etc.


A method and device for determining a parameter (RTO) associated with a retransmission time-out feature in a data unit transmitter implementing a protocol (TCP) that provides an acknowledgment feature and a retransmission time-out feature, where according to one aspect decreasing values of the round trip time (RTT) are treated differently with respect to their influence on a mean deviation parameter (RTTVAR) than increasing values of the round trip time, where according to another aspect weight values (g,h,w) used in the determination of the parameter (RTO) are chosen such that at least one of them is time variable, and where according to a further aspect the parameter (RTO) is also calculated on the basis of a value (SR) indicative of the number of spurious time-outs in the communication.


Numerical simulations of a multimode standing-wave cw dye laser have been carried out. The model used is based on third-order coupled-mode laser theory, which includes 31 modes, population oscillations, and spatial hole burning. Using realistic parameters for a three-mirror folded cavity laser, we find qualitative agreement with experiment. At low pump powers, the spectrum is comprised of three stable modes separated by 2 GHz. When the pump power is raised, the separation jumps to 4 GHz. When the power is raised further, we find that all 31 modes lase but that their amplitudes fluctuate wildly. The time scale of the fluctuations is found to decrease with increasing pump power.


Summary Background Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a difficult to treat condition, which tends to be refractory to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We previously published two other treatment episodes of EPC due to stroke and vascular dementia with a possible effect of perampanel (PER). Aim With the publication of a third treatment episode of EPC terminated by the administration of PER we would like to suggest that PER may be an effective treatment option in this condition. Material and Methods We present a case where PER was the last AED introduced in the treatment of a patient with EPC and individual seizures due to Rasmussen encephalitis before his seizure frequency could be reduced significantly. Results A 44 years old male patient, who had been on a combination therapy of at least 4 AEDs since the age of 24, was admitted to our hospital presenting with an EPC. After the introduction of PER in the therapy EPC stopped and he remained seizure free for more than a year. Two of his other AEDs could be tapered of. Conclusion PER might be especially effective in EPC.


By analyzing the sources and characteristics of the indexed incentive stock option,this paper first explores the necessity and feasibility of its application in China;and then emphasizes that the major points should be taken into consideration and some policy orientation followed.


This paper presents a semi-automatic home videos annotation system that searches into video contents and retrieves video shots for a specific person. The proposed system is composed of four phases; namely (a) shot detection phase, (b) face detection and recognition phase using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) feature extraction algorithm based on Haar-like features, (c) face clustering and annotation phase, and (d) retrieval phase. The proposed system is simple and provides a user-friendly interface. It greatly reduces workload and enhances the accuracy of annotating person's faces in home videos.


Introduction For over two decades raising public awareness on Local Self-Government and promotion of participation in LSGs has been and continues to be one of the key components of development initiatives, governmental toolkits and civic organizations in Armenia as a strategy for achieving good governance and deepening democratization. Public awareness and participation are essential pre-conditions for "good governance" and a process aimed at enhancing democracy. Despite efforts to enhance public awareness and engagement in LSGs, Armenian society still faces lack of interest towards Local Self-Governance. After two decades of experience in promoting public awareness and participation in LSGs in Armenia through development projects, governmental process, NGOs and other social initiatives it is important to ask the question, "Ultimately what is the current situation of public awareness and participation in LSGs in Armenia?" To answer this question the researchers most commonly apply descriptive statistics introducing the frequencies of answers to the different questions relating the same concept to be measured. Descriptive statistics can be easily understandable to policy makers and analysts, yet it may be not an efficient way to introduce broad range of individual variables tapping the same general concept. Encompassing the broad range of individual variables into low dimensional measures will help to get further insight into the patterns underlying the data set. To fill this gap this paper tries to answer the question: How we can use multidimensional methods of data analysis and interpretation to get insight into the question of what is the composition of society based on dimensions of awareness towards LSGs and participation in LSGs?


1. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND THE ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES: EVIDENCE FROM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUSINESSES IN THAILAND Phapruke Ussahawanitchakit, Mahasarakham University, Thailand ABSTRACT This study aims at examining the effects of transformational leadership on organizational outcomes and the influences of learning capability, technology change and globalization force on transformational leadership of information technology businesses in Thailand. This study also tests the moderating impacts of business experience, environmental complexity and organizational adaptation on the relationships. Here, 111 information technology businesses in Thailand were chosen as the sample. The results present that charismatic role modeling has a significant positive influence on strategic flexibility, and inspirational motivation has an important positive effect on corporate proactiveness. Also, organizational adaptation positively moderates the individualized consideration-strategic flexibility relationships, the intellectual stimulation-strategic flexibility relationships, and the intellectual stimulationmarket-driving strategy relationships. Likewise, strategic flexibility is positively related to corporate innovation, and market-driving strategy is positively associated with employee creativity and corporate innovation. Moreover, firm performance has a potential positive impact on firm sustainability. In addition, globalization force has a significant positive influence on charismatic role modeling, and technology change has an outstanding positive effect on individualized consideration. For the moderating effects, business experience positively moderates the learning capability-individualized consideration relationships and the globalization force-intellectual stimulation relationships. Environmental complexity also positively moderates the learning capability-charismatic role modeling relationships. Thus, further study may consider finding practical reasons why it is so by reviewing extensive literature, or collecting a larger sample, for example. Potential discussion of the research results is evidently implemented in the study. Theoretical and managerial contributions are explicitly provided. Conclusion, suggestions and directions for future research are highlighted.


This paper is an attempt to provide empirical evidence on how distinct processes of internationalization influence the performance of small and medium size enterprises (i.e., SMEs). A sample of manufacturing SMEs of the Basque Country, one of the most advanced industrial regions of Spain, is examined. Findings of our study show that early entry, via exports, in a larger number of foreign markets when the company is still adolescent (i.e., up to 15 years from inception) is associated positively with firm performance. Certain firm internal resources in both tangible and intangible forms, such as an extensive endowment of physical assets and prior internationalization experience, play a key role in the efficient exploitation of opportunities arisen from foreign market imperfections. The design of «multi-product» and «multi-market» diversification strategies might be a conflicting task for SMEs due to resource constraints of small businesses and the increased complexity involved in the simultaneous implementation of both types of strategies. Our results show that there is a zero-sum like effect of the side by side application of both strategies on business performance.


Preface Editor's Introduction General Introduction Part I The Economy of Linguistic Exchanges Introduction 1. The Production and Reproduction of Legitimate Language 2. Price Formation and the Anticipation of Profits Appendix: Did You Say 'Popular'? Part II The Social Institution of Symbolic Power Introduction 3. Authorized Language: The Social Conditions for the Effectiveness of Ritual Discourse 4. Rites of Institution 5. Description and Prescription: The Conditions of Possibility and the Limits of Political Effectiveness 6. Censorship and the Imposition of Form Part III Symbolic Power and the Political Field 7. On Symbolic Power 8. Political Representation: Elements for a Theory of the Political Field 9. Delegation and Political Fetishism 10. Identity and Representation: Elements for a Critical Reflection on the Idea of Region 11. Social Space and the Genesis of 'Classes' Note Index


The Eurotunnel project was initiated in November 1987 to connect the U.K. and continental Europe by a 30 mile undersea tunnel. Unlike other megaprojects, this project is privately financed by equity issue and bank loans. The project is primarily carried out by two parties: Eurotunnel, an Anglo-French consortium which manages the project totally from planning to operation, and TML, also an Anglo-French joint venture, which constructs the "Channel Tunnel" under a contract with Eurotunnel. Among a lot of recognized problems that have arisen since the project commenced, cost overrun, which has surpassed the initial estimates by 40%, is one of the most crucial. In September of 1990, Eurotunnel decided to refinance the project by a new equity issue and additional bank loans. The primary objective of this thesis is to evaluate the refinancing of the Eurotunnel project from the Eurotunnel equity holders' perspective. VC (Valuation by Components) based on CAPM (Capital Asset Pricing Model) is applied for the evaluation, since this approach provides the best analytic results, especially for international projects. Compared with previous studies of the financial evaluation of a project, this thesis has two unique points. One is to calculate the project 1 from the actual stock price data; the other is to evaluate the project at an intermediate phase. In addition, I calculated VC as it applied to the Japanese banks, which are the largest financial supporter in the Eurotunnel Project. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. James L. Paddock Title: Senior Lecturer of Civil Engineering


ABSTRACT The structural stability of vacancy-hydrogen complexes at the interface in nickel-based single-crystal superalloy is accessed mainly by calculating the activation energies associated with the evolution of their structures. It is found that the structure evolution and subsequent decomposition of the complex needs little time to be thermally activated at the service temperature of an aeroengine, and misfit dislocations at the interface significantly reduces the energy barrier for decomposition. Therefore, during the creep process, which is more severe at high temperatures, vacancies around misfit dislocations are not expected to enhance hydrogen interfacial segregation, although vacancy-hydrogen complexes are quite stable at room temperature.


This poster presentation provides an analysis of data taken from a four-year teacher collaboration conducted in the context of design research (cf. Brown, 1992). The analysis delineates aspects of an approach to teacher development that takes as its starting point the importance of teachers' practice being grounded in a deep understanding of the mathematics they teach while placing students' current ways of reasoning at the forefront of instructional decisions. In particular, the analysis entails a focus on iterative task-analysis cycles (cf. McClain, 2003) employed throughout the teacher collaboration in order to generate a Framework for Action. diSessa and Cobb (2004) note that Frameworks for Action "play a critical role in organizing research around instruction" (p. 82). This Framework, therefore, provides a structure for understanding and analyzing both 1) the collaborative interactions and 2) how teachers' participation in cycles of task analysis supported their development of more sophisticated ways of conceptualizing their instructional practice.


Cigarette sales are up. Two decades of declining numbers—a major victory for health care professionals—came to an end when the novel coronavirus entered our lives. Cigarette sales in the United States increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, beating expectations 16 months in a row (Asare et al., 2022; Lee et al., 2021). It is no far reach to say many individuals struggled with depression or anxiety over the past two years, and early data indicates psychiatric symptoms stemming from coronavirus-related lockdowns and restrictions played a part in increasing rates of smoking (Carreras et al., 2021; Chen-Sankey et al., 2020; Vanderbruggen et al., 2020). Late last year, while stepping outside my office for a breath of fresh air, I saw a long-term patient perched on the edge of a bench, a cigarette pinched between two fingers. This patient had quit smoking years ago. "What made you start smoking again?" I asked after an exchange of pleasantries. "Just bored these days, I guess," she said, explaining she had been cooped up in her apartment for months. Then, during a routine follow-up last month, another patient reported going back to cigarettes after years being tobacco-free. I asked him the same question. "It's a lot easier to sneak a smoke break when you're working from home," is one of the things he told me. Like many others, he is now a full-time employee working from his apartment, his employer having sold the office space that housed the company before the pandemic. So, angst, despair, ennui, convenience, or something else: it seems there are many reasons people are smoking again. This means more than ever, when assessing and treating patients, the nurses working on the frontlines of mental health must remember to promote smoking cessation. We also have a new entry on the long list of reasons why we should help our patients stop smoking: smokers with COVID-19 infection are shown to have worse outcomes with the virus and greater chances of long-term symptoms following recovery (Rodgers et al., 2021). Among medications, the most effective agent for smoking cessation is varenicline, known as Chantix in the United States and Champix in other parts of the world (Cahill et al., 2016; Choi et al., 2021). Varenicline is a selective nicotinic receptor partial agonist, mediating the dopamine release involved in nicotine dependence (Cahill et al., 2016; Choi et al., 2021). Experts and researchers across the globe recommend varenicline as a first-line option for smoking cessation, as it more than doubles the chance to quit smoking (Caponnetto, 2021; Tonstad et al., 2020). In recent times, multiple experts have called on clinicians to prescribe varenicline more widely (Carson-Chahhoud et al., 2020; Jain & Davis, 2021; Kotz et al., 2015; Tonstad et al., 2020). Why might some health care professionals not be prescribing the agent, then? A bit of history: varenicline arrived in 2006, and almost immediately, data from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System pointed to varenicline as a trigger for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, depressive symptoms, psychotic symptoms, and increased irritability and aggression. One of the most frequently cited articles on this consumer data had strong language for varenicline, asserting it was not safe enough to be a first-line option (Moore et al., 2011). By 2009, the FDA had added a Boxed Warning on varenicline, noting the risks of serious neuropsychiatric adverse events. In the United States, there is no stronger decree than a Boxed Warning—or more colloquially, a black box warning—as it is the final word of caution from the FDA before the medication is removed from the market. Expectedly, the use of varenicline quickly declined in the United States (Shah et al., 2017). With varenicline, however, the black box warning was based mostly on the aforementioned consumer complaints, without adequately powered studies or meta-analyses available to justify the language. In fact, in 2006, prior to the black box warning, in what was probably the first systematic review and meta-analysis involving varenicline, risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events was not detected (Wu et al., 2006). Still, if the potential risk is suicide, that is a compelling reason to act, and I certainly do not fault the decision to warn society about such a risk. Around this same time, however, accumulating literature was revealing varenicline to be safe, in conflict with the black box warning (Tonstad et al., 2010). Today, some believe the FDA's black box warning affected society negatively: as prescriptions of varenicline tanked, many patients lost or will lose their lives after continuing to smoke (Desai et al., 2019). In response to the FDA, Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline funded a randomized, double-blind, triple-dummy,


The invention discloses an intelligent street lamp and a control method thereof and a wireless network system constructed thereby, and belongs to the technical field of intelligent networking. The intelligent street lamp comprises a lamp cap and a lamp holder, wherein the lamp cap comprises an embedded CPU, a lighting source, a power management module, a lighting control module, a lighting fault detecting module, a camera module, a first wireless communication module, a second wireless communication module, a first antenna, a second antenna, a third wireless communication module, an internal memory and flash module, a hard disk, a traffic sensor module, an encrypting and decrypting module, a smoke detector module, a human body moving infrared sensor module and an alarm module, wherein the power management module, the lighting control module, the lighting fault detecting module, the camera module, the first wireless communication module, the second wireless communication module, the first antenna, the second antenna, the third wireless communication module, the internal memory and flash module, the hard disk, the traffic sensor module, the encrypting and decrypting module, the smoke detector module, the human body moving infrared sensor module and the alarm module are respectively connected with the embedded CPU. The invention further provides the control method of the intelligent street lamp and the wireless network system constructed by the intelligent street lamp. The intelligent street lamp can be automatic to light and intelligently managed; the video monitoring enables security protection; the network can be used through the WiFi; therefore, a small-cost construction implementation scheme is provided for urban information construction.


At present,the main "latecomer disadvantages" of resource-based cities in transition are the vicious path-dependent mech-anisms of economic policy and insufficiency of technical factors in transition,as well as unemployment,environment,rural issues and urbanization.In the transition of resource-based cities,the central government should offer supports in policy;the cities themselves should try their best to make and improve their transition planning,present concrete programs on transition and sustainable development,and clarify transitional ideas and development priorities;in addition,they should rebuild social capitals through the funds of transfer pay-ment from the central finance,and local government,enterprises,and social organization,and individuals,which are the internal conditions of resource-based cities in transition.Only when the "latecomer disadvantage" is overcome,can we realize their transition.


High- and multi-frequency acoustic measurement systems and the multi-frequency inversion (MFI) method have been used to measure spatial distributions and abundances of zooplankton by size. In this study, the calibration method for high- and multi-frequency systems was developed and the validation of MFI method was carried out by scatterer measurement. The standard sphere calibration method that has not been applied to such high- and multi-frequencies was applied to calibrate our high- and multi-frequency system, TAPS-6 (Tracor Acoustic Profiling System, BAE Systems). An optimum size of standard sphere of tungsten carbide of 1 mm radius was derived to have a small target strength variation for the six frequencies of TAPS-6, and the practicability and precision of the standard sphere calibration method was confirmed for those frequencies. A school or cluster of dummy scatterers of zooplankton with small tungsten carbide spheres were designed to validate the MFI method, and volume back-scattering strength values were measured by the multifrequency system. By comparing the result of the inversion with their real composition, the features of the MFI method could be validated and examined.


For years one of the priorities has been the implementation of innovative technological solutions aimed at supporting and enhancing interest in language learning. Increasingly attention is drawn to the need for teaching programmes and methods to be modified to appeal to a new type of recipient, that called by Prensky native computer users. The paper consequently joins the ranks of those works that search for an answer to the question as to what extent the aforementioned postulates find realisation within the field of teaching Polish as a language. The paper aims to present the Internet sources available which have been devised with foreigners learning Polish in mind as well as those individuals of Polish provenance living permanently abroad, this on the basis of developed sets of evaluation criteria. Given the extensive nature of the topic, attention has been paid only to those proposals (platforms, programmes, applications) which allow one to learn (also as self-study) and teach through the medium of distance learning. Presented against the background of those sources analyzed is the programme Po polsku po Polsce devised as an integrated cultural-language course of instruction for those at the level of A1.


Flickering light stimulation has emerged as a promising non-invasive neuromodulation strategy to alleviate neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the lack of a neurochemical underpinning has hampered its therapeutic development. Here, we demonstrate that light flickering triggered an immediate and sustained increase (up to 3 hours after flickering) in extracellular adenosine levels in the primary visual cortex and other brain regions, as a function of light frequency, intensity, and wavelength, with maximal effects observed at 40 Hz frequency. We discovered cortical (glutamatergic and GABAergic) neurons, rather than astrocytes, as the cellular source, and intracellular adenosine generation from calcium influx-triggered, AMPK-associated energy metabolism pathways (but not SAM-transmethylation or salvage purine pathways) and adenosine efflux mediated by equilibrative nucleoside transporter-2 (ENT2) as the molecular pathway responsible for extracellular adenosine generation. Importantly, 40 Hz light flickering for 30 min enhanced sleep in mice in a frequency-dependent manner. This somnogenic effect was absent in mice lacking ENT2 but replicated by administering adenosine to the visual cortex. Brief 40 Hz light flickering also promoted sleep in children with insomnia by decreasing sleep onset latency, increasing total sleep time, and reducing waking after sleep onset. Collectively, our findings establish adenosine signaling via ENT2 as the neurochemical basis for 40 Hz flickering-induced sleep and unravel a novel and non-invasive treatment for insomnia, a condition that affects 20% of the world population.


How-to guide to researching local history topics that relate to the Moonee Valley area of North West Melbourne. Created by staff at Moonee Valley Libraries. Includes recommended reading, as well as advice on finding maps, pictures and newspapers. Some basic historical information about the Moonee Valley, and key historical dates.