Many states have implemented an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) or target to curtail greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. California alone has set a target of doubling energy efficiency savings in existing buildings by 2030. As more states rely on energy efficiency to reduce GHG emissions, programs designed to support the planning and implementation of energy efficiency projects will become more important. Identifying energy efficiency projects has traditionally been the focus of these programs, however delivering savings remains a key challenge. Strategies to address procurement are often overlooked as program resources focus more on technical resources, such as audits and monetary incentives. Then once identified, specialized energy efficiency projects are often folded in with standard maintenance or capital improvement projects, putting them at risk of compromising the expected performance. This paper focuses on procurement as a key component of program implementation and success and outlines key issues and challenges specifically faced by the public sector. Furthermore, the paper shares a procurement strategy implemented through the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) Public Agency Program that addresses these problems in order to assure intended project performance. The strategy includes engaging procurement stakeholders early in the project process, exploring the different types of procurement pathways and following an implementation checklist to enhance project success. With this systematic approach to procurement, there will be fewer barriers and energy efficiency will be easy and enticing, which will further enable states to achieve their GHG emission reduction targets.


The overall rates of vibrational relaxation in the A 2Σ+ state of NCO are slow compared with its radiative lifetime of 170 nsec. There is, on the other hand, a fast relaxation between levels known to be in Fermi resonance and only the lowest level of each Fermi resonance group is observed in emission. Progressions in the ground state bending frequency can be observed in the emission spectra and demonstrate clearly the Renner splitting in the ground electronic state.


Aim: Iron deficiency anemia is common among colorectal cancer patients. Current guidelines suggested that intravenous iron can raise hemoglobin level within weeks before operation. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the two preparations of intravenous iron available in Hospital Authority, Monofer (Iron isomaltoside) and Venofer (Iron sucrose). Methods: Colorectal cancer patients with iron deficiency anemia and hemoglobin level less than 10 g/dL were recruited from 9/2017 to 1/2019 in the Queen Elizabeth hospital. Patients either received two doses of intravenous Venofer 500 mg, or a single dose of intravenous Monofer 1000 mg, at least two weeks before operation. The rise in hemoglobin level, number of blood transfusion, post-infusion adverse effect, post-operative length of stay and complication rate were recorded. Results: Forty-six patients were included in this study with twenty-three patients in each group. There was no difference between Monofer and Venofer in terms of hemoglobin rise (2.14 g/dL versus 2.00 g/dL, P = 0.863), number of patients transfused (7 versus 6 P = 0.107), post-infusion adverse effect (2 versus 0, P = 0.489), post-operative length of stay (11.50 days versus 10.32 days, P = 0.366), and complication rate (13% versus 13%, P = 1.00). Conclusion: Our study showed that one dose Monofer achieved a similar level of hemoglobin rise compared with Venofer without a significant increase in adverse events. Monofer could be the intravenous iron of choice for colorectal cancer patients with iron deficiency anemia. PR2


The highly selective electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) is reported to formate (HCOO‐) at a compactly integrated bioelectrode. The enzymatic biocatalytic cathode is fabricated by single‐step electropolymerization of a multifunctional polydopamine film in which enzyme/cofactor couples are uniquely embedded. Interestingly, this thin biohybrid system of nanoscale thickness assures unprecedentedly prolonged catalytic enzyme stability for about two weeks. Mimicking the natural photosynthesis, combination with the photoanode utilizing the water oxidation, steadily produces formate at a faradaic efficiency of 99.18 ± 6.77% with little degradation at least for 1 d under 1 sun illumination and no external bias.


The tetrameric flavoenzyme 2,4-pentadienoyl-CoA reductase has been crystallized from solutions containing polyethylene glycol as precipitant. The crystals grow in the monoclinic space group C2 with unit-cell dimensions a = 160.2, b = 120.2, c = 95.3 A, beta = 99.0 degrees. The packing parameter V(M) is 2.3 A(3) Da(-1) (Matthews parameter) for four monomers per asymmetric unit. Complete data sets to about 2.9 A resolution have been collected.


Logistics plays the role of a lifetime in helping retailers earn rave reviews for outstanding customer service performance. Settle back and pass the popcorn as three leaders reveal their winning secrets. Newegg : listen and act -- Backcountry : Gearheads play lead role -- U-Haul : box office success.


Higher mode surface waves, which can provide additional constraints on subsurface structures in addition to fundamental modes in surface-wave tomography, have been observed from ambient noise cross-correlation functions (CCFs) in sedimentary basins in oceans or near coastlines. However, few studies show that higher mode surface waves can be observed and extracted directly from ambient noise CCFs in inland basins. In this study, we report observations of high signal-to-noise ratio fundamental and the first higher mode Rayleigh waves at a period range of 0.2–1.90 s and 0.2–1.35 s, respectively, from ambient noise CCFs in the southeastern margin of the Tarim basin, the biggest inland basin in China. We confirm the credibility of the first higher mode surface waves by showing that the observed first higher mode dispersion curves are matched with predicted ones calculated from S velocity models solely constrained by fundamental-mode dispersion curves. After the verification of the credibility of the first higher mode surface waves, we demonstrate that the inclusion of the first higher mode dispersion curves helps image deeper structures with an increase of average depths from ∼0.73 to ∼1.24 km, which will be beneficial to future explorations of deep oil and gas resources in the Tarim basin.


This study reports on the detailed ultrastructure of sympathetic postganglionic varicose axon terminals on mesenteric veins leading from the ileum of the guinea pig and in particular the structural arrangement of the varicosities with venous smooth muscle cells. The response to nerve stimulation in veins has a long time course and it has been suggested that this reflects a wide separation between the site of transmitter release and the receptors on the effector cell membrane. The aim of this study was to determine the distance between individual sympathetic varicosities and smooth muscle cells in mesenteric veins.


The Bank of Canada currently expects the Canadian economy to return to full employment by the middle of next year, but is in no hurry to begin raising the overnight interest rate from its currently extremely low level towards the 3 percent plus range that normally has been associated with full employment. Some of the Bank's critics have stressed that if inflation is to be kept stable after next year, then a "neutral" value for real – that is inflation-adjusted – market interest rates must be restored by then. The neutral interest rate's value is hence extremely difficult to estimate, making other policy indicators highly relevant. Recent survey data on business intentions and expectations have shown more signs of expansion lately, but, along with still subdued rates of money growth, they do not as yet signal any imminent threat of an upsurge in long-term inflationary pressures in Canada, and these factors suggest that there might be something to be said for the Bank of Canada's current caution towards raising interest rates.


This project was focused on the design and development of a drink, smoothie type, of avocado and vegetable oat milk. To do this we proceeded to conduct a market study which identified the potential demand of the target market in Quito. Furthermore, more efficient process for making the drink embodied in a process flow in which the most relevant parameters indicate control production was established; also experimental analyzes were performed to determine the optimum type of acidity regulator for the formulation of the product meets the Ph proposed by the Ecuadorian Institute for Standardization, in the analysis three treatments were made: A, B, C evaluated periodically for 35 days determining their pH, just as sensory evaluations were conducted, to thereby find the ideal formulation for the final product by statistical tests. Regarding the most significant treatment, treatment C, two nutrition analyzes were performed to determine the nutritional composition of the formulation, and a microbiological analysis in which the number of colonies of coliforms, molds and yeasts was identified by Petrifilms. In another aspect, a Mode and Effects Analysis of potential failures for product design from the activities most critical process, determining the causes, severity and likelihood of these occurring developed. Finally, an economic analysis on the profitability of the project by using the Net Present Value (NPV) of $235,33 and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) that was 35,73%, concluding that the project is feasible, on the other side based on the costs breakven point of the project is 245.429 units, taking as retail price (RRP) $ 2.20, value 44% of the target population showed that he is willing to pay for a glass bottle, containing 250 mL of the drink avocado and oats


&NA; The intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) and the Hemopump are important techniques for acute mechanical support of the ischemic or failing heart in the intensive care unit. These techniques can have significant effects on the kidneys of critically ill patients. The beneficial effects of IABP support, however, depend entirely on improvement in the systemic circulation. If no improvement occurs, no benefit is conferred on renal function. Harmful effects may occur as a result of vascular complications and include renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis, atheroembolism, aortic or renal artery thrombosis, renal artery obstruction, aortic dissection, and catheter‐related sepsis. The Hemopump has the capacity of augmenting cardiac output much more effectively than the IABP and is a form of left ventricular assist device. By restoring cardiac output to normal levels in patients with acute severe left ventricular failure, it can significantly improve renal blood flow. The centrally (ascending aorta) inserted 24‐F Hemopump is likely to induce fewer vascular complications than the peripherally inserted IABP. It is also likely to improve cardiac output much more than what can be achieved with the IABP and also achieves better renal blood flow augmentation in patients with postbypass cardiogenic shock.


Particle sizes and their distributions of aerosols along the road in Ulaanbaatar city were studied by Photon Cross Correlation Spectroscopy (PCCS) NANOPHOX (Sympatec GmbH, Germany). Mean diameter (x0), size distribution range, specific surface area (Sv) of aerosol particles are equal to 1.1÷2.5μm, 74nm÷4.0μm and 2.38÷5.43m2/cm3 respectively. On the other hand, particles distribution is Gaussian with density 0.02÷8.15 (q3lg) in the range of 790nm÷3.8μm. However, nanoparticles with diameters less than 74nm were not observed. The results reveal that samples contain 0.02% (volume persent) ultrafine particles or nanoparticles occur in the range of 74-100nm, 83.73% fine particles (PM2.5) occur in the range of 100nm÷2.4μm and 16.25% coarse particles (PM10) occur in the range of 2.4-4.0μm. It can be concluded that road aerosol sample contain high percent of PM2.5 particles.


to create an experience of a Community of good practice with as basic themes interreligious and intercultural dialogue has been a challenge, and at the same time, a strong cultural urge. to speak about a Community of good practise means to press people or groups to get in touch with each other and use their experiences in this matter as contents of their dialogue. starting a reflection on what one has experimented also means being able and willing to put oneself at stake, opening oneself to new knowledge in order to modify, enrich and also give new meaning to one's own work and social involvement. in the specific context regarding the culture of peace, opening a space of exchange involving different fields of research and intervention with regard to themes of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, has also signified treating this subject of study in a coherent and considerable way. the dialogue between more parties and/or different ideas, traditions, politics becomes more and more a democratic necessity. however, promoting the dialogue is easier said than done because for its realisation, sustainment and maintenance, numerous proficiencies are necessary, proficiencies that entwine, with regard to the contexts, with the articulated potential of the people. the dialogue may occur in the first place, if those that are talking are at least willing to try a dialogue. the complete absence of will to realise this experience of confrontation is an impediment for the opening of the first doors of communication. if the dialogue is meant to have its effect of transformation and change, it must comprehend and exceed difference. Classical culture presents us dialogue as an essential cognitive experience, within a dimension of talk and comparison, being able that way


Backgorund: To investigate the variations in intraocular pressure following PRK in different degree of myopia.Methods: Restrospective cohort study of 315 patients (429 eyes) who underwent photorefractive keratectomy at Yap Eye Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012. Visual acuity, refractive status, and intraocular pressure were examined before, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks after photorefractive keratectomy. IOP was measured directly using non-contact tonometry and calculated using Chang's formula (I"P = -0.12 x refractive change – 1.36 mmHg). Variations in IOP were assessed comparing follow-up to baseline IOP.Results: There were 225 men and 90 women with mean age 22,9 years. Overall, compared to IOP prior surgery (mean 15.6mmHg), there were significant variations in measured IOP at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the procedures (variations were -30-.6% (mean 11.0mmHg), -25.0% (11.7mmHg), -26.3 (mean 11.5mmHg), -29.5% (mean 11.0mmHg) consecutively; p for variations<0.001). However, these variations were also presents in low, moderate, and high myopia (all p for variations <0.001). However, there were almost none variations using converted IOP (overall -9.14% (14.9mmHg); low myopia -8.91% (14.3mmHg); moderate myopia -5.81% (14.6mmHg); high myopia 0% (15.5mmHg); p<0.01).Conclusion: PRK caused relatively decreased variations in measured IOP, however, with converted IOP these variations are very small (relatively no difference in pre and postoperative IOP).


Objective To understand the incidence of influenza in Zhongwei in Ningxia in 2010.Methods The throat swabs were collected from the patients with febrile illness in 2 sentinel hospitals in Zhongwei to conduct influenza viruses detection by using real time quantitative PCR and reverse transcription PCR.Results Totally 11 cases of influenza A(H1N1) pdm 09,161 cases of influenza B and 71 cases of influenza A(H3) were detected.ConclusionNo differences on incidence of influenza was observed in different areas in Zhongwei,but the age specific differences were found.The incidence of different type influenza had its seasonality.The infection of influenza viruses was closed related with people's lifestyle.


Influence on diabetes mellitus type 2 on manifestation of anxiety in patients with myocardial revascularization has been studied. Three groups of patients were selected: patients with coronary artery bypass grafting; patients with stenting of coronary arteries; patients who received drug therapy. The research has shown that diabetes increases the risk for development of superficial wound infections, renal insufficiency after coronary artery bypass grafting, however patients with diabetes do not obligatory have the increased risk for development of severe complications and mortality after the surgery.


The conditions under which tax exportation and importation affect the median voter's marginal tax share and income are discussed. The paper estimates for the median voter in each State the change in income and public goods tax price generated by interstate tax exportation, and calculates the increased public spending, gross gains and losses, and associated welfare loss which results. The price and income elasticities used in the analysis are estimated in a two-equation median voter model which allows the tax share to be dependent on budget size. The implications for intergovernmental policy issues of the median voter model results and the public spending and welfare loss estimates are discussed.


This symposium was organized by the Interuniversity Research Group in Ethnopsychiatry and Medical Anthropology (GIRAME) and by the Psychosocial Research Unit of the Douglas Hospital, in Montreal. The purpose of the conference was to bring together anthropologists and mental health workers to improve communication between academic and research workers on the one hand, and clinicians on the other. Participants were from varied disciplines including ethnology, psychiatry, psychology, sociology, and nursing. Papers concerning anthropological or social issues were discussed


This paper studies the central Anatolian city named Konya and its transformation into a pioneering city of the Ottoman Empire by the establishment of the railways. During the Era of Sultan Abdülhamit II, Konya was a traditional Anatolian city. Towards the end of the 19th century, by the arrival of the Anatolia Railway Line (July 1896), its destiny changed. Comparisons of the developments within the city during the period of Abdülhamit II and after the establishment of the railways showed that the first transformation began with the city's structure. The traditional structure quickly began to change by the construction of the Eskisehir-Konya railway line. New businesses and localities, which haven't been in the city before, began to be established. The existence of these new localities and the construction of the railway opened doors not only to nearby cities but also to other nations and countries within the borders of the Empire, and also to the international world. Thus, a population movement, especially an internal migration, began eventually as Konya was surrounded with modern structures. In addition, by the arrival of the Railways to Konya, cereal transport, which was minimal before, showed an increase, and Konya began to meet the cereal demand of the capital city of Istanbul partially. The Konya Plain Irrigation Project started and was conducted by the Anatolia Railways Company in order to increase the variety of products, and the arable lands made Konya and its vicinity one of the pioneer places of the Ottoman Empire's development. This paper studies how the structure of a city changed by the establishment of railways.


Effect of salt, copper, and temperature pretreatments on the UV‐B‐induced oxidative damage, measured in terms of peroxide and MDA (lipid peroxidation) contents, was studied in the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum . To understand the survival strategy enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase) and non‐enzymatic (glutathione, ascorbate, α ‐tocopherol and carotenoid) antioxidants were studied. Among the various pretreatments salt was found to decrease and copper and temperature pretreatments increased the deleterious effects of UV‐B. This study is the first to demonstrate that physical stress (high temperature) enhanced the damaging effect of UV‐B more profoundly than chemical stresses (salt and copper). (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


A method of semi-cycle analysis is used to investigate the rule of trajectory structure of the solution of the fourth-order rational difference equation and its global asymptotic stability.Some known results are generalized.


The present invention relates to a speaker system for a motor vehicle, the speaker system having at least one speaker (3) and on which the speaker (3) of the structure (2). At least one speaker (3) is provided in such a way on the structure (2): such that at least one speaker (3) the longitudinal axis (4) and the structure (2) in a plane which extends at 0 ° to 45 ° Angle.


This paper addresses some of the guidance and control issues involved in enabling an air-launched interceptor carrying a highly maneuverable kinetic kill vehicle to perform an exoatmospheric intercept of a boosting threat missile capable of traveling many thousands of kilometers. The paper takes the reader through the first iteration of the multi-iteration design process in order to show how much divert and acceleration are required by the kinetic kill vehicle to hit the target. Simplified examples are presented to indicate how conventional guidance and filtering techniques can be used as a starting point in the iterative design process for this important problem in missile defense. More advanced guidance and filtering techniques can be used in subsequent iterations to more accurately size the kinetic kill vehicle and improve system performance and robustness.


Isolate and characterize a laccase‐encoding gene (lac I) of Phlebia brevispora BAFC 633, as well as cloning and expressing cDNA of lac I in Pichia pastoris. And to obtain a purified and characterized recombinant laccase to analyse the biotechnological application potential.


On the basis of the regularity of surface dynamic deformation in underground mining,this paper models by finite element software the internal force variation law of steel column-heels in the process in mining subsidence area.Analysis is carried out on the relationship between the internal forces of steel column-heels and the surface deformation as well as on the surface location which the maximun internal force of steel column-heels is directed at,and contrast is made between the additional internal forces caused by surface deformation and the initial internal forces.The results reveal that the influences of additional internal forces should be taken into account in the design of the steel frame footing in mining subsidence area.


In 21st century,the service outsourcing has become a global strategic industry.It is not only an important part of modern industry but also a leading one.The development of service outsourcing industry has significant influence on speeding up industrial transformation,changing the model of economic development,constructing service-oriented system of modern industry,promoting the employment of university students,promoting the development of low-carbon green industry,servicing across country and becoming an international metropolis.This article makes an analysis on the service outsourcing industry in Guangzhou,clears its development elements,analyzes the development path of service outsourcing industry in Guangzhou by using Porter's model,and focuses on outsourcing resources,market factors,service outsourcing industry related and supporting industries,service outsourcing enterprises and government fields.


Biographer of physicists comments in a New York Times book review. Biographer of physicists comments in a New York Times book review.


Based on a long-term experiment in Prague, established in 1954, we analyzed the effect of weather and seven fertilization treatments (mineral and manure treatments) on winter wheat grain yield (GY) and stability. In total, 23 seasons were analyzed, where a wheat crop followed a summer crop of potatoes. A regression analysis showed that, since the experiment started, there has been a significant increase in the annual daily maximum, average, and minimum temperature of 0.5 °C, and an increase in annual rainfall of 0.3 mm. Grain yield was positively associated with April precipitation, mean daily temperature in October, and daily maximum temperature in February. Yields were most stable between years with two fertilizer treatments that supplied a mean of 47 kg N ha−1yr−1, 54 kg P ha−1yr−1, and 108 kg K ha−1yr−1. The rate of N at which grain yield was optimized was determined according to the linear-plateau (LP) and quadratic response models as 44 kg N ha−1yr−1 for the long-strawed varieties and 87 kg N ha−1yr−1for short-strawed varieties.A gradual increase in yields was observed in all treatments, including the unfertilized control, which was attributed to improved varieties rather than to a changing climate.


The phase stability of Zr-doped Li-anatase has been studied for a wide range of Li concentrations using density functional theory calculations of representative ordered structures. Thermodynamically stable structures have been established through the full relaxation of the internal coordinates and the size and shape of the periodic unit cell. The stability of the Li-poor tetragonal phase is found to correspond to the Li occupancy in the centre of the octahedral sites. Occupancy of the off-centre site results in the formation of an orthorhombic phase, which is similar to that observed in Li-anatase. It is demonstrated that doping of anatase with Zr-ions does not affect the two-phase nature of Li insertion. Hypothetical high doping with Zr ions results in a decrease of the Li intercalation potential for anatase but within the solubility limit the effect is negligible. It is confirmed that Ti4+ ions play a major role in the accommodation of the electron density donated by Li and that the intercalation potential in the two-phase region is correlated to the participation of Ti ions in accommodation of the electron density.


After the 16 century the Protégé (protection) system, which had emerged as a continuation of the Capitulations, became a threat to the sovereignty of the government. The privileges first attributed to foreign embassies and consulates by the Ottoman Government attracted the attention of some citizens. Foreign forces, in order to increase their political powers and to obtain economic profits, enlarged their protection to the Ottoman people by inventing a paper entitled the "protection patent." After the 18 century, thousands of Ottoman citizens changed their citizenship in order to profit from the advantages of the protégé system. This abused system forced Babıâli to take precautions to limit this system which had a high cost to the government.


Various boron diffusion techniques are being investigated to fabricate n-type Si cells. Thermal oxidation is often used in photovoltaic to remove boron-rich layer (BRL) formed as a byproduct of boron diffusion because it interferes with surface passivation. However, oxidizing the BRL can cause a severe degradation in bulk lifetime. In this paper, high resolution electron microscopy (HREM) was performed to detect the presence of BRL after B diffusion and its removal after subsequent oxidation. In addition, bulk lifetime of n-type Si with BRL was measured after various oxidation conditions to systematically investigate the BRL-induced lifetime degradation mechanism in n-Si. The primary metal impurity responsible for the bulk lifetime degradation was concluded to be Fe in this study.


ABSTRACT Due to the stochastic nature of traffic conditions and demand fluctuations, it is a challenging task for operators to maintain reliable services, and passengers often suffer from longer travel times. A failure to consider this issue while planning bus services may lead to undesirable results, such as higher costs and a deterioration in level of service. Considering headway variation at route stops, this paper develops a mathematical model to optimize bus stops and dispatching headways that minimize total cost, consisting of both user and operator costs. A Genetic Algorithm is applied to search for a cost-effective solution in a real-world case study of a bus transit system, which improves service reliability in terms of a reduced coefficient of variation of headway.


It is well known that the time dependence behavior (creep and relaxation) of crosslinked rubber systems are influenced by the incorporation of particulate fillers. The influence of carbon black (CB) loading on the creep and relaxation behavior of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) has been studied. Creep test is carried out at 3 different stress levels while the relaxation test is carried out at 100% strain. The obtained results of five different compositions for SBR and NBR with 0, 20, 30, 50 and 70 phr of CB were compared. It can be found that creep resistance increases as CB loading increases and stress level decreases, while as CB loading increases the relative modulus (E(t)/E(0)) and initial relaxation speed decrease.


PurposeResearch on organizational innovation remains relatively scarce, particularly with respect to social structures and processes. In contrast to product innovation, organizational innovation re ...


1. Internet users are governed by — and through — intermediaries. 2. We have no real tools to hold intermediaries to account. 3. Real accountability will require new methods and new partnerships to understand complex, partially-automated systems at scale.


The cultural quality is the most formdnental and basic quality of many university students' qualities,which has strongly effect on other quatities' form and development.We must strengthen the university student's cultural quality education and cultivation in the course of qualities education's implement.Cultural quality education is a systemic project.We should begin with education conceptions innovation.University course reform computer net platform construction and social practical movement performance,etc.


In recent years, people have paid close attention to tax planning increasingly, but the home researches emphasize particularly on the strategy and method of tax planning . The author of this article tries on probing into the inevitability, possibility of tax planning and economic and social effect from the theory aspect, perfecting the guide thought and correcting the error recognition.


Alkylating agents are being introduced into our environment with increasing frequency. Some of them are used in chemotherapy; others are used as industrial intermediates in organic synthesis, as organic solvents for various chemical processes, as cross-linking agents in manufacturing processes, and as antibacterial and fungistatic agents. Coupled with this increase in possible environmental or occupational exposure is the occurrence of alkylating agents as plant natural products, some aspects of which are discussed in other sections of this monograph. The known biological properties of these compounds i.e., their mutagenic, carcinogenic, and cytotoxic properties have, therefore, received increasing attention. Biochemical studies have focused on their possible modes of interaction with tissue constituents: proteins, purines, pyrimidines, nucleic acids, et cetera. In addition, organic chemists have studied the reactivity of these compounds with a variety of nucleophilic agents. Alkylating agents cover a broad range of chemical compounds, and the present report will be concerned mainly with those types that have been investigated in this laboratory; the carcinogenicity, structure-activity relationships, and mode of action of these compounds have been the main concern in our work. The compound types that were explored are epoxides (mono-, di-, and polyfunctional), pand y-lactones, and halo-ether~.~-~ This report will be concerned only with selected aspects of this subject. The compounds of interest, their carcinogenicity or lack thereof, and various routes of administration used in mice and rats are listed in TABLE 1. The structures for these compounds are shown in FIGURES 1,2, and 3. The compounds were usually tested at highest tolerable doses for the lifespans of the animals. Thirty to fifty animals were usually included per group; in the gastric feeding experiments, smaller groups weie used; this is discussed below. The details of these experiments have appeared in our earlier It is clear from TABLE 1 that compounds that were active or inactive when applied on mouse skin showed, with one exception, the same activity or were


The Australian government Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs has recently recommended the introduction of a smart card system intended as a phased replacement of existing Commonwealth concession cards. The system proposes the use of a single colour-coded Commonwealth Concession Card, which would operate on concessions at Commonwealth and State/Territory level. The card is initially intended to operate without password access (PIN) protection. Of particular importance are the committee's recommendations that the smart card system be implemented in Commonwealth and State/Territory health information systems. The smart concession card would incorporate an individual's personal details, including their health history, and would form the basis for individual's health transactions. The advantages and disadvantages of smart cards as a storage mechanism for electronic patient records (EPR) have been reported in the literature. They are many concerns regarding the implementation of such a policy, with some of the problems raised by the proposed system in areas of equity, security, confidentiality and privacy being addressed in the committee's report on Health Information Management and Telemedicine (1997). That report also examines some of the advantages and disadvantages of centralized data base storage of electronic patient records, but favors a model based on smart card storage of EPR's with a centralised backup system. This paper discusses the merits of both schemes discussed in the committee's report and proposes an alternate method of access to centralized data via remote smart card. The method differs from that proposed by the committee in the access mechanisms and controls for EPR data. The smart card will control access to local (on-card) data and act as a key to a large (off-card) central repository of data. Security and privacy are ensured by access mechanisms involving combinations of doctor/provider/patient privilege to both local and centralised EPR data.


To evaluate safety and effects on cognition and behavior of memantine 20 mg/day in the treatment of patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).


Angioplasty and stent implantation open the blocked artery and restore proper blood flow after atherosclerosis disease. Despite their utility, intracoronary stents induce two types of complications: in-stent restenosis and thrombosis. Recently, biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) stents have been inserted to restore the healed artery, reabsorb and consequently avoid late stent thrombosis [1]. Moreover, rapid stent endothelialisation is one of the main goals in order to heal the damaged tissue and decrease in-stent restenosis [2]. The present work combines topographical modification and peptide functionalization of PLLA surfaces to increase endothelial cells adhesion and migration, and thus enhance endothelialization.


The practice of inventory pooling–serving two or more separate markets using a common inventory stock–is extensively studied in operations management. The operational benefits of this strategy are well known: when demand is stochastic, combining multiple markets reduces aggregate uncertainty and improves the firm's ability to efficiently match supply and demand, increasing profit as a result. In this paper, we explore a different aspect of pooling: its consequences for consumer purchasing behavior. We analyze a model in which consumers are forward-looking and anticipate end-of-season clearance sales, and may choose to strategically forgo purchasing items at a high price in order to obtain them at a discount. The firm sells in two markets, and chooses between a separated selling strategy (dedicated inventory to serve separate markets) or a pooled selling strategy (a single stock of inventory to serve both markets). We demonstrate that in addition to the operational benefits of pooling, in this setting a behavioral dimension to pooling exists: by adopting a pooling strategy, the firm influences the amount of inventory available during the clearance sale and hence induces a change in consumer purchase timing. This behavioral dimension of pooling may benefit the firm (when margins are high and demands are negatively correlated) or may hurt the firm (when margins are low and demand is positively correlated). We also consider whether pooling benefits consumers, and find that in contrast to the claims of some retailers, inventory pooling may decrease consumer welfare, particularly if consumers are strategic. This happens because, despite the fact that inventory pooling increases product availability during high price sales, it may increase competition for scarce inventory and decrease product availability during clearance


the objective of the present article is to analyze the theoretical foundations of new developmentalism, in particular its conception about the nature of long-run growth and the role of macroeconomic policy in the promotion of this catching-up strategy.


This study examined the cultural characteristics and biological activity of fermented rice (R100), amaranth (RA10, RA20, RA30), and quinoa (RQ10, RQ20, RQ30) with Bacillus subtilis CBD2. We made medium with the mixture ratios of amaranth, quinoa, and rice at 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 then compared their cultural characteristics. After fermentation with B. subtilis CBD2 for 24 hr, the number of viable cells increased to 7.65~8.03 log CFU/mL in all samples. Amylase activity of the R100 (96 hr), RA20 (72 hr) and RQ20 (72 hr) was higher than the others. Thus, the R100 (96 hr), RA20 (72 hr), and RQ20 (72 hr) were then dried by freeze drier. Fermented cereal powders (R100, RA20, RQ20) contained the high viable cell and amylase activity. Glucose contents of R100, RA20, and RQ20 increased after fermentation of B. subtilis CBD2. Fermented cereal powders significantly enhanced the growth of lactic acid bacteria (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus). α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was significantly higher in RA20 than R100 and RQ20. ACE inhibition of fermented cereal powders was 10.39±1.07~14.61±1.87% and 20.36±1.78~29.27±2.17%, respectively. DPPH and FRAP radical scavenging activity were higher in RA20 than R100 and RQ20. There results suggest that RA20 may be a useful for functional food material in the food industry.


Through the establishment of promote demonstration sites of Jing'an white tea in Sanzhualun Township of Jing'an County, effect test at production of biomass vinegar liquid fertilizer applied in Jing'an white tea was made, the results showed that shoot length of the white tea used with biomass vinegar liquid fertilizer prepared by administration of the project team increased 51.3%, production of dried leaves increased 36.2%, leaves chlorophyll content decreased, polyphenol content increased, and can reduce pests and diseases on white tea trees, and improve the quality of white tea.


This paper describes a framework for 3D geospatial data infrastructure based on OGC Standards in Iran, specially Tabriz, as one of the oldest cities with more than 3000 years of history. The external code lists based on local culture, vegetation and heritage landmarks were proposed for indexing 3D city structures, buildings, statues and city furniture of Tabriz. These code lists can be used between different governmental agencies as a communication tool and utilized for indexing in the 3D spatial DB. There are some predefined code lists from Germany as the founder of CityGML, which can be utilized for Iranian context along with some defined codes based on local cultures and structures. These code lists can be defined for all the street furniture, sculptures, and facade textures in some sort of applications such as city planning, built environment, disaster management, etc. The code lists can also be used for the components of the buildings for instance the facade of the building in different layers as an entity or multi-patch feature class or implicite geometry such as windows, doors and backgrounds. In addtion, the code list can be used to index city elements and enhance the usage of 3D SDI for a variety of privileges from end-users to professionals in the near future for different organizations and management levels. The framework for web-based CityServer3D application has been discused in this research paper. CityGML as a standard data exchange format has been utilized for developing 3D SDI for Iran and implicit geometry representation has been used to avoid lagging while rendering the 3D models during navigation in the 3D virtual environment. The IGR has been defined in CityGML as prototypic geometry which can be parametrized for multiple usage(Lowner, Groger, Benner, Biljecki, & Nagel, 2016).


Any spontaneous or directed and controlled bioenergy effect on milk as a heterogeneous biotechnological system leads to the inevitable emergence of a fundamentally new type of dairy raw material. When producing products depending on the processing methods used: traditional, based on biotechnology (starters, enzymes) and the use of chemical reagents (acid, alkali, salt) and innovative separation methods (membrane, etc.), two large classes of lactose-containing raw materials are formed: traditional and innovative. For a number of years, this raw material has been generically called by various terms. It is known that the terminology distorting the essence of the subject often leads to negative consequences. Therefore, the name of the raw material should reflect not only the essence, but also focus on the content of valuable components that need to be used for food or feed purposes. Based on the analysis of modern terminology, the classification of dairy products proposed by academician N.N. Lipatov and Professor Z.M. Tskitishvili was chosen as the basic one. When compiling this classification, experience was used to create a classification of technological liquids as ultrafiltration objects, which reflected milk whey. It is based on the detailing of milk-protein lactose-containing raw materials, namely, one of its classes which are lactose-containing raw materials. The following is the systematization and ranking of linguistic terminology of secondary dairy raw materials in the aspect of its rational use.


Abstract Background Burr hole drainage (BHD) is the most popular technique for surgical management of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) and is able to successfully address the problem in majority of patients. However, in a select few cases, the formation of subdural membrane necessitates a wider surgical approach to relieve the compressed cerebral parenchyma. We evaluated the need for craniotomy and associated issues in management of CSDH in a consecutive series of 114 patients. Material and Method Data of 114 patients, who underwent surgical management of CSDH in our neurosurgical unit were analyzed. We specifically looked for the cases requiring craniotomy, it's indication and surgical outcome. Results Craniotomy was required in 12 patients (8.6%)—as primary procedure in 8 patients and as add-on secondary procedure in 4 patients. Clinical outcome was good. Mild subdural bleed, not requiring any surgical intervention, was observed in two patients as postoperative complication. There was no mortality. Conclusion In the presence of thick subdural membranes, BHD alone may not help relieve the cerebral compression. Wider surgical approach in form of craniotomy and membranectomy is the answer in such situations and can be safely performed with low complications. Good quality computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are essential in preoperative identification of membrane and appropriate surgical planning.


The constant growth of riskiness and uncertainty of the business environment determines the necessity for organizational changes and strategies, models, and approaches for their implementation. In developing countries, the issue of organizational changes and effective strategies is especially relevant due to unprecedented changes in the political, economic, and social systems, which creates problems of adaptation and growth of companies. The purpose of the academic paper lies in identifying the features of management of changes in the process of safe development of economic agents in developing countries and those undergoing significant transformations of the external environment. The methodology is based on a mixed research methodology on the basis of a statistical analysis of the market environment for the functioning of Ukrainian agricultural enterprises and a survey through an indirect structured interview with managers of agricultural enterprises. The results show that agricultural enterprises constantly implement management changes due to changes in expectations regarding the main performance indicators and market dynamics (changes in production volumes, product prices, and the number of employees). In the conditions of dynamic transformations of the political and economic environment, agricultural enterprises are modifying their activity strategies, business models, and resource allocation and production volumes. The key areas of changes relate to the following spheres of activity, namely: financing, supply and logistics, location of production facilities, exports, production volumes. Agricultural enterprises have been forced to switch to business downsizing strategies, which are mainly aimed at reducing costs in the economic downturn, efficient allocation of resources and personnel management. The survey of company personnel indicates a significant change in the administrative processes of resource management, essential modifications in market orientation. Significant resistance of employees towards changes, low level of participatory culture and lack of leadership support have been identified as key obstacles to changes.


Financial practitioners must often estimate probabilities. We provide a new decision-theoretic problem formulation for estimating probabilistic models; this formulation naturally leads to certain minimum relative entropy problems that have l1-regularized maximum likelihood duals. In this formulation, a model is estimated to be used in a simple decision scenario, where the decision-maker uses the model to make decisions in an uncertain world. We formulated the model building problem as the search for the model that performs best in the most adverse 'world' among those 'worlds' that are consistent with a set of relaxed feature constraints.


Background:
 Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major stroke risk factor and rhythm monitoring post stroke is recommended. Wearable smartwatches with different device alert systems have been increasingly popular. Anxiety and perceived confidence in physicians, particularly in older stroke survivors, in relation to alerts delivered from AF detection devices remain to be elucidated.

 Objectives:
 Assess the associations between smartwatch alerts for detected atrial fibrillation in older post stroke patients and self-reported anxiety and perceived confidence in physicians.

 Methods:
 Data were used from Phase I of the Pulsewatch study, a randomized controlled trial, which enrolled patients (≥50 years) from the UMass Memorial Health System with a history of a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), CHA
 2
 DS
 2
 -VASc ≥ 2 and no contraindications to anticoagulation. Intervention participants wore a cardiac patch monitor, a smartwatch, and were given a smartphone installed with the Pulsewatch applications, while control participants only wore the cardiac patch monitor for 14 days. Intervention participants were grouped into those receiving at least one alert versus those who did not receive any alerts from the smartwatch. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale and Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions Questionnaire were utilized at baseline and 14 days to assess anxiety and perceived confidence in physicians, respectively. Logistic regression was used to examine anxiety and perceived confidence in physicians in relation to alerts amongst smartwatch users.

 Results:
 A total of 68 participants (on average 65.2 ± 9.2 years of age, 41.2% [28 of 68] were women, 83.8% [57 of 68] were non-Hispanic white) were included in the intervention arm; 10 of which received at least one alert. Reception of alerts was not significantly associated with increased anxiety (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.98, 95% CI 0.13 - 7.6) or decreased perceived confidence in physicians (aOR 1.86, 95% CI 0.26 - 13.4), adjusting for the corresponding baseline outcome.

 Conclusions:
 Our study shows that smartwatch devices prescribed for AF detection in stroke survivors are not significantly associated with increased anxiety or decreased perceived confidence in physicians. Further studies are needed to explore their potential as methods for AF monitoring in older patients post stroke.


China's urbanization has achieved rapid development in the past 20 years, with towns expanding in size and the population increasing, while rural society has also undergone dramatic changes. An in-depth study on the evolution process of rural settlements in the context of rapid urbanization is beneficial to the rational planning of villages and the promotion of green and sustainable urban development. Located in East China, Sishui County is in the transition area between three types of landforms: hills, plains, and mountains. The spatial distribution of rural settlements in the urbanization process shows obvious regional differences. To our best knowledge, research on the spatio-temporal evolution of regional settlements in Sishui County is rare. In this study, we chose Sishui County as the study area, utilized Landsat5 (TM) and Landsat8 (OLI) satellite data as remote sensing data sources, and applied Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis methods, central place theory, and core–periphery theory to explore the evolution process for the pattern, scale, and structure of rural settlements in this region from 2000 to 2021 and to investigate the influencing factors. The results show that: (1) in terms of the evolution of the rural settlement pattern, its distribution shows a gradual increase in the degree of dispersion, which indicates an overall development trend in the region of Sishui County in recent years and that the trend is gradually increasing; (2) in terms of scale evolution, the degree and speed of expansion in rural settlements of Sishui County have gradually decreased, and the scale grade has gradually increased; (3) in terms of structural evolution, the hierarchy system in rural settlements of Sishui County is constantly being improved and optimized from a simple to a complex core–periphery structure. These results will provide data support for the rational planning of villages and sustainable, high-quality urban development. They will also help local governments take appropriate measures to achieve coordinated and sustainable socio-economic and environmental development in the region.


A proprietary lipid emulsion containing five vaccines: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT ), typhoid, Staphylococcus aureus, paratyphoid A and paratyphoid B, with potential immunostimulating activity. Subcutaneous administration of the DPT /typhoid/Staphylococcus aureus/paratyphoid A/paratyphoid B vaccine activates the immune system and may both abrogate tumor-induced immune tolerance and induce an antitumor immune response, which may eradicate the tumor. Qeios · Definition, February 2, 2020


Abstract This article examines northern connections in the Nordic Bronze Age, focusing on interregional contacts in middle and northern Sweden. In the article, we argue that it is important to incorporate a northern perspective in the discussions about the Scandinavian Bronze Age and its networks. We focus on the Mälaren Valley region, especially the province of Uppland, and the northern parts of Sweden, in particular the coastal areas of northern Sweden. We discuss some aspects of the archaeological material, which have been used in earlier discussions of interregional contacts in middle and northern Sweden during the Bronze Age, such as the Håga mound outside of Uppsala, and burial cairns and bronze artefacts in northern Sweden. Furthermore, we discuss eastern contacts with areas in present-day Finland and Russia, and how these have been interpreted in middle and northern Sweden. In our view, there is a need to critically examine interregional contacts and the construction of regional entities and borders in the Bronze Age. In order to better understand the relations between north and south, it is necessary to critically examine the research history behind the present-day conceptions of regions and borders, as well as the political dimensions and power relations involved.


The eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) is the standard language for representing, exchanging and publishing information. XML-based formats for both data and metadata are increasingly used for supporting knowledge organization and agents' communication on the Internet, raising the need for techniques capable to extract and organize knowledge out of heterogeneous XML data. The idea of devoting a special issue of the Applied Computing Review to XML and Knowledge Management was born at the First European Workshop on XML and Knowledge Management, held at the Podere d'Ombriano in Crema, Italy during the summer of 2001. Our Workshop, sponsored by the ACM Special Interest Group on Applied Computing (SIGAPP), the ACM Italian Chapter and held in cooperation with ACM, was a long waitedfor occasion for presenting work in progress and informally exchanging ideas among European computer scientists and researchers in humanities and innovation studies. Discussion showed that while the computer science research community was concerned with computational and architectural issues about XML-based metadata, humanities and innovation experts were building novel XML-based application for text and multimedia content management that could really benefit from interdisciplinary discussion and cooperation on knowledge representation techniques. The Crema meeting proved to be so fruitful in fostering such cooperation that many participants suggested selecting a limited number of the best papers for publication in the Applied Computing Review. One of us (E. Damiani) was asked by the Workshop Program Committee to guest-edit this publication; as active researchers respectively in the knowledge management for innovation and in the XML metadata formats areas, V. Elia and M. Madravio were later involved in organizing this special issue. The selection procedure worked as follows: the authors of the papers that in our opinion best represented the different research approaches presented at the workshop were invited to submit an extended and updated version of their paper. All submitted papers were carefully reviewed for both their originality and their appeal to nonspecialists. We like to think that the papers collected in this special issue of the Applied Computing Review capture several open problems and interesting results in knowledge management research. Also, we hope that, while attaining full scientific rigourousness, the papers still reflect the spirit of the lively interdisciplinary discussion that took place at the workshop. Finally, we would like to thank the Workshop Program Committee (namely Dino Buzzetti, Ernesto Damiani, Gianni Degli Antoni and Paolo Fezzi) for setting up the event and for their friendly advice. Thanks are also due to the ACR Editor in Chief, Giancarlo Succi, and to Aldo Romano for their valuable comments and encouragement.


OBJECTIVE
To report the use of a new diagnostic approach in children with tuberculous peritonitis.

PATIENT
A 14-year-old boy with tuberculous peritonitis.

RESULTS
None of the new diagnostic techniques helped us to make our diagnosis.

CONCLUSION
More experience of using the new diagnostic techniques will be necessary before they supersede invasive procedures.


Electrospun poly(ether sulfone) (PES) membrane impregnated with Nafion (PES-N) have been developed for high-temperature polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HTPEMFC). The PES-N obtains highly thermal stability up to 430C, which is higher than that of the commercial Nafion 212. The PES-N membrane shows a good proton conductivity of about 10 S cm in a temperature range from 75C to 120C. The membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) with the PES-N membrane exhibits a current density of 1.697 A cm at 75C, and 0.813 A cm at 110C when the applied voltage is 0.6 V, whereas the MEA with the Nafion 212 membrane shows the current density of 0.647 Acm at 110C. The results suggest that the PES-N can be a good candidate for a polymer electrolyte membrane of the HT-PEMFC.


The Mechanisms and Machine Theory, a basic specialized technical course required for undergraduate students of mechanical majors at the authors' university, occupies an important position in the teaching plan for talent cultivation in higher education. To achieve a modernized teaching system, it is imperative to ensure students' acquisition of a solid foundation and interdisciplinary knowledge while emphasizing the development of specialized knowledge. Against the backdrop of new engineering, the relationship between science education and scientific research should be properly addressed in order to build a teachingand research-oriented university. Students' initiative and innovative ability can be fully inspired and cultivated by progressively infiltrating the theoretical teaching with the instructor's research content, reasonably expanding the depth of knowledge in course design and properly applying relevant knowledge in experiments across all stages of course teaching.


Magneto-optical effects have been investigated over the infrared{visible spectral range in ACr2O4 (A = Fe, Co) spinel oxides with non-collinear spin orders in their ground states. We found large magneto-optical Kerr rotation and ellipticity at the on-site d-d transitions of the A2+ ions located within the charge gap. The magneto-optical Kerr rotation of 12 deg observed in CoCr2O4 is unprecedentedly large among magnetic semiconductors and points towards the uniqueness of tetrahedrally coordinated Co2+ ions in generating a strong magneto-optical response. Criteria of strong magneto-optical effects emerging at on-site d-d transitions of transition metal ions are discussed.


The author considers the Cauchy problem for dissipative hyperbolic geometric flow equations introduced recently by Kong D.X.and Liu K.F.motivated by Einstein equation and Hamilton Ricci flow.For the dissipation flow and any given initial metric on R in certain class of metrics,it is proved that one can always choose suitable initial velocity symmetric tensor such that the classical global exists for t≥0,and the scalar curvature R(x,t) corresponding to the solution metric g_(ij)(x,t) remains uniformly bounded.Otherwise, the solution will blow up at a finite time.


This paper contrasts the basic tenets of systemic thinking with some guiding principles of the psychodynamic approach, and outlines specific techniques which family therapists can use when seeing individuals. It is argued that a useful systemic framework can be maintained if the therapist aims to keep the therapy system 'open' for relevant others to join at any time.


The grasp force in power grasps is not necessarily determined uniquely by joint torques when Coulomb friction is assumed in the contact points between a grasped object and finger links. This paper analyzes the indeterminate grasp force with their rigid body models. This paper shows that contact sliding directions are constrained in power grasps. The frictional force acts only in the opposite direction of sliding. This characteristic of friction restricts the grasp force in power grasps although it is indeterminate in general. First the authors show an example to illustrate this restriction imposed on a grasp force. A special case where it is unique is shown.


List of Illustrations Declaration A Note on the Titles Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1. The Last Moralist? Chapter 2. Negotiating Modernism: Der Siebente Kontinent, Benny's Video, 71 Fragmente einer Chronologie des Zufalls Chapter 3. The Ethics of Aggression: Funny Games Chapter 4. Emotional Engagement and Narrativity: Code inconnu, La Pianiste, Le Temps du loup Chapter 5. Shame and Guilt: Cache Conclusion Appendix I Appendix II Bibliography Index


In the years 2009–2013, China carried out its eighth national survey of forest resources. Based on the survey data, this paper used a biomass conversion function method to evaluate the carbon stores and carbon density of China's arboreal forests. The results showed that: (1) By age group, the largest portion of carbon stores in China's arboreal forests are in middle-aged forests. Over-mature forests have the least carbon storage; (2) By origin, natural forests of all age groups have higher carbon storage and carbon density than man-made forest plantations. The carbon density of natural forests and forest plantations increases gradually with the age of the trees; (3) By type (dominant tree species), the 18 most abundant types of arboreal forest in China account for approximately 94% of the nation's total arboreal forest biomass and carbon storage. Among these, broadleaf mixed and Quercus spp. form the two largest portions. Taxus spp. forests, while comprising a very small portion of China's forested area, have very high carbon density; (4) By region, the overall arboreal forest carbon storage is highest in the southwest part of China, and lowest in the northwest. However, because of differences in land use and forest coverage ratios, regions with arboreal forests of high carbon density are not necessarily the same regions that have high overall carbon storage; (5) By province, Heilongjiang, Yunnan, Tibet, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, and Jilin have rather high carbon storage. The arboreal forests in Tibet, Jilin, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Hainan have a rather high carbon density. This paper's evaluation of carbon storage in China's arboreal forests is a valuable reference for interpreting the role and function of Chinese ecosystems in coping with global climate change.


The recently proposed RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) authentication protocol based on a hash function can be divided into two types according to the type of information used for authentication between a reader and a tag: either a value fixed or one updated dynamically in a tag memory. In this paper, we classify the protocols into a static ID-based and a dynamic-ID based protocol and then analyze their respective strengths and weaknesses. Also, we define a new security model including forward/backward traceability, synchronization, forgery attacks. Based on the model, we analyze the previous protocols and propose a new dynamic-ID based RFID mutual authentication protocol. Our protocol provide enhanced RFID user privacy compared to previous protocols and identify a tag efficiently in terms of the operation quantity of a tag and database.


The 2014 update of the Swiss law on research increases patients' protection; it adds specific requirements for emergency situations, implying an active search for patients' wishes regarding research participation; the possibility of consent waivers is not clearly stated. We explored its practical impact in a RCT on critically ill adults.


OBJECTIVE Made nifedipine sustained-release pellets by liquid-layering principle and fluid-bed coating technology.METHODS Centrifugal granulation technology was used firstly to prepare nifedipine rapid-release pellets and then sustained-release pellets were prepared with Eudragit? NE30D coating by fluid-bed. RESULTS The release in vitro of prepared nifedipine pellets followed first-order and Higuchi equations. CONCLUSION The pellets prepared by liquid-layering method meet the requirement of sustained preparations.


Problems of optimal control in Banach spaces are transformed in optimization problems, in which the directional derivatives of the operators and functionals satisfy some conditions of convexity and optimality. Necessary optimality conditions are derived by separation of a closed convex cone from a point outside of itself. The condition of "complementary slackness" is not necessary. The mentioned cone need not to possess inner points. The results are applied to the given control problem and are formulated as maximum principle. Examples are given.


The labor market, like any other market, is influenced by the economic situation developing in the economy. At the same time, its condition, key figures characterizing it, serve to brightly indicating the general socio-economic state of society, and to signal the emergence, deepening and increase of various issues associated with the growth of social tension in society. The paper summarizes various approaches to the definition and characterization of the labor market, it also gives a comprehensive analysis of trends, magnitude and dynamics of changes in various factors affecting the current state of the labor market, the specifics of the employment distribution among the population and the direction of transformation of the labor market. The considered aspects and factors radically change the traditional relations that have developed in the labor market. The changes taking place in the labor market affect both working conditions and, directly, working practice, changes in which are manifested in the disappearance of certain professions and the emergence of new ones, what, on the one hand, can lead to multidirectional fluctuations in the unemployment rate, and on the other hand, to an increase in the qualification requirements for potential employees. The current situation presupposes the adoption of urgent measures for various economic agents to organize their coordinated activities in order to control and regulate the relationships developing in the labor market wherein the determining role is assigned to state authorities.


ABSTRACT In response to increasing obesity rates among Americans, foodservice operations are doing their part by helping consumers make wiser choices by providing nutritional information on menus and offering healthy and low-density menu offerings. The current study examines the relational effects of consumer health consciousness and perception of restaurant menu information on behavioral intentions, perception of food quality, and purchase decisions. Results showed that health consciousness was a significant predictor of behavioral intentions and purchase decisions, and perception of menu information had a positive effect on behavioral intentions and perception of food quality. Industry implications and future research opportunities are also discussed.


This paper investigates the robust control invariance of probabilistic Boolean control networks via the technique of semi-tensor product. Some essential conditions are obtained to check whether the set is a robust event-triggered control invariant set (RETCIS) through the given event-triggeredcontroller (ETC). Moreover, an algorithm is designed for ETC to ensure that the given set is RETCIS. At last, a model of the apoptosis network shows the effectiveness of the main results.


This paper describes fabrication of a laminated film vibrator that uses an ultra-thin micro-electric mechanical system (MEMS) and the effect of lamination on the actuator. The thickness of the ultra-thin MEMS actuator fabricated by ultra-thin MEMS technology was 7.26 µm, making it especially flexible. The vibrator was actuated by applying voltage on a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin film. Then, we applied a lamination method to package the actuator. However, the lamination structure influenced the mechanical characteristics of the vibrator. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of the lamination structure on the static and dynamic characteristics of the laminated film vibrator. Four types of laminated film vibrators with different layer structures were prepared, and their displacements and velocity were measured when DC and AC voltages were applied. The maximum displacement of the cantilevers constructed from the laminated film vibrator (PZT: 11 mm × 11 mm) was 113.3 µm at 40 V DC. This result is in good agreement with the calculated result. Furthermore, the dynamic characteristics from both the experimental and simulated results confirmed that the resonant frequency of the laminated film vibrator depends on the film structure. This means the dynamic characteristics can be adjusted to suit the application. Applications of this laminated film actuator include use as a flexible hybrid electronics haptic device for monitoring vital signs.


A dynamic quantitative model for the supply chain operation process was established to obtain an integrative decision-making solution schema based on model predictive control strategy, and a revision to the optimization objective was made to ensure that the optimal solution minimizes overall costs, while it satisfies a certain customer demand satisfactory (CDS) level; Furthermore, the Value-at-Risk (VaR) inventory management strategy was inducted to measure and control the inventory risk quantitatively, and a dynamic rolling decision-making schema for supply chain operation was proposed under uncertainty of demands. The GAMS simulation results prove the efficiency of the algorithm.


Corte Madera, California In a typical process information system, large numbers of continually changing data variables need to be viewed by multiple clients in a large network. The user of the operator interface (OI) expects to perform complex interactions with the graphics displays and to see, with minimal delay, dynamic information in near real-time. A control system that can compete successfully under these conditions must have an architecture that is compact and scalable. Displays should be updated by transferring only the data necessary for a particular display, minimizing the overhead. When a new display is requested by the user, the wait for a new screen should be, at most, a few seconds. The challenge becomes more difficult if the goal is to make the system available over a lowor medium-bandwidth Internet connection. Three alternative, Web-based technologies can be used to update data displays: server pages, ActiveX, and Java.


Outgassing, deposition, and desorption kinetics of silicone compounds, are examined as examples of optical surface contaminants of spacecraft windows. Their behavior in a space environment after exposure to ultraviolet radiation is also examined. The use of internal reflection spectroscopy is shown to provide a viable means of real-time, in-situ identification of contaminants of orbiting spacecraft. The instrumental techniques are proposed as the basis of further investigations and the development of flight hardware.


Abstract: Since its first medical use in 1935, talc has become the most frequently used sclerosing agent for chemical pleurodesis. This review article encompasses all topics related to talc pleurodesis, from basic science to indications, contraindications, techniques of administration and potential complications.


Although the slave system has been abolished for hundreds of years,there are still billions of modern slaves,whose number far prevails that of black slaves 200 years ago.What′s more,it can be divided into several varieties,and has been internationalized,problem of eradication. In order to uproot the phenomenon of modern slaves,several measures should be taken:1) eliminate poverty and establish new international economic order;2) strengthen international cooperation to enhance the beating strength of international labor smuggling;3) Integrate relevant laws and policies.


Perovskite compound have attracted the researchers tremendously in photovoltaics. The devices generally use condensed or mesoporous TiO₂ as electron transport layer (ETL) and 2, 2' 7, 7' -tetrakis-(N, N-dip-methoxyphenylamine) 9, 9' - spirobifluorene as the hole transport layer. Most stable as well as most efficient perovskite solar cell till now having efficiency about 21.6%, uses TiO₂ as electron transport layer which requires sintering at 450⁰C which is not at all cost effective process as well as limited to flexible substrates. In this work we have synthesized low temperature processable ETL for perovskite solar cell and it is optimized by elemental (Al) doping and treatment with another oxide (TiOx) which shows an enhancement of the device performance both in efficiency as well as device stability. Only ZnO as ETL shows 7.56 % efficiency and stability 14%, after aluminium doping, efficiency was enhanced up to 10.06% and stability increased to 56% and for core shell heterostructure assembly efficiency further enhanced up to 12% and stability increased to 73% while conducting air degradation study for 50h in ambient condition. As organo halide perovskites are susceptible to moisture we have worked on inorganic quantum dot perovskite with organic dye as coharvester as a result efficiency as well as stability get improved. The efficiency of the AZO/QDs: Dye/Spiro device is 8.24% and air stability was 100% whereas without dye, efficiency is 6.32% stability was 83% in air for 30h.


The aims of this article are to compare and evaluate the health insurance systems of both countries, as well as to identify those factors that may possibly explain the differences. It is also the intention to examine how these factors and differences can influence the future development of both systems.


The automatic generation control (AGC) of a triplet zone interrelated power system with different generation sources is discussed in this study, which employs an interval-type-2 fuzzy fractional-order proportional-integral-derivative with filter (IT2FFOPIDN) controller. The AGC mechanism attempts to restore the power system's nominal frequency after it has been exposed to load variations. Thermal producing unit, hydro unit, and gas unit are the control areas covered in this work. Nonlinearities like GRC, GDB, and boiler dynamics are employed in generating plants to produce power systems higher faithful and practical. A Novel-quasi opposition Arithmetic-optimization-Algorithm (AOA) is used for tuning the scaling factor and the membership function of interval type-2 fuzzy FOPIDN controller. To determine the efficacy of the proposed work, the dynamic response to step load disturbances is compared to existing controller methods.


Greenhouse gas emissions anywhere across the value chain cause the global temperature to rise. A responsible net-zero strategy is reducing and removing direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. The current net-zero actions aim to offset rather than reduce or remove life cycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Unless the demands/consumptions are reduced, net-zero actions will merely be a burden-shifting practice. Scope 3 emissions are considered in the life cycle assessment (LCA) of goods and services and account for direct and indirect emissions with imported goods and services. Scope 3 emission tariff seems an effective way to shift consumption patterns to carbon-neutral options. This article explores tools and systems for 'just transition' using three buckets of scientific questions: (1) Technical: which GHG to remove, when, where, and by what mechanism; (2) Social-Policy: how to share GHG obligations between stakeholders to deliver the UN SDGs; (3) Data: how to create robust, trusted, and transparent data for reporting, accounting, and actions. Building on the analyses, this study recommends thirteen scientific evidence-based net-zero actions.


Several aspects of using an advanced, high-temperature air-blown gasification system for converting biomass wastes into fuel gas are examined, The gasification system, known as MEET (multi-staged enthalpy extraction technology), has many features that are advantageous for biomass power generation. The low-cost gasifier is extremely compact and flexible, capable of operating efficiently on a wide range of low caloric-value biomass fuels. It also has the ability to use fuels that are high in alkali-metal concentrations. The performance of the MEET gasification system is assessed for several common biomass fuels, including sawmill wood wastes, grass, and partially composted cow manure.


Glucose uptake differs in organs and tissues across the human body. To date, however, there has been no single atlas providing detailed glucose uptake profiles across the entire human body. Therefore, we aimed to generate a detailed profile of glucose uptake across the entire human body using the uEXPLORER positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner, which offers the opportunity to collect glucose metabolic imaging quickly and simultaneously in all sites of the body. The standardized uptake value normalized by lean body mass (SUL) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) was used as a measure of glucose uptake. We developed a fingerprint of glucose uptake reflecting the mean SULs of major organs and parts across the entire human body in 15 healthy-weight and 18 overweight subjects. Using the segmentation of organs and body parts from the atlas, we uncovered the significant impacts of age, sex, and obesity on glucose uptake in organs and parts across the entire body. A difference was recognized between the right and left side of the body. Overall, we generated a total-body glucose uptake atlas that could be used as the reference for the diagnosis and evaluation of disordered states involving dysregulated glucose metabolism.


The article analyzes the views of scientists on the use of lapbooking in elementary schools. It is found that the methodology of lapbooking allows you to unlock the potential of each student in the process of creating individual or more often collective work. In particular, the lapbook forms key skills and abilities, which are required by the educational vector of the New Ukrainian School. In addition, it takes into account cross-curricular learning and social competencies, which help each individual to become successful and adapt in society. The article proves that the use of Lapbooks is reasonable not only when studying a single topic, but also as a complex, systemic type of work, as close to the project and research activities as possible. It was found out that the introduction of lapbooking at different stages of studying subjects is effective, as it covers different types of activity: pair and group work; search methods and work with information (ability to work with sources, generalize and systematize, draw conclusions, formulate own statements concisely and informatively). It is noted that the technique of lapbooking can be applied as early as preschool age with a gradual complication of high school. Consequently, the general essence of lapbooking is systematized with the help of integrative diagrams and charts. It is determined that the educational industry must be flexible to timely respond to changes in society and provide the professional market with specialists, successful and active citizens who are able not only to adapt, but also to realize themselves. The innovativeness of the lapbooking method is that it combines different areas of activity simultaneously: informational, research, design, communicative, creative, technological, aesthetic. The results of the study allow us to recommend lapbooking as the main method of work in elementary school (when studying any topic or academic subject).


Compounds are provided which can be useful in reducing the activity of an angiotensin-converting enzyme and thus be used to treat or prevent a renin-angiotensin aldosterone system-related disorder. These compounds include lipoic acid derivatives such as prolyl lipoic acid and pipecolinyl lipoic acid, and other compounds, and these compounds are useful in treating hypertension, stroke, or other renin-angiotensin aldosterone system-related disorders in human or animal patients. Pharmaceutical compositions prepared using these compounds and methods of treatment using these compounds are also provided.


The dynamic stability of the spherical gravitational evolution (collapse or expansion) for a homogeneous polytropic gas with any exponent , is studied using the lagrangian formal- ism. We obtain the analytical expression for density perturba- tions at the first order. In the case =4 =3, the Jeans' criterion is easily generalized to a self-similar expanding background. The collapsing case is found to be always unstable. The stability of density modes obtained for = =4 =3 does not introduce any conditions on the wavelength perturbation, but only a criterion on the polytropic index. As a result, stability is obtained for an expanding gas provided 5=3.


The aims of this study are to assess the relationship between tariff barriers and world trade growth from a comparative and historical perspective, and to derive some useful indications for evaluating the effectiveness of the current multilateral trading system for promoting world trade. The novelty of this work is the complex reconstruction of a historical tariffs and trade series for the period 1870–2000, for 23 countries; this constitutes a good proxy for world trade (accounting for over 60 per cent) in this period. The effect of tariff liberalisation on trade growth is analysed empirically using panel data and time series. The results, while confirming the existence of a world level long‐term relationship between tariff reductions and trade growth, demonstrate how this substantial and significant relationship pre‐World War II gradually diminished in importance and significance after 1950. This result does not conflict with the key role of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization system in trade liberalisation; however, it underlines the importance of a formalised multilateral trading system, not so much for tariff liberalisation, but for building a virtuous process of international coordination of trade policies and ensuring fuller participation in world trade.


We report measurements of the photoluminescence decay dynamics in phenylenevinylene polymers. These show that incorporation of aldehyde defects which can result from photochemical degradation or during thermal conversion of a precursor polymer leads to quenching of the photoluminescence. The quenching mechanism is investigated by transient photoluminescence studies on model oligomers and shown to be charge transfer quenching. A model for exciton diffusion to these quench centers can quantitatively explain the decay dynamics. Temperature dependent studies of the luminescence decay dynamics enable us to extract exciton diffusion constants and radii as a function of temperature in polyparaphenylenevinylene.


This paper presents a description of discursive genre called political cartoon, based on the assumptions of the Semiolinguistic Theory of Discourse Analysis (CHARAUDEAU, 2010). In this perspective, these multimodal texts are limited to the clauses of a media communicative contract, whose restrictions lead to the production of a commented event, balanced between a double desire to inform and to capture. On the other hand, enjoying the freedom of a humorous and ironic "trace text", and completely distant from journalistic objectivity, the enunciator explores specific strategies of the appeal of emotion rather than of reason, which is anchored in diverse knowledges that permeate the communicative exchanges and contribute to collective systems of representations. Through support of Theory of Social Representations (MOSCOVICI, 2013; JODELET, 2001), we will see how these knowledges are explored in the verb-visual commentary of the cartoon, impregnating its highly condensed structure with senses – which cannot be interpreted at first sight. The piece that serves as an object of study here is authored by the cartoonist Carlos Latuff and translates an intertextual point of view about education in Rio de Janeiro.


A bicycle usually has a pedal mechanism with which the bicycle can be driven by a rider in a Tretbetrieb. In the meantime, however, the need has arisen to provide bicycles which in addition to the pedal mechanism but also a supplementary motor, which in addition or alternatively to the human pedaling force provides a driving torque for the bicycle. the object of the invention is to propose a drive assembly for a bicycle which is particularly easy to integrate. To this end, a drive assembly is proposed 10 for a bicycle 1 wherein the bicycle comprises a frame 2 and a bearing on the frame 2 pedal crankshaft 8 having a rotatably mounted bicycle drive sprocket 7, having a motor module 12, the motor module 12 is a Motorabtriebsrad 13 and a mechanical interface 21 for fastening to the frame 2, with a Adapterrad 16 for coupling with the pedal crankshaft 8 and / or by bicycle drive pinion 7, wherein the Motorabtriebsrad 13 is in direct operative connection with the Adapterrad sixteenth


A A preliminary mineral-resource potential assessment of Valencia County involves analyses of available published and unpublished geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and economic data and a brief field reconnaissance. Mineral-resource potential is ' an assessment of the favorability that a commodity will occur in substantial concentrations in a given area that can be exploited under current or future economic conditions. A classification of high, moderate, low, very .low, and unknown is used. A high mineral-resource potential exists in areas where geologic and economic data indicate an excellent probability that economic mineral deposits occur there. Moderate or low mineral-resource potential exists in areas where the data indicate a l sser probability that economic mineral deposits occur. A classification of very low potential is reserved for areas where sufficient information indicates that an area is unfavorable for economic deposits. A classification of unknown mineral-resource potential is assigned to areas where either necessary geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and economic data are inadequate to otherwise classify an area or where any other classification (high, moderate, low, or very low) would be misleading. Some areas have not been evaluated for specific commodities because Of lack of useable data. Travertine deposits along the Lucero uplift in western Valencia County are currently being mined for dimension stone and have a high resource potential. Products include 2-inch sheets and 8-inch slabs. Additional travertine deposits may occur along the Hubbell bench where the resource potential is low. The potential for travertine as crushed stone is also high. High potential also exists for sand and gravel deposits in Quaternary-Tertiary deposits. Resources in the Rio Puerco drainage system, central Rio Grande valley, and terraces in eastern Valencia County are extensive. .Material for adobe also has a high-resource potential in these areas. Crushed and dimension stone resources occur in Precambrian rocks and Paleozoic sandstones and limestones in'the Manzano Mountains,,where the resource potential is high. Limestone for cement occurs in bhe Pennsylvanian Madera Formation in the southern Manzano 'Mountains where the resource potential is high. Travertine'from the Lucero uplift also could be used in cement. Moderate potential exists for (1) Cu-Au-Ag (+ U, Pb) in Precambrian rocks in the .Manzano Mountains, (2) gypsum in the Permian Yeso and San Andres Formations' in the Lucero uplift, ( 3 ) scoria and cinders in the Cat Hills area in northern Valencia County, (4) silica sand in Precambrian quartzites in the Manzano Mountains, and ( 5 ) petroleum accumulations in Paleozoic and Mesozoic reservoirs in the Albuquerque Basin. Additional geologic mapping and geochemical studies are suggested in areas with active claims, in the Lucero uplift and Manzano Mountains, and in areas with unknown resource potential. Aggregate resources should be mapped and sampled in greater detail prior to extraction. Isopach facies and structure contour maps of several formations in the Rio Grande valley in central Valencia County should be completed o delineate favorable areas for oil and gas accumulations. As is true with all pre SUMMARY diminary di investigations, ad' kiona 1 studies are necessary to adequately assess the mineral-resource potential in Valencia County. These assessments must be reevaluated as economic conditions, geologic interpretations, and models change. The mineral-resource potentials for various commodities in Valencia County are summarized in Table 15 and Figures 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, and 24. The most important commodity in Valencia County is travertine used fQr dimension stone i the Lucero uplift. High potential also exists for sand and gravel, limestone, adobe material, and crushed and dimension stone. ,Moderate potential exists for Cu-Au-Ag .(+U, Pb) in Precambrian rocks, gypsum;scoria and cinders, silica sand, zeolites, and petroleum. Additional work is necessary to calculate reserves and resources in these areas.


Abstract This article focuses upon the appropriateness of reader‐response approaches to literature teaching with L2 students. It argues that response‐oriented teaching is the new orthodoxy in L1 literature classrooms and that, given some necessary and overdue clarification of the concept of response, similar approaches can operate with older L2 students. Examples of activities with poetry with first year university students are discussed in order to show how response‐based work can develop disciplined procedures that respect both the integrity of the texts and of the readers. The article concludes with a short list of methodological principles for literature teaching based on the assumption that our prime responsibility to our students is to help them become critical readers, not literary critics.


In the sky of June, dark clouds cleared up like a blast of smoke. But the moon, remained there, high up in the sky, undergoing the metempsychosis of eclipse. While the gorgeousness, given off by the neon lights and searchlights of the city,


This research aims to examine the relationship between Agility and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) besides the impact of this relationship on sustainability. The researcher collected annual data for 5 years from 37 company listed companies in EGX 90 but there are two companies dropped due to missing data, thus the final sample size is 35 companies for different industrial sectors and each company has an annual time series from year 2017 till 2021, so the total number of observations is 175 observations. The results found that there is a significant and inverse relation between ERM and Agility. Besides, there is a significant and inverse relation between ERM and Sustainability. and There is a significant and inverse relation between Agility and Sustainability


Citation: Massobrio M, Pellicanò G, Santilli V, Tognolo L (2018) Total Ankle Replacement: Indications, Rehabilitation and Results. Int J Foot Ankle 2:019. Accepted: November 20, 2018; Published: November 22, 2018 Copyright: © 2018 Massobrio M, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.


The existence and uniqueness of the solution of the initial boundary problem for the following equation in Ω×(0,T):_xxu+u_yu-_tu=f(·,u)is proved,where the N is small enough.


This chapter of the book Raffaele Pettazzoni and Herbert Jennings Rose, Correspondence 1927-1958: The Long Friendship between the Author and the Translator of The All-Knowing God contains a table that presents a chronology of the correspondence between the two scholars, Raffaele Pettazzoni and Herbert Jennings Rose. The table contains details, such as, sender to addressee, date, language, and type, and place of origin in different columns. The chapter also contains a table that presents an index for letters from various correspondents. The book bears witness to the close relationship between the two scholars.Keywords: Chronology; Correspondence; Herbert Jennings Rose; Raffaele Pettazzoni


I know I left things kind of hanging with the last post about our new BBQ. Well I'm here to remedy that now.
Here it is


Short-circuit calculations for wind farms are crucial for determining equipment ratings and providing basic information for protection coordination. In this paper, a practical calculation method of short-circuit currents (SCCs) is proposed for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind farms. The improved calculation method of the SCCs in single DFIG is developed based on electromagnetic transient analysis. Combined with the traditional method of calculating the SCCs of the power system, an equivalent model of the DFIG-based wind farm used for SCCs is studied. The equivalent model and expressions for SCCs are later validated through PSCAD/EMTDC-based simulation results, and a comparison with the national standard calculation method is analyzed. The results show that the calculation method proposed in this paper has better accuracy and practicability, which are important elements in the electrical design of DFIG-based wind farms.


SIR,—The Chaldean Berosus has related the distinct and well-known tradition which makes plainly the civilization of his country originary from the Persian Gulf. The Assyriologists, discarding this local and time-honoured report, have enthroned in its stead a theoretical origin from the mountainous country of Elam. They have stated as an hypothesis verging on certainty, that a Turanian or Mongoloid population came down from the north-east to Babylon, bringing with them along with their religion, their legends and traditions, their laws, their art, their building knowledge, and the art of writing. This hasty conclusion, which will cause astonishment to later scholars, was brought about, however, on what seem to me and will seem to many others quite an insufficient ground. The most of the oldest sounds attached to the characters are Uralo-Altaic, the writing does not contain any special symbol for the palm, which is the chief tree of the South, and the sign for " mountain," pictorial in appearance, is also that for country. "Whence the north-east origin of the writing, etc., contrariwise to the local tradition.


We present a semantic domain for designing concurrent languages in continuation-passing style (CPS). We offer denotational semantics designed in CPS for languages based on Milner's CCS extended with mechanisms which support multiparty interactions. We establish a collection of properties which can describe the behavior of concurrent systems with multiparty interactions. The semantic investigation is accomplished in the mathematical framework of complete metric spaces.


Aim: We conducted a prospective, randomised study of 50 patients, 40 (80%) male and 10 (20%) female, with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture to compare the results of ligament reconstruction by middle third patellar tendon graft (M) or synthetic Leeds-Keio (LK) ligament. Method: The patients were randomised into two groups. 26 (52%) underwent PTG repair and 24 (48%) LK repair. Subjective knee function was classified using the Lysholm score, Tegner activity score and IKDC grading. Laxity was tested by clinical examination including anterior draw, pivot shift and arthrometric measurements using the Stryker Laxometer (Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA). Results: We present the early (two to five-year follow-up) results of this on-going trial. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in activity levels, both pre-injury and current. However, both pivot shift and anterior laxity were significantly greater in the LK group at two years and greater. Discussion: While the LK group did develop significantly greater laxity, it is demonstrated that the functional outcome is not affected. We conclude therefore that if the results of surgery were to be based on a functional outcome rather than objective measurements of laxity, it would seem logical that the LK is an acceptable alternative to autogenous PTG. However whilst function appears to be as good the less successful objective criteria do suggest reservations for the long term results of the Leeds-keio graft.


The article deals with the results of research of lipid exchange in milk of cows during the first period of lactation. The undulating dynamics of content of phosphorylcholine, cholesterol, total faction of phospholipids and total faction of triglycerides, which was characterized by insignificant subsidence of indexes in period from 15th to 30th day and increase of their content on the 45th day after calving is given.


This study demonstrates improved damping in epoxy films using nanoscale fillers. The mechanism for damping improvement is related to frictional energy dissipation arising from interfacial sliding at the nanofiller-matrix interface. The combination of extremely large interfacial contact area, high aspect ratio, many interfaces, and low density implies that nanoscale fillers could be far more efficient with regard to damping augmentation than traditional fillers. In this study, three categories of nanoscale fillers are investigated; (1) silica nanoparticles, (2) silicon nanorods, and (3) silicon nanosprings. The nanofillers are dispersed in an epoxy matrix and the nanocomposite film is tested dynamically (in the shear mode) using an MTS-858 servohydraulic test facility. The results indicate that nanospring fillers generate greater energy dissipation than nanoparticles or nanorods. The material loss factor (or damping ratio) of the epoxy film (with silicon nanospring fillers) showed a 150% increase compared to the baseline (pure) epoxy. The nanocomposite damping materials developed here show the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional viscoelastic polymers and could help to efficiently deliver significant levels of damping to structural components.