171 Background: Patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have a variety of different systemic therapy options, yet survival outcomes remain poor. To minimize the chance of rapid resistance, it is critical to be able to personalize therapy upfront. We previously developed a cell-free DNA liquid biopsy assay that tracks alterations in the androgen receptor ( AR) locus, including its upstream enhancer (EnhanceAR-Seq). This assay demonstrated the ability to stratify patients based on resistance to AR-directed agents after treatment started (Dang and Chauhan et al., JCO PO, 2020). Here we evaluated if the same approach can accurately risk-stratify patients with mCRPC prior to the initiation of first-line AR-targeted therapy. Methods: We performed EnhanceAR-Seq on plasma cell-free DNA samples from 55 mCRPC patients prior to the initiation of AR-targeted therapy. Forty-seven patients were treated with Abiraterone and eight with Enzalutamide. Five patients were excluded due to having already received AR-targeted therapy or being lost to follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed, and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed in relation to AR/enhancer locus status (wild-type vs. altered). Results: Median follow-up time was 30 months. EnhanceAR-Seq noninvasively detected AR/enhancer locus alterations in 36% (18/50) of the patients in our cohort, while 64% (32/50) were determined to be wild-type. Alterations detected by the assay were AR amplification (12/18), AR nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants (4/18), AR truncation (2/18), and AR enhancer amplification (13/18). Eleven patients had both AR gene body and enhancer amplifications present. Strikingly, patients with AR/enhancer alterations detected in plasma cell-free DNA were found to have significantly worse outcomes, with median PFS of 16.3 (wild-type) vs. 10.8 months (altered) (p = 0.046; HR = 2.10), and OS trending toward significantly different with median 34.3 (wild type) vs. 24.7 months (altered) (p = 0.19; HR = 1.05). Conclusions: AR/enhancer locus alterations in patients with mCRPC, as detected noninvasively by EnhanceAR-Seq, corresponded with significantly worse PFS and trended toward significantly worse OS. Our results support the role of cell-free DNA AR/enhancer locus alterations as prognostic, and potentially predictive, biomarkers that enable more precise upfront risk stratification and treatment personalization.


With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of new independent states, scholars have turned their attention to developments in Eastern Europe. The expectation that a liberal democracy would soon replace ex-totalitarian regimes in the region is only partly realised. While some states (mostly in Central Europe) achieved a working democracy and were able to maintain domestic peace and security, some others (mostly in the Balkans) witnessed bloody wars and civil conflicts in the last decade. Readjustment of the borders in the Balkans reawakened old hatreds and ethnic hostilities causing unprecedented human suffering, which were quelled only by the intervention of the international community such as in the Bosnia and Kosovo wars.


Lithium amide (LiNH2) and imide (Li2NH) have recently attracted much attention as part of the Li-H-N system suitable for hydrogen (H) storage applications. However, the ground-state imide structure is still unknown with at least six candidate structures, with ground state energies all very close to one another. In order to discover possible pathways for the imide-amide-imide transformations during the hydrogen absorption/desorption cycles, we have examined the molecular structures involved (along with their changes during these processes) using ab-initio calculations based on the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO). In addition, the influence of Li substitution by some other elements of interest on the system behaviour was investigated. These analyses were complemented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations of several crystal structures appearing in the processes. In this way a thorough insight into the structures and the processes taking place at atomic level is attained, providing a starting point for understanding these complicated systems, and the mechanisms governing their transformations.


For the problem of empirical Bayes classification into two known probability distributions on a finite outcome space, an essentially complete class of procedures is determined. This class is proven to be minimal essentially complete if there are only two possible outcomes.


Objective:To evaluate the effects of AIDS multiple-intervention on Unlicensed prostitutes in Xinjiang,provide multi-factors on the rate of AIDS knowledge,provide a scientific base for future work. Method:The same method of stratified-cluster sampling was applied in 2003 and 2007,made the same questionnaire survey. Data were analyzed with χ2 and Logistic regression analysis. Result:The rate of AIDS knowledge raised obviously between 2003 and 2007 (P0.01),attitude and behavior change obviously between 2003 and 2007 (P0.01),the results of Logistic regression analysis on AIDS knowledge showed that investigation site,nation,education degree were influencing factors. Conclusion:There are good effects of AIDS multiple-intervention on Unlicensed prostitutes in Xinjiang between 2003 and 2007,but it should enhance propaganda and education of middle and low lay Unlicensed prostitutes,according to the differences of nation and education degree.


SIR,-We offer an alternative interpretation of the evidence presently available regarding the use of medical treatment for the management of neurally mediated syncope. Hargreaves et al suggest that based "on the present evidence it seems reasonable to start treatment with a pn blocker or disopyramide and assess the response by repeating the tilt test."' This statement is supported by several uncontrolled trials.2-5 Nevertheless, the few controlled trials reported to date do not seem to support such a view.6-9 Our group reported no benefit when intravenous disopyramide was compared with placebo. Furthermore, when patients were retilted after one week of placebo given by mouth, 82% had a negative head-up tilt.6 This finding strongly argues against the use of headup tilt as an indicator of therapeutic efficacy. Similar results have recently been reported in a etilefrine-placebo crossover controlled trial.7 In this study, 50% of patients had a negative repeat tilt on placebo compared with 43% receiving etilefrine. Likewise, evidence regarding the efficacy of fi blockers for the prevention of neurally mediated syncope has been obtained from small uncontrolled trials.>' The only two randomised trials addressing this issue were unable to prove any beneficial effect with atenolol.89 Besides, preliminary data from different laboratories suggest that treatment with ,8 blockers may be potentially prosyncopal. 1-12 However, the major limitation of these studies is the lack of a placebo controlled group. These prelinminary data indicate that the routine recommendation of pharmacological treatment of patients with neurally mediated syncope and a positive head-up tilt test should be viewed with caution. Similarly, recent reports of the natural history of patients with neurally mediated syncope diagnosed by head-up tilt indicate that syncope recurs in 10-30%."1-'4 The only variable that identifies patients at risk of recurrence of syncope is the frequency of syncopal episodes. '4 Several questions regarding the management of patients with neurally mediated syncope remain unanswered. Do all patients with unexplained syncope and a positive head-up tilt test need pharmacologic treatment? If so, how long should treatment be maintained. Should repeated head-up tilt testing be used as an indicator of therapeutic efficacy? Most patients with neurally mediated syncope are young, physically active, and generally have no evidence of structural heart disease. The side effects caused by fi blockers and disopyramide may outweigh the benefit of treatment in this group. Furthermore, given the low recurrence rate in patients with previously unexplained syncope and a positive head-up tilt test, many patients would need to be treated in order to prevent one syncopal episode. We believe this approach is not cost effective, may be deleterious, and should be discouraged. Interestingly, two preliminary reports have documented a considerable decrease in the frequency of syncopal episodes after neurally mediated syncope has been diagnosed.'2 14 Patients with recurrent unexplained syncope have generally undergone multiple consultations and a wide variety of expensive diagnostic tests that have been unable to establish the cause of the episode. This creates great frustration for both patient and physician. Inducing a vasodepressor response during head-up tilt that clearly resembles the clinical presentation reassures the patient with a definitive diagnosis. Early recognition of prodromal symptoms provoked during head-up tilt should alert the patient of impending syncope and may influence the patient's awareness of neurally mediated syncope. This factor may be related to the significant decrease in frequency of syncopal episodes seen in patients with a positive head-up tilt who have not been pharmacologically treated. We recommend that for most patients with neurally mediated syncope, reassurance, increased sodium intake, and close follow up may be a reasonable approach. Only patients with frequent syncopal episodes (> 6 episodes/year) and those who have been injured during a faint should be treated. Perhaps patients who do not have prodromal symptoms may be at a higher risk of recurrence and require treatment. The efficacy of therapy should be evaluated by long-term follow up and should not rely solely on the outcome of a repeated headup tilt. Large multicentre controlled trials are needed to define the risks and benefits of treatment in patients with neurally mediated syncope. Further studies should provide this information and help to establish treatment guidelines. CARLOS A MORILLO Department ofMedicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology, Medical College of Virginia, McGuire VAMC, Cardiovascular Physiology, Room 3C-124 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, Virginia 23249, USA KENNETH A ELLENBOGEN Department ofMedicine, Cardiac Electrophysiology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, USA GEORGE J KLEIN Arrhythmia Service, Cardiac Investigation Unit, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada


We study rare radiative leptonic decays B (s ) → e + e − γ and B (s ) → μ + μ − γ within relativistic quark model. In addition to previous analysis we give the estimations of the branching ratios for four values of the minimal photon energy, which correspond to photon selection criteria of the Belle and LHCb detectors. We find out that the branching ratios only slightly change. The highest values corresponding to Emin γ = 80MeV are B ( → e + e − γ ) = 18.5 × 10−9 and B (B s 0 → μ + μ − γ ) = 11.9 × 10−9 . We present the distribution of the forward-backward asymmetry.


Climate and weather prediction models need to include a robust and reasonably accurate representation of the land surface. As a minimum, land-surface models need to portray the regional, seasonal variability of the carbon and water stores and fluxes. The land surface model in the UK Met Office Unified Model is JULES (Joint UK Land Environment Simulator, Blyth et al., 2006). JULES is based on the MOSES-TRIFFID model described by Cox et al., (1999) and includes mechanistic formulations of the physical, biophysical, and biochemical processes that control the radiation, heat, water and carbon fluxes in response to hourly conditions of the overlying atmosphere. JULES has integrated coupling of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration so that the biophysical processes in the vegetation interact with hydrological processes in the soil.


With the ever-increasing demand of expansive storage capacity and the continuous miniaturization of optoelectronic device, ultrahigh density data storage has attracted intensive research interest. In this feature article, recent progress on the developments of ultrahigh density data storage based on organic materials is summarized and discussed, it especially focuses on materials for data recording using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atom force microscopy (AFM), and scanning near-field microscopy (SNOM). The focus is placed on the rational design and synthesis of new organic recording media to realize and improve nanoscale data storage. In addition, an outlook in this field is also discussed.


Abstract Elution behavior of organic compounds in gel permeation chromatography was investigated using chloroform as eluent. In aliphatic hydrocarbons, the elution counts decreased linearly with increasing the molecular volumes. In aromatic hydrocarbons, the relation between molecular volume and elution count slightly shifted toward lower counts. The elution counts in esters, ketones, amides, alcohols and carboxylic acids always fell in lower elution counts than expected by aliphatic hydrocarbons. This fact suggests that all these compounds are solvated by eluent molecules. Amines and chlorides exhibit an adsorption effect on cross-linked polystyrene gel. These compounds are eluted behind the corresponding hydrocarbons for given molecular volumes, which were obtained by dividing molecular weight by density.


A standard method for designing randomized algorithms to approximately count the number of solutions of a problem in $\#$P, is by constructing a rapidly mixing Markov chain converging to the uniform distribution over this set of solutions. This construction is not always an easy task, and it is conjectured that it is not always possible. We want to investigate other possibilities for using Markov Chains in relation to counting, and whether we can relate algorithmic counting to other, non-uniform, probability distributions over the set we want to count.
In this paper we present a family of probability distributions over the set of solutions of a problem in TotP, and show how they relate to counting; counting is equivalent to computing their normalizing factors. We analyse the complexity of sampling, of computing the normalizing factor, and of computing the size support of these distributions. The latter is also equivalent to counting. We also show how the above tasks relate to each other, and to other problems in complexity theory as well.
In short, we prove that sampling and approximating the normalizing factor is easy. We do this by constructing a family of rapidly mixing Markov chains for which these distributions are stationary. At the same time we show that exactly computing the normalizing factor is TotP-hard. However the reduction proving the latter is not approximation preserving, which conforms with the fact that TotP-hard problems are inapproximable if NP $\neq$ RP.
The problem we consider is the Size-of-Subtree, a TotP-complete problem under parsimonious reductions. Therefore the results presented here extend to any problem in TotP. TotP is the Karp-closure of self-reducible problems in $\#$P, having decision version in P.


GLAST is a space mission that will observe the gamma-ray sky between 20MeV and 1TeV with unprecedented resolution and sensitivity. The Large Area Telescope (LAT), the main instrument onboard the GLAST satellite, is built with state-of-the-art particle physics detectors, and combines a large area is-strip tracker-converter, that will measure direction of incoming photons to an imaging CsI e.m. calorimeter for measurements of photon energies; an outer, segmented Anti-Coincidence Detector will reject charged particle background. In this paper they give an overview of the many physics goals and potential reach of the GLAST observatory and describe in detail the instrument design and performance.


Abstract The Second International Conference of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine, held in London in 1931, exerted a profound influence on the historiography of science, giving rise to a new research field in the anglophone world at the intersection of social and political studies and the history of science and technology. In particular, Boris Hessen's presentation on the Social and Economic Roots of Newton's Principia successfully ushered in a new tradition in the historiography of science. This article introduces and discusses the London conference as a benchmark in the history of the social study of science within a Marxist and materialist tradition. In contemporary science and technology studies, political epistemology, and the study of society-nature interaction, it is no less relevant today than it was at the beginning of the fabulous 1930s. In reconstructing some important theses presented by the Soviet delegation in London, we aim to revive the conference's legacy and the approach promoted on that occasion as a pretext to address current debates about society's major transition toward a new agency and ways of existence in the Earth system. In particular, the London conference invited us to think of the growing metabolic rift between society, technology, and nature, and further reflects a historical moment of profound environmental and political crisis.


This study aimed to analyze the glycemic index and glycemic load of mocaf-black rice flakes. The study used a single-factor completely randomized design in which the type of bean flour added were black soybean flour and jack bean flour. The glycemic index was analyzed using the incremental area under the blood glucose response curve (IAUC) method. The glycemic index and glycemic load data were analyzed using paired T-test. The results showed that mocaf-black rice flakes with the addition of black soybean flour and jack bean flour had glycemic indexes of 50,19±21,57; 52,59±22,93 and glycemic loads of 13,75±5,91; 14,60±6,37, respectively. Both flakes can be recommended as snacks for people with type 2 diabetes.


The paper investigates the elastic, thermal, and electrical coupling effects on the dynamics and libration stability of flexible bare electrodynamic tethers in the end-of-mission satellite deorbit. A high-fidelity model is developed by considering transverse and longitudinal dynamics and libration dynamics of the tether and environmental effects with the latest models for atmospheric and plasma density, as well as Earth gravity and magnetic fields. The long-term orbital and libration dynamics of the tether are analyzed by a nodal position finite element method and symplectic time integration. Orbital motion limited theory is used to model the electron collection by bare electrodynamic tethers, whereas a Fowler–Nordheim equation is used for a Spindt array cathode. The thermal effect and its coupling with the dynamics of electrodynamic tethers are investigated parametrically. It is found that the thermal effect significantly affects the stability of electrodynamic tethers, which must be considered in the st...


PURPOSE
To report a case of the bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy successfully treated with spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist.

METHODS
Case report of a patient including fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and color fundus photography.

RESULTS
Initially managed as a multifocal choroiditis, the use of oral and peribulbar corticoids worsened the serous retinal detachment. Taking in consideration this response, she was then diagnosed with a bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy and treated with 50 mg of spironolactone per day. Resolution of the serous retinal detachment, decrease in choroidal thickness on optical coherence tomography, and absence of leaks in fluorescein angiography was achieved 2 months posterior to the first dose of oral spironolactone.

CONCLUSION
We suggest the use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, such as spironolactone, as a therapeutic alternative to more aggressive available treatments for the bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy.


David B. Snyder, NASA Glenn Research CenterPhillip Jenkins, Ohio Aerospace InstituteDavid Scheiman, Ohio Aerospace InstituteAbstractIn an effort to improve the accuracy of the high altitude aircraft method for calibration ofhigh band-gapsolar cells, the ozone correction procedure has been revisited. The newprocedure adjusts the measured short circuit current, Isc, according to satellite basedozone measurements and a model of the atmospheric ozone profile then extrapolates themeasurements to air mass zero, AM0. The purpose of this paper is to assess theprecision of the revised procedure by applying it to historical data sets. The average Isc ofa silicon cell for a flying season increased 0.5% and the standard deviation improved from0.5% to 0.3%. The 12 year average Isc of a GaAs cell increased 1% and the standarddeviation improved from 0.8% to 0.5%. The slight increase in measured Isc andimprovement in standard deviation suggests that the accuracy of the aircraft method mayimprove from 1% to nearly 0.5%. IntroductionThe NASA GRC High Altitude Aircraft Methodhas been used to provide the aerospaceindustry with solar cells calibrated to orbitalconditions for nearly 40 years. The methodmeasures the short circuit current, Isc, with anaccuracy of 1% for setting solar simulators tospace conditions during ground-basedmeasurements (ref.1). However, with theincreased application of high band-gap andmultijunction solar cells in space, it hasbecome necessary to reassess and revise themethod in order to continue to providemeasurements correctly adjusted to air masszero, AM0. Aircraft based measurements are made at thelower edge of the stratospheric ozone layer(figure 1) where the ozone density isincreasing with altitude. The Langley Plotmethod is used to extrapolate flightmeasurements to AM0. It assumes that theadsorption characteristics of the atmosphereare proportional only to pressure. Theextrapolation will therefore be offset due tothe non-uniformityof the ozone density. Thishas been accounted for by increasing themeasured Isc by 1% based on an estimate ofthe influence of ozone absorption on siliconsolar cells (ref.1). This procedure must nowbe adjusted for higher band gap solar cells. Initial work indicated that it was not sufficientto use the sun angle with the ozone number tocalculate a correction factor (ref. 2) Insteadcorrecting the measured Isc according to anozone profile model, then performing theLangley extrapolation, looked promising. Thispaper applies the technique to historical datato see how it improves the precision and,presumably, the accuracy of the flightmeasurements.Figure 1. Ozone profiles for various totalozone numbers.


Let A 1, A 2, · ··, An be events on a probability space. Denote by Sk the kth binomial moment of the number M n of those A 's which occur. Sharp lower and upper bounds of Sm will be given in terms of Sk and Sl. The same method can be applied for proving Bonferroni–Galambos-type inequalities.


During thirty three expeditions to the Polish Arctowski Antarctic Station signifi− cant influences of human activity upon the environment have been recorded. Introductions of alien species, shifts of bird and seal breeding areas and decreases in both bird and seal populations, are the most obvious effects of human pressure. Though numbers of visits by tourists have increased during this period, impacts from expeditioners appear to be the main cause of changes. In particular, increasing numbers and mobility of summer groups at the station are the likely most influential factors.


This paper explores a striking empirical pattern that has gone unnoticed in the literature: U.S. multinationals' majority-owned ventures abroad are substantially and systematically more profitable than their minority-owned and 50-50 joint ventures. On average, majority-owned foreign affiliates in manufacturing earned a 6.4% return on assets in 1977-2003, compared to 3% for other US affiliates abroad. This pattern is found across most sectors and countries. We explain these findings with a new theoretical framework and test the theory empirically. Our framework views both the ownership structure and the profitability of a foreign venture as functions of the value created by the "ownership-specific capabilities" that the multinational company brings to the host country. Where these capabilities are strong, the multinational is likely to choose whole or majority ownership; its profits are also likely to be highest in these activities. Where the firm's capabilities are weak, it is likely to seek additional capabilities from local firms through a joint venture; these investments are also likely to yield lower profits. We test these theoretical predictions by constructing measures of the ownership-specific capabilities, i.e. relative competitive advantage of US multinationals compared to their foreign rivals. Our analysis confirms that these measures explain a significant part of the gap. We also test for the possible effects of affiliate size, age, non-dividend payments and host country characteristics including foreign tax rates and policies towards foreign direct investment.


Traditionally a skyhook control, widely applied to vibration control, requires two sensors to measure sprung mass acceleration and relative displacement, respectively. For the implementation, these two measurement signals are converted into velocities and then the damping control signal is decided and sent to controllable HH/SS dampers. In this paper, a one sensor based skyhook control policy is developed. The proposed control policy just needs one measurement signal, sprung mass acceleration, to estimate these two velocities for semiactive control. The new strategy is explained through a typical spring-mass system of a quarter-car model. But the effectiveness of the new control approach for vibration isolation is validated with ride control through simulation study of a 7-DOF full car suspension system with application of magneto-rheological (MR) dampers.Copyright © 2005 by ASME


Purpose
This study aims to understand how staff in homelessness services conceptualise readiness for change in the individuals they support and how this informs their decision-making in practice.

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative design was used. Ten staff members participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were examined through inductive–deductive thematic analysis, using a social constructivist epistemological lens.

Findings
Five main themes were constructed: "multiple complex needs mean multiple complex changes", "talk versus behaviour", "change is not a linear trajectory", "the role of consistent boundaried relationships" and "change is not solely within the individual's control".

Practical implications
This research challenges existing notions of "readiness for change" as located within individuals and a prerequisite for using support from services. It has implications for staff and services, particularly those which are time-limited and address only single problems; service users may not be ready for some changes, but it should not be assumed they are not ready for change in other areas of their life. The offer of supportive relationships may precede and contribute to readiness for positive changes. Support should be offered based not only an individual's intra-psychic readiness for change but also how the system might actively work to promote hope that change can be achieved and maintained.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to explore staff members' conceptualisations of readiness to change in relation to individuals with multiple complex needs and how this might influence practice.


IN HIS comprehensive survey of school geometry in the Sixty-ninth Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Edu cation, H. Stewart Moredock lists some goals considered significant for the geome try program in senior high school (1970, p. 220). Included among these are to provide opportunity for (1) developing deductive thinking; (2) developing inductive and cre ative thinking; (3) relating geometric con tent to other parts of mathematics; and (4) preparing a foundation for further study of mathematics. Similar goals find ready support at most levels of mathematics learning. Mann (1970), Moise (1965), and others have rec ommended encouraging students to explore topics that are challenging and rich in po tential for discovery. At the same time, the topics should be sufficiently simple to be within the capabilities of the student so that the investigation is not impossibly difficult nor the experience doomed to failure at the outset. Although the physical sciences and technology offer much variety that can cap italize on student curiosity, the application of mathematics to other mathematical top ics can also be intrinsically interesting to many students. Suggestions for generating interest by the use of these examples have been made by Rosenberg (1970) and oth ers.


During the Civil Rights Movement, many white churches in the South issued closed-door policies that prevented black people from entering their sanctuaries. Many white ministers who attempted to admit African Americans lost their churches. This chapter relates crisis incidents in three Alabama churches, First Presbyterian, Tuscaloosa, First Presbyterian, Tuskegee, and First Baptist, Birmingham; two Baptist churches in Georgia, Tattnell Square in Macon, and Plains Baptist in Plains, three churches in Jackson, Mississippi, Galloway Memorial Methodist, First Christian, and Capitol Street Church of Christ The chapter also includes an account of the sustained campaign in Jackson by black students from Tougaloo University who suffered pain and rejection. William Cunningham, one of the ministers forced to leave Galloway Memorial Methodist Church, commented, "There was agony for the churches outside and agony within…. The church could not change the culture; but the culture changed and carried the church along with it."


The aim of this paper is to present a new hybrid solver for linear feasibility systems that uses a block-parallel scheme combined with a new variable weight projection operator which takes into account the distances to the semi spaces onto which it projects. The solver can tackle very large, dense, systems. The results of our study show that a specialized variant of the solver is more efficient at solving a certain class of dense systems in terms of resources than other variants. Furthermore, we will also show results that suggest that the distribution scheme does not greatly affect the number of required iterations for a solution to be reached.


As an academic discipline, business ethics emerged in the 1970s. Since no academic business ethics journals or conferences existed, researchers published in general management journals, and attended general conferences. Over time, specialized peer-reviewed journals appeared, and more researchers entered the field. Corporate scandals in the earlier 2000s increased the field's popularity. As of 2009, sixteen academic journals devoted to various business ethics issues existed, with Journal of Business Ethics and Business Ethics Quarterly considered the leaders. Business ethics (also corporate ethics) is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations. Business ethics has both normative and descriptive dimensions. As a corporate practice and a career specialization, the field is primarily normative. Academics attempting to understand business behavior employ descriptive methods. The range and quantity of business ethical issues reflects the interaction of profit-maximizing behavior with non-economic concerns. Interest in business ethics accelerated dramatically during the 1980s and 1990s, both within major corporations and within academia. For example, today most major corporations promote their commitment to non-economic values under headings such as ethics codes and social responsibility charters. Adam Smith said, "People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices." Governments use laws and regulations to point business behavior in what they perceive to be beneficial directions. Ethics implicitly regulates areas and details of behavior that lie beyond governmental control. The emergence of large corporations with limited relationships and sensitivity to the communities in which they operate accelerated the development of formal ethics regimes.


To evaluate temporal patterns in co‐morbidities, cardiometabolic risk factors and a high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk population at type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis by age groups and sex.


In this paper, we evaluate truncated union bounds on the frame error rate (FER) performance of selected space-time codes for three di erent channel scenarios and compare them to results of computer simulation. Channels with AWGN, uncorrelated Rayleigh fading, and block Rayleigh fading are considered. To calculate the bounds, we use a superstate trellis approach to characterize codeword di erences according to performance measures derived from a general expression for the exact pairwise error probability (PEP) [1]. We observe that the computed bounds are very accurate for AWGN and uncorrelated fading, but quite loose for block fading. We then generalize the results of [2] to obtain a signi cantly tighter bound for the block fading case.


This study aims to determine and analyze fluctuations in tax revenues, tax structure, and factors that determine tax revenues and ratios in Indonesia. The data used are data on the structure, revenue, and tax ratios from 2001 to 2017. The results show that the tax structure in Indonesia was dominated by direct taxes (income tax and personal tax) with contributions >50% and progressive, while indirect tax contributions (Value-Added Tax, Sales Tax on Luxury Goods, etc.) are around 30%. The tax ratio is still low at 14.58 percent. The results also show that GDP influences tax revenue, while the value of exports and the number of taxpayers have no effect. The tax ratio in Indonesia is influenced by GDP and the value of exports, while the mandatory amount has no effect. From a sample of 150 SMEs in Jambi, it is known that the level of compliance, obedience, assessment of tax servants is considered very good (average value> 80). Taxpayers' confidence in the use of tax funds for the benefit of the state is still low at 40.27, and sanctions for non-negotiable tax violations are also low at 48.53.


High pressure (HP) was first introduced at the end of the nineteenth century in the field of materials chemistry. The first application of high pressure in the food industry was proposed by Hite in 1899 to pasteurize milk and fruit products. The high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment is considered as a nonthermal process, alternative to heat treatments, as it enables inactivation of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in foods. This technology is based on two principles that determine the behavior of foods under pressure. The first is an important principle that underlies the effects on reaction equilibria is known as the principle of Le Chatelier, and the second is the isostatic principle. This chapter discusses influences of high pressure on microbial contamination of meat, applications of high-pressure as well as sterilization such as pressure-assisted thermal processing (PATP) or pressure-assisted thermal sterilization.


PURPOSE: To execute system control and signal processing functions by a CPU of a DSP base. CONSTITUTION: The CPU 42 of a DSP base loads a program including a system control instruction and a signal processing instruction stored in an external memory 56 and responds to the program. The CPU 42 receives an instruction from a user interface such as a keyboard based upon the system control instruction, executes communication with various peripheral equipments such as a display device and the external memory 54 and controls these equipments. The signal processing instruction includes algorithm and data for executing various digital signal processing operation corresponding to digital information related to one or more analog signals.


A 56-year-old woman with a history of a subtotally resected left suprasellar WHO Grade 1 meningioma reported increasing left-sided retroorbital headaches. Head MRI showed progression of residual left cavernous sinus tumor. Radiation treatment was delivered, and she received 50.4 Gy over 28 fractions to a highly conformal volume using volumetric modulated arc therapy with multiple noncoplanar arcs (Fig. 1A). Two days after her 28th radiation treatment she presented with bizarre behavior, followed by seizures leading to intubation. Head MRI revealed diffusion restriction in the mesiotemporal lobes. There was no appreciable reduction in the size of the meningioma postradiation. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed mildly elevated protein, a normal white blood cell count, and no oligoclonal bands. Infectious testing was negative for HIV, syphilis, Lyme, Whipple disease, flaviviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus, and enterovirus. Antibody testing was negative for antinuclear antibodies, antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies, antithyroid antibodies, anti–N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies, anti–voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex antibodies, and antibodies to Hu, Yo, Ri, CV2, amphiphysin, and Ma2. Whole-body PET/CT was unremarkable. The patient received phenytoin and levetiracetam for seizure control, and completed a 3-week course of acyclovir without improvement. Methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin was administered for possible limbic encephalitis (LE). She was extubated but remained stuporous and was hypothermic. Repeat head MRI showed persistent T2-signal abnormality in the mesiotemporal lobes extending into the hypothalamus, and new gyriform enhancement involving the right more than left mesiotemporal lobes (Fig. 1, B and C). A right temporal lobe biopsy was performed, revealing a T-cell–predominant encephalitis with no microorganisms seen (Fig. 1, E-H). The patient had transient clinical improvement the month following immunotherapy, but 1 month after that she deteriorated and became comatose. Repeat head MRI showed worsening T2-signal abnormality and enhancement of the limbic structures. She received methylprednisolone, plasma exchange, and rituximab 4 months after the onset of her encephalopathy, and dramatically improved. She became awake and conversational, although her shortterm memory was poor. Follow-up assessment 1.5 years after disease onset confirmed sustained clinical neurologic improvement, and repeat head MRI at that time showed no progression of T2-signal abnormalities, predominantly right-sided temporal lobe encephalomalacia, and resolution of enhancement (Fig. 1D).


Objective To discuss the glycated haemogobin Alc (HbAlc) guideline by studying the relationship between HbAlc,famish person' s glucose and urine glucose.Methods Determined HbAlc,famish person' s glucose(FPG) and urine glucose to the 300 inpatients of our hospital in lately years.Acorrding to the results, divided them into three groups, the group of A includes 78 cases (whose HbAlc 6.0% -6.9%), the group of B included 115 cases (whose HbAlc 7.0% -7.5 %) ,the group of C included 107 cases (whose HbAlc > 7.5%) ,analysed and compared the results.Results The results of FPG of A,B and C group had significant difference (P <0.01), the results of urine glucose were all postive.Conclusion HbAlc is positive correl- ativity with FPG and urine glucose, and HbAlc <7.5 is the good guideline of diabetics.

Key words:
Glycated haemogobin Alc; Famish person's glucose; Urinc glucose


The PTW strategies are related to offensive approaches and benefiting from emerging opportunities – they can be defined as "results oriented". The PNTL, are defensive, based on the current (or even historical) standing of an organization – they can be defined as "survival oriented". Some examples of possible applications and management tools of the PTW vs. PNTL thinking to the situation of local governments will are described. These tools may be helpful in identifying the spe-cific approach in strategic thinking of local governments. The analysis of the two approaches is of particular importance for the measurement of intellectual capital at county level. The PTW vs. PNTL implies the type of investment decisions and budgetary spending policies as well as attitudes and behaviours promoted locally.


Abstract— In our work, a two‐parameter optimization procedure for a TN display has been performed. The procedure consists of the numerical calculation of the optical parameters of a TN display, such as contrast ratio and luminance as a function of both the LC‐layer dichroic properties and the polarization coefficient of the polarizers used. The calculations have been done for: human eye sensitivity; real spectral characteristics of light sources (both internal and external ones); both the positive and negative modes of operating of the display; real director profile of the LC layer. Additionally, our procedure takes into account the interference phenomena of the display and the quasi‐real properties of the polarizing films. As a result of our work, a close relationship between the TN display optical parameters and the dichroic LC layer and polarizing films used have been obtained. This makes it possible to choose the initial display elements for different display application and user requirements.


A dynamic process model has been developed for a continuous solid-state step-growth polymerization of bisphenol-A polycarbonate in a moving-packed-bed reactor. In this process, the molecular weight...


ABSTRACT. For centuries people have speculated on how to improve decision making without much professional help in developing clarity of action. Over the last several decades, many important contributions have been integrated to create the discipline of decision analysis, which can aid decision makers in all fields of endeavor: business, engineering, medicine, law, and personal life. Because uncertainty is the most important feature to consider in making decisions, the ability to represent knowledge in terms of probability, to see how to combine this knowledge with preferences in a reasoned way, to treat very large and complex decision problems using modern computation, and to avoid common errors of thought have combined to produce insights heretofore unobtainable. The limitation to its practice lies in our willingness to use reason, rather than in any shortcoming of the field. This chapter discusses the sources of the discipline; the qualities desired in a decision process; the logic for finding the best course of action; the process of focusing attention on important issues in attaining clarity of action; the need for clear and powerful distinctions to guide our thinking (because most decisions derive from thought and conversation rather than from computation); and the challenges to the growth of the discipline. Introduction Revisiting the foundations of decision analysis means seeing what those foundations have been, how they have evolved, and how well they will serve in the future.


Analytical and experimental investigations have been performed to examine the characteristics of transient freezing heat transfer in water-saturated porous media. The equation of momentum included Forchheimer's extension as the resistance to flow in the porous media. Three different sizes of glass, iron and copper beads were used as the porous media in this study. The temperature of the cold wall was -10°C. Comparisons of the analytical results with the experimental ones are made, and the effects of superheat and the bead diameter and the physical properties of a porous medium have been discussed for transient freezing heat transfer.


AbstractPlanning and scheduling are challenging processes, particularly for projects with continuously evolving requirements and constraints such as design-build and turnkey projects. In the literature, schedule optimization models can only handle predefined activities and fixed constraints. To better support dynamic projects, this paper proposes a flexible constraint programming (CP) framework that optimizes schedules both at the early planning stage and immediately before construction. At the early planning stage, the model selects among alternative network paths and construction methods to determine the most suitable work packages for the project. Later as more constraints become refined, the optimization model helps to meet the persistent milestones, deadlines, and resource limits, using a variety of activity-crashing strategies without changing the committed construction methods. Experimenting with a case study proved the flexibility of the model, its unique support for planning, and its ability to c...


This paper analyzes the conservation movement for horse chestnut using two main concepts of "network members" and "self-organization" as in the definition of governance by Rhodes for the purpose of examining the practical applicability of the concept of governance. In this research, problem solutions and politics came together at critical times to provide impetus for network members to address the conservation movement. There are financial providers among the network members who move the governance to the next step effectively. Strong leadership is needed for the trial to succeed and all members collaborate in major victories in the trial for continuous activities by members of governance. The existence of network members minimizes the pressure of centralization so as not to ruin subjectivity of the core group is a definite factor that governance has to be maintained in order for effective activity to be achieved.


Using data derived from the deepest and finest angular resolution images of the universe yet acquired by astronomers at optical wavelengths, with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in two postage-stamp sections of the sky, plus simple geometrical and scaling arguments, we demonstrate that the faint blue population of point-source objects detected in those two fields could actually be ancient halo white dwarfs at distances closer than about 2 kpc from the Sun. This finding has profound implications, as the mass density of the detected objects would account for about one-half of the missing dark matter in the Milky Way, thus solving one of the most controversial issues of modern astrophysics. The existence of these faint blue objects points to a very large mass locked into ancient halo white dwarfs. Our estimate indicates that they could account for as much as one-half of the dark matter in our Galaxy, confirming the suggestions of the MACHO microlensing experiment. Because of the importance of this discovery, deep follow-up observations with HST within the next two years would be needed to determine more accurately the kinematics (tangential motions) of these faint blue old white dwarfs.


The full flow staged combustion(FFSC) cycle engine balance model was established and the pressure relationship between the fuel-rich flow and the oxy gen-rich flow was added in this model.These results show that(1) mixture ratios of preburners are matched for each other,mixture ratio of ox-rich preburner dec reases with increasing mixture ratio of fuel-rich preburner,helping to balance t he work of two side preburner gases;(2) with the increase of mixture ratio of fu el-rich preburner,the preburner gas temperature is enhanced,the fuel-rich prebur ner gas mass flowrate is enlarged(the ox-rich preburner gas mass flowrate reduc ed),the working ability of preburner gas is reinforced,and the fuel pump lift fa lls down(the oxidizer pump lift ascends);(3) the mixture ratio of preburner dete rmines the preburner gas temperature,influences the preburner gas properties,par ticipates in the mass flow distribution,controls the working ability of preburne r gas,and then affects the pump lift.


A wireless network testing method, including: a) gets and saves the upward link data with the time information from the base station real-time; b) gets and saves the downward link data with the time information and the GPS data with the time information from the testing handset and the GPS reliever real-time; c) displays the upward link condition and the downward link condition on the e-map according to the synchronization data. The invention is the wireless network testing system to achieve the testing method, includes the upward link data testing equipment, the testing handset, the downward link data testing equipment, the GPS receiver, the upward and downward link data united analysis equipment. The invention can achieve the united test and analysis of the upward link data and the downward link data, hold the overall work condition of the system.


In communities large and small, and throughout all sectors of Jewish communal work, leaders of Jewish organizations feel they are struggling to recruit and retain qualified professionals at all levels. This document reviews the existing research on professional recruitment and retention in the private, not-for-profit and Jewish sectors.


Our understanding of how diseases spread has greatly benefited from advances in network modeling. However, despite of its importance for disease contagion, the directionality of edges has rarely been taken into account. On the other hand, the introduction of the multilayer framework has made it possible to deal with more complex scenarios in epidemiology such as the interaction between different pathogens or multiple strains of the same disease. In this work, we study in depth the dynamics of disease spreading in directed multilayer networks. Using the generating function approach and numerical simulations of a stochastic susceptible-infected-susceptible model, we calculate the epidemic threshold of synthetic and real-world multilayer systems and show that it is mainly determined by the directionality of the links connecting different layers, regardless of the degree distribution chosen for the layers. Our findings are of utmost interest given the ubiquitous presence of directed multilayer networks and the widespread use of disease-like spreading processes in a broad range of phenomena such as diffusion processes in social and transportation systems.


Place names and the history of settlement at Askola (englanti) 3/2000 (104) Johanna Halonen (firstname.lastname@example.com) PLACE NAMES AND THE HISTORY OF SETTLEMENT AT ASKOLA Despite the paucity of supporting archaeological evidence in the parish of Askola, there may have been some early Finnish-speaking settlement in the Porvoonjoki valley. This is indicated by many of the place names. The names suggest that there was an iron age settlement in Askola, in the vicinity of Askola village and the Nalkkila and Onkimaa areas, which featured sacred sacrificial groves, a rudimentary court and some type of fortification. The settlement in the area has been thought to originate from the Hme region, but the place names indicate that the population also came from South-West Finland and from Karelia. The flow of settlers from South-West Finland appears to have been substantial and from a time before the actual wave of settlement from Hme. The Karelians may have come as individual settlers, but this, too, could prove to be beyond doubt. However, it may be that the Hme settlers have to be regarded as the areas primary settlers. The dialects of the area also reflect the migration.


Physicist Niels Bohr in 1913, according to Rutherford atomic model and a hydrogen atom spectrum, proposed a hydrogen atom theory, initially laid the foundation of atomic physics.Bohr's theory can be a good answer Rutherford atomic model can not explain - the stability of atoms, identity, regeneration and discrete line spectrum - question.Bohr theory consistent with experimental data very well.However, mainly due to the physics of long-term mistakenly believe that "uniform circular motion of electrons, but also electromagnetic radiation", the theory is abandoned by the physics community (including Bohr himself ). The author, using mathematical methods can prove:1. uniform circular motion of the electron, does not radiate electromagnetic waves; 2. the basic assumptions of Bohr theory, its equivalent is "Phase harmony principle";3. The fine structure constant physical meaning is - in the atomic environment, electrons are accelerated speed limit is the speed of light 1/137; 4.n and m, are hydrogen atomic energy-level changes, two different step.


This study evaluated strategies to encourage interaction in a distance education setting, specifically a Ball State University (Indiana) distance graduate-level course in Elementary School Curriculum which utilized the World Wide Web and a "Class Page." Participants were primarily elementary school teachers (47 graduate students) who completed survey instruments concerning their participation on the "Class Page," interactions with both the instructor and other students, and utilization of Web resources. An initial survey regarding students' computer literacy skills and usage patterns was followed by seven additional surveys throughout the semester which focused on "Class Page" usage and interaction patterns. Among the findings were: student views regarding the value of getting to know fellow classmates shifted from 0 percent (Week 2) to 88 percent (Week 15); students judging they were able to freely express their views went from 11 percent (Week 2) to 91 percent (Week 15). Increases were also noted across the semester concerning out-of-class participation, enjoyment using the Internet, use of e-mail, and appreciation of the distance environment tools for encouraging involvement and interaction. Although many students questioned the usefulness of the "Page" at the beginning of the semester, the final survey found all viewed the "Page" as useful. (Contains 11 references.) (DB) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *****************************************************************************www "ENHANCING CLASSROOM INTERACTION IN DISTANCE EDUCATION UTILIZING THE WORLD WIDE WEB"


In order to investigate the toxic effect of heavy metals (cadmium and nickel) on morphoanatomy and physiology of two grass species (Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers. and Cenchrus ciliaris L.), three factor factorial experiment was laid out in the Old Botanic Garden, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.The levels of cadmium and nickel (0, 20, 40 and 60 mg L-1) were selected for all ecotypes collected from Faisalabad, the Salt Range and Pakka Anna. Soils of the Faisalabad were not affected by heavy metals, while that of the Salt Range moderately affected and Pakka Anna heavily affected by both Ni2+ and Cd2+. The data was recorded for different morpho-anatomical, physiological and biochemical attributes.The growth of the both grass species was reduced under Cd2+ and Ni2+ stress. A significant reduction in gas exchange parameters was noted in all ecotypes under both Cd2+ and Ni2+ stresses.Biochemical attributes like total soluble sugars, and total free amino acids increased at high levels (60 mg L-1) of Cd2+ and Ni2+, while proteins were reduced in both types of stresses. Ion uptake was retarded in most of the ecotypes of C. ciliaris and C. dactylon. Zn2+ and Fe2+ uptake was increased with increasing level of Cd2+ and Ni2+ contaminated medium.There was a marked impact on anatomical features of both grass species under Cd2+ and Ni2+ stresses. Cell size of root and shoot decreased in all ecotypes; however, increased vascular bundle area was recorded in the ecotypes of C. ciliaris.Epidermal area decreased while mechanical tissue area increased in all the ecotypes under metal stress.Cadmium stress showed positive influence on stem and leaf anatomy while nickel showed damaging effect on parenchyma, where disintegration was seen in endodermis and pith tissues of C. ciliaris.However, the ecotypes of C. dactylon remained unaffected by Ni2+ stress.The ecotypes of C. dactylon collected from Faisalabad and Pakka Anna performed better in metal (Cd2+ and Ni2+) stress while C. ciliaris from the Salt Range was adversely affected when subjected under Cd2+ and Ni2+ stresses.


Abstract Dealing with uncertainty adds a further level of complexity to problems of reliability analysis. The uncertainties which impact reliability studies usually involve incomplete or imprecise reliability data and complex failure dependencies. This paper proposes an original methodology based on the transferable belief model (TBM) to include failure dependencies between components in the evaluation of the reliability of the whole system, given both epistemic and aleatory uncertainties. First, based on expert opinion and experimental data, basic probability assignments (BPAs) are assigned to reliability data components. TBM operations are then used to obtain the reliability of the whole system, for series, parallel, series–parallel, parallel–series, and bridge configurations. Implicit, explicit, and discounting approaches are presented for taking account of failure dependencies. Finally, the proposed model is applied to take into account common cause failures (CCFs) in a case study.


This paper presents a new approach for compensating nonlinear errors of a load cell, based on the optimal neural network with an augmented Lagrange multiplier (ALMNN). The load cell has serious nonlinear errors, which lower the accuracy of the weighing results. In this proposed approach, first, we construct the constraints for training the neural network (NN) using the load cell's prior knowledge, i.e., the monotonic increasing property of a load cell's input-output function. Second, we create the augmented Lagrange function with a multiplier and a penalty factor to serve as an NN's performance index, and then deduce the ALMNN's detailed training algorithm. The penalty factor plays an important role in ALMNN, thus the reasonable range of numerical value is discussed in this paper. Meanwhile, the weighing principle of a strain gauge load cell is introduced and its nonlinear error model is established. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of ALMNN. By comparing with the conventional data induction method (DINN, i.e., the training of NN not with the prior knowledge but only the data samples), ALMNN significantly improves the NN's generalization ability, especially in the case of lacking training samples. In addition, the applicability of ALMNN is verified by three additional experiments.


Security in a Ubiquitous Computing Environment Ubiquitous computing promises a major shift in our approach to the way we use and interact with computers in our everyday environment. The changes are expected to be both qualitative as well as quantitative, and they bring with them corresponding changes in the way security must be handled within such an environment [1]. In terms of the latter quantitative changes, not only will we see an increase in the number of networked computational devices populating our everyday environment, but also in the interaction between them. The relatively unrestricted flow of data between devices is central to achieving the ubiquitous vision. This brings with it obvious security problems and from a privacy perspective, in terms of the transfer of private data between devices. But there also exist wider security concerns, in that such an environment may make devices more susceptible to external malicious attack, more likely to contract viruses and worms, and have benign flaws more likely to manifest themselves in the form of serious failures or exploits. The situation is compounded by the fact that in a ubiquitous environment the data transferred between devices is likely to contain a proportionately larger amount of executable code in the form of software updates, scripts, mobile agents, programmable reconfigurations or user transfers. An automated method is therefore required to maintain the security state of the system. From a qualitative perspective the situation is made no better. Networked devices are more likely to be embedded, low power and with minimal resources, thus restricting the potential security measures that can be utilised. Equally, user interfaces that might allow a user to make suitable security choices will not be available; indeed the dream of ubiquitous computing is one in which many devices become 'invisible' to the average user. People will not necessarily be aware that they are using a networked computing device at all, and even if they are, the average user could never be expected to make effective security choices. For the ubiquitous dream to become reality, it is essential that the users be shielded from the effects of such security issues. It should not be necessary to rely on the expertise of a user to make suitable security decisions, whilst at the same time, they cannot be expected to tolerate the effects that a potential security problem will precipitate. Although it is clear that no easy solution to these problems currently exists, we believe that in order to capitalise on the positive security-related characteristics of a ubiquitous computing environment, it will be necessary to underpin security methods using techniques of secure component composition [2]. This view is reinforced by our current work, which has allowed us to produce an initial prototype indicating the feasibility of the technique as a security method for use in a heterogeneous ubiquitous environment.


The rediscovery of Nothoscordum modestum (Amaryllidaceae) helps to understand the subordination of Beauverdia in Nothoscordum
Nothoscordum modestum presents intermediate morphological characteristics between the genera Nothoscordum and Beauverdia. This species was known only by the type; however, new populations were found and during the analysis of specimens in loco it was evidenced that the taxon has flowers long pedicellate, morphological characteristic common in Nothoscordum; on the other hand, the scapes are curved at fruit maturity. The species is close related to N. Marchesii, N. Ostenii, N. setaceum and N. vittatum, and the main morphological differences between N. modestum and these species are commented. A list of species of Nothoscordum with one or two-flowered inflorescence is presented. As Beauverdia cannot be maintained as segregated from Nothoscordum, it is necessary to propose the new combination Nothoscordum hirtellum subsp. glabratum.


Bilayer CrI$_3$ attracted much attention owing to peculiar switching between the layered ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic order upon stacking alternation. This finding pointed out the importance of the apparently small interlayer exchange, yet, existing literature addresses only its isotropic part. To fill this gap, we combine the density functional theory with Hamiltonian modeling to examine the anisotropic interlayer exchange in bilayer CrI$_3$ - Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DMI) and the Kitaev interaction (KI). We develop and apply a novel computational procedure that yields the off-diagonal exchange matrix elements with $\mu$eV accuracy. Inspecting two types of bilayer stacking, we found a weak interlayer KI and much stronger DMI between the sublattices of monoclinic bilayer and their complete absence in rhombohedral bilayer. We show how these anisotropic interactions depend on the interlayer distance, stacking sequence, and the spin-orbit coupling strength and suggest the dominant superexchange processes at play. In addition, we demonstrate that the single-ion anisotropy largely depends on stacking, increasing by 50% from monoclinic to rhombohedral structure. Remarkably, our findings prove that iodines, owing to their spatially extended 5p orbitals featuring strong spin-orbit coupling, are extremely efficient in mediating DMI across the van der Waals gap in two-dimensional magnetic heterostructures. Given that similar findings were previously demonstrated only in metallic multilayers where the DMI shows a much longer range, our study gives promise that the chiral control of spin textures can be achieved in two-dimensional semiconducting magnetic bilayers whose ligands feature strong spin-orbit coupling.


these institutions have on our society. Indeed, the author places the reader into the physical place of the public school system in New York and allows the reader to visualize how race and race relations are created within these spaces. However, at times it seems as if the analysis did not ask more probing questions that would allow the teachers to truly reflect on the positioning of their race within these spaces. At times, the reader is left with a feeling of more unresolved questions than evidence presented. For example, Bell often probes his interviewees with questions about how the topic of race was introduced to them as a child. However, at times it is unclear how the institutions they grew up in (e.g. religion, education, family, etc.) impacted their view on race in adulthood. Therefore, it is unclear to understand how the impact of the racial make up the teachers primary institutions affect the decision making process and approaches these white teachers take in their largely nonwhite environment. This book would be useful to those interested in race, identity politics and socialization within race. Bell makes it clear that this is not a book about education or educational policy. Because of this, the title should not be misconstrued as one that speaks only to those interested in changing educational curricula and procedures, but to an audience largely focused on how race affects our society and social institutions at large. Individuals who are interested in racial inequality within select institutions (education, government, the economy, etc.) will find this research stimulating, although graduate students, undergraduates, teachers, and professors should be particularly interested in this book.


To investigate the response of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses to hyperoxia and hypoxia using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT‐A) and retinal vessel analyzer.


This review discusses recent progress in the development of anti‐HIV agents targeting the viral entry process. The three main classes (attachment inhibitors, co‐receptor binding inhibitors, and fusion inhibitors) are further broken down by specific mechanism of action and structure. Many of these inhibitors are in advanced clinical trials, including the HIV maturation inhibitor bevirimat, from the authors' laboratories. In addition, the CCR5 inhibitor maraviroc has recently been FDA‐approved. Possible roles for these agents in anti‐HIV therapy, including treatment of virus resistant to current drugs, are also discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 29, No. 2, 369–393, 2009


The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an Environmental Educative Programme (EEPR), which was based on the principles of Vygotsky theory (1976) and communitie`'s educational needs about participating in sustainable development for improving their quality of life. The methodology was based on Rojas, Mercado, Olmos and Weber (1994) recommendations.The participants belonged to three community groups formed according to their educational need selected by themselves from a list previously done by them. We used a questionnaire, a check list and a binnacle for collecting the data which was analyzed in a qualitative way. The main results of the EEPR applied were: (a) improving the community level of conceptual and procedure knowledge for participating in sustainable development for increase their quality of life; (b) social empowerment; (c) developing participative research projects for immediately community benefi ts.; (d) improving their competences for leadership and working together abilities and (e) they reached a better perception of their environment and its problems, mainly caused by their


Abstract We surveyed 157 college women regarding sexual abuse, age at first intercourse, reactions to first intercourse, sexual attitudes, and sexual risk behavior outcomes to clarify the relationship between early sexual experiences and risky sexual behavior. Women who had been sexually abused in childhood reported greater numbers of lifetime sexual partners. This relationship was partially explained by adolescent/adult sexual abuse, age at first intercourse, permissive sexual attitudes, and reaction to first intercourse. Childhood sexual abuse was indirectly associated with more frequent use of alcohol or drugs during sexual activity through its relationships with adolescent/adult sexual abuse, age at first intercourse, permissive sexual attitudes, and reaction to first intercourse. Implications for therapists are discussed.


Simple Summary "Guardians of health", our canine and feline companions, emit early warning signals of dangerous lead, cadmium, and arsenic environmental pollution. Many of the epigenetic studies in recent years have investigated the role of these pollutants in the pathogenesis of human diseases by using animal models and analyzing diseases with similar symptoms in pets and people. Not only several cancers (of the bladder, mammary glands, testes, ovaries, lymphomas, mesotheliomas, carcinomas) but also hyperthyroidism, pulmonary structural changes, fertility problems, cardiac and metabolic diseases (like obesity) are at least partly triggered by environmental factors to which we are exposed. Currently, canine and feline hair and other established biomarkers can give information on the pollution or contamination degree, especially regarding heavy metal and passive smoking exposure. Abstract In a shared environment, our companion animals became unintended sentinels for pollutant exposure consequences, developing even earlier similar conditions to humans. This review focused on the human–pet cohabitation in an environment we all share. Alongside other species, canine and feline companions are veritable models in human medical research. The latency period for showing chronic exposure effects to pollutants is just a few years in them, compared to considerably more, decades in humans. Comparing the serum values of people and their companion animals can, for example, indicate the degree of poisonous lead load we are exposed to and of other substances as well. We can find 2.4 times higher perfluorochemicals from stain- and grease-proof coatings in canine companions, 23 times higher values of flame retardants in cats, and 5 times more mercury compared to the average levels tested in humans. All these represent early warning signals. Taking these into account, together with the animal welfare orientation of today's society, finding non-invasive methods to detect the degree of environmental pollution in our animals becomes paramount, alongside the need to raise awareness of the risks carried by certain chemicals we knowingly use.


Dielectric properties of composites consisting of nanoporous aluminium oxide Al2O3 or glass SiO2 with inclusions of the ferroelectric triglycine sulphate (TGS) are investigated in the present work. Our investigations enable us to assume the presence of ferroelectric state in these materials.


Nanostructured zirconium oxide (ZrO2) film (particle size∼35 nm), electrochemically deposited onto gold(Au) surface, has been used to immobilize 21-mer oligonucleotide probe (ssDNA) specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis by utilizing affinity between oxygen atom of phosphoric group and zirconium to fabricate DNA biosensor. This DNA-ZrO2/Au bioelectrode, characterized using x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and scanning electron microscopy techniques, can be used for early and rapid diagnosis of M. tuberculosis with detection limit of 0.065 ng/μL within 60s.Nanostructured zirconium oxide (ZrO2) film (particle size∼35 nm), electrochemically deposited onto gold(Au) surface, has been used to immobilize 21-mer oligonucleotide probe (ssDNA) specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis by utilizing affinity between oxygen atom of phosphoric group and zirconium to fabricate DNA biosensor. This DNA-ZrO2/Au bioelectrode, characterized using x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and scanning electron microscopy techniques, can be used for early and rapid diagnosis of M. tuberculosis with detection limit of 0.065 ng/μL within 60s.


The second issue of the "Series Catalogorum" edited and published by the Istituto per l'Oriente C.A. Nallino of Rome and the CNRS "Monde Iranien et Indien" of Paris is welcome for a number of reasons. This second example sets forth a standard way of editing and publishing a catalogue of manuscripts from the Muslim world, giving a complete description of the contents, of the material supports and including a photographic reproduction of each item. It also brings to the student's attention anot...


Extraction factor is one of the most important parameters in optimum design of countercurrent extraction technology. The precise equation for the optimized extractor factor has been deduced in this paper. The calculation error of the optimized extractor by the precise equation is lower than the error by the simple equation. If the separation factor is below three, the optimized extractor can be calculated by both of the simple equation and the precise equation. If the separation factor is over three, the precise equation is more suitable for calculating the optimized extraction factor.


In this paper an acousto-optically tuned MUX/DEMUX for DWDM application has been investigated. An acous-to-optic cell array system is used to deflect the optical beam depending on the wavelengths at high speed by using first order diffraction. These deflections are controlled by changing the rf driving frequency of the acoustic-optic cell array system. This system has low insertion loss, less cross-talk and is free from the grating wavelength drifts due to thermal variations. The numerical results for system efficiency, wavelength tuning range and acoustic frequency-optical wavelength relationship have been obtained.


The sign of the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) noise was assessed through the comparison among seventy orthodontic patients before and after orthondontic treatment. The results showed, after orthondontic treatment the TMJ noise was less than before, no significant correlation was found between TMJ noise and the orthondontic treatment with or without tooth extraction.


Background: The dynamics of subunit incorporation in complex I (CI) under steady-state conditions are still elusive. Results: GFP-labeled CI subunits replace their endogenous counterparts in CI with different efficiencies and rates within 24 h of induction. Conclusion: CI maintenance involves continuous subunit replacement by direct exchange or through assembly intermediates. Significance: Elucidating subunit replacement in CI is vital as subunits are continuously threatened by oxidative damage. Studies employing native PAGE suggest that most nDNA-encoded CI subunits form subassemblies before assembling into holo-CI. In addition, in vitro evidence suggests that some subunits can directly exchange in holo-CI. Presently, data on the kinetics of these two incorporation modes for individual CI subunits during CI maintenance are sparse. Here, we used inducible HEK293 cell lines stably expressing AcGFP1-tagged CI subunits and quantified the amount of tagged subunit in mitoplasts and holo-CI by non-native and native PAGE, respectively, to determine their CI incorporation efficiency. Analysis of time courses of induction revealed three subunit-specific patterns. A first pattern, represented by NDUFS1, showed overlapping time courses, indicating that imported subunits predominantly incorporate into holo-CI. A second pattern, represented by NDUFV1, consisted of parallel time courses, which were, however, not quantitatively overlapping, suggesting that imported subunits incorporate at similar rates into holo-CI and CI assembly intermediates. The third pattern, represented by NDUFS3 and NDUFA2, revealed a delayed incorporation into holo-CI, suggesting their prior appearance in CI assembly intermediates and/or as free monomers. Our analysis showed the same maximum incorporation into holo-CI for NDUFV1, NDUFV2, NDUFS1, NDUFS3, NDUFS4, NDUFA2, and NDUFA12 with nearly complete loss of endogenous subunit at 24 h of induction, indicative of an equimolar stoichiometry and unexpectedly rapid turnover. In conclusion, the results presented demonstrate that newly formed nDNA-encoded CI subunits rapidly incorporate into holo-CI in a subunit-specific manner.


This paper presents a decoupled nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller (DNTSMC) for a novel 3-DOF parallel manipulator with actuation redundancy. According to kinematic analysis, the inverse dynamic model for a novel 3-DOF redundantly actuated parallel manipulator is formulated in the task space using Lagrangian formalism and decoupled into three entirely independent subsystems under generalized coordinates to significantly reduce system complexity. Based on the dynamic model, a decoupled sliding mode control strategy is proposed for the parallel manipulator; the idea behind this strategy is to design a nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller for each subsystem, which can drive states of three subsystems to the original equilibrium points simultaneously by two intermediate variables. Additionally, a RBF neural network is used to compensate the cross-coupling force and gravity to enhance the control precision. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed DNTSMC can achieve better control performances compared with the conventional sliding mode controller (SMC) and the DNTSMC without compensator.


OBJECTIVE
To document temporal recovery of upper extremity dexterity and establish predictors of limb dexterity in a cohort of stroke patients in the first year after stroke.

DESIGN
Prospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS
One hundred patients with a first-ever ischemic stroke admitted to a rehabilitation centre.

METHODS
Assessment of upper extremity dexterity, motor power and selfcare function using the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Upper Extremity Motor Index (UEMI) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) respectively.

RESULTS
Eighteen percent, 25.5% and 31.6% of patients recovered limb dexterity at 3, 6 and 12 months after stroke respectively. Patients who recovered dexterity late (≥6 months after stroke) were significantly younger with lower rehabilitation admission UEMI scores than those who recovered dexterity early. The UEMI score was the most significant correlate of limb dexterity at all follow up periods. Recovery of limb dexterity at 12 months was predicted by UEMI (OR1.54, 95% CI 1.13-2.10) and MBI (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.07) scores on admission to rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS
In this study, 31.6% of patients recovered upper extremity dexterity at 12 months after stroke. Although late recovery of dexterity occurs only in a small proportion of patients, this finding is still pertinent given the significant impact of dexterity on upper limb and selfcare function.


Abstract This article uses recent data on both broadband and civic engagement to assess how various aspects of broadband access might be related to community involvement in rural areas of the US. In particular, it seeks to answer whether broadband access, adoption, or infrastructure (as measured by community anchor institutions) has the strongest relationship with specific civic engagement metrics. The data include 19 specific civic engagement metrics from the 2011 Current Population Survey and 2011 data on broadband access and adoption from the National Broadband Map and the Federal Communications Commission. Scatterplots and regression analysis using both aggregate (state-level) data and individual (household-level) data were used to assess overall relationships. The results of both univariate and multivariate analyses suggest that it is the adoption of broadband that is the most influential to civic engagement overall; however, community anchor institutions are important for certain metrics such as interactions with neighbors or confidence in local schools.


"Three agricultures" problem is a fundamental problem of Chinese socialist construction,related to the Chinese modernization drive success or not. Successive leaders of the Communist Party of China all show solicitude for this problem,comment on it in important different background of times,and have formed each thought about "three agricultures".They both have differences and relations,both have inheriting and innovation and development among them.Under current background,combing "three agricultures " thought of successive of the Communist Party of Chinese leaders,has an important guiding significance to the building of the new rural area of socialism.


Estimation, in both theory and practice, tends to be divided into two almost distinct branches. On the one hand, point estimation, by providing a working value for the unknown true parameter value, is undoubtedly useful in further investigations of the given situation although its reliability may be difficult to assess in real terms through the medium of the estimated standard error. On the other hand, confidence interval estimation, by presenting a whole set of more or less plausible values of the parameter, is often less easy to apply but has a more direct assessment of reliability through the confidence coefficient. The dilemma in estimation arises essentially from this need for a balance between usefulness and reliability-usefulness through the practical advantages of narrowing down the set of plausible values and the increasing reliability which attends the enlarging of the set. This dilemma is one of the sources of awkward questions from users about estimation. What confidence coefficient should be used? Why not use the whole parameter space as confidence interval and so ensure 100 % confidence? Why use a point estimate when it is almost certainly not the true parameter value? While answers to such naive questions can be expressed in terms of the distribution of the estimator or the class of confidence intervals associated with various confidence coefficients, they are not the only solution to the dilemma, and, in our view, are not readily appreciated by users. Any serious attempt to take account of the consequences of unreliability in not capturing the true parameter value and of lack of usefulness in excessive width should, we feel, involve the specification of some reasonable loss function and the subsequent examination of the problem in terms of decision theory. Such an attempt is usually beset by the well-known difficulties of the non-existence of a uniformly best solution in a frequentist approach and of the assessment of the prior distribution in a Bayesian approach. There is, however, one unexploited specification of the decision-theory approach to estimation which has some degree of realism and for which a satisfactory frequentist solution can be readily obtained. This paper considers the consequences of adopting a piecewise-linear loss function for a situation where interval estimates are required for location or scale parameters. Under certain circumstances intervals which are uniformly best invariant, with respect to the group of ' positive' linear transformations, can be found for this frequentist decision problem. Such interval estimates, while of interest in their own right as solutions of the particular decision problem,


The working characteristic of a new hollow cathode, thermionic-arc dc discharge ionization device was investigated experimentally. Under typical operating conditions the device produces a steady, field-free plasma plume by ionizing a flowing gas column. Experiments were performed with argon, nitrogen, and helium, the typical discharge pressures being 0.2–0.6 Torr. The discharge exploits the inherent stability of the point to plane geometry and the ionization efficiency of the hollow cathode. Electrically, the discharge is fed from a constant–voltage power supply and maintained below the interelectrode gap breakdown threshold. Thus the discharge current is given by Ohm's law and is a function of the applied field and local plasma parameters. This modus operandi increases the ionization efficiency by maintaining a local thermal nonequilibrium in the discharge. The degree of nonequilibrium maintained in the plume downstream the cathode was higher in nitrogen (Te/Tgas≅8–10) than in argon (Te/Tgas≅3–4), and is...


Experimental measurements of the inscribed radius, the outer radius, and the character of extended nodes have been compared with the theoretical predictions of the recent work by Brown, Siems, and Jo/ssang et al. The most comprehensive comparison has been made for the two former theories, which have been found to predict accurately the observed node parameters. Within the range γ/Gb <10−2 the node method appears to be an excellent means of determining the stacking‐fault energy.


From time immemorial, the use and representation of geographic information have been indispensable for knowing, describing, monitoring and visualising the manifold aspects of our surroundings. Today Geographic Information is a science comprising multiple fields of research, from emerging subjects such as the cognition of geographic information and its links with human perception of spatial-temporal objects, to digital representations of the real world in Geographic Information Systems, and the opportunities offered by modern 3D-visualisation techniques.


Bringing individual violations to the attention of the public can help change perceptions about entitlements to rights and mobilize public opinion to influence the government to change its policies and redefine its priorities. This chapter presents examples of violations of the obligations to respect, to protect and to fulfil the right to health. Violations of human rights occur when a government fails to comply with its legal duties under international, regional and/or national law. Violations are always linked to specific obligations. The chapter deals with the various types of obligations and gives examples of some of the most common ways in which governments violate them. It also indicates where the need to promote and to facilitate change is most urgent. In keeping with CESCR General Comment 14, the examples are classified as violations of a government's immediate obligations to respect, to protect and to fulfil the right to health.Keywords: CESCR General Comment 14; common violations; human rights; right to health; specific violations


This paper presents a simulation study of a adjustable fuzzy logic control technique for speed regulation of DC motor drives. The DC drives system is a DC series motor connected to a single-phase full-bridge converter. A simplify fuzzy logic model (SFL) is designed where the motor speed is used as a fuzzy input to achieve fast speed regulation. The proposed model is also applied to a PI type fuzzy controller (FPI). In addition, a classical PI is used to conduct simulation analysis together with the SFL and FPI models. Performances of the proposed model are compared in terms of several performance measures such as peak overshoot, rise-time, settling time and steady-state waveform. The simulations are carried out using Mathlab Simulink and Power System Blocksets. The simulation result exhibits the superior transient and steady state performance of the SFL controller over the FPI and classical PI controller.


Purpose – This study aims to analyze the effect of financial performance on investment decisions with dividend policies (DPR) as intervening variables in mining sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for 2017 to 2020. The independent variables used in this study are financial performance. The financial performance used in this study is Return on Asset (ROA), Current Ratio (CR), Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), Free Cash Flow (FCF), and Dividend Policy (DPR), while the dependent variable is investment decision ( IOS). This study aims to analyze the effect of financial performance on investment decisions with dividend policies (DPR) as intervening variables in mining sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for 2017 to 2020. The independent variables used in this study are financial performance. The financial performance used in this study is Return on Asset (ROA), Current Ratio (CR), Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), Free Cash Flow (FCF), and Dividend Policy (DPR), while the dependent variable is investment decision ( IOS).
Methodology/approach – The sample in this study consisted of 13 mining sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in the 2017 to 2020 period which was selected based on certain criteria using the purposive sampling method. Analysis of the data used in this study is a multiple Liniear regression analysis (T test and F test) which is processed using Eviews 11.0.
Findings – It was found that . the multiple regression models used in this study, the results of partial testing (T test) showed that only two variables namely ROA, and DER with probability of 0.0006 and the most dominant tstatistics were 3,694806 and inflation rates that had a significant effect on investment decisions. In addition, simultaneously (F test) shows that ROA, CR, DER, FCF, jointly affects investment decisions.
Novelty/value –  Since dividend policy affects investment decisions, it is very important to know the factors that influence dividend policy. Keywords Employee Dividen Payout Ratio, Investment, Dividen Policy


We have investigated the effects of screened Coulomb (Yukawa) potentials on the bound 1,3D states and the doubly excited 1,3 De resonance states of helium atom using highly correlated exponential basis functions. The Density of resonance states are calculated using stabilization method. Highly correlated exponential basis functions are used to consider the correlation effect between the charged particles. A total of 18 resonances (nine each for 1 De and 3 De states) below the n = 2 He + threshold has been calculated. For each spin states, this includes four members in the 2pnp series, three members in the 2snd series, and two members in 2pnf series. The resonance energies and widths for various screening parameters ranging from infinity to a small value for these 1,3 De resonance states are reported along with the bound-excited 1s3d 1,3 D state energies. Overall behavior of the spectral profile of 1s3d 1D state of helium atom due to electron-electron and electron-nucleus screening are also presented. Accurate resonance energies and widths are also reported for He in vacuum. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010


Background: Many findings show gender biases in health and health care services. Gender Awareness (GA) is a concept that has emerged in the 1990's and since then discussed as a potential alternative to minimizing gender biases in health. This study consisted on a scoping review providing an analysis of how GA has been conceptualized and measured in the literature and what findings have supported its relationship with health-related outcomes.
Methods: Database search was conducted on PubMed, PsycINFO and ERIC. The quality and relevance of 1888 articles was assessed and 14 empirical studies were selected and included in the review.
Findings: Our results showed some conceptual confusion surrounding the GA concept; GA and gender sensitivity were often presented as interchangeable. Most papers aimed to measure and compare the levels of GA among health professionals. Five studies focused on the implementation of intervention programs aiming to increase health care professionals GA. Nevertheless, no studies establishing the relationship of GA with relevant health-related outcomes were found.
Discussion: Our findings stress the need to further clarify the theoretical underpinnings of GA and to collect empirical evidence supporting the contention that increasing health-care professionals' GA will contribute to the suppression of gender biases in health.


The present paper intends to describe the key ideas and concepts in which the Kierkegaardian concept of freedom is summarized.


Abstract This study compared the clinical outcomes of amniotic membrane transplantation with and without cultured limbal epithelium for persistent corneal ulcers. The study included 30 patients that were assigned to either human amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) only or a two-step cultured limbal epithelial transplant (CLET) with amniotic membrane carrier. The patients underwent a comprehensive ocular examination, Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry, impression cytology and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Slit-lamp images before and after treatment were analyzed using ImageJ to compare the fibrovascular tissue area. The state of epithelialization was assessed by fluorescein staining on day 30. Mean age of patients was 64 ± 20.39 in the AMT group and 55.17 ± 14.51 in the CLET group (p = 0.16). Visual acuity improved significantly in both groups after treatment, but the improvement was significantly greater in the CLET group (p = 0.022). Impression cytology demonstrated PAS + cells in the corneal epithelium in 9 patients from the CLET group and 10 patients in the AMT group (p = 0.704). Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry increased significantly after treatment with a similar rate between groups (p = 0.435). Improvement with reduction of the fibrovascular tissue area was achieved in both groups (p < 0.01 and p = 0.001 in the CLET and AMT group, respectively). Independent samples T-test demonstrated a greater reduction in the CLET group (p = 0.028). Kaplan-Meier analysis of epithelialization demonstrated higher success rate in the CLET group (p = 0.006). Persistent corneal ulcers could be associated with partial limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). In refractory cases, CLET should be the preferred treatment option with more sustainable results regarding corneal epithelialization and stromal scarring.


Background: Hypertension is a 50% cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke, 40% of cause of death in Diabetics, and is a major risk of kidney failure, pregnancy and dementia. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a preclinical manifestation of cardiovascular disease and a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Examination of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is one method that can be used to Evaluate the occurrence of coronary heart disease and in Several studies reported that CIMT is also associated with left ventricular function and hypertrophy Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on hypertensive patients in the outpatient unit in Cardiac Center Haji Adam Malik General Hospital since March 2018-August 2018. Examination of Carotid B-Mode ultrasound was conducted to obtain CIMT values. LVH is assessed by left ventricle mass index (LVMI) as measured by M-mode method using the Cube formulas from echocardiography. Then the analysis is done using the Spearman correlation test to see the relationship between CIMT and LVH Results: The CIMT >0.5 mm have a positive correlation with LVM (r = 0.594, p 0.5 mm has a sensitivity of 83.6%, specificity 90.4%, PPV NPV 76% and 93.8%. The CIMT value of 0:55 mm is considered to be the optimal value in diagnosing LVH in hypertensive patients in our subjects based on the ROC curve with a sensitivity of 83.6% and specificity of 90.5%, and area under the curve of 0.9. Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients


The present invention relates to a method for the surface display of a recombinant polypeptide on the surface of a host cell, said method comprising the steps: (a) providing a host cell transformed with a nucleic acid fusion operatively linked with an expression control sequence, said nucleic acid fusion comprising: (i) a portion encoding a signal peptide, (ii) a portion encoding the recombinant polypeptide to be displayed, (iii) a portion encoding a transmembrane linker, and (iv) a portion encoding the transporter domain of an EhaA protein, and (b) culturing the host cell under conditions wherein the nucleic acid fusion is expressed and the expression product comprising the recombinant polypeptide is displayed on the surface of the host cell.


A new species, Sycanus aurantiacus, of the assassin bug subfamily Harpactorinae is described on the basis of specimens collected from Bali, Indonesia. This species is distinguished from the other species of Sycanus by its antennal segment I having two orange annulations; the posterior pronotal lobe being weakly tumid in the middle near the posterior margin; the scutellar spine being erect, short, and rounded at the apex; each femur having two incomplete orange annulations; the hemelytral corium being blackish with the veins yellow to yellowish brown; and the abdominal laterotergites being weakly extended dorsad. This species is notable because it feeds on some serious lepidopteran pests of cabbage.