This paper investigates the simultaneous control of a spacecraft with a rigid central hub and two flexible appendages. Taking into account the coupling between the vibration of flexible appendages and the motion of the hub, the rigid–flexible spacecraft subjected to external disturbance is modeled as a hybrid lumped–distributed parameter system. To attenuate the vibrations of the hub and flexible appendages and simultaneously track the given attitude angle, two boundary control laws are developed based on the original dynamic equation, where all system modes are controlled and spillover instability can be avoided. Using the active disturbance rejection control technique, two extended state observers are designed to obtain the estimation of external disturbances, which can be canceled in the negative feedback loop. The radial basis function neural network with adaptive weight law is employed to deal with the impact of input saturation. The well-posedness of the closed-loop system is proved by applying the semigroup theory. Under the rigorous Lyapunov analysis, the proposed control strategy ensures the practical stability of the rigid–flexible spacecraft system. Simulation verifies the performance of the designed control scheme.


The use of electroless metal bonded organic substrates has many possible applications. The present state‐of‐the‐art is limited to a few organic substrates. Initial studies included the mechanism of bonding electroless copper to acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene and to polysulfone. This was investigated by using a scanning electron microscope to view the interfacial surfaces of substrates subsequent to chemical processing and electroless and electrolytic plating. The examination revealed that interlocking surfaces were present which permitted mechanical interaction at the copper‐organic interface. When these surfaces were replicated on epoxy, bonding between this surface and electroless copper was obtained.


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Along with other nutrients, animals need trace metals to function. Iron, the oxygen-binding component in the blood pigment hemoglobin, is a critical trace metal and is usually absorbed through the gut. Mammals can alter iron metabolism in order to meet oxygen demand during


By choosing CFBA system as test platform,particles which were suitable for desulfurization reaction of fluidized sintering gas were selected through changing the process of spray humidification,while existing alkaline raw materials and alkaline wastes were made full use of in steel enterprises.The results showed that firstly,99.5% of the nose ash,99.8% of the fly ash particles,and about 80% of the quicklime particles were able to meet the conditions that was u bigger than ut or utr in order to achieve rapid fluidization.About 20% of the quicklime particles gradually turned into smaller particles through collisions and attrition, and could eventually achieve rapid fluidization.In addition,R,which was the proportion of back materials of CFB,was slightly larger than 1.That means this state belonged to the rapid fluidization,and the selection of size range of fluidized particle was proper.Finally,desulfurizer B was most effective.The effective desulphurization time was up to 95-140 minutes,and the utilization factor of calcium oxide was about 31%~54%.


This study investigates the factors affecting voluntary disclosures in the annual reports of listed companies in Tehran stock exchange (TSE).The degree of voluntary disclosure is calculated by an index which is based on financial, non-financial and strategic information. A disclosure checklist consisting of 71 voluntary items of information is developed and statistical analysis is performed using multiple regression analysis. Sample is composed by 92 non-financial public companies listed in TSE. Information has been gathered from Financial Statements for the years ended in 2005 Until 2012 with the use of content analysis. Based on the existing literature, a total of 5 hypotheses have been elaborated and tested using a panel data approach. The findings indicate that age, size and growth opportunities are significant and profitability, leverage is insignificant in explaining the level of voluntary disclosure.


The action of the increased intracellular content of adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in CHO-K1 cells (clones 773 and ADr112eb), treated with isoproterenol, on gamma-induced DNA single-strand breaks repair has been investigated. The hormonal treatment stimulates gamma-induced (180 Gr) DNA single-strand repair during the post-irradiation incubation (45 min) by 75 +/- 16%. The results show the involvement of the cAMP system in radiosensitivity of cultured mammalian cells and in regulation of cellular mechanisms of DNA repair.


Distributions of magnetic field,both external and induced,in nugget region of resistance spot welding(RSW) under permanent magnets were investigated using numerical simulation method.Based on the complex magnetic force distribution,the fluid flow behavior in RSW was systematically analyzed.The results show that the induced magnetic field predominates in RSW process under the permanent magnets. The complex magnetic flux density gradually increases from the center to the edge of the weld nugget,while the radial magnetic flux density gradually decreases with the increasing working distance of permanent magnets.Two perpendicular magnetic component forces exist in the nugget.One acts in the axisymmetric plane of the electrodes generated by the induced magnetic field,the other acts vertically to the plane generated by the external magnetic field.Driven by the complex magnetic force,the molten metal in the nugget would flow with high velocity in both the axisymmetric plane of the electrodes and the circumferential direction perpendicular to the plane.


In increasingly online higher education environments, instructors must develop positive and community-oriented learning environments, equivalent to, if different from, face-to-face learning experiences. Connectivism and communities of inquiry are complementary theories that facilitate the design and development of online learning and enable online learners to connect with peers. This article discusses two pedagogical interventions that encourage connectivism and foster communities of inquiry in online technical communication programs: (a) a face-to-face orientation workshop at the beginning of an online program and (b) a peer-review activity in a research methods graduate course. The article explains the development, deployment, and evaluation of the activities.


Received on: 02/14/2020 Accepted on: 03/24/2020 Abstract: This article brings reflections on the presence of mobile digital technologies and mobile apps used pedagogically, from a work developed in a public school of Sergipe. In order to develop the reader competence of the multimodal elements present in the magazine cover genre, the didactic-pedagogical proposal departed from the activities carried out from the use of the cell phone, in order to promote and consolidate the visual literacy. For the reach of the results, the PicsArt app was used, which allowed the appropriation of the students in front of the elements that make up the qualitative approach, the research in addition to addressing and analyzing the experience, also signals the challenges faced by introducing such resources in the educational context, as well as the possibilities and importance of working the multiple languages using digital technology and mobile apps.


This paper puts forward a switching mode power supply scheme that applies to brushless direct current motor controlling module in the electric motor.The scheme is based on the high performance PWM integrated chip of electric current mode.The design adopts single-end flyback structure and gets 48V direct current power supply and 12V direct current output from the battery of electric motor car.It can well satisfy the power supply demand for the controlling module of the direct current motor in electric motor because it has some important advantages,such as quick response,excellent stability and precise voltage output.The paper provides the thought about designing the switch power as well as analyses and discusses on technological details.


Decision table techniques have been shown to be useful for ensuring logical completeness, eliminating ambiguity, and optimizing the translation of logic into flowcharts or computer programs. Nevertheless, they have not been widely applied in medicine. We have used decision table techniques to demonstrate the derivation of two sets of rules for determining whether to operate on patients with suspected appendicitis based on patterns of observed signs and symptoms. One rule set is based on a diagnostic threshold whereby morbidity is minimized; the other rule set minimizes mortality. For this purpose, we have developed an augmented decision table format that allows the incorporation of probability and utility data.


The manufacture of pharmaceutical products, active ingredients and medical devices has only one aim, safe products that consistently meet high Quality Standards. Validation provides documented evidence that processes are under control and that consistent product quality is assured. The overall objective of any cleaning validation is to assure that Intermediates, excipients, cleaning agents and most importantly active drug ingredients from the previous production batch do not contaminate the product. Taking the example of two liquid oral preparations, it was developed and proved that three consecutive washes with demineralised water (DM) were better than any soap/chemical washes to prevent cross-contamination in subsequent batches.


A simplified multi-wavelength laser speckle contrast imaging system by using a single holographic optical element which is recorded by wavelength precompensation method is proposed. The feasibility of proposed method is verified by experimental results.


A 0.1-5GHz flexible software-defined radio (SDR) receiver is presented with three RF front-end paths (Main/Sub/HR paths). Main path and sub path can reject out-of-band blockers and harmonic interferences, and feature low NF and high linearity, respectively. Harmonic rejection (HR) path can effectively reject the harmonic interferences with simple calibration mechanism. Dual feedback LNA, class-AB Op-Amp with miller feed-forward compensation and quasi-floating gate (QFG) techniques, reconfigurable continuous-time (CT) low pass (LP) and complex band pass (CBP) sigma-delta ADC are proposed. This chip has been implemented in 65nm CMOS with 9.6-47.4mA current consumption from 1.2V voltage supply and a core chip area of 5.4mm2. The receiver main path achieves 3.8dB NF, +5dBm/+5dBm IB-IIP3/OB-IIP3 as well as +58dBm IIP2. The sub path achieves +10dBm/+18dBm IB-IIP3/OB-IIP3 as well as +61dBm IIP2. And it offers RF filtering with 10dB rejection at 10MHz offset. The HR path achieves +13dBm/+14dBm IB-IIP3/OB-IIP3 and >54/56dB 3rd/5th-order harmonic rejection with 30-40dB rejection improvement by calibration.


Selection projects aiming at the identification of new Saccharomyces strains are always on going as the use of the suitable yeast can strongly improve fermented food production, particularly winemaking. They are mainly targeted on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but other species in the Saccharomyces genus are of interest. For this reason, more and more efficient molecular techniques for yeast identification able to accelerate yeast selection process are always needed. Among the Saccharomyces genus, four yeasts are widespread in natural environments: S. cerevisiae; S. uvarum; S. kudriavzevii and S. paradoxus. Therefore, among the Saccharomyces species, their discrimination is of great interest.


ABSTRACT Chemical modifications (citrification, acetylation and phosphorylation) of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) starch were performed using dual (microwave-assisted and chemical) processes, the physicochemical properties, degree of substitution and in-vitro starch hydrolysis of the modified starches were evaluated using standard methods while changes in molecular structure was assessed using Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that bulk density ranged from 0.22 to 0.28 g/ml, swelling power (5.89 to 6.23), solubility (0.13 to 0.17 g), water absorption capacity (WAC) (0.5 to 0.9 mg/g), and oil absorption capacity (OAC), 0.8 to 1.0 ml/g. Starch and amylose contents varied between 122 and 206 mg/g and 16 to 36%. The degrees of citrification in chemically and microwave modified starches were 0.2 and 0.31% while chemical and microwave modified acetylation were and 0.24 and 0.36%, respectively. The infrared spectra of modified starches showed characteristics band for C = O at 1754 to 1375 cm−1 for acetylated starches and at 1240 cm−1 to 1417 cm−1 belonging to P = O stretching vibration for phosphorylated starches. The in-vitro starch hydrolysis showed that modified starches recorded decreased rate of hydrolysis and glycemic index compared to native starch. Microwave-assisted chemically modified starch recorded better functional properties and low glycemic index compared to chemically modified starch. The study revealed that modification of breadfruit starch could enhance efficient utilization of breadfruit for both industrial and nutritional purposes.


Nonwoven fabric comprising a polyethylene composite fiber comprising two types of polyethylene resin components having different melting points, wherein the low-melting component (A), a polyethylene (a) comprises polymerized with a metallocene catalyst and having a density from 0.850 to 0.915 g / cm wherein the high-melting component (B) is wherein said composite fiber has a composite structure, selected from side-by-side, sheath-core or eccentric sheath-core structure, wherein, when the composite fiber has the sheath-core structure or eccentric sheath-core structure, low-melting component (A) is the shell and the high-melting component (B) of the core.


A WDM coherent star network with an absolute frequency reference was demonstrated. The absolute reference was obtained from a GaInAsP DFB laser frequency-locked to an atomic Ar transition at 1.2960 mu m. The resonant frequencies of a tunable fibre Fabry-Perot interferometer, locked to this absolute reference, were used to frequency-lock the transmitting lasers. Thus, the transmitting lasers operated at different, but fixed, optical frequencies. The receiver sensitivity was not degraded by the addition of the absolute frequency reference to the network. >


This paper describes the economic aspects of the monetary policy formulation process in Canada. It begins by outlining how the objectives of policy mesh with the mainstream view of how the economy functions. A key implication of this framework is that policy formulation must be forward-looking. The discussion then turns to the role played by economic projections in the policy process, and how the staff at the Bank of Canada develop those projections and monitor the economy. The paper concludes with a description of how unforseen developments are incorporated into the projections, and how those updates are translated by the staff into a revised set of policy options for the consideration of senior management.


A simple formalism based on path integrals is applied for calculating two‐particle intracollisional correlation functions in the semiclassical limit. The parameter‐free spectral line model obtained in this way is compared with an exact quantum line shape calculation for collision‐induced absorption of the Ne–Ar system at 300 K. Close agreement between model and exact line shape is obtained.


The article considers the features of accounting for payments in cases when a budget institution pays for a product, work or service through an accountable person — its employee. The rules for issuing cash and noncash funds and monetary documents, as well as the conditions for their reflection in the accounting policy, are analyzed. Cases of concluding contracts on material liability, options for complying with the maximum amount of cash payments, and penalties are shown. New changes in analytical accounting for account 208.00 "Settlements with accountable persons" are described. Examples of accounting for disbursements of funds, expenses of accountable persons, calculations on cash balances and overspending are given. The algorithm for checking settlements with accountable persons is proposed: how to issue money and how to check the report, what to pay attention to when working with accountable persons, the rules for conducting preliminary and current control are considered.


Thirty-six patients with advanced carcinoma of the lung (30 with adenocarcinoma and six with large cell carcinoma) were treated with a combination of mitomycin C, Adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide (MAC) in a phase II study. Seven partial remissions were observed in adenocarcinomas, while none were seen in large cell carcinomas. The survival of patients in remission was clearly prolonged (P less than 0.01), with responders living a median of at least 39 weeks compared to 17 weeks for nonresponders. The combination was well-tolerated with moderate anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and alopecia. Myelosuppression was manageable but was more pronounced in previously chemotherapeutically treated patients. MAC offers a reasonable response rate in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung with significant prolongation of survival; however, there was no significant advantage when compared to mitomycin C used as a single agent.


Part of the gross precipitation that falls above the tree canopy does not reach the ground but is retained on the leaves and branches and on the ground vegetation in the forest. This process is known as rainfall interception and depends on different factors of which the most important are the meteorological factors and tree characteristics. Tree characteristics that influence interception and are often taken into account in research are tree crown size, canopy storage capacity, leaf area index and diameter at breast height, but sometimes also bark structure, tree height, leaf inclination and type of surface and hydrophobicity of leafs, branches and trunks. There are a lot of different methods for the determination of individual characteristics. Which method is used depends mainly on the available equipment, required measurement accuracy and study objectives. The influence of individual tree characteristics on interception is known, but rarely studied in detail due to the complexity of analysis for only one effect. Measurements of rainfall interception are very common and estimates of parameters are also performed due to the needs of different interception models. In addition to tree characteristics, meteorological conditions also significantly affect interception. Those should also be
taken into account in the overall analysis of the interception.


This paper, 'A review of the biological treatment of cyanide-bearing waste water' discusses the necessity for the treatment of cyanide-bearing waste water with a view to the avoidance of environmental pollution, and the limitations of the available chemical and physical processes are referred to briefly. The sources of cyanide-bearing waste waters are mentioned. The mechanisms of production and utilization of cyanide by fungi and bacteria are discussed. The work done in connection with the biological removal and destruction of cyanide is summarized, the successes achieved are descriptionbed, and the relevant processes are listed. In conclusion, some advantages of biological processes for the removal of cyanide are mentioned.


In the Introductory Discourse to her series, Plays on the ship authorizes their free activities in the marketplace and in Passions, Joanna Baillie claimed that the dramas could imthe state. They can exchange—or, in the vocabulary of the prove the audience's understanding of human nature and eighteenth-century, "alienate"—goods and labor because equip them to "deal to others judgment tempered with they own those things and talents and therefore have the mercy" (Works 4). Projecting this result as particularly imporright and the freedom to use them as they see fit. The legal tant to the legal profession, which would gain better judges, system exists to protect the concept of property, and laws do advocates, and magistrates (4), Baillie revealed an interest in so best when they impose only as much restraint on individlegal affairs that was furthered evidenced by the prominence ual freedom as is necessary to allow other owners equivalent of crime and punishment in the plays. Recent scholarship freedom (300).3 Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of Enhas explored some connections between Baillie's works and gland, which often allude to Locke, celebrate the power of criminal law, copyright law, and the Poor Laws (Myers, Brigownership. For example, Blackstone states that the law "will ham, Hewitt). In this essay, I posit a connection with propnot authorize the least violation" of an owner's "free use, enerty law, for I read The Alienated Manor as an indictment of joyment, and disposal of all his acquisitions"—"not even for existing laws based on possessive individualism and a call for the general good of the whole community" (1:134-35). improved laws based on the common good. In practice, the freedom of self-ownership was enjoyed only by men who possessed land that represented their status To make my case, I first consider the aspects of propas proprietors. Most women could not be self-owners, for by erty rights central to The Alienated Manor, then turn to the the law of "coverture," they placed their possessions and their play itself, which is among the last in the series.1 The topic is persons in the custody of their husbands when they married jealousy, which Mr. Charville, who owns the Manor, manifests (Blackstone 1: 430). Men who did not own land also could in his absurdly possessive behavior as he tries to control his not fully enjoy self-ownership because their activities were land and his wife. Like all the plays on the passions, the limited by their economic dependence. By the Romantic Alienated Manor invites spectators' "sympathetic curiosity" era, awareness of the injustice of these exclusions, and proabout the protagonist's obsession. It directs them to watch tests against them, appeared in the philosophical treatises the unchecked emotion gradually master his life, and it enand radical novels that Nancy Johnson and R. S. White have courages them to reflect on how such a thing can happen, on recently studied as exemplary of this opposition: Mary Wollhow it can be cured,2 and on how it could have been prestonecraft, William Godwin, Charlotte Smith and other writvented. The play expects them to learn to act with more selfers depicted the hardships that this legal system imposed on control in analogous situations (Works 4-13). To follow Bailwomen and non-elite men, and they sought alternative defilie's agenda, spectators have to judge Charville in context, nitions of personhood through natural rights theories that noticing that he and they are in a culture that valorizes ownvalued human existence apart from ownership. ership. Understanding Charville's possessiveness as an extreme but logical way of fulfilling a culturally and legally defined role as an owner makes it impossible simply to blame Natural rights advocates were not the only critics of him for personal failings. Some blame must be extended to possessive individualism. Coleridge, for example, who found the society that permitted his jealousy to develop. Carried natural rights theories insufficient on religious grounds and out analogously in the experience of the audience, this comwho considered land ownership important for national stabilprehensive process of judging would inspire the reconsideraity objected to conflations of persons and property (Edwards tion of property rights and changes in behavior that would 95-103). Anya Taylor reveals the extent of his objections in help bring about the "more just, more merciful, more comher study of the divorce laws that prevented him from ending passionate" society for which Baillie dared to hope (Works 4). his unhappy marriage. Coleridge's circumstances, Taylor argues, taught him to sympathize with women who lost their possessions and freedom through marriage: he feared laws, The attitude toward property that The Alienated Manor institutions and attitudes that "threaten to 'be-thing' a percalls into question revolves around "possessive individualson" (181). ism," which is, as Balibar explains, a blend of ideas from Hobbes and Locke that had wide-ranging but not necessarily consistent effects in English law (299-303). The key idea in While most criticism of possessive individualism empossessive individualism is the use of "ownership" to define phasizes the injustice it does to non-owners, Baillie's Alienated both persons and things. Individuals are beings who have Manor concentrates on the damage to an owner's personalproperty in their own persons and abilities. This proprietority, relationships and ethics when he defines himself by his


The criminal law policy based on Article 4 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes regulates the return of state financial losses does not eliminate criminals, but the implementation of the provisions of Article 4 has not been implemented as appropriate. In practice there are irregularities in which the return of relatively small amounts of state losses can be stopped from investigation and eliminate the criminals of corruption. Moreover, the return of state financial losses was not a consideration for the Judge to commute the sentence to be imposed on the defendant. Therefore, in this study, it is necessary to study to evaluate the Legal Policy on punishment of perpetrators of corruption crimes who have returned state financial losses based on the provisions of Article 4 of Law No. 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes and analyze the Renewal of the Law on the punishment of perpetrators of corruption crimes that have returned state financial losses from a justice perspective. The purpose of this study is to find out the appropriate Criminal Law Policy against perpetrators of corruption crimes that return state financial losses from the perspective of justice for the future. This type of research method is legal research with a normative juridical approach that focuses on synchronizing laws, principles and legal doctrines. The data studied are library materials or secondary data, and tertiary legal materials, then discussed and presented descriptively. Forms of criminal law reform that can be applied to perpetrators of corruption crimes that have returned state financial losses in the future from the perspective of justice include: Renewal of the formulation of criminal threats that are cumulative imperative changed to cumulative and renewal of the regulation of the main types of crimes in the form of social work crimes that can be an alternative to imprisonment and an alternative to fines and formulation of the plea concept  bargaining as a procedural law for corruption and the formulation of the concept of restorative justice in the criminal act of corruption in the form of culpa or negligence.


PURPOSE: To obtain a polyether resin which is excellent in color tone, has a narrow mol.wt. distribution, does not contain unreacted raw materials, and is suitable for cured films by reacting a glycidyl ester with a prim-hydroxyl compd. by using a specific catalyst. CONSTITUTION: A polyether resin having an epoxy group content of 0.2 meq/g or less and having prim-hydroxyl groups of which the number is in the range of from (n/3)-0.5 to (n/3)+1.5 (wherein (n) is 3-6) is obtd. by reacting a 9-11C branched fatty acid glycidyl ester (A) with a 5-16C aliph. prim. polyhydric alcohol (B) [e.g. tri(hydroxymethyl)ethane] having 3-6 prim-hydroxyl groups in a molar ratio of A/B of (1/0.4)-(1/2.0) at 100-200°C in the presence of a tin, zinc, or iron compd. (C) (e.g. tin dichloride) e.g. in an amt. of 0.01-0.4%. COPYRIGHT: (C)1990,JPO


This medical device comprises a polymeric scaffold that is crimped to the catheter with a dilatation balloon. Scaffolds, scaffolds after crimping sequence - is crimped to the catheter by a multi-step process to improve the yield of the catheter. Damage reduction during crimping sequence includes the steps of modifying the crimper blades, the method comprising employing a multi-step crimping sequence, and a step of inflating the supporting balloon to support the scaffold during crimping. .Field


The prevailing view of planet formation depicts accumulation of progressively larger objects, culminating in accretionary impacts between Moonto Mars-sized protoplanets. Cosmochemists have found evidence in chondritic meteorites for such violent events, and the Moon is thought to have involved a huge impact between a Mars-sized object and the still-growing proto-Earth. Now we may have evidence for a large impact during planet formation around another star. Carey Lisse (Applied Physics Lab of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore) and colleagues from the Space Telescope Science Institute (Baltimore), the University of Cambridge (UK), the Open University (Milton Keyes, UK), the University of Georgia (Athens, GA), Jet Propulsion Lab (Pasadena, CA), and the University of Rochester (New York) analyzed infrared spectra obtained by the Spitzer Space Telescope. They found a prominent peak in the spectrum at 9.3 micrometers, and two smaller ones at slightly lower and higher wavelengths. These peaks are consistent with the presence of SiO gas, a product expected to be produced by a highly energetic impact. The spectral measurements also allowed Lisse and his colleagues to estimate the size of the dust and they found that there is an abundance of micrometer-sized dust grains. This argues for a fresh source of fine material during the past 0.1 million years. That source may have been an impact between two protoplanets surrounding this young star.


Cleanroom software engineering is a theory-based, team-oriented process for developing very high quality software under statistical control. Cleanroom combines formal methods of object-based box structure specification and design, function-theoretic correctness verification, and statistical usage testing for quality certification to produce software that has zero defects with high probability. The process of cleanroom development and certification is carried out incrementally. Interface and design errors are rare because at each stage the harmonious operation of future increments at the next level of refinement is predefined by increments already in execution. The cleanroom process is being successfully applied in IBM and other applications. Quality results from several cleanroom projects are summarized.<<ETX>>


The historical shift from patrimonialism to bureaucracy is the key organizational transformation of the past thousand years. Classically, patrimonialism was organization based on private households, plus alliances among them. But there are two types of patrimonial organization: expanded households and patrimonial alliances or pseudo-tribes. The latter include ad hoc warrior coalitions, frequently organized as fictive kin. The main historical cause of the shift from patrimonialism to bureaucracy was the military-fiscal revolution and ensuing state penetration into society. But patrimonial politics did not entirely disappear. In some areas, the state fails to penetrate, leaving the possibility of mafia-style organization. Elsewhere, political machines are a mixed form of incomplete bureaucracy. Gangs are patrimonial organizations, growing in dialectical conflict with bureaucratic penetration and efforts at control. Through a comparison of American, Sicilian, and Russian mafias, the questions considered are whether crime organization recapitulates the history of the state, why some gangs become bigger than others, and why organized crime succeeds or fails in varying degrees.


Established on his death in 1955, the Armenian oil magnate Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian's eponymous foundation enjoys a high profile in the cultural life of Lisbon and the country as a whole. Gulbenkian's correspondence as well as that which passed among Cyril Radcliffe, Jose Azeredo de Perdigao and others involved in helping plan and then establish the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation indicates that the parameters of the latter's activities were much fought over in its early years. The course set by the Foundation under Salazar's dictatorship does not reflect the benefactor's original intentions, which anticipated more recent models of charitable giving in their scope and dynamism.


Abstract The intensity of affect refers to the strength with which individuals experience their emotions. This study aimed to adapt and seek evidence of validity for the version of the Short Affect Intensity Scale (SAIS) for the Brazilian context. After translation procedures, the translated version of the SAIS was applied, along with instruments to measure personality and subjective well-being in 1,180 Brazilians. The results revealed the adequacy of the three-factor structure for the instrument: Positive Intensity, Negative Intensity, and Serenity. Correlations with other variables were verified as theoretically expected. For example, positive correlations were found between Positive Intensity and Extraversion and Positive Affect; Negative Intensity and Neuroticism, and Negative Affect. The instrument proved to be adequate for the Brazilian context.


The present study was designed to investigate diabetes induced germ cell apoptosis in testis and its protection by treatment with hexane fraction of hydro-methanolic extract of root of Musa paradisiaca and leaf of Coccinia indica in composite manner. Testicular oxidative stress injury was reflected by diminution in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-s-transferase along with elevation in levels of conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in diabetic condition. Serum testosterone and insulin levels were decreased in association with elevation in apoptosis of pancreatic islet cells in diabetic rats. Giant cells number along with elevation i nt he number of apoptotic cells were noted in seminiferous tubules in diabetic model animals. Significant improvements in the levels of blood glucose, serum insulin and testosterone and testicular oxidative stress parameters were noted versus control after treatment of said fraction at a dose of 2 mg (1 : 3)/0.2 ml olive oil per 100 g body weight per day for 45 days to diabetic rats. Numbers of giant cells in seminiferous tubules, apoptotic germ cells and apoptotic pancreatic islet cells were decreased significantly in fraction treated diabetic group versus control. From UV-spectroscopic and TLC studies in connection with phytochemical screening of the said fraction, phenol, flavonoid and alkaloid types of compound were found. From these results it may be concluded that the active ingredient(s) present in hexane fraction of root ofMusa paradisiaca and leaf of Coccinia indica have the potential to correct diabetes-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis.


Aim/Purpose: - This paper identifies the antecedents and factors influencing the adoption of self-service technologies in the banking industry. Background: - Rapid technological advancement has changed the banking environment dramatically. These advancements, particularly the Internet, have transformed the way banks operate. Over the last decade, the banking industry has become highly complex and competitive and operates in a highly volatile and unpredictable global economy. With the increasing demand for electronic services, banks are utilizing SSTs to improve their products and services. Contribution: - The study provides insights into the antecedents and factors which influences the adoptions of SSTs for banking transactions. Impact on Society:- This study provides a reference to banks about the antecedents and factors which influences the customers in adoptions of SSTs for banking transactions, provide a clear insight to banks and so that banks can take positive decisions to increase the performance and productivity.


DarkSide is a graded experimental project based on radiopure argon, and is now, and will be, used in direct dark matter searches. The present DarkSide-50 detector, operating at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, is a dual-phase, 50 kg, liquid argon time-projection-chamber surrounded by an active liquid scintillator veto. It is designed to be background free in 3 years of operation. DS-50 performances, when filled with atmospheric argon, are reported. However DS-50 filled with underground argon, shows impressive reduction of the 39Ar isotope. The application of this powerful technology in a future generation of the DarkSide program is discussed.


Mushrooms and lichens are plentiful source of nutritional and medicinal compounds. However, medicinal uses of the mushrooms and lichens still need to be worked out for their biological activities. Mushrooms and Lichens have reserved their position centuries ago as food and medicine. They are rich in nutrients and in biologically active compounds that belong to different chemical classes. Capabilities of different members of mushrooms and Lichens have encouraged researchers to investigate further applications of these macrofungi and lichens in fields of food and pharmaceutical industries and also other than food and pharmaceutical industries. This review, aims to put together Lentinan, schizophyllan, Betulinans A and B, ganoderic acid, cordycepin and usnic acid under light spot through representing their importance as biological activities exerted by ever one. Further studies and investigations are fortified in order to find more about these interesting natural products.


We exploit variation in demand induced by demographics to provide causal evidence of the precautionary motive of cash holdings. We show that firms significantly increase their cash levels in response to exogenous increases in investment opportunities. We also provide novel evidence of the dynamics of accumulation and use of cash. Financially constrained firms build their cash reserves using internal sources. Consequently, they start saving earlier and keep high cash levels longer. Unconstrained firms rely on external financing to both invest and build cash reserves, requiring them to save less and allowing them to incur lower costs of carry.
 Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.


The objective of this work is to identify the teaching and evaluation practices of the teachers of a Colombian university. The research has a quantitative approach and a descriptive scope. The sample was composed by 180 teachers from the Faculty of Education, at the Corporation Minuto de Dios (UNIMINUTO). As a data collection instrument, the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of the Teaching and Evaluative Methodology of University Professors (CEMEDEPU) was used as an instrument, taking into account three scales: one focused on teaching, another on learning and the last one on the skills of competent university professors . According tom the specific descriptive statistics. It is established that there is a high and significant positive correlation between the variables. The main conclusion is that the teachers analyzed have the following skills: planning, instructional management, interaction and evaluation; but they do not relate to what they teach and evaluate


This study aims to analyze the influence of Experience, Task Complexity, and Self Efficacy on audit judgment  through Professional Skepticism as an intervening variable. The population in this study is a Public Accounting Firm in Indonesia, which is listed on the Indonesian Public Accounting Firm Directory 2018. The sample in this study was 14 Public Accounting Firm in Sulawesi and using purposive sampling method. Sources of data in this study are primary data collected through questionnaires.  This study use multiple linear regression analysis and path analysis. The results showed that experience has a negative and not significant on professional skepticism, task complexity has a negative and significant on professional skepticism, self efficacy has a positive and significant on professional skepticism. Experience, self efficacy, and professional skepticism has a positive and significant on audit judgment . Task complexity has a negative and significant on audit judgment . Professional skepticism can not mediate the relationship between experience on audit judgment . Professional skepticism may mediate the task complexity and self efficacy on audit judgment .


This study aimed at identifying the effect of using a blended learning method on the achievement of the students' in the English course (101) at Irbid College-Al-Balqa Applied University, through administration of an objective achievement test which consisted of (50) items prepared for this purpose, after verifying its validity and reliability. It was applied as pre-test and a post-test on the subjects of both groups of the study, the experimental taught through blended learning and the control group taught by using the traditional method. Using ANCOVA, results of the study showed a statically significant difference between arithmetic means of the two groups' performance on the achievement test in the English course and the statically significant specialization of management, compared with the specializations of libraries and Arabic language. There was no statistically significant difference that could be attributed to the interaction between both variables: teaching method and specialization. The study concluded the necessity to reconsider university programs in order to integrate concepts of the electronic revolution and blend them with traditional (normal) teaching methods in a way that accomplishes individuals' requirements and the current stage of development.


Granular insecticides were applied to suppress larval rootworm populations in two fields in west central Nebr. Insecticides were applied to Field I at planting on 18 May with application boxes on a John Deere Max-emerge planter. Two replications of each treatment were arranged in a randomized complete block design. T-Band applications were made in a 7.0 inch band in front of the press wheel. Banded applications were made by applying a 7.0 inch band behind the press wheel. In-furrow applications were made by applying insecticide directly into the seed furrow. Corn variety for Field I was undetermined at time of writing. Insecticides were applied to Field II at the time of irrigation furrow construction, 27 Jun, to the base of the plants, with International Harvester boxes on a Hawkins/Bridger ditching unit. Treatments in Field II were replicated 3 times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. All treatments were evaluated 13 Jul by rating washed roots, using the 1-6 Iowa State root rating scale, of 4 plants from each treatment.


With approximately nine million new cases and the attributable cause of death of an estimated two millions people every year there is an urgent need for new and effective drugs and treatment regime ...


If one begins reading Friedrich Schelling's First Outline of a System of the Philosophy of Nature from the opening lines of the appended "Outline of the Whole," from the outset the First Outline already encounters its first insurmountable obstacle, the point, or the moment, from which nature begins. "Because to philosophize about nature," writes Schelling, "means as much as to create it, we must first of all find the point from which nature can be posited into becoming." 1 This problem results from nature's determinate identity. Nature, as Schelling defines it, is "being itself;" 2 it is at once both the infinite production and absolute inhibition of itself. Yet how did nature as unconditioned and pure productivity ever encounter such a radical and absolute inhibition that could have resulted in the first point of becoming? It turns out, as David Farrell Krell notes, that "Schelling is never able to answer these questions, each of which circles about the very problem he calls "insoluble." What he learns repeatedly is that heterogeneity can never be merely "introduced" into homogeneity." 3 It is precisely because of this circular rotation around this insoluble problem that Schelling's First Outline immediately overturns homogeneity in favor of heterogeneity, although the text still calls for the process of heterogeneity to end. For once the text has begun, its beginning is always eternally beginning, so that the text calls out for that homogeneous point to put an end to nature's endless productivity. Whereas some may point to nature as being this unified point, since Schelling represents nature as the point of identity between both productivity and product, the First Outline is unable to convincingly demonstrate that point at which heterogeneity transitions into absolute homogeneity. This duality inherent to nature gives way to a writing of nature in the First Outline that unworks the progressive history and organization that is ascribed to nature, evolution, and


The following thesis deals with analysis of time series climate data using various tools. Data for various climate parameters like temperature, pressure, relative humidity and dew point are studied for finding out their periodicities and long term trends. The fluctuations are extracted and also studied using wavelets and multifractal detrended fluctuation anlalysis techniques. Correlation of temperature is studied for different climate stations using random matrix and correlation matrix .


ABSTRACT Plasmid pTC-F14 contains a plasmid stability system called pas (plasmid addiction system), which consists of two proteins, a PasA antitoxin and a PasB toxin. This system is closely related to the pas of plasmid pTF-FC2 (81 and 72% amino acid identity for PasA and PasB, respectively) except that the pas of pTF-FC2 contains a third protein, PasC. As both pTC-F14 and pTF-FC2 are highly promiscuous broad-host-range plasmids isolated from bacteria that share a similar ecological niche, the plasmids are likely to encounter each other. We investigated the relative efficiencies of the two stability systems and whether they had evolved apart sufficiently for each pas to stabilize a plasmid in the presence of the other. The three-component pTF-FC2 pas was more efficient at stabilization of a heterologous tester plasmid than the two component pas of pTC-F14 in Escherichia coli host cells (±92% and ±60% after 100 generations, respectively). The PasA antidote of each pas was unable to neutralize the PasB toxin of the other plasmid. The pas proteins of each plasmid autoregulated their own expression as well as that of the pas of the other plasmid. The pas of pTF-FC2 was more effective at repressing the pas operon of pTC-F14 than the pas of pTC-F14 was able to repress itself or the pas of pTF-FC2. This increased efficiency was not due to the PasC of pTF-FC2. The effect of this stronger repression was that pTF-FC2 displaced pTC-F14 when the two plasmids were coresident in the same E. coli host cell. Plasmid curing resulted in the arrest of cell growth but did not cause cell death, and plasmid stability was not influenced by the E. coli mazEF genes.


Objective To establish a method of HPLC for determining psoralen and isopsoralen in Gukang Oral Liquid.Methods The effective components in Gukang Oral Liquid were determined by HPLC.Results The resolution and the linearity were fine with the rate of recovery of psoralen 99.96%,RSD=1.16%;the recovery rate of isopsoralen was 100.09%,RSD=0.60%.Conclusion The quantitative method for determining the ingredients of Gukang Oral Liquid is simple,feasible and repeatable,and can be used for quality control of Gukang Oral Liquid.


Integrating environmental considerations into the product traditional process design is now the major challenge for steel industry. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is nowadays considered as an appropriate method for assessing environmental impact and selecting new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions for steel industry. In this paper we propose a new methodological concept which combines LCA thinking with process simulation software in order to carry out the life cycle inventory of classical steelmaking process. Using Aspen Plus software, a physicochemical model has been developed for the integrated steelmaking route. This model gives the possibility to carry out life cycle inventories for different operational practices in order to optimise the use of energy, to calculate CO2 and other emissions and to control the mass and the heat balances of processes. It is also shown that such approach can be used to design and assess new technologies for steelmaking without large industrial application.


A new kind of terminated polyether modified silicone surfactant(TPESS) was synthesized by hydrosilylation of the bis-dimethylhydrogen siloxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane(PHMS) with allylpolyoxyethylene ether(FAE-10) in the presence of a platinum catalyst.The optimum experimental conditions were studied.The experimental results showed that the TPESS with a light yellow,limpidity and high-surface-activity is obtained when chloroplatinic acid(to calculate with platinum) dosage(relative to monomer mass fraction)is 2.0×10-5,FAE-10 to PHMS is n(C=C)∶n(Si-H) =1.1∶1.0,reaction temperature is 90 ℃,reaction time is 4 h.The chemical structure of TPESS is characterized by IR and 1H-NMR.


Seismic data compression is a key technology to solve the problem of massive seismic data transmission and storage.According to seismic data characteristics,we propose an efficient seismic data compression method based on embedded zerotree wavelet(EZW)in this paper.The method consists of three steps:A.Original seismic data decomposition into sub-bands of wavelet coefficients with two-dimensional wavelet transform;B.Wavelet coefficient reorganization with zero-tree coding based on the coefficient correlation;C.Lossless entropy encoding of quantified coefficients with adaptive arithmetic coding. Tests of this method show that the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)can reach 50 dB or more when prestack seismic data is compressed at a compression ratio of 4∶1,while the SNR can reach 30 dB or more when poststack seismic data is compressed at a compression ratio of 16∶1.


IntroductionA small medial extension gap (EG) needs posterior soft tissue release to avoid undesirable additional resection of the distal femur in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the effect...


Weight and dimension regulations are increasingly being devised using a concept that trucks should meet standards for performance, that is, they should be performance-based. The US Department of Transportation is reviewing domestic truck size and weight policies (for completion in December 1996), and is considering performance-based regulations. Since Canada has a reputation as a leader in this area and since there are significant proposals for change in Canadian and American regulations - the NAFTA negotiations are on-going - 'performance-based' requires careful examination. This paper examines the concept and describes developments in Canada. It also describes Saskatchewan policies as an important case study and it concludes with an overview of implementation approaches and policy issues. For the covering abstract of this conference see IRRD number 872753. (A)


We present a vibrational study of PAF-302, belonging to the class of porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs), recently synthesized and applied in several applications involving gas adsorption. The precursor, tetrakis(4-bromophenyl) methane (TBPM), and the polymer were studied with FTIR and Raman spectroscopies to investigate the structure of PAF-302, whereas the system after methane adsorption was studied by FTIR, also varying the CH4 loading, to get some hints on the strength of the interactions with adsorbed methane. Theoretical calculations of the harmonic frequencies of TBPM, methane, and methane/aromatic model systems were performed at high theory level (MP2 with extended basis set) to support the assignment of vibrational bands and to estimate the interactions causing the observed frequency shifts upon methane adsorption. The analysis shows that the polymerization process is essentially complete and that the adsorbed CH4 molecules interact with two phenyl rings, though stronger interactions can be envisag...


Small mammal populations separated by highways may be partially or completely isolated from one another due to low dispersal capabilities, low probability of surviving highway crossing attempts, and/or avoidance of areas adjacent to highways. Threats to small mammals are problematic at the ecosystem level because of their importance as seed dispersers and their role as prey for predators, such as marten, wolverine, and raptors. Our objective is to determine how movement and gene flow are affected by two- and four-lane highways for small mammals in forested areas of western Montana. We trapped small mammals at five highways sites for two summers using a mark-recapture protocol. We gave each animal an individual mark so that we could follow their movements through time and collected either hair or a small tissue sample for genetic analyses. We are assessing potential fragmentation of small mammals populations by comparing movement rates and gene flow adjacent to the highway versus across the highway. Our preliminary results suggest that highways inhibit movement of small mammals. Movement was hindered more by four-lane than by two-lane highways. We observed stronger effects on redbacked voles and chipmunks, and weaker effects on deer mice. Deer mice were responsible for the vast majority of highway crossings, while only one vole and no chipmunks crossed four-lane


This collection of papers by experts in the field, discusses succinctly what indicators and techniques can be used to monitor nutrition, with what level of accuracy and under what field conditions. Departments of Nutrition, Health Organization; Dieticians; Institutes/Departments of Public Health; students of social and preventive medicine and paediatrics.


In this article we study the asymptotic behavior of anisotropic nonlocal nonstandard growth seminorms and modulars as the fractional parameter goes to 1. This gives a so-called Bourgain-Brezis-Mironescu type formula for a very general family of functionals. In the particu\-lar case of fractional Sobolev spaces with variable exponent, we point out that our proof asks for a weaker regularity of the exponent than the considered in previous articles.


Launch any software product these days, and you can easily find a whole host of issues you wish the developer or designer would have better anticipated— whether it is to optimize the interaction, organization of information, or further develop tools before releasing the product to the marketplace. I can't go a day without thinking to myself, "This would be a better software product if...." Anyone with a critical eye towards building quality product feels the need to critique, the nice form of complaining, either publicly (in email, blogs, or forums) or privately (to friends, coworkers, etc.). In the development of a product, therefore, it's useful to consider building a beta version (a pre-release of the actual product). It can be an incredibly valuable way of determining issues before the product reaches its ultimate audience. The earliest judge of how well a product will do in the marketplace is often the public reviews, so they can be used as measuring stick. First, start with a very simple theory: Good product reviews are good for business Bad product reviews are bad for business Bad product reviews that are provided early, in a controlled manner, and turned into good reviews by removing user issues are great for business In practice, it will require understanding the market drivers that lead to a perceived "win" with reviewers, customers, and the public. When Walt Mossberg (of The Wall Street Journal) or David Pogue (of The New York Times) raves about your product, you have a leg up on the marketing and sales of your product. That happens for a very small percentage of the high-tech market, and you should count yourself lucky if you've made it that far. Bad reviews, whether from any of the major industry pundits, or just on the C|Net messages boards, can dramatically affect you ability to convince prospective purchasers that you have a valuable, usable, and enjoyable product. In this case, you cannot underestimate the power of the formal and informal press. However, this is where prototyping, and the business of betas, can help anticipate reviews, provide time for you to address the user issues, and seed the market with interesting new products to spur interest from users, reviewers, evangelists, and even investors. Beta programs are both very well-controlled processes that have a defined input (early product design) and a defined output (feedback). They can be rousing successes, leading to shipping a compelling, focused product, or they can lead to product failures, ending up in great learning experiences. For success, you must decide on your goals, support an iterative feedback process, and plan accordingly. Failure in a beta program is much like learning to snowboard for the first time: You must first learn to fall, and not be scared of falling, in order to snowboard well. Planning for your first or first successful beta program involves using several ideas that have been well documented in the basics of business strategic planning:


A comparator, the resistance of the latch device of the comparator (R301, R302) to use a series of two resonant tunneling diodes (RTD, RTD301, RTD302). By inserting two RTD diodes (RTD 301, RTD 302) resistors (R301, R302) in series, first, the negative resistance of the 2RTD diode by subtracting the effective RD time constant of the resistor and the latch, the comparator during the latch mode, leading to faster regeneration than would be achieved by other designs. .Field


This paper studies a linear physical-layer network coding multiple access (LPNC-MA) scheme that is capable of achieving any rate-tuples in the MAC capacity region without receiver-iterations or time-sharing. We propose to utilize q-ary irregular repeat accumulate (IRA) codes over finite integer field-s/rings and q-PAM as the underlying coded-modulation. The receiver sequentially computes M network coded (NC) message sequences, where the previously computed message sequence is used as side information in computing subsequent ones. All users' messages are then recovered by solving the computed M NC messages via the inverse of the NC coefficient matrix. A joint nested code construction and EXIT chart based code optimization method is developed, yielding near-capacity performance (within 1.1 dB the capacity limit for three users). For fading MAC, we propose a pragmatic method for identifying the network coding coefficient matrix that maximizes the mutual information. Numerical results demonstrate that the frame error rate (FER) of LPNC-MA is within a fraction of dB the outage probability of fading MAC capacity. For a relatively large number of users, it is shown that LPNC-MA remarkably outperforms NOMA-SIC and IDMA in the high spectral efficiency regime, while avoiding the big-loop receiver iteration.


There are unmistakable signs that the independence manifesto and other similar documents . . . were prepared at residences of the missionaries and in churches or in hospitals ... in collusion with these missionaries. Advantages were being taken of liberal treatment accorded these persons by the authorities. Opinion is gaining vigorous growth among influential Japanese in Korea that deportation of these undesirable foreigners should be demanded and their misdeeds laid before the world.2


There is an ever-growing demand for improved food-stuffs which better meet the needs of both industry and the consumer. With increasing emphasis being placed on health and safety-related aspects of our food, there is also a strong desire to develop new tools to monitor and improve the quality of what we eat A new technology, metabolomics, has the potential to become one such toot of major value in this field. Although still in its infancy, metabolomics-based strategies are already being designed for a diversity of applications in, for example, food processing and quality control, plant breeding for improved crop varieties and in the development of novel foodstuffs. The importance of this technology has also recently been recognized by the EU Research division which now funds a multi-national metabolomics initiative focused on plant applications.


AbstractThis paper describes the procedure recommended in two specific standards to define and quantify structural redundancy using a direct analysis of bridges. The procedure is illustrated using two typical bridge configurations. The first example is a simply-supported truss bridge superstructure. The second example is a continuous three-span two-girder steel box bridge. These examples are selected because these types of structures are generally considered to be fracture-critical nonredundant bridges. The object of analysis is to investigate the reserve strength redundancy of the structures, defined as their ability to continue to carry loads after the limiting strength of one member is reached. The analysis also investigates the loads that the structures could still carry after brittle damage to one of their members. The results of the analysis show that both structure types can provide adequate levels of redundancy for overloading, assuming that the bridge members have been designed to satisfy the app...


Abstract The SPring-8 storage ring magnets have critical alignment tolerances and in the phase of magnetic field measurement, the positions of the fiducial points on magnet need to be precisely calibrated relative to magnetic centre. We have used the laser CCD-camera system for this calibration. Recently, in renewing this system, an eigenfrequency wire alignment system is developed in view of followings. It can make continuous measurement and record the positional change due to the variation of current or temperature of the magnet. It measures all fiducial points simultaneously. The system is composed of four WPS (Wire Position Sensor), carbon wire, and wire eigenfrequency measurement devices. Aim of this alignment system is to calibrate the magnet fiducials with an accuracy of ±10 m.


Rejosari was one of the residences indicated with unhealthy family index in 2018. The result of Program Indonesia Sehat (Indonesian Health Program) survey with family approach showed that the lowest indicator found at RW XIV of Rejosari was smoking with 44%. It makes smoking as the biggest trouble which should be handled. This research was aimed to find out the causing factors of smoking at RW XIV of Rejosari. This research was a descriptive study with health problem survey using questionnaire about the affecting factors based on health behavior theory by Lawrence Green which included predisposing factor, enabling factor, and reinforcing factor. The survey was conducted in February 2019 on 258 nuclear families as the sample. The finding showed that 78% residents knew about the danger of smoking, 59% fought against smoking habit, 78% found that cigarette was accessible and affordable in their area, 82% family involved with smoking habit, 61% were about health practitioners role, and 36% were environmental role to the effort to quit smoking.The most dominant factor of smoking behavior in RW XIV Rejosari of Semarang was the accessibility to cigarette around their neighborhood, and the lack of environment role in solving smoking behavior.


Librarians at Purdue University seek to develop engineering graduates who are effective information users. Similarly, information specialists at Caterpillar Inc. are concerned with how well new hires are prepared for the information landscape at work as practicing engineers. Librarians from Purdue University and Caterpillar partnered to create and disseminate a survey to compare how students and practicing engineers seek and use information in the research process. Within a framework that asked survey participants to think about information use in a recently completed project, responses highlighted several gaps in information literacy training, including the use of external standards and internal document storage systems, documentation practices, and resource awareness. We also explored information habits and frustrations of both user populations and found that, while students have more confidence in their abilities, they consult many fewer types of literature and utilize fewer strategies for organizing information effectively. Additionally, the findings suggest students tend to use more social media tools to keep abreast of developments in their field than practicing engineers, while engineers rely heavily on internal knowledge management systems to track information generated by the company that augments externally produced information. The goal of this project was to better understand both consistencies and gaps in university engineering education and industry expectations. This paper presents preliminary findings from this project and discusses how the authors plan to use the results to update undergraduate curricula and improve library services and resources for both populations.


Bhopal is known as the City of lakes. It has some hilly tracks covered with luxuriant vegetation along with fertile plateau suitable for cultivation of a number of crops. Apart from this, the forest area is represented by mixed deciduous forest. Taxonomical investigation were undertaken to explore the floristic status of the family Acanthaceae growing throughout the Bhopal district. The family is one of the advanced and specialized families with most of the plants, herbaceous. A number of plant species also have significant medicinal value. Keywords-Comprehensive; Floristic; Acanthaceae; Bhopal


Classically, infants are thought to point for 2 main reasons: (a) They point imperatively when they want an adult to do something for them (e.g., give them something; "Juice!"), and (b) they point declaratively when they want an adult to share attention with them to some interesting event or object ("Look!"). Here we demonstrate the existence of another motive for infants' early pointing gestures: to inform another person of the location of an object that person is searching for. This informative motive for pointing suggests that from very early in ontogeny humans conceive of others as intentional agents with informational states and they have the motivation to provide such information communicatively.


The development of advanced biosensor devices for very sensitive detection is highly required for many applications. The careful design of the bio-interface on the transducer surface is known to be one of the major bottlenecks for the development of high performance sensing devices. This paper reviews the emerging role of nanopatterned surfaces as alternative bio interface in the field of bio-detection. The different material used to functionalize this type of surfaces and the fabrication methodologies are described. Finally, the application of these surfaces in bio-detection using different biological systems and detection techniques is presented. In particular, a recent and very promising approach based on the optical interaction of nanoarrays with Surface Plasmon Resonance detection is described.


Psychological problems of students in higher vocational colleges arise, students under a variety of pressures induced by factors such as schooling, employment, personal development and affection. Thus, the initiation of psychological consultant work, the establishment of psychological counseling network, and the popularization of psychological counseling education and consultants'training in higher vocational colleges are urgent, all of which indicate the necessity of training high calibers, high technical ability, and practical talents.


DJ Interferon was introduced as therapy in the early 1990s, and ribavirin was added in the late 1990s. Then, pegylated interferon plus ribavirin was introduced in the early 2000s. However, the regimen generated success rates of only 50% to 55% in patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV.) In addition, pegylated interferon plus ribavirin was associated with significant adverse effects that were mainly attributed to interferon, although ribavirin also contributed to adverse effects. Research in molecular biology was undertaken to increase the cure rate. Different proteins of the HCV replication machinery were identified, and one of those proteins, the HCV protease enzyme, was investigated as a potential target to directly inhibit viral replication. Protease inhibitor therapy, without interferon and ribavirin, led to rapid development of resistance, so, clearly, the HCV protease inhibitor needed to be combined with some other therapy to prevent the emergence of resistant HCV variants. Combination pegylated interferon and ribavirin were, thus, used to prevent emergence of resistance while the protease inhibitor suppressed viral replication. The treatment strategy for HCV genotype 1 infection since 2011 has been the use of a protease inhibitor plus pegylated interferon and ribavirin, in which the role of the pegylated interferon and ribavirin is, basically, to prevent the development of emergence of resistance, although it may somewhat enhance the efficacy of the protease inhibitor. G&H Are there roles for pegylated interferon and ribavirin going forward with the number of new agents expected to come to market in the next 2 to 3 years?


We present gaseous and stellar kinematics for 14 gas-rich early-type galaxies. Half of the sample exhibit irregular gaseous velocity profiles; gas/star counter-rotation is visible in five galaxies. We also find five counter-rotating stellar cores, while five more galaxies display inner components kinematically decoupled from the main stellar body. We interpret our results as an indication that the ionized gas is of external origin, is generally not in equilibrium, and may have been acquired recently. The merging or accretion events that brought the gas into the galaxy have also affected the stellar kinematics.


This article analyzes the content of the six episodes released from the British mini-series Black Mirror . This series examines, from a sociological perspective, the influence of current technology in the society, projecting their present implications into the future. The analysis of the images and ideas of Black Mirror offers a dystopian vision of the contemporary use of the technological development, presenting a society immersed in a process of virtualization in which reality is consumed as spectacle. The society offered in Black Mirror represents a metaphor of the current society, exploring the potential changes in communication, sociability and morality. The ideas reflected in Black Mirror are, on the other hand, coincident with the thought expressed by authors such as Baudrillard, Žižek, Castells or Sartori, who analyzed the social and cultural changes that the use of new technologies are producing in the present and those that may take place in the future.


There is merely a short note on the selected issues of neutrino electromagnetic properties with focus on effects of new physics. The meaning of "new physics" is twofold: 1) a massive neutrino have nonzero electromagnetic properties that can be considered as manifestation of new physics beyond the Standard Model, and 2) in studies of neutrinos electromagnetic interactions new effects are predicted that can lead to new phenomena accessible for observations.


Many-body Green's function, and mean field theories have been developed for magnetic systems MgxNi1−xFe2O4. We apply this theory to evaluate thermal magnetization and magnetic susceptibility for different values of magnetic field and dilution x, by considering all components of the magnetisation when an external magnetic field is applied in (x-z)-plane. The critical temperatures of MgxNi1−xFe2O4 systems in the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 have been deduced. The Green's function results are compared with the results of high temperature series expansion technique, and experimental magnetic measurements.


Acoustic attenuation is a critical material-dependent parameter which ultimately limits the efficiency of an acousto-optic (AO) device. The loss in efficiency associated with acoustic attenuation is a result of the absorption of power from the acoustic beam into the AO material crystalline lattice through viscous damping and harmonic depletion. In long time-aperture AO devices (such as Bragg cells and acousto-optic tunable filters) acoustic attenuation limits the device time-aperture and hence the device resolution. Reported values of the acoustic attenuation due to viscous damping in the acousto-optically important L[001] mode of TeO2 range from 4 to 6.2 dB/μs/GHz2. We have recently measured acoustic attenuation in an L[001] mode TeO2 AO Bragg cell. We observed a power dependence to the acoustic attenuation and show that this is the result of absorption into higher nonlinear modes in the lattice. We find that the attenuation due to viscous damping is only 2.3 dB/μs/GHz2.


The high separation voltage in capillary electrophoresis (CE) often hampers the combination of CE and electrochemical detection (EC). Besides the increased noise due to the separation voltage, the response for a given electroactive analyte in amperometric detection at a fixed potential often varies with the applied separation voltage. This effect was earlier shown to be mainly caused by different shifts of the local working and reference electrode potentials, respectively, in the remaining CE-electric field between point of detection and CE-ground electrode.


1. Combination intended to induce and to stimulate the growth of hair and to reduce its loss, characterized in that it comprises: a) a component (A) containing, in an anhydrous, physi ologically acceptable medium, at least hydrocortisone, its salts or esters, and b) a component (B) containing, in en anhydrous, physi ologically acceptable medium, at least one pyrimidine derivative corresponding to the formula:


Protein LMP-1 is an Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncogene with expression leading to neoplastic cell transformation. LMP-1 lytic form (lyLMP-1) is a truncated form of the protein that lacks the LMP-1 transforming activity and ability to inhibit oncogenic activity. The paper demonstrates effects of common lyLMP-1 mutations on inhibition of key signaling pathways in the cell. These observations confirm experimentally that some lyLMP-1 mutations are involved in LMP-1 activity regulation.


High global warming potential of SF/sub 6/ gas has stimulated the active studies of searching for a substitute gas or mixture with lower environmental impact. As there exist many hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) with much lower warming potential than SF/sub 6/, we suggest the possibility of applying a mixture composed of one such gas with reduced warming potential. Furthermore, a component gas with higher boiling point than SF/sub 6/ may mitigate the difficulty of recovering the component gas in liquid state. This paper discusses the application of c-C/sub 4/F/sub 8/ (perfluorocyclobutan, C-318) for a gas mixture examining the environmental, physical and electrical aspects.


Harrogate has been bequeathed an early 20th century statue - 'La Douche' - sculpted by the notable artist Charles Raphael Peyre. The bequest has ...


Miscommunication problems are often caused by not only language barriers but also cultural ones. To avoid this, it is effective to know in advance about intercultural differences, such as differences in behavior, attitudes, and ways of thinking. We propose a methodology for cross-cultural understanding by exploring and looking at analytical thought process variation. Through the participatory case study experiments, we found that we could extract differences of protocol patterns among the participants groups: American, South Korean, and Japanese.


We study dynamics of solitons under the rotating wave approximation by considering a weak quartic nearest neighbour interparticle interaction potential. Also we discussed qualitative analysis of dynamical system in the phase plane where localised solutions correspond to a separatrix curve.


Abstract : Following a proof-of-principle demonstration of Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) in the AEDC Impulse Facility in FY93, a set of four PLIF images was obtained during FY94 runs of the facility. The images were obtained away from the nose region of a spherically blunt cone, using excitation of nitric oxide in the flow. Two laser sheet geometries were employed and two excitation wavelengths were used. A procedure was developed whereby calibration images allow the remapping of the PLIF images to test article coordinates. Using this technique, it was shown that the bow shock positions determined by PLIF agree well with the shock positions measured using schlieren photography. More importantly, the set of PLIF images constitutes an initial database against which Computational Fluid Dynamics calculations of high enthalpy flows can be compared. Initial results of such a comparison, obtained through Computational Flow Imaging, are reported. Recommendations are given for future PLIF applications at the Impulse Facility.


The infusion of 50 µ g norepinephrine (NE) into the third ventricle of the brain was found to be highly effective in stimulating the release of an ovulatory surge of LH from the pitu


The invention discloses a method for preparing a Ti nano electrode by taking a RuO2-IrO2 mesh electrode as an auxiliary electrode. The method comprises the following steps: (1) polishing a Ti pole plate with abrasive paper; (2) performing ultrasonic cleaning on the polished Ti pole plate by use of deionized water; (3) blow-drying the Ti pole plate after ultrasonic cleaning for later use; (4) oxidizing for 30-180 minutes at the set oxidation voltage of 10-60V by adopting the RuO2-IrO2 mesh electrode as an auxiliary electrode (cathode), the Ti pole plate blow-dried in the step (3) as a working electrode (anode) and an aqueous solution containing 0.01-0.30% of NH4F by mass as an electrolyte, wherein a micro nanotube structure is formed on the surface of the anode; and (5) after the reaction is over, taking out the Ti pole plate with nanotube morphology, performing ultrasonic cleaning with deionized water and drying to obtain a finished product of the Ti nano electrode. According to the method disclosed by the invention, the Ti nano electrode is prepared by taking the precious metal RuO2-IrO2 mesh electrode as an auxiliary electrode in an electrochemical reaction tank without needing other auxiliary treatment devices.


: Oral contraceptive (OCs) which are highly effective, simple to use, and reversible, are used by 50 million women globally. In Germany 37.1% of women used them in 1985. Recently their acceptance has declined because of the fear of side effects such as cancer, thrombophlebitis, and frigidity. Other negative factors are opposition of partner, religious views, inconvenience of daily intake, negative reports from the press, discussion by family physician, and anxiety about complications in the offspring. Psychological and psychosomatic side effects very from 1% to 56%. Most are psychovegetative symptoms: headache, sweating, heart disorders, gastrointestinal tract (GI) disorders, nausea, and sleep disturbance. Psychological symptoms include increased irritability, impulsiveness, affective lability, anxiety, depressive feelings, reduced libido, and sexual disorders. Unconscious and ambivalent feelings about wanting a child and problems with the partner can result in forgetting to take the pill. Inhibitions, shame, guilt, and repressed feelings about sexuality lead to a sense of victimization in the form of pregnancy. The Catholic Church holds the view that contraception and abortion are unnatural as enunciated in a 1968 encyclical on human life. Conflicts with the partner can be resolved by compromise and by medical counseling of both parties. True psychopathological disorders have to be distinguished from the psychological problems of healthy people. The soundness of the physician-patient relationship is essential for contraceptive counseling and for resolving such conflicts.


Ruscio and Holohan (2006) offer many excellent ideas for improving research on empirically supported treatments (ESTs) applied to complex cases. They hope that, as more empirical findings are accumulated, clinical practitioners will be more willing to use ESTs in their clinical work with such patients. This commentary suggests additional research strategies that are necessary to acquire information more useful and relevant to clinical practitioners. These include (a) integrating information from research on empirically supported relationship factors with findings from EST outcome research, (b) studying longer term therapies attempting to address issues beyond the symptoms of diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM)-defined disorders, and (c) investigating the efficacy and effectiveness of integrative forms of psychotherapy. The author's successes and difficulties of incorporating ESTs in his integrative therapy for anxiety disorders are highlighted.


Fibre axial distribution of cotton ring - spun yarn using three process variables, viz. card draft, coiler diameter of card and delivery speed of draw frame, has been studied. It is observed that the percentage of trailing, leading and total hooks and their extents on ring-spun yarn decrease with the increase in draw frame delivery speed and coiler diameter at carding machine. The above parameters also decrease as the card draft increases. Since the fibre extent and spinning - in coefficient are related to the efficacy of hook removal, these parameters improve as the delivery speed and coiler diameter increase and deteriorate as the card draft increases. It is also observed that the fibre overlap index decreases as the delivery speed and coiler diameter increase; the parameters however increase with the increase in card draft. It is interesting to note that the spinning-in coefficient and fibre overlap index do not show positive relationship.


During the conceptual design phase of a Final Assembly Line (FAL), the design solutions that will meet the functional and industrial requirements are defined, i.e.: the basic requirements of industrialization. During this phase, several alternatives are studied, and the most attractive in terms of performance and cost requirements is selected. As a result of the study of these alternatives, it is possible to define an early conceptual design of the assembly line and its basic parameters. The plant needs, long cycle jigs & tools or industrial means and human resources with the necessary skills can be determined in advance. This communication presents a case study focus on the FAL of the AIRBUS A400M.


The different versions of bioethics are founded on very specific underlying philosophical and ethical elements. Every philosophical doctrine or current of thought is the source of a particular set of ethics and every set of ethics supports a distinct version of bioethics that is dependent on the wisdom or shortsightedness of both the philosophy and the ethics on which it is based.
This paper is an attempt to explain how the relationship between philosophy, ethics and bioethics comes about and to identify the main consequences of the "kinship" determined by that affinity. A hypothetical situation is used to show the various solutions that are possible with five different triads that can be established, at present, as part of that relationship.
The bioethical consequences of the "kinship" between philosophy, ethics and bioethics are illustrated on the basis of the foregoing explanation. The limited scope of opinions and their contrast with rational discourse founded on reality leads to several conclusions: solving bioethical problems implies that we start with thinking that is properly supported by a philosophical anthropology that offers the best guarantee of accuracy, rationality, internal consistency and possibility for practice, which subsequently provides the basis for objective ethical thinking that is capable of unmasking any relativism, reductionism or ideologizing. In this way, it will be possible to provide answers to the problems associated with life in general and human life in particular.


We prove that for every integer g 0 and graph H, there exists a polynomial-time algorithm deciding whether an input graph of Euler genus at most g can be contracted to H. We introduce surface contractions and surface topological minors of embedded graphs. We prove that an embedded graph H is a surface contraction of an embedded graph G if and only if the geometric dual of H is a surface topological minor of the geometric dual of G.


Abstract. An adaptive analysis framework (AAF) for controlled environment production (CEP) of tomato was developed. The overall objective was to provide energy efficient strategies for achieving optimal air temperature, relative humidity (RH) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) in tropical lowland (TL) conditions. The framework database (DB) was built according to peer-reviewed published works on tomato growth response (GR) functions. A case study was carried out in TL Malaysia by collecting sample temperature, RH and light condition (sun, night, cloud) data for 126 days from July to Dec 2013. The framework was used to determine environment responses (ER) at three GR references (GR=0, GR=0.55 and GR=1) for five growth stages (GS). Results showed significant difference between means of ER values in different GS and GR levels, indicating possible savings of energy up to 62% at GS=1, 17% at GS=2 and 30% at GS=3 to 5 in providing ideal climate condition for CEP of tomato.


The article mainly discusses the opposition unity character about architecture form and structure in the software building,also the harmony relations between building and the environment,which is its main idea.The in-depth discussion elaborates on the general concept,the design of mass,the diversity of architecture space,building skin treatment.


One central area of dispute in current racial politics is whether an act, policy, or event constitutes racism. I contend that the core of these debates involves competing conceptions of racism. Using text from a variety of media sources, I examine the different ways in which racism is defined and how claims and counterclaims are contextualized. I also explore how the dynamic nature of racial discourse leads to the emergence of new ways of defining racism as advocates seek advantages in political debate. Finally, I connect the struggle involving racism as a contested concept to two larger racial ideologies: color-blindness and systemic racism.


The Automated Physiologic Profile (APP) was first introduced by Cohn JD and L. Del-Guercio in 1975. We designed this program on IBM-5550 computer and used it in our SICU since 1986. The advantages of APP are: 1. It helps to establish the diagnosis ana proper tretment. 2. The graphic display are much easier to evaluate than the regular printed reports. 3. APP gives us a tool to quantify the data as opposed to clinical impressions. 4 . APP can meet a need for rapid and detailed hemodynamic and pulmonary assessment of the critically-ill patients.


In North Cyprus, teacher relocation in State schools is handled in a centralized manner. Teachers, if they wish to relocate, state which schools they wish to move to, and the authorities try to come up with a relocation scheme that maximizes the happiness of the teachers, without overlooking the needs of the schools involved. This is a classic discrete optimization problem, and requires exponential search for its solution. We handle this problem using constraint logic programming techniques, trying to minimize the search space wherever possible. We formulate the problem mathematically, model it in the ECLPS constraint logic programming language, and test our solution under various scenarios.


SOlllelillles III/ <'1'<'111 lakes Illace 11701 is Ir//(\' mO/l/en/olls. We knOll" that il is irr('n'rsihle alld thaI utia il hapl'ells nOlhing \l'iII he 411ile the sallie again. A ISlIlIu/1/i slIch us Ihal which deruslalcd Aceh in Indonesia on 26 Dccemher :lOIl·l!i"'" illlo Ihis ealegor\,. So does (/ sIIdden and IInheralded acl (It war on (/ large scule, sl/ch as Ihe (llIack 0/1 Ihe American naval inslallation al Pearl f/urhour Oil Decell/her 1f)~/, or Ihe homhing o{the World Trade Centre and Ihe Pel/lugon illllie Uniled Slales 011 " Sl!plemher 2{){)1. A/wIlier slIch case is Ihe (Is.\(/sSil1alirm ora charislllalic IlOlilicalleoder who cannol hI! replaced. .I() Ihal hislOIT luke.\' u di/li'relll palh. AI Ihe micro-Iel'el lfe experience Ihe sUlI/e killd or dL'l'USIUlillg cllUllge in Ihe loss or a loped one, or collapse or (/ hllsillL'.I.1 IItUI 11£1.1 uh,lorhL'd all or 0111' reS01ll"CL'S and e./lill"/.I'. We can/idl in lo\'(' sliddell(I' al1d l}/"otiJIIl1d(L so Ihal Ire hare 110 choice hilI 10 go l!'ilh iI, PL'rlw/is Ihe dcepcsi or 011 1111'S," /IIomenlol/s, irr1'I'crsih/e cxperiences is Ihe hirlh % child


Deep below the Carpathian Mountains in Romania the earth quakes and shakes. The reason for this tectonic violence is a mystery that is difficult to unravel even with the latest measuring techniques and seismic and omographical research.


Report describes theoretical and experimental study of robustness of adaptive model-reference control scheme designed to suppress vibrations in large, flexible structure. Model can be mathematical model or collection of models approximating dynamics of structure, vibration sensors, and vibration-suppressing actuators.


Primary large-cell neuro-endocrine carcinoma of the bladder is a rare aggressive tumor with a very poor prognosis. The authors report two new cases of primary large-cell neuro-endocrine carcinoma of the bladder and discuss the pathological and therapeutic aspects of this tumor in the light of a review of the literature


Introduction: the dynamic condylar screw (DCS) plate is an angular stable fixation (95°) system for distal femur fractures that allows for the ability to apply compression across the femoral condyles. The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience treating distal femur fractures with this device and give the long-term outcome. Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken in our institution during the period from August 2020 to September 2021. A total number of 40 patients with distal femur fractures were managed using DCS plate system and included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 12 months (6 to 18 months). Clinico-radiological progression of fracture union as well as the functional outcome was studied. Results : most of the fractures were closed injuries in young male patients resulting from traffic accidents. The average time to union was 12.6 weeks (range 11 - 23). Two patients (5%) suffered superficial infection. Non-union in one cases (2.5%). Implant loosening seen in one (2.5%) and knee joint stiffness seen in one patient. At final follow-up, the mean range of motion (ROM) of knee was 115.7° (100°- 148°). The mean NEER's Knee Score was 84.5 (59 - 94) translating to good clinical results. Conclusion: our study conclusively establishes that excellent functional outcome can be achieved with DCS plate inserted with skilled surgical technique in distal femur fractures including the ones that are communited or occurring in osteoporotic bone with a negligible complication rates.


Clearly business world is non-linear and economics can be chaotic [12]. Its complexity increases as it tend toward being electronic. In this paper, we have used simple mathematical equations to show the chaos in an electronic market. The e-market consists of a seller and limitless number of buyers with two basic strategies. After calculating the quantity of demand based on buyers' strategies, the effect of the price adjustment on seller's profit is demonstrated and its chaotic behavior is shown.


Construction of new forms of wheat on the basis of genomes of wild grasses (Gramineae) growing under harsh environmental conditions is a promising approach to cell and genetic engineering. To compile a cell culture collection of wild grasses common in Eastern Siberia (the Baikal region, in particular), about ten species of wild grasses were tested for the capacity for callusogenesis and morphogenesis. Conversion of specialized cells into callus cells is a necessary stage of organogenesis. It is widely believed that callusogenesis can be induced in any plant organ or tissue. In practice, however, it is difficult to induce callusogenesis in some species of wild grasses. For example, although optimal parameters of cultivation of Elymus sibiricus L., Agropyron cristatum L., and Hordeum brevisubulatum L. were determined in our experiments, the maximum yield of calluses did not exceed 40‐55%. It should be noted for comparison that under otherwise identical conditions, 90 to 100% explants of spring wheat produce calluses. There are numerous publications on the stimulating effects of low-intensity laser radiation on many physiological processes in plant objects [1]. It has been shown in the preceding works [2, 3] that laser light modifies morphogenetic processes in plant tissue cultures and induces changes in the activity of hydrolytic enzymes. Therefore, it was reasonable to use coherent radiation for stimulating callusogenesis. The goal of this work was to study the possible effects of low-intensity laser radiation on the callusproducing capacity of the wild-growing grains E. sibiricus (Siberian wild rye), H. brevisubulatum (shortawned barley), and A. cristatum (crested wheat grass). These wild grasses were chosen because it is usually difficult to obtain their tissue cultures. Mature caryopses of these plants were used as explants. Callusogenesis was induced using a modified Murasige‐Skuga (MS) medium. An LG-75 helium‐neon laser (emission wavelength, 632.8 nm; light intensity at the sample level, 10 mW; exposure time, 5 or 30 min) was used as a light source. Experimental samples were exposed to laser light immediately after planting to the culture medium. The number of calluses was counted as the percentage of the total number of explants in 40 experimental and 40 control samples. Both experimental and control data were independently obtained in triplicate for each plant species and each exposure time. Statistical significance was assessed using Student's t test. The arithmetic mean values averaged over three independent experiments are shown in the figures. The dependence of the callus formation efficiency in H. brevisubulatum explants on the exposure time is shown in Fig. 1. In the two variants studied, the callus yield in experimental samples was significantly higher than in the control. The callus yield in experiments with 30-min exposure was 10% higher than in the control. The stimulating effect of laser light in experiments with 5-min exposure was even more pronounced. The callus yield in this case was 45% higher than in unexposed control samples. The effect of low-intensity laser radiation on the callus-producing capacity of the wild grasses E. sibiricus and A. cristatum is shown in Fig. 2. The callus-producing capacities of E. sibiricus and A. cristatum differed from each other. It follows from Fig. 2 that the callus yield in exposed and unexposed explants of E. sibiricus was 91 and less than 55%, respectively. The stimulating effect of laser light on callusogenesis was particularly pronounced in A. cristatum explants. It should be noted that this species is characterized by a consistently low callus-producing capacity. The callus yield in control samples of A. cristatum did not exceed 10%, whereas the A. cristatum explants exposed to laser light exhibites the callus yield as high as 96%. Thus, the callus-producing capacity of the A. cristatum explants exposed to laser light was comparable to the callus-producing capacity of exposed E. sibiricus , a species with a sufficiently high callus-producing capacity of control samples (54%). The difference between the control and experimental (exposed) samples was statistically significant in all experiments ( p < 0.001).


To understand the unique pathophysiological process of LEC rats (Long-Evans rats with a cinnamon-like coat color), which develop hereditary and spontaneous hepatic injury -4 months after birth, the levels of four biometals, such as Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn together with metallothionein (MT) and nitric oxide (NO as NO2− plus NO3−), were determined in the liver of male and female animals given normal (Cu level: 0.9–1.0 mg/100 g solid) or Cu-deficient (Cu level: <0.1 mg/100 g solid) diet by atomic absorption spectrometry, radioimmunoassay, and the Griess method, respectively. Levels of Cu and MT, which in turn form Cu-MT, increased, whereas the NO level was decreased in the aging process of both male and female rats given a normal diet. Therefore, the accumulated Cu-MT was proposed to scavenge NO, since NO levels in the liver of LEC rats were lowered compared with those of normal Wistar rats given the same diet. In female LEC rats, enhancements of both Cu and MT accumulations were proposed to relate closely to the development of hepatoma as estimated by histochemical staining. In addition, alterations of Fe, Zn, and Mn levels in the liver were obtained, which may contribute the development of jaundice, hepatitis, and hepatoma of LEC rats. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 10:89–100, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.