Milk progesterone level is a good marker to evaluate the functional status of the corpus luteum in all farm animals. The present study was conducted to monitor changes in milk progesterone concentrations at the time of oestrus and post-mating for diagnosing early pregnancy in Anatolian water buffaloes. Twenty-one buffaloes reared at the Kocatepe Agricultural Research Institute, Afyon, Turkey, were used. Milk samples were collected on Days 0 (D0: oestrus-mating), 11, 19, 21 and 24, and then every 3-4 days until Day 45. They were stored at 4 iC and analysed by the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method. Rectal palpation was performed on Day 60 to confirm pregnancy. Although 16 animals had elevated levels of progesterone on Day 19 and Day 24, pregnancy was only confirmed in 12 of them on Day 60. Although the other 4 buffaloes had elevated levels of progesterone and did not return to oestrus during Day 19 and Day 24, they were confirmed non-pregnant on Day 60. Two of these non-pregnant buffaloes with elevated progesterone levels had increased progesterone levels even on Day 45 and did not return to oestrus. In the remaining 2 non-pregnant buffaloes with elevated progesterone levels, progesterone concentrations declined gradually (1.2 ng/ml on Day 31 and 0.88 ng/ml on Day 45). The other 5 buffaloes were diagnosed non-pregnant based upon the milk progesterone assay. Mean progesterone concentration in these non-pregnant buffaloes was 0.88 - 0.37 ng/ml between Days 19 and 24. The accuracy rate, sensitivity, specificity and the detection rate of pregnancy and non-pregnancy of progesterone assay were 81.0, 100.0, 56.0, 75.0 and 100.0%, respectively. In conclusion, milk progesterone assay is a fast and reliable tool to detect oestrus time and non-pregnant buffaloes with a 100.0% accuracy rate. In addition, this assay may also give an idea about early pregnancy during Days 19-24 of gestation and may be used to predict some reproductive disorders which cause infertility and economic losses in Anatolian buffaloes. Araflt›rmada Afyon Kocatepe Tar›msal Araflt›rma Enstitusunde bulunan 21 manda materyal olarak kullan›ld›. Hayvanlardan sut ornekleri 0. (ostrus-ciftleflme), 11., 19., 21., 24. gunlerde ve ayr›ca 45. gune kadar her 3-4 gunde bir topland›. Ornekler 4 iC'de sakland› ve daha sonra enzim immunoassay (EIA) metodu ile analiz edildi. Hayvanlar›n gebelikleri 60. gunde rektal palpasyon ile kontrol edildi. Analizler sonras›nda 16 mandan›n sut progesteron seviyeleri 19-24. gunler aras›nda yuksek bulunmas›na ramen, sadece 12'sinin rektal muayenede gebe olduu belirlendi. Geriye kalan 4 mandan›n ise ostrusa gelmedikleri ve rektal muayene ile gebe olmad›klar› tespit edildi. Bunlar›n 2'sinde progesteron seviyesinin 45 gun suresince duflmedii gozlenirken, dier 2'sinde ise sut progesteron konsantrasyonlar›n›n s›ras›yla 31. (1,2 ng/ml) ve 45. (0,88 ng/ml) gunlerde dufltu¤u belirlendi.


The key to pushing forward the agriculture industrialization is to try to be practical. This will demand
as fellows: Distinguish the three kinds of agriculture industrializations of pushing from outside, internal cooperating
and industry unifying, handling the land operation with scale and family, the development of agriculture and other
industries, the govemment's regulation and the independence operating by enterprise and peasant household, select
the pattern of agriculture industrialization scientifically. Grasp firmly the main problems on agriculture industrializa-
tion and take corresponding tactics on the agricultural product competition ability, the market developments, the
mechanism of benefits, the government's behavior.


Let R be a finite commutative ring with identity 1. The unitary Cayley graph of R, denoted by GR, is the graph whose vertex set is R and the edge set {{a, b} : a, b ∈ R and a - b ∈ R×}, where R× is the group of units of R. We define the unitary Cayley signed graph (or unitary Cayley sigraph in short) to be an ordered pair 𝒮R = (GR, σ), where GR is the unitary Cayley graph over R with signature σ : E(GR) → {1, -1} given by In this paper, we give a criterion on R for SR to be balanced (every cycle in 𝒮R is positive) and a criterion for its line graph L(𝒮R) to be balanced. We characterize all finite commutative rings with the property that the marked sigraph 𝒮R,μ is canonically consistent. Moreover, we give a characterization of all finite commutative rings where 𝒮R, η(𝒮R) and L(𝒮R) are hyperenergetic balanced.


To develop statistical tests for comparing trend curves of study outcomes between two socio‐demographic strata across consecutive time points, and compare statistical power of the proposed tests under different trend curves data, three statistical tests were proposed. For large sample size with independent normal assumption among strata and across consecutive time points, the Z and Chi‐square test statistics were developed, which are functions of outcome estimates and the standard errors at each of the study time points for the two strata. For small sample size with independent normal assumption, the F‐test statistic was generated, which is a function of sample size of the two strata and estimated parameters across study period. If two trend curves are approximately parallel, the power of Z‐test is consistently higher than that of both Chi‐square and F‐test. If two trend curves cross at low interaction, the power of Z‐test is higher than or equal to the power of both Chi‐square and F‐test; however, at high interaction, the powers of Chi‐square and F‐test are higher than that of Z‐test. The measurement of interaction of two trend curves was defined. These tests were applied to the comparison of trend curves of vaccination coverage estimates of standard vaccine series with National Immunization Survey (NIS) 2000–2007 data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


OBJECTIVE: To investigate: (i) the effect of sulindac on the proliferation of HT-29 cells; and (ii) the antineoplastic mechanisms of sulindac.

METHODS: The MTT colorimetric assay was used to examine the effect of sulindac on the proliferation of HT-29 cells. Flow cytometry was used for examining the cell cycle distribution. Flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy and DNA electrophoresis were used to determine whether sulindac induces cell apoptosis.

RESULTS: Sulindac inhibited cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After treatment with 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 mmol/L sulindac for 72 h, the inhibition rates reached 16, 38, 62.3 and 92.2%, respectively. After treatment with 1.2 mmol/L sulindac for 24, 48 and 72 h, the inhibition rates reached 32.4, 71.3 and 92.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). Sulindac increased the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase and decreased the proportion of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle. After treatment with 1.2 mmol/L sulindac for 48 h, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase increased from 32.5 to 70.5% and the S phase decreased from 43.1 to 11.3% compared with the control cells (P < 0.01). Flow cytometry, DNA electrophoresis and transmission electron microscopy all demonstrated that sulindac could induce apoptosis of the HT-29 cell line. After treatment with 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 mmol/L sulindac for 48 h, the proportion of apoptotic cells reached 5.8, 7.6 and 11.7%, compared with 2.9% in the control group; after treatment for 72 h, the proportion of apoptotic cells increased to 12.5, 15.4% and 24.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). All effects were time and dose dependent.

CONCLUSIONS: The colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cell line can be inhibited by sulindac and the antitumor mechanism may be related to changing cell cycle distribution and inducing cell apoptosis.


The present invention provides a method and apparatus for obtaining a traffic signal to be displayed on a display mounted on a vehicle. The receiver is provided on the vehicle to receive the traffic messages from the traffic signal close to the vehicle. The vehicle includes a position and orientation determining means for determining the direction and position of the vehicle. The decoding means is provided for decoding the traffic messages. The selection means is used to, determine the appropriate traffic light display for the display mounted on a vehicle according to the position and orientation of the vehicle with respect to the traffic signal. It is performed in a traffic signal displayed on the display of the vehicle.


High-resolution capacitance measurements were used to explore the effects of the gut hormones GLP-1(7-36) amide [glucagon-like peptide I(7-36) amide] and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) on Ca2+-dependent exocytosis in glucagon-secreting rat pancreatic ケ-cells. Both peptides produced a greater than threefold potentiation of secretion evoked by voltage-clamp depolarizations, an effect that was associated with an ∼35% increase of the Ca2+ current. The stimulatory actions of GLP-I(7-36) amide and GIP were mimicked by forskolin and antagonized by the protein kinase A (PKA)- inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS. The islet hormone somatostatin inhibited the stimulatory action of GLP-I(7-36) amide and GIP via a cyclic AMP–independent mechanism, whereas insulin had no effect on exocytosis. These data suggest that the α-cells are equipped with receptors for GLP-I and GIP and that these peptides, in addition to their well-established insulinotropic capacity, also stimulate glucagon secretion. We propose that the reported inhibitory action of GLP-I on glucagon secretion is accounted for by a paracrine mechanism (e.g., mediated by stimulated release of somatostatin that in turn suppresses exocytosis in the α-cell).


Negotiating agents are an increasing factor in large-scale multi agents systems today. Thus, the need to design a high-performance agent, able to interact with its surrounding in order to achieve its goals, is in demand. It is especially beneficial to design an agent able to perform well in all environments a cooperative environment where all agents work together to achieve a joint goal (for example RoboCup), a competitive environment where each agent has its own set of goals and competes with the other agents in the system (for example auctions) or an intermediate environment where agents have their own set of goals but also share a joint one (for example branches of the same company working to maximize their own income, while keeping the company interests in mind as well). Throughout the years many models of agents have been developed, most of which have been designated to act in a specific type of environment, either a cooperative or a competitive environment. Furthermore, several techniques for dealing with agents that compromise the foundations of the cooperative/competitive environment were developed, in order to increase the agents' gain and/or protect them from exploiters. Our solution is to design an Adaptive Multi-personality agent that consists of a set of sub-agents. Each sub-agent is in charge of interacting and negotiating with one of the other agents coexisting in its surrounding. By modeling agents it interacts with, and by learning which sub-agent best-suits each agent, the Adaptive Multi-personality agent can interact with other agents in an optimal manner. As a result, the Adaptive Multi-personality agent is able to perform well in all types of environments, cooperative, competitive and intermediate alike. Moreover, it copes well with different strategies agents deploy it doesn't yield to exploiters while taking advantage of the selfless. The first part of this thesis describes the Adaptive Multi-personality agent: its design and motivation, its different modules, its special instance as an adaptive one-personality agent and our hypotheses regarding its performance. The second part introduces the domain in which we would evaluate the Adaptive Multipersonality performance. This domain is the Colored Trails game, a complex game with numerous parameters, which allows us to conduct a large number of different experiments. In this part we also discuss the additional agents we have at our disposal, which were designed by other designers, and will be used to evaluate the Adaptive Multi-personality performance as well. The last part presents the experiments we executed, some of which were precursory experiments, which "trained" the agent, and the others were evaluation experiments. All in all we executed over 58,000 games, which translate into ~3800 hours of computation. In all those experiments the Adaptive Multi-personality agent proved to be significantly better than its adaptive one-personality instance and the additional agents alike, and reached higher scores.


Background: I work in a kindergarten where there are children who have different types and degrees of hearing loss. In addition, there are hearing children who are related to deaf people and, therefore, wish to learn sign language. The kindergarten is part of a state owned resource center. Daily life in this kindergarten includes two languages, Norwegian sign language and Norwegian spoken language. Some of the children attending this kindergarten, and also in some other kindergartens and schools in our country, have an additional language to relate to. They have parents from ethnic minorities, and some people in this situation ask themselves, in which language are we to speak to our child?The issue of the thesis: Implicit in the parents question there are many thoughts: Can children with cochlear implants develop bilingualism, if so, how? What communication skills are the children able to develop? What languages are the children exposed to? To find some answers to these questions, I had to observe what languages children in this situation use in their everyday life, when dealing with their families, their peers and the adults in the kindergarten. I wanted to base this observation on their functional language, the language that they use in natural communication with other people. The final issue of the thesis is: Two children with cochlear implants from ethnic minority families. What lingual resources do they use in communication with other children and adults? Method: The present thesis has a qualitative approach. I have mainly been using video as a method for observing. It is a case study in which I have observed two children who have cochlear implants and come from ethnic minority families.Conclusions: Obviously, it is possible for children who have cochlear implants to learn more languages. It is not only possible, but also a big advantage to learn their parents' native language. It is just as important for these children as for other children to learn their parents' heart language. Developing this language in a proper way, will positively affect the child's other languages. This fact is not only due to language skills, but also to affiliation and identity. Bilingualism gives advantages also when the child is using cochlear implants. A certain level of bilingualism will increase the brain's plasticity. This can give benefits for someone who uses cochlear implant, which in itself is cognitively demanding. . The children show that they have developed sensitivity to interpersonal communication and meta-cognitive and meta-linguistic skills. Children with cochlear implants from ethnic minority families have the same amount of awake time for learning languages as hearing children who are going to learn only one language. Due to this fact, systematic and conscious monitoring is necessary in order to give the child as much lingual stimuli as possible in natural situations throughout the day


An overview of the developments in optical wireless systems viewed from the traditional communications viewpoint of transmitter, channel and receiver is presented. The trends in modulation formats that match information to the optical wireless channel are considered. This is followed by the discussion of recent transmitter and receiver innovations, particularly the utilisation of diversity transceivers. As a preliminary to the following treatment, the nature and modelling of the optical wireless channel are introduced, with particular emphasis on its unique features in terms of transmitted power constraints and non-negativity. From the examination of modulation formats, on-off-keying remains the format of choice for basic binary transmission, whereas pulse-position modulation and its derivatives are preferred for more sophisticated requirements. The recent introduction of techniques from radio systems employing subcarriers is seen to be the most promising development in modulation techniques at present. In receiver technology, quasi-diffuse systems employing multispot diffusion and angular diversity are significant developments. They offer lower path loss and less multipath dispersion, at a lower transmission power compared to 'conventional' wide-angle diffuse systems, while providing a high level of user mobility compared to line-of-sight transmission. These developments are helping optical wireless systems to fulfil their promise by adopting a philosophy inspired by the radio domain to accommodate operation within a hostile channel.


We discuss a correlated two-photon imaging apparatus that is capable of producing images that are free of the effects of odd-order aberration introduced by the optical system. We show that both quantum-entangled and classically correlated light sources are capable of producing the desired spatial-aberration cancelation.


Volunteer socializers are members of a community who voluntarily help newcomers become familiar with the popular practices and attitudes of the community. In this paper, we explore the social and psychological predictors of volunteer socializers on reddit, an online social news-sharing community. Through a survey of over 1000 reddit users, we found that social identity, prosocial-orientation and generalized reciprocity are all predictors of socializers in the community. Interestingly, a user's tenure with the online community has a quadratic effect on volunteer socialization behaviors -- new and long-time members are both more likely to help newcomers than those in between. We conclude with design implications for motivating users to help newcomers.


Purpose of a State Constitution; Rules of Construction; Rules Based on Intrinsic and Extrinsic Evidence of Meaning; Choice of Rule; The Purpose and Role of Bills or Declarations of Rights; Doctrine of Adequate and Independent State Ground; Members of the Executive Branch of Government; Their Election and Duties; Legislative Branch; Limitations on the Law Making Function; Judicial Branch; Sources and Patterns of Judicial Power and Jurisdiction; Rule Making; Regulation of the Practice of Law; Separation of Powers; Usurpation of Power; Delegation of Power; Local Government; Limitations on Local Government; Home Rule; Revenue and Taxation; Limitations on Revenue and Taxation; General Obligation Bonds; Revenue Bonds; Referendum Requirements; Property Taxes; Other Taxes; Exemption of Public Property; Homestead Exemption; Miscellaneous Provisions; Amendments to State Constitutions.


Lloyd Wells' four examples of loss of self challenge both philosophers and clinicians to ponder just what it is that has been lost in such cases. If a self has been lost, who lost it? And how can personal identity be so insecure that it can be lost in so many different ways? Empiricist thinkers, both Western and Eastern, have questioned the very existence of a self; much recent thought about the nature of the self has converged on notions that it is not a substantial reality, but a narrative, the product of the stories that we tell ourselves about our lives so that we can knit together our experiences into a continuous plot. Owen Flanagan and Valerie Hardcastle have already brought one version of this theory to bear on one of Wells' cases and James Phillips explores the capacity of narrative theory to account for each of these cases in an accompanying essay. In this essay, I challenge the adequacy of narrative theories of the self in general and their application to these particular cases. The details of Wells' cases highlight the limitations of narrative theories to discursive, secondary process thought by directing attention to the richer and more expressively forceful resources of metaphor and nondiscursive forms of symbolism. Narrative unity or continuity is no guarantee against experiences of the loss of self. The monological character of narrative masks the sociality of the self, the ways in which each individual self is constituted and threatened by interactions with other selves. I argue for the power of drama, opera, music, dance, and spatial forms of symbolism to cope with the diversity of what Flanagan has dubbed the multiplex self, (Flanagan 1994) especially when narrative fails. Language and narrative certainly play a crucial role in human self-consciousness. But human imagination and art command other resources as well and a theory that acknowledges their contributions can accept and incorporate the insights of narrative theories without confining itself to the limitations of story telling. Synopsis of Lloyd Wells' Four Cases HERE ARE VERY BRIEF summaries of the four cases discussed in this essay for any readers who do not have Wells' account freshly in mind or who have not read his accompanying paper, which provides far richer accounts. Case One: Dr. Jones, Bipolar Disorder At 52, Dr. Jones slipped into his first depression, which precipitated a cycle of profound and rapid reversals of his mood and, indeed, of the whole quality of his experience from one day to the next. Every other day he would either lapse into listless pessimism, only to awake the following day bursting with energy and ideas. His wife could not recognize the husband she knew in either of these Personae. Alarmed by lapses of judgment during his "up" periods, Dr. Jones finally agreed to take lithium and returned to his "moderately morose" but productive "old self" (Wells 2003, 298). Case Two: Joanne, Onset of Schizophrenia At 16, Joanne found the early symptoms of schizophrenia both confusing and alarming. She complained that her self has left her and wondered "what became of me? . . . Where I was is filled with noise and voices and there's—it's a small area, the brain, but there's a huge emptiness there that I used to fill" (Wells 2003, 299). 10.4woody. 2/9/04, 11:45 AM 329 330 ■ PPP / VOL. 10, NO. 4 / DECEMBER 2003 Case Three: Edward, Uncertain Boundaries Hospitalized as suicidal at 14, this shy, intelligent adolescent found it difficult to distinguish "what's inside my mind from what's outside it." Certain that others have a clear sense of that boundary, he complained that when he thinks about it, "I completely lose any sense of myself." Edward began to feel better able to cope as he became more concerned with his own bodily experiences of dizziness and stomach pain, but regretted the substitution of such trivial preoccupations for the "great and terrifying thoughts" they have displaced (Wells 2003, 299). Case Four: Mary, Severe Dissociative Disorder Mary had several discrete ego states, which she has managed to keep hidden from everyone but her daughter and, eventually, Dr. Wells. Although she might seem to suffer more from an excess of selves than a loss of self, she complained that she has missed out on much of her life: "Almost 18 years have gone by since my daughter was born, and I haven't even had the opportunity to live most of it." By her own account, she compartmentalized her life for defensive purposes. "But, of course, a compartment that shields me from some truth—and they all do—leaves me not recognizing that kind of situation when it happens again" (Wells 2003, 302). Mary was deeply ambivalent about her own proliferation of ego states. Although she hated her syndrome, she was reluctant to part with it, viewing it as a beautiful, creative achievement comparable to an elaborate circular dance, so beautiful that it was worth preserving for its own sake. Although she yearned to be like "normal" people, she dreaded the boredom that might ensue if she settled down into a single self, while at the same time she feared abandoning defenses she had relied upon since childhood. When Narrative Fails Normally, there is nothing of which we are more certain than the feeling of our own self, our own I. This I appears to us as something autonomous and unitary, marked off distinctly from everything else. (Freud 1962; I have substituted I for Strachey's Ego to translate Freud's Ich) But, Freud warns, "such an appearance is deceptive." The self is not so simple nor clearly defined nor secure as it may normally seem. Lloyd Wells' four cases dramatize that fact. But we do not need psychoanalysis or such extreme pathology to convince us that the self is complex, insecure, and hard to define. More ordinary evidence of psychological tension and conflict long since persuaded Plato that we must acknowledge divisions in the mind and that the harmonious integration upon which mental health and happiness depend is an ideal not always or easily realized. The Buddha went still further, warning that the ideal of an enduring, unified and discrete self is a dangerous illusion. Contemporary writers further elaborate on this theme of the tenuous complexity of the self in a variety of ways, from Howard Gardner's multiple forms of intellect to Jerry Fodor's account of the modularity of mind to Gerald Edelman's "neural group selection" to Daniel Dennett's attempt to explain consciousness in terms of "multiple drafting." But then, why the normal self-certainty? If the self is really such a compound of interacting parts or modules, an ideal at best, an illusion at worst, then how do we come by that "feeling" of self that Freud found so normal, albeit deceptive? What knits together the parts—or what accounts for the illusion? In recent years, both cognitivists and psychoanalysts have embraced the idea of the narrative self that James Phillips describes in his accompanying essay. On the psychiatric side, this was probably stimulated by Paul Ricoeur's Freud and Philosophy (1970) and his three-volume work Time and Narrative (1984/1988). On the cognitivist side it is epitomized in Acts of Meaning by Jerome Bruner (1990), one of the patriarchs of cognitive psychology—and by an essay in the Times Literary Supplement by Daniel Dennett (1988), who is one of its most eloquent philosophical proponents. In that essay, "Why Everyone is a Novelist," Dennett argues that the self is a "narrative fiction," the fictitious protagonist of a story that I tell myself about myself to 10.4woody. 2/9/04, 11:45 AM 330 WOODY / WHEN NARRATIVE FAILS ■ 331 make sense of my own behavior and experiences—a story that must be constantly revised and edited to accommodate fresh data. The self is simply the protagonist of all these narratives—a fictional object that Dennett compares with the center of gravity of a physical entity. Now, a center of gravity is not an atom or a subatomic particle or any other physical item in the world . . . it has no physical properties at all, except for spatial-temporal location . . . It is a purely abstract object. It is, if you like, a theorist's fiction. It is not one of the real things in the universe in addition to the atoms. But it is a fiction that has a nicely defined, well delineated and well-behaved role within physics. Similarly, my self is a narrative fiction, Dennett claims, an abstract object produced by the stories I tell about myself—the protagonist of a story that is in the process of revision so long as "I" live (Dennett 1988, 1066). Dennett can thus explain the rather tentative and ideal or illusory character of the self as due to its status as an abstract fiction. The self is real enough as a product of narrative, just as the center of gravity is a real product of theory. But neither would be real apart from the narrative or theoretical fictions that posit them. Whereas Ricoeur and the clinicians draw their inspiration from the traditions of hermeneutics and literary studies, Dennett's narrativism is rooted in computational theories of mind, according to which thinking must mean processing some sort of "language," which includes everything from English and Urdu to Pascal or "C" or the machine language that eventually manages the operations of a computer. He therefore denies that there are any mental images. Even dreaming must be a purely discursive, linguistic performance because, even if there were any images in the computing brain, who would be there to watch them? Is the loss of self of which Wells' patients complain due to a narrative failure? Wells' four cases provide vivid pathological examples to anchor reflection upon both versions of the theory that the self is the product of the stories that we tell about ourselves. Significant problems for that theory as advocates of each version attempt to come to terms with these clinical examples. The Multiplex Self Owen Flanagan and Valerie Hardcastle (2000) discuss Lloyd Wells' case of


The low energy scattering of electrons by different neutral atoms has been treated by assuming that the atomic wave functions remain unchanged even at the presence of the scattered particle and by neglecting the exchange between the scattered electron and the bound electrons. The potential term in the differential equation of the scattered particle is exactly the atomic potential of the neutral atom and is approximated by analytical expressions, yielding the potential scattering equation. The variational treatments of Hulthén, Kohn and a related one suggested by Malik, are applied to solve this equation for a Hartree atom with l=0. The scattering by He, C and N is treated explicitly and the results of He indicate that in this way one may get some good result without going into the great complexity of the many body problem. It is further pointed out that the study of scattering by neutral atoms near zero energy under this model may serve as a possible mean to investigate the existence of different negative ions and their number of bound states. It seems from this point of view that He-, C- and N- for this model may exist and have one bound s-state.


The current study examines the issue of disposal for LEO and MEO satellites. The analysis shows that there is a desirable eccentricity vector orientation for disposal of LEO satellites and rocket bodies that will cause the long-term minimum perigee altitude to be lower than the mean potentially by tens of kilometers. This may enhance the speed at which low altitude LEOs decay into the atmosphere by several months. Similarly, there are favorable orientations of the eccentricity vector that will keep MEOs (and high altitude LEOs) at a safer distance above their previous operational regime for a longer period of time. Both orientations can be achieved for a similar disposal cost in fuel as would otherwise be used in a normal disposal profile. Nomenclature


This chapter focuses on the 10 States that form the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos), Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. There has been a tendency by Southeast Asian States to avoid using the term 'refugees' at the national level, even though they have to deal with the term in international fora. Most States in the region do not have specific laws on refugee protection; their legal structure tends to classify people who seek refuge as 'illegal immigrants' under national immigration law. Occasionally, policies allowing asylum seekers to reside temporarily in the country pending durable solutions help to exempt them from the strictures of such law. Ultimately, two salient features emerge in the chapter's discussion. First, most Southeast Asian countries are still not parties to the international refugee instruments. Secondly, however, there is an extensive practice within the region of affording temporary refuge to most people seeking asylum, even if local integration or settlement remains the exception rather than the rule.


An algorithm is developed for simulating adsorption of tree type block-branched copolymer chains, of arbitrary architecture, from dilute solutions to solid surfaces. A continuum form of the self-consistent field (SCF) theory is used. The chain architecture is first represented by a convergent tree-graph, which is then converted into a special type of the connectivity matrix. This matrix is used for computing the configurational statistics of the chains in the adsorbed layer. The crucial step in the algorithm is to compute the junction (branch point) probability weights. A stepwise procedure for computing these probability weights is described. The capability of the algorithm has been demonstrated using illustrative examples.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the protective effect of catalpol against diabetic nephropathy in db/db mouse.

METHODS
8 week old C57BLKS/J db/db mice (type 2 diabetic mouse model) were divided into three groups to feed for 16 weeks on chow diet with or without catalpol supplementation. Their food intake, water consumption, body weight, and fasting glucose levels were recorded every 4 weeks. At the end of study, urine and blood samples were examined for several metabolic variables, and kidneys were harvested for structural characterization and microarray analysis.

RESULTS
Catalpol efficiently lowers the fasting glucose and the 24 h urinary albumin excretion rate. Catalpol significantly lowers serum triglycerides, increases high-density lipoproteins, and improves serum creatinine and urea nitrogen. Catalpol-fed mice preserve their kidney structure and renal function better than chow fed db/db mice. Microarray data indicates that lipid metabolism is a potential target of catalpol in exerting protective effect.

CONCLUSION
Catalpol has a renal protective effect in diabetic db/db mice.


Described the theories of the thermochromic glass,electrochromic glass,photochromic glass and gasochromic glass and an overview of its research progress.Pointed out the problems in practice and the future direction.Indicated the importance of its research progress and showed that it would reduce the consumption of energy.


Telling Our Story U.S Agency for International Development Washington DC 20523 1000 http://stories.usaid.gov Municipalities in Afghanistan finance 100% of their budget from their own sources. Improving collections and finding new sources remains critical to long-term sustainability. USAID's RAMP UP West (RU-W) Project, building on previous USAID programming, provides hands-on assistance to its partner municipalities of Chaghcharan, Farah, Herat and Qala-e-Naw in western Afghanistan. RU-W places an embedded Municipal Finance Advisor in each municipality to work daily, offering guidance and support to officials.


The "self and mutual service" is a novel and diverse civil provision model for the aged. As a supplement to social resources for the aged, it is a promising in development. This article reviews the status quo of mutual provision for the aged in China's urban communities, aiming to make feasible proposals for the healthy development of China's mutual provision for the aged.

Key words:
Review; Aged; Community; Mutual provision for the aged; Provision model for the aged


The dynamics of children's sick rate in Ryazan region for 10 years explored. The comparative analysis of indexes between regions with different natural and technogenical conditions conducted. Trends of growing of sick rate, including in groups of diseases with the most heavy prognosis revealed.


Climatic variations on bidecadal (about 20 years) and pentadecadal (50–70 years) timescales are analyzed in terms of their seasonal and regional dependencies in the North Pacific and North American sector. The both bidecadal and pentadecadal variations are evident in SLP fields associated with the strength changes of the Aleutian low. The bidecadal variability is evident only in winter both in the SLP and air-temperature fields, whereas the pentadecadal signal exists from winter to spring seasons in the SLP field and only in spring in the air-temperature field. The SLP structure of the pentadecadal variability is approximately unchanged through the present century. The bidecadal variability exhibits frequency decrease (period increase) from 1930 to 1950, and simultaneously the center of the variability migrated southward. The century scale modulation of the bidecadal signal is also supported by the fact that an out-of-phase relationship between the Aleutian low strength and air-temperature holds throughout the present century for the Alaska but only after the 1930s for the West Coast of midlatitude North America.


The pathophysiology of glaucoma and perioperative visual loss is similar. A patient with glaucoma may be at increased risk of perioperative visual loss. For both, goals of management include optimizing ocular perfusion pressure and oxygen delivery. One treatment for refractory glaucoma is an aqueous drainage device; however, there is no published literature on the anesthetic management of patients with these devices. We present the case of a patient with recalcitrant glaucoma treated with an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve who underwent urgent prone surgery. Anesthetic implications of aqueous drainage devices and glaucoma are discussed, and recommendations are made.


Zinc negative electrode of the secondary battery, the negative electrode includes a current collector and coating and / or filling in the negative electrode material on the current collector, the negative electrode material containing a negative electrode active material and a binder, the negative electrode active material containing elemental zinc and / or zinc oxide, wherein the negative electrode active material further comprises zinc salt insoluble in alkaline electrolyte. Zinc negative electrode of the secondary battery of the present invention provides effective to suppress deformation of the zinc electrode and does not reduce the energy density of the battery. The remaining battery is high in the area of the zinc negative electrode over many cycles, the battery capacity fade slowly.


Study on effects of climate change on species is very popular and necessary at present. This paper investigated the effects of climate change on the distribution of snub-nosed monkey in China using Arcgis and Maxent model. It compared the historical and modern distribution of snub-nosed monkey in China, and evaluated the effects of climate change on Rhinopithecus bieti to explore effects on the distribution of snub-nosed monkey, so as to protect them. Results indicate that the distribution range of snub-nosed monkey has decreased greatly from the previous 17 to 8 provinces. The distribution trends are from north to south, east to west, dense to sparse and form several isolated distribution areas. Moreover, six precipitation variables are identified as having remarkable effects on the habitat suitability of Rhinopithecus bieti and therefore protective actions can be taken accordingly.


Aim To investigate the infusion characteristics of cisatracurium when maintaining a long-time stable level of partial neuromuscular blockade(NMB) under sevoflurane-based or propofol TCI-based anesthesia in neurosurgery.Methods 40 patients undergoing neurosurgery were randomly assigned to receive a sevoflurane-based(sevoflurane group) or propofol TCI-based anesthesia(propofol group).Anesthesia was maintained with 1.0 MAC sevoflurane in sevoflurane group while target concentration of propofol was set at 4 μg.mL-1 in propofol group.Intraoperative continuous infusion of cisatracurium was performed.Infusion rate was titrated according to the NMB monitoring results to maintain a stable target NMB level(count of 2 of train of four,TOF).Results All the forty patients could achieve a stable NMB level of count of 2 in TOF mode for more than 2 hours,however,unexpected body movements were seen in two patients in Group P at such NMB level.Both of groups showed a progressive decrease in infusion requirements in two hours.Linear correlation between infusion rates and the time was found in both of groups.Conclusion In prolonged neurosurgery with either sevoflurane-based or propofol-based anesthesia,linear correlation between infusion rates and the time(120 min) was seen when maintaining a stable NMB level of count of 2 in TOF mode under continuous cisatracurium infusion.


Objective To explore the feasibility,advantage and safety of transvaginal myomectomy(TVM).Methods Forty patients with uterine myoma were treated with TVM form October 2005 to November 2006.The myomectomy was performed through a vaginal incision,which was transversely made through anterior or posterior fomix of the vagina,the uterus was exposed outside the incision with towel clips.The muscular layer covering the myoma was incised and the myoma was removed.Then the incisions of the uterus and vagina were closed respectively using 1-Dexon absorbable sutures.Results The TVM was successfully completed in all 40 patients.The surgical time was 40-70 min(60±19),blood amount loss during operation was 60~120 ml(100±20),the length of hospital stay after operation was 5 days,the mean recovery time of bowel function was(17±8) hours.A follow-up was carried out for 3-12 months(5±2) in 35 patients.The symptoms such as menorrhagia,stimulation of urine were disappeared.No tumor was detected by B-ultrasonography.Conclusion Transvaginal myomectomy is a reliable procedure with little invasion,quick recovery and safety.


Abstract Road runoff produced during rainfalls has significant pollutant load, which can cause important environmental impacts on waste and soil. The efficiency of a detention basin for removing heavy metals (Cr, Cu and Zn) in road runoffwas evaluated for 8 rainfalls over one year with different intensities (between 16mmand 103 mm) and durations (higher than 3 hours). The basin showed good performance for removing all metals for precipitation intensities between 16mmand 103mmand rainfall durations up to 3 hours. The volume of the basin is suitable for retaining all the road runoff coming from rainfalls with intensities lower than 29.4mmand duration longer than 6 hours. This type of monitoring should be introduced in Environmental Monitoring Plans of roads because it allows evaluating the effectiveness of treatment systems and preventing the possible impacts of discharges into the environment.


Since the first finding in 1853 (Frivaldszky, 1865), 27 Amphipoda have been reported from Hungary, half of them being Niphargus species. The other amphipod species belong to the genera Gammarus, Dikerogammarus, Echinogammarus, Corophium, Synurella, Orchestia, and Talitrus. The most detailed data are available from Lake Balaton where altogether 8 species were found in different habitats, only a few species occurring together. In the 1930s Corophium curvispinum invaded Lake Balaton. This species was reported from Hungary for the first time in 1916 (from the Danube). In the 1950s Dikerogammarus species replaced Gammarus roeselii in the lake. We investigated the ecology of the Amphipoda fauna in Lake Balaton from 1983 to 1987. Both on the submerged macrophytes and in the stony littoral zone of Lake Balaton Corophium curvispinum, Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, and Dikerogammarus villosus occur, with dominancy of Corophium curvispinum. C. curvispinum and D. haemobaphes, living on the submerged macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum near Tihany peninsula, reproduce in late spring, summer, and early autumn. They produce two generations a year. The biomass of C. curvispinum and D. haemobaphes was roughly 11 and 0.1 g animal dry wt.m -2 , respectively, in mid-July 1986, in areas covered by Myriophyllum spicatum.


This study assesses factors associated with viewing of 'SIDA dans la Cité', a weekly television soap opera on AIDS in Côte d'Ivoire, and the relationship between 'SIDA dans la Cité' viewing, sexual risk behaviour and condom use. The study uses a cross-sectional survey of 2,150 respondents aged 15-49 in three regions. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of 'SIDA dans la Cité' exposure on condom use. The results show that 65% of the sample had seen at least one 'SIDA dans la Cité' episode. Among viewers, 27% of males and 41% of females had seen ten or more episodes. Persons who had risky sexual partners were particularly likely to watch the programme. Women who had seen ten or more episodes were 1.4 times more likely than non-viewers to have used a condom in last sex. Men who had seen ten or more episodes were 2.7 times more likely to have used a condom. We conclude that television soap operas on AIDS, such as 'SIDA dans la Cité', can be an important tool for promoting condom use. The programme was most appealing to viewers who engaged in risky behaviour, who are the core transmitters of the virus. HIV prevention programmes that provide continuous information, through multiple media channels or through series of broadcasts, are likely to have the greatest impact on condom use.


Low-temperature plasma is a new agricultural green technology, which can improve the yield and quality of rice. How to identify the harvest rice grown by plasma seed treatment plays an important role in the popularization and application of low-temperature plasma in agriculture. This study collected hyperspectral data of harvest rice, including plasma seed treated rice, and constructed a recognition model based on the hyperspectral image (HSI) by 3D ResNet (HSI-3DResNet), which extracts spatial spectral features of HSI data cubes through 3D convolution. In addition, a spectral channels 3D attention module (C3DAM) is proposed, which can extract key features of spectra. Experiments showed that the proposed C3DAM can improve the recognition accuracy of the model to 4.2%, while the size and parameters of the model only increase by 4.1% and 3.8%, respectively. The HSI-3DResNet proposed in this study is superior to other methods with the overall accuracy of 97.47%. At the same time, the algorithm proposed in this paper was also verified on a public dataset.


Recently, the Law Commission has indicated that it will be considering the abolition of the crime of high treason. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the interesting legal history of one of the offences which go to make up high treason – violating the sovereign's wife or his eldest unmarried daughter or the wife of his eldest son and heir – and to argue for its abolition.


We introduce MetaArms, wearable anthropomorphic robotic arms and hands with six degrees of freedom operated by the user's legs and feet. Our overall research goal is to re-imagine what our bodies can do with the aid of wearable robotics using a body-remapping approach. To this end, we present an initial exploratory case study. MetaArms' two robotic arms are controlled by the user's feet motion, and the robotic hands can grip objects according to the user's toes bending. Haptic feedback is also presented on the user's feet that correlate with the touched objects on the robotic hands, creating a closed-loop system. Using this system, users can experience an expanded number of arms interaction in which there legs are mapped into the artificial limbs. MetaArms provided initial indications for the sense of limbs alteration.


The term allelopathy refers to the detrimental effects of higher plants of one species (the donor) on the germination, growth, or development of another species (the recipient). In the present study allelopathic influence of weed species, Echinochloa colona (L.) Link, (Poaceae), Cleome viscosa L. (Capparidaceae) and Ammania baccifera L. (Lythraceae) on was evaluated on germination and growth of green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). The individual and combined residues of three weeds were incorporated to the soil at the quantities of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4% (w/w) in the plots and the germination, seedling growth dry weight of green gram were assessed. The results showed that all the concentrations of combined weed residues exhibited higher degree of inhibitory effects than the individual weed residues in all the parameters employed in the study except at 1% of C.dactylon, where insignificant growth promotion observed. The percentage of inhibitory effects of weed residues increases with increasing the magnitude of the residues. The degree of reduction percentage of all the growth parameters was concentration dependent. Among the three weeds, A.baccifera had more retarding effects on the growth of green gram than other two species and the order of inhibitory effect of three weed was A.baccifera > C.viscosa > E.colona.


Cement bound material has been used in pavement design for many years. Asphalt surfacing on cement bound base tend to suffer from reflective cracking at the location where the base materials naturally crack and then undergo movement due to temperature difference. A linear thermoviscoelastic modeling of cement bound base pavement, exhibiting thermorheologically simple behavior, is introduced in this paper. A new numerical approach, based on the finite element method, is proposed and allows to take into account effects caused by the coupling of viscoelastic and thermal characteristics. For the covering abstract see ITRD E109276.


Here γ is a constant, −∞ < γ < +∞. This equation describes the velocity potential of a steady-state flow of ideal gas in the adiabatic process. In the case n = 2 the parameter γ characterizes the flow of substance. For different values γ it can be a flow of gas, fluid, plastic, electric or chemical field in different mediums, and so forth (see, e.g., [1, Section 2], [2, Section 15, Chapter IV]). For γ = 1± 0 we assume


.............................. . Introduction ..........,......................... Utility of flood-control data ............................ ̂ ............... 1 Scope of the present report ........................ . . 2 Methods of analysis ................................ . « 4 Rainfall .............................................................. 4 Snow cover ................................ .. .. . 5 .Direct runoff .................................... . " Ground-water runoff and recharge .......................... ..7 Lag interval ........................................... 9 Infiltration index ..................... .................................. H Winter floods ............................................................. 13 Floods of March 1936 .................................................. 14 Sacandaga River near Hope, N. Y. ................................. 14 East Branch of Delaware River at Fishs Eddy, N. Y. ............... 23 Chemung River at Chemung, N. Y. ................................ 39 Susquehanna River at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ........................... 48 Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, Pa. ............................. 55 West Branch of Susquehanna River at Williamsport, Pa. ............ 63 Flood of March 1920, Genesee River at St. Helena, N. Y................. 70 Snow-runoff studies ................................................... 81 Nonwinter floods ......................................................... 85 Flood of July 1921, Sacandaga River near Hope, N. Y.................... 87 Storm of July 1935 .................................................... 91 Floods of July 1935 ................................................... 94 Chemung River at Chemung, N. Y.................................. 94 Susquehanna River at Wilkes-Barre, Pa............................. 97 Storm of August 21-25, 1933 .......................................... 100 Floods of August 1933 ................................................ 101 East Branch of Delaware River at Fishs Eddy, N. Y................. 101 Susquehanna River at Marietta, Pa................................. 107 Flood of May 1894, Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, Pa............... 112 Flood of April-May 1909, West Branch of Susquehanna River at Williamsport, Pa. ............................................................ us Flood of May 1916, Genesee River at St. Helena, N. Y................... 125 Rates of flood discharge .:................................................. 134 Index .................................................................... 139


Several single‐year‐long (2017) simulations with different configurations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Middle‐East at the convective gray‐zone resolution (9 km) are evaluated in their ability to capture the temporal and spatial distributions of precipitation. Annual rainfall over the Middle‐East is dominated by wintertime precipitation and is mostly initiated by the frontal systems intrusion. WRF at 9 km resolution shows good skill in capturing the synoptic and meso‐scale precipitation distributions. The aerosol‐aware Thompson microphysics scheme outperforms the WRF double moment 6 class microphysics by about 20% in annual mean precipitation over the Middle‐East. Different Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) physics leads to large differences in the annual rainfall over both the Middle‐East (about 30%) and the UAE (about 45%). The Quasi‐Normal Scale Elimination (QNSE) PBL scheme produces stronger precipitation than the Asymmetrical Convective Model and is in better agreement with observations. This difference is attributed to the former scheme producing a warmer and moister lower‐level atmosphere that builds more substantial instability. Regions of stronger instability also depict decreases in lifting condensation level heights and increases in boundary layer height, suggesting that the boundary layer reaching the cloud base helps to trigger the convection and increase precipitation. Refinement in grid spacing (5 km) marginally improves the summertime precipitation over the Middle‐East but significantly increases the computational cost. Current study also indicates that gray‐zone simulations can perform as good as convection‐permitting simulations by carefully choosing the right model physics packages for the synoptic and meso‐scale precipitation.


During the summer of 2005, as with every summer in New York City, a person couldn't enter a bar or dance club without hearing a predetermined set of summer hits. This past summer, the host was composed of Mariah Carey's seductively thumping ''It's Like That,'' Kelly Clarkson's rousing anthem ''Since U Been Gone,'' The Killers' exhausting ''Mr Brightside,'' and Gwen Stefani's pumped up ''Hollaback Girl.'' Rounding out this chorus of lately come (and lately comeback) divas was the surprising inclusion of a song bursting with DIY electroclash beats, rousing military horn sections, and the gunfire-quick rhymes of British rapper Maya ''M.I.A.'' Arulpragasam. Flashpoint: a Saturday night in the West Village's now defunct indie-rock party ''Mishapes'' at Lukes & Leroys. Somewhere, around midnight, the driving pulse of Interpol's desperately creepy love ballad ''Slow Dance'' gives way to a jettison of automatic-fire beats as M.I.A.'s voice breaks across the crowd to command attention: ''London: Quiet down, I need to make a sound/New York: Quiet down, I need to make a sound/Kingston: Quiet down, I need to make a sound/Brazil: Quiet down, I need to make a sound'' (M.I.A. 2005). The crowd falls silent for the near ten seconds of this introduction before the triumphantly


Background: To clarify the injury mechanism of the avulsion fracture of the fifth metatarsal combining 3-dimensional (3D) fracture mapping with anatomical measurements. Materials and Methods: 222 patients with the fifth metatarsal base avulsion fractures, who were admitted to our hospital from August 2015 to August 2020. The 3D images of all mapped fracture lines for the fifth metatarsal base avulsion fractures were compiled in an overall 3D image. The fifth metatarsal base of 8 unpaired lower limbs of adult Asian frozen cadaveric specimens were also dissected to observe and measure the specific locations of the attachment points of the peroneus brevis, lateral band of the plantar fascia, and peroneus tertius to the fifth metatarsal base. Results: Based on the type of fracture line produced and the specific locations of the attachment points of the tendons, the fifth metatarsal base avulsion fractures can be classified into three types: type I predominantly involves the action of the lateral band of the plantar fascia; type II predominantly involves the action of the peroneus brevis; type IIIA involves the joint action of the peroneus brevis and lateral band of the plantar fascia with one fracture line; type IIIB involves the joint action of the peroneus brevis and lateral band of the plantar fascia with two fracture lines. Conclusion: The lateral band of the plantar fascia and peroneus brevis play a major role in the fifth metatarsal base avulsion fracture together or separately and proposed a novel classification based on the injury mechanism, which can serve as a reference for clinical treatment and diagnosis.Level of Evidence: Level Ⅲ, retrospective case series.


In this note, I discuss the following problem: What is the expected number of throws of a die until a 6 appears, given that no odd throws occur? 1 The problem and two solutions Peter Winkler gave an entertaining talk at the 52nd Southeastern International Conference on Combinatorics, Graph Theory & Computing in March 2021. The title of his talk was "Probability in Your Head". He discussed how to find clever solutions to a variety of puzzling probability problems, including the following die problem that is attributed to Elchanan Mossel: what is the expected number of throws of a die until a 6 appears, given that no odd throws occur? Peter Winkler provides an elegant solution to this problem in his recent book [1]. To solve the problem, we want to compute a conditional expectation, where we only consider a certain subset of sequences of numbers obtained by throwing a fair die. The intuitively obvious answer to this question is 3, since it seems plausible that the problem is equivalent to throwing a 3-sided die (having faces 2, 4 and 6) until a 6 is thrown. However, this answer is not correct; the correct answer turns out to be 3/2. ∗The author's research is supported by NSERC discovery grant RGPIN-03882. BULLETIN OF THE ICA Volume 92 (2021), 109–113 Received: 25 March 2021 Accepted: 12 April 2021 109 This die problem has received a considerable amount of attention in the last few years, and it is addressed in various blogs, including the following: • https://gilkalai.wordpress.com/ (Sept. 7, 2017) • https://mindyourdecisions.com (Oct. 8, 2017) • https://www.untrammeledmind.com (Dec. 7, 2017). We encourage the reader to look at the extensive discussion about this problem in these blogs. My first objective in this note is to write down a straightforward mathematical derivation of the correct answer. (This argument can be found, in various guises, in some of the aforementioned blogs.) This approach is not as elegant or ingenious as some of the other approaches. However, it is straightforward and relatively simple and it only requires basic notions of expectation and conditional expectation. It does require computing the sums of two infinite series, however. My second objective is to give a more elegant proof that does not require summing infinite series. In both approaches, I am using standard notation and formulas for random variables and their expectation. I think this is helpful in avoiding possible mathematical errors. 1.1 First Solution Consider the set S of all infinite sequences of throws of a fair die. For i ≥ 1, let Gi consist of all the sequences in which the first i− 1 throws of the die are 2 or 4, and the ith throw is 6. That is, there are no odd throws of the die (among the first i throws), and the first throw of a 6 is on the ith throw. Let G = ∪i=1Gi. The sequences in G are defined to be good and the sequences in B = S \ G are bad. Suppose we consider a random sequence in s ∈ S. Define a random variable X that takes on non-negative integral values as follows: X = { i if s ∈ Gi 0 if s ∈ S \ G. Stinson


Abstract This research attempts an analysis that fuses the big data concerning weather variation and health care from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014; it gives the weather factor as to what kind of influence there is for the incidence of food poisoning, and also endeavors to be helpful regarding national health prevention. By using R, the Logistic and Lasso Logistic Regression were analyzed. The main factor germ generating the food poisoning was classified and the incidence was confirmed for the germ of bacteria and virus. According to the result of the analysis of Logistic Regression, we found that the incidence of bacterial food poisoning was affected by the following influences: the average temperature, amount of sunshine deviation, and deviation of temperature. Furthermore, the weather factors, having an effect on the incidence of viral food poisoning, were: the minimum vapor pressure, amount of sunshine deviation and deviation of temperature. This study confirmed the correlation of meteorological factors and incidence of food poisoning. It was also found out that even if the incidence from two causes were influenced by the same weather factor, the incidence might be oppositely affected by the characteristic of the germs.


Nowadays deep learning algorithms are became popular in the field of biomedical applications for automatic classification and detection problems. There are multiple issues in implementing these algorithms on digital platform. The major issue is it requires a dedicated hardware to meet the low power requirements in real-time. Hence, the low power hardware accelerators for deep neural network (DNN) classifiers is developed in this work to cope the above issue. In a DNN, activation function is important in feature classification. In this work, an area efficient digital architecture for evaluating the sigmoid function is also proposed and its resource requirements reported. The proposed architecture took the advantage of symmetry of sigmoid function and save 50% of the storage area. The performance of the proposed architecture is assessed by separately employing the proposed sigmoid and theoretical sigmoid blocks in a simple Convolution Neural Network (CNN) and observed that the model with quantized processing achieved the accuracy close to the model performance with traditional sigmoid block.


Disposable nonwoven cleaning gloves adapted to fit the hand of a user (10) is provided. The disposable nonwoven cleaning gloves (10) are releasably accommodate personal care composition (90).


The purpose of this pictorial is to provide a unique perspective, through an autoethnographic account, of the experiences a woman of colour may have, as she seeks to enter into the world of makerspaces. As an intersectional woman, conducting this autoethnography is a means to assess the cultural and gender diversity of makerspaces in an Australian metro city, and their practices to foster inclusivity. Over a period of 6 months, the lead author explored 4 different types of makerspaces. The autoethnography found cultural and gendered roles and biases in the physical and socio-cultural environments of each makerspace, as well as in terminologies, tools, materials and learning pathways that constrained her involvement. The research identifies important factors that could be amplified to increase the involvement of intersectional women and the foundations for new guidelines and activities that would enable makerspaces to improve their diversity and inclusivity.


Disclosed herein are clutch and boom features that can enable the manipulation of user interface elements when using a touch-sensitive component to build or otherwise design a graphical display, such as a website, video game, magazine layout, etc. Upon touching user interface element to be manipulated, the user interface element can be targeted for manipulation. In response to a clutch user interface element being engaged, the targeted user interface element can be enabled for manipulation (e.g., colored, rotated, moved, etc.) by the user, while the non-targeted user elements are protected from manipulation. Boom is an example of manipulation functionality provided by some embodiments, which can be configured to move the targeted user interface element a precise amount (e.g., pixel-by-pixel).


Different cobalt complexes with β-diketones, dithiocarbamates and 8-hydroxyquinoline were evaluated for the direct determination of cobalt by flame atomic absorption spectrometry with vapour-phase sample introduction. The order of sensitivity is Co(Ox)2∼ Co(PDC)3∼ Co(AA)2 < Co(Ox)3 < Co(HFA)2 < Co(DTC)3 < Co(TFA)2, where Ox = 8-hydroxyquinoline, PDC = tetramethylenedithiocarbamate (pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate), AA = acetylacetone, HFA = hexafluoroacetylacetone, DTC = diethyldithiocarbamate and TFA = trifluoroacetylacetone. The sensitivity of Co(TFA)2 expressed as the slope of the calibration graph is 0.502 ng–1, with a reproducibility varying between 0.6 and 2.5%(relative standard deviation). Two simple volatilisation systems that can be adapted to conventional instrumentation, have been designed. The most sensitive method was applied to determine cobalt in steel, bronze and brass, with good results.


An algorithm about exclusive signal reconstruction using spectral magnitude and some samples is studied in this article: iterative algorithms with random disturbing.This algorithm has many virtues,such as less computation,fast convergence and better effect on reconstruction from zero-point-on-circularity signals.


THESIS: Effects of Head Trauma on Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Cerebral Blow Flow, and Orthostatic Tolerance STUDENT: Carley A. Shannon DEGREE: Master of Science DATE: May 2020 PAGES: 108 Contact-sports can elicit concussions, which impacts autonomic function, as well as elicit repetitive head trauma, where autonomic function has not yet been assessed. Purpose: To determine if differences in autonomic function exist among three groups (CTRL: healthy noncontact-sport participant; RHT: repetitive head trauma contact-sport participant; CONC: previous concussion). Methods: Forty men (16) and women (24), aged 18-37 (22±3), participated. Participants were grouped based on their sport and concussion history (CTRL, RHT, CONC). Body composition was measured via air displacement plethysmography. The participant was outfitted with equipment to evaluate heart rate, blood pressure, and cerebralartery blood flow velocity (CBFv), as the participant performed three stimuli: deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver, and a 70° head-up tilt test. Following autonomic function testing, a YMCA submaximal cycle test was performed. All group comparisons were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA; all data are presented as means ± standard deviation. Results: The groups did not differ in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (CTRL: 22±6bpm, RHT: 21±8bpm, CONC: 19±7bpm; p=0.471), Valsalva ratio (CTRL: 2.19±0.39, RHT: 2.09±0.37, CONC: 2.00±0.47; p=0.519), CBFv (CTRL: 47.74±25.28cm/s, RHT: 40.99±10.93cm/s, CONC: 43.97±17.55cm/s; p=0.657), or tilt time (CTRL: 806.09±368.37sec, RHT: 943.07±339.54sec, CONC: 978.40±387.98sec; p=0.479). However, CONC (113.24±11.64mmHg) had a significantly higher mean systolic blood pressure during the tilt test than CTRL (102.66±7.79mmHg; p=0.026), while RHT (107.9±9.0mmHg) was not significantly different than CTRL (p=0.39) or CONC (p=0.319). Conclusion: Concussions may have lasting effects on autonomic function; future studies should control sex. Overwhelmingly, dysautonomia is not present during chronic recovery from concussions or in individuals with RHT from contact-sports.


Earthworms make an excellent substitute for insects. These can be easily collected in the fall long after grasshoppers are no longer available and in the spring before the insect world is astir. A mass of squirming earthworms on the drained floor of a frog tank or a few dropped onto a white sheet of paper never fail to attract the attention of the occupants. They may not dispatch a worm with the same speed as they do a butterfly or a grasshopper, but they do so nonetheless effectively. An interesting tug of war may develop when the attention of one frog is caught by a large dangling worm, halfswallowed by another frog. You may be impelled to end the struggle by snipping the worm in two.


A design method for a miniaturized small resonant aperture by modifying a ridge structure is presented, and its performance is verified experimentally. The proposed miniaturized aperture was designed by deforming the straight ridge structure of an H-shaped aperture with a two-step ridge of different lengths and widths, which resembles the capacitor symbol shape of the electric circuit. Experiment results show that the resonant frequency of the proposed aperture decreases from 5.06GHz to 2.565GHz (49.3%) compared to the conventional H-shaped aperture. Its transmission cross section increased by 3.78 times, and the aperture length-to-wavelength ratio is reduced to 0.09.


In this paper, we consider the topic of soft multipleinput multiple-output (MIMO) detection for coded systems. Conventional designs in this regard apply tree-based demappers that can achieve near-optimal bit error rate but can hardly guarantee the block error rate (BLER) performance without enough searching space. Therefore, we propose to improve the trained parameter based path sampling algorithm for computing reliable soft outputs. We first apply an autoencoder to train the sampling parameter under the concept of multi-label classification, aiming at minimizing the difference between the trained sampling distribution and well-predefined labels that represent the distribution of reliable maximum likelihood hypothesis and counter hypotheses. Further, end-to-end Bayesian optimization is utilized to learn the sampling parameter that goes straight at the objective of optimizing the BLER performance. The simulation results demonstrate that our algorithm yields an enhanced MIMO demodulation design that non-trivially advances the state-of-the-art, and can provide significant performance gains over traditional sphere decoders as well as being robust against channel variations.


Inverters and Totem pole type PFC (Power Factor Correction) include more than two transistors. In this circuits, short-circuit current penetrating through high and low arms deteriorates turn-on losses in some cases. How this event behaves is heavily affected by the recovery characteristics of a diode (body diode) parasitic to the transistor that is not driven, and therefore you must choose transistors with body diodes having excellent recovery features in a bridge circuit topology. The PrestoMOS series ROHM are most suitable for bridge circuits, because the transistors in the series are equipped with body diodes whose recovery attributes are top-level in this application filed. This application note describes how excellent the switching and recovery behaviors of PrestoMOS by using the double-pulse-test results of the series.


In this paper production strategies in supply chain under different information conditions, specially under asymmetry information, are discussed. Cost and profit function both of producer and stock keeper is developed, where producer is principal and stock-keeper is agent. Under asymmetry information the individual rationality constraint of producer's least profit is transformed into quadric form function, and through making the first order condition of stock-keeper's profit for the parameter of storage cost as state equation and applying maximal principle, production strategy with asymmetry information is deduced. The difference of production strategies under different information conditions is analyzed and simulation is done.


Considering sum-frequency generation in an isotropic chiral nonlinear medium, we analyze the transfer of the spin angular momentum of fundamental elliptically polarized Gaussian light beams to the signal beam, which appears as the superposition of two Laguerre–Gaussian modes with both spin and orbital angular momentum. Only for the circular polarization of the fundamental radiation is its angular momentum fully transferred to the sum-frequency beam; otherwise, part of it can be transferred to the medium. Its value, as well as the ratio of spin and orbital contributions in the signal beam, depends on the fundamental frequency ratio and the polarization of the incident beams. Higher energy conversion efficiency in sum-frequency generation does not always correspond to higher angular momentum conversion efficiency.


JAPANTOKYO-- A 2005 budget adopted last week by the cabinet of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi features a 2.6% boost for the direct funding of research, far outpacing a 0.1% rise in overall government spending.


The invention relates to a method for updating a the functionality of an apparatus of measuring and control technology-providing first firmware component, which is embedded in a microcontroller of the device, comprising: - Segment-wise receiving a first firmware image over one end connected to an external device data interface of the microcontroller, the first firmware image includes a data area and a signature field, and wherein serving the data area for updating the first firmware component, comprising a firmware program code contains data and the signature field includes a first authentication information generated by a first encryption method; - performing a first authentication of firmware images based on the first authentication information using a first of the firmware component included authentication algorithm according to the first encryption method; - generating a second authentication information for the information contained in the data area of the first firmware image data by means of a first of the firmware component comprised algorithm for generating the second authentication information according to an angle different from the first encryption method, the second cryptographic methods; - after successful authentication of the first firmware image storing the second authentication information in a persistent memory of the device; - deleting the first firmware component, wherein the deletion is controlled by an embedded microcontroller in the second firmware component; - retransmission of the components used to update the first firmware component data as part of a second firmware images involving the second firmware component via the data interface to the microcontroller, and storing the data in the persistent memory of the microcontroller; - performing an authentication of the received when the retransmission second firmware images on the basis of the data stored in the microcontroller second authentication information by means of a second of the firmware component included authentication algorithm according to the second encryption method, and - in the event of a successful authentication of the second firmware images gating open and run the transferred to the second firmware image and stored firmware program code as a new first firmware component.


The issue of the legal framework with regards to joint criminal ventures and murder and prospects for reform is discussed. The need for an understanding of the complicity with regards to murder is necessary before arriving at any decision.


This text involves a reflection on the relationship between visual studies, communication and narrative documentary genre plotting the creation of a queer feminist imagery from the collaborative production (collaborative film-making as process) imaging and the use of participatory strategies historically linked to the notion of militant feminist film, documentary and experimental nature protester, and that with the evolution of digital media affect the re-politicization of representations from militant research of visual studies and queer studies collaborative culture. The re-politicization of representations refers to the use of critical narrative strategies involving experimentation and breaking the story. Similarly, this process involves discursive strategies repoliticization operating on notions of autobiography, material culture, memory, performativity and cultural processes of representation in order to decolonizing the imaginary and the only hegemonic narratives in the network culture. This essay analyzes a set of historical experiences of collaborative film between the period of the early 70s to the present. The article develops three organized axes: the collaborative audiovisual production and experience to set up social imaginary critics; the modes of transmission and reception of images linked to processes of collective thinking; and co-learning as a participatory political strategy. This text consists of a collection of case studies that argue the emergence of experimental practices, collaborative production and use of participatory strategies historically linked to the notion of cinema and experimental nature, and that with the evolution of digital media communication, influence the re-politicization of representations from research of visual studies and queer studies online culture.


[5439-14-5] C8H8N2O (MW 148.16)

InChI = 1S/C8H8N2O/c11-8-4-6-10-5-2-1-3-7(10)9-8/h1-3,5H,4,6H2

InChIKey = XQIOBBHIEUGFCI-UHFFFAOYSA-N

(synthesis of esters and amides from carboxylic acids; glycosylation)

Physical Data: mp 155–156 °C; mp (HCl salt) 284–285.5 °C (dec); mp (HBr salt) 299–300 °C (dec); mp (HI salt) 263–264 °C (dec).

Solubility: sol MeOH, EtOH, H2O.

Form Supplied in: both the free base and salts are obtained as colorless solids.

Analysis of Reagent Purity: the reagent has a betaine-like structure and behaves as a salt in terms of the reagent's solubility. The literature reports various melting points values for both the anhydrous and hydrated forms of the reagent but the conditions used to determine melting point have been shown to be critical and care must be exercised if this property is to be used as a measure of reagent purity.1

Preparative Methods: is prepared by reaction of 2-aminopyridine with either Acrylic Acid itself or an equivalent (2-bromo- or 2-iodopropionic acid, Methyl Acrylate, ethyl 2-bromopropionate, β-Propiolactone).1, 2

Purification: the free base and salts are readily recrystallized from MeOH–Et2O.1

Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the reagent may be dried over P2O5 in vacuo (135 °C/17 mmHg).


T he current issue of the Journal of Thoracic Imaging is unique in 2 ways. First, a newly redesigned journal cover is debuting with this January issue to provide a refreshing look and represent the start of a new era in the Journal's life, yet keeping true to our traditional colors: Heartblood red and emphysema black. Second, it features a collection of review articles as a special symposium in a dynamic and expanding field of imaging: cardiothoracic oncologic therapy. While oncologic diseases have been one of the leading causes of mortality for many years, recent developments in imaging technology, chemotherapy, and biological anticancer treatments have resulted in improvements in the diagnosis, therapy, and survival in various cancers. Advanced imaging has become an integrated part of oncologic patient management not only for diagnosis and treatment planning but also to monitor the effects of cancer therapy. Cancer treatment heavily relies on chemotherapy, or more recently on the combination of chemotherapy and modern biological agents. While these treatments can improve cancer survival, potential negative effects must be carefully weighed during therapy administration. Both preexisting cardiac conditions and therapy-related cardiac side effects must be considered when evaluating treatment plans. The review article by Gilon et al1 provides an in-depth overview of cardio-oncology, covering all cardiac side effects, including cardiotoxicity, caused by chemotherapy. As emphasized in the second review article in this series by Houbois et al,2 cardiotoxic effects can lead to such severe heart failure that patients may survive their malignancy but eventually die as a consequence of cancer therapy side effects. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging has the potential to monitor cancer treatment and detect even subtle changes in cardiac function or in myocardial characteristics. Functional imaging including volumetric assessment and strain evaluation, as well as tissue characterization involving standard early and late gadolinium enhancement imaging and advanced cardiac relaxometry, are the most beneficial techniques for early detection of cardiotoxic effects and potential therapy adjustment. The last 2 review articles by Halpenny et al3,4 highlight the personalized approach now available in the treatment of lung cancer, including the exciting fields of targeted systemic therapies (molecular, genetic, anti-angiogenic, and immunotherapy) and local ablative therapies (percutaneous lung ablation and stereotactic body radiation therapy). Imaging plays a role not only in diagnosis and treatment response but also in evaluating the therapy-specific expected changes and potential side effects that are emerging with these techniques. This issue also contains a bonus potpourri of excellent magnetic resonance imaging research articles highlighting the utility of myocardial strain analysis in the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors,5 the feasibility of a multisegment late gadolinium enhancement acquisition for myocardial characterization,6 and the accuracy of an automated tool for the assessment of cardiac volumes and function.7


The invention discloses a water system resistance measuring device for an automobile cooling system, comprising a matrix and the components arranged on the matrix, namely, an engine, an expansion water bottle, a vehicle-mounted water pump, a thermostat valve, a water tank and a heater core body; the engine, the expansion water bottle, the vehicle-mounted water pump, the thermostat valve, the water tank and the heater core body are connected through a pipeline according to the connecting mode of the automobile cooling system; the pipeline is also provided with a flow sensor and a plurality of pressure sensors arranged near the vehicle-mounted water pump, the engine, the water tank and the heater core body; a motor and a water storage tank which can be heated are arranged on the matrix; the motor is drivenly connected with the vehicle-mounted water pump; and the water storage tank which can be heated is connected with the pipeline through a stop valve. As all the components in the device are connected based on the connecting mode of the automobile cooling system, the measured flow and pressure values can be much closer to the true value and can better reflect the real situation of the cooling system, so the measurement results are more reliable.


Due to the existence of fibrous materials such as p lastic fragments, the strength anisotropy of Munici pal Solid Waste (MSW) materials is the main source of differences b etween their mechanical response in direct shear an d triaxial apparatus. As an extension of earlier research on the mechanic al behavior of MSW using a large traixail apparatus , results presented in Shariatmadari et al. [1] and Karimpour-Fard et al. [2], the current study was programmed and executed. MSW samples were tested using a computer controlled large shear box apparatus with normal stress levels ranging between 20 to 200 kPa. The effect of fiber content, fiber orientation, aging and shearing rate on the response of MSW were addres sed. The results showed that shear strength of MSW increases with normal st ress, although, in spite of the presence of reinfor cement elements in MSW and unlike the results from triaxial tests, no strain hardening could be observed in their mechanical response. An increase in the shear strength of MSW was observed with increas ing the shearing rate. Increasing the shearing rate from 0.8 to 19 mm/min, enhanced the shear strength of samples from 16 to 27% depending on the shear displacement leve l. Although, the same trend was investigated in traixial tests, but lower rate-sensitivity in the mechanical response o f MSW in direct shear tests were observed. Unlike the results of triaxial tests with aging pro cess, mobilized shear strength level of MSW samples tested under direct shearing decreased comparing fresh samples. It was also observed that altering the fiber content and torientation could affect the mechanical response and shear strength o f the MSW. Additionally, there is an optimum fiber angle in MSW which yields the highest level of shearing strength.


Abstract Tanna, one of the southern islands in the chain called Vanuatu, has had a history of colonialization by both the British and French governments, until Independence was gained in 1980. The impact on colonial rule on the Tannese people was often centered upon land ownership and rights to land. This vying for power and ownership over land is traced out in this account, based on anthropological field work and review of records held in the British Archives, then in Suva, Fiji.


This paper aims to analyze the performance of the regulatory agency Ancine alongside the
incentive mechanisms for culture. The focus of this study is on the incentive mechanisms that
develop the Brazilian film industry. It is important to invest in the entertainment industry
since is one of the ones that increase a country's economies the most these days. At first, it is
proven that the right to culture it's a fundamental right and for that, it must be protected by
the State. As a way of guarantee this right, the State formulates public policies to encourage
the growth of the culture. Currently, the Brazilian film industry depends directly upon these
public policies. So, as a way of guaranteeing their correct functioning, Ancine was created, a
regulatory agency responsible for the promotion, regulation, and supervision of the Brazilian
audiovisual industry. The Ancine has a fundamental role to play in guaranteeing that the
public policies are being correctly used, acting closely to regulate the audiovisual law (Lei do
Audiovisual) and the audiovisual sectoral fund (Fundo Setorial do Audiovisual).


The article analyzes the results of selective laser trabeculoplasty in the treatment of patients with early, advanced and extensive stages of primary open-angle glaucoma. The best results are obtained in patients with primary and advanced stages of glaucoma. In patients with extensive stage of glaucoma, intraocular pressure reduction after laser treatment does not permit to achieve the target pressure, and more intensive antihypertensive therapy or surgical treatment are required.


Seventeen quinolone resistant strains were found post screeneding 120 Escherichia coli isolates from popultry.PCR method was employed to amplify the plasmid-mediated quinolones resistance qnr gene in 17 quinolone resistant strains.Three qnr-positive strains were found.The sequence of qnr gene indicated that the homology of the qnr sequence to the qnr gene in Genbank Database(accession numbers AY655485) was 95.3%,and amino acid identity was 98.63%.The homology of qnr gene among 3 isolates was 100%.The result of antimicrobial susceptibility showed that 3 qnr-positive strains were highly resistant to 16-19 antimicrobial agents.


The Constitutional Court in the case of Mazibuko v Sisulu had to examine Parliament's conduct in relation to the tabling of the motion of no-confidence in the President. This case note examines the respective merits of and comments on both the majority and minority judgments of the Court. Although the minority judgment is a dissenting one, in a sense, as will explained, it can be perceived as complementary to the main judgment, as well as raising certain interesting issues, for instance, the separation of powers and constitutional conventions.


Introduction: Sirenomelia is a congenital structural anomaly characterized by abnormal development of the caudal region of the body with varying degrees of fusion of lower limbs. Most of the times, the condition is fatal for the baby. Most babies do not survive even after surgery. Fifty percent of cases are seen as stillbirths, and it is much more common in identical twins. This abnormality was initially confused with caudal regression syndrome, but later was given a new name, i.e., sirenomelia mermaid syndrome. Case Report: We present a case of a 15-year-old boy with partially fused lower limbs. A provisional diagnosis of sirenomelia is made and detailed review and surgery was planned. The boy did not report for further treatment. Conclusion: Very rare disorder with prevalence of 1 in 100,000 live births with a total of 300 cases reported till today in which nine are from India. The precise etiology of sirenomelia was not well understood. Many theories have been proposed but none of these is considered definitive. It is very important to diagnose this condition by ultrasonography so that termination of pregnancy can be carried out.


Sound analysis and synthesis for music requires accurate analysis and high‐quality synthesis of sounds. Some of the methods that were developed at the Institut de Recherches et de Communication Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM) for contemporary music research and production are described. The following analysis techniques have been implemented and used: FFT and phase‐vocoder, wavelets, linear prediction algorithms (Levinson, global covariance, Burg, lattice covariance, lattice recursive), prony analysis, pitch detection, temporal envelope tracking (power tracking), detection of harmonic/noisy components, modal analysis (resonance modeling), formant‐waveforms (FOF) coding, and formant trajectory coding. The phase‐vocoder is used extensively for analysis and processing (filtering, cross‐synthesis, time warping, etc.) of speech and music. Different LPC analysis algorithms have been studied and are used for precise estimation of spectral envelopes. These envelopes can be coded into (as well as recalculated from) for...


The article discusses definition of the insurance contract subject. The author studies various scholar interpretations of the concept. The legislative recognition of the insurance contract subject is analyzed. The paper considers the subject of the insurance contract as its principal essential condition. As a result of the research the author offers an original definition of the insurance contract subject and concludes that when concluding the contract this concept should be considered.


North-westward structure of Shazigou area is located in the south-east extended member of the well-known Shuicheng-Ziyun deformation zone of Guizhou. Except for the fold in the north-westward structural zone, still series of overthrust structure have developed as a folded-faulted macrostructral belt. It is composed of two fold belts and of two overthrusts involving Dabang-Liuma-dawan compressive fold belt, Jianyi-Leji-Qijie overthrust belt, Dianzishang-Qinao fold belt and Bashiyan-Banbi overthrust fault belt.


In this work, we present a quadrotor external disturbance estimator without any preliminary knowledge about system dynamic using machine learning. Traditionally, measuring the external wrench directly requires large demands on sensor accuracy and would increase the take-off weight of quadrotors. This paper presents an estimation method based on machine learning using system states measured by sensors such as position, velocity, attitude and angular velocity. This method can train a highly accurate estimator without further information about the quadrotors dynamic to predict external wrench under simulation environment. Our proposed method is verified through simulation and compare to a traditional wrench estimator.


Taking the Yangou watershed located in the hilly-gully region of the Loess Plateau as an example,the responses of soil microbial biomass characteristics to vegetation restoration on abandoned lands were studied.The results showed that with an increase of vegetation restoration years,vegetation coverage,vegetation abundance,and amount of species increased at the beginning of vegetation restoration(4-16 years),then decreased(16-29 or 16-55 years),and later increased again(after 30 or 55 years).Respiration rate and microbial biomass of topsoil(0-5 cm)significantly increased compared to cropland with topsoil respiration rate,microbial biomass C,microbial biomass N and microbial biomass P increased by 31.61%-360.75%,15.19%-512.81%,122.91%-697.15% and 193.5%-2068.17%,respectively.At the early stages of vegetation restoration(0-29 years),topsoil respiration rate increased with an increase of vegetation restoration years,then decreased at 30-55 years of vegetation restoration,and then increased again after 55 years of vegetation restoration.With vegetation succession,the changing tendency of topsoil microbial biomass C,N,and P were similar to that of soil respiration rate.Soil respiration rates,soil respiratory quotients,soil microbial biomass C,N,and P in different restoration years showed significantly different except in 8 and 16 years.Topsoil respiration rate was significantly correlated with soil microbial biomass N and P,but soil respiratory quotient was not significantly correlated with soil respiration rate,soil microbial biomass C,N,and P.


FIELD: oil industry. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to oil industry and, in particular, to thermochemical treatment of productive formation for reducing oil viscosity and increasing well productivity. Method comprises, mounting equipment is in a well for pumping chemical components of energy-releasing mixtures. Tubing is lowered into well with a pump and high-temperature system with pressure sensors and temperature for controlling chemical reaction processes in real time. Temperature and pressure sensors are placed at a distance, for example, 100-150 meters from bottom-hole zone. Second temperature sensor is placed directly in reaction zone. Chemical components of energy-releasing mixtures are pumped through tubing for excitation of exothermic reaction. After pumping reagents, method includes pumping out reaction products by creating depression in well shaft. Simultaneously with pumping out reaction products from formation, its temperature is measured by second temperature sensor. At considerable temperature change, for example by 5 °C per 1 m 3 of pumped liquid, additional pumped chemical components of energy-releasing mixtures are pumped. After that depression is created again in well shaft and reaction products are pumped out from formation. Pumping in and out is performed periodically in accordance with readings of first and second temperature sensors. Insignificant change in temperature of exothermal reaction, for example, reduction thereof by 1 °C per 1 m 3 of pumped liquid, indicates expected space of formation is covered by exothermic reaction. Operation is finished with pumping out reaction products in an amount, equal pumped volume of chemical components of energy-releasing mixtures. EFFECT: technical result is higher efficiency due to possibility of heating formation, adjacent to well at a distance, and monitoring of heating. 1 cl


The article examines the results of a study of the inhibiting effects of mixtures containing "katapine" (paradodeylbenzenepyridine) and "sulfanol" (alkylbenzenesulfonate of alkaline metals) added to concrete containing a sodium silicate binder. Inhibition tests were carried out in water and in sulphuric acid (30%). (TRRL)


The undoubted effects of financial reporting disclosure on the efficiency of capital markets, as the empirical studies have underlined (Healy, Palepu, 2001; Verrecchia, 2001) in the last two decades, have created great interest on this topic. Despite the relevance for users of the explanatory information to the financial statement (Kolev, 2009), the significant increase in the information provided in financial reporting have contributed to increase the complexity and subjectivity of disclosure. This paper focuses on the analysis of the two projects on financial reporting disclosure, the "Proposed Statement of financial Accounting Concepts" of the Financial Accounting Standard Board an exposure draft published in 2014 and the "Thinking about disclosure in a broader context" of the Financial Reporting Council published in the 2012. From an interpretative and critical perspective of qualitative analysis, we examine the main characteristics of the two kinds of disclosure and compare them in order to verify how they fit in with the need to rationalize and simplify the current disclosure regime and how much the FRC proposal influences the FASB project. The analysis is supported by an examination of the literature on the disclosure with the aim of highlighting how the two projects respond to the issues arising from studies on disclosure and in which way the standard setters could improve the disclosure notes of financial statement.


We are grateful for the opportunity to reply to the letter "Does the sentence "less is more" apply to bowel preparation?" by Pontone [1]. In accordance with the latest European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guidelines, which advise against unprepped endoscopy in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) [2], we totally agree that fasting and the cathartic effect of blood are not sufficient to obtain adequate bowel cleansing. In addition to this, we would like to underscore the importance of some crucial factors that facilitate optimal quality of urgent colonoscopy in acute LGIB. General and hemodynamic assessment of the patient and adequate resuscitation are the essential steps to define eligibility for endoscopic examination and, in turn, the timing and type of bowel preparation (BP). The timing of endoscopy and the type of BP selected are mutually dependent on each other. Indeed, we have experienced that in high-risk patients with acute hemorrhagic shock and severe cardiovascular comorbidities, a very low-volume and therefore hyperosmolar bowel preparation can achieve optimal cleansing safely and more rapidly [3]. This approach has multiple advantages, including an increased likelihood of identifying the bleeding point, the possibility of performing targeted endoscopic treatment that results in effective hemostasis, and finally, the option to restart antithrombotic therapy sooner when indicated. In addition, we would like to underscore that 1 L of iso-osmolar bowel preparation is not equivalent to 1 L of hyperosmolar bowel preparation, and it is unlikely to have the same efficacy compared to 1 L of the newly available very-low-volume hyperosmolar bowel preparation. It is useful to know that other groups have experienced similar good results using very-low-volume bowel preparation for colonoscopy in acute LGIB [4]. These observations have also been taken into consideration in the latest ESGE guidelines [2], in which this strategy has been labelled as "encouraging." Therefore, it is highly desirable to continue sharing this expanding knowledge.