The European Union (EU) directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purpose focused on reducing the number of animals and refinement of breeding. Animal studies are necessary to protect human health. Lots of animal models exist to study bone regeneration, but a reliable, well reproducible, and relatively inexpensive model with the possibility for multiple testing in the same animal is still missing. Rats may serve as good models for this due to the small animal size and good cost/benefit ratio. The present study aimed to develop a novel rat caudal vertebrae critical size defect model for bone regeneration and implant osseointegration studies The study was performed using Wistar rats with weight from 380 to 450 g. An incision was made on the dorsal side of the tail. After skin and muscles retractions, the vertebrae were exposed. Critical size defects for bone tissue engineering or implant placements for titanium body experiments were possible in each of the first four caudal verte...


This paper discusses the application of game theory on port competition. Port industry shows a oligopoly situation. Therefore game theory would be a helpful method on the analysis of competition and cooperation strategy between ports. And then we will present two game models conducted on port competition.


This paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing development of work related to the use of new learning technologies by presenting an e-learning platform which was created as a part of the Horizon 2020 research project Improving the Effectiveness of Capabilities in EU Conflict Prevention (IECEU) [1]. The paper will additionally describe how the e-learning platform has been designed to be used as a part of blended learning concept in wider EU crisis management training. The developed e-learning platform presents the summaries and research findings of eight case studies covered by IECEU related to the European Union's conflict prevention and crisis management. The paper describes the design and development process of the e-learning platform. The platform is based on Opigno/Drupal open source software which provides a clear and light basis for comprehensive content which is easy to maintain and update. The platform can be accessed free of charge at http://ieceulearning.eu/ From the onset, it was necessary to ensure that the team possessed the technical skills required/necessary to create the platform. The more conventional e-learning environment was enriched with H5P animations and visual images. Due to the timeline of the project, the platform was created in a way that allows amending and updating the content of the learning environment during the entire project as well as after its lifecycle. The e-learning platform is designed to be used as a complimentary tool in blended training related to (EU's) crisis management training. Additionally, it can be used by academic and other training institutions. The paper will provide an account of a process that can support other researchers and stakeholders in planning similar activities. Moreover, the article provides an example of how research project results were integrated into relevant training through an e-learning platform. Finally, the described e-learning platform can be utilized as such for relevant training purposes by the training community as well as by all other interested stakeholders.


For the nonlinear discrete systems with strong nonlinearity and large initial error, conventional nonlinear filtering methods get degraded due to the local linearization error, heavy calculation burden and divergence. In this paper, the tensor product $H_{2}\ (TPH_{2})$ filter method is proposed based on the global polytopic linearization. Firstly, the nonlinear system is transformed to the polytopic linearization model by the tensor product model transformation (TPMT), which features as a numerical method. To obtain the exact nonlinear system tensor product (TP) model, the conservativeness of the TP model is effectively reduced through the optimal correction algorithm. Secondly, the corresponding polytopic $TPH_{2}$ filter model is designed with the unknown filter gain. The resultant polytopic filter error system model is calculated by combining the nonlinear discrete system with the polytopic filter model. Finally, the $TPH_{2}$ filter method is finalized to obtain the filter gain and the $H_{2}$ norm. The parameter dependent polytopic matrix inequalities in the $TPH_{2}$ filter method can be solved by converting to a group of linear matrix inequalities (LMI). Numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the method.


In [2], it is shown that, for some Hecke groups, unlike the modular group, two definitions of the principal congruence subgroups may not coincide and congruence and principal congruence subgroups of two important Hecke groups H( √ m), for m = 2 or 3, are classified and the quotients of H( √ m) with these normal subgroups are given. Here we obtain a classification of the congruence subgroups obtained as the kernel of reduction homomorphism for another important Hecke group H(λ5) and also obtain the quotient groups. Finally the indices and abstract group structure of all these subgroups are determined.


Liquidity is one of the main characteristics of the financial situation of a company. A lack of liquidity may seriously affect the continuity of a firm's activities. A thorough analysis and knowledge of the factors affecting the liquidity of a company are an essential requirement of the informed adoption of measures aimed at ensuring company liquidity. This issue is the subject of the presented paper. The main purpose of the article is to analyse the development of liquidity in the mechanical engineering industry in the Slovak Republic (SK NACA rev. 2 28xx – Manufacture of machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified) during the period of 2015-2018, and to identify the key internal and external factors determining liquidity in the industry. The survey was carried out in 2019 on a sample of 398 companies in the specified industry. Sample representativeness was tested on the basis of the non-parametric chi-square goodness of fit test (χ² distribution test). The obtained data were processed by means of statistical methods. To perform the statistical analysis, we applied the methods of descriptive statistics, frequency tables and non-parametric tests (the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests). To verify the validity of the formulated hypotheses, we used the right-tailed test of the hypothesis on the relative frequency. The main finding of the research is the identification  of the key internal and external factors determining the liquidity of engineering companies in Slovakia. The results of the research allow companies to take effective measures in managing liquidity and supporting their favourable development.


In 2004, Amanda J. and Brian R. published "The Intergenerational Effects of Fetal Programming: Non-genomic Mechanisms for the Inheritance of Low Birth Weight [5] and Cardiovascular Risk," hereafter, "The Intergenerational Effects," in the Journal of Endocrinology . In their article, the authors assert that cardiovascular disease may develop via fetal programming, which is when a certain event occurring during a critical point of pregnancy [6] affects the fetus [7] long after birth. Drake and Walker were among the first to show that the programming effects of cardiovascular disease could be sustained across generations through non-genetic means. In "The Intergenerational Effects," the authors identify how non-genetic mechanisms may perpetuate fetal programming influences over generations, highlighting the importance for further research on fetal programming. "The Intergenerational Effects" is a review of what was known as of its publication in 2004 about the effects of birth weight and later development of disease across generations. The authors worked together at the University of Edinburgh [8] in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, where they studied how exposure to stress in early development is related to the development of certain diseases. Drake primarily studied how environmental factors affect disease susceptibility, focusing on child life and health. Walker studied the stress hormone [9] cortisol [10] and its relation to cardiovascular disease to seek ways to reduce disease risk. Previously, other researchers, Barker, in 1995, that fetal programming could have intergenerational effects. Intergenerational means that the effects of a single fetal programming event could affect a lineage of family members across several generations, not just the single fetus [7] experiences the event. The authors state the article's during a critical point of pregnancy affects the fetus long after birth. Drake and Walker were among the first to show that the programming effects of cardiovascular disease could be sustained across generations through non-genetic means. In "The Intergenerational Effects," the authors identify how non-genetic mechanisms may perpetuate fetal programming influences over generations, highlighting the importance for further research on fetal programming.


Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. The last 5 years have been marked by rapid developments in understanding the pathophysiology of PD as well as by the introduction of a number of new drugs for symptomatic treatment of the disease. On the other hand, the diagnosis of PD is still made purely on clinical grounds. Due to continuing advances in therapy, it is increasingly important to recognize PD in its earliest stages and to distinguish it from other causes of parkinsonism, for which prognosis and response to treatment differ. This article reviews the epidemiology of PD and then elaborates on the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.


We study relationship between renormalization group and diffusion equation. We consider the exact renormalization group equation for a scalar field that includes an arbitrary cutoff function and an arbitrary quadratic seed action. As a generalization of the result obtained by Sonoda and Suzuki, we find that the correlation functions of diffused fields with respect to the bare action agree with those of bare fields with respect to the effective action, where the diffused field obeys a generalized diffusion equation determined by the cutoff function and the seed action and agrees with the bare field at the initial time.


This review offers a detailed discussion of the interaction between pharmaceutical compounds and vehicles using the affinity capillary electrophoresis and the microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography. Partition coefficients of drugs were calculated between a micelle and an aqueous phases from the measurement of the migration time, provided the critical micelle concentration and the phase ratio are known. Thermodynamic quantities such as enthalpy and entropy changes of micellar solubilization were calculated from the temperature dependence of the partition coefficients. Partial specific volumes were measured using dynamic light scattering. The logarithm of the partition coefficients and the capacity factor in the micellar system were correlated with the logarithm of the n‐octanol/water partition coefficients. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


A striking similarity is shown between the shapes of focused coherent and non-coherent optical energy beams. This similarity is shown to be an exact analogy under broadly applicable conditions. It is proven that non-coherent beam focusing equations can be obtained from the well known Gaussian beam propagation equations simply by replacing the Rayleigh range with a new parameter, the focal range, equal to the input beam waist radius divided by the beam angular divergence. The adapted beam equations enable calculation of the first order location and radius of the focused waist minimum for non-coherent energy input beams of finite diameter and finite angular extent - a situation not previously amenable to simple calculation and analysis. A fictitious wavelength can be calculated from the input beam parameters, and this wavelength permits the use of standard Gaussian beam propagation programs to analyze non-coherent beam focusing. The effects of aberration on the waist location and radius calculated with the adapted beam equations is investigated with a new energy ray tracing technique that uses standard spot diagram data obtained under special input conditions and by ray tracing backwards through the lens system. Intensities computed with this technique are compared with actual measured values for an example system, and the agreement is found to be very good. The new ray tracing techniques can be used to analyze the focusing of energy from a wide variety of sources, from low divergence multi-mode lasers to the wide divergence beams from arc lamps with ellipsoidal reflectors. The results presented in this paper reveal that there is a continuity in the characteristics of focused energy beams that extends over the entire range of source coherence, from fundamental mode lasers to the ordinary light sources of everyday experience.


Through comparison of 《Technical specification for construction of highway cement concrete pavements》(JTG F30-2003) with 《Technical specification for construction of highway asphalt pavements》(JTG F40-2005) and research in this paper,it is put forward that the crushing index of coase aggregates of cement concrete pavements is revised to be the quality critical crushing index of asphalt pavement.It is suggested to improve the three quality indexes of crushing value,soundness,and elongated particle contents in asphalt pavements,in order to effectively prevent and decrease the fast destroy in cause of low requirements quality indexes of crushed stone in asphalt pavements.


Predictions of unique and potentially useful optical properties, such as negative refraction, have triggered a quest to implement artificially engineered structures known as metamaterials.1 To date, optical negative refraction at frequencies ranging from the microwave2, 3 to the visible4 has been achieved using metamaterials incorporating arrays of lithographically patterned metallo-dielectric resonators with subwavelength features and periodicity. The highly anisotropic refractive index typically associated with resonator-based metamaterials has, however, hampered the realization of bulk devices relying on broadangle negative refraction, such as an isotropic Veselago flat lens (named after a proposal by Veselago that a flat slab of left-handed material possessing an isotropic refractive index of 1 could act like an imaging lens in free space). Moreover, lithographic scaling constraints hinder efforts to extend the negative refraction of resonator-based metamaterials to higher frequencies.5 Colleagues and I have developed a novel bulk metamaterial with an all-angle negative refraction electromagnetic response in the UV.6 It is based on stacked, coupled unit cells of planar MDMDM plasmonic waveguides,7 where M is silver (Ag) metal and D is titanium dioxide (TiO2) dielectric. We designed the metamaterial to exhibit a refractive index for transverse magnetic (TM) polarized light close to –1 for light centered around wavelength 0 of 364nm. Figure 1 displays the cross section of a metamaterial structure formed by three unit cells of sputterdeposited, alternating layers of Ag and TiO2 to a total thickness of 450nm. An optically opaque chromium (Cr) film was deposited on top of the metamaterial slab followed by focusedion-beam (FIB) milling of a 600nm-wide rectangular opening to define an illumination aperture for refraction experiments. We characterized the refractive properties of the bulk metamaterial by subjecting its aperture-masked, air-facing surface to Figure 1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of focused-ionbeam (FIB) cross section of fabricated sample for a refraction experiment consisting of a 450nm-thick metamaterial structure—alternating sputtered layers of silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2)—on glass, bearing a chromium (Cr) film patterned with a 600nm-wide aperture by FIB milling. Upper inset: Optical image of metamaterial (450nm thick) uniformly coated over large area (2.5cm2) on a glass slide.


This tutorial aims to be a self-contained and explicit analysis of the basic cross polarization (CP) solid-state NMR experiment (SSNMR) in the isolated spin-pair approximation using standard quantum mechanical arguments. The general result of obtaining coherence transfer between two dipolar coupled spin-active nuclei while applying radio frequency fields to both nuclei is described, with emphasis on the origin of the well known Hartmann-Hahn matching conditions. No new theory is presented; rather several common analytical methods in SSNMR are demonstrated in the context of cross-polarization under static and magic-angle spinning (MAS) conditions. A background in NMR and quantum mechanics is assumed, however this work attempts to minimize the need for excursions into the literature. This article was written to aid a reader in advancing into more detailed descriptions of CP and dipolar recoupling in general. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 254–276, 2008.


New silicon based anodic materials in lithium ion batteries (Si-based LIBs) have been developed worldwide to overcome capacity decay during the lithiation/delithiation process. In this study, a composite of Si nanoparticles coated with 5-sulfoisophthalic acid (SPA) doped polyaniline (core/shell SiNPs@PANi/SPA) was prepared and applied as an anode material for LIB applications. The detailed structure of the core/shell SiNPs@PANi/SPA composite was characterized using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy before and after charging/discharging. The electrochemical measurements showed that the SiNPs@PANi/SPA anode exhibited a high capacity of 925 mA h g(-1) and high coulombic efficiency (99.6%) after long-term cycling (1000 cycles). Overall results indicated that the SPA doped polyaniline served as a conductive matrix to improve electrical contact and to provide an adhesive force in Si-based LIBs. Our approach opens a route for the design of efficient silicon nanocomposites for LIB applications.


In order to make the designed linear meet the practical production requirement better,this paper represents the basic principle and design ways of LQR,introduces some choice rules of the weighted matrix Q and R.,by means of matlab,discusses the influence on optical control system caused by the change of parameters Q and R,illustrates that the control effect based on the controller design way is better,the way is liable to reach and realize the design target.


Abstract : This report addresses the vulnerability of armored vehicles and possible injury of their occupants to HE mine blast loading. Specifically reported are the results of literary research in the following two areas: the value (height) of flat plate deformation that can be associated with plate rupture, and the hazard to vehicle occupants of the vertical motion of the floor armor, especially the elastic (temporary) deflection. Values are shown for the threshold of plate rupture as a function of deformation for various plate thicknesses. Vertical, elastic-phase, deflections of one or two inches for large, open, floor areas are predicted, for non-rupturing blast mine loading. Occupant injuries are likely here, and shock isolation references are briefly discussed.


Summary form only given. A non linear soft sensor (EKF) has been coupled with a linear adaptive controller to solve pH control problems in actual plants. Direct linearisation of the titration curve (non linear S-shape) to perform classical linear control is not a general solution because this curve, characteristic of the process, is constantly changing as the properties of the inlet flow vary. Our approach enables us to consider the highly non-linear pH control problem as a linear one. It consists of two steps: a soft sensor (EKF) based on a simple dynamic model (derived from mass balances) is designed to provide estimates of the unmeasured acid/base concentrations; a linear controller is then applied for the control of the composition of the outlet flow (instead of the pH) This pH control scheme is based on a simple and classical model of acid-base titration. It ignores the precipitation of any salts. The pH controller can be applied to a wide variety of neutralisation processes such as a continuous stirred tank or tubular reactor, in which an acid flow is titrated with a base (or vice versa), with or without precipitation of salts, pre-titration and re-circulation. Prior to on-line implementation, a feasibility study and the necessary tuning of the controller (and soft sensor) were done by dynamic simulations of the process using SpeedUp®. The simulations highlighted the good performance of the controller for extreme throughput change (under variable recycle time delay), inlet pH variations and set point changes. Even in the case of significant process/model mismatches, the pH estimate and measurement agreed perfectly. Implementation results are displayed for an effluent treatment unit of a Shell chemical plant. They clearly show the improvement in pH control since this tool was switched on. pH variations have decreased significantly, and operators are now freed from pH control problems.


A new gate-driver scheme is proposed in this paper to improve the efficiency of the self-driven synchronous rectifiers for a resonant reset forward topology. The scheme possess fast rising rate of the driving voltage of the freewheeling and minimize the power losses in the converter. The operation principle, simulation and experiment results are presented in this paper. Design consideration and experimental results are also provided for 3.3 V output voltage converters, featuring efficiencies up to 90%.


Recent research in reduced instruction set computer architectures has emphasized the importance of the empirical approach to designing computer architectures: architectural features are analyzed for utility and cost with respect to the system software that uses them. This approach has resulted in architectural simulators that allow computer designers to vary the features of the architecture being simulated and to analyze how the addition or removal of these features affects the cost and performance of the architecture. In this paper we apply this technique to a new area: reconfigurable architectures. Our approach is to use an empirical methodology that emphasizes the interaction between the target software and the reconfigurability features of parallel architectures. We have developed a set of tools, the reconfigurable architecture workbench, that assists in this methodology by allowing parallel programs to be simulated on a target architecture in order to study the performance implications of various reconfigurability features. The workbench is based on a framework, the PCI model, which describes the range of parallel programs, parallel architectures, and reconfiguration features. We present details of the design and implementation of a prototype workbench, GT-RAW. GT-RAW is being used to study the utility of one dimension of reconfiguration for image processing and image understanding applications. We present an example of the experiments that are being conducted with GT-RAW as a demonstration of our empirical methodology.


This study aimed to clarify the degree of loneliness and its associated factors in elderly people who use day care services. Interviews were conducted using an interview schedule. A χ test was performed to verify the independence of various factors associated with loneliness. Significant items were then used as independent variables in multiple logistic regression analysis with the presence or absence of loneliness as the dependent variables. This study included 200 community-dwelling elderly people who used day care services [53 men (26.5%) and 147 women (73.5%)]. The respondents had a mean ± standard deviation score of 38.44 ± 9.43 on the loneliness scale. The results of the χ test indicated that a significant number of elderly people in the "lonely group" were not socially active (p=0.010), lived in apartment complexes (p=0.036), or did not have hobbies (p=0.037). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that loneliness was significantly associated with social participation [odds ratio (OR): 0.148; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.66; p=0.012] and type of residence (OR: 0.464; 95% CI: 0.23-0.94; p=0.033). The results demonstrated that loneliness in the elderly is clearly associated with their social participation and living situations as well as their hobbies and activities. These findings have important implications for understanding loneliness in community-living elderly people who use day care services.


The experiments described in this Paper are an extension of our previous investigations on the properties of liquid films. The interest and the difficulty of such inquiries increase as the thickness of the films diminishes, and culminate when they are sufficiently thin to show the black of the first order of Newton's rings. We can in that case only infer from the colour that the thickness is less than a certain possible maximum. Our knowledge as to the real value of this maximum is, we venture to think, very uncertain, but it furnished, we believe, previous to our own investigations, the only clue to the thickness of a black liquid film. In a Paper on the "Thickness of Soap Films" (Proc. Roy. Soc., 1877, No. 182, p. 345), we were however able to show, for the particular liquid and apparatus used :— i. That the variations in thickness of the black portions of the films were but a small fraction of that thickness. ii. That the thickness was independent of the breadth of the black ring. iii. That it was also independent of the thickness of that portion of the film which appeared to the naked eye to be in immediate contact with it.


Shear wall systems are the most commonly used lateral-load resisting systems in high-rise buildings. The building of nonlinear dynamic analysis model is the basis for calculating earthquake response. The work further investigates several nonlinear dynamic analysis models at home and abroad for RC shear wall. Classified and brief comments about the existing drawbacks of these models are conducted. Hysteretic rules, relative parameters and the applicability of these models are also discussed in detail. Lastly, some useful suggestions are proposed for the further research.


The present invention relates to a joint movement assisting tool which reduces the load applied to the joints when moving the waist, shoulders, arms, and legs to reduce the burden in the movement or performance of operations. The configuration of the joint movement assisting tool includes: a spring mechanism unit (10) which has two connected members (110, 120) to enable elastic and relative rotation movement; a first body fixing unit which is installed on a side of the spring mechanism unit (10); a skeleton unit (30) which has an end connected to the other side of the spring mechanism unit (10) to be extended; and a second body fixing unit installed on the other end of the skeleton unit (30).


This chapter focuses on one form of the demonstratives; that is the distal singular masculine demonstrative dhalik as it is prefixed with what is known in Arabic grammar as kaaf 'al tasbiih which is roughly translated as 'like'. It presents a background on Modern Standard Arabic as a variety in general, in addition to an introduction to demonstratives in this variety. It then summarises the relevance-theoretic distinction between concepts and procedures, and how it is reflected in Arabic studies. The chapter introduces a procedural analysis of kadhalik based on differentiating between two uses, that of a demonstrative and of a discourse marker. It discusses kadhalik as a demonstrative and proposes that it consists of kaaf 'al tasbiih +demonstrative which can be analysed in procedural terms. It also discusses the use of kadhalik as a discourse marker and proposes that it encodes procedural constraints on interpretation. Keywords: demonstrative; discourse marker; kadhalik ; modern standard Arabic; procedural analysis; relevance-theoretic distinction


Aluminum single crystals have been irradiated with 7.0-MeV protons at 20 K. The irradiation damage and its recovery are studied with positron-lifetime spectroscopy between 20 and 500 K. Stage-I recovery is observed at 40 K. At 240 K, loss of freely migrating vacancies is observed. Hydrogen in vacancies is found to stabilize the vacancies and prolong stage III to above 280 K, where the hydrogen bound to vacancies is released. Single and multiple occupancy of hydrogen atoms at monovacancies is put forward as the reason for the two recovery stages between 280 and 400 K. A binding energy of 0.53 +- 0.03 eV is found for a hydrogen atom trapped at a monovacancy. The results are in excellent agreement with recent ion-beam-analysis results and also with theoretical estimates.


We hypothesize that one of the reasons for the depth perception problem is the difference between the result for the viewing frustum of virtual world and the scene of the real world. To verify our hypothesis, we experiment simple locating tasks whose viewing frustum consists of various fields of view (FOV) and viewing direction (VD). The task was performed with a 3D input device, and the results show that, while the changes in the FOV affected accuracy, the VD affected efficiency.


This article provides an overview of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) and its work in producing regulatory guidelines that are of interest to medical statisticians. The scope and key issues of the ICH E9 Guideline on Statistical Principles in Clinical Trials are outlined. This includes topics related to minimizing the bias in trial design, analysis and reporting, and includes specific issues such as multicenter trials, interim analysis, analysis sets, and subgroups. Other regulatory guidelines that include statistical issues are mentioned and the manner in which guidelines should be used is debated.

Keywords:

regulatory guideline;
International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH);
bias;
design;
analysis;
reporting


antihistamine, but it was judged to be clinically ineffective. However, reexamination of mianserin by qEEG demonstrated that EEG changes caused by this drug were similar to those by tricyclic antidepressants, and so it was found that mianserin had antidepressive effects, which could not be assessed by animal experiments. Mianserin is widely used as an antidepressant following clinical trials now. Although neuroimaging techniques have matured notably and developed into useful tools for the clinical estimation of brain functional and organic changes, qEEG still has many of the following advantages as a tool for investigating the human brain: (1) no invasion of the subject; (2) virtually unlimited time resolution; (3) high sensitivity to external and/or internal changes; (4) excellent cost-benefit ratio, and (5) many successful records in clinical medicine. Therefore, we hope to realize the importance of qEEG with current advanced methods. Toshihiko Kinoshita , Osaka Koichi Hirata , Mibu Hans Berger, who proposed the clinical usefulness of electroencephalogram (EEG) changes, reported that EEGs were changed by the administration of scopolamine, cocaine or chloroform in the 1930s. In 1954, Bente and Itil reported that the administration of chlorpromazine caused changes in EEGs, that is, increases in slow waves and decreases in fast waves. With the development of computer technology, it has been clarified that all psychoactive drugs cause EEG changes, and these changes are closely related to their clinical effects. However, since almost all psychoactive drugs were accidentally discovered, the mechanism of their action has not been fully clarified. As EEG changes caused by psychoactive drugs are closely related to their action, such drugs are classified according to these EEG changes, and the unknown action of drugs can currently be estimated by the similarity of changes in EEG. As a result, quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) has been established as a method for the development of new drugs. A typical drug developed by this method is mianserin. This drug was initially developed as an Published online: February 27, 2015


This work puts once again before us the serious problem regarding the iniquity
about having access to medications in Brazil, being clearly discussed from an
economical approach. Evidence that, from one side, the improving of that access is
associated with the improving of the social economical conditions – specially the
income distributions –, financing access, the reasonable usage of this products and
the gestate efficiency of the available resources. But, on the other side, it's also
associated to the regulation of this market, with effective improving of the average
prices available for the medicines. Therefore the price is formed in a historic process
and dependent on the market dynamics and the interaction between the industry, the
state and society. Getting to demonstrate that the functioning of this market shows
viii
failures, in a Brazil aspect as well as worldwide, generating a non-perfect competition
and by "outer price" mechanisms, as the differentiation of products and the marketing
and sales promotion. Not being enough the great income concentration in the country,
this competitive road worse even more this context and brings negative
complications to the access standard to medications that, according analyses
demonstrates, is also an income and price question. Therefore, starting from the
characterization of this latent contraposition between the "outer price" dynamics
competition predominant in the pharmaceutics market and the equity improving goal
to access the medications, an explicit necessity of an effective and efficient
intervation of the state, en fhasizing ist duty and non-transferable responsibilities in
favor of its social welfare in this sector.


In this study, ICESat laser altimetry data are used to provide precise elevation changes of some Garhwal Himalayan glaciers, Uttarakhand during the period of 2003–2009. We have tested two methods for estimating elevation changes of Garhwal glaciers from multitemporal ICESat laser altimetry: (a) projection of near repeat-tracks onto common locations using Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and (b) least-squares fitting of rigid planes to segments of repeat-track data assuming a constant elevation change rate. Six parameters derived from GLA14 product were used to build the glacier change procedure: number of peaks, elevation difference of adjacent footprints, waveform width, reflectivity, kurtosis, and skewness of laser waveform. Glacier elevation change has been observed on all altitudes during 2003-2009. Our findings are consistent with other remote sensing mass balance measurements from the same period, confirming that repeat-track satellite altimetry can be a valuable tool for monitoring short term elevation changes of Himalayan glaciers. About the Author:


Abstract Ni–W–P alloy coatings were deposited from a bath containing, nickel sulphate (VI), sodium tungstate (VI), sodium hypophosphite, sodium formate, and a complexing agent. The complexing agents were formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, aminoacetic acid and triethanoloamine. It is shown that Ni–W–P coatings are deposited the slowest when complexing agents with the highest stability constants are used. As the deposition rate increases, i.e. in the presence of less stable complexing compounds, the amount of tungsten in the coating decreases. When aminoacetic acid and citric acid were used, the tungsten content in the coating amounted to ∼2 wt-%, depending on the complexing agent concentration and the pH of the bath.


According to the performed analysis of fatigue phenomena occurring in metals, the effects of fatigue appear in the form of lines and slip bands under loading conditions producing variable stresses with values below the fatigue limit of these metals. It is commonly accepted that variable stresses with constant amplitude of values below 0.4 of the fatigue limit do not cause plastic strain in grains (lines and slip bands), thus they do not affect the fatigue life. This study is an attempt of quantitative assessment of the influence of stresses with values below the fatigue limit on fatigue life by using tests with programed two-step loading (variable-amplitude). Tests were performed with the use of C45 steel specimens.


This study examines the relationships between tax revenue, private investment and real income in Greece. Using data from 1980 to 2011, we apply the bounds testing approach to cointegration proposed by Pesaran et al. (2001). We find a long-run relation among the variables with real income having strong adverse effect on tax revenue and private investment having significant positive impact on tax revenue . The results of Granger causality tests show unidirectional causality running from real income and private investment to tax revenue in the long-run. In the short-run causality runs from investment to total tax revenue. On the other hand, results of the Granger-causality tests support the existence of a bidirectional causality between real income and tax revenue. These findings provide evidence that tax policy can affect real economy and tax revenues and, therefore, budget deficits, depend upon investment in the private sector.


In many causal relationships there is a third factor that influences both the explanatory and the outcome variable. This is called a confounder and if left out of the model can cause bias in the parameter estimates. A solution to this problem are Instrumental Variable estimation methods. An instrument is a variable that correlates with the outcome only through its relation with the treatment. This means that it is not correlated with confounders or directly influencing the outcome. Many IV methods were designed to deal with continuous outcomes in a linear model. However, in medical research the outcome is often a dichotomous one and linear models may not always be appropriate. The research question in this thesis is to find out which IV methods are useful when dealing with binary outcome variables. There are two approaches to the estimation of the treatment effect: risk difference and the (log-)odds ratio. We compared methods within these two approaches by performing simulations in multiple scenarios as well as a case study on the effect of corticosteroids on 30 day mortality and infection. We found that the IV methods discussed work relatively well, but that their usefulness is constrained in the medical fields as datasets often lack the required number of observations. Other findings were that the two stage logistic regression estimator actually estimates a different quantity than the log odds ratio a logistic regression would normally produce.


Background An end to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic appears to be a distant dream. To make matters worse, there has been an alarming upsurge in the incidence of cavitating invasive fungal pneumonia associated with COVID-19, reported from various parts of the world including India. Therefore, it remains important to identify the clinical profile, risk factors, and outcome of this group of patients. Methods Out of 50 moderate to severe COVID-19 inpatients with thoracic computed tomographic (CT) evidence of lung cavitation, we retrospectively collected demographic and clinical data of those diagnosed as fungal pneumonia for further investigation. We observed these patients for a total of 60 days from identification of fungal pneumonia and determined the association between risk factors related to 30-day and 60-day mortality. Results Of the 50 COVID-19 patients with cavitating lung lesions, 22 (44 %) were identified to have fungal pneumonia. Most of these patients (n=16, 72.7 %) were male, with a median (range) age of 56 (38-64) years. On chest CT imaging, the most frequent findings were multiple cavities (n=13, 59.1 %) and consolidation (n=14, 63.6 %). Mucormycosis (n=10, 45.5 %) followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (n=9, 40.9 %) were the common fungi identified. 30-day and 60-day mortality was seen in 12 (54.5 %) and 16 (72.7 %) patients, respectively. On subgroup analysis, high cumulative prednisolone dose was an independent risk factor associated with 30-day mortality (p=0.024). Conclusion High cumulative prednisolone dose, baseline neutropenia, hypoalbuminemia, multiple cavities on CT chest, leukopenia, lymphopenia and raised inflammatory markers were associated with poor prognosis in severe COVID-19 patients with cavitating fungal pneumonia.


This article presents an inquiry into prospects for application of the conceptual lens of resilience to social systems. The dominant paradigm of sustainability in its current form is likely to be of limited utility for aiding scholars to contribute to our understanding of past and current global environmental crises, and for planning for such events in the future. Resilience theory offers a compelling source of theoretical insight; however, the current iteration of this framework is not readily applicable to social systems. Our ability to do so requires further theoretical development in the areas of system complexity and agency. This article offers an initial step in this direction, by providing an overview and critique of recent academic treatments of the concept of resilience, and a set of guideposts for further research.


The expectations over novel composite materials have been increased especially in automotive and aerospace applications due to its superior weight to strength ratio and tailored mechanical properties. In this frame work, aluminum alloy AA5083 alloy matrix reinforced with micron (10% wt – 5% wt) and nanoparticles (1% wt – 5% wt) of Al2O3. The composite samples were fabricated through powder metallurgy route. Optimum amount of reinforcement were determined by evaluating mechanical properties like micro-hardness and compressive strength of composites. The characterizations were probed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) methods. The results reveal that the composites containing 2% wt of nanoAl2O3 and 8 % micro Al2O3 reinforcement witnessed superior mechanical properties due to its combined effect of concentration and particulate scale and the great isotropic behavior was achieved by homogenous dispersion of reinforcement in the matrix phase.


Human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) are promising options for cell‐based cardiac repair and in vitro models of human cardiomyocytes. The hiPSC‐CMs are used as a diagnostic disease modeling and drug toxicity screening platform. Because hiPSCs retain the genetic information of the cells from which they are derived, cells differentiated from iPSCs can potentially recapitulate the disease phenotype.


Abstract A model that integrates and builds on the job demands-resources model and self-determination theory is proposed to better understand the role of work motivation in relation to job resources, occupational commitment and emotional exhaustion. Two forms of motivation were studied: autonomous motivation, in which employees act with volition,; and controlled motivation, in which they act under internal or external pressure. Data were collected at two time points nine months apart from a sample of 586 school principals in Quebec, Canada. SEM analysis results support the hypothesized model. Specifically, job resources had a positive effect on autonomous motivation but a negative effect on controlled motivation. In addition, taking into account the cross-lagged effects of job resources on commitment and exhaustion, autonomous motivation had a negative effect on exhaustion but a positive effect on commitment whereas controlled motivation had a positive effect on exhaustion. These results advance the understanding of why work motivation acts on employee functioning and how it can play an active role in both the motivational and energetic processes of the job demands-resources model. Practical implications and further theoretical implications are discussed.


To the Editor:
 The "AAP Code of Ethics for the Use of Fetuses and Fetal Material for Research" (Pediatrics 56:304, August 1975), albeit arrived at after diligent effort on the part of its authors, is not acceptable to this pediatrician or to a growing body of aroused pediatricians.
 I object to the task force recommendation regarding "research on the fetus in utero (where delivery of a previable fetus is not contemplated)." Despite informed consent, do


In today's era, the companies need to respond rapidly to the new product introduction, mix and demand changes to stay competitive. It has been very well accepted that traditional manufacturing systems are not suitable to offer an edge in such a competitive market. Reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS) appear to be a most promising mechanism for enabling the manufacturing sector to be more competitive and sustain itself in the tough global scenario. This manuscript attempts to survey the characteristics of RMS and evolution of research to improve the practical applicability of RMS. Further the recent trends of reconfigurable manufacturing system in the present context have also been discussed along with the future research directions.


Here are presented the technological ways and problem questions of improvement in plasma-spraying and coat-strengthening processes, for example: electric parameter modulation of indirect and direct plasmatron electric arcs. New effective technologies are constructed which can be applied to coating and strengthening on surfaces


The origin of the homochirality of the organic molecules in living material remains a mystery. We propose here that the supernova(s) that initiated the solar system also produced the mechanism for the chiral symmetry breaking in the organic material in the interstellar medium. The major process would involve either ve from a supernova explosion or the Al26 produced in the debris in conjunction with the weak neutral current process. Both give rise to chiral positrons and interactions with the organic material in the prebiotic medium. We describe some possible tests of this concept. We note that in this picture, all life forms in the Universe based on hydrocarbons should have the same chiral structure.


Metabolic Syndrome(MS),a clinical syndrome of abnormal structure and function on vessels,Caused by high blood pressure,blood lipid abnormality,obesity and higher blood sugar.The risk of cardiovascular events in cardiovascular patients Complicated with MS,which has attracted wide attention recently,had evident increase compared with non MS.Essential Hypertension(EH) was the important risk factor of cardio-cerebrovascular disease.In clinic,EH Complicated with multiform metabolic disorder became more and more common,that caused more and more complicated and serious in Target Organ Damage such as in heart,brain and kidney.Traditional Chinese Medicine had the special advantage in the treatment of EH Complicated with MS.Starting from the Recognition of EH and MS,this article review recent research situation of TCM therapy for EH Complicated with MS.


This study of Coeur d'Alene Lake was undertaken because of concerns over the potential for release of previously deposited nutrients and trace elements from the lakebed if an anoxic hypolimnion were to develop as a consequence of eutrophication. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the lake's assimilative capacity for nutrients. The scope included characterization of water quality in the limnetic and littoral zones of the lake, quantification of hydrologic and nutrient budgets, development of a nutrient load/lake response model, and characterization of trace-element enrichment in surficial and subsurface lakebed sediments. Coeur d'Alene Lake was classified as oligotrophic during 1991-92, on the basis of annual geometric mean concentrations, in micrograms per liter, of total phosphorus (4.1), total nitrogen (247), and chlorophyll-a (0.54). On the basis of nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios, phosphorus was the nutrient most likely to limit phytoplankton growth. Despite its oligotrophy, Coeur d'Alene Lake developed a substantial hypolimnetic dissolved-oxygen deficit in both years during the late summer. In the deep, northern half of the lake, hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen was reduced to 6.4 milligrams per liter (58 percent saturation). In the lake's shallow, southern end, anoxic conditions developed in the lower water column. A review of historical studies of the lake revealed that substantial hypolimnetic dissolved-oxygen deficits were measured in 1911 and 1975. Historical loads of nutrients and oxygen-demanding substances were estimated to have been much larger than those measured during this study and, thus, capable of producing the earlier deficits. The lake's current (1992) oligotrophic classification differs from the mesotrophic classification it received in 1975 during the National Eutrophication Survey. The shift in trophic state is consistent with nutrient load reductions in the lake's 9,690-square-kilometer drainage basin since the early 1970's. During 1991, loads of nitrogen and phosphorus to Coeur d'Alene Lake were about half those in 1975. Most of the nutrient load reduction has occurred in the Coeur d'Alene River drainage basin where phosphorus-export coefficients, in kilograms per square kilometer, have declined from 26 in 1975 to 4.5 in 1991. Approximately 85 percent of the lakebed's surface area was highly enriched in antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, silver, and zinc. Median concentrations of total cadmium, lead, and zinc in the enriched lakebed sediments were 56, 1,800, and 3,500 milligrams per kilogram, respectively. In contrast, median concentrations of cadmium, lead, and zinc in unenriched lakebed sediments in the lake's southern end were 2.8, 24, and 110 milligrams per kilogram, respectively. Most of the trace elements in the surficial and subsurface sediments were associated with ferric oxides, not sulfides, as previously postulated. Under reducing conditions, such as within an anoxic hypolimnion, the ferric oxides would be readily soluble and the trace elements would be released into the overlying water column. The trace-element enrichment of the lake was largely restricted to the lakebed sediments; however, the median concentration of total recoverable zinc in the water column was 98.6 micrograms per liter. This concentration exceeded the criterion of 32.4 micrograms per liter for protection of freshwater biota in Coeur d'Alene Lake.


the columnar form; but mixed with this there is also a good deal of scaly epithelium. Towards the orifice, the epithelium is almost entirely of the scaly variety. The large cells of scaly epithelium, so commonly met with in the urine of females, and derived from the vagina, are represented in Fig. 26. They vary, however, much in size and form, and are sometimes very irregular in shape, with uneven ragged edges.


The calculation of load and resistance factors for the Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code (OHBDC) 1990 edition is summarized. The development of load and resistance model, selection of the reliability analysis method and calculation of the reliability indices were part of the process. The paper reviews the statistical data on load and resistance. Also discussed are resistance models that were developed for steel, reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete girder bridges.


Objective To statistically analyze the 128 cases of thumb abductor defects and evaluate the commonly used operative methods. Methods Statistical analysis and evaluation were done in regard to the muscle strength, injury cause, injured parts, injured nerves and tendon transfer. Results We found by following up after the operation: FDS, PL, ECU were the most commonly used operative methods and their average excellent and good rate was 87.2%. Abductor digiti quinti and flexor pollicis brevis were less used but their effects were good. Conclusion When the median nerve of thenar is injured, the abductor of the thumb will be damaged. We should restore its function by tendon transfer as long as the muscle strength remains and the passive motion of the carpometacarpal joint is good.


BackgroundMethylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) contact allergies are rising dramatically. Moreover, 100 ppm of MCI/MI patch test might not detect an important number of MCI/MI and MI allergies. ObjectivesThis study aimed to present the prevalence of contact allergy to both preservatives in an area of Spain and to investigate if 100 ppm of MCI/MI is an adequate concentration for a proper diagnosis. MethodsA prospective study was conducted from October 2011 to September 2013. All patients were patch tested with the Spanish baseline series (containing 100 ppm of MCI/MI) and with 200 ppm of MCI/MI and 2000 ppm of MI. ResultsA total of 490 patients were patch tested. The MCI/MI prevalence was 10% and increased from 7.8% in last term of 2011 to 14.3% in the first 9 months of 2013. The MI prevalence was 4.5% and increased from 1% to 7.7% in the same period. One hundred parts per million of MCI/MI could not diagnose 24.5% of MCI/MI allergies. All MI allergies were detected by 200 ppm of MCI/MI, whereas only 68.2% were positive to 100-ppm concentration. ConclusionsFor a correct diagnosis of MCI/MI and MI contact allergies, we advocate increasing the MCI/MI patch test concentration to 200 ppm along with a temporal inclusion of MI in the North American Contact Dermatitis Group baseline series.


1. Pocket mobile device that communicates through a wireless signal, comprising: a sensor (924) of an image user interface (918), the memory (910) which stores processor-readable code, and at least one processor (912) executing a processor-readable code, wherein the at least one processor to: capture at least a first electronic image device using an image sensor at a first time, stores the first data in the memory on the basis of at least the first and siderations captures at least a second electronic device image using the image sensor at a second time after the first time point provides second data on the basis of at least the second image, determines whether the first data with second data coincide, and if the first data matches the second data, configures a user interface for use with electronic priborom.2. A handheld mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the first data identifies a scale-invariant features, at least a first image, second data identifying a scale-invariant features, at least a second image and at least one processor determines whether the correlation is greater than between a scale-invariant features, at least a first image and a scale-invariant features, at least a second predetermined image porog.3. A handheld mobile device of claim 1, wherein: the user interface for configuring the at least one proce


There are many industrial and experimental reasons to have the abili ty to measure the time -varying concentration of flammable vapors. Several companies have developed and marketed instruments that serve this function, but no gas concentration meter has an instantaneous response; all such meters have a lag in their respons e. These instruments are reliable indicators of steady state vapor concentrations, but the readings they provide can be misleading if they are exposed to a time -varying vapor concentration environment. Because the vapor concentration meters are first ord er systems, they respond according to an exponential relationship; the reading on the meter will asymptotically approach the actual concentration to which the meter is exposed. Testing of vapor concentration meters confirmed that the meters tested behaved as a simple linear system; therefore, the meter readings at any given time are the result of the step inputs for all time prior to the measurement time. Using the mathematical behavior of linear systems, the time history of actual concentrations can be d etermined from the time history of meter readings and the known lag in the instrument. This paper presents mathematical relationships that enable the reconstruction of the actual vapor concentration history for several simplifying assumptions and shows se veral theoretical and actual examples of the reconstruction methodology.


In the globalized labor market, skills gaps between industry expectations and university preparation are becoming more prevalent. English communication skills (ECS) are vital soft skills in all workplaces, particularly in international business, where English is commonly used as a lingua franca. This case study examined the nexus between academia and industry regarding the instruction of ECS and their applicability to meet the requirements of the globalized business landscape by collecting data from 43 personnel in the international ready-made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. The research reveals that English courses in higher education do not adequately address the communication needs of the international RMG business, which requires practical experience in the workplace, trade-specific vocabulary, intelligibility, and clarity rather than a high level of fluency. The study recommends promoting the teaching of English for general business purposes in Bangladesh by integrating theoretical and practical learning in the classroom and workplace as part of the curriculum.


Abstract Sports participation contributes to maintaining health and wellbeing in old age, hence a deeper understanding of its various determinants is necessary. Previous research has primarily focused on either the effects of individual resources or age-specific attitudes to sports participation. However, a deeper understanding of the inter-relationships between these variables is required to develop effective policies to promote sports participation in ageing societies. To address the hypothesised inter-relationships, we consider both individual resources as well as age-specific attitudes and behaviours in order to integrate them simultaneously in our analysis. Furthermore, the analysis will be differentiated according to the three social status groups. The sample contains 1,560 retired persons, aged 65 years and older, based on the fifth wave (2014) of the German Ageing Survey. Multiple Poisson regression models were estimated to test our hypotheses. After adjusting for demographic variables, greater individual resources are associated with more regular sports participation. The findings also reveal that positive age perception and healthy behaviours are related to sports participation. Slight mediation effects between the different variables can be observed. Furthermore, the effect structures vary across different social status groups. The findings show that both individual resources and age-specific behaviours and attitudes are independent determinants of sports participation in older age. Our results confirm slight inter-relationships between socio-economic resources and age-specific attitudes.


In this study, laminar flow fields over slanted and curved surfaces have been investigated numerically. Flow in diffusers with different slope angles, flow over a circular surface and flow in a circular bend have been solved for different boundary conditions, and different Reynolds numbers, performing coordinate transformation from physical domain to computational domain. From these solutions, the velocity fields and the reverse flow region lengths have been predicted. It was seen that the dimensions of the reverse flow region have increased with increasing Reynolds numbers, and flow separation occurs at small Reynolds numbers for increasing slope angle.


Objective To explore the changes of the subunits content, constitution and function of glutamate receptor subunits on neuron membrane induced by anoxia, and furthermore to elucidate the contribution of these changes to the delayed neuron death. Methods The neuron death was quantitated with PI staining. The number of GluRs on the neuron membrane was quantitatively measured by colorimetric assay and double immunofluorescence labeling on neuron anoxic model. The intracellular Ca 2+ content was determined by Fura-2 method. The miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) were recorded with the patch clamp. Results The intracellular Ca 2+ content and the number of delayed death neuron were marked higher than those in the control group after anoxic injury (P0.05). The total surface GluR2 and the number of synapse with GluR2 decreased significantly (P0.05), but surface GluR3 increased significantly as compared with that in the control group. GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors appeared high permeability to Ca 2+. Conclusion Anoxia can induce changes in the constitution of AMPA receptors on neuron membrane. The increase of the number of surface GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors can activate Ca 2+ influx, resulting in delayed neuron death.


The photocurrent has been measured in Al0.25Ga0.75N/GaN heterostructures at room temperature, and the photoinduced anomalous Hall effect (AHE) was observed. The AHE current changes linearly with the varied longitudinal electric fields. Due to the strong Rashba spin–orbit coupling of the two-dimensional electron gas in Al0.25Ga0.75N/GaN heterostructures, the intrinsic anomalous Hall mechanism is supposed to contribute to the photoinduced AHE. The photoinduced AHE measurement proposed in this study could be used to other spin related measurements at room temperature.


This case study presents relevant facts as to how district authorities in Haryana in past optimized land usage in wake of successive reforms by the government following creation of Haryana in late sixties. The case study is based on efforts for enhanced land usage and thus includes steps taken to optimize space utilization within government buildings in accordance with the prescribed norms. With ever growing increase in population, it is suggested that unless timely suggested course corrections are applied and norms for space allocation strictly adhered to in letter and spirit, it may not be possible to achieve the goal of optimum resource utilization such as land and office space which are very scarce and expensive anywhere in the country.


BACKGROUND: L-asparaginase (L-asp) is one of the key drugs in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. However, L-asp often produces severe adverse effects including anaphylaxis resulting in its discontinuation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrospectively the outcome of discontinuation of L-asp in patients with ALL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children newly diagnosed as ALL between 1999 and 2003 were consecutively enrolled on the TCCSG L99-15 study. Risk stratification was based on the age, initial white blood cell count, immunophenotype, cytogenetics and the response to prednisolone monotherapy. Totally, 267 (35%) out of 770 children were categorized into a standard-risk group (SR), 317 (41%) into a high-risk group (HR) and 186 (24%) into a very high-risk group (HEX). Allogeneic stem cell transplantation was indicated approximately in 50% of the HEX patients. L-asp was used 9 times in the induction phase in all the risk groups. The total number of L-asp administration all through the treatment was 19 in SR, 20 in HR and at least 10 in HEX. Patients were divided into two groups in the analysis: group A patients who received at least 50% of scheduled doses of L-asp and group B patients who received less than 50%. RESULTS: Remission was obtained in 259 (97%) patients in SR, 311 (98%) in HR and 171(92%) in HEX. In the patients who achieved remission and were analyzed, 195 (83.7%) in SR, 223 (78.8%) in HR and 123 (83.7%) in HEX received all the scheduled doses of L-asp. Event-free survival (EFS) (SE) and overall survival (OS) (SE) at 5 years for all the risk groups are shown in the table. Notably, EFS in group A (92.9%) and in group B (74.1%) in SR was significantly different (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: The outcome in patients who received less than 50% of scheduled dose of L-asp was inferior to that in the patients who received more than 50% of the scheduled dose. This suggests that modification or intensification of the treatment should be considered for the patients who discontinued L-asp in SR.


The corrosion behavior of stainless steel used as primary pipes is simulated in the primary water media by dynamic corrosion test for 2000h,and the kinetic curve and corrosion rate of stainless steel were obtained.Compared with the corrosion rate of stainless steels made in France which is 3.70 mg/dm2.m,the corrosion rates of domestic materials are 3.88 mg/dm2.m in Yantai and 2.69 mg/dm2.m in Shanghai.The results show that the corrosion rate of domestic and foreign materials is comparable,and the domestic stainless steel is with good corrosion resistance.Besides,the oxide film of the stainless steel is analyzed by SEM and XRD.


The marginal effective tax rates (METR) are determined in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Belarus. The METR have high sensitivity from the tax depreciation rate, profit tax and interest rates for all countries. Sensitivity of the METR from inflation is high in Georgia and Belarus but is less in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The calculations show that the current tax burden in Belarus is higher than in other countries (excluding debt financing). The current tax depreciation rate does not provide additional incentives for investment activity in these countries. The calculations are approximate, but they show that the tax depreciation rate depends on the inflation rate to create additional incentives for marginal investment. Georgia has the highest opportunities to increase investment activities by decreasing the real interest rate. Kazakhstan has greater tax advantages in manufacturing than Azerbaijan.


This thesis is concerned with the iterative solution of non-symmetric linear (primal) systems and the dual systems associated with functional outputs of interest. The main goal of the work is to arrive at efficient Krylov subspace implementations for the situation where both primal and dual solutions are needed and accurate predictions for the functional outputs are desired. A functional-output convergence result in the context of Krylov subspace methods is given. It is shown that with an appropriate choice of the starting shadow vector, methods based on the nonsymmetric Lanczos process obtain iterates giving super-convergent functional estimates. Furthermore, the adjoint solution may be obtained simultaneously with essentially no extra computational cost. The proposed methodology is demonstrated by the construction of a modified superconvergent variant of the QMR method. The class of Krylov subspace methods based on Arnoldi process is also examined. Although by itself, superconvergence is not naturally present in the Arnoldi process, primal and dual problems may be coupled in a manner that allows for superconver-gence. In particular, the proposed methodology is demonstrated by the construction of a primal-dual coupled superconvergent variant of the GMRES method. Numerical experiments support the claim of superconvergence and demonstrate the viability of the proposed approaches. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge the guidance and support of my thesis advisor, Professor David Darmofal, who provided many insightful ideas and suggestions for the work presented in this thesis. Thanks also goes to David Venditti for his assistance in providing the FUN2D test case.


The objectives of this study are to develop and continue a program of surface water flow monitoring across I-75 and SR 29 in the I-75 corridor from Snake Road west to SR 29 and SR 29 from I-75 south to USGS site 02291000 Barron River near Everglades, Florida. Quarterly discharge measurements will be made along both reaches to assess hydrologic flow patterns and evaluate the feasibility of creating a stage-discharge/index-velocity relationship for this area. Data are presented as a Google Map for each station and a table of station information plus links to other data (if available) for the station.


Frequency domain passivity theory is used to evaluate harmonic resonance instabilities in a system with multiple grid-tied voltage source converters (VSCs), and subsequently, a stabilizing controller using predictive current control (PCC) method is proposed to prevent such instabilities. The input admittance of VSCs using PCC can achieve passivity almost up to the Nyquist frequency. This research demonstrates that a very simple and easy implementation of PCC can extend the controller delay dependent stability range of converter side current control for VSCs equipped with LCL-filters up to that point. The alternative approaches achieved stability over similar frequency range by combining complicated active damping techniques with proportional-integral or proportional-resonant type controllers. The frequency domain analysis of the proposed PCC based method is validated via simulation and hardware experiments. The controller is experimentally shown to achieve stable operation irrespective of model imperfections.


Objective: To ascertain 1) the cost-effectiveness and 2) short-term outcomes of endoscopic endonasal cribriform resection in comparison to open/subcranial approaches. Method: Retrospective cohort study reviewing consecutive patients (2008-2011) undergoing primary surgical treatment for cribriform malignancies via endoscopic or open/subcranial approaches. All patients were reviewed to ensure feasibility of endoscopic approach. Outcomes based on complications and length of stay were reviewed, and cost to society was analyzed using QALYs. Sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Eight patients were treated for cribriform malignancies, 4 with an endoscopic endonasal approach, and 4 with an open surgical approach. The mean length of hospitalization following the first surgery did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (5.25 days endoscopic vs 5.5 days open; P = .92). Differences were seen in blood loss and length of surgery, but neither were statistically significant (blood loss: 275 mL endoscopic vs 1200 mL open; P = .27; and length of surgery: 314 min endoscopic vs 394.5 min open; P = .33). Costs of each surgical intervention and associated follow-up and specialized care appear equivocal. Conclusion: Economic evaluations are the mainstay for determining cost effectiveness of an intervention, and this is the first such evaluation for endoscopic skull base surgery for anterior cribriform tumors. Though differences between the 2 approaches seem equivocal, this is likely due to the few patients who have received this intervention.


The present invention relates to a composite prepreg laser scanning technology, this technology relates to a prepreg prepared and laser scanning technology. The prepreg technique refers to the use the matrix material solution, a melt or a powder phase and the enhancement technique to obtain a prepreg infiltration. The laser scanning technology is prepared to carry enough energy laser beam is projected to the upper layer of the prepreg, the prepreg is reinforced with the upper layer absorbent and efficiently converted into thermal energy, thermal energy which infiltration enhanced melt phase matrix, Further reinforcing the matrix formed stronger bond between the phases, and the substrate between the upper and the lower prepreg prepreg fusion. Under an applied pressure, between the upper substrate and the lower prepreg prepreg fusion, after the laser beam is removed, the lower layer is tightly connected to the prepreg to form a composite material. Repeating the above operation, it is possible to obtain a multilayer composite. The need to strengthen the site can easily be increased arbitrarily complex layers.


The ability to safely navigate through complex and cluttered environments is required for a wide range of robotics applications. This paper introduces a framework to compute safe global paths in maps represented as collections of 3D Signed Distance Function (SDF) submaps. Such maps are able to maintain global consistency in spite of odometry drift. However, computationally efficient global path planning in this context remains a challenging problem. We present a planning approach based on pre-computed local graphs, computed in each submap, that are linked to form a global path at planning time. To ensure globally safe paths, planning algorithms make frequent queries to the submap collection, which grows over time as the agent collects observational data. We present an efficient algorithm for performing these queries, through the use of a spatial hash table. We analyze the performance of our proposal extensively in simulation and real-world environments, and compare our approach to state- of-the-art planning approaches designed for monolithic maps, extended to submap-based maps. We show the efficacy of our method at adapting to global map deformations, while significantly reducing the planning time to an average of ~1.2 seconds, a reduction by 90 % compared to classical monolithic approaches.


We introduce a new algorithm that can enumerate the codewords of third-order spectral-null codes. There are some efficient coding methods V. Skachek et al. (1998), R. M. Roth et al. (1994) for third-order spectral-null codes already; however no enumerative coding for third-order codes was proposed up to date.


reports the use of rigid amino acid as a linker to improve the crystallinity of the particles, grain size, as well as surface cov-erage of CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 particles on thin films (article number 1600298). Experimental works on perovskite particles can be further strengthened by thorough computational modelling. perovskites hydrostatic


OBJECTIVE: To analyze the probabilities of total PSA, digital rectal examination (DRE) and PSA density in prostate cancer diagnosed by ultrasound-guided sextant prostate biopsy. METHODS: The clinical records of 170 patients with elevated PSA levels and/or symptomatic BPH that had been referred to the outpatient services of the urology department were reviewed. Ultrasound-guided sextant prostate biopsy was performed in all patients. Serum PSA and PSA density were determined before biopsy. Age and DRE findings were also analyzed. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (p 0.5 (odds ratio: 11.3). DRE showed a sensitivity of 59%. a specificity of 89% and a positive predictive value of 88%.


recovery" test. Here, the control Ss recovered the approach response only slightly (orily three of the nine Ss recovered), while recovery was substantial forGroup L(seven of the nine Ss recovered), and was even greater forGroup H (again, seven ofthe nine Ss recovered). The intergroup differencesin the recovery test are significant, with Group H differing reliably from Group C (Duncan's Range Test, p < .05).


The invention relates to a plastic hot stamping foil and a production method thereof to mainly solve a series of problems of poor adhesion, insufficient brightness, unclear pattern and no alcohol resistance of present hot stamping foils frequently occurring in the process of hot stamping of surfaces of various plastics. A technical scheme adopted in the invention is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: respectively mixing organosilicon modified epoxy resin, thermoplastic acrylic resin, dammar resin and a mixed solvent, and wetting and dispersing to prepare a release material; mixing acrylic resin, cellulose acetate, polybutadiene resin, an initiator, a mixed solvent and a pigment, and wetting and dispersing to prepare a coloring material; mixing alkyd resin, phenolic resin, polyacetal resin, polyurethane resin, a silica filler, a mixed solvent and a cross-linking agent, and wetting and dispersing to prepare a bonding material; and sequentially coating a 12-15[mu]m BOPET film with the release material and the coloring material through a coating machine, carrying out vacuum alumina plating, and coating the obtained aluminum layer with the bonding material to produce the plastic hot stamping foil. The plastic hot stamping foil produced in the invention has the characteristics of good adhesion, high brightness, good alcohol resistance, good hot stamping effect, easy transportation and storage, simple production process and stable use performances.


the adp (advanced development program) described in this paper is an outgrowth of Navy exploratory development efforts in laser gyro technology together with the highly successful flight test demonstrations of two prototype laser gyro guidance/navigation systems: the Navy-developed ATIGS (Advanced Tactical Inertial Guidance System) and the Honeywell LINS (Laser Inertial Navigation System) developed under internal development funds.

The tests and evaluations completed on the ATIGS and LINS developmental hardware have demonstrated the ability of today's laser gyro strapdown technology to meet basic moderate quality inertial navigation system performance requirements. Under the RLGN Advanced Development Program, a single package laser gyro navigator (including laser gyro and accelerometers, computer and power supplies) is being developed to assess low life—cycle cost potential, reliability, maintainability, and performance factors in a full military environment. This not only includes land—based, fixed and rotary wing aircraft environments, but sea-based aircraft environments as well, and the associated capability of the RLGN to align in the dynamic carrier motion environment. The data provided by the RLGN advanced development program will form the foundation for proceeding into the engineering and preproduction development program that will provide cost-effective laser gyro inertial navigation system to meet a broad range of future weapon systems requirements.


1H spin-lattice relaxationtimes T1 have been measured on alcohols, ethers, acetylacetone and cyclohexandione-1,3, solved in CCl4 and pure. The relaxationtime T1 increases characteristically with decreasing chain length, molecular size and viscosity, as well as with the distance from the OH-group and CCl4 dilution. Segmental motions and the breaking of hydrogen bondings are determined as the reason of this behaviour. Deuteron substitution and T1 measurements at different temperatures show that the dipol-dipol interaction is the predominant mechanism of relaxation.


Summary Native lipoprotein fractions : alpha, beta and chylomicrons have been isolated from human serum according to the method of Burstein. Alpha lipoproteins and chylomicrons do not inhibit plasmin. The antiplasmin activity of beta lipoprotein amounts to about 10% of the total plasma antiplasmin activity. It is inactivated during heating at 56° C for 10 min, while storing at 4° C for a few days and by chloroform treatment. About 50% of serum beta lipoprotein is precipitated in euglobulin fraction. Variations of serum beta lipoprotein level have a significant effect on euglobulin fibrinolysis. Beta lipoprotein level, beta lipoprotein antiplasmin activity and euglobulin fibrinolysis have been determined in 2 groups of lipemic patients : a) puerperal women, b) patients with advanced atherosclerosis. There is a close correlation of beta lipoprotein level and euglobulin fibrinolysis time in puerperal patients. The inhibition of euglobulin fibrinolysis in patients with atherosclerosis depends on several factors, and only partly of the beta lipoprotein level. Beta lipoprotein level and beta lipoprotein antiplasmin activity were well correlated in both groups of patients.


more meetings, more solidarity, more Kant, less Nietzsche. Such is reason's prospect. The Era of the Individual is free from the willful obscurity that marred French philosophy for a generation. Though it is no easy ride, the book is argumentative, strives for clarity, and, like all of Renaut's work, is written with an obvious passion for philosophy. Princeton should be congratulated for the continued excellence of its "New French Thought" series. But one cannot help feeling let down. Like his sometime collaborator Luc Ferry, Renaut is finally too much of a modern to realize that modernity's disenchantments find no modern answer, and that a world where we invent our morality together might not be that different from a world where we invent our moralities by ourselves. Indeed, the second might follow inevitably from the first. The refusal to acknowledge the universality of classical teachings on human nature, the dismissal of religion as atavistic and irrational (the book is dotted with contemptuous references to Christianity), the faith in a humanall-too-human world—all point toward a radical telescoping of alternatives and reveal Renaut to be far more historicist than he's willing to admit. Perhaps Athens and Jerusalem still speak to us because what was revealed there described something permanent about man's nature and destiny. Renaut frequently criticizes Heidegger for a reductive view of modernity, but in the end he's as convinced as the German philosopher about the fatedness of our condition. If modernity culminates in the triumph of the will for Heidegger, for Renaut it culminates either in the triumph of the will or in the intersubjective limitation of the will. That's a little better, perhaps, but we are still stuck staring at ourselves in the mirror. —Brian C. Anderson


This study tested whether recreational golfers would prefer to take greater risk when faced with likely losses than with likely gains. Over 2100 avid golfers made choices where gains and losses were framed in reference to par. Based on Prospect Theory, it was predicted that golfers would choose to take more risk when faced with likely losses (bogeys) than likely gains (birdies). The study also tested whether player deliberation, trait risk-taking, and player ability would moderate the bias. Consistent with prediction, players were willing to take greater risk with bogeys than pars or birdies. When players were asked to identify the "smart" course of action, they chose the less risky option. Golfers scoring high on trait risk-taking were generally willing to accept more golf risk than players scoring low on the scale for birdies, pars and bogeys. Low handicap (high ability) players were willing to accept more risk playing for a likely bogey than were high handicap (low ability) players.


Inspired by the successfully experimental synthesis of Janus structures recently, we systematically study the electronic, optical, and electronic transport properties of Janus monolayers In2 XY (X/Y = S, Se, Te with X ≠ Y) in the presence of a biaxial strain and electric field using density functional theory. Monolayers In2 XY are dynamically and thermally stable at room temperature. At equilibrium, both In2STe and In2SeTe are direct semiconductors while In2SSe exhibits an indirect semiconducting behavior. The strain significantly alters the electronic structure of In2 XY and their photocatalytic activity. Besides, the indirect–direct gap transitions can be found due to applied strain. The effect of the electric field on optical properties of In2 XY is negligible. Meanwhile, the optical absorbance intensity of the Janus In2 XY monolayers is remarkably increased by compressive strain. Also, In2 XY monolayers exhibit very low lattice thermal conductivities resulting in a high figure of merit ZT, which makes them potential candidates for room-temperature thermoelectric materials.


Ichthyosis uterus is an exceedingly rare condition in which the entire surface of the endometrium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. Originally described as an endometrial response to iatrogenically- introduced caustic substances, similar changes have since been described in association with a variety of inflammatory conditions of the endometrium. We describe here an undescribed example of a carcinoma insitu of the uterine cervix associated with extensive ichthyosis uteri-like changes of the entire endometrium. Additionally, the squamous epithelium of the latter also showed multifocal changes diagnostic of a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. The potential genesis of this composite of findings is discussed, as is the neoplastic potential of ichthyosis uteri. The possibility of significant cervical pathology should be considered when plaques of squamous epithelium with low grade dysplastic changes are identified in an endometrial biopsy or curettage.


Data fusion with different types of data that used for grid fault location can bring more accurate and clear results. Therefore, a new method for fault location which contains multi grid current and voltage, time and coordinate data information is proposed. Transient traveling wave is analyzed for determine the required data information in the first place, and then affirm the positioning principle and the selection rules of positioning network according to characteristics of multi fault traveling wave. Finally, Grid fault location will be precisely positioned by applying multiple data grid fault location algorithm. Simulation results shows that the proposed method is feasible, and the new algorithm has higher positioning accuracy.


Animacy - whether an entity is alive and sentient - is fundamental to cognitive processing, impacting areas such as memory, vision, and language. However, animacy is not always expressed directly in language: in English it often manifests indirectly, in the form of selectional constraints on verbs and adjectives. This poses a potential issue for transformer language models (LMs): they often train only on text, and thus lack access to extralinguistic information from which humans learn about animacy. We ask: how does this impact LMs' animacy processing - do they still behave as humans do? We answer this question using open-source LMs. Like previous studies, we find that LMs behave much like humans when presented with entities whose animacy is typical. However, we also show that even when presented with stories about atypically animate entities, such as a peanut in love, LMs adapt: they treat these entities as animate, though they do not adapt as well as humans. Even when the context indicating atypical animacy is very short, LMs pick up on subtle clues and change their behavior. We conclude that despite the limited signal through which LMs can learn about animacy, they are indeed sensitive to the relevant lexical semantic nuances available in English.


According to the physical mechanism of the generation of the resistance or the electron phonon interaction, a new method is proposed to quantize the RLC electric circuit. Calculations show that the quantum fluctuations under this new quantization are smaller than those by the traditional effective Hamiltonian method. And squeezed states can be generated if the inductance and capacity are time dependent. Meanwhile, the shortcoming of the traditional method that the electric charge and current will vanish in the long time limit is overcome.


William H Bouwsma, The Waning of the Renaissance, 1550-1640 New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000. xi + 288 pp. n.p. ISBN: 0-300-08537-0. William Bouwsma's book on the waning of the Renaissance amplifies ideas developed in a number of brilliant essays, especially in "The Two Faces of Humanism: Stoicism and Augustinianism in Renaissance Thought" (1975) and "Anxiety and the Formation of Early Modern Culture" (1980). While not denying that economic, political, and social changes in the society were also involved, Bouwsma interprets the end of the Renaissance as the result of a cultural crisis. Because he considers the religious currents of the period as part of the Renaissance culture of freedom and creativity, he sees the Protestant and Catholic Reformations as involved in the crisis as well. Put simply, by the mid-sixteenth century the Renaissance's liberation of western Europe from the ordering conventions of the Middle Ages constituted a serious threat to the stability of the society and increasingly encouraged a counter tendency, hitherto present to a lesser degree, to limit freedom in the name of order. Significantly, the author describes the result of this tension not as the end of the Renaissance but rather as its "waning." Presumably this is the closest translation English has to approximate Herfsttij der Middleleeuwen, the Dutch title of Huizinga's famous book, a title which, according to Bouwsma in his 1974 review of Huizinga, "The Waning of the Middle Ages Revisited" suggests not only the decay of autumn but also the fruits of the autumnal season.


The present research seeks to describe the construction of femininity in a group of trans
women who work as health workers in the city of Lima. The approach used was
phenomenological, five semi-structured interviews were carried out and, from that, and the
aim was to know the meanings attributed to the experience of her femininity throughout her
life; considering their work as a particular factor. It was organized in three areas that shape
their femininity today: a) femininity in trans women in the course of life, b) experiences of
violence in the development of transgender femininity and c) views that accept gender
identity trans. In general, a femininity with particular characteristics was recognized, but it is
not far from those that tend to be more related to the model of hegemonic femininity. Models
of femininity were found in the different stages of development, a particularly violent and
present environment in the development of their femininity; as well as groups, such as work,
family and friends that can be very beneficial to their mental health, since they recognize and
validate their trans identities. It is expected that this research will be a contribution, from
clinical practice, to the request for depatologizing of trans identities in diagnostic manuals, as
well as evidence that the recognition of diversity in different spaces can generate health
benefits physical and mental.


The aim of this study is to use a cognitive approach to analyse two novels that are considered to be part of the British literary canon: Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Bronte and Emma (1816) by Jan ...


Objective To Investigate the safety and clinical significance of self-made wrapper tube assisted endoscopic mucosal resection for upper esophageal mucosal endometriosis. Methods A total of 53 patients with upper esophageal mucosal endometriosis and the corresponding symptoms, which was confirmed by endoscopy and pathology, underwent endoscopic treatment. The endoscope was inserted into the esopha- gus together with wrapper tube. Then the endoscope was retreated into the wrapper tube and pulled back together with the tube. When the tip of the wrapper tube reached at the oral side of the lesion, it was fixed, and submucosal resection was performed. All patients were followed up to 6 months. Results All lesions were completely resected, which was achieved by one session in 45 patients, by two in 5, and by three in 3 other patients, with a mean procedure time at 6. 5 minutes (4. 5-7. 5). Symptoms were relieved in 43 patients (81.1%) at 3 months after the procedure, and in 45 patients (85%) at 6 months. No local recurrence was observed under endoscopy and biopsy. No complications including esophageal stenosis, perforation or cardiopulmonary accidence were recorded. Conclusion For upper esophageal mucosal endometriosis presented with local symptoms, wrapper tube assisted endoscopic mucosal resection is safe, less invasive, easy to manipulate and effective.

Key words:
Wrapper tube;  Upper esophageal mucosal endometriosis;  Endoscopic therapy


Very thin equatorial small-angle scattering of Cu Kα radiation is observed from metallic wires, glass fibres and hard elastic polypropylene which can be explained quantitatively as a refraction phenomenon if the excess refractive indices n = 1 - ∊ of the samples are smaller than unity. For Cu Kα radiation and SiO2 glass ∊ has a value of 7.2 × 10-6. The intensity Is of reflection within a total reflection angle δ = 3.8 × 10-3 = 13' is negligibly small compared with the intensity of refraction IB. In addition to refraction, diffraction by gaps and holes in strained polypropylene was observed. The scattering of 60 μm particles of Li-Ba silicate glass powders [Nau & Bruckner (1971). Kolloid Z. Z. Polym. 244, 223-233] can be explained by transforming the observed scattering of spheres to cylinders yielding the refraction IB as calculated.


Cloud computing is the means through which computing resources such as applications, infrastructures, business processes, hardware etc. can be delivered as a service whenever and wherever needed. This paper covers the various issues, challenges, and opportunities of such computing technology. The authors also highlight the resource utilization management of cloud computing with the concluding remark.


We consider the lightest Kaluza-Klein particle at N=1 mode (LKP) of universal extra dimension to be the candidate for Dark Matter and predict the detection rates for such particles for Germenium and NaI detectors. We have also calculated the nature of annual modulation for the signals in these two types of detectors for LKP Dark Matter. The rates with different values of speed of solar system in the Galactic rest frame are also evaluated.


The ability to control molecular behavior in the four dimensions of time and space is almost uniquely afforded by light. Consequently, there has been a long history of the use of light to trigger molecular interactions in the study of biological phenomena or the creation of active biomolecules (1). One application of this principle has been in the fabrication of protein microarrays, a subset of the field of protein biochips (2), broadly defined as proteins immobilized on flat surfaces. The report by Grunwald et al. (3) provides a significant advance in the spatially defined immobilization of proteins on surfaces. It accomplishes this task using a novel paradigm for photochemical activation: Binding sites on the surface recognize a ligand on the proteins to be immobilized but also carry that ligand themselves. It competes with and inhibits protein binding, so the protein can only be bound once the competing ligand has been released via irradiation (Fig. 1). This autoinhibition strategy offers advantages over past methods for iterative, spatially directed protein immobilization, both in the size of the protein features that can be created and the specificity (that is, signal/background) with which this can be done.

Fig. 1.
Cartoon of the light-directed immobilization of a His-tagged protein on a microarray using the autoinhibition method. An undecapeptide construct (green) is created with a nickel-tris-(nitrilotriacetic acid) multivalent head group (nickel-tris-NTA) at the N terminus and a His-tag at the C terminus. Included within the peptide sequence is the photocleavable amino acid 3-amino-3-(2-nitrophenyl)-propionic acid and a single Cys for attachment of the construct to a microarray (or other molecules, in further …

1E-mail: michael.pirrung{at}ucr.edu.


The field experiment was laid out during Zaid, 2021 at CRF, SAM Higginbottom University of agriculture, technology and sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh state to study the influence of Nitrogen and Biofertilizers on growth and yield of Pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum) . The experiment was consisted of nine treatments which included three levels of Nitrogen (60, 80, 100 kg N per hectare) and Biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria applied @ 200 g per 10 kg seeds trough seed inoculation). The treatment that received 80:40:40 kg of Nitrogen, Phosporous, Pottasium supplied trough Urea, SSP, MOP respectively along with Azotobacter, Azospirillum produced significantly higher plant height (193.14 cm), Plant dry weight (27.48 gm /plant), Crop growth rate (1.13 g/m2/day), Number of tillers (11.44 Tillers /m 2 ), Ears (10.55 / m 2 ), grain yield (4684.57 kg/ha), Stover yield (6604.02 kg/ha), Ear weight (13.60 g) gross returns (106454.00 INR/ha), B:C Ratio (2.13). This experiment shows that treatments that received N:P:K @80:40:40 Along with Azotobacter, Azospirillum was more productive and economic.


Cuff Tear Arthropathy is characterised by massive rotator cuff tears, glenohumeral joint destruction and joint effusions containing basic calcium phosphate and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. We have investigated the role of the ANKH gene in patients with cuff tear arthropathy and the effect of mutations on protein function. The transmembrane protein ANKH transports inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) from the intracellular to extracellular space. Control of the extracellular levels of PPi is crucial in preventing calcium crystal formation. Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood leucocytes from 22 patients with cuff tear arthropathy diagnosed clinically and radiologically. All 12 exons and exon-intron boundaries from the ANKH gene were PCR amplified and sequenced with BigDye version 3.1 terminator kit (ABI), and analysed using ABI PRISM ® 3100 Genetic Analyser. ANKH complementary DNA (cDNA) was ligated with mammalian expression vector pcDNA3 and site directed mutagenesis was used to make the ANKH mutation detected in the cases. Human articular chondrocytes were transfected with the cDNA variants and PPi concentrations measured. A G-to-A single nucleotide polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of ANKH was identified. The G/A genotype was seen more frequently in the cases (45%) when compared to controls (20%) (p= 0.0008). We observed altered levels of extracellular PPi in human chondrocytes transfected with ANKH cDNA with the 3′ UTR variant when compared with control cells and normal ANKH cDNA. Cuff Tear Arthropathy appears to be heritable via a G-to-A transition in the 3′UTR of ANKH that alters extracellular PPi concentrations in chondrocyte cells. This supports a hypothesis of a primary crystal mediated arthropathy in patients with Cuff Tear Arthropathy.


This article draws a connection between black culture and the musical activities of theaters at the Brazilian Imperial Court during the nineteenth century, showing how performances mirrored the social reality of slavery. The complex web engendered from the stages of the Imperial capital comprises socio-cultural and politico-economic aspects and extrapolates certain time limits, thus establishing a continuum that links the Empire of Brazil to the former Portuguese colony, on the one hand, and to the later Republic, on the other hand, thus making it possible to identify significant features of Brazilian society.