17 High-throughput measurements of photosynthesis of plants grown under various 18 conditions may provide important insights into the plasticity of the photosynthetic 19 performance of plants. Remote sensing of photosynthetic activity is the next 20 generation of fast scanning techniques, enabling high-throughput photosynthesis 21 measurements under controlled conditions. We hypothesized that by measuring SIF 22 simultaneously with whole-plant water relations in a standardized controlled drought 23 experiment, we would be able to quantify photosynthetic activity and to detect water 24 stress at an early stage. A functional-phenotyping platform was used to apply the 25 controlled drought treatment and to monitor the growth and water balance of tomato 26 introgression lines (ILs). A new SIF-derived index, electron transport rate (RS-ETRi), 27 was found to be negatively correlated with whole-plant stomatal conductance (Gsc) 28 under non-stressed conditions. No significant relationships were found between SIF 29 and plant biomass or Gsc. SIF687 responded to drought earlier than any of the other 30 measured vegetation indices. SIF based indices could not differentiate between 31 introgressed lines of tomato; whereas differences between Introgression Lines were 32 clearly identified by the water-relations measurements. We concluded that SIF did not 33 provide any advantage over commonly used methods for detecting physiological 34 differences between the Introgression Lines. Overall, although SIF plays a significant 35 role in photosynthesis, the relationship between SIF and photosynthesis is complex 36 and we believe it would be an oversimplification to use SIF to quantify photosynthetic 37 activity on close canopy spatial resolution level. 38


The study investigates the effect of Zr and Sc on the dendritic structure and phase composition during casting of a silicon rich Al0.3Mg1.0Si alloy. Optical microscopy, computations using Thermo-Calc software and electron microscopy were applied. It showed that scandium and zirconium additions facilitate dendritic structure refinement, however, the maximum effect is achieved by their combined addition. Computations demonstrated the occurance of three main phases in case of Sc (without zirconium) addition to Al0.3Mg1.0Si alloy: i) the strengthening Mg2Si phase, ii) the harmful ScSi phase and iii) free silicon. In case of only Zr addition, the same phases are observed, except for ScSi replaced with Zr2Si, which has not been studied in Al-Mg-Si alloys. Computations predict the occurance of all three phases in the case of the combined Sc and Zr addition, besides, strengthening Al3(ScZr) can be expected. Electron microscopy shows, that all alloys contain Mg2Si phases as well as Al12Fe3Si and Al9Fe2Si2 type phases, formed due to the iron impurity. The main Zr and Sc fractions occur in solid solution, thus, a quenching rate of 1 oС/s is sufficient to achieve a self-hardening effect.


The British Pharmacopoeia (Anon. 1973) test for contamination by pseudomonads and the United States Pharmacopeia (Anon. 1975) test for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been evaluated using type cultures representative of a wide spectrum of Pseudomonas spp. Media containing cetrimide are recommended by both Pharmacopoeias for the detection of pseudomonads. Of the 28 strains tested only five were detected by the BP method and 11 by the USP method. However, only one strain of P. aeruginosa failed to be detected using the USP method. A correlation between m.i.c. values for cetrimide and detection of the organisms was noted. The BP method failed to detect organisms with m.i.c. values of ± 0.03% whilst the USP method did not detect strains with m.i.c. values ± 0.015%.


Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) presented with various clinical events ranging from anaphylaxis to digestive disorders through thrive failure. According to the last Committee on Nutrition of the French Society of Paediatrics report Cow's Milk (CM) elimination diet substitute by an extensively casein or whey hydrolyzed formula or more recently rice-based hydrolysates, represent the main therapeutic alternative, followed by an Oral Food Challenge (OFC) under hospital medical supervision between 6 and 12-month of age [1].


This volume contains eleven regular papers and  two invited papers. The regular papers, which were selected by the Program Committee from a total of twenty-two submissions, feature a broad variety ...


The potential for copper (Cu2+) reduction in a fixed-film bioreactor system was investigated using a copper reducing bacterial species Bacillus subtilis. This work on the process of biosorption of copper from wastewater in a continuous-flow, fixed packed-bed bioreactor was conducted in a search for solution to the environmental problem caused by heavy metals. The Cu2+ bearing solution with initial concentration in the range of 50 - 150 mg/L was continuously pumped downward into the column. The Cu2+ loading rates were ranged from 180 to 900 ml/h. Analysis of the results demonstrated that the biosorbent had an extraordinary capacity for biosorption of copper (II) studied at about 4.5 pH of the effluent, with a removal percentage of 71.2% and 63.2% for the two immobilization methods used. Agar immobilized Bacillus subtilis biomass was found to be more efficient than polyacrylamide immobilized biomass in the packed bed bioreactor.


In recent years, the use of cloud services for data sharing poses a severe threat to the security and privacy of the data being shared over a public communication channel. The owners not only lose complete ownership of the data being uploaded to the cloud but the security and privacy of the data are also at stake. The interplanetary file system, IPFS has introduced a decentralized way to store data on a large scale, thereby overcoming the issue of a single point of failure and unavailability of data at all times. For added security, the use of attribute-based encryption before uploading the data on the IPFS provides an extra layer of security and confidentiality. ABE enables data owners to encrypt their data under a list of attributes with only the user possessing those attributes can decrypt the said file. The use of ABE provides fine-grained access control on the data being shared and provides the facility for easy updations of access rights. In this paper, we analyzed various data-sharing schemes based on Ethereum and IPFS and presented a scheme incorporating ciphertext policy, attribute-based encryption, CP-ABE along with Ethereum and smart contracts for enabling data storage and data sharing in the Internet of Medical Things, IoMT. The use of partial decryption also reduces the load on the resource-constrained IoT devices of a user. To further make the framework efficient and always available, the ability to access the file using a keyword search is also added to the framework. Experimental results prove that the proposed scheme uses less storage overhead as compared to some of the existing schemes thus reducing the computation time and cost too.


Method of manufacturing a catalytic converter, and the pressing force detecting step and, on the basis of the pressing force detected by the detecting step, the outer cylindrical section 13 for detecting the time for pressing in the catalyst 11 to the outer cylindrical section 13 comprising a calculation step, and a shaft diameter step of the diameter of the outer cylindrical section 13 on the basis of the axial light output from the calculation step for calculating an axis light to the gap value between the catalyst 11 to the predetermined target value, do. Catalytic converter, mat, diametral reduction, hwakgyeong, swaging die, a swaging collar, the pressing member


RNAV positioning mathematical model of DME/VOR is established and the error factors of RNAV is analyzed.Referencing the MLS angle error filtering theory in ICAO,the digital filter is designed based on the bilinear transformation method.The RNAV accuracy prediction algorithm is put forward.The experiment results show that the RNAV accuracy prediction algorithm based on DME/VOR navigation source is correct and it can serve as a reference to the further selection of land-based navigation station.


The ability to store as much energy as possible for the least weight, defined by the rotor's energy density (U/m/spl sim/J/g), is of paramount importance to the pulsed power supply of electromagnetic guns. This paper extends the work presented in a complementary paper in which the shape factors, F/sub s/, for a representative number of rotating machines were derived and compared. The effects of shape factor, maximum allowable operational stress /spl sigma//sub /spl theta//max, and effective rotor density /spl rho//sub e/ff (determined by the addition of electrical conductors to the rotor for power extraction) on rotor energy density and tip speed are presented in this paper. A comparison between two candidate composite designs for electromagnetic pulsed power generation-a laminated disk (LD) and a rim rotor (RR)-is performed. Our analyses have determined that the true discriminator between the LD and the RR designs is the allowable stress each can operate at since they both have the same shape factor and about the same composite density. The LD design is limited by the interlaminar shear strength of the epoxy bond to hoop stresses in the range of 150 ksi(1.0/spl middot/10/sup 9/ N/m/sup 2/), while the RR design is able to take full advantage of the strength limit of the composite fiber and operate at hoop stresses as high as 350 ksi (3.1/spl middot/10/sup 9/ N/m/sup 2/).


Formulae are given for the first, second, and third partial derivatives, with respect to the parameters ai, of the eigenvalues of a matrix ℋ=Σaiℋi(where ℋi are Hermitian or real symmetric matrices), in terms of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of ℋ. The matrix ℋ may also include bilinear terms of the type aiajℋij. If ℋ is the Hamiltonian matrix for a molecular system in a magnetic field, so that one of the ai is the applied field strength and the others represent features of the model such as crystal-field, spin–orbit coupling, and exchange parameters, these results can be used to obtain expressions for the paramagnetic susceptibility which are exact even at very low temperatures, within the limitations of the model and the accuracy with which the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of ℋ are known. The formulae can also be used to set up least-squares normal equations determining the values of the parameters that give the best fit to experimental susceptibility data (or other observed properties of the system), and to solve those equations iteratively. The formulae are likely to be especially useful whenever it is impossible, because of the complexity of the secular equation, to write explicit expressions for the energy levels and to calculate their derivatives by analytic differentiation, but the generality of the method may make it useful even when analytic differentiation is possible. Examples of its use in the least-squares fitting of magnetic susceptibility data are given.


In a large number of universities, support programs for newly admitted students arise through peer tutors. The task of the tutor is to stimulate the abilities and processes of thinking, making decisions and solving student problems. The present work explores the perception that the student of recent entrance to the engineering career has of the work of the tutor in basic science subjects. It is determined that students tend to react to the concept of tutoring, asking for an expository and generalized class, in which instructions or strategies for solving problems are delivered. The student has the impression that the more "subject" he reaches, the better he will be prepared for the evaluation, demonstrating problems by assuming the protagonism of his learning. It is evident that any initiative in this sense must involve a didactic contract.


There are some preceding researches and theories to analyze how acoustic radiation force effects on a cylinder like a pole shape. However, it is difficult to apply the theory to a catheter, which is elastic with shape of tube. In this paper we discuss the effects of sound diffraction around a catheter through the experimental results.


Through discussing the cultivating,seeding and management method of Agaricus bisporus,cultivation and management technologies of Agaricus bisporus in the northern region were summed up.


INTRODUCTION
The aim of this study is to elucidate whether SGLT2is treatment has any renoprotective effect for type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 , in clinical practice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We evaluated the annual eGFR slope in 85 T2DM patients with renal impairment, treated with SGLT2is ≥ 2 years. Each patient's eGFR was < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 at the start of SGLT2is therapy. The calculation of the annual change in eGFR for each patient was obtained by acquired eGFR data before and after 2 years of the initial SGLT2is administration, followed by analysis of the changes in the mean eGFR slope.

RESULTS
The participants' mean age was 72.0 ± 9.4 years old, and the mean eGFR was 47.1 ± 9.7 ml/min/1.73m2 at the start of additional treatment with SGLT2is. Mean annual eGFR slope after SGLT2is administration (-0.11 ± 0.20 ml/min/1.73m2/year) was significantly slower than before SGLT2is administration (-2.93 ± 0.59 ml/min/1.73m2/year) (p < 0.0001). Additionally, SGLT2is treatment slowed the annual decline of eGFR, independent of the levels of both the initial eGFR and albuminuria levels before SGLT2is therapy was started. In the patient groups who showed an annual eGFR decline of ≥ 3 and 1-3 ml/min/1.73m2, there was a significant slowing of the decline after SGLT2is therapy, compared to before the treatment (p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
SGLT2is administration slows the decline observed in the annual renal function in T2DM patients with eGFR of < 60 ml/min/1.73m2, in clinical practice.


Thispaper presents various techniques and procedures that aim to simplify flighttesting of fixed-wing, remotely-piloted aircraft with the purposes ofperformance evaluation and system identification ...


The present invention is to minimize the heat generated from the heating means for heating the evaporation material to be delivered to the mask prevent the deformation of the mask and on the vapor deposition apparatus is configured so as to be exactly the pixels formed on the substrate surface, the evaporation source housing is fixed to the upper end of the metal plate located on the outside, it has a central portion corresponding to the material steam injection opening of the evaporation source is added to the incision to spread the deposition material to the exterior configuration that prevents the first heat transfer plate; A first heat transfer preventing plate is attached to the upper, central portion of the first heat transfer plate prevents the second heat transfer prevention plate that is configured with cut-out portion corresponding to the cut portion; And a second heat transfer preventing plate is attached to the upper, central portion formed of the second heat transfer prevention plate of the incision and the incision in the corresponding portion 3 constituting the heat transfer prevention plate. Vapor deposited material is distributed towards the mask through an incision in each of the heat transfer preventing plate and the heat from the heating source is cut off by a respective heat transfer plate prevents the heat transfer to the mask is suppressed. The first and between the two heat transfer prevention plate portion of each edge of the surface, there is a constant height spacers are fixed respectively the second and the fixed third respectively the edge of the heat transfer prevention plate lower surface preventing each heat transfer plate, the space having a predetermined height It is formed.


Transitions are often not as complicated as they are made out to be. Many aspects, and particularly the trading function, are (and have always been) relatively straightforward. A transition manager should have a correspondingly straightforward and easily understood approach.


INTRODUCTION Islamic finance is a term used to describe financial services mainly implemented in accordance with Islamic law or Sharia. Sharia consists of many rules and principles that will be briefly discussed in the next chapter. Not without purpose in the West Islamic finance usually is referred to as an "alternative" financial industry, which means that, unless Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) strictly follow Sharia rules and guidelines, there is no reason for existence of Islamic financial industry. The core of Islamic finance is Sharia. To ensure complete Sharia compliance, IFIs conduct Islamic internal control or Sharia audit, which can be done by both internal and external auditors and supervised by a Sharia Supervisory Board (SSB). Halal certification in Indonesia is the process conducted by Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI; Indonesian Council of Ulama). By issuing this certificate MUI grants its approval of the product's complete permissibility from the religious point of view. Considering that Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population (BBC, 2014), which amounts to 204,847,000 people as of 2010 (Rogers, 2011) that is approximately 88% of the overall population of Indonesia, halal certification plays an important role. Producers can apply to receive halal certificate voluntarily. Japanese-owned PT Ajinomoto Indonesia received its first halal certificate in 1998. However, since the certificate is valid only for two years, in 2000 the company had to reapply. As a result of an investigation conducted by MUI it had been clarified that one of the ingredients had been changed without MUI's awareness. After detailed study of this new ingredient, Bactosoytone, MUI found that a pig pancreas was used in its manufacturing (Kobayashi, 2002). Consequently, in January 2001 Ajinomoto Indonesia seasoning product was banned from sale by Indonesian Department of Health. Ajinomoto-Indonesia had acknowledged that enzyme extracted from pork has been used in the manufacturing of its seasoning product, but denied that the end product contained material prohibited by Islam. A chemistry professor at Gadjah Mada University, Umar Anggoro Jenie, criticized MUI's fatwa (Islamic legal opinion): "Bactosoytone is not an active material. So Ajinomoto is not a haram item" (haram--forbidden or proscribed by Islamic law). According to some scholars, this situation could have been included in the category of khilafiyah, an issue on which different opinions are legitimately possible (Kobayashi, 2002). The case of Ajinomoto was not an Islamic finance related one. The company only labeled its product Islamic permissible. Nevertheless the consequences of this mistake had a high price. Ajinomoto Indonesia had announced plans to buy back about 3,000 tons of its seasoning products worth Rp30 billion (US$3.35 million). Moreover, on January 9, 2001 share prices of the Ajinomoto Co. declined by their daily limit of 200 yen at the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Ando, 2001) (Graph 1). [GRAPHIC 1 OMITTED] Strong internal control process should have foreseen the possibility of this situation. However insufficient knowledge about Islamic rules and principles caused such inadvertence. The parent company has been affected equally as the subsidiary. The question that comes to mind is how different would have been an effect of this situation if the company was actually involved in Islamic finance? The existence of Islamic finance is based on its differences from conventional finance. If companies will fail to follow principles of Islamic finance, they may as well lose investors' confidence. Therefore, Islamic internal control conducted by Japanese parent company is a necessary measure for prevention of misconduct in subsidiaries involved in Islamic finance. The purpose of this paper is to describe a necessity of conducting additional Islamic internal control in Japanese subsidiaries by their parent companies based on a literature review and historical and international comparison. …


Abnormal carnitine plasma concentrations have been found in children associated with primary and secondary carnitine deficiency, with decreased concentrations in blood and tissues, as well as elevated levels of the present study is to provide reference values for free and total carnitine from umbilical cord blood, as tool in the early diagnosis of inherited methabolic diseases. 130 cord blood specimens from full-term and normal birth weight children from a Colombian population (78 boys and 52 girls) were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. No statistical significant difference between sex was found. Reference values for free and total carnitine in cord blood of 18.5 ±3.4 µmol/L and 20.9 ±4.2 µmol/L respectively are reported.


Ingrown toenail or onychocryptosis is a common toenail problem encountered in primary care practice. The commonest symptom is pain in the affected nail which, if left untreated leads to infection, discharge and difficulty in walking, greatly hampering the quality of life of the individual.Ingrown toenails often have a chronic course and can interfere with quality of life. Its exact etiology is unknown but many anatomic and behavioral factors are thought to contribute to ingrown toenails, such as improper trimming, repetitive or inadvertent trauma, genetic predisposition, hyperhidrosis, and poor foot hygiene. The present study aims to study clinical patterns and various epidemiological factors associated with ingrown toenails.


Online educational applications are more and more requested to provide self-consistent learning offers for students at the university level. Consequently they need to cope with the wide range of complexity and interrelations university course teaching brings along. An urgent need to overcome page bound content becomes apparent. In the present paper we discuss concepts of constructing, authoring, processing and linking educational content components within their semantic contexts and introduce its implementation on the storage and runtime layer. Starting from cells content is annotated and structured according to standardised didactic needs, adaptive to learning requirements, dynamically decorated with hyperlinks and, as all works are based on XML, open to any presentation layer. Our content management approach is based on the more general Multimedia Information Repository MIR. and allows for personalisation, as well. MIR is an open system supporting the standards XML, Corba and JNDI.


This study investigated Impacts of ICT system in conducting population census in Tanzania. This study employed a quantitative research approach and a case study research design, the targeted population was 583 in which the sample size of 237 was obtained under simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through questionnaires and was analyzed through SPSS V. 26. The findings show that overall performance of the ICT system in population census was 62.8%. Through multiple regression analysis a more specific function of ICT system on population census were determined, it was shown that the use of ICT system in the collection of the socio-demographic information had β = .138, p < .001), also on the Data Development and Dissemination it was shown that β = .061, p <, .003, lastly on the Monitoring and Evaluation provides that β =.539, p< .000. Therefore, it was concluded that there was a positive and significant relationship between the use ICT system and the performance of the population census in Tanzania. The study examined the roles of effective census information on national development in which it was revealed that census information facilitates the allocation of the government resources, determine the size of population the country has in order to forecast if the amount of money that is provided by the government for development effort is sufficient. The study recommends the provision of effective measures to ensure the security and privacy of the information collected so that it cannot be mismanaged and misappropriated.


We report an unusual case of chronic actinic dermatitis associated with α1‐antitrypsin deficiency and who responded well to treatment with danazol.


The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a challenge for public health and a high risk for patients with pre-existing comorbidity. As of July 20, 2020, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 11.30% and the Mortality Rate (MR) was 31.28 deaths per 100,000 population. In Mexico, the prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension among the adult Mexican population is 30%, 9.2%, and 40%, respectively. The objective of this research was to identify the risk factors associated with eight comorbidities and their dependency on age for death caused by COVID-19. Method: This study used the dataset published on July 20, 2020, by the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health of Mexico. From this dataset, we analysed 130,896 positive COVID-19 cases, where 35,483 (27.107%) patients had one comorbidity, and 95,413 (72.892%) patients had not medical comorbidity. Statistical analyses include the Case Fatality Rate (CFR), the estimation of the Odds Ratio (OR), and its 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results: The highest CFR was 14.382% for COPD, 10.266% for CKD, 10.126% for diabetes, and 8.954% for hypertension. The obesity CFR was 3.535%. Moreover, we detected a higher risk for patients with COPD, diabetes, and CKD, resulting in OR of 4.443 (95% CI: 3.404-5.799), 3.283 (95% CI: 3.018-3.570), and 3.016 (95% CI: 2.248-4.047), respectively. Calixto Calderón, B. et al. Vol. 13, 2021. Special Issue: COVID-19. ISSN 2007 – 0705 3 Conclusion: This study corroborates that the highest risk for severe disease and death caused by COVID-19 among the Mexican population are pre-existing comorbidities. Findings show that COPD, CKD, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease increase the risk of death for patients older than 54 years. The most vulnerable age group is older than 65 years.


Microwave imaging (MWI) can provide truly non-invasive and affordable tools to perform biomedical monitoring for diagnostic purposes, as it exploits non-ionizing - therefore harmless - radiations and relatively cheap and portable devices. In this respect, besides breast cancer imaging, which is still the mostly addressed topic by researchers worldwide, there are several emerging applications relevant to the so-called aging society scenario, such as early diagnosis of bones degradation [P. M. Meaney, T. Zhou, D. Goodwin, A. Golnabi, E. A. Attardo and K. D. Paulsen, "Bone Dielectric Property Variation as a Function of Mineralization at Microwave Frequencies," Int. Journal of Biom. Imag. 2012] and monitoring of brain injuries due to strokes. In these applications, the capabilities of a microwave technology can be helpful to cooperate with existing diagnostic technologies, in order to improve the overall reliability and timeliness of the diagnosis.


Some basic questions of real time database and the characteristics of embedding real time database system(ERTDBS)are mainly discussed.Also,the differences between ERTDBS and the traditional database system(DBS) are shown.Moreover,the problems which should be paid more attention to study in the future are put forward. Time is one of the principal resources of Real Time System(RTS) and rapidity,predictability and fault tolerance are the important features of RTS. Real Time Data Base System(RTDBS) must provide the functional characteristics such as correctness, timeliness and initiative and so on, while Embedding Real Time Data Base System is of the characteristics as time limit and distribution. Then, the routine work and data characteristics between ERTDBS and RTDBS are compared.


The fingerprint for the characterization of pine has been developed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography.The effect of thermal desorption temperature,speed and time on the fingerprint are studied in this paper.The fingerprints for characterization of either various pines or different part of the same pine tree are compared.The repetitiveness is also studied.The result shows that the relative standard deriation of tress is less than 1.19% and that of leafage is less than 0.47%.It is a fast,simple and accurate method on breed variety and forecast of turpentine's output.


Although traditional per-phase equivalent circuit has been widely used in steady-state analysis and design of induction motors, it is not appropriate to predict dynamic performance of the motor. In order to understand and analyze vector control of induction motors, the dynamic model is necessary. Unfortunately, the dynamic model equations are complex and there are many different forms of the model depending on the choice of reference frame. It is the objective to explain various forms in a concise way to understand clearly. In addition, the fundamental dynamic mechanism of the motor in the synchronous frame is developed and the basic principles of vector control is discussed in general terms.


A simple, compact, low-cost electro-optic polarization converter based on a nematic liquid crystal (LC) sandwiched between two ion-exchanged glass channel waveguides is proposed. A three-dimensional (3D) fully-vectorial (FV) finite difference beam propagation method (FDBPM) is used to simulate this optical device. The performance of the proposed polarization converter is analyzed numerically at zero and 5 V applied voltage for the case of strong anchoring of LC molecules to the surface of the waveguide. The polarization conversion efficiency is ~65% at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The total length of the directional coupler structure based converter is only 724 µm.


Comparison of scintigraphic methods in diagnosis of toxic thyroid adenomas Diagnostic value of NMRI in different histologic forms of breast cancer – relevance of hydrated tissue Proportion Sensitivity and specifity of NMRI in the diagnosis of cervix carcinoma Radiologic follow up of stabilising spine procedures in geriatric patients Cardiac MRI as screening method for the initial diagnosis of CHD Positron emission tomography for the evidence of improvement of the coronary flow reserve by statins in patients suffering from coronary diseases Computer tomographic examination techniques in patients with different congenital heart defects Comparison of different sequences of the MRI – what image generates the most exact precision and reproducibility when imaging different joints? Cartilage assessment by means of native MRI and d-Gemric (delayed Gardolinium Enhanced Cartilage) Reproducibility of different radiological imaging procedures of the upper arm under clinical routine circumstances Volume determination by means of computer tomography after the implementation of chemoembolization and microwave ablation technique in different tumours Determination of reference values of diameters and organ dimension in computer tomography under consideration of age and sex Predictive values of punch biopsies of different localisations in case of suspected neoplastic neoformations Validity of cartilage-sensitive MR sequences in the diagnosis of medial meniscal tears


Introduction: Hypertension is the second leading cause of End Stage Renal Disease after diabetes mellitus. If hypertension is an etiologically significant cardiovascular risk factor in hemodialysis patients, the first step would be to assess the level of BP accurately. To manage hypertension, limiting dietary fluide intake, and individualizing dialysate sodium delivery would be the initial steps as non pharmacological measures. Therefore as a pharmacological measurement, study was conducted to determine control of blood pressure by anti hypertensive drug treatment. Material And Method: Treatment and control of hypertension was assessed retrospectively in a cohort of 100 clinically stable, adult patients undergoing hemodialysis. Frequency and duration of hemodialysis were also assessed. For quality of life, kidney disease outcomes quality initiative-survey form™ 1.3 health survey was used for 40 adult patients undergoing hemodialysis. Results: Hypertension was documented in patients (n=97) with complicated kidney disease (97.16%) and patients (n=85) with non-complicated kidney disease (85.66%). Hypertension was adequately controlled in only 2.83% (n=3) patients with complicated kidney disease and 14.33% patients (n=15) with non complicated kidney disease undergoing maintainanace hemodialysis. Patients with non-diabetic kidney disease had better quality of life as compared to the patients with diabetic kidney disease. Conclusion: Control of hypertension, particularly systolic hypertension, in patients undergoing hemodialysis for prolong period was inadequate, despite recognition of its prevalence and the use of antihypertensive drugs. Optimizing the use of medications and closer attention to non pharmacological interventions, may improve control of BP.


Folk art element is a brilliant cultural treasure accumulated in the development process of Chinese art over thousands of years. Folk art element reflects the traditional art style, cultural form, philosophical concept and social style of our country, and is the sum of our traditional art. Therefore, the author analyzes the reference of art design in folk art elements. Through research and analysis, it is found that the reference and absorption of folk art elements in the field of modern art design in China is the premise and basis for promoting the modern art design in China. Therefore, modern art design should absorb more folk art elements, promote the inheritance of folk art and art, and at the same time develop the integration of folk art and modern art design.


Background information. The translational inhibitor protein 4E‐BP1 [eIF4E (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E)‐binding protein 1] regulates the availability of polypeptide chain initiation factor eIF4E for protein synthesis. Initiation factor eIF4E binds the 5′ cap structure present on all cellular mRNAs. Its ability to associate with initiation factors eIF4G and eIF4A, forming the eIF4F complex, brings the mRNA to the 43S complex during the initiation of translation. Binding of eIF4E to eIF4G is inhibited in a competitive manner by 4E‐BP1. Phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 decreases the affinity of this protein for eIF4E, thus favouring the binding of eIF4G and enhancing translation. We have previously shown that induction or activation of the tumour suppressor protein p53 rapidly leads to 4E‐BP1 dephosphorylation, resulting in sequestration of eIF4E, decreased formation of the eIF4F complex and inhibition of protein synthesis.


[Purpose] To evaluate the efficacy and acute toxicity of IMRT in treatment for nasopha-ryngeal carcinoma(NPC). [Methods] Fifty cases with nasopharyngeal carcinoma underwent IMRT (IMRT group), and 50 patients treated by conventional radiation therapy at the same period (control group). All the cases with T3~4 and N2~3 received concurrent chemotherapy (DDP 30mg/(m2·d) at d1~3, d22~24, d43~45). The short term response and acute toxicity were evaluated according to the WHO classification standard and RTOG radiation morbidity scoring criteria respectively. [Re-sults] All the cases completed the radiotherapy. The CR rate in IMRT group(98.0%) was higher than that in CRT group(86.0%), but there was no significant difference (P=0.0650). The patients suffered less xerostomia in IMRT group than that in CRT. The myelosuppression toxicity had no significant difference in both group(P=0.308). [Conclusion] IMRT may improve the local/regional control rate and decrease the side effect to a centain degree in NPC.


From the heat and power loss,tank installation dimensions,valve life etc.,a detailed analysis on the coal mining machine for the gear pump system of the advantages and disadvantages of the application.


The article provides a source analysis of the journal "Lesa Respubliki", published in the RSFSR in 1918-1919 and which was the official press organ of the People's Commissariat of Agriculture. Issues of forest policy gained particular relevance after the revolutionary events of 1917, the abolition of all types of forest ownership, a radical restructuring of the entire state apparatus and the rejection of forest legislation of pre-revolutionary Russia. The journal discussed various directions of development of the forestry sector of the national economy of Soviet Russia. Special attention was paid to the issues of forestry legislation, the system of local and central government, forest protection, the development of forest trade and industry, staffing of forestry, and the organization of specialized education. Under the influence of the civil war and the deepest socioeconomic crisis associated with it, the issue of providing fuel to industrial enterprises, transport, Soviet institutions and individual citizens acquired the most acute sound. The journal "Lesa Respubliki" is a valuable source in the study of the genesis of the national state forest policy.


The reactions of zirconocene-alkyne complexes Cp'2Zr(L)(η2-Me3SiC2SiMe3) {Cp'2 = (η5-C5H5)2:  L = THF, 1; L = pyridine, 2; Cp'2 = rac-ebthi, 3, [ebthi = 1,2-ethylene-1,1'-bis(η5-tetrahydroindenyl)]} with 2 equiv (or excess) of bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (NBD) in THF at 50 °C result in five-membered zirconacyclopentane complexes Cp2Zr(C14H16) (4) and rac-(ebthi)Zr(C14H16) (5) (C14H16 means two coupled NBDs) in good yields. NMR spectra of complexes 4 and 5 show the C2 symmetry of the molecules, indicating that the two NBD components in the complexes are in exo−trans−exo conformation. An X-ray crystallographic structure determination of 5 confirms that the two NBD fragments are exo−trans−exo linked to form a racemate. Both optical isomers are present in a 1:1 ratio in the crystals. Reactions of 1 and 2 with 1 equiv of NBD have also been investigated, and only zirconacyclopentane complex 4 was isolated from the reactions. The analogous zirconacyclopentane complexes Cp2Zr(C22H20) (6) and rac-(ebthi)Zr(C22H2...


The inability to solve the dark energy/matter problem within the current paradigm has prompted many physicists to seek an answer in the nature of a vacuum. It has long been recognized that a vacuum is not empty; rather, according to the quantum hypothesis, a vacuum contains vacuum fluctuations. However, this approach has not resolved the dark energy/matter problem. The new paradigm presented herein begins with the basics. First, a definition of space is formulated, which leads to the definition of mass. From these definitions, it follows that unorganized mass is present everywhere as the background of all phenomena. By considering this unorganized mass, the physical mechanism of gravity is clarified, and various phenomena are unified. In particular, dark energy/matter is shown to be a simple special case of the extended concept of gravity. This new paradigm also provides a unified viewpoint of various phenomena associated with the deflection of light rays: "total internal reflection" (in which reflection does not occur), diffraction at the edge of an opaque obstacle, and the deviation of light rays near the Sun. On the same basis, we predicted and experimentally confirmed deviation of a laser beam in the empty gap between the Casimir plates. This new paradigm provides physical explanations for more than 10 phenomena and paradoxes, with potential for further explanations.


Purpose - The article has two major purposes. The first purpose is to examine the roles and practices of communication professionals in relation to internal aspects of crisis communication. The second purpose is to suggest new roles and practices for communication professionals that will enable a strategic approach to internal crisis communication. This article is based on empirical material from a larger three-year research project that focuses on internal crisis communication at a university hospital (UH) in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach - This article is based on empirical material from a larger, three-year research project, which focuses on internal crisis communication at a University Hospital (UH). For the purpose of this article we have mainly analyzed transcripts of 24 semi-structured interviews that lasted 1–1,5 hours each. We have chosen to interview both communication professionals and other key persons/crisis managers in order to have the role and practices communication professionals elucidated not only from the perspective of communication professionals themselves. Findings - A conclusion from the case study is that communication professionals have a rather limited role in internal crisis communication. Their role is primarily focused on information distribution through the intranet, even though they are also involved in strategic, managerial work during the acute stage of the crisis. The communication professionals are first and foremost called for once the crisis has already occurred, which can be seen as a "communication on demand" approach, which limits a strategic orientation. In this paper some new roles and practices for communication professionals are suggested, which involve a strategic approach and cover all the stages of crisis. Research limitations/implications - Future research needs to go deeper into the practices and processes of these roles. Practical implications - Important prerequisites for fulfilling a strategic role as a communication professional are: (1) membership of the board, (2) diversified communication roles, (3) a developed managerial role, (4) closer to core operations, and (5) legitimacy. Originality/value - The absence of a strategic crisis management thinking and discourse in organizations delimits communication professionals to a technical role rather than a managerial and strategic role. Taking internal crisis communication seriously and adopting a broader view of crises will raise new demands on communication professionals, which go beyond the operational and tactical roles in the acute phase of a crisis. (Less)


Channel noise is considered to be the main obstacle in long-distance quantum communication and distributed quantum networks. Here, employing a quantum neural network, we present an efficient method to study the model and detect the noise of quantum channels. Based on various types of noisy quantum channel models, we construct the architecture of the quantum neural network and the model training process. Finally, we perform experiments to verify the training effectiveness of the scheme, and the results show that the cost function of the quantum neural network could approach above 90% of the channel model.


To the Editor.— The conclusions of "Usefulness of Home BP Determination in Treating Borderline Hypertension" (1982;248:555) about detecting change are similar to those of our study, 1,2 which evaluated the effects of the nonpharmacologic intervention, sodium restriction, and potassium augmentation. 3 In addition to verifying the feasibility of using home BP determinations to detect small changes in BP, we performed cost-effectiveness analyses that demonstrated a substantial advantage for home BP determinations over clinic measurements.


Two new sensitive and precise spectrophotometric methods have been proposed and developed for the
simultaneous estimation of lamivudine and stavudine in pure mixture and in pharmaceutical binary
dosage forms. A new concept of area under curve (AUC) is proposed for simultaneous estimation of
two drugs by these methods. Method A involves the use of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone
(DDQ) as analytical reagent and the AUC between 390 nm and 690 nm for DDQ was used for
determination. Method B involves the use of p-chloranilic acid: 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxy-1,4-
benzoquinone (p-CA) as an analytical reagent and the AUC between 400 and 700 nm for p-chloranilic
acid was used for deter-mination. The methods developed and construction of calibration curves using
two analytical reagents viz., DDQ and p-chloranilic acid are described. Optical and analytical parameters
for the individual and simultaneous determination of lamivudine and stavudine using AUC are tabulated.
The methods have been validated and compared with HPLC methods in terms of standard deviation,
t-test and F-test.


3D modeling of human shape and motion is a challenging problem with widespread applications, such as motion capture and human-computer interaction. We create an integrated system that executes, in close to real time, all the steps needed to create a voxel representation of a human using 2D data acquired from multiple cameras. A robust background model and background subtraction algorithm are included in this system to create a 2D silhouette of the human subject. A voxel based feedback to the system to refine the 2D silhouettes is also considered.


(57) Abstract: The present invention is particularly occurs when the solids are peeled off or crushed by the use of high power ultrasonic radiation, the stones or cavitation bubbles or both, to an apparatus which is designed to detect. This device comprises a high-power ultrasonic generator and preferably ultrasound imaging system. An object of the present invention, so as to obtain an improved image of the stone, or cavitation bubbles or both, is to further advance such a device. The present invention prepares additional ultrasound system with a Doppler transducer (2), a Doppler transducer, that you make the region of the ultrasonic generator system, or imaging system or both of the transmitter head (16) suggest. Doppler transducer (2) it is preferably arranged in a ring around the transmitter head (16).


Examination is made of developmental and intergroup differences in lexicon and lexical use: it will be argued that it is not the quantitative differences of available vocabulary that separate the groups, but rather its deployment patterns through the discourse. Finally, the potential for computational analysis of such measures is discussed, in the context of the wider aim of establishing valid diagnostic criteria based on the linguistic characteristics of language impairment.


This paper charts the progress of the health‐promoting school concept in Wales from a pilot project to a key component of mainstream health‐promotion activity. The paper particularly focuses on Wales' participation in the European Network of Health‐Promoting Schools and on the current initiative, the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes. It also identifies the key lessons learned from the work in Wales, including the need to gain the support of the schools' senior management, to appoint an enthusiastic school co‐ordinator and to plan clearly a limited number of actions, with achievable timescales.


This study is concerned with "fiction" as a new form of writing over the limits of the post-modernist theater/arts. Fiction is not something illusory that demands the audience's empathy but something that unveils form's disinterest in content. Thus, in this paper, I examine a fiction as the opposition of any representational norm and words' old mimesis. Rebutting the crisis of post-modern art and the end of images, philosopher Jacque Rancière mentions the possibility of appropriating similarity in an imitative way by twisting Platonic mimesis. The image of this similarity wanders alongside the loss of signification, unmasking the form's indifference to content. These wandering words represent their own truth "in a way fossils or grooved stones encapsulate histories" as hieroglyphics. This "fiction" as an alternative of post-modernist plays is not any confrontation of reality but the "movement of thinking" that allows the human spirit to play in a way of shaping "some substantiality." In this sense, I examines works by two French writers, Joël Pommerat (1963~) and Jean-Claude Grumberg (1939~ ) who have carried out their writing practices of appropriating similarity that dissolves any simple "immediate reflection" for non-intermediate relations between the producing and the produced. Their writing is a cross of literary creation and "le politique" as a new aesthetic practice of writing and reveals the movement of thinking, departing from the preexisting concept of fiction.


The lack of reliable poverty data in developing countries poses a major challenge for making informed policy decisions and allocating resources effectively in those areas of the world. Unfortunately, it can be prohibitively expensive to frequently conduct comprehensive surveys that track measures of economic progress. A cheap and scalable method of producing poverty maps would greatly facilitate economic progress in these developing countries. In this paper, we present a method for predicting socioeconomic indicators directly from satellite images. We take the output of a convolutional neural network (CNN), a 4,096-element feature vector, and use these image features along with known survey data from certain parts of Uganda and Tanzania to perform linear regression on continuous wealth measures. We then use our models to predict consumption-based wealth measures and asset-based wealth measures for both Uganda and Tanzania. We find that our machine-learning based predictions approach survey accuracy at a fraction of the cost.


The kinetics of gypsum crystal nucleation and growth rates were measured in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber liquors. Variables studied were parent seed crystal size and mass; the organic additives citric acid, adipic acid, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and Calgon CL246 polyacrylic acid formulation; and pH. Citric acid produced gypsum crystals with a more favorable columnar structure. Lower pH resulted in increased nucleation rates. Stable secondary nucleation was observed in the presence of retained parent gypsum seed crystals of size >150 ..mu..m. Growth and nucleation rates were correlated using reaction kinetic models. These kinetics were then used in rigorous computer simulations to predict crystal-size distribution (CSD) with different scrubber configurations. Scrubber process configurations employing classified product removal were calculated to produce a gypsum sludge having a mean particle size up to twice as large as the particle size with unclassified operation.


Contents: Preface. Part I: Contexts. Situating This Study in Theory and Research on Teacher Development. Research Methodology. Part II: Longitudinal Case Studies. The Story of Julie Devine. The Story of Sandy Brumbaum. The Story of Ralph Elder. The Story of Rick Kleine. Part III: Analysis. Answering the "So What?" Question: What Do These Case Studies Tell Us? Appendices.


A practical uncoordinated cooperative jamming (UCJ) scheme is proposed in this paper to enhance the physical layer security of the single-input-single-output (SISO) wiretap channel. Differing from the existing works, all the helpers in this UCJ scheme are uncoordinated single-antenna uplink users, and each helper transmits a jamming signal independently to confound the eavesdropper. The intended receiver plays the role of base station in the cellular systems as well as a control center to properly allocate the jamming power of each helper to maximize the secrecy rate. Two cases are addressed in solving the secrecy rate maximization problem, namely, the global channel state information (CSI) case and the partial CSI case. The optimal solution is obtained in the global CSI case, and a near-optimal solution is obtained under the secrecy outage probability constraint in the partial CSI case. Numerical results show that the performance of the proposed scheme is comparable with the existing works.


This work presents the results of linear and nonlinear control techniques applied to a DC-DC boost converter. A Non-linear Extended Prediction Self-Adaptive Controller (NEPSAC) is designed for this particular system. The results are compared to those of a PID which is usually applied to commercial converters. The PID is tuned using a frequency domain approach by means of a Frequency Domain Toolbox-FRTool. The designed controllers are evaluated by simulation using a hybrid model of the boost converter obtained from experimental data.


To understand evolutionary processes better, biologists use aggregation methods to estimate evolutionary relationships; yet properties of the methods are sometimes so imprecisely defined, and their interrelationships so poorly understood, that useful formal results may be difficult to obtain. To address this problem I describe a strategy for modeling aggregation methods and studying their properties. The approach accommodates impossibility results for aggregating rankings, nonhierarchical classifications, hierarchies, and phylogenies. It remains to formulate other relevant models of biological aggregation and to characterize methods for solving biological problems of agreement and synthesis.


Monte Carlo (MC) method, known as a statistical test method, is widely used in many different physical and engineering fields, such as particle transport simulation, aerody-namic calculation, financial engineering, etc. The MC numerical simulation is huge memory usage, time-consuming and uncertain convergence. The application specific architecture processor has been addressed rather frequently in the last few years, owing to its increasing importance in numerous fields including AI and scientific computation. Therefore, a specific microprocessor architecture for MC method (ASMAMC) is proposed. Based on the program features of the non-deterministic particle transport simulation derived from experiments on the architecture simula-tor, we explored a specific RISC-V microprocessor architecture including pipeline structure, branch prediction, Cache hierarchy and main memory. The experimental results on gem5 and McPAT show that the ASMAMC achieves 4.6 times increase on performance per watt, as compared with ARM Cortex-A15 processor,


Early-rain resistant sealing composition based on aqueous acrylate polymer dispersions. It contains from 0.1 to 6 % by weight of a polysaccharide which is water-soluble or highly swellable in water.


Congenital/fetal anomalies are structural, functional, and/or biochemical–molecular defects present at birth whether detected at that time or not. Prevalence of congenital fetal anomalies in developing countries especially in Africa is underestimated. They are seen in 2 to 3% of newborns and about 94% of severe birth defects are seen in low-resource countries. Currently, they account for 20 to 30% of perinatal mortality in developed countries. Their contribution to perinatal mortality may be much higher in developing countries. They are also an important cause of maternal mortality in developing countries because they cause prolonged obstructed labor, ruptured uterus, postpartum hemorrhage, and sepsis. Ultrasound is a very important tool in prenatal diagnosis, but ultrasound usage faces a lot of challenges in Africa. When congenital anomalies are diagnosed in Africa, management becomes a challenge as patients may not even accept the diagnosis or the line of management and this leads to catastrophic complications for the mother and her unborn infant. To overcome these challenges, various measures must be taken, such as training for practitioners, provision of equipments, community enlightenments concerning causes, possible management, and prevention. This review is meant to highlight some of the challenges facing prenatal diagnosis and management of prenatally diagnosed congenital fetal anomalies in low-resource environments and suggest the way forward.


The objective of this study was to develop a system of compatible equations to estimate eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) tree aboveground biomass and biomass of tree components for forest b...


In high-dimensional space with large amounts of data, distances between data points tend to become relatively uniform. The notion of the nearest neighbours of a data point thus becomes meaningless, a phenomenon known as "curse of dimensionality." Identifying outliers (data points with statistical characteristics significantly different than the majority of the data) in such a high-dimensional space can be a significant challenge. Mining for outliers in subspaces with relevant attributes is one of approaches for this problem, and identifying these attributes is the main objective of this work. In this paper, we scale a grid-based solution to search for subspaces that are candidates for outlier detection with regard to the subset of features in the subspace. We specify a population and a fitness function for a distributed genetic algorithm to heuristically search the subspaces within the high dimensional data, and find the subspace with maximal sparsity. We designed and implemented our proposed subspace selection algorithm in Apache Spark, a fast in-memory engine for large-scale data processing. The initial experimental results on a large dataset (77,000 records and 1,379 attributes) confirm that our proposed method can identify the most relevant subspaces for outlier detection.


Spiders as predators are important to regulate the populations of pests insects.
In our study we investigated which species and families in Middle East Germany (SaxoniaAnhalt)
can be caught during ballooning in an agricultural season. In this study we analyzed the
aeronautical behaviour of spiders using a Rothamsted Insect Survey trap at the two locations
Aschersleben (2005) and Quedlinburg (2007, 2010, 2012). In total, 12,717 individuals were
caught in these four year from May until October. Differences in the spider families were recorded.
In Aschersleben, species out of 17 spider families and in Quedlinburg out of 12 families were
recorded. Mostly these were representatives of Linyphiidae. Erigone atra, Oedothorax apicatus,
Erigone dentipalpis and Tenuiphantes tenuis were the dominant species within the spider family
Linyphiidae.


The invention discloses an ATCA framework SGSN single board process equalization method and device. The method comprises that base station controller BSC information is acquired, and BSC is ordered according to decreasing order of flow; the process for carrying BSC flow is acquired, and the ordered BSC is added into the process carrying the minimum flow in turn. According to the ATCA framework SGSN single board process equalization method and device, firstly the BSC is ordered according to decreasing order of flow, and the ordered BSC is added into the process carrying the minimum flow in turn so that equalization of flow carried by each process is guaranteed, evenness of the number of BSC carried by each process is also ensured, equalization between each SGSN single board and process business is effectively realized, and practical work capacity of each equipment in the system is close to nominal capacity.


Introduction. In the context of the coronavirus infection pandemic, the relevance of increasing the level of availability of medicines for various categories of patients in primary care is becoming crucial. The aim of the work was to process the state of the organization of circulation and the availability of medicines for various clinical and pharmacological groups of patients at the level of obstetric points. Materials and methods. To assess the organization of circulation and the availability of medicines of various clinical-pharmacological, nomenclature-legal and classification-legal groups, a conditional indicator was used – the conditional availability of medicines, calculated using content analysis. To conduct a content analysis, the organization of the regional primary network of medical care was studied; a list of obstetric points was compiled according to a quantitative indicator by grouping using the Sturges formula, followed by the construction of discrete series of variations and a distribution polygon. Results and discussion. Noted that obstetric centers perform socially oriented tasks to increase the level of organization of circulation and the availability of medicines for all contingents of the population on the principles of medical and pharmaceutical law, as the basis of state policy to minimize risks in the organization of pharmaceutical business. According to our own developed methods using content analysis, the structuring of the primary health care with a network of obstetric points at the regional level was carried out and it was established for the overwhelming majority of districts a low, above low and medium level of conditional availability of drugs for patients. Conclusions. The organization of circulation and the availability of drugs for various contingents of the population in the studied regional primary health care network is at the following level: unsatisfactory (for three districts); low (for five districts); higher than low (twelve districts); medium (for five districts); above average (for one district) satisfactory (for one district). Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the insufficient number of obstetric points in the regional primary health care unit is an obstacle to the timely provision of the population with high quality, effective and affordable drugs.


The invention discloses a production method of pretensioning prestressed concrete dynamic load piles, comprising the following steps: arranging a welded non-prestressed steel reinforcement framework cage in a prestressed steel reinforcement cage; cleaning a corresponding steel die; coating a separant; suspending the double-layer steel reinforcement framework cage in a lower die body of the steel die; respectively arranging the end plates of a connected hooping plate at the two ends of the double-layer steel reinforcement framework cage; casting concrete material to the lower die body of the steel die; carrying out die assembly and pre-stressed tensioning; performing centrifugal shaping; pouring out the surplus starch solution on the inner wall; and carrying out steam curing and secondary steam curing. The production method provided by the invention aims to overcome the shortages in the prior art. The invention provides a method for producing a pretensioning prestressed concrete dynamic load dynamic load pile with horizontal anti-bending bearing capacity, high shearing resistance, high bearing capacity of a single pile, and strong shock resistance.


The complexes of Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ with two closely related pendant-arm penta-aza macrocycles 11-(2′-dimethylaminoethyl)-1,4,7,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane, L1, and 7-(2′-dimethylaminoethyl)-3,7,11,17-tetra-azabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene, L2, have been characterised spectroscopically. The square-planar complex of the protonated ligand L1, [Ni(HL1)][ClO4]3, previously reported to be a mixture of two isomers, has been found to isomerise in hot aqueous solution to give two further isomers. Six-co-ordinate thiocyanato-complexes of formula [Ni(L1)(NCS)]ClO4 and [Ni(HL1)(NCS)2]ClO4 have been isolated. For the protonated copper(II) complex of the ligand (L1)(but not L2), a temperature-dependent equilibrium of the type [Cu(L1)]2++ H+⇌[Cu(HL1)]3+ exists in aqueous solution, and a variable-temperature visible spectroscopic study shows that, at 298.2 K, K=(2.2 ± 0.3)× 103 dm3 mol–1 and ΔG⊖=–19.05 ± 0.29 kJ mol–1. Isomerisation of the protonated copper complex was not observed. The complexes of formula [Zn(L)][NO3]2(L = L1 or L2) were found to be single isomers which do not isomerise even at elevated temperatures. 13C N.m.r. studies show that in [Zn(L1)][NO3]2 the macrocycle is asymmetric whereas in [Zn(L2)][NO3]2 the macrocycle is in a symmetric configuration. The new, related macrocycle, 11-methyl-1,4,7,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane, L3, and its complexes with Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ have been prepared. 13C N.m.r. studies show that the diamagnetic, planar complex [Ni(L3)][ClO4]2 is a single symmetric species, whereas [Zn(L3)][NO3]2 is a 1 : 2 mixture of a symmetric and an asymmetric species.


Face recognition plays an important role in person identification from a human face image. Existing approaches can extract facial features, but their performance is insufficiently accurate in uneven illumination conditions, especially in low light intensity. Therefore, an adaptive kernel transform (AKT) is proposed for recognizing face images under uneven illumination conditions. The proposed method provides horizontal-vertical detail components excluding illumination components by means of lighting component decomposition. Then it extracts robust features based on adaptive maximum histogram thresholding with matrix multiplication. The obtained features are composed of the important key facial regions without background noise and are robust in uneven illumination. From the Extended Yale-B face database, our AKT method yields 96.14%, which is higher than existing methods. The AKT method can adaptively extract robust features, thereby improving the effectiveness of face recognition under uneven illumination conditions.


Reconstructing gene regulatory networks, especially the dynamic gene networks that reveal the temporal program of gene expression from microarray expression data, is essential in systems biology. To overcome the challenges posed by the noisy and under-sampled microarray data, developing data fusion methods to integrate legacy biological knowledge for gene network reconstruction is a promising direction. However, large amount of qualitative biological knowledge accumulated by previous research, albeit very valuable, has received less attention for reconstructing dynamic gene networks due to its incompatibility with the quantitative computational models.
In this dissertation, I introduce a novel method to fuse qualitative gene interaction information with quantitative microarray data under the Dynamic Bayesian Networks framework. This method extends the previous data integration methods by its capabilities of both utilizing qualitative biological knowledge by using Bayesian Networks without the involvement of human experts, and taking time-series data to produce dynamic gene networks. The experimental study shows that when compared with standard Dynamic Bayesian Networks method which only uses microarray data, our method excels by both accuracy and consistency.


Automation plays a key role in the realisation of the Factory 4.0 and technological research, combined with the use of innovative materials, contributes to the improvement of products in terms of functional, technical and production quality. Within this context, the so-called Digital Twin allows to reproduce the real behaviour of a production system in a virtual environment, giving the possibility to numerically perform the desired analysis. Human-robot interaction (HRI) is increasing in those workplaces where the manual activity is not safe nor efficient in terms of performance (e.g. cycle time) and it is characterised by several levels of interaction (cooperation, collaboration and coexistence). The aim of this paper is to propose a numerical procedure that, based on the simulation, allows verifying the process feasibility, validating the interaction between human and robot and programming the logic controller to be implemented on the real robot. A case study about assembling of composite components of an aircraft fuselage panel is proposed. The use of the robot allows to speed up the processes of drilling and sealing, leaving to human less dangerous operations.


To improve the slip resistance of solid floors in dairy cow houses and to achieve the ammonia emission reduction prescribed by the Dutch government, precast concrete floors with grooves and a dung scraper were investigated. The grooves parallel to the alley had 160 mm center-to-center spacing and were 35 mm wide and 30 mm deep. The urine could drain along the grooves. Perforations in the grooves were spaced 1.1 m apart and could be open or closed. When the perforations were open, urine could be drained directly into a slurry pit below. In case of closed perforations, draining of urine was only possible at one alley end. The feces were dragged to one end of the alley using a scraper, provided with facilities, that also cleaned the grooves. The floor system was constructed in a compartment of a mechanically ventilated experimental cow house. In another compartment a traditional slotted floor served as a reference. Ammonia emissions from both compartments were recorded continuously. The effects on ammonia emission and the performance of the perforations in the floor were determined. The floor system was also implemented into various practical farms and some practical experiences were gathered. Ammonia emission from the compartment with the grooved solid floor operating with open perforations was reduced by 46% compared with the reference compartment. Closing of the perforations resulted in an ammonia emission reduction of 35% compared to the reference compartment.


The basic steps for classification and prediction coordinates energy centers image spots of the laser beam, which makes it possible to develop a new intelligent technologies for classification and prediction of the position coordinate their energy centers. Experiments on the comparative evaluation of prediction based on known neural networks, and proposed method using a parallel-hierarchical network was conducted.


The unusual features of supernova (SN) 1998bw and its apparent association with the gamma-ray burst (GRB) event GRB980425 were highlighted by Kulkarni et al. At its peak SN 1998bw was anomalously superluminous in radio wavelengths with an inferred fluence ${E}_{\mathrm{radio}}g~{10}^{49}\mathrm{erg}$ [S. Kulkarni et al., Nature (London) 395, 663 (1998)], while the apparent expansion velocity of its ejecta $(\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$ suggests a shock wave moving relativistically ${(V}_{\mathrm{exp}}\ensuremath{\sim}2c).$ The unique properties of SN 1998bw strengthen the case for it being linked with GRB980425. I present a consistent, novel mechanism to explain the peculiar event SN 1998bw and similar phenomena in GRBs: Conversion of powerful, high frequency (\ensuremath{\sim}2 kHz) gravitational waves (GWs) into electromagnetic waves [M. Johnston, R. Ruffini, and F. Zerilli, Phys. Rev. Lett. 31, 1317 (1973)] might have taken place during SN 1998bw. Yet, conversion of GRB photons into GWs, as advanced by Johnston, Ruffini, and Zerilli [Phys. Lett. 49B, 185 (1974)], may also occur. These processes can produce GRBs depleted in \ensuremath{\gamma} rays but enhanced in x rays, for instance, or even more plausibly induce dark GRBs, those with no optical afterglow. The class of GWs needed to drive the calorimetric changes of these gamma-ray bursts may be generated by (a) the nonaxisymmetric dynamics of a torus surrounding the hypernova (or failed supernova) magnetized stellar-mass black hole (BH) remnant, as in van Putten's mechanism for driving long GRBs powered by the BH spin energy [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 091101 (2001)], or in the van Putten and Ostriker mechanism to account for the bimodal distribution in duration in GRBs [Astrophys. J. Lett. 552, L32 (2001)], where the torus magnetohydrodynamics may be dominated by either hyperaccretion onto a slowly spinning BH or suspended accretion onto a fast rotating BH, or (b) the just formed black hole with electromagnetic structure as in the GRB central engine mechanism of Ruffini et al. [Astrophys. J. Lett. 555, L107 (2001); 555, L113 (2001)], provided the issue concerning the origin of the black hole charge can be suitably clarified. In both of these mechanisms the total energy radiated as GWs is about $\ensuremath{\Delta}{E}_{\mathrm{GW}}\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{53}\mathrm{erg}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{(M/10M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}),$ which for the conversion efficiency estimated here turns out to be enough to explain the superluminous radio wavelength emission from SN 1998bw. Thus, I argue this process could have induced the enhancement in the radio luminosity of SN 1998bw as evidenced in its light curve [Fig. 2, in S. Kulkarni et al., Nature (London) 395, 663 (1998)] and optical light curves of GRB980326 [J. Bloom et al., Nature (London) 401, 453 (1998)] and GRB990712 [G. Bj\"ornsson et al., Astrophys. J. Lett. 552, L121 (2001)]. Moreover, GW-driven plasma density perturbations moving at the speed of light may up- (or down-) convert fireball photons, which could cause further substantial modifications of the gamma-ray burst or supernova calorimetry.


How to optimize and expand the signals of base stations and how to reduce the cost of network optimization was discussed.This paper also explores the improvement of blocks of roadways and the weakness of the covered signals in rural areas.Thus,the downlink signals can enhance more than 10dB and the uplink signals 8dB,which greatly expands the coverage semidiameter of base station system.


Data on visits to New York City metropolitan area hospital emergency rooms for asthmatic attacks were analyzed to identify asthma "events": days when the number of such visits was unusually high. In the fall season such days tended to occur simultaneously at all hospitals of the study, and thus can be plausibly associated with some environmental agent acting simultaneously throughout the city. Data on sulfur dioxide and particulate concentrations from the 40-station New York City Aerometric Network were used as pollution measures, and a search for a relationship between asthma "events" and air pollution levels on the same day and on the preceding day was made using standard statistical techniques. No relationship was found.


Objective To observe the application value of color Doppler ultrasonography(CDU) in clinical follow-up of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS) after interventional therapy.Methods A total of 28 patients with BCS confirmed with digital substraction angiography(DSA) underwent CDU and DSA after interventional therapy within a week.The examination results of two methods were compared.Results In all patients,the results of CDU were entirely consistent with those obtained with DSA.Taking DSA as golden standard,the accuracy of CDU was 100%.Conclusion CDU can be used in the follow-up of BCS after interventional therapy instead of DSA.


The design of toll system is based on the actuality of Hangzhou circle city road toll system and the layout of Zhejiang province. After taking into account short term toll requirement and long term provincal interlinkage charge,it is finally determined. Meanwhile the circle city road interlinkage and data transimission scheme are provided.


In May 2017, the Supreme Court ruling that the ban preventing asylum seekers from working was unconstitutional triggered a number of debates in the Dail, and the government was forced to introduce new legislation. The 'right to work' came into effect one year later, and in the meantime, TDs from all sides of the Chamber discussed the pros and cons of allowing those whose applications for refugee status is still pending to seek employment and to leave the Direct Provision centres where they have been housed since the system was introduced almost twenty years previously, in 1999. This paper seeks to analyse the political discourse on the right to work for asylum seekers, since the debate extends from the late 1990s right up to the current situation. After having contextualised the issue, both internationally and in Ireland, it will explore the manner in which this debate has been framed in Dail Eireann, analysing the arguments put forward, either in favour or against, access to the labour market for asylum seekers.


This paper offers new insights into the 18th-century normative tradition, with special reference to the stigmatisation of preposition stranding. It brings to light the role of Scottish codifiers in contrast to English codifiers: works written by Scots contain more critical comments on the use of end-placed prepositions both quantitatively (in terms of frequency) and qualitatively (more semantic nuances and more condemnatory epithets). The semantic analysis of the data rules out the hypothesis that Scottish authors might have been particularly sensible towards this construction because of its nature as 'provincial English' or as a 'Scotticism'. Rather, the author suggests that it was the 'New Rhetoric' movement (1748–1793) in the context of the Scottish Enlightenment that played a vital role in its stigmatisation. The importance of rhetoric as a facet of 18th-century prescriptivism, complementary to grammar, is thus put under the spotlight.


Background: Bendamustine, a medication approved for the treatment of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, has already shown anticancer activity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Here, we present the results of a phase II trial of bendamustine in combination with capecitabine in pre-treated patients with MBC. Patients and methods: AGMT MBC-6 is a multicentre, open-label, single-arm phase II study in HER2-negative MBC. All patients were pre-treated with anthracyclines and/or taxans and had measurable disease. Patients received per os 1000 mg/m2 capecitabine twice daily on days 1 to 14 in combination with 80 mg/m2 bendamustine intravenously on days 1 and 8 of a 3-week cycle for a maximum of eight cycles, followed by a capecitabine maintenance therapy. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Results: From September 2013 to May 2015, 40 patients were recruited in eight Austrian centres. The median age was 60 years (range 29–77). Twenty-five per cent of patients had triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and 93% showed visceral involvement. With 17 partial and one complete remission, ORR was 46%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.1–10.7]. The most common non-haematological adverse events (AEs) of grade 3 were hand-foot syndrome (13%), fatigue (10%), nausea (8%), and dyspnoea (8%). One grade 4 non-haematological AE (hepatic failure) and three grade 4 haematological AEs (neutropenia) were observed. One patient died of restrictive cardiomyopathy, in which a relationship to capecitabine cannot be excluded, but seems unlikely. Conclusion: The combination of capecitabine and bendamustine shows promising efficacy and moderate toxicity. Further evaluation of this drug combination is warranted. The clinical trial AGMT MBC-6 was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, (https://clinicaltrials.gov/; identifier: NCT01891227).


The invention discloses a fractional Fourier transform based evidence-obtaining voice enhancing method of two-dimensional Wiener filtering. The method comprises the following steps of: (1) taking a fractional Fourier transform domain; (2) taking a die; (3) adding a two-dimensional Hamming window; (4) performing the two-dimensional Wiener filtering; (5) performing the fractional Fourier transform; and (6) performing linear combination. The invention has higher application value and wide application prospect in the evidence-obtaining voice enhancement field.


In the second half of the nineteenth century the Roseira factory in Lisbon was one of the most important manufacturers of façade tiles used both in Portugal and in Brazil. "Casa das Bolas", a condominium building in Lisbon informally named after the glazed tiles decorated with spherical elements in trompe l'oeil of its ground-floor façade, was owned by a member of the Roseira family who erected it using parts of an earlier construction in 1871-72. In its interior can be seen an authentic showcase of patterns produced by the factory and applied in apparently random order under the inside of the window sills and in some service areas. The singularities of this application, associated with the high number of patterns therein (over 50), make it an important reference for the study of façade tiles in the first decades of their use. It is an invaluable source of information about a factory that was possibly the first to produce façade tiles in Lisbon and despite having supplied many of the tiles seen at the Royal Pena Palace in Sintra and at other important constructions of the time, such as the Beau Séjour Palace in Lisbon, remains almost unknown.


Twenty‐first century projections of global rainfall and sea surface temperature in the current generation of climate models indicate a delay in the seasonal cycle in response to increasing greenhouse gases, with important implications for the regional monsoons. In particular, the rainy season of the semi‐arid African Sahel is projected to start later and become shorter. The robust agreement across models on the seasonal distribution of Sahel rainfall changes stands in contrast with large uncertainty for summertime rainfall totals there.


Future climate forecasts suggest atmospheric warming, with expected effects on aquatic systems (e.g., cold-water fisheries). Here we apply a recently published and computationally efficient approach for simulating unsaturated/saturated heat transport with coupled flow (MODFLOW) and transport (MT3D-USGS) models via a synthetic three-dimensional (3D) representation of a temperate watershed. Key aspects needed for realistic representation at the watershed-scale include climate drivers, a layering scheme, consideration of surface-water groundwater interactions, and evaluation of transport parameters influencing heat flux. The unsaturated zone (UZ), which is typically neglected in heat transport simulations, is a primary focus of the analysis. Results from three model versions are compared—one that neglects UZ heat-transport processes and two that simulate heat transport through a (1) moderately-thick UZ and (2) a UZ of approximately double thickness. The watershed heat transport is evaluated in terms of temperature patterns and trends in the UZ, at the water table, below the water table (in the groundwater system), and along a stream network. Major findings are: (1) Climate forcing is the product of infiltration temperatures and infiltration rates; they combine into a single heat inflow forcing function. (2) The UZ acts as a low-pass filter on heat pulses migrating downward, markedly dampening the warming recharge signal. (3) The effect of warming on the watershed is also buffered by the mixing of temperatures at discharge points where shallow and deep flow converge. (4) The lateral extent of the riparian zone, defined as where the water table is near land surface (<1 m), plays an important role in determining the short-term dynamics of the stream baseflow response to heat forcing. Runoff generated from riparian areas is particularly important in periods when rejected infiltration during warm and wet periods generates extra runoff from low-lying areas to surface water.


Precision agriculture is becoming increasingly popular in the modern farming industry. An IoT-based system is proposed to automate and optimize water harvesting, moisture monitoring, and crop monitoring for precision agriculture. The proposed system uses Arduino IDE, various sensors, Wi-Fi, and GSM modules, an LCD display, and a DC motor to collect and analyze data related to soil moisture, crop growth rate, water level, and animal intervention. The system sends real- time alerts to the farmer via SMS when any abnormal condition is detected. The data collected is stored in the cloud, enabling farmers to access and analyze it for better decision making. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of the proposed system.


Abstract Although most measurements of total downwelling shortwave irradiance are made with pyranometers, the World Climate Research Program's Baseline Surface Radiation Network has recommended the use of the summation of shortwave components in which the direct normal irradiance is measured and multiplied by the cosine of the solar zenith angle and then added to the diffuse horizontal irradiance measured by a pyranometer that is shaded from direct solar radiation by a disk. The nonideal angular response of most pyranometers limits their accuracy to about 3%, or 20–30 W m−2, for instantaneous clear-sky measurements. An intensive study of 21 separate measurements of total horizontal irradiance was conducted during extreme winter conditions of low sun and cold temperatures over 12 days at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory. The experiment showed that the component sum methodology could lower the uncertainty by a factor of 2 or 3. A clear demon...


Summary.  Background: The role of prophylactic factor VIII (FVIII) to decrease hemophilic bleeding and arthropathy is well established. The rationale for this strategy is to convert patients with severe hemophilia A to a moderate clinical phenotype by reducing time spent with a FVIII level <1 IU dL−1. Studies to date, however, have not demonstrated a strong link between FVIII level and the bleeding rate. Objectives: To assess the effect of FVIII level on break‐through bleeding in patients with severe hemophilia A on prophylaxis. Patients/methods: This study analysed data from 44 patients aged 1–6 and 99 patients aged 10–65 years with severe hemophilia A (FVIII <1 IU dL−1) who were treated with prophylactic FVIII as part of clinical studies assessing pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of a recombinant FVIII (Advate®). Each patient had pharmacokinetic measurements and FVIII infusions recorded, and these were used to calculate time spent with a FVIII below 1, 2 and 5 IU dL−1. Results: The data demonstrate that increasing time with a FVIII below 1 IU dL−1 is associated with increased total bleeds and hemarthroses. Lack of adherence to the intended frequency of FVIII infusion was the most important determinant of low FVIII and increased bleeding. In children aged 1–6 years, the rate of bleeding was also influenced by FVIII half‐life and clearance. Conclusions: These data have important implications for the management of patients with severe hemophilia.


Summary: Linking of two or more cap-and-trade systems promises gains in cost effectiveness and signals a strong commitment to carbon policy. Linking is also seen as one possible way of converging from regional climate policy initiatives toward a global climate policy architecture. Moreover, linking may be used to direct investment into low-carbon technology – one form of green finance – to low-abatement cost locations. Two linked systems have been established recently, one in Europe and one in North America. However, linking also comes with challenges, such as increased exposure to shocks originating in other parts of the linked system and a greater need for policy coordination. We first consider the benefits and challenges of linking conceptually, including its incentives for green financial flows. We then present some of the main features of the European and North American linked systems and outline the process that led to their establishment. Finally, we consider preliminary evidence on the workings of each linked system. We conclude that from a green finance perspective linking should be viewed as a long-term option.


Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, intensely pruritic dermatosis that usually affects infants, children, and young adults. The treatment of AD entails an individualized regimen that depends on the age of the patient, the stage and variety of lesions present, the sites and extent of involvement, the presence of infection, and the previous response to treatment. Objectives: To identify the evidence surrounding potential strategies for closing these gaps—ultimately improving the quality of care, the care process itself, and patient outcomes—and to encourage discussions that help develop tools to bridge the gap between suggested therapy and what is done by the patient. Methods: Review of the literature including searches on PubMed Central and Medline and in seminal dermatology texts. Results: There are several disconnections between the evidence-based guidelines in the management of AD, what the individual dermatologist recommends, and what the patient does. Conclusion: Applying the concept of the care triangle requires a balance of evidence-based medicine, the physician's experiences and the patient's needs and expectations in the decisions surrounding appropriate management of the disease.


KEY: # = new course * = course changed † = course dropped University of Kentucky 2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin 1 HDI 350 UNIVERSAL DESIGN: APPLICATIONS IN THE BUILT, VIRTUAL AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. (3) This course provides an introduction to universal design. The course will give students a base of core knowledge and experience in universal design principles utilized in the built, virtual and learning environments. This course illustrates the application of universal design across a variety of disciplines and across the lifespan. It is designed to enable students to apply the principles of universal design within their own course of study.


DURING the war years intensive investigations were conducted in this country with the object of discovering a more effective rodenticide than had previously been available. As a result of these studies, sodium fluoroacetate (CH2FCOONa) was introduced as a rodenticide and reported on by Kalmbach.1During this early period of investigation the laboratory number "1080" was used to represent the compound. Since then, this number has been retained and sodium fluoroacetate is often referred to by this numerical designation alone in the literature on rat extermination.2 This compound has gained attention recently not only because of its economic and military importance as a potent rodenticide but also because its numerous important pharmacologic properties have engaged the interest of physiologists, biochemists and neurologists, as well as pharmacologists and toxicologists. Sodium fluoroacetate lacks one of the properties desirable in an ideal rodenticide, i. e., innocuousness for man and


A recent flurry of research activity has attempted to quantitatively define "fairness" for decisions based on statistical and machine learning (ML) predictions. The rapid growth of this new field has led to wildly inconsistent terminology and notation, presenting a serious challenge for cataloguing and comparing definitions. This paper attempts to bring much-needed order.
First, we explicate the various choices and assumptions made---often implicitly---to justify the use of prediction-based decisions. Next, we show how such choices and assumptions can raise concerns about fairness and we present a notationally consistent catalogue of fairness definitions from the ML literature. In doing so, we offer a concise reference for thinking through the choices, assumptions, and fairness considerations of prediction-based decision systems.


The paper is focused on analysis of chemical reactions in Mg-Al203-Si02 system. The preferred formation of cordierite is proved. The authors found intensifying effect of high-frequency field (40,68 MHz) on solid-phase reactions. Alloying of porous ceramics with following sintering improves the properties of the final product: strength, electric resistance, dielectric loss, etc.


Cleft lip and palate, separately or in combination, are amongst the most frequent congenital deformities found in mankind and its incidence may be as high as one birth in every seven hundred [Graber, 1969]. Furthermore, a twenty-year study indicates that the occurrence of cleft lip and palate is increasing [Fogh-Andcrsen, 1961]. In order to obtain information which may aid in the treatment of patients born with cleft palates, animals with similar deformities were studied. Without human assistance, new born pups are dependent on their mothers for nourishment and the maintenance of a suitable environment. Despite the fact that puppies born with cleft palates are usually large and strong it is common for the mother to actively reject them soon after birth. Those which are accepted, become progressively emaciated because they arc unable to suckle on their own. These two factors account for the high mortality rate of the afllictcd animals. To study the growth and develop ment of puppies born with cleft palates, several of these animals were reared.


Exotic plantations of Cupressus lusitanica Mill, Pinus caribaea Morolet and Eucalyptus species were established in the grasslands of Kibale Forest Reserve during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Thirty years later (1995), plantation harvesting began based on pitsawing and sawmilling methods. This study aimed at assessing the effect of logging exotic plantations and the methods of harvesting on the young regeneration of indigenous tree species. Sample plots were randomly established in the plantations in the sawmilled and pitsawn areas. All tree stems over 1.3 m in height were identified, diameter at 1.3 m and height measured. The plantations showed a total of 91 tree species with the logged C. lusitanica and P. caribaea areas exhibiting higher number of tree species (79 and 78 respectively) than Eucalyptus (55). The pioneer, colonizing and secondary forest species contributed significantly to the density of regeneration in logged C. lusitanica (2170.5 t ha−1), P. caribaea (2309.2 t ha−1) and eucalyptus (1513.7 t ha−1) areas. The Climax species were still very low and the species very scanty. While pitsawing and sawmilling seem to have had little influence on species richness (Ps = 63, Sm = 65), pitsawing encouraged higher tree regeneration densities (ps = 2223.5 t ha−1) than sawmilling (Sm = 1822 t ha−1). Deductively, C. lusitanica and P. caribaea plantations could be used economically in afforestation, reforestation and accelerated natural forest colonization.


Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States, with an estimated 49,560 new cases and 8190 cancer-related deaths in 2013. The lifetime risk of endometrial cancer is estimated to be 1 in 38 women, with a median age of diagnosis of 61 years. The incidence is on a slow rise secondary to increasing population age and increasing body mass index, with 39% of cases attributed to obesity. Endometrial cancer can be separated into 2 subtypes on the basis of pathology. Type I, or endometrioid adenocarcinoma, is the most common subtype comprising 80% of endometrial cancers. Type I typically occurs in preand perimenopausal women and is associated with obesity, excessive estrogen exposure, and endometrial hyperplasia. This type is seen more frequently in the white population, is typically well differentiated and low-grade, and has a favorable prognosis. Most patients present with stage I or II disease. Type II endometrial cancers comprise 20% of diagnoses. These cancers tend to occur in an older population of women and are not associated with estrogen exposure. Type II cancers are frequently high grade with deep myometrial invasion, and these patients have a worse prognosis. Some subtypes of type II endometrial cancer include clear-cell carcinoma, serous carcinoma, and poorly differentiated carcinoma. Most patients with type II cancers present with stage III or IV disease. At diagnosis, 75% of women with endometrial cancer have disease confined to the uterus and can be cured with surgery alone. Endometrial cancer spreads beyond the uterus by myometrial invasion, extension into the cervix, and metastasis to lymph nodes. The presence of extrauterine disease significantly impacts prognosis and increases recurrence rates. For this reason, proper identification of sites of disease spread and accurate staging is crucial. Reports of the surgical pathologic spread of endometrial cancer since the 1970s and 1980s ultimately led to the adoption of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) surgical staging system for endometrial cancer in 1988. Complete surgical staging includes surgical exploration, extrafascial hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, bilateral para-aortic lymphadenectomy, pelvic washings, peritoneal biopsy, and omentectomy. On the basis of FIGO staging, the assessment of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes is a requirement for assigning stage in endometrial cancer. Most gynecologic oncologists agree that patients presenting with type II, high-risk subtypes of endometrial cancer such as clear-cell carcinoma, uterine Learning Objectives: After participating in this CME activity, the obstetrician/gynecologist should be better able to: 1. Stratify patients with endometrial cancer into groups at high and low risk for nodal metastasis. 2. Diagnose and have a better understanding of treatment and staging options for patients dependent on individual risk for lymph node involvement. 3. Counsel patients regarding the risks and benefits of complete surgical staging with lymph node dissection.


Nowadays, nutritional supplements like creatine and glutamine are current to improve athletic performance. The present study examined the effects of creatine and creatine-glutamine supplement on the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of the elite wrestlers. To this end, 36 wrestlers volunteered in Mazandaran province. They were divided in three homogeneous groups including creatine group as the experiment group 1 (n=12), creatine- glutamine group as the experiment group 2 (n=12) and placebo group as the control group (n=12). In a pretest-posttest design, anthropometric characteristics (weight, body fat percentage, BMI) and physiological characteristics (maximal strength, peak power, average power, total work performed) were measured. For data analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Repeated Measure and one-way ANOVA were used (p<0.05). Results showed that there were not significant differences in weight, BMI, body fat percentage, peak power, average power and total work performed between both experiment groups and control group. There was significant difference in maximal strength between both experimental groups and control group but it was not between the experiment groups. It was concluded that creatine supplement and creatine- glutamine supplement influences maximal strength and it is suggested to be used by the athletes.


Abstract : Accurate array element localization (AEL) is an important component of optimizing the detection performance of bottom-mounted acoustic arrays. Use of the nominal element positions can lead to significant degradations in beamforming performance when the array has been subject to real-world deployment methods. Methods of accurately estimating array element positions using both overt and covert methods have been developed by the Advanced Deployable System (ADS) program, and were used during the ADS Fleet Evaluation Test (FET) and Multi-Node Test (MNT). 'FET' henceforth is used to denote both the FET and the MNT. During FET, data were collected for AEL analysis. This report first explains the AEL algorithms used, and then presents AEL results for the 18 arrays deployed during FET. The algorithm generally achieves an accuracy on the order of 0.5 meters when using acoustic data with a bandwidth of 150 Hz.