Introduction and objectives Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) should not be diagnosed in the presence of an identifiable cause. Asbestos is fibrogenic and can cause usual interstitial pneumonia. Occupational asbestos exposure is common in the UK in the population at risk of developing IPF (mostly men in their 70s who have worked in manual occupations). Establishing occupational asbestos exposure in a particular individual, and determining whether or not to attribute causation, is difficult. Our aim was to characterize asbestos exposure in IPF with a view to informing diagnosis. Methods Asbestos exposure was assessed using a job exposure matrix (JEM) based on occupational proportional mortality data for pleural mesothelioma and by means of a validated asbestos exposure reconstruction method for 856 participants (488 cases, 368 controls) from a UK based multicentre hospital-based case-control study, the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis job exposures study (IPFJES). Results 65% of cases and 63% of controls ever had a high or medium risk (for asbestos exposure) job. Cases spent an average of 24 years (std 17.6, median 21 years) in a high or medium risk job (std 17.1, median 27 years) and controls spent an average of 26 years (std 17.1, median 27 years). 25% of cases and 26% of controls recalled occupational asbestos exposure in sufficient detail to allow exposure reconstruction; mean estimated asbestos exposure was 1129 fibre ml years for cases (std 5663, median 7 fibre ml years) and 586 fibre ml years (std 3194, median 4 fibre ml years) for controls. Conclusions Occupational asbestos exposure is common in patients with IPF and asbestosis is under-diagnosed. Overall, occupational asbestos exposure is not markedly different between patients with IPF and hospital controls; there does not appear to be a clear dose-response relationship or threshold effect.


A field survey was conducted during 2016-17 to know the extent of incidence of Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) and prevalence of thrips species in tomato at different locations of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states. The vector population and GBNV disease were observed from 20 randomly selected plants at the time of flowering. The plant (shoot) was gently tapped against black cloth which was wrapped with thermo coal sheet and a 10x hand lens was used for counting. The mean population of thrips ranged from 0.35 to 1.39 no. / shoot and mean GBNV incidence was ranged from 20 to 48% in different regions. Thrips sample collected  from 30 locations showed that only Frankliniella schultzei Trybom was associated in all the places invariably. The identified thrips species was confirmed by taxanomical keys, DNA analysis and SEM analysis. This kind of association may help in deep understanding of vector-virus-host interactions.


The survey response of former clients of a spouse batterers' counseling program has been examined in order to assess the efficacy of the mailed questionnaire in eliciting follow-up data. A comparison of respondent to nonrespondent characteristics revealed that those who were Protestants, those with alcohol problems, those whose parents had been violent with each other, and those who had "beaten up" their partners were significantly less likely to respond to a follow-up survey than others. Further analyses suggest that the sample somewhat overrepresents the "improvers" in the client population.


Over the course of several years, a rich collection of technologies
has developed around DNS-Based Service Discovery, described across
multiple documents. This "Road Map" document gives an overview of how
these related but separate technologies (and their documents) fit
together, to facilitate service discovery in various environments.


By using simultaneous observations of low-altitude energetic electron fluxes from the magnetic electron spectrometer on OV3-3 and equatorial electron fluxes observed by ATS 1 a previously identified strong pitch angle scattering mechanism is shown to be a low-altitude phenomenon only. The relationship between this scattering process and the apparent location of the outer-zone energetic electron boundary as observed by low-altitude polar-orbiting satellites is demonstrated. The process explains observations of rapid electron boundary motions during geomagnetically quiet times. In addition, by assuming that the process also explains the energetic electron spike sometimes seen at the apparent outer-zone cutoff the magnitude of the spike itself is used to determine the high-altitude limit of the rapid-scattering region.


The actions surrounding the display of images and artefacts in museums – collection, conservation, research and exhibition – are bound up with how the past is presented and remembered. These conditions and decisions relating to exhibitions are largely invisible to viewers who are confronted with the apparent completeness of an exhibition display. By conducting a historical and visual analysis of the bloodstained vest of political leader James Connolly, this article uncovers how this artefact has become a relic of historical violence due to the way in which particular aspects of its configuration, form and trajectory have been manipulated in order to elicit powerful emotional responses from the exhibition's viewers.


Beom-Rak Choi, Sae-Kwang Ku, Su-Jin Kang, Hye-Rim Park, Mi-Sun Sung, Young-Joon Lee, Ki-Moon Park Research Institute, HL Science Co., Ltd. Department of Foodscience and biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University The Medical Research Center for Globalization of Herbal Medicine, Daegu Haany University Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University Original Article


Inactivation of the bacterial pathogens Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Acinetobacter baumannii by butanoic acid. ABSTRACT 27 Aims: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of butanoic acid against bacterial 28 pathogens including Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius . 29 Methods and Results: Vegetative bacteria were exposed to butanoic acid in vitro and log 30 reduction was quantified using viable count assays. Maximum (8 and 9) log inactivation was 31 determined by qualitatively assaying for growth/no-growth after a 48 h incubation (37 ° C). 32 Membrane integrity after exposure to butanoic acid was determined by propidium iodide 33 staining, SEM, membrane depolarization, and ICP analysis. Cytosolic pH was measured by 5-(6- 34 ) carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (cFSE). 35 Conclusions : Inhibitory concentrations of butanoic acid ranged between 11 and 21 mmol l -1 for 36 Gram-positive and Gram-negative species tested. Maximum log reduction of A. baumannii was 37 achieved with a 10 s exposure of 0.50 mol l -1 butanoic acid . S. pseudintermedius required 0.40 38 mol l -1 Significance and Impact of Study: Antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens necessitates 41 the utilization of novel therapeutics for disinfection and biological control. These results may 42 facilitate the development of butanoic acid as an effective agent against a broad-spectrum of 43 antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens. butanoic acid to achieve the same level of reduction in the same time period. Inactivation 39 activity was associated with membrane permeability and acidification of the cytosol. 30 min (37°C), washed in phosphate 159 buffer three times and stored at 4°C in the dark. Pre-loaded cells were then washed with 160 phosphate buffer and used to inoculate (10 µl) a series of 1:2 butanoic acid dilutions in a 96-well, 161 flat bottom plate (final volume 100 µl). The fluorescent ratio (495 nm/ 440 nm excitation 162 wavelength; 525 nm emission wavelength) was measured using BioTek Synergy 4 plate reader 163 using Gen 5 1.10 software. The standard curve was generated by treating cFSE-loaded cells with 164 63% (v/v) ethanol to permeabilize the cells. These cells were then inoculated (10 µl) into buffer 165 solutions ranging from pH 2 to pH 9, in 1.0 unit increments. The calibration curve was plotted by fitting the Ratio 495/440 vs. pH to a sigmoidal function A unique calibration curve was generated at each time point measured. concern public the need for antimicrobials for human animal Fatty acids are commonly used by the food industry to inhibit bacterial growth 2002). However, their use as disinfectants against pathogens relevant to human and animal health is not well understood. The potential use of SCFAs, such as acid, are an attractive alternative to combat emerging multi-drug resistance threats such as A. baumannii , E. coli and S. pseudintermedius . These findings could inform the application of butanoic acid as a 'green chemistry' disinfectant to decontaminate sanitary equipment and support treatment of cutaneous infections with multi-drug resistant bacteria.


The magnetic well depth if one of the principal actors when the stability of a confined plasma is analysed. It is the main stabilising mechanism in the TJ-II stellarator, as this is an almost shearless device. This and TJ-II's ability for changing the currents of its coils make the Spanish stellarator a perfect candidate for magnetic well studies. This thesis presents an exhaustive study on plasma performance and stability under theoretically unstable magnetic well conditions. NBI-heated reproducible plasmas were successfully produced even for the most stability adverse conditions and a link between the Alf\'en Eigenmodes and magnetic well depth was found. Visible light emission at the plasma edge of the JET tokamak has been studied with an intensified fast visible camera since the installation of its ITER-Like Wall. A method to characterize the evolution of ELMs in the divertor and relate the recorded signal with other diagnostics at JET has been developed. A large Matlab library orientated to treat and share the data produced by the intensified fast visible camera has been made available to the users of this diagnostic.


Contents: A unique study on the secularization and the pursuit of political autonomy in the developing episcopal cities along the Dalmatian coast during the middle ages which examines a neglected topic.


Teak, Tectona grandis (Verbenaceae), plantations are increasingly established in Ghana because of quick economic returns from its multi-purpose uses. Tectona grandis growth is, however, dependent on site conditions, and relationships have been established between various mineral nutrients, other fertility parameters and moisture of soils and teak growth. This study evaluated the influence of site factors, such as parent material, position of slope, gradient, aspect of slope, drainage, groundwater and erosion as well as soil physicochemical properties on teak growth in 10 forest reserves in Ashanti Region, Ghana. From 52 sites with teak age ranging from 3 to 32 years, soil profiles at 100 cm were dug and 20 teak stands that have dominant growth around the soil pit were surveyed. Height and diameters at breast height (DBH) and the site index for each site was determined by calculating the dominant height at the reference age of 18 years. From each site, site factors were surveyed and soil samples were collected at the depths of 0-5, 30-35 and 75-80 cm in the soil profile for physicochemical analysis. The results show that site factors influence and soil pH was not correlated to site index. Volumetric water content and maximum water holding capacity, total carbon, nitrogen, exchangeable Ca and Mg and eCEC showed positive significant correlations with site index. Soil moisture is an important factor for teak growth as soil organic matter contributes to increase the water holding capacity and water content in the soil. Also, nitrogen and exchangeable Ca and Mg are important factors of teak growth in the study sites.


This paper gives a brief introduction of the moral norms of medicine health websites,HONcode,and its certification in international and domestic medicine health websites.To build a standard for healthy and clear online data environment,it was suggested that the ideas of HONcode be applied to the quality control of domestic medicine health websites.


AbstractOne of the main objectives of statistical climatology is to extract relevant information hidden in complex spatial–temporal climatological datasets. To identify spatial patterns, most well-known statistical techniques are based on the concept of intra- and intercluster variances (like the k-means algorithm or EOFs). As analyzing quantitative extremes like heavy rainfall has become more and more prevalent for climatologists and hydrologists during these last decades, finding spatial patterns with methods based on deviations from the mean (i.e., variances) may not be the most appropriate strategy in this context of studying such extremes. For practitioners, simple and fast clustering tools tailored for extremes have been lacking. A possible avenue to bridging this methodological gap resides in taking advantage of multivariate extreme value theory, a well-developed research field in probability, and to adapt it to the context of spatial clustering. In this paper, a novel algorithm based on this plan ...


Auto-generation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a difficult problem in intelligent medical diagnose and health care. This paper proposes a BiLSTM-CNN attention model which directly reads patients' complaints and generates EHRs. The BiLSTM-CNN attention model is a combination of BiLSTM and CNN model with attention. The attention is achieved through the Encode-Decode model. With the coded input text the BiLSTM-CNN model is trained and used to generate EHRs. The model is validated against reference EHRs which shows satisfactory result. The ROUGE is also used as the evaluation metrics to compare with other baseline models. A brief discussion about the limitations, weakness and the future work of the proposed mode are given.


For correspondence: Dr. Ganesh K Kulkarni, Siemens Ltd., Medicare and OHS, Thane Belapur Road, Thane, Maharashtra 400601, India. Email: email@example.com India's economy, telecommunication, dependence on technology and many social facets are constantly changing and hence is the relationship between men and women. Before the feminist movement, most men and women had very different relationships from those of today. Feminism has immensely influenced men and women relationship at workplace. The battle of the genders still rages in the minds of many.


We perform MHD simulations in a spherical geometry of the evolution of the three-dimensional coronal magnetic field as a twisted magnetic flux tube emerges slowly into the low-β corona previously occupied by a potential arcade. We study the evolution of the emerged flux rope in the corona as its twist and magnetic energy increases due to flux emergence. We find two distinct stages of the evolution. The earlier evolution is nearly quasi-static, with the flux rope being able to settle into an neighboring equilibrium when the emergence is stopped. When the twist in the emerged flux rope reaches some critical level, the flux rope is found to undergo kink motion and erupt through the arcade field at a localized region, with most of the arcade field remaining closed. The nonlinear evolution of the kink instability facilitates the loss of confinement of the flux rope by changing its orientation at the apex such that it becomes easier for the flux rope to part and erupt through the arcade. The eruption of the writhing flux rope produces prominence field with Λ-shaped and cross-legged morphologies that have been seen in the cores of some CMEs.


OBJECTIVE:To study the gene expressions of Hela cell line and five esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) cell lines after DNA damage.METHODS:X-ray(10 Gy) and different concentrations of cisplatin were used to damage DNA of cells.RNA was isolated from Hela cell line and five ESCC cell lines.The total protein was isolated from the ESCC cell lines.The expressions of Aurora-A,p21,Gadd 45a,Bax and Pirh-2 transcript in these samples were examined with RT-PCR.Meanwhile,the expressions of p53 transcript and protein in the five ESCC cell lines were examined with Western blotting and RT-PCR.RESULTS:Aurora-A gene was detected in Hela cell line and five ESCC cell lines by RT-PCR.After exposed to X-ray,Aurora-A gene was found to be up-regulated in the Hela cell line and YES 2 cell line,down-regulated in the other cell lines.In Hela cell line,p21 and Gadd45 genes were found to be up-regulated,Pirh-2 was down-regulated after X-ray treated.In the five ESCC cell lines,neither p53 protein nor p53 gene was induced in KYSE 70 after exposed to X-ray or Cisplatin.Only bax and p21 genes were found to be up-regulated slightly after the cisplatin treatment in KYSE 70.CONCLUSION:Ionizing radiation may induce different genes' transcripts in Hela cell line and different ESCC cell lines.


Celery is a commercial plant that should be cultivated. Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic cultivation systems is one of the technologies that can be applied in a narrow area, but research of the planting medium and the concentration of nutrients in hydroponic cultivation system for celery plants are rare. This study aimed to analyze the influence interaction and single factors planting medium and nutrient concentrations on the growth and yield of celery. The design of this study used split plot design. The main plot were the concentration of nutrients (n): 1200 ppm (n 1 ), 1300 ppm (n 2 ), and 1400 ppm (n 3 ). Subplot were the planting mediums (m): rockwool as control (m 0 ), sawdust (m 1 ), husk fuel (m 2 ), and rice straw (m 3 ). There were twelve combinations, with three replicates. The results showed that treatment interaction was not significant effect on growth and yield, but a single treatment of plant media rockwool and nutrient concentration of 1300 ppm able to increase the growth and yield of celery.


Developers often write test cases that assert the behaviour of a web application from an end-user's perspective. However, when such test cases fail, it is di cult to relate the assertion failure to the faulty line of code. The challenges mainly stem from the existing disconnect between front-end test cases that assert the DOM and the application's underlying JavaScript code. We propose an automated technique to help developers localize the fault related to a test failure. Through a combination of selective code instrumentation and dynamic backward slicing, our technique bridges the gap between test cases and program code. Through an interactive visualization, our approach, implemented in a tool called Camellia, allows developers to easily understand the dynamic behaviour of their application and its relation to the test cases. The results of our controlled experiment show that Camellia improves the fault localization accuracy of developers by a factor of two. Moreover, the implemented approach incurs a low performance overhead.


Panels using solar power require high reliability, and the residual stress in the solar panel has an important effect on its reliability and lifetime. The finite element method was adopted to simulate the impacts of the rectangular solar panel encapsulation process parameters, such as the elastic modulus, the thickness of adhesive, and the curing temperature on the residual stress in the solar cell module. The results show that the residual stress in the solar cell module increases linearly with the increase in these three factors. The residual strain is consistent with that of the stress. The generation mechanism and distribution evolution of stress are discussed in detail. Both the thickness and the elastic modulus of the silicone rubber have significant impact on the residual stress. However, the influence of the curing temperature is less observable.


The potential of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for estimating moisture in undried wheat and barley was investigated. Calibrations were developed for use with wholegrain (13–20% moisture) and coarsely-ground grain (13–26% moisture) for both grain types. The performance (accuracy and precision) during the 1983 harvest of the calibrations involving coarsely-ground grain (13–26% moisture) was superior to that of three moisture meters currently in commercial use in Ireland.


This research paper investigates how engineering students overcome difficulties in engineering through development of an engineering identity, belongingness and social capital with a focus on first generation students (FGS). FGS research often draws comparisons to continuing generation students (CGS) and depicts FGS as weaker students and having difficulty reaching graduation. Difficulties include limited study skills, difficulty meeting admission requirements, personal responsibility of tuition, need for employment, and familial relationships. Research demonstrates FGS "struggle", but little literature examines FGS success persisting to degree attainment. Social capital was chosen as it is a prevalent factor of FGS success while identity and belongingness may relate to students' levels of social capital. FGS is defined as an individual whose parents have not attained a four year bachelor's degree. Upper division students were selected as these students have persisted past traditional engineering barriers and may have developed identity and feelings of belongingness. A required communications class for engineers at a western land grant institution was surveyed using 106 Likert-type, matrix, and modified dichotomous items to understand the student's social capital, experience, identity, and belongingness (n=202, 96% response rate). Analysis showed that being a FGS predicted higher belongingness to engineering major and class. It was also found that FGS had similar engineering identity, motivations toward engineering, experiences in engineering, and social capital provided by their social networks when compared to CGS students. FGS had a more positive opinion on experiences tied to the engineering classroom because they thought their professors gave them encouragement to think creatively, did not go through material too fast, and were happy with their class size when compared to CGS students. FGS did not have as many resources provided by their family/guardian but this could contribute to their differing views of their engineering experience.


Tsingtao China Merchants Logistics Co.,Ltd.(hereinafter referred to as Tsingtao China Merchants Logistics) is the "Tsingtao model" carrier.Tsingtao Brewery's logistics assets and China Merchants Logistics advanced logistics management experience in logistics co-operation model,known as "Qingdao Beer model",first its kind in the country."Tsingtao mode" to avoid state-owned enterprises in the logistics outsourcing in the insurmountable obstacles and barriers,logistics assets and personnel in the original case of persistence,and professional logistics enterprises to achieve win-win situation,for domestic enterprises,especially state-owned enterprise's logistics reform a significant demonstration effect,become the industry and the media talked about the case.


In this work, we investigated the dominant dimensions of multidimensional poverty in Senegal between 1994 and 2001. Our main objective was to identify the trends of different aspects of poverty in Senegal between 1994 and 2001 using a multidimensional approach. We have adopted the methodology of Dagum and Costa (2004) based on fuzzy sets, complemented by the decomposition methods introduced by Mussard and Pi Alperin (2005). The study was made by using data from ESAM I (1994) and ESAM II (2001). The findings show a relative deterioration of living conditions of Senegalese households between 1994 and 2001. Thus, the study examines the evolution of variables related to poverty between the two periods and provides information on the state of deprivation of different groups namely regions, place of residence and gender between 1994 and 2001. A contribution of different attributes to the state of deprivation of groups and the overall poverty index for each period was also highlighted.


The increasing permeation of technology in the global world is speedily encouraging online shopping. Meanwhile, advance inter net communication has changed the business performance and producer's interactions with consumers. Online shopping behavior is cr itical in today eenvironment. It is directly linked with consumer behavior and their decision in the purchasing time. The existing study determines the moderating effect of subjective norms and trust between risks (financial, convenience, privacy, product) and online shopping behavior. The results of this study reveal that moderation significant effects regarding the association of trust and subjective norms with online shopping while risks were observed negatively significant on online shopping behavior. Conclusions of the current study disclose that retailers essential to consider online shopping to increase their success through the internet. The structural Equation Modeling _Partial Least Squares (SEM_PLS) used for analysis


In August and September 1987 demonstrations in Riga, Latvia, and in the other Baltic states, Estonia and Lithuania, openly challenged Soviet rule by recalling the 1918 declaration of independence and protesting the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact that brought the Soviets back into the Baltic in 1940. In 1988, there were public commemorations of the forced removals of Latvians from Riga to Siberia in 1941 and 1949. These events marked the emergence of a confident and resurgent Latvian National Independence Movement.2 It was in this post-Soviet climate of historical recuperation that the lost children of Latvia appeared as figures of the nation's origin. Here, we discuss the complex issue of how childhood memory is reconfigured as national memory, and then placed on an international stage to compete with multiple sites and experiences of human trauma for visibility and condolence.


Objective: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss in tuberculosis patients using Ototoxic medicines and association with demographic and clinical variables.
Methods: This cross sectional study recruited a sample of n= 65 diagnosed cases of tuberculosis on ototoxic chemotherapy, of both genders, aged 12 to 70 years, using non-probability convenience sampling. Study was conducted at Audiology Department of Civil Hospital Bahawalpur, over a period of 6 months from 1st May, 2019 to 31st October 2019. Screening was performed using medical history sheet, otoscopy and hearing assessment. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS- Version 21.0.
Results: Results revealed a gender proportion of 43 (66.2%) males and 22(33.8%) females with mean age of 35.87+9.35 years. The prevalence of hearing loss was 23.1% (n=15) with mild hearing loss in 73.33% cases and moderate hearing loss 26.67%. Hearing loss was associated with drug, its duration and associated symptoms of tinnitus and vertigo with p=0.000.
Discussion: It is concluded that hearing loss is quite prevalent (23.1%) with multidrug resistant tuberculosis treatment in this region and is significantly associated with the drug used, its duration and associated symptoms.


Owing to significant environmental and economical concerns of fossil fuels, the search for alternative renewable fuels has received a explicit research interest in recent times. In this work, we prepared efficient solid acid catalysts, namely, SnO2, WO3/SnO2, MoO3/SnO2, and SO42–/SnO2 for the production of bioadditive fuels from bioglycerol under ecofriendly conditions. The synthesized samples were meticulously analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, Barrett–Joyner–Halenda pore size distribution, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, FT-IR analysis of adsorbed pyridine, NH3-temperature programmed desorption, and other techniques. The catalytic efficiency of these solid acids was investigated for esterification and acetalization of glycerol with acetic acid and benzaldehyde, respectively. Characterization studies revealed that the textural properties (crystallite size and BET surface area) of pristine SnO2 were outstand...


PHB degradation capabilities of seven species of Aspergillus namely Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus parasiticus on the polymer produced by Rhodospseudomonas palustris KU003 were assayed . Among all the fungi investigated, the ability of A.niger to utilize the biopolymer was the highest and produced a biomass of 0.22 g/L. This was followed by A.nidulans, A.flavus and A.terreus. The other three fungi A.ochraceus, A.fumigatus and A.parasiticus could not utilize the polymer as carbon source. Significance of the above in the light of existing literature is discussed in this communication.


Gradients Regulation of Organ Growth by Morphogen Gerald Schwank and Konrad Basler Homeostasis Gradients in Planarian Regeneration and Teresa Adell, Francesc Cebrià and Emili Saló Development Signaling Gradients during Paraxial Mesoderm Alexander Aulehla and Olivier Pourquié Shaping Morphogen Gradients by Proteoglycans Dong Yan and Xinhua Lin Morphogen Gradient Formation González-Gaitán Ortrud Wartlick, Anna Kicheva and Marcos and Sorting Out Morphogen Gradients: Scattered Differentiation Forming Patterns in Development without


Different multi-component (Li, Na, Ca, Ba, LiNa, BaCa) borate glasses doped with 1 mol% of Nd3+ ions were prepared by the melt-quenching method. The structural information was carried out by PXRD, FTIR and 11B MAS-NMR characterizations. Based on Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), thermal stability has been taken care for the glass samples which are mentioned at present work. From PXRD, it is clearly observed that the prepared glass samples are amorphous in nature. The FTIR spectra were examined to determine if the borate glasses contained BO3 or BO4 functional groups.11B MAS NMR gives structural presentation of BO3 and BO4 groups and boron-oxygen coordination number. The evaluation of Judd-Ofelt parameters, Ω λ (λ = 2, 4, 6), and spectroscopic quality factors (χ) were conducted based on the optical absorption spectra and spectral intensities. The present study involves an analysis of the transition probabilities (A) and branching ratios (β) of specific transitions of Nd3+ ion doped in various glasses, utilizing the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters. The emission spectra of the glass samples were recorded with 808 nm excitation, it shows three peaks at 881, 1050 and 1332 nm. Theoretical analysis was conducted on the luminescence properties of borate glasses, and various radiative properties were also investigated. From the luminescent properties of Nd3+ doped different lithium tetraborate glasses, it is concluded that LiBiNaTNd and LiBiBaCaTNd glasses are promising gain materials for 1.05 μm fiber laser applications.


We estimate the stable rank of the soft tori of Exel and their isometric versions. Especially, it is found that there exists a connection between stable rank and no continuity of C ∗ -algebra fields.


Non-oriented and grain-oriented 6.5% Si-Fe laminations have been prepared by means of the dynamic Chemical Vapour Deposition technique, exploiting a chemical reaction at 1000°C between a flowing SiCl 4 + Ar mixture and an iron-silicon based substrate. The siliconizing process leads, from the first moments, to an epitaxial growth of Fe 3 Si, then to an underlayer solid solution by intermetallic diffusion. The optimum treatment has been chosen as 60 minutes at 1000°C, followed by 13 hour annealing in vacuum at the same temperature, which permits one to achieve the desired uniform concentration of Si around 6.5 wt %. NO and GO treated samples have been magnetically characterized in the frequency range 0.5 Hz - 1 kHz. A decrease between 15% and 50% of the energy loss has been observed in the CVD laminations.


IP financing, or the use of IP assets (trademarks, design rights, patents and copyright) to gain access to credit, is gaining increasing attention in IP circles. Multinational corporations as well as small and medium sized enterprise, are leveraging their IP assets in exchange for finance, and lending institutions around the world are increasingly extending their business to provide loans on the basis of IP. Intellectual property financing plays a significant role to solve the financing problem for a number of the small and medium sized enterprises. As one of the highly developed countries in the market economy, the financing of intellectual property in the United States tends to be mature. Based on the study of the financing of intellectual property in the United States, we can get a lot of inspirations and enlightenments from the social judicial experience of United States. This paper draws on the advanced experience of developed countries, and elaborates its enlightenment to China's intellectual property financing.


The concept of launching small satellites to low earth orbits by means of standard gun is called to be fully implemented, for the first time since it was formulated. For this purpose, it is proposed to use the original Gun Launch System (GLS) being developed by several Ukrainian high-tech companies. This system is able to deliver the payloads weighing up to 5-7 kg to the altitudes of up to 100 kilometres. It is shown that the system, after proper modernisation, will be ideally suited for launching nanoand picosatellites, and have multiple advantages as compared to the conventional launch systems, as well as alternative NanoSat launchers being developed elsewhere. The program of the existing GLS improvement, testing and adaptation to launching satellites in question has been elaborated. 1. BRIEF PRE-HISTORY The idea of launching small satellites to low earth orbits by means of standard gun was born back in the middle of the XX century. It was the HARP orbital program jointly financed by the Canadian and US governments in 1964-1967, that could be considered as a forerunner of the proposed approach. The ultimate goal of the HARP program was Martlet 4 – a full-bore, multi-stage, gun-launchable rocket. The original Martlet 4 parameters called for a vehicle with three solid stages able to launch a payload between 25 and 50 pounds into low earth orbit from the 16 inch L86 gun on the Barbados flight range with an all up shot weight on the order of 2000 pounds. Development trials for the Martlet 4 began in the fall of 1966 with tests proceeding into early 1967. The majority of the early work was conducted on the Highwater, Quebec test range where the structural integrity of the Martlet 4 first stage motor during gun-launching was proven. Due to a series of obstacles, different in nature, the HARP was cancelled in the middle of 1967. It was not able to successfully gun-launch a satellite, although it proved the feasibility of a low-cost, gun-launched satellite system [1]. 2. THE PROPOSED SYSTEM Today there are good chances to prove viability and multiple advantages of the GLS as compared to the conventional launch systems, proceeding from the latest achievements in the field of micro-miniaturisation, nanotechnology, instrumentation and control of the satellites, as well as from advanced launcher technologies. As a first step on this way, it is proposed to make demonstrations to the expert community of how the original GLS being developed by several Ukrainian high-tech companies works. The core of the system is a reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle (RSLV) equipped with the solid/combustion ram-jet engine, control and recovery systems (see figure below). Its length is 120 to 150 centimetres, diameter – 150 or 203 millimetres (NATO Standard gun calibre adaptation is foreseen), weight – 30 kilograms. The rocket projectile initial speed is 965 meters per second.


The present paper is based entirely upon a small collection of Tingidae netted by Mr. and Mrs. B. R. Stuckenberg in South Africa. This collection of eight species includes two forms described below as new species. The types are deposited in the Natal Museum. The illustrations were made by Mrs. Patricia J. Hogue, of Arlington, Virginia.


Light and scanning electron microscope study of the pollen grains of 47 species representing 16 genera ofScrophulariaceae in Egypt was carried out. Pollen grains vary from subspheroidal to prolate; trizonocolpate totrizonocolporate. Exine's sculpture is striate, colliculate, granulate, coarse reticulate or microreticulate. Seven pollentypes are recognized and briefly described, a key distinguishing the different pollen types and the discussion of itssystematic value are provided.


Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) is one of the emerging tool of power system being used for the monitoring, protecting and control of the power networks. It provides the real time, synchronized measurement of voltages of the system buses and current phasor values of lines that are connected to those buses where PMUs are present. High installation cost of PMU requires their optimal placement. In this paper various techniques are classified, discussed and compared for the optimal placement of PMUs, making power network fully observable, also measurement redundancy is considered.


The ecological corridor plays an active role in the city.While as the non-development land,there are no guidelines and regulations on the plan of the corridor plan.With the rapid expansion of cities,the strong demand for land increases the pressure on the environmental load of the ecological corridor,and the contradiction between absolute protection and the utilization in reality is growing.It is an important issue for current planning and management that how to make appropriate use of urban ecological corridor in a scientific and reasonable way.


Using 88.9 million BB events collected by the BaBar detector at the Y(4S), we measure the branching fraction for the radiative penguin process B -> X_s gamma from the sum of 38 exclusive final states. The inclusive branching fraction above a minimum photon energy E_gamma > 1.9 GeV is BF (b -> s gamma) = (3.27 +/- 0.18 (stat.) +0.55/-0.40 (syst.) +0.04/-0.09 (theory)) 10^-4. We also measure the isospin asymmetry between B^- -> X_s ubar gamma and B^0bar -> X_s dbar gamma to be Delta_0- = -0.006 +/- 0.058 (stat.) +/- 0.009 (syst.) +/- 0.024 (B^0bar / B^-). The photon energy spectrum is measured in the B rest frame, from which moments are derived for different values of the minimum photon energy. We present fits to the photon spectrum and moments which give the heavy-quark parameters m_b and mu_pi^2. The fitted parameters are consistent with those obtained from semileptonic B -> X_c l nu decays, and are useful inputs for the extraction of Vub from measurements of semileptonic B -> X_u l nu decays.


Data on prison overcrowding and disciplinary rates are examined. Trends for the total system, as well as individual institutions within the Texas Department of Corrections are presented. This is followed by analysis of data from individual inmates. Both assault and total disciplinary rates are found to be a function of the age of the inmate population rather than overcrowding. This is consistent with findings from the Federal Bureau of Prisons as well as data from English prisons (Nacci, Teitelbaum & Prather, 1977; Farrington & Nuttall, 1980). Although prison overcrowding may be an important factor in the overall quality of prison life, it is inappropriate to conclude that it has much influence on either the total disciplinary or the assault rates in prisons.


By use of the electrostatic vibroscope method, dynamic measurements have been made of the Young's modulus derived from bending and the torsional modulus of nylon 66 and Dacron filaments ranging in draw ratio from one (undrawn) to six. Quasistatic measurements have also been made to obtain the Young's modulus derived from extension. The dynamic values of the Young's modulus increase from draw ratio one to draw ratio six by a factor of 3.5 for nylon 66 and 5.8 for Dacron. The torsional moduli of both filament types exhibit no appreciable changes with increasing draw ratio.The ratio of the Young's modulus to three times the torsional modulus, which ratio is unity for a homogeneous isotropic material with a Poisson's ratio of ½, is about three for nylon 66 and greater than five for Dacron at a draw ratio of six. These results, along with those obtained at lower draw ratios, indicate that both filaments become progressively anisotropic with drawing, the extent of the anisotropy reflecting mainly the changes in...


Problem description: Warehouses and warehousing operations are often considered as some of the most crucial elements in a company's supply chain, and often stand for more than 20 percent of a company's total logistics costs. The actual size of these costs are, together with most of the costs related to warehouse operations, mainly consequences of the decisions made when designing the warehouse. The design of warehouses should therefore be considered as a critical component for any company striving towards increased competitiveness and a more efficient supply chain. When designing a warehouse several aspects have to be considered, including location and size of aisles, P/D location, picking zones, storage assignment and many more. These aspects are often interdependent, thereby making it almost impossible to find an optimal solution to the layout design problem. A structured approach towards decision making is therefore needed.

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to develop a decision support framework by combining warehousing theory with the methodology of design science. By using design science, the focus of the research shifts from theoretical knowledge creation towards a more problem solving oriented approach, enabling the user to consider several interdependent aspects by the use of iterative processes.

Research questions: How can a decision support framework for the detailed design of a warehouse be conceived by utilizing established warehouse theory in combination with design science? And, can the proposed framework enhance the ability to pursue the warehousing strategy at the case company by improving the physical layout and related processes?

Methodology: By studying research within the fields of both warehousing and design science, frameworks related to both of the topics were established. The design science research framework combines the viewpoints of current research and puts it in a warehouse design context. This framework was then combined with modules, consisting of key topics from the warehousing literature study, in order to create the decision support framework. The framework was then applied to the situation at BorgWarner Sweden AB using a single case study research strategy.

Conclusion: The module based approach used in the decision support framework provides several benefits when merging the concepts of warehousing and design science. The iterative design science methodology needs clearly structured definitions and limitations, which is given by the different modules of the framework. It can also be concluded that, as seen by the case study, the use of the decision support framework resulted in an improved detailed layout that are in line with the strategy of the case company.


The impact of gun frame on casing is one of the main causes of rifle recoil, in order to reduce the recoil effect of a certain type of rifle, the virtual prototype of the rifle is established and validated by Adams Dynamic simulation software, and a simulation optimization method is proposed, which takes the velocity of the casing after the impact of the gun machine and the casing as the objective function. Based on the Multi Island Genetic algorithm, the optimization results of the stiffness, the stiffness of the hammer spring, the stiffness of the buffer spring, the gun machine (including the gun frame and the gun machine) and the quality of the hammer are optimized, and the optimization effect is obvious, which provides a reference for the related research of reducing recoil.


Taking Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro' as test material,by paraffin-cut section method were observed;the process of morphological differentiatio were combined with,content changes of endogenous hormones by using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA) method in the buds of it were studied.The results showed that the morphologyical differentiation of the three pre-stages were unddierentication,inflorencence initiation,owterperianth initiation,ZRs content from low to high,IAA and ABA content declined,and there was no change in GA content.


An initiative based at the University of Minnesota, the Learning Abroad Center, Career Integration builds on integrating experience abroad into student career and life planning. The initiative culminated in a conference from July 21–22, 2014, hosted by the Learning Abroad Center and GPS Alliance. As a follow up to this conference, this publication highlights information and sessions from the conference as well as invited essays that further illuminate the impact of experiences abroad on careers. The papers in this publication serve to foster and continue a dialogue about the career connection to learning abroad before, during, and after the experience.


Development of the embryo, fetus and placenta, D.K.Kalousek et al concepts of intrauterine development and embryo-fetal pathology, D.K.Kalousek et al pathology of spontaneous abortion, D.K.Kalousek and A.E.Lau chromosomal abnormalities in stillborn and newborn infants, J.G.Hall infections and the conceptus, J.D.Anderson et al inherited metabolic disease, L.Clarke et al congenital tumours, J.F.Magee et al placenta, V.J.Baldwin pathology of multiple pregnancy, V.J.Baldwin central nervous system, M.G.Norman muscle, R.W.Tyson and M.G.Norman eye, V.A.White and J.Rootman ear, D.J.deSa respiratory system, W.M.Thurbeck cardiovascular system, F.P.Taylor gastrointestinal system and exocrine pancreas, J.E.Dimmick and D.F.Hardwick hepatobiliary system, J.E.Dimmick kidney and urinary tract, G.P.Taylor genital systems, D.E.McFadden and J.T.Pantzar skin and soft tissues, W.S.Wood skeletal system, B.Wood and J.E.Dimmick endocrine system, G.Lockitch et al hemostatic, hematopoietic and immune systems, L.D.Wadsworth et al embryofetal-perinatal autopsy and placental examination, D.K.Kalousek et al.


Coupling dynamics can produce either adverse or beneficial stability and controllability, depending on the characteristics of the aircraft. This report presents archival anecdotes and analyses of coupling problems experienced by the X-series, Century series, and Space Shuttle aircraft. The three catastrophic sequential coupling modes of the X-2 airplane and the two simultaneous unstable modes of the X-15 and Space Shuttle aircraft are discussed. In addition, the most complex of the coupling interactions, inertia roll coupling, is discussed for the X-2, X-3, F-100A, and YF-102 aircraft. The mechanics of gyroscopics, centrifugal effect, and resonance in coupling dynamics are described. The coupling modes discussed are interacting multiple degrees of freedom of inertial and aerodynamic forces and moments. The aircraft are assumed to be rigid bodies. Structural couplings are not addressed. Various solutions for coupling instabilities are discussed.


A multi-robot system is formed when a group of robots interact with the environment as a single system. This system can also be in formation in order to accomplish tasks rather difficult or impossible to achieve with a single robot. This work presents results for a doctoral thesis research aiming the formation control of a mobile robot group in the active target tracking problem. All robots exchange information about their position (localization) in the world frame, and the target position and velocity forming a distributed system. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to search and track a target minimizing the total amount of uncertainty in the target's observation, avoiding mates and obstacles, and obeying the characteristics imposed to the formation. A nonlinear model predictive controller was proposed in order to deal with the active target tracking problem through the formation of a multi-robot system. The formation controller created as the major contribution of this thesis is a nonlinear model predictive formation controller (NMPFC). This work also presents some contributions in the formation control concerning the obstacle avoidance, the temporary absence of the target and the formation control of a heterogeneous group (holonomic and nonholonomic robots). These contributions improved the formation making it versatile with dynamic uncertainties as well as the search and track of an initially absent target. Simulations and experiments with real robots were made, presented and discussed. Finally, this work is inserted in the FCT project PTDC/EEA-CRO/100692/2008 Perception-Driven Coordinated Multi-Robot Motion Control.


intervention. Conclusion: Our analysis reveals that all of the previously published artificial intelligence related clinical trials in the field of gastroenterology have high adherence to the SPIRIT-AI extension guidelines. This shows that previous trials adhered to high-quality methodological standards and that the SPIRIT-AI extension guidelines are practical and relevant to current clinical trial methodology. S592


Apremilast is an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, now approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the management of psoriatic arthropathy (PsA). As biologic therapy is associated with significant amounts of adverse effects, newer treatment options with an efficacious outcome, sans the toxicity, is something all clinicians would implement readily in their therapeutic regimens. Apremilast is one such drug which has shown promise in the management of psoriasis, PsA, and a few other dermatologic disorders. This review will throw light on the dermatologic perspective regarding apremilast.


Field campaigns were carried out in June 2007 in Rongbuk valley on north side of Mount Qomolangma over Tibetan Plateau.The turbulent data have been measured at 2 m and 8 m above ground,together with temperature,humidity measurements.The variations of turbulent statistics parameters,differences of wind speed and temperature between 2 m and 8 m have been investigated.Both spectrum and co-spectrum appear to follow Monin-Obukov similarity and Kolmogorov′s prediction for the inertial subrange.The standard deviations of temperature and humility fluctuation support Monin-Obukov similarity theory.In neutral condition,relations between non-dimensional wind speed components and z/L follow \!1/3 power law\",and σu/u*=3.102,σv/u*=2.931,σw/u*=1.052.The coefficients are different from those in other places in Tibetan Plateau due to its special terrains.Unusual phenomena,such as that the latent heat flux measured at 2 m was always lower that that measured at 8 m in the valley,have been found in all day during the observation period.


The retainer (200) is operable to secure at least one blade (117) within a housing of a shaving blade cartridge (100). The retainer is extending along a pair of side edges (105) of the housing, between a front edge (101) of the housing and a rear edge (103) of the housing. The retainer comprises an upper end portion (201) and either a lower end portion (203) extending substantially parallel to theupper end portion and connected to the upper end portion via an intermediate portion (205), or one or a plurality of leg(s) (502) extending from an edge of the upper end portion.


A thermal power station is a very complicated system with a lot of equipment.Using the computer component programming technology,equipment components with common characteristics can be developed,which can not only realize the complicated system,but are convenient for system extension.In this paper,common component models for the equipment in the thermodynamic system were developed using component programming method.The diagram of the actual thermodynamic system can be constructed using those component models according to the detailed structure of the thermodynamic system of the power unit.The equipment parameters can be read and assigned through their internal definition attribute,and the components can mutually communicate as members internally defined.Using the module method can greatly speed up the development of the software for thermal efficiency analysis and reduce the costs for software development.In addition,the software development shows a high extendibility and flexibility,and the code duplicate rate is high.


Due to the increasing importance of power analysis in behavioral sciences and to the fact that the available literature on the subject has been scarce and ambiguous for decades, the objective of this study is to provide the basic conceptual framework of statistical analysis of power. For this purpose, an historical review is made of the subject, and the most relevant aspects of the elements which directly influence power are discus-


This paper is intended not alone as a criticism and arraign ment of the fearful conditions that have for some time past, and until very recently, existed in our local milk supply, but addition ally, to point out how contamination occurs, and argue for more -restrictions that will insure a cleaner, safer, purer milk supply, de monstrating how this is accomplished in other cities in the produc tion and handling. I have conceived this duty to fall peculiarly to the lot of a teacher of diseases of children, since, in our medical colleges to-day, one of the most important features of this branch is a thorough


Abstract The Alpine Fault in central Westland is an oblique slip fault with a predominantly strike‐slip component of 25–35 mm/yr. The smaller vertical component has been variously estimated at between 5.5 and 14 mm/yr. Ground penetrating radar and level profiles of the Alpine Fault beside the Toaroha River in Westland indicate that there has been vertical movement of 21.75 ± 0.5 m of a fluvial surface dated at between 2420 and 3150 yr. This yields an average vertical movement of 7.8 ± 1 mm/yr, and is consistent with an estimate derived from regional studies at Paringa, which excludes the local effects of tilting. It is a little higher than uplift rates of 5.5 mm/yr previously estimated by Bull and Cooper, based on the current elevation of inferred uplifted Pleistocene marine terraces from the same general area, but is of the same order as their estimate.


This study observes the native character factors of company institutions hereinafter referred to as DUDI (Business and Industry Field, eg. Company) and SMK (Vocational High School) using multivariate statistical factor analysis in the field of expertise in fabrication and assembly of extruded material products for the electricity-lighting industry. The research results reveal the formation of a construction component of intersection that becomes a feasibility space as a meeting point for critical and crucial discriminants which is the basis for the Teaching Factory (TEFA) collaboration. The factor variable involved in the intersection component is the Few Variant of Spare Part (VSS) in DUDI which correlates with the variable of the Human Resources (HR) factor in SMK. Meanwhile, the DUDI native character dichotomous construction component includes the Operational Work Environment (LKO) and General Frenchise Flexibility (FFU) factors. The dichotomous construction component of SMK native character is the Easy Acceptable Product (PMD) factor variable. The dichotomous construction contains a native factor variable which is an internal privacy that works to strengthen each institution and indirectly contributes to the feasibility of the intersection through its correlation to the factor variables that are members of the intersection construction. Ten other factor variables in this study are not explained, but can be considered as candidates who are still included in assessing the teaching factory cooperation. Keywords—dichotomy construction, factor analysis, intersection construction, native characteristics, Teaching Factory


A theoretical formulation for spin transport through an antiferromagnetic (AF) insulator is presented in the case driven/detected by direct/inverse spin Hall effect in two heavy metal contacts. The spin signal is shown to be transferred by the ferromagnetic correlation function of the antiferromagnet, which is calculated based on a magnon representation. To cover high temperature regimes, we include an auxiliary field representing short AF correlations and a temperature-dependent damping due to magnon scattering. The diffusion length for spin is long close to the degeneracy of the two AF magnons, and has a maximum as function of temperature near the N\'eel transition.


Aflatoxins (AFs) are fungal metabolites that ubiquitously contaminate many common food crops and contribute to major foodborne diseases in humans and animals. The ability to remove AFs from common food and feed commodities will improve health standards and limit the economic impact inflicted by AF food contamination. Known chemical strategies have used strong acids and bases to remove contaminating AF, but these methods often lead to ecological waste issues downstream. In this study, we explore the application of weaker acidic and alkaline conditions to removes two types of AFs, AFB1 and AFG2. We find that a pH 9 buffered environment reduces AFB1 and AFG2 by more than 50% and 95%, respectively, within 24 hours. We show that AF degradation is through lactone ring opening, which is a known cause of AF toxicity, and provide a potential structure of the AFG2 degradation byproduct. Further, we confirm that incubation in the pH 9 environment reduces the genotoxicity of AFB1. Our findings indicate that a weakly alkaline environment may adequately detoxify AF-contaminated food or feed without the need to apply stronger or harsher basic conditions.


The usage of high-performance computing technologies in the areas of scientific and engineering researches is considered in the article. The using of high-performance computing based on OpenMP library for solving tasks in the field of Telecommunication, e.g. computation of the queues QoS parameters, is also analyzed.


With the advancement of theoretical and practical research for high pressure gas fracturing technology, carbon dioxide (CO2) fracturing technology will have broad application prospects in the national economic construction, the study on attenuation law of peak particle velocity (PPV) with distance and time-frequency characteristics for blasting vibration signal of CO2 fracturing technology will be of great significance. On behalf of speeding up the excavation progress and studying the vibration effect of carbon dioxide blasting, liquid carbon dioxide phase change fracturing is used as the blasting source to bench excavation of mountain. The regressive analysis about propagation characteristics of blasting vibration signal along the horizontal radial, horizontal tangential and vertical direction was expressed by power function formula. The peak particle velocity of residential building is in the safety range during the CO2 blasting, which show the excellent control effect on CO2 blasting damage for near building. In terms of altogether 9 blasting vibration data along the horizontal radial, horizontal tangential and vertical direction recorded from 3 vibration monitoring points at a distance of 5 m, 15 m and 30 m away from the borehole, the dominating frequency of particle vibration produced by carbon dioxide blasting varies form 4.4 Hz to 63.7 Hz; In the process of analyzing CO2 blasting vibration signal, FSWT has good time and frequency resolution, it shows that the vibration intensity of CO2 blasting vibration sub-band signal decreases with the increase of frequency, the main energy concentrates in the range of 0-100 Hz, the CO2 Manuscript received January 7, 2019; revised July 22, 2020. The study was supported by the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51439008), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41572307 and 51779248), National Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar of China (Grant No. 41525009) and The Program of Hunan Province Education Department (Grant Nos. 19C0870 and 18B360 ). Yongqing Zeng is a lecturer in Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, 414000, China (corresponding author to provide phone: 86-15072452312; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com). Haibo Li is a professor in State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China (e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com). Xiang Xia is a professor in State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China (e-mail: email@example.com). Shouchun Deng is a professor in State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China (e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com). Hong Zuo is a PhD graduate in State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China (e-mail: email@example.com). Haozhen Yue is a PhD graduate in State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China (e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com). Hua Luo is a lecturer in Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang, 414000, China (e-mail: email@example.com). blasting vibration signal in the frequency range of 0-20 Hz is more obvious and reach 92.9% of the total energy, meanwhile, the CO2 blasting vibration energy within 20-100 Hz is relatively small with 6.4% energy percentage. The analysis results can provide reference for similar design and construction of carbon dioxide blasting.


Fluid management intra- and post-operatively for kidney transplant recipients (KTR) is essential to maintain adequate perfusion to the kidney. 0.9% normal saline (NS) is commonly used, but it can cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, which may result in hyperkalemia and lead to delayed graft function (DGF). Plasma-Lyte A (PA) is an alternative option that has a lower amount of chloride and a neutral pH, which may offset the risk of hyperkalemia. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of DGF in KTRs comparing NS vs PA use intra- and initially post-operatively. This single-center, retrospective cohort study in adult KTRs from January 1, 2016 to February 1, 2021 consisted of two cohorts, those receiving NS vs PA. Multi-organ transplant recipients were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of DGF. A total of 244 KTRs in the NS group and 263 KTRs in the PA group were included. There was no significant difference in incidence of DGF between the groups, (NS 23.4% vs PA 25.9%, p = 0.537). The logistic regression for only deceased donors were not significantly different (OR 1.369 (0.819-2.288). There was no difference in the incidence of DGF when comparing NS vs PA.


Certain features of the slow leg tremor observed in chronic alcoholic ataxia were established by electromyographic recordings. In standing (Romberg's test) the recordings from the flexor and extensor muscles of the feet showed a 3 Hz regular, alternating tremor of high intensity. The tremor activity was synchronous in the right and left legs. A similar slow tremor could also, in certain attitudes, be recorded from other muscle groups in the legs and, rarely, in the upper limbs.


2070 Background: The Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA) is a commonly used index based on 5 prior randomized trials performed by the RTOG (Protocols 7916, 8528, 8905, 9104, and 9508). The purpose of this study was to validate GPA index in a recent cohort of lung cancer patients with brain metastases (LBM) at a larger tertiary care center. Methods: Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center's database was used to identify LBM treated in the recent era (2000-12). A proportional hazards model was used to assess overall survival (OS), measured from the date of diagnosis of brain metastases to death or last follow-up. Results: 490 LBM (250 males) median age 61 years (range 35-86) were included. Histology included small cell (64, 13%) adenocarcinoma (289, 59%), squamous (53, 11%), large cell (26, 5%) and unknown (55, 11%). The median number of brain metastases was 1 (range, 1-47). Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) was 90-100 in 187 (41%), 70-80 in 238 (52%) and <70 in 33 (7%). Extracranial Metastase...


In this paper, we propose a novel method named Contracting Community Approach (CCA) to get the maximum flow of flow network. Firstly, we contract communities in the original network. Then, we apply classic algorithms on the contracted network to approximately solve the maximum flow problem. Experimental results show that the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. For sparse networks, the size of network is reduced to 58.38% averagely and the correctness of maximum flow is over 95%. For middle dense networks, the size of network is reduced to 65.77% averagely. For dense networks, the size of network is reduced to 64.84% averagely. And the correctness of maximum flow even reach 100% both in many middle dense and dense cases in our experiments.


Surface motion is, apart from the obvious topography, the most easily accessible and best quantifiable characteristic of a typical alpine-style orogen. While it is understood that several different processes, such as i.e. isostatic unloading and thermodynamic effects contribute to the overall motion, it is mostly unclear how large the individual contributions are, and how much of the observed motion is a consequence of ongoing tectonic shortening. A number of methods, such as enhanced GPS measurements, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) and fission track (FT) dating, as well as precise leveling can now provide us with a good description of the vertical motion at present as well as in the fairly recent history of the orogen. This in turn, provides us with reliable, and often much needed, criteria for calibrating conceptual and numerical models of orogenesis and the involved processes.


BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to analyse changes in the size of the corpus callosum (CC) depending on age and sex and to establish the reference values of the morphometric indices of the CC in the Polish population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The results of MR studies of 1108 patients performed in the years 2010-2014 were analysed. Two independent radiologists evaluated cerebral images to exclude deviations from normal state. In patients divided according to sex and to 10 age groups, measurements of CC and brain dimensions were made and morphometric indices were calculated.

RESULTS
The results of measurements related to the following parameters: lengths of longitudinal cross-section of CC (CD), CC thickness in the narrowest place - isthmus (EF), the largest linear dimension of the brain from the frontal pole to the occipital pole (AB), the longitudinal cross-section area of the CC (A1) and cerebral cross-section area (A2) as well as CD/AB and A1/A2 ratios are summarized in 7 figures and 3 tables.

CONCLUSIONS
It was demonstrated, that in all age groups there are statistically significant differences in the values of the analysed parameters and ratios of CC size. It was indicated, that there are no statistically significant differences between men and women in the CD, EF, and A1 parameters related to CC size, and the profiles of variations of these parameters are very similar. It was proved that there are statistical differences between women and men in parameters/indicators concerning of the brain size.


The LLB 1525 double bias tire press was transformed into the all steel radial tire press by modifying its mechanical parts,water and steam pipelines,electrical and heating control systems.The transformed tire press could meet all requirements in all steel radial tire vulcanization and save lots of money.


2‐D field behavior within a metal strip is used to correct the dyadic Green's function for a microstrip structure containing complex‐layered media so that the attenuation constant can be determined. In the x‐direction, the field is built to display exponential dependence. The strip width is explicitly taken into account, along with the metal thickness and conductivity. New Green's function expressions of the structure are found consistent with a full‐wave electromagnetic code employing zero thickness extent conductors for the guiding metal. Implications for numerical implementation are covered. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 54–60, 2001.


Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Lafia, Nigeria. Animal Genetics and Genomics Laboratory, Office of International Programs, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. USA. Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Mexico. Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Department of Animal Science, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA 30149. USA Department of Animal Science, University of Swaziland, Swaziland. Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332. USA African Institute for Bioscience Research and Training, Ibadan, Nigeria. Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. USA


After percutaneous transhepatic puncture of the bile duct under ultrasound guidance, a guide wire was positioned in the common bile duct, but despite several attempts it was not possible to traverse the stricture with it. The duodenoscope was then placed in the duodenum facing the papilla. Under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance, the multipurpose catheter was abutted against the wall of the common bile duct near the lower end, close to the papilla. The impression made by the multipurpose catheter was visible endoscopically in the duodenum as an indentation, distal to but close to the papilla. After this, a zebra guide wire was passed through the multipurpose catheter, and with the multipurpose catheter still abutting the bile duct wall, the guide wire was forced to pierce the common bile duct and the duodenal wall. It was then grasped with a polypectomy snare and taken out through the biopsy channel of the duodenoscope. A sphincterotome was then passed over the guide wire into the bile duct. It was then removed, and a 6-cm covered biliary SEMS (Boston Scientific, Watertown, Massachusetts, USA) was placed in the bile duct (Figure 1). Free flow of bile was seen. The percutaneous intrahepatic tract was dilated to 12 Fr, and a 12-Fr suprapubic drainage catheter was positioned above the proximal end of the SEMS (Figure 2). The percutaneous transhepatic biliary catheter was later removed and the patient was discharged from hospital.


In this paper we present a general framework for the modelling of the process of corrective and condition-based preventive maintenance actions for complex repairable systems. A new class of models is proposed, the generalized virtual age models. On the one hand, these models generalize Kijima's virtual age models to the case where both preventive and corrective maintenances are present. On the other hand, they generalize the usual competing risks models to imperfect maintenance actions which do not renew the system. A generalized virtual age model is defined by both a sequence of effective ages which characterizes the effects of both types of maintenance according to a classical virtual age model, and a usual competing risks model which characterizes the dependency between the two types of maintenance. Several particular cases of the general model are derived.


In 2005, the New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) and the New York University College of Nursing (NYUCN) formed an organizational partnership, whereby the NYUCN became positioned within the NYUCD. While this novel partnership has involved challenges involved with restructuring and moving away from historic models of education, research and health care delivery, it has provided significant opportunities for faculty to work together on the development of innovative interprofessional education, practice, and research programs (Anonson et al., 2008). NYUCD has conducted an international outreach program for over 15 years, currently bringing students and faculty to developing countries to provide dental care to underserved populations. This program was viewed as an ideal context in which to develop an interprofessional learning initiative driven by community needs. This report describes the community needs assessment conducted in April 2008 in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. The purpose of this assessment was to obtain information about the community's priority health issues, service needs and health care infrastructure to inform the development of an interprofessional learning and practice model.


Background
In order to understand present and future civic engagement, it is important to understand the engagement of youth, including engagement in immigrant youth (e. g., Flanagan & Faison, 2001; Flanagan & Sherrod, 1998; Flanagan & Tucker, 1999; Jennings, 2002; Youniss, McLellan, & Yates, 1997; Youniss & Yates, 1997). About 20% of children and adolescents in the United States are first or second generation immigrants, and this number is predicted to continue to rise (Portes & Rumbaut, 1996; Portes & Rumbaut, 2001; Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, 2001). Recently, Stepick and Stepick (2002) surveyed the literature on the civic engagement of American immigrant youth. They repeatedly noted that very little research is available, and concluded that "to this point, few researchers have focused on immigrant youth and even fewer have examined issues of civic engagement for immigrant youth" (p. 247). Given the fact that immigrant youth constitute a significant section of the population of American youth and given the importance of encouraging civic engagement among immigrant youth, there is an urgent need for research on this topic.

There are many questions to be asked about immigrant youth's civic engagement, including: To what extent are they engaged? In what kinds of civic activities are they engaged? And, perhaps most importantly, what are their reasons for being engaged or for not being engaged? We cannot assume that the answers to these questions are the same for immigrant youth as for non-immigrant youth (for non-immigrants, see Andersen, 1998).
As noted, we know next to nothing about the reasons that immigrant youth have for being (or not being) civically engaged. Stepick and Stepick (2002) suggested that the reasons why immigrant youth engage in civic activity may include their sense of connection with religious institutions and their commitment to their cultural groups. For example, they argued that discrimination against immigrant groups may motivate political activity. Stepick and Stepick (2002) also raised the question as to whether immigrant youth's reasons for civic engagement are the same as those of their parents, and hence whether immigrant parents in part socialize civic engagement in their children.

In examining the reasons that immigrant youth have for being or not being civically engaged, an important distinction among types of civic engagement that has been noted for American youth more generally may be helpful to keep in mind for immigrant youth as well. With respect to engagement in political activities, researchers have noted youth disengagement (Galston, 2001). In contrast, research shows high rates of youth engagement in community activities and volunteering (Flanagan & Faison, 2001; Youniss & Yates, 1997). One question with respect to immigrant youth is whether they also differ on their conceptions of these two types of activities. Specifically, do their reasons for civic engagement (or lack thereof) in these two forms of activities differ from one another?

Aims
We are currently analyzing a set of qualitative interview data collected with 80 immigrant adolescents and parents residing in the Washington, D.C. area (mean interview length of 90 minutes). The aims are to:
1) Provide a systematic and thorough description of the nature of the immigrant adolescents' civic engagement, and of the reasons that they state for their engagement (or lack thereof) in civil society.
2) Examine the connections that the immigrant adolescents' see between their civic engagement and other aspects of their lives, including their sense of connection to religious institutions and their cultural group.
3) Examine the extent to which the reasons immigrant adolescents state for their engagement (or lack thereof) in civil society are similar to those stated by their parents.

Since there is limited research with immigrants on the present topic, we deliberately obtained qualitative interview data that would tell us about immigrants' own conceptions of their civic engagement. One of the times when qualitative research is particularly helpful is precisely when we need to understand the categories emerging in new situations and the indigenous meanings associated with those categories (such as immigrant youth's reasons for civic engagement). Furthermore, qualitative research is particularly helpful when connections among different phenomena are not well understood (such as the relation between civic engagement and cultural identity) (Fisher et al., 2002; Jensen, 2003; Jessor, Colby, & Shweder, 1996).

We also have obtained questionnaire data from the immigrant adolescents and parents on standard and previously used items pertaining to civic engagement. We will hold together findings from the questionnaire data with qualitative interview findings in order to generate more complete conclusions with respect to the nature of immigrant youth's civic engagement.

The Participants
The participants were a total of 80 immigrants residing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The sample consisted of two immigrant groups: Catholic Salvadorans (n = 40) and Hindu Indians (n = 40). Within each of these two immigrant groups, there were 20 adolescents ages 14-18 who were paired with a mother or father (n = 20). All 40 adolescents were second generation immigrants (i.e., they were born in the U.S. or arrived prior to starting elementary school) and all 40 parents were first generation immigrants (i.e., they arrived in the U.S. in their late teens or after). (Different researchers use somewhat different definitions of the term second generation, we follow the one of Zhou & Bankston, 1998). Participants were recruited through local religious institutions as well as by means of snowballing.

Since the two main sources of current immigrants to the U.S. are Asia and Latin America, we decided to collect data for one group from each of these two parts of the world. Furthermore, India and El Salvador are among the top eight countries from which immigrants to the U.S. arrive (Zhou, 1997). Also, we chose to study immigrants from India and El Salvador because these two groups arrive to the U.S. under notably different circumstances and they arrive with access to markedly different resources. For example, over 60% of immigrants (aged 25 years or older) from India report having attained college degrees, whereas the comparable figure for Salvadorans is less than 5% (Zhou, 1997). The marked difference between the two groups can serve two purposes. First, it helps to capture a larger possible set of conceptions and connections pertaining to civic engagement and hence broaden the findings from the proposed project. Second, to the extent that there are similarities in the findings from these two otherwise very different groups, such findings are likely to be particularly robust and common to diverse immigrants.

We included both adolescents and parents in order to be able to compare findings for adolescents and parents both across and within the two groups of Indians and Salvadorans, as well as to examine the potential relation between parents' civic engagement and the civic engagement of their adolescents. It is rare for interview studies to include adolescent-parent pairs as such dyadic data are difficult to obtain. The difficulty of obtaining such data from immigrant groups is even more pronounced.

Research Analyses
Analyses of the data will primarily be qualitative given the sample size of 80 participants. Analyses are currently in progress. A paper presentation at AMID's conference would provide for a discussion of initial findings addressing the three aims described above.


The primary purpose of this monograph is to analyse aspects of growth and change in the 1970s in what are termed the provincial city regions of Queensland [Australia].... The study is based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics including the 1976 census. The primary emphasis is on population growth including migration and attention is paid to the problems of population estimation for small regional urban areas. (EXCERPT)


Malaysia continuously negotiates, signs and ratifies international treaties to foster closer relationship with its counterparts. The Federal Constitution of Malaysia provides no direct provision in granting treaty-making capacity to a specific person(s) or institution(s). However, it may be deduced from the available provisions that such power is exercisbale by the executive arm of the Federal Government. By definition, the executive includes the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which is elected among the Malay Rulers by the Conference of Rulers. This paper reassesses the roles and functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers in the making of international treaties. The study is carried out using library based research method that assesses the provisions of the Federal Constitution, local case(s) and international conventions, in particular the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969. The paper will delve into the available legal documents to explain the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers under the Federal Constitution and accordingly reassess the legal position of the the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers in the making of international treaties. The finding of this paper will show that, in practice, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers hve no the executive power to conclude and sign international treaties. Nonetheless, the Federal Constitution does confer certain limited powers on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers that may indirectly influence the making of international treaties. These roles are normally consultative in nature.


A Visual BasicTM agro-climate application capable of estimating crop evapotranspiration and irrigation demand over the Ogallala aquifer region is described here. The application's meteorological database consists of daily precipitation and temperature data from 141 U.S. Historical Climatology Network stations


Objective To measure the expression of CD40 ligand on CD4+ T cell and serum concentration of sCD40 ligand in the patients with acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ). To investigate the effects and mechanisms of CD40/CD40 ligand in ACS. Method 42 patients with coronary heart disease were divided into stable angina pectoris group (SAP, 12 cases ), acute myocardial infarction ( AMI, 16 cases ) and unstable angina pectoris ( UAP, 14 cases ). 13 healthy volunteers were control group. Expression of CD40 ligand was determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Serum concentration of sCD40 ligand was determined by ELISA. Result The expression percentage ( % ) of CD40 ligand on CD4+ T cell in AMI, UAP, SAP, and control group were (8.67±3.31) %, (3.24±1.13) %,(2.29±1.93)% and (0.57±0.19)%. It was significant higher in AMI than that in other groups (all P0.05), and it was significant higher in UAP than that in control group (P0.05). Serum concentration of sCD40 ligand in four groups were (14.53±8.08)ng/mL,(8.06±6.96)ng/mL, (7.37±3.59)ng/mL, and (4.45±1.48)ng/mL . It was significant higher in AMI than that in other groups (all P0.05). Conclusion Increased expression of CD40 ligand on CD4+ T cells and higher serum concentration of sCD40 ligand played an important role in ACS patients. CD40 ligand or sCD40 ligand may become an independent risk indictor of coronary heart disease.


Eranti et al1 report an interesting correlation between an underappreciated electrocardiogram parameter, that is, P terminal force (PTF), and mortality. Indeed, PTF magnitude ≥0.04 mm·ms, if present along with an interatrial block (P-wave duration >110 ms), is considered highly specific and reasonably sensitive for diagnosing left atrial enlargement.2 The determination of PTF is restricted to lead V1, wherein lead placement error has a significant potential …


This study examines the relative effects of fairnes s perceptions, job satisfaction and intrinsic motivation on the organizational commitme nt of blue-collar workers in a highly dynamic job environment. Samples were drawn from di fferent private manufacturing organizations in Turkey. Data from 107 participants in total were analyzed by using SPSS 19.0. The basic postulate of this research is that, under strong feelings job-insecurity, employee perceptions of managerial fairness (i.e., distributive justice and procedural justice) will surpass the effects of other attitudi nal factors (i.e., job satisfaction and intrinsic motivation) as they jointly influence org anizational commitment. Results of hierarchical regression analysis suggest that among all antecedent constructs, employee perception of distributive justice and job satisfac tion are found to employ the strongest effect on organizational commitment of the blue-col lar workers in our sampling context. Several managerial and theoretical implications of the study are also discussed.


Owing to the fluctuations in the financial markets from time to time, some input variables such as the interest rate, spot exchange rate and volatility in the Garman-Kohlhagen model can not be expected in a precise sense. Therefore, it is nature to start from the fuzzy environments of currency options markets. In this paper, we introduce fuzzy techniques and obtain the fuzzy versions of the Garman-Kohlhagen model. The calculation formulas of the Greek letters according to the fuzzy G-K models are obtained based on fuzzy set theory. By assuming the foreign and domestic interest rates, spot exchange rate and volatility as fuzzy numbers, the European currency option prices and the Greek letters turn into fuzzy numbers. Then the financial investors can pick any European currency option price and Greek letters with an acceptable belief degree for his later use. The empirical results indicate that the Greeks calculated under fuzzy environment can be considered as a useful tool for managing option risk for an option writer.


The constantly increasing reports of Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) all around the world was the starting point for the development of a survey of this virus in Chilean vineyards, grapevine being the most important crop in Chile, with approximately 190,000 cultivated hectares for wine and table grape production. The reported symptoms in Italy and other regions were chlorotic mottling, leaf deformation, and stunting (Giampetruzzi et al. 2012); however, GPGV has also been reported in asymptomatic plants worldwide (Saldarelli et al. 2015). During the southern hemisphere spring and summer of 2017, a total of 500 samples of different cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. (Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir among others) were surveyed in the main wine producing areas of the central zone of Chile. The plants were analyzed by RT-PCR using two previously described primer pairs: DetF 5′-TGGTCTGCAGCCAGGGGACA-3′/DetR 5′-TCACGACCGGCAGGGAAGGA-3′, amplifying 588 bp of the 3′ end of movement protein (MP) and 5′ beginning of coat protein (CP) genes (Morelli et al. 2014), and GPGV-CP-F2 5′-ATAGCAGTTGAAGGGACCTC-3′/R1 5′-GCCTCTCACTTTCGACATG-3′, which amplify 406 bp of a partial region of CP gene (Angelini et al. 2016). With both primer pairs, GPGV was detected in 15 samples of V. vinifera cv. Grenache, clone 136, all belonging to the same vineyard near Santiago in the Metropolitana region. Other clones of Grenache (clone 434), in the same vineyard, were negative for GPGV analysis. Infected plants showed leaf deformations but no other symptoms related to GPGV infections. Two samples, V9657 and V9688, were selected for sequencing of the MP-CP amplicon (accession nos. MK029342 and MK029341). BLAST showed 98.9% and 99.4% nucleotide identities, respectively, with isolate Tannat from Uruguay (accession no. KR528581). Total RNA from sample V9688 was extracted using Spectrum Plant Total RNA kit (Sigma-Aldrich, MO, U.S.A.). Libraries were constructed using Truseq RNA Library preparation kit and then analyzed by HTS on the Illumina MiSeq platform using Miseq V3/50 cycles kit. The analysis retrieved 1.7 million reads (50 nucleotides long), 300 of which matched GPGV genome reference using BLASTn. Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) and Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV) reads were also found in the sample, but their presence has not been associated with leaf deformations in V. vinifera (Basso et al. 2017). After de novo assembly using CLC genomics workbench v8.01, the generated contigs reached 1,761 nucleotides, covering 24% of the full reference genome (NC_015782) with an average nucleotide identity of 98.7%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of GPGV in Chile. Given the relevance of this detection, the Agriculture and Livestock Service of the Government of Chile is monitoring the presence of the virus in the main grapevine producing areas of Chile, determining the presence of GPGV only in the clone reported in this work. The presence of the virus in a single variety and the elimination of infected plants suggest the possibility of eradicating the pathogen.


Cellular polymers constitute an important field of investigation due to their unique properties as shock absorbers and thermal or acoustic insulators. The knowledge of the wetting properties of these materials is important in applications where adhesion or weathering behavior are an issue. In this study, cellular polyurethane polymers were used to investigate the effect of the cellular structure on the wetting properties. The polymeric substrates were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and the wetting properties were studied by goniometry. The contact angles of water and diiodomethane were measured as a function of time and the surface tension of the expanded polymers was evaluated by the geometric and harmonic mean methods. It was found that the wettability and the surface energy of the cellular polymers increase as the density decreases. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


Information technology often requires new legal standards. This concerns, inter alia, intellectual property law, where new intellectual property rights have been granted to particular new products. The concept of these rights of its own nature ("sui generis rights") is however controversial. This paper discusses this controversy with respect to semiconductor topography makers' rights and database makers' rights.


Objective: To investigate the effect of Astragalus and Angelica soup auxiliary therapy chronic kidney disease( 3 ~ 4 period). Methods: A total of 90 cases chronic kidney disease patients from February 2010 to February 2013 treated in our hospital,according to the random digits table were randomly divided into observation group and control group with 45 cases in each group. The control group received routine comprehensive therapy,the observation group based on the control group to use Astragalus and Angelica Soup,one dose daily,the treatment course was 3 months. The renal function and blood rheology indexes changes of two groups were compared,and evaluate the effect. Results: The total effective rate of observation group was 77. 8%( 35 /45),significantly higher than that of control group 42. 2%( 24 /45),the difference was statistically significant( χ2= 5. 26,P 0. 05). The two groups compared after treatment,the SCr,BUN,UTP,NAG enzyme of observation group were significantly lower than the control group( all P 0. 05),GFR was significantly higher than that of the control group( P 0. 05); The hematocrit,plasma viscosity,fibrinogen of observation group were significantly lower than that of control group( all P 0. 05). 3 cases of adverse reactions in the control group,5 cases in observation group,the rate of adverse reactions occurred in two groups compared,there was no significant difference( χ2= 0. 56,P 0. 05). Conclusion: Astragalus and Angelica Soup auxiliary of chronic kidney disease( 3 ~ 4period) can significantly improve the curative effect,can improve the blood microcirculation,improve glomerular filtration rate,protect renal function,with high safety,is worthy of clinical application.


This issue's program listing is "Policy Percentaging Analysis", an alternative to cost-benefit analysis devised by Stuart Nagel of the University of Illinois. Although a longer two-part program, its code is relatively simple. It avoids graphics and other aspects which make translation difficult and it should be a good candidate for translation from its present Applesoft BASIC version to the BASICS of other microcomputers.


More frequent and severe shocks combined with more plentiful data and increasingly powerful predictive algorithms heighten the promise of data science in support of humanitarian and development programming. We advocate for embrace of, and investment in, machine learning methods for poverty and malnutrition targeting, mapping, monitoring, and early warning while also cautioning that distinct tasks require different data inputs and methods. In particular, we highlight the differences between poverty and malnutrition targeting and mapping, identification of those in a state of structural versus stochastic deprivation, and the modeling and data challenges of developing early warning systems. Overall, we urge careful consideration of the purpose and possible use cases of big data and machine learning informed models.


A weakly-supervised semantic segmentation framework using tied deconvolutional neural networks is proposed for scale-invariant feature learning. Each deconvolution layer in the proposed framework consists of unpooling and deconvolution operations. 'Unpooling' upsamples the input feature map based on unpooling switches defined by corresponding convolution layer's pooling operation. 'Deconvolution' convolves the input unpooled features by using convolutional weights tied with the corresponding convolution layer's convolution operation. This unpooling-deconvolution combination results in reduction of false positives, since output features of the deconvolution layer are reconstructed from the most discriminative unpooled features instead of the raw one. All the feature maps restored from the entire deconvolution layers can constitute a rich feature set according to different abstraction levels. Those features are selectively used for generating class-specific activation maps. Under the weak supervision (image-level labels), the proposed framework shows promising results on medical images (chest X-rays) and achieves state-of-the-art performance on the PASCAL VOC segmentation dataset in the same experimental condition.


Eu/Bi2WO6 hierarchical microspheres are hydrothermally synthesized from mixtures of Bi(NO3)3, Na2WO4, and Eu(NO3)3 in diluted nitric acid (autoclave, 180 °C, 20 h).


A new, simple, and efficient preparative procedure of a potentially wide scope for the selective protection of mixed primary–secondary amines, based on acylation followed by exhaustive t-butoxycarbonylation is presented.


With the advent of the era of big data, social production and lifestyle have undergone tremendous changes. The traditional supply chain management system has high storage costs and poor timeliness. In contrast, the application of big data technology in the supply chain management system will provide customers with more personalized services, so that the supply chain can achieve lean production and lean management, and the supply and demand response is more rapid. This thesis gives examples of three different companies to analyze the big data technology that they are using, which are Walmart, Toyota, and Amazon. After a series of comparative processing, it can be found that big data technology promotes production efficiency and plays an increasingly important role in the process of enterprise management. Although in the early stage of big data technology, enterprises will experience many unknown difficulties, such as loss of confidence, and the tools for processing data are not efficient enough. However, by using the data center constructed by big data technology, it can better explore the hidden value of various data and provide a stable and efficient platform for enterprise development. These results shed light on guiding further exploration of implementation of bigdata analysis into supply chain management.


In Escherichia coli, the γ complex clamp loader loads the β-sliding clamp onto DNA. The β clamp tethers DNA polymerase III to DNA and enhances the efficiency of replication by increasing the processivity of DNA synthesis. In the presence of ATP, γ complex binds β and DNA to form a ternary complex. Binding to primed template DNA triggers γ complex to hydrolyze ATP and release the clamp onto DNA. Here, we investigated the kinetics of forming a ternary complex by measuring rates of γ complex binding β and DNA. A fluorescence intensity-based β binding assay was developed in which the fluorescence of pyrene covalently attached to β increases when bound by γ complex. Using this assay, an association rate constant of 2.3 × 107 m−1 s−1 for γ complex binding β was determined. The rate of β binding was the same in experiments in which γ complex was preincubated with ATP before adding β or added directly to β and ATP. In contrast, when γ complex is preincubated with ATP, DNA binding is faster than when γ complex is added to DNA and ATP at the same time. Slow DNA binding in the absence of ATP preincubation is the result of a rate-limiting ATP-induced conformational change. Our results strongly suggest that the ATP-induced conformational changes that promote β binding and DNA binding differ. The slow ATP-induced conformational change that precedes DNA binding may provide a kinetic preference for γ complex to bind β before DNA during the clamp loading reaction cycle.