8.1 Introduction

Bessel functions are prominent in a variety of applications, some of which were discussed in Chaps. 6 and 7. Now we wish to consider some additional examples typical of those occurring in more than one field of application. To provide some variety in our discussions, we have chosen examples from the fields of mechanics, wave propagation and scattering, fiber optics, heat conduction in solids, and vibration phenomena. (A working knowledge of each subject is generally sufficient to follow the discussion.)

8.2 Problems in Mechanics

We begin this chapter on applications with some examples chosen from the fields of particle dynamics and the static displacements of beams and columns. Additional problems of a similar nature are taken up in the exercises.


ABSTRACT This paper has investigated the synthesis of plasma-polymerized pyrrole (pPPy) nano-particles grown by the proposed atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) through the parametric studies, especially input power and gas flow rate. The transition of conventional streamer-like into intense and glow-like discharges necessary for fully cracking the monomer was observed to be strongly dependent on both input power and gas flow rate. The intense and glow-like discharge was produced only when adopting the specific parametric condition, i.e., a gas flow rate of 1600 sccm and input power with 12.5 kV, thereby resulting in obtaining the synthesized pPPy nano-particle structures with highly cross-linked networks and many double bonds. The plasma-flow characteristics were investigated based on the non-plasma flow numerical simulation, and also analyzed by the voltage, current, infrared, and optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The synthesized pPPy films were analyzed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). It is anticipated that the high-quality plasma polymer grown by the proposed APPJs contributes to serving as conducting electrode-materials of a flexible polymer light emitting diode (P-LED).


Groupon has a large inventory of offers as varied as local taquerias, massages, concert tickets, and trips to Costa Rica. Our Search & Recommendations team continues to develop algorithmic recommendations systems, machine-learned query understanding models, and increasingly sophisticated personalization and sales conversion estimations. Across an inventory of millions of offers, including many highly localized and geographically-specific ones unique to Groupon's Local business, we strive to balance inventory exploration and matching our users with the exact right item. Our Recommendations models take a variety of factors into account so that we can make the most relevant suggestions to our customers in their neighborhood, or while traveling in one of our hundreds of domestic and international markets. Our system must index millions of items, including the many specific to a user's location; score the deals based on estimated conversion; and finally make adjustments for personalization, exploration, and diversity before delivering our ranked list of inventory to the platform. Yet despite our efforts, many of our customers are unaware of how highly considered their Groupon App and Emails are. In numerous customer interviews we found a huge perception gap that had to be addressed. Customers expressed that our central scrollable home feed felt "cluttered", "disorganized", and "like a garage sale". It was clear to us that the next great sophisticated recommendation feature meant nothing if our customers couldn't appreciate it. Collectively, we realized that we were missing a key communication with our customers. Customers of large internet marketplaces-whether eCommerce, Social Media, or Digital Media-have become accustomed to explanations or qualifications for the recommendations being shown to them. These often take the form of widgets or collections/carousels with titles that explain the grouping such as: "Because you watched "Pulp Fiction" or "Your friend liked this post by Cardi B". Our team decided we could demonstrate our own consideration logic to customers, explain the reasoning of their deal feed, and hopefully encourage them to interact and personalize their experience more. Because of the amount of data being considered to drive our recommendations, our team had to develop a system which could generate multiple personalized explanations, score them, and budget the various messages with the deal feed.


The invention discloses a preparation method of a back electric field contact crystalline silica solar cell. According to the method, based on present preparation technology, passivation of a back surface of a solar cell is carried out, then opening wire is carried out on a solar cell back surface passivation layer to form a back electric field local contact area, and a mode of screen printing or vacuum vapor plating is employed to make a back electric field and an electrode. A back electric field area contact mode of the invention is suitable for a low cost high efficiency industrial production contact mode and employs a wire contact mode. According to the invention, composite rate of the back surface can be reduced greatly, thus open-circuit voltage and short circuit current are raised, through appropriate back surface figure design, ohmic contact of the back electric field and a crystalline silica substrate can be satisfied, simultaneously, a requirement of a back field collection photoproduction carrier is satisfied, series resistors consistent with common cells are obtained, a fill factor satisfies a requirement, and cell photoelectric conversion efficiency is raised effectively finally. The method is suitable for being applied in large scale industrial production.


Pulse coupled neural network (PCNN) is derived from the synchronous neuronal burst phenomena in the cat visual cortex. So it is very suitable for image processing, especially medical image. This paper discusses some methods for medical image segmentation and fusion based on PCNN. The advantages and disadvantages of PCNNs were analyzed for performing image processing in the realm of medical diagnostics.


The IBiSA TGML platform (Sci.Dir.: Dr. J. Imbert) is integrated to TAGC (Inserm U928, Dir.: Dr C. Nguyen) located on the Science Park of Luminy (Universite de la Mediterranee). It offers access for academics and companies to transcriptomic and functional genomic studies. The TGML platform and TAGC provide expertise in the analysis of various types of DNA microarrays and sequencing dataset. Our researchers and engineers actively contribute to the development of new computational tools and data processing pipelines. The TGML platform is member of the France-Genomique network. The high throughput sequencing service (TGML DeepSeq) is equipped with a LifeTech SOLiD4 sequencer that can produce up to 100 Gb (fragments 50 nt). Barcoding allows sequencing up to 256 samples in one run. Upgrade g to SOLiD 5500XL (300 Gb, 75 nt) is scheduled Fall 2011 as well as the purchase of an Ion Torrent PGM machine for a fast and cost-effective sequencing alternative for smaller sized projects. Applications performed as a service for external users or in collaboration include: full exome and targeted DNA resequencing (Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, etc.) with customized capture design on microarrays, ChIP-seq, FAIRE-seq, Mnase-seq (Epigenomics), and some projects of full resequencing for small genomes. Collaborators and clients include teams from CIML, IBDML, CRCM, IAB in Grenoble, a partnership with the GIS Institut GIS Maladies Rares (Paris, Marseille, Dijon, Montpellier, etc.), etc. We are planning to implement shortly: whole transcriptome analysis (lncRNA), SAGE-seq, DNAseI-HS-seq, de novo bacteria sequencing, FAIRE-seq, etc. During the last 2 years we have acquired a robust experience in targeted genomic resequencing and we are currently developing of a new bioinformatics pipeline for the characterization of genomic variants (SNPs and small InDels) and a new Java-based graphic software named GeVarA for Genomic Variant Analyzer. I will present the power and the limit of these approaches with an emphasis on the challenges faced by the bioinformatician and by our computing and data storage resources, as well as our ongoing solutions.


Catholic Sisters have made significant contributions to the practice of pharmacy. The history of Sister pharmacists, however, has been largely undocumented. At the request of Gloria Niemeyer Francke, the authors took on the project of looking at the role of Sister pharmacists in pharmacy practice,


Financial systems have undergone many changes over the past few decades due to real economic developments, advances in technology, globalization, shifts in regulatory paradigms, and the global financial crisis. As systems change, notably in information processing, trading, and interactions between banks and markets, the nature of market failures and sources of systemic risks alter. Longer-run regulatory trends, however, do not sufficiently acknowledge these shifts nor necessarily encourage types of financial systems ('financial structures) that best serve economies in the medium term. To rebalance, the paper highlights the need in many countries for more non-bank forms of financing, notably equity markets, and calls for extending macroprudential policies' reach to non-banks and ensuring more systemic oversight of non-bank markets, while revisiting the tendency to adopt bank-type regulations for non-bank activities.


In the government financial system in Indonesia, according to Law no. 6 of 2014, namely article 1 paragraph 1 which explains that the village is a legal community unit that has boundaries with the authorized area to regulate and manage government affairs and the interests of the local community based on community initiatives and rights and origins that are recognized and respected in a government system The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Villages are given such large financial resources by the central government with the aim that villages are able to improve the economy and the level of social welfare through these funds. To create clean, transparent, accountable, effective and efficient financial governance, the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) and the Directorate General of Village Government Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, collaborated to create an application called the Village Financial System (Siskeudes). Human resources, leadership commitment are factors that can influence village financial management


The air permeability (k a ) and soil gas diffusion coefficients (D p ) are controlling factors for gas transport and fate in variably saturated soils. We developed a unified model for k a and D based on the classical Archie's law, extended by: (i) allowing for two-region gas transport behavior for structured soils, with the natural field moisture condition (set at -100 cm H 2 O matric potential [pF 2]) as the reference (spliced) point between the large-pore (drained pore diameter ≥30 μm at pF ≤ 2) and the small-pore (subsequently drained pores 2) regions, and (ii) including a percolation threshold, set as 10% of the total porosity for structureless porous media or 10% of the porosity in the large-pore region for structured soils. The resulting extended Archie's law with reference point (EXAR) models for k a and D were fitted to the measured data. For both structureless and structured porous media, Archie's saturation exponent (n) was higher for D p than for k a , indicating higher water blockage effects on gas diffusion. For structured soils, the saturation exponent for the large-pore region (n 1 ) was lower than for the small-pore region (n 2 ). Generally, n 1 values of ∼1 for k a and 2 for D p and n 2 values of 4/3 for k a and 7/3 for D described the data well. Two reference-point expressions for k a at pF 2 were also developed and tested together with existing models for D at pF 2 against independent data across soil types. The best-performing reference-point models were a k a model based on the classical Kozeny equation and the Moldrup D p model.


Applying the concept of sustainability to processed food demands a systematic and logical approach to examining the complex interrelationships at different points along the whole supply chain. The sustainability of processed foods relies on ensuring input from all key stakeholders to minimize risk, resource consumption and waste, both internal and external to the organization. Sustainability of products is enhanced when such arrangements are mutually beneficial and collaborative and ongoing, so are integral to the mission and vision of a company. While sustainability makes manufacturing decisions more complex, it has introduced many opportunities. This chapter outlines various issues associated with the sustainability of the processed food industry.


Through a case study of HarassMap, an advocacy, prevention, and response tool that uses crowdsourced data to map incidents of sexual harassment in Egypt, this article examines the application of crowdsourcing technology to drive innovation in the field of social policy. This article applies a framework that explores the potential, limitations, and future applications of crowdsourcing technology in this sector to reveal how crowdsourcing technology can be applied to overcome cultural and environmental constraints that have traditionally impeded the collection of data. Many of the lessons emerging from this case study hold relevance beyond the field of social policy. Applied to specific problems, this technology can be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of mitigation strategies, while facilitating rapid and informed decision making based on "good enough" data. However, this case also illustrates a number of challenges arising from the integrity of crowdsourced data and the potential for ethical conflict when using this data to inform policy formulation. Crowdsourcing is the process by which the power of the many can be leveraged to accomplish feats that were once the province of a specialized few.


One alternative energy that is currently being developed is fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), commonly known as biodiesel. The process of making biodiesel which has so far been carried out is a process of transesterification with alcohol where the byproduct produced is glycerol. Glycerol must be completely separated from biodiesel since it will interfere with engine performance. The method used to produce biodiesel in this study was interesterification. In the interesterification reaction, vegetable oil is reacted with methyl acetate instead of methyl alcohol, which results in triacetin byproduct. Separation of the remaining triacetin from biodiesel is not necessary since it is useful as an additive to biodiesel. To increase the solubility of the reactants, a co-solvent methyl ester is a good choice since it is a reaction product itself. Hence, it does not need a separation process. The operating conditions of the study were reaction temperature 60⁰C, molar ratio of palm oil:methyl acetate = 1:6, reaction time 1 hour, co-solvent mass of 15% oil mass, KOH catalyst mass (0; 0.25; 0.5; 0.75 1% mass of oil) and stirring speed (600,800,1000 rpm). The results demonstrated that the optimum concentration of biodiesel was 4.80%, obtained at a catalyst mass of 0.5% at a stirring speed of 600 rpm. The optimum yield of 5.56% was obtained at a catalyst mass of 0.5% and a stirring speed of 600 rpm. It can be concluded that the optimum condition of the research were: the catalyst mass 0.5%, stirring speed 600 rpm, reaction temperature 60⁰C, reaction time 1 hour, and molar ratio of oil:methyl acetate were 1:6, respectively.


Bacterial resistance is a continuously evolving threat to our most common antibiotics; the β-lactams. Most recently, the production of β-lactamase enzymes by bacteria rendered many of our current antibiotics unusable threatening to plunge us into a 'pre-antibiotic' era. Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) play a key role in bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics by efficiently catalysing the hydrolysis of the β-lactam amide bond. Since their discovery, the clinically relevant MBLs, Verona integrin-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM-2), Imipenemase (IMP-1), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) and Sao Paulo metallo-β-lactamase (SPM-1), have spread across the world with cases reported in almost all countries.
This thesis describes a number of approaches to the identification of inhibitors of MBLs. A combination of structure-based drug design, chemical synthesis and biological evaluation has been used to rationally identify novel inhibitors of VIM-2, IMP-1, NDM-1 and SPM-1 which have also been co administered with a current β-lactam antibiotic and been found to re-sensitise the bacteria to the antibiotic. Four novel classes of inhibitor have been investigated by taking different approaches to inhibitor discovery.
A vHTS screening campaign was conducted to identify potential inhibitors from libraries of known compounds. The campaign identified some weak binding inhibitors. Boronic acid-based inhibitors were identified by using vHTS and de novo design respectively and were synthesised which gave IC50's in the region of 10 nM against VIM-2 and NDM-1. Additionally, a new computational method for the identification of peptides which bind to enzymes has been developed which found Pro-Cys-Phe to be the most active peptide for binding to NDM-1 with an IC50 of 183 µM. This method could be applied to many other systems. In the final approach, de novo design using SPROUT led to the design of a novel thiol based inhibitor class. The inhibitor class has been co-crystallised in VIM-2 and gives IC50 values in the range of 200 nM. The inhibitor class has also successfully shown a 100 fold recovery of the MIC of meropenem against NDM-1 expressing bacteria.


Carbonate sediments in non‐vegetated habitats on the north‐east Adriatic shelf are dominated by shells of molluscs. However, the rate of carbonate molluscan production prior to the 20th century eutrophication and overfishing on this and other shelves remains unknown because: (i) monitoring of ecosystems prior to the 20th century was scarce; and (ii) ecosystem history inferred from cores is masked by condensation and mixing. Here, based on geochronological dating of four bivalve species, carbonate production during the Holocene is assessed in the Gulf of Trieste, where algal and seagrass habitats underwent a major decline during the 20th century. Assemblages of sand‐dwelling Gouldia minima and opportunistic Corbula gibba are time‐averaged to >1000 years and Corbula gibba shells are older by >2000 years than shells of co‐occurring Gouldia minima. This age difference is driven by temporally disjunct production of two species coupled with decimetre‐scale mixing. Stratigraphic unmixing shows that Corbula gibba declined in abundance during the highstand phase and increased again during the 20th century. In contrast, one of the major contributors to carbonate sands – Gouldia minima – increased in abundance during the highstand phase, but declined to almost zero abundance over the past two centuries. Gouldia minima and herbivorous gastropods associated with macroalgae or seagrasses are abundant in the top‐core increments but are rarely alive. Although Gouldia minima is not limited to vegetated habitats, it is abundant in such habitats elsewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. This live–dead mismatch reflects the difference between highstand baseline communities (with soft‐bottom vegetated zones and hard‐bottom Arca beds) and present‐day oligophotic communities with organic‐loving species. Therefore, the decline in light penetration and the loss of vegetated habitats with high molluscan production traces back to the 19th century. More than 50% of the shells on the sea floor in the Gulf of Trieste reflect inactive production that was sourced by heterozoan carbonate factory in algal or seagrass habitats.


PurposeThe unpredictable failure of submersible pump (SP) in groundwater irrigation systems has considerable negative economic consequences. The purpose of this paper is to develop a total cost minimization model that aims to optimize maintenance actions for SP. It reports on simulation-based stochastic scenario analysis for evaluating total cost of maintenance.Design/methodology/approachStochastic simulation modeling has been performed for failure of pump motor and corresponding maintenance. Five alternative scenarios were compared for total cost over 15 years starting with empirical data from a northern Ethiopian site. Downtime probabilities and spare part supply uncertainty have been considered in the mathematical model. The model is also validated using multiple ways.FindingsThe scenario comparisons indicate that despite the challenges of accessing SP doing one motor rewinding for each purchased pump system upon failure (preferably with shorter supply lead time and variability) seems to result in lowest overall costs for the time horizon considered.Practical implicationsThe model should help to make informed practical decision regarding planning and management of SP failure systems in a developing economy context. This should, therefore, lead to better revenue for smallholder farmers and improved food security in similar context.Originality/valueThere are limited number of publications that consider the life cycle costs with stochastic analysis when it comes to maintenance of SPs. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no paper has previously directly addressed maintenance cost optimization for SP in irrigation. The study could be used to develop more sophisticated stochastic models with more efficient algorithms and consideration of additional sources of stochasticity for such system.


Previous research has documented the importance of beauty norms and even hair color in shaping social interactions and self-identity. The mass media is a particularly powerful institution in shaping appearance norms, which, in turn, exert a powerful effect on individuals' sense of self. We conducted a content analysis of 907 advertisements in forty 2002 issues of the ten top selling women's magazines. We found that blondes were overrepresented in advertisements in these magazines and that the overwhelming majority (80%) of the ads portrayed women as glamorous. The statistical relationship between hair color and portrayals of women as glamorous was modest, although blondes were more likely to be portrayed as glamorous (86% of the time) than brunettes (77%) and redheads (70%). Gray-haired women were rarely depicted (1%) and were, by far, the least likely to be portrayed as glamorous (33% of the time).


Abstract Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder that can be life threatening if left unmanaged in severe cases of inflammatory response. CD should be excluded by thorough workup in cases of lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly of unknown cause. Excisional biopsy of lymph nodes may be required to make a definitive diagnosis. A case of CD manifesting as portal hepatis lymphadenopathy is presented.


This paper analyzes the necessity of studying pattern design for hunchback body from the perspective of human engineering.comparied hunchback body with normal body by some pictures and corrected the hunchback body pattern basiced on the Japanese cultural garments.hunchback body was invided into common hunchback body and serious hunchback body,then discussed the correcting of hunchback body pattern and methods of pattern design skills.


In the conditions of market relations transformation, it is important to develop a methodology of optimal resource use for the organizations of the agricultural sector of the economy, as well as for other industries. The urgent need for this is explained by the fact that modern organizations and enterprises are in the conditions of optimizing resource use to maintain economic stability and ensure the growth of profitability (works, services). In this connection, the article considers the main directions of optimizing the resource use on the example of organizations of meat production sub-complex.


This essay explores how denying or ignoring the meanings of the spaces scripted for the dead, or "deathscapes" as anthropologist Lily Kong calls them, can lead Shakespeare's characters to a spiritual death as well as a bodily one. I examine the cultural meanings of deathscapes in the early modern era – specifically the grave, graveyard and church – through the lens of the schism of Christianity caused by separation of Protestantism and Catholicism. When Hamlet, for example, makes the mistake of treating the spaces of the dead in ways that speak more to how Catholics define and use them, he puts himself in deadly peril. I argue, however, that this in no way makes Hamlet a "Catholic play", as some critics have in the past claimed. Instead, I show how Shakespeare reinforces the tenets and ideas of Protestantism by punishing Hamlet's lapses with such a thorough and unavoidable harshness that Hamlet's anti-Protestant actions and behaviours serve as a warning to audience members. The fact that Hamlet appears to treat the deathscape with more than a nod to the medieval notion of le danse macabre reinforces his weak and unstable nature, and leaves the audience in some doubt as to his chances of meeting with a favourable outcome in the afterlife.


Aiming at the problem of courier slip information extraction in a complex environment, a courier slip image enhancement and detection algorithm based on affine transformation is studied and proposed, which enhances the courier bill image in a complex environment by gamma transformation and automatic color equalization algorithm, and quickly locates the courier slip subject based on the barcode position in combination with the actual situation Then the affine transformation is introduced to detect the courier slip. Simulation and comparison experiment is conducted using Python and OpenCV, the results of which show that the algorithm can effectively improve the traditional OCR algorithm when the picture has low brightness or high exposure, the courier bill has a small proportion in the picture and the direction is difficult to determine, and improve the positioning efficiency and recognition success rate of the courier slips. It can be combined with technologies such as robotic arms and AGV omnidirectional mobile chassis and is widely used in various sorting scenarios such as logistics transfer.


Power integrity issues arise at gigahertz (GHz)-range in compact systems integrating fast-switching power devices, such as gallium nitride high-electron mobility transistors. GHz-range current measurement techniques must be used in switch-mode converters to assess those issues. State-of-the-art techniques are insufficient due to the inherent limitations of the high-impedance probe in a pick-up coil or the impractical dimensions of the probing apparatus for current-surface probes. This article proposes a novel compact coupled transmission-line-based measurement technique that takes advantage of mutual inductance, allowing the measurement of currents in the GHz-range. A thorough analytical formulation shows that its measurement distortion can be predicted at up to multiple GHz and that the probing pad can be placed at any convenient location on the substrate without affecting the measurement distortion. Measurements with the proposed structure validated with a resistive shunt show that the current in a switch-mode converter can be characterized at up to 1.95 GHz with less than 3-dB measurement distortion, which represents more than 4-dB reduction in amplitude distortion with respect to a resistive shunt technique.


In modern society,people frequently run into a problem: a lot of specific practice need to be done,but they do not know how to start,for having no related experience.This is because most specific practice knowledge can only be exchanged and disseminated personally,without a stable and viable model.Thus,this paper presents a solution to the problem: based on activity theory,it develops a "direct channel" of specific practice,so that practitioners receive direct and effective guidance for action.With the establishment of direct channel of practice,practical knowledge can be better refined,communicated and sublimated.


The attention of the writer was called recently to a publication of E. J. Russell and Norman Smith in this Journal, stating among other things that the observation of the writer of the production of nitrous acid and to a small amount of ammonium nitrite by platinum black in presence of alkaline bases as potash or baryta and air could not be realised by those authors. Since this failure was considered by others as a refutation of my observation, a few lines of explanation may be in order.


The facile synthesis of luminescent, multifunctional, needle-like hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticle complexes containing cyclodextrin has been reported. The in vitro loading and release studies using doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) demonstrate that the nanoparticle complexes show high drug adsorption capacity and sustained drug release profiles. Moreover, they exhibit strong photoluminescence even after loading of DOX molecules and permit the monitoring of the photoluminescence intensity. The nanocomplexes further reveal excellent blood compatibility, inappreciable toxicity and cellular internalization properties. Upon excitation at 420 nm, these complexes exhibit strong near-infrared emission at 680 nm. The photoluminescence intensity of the nanoparticles can be adjusted by varying the concentration of neodymium. Thus, the nanoparticle complexes obtained in the present study are promising for applications in the biomedical field as multifunctional drug delivery systems for simultaneous targeted drug delivery and near-infrared fluorescence imaging guidance.


The use of flexible wave guides as delivery systems for surgical lasers first occurred in the fields of gastroenterology, pulmonary medicine and otolaryngology. In the past two years pilot studies of flexible wave guides as laser delivery systems have been reported for urologic surgery. Recently, several reports have described the use of laser-coupled flexible wave guides in the field of gynecology.The use of flexible wave guides as delivery systems for surgical lasers first occurred in the fields of gastroenterology, pulmonary medicine and otolaryngology. In the past two years pilot studies of flexible wave guides as laser delivery systems have been reported for urologic surgery. Recently, several reports have described the use of laser-coupled flexible wave guides in the field of gynecology.


Telluric absorption inside our coudé spectrograph is used as a reference spectrum for precise radial velocity measurement. The optical path for this telluric absorption is stable and is not compromised by atmospheric disturbances, such as the jet stream. As an added bonus, the telluric fiducial spectrum is free; i.e., one does not need to construct, regulate, maintain, or suffer throughput losses from a captive‐gas absorption cell. The telluric and stellar spectra span the same portion of the detector and are observed sequentially, but in different diffraction orders. In this way the stellar line profiles are not contaminated by the telluric spectrum and can therefore be used for normal astrophysical line profile analyses, as well as radial velocity studies. However, precise measurements of the temperature and pressure are needed for differential corrections between orders, because the index of refraction of the air in the spectrograph is wavelength dependent. Precision in radial velocity of ∼25 m s−1 is demonstrated.


The organization of production and the model of a metrological maintenance system for measuring equipment at industrial enterprises with complex technological processes are considered. The organization of the metrological maintenance system for measuring equipment can be considered as providing a system of a general system for managing the quality of products of the production process. The system of metrological maintenance aimed at identifying defects in finished products and testing the quality of the product during its manufacture. The system of metrological maintenance of measuring equipment is considered as a closed system, that is, all verification and repair work is performed inside the enterprise. The parameters of the system are the period of repetition of the verification work; time of the check; recovery time in repair; probability of erroneous diagnosis; probability of skipping a latent failure during a check; probability of return from repair with hidden failure. Reliability of measuring equipment can be divided into technical and metrological reliability. When carrying out the studies, the availability factor and the reliability factor were used to characterize the technical reliability of measuring equipment. Metrological reliability was determined by the normalized index (the ratio of the mean time to repair to the average operating time for a clear failure). When performing calculations, the values of the probability of diagnostic errors are determined when testing the means of measuring equipment and the probability of hidden failures after repair. It is determined that the normalized metrological reliability index will increase with the probability of erroneous fault diagnosis and with the reduction of availability and reliability. With the increase in the probability of hidden failures after repair, the availability and reliability coefficients increase and the normalized metrological reliability index decreases. The obtained results are recommended for practical use in enterprises where complex products are manufactured, in particular, in the production of aerospace equipment.


There is a high prevalence of depression in epilepsy; however, this comorbidity remains under‐recognised and undertreated. Here, Dr Muzerengi and Dr Moor discuss the characteristics, assessment and management of depression in people with epilepsy.


Historicism revealed the oneness thought of metaphysics and absolute values are false.In a world,the value puzzle of one and many caused by the crisis of historicism is the duality of universal value and particular value.And the duality has been abrogated by contemporary philosophy.To overcome the value crisis of historicism,we should maintain the necessary tension and appropriate balance between the one and many,and resort to the publicity value in public life and publicity value order in the values plurality.


As cloud computing has matured, more and more local applications are replaced by easy-to-use on-demand services accessible via computer networks (a.k.a. cloud services). Running behind these services are massive hardware infrastructures and complex management tasks (e.g., recovery, software upgrades) that if not tested thoroughly can exhibit failures that lead to major service disruptions. Some researchers estimate that 568 hours of downtime at 13 well-known cloud services since 2007 had an economic impact of more than $70 million [18]. Others predict worse: for every hour it is not up and running, a cloud service can take a hit between $1 to 5 million [32]. Moreover, an outage of a popular service can shutdown other dependent services [11, 37, 59], leading to many more frustrated and furious users.


PURPOSE: An apparatus and method for inserting extrinsic information in a communication system is provided to minimize a loss of channel codes by removing only coding symbols, without removing interleaved symbols, in the case of inserting extrinsic information into channel-coded symbols. CONSTITUTION: A coder(401), having a coding rate of M/L, codes M-bit data per a frame and generates L symbols. A puncturer(402) receives the coded symbols and punctures associated symbols according to preset rules so that channel deterioration can be minimized. The coder(401) and the puncturer(402) forms a channel coder(400). An interleaver(404) interleaves and outputs the symbols outputted from the channel coder(400). An extrinsic information generator(406) generates extrinsic information to be inserted. An insertion position selector(408) generates a selection signal to determine the location of the generated extrinsic information to be inserted into a frame. An extrinsic information inserter(410) selects either the output of the interleaver(404) or the output of the extrinsic information generator(406), and inputs the output of the insertion position selector(408) as a selection control signal. If the selection control signal is not generated, the extrinsic information inserter(410) selects the output of the interleaver(404). If the selection control signal is generated, the extrinsic information inserter(410) selects the output of the extrinsic information generator(406).


This paper explains the obstacles in the implementation of BUMN Persero's execution when bankruptcy occurred in Indonesia. Up to now, no BUMN in the form of Persero has succeeded in carrying out the asset implementation stage by the curator even though it has been declared bankrupt, as in the case of bankruptcy in PT. Kertas Leces (BUMN Persero) in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia. This study focuses on curators' efforts in dealing with obstacles in the asset execution, especially at BUMN, using an empirical juridical approach in the case of PT Kertas Leces (Persero). The results found that some obstacles hinder the execution of the assets of PT. Kertas Leces as one of the BUMNs in Indonesia, even though it is bankrupt. Some of the constraints include differences in interpretation of company assets, lack of harmonization of laws and regulations, length of data collection on assets and assessment teams, low interest in asset buyers, and difficulty in obtaining approval from the Office of State Assets and Auction Services (KPKNL) in the BUMN (Persero) asset auctions.


We describe the synthesis and characterization of three platinum(II) ω-alkenyl complexes of stoichiometry Pt[CH2CMe2(CH2)xCH═CH2]2 where x is 0, 1, or 2, as well as some related platinum(II) compou...


Sir, Although the association of cutaneous disease with mycobacterial infection has been known for\150 y (1), the controversy concerning the terminology and classiŽ cation of cutaneous tuberculosis (TB) remains to be clariŽ ed (2). Beyt et al. (1) classiŽ ed cutaneous TB based on pathogenesis, clinical presentation and histologic evaluation in 1981, and this classiŽ cation is still in use today (2). According to this classiŽ cation, cutaneous TB can occur in 3 forms:


Analysing the robot football intelligent schedule scheme based blackboard structure in decision-making subsystem,and combining the characteristic of robot football,this paper put forward a scheme based blackboard-knowledge structure intelligent schedule,research the deadlock of robot through the management and design of control structure,improving the whole cooperation.


COLORECTAL CANCER is the second commonest cancer in both men and women in Scotland, and has a five year survival rate of less than 40%. This poor prognosis is attributable to late presentation with advanced disease. There is however an opportunity for disease prevention as the majority of cancers develop in pre-existing benign adenomas in which malignant transformation only occurs after several years. Adenomatous polyps increase in prevalence during the sixth decade of life and cancer prevalence rises thereafter. Screening individuals between the ages of50 and 65 years may therefore be an effective means of identifying significant numbers ofpatients with premalignant polyps and early cancers. The use of faecal occult blood testing for screening an asymptomatic population has been investigated in three randomised trials in which significant reductions in disease specific mortality were demonstrated. 1,2,3 However this method has some disadvantages. The guaiac test may yield false positive results and gastrointestinal bleeding is frequently due to conditions other than colorectal tumours. Patient compliance may be poor. In the UK study 59.6% of participants completed at least one screening but only 38.2% completed all the FOB tests they were offered.' Flexible sigmoidoscopy provides an alternative method of screening for premalignant lesions. Sixty per cent of adenomatous polyps occur in the distal bowel and can be identified using a standard 60-cm flexible sigmoidoscope. Case control" and polypectomy follow-up studies' suggest that a significant reduction in colorectal cancer mortality might be achievable and it has therefore been suggested that a randomised trial should be undertaken," Level of patient compliance will be an important factor in determining the outcome of such a trial. Uptake of screening by over 70% ofthe target population has been achieved in Scandanavia7 but there is a paucity of published data regarding compliance in the UK. We have offered screening flexible sigmoidoscopy to patients aged 51-60 years registered with a single general practice in Dundee." Recruitment was by a single postal invitation. Three hundred and two patients were invited to participate in the study. One hundred and nineteen did not reply and 109 declined the invitation. Of the 74 patients that accepted 13 defaulted and 61 (20%) underwent examination. Ten (16%) patients had adenomatous polyps and 6 ofthese had lesions which on the basis of size (> 1 em) or morphology (tubulovillous) had an increased risk ofmalignant transformation. There were no cases of colorectal cancer. These results are in keeping with a population based English study where compliance was less than 30%.9 A British multicentre randomised trial is now in progress. Initial results are available from Leicestershire where an uptake rate of 43.8% has been reported (60% of 8,881 asymptomatic subjects expressed an interest in screening and 72% of those randomised to screening attended for examination). Adenomatous polyps were found 8.6% of subjects and five cancers were diagnosed." The significant detection rate ofadenomatous polyps in these studies is an indication ofthe potential which may exist to prevent colorectal cancer in individuals who are prepared to undergo examination. The low uptake of colorectal screening is an impediment to the evaluation and implementation of a population based screening programme but would not preclude its eventual success. Experience with cervical screening indicates that public attitudes change. When population based cervical screening was introduced in Aberdeen in the early 1960s an uptake of 50% was achieved. II By 1991 population coverage for cervical screening of 85% was being reported.12 The priority at present must be to establish whether screening can be cost-effective. Ifthis is confirmed a high profile population based screening programme might subsequently receive widespread public support.


Effects of the catalyst reduction (by hydrazine), calcination temperature (400-800 ° C) and support (viz. Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , CeO 2 , ZrO 2 , Hβ or HM) on the performance of supported PdO (2.5 wt%) catalyst in the H 2 -to-H 2 O 2 oxidation (with H 2 :O 2 = 1:1) in an aqueous acidic (0.1 M H 3 PO 4 ) medium under ambient conditions have been investigated. All the supported PdO catalysts showed lower H 2 conversion activity, but higher H 2 O 2 selectivity, as compared to their reduced counter parts. The catalyst performance for the net H 2 O 2 formation is strongly influenced by both the support and calcination temperature of the supported PdO catalysts. The catalysts calcined at 400 ° C showed better performance. Among the catalysts, PdO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst (calcined at 400 ° C) showed the best performance (17.0% H 2 O 2 yield) in the H 2 -to-H 2 O 2 oxidation. The influence of the calcination temperature of PdO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst on its H 2 O 2 decomposition and hydrogenation activities has also been investigated. Both the H 2 O 2 decomposition and hydrogenation activities increased with increasing the calcination temperature.


The CdTe nanocrystal (NC) is an outstanding, low-cost photovoltaic material for highly efficient solution-processed thin-film solar cells. Currently, most CdTe NC thin-film solar cells are based on CdSe, ZnO, or CdS buffer layers. In this study, a wide bandgap and Cd-free ZnSe NC is introduced for the first time as the buffer layer for all solution-processed CdTe/ZnSe NC hetero-junction thin-film solar cells with a configuration of ITO/ZnO/ZnSe/CdTe/MoOx/Au. The dependence of the thickness of the ZnSe NC film, the annealing temperature and the chemical treatment on the performance of NC solar cells are investigated and discussed in detail. We further develop a ligand-exchanging strategy that involves 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) during the fabrication of ZnSe NC film. An improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.58% is obtained, which is increased by 16.6% when compared to a device without the EDT treatment. We believe that using ZnSe NC as the buffer layer holds the potential for developing high-efficiency, low cost, and stable CdTe NC-based solar cells.


Key word: Organizational Climate, Job Satisfaction, Regional Secretary of Minahasa. This study aims to, 1) Provide an overview of the Organizational Climate at the Minahasa Regent's Office; 2) Provides an overview of civil servant job satisfaction at the Minahasa Regent's Office; 3) To provide an overview of the influence of Organizational Climate on Civil Servant Job Satisfaction at the Minahasa Regent Office. As for the population of this study were the Civil Servants of the Minahasa Regent's Office, in this case the Regional Secretariat of the Minahasa Regency. The research method used is quantitative research methods with linearits test data analysis, simple regression test and simple correlation hypothesis testing. The results found were, 1) The organizational climate in the Minahasa Regent's Office, in this case the Regional Secretariat of Minahasa Regency, is classified as low where the calculation results obtained a value of 1.86 while the job satisfaction of civil servants themselves obtained a value of 1.98 which can be classified as low. ; 2) organizational climate affects job satisfaction by 32.3% in generating civil servant job satisfaction at the Minahasa Regent's Office, while the remaining 67.7% is influenced by other factors not examined in this study.


The association between CEO compensation and bank profitability has drawn substantial attention in recent years. The study analyzes the relationship between CEO compensation and bank performance in Bangladesh for 2010-2020. The variables used in the study are return on equity, CEOs salary, bonus, housing facilities, housing allowance, and foreign trips. The study uses a 2SLS estimator to remove the possible endogeneity and create an unbiased result. The results strongly suggest that the CEOs' compensation package is positively and significantly related to the bank performance. A higher compensation package motivates the executives to perform well and reduces the agency problem.


Glyoxysomes in cotyledons of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.) seedlings enlarge dramatically within 48 h after seed imbibition (Kunce, C . M ., R. N . Trelease, and D. C . Doman. 1984 . Planta (Berl.) . 161:156-164) to effect mobilization of stored cottonseed oil . We discovered that the membranes of enlarging glyoxysomes at all stages examined contained a large percentage (36-62% by weight) of nonpolar lipid, nearly all of which were triacylglycerols (TAGS) and TAG metabolites . Free fatty acids comprised the largest percentage of these nonpolar lipids . Six uncommon (and as yet unidentified) fatty acids constituted the majority (51%) of both the free fatty acids and the fatty acids in TAGS of glyoxysome membranes ; the same six uncommon fatty acids were <7% of the acyl constituents in TAGS extracted from cottonseed storage lipid bodies . TAGS of lipid bodies primarily were composed of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids (together 70%). Together, these three major storage fatty acids were <10% of both the free fatty acids and fatty acids in TAGS of glyoxysome membranes . Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) constituted a major portion of glyoxysome membrane phospholipids (together 61% by weight) . Pulse-chase radiolabeling experiments in vivo clearly demonstrated that '4C-PC and ' 4C-PE were synthesized from ' 4C-choline and ' 4C-ethanolamine, respectively, in ER of cotyledons, and then transported to mitochondria ; however, these lipids were not transported to enlarging glyoxysomes . The lack of ER involvement in LYOXYSOMES of oilseeds are specialized peroxisomes which, through the cooperative action of enzymes catalyzing fatty acid 0-oxidation and the glyoxylate cycle, play a pivotal role in the conversion of storage oil into carbohydrate (gluconeogenesis) for seedling growth (2, 3, 25, 29) . Glyoxysomes in cotyledons of cotton seedlings enKent D. Chapman's present address is Botany Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. © The Rockefeller University Press, 0021-9525/91/11/995/13 $2 .00 The Journal of Cell Biology, Volume 115, Number4, November 1991995-1007 glyoxysome membrane phospholipid synthesis, and the similarities in lipid compositions between lipid bodies and membranes of glyoxysomes, led us to formulate and test a new hypothesis whereby lipid bodies serve as the dynamic source of nonpolar lipids and phospholipids for membrane expansion of enlarging glyoxysomes. In a cell-free system, 3H-triolein (TO) and 3H-PC were indeed transferred from lipid bodies to glyoxysomes . 3H-PC, but not 3HTO, also was transferred to mitochondria in vitro . The amount of lipid transferred increased linearly with respect to time and amount of acceptor organelle protein, and transfer occurred only when lipid body membrane proteins were associated with the donor lipid bodies . 3HTO was transferred to and incorporated into glyoxysome membranes, and then hydrolyzed to free fatty acids . 3H-PC was transferred to and incorporated into glyoxysome and mitochondria membranes without subsequent hydrolysis . Our data are inconsistent with the hypothesis that ER contributes membrane lipids to glyoxysomes during postgerminative seedling growth . Instead, the data support a novel source for glyoxysome (peroxisome) membrane lipids ; lipid bodies, which house storage lipids that are converted to carbohydrate during heterotrophic seedling growth, also provide enlarging glyoxysomes with nonpolar lipids and phospholipids to accommodate membrane expansion . A working model depicting the origin and intracellular trafficking of membrane lipids for enlarging cottonseed glyoxysomes


The Medical Journal of Australia ISSN: 0025-729X 17 May 2004 180 10 74-75 ©The Medical Journal of Australia 2004 www.mja.com.au Achieving better practice – The Clinical Support Systems Program PRACTICE BASED ON the best available evidence and the quality and safety of healthcare have become a major focus for governments, healthcare providers and consumers. This increased awareness comes at a time when new heights have been reached in the technical sophistication of care, healthcare systems have become incredibly complex, and there is a potential for patients to be harmed by healthcare interventions.1 Adverse events can seldom be attributed to a single human error and are usually associated ith the complex system interactions.1-3 The Quality in Australian Health Care Study,4 published in 1995, served as a catalyst in Australia for promoting system-based approaches to safety and quality improvement. The Clinical Support Systems Program (CSSP)5 is a practical example of this. The CSSP emerged through collaboration between the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (the Department), and was subsequently sponsored and managed by the RACP. The Department provided most of the funding, with the Victorian Department of Human Services and NSW Health each contributing $500 000, resulting in combined funds of $5.5 million. The formal funded phase of the Program ran from 2000 to 2002. The Program sought to assist the routine uptake of best evidence within clinical practice through a Clinical Support Systems (CSS) model. This model combined the principles of clinical practice improvement (CPI)6 and evidence-based medicine (EBM)7 into a broad framework to enable clinicians to embed best practice routinely in clinical care. It had the following broad specifications (see also Box 1): ■ involvement by clinical teams, health managers and consumers in design, development, implementation and evaluation; ■ establishment of organisational and management structures and tools necessary to develop and maintain capacity for CPI; ■ systematic use of evidence within clinical settings; ■ systematic clinical work practices to reduce inappropriate variation; ■ development of data and analysis systems to support CPI; and ■ routine measurement and review of clinical practices. The CSS model was tested through four consortiumbased projects that collectively involved 17 clinical sites across three states. The four projects were selected through a competitive tendering process, based on specific criteria: the projects should involve areas of care that were high cost, high volume or high risk; and for which there was a significant level of evidence relating to diagnosis and treatment, and tangible indicators for a difference between this evidence and current practice. The successful consortia and their projects were: Austin Bowel Cancer Consortium — implemented National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for colorectal cancer care,8 spanning multiple episodes of acute care (surgery and oncology) in three hospitals: metropolitan, regional and private. Brisbane Cardiac Consortium — adapted national guidelines for management of acute coronary syndromes9 and congestive heart failure10 and systematically implemented the evidence within three hospitals and in general practice. Monash University Consortium — developed local protocols based on the best available evidence (in the absence of national guidelines) for managing patients with acute stroke (first 7 days) and implemented them in four hospital sites: tertiary, regional, rural and private. Towards a Safer Culture (TASC) Consortium — focused on management of acute coronary syndromes9 and stroke (for which there were no such guidelines). The principal area of interest was the emergency department. This program was subsequently extended to the inpatient setting of four hospitals in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The primary aim of each project was to embed the best available evidence into local routine clinical practice. The focus was not on generating new evidence or on proving that evidence-based care improves outcomes for patients. Instead, the projects focused on the structural and cultural dimensions of care, with tangible outcomes such as developing information systems, protocols, tools and organisational pathways necessary to support evidence-based care and influence clinicians to use evidence routinely and sustainably. There was considerable variation between the projects. This heterogeneity included the clinical focus, the amount and type of evidence available and the tasks required to implement the evidence; the environment in which changes were sought; and the number, type and geographical spread of project partners. Projects also varied in their interpretations of the CSS model, change management strategies, The Clinical Support Systems Program


This paper gives the experimental results obtained with a two stroke cycle single cylinder research engine using an electrically heated combustion chamber to simulate the combustion chamber of a low heat rejection DI diesel engine with an M-combustion system. In this report, the experiment was performed to investigate the influences of fuel injection direction, which is cosidered to affect the quantity of deposited fuel on the combustion chamber surface and the influences of combustion chamber surface temperature on the diesel combustion. It is found that the combustion chamber surface temperature greatly affects the combustion of deposited fuel on the surface, and the diesel combustion is controled with the injection direction and the surface temperature of the combustion chamber.


The effects of landscape pattern on forest ecosystems have been a recent focus in forest science. Forest managers are increasingly considering landscape level processes in their management. Natural disturbance patterns provide one baseline for such management. What has been largely ignored is the pattern of human habitation patterns (i.e., housing), on landscapes. The objective of this study is to discuss landscape level management options for the northwest Wisconsin Pine Barrens based on both landscape ecology and the human demographics of the region. Using the 1990 U.S. Decennial Census we examined current housing density, seasonal housing unit concentration, historic housing density change and projected future housing densities. These data were related to land cover and land ownership data using a GIS. Housing density increase was particularly pronounced in the central Pine Barrens, an area where seasonal housing units are common. Lakes and streams were more abundant in areas that exhibited highest growth. Within national forest lands, 80% of the area contained no housing units. In contrast, only 12% of the area in small private land ownership contained no housing. These results are integrated with previous studies of presettlement vegetation and landscape change to discuss landscape level management suggestions for the Pine Barrens.


In this study,we evaluateed the spectral response characteristics of 6 typical tree seedlings in subtropical areas under acid rain in different simulative levels.The experiment shows that there are conspicuous differences between the coniferous and broadleaf in terms of their sensitivities to the acid rain.3 conifers,i.e.Pinus massoniana,Cunninghamia lanceolata and Torreya grandis are evidently more sensitive to the acid rain than Machilus pauhoi,Cinnamomum camphora and Myrica rubra,3 kinds of broad-leaved trees.For conifer,the chlorophyll content of Pinus massoniana and Cunninghamia lanceolata was greatly higher than that of Torreya grandis.For the species of broad-leaved trees,however,there was no significant difference among the Machilus pauhoi,Cinnamomum camphora and Myrica rubra.Since Pinus massoniana,Cinnamomum camphora and Torreya grandis cannot stand the high level of acid rain,their chlorophyll content at first increaseed and later declineed,which was contrary to that of Cunninghamia lanceolata.While Myrica rubra could withstand long-term acid rain of high level,its chlorophyll content under pH2.5 was higher than that under pH5.6.As for the Machilus pauhoi,there was no evident law in the changes of chlorophyll content of Machilus pauhoi during the 4 experimental phases.What′s more,the red-edged spectral reflectance positions of the testing plants were substantially consistent with the changing rules of the chlorophyll content.To be more exact,Pinus massoniana and Torreya grandis which belong to the species of coniferous tree mainly showed a "blue shift",while Cunninghamia lanceolata showed "blue shift" first and "red shift" later,which reflected the long-term resistance to the acid rain of high level.Cinnamomum camphora,a type of the broad-leaved tree showed"red shift" first and "blue shift" later,which was the acceleration and then the resistance to the simulated acid rain of high level.The first derivative curve of Myrica rubra spectral reflectance was relatively flat,and there was no obvious phenomenon related to the "red shift" and "blue shift".Machilus pauhoi showed "red shift" and "blue shift" alternatively,which corresponded to the changes of chlorophyll content and revealsed its inconspicuous sensitivity to the acid rain.


The asymmetric dirhodium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular CH insertion of α-diazo acetamides in water is described for the first time. The use of natural α-amino acids as chiral ligands allowed the preparation of novel dirhodium(II) homochiral complexes by a simple procedure consisting of the in situ ligand exchange starting from dirhodium tetraacetate. The catalytic system was further reused up to 7 cycles and β-lactams were obtained in good yields and enantiomeric excess.


This paper examines the role of the social network hierarchy of financial advisory firms in a mergers and acquisitions (M&As) framework. Financial advisors are information intermediaries who play an information extraction and information dissemination role. The more central the advisory firm is within the network of advisory firms, the greater their access to information flows. Our findings indicate that more central advisors are associated with higher acquirer announcement abnormal returns, higher abnormal combined returns and higher operating long‐run performance for the new entity. Central advisors also mitigate information asymmetries, resulting in lower premium paid by bidders. In return, more central advisory firms demand higher advisory fees, engage in higher M&A activity and are more likely to advise large acquirers and acquisitions of large and public deals. Our results are robust to endogeneity and self‐selection concerns.


Principles and Practice of Pain Management First edition. Carol A. Warfield; ed. 552 pages. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1993. $79.00. The scientific study of pain has led to innovations in the practice of medicine, including patient-controlled analgesia, improved palliative care of patients with advanced cancer, and simple monitoring of the adequacy of pain management on the hospital ward by asking patients to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 or verbal descriptor scale. Progress in scientific understanding of pain mechanisms and control will increasingly require physicians to keep abreast of developments in the principles and practice of controlling pain and restoring function. Although the compact size and price (for a textbook) of Principles and Practice of Pain Management might make this text appealing to the general internist or family physician interested in the evaluation and management of pain, the preface states that this text is specifically intended for the pain specialist. In Part I, there are competent and well-written chapters on the pathophysiology of pain (Dubuisson), pain measurement (White), and pain psychology (Turk, Rudy, and Boucek). However, at 49 pages this section is too brief to give the general internist, let alone the pain specialist, an adequate introduction to pain mechanisms and assessment. The chapters in Part II cover headache and orofacial, neck, chest, low back, abdominal, pelvis, perineal, joint, extremity, and foot pain. While useful material is presented in several of these chapters, there are deficiencies reflecting broad problems in the scientific and clinical underpinnings of the evaluation and management of pain patients. These chapters typically present considerable information on differential diagnosis, but the reader is usually not informed of which conditions are common and which are rare. Information on prognosis is also lacking. Like many textbooks in medicine, it is unclear when diagnostic and treatment recommendations reflect the opinion of the author and when they are based on rigorous scientific evidence. Not all of the chapters address therapy, but those that do tend to discuss a range of treatment options with an optimism that is not consistently substantiated by scientific evidence. Widely used diagnostic and therapeutic modalities that have been suspected or proven to be worthless are not identified, and little concern is expressed for the relative costs of alternatives. Unfortunately, these deficiencies reflect general shortcomings in medical approaches to pain management more than specific shortcomings of this text. The third part of the text discusses common painful syndromes such as sympathetic dystrophies, cancer pain, the myofascial syndrome, and peripheral neuropathies. In general, these chapters provide brief overviews of their selected topics. The concluding section of the text is a series of chapters on forms of pain therapy such as systemic pharmacologic approaches, nerve blocks, stimulation-induced analgesia, and behavioral therapy. Most material in these chapters would interest the pain specialist more than the general practitioner. Any text that stimulates the interest or enhances the abilities of general internists to keep abreast of developments in pain medicine is useful. Practicing clinicians and medical students would be well served by perusing several of the available textbooks on pain medicine to see which best meets their needs and interests. The careful shopper would be wise to look at the second edition of John Bonica's The Management of Pain (Lea and Febiger; 1990), a comprehensive standard against which other pain medicine texts can be judged.


For six months I have had a ringside seat in outpatient clinics at two London hospitals. The apparently occult nature of my disorder, a paroxysmal cough, weight loss, breathlessness, mild pyrexia, and diarrhoea persisting for 10 months has invoked the multiple application of the alliterative sisters; scans, scopes, smears, and samples, so far without any unambiguous diagnostic conclusion. But I have had a good view from the other end of the speculum.

Am I a happy outpatient? By and large, yes. Without exception the medical staff, doctors, nurses, radiologists, and technicians have been caring, kind, and efficient. All my lay questions have been answered honestly and thoroughly. Nobody has called me "Pop" (I am 69) or used my first name, which is remarkable nowadays. Every procedure has been as discrete and dignified as possible and has been explained before and during the event. I cannot complain about any stinting of resources, although the diagnostic trail must already have cost thousands of pounds.

Do I have reservations? Yes, some. These include the much protested problem in some departments of appointment systems which seem to have waiting time built in. Because of "no shows" it may be necessary to overbook and it may be convenient to have every patient on parade at the same time, but why do these consequences of defaults have to be borne by the more conscientious members of society? Incidentally, departmental appointment overload may be measured by the number of pages of a Walter Scott novel read by a waiting outpatient [pSc]; my average over six months is around 30pSc per visit.

Worse than waiting, however, is the unavailability until the next clinic appointment, which may be weeks ahead, of the results of tests and procedures. Inpatients return to their beds and hear the results during ward rounds a day or two later; we outliers have to wait for our next consultation. Recalls present similar problems; following a gallium scan I was asked to return the following morning; after the new scan there was no one about to explain the significance of the recall. Mildly anxious, I went to the ward to which the clinic is attached and asked the registrar to intercept my report and let me know if all was well. In the event it had been only a question of confirming the movement of matter in the bowel. Without such brass necked brash- ness to pursue an explanation, however, I and no doubt most others, would have worked up a scenario of truly gothic diagnostic horror.

Would it not be possible for an outpatient to be given the name of a link member of the medical staff from whom a summary result may be obtained long before the next clinic appointment? While I appreciate the problem of an additional diversion of consultants' valuable time if the news were bad, I feel that some compromise solution could be arranged, perhaps involving an accelerated appointment when necessary but also defusing the patients' anxieties by telephone when all is well.

"No one has called me 'Pop' or used my first name"

A less serious complaint is that, because of our nomadic existence, we transients encounter a variety of physical discomforts, which ought to be obvious but seem not to have been recognised. For example, a barium meal and follow through may take up to six hours with intermittent examinations on the machine; for outpatients there is nowhere to wait between calls which recur at some 15pSc intervals, except in their 4' 6" x 3' 6" changing cubicles with their hard, narrow benches.

To a lay observer nothing seems to have been seriously deficient or defective. On the contrary, the medical staff with whom I have been in contact have been worthy of an α and α plus for professionalism and what might be broadly called good manners. The use of equipment and laboratory facilities has been unstinted and in absolute terms the discomforts encountered have been trivial. The outpatients' lot could be improved, however, with, among other things, some better rationale for consultation programming to reduce the queue; the establishment of a link between outpatient and staff to allay anxieties; and the provision of a holding area in which to wait for further tests and examinations and in which to recover.

Corticosteroid treatment has now been suggested, accompanied by what may be a breakthough—I have been told by letter for the first time of my last C-reactive protein reading and invited to return to the ward if there are any problems. Lines of communication have suddenly opened; has this note been leaked?


Received: 15 June 2011 Accepted: 22 May 2012 Abstract Background and Aim: Regarding chemical methods of plaque control, use mouthrinses are more frequent than other methods. The objective of this research is making a comparison between the antibacterial effect of Nanosil and chlorhexidine mouthwashes. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study samples were taken from supragingival and subgingival plaques of 15 patients and transferred to aerobic and anaerobic liquid culture environments. The number of the bacteria in both aerobic and anaerobic liquid environments were determined by spectrophotometer. Then, the samples were transferred from the liquid culture environment to the considered solid culture environment as a mixture of nanosil and chlorhexidine mouthwashes and placebo and the numbers of the growth colonies in the solid culture environment were counted in each group and compared with each other by t test. Results: In both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, the number of the growth colonies, was depicted in ascending order the groups of chlorhexidine, nanosil, and placebo. Concerning chlorhexidine, there was no significant difference between the growth colonies in the two aerobic and anaerobic environments indicating the absolute antibacterial effect of this mouthwash. Nanosil mouthwash had a significant statistical superiority in comparison with the placebo in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Nanosil had a significant effect on anaerobic environment, meanwhile, the placebo indicated a superior effect in anaerobic environment. Conclusion: Nanosil mouthwash can be applied as an effective antibacterial substance especially in an anaerobic environment, though chlorhexidine as a standard mouthwash has still the strongest effect in this field.


Abstract : Strategic mobility is critical to our ability to augment forces already present in a region. The Army pre-positioned brigade sets in Qatar, Kuwait, South Korea, Europe, and Afloat are designed to enhance U.S. forward presence-allowing reinforcing brigades to be combat ready and able to deter aggression within days vice weeks/months. This paper will specifically look at land and afloat pre-positioned brigade sets and the utilization of high-speed sealift to enhance the Army's ability to quickly deploy in support of our National Military Strategy.


In this paper, an innovative method for two"dimensi onal attitude estimation making use of a unique, low" cost, dual arc accelerometer array measuring longitudinal and transverse rotational rates in real"time through the use of rate gyroscopes is proposed. This revolutionary device utilizes a dual arc accelerometer array and an extended Kalman filter algorithm for accurate and reliable two"dimensional attitude determination and rate gyro bias estimation in real"time. The method developed dete rmines the local gravitational field vector from which attitude information can be resolved. Upon determining the location of the local gravitational field vector relative to two consecutive accelerometer sensors, the orientation of the device may then be estimated and the attitude determined. However, this measurement is discrete in nature; therefore, integrated rate gyro measurements are used to determine attitude information resulting in a continuous signal. Attitude estimates and measurements produced by instantaneous rate sensors and gyroscope integration tend to drift over time however, due to drift and bias inherent to the rate gyro sensor. The integration of the acquired instantaneous rate signals amplify measurement errors leading to an undependable and imprecise estimate of the vehicles true attitude and orientation. A method for compensation of these errors is proposed in this work resulting in a highly accurate and continuous attitude estimates. For the work conducted in this study, simulations of the proposed method and device will be conducted with the inclusion of characteristic, real"world sensor noise and bias es timates produced from corrupted and biased sensors to analyze and asses the feasibility and validity of the proposed method and system configuration for two"dimensional attitude determination. In this work, simulations are also performed utilizing a Dryden wind and turbulence model to inject severe operating conditions into the simulation models during the nonlinear aircraft simulations performed to verify and validate the proposed device and algorithms ability to accurately and repeatedly produce reliable longitudinal and transverse attitude estimates in real"time desp ite the presence of severe operating conditions. The end goal of this work is to produce a precise and reliable longitudinal and transverse attitude estimation array capable of measuring rate senor and gyro bias online so as to generate highly accurate and reliable pitch and roll angle tracking in real"time while subjected to highly dynamic simu lated flight conditions and scenarios. $omenclature


We propose artificial potential fields as a support theory for a feature linking algorithm. This algorithm operates on 3D triangle meshes derived from multiple range scans of an object, and the features of interest are curvature extrema on the object's surface. A problem that arises with detecting these features is that results from standard algorithms are often incomplete in that feature lines are broken and discontinuous. Our novel linking algorithm closes these broken feature lines to form a more complete feature description. The main contribution of this algorithm is the use of artificial potential fields to govern the linking process. In this paper, we discuss the feature detection process itself and then define the linking procedure in the context of potential fields. We present results for both synthetic and scanned models.


Recent studies using glycogen synthase kinase-3B (GSK-3B)– deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts suggest that GSK-3B positively regulates nuclear factor KB (NFKB)–mediated gene transcription. Because NFKB is suggested to participate in cell proliferation and survival pathways in pancreatic cancer, we investigated the role of GSK-3B in regulating these cellular processes. Herein, we show that pancreatic cancer cells contain a pool of active GSK-3B and that pharmacologic inhibition of GSK-3 kinase activity using small molecule inhibitors or genetic depletion of GSK-3B by RNA interference leads to decreased cancer cell proliferation and survival. Mechanistically, we show that GSK-3B influences NFKBmediated gene transcription at a point distal to the IK kinase complex, as only ectopic expression of the NFKB subunits p65/p50, but not an IK kinase B constitutively active mutant, could rescue the decreased cellular proliferation and survival associated with GSK-3B inhibition. Taken together, our results simultaneously identify a previously unrecognized role for GSK-3B in cancer cell survival and proliferation and suggest GSK-3B as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(6): 2076-81)


OBJECTIVES
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by neuronal cell loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). We aimed to perform atlas-based relaxometry using an anatomical SNpc atlas and obtain baseline values of SNpc regions in healthy volunteers.

METHODS
Neuromelanin (NM)-sensitive imaging of the midbrain and whole-brain 3D T1-weighted images of 27 healthy volunteers (20 males; aged 36.3 ± 11.5 years) were obtained. An anatomical SNpc atlas was created using NM-sensitive images in standard space, and divided into medial (MG), dorsal (DG), and ventrolateral (VG) groups. Proton density (PD), T1, and T2 values in these regions were obtained using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The relationships between PD, T1, and T2 values in each SNpc region and age were evaluated.

RESULTS
The VG PD value was significantly higher than the MG and DG values. MG, DG, and VG T1 values were significantly different, whereas the T2 value of the MG was significantly lower than the DG and VG values. Moreover, a significant negative correlation between PD and T1 values of the MG and age was observed.

CONCLUSION
The PD, T1, and T2 values of the SNpc regions measured in standard space using an anatomical atlas can be used as baseline values. PD and T1 values of the SNpc regions may be associated with NM concentrations.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE
An anatomical SNpc atlas was created using NM-sensitive MRI and can be used for the quantitative evaluation of sub segments of the SNpc in standard space.


Objective:We attempted to determine whether activation of the sensory neuron contributes to reduction of endotoxin-induced hypotension by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production via calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release in rats. Design:Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Setting:Research laboratory at a university medical center. Subjects:Wistar rats weighing 220–280 g. Interventions:Mean arterial blood pressure was measured in rats administered endotoxin intravenously. Animals were pretreated with capsazepine (a vanilloid receptor antagonist), CGRP(8–37) (a CGRP receptor antagonist), and indomethacin before endotoxin administration. Levels of CGRP, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α, TNF-α, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) were measured by enzyme immunoassay methods. The concentration of NO2−/NO3− was measured using the Griess reagent. Tissue levels of messenger RNA of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and TNF-α were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Measurements and Main Results:Both lung levels of CGRP and plasma levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α were increased after intravenous administration of endotoxin (5 mg/kg), peaking at 90 mins after endotoxin administration. Increases in plasma levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α at 90 mins after endotoxin administration (766 ± 134 pg/mL) were inhibited by pretreatment with capsazepine (373 ± 44 pg/mL, p < .05), CGRP(8–37) (406 ± 64 pg/mL, p < .05), and indomethacin (154 ± 40 pg/mL, p < .05). Although none of the pretreatments affected a series of endotoxin-induced responses, including increases in lung tissue levels of TNF-α, CINC, and iNOS and the resultant hypotension in animals given 5 mg/kg endotoxin, such pretreatments enhanced these pathologic responses in animals given a smaller dose of endotoxin (1 mg/kg) to the same extent as those induced by 5 mg/kg of endotoxin, suggesting that shock responses induced by 5 mg/kg endotoxin are maximum responses and activation of sensory neurons in endotoxin-treated rats is essentially a reparative response. Conclusion:Activation of sensory neurons might contribute to reduction of endotoxin-induced hypotension by releasing CGRP, which is capable of promoting endothelial production of prostacyclin.


In this thesis, the algebras of primary interest are the quantum Schubert cells and the quantum Grassmannians, both of which are known to satisfy a condition on primitive ideals known as the Dixmier-Moeglin equivalence.
 A stronger version of the Dixmier-Moeglin equivalence is introduced - a version which deals with all prime ideals of an algebra rather than just the primitive ideals. Quantum Schubert cells are shown to satisfy the strong Dixmier-Moeglin equivalence.
 Until now, given a torus-invariant prime ideal of the quantum Grassmannian, one
could not decide which quantum Plucker coordinates it contains. Presented here is a graph-theoretic method for answering this question. This may be useful for providing a full description of the inclusions between the torus-invariant prime ideals of the quantum Grassmannian and may lead to a proof that quantum Grassmannians satisfy the strong Dixmier-Moeglin equivalence.


The aim of this article is to relate basic findings from research papers to identify the effects that valsalva manoeuvre ('purple pushing') has upon maternal and fetal wellbeing. Analysis of 16 papers revealed four main consequences from purple pushing. These include: an increase in fetal distress; maternal distress; and perineal trauma, when compared with spontaneous pushing. Valsalva manoeuvre also makes little difference to length of second stage. Key conclusions from this literature review are that women should be encouraged to push instinctively, which often embraces natural vocalization. Restrictions of time should not be imposed when mother and fetus are well. Awaiting instinctive behaviour reduces the incidence of urinary system, pelvic floor and perineal trauma. These findings should facilitate midwives to critically understand research that underpins the Royal College of Midwives (2007) second stage of labour guidelines.


Product promotion designing is an important aspect of product design. Price promotion is a kind of the product promotion, which lead to the success of product design. Based on the existing literatures, this paper introduces the definition of price promotion, types of price promotion, effect of price promotion, the mechanism of price promotion. These are important for designing a successful product promotion.


Sterile peritoneal dialysis solutions containing bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium and glucose are difficult to prepare and store (1). Yet such solutions may be of value in the management of acidotic states, such as lactic acidosis (2). We reported previously a method of producing bicarbonate-containing peritoneal dialysate using an automated dialysate delivery machine (3,4). More recently, we have devised a method of preparing «on-line» bicarbonate-containing peritoneal dialysis solutions without the use of an automated dialysate delivery machine: An «acid solution» and a «base solution» are mixed in equal proportions just prior to instillation into the peritoneal cavity. Housed in glass bottles, both solutions are dispensed in quantities of 2,200 ml each. A bottle of «acid solution» contains the following: 2,000 ml of 0.45% sodium chloride and 5% glucose, 153 ml of 3% sodium chloride, 7 ml of 15% potassium chloride, 12 ml of 10% calcium chloride (CaCI2·2H20), 12 ml of 5% magnesium chloride (MgCI2·6H20) and 16 ml of 1N hydrochloric acid. A bottle of «base solution» consists of the following: 2,000 ml of 0.45% sodium chloride and 200 ml of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate. By calculation, the final product dialysate would contain 133 mEq/1 of sodium, 3.2 mEq/1 of potassium, 3.7 mEqll of calcium, 1.3 mEq/1 of magnesium, 99.2 mEqll of chloride, 45.5 mEq/1 of bicarbonate and 22.73 gil of glucose. With the exception of magnesium chloride and hydrochloric acid, all of the above constituents are commercially available in a form designed expressly for intravenous use. The «acid solution», prepared ahead of time, is sterilized by autoclaving, after prior passage through an 0.22 ~ Millex" millipore filter (Millipore Corporation, Bedford, Mas-


It is important for marketers to understand the nature and power of attitudes as it is a predisposition. It is made of three components – beliefs, affect and behavioral intentions. Depending on the consumers level of involvement and circumstances, his attitudes can result from hierarchy of effects. Persuasion is an attempt to change consumer attitudes. Although the traditional views of communication views consumers as passive elements, new developments of interactive communication highlights the active roles a consumer plays. The attractiveness and credibility are two important factors that influence effectiveness. The way a marketer structures his message determines the level of persuasiveness. This could be effectively done with advertisements employing emotional or rational appeals. The consumer's characteristics determine if the message itself will be effective and depends on the level of involvement with communication. The Elaboration Likelihood model specifies that less involved consumers could be swayed whereas more involved consumer is likely to attend and process the components of actual message.(Solomon R Michael, 2011)


The invention of computational software (CS) over the last two decades is a very significant development in the use of mathematics. We propose to introduce CS into the mathematical life of Ohio University by making a particular software package, MatLab, widely available across the University and by introducing MatLab homework into most of the undergraduate mathematics curriculum. With this training and campus-wide availability of the software, MatLab will be a tool that students can use throughout their careers at Ohio. This project is based on book written by Young. MatLab is the registered trademark of The Math Works Inc.


PURPOSE: A vinyl bag folding and stacking apparatus is provided to stack vinyl bag in an equal length on its top by fastening one side of the vinyl bag with a fixing and suction unit sequentially. CONSTITUTION: A vinyl bag folding and stacking apparatus comprises a transfer device(20), a loading unit(30), a pressing unit(40), a fixing and suction unit(50), a pressing unit(60), and a slide preventing tap(611). The transfer device supplies vinyl bag by an upper roller(21) and a lower roller(22). Vinyl bag is stacked in a loading unit while being folded. The pressing unit presses down the top of the vinyl bag which is folded in the loading unit and is stacked. The fixing and suction unit installed between the loading unit and the lower roller sucks one side of the vinyl bag by a suction hole(52). The pressing unit conveys the vinyl bags stacked on the conveyor to a discharging conveyor(32). The slide preventing tap is joined in the lower part of the bent leading end of a press plate(61).


In AutoMed, data integration is based on the use of reversible sequences of schema transformations. We discuss how views can be generated from these sequences. We also discuss techniques for optimising the views, firstly by simplifying the transformation sequences, and secondly by optimising the view definitions generated from them.


Yellow to reddish brown soil is generally referred to as hwangto and is used in various industries in Korea. Despite the fact that it is used as an inorganic pigment in dancheong, limited studies have been conducted on the properties of pigments associated with soil and on the mineralogical characteristics of hwangto. This study examines how the pedological and mineralogical features of hwangto affect pigment properties. Results indicate that reddish and yellowish soils have differences in terms of soil texture, mineral composition, oil absorption and stability under light. Reddish soil is mostly found in clay regions, whereas Ulleungdo hwangto is found in loam regions. Yellowish soil is mostly present in the clay loam to loam zones. whereas Haenam hwangto exists in the sandy clay loam zone. As a result of a mineralogical analysis, reddish soil is classified into the feldspar group and clay soil. The major minerals in the yellowish soils are similar however these soils differ in terms of clay mineral compositions. results of the characteristics of pigments prepared by the traditional method revealed that the average particle size is in the range of 10-20 μm, reddish soil has an average of 20 ml/100 g higher oil absorption than yellowish soil. In addition, reddish soil is more susceptible to discoloration and deterioration under light than yellowish soil. This study confirms that the soil and mineral characteristics of hwangto affect the physical properties and stability of produced pigments. These result can be used as basic data in future studies natural inorganic pigments using hwangto.


The paper proposes an extension of the classical Fourier series for analysis of signals with time-varying spectral content. This, in comparison to classical series, allows reducing the number of coefficients that represent the signal if the fundamental frequency of the extended Fourier series is chosen according to the time-varying bandwidth of the signal. The advantage of the proposed series is demonstrated by numerical results for various test signals.


Current methods of data mining, word sense disambiguation
in the information retrieval, semantic relation, fuzzy
sets theory, fuzzy description logic, fuzzy ontology and their
implementation, omit the existence of paradox called here the
paradox of the fuzzy disambiguation. The paradox lies in the
fact that due to fuzzy data and the experts knowledge it can
be obtained precise knowledge. In this paper to describe this
paradox, is introduced a conceptual apparatus. Moreover, there
is formulated an information retrieval logic. There are suggested
certain applications of this logic to search information on the
Web.


The historical development of the practice of applying restrictive measures (sanctions) has led to a transition from the idea of their application against States to the concept of their application against individual private law entities. The article examines the historical practice of applying sanctions against Russia and the prerequisites for their application against private law entities. The author gives a general description of the restrictive measures of the European Union used against third States and individuals. In addition, the article examines the specifics of the restrictive measures of the European Union that have been in force against Russia since 2014, taking into account their significant expansion that occurred after February 24, 2022. The legal regulation of the European Union, which establishes restrictive measures against the Russian Federation, was significantly expanded and revised after the announcement by the President of Russia about the beginning of a special military operation in Ukraine. As a result of the analysis of this regulation, the author comes to the conclusion that at the moment there is a hybrid sanctions regime in the European Union, when targeted sanctions against individuals are combined with comprehensive restrictive measures against a number of sectors of the Russian economy. The article also assesses the compliance of restrictive measures of the European Union with modern concepts of "smart" and "targeted" sanctions, which, according to the supporters, should reduce the negative humanitarian consequences of the use of restrictive measures. Despite the official statements of the European Union, the article presents arguments that allow us to conclude that in practice such "smart" and "targeted" sanctions are accompanied by indiscriminate comprehensive restrictions that apply not only to sanctioned persons, but also, in principle, to any Russian persons.


A 9-bit, 1.0-V pipelined analog-to-digital converter has been designed using the switched-opamp technique. The input signal for the converter is brought in using a novel passive interface circuit. The design also features a low-voltage multiplying analog-to-digital converter (MDAC) and an improved common mode feedback circuit for a switched-opamp. The prototype chip implemented in a 0.5 µm CMOS technology has DNL and INL of 0.6 and 0.9 LSB, respectively, and achieves 50.0 dB SNDR at 5 MHz clock rate. As the supply voltage is raised to 1.5 V the clock frequency can be increased to 14 MHz. The power consumption from a 1.0 V supply is 1.6 mW.


OBJECTIVE
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Aberrant expression of miR-199a was associated with cancer development in many cancers. However, little was known about the clinical value of miR-199a in CRC. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between miR-199a expression and CRC prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was carried out to detect miR-199a expression level in serum from 107 CRC patients and 60 healthy controls.

RESULTS
Serum miR-199a levels were significantly lower in CRC patients, particularly in advanced stage CRC subjects. MiR-199a expression in patients with distant metastasis and lymph node metastasis was markedly reduced compared to those without. Moreover, low serum miR-199a expression was associated with various CRC clinicopathological parameters. The serum miR-199a levels in CRC patients were increased significantly after their treatment. Furthermore, the patients in low serum miR-199a expression group had both worse overall survival and disease-free survival. In the multivariate analysis, serum miR-199a was identified as an independent prognostic marker.

CONCLUSIONS
Reduced serum miR-199a was associated with poor prognosis in CRC and it might be useful as a marker for diagnosis and prognosis in CRC.


AbstractThis study investigates the effect of Portland cement porous concrete on tire-pavement noise reduction. The acoustical absorption coefficients were measured in the laboratory for porous concrete materials representing combinations of various maximum aggregate sizes, gradation, layer thickness, and composition layers. The laboratory results indicated that porous concrete with a maximum aggregate size of 9.5 mm had the highest acoustical absorption coefficient. They also showed that the peak absorption coefficient depends on the mixture characteristics and the thickness of the specimen. A thickness of 80 mm had optimum absorption. The results from the laboratory study were used to design and build a test road in the field with two test cells. The wet-on-wet construction method was successfully used to build the porous cement friction course over conventional concrete pavement. Tire-pavement noise was measured on the test cells using the close-proximity method under various vehicle speeds and differe...


A power supply system (1; 1 '; 1' '; 1' ''; 1 '' ''; 1 * 1 **) to supply a vehicle with electric power includes a high temperature fuel cell (60), a burner (20), a first heat exchanger (70), a turbine (90) and a generator (80). The high temperature fuel cell (60) is formed, a first fuel supplied thereto (31) and supplied thereto first oxidizer (41) at least partially into electrical energy. The burner (20) is formed, a supplied to it second fuel (32) and fed to it second oxidant (42) by means of a combustion reaction at least partially converted into thermal energy, and at least a part of this thermal energy by means of a in the combustion reaction burner exhaust gas produced ( discharge 50) from the burner (20). The first heat exchanger (70) is formed in the burner exhaust gas (50) contained thermal energy at least partially on the current supplied to the high-temperature fuel cell (60) the first fuel (31) and / or the high-temperature fuel cell to be transmitted (60) supplied to first oxidizer (41). The turbine (90) is adapted to convert at least a portion of energy contained in the exhaust gas of the burner (50) into kinetic energy. The generator (80) is mechanically connected to the turbine (90) and adapted to convert the kinetic energy generated by the turbine (90) at least partially into electrical energy (81).


A simple polarographic method for analysis of uranium in ores was presented using potential buffer reagent. Ores of Ningyo Pass were employed as a sample. Uranium was extracted by 6N sulfuric acid aqueous media from the ores which powdered in below 100 mesh-size. Aluminum and iron ions were removed by adding sodium carbonate. Solutions for polarographic measurements were prepared directly from this filtrate : Using a potential buffer solution which was made up of Menzel buffer reagent and sodium sulfate, well-defined polarographic waves were obtained. Uranium content in the fine particle part of the powder sample was found to be 1.45%. This procedure may be proposed as a simple and rapid method for the determination of uranium content in ores.


The time of nonlinear wave collapse is computed numerically for the Hopf equation. Previous numerical criteria for locating the time of wave collapse are either computationally prohibitive to implement or give erroneous results. A new criterion for this purpose is developed analytically using asymptotic analysis of the wave shock development shortly after breaking. The criterion defines the wave breaking time as the onset of energy dissipation. This onset results in a singularity in the third derivative of the energy function, the location of which yields the breaking time. A numerical criterion is formulated from this analytical result and tested against the exact analytical value of the breaking time. This is done by first solving the differential equation with a finite difference method. Then, to compensate for numerical error, a moving average method is developed to refine the energy data. The obtained results give visible convergence to the analytical breaking time as the numerical mesh is refined.