This paper reports two basic microfluidic strategies for the magnetic manipulation of unlabeled nonmagnetic particles/cells. One is the deflection induced by a single magnet, and the other is the confusing effect produced by two magnets of opposite polarity. They can be combined into more completed particle manipulations like continuous flow separation, counting and detection, which are essential steps in biomedical applications. We experimentally studied the dynamics of 10.4 and 20 [Formula: see text]m nonmagnetic polystyrene particles within a flow rate range of 30, 50, 70 and 90 [Formula: see text]L/min in a straight channel. We defined the cross-section length that the particles occupy as the "particle bandwidth" to characterize the extent of deflection and focusing. To predict the trajectories of the particles, we established a simple theoretical model by considering the magnetic force and viscous drag force. Compared with the experimental results, the maximum deviation of the simulation is 9.28%. The influences of magnetic nanoparticle concentration, magnetic field parameters, size of microparticles and flow rate are systematically investigated. We also demonstrated that the effective deflection and focusing could be realized at low Fe3O4 nanoparticle concentrations, which means that this method can reduce the damage on cells in the practical applications.


Summary The health status of Swedish children is in many respects among the best in the world, as shown by the low infant mortality rate, the high percentage of breastfed infants, the low childhood accident rate, the high proportion of vaccinated children, and the relatively low percentage of children who experience corporal punishment. The low infant mortality rate notwithstanding, the first year of life is a vulnerable period; the number of children who die in this first year is higher than the total for the 1–15 age group. The most common causes of neonatal morbidity are preterm birth and low birth weight due to intrauterine growth retardation. 2.5 per cent of newborns exhibit low birth weight, and 6 per cent are born preterm. These levels have remained the same over the past decade. However, mortality in the first weeks of life continues to decline thanks to increasingly better care during delivery and in the neonatal period. Improvements have also meant that fewer preterm babies now develop cerebral palsy (CP). Stillborn rates, on the other hand, are as high today as they were ten years ago, and stillbirths are more frequent among low-income mothers. Approximately 1.5 per cent of all children are born with malformations or chromosomal anomalies severe enough to cause death or significant functional impairment. The most common chromosomal anomaly is Down's syndrome, a condition more common among offspring to older women. At present, 20–25 children are born annually with spina bifida (meningomyelocele) and approximately 80 pregnancies are terminated after the disorder has been detected during prenatal ultrasound examination. In the 1–15 age group, accidents account for a quarter of all deaths among girls and a third among boys. Twenty per cent of deaths are caused by cancer. Mortality due to accidents is low during childhood up until the teen years and gender differences are small. Sweden has one of the world's lowest child mortality rates in the 1-15 age-group. This is primarily due to the low child accident mortality rate. Since the turn of the century, however, the rate of infant hospitalisation due to unintentional or intentional injury has increased, as has hospitalisation of 14–16-year-olds due to severe injuries from moped and motorcycle accidents. Children in the 5 th grade of compulsory school


Price linkage between the US and Japanese futures across different time zones: An analysis of the minute-by-minute data ଝ Keywords: Global leadership hypothesis Granger causality Home-bias hypothesis Information share Price discovery Trading-place-bias hypothesis a b s t r a c t This study uses minute-by-minute data to analyze price discovery dynamics between the Nikkei 225 index in Japan and the E-mini S&P 500 index futures in the United States across their respective time zones. Specifically, we apply Gonzalo and Granger's (1995) and Has-brouck's (1995) models to examine long-term price discovery in the markets and use a Granger-causality test to analyze the short-run dynamics of information transmission. We find a consistent result in the short-and long-run price discovery process. Our results show that the Nikkei 225 index futures price is influenced mainly by information from the location of trading rather than from the home market, supporting the trading-place-bias hypothesis. We also find that the leading role in information transmission has changed over time, from


Recent studies have revealed that climatic changes had driven tectonic perturbations. Plate subduction zones in the subpolar re-gions, including the southern Alaska and the southern Chile margins, have experienced proximal ice-sheet advances several times during the Late Cenozoic. Glaciers are highly efficient erosive agents and their presence and extent are known to control under-lying topography. However, there is little understanding of the dynamic interplay between tectonics and glaciation-deglaciation in these settings. Moreover, the relationship between plate convergence rates and taper angles in the outer wedges of these glaciated accretionary margins deviates from the strong correlation observed in other non-glaciated accretionary margins. Herein we present mechanical variations of the tapered-wedge overriding the North American plate on the southern Alaska subduction margin coupled with glacial erosion associated with the maximum extent of the adjacent Cordilleran ice-sheet around the Mid-Pleistocene Transition. Changes in the taper-wedge geometry influence material cycling and fluid distribution as well as deformation, thermal regime, and seismicity in the wedge. We estimate the geometry of the Cordilleran ice-sheet during its maximum extent using the modified 2-D Shallow-Shelf Approximation to reconstruct approximate rates of glacial erosion. The calculated glacial erosion rates are constrained by offshore sedimentary records from recent IODP Expedition 341 as well as seismic images. We find evidence that the extent of glaciation is considered to definitely affect long-term mechanics of the outer taper-wedge. The large glaciations post-MPT promote an extensionally critical state and enhances fluid and gas escape from the wedge to the seafloor. This is likely responsible for the absence of offshore mud volcanoes and bottom-simulating reflectors indicative of marine methane hydrates in the southern Alaska margin.


Reform of practical teaching was performed by school of stomatoly in Shandong university.Lab teaching,training and evaluation on head simulator were strengthened.The psychological and technical transformation from students to dentists was accelerated through technical training before clinical practice.Comprehensive clinical practice strengthened clinical skill training and improved comprehensive ability cultivation.Three sections of practical teaching including lab teaching,technical training before clinical practice and comprehensive clinical practice were organically combined and a complete practical teaching platform was constructed,which provides guarantees for the improvement of clinical practical ability of undergraduates in stomatology.

Key words:
Stomatology;  Practical teaching;  Lab teaching;  Technical training before clinical practice;  Comprehensive clinical practice


The rising and booming of philosophy of language makes the linguistic turn in western philosophy in 20th century. But syntacticsemantics have not finished the linguistic turn. Apel thinks that people should supplement the syntacticsemantics with pragmatics. The main characters of Apel′s transcendental pragmatics are represented as follows: the emphasizing of the transcendental status of language and subject ;the overcoming of methodology solipsism and the stressing of grounding character of argument. The academic consequence of Apel's transcendental pragmatics is the convergence of European-continental hermeneutic and AngloAmerican scientism.


Abstract Healing can occur in a Methodist ecclesial context through empathy. After discussing an example of John Wesley's pastoral care using the case of Elizabeth Hobson, two questions are addressed from a self-psychological perspective: What is empathy? and How does it heal? Contrasted with sympathy, countertransference, and anxiety, empathy emerges as the process that enables relationships of greater depth and scope. Empathy heals by providing an environment free of undue anxiety, enabling insight, promoting more satisfying interpersonal relationships, and yoking with the person of the therapist who is in turn yoked with God. Theologically empathy heals because it is an interpersonal incarnation of grace.


Inductor is one of the most important element in power converter systems,and its winding loss affects the efficiency and performance of the system directly.It is necessary to analyze and calculate the winding loss of inductors.The paper presents a more accurate model of inductors.The winding loss induced by skin effect and proximity effect is attributed to the AC resistance of the model.This paper reviews some methods on how to calculate the winding loss of inductors including 1D and 2D methods,then presents two calculation methods on winding loss of two typs of inductors.


Runoff forecasts are needed in many water resources activities such as flood and drought management, irrigation practices, and water distribution systems, etc. Runoff is generally forecasted using rainfall-runoff models by using hydrologic data in the catchment. Computer based hydrologic models have become popular with practicing hydrologists and water resources engineers for performing hydrologic forecasts and for managing water systems. Rainfall-runoff library (RRL) is computer software developed by Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology (CRCCH), Australia. The RRL consists of five different conceptual rainfall-runoff models and has been in operation in many water resources applications in Australia. RRL is designed to simulate catchment runoff by using daily rainfall and evapotranspiration data. In this paper, the results from an investigation on the use of different optimization methods for the calibration of various conceptual rainfall-runoff models available in RRL toolkit are presented. Out of the five conceptual models in the RRL toolkit, AWBM (The Australian Water Balance Model) has been employed. Seven different optimization methods are investigated for the calibration of the AWBM model. The optimization methods investigated include uniform random sampling, pattern search, multi start pattern search, Rosenbrock search, Rosenbrock multi-start search, Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE-UA) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). Trial and error procedures were employed to arrive at the best values of various parameters involved in the optimizers for all to develop the AWBM. The results obtained from the best configuration of the AWBM are presented here for all optimization methods. The daily rainfall and runoff data derived from Bird Creek Basin, Oklahoma, USA have been employed to develop all the models included here. A wide range of error statistics have been used to evaluate the performance of all the models developed in this study. It has been found that the AWBM model calibrated using GA optimizer performs better than the other optimization methods. The AWBM model calibrated using uniform random sampling optimizer performed comparable to the one calibrated using GA but it is more computationally expensive. The results obtained in this study indicate that the evolutionary approaches based on the laws of probability and competitive evolution may be useful in modeling the conceptual rainfall-runoff process in real catchments. More research is needed in using efficient optimization methods based on evolutionary approaches in conceptual rainfall-runoff modeling. It is hoped that the future research efforts will focus in such directions.


Objective To improve the diagnosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES).Materials and Methods MRI and clinical manifestations of 8 patients with PRES confirmed by clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.MRI examination,included sagittal T1WI,axial T1WI,axial T2WI,FLAIR sequences were performed in all the patients.3 patients underwent contrast MR examination(GD-DTPA).3D-TOF MRA,CE-MRV,DWI were underwent in 2,1 and 6 patients respectively.Results Lesions mainly located in the cortex and subcortical white matter of the parieto and occipital lobes with symmetrical distributions,and the lesions located in the brain stem in 2 cases.MRI showed slightly low or equal signal intensity on T1WI,high signal intensity on T2WI and FLAIR.No obvious contrast enhancement was found after intravenous injection of GD-DTPA.MRA showed normal.The lesions showed high signal intensity on DWI and high signal intensity or normal on ADC map.The lesions showed completely absorpted after adequate clinical treatments on follow-up MR images in 7 cases with clinical symptom improved.1 case died of multisystem organ failure.Conclusion The MR findings of PRES were typical.The lesions of PRES showed clearly on MRI.and could be diagnosised by multiple MR examine means combined with follow-up after clinical treatment.


The parking tax contribution received by the city government of Banjarmasin is very small, with only 2.09% of the total regional tax that can be collected. This small value is thought to be due to the taxpayer not being obedient in carrying out tax revenue reporting because the collection system uses self-assessment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of using a self-assessment system on taxpayer compliance in reporting taxable income correctly. The study was conducted to find out why the parking tax compulsory by using the self-assessment system is not compliant in reporting its taxable income and whatever the efforts of the Banjarmasin City Government in increasing the income of their Parking Tax. This study uses descriptive empirical methods. The unit of analysis in this study is the UPT of the Department of Transportation of the City of Banjarmasin and the Duta Mall Parking Manager. The primary data source of the study came from interviews with the Banjarmasin City Department of Transportation Parking UPT and secondary data from reports on the realization of Parking Tax receipts in the last 5 years as well as the Supervisory Reports conducted by UPT Parking. Data analysis using Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). The results showed that the parking taxpayer was not compliant in carrying out his tax obligations. This is due to the lack of supervision and inspection by Fiscus, the lack of fiscal personnel and taxpayers does not provide sufficient access to the Fiscal Authority to carry out tax oversight and inspection under its management. Article visualizations:


Objective To investigate the immune privilege of islet allgrafts induced by cotrans-planting testicular Sertoli cell and pancreatic islet into rat liver and the optimal amount of Sertoli cells. Methods The allogeneic islets and different Sertoli cells from rats were cotransplanted into liver of diabetic recipients. Allograft survival, islet function, the expression of insulin and FasL in allografts and apop-tosis of infiltrative lymphocytes in allografts were observed. Results All the animals receiving islets alone returned to diabetic status in seversal days ( mean survival time = 5. 6 ± 0.8 days). When islets were Co-transplanted in rat liver with 1 × 107 testicular Sertoli cells, the mean survival time of islets was (41.4 ± 4.61) days. Large number of testicular Stertoli cells expressing FasL and islet cells expressing insulin in islet allografts were found. The apoptosis of infiltrative lymphocytes arround allografts was found also. Conclusion Cotransplanted testicular Sertoli cell and pancreatic islet in rat liver can prolong allografts survival by inducing privilege of islet allografts, and the optimal amount of Sertoli cells cotransplanted was 1×107.


The recent reorganization of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) raises questions about how the new organizational structure meshes with the separation of functions requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and with FERC's regulations. The author finds no real question that a combination of trial and advisory functions in the same person in connection with the same case is troublesome and in violation of either the APA or FERC regulations. The real question appears to be which of two available avenues to pursue in order to gain assurance that the rules are followed without the need to inquire on a case-by-case basis. 61 references.


Postintubation laryngotracheal injury is common. Assessment of histopathological changes currently requires animal models. We set about developing a viable, resource effective animal model to study these effects and to develop a detailed tissue injury score.


Symmetry considerations stand at the core of classical and quantum physics. No modern—and few older—physical theories forgo the immense services that these considerations offer. It is therefore only natural that philosophers of physics have increasingly started to study the motivations for, as well as the technical implementations and the interpretative implications of, symmetries in fundamental physics. Apart from the extraordinary foundational interest of symmetries, they provide a vehicle to study more general philosophical issues such as the relation between the physical world and its representations and between physics and mathematics. Moreover, traditional problems in metaphysics and philosophy of science such as the nature and status of laws of nature, scientific realism, and determinism naturally arise in, and enjoy substantial fertilisation from, the context of symmetries in physics. This volume, edited by Katherine Brading and Elena Castellani, which grew out of a workshop held at Oxford in 2001, thus fulfills the felt need to collect the current philosophical debates on different aspects of symmetries in physics. The editors declare at the outset that their intention was to offer a ''format that would provide a point of entry into the subject for non-experts, including students and philosophers of science in general.'' (p. ix) Indeed, some of the articles are clearly accessible (and relevant!) to this wider audience. A number of articles—among them some of the most interesting contributions—, however, presuppose at least a willingness on the part of the reader to engage with more technical material. Although this may partially undermine the editors' expressed intention, they need not worry, for these articles will stir the interest of the specialist. What is more, some of the contributions present splendid and truly didactical reviews of the core issues in the subject and will therefore be of great service in advanced courses in the foundations and philosophy of physics. Please join me in more extensively exploring the collection, which is divided into four parts. Part I concerns continuous symmetries and constitutes the most voluminous section of the collection. After brief selections of classic texts on the subject by Weyl and Wigner, Christopher Martin sets out to survey the role and significance of continuous symmetries in fundamental physics and to introduce the philosophical


We propose a method for a concept-centric semantic analysis of an evolving corpus, highlighting the persistent concepts, emergence of new concepts, and the changes in the semantic associations between concepts. We report our findings on a corpus of computer science literature that spans six decades, revealing interesting patterns about the progress of the discipline.


The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) is a conditional social cash transfer program that provides assistance to Very Poor Households (RTSM) appointed as participants in the Conditional Cash Transfer program which is related to improving the quality of human life through education and health. This study aims to analyze the impact of Conditional Cash Transfers on ex-families who receive of Conditional Cash Transfers who go out independently in Pagelaran District with indicators of changes in economic conditions, changes in health quality, and changes in the quality of education. In evaluating the impact of this program, the researcher used the impact evaluation theory using The Most Significant Change technique (MSC) which is a participatory monitoring and evaluation technique that aims to obtain information about the most important changes in family life resulting from participation in poverty programs. The results of this study indicate that the Conditional Cash Transfer in Pagelaran District has a changing impact on the Former Beneficiary Family both positive and negative. Seen from the positive impact, the Former Beneficiary Family have experienced changes for the better, especially in the fields of economy and education. However, there has been change in the health sector because the informant of the Former Beneficiary Family in Pagelaran District was the recipient of assistance in the education sector. However, the negative side is the lack of compliance of former recipient families when they become participants in education.


Although several studies have showed that serum ferritin or iron overload was associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, those studies may have bias due to the potential confounding and selection biases in observational data. In this study, we aimed to investigate relationship between iron overload and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using propensity score matching analysis to minimize the selection biases. A total of 12677 subjects were selected from National health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) from 1988 to 1994, with 2741 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients determined by ultrasonography. After propensity score matching, 1317 cases and 1317 controls were selected based on greedy matching algorithm.  Both multiple logistic regression and conditional logistic regression were conducted using original eligible data and propensity score matching data to assess the association. Before propensity score matching, the iron overload population was 1.53 (95% CI [1.27, 1.85]) times more likely to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than the non-iron overload population (adjusted for socio-economic factors and risk factors). After propensity score matching, the odds ratio of having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in iron overload versus non-iron overload population was 1.45 (95% CI [1.43, 1.47]). Sensitivity analysis based on propensity score matched data also showed similar odds ratios in models adjusted for diabetes status or excluding diabetes patients. Propensity score matching analysis showed that iron overload is independently associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is consistent with previous studies based on cross-sectional or cohort study.


The legal significance of the full practice of the legal principles of China's new Criminal Law system is to promote China's socialist legal system, improve the protection of the rights of Chinese citizens, and keep pace with the trend of the world and be a breakthrough principles of China's Criminal Law.


Miscellaneous note: Piper hapnium is considered to be an endangered species of Piper. Occurrence of this species is reported mainly from the low-lying hills of Western Ghats. Though, scientists of Indian Institute of Spices Research conducted extensive surveys for collection of Piper species from the Western Ghats, P. hapnium (female plants) could be collected only once from the low land hills of Courtallum, Tamil Nadu. Earlier surveys conducted in the Silent Valley forests of Western Ghats (Ravindran et al. 1990) revealed the non-occurrence of P. hapnium in this area, though this sanctuary is identified as one of the rich centers for Piper diversity.


The Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) is the largest (6000 lb.) Air Force Research and Development (R&D) satellite ever to fly. The mission responds to the periodic need to fly large, heavy, or high power R&D payloads. The Space Vehicle pioneers a number of innovations in advanced space systems, providing operational support for eight DoD experiments, which themselves are demonstrating a number of advancements in space hardware. ARGOS innovations include integration of low risk advanced features such as a radiation hardened flight computer, the first complete GPS receiver embedded within the flight computer for position determination and time reference, and an extremely accurate attitude determination and control system. In addition, ARGOS uses scaled up solid-state recorder, mass storage to provide 2.6 Gigabits of onboard data storage. This is the first space vehicle which combines such accurate positioning and pointing with abundant storage/retrieval capabilities for a suite of imaging sensors. Other ARGOS innovations include: four 15.5" high-angular-momentum reaction wheels the largest to be flown to date; a next generation nickel hydrogen (NiH2) battery rated at 45 A-hr; advanced technology Ring Laser Gyros, 40°/0 the size of standard RLGs, and High Output Paraffin (HOP) thermal actuators for payload deploymentsignificantly reducing unique circuitry while satisfying stringent range safety requirements.


In a long series of larger spreading tests with high temperature oxide melts (KATS tests) many parameters have been varied which are influencing the spreading behaviour (viscosity, pouring rate, substratum of spreading surface, presence of water). In spite of an extensive instrumentation using different thermocouples, an infrared camera and several video cameras, only in very few cases the behaviour of the melt front at the very moment of immobilization could be detected in detail. Therefore in the additional miniKATS series five small scale (5 kg) spreading tests with oxide melts have been conducted to investigate the mechanical properties of the spreading front in the moment of immobilization. It turned out that in all cases the bulk of the melt at this moment was still liquid at a temperature close to the initial one. Depending on the initial melt properties two distinct phenomena have been observed which control the immobilization of the melt: the first phenomena is the crust formation at the surface, the crusts at the bottom combined with the crust at the surface of the melt. In the other case the whole melt front was still above the liquid temperature at the moment of immobilization. Here the surface tension was controlling the spreading, it was in balance with the driving gravitational force. In none of the test bulk freezing has been detected.


Abstract The point of departure is the Kitamorian "Pain of God Theology". However, the present survey is that of exegesis and of biblical theology. We pose the question whether the concept of the "immutability of God" is that of the OT? We believe our focal texts (Hos 11,8; Jer 31,20; Isa 63, 9+15) do challenge that notion. The righteous God of Israel is not presented as a vindictive god, who delights in judgement. Rather, the glimpses of God's "emotions", read "passions", suggest a more complex God‐image. The righteousness of God demands judgement, whereas his compassion finds another solution. We find that female and masculine imagery in connection with God's attitude and feelings toward his people, are frequently interchangeable. The all‐embracing motherly love of God may be seen as an expression of God's heart in tension between inevitable judgement and compassionate love. But the same aspect may also be expressed in the father/son relationship. The passion of God in OT is not a static or inherent con...


Taking the Institutional Repository of "985 Project" universities as the basis of the survey, this paper summarizes the current situation and problems of Institutional Repository in university, and proposes the construction strategy.


In this issue, two reports of diabetes of neonatal/early infancy onset raise issues that may serve as a reminder of how much we still do not know about the etiology of neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) or, for that matter, of diabetes mellitus (DM) in general. The first case is one of sporadic non-transient neonatal diabetes and the innovative approach of treating a young infant with continuous subcutaneous insulin (1); the second (2) involves glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia in a 3-month-old infant with cystic fibrosis (CF). Setting aside other questions these two quite dissimilar cases may raise, I will use them to bring up a specific point: they serve to highlight the limitations of our diagnostic categorization of DM as it currently stands. I will propose that this list making has taken us as far as it could and that, at our current state of understanding, thinking in terms of distinct but overlapping spectra of pathophysiologies is a much more efficient way of gaining further insights into the multiple causes of DM. True, we have come a long way from the remarkably compact description of the disease as 'abundant painless urination with wasting' in the Ebers papyrus (Egypt, circa 1552 B.C.) to the latest version of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) classification which distinguishes no fewer than 57 distinct etiologies (3). CF-related diabetes (CFRD) is there, as is glucocorticoid-induced diabetes, but NDM, including the well-characterized transient form, is buried in the 'Others' subcategory of 'Genetic defects in b-cell function'. Hence, the list may be improved by adding a few more subcategories. But will this aid the search for etiology or merely increase the apparent complexity of the question? The impressive list of things that can cause diabetes does not immediately convey (indeed, it conceals) an important fact: well over 95% of all DM cases are accounted for by the first two of the 57 headings, and over 90% are lumped together in the second. Next to the heading 'Type 2 Diabetes', the ADA expert committee had the wisdom of adding parenthetically: 'may range from predominantly insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency to a predominantly secretory defect . . .' In the most general sense, every case of diabetes, of any type, can be placed on this reciprocal overlap of two continuums. Once we have taken this first step, then we can look at the cause of each derangement separately. This basic distinction of subphenotypes is the minimal phenotypic refinement that needs to be done if the search for type 2 DM genes is to come out of the morass it finds itself mired in at the present time. The two early onset cases in this issue may have something to tell us about how one might go about doing this. On one extreme of the reciprocal overlap of spectra, insulin deficiency is complete and absolute, making insulin resistance irrelevant (keeping in mind nevertheless that, insulin resistance being common, many type 1 diabetics are insulin-resistant). On the other end of the spectrum, rare cases exist where extreme insulin resistance may cause diabetes even in the presence of the most vigorous hyperinsulinemic response. The bulk of diabetes falls in between, the result of varying proportions of insulin resistance and, reciprocally, failure of the b-cell to compensate for it. Let us see where one might place the two cases. The neonatal case of Wintergerst et al. (1) is easy. Severe insulin deficiency was documented at a few days of age and the small insulin doses required for glycemic control point to a congenital b-cell defect. Pediatric Diabetes 2004: 5: 171—173 Copyright # Blackwell Munksgaard 2004 Printed in Denmark. All rights reserved Pediatric Diabetes


Poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride-vinyl trimethoxysilane) [P(DADMAC-VTMS)l and poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride-acrylamide-vinyl trimethoxysilane) [P(DADMAC-AM-VTMS)1, the latter a new cationically charged and hydrophobically modified flocculant, were obtained by radical polymerization initiated by potassium persulfate. The effects of the vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTMS) feed ratio on the intrinsic viscosity and solubility of the polymers were examined. The effects of the flocculants on turbidity removal, decolorization, and oil removal in water treatment were also studied. The introduction of VTMS increased the intrinsic viscosities of P(DADMAC-VTMS) and P(DADMAC-AM-VTMS) in comparison with the viscosities of poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) and poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride-acrylamide), respectively, but reduced their solubilities. The introduction of VTMS also enhanced the flocculation properties of P(DADMAC-VTMS) and P(DADMAC-AM-VTMS), including turbidity removal, decolorization, and oil removal. (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Inc.


Extraction of narrow rivers from TM images is challenging due to mixed-pixel effects. This paper presents an automatic approach for narrow river extraction by integrating multiple digital image processing techniques. Firstly, the threshold segmentation was applied on water-index images to separate from planar water bodies and narrow rivers. Secondly, a linear feature enhancement algorithm is adopted to highlight river information and suppress other information. Thirdly, narrow rivers are extracted using dual-threshold line tracking method. Finally, three methods are selected to remove shadow, roads and other noises. Experimental results show the approach can effectively extract narrow rivers with the producer's accuracy higher than 82%, user's accuracy higher than 93%, Kappa coefficient higher than 0.993, and completeness higher than 90%, and avoid impact from multiple kinds of noise.


e13001 Background: We designed and implemented a platform wherein patients with metastatic treatment-refractory cancer would receive individually tailored treatment informed by multi-omic data and iteratively adapted in real-time. Here we describe the workflow of this platform and quantify operational characteristics for a metastatic breast cancer cohort. Methods: Participants with metastatic breast cancer progressing after standard-of-care therapy were enrolled. Sites demonstrating disease progression were targeted for biopsy. Resultant tissue was analyzed by a next-generation sequencing (NGS) solid tumor panel, whole exome sequencing, whole transcriptomic sequencing, multiplex protein analysis of a panel of cancer-relevant proteins and phosphoproteins, and focused immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Results: Between 1/1/2017 to 12/31/2021, 74 participants were consented and 55 were enrolled. Median age at enrollment was 54 years, most were ECOG 0-1, and received a median of 2 lines of therapy in the metastatic setting. There were 95 biopsies collected from 55 individual participants and analytics were successfully generated in 94% of the cases. At the provider's request, an integrated clinical, molecular, and cancer biology tumor board (TB) was convened for 25 participants. A total of 21 participants received matched therapy based on clinical parameters coupled to a consideration of biologically informed therapeutic vulnerabilities and 6 had a PFS2/PFS1 > 1.3. Twenty-one participants had a median of 2 repeat progression biopsies (range 2-5) and new alterations with potential therapeutic implications were identified. Repeat biopsies could have led to a new treatment in 11 of the participants, though only 3 received a therapy recommended by the tumor board owing to either rapid disease progression, clinical deterioration, or lack of access to drug. Conclusions: We demonstrated the practical feasibility and initial operating characteristics of a platform designed to comprehensively understand and integrate the clinical and molecular characteristics of a cohort with metastatic progressive breast cancer as they evolve on therapy and to use this information to deliver iteratively tailored therapy in real time. Further, clinical responses were observed in a subset of participants. These findings suggest an opportunity to incorporate this platform earlier in a disease course or to design adaptive clinical trials with access to therapies aimed at targeting new biological alteration.


A large number of modelling tools and approaches that can be used for supporting waste management decisions at different levels in society have been developed. Examples include Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and different types of Material Flow Analysis (MFA), CostBenefit Analysis (CBA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), different types of optimizing models, etc. The shear number of different methods that are available may be confusing and there is therefore a need to characterize the approaches in order to better understand the appropriateness of using different tools in different situations. The characteristics that will be used here are the types of impacts included and the objects under study. In this way preliminary guidelines for the choice of methods can be given.


Abstract In a previous paper [15] we introduced the Sturm-Liouville (SL) hierarchy of evolution equations. This hierarchy includes the Korteveg-de Vries (K-dV) and the Camassa-Holm (CH) hierarchies. We also defined and discussed in detail the algebro-geometric solutions of the SL-hierarchy. In this paper, we broaden the class of algebro-geometric solutions in a substantial way. Namely, we define and discuss solutions of the SL-hierarchy lying in an isospectral class of the Sturm-Liouville problem −(pφ′)′ + qφ = λyφ, which is determined by data related to a Riemann surface of "infinite genus".


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately identify sexuality of a speaker of a speech signal even when time length of the input speech signal is extremely short. SOLUTION: A method for identifying male/female voice includes: extracting a speech feature amount from an input speech signal; and identifying the sexuality of a speaker of the speech signal on the basis of likelihood obtained by collating the speech feature amount with a male speech acoustic model and a female speech acoustic model. When the time length of the speech signal is less than a predetermined time length L, the speech signal is repeatedly extended till becoming to have the time length L or more, the speech feature amount is extracted using the extended speech signal, and a collation and an identification are performed using a speech recognition grammar corresponding to the repeat. COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT


Mature soybean (Glycine maxL.cvHarosoy 63)leaves normally contain kaempferol-3-glycosides butthey accumulate noother flavonoids. Wholeleaves sprayed with thediphenyl ether herbicide Acifluorfen and maintained inthelight developed small necrotic lesions andaccumulated isoflavone aglycones, isoflavone glucosides, andpterocarpans. Isoflavonoidaccumulation waspreceded byinduced activity forchalcone synthase (CHS) andbyincreased activity forphenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) andUDP-glucose:isoflavone 7-O-glucosyl transferase (IGT). PALand CHSactivity washighest between 24and30hours after treatment, isoflavone aglycones andpterocarpans at48hours, IGTat72hours, and isoflavone glucosides at96hours. Mesophyll cells isolated fromcontrol leaves contained noactivity for PAL,CHS,orIGTandnoflavonoids ofanyclass. Cells isolated from treated leaves atthestage ofmaximal enzyme activity orisoflavonoid content contained PAL(12%ofthewholeleaf activity), CHS(24%), IGT(20%), and25%ofthewholeleaf isoflavone glucosides, butonly traces, presumably ascontaminants, oftheother flavonoids. Wesuggest that theisoflavone glucosides weresynthesized andaccumulated inintact mesophyll cells assoluble detoxification products, while theisoflavone aglycones andpterocarpans accumulated intheepidermis orextracellularly within themesophyll. Toourknowledge this isthefirst report of tissue-specific induction ofisoflavonoid glucosides andkeyenzymes of their biosynthesis inanyplant.


Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that fails to resolve. Recently, a key role for type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) was linked to asthma pathogenesis; how-ever, mechanisms for ILC2 regulation remain to be de-termined. In this study, metabololipidomics of murine lungs identified temporal changes in endogenous maresin 1 (MaR1) during self-limited allergic inflammation. Exogenous MaR1 reduced lung inflammation and ILC2 expression of IL-5 and IL-13 and increased amphiregulin. MaR1 augmented de novo generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which interacted with ILC2s to markedly suppress cytokine production in a TGF- b –dependent manner. Ab-mediated depletion of Tregs interrupted MaR1 control of ILC2 expression of IL-13 in vivo. Together, the findings uncover Tregs as potent regulators of ILC2 activation; MaR1 targets Tregs and ILC2s to restrain allergic lung inflammation, suggesting MaR1 as the basis for a new proresolving therapeutic approach to asthma and other chronic inflammatory diseases. The Journal of Immunology , 2015, 194: 000–000.


Thanks to the rapid progress of motion capture devices, it is highly probable for users to create quality animation easily and quickly. This paper proposes a method to create a 2D character animation from human performance based on a planar shape deformation technique. For a given planar shape, we create a shape mesh and a control mesh. The shape mesh consists of spatially sampled vertices from the given shape and the control mesh consists of a subset of the shape mesh vertices, which approximately surrounds the given shape. We define the positions of the shape mesh vertices relative to those of the control mesh vertices using the mean value coordinate. When capturing human performance, we place a small set of control vertex positions, which correspond to the human skeletal positions, as user-specified constraints, and then the other control vertex positions are determined by minimizing the deformation energy using a non-linear least-squares optimization technique. Finally, all the positions of the shape mesh vertices are relatively determined with respect to the new control mesh vertex positions. According to our experimental result using the Microsoft Kinect, the proposed method generates a quality animation for a sequence of captured human performance in real-time.


Zoom Guidelines & Instructions for English Conversation Groups Setting Up & Using the Platform Zoom [2] is a conference platform available online or over the phone. We will be using Zoom to continue our English Conversation Groups virtually for the rest of the spring semester. To join the Zoom call, you can join via computer or phone. If possible, we recommend everyone to join using your computer with a webcam, so you can stay connected to the group virtually.


Remanufacturing industry gives an opportunity to rework defective products from a production system and make them useful again. When an industry remanufactures multiple similar types of products, every type of product goes through the same procedure repetitively. Repetition of the same procedure for similar products causes the overuse of a machine. This study investigates a flexible production system to reduce the overuse of machines for repetitive tasks. A two-stage flexible production system is considered where the common parts of multiple products are produced and remanufactured in the Stage 1. Continuing from Stage 1, the rest product-specific production of each product and remanufacturing processes are completed in Stage 2. Transportation of products uses a multiple delivery policy. This study aims to optimize the cycle time for the production process along with the production rate for Stages 1 and 2. The model is solved by a classical optimization technique and numerical results find the minimum cost of the remanufacturing system. A linear along with non-linear relationship effect of the shared-production process on the production cost are discussed. Results show that the two-stage production system with a shared-production process is cost-efficient and reduce the cycle time.


ABSTRACT We introduce the 2nd-power skewness and kurtosis, which are interesting alternatives to the classical Pearson's skewness and kurtosis, called 3rd-power skewness and 4th-power kurtosis in our terminology. We use the sample 2nd-power skewness and kurtosis to build a powerful test of normality. This test can also be derived as Rao's score test on the asymmetric power distribution, which combines the large range of exponential tail behavior provided by the exponential power distribution family with various levels of asymmetry. We find that our test statistic is asymptotically chi-squared distributed. We also propose a modified test statistic, for which we show numerically that the distribution can be approximated for finite sample sizes with very high precision by a chi-square. Similarly, we propose a directional test based on sample 2nd-power kurtosis only, for the situations where the true distribution is known to be symmetric. Our tests are very similar in spirit to the famous Jarque–Bera test, and as such are also locally optimal. They offer the same nice interpretation, with in addition the gold standard power of the regression and correlation tests. An extensive empirical power analysis is performed, which shows that our tests are among the most powerful normality tests. Our test is implemented in an R package called PoweR.


Abstract Background The increasing amount, availability, and use of digital health information through the Internet, social media, and apps highlights the relevance of digital health literacy in schoolchildren. Children and youth need digital health literacy in order to find, understand, and appraise health information and to make health decisions in everyday live. However, there is only limited to none evidence available on child and youth digital health literacy. This study aims at investigating digital health literacy of schoolchildren in Germany and explore associations with sociodemographic differences. Methods Data were collected from a representative sample of N = 1,448 secondary schoolchildren employing a face-to-face survey (CAPI) (Oct-Nov 2022). In addition to sociodemographic information (age, gender, migration, family affluence, education level), digital health literacy was measured using an adapted and translated self-report tool for secondary schoolchildren in Germany. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and internal consistency were calculated using SPSS. Results Cronbach's alpha indicated a good internal consistency (α=.82) for the overall scale and an acceptable-to-good reliability for the subscales (α=.735-.866). Digital health literacy was low in more than half of the participants (52.9%). While no differences were found for gender (X2 (1)=0.25, p=.618) and migration background (X2 (2)=2.34, p=.31), lower digital health literacy was more frequent among younger children aged 9-11 years (X2 (2)=34.69, p = <.001), children with low family affluence (X2 (4)=24.16, p = <.001), and lower parental education (X2 (2)=8.26, p=.016). Conclusions The results of the first study of its kind in Europe suggests an elevated need to promote digital health literacy in schoolchildren. Public health and education policies and interventions are needed that pay attention particularly to younger children's needs, to those from lower family affluence, and lower parental education.


Person-centered care plays a critical role in the promotion of wellbeing in persons with disabilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that services should be provided in the community. The 2011 World Report on Persons with Disabilities indicates that person-centered services are preferable, so that individuals are involved in decisions about the support they receive and have maximum control over their lives. It also recognises the deficits within national care systems in dealing with persons with disabilities and the need for a person-centered approach. A major transformation is needed to incorporate a wellbeing perspective to care for persons with disabilities. This reform  should take into account four multifaceted conceptual models: health promotion, mental capital, social inclusion and recovery. The person-centered integrative diagnosis (PID) model may provide a useful framework to better understand the existing relationship among these models. Integrative care addressed to persons with disabilities should also incorporate wellbeing improvement or sustainability as a major endpoint.


Predicting prostate specific antigen (PSA) outcome after local therapy using nomograms or risk groups based on pretreatment clinical factors for patients with clinically localized prostate carcinoma has been performed by several investigators and recently was validated using data from an international contingent. Such pretreatment predictions have merit for two reasons. First, pretreatment predictions of PSA outcome may be used to counsel an individual patient regarding the likelihood of success after a given therapeutic approach. In addition, patients whose PSA control rates have been identified as unacceptably low with all currently available treatments may elect to enroll in a randomized clinical trial with the objective of investigating whether a new therapy improves disease control. However, the use of PSA outcome to compare the results of radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and prostate brachytherapy can be misleading and, thus, is of questionable value. In particular, despite the use of the same definition of PSA failure for both patients who are managed with RP and patients who are managed with radiation therapy (RT), PSA outcome can be biased in favor of RT. The reason for this bias is that, before a patient who is managed with RT can be considered a PSA failure, he first must achieve a PSA nadir, which can take 1–2 years after EBRT and can take even longer after prostate brachytherapy due to the PSA bounce phenomenon, and then typically rise. Conversely, patients who are managed with RP will reach their PSA nadir level within 1–2 months postoperatively. Consequently, among patients who are destined to fail biochemically, the time to PSA failure will be measurable earlier for patients who undergo surgery compared with patients who receive RT. This statement is not meant to imply that PSA outcome after EBRT or prostate brachytherapy is not valid. Rather, it indicates that comparisons of PSA outcome between patients who undergo RP and various receive forms of RT, even when using the same definition of PSA failure, have the potential to favor RT because of the lead time 2041


Abstract Objectives In Mainland China, Hospice and Palliative Care are making significant progress; and meanwhile, Narrative Medicine is going through a process of localization in both theory and practice. Since the integration of the two areas in medicine, it is worth exploring practice on narrative palliative care more deeply. Methods Some of the authors have been collecting teaching cases in several cities by the research methods of anthropology (participant observation, in-depth interview and visual ethnography). Results Based on presenting a case and teaching feedback, this paper tries to show our effort in promoting and integrating Narrative Medicine education into the field of Palliative Care practice. And then we would try to explain it from two perspectives. Conclusions The work of education, research and clinical practice on narrative medicine in hospice and palliative care, can help us make sense of the end of life and especially help those medical students become capable of seeing the suffering around them in medical training.


Neural networks based modeling often involves trying multiple networks with different architectures and/or training parameters in order to achieve acceptable model accuracy. Typically, one of the trained NNs is chosen as best, while the rest are discarded. Hashem and Schmeiser (1992) propose using optimal linear combinations of a number of trained neural networks instead of using a single best network. In this paper, we discuss and extend the idea of optimal linear combinations of neural networks. Optimal linear combinations are constructed by forming weighted sums of the corresponding outputs of the networks. The combination-weights are selected to minimize the mean squared error with respect to the distribution of random inputs. Combining the trained networks may help integrate the knowledge acquired by the component networks and thus improve model accuracy. We investigate some issues concerning the estimation of the optimal combination-weights and the role of the optimal linear combination in improving model accuracy for both well-trained and poorly trained component networks. Experimental results based on simulated data are included. For our examples, the model accuracy resulting from using estimated optimal linear combinations is better than that of the best trained network and that of the simple averaging of the outputs of the component networks.<<ETX>>


Abstract In recent years, the investment amount of university engineering construction has been increasing significantly, and the establishment of scientific and reasonable cost management system has become particularly important in the investment control of engineering construction. This paper explores the investment control of university engineering construction and designs the basic framework based on three parts: whole process cost control, full caliber cost audit and full gradient grading management. With the help of BIM, we build a cost management system, which is divided into the planning stage, bidding stage, mid-construction, until the completion of the collation of cost data, extraction and preservation of cost indicators. After establishing a full range of cost management systems, the adjacency matrix X algorithm and functions are used to calculate. The experiment proves that: the investment estimate before the project construction affects more than 75% of the overall investment, and the all-round cost management system built based on BIM can make the investment estimate accurate and stable at 75%, and the negotiation change rule based on this is to save nearly 25% of the investment funds. The comprehensive cost management system has a comprehensive and detailed grasp of the cost process of specific construction projects and specific issues during construction, fully protecting the university's investment interests.


A 39-year old otherwise healthy woman was referred to our center in June 2002 due to progressive deterioration of vision in her left eye and visual field restriction of about two months' duration. Ever since she gave birth in 2000, she had been amenorrheic but still lactating. Neurological examination revealed bitemporal hemianopsia. Her endocrine function was normal. MRI scan revealed a heterogenous intrasellar mass measuring 28 3 21 3 19 mm with suprasellar expansion and marked compression of the optic chiasm, hyperintense on T1-weighed images (Figure 1A,B) and isointense on T2-weighed images. The tumor penetrated into the left cavernous sinus narrowing the left internal carotid artery and extending into the middle cranial fossa. Gadolinum contrast enhancement of the dura lining the medial part of the middle cranial fossa and the clivus was noted. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery. The sella contained abundant brownish masses of atypical consistency resembling a clotted hematoma. The pituitary gland of normal appearance was identified on the right side of the sella. A subtotal excision of this lesion was carried out with some of its mass left in the left cavernous sinus. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient reported a significant improvement in vision. Owing to the presentation of the tissue found in the sella and substantial intraoperative bleeding, a four-vessel cerebral angiography was additionally performed revealing no vascular malformations in the circle of Willis. MICROSCOPIC PATHOLOGY


"Nudge theory", an approach to influence people's decision making, channels people's behavior by designing environmental cues. We have been studying driving agents which encourage drivers to drive gently and better behavioral choice. Therefore, we attempted to apply a kind of Nudge theory called "default effect" to driving agents. An example of the default effect is that people who need to choose immediately are more likely to follow other people's opinion than considering an optimal choice. In this paper, we discuss the research outline of "NAMIDA0", a rapport talk type driving agent, and its application based on Nudge theory.


All statistical information about heat can be obtained with the probability distribution of the heat functional. This paper derives analytically the expression for the distribution of the heat, through path integral, for a diffusive system in a logarithm potential. We apply the found distribution to the first passage problem and find unexpected results for the reversibility of the distribution, giving a fluctuation theorem under specific conditions of the strength parameters.


In this qualification project it is shown the process of creating a web system for diagnosing infectious diseases of viral type in the veterinary hospital at UNL, by creating a Bayesian network which architecture is based on client-server, for this purpose the veterinary selects the patient's symptoms that will interact with the network nodes in that way a probability value for the existence of a disease will be given; the system will be used in PC-users and mobile devices.
The web system allows the user to make control processes of : medication management, services, management of medical records (consultations, diagnosis of viral diseases, hospitalizations and surgeries), display the activities performed by users on the system, patient management ( owners), reserve management shifts , Proforma, invoice management, test management, control reagents. In this way the web system allows the user to work quickly to manage the flow of information that originates when people perform all the assigned activities. This system was designed taking into account the needs of users in that way it enables users login and perform the tasks or appropriate process.
Using RUP development methodology it was known the problem through a preliminary analysis with the help of deductive, inductive and analytical methods; and data collection techniques as surveys, interviews, observation and bibliographic records. In the development phase the cases of use were designed with the specification of each one, likewise in the construction phase it was continued with the design of the UML remaining diagrams, which allowed us to do a good job for encoding as well as for its implementation (transition), achieving in that way each of the planned requirements and objectives.
The results of the tests performed the system are shown. Also it should be noted that that this project has a technical, economic and environmental assessment where it is becoming evident the justification for its creation. And finally the conclusions and recommendations are proposed.


As early as 1863 Eduard Rindfleisch described and systematically studied the topographic relationship between multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques and brain tissue venules frequently found in the center of MS lesions (Rindfleisch 1863). In the 1930-ies and 40-ies Tracy Jackson Putnam took an interest in the relationship between MS plaques and the venous vasculature (Putnam 1933; Putnam and Adler 1937). By this time formation of venous thrombi in central venules of acute MS lesions had already been recognized. Putnam – as opposed to the fraction of researchers who explained these thrombi in plaque venules as an effect of a local "allergic reaction"—assumed an increased liability of MS patients to form cerebral venous thrombi, which he believed to be the cause of the inflammatory process. Based on this hypothesis he undertook a clinical trial on the effects of anticoagulation on the clinical course of MS with no convincing results (Putnam et al. 1947).


Various chemical substances have been used as pharmaceutical active ingredients, such as ibuprofen, which is an analgesic. The validity of an analytical method of a pharmaceutical active ingredient combined with co-formers into one single phase should be confirmed so that the analysis can be well received. Therefore, this study aims to validate the analytical method of ibuprofen in multicomponent crystals using a UV spectrophotometer with the parameters of linearity, accuracy, precision, and placebo interference. Ibuprofen was dissolved in phosphate buffer with a pH of 7.2 using ethanol as co-solvent. The solution was diluted and analyzed to obtain the maximum wavelength. The calibration curve was analyzed to obtain the linear regression equation for ibuprofen to determine linearity. The accuracy and precision parameters were measured by the results of replications. Meanwhile, placebo interference was determined using an equimolar ratio of 1:1 between ibuprofen with malic acid and tartaric acid. The results of the analysis showed that ibuprofen had a maximum wavelength of 265 nm. The linearity, accuracy, precision, and placebo interference fulfilled the requirement. Based on the validation parameter performed, the analytical method used was valid for the analysis of ibuprofen multicomponent crystals with malic acid and tartaric acid as co-formers.


The invention discloses a method for extracting keywords and achieving information intelligent distribution according to user behaviors. A server builds a personal database and a mark sheet of keywords every 30 minutes for each user, every time each user views a piece of information, the server analyzes which keywords are included in the information, the keywords are added with marks in historical data keyword mark sheets, when the users request information next time, the server analyzes browsing records of the users within 30 minutes firstly, if more than ten pieces of information are shown in the browsing records within 30 minutes, the information is issued according to the keywords with the maximum browsing records within 30 minutes, and otherwise, the server preferentially issues the information corresponding to the keywords with high marks in the historical data keyword mark sheets. According to the method, the function of recommending services according to user needs and hobbies and interests can be achieved.


In the study we test the possibility to use the last known classification of wrong responses on the Standard Progressive Matrices for a differentiated assessment of the development of intellectual abilities in primary schoolchildren. The total of 160 pupils enrolled in the 1st (N=80, age 6,7-8,1, M=7,3) and the 3rd (N=80, age 8,8-10,2, M=9,3) classes from two schools in Moscow participated in the study. Our results showed that there are age-related differences in the typical type of wrong responses those two groups make while solving SPM (p<.01), as well as individual or ability-related differences within those age groups (p<.05). This study emphasizes the importance of considering the qualitative peculiarities of the children's thinking processes at different age when analyzing wrong responses on SPM, and the value of applying this approach both in research and psychological practice. The advantages and disadvantages of the used classification of wrong responses are discussed. Finally, since this type of research is being conducted in Russia for the first time, our results are compared with the results obtained in foreign studies.


"Verb-object-complement" structure refers to a structure in which a verb is followed by object(s) and complement(s).This structure existed in ancient Chinese language,but was seldom used.With the Chinese language getting closer to spoken language after Tang and Song dynasties,this spoken-language-like structure was used more often,meanwhile,the structure auxiliary word "de" appeared as the sign of complements,with which,the "verb-object-complement" structure was different from that in ancient Chinese language.Furthermore,compared to the Chinese language in present-modern times,this kind of structure in the Chinese language of near-modern times was particular,whether it was with the structure auxiliary word "de" or not.This essay intends to describe and compare it with the Chinese language in present-modern times,according to the clue mentioned above.


Means for transmitting data between a stationary object and a relative thereto movable object using a transponder unit (10) and a transmitting and receiving unit (1), wherein the stationary object is a trip unit (8) is connected to a circuit breaker (24) and the transponder unit (10) with the trip unit (8), whereby in addition to the data transmitting and receiving unit (1) as a transponder also transmits electrical energy, and wherein said trip unit (8) contains a write-read memory (20) in which the operation of the trip unit (8) information are stored, characterized, in that the transmitting and receiving unit (1) to be powered for data transmission via a by the transponder unit (10) power supply unit (21) supplies the write-read memory (20) to the required operating power when the trip unit (8) itself is not energized, and that the write-read memory (20) (10) addressable by the transponder unit, ie by means of the transponder unit (10) can be read out and changed.


SEM analysis shows that trace amounts of La in Zn–Cu–Ti alloy can eliminate dendritic segregation and produce uniform organization. Analyses of Tafel polarization curves and EIS show that La can obviously improve the corrosion resistance of Zn–Cu–Ti alloy by two features: (i) La oxide film has strong barrier properties; (ii) with an increase in La content, the thick skeletal dendrite ϵprimary crystal phase disappears and the more refined and dispersed ϵII phase is generated, leading to a decrease in the active cathode area. Zn–Cu–Ti–0.5La alloy has the best corrosion resistance. The corrosion of the investigated alloys is mainly selective.


OBJECTIVE: Acute strokes cannot be distinguished from unwitnessed seizures clinically. Seizures are a contraindication to TPA therapy. CT-Perfusion scans are routinely performed in acute strokes and help differentiate a seizure episode from an acute stroke based on cerebral blood flow. BACKGROUND: Studies show that 20% of patients who receive TPA are stroke mimics. Seizures can mimic strokes and are contraindicated in TPA therapy. While performing an EEG is time consuming, CT-Perfusion studies are readily done for acute strokes and can be a tool for differentiating acute ischemic events from seizures, as our study demonstrates. On perfusion studies, ischemic strokes are associated with decreased blood flow whereas seziures are associated with an increased flow to the affected area. DESIGN/METHODS: 75 year old male with past history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the Emergency Room with gaze deviation, right-sided weakness and speech difficulty with no witnessed seizures. Time of onset was greater than 3 hours prior to presentation and NIHSS was 12. CT scan of the head did not show any acute changes. CT-Perfusion study performed showed hyperperfusion in the left parietoccipital region with no ischemia noted. Upon returning from CT scan patient developed a witnessed seizure and was treated with intravenous Keppra and Vimpat. EEG performed later showed left-sided spike activity. Magenetic Resonance Imaging of head showed old encephalomalacia in left occipital lobe. Thereafter the patient had resolution of hemiparesis and speech. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated that CT-Perfusion scans are helpful in differentiating seizures from acute strokes based upon the patterns of blood flow. EEG later confirmed seziure activity. CONCLUSIONS: CT-Perfusion studies exhibit increased cerebral blood flow in seizures in constrast to decreased blood flow in ischemic events. It can help differentiate an acute stroke from an ictal discharge and can assist in preventing improper use of TPA and hemorrhagic complications. Disclosure: Dr. Ahmed has nothing to disclose. Dr. Duggal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Anjum has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kosa has nothing to disclose.


Doctoral Thesis Graduate Course in Animal Science Universidade Federal de Santa Maria WHITE OAT (Avena sativa L.) SUPPLEMENTATION TO FINISHING HEIFERS ON PASTURE OF OAT (Avena strigosa Schreb.) AND RYEGRASS (Lolium multiflorum) AUTHOR: RICARDO LIMA DE AZEVEDO JUNIOR ADVISORY TEACHER: IVAN LUIZ BRONDANI Local and date of presentation: Santa Maria, March 31, 2015. This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation with white oats grain on the performance of heifers of 21 and 33 months of age on temperate pastures and the influence on productive parameters of pasture, performance, carcass and meat characteristis. Twenty-four Charolais x Nellore heifers, 12 with an average age of 21 months and average weight of 194.9 kg; and 12 with an average age of 33 months and average weight of 270.3 kg, were assigned to the treatments: With supplementation (WITH): heifers kept on pasture of oat + ryegrass receiving broken white oat grain at 0.6% body weight; Without supplementation (WITHOUT): heifers exclusively on pasture of oat + ryegrass. The experiment had a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (two treatments x two ages); data were analyzed using the SAS statistical package (2013). The chemical analysis of qualitative simulation of grazing and white oat grain showed no differences (P≥0.05), for supplementation and age of heifers. The forage mass was significantly different (P≤0.05) with mean values of 966.16 and 774.76 kg/ha for heifers WITH and WITHOUT supplementation, respectively. The supplementation promoted a greater production of pasture (7116.03 vs. 6251.14 Kg /DM/ha) (P≤0.05). The stocking rate was significantly different (P≤0.05) for animals of different ages, 785.51 and 577.53 kg body weight/ha for heifers of 21 and 33 months of age, respectively. The daily body weight gain was statistically different (P≤0.05), with mean values of 1.40 and 1.20 kg body weight for heifers WITH and WITHOUT supplementation, respectively. The slaughter weight was influenced by age; heifers of 36 months of age were heavier than heifers of 24 months of age (422.71 vs. 336.83 kg) (P≤0,05). Hot and cold carcass yields were not influenced by supplementation and age of heifers. Supplementation significantly affected the absolute weight of carcass fat (47.75 vs. 41.60) (P≤0,05). Heifers of 24 months of age, without supplementation, presented a lower fat thickness (1.72 mm), thus determining a greater carcass cooling loss (2.38 kg/100 kg carcass) (P≤0,05). There were interactions for the variables palatability, juiciness and tenderness of the meat.


W hy do some physicians choose a career in rural medicine? In medical school I was told to look down the row of students and contemplate. " Half of you will get divorced, a quarter will fall prey to substance abuse… " They could have added that " one in 10 will choose rural practice, " because in those days rural medicine was another type of failure about which you did not speak. Despite the warnings, I got married, drank beer, and chose to practise rural family medicine. While, thankfully, I am not divorced and not addicted to alcohol or other substances, I have had stressful times in my 12 years of rural practice, and I am not alone. Thommasen and colleagues have found that high levels of depression (29%) and burnout (55%) exist among generalists in r ural areas of British Columbia (page 737). While alarming, it is not surprising. When you are one of a few, there is little " give " in who takes care of the community. Rural doctors have 30% fewer generalist colleagues with whom to share the workload than those in the city. 1 On the plus side, rural physicians practise all aspects of family medicine because of these needs. This rewarding practice style is increasingly difficult to maintain in other areas. Thommasen and colleagues found that, even among rural doctors working in stressful conditions conducive to burnout, most (83%) scored moderate or high on the personal accomplishment subscale. Rural practice, while challenging, is professionally rewarding. One can " be a real doctor " and " make a difference, " but it is not easy. Many (51%) rural doctors considered relocating, especially those who felt the most depressed or burnt out. This percentage is quite a bit higher than the 15% found for all Canadian general practitioners and family physicians in the 1998 Janus survey. 2 Moving from rural communities back to the city has led to a " revolving door " of 20% to 30% of doctors flowing through rural communities in any given year. 3,4 Differing rates of actual physician turnover, however, are not explained by differing rates of depression or emotional exhaustion found among physicians in the studied communities. While no doubt these factors could affect someone's decision to move, depression is not what speeds or slows communities' revolving doors; it is not a dominant characteristic of communities that experience high …


editoR-in-cHieF Arvind von Keudell, MD Resident, Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program As described in the ongoing Global Burden of Disease Project, musculoskeletal disease accounts for the second most common cause of disability worldwide, with a large proportion of low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, low bone mineral density, and other musculoskeletal disorders.1 Injuries and trauma continue to represent an ongoing cause of major disability, disproportionately so in low and middle income countries, with more deaths from trauma worldwide than HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome), malaria, and tuberculosis combined.2-4


Methyl ammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) Perovskite was synthesized by a mixing method in one and two steps. The ethanol solvent was also used to dissolve CH3NH3I that is compared with isopropanol solvent. The characterizations of synthesized perovskite samples include the structural properties, morphological characteristics, and optical properties. The intensity and orientation in X-ray diffraction patterns appear clearly in ethanol solvent. Additionally, the ethanol solvent increases the grain size of perovskite which is homogeneous of the surface morphology. It causes a decrease in the wavelength of absorbance edge in addition to an increase in the energy bandgap value. The photodetector parameters for MAPbI3 perovskites cover the PbS nanocrystal which was prepared on the FTO glass dissolved by Isopropanol and DMF where the responsivity Rλ= 0.0037 and the quantum efficiency QE=1.016% was under λ nm =650 nm and Vbias=0V. These values were decreased by using Ethanol solvent.


In the world of Ivanhoe, seeing is not believing, but hearing might be. Even after Athelstane reappears in the flesh, those present still prefer to encounter him as a story to be heard and then retold. This contest of modes of evidence and entertainment, unresolved in Ivanhoe, continued into Scott's "Essay on Romance," which, together with the "Essay on Chivalry," champions oral over written tradition and poetry over prose. The essays, however, simplify what in Ivanhoe was complicated by Scott's linking of this contest of ear and eye to a cultural struggle between Saxons and Normans. The Saxons thrive on oral histories that are often riveting but grim. In particular, the Saxon matriarch Ulrica incessantly intones a tale of horror about the decline of the Saxons under the Norman yoke. Her tale's connection to history as the mode closer to truth than Norman romance is underscored when Scott has Cedric respond to her family history by saying, "these traces form such a resemblance as arises from the grave of the dead" (p. 218). Scott deftly foreshadows Athelstane's later adventure, a new chapter in that Saxon history. History as unvarnished truth in Ivanhoe is hard to hear and often carries the taint of death, because it is soberly assessed as a Swiftian record of crimes, sins, and suffering. Contrary to any Keatsian romantic aesthetic, here truth is ugly. Consider the narrator's bitterly ironic assessment of the novel's opening tournament of Ashby de la Zouche as a scene where "upwards of thirty were desperately wounded ... Several more were disabled for life; and those who escaped best carried the marks of the conflict to the grave with them. Hence it is always mentioned in the old records as the `gentle and joyous passage of arms at Ashby'" (p. 115). Not surprisingly, the "Essay on Chivalry" repeats this dim view of history as a record of creeping corruption wherein chivalric devotion becomes superstition, love becomes licentiousness, and gallantry becomes hare-brained madness (EC, p. 11).(20) Closely associated with chivalry in Ivanhoe, romance is true to its linguistic roots and is represented as an especially Norman and refined form of pleasure. But it is also well on its way to being both frivolous and dangerous. The Norman head of the Templars, Lucas Beaumanoir, acts as the novel's ascetic and aesthetic reformer when he, echoing critics of novels contemporary with Scott, decries the reading of "empty romaunts" as signs of greater corruption.(21) And Scott further emphasizes how such dangerous romance buttresses and often vitiates chivalry when he has his most morally trustworthy character, Rebecca, tell Ivanhoe that the chivalric life, "spent miserably that ye make others miserable," is derived ultimately from the "rude rhymes of a wandering bard" which "vagabond minstrels sing to drunken churls" (p. 249). She pleads Scott's rhetorical case against romance as a form degraded by an already corrupted audience, as we will detail later. However, unlike the more schematic split between speech and writing presented in Scott's Britannica essays, Ivanhoe shows that even the worst excesses of romance mingle written and oral tradition into an inseparable hybrid. For example, Cedric, although a practicing oral historian and hater of all Norman arts and frippery, is surely guilty of romanticizing Athelstane. The noble hope for Saxon purity and delivery from the Norman yoke, the Athelstane Cedric would like to see before him, stands in marked contrast to the mostly comic, gluttonous fool who, the narrator reminds us, displays "few mental accomplishments or talents" (p. 156). Ironically, Athelstane escapes real death and bodily corruption only to end up a corrupted tale of a spirit. As in Wordsworth's 1800 Preface to Lyrical Ballads, Athelstane's episode reveals how indecorous Gothic shrouds something more real and true and can vitiate both taste and history. In the terms of Ivanhoe's discursive architecture, with Athelstane we pass from the small room of honored guests-the place of history-with an audience fit though few, to the outdoors and an indiscriminate, mixed mob as the scene of romance. …


Florida strawberry production is affected by two economically important Phytophthora diseases, Phytophthora crown rot (PhCR) and leather rot (LR), caused primarily by P. cactorum and P. nicotianae. Although products are available, chemical control is limited to mefenoxam, phosphites, and azoxystrobin and resistance to mefenoxam and azoxystrobin has been reported. Both in vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of eight different chemical classes on controlling PhCR and LR of strawberry. The fungicides mandipropamid, fluopicolide, oxathiapiprolin, and cymoxanil completely inhibited mycelial growth of both species at 1µg/ml. The same fungicides controlled LR and PhCR caused by P. cactorum, in detached fruit and greenhouse trials, respectively, including mefenoxam-resistant isolates. However, for PhCR caused by P. nicotianae only oxathiapiprolin and cymoxanil were effective in controlling the disease. Cyazofamid, fluazinam, propamocarb, and tebuconazole did not control PhCR caused by either Phytophthora spp. Except for tebuconazole, all fungicides tested reduced incidence of LR caused by P. cactorum in the detached fruit assay; in contrast, fluazinam, cyazofamid, and propamocarb had no effect on P. nicotianae. This study identifies four fungicides that could potentially be registered to manage both PhCR and LR of strawberry. The registration of additional fungicides with different modes of action would allow fruit and nursery growers to alternate products to reduce fungicide resistance risk.


Organizational innovation is a difficult process. Most innovations fail. If an innovation fails there is a high probability the organization will be fractured. It is easy to break apart an organization. It is much more difficult to build it back up. This is a case study of an innovation in a branch of a large private English language school in Japan. The head teacher decided to improve a portion of the educational system using a fidelity approach. She felt the innovation was entirely technical. Consequently, she thought she could achieve her objectives without the help of the teachers. Her approach failed and caused deep fractures in the branch's social and work systems. This paper outlines the innovation plan. It shows why it failed, and suggests strategies the head teacher could have used to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.


The time course of transformation of nuclei into neutrons as a result.of compression of matter to very high densities is computed. The matrix elements are derived from the inverse beta -decay processes. For helium and carbon the neutronization processes occur during times of the order of ten thousandths of a second, and for hydrogen and iron during many seconds after the thermodynamically required limiting density is attained. The results may be useful in analysis of the mechanism of gravitational collapse of a star after exhaustion of all energy sources. (auth)


The cancer research community is hindered by a lack of comprehensive, multidimensional data linking spatial and temporal informationaboutvariousmalignancies as they transition from precancers to cancerous tumors and later metastasize, eventually developing therapeutic resistance. Now, the Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN), a large-scale, collaborative effort employing a combination of robust, established approaches, such as histologic staining and electron microscopy, with cutting-edge methods, including single-cell techniques, aims to address this dearth of information by constructing three-dimensional molecular, spatiomolecular, histologic, and anatomic maps of human cancers as they progress. In an interview for Cancer Prevention Research, HTAN investigator Avrum Spira, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Bioinformatics at Boston University (Boston, MA) and Global Head, Lung Cancer Initiative at Johnson & Johnson, shared his thoughts on the project with Cancer Prevention Research editor-in-chief Raymond DuBois, MD, PhD, Dean of the College of Medicine and Director of the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC).


SUMMARY Developing countries are pressured to adopt administrative solutions that the international community considers best practice. Some claim that these practices do not fit such contexts. How could one assess the fit or relevance of a best practice? This article suggests a basic answer: Look at the degree of difference between the proposed adoption context and the context in which such practice emerged as 'best'. This answer emerges from a discussion on the basis of the new institutional ideas about change and diffusion. An empirical analysis of public financial management reform in African countries suggests support for this answer: Good practices are most evident in countries least different to the developed nations where practices originated and least evident in countries most different to these developed nations. The article contributes to a literature on best practice and yields fundamental messages for development, including the point that best practices are limited as administrative solutions in many developing countries. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


ABsT1cT.—Circular to oval pores are present in primary walls (pit membranes) of end walls of tracheary elements in roots and rhizomes of Woodsici obtusa (Spreng.) Torr, (Dryopteridaceae). The pores are at least as abundant in rhizomes as in roots. We regard tracheary elements with end walls bearing these pores as vessel elements (such pores are absent on lateral walls). Pores occur in thin areas of the primary wall of pit membranes; thicker portions of pit membranes, both on lateral and end walls, occur in the form of striations oriented parallel to the long axis of the cell. These striations, recently demonstrated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for pri mary xylem of Nymphaeales and the monocotyledon Acorus, are likely widespread in vascular plants. Pore formation in W obtusa is only moderate compared to that in Nymphaeales and Acei-us, and may correlate with the fact that W obtusa occupies habitats relatively more mesic than those in which other species of Woodsia grow. The presence of vessel elements in ferns was Claimed over a century ago by Russow (1872), who cited only two species, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn and Nephrodium fihix-mas Rich. (= Dryopteris fihix-mas (L.) Schott), as having true perforations in the end walls. White (1962), who reviewed the history of claimed vessel presence in ferns, demonstrated that opinions varied widely: De Bary (1884) agreed with Russow (1872), whereas Gwynne-Vaughan (1908) thought that vessels could be found in Cyatheaceae, Gleicheniaceae, Hymen ophyllaceae, Marattiaceae, Ophioglossaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Schizaeaceae. Bancroft (1911), using a variety of techniques, thought that vessels exist in ferns only in Pteridium aquilinum, a conclusion shared by Duerden (1940). White (1961, 1962) presented clear evidence for the presence of vessels in roots of Marsilea. In addition, White (1962, 1963) suspected vessel presence in two other species of ferns, Woodsia ilvensis (L.) R. Br. and Astrolepis sin uata (Lag. ex Sw.) D.M. Benham & Windham (= Notholaena sin uata (Lag. ex Sw.) Kaulf.), although he did not demonstrate perforations. White's (1962, 1963) reason for suspecting vessels in Astrolepis sin uata and Woodsia ilvensis was marked differentiation (as indicated by distribution of pits and therefore sec ondary wall) between the lateral walls and the end walls of tracheary elements. In addition, moderate differences between pits of lateral walls and pits (or perforations) of end walls of tracheary elements were claimed by White (1962, p. 75) for 10 other species of Woodsia, and one hybrid Woodsia. The species we have elected to study here, W. obtusa (Spreng.) Torr., was cited by White (1962) as having "slight" differentiation of end walls as compared to lateral


Resting on our observation that gastric mucosal eosinophil density increases from "time to time", we sought for a possible seasonal variation and relationship with accompanying pathologies. Among the biopsies evaluated during the previous year, twelve "month group" were arranged each including first 10 patients' biopsies of every month, excluding the cases having disorders that may lead to elevated eosinophil counts. In a total of 240 antral and corporal biopsies of 120 adult patients, 10 consecutive areas were counted and mean eosinophil density (MED) in one high power field was determined as Eo/HPF. The difference between MED's of months and seasons and relationship with age, gender, gastritis and H.pylori (HP) infection were evaluated by T-test and nonparametric tests. Female/male ratio was 1.4; mean age was 48±16 (R: 20-83 yr) and MED was: 0.80±0.69 Eo/HPF (0-3.35 Eo/HPF). The difference between antral and corporal eosinophil densities were insignificant. Although no significant difference was observed between seasons and the pollen season, March-August period vs off-season, MED's appeared to increase in July-August-September period (p


The characteristics of the liquid membrane with tri-w-octylamine were elucidated. This liquid membrane spontaneously concentrates metals without controlling the concentrations of the agent which provides the driving force to the uphill transport of metals. The rate of iron permeation through the liquid membrane is dependent on the diffusional resistances in two aqueous phases, the diffusional resistance in the membrane phase, and the interfacial resistances. When the acid concentration in the aqueous raffinate phase is large, the interfacial resistances are negligibly small, and the diffusional resistance in the membrane phase is also negligibly small at high amine concentration in the membrane phase. In this case, the permeation rate is controlled only by the diffusional resistance in the raffinate phase.


Objective To report the preliminary result of cylindrical abdominoperineal resection (cylindrical APR) and pelvic reconstruction with human acellular dermal matrix (HADM). Methods Cylindrical APR was performed in 13 consecutive patients with advanced very low rectal cancer between January 2008 and April 2009. The mesorectum was not dissected off the levator muscles at abdominal part of the operation, the perineal part of the operation was done in the prone position. The levator muscles were exposed circumferentiaUy. The coccyx and part of the 5th sacrum were dissected and Waldeyer" s fascia divided. The levator muscles were divided laterally on both sides from posterior to anterior. The remaining pelvic floor muscle fibers were divided just posterior to the transverse perineal muscles and the levator muscles were resected en bloc with the anus and lower rectum. The specimen was cylindrical. The pelvic defects were reconstructed with HADM. Results There was no bowel perforation, and all specimens were proved CMR negative by pathology. Perineal wounds were healed uneventfully. After 8 months" follow-up, no patient developed perineal wound breakdown, bulge or hernia. There was 1 patient developed perineal wound infection; one patient developed seroma and three with perineal pain. Five patients with short-term urinary retention recovered within 10 days. Conclusion Clinical APR and HADM pelvic reconstruction can reduce circumferential margin positive and rectum perforation rate, and made the procedure easier and safer without increasing complications.

Key words:
Rectal neoplasms; Proetocolectomy, restorative; Cylindrical abdoroinoperinealresection;  Human acellular dermal matrix


This study aimed to analyze the kinematic development of a rehabilitation cable robot for patients with cerebral palsy problems. For this purpose, the walking pattern of a healthy person was analyzed in the robot by extracting his kinematic model. Therefore, a seven-link model was considered, and changes in the mass center of the links and then movements during the gait cycle were obtained with the angles related to joint changes. Next, the person's integration with the rehabilitation cable robot was investigated with the resolution of the direct kinematic problem. In addition, the change-related outputs of the cables were obtained by the person's movement and the attached belt. The robot was further proposed because the specific change diagram of the cables facilitates understanding how much motor torque is needed to change the length of the cable. It is noteworthy that the static person balance is provided in the existing rehabilitation robots. However, in this structure, the balance is done by the six degrees of freedom robot so that the robot can return the person to the original path when he loses his balance. Cable systems for the lower limbs (thighs and shanks) are also simulated to rehabilitate the patient. The obtained results from the simulation and the obtained output from kinematic equations for lower limb movements were also compared, and the highest deference was 2.2, 1.8, 1.8, and 1.5% for shank-back, shank-front, thigh-back, and thigh-front of the leg in the corresponding points in the outputs of both software, respectively.


PurposeBusiness process modeling faces a difficult balance: on the one hand, organizations seek to enact, control and automate business processes through formal structures (procedures and rules). On the other hand, organizations also seek to embrace flexibility, change, innovation, value orientation, and dynamic capabilities, which require informal structures (unique user experiences). Addressing this difficulty, the authors propose the composite approach, which integrates formal and informal process structures. The composite approach adopts a socio-material conceptual lens, where both material and human agencies are supported.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a design science research methodology. An innovative artifact – the composite approach – is introduced. The composite approach is evaluated in an empirical experiment.FindingsThe experimental results show that the composite approach improves model understandability and situation understandability.Research limitations/implicationsThis research explores the challenges and opportunities brought by adopting a socio-material conceptual lens to represent business processes.Originality/valueThe study contributes an innovative hybrid approach for modeling business processes, articulating coordination and contextual knowledge. The proposed approach can be used to improve model understandability and situation understandability. The study also extends the socio-material conceptual lens over process modeling with a theoretical framework integrating coordination and contextual knowledge.


Disney company has already released many female-led animated films, but its films have gender stereotypes towards females. Since 1937 Disney released its first princess film Snow White, Disney has always created beautiful princesses who are attached to men. Although Disney and fans of Disney asserted that Disney deviated from this trend since 2013 by releasing Frozen(2013), Zootopia(2016), and Moana(2016), these movies still have aspects of gender stereotype in veiled ways. This thesis aims to utilize literature review and case study to analyze the reasons the female characters in Disney films, which are the result of gender stereotypes and predictions to the trend of Disney portraying its following female characters. According to my analysis, gender stereotypes still exist both in Disney movies released before 2013 and that after 2013. Female characters have not escaped the shackles of male control, not only in appearance but also in action.


Large-scale serial production industries such as automotive and aerospace have focused on reducing weight to improve fuel economy, and many parts are manufactured from various aluminum alloys. Due to the ease of recycling of aluminum alloys, research on remanufacturing has not been very active. On the other hand, laser cladding on aluminum alloys is a surface modification and repair process that deposits a thin layer on a substrate using a laser beam whose output can be easily controlled. This makes it suitable for remanufacturing processes where thin layers of damaged parts can be easily repaired, and helps to save energy. In this study, laser cladding was performed using aluminum alloy powder (Al-102) containing Si to improve the surface hardness of Al 4047 used as automotive engine parts and repair damaged parts. Several experimental studies have been conducted regarding the effect on laser power and powder flow rate. In addition, the improvement effect through the hardness analysis of the cladded layer and the change of the microstructure through the cross-section analysis of the clad part are discussed. Finally, the experimental conditions analyzed in this study suggest a suitability for the actual remanufacturing process through multi-pass cladding through overlapping.


On an algebraic curve there are Tate symbols, which satisfy Weil reciprocity law. The analogues in higher dimensions are the Parshin symbols, which satisfy Kato-Parshin reciprocity laws. We give a refinement of the Parshin symbol for surfaces, using iterated integrals in the sense of Chen. The product of the refined symbol over the cyclic permutations of the functions recovers the Parshin symbol. Also, we construct a logarithmic version of the Parshin symbol. We prove reciprocity laws for both the refined symbol and a logarithm of the Parshin symbol.


The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using reflective sign sheeting, either engineering grade (Class I) or high-intensity grade (Class II) as background material for selected overhead signs, or using presently accepted non-reflective, opaque, porcelain enamel backgrounds but without external illumination. Two sets of overhead signs were placed at two sites, where motorist interviews and photometric readings were taken. The results indicate that the motorists generally preferred the unlighted high intensity signs as compared to unlighted non-reflective or engineering grade signs. Photometric readings indicated greatest contrast ratio with reflective button copy on the non-reflective background when not illuminated. It is concluded that signs with the reflective backgrouds and legends used in this study could fully provide an acceptable level of service when not self illuminated on freeway type highways with tangent section a minimum of 1200 feet in length. Illuminated, non-reflective signs with button copy yield high contrast ratios and provide a level of service equal to the alternate sign types tested. The individual states should have the prerogative of deciding which background type, legend, and illumination condition provide the best service in their areas of jurisdiction. /FHWA/


Quasi-static and impact perforation of polymer-metal 1 bi-layer plates by a blunt indenter 2 3 I. Mohagheghian, G.J. McShane, W.J. Stronge 4 5 a Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, 6 GU2 7XH, UK 7 b Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, 8 Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK 9 10 11 Corresponding authors. 12 Tel: +44 1223 332635, Fax: +44 1223 332662, Email: email@example.com 13 14 15 Abstract 16 The use of polymer layers to alter the impact response of metallic plates has emerged 17