Medicinal plants play an important role in the discovery of novel drugs used in modern medicine. The medicinal plant Sanseiveria roxburghiana leaf possesses the wide range of medicinal properties which were confirmed through literature reviews. The present study was to determine it's leaves have any antimicrobial activity and also to check whether their phyto chemical constituents responsible for said activities. The Sanseiveria roxburghiana leaf extract was obtained by mixing the pulverized leaf materials with various solvent such as diethyl ether, ethanol and acetone, filtered with What man No.1 filter paper and concentrated to dryness. The collected extracts were tested for antimicrobial activities and the presence of chemical constituents by preliminary phytochemical analysis according to the literature. The antimicrobial susceptibility studies were conducted against gram (-) bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae and gram (+) such as Staphylococcus aureus. The current result supports the medicinal use of the leaf which acts as an antimicrobial agent. However further studies need to isolate the active constituents from the leaf and to study the antimicrobial activity in cellular level.


We consider the dynamic proportional reinsurance in a two-dimensional compound Poisson risk model. The optimization in the sense of minimizing the ruin probability which is defined by the sum of subportfolio is being ruined. Via the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman approach we find a candidate for the optimal value function and prove the verification theorem. In addition, we obtain the Lundberg bounds and the Cramer-Lundberg approximation for the ruin probability and show that as the capital tends to infinity, the optimal strategies converge to the asymptotically optimal constant strategies. The asymptotic value can be found by maximizing the adjustment coefficient.


Weeds have been reported to reduce the yield by 50-60% in direct-seeded rice (Naresh et al. 2011). DSR is an eco-friendly water and energy (labour) saving technology under the present resources scarcity scenario (Mallikarjun et al. 2014 and Choudhary and Dixit 2018). To overcome the problems of human labours involved in nursery preparation and transplanting operations, researchers as well as farmers are looking at direct-wet seeding options for rice establishments. Direct-wet seeding of rice (WSR) through drum seeder offers the advantages of eliminates the nursery raising and transplanting operations, faster and easier planting, reduces labour requirement, hastens crop maturity and increase water use efficiency, thus 25% (250-300 man hours) of total human labour involved in rice cultivation were reduced making rice cultivation more profitable (Kachro and Bazaya 2011).


In this article, an antenna with the combination of the microstrip slot and Yagi antenna is presented for wideband WLAN (wireless local area network) using CRLH (composite right/left‐handed) as a metamaterial (Left‐hand) element. The T‐shape feed line is investigated as a radiator section and modified for enhancing the bandwidth. The periodic elements are utilized as a novel type of the director to improve the bandwidth to more than 35% and increase the gain of the antenna to more than 80% where the three CRLH elements array are employed as the director of the Yagi antenna. The proposed antenna covers the 2.2 to 8 GHz (113% bandwidth) with a return loss of less than −6 dB (VSWR less than 3), which makes it suitable for wireless applications for covering different bands including WLAN, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and WiMAX with 47% miniaturization. The final antenna is simulated with CST microwave studio by the time‐domain method of FIT (Finite integration technique). The total size of the antenna is 60 mm × 40 mm × 1.6 mm, which is printed on an FR‐4 substrate, and the experimental results confirm the simulations.


We have solved the two-dimensional time-dependent Schodinger equation for a particle with and without the interparticle potential in a fusion plasma. It was shown that spatial extent of a free particle grows monotonically in time. Such expansion leads to a spatial extent or size of a proton of the order of the average interparticle separation Δl ≡ n−1/3 ∼ 2 × 10−7 m in a time interval of 106 × Δl/vth ∼ 10−7 sec for a plasma with a density n ∼ 1020 m−3 and a temperature T = mvth2/2 ∼ 10 keV. It was also shown that, under a Coulomb potential, the wavefunction of a charged particle first shrink and expand in time. In the expansion phase, at times t ≥ 10−10 sec, the size of particle in the presence of a Coulomb potential is much larger than that in the absence of it.


The electrical characteristics of metallization contacts to a thin film N-polar n-type GaN layer fabricated by a laser lift-off process combined with a dry etching are investigated. It is shown that for Pt Schottky contacts, the Schottky barrier height of the N-polar GaN is 1.27eV, which is larger than that (1.23eV) of reference Ga-polar GaN. Ti∕Al Ohmic contacts to the N-polar GaN experience thermal degradation even at 400°C. Such annealing-induced degradation is explained in terms of the presence of the complex surface states of the N-polar GaN, which consists of impurities and process-induced donorlike and acceptorlike defects.


Early mobilization is a therapy for the ability of individuals to move freely, easily and regularly. Individuals post operation Section caesarean often feel unable to do activity daily living. The research objective was to determine the effect of early mobilization on daily living activity based on dependence on postoperative caesarean section patients at the east seram district general hospital, Maluku. Research design using quasi experimental. The study population was all patients with post operation section caesarea in the regional general hospital of east seram regency with the study sample of all patients with post operation section caesarea. Samples were taken using quota sampling. Data were collected using a barthel instrument index, early mobilization SOP, leaflets, observation sheets and analyzed using the marginal Homogeneity test. The results of the study prove that all respondents performed early mobilization and most respondents experienced the activity daily living category independently in patients with post operation section caesarea. The results of the marginal homogeneity test obtained p value = (0,000), which means that there is an effect of early mobilization on daily living activity based on dependence on postoperative caesarean section patients at the regionalgeneral hospital of east seram regency, Maluku. Based on the research results, it is necessary for further researchers to measure all the factors that affect the level of dependence on activity daily living on the post operation section caesarean.


Named Data Network (NDN) has caused wide concerns in VANET community because NDN uses a content-centric mechanism that naming content rather than the host. However, integrating NDN into VANET (NDN-VANET) also faces several challenges including consumer/provider mobile, broadcast storm problem and so on. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian-based Receiver Forwarding Decision (BRFD) scheme to mitigate the broadcast storm problem incurred by interest packets in NDN-VANET. In the BRFD, vehicles received an interest packet are required to make forwarding decisions based on Bayesian decision theory according to current network conditions obtained by neighbor interaction. However, the receiver-forwarding decision in BRFD can also cause a conflict issue because multiple vehicles forward copies of the same packet at the same time. So a back-off mechanism is introduced in BRFD. Experimental results show that the BRFD algorithm has better performance in several aspects in contrast to probability-based forwarding scheme and "bread crumb" routing.


Aim To investigate the effects of activated renin angiotensin system in the vascular tissue on production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide.Methods Ten male Wuzhishan minipigs were divided into two groups,fed with normocholesterolemic(control;n=5) or hypercholesterolemic(2% cholesterol,hyperlipid,n=5) food for 3 months.Carotid arteries were isolated and the changes of TC,AngⅡ,ROS,NO and T-AOC of the vascular tissue were determined.In addition,hUVEC(human umbilical vein endothelial cell) were incubated with Ang I and chymostatin or with Ang I and losartan respectively for 24 h,the suspernatant was collected to measure the concentration of AngⅡ,ROS and NO. Results In comparison to the normocholesterolemic state,hypercholesterolemia led to a significant increase in TC content(108%±28%,P0.01),AngⅡ generation (115%±20%,P0.01) and ROS production(144%±28%,P0.01),but it led to a significant decrease in NO(51%±5%,P0.01) and T-AOC(56%±5%,P0.01).Cultrured hUVEC could convert Ang I to AngⅡ.AngⅡ increased by11 times in the presence of 10 nmol/L Ang I as compared with control group,and the level of ROS also increased while NO decreased significantly.When hUVEC were incubated with Ang I plus 100 or 500 μmol/L chymostatin,AngⅡ generation was reduced by 61%±6% or 65%±7% respectively,and the ROS decreased while NO increased significantly as compared with only Ang I.When hUVEC were incubated with Ang I plus Losartan,the generation of ROS and No was almost the same as compared with control group on condition that AngⅡ generation was not reduced. Conclusion hypercholesterolemia could activate renin angiotensin system of the vascular tissue,which results in an increased vascular tissue production of ROS and a decreased NO.This effect might be mediated by AT1 receptor.


The micro-thermal analysis combines the benefits of localized thermal analysis and near-field microscopy. This paper describes two new variants of microthermal analysis for the study of polymers: dynamic localized thermomechanical analysis (dynamic L-TMA); and localized infrared spectroscopy (localized FT-IR).


Tamarix spp. (tamarisk or saltcedar), a shrub-like tree, was intentionally introduced to the U.S. from Asia in the mid-1800s. Tamarisk thrives in today's human-altered streamside (riparian) habitats and can be found along wetlands, rivers, lakes, and streams across the western U.S. In 2001, a biological control agent, Diorhabda spp. (tamarisk leaf beetle), was released in six states, and has since spread throughout the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Beetle defoliation of tamarisk has altered tamarisk's water use and effectiveness as erosion control, as well as dynamics of native and nonnative plant and wildlife species. The full effects of the tamarisk leaf beetle on ecosystem function remain unknown. The U.S. Geological Survey collaborates with Tribal, State, Federal agencies, and other institutions to provide current, fact-based information on the effects of tamarisk and the tamarisk leaf beetle on managed resources, and provides sound science for conservation and restoration of riparian habitats in the southwestern U.S. Tamarisk and Riparian Systems Streamside (riparian) habitat occupies less than 10 percent of the Southwestern landscape. Yet, it is the most critical ecosystem in drylands, providing habitat for more than 90 percent of wildlife species and provides other ecological functions. Thus, riparian habitats receive considerable attention, resources, and management action. The success of nonnative Tamarix spp. (tamarisk or saltcedar) in riparian habitats across the Southwest has led to large changes in biological and geomorphological processes. Several factors have contributed to the success of tamarisk in the western U.S. Tamarisk produce seeds that are dispersed by wind and water throughout the spring and summer. Tamarisk has small, needle-like, salt-exuding leaves that allow them to tolerate high-levels of salinity, drought, and heat. Tamarisk may be favored in areas along river courses (1) that have altered flood regimes, (2) that are saltier due to the effects of dams and water diversions, (3) with less available water because streams are undergoing pressures from drought and increased temperatures, and (4) with declining groundwater levels owing to over-extraction and limited recharge. The spread of tamarisk in the west coincided with a decline in the ecological function of many riparian habitats in the early 20th century. Rivers and streams were dammed and (or) water was diverted for irrigation purposes separate from but concurrent with the introduction of tamarisk to the U.S. Increasing concern over the spread of tamarisk led to the release of a biological control agent, Diorhabda carinulata (northern tamarisk leaf beetle), starting in 2001. The beetles were released in six states— California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming—by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Since 2001, additional tamarisk leaf beetle species have been introduced and have spread to adjoining states and northern Mexico. Photograph of a tamarisk plant. Photograph by Pamela Nagler, U.S. Geological Survey. U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2020–3061 April 2021 Monitoring Beetle Defoliation and Tamarisk Response Several ecosystem functions, such as wildlife habitat and water use, are affected by tamarisk biocontrol. USGS scientists and collaborators use remote sensing, time-lapse digital photography, and ground measurement techniques to monitor where the beetles are, how fast they spread, and what effects they are having on tamarisk. Although beetles typically cause nearly 100 percent defoliation, tamarisk is rarely killed by a single event. Several defoliation events can occur in a single year, but substantial branch die-back (a portion, but not all, of the canopy dies) or tamarisk mortality typically results after multiple years of repeated defoliation events. Difference in die-back and mortality response could be linked to plant genetics, soil microbe, or environmental conditions, such as, air temperature, streamflow patterns, depth to groundwater, soil salinity, and in-stream water salinity. Tamarisk as Wildlife Habitat Riparian habitats support many wildlife species and act as migratory routes for nesting and breeding birds. The movement of birds along rivers and streams evolved to coincide with available food and habitat from native trees. Tamarisk provides habitat for a wide variety of birds, reptiles, and small mammals, although the quality of that habitat may differ for different wildlife species and on how much tamarisk is present. Tamarisk can form large, single-species groups of trees called stands, or it can grow in mixed stands alongside native riparian trees and shrubs, such as cottonwoods and willows. Single-species tamarisk and mixed stands have different ecosystem functionality. Single-species tamarisk stands host fewer arthropods, such as insects and spiders, which are important prey for many birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Temperatures in tamarisk canopies can be warmer than those of native trees—a difference between life and death for some birds and other animals that live there. Defoliation by tamarisk Photograph showing tamarisk biocontrol, the Diorhabda spp. (tamarisk leaf beetle). Photograph by Dan Bean. Photograph of a southwestern willow flycatcher. Photograph by Osvel Hinojosa-Huerta, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. leaf beetles greatly increases temperature, reduces humidity, and increases solar radiation in tree canopies that can lead to nest abandonment and failure. Yet many bird species successfully nest in tamarisk, and small mammals and reptiles use tamarisk as habitat at roughly equal rates as native trees. Mixed stands support more biodiversity than native stands. Mixed stands have a higher number of arthropod species than single-species tamarisk stands or native stands, resulting in more food for reptiles, birds, and small mammals. Defoliation of single species stands by tamarisk leaf beetles may result in the further degradation of the only remaining habitat. Endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatchers and Tamarisk Leaf Beetles The case of the endangered Empidonax traillii extimus (southwestern willow flycatcher) exemplifies the complexities associated with wildlife habitat use of riparian habitats in the context of tamarisk biocontrol. Many breeding sites of this bird species are dominated by tamarisk. The birds will nest in singlespecies tamarisk, mixed, or native stands if standing water or moist soils are present. Defoliation by tamarisk leaf beetles can lead to higher rates of nest abandonment, further threatening this endangered species. Tamarisk leaf beetles were not expected to move south into the bird's range because (1) the beetles were expected to spread only a few miles per year, and (2) their range was thought to be limited by daylength requirements; the beetles need a certain number of nighttime hours to complete their lifecycle. However, tamarisk leaf beetles can move about 25 miles (40 kilometers) per year and have rapidly evolved to complete their lifecycles much farther south than originally predicted. This has resulted in beetles defoliating tamarisk in the southwestern willow flycatcher range. Water Use by Tamarisk Previous studies reported that tamarisk uses water at much higher rates than native plants, resulting in calls for tamarisk's eradication to conserve water resources. However, more recent research has consistently shown that tamarisk uses about the same or less water than many native woody plants. Therefore, the removal and replacement of tamarisk with native species will likely not increase water availability for agriculture, municipalities, and other uses. Beetle defoliation of tamarisk has altered tamarisk's water use, in addition to the effectiveness of tamarisk in erosion control, and riparian health related to native plant and wildlife species. Tamarisk is more drought tolerant than native cottonwood and willow species; its roots can access deeper groundwater sources, and it can withstand drier conditions for longer periods. The combination of deeper roots and higher drought tolerance allows tamarisk to occupy areas that are farther away from primary rivers or stream channels than native species. Consequently, the expansion of tamarisk in some riparian systems could result in slight increases in water usage and reduced groundwater recharge in some areas. If management goals are only concerned with reducing water use from vegetation, then replacing tamarisk with native cottonwood and willow is not likely to reduce water loss because native species, in some cases, use more water than tamarisk. However, water use of plants depends on many factors, including the assemblage of plant species, stand density, age, and rooting depth among other factors. Management decision making about reducing water use by vegetation includes many factors beyond identifying a target species. Tamarisk leaf beetles were expected to help increase water levels in streams by reducing tamarisk cover through defoliation. Green-leaf die-back, or even plant death, results when foliage is removed and transpiration (water loss via plant leaves) is reduced. This in turn, results in water savings at the plant-level, river reach-level, and (or) landscape-level following beetle defoliation. Water savings depend on how large the defoliated tamarisk stands were, their age, and how much area they covered. Furthermore, water savings are often short-lived. Once a tamarisk has grown new foliage, typically within one month, water use returns to pre-defoliation levels. Small water savings could result after multiple defoliation events if (1) fewer leaves are produced, (2) there is branch die-back and (or) (3) mortality occurs. However, even when tamarisk mortality does occur, water savings may be relatively short-lived, because other vegetation typically grows in place of tamarisk within a few years. Tama


oriented as evidenced by its leadership is most nonlocalistic with respect to belief in opportunities. The work-oriented group places more emphasis institutionally on opportunities for youth through education rather than on the decline of family and community life. Education is regarded as a means to success, especially in the city. While no personal background factors were significantly related to institutional conservatism, the least conservative groups tended to include country dwellers, males, farm tenants, young persons, persons who had changed neighborhood residence, persons with previous urban experience, persons with a low scale of living, and low participants in clubs or churches. One explanation might be a rebellion on the part of these groups toward traditional family and organizational leadership.


Abstract. Measurements of the temperature behavior in the zone of action of the laser-radiation on the molten metal have been performed using multichannel pyrometer. Measurements were carried out for test cutting of a 3-mm mild-steel plate with several values of cutting speed and pressure of assist gas (oxygen), using an 1800-watt Ytterbium fiber laser. It is shown that fluctuations of temperature are related to local melt's surface deformations due to unequal radiation absorption; thus the noise spectrum of temperature fluctuations reflects turbulent surface deformation caused by gas jet and capillary waves. The maximum density of turbulent energy dissipation ε depends on cutting conditions: its value rises with increasing cutting velocity and oxygen pressure in a described range of parameters. The maximum of ε is localized near depth of (1.2…1.5)  mm along the cutting front. We can distinguish the specific radiation pulsation spectrum of laser cutting from other processes of radiation affection to the sample, including unwanted degrading of the quality of technological operations. The spectrum of capillary waves on the melt's surface is formed under the effect of assisted gas jet and has a function of ω−3, ω is cycle frequency. The results of this investigation can be useful for the development of monitoring and quality-control systems for the laser-cutting process.


How should redistributive governments change tax schedule in response to increase in wage inequality? This paper investigate the impact of widening dispersion in wage inequality on optimal tax policy, especially focusing on the adjustment of the wage compression channel (Stiglitz (1982)). The response of tax policy depends on the source of the increasing wage inequality. If the wage inequality is mostly explained by the residual inequality, which is generated by the increasing dispersion in unobserved ability, the return to unobserved skill can be decreasing. Thus, increasing wage inequality caused by widening dispersion in unobserved ability makes wage compression channel when setting optimal tax, which will make the tax schedule relatively less regressive.


to undetstand it.4 Each mode of understanding has its own rules for the conceptualization of the environment. Biologists use the concept of "bionomy" to refer to the way the animal manages, organizes, the time and space in which he lives. To elaborate the concrete and specific implications of such an approach would overstep the limits of this analysis. The establishment of the outlines seemed to me essential for an understanding of my general criticism of Cohen's work: 1. In order to analyse the functioning of these relations of men to their environments-as well as their consequencesseveral theories have been used during the past few years: (a) the determinist, in which one establishes the basic correlation between culture and productivity rather than between culture and environment (Meggers 1954); (b) the adaptive, reflecting the evolutionist concept of the "struggle for life" (Thompson 1949); (c) the locationist, introducing cognitive rationality (Firey 1960); (d) the voluntarist, "which explicitly considers values and symbols mediating the man-nature relation" (Klausner 1971); (e) the cultural ecologist, in which human cultures are considered as specific processes of adaptation (Steward 1955); (j) the neo-functionalist, whose proponents, according to Godelier (1973:51-52), are led by "the radical inadequacies of their materialism . . . to conceive in a "reductionist' way the intricate relations between economy and society"; (g) the cultural neo-materialist, which, again according to Godelier (p. 52), "reduces all social relations to epiphenomena accompanying economic relations, themselves reduced to a technique of adaptation to a natural and biological environment." Cohen's work does not bring out anything new. At most, it changes the position of some concepts. Essentially, starting out with Firey (1960) and eventually with the help of Parsons (1951), he proposes a "paradigm" in the purest positivist radition. If we accept his premises and his methodology, we are then forced to follow him on his terrain and to analyse each pigeonhole he proposes without referring to a basic premise such as the one I have tried to outline in the preceding paragraphs. Beyond this basic criticism, one must realize that his terms of analytic reference are sometimes ituated on different levels (e.g., resources, territory vs. instrumental, control), that is, they have dialectic as well as structural content. 2. This "paradigm" confuses objective ecology and subjective ecology (Watanabe 1967, Vallee 1971). This latter consists


Alcohol use has been shown to be associated with High Risk Behaviour (HRB). However, the exact nature of this association remains to be clarified. 100 male patients admitted with an ICD-10 diagnosis of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) were studied using both self-report and semi-structured interview. The data was analysed using an Event- analysis technique for the occurrence of HRB, namely Road traffic Accidents, Crime and Violence, Self-injurious behaviour and risky Sexual behaviour. Personality variables were studied using the Sensation Seeking Scale, Form V, Indian Adaptation and Barratt's Impulsivity Scale, version 11. Data was analysed using SPSS, with Independent t-test, chi square and logistic regression.


To compare the color to compare with the color of the object to be measured and compared with the measured object, such as a living tooth easy way to display to the user. The present invention is an image (hereinafter referred to as "comparison target image") (the "measurement object image" means) to extract, and the image of the shade guide from the color image of the shade guide of the vital tooth from the color image of the vital tooth an image extraction unit, the measurement-object image and the comparison-object image combining-reference-line setting unit for setting a combining reference line to a combining unit for forming a composite image by combining the measurement-object image and the comparison-object image, and synthesized in the composite image for extracting the outline if the outline of the reference line does not match to match provides an image synthesizing apparatus including a correction for correcting at least one of the measurement-object image and the comparison-object image. Measuring, comparing, and reference line, the vital tooth, the shade guide, Synthesis, correction, color


Culture supernatants from dogfish leucocytes, exposed to the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, were analyzed for eicosanoid production by gas chromatography-electron capture mass spectrometry. Consistently high levels of the prostaglandins (PG) D2, F2α and E2 were produced, while thromboxane B2 and leukotriene B4 were found in smaller amounts. No 6-oxo PGF1α, a degradation product of prostacyclin, or 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-PGF2α, a metabolite of PGE2 and PGF2α, were detected. The results are compared with similar experiments using mammalian leucocytes.


Background: Entry of heavy metals into water resources through different routes has caused some dangers such as toxicity, cancer, etc., for living animals. Abshineh River is one of the most important rivers supplying the drinking water of Hamedan, Iran. The present study aimed at investigating the amount of heavy metals including Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in this river.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and based on health importance,4 heavy metals including Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd were analyzed by means of standard methods.Quarterly sampling (December 2011, February 2012, April 2012 and August 2012)was carried out in 7 stations. A total of 84 samples (21 samples in each season) were collected in tightly-closed one-liter bottles. Sample digestion was performed through evaporation method and heavy metal concentrations were measured by ICP. Data were analyzed through SPSS16 and single sample t-test with confidence levels of 95% was used to compare means of each heavy metal with WHO standards while ANOVA test was used to compare mean amount of metals among the sampling stations.

Results: Mean and standard deviation of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in four seasons were respectively (0.06292 ±0.04157), (0.00308 ±0.00526), (0.01436 ±0.02082) and (0.00127 ±0.00100) mg/lit. So, the amount of heavy metals in Abshineh River, except for Pb in spring, is about the standard level for drinking consumptions.

Conclusion: Regarding the findings of this study, Abshineh River was a safe source to supply drinking water in terms of the measured metals during the time of the study. Nevertheless, it is suggested that the amount of heavy metals, particularly Pb, in this region is measured regularly.

Keywords: Hamedan, Abshineh River, Heavy metals, Drinking water


OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between blood concentration of cyclosporine A(CsA) and the pathophysiologic factors in patients after undergoing renal transplantation.METHODS: The medical record of 58 patients receiving CsA following renal transplantation in Air Force General Hospital was collected retrospectively for recording of clinical data such as patients' gender,age,body weight,the dosage of CsA,blood concentration of CsA and the corresponding biochemical testing values,and the data were subjected to multiple linear regression analysis using SAS(6.04 version) software.RESULTS: Significant positive correlation was noted between blood concentration of CsA and total bilirubin,medication time and patients' age(P 0.05).CONCLUSION: Total bilirubin level,age and medication time have significant impacts on the blood concentration of CsA.


In the last decades, rainfall thresholds for landslide occurrences were thoroughly investigated, producing several different test cases and relevant technical and scientific advances. However, a recent literature review on rainfall thresholds articles (Segoni et al., 2018), published in journals indexed in SCOPUS or ISI Web of knowledge databases in the period 2008-2016, highlighted significant advances and critical issues about this topic. Only in the 11% of the analysed papers (a total of 115) there were installed instruments for measuring physical parameters other than rainfall. The implication was that, in most cases, the occurrence of landslides was forecasted considering exclusively a rainfall correlation, completely neglecting soil characteristics.


Exploration is a task in which autonomous mobile robots incrementally discover features of interest in initially unknown environments. Most of the current exploration approaches ignore prior knowledge about the environments that have to be explored. However, in some practical cases, such knowledge could be available. In this paper, we present a method that includes a priori knowledge in an exploration strategy that selects the next best locations the robot should reach in partially explored indoor environments by exploiting the (possibly inaccurate) knowledge of their floor plans.


Background Non-invasive imaging has a key role in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). Its importance has been affirmed by recent National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Localisation of ischaemia to a coronary territory is also important in patient management. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) perfusion imaging is a well-established and radiation-free test for these purposes. However, there are few data comparing perfusion CMR with Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which is widely regarded as the non-invasive gold standard. Furthermore novel CMR methods, including those based on k-t acceleration techniques, allow myocardial perfusion imaging with unprecedented spatial resolution. Methods 31 patients with known or suspected CAD referred for diagnostic x-ray coronary angiography (XCA) underwent both CMR and PET examinations. Both PET and CMR protocols included adenosine stress and rest perfusion imaging. CMR perfusion imaging was performed at 1.5T with a k-t-accelerated steady-state free-precession sequence. PET imaging was performed with 13N-Ammonia. The Abstract 118 figure 1 shows an example. Experts blinded to the clinical data analysed the imaging data and experts blinded to the imaging results visually analysed the XCA data. A significant coronary artery stenosis was defined as ≥70% reduction in diameter or a fractional flow reserve <0.8 where available. Sensitivity and specificity for PET and CMR vs invasive angiography were calculated. Localisation of ischaemia was assessed in patients with CAD by classifying myocardial territories as either supplied by, or remote from, a stenotic artery.Abstract 118 Figure 1 Results Patient characteristics are shown in the Abstract 118 table 1. Mean age ± SD was 64±9 years. One CMR examination was non-diagnostic. The interval between PET and CMR was 2±6 days (77% same day), between PET and XCA 22±28 days and between CMR and XCA 22±29 days. The prevalence of CAD was 81%. For the detection of CAD PET sensitivity was 80% (95% CI 59% to 92%) and specificity was 67% (24% to 94%). CMR sensitivity was 83% (95% CI 62 to 95%) and specificity was also 83% (36% to 99%). In patients with CAD ischaemia was localised to 63% of the territories supplied by stenotic arteries by PET and 76% by CMR. Remote ischaemia was detected in 24% of territories by PET and 16% by CMR.Abstract 118 Table 1 Characteristic Number (percentage) of affected patients Male 25 (81%) Diabetes 12 (39%) Previous PCI 10 (32%) Hypertension 22 (71%) Conclusions CMR is at least as accurate as PET for the diagnosis of CAD and also for the localisation of ischaemia to coronary territories. Relatively low numbers mean that CIs are wide and further work is required. Using an anatomic test as the reference-standard for functional tests has well-described limitations. Remote ischaemia is likely to occur for several reasons including underestimation of disease severity at XCA, microvascular disease and also false positive results.


Over the last decade or so, the OECD has emerged as a key transnational player in comparative health policy analysis despite lacking a formal mandate in this sector. The OECD plays a 'soft power' agenda setting role in the administration of health care both in its member states and well beyond in global health policy processes; on such issues as overall health system effectiveness, incentives for cost-control and clinical quality, the role of private health insurance in public-private funding mixes, and remuneration for medical labour. Its work has contributed to the definition of the nature and scale of health policy problems as well as indirectly to various national health care performance management regimes. This paper considers the questions: why and how has the OECD come to occupy a central role in transnational health policy processes and challenge the authority of the WHO as the de facto global health ministry despite lacking a formal institutional role? Studies on change in international, intergovernmental organisations (IGO) tend to be inspired by IR and divide into those linking change with 'big bang' events such as crises in the international system or shifting imperatives in the international health care economy; and those that ask questions about corporate agency of states and, to a lesser extent, permanent secretariats of IOs. However, at the more disaggregated level of analysis of transnational public administration we lack analytically driven, in-depth empirical cases of change within and across IOs. This paper attempts to explain the expansion of the OECD's role in health policy in terms of a complex conjunction of multiple environmental factors such as changing member state interests and dissatisfaction with the WHO's analytical work, creating windows of opportunity for a coalition of officials from the OECD and key member states to promote the health agenda within the OECD. There was nothing functional or determined about this change. The within-case analysis presented will encourage greater temporal sensitivity from public policy scholars studying international bureaucracies by revealing processes with multiple drivers that combine at critical junctures to offer the potential for consequential and potentially transformative public leadership.


Process for obtaining compounds of high added value from olive leaf. By the process of the invention compounds of high added value are obtained from olive leaf. In a first stage the sheets to solid-liquid extraction with organic solvents, preferably hexane or ethanol are subjected, and concentrated in vacuo the crude extract obtained. In a second stage fractionation of the crude extract is performed by countercurrent extraction column CO {2} supercritical and separation into two cells in different conditions of pressure and / or temperature change the solvent power of CO {2 are fixed }, precipitating different compounds. The process of the invention allows to extract from the olive leaf natural products of interest to the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic waxes, squalene, \ beta-carotene, \ -tocopherol, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and other phenolic compounds, \ beta sitosterol, \ alpha and \ beta-amyrin, erythrodiol, uvaol and other terpene alcohols, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and maslinic acid, among others.


Cascaded field enhancement is demonstrated in asymmetric plasmon resonant dimer nanoantennas consisting of shape-tuned ellipsoidal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles that make up the dimer have identical thickness, suggesting that the presented approach can be used to design cascaded dimer antennas compatible with standard two-dimensional top-down nanofabrication tools such as electron beam lithography and nano-imprint lithography. Cascaded excitation is achieved by modification of the in-plane particle aspect ratios in a way that keeps the resonance frequency of the individual particles fixed while significantly changing their polarizability. The achievable field enhancement is evaluated as a function of the particle volume ratio and spacing.


OBJECTIVE To develop a HPLC method for the determination of the clozapine,perphenazine and haloperidol in human plasma and provide a scientific basis for clinical use of these compounds.METHODS Kromasil C18 was used as the reversed column;column temperature was 40 ℃.The mobile phase: methanol-0.03 mol·L-1 NH4AC(pH 6.7)(72∶28),The flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1,an ultraviolet warelength was at 254 nm.20 μL sample was injected for the analysis after the plasma protein was extracted by ether.RESULTS The good linear relation of clozapine(CZP),perphenazine(PAZ) and haloperidol(HL) was in the range of 100.0-700.0,0.10-3.0,1.00-30.00 μg·L-1,respectively.The lowest detection limit of CZP,PAZ and HL was 25.0,0.03,0.3 μg·L-1,respectively.CONCLUSION This paper provides a rapid,accurate and simply method for the assay of CZP,PAZ and HL in human plasma.


The purpose of this study was to develop teaching materials for the course Research Methodology to improve science education research skills students Biology teacher candidates. Instructional materials that have been developed are implemented in the lecture to see the impact on student research skills. The results indicate that teaching materials are developed can enhance  science education research skills of students Biology teacher candidates.


In August of 1997 Risk Analysis (vol. 17, No. 4) published a paper by Price et ai. suggesting "an approach for characterizing the probability of adverse effects occurring in a population exposed to dose rates in excess of the Reference Dose (RfD)."(') We do not believe that the proposed approach provides a meaninghl characterization of dose response. The proposed approach consist of 1) estimation of an ED,,,, "the dose estimated to cause one or more adverse effects in 50% of the humans," 2) estimation of an ED,,, "the largest dose at which no adverse effects occur in humans, including sensitive individuals," and 3) linear interpolation between the ED,, and EDSO, to predict the percentage of humans experiencing one or more adverse effects at any dose between the two points.(l) The authors propose the following formulas(') to derive the ED,, and ED,,, from the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and the estimated dose for 50% response (ED,,) from chronic animal toxicity data:


The seed cake left after the extraction ef oil from Origanum vulgare seeds has been analysed. The cake is found to be rich in Nitrogen content and is reported to be suitable as a fertilizer.


The difference of ultra drying tolerance and the heat stable proteins were studied among different rice cultivars, and two ideas inferred from the results. (1) The germination rate and vigor index of japonica rice seeds (Chunjiang 15 and Chunjiang 683) decreased rapidly when their moisture content fell to 4.5%. On the contrary, the germination rate and vigor index of indica rice (J174 and J106) seeds changed little even when their moisture content fell to 3.5%, which indicated that indica rice had strong ultra drying tolerance. While the seeds' tolerance of waxy rice and hybrid rice (Shanyou 63) were intervened in japonica rice's and indica rice's. (2) SDS PAGE electrophoresis showed that a 36.3 kD heat stable protein appeared only in seeds of rice cultivars (indica rice, waxy rice and hybrid rice) with ultra drying tolerance. These results suggested that the special heat stable proteins might be related to ultra drying tolerance.


Not only is the workplace a significant site of the social construction of feminine and masculine identities but in an increasing range of service sector occupations, a gendered bodily performance is a significant part of selling a product. In this paper, we draw on Butler's notion of gender identity as a regulatory fiction to investigate the consequences of the specificity of embodiment and gendered performances. Drawing on three case studies in the City of London, we explore the differential fictions constructed by men and women engaged in interactive service work in a professional capacity in merchant banks. We examine the ways in which women are embodied and/or represented as 'woman' in the workplace, comparing women's sense of themselves and their everyday workplace experiences with those of men doing the same job. Our aim is to establish whether the necessity of selling oneself as part of the product in such service sector employment challenges the idealisation of male workers as disembodied rational subjects, while not necessarily disrupting the inferior position of embodied women.


According to the framework of Technological regimes theory, the Technological regimes can be decomposed into four-dimensional elements: technological opportunities, appropriation, cumulative nature of technological progress and knowledge-based features. We selected 25 groups of data from manufacturing industries in a certain province in 2006 and study the impact of four dimensional elements of technological regimes on the establishment of industry technological standards by the method of Logistic regression. The results show that each dimension of technological regimes affects establishment of the industry technological standards to a certain extent in different directions. The size of a firm and its market needs of new products should also be considered at the same time.


Aluminum stress inhibited root growth and caused serious oxidative damage in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. Under Al stress, added Ca significantly improved root growth, decreased Al, H2O2 and TBARS content and increased O2 - generation, Ca content, improved CAT activity, and decreased OXO and FA-POX activity. Interestingly, Ca levels did not have any significant effect on SOD activity under Al stressed condition. Histochemical data also showed that added Ca decreased the accumulation of phenolic compounds synchronously with the reduction of Al and H2O2 content in the Al-stressed roots. Both biochemical and histochemical data revealed that added Ca reduced oxidative coupling reactions (i.e. cross-link formation) of phenolic compounds by decreasing FA-POX and thus improving the root growth of wheat seedlings under Al stress. The results suggest that the exogenously supplied Ca may be involved in alleviating Al-induced oxidative damage by regulating ROS level via antioxidant enzyme activities and improving root growth by displacing Al from the root surface.


From Feb.1999 to Dec.2000, 562 specimens of A.nigrocauda were collected from laixi river, a branch of the Tuojiang river. Differences between male and female in morphometric characteristics, such as body length, barble length and caudal peducle length, were not found. The weight, as well as the fullness(K) for males are less than that for females of corresponding length. The fullness (K) in non reproductive period fish are higher than that of reproductive period fish. The obvious differences between the values of k increase with increase in body length indicates that the body height and body depth increase more fast than body length.


The rapid economic development of the Comecon countries requires the full utilization of the achievements of modern science and technology and more rapid progress in these areas, which is the main factor in raising social labor productivity and is a major prerequisite for building the material and technical base of socialism and communism. This adds to the importance of cooperation among the Comecon states in science and technology. The countries of the socialist community have great possibilities for uniting their efforts in this field, as their social system permits an organic combination of the development of national science and technology with the scientific progress of the socialist countries as a whole. In order to exploit these possibilities, however, it is necessary constantly to perfect the international planning and coordination of research and to combine adequately the scientific-technical activity of each country with the joint efforts of all Comecon countries.


Human Pose Recovery approaches have been studied in the field of Computer Vision for the last 40 years. Several approaches have been reported, and significant improvements have been obtained in both data representation and model design. However, the problem of Human Pose Recovery in uncontrolled environments is far from being solved. In this paper, we define a global taxonomy to group the model based methods and discuss their main advantages and drawbacks.


The article deals with the current state and prospects of development of the urban system of bikesharing Moscow.The facts show that this system has been developing successfully for four years. However, until now there were no clear principles and criteria for the selection of locations for new Cycling stations. Therefore, this article developed and justified the principles and methodology that should be followed in this process. These principles are aimed at solving four main problems facing the Moscow Cycling system. The methodology consists in field studies in order to find the best place to place a particular station and in the subsequent work with cartographic material. The article also substantiates the criteria for the placement of new Cycling stations, taking into account the people's transport needs. For this purpose, it is proposed to use a special composite criterion for optimal station placement. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by calculation.


Summary. Studies have been performed on six members of one family with May‐Hegglin anomaly (MH) five of whom manifested a mild bleeding tendency. All were thrombocytopenic (25000–1420007/μl). Platelet kinetic studies (51Cr) showed normal survival (two autologous, one MH to normal, one normal to MH). Mean platelet volume was increased; content (per platelet) of cholesterol, phospholipid, and tyrosine was elevated 3‐ to 6‐fold. Total body platelet mass calculated from these parameters was normal. Tests of platelet function demonstrated normal adhesiveness to collagen, normal prothrombin consumption, and enhanced platelet factor 3 activity. Bleeding time was prolonged (5/5), platelet retention by glass beads was diminished (3/3), clot retraction was poor (5/5), and aggregation by ADP, adrenaline and collagen was similar to that of normal platelets at the same low concentration.


Childhood experiences of maltreatment are related to interpersonal difficulties in childhood (Pettit, Dodge, & Brown, 1988) and adulthood (Messman-Moore & Coates, 2007; Varia & Abidin, 1999; Busby, Walker, & Holman, 2011). However, most studies have examined the effects of maltreatment on interpersonal functioning (Messman-Moore & Coates, 2007; Busby, Walker, & Holman, 2011) within the context of romantic relationships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987; Feeney & Noller, 1990). Thus, the present study examined the impact childhood maltreatment and neglect has on later intrapersonal functioning and interpersonal interactions and whether gender differences emerge therein. Results indicated maltreated individuals initiate relationships less often and assert lower levels of autonomy within those relationships. Further, men with a history of maltreatment reported lower levels of emotional support, suggesting gender may moderate the relationship between experiences of maltreatment and interpersonal outcomes. Finally, individuals with a history of maltreatment reported lower levels of self-esteem than their non-maltreated counterparts. MALTREATMENT, ATTACHMENT, AND RELATIONSHIPS 3 The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Functioning: Does the Past Dictate the Future? Introduction Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, can influence an individual's life in many ways, in the short and long term. These "childhood experiences" may include an instance or instances of maltreatment including physical abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect. Definitions of these categories of maltreatment have varied throughout the literature. Friedman, Sandler, Hernandez, and Wolfe (1981; as cited in Kelly, 1983) describe child abuse as involving acts of commission by the parent that are characterized by overt physical violence, beatings, or excessive punishments that are typically accompanied by frustration or anger that is directed towards the child. Child neglect is described as involving maltreatment that is due to acts of omission in that the parent fails to meet a child's physical, nutritional, medical, or emotional needs (Friedman, et al., 1981; as cited in Kelly, 1983). Schecter and Roberge (1976; as cited in Kelly, 1983) define child sexual abuse as the involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not comprehend. Glaser (2002) describes emotional abuse and neglect as a relationship between a parent and child in which interactions of concern or potential harm to the child pervade the relationship. While emotional abuse and neglect require no physical contact to be considered a type of abuse, they could potentially cause impairment to a child's psychological and emotional health and development. Glaser (1993, as cited in Glaser, 2000) lists the following categories of emotional abuse and neglect: emotional unavailability, unresponsiveness and neglect; negative attributions and misattributions to a child; developmentally inappropriate or inconsistent interactions with a child, MALTREATMENT, ATTACHMENT, AND RELATIONSHIPS 4 failure to recognize or acknowledge a child's individuality and psychological bond; and the failure to promote a child's social adaptation. These detrimental interactions between parent and child can have lasting consequences that endure throughout an individual's lifetime. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, in the fiscal year of 2011, approximately 3.4 million referrals were made to Child Protection Service agencies concerning an estimated 6.2 children. Of these reports, 78.5 percent of the victims suffered neglect, 17.6 percent suffered physical abuse, 9.1 percent of victims suffered sexual abuse, and 9 percent suffered psychological maltreatment. Based on the information gathered for this fiscal year, it was found that 80.8 percent of the abuse perpetrators were parents, 5.9 percent were other relatives, and 4.4 percent were unmarried partners a parent. Women were reported to comprise a larger percentage of perpetrators with a percentage of 53.6 compared to 45.1 percent for men (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2013). While these statistics give an idea of how commonly various types of maltreatment occur, they do not indicate whether or not these experiences tend to occur in isolation or accompany one another. According to Kelly (1983), There is undoubtedly a large population of parents who physically harm their children, but do not leave such dramatic evidence of injury. Other parents may cause physical harm to their children, but fail to seek out medical care for it (p. 4). This information highlights the importance of recognizing that instances of child abuse do not always result in serious injuries that require emergency medical attention. However, more research is needed to address instances of maltreatment and their later outcomes. Researchers have found evidence for the co-occurrence of multiple types of abuse. In one such study, Claussen and Crittenden (1991) investigated the relationship among the types and severities of maltreatment as well as the relationship between developmental and MALTREATMENT, ATTACHMENT, AND RELATIONSHIPS 5 demographic factors to psychological maltreatment. Specifically, the researchers collected data from two samples: a "reported" family sample which consisted of families who had been reported to state mandated child protection services and a "community" sample that consisted of normative and "disordered" families who had a child in psychological treatment (Claussen & Crittenden, 1991). These families were interviewed to obtain information concerning the effect of maltreatment on their child's development and wellbeing. Results indicated that physical and psychological maltreatment were both present in cases referred to child protective services, while psychological maltreatment appeared to occur in the absence of physical maltreatment within the community sample. Additionally, within both samples, the severity of physical injury was uncorrelated with the severity of other types of maltreatment, while the severity of physical neglect was correlated with psychological maltreatment. Given these results, the researchers speculated that the relationship between a child's age, size, and the severity of injury may account for the lack of a relationship between the severity of physical injury and other types of maltreatment. Furthermore, Claussen and Crittenden (1991) concluded that while the maltreatment data reported for the community sample was not severe enough to warrant the involvement of child protective services, these experiences are still able to contribute to the genesis of developmental disorders in maltreated children. In a similar study, Higgins and McCabe (2000) examined the inter-relationships among various forms of child maltreatment, specifically: sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment, neglect, and witnessing family violence. The researchers predicted a high degree of overlap between the five types of maltreatment considered. Adults were recruited from the community to complete measures of their family characteristics including the traditionality of family values, sexual punitiveness of one's parents, family functioning, and adaptability and MALTREATMENT, ATTACHMENT, AND RELATIONSHIPS 6 cohesion as well as measures of childhood experiences of maltreatment. Results indicated a high degree of overlap exists between the five categories of maltreatment examined, such that these types of experiences tend to occur together. The strongest relationship between any two types of maltreatment was found for psychological and physical abuse. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that if an adult reports experiencing one type of maltreatment during his or her childhood, it is likely he or she experienced multiple types of maltreatment, rather than just one. In addition to examining the inter-relationships between different types of child maltreatment, Higgins and McCabe (2000) explored how a history of maltreatment would be related to one's adjustment as an adult. The researchers hypothesized that after controlling for one's family characteristics and background, maltreatment scores would contribute significantly to an individual's reported adjustment problems. Results indicated that individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment experienced trauma symptoms as well as self-depreciation in adulthood. Reportedly, sexual abuse and psychological maltreatment were most strongly associated with trauma symptoms and an individual's self-depreciation. The strongest relationship between type of maltreatment and adult adjustment problems was found for psychological maltreatment, although sexual abuse also was found to be related to adjustment problems in adulthood (Higgins & McCabe, 2000). Given these findings, it appears that experiencing maltreatment during one's childhood can contribute to difficulties in adjusting successfully to stressful situations in one's adult life. The consequences of childhood experiences of maltreatment may manifest as increased perceptual-motor deficits, lower scores of general intellectual functioning and academic achievement, as well as negative social behaviors in the form of aggression with peers and adults MALTREATMENT, ATTACHMENT, AND RELATIONSHIPS 7 and internalizing psychological problems such as hopelessness and low self-worth during the short-term (Conaway & Hansen, 1989; Fantuzzo, DePaola, Lambert, & Martino, 1991). However, they also may have much more pervasive effects that persist into adulthood. In fact, further understanding of the long term consequences of childhood maltreatment has been gained from the work of Bifulco, Moran, Baines, Bunn, and Stanford (2000). Specifically, Bifulco et al. (2002) explored the relationship between experiences of childhood psychological abuse and reported depression and suicid


Dura-Bar 201 Type 1 is a flake graphite austenitic cast iron that is produced by the continuous casting process. It is commonly specified for corrosion-resistant applications involving exposure to salt solutions, sea water, mild acids, alkalis, and oil field liquids, both sweet and sour. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, microstructure, hardness, elasticity, and tensile properties. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as heat treating. Filing Code: CI-95. Producer or source: Charter Dura-Bar, Inc.


Abstract - Recent in vitro and in vivo animal studies have reported that statin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, stimulate osteogenic differentiation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of simvastatin on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation in primarily cultured human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). The simvastatin treatment significantly increased the positive cell numbers in alkaline phosphatase and von Kossa staining, and enhanced the expression levels of bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-2, core binding factor alpha 1 (cbfa1), collgen type I and osteonectin mRNAs. Lastly, hADSCs were cultured in the adipo-genic media with or without simvastatin to examine the effect of simvastatin on adipogenic differentiation. In the RT-PCR analysis, there were notable decreases in mRNA expression of aP1, C/EBP-α and PPAR-γ in hADSCs cultivated in simvastatin-added medium, compared to those in simvastatin-free medium. It suggests that the adipogenic differentiation was significantly inhibited by simvastatin treatment. These observations indicate that simvastatin induces osteogenic differentiation and suppresses adipogenic differentiation in hADSCs.Keywords: Simvastatin, Human adipose-derived stem cells, Osteogenic differentiation, Adipogenic differ-entiation


INTRODUCTION SPLENIC TORSION is a rare disease of the dog, occurring in the Great Dane and other large, deep-chested breeds (1, 4, 6). Animals with the disease have been described as displaying signs of sudden onset of splenodynia, rapid symmetrical splenic enlargement, hypotension and possibly signs of gastrointestinal disorder such as vomiting, colic and gastric tympany (1). Shock and collapse with death occurring in 24 to 48 hours may be observed in severe cases. Gastric dilation was a concomitant finding in two of the six cases reported in the literature (2, 6). The laboratory findings include anemia, leukocytosis and an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase concentration (1). The purpose of this report is to describe three additional cases of splenic torsion without gastric torsion.


Cross-country skiing provides unique movement patterns and unique athletes for sport science research. The integration of physiology and biomechanics into research projects has provided insights into systemic solutions regarding high intensity, whole body exercise and how workload is distributed. Newly introduced ski sprint events have stimulated continued research to better understand performance and human capacity limitations.


The purpose of this study was to propose strategic guidelines to reinforce the spiritual intelligence and personal values in the Regional Educational Project Coordinators in Municipio Santa Rita, Zulia State. A quantitative projective study with correlative descriptive level, and a field, non experimental transactional design was followed in this research with principals, teachers, workers and administrative personal in different institutions of the State. A questionnaire with a Likert scale model was used to collect the data. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and a Pearson correlation coefficient. Results helped to elaborate guidelines based on the six ways of Zohar and Marshall (2001), such as duty, love, commitment, knowledge and brotherhood that provides solid foundations for personal and professional activities to be performed based on needs.


The summer months of 2014 have brought sad and difficult global news. We live in a world where press coverage is such that those in the peaceful parts of the globe can easily observe horrors that happen elsewhere, such as in the Middle East where thousands have been killed and maimed in a ghetto situation not seen for over 70 years, or where brutal civil war, religious fundamentalist or nationalistic atrocities go beyond what can be imagined. Even the closer Eastern Europe is not exempt. We see this live on television and can not escape the necessity of considering what is happening. Why do people do such things to each other? How long is it going to continue and how can those in power who fuel these situations be stopped? Inevitably war is followed by massive trauma to body and soul when the fabric of society is destroyed and diseases come in as a result of the conditions created by such catastrophes. But diseases also go their own way as seen in the serious ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. This is now threatening several countries where weak health services are breaking down. As ebola spreads some health facilities close down for fear of contagiousness, while more seriously people avoid the hospitals that are still open, because they are so afraid to get the disease in those places. A relevant example familiar to our profession would be a mother who needs competent care and facilities for safe delivery, but now she may rather choose to go to a traditional helper in her own or a nearby village. A colleague from the region and working in his African homeland sent to one of the editors a message and said "I am getting worried. Our lives are at stake. There is no hope for our families if ones dies of this disease. As a health worker, one's chance of getting the infection is very high. I really feel sorry for my two kids when I imagine the risk involved in being a health worker in my country at the moment". Can you imagine yourself and your family in this situation? For many of us this is far away, but it might spread to Europe too. Our African colleague said that there are now so many more people out there who are carrying the ebola virus, – either symptomatic or asymptomatic. But they will not report to the health facilities for the necessary tests, posing a serious threat to entire nations in this huge and populous part of the world. The health staff are working under extremely difficult circumstances, already partly decimated by the disease in poorly equipped health facilities where the required skills to deal with the situation are lacking. They are in the opinion of our colleague the ones most at risk. That is obviously true. There is also a state of denial in these countries where people prefer to take their sick relatives to traditional healers or keep them at home, exposing other family members to the high risk of infection. To break the chain of transmission of this virus is a huge challenge. In a complex situation of traditional values being superimposed on a health system which is struggling to cope, it may not be possible to contain the disease. Our colleague reminds us that "the outbreak should not be looked on as a national or regional issue. A global approach should be taken to stop its spread. The world today is a global village and it will take just a couple of days, if not hours for anything that happens in one part of the world to affect other areas as well". This is a stark reminder of the situations that some doctors have to face. We who are more fortunate must stand by them and urge our health systems and governments to do what they can to help. Now. This October issue contains several articles of importance. Once again we have made international press releases to call attention to some AOGS articles. Wide coverage has ensued, for example about the article by Floortje Vlemmix and colleagues in the Netherlands on term breech delivery, published in the September issue (1). That article was i.a. featured on the RCOG homepage. In the current issue we have a valuable commentary by Hiroyoki Seki, a colleague in Kawagoe, Japan (pp. 959–964), on the role of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, – a topic which is now at the center of interest for understanding this major cause of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality, not least in the low resource parts of the world, where also the struggles against the ravages of ebola are ongoing. Then we feature two reviews; the first by Lior Drukker and colleagues in Jerusalem, Israel (pp. 965–972), on perimortem resuscitation in pregnancy, – a fortunately rare occurrence, but one which many of us may still encounter once or twice in a professional life-time in high-resource countries, let alone elsewhere. How this should be handled and what has to be kept in mind is well portrayed. From


Sunda Strait of Indonesia needs a technology to find out information on the bottom of Sunda Strait, and the suitable technology is ROV. The existing ROVs have limitations; those are in design structure and hydrodynamic response. An early research on design concepts has been conducted to develop existing ROVs. This research has a purpose to develop existing ROVs and to continue preliminary research on design concepts of the ROVs, and also to obtain the best front surface geometry modeling of the ROV body. The method used was the Granville method which determines parametric profile on ROV body which had streamlined body geometry. The result of the research was to obtain K1(curvature at xm) and rn (radius of the curvature at front end part) modeling, so that the best front surface geometry modeling curve on the body of the ROV Observation Class can be found.


Objective To explore the relationship between long-time exposure to low-dose ionization radiation and health effects.Methods 1052 occupational subjects exposed to ionization radiation in Chengdu city were recruited in monitoring cohort in 2007,including 785 men(74.62%) and 267 women(25.38%).Individual exposure dose were monitored by Thermoluminescent Measurement.Health effects include blood routine examination,Chromosomal aberration,eye lens test,etc.Variance Analysis(ANOVA),χ2 Test and Univariate Procedure of General Liner Model(Covariance Analysis) were implemented to test the difference among subgroups with SPSS 13.0 software.Results Annual average of exposure dose of male and female were(0.76±0.65)mSv and(0.75±0.64)mSv.There is no statistical significant between sex subgroups(F=(0.136,P=0.712).In females subgroup,the frequencies and ratios with low WBC,Low platelet,high RBC and high HGB were 30(11.2%),45(16.9%),4(1.5%)和3(1.1%) respectively.And in male subgroup,frequencies and ratios of above index were 32(4.1%),147(18.7%),64(8.2%) and 115(14.6%) respectively.Except low platelet,the distribution differences of the rest three blood indexes between sex subgroups were statistically significant(χ2 test,P0.01).Either in male or in female subgroups,no statistically significant difference of all health indexes(RBC,WBC,Platelet,HGB,and Chromosomal aberration) was observed in different radiation dose teams.Conclusion In this monitoring cohort,the health effects were related to hormesis and adaptive response as well as radiation damage accumulation effect of low-dose ionization radiation.Females were the sensitive group to suffer adverse effects,while blood indexes were the sensitive indexes for monitoring radiation exposure.


Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis, typically induced by consumption of a Western diet (WD), and hepatocytes are the main target of injury. Severity of hepatic steatosis correlates with increased development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis, identifying the importance of hepatocyte injury during NAFLD progression (James & Day, 1998). Typically, lipids are stored as droplets and it is here that cell metabolism occurs; however, droplet composition varies based on pathology and influences cell signalling and metabolism. Perilipin 2 (Plin2) modulates lipid storage, and loss of Plin2 protects against obesity, NASH and insulin resistance in models of NAFLD (McManaman et al. 2013). However, the impact of dysregulated Plin2 signalling on NAFLD progression is poorly understood. In an article by Orlicky and colleagues in this issue of The Journal of Physiology, the authors evaluated the role of Plin2 in obesity, progression to NASH and liver fibrosis in the chronic WD feeding model of NAFLD (Orlicky et al. 2019).


This paper presents the pronunciation performance between native and non-native speakers of Malay sounds in isolated speech recognizer (ISR). Speaker adaptation methods are combined to solve the performance decrease that recognizers are faced with native and non-native speech of speaker-independent (SI) models. Often, speech recognition performance degrades drastically if the recognizer which has been trained with native speech is exposed to non-native speech even though speech recognition systems have reached a certain level of maturity. Two experiments was performed to show the recognition accuracy of the baseline models trained with native dataset was drastically low for the non-native speakers from non-Malay group than for the native ones. Acoustic deviation has been discovered as one of important factors affecting the performance of the ISR. In this experiment, an acoustic technique has been implemented to compare the performance on native and non-native speech. We explore how acoustic models can be adapted to better recognize the non-native speech. The experiments show that there are many problems arise such as adaptation methods and the non-native pronunciation pattern that remains to be investigated. In future, it will be necessary to improve speaker adaptation methods by incorporating more extensive knowledge of speaker variation at both the acoustic and the pronunciation level.


Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma are the most common primary, nonhaemopoietic malignant bone tumors in children and adolescents. However, they rarely occur in the calcaneus with only few cases reported in the literature. Below knee amputation is considered to be the standard treatment leading to good functional results. However, in some rare instances a calcanectomy alone is possible and reconstructive options have to be considered. Herein, we report a case of an 8-year-old boy with calcaneal Ewing's sarcoma, who presented with heel pain followed by swelling for more than one month. Following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and preoperative radiation therapy a wide resection was performed. Reconstruction of the calcaneus was done using an allograft which got resorbed within two years of follow-up. The patient had no evidence of disease at a follow-up of 101 months. Reviewing the literature for similar cases or different reconstructive methods showed different treatment modalities for calcaneal malignancies besides below knee amputations such as custom made prosthesis, autograftor allograft reconstruction or total calcanectomy. Central Friesenbichler et al. (2015) Email: Ann Orthop Rheumatol 3(3): 1055 (2015) 2/4 CASE PRESENTATION In February 2006, an 8-year-old boy was admitted to our department due to pain and swelling in the area of his right ankle without any kind of trauma. The boy hobbled, the right ankle was swollen and over-warmed. There was also a leucocytosis in the laboratory check. Diagnostic imaging (plain radiographs, MRI and CT) showed blastic/cloudy and osteolytic areas in the calcaneus with destruction of the cortex (Figure 1A-D). Therefore, as differential diagnosis osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma or chronic osteomyelitis were assumed. An open biopsy was performed showing a small blue-cell tumor in the histology. Further, the genetical analysis resulted in chromosomal aberrations in the EWSR-1 gene. Consequently, the diagnosis Ewing's sarcoma was given. All other staging investigations (bone scan and chest CT) were negative for metastases. The boy was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to the EURO E.W.I.N.G 99 protocol. For further treatment, a local radiotherapy with totally 44,8Gy was applied. All imaging procedures following chemotherapy and radiation therapy showed regression in tumor size and an open re-biopsy in June 2006 revealed a regression grade I according to the classification system of Salzer-Kuntschik [12,13]. Due to the good response, a wide resection of the calcaneus and the surrounding soft tissues was performed. The reconstruction of the heel was done using an allograft (Figure 2). Furthermore, reconstruction of the peroneal tendons and the Achillis tendon was done by plastic surgeons. The patient was doing well postoperatively and the chemotherapy protocol was finished. Plain radiographs of the allograft showed tendencies of osteointegration in the talus as well as a stable osteosynthesis 3 months postoperatively (Figure 3A). Eight months later, the x-rays started to showed beginning resorption of the allograft and the screws used for allograft fixation started to irritate the skin of the heel (Figure 3B-D). Furthermore, there was a progressive malposition of the foot in supination. Sixteen months following index surgery a revision was performed to shorten the screws as well as to do a split tendon transfer of the anterior tibial muscle for correction of the supine malposition. Eighteen months later, the plain radiographs and the CT scan showed a progression in resorption of the allograft. Nevertheless, the patient was walking on the screws without pain and good function in the ankle. Further follow-ups showed a fracture of one screw without any significance (Figure 3E). In September 2012 the screws were removed and the patient was able to ambulate without any complications (Figure 3F). The patient had no evidence of disease at a follow-up of 101 months.


This paper investigates the theft of support guys of overhead transmission lines in Boluo,Guangdong in recent years,coming to the conclusion that the faulty antitheft facilities are the main reasons for the theft of guys.Consequently,it presents several precautions against the theft,recommending the PVC sleeve method and the guy wrapping method by glass fibre reinforced plastic and epoxy resin.


sume the place in industry it once occupied, either the machine must be so improved as to meet the requirements of the best design, or else the designer must learn the possibilities and limitations of the machine in order that he may adjust his design to the conditions without sacrificing any of its inherent beauty" (p. io). The author then makes evident the educational significance of this fact. "Education should seek ever to propagate and to perfect a superior type of art, should teach the public to appreciate it and to demand it, and should train designers and craftsmen to achieve superior results" (p. ii). The next two chapters deal with art in the elementary school, outlining appropriate topics for study in the first six grades: food, clothing, shelter, records (including sculpture and painting), utensils, tools and machines, light, heat, and power. Plans for typical lessons in pottery, book-making, breadmaking, study of textile fibers, and picture study are included in the fourth chapter. In the last two chapters of the book material adapted to the junior and senior high schools is outlined in some detail, with particular emphasis on the history of art and the appreciation of art quality in painting, sculpture, and architecture. At the end of each lesson outline there are lists of available reference books. These references constitute an adequate bibliography and should prove valuable to the classroom teacher. The book is rich in suggested topics for study and offers a few suggestions as to methods of presentation. It impresses one, however, as being too dogmatic and flavored too much with the personal convictions of the author without sufficient impersonal evaluation of the topics outlined for study in elementary and high schools. Some art teachers will hesitate to accept bread-making and the study of textile fibers as legitimate parts of the course of study in art. The relation of art to the rest of the curriculum needs careful consideration. Basic principles on which to build the course of study in art must be determined, and in this respect the book is lacking. However, it is full of good practical suggestions and will serve as an excellent reference book for the art teacher.


Industry performance is a key component of the top-down approach to investment management. The recent boom in the stock prices of mining companies in Australia affords an opportunity to examine whether equity funds are able to capture industry outperformance. Funds with a higher exposure to the mining industry do not earn higher returns, yet they are able to attract increased flows from investors. The positive impact of mining exposure on fund flow is consistent with investors being attracted to 'hot' investment styles and misinterpreting industry allocation as fund skill.


A new technology for the preparation of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde which purity is above 99.5 percent has already formed through the course of liquid oxidation,distillation,acidation by using cobalt cupric acete ferric acete as catalyst and methanol as solvent and O2 as oxidant.Its total cost is lower than the old technology .The technology has formed an industrial scale.


One city that has been known as a tourism destination is Makassar, particularly Tanjung Bunga beach. It is known to have various supporting facilities. The purpose of this research is to analyze coastline changes using satellite image data and the cause of its changes. It was conducted from August to October 2012 in Tanjung Bunga using Landsat 5 and 7 satellite data analysed by ER Mapper 7.0 and ArcMap 10 softwares to provide spatial and quantitative information on the coastline changes. Based on digital image processing, results indicated that the coastlines of Tanjung Bunga changes from year to year particularly from erosion and sedimentation. However, it was mapped and recorded that there has been some reclamation projects along the beaches. The largest areal extent changes occurred in 2008 to 2010 amounting to 29,300 m involving 1,907 m 2 strip of coastlines being reclaimed. This study implies that there must be some control in the beach reclaimation and other development projects to conserve and manage Tanjung Bunga for recreational purposes and other intangible benefits.


This research aims to study the development of Arabic dictionaries focused on the early method of arrangement. In the compilation of dictionaries, the Arab scholars were very remarkable. The great interest in codification to make Arabic language a capable and uniform instrument of communication arose first in relation to Islam. And for the purpose of preserving the textual integrity and correct pronunciation of the Arabic language in the Qur``an, the first linguistic studies were started and they were systematized by Al-khalil Ibn `Ahmad who was considered as one of the greatest Arab linguists. Al-khalil had laid the foundations for the compilations of the Arabic dictionaries. For succeeding to Al- Khalil`s method, Al- Azhari compilated 『Tahdhib al- lughah』 and it is characterized by the permutational or anagrammatical arrangement. In second step, Ibn Durayd, and Ibn Faris composed 『Al- jamharah』and 『Al- maqayis』 by ordinary alphabetical order and anagrammatical arrangement. There was the third step of the method of Arabic dictionary compilation named the rhyme arrangement. The representative of this step is al-Jawhari`s 『Al-sahah』, and Ibn Manzur`s 『Lisan al-`arab』. These dictionaries drove the remarkable development of Arabic lexicography and built the foundation of the modern efficient dictionaries` compilation.


A six-month-long naturalistic controlled open study demonstrates the advantages of Memantine vs. regular hospital treatment for vascular dementia and the Alzheimer disease, which includes normally vasoactive medication, and nooand psychotropic drugs. Memantine happens to be more effective in improving patients' behaviors, their functioning and slowing down cognitive deterioration.


Context: Establishing normal liver size is critical in the diagnosis and determining the treatment method for the underlying liver pathology. Aims: This study aimed at evaluating liver dimensions of apparently healthy pediatrics using ultrasonography in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria, from May 2020 to August 2020. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and twenty-six apparently healthy pediatric subjects; 213 males and 213 females. The liver was examined with the patient in the supine position, the anteroposterior liver dimension was obtained in a transverse plane through the mid clavicular line from the hepatic dome to the inferior angle. Cranio-caudal liver dimension was obtained in a longitudinal plane with an oblique beam at the level where the widest diameter was demonstrated. Statistical Analysis: Both descriptive inferential statistics were employed for the data analysis. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 23.0 was used for the data analysis and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Result: The mean cranio-caudal liver dimension for male and female subjects were 9.28 ± 2.18 cm and 9.17 ± 2.19 cm, respectively, while the mean antero-posterior liver dimension for male and female subjects was 6.87 ± 1.92 cm and 6.74 ± 1.90 cm, respectively. A statistically significant difference between pediatric age groups was observed (p ≤ 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in cranio-caudal and antero-posterior liver dimensions between male and female subjects (p ≥ 0.10, 0.24, 0.66, 0.30, 0.92, 0.33, and P ≥ 0.11, 0.79, 0.69, 0.45, 0.81, 0.29 for the respective pediatric age groups), respectively. Conclusion: References values for pediatric cranio-caudal and antero-posterior liver dimensions were established.


The main factor to maintain or growth of prostate is a testosterone. It is widelyaccepted that testosterone is necessary to be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to express its effect on the prostate. The 5α-reductase activity is reportedly under the control of the prolactin (PRL) and enhanced by testosterone and PRL, though PRL in the regulation of prostate growth is still controversial. The mastomys [Praomys (mastomys) natalensis] is an experimental animal unique for the female as well as the male having the morphologically functional prostate with two efferent ducts. In the present study, hormonal influence on the growth and maintenance of the prostate gland was studied in the mastomys of both sexes.Gonadectomized animals were grafted with the pituitary gland or further treated with testosterone or bromocriptine. The prostate weight decreased by castration and the administration of testosterone alone increased the prostate weight in both sexes. Furthermore, the decrease in the organ weights in both sexes due to castration was restored by pituitary graft, and the restoring response was higher in females than in males. Proliferation of epithelial cells was induced by administration of testosterone or grafting the anterior pituitary.


C A R I N G ABOUT P L A C E S . . Donlyn Lyndon editor G i v i n g Purpose to Change James F. Fulton publisher Todd W. Bressi associate editor Places change. How they change depends a lot on us. Alice Wingwall Allan B.Jacobs Randolph T . Hester, Jr. consulting editors What we think can be done in a place or with a place determines our response to it. The cumulative effects of a community's expectations, expressed in legislation or in the market, sets the destiny of most places. Whether Charlotte Sproul assistant to the editor preserved, wasted, quarried, or transfigured, places are products of our imagination and enterprise coupled Andre Schutz designer with the physical conditions of a site. What value should we give to what's already Jacqueline Thaw production manager there—to the earth, vegetation, the heritage of things previously built? What should we care about the pro- cesses these all embody and the acts of nurture and Pam Bonfilio production assistant attention they require? These are questions involving ethics and identity. William Wright circulation director How should we judge what places might be? What do we (or our descendants) forego when we are compla- Julie Johnson accounting manager cent? How might the city that now is be transformed with purpose into a city that might be? These questions also involve ethics and identity. Complacency is not nurture. We must recognize Contributing Board Stanford Anderson Clare Cooper Marcus Lois Craig John de Monchaux John Habraken Spiro Kostof Ray Lifchez Roger Montgomery John R. Myer William L . Porter Marc Treib that places are always in evolution, discern the energies at hand and give them our best—bit by bit, sometimes by fashioning a door handle or saving a tree, sometimes by shedding the limits of conventional thought and fac- ing fresh possibilities. P L A C E S


Religious culture in the village of Temboro, which made it is known as "Kampung Madinah", certainly did not happen suddenly, but there was a process of formation and role of Kiai and Pesantren Al-Fatah. This study aims to analyze the Kiai's cultural strategy in developing a religious culture using a phenomenological approach and collects data through in-depth interviews, active participant observation, and documentation. The study results show that, firstly, ideological culture is the strategy of the Kiai in shaping the religious culture of the Temboro community. Secondly, the ideological culture of the Tablighi Jamaat has an impact on changing the five religious cultures of the Temboro community, namely: (1) ideological faith, (2) normative Islam, (3) Sufistic religious experience, (4) moderate-textual religious knowledge, (5) Maqami-intiqali practice.


In the agricultural environment, pesticide control requires a high risk of work and a high labor force for farmers. The effectiveness of pesticide control using unmanned aerial vehicles varies according to climate, land type, and characteristics of unmanned aerial vehicles. Therefore, an effective method for pesticide control by unmanned aerial vehicles considering the spraying conditions and environmental conditions is required. In this paper, we propose an efficient pesticide control system based on agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles considering the application conditions and environmental information for each crop. The effectiveness of the proposed model was demonstrated by measuring the drop uniformity of pesticides according to the change in altitude and speed after attaching the sensory paper and measuring the penetration rate of the drug inside the canopy according to the change in crop growth conditions. Experiment result, the closer the height of the UAV is to the ground, the more evenly the crops are sprayed, but for safety reasons, 2m more is suitable, and on average a speed of 2m/s is most suitable for control. The proposed control system is expected to help develop intelligent services based on the use of various unmanned aerial vehicles in agricultural environments.


We report on measurements of variation in metal-insulator transition characteristics through thickness in VO2 film grown on model SiO2 gate insulator by nanometric scale controlled etching followed by electrical and compositional measurements. The phase transition magnitude defined as ratio of resistivity at 25 °C to that at 100 °C of VO2 decreases from ∼159 at the surface to ∼14 at ∼10 nm away from a VO2/SiO2 interface, showing a difference of >10 times, while that for a VO2 thin film grown with identical conditions on single crystal sapphire only shows ∼3 times difference. The off-stoichiometric composition near the VO2/SiO2 interface induced by unoriented growth on amorphous SiO2 is likely responsible for the dramatic change in transition characteristics.


Analyses the shortcomings of the current modal of network marketing's data collection, then builds a new network marketing modal basesd on virtual community. Discusses the new model's functions and gives the data flow chart. Brings up the information technology, data warehouse and data mining to extent the functions of the new model and discusses the following research working.


12:00 PM Panel discussion with IWEC representatives , one from each continent, chaired by prof. alfredo pastor • adela Subirana, Commissioner of IWEC for the President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce • nancy ploeger, President, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce • Viola manual, Executive Director, Cape Town Chamber of Commerce • Kavitha Varadaraj, President, FLO India Simultaneous translation will be available


We define the twin paradox without resort to stopping because we assume that instant velocity commences and terminates at an instant state of rest. Twins occupy the same fiducial point from which one twin obtains an instant velocity to a non-fiducial point, then obtains another instant velocity back to the fiducial point. The question is are the twins the same at the fiducial point before and after the separation and travel of the one twin. This is the state of affairs without special relativity. We also test the above as the counter example for the state of affairs with special relativity. [T]he twin paradox is not a paradox, but rather something else, namely, a state of affairs that is not tautologous and not contradictory. What follows is that special relativity is suspicious.


There is a $4 shipping and handling charge for all mailed items. A comprehensive website that includes the complete report, all data, spread-sheets, frequently asked questions, individual site summary reports and additional information can be accessed online at: The Statewide Seismic Needs Assessment covers public school buildings, acute inpatient care facilities, fire stations, police stations, sheriffs' offices and other law enforcement agency buildings. Over 1,000 K-12 schools qualified for the assessment, covering 90% of enrolled public school students in every county and 100% of the vulnerable coastal community schools were surveyed. Minor data errors and errata have been corrected for the release of the final report. The result of the assessment is a list of the above mentioned buildings that are ranked for the " probability of collapse " due to the maximum possible earthquake for any given area. The rankings range from Very High, High, Moderate to Low.


A spine-chilling exploration of the destructive impacts of trauma, heritable illnesses and supernatural malevolence on a grief-stricken household, Ari Aster's first feature is an extraordinarily effective work of horror and family drama. As Jasmine Crittenden writes, the film's nightmarish strength lies in its relatability and empathetic framing of characters, even as it blurs the line between reality and imagination, mental illness and demonic possession.


Freshwater invertebrates are commonly used in biological monitoring, but research of biomarkers at biochemical level is still at the early stage of development. Biomarkers in aquatic species are regarded as important for detecting stressor components, such as presence of pollutants and changes in environmental factors (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, etc.). In this study, to evaluate the pollution in Kocabas Stream, we used specific biomarkers (GSH, TBARS and Na + , K + -ATPase) in homogenates of whole organisms. Macro invertebrate samples were sampled from three locations receiving increasing levels of urban and industrial waste water discharges along the Kocabas Stream (Canakkale-Turkey) in April and July 2013. Locations were selected to include the aquatic communities in poor and good ecological state depending on the measured physico-chemical water parameters and the analysis of benthic macro invertebrate communities. According to the results of the study, statistically important increases in TBARS and GSH level of Asellus aquaticus, Gammarus pulex pulex and Potamon ibericum collected from the stations in Can and Biga were observed compared to the individuals collected from Yenice. These results indicated that presence of serious pollutants in Kocabas Stream especially in Can region also occurred in the physiology of macro invertebrate organisms living in the region.


This article describes research which sought to understand how the Child Support Grant, an unconditional cash transfer in South Africa, influences children's capabilities in education and health. Of children aged five to 14 years, who are legally required to attend school, the presence of the grant was found to enhance enrolment in the early years of education and resulted in healthier body mass indices. This finding was despite child beneficiaries residing in poorer households with lower access to services than children not receiving the grant. Some services, however, such as water and electricity proved vital to the promotion of school enrolment and the health of these children. The research highlighted the need for resources in the form of basic services to supplement household income in order to enhance child capabilities required for development.


India acceded to the global changes by initiating economic reforms. Liberalization of the economy had unshackled new centers of political interest and influence. A retreat of the central state meant greater latitude for the state and local level constituencies and a shift in the locus of decision making to the regions. In foreign policy, it meant realignments in the region. In the 1990s, a new reactive connection had emerged between rising Islamic and Hindu extremism, Indo-Pakistan relations, and the conflict over Kashmir. A weak and unstable Pakistan was even more dangerous to India's control over its borders in the north and the west than an aggressive Pakistan, driven by resurgent Islam. While these shifts altered the context of anxiety over Border States, the rise of Hindu nationalism led by the BJP and of powerful ethnic and caste parties in politically important states within India altered the basis of domestic politics.


Effects of urea on the properties of lignin-phenol-formaldehyde(LPF) adhesive were studied.Addition of 2% ~ 3% urea to LPF adhesive can improve the properties of adhesive apparently,that the adhesive strength increases from 2.02 MPa to 2.21 MPa,mass fraction of free formaldehyde decrease from 0.16% to 0.05%,and the viscosity decreases from 858 mPa·s to 306 mPa·s.IR spectra of LPF with and without urea before and after the curing show that,urea reacts with free formaldehyde to produce urea formaldehyde resin,and during the process of curing with urea,condensation between the hydroxyl groups of urea formaldehyde resin and LPF adhesive takes place,resulting in the increase in the strength of LPF adhesive.


The use of planar chiral ferrocenyl ligands bearing a stereogenic center in β-position of the side chain was investigated in Pd-catalyzed enantioselective allylic substitutions. By employing 2.2 mol % of a P,S-ligand and 1.0 mol % of [Pd(η3-C3H5)Cl]2, the alkylation of the standard test system (±)-(E)-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate using dimethylmalonate/BSA as nucleophile proceeded in quantitative yield with an ee of 97%, which is the best value reported so far in this reaction using a P,S-ligand.